peace - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree | IDT2024-03-29T13:59:59Zhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/peaceBhagavad Gita As It Is – foundation for peace and happiness of the worldhttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/bhagavad-gita-as-it-is-foundation-for-peace-and-happiness-of-the2024-02-12T09:40:00.000Z2024-02-12T09:40:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}2515267336,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="2515267336?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="400" /><br /> <strong>By Vikramini devi dasi</strong></p>
<p>Looking at the ruins of what we’ve been calling until recently Western civilization, I can say that the mankind is illogical and irrational. Led by misguided and selfish leaders, people themselves planned and led their existence to its end, such as we knew it. How come we got here? Couldn’t the ruination of our world be prevented? Couldn’t any of the world leaders remember the bitter lessons of the millenary bloody history of mankind? And why the progress of material science and modern technology, which reached unimaginable levels, didn’t help human beings to rise above the lower animal instincts, constrained to eating, sleeping, mating and self-defense and to bestow upon the world the so desirable peace and prosperity?<br /> Ever since our birth we’ve been forced to accept the body as our true self. All around us (relatives, scientists, teachers, politicians) persistently lead us to believe that we are a product of matter. Life is a happy coincidence of a combination of material elements, which have caused our existence. And since it has appeared out of nothing, our life has no other meaning and is intended only to satisfy our senses and the senses of our close family members. Those striving for material happiness generally believe they can find the enjoyment they seek in sex and that they can purchase freedom with money. This conviction is constantly being fueled by all the propaganda machine of material culture – the cinema, the television, the Internet, which suggests that we are nothing more than evolved animals. And because no one in the material world actually obtains lasting happiness, everyone becomes frustrated and is forced by unfulfilled lust to compete for whatever enjoyable things are to be obtained. So western material civilization with its predatory policy and frenzied consumerist ideology has come to its logical end. Where do we turn now?<br /> <br /> The answer to these and many other questions can be found in the ancient Vedic wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. There we find the verse defined by Srila Prabhupada as the peace formula:</p>
<p>“A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries” (5.29)</p>
<p> In his purport Srila Prabhupada elaborates:<br /> “Under the spell of illusion, living entities are trying to be lords of all they survey, but actually they are dominated by the material energy of the Lord. The Lord is the master of material nature, and the conditioned souls are under the stringent rules of material nature. Unless one understands these bare facts, it is not possible to achieve peace in the world either individually or collectively.”</p>
<p>According to the Bhagavad Gita As it is we are neither bodies nor minds but pure spirit souls part and parcels of the Supreme Lord.. The body is constantly changing from a newly born to a child, adult and an old person. But what is the self throughout all these physical and mental stages of development? Obviously, it is something different from the body and the mind. That something is our real self – the soul. Anyone can understand this by the presence of consciousness. The living entity gets different bodies depending on the desires and activities, which are determined by the three material modes.<br /> <br /> Essence of dharma<br /> <br /> The cultivation of the goodness of the mind is the essence of the Vedic method of yoga. When the whole society follows the Vedic culture and develops the mode of goodness, it provides stability and morality for society. In Srimad Bhagavatam four principal sinful habits are mentioned: gambling, intoxication, illicit sex and killing animals and meat-eating (1.17.38). Indulging in the above four sinful activities strongly binds the soul to the temporary material body, undermines the four virtues – austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, and weakens the spirit. Thus one becomes helpless and cannot resist the impulses of the senses, plunging again in sinful activities. Today millions of people search for the truth of themselves beyond the body through different methods. However, they do not achieve success and again are swept by the maelstrom of suffering because their physical and moral purity is destroyed by illicit sex and their austerity and mercy is destroyed by eating animal flesh, by taking opiates and by pride. Therefore, the eradication of the aforementioned four sinful activities is essential to raising the awareness of people and to achieving peace and prosperity in society.</p>
<p>Real human civilization means civilization based on the principles presented by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. The institution of Vedic culture is built on the principle of sacrifice. Srila Prabhupada explains what sacrifice is: </p>
<p>“The Krishna conscious person, like Arjuna, however, sacrifices everything for the satisfaction of Krishna, and thus all his material possessions as well as his own self-everything-is sacrificed for Krishna. Thus, he is the first-class yogi; but he does not lose his individual existence” (purport to BG 4.25).</p>
<p>The science of sacrifice depends upon the cooperation of the demigods and mankind; and this requires civilization to be situated in the mood of goodness.<br /> The Western civilization is demoniac because it is trying to forcibly wrench out or nature everything it needs. In contrast, the Vedic culture is a culture of service. According to it, Krishna gives us everything necessary for our existence and transcendental knowledge under the condition that we offer them back to Him as a sacrifice:</p>
<p>At the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Visnu, and blessed them by saying:<br /> “Be thou happy by this yajna (sacrifice) because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.” [Bhagavad-gita 3.10]</p>
<p>People happily sacrifice valuables because they know the good of life is not estimated in terms of material possessions. It is measured by morality and devotion to Krishna; these are blessings, which are most valued in Vedic society.</p>
<p>The Vedic term for religion is dharma. Dharma indicates that the living entity, being part and parcel of God, must serve Him. About 5000 years ago the Vedic religion called varna ashram dharma flourished worldwide. Varna ashrama dharma is a scientific way of spiritual elevation of the general mass of people. It is true, authoritative, as it is created by Krsna Himself:</p>
<p> “According to the three modes of material nature and the work prescribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable” ( BG4.13)</p>
