Hari Smaran

Essence of shastra

2011-01-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

Essence of Vedic shastra (scriptures):

1) Self (everyone) is part of Ram (God or Paramatma).
2) Self and everything belongs to Paramatma. (I am Ram's and Ram is mine.)
3) Parmatma is everywhere and in everyone.
4) Self (everyone) is beyond body and inert matter.
5) Always remember Parmatma and never forget Him. Keep repeating - "O Lord! Let me never forget You."

What is right action!

2010-01-18T10:09:00.001-08:00

Krishna explains in Gita 4.17 that understanding what actions to perform and not to perform is mysterious. (गहना कर्मणो गतिः) It becomes more complicated as different actions may be right for different people in the same circumstances. Sometimes, even action is not important but our internal state of equanimity (समता), seeing self as part of Krishna, surrender to Krishna etc. Swami Ramsukhdas narrates very nice story about Sant Namadev. I find that story very helpful in this context. Sant Ramdev was on a pilgrimage and he stopped to eat roti (bread). He only had one dry roti and little ghee (clarified butter). As soon as he started to eat the only roti, a dog came and snatched the roti away. Sant Ramdev started to run behind the dog. Seeing him running, the dog even ran faster. Sant Ramdev screamed, "Take this ghee also. You won't like the dry roti". His attitude was of service towards dog as he saw his beloved Bhagavan in everyone. Soon, Vishnu appeared from the dog and gave him His darshan. This story tells us how to act. We should see Vishnu in everyone even animals and do actions with attitude of serving Vishnu residing in everyone. Whatever action we will perform with this attitude will be right action!

Here are some slokas to support this statement:

SB 11.29.19 - "Of all the ways (practices) to attain Me, I consider this to be best way ( practice) - seeing or accepting Me in all living entities and objects with mind, speech and body's activities." One who sees Krishna in everyone automatically acts to give happiness to everyone and thinks & acts for everyone's benefit.

SB 11.13.24 - Within this world, whatever is perceived by the mind, speech, eyes or other senses is Me alone and nothing besides Me. All of you please understand this by a straightforward analysis of the facts.

After describing duties of varna-ashram dharma, Lord Krishna describes four duties which are common to all people. SB 11.17.21 - "Four varna and four ashram's have following dharma - one should not hurt anyone with mind, speech and body, one should stay firm on truth, one should not steal and one should do those actions which give happiness to all living entities and are beneficial to them." This is based on fact that Krishna is in everyone and therefore, we should act for happiness of everyone.

BG 9.22 states - "The devotee who constantly thinks of Krishna with ananya bhakti and who worships Him, to those I give what they lack and preserve what they have." Swami Ramsukhdas explains how to attain this state. He writes, "Whatever you see, hear and understand accept all those as svarup (part) of Bhagavan and whatever changes, actions or modifications happen in that svarup are all lilas (loving play) of Bhagavan. One who accepts this understanding with determination, he does not give importance to anything else than Bhagavan. He is always engaged in Bhagavan. Therefore, he is "ananya". Due to giving importance only to Bhagavan and having loving feeling towards Him, the remembrance (chintan) of Bhagavan automatically happens."

With my limited knowledge and understanding, seeing or accepting Krishna in everyone and therefore, acting for everyone's happiness seems to me basis for action in this world. We should start this with seeing Bhagavan in people around us (parents, wife, kids and friends) and acting for their happiness and later on, extending to more and more people.

Sanatan dharma

2009-10-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

Question. I think the definition of SIN changes with time. In some cases, whatever was SIN a century ago is not a SIN today.
Question. Is our dharma eternal? It does not change with time if it is eternal.

Many people use their incomplete knowledge and claim it to be correct as it is sanatana dharma. I see many groups of people fighting about dharma. This article discusses what is sanatan dharma?

SANATAN DHARMA

Literal meaning of sanatan dharma is dharma which is eternal. Dharma is used as analogous religion or good (pious) value system. Ultimately, dharma means our intrinsic nature. For example, dharma of fire is heat. Vyasdevji gives definition of dharma in the beginning of Srimad Bhagavatam. Gosvami Tulsidasji also writes with same understanding in the begining of RamCharitMahas. Here is description of sanatan dharma:

Our self is sat chid anand. It is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss.

"Gosvami Tulsidasji says, "chetan amala sahaj sukh rashi (consciousness, free of all impurities, and ever blissful). " Dharma is true nature of this eternal self. Therefore, dharma is eternal. But this sanatan dharma starts at the level of eternal self. We may go to different planet etc. Our self will remain whatever happens. The sat chid anand nature of self is independent of time, place and matter. BG 2.12 says, "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."

2) Even though the self is eternal, due to illusion it accepts itself as body. Vyasdevji says in SB 1.1.1 - By Him even the great sages and demigods are placed into illusion, as one is bewildered by the illusory representations of water seen in fire, or land seen on water. Only because of Him do the material universes, temporarily manifested by the reactions of the three modes of nature, appear factual, although they are unreal. We are in illusion and seeing distorted reality as real. This illusion is also santana dharma as it is independent of time, place and circumstance.

3) SB 1.2.12 - Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. Vyasdevji describes Krishna as all pervading (Brahman). He resides in everyone's heart as Paramatma. He shows us His sagun form so that we can sing, hear and meditate on His lilas (pastimes or exploits) as Bhagavan. This Absolute aspect of Krishna is sanatan.

4) Krishna is the source of infinite universes. Vyasdevji describes Him as in SB 1.1.1 - Krishna is the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance and destruction of the manifested universes. He is directly and indirectly conscious of all manifestations, and He is independent because there is no other cause beyond Him.

5) Krishna in Gita and Vyasdevji in Srimad Bhagavatam reject relative dharma described in other literatures.

BG 2.42 -2.43 - Men of small knowledge are very much attached to the flowery words of the Vedas, which recommend various fruitive activities for elevation to heavenly planets, resultant good birth, power, and so forth. Being desirous of sense gratification and opulent life, they say that there is nothing more than this.
SB 1.1.2 - dharma projjhitah kaitavo
Bhagavatam also reject dharma which is done for fruitive actions.

In 1.1.2, Vyadevji describes 3 qualities of sanatan dharma or the true knowledge:

It distinguishes reality from illusion. Basically, it is at the level of eternal self and it brings those who are at the level of inert matter to the level of the eternal self.
It is for the welfare of all. Obviously, the best welfare for all of us is removal of illusion or ignorance.
It uproots the threefold miseries. Suffering or misery happen when we identify ourself with body. But when identification with matter is removed, then there is no suffering.

Now, I will describe some aspect of sanatan dharma which are generally true. But still, there are exceptions to it. From absolute perspective, inert matter cannot touch the eternal self. Therefore, dharma described in terms of body is relative. It is sanatan from the perspective of bringing us from illusion to knowledge. Ultimately, no external action takes away illusion. Our advancement towards eternity or Krishna is based on our internal consciousness (like equanimity, surrender etc). Actions are aid but ultimately, we need to realize the Truth and understand it.

SB 12.2.41 - What can a person who injures other living beings for the sake of his body know about his own self-interest, since his activities are simply leading him to hell?

