Faith

"Everyone has a particular type of faith, regardless of what he is. But his faith is considered good, passionate or ignorant according to the nature he has acquired. Thus, according to his particular type of faith, one associates with certain persons. Now the real fact is that every living being, as is stated in the Fifteenth Chapter, is originally a fragmental part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Therefore one is originally transcendental to all the modes of material nature. But when one forgets his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and comes into contact with the material nature in conditional life, he generates his own position by association with the different varieties of material nature. The resultant artificial faith and existence are only material. Although one may be conducted by some impression, or some conception of life, originally he is nirguṇa, or transcendental. Therefore one has to become cleansed of the material contamination that he has acquired, in order to regain his relationship with the Supreme Lord. That is the only path back without fear: Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If one is situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then that path is guaranteed for his elevation to the perfectional stage. If one does not take to this path of self-realization, then he is surely to be conducted by the influence of the modes of nature."
Srila Prabhupad, Bhagavad Gita, section of purport, 17.3

Radha Krishna

Anasuyave

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

idaḿ tu te guhyatamaḿ

pravakṣyāmy anasūyave

jñānaḿ vijñāna-sahitaḿ

yaj jñātvā mokṣyase 'śubhāt

SYNONYMS

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; idam — this; tu — but; te — unto you; guhya-tamam — the most confidential; pravakṣyāmi — I am speaking; anasūyave — to the nonenvious; jñānam — knowledge; vijñāna — realized knowledge; sahitam — with; yat — which; jñātvā — knowing; mokṣyase — you will be released; aśubhāt — from this miserable material existence.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Arjuna, because you are never envious of Me, I shall impart to you this most confidential knowledge and realization, knowing which you shall be relieved of the miseries of material existence.



Purport (in part)
The Sanskrit word anasūyave in this verse is also very significant. Generally the commentators, even if they are highly scholarly, are all envious of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even the most erudite scholars write on Bhagavad-gītā very inaccurately. Because they are envious of Kṛṣṇa, their commentaries are useless. The commentaries given by devotees of the Lord are bona fide. No one can explain Bhagavad-gītā or give perfect knowledge of Kṛṣṇa if he is envious. One who criticizes the character of Kṛṣṇa without knowing Him is a fool. So such commentaries should be very carefully avoided. For one who understands that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the pure and transcendental Personality, these chapters will be very beneficial.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is, 9.1 Translation and section of purport by Srila Prabhupad regarding the word "anasuyave"

Srila Prabhupad

Just Relax

People are too hung up on this concept of "keeping everything relaxed" and "keeping everyone happy"
Sometimes people need a little dose of MEDICINE and it's not always pleasant.
No normal Doctor you go to will tell you "yes, I will cure your disease, and I will make certain you will feel very comfortable during the entire surgery and you will always feel and think I am really nice and friendly, and nothing will ever make you feel offended".
Well, if that person has a very bad disease that requires some surgery, it's going to hurt like hell, and most likely they will HATE the Doctor during it, and even after it, until the pain is gone finally, and they realize they have been cured.
However, if someone else comes along and says "oh, this is terrible, you should not have to feel pain from this Doctor, you should not feel you've been made to suffer during this treatment, etc... and says to the Doctor "can't you see, you are about to hurt this patient, please relax and don't continue this treatment"... well that creates a problem.
So, lets try to remember that we're fighting a war against maya, and we're trying to become cured from the worst disease possible, that of thinking we don't need Krishna.
Then we can realize there are more important things than "everyone staying relaxed".
We are not yogis, we are devotees.
Did Krishna say to Arjuna "Oh, it's really going to upset you and make you feel uncomfortable to fight with your family members, and have to kill them. Much better that you should make sure everyone stays relaxed and you stay relaxed too. So, just put down your weapons and go home and relax".
Not at all, He said "stand and fight".
So, there are more important things than staying "relaxed".
It's not always relaxing to get free from the material energy.
If you feel "relaxed" all the time, it's a very good sign that you are making no spiritual progress at all.

