BHAGVAT SINCE OUR MONEY AND POSSESSIONS DO NOT LAST BUT WILL SOMEHOW OR OTHER BE TAKEN AWAY, AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN OUR POSSESSION IT IS BETTER TO USE THEM FOR CHARITY TO A NOBLE CAUSE,17th July

Bhagvat Since our money and possessions do not last but will somehow or other be taken away, as long as they are in our possession it is better to use them for charity to a noble cause.

TRANSLATION

There is nothing more sinful than untruthfulness. Because of this, mother earth once said, "I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar."

PURPORT

On the surface of the earth there are many great mountains and oceans that are very heavy, and mother earth has no difficulty carrying them.

But she feels very much overburdened when she carries even one person who is a liar.

It is said that in Kali-yuga lying is a common affair: mayaiva vyavaharike (Bhag. 12.2.3).

Even in the most common dealings, people are accustomed to speaking so many lies.

No one is free from the sinful reactions of speaking lies.

Under the circumstances, one can just imagine how this has overburdened the earth, and indeed the entire universe.

TRANSLATION

Dadhichi, Shibi and many other great personalities were willing to sacrifice even their lives for the benefit of the people in general. This is the evidence of history. So why not give up this insignificant land? What is the serious consideration against it?

PURPORT

Bali Maharaja was prepared to give everything to Lord Vishnu, and Shukracharya, being a professional priest, might have been anxiously waiting, doubting whether there had been any such instance in history in which one had given everything in charity. 

Bali Maharaja, however, cited the tangible examples of Maharaja Shibi and Maharaja Dadhichi, who had given up their lives for the benefit of the general public. Certainly one has attachment for everything material, especially one's land, but land and other possessions are forcibly taken away at the time of death, as stated in Bhagavad-gita (mrtyum sarva-harash caham). 

The Lord personally appeared to Bali Maharaja to take away everything he had, and thus he was so fortunate that he could see the Lord face to face. Nondevotees, however, cannot see the Lord face to face; to such persons the Lord appears as death and takes away all their possessions by force. 

Under the circumstances, why should we not part with our possessions and deliver them to Lord Vishnu for His satisfaction? Shri Chanakya Pandita says in this regard, san-nimitte varam tyago vinashe niyate sati (Canakya-shloka 36). Since our money and possessions do not last but will somehow or other be taken away, as long as they are in our possession it is better to use them for charity to a noble cause. Therefore Bali Maharaja defied the order of his so-called spiritual master.

OUR MIND IS RESTLESS BECAUSE IT IS IN NEED OF PURE LOVE WHICH IS POSSIBLE ONLY FROM LORD #Blog0063

OUR MIND IS RESTLESS BECAUSE IT IS IN NEED OF PURE LOVE WHICH IS POSSIBLE ONLY FROM LORD

जिसका पेट भरा हो वह भोजन की तरफ देखता भी नहीं 

यह जो यहां से वहां से पा लेना, छीन लेना, झपट लेना 

यह सब वृत्तियां (tendencies) है यह सब क्यों है, क्योंकि मन भूखा है, 

अभाव मन का सतत (constantly) प्रयास करवा रहा है      

लेकिन एक अंधा व्यक्ति जिसे पथ ना सूझता हो      

वह बेचारा क्या करे      

वह लाठी के सहारे यहां वहां पग धरता है

कभी ठोकर खाता है कभी गिर पड़ता है      

कभी कांटे पर भी पैर पड़ता है कभी फूल पर भी पैर पड़ता है      

और बिल्कुल जीव की ऐसी ही दशा है      

मन के नेत्र बंद हैं      

कभी जीवन में थोड़ी प्रसन्नता आती है      

मानो फूल पर पैर पड़ गया और      

कभी कष्ट आया मानो कांटे पर पैर पड़ गया 

और इसी सुख और दुख के झूले में झूलता जीवन समाप्त हो गया

Our mind is restless because it is in need of pure love. Pure love is when there is no demand from other side for anything. And this is possible only with Lord, our Creator.

In absence of pure love, our mind flickers all the time & being thus deprived, it tries to snatch this or that under the illusion (माया) feeling that this or that might make it happy & contented but it can never happen from anything in this world even if you "करलो दुनिया मुठ्ठी में" 

And in this pull & push of anxieties, tensions & useless labours, all life comes to an end & we are continuously trapped in worldly birth death cycle, old age, misery & disease.

Bhagvat :THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF HIGHLY ELEVATED DEVOTEES, CALLED SADHANA-SIDDHA AND KRPA-SIDDHA,16th July

Bhagvat :THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF HIGHLY ELEVATED DEVOTEES, CALLED SADHANA-SIDDHA AND KRPA-SIDDHA

TRANSLATION

Bali Maharaja said: As you have already stated, the principle of religion that does not hinder one's economic development, sense gratification, fame and means of livelihood is the real occupational duty of the householder. I also think that this religious principle is correct.

