A DIVINE MESSAGE
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2011 Sharad Poornima
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Philosophy
The Ultimate TestPurpose of Divine DescensionsRam Tattva - conclusion |
Kids Story
Influence of Bhakti |
Philosophy
The ultimate and the most intimate pastime of Lord Shri Krishna is Maharas, which takes place once in each Kalpa (4.29 Billion Years). Only those Madhurya Bhav devotees, who practice selfless devotion to Shri Radha Krishna with the sole aim of pleasing Them, deserve to participate in this pastime.
A little over 5000 years ago, Shri Krishna Himself had descended in Braj as the son of Nand and Yashoda. During this descension, when the time for Maharas arrived, Shri Krishna placed His crown at the lotus feet of Shri Radha Rani to seek Her permission to commence the Maharas.
With Shri Radha Rani’s permission (the chief Goddess of Maharas), Shri Krishna played His magical flute to invite all deserving souls. The sound of His Divine flute pervaded the entire universe, yet only the deserving souls could hear it. Through the magical melody of the flute, Shri Krishna stole the minds of the maidens of Braj (Gopis). Since the body cannot perform any action without the involvement of the mind, the Gopis whose minds were stolen by the sound of the flute, unconsciously ran towards the sound of the flute, leaving all their ongoing household chores as is. Thus, they reached the lotus feet of Shri Krishna in the state of Prem – Samadhi (trance).
When all the Gopis reached Shri Krishna, He put them through some really difficult situations to test their exclusive love towards Him. He became completely neutral towards them, scared them of bodily harm, reminded them of their worldly duties and attachments, showed them fear of transgressing Vedic precepts and do on. Let us examine the tests that the highest class of devotees had to go through before attaining Maharas.
A little over 5000 years ago, Shri Krishna Himself had descended in Braj as the son of Nand and Yashoda. During this descension, when the time for Maharas arrived, Shri Krishna placed His crown at the lotus feet of Shri Radha Rani to seek Her permission to commence the Maharas.
With Shri Radha Rani’s permission (the chief Goddess of Maharas), Shri Krishna played His magical flute to invite all deserving souls. The sound of His Divine flute pervaded the entire universe, yet only the deserving souls could hear it. Through the magical melody of the flute, Shri Krishna stole the minds of the maidens of Braj (Gopis). Since the body cannot perform any action without the involvement of the mind, the Gopis whose minds were stolen by the sound of the flute, unconsciously ran towards the sound of the flute, leaving all their ongoing household chores as is. Thus, they reached the lotus feet of Shri Krishna in the state of Prem – Samadhi (trance).
When all the Gopis reached Shri Krishna, He put them through some really difficult situations to test their exclusive love towards Him. He became completely neutral towards them, scared them of bodily harm, reminded them of their worldly duties and attachments, showed them fear of transgressing Vedic precepts and do on. Let us examine the tests that the highest class of devotees had to go through before attaining Maharas.
First, He welcomed them with great respect, asked them about their well-being and inquired about the reason of their arrival. He also, very formally asked about the well-being of the inhabitants of Vrindavan.
Second, with no answers forthcoming from the Gopis, He said, “Oh, I now understand. You have probably come to see the unique beauty of Vrindavan. However, it is midnight. Wild animals and reptiles are roaming around the forest. It is not safe to be here. Please return to your homes immediately.”
The Gopis were surprised at His weird behavior since He had forcibly brought them there by stealing their minds. In addition, as per His promise, made a year ago, the Gopis were anxiously waiting for this most blissful night!! The Gopis continued to listen to his lecture quietly without showing any reaction.
Third, He then reminded the Gopis of their respective duties towards their children, cows, calves and other family members.
Fourth, finding no effect of those allurements as well, He reminded them about the blemish on their character since it is the most ungraceful charge against a woman, to go to another man. He tried to dissuade them by saying, “the first and foremost duty of a woman is to serve their husband. The Vedas say that a lady must not abandon her husband even if he is uncultured, unfortunate, old, uneducated, and sick or poor provided he is not a sinner. Hence, instead of staying by Me at midnight, go home instantly and serve your respective husbands. This is the highest dharma depicted in the Vedas.”
Now the Gopis, who were listening to all this teary eyed, looking down, scratching the ground with their toenails, finally spoke up. They said, “O Stubborn Beloved! You are not supposed to utter such bitter words. We have come to the shelter of Your lotus feet after renouncing all infatuations of the world. Instead of instructing us to go back to our families, You must immediately accept us as the Supreme Lord embraces His devotees.”
Second, with no answers forthcoming from the Gopis, He said, “Oh, I now understand. You have probably come to see the unique beauty of Vrindavan. However, it is midnight. Wild animals and reptiles are roaming around the forest. It is not safe to be here. Please return to your homes immediately.”
The Gopis were surprised at His weird behavior since He had forcibly brought them there by stealing their minds. In addition, as per His promise, made a year ago, the Gopis were anxiously waiting for this most blissful night!! The Gopis continued to listen to his lecture quietly without showing any reaction.
Third, He then reminded the Gopis of their respective duties towards their children, cows, calves and other family members.
