bhaktajan

I have read everywhere that maya deludes our mind

[Wrong. Your mind pimps maya. Maya is the feminine creative external energy emanating from God.

and to overcome it we have to give up desires.

[Wrong. Read Bhagavad-gita. Our desires must be dovetailed with pleasing <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>—this takes practice and then more practice—the exams are self-administered]

Only then we can obtain god.

[Wrong. We can obtain God's audience. Maybe then his entourage's backstage pass and onward till we gain God's direct attention of our selfless services]

I know the effect of Maya

[Wrong. You ain't seen nothing yet. So, become Krishna Conscious while you can—before you accidentally drop dead]

but whats the cause?

[sB 1.7.5 Due to this external energy, the living entity, although transcendental to the three modes of material nature, thinks of himself as a material product and thus undergoes the reactions of material miseries.

PURPORT

The root cause of suffering by the materialistic living beings is pointed out with remedial measures which are to be undertaken and also the ultimate perfection to be gained. All this is mentioned in this particular verse.

The living being is by constitution transcendental to material encagement, but he is now imprisoned by the external energy, and therefore he thinks himself one of the material products. And due to this unholy contact, the pure spiritual entity suffers material miseries under the modes of material nature.

The living entity misunderstands himself to be a material product. This means that the present perverted way of thinking, feeling and willing, under material conditions, is not natural for him. But he has his normal way of thinking, feeling and willing.

The living being in his original state is not without thinking, willing and feeling power. It is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita that the actual knowledge of the conditioned soul is now covered by nescience.

Thus the theory that a living being is absolute impersonal Brahman is refuted herein. This cannot be, because the living entity has his own way of thinking in his original unconditional state also.

The present conditional state is due to the influence of the external energy, which means that the illusory energy takes the initiative while the Supreme Lord is aloof.

The Lord does not desire that a living being be illusioned by external energy. The external energy is aware of this fact, but still she accepts a thankless task of keeping the forgotten soul under illusion by her bewildering influence.

The Lord does not interfere with the task of the illusory energy because such performances of the illusory energy are also necessary for reformation of the conditioned soul.

. . . the Supreme Lord descends from His kingdom upon the kingdom of illusory energy and personally gives relief in the form of the Bhagavad-gita, wherein He personally suggests that although the ways of illusory energy are very stiff to overcome,

. . . This surrendering process is the remedial measure for getting relief from the bewildering ways of the illusory energy. The surrendering process is completed by the influence of association. The Lord has suggested, therefore, that by the influence of the speeches of saintly persons who have actually realized the Supreme, men are engaged in His transcendental loving service.

The conditioned soul gets a taste for hearing about the Lord, and by such hearing only he is gradually elevated to the platform of respect, devotion and attachment for the Lord.

The whole thing is completed by the surrendering process.

. . .This means that the conditioned souls are being reclaimed by the Lord both ways, namely by the process of punishment by the external energy of the Lord, and by Himself as the spiritual master within and without.

Within the heart of every living being the Lord Himself as the Supersoul (Paramatma) becomes the spiritual master, and from without He becomes the spiritual master in the shape of scriptures, saints and the initiator spiritual master.

. . . Personal superintendence of the illusory energy is confirmed in the Vedas (the Kena Upanisad) in relation to the demigods’ controlling power. Herein also it is clearly stated that the living entity is controlled by the external energy in a personal capacity.

The living being thus subject to the control of external energy is differently situated. It is clear, however, from the present statement of Bhagavatam that the same external energy is situated in the inferior position before the Personality of Godhead, or the perfect being.

The perfect being, or the Lord, cannot be approached even by the illusory energy, who can only work on the living entities.

. . .Srimad-Bhagavatam is the summum bonum remedy for suffering humanity in the clutches of maya. Srila Vyasadeva therefore first of all diagnosed the actual disease of the conditioned souls, i.e., their being illusioned by the external energy. He also saw the perfect Supreme Being, from whom illusory energy is far removed, though He saw both the diseased conditioned souls and also the cause of the disease. And the remedial measures are suggested in the next verse.

Both the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the living beings are undoubtedly qualitatively one, but the Lord is the controller of the illusory energy, whereas the living entity is controlled by the illusory energy. Thus the Lord and the living beings are simultaneously one and different.

Another point is distinct herein: that eternal relation between the Lord and the living being is transcendental, otherwise the Lord would not have taken the trouble to reclaim the conditioned souls from the clutches of maya. In the same way, the living entity is also required to revive his natural love and affection for the Lord, and that is the highest perfection of the living entity. Srimad-Bhagavatam treats the conditioned soul with an aim to that goal of life.]

If god loves us and we love god,

[if you knew what We loved then you'd be a <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Madison Ave</st1:address></st1:Street> advertising wizard—but it's probably the other way around. We don't know what's best for us. Lawyers and doctors represent what's best for us even when they cheat a little with the fees]

then why is Maya created??

[Maya is also translated as Mercy — Bg4.6P . . . The word maya, or atma-maya, refers to the Lord’s causeless mercy, according to the Visva-kosa dictionary. ]

If uniting with god is our goal,

[Wrong. Re-unite with God's pastimes in heaven. Specificity allows for absolute ETA. The goal now, in the material world is to stop the repeating cycle of birth and death, which can only be achieved by Krishna Consciousness.]

then why are we obstructed by maya?

