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Vedic Teachings  » The Eternal Religion

The qualities of a real Hindu.
Proof that God is present in Hindu Deities.
What is the Hindu caste system?
Beliefs and facts of Hinduism.
Questions and Vedic answers.
The teachings of Shree Swaminarayan.
Applying the Bhagavad-Gita today.

The qualities of a real Hindu.

A Vaisnava is one who has surrendered onto the one and only God, Lord Vishnu (Krishna).

Sri Krsnadasa Kaviraja, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, says that all good qualities become manifest in the body of a Vaisnava and that only by the presence of these good qualities can one distinguish a Vaisnava form a non-Vaisnava. Krsnadasa Kaviraja lists the twenty-six good qualities of a Vaisnava:

Proof that God is present in Hindu Deities.

DeityOn 21 September 1995, the whole World witnesses the Hindu milk miracle in which Hindu deities, known as idols to the non-Hindus, were drinking milk offered to them. Never before in the history of mankind such a miracle occurred on such a global scale.

The Milk Miracle was reported Worldwide, from: Edmonton, Canada, San Francisco, USA, Los Angeles, USA, Trinidad, Guyana, Toronto, Canada, New York, USA, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Dubai, UAE, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Kenya, and many other countries.

The miracle took place in thousands of Hindu temples and was witnessed by millions of Hindus and many non-Hindus.

Many of the Media reporters (mostly Christians) held their milk filled spoons to the Hindu deities and watched with total surprise and excitement, the milk being drunk by the idols.

Scientifically it’s impossible for a statue made of stone or metal to absorb even one drop of milk. The Hindu deities made of stone and metal, and some of them smaller than the hand. Drank many gallons of milk within a few hours, absorbing the milk instantly on contact.

The non-Hindus and scientists have tried to explain what happened on September 21, 1995 in terms of science. Some have repeatedly said that this so-called “Milk Miracle” was caused by something as simple as capillary action.

If the milk miracle was attributed to capillary action, then why is it that the deities never drank a single drop of milk before 21 September 1995 and after? If you offer a Hindu dieties milk today, it will not absorb even a single molecule. Please explain this first and then doubt later. Where is the capillary action gone today?

The Hindu milk miracle conclusively proves that Hindus worship God, who is present in the deities. It was God who was drinking the milk and not the stone or metal. The miracle also proves that God does take a form, which is totally rejected by other religions.

Read eyewitness accounts of many who witnessed the miracle and more at:www.milkmiracle.com

What is the Hindu caste system.

We all work. At work we have a boss. Your boss is higher than you and you are lower than your boss. Does this mean that your company is bad for making you lower than your boss? No. You are lower than your boss, because your boss deserves to be higher than you. He is better qualified and experienced and thus he deserves to be higher than you. You are less qualified and experienced and thus you deserve to be lower than your boss.

The Hindu caste system is exactly like this example.

Basically the Hindu caste system is that, based on the qualifications a person has developed. He/She should be given an appropriate role in society. Every organization in the World is following the Hindu caste system. As the employees in every organization are given a role in the organization according to the qualifications of the employee.

The current caste system practiced in India is based on birth and not qualifications and thus it should be rejected. As stated in the Bhagavad-Gita.

Just think if all the Politicians were assigned according to the Hindu caste system. How wonderful the whole World would be. As only those who are truthful and caring would be qualified to become Politicians. Currently the whole World is in a chaotic condition as nearly all the Politicians are liars, ruthless, and thieves.

In ignorance, the Christians and Muslims often attack the Hindu caste system. Why is Bill Gates the CEO of Microsoft and not the Janitor of Microsoft? This is the Hindu caste system in action. Bill gates has developed the qualifications of a CEO and thus he is the CEO and not the Janitor.

Just like in a family, one child may become a Doctor based on the qualifications acquired. And another child may become a Janitor.

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The Bible openly advocates enslaving human beings. Is this not far worse than the Hindu caste system?

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.” (Ephesians 6:5)

The Muslims also have a history of enslaving human beings. And the Koran divides human beings into believers (Muslims) and non-believers (non-Muslims), and orders the killing of unbelievers, especially the Jews. Is this not barbaric and uncivilized and far worse than the Hindu caste system?

“Slay the unbelievers wherever you catch them.” (Koran 2:191)
“Fight them, until there is no more dissent and religion is that of Allah” (Koran 2:193)
“I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them” (Koran 8:12)
“Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seeks their friendship shall become one of their numbers. Allah does not guide the wrong-doers.” (Koran 5:51)

Every second, the unbelievers are born and this is simple proof that the all mighty God very much loves the unbelievers. Also the fact that the unbelievers have existed for millions of years and the believers for only 1400 years, is proof that God wants the unbelievers to exist more so than the believers.

The real God (Lord Krishna) is full of love and mercy, he is not a bully or dictator or hater of any living being.

Enslaving or killing human beings just because they don’t follow a particular religion is barbaric and uncivilized. The Hindus have never made other humans into slaves.

The all mighty God is in full control and every second he is creating Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jews and others. In the eyes of God, we are all his children. And just as a father would never order one of his sons to kill another of his sons. The real God would also never order such a thing.

The Bhagavad-Gita is the spoken word of God (Lord Krishna) in person and it was also written down by God himself in person. Thus there is no hatred or violence towards any living being. God is in full control and thus he is the creator of all living beings.

“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all.” (Lord Krishna, Bg. 9.23)
“Nonviolence; freedom from anger; compassion for all living entities. These qualities belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bg. 16.1-3)

Is everyone of the same intelligence? Is everyone very clean? Is everyone very honest? Is everyone very religious? Is everyone very peaceful and non-violent?

The simple answer to the above questions is NO. Thus this proves that everyone is not equal. The Hindu caste system states that there are 4 categories to which a person belongs to, according to his/her qualification.

  • Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness are the qualities of Brahmans. They should be the leaders of society so that others can follow in their footsteps.

  • Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of Ksatriyas. They should be the administrators of society.
  • Those who have diminished qualities from those above, are the Vaisyas. They are the producers of society.

Those who have further diminished qualities from above, are the Sudras. They are the workers.

Note that those who eat meat or kill (humans or animals) don’t fall within the 4 categories. They are not qualified to be called civilized humans. They are called Yavanas and Mellechas, the lowest among mankind.

Beliefs and facts of Hinduism.

Hinduism is for those who want to:

Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, dating back to millions of years.

Hinduism is the most peace-loving Religion of all. This can be proven by the fact that Hindustan (The Land of the Hindus) or India has never attacked or invaded another nation. The Hindus have never stolen land belonging to others. The Hindus have never used force to convert others. The Hindus have never treated other humans as slaves. The other religions certainly cannot say the same.

The Hindus have the richest culture of all.

The Hindu scriptures are the oldest known to man. There main scripture of Hinduism is the The Bhagavad-Gita. The Bhagavad-Gita is the only word of God in Person. It is the conversation between a man called Arjun and God himself in the human form, Lord Krishna.

Hinduism preaches that there is only ONE god, who has many different manifestations. Hinduism is the only religion based on following a God who was actually seen by millions of people in the past and who will be seen again by millions in the future. God appeared as Lord Ram about 2 million years ago, as Lord Krishna 5000 years, as Lord Buddha 2500 years ago, and will appear again as Lord Kalki in 427,000 years time.

Hinduism is the only religion, which clearly states that there is life on other Planets, and actually gives description of life and the names of other Planets with living beings. This information can be found in the Shrimad Bhagavatam.

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Hinduism preaches that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution.

There are four ages (Yugas):

  • Satya Yuga: The age of the truth and true religion. The yuga lasts 1.728 million years.
  • Treta Yuga: The introduction of ignorance takes place in this age. The yuga lasts 1.296 million years.
  • Dvapara Yuga: Increased decline in the truth and religious values takes effect in this age. The yuga lasts 864,000 years.
  • Kali Yuga: The age of irreligion and ignorance. The truth being virtually non-existent. The yuga lasts 432,000 years.

We are now 5000 years into the Kali Yuga, after another 427,000 years. The Satya Yuga will start, and true religion (Hinduism) will once again be the only religion of the world.

  • Hindus believe in the law of Karma.
  • Karma is the Law of action and reaction. For every action we take, we face a reaction in the future. Do good today, and tomorrow will be good day. Do bad today, and tomorrow will be a bad day. Nothing happens by chance or luck. Everything happens according to our karma.
  • Hindus believe in Reincarnation.
  • The soul passes from one body to the next. We never die we just keep changing bodies. What you will be in your next life will depend on your karmic actions taken in this and previous lives.

