Is it possible for persons from all castes to practice devotion to Krishna?
A Girl devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Prabhuji…i am a girl of 27 years old and belongs to an ST caste. I have been mentally harassed all the time i want to do good for others or sacrifice. Firstly i thought to die and finish my life. But then i heard some devotees telling about aatmahatya will be against gods will as he is the creator and only he has the authority to do so. then i decided to go with iskcon and to live with lord krishna become a dasi forever. Is it possible for me to have this opportunity being a ST child or in front of lord all are treated being equal. Kindly reply with your valuable quote. Or else i will be frustrated more and don’t know what will happen if i loose my conciousness.”
REPLY:
Why not?
Why do you think yourself as inferior?
The best thing in this kaliyuga is that the birth based caste system is discouraged and the caste factor is becoming weak.
So, no one need to feel inferior considering his/her caste based on the birth.
(Did Krishna create caste system to divide the society as said by atheists? READ HERE!)
Krishna Bhakti is related to athma and not body. It is the practice of the athma for the Paramathma Krishna.
Athma has no castes, no religions, etc. Its only target is its master Krishna.
Since we are seriously involved in material pleasures, we have forgotten our master and are struggling in life.
Krishna did not take most of the avatars in the families of brahmanas. He took avatars in the houses of devotees who had done penances for the same in their previous births.
Krishna’s mercy is open to all equally. Anyone who shows exclusive love for Krishna and the service attitude can get His mercy abundantly.
Has He said in any place that only a certain community is eligible to practice devotion?
No.
Even the so called VARNA in the Varnashrama system is not based on the birth, but, it is based on the Qualities and profession.
Anyone who develops the qualities meant for the brahmanas can become a brahmana.
(Being a brahmana or Vaishnava -which is recommended for kaliyuga? READ HERE!)
And, anyone who does not follow the rules meant for brahmanas lose his status of Brahmana.
It is not a permanent status.
A status is acquired by a person with his sincere practice.
Anyone can either uplift or downgrade his status.
All depend on his activities.
If you take ISKCON, it has no caste or other barriers for joining in it and it has serious devotees from all countries, races, religions, communities, etc.
ISKCON is the best example for the fact that anyone of any status can become serious devotees.
So, you have no barrier to join ISKCON as a practitioner of devotion.
(How to join ISKCON to become a Member and Practice Devotion? READ HERE!)
Srila Prabhupada says in the Purport for Nectar of Instruction-5:
“In this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement a chance is given to everyone without discrimination of caste, creed or color. Everyone is invited to join this movement, sit with us, take prasāda and hear about Kṛṣṇa. When we see that someone is actually interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and wants to be initiated, we accept him as a disciple for the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. When a neophyte devotee is actually initiated and engaged in devotional service by the orders of the spiritual master, he should be accepted immediately as a bona fide Vaiṣṇava, and obeisances should be offered unto him. Out of many such Vaiṣṇavas, one may be found to be very seriously engaged in the service of the Lord and strictly following all the regulative principles, chanting the prescribed number of rounds on japa beads and always thinking of how to expand the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Such a Vaiṣṇava should be accepted as an uttama-adhikārī, a highly advanced devotee, and his association should always be sought.”
(CASTE IS NO BAR TO GET THE LORD – STORY! READ HERE!)
So, it is possible for persons from all castes to practice devotion to Krishna. Anyone from any community and religion can get Krishna.
Always remember Srila Haridass Thakur who was glorified as Namacharya by Sri Caitanya Maha prabhu was a moghul by birth.
Attend the programs regularly in the nearby temple/ center and take some services.
Forget your community and consider yourself as a servant of Krishna.
This will be a new birth to you – A servant of Krishna. A vaishnava.
Everything will be auspicious. Be hopeful in life and never think of suicide that is the most painful and sinful.
Hope you are clear that it is possible for persons from all castes to practice devotion to Krishna.
(Is Changing religion to come out of all problems right? READ HERE!)