sopatel

Suchandra, what a true story people have nothing to do with you unless you offer something in return. Nice lesson to learn God Bless Jai Shri Krishna

I pray to Lord Shri Krishna that he may guide me so that the paraphrase I am about to present of Baishri Rameshbhai Oza (a Shrimad Bhagwat Kathakar who si truly blessed by Devi Saraswati) may be accurate and may bring some insight. This particular lecture deals with our constant battle with Bhramswarups in idol form. This is one of many lessons I learned from Baishri but I feel that this is definitly one to start off with. In a Shivji temple one encounters many different idols... Before we have darshan of the actual Shivling we see Nandimaharaj (Bull Vehicle of Shivji)...it symbolises the aasan or a firm position that faces Shiji (murti/form). The aasan teaches the common man that we must be firm in our place and position and it should gaze upon the Lord alone. Once our aasan is confirmed, we must breath (Pranayam) to still the mind. In a Shivji temple, we encounter the murti of Hanumanji. Since he is a monkey swarup, we should learn from the murti that our mind is always jumping like a monkey and so we should still it with regulated breathing and thinking of our Lord. Once we have the position and mind firm we encounter our senses. these senses are very troublesome and the must be withdrawn from the material world into the self and ultimately into the service of the Lord. The senses are represnted by the tortoise that is seated in a Shiv temple. It shows us that just as a tortoise withdraws it senses into its body, so should we. This constant focus of the mind and senses brings about Dhyann, or eternal connection to the Lord. Our Devi Parvati is this representative of the undivided attention to the Lord (Bhagwan Shankar) Finally, water completly drops on the shivling and always flows North like the Ganga at Banaras, this awakens Gynan (or true knowledge) When all these aspects of our lives are purified then we understand what is Shiv, or like Baishri says we become Shiv. The purpose of this is so that all of us, including myself look beyond the quarrels of forms/idol/murtis and realise that just as the different "objects" of a Shiv temple are connected to us and are there so that we refresh our actual connection with the Lord, every temple, idol, murti experience should be a reminder of what we need to polish up to go back to the Lord. Many other beautiful examples were given, especially about Bhagwat katha and Lord Krishna but this is a step. So next time we go to the temple, it shouldn't be for mindless, thoughtless head bowing but an EXPERIENCE that should awaken our desire to reach the ultimate. Jai Shri Krishna

To the guest for this post...Good for you that you have faith in God at least and are not an atheist but lets not try to insult others faith as even Jesus Christ won't appreciate this. To cyril2net: In Hinduism, the devotee has the ability and the option to except a form that is easiest for him/her to meditate upon. Sometimes there is a notion that you are praying to a thousand different Gods but a true believer of the Sanatan Dharma will find one particular form of our Lord (Krishna, Rama, Shiv, Devi) and whole heartedly see this form in everyone and every diety. Taken to a more philosophical level, there is so much spiritual symbolism in the various forms of our Lord. I will open a thread on this sometime soon! I hope this Helps! Jai Shri Krishna

That was so beautiful...all of you guys are blessed by Devi Sarawati. Keep up this wonderful seva. Jai Shri Krishna

This is kind of silly... First and foremost that after we leave this material body and if and when we achieve the spiritual abode, I want to see someone's face when they see white, black, asian, hispanic and hindu,chirstian, muslim, or jew serving the ultimate mighty Supreme Lord with the same devotion all living as brothers under the protection and mercy of the Lord. Then I think that how merciful our Lord is that to date we have 6 billion plus humans on this particular Earth(not counting all the infinite universes) and he provided 6 billion unique forms for all of us to LOVE. People may say how this is possible...take my Krishna for example. In just one avatar he was a child (butter-thief, the beloved of Mother Yashoda, Devaki nandan, cowheard boy with his many friends), then he was our lila thar (Govardhan girdhari, dancing Krishna on Kaliya, and various other forms that killed demons), he provided the love form (flute playing Mohan, teasing the milkmaids, playing raas with them), then the Krishna who became a philosopher, Rukmini Pati, a charioteer. So the point is regardless of which form of the Lord you worship, it takes you back to him. Just one incarnation has so many forms, then if you try to add up the many avatars as Ram, Narsimha, Varah, Vaman, etc. we would be baffled. Even furtherto reason with is that suppose one form of the Lord attracted you, for arguement's sake the Mohan form. Then if you personally described your internal picture, it will be different from the next person. How merciful of Krishna that he gives you the darshan you wish for. So in conclusion, the Lord is one and his forms are innumerable but regardless of how many times we have this discussion, many people will not see there inner "murti" in every living being. Isn't that what Krishna taught us. Weather dog, insect, plant or human...see me in everything. Finally, to krsna, the picture is lovely, hopefully people will take symbolic meaning and try to find respect and humbleness for all forms of the Lord, while Loving the form that has been engraved into your hearts. Jai Shri Krishna

