Krishna-bhakti is a very joyful process

Krishna-bhakti is a very joyful process . It gives immense satisfaction to the practicing Bhakta . He is happy to be on the right track and what he does ( Nama-japam and service for Sri Krishna) is ETERNALLY beneficial to himself his dear ones and all others.
The purpose of human life is to serve Sri Krishna the embodiment of Supreme God . Only Sri Krishna is *Poorna* ( 100% complete God) . All other Gods are *Amsavathars* ( Partial manifestations) . Only Gita and Bhagavatham are the true authoritative Scriptural texts containing the actual  essence of the Vedas. Other Puranic texts are not so accurate as they contain fiction as well .
A Bhakta who daily chants Hare Krishna Mahamantra and recites Gita or Bhagavatham,  enjoys blissful self-satisfaction . These texts are literary manifestations of Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself . It's  very sound vibration purifies the chanter's heart as well as the environment. If this world is a Computer, the Vedas are it's Software. When the Vedas is corrupted  , the world suffers . The present sufferings all around is due to undermining of the Vedas 
Although the non-vedic Abrahamic religions preach high ideals, what they practice is totally different. Their  cultural violence such as their intolerance towards the sacred Vedas,  is what destriys the peaceful  existence of world .
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !

You cannot stop crime by law


You cannot stop crime by law

The difference between a pious man and a criminal is that one is pure in heart and the other is dirty. This dirt is like a disease in the form of uncontrollable lust and greed in the heart of the criminal. When the people become purified of these dirty things, crime will disappear. The simplest process of purification is to assemble in congregation and chant the holy names of God. This is called sankirtana and is the basis of our Krishna consciousness movement. So, if you want to stop crime, then you must gather as many people as possible for mass sankirtana. This congregational chanting of the holy name of God will dissipate all the dirty things in everyone's heart. Then there will be no more crime. But the education in the science of God is lacking. Without religious principles what is the difference between a dog and a man? If you bring a dozen dogs and put them together in a room, will it be possible to keep them peaceful? Similarly, if human society is filled with men whose mentality is on the level of dogs, how can you expect peace? The only way to permanently change the criminal habit is to change the heart of the criminal. Many thieves are arrested numerous times and put into jail. Although they know that if they commit theft they will go to jail, still they are forced to steal, because of their unclean hearts. Therefore without cleansing the heart of the criminal, you cannot stop crime simply by more stringent law enforcement. The thief and the murderer already know the law, yet they still commit violent crimes, due to their unclean hearts. So our process is to cleanse the heart. Then all the troubles of this material world will be solved.

Ref: Chapter 6, Science of Self Realization authored by Srila Prabhupada (Founder - Acharya, ISKCON)

Krishna The greatest scientist

Krishna The greatest scientist

How is Krishna the greatest scientist? Because He knows everything. Science means to know the thing correctly. A scientist is one who knows a subject matter thoroughly. Krishna knows everything. If I say that heat is the energy of Krishna, you cannot deny it, because it is not your energy. In your body there is some certain amount of heat. Similarly, heat is someone's energy. And who is that person? That is Krishna. Krishna says, "Yes, it is My energy. This earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and ego—they are My eight separated energies." So my knowledge is perfect. Because I take the version of the greatest scientist, I am the greatest scientist. I may be a fool personally, but because I take knowledge from the greatest scientist, I am the greatest scientist. Just like a child. Actually the child inquires from the father, "Father, what is this?" Father smiles at child, "This is called bell. If you push your hand in this." Then you get the perfect knowledge. He tries it. Oh, it is coming. The knowledge is there. This is what we call science. Science means to know the thing correctly, and by practical experiment to understand the things correctly. Jnanam means theoretical knowledge, and vijnanam means practical application of the knowledge. Whatever knowledge the father gives him, that is perfect. Father says, "My dear child, this is called 'table.' The child does not know what is table, but he understands from his father and says, "This is table." So when the child says it is table, it is perfect. He may be imperfect, but because he is repeating the perfect knowledge of his father, he is perfect. Similarly, if you get instruction from the perfect, then your knowledge is perfect.

Benefit of katha-satsang

There is a story. There was a group of robbers. Of them, the oldest one used to tell everyone that "brother, do not go where there is "katha-satsang" (association of holy men and sharing of divine tales of the Lord) taking place, or else your work will stop. If you are going somewhere and on the way if "katha" is taking place, then simply close your ears. Do not listen at all." Such was the training that was imparted to the robbers. One day a robber was going somewhere when on the way a lecture of a holy person was going on. That was the only road leading to where he was headed. While passing by, he shut his ears tight. While walking suddenly, a thorn pierced his foot. With one hand he removed the thorn, and once again began to walk. While removing the thorn, he heard a sentence from the satsang that deities (devatas) do not have a shadow.

One day the robbers raided the king's treasure. The king's soldiers went in search of the thieves. The robbers used to pray to the divine mother. One of the secret agents of the king, disguised himself as a divine mother, stood in place of the deity of the divine mother. When the robbers reached the temple, the divine mother said to the robbers. You have stolen so much treasure but you have not offered anything to me! I will destroy all of you. By hearing this all the robbers became scared and began to ask for forgiveness. They all said we will surely pray. Now they lit the lamp and the incense, and began to do "aarti". The robber who had heard the one sentence during the katha that deities do not have a shadow , he said that this one is not a divine mother (devi). There is no shadow of a divine mother, but this one has a shadow! Instantly on hearing this, the robbers got hold of the secret agent who was disguised as a divine mother and unveiled his true identity. They said, you are the thief, not us? We have not stolen anything. The secret agent fled from there. Even on listening to one sentence of satsang, there can be a change.

One does not know when the last breath will be.

 The glories of Divine Name recitation (japa) that can be understood by actually doing japa, is not understood by reading, saying or hearing about it. The glories of a satisfying meal are by actually eating, are not understood by talking about meals. Laddoos (sweets) look good, but any amount of talking about it, will not be the same as actually eating it.

This world is ever changing is our visible and evidential experience. That too you do not believe? What to do? See your body and mine, how much it has changed? And it is continuing to change. Someone who had seen me in childhood and sees me now, they cannot even recognize. This world is only changing constantly, every moment. It is only an accumulation of changes. Those changes itself is called life. There is not a moment that is not changing – this is the point.

You are comfortably sitting free of concern! It is a surprising thing! There is no certaintly of even in a single moment. One does not know when the last breath will be. There is no certainty that the breath that is leaving this body, will return again. There is no trust or confidence what so ever. There is no guarantee. It will not remain. It cannot remain. It is going away. It is only a delusion that we think we are living. It is completely false, death is taking place every moment. Every moment the dying is happening. You think it is secure. There is no attention given in this direction. We talk about it, we hear about it, but there is no awareness in this direction. You consider yourself to be stable, it is a surprising thing.

By lying, cheating, dishonesty, deceit, being unscrupulous, you have accumulated wealth. For sense enjoyments you have committed so many sins, done so much injustice, have committed so many atrocities.

God has said in the Gita -


"Bhogaishvarya prasaktaanaam tayaapahchetasaam
Vyavasaayaatmika buddhih samaadhau ne vidhiyate." (Gita 2:44)

One who is attracted to enjoyment of pleasures and hoarding, that one cannot even have a firm resolve to realize God. He will be far from God Realization, but worst yet, the firm determination that I want to realize only God, I want to only gain salvation - he will be unable to firmly resolve towards this aim. Simply speaking, as long there is desire within, as long as there is attraction and importance given to worldly things and enjoyments, till that time, however much you hear these talks, you will be unable to resolve towards God. When the objective, the goal itself is not firm, then how will God Realization be possible?

From summary of discourse in hindi . by Swami Ramsukhdasji

you become Krishna conscious then you get permanent life.

