Five Places Requiring The Presence Of An Operator

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.61)

Download this episode (right click and save)

ईश्वरः सर्व-भूतानां
हृद्-देशे ऽर्जुन तिष्ठति
भ्रामयन् सर्व-भूतानि
यन्त्रारूढानि मायया

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
hṛd-deśe ‘rjuna tiṣṭhati
bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni
yantrārūḍhāni māyayā

 

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says that this entire world is operating on account of the combination of matter and spirit. You cannot create life in a laboratory. Some aspect of existing life is necessary. Even the experiment requires intelligence represented by the scientists.

But is the claim true? Is there anything that operates on its own, without a director? Is autonomous existence possible?

1. The car on the road

There are so many. A variety of models, as well. Sometimes it is just too much and you are stuck in a jam. Based on the typical hours for the average worker, certain windows of time in each day are known to have more cars on the road [rush hour].

Zooming in for a closer view, we see that each car is impressive. A collection of parts integrated to facilitate travel from one place to another, in much shorter a journey than if attempted by foot or by cycle. The modern cars are equipped with several amenities of luxury, such as heating and cooling systems and sound entertainment.

However impressive the vehicle, there is always a driver. This is a human being, and hopefully one who is sober and conscious. A brief distraction in attention can lead to disastrous results. The car is travelling at high speeds, which then requires alertness from the operator.

2. The driverless car

A person may argue that the technology is advancing so rapidly that soon the driver requirement will be eliminated. The driverless car can already be found in several places. It was the automobile that first eliminated the need for the horse. For a while the innovation was known as the horseless carriage.

Even with the driverless car, there is still an operator in the background. If it eventually functions more like an autonomous robot, it is not like everything came together randomly. There was no big bang explosion that led to the invention.

3. The plane in the sky

Similar to the automobile, the plane in the sky does not move by itself. There has to be a pilot to get it off the ground, monitor the situation in the air, and then safely land when approaching the destination. There is an autopilot feature, but that is not meant to be a permanent replacement for human operation.

4. The production plant

Mass production. The ability to harness the power of machines to produce at a much greater rate than if relying on human effort alone. Yet there is an illusion to the mechanism, as human intervention is certainly necessary. A human being has to start the production, monitor the process for any issues that should arise, and then properly shut down when the work is complete.

5. The scholarly institution

Based on recent world events, it is now established that physical proximity is not a requirement for learning. The teacher can be thousands of miles away and I can be sitting in my bedroom. Yet the interaction qualifies as formal education, as there is a transfer of information.

Even in the case where I only learn from published works and recorded video lessons, there is still a human being on the other side. It is not two rocks interacting with one another, transferring information as if it were water emerging from the top of a mountain and eventually descending to form a river.

…

These are just a few examples chosen out of the vastly complex material nature. The truth of the necessary connection between matter and spirit first descends from the authority figures. We can then prove through our own experience. Even if we haven’t witnessed everything there is in the world, based on the negation of the principle we see that there is yet to be any proof. That is to say, no one has come across an instance where life emerged from matter alone or where a vital function of nature takes place without the presence of spirit.

At the local level there is the driver of the car known as the body. That driver is the individual; the car does not identify them. From Bhagavad-gita we get further clarity. It is the Supersoul who really makes things happen. We are seated on something like a machine. We press the start button, but unless Supersoul agrees the desired outcome will not manifest.

The wise take advantage of this philosophical information to make a practical difference in life. The takeaway is that spirit is more important than matter, and as a mature human being I have the opportunity to inquire into the spiritual nature. I do not have to stay with the dull and lifeless matter, hoping to find an exception, where spirit loses its significance.

The Supersoul is but a feature, a way to understand and visualize, the origin of both the material and spiritual energies. We often refer to that entity as God, but the Vedic tradition provides much more descriptive and meaningful names. If we make an honest effort to understand that origin, we have made the most of the human birth.

In Closing:

With car a driver needed,
Else without direction proceeded.

The plane not empty to fly,
Always on operator to rely.

Same at individual level there,
Combined matter and spirit where.

Acharya of these truths making aware,
So that on needs of soul to care.

