The Power of Good Company – A Life-Changing Diwali Lesson from Lord Hanuman | Swami Mukundananda

The Power of Good Company – A Life-Changing Diwali Lesson from Lord Hanuman | Swami Mukundananda

https://youtu.be/xopGe_Rh_ks

[ ] within bracket is the time stamp of video

Swami Mukundananda, discusses the profound influence of the company we keep (Satsang) using the example of Hanuman and Vibhishan. [00:00] The company we keep has a tremendous impact upon us. If you stay in the association of those who lust after wealth, you will also make money the primary goal of your life. [00:12] If your friends are virtuous and people of integrity, in their association, you will develop a noble and virtuous character. [00:24] If your friends consider health as the chief priority, you too will develop habits of well-being and grow in health. [00:38] When Hanuman took on a giant form and leapt over the ocean to reach Lanka, it was late evening when he came. [00:51] Touring around, Hanuman came to the house of Vibhishan. He saw on the door an emblem of Bhagwan Ram's bow, the Sharang, and some Tulsi plants were growing in the courtyard. [01:13] Hanuman thought, "In this city, who is this saintly person? I must find out." [01:35] Your heart can be compared to a crystal. The crystal takes on the hue and the shade of the environment it is placed in. Likewise, you too get affected by your association. [01:45] Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, "You are the average of your five closest friends." So we must be careful in choosing our company. [02:12] Let's learn from the example of Vibhishan. When Hanuman took on a giant form and leapt over the ocean to reach Lanka, it was late evening when he came. [02:22] He decided to wait until it was dark before proceeding further. He now became a little monkey. [02:32] And after the blanket of night had descended, he went towards the gate. A demoness called Lankini was standing guard. [02:45] She noticed him and screamed, "A thief! Where are you going?" Hanuman thought in his mind, "The biggest thief is inside, Ravan, who has kidnapped the mother of the universe, Sita, and she's blaming me for being a thief." [03:07] He boxed her, and it was a knockout in one blow. However, Lankini folded her hands and started offering her respect. [03:19] She said, "I had become fed up of guarding the city of demons. At that time, Brahma said to me that when a monkey comes and knocks you with a blow, know that the days of Lanka are numbered." [03:41] "I offer my respects to Ramadas Hanuman. Please proceed." Hanuman entered the city. [03:54] It was late in the night. The demons, after an evening of vice and entertainment, were now sleeping. [04:06] Hanuman did an inspection. He even visited the palace of Ravan, where he found Ravan sleeping with his wife, Mandodari. [04:19] Touring around, Hanuman came to the house of Vibhishan. He saw on the door an emblem of Bhagwan Ram's bow, the Sharang, and some Tulsi plants were growing in the courtyard. [04:29] Hanuman thought, "In this city, who is this saintly person? I must find out." [04:42] It was now about 3:00 a.m. in the morning, and at that very moment, Vibhishan got up. Right away, the name of Ram came out from his lips. [04:51] He uttered Ram Ram, and he came out of the door. He saw Hanuman and said, "Who are you?" [05:00] Hanuman then explained the background why he had come. Vibhishan was thrilled upon meeting a devotee of Ram. [05:11] He explained how he had been worshiping Ram, but his regret was that Ram's grace had not descended upon him. He asked Hanuman the reason for it. [05:23] Hanuman said, "You are taking Ram nam, but you are not doing Ram Kaj, the work of Ram." [05:34] Vibhishan made a vow, then forth he would definitely stand up in support of Ram and Sita. [05:46] Vibhishan then said to Hanuman that now I am certain Ram's kripa is upon me. [06:10] "It's only by the Lord's grace that one meets a saint like you." [06:21] Hanuman asked Vibhishan how he managed to stay in a city of demons. Vibhishan responded his position was like the tongue between 32 teeth. He felt completely suffocated. [06:33] Hanuman said, "But the tongue is more powerful than the teeth." There was once an argument between the teeth and the tongue. [06:45] The teeth warned the tongue, "You stay in the midst of all of us and have the impudence of coming and shaking any of us whenever you want. Be