Hare Krishna

Rare conversation between Krishna and Today's Arjun

2016-12-06T09:21:00.005-08:00

Arjun - I can't find free time. Life has become hectic.
Krishna - Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you free.

Arjun - Why has life become complicated now?

Krishna - Stop analyzing life. It makes it more complicated. Just live it.

Arjun - Why are we then constantly unhappy?
Krishna - Worrying has become our habit. That's why you are not happy.

Arjun - Why do good people always suffer?
Krishna - Diamond can not be polished without friction. Gold can not be purified without fire.Good people go through trials,but don't suffer. With that experience their life becomes better,not bitter.

Arjun - You mean to say such experiences are useful?
Krishna - Yes, in every term, Experience is hard teacher. It gives the test first and lessons later.

Arjun - Because of so many problems, we do not know where we are heading?
Krishna - If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Eyes provides sight. Heart provides the way.

Arjun - Does failure hurt more than moving in the right direction?
Krishna - Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you.

Arjun - In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
Krishna - Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go.Always count your blessings, not what you are missing.

Arjun - What surprise you about the people?

Krishna - When they suffer they ask "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask " why me?"

Arjun - How can i get the best out of life?
Krishna - Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence.Prepare for the future without fear.

Arjun - Sometimes i fear my prayers are not answered?
Krishna - There are no unanswered prayers. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve.Trust me.Life is wonderful if you know how to live it.

Why fasting on Ekadashi ? - The Scientific outlook

2016-12-06T08:55:00.002-08:00

This year's noble prize for medicine has been given to Japanese scientist Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi for his research on Autophagy ( Autophagy means "self eat". It is a natural process in which human body eats its own damaged cells and unused proteins. This happens in case of starvation. The failure of autophagy is one of the main reasons for accumulation of damaged cells which eventually leads to various diseases in the body)

Ancient India had a recommended practice of fasting (Ekadashi) one day in a fortnight. Many of us religiously follow this practice to this day as a penance for spiritual progress without any idea of the biological and therapeutic benefits of this practice. Through this process of fasting induced "Autophagy" our body repaired its damaged and degenerated cells or used up the proteins of its damaged cell for its survival .

Whenever modern science conquers a frontier in any field,it some how relates back to quaint spiritual practice followed in india for generations .

A day in a fortnight spent in prayer and divine contemplation was a tonic for the mind and soul while in the practice of fasting ensured that the body soul heal and rejuvenate itself .

Clearly, Our ancestors believed in the process of holistic healing of both body and the mind.

Why KRISHNA ?

2012-07-27T02:08:00.000-07:00

Krishnas tu bhagavan svayam (SB 1.3.28) is the statement of Shrimad-Bhagavatam:
"Krishna is the only Supreme Lord."

Worship of Krishna alone, therefore, includes worship of all the parts and parcels, just as watering the root of a tree also waters all the branches, twigs, leaves and flowers. The Lord is eternally liberated. Whenever He appears, even within this material world, He is never entangled by the three modes of material nature. He is known, therefore, as try-adhisa, the master of the three modes of material nature. As Lord Krishna says, mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram: "This material nature is working under My direction." Material nature is not independent. She is acting under the directions of the Supreme Lord.

According to
philosophy, Narayana cannot be equal to any one of us. What to speak of us, Narayana cannot be equally estimated even with great demigods like and The Vaishnava Purana says, yas tu narayaana devam brahma-rudradi-daivataih, samatvenaiva vikseta sa pasandi bhavad dhruvam: (Cc. Madhya 18.116) "Anyone who calculates Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, equal with such demigods, what to speak of ordinary human beings, even big, big demigods like Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, immediately becomes a pasandi, atheist."

Description of Lord Vishnu

2010-02-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

Lord Vishnu has four hands. The first holds a conch shell (sankha) indicating spread of the divine sound "Om"; one holds a discus (chakra), a reminder of the wheel of time, and to lead a good life; one holds a lotus (Padma) which is an example of glorious existence and the fourth hands holds a mace (gada) indicating the power and the punishing capacity of the Lord if discipline in life is ignored.

