Soul in this Body makes it Alive

We love any human being till breath runs through the nostrils. Once breath stops coming in the body then we don't have same affection with that person. Now why do we love our near & dear ones? Why it is that we love human beings in general? These are the same human bodies which if once dead are not loved the same way, when these are alive. What is there in these bodies which make these so lovable when these are breathing through the nostrils? Once it stops breathing, the same body is not that lovable.

The only answer to this is that there is someone besides this body, in the body, which makes it so lovable, otherwise how it is that this body of five nature elements seems so attractive & lovable. Yes, there is some other thing in this body which makes it so lovable & that thing is divine Soul. This divine Soul is nothing but a spark of universal omnipresent Soul, the Almighty God. All human beings are lovable due to the presence of this divine Soul in the body. All attractions in the body are due to this divine Soul only. Once this divine Soul leaves this body, it is called death of that body & all attractions, all love departs with the Soul.

God himself says in the Bhagwat Gita that He Himself resides in the heart of all human beings. Below verse explains that:

"ishvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrd-dese ’rjuna tishthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 61)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The Lord / Supreme God dwells in the heart of all beings, who are mounted on the automation of this body, causing them by His illusive power of material energy to revolve (according to their actions) and is directing the wanderings of all living entities."

"tam eva saranam gaccha
sarva-bhavena bharata
tat-prasadat param shantim
sthanam prapsyasi sasvatam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 62)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, surrender unto God fully. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode."

Jai Shri Krishna

When Arjuna & Duryodhana both went to Lord Krishna for Help

Before the Mahabharata war, both "Arjuna" & "Duryodhana" (the two opponents in the war) went to "Lord Krishna" for His help in the war. At that time "Lord Krishna" was having a nap. "Duryodhana" came a little earlier than "Arjuna" & stood toward the head (pillow side) of "Lord Krishna". "Arjuna" came a little late & due to his devotion to "Lord Krishna" stood near His feet.

When Lord Krishna woke up He saw Arjuna first & then saw Duryodhana. He asked both, why they have come to Him at this moment. Both told Lord Krishna that as the battle is near they wanted Lord Krishna's help in this war. At this Lord Krishna agreed to give help to both & asked Arjuna first, how He can help him. At this Duryodhana said to Lord Krishna , "I have come before Arjuna to You so you should fulfil my desire first." At this Lord Krishna said to Duryodhana, "Though you have come before Arjuna, but I saw him first, so he should be given the first choice to ask." At this Duryodhana was perturbed that Arjuna shall ask all His armies from Him & he shall be left with nothing.

Lord Krishna told Arjuna that he has a choice, either he can take His whole army or he can choose Him alone. But when Arjuna asked Lord Krishna that he only wanted Him & nothing else, Duryodhana was perplexed & thought Arjuna to be a foolish person that he has asked for Lord Krishna alone than His big army. At this Lord Krishna told Arjuna that though he can choose Him alone but in the war He will not fight & He shall only be his charioteer. He told Arjuna that if he chooses Him alone then he shall be deprived of His whole big army. But Arjuna wanted Lord Krishna alone & not His army & accepted Lord Krishna as his charioteer.

At all this discussion, Duryodhana kept mum & thought, what Lord Krishna shall do without the army. Duryodhana actually wanted Lord Krishna's big army only & asked for that army when he got the chance. So Duryodhana got Lord Krishna's army.

Arjuna was a true devotee of Lord Krishna & knew that He was the God of the universe. He knew about all the powers of Lord Krishna & also knew that God in the form of Krishna shall save him & lead him to victory. He was having much faith in Lord Krishna than His army. Due to his faith in Lord Krishna only, ultimately he won the war while Duryodhana lost the war.

In Bhagwat Gita Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to always have faith in Him only as, whosoever, keeps faith in Lord Krishna, He always protects that devotee.

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

In the last verse of Bhagwat Gita, "Sanjaya" is also of the same opinion.

"yatra yogeshvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 78)

"Sanjaya said: Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."

