I have three questions to make:
1. What will be the indication that after chanting 16 rounds of beads daily, our love for Krishna has increased?
2. How to dedicate our job to Krishna while we are working for a salary?
3.Will hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam class through the internet yield the same result as compared to hearing directly? (N.Krsnan Iyer,)
Our reply:
1. Srila Prabhupada once commented that the test for advancement in spiritual life is increased taste for Krishna-katha and Krishna-kirtana. Taking a cue from your question, a simple indication would be whether, after completing our mandatory 16 rounds of chanting Hare Krishna, we are eager to chant the 17th round. If our chanting has led to an increase of our love for the Lord, surely we would be keen to chant His holy names again.
2. Lord Krishna advises in the Bhagavad-gita (9.27) to perform our activities as an offering to Him. Our job included, all our activities could be performed with this intention. For example, we could donate a part of our salary to furthering His cause, speak about Him at our workplace, distribute prasada to our work colleagues, and help them learn scriptures, etc. Through such activities, we can always dedicate our jobs to Krishna.
3. In today’s fast-paced lives, the facilities that internet provides are definitely a boon. However, one should try not to use the internet to compensate for one’s own relaxed attitude in spiritual life. Along with the message, the mood in which we hear the message is also important. (Bg 4.34).
If hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam directly from a devotee is possible, we should do so. Hearing from the speaker directly helps us to develop a mood of gratitude and submission towards the speaker; we see the speaker trying hard to explain the message, and the setting is formal where special respect is given to the Srimad-Bhagavatam speaker.
When listening through the internet, one could be doing so passively while physically carrying out other tasks. This is not possible when we are hearing directly. In a proper temple setting, the eagerness and attentiveness of fellow devotees also influences us positively. Moreover, the sight of someone eager to listen encourages the speaker as well to speak with greater enthusiasm and vigor.
Reply to the letter was written by Nanda Dulala Dasa
Write to us at:
Back To Godhead,
3rd Floor, 302, Amrut Industrial
Estate, Western Highway,
Mira Road (E) 401104.