We first need to ask ourselves, What is success? The success in the worldly matters is subject to Prarabdh (past karma). Here are some lessons from the lives of devotees that can help you understand it better.
An Anecdote On the Cycle Of Karma
Vidyaranya was a great man. He performed the Gayatri ritual to get wealth and to make his parents happy. He performed multiple rituals and sacrifices but didn’t get any wealth. At the end he took Sannyasa (renounced order of life). When he took Sanyasa, Goddess Gayatri manifested and said you are now eligible for wealth and abundance. He declined, saying I am now renunciate. My parents have also passed away. I needed wealth to serve them. You did not show up when I was performing rituals.
She replied saying I didn’t show up because you had committed twenty four grave sins in your past lives. Twenty-three got nullified when you performed sacrifices, and the last one got nullified when you took Sanyasa. Now, ask whatever you want. He said I am now renunciate so I do not need anything, now I only want to attain Lord.
This shows that the consequences of the bad karma from past lives are to be suffered, no matter what. What should we do now to achieve ultimate peace? We should keep chanting God’s name. We should pray that my past karmas may affect my body, but I will be nourished only by you, my Lord. The Lord can even nullify your past karma if He wishes.
Karma Takes On Krishna’s Friend Sudama
Krishna’s friend Sudama was destined to be poor. He was so poor that he didn’t use to get alms for many days. All these characters set an example for us. Even after asking, he wouldn’t get anything for many days. One day his wife said that both of us can survive even on Charnamrit (holy water from feet of Lord) for days but what about our children, they will die of hunger. Sudama said, I know no one else except Shri Krishna, now what can I do. This happens when your bad karma from past life manifests; we do not get success anywhere even after working hard.
One day Shri Rukmani ji was feeding prasad to Thakur ji, He suddenly became sad. She said, Lord, I have seen you like this only when your devotees are in trouble. Lord said my friend Sudama has not eaten for many days. Rukamani ji said, Lord, he is your friend, and I am your servant (Rukmani ji is the incarnation of Mahalaksmi), please give me order and all the arrangements will be done.
Thakur ji replied, my friend has no desire even when in this difficult situation and without his desire I am helpless. Once he desires, then all arrangements will be made. Rukmani ji said, you can make him desire. The Lord said, even I cannot make him desire because in heart of a devotee where there is constant remembrance of God, there can not be any desire for materialistic things.
Krishna Takes Guise of A Saint to Help Sudama
Rukmani ji said can you awaken desire in his wife’s heart and Thakur ji replied I will try. So the Lord went in the guise of a saint asking for alms. She came out as householder must show hospitality to the guest. With folded hands, she said I am incapable of giving you alms. The saint asked why. She said because I am impure and afflicted by ritual impurity (Sutak), I have given birth to a son. The saint said it was okay. I can come after 10-12 days. She said no, I am impure for my entire life now. The saint asked what kind of son this was. She replied that poverty in form of son. As a scholar’s wife, she didn’t reply directly that she cannot give but said I am impure.
The saint then replied how can you be poor? One whose friend is Lord Krishna, how can he be poor? Ask your husband once. The saint then went away. When Sudama came home, his wife said today, I am very sad because I could not serve the guest. I cannot take care of my son or guests. Your friend is Lord Krishna; please go to Him. He will help us in one or the other way. Sudama ji replied, I have not made him friend to support me, I will rather die than ask him for help.
Sudama Goes To Meet Lord Krishna
The wife then said, ok do not ask for help but atleast go for his darshan. I have heard he is very generous; he may give you something. Sudama ji replied, yes I can go for darshan, its been long since I met him. But when you meet a friend, you should take something with you, but I do not have anything. So his wife went to house of neighbors to ask for something. When your time is bad, no one helps you. One of the neighbors gave her that part of rice which is left after sieving it (kinka) which is usually discarded. She gave it to Sudama. Sudama then said my Lord is hungry for love of his devotees so I will take whatever you have brought but not go empty-handed. He tied them in a pouch and reached Dwarka.
The gatekeepers at Dwarka looked at his weak and skinny body. His clothes were torn at places, he was looking as if poverty has been personified. Sudama then requested to meet Lord Krishna. The gatekeepers instructed him to with careful with what he is asking. Sudama still asked them to go and tell Lord Krishna that a Brahmin named Sudama has come to meet. The gatekeepers went and informed Lord Krishna that there is a person at the door and he is taking your name in uncivilized manner.
Krishna’s Love For His Devotees
Upon hearing Sudama’s name, Lord Krishna became overjoyed and ran towards the gate. The gatekeepers were astonished to see him like that, as even Brahma and Shiva had to wait at the gate to meet the Lord. Lord took Sudama to the palace of Queen Rukmani, seated him on Rukmani ji’s bed, and washed his feet. He then enquired about Sudama’s well-being and whether he was now married. Sudama replied yes and told him about his kids. Then God went near him and said, you must have brought something for me; give me that. Sudama was feeling embarrassed, with all the opulence around, how to give him those discarded rice grains wrapped in the dirty pouch.
Lord Krishna said you are again making the mistake of stealing my portion. Sudama still felt embarrassed to show him. So, God just snatched that pouch and ate those grains from it. After eating, he was ecstatic and said I never ate something this tasty till today. Seeing this, Rukmani’s eyes welled up, and she immediately stopped God from eating them further. Then there was grand welcome for Sudama and he was given nice clothes etc. Now, the time came for him to return to his home. He was looking at God without any desire but thinking what his wife said, but he was not given anything.
Real Success: How To Feel When Desires Are Not Fulfilled
Lord even said do not wear these opulent clothes while travelling as there is fear of thieves. So Sudama took off those clothes. While travelling back, he thought it was good that God didn’t give him anything. Otherwise, a poor person like him would indulge in material pleasures and forget God. It is nothing but God’s love for him. He was still not thinking anything negative. When he reached his home, it looked like Dwarka, so he got confused and asked whether it was his home. Lord’s assistant who keeps track of living being’s destiny came. He informed Sudama that your destiny has only misfortune and no wealth in your life. But, the Lord has reversed it and converted it into so much fortune that your wealth now compares with that of Kuber (God of wealth).
Conclusion: The Only Way To Be Successful In Life
Lord’s assistant asked Him the reason behind Sudama’s fortune. Lord replied this is because he has done one good karma. He has satisfied all living creatures in infinite universes. The assistant became curious and said, but he didn’t even have anything to satisfy his own hunger. Lord replied all these universes reside within me, and when I ate the rice he brought, he satisfied all those creatures living within these universes. Lord instructed the assistant to write this good karma in his destiny.
This shows that only the Lord can destroy your accumulated karma (Prarabdh). “kartum akartum anyathā kartum” – The Lord possesses all potencies; He can act freely and do and undo whatever He likes. So, take shelter of the Supreme Lord, chant his name and pray that if you feel it’s right, solve my problem or give me courage and wisdom to face it, then everything will be alright.
Original Question – I am not getting a job despite trying hard; why is it happening to me?
Answer by – Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Ji Maharaj
Answered on – 13.01.2023
