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Thanks, Vrndavan. I'm going to send her an email now. It's just amazing that someone is bringing the plight of the Kashmiri Hindus into the argument. Haribol! Jai

You are forgetting who you are talking about. Kali Mata is the wife if Shiva, the mother of Ganesh and the controller of the material world. She is an eternal devotee of Lord Krishna and controls this world according to his desire. So by suggesting that she is evil you have committed an offense against a Vaishnav and thus it is an offense against Krishna. I suggest you ask her forgiveness. The skulls and blood that she is depicted with are symbolic of her role as destroyer of demonic activity. The story is that there were many demons on earth who were harming the devotees. Because these demons had performed penance and been granted boons by Shiva and Brahma, not even Vishnu could harm them. So Mother Durga grew angry and her anger gave her a ferocious form. She descended to earth and destroyed all the demons. That is why she is so frightening to look at, because she represents the anger of a mother protecting her children. There are many instances of people performing penance and asking for boons that they then use for evil purposes. Ravan, Kumbhakaran, Holika, even Duryodhan asked a boon of Balram. That does not mean that the deity who gives them that boon is evil. By the laws of Karma, someone who performs penance must be given a boon, this is Krishna's law. Whether that boon is used for good or bad is up to the individual. Jai

I love Swami Ramdev. I've watched some of his programmes on aastha and do the postures at home. One of my friends went to his class while he was in London and she said he was inspirational. I'm so glad that he is doing the work he is doing, promoting health and exposing the corruption of the medical community. Thank Krishna for Swami Ramdev! Jai

Haribol! Happy New Year to all forum members and guests. I wanted to announce that if anyone is in the Dallas, Texas area then they might be interested in coming to my talk on January 10th. I'll be speaking about writing and motivation and promoting my book 'Follow the Cowherd Boy' at the same time. The talk is geared towards young adults but everyone is welcome to come. It will be held at the Martin Luther King Junior Library on 2922 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, 75215. Details are on my webpage, http://www.trafford.com/06-0382 Thank you and Jai Shri Krishna. Jai

Haribol, Prabhu! I have a harmonium that I bought several years ago when I began singing lessons. I stopped my singing lessons very soon because of unforeseen reasons but I kept the harmonium. I've hardly used it at all so it's practically still in brand new condition. I live in Texas which isn't too far from you. If you're interested then you can email me at jajoshiz@gmail.com Jai Joshi

This is amazing, Vrndavan! Thanks for the post. I never would have thought that a school in California would put on such and elaborate production and for so long! It's inspiring to see and I'm sure the kids love it. They're blessed to be taught so much about Rama and Sita. Jai

Yesterday I was very pleased to receive a letter from one of my favourite writers - Stephen Knapp. I had sent him a copy of 'Follow the Cowherd Boy' and in his letter he thanked me for sending it to him and congratulated me on my efforts. I'm so happy to hear that other Vaishnavs are pleased with my book and am inspired to work harder than ever to bring this book to more people. Thank you, Mr Knapp! Haribol! Jai

Haribol, that was me in the last post, by the way. Jai

Haribol! That is a wonderful story and we are glad to have you. I'm sure you know all about the books available for you to further your knowledge about Sanatan Dharma and KC but if you haven't spent much time reading these then I advise you to do so. It will increase you understanding. When we're in a spiritual life, it is good to be around other devotees so that our knowledge grows aswell as also our commitment to a spiritual life. Find out if there is a temple or a center near you and visit regularly. Go to the kirtans and classes and immerse yourself in the vibrations. It will be so good for you. Warmest wishes, Jai

Haribol! I wanted to remind everyone that I'll be doing a book signing in Frisco, Texas this Saturday and Sunday. I hope to meet some of you there! Details are on my webpage: http://www.trafford.com/06-0382 I did a writer's talk last night and it went well. The people seemed very interested in Mira and Indian history and I sold several books. I have arranged more talks like this and am booked to speak to some large audiences at local libraries in the new year. Some of the talks are for young adults and some are to adults as I want to encourage everyone to learn about Hinduism and Indian culture and history. I'm excited about these opportunities and will be putting the details for them on my webpage soon too. In the meantime, I wish everyone on this forum a very happy holiday season and a peaceful new year. Let us hope 2007 is a year of enlightenment and understanding. Jai Shri Krishna! J A Joshi

Haribol! I'm happy to see that I have something to add to this discussion. I was watching a documentary on the science channel a few days ago entitled 'Most of our universe is missing'. What it was talking about is how, when some scientist years ago tried to build a model of our galaxy on a computer, the galaxy fell apart. What they realised is that the amount of visible matter there is in the galaxy is not sufficient for the amount of gravity present. This means that there must be some other matter that is invisible and undetectable that is holding the universe together. The scientists then came up with the theory of dark matter, matter that pervades the universe that provides the gravity necessary to keep the stars and planets and moons in their orbits. Otherwise, the entire universe would just fly apart. As I was watching, I thought about 'akash' and how it is the fifth element, the space in which the other four elements reside. It struck me that what the scientists call dark matter is probably what we know of as akash. There are other theories and some scientists disagree with the theory of dark matter but it makes sense to me and fits in with the vedas and the idea of the fifth element, akash. Jai http://www.trafford.com/06-0382

