I was reading the “Taxi Driver Wisdom” my brother sent me. It was from the Diary of a Traveling Preacher by H.H. Indradyumna Maharaj (click the following link - http://www.dandavats.com/?p=5789)
God or Krishna is inconceivable. Here is a taxi driver who speaks Bhagavad Gita philosophy in the streets of New York. It is refreshing and assuring that there are some good souls still coming and going. If we just learn to see the good in everyone, then we are actually seeing Krishna and are constantly in contact with Krishna. Ultimately everyone is children of God and that is the essence and hence our only purpose is to see the good in others and mean good to others no matter what…just as the taxi driver!
Our life, then, will become easy, happy and sublime.
Hare Krishna
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Krishna's plan Vs my plan
“And what does it mean to surrender our ego to Krishna? It means, "Krishna. You are enjoyer. I am meant for your enjoyment."- H. H. Radhanath Swami. The excerpt was taken from the post - http://servantoftheservant-ananda.blogspot.com/2008/05/surrender-our-ego.html. You can read the entire post in the above link.
I would like to elaborate on the above statement more. What does the above statement mean? It means for ever yone of us Krishna has a divine plan (of course we have our own selfish plans). I am not talking about that. I am talking about Krishna’s plan for us. What is that plan?
Per BG 5.29 Krishna says
"A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries"
So if Krishna is our ultimate well wisher, then His plan for us will be the best thus overriding all our personal plans. For example, Krishna’s plan for Arjuna was to fight in the battlefield of Kurukshetra not for personal gain but to maintain dharma. This was Krishna’s plan – to re-establish dharma with Arjuna as an instrument. Similarly, Krishna has plans for every one of us.
If we sincerely follow Krishna’s plan (and not ours) then we fulfill the above statement “Krishna you are enjoyer and I am meant for your enjoyment”.
Let me give a practical example. For example, I work fulltime, I am a husband to my wife and I am an aspiring devotee of Krishna. So I am a career person, husband and devotee all at the same time. Krishna’s plan for me would mean I perform all these roles in a way that pleases Him. Krishna is the ultimate controller and maintainer. This material and spiritual energies are controlled by Him. So whatever I am today materially and spiritually is not without the sanction of the Lord.
So when I work at my office, I work with the thought that Krishna is the ultimate doer of all activities. The natural thing, then, would be to dedicate our results to Him (as He is the ultimate doer). By doing this, we are not implicated by the material actions. This is not just sentiment that Krishna is the ultimate doer. It is an objective fact. Krishna says in the Gita (BG ch 18.14) that the body, senses, type of endeavor, soul and ultimately the supersoul is the cause of any single action. The soul which is the real self is just one part of the action while everything else is done by Krishna through the Supersoul and His material modes of nature. We have absolutely no abilities more than just make choices. How then can we accomplish complex material tasks and take all the credit for ourselves and just be puffed up with ego. So objectively, the body, senses and endeavors cannot function without the sanction of the Supersoul, so the rightful thing is to dedicate the results to the rightful owner (that is Krishna).
Then as a husband, my role would be to serve my wife (similarly wife has to serve husband). H.H.Radhanath swami in one of his lectures mentioned that our wife or husband or children are actually property of God and hence we should not use them for our own selfish purposes, rather we should engage Krishna’s property for Krishna, isn’t it not? If you have a car and you hire a chauffer, then if the chauffer uses the car for his personal enjoyment instead of using it for you, he become a thief.
Similarly, serving my wife means I engage my wife to make sure she goes back home back to Godhead. It should not be for enjoying my wife. Ok…wife you do this for me, then I will do this for you, you make me happy by doing such and such work etc etc…no not like this. Similarly, children, we are so proud… oh my child is like this, like that…son you do this, daughter you do this…like this we have so many expectations and plans for our children. Ultimately, we treat wife and child for satisfying our own ego…if not why we encourage them to be material when we know material is only suffering. Therefore, from the very beginning of our marriage, beginning of our child’s birth, our only purpose it to serve them…service means to make them a servant of Krishna…why because they are actually the property of Krishna and the right thing to do is to give one’s property back to the rightful owner, if not we are considered thieves (enjoying God’s property for our own selfish needs).
