Tag: Krishna

GOD NEVER RETIRES

Purushottam Nitai Das October 19, 2013
God Retires! A presumptuous headline beamed through all the major dailies of India in Oct. The occasion was the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, one of the most celebrated cricketers of modern times. His fans eulogized him: “Cricket is my religion and Sachin is my God”.

It showcases the illiteracy which has penetrated in Indian society about God and religion. It seems that Indians have forgotten the meaning of God and religion. Considered to be the holiest place on earth; people from all over the world throng to India for spiritual emancipation. India is a country where God walked and where sages and seers still drench themselves in spiritual fervour.

But sadly people today have a much skewed understanding about God. In Sanskrit God means parameshvarai.e. the supreme controller. God is the best in all aspects – he is the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most magnanimous, the strongest, the most powerful, he is the proprietor of everything. No one can have all these qualities at a time or any of these qualities in full. Few mortals for short span of time may partially reflect one of these qualities.

Vedic books give detailed description of “Who is God”.  Here are some examples: isvarah paramah Krishna — “Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead” (Brahma-samhita 5.1); Krishna tu bhagavan svayam — “Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead” (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.38). “Devaki’s son [Krishna] is the Supreme Lord” [Narayana Upanisad (4)]. Even Krishna Himself declares explicitly about His supreme position: mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya — “O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me” (Bhagavad-Gita 7.7).

So let us stop demeaning God by calling anyone as God. God is Always God & God Never Retires.

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Janmashtami celebration at ISKCON, Kolkata

Purushottam Nitai Das August 30, 2013

Janmashtami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna, was celebrated at ISKCON Kolkata on 28th August (Wednesday), 2013.  Dance, Drama, Abhishek, Kirtan, Krishna Katha were the major highlights of the festival. Since, morning large numbers of people started assembling in the temple hall to take beautiful darshan of the Lord.  The program started at 4:30 a.m. with Mangala Arati in which everyone enthusiastically participated.   The temple was beautifully decorated. Lord Krishna was dressed with beautiful garments, garlands, colourful flowers, jewels and ornaments.  Many school children participated in cultural programs based on Krishna’s pastime.

A grand Abhishek of the Lord was performed using milk, honey, water and other ingredients. A melodious kirtan accompanied the Abhishek, devotees joyful danced and melodiously sang the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, “HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE”.

Krishna’s appearance brings auspiciousness in our lives. If we take shelter of Krishna then all our miseries will wither away.  Arjuna was in the midst of a ghastly warfare, he was fighting unconquerable warriors like Bhisma, Drona and Karna but still he was victorious because Lord Krishna was always with him.  If we too want to be victorious, if we too desire to sail smoothly in this turbulent ocean of material world then like Arjuna we should also take shelter of Krishna.   Krishna will then protect us from all the dangers and our lives will be full of bliss and ecstasy.

On 29thAugust, the 117th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of Iskcon, was celebrated with great fanfare. Srila Prabhupada was born next day after Janmashtami, the Nandotsav day.   

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Let us meet Krishna at least on his birthday

Purushottam Nitai Das August 27, 2013
Krishna ran desperately the moment he got the news that his childhood friend Sudama had come to meet him. Krishna was the emperor of Dwarka, he lived in a royal palace and was lovingly served by several of his associates.  But still he remembered his old friend who was living in penury and did not have even proper clothes to cover his body. But Krishna is hardly impressed by a person’s material position and possessions. For Krishna everyone is his own friend. Brihad Bhagavatam narrates the story of Gopa Kumar who when returned to the spiritual world was lovingly embraced by Krishna. Krishna told Gopa Kumar that “I have been missing you since the time you left me. I was eagerly waiting for you to return back to the spiritual world. This is your original home and not the material world. I am so happy that you have come back.”

