Gita shloka 3.26: ALL SHOULD ENGAGE IN WORK IN THE SPIRIT OF DEVOTION (,I.E., OFFERING RESULTS OF ALL THOUGHTS & ACTIONS TO LORD), 30th June

Gita shloka 3.26

ALL SHOULD engage in work in the spirit of devotion (,i.e.,  offering results of all thoughts & actions to lord)

TRANSLATION

Let not the wise disrupt the minds of the ignorant who are attached to fruitive action. They should not be encouraged to refrain from work, but to engage in work in the spirit of devotion.

PURPORT

Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: that is the end of all Vedic rituals.

All rituals, all performances of sacrifices, and everything that is put into the Vedas, including all directions for material activities, are meant for understanding Kṛṣṇa, who is the ultimate goal of life.

But because the conditioned souls do not know anything beyond sense gratification, they study the Vedas to that end.

Through sense regulations, however, one is gradually elevated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Therefore a realized soul in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should not disturb others in their activities or understanding, but he should act by showing how the results of all work can be dedicated to the service of Kṛṣṇa.

The learned Kṛṣṇa conscious person may act in such a way that the ignorant person working for sense gratification may learn how to act and how to behave.

Although the ignorant man is not to be disturbed in his activities, still, a slightly developed Kṛṣṇa conscious person may directly be engaged in the service of the Lord without waiting for other Vedic formulas.

For this fortunate man there is no need to follow the Vedic rituals, because in direct Kṛṣṇa consciousness one can have all the results simply by following the prescribed duties of a particular person.

 

Gita shloka 3.25: DEDICATE ALL RESULTS OF ACTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF KṚṢṆA CONSCIOUSNESS, 29th June

Gita shloka 3.25

DEDICATE ALL results of action for the purpose of Kṛṣṇa consciousness

TRANSLATION

As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment to results, similarly the learned may also act, but without attachment, for the sake of leading people on the right path.

PURPORT

A person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and a person not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are differentiated by different desires.

A Kṛṣṇa conscious person does not do anything which is not conducive to development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

He may even act exactly like the ignorant person, who is too much attached to material activities, but one is engaged in such activities for the satisfaction of his sense gratification, whereas the other is engaged for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa.

Therefore, the Kṛṣṇa conscious person is required to show the people how to act and how to engage the results of action for the purpose of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

 

आपको जिस रास्ते पर जाना है जिस्म से रूह तक, THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE WAY, SO YOU HAVE TO START EARLY #Blog0050

आपको जिस रास्ते पर जाना है जिस्म से रूह तक, THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE WAY, SO YOU HAVE TO START EARLY

पग पग पर आप को प्रलोभन (inducements) मिलेंगे, पग-पग पर प्रतिकूलतांए (unfavorable circumstances) आएंगी 

पग पग (at each step) पर मन में संशय (doubts)  उत्पन्न (generate) होंगे, द्वंद (dualities) आएंगे, दुविधाएं (problems) आएंगी 

सब को पार करते हुए जाना है और Traffic भी एसा कि कोई आपको रास्ता देने को तैयार नहीं

कोई रास्ता नहीं देगा बाप, आपको रास्ता बना कर चलना पड़ेगा 

“चलते चलते थक गया, न मिली मंजिल नाचीज, यू कहने को चलकर जाना था मुझे जिस्म से रूह तक”     

“Walking & walking, I got tired & could not reach my destination, although I was expected to move  only from my own body to my own soul”

तन से मन तक उतरना था, मगर कहां हो पाया 

“तेरी चौखट पर आना मेरा काम था, पर काम इतना भी मुझसे किया ना गया” 

भीतर का कोई भी विकार (bad habit) ऐसा नहीं है जो जल्दी से हट जाए और आपको रास्ता दे दे  

आप सोचे कल से गुस्सा नहीं करेंगे और ऐसा हो जाए कि कल से गुस्सा नहीं करेंगे 

एक भी विकार आपके नियंत्रण में नहीं है बल्कि आप उन विकारों के नियंत्रण में हैं  

Not one bad habit is under your control, rather you are under their control

क्योंकि मार्ग आपको बनाना है, इसलिए समय पर नहीं समय से पूर्व यात्रा आरंभ करिए 

परली पार कोई आपकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहा है 

AS YOU’D BE FACING LOT OF HURDLES ON THE WAY FROM BODY TO SOUL, NOT ONLY YOU’VE TO MAKE YOUR OWN WAY BUT YOU’VE TO START EARLY, OTHERWISE YOU’D BE LATE (,i.e., death would catch up) -  there is “Someone (Lord)” waiting for you beyond this world (परली पार)

आपके अंदर संसार के विचारों की बहुत भीड़ मिलेगी जिस से भयभीत होते हो आप अकेलेपन से

 इसीलिए आपको एकांत प्रिय नहीं लगता, क्योंकि जूं ही आप भीतर उतरते हैं तो विचारों की भीड़ आप पर आक्रमण (attack) करती है आप डर जाते हैं 

ये जितनी प्रार्थनाएं हैं जितनी स्तुतियां (singing glories) है यह सब आप को एकांत (to be alone with you yourself) में पहुंचाने के लिए हैं

All these prayers of Lord are to calm down those ravishing thoughts inside you, to give you inner bliss.

