BODY OF SAINTS ARE LIKE PILGRIMS

साधूनां दर्शनं तिर्थभूता ही साधवः
कालेन फलते तीर्थं सद्य साधुसमागमः

साधुओं का शरीर ही तीर्थ स्वरुप है, उनके दर्शन से ही पुण्य होता है. साधुओ में और तीर्थो में एक बड़ा भारी अंतर है,तीर्थो में जाने का फल तो कालांतर से मिलता है,किन्तु साधुओ के समागम का फल तत्काल ही मिल जाता है. अतः सच्चे साधुओ का सत्संग तो बहुत दूर की बात है , उनका दर्शन ही कोटि तीर्थो से अधिक होता है.

The body of the saints are just like a pilgrim. The only darshan of a true saint equalizes Punya(Good Deeds) of that obtained from going to a pilgrims. The most important difference between the saint and pilgrims is that the fruit of going to pilgrims will be obtained after long long time but the benefit or fruit of saints company will be obtained immediately. Therefore only the darshan of true saints have more fruit or good deeds than that of going to the pilgrims.

- JAGADGURU SHREE KRIPALUJI MAHARAJ

SURRENDER MEANS TO DO NOTHING

What is Surrender? Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj  explains - We have to surrender to God. Sharanagati or Surrender means to do nothing. But since eternity we are used to doing everything so to come the state of doing nothing, we have to do a lot - and the name of this is Sadhana.We have to ultimately reach a stage where God does everything and surrender completely to Him.The mind has to be forcibly removed from the wrong place. You have to remove it from the place it is attached and this will not happen unless you attach it to God.

SHREE KRISHNA IS THE FOREMOST OF ALL DIVINE FORMS OF GOD

ब्रह्म के अनेक रूप, गोविन्द राधे,

सर्वरूप आश्रय कृष्ण बता दे.

brahm ke anek roop govind radhe

sarvaswaroop ashray krishna bata de

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says that God has uncountable forms, but three are main: Brahma, Paramatma, and Bhagawan. Bhagawan Shri Krishna is foremost of all the divine forms of God because all the divine powers are revealed in His personality; they are only partially revealed in the other forms. There are not multiple Gods, rather one God has different forms related to the powers that are manifested. For this reason, the form of Shri Krishna has special importance.

DIVINE BIRTHDAY OF H.H.SWAMI MUKUNDANANDAJI

Wishing You Happy Happy Birthday to Swami Mukundanandaji, a senior Disciple Of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Auspicious was the day, Blessed were the Souls, Grace Saw no limits when you came here for all. Thank You Swamiji for coming in our life and making it worth living. Radhe Radhe.

Swami Mukundananda: An Introduction

 Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual teacher from India, and is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Swamiji is a unique sanyasi,who has a distinguished technical and management  educational background as well.

Academic and Professional Accomplishments

Swami Mukundananda completed B.Tech. from the world-renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.  He then did MBA from the equally distinguished Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata.  After that, he worked for some time with one of India's topmost industrial houses. However, distinguished material education and a promising corporate career did not quench his thirst for knowing the Absolute Truth. The longing for God was so strong that he renounced his career and travelled throughout India as a sanyasi.

Inspiring Discourses

Swamiji’s lectures cover the teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, Shreemad Bhagavatam, Puranas, Bhagavad Geeta, Ramayan, and other Eastern scriptures and Western philosophies. Like the true Disciple of a true Master, Swamiji masterfully quotes from the scriptures of all the great religions, to satisfy even the most discerning of knowledge-seekers.  He also reveals the simple and straightforward path to God-realization that can be practiced by anyone. Hearing the profound secrets of the Vedas from him is a rare privilege, for he is able to explain the ancient esoteric knowledge with rigourous scientific logic, in the modern context.           Using perfect logic, and a simple-yet-scientific approach, Swamiji offers new ways of understanding and applying the knowledge of the scriptures in our daily lives.

