Five Kinds Of Consciousness

“Consciousness is originally pure, like water. But if we mix water with a certain color, it changes. Similarly, consciousness is pure, for the spirit soul is pure. But consciousness is changed according to the association of the material qualities. Real consciousness is Krishna consciousness. When, therefore, one is situated in Krishna consciousness, he is in his pure life.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 15.9 Purport)

Download this episode (right click and save)

1. Election consciousness

“This is the most important election of our lifetimes. Who we choose to lead us for the next four years will drastically alter the course of human history. Will the country remain as founded, adhering to our bedrock principles? Or will it be fundamentally changed, going against what it was intended to be?

“To me, there is no other choice. We have to stand by this one person. They are the only hope. Otherwise, we are in for trouble. Things might go so far in the wrong direction that it will be impossible to unwind. Irreparable damage. There will be no turning back. We can’t allow that to happen.”

2. Virus consciousness

“I can’t believe people are thinking of sending their children back to school. Have they not realized that we are in a pandemic? That means something. Death. Disease. Pain. Suffering. What is a year or two in the grand scheme of things? We are fortunate enough to live in such advanced times that our kids can still learn even while away from the classroom.

“Why take the risk? Listen to the experts. Follow science. No need to be hasty. We’ve come this far, we might as well continue the sacrifice until we can know for certain that everything will be okay. Trust me, I want more than anybody to return to normal, but we have to be responsible.”

3. Race consciousness

“I am sick and tired of people of my race who just do not get it. They don’t see how we have been oppressed for so long. No one else knows what it is like to hear the sound of car doors locking as we walk by, innocently on the street. No one else endures the looks of derision, of disdain, where they hope to return to the days of yore when our people were serving coffee, picking crops on the field, and denied the decency of a human existence afforded to everyone else.

“We need to stand up for our race. Be proud. Don’t let others diminish us. Come together. Demand change. Educate them as to what it is like to be a second-class citizen growing up in their society. We don’t want sympathy or handouts. We just want to be treated equally.”

4. Parent consciousness

“The future for my child is everything. It is why we live where we do. The school district. The extracurricular activities. The tutoring. The discipline we instill. I take parenthood very seriously. It is a grave responsibility, and it is something I think about day and night. Child is the father of man, after all. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

5. Krishna consciousness

In truth, there are so many kinds of consciousness. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that there is originally a single consciousness for every living being. The soul is an instance of life, a spark of an amazing energy that has no origin and no end.

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतो ऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते हन्यमाने शरीरे

na jāyate mriyate vā kadācin
nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ
ajo nityaḥ śāśvato ‘yaṁ purāṇo
na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre

“For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.20)

Consciousness changes based on the association with material qualities. The Sanskrit word is guna. Different grades of guna, prepared and assembled in a variety of combinations, thus accounting for the many species we can at least identify in our journey through life.

We may go through so many changes in consciousness, but the pure version stays unchanged. That is to say there is always the opportunity to return to the original way of an existence. Krishna is one name for the Almighty. The term “Krishna consciousness” is an attempt to describe in English what is known in Sanskrit as sanatana-dharma, bhakti-yoga, bhagavata-dharma and other similar terms.

Returning to the original and pure consciousness is in my best interest. It will do me the most good. It will bring me the most pleasure. Ananda is my reason for living. Every action has the purpose of some kind of benefit in the future, either immediate or long-term.

मीठो अरू कठवति भरो रौंताई अरू छेम |
स्वारथ परमारथ सुलभ राम नाम के प्रेम |

mīṭho arū kaṭhavati bharo rauṃtāī arū chema |
svāratha paramāratha sulabha rāma nāma ke prema |

“Having sweets in such abundance that they fill up a large bowl, having the power and glory of a king while remaining humble and forgiving, having worldly assets and spiritual assets at the same time – these [seemingly contradictory] combinations of benefits can be acquired easily by having prema for Shri Rama’s holy name.” (Dohavali, 15)

As Goswami Tulsidas says, connecting with God the person in a mood of love meets both the short and long term interests. Prahlada Maharaja confirms that what we would consider short-term or personal interest, svartha, has the ultimate destination of Vishnu, which is another name for the personal God.

