Devotees are not attached to Money, Computers, and Internet!

[Guest guest]

Here is Krishnasoft's newsletter for June 1999:

 

DEVOTEES ARE NOT ATTACHED TO MONEY, COMPUTERS, AND INTERNET!

 

Welcome to the KrishnaSoft's Electronic Newsletter.

This is the June 1999 issue entitled: "Devotees Are Not Attached to Money,

Computers, and Internet!".

WEB: http://www.krishnasoft.com; EMAIL: krishna (AT) krishnasoft (DOT) com or

vdayal (AT) castle (DOT) net

 

This newsletter now goes to over 1100 people who either have an interest in

Vedic science and/or spiritually entertaining multimedia technology.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

(1) The Principles and the Instantiations

(2) Devotees Are Not Attached to Money, Computers, and Internet!

(3) Feedback: There is No Such Thing as Chance!

(4) Editorial Policy and Product List

 

 

1. THE PRINCIPLES AND THE INSTANTIATIONS

 

[The following is the seventh of a series of articles to present to the

benefits of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The multimedia Krsna CD published by

Krishnasoft presents the summary of the 10th Canto with parts from the 5th

Canto of this great spiritual masterpiece.]

 

In the January 1999 issue, we discussed how the Srimad-Bhagavatam is the

answer to all questions and the literary incarnation of Lord Krsna. And in

the February 1999 issue, we stated how the Srimad-Bhagavatam can expand via

devotional service [bhakti-yoga] and yet be the same:

 

"It is unlimited in strength, and however one may expand it according to one's

own ability, Bhagavatam still cannot be finished by such expansion.

Srimad-Bhagavatam, being the sound representation of the Lord, is

simultaneously explained in four verses and in four billion verses all the

same, inasmuch as the Lord is smaller than the atom and bigger than the

unlimited sky." (Bhag. 2.9.44)

 

Another glimpse into understanding this point is the simple example in

Physics of F = MA (force is equal to the mass multiplied by the acceleration).

The principle is the equation of F=MA and the instantiations are unlimited.

For example, force equals 35 when the mass equals 7 and the acceleration

equals 5. You can fill up hundreds and thousands of pages of instantiations

of the equations and never finish. At the same time, there are many millions

of false values one can concoct that do not fit into this principle.

Similarly, the principles of bhakti-yoga are the essence of the

Srimad-Bhagavatam and everything done and understood via pure bhakti-yoga is

real [bona fide] and all else is illusory.

 

"O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to

Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which

appears to be in darkness." (Bhag. 2.9.34)

 

Since unscrupulous commentators also try to explain the

Srimad-Bhagavatam, it should be noted that the explanations of devotees only

should be accepted since devotees only speak in devotional service

[bhakti-yoga] to Lord Krsna and not to satisfy their own agendas of achieving

name, fame, wealth, mental gratification, or some other material gain:

 

"No one should try to give a new interpretation by dint of mundane knowledge.

And the first step, therefore, in pursuance of the system of knowledge

received by Brahma, is to approach a bona fide guru who is the representative

of the Lord following the parampara system. No one should try to squeeze out

his own meaning by imperfect mundane knowledge." (Bhag. 2.9.37)

 

"Srimad-Bhagavatam gives us this information as the supreme Vedic literature,

and it was personally instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to

Brahmaji so that the leader of the living entities might broadcast the message

to all in the universe in order to teach the supreme knowledge of bhakti-yoga.

Brahmaji in his turn instructed Narada, his beloved son, the SAME MESSAGE of

Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Narada, in his turn, taught the SAME to Vyasadeva, who

again taught it to Sukadeva Gosvami. Through Sukadeva Gosvami's grace and by

the mercy of Maharaja Pariksit we are all given Srimad-Bhagavatam perpetually

to learn the science of the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna."

