Five Common Occupations And Their Faults

Krishna's Mercy

“Every endeavor is covered by some sort of fault, just as fire is covered by smoke. Therefore one should not give up the work which is born of his nature, O son of Kunti, even if such work is full of fault.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 18.48)

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सह-जं कर्म कौन्तेय
स-दोषम् अपि न त्यजेत्
सर्वारम्भा हि दोषेण
धूमेनाग्निर् इवावृताः

saha-jaṁ karma kaunteya
sa-doṣam api na tyajet
sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa
dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ

Be someone else for a day. Trade places. Out of the current setting and into something new. It can’t be as bad as it is right now. The grass is greener on the other side; at least that is the hope. Once I finally move on, I can tell off the people I am leaving behind. I will never have to see them again.

But not so fast. The new setting could bring…

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Three Things I Think I Might Need In Serving Krishna

Krishna's Mercy

“In the human society, whether one is a laborer, merchant, warrior, administrator, or farmer, or even if one belongs to the highest class and is a literary man, a scientist or a theologian, he has to work in order to maintain his existence. The Lord therefore tells Arjuna that he need not give up his occupation, but while he is engaged in his occupation he should remember Krishna.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Introduction)

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He is the all-attractive one. He has done so much for me. No matter how hectic life gets, I can always count on Him to calm me down. Baby screaming in the background? Spouse complaining about the brand of juice I picked up from the supermarket? Boss upset that I am behind in that major project at the office?

Everything gets forgotten with a single look at the deity, worshiped…

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Rama Navami 2020

Krishna's Mercy

“Just as a tree starts to blossom during the proper season, so the doer of sinful deeds inevitably reaps the horrible fruit of their actions at the appropriate time.” (Lord Rama speaking to Khara, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 29.8)

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अवश्यं लभते जन्तुः फलं पापस्य कर्मणः।
घोरं पर्यागते काले द्रुमाः पुष्पमिवार्तवम्।।

avaśyaṃ labhate jantuḥ phalaṃ pāpasya karmaṇaḥ।
ghoraṃ paryāgate kāle drumāḥ puṣpamivārtavam।।

It is only understandable to turn to prayer in times of great difficulty. Where the reality of the fragile nature of the body-life combination hits home. Where the event known to be inevitable gives a reminder of its closely approaching arrival.

Nature’s law must still operate. It is only fair, after all. Prayers will not do much, if not directed towards a higher purpose. These are the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who follows in a line…

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Two Questions To Ask The “Religious Dogma” Protester

Krishna's Mercy

“But ignorant and faithless persons who doubt the revealed scriptures do not attain God consciousness. For the doubting soul there is happiness neither in this world nor in the next.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.40)

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अज्ञश् चाश्रद्दधानश् च
संशयात्मा विनश्यति
नायं लोको ऽस्ति न परो
न सुखं संशयात्मनः

ajñaś cāśraddadhānaś ca
saṁśayātmā vinaśyati
nāyaṁ loko ‘sti na paro
na sukhaṁ saṁśayātmanaḥ

The Bhagavad-gita. You hold this work in the highest esteem. Ever since you came across the published edition with the suffix, “As It Is,” you were amazed. On one side finally there was someone speaking your language. The suspicions you had about the futility of material life confirmed. You had an inkling that you lived before and that the existence will continue after death.

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्
नायं भूत्वा भविता वा न भूयः
अजो नित्यः शाश्वतो ऽयं पुराणो
न हन्यते…

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The Three Step Process Of Advancement For A Community

Krishna's Mercy

“One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 2.66)

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नास्ति बुद्धिर् अयुक्तस्य
न चायुक्तस्य भावना
न चाभावयतः शान्तिर्
अशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम्

nāsti buddhir ayuktasya
na cāyuktasya bhāvanā
na cābhāvayataḥ śāntir
aśāntasya kutaḥ sukham

By no means is this list created or supported through a scientific study. Edge cases here and there surely exist. Exceptions to the rule. Instances that break the pattern. But there can be no denying the initial spark, the desire that drives the progression.

A community goes through phases with respect to advancement. From beginning to end, the change could occur gradually, over several decades, in fact. The acharya of the bhakti tradition of spiritual life is waiting at the completion stage…

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Three Potential Accusations Against Hanuman’s Character

Krishna's Mercy

“Though all of these unsuspecting wives of Ravana were seen by me, my mind has not been disturbed even a little.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 11.40)

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कामं दृष्टा मया सर्वा विश्वस्ता रावणस्त्रियः।।
न हि मे मनसः किञ्चिद्वैकृत्यमुपजायते।

kāmaṃ dṛṣṭā mayā sarvā viśvastā rāvaṇastriyaḥ।।
na hi me manasaḥ kiñcidvaikṛtyamupajāyate।

Hinduism isn’t really a religion. It is a term derived from outsiders to describe the variety in spiritual practices they see as belonging to one collective culture. Indeed, in the sacred texts of reference, there is no hint of such a word, and neither would anyone be classified as belonging to a particular sect.

The closest equivalent to the concept of religion in that tradition would be sanatana-dharma. This is the Sanskrit for describing the eternal way of living. Without a beginning and without an end. The constitutional position of the living…

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Why Is Stopping At Brahman Realization Considered Catastrophic

Krishna's Mercy

“The king went and received blessings and then paid so much honor and respect after that. When he saw Rama, he experienced a happiness one hundred times that of Brahman realization.” (Janaki Mangala, Chand 5.2)

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नृप गहे पाय असीस पाई मान आदर अति किएँ |
अवलोकि रामहि अनुभवत मनु ब्रह्मसुख सौगुन किएँ ||

nṛpa gahe pāya asīsa pāī māna ādara ati kiem̐ |
avaloki rāmahi anubhavata manu brahmasukha sauguna kiem̐ ||

“It has been my understanding that any kind of realization in spiritual life qualifies as liberation. The entry stage is the distinction between body and spirit. This is the boon of the human birth. Realizing that I am not the form that covers me. I am something much more. Beyond the consciousness of the animals.

“Bhagavad-gita provides the necessary information to begin the process. Arjuna learns that destiny is already…

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