<p>This social system has nothing to do with the caste system and is very scientific. It builds up society with clear division of labor into classes, but without exploitation, enmity, and conflict. It enables every member of the society to be involved according to their qualities and work for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. Everyone can serve the Lord, whatever his level of spiritual advancement is, by following the principles Krishna sets forth in the Bhagavad-gita. It is established that a dharma is the occupational duty of the four parts of the varnasrama social body – brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. Everyone can cultivate his particular occupational duty with the aim of attaining ultimate liberation. Human life is meant for liberation from the bondage of birth and death. Accepting a dharma means work; that work must be for Vishnu, without personal interest in the material results that may accrue:</p>
<p>“By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done. By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all pervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work.”(11.45-46). </p>
<p>In his way the ordinary work turns into bhakti yoga, the highest perfection in devotional service. Even the mundane activities such as fighting and sexual intercourse can be transformed into spiritual activities if done according to religious principles (7.11). The ultimate dharma of all living entities is surrender to Krishna:</p>
<p> “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.”(18.66). </p>
<p>All other dharmas are preliminary duties, meant to bring one to the highest spiritual understanding of Krishna consciousness. Those who have reached the top platform of pure devotional service, such as Arjuna, are in fact transcendental to varnashrama, even though they still appear to be carrying out their varnashrama duties like anyone else:</p>
<p>“Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me in the form of Kṛṣṇa and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.” (8.7)</p>
<p>The point is that if we want successful life, peace of mind and full satisfaction, we should concern ourselves with how to advance in devotional service to the Lord. This striving is actually the life of dharma. However, if one executes his duties but does not become Krishna Conscious, then all his striving is in vain. Liberation is manifest in one’s service relationship to the Lord. That relationship must develop on two levels – the physical level of work as a sacrifice, and the subtle level of mind, intelligence and false ego. Hearing and chanting about Krishna spiritualizes the subtle body. Without hearing and chanting Krishna’s holy name dharma becomes a burden. In this age this is the only way to satisfy the Supreme Lord. But it is to be understood that we cannot become Krishna conscious on our own efforts alone. It is the prime duty of the world leaders to guide the citizens towards reviving Krishna Consciousness. As Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport: </p>
<p>“This science is especially meant for the protection of the inhabitants and therefore the royal order should understand it in order to be able to rule the citizens and protect them from the material bondage to lust. Human life is meant for cultivation of spiritual knowledge, in eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the executive heads of all states and all planets are obliged to impart this lesson to the citizens by education, culture and devotion. In other words, the executive heads of all states are intended to spread the science of Krishṇa consciousness so that the people may take advantage of this great science and pursue a successful path, utilizing the opportunity of the human form of life.” (BG 4.1)</p>
<p>Education</p>
<p>Vedic education is primarily concerned with inculcating good qualities in the human being. To apply varnaashram dharma practically we need education in two levels – first the people have to be educated in the qualities that Narada Muni prescribes for all human beings (SB 7.11.8-12), and then educate them further in the qualities and duties prescribed for specific varnas (including women). Prabhupada clearly states in the purport that these principles are for everyone, even Muslim, Christians and Buddhists. Тhese are the basic qualities attributed in the Bhagavad-gita to the brahmanas: truthfulness, mercy, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance, control of the mind, control of the senses, nonviolence and so on (18.42). Along with spiritual knowledge there should be introduced trainings for assimilating expert knowledge and practical skills for the respective varna. Naturally brahmanas have the tendency to study the Vedas as well as branches like Ayurveda and Astrology, to perform vedic yajnas and to worship the Deities. Typical duties for ksatrias are management, political science and military art. The vaishyas are engaged in agriculture and especially cow protection and trading. And shudras have assisting role to other varnas.</p>
<p>For peaceful spiritual practice, one must be well established in his ashram. While the four varnas are meant to situate citizens in proper occupational activities, the four asramas are meant to provide their spiritual advancement. Since the family is the basic unit of society, it is essential to train those who want to create a family. In Vedic society, this training was done in the family, but because modern society has long been away from their natural functions and values, this knowledge must be obtained from higher authorities. People have to be trained how to be real grihastas, keeping Krishna in the center of their lives; how to deal with one another; how to be successful parents, how women should deal with men and men with women, and so on. Еspecially the chastity of a woman is considered very important for the birth of good and religious progeny, which is the basis for a stable society:</p>
<p>“When irreligion is prominent in the family, O Kṛṣṇa, the women of the family become corrupt, and from the degradation of womanhood, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, comes unwanted progeny.” 1.40</p>
<p>Srila Prabhupada writes in the purport:</p>
<p>“This is very important point. For good population. Without good population in the society, gentlemen, cultured, educated, following the rules and regulations of religious principles, how you can expect peace and prosperity? That is not possible. So the whole Vedic system was meant for having very good population.”</p>
<p>In this way the true daivi varnashrama dharma can be established.</p>
<p>Proper training, refraining from the four sinful activities and congregational chanting the names of Krishna will provide a firm spiritual foundation of society. By these simple processes one can know the Lord in truth, achieve peace and happiness and finally go back home, back to Godhead. </p>
<p>In the modern world there are many organizations with a view to unite people. Unfortunately, since they have no true knowledge, they call for unity on the basis of the material conception of life – I am this body. And since the body is the temporary cover of the soul and is mortal, there is no true relationship with the other living beings. But spreading of the glory of Krishna establishes true relationships between people and unites us as spiritual personalities based on love of God, regardless of religion, race, gender. Krishna Consciousness is the eternal religion of all living entities and goes beyond religious labels. </p>
