Everyone has got some followers. This.... What is that? Guruji Maharaja. He has got also so-called followers. The T.M.,(Transcendental Meditation of Mahesh Yogi) - - - he has got also some followers. Everyone has got some followers. But what kind of followers they have ? That is quality. Everything has quality. Simply quantity is not. There are many Christians. Even up to date, some Christian fair or.... Many millions will come. What is the quality ? Quality is all meat-eater. But Christian means he should not kill. Where is the Christian ? So we have to test by the quality, followers. Not many followers, the quality of the followers. My Guru Mahäräja used to say like that, that "If I get at least one quality disciple, then all my labor will be success." He was saying like that: quality, not the quantity.
- Srila Prabhupada (Room Conversation - The Spirit of Preaching is to Make Perfect Disciples
- May 2, 1976, Fiji)
Hare Krishna
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
What are the odds?
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that devotional service unto Him is very very rare, so rare that even if accept Krishna as Supreme, it is impossible to understand Krishna. These are pretty tough odds to beat especially if this statement is coming directly from the Supreme Being Himself.
So let us try to "quantify" the odds in our very own idiosyncratic sense.
Our criteria for devotion is anyone who chants the Holy Names of Krishna consistently everyday because in this age of Kali, there is no other way to be His devotee. So what are the odds one will chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra everyday in this kali yuga setting?
Odds of being born in this kali yuga
When Brahma goes to sleep, there is partial destruction of planets of this universe and when he wakes up during the day, creation takes place again. So in that sense since this day of Brahma has begin, 2 billion years have passed in earthly time. Krishna appears once every day of Brahma. It is in this 28th divya yuga in dwapara yuga of 7th manvantara Krishna has appeared and Lord Chaitanya only appears every time after the appearance of Krishna. Those reading this post happened to also be born just at the cusp of the appearance of Krishna and Chaitanya. This is important because we cannot chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra without Lord Chaitanya.
So the odds to be born in this kali yuga just after Krishna and Chaitanya is 1 in 2 billion.
Odds of being born as a human being
In the Padma Purana, it is said that there are 8.4 million species of life (84 lacs). For the sake of this calculation, we will assume we take birth once in each species (this is unlikely because typically we take multiple births within the same species).
So the odds to be born as human is 1 in 8.4 million.
Odds of meeting a devotee
Currently, there are estimated 7 billion humans in this world. Of them say 3.5 billion are between 25 to 64 (active adults). If anything we would most likely come in touch with a devotee within that age range. Of course Prabhupada was beyond that age when he initiated this whole movement but of course Prabhupada is special. Of the 3.5 billion, I estimate there would be 1 million devotees in that age range (this is very liberal the odds actually will be much higher)
So the odds of meeting a devotee is 1 in 1 million
Combining all, the odds of being born in this kali yuga and meeting a devotee is 1 in 2.01 billion. Assuming you meet a devotee and take up chanting seriously, you are looking at an odd akin to winning the powerball lottery at least 11 times in one life. This is equivalent to a prize money of 440 million dollars.
This is an illustration to show that on our own, one cannot serve and love God because the odds are stacked against us. To the degree we are free from false-prestige and pride, and with utter humility and tolerance take shelter of Krishna, to that degree Krishna will nourish the seed of bhakti within our heart.
Hare Krishna
So let us try to "quantify" the odds in our very own idiosyncratic sense.
Our criteria for devotion is anyone who chants the Holy Names of Krishna consistently everyday because in this age of Kali, there is no other way to be His devotee. So what are the odds one will chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra everyday in this kali yuga setting?
Odds of being born in this kali yuga
When Brahma goes to sleep, there is partial destruction of planets of this universe and when he wakes up during the day, creation takes place again. So in that sense since this day of Brahma has begin, 2 billion years have passed in earthly time. Krishna appears once every day of Brahma. It is in this 28th divya yuga in dwapara yuga of 7th manvantara Krishna has appeared and Lord Chaitanya only appears every time after the appearance of Krishna. Those reading this post happened to also be born just at the cusp of the appearance of Krishna and Chaitanya. This is important because we cannot chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra without Lord Chaitanya.