(Bhag. 2.9.38)

 

Note that the SAME MESSAGE was passed down although more devotional

commentaries were added to help the general populace's understanding of the

SAME MESSAGE according to time, place, and cirumstances. Therefore, although

Srila Prabhupada has given us extensive commentaries extending to many

different books, lectures, etc., he has not changed the message at all and has

not differed from the previous acaryas by ONE IOTA! Therefore, we find so

many millions of people have been profoundly affected by his books. This is

because the transparent medium provides the message AS IT IS and thus gives us

the opportunity of associating directly with the Supreme Personality of

Godhead. Similarly, anyone following in his footsteps can NEVER contradict

what he has stated or try to add or subtract something to the message else the

fruits of devotional love will be hampered:

 

"The disciplic succession holds that the Vedas were uttered by Lord Krsna to

Brahma, by Brahma to Narada, and by Narada to Vyasadeva, and then by Vyasadeva

to Sukadeva Gosvami and so on. SO THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VERSIONS

OF ALL AUTHORITIES. The truth is eternal, and as such there cannot be any new

opinion about the truth. That is the way of knowing the knowledge contained

in the Vedas. It is not a thing to be understood by one's erudite scholarship

or by the fashionable interpretations of mundane scholars. THERE IS NOTHING

TO BE ADDED AND NOTHING TO BE SUBTRACTED, BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH."

(Bhag. 2.2.32)

 

Currently, we find hundreds of people quoting Srila Prabhupada and differing

amongst themselves on what he meant by particular statements. However, it

should be noted that Srila Prabhupada is trying to present the message of the

Bhagavatam and not inventing anything new so all of Prabhupada's statements

should be understood in light of the principles of the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Caitanya-caritamrta, Nectar of Devotion, etc. are also

presenting the same message of bhakti-yoga as the Bhagavatam. This is why

Srila Prabhupada stated that one should study his books to understand him.

Anyone who gives an interpretation of Srila Prabhupada's letters, books,

conversations, etc. contrary to the principles of the Bhagavatam is simply

superimposing his imperfect mental concoctions on Prabhupada and not actually

presenting Srila Prabhupada's and Lord Krsna's words AS IT IS.

 

 

2. DEVOTEES ARE NOT ATTACHED TO MONEY, COMPUTERS, AND INTERNET!

 

The interest of those aspiring to be devotees and the only interest of

the pure devotees is to engage in devotional service to Lord Krsna as

confirmed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:

 

"The complete functional activities of a pure devotee are always enaged in

service of the Lord, and thus the pure devotees exchange feelings of ecstasy

between themselves and relish transcendental bliss." (Bhag. 2.3.12)

 

"To be more clear, if one wants to attain the stage of love of Godhead, he

must give up all desires for material enjoyment, he should refrain from

worshiping any of the demigods, and he should devote himself only to the

worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.... The pure devotee is only

favorably engaged in the service of the Lord, without any hope of emolument."

(Bhag. 2.2.31)

 

So it may questioned why we find devotees dealing with money, computers,

internet, etc. The only reason for the devotees using computers and internet

is because they are available and help them execute their devotional service

to Lord Krsna. If the internet were to completely shut-down and all the

computers were to stop functioning, the pure devotees would just find other

means to execute their devotional service, for that is their only objective.

They do not support the nondevotees' building of newer and more powerful

computers because the execution of devotional service is not dependent on

anything material being present but is the function of the soul:

 

"The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can

attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such

devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy

the self." (Bhag. 1.2.6)

 

"No material condition can stop the flow of the devotional service of a pure

devotee.... The pure devotee does not render loving service to the

Personality of Godhead for any cause or for any benefit, material or

spiritual. This is the first symptom of unalloyed devotion.

Anyabhilasita-sunyam: he has no desire to fulfill by rendering devotional

service. Such devotional service is meant for the purusottama, the Supreme

Personality, and not for anyone else." (Bhag. 3.29.11-12)

 

Therefore, the pure devotee does not care for computers and internet but

only of Lord Krsna and his service to Him. If computers help fulfill his

service to Lord Krsna, then he sees the availability of computers as Lord

Krsna's arrangement otherwise he takes no interest in computers and internet.

 

Money also falls into a similar catagory. Money used in the service of

Lord Krsna especially when given to those broadcasting His message purifies

the payer. In fact, we find that Srila Prabhupada did NOT freely distribute

Krsna conscious literature to anyone and everyone. This is not a lack of

compassion but EVEN MORE compassion. Some people think that by giving away

free religious things it is the highest compassion. But this is not true. If

someone pays for a book, and the person collecting the funds uses it in

Krsna's service, the payer actually performs devotional service unknowingly

[ajnata-sukrti] which becomes his eternal asset. This devotional credit can

eventually help save the victim from the most dangerous condition although HE

MAY NEVER READ THE BOOK! And it may also help him receive inspiration to read

the book and make further advancement. So the devotee, even in this case

of *SELLING* books which seems like mundane business to the nondevotees, is

thinking of the benefit of the customer!

 

Some people donate money thinking they will *HELP* the devotee maintain

himself. This is also incorrect as the devotee is maintained by the Supreme

Lord Himself and does not need to depend on anyone. Lord Krsna is the richest

Person and His devotees are specially treated by Him. The person who donates

needs the help by donating as much as he can for Lord Krsna's pleasure so he

can be helped out of the terrible material world.

 

Everything *CAN* be used in the devotional service of the Lord. Of

course, devotional service means what Lord Krsna wants us to do which can be

known through the bona fide spiritual master.

 

"Therefore the illusion of maya is at once dissipated as soon as one's full

energy is converted in the service of the Lord instead of in sense

enjoyment.... By service of the bona fide spiritual master, the Lord consents

to reveal Himself in proportion to the service rendered. Utilization of the

human energy in the service of the Lord is the progressive path of salvation.

The whole cosmic creation becomes at once identical with the Lord as soon as

service in relation with the Lord is rendered under the guidance of a bona

fide spiritual master. The expert spiritual master knows the art of utilizing

everything to glorify the Lord, and therefore under his guidance the whole

world can be turned into the spiritual abode by the divine grace of the Lord's

servant." (Bhag. 1.5.23)

 

Even if one is attached to material things such as computers, internet,

money, etc., the best way of eliminating the attachments is to dovetail them

in the service of the Lord instead of artificially trying to renounce them.

Of course, if they cannot be dovetailed in Krsna's service, one must try to

renounce them:

 

"O Brahmana, Vyasadeva, it is decided by the learned that the best remedial

measure for removing all troubles and miseries is to dedicate one's activities

to the service of the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead [sri Krsna]." (Bhag.

1.5.32)

 

"Think always that the money which is accumulated is the wealth of the Lord.

Wealth is Narayana, or the husband of Laksmi. Try to engage Laksmi in the

service of Lord Narayana and be happy. That is the way to realize the Lord in

every sphere of life. The best thing is, after all, to get relief from all

material activities and engage oneself completely in hearing the

transcendental pastimes of the Lord. But in case of the absence of such an

opportunity, one should try to engage in the service of the Lord everything

for which one has specific attraction, and that is the way of peace and

prosperity." (Bhag. 1.5.32)

 

 

3. FEEDBACK: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CHANCE!

 

Here is some feedback from the May 1999 issue "There is No Such Thing as

Chance!":

 

>Science brings the necessary light to some of the

>questions which were dividing so many men and which were the cause of

>some forms of ignorance. This ignorance even revealed to be dangerous

>several times in the past. Nowadays the different seasons, the rotation

>of the planets, the growth of human cells, mecanical energy,

>electromagnetic fields, etc can be understood in a better way.

 

None of the above can be said to be knowledge; they may have completely

different theories in 50 years. And even if it's true, how does it help stop

old age, disease, and death. How does it make people happy? How does it make

us eternal? What use are such theories?

 

>Scientific progress has even helped in medical assistance and in

>telecommunications. For example we would not be communicating right now

>if rational intelligence had not been put forward in a rational way!

