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Everything posted by bhaktajan
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Oxford Univ Study: Lack of Vit & Min = Anti-social behavior
bhaktajan posted a topic in World Review
The beginning of the cow protection success is forthcoming. The latest vogue mentality is: making a smaller "ecological footprint" ---that would include the stopping of cow and animal slaughter. Also, such a diet is totally acidic, thus a bodily systems are affected. Bhaktajan .................................................................................................................... The British Journal of Psychiatry (2002) 181: 22-28 © 2002 The Royal College of Psychiatrists Influence of supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids on the antisocial behaviour of young adult prisoners Randomised, placebo-controlled trial Declaration of interest The research was supported by a grant from the research charity Natural Justice (see Acknowledgements) and managed from the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<ST1:PUniversity </ST1:PSurrey</ST1:P</st1:place>. Scotia Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Unigreg Ltd supplied nutritional supplements. Background There is evidence that offenders consume diets lacking in essential nutrients and this could adversely affect their behaviour. Aims To test empirically if physiologically adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids cause a reduction in antisocial behaviour. Method Experimental, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of nutritional supplements on 231 young adult prisoners, comparing disciplinary offences before and during supplementation. Results Compared with placebos, those receiving the active capsules committed an average of 26.3% (95% CI 8.3-44.33%) fewer offences (P=0.03, two-tailed). Compared to baseline, the effect on those taking active supplements for a minimum of 2 weeks (n=172) was an average 35.1% (95% CI 16.3-53.9%) reduction of offences (P<0.001, two-tailed), whereas placebos remained within standard error. Conclusions Antisocial behaviour in prisons, including violence, are reduced by vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids with similar implications for those eating poor diets in the community. INTRODUCTION Most research into factors involved in antisocial behaviour investigates societal factors. This has produced important correlational evidence but does not demonstrate that such factors have causal relationships with antisocial behaviour, as this requires more rigorous experimental designs (Altman, 1991; Rutter, 1995). Such designs are difficult to achieve in sociological research, which leaves questions of volition, culpability, prevention and rehabilitation open, if cause and effect are more precisely understood. It is noteworthy that a Director of the US National Institute of Mental Health suggested that treatment programmes for offenders tend not to be rigorously evaluated: ‘It's easy to fool yourselves about efficacy if you haven't done a proper clinical trial’ (Marshal, 2000). It has, however, been suggested that deeper knowledge of the biology of antisocial behaviours will help interventions (Stone & Kelner, 2000). Background When Sinclair persuaded the wartime British government in 1942 to supplement the diet of all children with cod-liver oil and orange juice, he speculated that among other ills, poor diets could lead to antisocial behaviour. Since that time, evidence has grown to support this link (Moynahan, 1976; Virkkunen & Huttunen, 1982; Benton & Cook, 1991; Stevens et al, 1995, 1996; Hamazaki et al, 1996; Schoenthaler et al, 1997; Walsh et al, 1997; Hibbeln et al, 1998; Bjork et al, 1999; Golomb et al, 2000). If there is a causal relationship between micronutrient deficiencies and antisocial behaviour, then where such deficiencies exist supplementing the diet with appropriate nutrients should improve behaviour. With the approval of the Home Office, this was tested empirically. The study was approved by the University Surrey Ethics Committee</ST1:PlaceName> and conformed to the Declaration of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Helsinki</st1:place></st1:City>. The findings have been subject to a 10-month Home Office review. METHOD Experimental study Participation Before recruitment, the purpose of the project was explained carefully to each participant. Participants had to be 18 years of age or over. Each volunteer recruited signed an informed consent form, which was countersigned by a member of the prison staff. The trial had to conform to the normal operations of the institution where participants would leave for reasons such as parole or requirements of cell space. Thus, the analysis allowed for participation to vary from a minimum period of 2 weeks to 9 months in both baseline and supplementation periods. The average time spent on supplementation was 142 days for the placebo group and 142.62 for the active group. No individuals were withdrawn as a result of ill effects from supplementation. Participants were debriefed about their participation by written report. Materials It was agreed with the HM Prison Service and the Home Office to use nutritional supplements that were available ‘over the counter.’ Although improvements in dietary intakes of micronutrients could be achieved through diet, nutritional supplements provide a known quantity of micronutrients and allowed for the use of a double-blind, placebo-controlled design to test the hypothesis that supplementary vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids would significantly reduce the rate of disciplinary incidents. An expert advisory group with no commercial interest in the outcome undertook the selection of nutritional supplements, based on formulation. The <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PUniversity </ST1:PSurrey</st1:place> conducted assays to check manufacturing tolerance and assessed the match between active and placebo supplements. The vitamin/mineral supplement ‘Forceval’ is licensed for prescription purposes in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> as a therapeutic adjunct where intake of vitamins and minerals is sub-optimal. It is formulated in line with European Economic Council Directive 90/496/EEC on international labelling for foodstuffs (24 September 1990) and the UK Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom (Department of Health, 1991). Potency is presented in Table 1. A vegetable oil-based placebo with an identical opaque bi-coloured gelatine shell was employed. Both omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids have been found to be deficient among violent offenders (Corrigan et al, 1994). For this reason, an essential fatty acid supplement was also employed. ‘Efamol Marine’ provides omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids without an obvious after-taste, a factor that could otherwise have compromised the blind. The daily dosage was four capsules providing 1260 mg linoleic acid, 160 mg gamma linolenic acid, 80 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 44 mg docosahexaenoic acid. A vegetable oil-based placebo of identical colour and clear gelatine shell was used. Measurements Antisocial behaviour Antisocial behaviours resulting in disciplinary action were adjudicated through Governor or minor reports. Governor reports adjudicate more serious incidents such as those involving violence and may involve loss of remission. Minor reports typically adjudicate on a failure to comply with requirements. The construction of the offence and the standard of proof ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ was the same for both types of report. Thus, Governor and minor reports proven in adjudication, over a specified time period, formed the measurement of antisocial behaviour. Before breaking the blind, Governor and minor reports were categorised into those occurring during the baseline or supplementation period for each participant. Dietary intake The dietary intake of the participants was assessed using 7-day food diaries. The nutrient content of each prisoner's diet was determined using a database based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods (Holland et al, 1996). As all foods consumed by the prisoners originated in the prison, it was possible to devise a diary where the participants indicated which of the available choices they had eaten and how much (a quarter, a half, three-quarters portion, all or a second portion). Portion weights were determined from the serveries. They were asked to report the number of items consumed, including spread on bread and milk and sugar in beverages. A list of food items (e.g. chocolate) that could be purchased from the prison shop was also included to record consumption. The quantity and type of all food consumed was entered into a computer package (‘Superdiet’) for each of the 7 days. Psychological tests The following psychological measures were employed: verbal ability and intelligence derived from the General Aptitude Test Battery (USES 1967) (Hammond, 1984); emotional control from the Emotional Control Questionnaire (Roger & Nesshoever, 1987; Roger & Najarian, 1989); measurement of anger and aggression from the Survey Anger Scales (O'Rourke, 1994); self-reported health status from the Malaise Inventory (Rutter et al, 1970); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983). The reliability and validity of these measures have been demonstrated previously (Bramley et al, 1988). Procedures -
Dear Etenity, Here is my attempt to offer some satifactory response to your question: Below is an illustration of the prossess we (spirit souls in material bodies go through sinse time immemorial). Krsna Consciousness is the path that many of my colleagues have take to after having studied world scriptures that culminated with the study of the Vedas of India---so after much real life lessons and real life questions as to the meaning and purpose of existance---after the truths available via the Judeo-Christian Bible, the Buddhist sutras, the Muslim Quran and the impersonal schools of Hindu metaphysics---evryone is destined to come to the Vedas with all the best cultivated "Questions" seeking the best "Answers". <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comKrishna</st1:place> is god as he is revealed in the Vedas. Historically the revelation of who <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place> is has always been available to the spiritual seeker ---but we all had to wait until after many world wars and many historical eras to pass . . . …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… What is <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place> Consciousness? Nothingness and Something-ness both existed together and sustained each other since time-immemorial, together this is called the material manifestation or the Cosmos. Something-ness may be found either conscious or in-animated. The Self: Each conscious Individual, within the cosmos, has as its own address a "Vector Point" [X-Y-Z Axis Intersection]—which is indivisible, individual, eternal, and conscious. An animated conscious individual may occupy a body [encasement]. This encasement allows the pursuit of its own gratification by way of: 1 Eating, 2 Sleeping, 3 Mating, 4 Defense (Physical, mental, ego). After the temporal stages of birth, growth, old age and death the vector point retains only the spirit of 'direction toward a **goal'. Thus by dint of prior cultivated interests, inherits a new body/encasement which accommodates another lifetime for the pursuit of gratification(s) along the same lines of interests that where cultivated during its last life. When this is repeated since time immemorial the sages call this 'samsara' [the cycle of birth and death]. [**the goal is often without guidance thus the 4 pursuits become the ultimate means and end of life's journey to nowhere except repeated gratification. Proper guidance allows us to reconcile, "What in the hell are we doing here?" during a lifetime]. The setting of the above pastimes [of every animated or inanimated individual point] is a large empty space of Nothingness [the sages call this empty space: 'brahman']. The in-animated elements within the cosmos are of two kinds: 1 gross matter [earth, water, fire, air, either], and, 2 subtle [mind, intelligence, ego]. The mystery of life is the attainment of transcendence. Some say the attainment of nirvana, or merging with the primordial 'Nothingness' is the goal. The chain of succession of knowledge that comes to us from Vyasadeva shows us [through dissatisfaction with our own pursuits —life time after life times of gratification in countless species of life— in varying births of different status] that the goal of life is to seek the 'Absolute Truth' not relative truths. The conclusion of the Vedas and thus the conclusion of Vedanta is the 'Absolute Truth' known as the personage known as <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>. We know this 'Absolute Truth' in the same way we know who are real father is: from our mother [except for those who cultivated future disadvatages]. The Vedas are like our mother telling us who are father is etc, etc. Krishna Consciousness is the top most mystic yoga discipline: Remembering the transcendental name, fame, form, personality, paraphernalia, entourage, and, pastimes of none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead Bhagavan Sri Krishna, son of Vasudeva, brother of Balarama, cousin of Arjuna, source of Mahavisnu and Narayana, the original-original eternal, all-cognizant, all-blissful form of God in his Transcendent Heaven where every soul pursues reciprocal pastimes with God face to face. Yoga is to re-link with this 'Absolute Truth', thus remembering Krishna's form assists the minute living entity [conscious Individual Vector Point] at death so as to acquire a next birth that further cultivates Krsna Conscousness till successful completion. Remembering Krishna in the material world is prescribed thus [it is also the easiest]: Chant <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>'s names. Chant the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra. Read the Bhagavad-gita's Chapter 10 "The Opulence of the Absolute” to learn where to see God's opulence spread through-out the cosmos .......................................................................................................................................................... The history of the Vedas, from the Sri Isopanisad Introduction: About five thousand years ago Vyasadeva put the Vedas in writing for the people in this age, Kali-yuga. He divided the Vedas into four: Rig, Sama, Atharva and Yajur. Then he gave the charge of these Vedas to his different disciples. Then Vyasadeva summarized all Vedic knowledge for scholars and philosophers in what is called the Vedanta-sutra. This is the last word of the Vedas. Vyasadeva was not very satisfied even after compiling many Puranas and Upanisads, and even after writing the Vedanta-sutra. Then his spiritual master, Narada, instructed him, “Explain the Vedanta-sutra.” Vedanta means “ultimate knowledge,” and the ultimate knowledge is Krsna. Krsna says that throughout all the Vedas one has to understand Him: vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham. Krsna says, “I am the compiler of the Vedanta-sutra, and I am the knower of the Vedas.” Therefore the ultimate objective is Krsna. The Vedanta-sutra simply hints at what is Brahman, the Absolute Truth: “The Absolute Truth is that from whom everything emanates.” This is a summary, but it is explained in detail in Srimad-Bhagavatam. If everything is emanating from the Absolute Truth, then what is the nature of the Absolute Truth? That is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Absolute Truth must be consciousness. He is self-effulgent (svarat). We develop our consciousness and knowledge by receiving knowledge from others, but for Him it is said that He is self-effulgent. The whole summary of Vedic knowledge is the Vedanta-sutra, and the Vedanta-sutra is explained by the writer himself in Srimad-Bhagavatam. We finally request those who are actually after Vedic knowledge to try to understand the explanation of all Vedic knowledge from Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita.] yours in Krishna's service, Bhaktajan
