BACK TO GODHEAD

Founded 1944. Vol. 15 No. 11 November 2018

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Contents A DISTASTE FOR

MATERIAL ENJOYMENT 6 14

UNFAIRNESS BENEATH
10
FEATURES

A FAÇADE OF FAIRNESS
ARE YOU ANGRY WHEN HATED? 14
VRINDAVAN AWAY FROM VRINDAVAN 18
SHOPPING TIPS FOR MEDITATION 24
TAKING THE BYPASS ROAD 26 24

LETTERS 4
17
DEPARTMENTS

A PAUSE FOR PRAYER

SUBHÄÑITA 23
EVERY TOWN
AND VILLAGE 30
VAIÑËAVA
CALENDAR 33 26

EDITORIAL 34
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the magazine. We recommend reader discretion and due diligence.

OUR PURPOSES
• To help all people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from the
temporary. • To expose the faults of materialism. • To offer guidance in the Vedic techniques
of spiritual life. • To preserve and spread the Vedic culture. • To celebrate the chanting of
the holy names of God as taught by Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu • To help every living
being remember and serve Çré Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

NOVEMBER 2018
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BACK TO LETTERS
GODHEAD The Mind’s Desires knowledge control your mind even
The Magazine of the
Why does the mind always go though it is eager for unbeneficial
Hare Krishna Movement
FOUNDER
toward fulfilling its desires? things. Don’t put the senses in
(under the direction of His Divine Grace —Parth Singh dangerous places. If you are trying
Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté
Prabhupäda) His Divine Grace A. C.
Reply: Thank you for this age-old to give up drinking, for example,
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda - question. It certainly is not just your don’t go to a bar. If you are trying to
Founder-äcärya of The International problem, but rather a universal
Society for Krishna Consciousness
give up smoking, stay away from
concern. people who smoke. Stay out of
BTG INDIA: EDITOR Çyämänanda Däsa
Actually the mind works hard to places where the senses will be
• SUB-EDITORS Mukunda Mälä Däsa,
Nanda Duläl Däsa • EDITORIAL fulfill the desires of the senses. The attracted to undesirable things. That
CONSULTANT Caitanya Caraëa Däsa senses become attracted to might mean limiting your time on
• PROOFREADERS Revaté Vallabha
Däsa, Gautam Saha • PUBLISHER
something, and then the mind your phone or computer.
Yudhiñthira Däsa (Ujwal Jajoo) begins to contemplate how to fulfill Some discipline is required.
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Especially in the beginning, habits
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(Sanjiv Maheshwari), Sundar Rüpa Däsa in the material world the common to be determined to bring your mind
(Sudarshan Sapaliga) •ACCOUNTS
Manjaré Devé Däsé (Mira Singh)
mistake is to think that sense objects and senses under control. Again,
• CREATIVE STAFF Manish Waghela, will yield happiness. Therefore we good association can be very
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(souls) are meant to be in the too young to use a flame. He is can be done within any religious
spiritual world happily serving given a toy kitchen where he faith. The focus must be on
Kåñëa, but they want to be can do as he wishes. Or, in a serving a personal God with
independent enjoyers and more severe example, the loving devotion. “Personal God”
therefore cannot live in the government builds a prison, because it is not possible to
spiritual realm, Vaikuëöha. There where those who break the laws have loving reciprocation in
Kåñëa is the center, and everyone and cause trouble are offered an service with something
focuses on pleasing Him, thereby opportunity to learn their lesson. impersonal, such as energy; one
becoming free from anxiety and Some living entities learn by must find and serve the source
eternally happy by serving the experience and so progress of that energy.
source of all happiness. spiritually, ultimately being If you look at any living
But when we envy God’s reinstated in their spiritual being, you will see that he or
superior position, we want to position. Now wiser, they are she is serving someone or
play by our own rules, and we satisfied in knowing that they are something: spouse or children
see ourselves as the center of in the perfect position of serving or boss or society or country or
everything. Because of these Kåñëa with love. Others stay political party. Or we are
desires, we are always trying to longer, determined to find some simply serving our mind and
enjoy the material energy beyond way to enjoy power, wealth, senses. The quality of serving is
what we have earned by our fame, beauty, and so on, always present. Just as water is
karma. We are never satisfied. independent of any boundaries. characterized by wetness, the
This tendency causes many Eventually they will learn, but it soul is characterized by the
problems, like global warming, is a slow, painful process. propensity to serve. Putting that
shortages of propensity into serving God is
fresh water and clear air, and Defining “Religion” its true purpose. Therefore we
envy between persons, nations, I am writing an essay about call Kåñëa consciousness
and even family members, your movement, and to get a fair sanätana-dharma — the
which in turn leads to quarreling and extensive picture of the perfection of service in serving
and wars in the hard struggle for movement, I have a question: God. This principle can be
an unattainable state of eternal How does Hare Kåñëa and its applied to any religion as long
happiness. Although this members define the word as the intention is to make God
fruitless quest leads to bad religion? happy by trying to please Him
karmic reactions, still we —Julia with one’s service.
continue to desire to exploit Reply: We generally do not use
matter. It is like a donkey the word religion to refer to Kåñëa Replies were written by
chasing a carrot tied to a stick consciousness. One’s religion can Krishna.com’s Live Help volun-
fastened to its head. change. One can be born Jewish teers. Please write to us at: BTG,
These independent desires and change his religion to 3rd Floor, 302, Amrut Industrial
cannot be accommodated in the become a Christian, for example. Estate, Western Express Highway,
spiritual world, so for us to We use the term sanätana- Mira Road (E) 401104. E-mail:
experience the consequences of dharma to define Kåñëa btgindia@ pamho.net.
seeking material happiness and consciousness.
eventually come to the realization Sanätana-dharma (“eternal Please write to us at: BTG, 3rd
that the spiritual being can never occupation”) refers to the Floor, 302, Amrut Industrial
get real pleasure from matter, this eternal, inherent nature of the Estate, Western Highway, Mira
universe is created. soul, which is to serve. And the Road (E) 401104.
The situation is like that of a perfection of that eternal nature E-mail: [email protected].
child who wants to cook but is is to serve the eternal, God. This

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F O U N D E R’ S L E C T U R E E X C E R P T S Bhagavad-gétä 2.59-69, April 29, 1966, New York

A Distaste for
Material Enjoyment
In order to relish superior happiness,
we need to give up lower forms of enjoyment.

By His Divine Grace

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda
Founder-äcärya of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness

viñayä vinivartante Focusing on Kåñëa Not

nirähärasya dehinaù Possible for Everyone
rasa-varjaà raso ’py asya The problem is that we want to
paraà dåñövä nivartate be spiritualists by speculation only.
That is the whole tendency. People
Translation: Though the are much interested in philosophical
embodied soul may be restricted speculation without any practical
from sense enjoyment, the taste life. The symptom of modern times
for sense objects remains. But is yaço ’rthe dharma-yajanam: I
ceasing such engagements by want to associate with a spiritual
experiencing a higher taste, he organization just for the sake of
is fixed in consciousness. name: “Oh, I am attached to that,
—Bhagavad-gétä 2.59 such big organization.” But my
lifestyle continues as it is. In one yoga institute, I

T
he subject matter is that we are trying to have seen people coming in large members, and
transfer our activities from the material plat they have been hearing the teachings for the last ten
form to the spiritual platform. That is the years. But unfortunately, they have not learned even
whole idea. As I have already explained, material the preliminary instruction of yoga.
platform means viñayäù. Viñayäù means four things: The whole process of yoga means indriya-
ähära, nidrä, bhaya, maithuna—eating, sleeping saàyama, controlling the senses. But I saw here that
and defending and mating. The materialistic way of these people have no control over the senses.
life means these four things: eating, sleeping, Haöha-yoga means practice of äsana, sitting pos-
defending and mating—sense gratification. But if tures and breathing exercises in order to attain
we want to go to the spiritual platform, then these concentration on the Supersoul. Because our mind is
bodily demands must be regulated. We cannot enjoy currently disturbed, distracted by so many engage-
material life without any restriction and at the same ments, the yoga practices help in dragging the mind
time stand on the spiritual platform. from outside engagements to inner side and focus

