Don’t You Find Demigod Worship Throughout Vedic Culture

“Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.20)

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कामैस् तैस् तैर् हृत-ज्ञानाः
प्रपद्यन्ते ऽन्य-देवताः
तं तं नियमम् आस्थाय
प्रकृत्या नियताः स्वया

kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ
prapadyante 'nya-devatāḥ
taṁ taṁ niyamam āsthāya
prakṛtyā niyatāḥ svayā

Friend1: I think one of the biggest crimes you can commit in modern day bhakti-yoga practice is having any sort of worship of someone who isn’t Vishnu directly.

Friend2: Are you referring to “demigod” worship?

Friend1: Yes.

Friend2: Who is bringing forth the charges? You mentioned “crime.”

Friend1: Let’s say it’s an established institution. The example we’ll use here is a wedding. Someone who is officially within the order [they have been duly initiated] wants to hold a wedding for someone in the family.

Friend2: Oh, you know there is some worship of Ganesha at the beginning.

Friend1: Exactly! Others who are planning to attend, sort of like the police officers in the institution, they strongly object.

Friend2: Why is that?

Friend1: Because Ganesha is a demigod. It’s worship for a material purpose.

Friend2: Are you serious with this?

Friend1: Why do you think I am bringing this up?

Friend2: It is quite common to worship that beloved son of Shiva and Parvati at the beginning of important ceremonies. In the marriage of Sita and Rama the same worship takes place. Ganesha has that special honor. If you read poems by Vaishnava saints, they often have a prayer to Ganesha as part of the mangalacharana, the plea for auspiciousness.

Friend1: That is the other thing I wanted to mention. If we consult Vedic literature, such worship is quite common. Shri Rama receives the prasada of Mahadeva prior to entering Lanka to fight for Sita against Ravana. Dasharatha engages in a yajna so that his wives will become pregnant, in order to bring an heir to the throne. In the marriage ceremony for Sita and Rama, the same worship of Ganesha takes place. Shiva once describes this to Parvati, and there is the playful mention by the poet that Ganesha worship can take place even if he has not been born in that particular millennium yet.

Friend2: The gopis in Vrindavana pray to Goddess Katyayani to have Krishna as their husband.

Friend1: Even the first Govardhana Puja is predicated on demigod worship. Nanda Maharaja and the community used to regularly worship Indra, the king of heaven, for sufficient rainfall.

Friend2: Yes.

Friend1: Isn’t that a contradiction, then? His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada asserts that Krishna, Bhagavan Himself, strongly condemns such worship. Evidence is there in the Bhagavad-gita.

Friend2: I think the direct translation is that a person’s intelligence is stolen.

Friend1: And only then do they surrender to a particular deva, because they don’t understand the temporary nature of the rewards.

Friend2: Right.

Friend1: Obviously, there is a major contradiction here. I can see why the members of the institution would object.

Friend2: I don’t know. Use some common sense. You ask Ganesha for auspiciousness in a marriage ceremony and suddenly that is a big deal?

Friend1: But they do make a big deal of it.

Friend2: The way I understand it is that respect for the demigods is part of the overall culture. There are so many things you are supposed to do throughout the day. We are talking about ideal life here. Rise at a certain time. Eat specific foods on specific days. Follow this ritual at a certain age.

Friend1: Samskaras.

Friend2: There you go. Rites for purification. I have always thought of demigod worship along those lines. I am speaking of proper worship; not where your intelligence is stolen.

Friend1: Okay.

Friend2: But since we live in Kali-yuga, the dark age of quarrel and hypocrisy, it is difficult to reach that high standard. And neither is it necessary. If you simply worship the personal God, you will be okay. You will not be lacking anything. I think that is the lesson from the first Govardhana Puja, as well.

Friend1: Where people were concerned with the effects of skipping the Indra-yajna.

Friend2: The immediate impact was devastating, but Krishna took care of everything. This means that if you skip the formal rules, rituals, regulations and the like, but maintain pure devotion to Bhagavan, you will be protected.

In Closing:

For purity of bhakti to protect,
Worship of Ganesha to reject.

Even at marriage formality’s start,
Idea that from principles to depart.

