Tag: Krishna

Don’t lose heart but give your heart to Krishna

Purushottam Nitai Das February 12, 2015

 

Our desperation for quick result is one of the main reasons as why many a times our enthusiasm for devotional life starts waning and our heart gets filled with discontentment. We develop a notion that as soon as we begin practicing devotion the Supreme Lord will immediately appear in front of us with a flute in his hand and he will take away all the problems of our life.

 

But in reality it does not happen that way.  Krishna sees our consistency, steadfastness, eagerness and most importantly whether our disillusionment with the worldly desires is genuine or not.

 

Without flushing out all the non godly stuffs from our heart it is not possible to invite Krishna to enthrone our heart.  And unless and until we reach to this stage of utter purity we remain unqualified to enter into the good books of the Supreme Lord.

 

It is not that Krishna hates us or only waits for our purification to be completed.

 

In fact the moment we take the decision to wash all the dirt of our heart Krishna enthusiastically starts helping us, inspiring us, guiding us and most importantly directing us towards the sincere seekers who are themselves on the path of purification.

 

In our spiritual journey we should not lose heart but instead we should give our heart to Krishna and practice devotional life following the teachings of Rupa Goswami who advises all seekers to be filled with enthusiasm, confidence and patience while endeavoring to achieve love of God.

 

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Krishna is the original source of all happiness

Purushottam Nitai Das January 16, 2015

Happiness manifests when our heart stops hankering for the things of this temporary world and stops lamenting for worldly possessions which we failed to achieve in our life’s journey, when our mind gives up its mindless obsession for material positions and accepts the position of a humble servant of Krishna, when our eyes crave for a glimpse of Krishna, ears longs to hear the names of Krishna, tongue continuously sing the glories of Krishna and heart gets saturated with the thoughts of Krishna.

Since the time we come out of our mother’s womb we start looking for happiness everywhere and it is quite natural because as a soul we are pleasure seekers – ananda mayo bhyasat.  However our effort will go in vain if we search in the wrong direction and at a wrong place.

A bulb will not illuminate by merely switching it on but it will lit only if it is properly connected to the main supply line of the house which in turn is connected to the powerhouse where electricity is generated. Similarly happiness will elude us unless and until we connect ourselves to the source of all the pleasure in this world. Scriptures say that Krishna, the Supreme Lord, is the origin of all happiness in this world. This is why Krishna is also called as Govinda; one of the meanings of Govinda is one who gives pleasure to the senses.  The moment we connect ourselves to Krishna our heart starts getting flooded with transcendental pleasure; Krishna’s presence fills our life with colours.

History is filled with examples of transcendentalists who wilfully gave up their promising materialistic career and future and absorbed themselves in devotion of the Supreme Lord because this world failed to impress them and they found supreme satisfaction only at the Lords’ feet. As one gets closer to God one feels divine bliss and one’s love for the Lord increases manifold. A lover of the Lord continuously chants the names of the Lord and joyfully share the message and wonderful activities of the Lord with all. Haridas Thakura, a 15th century cave dwelling saint, used to chant thousands of names of Krishna daily, he joyfully chanted day and night without any fatigue, and always preached about Krishna to others.  

Krishna too confirms in Gita 10.9, “The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.”

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With teary eyes parents allow their child to become food of the crocodile

Purushottam Nitai Das January 5, 2015
A boat carrying passengers was calmly crossing the Ganges. All were enjoying the ride. As the boat reached deep water the boatman sounded a precautionary warning: “Keep your hands off the river. The place is filled with crocodiles.” Everyone obliged but a child. And soon a ferocious crocodile grabbed the hand of the child. His parents and the co passengers immediately tried to pull back the child but did not succeed. The grip of the giant water monster was tightening and the child was getting pulled in the river. Desperate mother, devastated father and others were trying their best to save the child; they were pulling hard to free the little child from the crocodile’s clutches. But in the water the water animal is extremely powerful more than even an elephant. Due to the melee soon the boat started losing balance. The boatman shouted that if we do not do something soon then the boat will sink.  The passengers looked in the eyes of the frightened parents. The unspoken message was: “Leave the child else we will die.”  The parents looked in the eyes of their beloved child for the last time. And finally seeing no other option they loosened the grip and soon the kid was dragged away in the deep water by the cruel crocodile.

