GITA-SHLOKA-3.35- IT IS FAR BETTER TO DISCHARGE ONE'S PRESCRIBED DUTIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE FAULTY, THAN ANOTHER'S DUTIES, 9th July

GITA-SHLOKA-3.35- IT IS FAR BETTER TO DISCHARGE ONE'S PRESCRIBED DUTIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE FAULTY, THAN ANOTHER'S DUTIES, 9th July 

TRANSLATION

It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though they may be faulty, than another's duties. Destruction in the course of performing one's own duty is better than engaging in another's duties, for to follow another's path is dangerous.

PURPORT

One should therefore discharge his prescribed duties in full Krsna consciousness rather than those prescribed for others.

Prescribed duties complement one's psychophysical condition, under the spell of the modes of material nature.

Spiritual duties are as ordered by the spiritual master, for the transcendental service of Krsna.

But both materially or spiritually, one should stick to his prescribed duties even up to death, rather than imitate another's prescribed duties.

Duties on the spiritual platform and duties on the material platform may be different, but the principle of following the authorized direction is always good for the performer.

When one is under the spell of the modes of material nature, one should follow the prescribed rules for particular situations and should not imitate others.

For example, a brahmana, who is in the mode of goodness, is nonviolent, whereas a ksatriya, who is in the mode of passion, is allowed to be violent.

As such, for a ksatriya it is better to be vanquished following the rules of violence than to imitate a brahmana who follows the principles of nonviolence.

Everyone has to cleanse his heart by a gradual process, not abruptly.

However, when one transcends the modes of material nature and is fully situated in Krsna consciousness, he can perform anything and everything under the direction of the bona fide spiritual master.

In that complete stage of Krsna consciousness, the ksatriya may act as a brahmana, or a brahmana may act as a ksatriya.

In the transcendental stage, the distinctions of the material world do not apply.

For example, Visvamitra was originally a ksatriya, but later on he acted as a brahmana, whereas Parasurama was a brahmana, but later on he acted as a ksatriya.

Being transcendentally situated, they could do so; but as long as one is on the material platform, he must perform his duties according to the modes of material nature.

At the same time, he must have a full sense of Krsna consciousness.

Bhagvatam: A DEVOTEE CAN GIVE THE BEST SERVICE TO HIS FAMILY, HIS COMMUNITY, HIS SOCIETY AND HIS NATION, 8th July

Bhagvatam: A DEVOTEE CAN GIVE THE BEST SERVICE TO HIS FAMILY, HIS COMMUNITY, HIS SOCIETY AND HIS NATION

TRANSLATION

If a brahmana has all twelve of the brahminical qualifications [as they are stated in the book called Sanat-sujata] but is not a devotee and is averse to the lotus feet of the Lord, he is certainly lower than a devotee who is a dog-eater but who has dedicated everything—mind, words, activities, wealth and life—to the Supreme Lord. Such a devotee is better than such a brahmana because the devotee can purify his whole family, whereas the so-called brahmana in a position of false prestige cannot purify even himself.

PURPORT

Here is a statement by Prahlada Maharaja, one of the twelve authorities, regarding the distinction between a devotee and a brahmana expert in karma-kanda, or Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. There are four varnas and four asramas, which divide human society, but the central principle is to become a first-class pure devotee. It is said in the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya:

"IF ONE IS BORN IN A HIGH FAMILY LIKE THAT OF A BRAHMANA, KSHATRIYA OR VAISYA BUT IS NOT A DEVOTEE OF THE LORD, ALL HIS GOOD QUALIFICATIONS AS A BRAHMANA, KSHATRIYA OR VAISYA ARE NULL AND VOID. INDEED, THEY ARE CONSIDERED DECORATIONS OF A DEAD BODY."

In this verse Prahlada Maharaja speaks of the vipras, the learned brahmanas. The learned brahmana is considered best among the divisions of brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya and südra, BUT A DEVOTEE BORN IN A LOW CHANDALA FAMILY IS BETTER THAN SUCH BRAHMANAS, NOT TO SPEAK OF THE KSHATRIYAS, VAISYAS AND OTHERS. A DEVOTEE IS BETTER THAN ANYONE, FOR HE IS IN THE TRANSCENDENTAL POSITION ON THE BRAHMAN PLATFORM.