6 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018

 F O U N D E R’ S L E C T U R E
up our sensual activities. For
example, you cannot eat more
than once, you have to sit like
this, and you have to breathe like
this — and several other restric-
tions. A diseased fellow is ad-
vised by the physician to refrain
from so many things. And there
are other rules and regulations for
controlling the mind and senses.
But history shows that despite
following all such rules and
regulations, one may fail. There-
fore Bhagavad-gétä says, rasa-
varjaà raso ’py asya paraà
dåñövä nivartate. If you dovetail
your consciousness with the
supreme consciousness, then you
will develop distaste for the
restricted things. You’ll dislike
those restricted things. You have
become so much elevated that
you do not like to do those infe-
rior activities. Yamunäcärya, a
The yoga processes help in focussing the mind on the Supersoul within the heart. great äcärya, said, “Since my
mind has been engaged in the
the same for realizing the senses involves a mechanical service of the lotus feet of Lord
Supersoul. Uncontrolled senses process—forcefully dragging the Kåñëa, and I have been enjoying
will drag me to the material mind from other engagements. It an ever new transcendental
plane. Adänta-gobhir viçatäà is artificial because although I am humor, whenever I think of sex
tamisraà punaù punaç carvita- a spirit soul, I am trying to control life with a woman, my face at
carvaëänäm (Bhäg. 7.5.30). my senses through bodily activi- once turns from it, and I spit at
Those who have uncontrolled ties. Therefore it is artificial. We the thought.” Even without re-
senses and whose minds are know the story of the great yogi striction, you do not like to do it.
fixed up on material enjoyment just Viçvämitra, who practiced Kåñëa says that even though you
cannot enter into the sphere of yoga and rose to the highest have got the privilege to indulge
spiritual life. Matir na kåñëe platform, but when he came in in sense gratification, you do not
parataù svato vä. For one whose contact with Menakä, a society like to do it. Not that he has
purpose of life is “eat, drink, be woman of the heaven, he lost become impotent or he has no
merry and enjoy,” there is no control over his senses. He en- capacity for sex life. In spite of
question of spiritual life. The joyed with Menakä and Çakuntalä having all strength and capacity
whole idea is that I have to get was born. he does not like do it: “Oh, what
out of this material contact and is this? This is so disgusting.”
reinstate myself in the pure Be Watchful about Uncon- Why? Because paraà dåñövä
spiritual life so that I shall be free trolled Senses nivartate: He has developed a
from all miseries. There are so many rules and taste for superior things, superior
The yoga system to control the regulation for artificially drying to even sex life, in which he

NOVEMBER 2018
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 them. even by the and restrict sense gratification,
attempt of a very under proper rules.
learned scholar who
knows everything. Paraà dåñövä — the
Therefore in society, Higher Taste
the interaction be- As long as we have this body,
tween men and we have to satisfy the material
women should be needs to a certain degree. It is not
restricted. Only that we have to totally stop eat-
householders, those ing, sleeping, defending, or
who are married, are mating. We have to indulge in
allowed to associate these things with a view that “I’ll
with women. Others have to retire from all these
— the brahmacärés, things, these material needs.”
vänaprasthas and This is not so difficult. When I
sannyäsés — are engage my consciousness into the
strictly prohibited transcendental loving service of
from associating with the supreme consciousness, then
woman. It is said I shall not fall down. Even if there
(Bhäg. 9.19.17), are enticements, I shall not fall,
because I have experienced
mäträ svasrä something that is far, far better
duhiträ vä than this material enjoyment.
näviviktäsano We have to come to this point.
bhavet And what is that point? Täni
The senses are so mad that they balavän indriya- sarväëi saàyamya yukta äséta
may go out of my control. grämo mat-paraù. Mat-paraù: “Engage
vidväàsam api the senses in relation to My
wants to engage himself. karñati service or unto Me.” Therefore in
This process is so perfect. The devotional service the beginning
other process of restraining the “One should not allow oneself process is the arcanä. This pro-
senses from enjoyment involves to sit on the same seat even with cess gives engagement to all the
force, but such forceful suppres- one’s own mother, sister or senses. We engage our tongue in
sion may not stand. It may fail daughter, for the senses are so chanting the transcendental sound
sometimes. But this process is strong that even though one is of Hare Kåñëa. We like to hear
secure; having dovetailed oneself very advanced in knowledge, he good, melodious music, so we
in the transcendental loving may be attracted by sex.” Here engage our ears in hearing melo-
service of the Supreme Lord, one also the same thing is stated. dious music in relationship with
becomes completely detached Pramäthéni means that the senses the Supreme Lord Kåñëa. There
from all such activities of sense are so mad that they may go out are many songs glorifying Kåñëa,
gratification. Yatato hy api of my control. Therefore if we not only in Sanskrit language but
kaunteya puruñasya, puruñasya want to be spiritually advanced, in other languages also. When we
vipaçcitaù, indriyäëi pramäthéni we have to minimize our materi- engage our ears in hearing
haranti prasabhaà manaù (Gétä alistic way of life. If we are Kåñëa’s glories, my ears will not
2.60). Vipaçcitaù means a very serious about spiritual advance- be engaged in hearing other
learned man. The senses are so ment of life, then unrestricted songs. If I decide “I shall eat only
strong that even a learned man materialistic way of life cannot go foodstuff that is offered to Kåñëa,”
like Viçvämitra failed to control along with it. We have to regulate then naturally my eating becomes

8 BACK TO GODHEAD
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 Lord Caitanya chanting japa silently on beads and doing saìkértana congregationally.

regulated, and as I go on eating Simply by chanting the holy

kåñëa-prasädam my tongue will name of God—either this Hare
be controlled. By controlling the Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa,
tongue, all other senses come Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare
under control. Therefore we sing Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare,
çaréra abidyä-jäl, joòendriya tähe or any name of God in any
käl: “This body is a network of language—that doesn’t matter.
nescience. Somehow, we have Lord Caitanya Himself chanted
fallen into this ocean of material this holy name. In earlier ages,
sense enjoyment, and of all the to attain perfection in spiritual
senses the tongue is most vora- life people had to undergo
cious and uncontrollable; it is severe penance for several
very difficult to conquer the years. But by Lord Caitanya’s
tongue in this world. But You,
dear Kåñëa, are very kind to us
and have given us such nice
prasädam, just to control the Now here it is said, täni
tongue. Now we take this sarväëi saàyamya. You can
prasädam to our full satisfac- control your senses only when
tion and glorify Their Lordships you engage them in the service
Çré Çré Rädhä-Kåñëa, and in love of the Lord. Mat-paraù means
call for the help of Lord “unto Me, in relationship with
Caitanya and Lord Nityänanda.” Me.” And in the Bhakti-rasämåta-
sindhu, it says nirbandhaù
A Simplified Process kåñëa-sambandhe yuktaà
for this Age vairägyam ucyate. You haven’t
We should always remember got to restrain yourself com-
that to attain to the spiritual life, pletely, but if you dovetail
we must undergo great penance. grace, we can attain the same yourself in relation with Kåñëa
There are sages who underwent perfection simply by chanting (nirbandhaù), then your detach-
penance for so many years. You the holy names of the Lord. Then ment (vairägya) is proper. In-
can see from the examples of Lord everything will come to you stead of doing it for your sense
Buddha, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord automatically by and by. The gratification, you do it for the
Caitanya and Çaìkaräcärya. Spiri- only penance that we have to satisfaction of the Supreme. That
tual perfection is not a cheap thing follow is engaging our senses should be the motto of our life,
that one can attain some lectures. not in the process of sense that “I shall not do anything for
If we are actually serious about gratification but in serving the my sense satisfaction, but I shall
attaining spiritual perfection, we Supreme Lord. We must dovetail do everything for the satisfaction
must be in a spirit of sacrifice. In our independence, our con- of the Supreme.” That penance,
this age, by the grace of Lord sciousness, to the supreme that sacrifice, will make me
Caitanya, the matter has been consciousness. That’s what perfectly spiritualized and keep
simplified. Arjuna did—he dovetailed his me perfectly on the spiritual
consciousness with Kåñëa. He platform. Vaçe hi yasyendriyäëi
harer näma harer näma harer did not want to fight, but after tasya prajïä pratiñöhitä. In this
nämaiva kevalam hearing Bhagavad-gétä he dove- way one has to control the
kalau nästy eva nästy eva tailed his senses. He engaged his senses.
nästy eva gatir anyathä senses in the service of the Thank you very much. Hare
—Cc. Ädi 17.21 Supreme Lord. Kåñëa.