We are not proprietor of this body. We are occupier. Just like a rented house: the proprietor and the tenant are different. So I am the spirit soul. I am not proprietor; I am simply occupier. The proprietor is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is giving me a particular apartment according to my capacity of paying rent. According to our karma or work, we get a body, either as a king's son, a cobbler's son, a dog's son, a cat's son, a tree's son or a plant's son. If you are in a rented apartment, you are given the license to occupy the room. So mistake is that we do not know the owner, and we are improperly using our occupation. The direction is there, the director is sitting there. He's always helping you. But the disease is that we are claiming to be owner and want to act according to our whims, and that is material condition. Krishna said "Don't think we did not exist in the past. We are existing at present, and we shall continue to exist in the future." Exactly like that "I existed in one apartment, now I am existing in one apartment, and I shall exist in another apartment." I am spirit soul. I am simply changing different apartments. Because I am eternal, there is a life, where I haven't got to change apartment. I get permanent residence. That is spiritual life. So long you are in material existence you have to change different types of body. But if you become fit for spiritual existence, you get rid or get out of this entanglement of changing bodies. This is Krishna consciousness movement. We are teaching our people that "you become Krishna conscious then you get permanent life."

Ref: Srila Prabhupada's Lecture, June 18, 1974, Germany.

The Supreme God is infinite; everything about Him is infinite

Human birth is best due to endowment of the special quality of power of discrimination between good and bad and eternal and non-eternal. Physical bodies are in the grip of numerous births and deaths, and are subject to many other drawbacks. This renders the physical body to being non-eternal. If this physical body is non-eternal then the body’s sense organs must also be non-eternal and whatever is perceived by non-eternal sense organs must also be non-eternal. Therefore, if there should be any eternal entity, it must exist beyond the comprehension of human material non-eternal sense organs.
    In the Mahabharata, Arjuna was blessed with divine eyes, so that he may witness the vishwarupa of Krishna, a dazzling sight. Thousands were present at Kurukshetra when Krishna revealed His Virat form, yet Arjuna was the only one to see Him like that. Why?
    The Supreme God is infinite; everything about Him is infinite. He has created countless species to a plan. If one accepts that human beings can determine their own cause by means of material senses, mind or intellect, then that will be a mentally or intellectually concocted thing. That will not be Reality. If Reality is in fact Reality, then He
must always exist. What is the Truth? Why do we wish to be eternal? Why are we eager to learn and to experience bliss? We are a part of the Supreme – so we are like the Supreme in some respects. He is Sacchidananda and so are we. Sat in Sanskrit means eternal life, chit is eternal knowledge and ananda is eternal bliss. Soul is sacchidananda. We were given this limited body to know our true identity. Our duty is not to hanker after temporary bliss, but to have eternal bliss. We have to find ways to realise our true identity to become servants of Sacchidananda. Since we are part of the Supreme Lord, it is our primary task to serve Him or to act in a way that pleases Him. Once we realise Him, we will also realise other eternal truths, and know that not only He, but His Associates, too, do not take birth, but descend.

Renounce Wealth To Enjoy It

Renounce Wealth To Enjoy It

    The Ishavasya Upanishad says your ego will disappear if you cease to call anything yours. “Everything in the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. Accept only those things that are necessary…”
    Don't entertain a desire for anybody's wealth. Why? When nothing can be mine, then neither can anything be yours. Be aware, because the sutra, “Don't covet; don't desire another's riches,” has been greatly misinterpreted.
    Most commentators have explained it thus: “It is a sin to desire another's wealth, so don't entertain such a desire." But the first part of the sutra says that wealth belongs to
nobody; it is existence's. "When it is not mine, how can it be yours?"
    Its true meaning is this – do not wish for another's wealth because the wealth which is not mine is also not yours. So desire has no grounds on which to stand.
    No expert of ethics can get at the real meaning of this sutra. It is subtle and deep. The moralist is anxious to see that no one steals another's property; no one should
consider as his own what belongs to another. But his emphasis on another's property is just the converse side of his emphasis on what is his own. Remember, the person who says, "This is yours," is not free from the notion, "This is mine," because these two are different sides of the same coin. As long as the feeling persists, "The building is mine," its counterpart, "The building is yours," will continue.
    So don't wish for another's property, because it belongs to no one. I don't mean simply that it is sinful to seize another's property with a view to making it your own. It is a sin in the first place to consider it either his or yours. It is a sin to look upon it as anybody's or to
pretend ownership is anyone's but existence's. If you can comprehend this interpretation, then and only then will you be able to grasp the deep and subtle meaning of the Ishavasya.
    Otherwise the apparent meaning of these sutras is that each should securely possess his own property and, to protect his own interests, should propagate on all sides that no one should wish for another's property.
    So stealing and extorting is useless, meaningless and irrelevant. There is no skill or art in it. It is as good as labour lost. It is trying to draw a line on water.
    Enjoy wealth by renouncing it. It is said that if you renounce a thing, you can enjoy it. The statement is very antithetical to our belief.
They alone become real masters who refuse to be masters. Everything falls into the hands of those who have no desire to hold onto things.
People have misinterpreted these sutras. "Enjoy through renunciation" has come to mean that if you give in charity, you will be rewarded with heaven. But pay attention: the sutra says, "He who renounces, receives." It does not say, "He who gives up with a view to getting, will
receive." In fact, he who gives up with a view to getting does not give up, because he is just working out how to get the reward.
    This sutra makes a straight, simple statement that he who renounces, enjoys. It does not say, "Give up if you desire to enjoy." It announces that if you can give up, then you can enjoy; but if you are nursing the idea of enjoyment, you can never renounce.

courtesy: Osho International Foundation,

How pitiable it is to give trouble to others

It is said in the Ramacharitramanas - "There is no duty like the welfare of others and there is no evilness like giving trouble to others."

"Par hit saris dharma nahi bhaayi. Par peeda sam nahi adhamaayi." (VII.40.1)

How pitiable it is to give trouble to others and to disturb their freedom by devoting your time to such useless activity as smoking and drinking alcohol! Is this precious time to be wasted in useless pursuits such as playing cards etc.?
No, if one had spent the time in studies, service and doing good to others, that would have been the right use of their time. But instead precious time is wasted for no reason.

By devoting time properly, one can attain God. To a devotee of God, God declares - "I am a servant of my devotees and they are the jewels on my crown."

"Mein hu bhagatan ko daas, bhagata nere mukutamani."

Thus people who devote their time to devotion become the jewels of His crown.

This human birth has been given to us for God Realization. There is a way to successfully live this life. If we adopt the techniques for living in this world God realization will come very quickly and easily. For doing any work, there is a certain know how. If we work according to that know how, the work will be successfully completed. Similarly to live in this world, also there is certain know how. So we must understand that know how. If we put to use that knowledge than very easily we will be able to live in this world and get beyond this worldly existence.


From book "Art of Living" by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Everyone is a thief

Everyone is a thief

Alexander the Great arrested one thief, and was going to punish him. The thief pleaded, "Sir, you are punishing me, but what is the difference between you and me? I am a small thief, you are a great thief. You are occupying other's kingdom by force; you have no right. Because you are strong, you are conquering country after country. I am also doing the same thing. So what is the difference?" Alexander considered, "Yes, I am nothing but a big thief. I am no better than you." Actually everyone is thief for we have stolen God's property. We may be very honest but we are taking Krishna's money for our sense gratification, and advertising as very moral. We don't accept the real proprietor, and think, "I am the proprietor." That is the fault. We construct a building, but from where do we get the stone, wood and earth? We cannot artificially produce, they are God's. We simply give our labor. We work with our hands; they are not our hands but God's, for when the power to use the hand is withdrawn by God, it becomes useless. Krishna is not in want of money, for He is the original proprietor of everything. But still He asks us for charity for our interest. The sooner we return Krishna's money to Krishna, the better situated we will be. For instance, if one earns a great deal of money but tries to avoid paying income tax, the government considers him to be a criminal. He cannot say, "I have earned this money. Why shall I pay tax to the government?" No, he must pay or risk punishment. Similarly, in the higher sense everything we have is Krishna's or God's, and it must be utilized in accordance with His desires.

How to attain , Harmony with Sri Krishna ?

A person's heart is like a tree . Two birds are sitting on that treeOne Bird enjoys the fruits of that tree whereas the other Bird just witnesses everythingThe first Bird is *Jeevatma* ( soul) . And the second bird is *Paramatma* or Supersoul ( Sri Krishna)
How could  a Person's *Jeevatma* attain blissful harmony with *Paramatma* ? .  It is by Bhakti By surrendering to the divine personal form of Sri Krishna and chanting Bhagavan's favorite *Hare Krishna Mahamantra* , a Bhakta can attain perfect harmony with Bhagavan
By seeking *SharanAgathi*  in Sri Krishna, a Bhakta registers himself for Bhagavan's grace . The constant Chanting of * Hare Krishna Mahamantra* removes the dirt in his heart thereby revealing the divine form of Sri Krishna
In reality , we all are nothing . We are just instruments in the hands of Bhagavan who uses us for various purposesIt is our freewill that decides whether to become *Daivic* ( Godly) by obeying Sri Krishna's instructions ( Vedas summarized in Gita)  or to become *Asuric* ( demonic) by opposing Him
Please chant  :
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
and be happy !!!
Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !

God created the human being and settled him in paradise

According to religious tradition, God created the human being and settled him in paradise. But after some time, man committed a grave error and was sent down to earth.
    In the beginning, God wanted to settle the whole of the human race in paradise, but after we sinned, God changed His plan. Thereafter, only selected individuals would be allowed to enter paradise. According to this story of creation, we lost our initial advantage and since then only the second best has been available to us. This story shows us the right direction for our lives.

    The human being is an idealistic creature by birth. Everyone tries to find his ideal goal, one that is the very best for him. But it is a fact that no one succeeds in doing so. If this is the case, what should we do? The only course open for all men and women is to accept the second best as the only available choice. This is the only way to have a tension-free life in this world.
    If you are not ready to accept
the second best and you would prefer to keep straining for the ideal, the result could well turn out to be disastrous. For example, a certain lady, who was working in a multinational company, failed to get promoted for some reason. She fell into a state of deep frustration and ultimately committed suicide. There are many such cases of people failing to find what they think is optimal, and then they become deeply depressed.
    This kind of depression is due perhaps to a lack of awareness of the law of nature. If the lady in question, for instance, had been aware that according to the law of nature, only the second best was attainable for her and that she (or others like her) had already achieved
that, the realisation would have given her contentment and a tension-free life. This principle applies not only to individuals but also to nations.
    The best formula of life is: Try, try by all means to achieve the very best, but when you feel that you can only get the second best then accept it gracefully. Because if you remain in denial, and try to achieve the acme of perfection, that will only land you in a worse predicament.
    The same applies to nations. This is a competitive world and this could be a formidable obstacle to everyone getting the very best in life. In such a situation, the only safe option is to accept the second best. When you
try to have the very best, then you are compelled to engage in continuous confrontation. The only risk-free option is to accept the second best. So be a realist. If you try to get the very best, it means your approach is unrealistic, but if you accept the second best, it means that you have opted for a realistic approach. And in this world of competition only a realistic approach can save you from disaster.
In short, the very best might be unachievable, while the second best is always within your reach. It is a fact that everyone is an idealist by birth, but you have to rein in your idealism and be content with the second best. As a matter of practicality, there is no other option for you in this world. This is the story of our lives: We tend to lose whatever is second best on account of just one reason, and that is, our futile pursuit of the very best.

Hari Katha is better than both the nectar of heaven and the nectar of liberation

Hari Katha is better than both the nectar of heaven and the nectar of liberation. My Lord, the transcendental bliss derived from meditating upon Your lotus feet or hearing about Your glories from pure devotees is so unlimited that it is far beyond the stage of Brahmaananda. SB 4.9.10.

The nectar of Your (of Lord Krishna) topics destroys (kalmasa apaharanam) the effects of all stages of sin (aprarabdha, kuta, bija and prarabdha (sinful reactions from which one is suffering at present). The nectar of Svarga does not destroy sins, but rather it increases lusty desire, which is a cause for sin. Even the nectar of liberation does not destroy Prarabdha-karma, though it destroys aprarabdha, kuta and bija. The nectar of hearing about You is most auspicious (Sravana Mangalam) because just by hearing one becomes attracted to You and attains the ultimate goal of life. This is not so with the nectar of Svarga or moksha.

The nectar of Your topics, being constantly broadcast (aatatam) by Your devotees, Those who glorify You in Kirtana (grananti) are bestowing the greatest treasure. Though one may give that person everything he owns, he can never repay him.


- Gopis speaking to Lord Krishna, in the Gopis songs of separation (Gopi gita), Page No.347 of the book entitled Saaraartha Darshini (Commentary by Srila Visvanatha Chakravarthi Thakur, on the 10th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam).

A feeling of my very own (apnapan) with God

If you do a job, you will get wages according to your abilities. But if you go home to your mother, will she give you food according to your capabilities? She will give you food whether you work or don't work. In this manner, it is not that by "bhajan" (adoration and worship) a relationship is developed with Bhagwaan, and by not doing "bhajan" there will not be a relationship. If you accept that "mine-ness" , a feeling of my very own (apnapan) with God, that He Naath! I am your child only, then God will think, that however he is, he is mine very own child only, and God will have to take care of you. Therefore, "I am yours only, and only You are mine," this is a very straight-forward path.

The one desiring service will become unhappy. But one who serves remains ever happy, ever joyful. God says that this "jeev" is a part of me alone, but it attracts the body, senses, mind, intellect, that are established in Nature (Prakriti), and assumes them to be his own (Gita 15/7)! O' what business are you getting involved in? Look where you are from, and where you are getting entangled in ! Serve the world. Give happiness to others with your body, mind, wealth, intellect, abilities, rights, etc., but do not consider them to be your own. This feeling of my very own will not last. They are ours only for serving. All the things in this world that we assume to be our own, they alone bind us, and make us dependent. It is a false notion that this entire family is mine, this wealth is mine, but as such they are not! you have accepted them as yours. You have become dependent and subordinate to them. Neither will these stay with you, nor will you stay with them. Therefore with great enthusiasm and eagerness serve them, then the world will also be happy, and God too will be happy. You too remain happy and rejoice at all times. When there is no one available to serve, then the one desiring service will become unhappy. But one who serves remains ever happy, ever joyful.

Changed of "Mine-ness" with God

Changed of "Mine-ness" with God


There was a great loving devotee of God. Day and night, he was immersed in adoration and worship of God. Someone made a long hat for him. Wearing that in a very joyful spirit, he was chanting the Lord's name. He was so deeply immersed in love of God that God Himself came and sat next to him and said – you have worn a very tall hat today! This hat belongs to me, it does not belong to any other. God said – are you being arrogant! He said, I have not begged for it, it is mine. God asked – do you know me? Yes! I know you very well.
God said can you sell this hat? The man said - do you have anything to give me in return, as you are asking to buy from me? You only have the three world, what else do you have to give? God said - So arrogant!!! The man replied, Will it be on loan or what? God said - I will tell the world, you are not a devotee, and the world will stop believing in you. He said, you may most certainly do so, and I too will tell everyone that God is nothing. Your fame has been only due to us, or else who would know about you? Eventually, God accepted His defeat!

We are to only consider God as our very own. We are to serve God, but we are not to take anything from even God. The love that is there in a mother's heart, that much love is not there in the child. Similarly there is immeasurable love in God's heart. He cannot curb his love, his affection, his fondness, and he accepts defeat! "Aur sab so gaye jeet bhagatse haaryo." What an extraordinary point this is! Similarly, become God's. Our relationship is only to serve others. We are not to accept them as our own.

Your daughter changed her sense of "I-ness"as she now accepts herself as the wife of another household. Do you not have even that much capability as your daughter? You were not upset with your daughter when she changed her "I-ness", then the world too will not be upset with you if you change your sense of I-ness to I am God's, as it is the Truth. Meerabai said - "Mere toh Giridhar Gopal, doosero na koyi." No one else is mine, besides Giridhar Gopal and I belong to no one else.

Bhagwaan se Apnapan

Bhagwaan se Apnapan

You cannot benefit as much from charity, virtuous deeds and obliging others; than you can benefit from taking refuge in the Lord. We have an unbreakable-indestructible relationship with Paramatma. This relationship can never be broken. This relationship has been forgotten by the "jeev" (embodied soul), but it is not forgotten by God. Therefore it is the responsibility of the "jeev" to walk the path towards God. However we are, from God's side He is already showering His grace on us. God is the caretaker of everyone. He is engaged in the process of punishing the sinful and purifying all.

Lord says - "Sanmukh hoi jeev mohi jabhi; Janam koti agh naasahin tab hi || " (Manas, Sunder. 44/2)

From our side we do not consider God as ours, but from God's side He considers us always as His own. He not only accepts us, he also knows it. A child calls his mother his own, but occasionally when she does not listen to him, he becomes stubborn and says- I will not be your child. Maa laughs and says - I know you are mine. The child thinks that the mother needs him, and the mother is gratified by him, therefore he says - I will not be your child, I will not come in your lap. But by not being a child, who will be at a loss? What loss will the mother face? The mother has been living without the child for years, but the child's sustenance will be difficult without the mother. The child is on the other hand doing the mother a favor. Similarly we too can do God a favor.