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"The God is a Person Principle" (or "Why mayavadi's can't deny a that there is a always a personality behind the scene"): Q. Who is the personification of the American Dollar Bill? A. George Washington. Q. Who is the Living Personification of the American Dollar Bill? A. George Bush. Q. Who is the personification of the State of New York'? A. The Governor (Mr. Spitzer). Q. Who is the personification of one of the many regional Counties of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:State w:st=" /><st1:place w:st="on">New York State</st1:place>? A. The <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PCounty </ST1:PExecutive</ST1:P</st1:place>. Q. Who is the personification of one of the many Congressional Districts of <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PNew York </ST1:PState</st1:place>? A. The Congressman/State Representative. Q. Who is the personification of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New York City</st1:City></st1:place>? A. The Mayor (Mr. Blumberg). Q. Who is the personification of one of the many Districts of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">New York City</st1:City></st1:place>? A. The Concilman/Ombudsman. Q. Who is the personification of any 'Block and <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place>' tax-parcel of land? A. The title barer (The Land owner). Q. Who is the personification of the any Apartment building? A. "The Landlord". Q. Who is the personification of any apartment? A. The tenant. Q. Who is the personification of the room with the football and the many toy Trains? A. One of the male children. Q. Who is the personification of nursery room? A. The Baby. The point of my illustration is: "Without the presence of the persona, all paraphernalia is without meaning nor purpose for existing" PS: Q. Who is the personification of a mayavadi? A. His temporary illusion? A Vaisnava to argue with?
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Hey Sri Paramatma! Aham Bhaktajan, sukriya please give Virendra: all Artha, kama, dharma and moksa, all 7 feminine opulences, all good wealth, all good health, all good happiness, an all good mate, and Krishna-Prema. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comOm</st1:place> tat sat. Others are reticent in offering your request, because of the impersonal nature of the request. For, example, you are a Muslim radical asking for the thrown of the world, or, your needs are very very petty and mundane, and thus a 'nonsence'. But, maybe the affliction is too severe. Anyway we must practice being wellwishers. Humility springs from a persona. The gods and goddesses don't respond to requests because they were not born yesterday and so they avoid the association of we people on this terrestrial abode who full-in-all-imperfections. If in pursuit of you problem solving you must try to learn the truth by approaching a superior authority in humbleness (Bg. 4.34) and be very inquisitive to know the transcendental science deeply, offering obeisances with no reservation, Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.—but you reserved your reasons for asking for favors, so this is why most hesitate quickly to make your reform your approach, which almost always is your doing and or lesson in life to elevate you to a deeper appreciation the way people are —when the student is submissive and is always ready to render service, the reciprocation of knowledge and inquiries becomes perfect. bhaktajan PS: Is the "Offering Prayers" of the 9 processes include 'praying for others' or is it just 'praising Krsna?
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Yes, You are welcomed. Why not? What non-sense to think you are un-welcomed. If you visit the temple do you expect everyone to wonder who-what-where-when-how-why you are there? When attending the temple you should act like the majority of Indians visiting —they enter, stay, donate and leave. You may want the same camaraderie as temple devotees share among themselves. No? And if not then you have been slighted? Karma-yoga? How do you practice this at a lace Prabhupada's teachings(?) you do mean to say that you want to be at a yoga temple but you don't follow the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comTemple</ST1<ST1:PGuru's </st1:place>instructions. The reason for distancing from friends and relatives is to "prepare for death" —this is not my concept or dramatic choice of words. For each birth you've had since time immemorial you had friends and relatives—where are they now? Stay at the temple "to be trained-up". When you visit, is there a line of people headed for the 'argument with some temple authority?' When I go to the temple the place is filled with 100's of people all over the place single-mindedly doing different services, like the cup-cake sales, baby sitting, pot washing, and other esoteric mystic stuff—it's a party to practice one's behavior when we do get the audience of <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place> and his associates. My advise: Visit the temple and consider yourself a fool, you know nothing of value for your own good, you don't know why or how you got there. Then feel the the bliss you have been following. You have family who ask you to read aloud from <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>'s Pastimes? Your family Guru is indisposed? You fear change? A Vaisnava Brahmacarya who is successful in separating his wondering mind from the his Intelligence and wisdom can conquer all Fear and thus lastly liberate himself and 10 generations, before and after him, of his own family line. The people who told you that you must do this or that inorder to visit the temple said nothing about bringing the whole family with you, nor did they say that you're obliged to stay. You're free to 'Leave' the temple anytime—which again, you'd do all on your own. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"></st1:place></st1:City> <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:City> etiquette is what you must learn—this is very esoteric and beneficial—it will make a gentleman out of you. Everyone at a temple has come from different walks of life—you must first matriculate, forward you dues, study the texts books, pass exams, tutor others, do extracurricular activities, find your niche and then leave. There are Ekadasi fast days that you could do, you should do while visiting on those days. "I don't see how any amount of chanting and spiritual advancement would make me want to stop loving and being involved in my family and friends"—nobody would expect you to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Peace Corp, the Men's Room, Military service, Paid admission tickets, a Pair of shoes, ex-girl friend, prison time, boxing match, are the many things that you would do without … being involved in family and friends. What is of value to you in a <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PKrishna </ST1:PTemple,</ST1:P</st1:place> mundane self-centered stuff? Or, what? Bhaktajan
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Concordance = an index like book that lists verse numbers where the same Topic is to be found; a Thasuarus-like book showing similar Ideas and the multiple locations of a given subject or topic or word or Name. Live "Staged Readings" in front of an Audience: These are done the exact way "Radio Theatre Plays" are done --Readers take turns reading their assigned parts. select a story, ie: Govardhana Hill. Count number of characters in the story. Make Photo copies the story [1 copy per Character]. Distribute 1 copy to each participant 'Reader'. The written lines of each unique Character shall be is "Highlighted" with a highlighter marker pen. The Reading begins: Readers take turns, in order, reading their assigned parts, thus, a 'staged reading'. Now, Add Computer Powerpoint Show [idealy projected onto a large screen behind the staged reading participants] showing enlarged Photo(s) of each of the scenes in the 'Govardhana Hill' story, as the story progresses. NOTE: The Photos can be obtained by searching the net --or optionally, one may pre-arrange to digitally Photograph Devotees posing (in costume) for all of the required scenes. NOTE: The Readings are live and done by any one who can read comfortably in public. The Powerpoint is operated manually so that the Picture slides progress along with the story being read live. NOTE: Volunteer Readers can be gathered on the spot by attendees at a temple event with out rehearsal or practice ahead of time. For reference: See the Movie from 2007: "Home Prarie Companion", this is a movie about: 'a real life (variety/comedy) radio show that does live staged readings' See Movie "Radio Days" Listen for radio dramas from old 1930's Radio. ys, bhaktajan bhaktajan@
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To complete the every same viewpoint: and so if there are so many 'luminuous' stars why is the night sky so dark? ..................................................................................... The night sky is an example of the 'principle of duality', there are small white stars shining vs. large black back ground. ..................................................................................... if the big bang has sent out reveberating echos that are still measurable, what did the sound bounce off? .................................................................................... Do you think that there is ancient graffitti on the ceiling of the Brahmanda?, like one of Brahma's kids stood on the roof and scribbled: "Narada was here" ..................................................................................... Do you think that the ceiling of the brahmanda is designed with ornamental coffers, trim, jewels, commemorative plaques, chandeliers, driving directions & exits signs for summer tours of Vamana's toe Hole and a drive-in Vimana auto-Wash at the Ganges water falls? Happy New Millineum, Bhaktajan PS: Mahak, The last live concert that the original members of Pink Floyd did together in 1993 was recorded as a DVD named "Pulse" and shown on Public TV and -- it has the very best rendering of a rock anthem in the history of music, "Comfortably Numb" was the epitome of a lead guitar solo ever possible by a human:
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Meditation good for Kali Yuga? - Buddhism & TM
bhaktajan replied to dhaa's topic in Spiritual Discussions
Listen to all the mercy you get for free: Your heart beats in the middle of the night. Your fermented gasses are allowed to escape without special arrangements. the sun rises every day for you, your neighbors and the birds and bees. Water taste good. The moon light keeps you from walking into a ditch. Electricity flows. Engineering calulations and baking recipes work each time. The newborn baby has only 4 limbs and isn't retarded. Hitler is dead. Many warriors are happy that the gates of the heavenly planets or retirement from war is ahead. Your loved ones tolerate your pathologies. It's a wonderful life. My advise on preforming your 'Duty/Dharma': "Be where you are obliged to be at the times are are obliged to be there" Bhaktajan "Before enlightenment a Hare Krishna chops veggies, after enlightment a Hare Krishna chops vegetables" -
Meditation good for Kali Yuga? - Buddhism & TM
bhaktajan replied to dhaa's topic in Spiritual Discussions
Hey Guys, we need a sincere token mayavadi on this forum to test our own prowess . . . give it a try it's fun, you know . . . Dear dhaa, One must perform one's own alloted dharma. Buddha was avatara of Vishnu etc etc. He came to stop animal sacrifies by society that had lost all its Braminical leadership. TM's Maharishi Meshi Yogi only published chapters 1-6 of the Bhagavad-gita [at last look in 1977]. Has he ever finished his own commentaries on the Gita? Silent mantra meditation was done by almost all of us when we were young. We still find ourselves doing silent meditation when conditions dictate ie: Riding on public transportation or during Gayatri. Hare Krishnas with senority are always revelling in constant contemplation of Krishna's "Buddha nature" exhibited in all encounters. Hare Krishnas are always savvy to look for symbols representing Krishna's merciful works of compassion in the midst of our daily sojourn in the phantasmagoria known as maya, the temporary and constantly changing manifest material cosmos. Meditation prepares us for death. Death that unexpectedly steals away our chance to visit the Temple. So we re-sound the names of Krishna as the means of creating a temple from out of our body, a temple with a loud chiming bell. I do have high regard with Zen's practice of "being in the presence", "mindfullness in action". Let me state this: A temple Pujari is the zenith of Zen "mindfullness in action". yada yada yada . . . bhaktajan -
Vaisnava Aparadha: When is it OK to find fault with devotees???
