Is Krishna Bhakti possible only if Our karma and horoscope permits?
……………………Dasi asked like this:
“If someone predicts that as per your chart in future your love for Krishna will not be much and all. Should we trust? Chanting is most powerful. Stars of all universes and all powers of all universes are nothing in front of Holy Name. Chanting takes care of this na. I always feel scared that I dont wanna see the day when I stop loving Krishna. Chanting and reading scriptures and serving will take care of my devotion and will multiply my love for Krishna na? Pls guide me.”
REPLY:
This is not completely true. Let me explain how.
Krishna Bhakti comes because of the following two reasons:
(1) As a continuation of the sadhanas (devotional practices) stopped in one’s previous births.
(2) New introduction in this birth in Krishna Bhakti.
(Social Service and Karma Yoga! Does Krishna consider them equally? READ HERE!)
Let me explain both the cases:
(1)
If you have taken birth in a devotee family or brahmana family, you have been already destined to continue the Krishna bhakti from where you stopped in your previous birth.
In such cases, you should have stopped devotion to Krishna in your previous birth that continues in this birth by taking birth in a vedic Brahmana family that is very conservative and religious. If you do not skip attachments in this birth, I will have to take another birth to attain that perfection. In that birth, I will be still more religious from the birth itself.
This is the first reason. This continuation of devotion in the next birth is indicated in our horoscope in its fifth house beautifully and decisively.
That is why, the fifth house is called POORVA PUNYA STHAAN (The house that indicates the Punya (good and spiritual deeds) we accumulated from the previous births).
It is strongly indicated in the fifth house of my horoscope that I will take up Krishna Bhakti and preach it effectively. Similarly many devotees may have such indications.
In the fifth house of our horoscope, if Mercury is connected in any way, that means, we were following Krishna bhakti in our previous births and hence we will get immediate interest in Vishnu/ Krishna in this birth. That’s all.
(What if the Association is misused by some devotees to love in temples? READ HERE!)
In my horoscope, Mercury is very strong in the fifth house. In fact, Mercury is the strongest planet in my horoscope. This indicates that I will live for Krishna, skipping other preferences. That is why, I immediately accepted Krishna as my favourite deity in my twenties itself. My father was not connected with ISKCON because ISKCON was not existing then. But, he was a strong reciter of VISHNU SAHASRA NAMA every morning before sun rise in the nearby Lord Rama temple.
So, the seeds of my devotion to Krishna dates back to ISKCON. However, Srila Prabhupada’s writings taught me how to develop strong love for Krishna AS THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD. Srila Prabhupada clearly explained in his books how Krishna is the source of everything that attracted me. LEARNING TO LOVE KRISHNA is the gift that I derived from ISKCON.
Only because of that strong mercury, I am able to write articles on Krishna because Mercury that represents Krishna is the source of knowledge.
If Mercury is not strong, one can’t advance fast in devotion unless he takes the association of pure devotees.
Srila Prabhupada had strong Mercury. Hence he took birth in vedic family and wrote so many books. Because he had Rahu in the second house, he had to leave the family and dedicate to Krishna. Thus, Krishna bhakti is predicted in our horoscope IF IT IS THE CONTINUATION FROM PREVIOUS BIRTH.
(Are our earnings decided by the karma network of God? READ HERE!)
(2)
Now, the second case. Many people are introduced to Krishna in this birth only as a new comer. This is not shown in the horoscope. Their horoscope will just show that they will be pious and god fearing.
If they are more fortunate and take the association of pure devotees, Krishna makes them as His devotees. This is how, the fortunate boys and girls from even the western countries, African countries and even restricted countries could get the opportunity of knowing and practicing Krishna Bhakti because of the association of Srila Prabhupada.
How this happens?
This is where Krishna uses some selected devotees. Krishna used Srila Prabhupada to take His name all over the world and create thousands of new devotees.
Thus, Krishna makes new devotees through some selected existing dedicated devotees. We call them gurus, acharyas, preachers, etc. Like a burning ghee lamp lights hundreds of lamps, the blessed and pure souls create hundreds of devotees just by giving their association.
That is why, guru is given much importance in our tradition. Even the Lord Krishna and Rama went accepted a guru on earth.
If these new persons are unable to attain perfection in this birth, in their next birth, their horoscope will have strong Mercury and they will follow devotion right from their young age.
I can say that even some sincere western devotees may take birth in a vedic or Vaishnava family in their next birth if they could not attain perfection in this birth.
This is the secret behind the devotion and Karma (horoscope).
In your case, you have been introduced to Krishna now. If you are faithful, you can get Krishna even from this birth. So, try as sincerely as possible without doubts.
Hope this explanation has cleared your doubt whether devotion comes thru karma.
All the best.
(How karma decides our gender in the next birth as male or female? READ HERE!)