Bhagvatam: LORD RESIDES INSIDE EACH LIVING BEING AS PARAMATMA ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL SOUL, 28th June

Srimad Bhagvatam:

LORD RESIDES INSIDE EACH LIVING BEING AS PARAMATMA ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL SOUL

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead has created many residential places like the bodies of human beings, animals, birds, saints and demigods. In all of these innumerable bodily forms, the Lord resides with the living being as Paramatma. Thus He is known as the purushavatara.

PURPORT

In Bhagavad-gita (18.61) it is said:

"THE SUPREME LORD IS SITUATED IN EVERYONE'S HEART, O ARJUNA, AND IS DIRECTING THE WANDERINGS OF ALL LIVING ENTITIES, WHO ARE SEATED AS ON A MACHINE, MADE OF THE MATERIAL ENERGY." 

THE LIVING ENTITY, WHO IS PART AND PARCEL OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, EXISTS ON THE MERCY OF THE LORD, WHO IS ALWAYS WITH HIM IN ANY FORM OF BODY. THE LIVING ENTITY DESIRES A PARTICULAR TYPE OF MATERIAL ENJOYMENT, AND THUS THE LORD SUPPLIES HIM WITH A BODY, WHICH IS LIKE A MACHINE. 

Just to keep him alive in that body, the Lord remains with him as the purusha (Kshirodakasayi Vishnu). This is also confirmed in Brahma-samhita (5.35):

"I worship the Personality of Godhead, Govinda, who enters the existence of every universe and every atom by one of His plenary portions and thus manifests His infinite energy throughout the material creation." 

THE LIVING ENTITY, BEING PART AND PARCEL OF THE LORD, IS KNOWN AS JIVA. THE SUPREME LORD PURUSHA REMAINS WITH THE JIVA TO ENABLE HIM TO ENJOY MATERIAL FACILITIES.

Gita shloka 3.24: ONE SHOULD SIMPLY FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE LORD AND HIS EMPOWERED SERVANTS, 28th June

Gita shloka 3.24, 28th June

One should simply follow the instructions of the Lord and His empowered servants

TRANSLATION

If I should cease to work, then all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would also be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all sentient beings.

PURPORT

Varṇa-saṅkara is unwanted population which disturbs the peace of the general society.

In order to check this social disturbance, there are prescribed rules and regulations by which the population can automatically become peaceful and organized for spiritual progress in life.

When Lord Kṛṣṇa descends, naturally He deals with such rules and regulations in order to maintain the prestige and necessity of such important performances.

The Lord is the father of all living entities, and if the living entities are misguided, indirectly the responsibility goes to the Lord.

Therefore, whenever there is general disregard of regulative principles, the Lord Himself descends and corrects the society.

We should, however, note carefully that although we have to follow in the footsteps of the Lord, we still have to remember that we cannot imitate Him.

Following and imitating are not on the same level.

We cannot imitate the Lord by lifting Govardhana Hill, as the Lord did in His childhood.

It is impossible for any human being.

We have to follow His instructions, but we may not imitate Him at any time.

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam affirms:

naitat samācarej jātu manasāpi hy anīśvaraḥ
vinaśyaty ācaran mauḍhyād yathā ‘rudro ‘bdhijaṁ viṣam

īśvarāṇāṁ vacaḥ satyaṁ tathaivācaritaṁ kvacit
teṣāṁ yat sva-vaco yuktaṁ buddhimāṁs tat samācaret

“One should simply follow the instructions of the Lord and His empowered servants. Their instructions are all good for us, and any intelligent person will perform them as instructed. However, one should guard against trying to imitate their actions. One should not try to drink the ocean of poison in imitation of Lord Śiva.” (Bhāg. 10.33.30)

We should always consider the position of the īśvaras, or those who can actually control the movements of the sun and moon, as superior.

Without such power, one cannot imitate the īśvaras, who are superpowerful.

Lord Śiva drank poison to the extent of swallowing an ocean, but if any common man tries to drink even a fragment of such poison, he will be killed.

There are many psuedo-devotees of Lord Śiva who want to indulge in smoking gāñjā (marijuana) and similar intoxicating drugs, forgetting that by so imitating the acts of Lord Śiva they are calling death very near.

Similarly, there are some psuedo-devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa who prefer to imitate the Lord in His rāsa-līlā, or dance of love, forgetting their inability to lift Govardhana Hill.