Devotion

"Persons who are in full knowledge of the Personality of Godhead, analyzing His different energies and knowing their own constitutional position, are certainly very, very dear to the Lord. Persons, however, who may not even be conversant with knowledge of the Supreme Personality but who always think of the Lord with love and faith, feeling that He is great and that they are His parts and parcels, ever His servitors, are even more favored by Him."

Srila Prabhupad, section of purport, Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.7.38

Krsna Is The Goal

Win The Battle, Lose The War

I love sayings like this, there is always so much truth in these old sayings, that's why they keep beings said for hundreds of years, by all different cultures, in various ways.
This particular saying is one of my favorites.
It refers to the concept of getting so involved in "winning" a particular argument, or being right in a particular situation, that even though we may accomplish "winning" that particular time, in essence, winning that time may be the very thing that causes us to "Lose The War".
The material energy is fighting us all the time on all levels in our attempts at Krsna consciousness. Both for our own personal selves, and also (and especially) and attempts to help others or preach about Krsna, as that would involve more souls that just one (us).
So, when fighting any war, it's very important to keep focused on the goal, always, and never let ourselves get too wrapped up in any one accomplishment, even devotional accomplishments.
There are always bigger things, larger things, more important things to consider. Everyone has a perspective, everyone is fighting their own battle against the material energy.
The most possibility of winning the war against maya together comes when we keep focused on the goal of delivering as many souls as possible from the material world, and not on the goal of "doing it our way".

Hare Krishna
All Glories To Srila Prabhupad

Judging Others

It's really easy to get caught up in making judgements about others. If you think about it, we really do it all the time.
We judge people based on what they look like, what they act like, what they talk like, what they do with their lives, ect... etc... etc...
When it comes to personal relationships, it's even easier to do, because we think we "know someone".
Well, what do we know? We know what they have told us about them, about their life. Facts. Facts are faulty. Most of the time lots of facts about someone and their life are not said for so many reasons.
So, we don't even have the facts straight. We may think we do, but how would we know? If someone has not told us all the facts, we don't even know that much, though we may think we do.
Then comes our perception... well, we think they think this way, or it seems like that act that way, and it appears to be because of this, or that....
But really, it's all just our perception. Perception is faulty, very very limited, and faulty.
So, it's a good idea when we start "deciding" how someone else is, or why they are behaving in a certain way, or how they feel about things, to realize we don't ever really know.
I'm not just talking about people we are "sort of close to", I'm talking about even in the most intimate relationships.
Our perception is not something to depend on. It's only limited to our own mind and senses, and has nothing to do with Krishna's perception of that soul, or their devotional service, or their level of spiritual advancement, or their commitment to spiritual life. It's just us, and our own mind and senses.
"Judge Not Lest You Be Judged".
Let's not judge each others spiritual lives, or anything else. Leave it up to Krishna, He's the only one who really knows.
Thinking that we are in a position to judge someone else is just another form of the propensity to be the "Supreme" in every way.

Utility Is The Principle

"One should not give up anything which can be utilized in the service of the Lord. That is a secret of devotional service. Anything that can be utilized in advancing Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service should be accepted. For instance, we are using many machines for the advancement of our present Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, machines like typewriters, dictating machines, tape recorders, microphones and airplanes. Sometimes people ask us, "Why are you utilizing material products if you condemn the advancement of material civilization?" But actually we do not condemn. We simply ask people to do whatever they are doing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is the same principle on which, in Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa advised Arjuna to utilize his fighting abilities in devotional service. Similarly, we are utilizing these machines for Kṛṣṇa's service. With such sentiment for Kṛṣṇa, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we can accept everything. If the typewriter can be utilized for advancing our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we must accept it. Similarly, the dictating machine or any other machine must be used. Our vision is that Kṛṣṇa is everything. Kṛṣṇa is the cause and effect, and nothing belongs to us. Kṛṣṇa's things must be used in the service of Kṛṣṇa. That is our vision."
Srila Prabhupad, Nectar Of Devotion