SB 10.2.22 - A person who is very cruel is regarded as dead even while living, for while he is living or after his death, everyone condemns him. And after the death of a person in the bodily concept of life, he is undoubtedly transferred to the hell known as Andhatama.

Difference between relative and sanatan dharma is very nicely described by Sri Ram in Uttarkand of RamCharitManas:

Uttarkand (Doha 40 onwards) - There is no dharma (virtue or right action) like action for welfare of others. There is no other worse sin (wickedness) than inflicting suffering on others. I have declared to you, the verdict of all Vedas and Puranas and this is also known by men of wisdom. They who inflict pain on others even after attaining the human body have to suffer terrible pangs of birth and death. Due to illusion and self desires, they commit various sins and thereby ruin their prospects in the next world. As the God of death (Yamraj), I give them the fruit of their good and evil actions. Realizing this, those who are intelligent worship Me seeing this world as full of suffering. They don't get good or evil results of their actions as they take refuge in Me, the Lord of Devatas, men and sages. Listen, my brother, these numerous good qualities and bad qualities are product of maya. The greatest quality is that one should not see both of them. Seeing good or bad in this world is ignorance.

Many people use Vedic texts or even text from RamCharitManas to show good or evil. Ram clearly says that the ultimate good is that not to see this world as good or bad. From perspective of bhakti, this world is all good. From perspective of the eternal self, this world ceases to exist in current form. Bhakta sees Ram (all good) everywhere. This is sanatan dharma.

Showing good or bad which is product of maya as sanatan dharma is incorrect. What is born of maya is never eternal? So, how can product of maya or dharma born of maya be eternal or santana?

It is You and You Alone!

2009-10-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

: Shree Hari:
Ram Ram

28th September, 2009, Monday, Ashwin Shukla Vijaya Dashami

Questioner : You said that reason for happiness and unhappiness is because be accept there is the other......

Swamiji: It is only our behavior, our conduct and our natural tendencies (vritti) which are problematic. Seeing favorable situations as happiness and unfavorable ones as unhappiness is where the issue lies. It is impossible that the world will become according to what is favorable to us. Therefore simply blend in with The Divine Will. Accept The Divine Will as your will (Haa mein haa milaado). In whatever situation / circumstance that comes to you, say YES ! I accept ! Whatever is ordained (vidhaan) by Bhagwaan (God) is nothing but auspicious (mangal mai). If you accept what is ordained by Bhagwaan, there will be no obstacles.

In reality, whatever comes is only auspicious (mangal mai). The entire world is nothing but a manifestion of God (Bhagwat swaroop). Besides God there is nothing else. He alone has come in all these different forms. If this is clearly understood, then you will realize "shakshaat" The Absolute Paramatma... Everything is His lila (divine play). It is us who is putting them in separate compartments - separating them as favorable and unfavorable. There is only one point, because Bhagwaan is only One. Accept this with a firm determination. There is only Paramatma. This is the ultimate lesson. Ultimate principle. Ultimate Truth. It is only Bhagwaan. In the form of animals it is Bhagwaan. In the form of birds, it is Bhagwaan.... in subtle body forms it is Bhagwaan, in gross forms it is Bhagwaan.....Bhagwaan has come in various different forms.

Be silent and whatever comes to mind is Bhagwaan (God), because in my mind only Bhagwaan will come. It is Bhagwaan (God), It is Bhagwaan. Yes! It is Bhagwaan Yes! Yes It is! and become joyful. Whatever comes, whether it be fever, illness, disease, it is Bhagwaan. If pain comes, it is Bhagwaan. If favorable or unfavorable situation comes, it is only Bhagwaan. Besides Bhagwaan there is nothing else. Bhagwaan comes in many different forms. It is Bhagwaan only. Even in many forms, it is only Bhagwaan, because Bhagwaan takes on so many different forms. Infinite forms. Look at the little sapplings, look at the tiny insects, look at all the different fruits, vegetables, different languages, people, countries etc. So many different forms Bhagwaan takes on. It is all Bhagwaan only. See Bhagwaan and become joyful. Whatever comes to your mind is all Bhagwaan. All of it. All is Bhagwaan (God). Happiness - unhappiness is Bhagwaan. In honor, in dishonor, in complaining, in fame, in defame, in successes, in failures, in all forms there is Bhagwaan. In all spiritual practices Bhagwaan has come. Bhagwaan has come is infinite different forms (anek roop roopaayaa) . "sarva yoni su kaunteya.." Bhagwaan says - I am the seed of all beings. Bhagwaan is infinite. If you start seeing in this manner, you will be greatly benefited. Simply give complete reins / full permission to Bhagwaan. Set Bhagwaan free (chutti de do Bhagwaan ko). Tell Bhagwaan, I will recognize You in any form You come. Whether it be anger, fear, fright, sickness, I will recognize You. Tell Bhagwan that in whatever form You come, it is only YOU, You and You alone. It is only One. In form of food, in form of plate, in form of cup, it is only You in the infinite forms.

It is you alone in all these different forms. If you get this, it is such an amazing thing. Best of best and worst of worst situations, is all Bhagwaan and Bhagwaan alone. You and You alone. "Tu Hi Hai, Tu Hi Hai, Jo kuch hai, so tuhin hai.".... "It is You and You alone, Whatever is, it is all only You". It is You ! It is You ! It is You ! Whatever Is, It is all You ! What a Divine play (lila) it is. It is transcendental (alaukik). Only His Divine Play (lila) is happening. Respect, name, fame ... all this is a divine play (lila). You alone have become all. You have become everything and now it is called the world... It is You; It is You; It is You. Prabhu ! Prabhu ! Prabhu !

It is You ! It is You ! It is You! It is You ! ... It is You You You !!! You in all these forms ! It is You Prabhu ! Prabhu ! Prabhu ! ... You You You You .... In all these various forms It is You, It is You... YOU !

Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Ram Siyaavar Raamchandra ki Jai, Mor mukut bansi waale ki Jai !

From Discourse in Hindi on Nov 3, 2001 at 3:00 pm by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

Ram Ram

How to Attain and Increase Love?

2009-10-03T11:49:00.001-07:00

Question: How to Attain and Increase Love?

Answer: Now, how to attain love? I will share with you what I have heard from saints. If you desire God's love, then love all beings. Let it be such that no being is in the least bit hurt because of you. Let all be at peace. Let all attain salvation. Let all be benefited. Let all be happy. Let all be relaxed. As long as you are selfish and wanting your wishes to come true, wanting to fulfill your own desires, God's love does not manifest. Whatever my mind wants, that should happen, this is "Desire".

When there is love for all beings then Bhagwaan's love is easily attainable. Therefore love all. Do what is beneficial to all. "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah." May all become free of disease; May all be joyful; May no one experience any pain and suffering. That is the greatness of saints. They only do what is beneficial to all.

To attain this love, love each other. It is most important for householders. There must be love for each other, for everyone living in the household . To fight everyday, to create disharmony, is not a way to live. Increase your love. Start today, with all those living in the household. Start with all those that are elder to you. Do pranaam (namaste, namaskaar, homage, respectfully bow) to all those that are older. Consider all elders to be your father. Have the sentiments within that God will be happy. I want to make God happy. Anyone you meet during the day, do pranaam (respectfully bow) from within.