For the last quarter of a century, Shree Swamiji has been traveling far and wide, awakening hundreds of thousands of seekers.  Wherever Swamji goes, he attracts huge audiences.  Although Swamiji started preaching in India two decades ago, he now preaches both in India and abroad.  He has inspired innumerable devotees in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, where his visit is always anxiously awaited.  Since 2008, on the instruction of Shree Maharajji, Swamiji has increasingly begun spending more time in USA, where his educational background and command over the English language make his programs particularly charming to the intelligentsia, professionals, and academicians.

          

Hearing the profound secrets of the Vedas from Swamiji  is a rare privilege, for he is able to explain the ancient esoteric knowledge with rigourous scientific logic, in the modern context.

APPRECIATION - REASON FOR SPIRITUAL DOWNFALL

We like to be appreciated by others. This is a major reason for a person's downfall spiritually. We should try to become a good person, rather than expecting others to appreciate us even though we might have ill-feelings for others. When someone criticizes or scolds us, we start feeling bad. We get angry and annoyed with that person and we sometimes turn hostile towards that person. We harbor hatred and negative feelings for others. This kind of feeling is very harmful for us.

If we continuously remember people or incidents that increase negative feelings inside us, then we are causing harm to ourselves by dirtying our mind. Our aim should be practice the art of continuously remembering God and Guru, who are pure and Divine personalities. This alone will cleanse our heart and mind. In our lives, we have developed a one-sided attitude where we only like to be appreciated and not criticized.

NEVER THINK YOU ARE ALONE

We assume that we are all alone and that nobody knows what we are thinking. A man thinks against his wife while sitting next to her, because he is confident that she cannot read his thoughts. However , we forget a very important point. Our thoughts are never completely private . 

Sitting in our heart, God takes note of each and every thought , and gives us the fruit of that thought .In our false confidence of privacy , we commit many offences and throw away the benefits of devotional practice. On one hand we cry and on the other hand , we commit many wrongful actions.

It will take some amount of practice to remember that God is living inside us. Make it a point to realize Him in your heart. First try to do this every hour.

SURRENDER TO A GOD REALIZED SAINT

We should first faithfully surrender to a Guru (a God-realized Saint whom we have chosen to be our Spiritual Master). We should wholeheartedly follow His every instruction and teaching. This is the true beginning of Sadhana or spiritual practice. By surrendering ourselves to a Guru, we begin our spiritual journey.

In the material world, we gain knowledge by trusting the words of people with a higher intellect. Let us suppose that a person without any knowledge of law visits an advocate. The advocate teaches him how to tackle questions in a court to escape penalties. If the person does exactly as told by his advocate, he might win the case. We see that by having faith in the advocate's words, the person overcomes his challenges.

Similarly, when we are sick, we completely trust a doctor for our treatment without having any knowledge of medicine. We follow his instructions with full faith to get well. If we take medicine according to our wish, then it could be harmful to us. Even at school, we follow the words of people with a higher intellect (teachers), and complete our education.

We have to apply the same principle in the spiritual realm also. First, we have to search for a true Saint. Till we find a true Saint (God-realized Saint) we have to keep searching for Him. Once we find and accept such a Guru, we must stop searching and visiting other Saints. We have to surrender our mind to that Guru and do exactly as He instructs, without any questions or arguments. This is true or complete surrender - surrender of the mind.

POPULARITY AND PRESTIGE- HURDLES IN DEVOTION

The goal of popularity and prestige is also extreme kusang. Often what happens is that a devotee, upon gaining some knowledge and experience, goes around bragging amongst people and gradually assumes a form of self-pride and self-superiority, and as a result of that he loses the greatest treasure, 'humility' as a devotee. In addition to that, such casual behavior only strengthens and further deepens the desire for greatness and glory.

BAL-MUKUND PRESENTS – “CHHOTE PHILOSOPHER CONTEST 2012″

Bal-Mukund is proud to announce the launching of the “Chhote Philosopher Contest 2012” designed for children residing in US between the ages of 5 and 15 years.

Chhote Philosopher Contest is designed to:

-Inspire youth to develop their creativity, writing skills and analytical abilities.

-Encourage study of Vedic culture and instill pride in it.

-Locate talent amongst youth and help build their confidence.

Description and Topics

The contestants will be categorized with the following age groups.