Fourth, finding no effect of those allurements as well, He reminded them about the blemish on their character since it is the most ungraceful charge against a woman, to go to another man. He tried to dissuade them by saying, “the first and foremost duty of a woman is to serve their husband. The Vedas say that a lady must not abandon her husband even if he is uncultured, unfortunate, old, uneducated, and sick or poor provided he is not a sinner. Hence, instead of staying by Me at midnight, go home instantly and serve your respective husbands. This is the highest dharma depicted in the Vedas.”
Now the Gopis, who were listening to all this teary eyed, looking down, scratching the ground with their toenails, finally spoke up. They said, “O Stubborn Beloved! You are not supposed to utter such bitter words. We have come to the shelter of Your lotus feet after renouncing all infatuations of the world. Instead of instructing us to go back to our families, You must immediately accept us as the Supreme Lord embraces His devotees.”
मैवं विभोर्हति भवान गदितुं नृशंसं सन्त्यज्य सर्वविषयांस्तव पादमूलम् |
भक्ता भजस्व दुरवग्रह मा त्यजास्मान् देवो यथादिपुरुषो भजते मुमुक्षुन ॥
भा 10.29.31
भक्ता भजस्व दुरवग्रह मा त्यजास्मान् देवो यथादिपुरुषो भजते मुमुक्षुन ॥
भा 10.29.31
They further said, “It is also wrong to quote the Vedas regarding the highest Dharma for women. All the rules of various Dharmas are meant only to direct the soul to the shelter of Your lotus feet. Why are You sending us back, when we have already reached the right place? Further, how can we move from here when you have already stolen our hearts? Give our hearts back and we will leave.”
यत्पत्यपत्यसुहृदामनुवृत्तिरङ्ग स्त्रीणां स्वधर्म इति धर्मविदा त्वयोक्तम् ।
अस्त्वेवमेतदुपदेशपदे त्वयीशे प्रेष्ठो भवांस्तनुभृतां किल बन्धुरात्मा ॥
भा 10.29.32
अस्त्वेवमेतदुपदेशपदे त्वयीशे प्रेष्ठो भवांस्तनुभृतां किल बन्धुरात्मा ॥
भा 10.29.32
Fifth, Krishna then used the last and the most powerful arsenal in His possession. He narrated them the story of a loyal and faithful wife. “There was a woman, who was famous for her fidelity to her husband. Once, when her husband was resting his head on her lap, her 2-year old son started walking towards the fire pit. She was scared but did not move, lest her husband’s sleep should get disturbed. The child fell in the fire but the fire could not dare burn the son of such a loyal wife!! This is the glory of a chaste wife.” That is why I am suggesting you to go back and serve your husband.
The Gopis smiled on His smart approach. One of the Gopis, who was an incarnation of the hymns of the Vedas replied to Him with a taunt, “Oh, so you have become a good Katha-Vachak (Story teller) ! We also know an episode of a loyal wife. She was so sincere that she would not eat or drink anything before finishing worship and services to her husband. Once, her husband had to go out of the village to earn more money. The innocent wife did not want to let him go because she had to serve him every morning before eating anything herself.
The husband instructed her to perform all her daily services to a clay idol of his, considering the idol to be him. During his absence, the loyal and obedient wife continued to perform her worship and services to the idol as instructed by her husband. One month passed by and it was time for the husband to come back home. At the time, when the husband came back and knocked he door, she was serving the idol. He called out to her to come and open the door.
Now, the innocent wife was thoroughly confused as to what should she do. Should she leave her service in the middle and leave to open the door for her real husband or should she complete her service to the clay idol who she considered as her real husband? In either case, she would be committing an offense towards her husband.
Having narrated this story, the Gopi said, O Krishna! You decide now, what should the wife do?
Lord Krishna said, “It is obvious, when her real husband is present, there is no need to worship the idol.”
The Gopis said delightfully, “Jai ho Maharaj! Jai ho! You have yourself imparted justice. This is exactly what we have been saying; we honored our physical / material husbands until we did not reach our real husband. Now the real husband of all living beings is standing in front of us, why should we go back to the unreal ones? Second, You said you should not leave a husband who is not sinner. Our husbands tried to stop us from reaching you. What could be a greater sin than this? Therefore, from all points of view neither should You send us back nor should we go back. Please accept us and nourish our thirsty soul by showering the nectar of Your Divine love bliss. Thus, putting them through the severest test of their exclusive devotion and establishing that they had no desires, attachments or doubts and had single-minded selfless love and devotion towards Him, Shri Krishna granted them the highest bliss. of Maharas.
This highest bliss is accessible to anyone who follows the ideology of the love of Gopis, where there is no trace of the desire of self-happiness whatsoever and where the only focus is to please Shri Radha Krishna without any consideration of personal gain or loss.
The Gopis smiled on His smart approach. One of the Gopis, who was an incarnation of the hymns of the Vedas replied to Him with a taunt, “Oh, so you have become a good Katha-Vachak (Story teller) ! We also know an episode of a loyal wife. She was so sincere that she would not eat or drink anything before finishing worship and services to her husband. Once, her husband had to go out of the village to earn more money. The innocent wife did not want to let him go because she had to serve him every morning before eating anything herself.
The husband instructed her to perform all her daily services to a clay idol of his, considering the idol to be him. During his absence, the loyal and obedient wife continued to perform her worship and services to the idol as instructed by her husband. One month passed by and it was time for the husband to come back home. At the time, when the husband came back and knocked he door, she was serving the idol. He called out to her to come and open the door.
