Three Factors Success In Spiritual Life Is Not Dependent On

“Expert religionists know perfectly well how to adjust religious principles in terms of time and place. All the great acharyas or religious preachers or reformers of the world executed their mission by adjustment of religious principles in terms of time and place. There are different climates and situations in different parts of the world, and if one has to discharge his duties to preach the message of the Lord, he must be expert in adjusting things in terms of the time and place.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.9.9 Purport)

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Things are not going my way. It’s not that I am totally depressed, but there has been little room for happiness. It’s like hope is gone or something. Too much to do, not enough time to do it. Even sleeping for lengthy periods of time doesn’t relieve the burden.

In the face of so much adversity, how can I even think about spiritual life, let alone succeed in it? Shrimad Bhagavatam says that bhakti-yoga is unmotivated and uninterrupted. This means that reciprocation is not even considered, which is anathema to demigod worshipers, fruitive workers, mental speculators, and mystics alike.

There also is nothing which can stop the outpouring of affection, provided the sentiment is genuine. Specifically, there are three factors which are otherwise critical to success, but which are not strict requirements in earning the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

1. Time

Bhagavan Himself has given the example to not act hastily. If important work is to be carried out, wait for the appropriate time. In the Ramayana, the incarnation of God known as Rama is ready to travel to Lanka and reclaim His wife Sita. She was stolen away from Him in secret, by the coward named Ravana.

At one point Rama waits many months. This was during the rainy season, and so traveling with a retinue consisting of devoted monkeys and bears would not have been proper. Rama waited until the time was right to strike, and strike He did. The ferocity was enough to destroy Ravana and his entire kingdom.

2. Place

When planning a wedding, is the living room in the home the best place to host it? Will people be able to fit inside and pay attention to the ceremony? What about at a night club? Outside in the park, during the winter months?

Place plays an important role, too. Pick the wrong one and the effort might be doomed from the beginning. With regards to spiritual life, the temple is considered a great place to practice. The mood is conducive to the purification of consciousness.

Another great option is to visit a sacred place. Known as a dhama or tirtha, saintly people tend to congregate there. It is like attending a large convention, where every person in attendance is discussing spiritual topics.

3. Circumstance

The time and place might be right, but not the circumstance. There is an argument ensuing. There is a struggle between different parties. There has been a tragedy in the family. Better to wait until the circumstances are favorable before proceeding.

These three factors certainly have an impact in the success of bhakti-yoga, but ultimately every unfavorable condition can be overcome. If that weren’t the case, bhakti-yoga would be a product of the material world. That is to say a person born at a specific time, place and circumstance would automatically be excluded from receiving the Divine mercy. They would have no way of succeeding, at least not in that particular lifetime.

We know that success can happen anywhere. The best example is Prahlada Maharaja. He was born at a time when the entire world was under the control of a powerful atheist. The place was a royal palace, where no one gave a thought to devotional service. The circumstance was one lethal attack after another, perpetrated by the father against the son.

Yet Prahlada succeeded, and magnificently so. Certainly a special case, the instance is instructional nevertheless. The holy names penetrate through inauspicious conditions to create a spiritual atmosphere. Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has blessed the process of chanting the holy names in a way that they can be chanted at any time and place. There are no hard and fast rules, and so any person has the potential for success through honoring and staying close to the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

The right conditions to find,

Like proper place and time.

Also the circumstance consider,

For endeavor’s success to deliver.

Shri Rama example showing the same,

Only after rainy season came.

But Prahlada with devotion exceptional,

Rare, but his case instructional.

Four Impossibilities That Krishna Turns Around

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is described in the scriptures as adhokshaja, which indicates that He is beyond the perception of all material senses.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 46)

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It’s part of the routine. Like bringing your car in for an oil change on a predictable schedule, for the newborn it is important to visit the pediatrician. The expert can look for warning signs of potential trouble. In addition, they measure the height and weight of the baby. Then there is a report as to which percentile the child is in, i.e. how they measure up to other children of a similar age.

That is the basis for comparison. The greatest of all-time in a particular field earns the title based on how well they perform in comparison to others. A person is considered poor or rich based on the value of their possessions in comparison to someone else. In some place a person is considered poor despite having indoor plumbing, central air conditioning, a flat screen television and multiple automobiles.

