In our Bengal there is a word, jadi jau bange kapala jabe sange. People are going from this country to that to improve economic condition. But it is a common saying that, “Wherever you go, your fate will go with you.” Either you go to England or India or here and there… Because people are struggling for economic development. But he does not know that I cannot make an inch of development beyond the destiny which is already fixed up.
Don’t you see that two men, they are working day and night, very hard. One man has become all of a sudden millionaire, and another man, he has no employment. Why? Why this distinction? Both of them have worked hard to improve economic development, but one has become very quickly millionaire, another is still struggling. He does not know how to eat tomorrow.
Why this arrangement? Who has made this arrangement? So this is actually study—that you cannot change your fate. It is already fixed up. The material condition of life, as soon as you get a certain type of body, your pains and pleasure are already fixed up within the body routine work. You cannot make any change. Just like the—I have given many times-the pig, he’s destined to eat stool. Therefore he has been awarded that type of body. So however you canvass this pig, “Why you are eating the stool? Take this halava,” he’ll not take. It will not take. Because his destiny means he has got that particular type of body. So these are finer studies.
So according to the body, everyone’s happiness and distress is already fixed up. You cannot change it. That is called fate. But you can change your fate if you take to Krsna consciousness. That is possible.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.3
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Stockholm, September 9, 1973
Hari bol. I might humbly suggest that the title of this article “You Cannot Change Your Fate” should read: “You Can Change Your Fate.” This is stated by Srila Prabhupada in his concluding words: “But you can change your fate if you take to Krsna consciousness. That is possible.” Each of us has had our destiny changed for the better by Srila Prabhupada’s divine grace.
Changing fate means becoming KC.
Therefore, you can not change your fate as long as you stay in satisfying the bodily senses by lording it over the material nature.
The title of this article, ” “You Cannot Change Your Fate” is correct because we the Jivas are conditioned duly motivated to satisfy the need of the bodily senses which direct the Jiva to Lord it over to the material nature.
Haribol Amar Puri Prabhu. I understand what you’re saying, but please consider that Srila Prabhupada ends his address by saying “But you can change your fate…” The concluding statement summarizes everything which comes before. So ultimately we CAN change our fate if we “take to Krsna consciousness.” Otherwise, what hope it there for us all?
“The living entity forgets what to do. First of all he makes a determination to act in a certain way, and then he is entangled in the actions and reactions of his own karma. After giving up one type of body, he enters another type of body, as we put on and take off old clothes. As the soul thus migrates, he suffers the actions and reactions of his past activities. These activities can be changed when the living being is in the mode of goodness, in sanity, and understands what sort of activities he should adopt. If he does so, then all the actions and reactions of his past activities can be changed. Consequently, karma is not eternal. Therefore we stated that of the five items (isvara, jiva, prakrti, time and karma) four are eternal, whereas karma is not eternal.”
(Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Introduction)
Krsna consciousness is all-positive and contains the solution to all sufferings. We CAN overcome our dismal past and karma by the combined mercy of Krsna and Srila Prabhupada. If not, then why bother to preach? We are therefore offering this golden opportunity to others.
Bhakta LW, I do agree with you one hundred percent. You are correct in your understanding.
However as it appears that perhaps you did over look my explanation as to why I said so which I am re-producing here below for your kind consideration ;
” The title of this article, ” “You Cannot Change Your Fate” is correct because we the Jivas are conditioned duly motivated to satisfy the need of the bodily senses which direct the Jiva to Lord it over to the material nature. ”
Hope you understand from my prospective why I said what I said with regard to the title of the article.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Haribol Amar Puri Prabhu. No worries. As I said, “I understand what you’re saying…” We cannot change our fate on our own – we MUST have the mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krsna upon our heads. So both answers are right.
However, it’s my personal preference to emphasize the latter (mercy) because I wish to spread hope – not only to others, of course, but also to my foolish self. After all, this material world is so hellish and my own personal karma is infinitely bad, therefore I need to always remember to surrender to Srila Prabhupada’s lotus feet so that I can escape the madness of this material world – and the dangerous and quickly advancing Kali-yuga – once and for all. Otherwise I’m doomed. In fact, I firmly believe that we’re all doomed without Srila Prabhupada’s divine grace.
And I’m sure you agree with that last statement too!
JAYA PRABHUPADA!
LW says ; ” In fact, I firmly believe that we’re all doomed without Srila Prabhupada’s divine grace. ”
Yes I totally agree with you, LW Prabhu.
As you said also ; ” …… my own personal karma is infinitely bad, ….. “.
On account of these accumulated Karma life after life that builds the fate and can not change it serves as a reminder, oh fool, mudha Amar, wake up, Srila Prabhupada is calling and listens from Him with rapt attention in order to change the fate of my accumulated Karma.
Otherwise, there is no hope. That is why it is a good reminder for rascal Jiva like myself when I read this title of the article ” You can not change your fate ” But there is a way to change. And the way is simply to follow HDG. Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions to change the FATE.
That is needed for me – a hope to revive my Karma according to my ability and capability to follow such divine Instructions.
Otherwise, there is no way to change the FATE.
Hare Krishna. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
You have NO WORRIES, Prabhu. You’re OBVIOUSLY on the RIGHT path. Congratulations.
By the way, please say a prayer for hopeless me. Thanks.
JAYA PRABHUPADA!