 

I advise you to read Bhagavad-gita: 3.27 especially regarding WHO IS THE DOER.

Some people work very hard to create things and never succeed and some people

work a few hours and become famous as great engineers. Who gave them the

knowledge???? Is it random? Who is controlling material nature?

 

>Nevertheless science also shows the limit of rational intelligence ...

 

It's not science, it's just speculations one on top of the other. Krsna is

fulfilling their desires to Lord it over material nature by sanctioning their

inventions according to their karma. Scientists cannot even make a grain of

rice.

 

> I would like to know what bothers you in the theory of Evolution, the

>Big Bang one is perhaps not strong enough but that does not mean that it

>should immediately be rejected because it cannot be proved. In that case

>Fermat's theorem would have already been thrown to the bin long before!

 

What bothers me is that Bhagavatam is a PROVEN process so I have no need for

speculations about how the universe came about or how the species came about.

Why should I accept someone's belief system over something that works and

explains everything??? I already showed you that anything that uses terms of

"chance" or "probability" is incomplete in knowledge and cannot be accepted as

scientific. You should be unbiased and first study what exactly the

Bhagavatam is saying unless you are ready to prove your theories. If you have

no proof, you have to keep looking out for the better theory or something

that's actually science. You are already assuming everything is just a bunch

of theories!

 

 

4. EDITORIAL POLICY AND PRODUCT LIST

 

Krishna Software Inc. is dedicated to help people become peaceful and happy

via spiritual science presented using modern multimedia technology. Our

editorial policy as well as our mission is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam

(10.2.37 Purport):

"One should engage in practical service to the Lord. In our Krsna

consciousness movement, *ALL* our activities are concentrated upon

distributing Krsna literature. This is very important. One may approach any

person and induce him to read Krsna literature so that in the future he also

may become a devotee.... By fully concentrating on distributing books for

Krsna, one is fully absorbed in Krsna."

 

Krishna Software Inc. has produced some multimedia CDROMs and all the details

of these CDROMs can be found at our website http://www.krishnasoft.com. Here

is our current list of products:

 

(a) Multimedia Bhagavad-gita As It Is CD: Lord Krsna's eternal instructions to

Arjuna and the rest of the world about Isvara (Supreme Lord), jiva (the soul),

karma (activities), kala (time), and prakrti (nature). This is a 30-hour

audio-visual CDROM.

 

(b) Multimedia Bhagavad-gita As It Is Hindi CD: Same as (a) but with Hindi and

English translations; currently available on CD-R only.

 

© Multimedia Krsna CD w/Vedic Astronomy game: This is a 51-hour audio-visual

presentation of the Krsna book and a Vedic Astronomy game based on the Fifth

Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. All on a single CDROM. Free sample demo

downloadable.

 

(d) Multilingual Word Processor CD [version 4.00]: Type in diacritics, Hindi,

Sanskrit, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, and Assamese without knowing the

alphabet. Free demo downloadable.

 

All of the above software was tested on various Intel 486 and Pentium

processors running Windows 3.1, Windows '95, Windows '98, and Windows NT

(client and server).

 

Latest pricing and ordering information is at our web site:

http://www.krishnasoft.com.

------

End of Newsletter- written and edited by KSI staff; © 1998-1999 Krishna

Software Inc.

Our staff consists of: Hari Rama Dasa, Rajni Dayal, Virender Dayal and a few

part-time volunteers.

 

As long as this newsletter is sent in whole without adulteration, please

forward this newsletter to any friends who may be interested.

 

If you know anyone else who is interested to receive this free newsletter,

please email their email address to: info (AT) krishnasoft (DOT) com or

vdayal (AT) castle (DOT) net. On the other hand, if you want your name removed from our

mailing list, please tell us via email. If you have any questions about our

products, company, or this newsletter you can email them to us and we will

respond in the next issue.

 

All glories to Lord Sri Krsna and His transcendental potencies! All glories

to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the literary incarnation of the Lord Sri Krsna!