Pay attention to this. Have mercy on me. In all beings there is Bhagwaan (God) present. If you are ashamed to do this outwardly, then do so from within. If someone realizes that Bhagwaan resides within each and every being, then he will be unable to not do namaskar to them from within. Namaskaar is done with two feet, two knees, two hands, with heart, with speech (vachan), with two eyes, and with mind (mana). Pay respect to all.

Always see to it that it is only with Bhagwaan's grace that I will be spiritually uplifted. He has given us this human body, this satsang, this Gangaji, these scriptures, these associations, see to His grace in all of these. We are entitled to Salvation. Therefore start with namaskaar at your home… with Everyone !!! Even do namaskaar to the young ones. Day and night, do namaskaar. All fights will end at home. When you are forced to do namaskaar, all fights will have no place to go. It is like saying - no matter what, I am surrendering to you. If you do namaskaar even once to Shri Krishna, you will receive the fruit ten folds. It is so easy! it is so cheap. It is filled with nectar.

Who ever desires to attain God will understand that He resides in all. All these bodies that you see whether in a temple or anywhere, they all have God present in them. One who understands this, of him all mental modifications will end. He will stop complaining about others. He will stop seeing faults in others. He will stop being egoistical. Therefore have mercy on me and try it out and see for your self. Minimally, know that at least it is not going to harm you. You do not have to spend any money. You do not have to incur any bodily discomforts. You can do the namaskaar from within… mentally only! Teach children to do namaskaar to all. All will be happy simply by observing this namaskaar, and will in turn start doing the same. Do "Namaskaar"first thing in the morning and at dusk when the lights are turned on…. It will increase strength. It will increase intelligence. What an amazing Saadhan. It is even said in the Gita. "Namasyanti maam bhaktyaa…." Therefore start today… Give this one thing in charity today. I am asking you for this. Give it ! I rarely ask for anything. It is not my nature to ask. I am asking today. Give this charity. Have mercy on me. It is a householder's duty to give to a sadhu (sanyaansi). Do this for twelve months and see. Simply do so with your mind. All fights will end. It is one way of increasing LOVE.

From Discourse in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

Ram Ram

On Remembrance of Bhagwaan at All Times

2009-10-03T09:09:00.001-07:00

: Shree Hari:
Ram Ram

How can one be in remembrance of Bhagwaan at all times?

In Srimad Bhagavadgita, Bhagwaan has said -

"Tastmaatsarveshu kaaleshu maamanusmara yuddhya cha (Gita 8/7)

Therefore at all times, you constantly remember Me and fight (do your duty) as well. (Gita 8/7)

Rememberance (smaran) of Bhagwaan can happen at all times, however fighting in war cannot happen all the time. Facing Arjuna, was his duty which came only as fighting on the battlefield. For various people their duty comes in the form of their various household chores. Just like war, household work - business also cannot take place all the time. In this manner, the three ways of remembrance are 1) to do one's work while remembering Bhagwaan, or 2) while doing one's work to stay in remembrance of Bhagwaan, or 3) to only do Bhagwaan's work. Of these three alternatives, only remembrance of Bhagwaan is most important and the performance of work is secondary(gaun), and in the third point, the sentiments are one of exclusivity with Bhagwaan.

Most people while working forget about Bhagwaan. In this the lack of alertness of the Self is the main reason for forgetting, but alongside there is another big mistake as well. It is a principle that those whom we have affection for, that we are connected to, they are naturally and effortlessly remembered. People consider work - business as their own, they have proprietary interest in it. Therefore only work-business comes to mind. Only work - business is recollected, not Bhagwaan. And even if Bhagwaan is remembered, then too after some time He is forgotten. In other words, one must take a firm decision that I do not want to do housework at all. I only want to do Bhagwaan's (God's) work.

"Anjan kahaa aankh jehi phoote". What kind of an eyeliner is it, that causes the eye to burst? What have we got to do with it? If while doing housework if we forget Bhagwaan, then what do we have to gain from such work? In other words a sadhak must accept that this house is not mine, this work is not mine, and I too am not mine. The house is also Bhagwaan's, the work is also Bhagwaan's and we too are Bhagwaan's. With Bhagwaan's strength, for Bhagwaan's happiness we are doing His work. In this manner, by having firm sentiments, one will developed affection, interest, connectedness (mamtaa), and thereafter Bhagwaan's remembrance (meditating on) will automatically happen. For this rememberance, there will be no need of effort. However, as long as you will continue to consider this house etc. as your own, till that time there will be forgetfulness in the remembrance of Bhagwaan.

Just like when we stay in a guest house or motel etc., then one thing is firmly imbedded in the mind that this place is not mine. In the same way, while staying at home, it should become absolutely clear and be accepted that this house is not mine. We have only come here to stay for a short time. this point should be grasped very firmly, that this house is not mine, these things, this wealth is not mine. This family is not mine. This body is not mine. Only for a short time this has been received by me. When the time is over, separation will occur. If it was mine, it would remain with me at all times. However, neither do I have any hold over it, nor out of desire are we able to change it, nor are we able to save it from dying or deteriorating. then these things etc. how have they become mine? By any ingeniunity, trick, means the "mine-ness" with it cannot be accomplished. Therefore they are not mine, not mine, not mine.

From "Jivan Upyogi Pravachan" in Hindi pg 83 by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

The best of Naam Japa

2009-09-24T20:09:00.001-07:00

Question: What is the best Method of "Naam Japa" (divine name recitation)?

Answer: The best method is to practice "Naam Japa" with a feeling that you belong to God.
"Hoyi raam ko naam Japu, Tulasi taji kusumaaju."

While reciting Naam Japa meditate on His Divine form. When we think of the sacred river "Gangaji" the picture of it's gushing water comes to mind. When we think of a cow, it's picture comes to our mind, and when we think of a holy ascetic, his picture comes to our mind. Similarly while "Raam Naam Japa", the divine form of Lord Raam, His favorite bow, must come to our mind. Similar thing has been expressed in Patanjali's Yogadarshan -

"Tajjpastdarthbhaavnam" "tasya vaachakah pranavah."

If you are a devotee of Sri Krishna, take refuge at His holy feet and repeat that mantra -

"Shri Krishnah Sharanam mama" and at the same time meditate on His divine form. This is the best method of Naam Japa.

One method is to repeat His name with a feeling that you belong to Him. And the other method is to concentrate on His divine form, while doing "Naam Japa". If your mind wanders away, pray saying " O' Lord, help me. I forgot ! My mind wandered elsewhere." If you pray like this, God will certainly help you. You cannot do by yourself what is achieved with God's help. Therefore, both "Naam Japa" and meditating on His divine form must go on simultaneously.

It says in Gita -

"Omityekaaksharam Brahma, vyaaharan maamanusmaran" (Gita 8/13)

"Recite the word 'OM' and meditate on my Divine Form." (Gita 8/13).

The scriptures emphasize this point.

So in summary - While doing "Naam Japa" observe the following rules -

1. Have the feeling that you belong to God
2. Meditate on His Divine form
3. Do it in seclusion
4. Do it constantly
5. Do not have desire for any worldly gain in return for Naam Japa
6. Whenever all of a sudden if God comes to mind, then know that God has very graciously remembered you, and at once start Naam Japa incessantly.

