The caste system is created by Krishna

The caste system is created by Krishna for the purpose of enabling the human society to function in a healthy, progressive manner. Now the caste system is stifling. Why is this?

The first thing to understand is that there are two different caste systems. One is the divine caste system, and the other is the demoniac caste system. Krishna is the creator of the divine system, not the demoniac system. Just as in the human body there are natural divisions of labor between the head, arms, belly, and legs--similarly in the social body there is a natural division of labor between the brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras. Brahmanas are the intellectuals and priests. Ksatriyas are the administrators and warriors. Vaisyas are the businessmen and farmers. And sudras are the workers. This is the divine caste system. Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gita that these divisions are based on one's qualities and activities. He does not state that they are based on birth, as in the demoniac caste system.

In the divine caste system everyone is encouraged, trained, and facilitated, in whatever occupation best suits their nature. In this way there is full employment in the society. There are no frustrated, unemployed people. Everyone is employed in an occupation which is according to their nature. Thus everyone is encouraged and enthused.

The modern day demoniac caste system, which is still going on today in India, is based on one's birth. One is forced into a certain caste by his birth. This exploitative system was introduced by the unqualified sons of those who were actually qualified brahmanas to forcefully make themselves the leaders of the society.

A real brahmana is someone who knows the Absolute Truth and freely distributes it to everyone to elevate them also to the position of brahmana. The Krishna consciousness movement is presently engaged in the work of creating such real brahmanas to give spiritual guidance to a grossly misguided material society, which now needs it more than ever. Once the brahmana class is solidly established and respected all over the world, those engaged in the other occupations will take take guidance from the brahmanas how to execute their occupational duty in such a way that is pleasing to the Supreme Lord. In this way, when the the divine caste system is fully re-established, we will have heaven on earth. May that day come soon.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

An action, in itself, cannot be good or bad because action is never an isolated from its circumstancesAn action, in itself, cannot be good or bad because action is never an isolated from its circumstances

An action, in itself, cannot be good or bad because action is never an isolated from its circumstances.
We know many cases where an action is "good" under a given situation whereas, the same action in a different context is "bad". Telling truth is good in a court of law but telling truth where an innocent person can be harmed by someone's evil action is bad! For example, Krishna advising Yudhisthira not to give straightforward answer to Dronacharya when the elephant named Ashwasthama got killed, giving him the impression that it was his son by the same name may have been killed, just to render him ineffective in the war to save Pandavas, where righteousness belonged! Another example, if killing, Per Se, is "bad", why its alright to kill in a war?

The reason for such a complexity is our solid interdependency on each other and nature that no thing in itself can be considered as "always good" or "always bad". Circumstances surrounding events determine relative goodness or evilness! Again "good" and "bad" are only in minds of people, and hence they are relatively good or bad, not in absolute sense!
Having said this, we must be aware of its practical implications:
Engage in those actions without being a doer, and with the best of intentions and skills that will result in greater good even at relative level. And above all, Trust God, HE/SHE/IT knows better!

Understanding comes from the Absolute while living happens in relative world!

Last point: Only as an individual, we don't have freedom or have some freedom limited by our conditioning! However, what we really are is Freedom itself, not that we have freedom, Just as God IS all freedom!
That which IS without limit, how can it not have Freedom to go on existing in infinite ever-changing forms including the freedom to be limited?

Favorable and unfavorable situations are not in our hands.

God had given human beings freedom. All other living beings, they do not have that much independence and freedom. Human beings have complete freedom, and if this freedom is put to proper use, it can lead to salvation. Therefore this birth is called "karma yoni." The main difference is that in human birth, one is responsible to do one's work (karma). It is not "bhog yoni" i.e. It is not a birth that is only for bearing the fruits of past actions. In human birth, one has rights to do new actions. And through doing actions (one's duty), one can either become independent or bound.
What is the reason that his birth-death cycle started in the first place? Why did sorrow come about? The reason this sorrow came about is from improper utilization of our freedom. But the minute we stop misutilizing our freedom, then we can attain salvation. We have the opportunity to stop this cycle. Opportunities like this, may not arise again for a long time. We are fortunate, as this opportunity is here right now.
The greatness of this human birth is not the body. This body is only a factory for manufacturing urine and feces. Human birth is the highest of all births (in Manasa, Uttarkand). It is the rarest form of birth, as only in this birth one is eligible and has rights to realize God (Self). We are at a big junction (just like a major train junction, where you can pick any direction to travel). You have the opportunity to go many places from this birth. Given this opportunity, one has to become extremely alert. This birth is " durlabh" rare, because of its eligibility and rights. We can be rid of all sorrows once and for all in this birth. Now, pay attention to it's greatness -
The greatness of this birth is in the vivek (discrimination) between, real-unreal, perishable-imperish able, temporary and permanent etc. However, this "vivek" must be properly utilized. No thing is good or bad, it is the utilization that makes it good or bad. Whatever situation comes our way, that situation is not good or bad, it is how it is put to use. If properly put to use, (i.e. knowing what is to be done and not to be done), one can become joyful forever. In this human birth, one has the freedom and independence to attain salvation.
Favorable and unfavorable situations are not in our hands. Often in unfavorable situations, there is greater progress. One becomes more alert, more cautious. But these unfavorable situations are good when they are put to proper use. Proper use is when one can remain happy at all times from within, and under any circumstance. Finally and most importantly, when we turn towards God, it is proper use of our discrimination and when we move towards sense enjoyments and pleasures, it is mis-utilization of our discrimination.

Duties happen automatically and naturally on renunciation of Desires

If a man has a particular desire, it is not a rule that this desire will always be satisfied. A desire may or may not be satiated. Till today all the desires of even a single individual have not been satiated, nor will they ever be satiated. If a desire is born, and if it is not fulfilled, it causes a lot of pain. But the condition of man is such that he continues to feel saddened by unfulfilled desires, simultaneously he continues to have new desires ! The outcome is that neither all his desires are fulfilled, nor does the pain and
sorrow end. Therefore if a person wants to be rescued from pain, the remedy is Renunciation of Desires (Kaamanaa ka tyaag).
In the scriptures it is written that in this human body, there is a predominance of action. Deep within himself, when a man, has the desire to acquire something, he is inclined to act. An action is of two kinds -
"kartavya" (duty, i.e. what ought to be done) and "akartavya" (what ought not be done). Performance of action with a disinterested spirit (nishkaam bhava) i.e. FREE OF DESIRES, is "kartavya". Performance of action with interested spirit (with personal desires) is "Akartavya." - NOT DUTY.
The root of Akartavya is desire for sensual pleasures that come from association. When desire for pleasure is wiped out, Akartavya does not happen. And when Akartavya does not happen, one automatically and by default observes "Kartavya", i.e DUTY is inevitably protected and fostered. The
spiritual discipline that happens naturally or automatically is real (authentic), whereas that spiritual discipline that is practiced intentionally
with effort is unreal (artificial) .
Ram Ram

Three things are essential to get worldly things - desire, efforts and destiny

Three things are essential to get worldly things - desire, efforts and destiny. First you should have a desire to get / acquire a worldly thing, second, you should make an effort (do karma) to get the same. And thirdly, even after making an effort and doing karma, you will get that thing, only if you are destined to get it. If you are not destined to get the thing then even after desiring and making efforts you will not get the same. Therefore many times we make an effort to gain a profit, but end up incurring losses! But God is realized merely by desiring. There is no need of any effort or destiny. In path of God realization there is never a loss, there is profit and profit only. Except God, merely by desiring we do not get any other thing. Reason is that the human body has been given to us only for God realization. God has given this human body to us, with the aim and objective of realizing Him. Secondly, God is everywhere. There is no space even the size of a needle point that is without God being there. Therefore in His realization, there is no role of effort and destiny.

