Verse 1.3.33: Today'e verse is very very imp. Here it is explained what is self-realization. If we perceive our self beyond the body, that we are a spirit soul and our connection with the Supreme Soul...
Narada muni was a Gandharva in his previous life. His mother died, he walks towards the Himalayas and meditates on Krishna. Now he realizes that he is different from his gross body, subtle body, that he is a soul, sees the supersoul sitting beside him. Then he becomes happy. That is self-realization.
Usually we are tormented by the gross and subtle body. The needs of the gross body is the senses and they demand attention all the time. Similarly the mind also has its needs. But when we go beyond these demands, that's called atma-sakshatkaram. We don't care then of the demands of the gross and subtle bodies. Srila Prabhupada is an example. That should be our goal.
So how do we get to that stage: Genuine chanting, serving the Vaishnavas, Deity worship is the key. And what is the mood: servant of servant of servant.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Coming out of the cycle of birth and death...
Verse 1.3.29: In Bhagavad-gita also it is mentioned: janma-karma chame divyam....
Anyone who hears and understands the birth and activities of Lord Krishna, then he does not have to take birth again. That is the advantage of reading this Srimad Bhagavatam. We don't need to take birth again. What a wonderful gift it is. How many of us would want to be 9 months in a mother's womb legs up, head down. After that, we are pushed down. 5 years we need to be completely dependent on parents, and then all the troubles of growing and disease. Problems keep coming. We need to serve so many spirit souls while we live. Our life is burnt like a candle here and then old age comes in. We think we are this body, which we are not. The same body has to dwindle. Eyes cannot see properly, bones become weak, then death, then again take birth and go through the whole cycle.
The only one who can take us out of this cycle of birth and death is our spiritual master. He teaches us devotional service, by which we can continuously hear Lord Krishna's birth and activities. And that is how we can come out of this cycle. This is possible only in the human life. That's why we need to chant nicely and serve the spiritual master very very sincerely.
Anyone who hears and understands the birth and activities of Lord Krishna, then he does not have to take birth again. That is the advantage of reading this Srimad Bhagavatam. We don't need to take birth again. What a wonderful gift it is. How many of us would want to be 9 months in a mother's womb legs up, head down. After that, we are pushed down. 5 years we need to be completely dependent on parents, and then all the troubles of growing and disease. Problems keep coming. We need to serve so many spirit souls while we live. Our life is burnt like a candle here and then old age comes in. We think we are this body, which we are not. The same body has to dwindle. Eyes cannot see properly, bones become weak, then death, then again take birth and go through the whole cycle.
The only one who can take us out of this cycle of birth and death is our spiritual master. He teaches us devotional service, by which we can continuously hear Lord Krishna's birth and activities. And that is how we can come out of this cycle. This is possible only in the human life. That's why we need to chant nicely and serve the spiritual master very very sincerely.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
64 Qualities in total, only in Lord Krishna!!!
Verse 1.3.28: Continuing the Purport and its summary.
Until today, we discussed the different incarnations of the Lord. And in this verse, Srila Sukadeva Goswami is explaining that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Prabhupada is explaining further that only Krishna has all the 64 qualities. No other entity has all these qualities. The living entity or jiva can only at the max come up to 78 percent of this this total qualities of Krishna.
The scriptures clearly mention that Krishna is the origin of all the incarnations. Krishna is so merciful, for example we cannot reciprocate with the Mahat-tattva. So Krishna to simply reciprocate with the jiva's love, He comes down and displays so many wonderful relationships like son, lover, friend of devotees. He is just so lovingly reciprocating all the love and service of devotees.
Again, in today's reading, Srila Prabhupada is explaining until we develop all the 78% of qualities that a living entity can max reach, he cannot go back to Goloka Vrindavan. One should perform devotional service which is unmotivated and uninterrupted, then we can become eligible to back home, back to Godhead.
Until today, we discussed the different incarnations of the Lord. And in this verse, Srila Sukadeva Goswami is explaining that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Srila Prabhupada is explaining further that only Krishna has all the 64 qualities. No other entity has all these qualities. The living entity or jiva can only at the max come up to 78 percent of this this total qualities of Krishna.