From "The Divine Name" in English pg 18 by Swami Ramsukhdasji.

I am Ram's

2009-09-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

Essence of knowledge especially bhakti yog is:

I am only Ram's (God's) and only Ram (God) is mine.
I am not this world (also body) and this world is not mine.

How can I accept above truth?

1. I accept my name. Why? Since childhood I was called by my name, so now it has been programmed in my mind. There is always internal acceptance about my name. Even in sleep if someone calls my name, I wake up. Same way I need to accept that I am Ram's. If I keep repeating this fact, I will start accepting it. This can be done by Ram Naam jap. While doing jap, I call Ram as mine. Jap is done with acceptance that I am Ram's.

Tulsidasji says: One can attain Ram immediately if one does jap by accepting that he is Ram's and gives up bad company.

True Devotees Attention is Only on God

2009-05-05T06:52:00.001-07:00

Question: How can we become more deserving to receive His (Bhagavaan's, God's) grace?

Swamiji: A child is carefree about how he is. However he is, whether good or bad, his mother will love him. It is the same with God. If He loved us only if we were good, only if we were perfect, then how can He be called merciful or compassionate?

If we have money then only someone will give us a thing, then what is the big deal about what they are doing? However a child, even if he is covered in dirt, he feels he rightfully belongs to his mother and climbs into his mother's lap, filthy and covered in mud and the mother dressed in new, clean clothes simply takes the dirty child in her lap.

The main point is that if by our abilities we can attain Bhagavaan (God), then it would mean that to attain Him, we have to have abilities greater than Him. This is not possible !!! Simply impossible ! All that a child can do is cry to gain his mother's attention. He cannot become deserving of her love. Therefore, why to ask about becoming deserving? Why not simply ask for Bhagavaan Himself ? Why go a round about way that is a longer path? Why not go straight to the source?

A crucial point is, do not pay attention to yourself. Only pay attention towards God. The minute you look towards yourself, you will fall. A real devotees attention is only on God. "Hari binaa rahyo re ne jai." He cannot live without God. Therefore remember Him at all times and become intensely agitated when you forget Him.

From discourse in Hindi by Swami Ramsukhdasji on Dec 14, 1995 at 5:30 pm

Ram Ram

Bedtime story 4/27/2009

2009-04-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

While hearing the story of Ram, Sriram commented, "When you tell me Ramayan, I only think of Ram".

The above statement by Sriram summarizes the principle of bhakti, Srimad Bhagavatam and Ram Charit Manas.

In Kaliyug, Ram has given us very simple way to reach Him. That is to hear and narrate Ram's pastimes, names etc. Our mind becomes automatically attracted to Him and we get the supreme gift of bhakti when we hear His pastimes. All glories to Gosvami Tulsidas who made this so simple for us by giving us Ramayan which is full of beautiful pastimes of Ram.

Spiritual Advancement

2009-04-29T08:40:00.001-07:00

We want to advance spiritually. We want to do actions so that we can be great devotee. We want guaranteed recipe of success. We want to know what actions will make us great or take us to Vaikuntha. Many people or gurus give their own recipes of success like chanting names for specific number of times, rituals, meditation, sense control etc. We want to control our senses so that we can become great. We want to feel that we are a great devotee.

Sadhana or doing right actions is important. But in absolute sense, there is no action which can lead us to God. Actions are results of prakriti or inert matter (guna gunesu vartante). Inert matter cannot reach the self which is completely beyond inert matter. That is truth - the self is beyond inert matter.

Real devotee does not want to control his senses. He does not want to do jap for specific number of times. Real devotee is happy in whatever situation Krishna keeps him. He has internal eagerness for Krishna and that internal eagerness and remembrance of Krishna gives happiness to Krishna. He is satisfied whichever way the nature (prakriti comprising of three gunas) takes him.

My dear mind! Be happy with what Krishna has given. Remember Him and don't try to become great devotee. Don't try to become great controller of your body or this nature. Due to foolishness, you think that you are the doer. You are completely dependent on Krishna. Understand your dependence and surrender to Him. Be happy in whatever situation Ram keep you.

Worshipping perishable body

2009-04-21T22:22:00.001-07:00

Our basic teaching is that our self is not body, mind and intellect. True self due to ignorance associates with body, mind and intelligence. Our true self is full of eternity (sat), knowledge or consicousness (cid) and happiness (anand). Inert matter like body are not us. Once our body is destroyed, it goes back to inert matter and it has no existence.

These days I read and follow Swami Ramsukhdas (the editor of Gitapress Gorakhpur) who left this world few years ago. He did not let anyone take his picture and never accepted any worship of his body. He said that we should have sradha over eternal principle and not on perishable body or name. Sradha on perishable body or name results in illusion. When this illusion takes form of sradha, it creates disaster. Apart from worshipping eternal, divine and spiritual form of Bhagavan and remembrance of His eternal names, giving importance to perishable bodies and names wastes our life and is like cheating our own self.

Our body is made of stool, urine etc. Even if we feed Bhagavan's prasad or ganga water, it is excreted as stood or urine. When conscious entity leaves the body, it becomes source of germs etc and sastra enjoins us to take shower after touching dead body. We cannot take picture of conscious entity within the body. One becomes saint when one removes his relationship with body. Saint people don't give importance to their own body as they realize their self as completely different from body.

One can question that we worship Gods like Ram, Krishna etc. Why we cannot worship perishable body?

Swami Ramsukhdas explains that Ram, Krishna and other avatar's body is not made of inert matter. Their body is sat chid ananda. Their body is not like us. Also, Bhagavan is everywhere and therefore, He is in the picture also. So, picture or diety of Bhagavan can be worshiped. Beauty of Ram defies description. Even countless cupids cannot equal Ram. Why? Because it is not made of matter. So, anything made of matter cannot equal that which is beyond it.

Bhagvan is omniscient. Omniscience of saints comes under omniscience of Bhagavan. Saints become omniscient when they dissociate their self from body. Worshiping Bhagavan includes worshiping saints.

Bedtime story - 4/16/2009

2009-04-16T20:29:00.000-07:00

Children love stories. I have decided to narrate the stories of Ram to my kids, Sriram and Anjana. Sriram is not interested in Ramayana and wants to hear new stories. Sriram exclaimed, "Papa, I want to hear some new story. I have already heard Ramayan so many times". There is difference between normal story and the story of Ram. With normal stories, we get bored and we don't want to hear them again. But the story of Ram becomes more sweeter as we hear it more. How can I explain this to the child? I told Sriram, "When you will hear the story of Ram many times, then Lord Ram will appear in your heart. You need to hear these stories and then, meditate on them within your heart." Sriram understood and agreed to listen. He loves Ram and he knows that he needs to bring Ram within his heart.

We started with the story of birth of Ram. It is so amazing that Ram, whose each pore contain infinite universes, resided in the belly of Kaushalya. Out of His love for His devotees, the protector of devotees, who is beyond maya and the three gunas, took human form. I narrated the story of birth of Ram. Sriram and Anjana heard it with great bhakti. Sriram went and brought his bead bag and started doing jap. Gosvami Tulsidas says that those who hear the story of birth of Ram everyday, they are sure to attain Vaikuntha. Sriram was excited. He said, "Papa, I will hear the story of Ram everyday".