Five Ways I Am Tormented By Kali-Yuga

“Shri Rama’s holy name is like Narasimhadeva to the Hiranyakashipu-like Kali Yuga. For those who chant the holy name, the Lord offers them all protections and crushes their tormentors, just as He did for Prahlada Maharaja.“ (Dohavali, 26)

Download this episode (right click and save)

राम नाम नर केसरी कनककसिपु कलिकाल |
जापक जन प्रहलाद जिमि पालिहि दलि सुरसाल ||

rāma nāma nara kesarī kanakakasipu kalikāla |
jāpaka jana prahalāda jimi pālihi dali surasāla ||

 

1. Not allowed to breathe

“Seriously, I never thought things would get this bad. I understand that there is natural diversity due to individuality. Not every person thinks the same way. We are unique; we have our own experiences and develop strategies, ideas, focus, and direction based on the processing of information we receive.

“But I thought there were standard truths upon which we could agree. One of them is breathing. We need to breathe. It is vital to good health. If you can’t breathe, you don’t have any health; you will be dead.

“Certainly, no one should keep a bacteria collector right next to their intake valve. Yet the entire world is now following this nonsense. They think they are being safe and respectful. I know that they are not. They are endangering lives, including those of children. How can the society as a whole be so fallen as to not realize the importance of breathing freely?”

2. Hypocrisy from experts

“Whenever you share information with someone who hasn’t heard it from their reliable sources, they tend to attack your credibility. They mock you for following conspiracy theory websites. They say that you sound just like the people who watch a certain news channel.

“The puzzling thing is that I am not watching any news sources. I am accepting the information firsthand. I watch a noted scientist say something during a news conference. A week later, he says just the opposite. And yet everyone just goes along; they don’t question the hypocrisy.

“Has everyone gone mad? If you tell me that a certain behavior is bad for your health and then a week later say just the opposite, why would I ever trust you on anything ever again? You would be the last person I consult for medical advice, and yet no one else seems to be questioning what they hear. It’s like they have buried their heads in the sand.”

3. Useless arguments

“Everyone tells me that television programming is not what it used to be. I rarely watch, but sometimes I can’t help it. For some reason, I naively hope for a different experience, but sadly I am left disappointed every time.

“On the news stations you are lucky to find arguments or disagreements about anything. It is entirely one-sided, but in the odd case of genuine journalism, the issues discussed are basically meaningless. I know that both sides are just speaking that way to rise to power. They are equally as culpable in the general decline of the country, but they set up this kind of performance to debate issues.

“Then on the sports channels the panelists are discussing the latest statement from a famous athlete. Does it really matter what they say? How is that affecting anyone? To quote a line from a past world leader, no personal attack ever fed a hungry child. We get meaningless banter for viewing content, and it’s disappointing.”

4. Worn out from responsibilities

“How does anyone find time for spiritual life? It is a serious question. I completely understand why someone would visit their house of worship on a Sunday and beg for relief. It is a major struggle out there. You are never certain about anything, and whatever you have you desperately try to maintain.

“I just want to sit down in a quiet place, for several hours at a time, with no one bothering me and no pressing responsibilities. I have a feeling I would be so happy, as a result. Sadly, I don’t think that will ever happen. They say that we live in advanced times, but I think people in the past had it much better.”

5. Pretenders as spiritual leaders

“I have developed a new theory. It is slowly evolving, so I am not entirely certain about the conclusion, but hear me out. I think the more a person craves being on television, in front of some sort of camera, the more flaws they have to their character.

“I am basing this on personal experience and observation. You see it with spiritual leaders. The more famous they are, the more videos they have published online, the more degraded they seem to be. After all, how can you be humble if you seek so much personal attention?

“It would be so nice to find a genuine spiritual leader, to guide us through these difficult times. Sadly, the only qualified ones I find are hesitant to rise in prominence. They lead by example, for sure, and I am thankful to have their association, but I am worried for those who are led astray by the cheaters.”

…

Shastra describes the present time period to be one of increased quarrel and hypocrisy. It is known as Kali Yuga, the dark age. If compared to a table, dharma stands on only one leg; the other three have been knocked aside.

Goswami Tulsidas compares Kali Yuga to Hiranyakashipu, the noted asura villain described in texts like Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana. Hiranyakashipu tormented the saintly class, so much so that they ran away in fear. They would rather not be seen or known for their allegiance to the Divine principles.

