Welcome 2018 with Lord Jagannatha Chariot Festival – 6 January
→ ISKCON Malaysia

SRI JAGANNATHA RATHA YATRA: SATURDAY 6 JANUARY 2018

Hare Krishna. Please accept my respectful greetings and best wishes.

Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur invites you to the Annual Jagannatha Ratha Yatra on Saturday, 6 January 2018.
Their Lordships Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva, Subhadra Devi and Sudarshan will go on a chariot procession beginning at 5.00PM from Elephant Fountain,Little India Brickfields,
Kuala Lumpur. Procession will end at Little India, Brickfields at 7.10PM where devotees will
be treated with sumptuous vegetarian prasadam, spiritual discourse and stage concert.

It is explained in the Brahmanda Purana that those who watch the Ratha Yatra procession, those who stand up to welcome the chariot with reverence and those who pull the Lord’s Ratha are
freed from all sinful reactions and they attain the kingdom of God.

To give benefit to the people of the world, The Founder Acarya of ISKCON, His Divine Grace, A.C
Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, started Ratha Yatra festival in 1967, Following that of
the Grand Festival Celebrated in Jagannath Puri (Orissa), since time immemorial. This has
become a Major Festival celebrated in many parts of the world.

So please participate and experience a festival of spiritual joy and happiness with your family members and friends.

Programme details:
5:00pm: Chariot precession starts
7:10pm: Welcome address by Temple President
7:15pm: Address by His Grace Simheswara Prabhu, Regional Secretary, ISKCON Malaysia
7:30pm: Spiritual discourse by His Holiness Bhakti Mukunda swami, ISKCON Malaysia
Vice President
8:00pm: Address by Guest of Honour YB Senator Dato Dr.Loga Bala Mohan Jagannathan,
Deputy Minister of Federal Territories and ISKCON Malaysia President
8:15pm: Stage concert and Feast

Below is the list of sponsorships available for Ratha Yatra Festival: You may choose to sponsor any item Below is the list of sponsorships available for Ratha Yatra Festival: You may choose to sponsor any item (either fully or partially) that Lord Jagannatha inspires you. 

1 Garlands: RM 600.00

2 Bhoga offering for Jagannatha: RM 400.00

3 Chariot Decoration: RM 2000.00

4 Jagannatha, Baladev Subhadra Car decoration: RM 300.00

5 Rela services: RM 800.00

6 Tenting,Tables,chairs: RM 5000.00

7 Banana trees and thoranam: RM 200.00

8 Flyers and Banners: RM 300.00

9 Prasadam feast (Annadanam): RM 10000.00

Bank Account details if you would like to do online  transfer of your kind donation:

Bank: Hong Leong BankAccount

Number: 00300093243

Account name:  THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MALAYSIA SECTION ( ISKCON)


For further information please contact temple office 03 7980 7355/ 7971 7729 .

Thank you again and see you at the festival.


Yours in service of Sri Guru and Lord Jagannatha,
Kripa Sindhu Krishna Dasa
Temple President
Sri Jagannath Mandir, ISKCON Malaysia National HQ

Happy New Year 2018
→ ISKCON Malaysia

Seeing others happy on 1 Jan 2018 is what made me happy

Hare Krishna. Received lots of New Year Greetings yesterday and this morning. I then thought how I can really be happy on the 1st day of 2018. Just then I heard devotees from our temple were heading for a program to give out free books, school bags and shoes. I joined the team of devotees of Sri Jagannatha Mandir Kuala Lumpur headed by Krishna Chandra Prabhu and the Temple President Kripa Sindhu Krishna Prabhu starting the new year with a drop in at Pangsapuri Enggang Kinrara, gathering flat residents especially children for a Hare Krishna Maha Mantra morning chanting session.

Immediately checking out their gift packages


The children about 50 of them were each given a school bag, a pair of shoes and a Srila Prabhupada small book and of course prasadam. We even celebrated the birthday of a kid. So there was cutting of cake.
As you can see from their faces, I am now happy to have started my HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018 by seeing others happy.

Chanting Mantras
→ The Enquirer

QUESTION: So often we are taught to chant more and more. I’ve been advised to chant fast, with pronunciation almost an afterthought; but then I’ve also been instructed to chant with clear pronunciation, which slows it down. I’ve been told we can’t even be considered truly “human” unless we chant 108 mantras 16 times a day; but now I’ve been hearing from you that one should put the effort into wholeheartedly chanting one mantra. So, why have we been instructed to chant so many rounds if it’s not so beneficial?  

My reply:

I am not saying that we don’t need to chant as much as possible. I am saying the quantity is not the goal. To learn how to play a violin sweetly, for example, we have to practice a lot. The hours of practice isn’t the goal. The one sweet, heart-moving, tear-jerking note at the apex of a performance is the goal. Similar with chanting, to truly connect heart-to-heart with Krishna is the goal. It takes high-quality and significant-quantity practice and effort to get there.

We have to be aware of the words we are chanting. If we are chanting too quickly this may not be happening. For some people  sometimes, however, trying to chant as quickly as possible helps them concentrate – because it becomes impossible to do anything else without totally screwing up the mantra at that speed. The technique can vary from individual to individual and from day to day – the goal is the same: to truly focus on a clear, true experience of Krishna-nāma so that we develop a direct relationship to Krishna.

QUESTION: You have mentioned that only those who understand Krishna somewhat can actually chant his names. So why have we been taught that anyone who utters Krishna’s names will be liberated? 

You do not need to ask this question. You already know the answer. You have uttered Krishna’s name many times. Are you liberated yet?

A person will be liberated at some point due to even casually or indirectly contacting Krishna’s name, but it may not be very soon, and is not likely even going to happen in the next few hundred lifetimes unless and until that person stops causally and indirectly contacting that name and starts systematically, and deliberately contacting it, with devotional intent.

This is why you get some statements that, “anyone who utters Krishna’s name will be liberated” (viz. Caitanya Maṅgala) but you get other statements that, “even after chanting Krishna’s name for a million lifetimes, you will not get liberated” (viz. Caitanya Caritāmṛta). The explanation above reconciles the two: Anyone will be liberated (Caitanya Maṅgala) but it will not be a very long time, unless the do it without aparādhā, by the grace of Sri Caitanya’s teachings (Caitanya Caritāmṛta).


Getting our emotions to work for, us, not against us
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Youth meeting at Bahrain]

Podcast

 
Podcast Summary

The post Getting our emotions to work for, us, not against us appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Fear to Surrender 4 – FEAR acronym – 4 steps for overcoming fear
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

 

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Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 4 – FEAR acronym – 4 steps for overcoming fear appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

If we can do a service well and see others doing that service poorly, should we stay uninvolved to avoid becoming proud or critical?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post If we can do a service well and see others doing that service poorly, should we stay uninvolved to avoid becoming proud or critical? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Chakra Installation Update, December 2017
- TOVP.org

As we now enter the year 2018, we are fast approaching what will be perhaps the most momentous and important occasion in ISKCON’s history thus far; the completion of the Chakra installations onto the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

This event not only represents the culmination of over eight years of cooperative effort on the parts of thousands of ISKCON devotees from around the world, but heralds the beginning of a new and exciting phase towards the completion of the TOVP. It is truly another milestone of achievement that we can all be proud of, and we are certain Srila Prabhupada is smiling upon us.

The three month marathon being organized by Sadbhuja prabhu in preparation for the Chakra installations continues unabated. The Nrsimhadeva Dome Kalash is almost complete and the Main Dome Kalash is fast approaching completion. Between the Kalash mounting, painting and fastening the dome ribs and stars, assembling both Chakras and working on the Chatris, all the transcendental sevaites are working around the clock to bring the marathon to its completion by February 7th for the Grand Installation Ceremony of the Chakras onto Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Domes.