<p>The Vedic literature is a testimony to social efficacy of the system represented by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita As It Is. At the time of Krishna the entire world followed these principles and as a result, humanity was blessed with wisdom, opulence, happiness and peace. There are many examples in the Vedic scriptures of saintly kings who ruled the whole world according to Krishna’s instructions – Maharaja Yudisthira, Maharja Parikshit, Prithu Maharaja. Their kingdoms are a perfect example of a prosperous society with high spiritual culture. These teachings of Lord Krishna’s peace formula, as explained by Srila Prabhupada in the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, are proposals for solving complex problems. Srila Prabhupada was convinced that it is not too late to alter the course of modern history and return to the shelter of Krishna from which we have wandered so far away. By spiritual inspiration through Krishna consciousness civilization can regain its real life and purpose.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=35738">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=35738</a></p></div>World Peace and Sanatana Dharma by Dwaipayan Dehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/world-peace-and-sanatana-dharma2024-02-12T08:30:00.000Z2024-02-12T08:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwFjapob4Io/VlbZPJe3WqI/AAAAAAAAW4s/vzdL1Tl9tiw/s0/2015-11-26_11-04-28.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwFjapob4Io/VlbZPJe3WqI/AAAAAAAAW4s/vzdL1Tl9tiw/s0/2015-11-26_11-04-28.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" alt="2015-11-26_11-04-28.jpg?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="400" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Today, when we are noticing an increasing number of terrorist attacks across the world, when lives are being taken mercilessly in the name of religion, when it is no more easy to trust and provide shelter to another, when intolerance and hate is brewing in the society like never before, it is time to introspect into the very values and principles that make us humane and civilized, distinct from the animals.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The oldest texts of the world, the Vedic literature, give us the much required insight into the current scenario. The teachings of the Vedas has been handed down through the ages by means of a guru-disciple tradition, also known as parampara. The fact that the Vedic literatures are the oldest in the world, can be historically, linguistically and philosophically proven. Sanatana Dharma or ‘Eternal Religion’ is the way of life of those who adhere to and practice the teachings and conclusions of the Vedic science. Even today, one who is sincere, may connect to a bonafide disciplic succession , to receive and imbibe the unadulterated, timeless wisdom of the Vedic scriptures.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><em>What is Dharma ?</em></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">‘Dharma’ is a word that is often translated to Religion, according to the modern English dictionaries. But actually the word dharma originates from the Sanskrit word ‘dhr’ which means ‘to hold’, ‘to bear’ or ‘to support’.<br /> Dharma is incorrectly translated to ‘religion’. A religion or faith of a person might change, but Dharma,by definition, is something which cannot be separated from the entity; infact it is the characteristic of the particular entity. For example, Heat and light cannot be separated from Fire. Heat and light are the dharma or characteristics of fire. Similarly sweetness is the Dharma of sugar, and liquidity that of water.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So what is the Dharma of human beings or more correctly all living beings ?<br /> The Vedic literatures instruct us that we living beings(including plants and animals) are essentially spirit souls and are all eternally the servants of God. Infact, it is quite noticeable in our day-to-day life, that we are all impelled to serve someone or something. The mother serves the son, the son serves his wife and family, the employee serves his boss, the king serves his subjects and so on. If someone has none to serve, then he/she keeps a pet dog or cat in order to serve him. <br /> This service attitude, according to the Vedic scriptures, cannot be separated from the living entity and hence constitutes its Dharma.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>The Predicament of the Modern world</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Problem with us living beings in this world is that our dharma, the service attitude, is wrongly directed. The Vedic literatures instruct us that we are all eternally the servants of the Lord. Without the Lord in our lives, we are like that fish out of water, who cannot be satisfied with no matter how much pleasure is provided on the land. But the problem with the world is that, instead of serving the Lord, we are busy serving our senses and sense objects. And inspite of serving to the best of our ability, neither are we satisfied nor is the person whom we are serving, satisfied. The more we become a servant to our senses and brood over sense objects, the more we end up suffering.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Misdirected Service on an individual level</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the course of satisfying their senses, people indulge in intoxication, in illicit relationships, in gambling, etc. Any of these habits can wreak havoc in one’s life, as we all know. They destroy relationships, destroy consciousness , destroy families. Hence ironically, indulgence in all these bad habits, instead of pleasing and satisfying us, destroy our lives, and only gives us more reasons to lament.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Another symptom of such misdirected service, is envy and jealousy towards the others. Being frustrated by his futile endeavors to satisfy his own senses, the sense gratifier finds it difficult tolerating the peace and happiness in others’ lives. Sometimes such persons with their uncontrolled senses, develop a strong attraction towards others’ possessions, and might even resort to hostile means to try and obtain them.<br /> The Bhagavad Gita (2.62,2.63) describe the predicament of such bewildered materialists :<br /> While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises. From anger, delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost, one falls down again into the material pool.