Tulsidas says that the holy name of Shri Rama is like Narasimhadeva. This wonderful avatara appeared in this world to save the innocent Prahlada Maharaja, who was the five-year sold son of Hiranyakashipu. The father harassed that son for so long. Prahlada had done nothing wrong; he simply wanted to worship Vishnu in peace. He was not given proper facility by the father, who remained envious of the Supreme Lord.

Narasimha appeared on the scene and essentially removed the fangs from the snake of the Kali-yuga-like asura. In the same way, He can rescue anyone living in the dangerous conditions at present. Repeating those names is an integral aspect of bhakti-yoga, which is the savior of the fallen: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In Closing:

So much craziness around,
Not an honest person found.

Expert lying and cheating,
Exhaustion by energy depleting.

No time for knowledge to read,
For rescue a desperate need.

But like with Narasimha appearing,
Holy names the obstacles clearing.

Can You Understand God As A Concept

“All of them - as they surrender unto Me - I reward accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pritha.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.11)

Download this episode (right click and save)

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते
तांस् तथैव भजाम्य् अहम्
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते
मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante
tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ

 

“Everything about the bhakti-yoga presentation, from what I have been exposed to, has been about a person. In fact, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada intentionally translates the Sanskrit word of bhagavan as ‘Supreme Personality of Godhead.’

“That series of words certainly gets your attention, but I never realized the purpose behind the use until I came upon other commentators who have a different translation. They would refer to God as the ‘Supreme Formless Absolute.’ It is laughable, if you think about it, as they would reference the same scriptural texts in their discussions. In those works there are people doing things.

“A formless entity did not speak to Arjuna. It was not a voice from the sky that delivered Bhagavad-gita. There is a distinct person, an individual. Although He can go by various names, there is no mistaking who He is. Similarly, Shri Rama is a person, as is Vishnu, who speak about the eternal standing of God with respect to the three periods of time, as they relate to Brahma, the creator.

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

“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)

“The question I have relates to someone who might accept the entire presentation as sectarian. It is not that they disagree with any of the principles presented, but they are hesitant to surrender to another savior, as they see it. What is the option for them, particularly if they are not necessarily fond of someone named Krishna or Rama?”

The Supreme Lord is so merciful that there are many ways to understand Him. Depending on your degree of inhibition, on the level of realization, you have a certain interaction. For instance, if you are mired in alcoholism, unable to kick the dependency to adult beverages, you can appreciate God through your drink of choice. You can think along the following lines:

“This taste is spectacular. It always manages to hit the spot. If there is a God, He must be responsible for this drink. While other people go to church on Sundays, I appreciate Him on a daily basis.”

If there is an issue with surrendering to a personality, a person can understand God through His all-pervading feature of Brahman. This is the correlating entity referenced by those who view the Almighty as the Supreme Formless Absolute. They are too blinded by the transcendental effulgence emerging from the spiritual world to be able to discern the distinct individual behind the spiritual energy.

There are several instances documented in Vedic literature of impersonalists who later became surrendered souls. They were fully realized in the spiritual energy of Brahman, no longer caring for the ups and downs of a temporary world. They were dedicated to the path of righteousness, dharma, but they had yet to appreciate the sweetness of the direct engagement.

क्लेशो ऽधिकतरस् तेषाम्
अव्यक्तासक्त-चेतसाम्
अव्यक्ता हि गतिर् दुःखं
देहवद्भिर् अवाप्यते

kleśo ‘dhikataras teṣām
avyaktāsakta-cetasām
avyaktā hi gatir duḥkhaṁ
dehavadbhir avāpyate

“For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Supreme, advancement is very troublesome. To make progress in that discipline is always difficult for those who are embodied.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 12.5)

If steady at the impersonal level, there is still no harm in hearing Krishna-katha. At the very least, the discourses are a constructive use of time. There are Krishna’s direct instructions, vani, and also marks left by the actions of His transcendental body, vapu.

The devotees, who are strongly aligned on the personal side, tend to condemn impersonalism. They see it as a misuse of the wonderful opportunity in the human birth to understand spiritual topics. At the same time, the path is still available. No one is shut out completely. Even the atheists are following Krishna, though they may not know. They are worshiping the material energy, which has its accompanying destination.