The scripture says padam padam yad vipadam -there is danger at every step in this world (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58). What may happen to us the next moment we do not know. Were the passengers of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 while saying goodbye to their dear ones ever thought that their meeting is going to be the last meeting? No. Because none of us know the future. Uncertainty is the characteristic of this world. In fact we are so helpless in this world that no one can save us. Even a mother cannot guarantee the life of a child. Krishna in Gita informs us that this world is full of miseries (Bhagavad Gita 8.15). This is why he asks us to return back to the spiritual world which is our original home. If Krishna, the Supreme God, has given us a better option then why not to avail it then to rot in this rotten world. He even assures us that once we reach to his kingdom then we would never return again to this temporary world (Bhagavad Gita 8.15).

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Devotion with determination opens the gate for perfection

Purushottam Nitai Das October 4, 2014

When sun rises in the morning then the sun rays is not so prominent but gradually as the day progresses the brightness becomes stronger and finally the rays illumines everything eating the darkness.  Similarly, while endeavouring for anything we may not be able to see much tangible results immediately but if we persist then slowly the result will start becoming visible.  Any progress is gradual and so it is always recommended that we should have patience while treading a path. 
The spiritual seekers who have voluntarily chosen the path of devotional life are required to practice the process of devotional life with steady determination. Many a times we wonder why we are not experiencing the inner calmness and bliss which is associated with devotion even though we have been practicing devotional life for many years.  The mind still dwells on sensory objects and the senses continue demanding attention. It looks like the process is not working for us. But this is not true.
In childhood when we were learning to ride a bicycle then we fell from it several times. But after regular practice a day came when we were able to ride without falling. It was fun. We eventually even started racing with our friends.
Similarly if we continue with determined devotion braving all difficulties then Krishna’s grace will eventually dawn upon us. Also our regular chanting and shadanais not going in vain, it is perfecting our lives although we may not be able to experience the effect now. Our heart is getting cleansed of unwanted qualities and the love of God is slowly blossoming in our heart. And if we practice devotional life with grit for a long time then ultimately it will start creating an impact. In fact if we are resolute in our purpose and our aim is Krishna (Gita 2.41) then it is guaranteed that we would succeed in attaining love of God one day.

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Thousands joyfully march towards Krishna on his birthday

Purushottam Nitai Das August 28, 2014

Hundreds of happy faces greeted me as I entered into the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda temple early in the morning. It was Janmashtami day, birthday of Lord Krishna, and the temple hall was buzzing with enthusiastic devotees – celibate monks in saffron coloured dhoti and kurta, other men in white dhoti and kurta and women in sarees, all were present.

 

 

Everyone had Vaisnava tilak on their forehead. Young, old and children all had come. Door of the altar was still closed but the celebration had already begun.

 

 

Both the hands raised high in the air, swaying their body while moving rhythmically three steps forward and three steps backward all were joyfully singing – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare/Hare Rama Hare RamaRamaRama Hare Hare.

 

Mridangas were being beaten energetically, cymbals were being struck against each other briskly, and the lead singer was passionately singing loudly yet melodiously to the delight of all.

 

 

The entire crowd was following the tune of the lead kirtan singer. Initially the beat was slow and slowly it picked the momentum. The devotional spirit of the devotees was rising with each beat. And soon everyone got into the mood of dancing.

 

 

Holding each other’s hand devotees formed a big concentric circle. Within the big circle there were many small circles. Everyone was moving clockwise in the circle and was continuously crying the holy name. Few came in the centre of the circle and raising their hands they spun in trance; some came in the centre holding the hands of their friends and danced with grace.

 

 

There were 3 types of dancers: natural, shy and reluctant. Natural dancers spontaneously came in the centre and danced. The shy dancers wanted to participate but were not ready to take the initiative, they wished that someone pulls (or push) them in the centre to dance.