So let's have complete faith in "Lord Krishna" & let's be His devotee. By having devotion in Him we shall be saved always by Him in all circumstances. Jai Sri Krishna.

Jai Sri Krishna

Soul in this Body makes it so Lovable

Why do we love our near & dear ones? Why it is that we love human beings in general? These are the same human bodies which if once dead are not loved the same way, when these are alive. What is there in these bodies which make these so lovable when these are breathing through the nostrils? Once it stops breathing, the same body is not that lovable.

The only answer to this is that there is someone besides this body, in the body, which makes it so lovable, otherwise how it is that this body of five nature elements seems so attractive & lovable. Yes, there is some other thing in this body which makes it so lovable & that thing is divine Soul. This divine Soul is nothing but a spark of universal omnipresent Soul, the Almighty God. All human beings are lovable due to the presence of this divine Soul in the body. All attractions in the body are due to this divine Soul only. Once this divine Soul leaves this body, it is called death of that body & all attractions, all love departs with the Soul.

God himself says in the Bhagwat Gita that He Himself resides in the heart of all human beings. Below verse explains that:

"ishvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrd-dese ’rjuna tishthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 61)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The Lord / Supreme God dwells in the heart of all beings, who are mounted on the automation of this body, causing them by His illusive power of material energy to revolve (according to their actions) and is directing the wanderings of all living entities."

"tam eva saranam gaccha
sarva-bhavena bharata
tat-prasadat param shantim
sthanam prapsyasi sasvatam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 62)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, surrender unto God fully. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode."

Jai Shri Krishna

Arjuna - Disciple & Devotee of Lord Krishna

Before the Mahabharata war, both "Arjuna" & "Duryodhana" (the two opponents in the war) went to "Lord Krishna" for His help in the war. At that time "Lord Krishna" was having a nap. "Duryodhana" came a little earlier than "Arjuna" & stood toward the head (pillow side) of "Lord Krishna". "Arjuna" came a little late & due to his devotion to "Lord Krishna" stood near His feet.

When Lord Krishna woke up He saw Arjuna first & then saw Duryodhana. He asked both, why they have come to Him at this moment. Both told Lord Krishna that as the battle is near they wanted Lord Krishna's help in this war. At this Lord Krishna agreed to give help to both & asked Arjuna first, how He can help him. At this Duryodhana said to Lord Krishna , "I have come before Arjuna to You so you should fulfil my desire first." At this Lord Krishna said to Duryodhana, "Though you have come before Arjuna, but I saw him first, so he should be given the first choice to ask." At this Duryodhana was perturbed that Arjuna shall ask all His armies from Him & he shall be left with nothing.

Lord Krishna told Arjuna that he has a choice, either he can take His whole army or he can choose Him alone. But when Arjuna asked Lord Krishna that he only wanted Him & nothing else, Duryodhana was perplexed & thought Arjuna to be a foolish person that he has asked for Lord Krishna alone than His big army. At this Lord Krishna told Arjuna that though he can choose Him alone but in the war He will not fight & He shall only be his charioteer. He told Arjuna that if he chooses Him alone then he shall be deprived of His whole big army. But Arjuna wanted Lord Krishna alone & not His army & accepted Lord Krishna as his charioteer.

At all this discussion, Duryodhana kept mum & thought, what Lord Krishna shall do without the army. Duryodhana actually wanted Lord Krishna's big army only & asked for that army when he got the chance. So Duryodhana got Lord Krishna's army.

Arjuna was a true devotee of Lord Krishna & knew that He was the God of the universe. He knew about all the powers of Lord Krishna & also knew that God in the form of Krishna shall save him & lead him to victory. He was having much faith in Lord Krishna than His army. Due to his faith in Lord Krishna only, ultimately he won the war while Duryodhana lost the war.

In Bhagwat Gita Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to always have faith in Him only as, whosoever, keeps faith in Lord Krishna, He always protects that devotee.

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."
In the last verse of Bhagwat Gita, "Sanjaya" is also of the same opinion.

