How Can Someone Be So Shamelessly Hypocritical

“The father and the spiritual master are on the same platform because a spiritual master is the second father. The higher classes are called dvija, twice-born. Whenever there is a question of birth, there must be a father. The first birth is made possible by the actual father, and the second birth is made possible by the spiritual master.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 3.24.13 Purport)

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Friend1: Alright, so I recently heard some teachings against television.

Friend2: You have to be more specific. What teachings? From which person? And what kind of television?

Friend1: All kinds. Basically, don’t even have one in your home. The person is obvious, a teacher of the bhakti-yoga way of life. A practicing devotee who travels around the world and gives seminars. By the way, that is another problem I have. Where did they get this idea to have seminars?

Friend2: As opposed to what, lectures?

Friend1: Yeah, or just basic Krishna-katha. Hari-katha. Topics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Is that insufficient nowadays? We need seminars, as if we are respected professors teaching students who don’t know better?

Friend2: I don’t know. I’m not familiar with the issue. My guess would be it is for attracting people, to increase the attendance numbers. They must think that just discussing the Supreme Lord and His pastimes would not be enough.

Friend1: Too sectarian. Too Hindu. Anyway, so the teaching was against television. In a world of duality you present something as absolute fact. Of course they reference so many studies conducted as to why viewership means wasting your time.

Friend2: Let me guess, you don’t like studies either?

Friend1: The idea is that television is bad association. It is connecting with people interested in sense gratification. And yet to support your opinion, you don’t rely on shastra. You don’t use common sense. You create authority figures out of the same sense enjoyers.

Friend2: The people conducting the studies.

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: I’m guessing that you think television is okay?

Friend1: That’s not what I am saying. There is this absolute position presented, when we know that there is nuance in this world.

Friend2: Well, what would your argument be? Let’s say that you used shastra instead of scientific studies.

Friend1: This is so easy to explain. The Vedas are aural in origin. That is to say they are passed down first by word of mouth. One person speaking, another hearing. That person in the audience then assumes the other role later on.

Friend2: The student becomes the teacher.

Friend1: Of a new generation, with a different audience. The Vedas are also known as the shrutis, or that which is heard. Make your own experiment of it. Try reading a book for an entire day. Then on another day watch only television. Assess at the end to see how you feel. I guarantee that in most cases you will feel much better after having read.

Friend2: Because of the hearing component.

Friend1: Granted, the subject matter will have an influence. Still, you will learn so much more by hearing. My general rule is that images appeal to emotion and sound to intellect. That is why television news does not cover issues in-depth, whereas on the radio you get more intelligent discussion. If not intelligent, then at least thought-provoking.

Friend2: For sure. Then you are in agreement with this no-television thing. What are you so upset about?

Friend1: I think it’s the hypocrisy. It’s as if these people teaching have never violated the rules. When in fact, I know most of them have. They used to abuse drugs. They treated their parents poorly. They may have committed crimes. Now they are sitting on a lofty perch, so easily judging others. I think that is what I have a problem with.

Friend2: What do you want them to do? Not teach? Stay silent? The mauna-vrata.

Friend1: Have some shame, at least. I don’t know. It’s the attitude that rubs me the wrong way. Are they not embarrassed of their past?

Friend2: Should they be? There is a reason approaching a bona fide spiritual master and accepting his instructions are known as the second birth. The brahmana is a dvija, which means “twice-born.”

Friend1: The first birth is from the parents.

Friend2: Which every person earns automatically. There is no extra effort required. Let me ask you this. Are you embarrassed by what you did as a baby?

Friend1: What do you mean, like wearing diapers and drooling?

Friend2: And trying to eat everything in sight. Crying for no reason. Not willing to share. Fighting with your siblings.

Friend1: I don’t really remember those things. Plus, all children are like that to some degree.

Friend2: The same applies to life in general. Everyone has an embarrassing past, since sense gratification draws us towards unproductive behavior. The second birth means that the first birth should be more or less forgotten. Why get hung up on things that you did through ignorance? You are in knowledge now. You are in a position to help others escape the cycle of birth and death. No reason to be so down on yourself for things every person succumbs to.

Friend1: I mean I guess you are right, but I’m sticking with my initial assessment. It’s the impression I get, that’s all.

Friend2: That the teacher can do no wrong, that their way is the only way?