The end-goal for impersonalism is merging into the formless Brahman energy, but those on the personal side get to retain their identity, through and through, into however many successive births they get. They see the all-attractive one wherever they are, and they relish the opportunity to serve Him.

In Closing:

“Only as concept want to know,
Not ready yet in bhakti to go.

Is that possible for me,
Or jealous God is He?”

Everyone following already,
From atheist to servant steady.

Difference only in destination set,
From personal highest benefit to get.

Two Strategies For Dealing With Pending Calamity Near Mathura

“After this purificatory process, the gopis, headed by mother Yashoda and Rohini, chanted twelve names of Vishnu to give Krishna's body full protection from all evil influences. They washed their hands and feet and sipped water three times, as is the custom before chanting mantra.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 6)

Download this episode (right click and save)

A contrast in strategy. Two groups, but each facing impending doom. One person heard it in a voice from the sky [akasha-vani]. The other group witnessed the events unfolding before their very eyes. One person kept an eye on the clock, as it ticked down ever so slowly, while the other happily went about each day, although they were aware of the uncertainty in the general conditions of the material world.

1. Explicit mitigation

Kamsa heard the voice from the sky while escorting his cousin-sister to the home of her new husband. This was on Devaki’s marriage day, and everything was going well until the sudden warning. Kamsa learned that Devaki’s eighth child would be his doom.

It must have been quite a shock to receive such news. There was not much else to the message. It was something like running into a stranger on the street, who makes an important announcement and then vanishes from the scene.

Did it even take place? Should the recipient carefully consider the words delivered or should they reject them out of hand, as if delivered from a crazy person? Should they act on the information or let things go, allowing death to arrive in the natural course?

Kamsa did not hesitate. He immediately went for the kill. The eighth child would never emerge if Devaki were no longer living. Never mind the sin associated with such a dreaded act; at least the king would remain in his position.

The new husband, Vasudeva, rescued Devaki at that moment. Without firing a shot, he found relief through delivery of cogent words of pacification. The king of Mathura relented; he dropped his weapon. Kamsa assumed a position of peace, but the compassion was short-lived. Soon enough, the couple was sent to prison, forced to hand over every new child born to them.

Even with the strict oversight, the eighth child managed to appear. Known as Shri Krishna, He was secretly whisked away to the nearby town of Gokula in what amounted to a baby-swap. Kamsa later tried to kill what he thought was the eighth child born to Devaki, but it was actually Durga Devi in her potency as yogamaya. She mocked the king for even attempting something so foolish, in the process revealing that Krishna was elsewhere and very much alive.

After dismally failing at something that should have been a piece of cake, Kamsa continued with the strategy of explicit mitigation. He sent one henchman after another to Gokula. The mission was to kill Krishna. One of the people Kamsa sent was a witch named Putana.

2. Praying to Vishnu

The people of Gokula were not aware that Krishna was the very same Vishnu that they were accustomed to worshiping. They did not know that Yashoda’s actual child was swapped, that Krishna came in its place. They just knew that her newborn was the jewel of the town, that He was the center of their life and wellbeing.

When Kamsa’s asura friends arrived, the people were amazed at baby Krishna’s ability to survive the attacks. They could not believe it, as how is the essence of innocence expected to defend itself against foes much stronger in the physical sense?

When Putana entered, she took the false form of a beautiful nurse. She presumed permission to breastfeed young Krishna, and this was expected to fulfill Kamsa’s mission. Putana had smeared poison on her breast, but when Krishna started to drink, it was the witch who lost her way.

As the very life was being sucked out of her, Putana could no longer keep the false guise. She showed her true, hideous form of a witch. Greatly enlarged in size, she finally tumbled to the ground, left lifeless from the ordeal.

There were eyewitnesses only to the final scene, where baby Krishna was playing on top of the dead body, looking completely unaffected. The mothers decided to worship Vishnu by repeating various names and asking for protection over the various body parts.

…

In the post-mortem analysis, Kamsa failed and the people of Gokula succeeded. The cause is that Vishnu’s favor is everything. If the Supreme Lord decrees something to take place, His word is as good as that of a pious brahmana’s. Nothing can be done to reverse destiny. Kamsa failed to recognize this until the very end, when He saw the blow of death in the vision of Krishna’s fist striking his face.

