Narasingh

In Hinduism, the Self is referred to Brahman. (Where is the problem here? After all, "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet".) In Buddhism, the "attainment" is Nirvana (a state of being). Buddhism is represented wrongly here. There are no real heathen gods. Both Buddhism and Hinduism agree to this as well. Eastern philosophies are based on consciousness and the stages of it. When a yogi celebrates the vital airs of his/her body by giving them a deity, it is because of the characteristics of the vital airs, their functions. In Aryan (Hindu) theology, if something functions, it is invested with consciousness, thereby character, thereby personality. It is just as if we see a lifeless corpse of a complete stranger it is strictly objective (we only see a corpse), however, if the lifeless corpse is one with whom we are intimately connected, there will be a disconnect between who they are and what their body is. We say, "They have left our presence", or "They have gone to heaven". The body is buried 6 ft under or reduced to ashes, yet we say they have gone to heaven. Arya celebrates the function over the form. Form is understood to be a temporary adjustment, something to be shed after some time in order to accept another. These "gods" can also be called characteristic improvements. The improvements are foreign to the body and upon "summoning" them by practice of yoga, ones health improves. While yoga is scientifically proven to improve biological health and calm mental stress, religious branches are more concerned when they hear the term "gods". It is a buzzword which raises a red flag. Christian religions, nay Abrahamic religions, condemn the idea of "lesser gods" and generally, once mentioned, the speaker is condemned along with the mention. However, again, "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet." What is the function of these demonic spirits? Why are they necessarily demonic? This is simply a result of the Abrahamic "contempt" of "lesser gods". Aryan ideology strives to look for ways to respect the environment. It strives to encourage the person to understand their relationship with their environment. When a person realizes that their existence is constantly dependent on other forces (jivo jivasya jivanam) they realize their meagerness. In this way Aryan ideology suggests our humility in the face of the Creation of ParaBrahman.

Realities are based upon subjective experiences. While they may view eastern philosophies as a threat to the structure of a society they wish to build (perhaps rightfully so), a student of eastern philosophy may view their structure as flawed. I believe the best way for Smiley to resolve (if this is the intention) the conflict with his/her brother is to objectively represent the ideals and goals of the particular Eastern philosophy Smiley s to. Draw the line between the two points for your brother.

Yes Soma, hopefully it is mis-education or lack of education rather than ignorance.

Even if there were people who do that, isn't that akin to "getting the Holy Ghost"?

To follow up on what I posted before: akamah sarva-kamo va moksa-kama udara-dhih tivrena bhakti-yogena yajeta purusam param "Whether one is without desire [the condition of the devotees], or is desirous of all fruitive results, or is after liberation, one should with all efforts try to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead for complete perfection, culminating in Krsna consciousness." (Bhag. 2.3.10)

Congratulations!

I don't know.

rupanuga-gaudiya vaisnava (...which means manjari-bhava). Is this a statement of realization?

ट स फ़ ल ड क

अम्रिक अमित and अज़्रैय प्रकाश

It is always beneficial to have association of Vaishnavas who have practical experience in Krsna Consciousness, especially to assist in digesting written materials. S.B. 1.2.18 naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaḿ bhāgavata-sevayā bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī By regular attendance in classes on the Bhāgavatam and by rendering of service to the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is almost completely destroyed, and loving service unto the Personality of Godhead, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact.

That is readily available information online. Search Google for currency conversions, type in $1 to Indian Rupee. You'll get the most up to date conversions. Since you said you may be 1 year in the waiting to get to Vrndavan, you may want to make yourself familiar with this procedure, then try it when you are ready to go.

In the end, it is a matter of the heart. The heart cries for perfect harmony. It is part of our synthesis. As the puranas state, we are inherently sat, chit, and ananda. The value of human life is that we can pursue the nature of ourselves and our relationship with our surroundings. Upon a solid foundation of harmony, one may build a beautiful home filled with nuance. However, without this foundation, no matter how beautiful the home it is destined to be rebuilt again and again. Spare nothing on the foundations. Then work from there.

visnujana's estimate is very accurate. Book a taxi from Vrndavan, not Delhi. They are more efficient in their routes. You'd be looking at around Rs. 4000 both ways taxi. The $1300 is for round-trip airfare. Ensure you get the right amount of time at your destination.

Also, have you considered availing yourself of some background of Sri B.V. Tirtha Maharaja's delivery? Srila B.B. Bodhayan Maharaj?