Friend1: Yes! That’s exactly it.

Friend2: Okay, so find a better teacher. The more a person connects with God in the truest sense, the more humble they become. They are embarrassed to consider themselves a devotee, since they know for sure the shortcomings they have. Nevertheless, they stay in that transcendental position, understanding that anything else is reverting back to the first life, which proved fruitless and lacking ananda.

In Closing:

From teacher’s seminar to present,

Emphasis that on television should relent.

Because to sense gratification resorted,

Position by countless studies supported.

But how presenter that hypocritical so,

Since of embarrassing past to know?

Idea that guru meeting life’s second chance,

No need for at past ignorance to glance.

Endless Visiting Hours

“Once Bhima was administered poison in a cake, once they were put into the house made of shellac and set afire, and once Draupadi was dragged out, and attempts were made to insult her by stripping her naked in the vicious assembly of the Kurus. The Lord saved Draupadi by supplying an immeasurable length of cloth, and Duryodhana's party failed to see her naked.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.8.24 Purport)

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An important person is coming to town. They are famous for having been on television many times. Business insiders say that television is “crazy money.” The meaning is that networks and production companies will pay significant fees for a person to appear on their shows. This makes sense, as the large audiences, both from the live viewing and subsequent re-airings on both television and online, mean great exposure.

Better than watching this person on television, you have a chance to meet them. You want to say a few words, give thanks and the like. There are some questions you would like to ask, as well. The issue, of course, is that popularity has some negative sides, at least to you personally. Other people have the same desire. There is a reason musicians, athletes, actors and the like travel with a security detail. If they were to accept every autograph or photo request, they would not have time to do their job.

This famous person has visiting hours. Between certain times they are willing to meet with people from the general public. The competition is stiff. Moreover, other famous people would like a meeting, also, and they are given higher priority. There is every likelihood that your desired meeting will never see the light of day.

Can there be a more important personality than Bhagavan? His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada translates that Sanskrit word as “Supreme Personality of Godhead.” He is a person, purusha, like everyone else, but in a superior position. He is part of Godhead, meaning that the Almighty is not limited to a single manifestation.

What are Bhagavan’s visiting hours? We know that in the established temples there are designated hours of darshana, or viewing. This is when the curtains on the altar are open and people can see the deities beautifully dressed and worshiped with great pomp by the devotees. Try to get a meeting in the odd hours of the night and the temple will likely be closed.

Though the archa-vigraha is an indication of Bhagavan’s causeless mercy, to appear in a form that is somewhat understandable to the limited mind, the wise understand that the all-pervading one is not limited to a specific residence. That is to say He lives both inside and outside of the temple. He is everywhere.

There are no “visiting hours” per se, because He can be called at any moment. The holy name is identical to Him. The idea is that by chanting mantras that contain those names, with the proper mindset and purification in thought, word and deed, Bhagavan appears at the scene instantly. For this reason devotees are known to repeat the sacred sequence of words, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

Bhagavan should be remembered all the time, but it just so happens that during moments of distress the frequency with which the call is made increases. An example from history is Draupadi and her sari. A chaste and pious queen, she was one time on the verge of great embarrassment and shame, through no fault of her own. Wicked characters in her extended family wanted to disrobe her in an assembly, to show her naked in front of respected personalities and elders.

Draupadi tried her best to hold on, but there was a mismatch in physical strength. At last she called out to Govinda, in full surrender. This is another name for Bhagavan, who is known by countless names. There was not a specific visit to a temple. There was not a direct line of sight, where she was seeing Govinda eye to eye. Nevertheless, the visit in terms of a meeting occurred. The Supreme Lord immediately arrived on the scene.

It was in a way not visible to all. He took the form of the princess’s sari. No matter how much the miscreants pulled, Draupadi could not be shown naked. The sari kept protecting her. One of the properties of God is ananta. This means “without end.” Both literally and symbolically, there is no end to His mercy and no restriction in terms of when He can be called. For this reason and more Govinda is the best well-wishing friend to every person.

In Closing:

Friends to living entities the best,

Devotees through practice blessed.

Not with important celebrity like,

Where only in visiting hours sight.

Any time coming to the scene,

Like Draupadi’s sari unseen.

That well-wisher of all,

To hear at any time call.

