Snatching Victory From The Jaws Of Defeat

“Have fear of Rama, have deep love and attachment for Rama. Tulsi says that without doubt, with full trust in Rama victory will be yours, even when defeat seems likely.”  (Dohavali, 95)

rāmahi ।daru karu rāma soṃ mamatā prīti pratīti |
tulasī nirupadhi rāma ko bhae' hārehū' jīti ||

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So many emotions in a human existence. Not that everything will remain the same. Happy today, but tomorrow might not be so great. Totally distraught recently over an unfortunate turn in events, but the future will change things, even if the outlook is otherwise bleak.

One of those emotions is fear. What will happen in the future? No one knows for sure. The analysts on television try their best to guess. They use intelligence guided by experience. They’ve witnessed the past. They’ve studied what happened in the many years of recorded history. They noticed the patterns of today. Collecting the vast amount of information and analyzing it, they attempt to predict the future.

Yet no one knows for sure. That is a cause of fear. After birth there must be death. At some point this body that is firing on all cylinders will cease to operate. The end is guaranteed, but the exact means and time are not. Every result prior to that inevitable end carries the same lack of certainty.

Mamata is strong affection, to the point of possessiveness. This friend is “mine.” This beloved car belongs to “me.” Though temporary in duration, such possession is real. Otherwise, every person would be entitled to enter every home, at any time. The fourth amendment to the Constitution would not be necessary.

Priti is love. This is the reason for living, is it not? Everyone is going to die, but does this mean that they should never love? After all, the strong attachment in the relationship is guaranteed to cause heartbreak for someone. Why not avoid the situation altogether? In fact, this love is deep within the individual. It is part of their makeup. Even the loneliest person, with a crusty disposition, not caring for anyone, has love for someone or something.

Goswami Tulsidas says to take these emotions and direct them towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Rama. Have full faith, pratiti, in this instruction. From there victory is certain, even when things look bleak. Defeat is heavily favored, but victory still occurs.

One of the most famous examples is Prahlada Maharaja. He had fear for the atheistic, sinful, and ruthless father, King Hiranyakashipu. Prahlada, only five years old, viewed the Supreme Lord as his, and he wanted everyone else to have the same mentality. There was love for God first, and from there the affection descended to everyone else, who are always linked to the Divine in some way.

Defeat was likely. This was because the father was antagonistic. He was against the slightest display of affection towards Vishnu, which is another name for Rama. Hiranyakashipu viewed Vishnu as the greatest enemy. Now the previously beloved son was fully devoted to that Vishnu. The father could not tolerate it.

No problem. Just kill the boy. One issue. Deadly weapons coming from the palace guards. The force of gravity from a high cliff to the ground. The venom of snakes. The strong burning potency of fire. None of these things could gain victory over Prahlada. The boy should have lost, but he won every single time. He didn’t go to extraordinary lengths, either. He simply meditated on Vishnu.

“He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.31)

Not that every devotee will have the exact same experience, but the promise for protection is there. In the form of Shri Krishna God makes the same promise. He tells the beloved disciple Arjuna to declare it to the world that the devotee never perishes. One way to define such a person is to know that they have put all fear, attachment, and love in God the person. The devotional life of the devotee remains for as long as that devotion is desired, through an infinite number of lifetimes.

In Closing:

Love, attachment and fear,

Give to one most dear.

Even mamata possessive strong,

To Shri Rama, of glories long.

Then always in victory’s seat,

Even when likely is defeat.

Like Prahlada over father overcoming,

Defeated the devotee never becoming.

Three Ways To Conquer Indolence

“There is no possibility of one's becoming a yogi, O Arjuna, if one eats too much, or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.16)

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“I dig Krishna consciousness. I am into it. I am ready to follow the four regulative principles and chant the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. I believe in the words of the spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

I am having one particular problem, though. Laziness. I believe it’s referred to as indolence in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is book. Too much sleep is in the mode of ignorance. In the short term, I’m trying to rise to the mode of goodness, which is enlightening and brings the most happiness a material existence has to offer. Obviously, I want to go beyond and become liberated. No more birth and death; simply a servant to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

“Six hours of sleep is sufficient, but a man in the mode of ignorance sleeps at least ten or twelve hours a day. Such a man appears to be always dejected, and is addicted to intoxicants and sleeping. These are the symptoms of a person conditioned by the mode of ignorance.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 14.8, Purport)

This problem is not uncommon, even for people not practicing bhakti. Procrastination is easy. Putting a task off until later requires less effort than satisfying the responsibility immediately. Fortunately, there are ways to get help in conquering indolence.

