Chasing the Demons Out of the Closet

Here in our present conditioned state within this material existence we have so many demons of material contaminations lurking within the closets of our hearts. There we find lust, anger, greed, madness, illusion, and envy. What to do? How can we drive these demons out of our hearts? The easy solution is to replace them with Krishna consciousness. In other words, replace lust with love. Replace anger with forgiveness. Replace greed with an intense desire to please the Lord. In the place of madness cultivate sanity based on a deep understanding of the Vedic wisdom. Drive away the darkness of illusion and confusion with the torchlight of transcendental knowledge. And replace envy with a deep appreciation of the unlimited kindness of Krishna and the amazing transcendental qualities of His devotees. By filling the closet completely in this way the demons will be forced to go somewhere else to find a home.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari--Pune, India

Sri Sri Radha Kunjabihari at Pune, India

Hare Krishna Kirtan, the Ultimate Soul Cleaner
New Vedic Culture Center--Pune, India--12 October 2013

Sankarshan Das Hare Krishna Kirtan, the Ultimate Soul Cleaner

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: How Is Material Success Harmful?

Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

Please solve my doubt:

Often when we achieve material success and gains, we develop a sense of attachment to them and develop a sense of pride as if we have become something great. Maya sweeps us into its hold continuously. We become more and more attached to worldly achievements and success that we begin to feel that no one is above ourselves now and we are independent enjoyers and doer of our actions.

My question is that how is this state of mind harmful for any person?

Thanks and regards,

Amit Gupta,
Delhi, India

Answer: It Depends on How You Utilize It

Material success is neither helpful or harmful for one's spiritual success. It simply depends on how one utilizes it. If one sees it as God's gift and utilizes it in the Lord's service, such material success is a great asset on the path of spiritual awakening. However, if one abuses such a blessing by becoming proud and using the results for sense gratification, he is a thief and subject to being punished by the cruel laws of material nature.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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