Lessons from Bhishmadev - Part 14

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the transcription of the nectarean and inspiring class given by our beloved spiritual master HH Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj in London on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1, Chapter 9. In previous offerings we had heard about how fate played in the life of Bhishmadev and some of the lessons we need to learn from the same. Now we shall continue to hear the conversation between Maharaj and the devotees on this topic.

Devotee: Maharaj, I know that difficulties would come in life. But I am talking about topics in Bhagavatam which says that there will be specific reactions for specific sins. Say if in the past life, I had killed some person, will that person kill me now, even if I give my life in Krishna's service now?

Maharaj: That is very correct. Our life may be given to Krishna now, so that in future, you may not have such difficulties. But the arrows that we have already shot, they have gone through our hands. We cannot control it now. You could have thought before the arrow is shot. Now once the arrow is shot, you should wait for the consequences.

Devotee: That means devotees who have given their whole life to Krishna, ever since their childhood, still will suffer for the past sinful life?

Maharaj: They must. You don't understand the point. You should understand.  I gave you the example of Pandavas. Their destiny was to suffer and I gave you the example of laksha graha - They were not burnt alive, but they were saved. But Krishna did not stop the fire or the burning of the house. He did not do it. Krishna Himself was there.  It was not His name or devotion. He Himself was there. Within a second, He could have just stopped the laksha-graha. He could have drank the whole fire. But He didn't do it. Why? It was their fate. So that fate has to come. The only thing He did was that they should not suffer. This is the meaning of that. You may go around Tulsi, you may come to the temple and chant. Then you are completely safe. You are misery-proof. But then miseries are bound to come.

Devotee: Does this mean that in this life-span, if I do anything bad, am I creating the destiny for my next left time? I have already kept it ready?

Maharaj: That is correct. If you have robbed the bank in the past, and now you get arrested, you will be put in the jail. Now that you have taken up devotional service, then even in the jail, you will sit and study Bhagavad Gita and that will make you misery-proof. That misery will not affect you. 

Krishna willing we shall continue to hear more nectar on fate in the subsequent offering.

Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva,
Sudarshana devi dasi.