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hence we understand, that serving our senses , can never end up satisfying us. It has a disastrous effect on our lives and ends up creating more problems for others. When the frustration spills over, such people can even resort to harming others. Mass shootings which have become a commonplace in today’s world, are usually the work of such overly frustrated sense-serving maniacs. In 2015, more than 330 mass shootings have been reported in the US alone, which has ended up killing more than 600 people. (Source – <a href="http://shootingtracker.com/wiki/Mass_Shootings_in_2015">http://shootingtracker.com/wiki/Mass_Shootings_in_2015</a>)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Misdirected Service on a societal level</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Another problem with today’s world is that the people are increasingly misidentifying with their bodies. The Vedic literatures instruct us that we, living beings, are not bodies but spirit souls. The Bhagavad Gita tells us that “As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones. The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind. This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Ignorant of their real self and considering themselves a product of matter, people start identifying with their bodies and indulge in serving others of the same society, community or nation. Failing to appreciate that others are also spiritual beings like themselves and children of the same father, people nurture the intentions of proving their supremacy, or imposing their ways of life or ideologies upon the others, sometimes even resorting to violence to get their ways. Most of the wars that are fought between nations are as a result of such misconceptions.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Another factor that often leads to fights and bloodshed is the element of greed. Again when the service attitude is misdirected towards the sense objects and the phenomenon occurs on the level of the nation or society, the resultant lust and envy may lead to fights or in extreme cases wars. <br /> There is a beautiful verse in Sri isopanishad in this regard :</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>īśāvāsyam idam sarvaṁ<br /> yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat<br /> tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā<br /> mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Translation : </strong>Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hence, if we all start loving all other living beings as our own brothers and sisters, and be content with the possessions that the Lord has mercifully granted upon us, the world would become a much better place.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Imperfect Ideologies</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">When a living being renders his service attitude towards imperfect ideologies or philosophies, not only does he bring misfortune upon himself, but his actions might also be a cause of concern for others. Instead of keeping the lord in the center, and loving the fellow living beings as the children of the same father, these people develop hatred towards the others who refuse to follow their ideologies. <br /> Serving such imperfect ideologies and nurturing the wrong ambitions, they further harden their hearts and destroy their own conscience. Their false ego cannot stand the others leading different philosophies and lifestyles, and they sometimes even try to overcome/subdue them with the use of force.<br /> The growing instances of the terrorist attacks across the world, or the clashes between the communists and the capitalists of the cold war era, are symptoms of such misdirected love towards imperfect ideologies.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>The Perfect Dharma (Service)</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The supreme occupation for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self [SB 1.2.6]</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Actually the living entity is entangled in the material existence since time immemorial, an existence which is temporary and full of miseries. They are trying extremely hard to satisfy themselves by pleasing their senses or sense objects, but are only getting frustrated in the process. The reason being, as discussed above, that their Dharma (or service attitude) is misdirected.<br /> According to the Vedic civilization, the perfection of life is to realize one’s relationship with God. In the Bhagavad-Gita, which is accepted by all authorities in transcendental science as the basis of all Vedic knowledge, we understand that not only human beings but all living entities are parts and parcels of God. The parts are meant for serving the whole, just as the legs, hands, fingers, and ears are meant for serving the total body. We living entities, being parts and parcels of God, are duty-bound to serve Him.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">If we want to render service to a tree, we must water the root. If we pour water on the leaves, branches, and twigs, there is little benefit. If the Supreme Personality of Godhead is served, all other parts and parcels will be automatically satisfied. Consequently all welfare activities as well as service to society, family, and nation are realized by serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the superiority of loving devotional service in the following verse :<br /> And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion. [BG 6.47]</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">So when we render loving devotional service to the Lord, we, living beings, become completely satisfied and inspiring others to experience the same is the greatest welfare activity that can ever be performed. Hence all we need to do is switch from an ‘I’ centric life to a ‘God’ centric life to bring about peace and happiness in this world. <br /> Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, descended to perform His beautiful pastimes on this earth, 5000 years ago, in a small village in Northern India, called Vrindavana. We need to connect to a bonafide disciplic succession, to receive the message of Godhead as it is without adulteration, and try to cultivate the mood of the residents of Vrindavana , in order to lead the perfect life of devotional service. The residents of Vrindavana were engrossed in their service to little Krishna 24 hours a day- whether it be as servants, or in friendship, in parental relationship or as lovers.<br /> While the description of Krishna’s beautiful pastimes in Vrindavana, is out of scope of this article, the reader is advised to relish the same from the pages of Bhagavata Purana.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>How to Revive our Love for God?</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Well, to revive our love(devotional service) for God, we need to pray to Him to engage us in His service. In the Srimad Bhagavatam it is mentioned that “although Kaliyuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting Hare Krsna maha mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.” (Srimad Bhagvatam 12.3.51)</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hence, although the situation seems to be very gloomy in this dark age of quarrel and hypocrisy, and people in general are ignorant and averse to spirituality, still there is a ray of hope in the form of chanting of the holy names of the Lord, which can not only counter all the ill effects of Kali Yuga, and relieve one of the pangs of material miseries, but also make one situated in the perfect stage of pure love (devotional service) with the Lord.