  • Hinduism preaches that God is present in the heart of every living being, including animals, as the super soul, accompanying the individual soul.
  • Hinduism is the only religion, which preaches vegetarianism. All life is sacred, to be loved and revered, and therefore practice non-injury.
  • The action of killing and eating animals is very bad karma and will have equal opposite reactions in proportion. Due to the law of Karma, if you kill and eat animals now, you will be killed and eaten in the future. You will be treated the same way you treat others, including animals.
  • The oldest and most systematic language in the World is a Hindu language, Sanskrit.
  • Hinduism preaches that all living beings have a soul. The only religion, which preaches that animals too have a soul.
  • The Worlds first University was established by the Hindus in Takshila (India) in 700 B.C. It had more than 10,000 students from all over the World studying more than 60 subjects.
  • Ayurveda is the oldest medical science.
  • The most intellectual game of all, Chess. Was invented by the Hindus.
  • Martial Arts and Meditation originate from the Hindus.

Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are branches of Hinduism.

Please note that the word Hindu on this site refers to a Vaisnava, one who follows the original unadultarated Vedic scriptures, thus one who is Krishna conscious.

Questions and Vedic answers.

1. Why are there many Gods in Hinduism?

No. There is only one God.

The Vedic scriptures clearly state that there is only one God, and his name is Krishna. But Krishna has many incarnations and so he is known with many names and descriptions. This is what confuses many people, including some Hindus.

Here are some quotes from the Bhagavad-Gita, which is the essence of all Vedic knowledge.

“The whole cosmic order is under me. By my will it is manifested again and again, and by my will it is annihilated at the end” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.8)
“Furthermore, O Arjuna, I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being, moving or unmoving, that can exist without me” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 10.39)
“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 10.8)
“Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.6)
“With a single fragment of myself I pervade and support this entire universe” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 10.42)
“O Arjuna, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.26)
“I enter into each planet, and by energy they stay in orbit” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.13)

As you can see above, there is only one person who is declaring himself and stating how he is God.

2. Why do Hindus worship idols?

We don’t worship idols but deities of God. God is a person with a form and he wants to be worshipped in an image form. This can be proven by the fact it’s God who has been creating those who worship him in the image form for millions of years, the Hindus. And the same God has been creating those who don’t worship him in the image form, the non-Hindus, for only a few thousand years at most.

Thus it’s God’s will that those who worship him in the image form are eternal (the Hindus) and those who cannot understand God having a form or those who are against image worship are not eternal. if you read the history books, except for the Hindus, no other race or religious group has existed for more than a few thousand years. But the Hindus have eternally existed. This is by the will of God.

The Muslims face the black stone in the Kebba when they pray. The Christians face the cross when they pray or make an image of the cross while praying. The learned Hindus, pray to a deity of Krishna when they pray. Krishna is a real person who has existed and seen my millions. Which is better; to face a black stone, a cross, or a real person while praying?

Those who follow recently created, man made religions, cannot understand or know God. This is a fact as the Muslims believe that God is invisible. This basically means they cannot know God. Why should God be invisible? The humans have a form, the animals have a form, and the plants have a form. So why should God not have a form?

A Muslim once told me that, since we have a form and we are not great, and God is great. So God cannot have a form, as he is great. This is very foolish mentality. Just because you are not a brain surgeon, does it mean that a brain surgeon cannot have a form, as you have a form?

The Christians have to believe that God has a form, as Jesus declared himself as the son of God. And if Jesus has a form, then his father must also have a form. This is also confirmed in the Bible when it states that ‘man is made in the image of God’. This means that God has 2 hands, 2 legs, a nose and so on. The Bible does not say who this God with a form is.

The Muslims say God is great. If God is great then he has no limitations, and thus no limitations on where he can be present. He has to be present everywhere, otherwise we cannot say God is great. If God is present everywhere, then he has to be in every atom, otherwise we cannot say God is everywhere. Only the Vedic scriptures state that a person called Krishna is present in the atom.

It’s not just the non-Hindus who are forbidden to worship God in an image form. Hindus who eat meat are also forbidden to worship God in an image form. As animal killers are considered too sinful to worship God directly as a person. For this same reason that other animal killers (non-Hindus), are not allowed to worship God in an image form. The Abrahamic religions are recently created, man made religions and thus they cannot understand God as a person, as their knowledge is based on man’s perception and limitations. The Vedic knowledge comes directly from God, in person. The Bhagavad-Gita has eternally existed and is the word of God in person.

“The sastras of the yavanas, or meat-eaters, are not eternal scriptures. They have been fashioned recently, and sometimes they contradict one another. The scriptures of the yavanas are three: the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Koran. Their compilation has a history; they are not eternal like the Vedic knowledge. Therefore although they have their arguments and reasonings, they are not very sound and transcendental.” (Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi_Lila 169)
3. When was the Bhagavad-Gita created?

The Koran was created 1400 years ago. The Bible was created 2000 years ago. But the Bhagavad-Gita wasn’t created at some time point. It has always existed, it is eternal.

The Bhagavad-Gita was first spoken by a person called Krishna, around 120 million years ago on another planet in this Universe, and last spoken 5000 years ago on the Earth planet, in the current day of Brahma. Each complete day of Brahma is 8.64 billion years.

Krishna appears in his original form, once on this Earth planet in every day of Brahma and speaks the Bhagavad-Gita. Thus Krishna appears and speaks the Bhagavad-Gita on this planet, once every 8.64 billion years. There are cycles of creation and annihilation based on the life of Brahma. The duration of each cycle is 100 years of Brahma, which is 311 trillion Earth years.

In the current cycle of creation and annihilation, we have existed for 155 trillion years. This means Krishna has appeared on this planet, at least 17,939 times (155*1000/8.64=17,939 ) in the current cycle alone. And before this cycle there were trillions of cycles.

At the end of each cycle, there is complete annihilation of the Universe and all the material elements go back into the body of Maha Vishnu who is an expansion of Krishna. Krishna in the form of Maha Vishnu, is so BIG that when 311 trillion years pass on Earth, he just completes one inhalation or one exhalation. With every exhalation, millions of Universes come out of his body and with every inhalation, millions of Universes go back into his body. Just think how BIG and great Maha Vishnu must be. And Maha Vishnu is just a small expansion of Krishna.

The Bhagavad-Gita is not a one off created scripture. It has been spoken by Krishna millions of times, right here on this planet and it has also been spoken millions of times, beyond this planet in this Universe, and in other Universes. The material creation is ever expanding and Krishna speaks the Bhagavad-Gita in every Universe, in every day of Brahma, in every cycle. This is how great Krishna (God) is.

4. According to the Koran and Bible, there is no rebirth. This is the first and last birth (no reincarnation).

If this is the only birth, then why is everyone born in different situations?

Why are some people born with cancer in their one and only life?

Why do some people live for a day and die and some live to 100?

Why are some people born in miserable places like Sudan and some in places like the USA?

Why are some people born ugly, some good looking?

Why are some people born male, and some female?

Why are some people born to rich mothers, some to poor mothers?

If this is the only life, then surely everyone should be born equal as God is fair and equal to all?

The Bhagavad-Gita states that we are eternal. We have always existed and we will always exist. Just as the soul is residing in this body, when this body is finished. We will get a new body. This means that before this life, we existed in millions of bodies and after this body we will continue to exist in millions of bodies. The soul transmigrates from one body to another, life after life, reincarnation.

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change. ” (Lord Krishna, Bg. 2.12-13)
“As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.” (Lord Krishna, Bg. 2.22)

Why should the all merciful God, give us only one chance of life?

The fact that God is all merciful is proof that he gives us unlimited lives and not just one (reincarnation).

5. According to the Koran and Bible, after death, the soul stays in the ground where the person is buried until the Judgment day.

When is the Judgment day?

Why should God keep the dead waiting?

Some people have been dead for millions of years, why does God keep them waiting for so long?

Why are some people living today, some lived millions of years ago and some will appear in the future. How does God determine when a person should live in their one and only life?

The Koran and the Bible does not answer any of the above questions.

The Bhagavad-Gita states that the Judgment day is immediately at death. God is very efficient, he does not keep the dead waiting. At death, based on the actions we have taken in our life (karma), we are instantly judged and the soul is immediately transferred to another body based exactly on what the person (the soul) deserves.

6. According to the Koran and Bible, on Judgment day, the soul is sent either to heaven or hell for eternity.

If after only one life, on some unknown Judgment day, a person is eternally sent to hell. Then how can God be called all merciful?

One of main qualities of God is that he is all merciful. Thus God cannot send anyone to hell eternally, and especially after only one chance. Someone who curses or threatens to send people eternally to hell cannot be God. As God is full of love and mercy.