You took the words right out of my mouth, Beggar I had to leave the keyboard for a few minutes and meant to get back to this post. I was (an am) going to say that this sort of question is bound to create a lively discussion here, (which is not necessarily a bad thing), but that there may be more value in trying to approach the individual acharyas to find out the answers to these questions. I have had personal dealings with these acharyas and know that they are all accessible for answering questions. If our questioneer has difficulties, I can try to put him/her in touch directly. As you said, Sriman Mahaprabhu's advent celebrations are upon us. The mood of all of these acharyas at this time is to encourage one to immerse one's self in the mood of service of the Hari, Hari Nam, Guru, Murti, and Bhagavata (grantha and Vaishnava). Let us all be grateful for the magnanimous gift of Sri Chaitanya and take shelter of the Maha Mantra, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare! Sri Guru will surely give you answers to your questions if they are sincere. In a couple days I will check back here with the hopes to see some discussion in place. If you feel so inclined, "iamwhatisayiam", you may send me a message. Beggar is a thoughtful Vaishnava (although at times relinquishing his gravity and giving to frivolity hard to hold it against him) and his post here was said with sweet gravity.

डॅनियल Hi Daniel, This is a unicode font, so you should be able to copy and past it to any word processing application and adjust the font to whatever size you'd like. If it doesn't work, post again and I'll make a large image of it. Good Luck!

#3 = false dichotomy. Moses & Mohammed never claimed to be God. The word for God used by them is Jehoweh and Allah. Therefore, your examples of Koresh, Selassie, Jones etc... are not valid. #2 = Intensive defining. The Shiva principle is complex, Gaudiya Vaishnavas consider the Svayam Shiva to be simultaneously the same and different from Vishnu; as in yogurt and milk. Shiva spoke the Gopala Sahasranam. He meditates on Krsna and Krsna meditates on Him. What to do? The true bhakta (regardless of Shiva or Vishnu) will gradually become sensitive and not mix rasas into a "hodge-podge" or rasa-abhasa. God is infinite in His Lila. #1 = More defining. At some point, there will be a disagreement between persons, some who have scriptural evidence that Personalities such as Ganesh and Indra are indeed God, and yet others will have scriptural evidence that they are not. We must bear in mind that God has infinite names due to God's infinite capacities. In some circumstances, the names may actually refer to God, and in others they may refer to jivas of greater capacity. Svayam Bhagavan (God of all Gods) is usually the One most persons are concerned with. It is admirable that some philosophies have an acknowledgement of "lesser Gods" in that they are also bhaktas of Svayam Bhagavan. It seems even Svayam Bhagavan also enjoys being Bhakta of His Bhakta. Bhakta and Istha Devata have a mutually uplifting relationship. There is a constant of glorification between the two.

S.B. 7.5.31 na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiḿ hi viṣṇuḿ durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānās te 'pīśa-tantryām uru-dāmni baddhāḥ Persons who are strongly entrapped by the consciousness of enjoying material life, and who have therefore accepted as their leader or guru a similar blind man attached to external sense objects, cannot understand that the goal of life is to return home, back to Godhead, and engage in the service of Lord Viṣṇu. As blind men guided by another blind man miss the right path and fall into a ditch, materially attached men led by another materially attached man are bound by the ropes of fruitive labor, which are made of very strong cords, and they continue again and again in materialistic life, suffering the threefold miseries.

Jeffster, I am in complete agreement with you here. I think a common misconception is that India obtained its independence because of M. K. Gandhi. Many elements of his ideals are meritorious. However, there are many variables to apply to India's independence. One glaringly powerful variable is that India's Independence happened to occur shortly after WWII. Any historian would know how much of a drain on Britain's resources WWII was. Their infrastructure was demolished and they had to rebuild. Couple that along with worldwide skirmishes (many desiring freedom from the British Commonwealth) (including the territories known today as Israel and Palestine) you have a recipe for independence ! Although M.K. Gandhi's movement had a notable role in the Independence Movement of India, I think its unfair to suggest it is the cause of India's Independence.

Nice insight. "The Environment Is Friendly" is a great foundation to build on. It takes an endeavor for a change of perspective. In some circumstances, gaining knowledge can be a real sign of humility. Motivation is of utmost importance. Yes, we are small; insignificant to say the least. I cope with my insignificance with the thought that I am so fortunate that even though we are insignificant, Krsna still wants us. Here are a couple reassuring requests from Krsna: patraḿ puṣpaḿ phalaḿ toyaḿyo me bhaktyā prayacchati tad ahaḿ bhakty-upahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. <center>yat karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi dadasi yat yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva mad-arpanam </center> "Oh son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto me."

And then....? Scriptural mental analysis? Linguistically delusions'? Go on! I feel as if it truly happened. You actually did assert yourself right in the middle of a considerate conversation with your "e-Spaceship" giving your non-sequitur propositions. Beam me away, Scotty!

andy108, We are in total agreement here! I am guilty of questioning if there was exclusivity, and I now see why you may have used it.

I think you will find it to be a general rule with very few (and questionable) exceptions.