bhaktajan replied to krsna's topic in Spiritual Discussions
My Dear suchandra, Please keep in mind that I am your servant. Any one how has done as you state, "distributed Srila Prabhupada's books for 15 years" is someone I salute, offer my dandavats, seek forgiveness for any offenses and is someone who I meditate on during times of distress and fear and moments ofexistential shortcomings. All my own discussions are meant to be academic --but If someone as your good self should reveal such personal experiences then I am beholding to you personally. To hear of such an uncomparable history of Supreme seva & tapasya is how real tapasya is defined in scripture. All our postings are read by by-standers and thus our posts are public knowledge --so that the world can keep abreast of our mutual concerns. Sometimes it takes a long time until certain satric stories hit home, maybe it's time to read-up on Mother Kunti's laments. I, myself, am most fallen [i remember when it was common knowledge that the HAre Krishna Devotees were viewed as 'the most proud, conceited, and self-rightous spiritualists ever' by the new age movement adherents--we are! We all are! Such self-rightousness is now being seen only in exchanges of familial squabbles] I recently heard this quote: "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." All the GBC men who've caused grief for the common devotee will pass in time and we must find new venues to apply our skills, insights and wellwishes . . . yours truely Bhaktajan PS: my 'passionate' tone is due to my own wellwishes for Iskcon being twarted by so many factors--not just devotees but the whole of society's mis-concerns. We must use time to design work schemes that benefit others even as the karmis friends, relatives, employers etc are manufacturing distress everywhere. What do we do next???????? -
re: Any analysis of Vedic information I forgot to say, Please use anything that I may have ascribed my name to--it's not mine I don't mind if you take it and re-work it. It's free to you to do as you may. Jai Sri Krsna, Bhaktajan
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Yes, a "Concordance" -- fancy word for 'Index' of all subjects, words etc. The Bible Concordance is a famous research tool, but it is a book. The folio of Srila Prabhupada's that I use is so limited when searching 'related words & topics'. It should be more like the search engines of Google etc., it should be like a Thesuarus of Prabhupadas books. Something like the 'Puranic Encyclopedia' but as a eletronic medium. con·cord·ance –noun <TABLE class=luna-Ent minmax_bound="true"><TBODY minmax_bound="true"><TR minmax_bound="true"><TD class=dn vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">1.</TD><TD vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">agreement; concord; harmony: the concordance of the membership. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent minmax_bound="true"><TBODY minmax_bound="true"><TR minmax_bound="true"><TD class=dn vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">2.</TD><TD vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">an alphabetical index of the principal words of a book, as of the Bible, with a reference to the passage in which each occurs. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent minmax_bound="true"><TBODY minmax_bound="true"><TR minmax_bound="true"><TD class=dn vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">3.</TD><TD vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">an alphabetical index of subjects or topics. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent minmax_bound="true"><TBODY minmax_bound="true"><TR minmax_bound="true"><TD class=dn vAlign=top minmax_bound="true"></TD><TD vAlign=top minmax_bound="true"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Do I get any change for my 2 cents? Hari Bol! ys, Bhaktajan
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Yes, I have several items, I'd love to share: I need a 'large mail-boxed' email address to send it to you: 1) The "Family Tree" of all the personality of the Bhagavatam Chart--[it is not an index of sorts of Chapter Persons but an actual family tree]. There are 563 Slokas in the Bhagavatam that only delineates family linages (Brahma-Prajapatis-Manus-Soma-Surya Dynasties up until the 11th Century C.E.) approx 2,500 names, wives and including graphics of most avataras, lilas, "time lines" and, most importantly, I especially include 'THE SLOKA NUMBERS' at each item on the chart, et al. The proto-type is a 10' x 4' Document which I've reduced via Copy Scanners. So I can send a Adobe PDF Immediately but I need a regular Email mailbox to send it to --it's too lage a doucment for this Audarya mailbox PS: I have already begun to slowly transfers the above prototype unto an Excel sheet so one day it can easily be transferrable. 2) I have charted the "Brahmanda" from abirds eye view showing the Sisumara constelations-Antariksa Clouds-trilokas, the 8 layers of the anda, etc all done to proper proportions with dimensions shown (Meru & Jambhuvipa are not viewable here) as discribed in the fifth canto [and, most importantly, I especially include 'THE SLOKA NUMBERS' at each item on this chart also] ---its a 17" x 11" 'MSWord doc' Graphic. I do have many other prepared notes of the given discriptions within Srila Prabhupada's works ready to be "Charted" as soon as possible [ie: Meru, Vraja Dhama's Site map, prakriti's expansions, Ayur-Veda Concordance Chart, Jambuvipa, Banyan tree of the Gita]. Yes, I do seek a publishing benefactor commission. You'll see what I mean when you see it. jaya Radhavrindavanachandra ki jai, ys, Bhaktajan
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Dear iamwhatisayiam, Just a few mentions, incase you're not aware of it: The Hare Krishna's are known as the 'Food religion'. The most mundane gastronomical factor in vegetarian eating is 'texture', or chew-ability. Aside from nutritional needs —tofu, fried cheese curd**, wheat gluten* derived vegi-meats, tempeh provide the eater the sensation and variety of textures that we all have been accustomed & expected to find in our food. The way temple visitors transition from Karma laden meat foods is to eat temple cooked food as often as humanly possible—the result simply is that one literally develops a 'Higher Taste'. One becomes acclimated to expect only such first class cooking—because "it tastes out of this world". Vegetarian foods also have the rule of karmic reaction connected with it —to address this the Hare Krishna adherents practice & teach how to "offer" their food to God before consuming it themselves. Thus, the food-stuffs are called 'prasadam', mercy. Ghee** will provide the taste and savory-ness that is expected in meat dishes (this can be thought of as a secret ingredient that most meat eaters would not recognize the source of). Meats, fish, eggs, garlic, vinegar & alcohol will all act as aphrodisiacs that leaves a person passionately agitated for sex. [Vulgar recollection of what I have said in my youth: "If she'd put that in her mouth an swallow it gladly then, she'd likely do other vulgar things also"]. Personally I have always considered as a Samurai warrior would: Vegetarianism avoids unexpected & petty karmic hindrances. Remember or look-up the Reasons for Good Friday meals of no red meat [i can't remember the details right now]. Jesus was a vegetarian. My own acid wit appeal to thought-full meateaters: 1) "In heaven, does God say: "What are we having for lunch? Oh, Look, a rabbit running across the garden. Watch this. Swooooshè,popè,bam,èboom—who wants the dark meat?" 2) "If animals have no soul, then why are they animated? Are they robots? Machines?" 3) "I never eat anything that was born as a result of sexual intercourse, especially sub-humans." Manu-samhita says "amonst all the potential meat foods, eating birds —have the least karma". [*Gluten protein is made this way: —Make a plain ball of kneaded dough from an entire 5 pound bag (2.2 Kilos) of Whole Wheat Flour. —Cook immediately, or, Soak in water overnight to make it denser. —In a large bowl filled with water, Knead the ball submersed in this water. —Knead the dough. As the water becomes clouded with the starch that leaches out, drain- off the water and replace with clear water. —Repeat this 'kneading and water changing' until the water stays clear (about 20 minutes of kneading). The 5 pounds has been reduced to approx. 3 pounds. —The result is a Glutinous ball with all the starch gone. —Pinch off pieces and drop into boiling water***, as if making dumplings. —Boil the bits of gluten for 90 minute on a high flame, and heavily season the broth. —Lastly, drain off all the water (opt). Refrigerate. [ ***Option: before cooking, leave the ball a bowl over-night in the refrigerator to allow the remaining water to seep out—it will get really dense] [**Cheese curd (pot-cheese) is milk that is bought to a simmer and then a table spoon of lemon juice is added—instantly the curds and whey form —pour though a Cheese cloth, Hang the bag to drain cheese until it's a dense ball, Remove cheese, and cut into pieces and fry or eat as is. Salt & Spicing, or even powdered sugar, etc., can be added to before hanging for flavoring.] [**Ghee is 'butter-oil' made from butter that is melted on a low flame and skimmed of all the fat that rises to the surface until there is only this clear golden oil left. Factoid: it stays edible indefinitely even without refrigeration] Your long winded servant in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place>'s service, Bhaktajan
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A Poet and a Scholar has been inspired! Bhaktajan ...................................................................... Alexji, I've not read your piece yet--It's like a plate of maha-prasadam that one puts aside to relish it latter during a moments repose. [i got a junk email earlier this morning --"Millionaire looking for help to transfer money by way of my own money..." --I deleted it.] My point is that the letter began a length to give a biography 'to elict' my personal empathy, but it was a known scam. But, your personal history is the made of the best of the best of human-expereience--this is what makes for true "movers and shakers". I look foward to reading your work. ys, Bhaktajan PS: There is a thread from last week "How did you come to KC?"--you might add this posting to it. PPS: Hable espanol? Estoy buscando copias de El Isopanisad (Sectretos de otro Tiempos) no ay ningina en todo de Neuva York, El Bronx, ni Brooklyn. Por favor diga ma si puedes encontre ciquentra o cien copias por mi jentes pobre aqui.