The embodied soul "Jeev" has distanced himself from God, therefore the responsibility lies on the "jeev" (being) now to turn towards God. The moment he turns towards God, his raft will cross the ocean easily. Therefore let us take refuge of the Lord's Lotus Feet, and change our sense of "I-ness" - "I am God's" Just like sisters and mothers change their sense of I-ness, that I am no longer of this house, I belong to where my hand has been given in marriage.

From "Saadhan, Sudha,Sindhu " in by SwamiRamsukhdasji

What Is God’s Work?

What Is God’s Work?



Once a proud but benevolent king sent for his prime minister and said, “All of us have some definite work or assignment to perform. A king rules, a soldier fights, a trader trades, a teacher teaches and a preacher preaches, though as individuals they do other things also. Then what is the primary function of the Creator? Can you answer my question?”
The minister was puzzled. No one knew, and no book ever explained what God’s work was. After some thought, he said, “I, too, have often wondered about this like you. But my duty here is to advise and assist you on worldly affairs. This involves spiritual matters and the right person to answer you is our bishop.”
When the king repeated his question to the bishop, the bishop asked for a week’s time to reply. At the end of the week, the bishop was sitting under a tree on the outskirts of the town, thinking whether to face the king’s wrath the next morning, or to run away from the kingdom.
A shepherd boy who was passing by enquired about the cause for his worry. The bishop brushed him aside, saying he was deeply worried about a spiritual matter. The boy was quite insistent, and so the bishop related his trouble, without any hope of solution or solace from the boy.
“My dear master,” said the boy, “is that all that worries you so much? Please go in peace to the king. Tell him that the shepherd boy knows the answer.”
The surprised bishop begged the boy to give him the answer, but the boy preferred to meet the king in person. So the bishop went home, and the next morning he was at the court when the king eagerly asked for a reply.
“My dear king!” said the bishop, “i need not have taken so much time or trouble to give you a reply. However, i would request you to call for my shepherd boy who will give you a satisfactory answer.”
The surprised king immediately sent for the boy, who promptly presented himself before the king. His appearance was repulsive to everyone, but the court awaited his words with interest.
“You, shepherd boy,” said the king, “do you know the answer to my question which even learned scholars are not aware of ?”
The boy paused for a while and said, “My dear sir, before i answer your query, may i request that proper protocol is observed. You are a student, as far as this question is concerned, since you want to learn. I am a master as i am to give you the knowledge. Normally the master occupies a higher seat than the student.” After some hesitation the king slowly came down from his throne and let the boy sit on it. So eager was he to know the answer!
But the boy, after ascending the throne, was calmly enjoying the new-found dignity and did not speak for a while. Impatient, the king shouted at the boy, “You fellow! Where is my answer? What is God’s work?” The boy calmly replied, “Here’s the answer, to push down the haughty and to push up the humble – that is God’s work!”
This is one of the 1,50,000 stories found in the ancient puranas, which have relevance even in modern times

Such a compassionate and merciful God, will he not take care of us?

If we want spiritual progress then we must have faith that God has come to our aid,  He is helping us, and will definitely continue to do so.   At present also He is supporting us and in the future too wherever there is a need, there He will most certainly and without doubt come to our aid.  This is because naturally He is eternally compassionate.  Just as He protects His devotees,  in the very same manner he protects and nourishes all other beings as well.  Those men who live their lives not in accordance to God,  them too He gives food, water, air etc.  Those evil men who live completely opposite to the Lord's principles, who entirely oppose the scriptures,  they criticize God, them too God provides the necessities for living.   God provides the necessities for living even to snakes, lions, and all insects and little creatures as well.   Such a compassionate and merciful God,  will he not take care of us?   

Ayamuttamoyamadhamo jaatyaa roopena sampadaa vayasaa |
Shlaadhyoshlaadhyo veth na vetti bhagavaannugrahaavasare ||
Antahsvabhaavoktaa tatontraatma mahaamedh |
Khadirashvaampak iva vaa pravarsham kim vichaarayati  ||  (Prabodhsudhaakar 252/253)

"While gracing someone God does not think whether the person is superior or inferior in terms of a particular race, form, wealthy, age? Whether he is praise- worthy or contemptible? This indweller within, in His vastness (like a huge cloud) understands our inner sentiments.  Does a cloud while pouring the rains, think whether this is an acacia catechu plant or a sweet fragrant flowering plant (champa)?"
Therefore we must have faith in God that whatever may be our needs, God will provide.   Now through Gita, Ramayan and other scriptures, through satsang (spiritual associations) whatever points we are getting, those too we are receiving only due to His grace. 
In essence that foremost grace is of the Lord only,  but it appears to be coming from various other mediums,  just as it appears that we are getting water from a tap.  But on deeper thinking, the water comes into the tap from a pipe,  and it comes from a tank into the pipe, and it comes from a river or a well into the tank,  and from the rains the  rivers get their water,  and the water in the ocean is born of fire (evaporation), and fire comes from air, and air is born of space and space is the energy, the power that manifests from God.  The point is that the essence of everything is God.  By which this entire creation has manifested.   
Whatever we are receiving, it is all coming from God alone.  He is not seeing towards our capabilities before giving,  rather without any cause or motive in a disinterested spirit with His grace He is giving us.  Just as mother while providing for her child does not see towards his capabilities,  strength, intellect, knowledge,  qualities, etc,  rather being a mother she takes care of him.  Similarly God is the mother and father of everyone.  It is not that He will grace us due to some cause.  He naturally is out of sentiments of good-heartedness and friendship,  graces us and provides for us.  Every person should have faith in such a God's grace.   The more that one has trust in God,  that much His grace will be fructified, it will be experienced,  by which you will attain peace,  you will be free of worries and free of fear. 
    
From "Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji

Positive thinking guards the body against disease

Positive thinking guards the body against disease

 Spirituality and optimistic thinking have a definite bearing on our health and on our body’s healing faculties. Being positive strengthens the immune system, changes our metabolic and endocrinal system and fights diseases. Prevention is better than cure no one can dispute that and spirituality and positive thinking guards the body against disease. What is Spirituality? Spirituality is a firm belief in God and in qualities such as positive thinking, love and compassion. A spiritual person can detach himself from the environment and focus on God or the Universal Consciousness. Spirituality can be defined as an inner path that enables a person to discover the essence of their being, or the deepest values and meanings by which people live. Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayers and contemplation, are intended to develop an individual’s inner life. When this is developed, people appear to have better physical, mental and social health. A spiritual person has lower anxiety levels or psychological problems too. He is also more optimistic, hopeful, happy and social. A believer in God and spirituality always thinks positively. Krishna said in the Bhagavad Gita that whatever happens is for the best and one should accept that what happened and will happen too is for the best. Such thinking is suffused with positive energy, so important for self-healing. Good health doesn’t mean just absence of disease, but also implies complete physical, mental and social well-being. From negative to positive Positive thinking is an attitude that anticipates success and favourable outcomes in all situations. The thought process begins in your brain and the brain starts changing negative thoughts to positive. Research has also proven that spiritual thoughts and positive thinking helps people fight chronic diseases. Lord Krishna in the Gita focuses on actions without desire of results. Positive thinking people say that so long as they do their job well and with 100% commitment, the result will automatically be good. Such an attitude saves one from depression and stress, which, in turn, causes a host of problems for the body.

