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|| Ram || good questions, good answers. However could you go back to the answer of question 1 and incorporate what factor the individual soul plays on the personality. thanks

|| Ram || the gopis also worshipped a particular form of Durga to attain Krishna, why can you not do the same? Do you not also wish to attain gopi-bhava?

|| Ram || I heard somewhere that the history about Aryan invasion some thousands year ago into present day India is actually a myth made up by the british empire as a method to divide indians/hindus. Is it actually a myth or did aryan and dravidan communiities actually exist?

|| Ram || I havent seen any pictures of garuda or Hanuman at the Soho street temple (london)!!!

|| Ram || Why the left side? is there any scriptural sources stating this? But some devotees have their right side facing the Deities! Theres pictures of different Avataras all the way round the temple so they would always be pointing their feet to someone! Plus god is Omni-present! instead wouldnt it make sense to bow facing the deities because they are the 'local' point of focus at that location. They are the object of concentration during aartis etc. So why not bow facing them?

|| Ram || I regularly visit the Soho street temple. A question i have, why don't devotees face the Deities when bowing?? They bow facing perpendicular to where the Deities are. Is there a reason for this? I always thought the temple was centered around the lovely murtis of Radha Krishna, so why would anyone want to bow down in the direction of a wall instead?

|| Ram || By all means praise a deity, but not by degrading others! Hari Bol

|| Ram || Thank you Krsna for your reply. Iv (almost) stopped eating chocolate altogether for the moment. I have my seasons where sometimes I live off chocolate and sometimes dont eat any whatsoever. However i would like to share with you that now that im not eating chocolate, when consuming even a little indricetly in biscuits etc, it sparks of desires. Even thou these desires are controllable and not as strong as before, I feel that its more than coincidence that it is effected by chocolate. If anyone wants to control their mind, I would strongly suggest they 'renounce' chocolate or any other food type that they crave. It truly helps to focus the mind! Haribol

------------ hey Mr Vanity, have you lost your teeth yet? Krsna is shaving you up and you complain? He will leave no cuts, no ugly scars and give you the smoothest shave you ever had or will get from anyone else. ------------ ... and a lot of unwanted wrinkles too ;o)

Does anyone know any new age cure for cito megalo virus? please help.

yo, you lot should watch your tongue! you should never compare avatars! it is wrong to degrad a deity by comparison! Everyone has their own way, if the worship of the resevoir of all pleasure, mariyada prushottama Sri Ram suits you then, then worship Him by all means without the doubt that He may be 'less' than someone else! Worship without any doubts or fears, to your hearts content!

|| Ram || Sri Garga said - First you listen to the name of Rohininandana Rama. Rama is as Yogis take delight in him or else he goes on sporting everywhere. Further he delights his devotees through his merits and excellences so he is Rama. Due to the transferring from the womb he will be known as Sankarsana. When everything dissolves, he still remains. So he is Sesa. Due to the superiority of strength he is Bala. Now listen carefully to the names of your own son which are capable of sanctifying instantly all creatures and which are benefactor to all worlds. The letter 'Ka' in his name indicates Kamalakanta Visnu and 'R' stands for Rama. 'Sa' represents the Lord of the six qualities who lives in Svetadvipa. 'Na' represents the man-lion god and 'A' represents fire-god, the two visargas represent Nara and Narayan. Since all these six aspects are inclusive in a single Paripurnatama so he is known as Krsna. His bodily colour was white, reddish and yellowish in different Yugas. In the end of Dvapara and beginning of Kali he has become black so he will be known as Krsna. 'Vasu' stands for Indriyas having Citta, as their god. He who acts among them is known for this reason as Vasudeva. The daughter of Vrsabhanu, Radha who was born of Kirti - because of being her Lord he is known as Radhapati. Sri Krsna is Paripurnatama Lord Himself. He is the overlord of innumerable universes and abides in Golokadhama. That Lord has become your child in order to relieve the burden of earth, to kill Kamsa etc, . and to protect his devotees. His names are innumerable unknown even to the Vedas. Moreover He will have many names based on his deeds. There should be no wonder in regard of his deeds. It is your great fortune O Nanda that the supreme Lord in the form of the child is present in your home. Goloka Khanda, Sri Gargasamhita

