I like to quit my job to follow devotional rules seriously since it involves touring. Is it right?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“HK Prbu, pamho, dndvthprnm, I’m —————- native of ————–. I’m writing this letter to let u know abt me n my situation n in seek of best guidance frm u for heading my life in future. Prabuji, let me come frm my childhood bckgrnd. We r 6 mem consists of my father,mother,myself,sis,bro n yngr sis. My fthr is daily wage ernr started his career with 90/mnth as his incme wayback in 80s n really strived hard till date. My mom n fthr brought up in a decent way by gvng good eductn to all of us. I have cmpltd my M.tech, my sis done with her Engg n looking for a right groom, bro n sis are also studying. Cmg to me, I was a gd stdnt right through my edctn scored not <distinction. I was 1st out for job in the year 2012, 8000/mnth as a lecturer in a diploma clge. I was introduced to KC in 2012 n started with 2,4,6,8,10,12 n 16 rnds currently. This took me nearly 2.5 yrs to reach 16 rnds. While I was working as a lecturer, I got an opportunity to wrk in a pvt cmpny inturn wrks for Indian Railways. I have been working here for 5 yrs now n earning close to 40k/mnth. But the prblm is, I’m dissatisfied with the work now, where I need to travel all ovr India n cannot restrain myself frm taking onion n garlic in the meal which I have to get it frm hotels. I hve tried with our cntrs, even bramhakumaris to get prasadam but didn’t work. I’m thinking to get marry as I’m turning 30. It will b difficult if I continue the same profession as I need to b out of stn everytime, hardly I will be in hyd for 3-4 days everytime. I’m confident that I can get another job but with less pay 15k/mnth say. But I do my sadhana perfectly n moreover I’m nvr aftr these worldly things. Other alternatives I have like preparing for PSUs n any software course. Please suggest me prabhu living a happy KC life acc to my situation. I’m frustrated prabhu. All glories to Vaishnavas!!
REPLY:
Your thoughts are wrong and untimely. I don’t support that and do not resign your job to earn 5 times less.
When the shirt is very tight, we should change the shirt, and we can not alter the body.
Similarly, if following the devotional rules is difficult, we should make the best use of the available resources instead of settling in a low paying job.
I too did such a mistake and is suffering till date. A job is a gift of Krishna to us when thousands of others are struggling to get one. We should not underestimate that gift.
Of course, changing the jobs is natural and welcome. But, it should give you growth in terms of salary and position. If you resign a Rs.40,000 job and settle in a Rs.8000 job, it is a foolishness.
Never do that.
Travelling jobs may be difficult to manage the family. But, if you marry a good girl devotee, she will take care of your family well and you can concentrate in your job.
My brother was a Regional manager in a multinational company taking care of four states of India. He was touring everywhere. But, his wife never gave him the family burdens and the worries about the daughter. He took care of earning and succeeding in his career and his wife took care of family. Now, he is retired and is living with his family without financial difficulties.
Thus, quitting a well paying job just because it requires touring is not a right decision.
You will have more time to chant during travelling. You can chant almost throughout your travel. You can also read many literatures on Krishna while touring.
You will have two problems only:
(I) WORSHIPING KRISHNA AND OFFERING FOOD:
You can keep a small picture of Krishna and a plate in your work bag and you can worship Krishna and offer some fruits like dates, apple, banana, etc., wherever you are. You can do this even in the lodge rooms. Your wife can do the same in the home properly. It is enough.
(II) INABILITY TO HAVE PRASADAM:
This is the only major issue you will have while travelling. You can manage this too to some extent. If the tour is just one day or two days, you can prepare rotis and pack it well and take with you along with the pickles as side dish. This will come for a whole day. Next day, you can take curd rice with pickle from wherever possible. But, while taking from canteens or hotels, chant Hare Krishna Maha Manthra 2-3 times and then take that food. Curd rice will be less karmic compared to cooked foods. Since you are avoiding nuts and vegetables for the whole day, I will give you an idea. Buy some fruits, carrots and ladies finger and take with you. During the days you avoid other foods, take the carrot and ladies finger as raw without cooking. Take sufficient fruits like orange, apples, bananas that will definitely compensate the loss of nutrients.
Thus, you can manage the food intake while travelling.
You can visit the ISKCON temples in the cities wherever you tour. Thus you will have more exposure in attending different temples. This is also a benefit of touring.
During holidays, have sathsangha with the devotees in your city’s local temple.
Marry a devotee girl after discussing with her about your job nature and inability to closely follow the family and get assurance from her to take care of Krishna at home in your absence.
Thus, you can manage your touring job as well as devotional practices.
Take care of Krishna properly during holidays along with your wife.
Resign the job only if you get a better earning job with the better position. Otherwise, be in the present job happily. Every job has pros and cons. Touring jobs have freedom to work in our own convenience also.
Hope this helps.