Four Important Personalities Who Worship Vishnu

“The yogi should fix in his heart the activities of Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, who is worshiped by all demigods and is the mother of the supreme person, Brahma. She can always be found massaging the legs and thighs of the transcendental Lord, very carefully serving Him in this way.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 3.28.23)

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The benefactor has a benefactor.

They have done so much for me; that must be acknowledged. They could deliver when I could not. They brought to me what human effort, paurusham, could not. I tried my best to go it alone, but it didn’t work. I failed miserably and suffered great lamentation afterwards. I felt sorry for myself, for having failed.

The benefactor came through for me. It didn’t take much. Just some standard devotional practices. Contemplating. Meditating. Reciting prayers. Simple offerings like water and leaves. The turnaround was quick. There really is something to the traditions descending from the Vedas.

Proof of the potency of the benefactors is evident everywhere, but what might not be so obvious is that they are empowered by a higher being. The benefactors have their own system of worship, and some of the most important personalities set the example.

1. Brahma

He is the creator. Taking the three base ingredients of goodness, passion and ignorance, he goes about creating the different kinds of suits for the conditioned spirit soul to inhabit. The allotted time is fixed; based on a variety of factors like karma and daivam, work and destiny. The same soul travels to different bodies in what is known as transmigration.

Brahma is known as the self-born one, svayambhu. This is because he doesn’t have the typical mother and father. He emerges from a lotus stem growing from another lotus-like area. Interestingly, the origin is a navel, which is found on the body of Narayana, who is also known as Vishnu. Since Lakshmi is the wife of Vishnu, it is sometimes described that she is Brahma’s mother, as well.

Vishnu gives Brahma the potency to create. There is meditation involved; it is not like Brahma figures out everything on his own. The one with four heads, who lives for an inconceivably long period of time, who sees many days and nights in human calculation, who gives birth to the entire variety of species, worships Vishnu.

2. Shiva

As Brahma is the creator, Shiva is the destroyer. In many places he is described to be the giver of liberation, which he offers to those who die in his holy city of Kashi. The method of delivery is the sound of the holy name of Rama whispered into the ear of the departing soul. That name is non-different from Vishnu; it is the particular form of Godhead worshiped by Shiva.

Such a powerful personality, who is easily pleased, who is the husband of the material energy personified, who has the most pious son named Ganesha, who can make kings out of the least fortunate in the world, whose amazing bow is passed down in the family of King Janaka, worships Vishnu with love and devotion.

3. Narada

He is one of many sons of Brahma. Narada’s distinction is that he travels the three worlds. His residence is not fixed. Though the cause is a curse from Daksha, to Narada the situation is a blessing. The inability to remain in one place for too long enables him to spread the glories of Narayana to different areas of the world. His disciples are some of the most revered saints of the Vedic tradition. He inspires devotion, and his inspiration is Vishnu.

4. Lakshmi

She is the goddess of fortune. Around the time of Diwali each year, her image is prominent in places of worship. She appears next to Ganesha. The idea is that one person removes obstacles and the other bestows blessings. Let there be prosperity and good fortune for those devoted to her.

Despite controlling the wealth of the world, Lakshmi is fully attached to the Supreme Lord. Images depict her massaging the feet of her husband, while He lays down in rest. The idea is that Vishnu does not have to struggle to create, maintain and annihilate. The most amazing work is accomplished with little to no effort. There is the association of the most beautiful goddess, who is the embodiment of chaste behavior.

If even such powerful personalities worship Vishnu, then who are we to make new forms of religion? Worship of the demigods is bona fide and recommended in many places, but the wise person investigates further, to see if anyone is supplying the benefactors. The swallowing of poison, the distribution of huge sums of wealth, the creation of the species, and travelling to all parts of the three worlds cannot be imitated, but the example of pure devotion to God the person can be followed by one and all to attain the eternal association of Vishnu.

In Closing:

Brahma from the lotus navel born,

Mahadeva god of lust to scorn.

Narada travelling worlds three,

Lakshmi by Vishnu’s side to see.

Benefactors more than my fortunes to save,

Ideal example from way to behave.

That worshiping always person one,

And with other attachments none.

