Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Sirona

Members
  • Content Count

    111
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Sirona

  1. Hello, has anyone of you read the Bhagavad Gita of Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, entitled "God Talks With Arjuna"? Would you recommend it?
  2. The peacock represents saintliness and royalty in India. The main symbolism of the peacock is the transmutation of poison into amrita (nectar). Like Shiva’s throat, the neck plumage of the peacock is said to have turned blue from consuming the poison. The power of turning poison into nectar is also said to be the cause for the “eyes” on the peacock’s tail feathers. Comp. The encyclopedia of Tibetan symbols and motifs by Robert Beėr, p. 85 Hope this helps.
  3. You're great folks. I had come here to start a thread on Asperger's finding this one. My question is, what kind of "reward" will the Holy Name give to an autistic individual which is largely incapable of "loving" and has no desire for "service" because of not understanding it and just chants to get their nerves soothed.
  4. I underwent a removal of my womb it was in an incurable state. I haven't had my period since then (apparently). I actually don't miss my womb and I am doing much better right now on the mere physical level. But spiritually, I'm feeling bizarre since then. I noticed how much emphasis is given on the "women are child bearers" 'doctrine', or "women are not like men" blah blah. In my special situation I've come to realize that the differences are really not that big. I am considering to shift away from the Vaishnava faith altogether. Can you give me good reasons not to?
  5. Dear friends, I'm looking for a prayer glorifying Shri Krishna's aspect as the source of all opulence. No tongue-twisters, please. Thanks. All glories to Shri Krishna ! /images/graemlins/tongue.gif
  6. Dear friends, I find great pleasure in chanting Sri krsna caitanya prabhu nityananda/ sri advaita gadadhara srivasadi gaura bhakta vrnda// on beads. However, recently I read something that one should not chant it on beads because chanting it makes one go to two different heavens or so. This grieves me a lot because I really like it. What is your opinion on this? Best wishes, Sirona
  7. Would you please give me some facts about a god/goddess named Panguranga Vithala because I don't know who (s)he is. Thanks in advance.
  8. What does rana-dhira mean in this phrase : "Ramachandra Raghu-Vira Ramachandra Rana-Dhira"? Thanks for helping.
  9. UZBEKISTAN: Hare Krishna devotees expelled and correspondent threatened By Igor Rotar, Central Asia Correspondent, Forum 18 News Service Urgench State University has, because of their beliefs, expelled three Hare Krishna devotees, under the pretext of low marks in exams, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. This follows NSS secret police closely monitoring the unregistered Hare Krishna's. In Uzbekistan, contrary to human rights agreements the country has signed, unregistered religious communities are forbidden. The university authorities have also attacked Hare Krishna's, the natural science faculty's dean, Ruzumbay Eschanov, making unsubstantiated allegations, including claiming that Hare Krishna devotees are planning a coup d'etat or putsch. Hare Krishna devotees Forum 18 has spoken to have been told by the NSS that Forum 18's correspondent will be expelled, but the NSS has refused to discuss this with Forum 18. Khorezm is one of Uzbekistan's most difficult regions for religious minorities, with only one open Christian church left and the NSS admitting that "we are the ones who closed down the Baptists' church". Three female Hare Krishna students have been expelled from the natural science department of the Urgench [urganch] State University because of their religious beliefs, the head of the local independent human rights organisation Najot, Khaitboy Yakubov, told Forum 18 News Service on 19 July in Urgench, the regional centre of Khorezm region in north-western Uzbekistan. "In fact, the students were simply given low grades in one of their exams. As they are all final-year students, that means they will not receive their diplomas. Because they were fee-paying students, the university administration had no right to expel them, but they were able to take revenge on the students for their religious beliefs, working within the limits of the possibilities available to them," a Krishna devotee and translator of Hindu literature Razumbai Khasanov told Forum 18 in Urgench on 1 July. Khasanov also said that the National Security Service (NSS) secret police in Khorezm region is keeping him under surveillance because he is the leader of the local Hare Krishna community. "Preventative" talks are held with him virtually every week. "They have taken a great interest in Forum 18, among other things, and have asked in detail about what you and I talked about in March this year," Khasanov told Forum 18. Forum 18's correspondent visited Urgench in March. Khasanov also stressed that NSS officials have virtually forbidden him to receive visitors at his home. "Rovshan Amerdinov, who works for the NSS in Khorezm region, has often warned me that it is unwise for people to visit me at home, but on 1 July an official from the republican NSS headquarters in Tashkent came specially to Urgench to see me, and told me frankly that because the Hare Krishna community is unregistered in Urgench, they would see any of my visitors as participants in an unlawful religious gathering being held under my leadership," Khasanov told Forum 18. Under Uzbek religion law, and against the human rights agreements Uzbekistan has signed, unregistered religious