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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

 

 

The Lord makes Himself accessible to devotees

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, DEC. 18. Among the nine modes of devotion described in scriptural

texts, listening to the glory of God (Sravana) and singing His praise (Kirtanam)

have been identified by sages as the most easy ones to adopt in this Kali age.

Between the two Sravanam is easier as the self-effort required is even less. In

the earlier eras it was necessary to contemplate on God, perform sacrifices and

austerities to attain the goal of liberation whereas the same end can be

realised by devotion in this age. With the minimum effort one can derive the

maximum benefit.

 

It may come as a surprise, as it has become common to blame Kali Yuga for the

decadence in moral life, that great men of God have expressed the desire to be

born in this age because it is possible to reap the fruit of spiritual practices

immediately. On the contrary man's sins fructify only slowly. But the nature of

this age is such that there will be hurdles to man's efforts. Only God's grace

can offset these impediments and devotion is the key to elicit divine grace.

Narayana Bhattatiri focusses right at the outset in the Narayaneeyam on how

devotion can be enhanced, ``Devotion comes of itself if one merely immerses

oneself in the joy of listening to the stories of the Lord's deeds and

excellences, and bestows the pure knowledge of the Supreme (liberation) without

any effort on one's part, by His grace alone.''

 

In his discourse, Therazhundur Sri A. Ramabadran said the Supreme Being who in

His transcendental aspect was beyond the ken of human reach became very

accessible during His incarnations and also in the image form in temples. For

instance, it bears repetition that even the Vedas have failed to exhaust the

Lord's glory. But the Almighty in His incarnations as Rama and Krishna

supplicated before their preceptors Vasishta and Sandipini respectively to learn

the scriptures. Lord Krishna's life as experienced by Azhwars also throws light

on how accessible He becomes when He chooses.

 

Krishna as the butter-thief is grist to the mill of mystics for they never can

tire of the pranks He indulged in. Once when Yashoda caught Him red-handed for

stealing butter and went searching for a piece of rope to whip Him, He hurriedly

swallowed the butter and beseeched her with both His hands folded fear writ

large on His face. The Azhwar says that He who evokes fear in the denizens of

the three worlds presented such a pitiable sight with butter smeared on His

mouth that Yashoda at once reached the heights of ecstasy out of pity for Him.

 

 

Copyrights: 1995 - 2001 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

[Guest guest]

respected scholars of the group

 

Lord Krishna has said in adhayaya 5 shloka 12

 

'He who works with a selfish motive, being attatched to fruit of

actions through desire, gets tied down.'

 

you may refer this shloka in

http://in.geocities.com/gitabykrishna/index_text.html

 

and then

 

 

``Anyone who wants to lead a fruitful life must

> have a vision before him and must engage in action with the

> objective of realising this vision,'' was how Swami Tejomayananda

> summed up the Gita way of life.

 

now

 

'To act with an eye on ojective'

 

is this not a selfish motive

 

i am confused;

 

can any body help

 

nkbali

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

advaitin, thehindu@v... wrote:

> This article summarizes the view points from Bhagavad Gita by Swami

Tejomayanandaji, the current Head of the Chinmaya Mission. Swamiji

forcefully argues that Arjuna's problem was mostly due to the fact he

didn't have a vision for the Mahabharat War. Lord Krishna through the

conversation helps Arjuna to realize the vision. With the vision, the

mission became quite for Arjun.

>

> warmest regards,

>

> Ram Chandran

> =============================================================

> This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran@c... )

> =============================================================

> Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

>

> Man's action must be guided by vision

>

> CHENNAI, NOV. 20. ``Anyone who wants to lead a fruitful life must

> have a vision before him and must engage in action with the

> objective of realising this vision,'' was how Swami Tejomayananda

> summed up the Gita way of life. The Bhagavad Gita is one of the

> most popular scriptural texts. Its importance is well-

> acknowledged but a person who wants to follow it must pause and

> consider what the Gita means to him to translate its teachings

> into his life. To have a vision and not engage in action amounts

> to a daydream, whereas, action without a vision will tantamount

> to groping in the darkness.

>

> Without visualising what an individual wants to achieve in his

> life, if he engages in action he will drift aimlessly. The

> problem with Arjuna was that he lacked a vision. He had only

> action in his mind when he came to the battlefield, vengeance to

> be precise, to rout the Kauravas and get back the kingdom. But,

> when he stood before the Kaurava army, just when the war was

> about to begin he developed cold feet. Totally shattered seeing

> all his relations arrayed in battle, his bow slipped from his

> hand and his mind was in a whirl. He told Lord Krishna that there

> was no point in coveting a victory that would be the end of his

> kinsmen.