The scriptures clearly mention that Krishna is the origin of all the incarnations. Krishna is so merciful, for example we cannot reciprocate with the Mahat-tattva. So Krishna to simply reciprocate with the jiva's love, He comes down and displays so many wonderful relationships like son, lover, friend of devotees. He is just so lovingly reciprocating all the love and service of devotees.
Again, in today's reading, Srila Prabhupada is explaining until we develop all the 78% of qualities that a living entity can max reach, he cannot go back to Goloka Vrindavan. One should perform devotional service which is unmotivated and uninterrupted, then we can become eligible to back home, back to Godhead.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Lord Krishna is the Supreme Lord, declared in the Bhagavatam!
Verse 1.3.28: Please memorize this sloka.
If this sloka is not there, then Krishna cannot be recognized. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes in Caitanya Caritamrta, to clarify the position of Krishna, because He also descends as other avataras, He is avatari too.
All the different incarnations are His portions or portions of His plenary portions. Since sometimes incarnations come from Vishnu, who is Himself an expansion of Lord Krishna.
Krishna comes to protect the theists and to check the activities of the wrong people.
In some incarnations, complete power is not shown. Because that is the need there. But some other incarnations, Krishna displays higher potencies. But Krishna is the Supreme Controller. He says in the Bhagavad-gita that...bhoktaram yajna ....maheswaram.
Krishna is actually watching us all the time. We don't have love for Him, He has all love for us, since He is the father.
We are not orphans, we have our eternal Father, simply by chanting His Holy Names, we can beg Him to please accept us. We should concentrate on purifying our heart. We have to conquer our own mind, that is our main enemy, who comes through False ego, and the 6 bad habits of greed, anger, pride, lust, envy
We should memorize this sloka. Since this is Krishna Himself. We have to convey our message to Krishna that we are interested in Him, by chanting to Him sincerely, learning these Srimad Bhagavatam verses, thinking of Krishna all the time.
The problem is with us. It is with our mind. Actually we want maya, we don't want Krishna. We call for Him while chanting, but we are just seeing that the 16th round is over and that's it. Then why will He come to us. We need to be sincere is trying to remember Him all the time.
Again, the problem is with us. With our mind. We need to open up to accept the mercy which is always present for us through the teachings of acharya's.
If this sloka is not there, then Krishna cannot be recognized. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes in Caitanya Caritamrta, to clarify the position of Krishna, because He also descends as other avataras, He is avatari too.
All the different incarnations are His portions or portions of His plenary portions. Since sometimes incarnations come from Vishnu, who is Himself an expansion of Lord Krishna.
Krishna comes to protect the theists and to check the activities of the wrong people.
In some incarnations, complete power is not shown. Because that is the need there. But some other incarnations, Krishna displays higher potencies. But Krishna is the Supreme Controller. He says in the Bhagavad-gita that...bhoktaram yajna ....maheswaram.
Krishna is actually watching us all the time. We don't have love for Him, He has all love for us, since He is the father.
We are not orphans, we have our eternal Father, simply by chanting His Holy Names, we can beg Him to please accept us. We should concentrate on purifying our heart. We have to conquer our own mind, that is our main enemy, who comes through False ego, and the 6 bad habits of greed, anger, pride, lust, envy
We should memorize this sloka. Since this is Krishna Himself. We have to convey our message to Krishna that we are interested in Him, by chanting to Him sincerely, learning these Srimad Bhagavatam verses, thinking of Krishna all the time.
The problem is with us. It is with our mind. Actually we want maya, we don't want Krishna. We call for Him while chanting, but we are just seeing that the 16th round is over and that's it. Then why will He come to us. We need to be sincere is trying to remember Him all the time.
Again, the problem is with us. With our mind. We need to open up to accept the mercy which is always present for us through the teachings of acharya's.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
More on Incarnations of the Lord!
Verse 1.3.27: Here Vyasadev is going little technical. Like in any administration, the Prime Minister has Cabinet level ministers, bureaucrats etc, also at the state level. Similarly, Lord Krishna also has His energies manifested through various expansions, expansions of expansions, plenary expansions and so on.