1. Find an active engagement

The chanting of the holy names is there. It is the recommended dharma for the present yuga. Dharma is the essence of something, and when referring to the essence of identity, it is the core way of living. Dharma becomes religion when the set of procedures is viewed with respect to attaining the goal of reclaiming the essence of the soul.

Service to God is the original and all-encompassing dharma, and the dharma to get back to that consciousness may vary based on time and circumstance. For the present time period, which is known as a yuga, the recommended path is the chanting of the holy names, such as those found in the maha-mantra.

This chanting is an active engagement, recommended especially to be done in a systemized and organized way on a set of beads. Chant the mantra one time on each bead and go around the necklace. As all truths rest in Shri Krishna, so every dharma is included in the holy name.

“O conqueror of wealth [Arjuna], there is no Truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.7)

This chanting cannot be done while sleeping. It is difficult even to do while lying down. The best is while in an optimal seated position, but standing is also an option. Regardless, the chanting itself prevents laziness. I can’t put off something if I’m working on it right now.

Fortunately, bhakti is very diverse. There is not just one way to love the Supreme Lord. Indolence is easily conquered when there is any type of active engagement, approved by the spiritual master. Cooking, writing, reading, even cleaning can be done to please Krishna.

2. Taking advantage of the morning hours

There is a period of time right before the sunrise that is considered very auspicious. It is known as brahma-muhurta, or the moment of the spiritual energy that is Brahman. This time is extremely favorable for performing spiritual activities.

Notice that the auspicious time is not during the night. There is typically less energy. So many other responsibilities have been handled already. The mind wants some rest. No more pressure. Morning is the time of renewed energy. Though it is difficult to get up so early, to rise out of bed, once accomplished there is a better chance of focusing on tasks at hand.

3. Remember Arjuna

If there was any person who was justified in feeling tired, it was Arjuna. He and his family had suffered long enough. They were kicked out of the kingdom that rightfully belonged to them. That is one thing. Then the aggressors tried to kill. They wanted the five brothers, known as the Pandavas, out of the picture completely.

Arjuna could have taken the route of indolence, giving up and retreating to the forest, but he is known as Gudakesha. This means “one who has conquered sleep.” He is above the mode of ignorance. Urged on by the well-wisher Krishna, Arjuna moved forward in a very difficult, but important task. He and his massive army took down the Kurus, won the war, regained their kingdom, and protected dharma in the process. Any person suffering from laziness can take inspiration from Arjuna and other devotees who have worked tirelessly for the good of mankind.

In Closing:

Inspiration from Arjuna taking,

Since no more excuses making.

Rather than retire and retreat,

Took to action, up on his feet.

Not easy to conquer is sleep,

Focus on bhakti activities keep.

Like early in morning holy names chanting,

More confidence for rest of day granting.

Is It Possible For Someone To Die For My Sins

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.66)

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Friend1: Krishna consciousness is for everyone, right?

Friend2: Of course.

Friend1: It’s not limited to people of a certain region. It’s not one of many kinds of religion.

Friend2: I wouldn’t call it a religion. It’s dharma, which is the essence of the individual, who is spirit. Religion is more like faith, something to be accepted, given up, not looked at in depth, what have you.

Friend1: Real religion should be beyond faith.

Friend2: I’ll give you an example. The 1986 Mets.

Friend1: The baseball team?

Friend2: Yes. That was the first year I followed any kind of professional sports. I was very young. In that year I learned what a season is, a playoff series, elimination, waiting until the next season, the championship and everything.

Friend1: That was some exciting playoffs, maybe the most drama ever, in both leagues. You picked some year to get into it.

Friend2: I know. I remember the games to this day. Anyway, I was a huge Mets fan. I knew the entire lineup, even how they stood in the batter’s box. I remember the games, the situations, where I was during that amazing comeback in game 6 of the World Series.

Friend1: Okay.

Friend2: Anyway, a few years later I became a Yankee fan. I mean that’s like being a traitor, right?

Friend1: Yeah, you’re supposed to stick with your team.

Friend2: I have no explanation for you. I was a kid, so there is little recollection as to what happened. Biggest fan in 86, all the way to the end, then I kind of went over to another team. That is sort of how religion can go. You accept it for whatever reason, most likely inheriting from your parents. You can stay loyal to it, but you can always switch allegiance. You might refer to it as “my religion,” which is a flawed concept when discussing God.