The Sanskrit word Adhokshaja says that the Almighty, the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan, or whatever the preferred name, is beyond the measurement of blunt instruments. That is to say there is no way to get an accurate measurement on His height or weight. He does not fit into any percentile because there is no contemporary; there is no accurate frame of reference to use for comparison.

This might serve as justification against the practice of deity worship. The less intelligent will say that God cannot be reduced to a single manifestation, and so to worship an inanimate object is a kind of idol worship, which should be strictly prohibited. From a deeper understanding of the spiritual science, we see that Bhagavan is able to turn around many impossibilities.

1. Impossible to see

How do you see someone who is taller than the tallest building? We see a mountain from a distance, but that is not seeing completely. It is only a taste of what is too large to appreciate with the eyes alone. God is this planet and more. He is the source of the sun, which can’t even be approached.

The universe is one side to the story, that of greatness. The Supreme Lord is also smaller than the smallest. He is the atom, described as Paramanu in Sanskrit. He is the basic functioning unit of life. Without Paramanu, nothing would exist. Bhagavan does not divide to act in this feature. He simply expands, and the identity of the different atoms remains one. There is the individual anu, the spirit soul, but there is always Paramanu residing adjacent.

Despite being impossible to see, there is the deity. This is the merciful incarnation. Known as the archa-vigraha, it is the transcendental body meant specifically for the purpose of worshiping. We don’t have the eyes to see God, but that does not preclude us from worshiping. Since we can’t understand the meaning of transcendental features, Bhagavan arrives in a form that we can comprehend to some degree.

2. Impossible to hear

There are five senses, and so proof of the existence of the Divine is not limited to sight. But just as we can’t accurately see God, there is no way to hear Him, either. He is more than the favorite song that plays on the radio. He is more than the radio waves broadcasting to multiple cities. He is the greatest sound, and beyond. Not to forget, He is that inaudible sound, as well, heard only in close proximity. He is the loud bang and also the silent whisper.

Despite this impossibility, there is the mercy of the holy name. Repeat a sacred sound vibration, one blessed by authority coming in a descending line of teachers, and you will receive God. That is one reason the maha-mantra comes so highly recommended: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

This sound is so powerful that it works magic even when heard only in the background. If your intention is not to hear God, to focus on material pursuits instead, the sound will still have an influence. It is the way to hear the person who is beyond the range of the senses.

3. Impossible to feel

This ties in with the transcendental body. Bhagavan is the virata-rupa and more. Take the universal form, the complete picture of everything, and know that Bhagavan is beyond that. This is one of the reasons He is able to show the form on demand, whenever He decides. If He can choose to display the virata-rupa, it means that Bhagavan is above it.

One way to feel God is through the clothes offered to the deity. Touching the lotus feet of the statue authorized for worship is another way to connect. There is also the wave of devotion. Feel the transcendental energy exuded by the people dedicated to Him in thought, word and deed. That wave is strong enough to carry you back to the spiritual world.

4. Impossible to taste

Turn this impossibility around by offering authorized food to the Supreme Lord. Stay within the mode of goodness; avoid meat, fish, eggs, onions, garlic and other items that cloud the consciousness. Most importantly, make the offering with love and devotion, bhakti.

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.26)

The Bhagavad-gita confirms that God accepts. The benefit is that the items usually remain. The food thus becomes known as remnants. Sacred mercy labeled prasadam, honoring is a way to taste God. It is a transcendental taste that has the same potential to heal as direct contact with any of the other senses.

Even with so many impossibilities the human being has the chance to succeed in life. The mercy is there from the most powerful person, who has no intention to remain hidden. He is there to be seen, interacted with, and remembered from lifetime to lifetime, should the choice in His direction be made.

In Closing:

As Adhokshaja is known,

Never from measurements shown.

Features like height and weight,

Both too small and too great.

But even impossibilities to turn around,

Experienced through sight and sound.

From the deity seen and prasadam tasted,

Not anymore this birth wasted.

Is It Possible To Teach Someone To Be Devoted

“Those who are not devotees can never achieve the benefits of devotional service. For them the subject of devotional service is always very difficult to understand. Only persons who have dedicated their lives unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead can relish the real nectar of devotion.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 34)

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Friend1: You never win if you never try. You can’t succeed unless you are willing to risk failure. You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.

Friend2: Throwing a little Wayne Gretzky in there?

Friend1: I’m using these famous quotations and sayings as a way to get somewhere.

