Ads

Bhakti Yoga-Devotional Service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna

Bhakti Yoga-Devotional Service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna
Gopis performing Devotional Service to the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishna

[granthraj] How to Overcome Distractions ?



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dr Satish Gosain (Sri Krishna Hari Das) <sri.krishna.hari@gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Abirami Nagalingam <abi_nag78@yahoo.co.in>
 

Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Mathajis,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

We are living in this world wherein we have so many distractions. Internet, TV, gossips, news-papers, criticisms, cheating, politics, social-pressures and the list is endless. How to save ourselves from these things ? In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 1.8.42,  Kunti Maharani very nicely prays to Lord Krishna to help her to remember Him always without any deviation. She says,

                                           tvayi me 'nanya-vishayaa / matir madhu-pate 'sakrt
                                          ratim udvahataad addhaa  / gangevaugham udanvati

"O Lord of Madhu, as the Ganges forever flows to the sea without hindrance, let my attraction be constantly drawn unto You without being diverted to anyone else."

This indeed is a very important verse which we need to pray to Lord all the time as our mind always gets distracted to other things very easily. Lord Krishna declares in Bhagavad Gita verse 9.18

                                            gatir bhartaa prabhuh saakshi / nivaasah sharanam suhrt
                                         prabhavah pralayah sthaanam  / nidhaanam beejam avyayam

"I am the goal, the sustainer, the master, the witness, the abode, the refuge, and the most dear friend. I am the creation and the annihilation, the basis of everything, the resting place and the eternal seed."

If only we sincerely hear and understand the truth behind Lord's statement, we will never get deviated or distracted by any other thing in our lives. In his purport to the above verse Srila Prabhupada very nicely explains what gati means.  He says - "Gati means the destination where we want to go. But the ultimate goal is Krishna, although people do not know it. One who does not know Krishna is misled, and his so-called progressive march is either partial or hallucinatory..And since Krishna is the source of our generation, or the supreme father, no one can be a better friend than Krishna, nor can anyone be a better well-wisher. Krishna is the original source of creation and the ultimate rest after annihilation. Krishna is therefore the eternal cause of all causes."  So our only goal in this life is to reach our destination - Krishna. Even in this material world when we want to go to some destination, we need to purchase ticket, go to the station and board the right train. If in the above process, we get distracted by some frivolous talks and as a result, miss any of the above process, then we will miss the train. Similalry to reach the supreme destination - Krishna, we need to meticulously  follow the process  prescribed by the Lord and His dear devotees, without getting deviated.  Unfortunately instead of taking shelter of  Supreme Lord Krishna, we take shelter of every thing else other than Him and voluntarily drown ourselves into a whirl-pool of miseries and land up in undesirable destinations birth after birth.

In one of the Bhagavatam classes our beloved spiritual master, HDG Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj was says that inorder to overcome the influence of bad thoughts and behaviour we need to take shelter of Krishna's names, Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. Even if we fail, we need to repetitively endeavor to chant/recite shlokas and by doing so our consciousness will definitely be purified. But the problem in our case is that we do this for few days and then one day we miss it. We very lovingly excuse ourself for that and over a period of time, slowly that good habit slips out of our life and we start meditating on other things. Recently I came across an article wherein it was mentioned about how frog reacts to boiling water. If the temperature of the water is suddenly increased, the frog realises it and jumps out of the water. But if the temperature is very slowly increased, one degree at a time, the frog does not realise it till it boils to death. Bad habits also creep into our life, like the slow increase of temperature and boils us to death even before we realise it. So it is very important for us to be alert and introspect ourselves regularly and pray for the mercy of Guru and Krishna to remain focussed in devotional service to the Lord. The key is determination to serve Guru and Krishna under all circumstances. If we have this intense desire - then no matter how weak we are physically or economically, no matter whether we have any other support or not, Guru and Krishna arranges all the conditions required for our progress. In the purport to verse 6.24 of Bhagavad Gita, Srila Prabhupada quotes the very nice story on power of determination wherein the sparrow in her attempt to get back her eggs that were washed away by the ocean attempted to dry up the ocean by picking out water in her beaks. Even the ocean who made fun of her, atlast gave back the eggs as Garuda, the bird carrier of Lord Vishnu ordered him to do so. So when our determination to serve Guru and Krishna is intense, nothing can be an impediment in the path of devotional service.