Now, the innocent wife was thoroughly confused as to what should she do. Should she leave her service in the middle and leave to open the door for her real husband or should she complete her service to the clay idol who she considered as her real husband? In either case, she would be committing an offense towards her husband.
Having narrated this story, the Gopi said, O Krishna! You decide now, what should the wife do?
Lord Krishna said, “It is obvious, when her real husband is present, there is no need to worship the idol.”
The Gopis said delightfully, “Jai ho Maharaj! Jai ho! You have yourself imparted justice. This is exactly what we have been saying; we honored our physical / material husbands until we did not reach our real husband. Now the real husband of all living beings is standing in front of us, why should we go back to the unreal ones? Second, You said you should not leave a husband who is not sinner. Our husbands tried to stop us from reaching you. What could be a greater sin than this? Therefore, from all points of view neither should You send us back nor should we go back. Please accept us and nourish our thirsty soul by showering the nectar of Your Divine love bliss. Thus, putting them through the severest test of their exclusive devotion and establishing that they had no desires, attachments or doubts and had single-minded selfless love and devotion towards Him, Shri Krishna granted them the highest bliss. of Maharas.
This highest bliss is accessible to anyone who follows the ideology of the love of Gopis, where there is no trace of the desire of self-happiness whatsoever and where the only focus is to please Shri Radha Krishna without any consideration of personal gain or loss.
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Philosophy
Supreme Brahm Shri Krishna descended on this earth on the eighth day of Bhadra pada (6th month in the Hindu calendar, Saka Samvat) in the 28th Dwapar of 7th Manvantar of Saraswat Kalp as the son of Devaki and Vasudev. His birth was anything but ordinary.
Although, the way He descended on the earth indicates that He took birth like other ordinary children. However, it was not so. He did not enter the womb of mother Devaki. Rather, He appeared as a child in front of mother Devaki as a 16 year old with 4 arms and each of them holding a conch, disc, mace, a lotus flower. So it was really a descension or avatar. In other words it was not the birth like other ordinary children.
His descension appeared like a natural birth process of a child. Even though He never entered and suffered in the womb of Devaki.
His descension appeared like a natural birth process of a child. Even though He never entered and suffered in the womb of Devaki.
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गर्भे च वायुना निर्लिप्तो भगवान् स्वयम् । हृदत्पद्मकोशो देवक्या अधिष्ठानं चकार ह ।
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garbhe ca vāyunā nirlipto bhagavān svayam । hṛdatpadmakośo devakyā adhiṣṭhānaṃ cakāra ha ।
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In fact, He entered Devaki's mind and not her womb. By His unique power of Yogmaya, He made Devaki feel that He has entered her womb,
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हृदत्पद्मकोशो देवक्या अधिष्ठानं चकार ह ।
गर्भे च वायुना पूर्णे |
hṛdatpadmakośo devakyā adhiṣṭhānaṃ cakāra ha ।
garbhe ca vāyunā pūrṇe |
He filled her womb with air (निर्लिप्तं भगवान् स्वयम्) and Himself didn't go in her womb. Nevertheless, His miraculous power Yogmaya made her feel that a baby had arrived in her womb and she also felt the gradual development and movement of the fetus. The entire world witnessed the pregnancy of Devaki. Devaki experienced that her womb was getting bigger because she had conceived a baby. She did not know there was nothing in her womb except air.
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अयोनिसंभवा देवी वायुगर्भा कलावती। सुषाव मायया वायुं सा तत्राविर्बभूव ह ॥
गर्ग.सं |
ayonisaṃbhavā devī vāyugarbhā kalāvatī। suṣāva māyayā vāyuṃ sā tatrāvirbabhūva ha ॥
garga.saṃ |
At the time of birth, Shri Krishna put her to sleep as if she was tired of giving birth to a child. Then He appeared besides her crying like a newborn baby. Then Devaki came to know about the birth of her child.
That is why Lord Krishna said in Gita:
That is why Lord Krishna said in Gita:
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बहूनि मे व्यतीतानि जन्मानि तव चार्जुन | तान्यहं वेद सर्वाणि न त्वं वेत्थ परन्तप ||
गीता 4.5 |
bahūni me vyatītāni janmāni tava cārjuna | tānyahaṃ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṃ vettha parantapa ||
gītā 4.5 |
O Arjun! I have taken many births like you. But I know about all of them, you don’t.” Because His birth is Divine and the process of His birth is incomprehensible.
