Hindu Parents and Children

November 23, 2007

Om Namoh Narayanaya. My pranaaams to Baba Ji and other Bhaktas. While working with young University students, they have often told me that one of the things that really bother them and as a result turn them away from Sanatana Dharma is the hypocrisy that they see in 1. Parents 2. Leaders. They often complain about these people who tell them to lead Vedic lives but do not do so themselves. Growing up in a Western country and attending Catholic School, it was quite easy to leave our Dharma but we did not. Mainly because our parents were living examples of Dharma. My belief is that if Parents set the example of leading Dharmic lives, their children will also do so even before they know themselves. My siblings and I were living the lives of Dharma, practising Bhakti before we could even walk/talk. I distinctly remember my baby brother doing pujas even before he could walk or

talk--he even knew who his Ishta was without anyone telling him anything. Our Pujari/the head of the largest Hindu Organisation in our country,when we were little told my parents that what they were doing is the absolute best thing and he also remarked that no matter where we are or what happens to us, no one will be able to change or remove our Dharma from us. Young people today cannot be subdued as those a generation ago. Young people live in a World where you are taught to enquire into and question anything. What I constantly hear from these young University students is " why Leaders know all the answers from the Sacred Texts yet they seem unable to apply them to their lives." Meaning that leaders are only preaching about Dharma/Dharmic lives while their own lives are far from that. The common remark/rebuke from elders is that one must not question leaders/elders and this is where the problem arise. Young people today, are not

afraid to question anything. They expect answers too and they are disgusted with hypocrisy. If we want our Youths to stay in Dharma, we have to be living examples to them. In New York City, the young people who attends/participate at the Mandirs are mostly those whose parents are themselves involved too. There is this young man who hates his religion because his father abuses his mother and him. This father is very knowledgeable about Sanatana Dharma, knows the Gita by heart, etc but yet he is abusive. He has driven his son away by his example. This is a demonstration too that book knowledge is not enough, practise is what matters more. The onus is on each parent to make sure that their children are grounded solidly in Sanatana Dharma. Teach them Bhakti from childhood and then as they get older expose them to Scriptures. Do not expose them to people who preach one thing and live the opposite--this

will make them despise their Dharma as soon as they are old enough to find out the truth. Nothing stays hidden even though some love to fool themselves. Youths/children feel betrayed and violated when they realise that people who are supposed to live Dharmic lives do not. It has become a habit to hear Hindus calling for some great leader to come devise a way to save their children--that is really just copping out of your responsibility. You have to be the change.You teach them with your life and you will see the difference. This has happened in my family and many other families. It can happen with all families as long as you are truly dedicated to your Dharma. Hari Bol. Regards, Nanda TAD VISNOH PARAMAM PADAM (Rg Veda 1.22.20)

For ideas on reducing your carbon footprint visit For Good this month.

November 24, 2007

Dandavat Pranams to Bhagavan Krishna and Vaishnavas ,

Nandaji's posting reveals to us the key necessity of introducing small kids to "ishta-Deva" worship .

In this "Kali-yuga", it is not practical to have "Role Models" . Maya ( illusion) affects every one including Elders, Spiritual Teachers and Priests . So, there is no scope for Hero-worship in this age .

A Hindu Parent must be both positive and realistic . He/She must have complete faith in own "Ishta-Deva" . Bhakti lights the lamp of Vedic knowledge in the heart . The lovely stories of Vedic Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata teach in an interesting manner , how to lead a Vedic way of life .

Hindus must adore Lord Rama , Sita-devi and Bhagavan Krishna as "Role Models" .

When a Parent teaches about Lord Rama and Krishna , he must be aware about the following sensitive aspects :

The intention of Bhagavan's incarnations was to teach by His personal example, the correct application of Dharma .

Lord Rama was the ideal man . As a son, He selflessly obeyed His Father's wishes . And as a ruler , He discarded even own wife to uphold "Raja-dharma" ( King's righteousness) .

Sita-Devi sacrificed all worldly comforts for the sake of Her Husband . She never blamed husband Rama for giving up the Kingdom that was due to Him .

Lord Rama killed Bali by shooting an arrow from the back , to teach that an Administrator must eliminate the Evil Enemy by any available means .

By "Rasa-kreeda"dance , Krishna displayed the unification of "Jivatma"and "Paramatman" .

Devi Parvathy once asked a doubt to husband Lord Siva " Was it appropriate for Krishna to enjoy with other's wives ? " .

Lord Siva answered " If one touches his own body , it is alright . Similarly , Krishna the all pervading "Paramatman" was enjoying with His own manifestations (Gopis) . By their Supremely selfless Bhakti-yoga , the "Jivatmas" of Gopis attained "sat-chit-anandam" ( eternal bliss) with Krishna , the "Paramatman .

Krishna advised Arjuna to kill the unarmed "Karna" , just to show to the world that an Administrator must not show any mercy to the Ädharmic" ( unrighteous) . In fact, even the (16) year old Abhmimanyu had easily defeated Karna . Therefore, Arjuna, equipped with Krishna's divine grace , could have easily killed Karna . But by creating such a typical situation , a precious lesson was taught to the Administrators .

( Note : Modern India's immoral rulers like Nehru blindly rejected Bhagvan Krishna and His divine Bhagavad Gita . Consequently, even after losing more than 65000 innocent lives in Kashmir , India is still being back-stabbed .)

Vedic dharma is to obey Bhagavan's Gita-advice . It is "Adharma" for an ordinary Person to kill a fellow being . But killing an enemy in war is "Dharma" to a soldier. Trickery is forbidden to an ordinary man . But a Ruler can use Trickery to crush the anti-national forces .

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!!!

SriKrishnaDasa Rajeev

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, Nanda <nandukother wrote:>> Om Namoh Narayanaya.> > My pranaaams to Baba Ji and other Bhaktas.> > While working with young University students, they have often told me that one of the things that really bother them and as a result turn them away from Sanatana Dharma is the hypocrisy that they see in 1. Parents 2. Leaders.> > They often complain about these people who tell them to lead Vedic lives but do not do so themselves. Growing up in a Western country and attending Catholic School, it was quite easy to leave our Dharma but we did not. Mainly because our parents were living examples of Dharma. My belief is that if Parents set the example of leading Dharmic lives, their children will also do so even before they know themselves. My siblings and I were living the lives of Dharma, practising Bhakti before we could even walk/talk. I distinctly remember my baby brother doing pujas even before he could walk or talk--he even knew who his Ishta was without anyone telling him anything. Our Pujari/the head of the largest Hindu Organisation in our country,when we were little told my parents that what they were doing is the absolute best thing and he also remarked that no matter where we are or what happens to us, no one will be able to change or remove our Dharma from us.> > Young people today cannot be subdued as those a generation ago. Young people live in a World where you are taught to enquire into and question anything. What I constantly hear from these young University students is " why Leaders know all the answers from the Sacred Texts yet they seem unable to apply them to their lives." Meaning that leaders are only preaching about Dharma/Dharmic lives while their own lives are far from that. The common remark/rebuke from elders is that one must not question leaders/elders and this is where the problem arise. Young people today, are not afraid to question anything. They expect answers too and they are disgusted with hypocrisy.> > If we want our Youths to stay in Dharma, we have to be living examples to them. In New York City, the young people who attends/participate at the Mandirs are mostly those whose parents are themselves involved too. There is this young man who hates his religion because his father abuses his mother and him. This father is very knowledgeable about Sanatana Dharma, knows the Gita by heart, etc but yet he is abusive. He has driven his son away by his example. This is a demonstration too that book knowledge is not enough, practise is what matters more.> > The onus is on each parent to make sure that their children are grounded solidly in Sanatana Dharma. Teach them Bhakti from childhood and then as they get older expose them to Scriptures. Do not expose them to people who preach one thing and live the opposite--this will make them despise their Dharma as soon as they are old enough to find out the truth. Nothing stays hidden even though some love to fool themselves. Youths/children feel betrayed and violated when they realise that people who are supposed to live Dharmic lives do not.> > It has become a habit to hear Hindus calling for some great leader to come devise a way to save their children--that is really just copping out of your responsibility. You have to be the change.You teach them with your life and you will see the difference. This has happened in my family and many other families. It can happen with all families as long as you are truly dedicated to your Dharma.> > Hari Bol.> > Regards,> Nanda> > > TAD VISNOH PARAMAM PADAM (Rg Veda 1.22.20)> > > > > > For ideas on reducing your carbon footprint visit For Good this month.>