"yatra yogeshvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 78)

"Sanjaya said: Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."

So let's have complete faith in "Lord Krishna" & let's be His devotee. By having devotion in Him we shall be saved always by Him in all circumstances. Jai Sri Krishna.

Jai Shri Krishna

Cult of Devotion to Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna is almighty, all powerful & everyone prays to Him but there is a cult of devotion in which a person falls in Love with Lord Krishna & there is a burning desire in that person's mind to meet Lord Krishna. Gopis of Vrindavan, including Sri Radha Rani are of that cult only who fell in Love with Lord Krishna. Meerabai also considered Lord Krishna like that only. Such devotee’s state of mind is the one who always think madly of Lord Krishna. This is the state of the highest devotion to the God, in which a person always yearns to meet Lord Krishna. Gopis & Sri Radha's love for Lord Krishna is so strong that in His absence their mind always yearns for Him.

In "Bhagwat Gita" Lord Krishna is saying to Arjuna:

Be aware of me always,
adore me, make every
act an offering to me,
and you shall come to me;
this I (Krishna) promise,
for you are dear to me. (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

Abandon all supports and
look to me for protection.
I shall purify you from the
sins of the past; do not grieve. (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

Lord Krishna is assuring Arjuna in Bhagwat Gita that He shall always be with him in all circumstances if he is always in devotion to Him. Same thing applies to every human being also. If a person remains devoted to Lord Krishna then Lord promises that He shall deliver that person of all the sins of the past & purify that person. By doing such loving service to the Lord, certainly that person shall be in the eyes of God always & God shall always protect that person.

So let's be devoted to Lord Krishna always. Let's sing His Glories, read literature regarding Him & also do loving service to humanity (charity etc.) in His name.

Jai Sri Krishna

Different Yogas in Bhagwat Gita

On the battle field of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna, the disciple of Lord Krishna got infatuated & forgot his duty to fight, then Lord Krishna reminded Arjuna of his duty to fight a lawful, justful war & gave him the teachings of Bhagwat Gita. Arjuna after having been taught in the path of knowledge by Lord Krishna came back to his path of duty & fought a lawful battle against the Kauravas (his enemies) & won the battle with the grace of Lord Krishna. Bhagwat Gita has Eighteen chapters which you can read at below given links.

Chapter One of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Dejection of Arjuna."

Chapter Two of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "Sankhyayoga or the Yoga of Knowledge."

Chapter Three of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "Karmayoga, or the Yoga of Action."

Chapter Four of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Knowledge ,as well as, the disciplines of Action & Knowledge."

Chapter Five of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Action & Knowledge."

Chapter Six of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Self control."

Chapter Seven of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Jnana (Knowledge of Nirguna Brahma) and Vijnana (Knowledge of Manifest Divinity)."

Chapter Eight of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of the Indestructible Brahma."

Chapter Nine of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of the Sovereign Science and the Sovereign Secret."

Chapter Ten of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Divine Glories."

Chapter Eleven of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form."

Chapter Twelve of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Devotion."

Chapter Thirteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Discrimination between the Field and the Knower of the Field."

Chapter Fourteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Classification of the three Gunas."

Chapter Fifteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of the Supreme Person."

Chapter Sixteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Discrimination between the Divine and the Demoniacal Properties."

Chapter Seventeen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Classification of the Threefold Faith."

Chapter Eighteen of Bhagwat Gita is entitled "The Yoga of Liberation through the Path of Knowledge and Self-Surrender."



Jai Sri Krishna

Understanding Pain & Suffering In Life

In our life we all suffer Pain at some point of time in our life. Pain, whether physical or mental is the most unwanted thing & is always avoided by all of us. But still it is a fact that pain is as much a part of our life as joy is in our life. In joy we feel so happy that we always forget the reason why we are having this joy but when we are in pain, we certainly try to analyze why we are having this pain. When you suffer from some physical illness then you try to think why it is there. You consult your doctor & ask him to get rid of you of this pain.