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जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वत: |
त्यक्त्वा देहं पुनर्जन्म नैति मामेति सोऽर्जुन || गीता 4.9 |
janma karma ca me divyamevaṃ yo vetti tattvata: |
tyaktvā dehaṃ punarjanma naiti māmeti so'rjuna || gītā 4.9 |
Some of us may have doubts regarding His appearance as per the previously mentioned process. However, a little reflection on what happened just before His appearance can clarify this doubt. The Bhagavatam says
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तमद्भुतं बालकमम्बुजेक्षणं चतुर्भुजं शङ्खगदाद्युदायुधम् ।
श्रीवत्सलक्ष्मं गलशोभिकौस्तुभं पीताम्बरं सान्द्रपयोदसौभगम् ॥ भा 10.3.9 |
tamadbhautaṃ bālakamambujekṣaṇaṃ caturbhujaṃ śaṅkhagadādyudāyudham ।
śrīvatsalakṣmaṃ galaśobhikaustubhaṃ pītāmbaraṃ sāndrapayodasaubhagam ॥ bhā 10.3.9 |
Before revealing Himself to the world, Shri Krishna revealed His absolute Divine form to Devaki. She saw Him in His most beautiful Divine form adorned with Shankh (conch shell), Chakkra (disc), Gada (club) and Padm (lotus) in His four hands. Let us reflect logically, if Shri Krishna was dwelling in Devaki's womb in this form with Chakkra etc., then Sudarshan Chakkra God’s disc, which has the power to cut millions of thunderbolts of Indra, would have cut her into pieces. Also, the Chakkra has the effulgence equivalent to millions of Suns. That alone would reduce her to ashes before His birth. It proves He was not in the womb. Yet, He revealed Himself in such a Divine way that nobody could fathom that His birth was not ordinary. That is why His birth is also called descension (Avataran).
Then, why don’t we call His appearance day as Avatarashtami ?
Then, why don’t we call His appearance day as Avatarashtami ?
The question arises, why is Shri Krishna’s descension called Janma (birth) and why do we celebrate it as Janmashtami? and not avatarshtami?
Shri Krishna wanted to grant Devaki and Yashoda the joy of being His mother. Devaki had observed severe penance for thousands of years and had received a boon of being His mother. Shri Krishna fulfilled her desire, that is why Devaki and Yashoda experienced the birth of Shri Krishna as their son. Both mothers thoroughly relished having Shri Krishna as their real son and responded with intense maternal love towards Him. Other inhabitants of Braj too experienced the real birth of Shri Krishna and enjoyed it. There is a reason why the devotees like to use the word Janma (Birth) versus Avatar (descension).
Avatar reminds them the divine majesty of God. The devotees do not care for His Majestic form, they simply love God wholeheartedly as their own relative (1) or friend or beloved. Where there is majesty, there is fear (2). Where there is fear, there is no love. The word Janma brings ordinary jeev closer to Shri Krishna and generates natural love for Him.
So He descended. But why? What was He not able to do staying up in His divine abode?
Shri Krishna wanted to grant Devaki and Yashoda the joy of being His mother. Devaki had observed severe penance for thousands of years and had received a boon of being His mother. Shri Krishna fulfilled her desire, that is why Devaki and Yashoda experienced the birth of Shri Krishna as their son. Both mothers thoroughly relished having Shri Krishna as their real son and responded with intense maternal love towards Him. Other inhabitants of Braj too experienced the real birth of Shri Krishna and enjoyed it. There is a reason why the devotees like to use the word Janma (Birth) versus Avatar (descension).
Avatar reminds them the divine majesty of God. The devotees do not care for His Majestic form, they simply love God wholeheartedly as their own relative (1) or friend or beloved. Where there is majesty, there is fear (2). Where there is fear, there is no love. The word Janma brings ordinary jeev closer to Shri Krishna and generates natural love for Him.
So He descended. But why? What was He not able to do staying up in His divine abode?
If He is Almighty, Omnipresent God then why did He descend?
There are three prevalent reasons of descension of God depicted in the Gita:
There are three prevalent reasons of descension of God depicted in the Gita:
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परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् |
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे || गीता 4.8 |
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṃ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām |
dharmasaṃsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge || gītā 4.8 |
- Protect virtuous devotees
- Destroy demons
- Establish religion
But, these causes cannot be the only reason for His descent, as Almighty and Omnipresent God can do these from His Divine abode as well. Further, He always protects His devotees all the time. When the devotees are protected, then the religion will surely flourish. The One, for whom the Vedas say
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सुप्तं चास्य महाप्रलयः
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suptaṃ cāsya mahāpralayaḥ
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“He just closes His eyes to annihilate the world” .
Such Omni-potent God doesn't need to descend on earth to kill a few insignificant demons? Just like "protect devotees" and "establish religion" "Destroy demons" also does not seem like a logical reason!!!
None of the three reasons stated in Gita required Him to descend! Then why did He descend?
Such Omni-potent God doesn't need to descend on earth to kill a few insignificant demons? Just like "protect devotees" and "establish religion" "Destroy demons" also does not seem like a logical reason!!!
None of the three reasons stated in Gita required Him to descend! Then why did He descend?
The reason for His descension should be such, which cannot be accomplished without the physical presence of Almighty God. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, the authentic spiritual leader of this age says there is one reason given in Shrimad Bhagvat Mahapuran that seems to be more logical.
He descended to bless the Paramhansas.
He descended to bless the Paramhansas.
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तथा परमहंसानां मुनीनाममलात्मनाम् । भक्तियोगविधानार्थं कथं पश्येम हि स्त्रिय: ॥
भा 1.8.20 |
tathā paramahaṃsānāṃ munīnāmamalātmanām । bhaktiyogavidhānārthaṃ kathaṃ paśyema hi striya: ॥
bhā 1.8.20 |
He descended to deliver the God – realized souls of Gyan Marg. Those who worship and realize formless God, following the path of gyan are called Paramhansas. These scholars perceive the Divine soul, completely oblivious of any misery or happiness in the world.