It is best, therefore, that one not try to imitate the powerful, but simply follow their instructions; nor should one try to occupy their posts without qualification.

There are so many “incarnations” of God without the power of the Supreme Godhead.

 

NISHKAM KARMYOG (निष्काम कर्मयोग): DO EVERYTHING FOR LORD’S SAKE #Blog0049

Nishkam Karmyog (निष्काम कर्मयोग): Do everything for Lord’s sake

Do everything for His sake, dedicating to Him – not with selfish interest.        

Like, even if you are eating, you dedicate this to Him so that you can live to do His bidding.        

You are reading, you dedicate this to Him so that you can spread the learning to others – not merely for purpose of helping but turning them to Krishna consciousness – etc. etc.        

Philanthropy, per se, is a mere pious act which can give you सुख proportionately but you have to take birth again in this material world, i.e., you cannot get liberated (,i.e., skip the worldly birth death cycle, old age & disease).  

मुक्ति (Liberation) ,i.e., stopping the birth, death cycle among 84 lakh species of life is possible only after getting Krishna consciousness.  

If someone does not want मुक्ति, he is free to do anything he likes, without following bhakti marg, BUT then he should be ready to transit through any of the 84 lakh species for an unlimited period of time.

But this (Nishkam Karmyog) is easy only after you have yourself surrendered to Lord ,i.e., you are already on bhakti marg.

If you have not surrendered to Him (which is the ultimate aim as advised by Lord Himself) , i.e., for neophytes – to trigger them on to bhakti marg, this is the first step advised (Nishkam Karmyog) and this is titled निष्काम कर्म योग (निष्काम= you are entitled only to do your duty (काम), awarding the result should be left in His hands (,i.e., you should not expect the result proportional to your effort (निष) – rather HAVE TOTAL FAITH ON LORD TO GIVE RESULT,      कर्म =action,      योग= union with Lord).

After following this Nishkam Karmyog for a period of time, one automatically comes on to bhakti platform through His grace as जीव pleases Lord merely by making an effort in His direction (योग)

फिर उसके बाद “हौं चले हूं पग बीस”, उसके बाद प्रभु कहते हैं सब कार्य मैं करता हूं, आप एक पद बड़ा तो दीजिए

   IMAGINE THE GRACE OFFERED BY LORD THAT WITH YOUR LITTLE BIT OF EFFORT & SOME DEVOTION TO LORD ONCE YOUR MIND STARTS ENJOYING THE COMPANY OF LORD , BE IT HIS NAME, BE IT HIS FACE, BE IT HIS ACTIONS OR BE IT HIS ABODE, THEN :

LORD SAYS “I (हौं) WALK THE NEXT 20 (बीस) STEPS (पग)” (ONCE YOU TAKE A STEP TOWARDS HIM) & LORD DOES NOT EVEN NEED TO WALK – BY HIS MERE WILL (संकल्प), HE CAN TAKE ONE TO HIS OWN ABODE WHERE THERE IS ETERNAL BLISS.    

Bhagvatam IF ONE WANTS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, HE MUST PREACH THE GLORIES OF THE LORD, 27th June

Srimad Bhagvatam :
IF ONE WANTS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, HE MUST PREACH THE GLORIES OF THE LORD

TRANSLATION

O King Yudhishthira, the Supersoul in every body gives intelligence to the individual soul according to his capacity for understanding. Therefore the Supersoul is the chief within the body. The Supersoul is manifested to the individual soul according to the individual's comparative development of knowledge, austerity, penance and so on.

PURPORT

IN BHAGAVAD-GITA (15.15) IT IS SAID, mattam smrtir jnanam apohanam ca: THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD IN HIS LOCALIZED ASPECT GIVES INTELLIGENCE TO THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL AS FAR AS HE IS ABLE TO GRASP IT. THEREFORE WE FIND THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL IN DIFFERENT HIGH AND LOW POSITIONS. A LIVING ENTITY WITH THE BODY OF A BIRD OR BEAST CANNOT TAKE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE SUPREME SOUL AS ADEQUATELY AS AN ADVANCED HUMAN BEING. 

THUS THERE ARE GRADATIONS OF BODILY FORMS. IN HUMAN SOCIETY, THE PERFECT BRAHMANA IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MOST ADVANCED IN SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS, AND FURTHER ADVANCED THAN THE BRAHMANA IS THE VAISHNAVA. THEREFORE THE BEST PERSONS ARE THE VAISHNAVAS AND VISHNU. 

When charity is to be given, one should take instruction from Bhagavad-gita (17.20):

"That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return, is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness." One should give charity to the brahmanas and Vaishnavas, for thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead will be worshiped. 

In this connection, Srila Madhvacharya comments:

Beginning from Brahma down to the ant, everyone is conducted by the Supersoul (isvaram sarva-bhütanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tishthati). BUT BECAUSE OF A PARTICULAR PERSON'S ADVANCEMENT IN SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS, HE IS CONSIDERED TO BE IMPORTANT. Therefore, the brahmana Vaishnava is important, and, above all, the Supersoul, the Personality of Godhead, is the most important personality.

