WORLD ALLIANCE OF RELIGIONS

A VAISHNAVA SPIRITUAL MASTER IN WORLD 
ALLIANCE OF RELIGIONS FOR PEACE SUMMIT

http://warpsummit2014.org - Last week, from 17 to 18 September 2014, a Vaishnava spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti, direct disciple of Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, participated in The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit (“WARP Summit”), which was held in Seoul, South Korea. This event was hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (“HWPL”), and its two subsidiary organisations, the International Women’s Peace Group (“IWPG”), and the International Peace Youth Group (“IPYG”). 
The WARP Summit was first and foremost a meeting held between different leaders of the world, including prominent figures in both secular and spiritual sectors of society, in order to discuss and share insights on how to achieve world peace. The summit was being organised in the hopes of creating a platform for dialogue between community leaders on national, cultural, spiritual, and ethnic levels.

Such dialogue will pave the way to the creation of a universally applicable value system, reflected and implemented across all perceived social boundaries through an international law designed to eliminate war-activity from our world. In order to achieve this goal, the summit had two focal points. 
First, it took place the discussion and signing of an agreement for cooperation between leaders of essentially secular communities (countries, cultural, and ethnic groups).  Secondly, there were a discussion with religious leaders regarding the ways in which to align the fundamental value systems of each represented religious teaching such that its doctrines might no longer be used to promote violent behaviour. This unified system of values, applicable to all religious systems, is what HWPL refers to as the World Alliance of Religions, or the unification of religion.

Days ago, a Vaishnava spiritual master, participated in The World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Summit (“WARP Summit”), which was held in Seoul. Srila B. A. Paramadvaiti Swami, founder of the “Vrinda Family”, was invited to go to South Korea in order to join many other religious leaders around the world in this historic event organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light ("HWPL"). This is an international organization, with headquarters in Seoul, Republic of Korea (South Korea), whose mandate it is to see the cessation of wars. It pursues this goal through a number of avenues, namely the International Peace Youth Group ("IPYG"), and the International Women’s Peace Group ("IWPG"). "Without proper and friendly discussion, the social boundaries of ethnicity, culture, nationality, religion, and language will continue to pose a threat to the security of our future, as these differences are easily exploited to encourage violent behaviour." ... "Our work is motivated by a unique vision for peace centering on the establishment of a new and universally applicable set of values. This is the heavenly culture - something which has been promised to man through every religious and ideological ideal, " explains Man Hee Lee, Chairman, of HWPL. Such an alliance of ideologies, which until now have been responsible to an untold number of conflicts, would enable us to leave a legacy of peace and life to future generations instead of the death and war which now besets our world, say the organizers of this global event for peace.  This kind of international meetings for World Peace will help cementing the bonds of unity, harmony and brotherhood. These goals can easily be achieved when we realize that we are all spiritual beings in material bodies, all children of God and we should not be forced to adhere fanatically to religious or ideological restrictions which only make humans to stay away from each other. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Every individual has his peculiar nature distinct form any other. So, obviously individuals will vary in their opinions and tastes and this is quite natural. It is an unnatural thing to attempt forcibly to engage individuals into one fold, faith or particular ideology.  ... So long as people do not understand that they are inseparably connected, and until the activities of the people are God-centered, mere sentimentalism or fictitious ideas will not be able to foster real love amongst individuals. If we know that the infliction of harm to other animate beings is detrimental to our own interest and will bring harm in return, we will not be encouraged to harm any individual, nay even any sentient being of the world. If we can love the Absolute Whole, I mean the Godhead, we cannot have the impetus to injure any of His parts. So, according to me or the teaching of Lord Gauranga, Divine Love is the best solution of all the problems of the world.

Śrīla Bhakti Dayita Madhava Mahārāja :
“Realistic Solution for Diverse Humanity”
Speech at a ‘Spiritual Summit Conference’ - 1968 Calcutta.
http://www.sreecgmath.org/scgmtimes/scgmsbdm.php

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

COLOURS FOR NAVRATRI

9 SPECIAL COLOURS
FOR 9 DAYS OF NAVRATRI

www.boldsky.com - Navratri is a festival that last nine days during which we worship Goddess Durga in nine different forms. Each of the Navdurga avatars has their own significance and style of worshipping. Also, the colours for Navratri are designated to each of these nine Devis of Navratri. Navdurga avatars are all parts of Goddess Durga. However, these Devis are worshipped separately because each of them has a particular significance and 'vidhi' or procedure for their puja is different. The Goddess is dressed in a particular colour but it is not necessary that her devotees must be dressed in the same colour. 
For example, Goddess Chandraghanta wears orange but her devotees must wear white on the third day of Navratri. If you want to please the Goddess Durga, then wear the right colours on the respective days. First Day: Yellow Colour - The first day of Navratri is called the 'pratipada'. On this day, Devi Shailapurti Mata who is the first Devi of the Navdurga is worshipped.