Friend2: You realize there is a slight flaw to the last one?

Friend1: From Gretzky?

Friend2: Yes. Sometimes you’re making a pass and it ends up getting deflected into the net as a goal.

Friend1: That’s true, but I think you’re supposed to understand the spirit of the statement.

Friend2: I do, but I’m just saying it’s not entirely accurate. A pass is a shot that is not taken. Since sometimes that goes into the net, it invalidates the one hundred percent statistic.

Friend1: Okay, but the idea is that you have to be on the ice in order to score. Would you agree with that?

Friend2: Statistically, there is another exception, which is admittedly a rare occurrence.

Friend1: How does this work? I’d love to hear.

Friend2: They credit the goal to the last person on the offense who touched the puck. You could dump the puck into the offensive zone and head to the bench for a line change. The defense then accidentally passes the puck into their own goal.

Friend1: Ah, so you have scored a goal without being on the ice?

Friend2: Yes.

Friend1: Okay, but you were on the ice at some point. You are playing the game. You can’t do these things while lying on the couch at home.

Friend2: True.

Friend1: And so I’ve heard something similar with respect to spiritual life. Something to the effect that you can’t get the benefits of devotional service without being a devotee.

Friend2: Sure. It’s pretty easy to understand. The amazing feeling of bliss, transcending the strict limitations of time and space found in the material world, elevation to a higher consciousness - these aren’t things you can just make payment for and receive.

Friend1: As is seen with demigod worship.

Friend2: Right. There isn’t an automatic retrieval. It’s all about consciousness, and specifically devotion within that consciousness. You have to feel it. Going through the motions, following every recommendation literally might provide ancillary benefits, but everything belonging to the devotees won’t be there.

Friend1: Something like licking the bottle of honey from the outside.

Friend2: Yes. You don’t relish the true taste.

Friend1: Here’s something to consider, though. Is it possible to teach someone to be devoted to someone else?

Friend2: What do you mean?

Friend1: I have love and affection for my child. No one had to teach that to me. The same applies towards my parents. My friends. I’m not practicing devotion to them. There is no higher benefit I am seeking. The relationship is just there.

Friend2: No, I get what you are saying. The mindset is basically spontaneous at this point.

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: The thing is, have you always known your child?

Friend1: Not before they were born.

Friend2: So that means that the specific affection didn’t exist before and then later on it did.

Friend1: Okay, but I wasn’t intentionally trying for it. No one taught me.

Friend2: Well, don’t get hung up on that angle, here. We say it’s teaching to tell people to avoid the four pillars of sinful life. We provide instruction to chant the holy names on a regular basis: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. What actually is going on is that a person is reconnecting with someone they have known for a long time. Rather than teaching devotion, it is more instructing on how to remove distractions and focus better.

Friend1: Which could apply to any relationship?

Friend2: Look at marriage counseling and parenting books. The aim is to help the relationship, to remove distractions and bad habits that cause issues. Bhakti-yoga as a discipline is exactly the same way. If you follow jnana-yoga, religion as mere sentiment, worship out of fear of eternal damnation or other such paths, there are hints of devotion, but the full benefits of bhakti-yoga will remain elusive.

Friend1: So better to be taught how to connect with God the person?

Friend2: Yes. Even if there is zero devotion right now, at least try to apply the principles. Implement the practical application and see for yourself if things turn around. Success is very difficult, for after many lifetimes does a person know Krishna in truth, but that doesn’t mean that an attempt shouldn’t be made.

In Closing:

After many lifetimes success to reach,

But not a waste devotion to teach.

Since just distractions removing,

Already in that direction choosing.

Since soul to God linked forever,

To be truly separated never.

As natural as parent the child to meet,

Pure devotion to Lord’s lotus feet.

Who Is Actually Fortunate

“O learned one, in this iron age of Kali men have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.10)

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Friend1: One of God’s names is Shripati.

Friend2: Yes. The husband of Shri.

Friend1: Who is the goddess of fortune.

Friend2: Also known as Lakshmi Devi. She has non-different incarnations like Radha and Sita.

Friend1: Since He is married to her, God is the most fortunate person.

Friend2: That is the meaning to the word Bhagavan. Vishnu is Bhagavan. No one is more fortunate than Him.

Friend1: What about people on earth? Those going through the cycle of birth and death - how do we define “fortunate”?