Krishna is waiting for each of us.  Tomorrow is Janmastami, it is the day when Krishna appeared in this world. One of the most important reasons for Krishna to appear is to please his devotees and give us a glimpse of the life of the spiritual world. Krishna’s advent brought great joy and happiness in the lives of the devotees. Each and every brajvasis enthusiastically celebrated his appearance. Krishna is the Supreme Lord; all the Vedic literatures confirm this. Isvarah parama Krishna — “Krishna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead” (Brahma-samhita 5.1); Krishna tu bhagavan svayam — “Lord Sri Krishna is the original Personality of Godhead” (Bhagavatam 1.3.38). “Devaki’s son [Krishna] is the Supreme Lord” [Narayan Upanisad (4)].  But still for our sake he comes to this world.

How much eagerness we have to celebrate our birthday or the birthday of our loved ones. We take off on that day and make elaborate arrangements. Krishna is also very near to us. We exist because of him and he provides all the necessities of our life. All our near and dear ones are his gift to us. So, at least on his birthday we can keep aside all our unending material responsibilities and celebrate his birthday. We can visit temples and offer our prayers to him. We can chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare /Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”. Krishna manifests in this world in the deity form and also he is present in his name. By taking darshan of the deities and by chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra we can personally meet him.

Sudama being poor just carried chipped rice with him but Krishna very much liked it. For few morsels of chipped rice Krishna provided inexplicable opulence to Sudama.  Nothing we do for Krishna ever goes in vain. “In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear. (Bhagavad – Gita 2.40). So tomorrow is an opportunity for us to express our love to Krishna and let us not miss this opportunity.  

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Vedas are infallible

Purushottam Nitai Das August 26, 2013

The Vedas are words of God. Isopanisad describes God as purnam (perfectly complete). So the knowledge imparted by Vedic literatures is perfect and complete.  Vedic knowledge is called sabda – pramana. Another name of Vedas is sruti i.e. knowledge acquired by hearing. Vedic knowledge is not experimental knowledge.

The present education system only teaches us how we can enjoy this material world more and more. It does not teach us – Who we are? Why are we suffering? Where were we before this life? What will be our destination after death? The present education system also does not tell us that why a child takes birth in the family of a rich person and why someone takes birth in the house of a beggar.  It also does not give any solution to the problems of birth, old age, disease and death.

However Vedas explain all these things in great details.  The first aphorism in the Vedanta-sutra is athato brahma jijnasa – therefore inquire for the absolute truth.  Vedas teach us that as a soul we are sac- cid – ananda, eternal, blissful and full of knowledge. Vedas answer the basic questions of human life – Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? Why am I suffering? What is my final destination?  This priceless literature explains that this world where we are living now is a temporary place and is full of suffering – dukhalayam asasvatam (Bhagavad – Gita 8.15). And our salvation lies in understanding the fact that we are parts and parcels of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We should develop love for Krishna and return back to the spiritual world which is our original home and where life is eternal and bliss is unlimited.

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Krishna opens the door for a blissful and eternal life

Purushottam Nitai Das August 22, 2013
Surrender to Krishna is a beautiful experience and the most wonderful concept in all of creation. It means to genuinely offer our love to Him. Those who are unwilling to surrender to Krishna with love have to surrender to Him at the time of death. Old age, disease and death are the weapons by which powerful time strangulates us. All great emperors of the world — Alexander, Napolean, Hitler, Aurangzeb — have been swept away into oblivion by the force of time. To the degree we consider ourselves the controller and proprietor of things of this world, to that degree we suffer when we face Krishna in the form of death. That surrender is too painful and immensely horrible.
On the other hand, if we understand our eternal position as the servant of Krishna and humbly accept it, all our miseries will cease to exist. Krishna immediately takes the devotee under His tutelage.

Surrendering to Krishna, our original father, does not bring us any dishonor. Our surrender to Krishna is like a patient submitting himself to a doctor for treatment or a child taking shelter of his mother. A patient agrees to abide by the prescription of the doctor for his own benefit; a child experiences love and care on the lap of his mother. Krishna’s clarion call to surrender is for our salvation.

Not everyone surrenders; Krishna understands this: “After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Bhagavad – Gita7.19) If we are not with Krishna, we are undoubtedly with maya, Krishna’s material illusory energy. So either to Krishna or to His material energy, we must surrender nevertheless. In fact every day, knowingly or unknowingly, we surrender to the dictum of our mind and senses, to our insatiable desires, to the demands of our bodies, to our lower self, to so many people in our daily life.