"ONE WHO ENGAGES IN FULL DEVOTIONAL SERVICE, WHO DOES NOT FALL DOWN IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, AT ONCE TRANSCENDS THE MODES OF MATERIAL NATURE AND THUS COMES TO THE LEVEL OF BRAHMAN." (Bg. 14.26) The twelve qualities of a first-class brahmana, as stated in the book called Sanat-sujata, are as follows:

The European and American devotees in the Krshna consciousness movement are sometimes accepted as brahmanas, but the so-called caste brahmanas are very much envious of them.

In answer to such envy, Prahlada Maharaja says that one who has been born in a brahmana family but is falsely proud of his prestigious position cannot even purify himself, not to speak of his family, whereas if a chandala, a lowborn person, is a devotee and has fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord, he can purify his entire family. We have had actual experience of how Americans and Europeans, because of their full Krshna consciousness, have purified their whole families, so much so that a mother of a devotee, at the time of her death, inquired about Krshna with her last breath. 

THEREFORE IT IS THEORETICALLY TRUE AND HAS BEEN PRACTICALLY PROVEN THAT A DEVOTEE CAN GIVE THE BEST SERVICE TO HIS FAMILY, HIS COMMUNITY, HIS SOCIETY AND HIS NATION. 

THE FOOLISH ACCUSE A DEVOTEE OF FOLLOWING THE PRINCIPLE OF ESCAPISM, BUT ACTUALLY THE FACT IS THAT A DEVOTEE IS THE RIGHT PERSON TO ELEVATE HIS FAMILY. A DEVOTEE ENGAGES EVERYTHING IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD, AND THEREFORE HE IS ALWAYS EXALTED.

WHOEVER IS BEAUTIFUL AND KNOWS THAT HE IS BEAUTIFUL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MIRROR, AN UGLY PERSON WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE MIRROR ,i.e., INTROSPECT #Blog0055

WHOEVER IS BEAUTIFUL AND KNOWS THAT HE IS BEAUTIFUL WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MIRROR, NOT OTHERWISE

जो सुंदर व्यक्ति है और जिसे खबर है कि मैं सुंदर हूं

उस व्यक्ति को दर्पण देखना अच्छा लगेगा

जो व्यक्ति भीतर से स्वस्थ है, प्रसन्न है

उस व्यक्ति को विचार करना अच्छा लगेगा, उस व्यक्ति को आत्म चिंतन सुख देगा 

whoever is beautiful and knows that he is beautiful, who is healthy & happy inside, would like to see the mirror

लेकिन जो भीतर से अभी स्वस्थ नहीं हुआ, जिसका मन रोगी है, जिसमें राग है द्वेष है, ईर्ष्या है, मद मात्सर्य भरा है अहंकार है, वह जब आत्म चिंतन करेगा...

आप सब से झूठ बुलवा सकते हैं आप दर्पण से झूठ नहीं बुलवा सकते, दर्पण कभी झूठ नहीं बोलता

आपका मन आपके सामने सत्य रखेगा, आत्म चिंतन में पढ़ेंगे तो आपका अनुभव सुखद नहीं होगा

लेकिन हमें उस दुखद अनुभव से जूझना होगा

But one who is weak inside, who has attachments and hate inside him, has jealousy, pride & envy ;  when he tries to introspect, he would not have a pleasant experience initially because the mirror does not lie but continuous sincere effort will purify his heart inside & make him eligible for God’s devotion.

Bhagvatam: LUST, ANGER AND GREED ARE THE CAUSES OF THE CONDITIONED SOUL'S BONDAGE IN THIS MATERIAL WORLD,7th July

Bhagvatam: LUST, ANGER AND GREED ARE THE CAUSES OF THE CONDITIONED SOUL'S BONDAGE IN THIS MATERIAL WORLD

TRANSLATION

MY DEAR KING, A SELF-SATISFIED PERSON CAN BE HAPPY EVEN WITH ONLY DRINKING WATER. HOWEVER, ONE WHO IS DRIVEN BY THE SENSES, ESPECIALLY BY THE TONGUE AND GENITALS, MUST ACCEPT THE POSITION OF A HOUSEHOLD DOG TO SATISFY HIS SENSES.