[Maya is the same energy that sustains the whole universe and your nightly breathing and beating heart. Maya allows you the free-will, self-determined independence to express your sense of free will (while also burning-up re-actions to long forgotten past actions too)]

I searched everywhere.

[if you have, why have you not quoted the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Sri Isopanisad?????]

I found thousands of ways to overcome maya

[Wrong. There is only one way. What you've encountered are ways to soothe your temporal pains.]

and how to unite with god

[God is "Absolute". Absolute is conceived on the mundane in the following way: To build a house, of any size and design, we must first have an empty space to build in. This is an absolute rule of physics. 'No two things can occupy the same space'. The creation with all it's variegated "Relative" forms all occupy empty space which is considered absolute. The space is called Brahman.]

but not a single logical explanation for

[A.C. Bhaktivendata Swami presented the Bhagavad-gita "As-it-is" inorder to counter the bogus renderings of the multitudes of speculations that address the nature and mystery of life and the nature of the soul and the nature of Time, God as 'Controller' and the nature of material energy known as Maya-Prakriti.]

why the maya is here at the first place.

[sB 1.3.34 If the illusory energy subsides and the living entity becomes fully enriched with knowledge by the grace of the Lord, then he becomes at once enlightened with self-realization and thus becomes situated in his own glory.

Purport . . . Therefore by His grace the external energy, which is employed in illusioning those living beings who want to have it, subsides by the will of the Lord in terms of repentance and penance for the conditioned soul. And the very same energy then acts to help the purified living being make progress on the path of self-realization. The example of electrical energy is very appropriate in this connection. The expert electrician can utilize the electrical energy for both heating and cooling by adjustment only. Similarly, the external energy, which now bewilders the living being into continuation of birth and death, is turned into internal potency by the will of the Lord to lead the living being to eternal life. When a living being is thus graced by the Lord, he is placed in his proper constitutional position to enjoy eternal spiritual life.]

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Just trying to be of assistance,

Bhaktajan

Posted by Rascal "...Why in this whole world is his business to judge anybody and then use words like Rascal?"

Mr. Rascal,

Prabhupada is Jagat-Guru.

Prabhupada presented Bhagavad-gita for the first time to the western civilization "As it is"

Prabhupada therefore has the authority to present the 'standard of measurement as to what-is-what (ya-drk).

Prabhupada has already done the above starting in 1965 CE.

Prabhupada's followers will continue to spread his message as to what-is-what.

I suggest that you will have a difficult time trying to catch up for so much lost time for you cause. Also, at the 57th St Hamburger Resturant, across from Carnegie Hall in New York City called, "Hard-Rock Cafe" there is a Glass Hologram of Sai Baba hung on the wall overlooking the diners--I don't think the patrons there are showing their proper respects. [but maybe it has been purchased by some reverential patron of the arts since I last saw it there in 1982].

Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be sublime for once and for all.

A) Karmi Science has said [unless this is a myth] that fish is good for the brain.

Does milk compare and parallel the nutriant values?

B) The Vegan ethos is correct and we must admit our fault. But, this must lead us to be outraged and speak-up, even if it does not correct the way things are being done in the Milk industry. Ekadasi fasts and the Vegan self-righteousness are still only a small percentage of voices.

C) As Theist states [and I agree 1,000%]: "...if anyone takes milk from unprotected cows then they are supporting the horrendous practices found in factory farming, plain and simple."

Once we have a base from which to broadcast our 'upper-crust' opinion we must do it.

Alas, it may be that we don't upset the non-devotees because we just don't give a farthing for their destinies nor do we feel we can stop the jagguarnat of their mass bad karma--'Every man for himself' but, evariblely we find that we do all live to older and older ages still staying around to see the affects of our collective lack of concentrated Civic action.

Buy B.R. Chopra's (16) DVD Set of the "Mahabharata" --it's 94 Hours long.

Buy the (22) DVD Set of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami's Lectures--you'll have a Vaisnava Guru available at all times.

Save up to travel once a year to the nearest Tirtha/mandir/Farm community for Janmastami or Gaura-Purnima --[short stays are most relishable, especially if you take momento-pictures].

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>Originally Posted by Kulapavana

That is where that idea came from: Milton. There is no sanskrit term for "back to Godhead" because that concept is absent from classical writings.

 

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- END TEMPLATE: bbcode_quote -->Speaks for itself.

1) Milton's works are not qouted nor cited above by Prabhupad nor even by way of Kulapavana's implications. 'Paradise Lost' expresses that it was once possessed but later lost [in the Eternal Kingdom there are no fleeting Kalpas --we can't even re-call a past life].

2) Kulapavana states it correctly that we jiva-atmas where originally in Vaikuntha--[yet I DON"T KNOW WHAT Kulapavana's stance is because his posting represents both sides of the argument.]

3) "back to Godhead" because that concept is absent from classical writings".--A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami spoke it! It is thus sastra, ask your Guru and Sadhus! [The mantra: "Our father who art in heaven..." was also absent from classical writings--check with your Greek pals.]

