Stages in Krishna Consciousness: Fixed in Service Mood

Q. Part 1: For the past 3-4 months I have usually had a pretty balanced life as in balanced diet and extremely regulated mundane activities like watching TV. However there have been certain periods when I went on a binge both in mundane activites (watching TV, playing online computer games) as well as in eating.Is there something I can do to avoid that? Whenever I have these binges the chanting I do the next day is a severe austerity for me. I do not have any enthusiasm for chanting following such days.

Q. It is easy to theoretically understand that we are not the body. But it is hard to really realize this fact in every situation, especially if the situation is extremely harsh or extremely wonderful. How can one practically realize that we are not the body in any situation whether good or bad?

Q. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.35) Srila Prabhupada in his purport has mentioned that "...the neophyte devotee must render loving service (to pure devotees) physically and mentally without reservation". Maharaja, what does 'rendering service mentally' mean?

Q. In one class you expressed: "When tribulations come we should allow Krishna to control, who wants to control as He likes." Please elaborate this further if you so desire.

Q. I have been (and continuing to be) in a constant attack of very intense miseries since the last 6 years. I am very fortunate and grateful for the association of devotees since the last 4 years. However sometimes I am so worn out and exhausted physically and mentally that I just want to be left alone for months being a recluse. This is partly because I'm forced to act happy and enthusiastic (amongst devotees or non-devotees) when there is so much mental agony, anguish and anxiety that is constantly bombarding my mind.

Q. Is it possible in this age for a couple (not yet married) to strictly follow the vedic scriptures for spiritual benefits? We are doing that right now, and I want to continue in that path, but don't know if that will be possible after marriage.

Yes it is possible to follow the regulative principles strictly even after marriage even in the current day and age but to reach there both parties need some training and preparation before one enters the grhastha asrama.

Q. In case of King Chitraketu, King Chitraketu accepts the curse of Parvati Devi very happily, Parvati Devi cursed him without knowing full details and Vidura also went to pilgrimage without getting disturbed, both of them did not retaliate/oppose, did not get disturbed and did not try to correct the situation. While in case of Sisupala, Krishna tolerated insult without getting disturbed but after 101 mistakes, Krishna punished Sisupala. I clearly understand that we should not lose our composure and should not get disturbed but how to decide when to react and when to accept it or let it go.

Q. My question is about Arjuna's softhearted, devotee-like nature, and not so Ksatriya-like nature. Varnashrama divisions are based on nature and not by birth. Though one may be born in any one of the varnas, one can be elevated to the position of a Vaishnava by practice of devotional service. Right?

Q. I always thought that the spiritual and dharmic role of a person is to be calm and never get angry, under any circumstance, and sacrifice one's own life before resorting to violence. However, in the Mahabharata, Krishna keeps saying so many times that it is a coward that backs down from a war. At the same time, He says that war is inevitable when all other options are exhausted. However, I don't understand this because whenever He says this, the war is referring to protecting one's honor.

Q. My parents are not devotees. When they go to parties, they force me to accompany them and I get very frustrated because I am forced to tolerate materialists all round me. I try to preach but in the end I find myself more frustrated because there are some persons who find all kinds of arguments to contradict me and when I refute them, they just go on talking and do not give me the opportunity to voice out, thus forcing me to listen to them. What should I do?