Becoming Krishna devotee though destined to worship other Gods!
A Girl devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna Prabhuji . Pranam. Our astrologer has said that as per my moon sign and nakshtra in which I was born my ishta dev is Shiva, not Krishna. My devotional services has come down and my rounds have reduced a lot. It seems my life is totally in vain that I have no right for Krishna Bhakti. Since childhood my mind has cultivated by reading Krishna books and for me it is next to impossible to love someone the way I love Krishna. My whole schedule revolves around him. Since, I have heard that it seems that Krishna won’t accept me, I am unable to control my mind and overthinking and am feeling what if Krishna discards me. Than am also feeling let him do I will not leave but I am scared a lot. My mind gets peace only by chanting and hearing of Krishna else my mind is not calm. Prabhuji I am not scared of anything to the level I am scared of losing Krishna bhakti. For me it’s my oxygen. Shivji is topmost Vaishnav. He is among 12 Mahajans. He is Gopeshwar and he gives Gopi Prem whosoever asks for it. Won’t he give me? Krishna will accept me? I have no one except you. Pls guide me Prabhuji”
REPLY:
See, destiny can be changed by Krishna in different ways.
Destiny, ie, Karma can be altered by taking good association.
Association means both the association of devotees as well as powerful books/ writings.
Reading books/ media and learning is also an act of association with the author of the book/ media.
Association is very powerful. The power of the purity of our associate makes even a thief into a saintly person.
Using our freewill to associate with the saintly people makes us also saints.
You might have got the association of Krishna devotees or devotee parents or relatives or even the books/ stories related to Krishna right in the childhood.
This might have sowed seed of Krishna bhakti in you.
So, this powerful association has made you a devotee of Krishna.
That astrologer has said that your favourite deity will be Lord Shiva, but you are naturally inclined towards Krishna now because of the above reasons.
Only this natural inclination should be followed and cultivated by everyone of us.
(Who gives liberation for the devotees of Other Gods except Krishna? READ HERE!)
I belong to a Advaita Brahmin family in the tradition of Sankaracharya. They worship both Shiva and Vishnu (Krishna) and also other Gods.
I too was like that in my student age.
But, after reading (associating with) Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita As It Is, my attachment to Krishna strengthened and dominated in my consciousness.
After reading other books of the same acharya and associating with the devotees of Krishna, I became a dedicated devotee of Krishna who respects all other gods.
Thus, if Krishna wants to make someone His devotee, He introduces us to other devotees, acharyas, books and sathsangha of the devotees of Krishna.
This is not possible without the will of Krishna.
That is why, many people from all over the world from different religions, races, communities became the devotees of Krishna just by the association with the acharya Srila Prabhupada and his followers, disciples, etc.
(What if my parents want me chanting manthras of other gods with Krishna? READ HERE!)
By birth, one may be a follower of different religious system. But, if Krishna decides to bring someone into His service, He makes them His devotees by giving them proper association or sources.
This causeless mercy is available for the chosen fortunate people.
In your case, Krishna has already brought you into His network of devotees though by birth you may have Shiva as your chosen or favourable God.
So, already, you are a fortunate and chosen devotee of Krishna. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His wish is final that controls all other Gods.
Once you have become a devotee of Krishna, it is the final stage of devotion.
One’s search for ultmate devotional achievement ends when he becomes a devotee of Krishna.
(Two Views on Krishna’s devotee worshiping Other Gods? Which to follow? READ HERE!)
After becoming a devotee of Krishna, there is no going back.
Will you like to work as a clerk after becoming a manager?
No going back.
Krishna Bhakti is natural for every person because it is already in the hidden state in everyone in his state as athma.
Krishna is the master of every athma. So, Krishna is our naturally the Person of our worship.
Since we are attached to some benefits in our life, our athma has temporarily forgotten our master Krishna.
However, when we are purified because of the devotee association and sadhanas, we start to realize our real nature as the part of Krishna and the servants of Krishna.
Till we attain this realization, we will be worshiping other gods expecting some material benefits without knowing that those benefits are also provided by Krishna through those gods.
(Can a Krishna devotee get full mercy of Krishna if he worships other gods? READ HERE!)
Showing His Causeless mercy, Krishna has made us His devotees.
So, feel fortunate and blessed to be the devotee of Krishna.
If you remain a dedicated devotee of Krishna respecting other gods, those gods including Lord Shiva will naturally bless you.
So, no need for guilt of deserting Shiva Bhakti Or no need to worry for horoscope predictions that say that you will be worshipping other gods.
Krishna has chosen you and given Himself to you.
Feel fortunate and blessed.
Hope you are clear about becoming Krishna devotee though destined to worship other Gods!
(What is the destination of Vaishnavas who worship other Gods too? READ HERE!)