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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.

“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

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.

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]

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.

Slide 8 : Session 5 Different forms of Yoga and the Topmost Yoga system back

Yoga: What it is not : Yoga: What it is not Mere physical exercise for shaping the body, good health and long life Emaciating renunciate in meditation

Man with some extra ordinary powers : Man with some extra ordinary powers

What is Yoga? : What is Yoga? ‘Yoga’ in sanskrit means Union. It refers to the union, in love, between the individual consciousness and the Supreme consciousness, the soul and the Supersoul, i.e., the soul and God.

Varieties of Yoga : Varieties of Yoga Karma Yoga Jnana Yoga Dhyana Yoga Bhakti Yoga

Karma yoga : Karma yoga The process whereby one performs his work for God without the selfish desire for personal gain.

Jnana Yoga : Jnana Yoga The process of elevation to spiritual consciousness through the cultivation of philosophical knowledge.

Astanga yoga or Dhyana Yoga : Astanga yoga or Dhyana Yoga A mechanical meditative practice meant to control the mind and senses and focus one’s concentration on the Supreme.

Bhakti yoga : Bhakti yoga The yoga of selfless, ecstatic, devotional love of God, Krsna, as Krsna Himself confirms: “Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me, with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all” [B.G. 6.47]

Slide 17 :

Karma Kandis – Fruitive Workers following Scriptural Injunctions : Karma Kandis – Fruitive Workers following Scriptural Injunctions Those who want to follow scriptures, besides having regulated sense gratification are called ‘Karma Kandis’ Instead of involving in improper ways of sense gratification and inviting severe wrath of Yama raja,…

Slide 19 : Regulate sense gratification by following scriptures; worshipping the respective demigods This way attain gradual detachment from sense gratification Meant for gradual upliftment, but they are not end in themselves Less intelligent people think that the purpose of Vedas is to elevate one to the heavenly planets

Real religious principles are ‘nistraigunya’, above the 3 modes of nature, or transcendental. : Real religious principles are ‘nistraigunya’, above the 3 modes of nature, or transcendental.

Liberation from Material Bondage : Liberation from Material Bondage This world is a place of misery as certified by Lord Krsna Himself. One must work for freedom from the cycle of birth and death.

Slide 22 : But these advancements only provides temporary solutions to man’s problems We will see these problems once again come to the surface in some other form

People do not know the root cause of the problem – misidentification of oneself to matter. : People do not know the root cause of the problem – misidentification of oneself to matter.

Yaya sammohito jivaatmanam tri-gunatmakamparo ‘pi manuti ‘narthamtat-krtam cabhipadyate“Due to the external energy, the living entity,although transcendental to the 3 modes of nature, thinks himself as a material product and undergoes material miseries.” : Yaya sammohito jivaatmanam tri-gunatmakamparo ‘pi manuti ‘narthamtat-krtam cabhipadyate“Due to the external energy, the living entity,although transcendental to the 3 modes of nature, thinks himself as a material product and undergoes material miseries.”

The real problems of life are: : The real problems of life are: Birth Old age Disease Death

Birth : Birth Very painful For months, the fetus lies in a bow like position bitten by hungry worms in the abdomen of the mother and eating it’s own stool, hair, urine mixed with food and jolted by sudden movements

Old Age : Old Age No one wants to grow old due to so much suffering due to it These days old people are forced to go to old age homes and don’t get any love Mental problem; body does not cooperate

Disease : Disease One disease goes and next one comes – Cancer, AIDS, etc., We may cure one disease for sometime, but we cannot disease pain incurred through diseases is a common experiences of anyone and needs no explanation

Death : Death Garuda Purana says that death is extremely painful and one experiences a pain equivalent to 40,000 scorpion bites. One has to be forced out of the body

So it is very important to have the perception of the evil of birth, old age, disease and death. So unless one is utterly convinced that material life is utterly miserable, one cannot take to spiritual life. : So it is very important to have the perception of the evil of birth, old age, disease and death. So unless one is utterly convinced that material life is utterly miserable, one cannot take to spiritual life.

3-fold miseries : 3-fold miseries Adhyatmika Adhibhautika Adhidaivika

Adhyatmika : Adhyatmika Refers to the miseries caused by mind and body Sometimes the living entity suffers bodily and sometimes he is distressed mentally We experience this even in the womb of the mother

Adhibhautika : Adhibhautika Refers to miseries caused by other living entities Even some small insect can make us miserable and give us pain

Adhidaivika : Adhidaivika Miseries are natural disasters that originate with the demigods of higher planets. For instance, severe cold, hot weather, thunderbolt, earthquakes, tornados, droughts etc.,

Trident : Trident The Trident of Durga represents the 3-fold miseries. Durga pierces the hearts of the living entities with this trident, in order to remind them that they are presently staying in an artificial place, which is not their original home. The miseries should give us an impetus to take to spiritual life seriously.

