Four Amazing Abilities In Communication

“If I offer auspicious words, which are in line with dharma, about the self-realized Rama, the most excellent prince of the Ikshvaku dynasty, saying these words in a sweet voice in hearing me she will believe me, for I will compose everything accordingly so.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.42-43)

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इक्ष्वाकूणाम् वरिष्ठस्य रामस्य विदित आत्मनः ||
शुभानि धर्म युक्तानि वचनानि समर्पयन् |
श्रावयिष्यामि सर्वाणि मधुराम् प्रब्रुवन् गिरम् ||
श्रद्धास्यति यथा हि इयम् तथा सर्वम् समादधे |

ikṣvākūṇām variṣṭhasya rāmasya vidita ātmanaḥ ||
śubhāni dharma yuktāni vacanāni samarpayan |
śrāvayiṣyāmi sarvāṇi madhurām prabruvan giram ||
śraddhāsyati yathā hi iyam tathā sarvam samādadhe |

1. Filtering words through an editor and publisher

“Well-written books are pretty amazing, if you think about it. Hundreds of pages, a perfectly woven narrative, the ability to paint a picture using only words. Sometimes you can read one book a single time and feel as if you were an eyewitness to the original event described within.

“Consider the entire process, for a moment. The beginning is a thought. An idea inside of a person’s mind. The end result is the published work, and in between the thoughts go through a transformation process. Sometimes the author will sit for an interview with a writer. Other times they find a way to put their thoughts down on paper, and then begin the time-consuming editing and publishing processes.

“In rare circumstances the author will be so good at what they do, so skilled in their craft, that they can produce almost publisher-ready material on the fly. In an instant, as soon as the thought comes to their mind, they are able to bypass the separate process of extensive editing and reformatting. They have an idea of what the finished product will look like, and they tailor their composition to that format.

2. Filtering words through a television host

“This person hosted a television game-show for a really long time. It was a trivia contest; the questions didn’t really pertain to anything important. Current events, history, music, pop culture, geography, and the like.

“I found the host’s ability in reading the questions to be remarkable. Technically, they were reading the answers, wherein the contestants had to then guess the proper questions. The clues were written out ahead of time, but the host applied the perfect voice inflections. It was as if they knew the original writer’s intent. This is an amazing skill in broadcasting, applied in this case to entertainment.”

3. Filtering extemporaneous speech through a professional broadcaster

“This person was dubbed the greatest of all-time in their field. There is near unanimous agreement on this title, as even the political adversaries could not discount the ability of this host. They were the best at hosting a radio show, wherein the ability to speak is everything.

“I think what I found the most amazing was that the host sounded like a professional broadcaster. They were certainly well-trained and had natural talent, but they weren’t delivering pre-written dialogue. They were speaking extemporaneously, but the delivery made it sound like a breaking news bulletin. You could not turn the radio off while this person was speaking. You would not want to change the channel.

“It was as if they knew how a broadcaster should sound. They took the spontaneous thoughts and channeled them through this broadcaster’s filter, in real-time. I don’t think anyone has the ability to imitate such a feat, even if they dared try.”

4. Filtering words in glorification of Shri Rama

Hanuman has this amazing ability. He can glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the avatara of Shri Rama without any prior notice. He can tailor the words to match the audience. For instance, in the first direct meeting with Rama, Hanuman impressed with his speech, which was perfectly composed, though not contemplated beforehand.

नानृग्वेदविनीतस्य नायजुर्वेद्धारिणः।
नासामवेदविदुषश्शक्यमेवं विभाषितुम्

nānṛgvedavinītasya nāyajurveddhāriṇaḥ।
nāsāmavedaviduṣaśśakyamevaṃ vibhāṣitum

“One cannot speak this way without having been well-trained in the Rig Veda, memorized the Yajur Veda, and thoroughly understood the Sama Veda.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana about Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.28)

Hanuman sounded as though he was well-versed in the Vedas, which are the original scriptural tradition of the universe. From hearing a few verses of perfect poetical composition, Rama detected the skill. He is an expert in this area, as one of His many names is Uttamashloka. The Supreme Lord is known by the choicest poetry communicated for His honor.