Group 1: 5 to 7 years

Pick a topic from the following:

[Max word limit: 500]

1. Describe about any one playful act of Krishna as a child.

2. Tell us about your favorite personal form of God (ishta devata) and describe why you like that form the most. 

Group 2: 8 to 11 years

Pick a topic from the following:

[Max word limit: 800]

1. Explain about the significance of any one avatar of Vishnu and outline the lessons you’ve learned from that avatar, which you can adopt in your life.

2. Describe how temples and holy places, play a vital role in helping us to reach the omnipresent God.

Group 3: 12 to 15 years

Pick a topic from the following:

[Max word limit: 1200]

1. Pick two characters from Ramayan and explain what you can learn from them.

2. What morals we can learn from Ramayan and how it can be applied today ?

There will be three winners in each group.  First Place holders will be awarded the “Chhote Philosopher 2012″. All the winners will receive a certificate and a special prize.

FREE REGISTRATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Register Now ! Registration Closes on: January 31st, 2012 || Last date for Submission:  February 15th, 2012

For More Information Visit http://www.jkyog.org/bal-mukund/chhote-pholosopher-contest-2012

BAL-MUKUND - PLAYGROUND FOR VEDIC WISDOM

Bal-Mukund is a specially designed personality development program for children, envisioned by Swami Mukundananda.

“Time spent in inculcating eternal values in children is an investment into the future.  It is the finest gift of love from parents to their children.  The Bal-Mukund Personality Development Program contains invaluable instructions, famous verses, bhajans, stories, life histories and information about festivals, for building values in children.  These sets of values will teach children to be heroic from within, and instill nobleness in their thought, word and deed.”

-Swami Mukundananda

Bal-Mukund endeavors to:

- Educate young minds in the knowledge of Vedic wisdom, to lead a virtuous  life

- Enthuse the spirit of giving with a service attitude

- Encourage problem solving with courage, confidence and faith

- Entertain creativity, expand power of concentration and focus

- Elevate young minds to higher levels of consciousness, and fill their hearts  with love and reverence for God

Weekly personality development sessions for children include:

- Character Building Values, imparted through fun-filled inspiring                stories from Vedic scriptures and the rich literary heritage of India

- Yoga and Pranayam especially packaged for children, to develop  healthy minds in healthy bodies

- Meditation designed for children, to enhance their concentration, creativity and strengthen their love for God.

- Shlokas and Prayers to recite, learn and treasure throughout life

- Kirtans and Bhajans that instill love for God in young hearts

- Festivals related to the rich spirituality and culture of India

- Inspiring stories from the lives of great Saints of India

Bal-Mukund provides:

- Spiritual time for the whole family

- Separate concurrent schedules for children and adults.

- Opportunities for parents to volunteer and learn while teaching.

- Positive vibrations and fun time for everyone to connect and develop spiritually.

- Vedic playground and collaborative internet forums.

- Chote Philosopher and Chote Kavi contests, painting and quiz competitions.

For More Information Visit http://bal-mukund.org.

ONLY GOD AND GURU ARE OUR OWN

None of your worldly relatives will inspire you to move towards God. They all have their own selfish motives. It is only your Guru, who will show you the right path and guide you. He will make you realize that you are someone beyond this body. You are a soul, and you had innumerable mothers, fathers, sons and spouses, in your past endless lifetimes. You were born in all the 8.4 million species of life countless times and you surrendered to everyone for getting happiness. But all deceived you. How could have they given you happiness? They were all beggars themselves! 

MIND IS THE SOUL OF MEDITATION

Although one learns the skill of meditation by actually practising it, one must try to follow the basic instructions given by Jagadguru Kripalu Ji Maharaj.

Mind is the life and soul of the meditation . While meditating, the mind should be focused on the Naam, Roop, Guna, Leela, Dham or the Saints of God.

While meditating, one must bring a feeling of extreme powerlessness or deenata. The feeling should be stronger than a helpless grass blade which is crushed all the time and can do nothing.

The devotee should practise extreme tolerance like the stem of a tree. Whatever happens in the world, the effort should be to keep the mind in God and Guru only.

The devotee should feel that God and Guru are sitting right in front of him and that the form he is visualizing is Real and Divine.

The devotee should get the feeling that the seperation from God is the reason for his sorrow and grief. The devotee should shed tears and long for God to appear.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A RASIK SAINT

Vaag Gadgada Dravat Yasya Chitah Rudtyabhikshanah Kvachicha|

Vilaja Udgaayati Nrutyate Cha Muhrvatichyutto Bhuvanaha Punaati |

- (Bhagavatam. 11/14/24)

It has been stated in the Bhagavatam that a True Rasik Saint who has already attained Divine Love and Divine Vision of His Beloved Shri Krishn, whose heart is always filled in Krishn Love, when he chants the name or sings the songs of Krishn leelas and virtues, his voice changes due to Divine excitement. The Rasik saint experiences the intensity of God's love and also the warmth of his own emotions.

Many times a Rasik Saint enters into Bhao. (Bhao is the ecstatic state where the Loving Devotee experiences mixed feelings of meeting and seperation). In Bhao, he yearns and cries to get God's vision and laughs in happiness when he receives it." These expressions are called sattvic bhao or the Divine expressions.

The feelings of love of the Rasik Saint deepens and he feels the close personal association of God and in this excitement, he sings and dances, but his physical consciousness remains fully absorbed in Bhao. Shri Krishn says that such a Rasik Saint, who is ever absorbed in My love, purifies the world with His Divine Love Consciousness and gratifies the surroundings with His presence."

It is such a Rasik Saint, who has already attained God's Love and Divine Vision and who has even scriptural knowledge, if we accept Him as our Guru and surrender to His Lotus feet, we can attain Krishn Love with His Grace.

ACTIONS OF GOD AND SAINTS ARE FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS

Hari Harijan Ke Karya Ko, Karan Kachu Na Lakhai |

Par Upkar Svabhav Vash, Karat Karya Jag Aai ||

There is only one reason behind the actions of God and Saints, Welfare of others.

The Vedas state that –

Purnmadah Purnmidam Purnata Purnmudyachata |

Purnsya Purnmadaaya Purnmevayavashishyate |

                                                                    (Ishaa.)

Meaning God is infinitesimally complete. So, if you remove complete from complete even then you are left with complete. There is no question of any self interest in any action of God. 


In a similar way, Vedas state for the God realized Saints that –

Gunaatitah Stithatapragyo Vishnubhaktashacha Kathyate |

Etasya Krutkrutyatrachaastrama smanivartate ||

                                                              (Ved Vyas)

Meaning once a soul is God realized, he becomes fully satisfied. There remains nothing for him to do anymore. And even if anything remains then that is selfless service for Shri Krishn and this state remains for eternity.

So, the Vedas state –

Sada Pasyayanti Suryamah Tadishnoh Param Padam |

                                                             (Suvaalop. Chatavaa Mantra Muktopanishad)

Soyashanute Sarvaan Kaaman Sah Bramano Vipashrichateti |

                                                                                     (Tetriyo. 2-1)

So, it has been proved by Vedic quotations that the actions of God and His Saints are only for the welfare of others. If their nature was not to wish the welfare of others then no mayic soul would ever meet the goal of God realization.

THANKS TO GURU AND GOD

We, the Sadhaks (devotees) should always keep in mind that whatever good we are doing is all due to the grace of the Guru and God. Otherwise, we have been bound by maya, awfully attached to the wordly possessions, absolutely worthless, having hideous ideas, full of dirt and filth from time immemorial.

If we are able to do something good, if a tear trickles from our eyes for God, if we have some good word and noble feeling for the Guru, we must conclude that it is all due to the Guru's grace.

If he had not given us the spiritual knowledge, if he had not bestowed his love upon us, how could we be inclined to go good things in life? So, do not ever give credit to yourself. It will only give rise to egoism. Egoism takes away humility. Once humility is gone the castle of bhakti or devotion will come crashing down. Life will be filled with vices in no time. So, if you have done some noble deeds, YOU MUST BE THANKFUL TO THE GURU with whose grace alone you are able to do such things. This will save you from the vice of egoism.

We must always keep in mind that if we had not met the Guru, if he had not shown us the way, and had not given us his love and affection, we would not have inclined towards God.

On the other hand, if we have done something wrong, have been negligent in doing the right thing, or have committed some crime, we should hold ourselves responsible for that, so that we could realize our mistakes and we would not repeat them.

We should attribute our good deeds to the God's grace and the grace of the Guru and for all the wrongs that we may have done, we should hold ourselves responsible.

UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN LIFE

A soul very rarely receives a human birth, and that too, is due to God's grace. Of those who have received a human birth, even more rare are those who are true seekers of God's love. But just possessing these two is not enough to succeed spiritually unless you also have the association of a true Saint. If all three occur in the same birth, that soul's spiritual success is virtually guaranteed.

Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says : Dear Souls ! Submit yourself to the lotus feet of Krishn. Your mother, father, sons, brothers and others, no one will help you at the time of death. You cannot achieve anything by indulging into the fields of lust, anger, greed, attachment and the egoistic activities of your willful likings. The happiness of this world is purely illusive. You cannot receive even a drop of true happiness in this world. The wealth and your youthful beauty (which you may be proud of) is transitory. It will disappear like camphor. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says, “ You will not receive this precious human life again and again, so surrender to Krishn immediately and restore your lost fortune.”

O my mind! Listen! This world is futile. Son, spouse, friends and all the worldly relatives are tied to each other in only self-interest. You are under the impression that your son, spouse, sister etc. really love you, and, in the same way, they all believe that you really love them. But your conscience very well knows that you like them for your own personal happiness, and thus (quite often) your behavior bears craftiness from inside. O my mind! Then why don’t you understand that they are also like you. Knowing this please turn to Radha Krishn Who are your true Divine Beloved.

WE ARE SPIRITUAL FRACTIONS OF GOD

Let us reflect upon our own nature: Who are We and Whose happiness are we striving for?  You may respond, “I do not know who I am, but I do know that I desire my own happiness.”  Now, had our identity been material, we could have attained happiness from the material objects of the world.  But we are spiritual, fractions of God.  Thus, only the Divine Bliss of God can satisfy our Divine soul.  This is perfect logic.  It is also corroborated by our experience in innumerable lifetimes.  If material objects could have provided the Divine soul with Divine Bliss, then after innumerable lifetimes of experiencing material pleasures, why would we still be unhappy, miserable, suffering and discontented?  This experience is proof enough that we are not the material bodies.  

SACRIFICE TO THE MERCIFUL GURUDEV

We should be ready to sacrifice ourself on our Merciful Gurudev any number of times. Listening to his divine preaching one is freed from the clasp of ignorance. Once his grace is bestowed upon us , the vicious influence of the age of Kali on us will dissipate. Once we become subservient to him, the externally powerful Maya will not be able to harm us. By touching his lotus feet with devotion we will merely be blessed with the love of Shree Krishna. Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj says that he is able to enjoy the pastimes of Shree Krishna in their varied forms through the grace of the Guru.

PRICELESS TEACHING OF JAGADGURU SHREE KRIPALUJI MAHARAJ

God and Bliss are both synonymous terms. Every individual of the word desires bliss alone hence he is a servant of bliss. Thus unknowingly he is a servant of Lord Krishna.

Devotion (Bhakti Yoga) is the only means to attain LORD KRISHNA  (Bliss). This devotion is popularly known as Navadha Bhakti (Nine fold devotion).

Purification of the mind is possible only through devotional discipline whereafter one attains perfect devotion, and realises Lord Krishna.

It is impossible to acquire godly qualities of truth, non violence etc, without purification of the mind.

All spiritual discipline is related to the mind alone. Devotion performed only with sense organs is not spiritual discipline.

Love and hate in the material world have the same result. Detachment implies a state of indifference.

Perfection implies seeing Lord Krishna in all beings both movable and immovable.

Human birth is valuable but at the same time momentary. Hence even a moment’s delay in spiritual discipline can bring about a great loss.

