Pankaja_Dasa

Bhagavad-Gita Chp 18.66 sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami ma sucah SYNONYMS sarva-dharman -- all varieties of religion; parityajya -- abandoning; mam -- unto Me; ekam -- only; saranam -- for surrender; vraja -- go; aham -- I; tvam -- you; sarva -- all; papebhyah -- from sinful reactions; mokshayishyami -- will deliver; ma -- do not; sucah -- worry. TRANSLATION Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. _____ Govindaram: Without Giving up 'I am Hindu' 'I am Christian' 'I am Muslim' one cannot attain Krishna. Krishna states above give it all up {sarva}-means all. Thats enough. Maybe rename this Forum: Sanatana Forum /images/graemlins/grin.gif

{got to read this devotees}: Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya Parikrama-khanda Chapter Fourteen By Bhaktivinoda Thakura Description of Sri Modadrumadvipa and Rama-lila All glories to Gaurahari, who has manifested Himself as the Panca-tattva! All glories to Navadvipa-dhama, the topmost abode! Arriving at Mamagachi village, Nityananda explained to Jiva, "Here, in Modadrumadvipa is Ayodhya. In a previous kalpa, when Rama was banished to the forest, He came to this place with Laksmana and Janaki. He built a hut under a huge banyan tree here and lived happily for some time. Seeing the effulgence of Navadvipa, the son of Raghu began to slightly smile. "How attractive was that form, green as new grass, with lotus eyes and a graceful bow in hand! Wearing the dress of a brahmacari and His head piled with matted locks, He stole the minds of all living entities. Seeing Rama smiling, Sita, the daughter of Janaka, asked Him the reason. "`Listen, Sita, here is one very secret story. When the glorious age of Kali advents, I will display a yellow complexioned form here in Nadia. I will take birth in the womb of Saci in Jagannatha Misra's house. I will give all the fortunate souls who see My childhood pastimes the supreme gift of prema. At that time, I will enjoy My beloved educational pastimes and reveal the glories of the holy name. I will then take sannyasa and go to Puri, and My own mother will weep with My wife in her arms.' "Hearing this, Sita asked, `O lotus-eyed one, why will You make Your mother cry? Why will You give up Your wife and take sannyasa? What happiness is there in giving sorrow to Your wife?' "Sri Rama replied, `O dear one, you know everything. But you are acting ignorant just to teach the living entities. Listen Sita, My devotees relish prema-bhakti in two ways. In union with Me they enjoy sambhoga, and in separation from Me they enjoy vipralambha. My eternal associates desire sambhoga, but I mercifully give them vipralambha. The devotees know that distress due to separation from Me is actually the topmost bliss. After separation, when union occurs, they feel happiness so much greater than before-a million times multiplied. That is the explanation of how there can be happiness in separation. You should accept this mood which is described in the four Vedas. "`She who is known as Aditi in the Vedas is now mother Kausalya and will become mother Saci in Gauranga's pastimes. And you, Sita, will serve Me as Visnupriya. In separation, you will worship My Deity and spread My glories. Separated from you, I will worship a golden Sita Deity in Ayodhya. But this topic is very confidential, Sita. Do not reveal this to the people now. "`This Navadvipa is My dear place, even Ayodhya is not equal to it. When Kali-yuga comes, this huge banyan tree, Rama-vata, will disappear from vision and stay here in an unmanifest form.' "In this way, Rama passed His time here with Laksmana and Sita. Later, He went to Dandakaranya to complete His activities. See here the place where His hut stood. "By the desire of the Lord, Rama's friend Guhaka took birth here in a brahmana's family. His name was Sadananda Vipra Bhattacarya. He knew nothing in the three worlds except Rama. He was present in Jagannatha Misra's house when Gauranga was born. At that time all the demigods came to see the child. The exalted Sadananda realized by the demigods' presence that his Lord had taken birth. In great delight he returned home, and, while meditating on his worshipable Lord Ramacandra, he saw Gaurasundara. "Lord Gauranga was seated on a throne and surrounded by the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, who were waving camaras. Then Sadananda saw Ramacandra, green as grass. On Rama's right was Laksmana, the abode of Ananta. On His left was Sita, and in front was Hanuman. Seeing this, the vipra understood the truth about the Lord. "The vipra went to Mayapur in great ecstasy, and, unseen by anyone, he feasted his eyes on the form of Gauranga. `Blessed am I, blessed indeed! Ramacandra is present before me as Gauracandra!' Later, when the sankirtana movement started, Sadananda took part by dancing and chanting the name of Gaura. "O Jiva, here the pure devotees see the Bhandira forest." Hearing the topics and seeing the places in the eternal dhama, the devotees surrounded Nityananda and danced. Jiva's body displayed symptoms of ecstasy as he shouted the name of Gauranga. That day Nityananda stayed in the house of Narayani. And Narayani, the pure chaste mother of Vedavyasa (Vrndavana Dasa Thakura), served the Vaisnavas. The next morning, after walking some distance, they entered Vaikunthapura. To carry out the order of Jahnava and Nitai, this worthless wretch sings the glories of Nadia.