TRANSLATION

Sometimes a neophyte devotee offers all the paraphernalia for worshiping the Lord, and he factually worships the Lord as the Deity, but because he is envious of the authorized devotees of Lord Vishnu, the Lord is never satisfied with his devotional service.

PURPORT

DEITY WORSHIP IS ESPECIALLY MEANT FOR PURIFYING THE NEOPHYTE DEVOTEES. 

ACTUALLY, HOWEVER, PREACHING IS MORE IMPORTANT. IN BHAGAVAD-GITA (18.69) IT IS SAID, na ca tasman manushyeshu kascin me priya-krttamam: IF ONE WANTS TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, HE MUST PREACH THE GLORIES OF THE LORD. 

ONE WHO WORSHIPS THE DEITY MUST THEREFORE BE EXTREMELY RESPECTFUL TO PREACHERS; OTHERWISE SIMPLY WORSHIPING THE DEITY WILL KEEP ONE IN THE LOWER STAGE OF DEVOTION.

Gita shloka 3.21: ONE SHOULD FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GREAT DEVOTEES AND THAT IS THE WAY OF PROGRESS ON THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL REALIZATION , 26th June

Gita shloka 3.21

one should follow in the footsteps of great devotees and that is the way of progress on the path of spiritual realization

TRANSLATION

Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

PURPORT

People in general always require a leader who can teach the public by practical behavior.

A leader cannot teach the public to stop smoking if he himself smokes.

Lord Chaitanya said that a teacher should behave properly even before he begins teaching.

One who teaches in that way is called āchārya, or the ideal teacher.

Therefore, a teacher must follow the principles of śhāśtra (scripture) to reach the common man.

The teacher cannot manufacture rules against the principles of revealed scriptures.

The revealed scriptures, like Manu-saṁhitā and similar others, are considered the standard books to be followed by human society.

Thus the leader’s teaching should be based on the principles of the standard rules as they are practiced by the great teachers.

The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam also affirms that one should follow in the footsteps of great devotees, and that is the way of progress on the path of spiritual realization.

The king or the executive head of a state, the father and the school teacher are all considered to be natural leaders of the innocent people in general.

All such natural leaders have a great responsibility to their dependants; therefore they must be conversant with standard books of moral and spiritual codes.

 

BHAGVAT: BY WORSHIPING THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, KRSHNA, ONE CAN SATISFY EVERYONE, JUST AS ONE CAN WATER THE BRANCHES, LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF A TREE SIMPLY BY WATERING ITS ROOT, 26th June

SRIMAD BHAGVATAM:

BY WORSHIPING THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, KRSHNA, ONE CAN SATISFY EVERYONE, JUST AS ONE CAN WATER THE BRANCHES, LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF A TREE SIMPLY BY WATERING ITS ROOT

TRANSLATION

O King of the earth, it has been decided by expert, learned scholars that only the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krshna, in whom all that is moving or nonmoving within this universe is resting and from whom everything is coming, is the best person to whom everything must be given.

PURPORT

Whenever we perform some religious act in terms of dharma, artha, kama and moksha, we must perform it according to the time, place and person (kala, desa, patra). Narada Muni has already described the desa (place) and kala (time). The kala has been described in verses twenty through twenty-four, beginning with the words ayane vishuve kuryad vyatipate dina-kshaye. And the places for giving charity or performing ritualistic ceremonies have been described in verses thirty through thirty-three, beginning with saramsi pushkaradini kshetrany arhasritany uta. 

Now, to whom everything must be given is decided in this verse. Harir evaika urvisa yan-mayam vai caracaram. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krshna, is the root of everything, and therefore He is the best patra, or person, to whom everything must be given. In Bhagavad-gita (5.29) it is said:

If one wants to enjoy real peace and prosperity, he should give everything to Krshna, who is the real enjoyer, real friend and real proprietor. 

It is therefore said:

BY WORSHIPING OR SATISFYING ACHYUTA, THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, KRSHNA, ONE CAN SATISFY EVERYONE, JUST AS ONE CAN WATER THE BRANCHES, LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF A TREE SIMPLY BY WATERING ITS ROOT OR AS ONE SATISFIES ALL THE SENSES OF THE BODY BY GIVING FOOD TO THE STOMACH. 

THEREFORE, A DEVOTEE SIMPLY OFFERS EVERYTHING TO THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD TO RECEIVE THE BEST RESULTS OF CHARITY, RELIGIOUS PERFORMANCES, SENSE GRATIFICATION AND EVEN LIBERATION (DHARMA, ARTHA, KAMA, MOKSHA).

