Why Krishna expects Pure devotion as He Himself gives boons?
A Girl devotee (Name Hidden) asked like this:
“Prabhu, i’m ……… from Virudhunagar, I’m following your site for 1 year, you are really doing a great service, makes us and Krishna happy.
I have some doubts prabhu.
Prabhu, many incidents in Puranas idhihasas are against ISKCON ideology, it seems to me… Because Krishna gave material boons success to all his ancient devotees Like Bali maharaj with sutala loka and future indra post , dhruva Maharaja with kingly life, Psndavas with lost kingdom , even all demigods in Indraloka, etc… Saving them from Asuras, restoring heavens to them.
But ISKCON is preaching only pure devotion opposite to material desires, so How can I see this,,, or are you hiding these material boons details given by Krishna from us…
So please guide me, another thing is NO PAIN NO GAIN,,, even in great difficulty, worst humiliation, some devotees are fully depends on Krishna only, they never go to Devas worship, so will Krishna reward their patience and trust on him in future, is it worth enough to depend only on Krishna for both material and spiritual success??? Hare Krishna Prabhu, please reply me in site also, my humble request “
REPLY:
As explained in THIS POST, there are 4 types of devotees who approach Krishna with some expectations as said by Him in Ch-7, Text-16.
They are: the distressed, desirer of wealth, inquisitive and who is searching for the knowledge of absolute truth.
Krishna says that they are also His devotees and He helps them too.
However, out of the four, He who is in full knowledge of the absolute truth and free from material attachments are the best devotees as said by Krishna in (B.G 7-17).
(FOUR CLASSES OF DEMONS AND DEVOTEES AS SAID BY KRISHNA!READ HERE!)
He clearly says that the following people do not surrender unto Him in (B.G 7-15):
“Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.”
He again clarifies that only those who have material desires approach demigods in (B.G 7-20):
“Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.”
He also says in (B.G 7-21) that if a person likes to worship a demigod, He makes that desire steady.
“I am in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship some demigod, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to that particular deity.”
(Who gives liberation for the devotees of Other Gods except Krishna? READ HERE!)
He further says in (B.G 7-22) that though a person approaches a demigod and gets a benefit, that is also approved by Krishna only.
“Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.”
Thus, it is very clear that Intelligent people who knows that every boon comes from Krishna only, worships Krishna directly.
Since all the demigods/ celestials/ devathas are also serving Krishna, we should give all the due honours to them.
Just because we worship Krishna, we should never speak insulting any demigods/ celestials/ Devathas.
(16 KALAS OF KRISHNA/ VISHNU! KALAS OF OTHER GODS & LIVING BEINGS! READ HERE!)
Since they are also vaishnavas as they are also serving Krishna as the supreme Lord, insulting them is nothing but Vaishnava Aparatha.
As per B.G 7-22, though you approach a demigod and get a material benefit, it is also given by Krishna only.
This sloka B.G 7-22 and B.G 7-16 shows that Krishna gives material benefits also.
However, since Pure devotion is the TOPMOST FORM of devotion and such devotee is dear to Him, as said by Krishna in B.G 7-17, ISKCON promotes that topmost form of devotion.
A devotee has asked a reverse question that is in the queue for 2 months. That devotee asks why ISKCON promotes worship for benefits giving an example. I will Post that counselling in queue.
So, the conclusion is:
You can approach Krishna for everything including for getting material benefits as per B.G 7-16.
(Can we offer Tulasi leaves to demigods? Clear Reasons! READ HERE!)
Krishna helps for that also as He did for Pandavas, Bali Maharaj, etc.
But, we encourage you to come to the level of Pure devotion, ie the topmost state.
We should not sit in the same class for many years. We should get promoted to higher classes to get a degree.
Similarly, when we ask Krishna material benefits, you can get material benefits also.
But, if you follow Pure devotion, you can get that Krishna Himself. Then, there will be no desires for you.
(Are Demigods subject to attachments and bad times? READ HERE!)
Now tell me:
What do you want: Temporary material benefits, or, eternal Krishna.
I want Krishna. I will accept whatever status He gives to me – even as a beggar or a good preacher or a Guide, as the prasadam from Krishna.
But, I will not ask Him anything.
I am very happy and peaceful. Krishna still is taking care of my needs though I do not ask Him.
You too try that type of devotion with no expectation exept the chance to serve Krishna wherever we are.
Krishna will keep u in the hearts of the people of entire world.
In my online preaching since 2011, I am very happy that I have encouraged Pure devotion only. Read all my Posts in this site.
You will get good clarity.
Best of luck.
(Is it wrong worshiping demigods out of love, not for benefits? READ HERE!)