Devotees are also encouraged to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime seva opportunity to sponsor the abhisheka of one or both Chakras. Many devotees have already done so and we are fast approaching our goal to get 1008 sponsors for each abhisheka. Don’t miss this opportunity. Go to this link to find out how you can sponsor an abhisheka:

https://tovp.org/donate/once-in-a-lifetime-chakra-abhisheka-seva-opportunity/

Here are the current statistics for the Chakra abhishekas:

Lord Nrsimhadeva Chakra – 643 sponsors
Radha Madhava Chakra – 506 sponsors

This inspiring installation trailer video will give you an idea of what’s to come at the installation ceremony: https://youtu.be/ljUaWuXgD8U

Below is a general invitation flyer for the ceremony which you can copy and share with other devotees online and print and post at your local temple. We hope you can attend this historic occasion.

Installation Ceremony Invitation can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
 

DOWNLOAD PDF  

The post Chakra Installation Update, December 2017 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Sydney New Years Eve Harinama
→ Ramai Swami

It’s been a tradition for me that when I’m in Sydney for New Years Eve I go on Harinama around the Opera House, Circular Quay and Rocks area.

We usually go down a little early around 5 or 6pm because as the night goes on, it’s standing room only and even if we wanted to take a Harinama through, it’s impossible to move because of the tremendous crowds.

Pratapana and Jayasri organise this particular kirtan party and the devotees are in a joyous mood, chanting and dancing along with members of the public, who enthusiastically join in.

Wednesday, December 27th, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Brampton, Ontario

The Girl and the Gita

Cinnamon buns, pudlas—an eggless omelette—dilled scalloped potatoes and beetroot-carrot juice were on the menu.  “And black beans as we have on the east coast,” remarked cook and host, Nirmana, at her home shared by three generations of family.

Nirmana is a regular Canadian girl who became a registered nurse and married into an Indian family.  She and her husband, Sahil, have a beautiful one-year-old daughter, Manjari.  I'm indeed happy for her.  I recall first meeting her in New Brunswick when she first showed receptivity to bhakti yoga.  I was giving one of those “Tales from Trails” presentations, when, in Woodstock, at a wellness centre, a young woman came to hear.  One thing led to another and it all led to an attraction for a different lifestyle.

She is such a qualified person and at the same time has a simple nature.  She reminds me somewhat of the verses we read today from the Gita, chapter 17.  Here they are—three of them—verses 14, 15 and 16:

“Austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brāhmaṇas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.  Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.  And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of one’s existence are the austerities of the mind.”

May the Source be with you!

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From Fear to Surrender 3 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear 2 – Attachment and Redirection
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

 

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Video:

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From Fear to Surrender 2 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear part 1 – Faith and Education
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 2 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear part 1 – Faith and Education appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Fear to Surrender 1 – Understanding how our fears originate
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 1 – Understanding how our fears originate appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When our acharyas wanted an institution, how can we deal with people’s aversion to religious institutions?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post When our acharyas wanted an institution, how can we deal with people’s aversion to religious institutions? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sunday Love Feast – 31st Dec 2017 – Special Vedic Discourse by His Holiness Bhakti Marga Maharaj
→ ISKCON Brampton

Special Discourse by His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami(12pm-1pm)
Have a safe & blissful Weekend!

Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!

When?

Sunday,Dec 31st,2017

Where?

6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen

Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya


Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
                                      ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17








11.00 - 11.15     Tulsi Puja
11.15  - 11.30  Guru Puja
11:30 - 11:55    Aarti & Kirtan           
11.55  - 12.00   Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers
12.00 -  1:00  Vedic discourse
  1:00 - 1:30 Closing Kirtan
 1:30  - 2:00 Sanctified Vegetarian Feast


About HH Bhaktimarga Swami:
Over forty years ago it was a youthful quest for life that lead Chatham, Ontario born Bhaktimarga Swami, (formerly John Peter Vis), to adopt an Eastern order of monastic life that landed him in the Hare Krishna movement. Since that time, as a celibate monk, Swami has evolved as an instructor of bhakti-yoga and mantra meditation. His presentation on this subject of life, based on the popular Hindu text, “Bhagavad-gita” is lively, candid and informative.