Arjuna was in acute anxiety before the Mahabharata war began, but after hearing Krishna’s message he completely surrendered to Krishna and thus paved the way for his glorious victory.  Arjuna said: “My dear Krishna, 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 – Gita18.73). Like Arjuna, there are many examples in history who achieved incredible fame and glory just by following Krishna’s instructions and the instructions of His devotees. By surrendering to Krishna success is certain in our life; there will be no room for anxieties and miseries.

Surrendering to Krishna opens the door for a blissful and eternal life. “For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuëöha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.” (Srimad Bhagavatam10.14.58)”

(Extract of my article published in Back to Godhead magazine of Iskcon “Surrender out of love”)

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Punished for doing the duty

Purushottam Nitai Das August 3, 2013
 
 
An IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh,India, Durga Shakti Nagpal, has been suspended by the UP government. Her crime is that she did her constitutional duty fearlessly without getting intimidated by the government.  This phenomenon is not just confined to UP but it is widespread.  Not just the politicians but even the bureaucrats need to be equally blamed for this sorry state of affairs. Today politicians can go to any extent to grab and retain the power and simultaneously there are bureaucrats who are ready to do anything to please their political bosses for good posting and promotion.  
Today we lack a leader who is selfless and have a strong moral value. After a train accident, Lal Bahadur Shastri, resigned from the post of railway minster on moral grounds although he was not directly responsible for it. But today we hardly find a single leader who can stand up to that standard. Today the politicians very well know that they can divide the people on the basis of caste and religion. The divide and rule policy used by the Britishers have been mastered by the political parties of India. Durga Shakti is an IAS officer so her issue grabbed the limelight. But there are hundreds and thousands of Durga Shaktis in India who are constantly being silenced by powerful politicians, mafias & corrupt bureaucrats.
These incidents are just the tip of an iceberg; we should be ready for many such unsavoury incidents if we do not wake up.  Today we Indians can be very easily purchased on the basis of caste and religion.  And when these elected representatives start biting us then we start shouting. But in spite of knowing the credentials of the politicians we have selected them, then why today we are complaining. Are we not equally responsible for the mess which the country is going through? Today’s leaders are being selected not based on their values or principles but on the basis of their muscle and money power & on the basis of their caste and religion.
One of the reasons why Bhagavad Gita was spoken by Krishna to Arjuna was because Krishna wanted to re-establish the raj – rishi paramapara – the rulers should be the epitome of virtues and should never deviate from the scriptural principles.  So if we want to have a bright future for India then we should select a leader who can live up to the standards of Arjuna.


Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Spiritualize the mind

Purushottam Nitai Das August 3, 2013
Our mind gets clogged because we stuff it with unproductive substance. We have the very famous GIGO principle – Garbage in Garbage Out. What goes inside will eventually come out. If we expose a computer to a virus prone program then eventually the computer will start malfunctioning. Similarly, if we   infest our mind with hazardous impressions then eventually our life will be in a mess. A disturbed and agitated mind brings chaos to personal and professional life.  Whatever we see, hear or speak gets permanently stored in our mind. Our mind is the storehouse of all past, present and future experiences. If one is too much prone to watch vulgar or violent movies or remains in association of those who are pessimists then sooner or later one’s mind gets dominated by vulgar, violent or pessimistic thoughts.  So it is imperative that we feed our mind with right ingredients – positive and healthy thoughts.

But subduing mind is indeed a Herculean task.  Arjuna, the mighty warrior, who had the strength to conquer the whole world, expresses his inability to tame the mind. Krishna agrees with Arjuna that controlling mind is indeed very difficult but also assures Arjuna that it is not impossible. With practice and detachment we can gradually win our mind. “Lord Sri Krishna said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment”. (Bhagavad – Gita 6.35)

Detachment & Practice

Whenever our mind wanders we need to bring it back. The exercise would be tiring and sometimes we may even fail. But if we persevere then gradually we would be able to restrain our mind to a great extent. A jockey, while controlling his horse, neither applies too much force nor gives excessive freedom to the horse. We too will have to slowly restrain and restrict our mind. But all these efforts will go in vain if the mind does not get any positive engagements to focus on. We may apply force and bring back our mind but after bringing back we need to provide some object on which mind can focus. As we all know that we cannot empty the mind. So the only way to effectively subdue the mind is by focusing it on something positive.