In Closing:

How dealing with dreaded curse,
Appeal to Divine or work to reverse?

Kamsa for mitigation choosing,
His mind over death’s clock losing.

In Gokula people always to pray,
Vishnu asked to save the day.

Result that king and asuras defeated,
Time in destiny’s path proceeded.

Vyasa Puja 2021

“The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krishna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one's dormant love for Krishna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 22.83)

Download this episode (right click and save)

कृष्ण-भक्ति-जन्म-मूल हय ऽसाधु-सङ्गऽ
कृष्ण-प्रेम जन्मे, तेङ्हो पुनः मुख्य अङ्ग

kṛṣṇa-bhakti-janma-mūla haya 'sādhu-saṅga'
kṛṣṇa-prema janme, teṅho punaḥ mukhya aṅga

 

Devotional service will make a person happy; happier than anything else can. There is no qualification to this claim. No hedge. No exception to the rule. It is a universal truth, for the principle is rooted in dharma, which is the essence of living.

There may be a variety of religious traditions practiced and adhered to around the world. Within a single country you might find a handful of popular faiths, with their respective deities, books held in high esteem, and important personalities who roamed the world and preached the truth.

Despite the variety, dharma is always one. For this reason, the closest equivalent to the term “religion” in the Vedic tradition is sanatana-dharma. The essential characteristic of the living being, who defines an existence at the local level and also together at the collective within a specific population, is without beginning and without end.

There was never a time when the living being took birth. We have the brief history in the current lifetime. This is the known ancestry, but man’s recollection is imperfect. We cannot go back infinitely in the past and know exactly where we were at a specific period of time. The same applies to moving forward, travelling into the future.

At every point in the timeline of existence, dharma is the same. My essential characteristic is identical to yours. Dharma cannot be removed, even by force. The tragic event of death caused by infiltration of attacking enemies is merely the destruction of the temporary body. The soul continues to live.

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)

The dharma of the individual is to serve. The ideal object of service is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is soul just like me, but of a different nature. I am individual, conditioned soul, jivatma. He is the Supreme Consciousness, distributed everywhere, though a single entity. He is Supersoul, Paramatma.

On the occasion of Vyasa Puja, we honor the appearance in this world of the supreme spiritual guide, the guru. He is the representative of Vyasadeva, and he reawakens my dormant consciousness through both instruction and example. I was otherwise wandering in the darkness, jumping from one temporary interest to another. I was suffering the entire time, though unaware through brief but frequent escapades in escape from the senses.

We learn that the root cause of devotional service is the association of saintly people. We need someone to show us the way. We cannot discover the miracle of the universe and its creation through our own research effort. The breadth and volume of information is too much to consume, and there is not enough time within a single lifetime to gather all of the data, let alone come to a rational conclusion as to its meaning.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada essentially opens the entire universe to me. Without having to move an inch in the physical sense, I can travel to any place I wish. Using the mind, I behold the splendor of the Divine, whose potency cannot be accurately measured by instruments, adhokshaja.

The guru shows the way in an eternal engagement, where there is renewing optimism, opportunity, and bliss. He explains that the meaning of an existence is to be aligned with dharma, to serve God and to always think of Him. He uses the authority of Bhagavad-gita as support.

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)

There is no way to properly repay the favor except to continue in devotion, to attempt to be a small example to others, in the hopes that they will also find eternal happiness. The goal is not to strive to increase the numbers in the flock, to convert a certain number of people to a new religion, or to boast over the successful propagation of a timeless tradition.

क्षिप्रं भवति धर्मात्मा
शश्वच्-छान्तिं निगच्छति
कौन्तेय प्रतिजानीहि
न मे भक्तः प्रणश्यति

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā
śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati
kaunteya pratijānīhi
na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

“He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.31)

The focus is on glorifying God and taking pleasure in seeing others happily engaged in the same service, which will do the best for them. The guru may not be universally popular during their time in the preaching world. They may face tremendous difficulties and obstacles along the way, but with Bhagavan as support there is never destruction in the link.

In Closing:

What better can one give?
Than with happiness to live.