TRANSLATION

The entire universe, which is full of living entities, is like a tree whose root is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Achyuta [Krshna]. Therefore simply by worshiping Lord Krshna one can worship all living entities.

PURPORT

In Bhagavad-gita (10.8) the Lord says:

"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts." 

People are very much anxious to give service to other living entities, especially to the poor, but although they have manufactured many ways to give such help, actually they are expert in killing the poor living entities. This sort of service or mercy is not recommended in the Vedic wisdom. 

As stated in a previous verse, it has been decided (niruktam) by expert saintly persons that Krshna is the root of everything and that worshiping Krshna is worshiping everyone, just as supplying water to the root of a tree means satisfying all of its branches and twigs.

Another point is that this universe is full of living entities from top to bottom, on every planet (jiva-rasibhir akirnam). Modern scientists and so-called scholars think that there are no living entities on planets other than this one. Recently they have said that they have gone to the moon but did not find any living entities there. But Srimad-Bhagavatam and the other Vedic literatures do not agree with this foolish conception. 

There are living entities everywhere, not only one or two but jiva-rasibhim—many millions of living entities. Even on the sun there are living entities, although it is a fiery planet. 

The chief living entity on the sun is called Vivasvan (imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam). All the different planets are filled with different types of living entities according to different living conditions. 

To suggest that only this planet is filled with living entities and that others are vacant is foolish. This betrays a lack of real knowledge.

UNLESS YOU MAKE SELF EFFORT TO KNOW YOURSELF - WHO YOU ARE, WHY YOU CAME HERE, GOD's GRACE CANNOT HELP #Blog0048

Unless you make self effort to know yourself - who you are & why you came here, God's grace cannot help

भगवान की कृपा तो सब पर है – भगवान अपने श्री मुख से कहते हैं : 

“सब मम प्रिय, सब मम उपजाए, सब पर मोहि बराबर दाया”

मगर जब तक कोई “अपनी कृपा स्वयं पर” नहीं करे तो भगवान भी मदद नहीं कर पाते.          

This is what distinguishes a devotee (अपनी कृपा स्वयं पर करते हैं) from a non-devotee (अपनी कृपा स्वयं पर नहीं करते हैं)         

If a utensil is kept in inverted position, open face downwards – तो प्रलयकारी मेघ भी बरस जाएं तो उसे नहीं भर सकते – then even calamitous clouds burst cannot fill that utensil

जिसने अपना सोया विवेक जगाना ही नहीं है, उसे ब्रह्मा स्वयं भी नहीं समझ सकते       

One who is bent upon letting its “Discrimination power” (विवेक) sleep only & wants to do whatever one’s mind chooses to, i.e., one is led by one’s mind ( जो मन करता है खा लिया, पी लिया, जहां मन करता है चले गए,....) rather than mastering the mind & be a mastermind, even Lord Brahma cannot make him understand about importance of Lord.     

“मूर्ख को समझाना सरल है, पंडित को समझाना और भी सरल है, लेकिन जो है तो मूर्ख, पर अपने आप को समझता है पंडित, उसे श्री ब्रह्मा जी भी नहीं समझा सकते” 

“कहत सुनत दशा हृदय नहीं आवे” 

you cannot appreciate the feeling of bliss of devotion only by casual reading or casual listening – you have to have sincerity of purpose for your invaluable human life  & seriously dive deep into the core of bhakti - to utilise the precious moments of our lives)

Unless a radio equipment "tunes" itself to a radio station or a TV "tunes" itself to its satellite signal or a mobile handset "tunes" itself to its "parent" station, how can the device work ? Not at all ,i.e., no device can work independently on one’s own. 

Similarly unless one "tunes" itself in accordance with signal of Lord, and tries to do everything on his own, is doomed.  

This tuning is to make self effort in knowing about oneself - 1. who is he/she  2. why he/she came to the world ,i.e., what is the purpose of his/her being sent to this world & 3. who sent him here.

Soul is constitutionally the supreme authority of body as designed by Lord but we let our mind, a lower authority, do its own bidding & control us. 

Mind is clueless & direction less, it ought to be controlled by soul through intellect’s discriminating power  (विवेक) but we do not awaken our discriminating power  (विवेक) – this is how we are led by illusion (माया) & waste our lives by going here & there & not in the proper prescribed direction of Lord.

इसलिए अपने आप का खुद पर “आत्म कल्याण करें”

Gita shloka 3.20, KṚṢṆA CONSCIOUSNESS PERSON WORKS TO TEACH THE PUBLIC HOW TO LIVE AND HOW TO ACT,25th June

Gita shloka 3.20, Kṛṣṇa consciousness PERSON works to teach the public how to live and how to act

TRANSLATION

Even kings like Janaka and others attained the perfectional stage by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.

PURPORT

Kings like Janaka and others were all self-realized souls; consequently they had no obligation to perform the prescribed duties in the Vedas.

Nonetheless they performed all prescribed activities just to set examples for the people in general.