Second Day: Green Colour - The second day of the Navratri is called the Dwitiya. Green is the colour of nature and Devi Bramhacharini commands that her devotees be decked up in green. Third Day: Grey Colour - Devi Chandraghanta is the Goddess of peace and serenity. She is dressed in white and her devotees should wear grey on the tritiya of Navratri. Fourth Day: Orange Colour - Goddess Kushmunda is worshipped. She is dressed in red and her devotees must wear read. Fifth Day: White Colour - Skandamata is worshipped on this day. She slays all demons and you must wear white to please this goddess. Sixth Day: Red Colour - Katyayani is worshipped, you must wear red coloured clothes in her honour. 
Seventh Day: Blue Colour - Mata Kaalratri is worshipped on this day. Her devotee must wear blue coloured clothes so that she protects them from evil. Eighth Day: Pink Colour - Mata Saraswati is worshipped. One must wear pink on this special day of the Navratri. Ninth Day: Purple Colour - On the last day of the Navratri, Diddhidatri Mata is commemorated. Her devotees must be dressed in purple to attain 'siddhi' on this holy day.

In 2014, Navratri started on September 25 and lasts until October 3. Nava means nine and ratri means nights. Navratri is the Hindu festival of nine nights dedicated to the glorification of Shakti, the feminine form of the Divine. During this time, the supreme cosmic power is worshipped in the female aspect in the form of the three main goddesses of Hinduism - Parvati (Durga), Lakshmi and Saraswati. During these nine nights, the mother goddess is worshipped in nine different forms. Navratri colours increase the happiness that is related to the festival and there are nine colours for nine days of Navratri. Ms Anwesha, editor in Boldsky and author of this article, explains the colours are very special and each of them must be worn on the stipulated day. This year the Navratri colours for the nine days are as follows: September 25: Yellow. September 26: Green. September 27: Grey. September 28: Orange. September 29: White. September 30: Red. October 1: Royal Blue. October 2: Pink. October 3: Purple.  Navratri culminates on the 10th day with the festivities of Vijayadasham, also known as Dusshera. Our spiritual masters have taught us that in Navratri, Durga, due to her destructive aspect, is worshiped in the first place as She destroys the anarthas or unwanted barriers that hold us back from our true spiritual potential. She reduces the evil tendencies in the mind, and relieve us of our destructive desires of lust, passion, greed, anger, etc. Without removing these obstacles, the spiritual unfoldment cannot take place. Then we should worship Lakshmi as She gives us the true wealth: Virtue or good qualities, such as love, goodness, compassion, forgiveness, cooperation, nonviolence, devotion, purity, and the like. After that, we worship Sarasvati, because She gives us the intelligence, knowledge and wisdom by which spiritual realization is possible. She represents the highest knowledge of the Self. The celebrations of Navaratri are held at night because it represents our overcoming the ignorance of the mode of darkness, the night of tamoguna. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Navaratri is a nine-day festival, followed by the tenth day of victory, vijayadasmi. This festival is celebrated in honor of three most important Hindu goddesses. Only the combined force of all three divine deities, manifested as the female form Mahishasura Mardini, was able to destroy the powerful demon Mahishasura. During the first three days, goddess Shakti, in her aspect as Parvati, is worshipped as the personification of power and vanquisher of evil. During the next three days, she is worshipped in the form of Lakshmi, signifying wealth and beauty. In the last three days, she is worshipped as Saraswati, signifying knowledge. Hence, the three most important qualities - power, wealth, and wisdom - are represented as the female form of goddess Shakti. [...] In this festival of Navratri, devotees dance and pray to the goddess to triumph over the demon of ego (Mahishasura). In the defeat of their own ego, they finally emerge victorious!

Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 54: “Hindu Festivals”
http://hinduismpath.com/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar

THE JEWISH NEW YEAR 2014

ROSH HASHANAH 2014 - HOW IS THE JEWISH
NEW YEAR TRADITIONALLY CELEBRATED?

www.ibtimes.co.uk - Today marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the first of the High Holy Days which in occur in the early autumn of the northern hemisphere. There are a number of ways the festival is celebrated. “We celebrate with our clients in the traditional Jewish ways, dipping apple in honey, eating honey cake, enjoying a festive meal, lighting candles for the festival, hearing the Shofar and giving them the opportunity to go to a synagogue service if they'd like to. 
For many Rosh Hashanah is a special time of year to share with family. Some of our clients live alone with few family networks so we work hard to make them feel part of our wide reaching Jewish Care family,” says Simon Morris, chief executive of Jewish Care, the UK's largest social welfare organisation.

Shofar - A shofar is an ancient musical instrument made from a horn, traditionally from a ram. It is played in Jewish synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Wearing white - When attending the synagogue, white or light colours are traditionally worn to symbolise new beginnings and it represents purity and renewal. 
Observing Tashlich - Tashlich, meaning "casting off", is the process of going to a flowing body of water and emptying your pockets. Apples dipped in honey - One of the most popular and well-known customs on Rosh Hashanah is dipping sliced apple into honey, an age-old tradition to express home for a sweet new year. Candle lighting - Candles are lit to bring in the Jewish holidays with warmth and light. As Jewish days begin with the setting sun, a lit candle is believed to create a sacred space. 

Yesterday, at sundown on Wednesday (Sept. 24) began Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. If you are Jewish, it’s the time of year to do some serious soul-searching. On this day, Jews ask how they could have lived up to their better selves during the previous year, and for forgiveness from God and those they have wronged. The first day of the 48-hour celebration is called Tishrei, and is believed to be an anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. As regards the traditional ways to celebrate it, the shofar is mentioned frequently in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and in rabbinic literature, and it is sounded just before, during and after the Musaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah. As regards Tashlich the book of Micah, says: "You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." In modern times, many throw breadcrumbs, and Tashlich is normally observed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah to symbolise casting off your sins. According to Jewish mythology, the apple represents the Shekhinah – the feminine aspect of God. As regards the candles, the number of them depends on preference and tradition and some light one candle for each member of the family. Our spiritual masters have shown many similarities between Hindu and Jewish Traditions. During the first Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit, held in New Delhi in 2007, Mr. Oded Weiner, Director General of the Rabbinate of Israel, said: "It is not surprising that there is little difference between the words “Hodim,” Hindus, and Yehodim, Jews. The words are nearly identical, separated just by the letter “yod,” the “y”. This is significant in itself because the “yod” is the tiniest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. These two letters, “yod” (Y) and “heh,” (H) spell God in the Hebrew language (YHVH - yod-heh-vav-heh). It is all really quite profound." (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Shalom to acharyas, and revered guests. I shall speak on similarities in our traditions. [...] Both our religions are revealed. Hinduism does not have a beginning. It was never started. Dharma was always there. The Vedas are not books, they are revealed facts by Rishis: Rsayastu mantradrstarah, not mantra-kartarah. Rishis are the seers of the mantras, not its authors. Vedas are revealed. Similarly Moses did not create the Holy Books. They were revealed. God is the source of both the Jewish and Hindu traditions. Moses did not create the religion. Similarly in our tradition we say even Rama or Krsna didn’t create the religion. We have four Vedas, you have five Holy Books. We have smritis, you have midrash. [...] You keep Kosher, we have what is called “achara” - both refer to strict codes about internal and external purity. We are pure in our food habits. We do not mix certain types of food, or eat old food. We purify ourselves before going to the temple. During the menstrual period, both Jewish and Hindu women abstain from worship.

HH Mahamandaleswar Sri Swami :
Gurusharananandaji Karsni Peeth of Mathura
“Similarities Between Hindu and Jewish Traditions”
First Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit - New Delhi - 2007
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/05-08/editorials2960.htm

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

GREENHOUSE GAS LEVELS RISING AT FASTEST RATE

GREENHOUSE GASES HIT RECORD HIGH 
AMID FEARS OF CO2 SATURATION POINT

http://news.nationalgeographic.com - The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2013, propelled by a surge in levels of carbon dioxide, the World Meteorological Organization reported Tuesday, raising the threat of increased global warming. The scientists warn that the Earth's natural ability to store and mediate the gases through oceans, plants, and other means may be approaching a saturation point, which could exacerbate current warming. Not all scientists agree, however. 
The World Meteorological Organization's annual report “shows that, far from falling, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere actually increased last year at the fastest rate for nearly 30 years,” said Michel Jarraud, the group's secretary-general.