After leaving this earthly body, they merge into the Supreme Being. There they enjoy the bliss of formless God forever. Their happiness is called Brahmanand. But they can never enjoy the ever increasing Divine love Bliss of Bhagavan, which is millions of times sweeter than the bliss of Brahmanand and is forever increasing. It is called Premanand.
When God descends on the earth, these Paramhansas get a chance to taste the nectar of Sagun Sakaar Brahm (God in a human form with Divine attributes and pastimes). As soon as they receive this rare opportunity, they immediately drown in the ocean of Premanand and inadvertantly forget about all about Brahmanand. Because they know this bliss also belongs to the same Supreme Personality in a visible form.
For example, King Janak had just a glimpse of Bhagvan Shri Ram in the Pushpa-vatika (garden). He kept looking at Ram without blinking the eyelids. King Janak's royal servants reminded him of all that needed to be accomplished that day. King Janak said, “I don’t know what is happening to my naturally detached mind! I cannot take my eyes away this beautiful child.
I know the same formless God, Who I used to visualize in the form of light, has appeared in such an attractive form today”.
Sanakadik Paramhans just smelt the fragrance of His lotus feet through the breeze and forgot about Brahmanand without any choice of consideration.
Shukdev Paramhans heard about the beauty of Shri Krishna and he too forgot about the Brahmanand. Then he heard the entire Bhagavat from Vedvyas Ji and recited it to Pareekchhit Ji. That is why the Bhagvat says:
When God descends on the earth, these Paramhansas get a chance to taste the nectar of Sagun Sakaar Brahm (God in a human form with Divine attributes and pastimes). As soon as they receive this rare opportunity, they immediately drown in the ocean of Premanand and inadvertantly forget about all about Brahmanand. Because they know this bliss also belongs to the same Supreme Personality in a visible form.
For example, King Janak had just a glimpse of Bhagvan Shri Ram in the Pushpa-vatika (garden). He kept looking at Ram without blinking the eyelids. King Janak's royal servants reminded him of all that needed to be accomplished that day. King Janak said, “I don’t know what is happening to my naturally detached mind! I cannot take my eyes away this beautiful child.
I know the same formless God, Who I used to visualize in the form of light, has appeared in such an attractive form today”.
Sanakadik Paramhans just smelt the fragrance of His lotus feet through the breeze and forgot about Brahmanand without any choice of consideration.
Shukdev Paramhans heard about the beauty of Shri Krishna and he too forgot about the Brahmanand. Then he heard the entire Bhagavat from Vedvyas Ji and recited it to Pareekchhit Ji. That is why the Bhagvat says:
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आत्मारामाश्च मुनयो निर्ग्रन्था अप्युरुक्रमे । कुर्वन्त्यहैतुकीं भक्तिमित्थम्भूतगुणो हरि: ॥
1.7.10 ॥ |
ātmārāmāśca munayo nirgranthā apyurukrame । kurvantyahaitukīṃ bhaktimitthambhūtaguṇo hari: ॥
1.7.10 ॥ |
The bliss of Shri Krishna is so magnetic that even the self-complacent great Paramhansas could not resist His attraction and unconsciously drowned in the ocean of Divine love bliss.
This seems like a plausible reason as without His physical presence of God the gyani's could not have been persuaded that Premanand is sweeter than Brahmanand. Thus, one true reason for His descension was to bless the Paramhansas, who otherwise, would have been deprived of His Premanand forever.
This seems like a plausible reason as without His physical presence of God the gyani's could not have been persuaded that Premanand is sweeter than Brahmanand. Thus, one true reason for His descension was to bless the Paramhansas, who otherwise, would have been deprived of His Premanand forever.
God descended for such a small subset of people!!! How about us? Did He descend for us too?
The most important reason of descension of Supreme Brahma Shri Krishna is the most authentic and most helpful to the ordinary human beings like us.
Lord Krishna said in the Gita
The most important reason of descension of Supreme Brahma Shri Krishna is the most authentic and most helpful to the ordinary human beings like us.
Lord Krishna said in the Gita
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न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन | नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि || गीता 3.22||
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na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana | nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ varta eva ca karmaṇi ||
gītā 3.22|| |
“I do not have to obtain or earn anything”. Hence the ONLY reason for every action of God is to bestow grace on others. Ling Puran says:
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आत्मप्रयोजनाभावे परानुग्रह एव हि ।
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ātmaprayojanābhāve parānugraha eva hi ।
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"God does not need to attain anything for Himself, hence the only reason behind the creation of this world is to bestow His grace on the individual souls".
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मुख्यं तस्य हि कारुण्यम ॥
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mukhyaṃ tasya hi kāruṇyama ॥
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“The primary reason for creating this world is His merciful nature".
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जगतामुपकाराय ।
अनुग्रहाय भक्तानां मानुषं देहमास्थित: । भजते तादृशी: क्रीडा या: श्रुत्वा तत्परो भवेत् ॥ 10.33.36 ॥ |
jagatāmupakārāya ।
anugrahāya bhaktānāṃ mānuṣaṃ dehamāsthita: । bhajate tādaṛśī: krīḍā yā: śrutvā tatparo bhavet ॥ 10.33.36 ॥ |
“Because He does not have any desire for Himself, He does everything only for the benefit of others".
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Philosophy
God Himself sits in His name. You do not trust this statement. As soon as you have firm faith on this, you will not have to repeat “Ram” a million times. Pronouncing His name just once will drown you in unfathomable ocean of Divine bliss. Just affirm this knowledge in your mind and attain Divine bliss.
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एतादृशी तव कृपा भगवन्ममापि, दुर्दैव मीदृशमिहा जनिनानुरागः ॥
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etādr̥śī tava kr̥pā bhagavanmamāpi, durdaiva mīdr̥śamihā janinānurāgaḥ ॥
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God has put all His powers in His name. This does not happen in the material world. This is a specialty of God. Maharishi Valmiki made a statement that will confuse even the topmost scholars including Saraswati and Brihaspati, the ultimate authorities of knowledge in every creation.
He said there is not a single living being in this world who is not a devotee of Ram. From Brahma, the creator to the littlest bug and insect, all are devotees of Ram. The word atheist is wrong.
In our interaction with the world, we find there is no dearth of people who curse Ram-Krishna. Whereas Sage Valmiki categorically states, “everyone is a devotee of Ram”. So let us ask all those who do not believe in Ram
“What do you wish for? What is your aim”? Money? Yes.
Why? “Because I can buy things of great luxury”!
“Why”? “All those things will give me happiness”.
“Why do you want to be happy”? “That I don’t know”.
Now ask a dog what does it want? “Happiness”
“Why”? “I don’t know”.
Ask Brihaspati, “What do you want”? “Happiness”
“Why”? “I don’t know”.
Did someone, your father or mother, teach you to wish for happiness? Oh no! You cried the moment you were born.
“Why”? “For happiness”. You disliked what was happening! You thought, “There is so much pain and suffering at birth. I don’t want all this, I want happiness”.
So, the question arises, “What is that happiness that everybody craves for”.
The Vedas answer this question -
He said there is not a single living being in this world who is not a devotee of Ram. From Brahma, the creator to the littlest bug and insect, all are devotees of Ram. The word atheist is wrong.
In our interaction with the world, we find there is no dearth of people who curse Ram-Krishna. Whereas Sage Valmiki categorically states, “everyone is a devotee of Ram”. So let us ask all those who do not believe in Ram
“What do you wish for? What is your aim”? Money? Yes.
Why? “Because I can buy things of great luxury”!
“Why”? “All those things will give me happiness”.
“Why do you want to be happy”? “That I don’t know”.
Now ask a dog what does it want? “Happiness”
“Why”? “I don’t know”.
Ask Brihaspati, “What do you want”? “Happiness”
“Why”? “I don’t know”.
Did someone, your father or mother, teach you to wish for happiness? Oh no! You cried the moment you were born.
“Why”? “For happiness”. You disliked what was happening! You thought, “There is so much pain and suffering at birth. I don’t want all this, I want happiness”.
So, the question arises, “What is that happiness that everybody craves for”.
The Vedas answer this question -
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आनन्दो ब्रह्मेति व्यजानात । आनन्दाध्येव खल्विमानि भूतानि जायन्ते ।
आनंदेन जातानि जीवन्ति। आनंदं प्रयन्त्यभिसंविशन्ति॥ |
ānando brahmeti vyajānāta । ānandādhyeva khalvimāni bhūtāni jāyante ।
ānaṁdena jātāni jīvanti। ānaṁdaṁ prayantyabhisaṁviśanti॥ |
God is happiness. Happiness is God. Ram, Krishna, Brahm, Bhagwan, Khuda, Lord are His names.
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रसो वै स: । रस्ं ह्येवायं लब्ध्वाऽऽनंदी भवति ॥
तैत्तरीयोपनिष्द् |
raso vai sa: । rasṁ hyevāyaṁ labdhvā''naṁdī bhavati ॥
taittarīyopaniṣd |
The Vedas say, we are part of Happiness, as such wish for happiness. We HAVE TO. That is our nature. Even if we practice for millions of years to desire for unhappiness, we will not succeed. Since the soul is a part of happiness, soul WILL HAVE to desire for Happiness alone.
We are looking for that happiness in this material world. Just as butter can only be extracted from milk and it is naïve to try to extract butter from limestone water, similarly, God is Happiness and you can derive Happiness only from God. Out of ignorance, you are attempting to find that happiness in this material world.
If it is your wish, to not listen to the scriptures and the saints and keep looking for happiness in the world, you can do so, but be aware that you will have to pay the price for this and roam around in the cycle of birth and death in the 8.4 million life forms. Whether you believe or not, the fact remains that Ram - the Supreme God alone is Happiness.
“Sukh”, ”Anand”, ”Maza”, ”Lutf”, ”Peace”, ”Satisfaction” etc are all His names.
Maharishi Valmiki said, everybody worships Ram because everybody worships happiness. Not just worships, but also is actually planning and practicing for that happiness every moment.
Why is He laughing? For happiness.
Why is he crying? For happiness.
What !! These are contradictory actions. Yeah! He is crying to relieve his pain.
He is sleeping. Yes.
He is awake. Yes.