The yogis are those who understand the temporary nature of this material world, understand the role of Maya and work for liberation from material bondage to return to eternal life. : The yogis are those who understand the temporary nature of this material world, understand the role of Maya and work for liberation from material bondage to return to eternal life.

The law abiding beings are classified into: : The law abiding beings are classified into: Karmis Sakama Niskama Jnanis Dhyanis Bhaktas

Karma Yoga : Karma Yoga

By performing fruitive work in just one life time, one gets entangled in the cycle of Karma and as a result the soul enters the 8.4 million species and suffer the 3-fold miseries. : By performing fruitive work in just one life time, one gets entangled in the cycle of Karma and as a result the soul enters the 8.4 million species and suffer the 3-fold miseries.

If You Renounce Action… : If You Renounce Action… Trying to give up all activities is no solution Smrtis tell us that we inevitably commit 5 kinds of sins. Sins committed by:- Scratching Rubbing Starting a fire Pouring water from a pot Cleaning one’s house

How to be active without Material Entanglement? : How to be active without Material Entanglement? To perform all activities only as a sacrifice for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu is true freedom from the results of activities. ‘Naiskarmya’ – Activities performed without expectation of any sense gratification.

Slide 42 : ‘Mayi sarvani karmani sanyasya’ ‘Adhyatma cetasa’ – Aware of the constitutional position ‘Nirasi’ – Work without desire for fruit ‘Nirmama’ – Give up proprietorship and Controllership ‘Vigata jvara’ – Work without Laziness [B.G. 3.30-31]

Jnana Yoga : Jnana Yoga

Transcendentalists : Transcendentalists 2 classes Personalist The devotee who engages himself with all energy in the service of the Supreme Lord. Impersonalist Engages in meditating the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested.

Troublesome path of Jnana-yogis : Troublesome path of Jnana-yogis The jnana-yogis have to: Understand the unmanifested rep. of the Supreme thru Vedic literatures Learn the language Understand the non-perceptual feelings Analyse the differences between matter and spirit by neti-neti process Perform lot of mental speculation and realize the Supreme

“For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the supreme, advancement is very troublesome.” [B.G. 12.5] : “For those whose minds are attached to the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the supreme, advancement is very troublesome.” [B.G. 12.5]

Jnana Yogi gets promoted to Bhakti-yoga through Association of a Devotee. : Jnana Yogi gets promoted to Bhakti-yoga through Association of a Devotee.

Bahunam janmanam antejnanavan mam prapadyatevasudevah sarvam itisa mahatma su-durlabhah“After many births and deaths, he who is acting in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” [B.G. 7.19] : Bahunam janmanam antejnanavan mam prapadyatevasudevah sarvam itisa mahatma su-durlabhah“After many births and deaths, he who is acting in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” [B.G. 7.19]

Dhyana Yoga or Astanga Yoga : Dhyana Yoga or Astanga Yoga Astanga yoga is the eight fold procedure called Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi. Pratyahara is the process of driving out the sense objects and then keep the vision of the eyes between the two eyebrows and concentrate on the tip of the nose with half closed eyelids.

Slide 50 :

Slide 51 : The breathing movement is restrained within the nostrils by neutralizing the up-moving and down-moving air within the body. By controlling the senses, refraining from external sense objects, one prepares for liberation. This Astanga Yoga is the prelude to Dhyana Yoga

The 8-fold Mystic perfections : The 8-fold Mystic perfections Anima- so small that he can enter into a stone Lagima- so light that one can float in the air or on water Mahima-to become heavier than the mountain Prapti-can extend his hand anywhere and take whatever he likes Isita- can create and destroy an entire planet simply at will Prakamya- one can achieve anything he likes Vasita-one can bring anyone under his control Kamavasayita-magic by which one can do the impossible simply by his will

A Krsna conscious person has no such fear of falling down, for his attention is already fixed in the transcendental service of Krsna. : A Krsna conscious person has no such fear of falling down, for his attention is already fixed in the transcendental service of Krsna.

For the devotee, the mystic perfections seem insignificant due to the ever-increasing freshness of his object of attention, Krsna. : For the devotee, the mystic perfections seem insignificant due to the ever-increasing freshness of his object of attention, Krsna.

Rules of Regulations in Astanga Yoga : Rules of Regulations in Astanga Yoga Select a very secluded and sacred place (8-fold meditation cannot be performed in a fashionable city). One should practice strict celibacy and abstain from sex completely One should not eat too much or sleep too much

Slide 56 : A Yogi should discipline his mental activities by regulating eating, sleeping, recreation and work Completely devoid of material desires the yogi should focus the mind on the Supersoul Like a lamp in a windless place does not waver, the yogi whose mind is controlled should remain always steady in his meditation on Krsna - SAMADHI

Limitation of Astanga Yoga : Limitation of Astanga Yoga Even 5000 years ago, when circumstances in the world were different, this yoga system was not practicable Arjuna who belonged to the royal family, a great warrior, an intimate friend of Krsna, said, “My dear Krsna, it is not possible to follow this process of yoga for the mind is restless and unsteady.”

Slide 58 : It is not possible for an ordinary man to leave home and go to a secluded place in the mountains or jungles to practice yoga in this Age of Kali. Life is short and there is bitter struggle for life This system is generally impossible in Kali yuga. Those who are imitating this yoga system in different modern societies are certainly wasting their time.

Bhakti Yoga : Bhakti Yoga Connecting oneself with Krsna and reviving our relationship as His eternal associate. Includes 3 items: The Servitor The Served The Service

Slide 60 : Krsna is the served, living entity is the servitor and there are 9 processes of devotional service to the Lord and a candidate can choose to adopt any one, two or three or all however he likes. All services rendered to Krsna are absolute.

Slide 61 :

Nine-fold path of Devotional Service : Nine-fold path of Devotional Service Sravanam – Hearing – King Pariksit Kirtanam – Recitation – Sukadeva Goswami Smaranam – Remembering – Prahlad Maharaja Arcanam – Worshipping – King Prthu

Slide 63 : Vandanam – Offering Prayers – Akrura Pada Sevanam – Serving – Lakshmiji Dasyam – Carrying out orders – Hanuman Sakhyam – Making friends with the Lord – Arjuna Atma Nivedanam – Surrendering Everything – Emperor Bali King Ambarish adopted all the above 9 items and he attain perfect success.

‘Step-By-Step Gradual Development Process and Direct Process to attain Pure Devotional Service’ : ‘Step-By-Step Gradual Development Process and Direct Process to attain Pure Devotional Service’

In the 12th Chapter, BG entitled, “Devotional Service” verses 8 to 12, Krsna is offering various opportunities for conditioned living entities to return back to Him depending on their ability to surrender. : In the 12th Chapter, BG entitled, “Devotional Service” verses 8 to 12, Krsna is offering various opportunities for conditioned living entities to return back to Him depending on their ability to surrender.

“Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.”[B.G. 12.8] : “Just fix your mind upon Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and engage all your intelligence in Me. Thus you will live in Me always, without a doubt.”[B.G. 12.8]

A devotee… : A devotee… Chants Hare Krsna and fixes his mind constantly on the lotus feet of Krsna Offers Krsna food and directly accepts the eatables, and becomes Krsnaized by eating the remnants Performs all activities connected only to Krsna Thus a devotee always lives in Krsna.

Slide 68 :

“My dear Arjuna, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me.”[B.G. 12.9] : “My dear Arjuna, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me.”[B.G. 12.9]

Love of Krsna : Love of Krsna The constitutional position of living entity is : ‘Jivera svaroopa haya Krsnera nitya dasa’ ‘living entity is an eternal servant of Krsna’. This love is dormant within the heart just like a fiery coal is covered by the contamination of ashes. It has to be revived just like red hot coal is revived by blowing off the ashes.

Under the direction of an expert spiritual master, one should follow certain principles:-one should rise early in the morningTake bath, enter the templeOffer Prayers and chant Hare Krsna : Under the direction of an expert spiritual master, one should follow certain principles:-one should rise early in the morningTake bath, enter the templeOffer Prayers and chant Hare Krsna

Hear Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devoteesCook foodstuffs, offer to the Deity, take prasadamand so on… : Hear Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam from pure devoteesCook foodstuffs, offer to the Deity, take prasadamand so on…

Slide 73 :

“If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.”[B.G. 12.10] : “If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.”[B.G. 12.10]

Those who cannot directly take up regulated devotional service, can help the propagation of Krsna consciousness by offering land, capital, in the publication of Krsna conscious books etc., : Those who cannot directly take up regulated devotional service, can help the propagation of Krsna consciousness by offering land, capital, in the publication of Krsna conscious books etc.,

“If however you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.”[B.G.12.11] : “If however you are unable to work in this consciousness of Me, then try to act giving up all results of your work and try to be self-situated.”[B.G.12.11]

When one is not even interested, or due to social, familial, religious considerations not able to directly involve in the activities of Krsna consciousness, and gives charity to some social institution like hospitals, he gives up the hard-earned results of his activities. : When one is not even interested, or due to social, familial, religious considerations not able to directly involve in the activities of Krsna consciousness, and gives charity to some social institution like hospitals, he gives up the hard-earned results of his activities.