By doing Karma (efforts, deeds) we get only perishable things. Imperishable God cannot be realized by doing (karmas). He is realized solely by intense desire.

Dependency is not liked by anyone

Dependency is not liked by anyone. A dependent man does not gain happiness even in his sleep. "Paraadheen sapanehun sukhu naahi." (Manasa 1:102:3). Inspite of being so, then too man desires happiness from others, desires respect from others, desires praise from others, desires to gain from others - this is so very astonishing ! He who desires happiness from things, from individuals, from situations, from circumstances, from events, from various states / stages, from rest and relaxation, from gain, he has to become dependent. He cannot be saved whether he be Brahma or Indra or anyone for that matter. I say this to the extent that even Bhagwaan cannot be saved. He who desires something from anyone will definitely become dependent.
He who desires Paramatma, he is not dependent; because Paramatma is not other. This Jeev (embodied soul) is very much an "ansh" (part of, ray of consciousness) of Paramatma, but on desiring anything other than Paramatma we become dependent; because besides Paramatma, nothing else is ours. It is only on having no desire for other things, that desire for Paramatma is awakened. If desire for other things does not remain, then Paramatma will be realized.

When there is desire for anything, that desire validates a deficiency, a lack of something. In other words, unnecessarily at no cost, why are you buying paucity? If you desire to be happy, then do not desire happiness from anyone. Get rid of this thought completely from within - once and for all that "We will gain from another." Nothing can be done by anyone. He who desires something from another, can he be saved from dependency? Can he become independent? Therefore make this point firm - I will not desire anything from anyone!
He who sees himself has reliant on that which is acuqired and later gets away(i.e. perishables) , how can he be happy? The Self is not one that is created and destroyed (perishable) . The Self is Imperishable. There is another very extraordinary point - He who desire something from another is non-deserving. He is not deserving at all. Just like, one who desires respect from another, he is not deserving of respect. He who is deserving of respect, does not desire respect. If you look into it, out of 18 Akshouni armies, in which all were Kshatriyas and Kshatriyas alone, and inspite of being a Kshatriya Himself, Bhagwaan Shri Krishna, became a charioteer leading Arjun's horses. Such an ordinary task he undertook, that can be mocked! Can driving the horses be valiant work? Is it the kind of work that commands any respect? But He was not ashamed of doing such work. He was deserving of respect therefore he had no desire for respect. Now how is one to know that He is deserving of respect? In the opposite army, Bhishmaji is the first one to blow the conch, and in this army, Bhagwaan Shri Krishna is the first to blow the conch. Because in the Kaurava army, the most important person was Bhishma and in the Pandava army the most important person was Shri Krishna.

He who desires respect is a slave to respect and is not deserving of any respect. He who desires disciples, is a slave to disciples and is not a Guru. He who desires wealth is a slave to wealth, not a master of wealth. Therefore desires must be removed from the mind completely.

When Mugal Emperor Akbar bowed to , Mirabai

Hare Krishna ! Pranams to Bhagavan Sri Krishna and His Bhaktas,

Islam religion strictly forbids it's followers from familiarizing with non-Islamic religious texts or spiritual teachers . The religion which Islam fears the most is Sanatana Dharma , since the former has no answer to the divine logic of the Vedic scriptures.

Mugal Emperor Akbar was one wise Muslim who tried to understand about Sanatana Dharma. He really liked what he found and started admiring the Vedic religion .
Ignoring the objections of Islamic fundamentalists, Akbar retained all kinds of talented and extraordinary people from various religions. Akbar always appreciated others' good qualities. In the course of time, he came to hear about Mirabai, the great devotee of Lord Krishna. The bhajans that she sang became known throughout the length and breadth of India. Akbar decided to go and see her for himself.
At first, it seemed impossible for the Emperor to fulfill his wish. Mirabai was married to the Rajputra Prince Bhoja Raj of Chittor. This family and the Moghul Emperors had always been the worst of enemies ! If Akbar went to see Mirabai, he would be risking his life and he would also be placing Mirabai herself in great danger. But Akbar was determined to go. He said , "I will not go as the Emperor with my army. I will go in disguise."
So he and his court musician, Tansen, dressed themselves in ochre robes like wandering sannyasins. In this disguise, they approached the Sri Krishna temple where Mirabai was worshipping. In the temple, devotees were singing and dancing. Right in the centre was Mirabai, singing most soulfully.
Akbar and Tansen were deeply moved by the divinity of Mirabai's beautiful voice and her soulful prayers to Bhagavan Sri Krishna. To show his gratitude, Akbar placed a diamond necklace at the feet of Mirabai's little Deity of Lord Krishna. Those who were present were amazed at the mendicant's gesture. They wondered if perhaps somebody quite rich had come in the form of a mendicant. After Akbar had made his offering, he and Tansen quietly slipped away.
In a few days' time, it became known that it was Mugal Emperor Akbar himself who had come. Mirabai's husband became enraged and said to his wife, "You have incurred the worst possible sin. You are a Hindu princess, but you have allowed the enemy Muslim Emperor to look at your face. I can't look at you anymore. You have to go to the river and drown yourself !"
Poor Mirabai ! She was so miserable at this turn of events. She was not responsible for what had happened. But even so, she was ready to enter into the river and commit suicide as advised by her husband. She walked towards the river, accompanied by some of her followers and Krishna-devotees. She was about to enter into the river when Bhagavan Sri Krishna appeared and grabbed her. Bhagavan said to his dearest devotee, "No, I do not want you to commit suicide. You have done nothing wrong. Please leave this place and come to Brindaban. There you will see Me in person ."
So Mirabai left her husband and, with a few followers, went to Brindaban to serve Bhagavan Krishna as ordered by Him .
Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in Srimad Bhagavad Gita ( 18-64-66) "O Arjuna, Hear once again My supreme word. You are very dear to Me, therefore, I shall tell this for your benefit. Fix your mind on Me, become My devotee, offer service to Me, bow down to Me, and you shall certainly reach Me. I promise you because you are My very dear friend. Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me completely with faith and devotion. I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions. "

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!! !

Sense Control Begins With the Tongue

Of all the senses the tongue is the most voracious and uncontrollable, therefore if we can conquer over our tongues, we can easily conquer all of our other senses. The first step in conquering the tongue is to never put anything in our mouths except for Krishna prasadam. And the second step is take only what is necessary for good health. Gluttony has never made anyone happy. Indeed we have always seen that gluttonous people are miserable. So in this way we should intelligently analyze things as they are and do the needful for attaining the supreme happiness by engaging the tongue in chanting Hare Krishna and honoring Krishna prasadam to our full satisfaction.