The Two Increasing Attractions Resulting From The Demoniac Mentality

“The demons' lust is never satiated. They will go on increasing and increasing their insatiable desires for material enjoyment. Although they are always full of anxieties on account of accepting nonpermanent things, they still continue to engage in such activities out of illusion. They have no knowledge and cannot tell that they are heading the wrong way. Accepting nonpermanent things, such demoniac people create their own God, create their own hymns and chant accordingly. The result is that they become more and more attracted to two things-sex enjoyment and accumulation of material wealth.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 16.10 Purport)

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Kama, or lust, is the all-devouring enemy of this world. The potency is augmented by the inclusion of krodha, or wrath. This force is too strong for even the discriminating person to handle. That is to say those who should know better, who have been taught the difference between matter and spirit and how the individual is pure soul, still have trouble dealing with the day-to-day troubles of a material existence.

With the asuras, the case is almost hopeless. Due to their demoniac mentality, they have reached certain conclusions, based in ignorance, and therefore see no harm in what is known to the sober person to be maya, or illusion. In the general sense, the asuras have two attractions that increase as their way of life remains uncontrolled.

1. Sex enjoyment

The reason kama is all-devouring is because it is never satisfied. Take the case of eating pizza for dinner. You have gone hungry the entire day. This was due to outside circumstances. Feeling like the body is a little too cold, lacking enough sodium and other heating ingredients, the craving is for a fresh pizza pie.

Sitting down at the dinner table, one slice isn’t enough. Have another. Okay, but there are a few remaining slices and not everyone will finish them. Pizza doesn’t taste as good later on, when reheated, so might as well finish it off.

The immediate satisfaction is noticeable. No desire to eat anymore, though one or two slices would have been enough. The problems begin shortly thereafter. Indigestion. A spike in blood pressure. Irritability. The strong urge to eat something sweet, like ice cream. It feels like the pizza is expanding further in the stomach, returning to its original shape.

This is the way of kama. Trying to satisfy lust is like putting more logs onto a raging fire. Since the asuras do not believe in good qualities, which include voluntarily imposed restraint, they become further bound by lust, whose hallmark activity is sex enjoyment.

The classic case is Ravana, the king of Lanka many thousands of years ago. He had ten heads and twenty arms to enjoy as much animal flesh and wine as desired. He conquered over many rival kings and subsequently took possession of their queens. This meant that he had enough sex enjoyment to occupy his entire day. Yet he was still so consumed by lust that it drove him to commit the most regrettable violation, one that would cost him everything. That lust would indeed devour him.

2. Accumulation of material wealth

I am happy with the present living conditions. One bedroom, one living room, a kitchen and a bathroom, but everything is taken care of. That is to say if something should go wrong, there is a maintenance staff available at all hours of the day to promptly handle the issue. I don’t have a lawn to tend to, a leaky roof to fix, or a backyard to manage.

My friends who own homes tend to talk about the same things. They are always engaged in some kind of maintenance. They take care of the patio and deck with great attention, but during the course of the year they maybe use it once or twice. So much effort for something that isn’t enjoyed very much.

This is the other side of kama. Lust in sex enjoyment and also in accumulating material wealth. Even the wise person falls into the trap, as they feel inferior to their friends and colleagues. They are compelled to go in a direction that they would rather avoid.

The false theory of the asuras is that this life is the only one. Everything comes together through sex life, or a random collision of material elements. Better to enjoy as much as possible right now, then. Accumulate so much material wealth so that you become the envy of the world. Rise to the topmost position, something like the God that everyone else believes in.

As kama is at the foundation, the same defect exists. No amount of material wealth will be enough. In one sense the asuras are in deeper than the average person who doesn’t have as much. The elusive chase to be the wealthiest is really no different than the person who becomes champion of a particular sport in a video game. The title is an illusion; not something real. The material world is miserable and temporary, duhkhalayam and ashashvatam.

One of the benefits of following bhakti-yoga, or devotional service, is that kama comes under control. A separate endeavor can be made, but it is not required. The object of worship, the Supreme Lord, is the controller of all. He gives help to the devotee, sometimes even taking things away. In this capacity He is known as Hari.

The engagement is not dry and tasteless. Instead of being attracted to sex enjoyment and the accumulation of wealth, the individual falls deeper into the bliss of devotion. They become more and more attracted to God the person, who in this capacity is known as Krishna. There is a higher taste experienced, one that leaves the targets of ordinary lust behind.

In Closing:

Asuras to lust succumbed,

By this enemy undone.