Janaka was the father of Sītā, and father-in-law of Lord Śrī Rāma.

Being a great devotee of the Lord, he was transcendentally situated, but because he was the King of Mithila (a subdivision of Bihar province in India), he had to teach his subjects how to fight righteously in battle.

He and his subjects fought to teach people in general that violence is also necessary in a situation where good arguments fail.

Before the Battle of Kurukṣetra, every effort was made to avoid the war, even by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the other party was determined to fight.

So for such a right cause, there is a necessity for fighting.

Although one who is situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness may not have any interest in the world, he still works to teach the public how to live and how to act.

Experienced persons in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can act in such a way that others will follow, and this is explained in the following verse.

 

SURRENDER COMPLETELY TO GOD WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATION #Blog0047

SURRENDER  COMPLETELY TO GOD WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATION      

निष्काम भाव से  सम्पूर्ण  समर्पण   
 

अब सौंप दिया इस जीवन का,   सब भार तुम्हारे हाथों में

है जीत तुम्हारे हाथों में और हार तुम्हारे हाथों में॥           

मेरा निश्चय है बस एक यही, एक बार तुम्हे पा जाऊं मैं

अर्पण करदूँ दुनिया भर का सब प्यार तुम्हारे हाथों में॥           

 

 

जो जग में रहूँ तो ऐसे रहूँ, जैसे जल में कमल का फूल रहे

मेरे सब गुण दोष समर्पित हों, करतार तुम्हारे हाथों में॥           

यदि मानव का मुझे जन्म मिले तो, तेरे चरणों का पुजारी बनूँ

 इस पूजा की एक एक रग का हो तार तुम्हारे हाथों में॥           

जब जब संसार का कैदी बनू, निष्काम भाव से कऱम करूँ

फिर अंत समय में प्राण तजूं, निराकार तुम्हारे हाथों में॥           

 

मुझ में तुझ में बस भेद यही मैं, नर हूँ तुम नारायण हो

मैं हूँ संसार के हाथों में, संसार तुम्हारे हाथों में॥           

 

 

Gita shloka 3.19, ONE SHOULD ACT AS A MATTER OF DUTY WITHOUT BEING ATTACHED TO THE FRUITS OF ACTIVITIES, 24th June

 

Gita shloka 3.19, one should act as a matter of duty without being attached to the fruits of activities

TRANSLATION

Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty; for by working without attachment, one attains the Supreme.

PURPORT

The Supreme is the Personality of 

Godhead 

for the devotees, and liberation for the 

impersonalist.

A person, therefore, acting for Kṛṣṇa, or in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, under proper guidance and without attachment to the result of the work, is certainly making progress toward the supreme goal of life.

Arjuna is told that he should fight in the Battle of Kurukṣetra for the interest of Kṛṣṇa because Kṛṣṇa wanted him to fight.

To be a good man or a nonviolent man is a

personal attachment, but to act on 

behalf of the Supreme is to act without 

attachment for the result.

That is perfect action of the highest degree, recommended by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Vedic rituals, like prescribed sacrifices, are performed for purification of impious activities that were performed in the field of sense gratification.

But action in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is transcendental to the reactions of good or evil work.

A Kṛṣṇa conscious person has no attachment for the result but acts on behalf of Kṛṣṇa alone.

He engages in all kinds of activities, but is 

completely non attached.

 

HOW WAS THE LIFE, HAVE WE EVER PONDERED OVER THIS? DID I MEET MY DESIRED OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE IN LIFE? #Blog0046

It is good to ask children “How was the day today?”               

For we adults, a more relevant & worthwhile question to ask would be : 

“HOW WAS THE LIFE”               

Did I meet my desired objective/purpose in life?               

Did I come to know WHO I AM & WHY I WAS SENT HERE IN HUMAN FORM BY SOME SUPER POWER - was it only for fun & मस्ती day in day out, having picnics / parties, was it for worrying all the time for kids education & their jobs, for our health, getting all sorts of headaches, body pains & viruses, was it only for eating, sleeping, mating & defending, getting old, diseased & die?                 

Or Did we miss connecting the dots…..?         

WHEN WE HAVE TO ATTEND, SAY A MARRIAGE FUNCTION, HOW MANY DAYS IN ADVANCE DO WE START PLANNING? BUT WHERE WE HAVE TO GO FOR EVER AFTER DEATH, HAVE WE THOUGHT OF MAKING ANY ARRANGEMENTS – IN ADVANCE ?      

Searching answer for this itself wakes up our “Discrimination” (विवेक) & more than half the desired objective of life is achieved.                 

All answers lie only in one word – GOD. We need to start “loving” Him & sooner than later, we get all our resolutions.                 

“देर भी हमारे यहाँ है, अंधेर भी हमारे यहाँ है”                

HE is always ready to respond PROVIDED we seek Him.                

