lament not

Formerly, in the Vedic agrarian society at least- land, cows and extended family were considered to be wealth, not factory-made goods and paper money and corporate jobs that could end at any moment and split a family miles apart. In India's villages I saw extended families working together and helping each other since they get most of their necessities locally. I saw at the neighbors there, for example, at least three grown women are living close together to share in the cooking, childcare, household duties, etc.

For various reasons, I had little help from husband's family or from my own while raising children, and most of the neighbor women were working jobs; it was rare to see another mother at home.

Looking back, however, I can see that whatever I had to go through was all part of His plan. This entire material world is set up that way. Troubles purify the heart, clarify priorities and push the fortunate soul to cry out to Him again and again.

Material miseries are His plan to bring us to our senses. He masterminded the whole Mahabharata events to overturn the impossibility of the Pandavas victory in the greatest battle ever. Similarly, He masterminds our lives to get us to the point of surrender in pure love for God. Everything and everyone is helping us do what otherwise would be impossible, to cross beyond the ocean of repeated birth and death and reach the Lord's eternal abode.

Krishna says, "This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome, but those who surrender unto Me, can easily cross beyond it." - Bgita 7.14

Choice is what gives meaning to love, and that choice is what makes the jiva living entity or the Lord's marginal energy so special, but since Krishna holds all the cards it really is "surrender", not just that we choose to love Him. Think about it. We can't really choose to love God because we are totally enslaved by the material energy; it's rigged in such a way that whenever we choose the wrong way we suffer or get zapped like the laboratory mouse going the wrong way until finally we are forced to succumb to death. This can go on for countless lifetimes.

So finally we surrender with hands raised in the air, "OK, OK, OK...You win, Krishna. I give up. I choose Your way, Lord, not mine!." It is based on love, however, Krishna's love for us. Love has to get heavy sometimes, like the wise, far-seeing parent for his child.

Coming to this understanding is where our real choice lies- the one we are surrendering to has actually been our greatest well wisher and friend all along. Then surrender is done with great happiness.

For this reason we should not lament for ourselves or others, but try to see everything in a bigger, transcendental way. We may lament loud and long the pain we must sometimes feel and also the pain of others, but Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita not to lament for anyone. Material lamentation is unbecoming for one who knows the progressive values of life,

Emotions flow
Like wind blown grasses
Across memory stations
Of past trepidations.

Desperately needy,
Alone and contrary,
A naked abyss
Scalded by the sigh of my pitiless Friend.

He says, "The wise lament not for the living nor the dead."
"But what does that mean???"
"One who knows Me does not suffer;
And sobered is one who knows Me not."

It makes sense that the trouble created due to the incompatibility between the living entity and the material energy is Krsna's way to gradually bring us to His shelter, fully surrendered, bringing us into a space where there is no more suffering, only externally does it appear that way to outsiders. One who knows the Lord does not suffer in the ordinary sense. SB 3.22.37 says:

"Therefore, O Vidura, how can persons completely under the shelter of Lord Krsna in devotional service be put into miseries pertaining to the body, the mind, nature, and other men and living creatures?"

Purport by Srila Prabhupada:

"Every living entity within this material world is always afflicted by some kind of miseries, pertaining either to the body, the mind or natural disturbances... but one who has completely taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord in Krishna consciousness is in the transcendental stage; he is not disturbed by any miseries, either due to the body, the mind, or natural disturbances of summer and winter. He is transcendental to all these miseries."

I used to think, "Because I have become a devotee, there will be no danger or suffering." Prahläda Mahäräja was greatly harassed and so were other devotees like the Pandavas and Haridäsa Thäkura, but they had no false bodily identification and had full faith "Krishna is present, and He will give me protection." There is no shelter other than Krishna. Thinking otherwise is the only danger and sadness.

God proposes; Man disposes

In the west, most theists have been raised to think the other way around, that God is the order supplier for our sense enjoyment on this earth. Or when we worship Him there is always this stubborn hope for our own welfare. In other words, we do it to mitigate the miseries of life instead of simply out of love for the Lord.

It's true though; one of the reasons Krishna created the material world was so we could use it to fulfill our own desires. He says in Bhagavad gita:

"Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—all together these eight constitute My separated material energies. Besides these, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is another, superior energy of Mine, which comprises the living entities who are exploiting the resources of this material, inferior nature."

But since that is not our actual spiritual position, to lord over material nature, an illusion must be created.