Maybe at the start to gain,

But then satisfaction not the same.

Driven further by sex attraction,

Chase for more wealth distraction.

Following bhakti easily cured,

For better life be assured.

To What Level Should We Tolerate

“O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.14)

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Friend1: The summer and winter seasons.

Friend2: Don’t forget fall and spring.

Friend1: The scorching heat of the summer. Who wants to go into the kitchen and cook?

Friend2: Don’t forget exercising. Getting a sweat going. Playing sports outside in the middle of the day, with the sun beating down on you.

Friend1: Who wants to take a shower early in the morning on a cold day in January?

Friend2: Don’t forget going outside. Heating up the car before driving. Clearing off snow. One difficulty after another.

Friend1: I mentioned the seasons because they play an important role in a teaching presented by Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita.

Friend2: I know the verse of which you speak.

Friend1: The lesson is about dealing with ups and downs. At least that’s what I get from it.

Friend2: Tolerating. This world is temporary and miserable. Nothing remains fixed. There are fluctuations in conditions. Sometimes a person is on the upswing. Married, children, expensive car, good job. Then suddenly things turn in the other direction. Divorce, disease, addiction.

Friend1: A downward spiral.

Friend2: The thing to remember is that there is not much we can do to change these situations. That’s why the comparison to summer and winter. We should tolerate based on this understanding.

Friend1: There is also the mention of sense perception. Is this something like saying, “Oh, you’re not really sick. It’s all in your head”? Mind over matter.

Friend2: A little bit, but not really. It’s not that the cold of winter is fake. Sunburn is a real thing.

Friend1: Then why mention sense perception?

Friend2: Because that is the cause of the discomfort. You have these senses that accompany a material body. The happiness and sadness relate to those senses only, not to who you really are. Just try to tolerate the changes. There will be a benefit in the long run.

Friend1: Okay, so I get that we shouldn’t over-endeavor for prosperity. We shouldn’t lament too much over loss. Change is going to occur. People get what they deserve. No more, no less. Here is a question to consider, though. At what point should we stop tolerating?

Friend2: What do you mean? What is the alternative?

Friend1: For instance, I hear this stupid car alarm blaring in the morning. Why it’s the same car every single day is beyond me. I tolerate it. I let the anger go. But at some point it becomes too much. I don’t want to live in a place where it is noisy all the time. You see what I am saying?

Friend2: You could make the argument in the Pandavas’ favor, too. Arjuna heard these words of wisdom from Krishna, relating to the upcoming battle.

Friend1: Which was to settle once and for all who got to rule over Hastinapura, the land in dispute.

Friend2: You could say the Pandavas tolerated injustice for so long. They were the rightful heirs to the kingdom, but it was stolen from them. The enemies wouldn’t leave it at that. They tried to kill the Pandavas so many times, to make sure the threat vanished.

Friend1: Okay, and we see that Arjuna and his brothers took everything in stride. They didn’t let circumstances change their character. Yet the war occurred anyway. Krishna even encouraged it. How is that tolerating?

Friend2: It was dharma. Doing the right thing. The mention of the summer and winter seasons is not meant to be an excuse to avoid action. Every person has to work. The idea is to do the right kind of work, with detachment. Don’t be afraid of duty. Don’t shirk responsibilities for fear of the consequences. The Pandavas tolerated, but when the time was right they stepped up and went through something they weren’t really interested in.

Friend1: Right, so how do we, as ordinary people, recognize the dividing line? How do we know when it is time to take matters into our own hands? Not that we can change destiny, but when do we know that it is our duty to take a stand and work to change circumstances?

Friend2: The general rule is to try to tolerate as much as possible, with everyday life. The duty of every person in this degraded age of Kali, marked by rampant quarrel and hypocrisy, is to become conscious of the Supreme Lord. Whatever is favorable for the development of that consciousness should be accepted and whatever is unfavorable should be rejected. In the process tolerate the distresses and joys that accompany a material existence, as the days within that experience are numbered for the person who is attached to the lotus feet of Shri Krishna.

In Closing:

Tolerating kingdom from them taken,

By enemies of good judgment forsaken.

But in the end Pandavas ready to fight,

Time finally to make things right.

In Gita of summer and winter accepting,

Joy and sorrow through senses expecting.

To work for Krishna plan the best,

Let high authority sort out the rest.

