Podcast

Transcription :

Transcriber: Dr Suresh Gupta

Edited by: Sharan Shetty

Question: How does “God help those who help themselves” apply to Rama in Ramayana?

Answer:In general, when the avataaras descend to this world, they do not always act as if they are God. They often act like human beings.

Also, it is important to note that every book has its driving question. For the Mahabharata, the driving question is, what is dharma. For Srimad Bhagavatam, it is, what is dharma of a person who is about to die. And for the Ramayana, the driving question is, what are the characteristics of an ideal person.

Now, if the ideal person is God himself, we would want him to act ideally since God does not have temptations. The epic Ramayana does not emphasise so much on Rama’s divinity, although it is quite evident throughout the scripture. The supreme beauty of Ramayana is that Rama, although he is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, goes through difficulties but does not use his omnipotence to push off them. Rather, he demonstrates how in great difficulties one can respond to adversity with dignity by sticking to one’s duty. This is what makes Ramayana so inspiring.
An ideal human being is one who tries his best in every situation. However, being a human, things will not always be in control. In Rama’s case, although everything is ultimately in his control, but in the lila they are not. Thus, he is seen seeking help of others. For example, he does what he can to search for Sita but eventually takes help from Sugriva, the king of the vanaras.

If we consider Rama simply a finite being in his human pastime (nara lila), then for him to meet Jatayu while searching for Sita is very special. It was a big forest and Rama could have been anywhere, yet he finds Jatayu who tells him how the evil Ravana kidnapped Sita. As Rama moves on, he finds the demon Kabandha who tells him to form an alliance with Sugriva in order to find Sita.

When Rama is fighting the war, he removes Ravana’s head again and again, but Ravana’s heads keep re-appearing. Finally, Vibhishana comes and tells Rama that if you keep shooting his head it will keep reappearing, so shoot him in his heart and that is how Rama kills Ravana. Although Rama is doing his best to slay Ravana but that is not working, and someone else helps him. Thus, we could see that things which are beyond his control are also working out right.

Thus, we can see things which were beyond Rama’s knowledge and capacity were also helping him, to make things work out. The principle of “God help those who help themselves” is clearly demonstrated here.

End of transcription.

The post How does God helps those who help themselves apply to Rama in Ramayana? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Written by Rukmini devi dasi

“A spiritual festival is not about the experience that you are having here and now. It is more than that. It creates samskaras (impressions), deepening our relationship with our spiritual master and our connection to one another. This is how we advance. All these bonds will have a part to play in the future.”

We enter Radhadesh. Fresh and crisp meets ancient and idyllic. A natural wonderland with adventure trails, cows, sacred art and possibly every book on the planet that a devotee may want. Gopinath, with all that swag, is certainly ‘King of the Castle’. However, it’s the Queen who rules Radhadesh. And wide-eyed Jagannatha appears so excited it won’t be surprising if He jumps off the altar in the next kirtana. Perfect? And oh, I forgot the pizza, fries, home-baked pastries and ice-cream.

Zipping out of the 4-day Ratha Yatra in Durban, with a pit-stop in London, Kadamba Kanana Swami touched ground in Radhadesh, Belgium in true jet-age acarya style. He spared nothing in throwing himself head on into the Vyasapuja festival. He pitched up at every morning program, gave every class and led every kirtana.

Message: Be an example.

Adivasa – The day before. (Friday)

The morning classes were on a battlefield: Lord Parasurama was at the brink of some heavy axe action with the thousand armed Kartaviryarjuna in the 9th Canto. Just the thing to work up a breakfast appetite.
Maharaja emphasised how power corrupts. We may possess opulence but we must not forget that it is only in our care – we don’t own it. The power derived from knowledge (brahmana) is greater than the material strength of a ksatriya. Yet the strength of a Vaisnava lies in his absorption in Krsna. And once again we were on the tight rope of pure devotional service with the net of the mode of goodness below us – just in case. Those who slip through the net will require a greater effort to rise but if we focus on the instructions of the spiritual master we will be on safe ground. For those absorbed with love the tight rope broadens to a pathway and one can dance their way back to Godhead.

Message: It is about mercy, derived by taking shelter, and not lightning bolt advancement.

Throughout the day the crowd built up with the Slovaks, Czechs, Brits, Dutch, Bulgarians, Russians, Ukrainians, Bosnians, and others from Africa and Aussie-land. Up for a walk in the Radhadesh forests? 4pm was the time. The swami set off with a trailing entourage and a group photo at the finish line.