The Lord sees the intentions and motivations of a person

Many people say that  -  "When you repeat the Divine Name of the Lord then is your mind  remaining engaged or not? They say - if the mind is not engaged then you have no gains in this.  The people who say such things are naïve.    They are making a mistake.  They do not really know;  because they have never quite recited the Name of the Lord and seen for themselves.   Has such a thing ever been possible that first the mind should be engaged and then we will do "japa"  (divine name repetition)?   Or will it ever be possible?   Is there such likelihood?  It is not possible that first the mind will be engaged and then we will do "Ram Ram" i.e. repeat the divine name of the Lord.   The mind will become engaged while repeating the Lord's name,  by His grace. "Hari se laagaa raho bhai,  teri bigadi baat ban jaayi Ramjise laagaa raho bhai."  Therefore one must take refuge of the Divine Name.  Initially start with "Ram Ram"  with the mouth and tongue, and do not be concerned about the mind.   "Do not be concerned"  - this does not means that don't engage the mind.  It means that whether our mind gets engaged or not,  do not be fearful that our Japa is not taking place.   It is not so!  Japa is definitely happening,  simply keep continuing.   We have heard - 
 
"Mala to karamein phire,  jeebh phire mukh maahim | 
Manavaan to chahun disi phire,  yeh to sumiran naahin ||
 
Where is it written that worship and devotion of the Lord will not happen?   It is written "sumiran naahi".  If the mind continues to dwell in worldly matters, then how can "sumiran" prayer of the Lord be taking ?   Yes!   Prayer and remembrance of the Lord takes place through the mind,  but where does it say that "this is not japa"?    Japa has taken place.   If repetition of the Lord's name is taking place merely by the tongue and mouth, then "japa"  has taken place. 
 
A saint was saying that establish a relationship with Paramatma in whatever and whichever way.  Whether it be through knowledge or through the mind-intellect. Then what to speak of that!!!  And if not, then simply by the mouth and tongue – simply by calling out the Lord's name "Ram"  establish a relationship, then all will be alright.   "anicchayaa hi sansprushtho dahatyeva hi paavakah"  -  If you touch the fire even without the mind realizing, then too it will inevitably burn, similarly,  any which way, you must take the name of the Lord- 
Bhai kubhaaya anakh aalasahun | 
Naam japat mangal disi dasahun ||  (Manas,  Bala.   28/1) 
 
One must not take the wrong meaning of this that we can take the name of the Lord with even bad sentiments and we do not even need to engage the mind in the Lord.  Make the effort to absorb the mind in the Lord,  remain careful and alert,  connect the mind with the Lord,  think of the Lord,  but if it does not happen, then do not fear at all.   What I am trying to say is that do not think that if the mind was unable to engage in the Lord then our Japa has been useless and a waste.  If the mind does not engage right now,  do not be concerned;  because when your intent and direction is to engage the mind, then surely it will be engaged. 

One thing is that we do not engage the mind and another is that the mind does not get engaged.    There is a big difference between these two states.   In outwardly appearance it seems to be the same, because in both these states the mind is not engaged.   While the situation is the same; but though being the same, there is a big difference.  He who does not even try to engage the mind,  his intent and aim is also not to engage the mind.   He has no thoughts of engaging the mind.   The other person wants to engage the mind in the Lord,  but the mind does not do so.  The Lord sees to the inner feelings of everyone's heart –
 
Rahati na prabhu chit chuk kiye ki
Karata surati saya baar hiyeki ||  (Manas,  Bala.  29/5) 
 
Lord sees what is in his heart, that he wants to engage the mind but the mind is not engaging.   Then O'  King!  there will be great merit to this.  There will be much affect and influence on the Lord.  The Lord sees the intentions and motivations of a person.  We must make an effort to engage the mind, but if it does not happen then do not be afraid, and continue to take the Divine Name of the Lord.  
Ram !  Ram !! Ram  !!! 


From "Manas mein Naam Vandana" in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji

In the beginning we may find chanting to be very bitter

A patient suffering from jaundice is advised to take sugarcane juice daily by the doctor. Due to the disease of jaundice the patient finds the sugarcane juice very bitter and feels like giving up. However having faith in the doctor that the sugarcane juice is hastening his recovery he patiently keeps on having it daily though in the beginning he practically does not realize that the sugarcane juice is hastening his recovery. As he continues to have the juice and his disease vanishes he starts relishing the taste of the sugarcane juice. Thus he realizes that the sugarcane juice is extremely sweet but he was not able to relish it before because of his disease.

Similarly we should have faith in the words of our guru and acharyas and continue to chant the Holy Names of Nityananda, Gauranga and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra with patience. The greatest disease is our desire for material enjoyment and the greatest medicine is chanting of Nityananda, Gauranga and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra daily. In the beginning we may find chanting to be very bitter but having faith in the words of our acharyas and guru we should continue chanting with patience knowing that the medicinal effect is taking place though in the beginning we don't realize it practically. As the disease of desire for material enjoyment vanishes we start relishing the Holy Names and with a higher taste of the Holy Names the lower taste of sense gratification is lost. The Holy Names are always sweet but it is the disease that is not allowing us to relish the Holy Names in the beginning which is realized later on as the disease is vanished and one relishes the Holy Names.

Grace of God is showering uninterruptedly on us

God's Amazing Grace
 Grace of God is showering uninterruptedly on us, but we simply do not look towards that!  We disregard this grace, we disrespect it,  we dishonor it,  then too God does not leave His compassionate and merciful nature.  He continues to shower His grace.   A child does not disrespect the mother any less, for he urinates and excretes somewhere, he spits other times,  but mother constantly protects him. Similarly, we too are clever like the child in following the wrong path.  But God is not any less sharp than the mother in showering His grace,  rather he is very quick.  Therefore we must have faith in His grace. 
Even if the worst of all situations befalls,  in that too His grace is ever the same.  If illness overcomes us, if we suffer financial losses,  if someone dies, if sickness takes hold,  if we are dishonored or disgraced, in all of these situations, there is God's grace.  We must have faith in His grace. 
Laalane taadane maaturnaakaarunyam yathaarbhake |
Tadvadeva maheshasya niyanturgunadoshayoh ||
Just as while caring for the child and also while  reprimanding the child, in both these incidents, there is never a time that mother's is never not gracing the child, similarly God who is governing our good and bad qualities, can never not be gracing us.  
In this way,  sometimes without any cause God showers His grace on us and gives us this human body - 
Kabahunak kari karunaa nar dehi
Det is binu hetu sanehi ||  (Manas, Uttar.  44/3) 
Sins amassed in the past (sanchit) never come to an end;  because every being has been committing these sins from time immemorial.  However, in between, inspite of  being sinful, God blesses us with a human body, and in the midst He gives us an opportunity for our salvation.   This is God's extra-ordinary grace.  God's nature is such that he continues to shower His grace without any cause, then this is His two-fold grace!  On having faith in His infinite grace, if one engages in spiritual disciplines, then there will be much blessedness, unique and natural, self-evident divinity and progress.   We do not take shelter of that grace, therefore that grace is less fruitful.  If we yield to that grace, then the grace will bare abundant fruits.  Therefore while offering praises to the Lord,  Brahmaji says - 
Tatte-nukampaam susameekshamaano bhunjaan evaatmakrutam vipaakam |
Hrdvagvapurbhirvirddhannmaste jeevet yo muktipade sa daayabhaak ||  (Srimad Bhagwat  10/14/8) 

He who while enjoying the fruits of his actions,  at every moment continues to look only towards Your grace, and with his heart, speech and body, time and again prostrates to You, he becomes the one eligible to Your Eternal Abode, just like a child becomes the rightful heir to the father's wealth! 

From "Bhagwaan aur Unki Bhakti"  by Swami Ramsukhdasji

How will others know what the Name really is?

He who is interested in the name of the Lord, he alone knows the greatness of the Lord's name. How will others know what the Name really is? What will each person understand? When one does "bhajan" (worship, remembrance, adoration), becomes immersed in it, repeats the divine Name, then one is more deeply inclined towards the Divine Name. Thos extra-ordinary points that come in saint's and great soul's speech, will automatically become part of one's experience. Saints have written about their different experiences at different times and places.

There was a lady, who said such amazing things about naam japa, which is not heard of even in saint's talks. She said that by repeating the Lord's names, the body feels cool, and in the entire body a cool fountain of water flows, and some form of sweetness and bliss is felt. I have read in saint's stories, but such descriptions have not been provided as this lady has experienced. There are such transcendental magical things that saints and great souls have written. To what extent are these written? That which one experiences is difficult to describe in words. They themselves only know.

