Somesh Kumar

Lord Vishnu is very dear to Lord Shiva and vice-versa, then why do the devotees of Lord Shiva and Vishnu want to unnecessarily criticize each other. Let us appreciate Them both and sing: Hariharaya Namaha....!

Hare Krishna Zephji! With our tiny understanding sometimes it is very difficult to understand how Krishna acts and constantly helps us to reach Him. So my humble advice will be to take to the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare And everything will become crystal clear as the time progresses..... Hope this helps. Wish you All the Best!

It's so nice to know this Shivam Prabhu. Your conviction on the statement of Srila Prabhupada! Jai!!! Yes, As Jahnva Nitai Prabhu pointed so nicely in his reply. If the prayer is for spiritual upliftment and Krishna bhakti then praying to Lord Shiva is also pleasing to Krishna. The best example is the Gopis of Vrindaavana who prayed to Katyaayani devi so that they could get Krishna as their husband.

Hare Krishna Dear Jahnva Nitai Prabhuji, Dandavat Pranam! Jaya Srila Prabhupada! First of all thank you so much for doing such a great service to Krishna, Srila Prabhupada and the innumerable devotees all over the world! It's so nice to see the wonderful discussions that go in these Audarya Fellowship forum. Just had a query about why Guests are allowed in the forum, as this has chances of creating a lot of confusion because many people can create confusion behind the garb of Guest login. Also, have noticed that some of the messages are being repeated for 4 times... Is this some technical problem? Thank you once again for the great service you are doing Prabhuji. Hare Krishna! Dasanudasa //Somesh.

Though I am not a real bhakta in the sense of the word, but I will give a few inputs to your very nice query. Here it is: Yes, Personal form of Krishna is the highest. The reason is Krishna Himself says that Brahman or the light which the people meditate as God is actually based on Krishna. Or in other words the existence of Brahman is dependent on Krishna's existence as stated by Krishna: [ Brahmano Hy Pratishthaaham Amrtasya Avyayasya Cha Shaashvatasya Cha Dharmasya Sukhasya Aikantikasya Cha "And I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman, which is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness, and which is immortal, imperishable and eternal." - BG 14:27 - http://www.asitis.com/14/27.html ] Also in Shree Ishopanishad it is clearly stated to Krishna to kindly remove His effulgence so that the devotee can see the transcendental face of Krishna as: [ Hiranmayena Paatrena Satyasya Apahita Mukham Tat Tvam Pushan Apaavrnu Satya Dharmaaya Drshtaye "O my Lord, sustainer of all that lives, Your real face is covered by Your dazzling effulgence. Please remove that covering and exhibit Yourself to Your pure devotee. " - Shree Ishopanishad Mantra 15 - http://www.acbspn.com/books/iso/iso15.htm ] So this clearly proves to us beyond doubt that the personal form of Krishna is the Supreme and everything else including the impersonal Brahman is based on Krishna's transcendental form! Actually Krishna and Shiva are simutaneously one and different [Achintya Bheda Abheda Tattva of Shree Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]. It is said in Brahma Samhita that Krishna and Shiva are like milk and curd respectively. Just like the curd can be made from milk but not vice-versa, similarly Krishna is the cause of Shiva and Lod Shiva has the most percentage of qualities similar to Krishna. Hence there is nothing wrong if Lord Shiva is also addressed as Parmaatma by Lord Brahma who has less percentage of Krishna's qualities then Lord Shiva. The particular verse in Brahma Samhita where Lord Brahma Himself is acknowledging this fact is here: <center> [ ksiram yatha dadhi vikara-visesa-yogat sanjayate na hi tatah prthag asti hetoh yah sambhutam api tatha samupaiti karyad govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami </center> <center> "Just as milk is transformed into curd by the action of acids, but yet the effect curd is neither same as, nor different from, its cause, viz., milk, so I adore the primeval Lord Govinda of whom the state of Sambhu is a transformation for the performance of the work of destruction." - BS 5.45 - http://brahmasamhita.com/5/45/en ] </center> I'm sure this forum is not for impersonalists but for people who accept Krishna as The Supreme Personality of Godhead. So we should be patient and pray to Krishna that everyone gets the intellgence to understand Him at least a little bit ! Hope some of your points are catered for. Thanks for raising such a nice question! Hare Krishna! Dasanudasa // Somesh.