NOVEMBER 2018
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SPIRITUAL SCIENTIST

UNFAIRNESS
BENEATH A
FAÇADE OF
FAIRNESS
LESSONS FROM DHÅTARÄÑTRA’S CHARACTER
Pretending to be fair towards the fiercely. When they were considered killed in the
Päëòavas, the blind king Dhåtaräñöra fire there, many had lamented and some had blamed
continued to favor his evil sons the Kauravas, but again, such blamers were no threat
to the royal family.
through unfair means. However, things had changed now, dramatically.
The Päëòavas had won the hand of Draupadé and
By Caitanya Caraëa Däsa gained as their father-in-law the powerful Päïcäla
king, Drupada. They had proven themselves to be
powerful heroes, having bested the greatest princes

D
håtaräñöra felt a pinch of conscience within
him as he heard the Päëòavas gently offer of the time in the contest for gaining Draupadé’s
ing their respects to him. Here were the hands. Even if they didn’t take any strong action in
sons of his brother, Päëòu. Both Päëòu and the protest, their powerful father-in-law, Drupada,
Päëòavas had always been courteous to him. Should would; he would use his influence to ensure that his
he not be treating his nephews affectionately? Yet daughter was well-provided for.
he had treated them like enemies — and was about Dhåtaräñöra sighed as he recognized that their
to do the same again. right to the kingdom could no longer be denied.
But then, wasn’t he meant to look after the Both Bhéñma and Vidura had drummed these points
interests of his own son first? Thoughts of into him, and had also stressed the importance of
Duryodhana always swept away his moral reserva- winning the perception battle. Those citizens who
tions. His mind went back to the events that had had suspected the Kauravas of conspiring against
brought him to this point. the Päëòavas could be won over if Päëòavas were
For several years, he had put off giving the treated fairly and given half the kingdom. Reluc-
Päëòavas’ their rightful share of the kingdom. After tantly, Dhåtaräñöra had agreed to their counsel. But
Päëòu’s death in the mountains, when the Päëòavas he kept from them his plan about which half of the
had come to Hastinapura, they had been unknown kingdom to give. Mentally, he patted himself on the
teenagers, with no noteworthy allies. A few years back for outsmarting them. Little did he know that
later, when they were sent away to Väraëävata, his “smartness” was actually dumbness — in the not-
some courtiers and citizens had protested, but not too-distant future, he would be beating his chest in

10 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018

lamentation. express our reluctance by being you don’t, the whole Kuru dy-
Brushing aside any lingering half-hearted. That’s what nasty will soon be destroyed.”
sense of guilt, he concealed his Dhåtaräñöra had done with regards Dhåtaräñöra tried hard to deafen
thoughts under a kind tone and to giving the Päëòavas their half himself to that voice. Such was his
addressed the Päëòavas. “May all of the kingdom. desperation to please his son by
good be upon you. It is fortunate If the heart is not in the right going along with the latter’s
that you have survived the deadly place, it inevitably takes the mind schemes, no matter how nefarious.
fire in Väraëävata. It is even more and the hands to the wrong One such devilish scheme was
fortunate that you have won the places. When we face a relation- unfolding right in front of him
hand of Päïcälé. I offer you half ship conflict, the process of although he had no eyes to see it.
the kingdom. Take the part resolving that difficulty has to Duryodhana had arranged a
known as Khäëòava.” begin with the heart. If that rigged gambling match with the
A silence fell on the assembly. difficulty has arisen because of Päëòavas in which he had asked
The unfairness of the division some wrong intention on our part, the professional gamester, Çakuni,
was evident to everyone. no resolution will last if we don’t to play on his behalf. Çakuni had
Khäëòava was a large area, change that intention. defrauded the Päëòavas of their
certainly half the kingdom. Yet it If a medical student becomes a kingdom, their property and their
was an unpopulated, uncultivated doctor just to earn money, then own selves. And finally he had
wilderness. Giving that to a over time they won’t hesitate to gained possession of Draupadé
potential successor as half of the cut ethical corners to earn more, too. Now, at Karëa’s instigation,
kingdom was a mockery of the even if it means subjecting pa- Duryodhana had decided to
principles of fair division. It was tients to unnecessary tests to get disrobe Draupadé, to further
like a business magnate who kickbacks or prolonging the humiliate her and her husbands.
owned two big companies giving
the flourishing company to one
son and the bankrupt company to If the heart is not in the right place, it inevitably
the other. takes the mind and the hands to the wrong
Yudhiñöhira’s gracious voice
broke through the silence. “Thank
places. When we face a relationship conflict,
you. With your permission, we the process of resolving that difficulty
will now proceed to Khäëòava.” has to begin with the heart.
The assembly again fell silent,
now in appreciation of the young
prince’s nobility, whereas the treatment to levy more bills. Draupadé had tried in vain to
earlier silence had been due to Without changing that basic resist being dragged by the hair
the blind king’s villainy. intention, the doctor won’t be by the brutal Duùçäsana into the
able to give proper care to the assembly. Her hair was dishev-
Without the right intention, patient. eled, tears were streaming down
the right deed doesn’t re- Similarly, because Dhåtaräñöra her eyes, and she was panting in
main right never changed his intention, his exertion. Somehow composing
When we are forced to do actions for reconciliation ended herself, she repeated her ques-
something, we may go through up causing aggravation, as future tion to the elders: “If Yudhiñöhira
the motions of doing it while events would reveal. had gambled and lost himself first
doing them as cursorily as pos- — if he was not his own master
sible. For example, when chil- The mask of neutrality and — then how could he have
dren are forced by their parents the face of partiality gambled me?”
to go somewhere, they may drag Vidura’s insistent voice rang The onus was on Dhåtaräñöra to
their feet. As adults, we may not out across the assembly, “O king, answer; he sat on the royal throne
literally drag our feet, but we may stop this atrocity immediately. If and presided over the assembly.

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But he remained silent. This vehemently, the king had be- ber of one’s own family — a
silence was so outrageous that his come deaf to his warning. He let woman who was like his daugh-
son Vikarëa spoke up. He ex- the horror unfold. ter — was abominable beyond
horted the assembly to answer her words. No civilized person would
question. When no one answered, The eyes are not the want to do such a thing, or even
he took the responsibility to problem — the “I” allow it to happen.
answer it himself. He expertly is the problem While we all have some lower
pointed out various defects in the Dhåtaräñöra went along with his desires within us, civilization
gambling match and persuasively sons’ horrendous desire to strip teaches us to restrain those desires.
concluded that its results should be Draupadé. He had no eyes to see However, if we let a desire grow
declared invalid. At his wise her naked, but still his mind was disproportionately, that attachment
words, the assembly erupted in leery with imagination. The can deaden us to everything else
applause. imagination was driven not just by — not just morality, but even basic
Dhåtaräñöra was thus provided lust but also by the hunger for human decency. Such was
by his own son a respectable power. To have the princess Dhåtaräñöra’s condition.
opportunity to redeem himself. reduced to utter helplessness and The lust for power knows no
Unfortunately, his regard for that humiliation was a temptation that limits. Even if his eyes couldn’t
son paled in comparison see, Dhåtaräñöra’s lust fuelled
to his infatuation with his his imagination, painting a
favorite son, Duryodhana. vivid picture that incited him
He continued his silence. on.
And Karëa criticized and When we feel agitated
silenced Vikarëa, thereby by lust, we may curse our
returning the assembly to eyes for wanting to wander
its suicidal course. in unholy directions. How-
While Dhåtaräñöra’s ever, the eyes are not the
partiality towards problem — the “I” is the
Duryodhana was well- problem. Even if the eyes
known, it had never been are blinded, the “I” will
as brazen as it was now. continue to internally see a
The mask of neutrality vulgar show, streamed by
that he had put on for the attached mind. Only
long had fallen off during when the “I” is purified of
the gambling match when its lower attachments will
he had repeatedly asked, the eyes become disci-
“Have we won?” and plined. Without such purifi-
especially when he had cation, Dhirtarashtra’s unfor-
finally asked, “Has tunate example demon-
Päïcälé been won?” strates how even the blind
He saw Draupadé not can scheme to see what the
as a person in her own noble would shudder to see.
right, but as an object to Duùçäsana’s evil attempt to disrobe Duùçäsana’s evil attempt
be won to increase the Draupadé failed when Kåñëa miraculously to disrobe Draupadé failed
prestige of his side of the lengthened her robe unlimitedly. when Kåñëa miraculously
dynasty. As if winning lengthened her robe unlimit-
Draupadé was not bad enough, the ego devilishly delighted in. edly. Yet even that miracle didn’t
Duùçäsana, ordered by To disrobe an honorable jolt Dhåtaräñöra out of his silence.
Duryodhana, was about to disrobe woman in public was scandalous. Neither did it deter his wicked
her. Though Vidura protested And to subject to that fate a mem- sons. They decided to drag

