Bhakti Sastri(Unit 5-6)

Hare Krsna

BHAKTI SASTRI – UNIT 5 & 6 Ans.1 Isavasya principle is the central theme of Isopanisad-also known by the name “Isavasya Upanisad”. Isavasya literally denotes “Controlled by the Lord” and the principle is universally applicable. Since Krsna is the ultimate creator, He is in full control of everything animate & inanimate. And since He is the supreme creator & controller, only He can be the rightful proprietor of all that is. Therefore only Krsna is entitled to enjoy what He possesses in the absolute sense. Mathematically, Enjoyer=Proprietor+Controller+Creator. The social and personal connotations of isavasya principle as well as its implementation in ISKCON are discussed here-under:

Society in General: Any society that compromises on the isavasya principle to gain a little liberty, stability or security will deserve neither and lose both the principle as well as the benefits. We won't have a society if we destroy its underlying principle-God.

CRIME: Atheistic & tyrannical governments levy unfair taxes and formulate petty laws that breed great crimes. They declare so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for people to live without breaking the law. Much violence in the society is based on the illusion that it’s our right to grab what we can and then defend it rather than share it. The Way Out: “We can arrange big, big meetings on this point, "Crime: Why and What to Do?" A very suitable heading it is. Haräv abhaktasya kuto mahad-gunä. Unless he'll take to God consciousness, all this rascaldom, so-called advancement of civilization, all condemned, everything. All rascals. So why will there not be crime? There must be. This is the result of modern civilization, crime. You cannot check it unless you take to Krsna consciousness. They are all violating the laws of nature.”- 3rd July 1975, Chicago CONFLICT: All social, religious, ethnic, national, internal, international, family feuds can be traced back to their origins in insufficient understanding of the isavasya principle. Selfish interest is the enemy of all virtues. While we talk about principles, we act on self-interest. Actually it is our pre-occupation with possession that prevents us from living peacefully more than anything else. “Nationality means expanded selfishness…by combined effort… Just like the Americans. They occupied the land of America by killing the Red Indians, and now they are claiming proprietor, and there is immigration department: "Nobody can come here. It is our land." This is going on. The first thing is stolen property, everyone… Happiness by material possession is the happiness of the rogues and the thieves.”-[NoD, Calcutta, January 29, 1973] Antidote: “The modern soul-killing civilization has only increased the problems of the hungry stomach…human beings are meant not simply for solving economic problems on a tottering platform –[Isopanisad 3, purport]. A humble Godcentered life is more valuable than a colossal hoax of a life dedicated to godless altruism or socialism.” – [Isopanisad 2, purport] COMMUNISM: The inherent virtue of godless communism is the equal sharing of misery-to convert the ‘Haves’ into ‘Have nots’. The only honest impulse at the bottom of godless communism is the itching to punish the man with a superior capacity. Remedy: The modern communistic theory, and also the idea of the United Nations, can be reformed—indeed, rectified —by the understanding that everything belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Ätmäväsyam idam visvam. Isäväsyam idam sarvam. This universal communism can solve all the problems of the world. – [SB 8.1.10] “Isäväsyam idam sarvam. Everything belongs to God; nothing belongs to us. This is Bhägavata communism. As the communists say, "Everything belongs to the state," we say "Everything belongs to God." We never say that anything belongs to anyone. This is Bhägavata communism. So everything belongs to God... Whatever wealth is there within this universe, all belong to God, and we are, as sons of God, we have got right to take advantage of this wealth, but

not more than what I require. That's all. This is spiritual communism. If you take more, then you become punishable. This is the law of nature.”- [Lect. on Gita 1.15, London, July 15, 1973]

My Own Life: Generally the greater part of our life is spent on kanksati(desiring or lusting over) and socati (lamenting). If we desire to live a happy life, we must tie it to God, not to people or things.