At the present moment our minds are polluted with the dirt accumulated over millions and millions of lifetimes of sense gratification. Even though our original pure nature is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss, due to our mental contamination we are presently suffering in the realm of temporality, ignorance, and misery. By the purificatory process of chanting the holy names of God we can revive our original, pure nature and thus relish the sweetest happiness at every minute.
Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

Japa Concentration Exercises

• You have to chant and hear each mantra. Right here and now.
• Focus on this bead you are now holding between your fingers, this mantra that is now being uttered from your lips and now entering into the ear.
• And then move onto the next mantra, which you must focus on in the same way… and the next… and the next.
• This may work for 10 or 15 mantras, maybe even 30, and the mind will become diverted again. Then you have to pull the mind back and set to it again.
• Continue to do this and you will succeed.
• At the end of each round, take stock of how well you did, and resolve to make the next round even better: "This time I am going to concentrate fully on each and every mantra of this round – all 108."
• The attitude is, “Right now, this is the only round that counts.”
• And so it goes on for each and every mantra of each and every round… You will see steady improvement… And if you practice this each and every day, your rounds in general will steadily improve.

Sri Krishna is the Source of all Creation

In Srimad Bhagavad-gita (10.8) Sri Krishna explains that He is the source of all spiritual and material worlds. "Everything emanates from Me. The wise who know this perfectly engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."

Bhagavan Krishna further relates that all other sages and creators also originate from Him: "The seven great sages and before them the four other great sages and the Manus [progenitors of mankind] are born out of My mind, and all creatures in these planets descend from them." (Bg.10.6)

Jambavan also says to Bhagavan Krishna, "You are the ultimate creator of all creators of the universe, and of everything created You are the underlying substance. You are the subduer of all subduers, the Supreme Bhagavan and Supreme Soul of all souls." (Bhag.10.56. 27)

When the Devas approached Bhagavan Krishna to return to His eternal abode and wind up His earthly pastimes, they also recognized that He was the supreme God in their prayers : "You are the cause of the creation, maintenance and destruction of this universe. As time, You regulate the subtle and manifest states of material nature and control every living being. As the threefold wheel of time You diminish all things by Your imperceptible actions, and thus You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead... O Bhagavan, You are the supreme creator of this universe and the ultimate controller of all moving and nonmoving living entities. You are Hrishikesha, the supreme controller of all sensory activity, and thus You never become contaminated or entangled in the course of Your supervision of the infinite sensory activities within the material creation. On the other hand, other living entities, even yogis and philosophers, are disturbed and frightened simply by remembering the material objects that they have supposedly renounced in their pursuit of enlightenment. " (Bhag.11.6.15, 17)

Because Sri Krishna is the source of everything, it is not possible for others to determine His origin. "Neither the hosts of Devas nor the great Sages know My origin, for, in every respect, I am the source of the Devas and Sages." (Bg.10.2)

Arjuna also admits to this fact after having understood Krishna 's real characteristics: "O Krishna, I totally accept as truth all that You have told me. Neither the gods nor demons, O Bhagavan, know Thy personality. Indeed, You alone know Yourself by Your own potencies, O origin of all, Bhagavan of all beings, God of Gods, O Supreme Person, Bhagavan of the universe! (Bg.10.14-15) O great one, who stands above even Brahma, You are the original master. Why should they not offer their homage up to You, O limitless one? O refuge of the universe, You are the invincible source, the cause of all causes, transcendental to this material manifestation. (Bg.11.37) You are air, fire, water, and You are the moon! You are the supreme controller and the grandfather. Thus I offer my respectful obeisances unto You a thousand times, and again and yet again! Obeisances from the front, from behind and from all sides! O unbounded power, You are the master of limitless light! You are all-pervading, and thus You are everything! (Bg.11.39-40) You are the father of this complete cosmic manifestation, the worshipable chief, the spiritual master. No one is equal to You, nor can anyone be one with You. Within the three worlds, You are immeasurable. " (Bg.11.43)

Even the immeasurable spiritual entity called the Brahman is actually a tool that Krishna uses in which to create the cosmic manifestation. As Bhagavan explains, "The total material substance, called Brahman, is the source of birth, and it is that Brahman that I impregnate, making possible the births of all living beings, O son of Bharata [Arjuna]. It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kunti, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father. (Bg.14.3-4) Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both its origin and dissolution. (Bg.7.6) I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being--moving or unmoving--that can exist without Me. (Bg.10.39) Know that I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the prowess of all powerful men." (Bg.7.10)

In this way, Bhagavan Krishna creates the material manifestation, and later absorbs it back into Himself. Then at His will, He again creates. "At the end of the millennium every material manifestation enters into My nature, and at the beginning of another millennium, by My potency I again create." (Bg.9.7)

"My dear Bhagavan, the original purusha-avatara, Maha-Vishnu, acquires His creative potency from You. Thus with infallible energy He impregnates material nature, producing the mahat-tattva. Then the mahat-tattva, the amalgamated material energy, endowed with the potency of the Bhagavan, produces from itself the primeval golden egg of the universe, which is covered by various layers of material elements." (Bhag.11.6.16)

Because Bhagavan Krishna is the source of everything, there is obviously nothing that He personally needs from it, nor is He ever entangled in it. He is like the warden of a prison who can go in or out of it at any time he wants. Yet He is still overseeing it. "O son of Pritha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I need to obtain anything--and yet I am engaged in work. (Bg.3.22) There is no work that affects Me; nor do I aspire for the fruits of action. One who understands this truth about Me also does not become entangled in the fruitive reactions of work." (Bg.4.14)

Akrura also admitted to Bhagavan Krishna that, "You create, destroy and also maintain this universe with Your personal energies--the modes of passion, ignorance and goodness--yet You are never entangled by these modes or the activities they generate. Since You are the original source of all knowledge, what could ever cause You to be bound by illusion?" (Bhag.10.48. 21)

The summary process of how Bhagavan Krishna manifests and gives facility to the universe and the living entities within it is described in Vasudeva's prayer to Bhagavan Krishna: "O transcendental Bhagavan, from Yourself You created this entire variegated universe, and then You entered within it in Your personal form as the Supersoul. In this way, O unborn supreme Soul, as the life force and consciousness of everyone, You maintain the creation. Whatever potencies the life air and other elements of universal creation exhibit are actually all personal energies of the Supreme Bhagavan, for both life and matter are subordinate to Him and dependent on Him, and also different from one another. Thus, everything active in the material world is set into motion by the Supreme Bhagavan. The glow of the moon, the brilliance of fire, the radiance of the sun, the twinkling of the stars, the flash of lightning, the permanence of mountains and the aroma and sustaining power of the earth--all these are actually You. My Bhagavan, You are water, and also its taste and its capacities to quench thirst and sustain life. You exhibit Your potencies through the manifestations of the air as bodily warmth, vitality, mental power, physical strength, endeavor and movement. You are the directions and their accommodating capacity, the all-pervading ether and the elemental sound residing within it. You are the primeval, unmanifested form of sound; the first syllable, om: and audible speech, by which sound, as words, acquires particular references. You are the power of the senses to reveal their objects, the senses' presiding demigods, and the sanction these Devas give for sensory activity. You are the capacity of the intelligence for decision-making, and the living being's ability to remember things accurately. You are false ego in the mode of ignorance, which is the source of physical elements; false ego in the mode of passion, which is the source of the bodily senses; false ego in the mode of goodness, which is the source of the Devas; and the unmanifest, total material energy, which underlies everything. You are the indestructible entity among all the destructible things of this world, like the underlying substance that is seen to remain unchanged while the things made from it undergo transformation. " (Bhag.10.85. 5-12)

"Thus these created entities, transformations of material nature, do not exist except when material nature manifests them within You, at which time You also manifest within them. But aside from such periods of creation, You stand alone as the transcendental reality." (Bhag.10.85. 14)

Being the source of everything, Bhagavan Krishna explains how He is also the source of genuine religion. "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said : `O Brahmana, I am the speaker of religion, its performer and sanctifier. I observe religious principles to teach them to the world, My child, so do not be disturbed." (Bhag.10.69. 40)

Bhagavan Krishna goes on to say that the understanding of how He is the origination of everything is the knowledge which can free a person from sins: "He who knows Me as the unborn, as the beginningless, as the Supreme Bhagavan of all the worlds--he, undeluded among men, is freed from all sins." (Bg.10.3) This is the special nature of this spiritual knowledge.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya !!!