Krishna consciousness does not prevent death in this lifetime, but it stops the cycle moving forward. The living entity develops a certain kind of gross body based on the consciousness at the completion. If the consciousness is pure, then the body will match the desire to serve the Almighty in a mood of love, without motivation and without interruption.

In other words, the controller of nature gives the reward matching desire. He facilitates our earnest desire to be with Him. We can see evidence already, through the blessed opportunity to always chant His names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Consciousness originally pure to be,
But now in variation to see.

Where focus on upcoming election,
Or to child’s interests attention.

But this life one day to end,
Nature to another body to send.

But if to pure returning mind,
Krishna’s association to find.

How Do We Answer The Question Of Racial Identity

“The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, tongue, and nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of sense objects.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 15.9)

Download this episode (right click and save)

श्रोत्रं चक्षुः स्पर्शनं च
रसनं घ्राणम् एव च
अधिष्ठाय मनश् चायं
विषयान् उपसेवते

śrotraṁ cakṣuḥ sparśanaṁ ca
rasanaṁ ghrāṇam eva ca
adhiṣṭhāya manaś cāyaṁ
viṣayān upasevate

Friend1: I heard someone on the radio say something interesting recently. The context was a discussion about public education and what kinds of things students learn these days.

Friend2: Positive or negative?

Friend1: What do you mean?

Friend2: Was the person praising the system or were they critical due to certain errors and the like?

Friend1: It was mostly critical. They put the blame on multi-culturalism, as it is known.

Friend2: I see. I’m not even sure what that is.

Friend1: Me, neither, but a teacher was giving testimony and they described an assignment they received in a class while studying for their masters degree.

Friend2: This was part of their teacher’s training? Before they took charge of a classroom?

Friend1: They were already an established teacher, but this study was for earning an advanced degree. I guess so that they could start training adults to be mentors or something like that.

Friend2: I see. What was this assignment?

Friend1: They were asked to write a paper describing when they first learned of their racial identity.

Friend2: Huh? What?

Friend1: I know! I had the same response.

Friend2: Who even thinks like that?

Friend1: I don’t know. Obviously, someone must be focused on the externals.

Friend2: How would you even answer something like that?

Friend1: I am bringing it up to you. I am assuming if you are in the minority population based on race, then you would identify much sooner than if you were in the majority.

Friend2: I would hope that no one ever realizes their racial identity. That is the entire objective of athato brahma-jijnasa. Now is the time for the spirit soul to break through the bounds of material existence, which features duality and temporary assignments based on external features.

Friend1: You are speaking from the religious point of view.

Friend2: Whatever label you want to affix, it is just common sense. If I begin to identify based on country of origin, gender, ancestry, height, skin color, or language spoken, I have not used my intelligence to the full.

Friend1: Okay, but the entire world draws such distinctions. They make identifications on precisely the attributes you mentioned.

Friend2: They are wrong. Sorry, we are wrong. This is a shared problem. The acharya leads by example to correct. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gives the most valuable and necessary education. Learn that I am spirit soul. I am not this body.

Friend1: Those two truths – profound.

Friend2: Know that if I come upon some racial identity in this life, I could very well be something different in the next one. The spirit soul travels on this spinning wheel of sorts, and there are different kinds of features assumed within each duration of association, which is a lifetime.

Friend1: If you were taking such a class, how would you complete the assignment?

Friend2: As I told you, I would hope to never come upon a racial identity. Prahlada Maharaja never saw himself as a Daitya demon. Vibhishana never considered himself to be a vile man-eater. Hanuman never thought he and his friends were just uncivilized apes.

Friend1: Okay, but the body type does influence behavior, to a certain degree.

Friend2: Every person must follow their nature. Of that there is no doubt. But that doesn’t mean the temporary nature defines me. We are in a shared experience, in this wonderful world created by God, inhabited by equally potent spiritual sparks associating with different vessels for a period of time. The day I realize my spiritual identity, as being part and parcel of the Supreme Lord Krishna, I have reached a milestone truly worthwhile. That is an experience the world would be enlightened to hear.