Stop with the iconoclast rampages, please.

I am a Vaisnava who has had to disinherit my karmi Children--all four of them.

The level of twisted logic that eminated from discusions with them was mind boggling!

Every statement I made to my ex-children was instantly converted into some kind of svengali diatribe meant to attract them into a cult that would steal their blood, sweat, tears and mind--so it's: "pay your taxes and die kid".

Their mother not only fled Vaisnavism, she turned the children into flesh eaters, atheists, tatoo & tongue-stud wearing atheists without a clue as to what the purpose of life might be. All in time for high-school graduation with a banner reading "9/11 Terrorist War now showing at your local television set".

I will fully reveal my mind on this topic asap as time allows.

ys,

Bhaktajan

PS: Remember, 'Dog bites man' is common place. But, 'Man bites dog' sells advertisment space in all our local newspapers.

Major Beef Recall Impacts Murray </ST1:PCounty, </ST1:P<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comDalton</st1:City>, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = " /><st1:place w:st="on">Gordon </ST1:PCounty </ST1:PSchool </st1:place>

<st1:place w:st="on"></st1:place>Submitted by Bethany Mowry on February 19, 2008 - 12:15pm. WDEF.COM

Local <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region> school systems involved in the nation's largest beef recall wait on word to determine what to do with their meat supply.

The U-S-D-A put a hold on meat supplied from a <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> plant after the release of shocking video featuring mistreatment of downer cattle.

32 <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region> school systems received the potentially tainted beef from the slaughterhouse.

<ST1:PDalton </ST1:PCity </ST1:PSchools, <st1:City w:st="on">Murray</st1:City> and <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PGordon </ST1:PCounties </ST1:P</st1:place>are among them.

A nutritionist with the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dalton</st1:place></st1:City> city school system tells News 12 once she receives a directive from the state, the school system will proceed with destroying the meat.

……………………………………………………..

<ST1:PWayne </ST1:PCounty </ST1:P(<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>) Public Schools affected by meat recall

The Wayne County Public Schools system is on the list of school districts affected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's beef recall, but there is no cause for alarm, officials here say.

"Most likely there were products that were consumed, but we have been assured there's very minimal health risk," Ken Derksen, public information officer for the school system said this morning.

Derksen said there was likely "such a small amount" that parents need not worry.

Federal officials have also been reassuring, saying the beef posed little hazard to consumers and that no reports of illness have been made.

The recall came on the heels of the USDA's announcement of an ongoing investigation into Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company, alleging that cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection. Nationwide, 143 million pounds of beef were recalled, with an estimated 126,000 pounds reportedly distributed in 25 districts across <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>.

In addition to <ST1:PWayne </ST1:PCounty</ST1:P, neighboring Duplin, Lenoir, Greene, Sampson and <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Johnston</st1:place></st1:City> counties were also on the list. Approximately half of the districts across the state had already served some of the meat in question, reports said, using it in such dishes as tacos, hot dog chili and spaghetti sauce.

Derksen said when the district learned of the recall, cafeteria workers at individual schools immediately began taking inventory of their stocks.

"We found very minimal amounts. Out of 33 schools, 12.6 cases of hot dog chili and 2.5 cases of taco meat that were purchased," he said

Products were immediately pulled from the cafeteria shelves, Derksen said.

"Right now I think they're being held, as the child nutrition department awaits final confirmation of what to do from the USDA," he said.

In the meantime, officials remain positive about the situation.

"I don't think that parents should worry," Derksen said. "Health experts have assured us that there's very little reason for concern. ...

"We're doing what we have been asked to do by pulling these (items) off the shelves."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of frozen beef from a <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State> slaughterhouse, the subject of an animal-abuse investigation, that provided meat to school lunch programs. It was the largest beef recall in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, surpassing a 1999 ban of 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats. No illnesses have been linked to the newly recalled meat.Schoool meat

By Phyllis Moore

Published in News on February 19, 2008 01:57 PM

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Beef Over Cattle Abuse Video Escalates

Animal Rights Groups, Cattle Industry Spar As 143 Million Pounds Of Beef Is Recalled

<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">DENVER</st1:place></st1:City>, Feb. 19, 2008

(AP) The cattle industry and animal rights groups bickered over the treatment of beef destined for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> dinner plates a day after secret video triggered the nation's largest meat recall.

Undercover video taken at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. of Chino, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Calif.</st1:place></st1:State>, shows workers shocking, kicking and shoving debilitated cattle with forklifts, prompting the government to pull 143 million pounds of the company's beef.

Bo Reagan, vice president of research for the Colorado-based National Cattleman's Beef Association, said the videotaped incident was not indicative of how most slaughterhouses operate.

"The welfare of our animals - that's the heart and soul of our operations," Reagan said.

U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines mandate that an inspector must review sick or injured animals, called "downer" cattle, before they can be slaughtered, and that the 1958 Humane Slaughter Act sets strict rules for the humane treatment of animals.

"What happened in this case was that there were some animals that were harvested out of compliance," he said.