Swamy Vivekananda and *Vigraha-Aradhana* ...( True Stories)

Once Swamy Agamananda asked Acharya Sri Narayana Gurudev," What is your opinion about Swamy Vivekananda ? " .

" If this single person Vivekananda was not born in Bharath , today in this country we would not be having a Vedic Culture ( Vaidika Samskara) even for name sake " , Gurudev replied .

That was a period when the British Government using their power and organized religious propagation , was achieving massive conversion of Hindus to Christianity .

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita , "Whenever there is a decline in Vedic Dharma, there will be an Avatara ( incarnation) to rescue the Dharma" . When the British empire joined hands with Christian Missionaries to root out `Sanatana Dharma' ( Hinduism) , Vivekananda manifested as a Rishi to rescue the Vedic religion .

Swamy Vivekananda traveled all over India to educate both the Rulers and People about Vedic Sanatana Dharma .

Swamy Vivekananda and King of Alwar

Once Vivekananda arrived at the palace of King of Alwar who was an ardent follower of English culture . The King said to him , " I think Hinduism's so called "Vigraha-aradhana" is a baseless supersition . Making an idol from wood or stone , and then kneeling in front of it and praying ! I can't agree with this nonsense " .

There was a picture of King , hanging on the wall . As requested by Swamiji , the King's minister fetched that picture .

Swamiji asked the Minister , " Whose Picture is this ? "

"This is our Maharaja's picture" , replied the Minister.

" If so, I ask you to spit on it " ,

The Minister and others near him were astonished to hear this audacious demand from Swamy Vivekanandan to spit on Maharaja's picture ; and that too right in front of the King !!! .

Vivekanada ordered again to the Minister , "Do as you were told . Anyone can spit on this Picture ".

The Minister and other citizens stood there, trembling with fear . Finally, somehow the minister gathered a little courage and said , " This is our beloved Maharaja's Picture . I will not spit on it . Not only that , even asking me to spit, is a punishable offence".

Swamiji answered with a smile , " This Picture is nothing but a mere piece of paper . It has nothing to do with the King who is standing right here in front of you . This Picture does not move or speak like him . Still , you think that spitting on this Picture is insulting the King ! "

Turning towards the King, Swamy Vivekananda spoke :

" In one level , this Picture is not You . But in another level , it reminds about You . It helps to invoke Your memory in the viewer's mind. So , the same respect they have for You , is given to this Picture as well . This is the reason preventing them from spitting on it . This is also the logic behind * Vigraha-Aradhana* .

None has ever heard about any single Hindu standing in front of the Vigraha and say, " Oh Stone/Wood ! I worship you". Every Hindu is worshipping the same God. It is not possible to limit the *Parabrahman* within the individual mind to worship . Even to think about any particular idea, we need to have a specific means such as it's name or shape. Only with that , we could think about the idea .

Therefore, Bhaktas superimpose their chosen worshippable attributes of *Parabrahman* on a Vigraha . Worshippers of *Nirguna Brahman* , pray by visualizing God within their mind . Those who worship *Saguna Brahman* , see the God outside on the Vigraha . In reality, both these groups are Vigraha-worshippers . The Vigraha enables helps a person to understand God " .

Swamy Vivekananda and Sardar Hari Singh

Because of closely associating with the western educated British people, many qualified Hindus of that time opposed Vigraha-Aradhana . Jaipur King's commander in chief Sardar Harisingh was such a person . Although he had faith in Vedanta , he opposed Vigraha-Aradhana , with tooth and nail .

Even after a prolonged dialogue with Swamy Vivekananda , Hari Singh refused to agree with Vigraha-Aradhana . In the evening , both of them proceeded for a walk . There they saw a Bhajan party carrying a Krishna-Deity , coming from the opposite direction . Suddenly , Swamiji asked Hari Singh to touch him look at the Krishna-Vigraha. Hari singh obeyed it and was stunned by the sight . Profusely shedding tears of joy, he said " What I failed understand even after a marathon debate with you , I realized from a mere touch of you . On that Vigraha , I saw the real Bhagavan Sri Krishna !!!!" .

From then on , Sardar Hari Singh became an ardent practitioner of Vigraha-Aradhana .

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya !!!!

Oh Lord, what is the value of Vaishnava Satsang,

Once the great sage Narada was intrigued by a doubt. He was sure that Lord Vishnu would clear it for him. He proceeded to the Ocean of Milk and found his Lord reclining on the giant hooded serpent-bed Shankarshana, His beautiful consort, Lakshmi devi beside Him.

Sage Narada made his obeisance to Lord Vishnu and put his question to Him.
"Oh Lord, what is the value of Vaishnava Satsang, the Association of Vaishnava Devotees?"
Lord Vishnu smiled charmingly and said, "I will answer your question. But first you must do something for me. Look at that village on planet Earth. Can you see a small worm crawling on the ground over there?"
With his yogic vision, Sage Narada perceived it and nodded.
"Go over there and ask your question of that worm. I'm sure you'll get your answer."

Sage Narada was puzzled, but he nevertheless did as instructed. In response, the worm looked up at him, promptly rolled over and died.
Sage Narada was shocked. He hurried back to Lord Vishnu and told Him what had happened.
Lord Vishnu merely smiled and told him, "Oh, is that so? Never mind. Now do one more thing. Go over to that cow-shed you see over there, in that town. A calf was born there a while ago. Please ask the same question of that calf."
Sage Narada was still recovering from what had happened earlier.
"Oh no, my Lord! What if that calf dies as well? I cannot risk committing the unforgivable crime of `go-hatya'!"
Lord Vishnu however, was able to persuade him and sage Narada left on his new mission. Warily, he made his way into the cow-shed. It was in the middle of the night and he approached the calf unnoticed. He put the same question to the calf. In response, the calf looked at him with its large brown eyes. And then rolled over and died!
Sage Narada was horrified. Using all the yogic powers at his disposal, he fled the scene and arrived at the abode of Lord Vishnu, shaking with fear.
"Oh my Lord! What have I done! The worst sin expected of anyone; the killing of the animal most dear to you!"
Lord Vishnu pacified the trembling sage and assured him that no sin would accrue to him.
"And in the bargain, my Lord, I haven't even got the answer to my question?!" sage Narada complained.
Lord Vishnu smiled and told him that he would have to do just one last thing for him.
"You see that vast kingdom over there? The Queen has just given birth to her first child. All you have to do is ask that child your question and you will get your answer."
"No, my Lord! Please don't ask me to go there. I have no doubt that some harm will befall that child as well. I simply cannot take that chance."
But Lord Vishnu remained adamant. What could the sage do? Nervously, he set forth towards planet Earth.
Arriving on the balcony where the young prince was lying unattended, sage Narada cautiously approached him. The baby looked at him and gurgled with joy.
Hesitatingly, the great sage asked the child, "What is the value of Vaishnava Satsang?'
The child looked at sage Narada, and to his surprise, began to speak.