 Krishna explains, "The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature."

So, by the power of maya, one can think that "I am the owner of this body; it is meant for my pleasure; God gave it to me to carry out my desires for material enjoyment; I am in control. And I can control material nature to do what I want. It may not be happening the way I want right now, but in the future..."

But we can't even control our own toothache, nor go a day without using the bathroom. Many people think they'll die if they went a day without food. Furthermore,do we have to wind up our hearts each morning to keep them beating? Must we attend to digesting the food stuffs in the belly every time we eat? We don't pay attention to our breathing. That's because everything is going on by a higher power.

We may try to do something, even the most simplest thing, but so many disturbances may arise that thwart our attempt. Is it even possible to get through an entire day without something going on beyond one's control? These things should add to the realization that "I am not in charge"
.
Therefore as life goes on, we should realize more and more "I am not the lord of all i survey. This world does not belong to me for my own purposes." Instead, "Thy will be done, Lord, not mine"

names of God

Question: In 'Hare Krishna', it seems that the Supreme God is called as many different names. For example, in Christinity Jehovah, but in your sect Krishna, in other religions other names. All these names actually point to the same Supreme Being. Right?

Yes, this is a correct understanding according to the Vedic scriptures."The Lord has different names according to His different activities. For example, (In Vedic scriptures) His name is Madhusūdana because He killed the demon of the name Madhu; His name is Govinda because He gives pleasure to the cows and to the senses; His name is Vāsudeva because He appeared as the son of Vasudeva; His name is Devakī-nandana because He accepted Devakī as His mother; His name is Yaśodā-nandana because He awarded His childhood pastimes to Yaśodā at Vṛndāvana; His name is Pārtha-sārathi because He worked as charioteer of His friend Arjuna. Similarly, His name is Hṛṣīkeśa because He gave direction to Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra."

Using someone's name to address them is personal and thus powerful. Parent's are warned about using labels on coats and paraphernalia with their child's name written on it because a stranger may use the child's name to win his confidence.

I try to use people's names when I speak to them. It makes a more personal connection. And I hate it when I can't remember someone's name.

Saying the Lord's name, we are calling on God. And God is looking in our hearts to see, "What do you want?" If we want something material the holy name gradually exposes to us exactly what that is that stands between us and the Lord. First it has to surface in order to clear away what desire seeds lie within the heart until all that is left is the desire for God alone. That will happen naturally since nothing else can satisfy the soul the way a relationship with the Supreme Soul Mate can.

There are common names and specific names. You can refer to someone as a man or you can refer to him as Mr. Ross, which is more formal compared to when he gets home and his kids call him "Dad", or His wife says, "Honey" or his best friend says, "Greg".  Similarly, God has various names according to various purposes or functions. His most intimate and primary name is said to be Krishna. Saying a name such as "God" is considered to be of secondary importance and power.nRecently I have been learning more about this. Harinama Cintamani by the acarya Bhaktivinoda Thakur says:

"Krishna's names are of two types, primary and secondary. By taking shelter of the primary names, the living entity gets the highest benefit. Those names which are part of the transcendental lilä (pastimes) of the Lord are considered primary names. Names such as Govinda, Gopäla, Räma, Rädhänätha and Hari reveal the eternal liläs of the Lord, and by chanting them the living entity gets entrance into the spiritual world.

"The secondary names are those which describe the Lord's functions. The Creator, Paramätmä and Brahman are names for use in karma and jnäna-kända, and give material elevation and liberation. Since the principal names alone give love of Godhead, the devotees accept only the principal names."

In the book called Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, it says:

"There are different names for the Supreme Lord, and these names have different purposes and meanings. For instance, He is known as Paramätmä the Supersoul, Brahman the Supreme Absolute, Srstikartä the creator, Näräyana the transcendental Lord, Rukminiramana the husband of Rukmini, Gopinätha the enjoyer of the gopis, and Krishna. In this way the Lord has different names, and these names indicate different functions."