So the odds to be born in this kali yuga just after Krishna and Chaitanya is 1 in 2 billion.
Odds of being born as a human being
In the Padma Purana, it is said that there are 8.4 million species of life (84 lacs). For the sake of this calculation, we will assume we take birth once in each species (this is unlikely because typically we take multiple births within the same species).
So the odds to be born as human is 1 in 8.4 million.
Odds of meeting a devotee
Currently, there are estimated 7 billion humans in this world. Of them say 3.5 billion are between 25 to 64 (active adults). If anything we would most likely come in touch with a devotee within that age range. Of course Prabhupada was beyond that age when he initiated this whole movement but of course Prabhupada is special. Of the 3.5 billion, I estimate there would be 1 million devotees in that age range (this is very liberal the odds actually will be much higher)
So the odds of meeting a devotee is 1 in 1 million
Combining all, the odds of being born in this kali yuga and meeting a devotee is 1 in 2.01 billion. Assuming you meet a devotee and take up chanting seriously, you are looking at an odd akin to winning the powerball lottery at least 11 times in one life. This is equivalent to a prize money of 440 million dollars.
This is an illustration to show that on our own, one cannot serve and love God because the odds are stacked against us. To the degree we are free from false-prestige and pride, and with utter humility and tolerance take shelter of Krishna, to that degree Krishna will nourish the seed of bhakti within our heart.
Hare Krishna
Monday, April 7, 2014
Spiritual inertia
There is a general feeling when it comes to God (not religion) that we work or relate or interact with God only when we feel like it (in a spontaneous sense). When we don't "feel" the love from God, we do not really worry about God. But actually our Acharyas teach that we have to "force" certain issues. Krishna asks Arjuna to "control" his mind through practice and detachment. Practice means we have to force our mind to behave in a certain way.
Spiritual inertia is a natural element of material culture. Our culture is advancing in the name of technology to increased levels of inertia or simply put laziness. Think about it - inventions such as automobiles, tractors, cell phones, computers make things efficient, quick and orderly but creates a mentality that machines will do the work and I just need to control the machine. Science is advancing more and more towards increasing technology however it is also drastically promoting laziness. When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand and mailed it to your loved one? So this is the situation - this inertia has largely impacted our spiritual life as well.
We fear change, and lack the drive to beat the blues in terms of spiritual inertia or laziness. But if we want to progress towards Krishna, then no machine or sporadic spontaneous feelings of God will cut it. We have to approach this "military" style meaning with intent and conviction. We have to force our enthusiasm to be in Krishna consciousness.
The more we show our conviction towards Krishna in terms of disciplining our mind (forcefully) then surely Krishna will reciprocate and when that reciprocation happens, we know He exists and there is no greater feeling than knowing that Krishna exists and He is looking out for us. This experience or realization will cultivate within us a spontaneous attachment towards Krishna.
So yes purity is the force, so lets force it!
Hare Krishna
Spiritual inertia is a natural element of material culture. Our culture is advancing in the name of technology to increased levels of inertia or simply put laziness. Think about it - inventions such as automobiles, tractors, cell phones, computers make things efficient, quick and orderly but creates a mentality that machines will do the work and I just need to control the machine. Science is advancing more and more towards increasing technology however it is also drastically promoting laziness. When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand and mailed it to your loved one? So this is the situation - this inertia has largely impacted our spiritual life as well.
We fear change, and lack the drive to beat the blues in terms of spiritual inertia or laziness. But if we want to progress towards Krishna, then no machine or sporadic spontaneous feelings of God will cut it. We have to approach this "military" style meaning with intent and conviction. We have to force our enthusiasm to be in Krishna consciousness.
The more we show our conviction towards Krishna in terms of disciplining our mind (forcefully) then surely Krishna will reciprocate and when that reciprocation happens, we know He exists and there is no greater feeling than knowing that Krishna exists and He is looking out for us. This experience or realization will cultivate within us a spontaneous attachment towards Krishna.
So yes purity is the force, so lets force it!
Hare Krishna
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Between 1968 and 1977 Srila Prabhupada created a spiritual revolution around the world. This is an understatement. The following are simply his accomplishments which are tangible and document-able. To his sincere followers, Srila Prabhupada means more than words can describe, however if I want to write a resume on Srila Prabhupada's accomplishments, then perhaps we can cite the following.
