Can one serve Lord as brahmachari, though marriage is destined?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hare Krishna Prabhuji. Dandavat Pranam. I have a doubt regarding one aspect, If marriage is fixed according to ones karma but person comes to Krishna consciousness and If he desires to join a Ashrama as a full time Brahmachari, so how laws of karma acts, because if he is destined to get married according to his karma but his desire to become brahmachari and serve Krishna as full time, does Krishna interferes in such devotees karma or he have to go according to his fate?”
REPLY:
Both the cases are possible.
If a person is destined to remain brahmachari, he can get a wife ONLY IF HE RESOLVES TO MARRY HER TO SERVE THE LORD, NOT FOR SENSE GRATIFICATION.
Similarly, it is also possible being a brahmachari devotee, though marriage is destined if that boy decides to avoid marriage ONLY FOR SERVING THE LORD, NOT FEARING FOR RESPONSIBILITIES.
(PROS AND CONS OF BRAHMACHARYA AND GRAHASTHA (MARRIED) LIVES! READ HERE!)
The point is that karma can be avoided ONLY IF OUR REAL AND GENUINE INTENTION IS TO SERVE THE LORD.
In general, karma is not altered according to our convenience. Only for the purpose of serving the Lord, one’s karma can be altered.
For example, Srila Prabhupada survived even after three heart attacks. Generally, a man can bear 3 heart attacks only. Because, after every attack, the heart muscles get damaged and hence ejection fraction comes down. At the end of third attack, the heart becomes very weak that most of the people are unable to withstand.
But, Srila Prabhupada survived for ten years even after three heart attacks.
How was it possible?
Because, Srila Prabhupada wished to fulfil the orders of his guru to spread the Harinam throughout the world.
Since his wish was absolutely spiritual and selfless, he was given extention of lifetime.
Similarly, when I was declared to die in the year 2019, I prayed to Sri Narsimha like this:
“I have some more tasks to do in my service to the Lord. It is incomplete. So, if the Lord thinks that my services are enough, He can take me. If he finds my intention is genuine and selfless, he can allow somemore time to serve the Lord and His devotees”.
(Is Grahastha life Impure & Inferior? Can a Grahastha go back to Krishna? READ HERE!)
Miraculously, I recovered from my weakness and became normal as before.
So, if our aim is to perform selfless devotional service, we can choose our ashrama – whether to be a brahmachari or a grahastha.
At the same time, if you develop material attachments in due course of time, the actual karma will start to act again.
If you are serving as a grahastha though you are destined to be a brahmachari, but violate more by involving in more pleasures, it may cause more issues in the grahastha life.
Similarly, though you are destined to be a grahastha but avoided marriage to serve the Lord, but later you involve in more interactions with the women, you may be forced into the grahastha life.
Thus, withdrawal of karma is conditional, ie, it will be postponed only until you are following material detachment and controlled life.
Hope you are clear whether it is possible to serve Lord as brahmachari, though marriage is destined.
(Eight forms of Subtle Relations with women a brahmachari should avoid! READ HERE!)