Guru and Namakirtan: Spiritual success is dependent on oneself and not on the environment.

Nama Article 27th September 2013

Source: Srimad Bhagavatham : Its Message for the Modern Man by Swami Shantananda Puri Maharaj

In the story of Prahlada, the son of the demon-king Hiranyakasipu, Prahlada had the worst imaginable domestic environment in which even taking the Lord's name constituted the most unforgivable offence. But, heedless of the sufferings heaped on him such as being poisoned, being pierced by the sharp weapons of his father's attendants, being pushed down from a mountain-top, being roasted in a fire, etc. Prahlada openly continued chanting the Lord's name and defied his father, the demon-king. Eventually the Lord had to take the form of Narasimha (half-lion, half-man) and appear before him. Environment being determined by Prarabdha (past actions), irrespective of whether the environment is conducive or not, one should persistently continue with one's Sadhana. Spiritual success is dependent on oneself and not on the environment. As one progresses with one's Sadhana, automatically a day will come when the environment will also become favourable. सर्वाः सुखमया दिशाः (All the directions – i.e. the entire atmosphere – are peaceful and joyous).

अकिञ्चनस्य दान्तस्य शान्तस्य समचेतसः। मया सन्तुष्तमानसः सर्वाः सुखमया दिशाः॥

For a man having nothing, controlled, peaceful, even-tempered and self-content all the directions are pleasant.

Please check these: Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji

Anyone of the above can hit you any moment Yearn for freedom from this shackle of life just as you would yearn for safety/freedom while caught in a hijacked aircraft.

The time lost cannot be gained back. If you fail to make use of the freedom ('swatantra') here you will not be able to achieve the required goal

Everything in our life is predetermined. All we have to do is to turn and fix our mind on Him!

The only will we have is the freeing will of choosing to chant whenever we find mind wandering

We can resign ourselves to the Will of God and keep away our egosense, only by a continuous remembrance of God

If there is faith, then there is no fate.

Chanting the Divine Name can change the fate

Words of wisdom by a great Gnani and a true bhaktha

You should not only accept from the bottom of your heart the situation that the Lord keeps you in but also be grateful to Him for that because it is verily the Lord's blessing!