We might have heard about the story of farmer and the donkey. One day the farmer's donkey fell into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway - it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to scoop dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realising what was happening, cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he became quiet. A few shovels later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He shook it off and took a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he shook it off and took a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and totted off!

The lesson to be learnt from the above story is that when we understand our real "gati" is to go back to Krishna, then no matter how many ever shovels of dirt are thrown upon us, we will not get bogged down by it. As Gurudev has advised we should never give up and simply continue with our endeavours in serving the Lord. When we shake off the distractions and criticism and take a step up, then all merciful Lord definitely help us as it is said that Lord takes 10 steps towards us if we just endeavour sincerely to take one step towards Him.

I pray at the lotus feet of Vaishnavas, Srila Gurudeva and Srila Prabhupada so that I understand my gati and restrain from wasting the remaining precious time available in this lifetime and use it in a manner pleasing to Them.
 
Hare Krishna.
Thank you very much.
Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva,
Sudarshana devi dasi.





Share/Bookmark

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • Furl
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

SMS Updates of the week!

B4 giving up d present body if 1 is able2tolerate d urges of material
senses&check d force of desire&anger,he is well situated&is happy :)
in this world.BG#5.23

There r 2ClassesOfPeople
1.Sober 2.Debaucher&2types of Sastra4them.
1.Sastra-LawCodes 2.Sastra-Weapons like sword,guns.
Sober 1s r ruled by Law Codes&Law breakers r ruled by Weapons.Both r
required.Govt has2depts 1.Civil-Ctrld by Law Codes
2.Criminal-Ctrld by Weapons.Sometimes police r reqd4unruly persons

After attaining Me(in My abode-SpiritualWorld which is beyond d
material vision&also called avyakta,akshara,parama gati) d great souls
who r yogis in devotion,never return2this temporary world,which is
full of miseries(Birth,Disease,Oldage,Death) bcoz they've attained d
highest perfection-Krsna.In.BG#8.15

An intelligent person doesnt take part in d sources of misery which r
due2contact of senses with sense objects.Such pleasures have a
beginning&an end,so wise men doesnt delight in them.D more1 is
addicted2material pleasures,d more 1 suffers material miseries-BG#5.22

Both by rising&setting,d sun decreases d duration of life of every1
except1 who utilizes time4discussing d topics of d all-good
personality of Godhead-SB2.3.17

A spiritual aspirant shud avoid worldly
literature(novels,newspaper,magazines,dramas) which agitates d
mind.1must reject such lit.4 spiritual advancement.Such lit. is a
place of enjoyment4crows&not4swan like people.Also1shud not indulge in
arguments/counter-arguments,it's a useless waste of time-SB#7.13.7

In d forest of material existence,there's constant sound of crickets
which is compared2d non-stop criticism of people around us,no matter
how hard v try.With d idea of selling some wood,other items,a person
enters forest but he has2meet dangerous animals&adventures&he may even
b lost.Similarly,d spirit soul enters d material world2enjoy
separately from God&gets lost with his identity&his way back2d place
of God&goes thru d adventures of pain&pleasure-SB
Share/Bookmark

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • Furl
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

A Powerful Meditation!

from HH Sacinandana Swami's Newsletter Amrta-vani

The Divine Encounter

For your personal advancement I would like to suggest a powerful
meditation with which you can establish a conscious connection with Sri Sri Radha
and Krishna. In this world there are many things that divert us from our
relationship with God - things that focus us on other relationships with other
people,our job, society, our dreams, etc. All these relationships are like
smoke;one day they will simply float away into the air. At that time we will
beleft with the only one, eternal relationship. We may even know this
now, butour worldly relationships continue to demand our time and attention,
and we often allow them to take up almost all of our energy.

