How to attain , Harmony with Sri Krishna ?

A person's heart is like a tree . Two birds are sitting on that tree .  One Bird enjoys the fruits of that tree whereas the other Bird just witnesses everything .  The 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 purposes .  It 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!! !

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"

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

What are the senses and how are these originated?

 When a child is born, the first sense that comes out from within is weeping "Maaaa", the next sense is sucking, the next sense is watching its own hands and feet. Next is listening to others speaking, then to learn how to express by sound. Next comes the tendency of identifying its own people and surrounding environment and then the tendency of getting up. Gradually the space occupied by it gets enlarged.
In the process its intectual gets developed and it identifies itself as one of the surrounding environment. From here its ego originates.
In the actual sense, we are simple agglomeration of machinaries ( so to say our senses) like the steering, the clutch, the gear, the accelerator, the fuel tank and injecting devices. It has been very correctly said by the poet : "You do your work, peple think I am doing.. You are the driver and I am the carriage..you are the room and I am the occupant". Really speaking what we are, is nothing but the space awarded to us by virtue of our previous achievements "praravdha".
Hence, in short it comes to the conclusion that, He is the "Driver" the result of actions are depending on the quality of the machinaries occupying the space which is being driven by Him.

How to start living in Satyug from today

The last part of Verse 6th of 8th Chpater is "sada tad bhaw Bhawitah"

One of the interpretation of the above is that man will think only about what he has done or thought throughout his life.It is not possible to alter thought to God/surrender etc if he is away from such thoughts through out his life.

Thoughts move through association and attracts similar thoughts.If one is in Bhog and Yog both ,chances are thoughts about bhog will become stronger and overpower thoughts about Yog,Mind is strong,stubborn and is very difficult to control but is controlled by practice and detachment(verse 34 of 6th chapter).

But we have a choice.We have to make that choice now about our end time and whatever choice we make we have to pay attention to that with strong commitment.Dristdyu mna (Dridh Man) or strong mind is the leader of all good traits of man.So,ultimately it is our decision to have strong mind or weak mind.

Kaliyug or Satyug is the state of mind (Chitta) of a person and not the classification of period or ages.Persons aspiring for Sat(permanent, indestructible) are living today in Satyug and People aspiring for Kali(Dark/Black/ Tamas) are living today in Kaliyug.We have a choice to live today or tomorrow of this lifetime in kaliyug or satyug.

How to start living in Satyug from today:-

1)Start reading Gita from today.Three readings in quick succession is required in shortest possible time.If can be done in 3 months ,well and good.This will provide grounding or anchoring of your soul.

2)Mental Jap of OM all the time.

3)Change company of people from Bhog interested to yog interested.

Lastly,God says 'Tathatsu' (So Be It) to our every thought.

How to Realize the Divinity Within?

This is the simplest question and yet the solution seems to be beyond all vocabulary and Intelligence of the whole universe put together. As a matter of fact, all questions seem the same way to me!

How to swim? The answer seems simple to start with … We would say, by steering the body in certain fashion using our limbs. But, if we really want to explain the same phenomena, the words and sentences start piling up, and yet we would not have effectively answered the question. Actually, the solution IS simple. Just jump into the water, your body will start educating itself just the same way it has done to walk and talk! The fundamental property of the water is to make everything lighter and to float! Therefore, just jump and you WILL swim. Will a child trust this simple fact? Will you trust it?? Will I trust that???

Realizing The Divinity within is the simplest - do nothing ... just be … Lo! You are THAT!!

The real question is how to "do nothing"? The inertia we have collected to stake ownership on doing, knowing and enjoying can never let us appreciate the simplest of all - "doing nothing"! Therefore, the solution for the question is in the solution we could seek in "how to do nothing? how to know nothing?? and how to enjoy nothing???".

The solution to these questions are also simple … just be the activity! be the knowledge!! be the joy!!! But, again raises the question … "how to be the activity or knowledge or the joy?" as we only know how to have them and have never dabbled on the idea of being them - Paraanchi khaani vyatriNaat swayambhooh tasmaat paraangpashyati naantaraatman ...