November 24, 2007

Dear Mr. Nanda,

You pointed to an important problem related to Sanatana Dharma. While puja and traditions are important, they are only a small part of the Sanatana Dharma, which is a vision of excellence of the human being, four tools to help relaize that vision - four varnas, four ashramas, four yogas, and four aims -. They are addressed in a book being written. Here is what I wrote another reply on the issue:

A book is being written to address this issue and and also offer solutions to the nation's problems of poverty, illiteracy, overpopulation, and corruption. It is titled "Mother India Envisions A New Nation"

Regards,

S Rao Allada**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products.(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

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In a message dated 11/23/07 1:34:17 AM, nandukother writes:

Om Namoh Narayanaya.

My pranaaams to Baba Ji and other Bhaktas.

While working with young University students, they have often told me that one of the things that really bother them and as a result turn them away from Sanatana Dharma is the hypocrisy that they see in 1. Parents 2. Leaders.

They often complain about these people who tell them to lead Vedic lives but do not do so themselves. Growing up in a Western country and attending Catholic School, it was quite easy to leave our Dharma but we did not. Mainly because our parents were living examples of Dharma. My belief is that if Parents set the example of leading Dharmic lives, their children will also do so even before they know themselves. My siblings and I were living the lives of Dharma, practising Bhakti before we could even walk/talk. I distinctly remember my baby brother doing pujas even before he could walk or talk--he even knew who his Ishta was without anyone telling him anything. Our Pujari/the head of the largest Hindu Organisation in our country,when we were little told my parents that what they were doing is the absolute best thing and he also remarked that no matter where we are or what happens to us, no one will be able to change or remove our Dharma from us.

Young people today cannot be subdued as those a generation ago. Young people live in a World where you are taught to enquire into and question anything. What I constantly hear from these young University students is " why Leaders know all the answers from the Sacred Texts yet they seem unable to apply them to their lives." Meaning that leaders are only preaching about Dharma/Dharmic lives while their own lives are far from that. The common remark/rebuke from elders is that one must not question leaders/elders and this is where the problem arise. Young people today, are not afraid to question anything. They expect answers too and they are disgusted with hypocrisy.

If we want our Youths to stay in Dharma, we have to be living examples to them. In New York City, the young people who attends/participate at the Mandirs are mostly those whose parents are themselves involved too. There is this young man who hates his religion because his father abuses his mother and him. This father is very knowledgeable about Sanatana Dharma, knows the Gita by heart, etc but yet he is abusive. He has driven his son away by his example. This is a demonstration too that book knowledge is not enough, practise is what matters more.

The onus is on each parent to make sure that their children are grounded solidly in Sanatana Dharma. Teach them Bhakti from childhood and then as they get older expose them to Scriptures. Do not expose them to people who preach one thing and live the opposite--this will make them despise their Dharma as soon as they are old enough to find out the truth. Nothing stays hidden even though some love to fool themselves. Youths/children feel betrayed and violated when they realise that people who are supposed to live Dharmic lives do not.

It has become a habit to hear Hindus calling for some great leader to come devise a way to save their children--that is really just copping out of your responsibility. You have to be the change.You teach them with your life and you will see the difference. This has happened in my family and many other families. It can happen with all families as long as you are truly dedicated to your Dharma.

Hari Bol.

Regards,

Nanda