Scientists who contributed to the report, called the “Greenhouse Gas Bulletin,” noted that carbon dioxide levels rose more between 2012 and 2013 than during any other year since 1984. The report showed that between 1990 and 2013, the energy in the atmosphere increased by 34 percent. Normally, about a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere are absorbed by plants, while another quarter dissolves into the ocean. 
But the ability of plants and oceans to keep on absorbing excess greenhouse gases may be slowing as those systems approach what may be a saturation point, the organization's scientists warn. The growing amount of CO2 in oceans has been raising the acidity of seawater, which scientists warn has serious implications for the growth of corals and other marine creatures.

This article, written by Brian Clark Howard, from National Geographic, informs about a surge in atmospheric CO2 saw levels of greenhouse gases reach record levels in 2013, according to new figures. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere between 2012 and 2013 grew at their fastest rate since 1984. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) says that it highlights the need for a global climate treaty. Because carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for many hundreds of years and in the ocean for even longer, “past, present, and future CO2 emissions will have a cumulative impact on both global warming and ocean acidification. The laws of physics are non-negotiable,” experts said. As the temperatures continue to rise, the negative consequences of climate change on agriculture will be increasingly serious. Without effective measures in response, by the latter part of the 21st century, climate change could still constitute a threat to the world’s food security. To place where they can graze animals to be killed to satisfy man's desire to eat meat, the forests are removed. When trees and plants are destroyed, the CO2 stored inside them escapes back into the air. Besides that, growing fodder for farmed animals implies heavy use of synthetic fertilizers produced with fossil fuels. While the process of keeping farm animals emits a huge amount of CO2, fertilizer itself releases nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 296 times more potent than CO2. We must stop the widespread industrial consumption of meat, a giant factory of mass destruction of animals, with the high cost of causing increased release of CO2 in the atmosphere and the suffering of millions of helpless who are suffering unnecessarily just for the man's desire to taste their flesh. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

A 2006 report from the United Nations reveals the surprising fact that ‘raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined.’ Tens of billions of animals farmed for food release gases such as methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide through their massive amounts of manure. Animals such as cows and sheep, being ruminant, emit huge amount of methane due to flatulence and burping. “The released methane,” the report says, “has 23 times the global warming potential of CO2.” It is very alarming to note that the livestock industry alone is responsible for 37% of human induced methane emissions. To make room for these animals to graze, virgin forests are cleared. The livestock industry also needs vast stretches of land to raise mono crops to feed the animals. [...] All that people all the world over have to do is to avoid meat eating. In the absence of demand for meat, there is no more need for breeding millions of animals for daily slaughter. The reversal of global warming is a certainty. If it is too much for one to switch to be a total vegetarian one needs to give up at least red meat eating. This the only option one has.

Śrīla Swami Dayananda Saraswati :
“A Solution for Global Warming”
An interview by Andrew Cohen on Sept 7, 2008 
Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Saylorsburg, PA 
http://www.arshavidya.org
http://www.arshavidhyapitam.org

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

STANISLAVSKY’S PRINCIPLES AND BASIC YOGA PRINCIPLES

YOGA WAS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF 
STANISLAVSKY'S STUDIOS (2nd part)

http://in.rbth.com - For Stanislavsky - famous Russian actor and theatre director - the key moment in using yoga’s wisdom was the deep link of outward physical exercises and spiritual upbringing, the path to self-actualization through deliberate work on oneself. Stanislavsky’s use not only of yoga’s terminology, but also of its structural principles, is manifest in his understanding of the development of the creative individual as such. In discussions with actors he spoke about the steps of creativity that were common to everyone, “no matter what the time period or people’s individuality.” 
According to Stanislavsky, the first step was concentration; the second, awareness; the third, fearlessness and courage in creativity; the fourth, creative calm. Just as the first four steps of Hatha yoga are followed by a transition to the higher steps of Raja yoga.

In Stanislavsky’s approach, after the four steps of “working on oneself” there is an achievement of higher artistic goals. The fifth step is “bringing to the greatest intensity all the forces of one’s feelings and thoughts that have overflowed into physical action.” The sixth step is related to the “artist’s cultivation of the stage attraction, the nobility with which he has purified the passions he portrays.” Stanislavsky spoke of the need for the person’s soul to free itself of passions. And finally, the “last step, without which one cannot live in art, is happiness.” 
Of course, it is impossible to say that everything Stanislavsky did followed Ramacharaka’s version of yoga. Stanislavsky’s teaching developed in dialogue with several sources, but it is obvious that yoga was among them and was one of the most important sources.