Jivas are also sometimes empowered for special reasons. Srila Prabhupada is also a shaktyavesh avatar, an empowered personality, who was given this special role of introducing the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to the entire world. He traveled around the 14 times in 12 years and established more than 108 temples. It is definitely not possible by an ordinary person.
But what we must understand is that Lord Krishna is a person. His pastimes, activities are all real and it is not just some impersonal void. We should understand that God is a person and He is watching over us at every moment.
He is explaining that this world is a place of suffering, but as a Father He is actually waiting for us. Thats why He again and again comes just take us back to His eternal home.
Jivas are also sometimes empowered for special reasons. Srila Prabhupada is also a shaktyavesh avatar, an empowered personality, who was given this special role of introducing the movement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to the entire world. He traveled around the 14 times in 12 years and established more than 108 temples. It is definitely not possible by an ordinary person.
But what we must understand is that Lord Krishna is a person. His pastimes, activities are all real and it is not just some impersonal void. We should understand that God is a person and He is watching over us at every moment.
He is explaining that this world is a place of suffering, but as a Father He is actually waiting for us. Thats why He again and again comes just take us back to His eternal home.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Lord Kalki's Incarnation!
Verse 1.3.25: Actually, this is a prophecy of Srimad Bhagavatam. In Madhya Pradesh, there is a place called Sambalpur. There will be only one Brahmana, his name is Visnu Yasa. There to him, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will be born to him as Lord Kalki and He will kill all the demons. He will have a sword and ride a horse. That's how Kali yuga will end and Satya Yuga will start.
This Srimad Bhagavatam is so authoritative, all its prophecies come true. Not even one was failed. So, this one is also going to take place. There is nothing suprising. Actually next 10000 years, whatever will come in the newspapers is actually mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam... life span is reduced, height and weight of people will decrease, marriage is based on sex, water and air will be sold, etc.
Likewise, Lord Kalki will definitely come. Kaliyuga is already degraded like anything and it is just 5000 years, there 427000 years still to go. Just think how bad it will be then. And this movement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu will also only last for 10000 years. That's why intelligent people should take shelter of this best process of Kaliyuga, of taking Hari's name. And using this process, we should take cleanse our heart, take the shelter of the Holy Name and go back home back to Godhead.
This Srimad Bhagavatam is so authoritative, all its prophecies come true. Not even one was failed. So, this one is also going to take place. There is nothing suprising. Actually next 10000 years, whatever will come in the newspapers is actually mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam... life span is reduced, height and weight of people will decrease, marriage is based on sex, water and air will be sold, etc.
Likewise, Lord Kalki will definitely come. Kaliyuga is already degraded like anything and it is just 5000 years, there 427000 years still to go. Just think how bad it will be then. And this movement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu will also only last for 10000 years. That's why intelligent people should take shelter of this best process of Kaliyuga, of taking Hari's name. And using this process, we should take cleanse our heart, take the shelter of the Holy Name and go back home back to Godhead.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Lord Buddha's incarnation, Continued...
Verse 1.3.24: Jayadeva's songs. Buddha came to stop violence to animals. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was telling to Chand Kazi that animal killing was there in the vedas, not for indiscriminate killing and eating, but just to give the animals a way to get a human form of life based on the power of how the brahmans chanted the mantras. But people were misusing this and started killing and eating animals indiscriminately and not one was pure enough to even chant those vedic mantras. Hence Lord Buddha appeared and superficially rejected the veda and set forth the principles of non-violence.
But today, the philosophy of Buddhism is totally diluted, even the monks in Buddhism eat meat, which is a strict no by the principles of Lord Buddha.
Kaliyuga, it is not a situation for a gentleman.
Lord Buddha and Sankaracharya, came to pave the way for theism because at the time they came, people were not inclined to listen to the highest message. But once they paved this way,then Caitanya Mahaprabhu set the process for this Kaliyuga to chant the Holy name of the Lord:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
This is to cleanse the heart and purify ourselves so that we can go back home back to Godhead.
But today, the philosophy of Buddhism is totally diluted, even the monks in Buddhism eat meat, which is a strict no by the principles of Lord Buddha.
Kaliyuga, it is not a situation for a gentleman.