 

 

Understanding this devotees invited them to dance and they happily responded. The reluctant dancers were mostly either first time visitors or not so frequent visitors to the temple. They either felt embarrassed to dance in front of a huge crowd or they just wanted to enjoy seeing the great dance for the pleasure of the Lord.

 

 

Curious kids weren’t behind. They were too trying their best to assist their parents in the celebration. Men and women danced separately. At Iskcon, as per the Vedic tradition, a healthy distance is always maintained between the two sexes.

 

 

As the conch shell blew everyone turned towards the altar whose door was still closed. Slowly the door of the altar opened, now only the large curtain remained between the devotees and the Lord. Again the conch shell was blown loudly as if informing all that Lord is now ready to receive and see all his guests. The kirtan was at its peak now and the enthusiasm was at an all-time high.

 

 

And then slowly the curtain was removed and everyone immediately fell flat on the ground to pay obeisances to the Lord. This is the Vedic etiquette of offering respect to the Lord when we see him for the first time. Some were reciting the Vedic mantras and some were saying their personal prayers to the Lord.

 

 

Everyone has their own personal and unique relationship with Krishna and he being omniscient knows the heart of all his devotees. After paying their respects all got up to see the beautiful Lord – Sri Sri Radha Govinda – to their hearts content. Standing in a tri-bend form in a huge golden colour altar with his eternal consort Srimati Radharani he looked beautiful. 

 

 

He was donning a new colourful dress which was specifically prepared for him on his birthday. Holding the flute with both the hands, wearing multi coloured garlands, jewels and ornaments he was just smiling. Krishna was happy because all the assembled devotees were happy and the devotees were happy because they saw Krishna was cheerful. 

 

 

When a sincere soul enquired from Srila Prabhupada that how does Krishna look like? Then this great Vaisnava saint said that go and see Krishna at Sri Sri Radha Govinda temple at 3C Albert Road, Iskcon Kolkata. Krishna looks like that. Now who would know Krishna better than his pure devotee like Srila Prabhupada? This beautiful deity of Radha and Govinda at Iskcon Kolkata has been personally installed by this great sage.

 

 

Here the ever smiling Radha and Govinda attract every individual’s heart. At times while seeing the beauty of the Lord tears flow effortlessly from the eyes of the devotees but they try their best to hide it from others.

 

 

Krishna has so many attributes that it is almost impossible to know all of them but the more we know about them the more we get attracted towards him. To enhance our understanding and our love for him three hour long Krishna katha (spiritual discourse on Lord Krishna) was organized. His various qualities and pristine pastimes were elaborately discussed. How one can come closer to Krishna and get a chance to enter his transcendental abode was also explained.  These details are there in the Vedic literatures and venerable sages have spoken a lot about it.

 

Since morning scores of people were thronging the temple to take a glimpse of the Lord. Delicious sweet sabudana prasad was given to all who came. The entire day was packed with cultural programs, dramas, katha, kirtan and grand abhishek (bathing ceremony). A huge waterproof pandal was erected to make sure that rain does not dampen the festive atmosphere.

 

 

Replica of forest groves of Vrindavan and Govardhan hill was recreated on the stage where abhishek had to be performed. The abhishek of Radha and Krishna was performed elaborately using milk, Ganges water, coconut water, fruit juices and colourful flowers.  Each of the ingredients was poured over the Lord one after the other and finally both of them were bathed with colourful flower petals. The expert singers kept the atmosphere surcharged by their sweet devotional songs.

 

A meaningful drama “God of gods” was performed by Iskcon Youth Forum members. Through drama it was established that Krishna is in fact the Supreme Personality of Godhead and all other demigods like Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are subservient to Him.

 

Here at Iskcon one can find large number of youngsters from reputed educational institutions and many working professionals practicing spirituality. They did not take up devotional life because they were forced by their grandparents or parents or by society or because of some sentiments.

 

Everyone has taken to this path because all are logically and intellectually convinced that Krishna Consciousness can only help them to lead a meaningful life. So some have completely dedicated their life for the service of Krishna and have become celibates. Whereas many others are householders who work outside and also simultaneously practice devotion, they try to balance their life in a way so that they can sincerely execute their worldly responsibilities and can also seriously practice devotional life.