LORDING OVER: The greatest good we do to ourselves is when we finally conclude that we’re not God. “Im the Lord of all I survey”-is our disease. "On the material planets, everyone from Brahmä down to the ant is trying to lord it over material nature, and this is the material disease." – [Isopanisad 14, purport] Solution: "Designations and attachments are due to our lust and desire, our wanting to lord it over the material nature. As long as we do not give up this propensity of lording it over material nature, there is no possibility of returning to the kingdom of the Supreme" – [Gita Introduction] As Archbishop of Canterbury said “We want the kingdom of God without God”. Unless ‘me & mine’ consciousness is changed into Krsna consciousness this tendency of lording over can’t be overcome. “Why is there this misunderstanding and misconception?’ he(Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura) thought. Everything belongs to Krsna: isavasyam idam sarvam. It is plain and simple and sweet. How can we think, ‘This is for me, that is for Him?’ Why should we let this misconception stand here at all? Attack it and crush the whole thing! “He (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura) told us, "Kirtana means to preach against misconception. As soldiers, you must go door to door and preach Krsna consciousness – Krsna's interest – the Krsna conception. If they understand that everything is for Krsna, they will be saved.- [Swami BR Sridhar(Srila Prabhupada’s Godbrother), The Golden Volcano of Divine Love] INDEPENDENT MENTALITY: The satanic mentality that I can do whatever I like, Im independent is the chief cause of my continuous suffering. “There is no independence, either materially or spiritually. But we're falsely thinking to become independent…Just like the outlaws, they have no independence, either criminally or civilly. When he's a civil citizen, good citizen, there is no independence, and when he's criminal, there is no independence. So why he's thinking that "I shall act this work criminally and become independent"?...They think that to surrender to Krsna, this is slave mentality. "I shall remain free." But where is your freedom, sir? That is illusion.”- [Bhägavatam 2.1.7, Paris, June 15, 1974] Cure: “Our hand, our legs, this is God's hands, God's leg. He is the master…You are not proprietor. You have been given the facility to use it, for..., use it not for your sense gratification, but for the satisfaction of the Lord…My body belongs to God, my mind belongs to God, my intelligence belongs to God, I am spirit soul, I am part and parcel of God…Isäväsyam idam sarvam. Everything belongs to God. So if you don't use it for God that is called demonism. And if you use it for God that is devotion.”-[ Gita 1.15, London, July 15, 1973] GREED FOR MORE: “God has provided enough for everyone’s need, but not for anyone’s greed”-MK Gandhi. Hoarding and accumulating more Prasadam, books for me is my anartha in direct contravention to the isavasya principle. Fixing the Problem: “Sarvam means everything. Not that ‘This much is mine, this much is Krsna’s’. No. Simply we should use as much as He has allocated to us.”- [Bhagavatam 1.16.24, LA, 1974] “One can utilize God’s property as much as he requires no more than that.”- [Lect. on Gita 1.15, London, July 15, 1973] ISKCON: ISKCON is as strong/ weak as its members are. The problems which ISKCON faces are largely the contribution of its own members. AUTHORITARIANISM: Authoritarianism is Monopoly – Transparency + Corruption. A form of rigid and head-strong attitude develops when we try to grab men or material resources for our sense enjoyment or self-aggrandizement forgetting the isavasya principle. God is the owner and He has kindly lent us everything. We are the borrower- not the owner. Authoritarian tendencies are symptomatic of a prideful heart trying to supersede the proprietorship of God. Rather, if everything is received as favor vouchsafed by the Supreme Lord, all worldly activities can be turned into service of Supreme Personality of Godhead. INSTITUTIONALISM: Institutionalism has and will continue to rear its head in any society when God is reduced to a mere ‘brand name’, factionalism is abound or claims of exclusive monopoly over the legacy is doing rounds. The whole thing is reduced to an ‘Us & Them’ party affair. Krsna disappears in the melee. Only if we see ISKCON as a vehicle (property) of Krsna meant for Krsna’s consumption can we restore it to its true glory. “Krsna has taken birth or taken shelter within the womb of the Krsna consciousness movement.” – SB 10.2.20 IMPERSONALISM: Failing to recognize the absolute ownership of God leads us to believe that we can get away by treating ‘beings’ as ‘things’. The vices of consumerism, ‘Use & Throw’ advocates have made an indelible mark on ISKCON’S facade. Certain sections have developed an idea that being personal is not important. Rather, personalism is seen as a sign of weakness or emotionalism. Solution ranges from relating to people as people and seeing the

devotees as property of Krsna. Ans1.

ürdhvam gacchanti sattva-sthä madhye tisthanti räjasäh adho gacchanti tämasäh [Gita 14.18]