Sriram was filled with devotion and now wanted to participate in Ram's lilas. Sriram said, "I wish I was there when Ram was born." I assured him that if he continued thinking about Ram, he could participate in lilas of Kalki-avatar. I said, "Sriram you could be friend of Kalki avatar. Anjana, you could be friend of mother of Kalki avatar". Anjana's face became bright and she smiled beautifully imagining herself with Kalki avatar. But now Sriram wished to live for 400,000 years to be with Kalki. I explained to him that he is not this body but he is soul and the soul never dies. I said, "Sriram, your goal is to be with Kalki avatar. So, you can give up this body and take another body and be with Kalki. So be clear in what you desire. Your desire should be to see Kalki avatar." Now, another questioned arised. Sriram said, "What if I go back to Vaikuntha? Then, I won't be able to attend Kalki's lilas". I said, "Kalki avatar will come from Vaikuntha. You can always come back from Vaikuntha with Him." He immediately agreed.

Sriram said, "I want to go back to Vaikuntha with this body". Now, I had to go back to basics again. I explained him again that he is not this body and this body is just like dress for the soul. I gave many examples and still, Sriram wanted to go to Vaikuntha with his body. I was puzzled. Sriram knows very clearly that he is not body and then, why he wanted to go Vaikuntha with his body. I started questioning him. Sriram said, "I don't want to be like circle in Vaikuntha". Now, I understood his problem. He does not want to be formless in Vaikuntha. I immediately replied remembering Vishnu dutas in the story of Ajamila, "You will get the new body which is most beautiful when you go to Vaikuntha. That body is like Ram." Sriram became very happy and said, "Then I don't need to go to Vaikuntha with this body." But again came another big question, "Has anyone gone to Vaikuntha?". I became quiet. I don't want to lie to Sriram. I kept on wondering if I know for fact a person who went to Vaikuntha. There were so many thoughts going in my mind and so many names. Some time went by and I was still in my thoughts looking for a person who has gone to Vaikuntha. Sriram replied back, "I know. Tulsidas went to Vaikuntha. Dasarath went to Vaikuntha". Now, all his questions were answered and he went to sleep hopefully thinking about Ram.

The worship is saguna form makes so sense. It is difficult to comprehend formless or in Sriram's word "circle".

Let those who meditate on Brahman as unborn, the one without the second, the one who is beyond the mind and senses and the one who can only be perceived by experience, preach and believe like that. We, for our part, ever chant the glories of Your (Ram's) visible (sagun) form. O All merciful, and All effulgent Lord, O mine of noble virtues, this is the boon we ask of You: may we love Your lotus feet, casting off all aberrations of thought, word and deed. - (Prayer of Vedas to Ram during coronation ceremony of Ram. Ram Charit Manas Uttarkand 12.6)

What actions should we perform?

2008-12-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

Due to ego, we want to be great! In material world, we want to be better than others. Same tendency is applied to spiritual process.

We want to follow best process. We claim our path to be best.
We want to attain best state. In bhakti, it means pure devotee.
We want to attain it in this life.

1. We want to follow best process. We claim our path to be best.
It is important to understand that the best process can be followed by the best people. Due to false ego, we think that we are qualified to follow best process. Our goal should be to come closer to Krishna. If we are not qualified to follow best process, then what is the use of it! We should accept a process which brings us closer to Krishna. As long as it brings us closer, it works and it is best for us. It is useless to compare various processes.

2. We want to attain best state. In bhakti, it means pure devotee.
We are dependent to Krishna's mercy to become devotee. We receive that mercy when we completely surrender to Krishna. We should be happy in whatever state Krishna keeps us in. Just aspire to remember Him, love Him and be His devotee. There is no need for external suppression. Be natural. When we want to become pure devotee, then we try to imitate pure devotees. But when we surrender to Krishna, then there is no need for imitation.

Let us take for example: sex desire. Sex desire is generated by our material mind in this body. Man's body may feel attracted to a particular women. But animals and gay men don't get attracted to same women. So, it is biological characteristic. Instead of going against our bodies biological functions, we should accept them as they are given to us by Krishna. We should try to advance from our current state considering the limitation of our body.

3. We want to attain pure bhakti in this life.

We need to understand the rarity of pure devotion. It is not cheap. It is important that we come closer to Krishna. It does not matter how much closer we come. We should not judge how long is our step. Leave that to Krishna. I don't know when I will become pure bhakti. Even if I become in millions of years, I consider it as great mercy of Krishna. When we want to attain bhakti in this life, we don't understand the value and rarity of bhakti.

Our future

2008-11-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

SB 12.2.37: Devāpi, the brother of Mahārāja Śāntanu, and Maru, the descendant of Ikṣvāku, both possess great mystic strength and are living even now in the village of Kalāpa.

SB 12.2.38: At the end of the age of Kali, these two kings, having received instruction directly from Vāsudeva, will return to human society and reestablish the eternal religion of man, characterized by the divisions of varṇa and āśrama, just as it was before.

Prayers - Ram is everything for me

2008-10-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Prayers to develop feeling that Ram is mine. He is everything for me.

mata ramo mat pitah ramchandrah
swami ramo mat sakhah ramachadrah
sarvasvam me ramachandroh dayalu
na anyam jane naiva jane na jane

tvameva mata ca pitah tvameva
tvameva bandhuh ca sakhah tvameva
tvameva vidya dravidam tvameva
tvameva sarvam mam deva deva

Internal bhav of Bhakti

2008-10-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

I belong to Ram and Ram is mine. Ram is my mother, father, brother, sister, friend, teacher, maintainer, protector and dear Bhagavan. He is everything for me. I am completely dependent upon Him.

This world, my body, house, wealth, family etc belongs to Ram. He is real owner of them. This world does not belong to me and this world is not mine. I offer Ram's material objects to Ram. They are Ram's and they are not mine.

This world is form of my beloved Ram. Ram is everywhere and everyone is part of Ram. So, I serve everyone as they are part of my beloved Ram. I should not be jealous of anyone or try of hurt anyone in any way.

How can I achieve these?

Keep reminding yourself that Ram is yours, this world belongs to Him and everyone is my beloved's form. Good way is to recite prayers.

Wake up early and do following:

Yog
Anulom vilom pranayam with jap
Kapal Bhatti with jap
Read Ram Charit Manas to develop feeling of love towards Ram.

Before sleeping:

Jap
Anulom vilom pranayam

The 3 Yogas

2008-10-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

This world does not belong to me and this world is not mine.

I am this world == ahankar (false ego)
This world is mine == mamta (sense of proprietorship)

When Krishna asks us to become nirmam and nir-ahankar, it means accepting that this world does not belong to me and I do not belong to this world.

When one sees this world as different from one's self and is not attached to it, then it is jnana yoga.

When one sees this world as part of Krishna and takes shelter of Krishna, then it is bhakti yoga.

When one sees this world as not belonging to Himself and uses the objects of this world in service of others then it is karma yoga.

Manah Siksha

2008-10-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

I belong to Ram and Ram is mine. This world does not belong to me and this world is not mine. Ram is my mother, father, brother, sister, friend, teacher, maintainer, protector and dear Bhagavan. He is everything for me. I am completely dependent upon Him.