Lord Buddha and Sankaracharya, came to pave the way for theism because at the time they came, people were not inclined to listen to the highest message. But once they paved this way,then Caitanya Mahaprabhu set the process for this Kaliyuga to chant the Holy name of the Lord:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
This is to cleanse the heart and purify ourselves so that we can go back home back to Godhead.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Lord Buddha
Verse 1.3.24: Lord Buddha is an incarnation of Krishna, but people ask that Buddhism has different principles. Srila Rupa Goswami suggests us to not follow these principles, although Lord Buddha is an incarnation of Krishna.
This is because, one portion of Vedas (karma kanda) supports animal sacrifices, not for eating them, but to give a chance for those old animals to get human form of life. The Vedic mantra's chanted during those sacrifices were very important for the animal being sacrificed to get a human form. But the brahmanas started misusing this and because of that animal killing became prominent.
To stop this, Krishna incarnated as Lord Buddha. He preached that he did not believe in the tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing. Less intelligent men of the age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principle, and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization. He deluded the atheists because such atheists who followed his principles did not believe in God, but they kept their absolute faith in Lord Buddha, who himself was the incarnation of God. Thus the faithless people were made to believe in God in the form of Lord Buddha. That was the mercy of Lord Buddha: he made the faithless faithful to him.
According to the Bhagavad-gita (15.15), the whole system of the Vedas is to lead one gradually to the path of the Supreme Lord. The whole theme of Vedic literature is to know the Supreme Lord, the individual soul, the cosmic situation and the relation between all these items. When the relation is known, the relative function begins, and as a result of such a function the ultimate goal of life or going back to Godhead takes place in the easiest manner.
Therefore to bring back people into the Vedic system, Sankaracharya came. After Buddhism, then came Sankaracharya to preach Mayawada. He brought the people back into believing in the Vedas, but only until the realization of the impersonal form, Brahman platform. That you are God, everyone is God. But truly, both are not right philosophies.
By the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and other acharyas, Krishna slowly again brought it higher forms of realization, that is of the personal form of God. That is, in this age of Kali, chanting of the Holy name of the Lord, is the one means and way to go back home back to Godhead.
This is because, one portion of Vedas (karma kanda) supports animal sacrifices, not for eating them, but to give a chance for those old animals to get human form of life. The Vedic mantra's chanted during those sacrifices were very important for the animal being sacrificed to get a human form. But the brahmanas started misusing this and because of that animal killing became prominent.
To stop this, Krishna incarnated as Lord Buddha. He preached that he did not believe in the tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing. Less intelligent men of the age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principle, and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization. He deluded the atheists because such atheists who followed his principles did not believe in God, but they kept their absolute faith in Lord Buddha, who himself was the incarnation of God. Thus the faithless people were made to believe in God in the form of Lord Buddha. That was the mercy of Lord Buddha: he made the faithless faithful to him.
According to the Bhagavad-gita (15.15), the whole system of the Vedas is to lead one gradually to the path of the Supreme Lord. The whole theme of Vedic literature is to know the Supreme Lord, the individual soul, the cosmic situation and the relation between all these items. When the relation is known, the relative function begins, and as a result of such a function the ultimate goal of life or going back to Godhead takes place in the easiest manner.
Therefore to bring back people into the Vedic system, Sankaracharya came. After Buddhism, then came Sankaracharya to preach Mayawada. He brought the people back into believing in the Vedas, but only until the realization of the impersonal form, Brahman platform. That you are God, everyone is God. But truly, both are not right philosophies.
By the mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and other acharyas, Krishna slowly again brought it higher forms of realization, that is of the personal form of God. That is, in this age of Kali, chanting of the Holy name of the Lord, is the one means and way to go back home back to Godhead.
Monday, November 17, 2008
19th and 20th: Lord Balaram and Lord Krishna!!!