This intelligence refers to the intelligence accumulated during the previous lifetimes. It can be material or spiritual. Spiritual Intelligence is gathered when the living entity tries to develop the unflinching devotional service to Krishna. As stated by Krishna: [ Teshaam Satata Yuktaanaam, Bhajataam Priiti Puurvakam Dadhaami Budhdhi Yogam Tam, Yena Maam Upayaanti Te "To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me." - BG 10.10 - http://www.asitis.com/10/10.html ] So, if the living entity did not do any devotional service to Krishna then the intelligence that is carried on to another body is material intelligence and depending on the devotional service rendered to Krishna there will be spiritual intelligence which lets the living entity appreciate Krishna's greatness and render more devotional service unto Krishna. Hope this helps /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes, As stated by Srila Rupa Gosvami: Iha Yasya Harer Dasya, Karmana Manasa Gira, Nikhilsv Api Avasthaasu, Jiivan Mukta Sa Uchyate. [ Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu 1.2.187 ] "Living in this world if a person fully dedicates his mind, works and words to Krishna at every moment, then he is considered to be liberated." - So, in this case the mind does not think of anything else other than Krishna. Hence the mind is fully spiritual [liberated] and is equaivalent to no material mind [disppearance of material mind].

means that at the time of death the body disappears as stated by Krishna: [Dehinosmin Yathaa Dehe, Kaumaram Yauvanam Jara, Tathaa Dehaantara Praptir, Dhiras Tatra Na Muhyati. "As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change." - BG 2.13 - http://www.asitis.com/2/13.html ] is because the material mind is the cause of bondage of the living being as stated by Krishna: Udhadhared Aatmana Aatmaanam, Naatmaanam Vasaadayet, Aatmaiva Hyatmano Bandhur, Aatmaiva Ripuraatmanah "A man must elevate himself by his own mind, not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well. " - BG 6.5 - http://www.asitis.com/6/5.html ] In the purport to this Srila Prabhupada quotes this verse: mana eva manusyanam karanam bandha-moksayoh bandhaya visayasango muktyai nirvisayam manah "For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation." Hope this helps! Hare Krishna!

We can act and constantly think of Krishna in the similar way how a husband works in the office and constantly thinks of his family or how a paramour works so nicely that she does nor let her husband know about her relation with another man. Krishna says: Tasmaat Sarvseshu Kaaleshu Maam Anusmara Yudhya Cha, Mayya Arpito Mano Budhdhir Maam Evaishyas Asamshyah "Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt." - BG 8.7 - http://www.asitis.com/8/7.html ] Another way of thinking about Krishna constantly even though performing work very nicely is to recognise the presence of the energy of Krishna everywhere as stated by Krishna: Rasoham Apsu Kaunteya Prabhaasmi Shashi Suryayoh, Pranavah Sarva Vedeshu, Shbdam Khe Paurusham Nrshu "O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man." - BG 7.8 - http://www.asitis.com/7/8.html ] Religion never makes a person to be lagged behind. In fact, religion gives the person the courage and determination to perform his/her duty with full dedication and conviction as an offering to the Lotus feet of Krishna. As stated in the answer to the previous question. In fact, Krishna asks Arjuna to do his duty without any lethargy as said by Krishna: [Mayi Sarvani Karmaani, Sanyasa Adhyatma Chetasa Nirashir Nirmamo Bhutva, Yudhyasva Vigata Jvara "Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with mind intent on Me, and without desire for gain and free from egoism and lethargy, fight." - BG 3.30 - http://www.asitis.com/3/30.html ] Your honesty and sincerity in asking this question is appreciated. Hope you're able to get a better insight into the matter now.. Hare Krishna!

You are a very humble soul. You surely have very nice realisations. Please do share with us! Was this description of counting in this particular way with fingers given in some scripture? Hare Krishna!

Very nice Guest Prabhuji! Please do give your name. Is this system given in some scripture? Seems to me that hand itself is being used as Japa-maalaa! ALl glories to you! Hare Krishna!

I second That! Hare Krishna!

Hare Krishna! I am really impressed by the promptness and clarity of answering and constant participation of Theist Prabhuji! I'm sure everyone in this forum will join me in saying this - Theist Prabhu Ki Jai! /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Krishna!