Federal regulations call for keeping downed cattle out of the food supply because they may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease since they typically wallow in feces and their immune systems are often weak.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, which videotaped the alleged abuse, said his organization chose to investigate the Westland/Hallmark plant at random, and said he was skeptical of the cattle industry's practices.

"I think this is the typical rhetorical and typical false assurances that we hear from the industry after glaring problems have been exposed," he said.

Pacelle said it's impossible to say whether the treatment depicted on the video is isolated, but stopped short of calling it widespread.

"I think we can't say for sure one way or another, but it's certainly a bad sign for the industry and the USDA to have been exposed for their failures in this single, random investigation," he said.

Agriculture officials estimate that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went to school programs, but they believe most of the meat probably has already been eaten.

"We don't know how much product is out there right now. We don't think there is a health hazard, but we do have to take this action," said Dr. Dick Raymond, USDA undersecretary for food safety.

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, chairwoman of the House Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee, called the video inhumane and said she was concerned it "demonstrates just how far our food safety system has collapsed."

DeLauro, D-Conn., has also called for an independent investigation into the government's ability to secure the safety of meat in the nation's schools.

Recalled meat is piling up at six <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:State> school districts. Grand Rapids Public Schools must throw out 10 tons of hamburger, while the Ann Arbor Public Schools has about 200 pounds of quarantined beef.

Some of the hamburger being recalled already was served to students in Portage Public Schools. "It was in our taco sauce and our spaghetti sauce," <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Portage</st1:place></st1:City> district food service manager Lance Gerry told the Kalamazoo Gazette. "We've been serving those products for a while."

USDA spokesman Keith Williams said his department has evidence that <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Westland</st1:place></st1:City> did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became non-ambulatory after passing inspection, violating health regulations.

Williams said the recall was done primarily to revoke the USDA's seal of inspection for the meat - not because of the risk of illness.

"Everybody's going, 'Oh, a recall, that means death, that means sickness.' That's a different kind of issue," Williams said. "This is a lower severity, where there would be a remote probability of sickness."

DeLauro also asked what the USDA is doing to address staff shortages among slaughterhouse inspectors - an issue also raised by other food safety experts and watchdog groups Monday.

Washington, D.C.-based Food and Water Watch said the USDA has left up to 21 percent of inspector positions vacant in some areas. Williams, of the USDA, said there is no shortage of inspectors.

Two former Westland/Hallmark employees were charged Friday. Five felony counts of animal cruelty and three misdemeanors were filed against a pen manager. Three misdemeanor counts - illegal movement of a non-ambulatory animal - were filed against an employee who worked under that manager. Both were fired.

No charges have been filed against the company, but an investigation by federal authorities continues. A phone message left Monday for Westland/Hallmark president Steve Mendell was not returned.

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International Baby Party

The basis of law and thus economics and thus liberty etc. must originate with child welfare.

Yet the world market which is full of mutual dog-eat-dog cheaters are based on pleasing adults first. Simplistic proposal I know.

But the last century showed that as fast as the First world could educate their country's youth they also sent the best educated offto war along with the trappings of the best that technology could create, war after war, each country taking turns at bat.

A "Constitution for the Rights Human Babies" must be drafted--the same rights would extent to all Adults too--but the difference is that the unborn/the baby/teen/student are represented by 'Inalienable' Rights, not just as a consequential State mandated obligation to be protected by some adjunct agency.

The so-called noblesse of all historical Systems of economics are based of clans vying for titleship of other's work/sweat/tears and ownership natural resources.

The stewardship of the beasts of the earth regularly equate eating them, etc., etc.

Newborns should be announced & paraded & schooled as a 'little buddha' all.

ys,

Bhaktajan

Originally Posted by HerServant . . . I have returned here at the direct request of Srila Prabhupada who appeared to me in a dream.

 

He made it very very clear that his followers (and movement) must be non sectarian. His body was very clean and radiant and I sat with him in a temple for a while.

 

But for those the hate on this forum and those who are harboring hate, Srila Prabhupada had this to say: nothing at all

 

It is the height of great mercy to "dream" of a saint!

I've waited now three decades to have dreams of the temple deities or even the temple lobby! Such dreams are rare and more rare!

My desires are full of lust and even there I have not dreams of lusty encounters.

You sat with Prabhupada in a dream? Hog wash! . . . Yes, I deny your subjective right and also your chance to claim to have had such a dream.

Yes, I don't know you, and I definitively denounce you for your claim to have had such a dream. I sorry to say that I do not allow even a moments' worth of belief in what you claim you dreamed.

the servant of Krishna's Servant,

Bhaktajan

Thu Feb 14, 5:37 PM ET

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comCOLUMBUS</st1:City>, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = " /><st1:City w:st="COLUMBUS</st1:City">COLUMBUS, <st1:State w:st=" /><st1:State w:st=" on?>Ohio</st1:State> - Three couples got the Valentine's Day wedding they craved on Thursday, marrying at a <st1:place w:st="on">White Castle </st1:place>in the restaurant chain's home city.

The morning ceremony at the burger joint, which features the slogan "What You Crave," involved a flower girl who threw salt and pepper packets instead of rice, and employee name tags on the grooms' lapels.