But tradition that respect showing,
Glories of Parvati’s son knowing.

Idea that certainly within bounds,
But everything within Krishna found.

Three Areas To Which My Attention Gets Diverted

“As confirmed in the Vedanta-sutra (1.1.1), athato brahma jijnasa: without inquiry about the Supreme, or the Transcendence, one cannot give up attachment for this material world. By the evolutionary process in 8,400,000 species of life, one cannot understand the ultimate goal of life because in all those species of life, the bodily conception is very prominent. Athato brahma jijnasa means that in order to get out of the bodily conception, one has to increase attachment to or inquiry about Brahman.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 4.22.21 Purport)

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The urgency is there with the human birth. No more waiting. Don’t squander the chance. It wasn’t there previously. The individual continues in their existence. Forward and backward. Choose any arbitrary point in a plotted timeline of creation, as best as can be understood. Know that the individual, including you and everyone else, existed in some capacity.

If nothing can kill me or you for real, what is the urgency in regards to? Why the pressing need when nothing fatal will occur moving forward? The basis is happiness, sukha. Real pleasure, ananda. That is the reason for living, and the human being has the requisite intelligence for matching the potential.

Unfortunately, even if I am fortunate enough to become aware, to approach a tattva-darshi and listen attentively, I might put off my future wellbeing for short-term interests. In common affairs this is known as procrastination. Waiting until the last moment. Put off something important until later.

1. Explaining politics

I see a public figure vilified for comments they made. I know what they said. I listened to the original speech, as it was delivered. There was no offense taken. At least this person speaks their mind. They are not bought and paid for by corporate interests. They are not worried about losing their job based on what someone might think of them.

Now there is a public outcry. At least that is the impression the news media gives. That same speech is supposedly offensive to the entire world. No need to raise counterarguments. No intelligent discussion. No back and forth with an exchange of ideas.

Simply remove the offender from the public arena. Get them out of office, at any cost. Even if there is no evidence of wrongdoing, just flood the zone with innuendo and suggestion. Hint at possible criminal behavior and the public will soon be convinced. Conduct one pointless investigation after another.

I know that politics is a dirty game, but I can’t stop myself from getting involved here. I don’t like it when innocent people are persecuted for speaking their mind. I have been offended so many times throughout life. I never wanted to silence others. Some of their hurtful words were very important to hear; they opened my eyes to new ways of viewing the world.

2. Arguing in online forums

This player who won the last big tournament is now on pace for having the most titles ever. He is not someone I prefer. My favorite hasn’t retired yet, but their best years are behind them. And those years were spectacular. It is so easy for people to forget the dominance; that is the nature of time.

In the end, it shouldn’t matter what public opinion says. If someone thinks their favorite player is the best, it shouldn’t have an impact on my way of life. I still can’t help it. I feel the need to argue in favor of my guy.

Mind you, the subject matter is sports, where the athletes are far away. I will likely never meet any of the people discussed. The arguments are essentially worthless, but I can’t stop from weighing in, from offering my two cents.

3. Criticizing an established institution

Even within the realm of bhakti-yoga practice there are areas which distract my attention. I might spend too much time criticizing an established institution. Their decrees of late make no sense. Some of their most respected leaders actually behave like mafia bosses behind the scenes. They stamp out dissent. They do not tolerate any criticism.

I take up the crusade to warn others:

“Don’t be fooled by the cheating gurus. Don’t spoil your spiritual life by surrendering to these fraudsters, who are only after money and power. Never, under any circumstances, leave your children alone with them. That will be the biggest mistake you make.”

…

While the causes may certainly be worthwhile, the idea is not to get distracted from the ultimate aim of life. Social, communal, and political issues will always remain. One person cannot absolutely influence the behavior of millions. They cannot get everyone to behave in a certain way; there will always be some degree of failure.

With the objective of pleasing Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the effort alone guarantees success. This means that if I chant the holy names purely just one time, Shri Krishna will be pleased: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

I might be a failure at everything else. The whole world might turn against me. The man-eating ogres could take charge of government and terrorize the innocent. The people are frightened into silence, into speaking only what is acceptable. But I will still be on the right track.