careful, or together we will chop you and throw you out." [07:03] The tongue said, "Mr. teeth, you need to be careful. If I use my power and insult that big and strong bully of the locality, all 32 of you will get out." [07:28] So Hanuman said to Vibhishan, "that we are brothers and I need your help." [07:39] "Brothers?" said Vibhishan. "But you are saintly and I am born in a demoniac family." [07:46] Hanuman explained that their father was Ram and mother was Sita. [07:53] "The problem was," Hanuman said, "I have seen my father, but not yet met my mother. You have seen the mother, Sita, but have not yet met your father, Ram. Help me meet Sita, and I'll ensure you get to meet Ram." [08:17] Vibhishan was thrilled. He told Hanuman, "She is being put in Ashok vatika by my brother Ravan. It is in that direction." [08:29] Before Hanuman proceeded, Vibhishan praised the opportunity for getting that saintly association because the company we keep has a tremendous impact upon us. [09:00] Hanuman proceeded from there, but the lesson for us is that this moment's association made such a big impact upon Vibhishan. So, our company influences us. [09:16] If you stay in the association of those who lust after wealth, you will also make money the primary goal of your life. [09:28] If your friends are virtuous and people of integrity, in their association, you will develop a noble and virtuous character. [09:42] If your friends consider health as the chief priority, you too will develop habits of well-being and grow in health. [09:56] One pet shop owner raised two parrots and sold one of them to a priest and its brother parrot to a butcher. [10:09] After a year, the pet shop owner thought, "Let me see how the two parrots are doing." He went to the priest's house. [10:21] The priest was outside when he arrived. But as he entered the home, he heard someone saying, "Welcome." [10:46] The parrot said, "The owner is not at home, but please be comfortable." And as the pet shop owner sat on a chair, the parrot began reciting Vedic mantras in sweet tones and then even sang a kirtan. [11:07] The pet shop owner was extremely impressed. From there, he proceeded to the butcher's house. [11:19] The moment he entered, he heard screams, "Kill him! Don't leave him! Squeeze his throat!" The pet shop owner was astounded. [11:32] He discovered the butcher was out. The parrot was screaming and then realized the impact of one year's association on the two parrots. [11:45] So, if we wish our intellect to be filled with belief in God, and if we want our aspirations, ideals, and values to become noble and pious, we must then engage in Satsang. [12:13] Over the last four decades as a spiritual teacher, I have personally witnessed the power of Satsang... in the space of one year, the entire direction of their life changes. [13:25] In this way, if we begin the activity of Satsang, Vyas promises: from Satsang, you will automatically develop first Shraddha (faith), then Rati (interest in devotion), and finally Bhakti (devotion) will start growing in your heart. ________________________________________ English Elaboration (The Power of Good Company) The central theme of the video is the immense and transformative power of association or Satsang (good company/association with truth). The speaker, Swami Mukundananda, emphasizes that our closest relationships determine our character, goals, and even health [00:12]. The Story of Hanuman and Vibhishan The speaker uses the Ramayana episode of Hanuman's first meeting with Vibhishan in Lanka to illustrate this point: • Recognition of Virtue: After leaping to Lanka, Hanuman saw a saintly sign at one house—the emblem of Lord Ram’s bow and Tulsi plants [00:51]. This house belonged to Vibhishan (Ravana's brother), a righteous soul living in the city of demons. • The Power of Prayer: Hanuman met Vibhishan at 3:00 a.m. Vibhishan was awake, uttering the name of Ram [04:42]. Vibhishan expressed his regret that despite his worship, he hadn't received Ram's grace. • The Missing Element: Hanuman explained that Vibhishan was taking Ram Nam (name) but not doing Ram Kaj (Ram’s work) [05:23]. Vibhishan immediately vowed to stand in support of Ram and Sita, confirming that meeting a saint like Hanuman was a sign of the Lord’s grace [06:10]. • Brotherhood and Mission: Vibhishan felt suffocated, describing his life as the "tongue between 32 teeth" (demons) [06:21].

