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smaranam

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Everything posted by smaranam

  1. When Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" , the word "Me" in that statement did not necessarily mean the historical body from Nazreth. Jesus is not the body. He always spoke in parables and also claimed that "those who have eyes will see , those who have ears will hear". Similarly , Bhagvad Gita is the essence of Vedas and Upanishads. This is an essential message for people on both sides of the fence - 1. Potentially vulnerable Hindus fence: ============================================= 2. Christians who take the Bible literally, trying to convert the Hindus. 3. Muslim fanatics who take the Kuran literally , out of context and attack Bharat Varsh. Finding faults with others' scriptures will not help. It is the individuals who are in error. Srila Prabhupad always said that my family, my community , my nation are all bodily designations, while we are not the body, we are the soul (AtmA). That does not mean Hindustanis should sit tight saying "I am not this body" and let Pakistan snatch Kashmir. It means Hindustanis should look at them as bretheren in seperation from God who do not know what they are doing, to be given knowledge, and if required , set straight. Hindus, Hindustanis, followers of Sanatan Dharma have to be like that 13 year old girl in the video you have posted. Only when required. Not all the time. Overall they should be firm, strong, confident, in knowledge, devoted and ideally always at the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Jai Sri Krishna
  2. Go Organic. A Higher Calling - The Future Belongs to Organic Farming This website is by Chand Prasad, PH.D. He writes for ISCOWP website as well.
  3. So true. Which means.... Step one: We can start looking at Gopal-cow-milk as a very precious commodity like gold or saffron. Not to drink like water and juice or as ghee for deep frying. But to be bought in limited quantities, little packets - especially for puja and festivals. Vegan devotees could do that – to realize that cow milk is THAT precious in Kali Yuga. If nutrition is the issue, i cannot see how the milk from an ever-pregnant-lactating-cow can be any more Sattvic than Soy , rice or almond milks - Taste The Dream: Dream Brand Non-Dairy Beverages and Frozen Desserts or fruit smoothies (milkshakes that grow on trees). Then we can pray that we will all be able to make helping these farms a priority one day - In any way possible .... - magazine subscription - buying milk and fresh produce from the farm - offsetting for fruit-vegetable grocery - adopt a cow - adhoc donation - volunteering as farmers and cowherds - there could be some young dreamy Gopas out there for all we know. Devotee-produced Gokul-milk with Krshna’s picture on it. It all sounds Utopian , but we never know. What about those (Utopian ?) dreams of "Prabhupad Nagars" all over the world - http://www.geocities.com/gorakshyamtrust SAVE A COW SAVE THE WORLD ISCOWP GORAKSHYA-SEVA AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TRUST OF AMERICA - Help Protect Cows Welcome to Gita Nagari ISKCON New Talavan Farm Community Home | Care for Cows in Vrindavan Chhoti Chhoti Gaiyan Chhote Chhote Gwaal
Chhotoso mero Madan Gopal Little cows, little cowherds
and my little Madan Gopal Radhe Shyam P.S. the popular festival sweet rice can be replaced by this traditional Janmashtami-special : rice-flakes+coconut-flakes+jaggery (sweet poha with grated coconut).
  4. Precisely. Jesus can bring Krshna.
  5. This is the only way i see it. That is why in my prayer above i said "I leave it upto You." It is only by His mercy that we can live with Him and stay aware of His presence today. When Microsoft first developed Windows, the principal used by the OS was "Don't have to call me, I'll call you". And Radhe , yes, Mother Divine, never leaves us alone, nor does Krshna. Radhe Radhe
  6. Indeed, always nectar. Its a pleasure to read Janhava Nitai Prabhu's articles on the bvashram website. Hare Krshna
  7. Here are the sad statistics : While hunger is prevalent in some parts of the world, a large portion of grains and other plant food grown is being used to feed factory-farmed animals which are then killed for food. Grains could be grown to feed humans instead of raising those extra-zillion animals artificially. The large scale meat industry is bad for the environment. It rips off the earth. ----- FROM Krishna.org : Simple Living–High Thinking | Hare Krishna Community Some of the environmental effects of a meat-based diet are: • “Raising livestock and poultry is a food consuming, not food-producing, operation. Many more humans can be supported on the same agricultural base if livestock and poultry are eliminated from the food chain and humans feed on the second trophic level rather than the third.” • “Factory farming is resource-intensive and wasteful, which is partly why the Union of Concerned Scientists in their publication, The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices considers reducing our meat consumption as one of the most important things we can do to help the environment. Anywhere from seven to 16 lbs. of grain are needed to create one pound of edible cow flesh.” • “John Robbins, author of the book, “Diet for a New America,” reveals some interesting statistics on America’s production of animal flesh and fluid: Raising animals for food requires more than one-third of all raw materials and fossil fuels in the U.S. If we all adopted a vegetable-based diet, only 2 percent of raw materials would be used.” ------- Humans are born herbivores : A Reasearch Paper (Please scroll down to the summary section.) The Comparative Anatomy of Eating
  8. Sai Nath Maharaj ki jay ! Sai Baba, Your utmost Divine grace is on Texan soil !!!! I am finding this so hard to believe . So blessed are the Houstonians to have Your Lotus Feet so nearby. More so are those who live in Sugarland itself. Such an honor. It must have been the cries of Your devotees that brought You to Houston. That is so much like You. To run to the devotees who call You, and bestow Your grace. I am simply wonderstruck. Sai Ram , Sai Shyam
  9. That's so true... Alzeimers , or any such condition of waking state. Since we are not even the (material)mind, which cannot be relied upon to recall anything including the Lord and His Holy Names, why not just hand ourself over to Him - the most merciful Krshna. I read a story about one Swamiji who was in hospital in critical condition, and the doctors heard this on the stethoscope : "Hare Krshna Hare Krshna Krshna Krshna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare".
  10. A friend shared this verse from Mukunda Mala Stotra Krishna tvadiya-pada-pankaja-panjarantam
adyaiva visatu me manasa-raja-hamsah
prana-prayana-samaye kapha-vata-pittaih
kanthavarodhana-vidhau smaranam kutas te (O Lord Krishna, at this moment let the royal swan of my mind enter the tangled stems of the lotus of Your feet. How will it be possible for me to remember You at the time of death, when my throat will be choked up with mucus, bile, and air?) ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ O my beautiful Lord, the kindest, the most adored One, I pray that we shall never part What if my mind is not able to think at all at the time of death ? Whether the death will be sudden or slow Whether my gross and subtle body will be in coma What if my brain gets injured ? 'Cause This is all i have as my bridge to You today - Mind, and intelligence Not my heart, that stays with You Will You take care of me in such situations even though i may not be aware of anything including You ? In my state of unconsciousness, which i may enter without any prewarning Will You not stay with me, Will i not be in Your arms then ? Will You forgive me and give me remembrance of You ? Its upto You and my karma, where i go from there or wherever You take me Whether You take me to Golok Place me in Gandharvalok Let me continue in Bhulok Or some other Lok Please live in my heart and make sure that i will remember You ETERNALLY A story with no end or start I pray that we shall never part ~ ~
  11. Achyutashtakam On YouTube : Achyutam Keshavam Rama Narayanam
Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Hari
 Shri Dharam Madhavam
Gopika Vallabham
Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhaje

 Achyutam Keshavam Satyabha Madhavam
Madhavam Shri Dharam
Radhika Radhitam
 Indira Mandiram Chetasa Sundaram
Devakinandanam Nandajam Sandadhe 

 Vishnave Jishnave Sankhine Chakrine
Rukmini raagine Janaki janaye
 Vallavi vallabha yarchita yatmane
Kamsavi dhvansine Vansine Te Namah 

 Krishna Govinda He Rama Narayana
Shripate Vasudev aachyuta Shrinidhe
 Achyutananda He Madhavaa dhokshajam
Dvarakanayaka Draupadi rakshaka
 Rakshasa sobhitah Siitaya Sobhito
Dandakaa ranyabhu Punyata Kaaranah
 Lakshmane naanvito Vaanarai Sevito
Agastya Sam pujito radhava Paatu Maam

 Dhenuka ristaka nista kri ddveshiha
Keshiha Kansahru dvansikavadakah
 Putanakopakah Surajakhelano
Balagopalaka Paatu Maam Sarvada

Vidyudu dyotavat Prasphurad vaasasam
Pravidam bhodavat Prollasad vigraham
 Vanyayaa Malaya Sobhito rahsthalam
Lohitan ghridvayam Varijaksham Bhaje

 Kunchitaih Kuntalairbh raajamaanaananam
Ratnamau lim Lasat kundalam Gandayoh
 Harakey urakam Kankanaaprojjvalam
Kinkini manjulam
 Shyamalam Tam Bhaje