On the other hand, every injustice in this world could be rectified, but if I have forgotten Bhagavan then my effort is for nothing. I have not gained anything tangible, and in the future I will have to try again for something that was already within my grasp.

In Closing:

Previously within my grasp,
But in future again with task.

Since by these issues distracted,
Battle of politics protracted.

And arguing over the best ever,
Where resolution reached never.

Better on Brahman focus giving,
While now in human birth living.

Three Types Of Devotees You Can Encounter In Bhakti Life

“There are three classes of devotees, namely the prakrita, madhyama, and maha-bhagavata. The prakrita, or third-class devotees, are temple worshipers without specific knowledge of the Lord and the Lord's devotees. The madhyama, or the second-class devotee, knows well the Lord, the Lord's devotees, the neophytes, and the nondevotees also. But the maha-bhagavata, or the first-class devotee, sees everything in relation with the Lord and the Lord present in everyone's relation. The maha-bhagavata, therefore, does not make any distinction, particularly between a devotee and nondevotee.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 1.18.16 Purport)

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“Stay away from the karmis. They will bring you down. They are in maya. Do you want to be in illusion like them? You can exchange pleasantries. No issue there. After all, we are not recommending that you run away from society and go live in a cave. Some people do that, but it is not for everyone. As you will have to engage the outside world, better to maintain the association of devotees, sadhu-sanga.”

This recommendation is quite understandable for the person aspiring to understand Bhagavan in truth. Out of many thousands among men, hardly one will even make the endeavor. From there the chances of success are not great.

मनुष्याणां सहस्रेषु
कश्चिद् यतति सिद्धये
यतताम् अपि सिद्धानां
कश्चिन् मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
kaścid yatati siddhaye
yatatām api siddhānāṁ
kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ

“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.3)

At least make an attempt. To increase the chances of success, there are other like-minded individuals. You run into them in different places, and there are different interactions that occur. This is based on their level of realization, i.e. how mature they have become in the self-realization process.

1. Prakrita

Another term for describing the same is kanishtha. This is a neophyte. A beginner. We have to start somewhere. The expert writer once had to learn the alphabet and counting numbers in school. They did not emerge from the womb capable of reading and writing.

In the same way, in the beginning of bhakti life we might only know the basics. We acknowledge that God exists. We visit the temple in order to worship. Perhaps we don’t know more than that. Religion takes place exclusively in that house designated for that purpose. Outside, it is life as normal.

My dealings with such people could involve mentoring. If I know more, I can impart wisdom. Basically, share what I have learned. Continue the chain of information transfer. This is parampara, the disciplic succession. Atma-tattva is passed down; it is not suddenly discovered through research work.

2. Madhyama

This is the second category. Here the devotee starts to make distinctions. They see other people who are worshiping. They put those not engaged in the process into another category. This is where the sadhu-sanga recommendation unfolds. Stay with others who are not designated as karmis, which means engaging in fruitive work for the advancement of the material condition.

I can associate with the madhyama group in a friendly relationship. Peer to peer. We share our thoughts, our concerns, our realizations, and our hopes for the future. We attend religious functions together and we try to support each other.

3. Maha-bhagavata

This is also known as an uttama-adhikari. They are completely self-realized. They see God everywhere. Even in the worst human being imaginable, they see the hand of the Divine working in the background. Like Prahlada Maharaja, they understand that Vishnu, the personal God, is the source of every person’s strength.

श्री-प्रह्राद उवाच
न केवलं मे भवतश् च राजन्
स वै बलं बलिनां चापरेषाम्
परे ’वरे ’मी स्थिर-जङ्गमा ये
ब्रह्मादयो येन वशं प्रणीताः

śrī-prahrāda uvāca
na kevalaṁ me bhavataś ca rājan
sa vai balaṁ balināṁ cāpareṣām
pare ’vare ’mī sthira-jaṅgamā ye
brahmādayo yena vaśaṁ praṇītāḥ

“Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.8.7)

We associate with the maha-bhagavata in a respectful way. We offer our assistance. Service to another Vaishnava. They can mentor us. Though they don’t make distinctions between devotee and nondevotee, they are always willing to share Hari-katha. They are more than happy to enlighten someone as to the spiritual nature and how there is a personality at the source.