His vehicle is the swift-flying bird Garuda which can spread the Vedic knowledge with great courage. The dark color of the Lord represents the passive and formless ether, a great quality for a pervading god. He rests on the bed of the powerful, coiled serpent, Seshanag who represents the sleeping universe. Lord Vishnu is also known as Hari, the remover.

Lord Vishnu's consort is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth .

* Varaha Purana *

2009-11-11T14:58:00.000-08:00

Varaha Purana describes in detail about the Varaha incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu, and narrates about the rescue of the Prithvi (goddess earth).In spite of its Vaisnavatic character it contains legends related to Shiva and Durga. A large portion of this work tells the legends of Naciketas in which the descriptions of hell and heaven form the main theme.

* Padma Purana *

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Padma Purana contains five parts- Srishtikhand, Bhumikhand, Swargkhand, Patalkhand and Uttarkhand.

Srishtikhand contains an explanation of metaphysical knowledge in a dialogue style between Bheeshma and the sage Pulastya. It contains a description of Pushkar Tirth. Surprisingly, this part ridicules the worship of the planets (Grahas).

Bhumikhand has a description of the earth, besides the tales of the kings like Prithu, Nahush, Yayati, Prabhriti and the sages like Shiva Varma, suvrata and Chyvan. For its description of the earth and archaic matter, this part is often regarded as the geography and the history of a period.

Swargakhand describes the sequence of creation first and then the glory of the holy places as well as the geographical expansion of India along with her mountains, rivers and the people.

In the Patalkhand, Sutaji narrates the tales related to the life and plays of Lord Rama in an assembly of the sages. This part also contains a description about the life and plays of Lord Krishna.

Uttarkhand contains a discussion about the metaphysical knowledge of religion presented in a dialogue style between Lord Shiva and Parvati. This part also contains thousand names of Lord Vishnu and one hundred names of Lord Rama.

* Garuda Purana *

2009-11-09T07:09:00.000-08:00

This particular Puran is named after Garuda because he was the one who first narrated these tales to sage Kashyap. Kashyap subsequently narrated them to sage Vyas.
In This Puran Sage Shaunak asked Sutji that Who is the creator of this world? Who nurtures it and who annihilates it in the end? How can one realize the supreme Almighty? How many incarnations the Almighty has taken till now? Please enlighten u.Then Sutji revealed to him the contents of Garuda Puran, which contains the divine tales of Lord Vishnu, incarnations of lord Vishnu, His omnipotent nature, his blessings to bird garuda, Navgraha Mantras, etc.

* SRIMAD BHAGAVATA PURANA *

2009-11-06T07:04:00.000-08:00

Srimada Bhagavata Purana is a puranic text of Hindu literature with its primary focus on devotion to the incarnations of Vishnu, particularly Krishna.It is a chronicle of the various Avataras of Lord Vishnu .There are ten Avataras of Vishnu. The aim of every Avatara is to save the world from some great danger, to destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous.

The Sanskrit text comprises twelve skandas (cantos or books) and 13,216 verses by one count.
The Bhāgavata is widely recognized as the most well known and influential of the Puranas^. It is unique in Indian religious literature for its emphasis on the practice of bhakti, compared to the more theoretical bhakti of the Bhagavad Gita; for its redefining of dharma; and for the extent of its description of God in a human form.

* NARADIYA PURANA *

2009-11-06T06:56:00.000-08:00

Naradiya Purana Attributed to Sage Narada. Naradiya Purana is one among the 18 Puranas and has around 25,000 verses.ther than this, this Purana embodies abridgment of everything. Narada narrates to Sanatkumara the dharmas of Brhatkalpa.