In Closing:

Hoping one day to reach,
So that to others can teach.

Knowing my identity real,
And shared experience to feel.

Not that defined by race,
Or appearance of face.

Since as in this life body receiving,
And as same spirit soul then leaving.

Do I Need A Room Full Of People To Show I Am Religious

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.34)

Download this episode (right click and save)

मन्-मना भव मद्-भक्तो
मद्-याजी मां नमस्कुरु
माम् एवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवम्
आत्मानं मत्-परायणः

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam
ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

Friend1: You have so many protestations to organized religion that it is difficult to cover all of the reasons.

Friend2: You mean it’s not wise to label every person with an objection as an atheist?

Friend1: Perfect! That’s exactly what I mean to say. There are legitimate concerns. Something doesn’t sit right with them about the culture, the way of life, so they reject it.

Friend2: Completely understandable. If you see lies, contradictions, deceit, envy, pride, greed and other undesirable qualities in the most dedicated followers, you will begin to question the legitimacy of the path itself.

Friend1: The one I came across recently goes something like this:

“I don’t need a room full of people to be religious. I believe in God just as much as you do. You are no better than me simply because you make a show of it. I am always talking to the man upstairs. We are in constant communication. I don’t need to prove anything to you.”

Friend2: Sounds reasonable to me.

Friend1: Okay, but what is the counterargument? Why are there rooms full of people to begin with? Why the emphasis on attending a house of worship?

Friend2: It should never be a strict requirement. It is something like meeting with a group of like-minded people, such as a club or association. For example, the popularity of personal computers in America grew exponentially because of user groups. Individuals bought computers, played around with them, came up with new ideas and inventions, and then shared with others having the same interest.

Friend1: Right. Nothing wrong with that. Some would say that is a good thing.

Friend2: Yet you could have someone outside of that association be just as much of a computer enthusiast. They may not openly share their discoveries with others, but they are engaged in a similar activity.

Friend1: Well, you would understand why someone would feel pressured. They see everyone else going to a house of worship as a kind of formality. A way to safeguard against ridicule and guilt. No one will bother them since they have perfect attendance.

Friend2: In Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna says to always think of Him and offer worship to Him. Plain and simple. There is no stipulation on time and place. He does not say to only visit a temple and then worship there exclusively. He does not say that you need the approval of your neighbors and peers in order to approach Him.

Friend1: I see.

Friend2: The potent elixir that is the maha-mantra survives and thrives even in isolation: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Keep in mind that for many people making such a show is actually dangerous. Where they live the bhakti culture would be strongly rejected. There is no option to associate with like-minded people; at least not in person.

Friend1: I am thinking of Shrila Haridasa Thakura.

Friend2: Yes, that is an extreme case. Lethal punishment inflicted by the government for not following the traditions determined at the time of birth. The connection was so strong, Haridasa had Krishna so much in his corner, that nothing could be done to stop the devotion. Such a dedicated person continues to inspire us, to show that you don’t necessarily have to give in to societal pressures in order to be accepted, in order to be successful in this most valuable form of life.

In Closing:

To place of worship to proceed,
For perfect attendance a need?

In order for pious to be considered,
And at the end to be delivered?

Krishna the formula giving,
That conscious of Him living.

No stipulation on time or place,
Success on His assessment to base.

Collateral For The Cause

“While Vasudeva was carrying his son Krishna in the falling rain, Lord Shesha in the shape of a serpent spread His hood over the head of Vasudeva so that he would not be hampered by the rainfall. Vasudeva came onto the bank of the Yamuna and saw that the water of the Yamuna was roaring with waves and that the whole span was full of foam. Still, in that furious feature, the river gave passage to Vasudeva to cross, just as the great Indian Ocean gave a path to Lord Rama when He was bridging over the gulf.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 3)

Download this episode (right click and save)

“In business dealings, if asking another party to make a large investment on your behalf, a risk, if you will, there is something known as collateral. Basically, it’s a way to indemnify the investors against a total loss.