Whatever category to which we belong, there is ample opportunity for association. The maha-bhagavatas sometimes have no choice but to go it alone. Prahlada had no one helping him in the kingdom of Daityas. Bhishma was unfortunately aligned with bad people in the Kauravas. Hanuman had to search through the hostile territory of Lanka.

Yet their sacrifices are not made in isolation. The recorded observations and descriptions survive to this day, which means that I never have to be alone. I have the example of stalwart defenders of the tradition helping me to succeed in the ever-critical mission of remaining conscious of Bhagavan through to the time of death.

In Closing:

To wherever I may roam,
That place calling home.

Since Bhagavan can see,
How He is in you and me.

Others distinctions making,
Some religion only in temple taking.

To whatever category we belong,
Can share in sankirtana’s song.

What About People Who Literally Follow The Rules And Regulations

“According to the instruction of Lord Krishna, Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men called in learned brahmanas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasadam. The inhabitants of Vrindavana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 24)

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Friend1: I’ve heard it said that genuine religion should at the very minimum involve four qualities.

Friend2: I think you are referring to the four regulative principles of the Vaishnava tradition. Restriction on meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex. Each regulation has a corresponding quality that it produces.

Friend1: Yes, and so any type of religion, doesn’t matter which one you follow, should yield these qualities as a benefit.

Friend2: Not that the change in personal makeup is everything, but it is something like purification prior to entry. Taking a shower before going to work. Fasting before surgery. Precautionary measures.

Friend1: I’m glad you mentioned the shower thing. That is what I wanted to focus on today.

Friend2: You don’t feel like making the effort every single day?

Friend1: No, I am not saying that. What if you run into people that are supposedly religious, strict to their faith and what have you, but they stink.

Friend2: What kind of question is this?

Friend1: Indulge me a little. For whatever reason, this group has discerned that part of their religious faith is not showering.

Friend2: Never or just not often?

Friend1: I am not sure. Maybe once a week. I don’t know.

Friend2: Yeah, that is a sign of Kali Yuga. People make up religions. They concoct best practices. They don’t use common sense.

Friend1: That is what I was getting to. Don’t you think there should be some mental application? Use your intelligence to reconcile between contradicting recommendations.

Friend2: It is the age-old argument of taking things literally versus understanding the spirit. Even in the Vedas you will find sections that describe remedial measures for transgressing the rules. For instance, if a brahmana drinks alcohol, they are supposed to punish themselves severely and the like.

Friend1: Okay, so what if someone today wants to follow that literally?

Friend2: That’s why you need the guru, the spiritual master. They apply the lessons to the time and circumstance. They don’t act in a foolish way. Know that every recommendation is made for the purpose of purification. I need compassion in order to better understand God. Cleanliness will help me to better understand the purpose of the creation and our role in this world.

Friend1: I agree with you, but I think people might have a difficult time going beyond the rules that are passed down to them.

Friend2: That’s understandable.

Friend1: Even within the Vedic tradition you have people who don’t shave for months at a time. They grow long beards. The hair is long. So many saintly people appear this way.

Friend2: Yeah.

Friend1: How is that cleanliness, though?

Friend2: It is simpler living. If you stink because you’re not bathing, that’s a different issue.

Friend1: I guess what I am asking is that if I don’t have cleanliness, am I restricted from understanding the Divine?

Friend2: You know the answer to that. No single condition is an automatic qualifier or disqualifier. Otherwise, access to Bhagavan would be limited based on the circumstances of birth and the like.

Friend1: Couldn’t you say the animal birth is a disqualifier?

Friend2: Most of the time, but we know that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu liberated the animals in the wild through His presence. He shared the holy names with people of all levels, high and low births, men and women, children, even.

Friend1: There is also the possibility of criticism. By ignoring a specific rule that has been followed for generations, people will think you are a heretic.