This is the second part of an interesting article, written by Konstantin Fets, that tells us about the convergence between Stanislavsky’s principles and basic Yoga principles. According to Fets, Stanislavsky’s preoccupation with yoga only rose in the years immediately following the 1917 Revolution, when he studied the connections between actors’ psychological and motor and physical conditions. Like yoga, Stanislavsky points out a path to his students; he stresses that his “system” is a “guidebook.” For the yoga system and Stanislavsky’s teaching, the process of upbringing and training concludes in the ability to use “the subconscious mind, under orders of the conscious mind” (Ramacharaka) or “the work of the subconscious realm of the mind, which is accomplished by commanding the realm of the consciousness” (Stanislavsky).  As in yoga, in Stanislavsky’s approach there is cognition of a “system,” and the Path is impossible without a direct teacher-student link (guru - disciple). The “system” of the great director was based on the conviction that the knowledge of oneself, the path to oneself and “self-construction” free a person and give rise to genuine creativity. Raja-yoga, sometimes called astanga-yoga, is the eightfold path leading to liberation. The process involves calming all mental agitation, which gradually helps the meditator to fuse with the objects of meditation by supraconscious concentration. The process is divided into eight basic steps. It is fascinating to see how the traditional steps of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga systems have deeply influenced the famous Stanislavski Method, which has had a huge impact on the art and technique of the modern theatrical performance. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The meditation process begins with the means for calming the mind. That is the first principle of consideration. It is the state beyond the influence of the mind in which a person can first begin to perceive the spiritual dimension. [...]  The basic practice of meditation also incorporates the eight steps known as yama (restraints), niyama (positive developments), asanas (postures), pranayama (breath and psychic energy control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (focused attention), and then comes dhyana (meditation) followed by samadhi (a perfect flow of attention on something that provides a superconscious experience). When we meditate, we want a continuous flow of concentration toward the point or purpose of our attention. This process essentially involves reaching a state of pure meditation in which a person enters an uninterrupted flow of contemplation on God. Then, as one proceeds, the meditator loses all awareness of the body and external or sensual stimuli. Then you can enter the freedom to experience superconsciousness.

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Meditation - A Short Course To Higher Consciousness”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/meditation.htm

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

2014 VAMANA JAYANTI

TOMORROW IS VAMANA JAYANTI 
BIRTH DAY OF VAMANA INCARNATION

http://astrobix.com - Vamana Jayanti is celebrated every year on Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month.  Lord Vamana is one of the significant forms of Lord Vishnu. It is the fifth avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. As per the legends, King Bali performed austerities and became more powerful than Devas. He would be able to conquer heaven in this battle once he completes his 100 yagnas; therefore, Indra Deva went to Lord Vishnu and asked for his help. 
In order to protect Devas from the wrath of Asuras, Lord Vishnu incarnated into Lord Vamana and took birth from the womb of Aditi, wife of Saint Kashyapa. Lord Vamana adopted the form of Brahmachari. Soon after he grew up, Vamana went to see King Bali  on the day of his 100th Ashwamedh Yagna (in order to prevent it from taking place).

King Bali asked Brahmin Vamana to ask for anything he desires. Vamana asked for three paces of land that he could measure from his own feet. Since he had made a promise, he could not deny it and had to fulfill the Brahmins wish. Vamana took the first step, encompassing the whole earth, and the second covered the heavens. In this way, he conquered two of the three worlds. There was no place to keep the third step on, and then Bali offered his head to Vamana. Vamana accepted it and placed his last step on Bali’s head.
Lord Vishnu was pleased by the integrity of Bali of fulfilling his promise. He blessed Bali with one desire. Bali asked Lord Vishnu to be present in front of Him day and night, so that he is able to worship him. To keep his promise and to fulfill Bali’s desire Lord Vishnu had to become his gatekeeper.