All the instructor can do is to fill in confidence in the learner that it is perfectly OK to jump into the water and swimming is a POSITIVE POSSIBILITY for the one who wants to learn. So are the scriptures … to a seeker, they provide the basic confidence to start with that the divinity is a positive factor within everyone and everyone is CERTAINLY capable of attaining the same. Just like the instructor cannot make you learn swimming, the scriptures also cannot make you experience The Divinity.

Just like one who wants to learn swimming SHOULD jump into the water and figure out how to swim, one has to just jump within to experience The Devine - kashchiddheerah pratyagaatmaanam aikshat aavrittachakshuh amritatvamicchhan …

You need courage to experience tha water since its dynamics seem totally different from the dynamics of earth and air that you are used to. You had screamed in pain when you were exposed to that environment from your mother's womb as well ... you can't just recall that! Same way you need courage to take a deep dive within as you are always used to jump around in the external existence. Actually, you needed the same courage to interact with the external world as well ... you can't recall that growing pain you experienced when you were a baby!!

Realizing The Divinity within is a possibility ONLY WHEN you take a deep dive within. It is possible to find The Divinity around as well … but there are too many possibilities confusing us … one who takes a dip in the Ganga within starts experiencing the same everywhere else as well ... but how to know The Ganga to say it is That ... ONLY BY TAKING A DEEP DIP WITHIN ...

How? Try it! … Again!! ... And Again!!! …

What is Jyothish ? How it helps ?

Astrology is called Jyotish in Sanskrit, which means "science of light ."

Jyotish is, one of the six wings of the Vedanga. Jyotish is the instructional material of the Rigveda, and as accordingly a Vedanga, or part of the Vedas. Jyotish is `Eye of the Veda', for its proven capability to consider the phenomenal reality as divine wisdom.

Jyotish is the science of understanding the subtle influences that come to us from the universe. These influences are a reflection of the law of karma. Here, both fate and free will are at play. Fate means that our present circumstances are a result of our actions from previous lives. The external events of our lives are ruled by past karma, and over this we have little control. Free will means that our future is shaped by our actions in the present.

Jyotish can help us to understand how to optimize our potential so our lives develop according to our true destiny. It gives us an idea of the trends and periods of life — when to act and when not to act . It helps us understand our weaknesses — where we may need to put extra attention in order to attain fullness in our lives. It offers practical remedial measures that can help to alleviate areas of difficulty in the chart.

Jyotish holds that sadhana (spiritual practices) help neutralize the effects of karma. The main upayas (remedial measures) of Jyotish are also spiritual and consist of ritual, mantra and meditation. Propitiation of the planets through puja (ritual worship) and other prescribed measures is an integral part of Jyotish. Each planet has a deity, whose name can be chanted, and associated articles, which can be offered in worship or given in charity like feeding the needy .

what is the purpose of Jyotish and pujas when we are ardent Bhaktas of Sri Krishna, the God of Gods ?

When one is completely surrendered to Sri Krishna and pleases Bhagavan by daily chanting of *Nama-japa* , the planets stop acting and Bhagavan takes over completely. With the next breath, the blessed Bhaktas continue with that level of surrender. So, while we are on the way to cultivating that supreme surrender to Bhagavan Sri Krishna, knowledge of Jyotish can have a benefit to plan and develop our Bhakti-yoga .

What is the basic information required to prepare a Horoscope?

To cast a horoscope, the date, time and place of birth of the person are needed. For some people, their time of birth is not known or readily available (sometimes even the date of birth is unknown!). While there are Jyothish techniques for calculating the time of birth, this takes time. If the time of birth is approximately known, it can usually be narrowed down by checking the dates of a few important events in life. When the time of birth is not know within 24 hours, this process is very complex, and it may take a half-hour or possibly more to determine the time of birth. People in this situation are advised to schedule for a longer session, to allow time for rectification of the birth time, and should also bring with them a list of important dates in life, such as the following: 1) date of marriage; 2) birth of children; death of parents and/or grandparents; 3) dates of moving; dates of starting or ending a job; 4) dates of accident or major illness/surgery, etc; 5) dates of meeting a Satguru 6) dates of significance to the person.

