How to get rid of faulty logic ?
Once an IITian devotee at Juhu Temple gave this example while explaining Bhagavad Gita shloka 6.1.
Example: The Thakurji on the table is mine. Therefore the table is mine. This is faulty logic.
Once an Indian devotee at Juhu Temple said, we should worship demigods for Krishna.
On another occasion, a Western devotee giving lecture at Juhu Temple said in Prabhupada's quarters that demigod worship is just for material benefits.
My questions:
I had read in a newspaper in 1995 that Ganesh festivals happen in America. I have heard some Christians in Mumbai are strong believers and worshippers of Lord Shri Ganesha. Is it right to haphazardly disturb the faith of Americans or Christians ?
In one lecture by an Indian Gopinath Temple devotee I heard that a devotee should be very judgmental. What type of analysis is required Vs not required ?
What type of analysis is misleading ?
Don't many karmi people visit ISKCON just for material benefits, life membership or just a Sunday feast or Sunday evening visit ?
What are devotees doing different from that crowd ?
Replies
"4 typs of Pious men .
Hare Krishna! Dandavat Pranam!
Bg 7.16 — O best among the Bhāratas, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me – the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.
So even the ones desiring of wealth is addressed by the lord as 'pious men' just because they are getting the wealth from the lord himself and lord knows they will gradually (and eventually) elevate to the level of 'pure' devotee.
Bg 7.17 — Of these, the one who is in full knowledge and who is always engaged in pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.
Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamastu!
Person who gives up all engagements in religion and economic development, and has taken full shelter at the lotus feet of Lord, is very dear to the Lord. If such a surrendered soul commits some sinful activity, the God immediately takes away the reaction to such sin.
On another side, followers of Vedas who adore demigods for material reasons, proud sannyasi teachers who live comfort life on behalf their followers, pseudo devotees and fake incarnations, do not have such opportunity. Actually, they can not attract the Lord who resides in the hearts of everyone, despite all their effort.
People usually adore demigods because they are easily satisfied with the service to them, but Lord isn't like them.
Hare krsna,
All glories to Srila Prabhupad!!!
I had read in a newspaper in 1995 that Ganesh festivals happen in America. I have heard some Christians in Mumbai are strong believers and worshippers of Lord Shri Ganesha. Is it right to haphazardly disturb the faith of Americans or Christians ?
What is wrong in people celebrating demigods festivals in say America or Europe? This is exactly what Prabhupada is saying "Get your mindset right", You are not this body and dont confine yourself to your country, gender and designations. Demigods are not allocated as administrators just for India. They are incharge for the whole universe. The sun spreads its shine across India, America, Africa and other countries also.
Like Rashmi mataji has pointed out, Prabhupada never forced anyone away from their beliefs infact he said reading BG will solidify their understaning of the God they worship and will continue to do so with much more vigor and enthusiasm.
In one lecture by an Indian Gopinath Temple devotee I heard that a devotee should be very judgmental. What type of analysis is required Vs not required ?
There is no judgement or analysis required to become a krsna devotee. The only thing we need to do is have little faith in His words. If by using that little faith you perform services with enthusiasm, then krsna will reveal himself. Judgement or analysis will not get one close to krsna.
What type of analysis is misleading ?
The analysis that we can even comprehend krsna by our mind, knowledge and intelligence is the most misleading. He Himself explains that he cannot be understood even by demigods, then what are we?
Don't many karmi people visit ISKCON just for material benefits, life membership or just a Sunday feast or Sunday evening visit ?
It is required for karmi people to visit Iskcon too because Krsna wants them there. It is their first step towards him even if it is for material benefits. That shows that they have some faith that krsna will solve their problems. Krsna only sees that they have faith in Him. It is also better for the karmis to visit temples to fulfil their wishes than to spend time at pub or casino, right?
What are devotees doing different from that crowd ?
Many devotees are no different from the crowd, but most have their consciousness turned towards krsna, which is not visible (shouldnt be) to outsiders. Hence most think we are fanatical. This bliss cannot be explained or written using words, it needs to be experienced.
Hare krsna.
Hare Krsna PRabhuji,
PAMHO.
Firstly, picking up one sentence from one lecture and another from another lecture, out of context, is faulty method of trying to understand. Second, looking at the material qualification of the speaker, alongwith country of origin of body is also faulty logic. Trying to understand the message is correct logic, not seeing whether born in India or abroad. There is no value addition in that.
Now coming to your question - nobody is disturbing anyone's faith. We are presenting our philosophy as it is - seekers come and try to understand. They join only if they are convinced. Where is the disturbance?
Any analysis which does not lead one to devotion to Krsna is misleading.
So what if karmi people visit our temples - everyone starts somewhere. Who knows how the hearing and chanting of the mahamantra will benefit whom, when and how. That is why it is called causeless mercy. There is no cause for the mercy, it can happen to anyone, anytime. Wouldnt it be better to visit our temples for recreation and food, rather than a discotheque, or entertainment park?
Devotees are doing the same thing that the crowd is doing, the difference is in the consciousness. They are doing for the pleasure of Krsna, as against the crowd, who is doing for its own pleasure. Therefore the devotee is able to do a lot more and still be happy and satisfied, whereas crowd will crib, complain and still be frustrated.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
In words the Swagger potential of the body of diciples He / had amassed Saying "parrafazrd but' He said himself that there were sufficient "prechers to sastane " Iskcon" & So when I See/behold these-now 3or4th
Generation (s) of blissdboumbers I am enthused.
Mahnothism without_
Deserting*theDarmah of Honoring the Way(taw's of the/ one's ansestors Gods &Other things?