communities are forbidden. Under Article 240 of Uzbekistan's code of administrative offences (breaking the law on religious organisations) unlawful religious activity is punishable by a fine of between 5 and 10 times the minimum wage (the minimum wage in Uzbekistan is 5,400 sums (around 37 Norwegian kroner, 4 Euros or 5 US dollars) or up to 15 days' administrative detention. Theoretically, Article 216 (unlawful organisation of public associations of religious organisations) and 216 (2) (breaking the law on religious organisations) may also used against religious believers, which could lead to a punishment of up to five years' imprisonment. However, in practice these articles of the criminal code are hardly ever applied, and if the authorities decide to put believers in prison, they tend to bring accusations against them under articles 159 (undermining the constitutional order of the republic of Uzbekistan), 242 (establishing a criminal community), or 244 part 2 (creating, leading or participating in separatist, fundamentalist or other banned organisations) of Uzbekistan's criminal code of offences. The Hare Krishnas' problems began last autumn. At a general meeting of students and teachers at Urgench university in November 2003, the dean of the natural sciences faculty Ruzumbay Eschanov claimed without any evidence that Hare Krishna devotees had attempted to mount a coup d'etat or putsch in Russia and that they were trying to do the same thing in Uzbekistan, amongst other unfounded allagations. Eschanov then said that he would expel all Hare Krishna students. His speech had the full support of the university leadership. Following Eschanov's speech, many female student devotees began to experience problems in their private lives. Since Eschanov's speech, rumours have been spread that female Krishna devotees are prostitutes, causing several planned weddings to be cancelled. A lecturer in the natural sciences faculty forced a student Krishna devotee, against their religion, to eat meat and drink vodka, and Krsihna devotees have been monitored by either university staff or the NSS. (See F18News 8 March 2004 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=270) Speaking to Forum 18 on 19 July, Ruzumbay Eschanov claimed that no-one at the university was persecuting the student Krishna devotees. "It's simply not an issue. The Hare Krishnas no longer preach on university grounds, and we in our turn do not stop them from professing their faith. Among the students there is just one Krishna female devotee who received a low grade in her exam, and of course she received an unsatisfactory grade because of her knowledge, not because of her religious convictions," Ischanov told Forum 18. By a strange coincidence, about an hour after Forum 18's correspondent had left Urgench university, an NSS official Rovshan Amerdinov telephoned Krishna devotee Razumbai Khasanov. "Amerdinov ordered me to write a statement about my conversation with you. He also told me that you are working in Uzbekistan without accreditation and that you are going to be deported very soon," Khasanov told Forum 18. Other people who had spoken to Forum 18 were also called in for interview by the Khorezm regional NSS office and informed of the correspondent's impending deportation (see also F18News 7 July 2004 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=356). On 19 July, Forum 18 telephoned Rovshan Amerdinov and asked to meet him in order to establish on what grounds he was to be deported. Amerdinov declined to meet Forum 18, but demonstrated a thorough knowledge of Forum 18's articles in the course of the telephone conversation. For example, Amerdinov referred to a Forum 18 article about the work of the NSS in the republic (see F18 News 18 February 2004 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=257) and another on the closure of a Baptist church (see F18 News 4 March 2004 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=267). Significantly, Amerdinov admitted that the NSS had banned Khasanov from having visitors. "Khasanov is holding illegal religious meetings in his apartment. We questioned his visitors and they told us this was the case. Moreover, Khasanov gives religious literature to his student visitors, and they distribute it at university. Naturally, we cannot allow this and we have advised him not to receive visitors," Amerdinov told Forum 18. Khorezm is one of Uzbekistan's most difficult regions for religious minorities. Today there is just one registered Christian community left in Khorezm region - the Korean Protestant church. In February this year the Khorezm justice administration rescinded the registration of the Evangelical Christian Baptists. It appears that the main instigator for the repressive policy against believers is the NSS for Khorezm region. Interestingly, an Urgench resident who preferred not to be named told Forum 18 that during an interrogation at the NSS office, staff from this organisation told him openly: "We are the ones who closed down the Baptists' church". Since the Baptist church's closure, its parishioners have been subjected to threats and even beatings by NSS officials (see F18 News 4 March 2004 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=267 and 7 July 2004 http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=356). For more background information see Forum 18's latest religious freedom survey at http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=105 A printer-friendly map of Uzbekistan is available at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=uzbeki
  10. Thank you very much ! Your explanations are very helpful to me ! And please keep going, as these prayers are really very nice ...