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Chanting the holy name of the Lord is especially advised in this age of kali, and described as the only means of deliverance. In Brhad Naradiya Purana(38.126) for instance, it is mentioned : “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">In the Kali Santarana Upnishad (1-11), the Hare Krishna Mahamantra is established as the only means of deliverance in this age of kali .<br /> Lord Brahma replied, “The sixteen words-</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, <br /> KrishnaKrishna, Hare Hare<br /> Hare Rama, Hare Rama,<br /> Rama Rama, Hare Hare</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">are especially meant for completely destroying all the contamination of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the chanting of this sixteen-word mantra. “</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hence let us all chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and make the world a happier and a more peaceful place to reside in.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">I leave you with the purport to the Hare Krishna mahamantra given by HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ,founder Acharya of Iskcon, who fulfilled Lord Chaitanya’s prediction that the Holy name of the Supreme lord will one day be distributed to every town and village of the world :</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“This transcendental vibration–the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare | Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare – is the sublime method for reviving our Krsna consciousness. As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter since time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted by material atmosphere. In this polluted concept of life, we are all trying to exploit the resources of material nature, but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in our complexities. This illusion is called maya, or hard struggle for existence over the stringent laws of material nature. This illusory struggle against the material nature can at once be stopped by revival of our Krsna consciousness.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Krsna consciousness is not an artificial imposition on the mind. This consciousness is the original energy of the living entity. When we hear the transcendental vibration, this consciousness is revived. And the process is recommended by authorities for this age. By practical experience also, we can perceive that by chanting this maha-mantra, or the Great Chanting for Deliverance, one can at once feel transcendental ecstasy from the spiritual stratum. When one is factually on the plane of spiritual understanding, surpassing the stages of sense, mind and intelligence, one is situated on the transcendental plane. This chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare | Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, surpassing all lower states of consciousness–namely sensual, mental and intellectual. There is no need of understanding the language of the mantra, nor is there any need of mental speculation nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such, anyone can take part in this transcendental sound vibration, without any previous qualification, and dance in ecstasy.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">We have seen it practically. Even a child can take part in the chanting, or even a dog can take part in it. The chanting should be heard, however, from the lips of a pure devotee of the Lord, so that immediate effect can be achieved. As far as possible, chanting from the lips of a nondevotee should be avoided, as much as milk touched by the lips of a serpent causes poisonous effect.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The word Hara is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord. Both Krsna and Rama are forms of addressing directly the Lord, and they mean “the highest pleasure, eternal”. Hara is the supreme pleasure potency of the Lord. This potency, when addressed as Hare, helps us in reaching the Supreme Lord.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The material energy, called as maya, is also one of the multipotencies of the Lord, as much as we are also marginal potency of the Lord. The living entities are described as superior energy than matter. When the superior energy is in contact with inferior energy, it becomes an incompatible situation. But when the supreme marginal potency is in contact with the spiritual potency, Hara, it becomes the happy, normal condition of the living entity.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">The three words, namely Hara, Krsna and Rama, are transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra, and the chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His internal energy, Hara, for giving protection to the conditioned soul. The chanting is exactly like a genuine cry by the child for the mother. Mother Hara helps in achieving the grace of the supreme father, Hari, or Krsna, and the Lord reveals Himself to such a sincere devotee.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">No other means, therefore, of spiritual realization is as effective in this age, as chanting the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare | Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21936">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21936</a></p></div>Awakening Inner Peace: Addressing Cognitive Dissonance by Vaisesika Dasahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/awakening-inner-peace-addressing-cognitive-dissonance-by-vaisesik2023-08-25T10:35:25.000Z2023-08-25T10:35:25.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12211793483,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="12211793483?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>In our quest for a meaningful and fulfilling existence, we often encounter internal conflicts. One such conflict, known as cognitive dissonance, arises when we find ourselves unable to follow through with what we inherently understand to be right. This state of incongruity can leave us feeling confused and unfulfilled, tarnishing our peace of mind. To illuminate the path towards overcoming cognitive dissonance, we turn to timeless wisdom and insights.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size:16px;">Understanding Cognitive Dissonance: A Divide between Knowing and Doing</span></h2>
<p>Cognitive dissonance is a psychological term that describes the discomfort we experience when our actions don’t align with our beliefs or values. It’s akin to being aware of the right path but finding ourselves unable to walk it. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna identifies this discord as a consequence of being enveloped in the material world, entangled in the web of desires and aversions.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size:16px;">Origins of the Dissonance: Duality and Detachment from the Whole</span></h2>