“If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind”[B.G.12.12] : “If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such renunciation one can attain peace of mind”[B.G.12.12]

The direct method is devotional service in Krsna consciousness. The other method is the step by step method involving renouncing the fruits of one’s activities, cultivating knowledge, meditation and so on. : The direct method is devotional service in Krsna consciousness. The other method is the step by step method involving renouncing the fruits of one’s activities, cultivating knowledge, meditation and so on.

As far as Bhagavad Gita is concerned, the direct method is stressed. Everyone is advised to take to the direct method and surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. : As far as Bhagavad Gita is concerned, the direct method is stressed. Everyone is advised to take to the direct method and surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

Bhakti Yoga: The Culmination of all Yoga Systems : Bhakti Yoga: The Culmination of all Yoga Systems

Yoginam api sarvesammad-gatenantar-atmanasraddhavan bhajate yo mamsa me yuktatamo matah“And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within Himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.”[B.G.6.47] : Yoginam api sarvesammad-gatenantar-atmanasraddhavan bhajate yo mamsa me yuktatamo matah“And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within Himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.”[B.G.6.47]

Slide 83 : STEP 4: Bhakti Yoga Astanga Yoga + Loving Devotional Service to the Supreme Lord, Krsna V A I D H I + R A G A STEP 0: Karma Kanda Fruitive worker performing rituals for elevating to heavenly planets, Regulated Sense Gratification in accordance with scriptures STEP 1: Karma yoga / Niskama Karma Renouncing fruits of one’s labour STEP 2: Jnana Yoga Renouncing Fruits + Speculative knowledge about Brahman + Austerity STEP 3: Astanga Yoga/ Dhyana Yoga Renouncing fruits + knowledge + Control of mind and senses by 8-fold path + Meditation on Paramatma in the heart DIRECT METHOD

Qualities of a Pure Devotee : Qualities of a Pure Devotee Never disturbed in any circumstances. Not envious of anyone. Does not act as his enemy’s enemy – He suffers than protesting Always calm, quiet, patient, despite any distressful circumstances; Accepts all difficulties as Lord’s mercy upon Him

Slide 85 : Always kind to everyone, even to his enemy. He does not attach much importance to pains and pleasures pertaining to his body because he knows perfectly well that he is not his body No false ego Tolerant, satisfied with whatever comes by Lord’s mercy; does not endeavor much to achieve something, therefore he is always joyful

Slide 86 : Perfect mystic because he is perfectly fixed in the instructions received from the spiritual master Senses are controlled – he is determined. Fully conscious that Krsna is the Supreme Lord, so no one can disturb him.

Destination of Different Yogis After Death : Destination of Different Yogis After Death

Dhyana Yogi : Dhyana Yogi At the end of one’s life, a Dhyana yogi, fixes his mind on the Visnu Murti within the heart, vibrates the syllable ‘Om’ and quits his body after deciding where he should go. He may enter into Goloka Vrndavan and attain his svaroopa as Trees, Grass etc., in Santa rasa – Neutral Relationship If he is not a personalist, he may enter into the Brahma jyoti and exist just as atoms exist within the sunshine

Jnana Yogi : Jnana Yogi They attain Brahma jyoti Since there is no variety in the Brahma Jyoti, the Jnana yogi or the impersonalist falls back to the material world because he has neglected to serve the Supreme Lord with love and devotion They will want to have sense pleasure again. This is the risk they take.

A Bhakti yogi at the time of death enter into Krsna loka, Krsna’s planet, and enjoy in the association of Krsna, the reservoir of all pleasure. : A Bhakti yogi at the time of death enter into Krsna loka, Krsna’s planet, and enjoy in the association of Krsna, the reservoir of all pleasure.

Because we are conscious of Krsna, we are already living with Krsna. Krsna becomes easily available to a bhakti yogi. ‘Tasyaham sulabhah partha’. – “I become very cheap for them!”. : Because we are conscious of Krsna, we are already living with Krsna. Krsna becomes easily available to a bhakti yogi. ‘Tasyaham sulabhah partha’. – “I become very cheap for them!”.

For further information : For further information Narottamanand Das nndasa@gmail.com 09417106255 ,09216506255 ISKCON CHANDIGARH