In another instance, Hanuman can glorify the same Rama but in a different style. This time he needs to convince Rama’s wife that he is a genuine messenger, that he is not like the other pretenders in the city of Lanka. Hanuman could speak in Sanskrit if he so desires, but he worries that doing so might cause him to be mistakenly identified as one of the Rakshasas like Ravana.

Hanuman’s ability highlights the actual purpose of speech. We have been given this human form and its accompanying abilities for the purpose of connecting with the Supreme Lord. Every other kind of praiseworthy ability in communication is but a derivative; the original purpose is to glorify the Almighty and enlighten others as to His greatness.

Delivering this kind of speech is one way to practice yoga. In Hanuman’s case it is an indication of the perfection in yoga, of always being connected in consciousness to the husband of Sita. That fearless messenger of the truth remains in this world in order to continue to hear Rama’s glories.

In Closing:

Without long considering,
Speech perfectly delivering.

Rama’s glories innately to know,
Expertise in Vedas to show.

Suited for the time and place,
Like when Sita’s concerns to erase.

Of the proper words choosing,
Best way that ability using.

Three Sets Of Opposites Who Are Allowed To Vote

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.13)

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चातुर्-वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं
गुण-कर्म-विभागशः
तस्य कर्तारम् अपि मां
विद्ध्य् अकर्तारम् अव्ययम्

cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ
guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ
tasya kartāram api māṁ
viddhy akartāram avyayam

One way to translate the Sanskrit word shastra is to say, “Vedic literature.” Shastra is sacred text, and in the original sense there was no written word. The memory power of the rishis was such that they could remember a lengthy Sanskrit poem, which adhered to strict rules of composition, after hearing only a single time.

As the progression through the ages continued, the standard brainpower in mankind diminished. This introduced a new need. Instead of relying solely on shruti, or that which is heard, there had to also be smriti, or that which is remembered. At the bare minimum, write something down to remember it. This way there will always be a way to reference in the future.

When consulting shruti and smriti in the modern day, a notable condition stands out: the absence of democracy. In ancient times the kings were protectors of the people. They were expected to live up to the role of nara-deva. They were addressed by terms such as bhumi-pati, as they were the lords of earth.

To a wise person, democracy is likened to a preposterous scheme that allows practically any person to determine important policy matters, ones which affect both life and death. While stealing might be universally condemned, if you find enough votes in the upcoming election the activity could be made legal. If you can sway public opinion and the public has unfortunately degraded into godlessness, then the subsequent term of leadership will match the qualities that result from the lack of a moral core.

1. Whether qualified or not

One person has lived in the country for a long time. They know all about its history, how it was founded, what are the bedrock principles the founding members tried to instill, and the structure that should be maintained going forward.

Another person is completely clueless. They entered the country illegally. They have no legal paperwork to show when finding a job, boarding an airplane, filing taxes, and so forth. Yet they have just been given the right to vote. They have an equal say with those who become citizens the proper way.

2. Whether highly educated or without any intelligence

One person is a college professor. They teach the youth of the country. They have passed through their own term of rigorous study. They reached the pinnacle of their profession. They are sober-minded enough to deliberate on the various issues of the day. They do not follow any political party blindly. They ask their students to think rationally and to challenge their long-held beliefs. The idea is that if a person is aware of both sides of an argument, they can make a better decision on which one to support.

Another person practically has no intelligence. They follow the worst behavior. They have descended to the point of bordering on madness. They sleep for the majority of the day. The rest of the time they are intoxicated. They never read books and they never contemplate higher subject matters. When it comes time for the election, they have an equal say. Their vote can cancel out the person who is intelligent.

3. With awareness of the issues of the day or no clue about basic policy positions

One person follows the news closely. They dig deep into the issues. They don’t blindly accept whatever the newscasts report. They hear from a variety of sources and then make up their mind on how to vote. They have been following for long enough that there is a sufficient memory bank of statements and positions. This person can immediately notice hypocrisy or deceit from any well-known politician.

Another person is absolutely clueless about the issues. They will vote based on how they feel about a person, having only seen them speak on television for a few minutes. They will not be persuaded by facts or philosophical contradictions. They do not care what the informed person has to say, and they will not hear any criticism of their preferred candidates.