Hanuman countered with a story of the tongue and the teeth, arguing the tongue's greater power (it can get all the teeth removed). Hanuman declared their brotherhood, stating their shared mother was Sita and father was Ram [07:46]. He asked Vibhishan to help him meet Sita, promising in return that Vibhishan would meet Ram. • The Lesson: Vibhishan's instantaneous transformation and support for Ram, catalyzed by a brief association with the saintly Hanuman, demonstrates the life-changing impact of good company [09:00]. The Parrot Analogy The speaker drives the point home with the story of two parrots [09:56]: 1. One parrot was sold to a priest and learned to say, "Welcome," recite Vedic mantras, and sing kirtans [10:46]. 2. The other parrot was sold to a butcher and only screamed commands like, "Kill him! Don't leave him! Squeeze his throat!" [11:19]. This stark contrast, caused by just one year of association, proves that our environment is the primary shaper of our conduct. Conclusion: The Importance of Satsang To cultivate noble ideals and belief in God, one must actively engage in Satsang [11:45]. This spiritual association is the path by which a person naturally develops Shraddha (faith), Rati (interest in devotion), and finally Bhakti (pure devotion) [13:25].

श्री धीरेन्द्र कृष्ण शास्त्री जी(बागेश्वर धाम) और पूज्य महाराज Premanand ji जी के बीच क्या वार्तालाप हुई ?

श्री धीरेन्द्र कृष्ण शास्त्री जी(बागेश्वर धाम) और पूज्य महाराज Premanand ji जी के बीच क्या वार्तालाप हुई ?

[ ] within bracket is the time stamp of video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiLT1IYGGCU 1. महाराज जी, श्री धीरेन्द्र कृष्ण शास्त्री जी को भगवान का पार्षद बताते हैं, जिसका कार्य मायाजाल में फंसे जीवों को मुक्त करना है [00:52 - 01:06]। 2. वे कहते हैं कि भगवत नाम और गुणों की गर्जना करने से माया तुरंत भाग जाती है, क्योंकि इसमें अपार सामर्थ्य है [01:15 - 01:23]। 3. माया से पार होने के लिए ज्ञान-विज्ञान नहीं, बल्कि भगवान के नाम, गुण, लीला और धाम का आश्रय आवश्यक है [01:31 - 01:54]। 4. माया भगवान की दासी है, जो भक्तों को मार्ग दे देती है, लेकिन अहंकार (अहम्) होते ही प्रश्नवाचक चिन्ह लगा देती है [02:01 - 02:08]। 5. वे भगवान का यश सुनाकर जीवों को मुक्त करते हैं, क्योंकि भगवत यश श्रवण मात्र से ही भगवत प्राप्ति हो जाती है [02:15 - 02:25]। 6. इसका प्रमाण धुंधकारी और ब्राह्मण पत्नियों का उदाहरण है, जिन्हें केवल कथा के अनुराग से ही लाभ मिला [02:36 - 02:47]। 7. जिनको कान से कथा सुनने और जिह्वा से नाम जपने का अवसर मिल गया, वे तुरंत माया पर विजय प्राप्त कर लेते हैं [02:56 - 03:02]। 8. महाराज जी चेतावनी देते हैं कि साधना का अहंकार ('मैं त्यागी हूँ', 'मैं मौनी हूँ') भगवत प्राप्ति में बाधक होता है [03:02 - 03:11]। 9. जो 'मैं' का शमन करके भगवान का दासत्व करता है और स्वयं को नीच समझता है, भगवान उसे महान बनाते हैं [03:18 - 03:26]। 10. वे आशीर्वाद देते हैं कि स्वस्थ शरीर और स्वस्थ बुद्धि के साथ डंके की चोट से नाम-गुणगान करो। 11. जिसका बल रखवार रमापति (भगवान) हैं, उसकी सीमा को कोई छू नहीं सकता और उसे कोई परास्त नहीं कर सकता [03:51 - 04:01]। 12. भक्तों का अपना मंगल तो उनके भगवान के संबंध से हो चुका है, अब केवल जो भगवान के संबंध को भूले हैं, उन्हें जागृत करना है [04:08 - 04:14]। 13. सनातन धर्म स्वयंभू है—यह ब्रह्म, वायु और सूर्य की तरह है, किसी व्यक्ति द्वारा स्थापित नहीं किया गया [05:40 - 05:48]। 14. सनातन धर्म में जोड़ने की यह भावना स्वयं भगवान द्वारा प्रकट की हुई होती है, ताकि भूले हुए प्राणी परम प्रीति में स्थित हों [06:03 - 06:10]। 15. धीरेंद्र शास्त्री जी महाराज जी की बीमारी को महापुरुषों की लीला बताते हैं, जिसका उद्देश्य केवल भगवान की सेवा और भक्तों के दर्शन है [06:49 - 07:05]। 16. कार्य में सावधानी रखने के प्रश्न पर महाराज जी समझाते हैं कि भक्त तो बेपरवाही से चलने वाला बच्चा है, उसकी सुरक्षा (सावधानी) स्वयं माता-पिता (भगवान) करते हैं [08:26 - 08:35]। 17. भक्त का बल उसकी साधना या ज्ञान नहीं, बल्कि केवल प्रिया-प्रीतम का बल है, अतः उन्मत्त होकर उनके चिंतन में चलना चाहिए [09:24 - 09:31]। 18. भक्त के सामने आने वाली प्रतिकूलताएँ उसे परिपक्व करने के लिए आती हैं, जिन्हें वह कृपा प्रसाद मानकर अनुकूलता में बदल देता है [09:59 - 10:14]। 19. महाराज जी अपनी किडनी फेल होने की घटना का उदाहरण देते हैं, जिससे उन्हें साधना का अहंकार नष्ट होने पर वास्तविक शरणागति का बोध हुआ [10:42 - 11:02]। 20. भगवान के भक्त को हिम्मत रखनी पड़ती है—संकट की तलवार भी आकर गले का हार बन जाती है, बस भरोसा दृढ़ होना चाहिए [13:37 - 13:57]।

Premanand ji & Amogh Lila Prabhu के बीच क्या वार्तालाप हुई

Premanand ji & Amogh Lila Prabhu के बीच क्या वार्तालाप हुई 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT3X-mVIoNo 0:01 – 0:25 “जी महाराज जी की जय… आपके दर्शन हुए महाराज कार्तिक मास में बहुत बड़ा सौभाग्य है।” भावार्थ: भक्तजन बड़े विनम्र भाव से महाराज जी को प्रणाम करते हैं और बताते हैं कि कार्तिक मास (जो भगवान की विशेष कृपा का समय है) में उनके दर्शन होना बहुत बड़ा सौभाग्य है। यह भाव दर्शाता है कि संतों और महापुरुषों के दर्शन भी ईश्वर की कृपा से ही संभव हैं। ________________________________________ 0:25 – 1:09 “आप कृपा करके दर्शन देने आए हैं प्रभु… हम अधम हैं, कहीं जा नहीं सकते… भगवान अपने निज जनों को तभी भेजते हैं जब कृपा होती है।” भावार्थ: भक्त कहते हैं कि जब साधक अपने बल से कुछ नहीं कर सकता, तब भगवान अपने भक्तों को भेजते हैं ताकि जीव पर अनुग्रह हो सके। यह दर्शाता है कि संत भगवान की जीवित कृपा स्वरूप होते हैं। वे स्वयं भगवान की करुणा का रूप लेकर संसार में आते हैं। ________________________________________ 1:09 – 1:25 “महाराज, आपने बहुत लोगों को प्रेरणा दी है… लाखों-करोड़ों लोग आपके वचनों से लाभान्वित हो रहे हैं।” भावार्थ: यह भाग संत महात्माओं के समाज कल्याण कार्य की सराहना है। महाराज जी का जीवन प्रेरणा का स्रोत है — उनका उद्देश्य केवल आत्मकल्याण नहीं, बल्कि लोककल्याण (universal welfare) है। ________________________________________ 1:37 – 2:07 “वैष्णव से अपराध कैसे बन सकता है? जो निरंतर भगवान में लगा है, वही राधा है, वही कृष्ण है।” भावार्थ: महाराज जी समझाते हैं कि सच्चा वैष्णव भगवान से अभिन्न होता है। जो निरंतर भक्ति में लीन है, वही राधा-कृष्ण की कृपा का अंश है। ऐसे संत से अपराध की भावना हो ही नहीं सकती। भक्ति में अपराध-भाव नहीं, केवल विनम्रता का भाव होता है। ________________________________________ 2:07 – 2:43 “कृष्ण अपने आनंद के लिए राधा रूप में प्रकट हुए… प्रियाजू (राधा) ही श्रीकृष्ण हैं, और प्रियाजू की कृपा से ही श्रीकृष्ण प्रेम प्राप्त किया जा सकता है।” भावार्थ: यह अत्यंत गूढ़ तत्वज्ञान है — राधा और कृष्ण दो नहीं हैं। राधा वह स्वरूप हैं जो भगवान के प्रेम, आनंद और माधुर्य का विस्तार है। जो राधा से कृपा पाता है, वही कृष्ण प्रेम का रसास्वादन कर सकता है। 👉 यहाँ प्रेमानंद जी ‘रस-तत्व’ समझाते हैं — कि भगवान स्वयं प्रेम स्वरूप हैं और राधा उनका ‘आल्हादिनी शक्ति’ हैं। ________________________________________ 2:45 – 3:08 “जैसे पूर्णिमा के चंद्र का दर्शन केवल पूर्णिमा को ही हो सकता है… वैसे ही श्रीकृष्ण प्रेम बिना राधा-कृपा के प्राप्त नहीं होता।” भावार्थ: यह सुंदर उपमा है — जैसे चंद्रमा का पूरा रूप केवल पूर्णिमा पर दिखता है, वैसे ही भगवान श्रीकृष्ण का पूर्ण रस केवल राधा की कृपा से ही प्रकट होता है। राधा कृपा ही कृष्ण प्रेम की कुंजी है। ________________________________________ 3:10 – 3:47 “राधा