Bhagavad Gita Series

THE FESTIVAL OF PUNISHMENT ( SPECIAL SESSION) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

We generally celebrate Rewards, not Punishment. But in spiritual life even Punishments are celebrated. There was a great Vaishnava who exemplified:-DETACHMENT-DETERMINATION-SURRENDERANCE -DEPENDENCEBut still Got a Punishment. Let's understand:Who was that Vaishnava?Why was he punished? What was the Punishment?

MIND YOUR MIND (SB 7.9.39) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

It is said: “For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberationMind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from sense objects is the cause of liberation. Therefore the mind which is always engaged in Krishna consciousness is the cause of supreme liberation. The mind becomes sinful because we are always engaged in sinful activities. To understand the Lord and His activities, one must free his mind from all contamination of the material world. If one's mind is always absorbed in the thought of Krishna, that very qualification will purify one and keep one purified always.Let us understand What is the nature of mind ?How it is our enemy ?How to control this ?

CAN ASTROLOGY PREDICT YOUR FUTURE HOROSCOPE | HG GAURMANDAL DAS

Astrology is a science. Jyotir-veda. That is a part of the Vedas. If it is performed correctly, one can know his past, present and future life. The future of many famous personalities, including Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada, was already predicted when they were born, but Prabhupada once told that “As soon as you clap your hands in front of the Deities during ārati,” “All the lines of your palm are changed.” So here arises a question: Can an Astrologer really predict your future?

THE COVERED INCARNATION (SB 7.9.37-38) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, is known as Triyuga, which means that He is manifest in three yugas. But we have heard there are four yugas. What about the fourth one? Does the Lord not appear in Kali Yuga? Who will deliver people of Kali Yuga? Actually in the Age of Kali the Lord appears not directly but in disguise. Because the Lord is not directly perceived in Kali-yuga but is directly known in the other three yugas, His name is Triyuga. Let us understand more about this covered incarnation of the Lord.

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?

THE FIRST CREATED BEING (SB 7.9.35-36) | SREESHA GOVIND DAS

Who was the first created being? Modern understanding is that our predecessors were less intelligent and uncultured. They were not having any scientific understanding of the world like we have today. Quite averse to this Vedas states "The first created living being is endowed with perfect knowledge and intelligence by the Lord."Let us understand:Who is this first created Being?How he takes birth?Were our predecessors less intelligent?

REAL RENUNCIATION (SB 7.9.34-35) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

When we talk about Bhagavad Gita, we often hear this word "Renunciation". General understanding of Renunciation is to give up one's property, wealth, belongings etc. That is why many people shun away from Bhagavad Gita considering they have to leave everything in order to understand Gita. Srila Rūpa Gosvāmī one of the foremost Vaishnava Acharya talks about the real understanding of renunciation. One need not to give up his property, wealth, belongings etc. but he should give up only ONE THING.Lets us understand:What is Real Renunciation?What is that "One Thing" one should renounce?Do I need to leave everything in order to understand Bhagavad Gita?

THE MYSTIC SLUMBER (SB 7.9.31) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

Śrīla Madhvācārya states that the Lord is turya-sthitaḥ, always situated in transcendence. He is not at all effected by the modes of nature. Even if He sleeps He is not in ignorance. He is situated in different dimensions. Just by His exhaling millions of universes are getting produced. He manages this creation with three kinds of Vishnus.Let us understand:1. How does Lord Sleep?2. How these 3 kinds of Lord Vishnus work?3. Our connection with different Vishnus forms.

CAUSE & EFFECT (SB 7.9.31 ) | HG SREESHA GOVIN DAS

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, one of the great Vaisnava Acharya has sung __keśava tuyā jagata vicitra__: "My dear Lord, Your creation is full of varieties." The varieties are one and at the same time different. Indeed it is not easy to understand how this material world is working?This world is full of causes and effects. The effect of a particular cause itself is a cause for some other effect. The Supreme Lord exists in everything as the cause and effect, yet He is separate, existing beyond this cosmic manifestation.Let us understand How to perceive Lord in this series of Causes and Effects.