Seriousness

I say here in my profile that I am interested in serious Krsna consciousness. What that means to me is knowing where you're heading and doing everything possible to get there.
Seriousness to me has nothing whatsoever to do with fanaticism. Fanaticism is brittle, it breaks under pressure. It does not last, it does not endure trials. Seriousness bends, and flows like a steady stream to the ocean, finding it's way around the mountains and through the cities, still steady on it's course.
Seriousness to me is also about being very honest about your level of spiritual understanding and working from that level, rather than attempting to be (or seem) more advanced than you really are.
As far as association goes, for me, it's very important to me to associate with devotees in a serious (again, not fanatical) way, attempting to discuss aspects of Krsna consciousness, and help each other progress.
In other words, I don't like to waste the opportunity for valuable association by turning things into a "social club". Also, I don't like discussing things that really will do nothing to further anyone on the path of Krsna consciousness.
I was talking to another devotee about this recently and they said it's like making an appointment to go see a Doctor, and then when you get there, you discuss golfing with them, rather than discussing medical topics.
I thought that was a great example. Association with devotees is such a blessing, no one else in the world can help you make advancement in Krsna consciousness. So, I don't like to waste that opportunity "discussing golf".

Knowing Srila Prabhupad

This is part of a comment left in my guest book on Krishna.com "connect" today. The person had read in my profile that I was initiated by Srila Prabhupad.

"You knew Śrīla Prabhupād? Oh my God! He is so godly! You are so fortunate!"

My reply:

"I still know Prabhupad. He's with me always. The connection is never broken, and the knowing only increases."


I can understand why someone who has never met Srila Prabhupad would feel this way, but to me it was a surprising comment.
I don't ever feel like he is gone, or that I "knew" him, only that I'm knowing him more and more all the time.
Knowing Prabhupad to me is about knowing what his instructions are, and following them, then further, understanding his mission, his purpose, and attempting to assist him in it.
All of that has nothing at all do to with being in direct contact with his physical presence.

Ignorance

TRANSLATION

When there is an increase in the mode of ignorance, O son of Kuru, darkness, inertia, madness and illusion are manifested.

PURPORT

When there is no illumination, knowledge is absent. One in the mode of ignorance does not work by a regulative principle; he wants to act whimsically, for no purpose. Even though he has the capacity to work, he makes no endeavor. This is called illusion. Although consciousness is going on, life is inactive. These are the symptoms of one in the mode of ignorance.

Bhagavad Gita, 14.13

Lord Chaitanya

"So one must be intelligent enough to understand the purpose of the Vedas, without being attached to the rituals only, and must not desire to be elevated to the heavenly kingdoms for a better quality of sense gratification. It is not possible for the common man in this age to follow all the rules and regulations of the Vedic rituals, nor is it possible to study all of the Vedānta and the Upaniṣads thoroughly. It requires much time, energy, knowledge and resources to execute the purposes of the Vedas. This is hardly possible in this age. The best purpose of Vedic culture is served, however, by chanting the holy name of the Lord, as recommended by Lord Caitanya, the deliverer of all fallen souls. When Lord Caitanya was asked by a great Vedic scholar, Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, why He, the Lord, was chanting the holy name of the Lord like a sentimentalist instead of studying Vedānta philosophy, the Lord replied that His spiritual master had found Him to be a great fool and thus asked Him to chant the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa. He did so, and became ecstatic like a madman. In this Age of Kali, most of the population is foolish and not adequately educated to understand Vedānta philosophy; the best purpose of Vedānta philosophy is served by inoffensively chanting the holy name of the Lord. Vedānta is the last word in Vedic wisdom, and the author and knower of the Vedānta philosophy is Lord Kṛṣṇa; and the highest Vedāntist is the great soul who takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord. That is the ultimate purpose of all Vedic mysticism."
Srila Prabhupad, purport, Bhagavad Gita 2.46

(so, this how how I see myself, I am totally unable to understand a lot of deep philosophy, I like things simple, basic.... chant Hare Krishna. Follow Srila Prabhupad.)