 Achyuta syastakam Yah Pathedistadam
Prematah Pratyaham
Purusah Saspruham
Vrittatah Sundaram Kartrivisvambharas
Tasya Vasyo Harirjayate Satvaram
 Translation : Achyutashtakam | Acyutastakam | Achyutam Keshavam by Adi Sankara Acyutāṣṭakam I adore Rāmacandra, Who is infallible, Who is Keśava, Rāma, Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Dāmodara, Vāsudeva, Hari, Śrīdhara, Mādhava, Who is dear to Gopikā, and Who is the consort of Jānakī.[1] I offer a salute with my hands together to Keśava, Who is infallible, Who is the consort of Satyabhāmā (as Kṛṣṇa), Mādhava, Śrīdhara, Who is longed-for by Rādhikā, Who is the temple of Lakṣmī (Indirā), Who is beautiful by thought, Who is dear to Devakī, and Who is dear to all.[2] Salutations for Viṣṇu, Who conquers everyone, Who holds a conch-shell and a discus, Who is dear to Rukmiṇī (Kṛṣṇa), Who is the consort of Jānakī (Rāma), Who is dear to cowherdesses, Who is offered [in sacrifices], Who is the Ātman (soul), Who destroyed Kaṁsa, and Who plays the flute.[3] O Kṛṣṇa! O Govinda! O Rāma! O Nārāyaṇa, Who is the consort of Lakṣmī! O Vāsudeva, Who attained the treasure of Lakṣmī! O Acyuta, Who is immeasurable! O Mādhava, O Adhokṣaja, Who is the leader of Dvārikā, and Who is the protector of Draupadī!1[4] May Rāghava — Who upsetted the demons, Who adorned Sītā, Who is Danḍaka-forest purification cause, Who is accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, Who was served by monkeys, and Who is revered by Sage Agastya — protect me.[5] May Baby Gopāla (Kṛṣṇa) — Who was unfavorable to Dhenukāsura and Ariṣṭāsura, Who destroyed Keśī, Who killed Kaṁsa, Who plays the flute, and Who got angry on Pūtanā2 — always protect me.[6] I sing praise of Acyuta, Who is adorned by a lightening like shining yellow robe, Whose body is resplendent like a cloud of the rainy-season, Who is adorned by a wild-flower garland at His chest, Whose twin-feet are of copper-red color, and Who has lotus-like eyes.[7] I sing praise of that Śyāma, Whose face is adorned by falling locks of curly tresses, Who has jewels at forehead, Who has shining ear-rings on the cheeks, Who is adorned with a Keyūra (flower) garland, Who has a resplendent bracelet, and Who has a melodious anklet.[8]
  12. I too feel pain on hearing such words about Adi Shankara, his philosophy or followers. It is one school that is inclusive of all disciplines. It has no rivalry. It has its place, in history and now. Its for the people whom it is for. This is what i wrote elsewhere : Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, Shuddhadvaita, Achintya bhed-abheda, Dvaita can all exist parallely. What school will you send your child to ? Montessori or Traditional ? Public or Private ? Hindi or English medium ? Classical or IB certified ? Assuming they went to the 'right' school that suited them, they will all graduate with love, compassion, mercy, seeing the Divine in everyone around. And this is just one of the numerous beautiful stotras Adi Shankaracharya has composed : Achyutashtakam On YouTube : Achyutam Keshavam Rama Narayanam
Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Hari
 Shri Dharam Madhavam
Gopika Vallabham
Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhaje

 Achyutam Keshavam Satyabha Madhavam
Madhavam Shri Dharam
Radhika Radhitam
 Indira Mandiram Chetasa Sundaram
Devakinandanam Nandajam Sandadhe 

 Vishnave Jishnave Sankhine Chakrine
Rukmini raagine Janaki janaye
 Vallavi vallabha yarchita yatmane
Kamsavi dhvansine Vansine Te Namah 

 Krishna Govinda He Rama Narayana
Shripate Vasudev aachyuta Shrinidhe
 Achyutananda He Madhavaa dhokshajam
Dvarakanayaka Draupadi rakshaka
 Rakshasa sobhitah Siitaya Sobhito
Dandakaa ranyabhu Punyata Kaaranah
 Lakshmane naanvito Vaanarai Sevito
Agastya Sam pujito radhava Paatu Maam

