| Slide 1 : back Session 4 Why do bad things happen to good people |
| Quote : Quote Padma Purana says…there are, 9,00,000 species of aquatic life |
| Slide 3 : 2,000,000 species of Plants and Trees |
| Slide 4 : 1,100,000 species of insects |
| Slide 5 : 1,000,000 species of bird life |
| 3,000,000 species of beasts : 3,000,000 species of beasts |
| 400,000 species of human life : 400,000 species of human life |
| Slide 8 : The meaning of “species” used by biologists applies to the gross physical appearance of the body.
The Vedic meaning is based on the level of consciousness of the living being. |
| Slide 9 : Biologists say that all human beings belong to one species, whereas the Vedic literatures list 400,000 human species according to consciousness of the living entities. |
| The varieties of life forms are products of combinations and permutations of the 3 modes of nature – goodness, passion and Ignorance. : The varieties of life forms are products of combinations and permutations of the 3 modes of nature – goodness, passion and Ignorance. |
| Slide 11 : The life forms are just like temporary houses of different shapes, sizes, in which the living being, temporarily resides. The price for obtaining a specific form is KARMA. |
| The forms governed by the 3 modes, puts a constraint on the qualities and activities of living being’s consciousness. : The forms governed by the 3 modes, puts a constraint on the qualities and activities of living being’s consciousness. |
| 3 Modes of Material Nature : 3 Modes of Material Nature Sattva Guna (Mode of Goodness)
Rajo Guna (Mode of Passion)
Tamo Guna (Mode of Ignorance)
Guna means “Rope”. |
| Rope is made by twisting fiber in a threefold process.Similarly, the 3 modes of nature are “twisted together” innumerable times.In this way, the material energy binds us more and more. : Rope is made by twisting fiber in a threefold process.Similarly, the 3 modes of nature are “twisted together” innumerable times.In this way, the material energy binds us more and more. |
| This bondage is known as “PAVARGA” : This bondage is known as “PAVARGA” Pa – Parisrama = hard struggle of existence
Pha – Phena = Foam from mouth coming due to heavy hard work for sense gratification |
| Slide 16 : Ba – Bandha = bondage
Bha – Bhaya = Fear
Ma – Mrtyu = Death |
| Through Krishna consciousness one attains ‘apavarga’, where there is no hard struggle for existence, no material bondage, fear or death. : Through Krishna consciousness one attains ‘apavarga’, where there is no hard struggle for existence, no material bondage, fear or death. |
| Characteristics of one in Goodness, Passion and Ignorance : Characteristics of one in Goodness, Passion and Ignorance |
| Mode of Goodness : Mode of Goodness Formula --Simple living high thinking
Leads life according to scriptures
Not so much affected by material miseries |
| Slide 20 : Sense of advancement in material knowledge
Sense of happiness & peace
More or less free from sinful reactions
Symptom: Always Peaceful |
| Mode of Passion : Mode of Passion Formula-- Money is honey .
Develops hankering for material enjoyment.
Wants honor, prestige, name, fame, good status |
| Slide 22 : Works very hard
Spending for building hospitals, giving charity for prestige & fame
They make a show of being religious, but it is more or less a social affair,
Symptom:In anxiety &stress |
| Slide 23 : Today more or less the whole world is in the mode of passion.