- He dictated total of 22,000 pages of text.
- He translated and wrote purports to 10 cantos of Srimad Bhagavata Puranam - Reading one verse with purport daily would take the reader 50 years to complete
- He translated and wrote the purports to the 700 verses of Bhagavad Gita - Reading one verse with purport daily would take two years to complete
- He translated and wrote the purports to the 17 volumes of Caitanya Caritamrita - in total 2,170 pages or 11,555 verses! - Reading one verse with purport daily would take the reader 31.6 years to complete. Reading one page daily would take 5.9 years to complete
- He also wrote Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Kapiladeva, Sri Isopanishad.
- He created Back to Godhead magazine of which 1 million copies are distributed every year.
- He wrote more than 7000 letters to His disciples, which were published in 5 volumes of books.
- Just the Srimad Bhagavatam lectures which he gave, are compiled in 11 volumes of books.
- Bhagavad Gita lectures are compiled in 7 volumes of books.
- His conversations have been compiled in 42 volumes of books.
- He published 147 books. Reading one book monthly would take 13 years.
- If one started to read one book monthly now, in 2014, he would not finish till 2031.
- He produced innumerable devotional musical recordings.
- He established 108 worldwide temples.
- He traveled around the world 14 times.
- Beside this, he changed the lives of at least 5000 people who become his initiated disciples and numerous grand disciples.
And all of this Srila Prabhupada did in ONLY 9 years in the age between 70-80!!!
Therefore we say "Al glories to Srila Prabhupada"
Hare Krishna
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Truth is Absolute
Truth is always Absolute beyond relativity. It is the same for you, me and the third person. However, we have practical experience that people claim to know the truth which is often contradictory to one another. In other words, that so called Absolute truth seems to be relative to time, place and circumstance. This relativity is the cause of contradiction leading to confrontation.
Although Truth is Absolute still depending on our desire it is revealed fully or partially or not at all. So the dualities we experience in the name of truth arises from desires tinged with material motives. For such seekers who actually really only care for their own material motives see only their own motives manifest in the name of evidence or truth. This manifestation is not truth or its part but its shadow. Therefore every individual seeking the truth will be faced with Truth and its reflection. If we have even the slightest tinge of material motivation, our mind will be convinced of that shadow.
Those very few who are materially selfless in their motives will experience the Absolute truth to the degree they want it. Seers of truth have documented that the non-dual truth is experienced in a continuum of impersonal light to personal loving relationship with the Absolute. As a seeker we can stop at any part of the continuum. Not everyone will be willing to go the entire journey of seeking personal loving relationships with the Absolute. Most world religions or spiritual paths adhere to some aspect of a formless impersonal light as the ultimate truth.
If we are unsatisfied with impersonal realization we can continue our spiritual journey from impersonal to personal but that comes with a cost. That cost is to attain a state of full surrender and unconditional service towards the Absolute. In this state, there is a complete abandonment of "I" and unconditional acceptance of service towards the Absolute Truth. In the opinion of truth seekers, this is the ultimate and final realization of Absolute Truth. When we reach this stage, there is nothing more to seek or search.
Truth is one (also means only one religion) with varying degrees. Depending on our motivation, desire and conviction, that one Absolute Truth is revealed as a whole, in parts or as a reflection.
Hare Krishna
Although Truth is Absolute still depending on our desire it is revealed fully or partially or not at all. So the dualities we experience in the name of truth arises from desires tinged with material motives. For such seekers who actually really only care for their own material motives see only their own motives manifest in the name of evidence or truth. This manifestation is not truth or its part but its shadow. Therefore every individual seeking the truth will be faced with Truth and its reflection. If we have even the slightest tinge of material motivation, our mind will be convinced of that shadow.
Those very few who are materially selfless in their motives will experience the Absolute truth to the degree they want it. Seers of truth have documented that the non-dual truth is experienced in a continuum of impersonal light to personal loving relationship with the Absolute. As a seeker we can stop at any part of the continuum. Not everyone will be willing to go the entire journey of seeking personal loving relationships with the Absolute. Most world religions or spiritual paths adhere to some aspect of a formless impersonal light as the ultimate truth.