I've read this encyclopeadia and found it very enlightening. I highly recommend that any Hindu or even anyone interested in Indian history read it and learn from it. Jai

I have a lot of respect for HRH Prince Charles as he is always open to other faiths and ideas. He is also a great enviromentalist and has a lot of ideas that the royal family implements on their lands in the UK. When Charles comes to the throne, it will be a great day. Jai Shri Krishna! Jai

That man was surely blest. Even many Hindus do not have the chance to die in Varanasi. I offer obeisances to that man's pure spirit and wish him well on his journey to Bhagwan. Jai Shri Krishna! Jai

Vrndavanji, Is there something we can do to help the Hindus there? Is there an online petition or anything that we can sign? Haribol! Jai

Haribol! Srimanta and Lewix, thank you for your lovely poetic messages. They are beautiful! I also wanted to mention that when I visit San Antonio this Wednesday for my signing at The Twig Bookshop, I'll be doing a talk before the signing at the Westfall Library from 3-4pm about writing and self publishing. If anyone is interested in these topics and lives in the area, come along and talk to me! Otherwise, come see me at The Twig, 5-7pm. Jai Shri Krishna! Jai

Bad times come and go, friend. Krishna says in the Gita that we must be unmoved by sorrow or joy. The Pandavas also lived through sadness and painful events but all the way through their lives, they turned to Shri Krishna for guidance nd that is how they could deal with it. I advise you to read or watch or listen to the Mahabharat and learn from it. Karna lived through terrible pain and loneliness, Bhishma's whole life was full of pain. But we still respect them because even at the worst times of their life, they stayed strong and full of faith. This is the sign of a devotee. Kunti even prayed to Krishna that he always give her sorrow, because in sorrow she always remembered him. When we're happy, we don't think of god, or of what is right but when we are sad, we think of all of these things. There is a reason for everything. Examine your life and the things that have happened. It may not seem like it now but good will come out of it, somehow. Jai

Is there no one who can explain having a mangal to me? I thought that one of your scholars would surely know. Haribol! Jai

Whatever sort of trouble you are in, don't end your life! Committing suicide is a crime against Bhagwan and nothing good ever comes of it. Do you think that if you kill yourself, the pain will end? NO! Instead, you will have gained even more pain due to the sin of your suicide. Now listen. It doesn't matter what your horoscope says, you are free to seek the blessings of your Ishta Dev whenever you want. You sound as if you need his/her blessings now, so pray to him/her. Ask for forgiveness for whatever you have done wrong. Ask for guidance so that you may improve yourself. Wherever you live, seek out other devotees and ask for their guidance also. There is no shame in asking for help so ask. If it is possible, find a saadhu or a sant and ask for their advice. Don't despair, my friend. There is always hope.

Haribol, Can someone clarify what it means to have a strong mangal in my horoscope? My parents tell me that I have a very strong mangal and it is crucial to match the kundlis before I marry. I believe in this but can anyone tell me of any other effects of a mangal? Jai

Mira is a Sanskrit name meaning a sparkling lake of crystal clear water. Bai is simply a term used denoting a great and respected lady. She became known as Mirabai when her poetry and devotion to Krishna became famous. Her name has nothing to do with the Arabic language. Jai

Thanks for the support, Vrndavanji. I truly appreciate it. Haribol! Jai Joshi author of 'Follow the Cowherd Boy'

Haribol, Yugalvarji! How wonderful that you shop at Swades. I go there for all my Indian groceries. I will be delighted to see you at the Bookworm signing, please come. I have another two signings set up also: Nov 28th, River Oaks Bookstore 3270 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, 4.30-6pm. For more information contact Mike on 713 520 0061 Nov 29th, The Twig Book Shop 5005 Broadway, San Antonio, TX, 5-7pm. For more information contact Dinah on 210 826 6411 If anyone lives in the area and is interested in Mirabai then please come. It would be wonderful to know that in travelling around Texas, I can also meet with devotees. Also, I just wanted to say that anyone who is interested in the book can order it from amazon.com and trafford.com. Just enter Follow the Cowherd Boy into your search and my book will come up. Or you can google it as Yugalvar did. Haribol!

Haribol! If anyone here lives in the area of Dallas/Fort Worth in Texas then I wanted to let you know I have two book signings set up at The Bookworm Store in Frisco on Dec 16th, 2-4pm, and Dec 17th, 12noon-2pm. If you can make it then come along! The exact address is 3245 Main Street, Suite 225, Frisco, TX 75034. For information call David at (972) 712 1455. Hopefully I'll have a few more signings set up soon and I will post their locations, dates and timings here. Haribol! J A Joshi

When Krishna goes to Mathura and all the devotees saw him for the first time, they all saw him differently. It says in the Bhagavatam that the older men saw him as Vishnu, the evil men saw him as Kala, Death incarnate, the older women saw him as a little boy, and the young girls saw him as Kama, the God of Love. Each saw him differently and therefore viewed his skin colour and beauty differently. So it doesn't matter what colour other people see him as. Love him as you want to love him and he shall reveal himself to you in that form.