PURPORT

According to the sastras, a brahmana, or a cultured person in Krshna consciousness, will not enter anyone's service to maintain body and soul together, and especially not for satisfaction of the senses. A true brahmana is always satisfied. Even if he has nothing to eat, he can drink a little water and be satisfied. This is only a matter of practice. 

Unfortunately, however, no one is educated in how to be satisfied in self-realization. As explained above, a devotee is always satisfied because he feels the presence of the Supersoul within his heart and thinks of Him twenty-four hours a day. That is real satisfaction. A devotee is never driven by the dictations of the tongue and genitals, and thus he is never victimized by the laws of material nature.

TRANSLATION

Because of greed for the sake of the senses, the spiritual strength, education, austerity and reputation of a devotee or brahmana who is not self-satisfied dwindle, and his knowledge gradually vanishes.

TRANSLATION

The strong bodily desires and needs of a person disturbed by hunger and thirst are certainly satisfied when he eats. Similarly, if one becomes very angry, that anger is satisfied by chastisement and its reaction. But as for greed, even if a greedy person has conquered all the directions of the world or has enjoyed everything in the world, still he will not be satisfied.

PURPORT

In Bhagavad-gita (3.37) it is stated that lust, anger and greed are the causes of the conditioned soul's bondage in this material world. Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavam. 

When strong lusty desires for sense gratification are unfulfilled, one becomes angry. This anger can be satisfied when one chastises his enemy, but when there is an increase in lobha, or greed, which is the greatest enemy caused by rajo-guna, the mode of passion, how can one advance in Krshna consciousness?

If one is very greedy to enhance his Krshna consciousness, this is a great boon. Tatra laulyam ekalam mülam. This is the best path available.

DESIRES ARE OF THREE KINDS, धनैषणा, पुत्रैषणा और लोकैषणा #Blog0054

Desires are of three kinds : For 1. Money 2. Son/Daughter  3. Prestige

इच्छाएं तीन प्रकार की होती हैं, धनैषणा, पुत्रैषणा और लोकैषणा। 

सबसे पहले मनुष्य अधिकाधिक धन पाने की चाह में पागल होता है। 

धन तुम्हारे जीवन के निर्वाह का साधन है। 

धनार्जन करो, मगर धन के पीछे पागल मत हो। 

एक बात का ध्यान रखो रुपए जीवन निर्वाह का साधन है, साध्य नहीं। 

जीवन के गुजारे के लिए रुपए कमाना तो समझ में आता है, लेकिन रुपए कमाने के पीछे सारा जीवन गुजार देना समझ से परे है। 

उन्होंने कहा कि भगवान महावीर ने गृहस्थों को जो उपदेश दिया उसमें एक बात कही है। 

वह है इच्छा का परिमाण करो, एक सीमा में धन रखो। 

धन का जीवन में वही स्थान है जो कि नाव के लिए पानी का। 

जीवन निर्वाह के लिए धन उतना ही आवश्यक है जितना कि नाव को चलाने के लिए पानी। पानी के अभाव में नाव नहीं चल सकती, नाव तभी चलती है जब नीचे पानी का प्रवाह हो। 

यदि पानी नाव में चला गया तो उसे डूबने से कोई नहीं बचा सकता। 

इसी प्रकार धन का साधन के रूप में जीवन भर उपयोग करो, साध्य नहीं बनने देना। 

यदि धन को साध्य बना डाला तो जीवन की नौका में पानी भर जाएगा और वह डूब जाएगी। 

कोई कितना भी धन जोड़ ले पर खाएगा दो रोटी ही, सोना-चांदी जोड़ लें, लेकिन सोने की रोटी थोड़ी ही खाएगा, रोटी तो अनाज की ही खाई जाती है। 

वह मनुष्य उतना ही अधिक दु:खी है, जिसके मन में जितनी अधिक तृष्णा है।

Man’s happiness is inversely proportional to his desires.

Money is only a means to an end. Money is not an end in itself. 

Money is like water for a boat - money is required but only so much that life’s boat can move (as without water, boat cannot move) but if water is allowed to come into the boat, the boat sinks.

BUT ALL THESE DESIRES ARE WORTHLESS AGAINST DIVINE DESIRE TO MEET LORD & ONLY THEN CAN ONE COME OUT OF THIS WORLDLY CYCLE OF BIRTH DEATH, OLD AGE & DISEASE & THIS IS WISDOM.