Hare Krishna Miiraji, Well, I'm not the correct person to answer this.. But, I'll give it a try... "Kaama" is one of the four Purusharthaas because, for a conditioned soul it is required. As Krishna Himself says in Bhagavad Gita "Dharmaavirudhdho Kaamo'smi Bharatarshabha" -Krishna says: "The Kaamaa which is not irreligious - Know it to be Me, O Arjuna!" But this Kaama should not be confused with the Kaamaa that Krishna restricts Arjuna and all of us from doing when He says: Kaama Esha Krodha Esha, Rajo Guna Samudbhavam, Mahaa Shano Mahaa Paapma, Vidhyenam Iha Vairinam. "It's lust and anger, which is there in the mode of passion. Know it to be your greatest enemy, O Arjuna" So real definition of Kaama is anything which is done with a selfish interest without thinking of Krishna. There's a famous verse from Chaitanya Charitaamrita for this: Aaatmendriya Priiti Tare Naam Kaama, Krishnendriya Priiti Dhare Prema Naama, "Anything done for satisfaction of one's own senses is Kaama and anything done for satisfying Krishna's transcendental senses is called Prema" Hope this clarifies your doubt ..

Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. But these thoughts have no value without the help of the consciouness (Spirit Soul). Arjuna asks a very nice question to Krishna giving the function/attributes of the mind: Arjuna says to Krishna: Chanchalam Hi Manah Krishna, Pramaathi Balavad Drdham, Tasyaaham Nigraham Manye, Vayor Iva Sudushkaram. Arjuna says:" O Krishna, mind is very obstinate, mad and to control it is more difficult than controlling the wind" Krishna replies to Arjuna saying: Asamshaya MahaBaho Mano Durnigraham Chalam, Abhyasena Tu Kaunteya, Vairagyna Cha Grhayate. Krishna says: "O Mahabaho, There's no doubt that the mind is very difficult to control. But, it can be done by regular practise and detachment" Krishna says: Udhdhared Atman Aatmaanam, Naatmaanam Vasaadayet, Amaiva Hy Aaatmano Bandhur, Aaatmaiva Ripur Aaatmana. Krishna is saying: "Raise your mind by mind. For a person who has controlled his mind, the mind is the best friend and for a person who has not controlled it, it's his biggest enemy" The reason for this is that, the mind always goes by the thing which gives immediate pleasure, not thinking of the after-effects of the immediate pleasure. So when the mind is influenced by the immediate material pleasure then it is the enemy of the person. And when the mind is controlled to not enjoy the immediate material pleasure it is the friend of the preson. That's the reason why Krishna specifically states in many places to Arjuna to think of Him. The BEST one being where Krishna says: Man Manaa Bhava, Mad Bhakta, Madyaaji Maam Namaskuru, Maamevaishyasi Satyam Te, Pratijaane Priyosi Me Krishna is saying: "Always think of Me, become My devotee, offer your obeisances to Me. You'll surely come to Me, I'm telling this to you, because you're very dear to Me"

Mind is nothing but a bundle of thoughts. But these thoughts have no value without the help of the consciouness (Spirit Soul). Arjuna asks a very nice question to Krishna giving the function/attributes of the mind: Arjuna says to Krishna: Chanchalam Hi Manah Krishna, Pramaathi Balavad Drdham, Tasyaaham Nigraham Manye, Vayor Iva Sudushkaram. Arjuna says:" O Krishna, mind is very obstinate, mad and to control it is more difficult than controlling the wind" Krishna replies to Arjuna saying: Asamshaya MahaBaho Mano Durnigraham Chalam, Abhyasena Tu Kaunteya, Vairagyna Cha Grhayate. Krishna says: "O Mahabaho, There's no doubt that the mind is very difficult to control. But, it can be done by regular practise and detachment" Krishna says: Udhdhared Atman Aatmaanam, Naatmaanam Vasaadayet, Amaiva Hy Aaatmano Bandhur, Aaatmaiva Ripur Aaatmana. Krishna is saying: "Raise your mind by mind. For a person who has controlled his mind, the mind is the best friend and for a person who has not controlled it, it's his biggest enemy" The reason for this is that, the mind always goes by the thing which gives immediate pleasure, not thinking of the after-effects of the immediate pleasure. So when the mind is influenced by the immediate material pleasure then it is the enemy of the person. And when the mind is controlled to not enjoy the immediate material pleasure it is the friend of the preson. That's the reason why Krishna specifically states in many places to Arjuna to think of Him. The BEST one being where Krishna says: Man Manaa Bhava, Mad Bhakta, Madyaaji Maam Namaskuru, Maamevaishyasi Satyam Te, Pratijaane Priyosi Me Krishna is saying: "Always think of Me, become My devotee, offer your obeisances to Me. You'll surely come to Me, I'm telling this to you, because you're very dear to Me"

Dear Sandy, Hare Krishna! You are saying that I want to see someone, but there should be no light. I want to see something without light. Is it possible to see anything in dark? Similarly it is not possible to know about God without Vedas/Puranas/Bhagavad Gita... Those people are very rare in this world. And the ONLY means by which they can convey the vision of God is with the help of vedas/puranas. Because, mundane words can never describe the person who is above any mundane designations! So, Please try to have an attitude of respect for the shaastras and try to learn from the shaastras, instead of trying to see in the darkness /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Krishna!