 Dhenuka ristaka nista kri ddveshiha
Keshiha Kansahru dvansikavadakah
 Putanakopakah Surajakhelano
Balagopalaka Paatu Maam Sarvada

Vidyudu dyotavat Prasphurad vaasasam
Pravidam bhodavat Prollasad vigraham
 Vanyayaa Malaya Sobhito rahsthalam
Lohitan ghridvayam Varijaksham Bhaje

 Kunchitaih Kuntalairbh raajamaanaananam
Ratnamau lim Lasat kundalam Gandayoh
 Harakey urakam Kankanaaprojjvalam
Kinkini manjulam
 Shyamalam Tam Bhaje

 Achyuta syastakam Yah Pathedistadam
Prematah Pratyaham
Purusah Saspruham
Vrittatah Sundaram Kartrivisvambharas
Tasya Vasyo Harirjayate Satvaram
 Translation : Achyutashtakam | Acyutastakam | Achyutam Keshavam by Adi Sankara Acyutāṣṭakam I adore Rāmacandra, Who is infallible, Who is Keśava, Rāma, Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Dāmodara, Vāsudeva, Hari, Śrīdhara, Mādhava, Who is dear to Gopikā, and Who is the consort of Jānakī.[1] I offer a salute with my hands together to Keśava, Who is infallible, Who is the consort of Satyabhāmā (as Kṛṣṇa), Mādhava, Śrīdhara, Who is longed-for by Rādhikā, Who is the temple of Lakṣmī (Indirā), Who is beautiful by thought, Who is dear to Devakī, and Who is dear to all.[2] Salutations for Viṣṇu, Who conquers everyone, Who holds a conch-shell and a discus, Who is dear to Rukmiṇī (Kṛṣṇa), Who is the consort of Jānakī (Rāma), Who is dear to cowherdesses, Who is offered [in sacrifices], Who is the Ātman (soul), Who destroyed Kaṁsa, and Who plays the flute.[3] O Kṛṣṇa! O Govinda! O Rāma! O Nārāyaṇa, Who is the consort of Lakṣmī! O Vāsudeva, Who attained the treasure of Lakṣmī! O Acyuta, Who is immeasurable! O Mādhava, O Adhokṣaja, Who is the leader of Dvārikā, and Who is the protector of Draupadī!1[4] May Rāghava — Who upsetted the demons, Who adorned Sītā, Who is Danḍaka-forest purification cause, Who is accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, Who was served by monkeys, and Who is revered by Sage Agastya — protect me.[5] May Baby Gopāla (Kṛṣṇa) — Who was unfavorable to Dhenukāsura and Ariṣṭāsura, Who destroyed Keśī, Who killed Kaṁsa, Who plays the flute, and Who got angry on Pūtanā2 — always protect me.[6] I sing praise of Acyuta, Who is adorned by a lightening like shining yellow robe, Whose body is resplendent like a cloud of the rainy-season, Who is adorned by a wild-flower garland at His chest, Whose twin-feet are of copper-red color, and Who has lotus-like eyes.[7] I sing praise of that Śyāma, Whose face is adorned by falling locks of curly tresses, Who has jewels at forehead, Who has shining ear-rings on the cheeks, Who is adorned with a Keyūra (flower) garland, Who has a resplendent bracelet, and Who has a melodious anklet.[8]
  13. Then it must have been Nandakishore, Krshna. I was just trying to be His pen - a writing instrument Haribol
  14. Respected members and readers, With due respect to all sentiments, thoughts and reasonings from all sides .... Srila Prabhupad traveled to the US on ship surviving nausea , sea-sickness and heart attack. On order of his Guru he spread the Vedic knowledge of the Supreme, Krshna, in the western world. He knew he had very little time left in this body to do this herculean task. He was about 70. "Krshna, where have You brought me ? I am a puppet in your hands. Please make me dance make me dance make me dance". He had to - give core knowledge to young Americans, - get his books published - establish dieties, temples, and regular temple programs, - establish a book distribution channel to be kept running - give starting impetus for Cow Protection farms , first convey its importance ... in such a short time. His disciples in the west and India did very well, overall, coming up to speed on all this. If his goal was that temples get milk supply from these farms, waiting for the farms to start first would be like putting the cart before the horse. He would get caught up in a perpetual chicken-and-egg problem , and ISKCON may not have been all that it is today. He had to forgo some temporary creases like commercial milk, refined bone-processed sugar, to get the big chariot running. We can say it was his mercy that he left these creases , just like Canto 11 and 12 of the Bhagvat, to his descendants. Once a disciple said "But Bhaktivinod Thakur did not finish his book." To which SP said "We are descendants of Bhaktivinod Thakur. It is his mercy that he left some work for us. Do you think he could not have finished it ? He is Vaishnav. All-powerful." Now, decades later, these things can be addressed slowly with more cow protection especially for temples - not that temples should turn vegan. no ! What the vegan devotees are saying is that if we do nothing and simply accept commercial milk, we are not moving forward towards the goal that the Guru set. Please forgive and correct any misconceptions i may have had about this. Radhe Radhe Hare Krshna Jai Sri Krshna