But have you ever wondered, why this pain first of all occurs in our body? Pain in your body is just the "Effect" in "Cause & Effect" cycle of this nature. As Pain is the "Effect" then what is the "Cause" of this pain.

As per Bhagwat Gita, "Cause and Effect" of this material world are due to 3 qualities of Nature only & those are "Sattva, Rajas & Tamas". Due to these three qualities of Nature only our body is born. Due to individual being doing Karmas (Good & Bad), one enjoys Joy & also suffer Pain in this life. In effect Nature is of dual characteristics & "Good & Bad", "Joy & Pain" etc. are both due to dual characteristics of this nature. The living entity in material nature enjoys the three modes of nature & it is due to his association with that material nature only that he meets with good and evil consequences in his/her lifetime. Now here below are the Bhagwat Gita verses which details about the three modes of nature and how an individual gets involved with these three modes of nature & enjoys happiness & suffers pain. Basically it explains Cause and Effect in Nature.

In Bhagwat Gita Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna :

"Material nature consists of three modes—Goodness, Passion and Ignorance (Sattva, Rajas & Tamas). When an individual living entity comes in contact with nature, he becomes conditioned by these three modes." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 5)

"The mode of Goodness, being purer than the other two, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 6)

"The mode of Passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, and because of this, the embodied living entity is bound to material fruit producing actions." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 7)

"Know that the mode of Darkness, born of ignorance, is the delusion of all embodied living entities. The results of this mode are madness, indolence and sleep, which bind the conditioned soul." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 8)

"The mode of Goodness conditions one to happiness; Passion conditions one to fruit producing action & pain; and Ignorance, covering one’s knowledge, binds one to madness." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 9)
Now you have to see that in which of the above said modes of nature you are established. If you are doing good Karmas, helping others, living a pure life, having devotion to God, doing acts of sacrifice, charity etc. then you are living a Sattvic life & it frees one from all sinful reactions & gives a life of happiness.

If you live a passionate (Rajasic) life, addicted to sensuous pleasures of life then it shall give pain in life (physical & mental later on). Though sensuous pleasures look good at the time of it's enjoyment but ultimately it's consequence is pain only & it leads one to all painful reactions .

That happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but gives pain at the end is said to be of the nature of passion. - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 38)

If you lead a lazy life, enjoys happiness in sleep, indolence etc. & are egoistic, avoid doing your duty; then you are living in delusion. All this arises of the nature of ignorance & in this case you are leading a Tamasic life. Such a life gives pain only always & lead one to utter delusion before & after.

So its all, what type of life you live & what type of Karmas you do. Sattvic life shall lead you to happiness only while Rajasic life shall lead you to Pain & Suffering while Tamasic life shall lead you to utter delusion & shall ruin your life. Choice is yours, which type of life you want to live.

Jai Sri Krishna

Defeatism & Victory in Life

How many times in your life you have felt yourself depressed, de-motivated & dejected? How many times you have felt yourself defeated in life? If one feels like a defeated person in life then the battle of life is lost for that person. So we should not let our mind delve into the state of depression, de-motivation & dejection. We should never let our mind feel defeated as then there is no positive meaning of life. You can never succeed & be victorious in life if you feel yourself defeated at mind.

In the ancient Kurukshetra war, "Arjuna" the great disciple of "Lord Sri Krishna" also came into such a de-motivated & dejected state of mind. In that war "Arjuna" refused to do his duty of fighting a righteous battle as he got infatuated & started thinking of his enemies as his own near & dear ones. His mind became week & highly de-motivated. He told his master "Lord Sri Krishna" that he is going away from the war & do not want to fight on the battle field. Arjuna's mental health became weak & he got deeply depressed. To overcome his disciple Arjuna's depression & to motivate him to fight a righteous war, "Lord Sri Krishna" gave the great teachings of "Bhagwat Gita" to his disciple "Arjuna". After listening to all these great teachings, Arjuna's mental health became well & he became motivated & energetic to fight the war. Below are verses of Bhagwat Gita which shows how Arjuna became de-motivated & how he refused to do his duty of fighting a righteous war.