  11. Hello, I'm looking out for someone who could translate these prayers for me. I picked them from a Dutch site and unfortunately I have no Sanskrit version. Still, if you got an idea what they may signify, your help is appreciated. Thanks, Sirona <font color="blue"> Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Hare Hare; Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare Hare. Shri Rama, jay Rama, jay jay Rama; Shri Rama, jay Rama, jay jay Rama. Shri Rama Hare, Shri Rama Hare, Shri Rama Hare, sukhadhama Hare; Shri Rama Hare, chavidhama Hare, mana-mohana sundara shyama Hare. Jay Raghunandana, jay Siya Rama, Janki-vallabha Sita Rama; Raghupathi Raghava raja Rama, patita pavana Sita Rama.</font color> He ram he ram He Ram, he Ram, he Ram, he Ram, (refrein) jaga me saco tero nam. He Ram... Tu hi mata, tu hi pita hai; tu hi to hai Radha ka Shyam. Tu antaryami, saba ka Svami; tere carano me caro dham. Tu hi bigare, tu hi savare, isa jaga ke sare kam. Tu hi jaga data, vishava Vidhata; tu hi subah ho, tu hi sham. He Ram, he Ram, he Ram, he Ram, jaga me saco tero nam.
  12. Sorry, but .. you want him to swallow *gold*? Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is completely useless because gold is not resorbed nor does it enter any chemical reaction.
  13. Hi, recently, in an Indian restaurant I drank some tea called "tshay" or so, made with milk and honey and some spices I don't know. I'm really fond of it but I don't know how to prepare it ... Who knows the recipe?
  14. Hari Bol and hi, could sb please tell me about the role of Goddess Shri in this tradition? Thanks again.
  15. I once heard that in the Vaishnava tradition there's one branch called Shri-Vaishnava. Could sb please tell me what this is all about and give me some web ressources on this. Thanks a lot, may Krishna bless you all, Sirona
  16. Dear friends, I'd like to know what the meaning of Govardhana Puja is. I know that Lord Krishna lifted up the Govardhana hill but I'd like to understand what "lesson" one can learn from this event.
  17. How many insects, worms, bacteria, viruses etc. are killed while plants are torn out of the soil, cut, crushed, cooked and fried before they finally end up in our mouths? "Western" agricultural production is mostly industrialized agricultural production, so with anything you eat you kill until you don't grow it on your own, and even *then* you do harm to somebody or something. "Every endeavor is covered by some sort of fault, just as fire is covered by smoke." (BG 18.48)