What are the remedies recommended by the Jyotishee?

The main remedies offered by Jyotish for bringing balance into life involve the performance of pujas (sacred rituals designed to remove harmful forces or enhance positive forces), and performance of personal sadhanas like specific *Nama-japam* or temple worship .

Who is a genuine Jyotishee?

Jyotishee is one who learned Jyothish-shastra from a qualified Jyothish-Guru . And follows it up with the prescribed daily *sadhana* ( spiritual practice) . He need not be a Poojari but should be able to handle the prescribed mantras to predict the position of Nava-grahas and divine grace . While human beings have destiny in life due to karma, Jyotishee should be able to predict the ups and downs in life and prescribe effective remedial measure to dissuade bad karma.

Hare Krishna Mantra , the all-powerful Ultimate Remedy

Bhagavan Sri Krishna is the supreme controller or universe . Hare Krishna Mantra ( Shodakshari Mantra or Kalisandharana Mantra) is the means to invoke His divine grace which automatically eliminates all ill-effects.

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!! !

How to realize the vision of Sarva Bhuta hite ratah(Gita 5:25) for conflict resolution and peace in the world?

How to realize the vision of Sarva Bhuta hite ratah(Gita 5:25) for conflict resolution and peace in the world?
Let us illustrate it with analogy of a Tree. What is a tree? A tree is some structure having root system, trunk, branches larger and smaller, leaves, buds, petals, flowers, thorns, and may be some creepers too!
Now what is really a tree apart from these various names and forms? Such names and forms together constitute one single Tree! Without them there is No meaning to name Tree, right?
Now suppose we cut such a tree(as the nature does eventually) and see branches, leaves, trunk, flowers, roots scattered all over the ground, are they separately called tree? Obviously no, so a tree is essentially interconnectedness of such names and forms deriving their nourishment( existence) from the source Root system. Thus, it is the interconnectedness that makes tree a tree, not independent existences of its parts, nor a tree by itself without such parts!

The point to be made here is that even though constituents have different names, property, attributes, they all are ONE Existence, ONE BEING, called Tree who lands its own Being to its constituents, all manifesting a variety of aspects, living in harmony with each other as single Tree! They don't have individuality and yet are individual having no conflicts, nourishing even thorns, creepers, allowing birds to nest, providing shade to protect people, and animal! A tree is thus a label pointing to ONE Existence appearing as many existences! Similarly is the case with GOD! We are such branches and leaves on a Tree of GOD, the Existence Absolute! Of course, some of us are flowers and thorns too, but of no lesser importance to God!
If we realize our oneness, interconnectedness, in spite of our seeming separations due to various conditioning of time and place we are born into over which we don't have any control, we can ever remain free of conflict and live in Peace!
The Tree, to me, points to such a Vision of Conflict free World. Its a great Lesson if we care enough to see it!

Society and Nation adopting such a vision of Realization of Truth through Education system as an important part of the academic curriculum will eventually bring such a vision to Reality!
Gita and other scriptures, Saints and Sages of our times are of the greatest help for such Vision to be real!

How we shall know that one is situated in the pure consciousness?

yada samharate cayam
kurmo 'nganiva sarvasah
indriyanindriyarthe bhyas
tasya prajna pratisthita
[Bg. 9.58]

How we shall know that one is situated in the pure consciousness? Simple imagination that "I am situated in pure consciousness" ? No. Everything must be proved by symptoms. Everything must be proved by symptoms. Just like a patient is cured means there is subsidence of the fever, for example; similarly, the, we are just trying to separate ourself from the material conception of life to our exact position. I am spirit soul, and consciousness is the symptom. And I have to be situated in pure consciousness, dovetailing myself with the supreme consciousness. That is the whole program. Now, how that program are to be executed, that will be discussed in the Third Chapter. And some way or other, we are discussing some of the points, but here the formulas...