“In a real estate transaction, for example, there is the property itself. I am asking the bank to loan me money to purchase a residence, and they can actually foreclose on the place if I don’t abide by the agreement in terms of timely payments and amounts. They also have the interest they charge on the loan. In other words, they make money on the deal. It is in their favor to help me.

“There is due diligence beforehand. They look at my credit report. A favorable rating equates to a lower interest rate, and vice versa. In an auto loan the collateral is the automobile. In a business loan, there might be something of value on the other side that serves as collateral in case the business totally fails.

“The reason I bring this up today is because genuine spiritual life seems like an investment to me. It certainly involves two parties. One side is generally asking for something; they are like a beggar. The other side is in the position to give; they are the donor.

“From within the Vaishnava tradition of spirituality, I always hear how easy the process is. Simply chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Remain conscious of God, who is ultimately a person. Always think of Him. Become His devotee.

“But is there no collateral? Why would something so valuable, in this case liberation from the cycle of birth and death, be so inexpensive? Why would it be given away so easily? Do you see the contradiction?”

While a daily exercise like rising early in the morning, offering a lamp to a picture, and sitting in meditation seems simple enough, who will actually follow through? To be free of the suffering of birth, old age, disease and death is the topmost priority for the rationally thinking adult, but who actually takes the steps necessary to meet the potential found only within the human species?

If there is any collateral in Krishna consciousness, it is the difficulty. The road will not be easy. There will be many tests. Sometimes, you can be in the very presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and face obstacles you never before conceived.

An example is Vasudeva, the loving father of Bhagavan’s avatara of Krishna. Vasudeva likely never found himself having to escape from a prison in the middle of the night. He never thought about picking locks and walking away in secret, without others noticing.

Then there was the stunt of crossing a raging river while holding an infant. How do you even practice such a thing? Who else, aside from rogues and thieves, ever faces such a problem? Now imagine coming upon these obstacles whilst wanting so desperately to succeed. In other words, Vasudeva did everything out of love for Krishna; he did not want the difficulty to set him back.

Despite the graduate-level tests, the birth-father came through. He brought baby Krishna to Gokula, as directed. He kept Krishna safe from the paranoid Kamsa, the king of Mathura. The eighth child arrived and would one day fulfill the prophecy spoken many years before. The voice in the sky had been telling the truth.

In a business transaction the failure to meet the obligations results in the loss of collateral, forfeiture. This is a tragic situation, one to be avoided at all costs. In bhakti-yoga, the collateral is there in terms of difficulty, but there is never a total loss accompanying failure.

मन्-मना भव मद्-भक्तो
मद्-याजी मां नमस्कुरु
माम् एवैष्यसि युक्त्वैवम्
आत्मानं मत्-परायणः

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam
ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.34)

I may have missed the opportunity to fully purify the consciousness in this lifetime. I may have to suffer through birth and ignorance again. I may have to make the attempt at spiritual life in the future, but whatever progress I made the first time around remains. This is another reason Krishna’s mercy is all-encompassing and beyond belief. He is the ideal object of worship, now and forever into the future.

In Closing:

Always ideal savior for relief,
He of mercy beyond belief.

That even after failure relinquishing,
Time that progress not extinguishing.

Collateral perhaps in difficulty so,
Like Vasudeva across Yamuna to go.

But success because underneath supported,
Krishna’s assistance in ways assorted.

Shouldn't Indra Have Had Better Things To Do

“As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

Download this episode (right click and save)

“I certainly do love the story of the first Govardhana Puja, and how it became an annual tradition. There are some hints of the angry God concept, wherein Shri Krishna threatens the people that snakes will bite them if they ignore the worship in subsequent years.

“But still, I get the meaning. The hill is so important to Him. If you have a temple close by, there is no need to install deities in your home. The higher forces have facilitated worship, and something acquired with little endeavor should not be misused. If you live near Govardhana Hill, participate in the worship once a year and you will see tremendous benefits in your life.