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One's next birth is determined at the moment of death by: 1) One's deeply engrained "desires" 2) What one is thinking of during one's last breath. 3) The culmination of all one's actions and work (Yamaraj sometimes attends to this). The mind retains lingering desires that 'sets the criteria' (SB7.2.47) for the next birth. So just as the body returns to ashes so does the mind. The intelligence is far above the mind. The mind is like a retarded person only able to choose their preference of enjoyment. The material ego is further above the intelligence —and they are all vanquished at death. You must likely conflating the nature of the mind with its cosmic source Mahatattva —[11.3.16P…From vaikarika, false ego in the mode of goodness, appears the eleventh sense, the mind, whose presiding Deity is Aniruddha]. One is conflating a living mind that doesn't die with statements that explain how the mind is a factor in the selection of one's future birth. Karma is karma. The 'mind' is not 'karma' but they are connected through actions. Great personalities [ie: King Bharata/jJada-Bharata] were all special circumstances. For the common person, great dreams are not had by a 'mind from a last life' —their experience in the present life reflects past endeavors whose karmic reaction yielded a continuing path. Einstein's dreams represented life times of analytic thought but his mind from his previous births are long gone during his famed life. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… BG 13.1-2 Purport . . . the body is called ksetra, or the field of activity for the conditioned soul. Now, the person, who should not identify himself with the body, is called ksetra-jna, the knower of the field. It is not very difficult to understand the difference between the field and its knower, the body and the knower of the body. Any person can consider that from childhood to old age he undergoes so many changes of body and yet is still one person, remaining. Thus there is a difference between the knower of the field of activities and the actual field of activities. A living conditioned soul can thus understand that he is different from the body. . . . the knower is different from the body. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. BG 13.6-7 Purport . . . First . . . earth, water, fire, air and ether. These are the five great elements (maha-bhuta). Then . . . false ego, intelligence and the unmanifested stage of the three modes of nature. [pradhana] Then . . . five senses for acquiring knowledge: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. Then . . . five working senses: voice, legs, hands, anus and genitals. Then . . . above the senses, there is the mind, which is within and which can be called the sense within. Therefore, including the mind, there are eleven senses altogether. Then . . . five objects of the senses: smell, taste, form, touch and sound. Now the aggregate of these twenty-four elements is called the field of activity. If one makes an analytical study of these twenty-four subjects, then he can very well understand the field of activity. Then . . . desire, hatred, happiness and distress, . . . The living symptoms, represented by consciousness and conviction, are the manifestation of the subtle body—mind, ego and intelligence. These subtle elements are included within the field of activities. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… BG 13.8-12 Purport . . . The embodied soul is entrapped by the body, which is a casing made of the twenty-four elements, and the process of knowledge as described here is the means to get out of it. . . . …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. SB 4.29.62 —The living entity labors under the bodily conception of “I am this, I am that. My duty is this, and therefore I shall do it.” These are all mental impressions, and all these activities are temporary; nonetheless, by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the living entity gets a chance to execute all his mental concoctions. Thus he gets another body. SB 6.10.11 Purport . . . the material body made of eight elements—earth, water, fire, air, ether, false ego, mind and intelligence . . . ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. SB 11.19.7 —My dear Uddhava, the material body and mind, composed of the three modes of material nature, attach themselves to you, but they are actually illusion, since they appear only at the present, having no original or ultimate existence. How is it possible, therefore, that the various stages of the body, namely birth, growth, reproduction, maintenance, dwindling and death, can have any relation to your eternal self? These phases relate only to the material body, which previously did not exist and ultimately will not exist. The body exists merely at the present moment. SB 11.22.33 —When the three modes of nature are agitated, the resultant transformation appears as the element false ego in three phases—goodness, passion and ignorance. Generated from the mahat-tattva, which is itself produced from the unmanifest pradhAna, this false ego becomes the cause of all material illusion and duality. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. SB 11.22.39 —When the living entity passes from the present body to the next body, which is created by his own karma, he becomes absorbed in the pleasurable and painful sensations of the new body and completely forgets the experience of the previous body. This total forgetfulness of one’s previous material identity, which comes about for one reason or another, is called death. . . . Death occurs when the specific karma allotted to a physical body is finished. Since that particular body’s karma is used up, it can no longer act upon one’s mind; in that way one forgets the previous body. The new body is created by nature so that one can experience the karma currently in effect. Ys, bhaktajan
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Vaisnava Aparadha: When is it OK to find fault with devotees???
bhaktajan replied to krsna's topic in Spiritual Discussions
I admire your selflessness to admit the faults of the fault-finders of Iskcon. Jai. Your absolutely correct: fault-finders of Iskcon find fault with others or correct them unnecessarily. A) Of course, to call fault-finders of Iskcon a thief is not fault-finding, B) to call an honest person a "Iskcon fault-finder" is very much offensive for one who is making advancement in spiritual life. Hrī means that one should be very modest and must not perform some act which is abominable like the fault-finders of Iskcon. {Of Course those in law enforcement may walk directly into any place to arrest the disturbers of the peace.} Acāpalam, ‘determination,’ means that one should not be agitated or frustrated in some attempt {to chastise fault-finders of Iskcon}. There may be failure in some attempt, but one should not be sorry for that; he should make progress with patience and determination. --This is how we will win the war, and provide repose for all the returning tired U.S. Soldiers and Generals! Right! HooRah! ys, Bhaktajan -
Vaisnava Aparadha: When is it OK to find fault with devotees???
bhaktajan replied to krsna's topic in Spiritual Discussions
You are all simply "transferring" your own "unresolved personal/emotional existential angst" and superimposing it on others! No other man can rule on who can/shall have sex. Are any of these fallen gurus one of your own fallen gurus? If so what significance is it to your life? I could have taken initiation from Bhavanada, Ayutananda, Ramesvara, Kirtananda, Hamsaduta, and almost did from Bhaktatirtha & Bhaktisvarupa Damodara, Narayan Maharaj, or Sridhar Swami but I didn't --I'm still a devotee in Iskcon doing service without misgivings. I have lost so much wealth, possessions and loved ones along the way--but we soldier on. You're all whining girlly-men!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't respond to this post, just burn with desire to whip out your false ego. Get yourself to an ashram and cut some vegetables and be satisfied with that common service. You are in seperation and you're doing it to keep your stash, I wasn't born yesterday. Newcomers to ashram life must be prepared to be bereft of all comforts until they are comfortable with their quota of austerity. So many of us entered the ashram life days or weeks after having still engaged in all the maya we could before we took up residence. Renunciation extends to controling the mind, body and tongue --I guess that you're lacking in that, while away from ashram life. If a highly positioned 'person' falls from the standard --there is nothing remarkable about it. You are all most fallen [my speculation] and therefore you are all keeping your own selves at a distance from ashram life and it's duties. WE WILL ALL GROW OLD SOON ENOUGH AND YOU ALL MUST PREPARE TO JOIN TOGETHER AT OUR OWN VANAPRASTHA ASHRAM(S). God speed all ye blessed persons, If, God forbid, any of you upstarts fall ill or lame do you realize how quite you would then become? Krsna & Balarama are already at your sides, look forward and seek out Seva feeling confidant that "you are provided for". So quit your Histronics and make history instead. When you lay down to rest: feel, really feel the comfort. That comfort is the embrace of Krsna’s shakti in it’s totality—the mercy is always available to us devotees. We have a carrot now, beware the stick. your barking dog, Bhaktajan -
Sri Krishna’s “‘Is very dear to me(s)’ ” from the Bhagavad-gita: Bhagavan uvacha: Bg 7.17 . . . one who is in full knowledge and who is always engaged In pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me Bg 12.13-14 One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me—such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me. Bg 12.15 He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anyone, who is equipoised in happiness and and distress, fear and anxiety, is very dear to Me. Bg 12.16 My devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and not striving for some result, is very dear to Me. Bg. 12.17One who neither rejoices nor grieves, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things—such a devotee is very dear to Me. Bg.12.18-19 One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn’t care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and who is engaged in devotional service— such a person is very dear to Me.