"tatrapasyat sthitan parthah
pitrn atha pitamahan
acharyan matulan bhratrn
putran pautran sakhims tatha
svasuran suhridas chaiva
senayor ubhayor api" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter One verse 26)

"Now Arjuna saw stationed there in the midst of the both armies, his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, and his fathers-in-law and well-wishers as well."

"tan samiksya sa kaunteyah
sarvan bandhun avasthitan
kripaya parayavisto
visidann idam abravit" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter One verse 27)

"Seeing all these relations present there, the son of Kunti, Arjuna was overwhelmed with extreme compassion and spoke these words in sadness."

"arjuna uvacha
drstvemam sva-janam krishna
yuyutsum samupasthitam
sidanti mama gatrani
mukham cha parisusyati" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter One verse 28)

"Arjuna said: Krishna, at the sight of these friends and relatives present before me in such a fighting spirit, my limbs give away, my body quivering and my mouth is parched."

"vepathus cha sarire me
roma-harsas cha jayate
gandivam sramsate hastat
tvak chaiva paridahyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter One verse 29)

"My complete body shakes & my hair stands on end. The bow Gandiva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning."

"na cha saknomy avasthatum
bhramativa cha me manah
nimittani cha pasyami
viparitani keshava" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter One verse 30)

"My mind is reeling & I am now unable able to stand here any longer. I see the omens also inauspicious; only causes of misfortune, O Krishna, killer of the Keshi demon."

"sanjaya uvacha
evam uktvarjunah sankhye
rathopastha upavisat
visrjya sa-saram chapam
soka-samvigna-manasah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter One verse 46)

"Sanjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief."

"sanjaya uvacha
evam uktva hrishikesham
gudakeshah parantapah
na yotsya iti govindam
uktva tusnim babhuva ha" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 9)

"Sanjaya said: O King, having spoken thus to Sri Krishna, Arjuna, again said to Krishna, “Hey Govinda, I shall not fight,” and fell silent."

Below are verses of Bhagwat Gita in which Lord Krishna gave sermon to Arjuna to do his duty of fighting a just & righteous war & motivated his mind.

"sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah
para-dharmat sv-anusthitat
sva-dharme nidhanam sreyah
para-dharmo bhayavahah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Three verse 35)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous."

"karmany evadhikaras te
ma phalesu kadachana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango ’stv akarmani" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 47)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty."

"yoga-sthah kuru karmani
sangam tyaktva dhananjaya
siddhy-asiddhyoh samo bhutva
samatvam yoga ucyate" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Two verse 48)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: Perform your duty equi-poised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga."

By the teachings of Lord Krishna, weakness of mind of Arjuna was gone & he became motivated. Below is a verse of Bhagwat Gita in which Arjuna acknowledges that his weakness of mind has gone & that he is now motivated to do his duty of fighting a just & righteous war.

"arjuna uvacha
nasto mohah smritir labdha
tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito ’smi gata-sandehah
karisye vachanam tava" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 73)

"Arjuna said: O Lord Sri Krishna, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your grace. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions."

So it is seen above, how the defeated & de-motivated mind of Arjuna became good & motivated by the teachings of Bhagwat Gita. Similarly we can also come out of the state of depression, de-motivation & dejection by reading the teachings of Bhagwat Gita. These teachings show us how to do our duty properly & how to lead a good life. So let's all follow the great teachings of Bhagwat Gita as told by Lord Sri Krishna Himself to Arjuna. These teachings are as much relevant in fast day to day life of ours today as these were in ancient times.



Jai Sri Krishna

Divine Grace Of God

God is all merciful. His Divine grace or Blessing or 'Kripa' (कृपा) happens on all creatures. Divine grace is of two types. First one is Normal mercy & second one is Special mercy. Normal mercy is the one which is happening on all creatures, equally by God. Like Sun is shining on all beings equally or God provides for the water, air & food etc. for all the creatures, irrespective of whether these creatures love Him or not. Say there are many people who do not like or believe in God & rather there are many people who abuse the God or say ill of Him but still God never stops providing sunshine, air, water, food etc. to such people. This is called God's Normal mercy.