Very humbling...these pictures just make you cry and give true heart flet blessing to those involved in making these kids happy. I had also seen the bhaktas cry for not being allowed into the jagannath temple. Bhai, you don't need a temple, the Lord resides in you and is making you the medium that brings smiles to these children. Also whenevr you are doing such services try to keep us posted so that I may help as best possible! Jai Shree Krishna

hi we also live in america and though not a pesonal experience, we had contacted him with an inquiry for my father's ulceritis. It had gotton so bad to the point of surgery. They answered promptly and helped him by giving him some ayurvedic medicine, food restrictions, and some pranayam techniques. Its been a good 6 months since he has started the treatment. Now he stopped the oral medication, ayurvedic medication and only watches his diet and practices pranayam 30 minutes every morning and evening. My father didn't need drugs till this date. He is completely cured, even his doctors are amazed at his project. Thats enough proof for me, my dad's back from the jaws of death and in addition to all this, you can see a new glow on his face and he lost 15 pounds he's been trying to loose for over 5 years. I don't know about abilities but he has a practical and straighforward approach, never seen him perform jadu/tona but only speaks of health and well being. Hope I helped Jai Shri Radhe

To the original poster, Krishna will listen to you, you have full right to talk to him and ask for strength. But it can only happen when you have full faith and faith is developed in the situation when you understand that regardless of your problems, our Krishna makes things ok in the end. To everyone who is being rude and saying no need to ask for help, shame on you, as a human being your heart should have the bhavana of feeling oher sorrow. Each person is different on the knowledge platform, guide them don't insult them. Thousands of people go to temples everyday and pray, most of whom have no clue what they should be doing or what there focus should be. If we insult even these people and say we don't care, then how will they learn. You nor I am perfect, at least share what you know and try to be a bit sympathetic. Your knowledge won't decrease and you WON"T get materially entangled but rather what you can help may lead to someones well being. To the original poster... In the end Krishna is the only one there for you and he will answer your questions. My humble love is with you! Jai Shri Krishna

thank you very much Indulekhadasi, I will if i ever find the original soundtrack! Jai Shri Radhe

I guess this is a widespread problem but I see the logicv in what tackleberry said. I guess when your trying to make a living you find who you can but it is still frustrating and really causes the spiritual experience to become somewhat filled with anxiety.

Ok so I wanted to ask this question: In no way I am trying to offend my Krishna or my Hindu faith, but it is a curiosity based on the behavior of people and not the foundation of my Lord! Why are temple pundits so greedy. Let me elaborate. On our trip to India we took various pilgramage to Pushkar, dwarka, Mathura, Haridwar, etc. My uncle came with us because he knows the "system" better than we do. Ok at Pushkar, a pundit grabbed my mothers pallu and forced her to do Puja, she said I don't want to and he created a riot about how we didn't pay him for his services. Just to avoid the group bashing of mob-like pundits we gave him R1000 and left. Similarly we went to dwarka temple and instead of giving our money to the pundits, my parents decided to feed eleven young kids on that were roaming the streets. The pundit had a riot there and said we were sinners for touching "lower castes" Hmm let me think, wasn't Shabri ma a lady of the tribal descent, well Ramachandra ate the fruits she tasted, God doesn't discriminate so shouldn't we love all people to the best of our ability. The icing on the cake of our pilgrimage was when we visited the Krishna temple in Haridwar (I can't recall the name), here we found a pundit who was pestering my uncle to donate R5000 to get a brick with my grandfathers name on the grounds. Well my dear uncle has a temper, much needed at the time, refused and totally insulted the pandit. He had a point, "Why should I place R5000 in your hands and not the actual temple!" but the biggest point he made was "Why do I need to place a brick with my fathers name on the ground that is stepped on, spit on, sat on byt thousands of people everyday, I'm not really interested in insulting my father like this, you are sinners for allowing innocent people to be cajoled into insulting there ancestors." We were done. I dont even want to go back, a spiritual journey became so stressful! I just wanted to go to places where the pastimes of my Lord were. Its sad that rather than the features of the actual beauty, I remember all this. Its my fault for not being strong hearted but I had to ask....How do you deal with these people?!?!?!? Jai Shri Krishna