Just now we are engaged in the Second Chapter. These are the contents, contents, the how a, I mean, a self-realized person, situated in pure consciousness, will be experienced by his practical behavior. Yes. Vasudeve bhagavati. The whole thing is... It is called vairagya. Vairagya. Vairagya means to detach, be detached. I am a spirit, and some way or other, I am in contact with the matter. That is my trouble. The whole trouble is due to my contact with matter. Now I have to detach from this matter and to be situated in my pure conscious, spiritual state. So this is called vairagya. This vairagya, or detachment from material attraction, is very easily done. As it is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,

What is God's Work and How can we perform & accomplish it

Gist: A spiritual aspirant should be determined to do only God's work, not his own work. Therefore he should accept that his house, his work and he himself belong to God. With this feeling, he will be doing God's work, with God's power, to please God. This firm determination
will develop a strong bonding (a feeling of mine-ness) with God and in-turn spontaneous and constant rememberance of Him.

Constant Rememberance of God - How?

God in the Gita says to Arjuna -

"Tasmat sarveshu kaaleshu maamanusmara yudhya che." (Gita 8:7)

Therefore Arjuna, remember Me at all times and fight. Here fight stands for doing one's duty. We can remember God at all times but we can't fight at all times. Arjuna's duty was to fight, just like we have to perform our daily duties. Domestic duties can't be performed at all times. The spiritual aspirant have three options before them -

1. To do the work while remembering God,
2. To remember God while doing the work, and
3. To do the work considering it God's work.

In the first option, remembrance of God is primary, while the work is secondary.
In the second option the work is primary, while remembrance of God is secondary.
In the third option there is undivided devotion for God.

Generally people forget God while working. There are two reasons for it. The important reason is one's negligence. The second reason is lack of attachment (feeling of mine-ness) with God. If there is attachment for anyone, he is reminded spontaneously of that one.
People have attachment to their domestic affairs, not to God. They are therefore likely to forget God. As long as we accept and see the house, the work, and Self as our own, we are likely to forget God.
Therefore we should be determined that we have to do only God's work, not our own work. What is the use of work which makes one forget God?
Therefore a spiritual aspirant should accept that his house, his work and he himself belong to God. They are not his own. He should feel that he is doing God's work, with His power in order to please Him. this firm determination will develop a strong bonding (a feeling of mine-ness) with God and in-turn spontaneous and constant rememberance of Him.

Ram Ram

How to be God's devotee? How to worship Him?

Gist: God's devotee never falls. All can worship God by fixing mind on Him with exclusive devotion, depending entirely on Him, thus uniting with Him.

How to become God's Devotee? How to Worship Him? - Gita 9:30-34

Question: Can a man of sinful conduct worship You and be Your devotee?
God: Yes, certainly. Even if a man of the most sinful conduct worships Me with exclusive devotion, leaving all other dependencies, then he should be considered an ascetic; for he has rightly resolved. (Gita 9:30)

Question: What else should he be considered ?
God: Immediately thereafter he becomes virtuous (very pure) and obtains lasting peace. Oh Arjuna, take My word that My devotee never falls. (Gita 9:31)

Question: Can any one else also become your devotee?
God: Yes, women, traders (vaisyas), laborers (sudras), those born of sinful wombs, by taking refuge in Me, can attain Me. What wonder then of those Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, pure by birth and deeds, that they be devoted to Me? (Gita 9:32)

Question: How should I become such a devotee, Oh Lord?
God: Having obtained this body that is transient and without any happiness, worship Me. (Gita 9:33)

Question: How should I worship You?
God: Fix your mind on Me; become My devotee; adore Me; do salutations to Me; thus uniting yourself with Me and entirely depending on Me, you shall attain Me. (Gita 9:34)

Ram Ram