Friend1: Because God, if He does exist, is for everyone. He can’t be the exclusive property of one kind of people.

Friend2: Bingo. That’s how you know Krishna consciousness is legitimate. It is for everyone. There is a philosophy behind it. Don’t just accept blindly. Sure, there is faith required in the beginning, but also bring every doubt to the table. Don’t leave any question unanswered.

Friend1: Speaking of questions, you know there are debates sometimes with people of opposing viewpoints. One of them says that such and such died for “their” sins. He is the anointed savior. How does that concept hold up?

Friend2: What concept? That someone can be the savior? There are many such people. They come and go through the ages. They are agents of the Almighty, ready to deliver people, teaching in a manner suited to the time and circumstance.

Friend1: No, I want to know about dying for my sins. Is it possible for someone to do that?

Friend2: Well, think of it this way. Let’s say that you did something really bad. It’s a crime that will put you behind bars for a few years. When the police come to arrest you, suddenly I step in. I confess. “I did it, officer. Please arrest me.” You don’t protest. I’m the one who ends up going to jail. Not you.

Friend1: That’s an awfully nice thing to do for me.

Friend2: It’s an example of accepting someone else’s sins, which are nothing more than negative consequences to actions. There is something called debt forgiveness. It is removing the negative reaction to the action of borrowing money that can’t be paid back. Sin and someone else taking the reactions are not very difficult concepts to understand.

Friend1: So then it is possible?

Friend2: Of course. But let me ask you this. Once I’ve served my time, does this mean that you can commit crimes again?

Friend1: I have the freedom to, but there is no guarantee that you or someone else will take the fall for me again.

Friend2: Exactly! Someone can die for your sins, even, but that doesn’t wipe the slate clean forever into the future.

Friend1: Okay, but what if I believe in this savior? Doesn’t that solve the problem?

Friend2: What does “believe” mean? You sign a piece of paper? You show allegiance to an institution? That’s why it’s called Krishna consciousness. Change the mentality. In the Bhagavad-gita there is a similar promise made. Not that Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will do all the work and sacrifice for Arjuna. The idea is that the devotee will carry forward, and any negative consequences will be handled by Krishna. There is no reason to fear. It is not that Krishna does everything and we can continue behaving however we want, killing innocent animals, stealing, getting intoxicated, and the like. The idea is absolutely ridiculous, and it’s only accepted by people who have given little to no thought on the matter.

In Closing:

For my sins the savior came,

Died so fate not for us the same.

Do whatever but just accept,

From some thought idea reject.

Perhaps once getting reprieve.

But repeat then punishment receive.

Similar promise in Gita Krishna making,

For consciousness, still with proper action taking.

Three Reasons Lakshmana Is Called Ramanuja

“That best among men would not go to sleep without Him, nor would he eat without Him, even if the food brought was very palatable.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Bala Kand, 18.30)

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It goes in cycles. Man is in trouble. This is society in general, not just a single person. The cause is always the same: forgetfulness of God. The original person, the creator, Lord Brahma received instruction from within the heart. He thus became the first spiritual master, ready to start a chain of disciplic succession.

As can be expected, along the way some people don’t follow. They create their own rules and regulations, driven by the mode of passion. Dharma and adharma trade places. A simple example is the thief. For them the nighttime and acting in secret are auspicious. Honesty and respect for private property are sinful.

As is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, when the original knowledge is lost the Supreme Lord Himself reinstates the teachings, suited for time and circumstance. He picks a powerful, pious and fearless individual to start the succession again, knowing that they won’t let Him down.

“This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.2)

In other cases He sends an empowered representative. One such person was Ramanujacharya, who helped to widely distribute and popularize the concept of duality in worship. Monism is where the individual identifies completely with the Self, which is the full collection of the spiritual energy. Dualism, or dvaita, is where the worship occurs between two separate entities, namely the individual and God, or the Divinity.

The name of that acharya is not accidental or random. Ramanuja was fearless, a staunch protector of the personal God, and also considered an incarnation of Lakshmana, whose deeds and character are well-known through the Ramayana poem. Lakshmana and two other people are known as Ramanuja, and with good reason.

1. Younger brother of Rama

This is the literal meaning. Rama is the eldest in the family, the first son to King Dasharatha of Ayodhya. This is from many thousands of years ago based on the present timeline of creation. Since Rama is an avatara of Vishnu, or God the person, the appearances and disappearances occur in cycles.