…

Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, creates the system of varnashrama-dharma for the proper maintenance of society. There should be a ruling class, and the members within it should exhibit certain qualities. They should be fearless, heroic, generous, and willing to take counsel from the wise, who are described as brahamana.

The kshatriyas protect others from injury; that is the root meaning of the word. The position is not determined by a vote. You are born with the necessary qualities, guna, and you must carry out the proper work, karma.

As we live in Kali-yuga, which is the age of increased quarrel and hypocrisy, many parts of the world are stuck with the vox-populi system. The leaders will reflect the characteristics of those who supported them. The discussion in terms of comparison with varnashrama-dharma is to give an understanding of why the people voting are always upset, no matter who wins elections.

There is only one way towards lasting happiness. Transcendence of material conditions, rising above the temporary and purifying the consciousness through connection with the Supreme Lord. Success can be achieved even during times when it seems the entire world has gone mad, that no one is honest, that the leaders are all rogues and thieves, and that the people will never find relief from the illusion of maya.

The connection to Krishna is strong enough to penetrate the barrier of ignorance. True yoga is possible in any time period, in any age, and under any administration. Through the help of sadhu, shastra and guru, we can find a way towards the personal God, who can manifest before us through sound: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Over election outcome upset,
How that person votes to get?

When known to lie and cheat,
Yet now sitting in power seat.

Ideally for kshatriyas made,
Not by corporations bought and paid.

But here in this degraded time living,
Bhakti the only rescue giving.

Three Reasons To Relax Today

“Brahma, it is I, the Personality of Godhead, who was existing before the creation, when there was nothing but Myself. Nor was there the material nature, the cause of this creation. That which you see now is also I, the Personality of Godhead, and after annihilation what remains will also be I, the Personality of Godhead.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 2.9.33)

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अहम् एवासम् एवाग्रे
नान्यद् यत् सद्-असत् परम्
पश्चाद् अहं यद् एतच् च
यो ऽवशिष्येत सो ऽस्म्य् अहम्

aham evāsam evāgre
nānyad yat sad-asat param
paścād ahaṁ yad etac ca
yo ‘vaśiṣyeta so ‘smy aham

“I have never faced this much pressure. Not until now do I realize what difficulty really is. I had it so easy before, but I never knew it. I thought that was a tough life, but while I lacked any sort of social standing, at least there was the chance to relax. I could focus on one thing for hours if I wanted to. I was not dreading the upcoming day. I never had difficulty falling asleep at night.

“Today, it feels as though there is not enough time to breathe. From morning until night. One responsibility after another. Others are not appreciative of the sacrifices we make. How could they possibly understand what we endure? I am sure life will not always be like this, but right now the misery is a fixture. It will never go away. I will never gain relief.”

1. Vishnu was there at the beginning

As explained in a series of Sanskrit shlokas found in Bhagavata Purana, there was a time when even the creator was not around. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is speaking to Lord Brahma, the creator. Though we may live in a place featuring diversity of culture and variety in physical appearance, we should know that we are all related to one another.

Every person can trace their ancestry back to the creator, vidhata. If information in the chain is missing, if recorded history is lacking, shastra provides the proof. Brahma is not just the creator of the human species; he is responsible for everyone.

The individuals do not generate out of Brahma. Spirit soul is beyond his powers. Brahma creates the vessels and the playing field. He is something like the manufacturer of uniforms for the local baseball league. There are different teams and so not every player has the same look to them.

The variety in species is up to 8,400,000. Brahma is responsible, and so he is an important person in this land of birth and death. Yet there was a time prior to Brahma. Before the material nature was there, Vishnu was in the superior standing.

Material nature, in the unmanifest state, known as the pradhana, is responsible for the creation. Without this energy Brahma would not be able to work. He would have no materials to use for outputting his creative ability.

Though the universe is infinitely vast and complex, with the three dimensions to consider and also the time factor, Vishnu is above. In a single verse, Vedic literature provides a perfect definition of someone the rest of the world can only speculate about. If we know nothing else about Him, we can know that God exists prior to the creation.

2. Vishnu is here right now

The moment Vishnu was speaking to Brahma was the present. The three periods of time are relative to the situation. Past, present and future are different for me compared to you. The present for Brahma was millions of years ago, but the truth spoken to him applies to this exact moment in time, as well.