With a background in fine arts, Swami also developed a passion for the performing arts. Even in the course of his duties as a monk, he expands his portfolio and manages to take an active role in theatrical productions from epics of ancient Indian origin. Casting, scripting, and directing morality theater takes him annually to venues from North America to India and Africa.

Finally, Bhaktimarga Swami achieved a remarkable feat in 1996 when he went the way of a pilgrim and walked on foot cross country from west to east and then back for a return journey from Cape Spear, Newfoundland to Vancouver Island in 2003, going full circle. He likes to share of his unique experiences and fond memories on the road after trekking 16,000 kms. Swami is a consistent feature in “The Longest Road”, a recent National Film Board documentary detailing the history of the people who shaped or were shaped by the Trans Canada Highway, the world’s longest continuous maintained road.


COMING UP AHEAD

Putrada Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Fri Dec 29th,2017
Breakfast................  on  Sat Dec 30th ,2017 b/w 7.42am-8.25am


Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 

New Year's Eve Program:

7:30 to 8:00 Aarti
8:00 to 8:45  kirtan
8:45 to 9:00 New year resolution offerings to Prabhupada
9:00 to 9:30 prashadam/ slide show retro 2017
9:30 to 10:30 kids/ youth activities
10:30 to 12:15 kirtan
We at ISKCON Brampton are eager to provide you with a wonderful start to 2018.
 There is no other better way than to start the New Year with chanting, dancing and feasting in the association of  Lord Krishna and His devotees. The program  includes Aarti, kirtan, a Multimedia Presentation, New Year resolutions, New Year's Grand Countdown Kirtan,dance and a vegetarian feast.
 Please join us for an evening filled with devotion, joy and happiness.

The brahmachari and the grihastha. Kadamba Kanana Swami: There…
→ Dandavats



The brahmachari and the grihastha.
Kadamba Kanana Swami: There is the story of a wrestler in South India who was very much impressed by a beautiful girl and he served her so nicely. He was opening doors and holding parasols and was doing whatever he could to please her! So, one day, Ramanuja Acharya saw that wrestler and said to him, “Why are you serving her in this way?” The boy then said, “She… is… so… beautiful!”
Then Ramanuja Acharya said, “You call that beautiful?” Now, if it had been anyone else, they would have been in serious trouble but since it was a sadhu, the wrestler held himself back even though he felt the urge. Then Ramanuja Acharya said, “If you want to see what beautiful is all about, I will show you.”
So the next day, Ramanuja took that wrestler through many different corners, left, right and then suddenly, they stood in front of the deities. And because of the presence of the pure devotee, the wrestler had a special experience; something that you cannot just get without mercy. But because of the mercy of a vaisnava, suddenly for a moment, he saw the deity in all its transcendental beauty and for a moment, he realized that Ramanuja was right and that actually, the beauty of Krsna was greater…

So the wrestler saw the beauty of Krsna and that day he changed completely. From that day on, he became a devotee and he also made that lady a devotee. Then the roles reversed, instead of him always serving her, she was always serving him after that and they became initiated disciples of Ramanuja Acharya.

Then time went on and one day, the brahmacharis in the ashram were criticising those fallen householders who were so attached, so attached – just collecting all kinds of material things, “Just see how she is decked out with gold – gold everywhere like a Christmas tree!” Okay, maybe they didn’t say Christmas tree in South India at that time (laughter!) but anyway, something like that.

So then, that night when everyone was deeply asleep, Ramanuja Acharya went to the brahmachari ashram. All the dhotis of the brahmacharis were hanging over the washing line and drying, and Ramanuja went up to every dhoti and ripped a strip off every dhoti and he took the cloth and he left!
Then, he went to the house of his grihastha disciples and when he was inside, he sneaked up to the sleeping householders and started to take the earring out of the ear of the lady and he even slid-off her golden bangle. Then she woke up and realized, “It is Guru Maharaj! He is taking my earring. Oh, I should give him my other one as well but he can’t reach it because I am sleeping on it.” So she decided to turn over and then Ramanuja immediately left. She then he woke up her husband, and told him the whole story, who chastised her, “You nonsense! Why did you turn over and disturb him like that. Give me that earring!”