CORONA TIME IS CAUSED BY NATURE ONLY FOR THIS PURPOSE – THAT WE PAY HEED TO THIS RADIX (MOST ESSENTIAL).

Gita shloka 3.17 & 3.18, A KṚṢṆA CONSCIOUS PERSON, NO LONGER, HAS ANY DUTY TO PERFORM EXCEPT ACTIVITIES IN KṚṢṆA CONSCIOUSNESS, 23rd June

Gita shloka 3.17 & 3.18:  a Kṛṣṇa conscious person, no longer, has any duty to perform EXCEPT ACTIVITIES IN KṚṢṆA CONSCIOUSNESS

Gita shloka 3.17:

TRANSLATION

One who is, however, taking pleasure in the self, who is illumined in the self, who rejoices in and is satisfied with the self only, fully satiated-for him there is no duty.

PURPORT

A person who is fully Kṛṣṇa conscious, and is fully satisfied by his acts in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, no longer has any duty to perform.

Due to his being Kṛṣṇa conscious, all impiety within is instantly cleansed, an effect of many, many thousands of yajña performances.

By such clearing of consciousness, one becomes fully confident of his eternal position in relationship with the Supreme. His duty thus becomes self-illuminated by the grace of the Lord, and therefore he no longer has any obligations to the Vedic injunctions.

Such a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is no longer interested in material activities and no longer takes pleasure in material arrangements like wine, women and similar infatuations.

Gita shloka 3.18:  

TRANSLATION

A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.

PURPORT

A self-realized man is no longer obliged to perform any prescribed duty, save and except activities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not inactivity either, as will be explained in the following verses.

A Kṛṣṇa conscious man does not take shelter of any person-man or demigod.

Whatever he does in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is sufficient in the discharge of his obligation.

 

तेरे फूलों से भी प्यार, तेरे काँटों से भी प्यार, तू जो भी देना चाहे देदे मेरे करतार (WHATEVER YOU GIVE - FLOWERS OR THORNS - I WILLINGLY ACCEPT) #Blog0045

तेरे फूलों से भी प्यार, तेरे काँटों से भी प्यार, तू जो भी देना चाहे देदे मेरे करतार (Whatever you give - Flowers or Thorns - I willingly accept)

तेरी मर्ज़ी में विधाता कोई छुपा बड़ा राज़, दुनिया चाहे हमसे रूठे तू ना होना नाराज़, 

तुझे वंदन है बार बार, हमको करले तू स्वीकार

हमको दोनो है पसंद, तेरी धूप और छाँव, दाता किसी भी दिशा में ले चल ज़िंदगी की नाव, 

चाहे हमे लगादे पार या डुबो दे मझदार

चाहे सुख दे या दुख, चाहे खुशी दे या गम, मालिक जैसे भी रखेगा वैसे रह लेंगे हम, 

चाहे खुशी भरा संसार या दे आँसुओं की धार 

तू जो भी देना चाहे देदे मेरे करतार, तेरे फूलों से भी प्यार, तेरे काँटों से भी प्यार|

Gita shloka 3.16: ONE SHOULD NOT LIMIT HIS PROGRESS ONLY TO THE POINT OF MORAL CODES, BUT SHOULD TRANSCEND THEM, TO ATTAIN KṚṢṆA CONSCIOUSNESS, 22nd June

Gita shloka 3.16

One should not limit his progress only to the point of moral codes, but should transcend them, to attain Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

TRANSLATION

My dear Arjuna, a man who does not follow this prescribed Vedic system of sacrifice certainly leads a life of sin, for a person delighting only in the senses lives in vain.

PURPORT

The mammonist philosophy of work very hard and enjoy sense gratification is condemned herein by the Lord. (mammonist =enjoying riches, luxury)

Therefore, for those who want to enjoy this material world, the above-mentioned cycle of performing yajñas is absolutely necessary.

One who does not follow such regulations is living a very risky life, being condemned more and more.

By nature’s law, this human form of life is specifically meant for self-realization, in either of the three ways-namely karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, or bhakti-yoga.

There is no necessity of rigidly following the performances of the prescribed yajñas for the transcendentalists who are above vice and virtue; but those who are engaged in sense gratification require purification by the above-mentioned cycle of yajña performances.

There are different kinds of activities.

Those who are not Kṛṣṇa conscious are certainly engaged in sensory consciousness; therefore they need to execute pious work.

The yajña system is planned in such a way that sensory conscious persons may satisfy their desires without becoming entangled in the reaction of sense-gratificatory work.

The prosperity of the world depends not on our own efforts but on the background arrangement of the Supreme Lord, directly carried out by the demigods.

Therefore, the yajñas are directly aimed at the particular demigod mentioned in the Vedas.

Indirectly, it is the practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, because when one masters the performance of yajñas, one is sure to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.

But if by performing yajñas one does not become Kṛṣṇa conscious, such principles are counted as only moral codes.

