gHari

Just the truth. Although listening to the impossible humility of Haridas tonight really pulled me down a few zillion pegs, for sure.

There are three sources which always tally: scriptures, saints, and gurus. If you want to believe in the Vedas, you must cultivate the association of saints (sadhus) and gurus. The spiritual master (guru) has seen the Truth - only he can impart it. Pick up the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Follow the process enunciated by Lord Krsna as presented by His pure devotee. Don't study it with a view to kill Krsna. It is a process. If you really want to know that the Vedas are the 'real thing', you will need to travel to the end of the process which culminates in the presence of God. Only He can give you absolute proof. You asked the question; this is the answer. Were you really interested? It will not be your mind that finds God. Your near death experience woke you up; now it's time to wake up your heart. That's all that God wants. Without it, He reserves the right to remain hidden behind all the words. Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu can teach you all there is to know about loving God. It is the highest taste you can find on this planet.

Shashi, Well, not as much dedication as I'm sure we'd like. In fact, I have likely been delegated this task to force my lazy mind to carefully read all of this very important book. I really only humbly shuffle the commas and periods; and sometimes vainly switch or juggle words there and here. The real effort was made by a wonderful unknown Bengali speaker. And I'm sure he would offer all glory to Srila Vrindavana das, who in turn constantly credits Lord Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhu for this amazing gem. I just finished refining Madhya 9, wherein Sri Caitanya sits on Lord Visnu's throne, assuming His true identity for twenty-one hours. The service really is the reward. It was wonderful; not full of benedictions like 13, but still absolutely riveting. Murari das is actually Hanuman, and on Visnu's throne Lord Caitanya reveals His very special feeling for His monkey devotee. It's a very important book. I must conclude the editing and then go over it at least once again. I can't see anyone being disappointed with any time they spend reading the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. gHari

The Vedas and Puranas cannot be placed in time. They are eternal, unborn, and emanante from the breathing of Lord Narayana. That sound may be written down from time to time, but the Vedic wisdom itself has no point of origin, since it exists forever without cause as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. So nothing predates the Vedas. And if it ain't in the Vedas, it just ain't, period. This is the proper platform from which to view Vedic knowledge; everything else is mere concoction. Like I used to say: Joseph Campbell's expertise is only myth.

Prabhupada said that Arjuna is always Arjuna - not that a different jiva soul plays the role each time. He is okay with that. Since the material world is only manifest half the time, perhaps he holidays with Krsna in Goloka during the breaks.

No tough questions allowed!

Seems this Vetala fella is eluding you. Perhaps he is the demigod who bestows good manners? Some secrets are not imparted to the faithless, for such knowledge only becomes like a diamond mounted on the head of a cobra. I doubt this is of such importance though. I have never heard of Vetala. If I absolutely needed to know, as it seems your life depends on it, I would approach a wider Hindu audience in the soc.religion.hindu newsgroup. Most folks here are mainstream Vaishnavas. Vaishnavas don't worship demigods, any more than Christians worship archangels; we are strictly monotheistic. It is your good fortune to have somehow come here. Don't travel all the way to mystical India, only to lie on the beach for a tan. gHari ------------------ Gary Stevason Seeking the Kingdom of God <font color="#f7f7f7"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 02-06-2002).]

Avinash, all the 17 Adi chapters were done, and maybe as many as the first seven of the Madhya chapters were done. Approximately half of the 46 chapters were rendered presentable a few years back. When no one seemed interested, I guess I too lost interest in the task, although it was always enjoyable. I randomly looked at the 13th Madhya chapter, just to remind myself how much the editing was necessary, and found it was paralleling my recent life drama involving my own belligerent drunken Madhai. I became intrigued and eventually had to fix this and fix that, and then decided I should fix it all before presenting the chapter to the Fellowship. Ten hours later, the mercy is here for those eager enough to read it. After a few years, perhaps this will get me working on it again. It has everything: immense humour, intrigue, mystical wonderment, and more secrets about the hidden incarnation, Gaura. gHari

