SHORTS

VEDAS SAY YES TO LUST? | VEDAS ENCOURAGE THIS | HG GAURMANDAL DAS | Q&A 05

Lust comes in different degrees. For those who are in the mode of goodness, their lust is of a different quality, for those who are in the mode of passion, their lust is of a different quality, and for those who are in the mode of ignorance, their lust is of a different quality. That is the question. Just like there are first-class prisoners, second-class prisoners, and third-class prisoners. They are prisoners, whether they are first-class, second-class, or third-class. That doesn't matter. As well, in this material world, someone may be extremely intelligent, wealthy, beautiful, and all the characteristics of the mode of goodness. Or somebody in passion and somebody in a lower degree, or even animal life. But they are all prisoners within this material world. And why they are prisoners that is because of lust One has to transcend this lust. One has to transcend even the so-called goodness of the material world which is again nothing but the lust of different quality. Just like Arjuna was trying to be a so-called good man in this material world. He was trying to avoid the injunction of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa wanted him that "You should fight this Kurukṣetra battle," but he wanted to be a good man, so that is lust when we don't listen to Kṛṣṇa and act whimsically. So that fighting, when he was convinced of Kṛṣṇa's instruction, this Bhagavad-gītā, means he transcended even the goodness platform of this material world. So Kṛṣṇa is trying to raise him to the transcendental platform which is above all lusty tendency. Traiguṇya-viṣayā vedā Nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna [Bhagavad-gita 2.45] [The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material nature. Rise above these modes, O Arjuna. Be transcendental to all of them. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the Self.] This whole material atmosphere is surcharged with three modes of material nature. So one has to transcend the modes of material nature that is one has come out of this atmosphere of lust. Just like one should not try to become a first-class prisoner. In the prison house, if one is a third-class prisoner and one is a first-class prisoner, the third-class prisoner should not aspire that "Let me remain in this prison-house and become a first-class prisoner." That is not good. One should transcend the prison walls, or come out of the prison house. In the same way, this material world is a prison for living entities who want to satisfy their lust, and hence one should strive to become liberated from lust by following Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, which is the test to check which process of religion works best in conquering lust.

THE PERFECT PHILOSOPHY | ADVAITA | VEDANTA | MEDITATION | VAISHNAVISM | HG GAURMANDAL DAS | Q&A 04

Gaudiya Vaishnava is a religious movement within Vaishnavism, one of the main Hindu schools of thought. It is also known as Chaitanya Vaishnavism as this movement originated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is an incarnation of Lord Sri Krishna. Worship of God in Gaudiya Vaishnavism is through Bhakti yoga or devotional service. The philosophy explains that the jiva (self or soul) is identical to God and at the same time different. This concept is called Achintya Bheda Abheda, or “inconceivable oneness and difference.” The human mind cannot understand this concept, but it can be experienced in Bhakti yoga.

LORD RAM BANISHES SITA | निर्दोष थे राम | HG GAURMANDAL DAS | Q&A 03

Ramayana is the pride of every Indian, the history which happened ages ago (Ramayana) is still as popular and as new as ever, and Shri Ram and Mother Sita are the life and soul of an Indian. Whenever it comes to an ideal government, the most appropriate example is Rama-Rajya. Although Lord Rama was an ideal King, Lord Ram left Sita. Why? In Bhagavad Puran (9.10.54) it is said: eka-patnī-vrata-dharo rājarṣi-caritaḥ śuciḥ sva-dharmaṁ gṛha-medhīyaṁ śikṣayan svayam ācarat Lord Rāmacandra took a vow to accept only one wife and have no connection with any other women. He was a saintly king, and everything in His character was good, untinged by qualities like anger. He taught good behavior for everyone, especially for householders, in terms of varṇāśrama-dharma. Thus He taught the general public by His personal activities. Everywhere Rama is glorified. Furthermore, it is said that during Rama’s reign the forests, the rivers, the hills and mountains, the states, the seven islands, and the seven seas were all favorable in supplying the necessities of life for all living beings. But how could such a magnanimous soul, Lord Rama exile Sita?

REAL FORM OF KRISHNA | HG GAURMANDAL DAS | Q&A 02

Krishna's complexion is as polished as a powdered eye ointment. It surpasses the beauty of a newly formed cloud and is softer than a blue lotus flower. Indeed, His complexion is so pleasing that it attracts the eyes and minds of everyone, and it is so powerful that it defies all comparison. [CC.AN.64] The luster of Kṛṣṇa’s body is more brilliant than that of a newly formed cloud, and His yellow dress is more attractive than newly arrived lightning. A peacock feather decorates His head, and on His neck hangs a lovely necklace of brilliant pearls. As He holds His charming flute to His lips, His face looks as beautiful as the full autumn moon. By such beauty, Madana-Mohana, the enchanter of Cupid, is increasing the desire of My eyes to see Him. [CC.AN.63]

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT I YOU EAT LUST | HG GAURMANDAL DAS | Q&A 01

Srila Prabhupada says "As far as controlling "Kam" or lust, the best thing is don't eat any highly spiced foodstuffs and always." According to Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, lust results from a mode of passion, and he describes what causes us to develop a mode of passion and its symptoms. Krishna then describes what type of food one eats when one associates with passion, which is spicy, hot, causes burning to the heart, and leads to misery. The types of food vary according to the mode they belong to, such as Satvik, Rajasik, and Tamasik. Rajasik food will intensify our mode of passion, resulting in lust. "You are what you eat." Your body is purified or impurified according to the foodstuffs you eat. we have enough food, grains, milk, butter, and fruits to consume which is stavik in nature and will help us to conquer lust. Eating meat is not at all recommended because it is not sanctified. You become holy and healthy in mind and body if you offer Krsna satvik food and then honor it. Then you can understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You can make progress in that way. If your body is not sanctified, if it is impure, how can you understand the pure consciousness or Kṛṣṇa consciousness?