/images/graemlins/laugh.gif At least Prabhuji hasn't lost his sense of humour I got to meet this guy, sounds like I would get along with him. Attitude problem..thats me!!

<center> Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya Parikrama-khanda Chapter Fourteen By Bhaktivinoda Thakura Description of Sri Modadrumadvipa and Rama-lila All glories to Gaurahari, who has manifested Himself as the Panca-tattva! All glories to Navadvipa-dhama, the topmost abode! Arriving at Mamagachi village, Nityananda explained to Jiva, "Here, in Modadrumadvipa is Ayodhya. In a previous kalpa, when Rama was banished to the forest, He came to this place with Laksmana and Janaki. He built a hut under a huge banyan tree here and lived happily for some time. Seeing the effulgence of Navadvipa, the son of Raghu began to slightly smile. "How attractive was that form, green as new grass, with lotus eyes and a graceful bow in hand! Wearing the dress of a brahmacari and His head piled with matted locks, He stole the minds of all living entities. Seeing Rama smiling, Sita, the daughter of Janaka, asked Him the reason. "`Listen, Sita, here is one very secret story. When the glorious age of Kali advents, I will display a yellow complexioned form here in Nadia. I will take birth in the womb of Saci in Jagannatha Misra's house. I will give all the fortunate souls who see My childhood pastimes the supreme gift of prema. At that time, I will enjoy My beloved educational pastimes and reveal the glories of the holy name. I will then take sannyasa and go to Puri, and My own mother will weep with My wife in her arms.' "Hearing this, Sita asked, `O lotus-eyed one, why will You make Your mother cry? Why will You give up Your wife and take sannyasa? What happiness is there in giving sorrow to Your wife?' "Sri Rama replied, `O dear one, you know everything. But you are acting ignorant just to teach the living entities. Listen Sita, My devotees relish prema-bhakti in two ways. In union with Me they enjoy sambhoga, and in separation from Me they enjoy vipralambha. My eternal associates desire sambhoga, but I mercifully give them vipralambha. The devotees know that distress due to separation from Me is actually the topmost bliss. After separation, when union occurs, they feel happiness so much greater than before-a million times multiplied. That is the explanation of how there can be happiness in separation. You should accept this mood which is described in the four Vedas. "`She who is known as Aditi in the Vedas is now mother Kausalya and will become mother Saci in Gauranga's pastimes. And you, Sita, will serve Me as Visnupriya. In separation, you will worship My Deity and spread My glories. Separated from you, I will worship a golden Sita Deity in Ayodhya. But this topic is very confidential, Sita. Do not reveal this to the people now. "`This Navadvipa is My dear place, even Ayodhya is not equal to it. When Kali-yuga comes, this huge banyan tree, Rama-vata, will disappear from vision and stay here in an unmanifest form.' "In this way, Rama passed His time here with Laksmana and Sita. Later, He went to Dandakaranya to complete His activities. See here the place where His hut stood. "By the desire of the Lord, Rama's friend Guhaka took birth here in a brahmana's family. His name was Sadananda Vipra Bhattacarya. He knew nothing in the three worlds except Rama. He was present in Jagannatha Misra's house when Gauranga was born. At that time all the demigods came to see the child. The exalted Sadananda realized by the demigods' presence that his Lord had taken birth. In great delight he returned home, and, while meditating on his worshipable Lord Ramacandra, he saw Gaurasundara. "Lord Gauranga was seated on a throne and surrounded by the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, who were waving camaras. Then Sadananda saw Ramacandra, green as grass. On Rama's right was Laksmana, the abode of Ananta. On His left was Sita, and in front was Hanuman. Seeing this, the vipra understood the truth about the Lord. "The vipra went to Mayapur in great ecstasy, and, unseen by anyone, he feasted his eyes on the form of Gauranga. `Blessed am I, blessed indeed! Ramacandra is present before me as Gauracandra!' Later, when the sankirtana movement started, Sadananda took part by dancing and chanting the name of Gaura. "O Jiva, here the pure devotees see the Bhandira forest." Hearing the topics and seeing the places in the eternal dhama, the devotees surrounded Nityananda and danced. Jiva's body displayed symptoms of ecstasy as he shouted the name of Gauranga. That day Nityananda stayed in the house of Narayani. And Narayani, the pure chaste mother of Vedavyasa (Vrndavana Dasa Thakura), served the Vaisnavas. The next morning, after walking some distance, they entered Vaikunthapura. To carry out the order of Jahnava and Nitai, this worthless wretch sings the glories of Nadia. </center>