Our mind focuses on those objects where it assumes that it will get pleasure. So, once we provide a higher taste to the mind then automatically it will start focusing on the object where it derives maximum pleasure. Transcendental pleasure is the highest of all the pleasures. And the practice of Krishna consciousness will open the gateway of transcendental pleasure. Hearing and chanting the names of Krishna is the most effective way to get detached from wrong thoughts and get attached to devotional thoughts.

We also need to regularly scan our mind to diagnose if there are any impurities still clogging our mind. And simultaneously we need to meticulously refrain our mind from getting allured by materialistic thoughts. The success will not happen overnight. We need to diligently endeavor for detachment from sense gratification and attachment to devotional life.

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

In spite of 2 heart attacks….he transformed the lives of millions

Purushottam Nitai Das August 2, 2013

Exam is essential for a student. It tests his sincerity as well as preparedness. In our devotional journey we too are examined by Krishna. On our way, we may encounter few hurdles; the hurdles are just a test put for us by Krishna to check our commitment and eagerness for devotional life. Sometimes the hurdle may appear to be like a vast ocean but if we remain firm and continue practicing Krishna Consciousness with enthusiasm then the ocean will become a small puddle of water for us.

Krishna provides a glimpse of his mercy through the life of his pure devotees. Srila Prabhupada’s life is an example for us to learn this principle. His spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, had instructed him to go to the west and preach Krishna Consciousness to the western people. At that time he was just 26 years old.  Throughout his life he struggled hard to preach Krishna Consciousness in India but within his heart he always wanted to fulfill the wish of his spiritual master. After a lot of struggle he got an opportunity to travel to the west on a cargo ship. By this time he was about 70 years old but his zest to preach Krishna consciousness in the west was still there. He was having just Rs. 40, no assurance of permanent place to stay, no close relatives to take care, no guarantee of food. He had with him the priceless position – a trunk load of spiritual books.  On the ship he suffered from seasickness, dizziness and loss of appetite. And then he suffered 2 massive heart attacks, the third one would have killed him. But his resolve never waned. On the night of the 2ndheart attack he saw Krishna in his dream. Krishna was rowing the boat and assured him not to worry because he will take care of him.  And henceforth the journey passed peacefully.

 

Srila Prabhupada transformed the lives of millions of people all over the world.

·         During a short span of 12 years he opened 108 temples all over the world.

·         He wrote and translated around 80 books which include translation of 60 volumes of classic Vedic literatures.  

·         He established ISKCON which has today more than 600 centres all over the world.

·         He founded BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) which is today the world’s largest publisher of book on Vaisnava philosophy.

·         He introduced Rath Yatra in the western countries. Today in more than 100 major cities of the world Rath Yatra festival is celebrated including London, New York, Washington, Moscow, Los Angles, Durban, Dhaka and in several cities of India.

·         He began BTG (Back To Godhead) magazine in 1944 which is now published in several languages all over the world.

·         Srila Prabhupada’s commentary on Bhagavad – Gita has sold more than 3 crore copies and also have been translated into around 87 languages.

 

Krishna through the life of Srila Prabhupada has shown that obstacles in the life of a devotee may come but if one is sincere and serious then Krishna personally takes charge of the life of the devotee. So when next time we come across any hurdle then we should not get bogged down by it but instead we should endeavour hard to get over it. And we know that Krishna is always there to help us! 

