The Use and Uselessness of Varṇāśrama
→ The Enquirer

Please read generously. This is just a blog post, not an article or an essay or a book.

My angle on the question of the relevance of Varṇāśrama to bhakti is that there are two things: pure bhakti and mixed bhakti. For one, Varnāśrama is quite irrelevant, for the other Varnāśrama is quite relevant.

Pure Bhakti – Where Varṇāśrama is Useless

Pure bhakti is completely independent and unstoppable (“ahaituky apratihata“), it doesn’t rely on anything for facilitation or help, etc. – i.e. you don’t have to be healthy, or happy, or wealthy, or wise, or this or that or the other thing before you can completely dive into pure bhakti. It is immediately acessable, and nothing is an obstacle to it.

Pure bhakti is accomplished by it’s own internal parts:

  1. Primarily by Śrī-nāma-saṁkīrtana, supported by:
  2. bhāgavatārtha-svada (tasting the purports of Bhāgavatam),
  3. sajātiyāśaya-snigdha śrī bhāgavata-bhakta-saṅga (becoming close with devotees of the Beautiful All-Attractive who are similar to us, able to shelter us, and affectionate – not for “social development” but for Hari-Kīrtana and Hari-Kathā),
  4. śrī murty anghri-sevane pritaḥ (affectionately doing humble service for the beautiful deity), and
  5. śrī mathurā-maṇḍala sthiti (situating oneself within the circle of beautiful Mathurā).

If one has faith (śraddhā) in pure bhakti – in other words if one is substantially convinced that pure bhakti is the real immediate and essential objective of life – then one won’t find a need to “psycho-physically situate themselves properly” or have a proper social life, etc. etc. One will merely feel the need to engage in Hari Nāma Saṁkīrtana with the support of the four practices mentioned above. Nothing else will seem important, and full satisfaction on all levels, physical, mental, social, intellectual, and spiritual will come directly from the Holy Name.

Mixed Bhakti – Where Varṇāśrama might be Usefull

If one doesn’t have faith in pure bhakti (kevala bhakti-śraddha) then one should weep incessantly. That’s the most useful endeavor.

The tears should inspire one to find someone else who does have such faith. We should try to associate with that person in such a way that their faith Pure Bhakti rubs off on us.

Meanwhile, since we still keep some roots of faith in temporary things we will unavoidably feel all sorts of lackings, deficiencies, and hungers, from the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual realms and will wish for a different world, where varṇāśrama was established and everyone was psycho-physically healthy and happy.

But then such worlds do exist, and that will probably be our destination if we care too much about nursing our mixed faith in bhakti (miśra bhakti śraddha). That’s why miśra bhakti leads to higher “planets” within the material world.

What is “faith in mixed bhakti”? It’s the idea that “bhakti is important but other things are important too.”

“Social development is important, physical health is important, emotional health is important, education is important, and bhakti is important too.” That’s a phrase from the miśra-bhakti handbook. In the kevala bhakti phrasebook there’s this phrase “to hell with everything else, where is the beautiful Son of Nanda, the source of all physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual bliss!?!?!?!?”
As far as I can tell this assessment of the relative use and uselessness of Varṇāśrama is extremely similar to the conclusion of Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī in Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu 1.2.246-263 (http://www.dicara.com/Members/vic/BRS/1-2-245.htm#246)


Move To The Clearing Stage
→ Japa Group

"...in my Japa I tried to focus in on what I am doing, because of all the regulative principles, the most important principle given to us was to chant sixteen rounds of Japa. And I have been immersed for so many years in the offensive stage of chanting that just last year, when I was reflecting on what I wanted to change most in my spiritual life for this year, it was to try very hard to move to the clearing stage of
chanting the holy name."

Yamuna devi dasi
Prabhupada Memories 2001

God and the demigods
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 02 October 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.2-7)

Even though we do not look for austerity, we do not spend the whole day trying to avoid austerity. We must take some austerity – that is bhakti yoga and we use our time, as much as possible, in devotional service. Therefore this chapter that we are reading from, continues quickly. We do all these verses (about demigods) today, in one shot and then tomorrow, we can go to the next verse which is about devotional service, which is the topic of this chapter. That is what we want to talk about and not about demigod worship – it is a waste of time.

anglesWe may get so many questions, “But my great-grandfather was worshipping such-and-such a deity. It’s in my family. It’s our tradition and what is the problem if we do a little puja on the side!?”