Friend2: Well, what do you think?

Friend1: Typically, it’s if they have a lot of money. If they get a lot of stuff. It’s correlated with being lucky.

Friend2: Like winning the lottery?

Friend1: Something like that. There are terms like “lucky sperm club” and “winning life’s lottery.”

Friend2: Right. Those terms exist because so many people have the mindset that accumulating sufficient money is the goal of life. Thus those who already reach that goal without having to do anything get different terms applied to them.

Friend1: We agree that they are fortunate, right, except there is the added explanation of karma?

Friend2: Generally speaking, a person is fortunate if they can get the basic necessities of life without much effort. Food, clothing, shelter. Eating, sleeping, mating and defending.

Friend1: Okay, but don’t animals get those things easily?

Friend2: Well, makes you think, doesn’t it?

Friend1: In the human society I guess there can be trouble. We know of the many people in the world who are starving. Some stay alone and some can’t defend themselves from criminals.

Friend2: There is the word shrimatam found in the Bhagavad-gita. It refers to one possibility of subsequent birth for the unsuccessful yogi.

Friend1: That’s translated as referring to a rich or mercantile family, right?

Friend2: You can think of it as a household blessed by Shri, the goddess of fortune. So in that case there is a cause. The individual tried yoga in their previous life and made some progress. In the next life they are fortunate in that they don’t have to worry about the necessities of life.

Friend1: Okay, but is there a way to make people fortunate? To solve the problem, such as through redistribution of wealth?

Friend2: The only way is to give people Bhagavan Himself. That is making every person truly fortunate, because the goddess of fortune is included. This can be accomplished easily by propagating the teachings of bhakti-yoga and distributing the sacred sounds of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Friend1: I see. Giving people the most valuable thing, without much effort.

Friend2: For the receivers there doesn’t have to be much effort. Just hear. The people distributing are sometimes willing to sacrifice life and limb to help others. That is why the Vaishnava is the true welfare worker. They seek the ultimate benefit, shreyas, for every person, instead of preyas, which comes from your garden-variety philanthropic effort.

In Closing:

When easily procured,

And wellbeing ensured.

Person as fortunate is known,

Blessings from Shri to own.

Karma the cause behind,

That better situation to find.

Superior when Bhagavan’s association to get,

At whose feet Lakshmi already set.

Four Aspects Of Life That Challenge The Claim Of All-Attractiveness

“One should be attracted by the beautiful vision of Krishna. His name is Krishna because He is all-attractive. One who becomes attracted by the beautiful, all-powerful, omnipotent vision of Krishna is fortunate.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 18.66 Purport)

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The Sanskrit word Krishna has several meanings. One of the more commonly used is “all-attractive,” which is applicable to the person Krishna, who is Bhagavan. One translation for that Sanskrit word is “Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

You can be sure that you have found God when attractiveness is not lacking anywhere. That is to say in every feature there is something to appreciate. Beauty, wealth, strength, fame, wisdom, renunciation and as many opulences as can be defined are present in Him simultaneously and to the fullest extent.

The skeptic will point to the ample evidence visible in the manifest world to challenge the claim. How can Krishna be an appropriate name for God when there is so much to not like about life?

1. Death

The end to the time spent in a particular body. Vedic teachings stress detachment from that body, and in conjunction the lack of lamentation at the passing. We no longer have the association of the departed, and we’re not entirely sure to where they have gone. Has the existence ceased altogether?

Needless to say, death can be very unattractive. Not everyone meets their end through natural causes, at an old age, after a life fully lived. Who actually gets to leave when they want to? Time is known as the great subduing agent for a reason.

2. Tragedy

These unwelcome events can include death, but there may just be a loss. At the last moment, when everything seemed in your favor, the best friend turns against you. They show their true colors. So many negative outcomes occur unexpectedly. Tragedy leads to trauma, which can cause long-lasting damage to the mind.

3. Horror

This is one reaction to tragedy. It is an emotion strongly on the negative side. With the exception of sitting down to watch a film of that particular genre, no one prefers to be in horror. Happiness is instead sought, though in a multitude of ways.

4. Lack of cleanliness

Life isn’t about just having fun. There are many aspects to daily life that are unwanted. Who would choose to go to the bathroom? Who actually looks forward to cleaning the dishes and changing diapers? Why is there so much uncleanliness? How can any of that be attractive?

