Yogkriya

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA!! Oh how wonderful!! Please spread more the glories of Lord Sadashiva Shiva!!! Om Namah shivaya!!

I understand the 'bhaava' behind the philosophy. The mood of achintya bheda-bhed philosophy. This is no problem at all. You can believe Lord Shiva to be Krishna's servant and even a demi-God. You have the right to express your religious/spiritual sentiments and hold your beliefs. This is normal. What is abnormal though is that There are other sections of Vedic culture who have different beliefs. There are people who believe Lord Sadashiva to be their Supreme Lord. And they also have a freedom to their practices and beliefs. And when you go to them and tell them that it is not correct to pray to Shiva indipendently, then this is not correct. This is disrespectful to others. Attitude that we are right and you are wrong is disrespectful. The problem is Iskcon using Hindu tag when necessary and condemning it when not required. Internal policy rejects Hinduism. External marketing policies align with Hinduism if required at a particular step not for spiritual purposes, but for political and financial reasons. This is sad. Many Hindus who gladly visit Iskcon temples in foreign lands hardly know of this. Its when after spending a few years and reading the philosophy, they come to know about this and become surprised.

Yes. So true. A real avatara is mentioned in the scriptures. Nowadays many people start claiming themselves as avataras etc. But the scriptures tell exactly about the descend of the Lord. But then avatara also means descend of divinity and divinity can descend into a person if he is totally surrendering to the Lord. Was Mirabai an avatara? No. But she had the divinity transcending in her for sure. And she could finally meet Lord Krisna. Was Shri Sandeepan Rishi an avatara? Maybe not, but he was divine enough that Krishna himself sat in his lotus feet to learn. So don't kick people who are not Gods but are at least holy. But oh.. what a lame definition of ugliness!! You would kick anyone who has a beard and long hair!! What a pathetic view!! Nanda Maharaj also had long hair and a beard!! Would you kick him too? lol! Most Vedic Rishis kept long hair and beards would you kick them all??? Are they all "UGLY"?? Ain't that a bit too arrogant? Presence or absence of hair don't make some one pious or exalted either. There are specific purposes for shaving hair off and not doing so though.

A very good and enlightening post for the devotees!! Thank you very much!! Om Namah Shivaya!!

Thank you for the wonderful quote! But why leave enjoyment?? The very nature of the soul is to enjoy! To be in rasa. When the ego comes in contact with material nature, it tries to enjoy through material senses, but it is not perfect enjoyment. Let it enjoy and rejoice to the fullest service and devotion and love in the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha nd Krisna!!! And let even the senses enjoy the nectar of devotion!! Use up everything in the fire of Lord's love!!

Lol! Good question. Krishna is in everyone. But that is not the point. Point is how much has one realized and experienced this. Simply reading and believing is not realization. True Realization comes after experiencing it and not imagining it by reading.