Being unlimited, God can naturally be expected to have unlimited names. Here's a sampling. Below are the many names for Krishna mentioned in Bhagavad gita:

Acyuta—He who never fails His devotees and who never falls down from His position. (1.21, 11.42, 18.73)

Adhiyajna—the Lord of sacrifice; the Super-soul, the plenary expansion of the Lord in the heart of every living being. (8.2, 8.4)

Ädideva—the original Supreme God. (11.38)

Ädikartä—the supreme creator. (11.37)

Amitavikrama—having unlimited strength. (11.40)

Ananta—He who is unending; He who has no limit. (11.37)

Ananta-rüpa—unlimited form. (11.38)

Anantavirya—having unlimited potency. (11.19, 11.40)

Aprameya—who is immeasurable. (11.17, 11.42)

Apratimaprabhäva—whose power is immeasurable. (11.43)

Arisüdana—killer of the enemies. (2.4)

Bhagavän—Supreme Personality of Godhead; "He who possesses all opulences"; the Supreme Lord, who is the reservoir of all beauty, strength, fame, wealth, knowledge and renunciation; the name refers to the personal form of the Absolute Truth. (10.14, 10.17, (sri-bhagavän uväca: 2.2, 2.11, 2.55, 3.3, 3.37, 4.1, 4.5, 5.2, 6.1, 6.35, 6.40, 7.1, 8.3, 9.1, 10.1, 10.19, 11.5, 11.32, 11.47, 11.52, 12.2, 13.2, 14.1, 14.22, 15.1, 16.1, 17.2, 18.2))

Bhütabhävana—source of all manifestations; origin of everything. (9.5, 10.15)

Bhütabhåt—maintainer of all living entities. (9.5)

Bhütesa—Lord of everything; the supreme controller of everyone. (10.15)

Deva—Supreme Personality of Godhead; God. (11.14, 11.15, 11.44, 11.45)

Devadeva—Lord of all demigods; God of gods. (10.15, 11.13)

Devavara—great one amongst the demigods; best of gods. (11.31)

Devesa—Lord of all lords; God of the gods. (11.25, 11.37, 11.45)

Govinda—giver and object of pleasure to the cows and to the senses. (1.32, 2.9)

Hari—"He who removes all inauspiciousness and steals the hearts of His devotees." (11.9, 18.77)

Hrsikesa—Krsna, the Lord who directs the senses of the devotees; the master of the senses. (1.15, 1.20, 1.24, 2.9, 2.10, 11.36, 18.1)

Isa—the Supreme Lord. (11.44)

Isvara—the Supreme Lord; the Supreme Controller. (4.6, 15.17, 18.61)

Jaganniväsa—refuge of the universe. (11.25, 11.37, 11.45)

Jagatpati—Lord of the entire universe. (10.15)

Janärdana—maintainer of all living entities; chastiser of the enemies; also "He who re-moves the ignorance of His devotees." (1.35, 1.38, 1.43, 3.1, 10.18, 11.51)

Käla—time (another form of Krishna). (11.32)

Kamalapaträksa—lotus-petal-eyed one. (11.2)

Kesava—the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who has fine, long black hair; killer of the demon Kesi (1.30, 2.54, 3.1, 10.14, 11.35, 13.1, 18.76)

Kesinisüdana—killer of the Kesi demon. (18.1)

Krishna—‘dark blue’; the original, two-armed form of the Supreme Lord, who is the origin of all expansions; the Supreme Personality of Godhead; the all-attractive person. (1.28, 1.31, 1.40, 5.1, 6.34, 6.37, 6.39, 11.35, 11.41, 17.1, 18.75, 18.78)

Mädhava—husband of the goddess of fortune; "He who appeared in the Madhu dynasty." (1.14, 1.36)

Madhusüdana—killer of the demon Madhu. (1.34, 2.1, 2.4, 6.33, 8.2)

Mahäbähu—having mighty arms. (6.38, 11.23, 18.1)

Mahätmä—the great Lord; the great soul. (11.12, 11.20, 11.37, 11.50, 18.74)

Mahäyogesvara—the most powerful mystic. (11.9)

Paramesvara—the supreme controller. (11.3, 13.28)

Prabhu—the Lord, or the Master. (9.18, 9.24, 11.4, 14.21)

Prajäpati—the Lord of creatures (Visnu). (3.10)

Prapitämaha—the Lord is sometimes addressed as prapitämaha, the great-grandfather, be-cause He is the creator of Brahmä who is known pitämaha, the grandfather and creator of one universe. (11.39)

Purusottama—Lord Krsna, who is the Supreme Person, meaning "the most exalted person." (8.1, 10.15, 11.3, 15.18, 15.19)

Sahasrabähu—thousand-handed one. (11.46)

Sakha—dear friend. (11.41)

Ugrarüpa—whose form is fierce. (11.31)