Evening: silence and focus. Maharaja sets the mood for the days to come in the opening ceremony:

“It is wonderful that Krsna is so merciful. Sometimes we only see how our endeavours fall short. The bar is set so high we can’t jump it and our spiritual life is just a sense of failure. It is mercy, more mercy and mercy again that will tip the balance. Look out for the opportunity. Krsna has a plan for every individual. Everyone has his nature and his part to play. Collectively we can fulfil Krsna’s purpose. Mercy can be mystical. Being in the presence of a great Vaisnava is a blessing. But Srila Prabhupada said, ‘My instructions are my mercy.’ On a practical platform we must choose to connect.”

Maharaja emphasised that our festival is meant to create a samskara. Over the next few days we wished to

• Strengthen our connection with the entire disciplic succession
• Be on the lookout for mercy. Those who have their eyes open will get more. Alertness and eagerness is needed.
• Share that mercy with others (Kingsday)

A cheery intro skit was performed by the Brits with Gurudasa in a funky clown costume selling a product (a pair of bright-yellow, smiley-face bedroom slippers) that is painful, but apparently everyone wants it. Depth with humour.

Next is a Kings day inspired poem…

View all Vyasa-puja 2019 articles.

The article " Day 1 – Festival opening " was published on KKSBlog.

News photo of the lion gate in Puri. The lion, as well as the deity of Jaya (of Jaya and Vijaya) standing at the gate, were broken.
Madhavananda das: When the storm hit all electricity, water, internet, phones, trains, as well as all land vehicles going in and out of Puri completely stopped. It was a bit of a drama. At one point we actually weren’t sure if we were going to survive or not. The storm ripped off (note: more like exploded, destroyed), the upstairs front aluminum window frame/wall of our ashram. Which let inside the 250 kmh winds and torrential rains. It was, um, … a little exciting. We were inspired to start chanting loudly.
Puri looks like it was bombed. There is mass destruction everywhere. The first newspaper we saw (yesterday) estimated the number of deaths in Puri (up to that time) as 39 persons. We had massive amounts of water came in all of the rooms upstairs (wind mainly in the outer room). Practically everything got soaked. The challenge afterwards was the no electricity, water, internet, phone, trains and communication. It’s a long drama. Much of our ashram is gone, but we came out much better than tens of thousands of the wonderful residents of Jagannath Puri.
Please join us in praying for their well-being.

The heart of a sincere sadhaka.
Good chanting does not depend on our adherence to mechanical rules. It is not a matter of just doing the dos and avoiding the don’ts and then our job is done. No, not at all! Chanting is an offering of the heart – a heart filled with feelings of humility, a desire to surrender and a sincere service attitude. It is ultimately a loving call to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. This means we need to chant with a firm understanding of our relationship with Them (sambhandha). “My Lord, I have a relationship with You. I have lost my way in the world of temporary relationships, but my real life is with You. My real home is with You. You are my eternal safety.”

A Krishna Conscious Mother
A Krishna Conscious mother plays a very influential role in the lives of her children, especially in the development of their Krishna consciousness.

Goloka Dham Iskcon Nairobi Grhastha Ashrama (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: even a little devotional service can save one from the greatest danger. Devotional service, which begins with chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is so powerful that even if one falls down, he can be saved from all calamities if he somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord. This is the extraordinary power of the Lord’s holy name. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 6.1.63 Purport)

I.C.C meetings started in Mayapur (Album of photos)
(ISKCON continental committee)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Bhagavad-Gita...

ISKCON Rajkot: Sudarshan Chakra Installation & Pran Pratishtha (Album of photos)
On the auspicious day of Ramanaumi in the presence of the many assembled Vaishnavas and others, the auspicious installation ceremony took place, which started with a worship given to Guru, Gauranga, Krishna and the Deities with various articles of worship like flowers, sandalwood paste, incense, ghee lamp and bhoga offerings. Thereafter, the fire sacrifice was performed, which sanctified the entire atmosphere around there and gave delight to the hearts of all the Vaishnavas present there. After offering oblations into the fire, under the instructions of the Head pujari Sevatulya Pr, the Pran Pratishtha of Sri Sri Sita Rama Lakshmana & Hanuman & Sri Sri Gaura Nitai was performed wherein the spikes of the deities were touched with flowers and sandalwood paste and the personality of the deities was invited to enter, which was followed by an elaborate Abhishek with Kirtan. After installation, the devotees looked on with great pleasure, which was followed by a feast for all the assembled vaishnavas, thus concluding the auspicious ceremony.