"O great Sage. Your question has already been answered. When you, the greatest of Vaishnavas, had first granted me your association, I was an insignificant worm. As a result of my contact with you, I left that body and was awarded the body of the most pious animal, the calf.
You graced me with your association once more, and I left that body to gain the birth of the prince and heir of this vast kingdom. And by your causeless mercy, you have granted me your exalted association yet again.
Now I have no doubt that this is my last birth on this Earth. Your association will help me attain that Supreme Destination; the abode of Lord Hari Himself!"

And this is the value of Vaishnava Association. We develop in all ways; spiritual as well as material.

Are we allowed to lead sinful life in Kali-yuga ?

Question : As per our Vedas, we have satiyuga, tretayuga, dwapar yuga, and ;kaliyuga, and as compared to other yuga, a person is least religious in kaliyuga and commits lots of sin. but when the arrangement has been made by God for these yuga, then why human being are responsible for committing sins.

Answer :

Kali-yuga is the age of deterioration. In this tricky age , most of the Vedas are supposed to be lost . And aggressive anti-Vedic religions will challenge Sanatana Dharma . As predicted, we have already lost almost 90% of the Vedas . And aggressive "Mlecha" ( meat eater) religions like Islam and Christianity are threatening Sanatana Dharma .

However, Bhagavan Sri Krishna had advised His Bhaktas well in advance ( through Srimad Bhagavatam and the teaching of His avatars like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) that although Kaliyuga is difficult , it will then be much easier for Bhaktas to attain God realization just by Nama-sankirtan . Whatever benefits obtained by *Tapas* ( penance) in the previous yugas cane be easily obtained by Nama-japa in kali-yuga. modern scriptures like Narayaneeyam ( which has the stamp of approval by Bhagavan) clearly states that , it is desirable for a Bhakta to take birth in Kali-yuga, since it is very easy for him then to attain Bhagavan by simple Nama-japa .

What is important is a person's freewill . He has two options . One is the easy option to enjoy sinful life as a beef eater (Mlecha) like most others . The other option is to follow Bhagavan's advice by remaining connected to Him by performing Nama-japa and leading a Krishna oriented life . Kali-yuga is not an excuse but a God given opportunity to be utilized .

Please chant :

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare ,

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare !!!

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya !!!

If I had not gone to the Temple for nourishment

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this!
If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!
Why Go To The Temple ?

A 'devotee' goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to the Temple .
'I've gone for 30 years now, he wrote, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 mantras.
But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the Gurus are wasting theirs by giving services at all.
This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to the Temple for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!
When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!
Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
All right, now that you're done reading, send it on!!! I think everyone should read this!! 'When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, 'God , could you get that for me?!!'

Story from the Purana...

Once the great sage Narada was intrigued by a doubt. He was sure that Lord Vishnu would clear it for him. He proceeded to the Ocean of Milk and found his Lord reclining on the giant hooded serpent-bed Shankarshana, His beautiful consort, Lakshmi devi beside Him.

Sage Narada made his obeisance to Lord Vishnu and put his question to Him.
"Oh Lord, what is the value of Vaishnava Satsang, the Association of Vaishnava Devotees?"
Lord Vishnu smiled charmingly and said, "I will answer your question. But first you must do something for me. Look at that village on planet Earth. Can you see a small worm crawling on the ground over there?"
With his yogic vision, Sage Narada perceived it and nodded.
"Go over there and ask your question of that worm. I'm sure you'll get your answer."

Sage Narada was puzzled, but he nevertheless did as instructed. In response, the worm looked up at him, promptly rolled over and died.
Sage Narada was shocked. He hurried back to Lord Vishnu and told Him what had happened.
Lord Vishnu merely smiled and told him, "Oh, is that so? Never mind. Now do one more thing. Go over to that cow-shed you see over there, in that town. A calf was born there a while ago. Please ask the same question of that calf."
Sage Narada was still recovering from what had happened earlier.
"Oh no, my Lord! What if that calf dies as well? I cannot risk committing the unforgivable crime of `go-hatya'!"
Lord Vishnu however, was able to persuade him and sage Narada left on his new mission. Warily, he made his way into the cow-shed. It was in the middle of the night and he approached the calf unnoticed. He put the same question to the calf. In response, the calf looked at him with its large brown eyes. And then rolled over and died!
Sage Narada was horrified. Using all the yogic powers at his disposal, he fled the scene and arrived at the abode of Lord Vishnu, shaking with fear.
"Oh my Lord! What have I done! The worst sin expected of anyone; the killing of the animal most dear to you!"
Lord Vishnu pacified the trembling sage and assured him that no sin would accrue to him.
"And in the bargain, my Lord, I haven't even got the answer to my question?!" sage Narada complained.
Lord Vishnu smiled and told him that he would have to do just one last thing for him.
"You see that vast kingdom over there? The Queen has just given birth to her first child. All you have to do is ask that child your question and you will get your answer."
"No, my Lord! Please don't ask me to go there. I have no doubt that some harm will befall that child as well. I simply cannot take that chance."
But Lord Vishnu remained adamant. What could the sage do? Nervously, he set forth towards planet Earth.
Arriving on the balcony where the young prince was lying unattended, sage Narada cautiously approached him. The baby looked at him and gurgled with joy.
Hesitatingly, the great sage asked the child, "What is the value of Vaishnava Satsang?'
The child looked at sage Narada, and to his surprise, began to speak.

"O great Sage. Your question has already been answered. When you, the greatest of Vaishnavas, had first granted me your association, I was an insignificant worm. As a result of my contact with you, I left that body and was awarded the body of the most pious animal, the calf.
You graced me with your association once more, and I left that body to gain the birth of the prince and heir of this vast kingdom. And by your causeless mercy, you have granted me your exalted association yet again.
Now I have no doubt that this is my last birth on this Earth. Your association will help me attain that Supreme Destination; the abode of Lord Hari Himself!"

And this is the value of Vaishnava Association. We develop in all ways; spiritual as well as material.

Why we go to Temples ?

A conversation between Guru and disciple.

Disciple : Why should we go to the temple to worship or pray ? Since Bhagavan is every where, why can't we do it at home or where ever we are?

Guru: Air is distributed everywhere. But when you use a fan, more air will circulate in a small area. That is why we use hand held fans and electric fans. Fire is with in a log of wood. But only when they are subjected to friction, fire emerges from that. Likewise, when so many powerful *Manthraas* are chanted and so many rituals are performed, the divine presence becomes more significant and the positive energy and vibration from the chanting, rituals and dhoopa, deepa gandham becomes many fold in a temple. Also it is a place to meet other like minded devotees and will lead to more Satsang .

This is explained in this sloka in Thanthra samucchayam :

Sarvathragosi bhagavan kila yadyapithwa-

maavaahayaami hi yathha vyajanena vaayum

goodho yathaiva dahano mathhanaad upaithi-

hyavaahithopihithat hhaatvamupaisich aaryaamÂ

It must be remembered that , Bhagavan Sri Krishna , Sri Rama , Arjuna, Parashurama , Adi Shankara and many other Rishis have installed Temples equipped with specific Manthraas and Rituals . These temples are abodes of Bhagavan whose live presence is a reality being daily experienced by numerous Bhaktas .