“In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.8)

Dasharatha desperately wanted a son, an heir to the throne. He was blessed with four of them, born through the three queens. The name Ramanuja can address Bharata, Lakshmana or Shatrughna.

2. Devoted

The term anuja implies a follower. After birth, the brothers sort of broke out into pairs. They loved Rama the same; He was their leader. But in association Rama and Lakshmana stayed together, as did Bharata and Shatrughna.

Lakshmana is worthy of the name Ramanuja because he is so devoted. It is said that he wouldn’t eat or sleep unless Rama had done so. This is such a sign of respect. In Vedic culture the wives are taught to eat after their husbands. This is a kind of sacrifice, a way to show love in service.

Shri Rama is greatly pleased by Lakshmana’s show of loyalty. One time there was the bad news of Rama being forced out of the kingdom. Family infighting and jealousy led to the unfortunate order. Lakshmana refused to accept the idea. He was ready to overthrow the father and put Rama on the throne. If anyone objected, Lakshmana was ready to fight them singlehandedly.

3. Dedicated follower

The elder brother sets the example and the younger ones follow. Rama appreciated Lakshmana’s sentiment, but followed through on the plan of the parents. He left the kingdom, as was the request of Queen Kaikeyi. Lakshmana refused to stay at home. He was married, but not seeing Rama for fourteen years would be more devastating.

He left the comforts of the royal palace in favor of the brushes, wild beasts, and unfixed residence of life in the forest. He did this so that Rama would not be alone. Lakshmana always looks out for the elder brother’s interests, and for this reason He is the inspiration to the spiritual master, who follows in the footsteps by courageously defending against bogus theories that deny the existence and influence of the Almighty.

In Closing:

Lakshmana as Ramanuja known,

Befitting through service shown.

Without Rama first not to eat,

Happily to side taking seat.

Loyal, to forest with Him to go,

So that never brother pain to know.

Fierce defender, the guru inspiring,

Who fighting the atheists never tiring.

Mamata For Rama

“Tulsi says that those who have an intimate attachment to Shri Rama also look upon everyone with an equal vision. Without attachment, anger, distress, or bad qualities, the devotee crosses over the ocean of birth and death.” (Dohavali, 94)

tulasī mamatā rāma soṃ samatā saba saṃsāra |
rāga na rosa na dosa dukha dāsa bhae bhava pāra ||

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The Sanskrit word mamata means a strong level of attachment. It is often referenced in relationship to children. Mamata also refers to “mine,” the feeling of possession.

“These are my children. I love them so much. They are the world to me. If I had to rank the people most important in my life, they would be at the top of the list. Sadly, others don’t compare.”

In material life such a mentality certainly exists, but it is not entirely beneficial. After all, others have their own children. Others have their own interests. When the possessive-mentalities clash, how to reconcile? This is one of the causes for violence, conflict, wars, and the like. It is an animalistic tendency, as well.

The human being has more intelligence, or at least the potential for it. What I consider to be mine wasn’t there before. This land was here prior to my birth. It will remain after the present lifetime is finished. These human beings are related to me as family, but in a previous life there were other family members. In the future there will be new attachments.

The wise person views everyone equally. They understand that every living being is family, in a sense. That is because everything living is spirit soul at the core. I can relate to you and you can relate to me. This is because we are both fragments of spirit at present covered by certain material elements. We were spirit before birth and we will remain so after death.

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.18)

Since everyone is equal at the core, there is no reason for strong attachment, raga. Neither is the opposite needed, rosha. This is anger. I get happiness in attachment and anger at separation. There is duhkha, distress, and dosha, bad qualities. Better to be free of these things. Then it is easy to cross the ocean of birth and death.

Goswami Tulsidas says that the person who has mamata for Shri Rama automatically develops the aforementioned qualities. It is a contradiction of sorts. On one side there is a strong sense of possession, where Rama is viewed as “mine and only mine.” On the other side there is detachment, keeping a cool head, and viewing everyone equally.

Such contradictions cannot be explained by logic, and they exist in the relationship with the Supreme. After all, He is Himself contradictory. He doesn’t have eyes, but He can see everything. He doesn’t have feet, but He moves faster than the wind. He is without a physical body, but the complexion is bluish. He has no name, but He can be called through sounds like Krishna and Rama.

With the combination of devotion to Rama and detachment from the dualities of the material world, crossing the ocean of birth and death is easy. The world is compared to an ocean of suffering, samsara. It is difficult to escape because there is dreaded time lurking in the corner. As you mature, the body starts to diminish in ability. With death the slate gets wiped clean, sort of like moving back to the starting line after almost finishing.