The explanation is that the supposedly unattractive aspects are merely the shadow. That is to say Krishna is the transcendental light, and the back portion is material existence. In that shadow world there are dualities like heat and cold, happiness and sadness, and birth and death. In the spiritual consciousness these are absent.

Moreover, someone of that consciousness does indeed see the negative as positive. They see death as the great opportunity to start again, to shed the temporary clothes that have lost their value in exchange for a new set. They see tragedy as a way to further appreciate the good times.

After all, we don’t say that a movie is unattractive because of the presence of death. There may be heartache depicted on the big screen, but the overall experience is assessed. In the same way, taken together everything about Shri Krishna is attractive, including His maya, which continues to wonderfully fool us into chasing after material gain, fame, honor and distinction instead of the same for their best well-wishing friend, the Supreme Lord.

In Closing:

As the all-attractive one the name,

But how the unwanted to explain?

Like death at unexpected time,

Or terrible tragedy to find.

Diapers changing, bitter cold,

Body becoming wrinkly and old.

Idea that just in the shadow forsaken,

As maya, part of full picture taken.

When Worshiping A Dog Is Sanctioned

“In material consciousness we are trying to love that which is not at all lovable. We give our love to dogs and cats, running the risk that at the time of death we may think of them and consequently take birth in a family of cats or dogs. Thus love that does not have Krishna as its object leads downward. It is not that Krishna, or God, is something obscure or something that only a few chosen people can attain. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu informs us that in every country and in every scripture there is some hint of love of Godhead.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Introduction)

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Friend1: I know that one of the favorite lines from His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada relates to dogs and God.

Friend2: It’s a play on letters. Each word is the reverse of the other.

Friend1: The message is that right now we are accustomed to worshiping dog instead of God.

Friend2: I mean you can’t really deny that. Sleeping in the same bed, bending over to clean up, spending so much and giving attention - all out of love. It is worship for sure, though maybe not in the typical way the term is understood.

Friend1: And there is no benefit from that worship.

Friend2: How can there be? Perhaps you have a way to pass the time. It is not like the dog is going to lead future generations. It is not like the dog can pass on what you have taught them. At least with children there is succession, there is the idea of keeping the line moving.

Friend1: Yet even over-attachment to children is not recommended.

Friend2: No, because the association will eventually terminate. That is a harsh reality of life. The more one is attached to aspects of this temporary world, the more they will have to remain in it.

Friend1: And the means of continuing that stay is rebirth.

Friend2: Right. Don’t let time fool you. Just because there is death it doesn’t mean that there won’t be birth again.

Friend1: Isn’t there something about being attached to a dog means you’ll be born as a dog in the next life?

Friend2: It’s a distinct possibility. There is the story in the Shrimad Bhagavatam about King Bharata. He became so attached to a deer that he was born as a deer in the next life.

Friend1: Oh, that’s right. Does this mean that people shouldn’t keep dogs?

Friend2: I didn’t say that. Are you thinking of getting one?

Friend1: For protection. You see these mass shootings on the news, so you start to worry. I’d rather not keep a gun in the house, at least for now.

Friend2: A dog can help, for sure. They start barking as soon as anyone comes near the home. They might bark even if the person is known to them.

Friend1: Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. So there is no harm in that?

Friend2: Are you going to be worshiping the dog?

Friend1: Haha, I see what you are saying.

Friend2: Chew on this. There might be occasions where it is okay to worship the dog.

Friend1: Huh? How?

Friend2: It’s when you are on a higher level of consciousness. Imagine you reach a point where the dog is staying somewhere in the home, either outside guarding or inside the garage because of the cold. It does its job perfectly. It remains loyal.

Friend1: Okay.

Friend2: Meanwhile, you feel safe in your home. You are practicing devotional service. You are worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, with daily offerings at the altar. You are reading books like the Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam with your family.

Friend1: That sounds like a nice life.

Friend2: Yes, and the dog is an integral part of it. In that mindset you offer respect to the dog for helping to complete the picture. You respect that it is a spirit soul, just like you and me, and that it has Supersoul inside.

Friend1: Which is God’s expansion.

Friend2: You are not taking the dog as God, but you are seeing it as part and parcel.

Friend1: Oh, that is interesting. Never considered that.

Friend2: It’s a way to understand how consciousness should progress. You end up appreciating so many other things in life. That is why bhakti-yoga is all-encompassing. You are not simply keeping God for yourself, excluding everyone else. The worldview actually expands instead of contracts.