Perceiving faults in others is the surest proof of one’s own faults.Spiritual discipline is only possible under the guidance of a true saint.

JAGADGURU TRADITION

In the 5,000 year history of the present age of kali, only five personalities have been recognised as Jagadgurus:

1. Jagadguru Shankaracharya

Jagadguru Shankaracharya appeared about 2,500 years ago. He re-established the greatness of vedic sanatan dharm in india and subsided the effect of the prevailing non-godly buddhism. His philosophy is known as advait vad or absolute monism. He established four seats, called maths, for the propogation of vedic religion.

2.Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya

Jagadguru Nimbarkacharya appeared shortly after shankaracharya. He propounded the philosophy of dvaitadvait vad, or mono-dualism in which he related that between soul and god there is a perfect duality, yet there is perfect substantial oneness. He emphasized devotion to radha krishn, while meditating upon their divine pastimes and virtues.

3.Jagadguru Ramanujacharya

Jagadguru Ramanujacharya, the learned propounder of vaishnavism, appeared on this earth planet about 1,000 years ago. His philosophy is known as vishishtadvait vad, or qualified monism. He put great emphasis on surrender to god as the primary means of god realization. He travelled throughout india and propounded that the path of bhakti is the only means of god realization.

4.Jagadguru Madhvacharya

Jagadguru Madhvacharya, who came about 700 years ago, was the vigorous propogator of dvait vad or the philosophy of dualism. He stressed that the attainment of the personal form of god is the goal of all souls, and that god, maya, and the soul are always three separate entities.

5. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj - The Supreme Acharya of this Age

An historical event happened in Kashi, in January 1957 when Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj gave his amazing series of lectures at the invitation of Kashi Vidvat Parishad, an apex body of the learned scholars of bhartiya scriptures in kashi (varanasi).

Shri Maharajji spoke for seven days in scholarly sanskrit, revealing the secrets of our scriptures and reconciling the discrepancies that appear in darshan shastras and the writings of our jagadgurus. He gave references from hundreds of bhartiya scriptures that amazed and enthralled the entire audience. Apart from the general audience, over 500 erudite sanskrit scholars from Varanasi and other parts of india were present.

With profound admiration, the pandits of Kashi vidvat parishad proclaimed him as the supreme jagadguru of this age. Among the various accolades that they showered upon him was "bhakti yoga rasavatara", or the incarnation of divine love. Jagaguru shri kripalu ji maharaj is thus the fifth original jagadguru in the past 5,000 years.

AKARM OR KARMAYOG

Akarm or karmyog is that where we engage in devotion with the mind, and simultaneously do karm with the body. Shree Krishn described to Arjun this very karmyog in the Bhagavad Geeta. He explained that karm or performance of duty would result in the attainment of heaven or earthly opulences. Vikarm or non-performance of duty would result in hell. So if Arjun ran away from his duty, and did not fight the war, it would be considered as vikarm; and if Arjun performed his duty and fought the war, it would be considered as karm. Shree Krishn asked Arjun to do neither karm nor vikarm. Instead, he should engage in karmyog:

“Tasmat sarveshu kaleshu mamanusmara yudhya cha”

“Keep your mind constantly attached to me and simultaneously engage in karm.” Thus, in akarm or karmyog, one does devotion with the mind, and the prescribed duties of the scriptures with the body. The fruit of devotion is God-realization, which also means liberation from material bondage and the attainment of Supreme Bliss. In karmyog, the karm that is performed bears no fruit, since it is done with detachment. Only that karm which is performed with attachment of the mind has a karmic reaction. When the mind is fixed on God, naturally it is not attached to the work being done. Hence, such work is no longer binding i.e. it is free from any karmic reactions. Thus, karmyog is highly recommended.

VIKARM

Vikarm is that where one neither performs the ritualistic actions of the Vedas, nor engages in devotion. In this category come those people who are atheistic and grossly materialistic, and who have contempt for God, the Saints and the scriptures. For those who engage in vikarm, the result of their frivolous deeds is suffering in hell. They neither go to heaven nor attain God-realization. As long as they are alive, they remain slaves of their senses, and perform irresponsible and unregulated actions.

