When All Hell Breaks Loose

Due to the dualistic nature of this material world sometimes things are very pleasant and heavenly and sometimes all hell breaks loose. How do you remain calm, peaceful, and happy in the midst of trying, hellish situations? This can be accomplished if you will practice detachment when things are going nicely. In other words, when things are heavenly don't you try to be the enjoyer. In such circumstances you should remain in the mood of a servant and do everything for the pleasure of Krishna. If you are practiced in this way, you will not be disturbed when things become nightmarish. You will simply continue peacefully and happily doing everything for the pleasure of Krishna without any anxiety about whether you are in a heavenly situation or a hellish situation.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Devotees Ecstatically Chanting Hare Krishna

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: Specific Prayers for Specific Problems of Specific Individuals

My dear Gurudeva,

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

I trust this mail will find you in good health.

Here in our country there is a common practice to recite the Hare Krishna mahamantra 3 or 4 times in congregation for a person who is close relative/closely known to a devotee and is suffering materially i.e. unwell/lost job/met with accident/died etc. The suffering person is sometimes also a devotee.

But this time during my recent visit to India (March-April 2013), I heard from you in a seminar in Sri Vrindavan Dham that in such situations we should instead recite verse 5.18.9 of Srimad Bhagavatam. And if we really want that person to be benefited by Holy Name then we should either try to chant near the person (e.g. if he/she is patient and admitted in an intensive care unit and is not in a position to chant) so that he/she could hear the Holy Name or if he/she is in a position to chant then request him/her to chant.

The same thing I tried to convey the local devotees and they humbly wanted to confirm from you.

I request you to please correct me if there is any gap in my understanding.

So in present context, the question is "Is it right to recite verse Srimad Bhagavatam collectively by devotees in local congregations instead of chanting 3 or 4 times he Hare Krishna mahamantra specifically for known persons who are materially suffering?'

Your humble servant,
Rahul
(Oman)

Answer: Instead Make Them Krishna Conscious

Vaisnavas feel great pain to see the suffering of the living beings who are currently trapped in this material world. Thus they fully dedicate their lives for relieving all living beings from all suffering by telling everyone they meet about the science of Krishna consciousness.

They do not make specific prayers for the specific suffering of specific individuals because such a system is not effective for bringing genuine relief to others. Such a system is compared to blowing on a boil. Even though it may give sense of relief, it does not actually solve the problem by removing the boil. Such a system is also compared to trying to water a tree by watering its leaves and branches. If we try to water a tree in this way, we will not be successful. The proper way to water a tree is to water its root because by this method of watering the root the entire tree becomes automatically nourished with water. Therefore the real solution for freeing the suffering of the people is to teach them how to awaken their dormant Krishna consciousness. Only this will be effective for bringing true relief from suffering.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari