Mystery of the Bhagavad Gita Simplified

Posted by Dr. Jayanth G. Paraki | Published on 05-26-2013 01:51 AM | Article Viewed 418 Times

Life is often mysterious; apparently without reasons and explanations for many events. Is this true? Perhaps so, but only in the eyes and mind of the beholder. Is there any wisdom and knowledge that can throw complete light on the mystery of Life? The ancient Vedic scripture Bhagavad Gita contains knowledge of all human experiences from the remote past into the infinite future. There is no situation in reality that is not described nor explained. Truly, the Gita is the source of Absolute Knowledge. The author attempts to simplify the mystery of the Bhagavad Gita and urges the reader to experience the Absolute Truth of existence. The author, a practicing doctor has integrated spiritual healing into clinical practice and encourages everyone to realize his true identity. Medical and nursing students, practicing doctors and patients will benefit infinitely from applying the principles of the Bhagavad Gita. During the course of this lecture series, you will be lead to the path of devotional service and the holistic way of spiritual living. Holistic living consists of eating sattvic food, conquering and channeling inner desires and following the instructions of the Supreme Lord. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is He who spoke the Bhagavad Gita to his very

dear friend Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna was overwhelmed by grief at the prospect of fighting his own relatives in the war. Totally confused, he turned to Lord Krishna and beseeched him with his inner feelings. Krishna then revealed his true form and strength and assured him of total protection if he became his surrendered devotee. All of us experience fear, confusion, anger, frustration, sadness and many other complex emotions. What is the source of these emotions? Krishna clearly explains in the Bhagavad Gita that he is the cause and remedy of all things; pleasant and unpleasant. Therefore by his causeless mercy He gives us the instructions through which we can free ourselves from the darkest hell of existence in the material world. Mahabharatha represents the warring of the materialistic and spiritual aspects of human nature and truly speaking describes the constant battle of feelings and thoughts that go on within the mind. Make Krishna the ultimate goal of your Life and you will experience eternal joy and bliss! Lord Krishna is the creator of all living beings. Our life is dependent upon the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead at all times. From Krishna comes all the energy that we experience everyday. For example, the bright sunlight and the cool breeze are emanating from Lord Krishna. Everyday we lose energy in the form of various physical and mental activities. He is replenishing the lost energy. What we are not aware is the fact that loss of vitality and fatigue is due primarily to discharge of emotional energy. Emotions drain us of energy. Negative emotions leave us tired, confused and in despair. Positive emotions charge us with vibrant energy and leave us healthy, clear in thinking and brimming with vitality and enthusiasm. Connect to Krishna and experience eternal joy and bliss! Lord Krishna resides within our hearts. It is his spark that ignites the soul within us and keeps us all alive and happy. We have forgotten the supreme controller as we have been conditioned to accept the material world as containing everything that we need. How far is this true? Ask yourself these questions? What is responsible for the universal miseries of existence- birth, disease, old age and death? What is the cause of other forms of distress- lack of education, failures in business and career, poor results inspite of efforts and all other unpleasant experiences that go to form every day events in our lives. The Gita clearly states that the principal cause of all miseries is forgetfulness of Lord Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Krishna appears periodically as an incarnation to revive the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and teach us the right way of living. The fundamental question that emerges in our quest for understanding any subject is how and where do I begin? So, how do I relate to Krishna? Since Krishna resides within our hearts it is very easy to relate to him. First, remove the layers of dirt and dust that prevent you from seeing this reality. Become pure in thoughts and feelings. Lord Krishna relates instantly to anyone who wishes to