The Bhagavad Geeta says that after death God throws them (Vikarmi) to hell, into the demoniac species of life. Generally, this vikarm is referred to as sinful activity or bad deeds, and karm is referred to as righteous activity or good deeds.

The truth is that both good and bad deeds are binding. The Vedas state that the result of good deeds is heaven, and that of bad deeds is hell. A mixture of both good and bad deeds results in rebirth on earth. Heaven may be compared to a jail with golden chains. Even upon going there, one is not outside the jailhouse of the 8,400,000 species of life. After residing there, one falls back to the earth. Hell may be compared to a jail with iron chains. Heaven and hell are places where one goes to suffer or enjoy the results of his past deeds. However, there he cannot perform fruit-yielding action that will increase his stock of good or bad deeds. Hence, both heaven and hell are to be rejected.

KARM

Karm is that where the ritualistic actions specified by the Vedas are strictly followed, but without any devotion to God. The stipulation in karm is that the procedures described in the scriptures should be carefully followed, without even the slightest deviation.

The Vedas state that if there is an error in the pronunciation of even one syllable of a Vedic mantra, the performer of the sacrifice will be harmed instead of being benefited. Once, a demon forced some Rishis to perform a sacrifice. The mantra to be chanted in the sacrifice was, “Indrashatrurvivardhaswa”. The meaning of the mantra is that the enemy of Indra, the demon, should grow in power. The Rishis retained the original mantra, but changed the scale of singing one syllable in it. The demon had no idea of the musical scales of chanting the Vedic mantras, so he was unable to detect their ploy. The sacrifice was completed, and God agreed to give the reward according to the mantra that was sung. However, when the demon attacked Indra, he was fatally struck. While lying on the battlefield, the demon said, “God is supposed to be perfectly just and unbiased, but this is a blotch on His name. He did not increase my power in accordance with the yagya.” In reply, there was a voice from the sky, and God spoke to Him, “You did not know that the syllables of Vedic mantras have musical scales attached to them. The Rishis had changes the scale of the mantra, ‘Indrashatrurvivardhaswa’, so that it meant that the power of Indra should increase.” The result was that Indra was victorious. This is the outcome of karm that is performed without strict compliance to the rules of the Vedas. And if karm is performed strictly according to the Vedic injunctions, then the result is heaven, which has been previously explained as impermanent. Thus, karm or the performance of ritualistic actions specified by the Vedas has been condemned in various places in the scriptures.

WE ARE ETERNAL SERVANTS OF HAPPINESS

Every soul is an eternal servant of Happiness (God).So every Soul wants Happiness. Soul is eternally turned away from God. Hence Maya has gripped him. That is why the soul has forgotten his true identity and identified itself with the body. God says surrender your mind completely to Me alone. When the soul surrenders completely to God then by grace of a Guru, the Soul becomes God Realized and attains unlimited, everlasting and ever increasing happiness for eternity.

DO CHANTING WITH RUPADHYANA

You should do chanting with rupadhyana.You should always feel your worshipped form of God to be personally present with you. You should keep practicing this, even while performing your worldly duties, even if it is just for a second or two at a time. Rupadhyana is so important that without it you will not be able to quickly experience devotional bliss through the chanting of Shree Krishna’s names, qualities and so on. Rupadhyana is the only means to restrain the fickle mind. If we firmly believe that God is personally present in His name, we feel intoxicates by merely chanting or even listening to His name.

WHICH IS THE SUPERIOR PATH ????

There are eighty eight thousand paramhans headed by Shaunkadik Paramhans, they asked Suta Ji , Which is the Superior Path? How can we attain our ultimate goal of Divine Bliss( Happiness). Suta Ji answered in a single Verse “Devotion to Shree Krishna is the simplest and the easiest in the age of Kali Yug.”At another place in the Bhagvatam, Parikshit asked Shukdeva Paramhansa “ Please briefly instruct me as to how I can attain my goal.” Shukdeva replies “Practice exclusive selfless devotion to Shree Krishna, abandoning all kinds of Wordly desires including the desire of liberation.”