Other than that is Special mercy of God. This type of mercy happens on God's devotees. Such special Divine grace on devotees in Hinduism is the central tenet of Bhakti Yoga and Bhakti movements. It is a key towards realizing the spiritual path of self-realization in which God embraces His devotee. When Special mercy of God happens on any person then God gives that person, whatever, that person is lacking in life & also protects his/her life & belongings. In fact that person is always protected in life by God. Such type of Special mercy of God only happens on a person who engages his/her mind always in thinking of God, becomes God's devotee, offers obeisance's to God and always worships the God. Being completely absorbed in God, surely that person becomes eligible for God's Special mercy.

That is the reason that Adi Shankaracharya composed his famous verse Bhaja Govindam in 8th century, where he declared:

"bhajagovindam bhajagovindam
govindam bhaja muudhamate
sampraapte sannihite kaale
nahi nahi rakshati dukrijnkarane"

Worship Govinda, Worship Govinda,
Worship Govinda. Oh fool!
Nothing else will save you
at the time of your death.
Similarly below verses of Bhagwat Gita explain that:

"samo ’ham sarva-bhutesu
na me dvesyo ’sti na priyah
ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya
mayi te tesu chapy aham" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 29)


"Sri Krishna said: I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him."

"ananyas cintayanto mam
ye janah paryupasate
tesham nityabhiyuktanam
yoga-ksemam vahamy aham" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Nine verse 22)

"Sri Krishna said: But those who always worship Me with exclusive devotion, meditating on My transcendental form—to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion or Setting aside all meritorious deeds, just surrender unto Me. I shall liberate you from all sins. Do not fear."

Love Krishna, Adore Krishna

In "Bhagwat Gita" Lord Krishna is saying to Arjuna:

Be aware of me always,
adore me, make every
act an offering to me,
and you shall come to me;
this I (Krishna) promise,
for you are dear to me.

(Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

Abandon all supports and
look to me for protection.
I shall purify you from the
sins of the past; do not grieve.

(Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

Lord Krishna is assuring Arjuna in Bhagwat Gita that He shall always be with him in all circumstances if he is always in devotion to Him. Same thing applies to every human being also. If a person remains devoted to Lord Krishna then Lord promises that He shall deliver that person of all the sins of the past & purify that person. By doing such loving service to the Lord, certainly that person shall be in the eyes of God always & God shall always protect that person.

So let's be devoted to Lord Krishna always. Let's sing His Glories, read literature regarding Him & also do loving service to humanity (charity etc.) in His name. Jai Sri Krishna.

Arjuna - The True Devotee of Lord Krishna

Before the Mahabharata war, both "Arjuna" & "Duryodhana" (the two opponents in the war) went to "Lord Krishna" for His help in the war. At that time "Lord Krishna" was having a nap. "Duryodhana" came a little earlier than "Arjuna" & stood toward the head (pillow side) of "Lord Krishna". "Arjuna" came a little late & due to his devotion to "Lord Krishna" stood near His feet.

When Lord Krishna woke up He saw Arjuna first & then saw Duryodhana. He asked both, why they have come to Him at this moment. Both told Lord Krishna that as the battle is near they wanted Lord Krishna's help in this war. At this Lord Krishna agreed to give help to both & asked Arjuna first, how He can help him. At this Duryodhana said to Lord Krishna , "I have come before Arjuna to You so you should fulfil my desire first." At this Lord Krishna said to Duryodhana, "Though you have come before Arjuna, but I saw him first, so he should be given the first choice to ask." At this Duryodhana was perturbed that Arjuna shall ask all His armies from Him & he shall be left with nothing.

