Creating Our Own Fortune and Misfortune
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the living entity is the creator of their own destiny through the exercise of minute independence. While the material world is a place of potential suffering, true misfortune is not merely the lack of material facilities, but the deliberate rejection of spiritual knowledge. By turning away from Kṛṣṇa, the soul manufactures its own entanglement, yet by the simple act of turning towards the Lord, one can instantly reverse this condition and attain the supreme fortune of devotional service.
Definition of Fortune and Misfortune
Śrīla Prabhupāda defines fortune not by material accumulation, but by the awakening of spiritual intelligence. He explains that our misfortune begins the moment we desire to lord it over material nature, separating ourselves from the protection of the Supreme Lord, just as a spark loses its brilliance when separated from the fire.
- When intelligence is used for developing Krsna consciousness, that is fortune. So we can set up our own fortune or misfortune. The fortune means that we must be serious after hearing about Krsna.
- When we desire to enjoy this material world, forgetting service of Krsna, that is the beginning of our misfortune.
- The sparks can everlastingly remain within the original fire as its parts and parcels, but the moment the sparks become separated from the original fire, their misfortunes and miseries begin.
Role of Choice and Responsibility
The human form of life offers a unique choice between the darkness of māyā and the light of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the remedy for material suffering is readily available, and it is solely due to the living entity's obstinacy and misuse of free will that they remain in a misfortunate condition.
- When the material world is created for such misguided living entities, they create their own karma, fruitive activities, and take advantage of the time element, and thereby they create their own fortune or misfortune.
- If I tell you to come from the darkness into the light and if you don't come, that is your misfortune. Maya is there, and God is there. If you want to remain in maya, then how can you be saved.
- The disease is there, and the remedy is also there. So we offer you the remedy free of charges, and if you don't take it, then it should be understood that you are so misfortunate, unfortunate. What is the difficulty?
Rejection of Spiritual Authority
A primary cause of suffering is the refusal to accept the authorized instructions of the śāstra and the bona fide spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that despite the clarity of the Bhagavad-gītā, people unfortunately interpret it according to their own whims or follow bogus teachers, thereby sealing their own misfortune.
- If you take Bhagavad-gita as it is, you become self-realized, liberated soul. But the misfortune is that we become more than Krsna, and we want to comment Bhagavad-gita in our own way. That is our misfortune.
- Guru means who knows the science of Krsna. If you go to a bogus man, that is your misfortune. So this is the description of guru: yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya, Caitanya Mahaprabhu's statement.
- The standard instruction is there in the Bhagavad-gita. They do not care to know it. They want to know about the greatness of Bala Yogi, Sai Baba, this baba, that baba. That is their misfortune. They give up the real instruction, Bhagavad-gita.
Misfortune of Neglecting the Holy Name
In this age of Kali, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda laments that although this process is simple and sublime, people are so unfortunate that they have no inclination to chant, often making excuses to avoid the very medicine that could save them.
- If we remain in contact with that name (Krsna) we shall get all the benefits of Krsna's benedictions. But still we are not inclined to chant the Hare Krsna mantra. This is our misfortune.
- We are requesting everyone: "Please chant, chant, chant." And they are replying: "Can't, can't, can't." This is their misfortune.
- Even despite all facilities we cannot be able to accept it. That is called misfortune. Not that in the absence of money and other facilities, one becomes unfortunate, but even in the presence of all these things, one is unfortunate.
Specific Tragedy of Modern India
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently highlights the specific misfortune of India, a land traditionally dedicated to spiritual culture. He expresses deep regret that modern Indians are neglecting their vast spiritual heritage to imitate Western materialism, exchanging their valuable knowledge of God for temporary technological advancement.
- So it is very unfortunate that Indians are trying to forget Krsna. Very unfortunate. Krpana. If you have got money, if you don't utilize is properly, that is your misfortune.
- India now has become eager to do away with the real God and replace Him with many fake Gods. This is the greatest misfortune for India.
- It is regrettable that in India, where these literatures are available, people are not interested. They are interested in Marxist literature but not Srimad-Bhagavatam, and this is India's misfortune.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that fortune and misfortune are not imposed upon us by a cruel providence, but are the results of our own desires and choices. Kṛṣṇa is always ready to accept the living entity, and the spiritual master is always canvassing for the Lord. Therefore, to remain in material existence, suffering the pangs of birth and death, is a self-imposed misfortune. By simply accepting the authority of the Bhagavad-gītā and chanting the holy names, anyone can immediately dispel the darkness of ignorance and enter into the supreme fortune of eternal devotional service.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Misfortune. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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