The Glory of Music - A. P. Anand (Original title 'Impact of Science on Hindu Religion') Published in Kalyana Kalpataru Vol. XLIII No.12 September 1998 Music, mainly originated from Sama Veda and is rich with beautiful songs. Also the dances and devotional songs (Bhajanas) started from the temples where these were performed as thanksgiving to please and rever the deities and ultimately the system shifted to the courts of kings also as a routine affair. Bhajanas and kirtanas etc., not only enlighten us and are soul stirring but soothe our mind, body and dissipate tensions also. The sound of music can alter heart and respiration rates as well as brain waves and general well being. Thus music is a part of Hindu religion and has played/is playing a major role to reduce the sufferings of mankind. The glory and skill of age-old Bharata Natyam is still famous to give rhythmical effect. Different Ragas (tunes) are sung at different times and during different season. Raga Bhairavi is used for calming down the mind, and for war Raga Sankara is invoked. Basanta Raga is sung during Basanta [easter, Raga Basanta was the second item at the Gayaki Concert] season to boost our mind. Raga Malhara and Megha are sung during rainy season for love and happiness. At dawn Raga Prabhati and Bhairava are good for spiritual upliftment. The Brhat Sama song is sung at midnight. Also morning Ragas are Bhatiyara Vibhasa and Mianki Todi. The afternoon Ragas are Bhimpalasi, Patadipa and Manda. Raga Gandharva is believed to lead to liberation. Raga Ananda Bhairvi is useful for hypertension and Raga Sankarabharanam for mental illness. There are Ragas for fighting ageing and pain. Raga Sri is sung for relieving liver problems. It is not out of place to mention here that by singing Raga Dipaka the famous musician, Tanasena in Akbar's court had set the forest aflame, and his body had turned black and blue. He later on sung Raga Megha to bring rain for quelling the same fire. It is said that Tanasena was afterwards treated by some Muslim girl of Gujarat by singing another song. Tanasena was one of the "nine Ratnas" (nine learned persons) in King Akbar's court. He was born at Gwalior and later on worked in the court of a King of Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. Another famous musician, Baiju Bawara, in Akbar's court sang a song which had an impact of melting the marble rock. Even the Hindu deities were lovers of music and dance. Lord Sankara was a lover of music and Tandava dance and so was the Supreme Lord Krishna through His flute. The Muslims believe that their sufi music(Qawali) is for reaching God. It is recalled that ancestors of Sufi sect came to India from Central Asia and Iran and Khwaja Muin-ud-dina Cisti whose Durgaha (mausoleum) is in Ajmer and that of saint Nizam-ud-dina [Pandit Kumar Shashwat sang his first item Raga Darbari in praise of Sufi Saint Nizam-ud-dina during Gayaki Concert] near Delhi, are famous, belonged to this sect. Music lovers and seekers of knowledge know no bounds of religion and language etc. While King Dara Sikoha (brother of King Aurangzeb an ardent Muslim) learned and craved for Vedic scriptures and chanted melodious Hindu religious songs; another Muslim saint and singer Abdur Rahima Khan-e-Khana sang songs in the glory of Lord Krishna. His spiritual Dohas (couplets) in Hindi are still famous and acclaimed. In Sikh Gurudwaras also the Ragis (singers) sing devotional songs in glory of their Gurus (masters), Bhai Mardana, a companion of Guru Nanaka - The 1st Sikh Guru, sang Hindu devotional songs. Music plays an important role in all religions and appropriate music at different occasions is sung. Music and dance have thrilled effect on mankind as well as birds, beasts, animals, and all living entities. Music is beneficial for spiritual, mental, and physical achievements. It is a God given art which attracts all. The cuckoo coos, the peacock dances, and the snakes and deer dance, swing and rejoice on music tunes. We have seen elephants and horses swinging and dancing on the rhythmical effect of music. Music, dance and chanting of Vedic hymns, if properly sounded and performed, will help in healing and driving away many physical and mental ailments. For combating depression and anxiety, melodious music is very beneficial. Music brings sleep and acts as a good tranquilizer for nervous system. It minimises the blood pressure and restores the harmony of human psyche in times of disquiet and distress. It cures many other ailments like asthma, tuberculosis, cancer, headache, hysteria and heart diseases. It can make calm even the cruel and angry beast. It is said that music which rises to heaven expresses the harmony of the universe to bring peace especially if it is blended with rituals. Listening to soft music helps in our getting more milk from cows and buffaloes. It is believed that music has blooming effect on flowers. Also it has proved immensely useful in surgery and delivery of children without much pain.

This is an extract from the book: "Lives of Saints" - Sri Swami Sivananda ..."Mira was persecuted in various ways by the Rana and his relatives. She got the same treatment which Prahlad got from his father Hiranyakasipu. Hari shielded Prahlad. Here, Sri Krishna always stood by the side of Mira. Once the Rana sent a cobra in a basket to Mira with the message that it contained a garland of flowers. Mira took her bath and sat for worship. After finishing her meditation, she opened the basket and found inside a lovely idol of Sri Krishna and a garland of flowers. Then the Rana sent her a cup of poison with the message that it was nectar. Mira offered it to Lord Krishna and took it as His Prasad. It was real nectar to her. Then the Rana sent a bed of nails for Mira to sleep on. Mira finished her worship and slept on the bed of nails. Lo! The bed of nails was transformed into a bed of roses. When Mira was thus tortured by her husband's relatives, she sent a letter to Tulsidasji and asked the advice of the saint. She wrote thus: " All my relatives trouble me, because I move amongst Sadhus. I cannot carry on my devotional practices in the house. I have made Giridhar Gopal my friend from my very childhood. I am strongly attached to Him. I cannot break that attachment now". Tulsidasji sent a reply: " Abandon those who do not worship Rama and Sita as if they are your enemies, even though they are your dearest relatives. Prahlad abandoned his father; Vibhishana left his brother Ravana; Bharata deserted his mother; Bali forsook even his Guru; the Gopis, the women of Vraja, disowned their husbands in order to attain the Lord. Their lives were all the happier for having done so. The opinion of holy saints is that the relation with God and love of God alone is true and eternal; all other relationships are unreal and temporary". ..