Dear theist, Well, Isckon has always taken advantage of the Hindus and not otherwise. This wouldn't have been a problem and Hindus could gladly support them, becauase after all Lord Krishna is teh Hindu God. Krishna worship has always been there in Hinduism. Bhakti yoga has always been an essential part of Vedic culture. There is nothing new in it. The prolem comes when they want to exploit Hindus but do not accept Hinduism. It is recognized all over the world. Hindus are always very free and they don't really have a problem if you worship Lord Shiva or Vishnu or Rama or Gayatri or Shri Durga... Nobody would come to you and say that "why are you worshipping shiva? You know Shiva depends on Krishna and is subservient to him and can't liberate you, all he does is sit in kailash and chant hare krishna mantra, so if you worship Shiva as indipendent it is offensive, that's why you can ask Shiva to help you meet Krishna". This is the Iskcon theory! Hindus are very liberal and not stuck up. And if the Hindus have to make a Shiva temple there, Iskcon won't ever be helping in that. I had a talk with one of the Iskcon Gurus. I won't quote his name here, but he is a very good person. I said if you think that this is going to be a "Vedic" temple, then Shiva worship is a major part of Vedic culture. The temple was first marketed as Vedic temple and cultural center, beacuse the Vedic has more authority and value and the society would have accepted that more than say Hare Krishna temple. Krishna and Rama worshipped Shiva, Krishna's aunt Queen Kunti was a staunch Shiva devotee, So were the Gurus of Lord Rama - Vashishtha and Vishwamitra. The greatest vaishnava Rama learned from Shiva Gurus. Why don't you allocate a room for Lord Shiva in this temple? Krishna will be pleased! Even if you consider Shiva as the number one Vaishnava, Won't Krishna be pleased to have his number one devotee next to him?? And the Hindu community that gives donations and supported the cause on political fronts could also go to Lord Shiva! But the answer was a big NO!! When the previous Indian Prime minister AB Vajpayee went to Moscow, the temple cause was trumpeted to him as a Hindu temple project and saying that the Hindu community needs their temple there. So ABV put in efforts to get them the land allocated. But Hindus worship Shiva and Durga too! And this is also VEDIC!! This is 'sahstra sammat' to worship them. Krishna instructs Arjuna to worship Shiva and Durga too. There are enough documented evidence of it. If you read compelte Mahabharata (not Iskcon version), you will find it. You will see a big difference in Lord Krishna's opinion on Lord Shiva and Iskcon's opinion on Lord Shiva!! Anyways, it will be very good if the Moscow Krishna devotees can have the temple finally!! Only, Iskcon masquerading as Hindus when they require funds and political support or facing social confrontation in a country, is not appreciable. Especially beacuse they do not consider Hinduism as a bonafide religion and criticize it. If the iskcon philosophy is powerful, it should learn to survive without resorting to cheap marketing tactics using clitch words as Hindu and Yoga!! If Prabhupada dejected Hinduism, he never claimed to be Hindu or having a Hindu temple. His approach was very straight. You like it or not. Jai Gurudev!

Yes this is so true.

Yes I definitely appreciate if the temple is indeed okayed. But other's don't have philosophical differences with Iskcon. Iskcon has differences with others. This spreading of the Mahamantra should be encouraged. But if the people from isckon spread that "ours is the only bonafide way and all other ways are inferior" then it is not correct.

Yes. Therefore Russians are identifying it as Hindu. That is why Iskcon leadership projected the temple as Hindu to the Delhi mayor, moscow mayor and everybody else. But when a HIndu goes to the temple, he is told that "we are not some Hindu" He is told that Hinduism is nothing but a dried out branch of religion that is not worth anymore. It is hodge podge confused and mixed up. This was the position of Prabhupad, the founder of Iskcon and is backed by all Iskcon leaders today. But to gain support, they portray themselves as "Hindu" to the foreign people, societies, governments. Ask what an Iskcon leader whether he would want to help build a Shiva temple or a Durga temple. Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma is the Hindu trinity. But in Iskcon language Shiva is a mere Demi-God. Though they call themselves as "Vedic" another clich word, they have serious contradictions with teh original Vedic culture.

Good News indeed!! But it is not a "Hindu Temple". It is an "Iskcon" temple.

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogkriya Om Namah Bhagawate Vasudevaya! Because he is the destroyer of the Universe? But then he is the sustainer and creator too. He himself says this to Rama and Rama confirms it. Sumedh: Please provide evidence for this statement. Yogkriya: Sumedh I have provided more than enough evidence on this issue earlier. But the problem is that no other scripture holds any authority for u except SB and BG. You can find it in the scriptures. Everything is there. If you would opt to read outside of what SPP said, you will find it.

Yes there are specific mantras for agya chakra activation. Tratak sadhna of different levels also helps immensely, but should bedone carefully not stressing eyes too much at a given time. Also you should go to Gurudev for Agya Chakra Jagaran diksha. He may chose to do it with shaktipaat. Approach Gurudev for this.

You should go to Mahabharata Anushasana Parva and read the instructions of Lord Krishna to Yudhishthara. Krishna ellaborately tells him how he received initiation in Pashupat Yog from the great rishi Upmanyu and performed hard penance (last few months standing on the tip of his toe without eating or drinking anything), to please the Lord of Lords - Sadashiva!! It is really interesting.