The roots of all goodness lie in the appreciation for goodness. The effect of developing mode of goodness is that one becomes wiser than those otherwise conditioned. Moreover, one becomes more or less free from sinful reactions. It is the stepping stone to become pure. Nobody can religious unless he is situated in the mode of goodness(religious platform). The ‘ALL-GOOD’ can be understood best from the platform of goodness.[Ref. various purports] One infected by the other two baser modes-passion & ignorance remains satisfied with their opinions and content with their knowledge keeping themselves in perpetual ignorance. The greatest obstacle to spiritual training is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge(viparyaya-jnana janakam tamah). And when passion/ ignorance get started, it knows no bounds. HOW AM I COVERED OVER BY MODES OF PASSION: Result-Oriented: Most of my activities are tied to results i.e. material rewards, especially recognition since it soothes my pride. Eating Habits: I enjoy food with strong tastes. It’s a shame for a brahmacari to have a penchant for tamarind, spicy hot’n’sour ‘prasadam’ not to forget junk/fast food ‘prasadam’ (?). At times I overeat too. Over-Endeavor: The inspiration or willingness to serve comes more from the desire to prove myself rather than to please Guru & Krsna. Resultantly, I tend to over-work and then get attached to the result. Taking service from Juniors: This is enjoying propensity at its worst. It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence, the power we have over other people's lives. The more we exploit juniors, the more we have to struggle to maintain the sanctity of our position. Extending favours in expectation of Returns: More often than not, I serve while nurturing the secret hope of winning further favors. Even in a situation when I ought to forgive someone and forget, I just don't want the other person to forget that I forgave. Talkative: It's hard to know when you're finished when you don't know what you're talking about. Sometimes before my noticing such discussions ends up in an argument. An ill-timed humor makes matter worse still. HOW AM I COVERED OVER BY MODES OF IGNORANCE: Indolence & Inertia: “Temples and monasteries should be strictly off limits to worthless clubs of crazy men… In the temples and monasteries, gatherings of unnecessary, rejected, lazy fellows should be strictly disallowed. The temples and monasteries should be used exclusively by devotees who are serious about spiritual advancement in Krsna consciousness.” [Bhagavata 7.13.8]I pretend to be very ‘thoughtful and pensive’ while that’s just to sheath my laziness. Sometimes I even tend to bend the rules due to laziness or use them to hide behind. Plus procrastination:“Why do now what can be done later.” Obstinate: Due to strong attachments to my conceptions, I become quite inflexible in my approach and a strong ‘NO’ always takes precedence to a well-intentioned ‘Yes’ by someone else. Cheating: It seems preachers not only live by the words, sometimes they have to even eat them. I tend to be ‘politically correct’ at times which involves living in denial, willful ignorance and a steadfast refusal to face the truth. Mincing words comes naturally to me. Expert in Insulting: In my general dealings, public lectures and even personal counseling Im tempted to tease, mock and make sarcastic remarks. It is a tendency lingering since my school heydays. And my stiff apologies only add insult to injury. Fear & Lamentation: Fear always springs from ignorance. bhayam dvitiyäbhinivesatah syäd: Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. [Bhagavata 11.2.37] I have found myself guilty of weeping for the past and fearing for the future. PRACTICAL WAYS TO DEVELOP MODE OF GOODNESS: Mode of goodness doesn’t come automatically. We have to build it piece by piece by thought, choice, courage and determination. Association of Devotees: “Bad company corrupts good character.” is the old proverb. The very nature of Sadhu sanga is considered both “antiseptic” and “prophylactic”. We are to “properly learn from proper souls”-[Gita 14.20]

Sometimes it takes courage for a person to listen to his own good, to take good advice. But “The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment’s association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.” (’sädhu-sanga’, ‘sädhu-sanga’—sarva-sästre kaya lava-mätra sädhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya)[Ref Caitanya Caritamrta(M)22.54] Following the Regulative Principles, Strictly: Mode of goodness result from resisting temptations. It is not possible to develop sattva guna without prudence. “These prohibitions are there. Why? Just to keep you in goodness.”-[ SrimadBhägavatam 7.9.8, Seattle, October 21, 1968] Practicing Humility: Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues. Any other virtue can’t exist in a person if this quality is missing. Just as an empty bag cannot stand upright, similarly without humility one can’t sustain his devotional career. “A lot of kneeling[before god] keeps us in good standing[in devotee circle].”-Caitanya Carana Das(RNS). Even morally speaking, to be humble to our seniors is our duty, to equals it’s a courtesy and to juniors is kindness-it is not timidity. Being Grateful: Practicing the “Attitude of Gratitude” is the guiding light of devotees endeavoring to come to the platform of sattva. Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.-says Socrates. Being grateful and expressing gratitude is a sign of generous mind and thankful heart. It is the best means to slay pride and fame. To conclude, Srila Prabhupada points out in his purports to Gita verse(14.13, 16, 17 & 27): When there is no illumination, knowledge is absent. Although consciousness is going on, life is inactive. This is called illusion. Krsna consciousness (can) save humanity from the greatest danger. When they are actually educated in the mode of goodness, they will become sober, they won’t hate illumination. If a certain percentage of the population develops Krsna consciousness and becomes situated in the mode of goodness, then there is the possibility for peace and prosperity all over the world. Devotional service to the Lord is very simple: one should always engage in the service of the Lord, should eat the remnants of foodstuffs offered to the Deity, smell the flowers offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, see the places where the Lord had His transcendental pastimes, read of the different activities of the Lord, His reciprocation of love with His devotees, chant always the transcendental vibration Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare, and observe the fasting days commemorating the appearances and disappearances of the Lord and His devotees.

In service of Guru & Gauranga, BIMLA PRASAD DAS