The cake resembled a <st1:place w:st="on">White Castle </st1:place>tray holding three "slyder" burgers, fries and a drink — all made of cake and frosting.

Cyndie Nunamaker of Plain City, 17 miles northwest of Columbus, said she and new husband Brian Wilson opted for the alternative wedding because they love <st1:place w:st="on">White Castle</st1:place>.

The nuptials were broadcast live on a local radio station, which paid for the flowers and other arrangements.

...................................................................................................................

Bhaktajan: and while we are at war into the bargin!

</st1:City>

Commercial Airlines Fly routes that stay in the northern hemisphere, navagating via the north star [Dhruva-loka].

Flying directly accross and over the north and south pole is not do-able [think, 'Northern-Lights' -- electrical instrumentation would be impeded]

Look-up the famous events of the Pilot, 'Capt. Byrd's flights over the north pole'

The next ring beyond our saltwater starts at the center of the south pole [a strange electro-magnatic region, what to meantion the sub-freezing inhospitable element(s)].

The north represents the means to navagate the globe** by 'magnetic compass' --all circumnavagating is like a person repelling [tethered by a rope] on a domed roof tied to the pinnicle and mostly stay away from the base of the dome since alsmost all land masses are above/near the equator.

There is an enigmatic reference in the 5th canto:

"Bhu-loka" is a planet [earth] revolving around the north star/pole axis.

"Bhu-mandala" [terrestrial platform atop the garbho-waters of the Brahmanda] is at the base of Mt Sumeru [Mt Sumeru is 800,000 miles highand has a surface of polished gold which reflects the orbiting Sun's Glow]. How to reconcil these two "Bhu" Lands?

Keep in mind that the Earth planet has asurface circumference of approx 24,000 Miles with many mountain ranges that have never been topographically surveyed--and which aeroplanes also avoid flying over due to eletromagnetic impedence.

High altitude flying allows for less fuel due to less 'drag', and, more simply the glide-factor: descending to arrival points from a high point requires less horizontal flying.

Why is there no place where the sun shines year round?

Yes, in the artic there are 6 months of Light and 6 months of darkness [this is due to the Sun revolving behind Sumeru, yet we still get our 24 hr day-cycle via the golden surface of the 'Land-of-gold' which exist far beyong the last ring of oceans and slopes up to the top of the outer-most ring of bhu-mandala: the "Aloka-loka Mountains" which are as high as Dhruva-loka] and beyond said mountains are the endarkened waters of the Garbho-ocean.

The celestrial planets all circumambulate clock-wise the abosolute north-south axis from Sumeru to Dhruvaloka to the top of Brahma's palace steeple. The sun circumambulates counter-clock-wise. This dual rotation is seen from above by the Devas' naked eye. Also seen like-wise is the planets below Dhurva-loka, which, clustered together seen from afar [think milyway en toto] appear as a dolphin, nose down and tip of tail up touching Dhurva-loka going clock-wise.

..................................................................................

This is what I have gathered by my own study of the 5th canto by Srila Prabhupada.

ys,

Bhaktajan

Let me tell you a sweet story that made me pine-for and appreciate anew how fortunate we are and how thankfull we are to Srila Prabhupada for developing our refined palate:

.............................................................................................

One time, when I was alone in New York City. I looked through a window and saw my beloved's poor cousins--filled with such lust was I.

I pursued my intentions with unrestricted enthusiam and--order two of each famous sweet--I sat down in that dingy dark corner of east 27th St and Lexington Ave ready to luxuriate in Maharajic-like debauchery, as I filled my lips with the amrit I had only been able to dream was possible since looking through the window--I tasted the ambrosia-... uuugh, yuck, spit-this-out! What in the hell is this? ... those 'Swahini Sweets' from jackson Heights Queens have made me gag!! These factory made sweets from Jackson Heights Queens are the worst.

At that time, while hiding my disgust from the nice store merchants' smiling glances--I realized that these Indian Imigrants thought I was a man of the world to come to their sweets store to sit down and order their fare, yet I felt sorry that they themselves knew nothing about gourmet sweets lest they would offer such third class preparations. Or did I just then realize that such Jackson Heights Queens Sweets would never be good enough for me nor my friends. I cried inside for my little plate of sweets that I planned to discard in the trash as soon as I left the store. Such sweet tears.

Originally Posted by suchandra . . .Sugreeva has been tormented by his brother and the various vanaras that he has sent to kill him. Hanuman assures Rama that Sugreeva is telling the truth. When Sugreeva shows compassion for Rama's loss of his wife, Rama promises to help him defeat his brother. . . .

 

Thank you, Prabhu Suchandra. This is great.

I saw the qoute by Rama in the Sagar's Indian epic movie series "Ramayana" years ago. Rama actually makes a small speech regarding going to hell for his friends if need be ... my desire is to re-hear the reasoning behind that sentiment--how it is logical etc. [if I heard it right ]

Isopanisad 8 Purport . . . God is described here as paribhüù, the greatest of all. No one is greater than or equal to Him. Other living beings are described here as beggars who ask goods from the Lord. The Lord supplies the things the living entities desire. If the entities were equal to the Lord in potency—if they were omnipotent and omniscient—there would be no question of their begging from the Lord, even for so-called liberation. Real liberation means going back to Godhead. Liberation as conceived of by an impersonalist is a myth, and begging for sense gratification has to continue eternally unless the beggar comes to his spiritual senses and realizes his constitutional position. . . .