Where the whole world opened for me,
Connection to Divine always to see.

The guru my fortunes to save,
Pathway to liberation gave.

Honoring the next and this day,
Possible never properly to repay.

Krishna Janmashtami 2021

“A nice band played, and the people assembled enjoyed it. All the learned brahmanas were invited, and they chanted Vedic hymns for the good fortune of Krishna. During the chanting of the Vedic hymns and playing of the bands, Krishna was bathed by mother Yashoda. This bathing ceremony is technically called abhisheka, and even today this is observed in all the temples of Vrindavana as Janmashtami Day, or the birthday anniversary of Lord Krishna.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 7)

Download this episode (right click and save)

We hear so much from the acharya about the need to practice devotional service. We must implement the principles of bhakti-yoga in our daily lives. Follow through on the definition of bhagavata-dharma; make that a way of living instead of an extracurricular activity. Have the devotion become part of you, rather than remain a side discipline with an independent existence.

We might be confused as to exactly what that lifestyle looks like. I know pizza from its taste, but I can be sure from the visual. The picture reveals the identity, and with the devotional culture what exactly are the characteristics to look for?

We know that pretenders infiltrate organizations and institutions. In the popular style of government today, the worst of the worst rise to the top. The better you are at lying, the more likely you are to get elected. It seems that the more corrupt you are, the more authority you are given. You tell everyone else to live a certain way, all the while exempting yourself from the rules.

The occasion of Janmashtami helps to give an idea on the practical aspects of devotional service. It is an annual celebration, commemorating the appearance of Shri Krishna in this world. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. He possesses six opulences simultaneously and to the fullest extent: beauty, wealth, strength, fame, wisdom and renunciation.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य
ग्लानिर् भवति भारत
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य
तदात्मानं सृजाम्य् अहम्

yadā yadā hi dharmasya
glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya
tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion - at that time I descend Myself.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.7)

With Krishna’s pastimes on earth there is even a birthday celebration. The people of Vrindavana mark the occasion of Janmasthami while Krishna is in their presence. The priestly class gets invited to the home. Bands play devotional music. Everyone dresses themselves nicely.

Mother Yashoda has the preferred seat. She is close by. She gets to bathe her child personally, but this does not disqualify any of the other participants from the devotional connection. That is to say, everyone is worshiping in their own way, and they are thus connected in yoga.

The same variety applies to the devotional culture outside of the situation of direct, physical contact. A person in the maya consciousness may be preparing food to consume for the nighttime, in the hopes of satisfying their senses. Another person is following the exact same sequence of actions, but their intent is different. They are preparing food for the satisfaction of Krishna. Their sacrifice in time is equivalent with yajna. There is no difference between their work and the recitation of mantras in a formal worship ceremony by an expert priest.

Even if I lack mobility, having no chance to work physically in favor of supporting the Almighty and those devoted to Him, there is always the opportunity to at least hear. This is also devotional service. It is the first in the list mentioned by Prahlada Maharaja, in his enumeration of activities described to those who are not familiar.

Shravanam; just hear about God. Dedicate some time each day. It is not a difficult process, but the benefits are tremendous. On special occasions like Janmashtami take extra time to remember Krishna, the person we are all meant to adore. He is neither a sectarian God nor a concoction of the mind. He is the Supreme Lord in full, with the detail to the abstract, with the curtain removed, so to speak.

If there happens to be an intense longing to bathe Krishna in the same way that mother Yashoda did, the Supreme Lord is kind enough to appear in the deity form. The same abhisheka ceremony can take place at home, while no one is watching. God’s eyes are everywhere, so He will always notice. He never forgets even a single deed done in His favor.

In Closing:

Even a single deed to take,
Never the memory to forsake.

Since everywhere His eyes,
Blessed the one who tries.

In devotional life taught,
By guru who Divinity brought.

To this world shining the light,
Like on Janmashtami’s night.

How Were People Saved Prior To Krishna's Time

“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)

Download this episode (right click and save)

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 hate to bring other traditions into the discussion, but the questions that popped into my head seemed relevant when applied to the Vedic tradition, which commonly goes by the term ‘Hinduism.’ The idea from the outside is that you must accept a certain person as a savior. Whether they are a prophet, a preacher, an empowered teacher, or related to Divinity itself, the entire basis of the particular organization is affiliation with this person.