“I am speaking of the consciousness. If your thinking is pure, you can survive any situation. Otherwise, even if you live within the most pristine environment, with life’s necessities taken care of, you could be miserable.

“Which is a natural transition to Indra, the king of heaven. We know that Govardhana Hill became famous in Vrindavana because Krishna lifted it into the air, to serve as an umbrella for seven days. This was necessary because Indra attacked the people with devastating rain, more so than any of us have ever personally witnessed.

“I’m wondering why Indra would care, at all. Shouldn’t he have had better things to do? He was in the heavenly region. More comforts. More enjoyment. Why be concerned with people living in an inferior realm?

“It sort of reminds me of the affluent adult-aged children of today, living in their parents’ home, without a job. They don’t have to pay for anything, so they should be in less distress than the family man who has to earn a living to scrape by every month. Yet the mental outlook in these children is so toxic that they become involved in violent social causes related to issues that they know nothing about.

“I blame it on the smartphones and endless hours of television they consume. If you have everything going for you, you shouldn’t be dragged into illusion. I feel that’s what happened to Indra, as well.”

The acharyas will give many explanations for this apparently contradictory behavior. The most obvious truth is that material advancement means nothing for the consciousness. This is important to remember because the illusion says otherwise.

If I just made more money, I would be happy. If my party only won the upcoming election, the country would be fine. If this famous person just went to jail, then I would feel like we live in a fair world. If only this and if only that, then I will be at peace.

The outcomes fall on either side, but the long-term result is the same. Continued distress. Prolonged stretches of hopelessness and despair. Depression. Irregular eating and sleeping habits, leading to poor health. In Indra’s case, it was extreme envy towards people who had only been loyal to him for many years.

This means that even in the heavenly realm a person is vulnerable to the defects of a material existence. Winning heaven doesn’t really make you immune to anything. Birth, old age, disease and death. Acceptance and rejection. Intense desire, kama, leading to irrational anger, krodha.

Indra essentially became an attempted mass-murderer. The lesson he was trying to teach the residents of Vrindavana was death through uncontrollable flood. There were no insurance companies in those days, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead was there to indemnify.

He gave protection against total loss for the effort invested in devotion to Him. The people shifted gears, towards Govardhana Hill, at His insistence. This was Krishna’s invented yajna; one not previously mentioned in shastra. In this sense, Nanda Maharaja’s son was an iconoclastic rebel.

The outcome teaches that participating in the yajna was the best thing to do. It was the most valuable use of time. Indra was blessed to have been corrected in such a drastic way, and the continuing tradition of the first puja gives a vivid example of the supremacy of the bhakti path and devotion to Krishna.

In Closing:

Krishna’s persuasion couldn’t resist,
So that year from yajna to desist.

Efforts instead towards hill,
Vessels with preparations to fill.

By Indra treated as effort to secede,
So in vengeful wrath to proceed.

But Krishna with uprooted hill taking,
Futile attack against bhakti making.

Five Desirable Abilities In A Representative

“O sinless one, certainly, how can any king accomplish his objectives if he doesn't have such a messenger working for him?” (Shri Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.34)

Download this episode (right click and save)

एवं विधो यस्य दूतो न भवेत्पार्थिवस्य तु।
सिद्ध्यन्ति हि कथं तस्य कार्याणां गतियोऽनघ

evaṃ vidho yasya dūto na bhavetpārthivasya tu।
siddhyanti hi kathaṃ tasya kāryāṇāṃ gatiyo’nagha

To maintain a good relationship with the other side, you would rather not do the negotiations yourself. You certainly could. Who better than you to communicate desires and objectives? You have an idea of what the other side will say. But still, if everything goes through representatives, there is less of a chance of hurt feelings at the conclusion.

To that end, several abilities are desirable. Each one is a bonus in the person going to bat for you, so to speak. They may not check every box, but anything additional they can bring to the table will be helpful in meeting success.