Yeah I think they go into a trance or something, because being the very material energy we are trapped in, she wouldn't need people to manifest her form. I had to attend a ceromony for a relative that believed in a person who claims to have "shakti" in him at times. I had to go due to family obligations but if you study them carefully, the answers and behavior was totally made up. No to say all of them do but if Durga blesses you I wouldn't think the true devotee would go around making a show of it. Jai Shri Krishna

if you put it that way then there is no such thing as religion because Science wants proof but not miracles. Right? Many believers in Krishna feel his presence and many believers of Christ feel his presence and subsequently we also here of miracles as well. My meaning was that if we try to find proofs, we loose the essence because instead of philosophical discussion it is going to be a history lecture whenever we talk about faith. Jai Shri Krishna

no offense to anyone trying to educate us about other faiths but it almost seems like you are trying to justify something that is totally worthless. Proof of the Lord or his people are secondary to his teaching and we get too caught up in self righteousness. Go talk to a devout Christian and he will find millions of things wrong and even deny the existence of KRishna, similary in all other faiths they think they are right and everyone else wrong. Strenghen the Lord's faith in yourself, you won't need to proove other theories. Jai Shri Krishna p.s. I apologise if I hurt anyone's feelings.

Everyone has a different approach, but for me its self study with neutrality. When I look at my actions and behaviour I think, if I behave this way, what to except of others. Kaliyug is in us like it was in the crown of the great Pariksit. No one if perfect, but Krishna's in us so we can't all be bad either. If we take on the whole world we are no different than missionaries but take on the task of improving yourself then you are a real vaishnav. Its not selfish, you will notice that when your attitude is one of peace and love for the supreme than even non-believer around you want your company because they feel at peace with someone who Loves Krishna.

Remember that who you are today is a build up of many many lives and you bring with you a lot of your "gunas" The trick is to realise that you are not perfect and slowly control the senses, a true Krishna devotee doesn't expect liberation but works towards perfecting themselves and leaving it up to Krishna to take them away. Don't feel guilty that you are involved in various acts, understand that step one was recognising that you do perform these acts. Step two would be chanting the lord's name as much as you can. Step three would be realising your moves in life and critiquing your own acts. Step four will be total nuetrality to your acts and the upliftment of your inner soul. Then finally you will attain a love for Krishna that takes you beyond any material enjoyment. Human nature has the capacity and even if you don't reach it in this particular lifetime I am proud you are starting to look at yourself and have critiqued your behaviour. Take it a day at a time, forcing yourself to "quit" is like going cold turkey on smoking or drinking alcohol but slowly manuvering out of these behaviours and performing actual sadhana on your own actions will give you the right or worng answers from within. Other than that we are here for you and I believe you have potential because you were honest in telling us your shortcomings. Jai Shri Krishna

Its true that you need a guru but its also true that you will get the guru as you deserve. When your heart and mind is ready to accept the authority of someone, the right person will come. Abroad we don't have temples where we live much less a guru but when I went to India, my dad's guru had explained to him that parents, especially mothers are the first guur of any child. He also said that the seed of bhakti you sow in you child from his/her young age will fructify with daily nurturing. He suggested read to your children the pastimes of Krishna to bed, pray with them everyday, have the family eat dinner together and have the father offer the food to the Lord. I am writing this because our mind's our full of so much duality that we will always question right/wrong. So make the world your guru formost and learn a lesson from every being. Then you will get a guru that will take that affection and love to put you on the highest level of Krishna conciousness. Hopefully, this isn't much straying but again it is hard to accept total authority of a true guru without being humble. Jai Shri Krishna

this is so sweet. Thank you for providing a "formula" because you really can't find true "gurus" nowadays but learning something good from everyone is a more progress than none.