This is the last one of the nine types of Bhaktha Prahlada described to his father Hiranyakashipu and this is the final stage of bhakthi. When the surrender to Bhagavan is complete, Prahlada says, devotee becomes a jeevan muktha and when the "prarabdha karmaas" (karmaas accumulated from the previous janmaas) get exhausted, the body just falls and Jeevathma merges with Bhagavan.

Aathmanivedanam or self surrender happens in two stages: one is the initial stage without the intense feeling (Bhava-hina aathmanivedanam) and one with intense feeling of separation from Bhagavan which is called Bhava-yuktha Aathmanivedanam. The second type is described in Gita by Bhagavaan :

mac-citta mad-gata-prana
bodhayantah parasparam
kathayantas ca mam nityam
tusyanti ca ramanti ca

"Those whose minds are absorbed in Me and whose lives are wholeheartedly devoted to My service, derive great satisfaction and bliss from constantly enlightening one another about My tattva and performing kirtana of My name, form, qualities and pastimes.

tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te

Here, Krishna is saying : "Those whose minds and lives are devoted to Me and who always meditate on Me, always speak about Me and derive satisfaction in Me alone. Their minds feel relaxation and comfort only by thinking about Me, and they are constantly desirous of perpetual union with Me. I bestow upon such bhaktas buddhi-yoga, transcendental intelligence and knowledge by which they can attain Me." (Prabhupada' s translation)

A human has four desires

A human has four desires. One- Artha (desire to earn/accumulate/ own money, wealth, houses, precious metals, live stocks etc). Two- Kama (Desire to enjoy material worldly pleasures) Three- Dharma (Desire to do his duty) Four- Moksha (Desire to get liberated from death/birth cycle, sorrows of this world) !

Out of these four desires, first two (Artha - material prosperity and Kaam - enjoyment of pleasures) are subject matter of 'prarabdha' (destiny) alone. New karmas have no role to play there. On the other hand Dharma (doing new karmas- doing duty) and Moksha are subject matter of 'purushartha' ( udyog/efforts) !

Jeeva is often seen going reverse. Jeeva is often seen running after Artha and Kama taking the stick of 'purushartha' in hand and leaves Dharma and Moksha to the mercy of 'prarabdha' ! Thus, he suffers, suffers and suffers. Hence it is a stupidity to believe that 'doing' is caused by destiny. You have complete independent control over 'doing' say naam japa, abhyaas, sadhana, etc.

Jai Shree Krishna

What I want should happen – is `Kaam' or Kaamna (desire).

sri-bhagavan uvaca
kaama esa krodha esa, rajo-guna-samudbhav ah
mahaasano mahaa-paapma, viddhy enam iha vairinam

The Blessed Lord said: "Born of mode of passion (Rajas), this desire in other words this desire (kaamna) itself is the cause of sin. This desire (kaamna) itself is reason for the anger, insatiable, all devouring and most sinful. Know this to be the enemy here.

Comment

What I want should happen – is `Kaam' or Kaamna (desire). When any action, object or a person gives pleasure or one wishes to draw pleasure from them, it is `Kaam' (Desire). In this one desire 'Kaam' itself many faults, offenses and sins are hidden. As long as a person has desires 'Kaam' within, he can never be entirely free of faults and sins. Without the desire 'Kaamna' there is no other reason for committing sin. It means that neither God makes the person commit sin, nor are sins committed due to his past action 'karmas' (Karmic package from previous lives or Prarabhda), nor time is a factor, nor a situation, nor Kali-yuga (Iron age) causes one to sin. It is the man himself under the sway and impelled by desires 'kaamna' commits sins.

Lord is Both Just and Merciful

yum yum vaapi smaranbhaavam tyajatyante kalevaram

tam tamevaiti kaunteya sadaa tadbhaavbhaavitah (Gita 8/6)

O Kaunteya (Arjuna), whatever object or being a man thinks of at the time of his death or departure from the body, that alone does he attain, being ever absorbed in its thought. (in other words he takes birth in those wombs) (Gita 8/6)

A being is reborn in the body he thinks of at the time of death. As is his nature, he thinks accordingly at the time of death. As a man tending to a pet dog thinks of it at the time of death, he is born as a dog. As the programme broadcast from a particular radio station is received at a particular wave-­length and then spreads in the form of sound, the thought of a dog with which he has been connected is caught by him somehow. The soul with subtle and causal bodies enters the body of the dog via water, air (breath) or food etc. Thereafter, it enters the body of a female dog and takes birth as a puppy at the appropriate time.

This can be explained with the help of an illustration. A person goes to a photographer and requests him to take his photograph. The photographer advises him to keep a smiling face without any movement. But when the photographer asks him to be ready, a fly sits on his nose and so he moves his facial muscles to get rid of that fly. The result is that in the photograph he appears with a distorted face. In the same way, a man is reborn according to his thoughts at the time of death.

As far as the time to take a photograph is concerned, we know it before hand, but we do not know the time of death. So, by purifying our nature and thoughts, we should be ever alert and think of Him at all times (Gita 8/5, 7).

In this directive of the Lord is seen His justice, as well as mercy. Generally, justice and mercy (compassion) seem incompatible, because if there is justice, there cannot be compassion (mercy), while having mercy, justice cannot be done. The reason is that in doing proper justice there is no leeway, but in mercy, concessions are made. As such, this rule is applicable to ordinary unkind human beings, not to the Lord, as He is the most gracious One, and is a disinterested friend of all beings, (Gita 5/29). So, all His ordinances and rules are full of justice and mercy.

Whatever being a man thinks of at the time of death, he acquires the same form on rebirth. If he dies thinking of a dog, he is reborn as a dog. This is God's justice. But He has given freedom of choice to man, to think either of a dog or of a man, or of God, and this is His mercy. A man can attain God, simply by thinking of Him, as he can obtain the body of a dog, by thinking of it. If a man starts thinking of God's justice and compassion, he will be attracted towards God alone.

The two verses speak about the Essence of Gita

Many great men have expressed their views on the Essence of Gita. Starting with Swamiji Maharajji, he said the Essence of Gita is only Sharanagati, the idea of Sharnagati comes in Gitaji at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the teaching.

Beginning - Arjuna takes up Sharanagati

Verse (2-7): Karpanyadosophatasv abhavah,

prcchami tvam dharmsamudhacetah

yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me,

sisays te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam

Meaning: My very being is overpowered by the sense of faint heartedness, my

understanding is confused as to duty. I ask Thee. Tell me, for certain, which

is better. I am Thy disciple; pray instruct me, who has sought refuge in Thee.

Middle - Lord Krishna declares the position of those devotees who solely depend on Him.

Verse (9-22): ananyas cintayanto mam, ye janah paryupaste

tesam nityabhuktanam, yogaksemam vahamy aham

Meaning: Those devotees, however, who worship Me alone thinking of none else and ever

united, I Myself attend to their wants and needs and provide them with security of

what they have.

At the End: After listening to verse (18-66), which is the Sharnagati verse, Lord Krishna asks Arjuna about his state of mind after listening to the whole of Gita, Arjuna says -

Verse (18-73): nasto mohah smrtir labdha, tvaprasadan maya 'cyuta

sthito 'smi gatasamdehah, karisye vacanam tava

Meaning: My delusion is destroyed, my memory has come back with Thy grace, O

Acuhuta, I stand firm, my doubts dispelled, I shall do Thy bidding.