do so. Therefore become a devotee to re-establish lost connections. Listen attentively to his devotees and participate in-group activities. While you can perform devotional service independently, it is easier and motivating to do it as a group. Become aware of his strengths to be convinced of his stature and power. You do this by listening, reading and discussing the Srimad Bhagavatam, the epic compilation of the experiences of the devotees of the Lord. Constantly focus on the lord within you and endeavor to apply the principles of devotional service regularly. You will see the fruits emerging spontaneously. Our constitutional position is as a devotee of Krishna. However, we are not aware of this fact and therefore by default assume the position of a non-devotee. The very birth in this world indicates that we have forgotten our real position. We have forgotten that there is a real spiritual world in the spiritual sky. A devotee of Krishna comes to realize that everything including his own body is the property of Krishna and therefore it should be used in Krishna's service. Dovetail all daily activities with that of Lord Krishna. Act in a purified state following the instructions of the Lord. This will free you from all anxieties and suffering. Pleased by the service of his devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead reveals his form and opulences. We can develop different relationships with Lord Krishna. The pastimes of the Lord with the gopis of Vrindavana describe the relationship as a conjugal lover. In any dimension the nature of relationship is determined by the time period in your life, when your dormant spiritual energy is awakened and you begin to realize your true nature. When a child is born who displays natural attraction for music, art and performing sadhanas, Know that you should relate to Krishna as a parent devotee. Relate to all as a friend by urging one and all to become Krishna Conscious. Dovetail all your daily material activities with that of Krishna. This way you will remember him all the time. Arjuna was in all kinds of difficulties during the Kurukshetra war and his state actually reflects our state at all times. The message of the Gita is very clear. At all times we should seek the help of The Supreme Personality of Godhead to solve our life problems. Arjuna asks questions that accurately define our state. We also should ask questions to the Supreme Personality of Godhead in a manner similar to Arjuna and receive the benediction of the Lord. It is essential to develop the qualities of Arjuna to be able to understand and receive the instructions clearly. The purpose of the Gita is very clear. It is to remind us of the major purpose we have to create for our lives. It is one of the following. 1. To deliver mankind from all difficulties 2. To free mankind from all anxieties 3. To relieve mankind of all sufferings 4. To instruct mankind of his mission

5. To protect mankind from evil Ishvara is the supreme controller and we as jivas are the controlled beings. However, in the conditioned state that we are born in we do not have this fundamental realization. This is referred to as maya or illusion. Hence we attempt to go through life using finite intelligence, which of course is incomplete. As time elapses we begin to feel anxiety and tension over our existing state and this continues unabated until we choose to seek the help of the Supreme Controller. Karma refers to the accumulated effects of all activities we have performed in the past. Reactions to activities in the conditioned state are unpleasant and leave a permanent residue. One such residue is various forms of physical and mental disease. Therefore, if you have to heal a diseased person he should endeavor to remove the veil of maya or illusion alongside the taking of medicines. Devotional service is a simple process of erasing the maya and creating an internal environment of health and well being. Medicines taken will have a better result and this is the holistic approach to healing advocated by The Clinic for Holistic Healing. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate source of all energy including life energy. . mayadhyakshena prakrith suyate sa-characharam." This material nature is working under my direction." This is understood when we contemplate on the nature of life. What is the element that is missing in a dead body? There is no knowledge about this element in medical science or technology. Developing a state of mind that begins to inquire about every event that either happens to us or surrounds us in a spirit of surrender leads us directly to the source of Absolute Knowledge. Empowerment results once you acquire Absolute Knowledge. Every man, woman and child is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna. When you begin to see the Lord residing in the hearts of every person, you can actually hear the Lord speaking to you! Emphatically, Lord Krishna declares: sarva-yonishuaham bija-pradah pita:" I am the father of all."

Gopi-chandana Mahatmya: The Glories of Gopichandana Tilak

Posted by The Editor | Published on 05-27-2013 01:51 AM | Article Viewed 381 Times

According to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, gopi-chandana, or the sacred mud from Dwaraka, is applied on the body in twelve places while reciting mantras to Lord Vishnu. This process purifies one's body, designating it as a temple of the Lord. Besides purification, the tilak also offers the wearer protection from ghosts, evil influences, bad dreams, accidents and many other things. It keeps one's mind calm and allows one to constantly remember Lord Krishna. The following story from the Garga Samhita describes the wonderful glories of the sacred mud known as gopi-chandana. [From Garga Samhita, Canto Six, Chapter Fifteen, Translation by Sri Kushakratha Das] Text 15 yasya sravana-matrena karma-bandhat pramucyate