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Draupadé as a maid to their palace we had won. Do you think this will unwillingness to give up our
to have her clean their quarters. pacify the Päëòavas? They will attachments — dims and blocks
Vidura’s voice, unheard for so never forget how we have insulted that light. Whatever wisdom we
long, continued warning them. They will surely seek re- might innately have, or even
Dhåtaräñöra, urgently, fervently, venge. We need to disempower whatever wisdom others might
desperately. Yet what Vidura said them — at least till we consolidate offer to us, it all becomes like a
now caught Dhåtaräñöra’s atten- our power. Call them for another lightning that illumines briefly
tion. “O king, your sacred sacrifi- gambling match. Otherwise, they but soon leaves us in the dark.
cial fire, which you had kept lit will attack and destroy us.” In light, we might take the right
throughout your life, had gone When Duryodhana pressured path ahead. Groping in the dark,
out, suddenly, inexplicably.” Dhåtaräñöra, he just couldn’t resist. we may well take a U-turn and
Shuddering at the thought of what He gave in and consented to end up at our starting point or
that omen might portend, the Duryodhana’s proposal to have even go further back.
blind king decided that the gam- another gambling match. And this When Vidura’s words lit the light
bling match had gone too far. match would have still higher of knowledge in Dhåtaräñöra’s heart,
He knew that the Päëòavas stakes. Whoever lost would be he recognized the folly of his
would be furious — not just for exiled to the forest for thirteen attachment to his son and tried to
what they had to go through, but years with the last year in incog- undo the latter’s monstrous actions.
especially for the humiliation nito. Predictably enough, Çakuni However, when Duryodhana
their chaste wife had to go won this rematch too, thereby pressured him, his blinding attach-
through. Reasoning that his best beginning the fateful exile of the ment surfaced again. And he undid
chance at pacifying the Päëòavas Päëòavas from the kingdom — an all that he had done.
would be by pacifying their wife, exile that would terminate in the Dhåtaräñöra’s tragic example
he decided to address her instead Kauravas’ exile from life itself. demonstrates how whatever good
of addressing them. we do in the light of spiritual
To not appear too overt, he Attachment reduces knowledge, we end up undoing in
first addressed the whole assem- light to lightning the darkness of our worldly attach-
bly, “I had arranged this gambling When we are in dark, we can’t ments. To prevent such self-
match just to test the comparative see the path ahead clearly. A sabotaging relapses, we need to
skills of the cousins.” similar darkness envelopes us conscientiously strive to keep
Turning towards Draupadé, he internally when we are attached; ourselves in the light by regularly
continued, “O Päïcälé, if Gändhäré the inner darkness prevents us associating with spiritually-minded
and I have ever done any good to from seeing and choosing rightly. people, studying spiritual wisdom-
you, please remember that and If the lights turn on, we can see texts such as the Bhagavad-gétä
excuse the offenses committed the way ahead and can take and adopting spiritual practices
against you. Even amidst such steady, decisive steps. Similar is such as meditation. Just as dark-
duress, your adherence to dharma the relief we experience when ness can’t stay in the presence of
is laudable. I would like to give the light of spiritual knowledge light, our attachments won’t stay
you some benediction.” dissipates our inner darkness. for long if we keep our conscious-
Through a series of benedic- If, however, the lights turn ness in the presence of the su-
tions, he returned to the Päëòavas off again, then again we be- preme spiritual light, Kåñëa.
everything they had lost, hoping come paralyzed or misdirected.
to thereby defuse the hostility Similar is our predicament when Caitanya Caraëa Däsa is the
between the cousins. our attachment resurfaces and associate-editor of Back to
However, soon after the blurs our sense of right and Godhead (US and Indian edi-
Päëòavas departed, Duryodhana wrong. Thus, while spiritual tions). To read his daily
came to Dhåtaräñöra and told him, knowledge is like a shining Bhagavad-gétä reflections, please
“O father, what have you done? light, the persistence of our subscribe to Gitadaily on his
You have given away everything attachments — or rather, our website, thespiritualscientist.com.

NOVEMBER 2018
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VEDIC PHILOSOPHY

Are You Angry when Hated?

How we react to provoking situations is a test of our inner character.

By Vrajabihäri Däsa

M
y stomach wrenched in was shocked and totally gutted. the time during which one could
pain. It wasn’t the physi My head exploded with a hun- hear each other’s breath — he
cal thing. He had just got dred possible ways to return the said softly but clearly, “Now that
up suddenly and yelled in the fire. But what I saw next left me you have raised sufficient doubts
middle of the meeting, “You are a stunned. Aki, my boss and the on our gender, we need to do our
bunch of eunuchs, good for intended victim of the outburst, homework and get back to you
nothing, just whiling your time adjusted his glasses and smiled at by the next meeting.” His disarm-
away and never productive.” I the slanderer. After a pause — ing comment eased the tension,

14 BACK TO GODHEAD
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and a few other members self. Then learn to see others with I was bewildered, and it showed
laughed nervously, while the compassion. on my face. Aki suggested I
insulting man’s tirade stopped. He To deal with those who either move from the hurt or grief space
awkwardly apologized and sat dislike you or continuously criti- to kindness or grace area. His
down abruptly. Here was a cize you for no sound reason, you suggestion was simple but effec-
blatant insult but expertly dif- simply avoid them. But if you tive: close your eyes, breathe
fused by the chairperson. can’t dodge their malicious mis- slowly and deeply as you send
siles, then your strongest arsenal goodness, love or warmth to your
Recognize the child within is self-belief and self-acceptance. critic. I did feel some relief, and
One day I asked Aki how he If you too hate yourself, others’ Aki clarified that this is a practical
internally resolves the unreason- negative behavior would only step to move towards compassion
able and malicious judgments that intensify your suffering. So at and forgiveness.
his detractors sometimes pro- least you need to like yourself He then asked me what I love
nounce on him. He said matter- and stay emotionally strong with to do. I learn verses from the
of-factly, “I take their feedback meaningful association of good scriptures as a hobby, and he
seriously but not their behavior or friends. With this strength, you suggested I do that right away.
the rulings on my character.” could then learn to ignore your Not only did that distract me from
Pointing to the recent attack on detractors internally and even the hatred message but it also
him, Aki sighed, “Learn to see learn to forgive them or see them helped me discover my inner
them as children, especially when as victims of insecurity, fear, peace. I was after all not used to
they lose it. If a child misbehaves, anger or similar emotions. people lashing out at me.
we don’t judge and see no mean Often when people detest Over time I realized the gentle-
intention. “The child must be you, it’s because of who they are, man who despised me had prob-
hungry” or “he’s got less sleep” or
“that’s sibling rivalry” — this is
how we dispassionately see the To deal with those who either dislike you or
conduct. Well, men do grow up, continuously criticize you for no sound reason,
but I know there’s a child within you simply avoid them. But if you can’t dodge
them; there’s a cause for their bad their malicious missiles, then your strongest
behavior. They have enough
worries in life; maybe they too are
arsenal is self-belief and self-acceptance.
victims of their circumstances. I
give them the benefit of doubt.” not who you are. This thinking is lems with others as well, and that’s
a critical first step for self-preser- when I remembered what Aki
Self- acceptance and vation in a world that regularly once said, “If Aki has a problem
Emotional Hygiene throws up strange, unpleasant with everyone, then Aki is the
If we inherently hate our- surprises. With so much uncer- problem.” When people pass
selves and lack self-respect, we tainty around us, the least we hypercritical judgments on you, it
transfer our badness to others could keep in control is our belief usually stems from their own
because that’s our familiar envi- systems. After all, my attitude is insecurities. They try to feel better
ronment; since to dislike and entirely mine and independent of by prowling on others around
disrespect is natural to us, we who loves me or despises me for them. If someone has a stinking
now do that with others as well. reasons I can’t fathom. fish stuck on his moustache, he’ll
Besides, if we tell sad stories to likely declare that the whole world
ourselves, we attract similar From Grief-to-Grace Space smells. Aki warned me, “If you too
situations. Therefore the golden Once an acquaintance spewed hate him, remember now it’s both
rule of emotional hygiene is: be venom on me in a WhatsApp of you suffering. You can’t drink
kind to yourself and trust your- group and accused meof politics. poison and expect him to die!