The point is that we divide our faith; that is the issue! Wherever you worship, you begin to put some faith there. We should reserve our faith only for Krsna, therefore we are worshipping only Krsna and not the demigods.

Like I said yesterday, we sometimes think that we will worship some demigod for small things because we don’t want to bother Krsna for these  things. No, the truth is that we are then putting our faith partially in Krsna and partially in the demigods. That is how it happened in the past. Many Vishu temples have turned into demigod temples. So, it is not wise. Why would we divide our faith!? It is difficult enough for us; we are by nature already weak in this age therefore it is not wise to divide our faith.

“But how can we give this up? Is it not an offense?”

No, because Srimad Bhagavatam says: devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam, na kinkaro nayam rni ca rajan, sravatmana yah saranam saranyam, gato mukundam parihrtya kartam (SB 11.5.41). It says that one is relieved from all duties to the devas (demigods), rsi (sages), parents and forefathers if one takes up the service of Mukunda. All these other duties are automatically fulfilled. By serving Krsna, the demigods are more satisfied than by any other offering. It is the most satisfying offering to them because they are devotees of Krsna.

Krsna-skyThis idea that we are afraid, if we don’t worship the demigods then we don’t know what will happen – the demigods will get angry! No, then we are in ignorance; we do not understand. Bhagavatam has already stated to us. I can give a crude example.

Someone was serving me by bringing breakfast everyday. Then they stopped that and started to go out everyday, to distribute books, which is what Srila Prabhupada wanted. You think I’ll be upset! No! What will I say, “Go all, go everybody and distribute books. I’ll get my own breakfast!” It is more pleasing if you serve Prabhupada than if you serve me! It is a crude example but that is the mood of the demigods.

 

 

 

An Incredibly Inspiring Video, Showcasing Indradyumna Swami’s Polish Festivals
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Headed by HH Indradyumna Swami, the "Festival of India" has a long standing tradition of being a dynamic, travelling tour that visits cities across the Baltic Sea Coast for the last ten years.  With incredible stage programs, yoga classes, philosophy and more, the festival presents a tapestry of spiritual culture to the country of Poland.  At the helm of this incredible tour is Indradyumna Swami who is an incredible, spiritual force!  Check out this inspiring video of the festival in action!


Tips On Writing – The Prologue
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



I begin Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest with three quick prologues. What the heck is a prologue for anyway? And three? What’s with that?

After the book’s introduction, your story begins. But before (pro - Greek) the story gets underway (lego – the telling) , do you want to drop in a prologue? The prologue might provide clues as to the theme of the book  or set up the mood or describe events that happen before the main story begins,  to anticipate the underlying conflict of the story or might introduce one of the main characters in an offbeat way. And that’s why I have three.

Prologues do those things and more.  Basically, the prologue sets up the mood.  (check the first sentence of my first prologue).  A prologue could even be like the coming attractions and poise questions and situations to titillate the reader,  or it could  provide a predicament which is then totally dropped, only to surface again much later in the book. You have to figure out if your book warrants a prologue and how to use it to your best advantage.  To see my prologues go to www.Mahabharata-Project.com to the Sample page.

Actually, you would do me a great favor if you went to the site, even if you were there before. In four months, if you googled Mahabharata, my site has jumped from page 15 to page 3. Now it’s been hovering between pages 2 and 3 for the last month. I’m trying to boast it to page ONE on google.   I thank you for your help.

Ys, Sankirtana das
www.Mahabharata-Project.com    



Vaishnava marriage in Vrindavana (Album 129 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

There are many purificatory processes for advancing a human being to spiritual life. The marriage ceremony, for example, is considered to be one of these sacrifices. It is called vivaha-yajna. . . . The Lord says here that any sacrifice that is meant for human welfare should never be given up. Vivaha-yajna, the marriage ceremony, is meant to regulate the human mind so that it may become peaceful for spiritual advancement. (Bg. 18.5, purport) Marriage based on the principles of religious life is therefore current in all civilized human society because that is the way for restricted sex life. This restricted, unattached sex life is also a kind of yajïa because the restricted householder sacrifices his general tendency toward sense gratification for higher, transcendental life. (Bg. 4.26, purport) Read more ›

Monday, December 2nd, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Six Plus Six

Toronto, Ontario

The morning was overcast.  Monday morning.  “Aggh,” many will say.

I was dashing to the passport office for the renewal of this handy document.  It brought me into the corporate sector of the city, or at least to the edge of it on Victoria Street.  All seems robotic, all seems straight and square, and there’s the gloomy looking faces, my God.

Anyways, business got done.  I’ll pick up a ten year valid passport on Thursday morning.  I trekked back home by way of Church Street through the gay community for a change, and before that through Ryerson Campus where students are abuzz.  Then I ventured through the platinum strip of Bloor and Bay in Yorkville.  Places that are all dolled up for Christmas.  I also passed through the Eaton Centre, the giant mall, where there are massive lit up reindeer.  Over the speakers you could hear, “Oh Holy Night,” that classic.  When the lyrics came out, “Oh night divine… When Christ was born…” my objectionable mind questioned, “Yeah, but Christ wasn’t born on December 25th.  Christmas was slapped on to the pagan holiday at Winter Solstice, a clever and imposing move to save souls.

I left the mall and made the journey back to the ashram to make a total of six kilometres.  A golden opportunity arose for one more trek in the evening to give us another six kilometres.

Ken, a friend from Australia (we say ‘Oz’) wanted a quiet Monday evening experience on foot.  Ken, who works for the Red Cross worldwide and drops in occasionally, does all kinds of charity work and also finds himself tending to cows in India’s goshala (cow shelters) and helps the expanding school in Vrindavan.  While trekking, he asked a question after admitting he enjoys being single and is also not necessarily interested in being in a stationary place as in living as a monk in a monastery.  He sometimes feels the pressure though, “They joke, ‘why don’t you settle down and get married?’ While others say, ‘be a brahmachari’.”  He asks further, “Is it wrong to work and carry on?”  Here was a sincere soul asking a sincere question.

“Not at all,” I counselled, “you’re a natural nomad, keep your hair and keep Krishna.  Monastic life isn’t for everyone.  You’re doing good.”  Anyways, Monday night seemed less gloomy.

May the Great Source be with you!

12 KM

Is there any actual difference between Brahman Paramatma and Bhagavan, or is it just a matter of perception?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Divyangi Lalita M

I was with the understanding that Brahman and Paramatma are limited and can only exhibit sat and sat-cit features respectively. From the lecture, I understood that they are the same absolute truth and there is difference only in the way it is perceived by the practitioner, can you please explain further.

Answer Podcast

If madhurya rasa is taught in other traditions, then what is unique about the Gaudiya tradition?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Divyangi Lalita M

I was under the impression that only Gaudiya Siddhanta teaches madhurya rasa, but I was recently corrected by a devotee stating that Andal from the Sri sampradaya was situated in madhurya rasa. Can you please explain on what basis we can convince new devotees about the supremacy and unique position of Gaudiya Siddhanta?

Answer Podcast

Is love of God available to followers of non-Vedic systems?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Priya Aiyar M

Is love of God available to followers of non-vedic system who don't recognise Krishna to be the Supreme Lord but worship God as Buddha, Prophet Mohammed, or Jesus Christ. In other words, there is a vast difference between Vedic literature and non-vedic literature. So how do the followers of religions other than sanatana dharma come to the right conclusion of God and attain love of God? In their own system can they attain love of God?

Answer Podcast

 

First! GOLOKA FEST at the Luzhniki stadium!
→ Dandavats.com

The first festival of Vedic culture Goloka Fest invites you to Luzhniki Stadium on "Friendship" with loved ones and welcome guests ES Bhakti Vijnana Goswami Maharaj, EM Aditi Dukhahoy Ave, EM Krishna Leela, etc. and of course the ES Bhakti Ananta Krishna Goswami Maharaj. This GOLOKA FEST will open to you the secrets of spiritual deeds of Krishna, which you can see firsthand in the performance of a laser show, and to hear from the man truly knows them. This is an incredible and breathtaking story of how Krishna, playing the role of an ordinary child raised left thumb huge mountain Govardhana. Read more ›

Predictions of Liberation or Enlightenment Are a Bogus Hoax
→ The Enquirer

Reblogged from Vic DiCara's Astrology:

Astrologers can be extremely pompus at our worst moments, but never are we more presumptuous, over-adoring of the potentials of astrology, and under-aware of its limits, than when we claim to state on the basis of astrology whether or not a person will attain mokṣa (emancipation from the cycle of birth and death).

Emancipation is beyond matter. It is beyond time and space. 

Read more… 480 more words

Choose Beauty
→ Seed of Devotion

I used to hate my hairline. It creeps forward where my temples are and then tapers back out for my forehead. I used to think that it made my face look narrow and imbalanced.

For years and years, ever since I was in elementary school, I wore my hair parted to the side to cover my hairline. It didn't really do anything, but still it was a mental crutch. I thought that somehow I could never really look beautiful if I wore my hair any other way.

As an adult, I seriously considered laser hair removal to remove the hair on my temples. I would go in front of the mirror and place my fingers on my temples, trying to envision what my face would look like with a broad, round hairline. Surely then my face would look more balanced.

Then, about two years ago, I dived into an emotional educational course called the Satvatove Advanced Course, which is based upon the spiritual principles of the Bhagavad Gita. In the course, I deeply got in touch with living a life at choice.

On the last day of the course, my "graduation" day, I woke up, looked in the mirror...

... and pulled my hair back.

All the way.

My scalp tingled. The line where I had parted my hair for most of my life pulsed as if it had been seared upon my head.

I was astonished to find, upon looking in the mirror, that I looked beautiful. No, more than that, I felt beautiful. My eyes shone. Beauty became something that nothing and no one could determine for me, not even the mirror. Beauty is a quality of the soul.

For me, that was a day of liberation.

A year later, I took the next step - I parted my hair down the middle. My scalp tingled all over again.



And then there are some days when I still choose to wear my hair parted to the side.

After all, when the soul is shining through, who cares about your hairline?!?



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“Am I a demon or a vaishnav?”
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 September 2013, Durban, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.20.13)

Satsvarup Maharaja raised that question in one of his books which had the title, “Am I a demon or a vaishnav?”  That is a very good question, really. It is like a perennial question for all of us because we are in this transition from possibly being demoniac going towards being devotees. What we are is not so clear cut. We can see that demoniac tendencies remain within us.

The sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita is an important chapter because it describes the divine and the demoniac qualities. We can recognise something in ourselves, like harsh speech as one of the qualities of demons. It is not so easy to avoid harsh speech it comes out quite naturally. So some of these qualities are within us.

Krishna-sucks-the-life-out-of-Putana-who-expands-to-a-six-mile-form

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone Can Be a Part of This Year’s Book Marathon
→ simple thoughts

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Book’s for you
Book’s for me
It’s book marathon time, a time when we can show our appreciation and love for Srila Prabhupada, and anyone and everyone can be a part of it and there is many devotee’s who are willing to help if your unsure.
It’s easy to get involved and more enjoyable than watching TV;
You can join one of the travelling parties for the day or a couple of days
You can join one of the Saturday Sacred Street groups
You can go from door to door if the streets appear too daunting
But if this isn’t for you then here’s another few options:
One devotee went and dropped off books in public places; doctors and hospital waiting rooms, hairdressers indeed they left a small note in each and amazingly they got several call’s asking if they had more.
Alternatively sponsor book’s if your shy or not quiet up to going on the front line then make sure that as many of Srila Prabhupada’s books are paid for; so that even more people can get gain this transcendental knowledge.
And how easy is it?
Well the other day I had a cancellation in work; most of the day was free; at the time I was in a well known supermarket looking out at the car park their was an opportunity free time, a few books in the boot and a lot of hungry shoppers.
Many were eager to get their hand’s on the books “This will be a great Christmas present for one of my friends!” A young enthusiastic chap proclaimed. I was down to my last one, then the store manager stopped me.
We had a small discussion and I explained I only had one book left and how it would be wonderful if I finished the day with no books in the boot of my car. He was just about to ask me to leave when he caught sight of the book, “wow! I’ve been looking for a copy of this book” so I gave it as a gift for his kindness at letting me distribute the books in his car park.
Book’s are not the temple devotee only calling, but everyone’s and Yes if you to are looking for that ultimate Christmas Gift you know what to give, the question is which one of Srila Prabhupada’s book’s will you give?