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Garbhadhana-samskara [What Prabhupada said about sex]
bhaktajan replied to bhaktajan's topic in Vedic Verses
11.14.30P . . . A learned gentleman will automatically be on guard if placed in intimate contact with lusty women. In the company of lusty men,, however, the same man may engage in all kinds of social dealings and thus be contaminated by their polluted mentality. Association with lusty men is often more dangerous than association with women and should be avoided by all means. There are innumerable verses in the Bhagavatam describing the intoxication of material lust. . . . 11.17.22P . . . an enlightened human being may take birth twice and thus become perfect in the knowledge that leads to ultimate liberation. The word anupurvyat in this verse indicates the system of samskaras, or purificatory rites, beginning with garbhadhana-samskara, or the purification of the sexual act. . . . 11.21.19P The actual goal of human life should not be material sense gratification, for it is the basis of conflict in human society. Although the Vedic literature sometimes sanctions sense gratification, the ultimate purpose of the Vedas is renunciation, since Vedic culture cannot possibly recommend anything that disturbs human life. A lusty person is easily angered and becomes inimical to anyone frustrating his lusty desires. Since his sex desire can never be satisfied, a lusty person ultimately becomes frustrated with his own sex partner, and thus a “love-hate” relationship develops. A lusty person considers himself to be the enjoyer of God’s creation and is therefore full of pride and false prestige. The lusty, proud person will not be attracted to the process of humble submission at the lotus feet of the bona fide spiritual master. Attraction to illicit sex is thus the direct enemy of Krsna consciousness, which depends upon humble submission to the representative of the Supreme Lord. Lord Krsna also states in Bhagavad-gita that desire for illicit sex is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world. . . . One who is too affectionate to his own body will inevitably be seized by sex desire. Nectar of Devotion Chap 15—Sensual Attraction: . . . The gopis’ love for Krsna is so elevated that for our understanding it is sometimes explained as being “lusty desire.” The author of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Kaviraja Krsnadasa, has explained the distinction between lusty desire and the service attitude in this statement: “ ‘Lusty desire’ refers to the desire to gratify one’s personal senses, and ‘transcendental desire’ refers to the desire for serving the senses of the Lord.” In the material world there is no such thing as a lover’s wanting to please the senses of his beloved. Actually, in the material world, everyone wants mainly to gratify his own personal senses. The gopis, however, wanted nothing at all but to gratify the senses of the Lord, and there is no instance of this in the material world. Therefore the gopis’ ecstatic love for Krsna is sometimes described by scholars as being like the “lusty desire” of the material world, but actually this should not be taken as a literal fact. . . . But because it appears to be just like ordinary dealings of young boys and girls, it is sometimes misinterpreted to be like the ordinary sex of this material world. Unfortunately, persons who cannot understand the transcendental nature of the love affairs of the gopis and Krsna take it for granted that Krsna’s love affairs with the gopis are mundane transactions, and therefore they sometimes indulge in painting licentious pictures in some modernistic style. Teachings of Lord Caitanya Chap 23: . . . For the past five hundred years many scholars have made laborate commentaries upon Srimad-Bhagavatam and have displayed unique scholarship. The serious student will do well to attempt to go through them in order to more happily relish the transcendental messages of the Bhagavatam. . . . rila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura specifically deals with original and pure sex psychology (adi-rasa) devoid of all mundane inebriety. The entire material world turns due to the basic principle of sex life. In modern human civilization, sex is the central point of all activities; indeed, wherever we turn our face we see sex life prominent. Consequently sex life is not unreal; its true reality is experienced in the spiritual world. Material sex is but a perverted reflection of the original; the original is found in the Absolute Truth. This validates the fact that the Absolute Truth is personal, for the Absolute Truth cannot be impersonal and have a sense of pure sex life. The impersonal monist philosophy gives an indirect impetus to abominable mundane sex because it overly stresses the impersonality of the ultimate truth. The result is that men who lack knowledge have accepted the perverted material sex life as all in all because they have no information of the actual spiritual form of sex. There is a distinction between sex in the diseased condition of material life and sex in the spiritual existence. . . . Religion includes four primary subjects: (1) pious activities, (2) economic development, (3) satisfaction of the senses, and (4) liberation from material bondage. Religious life is distinguished from the irreligious life of barbarism. Indeed, it may be said that human life actually begins with religion. The four principles of animal life—eating, sleeping, defending and mating—are common both to the animals and human beings, but religion is the special concern of human beings. Since human life is no better than animal life without religion, in real human society there is some form of religion aiming at self-realization and referring to one’s eternal relationship with God. Yours in the service of the future Vaisnavas, Bhaktajan ################################################## Additional: Kamadeva, personified, has five names according to the Amara-kosha dictionary: kandarpa darpako ‘nanga kamah pancha-sharaih smarah “Cupid has five names; 1) Cupid; 2) Darpaka, ‘he who prevents future events’; 3) Ananga, ‘he who has no physical body’; 4) Kama, ‘lust personified’; and 5) Pancha-sharaih, ‘he who holds five arrows’ “. Kandarpa: In the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (BG 10:28.) Lord Sri Krishna says, prajanash casmi kandarpah; “Of causes for procreation, I am Kandarpa”. The word Kandarpa also means “very beautiful”. Kandarpa appeared as Lord Krishna’s son Pradyumna in Dwaraka. Darpaka: This name indicates that Cupid can perceive what is to take place and prevent it from happening. Specifically, he tries to impede pure spiritual activity by alluring one’s mind and forcibly engaging one in material sense enjoyment. Ananga: Once, when Cupid disturbed the meditation of Lord Shiva, that powerful deva (demigod) burned him (Cupid) to ashes. Still, Shiva gave Cupid the benediction that he would act in the world even without a physical body - like a ghost. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Kama</st1:place>: In Bhagavad Gita BG 7:11.) Lord Sri Krishna says, dharmaviruddho bhuteshu kamo’smi: “I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles.” Pancha-sharaih: The five arrows with which Cupid pierces the mind of the living entities are taste, touch, sound, smell, and sight. These are the five names of the empowered deva Cupid, who enchants all living entities and makes them do whatever he wants. Without receiving the mercy of Guru and <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place> one cannot resist his power. #################################################### Krsna Book Chap 3: On hearing the prayers of Devaki, the Lord replied, “My dear mother, in the millennium of Svayambhuva Manu, My father Vasudeva was living as one of the Prajapatis. His name at that time was Sutapa, and you were his wife named Prsni. At that time, when Lord Brahma was desiring to increase the population, he requested you to generate offspring. You controlled your senses and performed severe austerities. By practicing the breathing exercises of the yoga system, both you and your husband could tolerate all the influences of the material laws: the rainy season, the onslaught of the wind, and the scorching heat of the sunshine. You also executed all religious principles. In this way you were able to cleanse your heart and control the influences of material laws. In executing your austerity, you used to eat only the leaves of the trees which fell to the ground. Then with a steady mind and controlled sex drive, you worshiped Me, desiring some wonderful benediction from Me. Both of you practiced severe austerities for twelve thousand years by the calculation of the demigods. During that time, your mind was always absorbed in Me. When you were executing devotional service and always thinking of Me within your heart, I was very much pleased with you. O sinless mother, your heart is therefore always pure. At that time also I appeared before you in this form just to fulfill your desire, and I asked you to ask whatever you desired. At that time you wished to have Me born as your son. Although you saw Me personally, instead of asking for your complete liberation from material bondage, under the influence of My energy you asked Me to become your son.” -
Garbhadhana-samskara [What Prabhupada said about sex]
bhaktajan replied to bhaktajan's topic in Vedic Verses
6.1.54 The fruitive activities a living being performs, whether pious or impious, are the unseen cause for the fulfillment of his desires. This unseen cause is the root for the living entity’s different bodies. Because of his intense desire, the living entity takes birth in a particular family and receives a body which is either like that of his mother or like that of his father. The gross and subtle bodies are created according to his desire. PURPORT: The gross body is a product of the subtle body. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (8.6): “Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, that state he will attain without fail.” The atmosphere of the subtle body at the time of death is created by the activities of the gross body. Thus the gross body acts during one’s lifetime, and the subtle body acts at the time of death. The subtle body, which is called linga, the body of desire, is the background for the development of a particular type of gross body, which is either like that of one’s mother or like that of one’s father. According to the Rg Veda, if at the time of sex the secretions of the mother are more profuse than those of the father, the child will receive a female body, and if the secretions of the father are more profuse than those of the mother, the child will receive a male body. These are the subtle laws of nature, which act according to the desire of the living entity. If a human being is taught to change his subtle body by developing a consciousness of Krsna, at the time of death the subtle body will create a gross body in which he will be a devotee of Krsna, or if he is still more perfect, he will not take another material body but will immediately get a spiritual body and thus return home, back to Godhead. This is the process of the transmigration of the soul. Therefore instead of trying to unite human society through pacts for sense gratification that can never be achieved, it is clearly desirable to teach people how to become Krsna conscious and return home, back to Godhead. This is true now and, indeed, at any time. 7.11.8-12 These are the general principles to be followed by all human beings: truthfulness, mercy, austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the month), bathing twice a day, tolerance, discrimination between right and wrong, control of the mind, control of the senses, nonviolence, celibacy, charity, reading of scripture, simplicity, satisfaction, rendering service to saintly persons, gradually taking leave of unnecessary engagements, observing the futility of the unnecessary activities of human society, remaining silent and grave and avoiding unnecessary talk, considering whether one is the body or the soul, distributing food equally to all living entities (both men and animals), seeing every soul (especially in the human form) as a part of the Supreme Lord, hearing about the activities and instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the shelter of the saintly persons), chanting about these activities and instructions, always remembering these activities and instructions, trying to render service, performing worship, offering obeisances, becoming a servant, becoming a friend, and surrendering one’s whole self. O King Yudhisthira, these thirty qualifications must be acquired in the human form of life. Simply by acquiring these qualifications, one can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. PURPORT: In order that human beings be distinct from the animals, the great saint Narada recommends that every human being be educated in terms of the above-mentioned thirty qualifications. . . . For example, if the total populace is untruthful, how can the state be happy? . . . For example, if the total populace is untruthful, how can the state be happy? . . . Similarly, . . . The Lord is one, whether one is Hindu, Muslim or Christian. Therefore, one should chant the holy name of the Lord, regardless of differences in linguistic pronunciation. Also, everyone should be taught to be very careful not to discharge semen unnecessarily. This is very important for all human beings. If semen is not discharged unnecessarily, one becomes extremely strong in memory, determination, activity and the vitality of one’s bodily energy. . . . Unless one is educated in the above-mentioned thirty qualities, there cannot be any peace. Ultimately it is recommended: . . . “In one who has unflinching devotional service to Krsna, all the good qualities of Krsna and the demigods are consistently manifest. However, he who has no devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no good qualifications because he is engaged by mental concoction in material existence, which is the external feature of the Lord.” (Bhag. 5.18.12) . . . 