visnujana

 

The Iskcon concept of Akarma is quite incomplete and also misleading.

Some of the profound concept surrounding that issue which have been explained in the Gita have been missed.

...

no blame to the Founder though, since me also I'm His Student.. but really different

As far as I understand from Bhagavad-gita, Krishna-centered karma (nishkarma-karma) is a wonderful thing because it purifies the heart and makes one eligible to gradually come to the platform of nirguna bhakti-yoga, pure devotional service. There is no other way to purify the heart from those inclinations for karma. The process of Bhakti deals with anarthas and stuff, but if I have inclinations for karma I should go through the cycle: sakama-karma - nishkarma-karma - nirguna-bhakti... that is: 1st I can't entirely work for Krishna's pleasure (too many selfish material desires), but being a religious man I dedicate some portion of the results I obtain from my actions to Krishna (like donations and stuff) - that is sakama-karma. Then after some purification and by the mercy of Guru-Gauranga I get the inspiration to dedicate my professional work fully to Krishna and His devotees. By the time I possess a strong faith that my material needs and expectations will all be perfectly met automatically, so I don't even have to worry about it. Then on the strength of such an inspiration I work tirelessly day and night for Krishna. However, I still have the inclination for the type of proffessional work itself I just do it all for Krishna. That is nishkama-karma, in my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong..

Then as a result of this purifying work and by more mercy of Guru-Gauranga I gradually come to the platform of complete absorbtion directly into the activities of bhakti with a clear vision of my goal in bhakti, off course. That is nirguna-bhakti-yoga.

All stages seem to be very important, as they are linked one to the other, and are all pure mercy of Krishna. Otherwise, Krishna would probablynot waist His time speaking the 3d chapter of Bhagavad-gita.

Please correct me if I missinterpeted something. I wrote this down just to refresh this in my brain.

How do you trust so-called devotees who...

All good things (virtues) are perpetually lacking in this world, all except one. We can serve. If someone possesses more spiritual qualities we can serve that person by taking his/her association and sincerely assisting in an appropriate way. Thus we will feel uplifted and inspired... If someone has lesser devotional qualities and realization we can serve that person by giving mercy and love. Then we will also feel good. One way or the other we can always serve and that's what usually resolves and offsets all the shortcomings of this world which is otherwise full of issues. I am sure, we, as practicing devotees, all have this experience that service mood works well. It might be a challenge to always keep in this mood (at least for me), but the endeavor usually pays off well.

 

I am not able to understand what is so great about krishna, I go to all temples and I dont have any preference

There are so many Gods, like Rama, Ganesh, Siva, etc and each one has their own family God (ie who worship a particular god right from the begining of their family origin), that being the case why there is so much Emphasis on Krishan alone. is it because of Gita or something else,some one please clarify...

One of the meanings of the name Krishna is 'all attractive'. That's why. This is just His quality: He attracts the jivas. You can't change it.

You say you like them all (the Gods), but you also asked this particular question about Krishna.

On the other hand all the other Gods (as well as everything else) also partially represent different qualities of Krishna and His energies. I don't want to offend their followers who would definitely like to see them as the Absolute. This is good. This is another good quality of Krishna though: He is completely detached. He does not care if everyone sees Him the best. He actually likes to glorify and please His devotees. He even serves them sometimes.

Firstly, I do hope the author of the thread has used his opportunity to see Srila Narayana Maharaja in Malaysia. I hope also that Krishna has cleared his doubts by now and the issue is now resolved.

Many wonderful answers have been given here also..

I would also like to share a thought or two on this.

Many devotees have said that Guru is the one, who gives us Krishna. So, he must be strongly connected to Krishna himself in order to be able to do that. It's like in any other field we want to associate with the highest expert in that field, because we know thus we will get the most knowledge and inspiration.

From what I can see I think that more and more ISKCON devotees are taking shelter of Srila Narayana Maharaja. Not so many go from Gaudiya Math to ISKCON for inspiration. This is my observation though. I also notice that the trend is even stronger amongst the experienced devotees, who have been chanting for 30-40 years. So this tells me that they believe Srila Narayana Maharaja can give them a very good association. I also think that many younger devotees feel pretty good in ISKCON. At least it was definitely so in my country (Russia) 15 or 20 years ago. That is because in ISKCON there may be some more opportunities for being engaged in the seva, like preaching. Some can say that this is because in many places ISKCON is better orginized. But I also think that this is a special mercy of Srila Prabhupada. I hope it contuniues to flow. But again, if you are sincere, there is absolutely NO NEED to worry about opportunity for seva! You will be totally engaged anywhere! Srila Prabhupada, Lord Nityananda and all Guru-parampara don't bless only ISKCON devotees with seva! Their mercy is available to everyone.

Kirtans.. yeh also. ISKCON devotees generally do more kirtans.

So, as someone has said, both paths ultimately lead to one destination.

Thanks! No special permissions were needed though.. The merciful Leela Sthalees are easily agreeing to manifest some drops of Their mercy being attracted by the faith and love of the sincere Vaisnavas and Vaisnavis visiting the site.

Off-line CD version of the site is now available!

Download the CD image for free and burn it onto a CD with any burning software.

Top Menu => Kartika 2008 => Kartika 2008 Special!

(sorry, I still can not post straight links)

 

This CD is a special Kartika 2008 gift from 360darshan.com

Thanks for publishing the link!

Hey, everybody! Don't cease before you figure out how to go fullscreen. ..

A hint: when the pano is loaded make a right mouse button click and try all the different options there. Autopan function won't work on the flat panoramas, such as the maps (except the map of Govardhan), but it will work everywhere else (on the actual Holy Places). The most convenient way to zoom in/ zoom out is right button drag up/down.

Please give us the main words of title without the ...

360darshan

Would be great if someone can do it for me before this thread becomes too long though...

I tried. Didn't work. Thanks anyway, this is already my second post. Just 13 more like this and I will hopefully make it.

The website is launched a few days ago (7/17/08).

Currently, it seems to be the 1st and only world's web resource that offers full panoramic virtual presentations of the Holy Places of India, such as Sri Vrindavan, Govardhan and Navadvip. It's 360darshan in the com-area.

 

I hope you like it!

 

(I am really sorry, I don't have the right to publish the actual link as it is my 1st post on this forum and I am supposed to have 15 in order to be able to do that. I have no intention of spamming this site. I just want to share something that has added value to a few other similar online communities. More over this is something I would personally like to offer to this respected community as well.

I hope this is not seen as a violation of the forum's rules; and if so I am really sorry for that.)