Guest guest Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice. rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009 Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM Dharma or Choice? Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice?My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed.Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed.Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl?or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I seem to have 2 options as part of my choice: 1. Marry the girl as I made a mistake in saying 'yes' - give her all the comfort as post marriage I would have taken marriage vows - Even though I internally feel she is not sufficiently good looking, live with that feeling for life - basically wear a " mask " for life 2. Cancel the marriage - even engagement is over - marriage is there next week. Bring defamy to myself and the family and harm the girl's psyche. Exceptional circumstances made me say 'yes' and I am regretting the decision. Do I have to live with a mask for ever? What does Dharma say I should do? PVRji and others, pls. tell me , Susanta Kumar Routray <sushantr wrote: > > Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice. > > > > > ________________________________ > rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009 > > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM > Dharma or Choice? > > > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? > > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. > > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. > > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 u r really geting into my nerve by keep on saying she is not good looking enough...if u r really indian ...u shld know that looks doesnt matter and character does.....you r just nothing but any typical guy in the street...i wonder how you feel when the gal thinks you are not good looking!! think smart and maturedly..... On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 12:07 PM, rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009 wrote: I seem to have 2 options as part of my choice:1. Marry the girl as I made a mistake in saying 'yes' - give her all the comfort as post marriage I would have taken marriage vows - Even though I internally feel she is not sufficiently good looking, live with that feeling for life - basically wear a " mask " for life 2. Cancel the marriage - even engagement is over - marriage is there next week. Bring defamy to myself and the family and harm the girl's psyche.Exceptional circumstances made me say 'yes' and I am regretting the decision. Do I have to live with a mask for ever? What does Dharma say I should do?PVRji and others, pls. tell me , Susanta Kumar Routray <sushantr wrote: >> Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice.> > > > > ________________________________ > rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009> > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM> Dharma or Choice? > > > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice?> > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. > > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed.> > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow?> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Rajesh Ji, What is your age? Looks like you are not fully MATURED? I agree with Vani Ji what about in an acciedent your face got damage do you think your wife will leave you on looks basis? You are really going to hurt lots of people specially girls feelings, pyschic. Defaming your self ,your parents & girl a lot & her parent. Aweek has left to get married & you have this feelings on looks subject?Her nature & how she brings you happiness in your life & how she will adjust in your family is main & should effect you not just cosmatic BUT NOW LET ME TELL YOUR IF REALLY YOU ARE IDIOT & NOT YET FULLY MATURED THAT YOU ARE A PERSON THAT YOU ALREADY ARE THINKING YOU ARE NOT GOING MAKE HER HAPPY THEN ITS REALLY BETTER THAT HAVE A SEAT WITH ALL FAMILY ELDERLY PEOPLE & BLAME EVERY THING ON YOU & GIVE THEM IN WRITING ITS YOUR MISTAKE & THEN STOP THIS MARRIAGE Dont play with any ones heart OR life GOD WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU SO MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE. sorry to write you like this but this are my thoughts sorry ok Vani Nalliah <pathumai Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:25:21 AMRe: Re: Dharma or Choice? u r really geting into my nerve by keep on saying she is not good looking enough...if u r really indian ...u shld know that looks doesnt matter and character does.....you r just nothing but any typical guy in the street...i wonder how you feel when the gal thinks you are not good looking!! think smart and maturedly... .. On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 12:07 PM, rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009@ > wrote: I seem to have 2 options as part of my choice:1. Marry the girl as I made a mistake in saying 'yes' - give her all the comfort as post marriage I would have taken marriage vows - Even though I internally feel she is not sufficiently good looking, live with that feeling for life - basically wear a "mask" for life2. Cancel the marriage - even engagement is over - marriage is there next week. Bring defamy to myself and the family and harm the girl's psyche.Exceptional circumstances made me say 'yes' and I am regretting the decision. Do I have to live with a mask for ever?What does Dharma say I should do?PVRji and others, pls. tell me, Susanta Kumar Routray <sushantr wrote:>> Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice.> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009@ ...>> > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM> Dharma or Choice?> > > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice?> > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed.> > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed.> > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl?> or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow?> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Perhaps you are getting cold feet. Do not worry. What is beauty after all? A decent human being with integrity, honesty and good values is the most beautiful of all. Why are you after external beauty? How long do you think external beauty with a hollow core and arrogant attitude will give you any happiness in life? If you want a supermodel, be prepared for the baggage that she will come with. Do not live with any mask. Clear your mind off all these nonsensical things you are thinking of. If any of your friends has put this particular concept of beauty in your mind, then stay away from that person. You are going to marry that girl with the everlasting Agni as your witness. Make sure your mind is clear and you do this procedure of marriage honestly. And please look at yourself. Are you the most handsome man on earth? You may think so, and your mother will definitely think so. But in reality, you are not, if other women are asked the question. A million women will find a million other man better looking than you are. Please stop this concept of external beauty in your mind. Over time, you will really feel the true beauty in your life blossom, but only if you follow your Dharma. If you have given your word (which you have as per your engagement), then follow it until your last breath.Good Luck.Dr. Narasimhaswamy Banavararajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009 Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:07:23 AM Re: Dharma or Choice? I seem to have 2 options as part of my choice: 1. Marry the girl as I made a mistake in saying 'yes' - give her all the comfort as post marriage I would have taken marriage vows - Even though I internally feel she is not sufficiently good looking, live with that feeling for life - basically wear a "mask" for life 2. Cancel the marriage - even engagement is over - marriage is there next week. Bring defamy to myself and the family and harm the girl's psyche. Exceptional circumstances made me say 'yes' and I am regretting the decision. Do I have to live with a mask for ever? What does Dharma say I should do? PVRji and others, pls. tell me , Susanta Kumar Routray <sushantr@.. .> wrote: > > Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice. > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009@ ...> > > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM > Dharma or Choice? > > > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? > > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. > > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. > > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hi, I would not comment on the maturity part since if we look back we all would have been like Rajesh at his age. But yes, after experiencing that age, I can surely say that we create a frame of mind and suspect the upcoming things especially when it is concerned with would be spouse. Most of the times, these thoughts are vague and get sorted itself with time which in this case shall be Rajesh going ahead with the marriage. I wish girl is otherwise a match for him in terms of IQ level and so. Good luck Rajesh and enjoy your marriage celebrations, is what I would like to say right now. regds Devinder , Narasim Banavara <nbanavara wrote: > > Perhaps you are getting cold feet. Do not worry. What is beauty after all? A decent human being with integrity, honesty and good values is the most beautiful of all. Why are you after external beauty? How long do you think external beauty with a hollow core and arrogant attitude will give you any happiness in life? If you want a supermodel, be prepared for the baggage that she will come with. > > Do not live with any mask. Clear your mind off all these nonsensical things you are thinking of. If any of your friends has put this particular concept of beauty in your mind, then stay away from that person. > > You are going to marry that girl with the everlasting Agni as your witness. Make sure your mind is clear and you do this procedure of marriage honestly. And please look at yourself. Are you the most handsome man on earth? You may think so, and your mother will definitely think so. But in reality, you are not, if other women are asked the question. A million women will find a million other man better looking than you are. > > Please stop this concept of external beauty in your mind. Over time, you will really feel the true beauty in your life blossom, but only if you follow your Dharma. If you have given your word (which you have as per your engagement), then follow it until your last breath. > > Good Luck. > > Dr. Narasimhaswamy Banavara > > > > > > ________________________________ > rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009 > > Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:07:23 AM > Re: Dharma or Choice? > > > > > > I seem to have 2 options as part of my choice: > > 1. Marry the girl as I made a mistake in saying 'yes' - give her all the comfort as post marriage I would have taken marriage vows - Even though I internally feel she is not sufficiently good looking, live with that feeling for life - basically wear a " mask " for life > > 2. Cancel the marriage - even engagement is over - marriage is there next week. Bring defamy to myself and the family and harm the girl's psyche. > > Exceptional circumstances made me say 'yes' and I am regretting the decision. Do I have to live with a mask for ever? > What does Dharma say I should do? > > PVRji and others, pls. tell me > > , Susanta Kumar Routray <sushantr@ .> wrote: > > > > Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice. > > > > > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > > rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009@ ...> > > > > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM > > Dharma or Choice? > > > > > > > > > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? > > > > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. > > > > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. > > > > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? > > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 Namaste, Dharma means the right thing to do. However, one's dharma towards various people and objects can pull one in different directions. One has to balance one's dharma towards various people and objects and make the right decision. Any action taken now with a self-identification with the action (i.e. mind thinking " I am doing it " ) becomes a karma for future and will give its fruits (good or bad) in future. Though we are not the body, we temporarily live in a body for a few decades. This body is like a house we live in and its sense organs (eyes, ears