With mamata for Shri Rama the progress doesn’t get erased. Anger is difficult to abandon. Bad qualities are not easy to shake off. If there isn’t perfection in a single lifetime, it is an opportunity not taken advantage of fully, but there is no loss. The same can’t be said of advancement of material life. Taking everything together, attachment to God the person makes even more sense.

In Closing:

Why with anger forever to live?

Mistakes of enemies forgive.

Not good either attachment strong,

Pain when for something to long.

For Rama keep possession sense,

Your bhakti with bow and arrow defense.

In that effort no fear of loss,

And ocean of birth and death to cross.

When Friends Turn To Snakes

“Tulsi says that one who has love for Rama should be friendly towards friends, renounce enmity with enemies, and be easy-going, simple in nature, quiet, and equally disposed towards all.“ (Dohavali, 93)

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hita soṃ hita, rati rāma soṃ, ripu soṃ baira bihāu |
udāsīna saba soṃ sarala tulasī sahaja subhāu ||

Fink. Dirt-bag. Jerk. Snake. Someone you called a friend for so long has turned on you. It happened suddenly. You weren’t expecting it. They prioritized a physical object over your association. They told you, “No offense,” as if that means anything. A person tells you that they respect the country and everyone that lives in it, yet they refer to a certain segment of people as racists, without knowing each individual personally. They refuse to honor the flag of the nation in which they live, but when they go overseas they immediately stand up during a similar ceremony.

The changing of the tides is not limited to the oceans. There are ups and downs in a material existence. A friend can become a foe and vice versa. One second there is happiness and the next tremendous sadness. The beginning and end are themselves polar opposite situations: birth and death. The saint Tulsidas says that a person who has love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead remains steady throughout.

He gives specifics on how that disposition manifests. The cause is the most important. There is rati, which means love. This is distinguished from kama, which is lust. We say we love someone that is a paramour, but that affection is known to shift. Otherwise, things like divorce and breakups wouldn’t exist.

Genuine rati can only be extended to the Supreme Lord, who in this case is referred to as Rama. This is the manifestation of choice, the ishta-deva, of Tulsidas. It is not that Rama is just a Hindu god. He is the singular Deity manifesting in a specific way, appearing on earth in consideration of time and circumstance. His transcendental features are described in Vedic texts like the Ramayana and Puranas.

Rati for Rama means devotional service. Every good quality emerges as a result; a separate endeavor is not required. In case there is some confusion, some doubt as to what the qualities should be, Tulsidas lists a few.

A devotee of Rama should be friendly towards friends. This only makes sense. They have done some good for me. They have favored me for some reason, and I should respond in kind. Shri Rama Himself behaved this way towards friends like Sugriva and Vibhishana.

A devotee of Rama should renounce enmity towards enemies. Again, Rama is the ideal example. The vile Ravana, the king of Lanka, stole Rama’s wife Sita in secret and tortured her for many months. When Rama won her back, killing Ravana in a fair fight, there was no lasting enmity. Rama did not obsess over the incident afterwards. He even directed Ravana’s brother Vibhishana to perform the funeral rites for the vanquished king.

A devotee of Rama should be easy-going, simple in nature and quiet. Easy-going means that when things aren’t favorable for you, there is no deviation from the path of devotion. Simple in nature means that there are no complicated requirements for living. Rock stars are well-known for making extraordinary requests in the backstage riders they give to venues hosting concerts. Devotees don’t need much, as they are satisfied in simply chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Quiet here does not mean complete silence. A devotee does not speak nonsense. They do not talk simply for the sake of talking. When they speak, it is about Rama, or God. It is about devotional service, the science of self-realization, and the need for breaking free of the cycle of birth and death. Indeed, if Tulsidas were completely silent such instruction from the Dohavali would never have been produced.

One person who meets the qualifications given above is Prahlada Maharaja. His disposition was tested to the extreme. The father, Hiranyakashipu, turned into a violent adversary. The father did not like the devotion to God seen in the child. He decided Prahlada needed to be killed. A snake-like person himself, Hiranyakashipu fed Prahlada to snakes, but there was no effect. Prahlada survived, and eventually Rama appeared on the scene in the amazing form of Narasimhadeva, tearing the king apart from the waist. Despite the atrocities committed, Prahlada did not hold a grudge. This was due to his rati.

In Closing:

Friendly to be towards a friend,

Since in past help to lend.

Their sins only to denounce,

Enmity with enemies to renounce.