Verse 1.3.23: This verse says that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. Even though it seems he came after Lord Rama, He still is the svayam bhagavan. It is also said so in the Brahmasamhita (isvarah parama krishna satchitananda vigraha, anadir aadir govinda sarva karana karanam)
Usually, we have a misconception that Krishna is an incarnation, but here it is clearly established that Krishna is the Godhead Himself, and all other incarnations actually expand out of Krishna. He is directly the original Personality of Godhead, and Balaräma is the first plenary manifestation of the Lord. From Baladeva the first phalanx of plenary expansions, Väsudeva, Sankarshana, Aniruddha and Pradyumna, expands. Lord Sri Krishnais Väsudeva, and Baladeva is Sankarsana.
Usually, we have a misconception that Krishna is an incarnation, but here it is clearly established that Krishna is the Godhead Himself, and all other incarnations actually expand out of Krishna. He is directly the original Personality of Godhead, and Balaräma is the first plenary manifestation of the Lord. From Baladeva the first phalanx of plenary expansions, Väsudeva, Sankarshana, Aniruddha and Pradyumna, expands. Lord Sri Krishnais Väsudeva, and Baladeva is Sankarsana.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Lord Ramachandra, the 18th incarnation!
Verse 1.3.22: Lord Ramachandra is the 18th incarnation as Bhagavatam is explaining. The demons are everywhere and every time. Demon is one who is infatuated with lust, anger, greed and who defy the order of the Lord. Today, the modern scientists come into this category too. They are trying to do inter-planetary travel, which is completely against the order of the Lord.
To save the demigods, Krishna sometimes Himself comes to kill such miscreants and save the order He set up.
Today's world: One should work hard, but not at the expense of Krishna, not at the expense of chanting. Chant nicely, is to awaken the love of God. It is not just to finish the rounds. We cannot just chant rounds and attain the love of Krishna. Not possible.
For genuinely cleansing of the heart, chant nicely and shoulder the material responsibilities also in proper way. Chant with a good mood of serving Krishna, then only we can make progress.
To save the demigods, Krishna sometimes Himself comes to kill such miscreants and save the order He set up.
Today's world: One should work hard, but not at the expense of Krishna, not at the expense of chanting. Chant nicely, is to awaken the love of God. It is not just to finish the rounds. We cannot just chant rounds and attain the love of Krishna. Not possible.
For genuinely cleansing of the heart, chant nicely and shoulder the material responsibilities also in proper way. Chant with a good mood of serving Krishna, then only we can make progress.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
17th Incarnation, Srila Vyasadev
Verse 1.3.22: Today's verse is describing the incarnation of Srila Vyasadev, the literary incarnation of Krishna. He divided the one Veda (means knowledge) into 4 parts. Then he also gave purana's and Mahabharata. Vedic language and the subject matter are very difficult for ordinary men. They are understood by the highly intelligent and self-realized brahmanas. But the present age of Kali is full of ignorant men. Therefore, he did this all specifically for the dvija-bhandhu's, sudras and women. Since in this age, only these classes of human beings are present.
Srila Vyasadev, after he compiled the Vedas, the puranas, the Mahabharata, he was still not happy. Then on the instruction of Srila Naradamuni, he goes ahead to write the Srimad Bhagavatham, the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Lord, which finally gives him satisfaction. Thus it is seen that only by glorifying the Lord and His pastimes, we will achieve complete satisfaction. And the recommended method for this, in this Kaliyuga is to chant the Holy Name of the Lord.
It is therefore very important that we sincerely chant the name of the Lord and yearn for service to Him and His devotees.
Srila Vyasadev, after he compiled the Vedas, the puranas, the Mahabharata, he was still not happy. Then on the instruction of Srila Naradamuni, he goes ahead to write the Srimad Bhagavatham, the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Lord, which finally gives him satisfaction. Thus it is seen that only by glorifying the Lord and His pastimes, we will achieve complete satisfaction. And the recommended method for this, in this Kaliyuga is to chant the Holy Name of the Lord.
It is therefore very important that we sincerely chant the name of the Lord and yearn for service to Him and His devotees.
Friday, November 14, 2008
16th Incarnation: Lord Parashuram
Verse 1.3.20: Usually ksatriyas are meant for protecting the citizens from being hurt. But at the time when Parashuramji appeared, the ksatriyas were very arrogant, were actually harassing public. All of them were demoniac. In case of Parashuram, his father is Jamadagni and mother is Renuka.