So such jaanayi mana aru kaanaa |
Nahin rasanaa pahin jaayi bakhaanaa ||

That cannot be told in words. You simply engage your self in this. Brothers, sisters, it is my sincere prayer to all that become engaged in "nama japa". You will be greatly benefited and the world will also be benefited. All will be influenced by that and what to speak of you yourself? Your life will become blessed! There is great glories of the divine name of the Lord. Goswamiji Maharaj further elaborates -


Varsha ritu raghupati bhagavati tualsi saali sudaas |

Raam naam bar baran jug saavan bhaadav maas || (Maanas, Balakand 19)

First name of "Ram" was elaborated on, then the Mahamantra was described. Now there is description of the two alphabets. "Ra" and "Ma". Those who are loving devotees of the Lord, they are like the best rice fields, and the love and devotion in the rain season is the Lord Shri Raghunathji Maharaj. There is ample of rain in the rainy season. The grain fields become drenched and soaked. In Rajasthan if there is water in the fields then the grass dries up, but in the rice paddies there is water logging all the time. Even the fish are swimming around in the waters. Such "saalike" rice is delicious. The superior the quality of rice, that much more water it needs. They need water all the time. "Ra" and "Ma" these two are superior sounds. Similarly the rainy season of the month of "Shraavan" (july-august) and "bhaadrapad" (third-fourth lunar months). For a great devotee, rain in the form of the Name of the Lord "Ram" continues to pour continuously.

From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

Sharing and listening to the greatness of the Lord's Name

. By listening to the glories, one can become interested in the Name of the Lord, but its real greatness is known only by "japa" - repeating of the Lord's name. By sharing and listening to the greatness of the Lord's Name, one develops interest in it and by "japa" (repeating the Lord's name ) one actually experiences, therefore it is invaluable. The truth about it is known only by doing "japa". Complete understanding is simply by doing japa. Just as when discussing about food with a hungry man, then his attention and engrossment is significant. But without hunger, one is not that much attentive or interested in the food. When there is immense hunger then one is fully aware of how delicious the meal is! That meal of the hungry man is much relished, devoured, and easily digested. It is savored and the hungry man gains a lot of energy from it. Similarly, by reciting the name of the Lord with much interest, one comprehends its true greatness. Therefore the more one repeats the name of the Lord, the more he benefits.

Just as when there is a lot of money hoarded, then the greed for money increases even more. But in the end it leads to downfall, because the money is perishable and destructible. Let us say that an ordinary man feels less deficiency of money, whereas a rich man feels more scarcity of money. An ordinary man feels the shortage in hundreds, whereas a rich man in thousands, and even more wealthy person, in the millions. And some of the richest men feel the deficiency in billions. Similarly even those that are engaged in "bhajan" (devotion and worship of the Lord), they too have a need for "bhajan". Those who understand the greatness of "bhajan," experience a great need for it, feeling that they have not been able to do as much bhajan. However, those people who do not do Bhajan, they do not know this at all. They do not know its greatness. But as they feel something lacking within themselves, they begin to understand the greatness of "bhajan". It has been said about those that recognize the greatness of bhajan, that simply by articulation and vocalization of the Divine Name, one attains salvation.

There is a holy book by the name of "Bhagvannaam-Koumudi". In it there is detailed elaboration of the edicts of the scriptures. Those who recite the name of the Lord, become eligible to that Name. Just as Gajendra called out the Name of the Lord with deep distress, then the Lord manifested immediately. Calling out the Name of the Lord, loudy, hollering in distress, you will see the greatness very quickly. Similarly with deep sentiments if one takes the name of the Lord then it has extraordinary affect. It is said in a couplet -

Krishna naam jab shravan sune ri mein aali


Bhooli ri bhavan houn to baavari bhai ri

The hearts of those gopikas (cowherd girls) that were filled with love for the Lord, were overwhelmed and crazy simply by listening to the Lord's name. They used to lose consciousness and not know who they were, where they were! One's state likewise becomes the same on reciting the name of the Lord. The editor of "Kalyan" brother Shri Hanumanprasadji Poddar had steadfast loyalty towards the Lord's name. This incident is even before Kalyan had started. Someone said – "What can come about by repeating the name of the Lord? He replied - you will attain "kalyaan" (salvation). They said, what is the point without knowing its meaning? The name Ram in English can mean multiple things… it can mean slamming or it can mean a kind of animal. At that time with great passion he said that with the divine name Ram one can surely attain salvation. He said it with such zeal, that he lost consciousness for the next 24 hours. No food, drink, visits to the bathroom or anything . His mother was deeply sad and distressed thinking what could have happened to my son? In the same way, he who takes the name of the Lord they become remarkable and extra-ordinary.

From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

Accept with a simple heart I am God 's

First Step is 'Acceptance' ....Accept with a simple heart ( Just As you accepted  'I am Brahmin' or 'I am married' or ' I am son of Mr....' )

I am God 's , Only God is mine, Nothing else is mine.

And then 'surrender' all your actions/deeds...your mind...everything to Him.
Surrender Karmas ...surrender results...surrender everything.

Keep doing your duty as always BUT

1 DO NOT worry ..Become NISCHINTA

2 DO NOT grieve ... Become NISSHOKA

3 DO NOT fear ... Become NIRBHAY

4 DO NOT doubt like whether I have actually surrendered or not , whether God has
taken me into His shelter etc...Become NISSANDEH / NISSHANK

5 DO NOT set any yardsticks

Simply leave every result to God.

GIVE full freedom ( KHULLI CHHUTI) to world , to fate and to God....Let whatever
is to happen ...happen. Give Khulli chhutti ... Simply let the results flow.
Focus on what you CAN do and what you SHOULD do. No focus on results at all.
Look at God...believe firmly whatever will happen will be auspicious and will be
WILL of God !!!

You keep doing your DUTY with complete care and stop worrying/grieving/doubting
and become fearless.

NEVER NEVER NEVER WORRY ...If you worry, where have you surrendered ? If you
have surrendered , where is the question of worry ?

MA SUCHAH .... MA SUCHAH !!!
TULSI SITA RAM KAHO, DRIDH RAKHO VISVAASH ! KABHU NA BIGREE NA SUNI RAMCHANDRA
KE DAAS !!

Says Tulsi : (O Jeeva) Say 'Sita Raam' ( Keep saying ...Sita Raam... Sita Raam
...Sita Raam) and keep believing in Him solidly (Have solid faith ... NO DOUBT
PLEASE... Become NISSHANK !!).

Says Tulsi : I have never heard an incidence ( a news) that something wrong ever
( ever ..ever) happened to a 'daas' ( surrendered Jeeva) of Ramchandra ( Jeeva)
!!!

What a beautiful statement !! How Divine !! Said Lord Krishna in 9:31... Na me
Bhaktah Pranasyati ..Never My devotee ( surrendered) falls ...

Never Doubt ...Never Worry...Never Grieve...Be fearless ..!! Once surrendered
...where is scope for fear/sorrow/worry/doubt ? Be MAST... Give KHULLI CHHUTTI
to ALL. Enjoy ...!! Be MAST ... Be MAST ...!!

ANDHADHUND SARKAAR HAI, TULSI BHAJO 'NISSHANK' ! KHEEJE DET HAI PARAM PAD,
REEJHE DET HAI LANK !!

Sita Raam...Sita Raam...Sita Raam..Sita Raam...Sita Raam ...!

( Pravachan of Swamiji on 15/5/97 at 5 AM)

Stay Free Of Attachment

Stay Free Of Attachment



One day a rich man came to Gautama Buddha and said, “I see that you are the Awakened One. I am coming to you for some advice.”
The Buddha asked him to share what was on his mind.
The rich man continued, “My life is focussed on my work. Although i have made a lot of money, i am preoccupied with worry. Many people work for me and i am responsible for them. They depend on me for their success. Yet, i enjoy my work and enjoy working hard. When i met your followers they spoke of the importance of living the life of a recluse. I also notice that you yourself were the son of a king, living in wealth and splendour, but you gave it up to wander as a homeless recluse looking for enlightenment. I want to know if i should do the same thing and give up my wealth. I want to do the right thing and be a blessing to my people. Should i also give up everything i have to find truth?”
The compassionate Buddha told him, “Anyone can receive the bliss of finding truth as long as he follows the path of unselfishness. If you are going to cling to your wealth, then it is better to throw it away than let it poison your heart. But if you do not cling to it, and use it wisely, then you will be a blessing to people. It is not wealth and power that make people slaves, but clinging to them.”
The Buddha explained to him that his teaching did not require anyone to become homeless or give up the world unless he wants to. But it did require people to free themselves from the illusion that the body and world are their permanent and true home. He said his teaching required people to lead an ethical life.
The Buddha said: “Whatever people do, either in the world or as a recluse, they should put their whole heart into it. People should be committed to whatever they do but full of energy. If they face struggles, they should do so without hatred or envy. People should live a life not of ego, but of truth, and then bliss will fill their soul.”
Non-attachment does not mean we have to give up our homes, wealth, families and what we have received in life. It only requires that we give up attachment to these things. Whatever situation in which we find ourselves has come to us due to our karma. Our attachment should be with God. Our attention should be on making sure our soul attains communion with God.
Those who are blessed with wealth should make the best use of it by taking care of their family responsibilities and then sharing with others. We need not give up everything. We can live in the world and do the best we can, but keep our focus and attention on finding God. Our hearts can develop purity and an attitude of selfless service and sharing with others. We need not be attached to our outer situation. We can work to make a living while also working to develop spiritually. If we are blessed with wealth, we need not throw it away, but we should use it to help others, and to benefit from having more free time to meditate and do selfless service. The key is to live in the world, but not be attached to it.

By Sant Rajinder Singh

It's Better to Work for Krishna.



 It's Better to Work for Krishna.

Working in devotion is better than renunciation of work because the idle mind is the devil's workshop. Since the living entity is active by nature both mentally and physically, to stop acting and stop thinking is an artificial position, which cannot be maintained. Therefore instead of trying to become free from material existence by artificially trying to stop acting and thinking, one can be immediately liberated from material existence simply by engaging in devotional service to Lord Sri Krishna. This is confirmed by Srila Rupa Goswami as follows:

īhā yasya harer dāsye
karmaṇā manasā girā
nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu
jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate

"One who engages in the transcendental service of the Lord in body, mind and word is to be considered liberated in all conditions of material existence."--Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.187

Since even to maintain this material body. work cannot be given up, the best system for both material and spiritual success is to absorb one's life fully in acts of devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.

By Sankarshan Das Adhikari

How to get love of God, Radhanath Swami Answers

How to get love of God, Radhanath Swami Answers with an example from Mahabharata


Swami Ji, we hear about so many learned and dignified personalities from scriptures but I find it difficult to understand that why such learned men go against Lord. For e.g. Bhisma in Mahabharata was a man with high character and knowledge; still he chose to fight against Krishna… please shed some light on this?
Radhanath Swami: Bhisma was always upright, loyal and true in the service of the lord. Although as an instrument in the lord’s hands he had to play a thankless role and be misunderstood forever. Generally, people think that Bhisma was obliged to Duryodhana because he was receiving food from him and thus he had to be in his side.
The real reason that Bhisma accepted the side of Kurus was the will of Lord Krishna. Because when Krishna wants to show a fantastic example to the whole world, He uses His devotee.
Even if His devotee has to temporally become His enemy, the devotee accepts that position out of love. So Bhisma understood Krishna’s plan. He wanted to show the whole world in the coming ages that the most important principle in life – “whoever you are, however wealthy you are, however powerful you are, however famous you are, however beautiful you are, however learned you are, however renounced you are? If you are not on the side of Krishna, then you will be defeated.”
And irrespective of whom you are, if you are on the side of Krishna you will be victorious because Krishna is Achyuta. Achyuta means unconquerable. But the unconquerable Krishna agrees to be conquered by the love of His devotees.
Krishna says in Bhagavad-Gita
“kaunteya pratijanehi na me bhakti pranashyati”
Bhagavad-Gita 9.31
“Arjuna, you should know that my devotee will never perish; I will always protect my devotees. But how I protect you is not according to your choice. That is according to my choice. I may protect you by kicking you, punching you, taking everything away from you, or I may protect you by giving you the whole world.”

--

One's memory of Krishna is revived by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. By this practice of chanting and hearing the sound vibration of the Supreme Lord, one's ear, tongue and mind are engaged. This mystic meditation is very easy to practice, and it helps one attain the Supreme Lord.

Chant:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

There is sins spreading with great force all over

Just as waters from a river are gravitating towards the ocean, similarly at this time and age, the world and people in it are gravitating with great force towards hell. In studies, in pleasures, customs and rituals, in law and legal matters, in trading and business and various activities, whatever you see, there is sin taking place with great force and intensity.

Goswamiji has described this -

Kali kewal mal mool malin |
Paap payonidhi jan man meenaa || (Manas, Balkand, 27/4)

There is sins spreading with great force all over, such that man's mind will play away like fish in water. In other words, just like the fish when it is taken out of the water becomes restless. And if she were made to understand ahead of time that she will be separated from the water, then she will become fearful; because she cannot live without the water, similarly, "paap payonidhi" - the ocean is the form of sins, where as the mind of a man has become like the fish "jan man meena".

If today one is told that do not do "black" (engage in businesses that are off the books), do not lie or cheat, do not be dishonest, work honestly then they say "Maharaj! Work cannot carryon without lying and cheating in this day and age. If one works honestly then it will result in much difficulty. We cannot follow through with what you are saying." On hearing talks about being free from sins, they begin to tremble. They say that it will be awesome if we can leave sinning, but it will not be possible to sustain our livelihood. We are only able to carry on our living and livelihood, because of lying, cheating and dishonesty.



From such talks we must not believe that those with bad conduct, sinful and unlawful men cannot engage in devotion and worship of the Lord. Gita says -


Apichet suduraacharo bhajate maamananyabhaak |
Saadhureva samantavyah samyagvyavasito hi saha || (Gita 9/30)


Even if the worst of all sinners, makes a firm determination and engages in devotion and worship of the Lord, then he should not be considered an ordinary man. God says - He should be considered a "sadhu" (ascetic); because he has firmly resolved.


In Gita, God has talked about four types of devotees of the Lord - "Aarto jigyaasuarthaarthi jnaani cha bharatarshabh" - a devotee "bhakt" in distress or needing financial assistance, takes the name of the Lord. A devotee who has quest for knowledge also takes the name of the Lord. But a loving devotee "jnani" to whom "prabhuji biseshi piyaaraa" "jnana tvaatmaiva me matam", such a devotee is very dear to God. He is the Lord's very own Self (atma, spirit, inner being).

From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

Glories of the Divine Name of Lord Ram

Glories of the Divine Name of Lord Ram

Why did Valmikiji not be able to get a non-aspirate "alpapraan" name? Pay attention! The Name of Lord Ram is easy to recite; however he who is very sinful, for him it is difficult to recite the name of the Lord. There is a saying -

"Majaal kyaa hai jeev ki, jo Raam Naam leve; Paap deve thaap ki, jo mundo phor deve."

He who is not very virtuous, he is unable to take the name of the Lord. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita -


"Yesham tvantagatam paapam janaanaam punyakarmanaam |
Te dvandvamohanirmuktaa bhajate maam dradhvrataah || (7/28)


He whose sins are wiped out, he alone can with a firm determination become engaged in worship and devotion of God. On the subject of the divine name "Ram" it has been said in the scriptures and saints have also shared such things. There is a similar incident that I had heard -

This is about Baankuda, where there was a gentleman named Sri Badridasji Goenka. They were sharing their past incidents. An old Bengali man was catching fish in the coastal areas of the ocean. Shri Jayadayalji Goyandka and Badridasji saw the man and said - " this man has become old, poor soul, if he were to engage himself in devotion and worship of the Lord, it would be good." They told him to recite the name of the Lord, but he was unable to say the name "Ram". He was asked, how much money do you make each day? He said by killing that many fish, I get this much money. Then they told the old man, that we will give you as much rice for the money that you make, you simply have to sit in your shop and recite Hari Hari all day. With some effort, he was taken to the shop. He sat there for one day. On the second day he came late, and the third day he did not show up at all. Then after two-three days when we went back to the coastal front, he was once again found in the same spot, in the scorching Sun, catching fish. We told him that you were comfortably sitting in the shade in your shop, what was the issue or problem? Whatever you are earning doing this work, we are giving you that much in grains, only you have to sit all day and chant "Hari Hari" He said, it is not possible for me to do this. He could not sit at the shop. Such incidents have occurred. I then believed that the point is valid Brother! It is very difficult for a sinner to engage in good and divine work. Shri Tulasidasji Maharaj has said -


Tulasi purab paap te Hari charcha na suhaat |
Jaise jwarke jor se bhook bidaa ho jaat ||


When the fever is burning high, then food is not appetizing. There is odor even in the foods. Just as when the fever is high then food is not palatable, similarly he whose sins are many, he is unable to engage in devotion and worship of God. He is unable to go to satsang (company of holy men and/or association with truth)


Therefore Gentlemen! Pay attention to this one point. Those brothers who are interested in satsang, who go to satsang, who say the divine name of the Lord, who do japa (repetition of the Lord's name), such individuals should not be considered as ordinary. These are not ordinary people. They are doing "bhajan" (worship and devotion) of the Lord, they are pure and are deserving of God's grace. However, those who walk the path towards the Lord, they should not consider themselves great that they are very good people. One should believe that it is due to God's grace, by which we have received the opportunity for satsang, bhajan, meditation etc. We must understand that in such times of Kaliyug we are getting an opportunity to listen to the divine tales of the Lord, we are taking the name of the Lord. Immense grace of the Lord is showering on us.


