Ganeshprasad

Jai Ganesh Pranam No one can deny the Bhakti spoken in The Gita, and it can be expressed in different way that also is quite clear in the Gita but that does not bother us, no Hindu would object to Bhakti, this is not what is discussed here is it? It is my method is better then yours attitude that and constant bashing of Hindus, whenever possible (on whose charity the organization is widely supported) irks most of us. I see everyone else answering to YK ignoring this point. The verse Sarva dharma is quoted quite often to drive the point of exclusive Bhakti to Krishna, but let us remind our self why Gita was spoken to Arjun. He was overcome by grief he was afraid of the sins of killing his guru, grandfather Bhisma and the others also dear to him and the resultant varna shanker praja that would follow.he was perplexed about his dharma, so it is quiet natural for Lord Krishna to say give up all Dharma I will save you for all the sins at the end.otherwise what was the reason for him to speak the Gita and all the other Dharma in it? tasmac chastram pramanam te karyakarya-vyavasthitau jnatva sastra-vidhanoktam karma kartum iharhasi Therefore, let the scripture be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. You should perform your duty following the scriptural injunction. (16.24) And why would he ask, the Pandavas immediately after the war, to pray to Lord Shiva to wash their sins? I have no intention to start Siva V Krishna debate, just a reflection; it is more than what meets the eye. Thanks YK for your excelent reply to Sumedhji Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh It Goes like this Karpoora Gauram Karunavataram Samsara Saram Bhujagendra Haram Sada Vasantam Hridayaravinde Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami I salute to the merciful Bhava (i.e. Shiva) who is with his consort Parvati, Adorned with the necklace of the serpant Mangalam Bhagavan Vishnum Mangalam Garudadhwajah Mangalam Pundareekaksham Mangalayatano Harih All auspiciousness to God Vishnu All auspiciousness to One who has Garuda as His flag All auspiciousness to One who has eyes like the lotus flowers And auspeciousness to Hari Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute Narayani Namostute Narayani Namostute O Parvati, you who makes all desires possible the most auspicious of the auspicious My refuge, Gauri, Triambika, I salute to You I salute to you I salute to you. Jai Shree Krishna

This is simply not true. I think you only know about the west from Hollywood. This would be like judging indian culture based on Bollywood movies. .

Jai Ganesh Only thing achryas promoted was god realization Guru is a samdarsi, he teaches to all according to their capabilities. Sankaracharya says punarapi jananam punarapi maranam punarapi jananii jathare shayanam iha samsaare bahudustaare kripayaa apaare paahi muraare In the above verse he warns against perpetual birth and death why would he then prefer any cast? Our birth is not a random selection or luck of a draw, we are all born in a situation based on our karma. What is the better karma of the people of the west? It is quite sad how the majority has no time for god, in the pursuit of the opulence the majority fooled by the few works like a donkey and nothing to saw for it at the end of the day. The whole culture is based on sex and drugs. At least poor Indian in a village even if struggling would welcome you with a smile; (atithi devo bhava) He blames no one but his own karma for his current position, and it will be his own endeavor that will bring his future, such simple understanding comes from a deep understanding of life. As to human injustices let us not go there, how the west has brutally raped rest of the world is clear to see. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Very nice post above. I would only like to add is that Hindu Dharma is and always been about practicing. it is said, that the path is like walking on a double edge sword. It is not about numbers, but about following the virtues laid in the scriptures. Krishna is very clear in Bhagvat Gita who to tell and who not to. There is nothing wrong in singing the glories of the great sanatan Dharma that has been practiced in the Land of Bharat which now India ( what ever is left of it) but it is even better if we follow and become an example for others to want to know why we do what we do which makes us so peaceful and happy, even if the path is hard. Jasi Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh From The Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva Section XIV Krishna -16000 Wives (Part 1) The blessed Vishnu said: "I salute Mahadeva. Salutations to Thee. O Thou that art eternal origin of all things. The Rishis say that Thou art the Lord of the Vedas. The righteous say that Thou art Penance, Thou art Sattwa, Thou art Rajas, Thou art Tamas, and Thou art truth……. The puissant Sankara then, devoted to the good of the universe, looked at the goddess Uma and the lord of the celestials and myself also, and thus spoke unto me": "We know, O