So when we sincerely strive on this platform as a career person, student, husband/wife to perform God’s will at every moment, then, there is no question of our own “ego”, then we will fulfill the statement Maharaj - “And what does it mean to surrender our ego to Krishna? It means, "Krishna. You are enjoyer. I am meant for your enjoyment"
This is the practical way to be instruments of Krishna’s enjoyment by simply following the plan of Krishna just as Arjuna in Kurukshetra.
Hare Krishna
I would like to elaborate on the above statement more. What does the above statement mean? It means for ever yone of us Krishna has a divine plan (of course we have our own selfish plans). I am not talking about that. I am talking about Krishna’s plan for us. What is that plan?
Per BG 5.29 Krishna says
"A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries"
So if Krishna is our ultimate well wisher, then His plan for us will be the best thus overriding all our personal plans. For example, Krishna’s plan for Arjuna was to fight in the battlefield of Kurukshetra not for personal gain but to maintain dharma. This was Krishna’s plan – to re-establish dharma with Arjuna as an instrument. Similarly, Krishna has plans for every one of us.
If we sincerely follow Krishna’s plan (and not ours) then we fulfill the above statement “Krishna you are enjoyer and I am meant for your enjoyment”.
Let me give a practical example. For example, I work fulltime, I am a husband to my wife and I am an aspiring devotee of Krishna. So I am a career person, husband and devotee all at the same time. Krishna’s plan for me would mean I perform all these roles in a way that pleases Him. Krishna is the ultimate controller and maintainer. This material and spiritual energies are controlled by Him. So whatever I am today materially and spiritually is not without the sanction of the Lord.
So when I work at my office, I work with the thought that Krishna is the ultimate doer of all activities. The natural thing, then, would be to dedicate our results to Him (as He is the ultimate doer). By doing this, we are not implicated by the material actions. This is not just sentiment that Krishna is the ultimate doer. It is an objective fact. Krishna says in the Gita (BG ch 18.14) that the body, senses, type of endeavor, soul and ultimately the supersoul is the cause of any single action. The soul which is the real self is just one part of the action while everything else is done by Krishna through the Supersoul and His material modes of nature. We have absolutely no abilities more than just make choices. How then can we accomplish complex material tasks and take all the credit for ourselves and just be puffed up with ego. So objectively, the body, senses and endeavors cannot function without the sanction of the Supersoul, so the rightful thing is to dedicate the results to the rightful owner (that is Krishna).
Then as a husband, my role would be to serve my wife (similarly wife has to serve husband). H.H.Radhanath swami in one of his lectures mentioned that our wife or husband or children are actually property of God and hence we should not use them for our own selfish purposes, rather we should engage Krishna’s property for Krishna, isn’t it not? If you have a car and you hire a chauffer, then if the chauffer uses the car for his personal enjoyment instead of using it for you, he become a thief.
Similarly, serving my wife means I engage my wife to make sure she goes back home back to Godhead. It should not be for enjoying my wife. Ok…wife you do this for me, then I will do this for you, you make me happy by doing such and such work etc etc…no not like this. Similarly, children, we are so proud… oh my child is like this, like that…son you do this, daughter you do this…like this we have so many expectations and plans for our children. Ultimately, we treat wife and child for satisfying our own ego…if not why we encourage them to be material when we know material is only suffering. Therefore, from the very beginning of our marriage, beginning of our child’s birth, our only purpose it to serve them…service means to make them a servant of Krishna…why because they are actually the property of Krishna and the right thing to do is to give one’s property back to the rightful owner, if not we are considered thieves (enjoying God’s property for our own selfish needs).
So when we sincerely strive on this platform as a career person, student, husband/wife to perform God’s will at every moment, then, there is no question of our own “ego”, then we will fulfill the statement Maharaj - “And what does it mean to surrender our ego to Krishna? It means, "Krishna. You are enjoyer. I am meant for your enjoyment"
This is the practical way to be instruments of Krishna’s enjoyment by simply following the plan of Krishna just as Arjuna in Kurukshetra.