PURPORT

Bali Maharaja's grave answer to his guru Shukracharya is meaningful. Shukracharya stressed that one's material means of livelihood and one's material reputation, sense gratification and economic development must continue properly. To see to this is the first duty of a man who is a householder, especially one who is interested in material affairs. 

If a religious principle does not affect one's material condition, it is to be accepted. At the present time, in this age of Kali, this idea is extremely prominent. No one is prepared to accept any religious principle if it hampers material prosperity. Shukracharya, being a person of this material world, did not know the principles of a devotee. 

A DEVOTEE IS DETERMINED TO SERVE THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD TO HIS FULL SATISFACTION. ANYTHING THAT HAMPERS SUCH DETERMINATION SHOULD CERTAINLY BE REJECTED. THIS IS THE PRINCIPLE OF BHAKTI. Anukülyasya sankalpam pratikülyasya varjanam (Cc. Madhya 22.100). 

To perform devotional service, one must accept only that which is favorable and reject that which is unfavorable. Bali Maharaja had the opportunity to contribute everything he possessed to the lotus feet of Lord Vamanadeva, but Shukracharya was putting forward a material argument to hamper this process of devotional service. 

Under the circumstances, Bali Maharaja decided that such hindrances should certainly be avoided. In other words, he decided immediately to reject the advice of Shukracharya and go on with his duty. Thus he gave all his possessions to Lord Vamanadeva.

TRANSLATION

I am the grandson of Maharaja Prahlada. How can I withdraw my promise because of greed for money when I have already said that I shall give this land? How can I behave like an ordinary cheater, especially toward a brahmana?

PURPORT

Bali Maharaja had already been blessed by his grandfather Prahlada Maharaja. Therefore, he was a pure devotee, although born in a family of demons. 

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF HIGHLY ELEVATED DEVOTEES, CALLED SADHANA-SIDDHA AND KRPA-SIDDHA. SADHANA-SIDDHA REFERS TO ONE WHO HAS BECOME A DEVOTEE BY REGULAR EXECUTION OF THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES MENTIONED IN THE SHASTRAS, AS ORDERED AND DIRECTED BY THE SPIRITUAL MASTER. 

IF ONE REGULARLY EXECUTES SUCH DEVOTIONAL SERVICE, HE WILL CERTAINLY ATTAIN PERFECTION IN DUE COURSE OF TIME. BUT THERE ARE OTHER DEVOTEES, WHO MAY NOT HAVE UNDERGONE ALL THE REQUIRED DETAILS OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE BUT WHO, BY THE SPECIAL MERCY OF GURU AND KRSHNA—THE SPIRITUAL MASTER AND THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD—HAVE IMMEDIATELY ATTAINED THE PERFECTION OF PURE DEVOTIONAL SERVICE. 

Examples of such devotees are the yajna-patnis, Maharaja Bali and Shukadeva Gosvami. The yajna-patnis were the wives of ordinary brahmanas engaged in fruitive activities. 

Although the brahmanas were very learned and advanced in Vedic knowledge, they could not achieve the mercy of Krshna-Balarama, whereas their wives achieved complete perfection in devotional service, despite their being women. 

Similarly, Vairochani, Bali Maharaja, received the mercy of Prahlada Maharaja, and by Prahlada Maharaja's mercy he also received the mercy of Lord Vishnu, who appeared before him as a brahmachari beggar. Thus Bali Maharaja became a krpa-siddha because of the special mercy of both guru and Krshna. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu confirms this favor: guru-krshna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija (Cc. Madhya 19.151). 

Bali Maharaja, by the grace of Prahlada Maharaja, got the seed of devotional service, and when that seed developed, he achieved the ultimate fruit of that service, namely love of Godhead (prema pum-artho mahan), immediately upon the appearance of Lord Vamanadeva. 

Bali Maharaja regularly maintained devotion for the Lord, and because he was purified, the Lord appeared before him. Because of unalloyed love for the Lord, he then immediately decided, "I shall give this little dwarf brahmana whatever He asks from me." This is a sign of love. Thus Bali Maharaja is understood to be one who received the highest perfection of devotional service by special mercy.

MAYA's ILLUSIVE POWER #Blog0062

Maya's illusive power is expressed :

"फंद सरकावत फिरत दिन,  चित्त चंचल जू कहंत" 

Your own fickle mind (चित्त चंचल) "gallows" (फंद) you tighter & tighter each day (फिरत दिन).

खुदा जब हुस्न देता है तो नज़ाकत आ ही जाती है 

और जब नज़ाकत आ ही जाती है तो शरारत हो ही जाती है

As the creation is beautiful & therefore it entices & it is natural to slip down into web of maya (illusion)

"माया अर्थात, जो है सो दीसत नहीं,  और जो दीसत सो नाहीं   

जड़ चेतन ही ग्रंथि पड़ गई, यद्यपि मृषा - पर छूटत कठिन हई"  

माया अर्थात, जो बांध ले और आपको खबर भी न पड़े कि आप बंधे है  

जनम जनम से जीव बंधा है लेकिन बंधन का बोध ही नहीं है

मृषा = झूठ मूठ, व्यर्थ, दीसत नहीं = which cannot be seen

Illusive power of maya is such that eternal reality is not seen BUT whatever is seen is not actually the eternal reality.

