Is Playing Cards by the devotees without Pledging money allowed?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna Prabhu Ji, Dandavat Pranam. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
I needed your guidance on whether some of my lifestyle activities violates the Regulative Principles.
I casually play card board games at home and NEVER involve money at any cost and also do not expect to win. I think it is a game of luck and does not matter the outcome. I also play only at home and not go to any places of game. As it still considered as gambling?
Also Prabhu Ji I was thinking of investing in mutual funds as a future investment with no expectations or greed of high profits. I also ask guidance from my friend who is well aware and also explore myself and not just invest blindly based on trend. Is it considered Gambling?
Looking forward for your guidance.”
REPLY:
Though playing cards without pledging money is not a violation, but just a TIME PASS, it is not necessary for the devotees.
The smokers and drinkers generally start with just a single cigarette or once a week or month. But, when they face any problems in life, as an outlet, they increase the usage of cigarette and liquor. Then, they become seriously addicted to the intoxicants.
That is why, it is advised NOT TO START using the intoxicants.
It is safe not to start at all.
(Is Krishna devotee selling meat & intoxicants without using them allowed? READ HERE!)
Similarly, you may play the cards as leisure now. In future, when you feel emptiness or any of your friend says that he earned lakhs in cards, you may be tempted as you know playing cards well.
So, it is better to totally avoid that habit of playing cards though free play as leisure activity is now harmless.
Another thing is that a devotee should keep on trying to avoid unwanted activities one by one in his life.
For example, if a devotee likes to advance in devotion, he should try his best to avoid unwanted activities that diverts his depth of devotion to Krishna.
A few examples:
Reading romantic novels, stories, etc;
Watching Sense inducing movies and tele serials;
Watching preplanned Game shows;
Taking part in unwanted chatting with materialistic friends;
Developing close interaction with the materialistic and unproductive friends.
Using Social media excessively.
(5 SIMPLE TIPS TO AVOID GAMBLING AS A REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE FOR KRISHNA DEVOTEES! READ HERE!)
Then, what should the devotees do as leisure?
For a devotee, wasting every available moment is a criminal waste of time that can be used for Krishna.
When you have leisure, you can feel happy as it gives you time to read more and more literatures on Krishna. You can watch the collection of Videos taken during the period of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples.
You can follow good media in the internet that engages you in the thoughts of Krishna.
The present life time will not be enough to read and watch the available literatures and Videos about Krishna.
For me, I am unable to find time to such unwanted or leisurely activities and I am engaged by Krishna in serving Him and His devotees in different ways throughout the day through Online preaching, Site updating, management and follow up, Some Temple Services, Horoscope services, My Reading & Learning, My sadhanas, etc. I am made to work for about 15 hrs a day and I sleep mostly 4 – 4.5 hours only. So, I have no time to think of leisurely activities.
Moreover, I am on tablets till I die. Of course, my body cries for rest and I experience the effects of long work, in my eyes (I may feel some flies flying in front of my eyes) and nerves (that makes me tired with head ache). However, Somehow, Krishna is giving strength to work for 15 hrs. Let us see how long He takes this.
(Is it gambling to involve in Politics and IAS for devotees? READ HERE!)
Why do you allow free time? Take the Scriptures and read. Chant whenever you have time. Visit the temples and have satsangha. Discuss with the devotees.
That is, take even devotional practices as your leisure activity.
Fully engage yourself. Then, you will not think of cards.
So, though you are not violating now, playing cards even without pledging anything is an unwanted activity and waste of time for the devotees.
DEVOTEES INVESTING IN MUTUAL FUNDS
Why mutual funds are considered as Gambling?
Because they involve investing in share market.
In the share investments, we may have to closely follow the trends wasting our time.
Our Consciousness may be disturbed because of such investments.
(Are Long term investments in Shares & Mutual funds by devotees allowed? READ HERE!)
If you take Bank Fixed deposits, you can just invest and forget. The bank itself will send a message on the maturity date. You can take follow up actions.
So, Bank investments are good for the devotees as it does not waste the time and mood of the devotees.
Shares and mutual funds may cause tension to the investors because the portfolio will be changing both positively and negatively.
This may affect your mood and also devotional involvement.
However, if you like to invest in the mutual funds, select long term investments and forget. Select a good fund and invest. Do not follow the fund daily. Review once in 3 months or six months. Do not invest in many funds. Select one or two best funds and invest in long term funds.
The point is that you should invest in any investment that does not require close follow up and that will not affect your mood and time.
You should go for safe investments only that will not affect the devotional life.
Hope you are clear about Playing Cards by the devotees and investing in the mutual funds.
(PROHIBITED INVESTMENTS FOR DEVOTEES &THE REASONS! READ HERE!)