Le petite Rascals:

Can some help me? Please post the quote that Sri Ramachandra said in regards to Sugriva (I think it was Sugriva):

That Rama said that he would go with his respected friend to hell rather than abandon him (due to the selfless bond that Sugriva also had).

ys,

Bhaktajan

"dat man, begger, Heee be highhh !"

Almost all politicians are Lawyers. Better they are Dentists.

But my point is that the basis of law and thus economics and thus liberty etc. must originate with child welfare.

Yet the world market which is full of mutual dog-eat-dog cheaters are based on pleasing adults first. Simplistic proposal I know.

But the last century showed that as fast as the First world could educate their country's youth they also sent the best educated offto war along with the trappings of the best that technology could create, war after war, each country taking turns at bat.

A "Constitution of the Human Babies Rights" must be drafted--the same rights would extent to all Adults too--but the difference is that the unborn/the baby/teen/student are represented by 'Inalienable' Rights, not just as a consequential State mandated obligation to be protected by some adjunct agency.

Newborns should be announced & paraded & schooled as a 'little buddha' all.

I'm honored to introduce everyone to this story [it should be done by Bollywood — or maybe it's actually a story derived from a Puranic story]:

"Marcelino Pan y Vino" [lit. Marcelino, Bread and Wine] (aka The Miracle of Marcelino) is a 1955 Spanish film. It was a resounding international success, so much so that other countries have produced versions of it. There has been an Italian, a Filipino, a Japanese-French television series based on the movie. The story, although heavily revised and somewhat modernized in both the book and film, dates back to an old medieval legend, one of many gathered together in a volume by Alfonso el Sabio

Plot

The story revolves around Marcelino, a young child abandoned as a baby on the steps of a monastery in eighteenth-century Spain. After trying, and failing, to find his parents, the monks realize that he is an orphan, and after searching unsuccessfully for someone to adopt him, decide to raise the child themselves. Marcelino grows into a cute, well-meaning, but mischievous and lonely boy who is always innocently getting into trouble. He has been warned by the monks not to visit the monastery attic, where a supposed bogeyman lives, but he ventures upstairs anyway, sees the supposed bogeyman, and tears off back down the stairs.

At a festival, Marcelino unintentionally causes havoc when he accidentally lets some animals loose, and the new local mayor, whom the monks would not let adopt the child because of his coarse behavior, uses the incident as an excuse to try to shut down the monastery.

Given the silent treatment by the monks, Marcelino gathers up the courage to once again enter the attic, where he sees, not a bogeyman, but a beautiful statue of Christ on the Cross. Remarking that the statue looks hungry, Marcelino steals some bread and wine and offers it to the statue, which miraculously comes to life, descends from the Cross, and eats and drinks what the boy has brought him. Eventually, the statue becomes Marcelino's best friend and confidante and begins to give him religious instruction. For his part, Marcelino realizes that the statue is Christ.

The monks know something is strange when they notice bread and wine disappearing, and arrange to spy on Marcelino. One day, the statue notices that Marcelino is pensive and brooding instead of happy, and tells him that he would like to give him a reward for his kindness. Marcelino answers, "I want only to see my mother, [she had died] and to see Yours after that". The statue cradles Marcelino in its arms, tells Marcelino to sleep - and Marcelino dies happy.

The monks witness the miracle through a crack in the attic door, and burst in just in time to see the dead Marcelino bathed in a heavenly glow. The statue returns to its place on the Cross, and Marcelino is buried underneath the chapel and venerated by all who visit the now flourishing monastery-turned-shrine.

The main story is told in flashback, and bookended by a more modern story in which a monk (played by Fernando Rey) visits a sick, possibly dying, girl, and tells her the story of Marcelino for inspiration. The film ends with the monk entering the now completely remodeled chapel in the monastery during Mass, and saying to the crucifix once kept in the attic: "We have been speaking about you, O Lord,", and then, to Marcelino's grave, which is situated nearby, "And about you, too, Marcelino".

The story is said to have many symbolic meanings, but is usually just enjoyed as a quietly moving religious fable, although some have seen a sinister meaning in the fact that Marcelino virtually asks to die and Christ grants his wish. The film remains one of the most famous and successful foreign films of the mid 1950's.

Originally Posted by Beggar Can you prove this from quotes from sastra?

Are you kidding, Mr. Begger-ji? Just remember this Parable:

BUD: Nicknames, pet names. Now, on the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:City> team we have Who's

on first,What's on second, I Don't Know is on third---

LOU: That's what I want to find out; I want you to tell me the names

of the fellows on the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:City> team.

BUD: I'm telling you: Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know

is on third.

LOU: You know the fellows' names?

BUD: Yes.

LOU: Well, then, who's playin' first?

BUD: Yes.