Hare Krishna
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
surrender our ego
The frustrations, the disappointments, the pains, the sufferings that come into our life is the love of God upon us, to purify our hearts, to bring us closer to the real standard of selfless service. We shouldn't react. When Krishna either does it through material nature or does it through another devotee or another living being, we should not respond by throwing thunderbolts upon Him. We should respond by bowing at the lotus feet in the presence of Krishna's mercy and by surrendering. Ultimately surrender means to surrender that ego. You can surrender all your material possessions, all your money. You can surrender your physical form to do whatever you are asked, but it is all incomplete until we surrender our ego to Krishna. And what does it mean to surrender our ego to Krishna? It means, "Krishna. You are enjoyer. I am meant for your enjoyment." We are striving sincerely to be the servant of the servant of the servant of our Guru and Sri Krishna. When Krishna sees our honest endeavour in this way, by His Grace, He frees us. And He will make so many wonderful divine arrangements to increase our sincerity, our humility, if we accept it with a grateful heart. There is no doubt that Krishna will lift us beyond this realm of Maya into the eternal realm of loving service.
- H.H.Radhanath Swami
- H.H.Radhanath Swami
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Power of mind
The Human mind can give us happiness or distress. The images and experiences that register in our minds decide our emotions, likes and dislikes. At the time of death, it can liberate us from suffering or put us into more suffering. Therefore, what we do, see, talk, listen and engage in daily activities all have a direct bearing on the mind. Hence it is our topmost priority to keep the mind always clean from frivolous matter.
Although the mind (subtle body) is material, according to Vedic science, it still determines where the soul (the self) goes in its next life. Therefore, the mind is the vehicle for the soul.
Krishna clearly stresses the great importance of the function of mind in relation to the soul (self). Below are Krishna's words from the Bhagavad Gita that were spoken to Arjuna some 5000 years ago.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O Pārtha, when a man gives up all varieties of desire for sense gratification, which arise from mental concoction, and when his mind, thus purified, finds satisfaction in the self alone, then he is said to be in pure transcendental consciousness. – BG 2.55
Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Kṛṣṇa consciousness] and thus — by spiritual strength — conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust. – BG 3.43
One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well. – BG 6.5
For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy – BG 6.6
From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the self. - BG 6.26
For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion. – BG 6.36
And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me — he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion. – BG 6.47
And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt. – BG 8.5
Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kuntī, that state he will attain without fail. – BG 8.6
Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Kṛṣṇa and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt. – BG 8.7
He who meditates on Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Pārtha, is sure to reach Me. – BG 8.8
One who, at the time of death, fixes his life air between the eyebrows and, by the strength of yoga, with an undeviating mind, engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord in full devotion, will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. – BG 8.10
For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Pṛthā, because of his constant engagement in devotional service. BG 8.14
One who sees the Supersoul equally present everywhere, in every living being, does not degrade himself by his mind. Thus he approaches the transcendental destination. - BG 13.29
Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend. – BG 18.65
Hare Krishna
Saturday, May 3, 2008
all glories to him
Krishna is all pleasure. Mahaprabhu is God. The audience started to show visible signs of agitation. The speaker on the stage did not stop his bold speech. He was preaching like a lion, the glories of Mahaprabhu and establishing the supremacy of God. Seeing the agitation of the audience, there was a second speaker on stage standing next to the bold speaker became very nervous and very apprehensive and had fear in his heart. But the main speaker was roaring like a lion establishing the greatness of Krishna and Mahaprabhu. It was a site to witness. The speech was predominantly to Christian audience, hence the agitation. The speech was in a really huge auditorium where there was a sea of audience. This speech of glorifying Krishna was not in the agenda and hence the audience did not expect this glorification of Krishna and Mahaprabhu. Since this glorification was not in the agenda and people could not stand the glorification of Mahaprabhu, the audience could not take it anymore and people started to walk off their seats and headed for the exits. There was particularly one member in the audience (who was an Indian), as he was leaving forcefully tried to harass the main speaker and was shouting “why did you do this..?” the second speaker was shaken by this but the main speaker was standing solid as a rock in this harassment. While the scene could have gotten worse, the organizer stopped further altercations. The organizer, who was a great sympathizer to the speakers, was very disturbed and asked “why did you do this?”
Suddenly…the dream ended and I woke up. I was excited when I woke up that I witnessed a powerful preacher in my dream. This person, among all agitation around, was standing his ground and preached the glories of Mahaprabhu.