Most people know about the tv series Mahabharat and in the series there are some soul stirring bhajans. I think most of them are Sant surdas pads. Does anyone have the soundtrack to the B.R. Chopra Mahabarat series. I would appreciate any help. Thank you in advance. Jai Shri Krishna

I have actually heard that this particular Kaliyug will have a swarna yug, golden age, contained with in it. The effects of kaliyug will remain but the world will see even a greater abundancy in material wealth. Thats my two cents. If anyone can elaborate that would be great. Frankly, I hope we have an abundance of 'Guru's' to guide us back to Godhead. Jai Shri Krishna

I am sorry to hear this but don't loose heart... The Hanuman Chalisa is effective, personal experience speaking. In addition, chanting the Lords name never fails. I will whole heartedlt pray that your problem be solved. Again, sometimes its not black magic but the effects of time and karma that also may bring a series of bad events. Hang in there and keep faith. With much love Jai Shri Krishna

So here are the ten shortcomings in humans: passion pride anger greed infatuation lust hatred jeolousy selfishness crookedness On this I would also like to make the note that no one is free from these but you can always try to do a self study and try to rid yourselves of these demons. Pray for humanity and judge yourself before others. I have so much to say about Kaliyug but I'll leave that to another thread. I appreciate the feedback thank you for excepting my work and please correct me if I may have posted something incorrect. Jai Shri Krishna

THe devil is within you in the form of your vasanas. This is the devil. I read an excerpt once on how we have the manifestations of both Ravana and Rama within us and it clearly explained that Ravana was a demon with 10 heads. He stood for all the ten vasanas associated with man. kama, kridh, lob , moha, etc. When Rama comes out of us through service and prayer our demons/devils whatever you want to call them are destroyed. Isn't that what the devil does in other religions: cause the human mind to wander and be immoral. Every Ayodhya has a manthra and every Lanka has a Vibhishan so in short our devil is right inside us and you have the power to kill it too. This is the most sensible definition of the devil I have for you. Jai Shri Krishna

To enlightened souls, the whole world belongs to them. People want proof but don't want substance. They will do anything to be right including archeological expeditions, crusades, holy wars, bribery, etc. As believer in Sanatan dharma, we should focus on the substance of our enlightened teachers and not dwell on where they were and what they did. Think of it this way, whoever Jesus was and whereever he was from atleast he tried to spread love. That's my opinion, I would rather spend my energy discovering the divine in me through positive discussion and examples then dwell on who went where, why and for what. Jay Shri Krishna

I am new here so bear with me as I present my opinion.... The question the person was pertaining to was the fact that he sees the manifestation of God as a material entity. Your questions are justified because everyone of our judgements are clouded. We believe what we see and see what we hear. In such a visual society, when you hear of Lord Krishna's pasttimes and the adventures of Lord Rama and even the events in Lord Shiva's avatar we see the behaviors that our minds are subject too. I guess rather than insulting your query, I would onlu suggest that you look upon these "incidents" with symbolic value. Look inside of you and you'll find that Krishna doesn't cheat, but 100% supports the soul that has surrendered to him. Lord Rama doesn't hunt, he kills the maya in the form of the golden deer. Lord Shiva is by no means lust driven, he turns lust personified into ashes. These incidents are evidence of our own nature and we should be thankful that these teachings of spiritual elevation and moral upbringing and even the proof of the Lord's presence in our lives were given to us by the Supreme himself who takes various avatars and becomes our saviour. I hope this helps you look at things a bit differently. Thing with your heart and not your mind and the messages will be crystal clear. I am sure we can all elaborate on particular incidences if you are curious but except them without a perverted mind. Jay Shri Krishna