Radhe, i agree with you. There are definetly more things out there that our simple minds cannot comprehend. Our gurus and acharyas tell us as much knowledge as we need to know. But unfortunetly a lot of big headed people claim to know which path is right and which path is wrong. My philosophy is this, do not criticise others. Learn to follow your heart. Paramatma residing in our hearts will guide the way to what is good for us. Proof of this? remember to the time how you all got started in devotional service. Do you honestly believe that it was a mere coincidence? No! it was Paramatma's grace that brought you all here.

Why is Sanatan Dharma only connected from Prema and not also from liberation? As far as i know from my experience, Hinduism has always held Liberation (Moksha) as the goal of human life. Prema is something that is liberation and more. But surely Sanatana Dharma should also be derived from libertion?

That old thread was all well and good as biological basis, but i would like to hear some spiritual implications of chocolate please. I for one have experimented with indulging in chocolate and then going on a chocolate diet and how this effects the mind. I just want to know if anyone else (...whos mature and does not live a disturbed life about gnomes etc) has tried this. I honestly believe that the mind is a hell-of-alot easier to control e.g. abstain from sexual desires, once desireful foods are controlled.

So whats ISKCON's view on chocolate? Please dont reply that its ok in moderation. If this was the case then why is caffine banned? is that not a stimulant and only intoxicating in excess. Why not chocolate is the question? Thanks

Haribol, was just wandering, whats your stand on chocolate?? I used to be a heavy chocoholic but then realised that they were the cause of sexual actuvity within my mind and so have more or less completly stopped and felt a considerable difference. What you think? Is there are scripture verses to back this up?

Thank you muralidhar_das for your indepth answer. Could you kindly give more examples if possible of the differences between the two philosophies. Haribol

Many thanks to sumedh and muralidhar_das for your posts. Ok, so i can sense how its different from dvaita, but how does it differ from Nimbarkacharya's philosophy of dvaita-advaita?

Iv heard alota Hari's use the term 'Achintya Bheda Bheda tattva' but noones been able to explain or translate it properly. I fear majority of the time its neophytes pretending to be clever and know it all. 1) what is the literal translation word for word? 2) whats does it mean? 3) how does it differ from dvaita, etc? thank you

In reply to: "A rough example is this. Suppose during world war two you could stop the holocaust by telling a lie to someone. What do you do? Do you uphold the dharma of "satyam" (truthfullness), or do you abandon that dharma for the higher purpose of helping others?" I dont completly agree with you there! An exmaple that i remember clearly from a Bhagavat Katha is that of a person running after a cow to kill it. The Cow runs past a sages ashram and the person asks the sage whether he saw which direction the cow ran. What should the sage reply? Should he speak the truth and account for the cow's death, or should he lie and fall from the path of satya? The CORRECT answer is that he should tell the person the TRUE path but also stand in his way and say that to get to the cow he will have to fight the sage! In this way he protects the cow as well as staying on the path of satya. I recognise this as a life worthy of living.

Thank you stonehearted, you have provided the best answers, even though i think you didnt mean 'Devaki' but Kunti! Nevertheless the pieces are kinda starting to fall into place. I suppose Arjuna was acting as an instrument of Krishna. An unjust end to an unjust person! But whatever happened to 'Karuna-sindhu'? If Karna requested a pause in fighting and with full faith became defenceless to unhitch the chariot, his death seems like an act of uncompassion. Would this not reflect back upon Arjuna and Krishna? PS Treating women badly isnt the problem with my successors lol. They are all good in nature. And im sure that the society will do well under their management.

HariBol! If im not mistaken, in kurukshetra yudh, Karna was killed by Arjun by the order of Shri Krishna whilst Karna was defenceless! Im a bit confused by this! The 'rules of war' stated that it was unfair to kill Karna whilst he was defenceless. Karna trusted Arjuna to pause the fighting whilst he pushed his war-carriage from a ditch. I understand that Karna had chosen to fight for the 'bad' side and his death was inevitable. I also understand that the kurus side had done many bad things. But what i dont understand is that those fighting the good fight should do it in a just manner, especially seeing that those who are on the side of satya always win in the end. Then why did Krishna order Arjuna to kill Karna in such an unjust way? this seems wrong!