7.11.13 Those who have been reformed by the garbhadhana ceremony and other prescribed reformatory methods, performed with Vedic mantras and without interruption, and who have been approved by Lord Brahma, are dvijas, or twice-born. Such brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaisyas, purified by their family traditions and by their behavior, should worship the Lord, study the Vedas and give charity. In this system, they should follow the principles of the four asramas [brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa]. 9.20.21 According to the Vedic injunction atma vai putra-namasi, the father becomes the son. The mother is simply like a storekeeper, because the seed of the child is placed in her womb, but it is the father who is responsible for maintaining the son. In Bhagavad-gita the Lord says that He is the seed-giving father of all living entities . . . A particular type of seed is sown within the earth, and then a particular type of tree or plant comes out. The mother resembles the earth, and when a particular type of seed is sown by the father, a particular type of body takes birth. 10.1.41 Having experienced a situation by seeing or hearing about it, one contemplates and speculates about that situation, and thus one surrenders to it, not considering his present body. Similarly, by mental adjustments one dreams at night of living under different circumstances, in different bodies, and forgets his actual position. Under this same process, one gives up his present body and accepts another [tatha dehantara-praptih]. PURPORT: . . . The mind is the subtle substance in which the body is created, as we actually experience in our dreams and also when we are awake in contemplation. One must understand that the process of mental speculation develops a new type of body that does not actually exist. If one can understand the nature of the mind (manorathena) and its thinking, feeling and willing, one can very easily understand how from the mind different types of bodies develop. . . . The condition of the mind, which flickers between sankalpa and vikalpa, accepting something and rejecting it, is very important in transferring the soul to another material body at the time of death. . . . Therefore one must train the mind in the system of bhakti-yoga . . . Otherwise the mind will carry the soul to another material body. The soul will be placed in the semen of a father and discharged into the womb of a mother. The semen and ovum create a particular type of body according to the form of the father and mother, and when the body is mature, the soul emerges in that body and begins a new life. This is the process of transmigration of the soul from one body to another (tatha dehantara-praptih). 10.1.57P In the Vedic system, as soon as a child is born, especially a male child, the father calls for learned brahmanas, and according to the description of the child’s horoscope, the child is immediately given a name. This ceremony is called nama-karana. There are ten different samskaras, or reformatory methods, adopted in the system of varnasrama-dharma, and the name-giving ceremony is one of them. 10.3.33P Here is an instruction about how to use one’s senses to create progeny. According to Vedic principles, before creating progeny one must fully control the senses. This control takes place through the garbhadhana-samskara. . . . According to Vedic civilization, procreation should not be contrary to religious principles, and then the birthrate will be controlled. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (7.11), dharmaviruddho bhutesu kamo’smi: sex not contrary to religious principles is a representation of the Supreme Lord. People should be educated in how to give birth to good children through samskaras, beginning with the garbhadhana-samskara; birth should not be controlled by artificial means, for this will lead to a civilization of animals. If one follows religious principles, he automatically practices birth control because if one is spiritually educated he knows that the after-effects of sex are various types of misery (bahu-duhkha-bhaja). One who is spiritually advanced does not indulge in uncontrolled sex. Therefore, instead of being forced to refrain from sex or refrain from giving birth to many children, people should be spiritually educated, and then birth control will automatically follow. 10.5.23P At an advanced age one generally cannot beget a male child. If by chance one does beget a child at this age, the child is generally female. . . . 10.55.1P . . . Srila Sridhara Svami further notes that Kamadeva, or Cupid, now appearing within Pradyumna, is a portion of Vasudeva because he is manifest from the element citta, consciousness, which is presided over by Vasudeva, and also because he (Cupid) is the cause of material generation. As the Lord states in the Bhagavad-gita (10.28), prajanas casmi kandarpah: “Of progenitors I am Kandarpa [Cupid].” 11.5.41P . . . We are accepting service from innumerable living entities, and we are obligated to repay them. Apta means one’s own family members, to whom one is certainly obligated according to normal morality, and nrnam means human society. Until one becomes a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one is certainly a product of his society. . . . and thus we owe a great debt to society. Of course, our debt to society is not simply to the present order but to all of our forefathers and ancestors who carefully preserved moral and social customs so that we, their descendants, could live peacefully. Undoubtedly an ordinary person has many obligations within this material world. But according to Bhagavad-gita, mayaiva vihitan hi tan: it is actually the Supreme Lord who is giving all benedictions. For example, one receives one’s body by the mercy of one’s parents. However, sometimes we find that a particular man or woman may become impotent at a given moment. Sometimes a deformed child is born, and sometimes a child is born dead. Often the sexual act fails to produce pregnancy at all. So although all parents desire a beautiful, highly qualified child, this is often not the case. Thus it can be understood that ultimately it is by the mercy of the Supreme Lord that a man and woman are able to produce a child by the sexual act. It is by the Lord’s mercy that the man’s seminal injection is potent and the woman’s ovum is fertile. Similarly, it is only by the mercy of the Lord that the child is born in a healthy condition and reaches physical maturity to pursue his own life. If at any stage in the evolution of a human being the Lord’s mercy is withdrawn, sudden death or crippling disease occurs. . . . -
Garbhadhana-samskara [What Prabhupada said about sex]
bhaktajan replied to bhaktajan's topic in Vedic Verses
3.31.1 The Personality of Godhead said: Under the supervision of the Supreme Lord and according to the result of his work, the living entity, the soul, is made to enter into the womb of a woman through the particle of male semen to assume a particular type of body. PURPORT: . . . In order to give a particular type of human form to a person who has already suffered hellish life, the soul is transferred to the semen of a man who is just suitable to become his father. During sexual intercourse, the soul is transferred through the semen of the father into the mother’s womb in order to produce a particular type of body. This process is applicable to all embodied living entities, but it is especially mentioned for the man who was transferred to the Andha-tamisra hell. After suffering there, when he who has had many types of hellish bodies, like those of dogs and hogs, is to come again to the human form, he is given the chance to take his birth in the same type of body from which he degraded himself to hell. . . . Here one word, retah-kanasrayah, is very significant because it indicates that it is not the semen of the man that creates life within the womb of a woman; rather, the living entity, the soul, takes shelter in a particle of semen and is then pushed into the womb of a woman. Then the body develops. There is no possibility of creating a living entity without the presence of the soul simply by sexual intercourse. The materialistic theory that there is no soul and that a child is born simply by material combination of the sperm and ovum is not very feasible. It is unacceptable. 3.31.2 On the first night, the sperm and ovum mix, and on the fifth night the mixture ferments into a bubble. On the tenth night it develops into a form like a plum, and after that, it gradually turns into a lump of flesh or an egg, as the case may be. 4.27.7P Children begotten under the rules and regulations of the scriptures generally become as good as the father and mother, but children born illegitimately mainly become varna-sankara. The varna-sankara population is irresponsible to the family, community and even to themselves. Formerly the varna-sankara population was checked by the observation of the reformatory method called garbhadhana-samskara, a child-begetting religious ceremony. . . . 4.14.42 The sages decided that the descendants of the family of the saintly King Anga should not be stopped, for in this family the semen was very powerful and the children were prone to become devotees of the Lord. PURPORT: The purity of hereditary succession is called amogha-virya. The pious seminal succession in the twice-born families of the brahmanas and ksatriyas especially, as well as in the families of vaisyas also, must be kept very pure by the observation of the purificatory processes beginning with garbhadhana-samskara, which is observed before conceiving a child. Unless this purificatory process is strictly observed, especially by the brahmanas, the family descendants become impure, and gradually sinful activities become visible in the family. Maharaja Anga was very pure because of the purification of semen in the family of Maharaja Dhruva. However, his semen became contaminated in association with his wife, Sunitha, who happened to be the daughter of death personified. Because of this polluted semen, King Vena was produced. This was a catastrophe in the family of Dhruva Maharaja. All the saintly persons and sages considered this point, and they decided to take action in this matter, as described in the following verses. 4.21.46P According to the Vedic version there is a hellish planet called Put, and one who delivers a person from there is called putra. The purpose of marriage, therefore, is to have a putra, or son who is able to deliver his father, even if the father falls down to the hellish condition of put. . . . The purpose of accepting a wife in religious marriage, as sanctioned in the Vedas, is to have a putra, a son qualified to deliver his father from the darkest region of hellish life. Marriage is not intended for sense gratification but for getting a son fully qualified to deliver his father. But if a son is raised to become an unqualified demon, how can he deliver his father from hellish life? It is therefore the duty of a father to become a Vaisnava and raise his children to become Vaisnavas; then even if by chance the father falls into a hellish life in his next birth, such a son can deliver him, as Maharaja Prthu delivered his father. 4.22.53 Being situated in the liberated position of devotional service, Prthu Maharaja not only performed all fruitive activities but also begot five sons by his wife, Arci. Indeed, all his sons were begotten according to his own desire. PURPORT: As a householder, Prthu Maharaja had five sons by his wife, Arci, and all these sons were begotten as he desired them. They were not born whimsically or by accident. How one can beget children according to one’s own desire is practically unknown in the present age (Kali-yuga). In this regard the secret of success depends on the parents’ acceptance of the various purificatory methods known as samskaras. The first samskara, the garbhadhana-samskara, or child-begetting samskara, is compulsory, especially for the higher castes, the brahmanas and the ksatriyas. As stated in Bhagavad-gita, sex life which is not against religious principles is Krsna Himself, and according to religious principles, when one wants to beget a child he must perform the garbhadhana-samskara before having sex. The mental state of the father and mother before sex will certainly affect the mentality of the child to be begotten. A child who is begotten out of lust may not turn out as the parents desire. As stated in the sastras, yatha yonir yatha bijam. Yatha yonih indicates the mother, and yatha bijam indicates the father. If the mental state of the parents is prepared before they have sex, the child which they will beget will certainly reflect their mental condition. It is therefore understood by the words atma-sammatan that both Prthu Maharaja and Arci underwent the garbhadhana purificatory process before begetting children, and thus they begot all their sons according to their desires and purified mental states. Prthu Maharaja did not beget his children out of lust, nor was he attracted to his wife for sense gratificatory purposes. He begot the children as a grhastha for the future administration of his government all over the world. 