<center> Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya Parikrama-khanda Chapter Eight by Bhaktivinoda Thakura Sri Harihara-ksetra, Maha-Varanasi, and Godruma All glories to Lord Caitanya, Sri Sacisuta! All glories to Lord Nityananda, Sri Avadhuta! All glories to Sitapati, Advaita Prabhu, king of the devotees! All glories to Gadadhara and the society of devotees! All glories to beautiful Navadvipa-dhama! And all glories to the name of Gaura! Lord Nityananda continued on with the devotees while chanting, "Hari, Hari!" Because of ecstatic love, Nityananda Prabhu tottered as He walked and mumbled as he talked. Tears streamed down His face, and in agitation He cried out "Gaura, Gaura!" All His ornaments glittered and His divine form illuminated the ten directions. Srivasa, along with Jiva, repeatedly wept and danced. And the other devotees all danced along. As they approached Alakananda, Lord Nityananda, immersed in bliss, said, "Starting to the west of Bilvapaksa village (Belpukura), the Mandakini River comes and surrounds Nadia. At Suvarnavihara, the Alakananda River leaves the Mandakini. On the eastern bank of the Alakananda River, near the Gandaki River, is Harihara-ksetra. A beautiful Deity will be discovered there in the future, amidst a lovely forest. "To the west of the Alakananda River see Kasi, where the followers of Siva and his consort endeavor for liberation. This Navadvipa Kasi, however, is superior to the other Kasi. Here, Siva is always dancing and chanting the name of Gaura, begging his followers to accept gaura-bhakti. The sannyasis who live for a thousand years in Kasi may attain liberation through the cultivation of jsana, but here the devotees kick away that liberation as they dance and chant the name of Gauranga. While leaving the body here, living entities are delivered by Lord Siva, who chants the name of Gauranga in their ears. This dhama is thus called Maha-Varanasi, for here there is no fear of death." At that moment Nityananda Prabhu began dancing, and He asked Jiva to accept gaura-prema. Invisible to everyone, Siva came forward and bowed at Nityananda's lotus feet. Lord Siva and his consort, Gauri, achieved all their desires by always singing the name of Gauranga. The independent Lord Nityananda then walked with the devotees to Gadigacha village. When they arrived there, He smiled and said, "This island is named Godrumadvipa. Surabhi stays here eternally. When Indra was overcome by Krsna's illusory energy, he proudly flooded Gokula with rain. The Lord, however, carefully protected Gokula by lifting Govardhana mountain. Thus Indra's pride was crushed, and he understood Krsna's identity. He therefore fell down at Krsna's lotus feet to mitigate his offense. The son of Nanda mercifully forgave Indra and pacified him. "Still, Indra remained fearful, so he approached Surabhi and said, `I cannot understand Krsna's pastimes, and for that reason I committed a great offense. I have heard that in Kali-yuga Vrajendra-suta will perform wonderful pastimes in Nadia. But I fear that I will again fall into illusion and commit offense. As you are Surabhi, a desire cow, you know everything. Kindly tell me what I should do now.' "Surabhi answered, `Let us go to Navadvipa-dhama and worship Nimai.' "They came here and worshiped Lord Gauranga. Since the worship of Gauranga is easy, the results are easy to attain. By chanting Gauranga's name, tears of love filled their eyes and they quickly attained Gauranga's darsana. "How extraordinary was His charming form! Gauranga was gently smiling and His voice was choked with love, for He was a reservoir of nectar. The Lord said, `I know your wish. I will soon appear in Nadia town. At that time you will serve Me, and the net of maya will no longer catch you.' "The Lord vanished, and Surabhi remained here beside a banyan tree, constantly serving Gauranga's lotus feet. Therefore this place is called Godruma [go-cow; druma-tree]. At this place the devotees' desires are fulfilled. One who builds a cottage and worships here will easily become