Friend2: Look at the first Govardhana Puja. Shri Krishna started something that went against tradition. People were worried that skipping the Indra-yajna would be dangerous. They were correct, in a sense, but since the replacement was pure devotion to Krishna, everything worked out. They didn’t need to reconcile anything. They offered everything to the hill, which was nondifferent from Nanda’s son. They offered pure food dishes to the hill. They worshiped in the proper mood. They were not looking for anything in return. The rebellious Krishna set the example moving forward, promising protection for anyone who would repeat the worship on an annual basis.

In Closing:

Promise of protection giving,
For those with the tradition living.

That even if rules transgressing,
That hill always blessing.

Because of devotion pure,
For every ailment cure.

Guru the meaning explaining,
So closer to liberation attaining.

I Am Confused Over The Benefit Of Having A Chaste Wife

“King Puranjana then began to think of his past dealings with his wife. He recalled that his wife would not take her dinner until he had finished his, that she would not take her bath until he had finished his, and that she was always very much attached to him, so much so that if he would sometimes become angry and chastise her, she would simply remain silent and tolerate his misbehavior.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 4.28.19)

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न मय्य् अनाशिते भुङ्क्ते
नास्नाते स्नाति मत्-परा
मयि रुष्टे सुसन्त्रस्ता
भर्त्सिते यत-वाग् भयात्
na mayy anāśite bhuṅkte
nāsnāte snāti mat-parā
mayi ruṣṭe susantrastā
bhartsite yata-vāg bhayāt

Friend1: Anytime you get into a discussion about marriage, about the proper role for men and women, especially in a relationship, you are sure to ruffle some feathers.

Friend2: Why should women be treated differently than men? Why should the woman have to bear the burden of responsible behavior? The men have license to act like brutes, without any concern for the impact of their words?

Friend1: It is all about the difference in nature. One complementing the other. A union to serve a higher purpose. If you go against these natures, you have chaos.

Friend2: At least that is what saints like His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada teach. The less intelligent will apply labels to these viewpoints. “Traditional.” “Old-fashioned.” “Misogynist.”

Friend1: Whereas the modern way is somehow better. Look at the current situation. There is freedom in every area. Sex life. Eating. Gambling. Intoxication. Is anyone happy?

Friend2: They are more miserable than before. The human birth is meant for tapasya. Some voluntarily imposed austerity for furthering a higher goal.

Friend1: My question today relates to a verse that I came across in the Shrimad Bhagavatam. It is about Puranjana and attachment to his wife.

Friend2: Yes, this is a wonderful allegorical section. King Puranjana is not really a person. He is symbolic of the living entity and the struggle that he goes through in the human birth.

Friend1: Right, and so this particular verse describes how the living entity becomes attached to a chaste wife. There are three distinct features to her behavior. She does not eat before her husband. She does not bathe before him. And if her husband happens to lose his cool, she remains calm. She does nothing to further aggravate him.

Friend2: If you attend “traditional” weddings of the Vedic culture, you will hear similar advice offered to the bride. The priest tells her never to eat before her husband. It is a respect thing. Make him feel like he is the boss. Always support him. That is the formula for happiness, at least in a marriage.

Friend1: Okay, I get that. But remember that Puranjana’s behavior is not ideal. The meaning is that his attachment to the wife, based on her good qualities, is not beneficial.

Friend2: Yes, because if you are too attached to a woman, at the time of death you will think of her instead of Bhagavan. Then you have rebirth and go through the struggle again.

Friend1: Don’t you see the contradiction here?

Friend2: Where?

Friend1: The Vedas advise a husband to behave a certain way. The wife should be tolerant. Yet if both follow the advice, they become attached to one another.

Friend2: That is a keen observation. How do you reconcile?

Friend1: I am asking you.

Friend2: The formula is there for material happiness. The meaning is that though the Vedas may be considered a religion, the advice given helps to advance the material condition, as well. Following the atheistic tendencies brings misery at every step.

Friend1: Alright, but isn’t the lesson that Puranjana should rise above material happiness?

Friend2: It is a warning. It is a case study. Shrimad Bhagavatam is shining the light on areas of possible trouble. “This is what you will go through in life. These are the problems that you might encounter. Watch out for them.“

Friend1: I see. Okay, now what about the opposite situation? Say that my wife does none of those things.

Friend2: What things?