Krishna has appeared so many times in the past, and in each incarnation. He is attacked by so many demonic and atheistic beings, and Krishna very easily defeats them. But none of them are ever sent to hell. They all get liberation. This is how merciful Krishna (God) is.

7. Jesus is the only way.

How many of these so-called followers of Jesus, actually follow his instructions?

Jesus said ‘thy shall not kill’ but they kill by millions everyday (cows, pigs, chickens..).

Jesus said ‘Love God with your heart’ but they don’t even know God.

Jesus said ‘Love thy neighbor’ but they go round cursing the neighbors (non-Christians) a life of hell if they don’t become one of them.

Jesus said ‘live without sin’ but they live in sin and expect Jesus to bail them out.

Instead of giving love to Jesus. They give him their sins so Jesus can suffer eternally.

These Christians who claim to follow Jesus, actually completely ignore the real teachings of Jesus.

By following the Vedic scriptures, one completely follows the teachings of Jesus:

Thy shall not kill – Vegetarianism

Love God with your heart – Worshiping Lord Krishna

Love they neighbor – Consider everyone as the children of God, thus we are all brothers and sisters

Live without sin – No illicit sex, no meat, no intoxication, no gambling

Give love to Guru – Serve the Guru by giving love, not pain

8. Why does everyone think their way is the best?

They have the mentality of bacteria.

The Vedic scriptures states that humans have existed for 155 trillion years in the current cycle of creation and annihilation and before this cycle there were trillions of cycles. The duration of each cycle is 311 trillion years. Beyond this planet, there are trillions of other planets with living beings.

On this tiny insignificant planet, many races and religious groups of people have existed, and their followers think that their way is the only way. The Romans thought they were the best, the Egyptians thought they were the best, the ancient Chinese thought they were the best and so many other races of people have existed. None of them survived for more than a few thousand years. Today we still have races of people who think their way is the best. But like the others before them, they too will become extinct.

Just think how foolish these people are for thinking that their way is the best. This is called bacteria mentality.

The life span of certain bacteria is only a few hours and they live their entire life in a very small area. These bacteria cannot even imagine that there are trillions of other bacteria stretching for thousands of miles. The bacteria cannot imagine that there are other livings beings who live for hundreds of years (humans) and some who live for thousands of years (some trees). There are also livings beings who’s life span is thousands and even trillions of years. The Brahma of this Universe, lives for 311 trillion years.

Also since a race or group of people appeared on this tiny insignificant planet. It’s impossible for anyone to be a follower of their way beyond this planet. So do the zillions of humans, living on millions of planets beyond this one, all live in ignorance as they don’t follow the way of those live here on this Earth planet?

God is all merciful and fair. This means he has to give everyone who is existing today, everyone who has existed in the past, and everyone existing beyond this planet. A chance to know, worship, and follow his teachings. The Vedic knowledge is given to the first created living being called Brahma, at the beginning of the Universe. Then Brahma passes the knowledge down to his children in disciplic succession, and in this way the teachings of Krishna (God) are passed down from generation to generation. Krishna also appears many times in different forms to establish religious principles. Thus God is merciful and fair as he gives all human beings living on any every planet, in every Universe, a chance and not just those who lived recently on one tiny planet.

Only the Vedic religion is existing on every planet, from the beginning of creation to the end in each cycle of creation and annihilation.

9. Do you agree that the purpose of religion is to go to Heaven and enjoy virgins?

No.

The Koran states that by following Islam, on judgment day. The soul will be eternally sent to Heaven. Where there are many virgins to enjoy sex with and wine for those who drink.

“In them will be bashful virgins neither man nor Jinn will have touched before” (Koran 55.56)
“(Here is) a Parable of the Garden which the righteous are promised: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk which the taste never changes; rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink” (Koran 47.15)

The Vedic scriptures state that the purpose of religion is to engage in devotional service onto Krishna. The result of this will be that we will go back to the spiritual realm called Vaikuntha. Where we all originally originated from. Krishna is the father of all living beings as stated in the Bhagavad-Gita and thus we are all his children. We are all brothers and sisters, including the animals.

The Vedic scriptures state that there is a spiritual and material creation. The material creation represents 25% of God’s creation. Consisting of millions of Universes, and within each Universe there are numerous planets. This Universe that the planet Earth is in is the smallest one. There are other Universes which are millions of times bigger than our Universe.

The material creation is made up of Heavenly, Earthly, and Hellish planets. On these material planets, there is birth, old age, disease, misery, death, and re-birth. This is very clearly stated in the Bhagavad-Gita as follows.

“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.” (Lord Krishna, Bg. 8.16)

What this means is that even if we go to Heaven, we will still suffer, become diseased and die one day. Then we come back to this Earth or another similar planet again. The highest planet in the material creation is called Satyaloka, where the living beings live for trillions of years. But still there is old age, disease, misery, and death.

The other 75% of God’s creation is the spiritual creation called Vaikuntha. There are millions of spiritual planets in Vaikuntha and the humans beings living on these Vaikuntha planets, are full of bliss, full of knowledge. They have a body that is four handed and eternal, free from disease; old age; anxiety; death. Krishna is present on all the Vaikuntha planets in the form of Narayan who has four hands. God is so merciful and kind that that he gives us his opulence. A body that is four handed and eternal. The top most planet in Vaikuntha is called Goluka Vrindavan, and there the original form of God called Krishna resides. Krishna has 2 hands and so the humans beings on Goluka Vrindavan are also two handed.

Thus going to heaven is temporary and miserable like on Earth. Those with a higher consciousness will not want to go to Heaven or any material planet. They will aim for the spiritual creation, especially the abode of Krishna, Goluka Vrindavan.

The teachings of Shree Swaminarayan.

The Teachings of Shree Swaminarayan – Krishna Consciousness

From the Shikshapatri, written by Shree Swaminarayan

“My followers who shall observe strictly the rules of the ethics as prescribed by the scriptures shall derive happiness here and hereafter; and those who want only transgress them and behave willfully shall suffer great distress here and in the life hereafter.” Shree Swaminarayan.

“One Should observe the codes of the Shikshapatri at any cost” Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Who is God?

The Paramatma – Shree Krishna who is supreme, Parabrahman, Bhagwan or Purushottam and who is the cause of all manifestations is the Lord of us all. He is to be worshipped for final redemption. (108)

Who Should We Worship?

All human beings on this Earth shall worship him [Lord Krishna] knowing that there is no other way for ultimate redemption than devotion to him. (113)

None shall practice devotion to Shree Krishna while disregarding religious tenets nor shall he give up the worship of Shri Krishna for fear of calumny by the ignorant. (39)

Who Should We Meditate Upon?

I meditate in my heart on Shree Krishna, Brindavan’s gay divine player on left is Radha and in whose bosom dwells Lakshmi (1)

Lord Krishna, his incarnations and his idols alone are to be meditated upon, but a human being or a deva even though he may be a devotee or knower of Brahman shall never be resorted to as an object of meditation. (115)

Who Should We Sing To?

All my followers shall go to the temple every evening and there they shall sing loudly songs in praise of Lord Krishna, the beloved of Radha. (63)

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Who Should We Offer Food To?

They shall then offer food to God and take prasad only from the offered dish. Thus, in a spirit of supreme love and dedication they should serve Shree Krishna. (58)

Those votaries shall never drink water or eat roots, fruits or like without offering the same to Shree Krishna. (60)

Which Deity Should We Worship?

They shall worship Shri Krishna’s idol made of either stone or metal or a shaligram with offerings procurable within ones own means, and then chant his holy name. (56)

What Should We Do at the Beginning of Each Day?

They shall then reverently bow down to the images of Radha and Krishna and chant the holy name of the lord in accordance with their usual and normal procedures, only, after which they should start their daily routines. (54)

All my disciples shall awake before sunrise and after meditating on Shree Krishna shall proceed to discharge their bowels. (49)

Who Should We Give Donations To?

My disciples shall give in donation one tenth of their income or food grains, if that be their agricultural income, in the service of Lord Krishna. Those with insufficient means shall donate one-twentieth of their income, either in kind or money. (147)

Should A Wife Serve Her Husband?

The female followers shall serve their husbands, be they blind or ailing or poor or impotent in the manner in which they worship and serve God; and under no circumstances shall they speak harshly to them. (159)

The Final Prayer of Shree Swaminarayan

May Lord Shree Krishna, the destroyer of all miseries of his devotees, the defender of Dharma and Bhakti and the giver of all cherished objects, spread his goodness and glory every where. (212)

Applying the Bhagavad-Gita today.

Why should I bother with the Bhagavad-Gita?
How does it apply to me today?

What is the Bhagavad-Gita?

The Bhagavad-Gita is the only word of God in person. It is the conversation between a man called Arjuna and God himself in the human form, Lord Krishna. The conversation took place in Kurukshetra (India), more than 5000 years ago.

Arjuna was a typical person in the material world. He was in a dilemma as he was forgetful of his real duties in life. Therefore Krishna spoke the sacred teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita for the upliftment and purification of Arjuna and all humanity.

Life is a War

This world is full of suffering for everyone, either today or tomorrow, know-one can escape pain and suffering. Especially in the current age, which is called Kali Yuga. Which literally means the dark ages. The age of ignorance and irreligion. The result of ignorance and irreligion is pain and suffering.

Suffering is caused by Nature in the form of natural disasters like flooding, earthquakes, droughts, crop failures, and so on. Suffering caused by other humans, like terrorists. Suffering caused by personal relationship with others, like marital problems, brother/ friend/family problems and suffering caused by work/business problems and so on.

Whether you are Bill Gates, the President, or a dog on the street. Life is full of calamities and anxiety. And even if you get through this life with fewer problems. You have to go through the whole thing (life), millions of times. In one life you will be the CEO and in another life you will be a dog and so on for millions of life times.

Ignorance, materialism, lust, greed, and violence, represents the soldiers on the opposing side in our war.

Everyone is experiencing turmoil and confusion in their lives, the result of which is living a lusty, materialist, and ignorant life, a wasted rare human birth.

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Everyday we are faced with decisions in our lives

Shall I do this or do that?
Will he/she be ok?
Shall I buy now or wait?
How much shall I spend?
When will I do it?
When will I go?
Which should I choose?
Who should I choose?
When will I retire?
Will it work out?

And so on…..

The real enemy of Arjuna was his mind rather than the soldiers on the other side. We are faced with the same situation. Our own mind is the greatest enemy, which is constantly tricking us into thinking that life is all about material enjoyment and sense gratification. Everyday we are faced with decisions, which will affect our future. Thus everyday is a battle with ignorance, materialism, lust, greed, and anger. If we can win the daily battles for some time then we have entered into spiritual life and the war over ignorance, materialism, lust, greed, and anger has been won. And at the end of this life we will enter into the kingdom of God with eternal spiritual life.

In order for us to win our war, we need the same knowledge that Arjuna was given by Lord Krishna. The Bhagavad-Gita.

By understanding the Bhagavad-Gita, the decisions we make in everyday life will alter our lives for the better and the result will be peace and happiness even in this life. And after this life there is guaranteed eternal peace for those who understand and practice the Bhagavad-Gita. If we don’t have the knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita than all our decisions are simply based on speculation and thus the result will be speculative. Sometimes the decision we made earlier will turn out to be correct, and sometimes incorrect. More often our speculative decisions will turn out to be wrong and we will continue with a life of ignorance, materialism, lust, greed, and anger. At the time of death if we have a materialist mindset then we will once again have to go through this hellish life with all the problems. We may even fall down again into the animal kingdom and then have to go through 8 million births before we get another human birth.

By understanding and practicing the principles outlined in the Bhagavad-Gita we can minimize the affects, control, and avoid some of the problematic situations in our life.

The Problems in Our Lives

Your spouse may be cheating you
Your spouse may not be happy
Your marriage may end at any time
You may lose your job at any time
Your business may go down at any time
You may be kicked out of your house at any time
Your savings will run out at any time
Your health may deteriorate at any time
You may develop cancer at any time
You may catch AIDS at any time

Your children may become diseased at any time
Your loved one may die at any time

And so on..

The above list of decisions and problems are real and affects everyone. The Bhagavad-Gita can truly help us all overcome the complexities of material life.

What Difference Will The Bhagavad-Gita Make?

Whether you understand and practice the Bhagavad-Gita or not will make a significant difference to your current lifestyle and the next. If you think life is all about mating, eating and enjoying, then your next body will be in the animal kingdom and then your life will be to simply eat, sleep, mate, and defend. If you like exposing your body to others then your next body will be that of a tree and you will be able to stand naked in one place for thousands of years, exposed to all. If you eat anything and everything then your next body will be that of a hog who eats anything and everything, including stool.

Also read:

Only the beast will eat another beast

Human Birth is Rare – Don’t Waste It

Is There Life After Death?