Correlation between chanting Hare Krishna and material wealth

The correlation between chanting Hare Krishna and material wealth is an uncertain one, and it's important to understand the deeper meaning and purpose of the mantra before using it solely for personal gain of wealth.

Hare Krishna, also known as the Maha-mantra, is a powerful spiritual chant in Vaishnavism that invokes the names of Krishna (God) and his energy Radha (Divine Love).

Modern civilization runs on the mistaken concept that if we work harder we will get more money and since money enables us to buy things that please us, with more money we will be happier. Happiness, however, is different from the sensual pleasures money buys. That is why almost all of us are restless and dissatisfied, despite earning and spending vast amounts of money and despite using and owning any number of things. Money does not necessarily produce happiness. [1]

"Failing to notice this stark truth, many of us pursue happiness by pursuing money. Most people are not satisfied with just enough money to maintain their families but want more and more of it. Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.22.33) tells us, “For human society, constantly thinking of how to earn money and apply it for sense gratification brings about the destruction of everyone’s interests.” In our mixed-up age, wealth alone is the sign of success and the harbinger of prestige and influence, regardless of one’s behavior and qualities." [1]

Money and Our Dark Side

"When we think that happiness would come if we could just afford to make certain material arrangements and adjustments, greed overtakes us. Krishna says that greed is one of the three gates to hell, the other two being lust and anger. We think, “So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more.” (Bhagavad-gita 16.13) The lure of money even induces us to forsake our friends and relatives. Srila Prabhupada writes, “Sometimes, being in need of money, the conditioned soul steals and cheats, although he may apparently be associated with devotees for spiritual advancement” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.14, Summary) and, “if one person cheats another by a farthing or less, they become enemies.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.14.26): [1]

"Slaves of the pushes of our senses and the quest for money, we burn in an unquenchable fire of our own desires; thus the quality of our life diminishes, and we suffer. Srila Prabhupada writes: “Unlawfully accumulated money is now being snatched from miserly citizens by various methods of state taxation for the future civil and international war fund, which is spending money in a wasteful and destructive manner. The citizens are no longer satisfied with just enough money to maintain a family nicely and cultivate spiritual knowledge, both of which are essential in human life. Now everyone wants money unlimitedly to satisfy insatiable desires. In proportion to the people’s unlawful desires, their accumulated money is taken away by the agents of illusory energy in the shape of medical practitioners, lawyers, tax collectors, societies, constitutions, so-called holy men, famines, earthquakes, and many similar calamities. . . . Indeed, that is the law of nature; if money is not devoted to the service of the Lord, it must be spent as spoiled energy in the form of legal problems or diseases. Foolish people do not have the eyes to see such facts; therefore the laws of the Supreme Lord befool them.” (Elevation to Krishna Consciousness, Chapter 2) But mundane greed is not intrinsic to us, nor do we naturally exist for the sake of our business and bank balance or to identify with our material accomplishments. Our obsession with money and acquisition is a misplaced religious quest, a religious energy used perversely." [1]

The Bright Side

"Deep inside, we want to complete our term in this world of birth and death, of society and responsibility, of making and doing. We also want to fulfill the incalculably higher and greater possibility offered us as human beings. Each of us senses that we are meant to receive an invaluable gift and to respond with full commitment and service. Lives centered on getting money miss this opportunity and are therefore miserable. But we can use money properly, for the service of its creator, making it a true asset rather than a disguised deficit." [1]

Srila Prabhupada writes, “Everything created by the material energy can be dovetailed with the Absolute by an attitude of service, which is the essential part of living energy. The pure devotee of the Lord knows the art of converting everything into its spiritual existence by this service attitude. . . .” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.20, Purport). The crux of the issue is this: Will I serve the Lord with whatever money He has allotted to me, or will I use it to try to please myself. My consciousness, and not on the amount of money I have, determines my decision. Prabhupada explains: “Materialism does not mean that one has to possess so many things. The actual fact is one may be a perfect transcendentalist or spiritual man by possessing the whole world, and one may be a gross materialist without possessing a farthing. So this distinction can be made on the basis of consciousness. When one is Krishna conscious while possessing everything in the world, he is a perfect spiritualist, and one may have renounced everything in the world, but lacking in Krishna consciousness, he is a gross materialist.” (Letter, April 23, 1970) [1]

One of the Nava Yogendras, Sri Prabuddha, wonderfully explains about disadvantages of accumulating wealth in Srimad Bhagavatam 11.3.19. Let us purify ourselves by meditating on the same. [2]

nityārtidena vittena durlabhenātma-m?tyunā g?hāpatyāpta-pa?ubhi? kā prīti? sādhitai? calai?

Wealth is a perpetual source of distress, it is most difficult to acquire, and it is virtual death for the soul. What satisfaction does one actually gain from his wealth? Similarly, how can one gain ultimate or permanent happiness from one’s so-called home, children, relatives and domestic animals, which are all maintained by one’s hard-earned money?