Krishna, that Thou, O slayer of foes, art filled with the greatest devotion towards us. Do what is for Thy good. My love and affection for Thee is very great. Do Thou ask for eight boons. I shall verily give them unto Thee. O Krishna, O best of all persons, tell me what they are, O chief of the Yadavas. Name what Thou wishest. However difficult of attainment they be, Thou shalt have them still". The blessed Krishna said: "Bowing my head with great joy unto that mass of energy and effulgence, I said these words unto that great Deity, with a heart filled with gladness, -firmness in virtue, the slaughter of foes in battle, the highest fame, the greatest might, devotion to Yoga, Thy adjacence, and hundreds upon hundreds of children- these are the boons I solicit of Thee". "So be it" said Sankara, repeating the words I had uttered. After this, the Mother of the universe, the upholder of all things, who cleanses all things, who is the spouse of Sarva (Siva), that vast receptacle of penances said with a restrained soul these words unto me: "The puissant Mahadeva has granted Thee, O sinless one, a son who shall be named Samva. Do Thou take from me also eight boons which Thou choosest. I shall certainly grant them to Thee" Bowing unto her my head, I said unto her: "I solicit from thee non-anger against the Brahmanas (Brahmins), grace of my father, a hundred sons, the highest enjoyments, love for my family, the grace of my mother, the attainment of tranquillity and peace, and cleverness in every act!" Uma said: "It shall be even so, O Thou that art possessed of prowess and puissance equal to that of a celestial. I never say what is untrue. Thou shalt have sixteen thousand wives. Thy love for them and theirs also for Thee shall be unlimited. From all Thy kinsmen also, Thou shalt receive the highest affection. Thy body too shall be most beautiful. Seven thousand guests will daily feed at Thy palace." Vasudeva continued: "Having thus granted me boons both the god and the goddess disappeared there and then with their Ganas. All these wonderful facts, I related fully to that brahmana of great energy, viz., Upamanyu (from whom I had obtained the Diksha before adoring Mahadeva). Bowing down unto the great God, Upamanyu said these words to me" : Upamanyu said: "There is no deity like Sarva. There is no end or refuge like Sarva. There is none that can give so many or such high boons. There is none that equals him in battle." There is reference in Bhagvat when all the vrajvasi together with Krishna went to Shiv temple to pray to Lord Shiva, I do not have the exact verse on me at the moment Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Pranam Atanuji Good to hear from you again. It is not my place to argue the concept of worship to formless is better or otherwise. But what intrigued me was this statement made by JN dasji and I quote here again "Love of nirguna Brahman is pointless, as the nirguna Brahman, being beyond duality by definition, doesn't even know you exist, what to speak of care about you or reciprocate with you". Unquote There are two points here that have come to my mind. One the adwaita by definition means only one there for there would not be any other consideration, that bit I can understand but he is superimposing this concept on Brahman where else this upadhi is of the Jiva. But his second statement is even more radical "doesn’t even know you exist or care about you etc." It is to this point I sought clarification privately, unfortunately it has not been forthcoming. In order to prove our concept we try to go to any length to prove others wrong even to the extent that Brahman which is described as supreme, to be unaware of our existence after adwaita moksha,( that may be true for individual jivas) but how can Brahman not know? Bg One who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstance, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.(14.26 And I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman, which is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness, and which is immortal, imperishable and eternal.(14.27) If I may use a paradox here The supreme is described as Nirguna and by definition it means devoid of quality yet we know if mother Sarasvati were to describe the qualities of the supreme for eternity even than she would not be able to fully describe them all Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Wow, what a breath taking experience, is it not? I was also there last year in September. There were some scary movement also but still I plan to go to tapovan where I hear a lot of rishis do their tapsya. Jai Shree Krishna