So, it was morning and just around mangal artik time and the grihasthas were just on their way to the temple. The brahmacharis were just waking up and there was a major riot; they were accusing each other of ripping pieces of their cloth, “Who took a piece of my cloth? Was it you, was it you…” It was a big fight! Then Ramanuja Acharya asked, “What’s going on here?”

“He took a piece of my dhoti,” all were saying.

Ramanuja said, “Who took a piece of your dhoti…” and he pulled from behind his back, all the pieces of cloth and held up all the pieces of cloth! Just then, those householders arrived and said, “Guru Maharaj, you were taking the earrings but you forgot something, here take these also…” then Ramanuja Acharya said, “See, who is attached!”

So, ultimately it is about dedicating ourselves to Krsna. It doesn’t matter where we are; it doesn’t matter what our position is; it doesn’t matter if we are married and we have thirteen children; it is okay!

Astrological compatibility. Kadamba Kanana Swami: If you do…
→ Dandavats



Astrological compatibility.
Kadamba Kanana Swami: If you do marry, then be careful that whoever you marry is a devotee. Whatever you do, do not marry a non-devotee. That would be the worst thing to do because then it will be goodbye to yourself! You can say goodbye to the self you were because that is surely a way to go down!
People spend hours and hours matching astrological charts and sometimes you get a ninety percent match! Anyway, that gives you ten percent opportunity to give each other hell; that is also there. But beyond that ninety percent match, are you both chanting Hare Krsna? That is more important than all the astrology and all the karma. Even if the charts do not match, if you are both serious about being devotees, about vaisnava etiquette and if you are willing to offer obeisances and approach each other like devotees, then you might just transcend those bad charts, even if there is Rahu! Prabhupada said that Krsna can kick out millions of Rahus. So, the real criteria for compatibility is how serious are we about devotional service.

Sometimes, a few planets collide, create a little fireworks and almost the destruction of the universe; that can happen… But, what if your planets match really well and you are so happily together, in maya! It can be a great match and you have never had an argument at all, okay great, but how Krsna conscious was it? “Well, we are trying!” When anyone says they are trying, it means that they are not doing. Trying means that we are not doing it!

So, we should make a realistic choice and we fill in the grhasta ashram with Krsna. Our house is a holy place. Our house is a place that reminds us of Krsna and in the house, there is so much prasadam and in the house, there are always guests and in the house, we have many things but they are all Krsna conscious things so whenever we come home, we get so much nourishment. In that way, the grihasta ashram is very nice because one can very nicely make spiritual advancement.

Listen to the full lecture by clicking here: https://goo.gl/AVJxRQ

New Updates from the Bhaktivedanta Archives. Published on the…
→ Dandavats



New Updates from the Bhaktivedanta Archives.
Published on the Auspicious Appearance Day of Jagadīśa Paṇḍita, December 30th, 2017.
The Bhaktivedanta Archives is pleased to offer two new releases:
1. The VedaBase™ 2017.2 update.
2. Original unedited audio for the year 1968.
The 2017.2 VedaBase™ Update Includes:
Prabhupāda Memories Chapter 61 – Siddhānta Dāsa
1968 Reverified Transcriptions Against Original Audio.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/R3Rbgz

Happy Birthday
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Chaitanya Kishore Das

People, in general, wish the Birthday boy or girl that they may live many more years, and this day may come again and again, and Devotees sing “May you never take Birth Again” . This may seem odd and strange to a common man the whole process of devotee’s celebration of this Day which is so special and dear to a common man. However Devotees are aware of the importance of this birth in the human form, based on the teachings of the Vedic Literature like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, this birth in the human form is extremely rare and has a purpose behind it. Continue reading "Happy Birthday
→ Dandavats"