He is speaking. Yes.
He is quiet. Yes.
Why?
The answer to every why is the same -“for happiness”. Because we are part of happiness, we are devotees of Ram. Now one may not call Him Ram, instead call Him Happiness. This is like saying “he is my mother’s husband”, instead of saying “he’s my father”. This is ignorance. Everyone desires for Happiness, hence desires for Ram. They are looking for Happiness in the wrong place.
There is one Brahm and one Maya. This world is made of Maya the material energy of God. Hence, there is no happiness in this world. God made this world for sustaining this body. We are not the body. We are the soul. Soul is not part of Maya, it is part of God, and it is spiritual. Soul’s happiness lies ONLY in God.
This world is for the body and God is for the soul. These are two different areas. Do you ever try to listen with your eyes or see with your ears? If you do, you’ll be called a lunatic. Sound is the subject of the ear and vision is the subject of the eye. Similarly, God is the subject of the soul and material world is the subject of the body.
This is like standing at a candy shop and asking for shoes. The shopkeeper laughs at us, saying this customer is mad.
We ask God for material world. God can give us anything. However, think what a grave mistake you are committing by asking God-the abode of happiness for this miserable world. Has anyone ever attained happiness in this world?
As you acquire greater material possessions, your stress level and tension increase. Look at the billionaires of today’s world. They have to rely on sedatives to get a few hours of peaceful sleep every night. What is the use of becoming a billionaire?
Ask Obama what is his state now. Earlier he could sleep in peace, eat in peace and roam around in peace. Moreover, what is his state since becoming the president? He is shrouded by problems. He cannot even get proper sleep all night! He went to Afghanistan for a night and returned hastily, for fear of his life. This is the state of Prime Ministers and Presidents of the world.
What to talk of Presidents and Prime Ministers, even ordinary politicians and senators feel threatened for their life and keep themselves surrounded by machine gun wielding security guards. Their children can also not freely venture out for fear of being killed. Is this the happiness that you were seeking? See all ordinary people freely move around in the market place, eating whatever they like from where ever they like.
Therefore, in this world NOBODY has attained happiness till date.
King Dashrath, Lord Ram’s father, decided to retire to the forest, to talk to The One above, to seek him, realizing that there was no happiness in the world. Even king Dashrath, who was so powerful that his chariot could move in all 10 directions, could not attain ultimate happiness with all his powers and luxuries. Today the richest person has $50 billion. With that much money, you cannot even buy a small country like Nepal. Understand that Ram is the controller of infinite Kubers (wealthiest in a whole creation). In order to get happiness you will have to worship Ram.
We will have to realize that Bhagwan Ram is sitting in His name. Then you will have to chant the name. Then the mind will become clean. Then you will meet Ram, and then soul will become liberated from the prison of Maya
We are looking for that happiness in this material world. Just as butter can only be extracted from milk and it is naïve to try to extract butter from limestone water, similarly, God is Happiness and you can derive Happiness only from God. Out of ignorance, you are attempting to find that happiness in this material world.
If it is your wish, to not listen to the scriptures and the saints and keep looking for happiness in the world, you can do so, but be aware that you will have to pay the price for this and roam around in the cycle of birth and death in the 8.4 million life forms. Whether you believe or not, the fact remains that Ram - the Supreme God alone is Happiness.
“Sukh”, ”Anand”, ”Maza”, ”Lutf”, ”Peace”, ”Satisfaction” etc are all His names.
Maharishi Valmiki said, everybody worships Ram because everybody worships happiness. Not just worships, but also is actually planning and practicing for that happiness every moment.
Why is He laughing? For happiness.
Why is he crying? For happiness.
What !! These are contradictory actions. Yeah! He is crying to relieve his pain.
He is sleeping. Yes.
He is awake. Yes.
He is speaking. Yes.
He is quiet. Yes.
Why?
The answer to every why is the same -“for happiness”. Because we are part of happiness, we are devotees of Ram. Now one may not call Him Ram, instead call Him Happiness. This is like saying “he is my mother’s husband”, instead of saying “he’s my father”. This is ignorance. Everyone desires for Happiness, hence desires for Ram. They are looking for Happiness in the wrong place.
There is one Brahm and one Maya. This world is made of Maya the material energy of God. Hence, there is no happiness in this world. God made this world for sustaining this body. We are not the body. We are the soul. Soul is not part of Maya, it is part of God, and it is spiritual. Soul’s happiness lies ONLY in God.
This world is for the body and God is for the soul. These are two different areas. Do you ever try to listen with your eyes or see with your ears? If you do, you’ll be called a lunatic. Sound is the subject of the ear and vision is the subject of the eye. Similarly, God is the subject of the soul and material world is the subject of the body.
This is like standing at a candy shop and asking for shoes. The shopkeeper laughs at us, saying this customer is mad.
We ask God for material world. God can give us anything. However, think what a grave mistake you are committing by asking God-the abode of happiness for this miserable world. Has anyone ever attained happiness in this world?
As you acquire greater material possessions, your stress level and tension increase. Look at the billionaires of today’s world. They have to rely on sedatives to get a few hours of peaceful sleep every night. What is the use of becoming a billionaire?