Lord Krishna told Arjuna that he has a choice, either he can take His whole army or he can choose Him alone. But when Arjuna asked Lord Krishna that he only wanted Him & nothing else, Duryodhana was perplexed & thought Arjuna to be a foolish person that he has asked for Lord Krishna alone than His big army. At this Lord Krishna told Arjuna that though he can choose Him alone but in the war He will not fight & He shall only be his charioteer. He told Arjuna that if he chooses Him alone then he shall be deprived of His whole big army. But Arjuna wanted Lord Krishna alone & not His army & accepted Lord Krishna as his charioteer.

At all this discussion, Duryodhana kept mum & thought, what Lord Krishna shall do without the army. Duryodhana actually wanted Lord Krishna's big army only & asked for that army when he got the chance. So Duryodhana got Lord Krishna's army.

Arjuna was a true devotee of Lord Krishna & knew that He was the God of the universe. He knew about all the powers of Lord Krishna & also knew that God in the form of Krishna shall save him & lead him to victory. He was having much faith in Lord Krishna than His army. Due to his faith in Lord Krishna only, ultimately he won the war while Duryodhana lost the war.

In Bhagwat Gita Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to always have faith in Him only as, whosoever, keeps faith in Lord Krishna, He always protects that devotee.

"man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaishyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo ’si me" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 65)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Lord Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

In the last verse of Bhagwat Gita, "Sanjaya" is also of the same opinion.

"yatra yogeshvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 78)

"Sanjaya said: Wherever there is Krishna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."

So let's have complete faith in "Lord Krishna" & let's be His devotee. By having devotion in Him we shall be saved always by Him in all circumstances. Jai Sri Krishna.

Spirituality & Religion

Spirituality concerns itself with matters of the spirit. It is quite different from the dogmas of a particular religion. Spirituality is basically what is taught in Bhagwat Gita. The great teachings of Bhagwat Gita are beyond any religion. A particular religion of this world teaches us about the practices to be followed in a particular religion. But spirituality is personal, subjective dimension of religion, particularly that which pertains to liberation or salvation of an individual soul. Spirituality is a state of being incorporeal. Spirituality is basically one's character or quality that makes one transcend the barriers of worldliness, caste, creed and sensuality; and realize one's connection with the Truth.

In contrast a religion is a set of stories, symbols, beliefs and practices that a person believes in or inherits. Religions are many in this world & so are it's different symbols, faiths & beliefs.

As per one report "More and ‘more Indians taking to spirituality", an increasing number of Indians are moving away from conventional religion and embracing spirituality.

As per spiritual leader Sri Samadarshini "Spirituality alone can help at times of crisis. It is beyond religion. Circumstances are never under our control but spirituality helps you give yourself an opportunity amid crisis and come out of it, Therefore a number of people are actually moving away from conventional religion.”

“Not just the corporate sector, people from all fields are now coming forward to learn about spirituality in order to learn how to handle stress,” said Samadarshini.

In Bhagwat Gita also Lord Krishna tells Arjuna to leave all religions & take shelter in Him . God is teaching spirituality only through the discourse of Bhagwat Gita to Arjuna. So Bhagwat Gita is really beyond any religion & is in reality teaching spiritualism. Bhagwat Gita teaches us about the truth of the Spirit rather than any dogmas of religion.

"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
mokshayisyami ma suchah" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 66)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear."

Pain & Suffering

Pain, whether physical or mental is the most unwanted thing & is always avoided by any human being. But still it is a fact of our life that it is as much a part of our life as its joy in our life. In joy we feel so happy that we always forget why we are having this joy but when we are in pain, we certainly try to analyze why we are having pain. Say you are suffering from some physical illness & during that illness first of all you try to think why it is there & then you consult your doctor why it is there & ask your doctor to get rid of you of this pain.

But have you ever wondered, why this pain first of all occurs in our body? Pain in your body is just the "Effect" in "Cause & Effect" cycle of this nature. As Pain is the "Effect" then what is the "Cause" of this pain.