United We Stand – Yuga Dharma
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Navasi Dasi

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura indicates that rather than trying to separate conditioned souls by materialistic distinctions, one should bring them together to chant the holy names of the Lord and propagate the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya. A nondevotee, or even an envious third-class devotee, is not interested in uniting people on the platform of love of Godhead. Instead he unnecessarily separates them by emphasizing material distinctions like “communist,” “capitalist,” “black,” “white,” “rich,” “poor,” “liberal,” “conservative” and so on. Continue reading "United We Stand – Yuga Dharma
→ Dandavats"

Why don’t we make the Bhagavad-gita compulsory in schools in India?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

 

Transcription :

Transcribed by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: Why don’t we make Bhagavad-gita compulsory in schools in India?

Answer: This is a question we should be asking from the Government of India. Let me try to answer it based on how I see it.

We live today in a multi-cultural world, where people are opposed to the idea of imposing any one faith on them. People believe that faith is a personal matter which should be chosen by an individual. These days, Bhagavad-gita is seen as a religious book; a book of Hindus. As long as Bhagavad-gita is seen as a religious book, it will be difficult for the government to make it mandatory. May be in future, if we have a government which rules by different principles then it is possible. However, it does not mean that nothing can be done to popularize Gita. What need to present Bhagavad-gita not as a religious book but as a book of wisdom. When it will be viewed as a book of wisdom in the Indian tradition that will make people more open.

Few years ago, a big attempt was made to make Bhagavad-gita as national book of India. It led to a lot of violent opposition from people saying that it will make India a theocracy or a radical Hindu country. In today’s world, religious pressure will not work. Bhagavad-gita needs to be repositioned as a book of wisdom. There are devotee scholars who are working in mainstream academia for this purpose. Beyond that, we, at our individual level, can do our part in sharing Gita’s message. However, we should be careful that we do not present Gita’s message as mandatory. When we present things as mandatory, people do it as ritual and they do not take it very seriously. For example, I sometimes do a class on Bhagavad-gita in colleges in India, where the authorities make it mandatory to attend. Such an arrangement can lead to five hundred or thousand students coming to the class. The number of students attending the class can appear impressive, but to such a crowd even if we give the best class, we find that the students are just not interested. The students are chatting on their phones, looking here and there. When we make things mandatory, people just switch-off. It is much better to share the message at an individual level. Change at a grass-root level is much more sustainable compared to when brought in a top-down fashion. In a top-down approach, we can have a lot of resources, but that will not necessary mean acceptance from others. In today’s ethos that will only lead to resistance.

In my childhood, I participated in Gita shloka recitation competition and won a prize. I thought Gita is only meant for memorizing some shlokas and win prizes. I never saw it as a book having practical relevance to me. When a friend came and gave me Bhagavad-gita, he requested me to read it. My first reaction was, I have already read it. However, when I saw him transformed I was surprised. My friend was a very materialistic person, but after transformation he appeared very sober, gentle, and cultured person. I thought that if he got so much transformed by reading the Gita, probably I missed something in my reading. Such lateral sharing of Gita is going to transform people in a much more sustainable way. Such an approach on sharing is very much within our control right now.

Yes, Bhagavad-gita has come from India, it is a national heritage, but unfortunately it is not being studied at all in India. Unfortunately, that is the way government’s situation and cultural trend is today. If we try to impose something it will be resisted and will not be accepted open mindedly or whole heartedly. Rather than waiting for something to come from top down, we just focus on doing what is in our power.

Srila Prabhupada, before he went to America, he had practically no resources. Bhagavad-gita was known but it was not known as it is now. When I recently met one of the editors of Srila Prabhupada in the early days of ISKCON, he told me about how Srila Prabhupada would give him manuscripts of his books for typing. He saw manuscripts were written with no margins on the pages. Srila Prabhupada was in such financial crisis in those days, that he had hardly any money to have paper. He would write on the paper from top left corner to the bottom right corner. Many of the papers he had written were the inside of the envelopes which he had received as letters. However, he did what he could. Now from that, a global movement has emerged. Millions and millions of Bhagavad-gita has been distributed and thousands and thousands of lives have been enriched by that wisdom. Krishna had its plan, he empowered Srila Prabhupada in an extra-ordinary way. However, it all started with Srila Prabhupada doing what was in his power. Surrender at one level means doing what we can with what we have right now. Just like you are sharing your appreciation of Gita here, you may share the same appreciation with others. There are many people who are naturally and voluntarily willing to take the wisdom of Gita if this is presented as wisdom to them. As Gita starts to be seen more of a wisdom book and the number of people viewing Gita in such a light increases, then there will be greater openness to accepting Gita.

End of transcription.

Transcription in Hindi

प्रश्न – हम भगवद्गीता को स्कूलों में अनिवार्य क्यों नहीं करते?

उत्तर– ये प्रश्न वास्तव में भारत सरकार से पूछा जाना चाहिए, पर यहाँ हम अपना मत आपके साथ साझा कर सकते हैं।

हम एक बहु-सांस्कृतिक जगत में रहते हैं, जहाँ लोग किसी एक मत को अन्यों पर थोपने के पक्षधर नहीं होते। लोग सोचते हैं कि विश्वास अथवा श्रद्धा एक निजी विषय है जिसका चुनाव करने का सबको अधिकार है। वर्तमान समय में भगवद्गीता को हिन्दुओं की एक धार्मिक पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाता है। जब तक गीता को धार्मिक पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाता रहेगा, सरकार के लिए इस अनिवार्य करना कठिन होगा। किन्तु इसका यह अर्थ नहीं है कि इन सब परिस्थितियों के होते हुए भी गीता की शिक्षा का प्रचार नहीं किया जा सकता। गीता को एक धार्मिक पुस्तक के रूप में देखने के बजाय इसे ज्ञान की पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाना चाहिए। जब इस पुस्तक को भारतीय संस्कृति की एक ज्ञान एवं दर्शन की पुस्तक के रूप में देखा जाने लगेगा तब लोग इसे स्वीकार करने में अधिक उत्सुक होंगे।

कुछ वर्षों पूर्व जब गीता को राष्ट्रीय पुस्तक बनाने का प्रयास हुआ तो बड़ा विरोध हुआ था। लोगों ने कहा ऐसा करने पर भारत एक गणतंत्र की बजाय एक धर्मतंत्र अथवा एक कट्टर हिंदुवादी देश बन जाएगा। वर्तमान जगत में धार्मिक दबाव बनाने से बात नहीं बन सकती। हमें गीता को एक ज्ञान के ग्रंथ के रूप में प्रस्तुत करना होगा। हमारी संस्था के कई विद्वान भक्त विश्व में मुख्यधारा से जुड़े शैक्षणिक संस्थानों में इस प्रकार का प्रयास पहले ही कर रहे हैं। किन्तु साथ ही साथ हम भी अपने निजी स्तर पर प्रयास कर सकते हैं। किन्तु हमें ध्यान रखना होगा कि हम गीता के संदेश को अनिवार्य शिक्षा के रूप में न प्रस्तुत करें। जब हम किसी बात को अनिवार्य बना देते हैं तो लोग उसे बोझ समझने लगते हैं और गंभीरता से नहीं लेते। हमने अकसर देखा है जब किसी विद्यालय में गीता पर कोई वार्ता रखी जाती है तो अधिकारीगण विद्यार्थियों का उसमें आना अनिवार्य बना देते हैं। ऐसा करने पर पाँच सौ, हजार बच्चे तो आ जाते हैं किन्तु अच्छी से अच्छी वार्ता प्रस्तुत करने के उपरांत भी बच्चे संदेश में रुचि नहीं लेते। वे इधर-उधर देखते रहेंगे, आपस में बतिया रहे होंगे पर ध्यान नहीं देंगे। कहने का अर्थ है कि जब किसी बात को अनिवार्य बना दिया जाता है तो लोग उससे भागने लगते हैं। अनिवार्य बनाने की बजाय हमें गीता के संदेश को व्यक्तिगत स्तर पर अन्यों तक पहुँचाना चाहिए। जब व्यक्ति इसके संदेश को जीवनोपयोगी एवं चेतना के उत्थान का माध्यम समझकर ग्रहण करेगा तो ऐसा बदलाव अधिक टिकाऊ होगा।