The Vedic society is considered to be in the mode of goodness. |
| Mode of Ignorance : Mode of Ignorance One cannot understand what is what
The person in MOI is very lazy and unclean
He has no interest in spiritual life |
| Slide 25 : He is very inactive and dull
Sleeps atleast 10 to 12 hours a day
Always appears to be dejected |
| Slide 26 : He is addicted to intoxicants and sleeping
Whatever he does is good neither for him nor for anyone
Always procrastinates things |
| What makes us act in a particular way? : What makes us act in a particular way? We generally think that we are in control of our actions and that we are making our own decisions
But Krsna, the Supreme Authority declares that this is not the case. |
| Quote : Quote Prakrteh kriyamanani
Gunaih karmani sarvasah
Ahankara-vimudhatma
Kartaham iti manyate
“The spirit soul bewildered by the influences of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the 3 modes of material nature.” [B.G. 3.27] |
| Quote : Quote Urdhvam gacchanti sattva-stha
Madhye tisthanti rajasah
Jaghanya-guna-vrtti-stha
Adho gacchanti tamasah
“Those in the MOG gradually go upward to the higher planets; Those in the MOP live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable MOI go down to the hellish worlds.” [B.G. 14.18] |
| Pious beings are elevated to higher planets and impious beings are cast down into lower planets. : Pious beings are elevated to higher planets and impious beings are cast down into lower planets. |
| Jail Example : Jail Example |
| Slide 34 : Every action performed
results in a reaction. THE
LAW
OF
KARMA |
| Definition of KarmaThe function and activity of the living entity within the framework of his free will and under the influence of the 3 modes of material nature over a span of time. : Definition of KarmaThe function and activity of the living entity within the framework of his free will and under the influence of the 3 modes of material nature over a span of time. |
| Slide 37 : Four phases of reaction Aprarabdha - reactions which are unmanifested or in dormant stage Kutam - reactions which are stored up but tending towards bija Bija -reactions in the form of seeds Prarabdha - current reactions |
| Slide 38 : SHOULD I STEAL THIS MONEY? I WILL STEAL THIS MONEY
ON 1/10/2008 SINFUL TENDENCY (Kutam) SINFUL DESIRES (Bijam) UNMANIFEST REACTION
(Aprarabdha) MANIFEST REACTION
(Prarabdha) |
| Quote : Quote Karmano hy api boddhavyam
Boddhavyam ca vikarmanah
Akarmanas ca boddhavyam
Gahana karmano gatih
“The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.” [B.G. 4.17] |
| 2 children are born on the same day. One is born with a silver spoon, bright, healthy, wealthy, attractive with a future full of promise.The second child is born to a mother, a good lady, who was abandoned while pregnant. : 2 children are born on the same day. One is born with a silver spoon, bright, healthy, wealthy, attractive with a future full of promise.The second child is born to a mother, a good lady, who was abandoned while pregnant. |
| Just as a person selects an automobile based on personal driving needs and purchasing power, material nature responding to our desires and actions arranges our body. : Just as a person selects an automobile based on personal driving needs and purchasing power, material nature responding to our desires and actions arranges our body. |
| If one performs action according to the laws of God as given in the scriptures, then it is called Karma (or Good Karma)If one wastes this human form of life which is meant for self realisation by engaging solely in the animalistic activities then it is Bad Karma (Vikarma) : If one performs action according to the laws of God as given in the scriptures, then it is called Karma (or Good Karma)If one wastes this human form of life which is meant for self realisation by engaging solely in the animalistic activities then it is Bad Karma (Vikarma) |
| Quote : Quote A-brahma-bhuvanal lokah
Punar avartino ‘rjuna
Mam upetya tu kaunteya
Punar janma na vidyate
“From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.” [B.G. 8.16] |
| If a man steals something and has changed dress, he cannot escape punishment. The police will catch him and punish him. : If a man steals something and has changed dress, he cannot escape punishment. The police will catch him and punish him. |
| Similarly we may have performed some bad activity in the past and now have changed our dress (body), but we have to reap the bad result. That is why sometimes good people appear to suffer. : Similarly we may have performed some bad activity in the past and now have changed our dress (body), but we have to reap the bad result. That is why sometimes good people appear to suffer. |
| With a broader vision of universal justice, we can see how each individual soul is alone responsible for his own karma. : With a broader vision of universal justice, we can see how each individual soul is alone responsible for his own karma. |
| What is Collective Karma? : What is Collective Karma? Everyone of us have to bear the reaction for our individual actions in future
But why sometimes a whole family, society or country suffers? |
| Bosnia, Vietnam or Africa etc., suffer due to collective bad karma.Sometimes people who have previously committed heinous acts like cow-killing or abortion are all pooled up together in one airplane and they are all finished by plane crash. : Bosnia, Vietnam or Africa etc., suffer due to collective bad karma.Sometimes people who have previously committed heinous acts like cow-killing or abortion are all pooled up together in one airplane and they are all finished by plane crash. |
| Miseries of Material ExistenceEven if one is elevated to heavenly planets due to one’s good karma he has to undergo the cycle of birth, old age, disease and death. : Miseries of Material ExistenceEven if one is elevated to heavenly planets due to one’s good karma he has to undergo the cycle of birth, old age, disease and death. |
| A company may give some money and 20 days to its employee to enjoy in some tourist resort. Going to heavenly planets is like that. : A company may give some money and 20 days to its employee to enjoy in some tourist resort. Going to heavenly planets is like that. |
| But after the leave is over, the man has to come back to job and work hard again. Similarly when the ‘punya’ is over, ‘ksine punye martya lokam visanti’ one falls back into the same earth to again continue birth and death. What is the use of such temporary elevation to heaven? : But after the leave is over, the man has to come back to job and work hard again. Similarly when the ‘punya’ is over, ‘ksine punye martya lokam visanti’ one falls back into the same earth to again continue birth and death. What is the use of such temporary elevation to heaven? |
| How to act without Entanglement?One must do A-KARMA which means aligning one’s activities to Krsna’s desires. : How to act without Entanglement?One must do A-KARMA which means aligning one’s activities to Krsna’s desires. |
| A soldier in the army may kill 100’s of people in the opposite army and get highest reward for it but after his retirement, if he kills some one due to some enmity, he will be given death sentence. : A soldier in the army may kill 100’s of people in the opposite army and get highest reward for it but after his retirement, if he kills some one due to some enmity, he will be given death sentence. |
| The soldier in the first case acted on Government’s account (by their order) and in the second case on his own behalf.Similarly we must perform actions on Lord’s account and not on our own account. : The soldier in the first case acted on Government’s account (by their order) and in the second case on his own behalf.Similarly we must perform actions on Lord’s account and not on our own account. |
| Ideal example of Arjuna and DuryodhanaArjuna fought for the pleasure of Krsna and is glorified even today; Duryodhana fought for his own personal motives and he became infamous. : Ideal example of Arjuna and DuryodhanaArjuna fought for the pleasure of Krsna and is glorified even today; Duryodhana fought for his own personal motives and he became infamous. |
| Although these activities may apparently appear to be contrary to moral principles we should understand that they are on a transcendental plane. Krsna is the father of religion. : Although these activities may apparently appear to be contrary to moral principles we should understand that they are on a transcendental plane. Krsna is the father of religion. |
| In a dark room a candle may certainly be good. Mundane moral principles are like that. But when sun rises in the sky what is the stand of an insignificant candle? That sun is like the will of Lord Krsna. : In a dark room a candle may certainly be good. Mundane moral principles are like that. But when sun rises in the sky what is the stand of an insignificant candle? That sun is like the will of Lord Krsna. |
| Krsna is our mother, father, relative, friend, be all and end all. He knows what is best for every living entity. He acts in a way to bring good to every living entity. Lord is never immoral. HE IS ALL GOOD. : Krsna is our mother, father, relative, friend, be all and end all. He knows what is best for every living entity. He acts in a way to bring good to every living entity. Lord is never immoral. HE IS ALL GOOD. |
| (eg) mother slaps or embraces a child – but she truly loves it. Similarly Krsna may kill demons and favor devotees but it is all for everyone’s good. So Lord’s activities are supramundane and a devotee should just co-operate with the Lord. : (eg) mother slaps or embraces a child – but she truly loves it. Similarly Krsna may kill demons and favor devotees but it is all for everyone’s good. So Lord’s activities are supramundane and a devotee should just co-operate with the Lord. |
| Slide 60 : KARMA
Any prescribed material activity that produces a reaction and therefore leads to the development of another body. VIKARMA
Actions not prescribed as per sastra or prohibited action. AKARMA
Actions done for the Lord. |
| Moral : Moral Bad things happen to bad people
Good things happen to good people |
| Greatest Welfare Work : Greatest Welfare Work Feeding the poor, doing charity, opening hospitals are only secondary to genuinely taking care of the soul through spiritual education and practices. |
| The care taker of the parrot spent all her time in taking care of the cage rather than feeding the parrot; the parrot eventually died. : The care taker of the parrot spent all her time in taking care of the cage rather than feeding the parrot; the parrot eventually died. |
| Similarly in this age people are outright body conscious. They totally neglect feeding spiritual food to the soul.Real welfare work is realizing and practicing one’s own spiritual duty and teaching the same to others. : Similarly in this age people are outright body conscious. They totally neglect feeding spiritual food to the soul.Real welfare work is realizing and practicing one’s own spiritual duty and teaching the same to others. |
| Once a millionaire went for swimming and was being carried by the current. A well-built young man came over there; went into the water and recovered the coat of the rich man rather than saving the man thinking that he will get lot of money by selling the golden coat! : Once a millionaire went for swimming and was being carried by the current. A well-built young man came over there; went into the water and recovered the coat of the rich man rather than saving the man thinking that he will get lot of money by selling the golden coat! |
| People in the shore chastised him, “You fool! If you had saved the rich man, he would have given you millions of dollars prize!”The moral of this story:we go on increasing the comforts of the body which is no better than a shirt and neglect our soul. : People in the shore chastised him, “You fool! If you had saved the rich man, he would have given you millions of dollars prize!”The moral of this story:we go on increasing the comforts of the body which is no better than a shirt and neglect our soul. |
| I may provide food to a person today, but tomorrow he is going to be hungry again. I may provide a job to a beggar today, but tomorrow he may not be satisfied with crores of money turnover! : I may provide food to a person today, but tomorrow he is going to be hungry again. I may provide a job to a beggar today, but tomorrow he may not be satisfied with crores of money turnover! |
| Contentment, Satisfaction, Happiness come only to those whose purpose of life is to please the Supreme Lord. : Contentment, Satisfaction, Happiness come only to those whose purpose of life is to please the Supreme Lord. |
| Krsna is our eternal well-wisher and father. Once you go back to Krsna, then all your needs will be fulfilled. : Krsna is our eternal well-wisher and father. Once you go back to Krsna, then all your needs will be fulfilled. |
| Quote : Quote Samo ‘ham sarva-bhutesu
Na me dvesyo ‘sti na priyah
Ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya
Mayi te tesu sapy aham
“I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto ME in devotion is a friend, is in ME, and I am also a friend to him.” [B. G. 9.29] |
| ART OF DYING IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS : ART OF DYING IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS |
| Time and Tide wait for none : Time and Tide wait for none Lord Krsna exhibited His Universal form to Arjuna. The form was so fierce and fearful.
Arjuna asked Krsna the mission of the form. Krsna replied that This form is Time; Time is Destruction; all manifestations are to be destroyed by the desire of the Supreme Lord. This is the law of nature. |
| A conditioned soul lives in a body for a fixed time and it is recommended in the scriptures that within that small measurement of time one has to perfect his Krsna consciousness and thus gain release from the influence of the time factor. : A conditioned soul lives in a body for a fixed time and it is recommended in the scriptures that within that small measurement of time one has to perfect his Krsna consciousness and thus gain release from the influence of the time factor. |
| “mrityu sarva haras caham” – I will take away everything at the time of death – B.G. 10.34.Foolish people without realizing the temporary nature of their materialistic pursuits, waste their valuable time. : “mrityu sarva haras caham” – I will take away everything at the time of death – B.G. 10.34.Foolish people without realizing the temporary nature of their materialistic pursuits, waste their valuable time. |
| Death comes without Announcement : Death comes without Announcement |
| Example : Example Once a lady had not paid the rent for her house. One fine morning, the policemen came and silently broke open the house, chucked her out while she was still sleeping and before she could realize, she along with her belongings were out of the house. This is how death comes to us. |
| One fine day we are going to be chucked out of this body for which we are spending all time! It is not pessimism as some people think. It is a harsh reality! Who can deny this? : One fine day we are going to be chucked out of this body for which we are spending all time! It is not pessimism as some people think. It is a harsh reality! Who can deny this? |
| When all economic development and advancement are utilized to advance in Krishna consciousness, a new phase of progressive life arises. : When all economic development and advancement are utilized to advance in Krishna consciousness, a new phase of progressive life arises. |
| Death of a Devotee and a Demon : Death of a Devotee and a Demon For Devotees Death comes as Krsna
For Demons Krsna comes as Death
Example of a cat carrying it’s kitten and a mouse; mouse is feeling the jaws of death but kittens are comfortable and safe. |
| At the time of death the devotees are transferred to the spiritual realm, Vaikuntha, whereas the ordinary sinful man is dragged down to the hellish regions by the Yamdhutas, the Constables of Yamaraja. : At the time of death the devotees are transferred to the spiritual realm, Vaikuntha, whereas the ordinary sinful man is dragged down to the hellish regions by the Yamdhutas, the Constables of Yamaraja. |
| Life is Preparation, Death is Final Examination : Life is Preparation, Death is Final Examination |
| Quote : Quote 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” [B.G. 8.5] |
| Quote : Quote 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” [B.G.8.6] |
| Quote : Quote Tasmat sarvesu kalesu
Mam anusmara yudhya ca
Mayy arpita-mano-buddhir
Mam evaisyasy asamsayah
“You should always think of Me in the form of Krsna 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.” |
| All paths do not lead to the same goal : All paths do not lead to the same goal It is important to know the Siddhantha or ‘conclusion’ about the ultimate destination of the living entity to be achieved.
If I take a ticket to Calcutta I cannot expect the train to take me to Chennai. |
| Life is a Preparation period for training our body and mind to love and serve Krsna. Gradually, we will be cleansed of all misgivings (like lust, pride, envy, anger and illusion) and develop a spontaneous love for serving Krsna. : Life is a Preparation period for training our body and mind to love and serve Krsna. Gradually, we will be cleansed of all misgivings (like lust, pride, envy, anger and illusion) and develop a spontaneous love for serving Krsna. |
| Quote : Quote 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 Partha, is sure to reach ME.” [B.G. 8.8] |
| A person who has led a materialistic life throughout cannot think of Krsna even if he endeavors to, at the time of his death. How can a student who has not prepared anything for his exam get a distinction? : A person who has led a materialistic life throughout cannot think of Krsna even if he endeavors to, at the time of his death. How can a student who has not prepared anything for his exam get a distinction? |
| By seeing our sincerity in serving Him, Krsna gives His remembrance at the time of our death. This is His special mercy. Otherwise, death is a very agonizing experience involving intense pain and it is impossible to think of anything. : By seeing our sincerity in serving Him, Krsna gives His remembrance at the time of our death. This is His special mercy. Otherwise, death is a very agonizing experience involving intense pain and it is impossible to think of anything. |
| Karma (Activity) : Karma (Activity) Definition:
Activities performed by the living entity conditioned by the three modes, under the control and purview of time.
The Law of Karma:
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
We are accountable for everything we think, speak and do. Therefore we must be aware of the consequences of the activities we perform. |
| Slide 91 : To escape reaction Akarma must be performed. Individual and collective Karma. If everything is predestined, then why work ? Good and Bad Karma do not cancel each other. Good and Bad Karma are both binding. Ignorance of the Law is no excuse to escape reaction. |
| Life is a Preparation -Death is the Examination : Life is a Preparation -Death is the Examination |
| Different types of Karma : Different types of Karma Type Activity Karma As Per Scriptural directions -- pious. Vikarma Against scriptural directions -- sinful. Akarma For which one does not suffer any reaction. |
| For further information : For further information Narottamanad Das nndasa@gmail.com 09417106255 ISKCON CHANDIGARH |