As per Bhagwat Gita, "Cause and Effect" of this material world are due to 3 qualities of Nature only & those are "Sattva, Rajas & Tamas". Due to these three qualities of Nature only our body is born. Due to individual being doing Karmas (Good & Bad), one enjoys Joy & also suffer Pain in this life. In effect Nature is of dual characteristics & "Good & Bad", "Joy & Pain" etc. are both due to dual characteristics of this nature. The living entity in material nature enjoys the three modes of nature & it is due to his association with that material nature only that he meets with good and evil consequences in his/her lifetime. Now here below are the Bhagwat Gita verses which details about the three modes of nature and how an individual gets involved with these three modes of nature & enjoys happiness & suffers pain. Basically it explains Cause and Effect in Nature.

In Bhagwat Gita Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna :

"Material nature consists of three modes—Goodness, Passion and Ignorance (Sattva, Rajas & Tamas). When an individual living entity comes in contact with nature, he becomes conditioned by these three modes." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 5)

"The mode of Goodness, being purer than the other two, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 6)

"The mode of Passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, and because of this, the embodied living entity is bound to material fruit producing actions." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 7)

"Know that the mode of Darkness, born of ignorance, is the delusion of all embodied living entities. The results of this mode are madness, indolence and sleep, which bind the conditioned soul." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 8)

"The mode of Goodness conditions one to happiness; Passion conditions one to fruit producing action & pain; and Ignorance, covering one’s knowledge, binds one to madness." - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 9)

Now you have to see that in which of the above said modes of nature you are established. If you are doing good Karmas, helping others, living a pure life, having devotion to God, doing acts of sacrifice, charity etc. then you are living a Sattvic life & it frees one from all sinful reactions & gives a life of happiness.

If you live a passionate (Rajasic) life, addicted to sensuous pleasures of life then it shall give pain in life (physical & mental later on). Though sensuous pleasures look good at the time of it's enjoyment but ultimately it's consequence is pain only & it leads one to all painful reactions .
That happiness which is derived from contact of the senses with their objects and which appears like nectar at first but gives pain at the end is said to be of the nature of passion. - (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 38)

If you lead a lazy life, enjoys happiness in sleep, indolence etc. & are egoistic, avoid doing your duty; then you are living in delusion. All this arises of the nature of ignorance & in this case you are leading a Tamasic life. Such a life gives pain only always & lead one to utter delusion before & after.

So its all, what type of life you live & what type of Karmas you do. Sattvic life shall lead you to happiness only while Rajasic life shall lead you to Pain & Suffering while Tamasic life shall lead you to utter delusion & shall ruin your life. Choice is yours, which type of life you want to live.

God Expresses Himself in Human Forms

Why do you love your near & dear ones? Why it is that we love human beings in general? These are the same human bodies which if once dead are not loved the same way, when these are alive. What is there in these bodies which make these so lovable when these are breathing through the nostrils? Once it stops breathing, the same body is not that lovable.

The only answer to this is that there is someone besides this body, in the body, which makes it so lovable, otherwise how it is that this body of five nature elements seems so attractive & lovable. Yes, there is some other thing in this body which makes it so lovable & that thing is divine soul. This divine soul is nothing but a spark of universal omnipresent soul, the Almighty God. All human beings are lovable due to the presence of this divine soul in the body. All attractions in the body are due to this divine soul only. Once this divine soul leaves this body, it is called death of that body & all attractions, all love departs with the soul.

God himself says in the Bhagwat Gita that He Himself resides in the heart of all human beings. Below verse explains that:

"ishvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrd-dese ’rjuna tishthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 61)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, The Lord / Supreme God dwells in the heart of all beings, who are mounted on the automation of this body, causing them by His illusive power of material energy to revolve (according to their actions) and is directing the wanderings of all living entities."

"tam eva saranam gaccha
sarva-bhavena bharata
tat-prasadat param shantim
sthanam prapsyasi sasvatam" (Bhagwat Gita: Chapter Eighteen verse 62)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, surrender unto God fully. By His grace you will attain transcendental peace and the supreme and eternal abode."