absorbed in Sri Caitanya's lotus feet. "Markandeya, the son of Mrkanda, once lived on this island during the flood of devastation. The muni was awarded a lifetime of seven kalpas. Seeing the great danger during the devastation as everything became inundated with water, he began looking for a place to stay. Tossed in the waves, he went here and there. `Oh why did I take such a benediction?' he lamented. "The dhama of Navadvipa remained however, giving shelter to the devotees. Submerged in a wave, the muni became unconscious and sank. But merciful Surabhi happened to see him and carefully lifted him out. When the son of Mrkanda regained consciousness, he saw the island of Godruma-an astounding place extending for a billion krosas. He saw beautiful streams and rivers, beautiful trees and vines, and birds that sang the glories of Gauranga. He saw a banyan tree extending over an area of eight miles, and under the tree he saw Surabhi. "The muni was extremely distressed due to hunger, so he begged Surabhi, `O goddess, please protect my life! Kindly rescue me by giving me your milk.' Surabhi then mercifully gave her milk to the muni. "The muni thus regained his strength and said to Surabhi, `O goddess, my mother, you pervade the universe by your mystic potency. Without understanding the consequences I took a boon to live for seven kalpas. But at the time of devastation, I suffered greatly from various miseries. There was no happiness at all. What am I to do, mother? Please tell me how to get free from this misery.' "Surabhi then instructed the muni: `Worship the two lotus feet of Gauranga. This Navadvipa is beyond material nature and therefore never destroyed. By material vision this place is sixteen krosas, but it is the supreme Vaikuntha and therefore without fault or illusion. Place and time here have nothing to do with material existence, nor is anyone here affected by material illusion. Just see the unprecedented wonders of Navadvipa, which is surrounded on all sides by the chaste Viraja River. Each part measures a billion krosas, and in the center is Mayapur, a vast city. The eight islands are like petals of a lotus with Antardvipa as the central stamen. All the tirthas, devas, and rsis reside here, worshiping Gauranga. For your own good, dear Markandeya, take shelter of Gauranga's feet. Take shelter of unmotivated dharma, by keeping far away from the desire for bhukti and mukti.' "'By taking shelter in the worship of Gauranga, you will attain the sweet fruit of love of God. When that prema sits in your heart, it will drown you in the nectar of the artful pastimes of the Lord. You will get the shelter of Radha's lotus feet in Vraja, and your mind will be fixed in the service of the divine couple. The happiness of this service is unmatched, while in the nondifferentiated Brahman there is only illusory knowledge.' "The muni, hearing the words of Surabhi, folded his hands and said, `If I worship Gauranga, what will be my destiny?' "Surabhi answered with the essence of siddhanta, `In worshiping Gauranga, there is no consideration. When you call out the name of Gaura, your sinful reactions are destroyed and you are freed from all distress as your material life is vanquished. Besides sinful reactions, even the fruits of mental speculation, which are only trouble, will be cut out at the root. Therefore, you should stay on this island and submerge yourself in gauranga-rasa while worshiping the Lord.' "Hearing this, Markandeya became filled with bliss. As he chanted the name of Gaura, he sometimes laughed and sometimes cried. Look at this remarkable place where Markandeya received life." Jiva felt supreme happiness after hearing the glories of Gauranga from the mouth of Nityananda. After spending the day at this place, they then went to Madhyadvipa while chanting the name of Hari. Holding the order of Lord Nityananda on his head and knowing that the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava are the essence of life, this worthless Bhaktivinoda describes the glories of Nadia. </center>