के चरण-रज का प्रभाव ही गोपियों को कृष्ण-प्रेमी बना देता है।” भावार्थ: महाराज बताते हैं कि जब राधा के चरणों की धूल गोपियों को मिली, तब वे ‘अनंत माधुर्य निधि’ श्रीकृष्ण को भी रिझा सकीं। इसका अर्थ है — राधा कृपा के बिना कोई भी भगवान को नहीं पा सकता। ________________________________________ 3:55 – 4:14 “जब हम ‘राधा’ बोलते हैं तो कृष्ण मुस्कुराते हैं… और जब राधा देखती हैं कि कृष्ण प्रसन्न हैं, तो वे हम पर कृपा कर देती हैं।” भावार्थ: यह परम मधुर भक्ति-सूत्र है — राधा नाम स्वयं भगवान को प्रसन्न करता है। जो प्रेम से राधा का नाम जपता है, उस पर स्वयं श्रीकृष्ण आकर्षित होते हैं, और फिर राधा भी उस भक्त पर प्रसन्न होकर कृपा करती हैं। ________________________________________ 4:22 – 4:50 “जो राधा और कृष्ण में भेद करते हैं, वे अभी समझे नहीं। दो आँखें हैं, दृष्टि एक है; तन दो हैं, मन एक है।” भावार्थ: महाराज जी यहाँ अद्वैत प्रेम का सिद्धांत  समझाते हैं — राधा और कृष्ण अलग नहीं हैं। वे एक ही प्रेम का दो रूप हैं। जैसे दो आँखें हैं लेकिन दृष्टि एक होती है, वैसे ही राधा और कृष्ण एक ही चेतना के दो स्वरूप हैं। ________________________________________ 5:00 – 5:48 “प्रेम में भेद समाप्त हो जाता है… जहाँ प्यारे हैं, वहाँ प्यारी हैं; जहाँ प्यारी हैं, वहाँ प्यारे हैं — वे अलग नहीं रह सकते।” भावार्थ: सच्चे प्रेम में द्वैत नहीं होता। राधा-कृष्ण का प्रेम ‘अद्वैत आनंद’ है — जहाँ आत्म और परमात्मा एक हो जाते हैं। यहाँ महाराज जी ‘प्रेम रस’ के चरम सिद्धांत को उजागर करते हैं कि राधा-कृष्ण दो नहीं — एक ही प्रेम स्वरूप हैं। ________________________________________ 6:07 – 7:21 (भक्त परिवार से संवाद) महाराज जी माता-बहनों को आशीर्वाद देते हैं… और कहते हैं – “आप हमारी आत्मा हैं।” भावार्थ: यह महाराज जी की अहंभाव रहित करुणा  को दर्शाता है। वे प्रत्येक भक्त को अपने आत्मस्वरूप का अंश मानते हैं। भक्त के प्रति उनकी दृष्टि समानता और प्रेम  की होती है — जहाँ कोई ऊँच-नीच नहीं, केवल आत्मीयता है। ________________________________________ अंतिम भाव: “प्रेमानंद जी महाराज की जय, श्रीमती राधा रानी की जय।” भावार्थ: समापन में सभी भक्ति भाव से जयघोष करते हैं — यह दर्शाता है कि वार्ता केवल ज्ञान नहीं, अनुभूति और प्रेम का उत्सव  थी। महाराज जी ने यह सिखाया कि — “राधा ही कृपा हैं, कृष्ण ही प्रेम हैं, और उनका एकत्व ही भक्ति का परम सत्य है।” ________________________________________ 🌺 सारांश (Essence of the Discourse) राधा और कृष्ण दो नहीं — एक हैं। राधा भगवान की ‘आल्हादिनी शक्ति’ हैं, जो स्वयं भगवान के प्रेम का विस्तार हैं। राधा कृपा से ही कृष्ण प्रेम मिलता है। बिना राधा के अनुग्रह के भगवान का रसास्वादन असंभव है। संत भगवान की जीवित कृपा हैं। उनका दर्शन और संग ही ईश्वर की अनुकंपा है। प्रेम में द्वैत समाप्त हो जाता है। जहाँ प्रेम है, वहाँ ‘मैं’ और ‘तुम’ का भेद मिट जाता है। भक्ति का सार है — समर्पण और एकत्व की अनुभूति।