<p>Upon our entry into the physical realm, we are born into a world characterized by duality – a sense of ‘self’ and ‘other.’ This sense of separation from the complete whole, and the pursuit of interests detached from our highest good, engenders fear and results in cognitive dissonance. The root of this dissonance lies in our forgetfulness of our true spiritual identity, leading us to become spiritually weak and vulnerable to misguided attractions.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size:16px;">A Spiritual Weakness: The Result of Ignorance and Distraction</span></h2>
<p>Cognitive dissonance is symptomatic of a spiritual ailment – a weakness of the heart. It emerges when we lose our spiritual grounding, lured by temporary material pleasures and blind to our authentic selves. It is the discordant note that strikes when we drift from our spiritual path, entrapped in ignorance, our minds clouded by the fog of illusory attractions.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size:16px;">The Resonance of Cognitive Dissonance: Sand in the Pudding</span></h2>
<p>The experience of cognitive dissonance is akin to finding sand in your dessert. You’re eager to savor the sweet delight, but the crunch of unwanted grit ruins the experience. Similarly, when we find ourselves unable to attain true happiness through material desires, we feel this discord. Despite our efforts, the satisfaction falls short, the joy feels hollow, and we are left yearning for something more profound.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size:16px;">Overcoming Dissonance: Aligning Actions with Higher Consciousness</span></h2>
<p>The remedy for cognitive dissonance lies in aligning our actions with our spiritual truth. When we resist the pull of instant gratification, consciously choosing to act according to our higher purpose, we start bridging the gap between our actions and our beliefs. By cultivating habits inspired by higher consciousness, we begin to resolve the discord within.</p>
<h2><span style="font-size:16px;">The Path to Peace: Being an Exemplary Person for Ourselves</span></h2>
<p>Real peace emanates from within when we act in harmony with our highest selves. This doesn’t necessitate proving our worth to others. Instead, it’s about being exemplary for ourselves, living in integrity with our values, and making choices that resonate with our spiritual truths. This sense of alignment brings a profound tranquility, a serene inner home where we can dwell in contentment and peace. By addressing cognitive dissonance, we can unlock this home within, opening the door to spiritual growth and inner fulfillment.</p>
<p>Please drop me a note with your realizations or if you have any questions/comments using <a href="http://vaisesikadasa.com/next-steps/ask-vaish/#askvaish">Ask Vaish</a> form. I would really like to hear from you.<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://vaisesikadasa.com/en/awakening-inner-peace-addressing-cognitive-dissonance/?">https://vaisesikadasa.com/en/awakening-inner-peace-addressing-cognitive-dissonance/?</a><br /><br /></p></div>Peace in Pelee by Bhaktimarga Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/peace-in-pelee-by-bhaktimarga-swami2023-08-21T12:24:05.000Z2023-08-21T12:24:05.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12201563669,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="500" alt="12201563669?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></p>
<p>This precious place, Pelee Island, is promoted to tourists as 'the southernmost inhabited place and best kept secret' in the country. Its population is just under 250 people, but expands in the summer to about 1500. Its distance for walking is 22 kilometres on a quiet perimeter road. The tranquility is what i like, and the lack of commercialism. I know, because in '96 I walked it. No motorcycle engines have I ever heard here.</p>
<p>The trip here, by ferry, is 1.5 hours, and is very therapeutic. We met a 16-year-old local girl who just returned from a month's stay in Nepal in an Arobinda ashram, so when she saw our group of about twenty acting like happy yogis, she wanted to connect.</p>
<p id="viewer-oclh">"Are you having kirtan tonight?" she asked.</p>
<p id="viewer-1076t">And yes, we did do some chanting and cooking and feasting and chilling. For those of us on the Rath festival trail, Mahadeva, Annapurna, Gaurav, and I, the nomadic travels hadn't ended. Our travelling troupe continues, this time with some members of Bhakti Academy, and we have some members on board who have never camped before. I mention to Vyenkath that he's not a full-fledged North American until he's got that outdoor experience.</p>
<p>Our whole purpose of this retreat is to slow down with Krishna, to bond with each other (here we have both Americans and Canadians), and to perhaps get a taste of rural Vrindavan-like life. Our chanting, reading, interacting, will ensure that this all gels.</p>
<p id="viewer-42ope">As i lay down to sleep in a cozy rented space with some of us, the balance of our group are contending with overnight rain which is okay, provided the liquid doesn't seep into the tent. I've had my share of that experience.</p>
<p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12201564093,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="300" alt="12201564093?profile=RESIZE_400x" /><br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/peace-in-pelee">https://www.thewalkingmonk.net/post/peace-in-pelee</a></p></div>Yoga and Peace by Satyaraja Dasahttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/yoga-and-peace2023-07-24T07:30:00.000Z2023-07-24T07:30:00.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7973992674,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7973992674?profile=RESIZE_400x" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">As a teenager coming of age in the 1960s, I was preoccupied with spirituality. I had become disinterested in the mainstream religion of my forbears, and I was passionately looking for a path that spoke directly to me as an individual.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">I didn’t want some amorphous, otherworldly transcendence, either — this I knew for certain. Nor did I want mere political activism, which many in my day tied to spirituality in a rather tepid, tenuous way. Instead, I wanted something that truly nurtured my inner world while serving a purpose in the outer one. I wanted an “Engaged Spirituality” that would address the concerns of the day as well as my own personal concerns at the same time.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Enter Bhakti-yoga. In this clear, easy-to-access system of knowledge, ancient Indic texts reveal a path that has at its basis the principle of yukta-vairagya. In a nutshell, yukta-vairagya is simply this: As opposed to forms of yoga that emphasize renunciation and otherworldliness, Bhakti-yoga stresses the importance of using the accoutrements of this world in a spiritual way. It is not renunciation of action but rather renunciation in action. Everything in the world has a specific purpose, and, when used in that appropriate way, takes on a spiritual quality, making the world a better place and spiritualizing all involved. This is yukta-vairagya, the main principle in Bhakti-yoga.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">This was particularly meaningful in my youth, during the antiwar protests of the late ’60s, for example. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my spiritual mentor, was keenly aware of this, and he knew, having brought Bhakti-yoga to western shores just several years earlier, that it would have special relevance for the youth of my day. His “Peace Formula” was an entirely new approach to the antiwar question, and for millions, it provided the perfect solution to an escalating problem that continues to affect us all. And it was based squarely on the principles of Bhakti-yoga.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Prabhupada quickly engaged his disciples in mimeographing thousands of pamphlets with his “peace formula” philosophy, and he distributed them worldwide. Here is what he had to say:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“The great mistake of modern civilization is to encroach upon others’ property as though it were one’s own and to thereby create an unnecessary disturbance of the laws of nature. These laws are very strong. No living entity can violate them. Only one who is Krishna conscious can easily overcome the stringency of the laws of nature and thus become happy and peaceful in the world.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“As a state is protected by the department of law and order, so the state of Universe, of which this earth is only an insignificant fragment, is protected by the laws of nature. This material nature is one of the different potencies of God, who is the ultimate proprietor of everything that be. This earth is, therefore, the property of God, but we, the living entities, especially the so-called civilized human beings, are claiming God’s property as our own, under both an individual and collective false conception. If you want peace, you have to remove this false conception from your mind and from the world. This false claim of proprietorship by the human race on earth is partly or wholly the cause of all disturbances of peace on earth.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Foolish and so-called civilized men are claiming proprietary rights on the property of God because they have now become godless. You cannot be happy and peaceful in a godless society. In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna says that He is the factual enjoyer of all activities of the living entities, that He is the Supreme Lord of all universes, and that He is the well-wishing friend of all beings. When the people of the world know this as the formula for peace, it is then and there that peace will prevail.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“Therefore, if you want peace at all, you will have to change your consciousness into Krishna consciousness, both individually and collectively, by the simple process of chanting the holy name of God. This is a standard and recognized process for achieving peace in the world. We therefore recommend that everyone become Krishna conscious by chanting:</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“This is practical, simple, and sublime. Four hundred and eighty years ago this formula was introduced in India by Lord Sri Chaitanya, and now it is available in your country. Take to this simple process of chanting as above mentioned, realize your factual position by reading the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and reestablish your lost relationship with Krishna, God. Peace and prosperity will be the immediate worldwide result.”</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Prabhupada did not mean to be simplistic. He knew that his audience, for the most part, didn’t know about Lord Chaitanya, the father of sacred chanting as a yogic science, who appeared in Bengal, India, 500 years earlier. And he knew that most of them had not read the Bhagavad-gita. But his “Peace Formula,” he hoped, would inspire them to move in that direction -– to learn more about Sri Chaitanya and the deep teachings of the Gita.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">He was also aware that the struggle for peace was multidimensional, and that, if peace were to be achieved, it would take determined effort in many areas, involving environmental, economic, and political concerns. Indeed, he wrote about all of these things extensively. But at the heart of all our woes, he taught, is spiritual bankruptcy. And so he chose to emphasize a peace formula that addresses this fundamental problem above all others. As I see it, if we could gather together in kirtan, sacred chanting, as he describes above, fighting on both large and small scale will become a thing of the past and we will then be well on our way to spirituality and peace.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=47702">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=47702</a></p></div>Peace for Ukraine by Bhaktimarga Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/peace-for-ukraine-by-bhaktimarga-swami2022-03-21T10:05:45.000Z2022-03-21T10:05:45.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10225206078,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10225206078,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="460" alt="10225206078?profile=RESIZE_584x" /></a></p>
<p>I received a letter from one of our young leaders in western Canada, asking about doing kirtan to honour our devotees and people in general in Ukraine. I encouraged him to please chant for these innocent people. It would be the right thing to do.</p>
<p>Give Peace A Chance!</p>
<p>We have a large community in the Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa areas of Ukraine descent. Russians as well. They follow the principles of bhakti. Krishna is their main deity and mantra meditation is their major approach to self realization.</p>
<p>This last evening a few of us got together on Zoom to discuss helping these people stuck inside the country and those who are now refugees having fled. We are talking about financial help, primarily. Those estranged from their homes need food so people have come forward to produce prasadam through the aid of these funds.</p>
<p>In 2019 I had the good fortune to attend the bhakti festival in Ukraine, by the Black Sea. It was such a joy to spend time with such lovely people – so dedicated, so committed. It was so inspiring to see their enthusiasm. Imagine thousands of devotees attending, all in devotional attire.</p>
<p>I also had the pleasure to conduct a Kirtan Standards Workshop. Attendance was also phenomenal. Such amazing reciprocation. May the supreme powers all look favorably on Ukrainian and Russian people who are going through much suffering.</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2022/03/friday-march-11-2022.html">http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2022/03/friday-march-11-2022.html</a></p></div>Peace On Earth by Bhaktimarga Swamihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/peace-on-earth-by-bhaktimarga-swami2020-12-17T09:59:35.000Z2020-12-17T09:59:35.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8297432457,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="300" alt="8297432457?profile=RESIZE_400x" />The express postman left a parcel for us about a week ago. We had been waiting for it and it just so happened that he left it at the wrong door. A passerby in a nearby address noticed it sitting right by the door. It’s surprising that no one bothered to pick it up off the street and run away with it during the entire week. It appears that there are still some honest people in the world. This pedestrian did spot it and brought it to a proper door where he found one of us.</p>