If we are unsatisfied with impersonal realization we can continue our spiritual journey from impersonal to personal but that comes with a cost. That cost is to attain a state of full surrender and unconditional service towards the Absolute. In this state, there is a complete abandonment of "I" and unconditional acceptance of service towards the Absolute Truth. In the opinion of truth seekers, this is the ultimate and final realization of Absolute Truth. When we reach this stage, there is nothing more to seek or search.
Truth is one (also means only one religion) with varying degrees. Depending on our motivation, desire and conviction, that one Absolute Truth is revealed as a whole, in parts or as a reflection.
Hare Krishna
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Does Religion make the world a better place?
In my personal opinion, this question is a tough one to answer. I say this because today religion is so many things for so many people. There is no one definition of religion. Perhaps a broad definition could be anything to do with God or belief in a God could be identified as religion. All religions at the least operate on this definition.
Let me rephrase my question then – “does belief in God make the world a better place?”
Based on incidents in the 20th and 21st century, I have to say belief in a God invokes so much passion among people or groups of people that that passion is the hotbed for hatred, violence and bigotry. How can hatred and violence make the world a better place? Any objective person who looks solely at data will have to conclude the belief in God causes more damage than good.
So we are left with two choices (1) abandon religion and live a life based on one’s own internal values (2) dive deeper into the problem, analyze and learn from it. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if we practice the second option. The first option does not solve anything as there is no individual growth. People with opposite values is always the source of friction.
Srila Prabhupada once said that if there is counterfeit money then it implies there must be the original – so search for the original. Similarly religion can make the world a better place if we go deeper from believing in God to finding God. One who has found God in his life will not have the urge to find anything else of this world. In such a state, there is no internal agitation of mind what to speak of causing external agitation? In such a peaceful state, the seeker will find everlasting happiness.
So yes belief in God or religion will make the world a better place only if we use it to rectify our own internal faults and in that state of humility seek God. There is no other value system (be it civic or political or moral) that can help us transcend our own limitations in search of a higher truth. Only religion or search for God can set us free from our inner mind to which we are bound. Thus knowing the truth, we can be free from the shackles of bondage.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” – Jesus Christ
Hare Krishna
Let me rephrase my question then – “does belief in God make the world a better place?”
Based on incidents in the 20th and 21st century, I have to say belief in a God invokes so much passion among people or groups of people that that passion is the hotbed for hatred, violence and bigotry. How can hatred and violence make the world a better place? Any objective person who looks solely at data will have to conclude the belief in God causes more damage than good.
So we are left with two choices (1) abandon religion and live a life based on one’s own internal values (2) dive deeper into the problem, analyze and learn from it. Personally, I think the world would be a better place if we practice the second option. The first option does not solve anything as there is no individual growth. People with opposite values is always the source of friction.
Srila Prabhupada once said that if there is counterfeit money then it implies there must be the original – so search for the original. Similarly religion can make the world a better place if we go deeper from believing in God to finding God. One who has found God in his life will not have the urge to find anything else of this world. In such a state, there is no internal agitation of mind what to speak of causing external agitation? In such a peaceful state, the seeker will find everlasting happiness.
So yes belief in God or religion will make the world a better place only if we use it to rectify our own internal faults and in that state of humility seek God. There is no other value system (be it civic or political or moral) that can help us transcend our own limitations in search of a higher truth. Only religion or search for God can set us free from our inner mind to which we are bound. Thus knowing the truth, we can be free from the shackles of bondage.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” – Jesus Christ
Hare Krishna
Monday, March 10, 2014
Simply baffled!!??
I am in the US for the last decade and still baffled by the hypocrisy around animal welfare. Why do Americans spend $52 billion on dogs and cats as pets and kill 9 billion farm animals for food? This is such a stark contrast which can only be witnessed in developed countries such as America.
It is a shame that people cannot see the duplicity surrounding animals. How is a cow or chicken or duck or any farm animal any better than an animal such as dog or cat? In my opinion, this is ridiculous - as simple as that.
Kali Yuga at its best!!
Hare Krishna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)