#1 Consciousness to become 10x Efficient at any Work - Watch this Everyday | Swami Mukundananda

#1 Consciousness to become 10x Efficient at any Work - Watch this Everyday | Swami Mukundananda

“The Most Powerful Technique of Stress Management – Karma Yoga”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF3AnvfTVaY 0:00 – 0:28 | Purify Your Intention If you are getting stressed, try and purify your intention. The purity of intention can easily be brought about by this technique that Lord Krishna presented 5,000 years ago — the most powerful technique of stress management — the technique of Karma Yoga. ________________________________________ 0:29 – 1:00 | What Is Karma Yoga What is Karma Yoga? It means doing your duties — raising children, managing your boss or colleagues — without anger, greed, hatred, ego, or envy. The mind remains in Yoga, connected with God. How to do that? Do your work, and also think of Shri Krishna. ________________________________________ 1:25 – 2:00 | The Art and Science of Work We have been discussing the art and science of work. Spirituality does not mean giving up work. That is why Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita on a battlefield, not in a forest or cave. ________________________________________ 2:01 – 5:00 | Why Bhagavad Gita Was Spoken in the Battlefield Arjuna and Duryodhana both came to seek Krishna’s help. Krishna said, “On one side is my army, on the other is me, unarmed. Arjuna, you choose first.” Arjuna instantly chose Krishna Himself, not the army. Yet when the war began, he hesitated to fight. Krishna then made Arjuna fall into ignorance intentionally — to teach the timeless wisdom of the Gita for humanity. Hence, Gita was not for Arjuna alone, but for all of us. ________________________________________ 6:00 – 7:15 | Message of the Gita: Spirituality in Action Krishna chose the battlefield deliberately. The message: even in the toughest conditions of worldly life, one can remain spiritual. If Arjuna could practice devotion amid war, anyone can — doctors, engineers, teachers — no excuses. ________________________________________ 7:34 – 8:09 | Root of Stress Stress means your intention is impure. You are doing the work not for God’s pleasure but for yourself. When you act for God, there is no stress. ________________________________________ 8:12 – 9:47 | Example of the Crying Volunteer Swamiji narrates: A young volunteer in India cried when a spiritual program failed. Swamiji said — “This means you were not doing it for God but for your own ego. If it were for God, results would not disturb you.” ________________________________________ 10:00 – 11:02 | Purify the Intention The essence of Karma Yoga: Do every work for the pleasure of God. When the mind is attached to God, it detaches from the world automatically. ________________________________________ 11:25 – 13:45 | Duty Without Attachment Some ask: “If we are detached, how can we care for family?” Swamiji explains through a story — A mother attached to her child spoils him with indulgence, ignoring the doctor’s advice, whereas a nurse would act rationally. Attachment distorts duty, while detachment purifies it. ________________________________________ 13:50 – 16:16 | Story of the Thief and His Mother A mother failed to discipline her son when he first stole a pencil. The boy grew up to become a thief and murderer. Before execution, he blamed his mother: “Had you punished me once, I’d never have become this.” Lesson: Attachment prevents us from doing our rightful duty. ________________________________________ 17:00 – 18:00 | Detachment Brings Efficiency Detachment doesn’t mean carelessness — it means balance. When detached, the intellect is calm and capable of right action. ________________________________________ 18:12 – 20:00 | Definition of Karma Yoga Karma + Yoga = Acting while remaining connected with God. Perform all duties — at home or work — but without mental negativity. A true Karma Yogi keeps the mind anchored in God while acting. ________________________________________ 20:10 – 21:10 | The Misunderstanding of Partial Devotion Some think doing a few minutes of prayer makes them Karma Yogis. Krishna sets a higher standard — to remain in remembrance of God constantly, even during worldly work. ________________________________________ 21:20 – 22:12 | Presence of God Everywhere You feel God’s presence in the temple — now learn to feel it everywhere. The Vedas say: “The whole universe is God’s temple.” Always remain aware that He is with you, protecting and watching you. ________________________________________ 22:30 – 24:30 | The Two Birds Analogy (from Upanishads) Two birds sit on a tree — one eats fruits (sweet or bitter), the other simply watches. The eating bird represents the soul (Atma); the observing one, God (Paramatma). When the soul turns toward God, all suffering ends. ________________________________________ 25:01 – 26:30 | Ultimate Message Through Karma Yoga — working in God’s presence — your intentions purify. As they purify, stress disappears. Even challenges become peaceful when your purpose is divine. Stress is a signal — reminding you to deepen your surrender. ________________________________________ Essence of the Talk 1. Stress arises from ego-driven motives. When our intentions are self-centered, our peace is lost. 2. Karma Yoga is the art of working without selfishness — offering all actions to God. 3. The Bhagavad Gita was revealed in the battlefield to prove spirituality is not escapism but transformation in action. 4. Detachment does not mean coldness — it means performing one’s duty with love but without possessiveness. 5. Purity of intention is the real measure of spirituality, not external success or failure. 6. Remembering God in all circumstances — not only during worship — transforms every act into meditation. 7. When you live and work in God’s presence, stress, anger, and anxiety dissolve naturally, leaving peace and joy behind.