Naradiya Purana has been divided into two parts:

The first part contains four chapters, which include dialogue between Suta and Shaunak, origin of the universe, salvation, birth of Shukadev, rituals, provisions and the results of the various fasts. The second part contains tales related to Lord Vishnu, depiction and significance of pilgrimage centers and performing pilgrimage.

It also describes places such as Jagannath,Dwaraka and Badrinath.

* VISHNU PURAN *

2009-11-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

The most important of all the eighteen Puranas, the Vishnu Purana is known as the Puranratna, which means the gems of Puranas.The main text of Vishnu Purana opens with the conversation between a sage and a disciple. The method of narration is in the form a conversation, where the sage Parasar teaches his disciple Maitereya. In the Vishnu Purana the reference of the Mauryas dynasty is found. Hence the scholars have surmised it to be composed in the first or second century AD.

The text of Vishnu Purana is compiled into six parts:

1) The first part narrates the creation of the universe, ending and the churning of the sea.
2) The second part contains a geographical description of the earth when it divided into seven islands, after the churning of sea.
3) The third part describes the origin of Buddhism.
4) The fourth part contains a description about the inhabitants of the earth from the beginning of its creation.
5) The fifth part is entirely devoted to the life and plays of Lord Krishna.
6) The sixth part contains the description of religion in Kali Yuga. Thus the Vishnu Purana in its three parts demonstrates the Universe, from its creation till its destruction.

The first part with which the Vishnu Purana deals with is the description of the creation of the universe, birth of the gods and the demons, pralaya, churning of the sea, tales of the devotee Dhruva, killing of Hiranyakashipu, etc.

The second part contains the description of mythological description of Priyavrata`s sons and the Bharata dynasty. It also has a geographical description of Jambu dvipa, Bharata varsa, Shatdweep, Patal (the Hades), the sun and the planets, chariot of the sun, origin of the Ganges, etc.

The third part of Vishnu Purana is an important segment since it deals with the human existence in the God create world. This contains a detailed description of Manvantara, Kalpa, Veda Vyasa, religion, the caste system, etc. It also has a description of the origin of Buddhism. The origin of the class and caste according to the profession was first described with the detailed description in the third part of Vishnu Purana.

The fourth part describes the genealogies of kings and dynasties in the earth. This describes the origin of Brahman and Daksha, birth of Pururava, marriage of Balarama with Revati, birth of Iksvaku, the Kukutstha dynasty, tale of Yuvanashva and Saubhari, Sarpvinasha mantra, Narayana dynasty, birth of Sagar, Ashwamedha by Sagar, and flowing of the Ganges through the penance of Bhagiratha. Also the birth of Lord Rama, yagya of Vishwamitra, birth of Sita, tales of the Chandra dynasty, the abduction of Tara, origin of Agnitrayo, birth of Dhanvantri and his clan, wars with the demons, clan of Nahush, tale of Yayati, Yadu dynasty and birth of Kartveerya Arjun.

The fifth year deals with the life and birth of Lord Krishna. Along with it the fifth part describes the genealogies of Kings. The fifth part also has a detailed description with a thorough introduction of the Kali Yug. There are tales of Krishna`s birth, marriage of Krishna with Jambvanti and Satyabhama, salvation of Shishupaal, overpopulation of Yaduvanshis, birth of Kama and his discovery by Adhirath, Janamejaya dynasty and origin of Bharat, clans of the Jahnu and Pandu, clan of Parikshit and royal dynasties of the future, future generations of the Iksvaku dynasty, Brihad dynasty, Pradyot dynasty, kingdom of Nand, advent of Kali yuga and description of the royal dynasties of Kali yuga.