1. If they know how to speak several languages

This negotiation could be about salary. A contract between an employee and an employer. A player and a team. A lawyer and a firm. A doctor and a hospital. On the largest scale, it could be between two powerful nations.

If your representative can speak more than one language, it is a bonus. It is the human tendency to be friendlier with those who share something in common within the realm of culture. If I am living in a foreign country where everyone speaks a different language, if I find someone from my home country it is easy to become friends immediately. We at least can speak with each other comfortably.

2. If they are deft at the art of persuasion

Who actually expects the other side to agree to everything at the outset? If you want something, the people in the position to give it probably aren’t ready to part with it. They would like their own concessions; something from you.

A representative who has a knack for getting people to give in, to agree to demands but make it look like they are not agreeing, is valuable. In the process of negotiating, they are not easily discouraged. If an employer denies my request for a pay increase, I might be so upset that I contemplate quitting the next day.

The person negotiating on my behalf should not be like this. They should expect to hear denial on the other side, and they should think of ways to turn that around. Turn the no into a yes. It is indeed possible, but persuasion is something of an art. It is an expertise known to salespeople. For that occupation there is an urgency; a necessity, since this skill determines how much the person earns in salary.

3. If they can read the situation and adjust accordingly

“Reading the tea leaves.” “Seeing the stitches on the fastball.” “Know when to hold them and when to fold them.” “This is not the hill to die on.” “Live to fight another day.” “Read the room.”

So many sayings to describe the fine art of discrimination. Logic and reasoning. Understand the situation and then behave in a sober and rational way. The representative sometimes may have to show anger and great frustration. Threaten to walk away, to blow up the entire deal. Other times, they simply accept what the other side says.

4. If they know when to speak and when to remain silent

Sometimes the other side will give away their entire negotiating strategy, if you let them. If they are on the verge of spilling the beans, so to speak, the worst thing you could do is interrupt and have them realize their mistake.

Other times it is important to speak up, to assert command over the negotiation, especially when you are entering from a position of strength. The good representative will be able to make such assessments quickly. It will be like second nature to them; instinct.

5. If they know the strengths and weaknesses of the other side

This is called preparation. Doing your homework. The other side wants something, but there might be some issues on which they are vulnerable. In other words, they would be afraid of losing something you might be willing to give up. That could then be a bargaining point.

…

The representative has these challenges and more to consider. It is not an easy task, but someone like Shri Hanuman is up to it. He is willing to stand up and fight for the interests of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Rama, who assigns the most difficult task of scouring the earth in search of His missing wife, Sita Devi.

Hanuman does not buckle under the pressure. He works well in both groups and isolation. In the most critical moments, he is by himself. No phone available. No well-wishers to consult. No electronic database to search or retrieve information. Everything from memory.

He follows his heart, which is pure due to devotion to the Supreme Lord. Hanuman succeeds in the missions assigned to him, and Rama takes notice. He remarks to Lakshmana that every leader should have someone like Hanuman working for them.

The representation continues, to this day, for as long as Rama’s glories are sung in this world. Those timeless gunas are found in sacred texts like the Ramayana, which Hanuman takes great pleasure in reading every day.

In Closing:

With same interests to share,
Handling with attention and care.

Knowing when necessary to speak,
And when silence to keep.

Sometimes representing interest alone,
Hanuman for these abilities known.

To where Shri Rama notice taking,
And forever gatekeeper making.

Three Reasons Saintly People Don't Put Much Emphasis On Reaching Heaven

“As the director of different kinds of clouds, Indra called for the samvartaka. This cloud is invited when there is a need to devastate the whole cosmic manifestation. The samvartaka was ordered by Indra to go over Vrindavana and inundate the whole area with an extensive flood. Demonically, Indra thought himself to be the all-powerful supreme personality.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 25)

Download this episode (right click and save)

“Svarga-loka. It is a real place. That word is used in common conversation to describe something pleasurable and good. As in English someone would describe something as ‘heavenly,’ so those speaking languages descending from Sanskrit make the comparison to ‘svarga’ when enjoying an enhanced experience.