>

> In his discourse, Swami Ishwarananda said it was lack of vision

> that made Arjuna withdraw from action but providentially Lord

> Krishna was by his side to steer him through his dilemma. Arjuna

> then submitted to the Lord beseeching Him, ``My natural

> disposition is vitiated by a sense of pity and my mind is in

> utter confusion regarding my duty. Tell me with certainty what

> will lead to my good; I am Your disciple. Instruct me, who have

> taken refuge in You.'' The majority go about performing actions

> in day-to-day life mechanically without reflecting on where they

> are heading or even on what they are doing. Maybe a crisis

> occasionally shakes their complacence to contemplate on the

> meaning of life. There are some moments of wisdom as during a

> Satsangh (in the company of saints) and endeavour to lead a

> fruitful life but no sustained effort in that direction.

>

> We are familiar with action but not with the intention behind our

> actions. This was the reason for Arjuna's dilemma and the Lord

> who knew his problem did not tell him not to fight. Instead, He

> wanted Arjuna to realise that it was his intention (vengeance)

> which was not right. He engaged him in a long conversation so

> that he would gain the right vision and gave him the choice to

> act rightly.

>

> Copyrights: 1995 - 2001 The Hindu

>

> Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are

expressly

> prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

[Guest guest]

Namaste Narendraji:

 

Let we start with the complete translation of chapter 5, verse.12 as

represented in the referenced site: "Offering the fruits of actions to

God, the Karma yogi attains ever lasting peace in the shape of

God-Realization, whereas, he who works with a selfish motive, being

attached to the fruit of actions through desire, gets tied down."

 

The vision that Swamiji refers to is - Eternal Universal Happiness.

The mission of human life (Human Dharma) is to undertake actions to

realize this vision. This is the human Karma synchronized with

Dharma. In Tamil those who are truly dedicated to their work are

nicknamed with the phrase "Karamame Kannayinar." The phrase literally

summarizes Swamiji's statement, "To act with an eye on the objective."

The issue of selfishness arises if and if the focus is diverted from

the mission of universal happiness.

 

The word `karma' is often translated as `action' and it is incomplete

in the sense that karma means many things. The Sanskrit words,

`Dharma' and `Karma' are quite complex: first it is impossible to find

an English translation for Dharma that can fully signify the implied

Sanskrit meaning. In the case of karma, action is inadequate, because

karma means many things. The word Karma is used by the Western Media

(newspapers, radio and televison)quite often and almost all the time,

it is attributed to the lingering effects of a past action. The

American Heritage Dictionary has the following meaning attributed to

Karma: 1. The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during

successive phases of the person's existence. 2. Fate; destiny (3). A

distinctive aura, atmosphere or feeling such as bad karma around the

house today. (4) deed.

This may explain why we are all confused one time or another in

understanding statements associated with karma.

 

Essentially Swami Tejomayananda (also Gitacharya in Gita) suggests a

Karma Yogi always conducts his/her actions to achieve the universal

happiness. If we go deep into the spiritual side, the eye is not the

physical eye but the `spiritual eye beyond the body-mind-intellect'

and the object is "Om!"

 

Let me also point out another scriptural statement regarding karma

that is often misunderstood. A self-realized person is free from

`karma' should not be interpreted as free from action. All Jivamuktas

have to conduct their daily duties (nithya karmas), however their

actions will not have the `lingering effects.' In other words, they

conduct their karmas (actions) without karma (free from the effects of

their actions). To conclude, the Jnanis (Karma Yogis) are able get

liberated from the effects spelled out by the `karma theory.'

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

Note: These are my own thoughts and are consequently subject to errors

and omissions. Corrections are welcome and will be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

advaitin, "jaynkbali" <jaynkbali> wrote:

> respected scholars of the group

> Lord Krishna has said in adhayaya 5 shloka 12

>

> 'He who works with a selfish motive, being attatched to fruit of

> actions through desire, gets tied down.'

>

> you may refer this shloka in

> http://in.geocities.com/gitabykrishna/index_text.html

>

> and then

> ``Anyone who wants to lead a fruitful life must

> > have a vision before him and must engage in action with the

> > objective of realising this vision,'' was how Swami Tejomayananda

> > summed up the Gita way of life.

>

> now

>

> 'To act with an eye on ojective'

>

> is this not a selfish motive

>

> i am confused;

>

> can any body help

>

> nkbali