Hare Krishna Bhagavad-Gita it says to become desire less by following the principles of Bhakti-yoga, this is only devotional path which completely washes away all desire included the desire for Liberation. The Mayavadis want oneness with God. The Buddhists was to become Void. These are all basically Material desires to the highest level. Desiring to serve Krishna & His devotees is the highest spiritual desire devoid of any materialism, it is tingeless. Spiritual. But just realizing you are a soul is not enough. Because the soul also desires but his desire is spiritual. he only wants one thing in actuality. http://bhagavadgitaasitis.com/en1 I don't need to tell you can download this book in any number of formats. This is PDF {which you can seach for or desire} http://www.e-vedas.com/elib.htm {download it} Anyway. This question cannot be answered so easy.

www.geocities.com/krsnajapa/Nam_Bhajan.htm www.geocities.com/krsnajapa {Top right hand corner is link to Nam-Bhajan. Nitai-gaura-haribol

Thx

Hare Krishna In the Gita it says: Bg.5.18: The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]. I am not even going to present any more verses, does the above mean that actually everything is spiritual only our vision which needs adjusting?

As I lay in slumber I heard my little 3 year old neice {she might be 2 I can't remember lol} chant: Hare Vishnu Hare Vishnu Hare Rama Rama. She was trying so hard to say Krishna instead she started to say Vishnu. All my ignorance vanished into thin air for 1 second.

Anyway never mind.

Yes. Vedas is pure. Cannot be faulted. I am not analizing what a doubt is because that would be doubting in itself which is useless. Anyway I await a sufficient reply to clear my doubt /images/graemlins/cool.gif

I know what you mean. Its ok to ask.

So Vedic knowledge is complete because it is above all doubts and mistakes, and Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic knowledge. Vedic knowledge is not a question of research. Our research work is imperfect because we are researching things with imperfect senses. We have to accept perfect knowledge which comes down, as is stated in Bhagavad-gita, by the parampara disciplic succession. We have to receive knowledge from the proper source in disciplic succession beginning with the supreme spiritual master, the Lord Himself, and handed down to a succession of spiritual masters. Arjuna, the student who took lessons from Lord Sri Krsna, accepts everything that He says without contradicting Him. __ Bg. Intro {extract} But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next. __ Bg. 4.40

Hare Krishna I think your right.

<font color="red"> Theory of Concentration</font color> Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura cites the following verse to prove that one is chanting with offenses (nama-aparadhas) if he is not experiencing any ecstatic symptom while chanting Hare Krsna: Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of one's chanting the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change when ecstasy takes place, tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on end. (SB.2.3.24) This verse emphasizes the need to chant "with concentration." The Rudra-yamala-tantra II.27.43 states: "A yogi attains yoga only in super concentration." In other words, a bhakti-yogi (a Krsna devote) will attain yoga (establish a connection or relationship with the Supreme Lord) only by completely concentrating on Krsna's eternal service. What exactly is concentration? Concentration means to steadily focus, or to hold the mind on one form or object for a long time. Concentration, known as dharana in Sanskrit, is the sixth step on the yoga ladder: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi. Technically, the term dharana means fixing the mind on one object (desa-bandhas cittasya dharana). However, when there is difficulty in keeping the mind fixed within a limited area of focus, one may keep the mind moving within a broader area in which everything relates to the central object of concentration or meditation. This is one of the main points of this book. When the mind refuses to"just hear the holy name", then it may be allowed to meditate on Krsna's form, qualities, pastimes, dhama, or a painting of the Lord. The Kurma Purana says dharana means to concentrate the mind steadily on one point for twelve seconds. Twelve such dharanas (144 seconds) is dhyana (meditation, and twelve such dhyanas is samadhi (25 minutes and 28 seconds). From 'The Art of Chanting' by Mahanidhi Swami Page 141 Entitled Yoga Techniques of Concentration

Doubts Hare Krishna Everybody has doubts but once they are resolved shouldn't we be satisfied and not have them anymore? Opinions..

Post deleted by Pankaja_Dasa

Stone dietys placed on Top of temples. These are not actually dietys like worshipped in the temple. These are more for show. As long as you don't place your deity outside it should be ok. !!!!

Only problem is I don't have a CD burner what a good excuse not to do anything.

"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya". Oh My Lord the all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obsiences unto you. You maybe right. Anybody seen the Purport Srila Prabhupada gives on the verse? Mind-blowing.

jadyapi amara guru chaitanyera das tathapi janiye ami tanhara prakasha (Chaitanyacharitamrita, Adi - 1/44) Even if my guru is the servant of Lord Chaitanya I recognise him as His manifestation.

I heard this one devotee made CD's of A Hare Krishna Cook Book and is planning to give them out for FREE. Many individuals would sometimes prefer a CD than a book. Plus even for youngsters its good. We already have most books on-line for all eyes to see. Could even promote the Website: www.vedabase.net {Car-stickers? anyone?} Problem is most people won't think there idea is any good and disregard it. Or somebody else will. I said before Advertising is big business. They spend billions on advertising alone which pumps up the price of purchased items. We can't of cource afford this. But simple is ok. Most people know about Krishna but they don't know anything about the philosophy so if some way they can know in short burst would be nice. Like for example just on top of my head: Are you sure you know Everything about Krishna? Krishna was Here, NOW what? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

acaryam mam vyaniyan navamanyeta karhicit na martya-buddhyasuyeta sarva-deva-mayo guruh (Srimad Bhagabat - 11/17/27) Lord Sri Krishna told Uddhaba -- One should know the acarya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.