A Krishna Story that WILL Touch your Soul - No one Loved Lord Krishna Like this | Swami Mukundananda

A Krishna Story that WILL Touch your Soul - No one Loved Lord Krishna Like this | Swami Mukundananda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g11vu1Od9jA

The video, featuring Swami Mukundananda, defines Bhakti (devotion) as extreme love for God [00:05] and illustrates this with two powerful anecdotes showing the nature of complete mental absorption.

[ ] within bracket is the time stamp of video 1. The Gopi's Reverse Meditation • The sage Narada finds a Gopi (cowherd woman) in Vrindavan meditating and is curious about her practice [00:24]. • When asked, the Gopi reveals she was actually trying to take her mind away from Shree Krishna but was failing [01:22]. • She explains that Krishna's form is so embedded in her mind that every mundane activity reminds her of Him [01:40]: o Churning butter makes her see Him dropping the pots. o Cleaning the floor makes her see Him running on it. o Putting children to sleep makes her see Him waking them up. • She concludes that her mind has become so unified with Krishna that His form appears everywhere, and despite her best efforts for detachment, she cannot succeed [02:02]. • Narada is impressed, noting that great yogis struggle to withdraw their minds from the world and attach it to God, yet this Gopi is attempting the reverse sadhana (spiritual practice) and is failing due to her immense love [02:41]. 2. Tulsidas's Analogy of Absorption Saint Tulsidas describes Bhakti by using analogies of intense worldly attachment: the love a greedy man has for wealth, and the love a young person has for their beloved [03:40]. • Love for Wealth: A merchant is so engrossed in counting his money in the evening that when his wife places a spoon of kheer (sweet dish) in his mouth, his mind is elsewhere. He automatically assumes his meal is over and prepares to wash his hands, completely oblivious to his surroundings [03:52]. • Love for a Beloved: A woman is running in the street to meet her beloved. At the same time, Emperor Akbar is performing his Namaz (Islamic prayer), kneeling on his sacred prayer sheet [05:07]. The woman, completely absorbed in thoughts of her beloved, accidentally steps on Akbar's sheet without realizing it [05:45]. • When brought to court, she claims she has no recollection of the act. She then questions Akbar: "You were worshipping the Supreme Lord, and yet you had the recollection of who was stepping on your sheet. I was running after a worldly beloved and was totally oblivious. Do you not even have that much of absorption in your divine beloved?" [06:25]. Tulsidas thus defines Bhakti as this state of complete absorption in God, parallel to the intense, single-pointed focus of worldly attachments [06:57]. Timestamp Transcript Segment [00:05] Narad ji is explaining the external nature of bhakti first So what is the external form of bhakti extreme love for God [00:24] Once he was in Vrindavan and there he found a Gopi sitting in meditation [00:36] So Narad ji thought what does the Gopi meditate upon i have heard of Niranjan Gyan I have also heard of [00:46] Surandhran dhyan but what is the dhyan of the Gopi so Narad ji sat down besides after an hour when the [00:56] Gopi opened her eyes Narad ji said Devi ji can you please satisfy my curiosity what were you meditating upon the Gopi [01:08] said Narad ji forget it no please please forget it Narad ji said you know like now I'm so curious you're [01:16] not telling me my curiosity is increased further You have to tell me and