Thirty-two new Krishna devotees have completed the Spring 2019 semester at the Bhakti Academy, held at Krishna House (ISKCON of Gainesville, Florida, USA). Some highlights: Bhakti-sastri: Seven devotees completed the full Bhakti-sastri curriculum, offered for the first time at Krishna House. Rupachandra Prabhu, who lived at Krishna House for six years while completing his PhD studies, accepted a faculty position at a prestigious university in New York. Book Distribution: Five men will be going out for full time book distribution this summer. (Many of the top book distributors in the US for the past ten years have been Bhakti Academy graduates). Continue reading "Krishna House Graduates Largest Class Ever!
→ Dandavats"

We have leaders who are expert managers and we have leaders who are deeply immersed in Krsna consciousness, thus bringing another sort of expertise to management. You, however, are that very rare Vaisnava who is a brilliant manager yet deeply Krsna conscious, committed to your service in Srila Prabhupada's mission yet conscious of the needs of others, philosophically astute, yet humorous and lighthearted. There is scarcely a committee or project that has not benefitted from your input. And whenever a new topic arises, yours is often the first input we seek out. It is an understatement to say that a vacancy will be felt on the GBC Body in light of your retirement. Continue reading "Letter of Appreciation to Sivarama Swami — 2019
→ Dandavats"

Rules Srila Prabhupada’s Lived by. Live what you believe. Your life is your message. Live what you teach. “By your example teach all of the citizens to become ideal vaisnavas.” Stick to your principles. Do not compromise, even if you could and no one would know, or even if it would produce the results you need. “I never compromised that you can do whatever you like and you become my disciple.” Shoot the rhino. Do not be bound by your limits. Dream the impossible, have your feet on the ground, and then go for it. Have faith that God can and will use you to do what you cannot. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Recipes for Success
→ Dandavats"

After their successful debut album “Mrdanga” in 2010, The Mayapuris are about to release their second. The project, titled "Nine Islands", features the Mayapuris' signature sound, carried along the current of their musical evolution as recording artists. 

Our "Paramahamster" comic strip follows an enthusiastic devotee as he navigates a 9 - 5 work day in the corporate world. Please check back weekly for new episodes!

You know to me finding great people and sharing their stories of sacrifice and compassion, has become one of my purposes in life. Somehow, only by serving and hearing from these great personalities, are we able to understand ourselves and the world better. A video by Balaram Nityananda Das. 

The very first episode of The Inspire Show! by Balaram.

On the show, Balaram Nityananda Das, who also runs Bhaktivedanta Manor’s outreach department in the UK, interviews a variety of ISKCON devotees about the challenges they face, what their spiritual perspectives are, and how those perspectives help them overcome their challenges.

Canterbury Festival, UK - 8th May 2019 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Others, who are not devotees, may think, “How can people devote so much time simply to talks of God?” The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is simply the repetition of three words, Hare, Krishna, Rama, but still devotees can go on chanting this Hare Krishna mantra twenty-four hours a day without feeling fatigued. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.13.1Purport)

Twelve hundred devotees from all over India and the rest of the world, as well as thousands of locals, gathered to celebrate the opening of a gorgeous new ISKCON temple in Rajkot, Gujarat. The festival was centered around Rama Navami and ran from April 12^thto 14^th. 

“One day on my way there, I saw an old lady eating out of a garbage can,” Jagai says. “That really disturbed me, and I could not stop thinking about her. The next weekend on Harinama, a devotee family showed up with leftover sack lunches they had been distributing to homeless people in their neighborhood.

This year’s Sacred Sounds Kirtan Retreat at New Govardhan, Australia, was attended by devotees from all over the country and internationally as well.