Vishnu is here right now. I may not have the ability to see Him. My eyes have been clouded by the illusory energy of maya. I have spent years using an incorrect system of identification, and this mistake has led to constant misery, heartache, despair, breathlessness, and hopelessness.

Brahma was blessed with the proper vision, and so he could understand that Vishnu was before him. The same has occurred with other notable personalities, some of them even children, like Dhruva and Prahlada.

Vishnu is all-pervasive, and so He is here with me during this otherwise difficult experience. At any time I can turn to Him, as He has kindly expanded to reside within the heart. This feature of Vishnu is known as Supersoul.

3. Vishnu will be there at the end

The mature adult reaches the firm conclusion that every person is destined for death. That task you have to complete for work. That errand you have to run in the evening. That new house you can’t wait to move into. Everything will be destroyed in the future. In a hundred years from now, likely no one around you today will still be alive.

Whatever point in the future we choose, Vishnu will be there. He will remain after the entire world has been annihilated. That which was first made possible through the pradhana will return to an unmanifest state. The variety in forms of life and living conditions will merge back into a single nothingness.

Vishnu will remain, as well as the individuals. There will be a future, and Vishnu will be a possibility in terms of friendship and reliance. The wise who are made aware of these truths then take full advantage of the opportunity. They make sure to be by His side today, tomorrow, and always into the future: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Though Brahma’s life to extend,
Not there at final end.

Related all, also me and you,
But having a beginning too.

Vishnu in standing in time before,
Granted potency to one of faces four.

Here right now and in future is there,
My best friend always to care.

Are Jaya And Vijaya Haunted By Their Demon Births

“Shishupala's soul's merging into the transcendental body of Krishna reminds us of the story of Jaya and Vijaya, who fell to the material world from the Vaikuntha planets upon being cursed by the four Kumaras. For their return to the Vaikuntha world, it was arranged that both Jaya and Vijaya, for three consecutive births would act as deadly enemies of the Lord, and at the end of these lives they would again return to the Vaikuntha world and serve the Lord as His associates.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 2, Ch 19)

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“With the ease with which events get publicized in the modern day, an unfortunate side effect is that people cannot get away with even the slightest transgression. Every mistake is known. You don’t have to be famous at the time. Years later, when you rise to prominence, someone digs up a post from the past. There is no way to apologize sufficiently. You are forever labeled whatever derogatory term gets affixed.

“People don’t stop and think that these are youths. They don’t look inwards, because if they did they would realize that no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. We do stupid things. We are human beings, after all. At least allow people to learn from the past, to grow as people.

“This got me to thinking about Jaya and Vijaya. These are the two brothers, gatekeepers in the spiritual world of Vaikuntha. We see images of them in famous temples around the world. They are special souls, as not everyone is known for their direct relationship to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu.

“From the stories told in shastra, we learn that those brothers one time were cursed. In any objective analysis the mistake they made was harmless. Nevertheless, they incurred the wrath from the other side. They were forced to take successive births in the land of mortals. The body types were not auspicious. Jaya and Vijaya would be the worst people imaginable.

“You could say that all is well that ends well. The brothers did receive liberation. They did return to the spiritual world. Their fall to the material world was not a permanent punishment. My question relates to after the fact. Do people make fun of them? Do they bring up the horrible things those brothers did as Rakshasa demons while on earth? Is that original transgression, the one which led to the curse, held against them?”

The only resort we have is speculation, but it would be strikingly out of place for any residents or visitors in Vaikuntha to bring up someone’s past in that manner. For starters, karma accounts for right and wrong. Guna and dosha, each person has their share of pious and impious deeds. The results may not manifest immediately or remain for a long time, but it is always some action that is the leading indicator, the initial cause.

अदृष्टगुणदोषाणामध्रुवाणां तु कर्मणाम्
नान्तरेण क्रियां तेषां फलमिष्टं प्रवर्तते

adṛṣṭaguṇadoṣāṇāmadhruvāṇāṃ tu karmaṇām
nāntareṇa kriyāṃ teṣāṃ phalamiṣṭaṃ pravartate

“Unseen and indefinite are the good and bad reactions of fruitive work. And without taking action, the desired fruits of such work cannot manifest.” (Lakshmana speaking to Lord Rama, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 66.17)

Whatever problems I have with someone should end at the time of death. They leave behind the body and their past lifetime. Whatever wrong they have done, nature will provide the appropriate consequence. There is nothing more to be said.