Five Ways Krishna Is Accepted

“In the Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto, 8th Chapter, 35th verse, it is stated by Shukadeva Gosvami that Mother Yashoda accepted Lord Krishna as her son, although He is accepted in the Vedas as the King of heaven, in the Upanishads as the impersonal Brahman and in philosophy as the supreme male. By the yogis he is accepted as the supersoul and by the devotees as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 43)

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Mother Yashoda really wasn’t interested in the many superlatives. The amazing survival of her beloved son through many dangerous situations must have been through auspicious credits, sukriti. Perhaps she and her husband had worshiped Vishnu properly. Maybe the higher ups were looking out for her family. In no possible way were any of the wonderful feats performed in Vrindavana due to Krishna Himself, who is accepted in so many ways other than as her son.

1. The king of heaven

This title is usually associated with Indra. He is the leader of the suras, who live in Svarga-loka. That is the heavenly realm, the place of residence for the most pious souls. Those whose bodies and way of life are in the mode of goodness, sattva-guna, get to enjoy in that place for as long as their credits earned through good deeds allow.

Yashoda’s son is also known as the king of heaven, as a way to relate to those who think achieving that temporary place is the highest goal in life. That is to say Krishna is the true leader of the suras. He comes to their rescue whenever the struggle against the asuras becomes too much to handle.

Good and evil have been at odds since before anyone can remember, and since that conflict involves the material world the Supreme Lord generally remains neutral. The one subtle distinction is that the suras will approach Him for help, whereas the asuras steadfastly deny both His existence and His supremacy. Since He always favors the good, the real king of heaven, Shri Krishna, periodically intervenes on behalf of those who are devoted to Him.

2. The impersonal Brahman

This is the description most prevalent in the Upanishads. Rather than listen to stories describing amazing personalities, capable of extraordinary things, certain classes of men prefer the philosophical angle. Understand the world around them through logic and reasoning. There is observation and experiment, as well, but not for exploiting the material resources or somehow prolonging life in a temporary and miserable world.

There is a corresponding literature base, known as the Upanishads. There the same son of Yashoda is known as Brahman, which is the impersonal side of spiritual life. God is always a person, but He can be realized in different ways. Brahman is essentially a concept. Consider the infinite fragments of spirit as a collective. Take everything as a singular energy and you get Brahman. This is one way to know God.

3. The supreme male

Keeping with the philosophical angle, the component parts of the manifest world are combinations of male and female. Not just in the sense of gender, but with an enjoyer and an enjoyed. The enjoyed, or female, is prakriti. This is the material nature. It consists of gross and subtle elements, and the noticeably lacking feature is consciousness.

Purusha is the enjoyer, or male. This dominates prakriti, though it often doesn’t look that way. After all, isn’t the approaching tornado strong enough to lift up my house? Aren’t we helpless against hurricanes and earthquakes? How can purusha be considered superior, then?

“Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is a superior energy of Mine, which are all living entities who are struggling with material nature and are sustaining the universe.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.5)

Even in those instances there is a purusha behind the scenes. Matter is incapable of doing anything on its own. In this context, Krishna is known as the supreme male. He is Purushottama, or the topmost purusha. He enjoys more than anyone else, and He is dominant over all the other purushas, who are prakriti in relation to Him.

4. The Supersoul

Another valid path of spiritual life is meditational yoga. Not merely for health benefits. Not just for dealing with stress or curing diseases, there is a defined goal. Brahman is the collection of individual spiritual fragments. It is considered impersonal. Supersoul is the individualized expansion of God.

Not that He divides or loses potency, but the Supreme kindly expands to reside with every individual in the heart. This is for both human and non-human living beings. The Supersoul is known as the overseer and the permitter; without His sanction not a single result to action would occur.

“Yet in this body there is another, a transcendental enjoyer who is the Lord, the supreme proprietor, who exists as the overseer and permitter, and who is known as the Supersoul.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 13.23)

The goal in meditational yoga is to realize the Supersoul, who is also the same as Yashoda’s son. The path is not easy and the result not guaranteed, but there is no loss or diminution. The sincere seeker along this path maintains their progress in successive lives. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that of all the yogis the best is he who constantly thinks of Krishna.