  18. From vedic point of view, what about playing chess? Is it considered right, wrong or neutral?
  19. Hello, I am looking for your advice. I like chanting merciful Krishna's names but I just don't get along with a mala. Everytime I try to use mine I get a feeling as if I was counting money and then I begin to feel petty and stingy and so very guilty that I drop it altogether. At least I *think* Krishna doesn't count when doing good to me so why should I count when doing good to Him if it does not make me happy? /images/graemlins/confused.gif
  20. Both, IMHO. Rama is Shri Rama and Rama is Shri Balarama, too, and Krishna is Rama as well as Balarama. I am no specialist, just my intuition ... You may have a look into the Gita, too: "...The whirlwind 'mid the winds; 'mid chiefs Rama with blood imbrued, Makar 'mid fishes of the sea, and Ganges 'mid the streams; Yea! First, and Last, and Centre of all which is or seems I am, Arjuna! Wisdom Supreme of what is wise, Words on the uttering lips I am, and eyesight of the eyes ..." Shri Ram, Jay Jay Ram Hare Krishna Hare Rama Hope this helps. God loves you.
  21. A poem about the glory of God ... at least to my humble understanding of poetry. Hope you like it. PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY Song of Apollo The sleepless Hours who watch me as I lie Curtained with star-enwoven tapestries From the broad moonlight of the open sky; Fanning the busy dreams from my dim eyes, Waken me when their mother, the grey Dawn, Tells them that Dreams and that the moon is gone. Then I arise; and climbing Heaven's blue dome, I walk over the mountains and the waves, Leaving my robe upon the Ocean foam. My footsteps pave the clouds with fire; the caves Are filled with my bright presence, and the air Leaves the green Earth to my embraces bare. The sunbeams are my shafts with which I kill Deceit, that loves the night and fears the day. All men who do, or even imagine ill Fly me; and from the glory of my ray Good minds, and open actions take new might Until diminished, by the reign of night. I feed the clouds, the rainbows and the flowers With their aetherial colours; the moon's globe And the pure stars in their eternal bowers Are cinctured with my power as with a robe; Whatever lamps on Earth or Heaven may shine Are portions of one spirit; which is mine. I stand at noon upon the peak of Heaven; Then with unwilling steps, I linger down Into the clouds of the Atlantic even. For grief that I depart they weep and frown What look is more delightful, than the smile With which I soothe them from the Western isle? I am the eye with which the Universe Beholds itself, and knows it is divine. All harmony of instrument and verse, All prophecy and medicine are mine; All light of art or nature to my song Victory and praise, in its own right, belong.
  22. A few days back I asked whether Krishna ever hugged Arjuna, as Rama once hugged Hanuman. I do not know for sure but I think I got deleted. I can't understand why. It's a perfectly normal question. Also Jesus once hugged one of his disciples. If anyone *needs* to see evil my question , it's their own interpretation. So I am asking again, hoping for anyone to give me a good, reasonable answer.
  23. Dunno, but this story is so nice. I admit that sometimes I treated my copy of the gita sloppily, leaving it lying around ... Won't do that anymore /images/graemlins/ooo.gif
  24. Hello, I stumbled across some "What is Hinduism" FAQ saying that that "conversion" to "Hinduism" is not possible and that to be a "Hindu" you have to be born as one. I admit that I lack the Indian cultural background which cannot be acquired even by most zealous imitation but the matter of fact is that I believe. I do believe in Krishna. If they want to take this away from me the only way is cut my heart out. If may be possible that a "real Hindu" doesn't accept me because I'm white in my face, but that won't change anything about the things inside. So if there's no way to actually touch my innermost soul does anybody have the right to tell me what I am so-to-say not allowed to believe in, to tell me something he is practically not able to enforce? Common sense says no, but I'd like to ask for your advice, because about this I feel confused and a little bit upset.
  25. Hello, I stumbled across some "What is Hinduism" FAQ saying that that "conversion" to "Hinduism" is not possible and that to be a "Hindu" you have to be born as one. I admit that I lack the Indian cultural background which cannot be acquired even by most zealous imitation but the matter of fact is that I believe. I do believe in Krishna. If they want to take this away from me the only way is cut my heart out. If may be possible that a "real Hindu" doesn't accept me because I'm white in my face, but that won't change anything about the things inside. So if there's no way to actually touch my innermost soul does anybody have the right to tell me what I am so-to-say not allowed to believe in, to tell me something he is practically not able to enforce? Common sense says no, but I'd like to ask for your advice, because about this I feel confused and a little bit upset.
×
×
  • Create New...