 

On days like Janmashtamiall devotees (celibates & householders) come together to celebrate the festival in a grand way. Their cooperation and love for Krishna is on full display on these special days.

 

At midnight 12, the time when Krishna had appeared in this world, a magnificent mahaarati of the Lord ensued which was accompanied by dancing kirtan. Devotees who had completely fasted broke their fast after 12 by drinking caranamrita (sacred liquid which was collected during the bathing ceremony). Special sumptuous Krishna prasad was arranged for all.

 

On the Janmashtami day, in Kolkata there was taxi strike and in the night there was also heavy rain but the devotees of Krishna braved all the hardships and came together in thousands to observe the appearance day/ birthday of Krishna.

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Madness for Material Positions, Possessions and Prestige Make All Mad

Purushottam Nitai Das August 25, 2014
Too much obsession with oneself and with the material world makes people mad. It is not an allegorical statement but it’s a hard core fact. People actually become mad.
Once with few devotees I visited a psychiatric rehabilitation centre. Devotees used to conduct spiritual programs there helping patients to come out from their pathetic condition. The program comprised of spiritual discourse, kirtan and prasad (sanctified vegetarian food). The sight wasn’t pleasing. Few of us thought of speaking to some of them. One person who was in his forties looked well educated and was also decently dressed. He was sitting in a corner and appeared to be lost in thoughts. When we tried to interact with him, he spoke normally. I asked about his life and his problem. He said solemnly that he was a work-alcoholic and used to frequently travel throughout the world. His purpose was to earn lots of money. He mostly stayed away from his family and rarely bothered about them. Subsequently his family left him.  His wife divorced him and children went with their mother. Today he was all alone with all the money. By the time he realized that his madness for money had ruined his life, it was too late. He was finding it extremely difficult to come out of this difficult phase.
Another was a young man; he said that he was a painter. When we asked him, if he has painted something recently he immediately went and brought his drawing book. He had drawn few decent pictures which we appreciated. After seeing most of his drawings we handed him his workbook. And then he started crying! Every one of us was taken aback. We did not know what to say or do. After lots of prodding he said that we did not appreciate his work. We protested because we had done so. But he felt that our gestures weren’t sufficient enough.  He kept on saying that in this world no one likes him and his work. He fretted that no one has ever respected him in his life. We did not have any answer because none of our answers were convincing him.
One wanted to become extremely rich and the other was too self – conscious. Every one of us is also afflicted with the same disease although the degree may vary. Scriptures inform us that we came away from the kingdom of God because we wanted to be like God. We wanted to be famous, rich and powerful like him. So here we struggle hard to achieve these goals but our efforts rarely succeed. We may get something after tremendous struggle but our achievements never remain with us for a long time. Either we lose it in this very life or else the beautiful ruthless death drag us away from them.
 
Hungry and angry heart moan in pain
Since childhood it is drilled into us that the only purpose in this life is to become extra ordinarily materially successful persons. We dream of a day when the entire world will recognize us, eulogize us and revere us. We get obsessed with name, fame and money. During our struggle we lose peace, sleep, health, family, friends and most importantly happiness. Our dry heart continuously cries for attention and love. But we continue stuffing it up with lots of money, loads of worldly things and tonnes of pride and prestige. These things fail to please the heart. The carnal pleasure in this world is celebrated and so many go for it thinking it to be the mother of all happiness. These attempts instead of satisfying the heart makes it more agitated. It’s like drinking salty sea water upon being thirsty. Not just the taste is disgusting but it increases our thirst.
Here in this world we all are diseased and we need treatment. Krishna, the Supreme God and our supreme well-wisher, has spoken elaborately about the elixir which can cure us. But sadly in spite of His well-intentioned advice we refuse to live as per his expectations and thus we not just prolong our multiple sufferings but in fact worsen our condition. In Bhagavad Gita 16.23, Krishna describes the plight of a disobedient soul, “He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.”
 