So here is a powerful meditation to help you connect with the Divine Couple:

When you can be undisturbed for a little while, sit somewhere comfortably
and imagine you are completely alone. Let everything around you slowly
and gently disappear. Your relationship with what is going on in your life
- let it slip away. Your relationships with your relatives - let them go as
well. Job, important responsibilities, future desires - all gone.

You are now absolutely alone. There is no one and nothing in your
environment. It is as if you have been given anesthesia - a state that
induces you to forget everything about your life, including who you
think you are. Or imagine you are alone in the midst of a forest or desert
or out on the ocean, with no memories of your life or yourself. Best if you
can picture yourself sitting in a holy place, where you can feel
absolutely safe and spiritually linked.

Become aware that in your truest being being you are really an eternal
spiritual soul, an eternal servant of Radha and Krishna. It is only due to some
misfortune that you have been absent from that relationship and instead have
been wandering in the cycle of birth and death, helplessly identifying with
one material body after another.

But your fortune has turned. You have finally met a spiritual master
and learned about your real identity as a pure spirit soul, a resident of
the kingdom of love, completely separate from the gross and subtle body.
You have been inspired to take up the path of eternal loving service to
Their Lordships Radha and Krishna.

Now think that there is only Radha and Krishna. No one else. You now
have the opportunity to speak to Them - to chant, offer puja, pray to Them,
reveal your heart in confidence. Choose any other expression to which
you feel drawn. Wrap yourself up in this one relationship and feel bhakti
rise in your heart.

You can end your meeting with the Divine Couple with five simple
affirmations from an ancient Vedic text:

I surrender to You Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
Whatever is mine is in truth Your property.
Everything is for Your sake.
Everything is for Your enjoyment.
Nothing is meant for my enjoyment.
(Sanat-Kumara Samhita (text 83))

Pay your obeisances in your mind and take your leave.

You are ready to reenter your life in this world. Gradually, as
required,take on the responsibilities and social roles that are waiting for
you. Each time you do this meditation you will see how you return with new
perspectives and plenty of additional spiritual strength for everyday
situations. More than anything, this meditation will clarify for you
where you stand in your relationship with Radha and Krishna; it will act as
a powerful inspiration to improve whatever needs improving. Most of all,
the meditation will help transform your daily life and make it very
spiritual.You might even find that your so-called problems disappear. Please try
it.It works.

P.S. If you like you can use the following picture for your
meditation:

The Arati of Radha and Krishna
(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Gitavali)

1.All glories to the meeting of the divine young couple, Sri Sri Radha-
Krsna.The gopis, headed by Sri Lalita, perform the arati ceremony for Their
Lordships.

2.The three-fold bending form of Krsna attracts even the mind of Cupid.
He is dressed in yellow silk garments, and His enchanting crown is
decorated with peacock feathers.

3.On the left of charming Lord Madhava, Sri Radha, the daughter of
Vrsabhanu,is seated.She is dressed in blue garments. Her beauty and qualities are simply glorious.

4.She is decorated with various brightly shining ornaments.Her charming bright face attracts the mind of Lord Hari.

5.The gopis, headed by Visakha, sing the glories of Their Lordships in
various tunes, as the priya narma gopis offer Them camaras.

6.With a desire to attain the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava,Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura floats on waves of ecstasy at the lotus feet of
the gopis.
Share/Bookmark

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • Furl
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

Spiritual Warrior!!-Must See

"Bhakti Tirtha Swami" Tribute to a Spiritual Warrior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSPIbWqRhxk

Krishna Consciousness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhc9P-WcwJ0

Swami Krishnapada, Holy Man, World Advisor1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnsGnx1lMU8

Swami Krishnapada, Holy Man, World Advisor2


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGyPEcsloAA

Swami Krishnapada, Holy Man, World Advisor3


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjdreVB43wQ&NR=1


Share/Bookmark

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • Furl
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati

Bhakti Tirtha Swami speaks!


Share/Bookmark

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • Furl
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati