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NATION - RELIGION - KING KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA Siem Reap ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- Sridhara Masa Gaurabda 525 ( Jul-Aug 2011 )
OM SRI-GURAVE NAMAH !
Hare Krishna.
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Krishna Conscious Psychology Apart from his tremendous grasp of practical, Srila Prabhupada also revealed the Vedic science of psychology, which reveals the influence of the past on our present mental situation. Modern psychologists analyze childhood experiences and their influence on character and personality, but Vedic psychology teaches of the cumulative effect of many lifetimes on our present condition, of the effect of the three modes of material nature, and of past pious and sinful activities . Therefore psychologists also have much to learn from Srila Prabhupada. Psychology: how the mind influences behavior Our position is, we are constituted of this body. Body means the senses and the controller of the senses or the, what is called, driver, driver of the senses, is the mind. And mind is conducted, thinking, feeling, and willing, the psychology, the science of psychology, that is being conducted under intelligence. And above the intelligence, I am sitting. I am a spirit soul. So how we become victim of this maya , that is described here, that from anger delusion arises, and from delusion, bewilderment of memory, Bewilderment memory. I have forgotten completely that I am not this body, I am spirit soul, aham brahmasmi ; I am part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman, spirit, absolute whole. That I have forgotten. And when memory is bewildered, and as soon as I forget that I am spirit soul, I identify myself with this material world, illusion. Intelligence is lost. I should have used my intelligence to conduct the activities of the mind—thinking, feeling and willing—and because my mind is not controlled, my senses are not controlled, therefore I am fallen. This is the analysis of the whole bodily construction. Go on”( Srila Prabhupada ) Behavior of Asura and Devata That is called asura. Asuram bhavam ashritah, they are simply planning for his own sense gratification. And devotees, they are simply planning how to satisfy Krishna's senses. That is the difference. How Krishna will be satisfied. Both of them are planning, but one is planning for his own sense satisfaction and the other is planning how to satisfy the senses of Krishna. This is the difference between asura and deva . There are two classes of men: deva and asura . Dvau bhuta-sargau loke ‘smin daiva asura eva ca [Bg. 16.6]. Asuras tad-viparyayah. Vishnu-bhaktah smito daiva asuras tad-viparyayah . Those who are devotees of the Lord, servants of the Lord, they are called deva, or demigods. Asuras tad-viparyayah . And the asuras are just opposite. There are two classes of human beings, namely the envious and the obedient. Since the Supreme Lord is one and the father of all living beings, the envious living beings are also His sons, but they are known as the asuras . But the living beings who are obedient to the supreme father are called devatas , or demigods, because they are not contaminated by the material conception of life. Not only are the asuras envious of the Lord in even denying the existence of the Lord, but they are also envious of all other living beings. The predominance of asuras in the world is occasionally rectified by the Lord when He eliminates them from the world and establishes a rule of devatas like the Pandavas. ( SB 1.13.49 purport) This is a verse from the Padma Purana . Visnu-bhaktas , or devotees in Krishna consciousness, are known as devas (demigods). Atheists, who do not believe in God or who declare themselves God, are asuras (demons). Asuras always engage in atheistic material activities, exploring ways to utilize the resources of matter to enjoy sense gratification. The visnu-bhaktas , Krishna conscious devotees, are also active, but their objective is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead by devotional service. Superficially both classes may appear to work in the same way, but their purposes are completely opposite because of a difference in consciousness. Asuras work for personal sense gratification, whereas devotees work for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. Both work conscientiously, but their motives are different. (CC Adi. 3.91 purport) Krishna Conscious Psychology Krishna conscious psychology is to control the mind and concentrate on the spirit-self and the relationship of the self to the Supreme Self. The Vedic process begins by chanting the maha-mantra to cleanse the mind. These are some items for psychology. (Satvarupa Dasa Goswami) First of all technology of the senses, and then, next higher technology is of the mind, which is known as psychology; thinking, feeling, willing. They are trying to understand how they are working. And above this mind, mental science, there is the science of intelligence. And above the science of intelligence, the background is the soul. Unfortunately, we have got technology for the bodily senses, we have got technology for psychology, but we have neither any technology for intelligence nor for any technology in the science of the soul. The Krishna consciousness movement is the technology of the science of soul. Externally means physiologically and internally means psychologically. Physiological treatment will never help us to remain free from all diseases because all diseases sprout at the beginning psychologically. It is said in the Bhagavad-gita as follows: bhumir apo'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakrtir astadha apareyam itas tv anyam prakrtim viddhi me param jiva-bhutam maha-baho yayedam dharyate jagat “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. [Bg. 7.4-5] mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah manah-sasthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karsati The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind. [Bg. 15.7] Earth, water, fire, air and the sky are the five principle elements of the physical world, and the mind, intelligence and false ego are the finer elements of the psychological world. Therefore, all sciences and arts including the science of morality, religion or theology all belong to the External Energy of the Personality of Godhead. We should not therefore make an end of philosophical search here only, but we must have to enter into the realm of the Internal Energy of the Personality of Godhead, the particles of which are manifested in the shape of living beings. The living entity is never the product of the elements of the physical or psychological elements, but it is made of a different ingredient, produced from the Internal Energy of Godhead. Such eternal potency is the target of Bhagavad-gita, and if any treatment has to be done for the diseases of the human being, it has to be done from the very inception, namely from the Internal Potency. Such treatment only will make every living being hale and hearty. As such, the Gita-nagari has to minister the treatment of diseased persons, both externally and internally , as above mentioned. There is practically no hospital for the treatment of the internal potency, and Gita-nagari must be very much alive to this point of view. For such internal treatment of the human being, Bhagavad-gita will always help us. (Conception Gita Nagari Part 2) Externally (physiological) and internally (psychological) treatment, trough Development of Consciousness The Vedas speak of five levels of consciousness development beginning with what is termed as annamaya, and gradually rising to pranamaya,jnanamaya ,vijnanamaya and finally anandamaya. The first three are connected with the field of activities of the living entity, annamaya , being consciousness of our own body and its basic needs such as food, anna ; pranamaya, being consciousness of other forms of life, prana while jnanamaya being consciousness of our mind and intelligence whereby we can cultivate ordinary material knowledge, jnana. The other two levels of development transcend these two and bring one to vijnanamaya, realizing ourselves as different from our material body, to be eternal spirit souls, the beginning stage of realized or transcendental knowledge, vijnana; and the last stage, the perfection of all knowledge culminating in anandamaya , blissful consciousness, ananda, where there is realization of self as eternal servant of Lord Krishna and one is situated in pure devotional service....We understand from sastra , and from our daily experience as well, that we all have basic needs to fulfill. These are known as bodily needs, mental needs, social needs, and spiritual needs. ( Bhakti Raghava Swami) “the basic principle of economic development is centered on land and cows. The necessities of human society are food grains, fruits, milk, minerals, clothing, wood, etc. One requires all these items to fulfill the material needs of the body. Certainly one does not require flesh and fish or iron tools and machinery.” [SB 1.10.4] “Progressive human civilization is based on brahminical culture, God consciousness and protection of cows. All economic development of the state by trade, commerce, agriculture and industries must be fully utilized in relation to the above principles; otherwise all so-called economic development becomes a source of degradation. Cow protection means feeding the brahminical culture, which leads towards God consciousness, and thus perfection of human civilization is achieved.” [SB 1.19.3] “The Bhagavata says that you can make economic development as far as it maintains your body and soul together. Not that making whole life economic development and real purpose of life forget. This is foolishness.” [Conversation, July, 1975, Philadelphia] Daiva varnasrama, ideal and natural social system One of the objectives of the Krishna consciousness movement is to establish this daiva-varnashrama , but not to encourage so-called varnashrama without scientifically organized endeavor by human society. —SB 7.14.10 Purport Before coming to the standard of varnashrama - dharma there is no question of human civilization. Therefore, the Krishna consciousness movement is trying to establish this right system of human civilization, which is known as Krishna consciousness, or daiva-varnashrama -divine culture. —Science of Self Realization 3: Discovering the Roots The Varnashrama Society is the most ideal and natural social system because it has been given by Supreme Lord himself. Lord Krishna instructs Arjuna: catur-varnyam maya srstham guna-karma-vibhagasah (Bhagavad-gita 4.42) Just like the physical body is divided into four main parts such as the head, the arms, the belly and the legs, similarly the social body of any community is also arranged into four main social divisions ( varnas ), namely: 1. Intellectual class ( brahmanas or head) 2. Administrative class ( ksatriyas or arms) 3. Productive class ( vaisyas or belly) 4. Laborer class ( sudra or legs). When all the parts of the body work in harmony for the satisfaction of the whole physical body, all of them remain healthy and happy. Similarly, when all the parts of the social body work in harmony for the satisfaction of God, everyone in society, including the animals, remain healthy and satisfied. The system of varnashrama becomes ideal and complete when one adds the four spiritual divisions ( ashramas ): 1. Celibate student life(brahmacari) 2. Regulated householder life(grhastha) 3. Retired life(vanaprastha) 4. Renounced life(sannyasa). The system of divine varnashrama (daivi-varnashrama) , centered on devotional service to Lord Krishna, is meant to help one rise to the platform of goodness and beyond. In our present Age of Kali, the easiest process recommended by Lord Caitanya is the Hari Nam Sankirtan Movement. Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare in association with the devotees of the Lord, all auspiciousness will follow. Daivi varnashrama can thus best be introduced when one takes up the process of training and education under the direction of a bona-fide preceptor or spiritual master who understands how to gradually introduce the ideal social system of varna and ashrama . ( Bhakti Raghava Swami :Varnasrama Society Pamphlet) Compiled by: Guna Avatara dasa ********************************************************************************************************************************* THE GLORIES OF THE COW FROM MAHABHARATA In the Anusasana Parva, Dana dharma Parva, 51/26/34 The great sage Cyavana said to Nahusa, “O King, I do not see any wealth in this work equal to the cow. O protector of the subjects, hear and chant the glories of the cow, give cows in charity and see cows every day. The cow has been glorified in the sastras. The cow is the source of prosperity. There is no tinge of sin in her. The cow always supplies food grains to the human beings, as well as the ingredients of sacrifice to the demigods. The cow is the mouth of sacrifice, she possesses divine nectar and release it in the form of milk. The whole world bows down before her.” “In this world, the cow is equal to Agni, as far as her body and effulgence is concerned. She is the source of brightness and the giver of happiness to all living entities. Wherever cows live fearlessly, that place becomes sacred. The cow is the staircase to heaven. She is also worshiped in heaven. She fulfills all of one’s desires. There is nothing superior to her.” “O best of the Bharata dynasty, I have thus revealed to you the glories of the cow. There are many more qualities that I have not mentioned. No one can completely describe all the good qualities of the cow.” Elsewhere is Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, Dana-dharma Parva, Chapters 69, Bhisma said to Yudhisthira. “O King, the cow, the land, and knowledge are very important subjects. These things should be given in charity. The results achieved for donating these three things is the same. These three objects can fulfill all the desires of human beings. The cow is accepted as the mother of all living entities. She gives happiness to everyone. A person who wants advancement in material life should always live in the the company of cows. One should always keep a cow. She is very auspicious. One should show resped for and worship the cow.” The bull has been used for tilling the land since time immemorial. One should not unnecessarily five trouble to or disturb cows. If one mistreats a cow and does not take care of her properly then by her anger that person becomes destroyed. The temple and many other places are smeared with cow dung for purification. A person who daily feeds a cow, even a morsel of grass, attains the result of observing many vows.” Excerpt from SACRED COWS, *********************************************************************************************************************************
Gautama Buddha and the greatness of the cow Gautama Buddha performed severe penance under the Bodhi tree. Since he had abandoned all food and drink, the penance took a toll on his body. However, it was due to the payasa (milk preparation offered by a villager named Sujatha, that Buddha was rejuvenated. He realized the importance of the middle path madhyama marga and gained nirvana(realization and emancipation). Samskriti Foundation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five things
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gavopanisad gavo bhutam ca bhavyam ca The cow is the past and future. She nourishes the health of all living entities, and she is the root of prosperity. The piety one achieves by feeding a cow in never destroyed. *********************************************************************************************************************************
Heavenly Planet According to Vedic literature, there are many planetary systems. The planetary system in which we are living is called Bhurloka. Above this planetary system is Bhuvarloka. Above that is Svarloka (the moon belongs to the Svarloka planetary system). Above Svarloka is Maharloka; above that is Janaloka; and above that is Satyaloka. Similarly, there are lower planetary systems. Thus there are fourteen statuses of planetary systems within this universe.The heavenly places of enjoyment are divided into three groups: the celestial heavenly planets, the heavenly places on earth, and the bila heavenly places, which are found in the lower regions. Among these three classes of heavenly places (bhauma-svarga-pada-ni), the heavenly places on earth are the eight varsas other than Bharata-varsa. In Bhagavad-gita (9.21) Krishna says, ksine punye martya-lokam visanti: when the persons living in the heavenly planets exhaust the results of their pious activities, they return to this earth. In this way, they are elevated to the heavenly planets, and then they again fall to the earthly planets. This process is known as brahmanda bhramana, wandering up and down throughout the universes. Those who are intelligent, in other words, those who have not lost their intelligence, do not involve themselves in this process of wandering up and down. They take to the devotional service of the Lord so that they can ultimately penetrate the covering of this universe and enter the spiritual kingdom. Then they are situated on one of the planets known as Vaikunthaloka or, still higher. Krishnaloka (Goloka Vrndavana). A devotee is never caught in the process of being promoted to the heavenly planets and again coming down. *********************************************************************************************************************************
YA Facility ------------> YA Activities ---------------> YA Plantation ------------>
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