Dear Sandy, Hare Krishna! You are saying that I want to see someone, but there should be no light. I want to see something without light. Is it possible to see anything in dark? Similarly it is not possible to know about God without Vedas/Puranas/Bhagavad Gita... Those people are very rare in this world. And the ONLY means by which they can convey the vision of God is with the help of vedas/puranas. Because, mundane words can never describe the person who is above any mundane designations! So, Please try to have an attitude of respect for the shaastras and try to learn from the shaastras, instead of trying to see in the darkness /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Krishna!

There's is a little independence given to the living entity because love cannot be forced on anyone. Misuse of this independence causes the living entity to struggle in this material universe as Krishna says: Mamaivamsho Jiva Loka Jiva Bhutah Sanaatanah Manah Shashtani Indriyaani Prakrti Sthaani Karshati. "The living entities are my eternal part and parcels and they are struggling in the material world with the six senses including the mind." But when the living entity realises his position as the eternal servitor of Krishna and starts serving Krishna starting with the tongue by chanting "Hare Krishna" Mahaa-mantra then slowly the material covering is removed. And finally when the devotee reaches the perfectional stage, his eternal relationship with Krishna is revealed to him by the causeless mercy of Krishna! Hope this helps /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Krishna!

The individuality is characterised on the basis of what Krishna told to Arjuna. Krishna said: Na TvEvaaham Jaatu Naasham Na Tvam Neme Janaadhipah Na Chaiva Na Bhavishyaamah Sarve Vayah Atah Param. Krishna says that "There was never a time when I did not exist, nor these Kings nor you, O Arjuna!" Srila Prabhupada gives a very good example stating that just like the hand of a cloth is based on we possesing the hand, similarly the presence of the material body indicates that the existence of the spiritual body which is beyond matter which is "Sachchidaananda" meaning that it is full of Truth, Knowledge and Bliss. The material body is characterised by the six changes technically called "Shad-Vikara" That is it - 1) takes birth 2) grows 3) stays for some time 4) produces some bye-products 5) dwindles And finally... 6) vanishes. But soul is never effected by these changes. There's gross body made of the five elements Earth, water, fire, air and ether and then there's a subtle body made of mind, intelligence and false ego. And then above that is the Soul. So at the time of death the gross body is burned, but according to the desires in the subtle body at the time of death the Soul gets embodied. If at the time of death one is fortunate enough to think of Krishna then that soul reaches Krishna's abode. As Krishna says: Anta Kaale Cha Maam Eva Smaran Muktva Kalevaram Yah Prayaati Sa Mad Bhaavam Yaati Naasti Atra Samshaya. As Krishna says: Sarvasya Chaaham Hrdi Sannivishtah Mattah Smrtir Jnyanam Apohanam Cha. "I am situated in the heart of all the living entities and due to Me there's rememberance, knowledge and forgetfulness" Behaviour of jiva in Krishna's abode is to serve Krishna in whatever way he likes! Hope this helps... /images/graemlins/smile.gif

This is a very nice question. The fact is that soul is always independent of body in the material world. As Krishna says: Prakrti Kriyamaanaani Gunai Karmaani Sarvasha, Ahankaara Vimuudhaatmaa Kartaaham Iti Manyate. Meaning that "All works are being done by the modes of material nature and the foolish person with False Ego thinks himself to be the doer" So, it's the False Ego or the Ego which says that - "I am this body of material elements" which is the root cause of the suffering. Once this tendency to treat the body as the self is removed then the "Brahmabhutaa" stage is realised. And from that stage onwards the transcendental loving service to Krishna can be done in an uninterrupted and unmotivated manner. As Krishna says: Brahmabhuta Prsannaatmaa Na Shochati Na Kankshati, Samah Sarveshu Bhuteshu Mad Bhakti Labhate Param. Meaning Krishna says : "The person who has realised that he's not the material body is very happy because he neither hankers for material gains nor grieves at losing something material. He's is equipoised towards everyone and attains the transcendental loving service to Me." Once the mind has got into the habit of continuous meditation on the lotus feet of Krishna then the soul no more gets a material body. As Krishna says: Man Manaa Bhava Mad Bhakta Mad Yaaji Maam Namaskuru Maamevaishyasi Satyam Te PratiJaane Priyosi Me. Krishna says: "Give your mind to Me, become My devotee, offer your obeisances to Me. You'll surely come to Me I'm telling this to you Arjuna because you're dear to Me" So, the actually the soul does not need any body. It is full in itself and this realisation is Self Realisation which is the stepping stone to realising Krishna and being Krishna concious! Hare Krishna!