“I’m just wondering why the acharyas of the Vedic tradition, particularly within the succession of Vedanta or bhagavata-dharma, tend to de-emphasize svarga. They quote verses from the Bhagavad-gita that describe people as less intelligent who worship residents of that region. Shri Krishna even says that a person has had their intelligence stolen when they take full shelter of a particular deva.

“If heaven is so bad, why does it even exist? Why not encourage people to reach for something better? What is the harm?”

1. Similar to life right now

When everyday experiences get compared to heaven, that is evidence that the region is not that much different. Eternal condemnation to the hellish region is a way for the less intelligent to scare others into following their particular faith, but the truth is that we already experience both.

When times are good, it is like heaven. When I am in trouble, it feels like I am already in hell. The regions explicitly designated as such simply have extended durations in stay and enhancements in experience.

In other words, by reaching heaven, I enjoy for a longer period of time. Instead of eagerly anticipating happy hour after the completion of the work day, I could be consuming the most intoxicating beverages around the clock. Instead of looking to survive an extra ten years, I could remain where I am for thousands of years, staying so long that I forget that I will have to one day leave.

2. You don’t get to stay there forever

This is the main drawback. You are not guaranteed to stay in svarga-loka. Entry is monitored through something like a timecard. This has the balance of accumulated meritorious credits. All the good you have done. The pious activities. The religious observances recommended for auspiciousness. Good behavior, such as honesty, compassion, charity and the like.

Those reward points, if you will, translate to time in heaven. Once the balance runs out, you have to fall back to the earthly region, to work again for the accumulation of credits. What sane person would intentionally strive to be placed on such a spinning wheel and what saintly leader would choose this as the best destination for their followers?

3. It is not self-sufficient

From an incident described in Bhagavata Purana, we see that svarga-loka is not even self-sufficient. There is the issue of creation. Someone had to put the place together; it did not magically appear. There is someone or something in the background providing the elements necessary for the enjoyable experience.

Setting aside the creation and maintenance aspects for a moment, the quality of life is not sufficient for keeping a person happy. We can look to the king of that region. Known as Indra, he should be calm and content. He should feel pride in the leadership post. He should be satisfied knowing that he has power and ability.

The truth is that the devas, the demigods, survive on yajna performed on earth. Yes, the people who are outside of heaven are the ones providing the means for heavenly life to continue. Something like taxation without representation, except the yajna has the reciprocal benefit of accumulating pious credits which would one day translate to entry into that higher place.

Indra one time became extremely upset that people in a village area on earth decided to bypass a yajna in his honor. This was a chance occurrence. There was no insult intended. The people decided to shift their preparations to the nearby Govardhana Hill, instead. This was at the direction of Shri Krishna, the darling young child of the leader of the community, Nanda Maharaja.

If svarga-loka is so great, then Indra would not have cared. These people of Vrindavana worshiped him plenty of times in the past. They would likely return in the future. Many other yajnas going on. Why be concerned with the daily happenings of earth when you are supposedly enjoying in heaven?

As the place is not self-sufficient, Indra grew to a rage that required retribution, in his mind. He sent the most devastating raincloud to inundate the area around Govardhana Hill. The people, the cows, the trees, the hills, and particularly Krishna, the instigator, would suffer.

The plan did not go as envisioned. The people were protected by Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Wherever He goes turns into Vaikuntha, which is the eternal heavenly realm, never created or destroyed and never dependent on others. Nanda’s child lifted Govardhana Hill and used it as an umbrella to save the people from Indra’s wrath.

The wise give higher priority to Krishna, favoring Him over any promise made to have a temporary stay in a place of enhanced material enjoyments. They rely on Nanda’s son alone, and focus always on His pleasure, looking to keep the Vaikuntha atmosphere, both today and in the future.

In Closing:

Why for heaven to care,
When of limited time aware?

That on yajna worship to rely,
Despite in realm living high.

Where Indra into wrath fallen,
Because of envy fit befallen.

Better shelter of Govardhana taking,
Which that time umbrella making.