“And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 6.47)

5. The Supreme Personality of Godhead

Brahman is impersonal and Paramatma localized. The complete realization of God is known as Bhagavan. One translation for this Sanskrit word is “Supreme Personality of Godhead.” This is how Yashoda’s son is known to the devotees. He is everything described already and more. There is so much to Him that it is not possible to learn everything in a single lifetime.

Despite being Bhagavan Himself, Yashoda’s devotion is so pure that she is under the control of yogamaya. This is the illusory energy controlled by Krishna, to allow devotees to further enjoy His direct association. In this way Yashoda’s position is superior, as she loves God so much that she forgets who He really is.

In Closing:

Motherly love to Him showing,

But His true position not knowing.

Since covered by yogamaya’s veil,

Not seeing that supreme male.

Or over heaven acting as king,

Or Brahman of Upanishads to sing.

Of yogis Supersoul in the heart,

But Bhagavan best understanding from start.

Three Examples Of The Vatsalya-Rasa Standard

“When ecstatic love develops into the relationship of parenthood and becomes steadily established, the relationship is called vatsalya-rasa. The exhibition of this vatsalya-rasa standard of devotional service can be found in the dealings of Krishna with His devotees who represent themselves as superior personalities like father, mother, teacher, etc.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 43)

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You’ve decided to get serious about spiritual life. No more weekend warrior. No more only reading for a few hours a day. No more trying to find a secluded place for some meditation, only to return to the busy and distracting normal life on a daily basis.

In fact, the goal is to change the meaning of “normal.” Make it out of the ordinary to break away from meditation. Make thinking of the Divine the majority and forgetting Him the minority. Turn things around so that there is success in this very lifetime, without the risk of another birth.

“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.19)

From Vedic teachings we learn that the end in this pursuit is not really a stopping point. That is to say there is something beyond nirvana, Brahman-realization, mukti, moksha, liberation or whatever the preferred term to describe perfection, siddhi, for the purusha, the person at present within a temporary and destructible body.

One glimpse into the life of liberation is vatsalya-rasa. This is a specific mood of interaction with the Divine, who is also a purusha, but with an eternally transcendental body.

1. Teacher

Vatsalya is from the perspective of the person worshiping. The meaning is that the Supreme Lord does not interact in these moods; He is always in the superior position. He can never become a person’s son, a worker, a student, or what have you. He is the origin of the universe, after all, so who could properly advise Him on anything?

Yet He is so kind that He accepts the inferior roles from time to time. The people on the other side assume superiority. They are true believers in God, for they reached this position of interaction after perfection in spiritual practice. The covering of yogamaya now prevents them from seeing Krishna as He truly is.

The first teacher is Garga Muni. He is the family’s guru. Nanda Maharaja calls upon him to give names to Krishna and the elder brother Balarama. Garga has his own recollections of Bhagavan’s time on earth documented in the work known as the Garga-samhita.

The other notable teacher is Sandipani Muni. The birth father, Vasudeva, sends his boys to Sandipani’s school for education. Krishna and Balarama behave as ideal students, as if they need to be instructed. This again shows the Lord’s mercy, as the teacher is allowed to lovingly offer service in the manner preferred.

2. Father

As Krishna describes in the Bhagavad-gita, He is the seed-giving father. No one exists prior to Him. He is both the origin, adi, and the one without an origin, anadi. These contradictory features can only exist simultaneously in Bhagavan.

The father at the time of appearing from the womb is Vasudeva. External factors lead him to transfer baby Krishna to Gokula, where Nanda Maharaja takes over as the foster father. Nanda does not act like Krishna is God. The father provides instruction and gives responsibilities, such as tending to the calves when Krishna reaches the appropriate age.

3. Mother

In many famous paintings Krishna is with mother Yashoda. She is either holding Him lovingly in her arms or chasing after Him with a stick. The good mother is not afraid to offer mild punishment. Krishna is the butter-thief of Gokula, after all. No one is better at stealing than Him.

There are other rasas of devotional service, which means that the state of liberation is not stale, dry, or devoid of activity. The difference is that the connection is always there, yoga. This unbreakable link prevents rebirth, while providing ever-increasing bliss at the same time.

In Closing:

Liberation not the end,

Or like into void to send.

Rather interaction now to see,

For pleased by service is He.

Shri Krishna, who to Gokula coming,

And devoted student becoming.

And father’s responsibilities accepting,

And pleas against stealing rejecting.