The next life is a clean slate, though not entirely. The previous deeds lead to the circumstances of birth. As we see with Jaya and Vijaya, it was a curse which brought them to the inauspicious forms, which looked auspicious in the beginning. They rose to such heights in the material world that they were practically on par with God Himself.

The brothers are in a unique position. Countless individuals appear and disappear in this world, but not everyone has the fortune to receive deadly blows directly from the Supreme Lord. Not everyone looks straight into the eyes of a Vishnu-avatara at the time of death.

If anyone were to mock Jaya and Vijaya for their past births, they could respond along the following lines:

“Hey, when has Shri Rama shot arrows and killed you? Did you get to see His beautiful, lotus-like face at the time of death? Has anyone else been direct witness to the exact moment that Narasimhadeva self-manifested from a pillar? We are so thankful for that mistake since we received the greatest blessing in always thinking of the Almighty. I think that no one in history has been this fortunate.”

If we find frustration in this living experience, which is bound to occur from time to time, we can take comfort from the two brothers. Though they were the worst of the worst, they were eventually saved. We don’t have to test the limits of sinful life to experience the same bliss. Vishnu’s name, form and pastimes carry forward to the present, and we have direct access to the mercy through the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

Possible by others taunted,
Those brothers by mistake haunted?

Since in worst forms taking birth,
Of desire an unquenchable thirst.

And worst qualities in them found,
The innocent and saintly to hound.

But highly favored to know,
Since Vishnu thwarting them so.

Should I Hear Katha Or Kirtana

“The beginning of Krishna consciousness and devotional service is hearing, in Sanskrit called shravanam. All people should be given the chance to come and join devotional parties so that they may hear. This hearing is very important for progressing in Krishna consciousness. When one links his ears to give aural reception to the transcendental vibrations he can quickly become purified and cleansed in the heart.” (The Nectar of Devotion, Ch 10)

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Friend1: I know that Prahlada Maharaja enumerates devotional service, bhakti-yoga. To be clear, it is the list of activities within that discipline.

Friend2: Nine processes.

Friend1: Not an absolute and final list. There is always nuance and subtlety within this world. I am sure we could think of something that might qualify for its own category.

Friend2: Prahlada’s list is pretty comprehensive. It is in reply to a question from the father. What has the boy learned? What is the most important thing?

Friend1: Prahlada was the son of a king. The ruler in the Daitya family, feared throughout the world. Hiranyakashipu was expecting a different response.

Friend2: A reply along the lines of advancing the temporary condition. How to deal with foreign adversaries. How to maintain a properly funded treasury. How to prevent depleting resources on frivolous expenditures.

Friend1: Prahlada’s words were like a knife in the back, given Hiranyakashipu’s disposition.

Friend2: The best of Daityas, asura-varya, had a mortal feud with Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Friend1: We must say that Vishnu does not hold enmity towards anyone.

Friend2: It is like finding out one day that someone hates you. You have never met them. You don’t remember ever having influence over their life. And yet they despise you with a passion.

Friend1: It makes no difference to the Supreme Lord. He stays who He is. He is not bothered by Hiranyakashipu’s enmity.

Friend2: The feud was one-sided. The leader of Daityas held a grudge over what he deemed an unjustifiable violent act by Varahadeva against Hiranyaksha.

Friend1: Before we go deeper into that, I wanted to touch on the first item listed by Prahlada. Shravanam.

Friend2: Hearing.

Friend1: Yes, we understand from the acharyas that any single process within the nine is capable of bringing perfection. Shravanam is first in the list and it is the easiest one to implement.

Friend2: Not much effort required. Perhaps sacrifice some time. While you go for a walk in the morning. While running errands and driving the car. Maybe play a video on the smart television.

Friend1: Does the type of hearing matter?

Friend2: What do you mean? Obviously, the content should have a direct relationship with devotional service or the Supreme Lord Himself.

Friend1: Well, we know that we can hear songs. We can listen to other people glorifying Vishnu through Sanskrit poetry put to music.