4.28.3P At the fag end of life, when the invalidity of old age attacks a man, his body becomes useless for all purposes. Therefore Vedic training dictates that when a man is in his boyhood he should be trained in the process of brahmacarya; that is, he should be completely engaged in the service of the Lord and should not in any way associate with women. When the boy becomes a young man, he marries between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. When he is married at the right age, he can immediately beget strong, healthy sons. Now female descendants are increasing because young men are very weak sexually. A male child will be born if the husband is sexually stronger than the wife, but if the female is stronger, a female child will be born. Thus it is essential to practice the system of brahmacarya if one wishes to beget a male child when one is married. When one reaches the age of fifty, he should give up family life. At that time one’s child should be grown up so that the father can leave the family responsibilities to him. The husband and wife may then go abroad to live a retired life and travel to different places of pilgrimage. When both the husband and wife lose their attachment for family and home, the wife returns home to live under the care of her grown-up children and to remain aloof from family affairs. The husband then takes sannyasa to render some service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 4.31.10 A civilized human being has three kinds of births. The first birth is by a pure father and mother, and this birth is called birth by semen. The next birth takes place when one is initiated by the spiritual master, and this birth is called savitra. The third birth, called yajnika, takes place when one is given the opportunity to worship Lord Visnu. Despite the opportunities for attaining such births, even if one gets the life-span of a demigod, if one does not actually engage in the service of the Lord, everything is useless. Similarly, one’s activities may be mundane or spiritual, but they are useless if they are not meant for satisfying the Lord. PURPORT: The word saukra janma means “taking birth by seminal discharge.” Animals can take their birth in this way too. However, a human being can be reformed from the saukra janma, as recommended in the Vedic civilization. Before the birth takes place, or before father and mother unite, there is a ceremony called garbhadhana-samskara, which must be adopted. This garbhadhana-samskara is especially recommended for higher castes, especially the brahmana caste. It is said in the sastras that if the garbhadhana-samskara is not practiced among the higher castes, the entire family becomes sudra. It is also stated that in this age of Kali, everyone is sudra due to the absence of the garbhadhana-samskara. This is the Vedic system. . . . 5.2.2P . . . The purpose of the sraddha ceremony is to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, so that after pleasing Him one may offer prasada to one’s forefathers and in this way make them happy. . . . sons are begotten with different mentalities according to the time of their conception. According to the Vedic system, therefore, before a child is conceived, the garbhadhana-samskara is performed. This ceremony molds the mentality of the father in such a way that when he plants his seed in the womb of his wife, he will beget a child whose mind will be completely saturated with a devotional attitude. At the present moment, however, there are no such garbhadhana-samskaras, and therefore people generally have a lusty attitude when they beget children. Especially in this age of Kali, there are no garbhadhana ceremonies; everyone enjoys sex with his wife like a cat or dog. Therefore according to sastric injunctions, almost all the people of this age belong to the sudra category. . . . 5.5.18 One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable demigod. PURPORT: . . . First the father, spiritual master or husband must be able to release the dependent from repeated birth and death. If he cannot do this, he plunges himself into the ocean of reproachment for his unlawful activities. Everyone should be very responsible and take charge of his dependents just as a spiritual master takes charge of his disciple or a father takes charge of his son. All these responsibilities cannot be discharged honestly unless one can save the dependent from repeated birth and death. 5.13.4P It is said that household attraction resides in the wife because sex is the center of household life: yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham [sB 7.9.45]. A materialistic person, making his wife the center of attraction, works very hard day and night. His only enjoyment in material life is sexual intercourse. Therefore karmis are attracted to women as friends or wives. Indeed, they cannot work without sex. . . . As one looks forward to this opportunity, his eyes are overwhelmed by the beauty of his wife. Thus it is said that the whirlwind covers the eyes with dust. Such a lusty person does not know that all his material activities are being observed by different demigods, especially the sun-god, and are being recorded for the karma of one’s next body. Astrological calculations are called jyoti-sastra. Because the jyoti, or effulgence, in the material world comes from the different stars and planets, the science is called jyoti-sastra, the science of the luminaries. By the calculations of jyoti, our future is indicated. In other words, all the luminaries—the stars, sun and moon—witness the activities of the conditioned soul. Thus he is awarded a particular type of body. A lusty, person whose eyes are covered by the dust of the whirlwind or material existence does not at all consider that his activities are being observed by different stars and planets and are being recorded. Not knowing this, the conditioned soul commits all kinds of sinful activities for the satisfaction of his lusty desires. 5.25.5 Lord Ananta’s arms are attractively long, beautifully decorated with bangles and completely spiritual. They are white, and so they appear like silver columns. When the beautiful princesses of the serpent kings, hoping for the Lord’s auspicious blessing, smear His arms with aguru pulp, sandalwood pulp and kunkuma, the touch of His limbs awakens lusty desires within them. Understanding their minds, the Lord looks at the princesses with a merciful smile, and they become bashful, realizing that He knows their desires. Then they smile beautifully and look upon the Lord’s lotus face, which is beautified by reddish eyes rolling slightly from intoxication and delighted by love for His devotees. PURPORT: When males and females touch each other’s bodies, their lusty desires naturally awaken. It appears from this verse that there are similar sensations in spiritual bodies. Both Lord Ananta and the women giving Him pleasure had spiritual bodies. Thus all sensations originally exist in the spiritual body. This is confirmed in the Vedanta-sutra: janmady asya yatah [sB 1.1.1]. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has commented in this connection that the word adi means adi-rasa, the original lusty feeling, which is born from the Supreme. However, spiritual lust and material lust are as completely different as gold and iron. Only one who is very highly elevated in spiritual realization can understand the lusty feelings exchanged between Radha and Krsna, or between Krsna and the damsels of Vraja. Therefore, unless one is very experienced and advanced in spiritual realization, he is forbidden to discuss the lusty feelings of Krsna and the gopis. However, if one is a sincere and pure devotee, the material lust in his heart is completely vanquished as he discusses the lusty feelings between the gopis and Krsna, and he makes quick progress in spiritual life. -
Garbhadhana-samskara BG10.28 = Kandarpa is the sex desire for presenting good sons; therefore Kandarpa is the representative of Krsna. Sometimes sex is engaged in only for sense gratification; such sex does not represent Krsna. But sex for the generation of good children is called Kandarpa and represents Krsna. BG 16.1-3P = . . . The word abhijatasya in reference to one born of transcendental qualities or godly tendencies is very significant. To beget a child in a godly atmosphere is known in the Vedic scriptures as Garbhadhana-samskara. If the parents want a child in the godly qualities they should follow the ten principles recommended for the social life of the human being . . . beget them so that they may become Krsna conscious after birth. That should be the advantage of children born of a father and mother absorbed in Krsna consciousness. BG 6.13-14P . . . The yoga process is practiced in order to discover and see this localized form of Visnu, and not for any other purpose. The localized visnu-murti is the plenary representation of Krsna dwelling within one’s heart. . . . To realize this visnu-murti within the heart, one has to observe complete abstinence from sex life . . . One cannot enjoy sex life daily at home or elsewhere and attend a so-called yoga class and thus become a yogi. One has to practice controlling the mind and avoiding all kinds of sense gratification, of which sex life is the chief. . . . No one can perform correct yoga practice through sex indulgence. Brahmacarya is taught, therefore, from childhood, when one has no knowledge of sex life. . . . Without such practice, no one can make advancement in any yoga, whether it be dhyana, jnana or bhakti. One who, however, follows the rules and regulations of married life, having a sexual relationship only with his wife (and that also under regulation), is also called a brahmacari. Such a restrained householder brahmacari may be accepted in the bhakti school, but the jnana and dhyana schools do not even admit householder brahmacaris. They require complete abstinence without compromise. . . . Whereas others are forced to restrain themselves from sense gratification, a devotee of the Lord automatically refrains because of superior taste. Other than the devotee, no one has any information of that superior taste. 1.12.7P = Death generally involves remaining in trance for seven months. A living being, according to his own action, is allowed to enter into the womb of a mother by the vehicle of a father’s semina, and thus he develops his desired body. This is the law of birth in specific bodies according to one’s past actions. When he is awake from trance, he feels the inconvenience of being confined within the womb, . . . 1.12.17P . . . The difference between the two living beings is that the one, the Personality of Godhead, provides for all other living beings, and by knowing Him one can achieve eternal peace (Katha Upanisad). Such protection is given by His different potencies to different grades of living beings. But as far as His unalloyed devotees are concerned, He gives the protection personally. . . . SB 1.4.25: The purificatory activities begin even before the birth of a child, and the seed-giving reformatory process is called Garbhadhana-samskara. One who has not undergone such Garbhadhana-samskara, or spiritual family planning, is not accepted as being of an actual twice-born family. The Garbhadhana-samskara is followed by other purificatory processes, out of which the sacred thread ceremony is one. This is performed at the time of spiritual initiation. After this particular samskara, one is rightly called twice-born. One birth is calculated during the seed-giving samskara, and the second birth is calculated at the time of spiritual initiation. One who has been able to undergo such important samskaras can be called a bona fide twice-born. SB 3.5.19: O Vidura, it is not at all wonderful that you have so accepted the Lord without deviation of thought, for you were born from the semen of Vyasadeva. PURPORT The value of great parentage and noble birth is evaluated here in connection with the birth of Vidura. The culture of a human being begins when the father invests his semen in the womb of the mother. According to his status of work, a living entity is placed in a particular father’s semen, and because Vidura was not an ordinary living entity, he was given the chance to be born from the semen of Vyasa. The birth of a human being is a great science, and therefore reformation of the act of impregnation according to the Vedic ritual called Garbhadhana-samskara is very important for generating good population. The problem is not to check the growth of the population, but to generate good population on the level of Vidura, Vyasa and Maitreya. There is no need to check the growth of population if the children are born as human beings with all precautions regarding their birth. So-called birth control is not only vicious but also useless. 3.14.12P . . . A woman is honored in the world by the benediction of her husband, and a husband like you will become famous by having children because you are meant for the expansion of living entities. PURPORT: According to Rsabhadeva, one should not become a father or mother unless one is confident that he can beget children whom he can deliver from the clutches of birth and death. Human life is the only opportunity to get out of the material scene, which is full of the miseries of birth, death, old age and diseases. Every human being should be given the opportunity to take advantage of his human form of life, and a father like Kasyapa is supposed to beget good children for the purpose of liberation. 3.14.2P The henpecked husband may not be able to repay his wife for all the benefits that he derives from her, but as for begetting children by fulfilling sexual desire, it is not at all difficult for any husband unless he is thoroughly impotent. This is a very easy task for a husband under normal conditions. In spite of Kasyapa’s being very eager, he requested her to wait for a few seconds so that others might not reproach him. He explains his position as follows. 3.14.23P This particular time is most inauspicious because at this time the horrible-looking ghosts and constant companions of the lord of the ghosts are visible. PURPORT: Kasyapa has already told his wife Diti to wait for a while, and now he warns her that failure to consider the particular time will result in punishment from the ghosts and evil spirits who move during this time, along with their master, Lord Rudra. 