TRANSCENDENTAL MORALITY (SB 7.9.29) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

"Being Moral" is considered as a very nice quality from the social point of view. But if a person does not understand the real purpose of morality he will be considered a "Mundane Moralist". If one simply sticks to moral principles, ethics and morals, then he will be entrapped by the prideness that "Oh, I am very moral. I do not speak lies. I do not steal.  There are many examples where a devotee has transcended the so-called "Mundane Morality" in order to serve the Lord. Let us understand:How Krishna Consciousness is beyond Mundane Morality?Who are the devotees who have proved this?Can we also follow them?

WHO CAN UNDERSTAND GITA (SB 7.9.28 ) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

The Bhagavad-gita can be consulted in all critical times, not only for solace from all kinds of mental agonies, but also for the way out of great entanglements which may embarrass one in some critical hour. If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad-gita, one can be freed from all miseries and anxieties in this life, and one's next life will be spiritual.Let's discuss- How to understand Bhagavad Gita?- Who can understand Gita?- What are the qualification required?

PERFECTION OF DESIRE (SB 7.9.27) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

To Desire is one of the essential characteristic of a living entity. This ability to desire can be a boon or a curse. Since people don't know how to use this ability to desire they end up making their lives miserable. Some people out of frustration propose to become "desireless" or to "banish all desires altogether" but both are impossible.As long as one continues to try to artificially stop the waves of desires, he will certainly be defeated.Let us understandHow to deal with desires ?What is the perfection of desires ?How to become "DESIRELESS" ?

WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY? | | ADVAITA | VEDANTA | MEDITATION | VAISHNAVISM | HG GAURMANDAL DAS

What Is the Point of Spirituality? The rational intellect can’t make a person a better human being on this earth. It may be good for gaining material wealth but the qualities like unconditional love, self-honesty, joy, humility, and modesty in a human being are achieved only through spirituality. If you want to understand yourself better then spiritual lessons are the best way to achieve it. Once you attain spirituality, then you are able to achieve any goal of your life with maximum ease. The spiritual lectures assist and guide you in your daily life. Spiritual growth or awareness helps you to Discover Your Permanent Happiness. The BIG Secret To Winning At Life - Explained For Teenagers You need to integrate spirituality into all the decisions of your life both private as well as business. It assists you in everything you do or don’t do. Spiritualism is not something like a leisure activity that you will apply on mornings or evenings or on holidays. You should integrate it completely into your life like clothing. When we move out of our home, we ensure that we are adequately dressed all day around. We don’t dress up only on some rare occasions in our life. We always wrap ourselves in some clothes. And nobody on this earth likes to walk naked around. Spirituality cannot be attained overnight. Once you connect yourself with this world you keep on achieving it from one day to the other. It needs a lot of training. But the question is where to attain it in the world. We come across thousands of WebPages and publications on the internet dealing with the spirituality topic. They tell us about how to become a better spiritual being on this earth. But there is a lot of difference between the practical training and the theoretical lessons. The Hare Krishna Movement Center of spiritualism trains a person on how to integrate and wear it as daily clothing. The quality, reliability, and truthfulness of the lectures of the Hare Krishna Movement reflect in the character of the devotees.

THE CAUSELESS MECRY (SB 7.9.26) |HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

The living beings in different species of life are undergoing different terms of engagement according to their fruitive actions and reactions. But in the execution of different activities, one who secures some resources in bhakti-yoga can understand the importance of service to the Lord through the causeless mercy of the Lord, as well as that of the spiritual master.Let us understand in this session.

QnA 1- What is Spirituality? | Advaita | Vedanta | Meditation | Vaishnavism | HG Gaurmandal Das

Worshipping deities in the temple, meditation and scholarship of Vedanta doesn't necessitate or ensure spiritual life. Rather at times they may even take a person far away from spirituality. 
So what exactly is Spirituality? 
 Let us explore this and more in the 1st episode of QnA Live...

THE POST DATED CHEQUE (SB 7.9.25) | HG SREESHA GOVIND DAS

As one cannot stop a blazing fire by constantly pouring ghee upon it, one cannot satisfy oneself by increasing plans for sense enjoyment want to be happy in the material world, but this will never be possible; we shall simply increase the blazing fire of desires. In order to become happy we have to follow the instructions of Lord Krishna. Otherwise in the name of happiness we will simply receive a promise of future happiness, a post dated cheque. Let us understand this