हमने अकसर देखा है कि कई बार बच्चे गीता के श्लोक उच्चारण प्रतियोगिता में भाग लेते हैं। वे श्लोकों को स्मरण करते हैं और पुरस्कार जीतते हैं। एक तरह से देखा जाए तो गीता के श्लोकों का स्मरण करना हमारे आध्यात्मिक कल्याण के लिए अच्छा है किन्तु इससे भी अच्छा है इस ज्ञान पुस्तिका में अन्तर्निहित ज्ञान को आत्मसात कर उससे अपने जीवन में सुन्दर बदलावों को लाना। इसके ज्ञान को आत्मसात कर हम एक भौतिकतावादी, मानसिक रूप से अशांत व्यक्ति से एक सभ्य, शांत, सुसंस्कृत व्यक्ति बन सकते हैं। इस प्रकार जब लोग गीता को ऐसी पुस्तक के रूप में देखने लगते हैं जो जीवन में बड़े सुंदर बदलाव ला सकती है तब वास्तव में लोग इस पुस्तक को सीखने में स्वतः ही रुचि लेने लगेंगे। ऐसा बदलाव लाना बिल्कुल भी कठिन नहीं। यह हमारे, आपके, हम सबके बस में है।

गीता भारत की पुस्तक है, यह इसकी राष्ट्रीय धरोहर है, किन्तु दुर्भाग्यवश भारत में इसका अध्ययन अधिक नहीं होता। वर्तमान में भारत में सरकारों की स्थिति और सांस्कृतिक ढर्रा कुछ ऐसा ही है। यदि किसी बात को थोपा जाएगा तो उसका विरोध होगा और उसको हृदय से स्वीकार्यता नहीं मिलेगी। इस बात की प्रतीक्षा करने की बजाए कि यह एक दिन स्कूलों में अनिवार्य रुप से पढ़ाई जाएगी, हमें अपनी ओर से इस पुस्तक की शिक्षा का यथासंभव प्रसार-प्रचार करने में आगे आना चाहिए।

हमें श्रील प्रभुपाद के जीवन से भी प्रेरणा लेनी चाहिए। उन्होंने बड़ी कठिन परिस्थितियों को झेलते हुए गीता पर अपनी टीका (भगवद्गीता यथारूप) लिखी। उनके पास धन का बड़ा अभाव था। उनको जो पत्र आते थे वे उनके लिफाफों के भीतर की सतह का भी प्रयोग कर उन पर अपना लेखन करते थे। आज उसी भगवद्गीता यथारूप से एक विश्व-व्यापी आंदोलन (इस्कॉन) खड़ा हो गया है। करोड़ों गीता की पुस्तकों का वितरण और इसके पठन-पाठन से लाखों लोगों का जीवन परिवर्तित हुआ है। किन्तु ये सब आरम्भ हुआ श्रील प्रभुपाद के एक विनम्र प्रयास से। इस प्रकार हम भी अपना छोटा-मोटा प्रसास कर सकते हैं। सर्वप्रथम हम स्वयं गीता के एक अच्छे विद्यार्थी बनें और फिर अन्यों को इसके ज्ञान का उपहार दें। जैसे-जैसे गीता को लोग जीवन में ज्ञान का प्रकाश लाने वाली पुस्तक के रूप में देखेंगे वैसे-वैसे लोगों में इसको स्वीकार करने के प्रति अधिकाधिक तत्परता दिखेगी।

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