Just finished finally editing this, and knew I should share it with all of you. One of the benedictions offered by Srila Vrindavan das in his Madhya 13 of the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata: It required many many changes; punctuation, grammar, and spelling type things. Lord Caitanya deserves a first class job. It would be appreciated if you could note any remaining errors, or suggestions you may have for better readability. I still have another 23 chapters to edit, so your help is very meaningful. I think you will be happy that you read this second authorized accounting of the salvation of the rogues, Madhai and Jagai; definitely a good use of ten or fifteen minutes. gHari ------------------ Gary Stevason Seeking the Kingdom of God

HA HA Been called an idiot many times. But never quite so cleverly.

This is sick.

Because we don't want Him enough.

At least the bad press died down in the (late) nineties. Crazy thing is: that the movement is so bona fide.

Satya, the first link on the web site in my signature below contains the essence of bhakti yoga meditation. In scripture God reveals that this is the most powerful form of meditation. The link is called "The Kingdom Is At Hand". ------------------ Gary Stevason Seeking the Kingdom of God

Totally agree, JRdd. Somewhere Prabhupada wrote that pain is not good for Krsna consciousness. I will be the first to reach for the ibuprofen and continue religiously until the pain is gone. And I surely wish your pain would subside; whatever it takes to alleviate it you must do. The novocain was to set up the childish pun between the words medication and meditation; as though a typo in 'transcendental meditation'. I was quite sure that our Darwin was referring to recreational drugs. But then I do remember a rather pleasant euphoric buzz from the demerol shots they gave me for my kidney/gall stones. I actually popped the remaining pills even after the pain was gone, just for the ride. I even went back to the hospital faking another kidney stone attack to get more pills, but they were wise to the nature of legal drug junkies. Guess I had/have an addictive nature. Now, just Baby Blue. Reality is so very addicting.

Special Interview with Swami B.V. Tripurari discussing his new edition of Bhagavad-gita: Its Feeling and Philosophy (from the Sanga Archive at http://www.escribe.com/religion/sanga/ ):

Good point. If we are only trying to control pain and thereby avoid novocain in the dentist's office, then our goal is actually: transcend dental medication.

Yuk, yuk. Remember me at your wedding. More on gHari Puja: ------------------Gary Stevason Seeking the Kingdom of God<font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 01-30-2002).]

I am not American. I now read the news. I see what their training and motives are producing all over the world, especially in India for so many eons. I read their statements of purpose. I see no innocence, only deep guilt and psychosis. I cannot take responsibility for them walking around with TNT strapped to their bellies. They want to die. Grant them that. Or have them emerging from jail seven years from now more psychotic than ever.

What is the URL, internet address, the http://TheBogusSite.com thingie?<font color="#f7f7f7"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 01-30-2002).]

From Mohammad?

If these psychos ambush me, I will face Mecca and bow down offering prayers "... Raam Raam Raam Hare Hare ...". Such dogs do not deserve to know who I am. Couldn't be much worse than working in North America's asura business cult, where we're expected to never praise God, yet rather delight in their endless sexual innuendo banter.<font color="#dedfdf"> [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 01-29-2002).]

From Mohammad?

<center>You wanna die for Allah? Then die now. <h3>BANG!</h3> I have no problem with suicidal terrorists being dead. Pump them for info, then lop off their heads. God has convinced even them that this is what He wants. Sure, I guess they are legally insane and we would normally pack them up on drugs in a padded cell forever, but man, how can we control a few thousand such sicko psychos and somehow feel safe?</center>

Sadhana? This is a very good source for detached opinions on religions. They actually responded to my criticism of their Hare Krishna writeup and approached the Toronto Temple to get the real story. From http://www.religioustolerance.org : [This message has been edited by gHari (edited 01-28-2002).]