In the fifth part there is also found descriptions of the marriage of Vasudev and Devaki, incarnation of Lord Vishnu to kill Kansa, arrival of Yagmaya in Yashoda`s womb and of the Lord Krishna in Devaki`s womb, birth of Lord Krishna, carrying of Krishna to Gokul, dialogue of Mahamaya with Kansa, acquiring of defensive stance by Kansa, releasing of Vasudev and Devaki, killing of Putana, killing of Shakat, naming of Krishna and Balarama, humiliation of Kaliya, killing of Dhenukasura, killing of Pralamb, description of festival devoted to Indra, worshipping of Govardhana, arrival of Indra, killing of Arishtakasura, arrival of Narad in Kansa`s court, killing of Keshi, arrival of Akrur in Vrindavana, arrival of Lord Krishna in Mathura, Lord Krishna`s mercy on Kubja, arrival of Lord Krishna in coliseum and killing of Kansa.

Later in the concluding section of the fifth part of Vishnu Purana includes the coronation of Ugrasena, bringing of Sudhama in Mathura, defeat of Jarasandha, birth of Kalayavan, killing of Kaiayavan, Vrindavana tour by Balarama, attainment of Varuni by Balarama, abduction of Rukmani, abduction of Pradyumna, getting of Pradyumna by Mayavati, killing of Shambar by Pradyumna, killing of Rukmini by Balarama, attainment of 16,000 queens by Lord Krishna, abduction of Parijat, fight with Indra, begging for pardon by Indra, migration to Dwarka, bow battle, telling of dream by Usha, abduction of Aniruddha, fight with Lord Shiva, amputation of Bana by Lord Krishna, killing of Kashiraj Paundraka, putting of Varanasi on flames, abduction of Lakshmana, presentation of Samb before the sages as an expecting mother, origin of pestle, destruction of Yaduvansha, ascendance of Lord Krishna to heaven, beginning of Kali yuga, preaching of Arjun by Vyasa, coronation of Parikshit.

The sixth part deals entirely with the kali Yuga. A deviation from the path of Divinity, which lead the human beings to the way of destruction This contains description of religion in Kali yuga, description of the importance of Kali yuga, Shudra and womenfolk by Vyasa, description of Kalpa, description of a day of Brahma, position of Brahma in Pralaya, natural disasters, different kinds of sorrow, torturing in hell, awakening of Brahma, preaching of yoga, tale of Keshidhwaja, killing of the religion and the cow, holding of counsel by Khandikya, self-knowledge, ridicule of body-spiritualism, queries of yoga, Brahmagyana (Vedas), concepts of tangible-intangible appearances of God, salvation of Khandikya and Keshidhwaja, excellence of Vishnu Purana, virtues of Lord Vishnu`s names and results of hearing Lord`s name. The ultimate note of the Vishnu Purana is that the forfeiture in the feet of Lord Vishnu will lead a man to get rid of all mortal bondages and sufferings. As a result the man will attain salvation. The Vishnu Purana thereby touches the keynote of the entire Puranas.

2009-11-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

The best among the Puranas are the Srimad Bhagavata and the Vishnu Purana. The most popular is the Srimad Bhagavata Purana. Next comes Vishnu Purana. A portion of the Markandeya Purana is well known to all Hindus as Chandi, or Devimahatmya. Worship of God as the Divine Mother is its theme. Chandi is read widely by the Hindus on sacred days and Navaratri (Durga Puja) days.

Beginners in the spiritual path are puzzled when they go through Siva Purana and Vishnu Purana. In Siva Purana, Lord Siva is highly eulogised and an inferior position is given to Lord Vishnu. Sometimes Vishnu is belittled. In Vishnu Purana, Lord Hari is highly eulogised and an inferior status is given to Lord Siva. Sometimes Lord Siva is belittled. This is only to increase the faith of the devotees in their particular Ishta-Devata. Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu are one.

6 Sattvic Puranas - Praising Vishnu are :

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1) Vishnu Purana
2) Naradiya Purana
3) Srimad Bhagavata Purana
4) Garuda (Suparna) Purana
5) Padma Purana
6) Varaha Purana

== Sashtras and Puranas ==

2009-11-04T06:14:00.000-08:00

The Dharma Sashtras are the books that are expressly called Smritis.

The three great law-givers are:

1) Manu, who wrote the Manu Smriti or Manava Dharma-Sastra,

2) Yagnavalkya, who wrote the Yagnavalkya Smriti which is next in importance to Manu’s Smriti and

3) Parasara, who wrote the Parasara Smriti.

These are the three great law-givers and their Dharma-Sastras are still studied today to gather guidelines for social conduct.

In all, there are 18 Dharma Sashtras. The other 15 are those of Vishnu, Daksha, Samvarta, Vyasa, Harita, Satatapa, Vasishtha, Yama, Apastamba, Gautama, Devata, Sankhya-Likhita, Usana, Atri and Saunaka.

The Puranas and the Great Epics are expressly Itihases, historical works, but they also come under the broad range of the Smritis.

The Puranas are akin to the historical epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. There are five characteristics to the Puranas: history, cosmology: a combination of astrology and astronomy with symbolic illustrations chalking out philosophic concepts, creation after the original being came into existence, genealogy of Kings and Manvantaras – the period of Manu’s rule for 71 celestial yugas.

According to legend, Ved Vyasa is reputed to be the compiler of the Puranas in each age. In this Kaliyuga he is Krishna Dvaipayana.

More practically, since the Puranas were written for ordinary people the sages who wrote them avoided high philosophic thoughts and ideals and transplanted them with allegorical allusions that went down well with the people.Thus, the Puranas are a great and interesting potpourri of myths and legends involving the lives of Gods, Goddesses, kings, sages and others. Through these simple tales the sages have illustrated the eternal principles of religion to the common people.

In all there are 18 Puranas together with an equal number of Upa-Puranas or subsidiary Puranas. The 18 Puranas can be subdivided into

6 Rajasic Puranas praising Brahma,

6 Sattvic Puranas praising Vishnu and

6 Tamasic Puranas praising Shiva.

----------------Gita Saar -----------------

2009-11-04T05:49:00.000-08:00

Gita is the divine voice of the God. One can be spiritually benefited by mediating and contemplating on the Gita. One's all doubts are removed and by following it, one can attain Him. This Celestial Song was sung by Lord Krishna (The eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

"Whatever happened, it happened for good.
Whatever is happening, is happening for good.
Whatever that will happen, it will be for good.
What have you lost for which you cry?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has destroyed?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.

You came empty handed and

you will go the same way.

Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.

Change is the law of the universe."

Bhagavad Gita

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The Bhagavad Gita is also called Gītopaniṣad, implying its having the status of an Upanishad, i.e. a Vedantic scripture.It is considered as one of the most important philosophical classics of the world.
The content of the Gita is the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War.

Hindu Scriptures

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Four main Hindu Scriptures are:

1. Rig Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Sam Veda
4. Atharva Veda

Others are:

Agama, Aranyaka
Bhagvad Geeta, Brahmana, Brahma Sutras
Devi Mahatmya, Devi Bhagvata, Divya Prabandha
Gheranda Samhita, Geeta (Bhagvad Geeta)
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Itihaas
Jataka
Kamba Ramayana
Mahabhartha
Manu Smriti
Purana
Ramayana
Saharsnama
Shiv Samhita
Smriti
Sutra
Shikhapatri
Bhagvata Purana
Sutra
Tantras
Tevaram
Tirumantiram
Upanishad
Veda
Vachanamrut
Yoga Sutra

We Will Discuss the highlighted scriptures in brief in our next coming segments...

The Most Powerful Incarnation of Vishnu is - Krishna , Where God Strongly admitted the underlying statement..

2009-11-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

"I am the conscience in the heart of all creatures
I am their beginning, their being, their end
I am the mind of the senses,
I am the radiant sun among lights
I am the song in sacred lore,
I am the king of deities
I am the priest of great seers…"

This is how Lord Krishna describes God in the Bhagavad Gita which is one of the most important Hindu scriptures.

