I have a question regarding what it means to be a devotee of Krsna:
If a person associates with other devotees sometimes, or is initiated
with a devotee name, they usually are referred to by others as a devotee.
But if that person is living a normal fast paced life, say as a student and mother
busy with 'mundane' activities, trying to materially progress, and not really specifically doing devotional activities on a regular basis, like reading or chanting or going to a temple, but also at the same time is not breaking any of the regulative principles, what is their status?
I would greatly appreciate anyones opinion or experience about this topic.
thank you,
Ragatmika dasi
I myself am a householder and trying to manage my spiritual and mundane life to have a healthy balance, it’s not always a success but I’m doing my best. What it means to be a devotee of Krsna? I think the question should be, "Who is non-devotee?" Asat eka stri-sangi krsna bhakta ara. One who is too much attached to material enjoyment, sex life. So having no personal desire, surrendering into Krsna, always thinking of Him and acting for Him, serving Guru and Vaishnavas, associating with devotees makes you a devotee in my opinion. As stated in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.114),
alabdhe va vinaste va
bhaksyacchadana-sadhane
aviklava-matir bhutva
harim eva dhiya smaret
"Even if a devotee is frustrated in his attempt to eat properly or clothe himself properly, he should not allow this material failure to disturb his mind; rather, he should use his intelligence to remember his master, Lord Krsna, and thus remain undisturbed." As one becomes mature in this process of remembering Krsna in all circumstances, he is awarded the title maha-bhagavata.
I think that chanting and good association on regular basis is a must to progress in Krsna Consciousness, because it makes your shraddha strong and deepens your saranagati. Regularity is essential for building mental and physical discipline.
Srila Prabhupada's lecture - Bhagavad-gita 1.31 — London, July 24, 1973
So Arjuna is in grhastha-asrama. He wants to serve Krsna. He's Krsna's friend. He is a devotee. Krsna has already recommended. In the Fourth Chapter He will declare, bhakto 'si priyo 'si me [bg. 4.3]. "You are My dear friend. You are My devotee." So he is qualified, grhastha-asrami. He is devotee of Krsna, but he is also family man. He has his wife, children. So here the problem is what is sreyas? What is ultimate good? That is mistaken here. Therefore Bhagavad-gita is required. He is thinking that "Krsna is not so important. My family is important. My family." Although he is devotee. Therefore kanistha-adhikari, in the lower stage of devotee, in the lower stage of devotion, one may be interested in Krsna consciousness, but his real interest is how to improve this material life. Just like: "O God, give us our daily bread." So he has gone to God not to serve God, but to take bread. Artah artharthi. That is also good. But he... Because he has gone to God to ask for bread, he is better than the rascals who do not care for God. He has gone to God. That is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita. Arto jijnasur artharthi jnani ca bharatarsabha. Catur-vidha bhajante mam janah sukrtino 'rjuna [bg. 7.16]. "Arjuna, four kinds of people, they become devotee." Who are they? Arto. Arto means distressed. Artharthi, one who is poor, wants some money; jijnasur, inquisitive; and jnani, and a man of knowledge. So artah artharthi, this is meant, this is referred to the grhastha. The grhasthas, they become sometimes distressed. The grhastha-asrama means unless there is Krsna or full consciousness of Krsna, it is simply miserable, simply miserable. Duhkhalayam asasvatam [bg. 8.15]. Simply working hard day and night, then there is, child is sick, then wife is not satisfied, the servant is not satisfied... So many things, problem. But if there is Krsna in the center, the all problems will be solved. But people do not know this. They think that "I shall be happy with wife, children, servants, house, and this and that." No. That is not possible. Therefore one should be in grhastha-asrama. Not only in family life. Family, the dogs have got family life. He has got wife, children. The cats and the hogs, a big family. Because a hog begets, at a time, one dozen children. What you beget? You are afraid of begetting one child even. This contraceptive method. But they are not afraid. They beget one dozen children at a time, twice in a year. So to live with family, wife, children... Then the hog accepts family life. No. That is not family life. You live with wife, children, peacefully, if you like, but bring in Krsna in the center. That is grhastha-asrama.
One should follow the regulative principles with firm conviction and understanding -- they are practical guidelines by which to live, to stop contamination, to sacrifice. But I'm not sure that is enough to make a continuous advancement though. According to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, a kanistha-adhikari should very seriously follow the rules and regulations of Deity worship set forth by the spiritual master, so they will gradually be elevated to a higher standard and eventually become pure devotees of the Lord.
I remember that in one purport in BG Srila Prabhupada mentions that anyone who has accepted Lord Vishnu as the goal of life is called a Vaisnava, and he continues to say that because this is a liberal statement it may also apply to devotees that may not be good association for the time being. I dont feel that someone who is struggeling with thier sadhana due to a lot of responsibilty would fall into the category of bad assotiation though.
Also if one is following the regulative principals it is an austarity, and although this may not be a means of spiritual advancement in it self it still makes some statement of dedication.
And lastly no matter what our situation may be, it is not to much to prevent us from being able to chant the Mahamantra while driving, cooking, brushing teeth, showering etc. at least we can become habituated to chant in the mind while doing these every day dutys.