  15. Certainly, nobody expects people to give up their current lifestyle overnight. Its a gradual process. However, it has to start, with the desire to change. Ideally , yes, it should come from within. Many times however, the within has a trigger without. * Like the wild hunter who would refuse to step on an ant after associating with Narad Muni. * Like numerous in the west who gave up meat practically overnight after meeting Srila Prabhupad. Many times also, it will not come exclusively from within in this life - due to 1. strong belief that its OK to eat meat. 2. fear that it will be harmful to them. A fear based on misconceptions. In that case , it is lack of education or awareness that is the barrier, in order for the change to come from within. No. No one should think they are better because they are vegetarian. There are all kinds of karma in this world. However, many vegetarians may very well simply have welfare of others (the human as well as the animals) at heart and simply be trying to remove myths like "Veg = lettuce and tomatoes" or "vegetarians eat rabbit food" or "it will make one die". They may simply be engaged in spreading the glories of vegetarianism starting with 1. how complete and wholesome it can be , 2. how hazardous meat can be 3. how spiritually uplifting vegetarianism can be, 4. how much cruelty goes into the food on a plate. This is something many take for granted. Someone has to point this out - like what PETA is doing. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): The animal rights organization. Some vegetarians think its their job to provide the knowledge that is lacking and remove the misconceptions that may be prevailing. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad , writes in his purports to Gita verses - that not giving others spiritual awareness is a kind of violence to them. The key has to be given, its upto them to open the lock. Namaste
  16. There is no doubt that spiritual solution as well as some material consequence is required, for which someone has to spend time being a detective and catch them red-handed. However, you are right. Its not entirely true that poverty , hardships and need for survival is driving them to dishonest means. Those were the lines on which i was thinking - what drives them to do such things, and gratitude along with better life might change dishonesty into honesty . While this may actually be true in some cases, in many it seems like even after receiving a secure life some resort to such means for greed. They certainly do not care for welfare of others. Just another reminder that it is Kali Yuga.
  17. MILKMEN About the milkmen adding contaminants to the milk - yes, very sad. These small scale milkmen should be encouraged with perks by the Indian government , and the need for honesty or else penalty, should be stressed on them. This may also enable them to keep the cows and calf and not sell them to be killed. Or , sell the calf to Goshalas , Cow protection projects, or where farmers need bulls. Again the government can help them with this. Also, is it not true that cow slaughter is illegal in most states except for Kerala and West Bengal - or one of those eastern states ? So why can the law be passed in other states and not here ? Is it due to a large non-Hindu population of meat consumers ? This is what projects like Tamil Nadu based SAVE A COW SAVE THE WORLD - have been trying to do - save the cows from being sold to butchers. Welcome to Gorakshyam Trust Those who live in India can look into any smallest ways of helping them. ------- There are plenty of leafy greens, whole grains, sprouted legumes , beans ,lentils , nuts, seeds , especially in the Indian diet, that make things like masoor dal a drop in the ocean . Vitamins B-12 and D can be supplemented. We can discuss vegan diet in health and well-being later. He Govinda He Gopala He Dayalila.
  18. My Vote : VEGAN ... That is , each individual adult could refrain from purchasing dairy from unprotected cows on their own. However, the author has some good points. Milk has important elements for growth like B12, so children who have been drinking milk should continue, but their parents have to be aware that the children too do not need more than one glass a day (Srila Prabhupad said one glass a day is enough). Indulgence in milk products in excess in totally unnecessary and can be detrimental. That is why so many develop lactose intolerance. Some children try to avoid milk but their parents want them to consume it. Extreme caution is required regarding their nutrition though, when they come off it eventually. Other things that have to go parallely 1. More cows under protection, helping cow protection farms 2. Making efforts to buy from these farms when possible 3. Communication with the dairy industry and related authorities (perhaps joining hands with PETA ?) No doubt , prasadam is transcendental, that i will honor with eyes closed, but slowly, perhaps, temples which don't already, could have a cow or two ? Or if possible , they could make arrangement to get milk from a cow protection farm. However, that should not stop individuals from staying away from unprotected dairy at home and elsewhere. The devotees at Sydney recently joined the Sydney Vege Freeze , which had people dressed as the animals . Devotees performed Harinam and distributed prasadam laddoos. The pig, cow, chicken all danced with them. So did the people in the streets. Jai Govind Jai Gopal