Dear Guest - Hare Krishna! All the vedic scriptures talk about Science. The real science is to know about "Who am I?", which the current scientists term as Philosophy. But neverthless that is the real science. An example can be given that when we see anything we want to know about it. What is it? How does it function? What are it's activities? etc... The modern "so-called" science just tries to find about everything else except our own selves. That's the futility of the modern science. The REAL science is that which will help us in solving the most important problems of "Janma, mrtyu, jaraa, vyadhi" - "Birth, death, old-age and disease". Krishna uses the word "Vigyaan" meaning science many times in Bhagavad Gita. For example: Idam tu te Guhyatamam, Pravakshyami Anasuyave, Jnyana Vigyaana Sahitam, Yad Gnyaatva MokshyaseAshubhaat. Krishna says: "Arjuna I'll tell you about this most secret knowledge and science because you're without any envy. By knowing this you'll surely be freed from everything that is inauspicious" Also Srila Prabhupada, the founder acarya of ISKCON and the deliverer of the fallen souls in this dark-age of Kali, usually uses this statement from the vedic literature which is "Tad Vignyaanartham Sa Gurum Evabhigachchet" - To get this Scientific Transcendental knowledge one must approach a Guru. I can just try to explain why this is the REAL science. This is because the so-called science of today is trying to solve the problems of the people. But by doing so it is creating more problems and the major four problems of Birth, Death, Old age and Disease is the REAL problems faced by everyone in this material world and the ONLY science that can help a person cross these problems is the science given in the Vedic scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Hope this helps. Hare Krishna!

Hare Krishna Mr. Guest (Jk), Krishna is described by Brahma as: Ishvara Paramah Krishna, Sachchidaananda Vigrahah, Anaadir Aadir Govindah, Sarva Kaarana Kaaranam [brahma Samhita 5.1] "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and has the form of Truth, Knowledge and Bliss. He has no begining, but he's the begining of everything and Krishna is the cause of all causes." Arjuna also addresses Krishna as: Param Brahma Param Dhaama, Pavitram Paramam Bhavaan, Purusham Shaashvatam Divyam, Aadi Devam Ajam Vibhum. "Krishna is the Supreme Brahman, Supreme Abode, Pure, Transcendental, The original/first God, Unborn and Greatest of All" Regarding your question as is Krishna rasna? Yes, Krishna is rasna as well. As Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita: Rasoham Apsu Kaunteya, Prabhaasmi Shashi Suryayoh... Krishna says: "I am the taste in water (for that matter any liquid) and the light of the sun and the moon... And so on.. This is the impersonal way of realising the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Hope this clarifies your doubt. But, finally Krishna can only be known when Krishna will reveal himself. And that is possible only by "Sevonmukhe hi Jihvaadau" by serving Krishna with senses starting from the tongue - by chanting HARE KRISHNA, HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE. HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE and tasting Krishna prasadam - The remnants of the food tasted by Krishna. Hope this helps... Hare Krishna!

Hare Krishna! Is this written in Mahabharata or some other scripture?

Dear Enlightened, Your name speaks for itself! And I apppreciate you for trying to Enlighten the Mahaatmaas here! My answer to your point : Please don't think that mental speculation is the reason for Krishna's worshipping. In fact, it's just the opposite. Krishna's worship is taking place now in such a nice way all over the world because the pure devotee of Krishna - Srila Prabhupada, translated Krishna's Bhagavad Gita, AS IT IS! He did not put his own mental speculation in it, like some other great philosophers did. When you take the instruction of Krishna, which is called Apaurusheya (Transcendental), AS IT IS, without mixing your own material mental speculation. (It's "material" mental speculation because "mind itself is material") with it, ONLY then are we really following Krishna's message. For example when Krishna said Man Manaa Bhava, Mad Bhakta .... Prabhupada did not apply mental speculation and say that think of the formless within Krishna. But, Srila Prabhupada translated it AS IT IS, saying that think of Krishna's form. Offer obeisances to Krishna... Hope you are getting my point. Hare Krishna!