Perception

I've been thinking today about how much people perceive things from their own viewpoint and don't even realize it as such.
People will say things like "they think this way, they feel that way, they saw this or they did that for these reasons" etc...
It really bothers me when I see that, because we really don't ever know what anyone else is thinking or feeling or why they are doing something unless we ask them.
This is especially prevalent in "group mentality" meaning that we tend to think a certain "group" thinks this way, or that way.
In fact a group is only separate individuals who may have some similar ways of thinking, and acting, but that certainly does not mean they all think in identical ways about any given subject.
It helps me to realize this, and then what ever I view as the "common thought" or when ever I am thinking "they think this way" to step back and realize that unless "they" have individually told me specifically how They Think, I have no idea how "they think" and cannot make that assumption.

Shelter

"And since Kṛṣṇa is the source of our generation, or the supreme father, no one can be a better friend than Kṛṣṇa, nor can anyone be a better well-wisher."
Srila Prabhupad, purport, Bhagavad Gita, 9.18

More About Srila Prabhupad

When I think about how much ignorance, modes of nature, offenses, and other things Srila Prabhupad tolerated when he came to America and made so many of us into devotees, it overwhelms me.
What an incredible impowered Vaisnava he is! Imagine.... all alone, with no association from any other devotees, far away from India, with no assistance on any physical level.... and there he is, in the middle of one of the worst areas of the New York, just chanting, just preaching, just delivering Krsna's message, and trusting only in the protection of Krsna, in Krsna's Holy Name, and that power alone to assist him and protect him in his mission.
I find this to be astounding.
It shows me my own weaknesses so very clearly as well. I am so intolerant, so unable to just be anywhere at all, and so influenced myself by all the modes of nature acting on others, and on myself.
All Glories To Srila Prabhupad.

Srila Prabhupad

When I post quotes from purports of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is, I like to put Srila Prabhupad's name first.
The reason I do that, is because the actual Bhagavad Gita does not have purports... Krishna did not write those purports, Srila Prabhupad wrote them so we could understand what Krishna is saying.
Without those purports written by Srila Prabhupad, it would be impossible to derive the correct meaning from the verses alone.
We are not capable of doing this, only through the mercy of Srila Prabhupad, and his purports, can we understand the meaning of these verses between Krishna and Arjuna.
So, I like to put Srila Prabhupad's name first, to call attention to this causeless mercy of the Pure Devotee, Srila Prabhupad.
Since he is also my spiritual master (and yes I do mean literally through initiation, first and second), I feel it's perfectly alright for me to put his name first, since we can only approach Krishna through the spiritual master.

Understanding Krishna

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is not perceivable through the gross material senses. It is said,

ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi

na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ

sevonmukhe hi jihvādau

svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ

(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.234)

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa's name, fame, pastimes, etc., cannot be understood by material senses. Only to one who is engaged in pure devotional service under proper guidance is He revealed. In the Brahma-saḿhitā (5.38) it is stated, premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti: one can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, always within himself and outside himself if one has developed the transcendental loving attitude towards Him. Thus for people in general He is not visible. Here it is said that although He is all-pervading, everywhere present, He is not conceivable by the material senses. This is indicated here by the word avyakta-mūrtinā. But actually, although we cannot see Him, everything is resting in Him. As we have discussed in the Seventh Chapter, the entire material cosmic manifestation is only a combination of His two different energies — the superior, spiritual energy and the inferior, material energy. Just as the sunshine is spread all over the universe, the energy of the Lord is spread all over the creation, and everything is resting in that energy."
Srila Prabhupad, purport to verse 9.4... Bhagavad Gita

Life Is Hard

I remember a long time ago, one of the women who had just become a devotee had this t-shirt that said "Life Is A Bitch And Then You Die".
I thought that was the harshest outlook on things (and I still do) but really, she had a point.
We can get pretty involved in trying to create various forms of happiness here while we are in this material world, but in the ultimate issue, what's really so wonderful about any of it.
Of course, tomorrow (or a week from now) I'll be writing something about the beauty that can be found here, since it really is all a part of Krishna's energy, and does reflect Him as well as show us the suffering to be had when we forget Him and try to become the "Lord of all we survey".