The content of the Gita is the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna taking place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra War. Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma, Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and prince and elaborates on different Yogic and Vedantic philosophies, with examples and analogies. This has led to the Gita often being described as a concise guide to Hindu Theology and also as a practical, self-contained guide to life.

Kalki - Tenth Avtar which is yet to appear on earth

2009-10-30T15:39:00.000-07:00

The tenth Avatar, Kalki, ("Eternity", or "time", or "The Destroyer of foulness"), is yet to appear on the earth which will be final Maha Avtar of Lord Vishnu ,And it is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist, which will end in the year 428899 CE.God will appear in the form of horse

Buddha - The Ninth Avtar of Lord Vishnu

2009-10-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

The ninth avatar, Mahavira Buddha, appeared in the Kalyuga, to teach the lesson of following a middle path in life. ''Buddha'' means 'the enlightened one'. He taught that all sorrow comes from attachments and desires, so it's better to curb all attachments in order to remain happy.

Krishna - The Eight Avatar of Lord Vishnu

2009-10-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

The eighth avatar, Krishna, along with his brother Balarama, appeared in the Dwaparyuga to kill the demon king, Kansa. Lord Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Krishna told the epic poem Bhagavad Gita to the warrior Arjuna ,in which he acclaimed : ''Whenever Dharma, or the situation of law and order, is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, law and order, and to protect the Sadhus or saints and to destroy the evil elements of the society.They portray him in various perspectives: a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero and the Supreme Being.

Rama - Vishnu's Seventh Avatar

2009-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

The seventh avatar, Rama, the prince and king of Ayodhaya, appeared in the Tretayuga, to rescue Sita with his loyal servant Hanuman and his brother, Lakshmana, and killed the demon Ravana. Lord Rama became one of the most popular gods in the Hindu religion. Rama's life and journey is one of perfect adherence to Dharma despite harsh tests of life and time. He is pictured as the ideal man and the perfect human.

Parashurama - The sixth Avtar of Lord Vishnu

2009-10-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Parashuram,sixth avtar of Vishnu was a Brahmin who belongs to the Treta Yuga.Parashu means axe, hence his name literally means Rama-of-the-axe. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to please Shiva , from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills
When the Kings of the earth became autocratic and started to harm ordinary people and sages in the forest, Vishnu took the Avatar of Parasurama and destroyed all the princes who were harassing the people.

Vamana - Lord Vishnu's Fifth Avatar

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Vamana the Dwarf - Subdued king Bali, a powerful demon.In order to destroy Bali, king of demons, Vishnu took the form of a midget, Vamana. He appeared during a huge yajna or sacrifice being conducted by the king when the latter was arrogantly distributing gifts to all who asked it to show his power and wealth. Vamana asked for just three feet of land, measured by own small feet. With the first foot Vamana, exploding in size changing from the midget into the immense god Vishnu, covered the earth. With the second he covered the heavens. When there was no place for the third foot to land, Bali, to show his humility before the god Vishnu, offered his head for Vishnu’s third foot. Vishnu third foot pushed him down into the nether regions but Bali's act of humility before Vishnu was glorified throughout the ages.

Narsimha - Fourth Avatar of Lord Vishnu

2009-10-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

Narsimha, was taken in the Satyuga (last age) to kill a tyrant demon king.In this avtar lord turned half man and half animal,having a human-like torso and a lower body, but with a lion-like face and claws. Narsimha is the only avatar which was Hybrid in form being half human and half animal.

Varaha - Lord Vishnu's Third Avtar

2009-10-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

At the end of the last deluge in the last Kalpa or age, Bhoomi Devi (Mother Earth) sank to the bottom of the ocean. Vishnu, taking the form of a large boar, Varaha, dived into the ocean and carried the goddess out of the ocean supported by his two tusks and his massive snout.