gopinam yatra vaso 'bhut tena gopi-bhuvah smrtah Simply by hearing about Gopi-bhumi, which is so named because the gopis resided there, one become free from the bondage of karma. Text 16 gopy-angaraga-sambhutam gopi-chandanam uttamam gopi-chandana-liptango ganga-snana-phalam labhet In Gopi-bhumi gopi-chandana was manifested from the gopis' cosmetics. A person who marks his limbs with gopi-chandana tilaka attains the result of bathing in the Ganga. Text 17 maha-nadinam snanasya punyam tasya dine dine ngopi-chandana-mudrabhir mudrito yah sada bhavet A person who daily wears gopi-chandana tilaka attains the pious result of daily bathing in all sacred rivers. Text 18 asvamedha-sahasrani rajasuya-satani ca sarvani tirtha-danani vratani ca tathaiva ca krtani tena nityam vai sa krtartho na samsayah A person who daily wears gopi-chandana tilaka attains the result of performing a thousand asvamedha-yajnas and a hundred rajasuya-yajnas. He attains the reusult of giving charity and following vows at all holy places. He attains the goal of life. Of this there is no doubt.

Text 19 ganga-mrd-dvi-gunam punyam citrakuta-rajah smrtam tasmad dasa-gunam punyam rajah pancavati-bhavam Twice as sacred as the mud of the Ganga is the dust of Chitrakuta. Ten times more sacred than that is the dust of Panchavati-tirtha. Text 20 tasmac chata-gunam punyam gopi-chandanakam rajah gopi-chandanakam viddhi vrndavana-rajah-samam A hundred times more sacred is the dust of gopi-chandana. Please know that gopi-chandana is equal to the dust of Vrindavana. Text 21 gopi-chandana-liptangam yadi papa-satair yutam tam netum na yamah sakto yama-dutah kutah punah Even if in the past he has committed hundreds of sins, if a person wears gopi-chandana tilaka, then Yamaraja cannot take him away. How, then, can Yamaraja's messengers touch him? Text 22 nityam karoti yah papi gopi-chandana-dharanam sa prayati harer dhama golokam prakrteh param A sinner who daily wears gopi-chandana tilaka goes to Lord Krishna supreme abode, Goloka, which is beyond the world of matter.

Text 23 sindhu-desasya rajabhud dirghabahur iti srutah anyaya-varti dustatma vesya-sanga-ratah sada In Sindhu-desa there was a king named Dirghabahu. He was cruel and sinful and he was addicted to visiting prostitutes. Text 24 tena vai bharate varse brahma-hatya-satam krtam dasa garbhavati-hatyah krtas tena duratmana While he was on the earth this cruel sinner murdered a hundred brahmanas and ten pregnant women. Text 25 mrigayayam tu banaughaih kapila-go-vadhah krtah saindhavam hayam aruhya mrgayarthi gato 'bhavat One day he mounted a sindhu horse and went hunting. With a flood of arrows he accidentally killed with a brown cow in that hunt. Text 26 ekada rajya-lobhena mantri kruddho maha-khalam jaghanaranya-dese tam tiksna-dharena casina One day, greedy to get his kingdom, with a sharp sword his angry minister killed him in the forest.

Text 27 bhu-tale patitam mrtyugatam viksya yamanugah baddhva yama-purim ninyur harsayantah parasparam Seeing him fallen to the ground and dead, the Yamadutas came, bound him, and, joking as they went, took him to the city of Yamaraja. Text 28 sammukhe 'vasthitam viksya papinam yama-rad bali citraguptam praha turnam ka yogya yanatasya vai Seeing this sinner brought before him, powerful Yamaraja said to his scribe Chitragupta, "What is the proper punishment for him?" Text 29 sri-chitragupta uvaca catur-asiti-laksesu narakesu nipatyatam nihsandeham maha-raja yavac candra-divakarau Sri Chitragupta said: O great king, he should be thrown into eight million four hundred thousand hells for as long as the sun and the moon shine in the sky. Text 30 anena bharate varse ksanam na su-krtam krtam dasa-garbhavati-ghatah kapila-go-vadhah krtah On the earth he did not perform a single pious deed. He killed ten pregnant women. He killed a brown cow.

