Can Lord Shiva help us to develop Krishna Prema fast?
A male devotee (Name hidden) asked like this:
“Hope you are well. The question goes like this:
Starting from today (Maha Shivaratri) I would like to start fasting on both Ekadasis and Masik Shivaratri. The reason being that, I believe that fasting on Masik Shivaratri would help me a lot to reach Krishna faster because after all, Maheshwara is the topmost Vaishnava. Hence, I believe that fasting for Him would give me the Grace to develop Prem for Krishna faster (I am trying to speedrun the process because I am not sure if I will be born with a mixture of Satva + Rajas like my current birth, in my next birth. I may even end up being a Tamasic person in my next birth because it is just too unpredictable). My main concerns would be that, is it good to fast in this manner AND am I violating anything by following both of the fasts together? Likewise, are there any tips that you could give related to this method of fasting. Thank you and Hare Krishna! ”
REPLY:
Though it is good, it is Not necessary. Too much of fasting is not good for health.
There is no driving force better than your own resolution.
Attaining Krishna Prema involves many factors to be fulfilled.
First requirement is attaining Purity.
(What is the destination of Vaishnavas who worship other Gods too? READ HERE!)
If we have tons of contamination in the form of material attachments, ego, etc, we can’t get Krishna Prema.
When we are attached to something else or someone else, how can we attach ourselves with Krishna fully?
So, without attaining purity, i.e, without coming out of attachments, we can’t get Krishna Prema.
You may worship any God to help in getting advancement in Krishna Consciousness, but, only your strict resolution in reducing material attachments will help you advance to Krishna Prema stage.
Lord Shiva’s blessings will definitely help to advance in Krishna Prema faster. However, if you don’t have strong conviction to reduce material attachments and increase love for Krishna, attaining Krishna Prema is not possible in near future though you worship many gods.
Lord Shiva may help in the advancement of Vaidhi bhakti, ie, following devotional practices properly, but Krishna Prema is attainable thru one’s individual efforts.
Even Lord Shiva and 33 crore celestials can’t understand how the Krishna Prema will be.
Because, it is not easy for those who are controlled by Thamo and Rajo gunas.
Only those who are situated in Satva guna can even think of attaining Krishna Prema.
They can attain Krishna Prema with the natural transformation involving material detachment and attachment to Krishna.
(Knowledge to be received by devotees for Bhakti Rasa & Prema! READ HERE!)
When you reduce material attachments, you can feel the existence of Krishna within yourself.
Then, you yourself can take sincere efforts to develop your prema for Krishna.
So, Lord Shiva can be worshipped to advance in Krishna Bhakti.
But, Krishna Prema is not controlled by mechanical way of following devotional practices.
Krishna Prema is a spontaneous process. If you are free from material attachments, your hidden Krishna Prema will get awakened.
Did Gopis do any sadhanas to develop their Krishna Prema?
They just thought of Krishna all the time.
They were naturally & spontaneously in Krishna Prema.
So, follow Vaidhi bhakti sincerely; Then, reduce material attachments; Believe Krishna.
Now, You yourself will feel domination of Krishna in you.
Developing more and more material detachments will increase this domination of Krishna in your heart.
At a stage, you will have no other thoughts except the thoughts of Krishna.
Why should you seek the support of others to love Krishna because even the demigods find it difficult to FEEL the Love for Krishna because the demigods also are under the conditioned stage because of thamo and rajo gunas domination?
Fasting for Krishna (Ekadasi) alone is sufficient. It will satisfy all other demigods. Too much of fasting a month may affect the body health.
So, stick to one worship – that of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna. Give all respects and honours to all other Gods. Never disrespect any god.
Hope you are clear whether Lord Shiva help us to develop Krishna Prema fast.
(Is Krishna Prema State a liberated state in this body itself? READ HERE!)