Yes Lord Shiva will be pleased with your devotion to Lord Krsna! Shiva loves Krsna immeasurably! So does Krsna loves Shiva immeasurably! Also, you may chant Om Namah Shivaya in front of Lord Shiva's image or a shiva Linga! Krisna will be pleased too!

Both are used for God realization. Hare Krsna mantra is called the Mahamantra given by Shri Chaitanya mahaprabhu about 500 years ago. An older form of the mantra where it starts as 'Hare Rama' first is also found in scriptures. It is a good mantra to evoke Lord Krsna's blessings, besides 'Om namo bhagwate Vasudevaya' which was the original mantra given to bhakta Prahlada by sage Narada. Om Namah Shivaya is the Adi Maha mantra that was practiced originally by Vashishtha Rishi who was also the lineage Guru of Lord Rama. The Panchakshara adi Maha mantra Om Namaha Shivaya was also practiced by Vamandeva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. It has been practiced by Rishis, saints and exalted as well as common people in every age and yuga. It is the best way to connect to Lord Shiva and evoke His blessings. It depends which deity you feel an inner connection to. Then you can practice his mantra. Maybe you can take up an 11 day sadhna of practicing each mantra and record your feelings and dreams that follow. And then you can decide, where you feel the right connection. If you are sincere, you will get the guidance from the Lord. Om namah Shivaya!!

Lord Shiva is without a birth or an end! He was never born and has always existed. But there is an interesting story on his appearance or rather revealing himself to Vishnu and Brahma who couldn't identify him at first. You should read Shiv Mahapurana for this. Here Shiva appears as a gigantic pillar of fire, as a giant shiva linga that expands through trillions of galaxies! Brahma and Vishnu (krsna) are not able to find its beginning or end even after travelling all over the universes. Then he reveals himself to them saying that he is the eternal Sadashiva. Om Namah Shivaya!!

Dear Apep, The foremost important texts are the - Shiva Gita that is part of the Padma Purana. It is a qustion answer between Lord Sadashiva and Rama. And is similar to bhagwat Gita in its essence. Rama asks and Shiva answers. And at the end Lord Shiva shows Rama his eternal universal form where Rama sees all the universe and even the ten avatars of Vishnu including the Krishna avatara and his killing of Kamsa and the leelas. Rama aknowledges that Shiva is the base of the whole universe and everything emanates from him and submerges in him. And that he is the controller of all the three gunas of the nature, but is above them. Some one who reads Shiva Gita with devotion and understanding sees his spiritual life rocket shooting upwards. Shiva Samhita is an important text on higher Yoga as given to Parvati Devi by Shiva himself. This is a very important text. And of course, the Shiva Mahapurana!! That states the appearing of the fire Shiva linga whose beginning or end is not known to Vishnu (Krishna) and Brahma. Here Shiva reveals his true form as the Adi Mahadev - The supreme Lord - one who has not beginning and no end. He is eternal. And then you can also look for Rudrayamal Tantra. These should be more than enough to start with. Later you may want to research into Kriyouddisha tantra which is a very rare tantra doctrine given by the Lord. Shivohi Kevalam!! Om Namah Shivaaya!!

Yes. But the Vedas is not all about Bhagwatam. Anyone who properly hears and chants Shiv Geeta with devotion, becomes completely liberated too. Would you disagree?? It's all a matter of personal sadhna level, devotion and grace from SadGuru and the Lord. You talked a lot about Vedas, but you didn't quote from a single Veda!!! Yoga trains the faculties of the mind and body and detaches the senses from mundane activities to the next level of Dhyan leading to Dharana and even Samadhi!! Shiva is the greatest Vaishnava and Krishna is the greatest Shaiva! This needs to be understood. Namah Shivaya!!