  19. This is simply wonderful , Hindustaniji. It was also nice to read yr story of how the Lord answered your thoughts right away. I have had similar experiences too. As you may obviously know, Krishna says in the Bhagvad Geeta : Of Sacrifices I am Japa (Japa Yajna). Bhagvad Gita Chapter 10 , Vibhuti Yoga. BG 10.25: maharṣīṇāḿ bhṛgur ahaḿ girām asmy ekam akṣaram yajñānāḿ japa-yajño 'smi sthāvarāṇāḿ himālayaḥ Of the great sages I am Bhṛgu; of vibrations I am the transcendental oḿ. Of sacrifices I am the chanting of the holy names [japa], and of immovable things I am the Himālayas. So mantras like the MahaMantra chanted in congregation, as Sankirtan is also considered a Yajna , especially for Kali Yuga and especially for rainfall according to acharyas - which has no restrictions, when how who can chant it. Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare Hare Krushna Hare Krushna Krushna Krushna Hare Hare OR Hare Krshna Hare Krshna Krshna Krshna Hare Hare Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare
  20. You are right , it says : sravana - hearing, smarana - remembereing, guna-vivarana - which sounds like description of the qualities of the Lord. , but it does not specify the Mahamantra. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.9.3 tatrāpi svajana-sańgāc ca bhṛśam udvijamāno bhagavataḥ karma-bandha-vidhvaḿsana-śravaṇa-smaraṇa-guṇa-vivaraṇa-caraṇāravinda-yugalaḿ manasā vidadhad ātmanaḥ pratighātam āśańkamāno bhagavad-anugraheṇānusmṛta-sva-pūrva-janmāvalir ātmānam unmatta-jaḍāndha-badhira-svarūpeṇa darśayām āsa lokasya SYNONYMS tatra api — in that brāhmaṇa birth also; sva-jana-sańgāt — from association with relatives and friends; ca — and; bhṛśam — greatly; udvijamānaḥ — being always afraid that he would fall down again; bhagavataḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; karma-bandha — the bondage of the reactions of fruitive activities; vidhvaḿsana — which vanquishes; śravaṇa — hearing; smaraṇa — remembering; guṇa-vivaraṇa — hearing descriptions of the qualities of the Lord; caraṇa-aravinda — lotus feet; yugalam — the two; manasā — with the mind; vidadhat — always thinking of; ātmanaḥ — of his soul; pratighātam — obstruction on the path of devotional service; āśańkamānaḥ — always fearing; bhagavat-anugraheṇa — by the special mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; anusmṛta — remembered; sva-pūrva — his own previous; janma-āvaliḥ — string of births; ātmānam — himself; unmatta — mad; jaḍa — dull; andha — blind; badhira — and deaf; svarūpeṇa — with these features; darśayām āsa — he exhibited; lokasya — to people in general. TRANSLATION Due to his being especially gifted with the Lord's mercy, Bharata Mahārāja could remember the incidents of his past life. Although he received the body of a brāhmaṇa, he was still very much afraid of his relatives and friends who were not devotees. He was always very cautious of such association because he feared that he would again fall down. Consequently he manifested himself before the public eye as a madman — dull, blind and deaf — so that others would not try to talk to him. In this way he saved himself from bad association. Within he was always thinking of the lotus feet of the Lord and chanting the Lord's glories, which save one from the bondage of fruitive action. In this way he saved himself from the onslaught of nondevotee associates.
  21. The mystical and supernatural experiences that God gives an individual being can be the ultimate . Direct or intuitive Experience given by God, is beyond science, logic, myth or not, history, norms , everything. That is why it is termed mystical. The scriptures written by sages of the past via Divine intervention they received, helps one to shape and tune the mind and intelligence to receive Divine knowledge. Avdhoot Gita : The bumblebee sucks nectar from wherever it finds [and stays non-judgemental of the rest]. Lord Dattatreya the avadhoot learnt this from the bumblebee. SB 11.8.10: Just as the honeybee takes nectar from all flowers, big and small, an intelligent human being should take the essence from all religious scriptures. (Shrimad Bhagvat Canto 11)
