Amrta Vani
Q&A by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Thakura Prabhupada
Q. What is karma?
A. Work done for one’s own happiness and the happiness of others is called karma. There is nothing about trying to please Krsna in the performance of karma. The goal of karma is to search after one’s own happiness and the happiness of others, whereas searching for Krsna’s pleasure is called devotional service.
This material world is the field of karma for ordinary people, but for the devotees the material world is a place in which to cultivate devotional service. Whatever is performed in this world with the prideful thought, “I am the doer,” is called karma, whereas whatever is done for the Lord’s pleasure, induced by the Lord, with the idea, “I am Krsna’s servant,” is called devotional service.
Q. How long should we engage in karma?
A. The Bhagavatam (11.20.9) states:tavat karmani kurvita, na nirvidyeta yavatamat-katha-sravanadau va, sraddha yavan na jayateOne should continue to perform the Vedic ritualistic activities until one actually becomes detached from material sense gratification and develops faith for hearing and chanting about Me.
One who does not manifest either of these symptoms must engage in karma. The root of devotional service is taste for and faith in hari- katha. Hari-katha hy kevalam paramam sreyah: discussing topics of Hari is the supremely beneficial activity. Possessing firm faith in hari- katha is a symptom of one’s developing taste for hari-katha.
Those who have faith in and taste for some activity find the activity their principal engagement. If we wish to develop faith in hari-katha we must associate with strong devotees. There is no other way to develop the inclination to serve the Lord and to give up the inclination for karma and sense gratification. Without becoming disappointed or restless, therefore, one should hear enlivening hari-katha from a living source and try to practically apply them in his or her life. This is the symptom of intelligence. Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.26.26) states:tato duhsangam utsrjya, satsu sajjeta buddhimansanta evasya chindanti, mano-vyasangam uktibhihAn intelligent person should therefore reject all bad association and instead take up the association of saintly devotees, whose words cut off the excessive attachment of one’s mind.Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya-lila 24.97) states:sadhu-sanga-krpa kimva krsnera krpayakamadi ‘duhsanga’ chadi’ suddha-bhakti payaOne is elevated to the platform of devotional life by the mercy of a Vaisnava, the bona fide spiritual master, and by the special mercy of Krsna. On that platform, one gives up all material desires and the association of unwanted people. Thus one is elevated to the platform of pure devotional service.