Yes. Very Commendable! This spirit of togetherness is important and we must realize the essence of the teachings and not fight over mine and yours. This is also well reflected in Hinduism. Like someone once said: The problem is not with Shiva and Rama, but with the monekeys of Rama and ghosts of Shiva!! - in other words, problem is with the followers who fight and not the Lords themselves!! See how the Orthodox Russian Christians do not accept the western Catholics. But both seem to follow the same Christ who was neither Russian nor Italian!! What an irony!! Two brothers of the same father hate each other!! Om Namah Shivaya!!!

I would say, base your bhakti on bhakti of the Lord and not even scriptures. Kabir never read out from books to people, nor did Christ said open page number so and so, canto number so and so and repeat..! But on the other hand, if you see carefully, tv serials are made after researching the scriptures. All the stories are taken from the scriptures and not concocted a new. The Mahabharat serial making had the directors and script writers researching and consulting geetas, and mahabharats and organizations involved in their research including Iskcon. So was the ramayana serial researched on Goswami Tulsidas's RamCharitmanas and Valmiki Ramayana. And they have to give it in the credits on screen. All researchers have to quote their source of information. Yes you are very right - there is nothing wrong with having devotion to Lord Shiva!! And Shiva is the base for everything. What can be a more solid base than that? Namaamee Shameeshaan Nirvaanroopam, Vibhun vyaapkam brahm veydaswaroopam. Nijam-nirgunam Nirvikalpam Nireeham, Chidaakaashamaakaasanvaasham bhajeham II Om Samb Sadaashivaay namah!!

Om Namah shivay!! Yes, in principle, that is the whole idea. Rest is technical. But in essence, this is important. Some sects have the agenda to put other names down to perch themselves higher etc. So we have to vociforate. Hindus don't care who you pray to. Krishna or Shiva. As long as you are moving towards divinity, peace and realizing your higher self. Or as long as you are in devotional progression towards your divine deity / divinity / realization. But Yes divine names of the lord liberate - when meditated upon with devotion, faith, concentration and understanding. And trivialities of names are not a reason for argument really. Om Samb Sadaashivaay namah!!

Yes, your theory seems to be logical. Only a couple of people present on the earth today have the knowledge of a few of these weapons. A yogi from Siddhashram demostrated a few years ago agniastra and vayuastra. By using asniastra, he set to fire an area in a forest. Such a fire is different from the ordinary fire and cannot be ordinarily extinguished by water. He then used vayu astra to remove extinguish it. This is believable. But unfortunately I cann[t remember the name of the sadhu.

Dear Guest, No I am not white, but Indian Hindu. And understand the Hindu philosophy in practice. Parts that are lost and parts that were an essential part of the Vedic culture and should represent it. I believe in sadhnas and that things should be accomplished and can be accomplished with proper sadhnas in life. Whether it is a higher spiritual goal or a compelling problem in life. Yoga is all about connecting with the higher power and upliftment. And the method is sadhna - whether it strictly keeps to bhakti, mantra or tantra sadhnas. All are a part of the Vedic culture. I mentioned Max Muller, because the white Aryan Invasion myth has been propagated by people like him. Just like maybe the Taj Mahal love story was propagated by the Mughals. I find it difficult to imagine a man loving a woman so so much if he had 5000 other beautiful women in his harem. How was he left with any energy or imagination to built a Taj Mahal for the next 20 years? I do not consider this Aryan invasion theory to be true. As I wrote earlier, Lord Rama was an Arya too. But it doesn't make make him a German aryan as propagated.. because then we will have to find out where was Germany or Russia in those days and to what level of development. I think you know the answer to this. From my information, Russia was a jungle at the time. Moscow was totally a forest only 860 years ago. Yes you may say they "coined the Aryan word" to be representing one particular race.

Where did the "Aryansarrive" from??? Lord Rama was an aryan too. So was Bhishma. Are you really living by the Max Muller theory and believe Rama's ancestors like King Harishchandra arrived from Germany or Russia?? I think you need to get your facts straight. Aryans followed Sanatana Dharma. This is the fact. And Sanatana Dharma is the eternal religion emanating from Bharatvarsha as its epicentre spreading to other parts of the world.