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 Exemplary Räjaåñis for garlanding Çaméka Åñi, a Durväsä at last realized his folly
of Vedic Period meditative sage, with a dead and begged forgiveness from the
In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam we snake. Although his offense was king, who patiently waited for
find the episode of a bull that insignificant, Parékñit genuinely over a year to welcome his guest
resisted the urge to hate back. repented his misbehavior. The back. The king not only took no
Religion personified stood as a sage took no offense, but the offense, he even cared for the
bull, his legs broken by Kali, the young and haughty son of the Åñi sage and appeased his hunger
personification of evil. The cursed the king to die in seven and anger.
perpetrator of this cruelty was days. Instead of letting loose a In modern times, the rivalry
evident to anyone who saw the vicious downward spiral of of Thomas Alva Edison and
incident, especially to Parékñit, counter-curses and wars, Parékñit Nikola Tesla in the world of
the grandson of Arjuna and the quietly accepted the extreme engineering is legendary in its
emperor of the world. As soon as punishment with grace and own right. Although Edison is
Parékñit saw the condition of the maturity. Without getting dejected widely regarded as one of the
bull, he got ready to punish Kali. or hopeless, he saw the curse as world’s greatest inventors ever,
the mercy of the the lesser known Nikola Tesla
Lord, and this atti- had to contend with both, Edison
tude attracted more and another renowned inventor,
blessings of the Marconi, who patented the
Lord. wireless radio. Today, Tesla is
The most dra- best known for his design of the
matic episode of modern alternating current (AC)
restraint and respect electricity supply system. Since
— the one that he wasn’t a hardcore business-
reminds me of Aki’s man or a go-getter, he lost many
dealing with the of his patents and died a poor
angry man — is seen man. He loved his work and
when sage Durväsä harbored no ill-feelings to any of
attempted to kill the his rivals, Edison or Marconi.
Lord’s devotee King Tesla’s famous words ring so true
Ambaréña for break- in this age of anger and antipa-
ing his fast without thy: “If your hate could be turned
waiting for him. into electricity, it would light up
Known and feared the whole world.”
widely for his tem- The world surely needs more
per tantrums, of Nikola Tesla’s and Aki’s to
Durväsä went ber- teach us to forgive, let live, and
serk as he created a love while you live in your brief
huge monster to kill sojourn in this world.
Durväsä went berserk as he created Ambaréña over a
a huge monster to kill Ambaréña trivial transgression. Vraja Bihäré Däsa holds a post-
over a trivial transgression. Lord Viñëu came to graduate degree in International
His devotee’s rescue Finance and an MBA from
Still, Mr. Religion refused to play — he immediately discharged his Mumbai University. He is a resi-
the blame game and forgave Kali. fiery disc that not only destroyed dent monk at ISKCON Chowpatty
Later the king himself was a the demon but immediately and an active teacher of bhakti-
victim of disproportionate punish- chased the sage around the yoga. Visit his website:
ment when he was cursed to die universe. Fearing for his life, www.yogaformodernage.com

16 BACK TO GODHEAD
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NOVEMBER 2018
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COVER STORY

Vrindavan
away from
Vrindavan
A new ISKCON temple rises up in another
Indian town, thus fulfilling yet another
dream of Çréla Prabhupäda.

By Radhikä Kåpä Devé Däsé

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NOVEMBER 2018

 Ç
réla Prabhupäda had desired
that the National Capital
Region (NCR) in New Delhi
should have twelve ISKCON
temples. With a view to fulfilling
this desire ISKCON devotees
under the guidance of His Holi-
ness Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé
Mahäräja opened another temple
in Bahadurgarh, a town close to
New Delhi. The history behind
this new temple and the story of
how ISKCON obtained the land is
quite interesting and mysterious.

A Short History
In 1975, when Çréla
Prabhupäda was in Melbourne,
Australia, an Indian couple Gopal
Bharadvaja and Usha Bharadvaja
used to visit the local ISKCON
temple. They had settled in
Australia a few years before, and
they were highly influenced by
Çréla Prabhupäda’s personality and
devotion to Lord Kåñëa. Upon
experiencing his boundless love,
they started associating with him
more closely by attending his
daily classes. They enrolled
themselves as life members, they
would serve him by driving him
to various parts of the city
to give lectures, and they

(Left page) The new

ISKCON temple at
Bahadurgarh and the
presiding deities, Çr”é Çré
Rädhä Madana Gopäla.

(From top): His Holiness

Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé
Mahäräja performing the first
abhiñeka of the deities during
their installation; the fire
sacrifice; the installation of
the temple flag and cakra.

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 (Left) Çré Çré Nitäi Gauracandra;
(above) Räsapriya Däsa, the chief
architect of the temple; (middle
left) Vedavyäsa Däsa, sitting next to
Gopäla Kåñëa Gosvämé Mahäräja.

Construction, Hurdles
and Challenges
The first phase of temple
construction got over in 2003.
During this period Gopal
Bharadvaja passed away from this
world, and Usha oversaw the
could Usha come to India. Upon construction of the new temple.
landing in New Delhi she went The NCR region in New Delhi
straight to ISKCON’s Çré Çré Rädhä was already witnessing the con-
Pärthasärathé temple and started struction of several other ISKCON
inquiring about Çréla Prabhupäda.
But when she heard about Çréla
Prabhupäda’s departure from this
world, she was shocked. Grief-
stricken, she returned home.
Several years later when Usha
again visited New Delhi, she met
His Holiness Gopäla Kåñëa
Gosvämé Mahäräja. After explain-
would share their hearts feelings ing to him her interaction with
to him confidentially. Soon they Çréla Prabhupäda and the promise
felt inspired to donate a piece of she had made to Çréla
land in Bahadurgarh, their home- Prabhupäda, she requested
town near Delhi, to ISKCON for Mahäräja to kindly accept the
building a temple. donation of her land and com-
Çréla Prabhupäda invited them plete the formalities. In this way,
to India, but Gopal could not visit after almost three decades the
India immediately. Several land in Bahadurgarh legally came
months passed, and only in 1977 under ISKCON.

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 (Top) His Holiness Lokanätha
Swami Mahäräja leading a
kértana; naukä-vihär lélä;
Jayaprakash Agarwal, elder
brother of Vedavyäsa,
receiving a token of honor.

temples, so it was not possible to

manage and oversee the con-
struction of yet another temple.
Perhaps Lord Çré Kåñëa had his
divine plans and wanted to see
his temple ready soon. Thus in
2012 the construction of this offered a new
temple restarted. But there were västu design for
several hurdles in the project and the temple — the
work could not proceed design of the new
smoothly. Time was running out temple’s external
and devotees could feel the structure was
anxiety of finishing the project. borrowed from
Sensing the urgency, Gopäla ISKCON
Kåñëa Gosvämé Mahäräja set up a Vrindavan, while
new team under the leadership of the main altar
Vedavyäsa Däsa, who assured housing the
Mahäräja of getting the temple deities would be
ready soon. Räsapriya Däsa, an kept separate from the main anxiety because I wanted to offer
expert in architecture and västu structure. the best quality items to the
design, also joined the team. He deities. By their grace, we got the
Cooperative Effort best resources and materials, and
Being a very successful busi- services of the best artists and
nessman, Vedavyäsa donated a craftsmen.”
significant financial contribution Vedavyäsa shares another
for the project. And Räsapriya too reason for joining this project.
contributed his entire time and Years ago, he had established a
energy for the project, without factory in Bahadurgarh. He was
compromising in any way. Al- glad to get an opportunity to work
though they met with several on a temple project in the same
struggles and challenges in the place where his business life had
beginning, they persevered begun. In this way by the coop-
keeping the pleasure of Guru and erative effort of these devotees, a
Çréla Prabhupäda in the center, land that was barren without Kåñëa
and kept pushing the project consciousness saw a beautiful
forward. In this grand project, temple rising on it.
they oversaw the work of about
200 engineers, laborers, artists Temple Highlights
and craftsmen. Räsapriya recalls, The Rajasthani art found on the
“Since the day I got involved in temple brought life to
the project, I was always full of Bahadurgarh. Gradually the

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temple began to look like a grand palace. The His Holiness Lokanätha Svämé Mahäräja, express-
eighteen-foot main temple entrance made of red ing his wonder, said, “Not only has their Lordships
stone is guarded by Vaikuëöha doorkeepers, Jaya Çré Çri Rädhä Madana Gopäla descended here from
and Vijaya. The central courtyard and its surrounding Vrindavan, they have also brought their entire
areas are filled with incredible pieces of arts, depict- temple here. Except for the tamäla tree present in
ing the pastimes of Lord Kåñëa. These Minakari ISKCON Vrindavan, everything else is identical. I
paintings, filled with intricate glasswork and wish to congratulate the entire team of devotees
woodworks, make it an incredible sight to behold. involved in this beautiful project.”
The temple includes a big hall, an altar for their
Lordships Çré Çré Rädhä Madana Gopäla and Çré Çré
Gaura Nitäi, deity kitchen, upcoming Govinda’s
restaurant, gardens, a guest house, brahmacäré
äçrama and an administrative block in its pre-
mises. Being an extended project of ISKCON
Punjabi Bagh, several brahmacärés (resident
monks and pujärés) have shifted to this new
temple in order to manage the daily services.
The main altar is made of Burmese teakwood,
which was purchased from Jodhpur. The altar
walls are decorated with local artistic work in
which the internal walls are studded with glass
decorations. Beautiful colorful peacocks adorn the
four walls, and the ceiling depicts Kåñëa’s divine
räsa dance. “If you wish to experience Vrindavan
atmosphere,” Vedavyäsa says, “come to ISKCON
Bahadurgardh. In a moment, you will be trans-
ported to Vrindavan.”
In the night, with all the lights on, the temple
looks stunning. Çréla Prabhupäda sitting on his
vyäsäsana looks royal, with two lions guarding his
each side. On his one side you will find Tulasé-
Vrindavan.
Upon witnessing the grand opening ceremony
of the temple, Mrs. Usha Bharadvaja gratefully
expressed her thoughts, “We both had this deep
desire to see a nice ISKCON temple in this part of
the world. It took almost forty years to fulfill this
dream. Let the people of Bahadurgardh receive
the precious gift of Kåñëa consciousness that Çréla
Prabhupäda has distributed all over the world.”

