Work for Krishna
I first met the Hare Krishna devotees in the Summer of 2019 during my first semester of undergrad here at the university. I was very fortunate to be instantly hooked by the prasādam, the karma-free lunches served on campus, and that semester there were house programs hosted almost everyday of the week. At first it was just a fun thing to do: good food, cool people, but gradually I became more fixed in my understanding that this was the complete philosophy of existence. It had a process of practical application and I took to that process and have been taking to that process ever since.
Taking to bhakti-yoga and living a Krishna Conscious life needn’t necessitate a neglect for material duties. No matter how serious I got in my devotional practices, I never quit school, no matter how badly I wanted. I ended up graduating with a bachelor’s degree in three years time and am currently enrolled in a master’s program. Spending extra time each day chanting Hare Krishna on beads, or offering food to Krishna before I eat it has not made me any less productive a member of society. I go to school, I go to work, just like you do, but the difference is the consciousness in which these things are done.
The ancient wisdom of Bhagavad-Gītā instructs us that work performed for one’s own sense gratification is a form of bondage while working in a spirit of devotion is cause for liberation. The bondage is an increased godlessness and bodily conception of life which leads to accepting another material body after quitting this one. The liberation is full consciousness of one's eternal identity as a soul part and parcel of God and culminates in being reunited with Him in His abode to serve eternally in bliss.
These concepts of enlightenment, liberation, and entering the kingdom of God are reminiscent of all spiritual traditions. One does not need to retire to the forest in mystic meditation, or live a monastic life in the temple to make spiritual advancement. Similarly, one cannot simply declare themselves saved, spend time with God once a week, and by grace be granted access to the Lord’s abode. Some sacrifice must be there. Some work must be there.
It is already there. No one can maintain their body with proper food, clothing, and shelter without some work. This is why you are already spending countless hours studying prep materials for exams or busing tables to save up for your future. You might as well do it in a mood of, “My dear Lord, the result of this endeavor is entirely up to You, but may You be pleased with me that I am trying to remember You. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare.”
By working with this attachment to Krishna, we are naturally detached from the momentary happiness or distress subsequent to whatever the work. We recognize the laws of karma and understand whatever success or failure allotted to me is the result of past deeds and cannot be altered by the exertion of more or less effort. We can take deep peace in knowing Krishna is the Supreme Controller, the Supreme Proprietor, and our Supreme Friend. We can understand the eternality of ourselves and how minuscule this one test or one job opportunity is in the grand scheme of our existence. We are not meant to toil like asses for mere sleeping, eating, mating, and defending facilities. At the same time, we are not neglectful of our bodily needs because we know that this material world is Krishna’s and this body I have been given is also Krishna’s so let me maintain it nicely and be of service.
As human beings, with intelligence, we can recognize that whatever we do can become connected to God through service and become spiritual. This is the case for even seemingly mundane tasks like sitting in class or washing dishes. For instance, iron in and of itself is cold and dull; however, once it is placed in fire long enough it takes on the qualities of fire. What was once dull and cold has now become hot and bright like fire. In the same way, by constant remembrance of the Lord in our daily duties the once material tasks become spiritual and can serve to awaken us to our true natures.
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda presents a wonderful analogy as follows:
"Therefore we have to practice remembering the Lord always, twenty-four hours a day, by chanting His names and molding our life's activities in such a way that we can remember Him always.
How is this possible? The ācāryas give the following example. If a married woman is attached to another man, or if a man has an attachment for a woman other than his wife, then the attachment is to be considered very strong. One with such an attachment is always thinking of the loved one. The wife who is thinking of her lover is always thinking of meeting him, even while she is carrying out her household chores. In fact, she carries out her household work even more carefully so her husband will not suspect her attachment. Similarly, we should always remember the supreme lover, Sri Krsna, and at the same time perform our material duties very nicely."
Excerpt from the Introduction to the Bhagavad-Gītā: As it is
By spending time with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His Holy Name one is sure to be liberated from the cycle of birth and death in remembrance of their eternal position as servant of the Supreme Master. There is no other solution to the misery and pangs of this material world. Do not give up your day job. If aspects of the process seem difficult to implement just keep chanting. As you allow Krishna on your tongue, and in your ears, heart, and life He will inspire you from within to make the most of this human form of life. Be a perfect human and at the end of this life go back home, back to Godhead.
His student devotee,
Ananga-latā