One should not, therefore, limit his progress only to the point of moral codes, but should transcend them, to attain Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

 

O LORD, PLEASE COME & SIT IN FRONT OF MY EYES (मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे) #Blog0044

O LORD, PLEASE COME & SIT IN FRONT OF MY EYES (मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे)

आन बवो मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे , कन्हैया लाल, आन बवो

मोर मुकुट मत्थे तिलक बिराजे, गल वैजयंती माला साजे

मुरली होंठाँ ते सज्जे 

कन्हैया लाल, आन बवो मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे  

आ प्रीतम अखियाँ च लुकावां, जग तो लुकाके तैनूँ दिल च बसावां 

नज़र किसी दी ना लग्गे 

कन्हैया लाल, आन बवो मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे   

आ मोहना गल्ला दिल दियाँ करिए, प्यार वाला रंग एना अखियाँ च भरिए

पता किसे नूँ ना लग्गे 

कन्हैया लाल, आन बवो मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे  

(ये जो श्री कृष्ण का शृंगार है बड़ी महिमा है प्रभु के श्रृंगार का चिंतन करने से मन का विकार दूर होता है मन बार-बार विषय में जाए विकार में जाए तो नख से शिख तक प्रभु के रूप की परिक्रमा लगाइए, नख से शिख तक निहारीये जी भर के)

प्रेम स्फुरित होता है हृदय से, प्रेम ठहरता है अखियों में, प्रेम विश्राम पाता है प्रभु के चरणों में   

O Lord, please come & sit (आन बवो ) in front of my eyes (मेरे दो नैना दे अग्गे)

Your crown with peacock feather adorns You beautifully, a lovely flower garland also bedecks you

& to top it all is Your flute

Come O Lord, let me hide You in my eyes (आ प्रीतम अखियाँ च लुकावां)  & then in my heart (तैनूँ दिल च बसावां ) away from prying eyes of the world (जग तो लुकाके)

Come O Lord, let us talk heart to heart (आ मोहना गल्ला दिल दियाँ करिए), let our eyes ooze with tears of mutual love (प्यार वाला रंग एना अखियाँ च भरिए)

wish that none comes to know of this (पता किसे नूँ ना लग्गे)  

so that none’s black eye falls on You (नज़र किसी दी ना लग्गे)

The make up decoration of Lord is extremely significant – if you contemplate on this & enjoy the blissful nectar of His darshan – right from His head (शिख) to toe nail (नख), all your faults vanish & mind & heart are purified effortlessly

Love sprouts first in heart, it is reflected then in eyes & ultimately finds eternal rest at Lord’s feet

This bhajan available at: 

https://youtu.be/rv3DL07hIDA

        

SPIRITUALITY IS MEANT TO EMPOWER YOU FROM INSIDE and CLEAN THE “MIRROR” OF HEART #Blog0043

Spirituality is meant to empower you from inside clean the “mirror” of heart

बाबा फरीद कहते हैं  

“के घर पंडित बुलाए, ते राहु केतु वी वखाए

जे हथ ना चलाए, फेर तकदीर की करे

मत्था टेकना ना आवे, फेर फकीर की करे”

क्या करेगा कोई यदि आप धर्म को कामना पूर्ति का साधन मानते हैं, धर्म कैसे जीवन में सुख दे

धर्म आपकी कामना पूर्ति के लिए नहीं है

धर्म तो आपके जीवन का अभाव दूर करने के लिए है

धर्म तो आपको भीतर से सबल समृद्ध बनाने के लिए है

धर्म का आचरण है, अनुशासन है

How can anybody help a person who prays only for worldly gains.

How can spirituality help in fulfilling your transient worldly desires.

Spirituality is meant to empower you from inside core, to remove all its shortcomings, to clean up the selfish petty desires & clean the “mirror” of heart so that you can see yourself clearly & thereby find true love of Lord and fulfil the true purpose of human life. 

Bhagvatam: GOD CAN PROTECT US FROM ALL DANGERS, 21st June

Bhagvatam: God can protect us from all dangers.

TRANSLATION
May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnation as Dhanvantari relieve me from undesirable eatables and protect me from physical illness.

May Lord Rshabhadeva, who conquered His inner and outer senses, protect me from fear produced by the duality of heat and cold.

May Yajna protect me from defamation and harm from the populace, and may Lord Balaräma as Sesha protect me from envious serpents.

PURPORT
To live within this material world, one must face many dangers, as described herein.

For example, undesirable food poses a danger to health, and therefore one must give up such food.

The Dhanvantari incarnation can protect us in this regard.

Since Lord Vishnu is the Supersoul of all living entities, if He likes He can save us from adhibhautika disturbances, disturbances from other living entities.

Lord Balaräma is the Sesha incarnation, and therefore He can save us from angry serpents or envious persons, who are always ready to attack.