In Closing:

Spiritual vision to all souls landing,

Worldview only expanding.

When path of bhakti-yoga taking,

Even respect of housedog making.

Since devotional life to protect,

Peace and safety can expect.

Consciousness on Krishna remaining so,

So again not rebirth to go.

Four Reasons Adharma Is Not Sustainable

“They believe that to gratify the senses unto the end of life is the prime necessity of human civilization. Thus there is no end to their anxiety. Being bound by hundreds and thousands of desires, by lust and anger, they secure money by illegal means for sense gratification.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 16.11-12)

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“Religion is the way of the past. In primitive times, when man didn’t know any better, they made up stories about there being a higher power. They needed a way to comfort themselves, to explain the unexplainable. That’s what these different deities are, a product of the imagination. Science is the way of progress. That’s why so many people are rejecting established religion today. They are more evolved.”

The rejection of religious principles is known as adharma in Sanskrit. The word is a simple negation. Dharma is the way of life. It is duty, righteousness, religion, or religiosity, depending on the context of the discussion. Ultimately, dharma is what defines the individual, it is the essential characteristic. Therefore adharma is never the proper way, even if the short-term visuals say otherwise. Adharma is not sustainable.

1. Do liars prefer being lied to?

There are different religions practiced around the world and throughout history, but it is safe to say that four basic qualities are common to them all. Cleanliness, austerity, compassion and honesty. Vedic culture has four corresponding restrictions for attaining these qualities: avoid meat eating, gambling, intoxication, and illicit sex.

Taking just one of the qualities, we see that the reverse is not beneficial. In adharma, dishonesty is allowed. Not that a person has to be truthful one hundred percent of the time in dharma, but in most situations it is proper to tell the truth.

Adharma pays no attention to duty and honor, so if lying should occur, it is no big deal. At least that is the conclusion based on mental speculation. Yet the people who lie quite often expect honesty from others. They do not like to be cheated by others. If the airlines weren’t honest about the stated destinations of flights, who would board them? If the press started making up stories to further an agenda, who would trust anything they had to say?

2. Do thieves prefer being stolen from?

Kama, or lust, is the guiding force when adharma is followed. That is to say the satisfaction of the senses is placed first in priority. This can be seen in something as basic as eating too many slices of pizza when sitting down for dinner. In the more extreme cases, there is theft at the largest scale, for products worth millions of dollars, for the purpose of enjoying.

Yet would the thieves prefer being stolen from? Stealing is changing possession, after all. This means that the thieves must have things that belong to them. Would they like it if others were to steal? This is a violation of property.

3. Do murderers prefer being killed?

As theft is the violation of property, murder is the violation of life. If the kama drives a person too far, they will not stop at killing to get what they want. This is how the trafficking of illegal drugs becomes so dangerous, to the point that the state intervenes. The person taking another’s life would not like if it if the same were done to them.

4. Do artists prefer losing attribution for their work?

A person spends a significant amount of time working on a painting. A considerable effort, but the output was worth it. The artist is proud of the finished product. Would they then like it if someone came along and removed the attribution? The person is a stranger to the scene; they didn’t actually see the painting process. They conclude that the finished work was due to randomness. A bunch of chemicals collided and the result was the painting.

Those who are staunch followers of adharma behave similarly. They see the work of the greatest artist all around them and they subsequently remove the proper attribution. On basic principles alone, dharma is the proper way. Moreover, the authority figures who push that way of life have their stature increase. That is to say the people who teach dharma should be trusted for guidance in other aspects of life.

The greatest teacher is also the original artist. The line between dharma and adharma can be complicated, and so sometimes He steps in to clear doubts. Such was the case on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. There Krishna explained that those who are demoniac, being driven by lust, go to the extreme of even illegal means to satisfy their senses.

Those who follow dharma not only respect others, but certainly also the person most worthy of respect, the Supreme Lord. That dharma is applicable to every time period and every age, though the exact means of implementation may vary. In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the Kali-yuga, the dharma is the chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Dharma for pious and sane,

Adharma impossible to sustain.

Since thief certain behavior to expect,

Their own acquired property to respect.

Liars many dishonest words conceive,

But hope not from others to receive.

Ways of piety intricate and complicated,

God teaching, like on battlefield demonstrated.