Friend2: The call and response is kirtana and when people are sitting down we usually refer to that as a bhajan.

Friend1: Then there are the discourses. Hari-katha. I understand that in a formal presentation you get a mix of the two. When we are reading books, however, there is no music. We are hearing through the process of key-translation. The letters form words, and in the mind we convert the words to sound.

Friend2: That is why reading is so important. It is a way to preserve sound through the ages, without the use of technology.

Friend1: Should I hear kirtana or katha? Which one will bring perfection?

Friend2: Either one.

Friend1: So if I never listen to a single kirtana, I can still be saved?

Friend2: Of course. Bhagavata Purana is a conversation between guru and disciple. Maharaja Parikshit attains perfection simply through hearing. He is not engaged in sitting quietly and listening to kirtana.

Friend1: I can see someone gaining knowledge that way. Conversely, if someone never hears katha, they can still make it?

Friend2: The name is everything. If you simply hear the name that you alone produce through soft-chanting, then there every opportunity for reaching perfection in the auspicious human birth: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

First in the list appearing,
Likely then the most appealing.

That simply sit and hear,
And to God come near.

But mattering should not the thing.
Like words of praise or song to sing?

Any of the nine by Prahlada listed,
Divinity through name itself persisted.

Why Would Hanuman Choose To Stay Here

“After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 8.15)

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माम् उपेत्य पुनर् जन्म
दुःखालयम् अशाश्वतम्
नाप्नुवन्ति महात्मानः
संसिद्धिं परमां गताः

mām upetya punar janma
duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam
nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ
saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ

“Look around. Is anyone happy? Are any people satisfied with the present condition of the world? Are people excited for what the future holds for their children and grandchildren? Do they think society is advancing from the way things were?

“From everything I hear, there is only chaos, despair, murkiness, tumult, fear, dismay and confusion. No one is happy. The thing is, if you choose any arbitrary point in the timeline of existence, as we know it, I think the same could be said. Ten years ago, people were unhappy, but upset over different issues. Ten years into the future, there will be new problems to be concerned over.

“From the teachings of the acharyas I realize that this is the nature of the material world. Duhkhalayam and ashashvatam. Miserable and temporary. Any place featuring these two characteristics will not be one of lasting happiness or peace. We are in the morose condition precisely because of where we reside.

“The future will not get any better. If anything, it will continue to descend to the point of total madness. Then another avatara of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear. He will clear everything and start anew, with another golden age.

“My question relates to Shri Hanuman. I know that he is still within this world. It is his choice. He could have returned to Vaikuntha with everyone else in Ayodhya at the time of Shri Rama’s departure. He chose to stay here for as long as Rama’s glories continue to be told.

“Why would he do that? Does he not witness the hopelessness? Does he not perceive the rampant atheism? Why intentionally be within vicinity of such insulting and degrading behavior?”

We know that the reason for staying has nothing to do with the temporary world. He is not around to see who will win the next election. He is not interested in who will emerge victorious in the upcoming season of that popular reality television series.

Rather, the choice to hear the glories of Shri Rama indicates the superiority of the path of shravanam. Hearing alone is enough to liberate a person. There are eight other paths devotional service can follow, as enumerated by Prahlada Maharaja. Any path has the potential to bring perfection. One is not necessarily better than the other, though shravanam and kirtanam get first mention.

From Hanuman’s decision we see that shravanam can continue after liberation. This is important to understand since during the beginning stages the tendency is to focus on the end goal. That is the basic cycle to any type of transformative process. You start with something you may not like. You want a change. You institute a regimen based on the guidance of someone who is hopefully an expert in the field.

If the process doesn’t work, you can try again. This is where rebirth enters the picture. Only through the path of yoga is there the opportunity to continue from where you left off previously. The progress does not get erased. Reaching the perfection of an existence is not easy; just to be interested in such an endeavor is rare. Nevertheless, the potential is always there, as the individual spirit soul is always linked to the Almighty in their travels.

You expect a completely different state at the end, when reaching perfection, but with bhakti-yoga there is life after the end. Shravanam can not only change my thinking from material to spiritual, but it will continue to bring me bliss, joy and happiness into the infinite future. Shri Hanuman is the living proof, as he daily takes pleasure from reliving the events of the Ramayana period.

