Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Dear All, I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. >From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank came to join Him. If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love him. Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is ATMARAM. Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the cause of our suffering. The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, this is just my opinion. Best rgds, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Well said Richard ji, I believe that what so ever will be done by heart( not for show off purposes)..will be listened. God doesnt says...do this for me ..do that for me....so, i dont think any1 shud be too curious abt rules and regulations.I also do simple puja and what so ever good or bad will happen...will be bcoz of my karmas...not bcoz of my pujas ( or mistakes done while doing pujas)....there is no heaven...no hell.....what so ever is ...its here....we all face problems,sorrows,tensions as per our karmas.. Anyways...this is only my openion.... thanks amit uniyal sacred-objects, Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote: > > Dear All, > > I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and > touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is > a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should > not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit- Ananda. > > In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I > do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that > was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. > > From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi > from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was > a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, > flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one > Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In > 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and > brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is > Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to > simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank > came to join Him. > > If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish > me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is > a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I > heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers > on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but > Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and > He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for > our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on > every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out > of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love > him. > > Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam > toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh > fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our > own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims > smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is > ATMARAM. > > Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have > both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram > can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our > bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy > old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't > make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the > cause of our suffering. > > The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya > rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in > Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live > in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. > > Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, this is just my opinion. > > Best rgds, > Richard > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 These are excellent thoughts, Richard....You summed up nicely all the feelings of ambivalence I have had about this (based on warnings and admonitions certain devotees have given me over the years). I think that your rasa is entirely appropriate for such worship, and I applaud your ability to simplify to the "essentials" for such puja! (I, on the other hand, probably do better relating to Bhagavan's presence in a "non-scriptural" manifestation of his, such as the nice dome-shaped red sandstone with embedded crystals He placed in my path during a visit to the American Southwest.) For the record, muslims too relate to such reminders of His Presence (even if technically they don't perform puja). We all know about the kaaba....But in addition, Shia give a revered place in their homes or when traveling, on their persons, to certain small black stones that have been placed against the cave entrance of Hidden Imam's concealment. (Perhaps Vaishnava would do the same if, for instance, they knew the cave entrance of Parasurama's concealment...what do you think?) Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 > wrote: Dear All, I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank came to join Him. If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love him. Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is ATMARAM. Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the cause of our suffering. The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, this is just my opinion. Best rgds, Richard Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 Dear Sriman, Once my Guru related a story... the muslim army invaded India, and as they were about to smash one Murti of Bhagavan, a brahman asked them, "Kind sir, why to you smash this? Isn't it true that GOD IS EVERYWHERE? The muslim replied, "Yes, we also believe God is everywhere, BUT, except HERE He is everywhere! This is the reason why we must visit Jaipur to take Darshan of Srila Rupa Goswami's famous Govinda murti... because it would have been smashed by the muslims, who slaughtered and smashed everything and every Hindu. So many of the famous Vrindavan Deities were moved to Jaipur for protection. But, of course, the kaaba, or any "muslim" stone, that is just fine with them!!! Go figger!?? sacred-objects, Rasul Redoy <rasulredoy wrote: > > These are excellent thoughts, Richard....You summed up nicely all the feelings of ambivalence I have had about this (based on warnings and admonitions certain devotees have given me over the years). I think that your rasa is entirely appropriate for such worship, and I applaud your ability to simplify to the "essentials" for such puja! > > (I, on the other hand, probably do better relating to Bhagavan's presence in a "non-scriptural" manifestation of his, such as the nice dome-shaped red sandstone with embedded crystals He placed in my path during a visit to the American Southwest.) > > For the record, muslims too relate to such reminders of His Presence (even if technically they don't perform puja). We all know about the kaaba....But in addition, Shia give a revered place in their homes or when traveling, on their persons, to certain small black stones that have been placed against the cave entrance of Hidden Imam's concealment. (Perhaps Vaishnava would do the same if, for instance, they knew the cave entrance of Parasurama's concealment...what do you think?) > > > > Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote: Dear All, > > I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and > touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is > a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should > not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. > > In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I > do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that > was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. > > From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi > from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was > a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, > flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one > Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In > 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and > brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is > Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to > simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank > came to join Him. > > If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish > me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is > a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I > heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers > on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but > Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and > He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for > our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on > every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out > of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love > him. > > Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam > toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh > fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our > own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims > smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is > ATMARAM. > > Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have > both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram > can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our > bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy > old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't > make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the > cause of our suffering. > > The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya > rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in > Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live > in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. > > Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, this is just my opinion. > > Best rgds, > Richard > > > > > > > > Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2006 Report Share Posted July 23, 2006 True enough, Sriman...at least some murti and sacred objects survived, whereas Buddhism in India was totally annihilated...all the advanced institutions like Nalanda, along with their entire resident populations, perished during the same horrific events. Richard Shaw-Brown <rsbj66 > wrote: Dear Sriman, Once my Guru related a story... the muslim army invaded India, and as they were about to smash one Murti of Bhagavan, a brahman asked them, "Kind sir, why to you smash this? Isn't it true that GOD IS EVERYWHERE? The muslim replied, "Yes, we also believe God is everywhere, BUT, except HERE He is everywhere! This is the reason why we must visit Jaipur to take Darshan of Srila Rupa Goswami's famous Govinda murti... because it would have been smashed by the muslims, who slaughtered and smashed everything and every Hindu. So many of the famous Vrindavan Deities were moved to Jaipur for protection. But, of course, the kaaba, or any "muslim" stone, that is just fine with them!!! Go figger!?? sacred-objects, Rasul Redoy <rasulredoy wrote: > > These are excellent thoughts, Richard....You summed up nicely all the feelings of ambivalence I have had about this (based on warnings and admonitions certain devotees have given me over the years). I think that your rasa is entirely appropriate for such worship, and I applaud your ability to simplify to the "essentials" for such puja! > > (I, on the other hand, probably do better relating to Bhagavan's presence in a "non-scriptural" manifestation of his, such as the nice dome-shaped red sandstone with embedded crystals He placed in my path during a visit to the American Southwest.) > > For the record, muslims too relate to such reminders of His Presence (even if technically they don't perform puja). We all know about the kaaba....But in addition, Shia give a revered place in their homes or when traveling, on their persons, to certain small black stones that have been placed against the cave entrance of Hidden Imam's concealment. (Perhaps Vaishnava would do the same if, for instance, they knew the cave entrance of Parasurama's concealment...what do you think?) > > > > Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote: Dear All, > > I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and > touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is > a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should > not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. > > In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I > do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that > was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. > > From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi > from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was > a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, > flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one > Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In > 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and > brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is > Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to > simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank > came to join Him. > > If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish > me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is > a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I > heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers > on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but > Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and > He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for > our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on > every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out > of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love > him. > > Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam > toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh > fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our > own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims > smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is > ATMARAM. > > Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have > both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram > can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our > bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy > old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't > make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the > cause of our suffering. > > The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya > rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in > Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live > in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. > > Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, this is just my opinion. > > Best rgds, > Richard > > > > > > > > Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free. > Next-gen email? Have it all with the all-new Mail Beta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 Hari Om! Hari Om Tat Sat! Namaskaragalu! Dasomsi! All glories to the devotees of the Lord! My-self- bows to the Lord Purusha in you! Haribol! Krishna, there are vidhi's which has been provided by Sri Bhagvadh himself but the jivas should not deliberately insult the King or whomever our -self- think HE is! Deliberate insults do cause its own phalam. In situations where an Ssthri roopam of HIS self touches the Sri Salagramam, then HE will not HARM HER. HE is beyond emotions, HE is beyond feelings. HE is in between Heaven and Hell. HE is epitome of HIMSELF. HE is neither KING nor Friend nor Enemy or anything else . HE is in YOU and YOUR Self tries to know HIM . One way to look at this is see Sri Krishna in everything living (males, females), non-living, imagine his cosmic form talking to you and your self will start to see just Sri Krishna all over the place in HIS place. Subham Dinam Astu! Or Have a nice day! Sarvam Sri Krishna Arpanamastu! _____ sacred-objects [sacred-objects] On Behalf Of Richard Shaw Brown Sunday, July 23, 2006 10:39 AM planetary-gemology; sacred-objects; vedic-sacred-objects Shalagram Shila - what is your RASA? Dear All, I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. >From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank came to join Him. If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love him. Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is ATMARAM. Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the cause of our suffering. The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, this is just my opinion. Best rgds, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 ---Namaste!!! Srimanji!!! Who would insult the King!?? I live in Thailand which has the greatest King in modern history (60 years on the throne already), And I am his humble servant. I note in Bgita that Sri Arjun was givin "divya-chakshu" and shown the virit rupa of Bhagavan. Still, after seeing that great reality, he again asked Lord Krishna to become back to His two handed form as his dear friend, because Arjun prefered Krishna Svarupa to Virat-svarupa. This is history. Even Hanumanji refused "nirakar-mukti" or Brahma-jnan liberation when offered to him by Lord Rama... Sri Hanuman doesn't want to "lose" his relationship of "bhakti-rasa" as eternal servant of Lord Rama in Vaikuntha. That is my opinion... Rgds, R- sacred-objects, "Pradeep Balakrishnan" <balakrishnanpradeep wrote: > > Hari Om! Hari Om Tat Sat! > > > > Namaskaragalu! Dasomsi! All glories to the devotees of the Lord! > > > > My-self- bows to the Lord Purusha in you! Haribol! > > > > Krishna, there are vidhi's which has been provided by Sri Bhagvadh himself > but the jivas should not deliberately insult the King or whomever our -self- > think HE is! Deliberate insults do cause its own phalam. In situations where > an Ssthri roopam of HIS self touches the Sri Salagramam, then HE will not > HARM HER. HE is beyond emotions, HE is beyond feelings. HE is in between > Heaven and Hell. HE is epitome of HIMSELF. > > > > HE is neither KING nor Friend nor Enemy or anything else . HE is in YOU and > YOUR Self tries to know HIM . > > > > One way to look at this is see Sri Krishna in everything living (males, > females), non-living, imagine his cosmic form talking to you and your self > will start to see just Sri Krishna all over the place in HIS place. > > > > Subham Dinam Astu! Or Have a nice day! > > Sarvam Sri Krishna Arpanamastu! > > > _____ > > sacred-objects [sacred-objects] > On Behalf Of Richard Shaw Brown > Sunday, July 23, 2006 10:39 AM > planetary-gemology; sacred-objects; > vedic-sacred-objects > Shalagram Shila - what is your RASA? > > > > Dear All, > > I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and > touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is > a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should > not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy > because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. > > In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I > do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that > was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. > > From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi > from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was > a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, > flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one > Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In > 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and > brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is > Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to > simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank > came to join Him. > > If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish > me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is > a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I > heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers > on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but > Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and > He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for > our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on > every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out > of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love > him. > > Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam > toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh > fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our > own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims > smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is > ATMARAM. > > Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have > both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram > can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our > bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy > old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't > make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the > cause of our suffering. > > The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya > rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in > Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live > in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. > > Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that > Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. Anyway, > this is just my opinion. > > Best rgds, > Richard > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 dear richardji well said. we are all striving to reach the god in the bhakti marga and various sacred objects we come across are the gifts of god for those in bhakti and sadhana. with best wishes pandit arjun -- In sacred-objects, "Richard Shaw-Brown" <rsbj66 wrote: > > ---Namaste!!! Srimanji!!! Who would insult the King!?? I live in > Thailand which has the greatest King in modern history (60 years on > the throne already), And I am his humble servant. > > I note in Bgita that Sri Arjun was givin "divya-chakshu" and shown the > virit rupa of Bhagavan. Still, after seeing that great reality, he > again asked Lord Krishna to become back to His two handed form as his > dear friend, because Arjun prefered Krishna Svarupa to Virat- svarupa. > This is history. > > Even Hanumanji refused "nirakar-mukti" or Brahma-jnan liberation when > offered to him by Lord Rama... Sri Hanuman doesn't want to "lose" his > relationship of "bhakti-rasa" as eternal servant of Lord Rama in > Vaikuntha. > > That is my opinion... > > Rgds, R- > > sacred-objects, "Pradeep Balakrishnan" > <balakrishnanpradeep@> wrote: > > > > Hari Om! Hari Om Tat Sat! > > > > > > > > Namaskaragalu! Dasomsi! All glories to the devotees of the Lord! > > > > > > > > My-self- bows to the Lord Purusha in you! Haribol! > > > > > > > > Krishna, there are vidhi's which has been provided by Sri Bhagvadh > himself > > but the jivas should not deliberately insult the King or whomever > our -self- > > think HE is! Deliberate insults do cause its own phalam. In > situations where > > an Ssthri roopam of HIS self touches the Sri Salagramam, then HE > will not > > HARM HER. HE is beyond emotions, HE is beyond feelings. HE is in between > > Heaven and Hell. HE is epitome of HIMSELF. > > > > > > > > HE is neither KING nor Friend nor Enemy or anything else . HE is in > YOU and > > YOUR Self tries to know HIM . > > > > > > > > One way to look at this is see Sri Krishna in everything living (males, > > females), non-living, imagine his cosmic form talking to you and > your self > > will start to see just Sri Krishna all over the place in HIS place. > > > > > > > > Subham Dinam Astu! Or Have a nice day! > > > > Sarvam Sri Krishna Arpanamastu! > > > > > > _____ > > > > sacred-objects > [sacred-objects] > > On Behalf Of Richard Shaw Brown > > Sunday, July 23, 2006 10:39 AM > > planetary-gemology; sacred- objects; > > vedic-sacred-objects > > Shalagram Shila - what is your RASA? > > > > > > > > Dear All, > > > > I have always heard that there will be problems if a women worships and > > touches a Shalagram. Except when a women is old (stopped mense) and is > > a Vaishnava it is possible. Otherwise except in emergency women should > > not directly touch Shalagram. But I don't think that makes God unhappy > > because unhappiness does not go where there is Sat-Chit-Ananda. > > > > In our home my wife cleans the puja ghar and prepares offerings, then I > > do the final cleaning and puja. Once I had a knee operation and that > > was emergency so my wife did the simple puja...that was emergency. > > > > From 1974 - 1983 I worshipped our Shalagram with all complicated vidhi > > from Archan Paddati and it would take 2-3 hours. When traveling it was > > a nightmare trying to do puja in a hotel room... and no fresh Tulasi, > > flowers, etc. And so, being busy, I handed over my Shalagram to one > > Brahmin to care for me about 1984. Then I moved to Thailand in 1986. In > > 1987 I went back to the USA and got my Shila from the Brahmin, and > > brought to Thailand. At that point I had a choice to make... is > > Bhagavan an angry monster, or is Bhagavan my FRIEND. I decided to > > simplify my puja so I could travel too. Since then Sri Lakshmi Shank > > came to join Him. > > > > If one thinks that "God is angry!He is impatient!" or "will punish > > me for simple mistake" or "Bhagavan is unhappy with us", or Bhagavan is > > a scary KING, Very Moody, and hard to please, grumpy old God... well, I > > heard that Bhagavan was "atma-arama" or always blissful. Never suffers > > on any account. Anger is a form of suffering, so is impatence, but > > Bhagavan is not like us, badha jiva. He is not in need of our puja, and > > He doesn't benefit from our puja. And even to perform the puja is for > > our own benefit. Zillions of mukta Purushas are worshipping God on > > every level, and still he doesn't feel elated. He is just accepting out > > of kindness. Some people are fearful of Bhagavan, some prefer to love > > him. > > > > Lord Krishna Himself gave the requirement as pushpam patram phalam > > toyam --- only a flower, a (tulasi) leaf, (Ganga) pani, and fresh > > fruit. That is stated by Bhagavan. So more than that is extra, for our > > own satisfaction, and Bhagavan is always "atmaram." Even the muslims > > smash a Deity of Bhagavan or a shila is broken... STILL, Bhagavan is > > ATMARAM. > > > > Besides that, even people who never heard of Shalagram they still have > > both bad luck and good luck, same as any Shalagram Bhakta. So Shalagram > > can be praised as cause of our good luck, but never the cause of our > > bad luck. Shalagram is all-beautious and dayamoy, He is not some grumpy > > old man demanding careful worship, or else He is angry. That doesn't > > make sense if He is Atmaram. God doesn't suffer. And He is not the > > cause of our suffering. > > > > The real point is... do we treat Bhagavan as KING ALMIGHTY in dasya > > rati? Or do we serve Him as all-sweet and self-satisfied Friend in > > Shakya rasa? Those in Dasya live in fear of God; those in Shakya live > > in happiness with God. So it is a matter of Bhakti-Rasa. > > > > Some people will quote this Shastra and that shastra, to "prove" that > > Bhagavan gets unhappy and is impatient. But I don't see it that way. > Anyway, > > this is just my opinion. > > > > Best rgds, > > Richard > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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