Friend1: She eats before me. She maybe bathes once every few days; certainly not taking into consideration my schedule. She riles me up and makes me angrier than I need to be.

Friend2: Oh, I get it now.

Friend1: Is that a good thing for me?

Friend2: If it helps you stay attached to Bhagavan. You can take it as a great blessing from above. Shri Krishna is helping you to stay free of attachments. He wants you to think of Him. If you want to appreciate a chaste wife, think of Sita Devi, the beloved of Shri Rama. Only God deserves such a spouse, and anyone who follows in Lakshmi’s footsteps embodies her devotional spirit.

Friend1: You are basically saying that I can take positives out of either situation.

Friend2: Absolutely. Always chant the holy names, be mindful of the pitfalls of attachment, and never forget Bhagavan: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Puranjana to wife attached,
Failed at becoming detached.

For liberation’s end,
Instead to rebirth to send.

But Vedas recommending behavior so,
That wife after husband’s way to go.

Idea that for material happiness accounting,
But potential for trouble not discounting.

Five Causes Where Even Success Leads To Attachment

“If we do not change our consciousness in this life, whatever we do in the name of social, political, religious or communal and national welfare will be the cause of our bondage. This means we have to continue in material, conditional life.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Shrimad Bhagavatam, 4.28.20 Purport)

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1. Social

“It is unfair how this group is treated. They have to hide in the shadows. People look down upon them. Not to their face, mind you. But I know what they are thinking. I hear their conversations around the coffee machine in the office. You know what they are saying while socializing at the restaurant.

“It is about time we did something to correct the injustice. These are human beings like everyone else. They may be a little different, but that should not impact how we treat them. We have to raise awareness. We have to make people stand up and be held accountable.”

2. Political

“Seriously, this leader is the worst. They are basically running a criminal gang. They are simply the next in line. The ones before them were brought down for corruption. While they spoke of targeting the guilty, of protecting the vulnerable, they exhibited the worst behavior themselves.

“The voting public doesn’t seem to discern the pattern. They keep electing leaders of the same political party. It is as if this one party has a lock on the majority. No matter what they do, they will earn enough support come election time. Something has to be done. We need change. We have to clean up the government before every good person in the area leaves for a better place.”

3. Religious

“Our numbers are dwindling. A mere fifty years ago, the attendance was at full capacity every Sunday. We had people waiting in line outside. Everyone would dress up nicely. We would at least think of the Almighty, even if a lot of the time was spent socializing.

“Just see the situation now. Sure, our leadership has been in the news lately, for the wrong reasons. The institution has made some regrettable mistakes. Barely anyone attends. Just the truly devoted. We have to turn things around. We need to rebrand ourselves. Let’s find a way to appeal to the disenfranchised. I know that they still believe in God and heaven, deep inside.

4. Communal

“The park is in bad shape. The city has supposedly been trying to fix the problem for a while. They’ve tried different vendors who made bids but none of them could get anywhere. This real estate developer says they are willing to give it a shot. Not for a profit motive; just to help the city.

“Actually, we could use help in a lot of areas. More homeless shelters. How about those portable restrooms on the streets? People pay a nominal fee and can then use. I’ve heard that the unions have been standing in the way of that. We need more reliable trains and also one that goes directly to the airport.”

5. National welfare

“The entitlement system is crumbling. The actuarial tables show that the system will be bankrupt in a few decades. So many people retiring and no money to support this. These are funds that were promised to them, taken out in the form of payroll deductions.

“Raising taxes always seems to be the answer, but that will cripple the economy. The wealthy will simply leave and go to places with lower tax rates. Then the government doesn’t get any revenue, when they were expecting more to flow into the treasury. Something needs to be done, either way.”

…

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada advises against getting too involved in such causes. The reason is that the issue of material bondage remains. Even if a person is wildly successful, what does that really gain them?

Today we drive over bodies of water using bridges named after famous people. Does anyone stop and consider what those people did to gain notoriety? In fact, after a while the name gets associated with the bridge only. If there is too much traffic on a regular basis, the motorists start cursing at the mere sound of the name of that famous person.