<p>Wow! Really! What if a snow storm came and buried the parcel? Thank God for the occasional saint!</p>
<p>Speaking of weather, it has been quite mild for this time of year. Temperatures are in the plus, just above freezing. Unfortunately I’m not getting much of the action. With assignments such as an overhaul in the kitchen, I didn’t once get a whiff of the outside air until before bedtime. God, is the air good. Let me rephrase, “God is the good air.”</p>
<p>These days are fine in the sense that Gitas are going out and getting distributed. That good Lord that I’m talking about is pleased when the most famous dialogue of all time, between Himself and the soul (represented here by Arjuna) is being shared. Surely in these times of stress people could use some good guidance as is delineated in the 700 verse masterpiece. We could all use a little more “Peace on Earth.”<br /> <br /> <strong>Source: </strong><a href="http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2020/12/thursday-december-10-2020.html">http://thewalkingmonk.blogspot.com/2020/12/thursday-december-10-2020.html</a></p></div>A Great Soul Departs by Subhangi devi dasihttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/a-great-soul-departs-by-subhangi-devi-dasi2020-04-07T09:13:40.000Z2020-04-07T09:13:40.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:center;"><img style="height:651px;width:350px;" src="https://i.imgur.com/CouVCB9.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>Dearest Devotees and Friends,<br /> AGTSP. PAMHO.<br /> It is with a heavy heart I am writing this. Our dear and very special Vaisnavi sister, Priya Sakhi devi-dasi from Spain, wife of Nandagopa Das (ACBSP), mother of Krishna Virya, and doting grandmother, has departed this world after contracting this obnoxious coronavirus.</p>
<p>Priya Sakhi was a very saintly personality. I could not bear to see that there was not proper glorification afforded the departure of such a great soul, so I would like to share my experience of her association with you.</p>
<p>Priya joined ISKCON when she was around 14 years old, serving first in France, and then in many other countries. She considered herself the oldest “kuli.” She was fluent in many languages: Greek, Italian, Hindi, Bengali, and Spanish, and more. This enabled her to communicate with and serve the worldwide community of devotees. She was also very dedicated to her daily worship, and was an amazing cook. She somehow managed to maintain her daily sadhana and worship despite her busy life of service.</p>
<p>I met her when we were both living in Vrindavan around 2007. She was acting as our community nurse, and was very expert at acquiring medical equipment and assisting in the care of sick and dying dhama-basis and devotees. She was the kindest, most compassionate person I have ever met. If she heard of anyone suffering, she would neglect her own needs, her own schedule, sometimes even her own family, and run day or night to any remote place to help. She has helped numerous souls. We all know how hard it is to achieve any results in India, but she had a very special gift, I used to say to her that it was a “boon,” of being able to acquire anything or do any seemingly impossible task very easily. Due to her efforts, so many lives were saved and so many were made comfortable by her obtaining equipment or medicine for them. She would use her own family money and go around begging for donations from everyone she met, simply to help in the treatment of this or that sick or dying Vaisnava, to arrange accomodation, ensure around-the-clock care, food, medical needs. No situation was insurmountable for her. She was brave, stoic, tencious, fearless, loving, empathic, resourceful…too many qualities to name.</p>
<p>This was Priya Sakhi. Friend and well-wisher to all. Kind and non-envious. Above all else, she loved Sri Vrindavan-dhama. I have no doubt her selfless service to the devotee community has earned her the blessings of Srila Prabhupada, her beloved Krishna-Balarama, and Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundar…and a place in Goloka Vrindavan.</p>
<p>We offer our condolences to her family for their loss…and for the loss of a great soul from our Vaisnava community…</p>
<p>Farewell, Priya…<br /> your friend and sister<br /> Subhangi devi dasi</p>
<p><strong>Source:</strong> <a href="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84396">http://www.dandavats.com/?p=84396</a></p></div>The Secret of Peace and Happiness by Damodar dashttps://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/the-secret-of-peace-and-happiness-by-damodar-das2019-09-21T11:23:50.000Z2019-09-21T11:23:50.000ZISKCON Desire Treehttps://iskcondesiretree.com/members/iskcon_desire_tree<div><p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3587316033,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3587316033,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="3587316033?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.17.1-22.</p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">“A devotee’s conclusion is that no one is directly responsible for being a benefactor or mischief-monger without the sanction of the Lord; therefore he does not consider anyone to be directly responsible for such action. But in both the cases he takes it for granted that either benefit or loss is God-sent, and thus it is His grace. In case of benefit, no one will deny that it is God-sent, but in case of loss or reverses one becomes doubtful about how the Lord could be so unkind to His devotee as to put him in great difficulty. Jesus Christ was seemingly put into such great difficulty, being crucified by the ignorant, but he was never angry at the mischief-mongers. That is the way of accepting a thing, either favorable or unfavorable. Thus for a devotee the identifier is equally a sinner, like the mischief-monger. By God’s grace, the devotee tolerates all reverses. Maharaja Pariksit observed this, and therefore he could understand that the bull was no other than the personality of religion himself. In other words, a devotee has no suffering at all because so-called suffering is also God’s grace for a devotee who sees God in everything. The cow and bull never placed any complaint before the King for being tortured by the personality of Kali, although everyone lodges such complaints before the state authorities. The extraordinary behavior of the bull made the King conclude that the bull was certainly the personality of religion, for no one else could understand the finer intricacies of the codes of religion.” —Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.17.22 purport.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>Audio: <a href="http://girirajswami.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/09.19.19_DarshanRoom_Dallas.mp3" target="_blank">Click here</a></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:justify;">Source: <a href="http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=14772">http://www.girirajswami.com/?p=14772</a></p></div>