THE ACT OF SUBMISSION Saranagati or the act of self-surrender to the Supreme Lord is an essential requisite, that an aspirant in the path of religious pursuit can never ignore. The Proud man, urged by his false ego, ignores the fundamental principles of human life, viz., a virtuous life, full of faith and love to his ever loving lord. But, providentially a day will come, when he must feel the necessity of this fundamental principle, realising the utter vanity of the worldly pleasures. The unfortunate man, falling a victim to evil influences of the sense-ridden ego, may revolt against his own Lord, the only benefactor of humanity; he may conquer worlds, he may be the architect of nations, he may build vast empires or he may do many other wonders which no ordinary man can ever even imagine; yet he is utterly helpless in crossing this unfathomable ocean of worldliness. At every moment, he is being violently tossed by the roaring waves of this ocean of never-ending sufferings. All his false hopes are frustrated, his confidence in the efficacy of his own actions betrays him finally. He sees all around him threatening temptations, horrors and sweeping currents of cares, calamities, anxieties, and worries. He feels his helplessness and sincerely longs to come out of this terrible predicament. He gains more experiences in this transitory world of fleeting pleasures; he becomes wiser than ever before. He recollects wise saying and comes round to the above fundamental principle. He surrenders himself to the Supreme Lord. Did not Bhagavan Sri Krishna in unambiguous words, emphasise the imperative necessity of surrender ? sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah(Gita 18/66) "Discard all human element in religion addressed to embodied Atman, such as social duties, like Nitya, Naimittik and Kamya Karma; your confidence in your physical strength, your mental eligibility, your moral achievements, your social duties, reliance on your elders, wealth, properties, etc., and surrender to Me. I am here to shoulder all your responsibilities. I can save you from all your sins consequent on your nonobservance of edicts addressed to embodied souls. You need not worry even for a fraction of a moment. None else can do this deed for you. I assure you, I am the Supreme Lord; I am the only Saviour of humanity. Why do you depend upon others and other courses? They cannot help you. They too are in the same plight as you are. As such, how can they lend their helping hands to you ? Why do you hope to cross an ocean by catching hold a dog's tail? This is a tumultuous ocean of roaring waves, infested by various ferocious animals who are waiting with wide open jaws. They will swallow you within no time. Your efforts, however well designed, and however equipped they may be, in your light, can never lead you safely to the other shore. If you disobey Me and enter into its rough waters, you will be caught in a short while in its terrible eddies, surrounded by wild beasts that can easily swallow even elephants. Hence, the safest course for you is to come to Me. I am here with My boat. You need not have any fear whatsoever. You are once and for all saved for eternity. You do not repent for the failures in fulfilling the different duties you had to perform. All those duties are intended only to please Me finally. If I am favourably disposed to you, there is nothing else that you should gain in the infinite number of worlds. You can be sure that you have achieved everything. This is the final attainment of all fortunate souls-My Love. Go on, do not waste time, make haste and be free from all the worries that you are subject to, from time immemorial." "Should the duties like meditation, etc. that I am performing, conform to the duties enjoined according to the code for one's own Asram of be exclusively by themselves ?The answer is this :- "Discarding all codes of conduct, prescribed for the Varnas (classes), as enjoined by the Varnasram Dharmas, take absolute shelter in Me alone." The word 'Parityajya', should not be interpreted as "discarding the worldly ties and attachments to become a hermit "; because Arjun being a Kshatriya, is debarred from being a Sanyasin. This should not also be taken to mean that Bhagavan Sri Krishna, having Arjun in view intended to convey His directive to the rest of the people. When it was proper for Him to give advice to Arjun only, others could adjunctively be included but not vice versa. The word 'Parityajya' should not be taken to mean "discarding only the fruits of one's actions" This is illustrated thus: - "O king! That person who, discarding his duties enjoined by the Varnasram Dharma, takes sole refuge in Sri Mukunda-the Fittest Person amongst all yielding protection, is neither a slave nor a debtor to his ancestors, well-wishers, other animate beings, the sages, or the other gods. When a mortal, who has cast aside all his wordly duties and dedicated his self to Me, in his desire to seek Me, attains immortality, then indeed he becomes fit to realise Me-the Self-Produced One.Man should continue to perform his worldly duties, so long as he does not free himself, from the attachment thereof, nor is able to develop an attachment to the hearing, etc., of My Narratives."That person who, knowing the merits and demerits of My directives, though given by Me, solely serves Me, leaving aside all the moral and religious codes of his own Dharma, is the most virtuous of the virtuous. "All these words of Sri Krishna convey the same meaning, because of the prefix 'pari' meaning 'all-around', "Hence, the words 'take refuge in Me alone', imperatively means that you should not take recourse to Dharma, knowledge, Yoga, worship of their gods, etc. " In the beginning, I told you that you are entitled to devotion blended with religious rites, thinking that you have no claim to the highest form of My Bhakti-Ananya Bhakti (whole and sole devotion to Sri Krishna and no one else), as the sole resort. Now out of My sheer unlimited kindness to