Story of Parashuramji: One day, kartaviyarjuna and his army visited Jamadagni's aasharam. ...Kamadhenu Cow...He wanted this cow...killed Jamadagni and takes the cow away. This angers Parashuram (Krishna's shaktavesha avatar). He releases cow, kills Kartaviyarjuna. It is said: that Parashuram's axe was spinning at the speed of the mind, then when he became tired, it moves at the speed of the wind. He killed 21 generations of such bad Ksatriyas.
Then when Lord Rama appears, he knows that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has come and that his work is now over and so goes off into meditation into the mountains.
Story of Parashuramji: One day, kartaviyarjuna and his army visited Jamadagni's aasharam. ...Kamadhenu Cow...He wanted this cow...killed Jamadagni and takes the cow away. This angers Parashuram (Krishna's shaktavesha avatar). He releases cow, kills Kartaviyarjuna. It is said: that Parashuram's axe was spinning at the speed of the mind, then when he became tired, it moves at the speed of the wind. He killed 21 generations of such bad Ksatriyas.
Then when Lord Rama appears, he knows that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has come and that his work is now over and so goes off into meditation into the mountains.
15th Incarnation: Lord Vamana
Verse 1.3.19: In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana [Vämana] and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Mahäräja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.
14th Incarnation: Lord Narasimha
Verse 1.3.18: In the fourteenth incarnation, the Lord appeared as Narsimha and bifurcated the strong body of the atheist Hiranyakashipu with His nails, just as a carpenter pierces cane.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
12th and 13th Incarnations of the Lord...
Verse 1.3.17: Avatar means descend, coming down.
One point to remember: 19th and 20th, the incarnations are Krishna and Balarama Themselves. Here it is the Avatari Himself, Krishna the svayam bhagavan who appears.
Coming to today's verse: 12th and 13th Incarnation. Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Krishna, appeared during the churning of the ocean. And the 13th, as Mohini Murthy, Krishna comes just to bewilder the demons and share the nectar only with devotees.
Srila Prabhupada: Anybody who gets bewildered by lust, they can get rid of it by meditating on the deity form of Krishna (taking darshan from the lotus feet, slowly progressing towards the face, while continuously meditating or praying to the Lord) and focusing on the lotus feet of Krishna.
One point to remember: 19th and 20th, the incarnations are Krishna and Balarama Themselves. Here it is the Avatari Himself, Krishna the svayam bhagavan who appears.
Coming to today's verse: 12th and 13th Incarnation. Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Krishna, appeared during the churning of the ocean. And the 13th, as Mohini Murthy, Krishna comes just to bewilder the demons and share the nectar only with devotees.
Srila Prabhupada: Anybody who gets bewildered by lust, they can get rid of it by meditating on the deity form of Krishna (taking darshan from the lotus feet, slowly progressing towards the face, while continuously meditating or praying to the Lord) and focusing on the lotus feet of Krishna.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The 11th Incarnation: Kurma Avatar
Verse 1.3.16: We are reading about the different incarnations of the Lord. Today, we read about the tortoise incarnation of the Lord. He had the Mandaracala Hill resting on His back, so that the theists and atheists could use it to churn the ocean.
So from all these incarnations, we see how much love the Supreme Personality of Godhead has for us in that He comes time and again as different incarnations and attracts us back to His eternal abode. He performs various pastimes, destroys irreligion, just to attract us back.
It is not totally Maya's problem, it is actually our attachment's or bondage to this material world that cause us to remain here.
Eg: Guru, disciple, guru holding onto a tree and saying, hey tree leave, hey tree leave me.
Krishna gives an answer to this in Bhagavad-gita: If you take shelter of Me, you can easily come out of the bondage of the material world. How the ocean of nescience can be crossed by boat of the shelter of the spiritual master, this ocean becomes as small as foot print of a calf. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us this promise, that if we sincerely chant our 16 rounds everyday, and if we follow the regulative processes, we can for sure (Srila Prabhupada's promise) get out of this material world and go back home back to Godhead.
So from all these incarnations, we see how much love the Supreme Personality of Godhead has for us in that He comes time and again as different incarnations and attracts us back to His eternal abode. He performs various pastimes, destroys irreligion, just to attract us back.