etc) are like windows in the house. When we live in a house, we have the responsibility to take care of it and keep the house and its surroundings nice. Similarly, we have some duty to make the body happy. Give it food, water etc, nourish it well, take good care of it, make sure it is healthy, make sure its pleasures are taken care of and make sure it is gratified. However, we also have duties to other people, like parents, elders, relatives, friends etc. In addition, there may be persons with strong debts with us who come into our life later. We have duties towards them. Moreover, we have some duties towards the society we live in, the country we live in and the entire universe. These various duties can pull one in different directions. One has to balance them all and do the best possible action. Arjuna's duty towards his guru Drona was to respect him and obey him. But his duty to his brother (and also to the universe) required him to kill his guru who was on Duryodhana's side. Usually, one's duty towards one's own body and its gratification is a very small part of one's dharma and one's duty towards others should receive a higher priority. The larger the number of people impacted, the higher the weightage. If one's only motivation for doing something that would hurt many people is self-gratification, one is on a shaky basis. With such self-centered actions, one is likely to create far more new karmas than the old karmas one is getting rid of. Of course, if not hurting others now leads to something else later that will hurt all those people even more, then that is worse. A lot depends on one's self-control. Choosing the lesser evil is a difficult exercise when one of the evils is not visible yet... Nobody can make the right decision for you. You are responsible for your actions and will face the reactions to those actions later. For example, if you have a debt to this girl and escape it now by calling off the marriage for looks, you will have to pay it back later with interest. For example, you may be born with terrible looks and many may reject you. Or the girl may be born with more undesirable qualities and yet you may have to marry her. So many possibilities are there and one cannot know for sure what is in store. Whatever you decide, good luck to that girl, to your elders and also to you! BTW, this forum is for spiritual discussions and matters related to spiritual sadhana. Your request is only marginally related. This kind of discussions can derail the forum from its primary purpose. So I request members to show some discretion. Best regards, Narasimha Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana Spirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - " rajeshhebbar2009 " <rajeshhebbar2009 Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09 PM Dharma or Choice? > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? > > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is > not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I > feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. > > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot > owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. > > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it > is the dharma to follow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 Hi, I would advise that you do not marry that girl. If you marry her, you'll always have a feeling that you have done some great favour to her and no matter how good she is you'll never be able to get out of this feeling (easily, given the level of your maturity) and this negative starting would unnecessarily spoil her innocent life for no falut of hers. You explain this situation to all parties explicitly and admit that it is 'YOUR' fault for saying yes and get away from her life. Thanks KK Krishna Kanth.T Sr. Product Manager Oracle Corporation --- On Thu, 5/14/09, Vani Nalliah <pathumai wrote: Vani Nalliah <pathumaiRe: Re: Dharma or Choice? Date: Thursday, May 14, 2009, 9:55 AM u r really geting into my nerve by keep on saying she is not good looking enough...if u r really indian ...u shld know that looks doesnt matter and character does.....you r just nothing but any typical guy in the street...i wonder how you feel when the gal thinks you are not good looking!! think smart and maturedly... .. On Thu, May 14, 2009 at 12:07 PM, rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009@ > wrote: I seem to have 2 options as part of my choice:1. Marry the girl as I made a mistake in saying 'yes' - give her all the comfort as post marriage I would have taken marriage vows - Even though I internally feel she is not sufficiently good looking, live with that feeling for life - basically wear a "mask" for life2. Cancel the marriage - even engagement is over - marriage is there next week. Bring defamy to myself and the family and harm the girl's psyche.Exceptional circumstances made me say 'yes' and I am regretting the decision. Do I have to live with a mask for ever?What does Dharma say I should do?PVRji and others, pls. tell me, Susanta Kumar Routray <sushantr wrote:>> Theer is a saying till we make a choice, we are the master of choices. Once we make the choice, we are the slave to the choice.> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> rajeshhebbar2009 <rajeshhebbar2009@ ...>> > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09:48 PM> Dharma or Choice?> > > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice?> > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed.> > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed.> > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl?> or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it is the dharma to follow?> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 Hello, Whether past lives exist is a debate - Krishna tells this in the Bhagavad Gita even in the west Edgar Cayce and others claim to have taken people to their past lives using hypnosis - The book " many mansions " for example or Brian Weiss in " many lives, many masters " The conclusions of both are similar - that we seem to reap the benefits/harm of our doings in past lives. From another angle, it is might just be a rational way for humans to attribute a " reason " for doings in this lives. This is the rational explaination - we need to attribute a reason for our current being and a logical explaination is many lives. Some thoughts that occur randomly in my mind on this: * How come the number of human beings keeps on increasing? Is it that the animals are doing more and more good to be reborn as humans * How come all politicians and power holders are so bad - e.g: Has Deve Gowda done something extremely great to have such a good life - he is PM, his uneducated son is CM * Are the number of souls in the world finite or infinite? Coming to rajesh's problem - I think he is solely responsible for the mess he has landed in - it was his choice and he must stand by it - this is the logical thing that seems right in the Indian context. If it were US or western world - he could have walked out So either decision is correct/wrong in context but to attribute it to telling that if he says 'no' he might have to have a bad next life and so on - karmic debt etc may not be the right reason - as past lives are themselves debatable Thanks Vamsi , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr wrote: > > Namaste, > > Dharma means the right thing to do. However, one's dharma towards various > people and objects can pull one in different directions. One has to balance > one's dharma towards various people and objects and make the right decision. > Any action taken now with a self-identification with the action (i.e. mind > thinking " I am doing it " ) becomes a karma for future and will give its > fruits (good or bad) in future. > > Though we are not the body, we temporarily live in a body for a few decades. > This body is like a house we live in and its sense organs (eyes, ears etc) > are like windows in the house. When we live in a house, we have the > responsibility to take care of it and keep the house and its surroundings > nice. Similarly, we have some duty to make the body happy. Give it food, > water etc, nourish it well, take good care of it, make sure it is healthy, > make sure its pleasures are taken care of and make sure it is gratified. > > However, we also have duties to other people, like parents, elders, > relatives, friends etc. In addition, there may be persons with strong debts > with us who come into our life later. We have duties towards them. Moreover, > we have some duties towards the society we live in, the country we live in > and the entire universe. > > These various duties can pull one in different directions. One has to > balance them all and do the best possible action. Arjuna's duty towards his > guru Drona was to respect him and obey him. But his duty to his brother (and > also to the universe) required him to kill his guru who was on Duryodhana's > side. > > Usually, one's duty towards one's own body and its gratification is a very > small part of one's dharma and one's duty towards others should receive a > higher priority. The larger the number of people impacted, the higher the > weightage. > > If one's only motivation for doing something that would hurt many people is > self-gratification, one is on a shaky basis. With such self-centered > actions, one is likely to create far more new karmas than the old karmas one > is getting rid of. Of course, if not hurting others now leads to something > else later that will hurt all those people even more, then that is worse. A > lot depends on one's self-control. Choosing the lesser evil is a difficult > exercise when one of the evils is not visible yet... > > Nobody can make the right decision for you. You are responsible for your > actions and will face the reactions to those actions later. For example, if > you have a debt to this girl and escape it now by calling off the marriage > for looks, you will have to pay it back later with interest. For example, > you may be born with terrible looks and many may reject you. Or the girl may > be born with more undesirable qualities and yet you may have to marry her. > So many possibilities are there and one cannot know for sure what is in > store. > > Whatever you decide, good luck to that girl, to your elders and also to you! > > BTW, this forum is for spiritual discussions and matters related to > spiritual sadhana. Your request is only marginally related. This kind of > discussions can derail the forum from its primary purpose. So I request > members to show some discretion. > > Best regards, > Narasimha > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana > Spirituality: > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org > > > - > " rajeshhebbar2009 " <rajeshhebbar2009 > > Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09 PM > Dharma or Choice? > > > > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? > > > > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is > > not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I > > feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. > > > > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot > > owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. > > > > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? > > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as it > > is the dharma to follow? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2009 Report Share Posted May 17, 2009 Namaste, > * How come the number of human beings keeps on increasing? Is it that the > animals are doing more and more good to be reborn as humans An animal can be reborn as a human being (1) if it does some good karma to be reborn as a human being, or, (2) if some human beings have done it such bad things that it can pay it back only if it is reborn as a human beings. As human beings eat more meat and treat animals more cruelly and start messing with nature more, many animals may be reborn as human beings for reason (2). Such a thing will increase the number of human beings with more animalistic instincts. > * Are the number of souls in the world finite or infinite? When universe is in Kaalaraatri state, all souls return to Brahman and have no separate/individual existence, i.e. there is only Brahman. In other words, the number of individual souls is zero. Later, during the world cycle, the number of goes on increasing, as more and more parts of Brahman are separated with individualized self-awareness. Many souls we see around us are separated from Brahman in Kali yuga. But some souls around us were separated from Brahman in Dwapara yuga or Treta yuga and are more evolved. Best regards, Narasimha Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana Spirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - " vamsikrishna_mumbai " <vamsikrishna_mumbai_09 Saturday, May 16, 2009 2:37 PM Re: Dharma or Choice? > Hello, > > Whether past lives exist is a debate - Krishna tells this in the Bhagavad > Gita > even in the west Edgar Cayce and others claim to have taken people to > their past lives using hypnosis - The book " many mansions " for example or > Brian Weiss in " many lives, many masters " The conclusions of both are > similar - that we seem to reap the benefits/harm of our doings in past > lives. > > From another angle, it is might just be a rational way for humans to > attribute a " reason " for doings in this lives. This is the rational > explaination - we need to attribute a reason for our current being and a > logical explaination is many lives. > > Some thoughts that occur randomly in my mind on this: > * How come the number of human beings keeps on increasing? Is it that the > animals are doing more and more good to be reborn as humans > * How come all politicians and power holders are so bad - e.g: Has Deve > Gowda done something extremely great to have such a good life - he is PM, > his uneducated son is CM > * Are the number of souls in the world finite or infinite? > > Coming to rajesh's problem - I think he is solely responsible for the mess > he has landed in - it was his choice and he must stand by it - this is the > logical thing that seems right in the Indian context. > If it were US or western world - he could have walked out > > So either decision is correct/wrong in context > > but to attribute it to telling that if he says 'no' he might have to have > a bad next life and so on - karmic debt etc may not be the right reason - > as past lives are themselves debatable > > > Thanks > Vamsi > > , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr > wrote: >> >> Namaste, >> >> Dharma means the right thing to do. However, one's dharma towards various >> people and objects can pull one in different directions. One has to >> balance >> one's dharma towards various people and objects and make the right >> decision. >> Any action taken now with a self-identification with the action (i.e. >> mind >> thinking " I am doing it " ) becomes a karma for future and will give its >> fruits (good or bad) in future. >> >> Though we are not the body, we temporarily live in a body for a few >> decades. >> This body is like a house we live in and its sense organs (eyes, ears >> etc) >> are like windows in the house. When we live in a house, we have the >> responsibility to take care of it and keep the house and its surroundings >> nice. Similarly, we have some duty to make the body happy. Give it food, >> water etc, nourish it well, take good care of it, make sure it is >> healthy, >> make sure its pleasures are taken care of and make sure it is gratified. >> >> However, we also have duties to other people, like parents, elders, >> relatives, friends etc. In addition, there may be persons with strong >> debts >> with us who come into our life later. We have duties towards them. >> Moreover, >> we have some duties towards the society we live in, the country we live >> in >> and the entire universe. >> >> These various duties can pull one in different directions. One has to >> balance them all and do the best possible action. Arjuna's duty towards >> his >> guru Drona was to respect him and obey him. But his duty to his brother >> (and >> also to the universe) required him to kill his guru who was on >> Duryodhana's >> side. >> >> Usually, one's duty towards one's own body and its gratification is a >> very >> small part of one's dharma and one's duty towards others should receive a >> higher priority. The larger the number of people impacted, the higher the >> weightage. >> >> If one's only motivation for doing something that would hurt many people >> is >> self-gratification, one is on a shaky basis. With such self-centered >> actions, one is likely to create far more new karmas than the old karmas >> one >> is getting rid of. Of course, if not hurting others now leads to >> something >> else later that will hurt all those people even more, then that is worse. >> A >> lot depends on one's self-control. Choosing the lesser evil is a >> difficult >> exercise when one of the evils is not visible yet... >> >> Nobody can make the right decision for you. You are responsible for your >> actions and will face the reactions to those actions later. For example, >> if >> you have a debt to this girl and escape it now by calling off the >> marriage >> for looks, you will have to pay it back later with interest. For example, >> you may be born with terrible looks and many may reject you. Or the girl >> may >> be born with more undesirable qualities and yet you may have to marry >> her. >> So many possibilities are there and one cannot know for sure what is in >> store. >> >> Whatever you decide, good luck to that girl, to your elders and also to >> you! >> >> BTW, this forum is for spiritual discussions and matters related to >> spiritual sadhana. Your request is only marginally related. This kind of >> discussions can derail the forum from its primary purpose. So I request >> members to show some discretion. >> >> Best regards, >> Narasimha >> >> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam >> Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana >> Spirituality: >> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net >> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org >> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org >> >> >> - >> " rajeshhebbar2009 " <rajeshhebbar2009 >> >> Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:09 PM >> Dharma or Choice? >> >> >> > Is Dharma the right thing to follow or personal choice? >> > >> > My marriage is fixed with a girl who I said 'yes' but currently feel is >> > not good looking enough. Marriage is next week - engagement is over. I >> > feel the girl is not sufficient looks wise to me and I am disappointed. >> > >> > Parents and elders have fixed the marriage - I said 'yes' like an idiot >> > owing to my mistake. The wedding card is printed. >> > >> > Should I run away and not attend marriage and ditch the girl? >> > or should I accept it was my mistake and proceed with the marriage as >> > it >> > is the dharma to follow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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