LOU: I mean the fellow's name on first base.

BUD: Who.

LOU: The fellow playin' first base for <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:City>.

BUD: Who.

LOU: The guy on first base.

BUD: Who is on first.

LOU: Well what are you askin' me for?

BUD: I'm not asking you---I'm telling you: Who is on first.

LOU: I'm asking you---who's on first?

BUD: That's the man's name!

LOU: That's who's name?

BUD: Yes.

LOU: Well go ahead and tell me.

BUD: Who.

LOU: The guy on first.

BUD: Who.

LOU: The first baseman!

BUD: Who is on first!

LOU: Have you got a first baseman on first?

BUD: Certainly!

LOU: Then who's playing first?

BUD: Absolutely!

Excerpted from the television comedy show "Seinfeld" --

from the episode titled: "The Betrayal"

Setting: Elaine is at Pinter's parents house)

ELAINE: Hi. Mr. and Mrs. Ranawat?

ZUBIN: Please, call us Usha and Zubin.

ELAINE: Oh. Well, Usha..

ZUBIN: I'm Zubin.

ELAINE: (Shrugging it off) Anyway, your son is marrying my friend, Sue Ellen Mischke..

USHA: You're not going to the wedding, are you?

ELAINE: Well..

USHA: Don't go. India is a dreadful, dreadful place.

ZUBIN: You know, it's the only country that still has the plague? I mean, the plague! Please!

USHA: Here's the registry. Send her a gift, and be glad you did not have to go.

ELAINE: (Soaking it in) Right. Don't go. Send a gift. I think I understand.

ZUBIN: If I had to go to India, I wouldn't go to the bathroom the entire trip.

ELAINE: (Leaving) That's fantastic.

ZUBIN: And I'm not so crazy about Manhattan, either.

(Scene ends)

SB 9.9.6 Purport —There are methods of präyaçcitta, or atonement, but they are inadequate to cleanse one of sinful reactions. One can be cleansed of sinful reactions only by devotional service, as stated in regard to the history of Ajämila:

“Only a rare person who has adopted complete, unalloyed devotional service to Kåñëa can uproot the weeds of sinful actions with no possibility that they will revive. He can do this simply by discharging devotional service, just as the sun can immediately dissipate fog by its rays.” (Bhäg. 6.1.15) If one is under the protection of a devotee and sincerely renders service unto him, by this process of bhakti-yoga one is certainly able to counteract all sinful reactions.

NOI 1 Purport . . . certain Christians go to church to confess their sins, thinking that confessing their sins before a priest and performing some penance will relieve them from the results of their weekly sins. As soon as Saturday is over and Sunday comes, they again begin their sinful activities, expecting to be forgiven the next Saturday.

This kind of präyaçcitta, or atonement, is condemned by Parékñit Mahäräja, the most intelligent king of his time. Çukadeva Gosvämé, equally intelligent, as befitting the spiritual master of Mahäräja Parékñit, answered the King and confirmed that his statement concerning atonement was correct. A sinful activity cannot be counteracted by a pious activity. Thus real präyaçcitta, atonement, is the awakening of our dormant Kåñëa consciousness. Real atonement involves coming to real knowledge . . .

SC 16: Awakening love of God: "Atonement vs. Chanting the Holy Name". . . Still, atonement of various kinds is recommended in the Vedas for those who are not ready to take up the process of pure devotional service. These methods of atonement are proportional to the the severity of the sin they are meant to counteract.

For example, if we fall sick with a cough or influenza, the cost of medicine prescribed by the doctor may be little, but if we are stricken with tuberculosis, the medicine will be more costly. Likewise, präyaçcitta, or the ritualistic ceremonies for counteracting sinful activities, is proportionately less or greater according to the gravity of the sin.

If we commit a grievous sin, then the penance will be severe. These are the prescriptions given by great sages like Paräçara Muni and Manu. The sages have composed twenty kinds of scriptures, constituting the dharma-çästra, and these scriptures are meant for atoning for one’s sins and elevating one to the heavenly planets. For example, it is said that if one has committed certain crimes, he must vow to fast for a certain number of days or give charity. Or, a businessman who has earned a million dollars by sinful activities must give in charity accordingly.

There are many such prescribed methods of atonement, but here the Viñëudütas say, “Although these prescribed methods of atonement are authorized and true, they cannot purify the heart.” We can see that even though the adherents of Hinduism, Mohammedanism, and Christianity perform such rituals of atonement, they cannot refrain from again committing the same sins.

One who practices these principles of atonement is like a rascal patient who goes to a physician for treatment. The physician gives him medicine and instructs him how to take it, but the foolish patient takes the medicine according to his own whims, and so his condition worsens. Again he goes to the physician, crying “Doctor, please give me more medicine.”

Bhakti Caru Swami

. . . we are advised to avoid criticism of another vaisnava, it is really ill motivated criticism based on a lack of affection and respect that is considered aparadha. If you have affection for someone, you show that affection through acts of service, appreciation, respect, and intimate exchange, not through offense. So when affection and respect for someone is low, we are more likely to offend them - or perhaps guaranteed to offend them.

. . . Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said that the injunction not to criticize or blaspheme devotees ( sadhu ninda) should be applied to non devotees as well.

. . . Aparadha literally means “to be distanced from worship.” In other words, offenses to devotees distance us from devotional service, distance us from the worship of Sri Radha whom all worship and service to Krsna goes through.

I also like to define aparadha as “to be distanced from affection.”

. . . It is wise, therefore, to never listen to criticism of devotees or be connected with any kind of vaisnava aparadha. Some devotees take this so seriously that they vow to never hear blasphemy or criticism of devotees (this also includes emails, articles, and publications in which devotees are unjustly criticized). This is a wonderful vow to follow. . . .

. . . it is said that by criticizing another person you take on some of their bad karma (and also the fault you are finding comes back to haunt you). So if you are feeling magnanimous and want to accept some bad karma and give some of your good karma away, you now know exactly how to do it. . . .

 

And on the flip side of the coin:

If we are taking darsan of a great devotee at the percise moment when that very same great devotee is having a 'realization' --we will receive special blessings unknowingly.

[bhakti Caru Swami has been so magnanimus as to provide us with this in his article: A double-scoop of mercy in one serving]

PAMHO,

AGTSP,

Dear criiii dum,

Re: Losing weight basics

You may or may not already know the following Basics, so here is an overview:

• the culprit of weight gain is: consumption of “Simply-Carbohydrates”
  
• there are 3 components of a dietary intake:

   

  • Protein = 20% daily foodstuffs
    
  • Carbohydrates = 60% daily foodstuffs
    
  • Fats = 20% daily foodstuffs

   

  [*]Carbohydrates are used by the body [and the brain] for nutrition (fats and proteins are use for bone, muscle and other maintenance functions.) therefore, your protein and fat intake can be ignored.

  [*]Carbohydrates are converted into forms of sugar, known generically as, ‘glucose’ and then insulin collects this ‘sugar’ in the blood stream and carries it to it’s appropriate location, thus delivering “fuel”. The food/fuel used for the brain is glucose only. [recall the scene in a hospital—that clear liquid bottle that hangs up-side-down with a feed tube is delivering ‘glucose’ directly into the body]

  [*]Carbohydrates from factory foods (refined flour grains are all devoid of nutrients) these are known as ‘Simple-Carbohydrates’ [ie: all table sugar(s), bread, cakes, white rice(esp. jasmine), pasta, potatoes, orange juice, carrots, puris, etc**]

  [*]**”The Glycemic Index” is a listing of foods showing their Carbohydrate content —there are ‘Simple’ and there are ‘Complex’ Carbohydrates—it’s the simple carbs that are the culprit. Complex carbs are ie: Broccoli, etc which the digestive system must take considerable time to assimilate—it is during this “assimilation” time that a person feels satiated. [ ** The Glycemic Index lists foods on a scale of 0-to-100. Sugar is listed as 100. Water is 0 ]

  [*]When a person eats these simple carbs it turns virtually into sugar instantly—thus leaving a person with renewed hunger pangs. This is the viscous cycle of eating Simple-carb foods.

  [*]Don’t eat after Sun-down. The fire of digestion is extinguished in the evening. “Ama” will result and thus the weight issue & the body’s maintenance become further complicated.

  [*]I will presume you’re approx 5’-5” tall and therefore should intake approx 1800 Calories per Day—one must eat every hour to 1 ½ hours throughout the day for a total daily intake of 1800 calories [8 meals x 225Calories each=1,800]—this will squelch hunger pains.

  [*]Factoid: 1 pound of body fat = 3,500 Calories [use this to compute longevity of diet.

  [*]Factoid: 2,000 Calories of most any foodstuffs = approx 1 pound of foodstuffs.

  [*]Factoid: it that 4-6 months of conscious discipline to change eating habits.

  [*]Factoid: one need not reduce daily caloric intake to levels below normal requirements.

  [*]Factoid: drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day speeds elimination of body fats.

  [*]Factoid: consuming high fiber [ie: Psyllium husk] combined with the above water intake— speeds elimination of body fats.

  [*]do aerobic exercise before the first meal of the day [this will burn 200% more body fat]. Combine this with intermittent moderate weight training workouts inorder to cause the body to burn more calories during times of rest.

  [*]Factoid: Milk, cheese, unsweetened dairy, linguini, all veggies, butter, unsweetened peanut butter are examples of “low-glycemic” foods that create a feeling of satiation.

  [*]may I suggest: A) linguini with peanut butter sauce—soy sauce goes great with this. B) Dhokla—sweetened or spicey [consult with devotees for proper recipe].

Hope this is of some use to you.

Your wellwisher,

bhaktajan

"I hope I can find some NON-anti-iskcon sanga that can provide me with some cogent Vaisnava explanation of 'what occured to cause this Mataji's outcome' and in this way discover this situation as Krsna's mercy".

-- as 're-stated' by Bhaktajan

 

An 'Open Letter' usually openly reveals the facts of a grievance.

No facts, data, --just accusations against an institution whose 'working' to preform their dharma.

Please be merciful to me and expect me to read the noticable missing links in your reportage.

ys,

Bhaktajan