I may be successful in curing the ills of society, but that does not stop the issue of birth and death. No matter how much a person is enjoying in the material sense, there is the guaranteed exit looming. It is a difficult subject matter to discuss, but one that should be carefully considered.

How exactly do I want to die? Do I get to bring my possessions with me? Will my friends and family protect me? Will my community help me in the future, in the next life?

According to Shrimad Bhagavatam, the best course of action is to work towards success in pleasing the master of the senses, Hrishikesha.  Work very hard to please God the person. Help those who are striving for the same. Band together. Build a better consciousness, and the remaining issues of the external world will get resolved on their own.

In Closing:

Resolving on their own,
Not fixed by me alone.

Even success seeing when,
Issue of material bondage then.

That to again take birth,
So of such progress what worth?

Better on the spiritual side to land,
And over future destination command.

Can Chanting The Holy Name Change The Nature Of A Situation

“My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good fortune for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as Krishna and Govinda, by which You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your potencies in those names, and there are no hard and fast rules for remembering them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting.” (Lord Chaitanya, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya 20.16)

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नाम्नाम् अकारि बहुधा निज-सर्व-शक्तिस्
तत्रार्पिता नियमितः स्मरणे न कालः
एतादृशी तव कृपा भगवन् ममापि
दुर्दैवम् ईदृशम् इहाजनि नानुरागः

nāmnām akāri bahudhā nija-sarva-śaktis
tatrārpitā niyamitaḥ smaraṇe na kālaḥ
etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi
durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ

Friend1: Do you know any people who are into astrology?

Friend2: Define “into.” A general interest or an obsession?

Friend1: They like to read the horoscopes. Nowadays you can get internet videos of the same. Some of these sound pretty legitimate. I know in the Vedic tradition the alignment of the planets is one stated cause for a bad situation, such as with the onset of disease.

Friend2: Oh, for sure. The planets work in conjunction with kala, which is time. Sita Devi mentions something similar in the Ramayana. When speaking to Ravana one time, she remarks that when a person’s end is approaching, they end up following actions that essentially effect that outcome.

Friend1: Oh, as in Ravana was engaged in despicable acts because kala was influencing him to do so?

Friend2: Yes. That is one way of looking at it.

Friend1: I know about the concepts of kala and desha. Time and place. If you’re going to get married, choose an auspicious time. Don’t conduct ritualistic activities in an improper place. If you go to the right location, your efforts will bear fruit more quickly.

Friend2: Absolutely. Goswami Tulsidas dedicates a significant number of verses in his Dohavali to time and place. When to do certain things and when to avoid them.

Friend1: Reconcile this for me, then. There doesn’t seem to be many rules related to chanting the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Friend2: It is the yuga-dharma. Who actually follows the prescribed rules and regulations of religion today? Who is interested in right and wrong? Who doesn’t succumb to the desires of the senses at every moment of the day?

Friend1: Chanting is therefore recommended.

Friend2: If you can say any of the three names in that mantra even once, you are very lucky. If you can repeat the mantra one time in your life, you are most fortunate. Just imagine the auspiciousness associated with regular repetition, especially in a combined way with other like-minded aspiring transcendentalists.

Friend1: What about time and place, though? Why is that suddenly not important?

Friend2: Because of the nature of the names involved. You can take Shri Krishna’s appearance in this world as an instructional point. The appearance is on the eighth day of the lunar cycle in a particular month of the year. You could argue whether or not that is auspicious, but since Bhagavan chose that specific time, the conditions automatically become auspicious.

Friend1: With Mathura, too, which is the place associated with the event.

Friend2: Exactly. He turns the inauspicious into auspicious. You can try it for yourself. If you are in trouble, if you are suffering through some misfortune, if you are in danger, if you are concerned over a specific outcome in the future – just focus and say the names of Krishna and Rama. You will see a change, there is no doubt. You can look back on that time later with fondness. What you initially considered to be difficult and bothersome turned into something sweet and joyful. That is the power of bhakti, which is identical to Krishna.

In Closing:

Attention to time and place,
Hoping conditions not to erase.

The benefits accumulated,
By behavior unregulated.

Not principle the same,
With chanting holy name?

Direct potency in process invested,
So as if before me manifested.