3.14.24P . . .Ghosts are bereft of a physical body because of their grievously sinful acts, such as suicide. The last resort of the ghostly characters in human society is to take shelter of suicide, either material or spiritual. Material suicide causes loss of the physical body, and spiritual suicide causes loss of the individual identity. Mayavadi philosophers desire to lose their individuality and merge into the impersonal spiritual brahmajyoti existence. Lord Siva, being very kind to the ghosts, sees that although they are condemned, they get physical bodies. He places them into the wombs of women who indulge in sexual intercourse regardless of the restrictions on time and circumstance. Kasyapa wanted to impress this fact upon Diti so that she might wait for a while. 3.14.25P . . . Kasyapa warned his wife that because Lord Siva would see their sex indulgence, the time was not appropriate. Diti might argue that they would enjoy sex life in a private place, but Kasyapa reminded her that Lord Siva has three eyes, called the sun, moon and fire, and one cannot escape his vigilance any more than one can escape Visnu. Although seen by the police, a criminal is sometimes not immediately punished; the police wait for the proper time to apprehend him. The forbidden time for sexual intercourse would be noted by Lord Siva, and Diti would meet with proper punishment by giving birth to a child of ghostly character or a godless impersonalist. Kasyapa foresaw this, and thus he warned his wife Diti. 3.14.38P The conditions for having good progeny in society are that the husband should be disciplined in religious and regulative principles and the wife should be faithful to the husband. In Bhagavad-gita (7.11) it is said that sexual intercourse according to religious principles is a representation of Krsna consciousness. Before engaging in sexual intercourse, both the husband and the wife must consider their mental condition, the particular time, the husband’s direction, and obedience to the demigods. According to Vedic society, there is a suitable auspicious time for sex life, which is called the time for garbhadhana. . . . personalities like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu were actually born of brahmanas, but they were not accepted as brahmanas because their fathers did not follow the regulative principles for their birth. Such children are called demons, or Raksasas. There were only one or two Raksasas in the previous ages due to negligence of the disciplinary methods, but during the age of Kali there is no discipline in sex life. How, then, can one expect good children? Certainly unwanted children cannot be a source of happiness in society, but through the Krsna consciousness movement they can be raised to the human standard by chanting the holy name of God. That is the unique contribution of Lord Caitanya to human society. 3.16.35P Lord Brahma continued: Those two principal doorkeepers of the Personality of Godhead have now entered the womb of Diti, the powerful semen of Kasyapa Muni having covered them. PURPORT: Here is clear proof of how a living entity coming originally from Vaikunthaloka is encaged in material elements. The living entity takes shelter within the semen of a father, which is injected within the womb of a mother, and with the help of the mother’s emulsified ovum the living entity grows a particular type of a body. In this connection it is to be remembered that the mind of Kasyapa Muni was not in order when he conceived the two sons, Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu. Therefore the semen he discharged was simultaneously extremely powerful and mixed with the quality of anger. It is to be concluded that while conceiving a child one’s mind must be very sober and devotional. For this purpose the Garbhadhana-samskara is recommended in the Vedic scriptures. If the mind of the father is not sober, the semen discharged will not be very good. Thus the living entity, wrapped in the matter produced from the father and mother, will be demoniac like Hiranyaksa and Hiranyakasipu. The conditions of conception are to be carefully studied. This is a very great science. 3.22.19P According to Vedic principles, the first part of life should be utilized in brahmacarya for the development of character and spiritual qualities. In the next part of life, one may accept a wife and beget children, but one should not beget children like cats and dogs. Kardama Muni desired to beget a child who would be a ray of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should beget a child who can perform the duties of Visnu, otherwise there is no need to produce children. There are two kinds of children born of good fathers: one is educated in Krsna consciousness so that he can be delivered from the clutches of maya in that very life, and the other is a ray of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and teaches the world the ultimate goal of life. As will be described in later chapters, Kardama Muni begot such a child—Kapila, the incarnation of the Personality of Godhead who enunciated the philosophy of Sankhya. Great householders pray to God to send His representative so that there may be an auspicious movement in human society. This is one reason to beget a child. Another reason is that a highly enlightened parent can train a child in Krsna consciousness so that the child will not have to come back again to this miserable world. Parents should see to it that the child born of them does not enter the womb of a mother again. Unless one can train a child for liberation in that life, there is no need to marry or produce children. If human society produces children like cats and dogs for the disturbance of social order, then the world becomes hellish, as it has in this age of Kali. In this age, neither parents nor their children are trained; both are animalistic and simply eat, sleep, mate, defend, and gratify their senses. This disorder in social life cannot bring peace to human society. . . . In other words, sex life should be utilized only to produce a nice child, not for any other purpose. Human life is especially meant for complete devotion to the service of the Lord. That is the philosophy of Lord Caitanya. . . . about one hundred years ago, Thakura Bhaktivinoda also wanted to beget a child who could preach the philosophy and teachings of Lord Caitanya to the fullest extent. By his prayers to the Lord he had as his child Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, who at the present moment is preaching the philosophy of Lord Caitanya throughout the entire world through his bona fide disciples. 3.23.11P The Vedic literatures are not only full of spiritual instruction but are also instructive in how to prosecute material existence very nicely, with the ultimate aim of spiritual perfection. Devahuti asked her husband, therefore, how to prepare herself for sex life according to the Vedic instructions. Sex life is especially meant for having good children. The circumstances for creating good children are mentioned in kama-sastra, the scripture in which suitable arrangements are prescribed for factually glorious sex life. Everything needed is mentioned in the scriptures—what sort of house and decorations there should be, what sort of dress the wife should have, how she should be decorated with ointments, scents and other attractive features, etc. With these requisites fulfilled, the husband will be attracted by her beauty, and a favorable mental situation will be created. The mental situation at the time of sex life may then be transferred into the womb of the wife, and good children can come out of that pregnancy. . . . Sexual intercourse in which the husband is attracted to the wife is sure to produce a male child, but sexual intercourse based on attraction of the wife for the husband may produce a girl. That is mentioned in the Ayur-veda. When the passion of the woman is greater, there is a chance of a girl’s being born. When the passion of the man is greater, then there is the possibility of a son. Devahuti wanted the passion of her husband to be increased by the arrangement mentioned in the kama-sastra. 3.23.48 It is said in the smrti-sastra as well as in the Ayur-veda that when the discharge of the male is greater, male children are begotten, but when the discharge of the female is greater, female children are begotten. 3.24.15P . . . That is the art of combining a man and woman. Man and woman should not be united simply on the consideration of sex life. There are many other considerations, especially character and taste. If the taste and character differ between the man and woman, their combination will be unhappy. . . . It is foretold in the Twelfth Canto of the Bhagavatam that in this age of Kali married life will be accepted on the consideration of sex only; when the boy and girl are pleased in sex, they get married, and when there is deficiency in sex, they separate. That is not actual marriage, but a combination of men and women like cats and dogs. Therefore, the children produced in the modern age are not exactly human beings. Human beings must be twice-born. A child is first born of a good father and mother, and then he is born again of the spiritual master and the Vedas. The first mother and father bring about his birth into the world; then the spiritual master and the Vedas become his second father and mother. According to the Vedic system of marriage for producing children, every man and woman was enlightened in spiritual knowledge, and at the time of their combination to produce a child, everything was scrutinizingly and scientifically done.
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Here are references that show the mind 'sets the criteria' for the next birth. But it does not survive the transistion. SB 4.25.27 Purport: . . . The mind works under the intelligence, and under the mind are the ten senses, and under the ten senses are innumerable desires to be fulfilled. All these, however, depend on the vital life-force, . . . As long as the vital life-force is there, the mind works, and under the mind the senses work, and the senses give rise to so many material desires. SB 4.29.61 Purport: . . . Although the root of distress and happiness is the mind, intelligence and ego, a gross body is still required as an instrument for enjoyment. The gross body may change, but the subtle body continues to act. Unless the living entity gets another gross body, he will have to continue in a subtle body, or a ghostly body. One becomes a ghost when the subtle body acts without the help of the instrumental gross body. . . . The gross body may lie on a bed and rest, and . . . go into a dream, and return to the gross body. When he returns to the body, he forgets his dream. Similarly, when the living entity takes on another gross body, he forgets the present gross body. SB 4.29.62 Purport: . . . Narada Muni says in this verse that at death one takes his plans with him (grhniyat), and to execute these plans he gets another body. This is called punar bhavah. When the gross body is finished, the plans of the living entity are taken by the mind, and by the grace of the Lord, the living entity gets a chance to give these plans shape in the next life. This is known as the law of karma. As long as the mind is absorbed in the laws of karma, a certain type of body must be accepted in the next life. . . . We have actually seen that when one man was about to die he requested his physician to give him a chance to live four more years so that he could finish his plans. This means that while dying he was thinking of his plans. After his body was destroyed, he doubtlessly carried his plans with him by means of the subtle body, composed of mind, intelligence and ego. Thus he would get another chance by the grace of the Supreme Lord, the Supersoul, who is always within the heart. . . . [bg. 15.15] In the next birth, one acquires remembrance from the Supersoul and begins to execute the plans begun in the previous life. . . . “The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” (Bg. 18.61) Situated on the vehicle given by material nature and reminded by the Supersoul within the heart, the living entity struggles all over the universe to fulfill his plans SB 4.29.62 — O King, all good fortune unto you! The mind is the cause of the living entity’s attaining a certain type of body in accordance with his association with material nature. According to one’s mental composition, one can understand what the living entity was in his past life as well as what kind of body he will have in the future. Thus the mind indicates the past and future bodies. PURPORT The mind is the index of information about one’s past and future lives. . . . If a man is a devotee of the Lord, he cultivated devotional service in his previous life. Similarly, if one’s mind is criminal, he was criminal in his last life. In the same way, according to the mind, we can understand what will happen in a future life. . . . SB 7.2.47 Purport: . . . The living entity is bound by the subtle body, consisting of the mind, intelligence and false ego. At the time of death, therefore, the position of the mind becomes the cause for the next body. . . . at the time of death the mind sets the criteria for the spirit soul’s being carried to another type of body.
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I inserted the "question marks" above into your excerpted posting. The mind is material and thus dies with the body! the subtle body lives seperate from the gross body only in sudden seperation from the gross body [ghostly sphere] until one's past karma is exhausted [or until a Yamadhuta pulls you enroute to Yamaraj]. Please show textual references to explain Samskaras as impressions. I feel that there is not sub-conscious --but, simply a multi-tasking capacity that may or may not be back-logged with "to do's" to do.