“You could be good or bad in everything else, but you are fine as long as you accept the savior. If you are given over to him, then everything will be alright. I am not here to get into an argument of dogmatic insistence. I fully realize that any person can hold up a book, assign Divine status to a particular person, and then denounce anyone who does not share the same point of view. The outsiders would fall into the ‘sinner’ category, while everyone on the inside would be slated for the best destination in the afterlife.

“The contention I have is that everything about that particular religion is based on this one individual. The followers identify themselves with a name linked to that person. The leaders never say that God is for everyone or that every person follows the Almighty in some way or another. They say that if you don’t accept their specific savior, you are doomed.

“The obvious flaw is that this savior only appeared in this world a relatively few number of years ago. You could say that thousands of years is a long time, but in the grand scheme of things it is like a blip on a radar screen. I get it that everything changed after that, but there was certainly time prior, with a separate set of individuals making up the population of earth.

“What about those people? They couldn’t accept the savior precisely because the savior had yet to appear in the world. What were their options for salvation? Was genuine religion not available? If it was, then why wouldn’t the same religion they practiced be applicable today? Do you mean to tell me that the basics of life and death, the afterlife, sin and piety, and so forth are bound to a specific period of time? That doesn’t make sense.

“These are the doubts I have. Do you think there is any carryover to the Vedic tradition? For instance, in Bhagavad-gita we hear the call to surrender, that every kind of dharma will be accounted for if you accept the shelter of Shri Krishna. There was a time in this world prior to Krishna, as well. What was the solution for people who lived prior to Krishna’s advent?”

Shri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, non-different from the original. Although there is only one God, He manifests differently depending on the time and circumstance. How He manifests has no bearing on His identity.

For instance, if we are Markandeya Rishi and see the Supreme Lord as a small child resting on a banyan leaf while the entire cosmic manifestation is being annihilated, it does not mean that God is limited to the diminutive stature.

Similarly, while Arjuna sees God in the virata-rupa, the universal form, it does not mean that God is too large to fit into a temple or into my heart. He is everywhere and anywhere, and He is never affected by the manner in which others connect to Him.

In a verse from Shrimad Bhagavatam, the same Supreme Lord instructs Brahma that God is never absent from a situation. Vishnu exists prior to Brahma’s emergence from the stem of the lotus flower tied to Vishnu’s navel, padmanabha. Vishnu exists while Brahma undertakes the process of creation, and Vishnu will be there after everything is annihilated.

Although Krishna appears at a certain time and place and delivers words of instruction, that wisdom is timeless. For instance, He explains to Arjuna that the same Bhagavad-gita was spoken at the beginning of the creation, to the sun-god.

श्री-भगवान् उवाच
इमं विवस्वते योगं
प्रोक्तवान् अहम् अव्ययम्
विवस्वान् मनवे प्राह
मनुर् इक्ष्वाकवे ’ब्रवीत्

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ
proktavān aham avyayam
vivasvān manave prāha
manur ikṣvākave ’bravīt

“The Blessed Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikshvaku.” (Bhagavad-gita, 4.1)

There is a reason that the best equivalent term for religion in the Vedic tradition is sanatana-dharma. Placing the two words together is significant. Dharma is the essence of living. Dharma can never be removed from the individual. Whether they are a plant, a tree, a flower, a lion, a human being, or a demigod, dharma remains the same.

That dharma is timeless; hence sanatana. There is no beginning and no end to the dharma of the individual, and so at any period of time there is the opportunity for salvation. The people worship Vishnu prior to His advent as Krishna, and in another period of time they perhaps direct their worship to another avatara.

The end result is the same, and so no one is ever shut out from genuine religion. There may be a rise or decline in adherence to dharma over the course of time, which may require empowered representatives to reignite the tradition of allegiance to righteous principles, but connection to God the person is never tied to external factors like language, place of birth, occupation, or stature within society.

In Closing:

“To accept the savior must,
In our future promise trust.”

But what about prior years?
Before of savior people to hear.

Limited applicability then?
Where religion on time to depend.

With Vedas on eternal truth landing,
Where Vishnu always as supreme standing.