Like with Prahlada Maharaja seeing,

Changed not when father like snake being.

Who with different attempts tried to kill,

Steady in mind, son’s heart with rati filled.

Four Things That Will Happen If You Stop Believing In God

“Without pious activities, if a man is in a distressed condition he becomes an agnostic, communist or something like that. Because he does not firmly believe in God, he thinks that he can adjust his distressed condition by totally disbelieving in Him.” (The Nectar Of Devotion, Ch 3)

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“I put everything into it. There was full faith, the real kind. I had no other hope. Every other tweak, adjustment, or attempt had no impact. The end was nearing. I turned to prayer. I prayed more intensely than I ever have before.

The result? Nothing. The person succumbed to the illness. They are gone. A tragic death, too. So young. So good. They never sinned in their life; at least from what was known. Everybody loved this person. They leave behind a wonderful, but grieving family.

Maybe God isn’t real. Maybe the way to go is to not believe in Him. Then the results might change. I might get what I want. There won’t be as much heartbreak. It’s not as sad when there is no hope to begin with.”

This hypothetical sequence of events is not uncommon. Without a proper understanding of the spiritual science, the idea of God and belief in Him is relegated to the category of faith. Faith is known to change, almost in the fashion of supporting sports teams and players. One day I have so much faith in my favorite team, but they suddenly decide to not honor the flag of the nation in which they live. I have no choice but to change my allegiance, to move elsewhere.

If I look to God only for stuff, for fulfilling desires, I might similarly be offended when things don’t go my way. From such a turn the results can go in several directions.

1. Find failure

What I wanted didn’t come to be. Without God in the picture, I think the next time will be different. Yet there is every chance of finding failure again. Just look to any atheist. See if they succeed one hundred percent of the time. Even the wealthiest person gets stuck in traffic. They miss flights, stub a toe, get indigestion, and get an earful from their spouse.

2. Find success

No more religion, no more problems. That is the expectation. There is every chance of finding success. For evidence, observing the human population is not even required. Look at the animal community. There are stray dogs in some countries. They get enough food to eat. Their duration of life may not be long. The quality of that living is unacceptable to us, but nature is still there to help them.

The tiger gets sufficient food. So do the trees, some of which stand tall for thousands of years. Where is the prayer? Where is the influence of the Divine? Where is the preacher threatening eternal damnation for disbelieving?

3. Receive happiness and sadness

Success and failure are the outcomes, and happiness and sadness are the connected emotions. I’m happy when something goes my way and sad when it doesn’t. Without following religion I will indeed experience both of these emotions, toggling like a pendulum.

“O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.14)

In the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna says that happiness and sadness come on their own. They are due to sense perception only, and the timing of their arrival is like the seasons. No matter how much we try, winter will come this year. It will bring cold temperatures. No more playing tennis outside. No more enjoying time in the park. There will be a quick rush to get inside. The car will need to be sufficiently warmed before driving.

The same with the summer. I will need an air conditioner, if I don’t want to suffer. I will have to pack up and store the winter coats. The sweaters will do me no good. Different clothing for a different period of time.

4. Miss the valuable opportunity of interacting with Him, made possible in the human birth

As happiness and sadness arrive in either circumstance, there is something more to religion. There is a reason the human birth is valuable. The added stresses and anxieties are due to intelligence, knowledge of imminent death that is lacking in the other species. The human being can rationalize, can make inquiries, and most importantly, can change their outlook.

Belief in God hopefully leads to service to Him. This is a change in desire, from personal to the greatest Personality. The shift is from kama to bhakti. Kama keeps a person vulnerable to defeat, no matter how much the Supreme Lord is called to the situation. Bhakti means always lovingly serving, and maintaining that renewed spirit.

One example is the chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. In bhakti this mantra is repeated as a prayer for the opportunity to continue to serve God the person, who is all-attractive and thus known as Krishna. The energy of God, Hare, helps in the situation.

“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.40)

There is no loss in this endeavor. It can be started at the latest point in life, moments prior to quitting the body, and still produce a mature fruit. Kama can be indulged for an entire lifetime and still leave a person wanting, with one fear after another. From the bhakti path the benefits are clear, and the more one serves the more they feel the Divine mercy in every aspect of the life experience.

In Closing:

What influence my prayers they had?

Since left feeling lonely and sad.

Maybe now from religion away to turn,

To try out alone, my way to earn.

Success and failure then surely to find,

But missing chance for peace of mind.

Since this life made for with God connecting,

Who work of His devotees protecting.