From "Manas mein Naam Vandana"

The Miracle Of The Word

The Miracle Of The Word

Such is the importance of Nam simran in Sikhism that Guru Nanak, the founder of the faith, proclaims, “I have no miracles except the name of God.” Nam japna or Nam simran is the repetitive remembrance of the Supreme, the Satnam, the only true Word. Nam is the Ultimate reality which manifests itself in the form of Creation and Nam, like Nature, is all-pervasive.
Nam is not name, identification or combination of words to address God like Hari, Ram, Allah; it is more than that. Nam is the representation of the Almighty, manifestation of His attributes. Nam is expression for the whole nature of Akal Purakh, the timeless, infinite and all-pervasive. To be linked with the divine name is to grow in likeness to God – being merciful, compassionate and loving until it results in divine union.
Satnam is not eternal silence; it takes the form of the divine Word, Vaheguru, the divine light, dispeller of darkness. In Sikh tradition, the Supreme is referred to as Vaheguru. Absorption in Nam, constant remembrance of Vaheguru, is recommended. As the believer meditates on the Word, bondage to the world, fear and injustice is overcome. Nam simran has the power of freeing us from the self-centredness that leads to endless cycles of reincarnation. All gains, spiritual and material, flow from concentration on Nam. Nam simran, chanting of ‘Satnam Vaheguru’ in congregation or in solitude is one of the three cardinal principles of Sikhism, along with kirat karni or honest labour and vand chhakna or sharing with the needy.
Nam japna can be performed at the individual level, in private meditation. It involves the practice of repeating the sacred word which helps you internalise the meaning of the Word. Guru Nanak believed that by repetition of Nam, one can overcome the ego. Nama marga, the path of the divine Word, is the way to liberation.
Nam simran can also be performed collectively in sadhsangat, when devotees sing together hymns of praise or the shabad in the form of kirtan. Guru Nanak says satsangat is where the divine Nam is cherished. This is where virtues are learnt, where godlike qualities are cultivated. In sangat devotees seek unity with God through recitation of Bani as well as hearing His Word. Nam simran is related to hearing or listening to the Word as well as becoming aware of what has been heard.
Remembrance of Nam does not bind the person to any place or time. One can recite it while walking, driving or while performing household chores. It sets you free. Guru Arjan says, “Nam is mukti, liberation, jugati, way to attain liberation, fulfilment, tripati as well as bhugati, enjoyment. All who follow the pathway of Nam experience vismad, the incredible awe and wonder of knowing the greatness of the Supreme Being – vismad nad vismad ved, wondrous is the sound, wondrous the wisdom.
But mechanical repetition of Nam is not enough. One has to realise the Divine as a reality and be in harmony with him. When we recite gurbani or the divine Word we are in fact remembering the attributes of God and as a result the followers also try to imbibe good qualities like love for all creatures, sewa, forgiveness, universal brotherhood, fearlessness etc. Nam simran is the ultimate path of bliss, of liberation.

Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ [Bs. 5.1]

The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, is the dearest in both the conditioned and liberated states. When a person does not know that the Lord is the only dearmost object, then he is in the conditioned state of life, and when one knows perfectly well that the Lord is the only dearmost object, he is considered to be liberated. There are degrees of knowing one’s relationship with the Lord, depending on the degree of realization as to why the Supreme Lord is the dearmost object of every living being. The real reason is clearly stated in Bhagavad-gītā (15.7). Mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ: the living entities are eternally parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. The living entity is called the ātmā, and the Lord is called the Paramātmā. The living entity is called Brahman, and the Lord is called the Parabrahman, or the Parameśvara. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ [Bs. 5.1]. The conditioned souls, who do not have self-realization, accept the material body as the dearmost. The idea of the dearmost is then spread all over the body, both concentrated and extended. The attachment for one’s own body and its extensions like children and relatives is actually developed on the basis of the real living entity. As soon as the real living entity is out of the body, even the body of the most dear son is no longer attractive. Therefore the living spark, or eternal part of the Supreme, is the real basis of affection, and not the body. Because the living entities are also parts of the whole living entity, that supreme living entity is the factual basis of affection for all. One who has forgotten the basic principle of his love for everything has only flickering love because he is in māyā. The more one is affected by the principle of māyā, the more he is detached from the basic principle of love. One cannot factually love anything unless he is fully developed in the loving service of the Lord.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

The Revival Of Bhakti


Aguru wondered whether his student was worthy of receiving the ashtakshara mantra that would release him from earthly ills. After much deliberation, he finally disclosed it, but only after wresting a promise from him that it would not be revealed to others. The student pondered over the mantra and the next day, went atop the village temple and announced the mantra to a large gathering that had collected there. The guru, furious, said that the worst hell awaited him. To which the student replied, ‘If this act of mine delivers thousands to heaven, i do not mind going to hell.’ Thrilled, the guru hugged his disciple. The guru was Saint Tirukkottiyur Nambi.
Ramanuja was born in a Vaishnava family at Sriperambudur, near Kanchipuram. His own teacher, Yadavaprakash, felt threatened by the clarity and extent of his knowledge and so decided to kill him. However, due to divine grace Ramanujacharya survived. Ramanujacharya was against the caste system. He took an illiterate but knowledgeable saint, Kanchipurna as his teacher. One night Ramanuja invited Kanchipurna to his house. After serving him food, Ramanuja offered to wash his feet. Kanchipurna was embarrassed as Ramanuja was a Brahmin. An upset Ramanuja declared that one who was devoted to God was beyond any social order.
Ramanuja expounded the Vishishtha Advaita philosophy – qualified non-dualism. It talks of a personal God who is one and only one (non-dual), but vishishtha, one with unique attributes. It says that the Supreme Being is ‘soul of all souls’. He explained that there were three factors of interplay: God or Brahmn, we or jivatmas, nature or prakriti. He further explained that God manifests in two modes: Chit or sentient, living beings and achit or non-sentient, without consciousness. Brahmn along with these two modes formed the Tattva Traya or the threefold doctrine of Vishishtha Advaita philosophy that established an organic relationship of oneness of the universe and individual souls along with Brahmn. Individual selves are sparks of the divine and the world is no illusion. This philosophy is an integral part of Sri Vaishnavism, which says that Sriman Narayana is Paratattva, Supreme Truth. He is the abode of all life and is antaryamin, the internal controller. He is easily approachable and responds to his devotee’s loving devotion. The philosophy is theistic and says Brahmn is the union of Vishnu and Lakshmi (Sri), the father and mother elements, respectively.
Ramanuja was deeply influenced by the 12 alwars or Vaishnavite poet-saints, who were immersed in bhakti or devotion towards Narayana. Through bhakti, Ramanujacharya advocated saranagati or total surrender to God. Indeed, Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita advises Arjuna to rise above the lesser dharmas or duties which keep the soul bound to matter. He urges Arjuna to 'surrender all unto me and I shall free you from fears, bondage and sorrows'. The act of surrender is termed as saranagati, which forms the nucleus of the vishistha advaita philosophy, and is referred to as the prapatti yoga. In deference to Yamunacharya’s wishes, Ramanujacharya wrote the Sribhashya, a commentary on the Brahmasutras, Gita Bhashya, Saranagati Gadyam, among many other works. He travelled all over India and standardised the liturgy at many temples including the Sri Venkateshwara temple at Tirupati, and the Cheluvanarayana temple at Melkote, Karnataka, where he spent a major part of his life.