The consciousness is, as if in a deep sleep, as if almost non-living (जड़ (non-living) चेतन (consciousness) ही ग्रंथि पड़ गई)

And we are all caught up in this maya since countless ages & not able to come out of it as we do not come to even realise that we are caught up, that we are in a state of disease, that we live in a worldly birth death cycle of old age & disease. 

Gita Shloka 8.15 The Lord as the Creator (the manufacturer) declares this material world as दुखालयम (a mountain of miseries) but some foolish "users" (human beings) among us affirm that this material world is सुखालयम (place of happiness), which is totally untrue. Actually, this world is सूखालयम (सूखा + आल्यम) & सूखा (dry) means it squeezes everything out of you.

The young feel that theirs is not the age for spirituality but later they realise how they have lost their invaluable human life in trivial & fleeting pursuits of this material world.

This is all done by maya's illusive power.

https://youtu.be/9nsSstcFTJM?t=1373

जब तक कोई अपने आप को रोगी नहीं मानेगा तो इलाज करने के बारे में कैसे सोचेगा

इसलिए पहले आप मानिए की आप रोगी है माया के रोग में बंधे हैं

इसका उपचार एक ही है भगवान श्रीकृष्ण की शरणागति

Only satsang, through which Krishna bhakti can be aroused, is the curative medicine which can awaken us up & cure us.

NONE HAS OBTAINED GOD MERELY LAUGHING BUT THROUGH CRYING, WITH TEARS OF LOVE #Blog0061

NONE HAS OBTAINED GOD MERELY LAUGHING BUT THROUGH CRYING, WITH TEARS OF LOVE

"हंस हंस कँत ना पाइया

जिन पाइयां, तिन रोये

कबीर कहते हैं हंसना छोड़ दे

कर रोने से प्रीत

बिन रोइए, क्यों पाइए परम प्यारा मीत"

बिना प्रीतम की याद में प्रेम अश्रु विसर्जित किए उर अंतर का मैल कैसे धुलेगा 

NONE HAS OBTAINED (ना पाइया) HIM (कँत =BELOVED) MERELY LAUGHING BUT THROUGH CRYING (WITH TEARS OF LOVE)

KABIR SAYS “STOP LAUGHING, LOVE CRYING (WITH TEARS OF LOVE - कर रोने से प्रीत), WHY WOULD YOU GET (जिन पाइयां) LORD (परम प्यारा मीत ) WITHOUT REACHING PINNACLE OF LOVE (WHICH IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH TEARS OF LOVE- तिन रोये)”

ONE CANNOT PURIFY (मैल कैसे धुलेगा ) ONE’S HEART (उर =HEART, अंतर=INSIDE ) ENOUGH UNLESS THROUGH CRYING (WITH TEARS OF LOVE- अश्रु विसर्जित किए) FOR HIM (बिना प्रीतम की याद में)

“रख सीस सदा तुद चरणन पे

निज असुवन से पग धोता रहूं

बृज राज तुम्हारे प्रेम में मैं

बस यूं ही निरंतर रोता रहूं”

WITH MY HEAD AT YOUR LOTUS FEET, 

LET ME WASH THEM CONTINUOUSLY WITH MY TEARS (OF LOVE)

IN YOUR LOVE, O LORD

LET ME CRY INCESSANTLY

टपकते हैं दृग बिंदु तुमसे यह कह कर

तुम्हें अपनी उल्फत में तर देखना है

कन्हैया तुम्हे एक नजर देखना है

दृग = eyes, बिंदु = tears, उल्फत=love

MY EYES ROLL DOWN TEARS (OF LOVE)

SO THAT I SEE YOU IMBUED IN MY LOVE

सुना तुम हो दीनों की आहों के आशिक

हमें अपनी आहों का असर देखना है 

कन्हैया तुझे एक नज़र देखना है 

जिधर तुम छुपे हो उधर देखना है

कन्हैया तुझे एक नज़र देखना है 

Nitya-siddha Krishna-prema. THE PURE SOULS ARE ETERNALLY IN LOVE WITH KRSHNA, AND THIS PERMANENT LOVE, EITHER AS A SERVANT, A FRIEND, A PARENT OR A CONJUGAL LOVER, IS NOT AT ALL DIFFICULT TO REVIVE. 

ESPECIALLY IN THIS AGE, THE CONCESSION IS THAT SIMPLY BY CHANTING THE HARE KRISHNA MANTRA (harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam) ONE REVIVES HIS ORIGINAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THUS BECOMES SO HAPPY THAT HE DOES NOT WANT ANYTHING MATERIAL.