Guest guest Posted August 2, 2001 Report Share Posted August 2, 2001 Digest 13, August 2, 2001 Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja *********************************************** Devotional service ****************** Q.1) By chanting without offenses one will no longer experience any suffering in this world, because one will be mercifully transferred to the abode of Lord Krishna. Does this mean that one will give up their material body and die when they attain that state? Ans. The result of offenseless chanting is that one develops pure love for Krishna. This stage can be attained even in one's present lifetime. In that condition, a devotee is no longer disturbed by the upheavals of the material world, because the devotee in such a purified consciousness tastes the happiness of devotional service from within. According to Krishna's own sweet will, the pure devotee will be mercifully transferred to Krsna Loka, in due course of time! During the duration of their present lifetime, they will not prematurely leave their body, but the offenseless chanter of the holy name, like Haridas Thakur, will relish Krishna's association through His holy name, and instruct others for their life's duratioin in the ways of devotional life by both their conduct (achar) and teachings (prachar). Bhagavad-gita ************* Q.2) Why do the concshells blown by Lord Krishna, Arjuna and others on the Kuruksetra field have names? What is the significance of those names? Ans. At the time it was common practice for the important paraphernalia of warriors to be given names. For instance the bow of Arjuna was known as Gandiva, Krishna's club is known as Kaumodaki etc. They were named in much the same way people were named, to describe some quality, present or desirable, or some pastime related to it. Srila Vishwantha Cakravarti Thakura attaches special significance to the fact that only those warriors whose conchshells were named survived the battle. Every one else with the exception of Satyaki (who is described as 'unconquerable'), perished. Q.3) This is a question on BG 2.45. Sri Krishna advises 'trai-gunya-visaya veda' by asking us to rise above the Vedas; and in some other chapter He says 'shrutis mrutir mamaivagya...', thereby asking us to study the Vedas. Could you please clarify. Ans. In BG 2.45 Krishna is advising Arjuna to rase above the three modes as described in the Vedas, not above the Vedas. In the purport, Srila Prabhupada explains that Arjuna is being advised to raise himself to the transcendental position of the Vedanta philosophy. Srila Rupa Gosvami writes in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.101): "Devotional service of the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures like the Upanishads, Puranas and Narada-pancaratra is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." However in BG 2.53, Sri Krishna comments that "When your mind is no longer disturbed by the flowery language of the Vedas, and when it remains fixed in the trance of self-realization, then you will have attained the divine consciousness." In this context He is referring to the aspect of Vedas that deals with fruitive activities for materialistic gains, which tend to lead one away from unalloyed devotional service. NOTE: The "shrutis mrutir mamaivagya" reference is not from BG, but study of the vedas is always recommended, under the guidance of a bonafide spiritual master. Q.4) Is Arjuna a jiva tattva or Vishnu tattva? In Bhagavad Gita he seems to be considered as a jiva tattva. In Krishna book, it is described that he is an expansion of Nara Narayana rishi. Ans. In the Krishna book Srila Prabhupada mentions that Arjuna is considered to be an empowered (shakti-avesha) incarnation of Nara-Narayana; this means that Arjuna is a jiva who has been specially empowered by a one of the Lord's own potencies. Q.5) Can you please let me know the meaning of "Om Tat Sat?" Ans. In BG 17.23 Krishna states that "From the beginning of creation, the three words om tat sat were used to indicate the Supreme Absolute Truth. These three symbolic representations were used by brahmans while chanting the hymns of the Vedas and during sacrifices for the satisfaction of the Supreme." For further explanation refer to the purport by Srila Prabhupada. Q.6) It is known that If one comes forward one step, Krishna comes forward ten steps. But in BG 4.11 Krishna says: "As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly." How should we understand that contradiction? Ans. In BG 4.11 Krishna is referring to the qualitative aspect of surrender, not the quantitative. He reciprocates according to the mood with which one approaches Him. One devotee may want Krishna as supreme master, another as his personal friend, another as his son, and still another as his lover. Krishna rewards all the devotees equally, according to their different intensities of love for Him. The "10-to-1" figures simply imforms us that Krishna is *SO* loving, that our tiniest gesture of love is reciprocated from His side so many times beyond ours. This quality of Krishna is universal, extended to all who surrender to Him, regardless of their position on the path of devotion, or their particular rasa even. - ------------------ Please note that this article and all past postings are available on the internet at http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl - ------------------ ----- Festivals over the next week ------ Aug 03 2001, Friday Appearance Lord Balarama (Fast) Jhulana Yatra ends (Fasting till noon) Aug 04 2001, Saturday Srila Prabhupada's departure for the USA *** NOTE: All times are for Washington D.C, USA, EST *** For information for your specific city please go to http://www.iskcondc.org and click on 'Calendar' ******************************************************************************* * C E L E B R A T I O N of the 25th Anniversary Attend the joyous reunion and 25th Anniversary of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana residing in Potomac, Maryland. Reconnect with old friends, share stories of the past, and create stories for the future. Watch the original video footage of Srila Prabhupada's only visit to Washington, DC, 25 years ago in July of 1976. Plenty of fun activities for children and lots of assorted prasadam for everyone. Schedule: Saturday, August 11, 2001 - New Hastinapura Retreat (picnic at Great Falls, campfire with Prabhupada memories, relay races, volleyball, game room, face painting and much more) Sunday, August 12, 2001 - Sri Janmastami Mahotsava Monday, August 13, 2001 - Sri Vyasa-puja of Jagat Guru A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Contact Padma malini devi dasi at 301-299-1326 E-mail: Padma (AT) prastha (DOT) com or Trikalajna dasa at 301-299-7205 We are also requesting contact information from all previous residents of New Hastinapura. ******************************************************************************* * - --------------- A brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami available at : http://www.iskcondc.org/biography/romapada_swami.html - --------------- This Email has been sent to you by the ISKCON temple of Washington D.C. Our contacts are: Email : mail (AT) iskcondc (DOT) org Web Address : http://www.iskcondc.org Postal: 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD 20854 In order to be removed from this mailing list please reply with the word REMOVE in the Subject. - ---------------- Please note that under Bill 1618 TITLE III passed by the 105th U.S. Congress this letter cannot be considered "SPAM" as long as the posting includes: 1) Contact information 2) A "REMOVE" device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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