Victory for Radhadesh, Iskcon Belgium!
After 4 years of plenty of back and forth with the town-hall municipality of Durbuy, the members of our Petite Somme village, the province of Luxembourg, and the Walloon region - 4 different levels of authority in Belgium, we finally got the minister’s signature & stamp of approval giving us exceptional green light to build a few projects on our Radhadesh grounds.
This means that we can officially start planning for our Kirtan Hall which could become as a big as 600m², or more than 4 times the current one! We are planning to make it a comfortable venue able to host 800-1000+ guests. Imagine how much more powerful the kirtans will get.
There is so much to plan and to work upon to push this much needed and awaited project forward. We are hoping to have the first draft of architectural plans ready by the end of this year so we can present it during the Radhadesh Mellows 2020 festival as well as kick off the much-needed fundraiser which is going to be the only way to collect the funds to make this dream project happen for the benefit of all of us.
Thank you for all the prayers and support of the many of you throughout the years bringing us finally one step closer to this much-desired goal.
Hare Krsna
Manu (https://is.gd/lH9ORk)

Back to The Motherland - Sochi (9 min. video)
Indradyumna Swami: The city of Sochi is situated on the Back Sea in southern Russia. The region is very beautiful with snow-capped mountains on one side of the city and beautiful beaches on the other. The city and it’s many attractions serve as an attractive resort with nice weather all year long. ISKCON has had a temple in Sochi for a number of years. Devotees preach mainly through Nama Hatta groups as well as regularly inviting people to the temple for special functions. We enjoyed 3 days in the association of the Sochi devotees and their ever-expanding congregation.

Latest news, updates, quotes, transcripts, audio & video recordings and other media from HH Kadamba Kanana Swami

Read More...

HG Prajapati das: Early 70’s. Big festival in San Diego for the appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Huge crowd in the park. The Los Angeles theatre group came down as part of the entertainment. We did The Killing of Kamsa. Then the local devotees began their drama of Prahlada. “Prajapati,” one devotee called. “Will you play Lord Nrsimhadeva?”

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Vrindavan India 4 April 2019, SB 8.17.25-27)

Ekalavya, on his own, was trying to perfect the way of archery and appeared to be even better than Arjuna. But as a result his thumb was taken by Dronacarya. So we are not becoming Ekalavya – no. We cannot imitate Krsna; we can only serve Krsna. We cannot imitate Arjuna either. Arjuna is Krsna’s eternal associate, and we are simply following in the footsteps. Our path is not anukāra – imitation; it is anusārataḥ – to follow.

Anusārataḥ means to follow in the footsteps. We cannot imitate anyone; we simply have to be ourselves and follow in the footsteps of the previous Vaisnavas. We should know that every person has unique attributes, unique qualities and Krsna has a purpose with each one of us. We are instruments and each of us has a particular quality that will come out over time. So be yourself. You are valuable and you are meant to utilise what you have – everything!

What will repression accomplish? We are not going to repress our nature and imitate someone else. Be who you are but purify. Kavi Karnapura says, “Be natural, but purified nature.” Purify your nature and then the characteristics that we have, become perfect. And how do we become purified? By anusārataḥ – by following in the footsteps. 

Even Krsna is acting by example. In Chapter Seventy of The Krsna book Krsna’s daily activities are nicely described. Krsna gives charity to the brahmanas. He sees statues of cows and other auspicious things in the morning. So one can follow in the footsteps of Krsna and of the Vaisnavas.

The article " Be an instrument " was published on KKSBlog.

We hereby accept your letter of resignation with immense gratitude for your service to the GBC Body. Beginning with your contributions to developing and maintaining the Child Protection Office as its director, you have steadily accepted your service as a leader in ISKCON with integrity and dedication. Your educational background, your insights, and your focus on serving the devotees of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON have brought so much benefit to our society. In addition, your balance of understanding and compassion along with firm adherence to Srila Prabhupada's instructions were particularly highlighted during your tenure as the GBC Chairman. Continue reading "Letter of Appreciation to Tamohara Das — 2019
→ Dandavats"

Realization means you should write, every one of you, what is your realization. What for this Back to Godhead is? You write your realization, what you have realized about Kṛṣṇa. That is required. It is not passive. Always you should be active. Whenever you find time, you write. Never mind, two lines, four lines, but you write your realization. You are hearing, but you have to write also. Continue reading "You are hearing, but you have to write also
→ Dandavats"

Srila Prabhupada: “The Supreme Lord is joyful. Just like if you mix with a joyful society or joyful person, then automatically you become joyful. There is no necessity of becoming joyful separately. That association will make you joyful. This is Krsna consciousness. Simply by association. That rejoice is by association with the Supreme.” Continue reading "Their Joyful Smiles
→ Dandavats"

Global Devotee Care Course Education — 2019. Whereas caring for devotees (vaisnava-seva) is one of the three cardinal principles given by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; Whereas Srila Prabhupada was himself a personification of devotee care (example, he built the Lotus Building before the Mayapur temple to facilitate devotees); Whereas there is benefit to ISKCON to develop devotee communities that are spiritually vibrant and materially stable; Whereas, often devotees leave or develop bitterness towards the movement due to inadequate devotee care: Resolved: That the GBC encourages all ISKCON Temples to hold the four-day Devotee Care Course entitled, “Embedding Care in Krishna Conscious Communities” for all caregivers and administrators. The course can be conducted in 24 hours: spread over 8 days of 3 hours each or two weekends of 6 hours per day or any other permutation or combination that suits the local yatras. Continue reading "GBC Resolutions 2019
→ Dandavats"

Podcast

The post If repression can’t accomplish anything – Gita 03.33 – why should we restrain our senses, Gita 03.34? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

We had fun. We danced, rocked and sang our lungs out. We associated, connected and gained friendships. The festivals are over but our connection has strengthened. These are some words to describe the Vyasa-puja and Kings day festivals for 2019. We all joined to experience these happenings and we hope, as a team, that it brought you happiness and more understanding.

During the festival days so many things are happening so it was easy to miss something. Therefore we collected some festival highlights to share with you. Some programs were streamed to Facebook and Youtube and others to Radhadesh.tv. May this article guide you to the right place. During the classes and workshop Kadamba Kanana Swami frequently mentions the 2018 parikrama in Vrndavana and his new book (Under the desire trees). If you want to relive those past moments go here.

Audio

Here are the recordings from a few programs at the Vyasa-puja festival 2019. If the audio player below does not show go here to listen to these tracks.

Festival Opening – 26 Apr 2019

Vyasa-puja ceremony – 28 apr 2019

Workshop “Bridging the Gap” – 29 apr 2019

Initiation ceremony – 29 apr 2019

Temple bhajans – 29 Apr 2019

Videos

Vyasa-puja Ceremony

Drama “Creeper of Devotion

Voiceless Drama by Syamananda. We apologize for the low video quality. Streaming (to youtube) was, again, a technological challenge. Below you will find the Facebook live stream also.

Workshop “Bridging the gap…”

Facebook live

Here are links to all the live videos as streamed to Facebook.

Festival Opening
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/2176122266032824/

Comedy Skit (Uk)
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/655612408201880/

Morning Class – CC Anthya lila 4.211
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/2202590883385196/

Vyasa-puja ceremony – part 1 (opening & offerings)
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/656003868162884/

Vyasa-puja ceremony – part 2 (offerings & guru puja)
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/420528715428252/

Drama “Creeper of Devotion” by Syamananda
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/320088685327337/
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/318916058785968/
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/651133795346497/

Comedy Skit (Uk) & Drama “Servant in Kingly Dress”
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/338174723536038/

Morning Class SB 9.15.27-30
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/459544211454016/

Workshop “Bridging the gap…”
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/174487106812157/
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/462120184525714/

Initiation ceremony
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/825158731190139/

Morning Class SB 9.15.31
https://www.facebook.com/kksblognews/videos/832843553746359/

Photos

Check out this amazing photo album on facebook for the full experience, an nd the Kingsday can be found here. But here are a few highlights… (photos courtesy by Gokularanjana, Naimisaranya and others.)

The article " Media – VP2019 " was published on KKSBlog.

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.31 The Need For Asana – Receptivity In Bhakti 2013-12-20 Los Angeles #yoga

ISKCON Scarborough, Canada - Dasavatar- children’s program (video)
Srila Prabhupada: Devotional service begins with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra and side by side trying to understand Krishna in truth. Unfortunately those who are simply official students of the Vedas become more interested in offering sacrifices to the different demigods, like Indra and Candra. (Bhagavad-gita, 9.20 Purport)

Real happiness is the pleasure of the soul (video)
HG Ramesvara Prabhu, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.11 at New York.
Watch it he...

Krsna Janma – The Birth of Lord Krsna During the great festival of Lord Krsna’s birth, the king of Vraja respectfully gave to the brahmanas a mountain of glittering jeweled ornaments, an even greater mountain of grains, and 200,000 young cows, all beautifully decorated with gold necklaces of large pearls. I offer my respectful obeisances […]

The post Chandan Yatra:Day2, Krsna Janma appeared first on Mayapur.com.