  22. No sir, its not like that. You know a lot about Krshna from Srila Prabhupad's books and associaiting with his disciples. So please correct me if i say anything wrong here : The question is whether we have the desire to give up attachment to fish and meat. That's a spiritual desire of ahimsa, to please Krshna's senses. Then Krshna will respond. Only then the journey will begin. He will make the seemingly impossible possible. But if the desire is not there, or worse, the belief that its OK to eat meat , then He will leave the person alone to his/her karmic cycle and destiny. You know better than to say that people can eat all the meat and ask Jesus to forgive. I know that's not what you are saying but many Christians do. If Jesus wants Christians not to harbour the 6 enemies (anger lust greed jealousy ...) , Indulgence or attachment to fish or meat is 1. lust (kAm) 2. Participation in violence to other living beings in a fairly high order on the animal hierarchy. By His Yogic power, Jesus attracted all the fish and liberated them. Then they became food for the crowd. Jesus was God Conscious and knew the Self. Whenever Bible says He ate fish or lamb, it was to please His fellowmen and stay within norms. His priority was to be accessible to the masses and Jesus and some of His disciples were austere and detached. THey held meetings around grapes and bread. There seems to be a lot of hidden meaning in Jesus's parables. His angry reaction outside the Jewish Temple. What was His message ? "You want to eat meat ? Just kill it and eat it. Don't do the pretend sacrifice rituals. They are of no use." He hated pretense and hypocrasy. He just showed that KRshna gives free will. That did not mean its the right way for individual soul's and living beings' welfare. If you pray to Krshna to develop the desire to give up these attachments, He will help you. But if anyone harbours desire for the fish and meat, Krshna is so kind He will make sure its on the menu. SB 11.3.3: Śrī Antarīkṣa said: O mighty-armed King, by activating the material elements, the primeval Soul of all creation has sent forth all living beings in higher and lower species so that these conditioned souls can cultivate either sense gratification or ultimate liberation, according to their desire. Purport : In the last para, Jiva Goswami comments on SB 10.82.7 in context of this verse -11.3.3. "The Lord created the intelligence, senses, mind and vital air of the living beings for sense gratification, for performing sacrifices to attain higher births, and ultimately for offering sacrifices to the Supreme Soul." (SB10.82.7) According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the actual purpose of the Lord's creation is only one: to facilitate the advancement of devotional service to the Lord Himself. Although it is stated that the Lord facilitates sense gratification, it should be understood that the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not ultimately condone the foolishness of the conditioned souls. The Lord facilitates sense gratification (mātrā-prasiddhaye) so that the living entities will gradually understand the futility of trying to enjoy without Him. Every living entity is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. In the Vedic literature the Lord gives a regulative program so that the living beings can gradually exhaust their tendencies to be foolish and learn the value of surrender unto Him. The Lord is undoubtedly the reservoir of all beauty, bliss and satisfaction, and it is the duty of every living entity to engage in the loving service of the Lord. Although there are apparently two purposes for creation, it should be understood that ultimately the purpose is one. The arrangement for sense gratification is ultimately meant to bring the living entities to the single purpose of going back home, back to Godhead. ------------------- Once you are detached from these foods, Krshna might appoint you as the pioneer advocating vegetarianism in your community. To have the Chinese restaurant offer more vegetarian dishes. To bring veg recipes , started kits to homes. To assure them how veg diet can be complete. "Vegetarian advocacy is a form of Christian stewardship and discipleship, because vegetarianism honors God by showing respect for God’s environment, animals, and humans. When our lives honor God, we feel closer to God and spiritually more fulfilled. So, encouraging people to try vegetarianism is offering a gift, for them as well as for the rest of Creation." - Christian Vegetarian Association : Christianity and Vegetarianism - Christian Vegetarian Association I wish you and your family all the best. Pranam. Hare Krshna
  23. Blessed are the Puneites and Viewers of Nick Jr
  24. Thanks for letting us know. Hope to see it some day. Reminds me of Hema Malini playing Meera in the movie "Meerabai". Hema Malini's devotion to Krshna has been quite inspiring (the person not the actress).
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