In Closing:

Despite in world of tumult and fear,
Reason for Hanuman staying here.

Though far to Vaikuntha always near,
Daily from Ramayana to hear.

Showing that liberation not the end,
Bhakti life infinitely to extend.

To new levels of bliss reaching,
By his example teaching.

The Missing Tooth Always Happens To Be In The Front Of Your Smile

“Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowledge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.63)

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इति ते ज्ञानम् आख्यातं
गुह्याद् गुह्यतरं मया
विमृश्यैतद् अशेषेण
यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु

iti te jñānam ākhyātaṁ
guhyād guhyataraṁ mayā
vimṛśyaitad aśeṣeṇa
yathecchasi tathā kuru

The acharyas of the Vedic tradition speak the truth. In olden times, there was less concern over public opinion. The spiritual leaders were not worried over what stories would leak in the media. There was no such thing as political correctness, precisely because there was no negative impact in offending someone who was approaching a saintly man for advice on life.

The bold truth is that the human life is meant for understanding the spiritual side of things. Athato brahma-jijnasa. “Now is the time for inquiring into that which lasts beyond the temporary.” The human being has the ability to inquire; hence the birth is auspicious. There is an urgency since it is known that life can end at any point in time. Better to take advantage of the opportunity while you have it.

Absent this vital inquiry and subsequent pursuit towards purification of the consciousness, there will always be a glaring flaw in the manner of living. Whether someone is rich or poor makes no difference. Whether they are respected and adored by millions or held in the lowest esteem has no bearing on the final outcome. That flaw will always come to light.

It is something like the saying that the missing tooth always happens to be in the front of the smile. Perhaps you were playing organized sports. A random collision knocked out one of your teeth. It is not that big a deal if one of the side teeth requires pulling. This is a routine procedure for a dentist, who deals with root canal operations on a regular basis.

Sadly, it is just your luck that one of the front teeth is damaged. This means that every time you smile, people will notice. They will ask what is wrong. They will want to know both the story behind the loss and the future plan for filling the gap.

We see something similar in professional sports, such as baseball. The most well-rounded team has the best chance of winning the championship. Another team can be really good, but they have a glaring weakness. They lack a reliable pitcher to come in from the bullpen. Known as a closer, this position is especially vital in a post-season game, where the stakes are high.

The manager tries their best to hide this weakness. They extend the starting pitcher as much as possible into the game. If the team is winning by a significant cushion, then no issue. The same for if they are losing by a lot; no need for a strong bullpen reliever if there is no lead to protect.

Nevertheless, the time comes when there is no other choice. The reliever gets the call, and even if he makes it through one or two games, there is that pivotal moment where his weakness gets exploited. A player on the opposing team hits a three-run home-run in the ninth inning to clinch the series.

The weakness of lacking genuine spiritual life is always a vulnerability, and it especially shines through at the time of death. Not knowing what to contemplate, what to review from the just completed lifetime, the individual must have a materially-focused consciousness.

This guarantees rebirth. In other words, a sort of defeat. A missed opportunity. If we are made aware of the weakness, the remedy is neither difficult nor expensive. Take advantage of the wealth of information passed on to us. As Krishna shows in His conversation with Arjuna, hear the entire Bhagavad-gita and then deliberate on our own. Understand for ourselves if the path of devotion makes sense in light of the futility of advancement with satisfaction of the senses and the guaranteed death for every individual.

The Supreme Personality of Godhead simplifies things even further. Just think of Him at the time of death. Remember the transcendental nature to His janma and karma. His birth and activities do not carry reactions pertaining to a future birth. God’s body and spirit are one; there is no dichotomy.

It is easy to remember Krishna since He is all-attractive. Everything about Him, including His words of instruction, brings joy to the heart and mind. He brings hope in a world otherwise filled with despair. He is the light to the darkness and He is the answer to the problem of repeated birth and death.

In Closing:

To hide only for so long,
Eventually weakness too strong.

That open and visible glaring,
That not well in future faring.

Since opportunity wasted,
And transcendental not tasted.

Better right now to correct the mistake,
Contemplate after Gita wisdom to take.