you, you have attained the right to My highest form of Bhakti-Ananya Bhakti, which accidentally and inexplicably (yaadricchikayaa), is obtainable only by the grace of My ardent devotees, who have solely dedicated themselves to Me alone, the peculiarity of which (Ananya Bhakti), is that I break My Own vows to fulfil those of My Bhaktas as will be indicated to you by the breaking of My own vow to fulfil Bhishmas's at the time of your battle with him. By My commands, you should not entertain any fear of obstacles that might befall you for the relinquishment of these daily routine religious rites. These daily routine rites were directed to be practised by Me alone, assuming the form of Vedas; but its discardment also, is ordered by My Own Self, i.e. Sri Krishna Himself. Hence, how can there be any possibility of a sin arising for not performing these routine rites? On the contrary, if you still persist in performing your daily routine religious rites, you would be committing sins, for disobeying the direct commands given (in Person) by My Own Self. Verily, he, who has totally dedicated himself to any protector, becomes entirely dependent on the latter like a beast, purchased for a price, doing what he is impelled to do, standing where he is asked to stand, and eating whatever he is provided with. These are all the principles of the codes of self-dedication. It is said in Vayu Purana :- "(1) Full acceptance of all that is favourable, (2) total rejection (abstinence) of everything that is unfavourable, (3) a firm faith that he will be protected, (4) the choice of the Lord, (5) consigning everything to His care, and (6) giving up of meanness are the six ways of Saranagati. The word 'Anukulyam' means, the conduct that is one of continued advance agreeable to one's chosen God or Diety, befitting the devotional code; 'Pralikulyam' is the exact opposite of that; 'Bhatritva' is the implicit faith that He alone is my Protector and no one else,' ' Visvas' (faith) is that unflinching faith that He will protect me even in the midst of adverse circumstances as those of Draupadi, Gajendra, etc., 'Nikshepanam' is the utility of everything belonging both to the mortal frame and the subtle body only in the service of one's own Sri Krishna; 'Akarpanyam' (or the giving up of meanness) is the non-display of one's meanness elsewhere; these six qualities constitute Saranagati, or complete self-surrender to the Supreme Creator. Therefore, from now onwards I take absolute refuge in you. Hence, as befitting You, I must do my duty allotted to me, whether good or bad (auspicious or inauspicious). If you ask me to do only the routine religious rites, there will be no anxiety; but because of Your Self-Willed Nature, arising from Your Overlordship, if You compel me to practise unrighteousness (Adharma), then what will be my fate ? The answer to this (doubt) is given in the line 'Ahamtvam sarvapapebhyo mokshayishyami ma suchah'. I shall liberate you from all, both ancient (all existing accumulated sins of all past births), and future sins (those I may cause you to perform according to you). The sense is that I shall not be wanting in My ability to protect you like other protectors. It is on your account alone, that I am teaching these scriptural injunctions to the shale world. Grieve not. Do not grieve either for your own interest (Benefit) or for the benefits of another. May all people like you, by completely discarding all their own codes of conduct and those of other Dharmas meditating, performing Kirtan, etc., and taking absolute shelter in Me, live happily, because I have, an oath, shouldered the full responsibility of liberating them, from all their sins, of freeing them from their worldly bondage, and the charge of their attaining Me. What more ? "I have taken upon myself even to feed them. It is already said, "I bear the responsibility of looking to the welfare of those, who, being fully engrossed in Me alone, and without seeking any other protector, worship Me wholeheartedly and Zealously. " Do not grieve saying, "Alas ! I have thrust so much burden on my own Lord." Meditation on the Lord, Who is kind to His devotees, and faithful to His word, can be easily (without any effort) accomplished. Is there anything further and higher than this that yet remains to be told ? dharman anyan parityajya mamekam bhaja bisvasan yadrsi yadrsi sradha sidhirbhavti tadrsi kurban nirantaram karma lokoyomanuvartate tenaiv karmana dhyayan mam param bhakti mischati(Br.Sam.5/61) It is said in Srimad Bhagabat - tasmat tvam uddhavotsarjya codanam praticodanam pravrttim ca nivrttam ca srotavyam srutam eva ca mam ekam eva saranam atmanam sarva-dehinam yahi sarvatma bhavena maya sya hy akuto-bhayah(Bha.11/12/14-15) "O Uddhav ! For the reason already explained to you, take absolute shelter in Me-Sri Krishna (pointing to Himself with His Own Finger) alone-the Soul of all beings, with your heart and soul, discarding everything that the Srutis and Smritis expect one to perform and to reject, and giving up the attachment to and the discontinuance of worldly affairs and clean forgetting everything that you have so far heard, and giving up entirely any inclination to hear whatever yet remains to be heard. Be fearless as I am your Protector." Surrender to Bhagavan is the safest path. All our Sastras repeatedly insist on this course. Any observance devoid of the spirit of surrender fails to invoke Divine Mercy. Surrender, pure and genuine moves the Heart of the Supreme Lord. It melts Him and He flies to the rescue of a surrendered devotee. How Many illustrations are there in the lives of many great saints that establish this fact with all emphasis ! The incidents of Gajendra, Draupadi, and the lives of a host of devotees, ancient and modem are glorious examples that prove this idea in facts and figures. Words cannot adequately express the astounding effects of surrender. from GURU AND ATMA NIVEDAN Raghav Chaitanya Das http://www.srilapurimaharaja.org/books/guru_and_atma_nivedanam.html