Calm the heart by culling countless material cravings
Scriptures constantly remind us that it is futile to think that material aggrandizement will ameliorate our life. These historical books ask us to not give in to the demand of the insatiable senses and uncontrolled mind. Slavery of the senses and madness of the mind make all crazy in this world. We today want instant gratification and is ready to do anything and everything to get what we want. In fact today’s society teach people how to become a supreme sense gratifier and become obsessed with wealth, women (or men) and wine.
Happiness and material opulence (or success) is not synonymous. Duryodhana is the best case study. He had succeeded in driving out Pandavas, though cunningly, out of the kingdom. And Pandavas lived frugally in the jungle in huts made of wood and mud but they were peaceful and non- complaining. But Duryodhana in spite of having all the comforts and luxury in his palace was in abject misery and in constant anxiety. Why? Because his heart was filled with envy, hatred and arrogance. Whilst the Pandavas were happy as love and piety dominated their heart. Love satisfies our heart and not lust. Satisfaction calms our heart and not material cravings.
No one is today told that real happiness is in being self-satisfied and in controlling and tolerating the countless demands of mind and senses.
 
Chaste senses & clean mind satiates the heart
In Gita 2.62 and 2.63, Krishna graphically explains that how a person falls down by contemplating on the objects of the senses. While meditating on sensual stuffs one develops deep attachment for it which gives rise to lust, greed and anger which ultimately opens the gateway to hell.
Scriptures compare senses to venomous serpents and asks us to eliminate all the poisonous substances from it. Lust, greed, pride, anger, envy and illusion are the toxic stuffs which need to be purged. And qualities like simplicity, tolerance, renunciation of the objects of sense gratification, absence of false ego should be preserved and nurtured.  We have to ensure that each and every sense gets sanctified because as one snake in the room will fill our heart with fright and fear similarly any one of the unrestrained senses will make us insane. In Gita 2.67 Krishna says, “As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man’s intelligence.” Similarly we are asked to restrain our mind and not allow it to wander like an unchaste woman.
We can be in control of our life only if we can tame our senses and restrain our mind and not vice – versa. Once our senses become pure and mind becomes friendly then instead of making our life pathetic they will start enthusiastically cooperating with us. In fact each of the senses can be astutely utilized in perfecting our lives. Chaste and controlled mind will open a gateway for blissful life. Our heart will experience supreme satisfaction and our mindless obsession for the things of this world will wither.
 
Heart celebrates when we gravitate towards Krishna
However in spite of all our plans and preparations troubles and difficulties will do knock at our door because this world is an abode of misery, duhkhalayam asasvatam, Gita 8.15.
A person stuck in a marshy land will definitely get devoured today or tomorrow. If he simply stands there he will go down slowly and if he struggles hard then he will quickly glide down. His only hope of survival is if someone standing on a solid land extends any support and pulls him out. We are also dangerously stuck in this material pool. With our own effort we will not be able to rescue ourselves. Krishna can only save us and He is very eager to help. We just need to positively respond to his gesture. Being a caring father he has spoken elaborately how to get out of all the challenging situations.
 
    Following are Krishna’s advice to smartly confront difficulties:
  • Do not take part in the sources of misery which are due to contact with the material senses. Such pleasures have a beginning and an end. Gita 5.22.
  • To attain peace and tranquillity control the mind. A controlled mind will never be disturbed by happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor. Gita.6.7
  • Appearance & disappearance of happiness and distress is like appearance and disappearance of summer and winter. So, as a sane man do not get too touchy about it and simply tolerate it. Gita.2.14
 
     Krishna has also given us formula to live peacefully in this world:
  • Krishna says in Gita 5.29, “A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries”.

  • In Gita 5.12 it is explained that a person who offers the result of all his activities to Krishna attains peace. But if someone is not in union with the Divine and is greedy for fruits of labour then he gets entangled in this world and does not achieve peace.
  • Krishna explains in Gita 2.70 that just like an ocean which remains undisturbed by the flow of multiple rivers into it similarly we should not be disturbed by the incessant flow of desires. If we always remain steady in all circumstances then we can achieve peace but if we start striving to satisfy all our desires then we will be always at war with ourselves.

Life is a series of choices. Our moment to moment decisions decide our destiny. If we become mad for material position and possessions then our future will be marred in miseries. But if we gravitate towards Krishna and live as per His guidelines then we can live happily here and at the end of life can get a ticket to go to the spiritual world, a place of eternal happiness. So, let us give Krishna the charge of our life and start living as per His wishes. We can then be sure of peace and bliss.
 
This article has been published in ISKCON NEWS:
 

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Flashback of life at the final seconds

Purushottam Nitai Das July 23, 2014
A devotee went to take bath in the Ganges along with his devotee friends. While swimming he went deep inside the river and started drowning. He frantically shouted for help.  His friends and other fellow swimmers immediately rushed to rescue him. The devotee was struggling in the water for life. With lots of effort he was finally saved and was brought to the bank. By this time he was totally unconscious, lots of water had also gone into his body. He was laid upside down and water was forced out of his body. After sometime he regained consciousness.  

His devotee friends who were surrounding him and were praying for him became very happy to see him fine. Many embraced him and all inquired about his health. Everyone was curious to know one thing but seeing the occasion they hesitated and decided to ask it later. When things finally stabilised, situation became normal then his friends asked him a very important question. They asked, “When he was struggling for his life and was about to die then was he able to remember Krishna at that critical moment?” Everyone with bated breath waited for his answer. The devotee’s answer is not just shocking but it is an eye opener for all of us.

He solemnly said that while he was drowning and was about to lose his consciousness he started seeing the images of all the activities in which he had indulged in throughout his life one after the other. Many things which he had even forgotten appeared before him. And finally the flashback stopped at a particular image and that was the image of a lady advertising a soap product. And then he became unconscious. He was not able to see or remember Krishna at that critical time. So shocking!

Whatever activities we do in life get stored in the mind in the form of an image. Many of the events of our life we may forget but still all the information remain intact in the mind. This is why we are asked to practice devotional life with utmost sincerity so that our mind gets over flooded with the thoughts and pictures of Krishna. Our heart gets attached to him and we can constantly and continuously think and mediate on him. Then only there is any possibility that we will be able to remember him while leaving this world and will return back to the spiritual world.  Krishna says in Gita (8.5) that those who remember him at the time of death come to him without fail. So let us start storing Krishna in our heart and mind by becoming serious in our devotional life. And simultaneously stop storing non Krishna conscious images by not indulging in anti devotional deeds.  

Bhagavad Gita 8.5: And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

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Know Krishna by knowing his attributes

Purushottam Nitai Das July 21, 2014
Gita has in total 18 chapters. Bhakti yoga which is the highest among all the yogas is explained from 7th to 12thchapters.  7th Chapter is called “Knowledge of the Absolute”, here one gets to know about Krishna and his all the opulence which qualifies him as the Supreme God. Knowing Krishna is simple but it is not easy to be always simple. Only a genuine humble person who is free from ego and has a desire to think beyond this material world will actually inquire about the ultimate truth and will endeavour in that direction. One can be a great scholar, philosopher and even religionist but still they won’t be able to understand God. They may use many lofty arguments, word jugglery and mental speculation but they will always be bereft of love of God unless they give up their desire to separately enjoy this world. They may also read Gita umpteen number of times and also write their own commentary but in spite of these they will not know the goal of Gita which is to surrender to Krishna.

We should not get confused by such material pundits whose consciousness is stuck up in this material world. As spiritualists our topmost priority is to know Krishna and to develop love for him.

Chapter 7 gives us information about Krishna. The below acronym (HEAD) best describe this chapter:

  • H: Hear about Krishna and his energies.
  • E: How to see him Everywhere
  • A: Who Accept Krishna and who Reject Him?
  • D: Who are Demigods and how all the demigods are subordinate to Krishna.

Once we have the understanding of Krishna then our love for him will fructify. Currently we all have forgotten Krishna and our relationship with him. This chapter addresses this problem and gives complete knowledge of the attributes of Krishna and how he is the source of everything. It nourishes our intelligence and helps us to reconnect with him.

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Overpower emotion through devotion

Purushottam Nitai Das July 17, 2014

Remember Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurushetra. He wanted to run away from the battlefield and was contemplating on the possibilities of begging and living. Suppose that a soldier runs away from the border post during a war then how much disrepute he will bring to his family, society and most importantly to the nation.

 

But Arjuna, overpowered by lots of emotions, was ready to embrace all the disgrace. But fortunately he had befriended with Krishna. Krishna being the Lord was aware about all the pitfalls which affect common man. He knew that Arjuna’s reluctance to not fight was not because of any sound logic but was due to his blind attachment towards his relatives.  Krishna wanted to save the humanity from getting ruled by a tyrant, irreligious, arrogant and selfish Duryodhana. Establishing religious principles which will do good to humanity is far more important than being captive to one’s own feelings and sentiments.

 

Krishna wanted to educate Arjuna about the importance of leading a God centric moral life. Krishna spoke to Arjuna eloquently in an authoritative but friendly tone. Krishna’s words did not break Arjuna’s heart but helped him to see the truth as it is. It is not that Arjuna was less intelligent or coward or was not aware about his duties. He was very knowledgeable and was a very powerful warrior.

 

In the past he had proved his mettle by defeating many fiercest warriors. But somehow his heart was now clouded with emotions and preventing him from discharging his duties. The situation can also be an arrangement of Krishna so that he could deliver the most important message of life during the most extraordinary circumstances to an extraordinary warrior. This conversation has become memorable. The words spoken by Krishna to Arjuna are recorded in Bhagavad Gita. This book is accepted as the crest jewel of all the philosophical literatures of the world.  Gita elaborately and logically talks about isvara (God), jiva (living entities), prakriti (nature), karma (actions) and kala (time). The book has been guiding humanity for thousands of years and has transformed lives of millions of people.

 

In Gita, Krishna highlights the importance and necessity of devotion to God. Devotion simply means doing things which pleases the Lord. For Arjuna, fighting was his devotion because the war would help in re-establishing a God conscious society and culture. Like Arjuna, we too can practice devotion by doing work by keeping Krishna in the centre and offering all the results of our endeavours to him. The process is pretty simple and very helpful as it ensures that we do not indulge in any wrongful deeds. Arjuna got surcharged with energy and enthusiasm after listening to Krishna and said, “My dear Kṛṣṇa, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions. (Bhagavad Gita 18.73)”

 

Whenever our intelligence starts getting troubled by emotions then we should immediately take shelter of Gita. Gita’s pristine message will help us to rise above mind and emotions and will simultaneously encourage us to engage in meaningful and fruitful work.

 

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Drug, Sex, Death

Purushottam Nitai Das July 12, 2014

A high profile, ultra rich executive of world’s one of the topmost firm was found dead on a yacht due to drug overdose. He had gone there with a prostitute who left him there dying when the executive was struggling for life. According to newspaper reports, the prostitute has many such top executives as her client and she charges hefty amount for her services.

The person had everything – name, fame, money and he was also married.  Still such a disgraceful exit from this world. What does the incident prove? That material success isn’t a guarantee for pure life. Of course there is no harm in endeavouring for a successful life in this world.  But along with that we constantly need to monitor our life’s compass to check if we are going in the right direction or are deviating towards a wrong path. The test is pretty simple. If our fascination for wealth, women (or men) and wine (drug) is increasing then obviously we are inviting disaster.  No amount of sex or drug is going to give us any pleasure. In fact they are going to make us more miserable each time we indulge into it.

Many mistakenly think that drug and sex is the gateway to happiness but actually it ruins a person’s life. Lust is the strongest chain which binds a person in this world and this is why Krishna says that lust is one of the gateways to hell (Gita 16.21). Fascination for opposite sex drives almost everyone crazy.  And getting out of it is extremely difficult but not impossible. It is true that there are infinite amount of impurities in our heart. But if we take shelter of God then ultimately he will purify us. Just like the sun which purifies large swatches of filthy places once it rises. Krishna promises in Gita 18.66 “Surrender all varieties of religion and just surrender unto me I will deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”

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