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

Unravel Mind’s true potential

Purushottam Nitai Das July 27, 2013
A piece of paper may lie entire day in the sun without getting affected. But if we divert all the rays of the sun through a magnifying glass on a particular spot of the paper then the paper after sometime starts burning. This is the power of being focused. Our mind too has the potential to ignite our life. And this can happen if we utilize our mind to its full potential.
It is verily said – our mind can be our best friend when controlled and can also be our fiercest enemy when it is uncontrolled. As a human being we are far more superior to non humans.  And one of the primary reasons is that we humans have the ability to utilize our mind for our own benefits. Animals basically work as per their instincts without bothering (or thinking) about pros and cons. But as humans we have the divine gift of harnessing the power of mind to its full potential. 
But unfortunately most of us fail to capture the tremendous potential of our mind and thus get destined to lead a below par life.  Many people struggle with life because of their uncontrolled mind. A drunkard or a smoker or even a criminal knows what is right and wrong but still they indulge in such nefarious acts. The reason is their inability to say ‘no’ to the demands of their unchaste mind. If we have a cool, calm, composed and controlled mind then in spite of provoking situations or circumstances we will not panic. We will not just remain undisturbed in trying circumstances but can convert those challenging situations to our own advantage.
A controlled mind is everyone’s desire but it’s not easy to achieve.  Arjuna, the powerful warrior, admitted it to Krishna when he said that it is easy to control the wind than to control the mind (Bhagavad – Gita 6.34). We have seen people going berserk because of their disturbed mind.
Lord Krishna admits that controlling mind is not easy but assures Arjuna that it is possible to do so through practice and detachment (Bhagavad Gita 6.35). We should detach ourselves from the activities which pollutes and disturbs our mind. And we should engage ourselves in those activities which detoxifies our mind like chanting the holy name of the God like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Once we gain control over our mind then we can lead a very happy, successful and meaningful life.

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>

REVIEW OF THE BOOK: THE GITA FOR DAILY ENRICHMENT

Purushottam Nitai Das April 13, 2013

“Realizing that we are not suspended in the uncertainty of uncaring chance, but are enveloped in the certainty of unfailing love is life’s greatest discovery”: Chaitanya Charan Das reminds us in his newly published book The Gita for Daily Enrichment. The book has been released recently.

365 short and crispy articles adorn the book. An article a day for 365 days for a reader to meditate upon. Several meditational books flood the market but this is the first book which offers thought for daily mediation based on a verse from the Bhagavad – Gita.

An electronics engineer by profession, the author has been an ISKCON monk for last fifteen years. The creative and pragmatic presentation of the message of the Gita with several contemporary examples reflects his profound and insightful understanding of this great literature. Each verse of the Gita is explained very succinctly, intelligently and interestingly. The language is lucid and style is contemporary. It nudges the reader to think, reflect and then act.

Today the importance of Gita has not waned, as the skeptics want us to believe. The present day society is marred with several perplexities – relationships are in tatters, insecurity looms large, fear of future and failure keeps us always in anxiety. Today neither the inflation nor the temperature is increasing at a higher rate than the suicide and drug consumption rate. During these troubled times we need wisdom of Gita to skilfully confront any challenge.

The book empowers the reader with spiritual intelligence to take the right decision. The author prods the reader to understand the importance of human life. He strongly argues that the human life is not just meant for seeking material pleasure but is to strive for eternal spiritual pleasure. The daily nuggets explain about the higher dimensions of life. The author constantly reminds the reader to rise from the intellectual level to spiritual level and to engage in practical devotional service to Krishna if they seriously want to relish the spiritual nectar.

The author is fundamentally acquainted with the subject and he knows his audience well. The book does not quote the verse or its translation verbatim but instead it tries to focus on the applicability of each verse in the present context. Sincere practitioners, genuine seekers, academic – scholars, young and old, men and women, all will find something to contemplate upon. The reputed Hinduism author Steven Rosen phrases the appeal of this book succinctly: “Chaitanya Charan das unlocks many of the mysteries of the Bhagavad-gita, allowing contemporary readers access to an otherwise often impenetrable scripture.”

Overall the 365 articles inspire the reader to embark on a spiritual path. One develops deep appreciation for Gita and also feels closer to Krishna, the ultimate object of one’s meditation. In total, there are 365 good reasons to purchase the book.

The book is available on Amazon as a kindle edition. The hard copy of the book can also be ordered from the author’s site www.thespiritualscientist.comand from amazon.com.

(Purushottam Kumar is a member of congregation at ISKCON Kolkata. He works in Tech Mahindra, Kolkata.)

Search

Recent Posts

Categories

>