After this point in Gitaji, there is no more "Sri Bhagvan-uvac" or even "Arjuna-uvac" , which says the whole Gita teaching is complete, it is at this time when Arjuna surrenders and embraces Sharnagati completely, he surrenders his ego to Lord Krishna.

Adi Sankracharya says - Essence of Gita is contained in -

Verse (11-55): matkarrmakrn matparamo, madbhaktah sangavarjitah

nirvairah sarvabhutesu yah sa mam eti pandava

Meaning: He who performs all actions for Me, to whom I am the Supreme, he My devotee, has no attachment, and is free from malice towards all beings, reaches Me, O Pandava.

Swami Vivekananda says - If one reads the following shloka, one gets all the merits of reading the entire Gita; for in this one shaloka lies imbedded the whole Message of the Gita.

Verse (2-3): klaibyam ma sma gamah Partha, nai 'tat tvay upapadyate

ksudram hrdaydaurbalyam, tyatvo 'ttistha paamtapa

"Yield not to unmanliness, O son of Pratha! It does not become of thee. Caste off this mean faint heartedness and arise, O scorcher of thy enemies!"

Ram Ram

Why Nama Kirtan?

Sanathana Dharma is the oldest faith in the world. The Vedas, which are the foundation of our Dharma and is supposedly the intellect of the Lord Almighty Himself, have all the wealth of knowledge to guide is in leading a happy and prosperous life in this world as well as beyond.

Srimad Bhagavad Gita, which is considered as the concise extract of the Vedas and the Supreme advice of God to mankind, speaks of four broad 'Yogas' (paths) to reach Him - namely Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga. While all of these Yogas are equally powerful in giving the same merit, each of them enforces a specific way of life and expects the Sadhak to abide by the rules and regulations laid down for the Yoga.

Today, it is a busy world. We have no time to think about God, religion and spirituality. Even if we do, we do not have the time and inclination to carry out the prescribed tasks for the path that we care to adopt. Even if we do, the environment and society is not conducive enough. Over and above this, we are surmounted by pressures of work, family, children, business, health, relatives and society. It seems just next to impossible to allot time in our everyday schedule for Sadhana. Sadly, there is no one to blame! That is how Kali Yuga is!

The Sages, Rishis, Munis and Mahans have been people of foresight. With boundless compassion, they have pitied about our plight, long back --

prAyENaAlpAyusHa: sabhya kalAvasminyugE janA: |
mandA: sumandamathayO mandabhAgyAhyupadru tA: ||

In Kali Yuga, man will possess shorter lifespan, qualities of laziness, weak mind and easily susceptible to negative qualities and ills.

Thus, the modern day man needs an easier path -- something that can be accommodated in his busy life. That path should be such, that it does not involve a lot of rules and restrictions. it should not have time-bound restrictions; it should not involve much expenditure; it should be something which can be easily followed – In short, it should be perfectly relevant in the current day context, and absolutely practical; and yet yield us to the same goal.

The Sages prescribe the solution, which is advocated verily by the Vedas, and yet tailor made for our times.

dhyAyan krutE yajan yajnaihi trEtAyAm dwAparE archayan |
yadApnoti tadApnoti kalau sankIrtya kesavam ||

That supreme good which could be attained by the performance of meditation in the Age of Kruta, sacrifices in the Age of Treta and worship of the Lord in the Age of Dwapara can verily be attained, in the Age of Kali, by the mere chanting of the Divine Names of the Lord!

Further, our scriptures go to say,

kalau kalmasHa chittAnAm pApadravyOpa jIvinAm |
vidhikriyA vihInAnAm gathir gOvinda kIrtanam ||

In this Age of Kali, where the mind is impure and the living is earned through sinful means and where living by prescribed rules is difficult, the only way to liberation is singing the Holy Name of God!

Srimad Bhagavatam, in Ajamila charitra, explains that while expiation for sins fails to eradicate the `vasanas' (lateral impressions) that are the root cause for instigating a person to commit unrighteous acts, chanting the Divine Name uproots the very `vasanas' that are the basis for committing sins and leaves no alternative for the Lord but to receive us into His wide open arms!

All the great Saints right from the Azhwars and the Nayanmars to Thiagaraja Swami, Panduranga Bhaktas, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa have all shown that one CAN attain liberation through mere chanting of the Divine Name. Even today we find Sadhus who have attained the highest state through mere chanting of the Divine Name. This is the glory of 'Nama Kirtan' -- An absolutely easy, simple path suited to the Age of Kali. The chanting of Divine Names is a free path. It has no `binding' of rules and regulations. Namasankirtan can be done by anybody, anytime and anywhere. It involves no cost. It is a path that requires no paraphernalia but leads one to the very Lotus Feet of the Lord.

While mental repetition of the Divine Names leads to the good of the individual, chanting the Divine Names loudly purifies the singer the listener (the scriptures say "Shrotrunapi punati cha") and the very place where the chanting is done.

It is verily for this reason that Sri Sri Swamiji advocates group chanting of a single Divine Name - The Maha Mantra. Chanting a single Divine Name of the Lord (`eka Nama') helps the chanter deepen his concentration and also helps in sustaining the chanting for long hours effortlessly.

The Satsang members at Nama Dwaar inspired by Sri Sri Swamiji's loving spiritual guidance, with unwavering faith in the power of Nama Kirtan, inextinguishable zest to spread Nama Kirtan for the well being of the world at large and the ever growing taste for singing the Lord's Divine Names, go from place to place knocking at every door to securely fix the Divine Name in the hearts of people, for, this is the only way to world peace at large and liberation of each and every individual, in this Age of Kali .

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!! !

Sukh ( happiness, bliss)

Sukh ( happiness, bliss) is eternal demand of soul and is eternal nature of living beings. Whatever we do is for this sukh only. Till now, you were considering material (wordly) happiness as only happiness , passion. For enjoying that you need trinity : 1st you have desire (kamna) , then do some work for achiving it (karma) and then fortunate enough to realize the desire (prarabdh). Then only you get that - so called "happiness" which have 3 shortcomings: that happiness will not remain forever, either enjoyer or enjoyed will cease to exist and that temporary happiness will take you away from your real happiness - self bliss (by giving wrong sanskar).... ..

So, be assured that you are on right path.. The real bliss (self bliss, atma-sukh) can only be experienced once these desires for outer wordly sukh will cease. That anand, atma sukh will be vilakshan , that bliss will be exclusive in nature , it will be ever increasing , peaceful , constant bliss.....

You must be already experiencing it and that drives you to continue to take shelter of Shreemad Bhagwat GITAji. You can continue on this path and in my personal opinion, try to listen to satsang from a Saint about GITAji , who has realized the knowledge of GITAji. Sadhak Sanjeeni by Swami RamSukhdasji can definitely help you .......

KRSNA IS Master and WE ARE Servant

We are encouraged to search for Krsna, yet we should never forget that on our own we can never find Him. It is He that must come to us. The path of bhakti is a descending process. It is super-subjective – it always has been and always will be. In the words of the German philosopher Hegel, “He is for Himself and by Himself”.

aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate

"I am the cause of everything. Everything comes from Me. Mattah sarvam pravartate – and everything is coming out of Me. Even search about Me also comes from Me, worship of Me is coming from Me, I am worshiping Myself and I am showing it to you all." (Gita 10.8)

nayam atma pravacanena labhyo
na medhaya na bahuna srutena
yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas
tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanuh svam

"The Supreme Lord is not obtained by expert explanations, by vast intelligence, or even by much hearing. He is obtained only by one whom He Himself chooses. To such a person, He manifests His own form." (Katha Up. 1.2.23)

In the words of Srila Sridhara Maharaja:

"This one path we recommend. By His grace we can know Him - no other alternative. Yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas. Whoever is graced by His selection to know Him, he can only know, otherwise it is impossible. All rights reserved! The only path, the srota path – grace, krpa – that is the way."