Värsneya—descendant of Vrsni. (1.40, 3.36)

Väsudeva—the Supreme Lord, Krsna, son of Vasudeva, and proprietor of everything, material and spiritual. (7.19, 11.50, 18.74)

Visnu—the Personality of Godhead; "He who pervades the entire universe." (10.21, 11.24, 11.30)

Visvamürti—personification of the universe. (11.46)

Visvarüpa—whose form is the universe. (11.16)

Visvesvara—Lord of the universe; the ultimate controller. (11.16)

Yädava—He who appears in the Yadu dynasty. (11.41)

Yajna—"the personification of sacrifice"; the goal and enjoyer of all sacrifices. (3.9, 4.23)

Yogesvara—the supreme master of all mystic powers. (11.4, 18.75, 18.78)

Yogi—supreme mystic. (10.

continuous acts of kindness

"Random acts of kindness" sounds nice, but why just randomly?

Devotional service on the other hand is continuous acts of kindness, eternally stemming from a transcendental relationship with Krishna. A devotee wants to see that Krishna happy and acts on His behalf. By chanting Hare Krishna and following the bhakti program, one can enter into this ever expanding service mood. In fact, one will be always looking for some service to do.

People may be surprised by this, but in sastra whenever the Lord appears before a devotee to give them some benediction, they don't ask for a long vacation or a big house or to marry that handsome guy next door or any other material designation. They only ask to be engaged in His loving service. They want service to Krishna 24/7. Service is the love language between devotees and Krishna.

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So people want to know what is self realization, what is spiritual life? The answer is simple:
"The whole process of spiritual culture is aimed at changing the heart of the living being in the matter of his eternal relation with the Supreme Lord as subordinate servant, which is his eternal constitutional position. So with the progress of devotional service, the reaction of change in the heart is exhibited by gradual detachment from the sense of material enjoyment by a false sense of lording it over the world and an increase in the attitude of rendering loving service to the Lord." (SB 2.3.24p)

In a spiritually healthy condition, the soul loves to serve God. And serving God overflows to serving all living entities. It is all inclusive, universal love. In other words, kindness towards others no longer becomes a random thing, but a natural extension of that love.  For example, after taking the last cup of mung beans out of the can, you refill it for the next person, so that the Lord's service is unimpeded. Or after using the hair brush for brushing Nitai's wild mane (He's is, after all, a transcendental madman), you not only put the brush back in its original place, but you make sure to position the handle in such a way that the other pujari can grab a hold of it more easily. Devotional service is done with increasing care and attention to details, rather than doing it just to get it over with.

Krishna says that "That is the way of the spiritual and godly life, after attaining which a man is not bewildered. If one is thus situated even at the hour of death, one can enter into the kingdom of God."   (Bhagavad gita As It Is, verse 2.

devotion

There's a saying that “falling down doesn't make one a failure; staying down does”. People can forget the past when they are happy with the present. And if it takes longer; it is harder for us, or it is a more difficult journey... the sweeter is the victory.

Any good story has conflict. It's what makes the story interesting and the outcome more satisfying. The same with our lives. The same with the spiritual world. It would be boring if it was always nice. So the Lord and His devotees, the acaryas reveal, have spiritual emotions and transcendental predicaments. To make things dicey.

Radha and Krishna "making up" with the help of Their gopi friends. In the transcendental world all emotions are there, in their pure state.

 The Lord doesn't look at our mistakes and falldowns and other foolishness. What He sees is our continued attempt, determination and dedication to the path He has given us to go towards Him. Devotion is the essence. Love conquers His heart. We inherently have this relationship with the Lord, and the more we put into it, the more we get out of it.

When you patiently cook the milk every day to make nice burfi to offer Krishna, the milk reveals its characteristics and so making the burfi gets easier. Similarly, relationships take time and much time is needed to really open up to another person.

So it is with the Lord.

Being the Supreme Person, He may not reveal Himself right away. There are tests to help us see where our attention and loyalty lies. And when He sees an all consuming desire for His audience, free from any tinge of material motivation and expectations, He becomes attracted by such intense devotion.

In Bhagavad gita, Krsna declares He is partial to no one. He just naturally reciprocates with His devotee, the one who loves Him. Still, the Lord is not partial when we think how He never forgets anyone else. He is always open to and waiting for the soul that tires of trying to enjoy maya or material nature, to look in His direction once again..