(Love of nirguna brahman is pointless, as the nirguna brahman, being beyond duality by definition, doesn't even know you exist, what to speak of care about you or reciprocate with you.) Jai Ganesh I am sorry I should have said I might have missed the point. I drew conclusion from your above statement perhaps I was wrong but this statement drew my attention ", doesn't even know you exist what to speak of care about you or reciprocate with you." and thus my statement. Pardon my ignorance in vyakaran and proper understanding but I can assure you it is not from want of trying. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh We may miss the point or even find the path difficult but to think that Brahman realization is a state of ignorance is a bit naive. A sadhak perception may be to merge and become one with that but Brahman which is non-different from the supreme, is not devoid of perception, therefor a sincere sadhak who treads this path how ever difficult, can only do so with pure love and devotion. And the reward is as stated brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati samah sarvesu bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param Absorbed in Brahman, the serene one neither grieves nor desires; becoming impartial to all beings, one obtains My supreme devotion. (18.54) Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh I am not sure if it is strickly true, let see what Shree Krishna says in Bhagvat Gita vihaya kaman yah sarvan pumams carati nihsprhah nirmamo nirahankarah sa santim adhigacchati One who abandons all desires and becomes free from longing and the feeling of 'I' and 'my' attains peace. (2.71) esa brahmi sthitih partha nainam prapya vimuhyati sthitvasyam anta-kale 'pi brahma-nirvanam rcchati O Arjuna, this is the Braahmee or superconscious state. Attaining this (state), one is no longer deluded. Gaining this state, even at the end of one's life, a person attains the Supreme. (2.72) buddhya visuddhaya yukto dhrtyatmanam niyamya ca sabdadin visayams tyaktva raga-dvesau vyudasya ca Endowed with purified intellect, subduing the mind with resolve, turning away from sound and other objects of the senses, giving up likes and dislikes; and (18.51) vivikta-sevi laghv-asi yata-vak-kaya-manasah dhyana-yoga-paro nityam vairagyam samupasritah Living in solitude, eating lightly, controlling the thought, word, and deed; ever absorbed in yoga of meditation, and taking refuge in detachment; and (18.52) ahankaram balam darpam kamam krodham parigraham vimucya nirmamah santo brahma-bhuyaya kalpate Relinquishing egotism, violence, pride, lust, anger, and desire for possession; free from the notion of "my", and peaceful; one becomes fit for attaining Brahman. (18.53) brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati samah sarvesu bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param Absorbed in Brahman, the serene one neither grieves nor desires; becoming impartial to all beings, one obtains My supreme devotion. (18.54) arjuna uvaca evam satata-yukta ye bhaktas tvam paryupasate ye capy aksaram avyaktam tesam ke yoga-vittamah Arjuna inquired: Which is considered to be more perfect, those who are properly engaged in Your devotional service, or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested? (12.1) ye tv aksaram anirdesyam avyaktam paryupasate sarvatra-gam acintyam ca kuta-stham acalam dhruvam sanniyamyendriya-gramam sarvatra sama-buddhayah te prapnuvanti mam eva sarva-bhuta-hite ratah But those who fully worship the unmanifested, that which lies beyond the perception of the senses, the all-pervading, inconceivable, fixed and immovable--the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth--by controlling the various senses and being equally disposed to everyone, such persons, engaged in the welfare of all, at last achieve Me. (12.3/4) yat sankhyaih prapyate sthanam tad yogair api gamyate ekam sankhyam ca yogam ca yah pasyati sa pasyati Whatever goal a Samnyasi reaches, a Karma-yogi also reaches the same goal. One who sees the path of renunciation and the path of work as the same, really sees.(5.05) sannyasas tu maha-baho duhkham aptum ayogatah yoga-yukto munir brahma na cirenadhigacchati But Samnyasa, O Arjuna, is difficult to attain without Karma-yoga. A Karma-yogi sage quickly attains Brahman.(5.06) Jai Shree Krishna

Quote: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 3ex; BORDER-TOP: #666666 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 3ex; BORDER-LEFT: #666666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #666666 1px solid" bgColor=#e0e0e0>Tell me why after the war would Krishna ask the pandava to worship Lord Shiva to atone for the sin of killing in the war? </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Jai Ganesh I don’t know if I am missing the point here. Any way if Krishna is setting an example then let us follow in his footstep or at least let us not try and minimize other deities worship. Fortunate are those who seek to know the truth Even more fortunate are those who tread the path of Dharma seeking blessings of Devas. And those who have acquired the taste of holy names are even more fortunate in this age. But as long as we have desires and envy in us those are elusive goals and perhaps I am envious of Krishna so it seems because for ever I am trying to defend various practice that exist in our Vedic Dharma (as if I am qualified), but I am still happy to chant those Vedic names which give me hope. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Mangala arati Karpoora Gauram Karunavataram Samsara Saram Bhujagendra Haram Sada Vasantam Hridayaravinde Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami I salute to the merciful Bhava (i.e. Shiva) who is with his consort Parvati, Adorned with the necklace of the serpant by Pushpadant shmashAneshhvAkrIDA smarahara pishAchAH sahacharaaH chitAbhasmAlepaH sragapi nR^ikaroTIparikaraH . amaN^galyaM shIlaM tava bhavatu nAmaivamakhilaM tathApi smartR^INAM varada paramaM maN^galamasi .. O,boon giver! O,destroyer of Cupid! You play in the burning ghats . your friends are the ghosts . Your body is smeared with the ashes of the dead bodies . Your garland is of human skulls . Every aspect of your character is thus inauspicious . Let it be . It does not matter . Because, with all these known oddness, you are quick to grant all auspicious things to the people who just think of you. "vande zambhuM umApathiM sura guruM vande jagat kAraNaM vande pannaga bhUshaNaM mRgadharaM vande pazUnAM patiM vande sUrya zazAMka vahni nayanaM vande 'mukunda priyaM' vande bhakta janAzrayaM ca varadaM vande zivaM zaGkaraM" I salute to Lord Sambhu, the Beloved Husband of Devi Uma and the preceptor of heavenly gods. I bow down down to the Lord Who is the root cause of the entire world . I salute to the Lord Who has the serpents as His ornament, and Who carries the deer. I bow down to the Lord of all beings. My salutations to the Lord Who has the Sun, the Moon, and the Fire as His three eyes. I bow down to the Lord, Who is VERY DEAR TO LORD MUKUNDA, KRISHNA. My salutations to Him, Who is the refuge of all devotees and Who showers His Grace on all surrendered souls. And I bow down again to the Lord, Who is the embodiment of all auspiciousness, Lord Sankara Lord Shiva is not offended if you do not worship him because you find him to be scary. But then will our offence to Shiva offend Krishna? Jai Shree Krishna

Jai ganesh It is not as simple as you make out to beFirst Krishna is addressing to Arjun, The Gita was spoken because Arjun is lamenting and is fearful of the sin he is about to commit fighting the war. So it is natural he is saying for him to abandon his Dharma and surrender on to him. It is most misleading to say that Krishna is asking everyone to abandon Dharma otherwise what use is it for him to mention various ways to reach him. Krishna was right in front of Arjun and yet he is asking How may I know You, O Lord, by constant contemplation? In what form (of manifestation) are You to be thought of by me, O Lord? (10.17)You have to read the rest to accept what he is saying or reject but I have no problem either way.He also says The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy. And in the next verse 62 he says surrender on to him, so I ask why does he not say surrender on to me? Tell me why after the war would Krishna ask the pandava to worship Lord Shiva to atone for the sin of killing in the war? He clearly say here TEXT 24 tasmac chastram pramanam te karyakarya-vyavasthitau jnatva sastra-vidhanoktam karma kartum iharhasi Therefore, let the scripture be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. You should perform your duty following the scriptural injunction. (16.24) Nourish the Devas with Yajna, and the Devas will nourish you. Thus nourishing one another you shall attain the Supreme goal. (3.11) Some worship Me by knowledge sacrifice. Others worship the infinite as the one in all (or non-dual), as the master of all (or dual), and in various other ways. (9.15) The Saattvika persons worship Devas, the Raajasika people worship demons, and the Taamasika persons worship ghosts and spirits. (17.04) Re Conclusion: Krishna is saying only very few people will accept him in Kali-Yuga. Its very clear and Krishna is not bluffing. He is saying what he forsee. Thats the truth. Even in this HInduism forum, how many actually accept Krishna ?? Few. Stop the misrepresentation, where does he say in Kali-yuga Infect what he is saying is, is true in any Yuga It is not a matter of accepting Krishna, because before the advent of Krishna around 5000 years ago there were and still are worship of other deities, so important thing is to follow Dharma and after many many births we may understand him in truth. I may worship him as Krishna and yet not know his true nature and some one else may worship the supreme as another and yet know him better, such is the nature of the supreme. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Milk is a natural product, first we have it from our natural mother then we take it from the cow who produces more then required for the calf. there is no killing involved. Any wonder why Hindus worship cow as a mother? Sad are those people who after having been fully satishfied by her milk sends her to slaughter house simply because she stops producing milk. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh I have always known fasting to be from sunrise to sunrise. The degree of fast would be dependent on the person how much he/she can endure. It is more important to remember Ram and his virtues. Every little step is good on this auspicious day Jai Sita Ram Jai Shree Ram, bharat, Laxman Shatrughan Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram

Jai Ganesh None that I know of. What possible significant could their be except that it may remind you off some one passing away on that particular day and that only if it was someone very dear to you. I grieved on the day my father passed away but now I celebrate the event as my spiritual birthday. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh The bliss is within, to realize the self is the key Bg.Chapeter 2. TEXT 71 vihaya kaman yah sarvan pumams carati nihsprhah nirmamo nirahankarah sa santim adhigacchati One who abandons all desires and becomes free from longing and the feeling of 'I' and 'my' attains peace. (2.71) esa brahmi sthitih partha nainam prapya vimuhyati sthitvasyam anta-kale 'pi brahma-nirvanam rcchati O Arjuna, this is the Braahmee or superconscious state. Attaining this (state), one is no longer deluded. Gaining this state, even at the end of one's life, a person attains brahma-nirvanam (2.72) Chapter 15. TEXT 5 nirmana-moha jita-sanga-dosa adhyatma-nitya vinivrtta-kamah dvandvair vimuktah sukha-duhkha-samjnair gacchanty amudhah padam avyayam tat Those who are free from pride and delusion, who have conquered the evil of attachment, who are constantly dwelling in the Supreme Self with all Kaama completely stilled, who are free from the dualities known as pleasure and pain; such undeluded persons reach the eternal goal. (15.05) prapancopasarnam, santam, sivam-advaitam, caturtham manyante, sa atma sa vijneyah. the coming to rest of all relative existence; utterly quiet; peaceful; blissful; without a second: this is the Atman, the Self; this is to be realised. Mandukya Upanishad 7 Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh It is not as if after many many births we automatically get released from this condition. we are traped here by maya due to our desires. As long as we have desires and envy in us there is no chance for libration. the release is not a form of after life, but it is our original state and that is full of bliss. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Personally I feel sorry for those poor animals that has to needlessly suffer due to man ignorance and cruelty. I wonder how many would actually kill to satisfy their tongue? I also feel sorry for those who eat it, because we do not know what awaits us, Karma does not spare anyone, if only we understood this simple law we would not do half the things that we do to try and enjoy in our miserable condition of existence. But it is heartening to know that the forum like this can change peoples mind even if in a small way. Your promise of giving up is a big step in right direction. Focus your mind on Lord Shiva he is asutosh very easily pleased Om namha Shivaya. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh If it means one sect at the expanse of other then NO. In this age how many are really serious about spirituality? Almost whole world is chasing after bright light, whole geo political and economical system is based on cheating mentality. It is a dog it dog situation So what is the purpose of a missionary? It would not be so bad if it was about spreading the word of God. It even might start on those line but if all the purpose of missionary work was to swell numbers then soon the original purpose will become secondary and before one realize the whole function of the institute would be geared on making money. If the Dharma is to spread it can never be successful without Satya, Tapa, Pavitrata and Daiya. These are the qualities that one must pursue or else the foundation would be shaky to say the least. Dharma is an individual choice unlike a missionary dogma that might tell you follow or else. Karma which is well understood within the Hindu community but unfortunately overcome by desires an individual ignores it like an ostrich such is the sorry state of today’s reality, spiritual life is like walking on a double edge sword you would not find many takers but those who do, it is bliss and it is that bliss which will in turn make a miserable person to inquire how can I get that bliss? What I am trying to say is let us be the change we so desire in others. Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah mudho ’yam nabhijanati loko mam ajam avyayam daivi hy esha guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te The Shvetashvatara Upanishad (4.10) states: mayam tu prakritim vidyan mayinam tu maheshvaram The supreme controller is the magician behind maya. Jivas are covered by Maya, further Krishna states that " I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My Yoga-maya Question is, is there any difference between yoga maya and daivi maya? Jai Shree Krishna

Jai Ganesh Because she is sacred. Govind bolo hari gopal bolo. govind bolo hari gopal bolo. now if you really look at all the benefit the world over derive from her you would not ask that question and that is not the only reason. Jai Shree Krishna