This world belongs to Ram. This world is part of Ram. Whatever I do in this world, it also belongs to Ram. (tvadiya vastu govindam tubhya-meva samarpaye)

Happiness in Bhakti

2008-10-02T21:57:00.000-07:00

Narada Bhakti Sutra defines bhakti is that which gives happiness from within. Whatever gives inner happiness is bhakti. Similarly, SB 1.2.6 states that bhakti completely satisfies the self (yayatma suprasidata). Bhagavad Gita states in many slokas that yogi is internally satisfied. When one is happy from within then external environment cannot affect such person and in that state, one can be equanimous (smatvam yogam ucyate). Equanimity and inner happiness go together. Inner happiness comes from realizing self as part (ansh) of Krishna and as different from body, senses and this world. Due to maya, self identifies with body, mind, senses and their extensions like money, wealth, family etc. But when self sees that it does not belongs to this world but is eternally part of Krishna, it becomes happy. Such person is beyond the material world and he can choose to act or choose not to act. He can externally engage in sense gratification. His actions don't matter as his soul or self always connected with Krishna.

Most of us are not at the level of deriving happiness from within. As we don't get inner happiness, we seek happiness outside. So, what should we do? Is seeking happiness outside bad?

Many people who try to follow the process of bhakti come due to depression. Depressed person does not find meaning in life and runs away from simple enjoyments. Depressed people have lesser sex drive and may even want to kill themselves. Such people embrace the idea of giving up everything. They like it and make their depression worse. It is important for such person to make their life happy. They should surely seek inner happiness but also, they should seek pleasures in this world so that they can be happy. Otherwise, they may think they are advancing but they might be making their depression worse. Depressed people are neophyte devotees. True devotee can never be depressed.

Another kind of people are too much attached to sense gratification. Their mind is always agitated. Extreme example may be a person who rapes a women for his own gratification.

Most of us are not such extremes. We should seek balanced path. We should enjoy pleasures of life so that our life does not become dull and unhappy. But we should also act such that we develop mineness or surrender to Krishna, we develop love unto Him and we remember His names.

Everything belong to Krishna. This world is not ours. The self is beyond this world. Our body, mind, sense and sense objects are not ours. They are Krishna's. We should truly accept this fact. Keep telling our mind that this world is not ours and it belongs to Krishna. When we act in pleasures understanding that this body belongs to Krishna then such pleasure don't bind us. Our body needs food. It needs sleep. Similarly, our body needs recreation. So, Krishna has given this body and the owner of our body Krishna has ordered us to provide recreation. So, we are just fulfilling the order of Krishna. Everyone has to decide what are needs of their body as we are all different. Important thing to understand is that we cannot deny needs of body and mind. Mind and body may need sex, fun movies, sattvik pleasures like enjoying nature, sports etc. Do them understanding that this world belong to Krishna and therefore, such activities are also service to Krishna. This is real bhakti.

Note: A person who sees world as part of Krishna cannot hurt anyone as Krishna resides in everyone's heart.

Guru Tattva

2008-07-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Vedic traditions accepts God (Krishna, Ram, Vishnu etc.) as source of everything. He is seated in everyone's heart and from Him comes remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness (BG 15.15). He as Parmatma guides everyone from within.

Padma Purana explains (1.17.20): Vishnu who resides in everyone's heart is guru of whole world. He is the only teacher and no one else can teach anyone.

krsnam vande jagad-guru - Krishna is the guru of whole world.

Guru means teacher. Krishna is the universal teacher and He gives us knowledge from within. It is Krishna, the universal teacher, who sends us teachers to teach about external world and spiritual concepts. Even to understand simple mathematical concepts teacher is needed. Similarly, understanding spiritual concepts and intricacies of mind and self requires external teacher. The external teachers are arranged by Krishna Himself. Krishna uses many teachers starting with birth giving mother and father. But ultimate teacher is Krishna Himself.

As a blind man, being unable to see, accepts another blind man as his leader, people who do not know the goal of life accept someone as a guru who is a rascal and a fool. But we are interested in self-realization. Therefore we accept You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as our spiritual master, for You are able to see in all directions and are omniscient like the sun. (SB 8.25.50)

The God gives protection to everyone who surrenders to Him in fear of death. He is actual shelter of everyone. I therefore surrender unto Him. (SB 8.2.33)

Krishna without discrimination gives shelter and guides everyone who comes to Him for protection and guidance. Gajendra did not know who is God. He worshiped Krishna within and Krishna came to save him. So, real surrender is to surrender to Krishna Himself. When we surrender to Krishna, He sends us teachers. They can come in any form. The spiritual teacher teaches everyone to surrender to Krishna. False guru asks disciples to surrender to Himself. Even Srila Prabhupada is clear about it. He says in purport of SB 8.2.33 :: "It is the guru's business to instruct his disciple to surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead if he wants relief from the material clutches. This is the symptom of the guru." If Prabhupada teaches his followers to surrender to him instead of the universal guru Krishna, then even he is not true guru. What I can conclude is that Prabhupada did not instruct his followers to surrender to Him but instructed them to surrender to Krishna within. But he is misrepresented by his followers who do not understand the true teachings.

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. (BG 9.34, BG 18.65)

Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. (BG 18.66)

Krishna asks us to take shelter of Him and surrender unto Him. Gurus teach us how to surrender to Him. But Krishna is our center and not the guru. Krishna does not ask us to surrender to Guru. Let us all surrender to God who is source of everything and who is source of our knowledge.

Dew drops are falling .........

2008-01-26T19:33:00.001-08:00

We all want to be happy. We want to be peaceful. The actions we do are to make us happy and peaceful. In married life, it is not difficult for husband and wife to be happy. They need to help each other and care for each other. They need to ignore others faults. But instead of that, many couples end up fighting, blaming each other and focus on negativities. So, they end up unhappy and miserable. If we look over and examine their actions, it seems that it is easy to resolve their issues and be happy. But unfortunately, this mind gets stuck with negativities and it appears that mind really does not want to resolve the problems as if it really wants to be unhappy. But from the perspective of husband and wife, they are right and they feel that their actions are for the best of everyone. So, the situation of their mind is that it gives up water of ganga (i.e. attributes of forgiveness, caring and ignore negative in life) and desires dew drops (parihari sur sarita aas kar os kan). Instead of leading a life of happiness, they lead of life of unhappiness and also, unfortunately do a great damage to their children. Instead a satisfied, contended and simple person can lead life of happiness and peacefulness and also, bring joy in others life.

What is true in relationships also applies to our whole life! If we could control our mind and do what is right for us, we can overall be more happy and peaceful. But our mind gets obsessed and we fulfill our obsessions thinking that they will make us happy but we end up more unhappy. The qualities which help us to be more happy are those which make us better person.

Simple mind which does not keep negative things but lets them go. It does not dwell on what makes us unhappy but ignores those thoughts.

Forgiveness - Instead of keeping ill feeling towards those who hurt us, we should let it go and forgive. When we don't forgive, we hurt ourselves and become more unhappy.
Living in the present moment - What has happened in the past has happened! Why it should bother us and make us unhappy now. If we really want to be happy, then we should let go of past.

Realizing the value of peacefulness and doing what will give us peacefulness.