Now…one may ask what is so special about this that it is worth taking bytes in cyberspace. Actually, the most astonishing part of the dream for me personally is the identity of the main speaker on stage and the secondary speaker standing next to him.
The main speaker who was preaching boldly solid as a rock was none other than my elder brother and the nervous second speaker was me.
I was very impressed with the speech my elder brother was giving in the dream. Actually, my elder brother, in all reality has natural qualities to be a Vaishnava. He was always humble and tolerant in the times I was with him. H.H. Radhanath Swami in one of his lecture mentioned that Vaishnava etiquette brings beauty to a Vaishnava. In other words, Vaishnavism is not an external show of chanting or temple worship or getting initiated or doing service. It is our internal qualities of humility, tolerance, compassion and love to all living entities and Krishna. My elder brother was naturally equipped with such qualities of humility and tolerance.
Although he is not initiated currently, I personally think he is more than qualified to get initiated (assuming he follows the external rules of chanting and regulative principles). When a person is naturally equipped with higher nature, Srila Prabhupada once said that it is because of higher birth. My elder brother surely fits that bill.
This dream happened early in the morning at brahmamuhurta time and I am very happy to have insignificantly and nervously stood next to this bold preacher. I sincerely pray and hope one day he does preach like a lion and i stand next to him as his order carrier!
All glories to him!
Hare Krishna
Suddenly…the dream ended and I woke up. I was excited when I woke up that I witnessed a powerful preacher in my dream. This person, among all agitation around, was standing his ground and preached the glories of Mahaprabhu.
Now…one may ask what is so special about this that it is worth taking bytes in cyberspace. Actually, the most astonishing part of the dream for me personally is the identity of the main speaker on stage and the secondary speaker standing next to him.
The main speaker who was preaching boldly solid as a rock was none other than my elder brother and the nervous second speaker was me.
I was very impressed with the speech my elder brother was giving in the dream. Actually, my elder brother, in all reality has natural qualities to be a Vaishnava. He was always humble and tolerant in the times I was with him. H.H. Radhanath Swami in one of his lecture mentioned that Vaishnava etiquette brings beauty to a Vaishnava. In other words, Vaishnavism is not an external show of chanting or temple worship or getting initiated or doing service. It is our internal qualities of humility, tolerance, compassion and love to all living entities and Krishna. My elder brother was naturally equipped with such qualities of humility and tolerance.
Although he is not initiated currently, I personally think he is more than qualified to get initiated (assuming he follows the external rules of chanting and regulative principles). When a person is naturally equipped with higher nature, Srila Prabhupada once said that it is because of higher birth. My elder brother surely fits that bill.
This dream happened early in the morning at brahmamuhurta time and I am very happy to have insignificantly and nervously stood next to this bold preacher. I sincerely pray and hope one day he does preach like a lion and i stand next to him as his order carrier!
All glories to him!
Hare Krishna
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution (IR) was started in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Science and technology started to take precedence over every aspect of life since then. Human beings relied more on automation and mechanization in order to produce in mass and in a quick way. Because of this, today we have problems beyond our imagination. When we amass wealth and exploit resources, we have to pay one of these days. Industrial revolution made this exploitation very easy and “scientifically” justifiable. Before industrial revolution, it was more of a local grown agriculture/small urban lifestyle. People took care of their needs locally and depended on a higher power for sustenance. Since we depend on science to solve all problems, man has become atheistic and exploitative. Industrial revolution paved the way for this boom of atheism garbed in the name of science and technology. Below are some issues I could think of that we are facing due to uncontrolled capitalist folks who are just bent on one thing – make money. Thanks to IR, these people are fulfilling their dreams of extreme exploitation of man and nature.
Global warming
Water and air Pollution
Environmental degradation
Deforestation
Depletion of fossil fuels
Extinction of animals
Mass slaughter houses
Capitalism
Child labor
Cramped housing quarters
Rampant spread of water borne and air borne diseases due to cramped lifestyle
Traffic congestion
Excessive use of chemicals
Cable tv
Pornography and internet pornography
Human trafficking
Wide spread of alcoholism
Psychological and physical stress
Hare Krishna
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