Ask Obama what is his state now. Earlier he could sleep in peace, eat in peace and roam around in peace. Moreover, what is his state since becoming the president? He is shrouded by problems. He cannot even get proper sleep all night! He went to Afghanistan for a night and returned hastily, for fear of his life. This is the state of Prime Ministers and Presidents of the world.
What to talk of Presidents and Prime Ministers, even ordinary politicians and senators feel threatened for their life and keep themselves surrounded by machine gun wielding security guards. Their children can also not freely venture out for fear of being killed. Is this the happiness that you were seeking? See all ordinary people freely move around in the market place, eating whatever they like from where ever they like.
Therefore, in this world NOBODY has attained happiness till date.
King Dashrath, Lord Ram’s father, decided to retire to the forest, to talk to The One above, to seek him, realizing that there was no happiness in the world. Even king Dashrath, who was so powerful that his chariot could move in all 10 directions, could not attain ultimate happiness with all his powers and luxuries. Today the richest person has $50 billion. With that much money, you cannot even buy a small country like Nepal. Understand that Ram is the controller of infinite Kubers (wealthiest in a whole creation). In order to get happiness you will have to worship Ram.
We will have to realize that Bhagwan Ram is sitting in His name. Then you will have to chant the name. Then the mind will become clean. Then you will meet Ram, and then soul will become liberated from the prison of Maya
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सदा पश्यन्ति सूरयः
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sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ
|
You will eternally be endowed with Divine knowledge and Divine happiness and will live in the Divine abode of God.
All glories to Lord of Sita, Shri Ram Chandra!
All glories to Lord of Sita, Shri Ram Chandra!
Kid's Story
King Ambarish was a pious devotee of Shri Krishna, for whom Krishna hurled the Sudarshan Chakra to destroy Durvasa Muni. Raja Ambarish had many wives, but he was not interested in worldly enjoyments. He was a competent and honest ruler.
One young princess, who was in love with him and wanted to marry him, sent him a proposal for marriage through her father. Raja Ambarish refused to accept her proposal saying that he already had many wives, with whom he did not get to spend sufficient time. She replied that in that case, she would like to be his maid servant. Raja Ambarish was impressed with this response from the young princess and agreed to accept her as his wife. The marriage was performed.
The young queen took the service of her husband very seriously and although was given a separate palace to live, she would quietly go to King Ambarish's palace and perform services in his temple and other places, without letting his servants know who she was.
However, within a week, Raja Ambarish discovered this fact and asked her to perform devotional services to Lord Krishna in her own palace. Hearing this, she secretly accepted her husband, Raja Ambarish, as her own guru.
Over the years, as she continued to practice devotion, her devotion grew to a level that she was always in ecstasy singing Kirtans, with tears constantly flowing from her eyes. Her longing for Lord Krishna increased to such an extent, that Raja Ambarish’s started longing to see her. When the longing became very intense and Raja Ambarish could not bear it any more, he went to see her.
One young princess, who was in love with him and wanted to marry him, sent him a proposal for marriage through her father. Raja Ambarish refused to accept her proposal saying that he already had many wives, with whom he did not get to spend sufficient time. She replied that in that case, she would like to be his maid servant. Raja Ambarish was impressed with this response from the young princess and agreed to accept her as his wife. The marriage was performed.
The young queen took the service of her husband very seriously and although was given a separate palace to live, she would quietly go to King Ambarish's palace and perform services in his temple and other places, without letting his servants know who she was.
However, within a week, Raja Ambarish discovered this fact and asked her to perform devotional services to Lord Krishna in her own palace. Hearing this, she secretly accepted her husband, Raja Ambarish, as her own guru.
Over the years, as she continued to practice devotion, her devotion grew to a level that she was always in ecstasy singing Kirtans, with tears constantly flowing from her eyes. Her longing for Lord Krishna increased to such an extent, that Raja Ambarish’s started longing to see her. When the longing became very intense and Raja Ambarish could not bear it any more, he went to see her.
Upon seeing Raja Ambarish, she went into a state of bhav (stumbh), as she beheld the Divine visions of Hari and Guru in him i.e. Krishna and her Guru Ambarish. She was overcome by this intense sentiment of devotion. Raja Ambarish, her guru, now pacified her, and asked her to sing kirtans.
All other queens realized how the young queen was able to win over the heart of a saintly and renounced husband as Raja Ambarish. Seeing this, they started practicing devotion themselves, just like the young queen. And the whole family of Raja Ambarish became ardent devotees of Shri Krishna. In the same wave, the entire kingdom took to worship of Shri Krishna, and thus, the whole kingdom was filled with devotion.
This is how one saintly devotee creates a wave of devotion in the hearts of so many people. And where there is devotion, there is abundant joy, love and peace. The whole kingdom experienced this wave and was thus blessed.
All other queens realized how the young queen was able to win over the heart of a saintly and renounced husband as Raja Ambarish. Seeing this, they started practicing devotion themselves, just like the young queen. And the whole family of Raja Ambarish became ardent devotees of Shri Krishna. In the same wave, the entire kingdom took to worship of Shri Krishna, and thus, the whole kingdom was filled with devotion.
This is how one saintly devotee creates a wave of devotion in the hearts of so many people. And where there is devotion, there is abundant joy, love and peace. The whole kingdom experienced this wave and was thus blessed.
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