Hari smaran - focus mind on Ram.
Meditation - Naam jap.
Saranagati to Ram.
Exercise and sports.
Keeping good friends and acting selflessly and caring for them.
Keeping balance in life.

Beggar

2008-01-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

Bhagavan Ram! I am helpless. I am begging you to protect me. I have faith that you are listening to me. You are in my heart and it is your promise that you listen to me. So, please listen to me and give me what I ask for. Please have mercy on me. What should I ask for? Should I ask for your darshan? Once I will have your darshan, I will feel that I am great devotee. I may even tell others that I got your darshan. But what is the use of your darshan, if my mind is not attracted to you after your darshan. May be I can have some powers? That will help me develop more faith upon you. I can even use those magical powers to help others or even make others your devotees. But what is the use of those powers if my mind is agitated and disturbed. Bhagavan, my mind is agitated and it wanders here and there. It keeps on thinking about useless stuff and it even makes me unhappy by dwelling on negatives again and again. Please have mercy on me and make my mind attracted to you! May my mind take refuge of you and always dwell upon you. It is your promise that you fulfill desires of those who come to you. Please fulfill your promise. You may say that your bhakti is more precious and therefore, you don't want to give me. But Ram you are the most powerful and the most most in everything. Why will I ask you something inferior if you are giving me what I want! I will ask you the most precious thing. You may say that I really don't desire you. My mind really does not want to be attracted to you. That may be true. But Bhagvan I am helpless being who is controlled by maya. Please be merciful of my condition. My mind may wander again and go somewhere else. Therefore, I beg you to make it attracted to you. I want to think of you. I have only one qualification that sometimes I desire to think of you. Bhagavan, this is good desire and you can fulfill it. Please make my mind attracted to you! Please, please, I beg you. Don't blame me if my mind goes away from you. You did not fulfill your promise. What can I do? Ram, I am dependent upon you and you are my master and my shelter. Please make me remember you. That is best thing which can happen in my life.

Internal understanding for Hari Smaran

2007-07-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

In plain words, Hari smaran is thinking about Hari. Thinking of Hari is remembering with feeling and understanding. With what kind of understanding and feeling one should think of Hari?

First and foremost in remembering in understanding that Krishna resides within everyone's heart and He listens to everyone. So when you call Him or remember Krishna, He comes. Do smaran with this understanding that you are connecting with Krishna.
"I am the source of everything. Everything emanates from Me. Knowing this the wise worship Me with all their hearts."-BG 10.8. Suppose, you have direct telephone connection to the President of US. Will you lead a worried life in case you get into trouble? Most probably not as you can call the President and he can fix most of your problems. So, Krishna is most powerful and the Supreme. If you have faith that smaran is telephone connection to them, then you will lead a life without anxieties and worries. You will have faith that everything will be good for you all the time. So, truly believe that smaran will connect you with the most powerful and the Supreme person and connect to Him (Bhagavan) by smaran. What are you waiting for?
Everything belongs to Krishna. We are just His instruments or His puppets. Dedicate and offer all your activities to Krishna and in this way do smaran (BG 8.7). Work as an offering to Krishna and serve your family and society understanding that serving them is serving Krishna as they are part of Krishna. This understanding eliminates unnecessary thoughts and helps you to focus more on smaran.
Accept Bhagavan as your beloved person. You can choose Bhagavan as Krishna carrying flute in His hands or as Ram carrying bow and arrows or any other form. Think of the form and accept it as cause of all causes. Relate to Him as your father, mother, master, friend, guru, beloved etc. Whenever you get time, keep offering prayers to Him. Hear His glories from Puranas, Ramayan etc. Hearing His pastimes are very easy way to think of Him. When you will develop relationship with Him, your smaran will increase. You will be remembering Ram, talking with Him and feeling His presence all the time. Srimad Bhagavatam mainly focuses on smaran on Krishna's personal form by thinking about His lilas, names, form and qualities. So, spend time thinking of Krishna's beautiful form, read and hear His pastimes, remember and chant His names and each moment excercise choice of thinking of Him.
You are in material domain and you mind cannot anything which is not material. So, be humble and accept your inability. Currently your smaran of Krishna's lilas, names, form and qualities will be tainted by material domain. But understand that Krishna is beyond material domain. This is explained in BG 8.9 as: "One should think of Me as the one who knows everything, as He who is the oldest, who is the controller, who is smaller than the smallest, who is the maintainer of everything, who is acintya rupam (has inconceivable form), who is luminous like the sun, and who is transcendental, beyond darkness."

Question: I have developed faith that Krishna will take care of me and therefore, I have stopped working. I just try to remember Him, chant His names, hear and read His lilas etc. Is that OK?

Question: Krishna will take care of my family and my parents. I am trying my best by thinking of Him all the time. Is it ok not to focus on taking care of old parents and our family? Isn't those activities anyway waste of time as those activities take away my time which I can use in Hari smaran?

Wait for answer in future blogs.

If you can think, you can become devotee!

2007-07-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

Imagine this situation: Suppose you become sick, you loose eye sight, you loose ability to hear, you cannot move your hands and legs and you are bedridden all the time. Is your life doomed? No, even if you cannot walk, even if you cannot see and read and even if you cannot hear, still you can think. While lying on the bed, you have choice to either think of Ram or to be frustrated. While lying on the bed if you think of Ram all the time, then you will attain bhakti and if you cannot, then you won't. It is that simple. As long as you can think, you can be devotee. You don't need external activities to become devotee. To attain Ram, you need to think of Him as much as you can and ultimately, in the end every moment.
Each moment you have choice - to remember Ram or to not remember Ram. Sri Ram gives you that choice each moment again and again. So, by doing jap, yog, pranayam, hearing His pastimes etc, you learn to exercise your choice of remembering Him more and more. They should increase your ability to exercise your choice of remembering Him more and more. If not, then something is wrong.
Another aspect which is simultaneously true is that your ability to remember Ram each moment is independent of external circumstances. So, it is your and only your choice and no external circumstance stops you to remember Him. So, when you can remember Ram all the time, then external actions don't matter. You might be engaging in any activity and still be with Ram. So, just remember Ram and do your duties.

You should always think of Me and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt. (BG 8.7)

Just fix your mind upon Me and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt. (BG 12.8)

Is Hari smaran independent of external activities?

2007-06-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hari smaran or thinking about Hari is done at level of mind. In BG 6.5 and 6.6, Krishna asks Arjuna to control his mind and perfect his life by conquering mind. In conquered mind, thoughts are always focussed on Hari and are independent of external environment or activities.

In lower stage, our mind is not in our control and Hari smaran does not happen and mind is always into material things. In next higher stage of advancement, Hari smaran happens sometimes and it needs favorable environment to happen. And in highest stage, it happens independent of external environment.

Our focus should be to control our mind and focus it on Hari instead of blaming or waiting for external circumstance to change.

Question: Do I need to perform my duties of taking care of family, going to job etc if I need to always remember Hari? When I perform these activities, my mind goes away from Hari. So, it is better for me to go and live in a peaceful place and give up these material activites and do Hari smaran.