Text 31 tatha vana-mriganam ca krtva hatyah sahasrasah tasmad ayam maha-papi devata-dvija-nindakah He killed thousands of deer in the forest. He offended the demigods and the brahmanas. He is a great sinner. Texts 32 and 33 sri-narada uvaca tada yamajnaya duta nitva tam papa-rupinam sahasra-yojanayame tapta-taile maha-khale sphurad aty-ucchalat-phene kumbhipake nyapatayan pralayagni-samo vahnih sadyah sitalatam gatah Sri Narada said: Then, by Yamaraja's order, the Yamadutas took that sinner and threw him into a terrible, eight-thousand mile wide cauldron of bubbling boiling oil in the hell of Kumbhipaka. The moment that sinner came to it, the boiling oil, which was as hot as the great fires at the time of cosmic devastation, suddenly became cool. Text 34 vaideha tan-nipatanat prahlada-ksepanad yatha tadaiva citram acakhyur yama-duta mahatmane O king of Videha, as Prahlada was unhurt in the same situation, that sinner was not hurt by the boiling oil. Then the Yamadutas described that great wonder to noble-hearted Yamaraja. Text 35

anena su-krtam bhumau ksanavan na krtam kvacit citraguptena satatam dharma-rajo vyacintayat Yamaraja and Chitragupta carefully reviewed the sinner's case and concluded that while he was on the earth the sinner had not for a moment performed even a single pious deed. Text 36 sabhayam agatam vyasam sampujya vidhivan nrpa natva papraccha dharmatma dharma-rajo maha-matih Then Vyasadeva arrived in that assembly. Bowing down before Him, and carefully worshiping Him, saintly and noble-hearted Yamaraja asked Vyasadeva the following question. Text 37 sri-yama uvaca anena papina purvam na krtam su-krtam kvacit sphurad-agny-ucchalat-phene kumbhipake maha-khale asya ksepanato vahnih sadyah sitalatam gatah iti sandehatas cetah khidyate me na samsayah Sri Yamaraja said: When a certain sinner, who had never performed even a single pious deed, was thrown into the terrible boiling oil of Kumbhipaka, the oil suddenly became cool. Because of this my mind is now tortured with doubts. Text 39 sri-vyasa uvaca suksma gatir maha-raja vidita papa-punyayoh

tatha brahma-gatih prajnaih sarva-sastra-vidam varaih Sri Vyasadeva said: O great king, the intelligent sages, who have studied all the scriptures, know that the ways of piety, sin, and spiritual progress are very subtle and difficult to understand. Text 40 daiva-yogad asya punyam praptam vai svayam arthavat yena punyena suddho 'sau tac chrnu tvam maha-mate Somehow or other, by destiny, this sinner did perform a pious deed, and by that deed he became purified. O noble-hearted one, please hear the story of this. Text 41 kasyapi hastato yatra patita dvaraka-mrdah tatraivayam mrtah papi suddho 'bhut tat-prabhavatah That sinner died in a place where from someone's hand some gopi-chandana from Dvaraka had accidentally fallen. Dying in gopi-chandana, that sinner became purified. Text 42 gopi-chandana-liptango naro narayano bhavet etasya darsanat sadyo brahma-hatya pramucyate A person who wears gopi-chandana tilaka attains a spiritual form like that of Lord Narayana. Simply by seeing him one becomes free of the sin of killing a brahmana. Texts 43 and 44 sri-narada uvaca iti srutva dharma-rajas tam aniya visesatah

vimane kama-ge sthapya vaikuntham prakrteh param presayam asa sahasa gopi-chandana-kirti-vit evam te kathitam rajan gopi-chandanakam yasah Sri Narada said: Hearing this, Yamaraja, who understands the glories of gopi-chandana, took the sinner, placed him a an airplane that goes anywhere one wishes, and sent him to Vaikuntha, which is above the worlds of matter. O king, thus I have described to you the glories of gopi-chandana. Text 45 gopi-chandana-mahatmyam yah srnoti narottamah sa yati paramam dhama sri-krishnasya mahatmanah One who hears this account of gopi-chandana's glories becomes exalted. He goes to the supreme abode of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.