It is not totally Maya's problem, it is actually our attachment's or bondage to this material world that cause us to remain here.
Eg: Guru, disciple, guru holding onto a tree and saying, hey tree leave, hey tree leave me.
Krishna gives an answer to this in Bhagavad-gita: If you take shelter of Me, you can easily come out of the bondage of the material world. How the ocean of nescience can be crossed by boat of the shelter of the spiritual master, this ocean becomes as small as foot print of a calf. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us this promise, that if we sincerely chant our 16 rounds everyday, and if we follow the regulative processes, we can for sure (Srila Prabhupada's promise) get out of this material world and go back home back to Godhead.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Matsya avatara, to protect Manu...
Verse 1.3.15:
Recap: First chapter, questions of sages to Suta Goswami.
Second chapter, Suta Goswami is answering questions of the sages
Third chapter, He is explaining the different incarnations of the Lord. Today, we are reading about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, when he took the form of a fish. When the whole world was in inundation, he protected Vaivasvata Manu and the different other creatures during this whole inundation.
Since we are talking about Manus, we will reflect on them a little more:
There are as we all know, 4 yuga's: satya, treta, dwapara and kali
kali is 432000 years
dwapara 864000 years
treta 1296000 years
satya 1728000 years
Total: 4 million 32 thousand years = 4.32 million years
1 day of brahma: 1000 such cycles of 4 yugas
1 night of brahma: 1000 such cycles of 4 yugas
1 year of brahma: 365 such days
Brahma lives for 100 such years
A Manvantar (change of a Manu) takes place every 71 x 432000 solar years. One day of Brahma is equal to such 14 Manus plus 15 times the age of a Satya yuga. This duration of one day's time in the life of Brahma, is called a Kalpa.
At present it is the regime of Vaivaswata Manu.
....
The reason we came to the material world is that we are in a prison house, to purify ourselves. From Brahma's point, if we are Krishna Conscious for a moment, then we can get out of this material world. It is really a big opportune moment for us.
Analogy: Ants busy building an anthill. For us, if a small rain comes, it is completely destructed. Same thing we need to know to, this life is very short and we have a golden chance to easily get out of this material world. Wrt the demigods lifetime, ours is a moment. But due to Srila Prabhupada's mercy, just in this life time we can get out of this cycle of birth and death. So, in a moment in the demigod's lifetime. Therefore, We need to sincerely chant, be in the association of devotees and serve them.
Recap: First chapter, questions of sages to Suta Goswami.
Second chapter, Suta Goswami is answering questions of the sages
Third chapter, He is explaining the different incarnations of the Lord. Today, we are reading about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, when he took the form of a fish. When the whole world was in inundation, he protected Vaivasvata Manu and the different other creatures during this whole inundation.
Since we are talking about Manus, we will reflect on them a little more:
There are as we all know, 4 yuga's: satya, treta, dwapara and kali
kali is 432000 years
dwapara 864000 years
treta 1296000 years
satya 1728000 years
Total: 4 million 32 thousand years = 4.32 million years
1 day of brahma: 1000 such cycles of 4 yugas
1 night of brahma: 1000 such cycles of 4 yugas
1 year of brahma: 365 such days
Brahma lives for 100 such years
A Manvantar (change of a Manu) takes place every 71 x 432000 solar years. One day of Brahma is equal to such 14 Manus plus 15 times the age of a Satya yuga. This duration of one day's time in the life of Brahma, is called a Kalpa.
At present it is the regime of Vaivaswata Manu.
....
The reason we came to the material world is that we are in a prison house, to purify ourselves. From Brahma's point, if we are Krishna Conscious for a moment, then we can get out of this material world. It is really a big opportune moment for us.
Analogy: Ants busy building an anthill. For us, if a small rain comes, it is completely destructed. Same thing we need to know to, this life is very short and we have a golden chance to easily get out of this material world. Wrt the demigods lifetime, ours is a moment. But due to Srila Prabhupada's mercy, just in this life time we can get out of this cycle of birth and death. So, in a moment in the demigod's lifetime. Therefore, We need to sincerely chant, be in the association of devotees and serve them.
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