Answer: If you desire to give up your current duties and focus more on Hari smaran, then you think that you are advanced person as you think that you are capable of doing Hari smaran all the time. But if you are advance devotee, then you can do Hari smaran even in current circumstance. Why then need to change?
It is better to continue what you are doing and try to remember Hari as much as you can. For example, if you don't like your work and think that it takes you away from Hari smaran, then what about the time when you are not doing work. Try to remember Hari rest of the time.
Our desire to give up our duties is most of time due to our aversion to action. It is not result of our advancement. We use spiritual advancement as an excuse of not doing our duties. This results in more harm than our true advancement.

Importance of Hari Smaran

2007-06-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hari smaran means remembering Hari (Vishnu). It is thinking about (or focusing thoughts on) Vishnu, His lilas, His form and things related to Him. Vishnu is present everywhere and in everyone’s heart. Therefore, smaran also means to see Him as present everywhere and in every living entities heart. When devotee sees Him present in everyone’s heart as Paramatma, the devotee remembers Him all the time as he sees Him all the time.

Remembrance is performed by mind and it is done by focusing mind upon Vishnu. Basically, it is independent of external or bodily actions. For example, Krishna asks Arjuna to fight the battle of Kurusetra remembering Him. In the battle, Arjuna is supposed to kill thousands of people and many of those people are his relatives for whom he has great affection. Killing them is one of the most difficult action for Arjuna. Still, Arjuna did it remembering Krishna. When action is performed with mind focused upon Krishna, then it is perfect and it does not bind us. Whereas even good action performed without mind focused upon Krishna may give us pious credit but it is failure in absolute perspective. For example, a person may do japa on bead. His mouth and tougue may speak Vishnu’s name and his hand may move the bead. Still, if his mind is not upon Krishna and wandering here and there and thinking about material objects, then that japa is done without remembrance. Therefore, our actions seemingly good or bad may be performed with or without remembrance. Remembrance is activity of mind and is independent of action. At every moment, our mind has a choice to remember Krishna or not to remember Him. We need to learn to exercise the choice of remembering Him. When we do so, our life becomes perfect. Japa and all the activities of devotion should be done with remembrance.

Importance of Hari Smaran (remembering Hari)

Smartavyah satatam visnur
Vismartavyo na jatucit
Sarve vidhi nisedhah syur
Etayor eva kinkarah

Vishnu should always be remembered and never forgotten at any moment. All the rules (actions to be performed) and prohibitions (actions not to be performed) should be the servants of these two principles. (Padma Purana)

Comment: Remembering Vishnu is aim (goal) of all our activities. It is also means of perfection. This means that we should decide which actions to do and which actions not to do based on how much they help us to remember Vishnu. Also, remembrance is also a measure of our spiritual advancement.

Sa hanis tan mahac chidram
Sa mohah sa ca vibhramah
Yan-muhurtam ksanam vapi
Vasudevam na cintayet

If even for a moment remembrance of Vasudeva is missed, that is the greatest loss, that is the greatest illusion, and this is the greatest anamoly. (Vishnu Purana)

Comment: This verse is from the perspective of the absolute perfection. From that perspective the moments which we spend not remembering Vasudeva are waste. How about devotional activities like japa, kirtan, puja etc done without remembrance? Are they waste? From absolute perspective, they are if done without remembrance.

nāradas tu tad-arpitākhilācāratā tad-vismaraṇe parama-vyākulateti
(Narada Bhakti Sutra 19)

According to Narada Muni, bhakti is offering all actions unto the Supreme Lord and feeling extreme distress in forgetting Him.

Om apavitrah pavitro va
Sarva-vastham gatopi va
Yah smaret pundarikaksam
Sa brahyabhyantrah sucih

Either pure or impure or having passed through all the conditions of material life, one who remembers the lotus eyed Krishna becomes externally and internally pure. (Guruda Purana)

Comment: Remembrance purifies our self and our actions and also, our body.

anta-kale ca mam eva
smaran muktva kalevaram
yah prayati sa mad-bhavam
yati nasty atra samsayah

And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body, remembering Me alone, at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt. (BG 8.5)

yam yam vapi smaran bhavam
tyajaty ante kalevaram
tam tam evaiti kaunteya
sada tad-bhava-bhavitah

Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail. (BG 8.6)

tasmat sarvesu kalesu
mam anusmara yudhya ca
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir
mam evaisyasy asamsayah

Therefore, Arjuna, you should always think of Me and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt. (BG 8.7)

abhyasa-yoga-yuktena
cetasa nanya-gamina
paramam purusam divyam
yati parthanucintayan

He who meditates on Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Prtha, is sure to reach Me. (BG 8.8)

ananya-cetah satatam
yo mam smarati nityasah
tasyaham sulabhah partha
nitya-yuktasya yoginah

For one who always remembers Me without deviation, I am easy to obtain, O son of Prtha, because of his constant engagement in devotional service. (BG 8.14)

ananya cintayanto mam
ye janah paryupasate
tesam nityabhiyuktanam
yoga-ksemam vahamy aham

But those who always worship Me with exclusively thinking about Me - to them I carry what they lack, and I preserve what they have. (BG 9.22)

mayy eva mana adhatsva
mayi buddhim nivesaya
nivasisyasi mayy eva
ata urdhvam na samsayah

Just fix your mind upon Me and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt. (BG 12.8)

yad-anudhyasina yuktah
karma-granthi-nibandhanam
chindanti kovidas tasya
ko na kuryat katha-ratim

With sword in hand, intelligent men cut through the binding knots of reactionary work [karma] by remembering the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, who will not pay attention to His message? (SB 1.2.15)

etavan sankhya-yogabhyam
sva-dharma-parinisthaya
janma-labhah parah pumsam
ante narayana-smratih

The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember Narayana at the end of life. (SB 2.1.6)

srnavan grnan samsmarayams ca cintayan
namani rupani ca mangalani te
kriyasu yas tvac-caranaravindayor
avista-ceta na bhavaya kalpate

Even while engaged in various activities, devotees whose minds are completely absorbed at Your lotus feet, and who constantly hear, chant, contemplate and cause others to remember Your transcendental names and forms, are always on the transcendental platform, and thus they can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (SB 10.2.37)

anyāśrayāṇāḿ tyāgo 'nanyatā
(Narada Bhakti Sutra 10)

Ananya bhakti means giving up all the shelters other than the Supreme Lord.

What is Hari Smaran!

2007-06-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hari in simple words refer to Krishna, Ram, Vishnu and other forms of God or the Supreme Divine Person. Krishna also resides within our heart as Paramatma. He is also all pervading i.e. present everywhere.

Smaran means thinking or remembering. Hari smaran means thinking about Hari as the Supreme Person, as the Divine residing within our heart and as the Divine present everywhere.

BG 8.9 tells how to do Hari smaran. "One should meditate upon Krishna as the one who knows everything, as He who is the oldest, who is the controller, who is smaller than the smallest, who is the maintainer of everything, who is beyond all material conception and whose form is inconceivable. He is luminous like the sun, and He is transcendental, beyond this material nature." - Bg 8.9

SB 1.2.14 states - "With one-pointed attention, one should constantly hear about, glorify, remember and worship the Personality of Godhead, who is the protector of the devotees."

Hari smaran also means remembering or focussing mind upon the Supreme beautiful form of Hari, His lilas (pastimes), His devotees and other things related to Him.