The Descent of Vrindavan

The temple for their Lordships finally opened
on August 18, 2018, and the auspicious präëa-
pratiñöha of the deities was held. More than 8000
devotees participated during the three-day festi-
val packed with various events. Several ISKCON
leaders and sannyäsés graced the occasion.

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SUBHÄÑITA

The Heat of Devotional Separation

and the Feat of Poetic Expression
Translation by Hari Pärñada Däsa,
Commentary by Chandrahas Pujari

vyomni nélämbudac-channe tual reality and spiritual emotions How can such separation, the
guru-våñöi-bhayäd iva to be ineffable, that is, out of zenith of spiritual experience, be
jagräha gréñma-santäpo bounds for words. described by words? It can’t be.
hådayäni viyoginäm And among various spiritual Yet the bhakti tradition urges us to
emotions, the bhakti tradition use all our resources, including
vyomni — on the declares love for the supreme our words, to pursue transcen-
sky; nélämbudac-channe — spiritual reality, Kåñëa, to be the dence, in a mood of service to
becoming enveloped with dark highest emotion. Even within that Kåñëa. Such service attitude
clouds; guru-våñöi-bhayäd — out divine emotion, separation from pleases him, and he mercifully
of fear of heavy rains; iva — as Kåñëa is considered the highest reciprocates by revealing his
if; jagräha — took experience of devotion. Why? glories, thus increasing our love
shelter; gréñma-santäpa? — the Because separation intensifies for him. Given this divine devo-
summer-heat; hådayäni — of the devotion. Feeling deprived of his tional dynamic, the bhakti
hearts; viyoginäm — of those personal presence, devotees long worldview asserts that the pur-
separated from their beloved. for him with far greater urgency pose and perfection of words is
As soon as monsoon ar- and fervency. to glorify the one who is the
rived and the sky was envel- source of all words: Kåñëa.
oped in dark clouds, the Great saintly poets use
burning heat of the summer words expertly not just to
season feared for its life due glorify Kåñëa but to also give us
to the imminent heavy some glimpses of the ecstasy
rains. Out of this fear, the of devotion. To aid such verbal-
summer heat promptly took ization, they often use various
shelter of the hearts of metaphors. One rich source of
those who are separated metaphors is nature. This verse
from their beloved. uses a riveting metaphor drawn
— Subhäñitävalé of from nature. Poetically personi-
Vallabhadeva, 1733. fying heat, the verse states that
heat needs refuge when its
Intense emotions are often reign is ruined by the arrival of
difficult to express in words. rain. And heat finds refuge in
Even more so are intense the heart — specifically the
spiritual emotions. Indeed, hearts of those suffering sepa-
some traditions consider spiri- (Continued on page 32)

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 Shopping Tips for Meditation
By Gopinätha Candra Däsa

Y
our mind is like a large is called a geometric progression. philosophical basis are like
piece of paper. The first And meditation, if you do it right, commodities with a detailed
time you meditate, it’s can be just as progressive. product description. If you want
like folding a paper. The second The spiritual self-help to make an informed decision,
time you meditate, it’s like taking “market” is booming, and gurus these should be your top picks.
the folded paper and folding it are vying to grow their When you vet a spiritual path,
over again. To meditate daily “customer-base.” Are you out look for answers to What,
is like folding that paper again, “shopping” for a meditation How and Why:
and again, and again. technique, a sacred mantra, a What results does this spiritual
If you actually refold a paper, yoga school, a spiritual path — or path promise? The answer to this
say, 50 times, how tall will the anything connected to Vedic question should resonate with
final stack be? As thick as a spirituality? Here are a few you.
phone book, you may say. But in shopping tips that may come in How to tread this spiritual
reality, the height of that folded handy. path? The answer should detail
paper will be approximately the spiritual practices you are
94.5 million miles! If you fold it 1. Study the “product expected to follow. Once you
once more, its height will be description”: Spiritual paths (or know what price you have to pay
twice as much. This is an meditation techniques, yoga in terms of commitment, see if it
example of what in mathematics schools, etc.) with a sound fits your “budget”; see if it’s a

24 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018

deal. visit to the “showroom” — the connected to the Brahma-
Why is this spiritual path the ashram, the temple, or the Madhva-Gauòéya lineage.
better choice? The answer meditation center — and get into
should be based on Vedic casual conversations with 4. If you get stuck,
citations, the arguments scientific veterans. See if their experience “Google”: Recently, I was
and logical. matches the What, the How, and shopping for a note-taking app.
In spirituality, “customer the Why of the philosophy. After studying the product
satisfaction” doesn’t come easy. If The role of these veterans or descriptions, plowing through the
you “buy” a meditation technique, sädhus goes beyond the reviews, and checking the brands
for example, results show up “purchase.” Later, while traversing of all the options available, I
only after days, weeks, or even the spiritual path you will need narrowed down my choice list to
years of committed practice. Till them for inspiration and guidance. two: Evernote and OneNote. Both
then you have to keep going, So go for a path that has plenty of seemed equally good, and I felt
relying on whatever accessible role models. indefinitely stuck at the
philosophical conviction you crossroads. But then I turned to
have mustered. 3. Check out the “brand”: A Google, expressed my dilemma
On any spiritual path, the spiritual technique received from in the search box, and the answer
philosophy often carries you a guru who belongs to an came easy.
longer than you expect. So go for authentic lineage has good “brand In spiritual “shopping,”
a path that has a robust however,
philosophy. Google may
not come
2. Plow through the handy. As we
“reviews”: Online reviews on discussed
spirituality are unreliable. The earlier, online
reviewer almost never tells how opinions on
long he has been on the journey. spirituality are
Perhaps he hasn’t even begun, often
and so doesn’t have anything unreliable. So
meaningful to say. what do you
And online reviewers rarely do when you
give details of their powerful are stuck
influencer — their cultural opting
background. For instance, between
Westerners visiting our temple at spiritual paths
Mumbai invariably leave behind Check out the brand of spirituality you that seem
get before blindly following it.
five-star reviews on Google, equally good?
partly because they are Turn to
overwhelmed by the flower value.” For it to be bona fide, a God, express to him your
garland they receive from our lineage should be hundreds of dilemma, and sincerely pray for
guest reception team. For Indian years old and should have at least direction. The answer will come
guests, however, a garland one mention in Vedic literature. easy.
neither adds to the experience For example, the mantra that I
nor to the review. chant during meditation — Hare Gopinätha Candra Däsa is a
So to get a fair idea about a Kåñëa Hare Kåñëa Kåñëa Kåñëa monk at the ISKCON temple at
spiritual path, meet practitioners Hare Hare, Hare Räma Hare Chowpatty, Mumbai. He writes
in person. Well, this is much Räma Räma Räma Hare Hare — I regularly for the
easier than it sounds. Just pay a have received from a guru who is website thesacredconnect.com.

NOVEMBER 2018
BACK TO GODHEAD 25

 Taking the Bypass Road
Every thought or action actuates karmic reaction. By shifting our frame
of reference, we can effectively bypass and exit the timeless karmic cycle.

By Gautam Saha

M
an is a being whose lable as well (Gétä 6.34). Our our proclivities and choice of
mind is ever in free thoughts are in constant flux, actions.
play. The mind moving around with fluid ease
generates its own independent within our cognitions, physical Karma encompasses all
and unforced thoughts, and charts and emotional experiences, thoughts and actions
its own course. It can be stub- relationships, and life situation. Over his life span, a man
born, wayward and uncontrol- The quality of our thinking directs amasses a load of thoughts and

26 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018

actions. This accumulation initiates kick in for subsequent deeds. 6.27-28). Accordingly, when our
reactions, which reminds us of This explains why some consciousness and work are
Isaac Newton’s third law of motion, unsavoury persons without good offerings to Kåñëa, aimed for his
“To every action, there is always an deeds in this life enjoy great satisfaction or pleasure, we are
equal and opposite reaction.” opulence and luxury, whereas above materiality, and are well
Reaction to our conscious some very noble persons are and truly on the spiritual path.
thoughts and actions in life is seen to live in poverty or misery. Loosening our bondage to karma
known in Vedic philosophy as has been initiated.
karma. There are many refer- Shifting the frame
ences to karma in scriptures. “A of reference Working in Kåñëa
man attached to his body accumu- Vedic scriptures inform that Consciousness
lates money with great struggle to there is a spiritual realm beyond Preparing food for Kåñëa,
expand and protect the position material conditions, where the making dresses for his arcä-
of his wife, children, property, Supreme Lord Kåñëa and His murti, making flower garlands for
domestic animals, servants, eternal consort Rädhä reside with him, dancing before him, singing
homes, relatives, friends, and so their confidential associates. his glories, helping to build a
on. He does this for the gratifica- Though all living entities are beautiful temple for him, distrib-
tion of his own body. As a tree essentially servants of the Lord uting his prasäda, helping in
before dying produces the seed and would be happiest to regain publishing and disseminating
of a future tree, the dying body such positions, the Lord, in His spiritual literature, congregational
manifests the seed of one’s next magnanimity, considers us His chanting of his holy names,
material body in the form of one’s associates. During Kåñëa’s pas- organizing Bhagavad-gétä or
accumulated karma. Thus assur- times in Vrindavan, he deliber- Çrémad-Bhägavatam recital pro-
ing the continuation of material ately concealed his supreme grams, and such other activities,
existence, the material body sinks godhood to enjoy pastimes of are loving offerings to Kåñëa.
down and dies (Bhäg. 11.9.26).” equality and fraternity with the Temporary obstacles arise in
The more determined we are to gopas and gopés, in friendly or life due to the interplay of the
acquire and retain material pos- amorous dealings. These pas- three gunas (modes) of material
sessions, the deeper do we times are reflections of His eter- nature. We need not thereby
entrench ourselves in a material- nal pastimes in His spiritual allow our equanimity to be dis-
istic mindset. We must undergo planet Kåñëaloka or Goloka turbed. Kåñëa’s pleasure is the
added reactions to our activities. Vrindavan. critical linkage we should strive
Regarding action-reaction, Longing for anything material for. If we are constantly cognizant
there is a difference between or any living being is on the that Kåñëa is the Lord, Master, and
classical physics and Vedic phi- material plane, actuating karmic Sustainer of the cosmos, our work
losophy. Newton’s third law acts reactions, which can be under- is in Kåñëa consciousness.
instantaneously. However, karma gone only in material bodies.
takes its time to react, but react it Residing within our hearts as At the crossroads
does unfailingly. Sometimes the Paramätmä, Kåñëa only observes Our daily connection with
reaction or karmic correction and permits, never interfering in Kåñëa, howsoever simple, is
takes place in this life, sometimes our choices. At Kurukñetra, Kåñëa spiritually potent, indicating to
in the next life, or even a few patiently allowed Arjuna full him that we are ready to depart
lifetimes later. This is because an space, time, and independence, from this whirlpool of repeated
individual has a large balance of to take his own decision. birth, these miserable conditions,
good or bad deeds from previous A loving relationship with Lord and return to Him. The Lord has
lives, which need to be addressed Kåñëa (or Vishnu) and shelter at his been patiently waiting to receive
and equalized fully, before ap- lotus feet, is the highest spiritual this signal from us since the time
propriate karmic corrections can attainment for any ätmä (Gétä we rebelled most ungraciously,

NOVEMBER 2018
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and left him, to satisfy our base assure that it is the only road to permanent happiness. A social
cravings to enjoy matter indepen- exit the whirlpool of repeated climbing mentality, together with
dently. birth. an attitude of one-upmanship for
If we still choose to harbour a amassing material status-symbols,
materialistic mentality, to con- Taking the bypass road and striving to compete with and
tinue to enjoy and exploit fully If we consciously work not for surpass relatives, friends and
various facilities available in the our personal gain or pleasure, but neighbours, is called keeping up
material world, ignoring Kåñëa, for Kåñëa’s pleasure, we effec- with the Joneses. We should not
we ourselves compel him to tively hand over the reins of our become characters ourselves in
ignore us, as Kåñëa never life’s chariot, like Arjuna, to the cartoon strip of that name. We
meddles in our free choices. We Kåñëa. He assumes control, and ignore Kåñëa at our own risk and
empower the stringent and un- we, cognizant that He shall suffi- cost.
swerving laws of karma to kick in ciently fulfil all our short and long Flies and insects, attracted by
by default, for repeated birth in term needs (Gétä 9.22), discard the colour or smell, and impelled
the material realm. longing or expectation, gradually by their instinct to enjoy, crawl
We prefer a highway or a main becoming free from worry and into the well designed trap of
road when we want to go some- anxiety. The extent we become insectivorous plants, to be con-
where. We normally avoid a carefree or fearless is propor- sumed, ending their quest for
narrow and unattractive bypass tional to our conviction about happiness. All roads, lined with
road. In material life, mäyä’s Kåñëa’s protection. large technicolor hoardings
machinations ensure that all roads We can take a conscious, sponsored by the Lord’s illusory
leading to entanglement in the unforced, and firm decision, to energy mäyä, promising heaven
material world, look like great work for and on behalf of Kåñëa, on earth, lead into the forest of
highways. “O My Lord, those diligently, in business, in service, delusion, detaining us, beguiled
whose hearts are bewildered by as professionals, or in self em- and helpless, in the material
the influence of lust, greed, envy ployment. We could consider realm. But humans are endowed
and illusion, are interested only in ourselves His trustees, agents, with intelligence and discrimina-
false hearth and home in this representatives or servants. Kåñëa tion. We should have faith in
world which is created by your absorbs all karmic reactions Vedic scripture. We should take
mäyä. Attached to home, wife implicit in our work, if any (Gétä the bypass road leading to Kåñëa,
and children, they wander in this 5.10).” If we work with steady our eternal benefactor and pro-
material world perpetually faith and without envy, our work vider. This is the only road to
(Bhagavatam 9.8.25).” no longer entangles us in karma permanent happiness.
The bypass road of Kåñëa (Gétä 4.22).”
consciousness does not appear We don’t stop work, but work Gautam Saha has done his
promising to a beginner, as some in a way that will give Kåñëa chemical engineering from IIT
lifestyle restrictions and self- pleasure. Once we firmly shift Bombay, and he has a diploma in
discipline are necessary. Vedic our frame of reference, from Export Management. He is ex-
knowledge might not have been plain materialism to Kåñëa con- CEO of the Indo-Angola Chamber
received from an authentic sciousness, we effectively bypass of Commerce & Industry and is
source. Daily hobnobbing with and negate karma, for good. Let engaged in corporate communi-
materialistic persons might influ- us avoid jumping into the fray of cations. He is guest speaker at
ence us adversely. The destina- material one-upmanship, the rat Mumbai University’s Centre for
tion of the bypass road might race of life, like most others, to African Studies. He and his wife
appear far-fetched, incredible, or struggle life after life, in various have been practicing Kåñëa
imaginary, in Kali-yuga’s contem- species of bodies, in repeated consciousness for the last several
porary milieu. Hence many avoid attempts to dominate and enjoy years.
this road, even though scriptures matter, hoping each time for

28 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018

U PÄ K H Y Ä N E U P A D E Ç A

Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, the spiritual master of

Çréla Prabhupäda, often used short stories to explain philosophical points in
Kåñëa consciousness. Here we present each of these lessons as comics.

NOVEMBER 2018
BACK TO GODHEAD 29

30 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018
EVERY TOWN & VILLAGE
World Holy Name Festival in the UK

this order. They inspired their congregations to

purchase and gift Srimad-Bhagavatam sets to their
Leicester: Çré Kåñëa’s holy names were chanted friends, family and co-workers, as well as to
throughout the weekend. This year’s festival was distribute them door-to-door.
made extra special as it was celebrating the 35th This year, from July until Bhadra Purnima on
anniversary of Çré Çré Rädhä Mädhava’s installation, September 24-25, the campaign to distribute Çrémad-
and that the Grade II listed temple was able to Bhägavatam engulfed the entire world. India, the
welcome new guests as part of Heritage Open Day, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South
where historic buildings in the city open their doors America, and over 36 temples across the U.S. and
to visitors to get a glimpse behind the scenes. Canada all participated. In the UK, devotees set a
goal for 80 sets but distributed 183, more than
Newcastle: Devotees dedicated their monthly double. North America’s goal of 450 was nearly
Sacred Street Party in the city centre to the World tripled, with over 1,286 sets distributed. One of the
Holy Name Festival. Over thirty devotees were biggest players was India, with over 5,151 sets.
joined on the streets by Jaya Nitäi Däsa and Bhäva Overall, an amazing 7,007 full sets of Çrémad-
Bhakti Devé Däsé from ISKCON London for the Bhägavatam were distributed throughout the world.
event, and did two hours of kértana, distributed 54
of Çréla Prabhupäda’s books, 180 prasäda sweets, Indian Ambassador Inaugurates
and 900 mantra cards. Ratha-yäträ in Bulgaria

Bhaktivedanta Manor, London: Devotees took to

the streets of Surrey for the Festival, where they
visited Slough, Windsor, Staines and Kingston for
harinäma-saìkértana. Around a dozen devotees,
some from the äçrama and some from the
community, took part in the event, which was
organized by the regular Saturday daytime
harinäma team. Despite the rain on the 22nd, the
devotees had a great day, distributing about 350
bags of fruit and nuts prasäda, some books and
leaflets inviting people to the temple.

