Many times, this question arises — Should I work hard for Krishna? Or should I focus more on prayer and surrender? Some devotees emphasize prayers and introspection, while others focus more on action and tangible service.
Do we have to choose one, or is it possible to integrate both? After all, spiritual life is ultimately a path of grace. So shouldn’t prayer alone be enough? Let us see…
Hard Work
It’s said, “God helps those who help themselves.” Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, in outlining six favourable principles for bhakti, mentions utsāha, or enthusiasm, as essential for progress.
Śrīla Prabhupāda personally set this example. He worked tirelessly for the expansion of ISKCON – travelling, preaching, translating, writing, managing and doing so many things. He was never idle. He liked to work hard for Krishna. Prabhupada would often say, “Work now, samadhi later.”
We also see this hard working spirit in the pastimes of Mādhavendra Purī.
He left no stone unturned in serving Gopala.
bahu pariśrame candana remuṇā ānila
ānanda bāḍila mane, duḥkha nā gaṇila
With great trouble and after much labor, Mādhavendra Purī brought the load of sandalwood to Remuṇā. However, he was still very pleased; he discounted all the difficulties. CC Madhya 4.188
His hard work resulted in obtaining load of blessings from Lord Gopala. Blessings came in the form of Lord’s reciprocation and happiness within.
Without hard work, we cannot feel the bliss of Krishna Consciousness. Therefore, Bhaktivinode Thakura states,
tomāra sevāya, duḥkha hoya jato,
se-o to’ parama sukha
All the troubles encountered in Your service are causes of great happiness.
Is Hard Work Enough?
No. Along with effort, we need grace, and grace can be accessed through prayer. Krishna Consciousness is a process of grace. Without grace, we have no standing. Without grace, we cannot even sustain for one day in our bhakti, what to speak of performing great services in Prabhupada’s mission!
Before Śrīla Prabhupāda went to the West, he stayed in Śāntipura, chanting 64 rounds daily, begging for the mercy of Advaita Ācārya. Even earlier in Vṛndāvana, he prayed earnestly at the samādhi of Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, begging for empowerment to carry out his Guru Mahārāja’s instructions.
Therefore, along with engaging our body and words, we need to engage our heart. We must try to put our heart in services, and our heart in praying to Krishna.
HG Vraj Bihari Prabhu speaks of writing a daily gratitude journal. And offering prayers for others. Everyday, we may not be conscious of praying to Krishna. In that case, we can take our 5 minutes daily, and simply write what prayers we would like to offer to Krishna for ourselves and for other devotees. This start point can help us to develop an attitude of prayer and gratitude.
Conclusion:
Success in Krishna Consciousness is a by-product of hard work and heart work. His Holiness Tamal Krishna Mahārāja says, “When you are working, act as if everything depends on you. And when you are praying, pray as if everything depends on Krishna.”