Gopi said I was trying to [01:22] take my mind away from Sri Krishna She's sitting and trying to yank her mind away from God, Narad ji said [01:32] what ? everybody tries to draw the mind away from the world and onto God You're doing the reverse ? Gopi [01:40] said what to do His form is so embedded in my mind Whatever I do He lands up there If [01:48] I am churning the butter it seems that he's coming and dropping the pots If I'm cleaning the floor it [01:55] seems he's running on it If I'm putting the children to sleep it seems like he's waking them up, now [02:02] I understand that it is not him It's my mind playing tricks The mind has got so unified with him [02:13] that his form comes everywhere That is why I was striving so hard to take my mind away from him [02:22] but I was not succeeding. Narad ji was extremely impressed he said [02:41] big big yogis in their meditation strive that somehow or the other they should withdraw the mind from the world [02:52] and attach it at the feet of God and they don't succeed and look at this Gopi she's trying the [03:01] reverse sadhana and not succeeding Narad ji is saying such immense love is bhakti, other saints were asked what is [03:17] the nature of bhakti ? Tulidas was asked So he said [03:40] he says like a greedy man loves wealth he's always hankering for it There is the story of one seth ji [03:52] you know he had his shop and the most blissful part of the day would be in the evening [04:00] when he would count his notes So after he would close the shop he would sit and count one day [04:07] he was going on and counting one was over second third time his wife said that come on it's time [04:14] for dinner she invited him three four times he did not come so finally she got so frustrated she took [04:24] the sweet dish the kheer one spoon and put it in his mouth that this will wake him up but [04:31] his mind was elsewhere and he thought that oh I have eaten the sweet that means the meal is over [04:40] So he said all right now I need to wash my hands my meal is over Tulsi Das ji says just [04:46] like a greedy man yearns for wealth and a young boy yearns for a young girl there is the story [04:58] that one woman her beloved was coming from out of station, so this girl was going running to meet her [05:07] Beloved, at the same time Akbar was touring his kingdom for an inspection so being a Muhammadan he used to [05:18] say the namaz five times and in the namaz they spread the sheet and then they sit on it and [05:26] say the namaz so Akbar had spread his sheet they consider it sacred they consider it a representation of Allah [05:38] And he was saying the namaz when this woman was running to meet her beloved she did not realize she [05:45] placed her feet on the sheet but Akbar saw it so Akbar said to Birbal "This woman should be brought [05:55] to my court." Now the next day the woman was brought to court Akbar said "You ran on my namaz [06:05] sheet." The woman said absolutely not Badshah Salamat I am telling you, you ran. No, I did not. Akbar said [06:16] then am I mistaken ? I very clearly saw you ran over my sheet,  the woman said I have no recollection of it so [06:25] the woman said that "Oh great king you were worshiping the supreme Lord and yet you had recollection on who [06:38] is stepping on my sheet I was running after a worldly beloved and I was totally oblivious of what had [06:49] happened Don't you even have that much of absorption in your divine beloved as I have got in my material [06:57] beloved So Tulsi says that kind of complete absorption that is bhakti.