Bhadra Campaign Inundates

the World with Bhägavatam Sets Sofia, Bulgaria: On September 15, ISKCON
Last year, several temples in North America and devotees organized Ratha-yäträ here. The Indian
India launched a Bhadra Purnima campaign to fulfill Ambassador to Bulgaria, Ms. Pooja Kapur,

NOVEMBER 2018
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inaugurated the cultural festival. During the course
of the day, hundreds of people poured in the
prestigious Borisova Gardens to enjoy the flavors of
India and Krishna consciousness.

Devotees Celebrate Çréla Prabhupäda’s

“Summer in Montreal”

many years and developed the conference after

carefully listening to the congregation’s needs. The
event began with two presentations being offered
twice, for parents and students to attend separately.
...
The Heat of ....
(Continued from page 23)
ration from their beloved. That is, their hearts start
burning, being tormented by the fire of separation
from their beloved.
Montreal, Canada: Hundreds of devotees recently Specifically, this verse describes the mood of the
gathered at the ISKCON temple here to celebrate the gopés of Vrindavan whose longing for Kåñëa in-
50th anniversary of Çréla Prabhupäda’s “Summer in creased with the arrival of the monsoon season.
Montreal,” when he spent three months from June to Significantly, the metaphor of seasonal variation of
August of 1968 in the city. The five-day festival ran temperature correlates further with the seasonal
from September 1-4, over the Labor Day Weekend, variation of human emotion. Romantic emotions
and included Janmäñöamé and Çréla Prabhupäda’s often increase in the rainy season. Though the gopés’
Vyäsa-Püja. Prabhupäda disciples Mälaté Devé and love for Kåñëa is transcendental, still that transcen-
Bharadaräja Däsa were the guests of honor for the dental love manifests in a romantic mood. It is
event. The celebrations included lots of ecstatic therefore apt that their love intensifies in the season
kértanas led by Bharadaräja, Bhaktimärga Swami, and of love: the rainy season. Though they feel afflicted
many of ISKCON Montreal’s dedicated youth. whenever they are separated from Kåñëa, they feel
especially afflicted when such separation occurs in
ISKCON Teens Network with Devotee the rainy season. That intensified feeling of separa-
Professionals at Career Conference tion is depicted and celebrated in exalted poetic
Towaco, New Jersey, USA: About thirty high compositions such as the gopi-gétä (Çrémad-
school students and college freshmen, along with Bhägavatam 10.31). And we can worship and cher-
their parents, attended a College and Career ish and strive for that devotion by practicing the
Conference at the ISKCON Towaco temple in New purificatory process of bhakti-yoga according to our
Jersey on September 8th. Some forty devotee present level of devotion.
volunteers – all working professionals or early Though we can’t fully comprehend the gopés’ love
college grads – were there to network with the for Kåñëa, we can still get a taste of that love by appre-
students, as well as to speak to them in panel ciating exquisite poetic expressions of that emotion
discussions and workshops. such as the one in this verse. And that taste can inspire
Organizers Gopika and Aksh Sharma from us to strengthen our bhakti practice, thereby preparing
Towaco, and Yash Gupta from ISKCON of Central our heart to one day dive deeply and drink eternally
New Jersey, have worked with ISKCON youth for from the infinite ocean of devotion.

32 BACK TO GODHEAD
NOVEMBER 2018

 The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
CENTRES IN INDIA
Founder-Äcärya: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada
ANDHRA PRADESH: Hanumkonda—(08712) 77399; [email protected]; TAMIL NADU: Chennai— (044)
Hyderabad—(040) 2474-4969/ 24530921; Coimbatore— (0422) 2574508/ info@iskcon-
[email protected], Nellore—0861-2314577, coimbatore.org; HOSUR— 09443853499-09443122623
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9844234108/[email protected]; Belgaum— 2 Nov: Çré Virabhadra Appearance
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9844325616; KERALA: Thiruvananthapuram—(0471) 4 Nov: Dvadasi (suitable for fasting) Fasting for Ramä
2328197/ [email protected]. MADHYA PRADESH: Ekädaçi
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(0510)2443602;Ujjain—0734-235000/
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Kaundanyapur, Amravati—07225202805, 09423127845/ 8 Nov: Go Püjä, Go Kréòä, Govardhana Püjä, Dépadäna,
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[email protected]; Chowpatty, Mumbai—(022) 9 Nov: Çré Väsudeva Ghosh Disappearance
23665500/ [email protected]; Juhu, 11 Nov: Çréla Prabhupäda Disappearance
Mumbai—(022) 26206860/ [email protected]; 16 Nov: Gopäñöamé, Goñöhäñöamé, Çré Gadädhara Däsa
Kharghar, Navi Mumbai— 9820039911/ Gosvämé Disappearance, Çré Dhanaïjaya Paëòita
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28454667, 9223183023/[email protected]; Disappearance, Çré Çréniväsa Äcärya Disappearance
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234806; Ludhiana—(0161) 2770600, 9815940005/ Disappearance
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(05644) 22044; Jaipur—(0141) 2782765, 2781860/ 13 Dec: Oòana-ñañöhé

NOVEMBER 2018
BACK TO GODHEAD 33

EDITORIAL
Busting Meditation Myths

T
he Bhagavad-gétä uses the word dhyäna for Detachment involves delinking ourselves from
meditation. Within the eight-limbed yoga system matter and engagement of the mind in spirit.
(commonly known in India as the añöäìga-yoga
method) dhyäna is the seventh limb. Kåñëa explains Myth 2: “Meditation will solve all my
that to practice yoga, one should go to a secluded problems.”
place and lay kuça grass on the ground and then cover The kind of cheap meditation techniques sold
it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should be today will certainly not solve all your problems. But
neither too high nor too low and should be situated in the best meditation process recommended for this age
a sacred place. The yogé should then sit on it very certainly will solve all the problems of material life.
firmly and practice yoga to purify the heart by Today people have forgotten their relationship with
controlling his mind, senses and activities and fixing God, but this incarnation of Kåñëa in the form of His
the mind on one point. One should hold one's body, holy names, this chanting of Hare Kåñëa, will deliver
neck and head all the people of the world from their forgetfulness.
erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu says that if we chant or
the nose. Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, associate with the chanting of the holy names of
devoid of fear, completely free from sex life, one Kåñëa, we will reach the highest perfectional stage of
should meditate upon Me within the heart and make life. According to Çrémad-Bhägavatam there are
Me the ultimate goal of life." different processes for different ages, but the principle
What was Arjuna's reaction after hearing this of each process remains valid in all ages. It is not that
definition? He frankly admitted his disqualification for the chanting of Hare Kåñëa is effective in this age and
practicing this yogic process. He said, “O Kåñëa the not in Satya-yuga. Nor is it that people were not
system of yoga which you have summarized appears chanting the holy names of Kåñëa in Satya-yuga. In
impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is Satya-yuga meditation was the main process, and great
restless and unsteady.” And Kåñëa also agreed with meditators meditated for periods extending upwards of
this assessment. 60,000 years. In this age, however, perfection by that
So let us take the above mentioned myths and see means of meditation is not possible because we are so
how they stand up for scrutiny. short-lived. Consequently in this age it is especially
recommended that we all sit down together and chant
Myth 1: “There is no correct way to meditate.” Hare Kåñëa.
This is typical of the modern mythology around
meditation. It is a fashion to talk about meditation Myth 3: “We should meditate on the void.”
nowadays. Although Kåñëa agreed with Arjuna’s idea It is generally thought, at least in the Western
of yogic meditation being impractical in today’s times, world, that the yoga system involves meditating on the
Kåñëa said it is possible by suitable practice and by void. But the Vedic literatures do not recommend
detachment. meditating on any void. Rather, the Vedas maintain
In the present age no one can observe the strict that yoga means meditation on Viñëu, and this is also
rules and regulations of yogic meditation. By the maintained in Bhagavad-gétä.
practice of Kåñëa consciousness, however, one In conclusion, meditation is recommended not just
engages in nine types of devotional service to the for Kali-yuga. Actually, it is recommended for every
Lord. The first and foremost of such devotional age. There have always been many devotees who have
engagements is hearing about Kåñëa. This is a very chanted and reached perfection in all ages. That is the
powerful transcendental method for purging the mind beauty of this Kåñëa consciousness movement. It is not
of all misgivings. The more one hears about Kåñëa, simply for one age, or for one country, or for one class
the more one becomes enlightened and detached of people. Hare Kåñëa can be chanted by any man in
from everything that draws the mind away from Kåñëa. any social position, in any country and in any age, for
By detaching the mind from activities not devoted Kåñëa is the Supreme Lord of all people in all social
to the Lord, one can very easily learn detachment. positions, in all countries, in all ages.
—Çyämänanda Däsa

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NOVEMBER 2018