But how do we qualify to attain that krpa? If we seek after His service, then He may come to us. We learn this from the example of Maharaja Prataparudra, who desired the darsana of Mahaprabhu but was refused even when Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya requested the Lord. Yet when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu witnessed the king's affection for Ramananda Raya and saw his humble service attitude at the Ratha-yatra festival, He at once granted him His association and service.
.

== THE KEY ==

trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih

"One can chant the Holy Name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. ln such a state of mind one can chant the Holy Name of the Lord constantly." (Siksastaka 3)

Srila Sridhara Maharaja says:

"Our attitude in the search for Sri Krsna should be that we are most unfit. This is the qualification for the finite to approach the Infinite. To think ourselves qualified is a disqualification in our search after the infinite. We may take the Name of the Lord, the divine sound, but the process is such that we must be mindful to that. Otherwise, our search will be in vain; our attempt will be lost. What will be the attitude? Trnad api sunicena – we must think of ourselves as the meanest of the mean, the humblest of the humble. Sincere. Our forbearance must have no limit."

"We should be conscious that hindrances and obstacles are almost sure to attack us, but we must deal with them with humility and forbearance. Slow and steady wins the race. Our march towards the infinite is a long journey, not to be finished within a few hours, a few days or a few years."

In most instances, we see that generally a jiva takes many lifetimes to reach perfection. Though at first this may sound harsh and unpleasant, it is consoling to notice that the grace of the all-merciful Lord never ceases and the spiritual assets of the progressing jiva are never lost under any circumstances. Those that are spiritually advanced can feel that He is there. He is our best friend and He is in the background of everything.

tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer
bhajann apakvo ’tha patet tato yadi
yatra kva vabhadram abhud amusya kim
ko vartha apto ’bhajatam sva-dharmatah

"One who has forsaken his material occupations to engage in the devotional service of the Lord may sometimes fall down while in an immature stage, yet there is no danger of his being unsuccessful. On the other hand, a non-devotee, though fully engaged in occupational duties, does not gain anything." (Bhag. 1.5.17)

Sometimes the mercy of the Supreme Lord may take an apparently unpleasant form, as in the story of the great devotee Citraketu, who had to take birth as a demon. However, his previous knowledge and application of that transcendental knowledge was not lost. Though Citraketu was so powerful that he was quite competent to curse mother Parvati in retaliation, he did not do so. Instead, he very humbly accepted her curse and bowed his head before Lord Siva and his wife. This is appreciated as the standard behavior of a Vaisnava.

"Our guardians have told us that this attitude of humility must be maintained at all times, in all that we do – taking the Name, cooking for the Lord's pleasure, cleaning the temple, hearing or speaking of Him. It is like adding salt to a preparation – it will give us the proper result since only then are our devotional activities ‘palatable’ to Him. He may then be pleased and thus we may achieve the goal of our life – going back to Godhead."

"Yam evaisa vrnute – only one way, appointment must come from that quarter. The visa can only be granted by that domain. The passport officers are helpless, they cannot give any visa. It must come from the other world. Yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas – yes, you may come in, you are desirable. That sort of visa is compulsory, before entering that land." (Srila Sridhara Maharaja)
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== THE VISA ==

Faith, surcharged with an attitude of eagerness to please Him, is the only means through which we can attempt to approach Him, and then – and only then, He may manifest Himself.

“Sraddha, sadhu-sanga, serving tendency—that is the visa.” As we have heard, Srila Sridhara Maharaja is the one who gives the visa. We may ask: Who is the appointed consul? There may be a number of them – just as one country has a number of representatives posted in various countries. But, at least for us, it is quite clear – it is our guru. Our only concern should be, “How can I please him?” For if I please him, then even though I may be disqualified in so many ways, I still have a chance for that krpa – just as Amogha was told by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:

"You are the object of My affection because you are the son-in-law of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. Everyone in Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya's house is very dear to Me, including his maids and servants and even his dog. And what to speak of his relatives?" (Cc. Madhya 15.283-284)
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== WHO SERVES WHOM? ==

"Externally disciples seem to be the servant, but internally we consider guru is the servant of so many disciples. He tries to make them fit for the service of Krsna, just as when you go to the temple to worship with certain things, so many things are cleaned in such a way that it may be acceptable by Krsna. So guru is also serving, he is helping so many persons so they may be fit to serve Krsna. He is rendering service to so many." (Srila Sridhara Maharaja)

On the other side, there are some gurus who take service from their disciples while thinking of themselves as guru, as Srila Puri Maharaja said, “If you think that you are a guru – you are a gauru, a cow.”

Taking the position of a guru inspired by false ego, for cheap adoration, or to exploit others by taking donations, or for any other ulterior motive (subtle or gross) other than to guide souls in their search for Krsna is very wrong!

guravo bahavah santi
sisya vittapaharakah
durlabhah sad-guru devi
sisya santapa-harakah

"O goddess, there are many gurus who are expert at taking away the money of their disciples, but a real guru who is expert at taking away the miseries of his disciples, is very rare." (Padma Purana)

Such an attitude of exploitation can never satisfy Krsna, nor can it benefit the jiva who is supposed to be a recipient of the highest truth. Such a jiva is then bereft of his eternal prospect. The charlatan who poses as a guru will never be given entrance into that highest realm, for the eternal associates of Sri Krsna will bar his entrance there. It is a conscious world and nothing can pass unnoticed by them. Those agents are on high alert so that no unqualified person can disturb the pastimes of the Lord.

It is very unfortunate that this kind of posturing can be seen in Vaisnava society today.

Accepting the position of an acarya is not a light matter and should be taken up only by the instruction of a higher agent directly or via inspiration. If an individual has truly been inspired by a divine agent or has been inspired by maya to live in a fools paradise—this will be shown in his words and deeds. As the saying goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

== THE BEST SERVANT ==

Though he is our guardian and master, simultaneously Sri Guru is the best servant.

na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi

"One who is explaining this secret of Bhagavad-gita to My devotees, that person he is priya-krttamah – he is most dear to Me. Gita is my most favorite thing, and he who distributes the inner meaning of Gita is the most favorite to Me. He who continues the line of Gita to the public, he is My best devotee." (Gita 18.69)

While serving his guardians and serving us by presenting us with many invaluable instructions and insights through his spoken and written word, our Divine Master has received recognition from the higher agents, as well as from a number of nirupadhi Vaisnavas—those free from malice.

The spoken word, sound—this is the method by which a genuine Vaisnava and acarya is recognized. In the same way, those that are not properly situated in guru-tattva are revealed by the medium of sound and are then checked by those genuine agents.

Furthermore, due to his good-hearted nature and infinite kindness, Srila Guru Maharaja always thinks of our ultimate good, although he has been used and abused a number of times. In spite of all these personal ‘injuries,’ our Gurudeva does not stop giving and trusting.

As a result of his selfless sacrifice, Sri Guru creates a unique association of sincere, loving and caring individuals who are genuinely advanced in spiritual life. We consider ourselves truly fortunate for having the privilege of association and service of such Vaisnavas.