"Wealth is the biggest weakness of humankind. Everyone in this material world desire wealth, because they believe that wealth gives feeling of security and all comforts. Therefore, people want to acquire wealth by all means. Unfortunately, one who is after wealth does not care for the humanity. Does not care whether wealth is being acquired legitimately or not. In this Kali yuga, for the sake of wealth, people do not mind even killing some body or doing all kinds of evil acts. Even direct blood relationship (parents, brothers and sisters) which is believed to be a strong bondage turns pathetic in the path of acquiring wealth. People kill parents, brothers and sisters for wealth. Children wait for the death of parents to inherit properties. Thus, the whole world is completely overwhelmed with greed to gain more and more wealth. But Srimad Bhagavatam is warning everyone in the above verse that wealth is not just a source of distress but a 'perpetual' source of distress." [2]

"At the same time it is not easy to acquire wealth. All of us know very well that it is a huge struggle to save money. How many times, helplessly, we go against our consciousness for the sake of money in our daily life! We tolerate injustice, nonsense, inhuman behavior of the people. We tolerate false accusation, insults, minimizing, ill-treatment. The list is endless. Therefore,?wealth is a virtual death for the soul. Above all, wealthy individuals do not care for the welfare of others. They degrade further by greed, envy, pride and anger." [2]

While chanting can bring about many positive aspects, including inner peace, clarity, and focus, focusing solely on material wealth as the motive might not be the most fruitful approach.

Here's why:

1. Spiritual Purpose: The primary purpose of chanting Hare Krishna is for spiritual development and devotion, not material gain. Chanting fosters a connection with the divine, leading to inner peace, self-realization, and liberation.
2. Karma and Destiny: In Hindu philosophy, material wealth is seen as a result of past karma and destiny. While sincere devotion can bring blessings, including improved circumstances, focusing solely on wealth might miss the deeper teachings of the practice.
3. Detachment and Contentment: One of the key lessons of chanting is detachment from material desires and finding contentment in the present moment. Chanting with the sole goal of getting rich might contradict this philosophy.

Instead of focusing on wealth as the sole outcome, consider approaching chanting with a pure heart and open mind. While material abundance may come as a side effect, the true benefits lie in spiritual growth, inner peace, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the divine.

Chanting Hare Krsna mahamantra will give us what we want, if we pray for material things , we will get that but that is an offense , because Chanting is not meant for this purpose. It is the 8th offense in the chanting of the holy name- To consider chanting of Hare Krsna one of the auspicious ritualistic activities offered in the Vedas as fruitive activities ( karma-kanda). So we have to be careful if we chant for this purpose.

Here are some additional points to consider:

• Proper Practice: Chanting with sincerity, faith, and proper technique is crucial to experience its full benefits. Consider seeking guidance from a spiritual teacher or joining a temple community for authentic learning.
• Karma Yoga: The principle of karma yoga encourages selfless service and action without attachment to the fruits of labor. This approach aligns better with the spirit of Hare Krishna while potentially improving your circumstances through dedication and effort.
• Gratitude and Contentment: Cultivating gratitude for what you already have is essential for inner peace and attracting abundance. Instead of fixating on getting rich, appreciate the blessings in your life, and trust that your needs will be met.

"Nama prabhu" confers material wealth if you chant Hare Krishna with material desires

Material Wealth and Hare Krishna:

• While chanting Hare Krishna can bring positive changes in life, including improved circumstances, focusing solely on material wealth as the primary motivator might deviate from the core teachings.
• The ultimate purpose of the mantra is spiritual growth, self-realization, and liberation, not material acquisition.

Chanting with Material Desires:

• While desiring material things is natural, clinging to those desires might create frustration and hinder spiritual progress.
• Chanting with the sole intention of getting rich can miss the deeper transformative potential of the practice.

Finding Balance:

• Approach chanting with a sincere heart and openness to spiritual development. If material abundance comes as a natural consequence of your devotion and dedication, accept it with gratitude.
• Focus on cultivating inner peace, detachment from material desires, and contentment. This aligns better with the essence of Hare Krishna and can indirectly lead to improved circumstances.

Srila Prabhupada says in his translation - Nectar of Devotion:

"One should therefore be intelligent enough to know that but for the Lord no one is a proprietor of anything. One should accept only those things which are set aside by the Lord as his quota. The cow, for instance, gives milk, but she does not drink that milk; she eats grass and grain, and her milk is designated as food for human beings. Such is the arrangement of the Lord, and we should be satisfied with those things which He has kindly set aside for us, and we should always consider to whom those things we possess actually belong. A house, for instance, is made of earth, wood, stone, iron, cement and so many other material things, and if we think in terms of Sri Isopanisad, we must know that we cannot produce any of these materials ourselves. We can simply bring them together and transform them into different shapes by our labor. A laborer cannot claim to be a proprietor of a thing just because he has worked hard to manufacture it." [4]

Conclusion:

In the modern world everyone is running after wealth. The Adanis and Ambanis in Bharat and Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffet are just a few examples. Yet all the billions of dollars they acquired has not satisfied them yet it seems. They give in charity and that does not seem to satisfy them either. Because real satisfaction comes from Serving Krishna, the supreme personality of Godhead by chanting his names.

References:

1. https://btg.krishna.com/money-krishna-and-us/
2. https://mahavishnugoswami.com/gr/3561
3. https://bhaktivedantacollege.com/nectar-of-devotion/
4. https://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/Isopanisad_mantra_one.html