Tomorrow, 6th September 2014 (Saturday) is Vamana Jayanti (also known as Vaman Dwadashi ). It is the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu. Vamana was the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu during Treta Yuga. Special Puja is organized in Lord Vishnu temples on the occasion of Vamana Jayanti. This is one of fabulous religious days of Hindu religion in India and celebrated each of years with great joy and enthusiasm in northern parts and southern parts of India. People performs various types of religious acts regarding to the importance of this day. People from various communities offer worship to lord Vishnu on this day and performs various type of ritual acts to make happy the Supreme power of world. They offer pooja fruits, flowers and prasad to lord Vishnu at various temples. On this day devotees worship Shri Hari early in the morning with proper rituals. Donating  rice, curd etc is considered to be auspicious on this day. In the evening, the devotees should listen to Vamana Katha along with the family members and distribute prasad among everyone. Devotees should observe fast and perform puja with proper rituals to please Lord Vamana and to get all wishes fulfilled. This Vedic story shows us that no one owns anything in this material world, even if we conquer planetary systems, there will come a time when we will be forced to abandon all wealth and position and surrender our pride at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The fifth among the Dasavatara is Sri Vamana-avatara. There are innumerable lila-avataras. Among them are twenty-five chief lila-avataras of which Sri Vamanadeva is the eighteenth. [...] The Deity of the month of Ashadha is Sri Vamanadeva. Vaishnavas wear holy marks of twelve hari-mandiras (temples of the Lord in the form of markings known as tilaka) on different parts of the upper body. Among them, the hari-mandira on the left side of the abdomen is fixed for the Presiding Deity Vamanadeva. [...] In the 8th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa Muni has given detailed accounts of Lord Vamanadeva’s pastime of appearance, the capturing of the three planetary systems from Bali Maharaja (on the pretext of asking for only three steps of land) and the eventual awarding of the Sutala planet to Bali. [...] Sri Sukadeva Gosvami has mentioned the pastime of Bali and Vamanadeva, which took place during the reign of Savarni Manu of the eighth manvantara.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja :
“Dasavatara - The Ten Manifestations of God”
Chapter 5: “Sri Vamana-avatara”
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math - www.sreecgmath.org

 

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

HAPPY RADHASTAMI 2014!

TOMORROW, IS RADHASTAMI
APPEARANCE OF SRIMATI RADHARANI

www.indoamerican-news.com - The divine counterpart of Sri Krishna is known as Sri Radha. Together, according to the ancient Vaishnava tradition, this dual-gendered divinity is God-male and female dimensions of the Absolute Truth. Sri Radha is the complete energy, and Sri Krishna is the complete energetic source. They are non-different from each other, just as musk and its scent are forever merged, or as fire and heat are inseparable. Radha and Krishna are one, yet They have assumed two separate forms to enjoy loving pastimes.
Numerous theological texts explain how this is so, but most thorough are the writings of Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami, great masters in the Vaishnava tradition whose books have been translated and commented upon by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. To understand Sri Radha, then, English readers would do well to turn to Srila Prabhupada’s books.

Srimati Radharani(or Radha, as most people affectionately call her) has a unique position: She is actually the controller of Krishna (who is in fact the Supreme Controller and who cannot be controlled by anyone) because of Her absolute and unalloyed love, devotion, service, and surrender to Him. Being His closest and most intimate companion She has the ability to recommend the most fallen souls for liberation at His merciful feet. 
Lord Krishna is generally hard to approach directly even by the most accomplished of sages as evidenced by verse 7.3 in the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna says “Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” Luckily for us Srimati Radharani makes it very easy because Her infinite capacity for compassion for the worst of sinners helps ease the path. Therefore, it is sometimes said that Radharani is even more merciful than the Lord Himself.

Tomorrow, September 2, 2014 (Tuesday) is Radhastami. The appearance anniversary of Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of Lord Krsna. This article written by Indo American News reminds us the importance of this special day, “It is our duty to fall at Her lotus feet and seek the mercy of Her sublime and healing gaze. It also happens to be the only day of the year where Srimati Radharani’s feet are visible (all other days they are completely covered). This makes it all the more important that devotees make the trip to the temple and sing Her glories and enjoy the ecstasy that comes with worshipping the feet of the most munificent form of the Lord’s internal potency.” IAN further explains: “Of the many, many prayers offered to Srimati Radharani, the eternal consort of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, one goes thus: tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vrndavanesvari / vrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye - I offer my respects to Radharani, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen of Vrndavana. You are the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and You are very dear to Lord Krsna.” Vedic Sages have explained that Radha and Krishna are one, as Sweetness cannot be separated from the Sugar or Fragrance from Flower, or Light from Sun; in the same way, they cannot be separated from each other. In this age of kali Lord Krishna’s eternal wish to understand Radha’s love for Him came true when He appeared as Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is none other than Krishna Himself but in the mood of Radharani. Our spiritual masters have taught us that Radharani’s special qualification is that She is the best devotee of Krishna, and thus, Krishna loves Her the most. It has also been taught that, without the mercy of Radha, we can not reach Krishna. But we must take a step forward and not worry so much about asking the grace of Srimati Radharani to "reach" our liberation or the final goal in our lives. But rather, ask Her to help us work harder every day to make other people be engaged in this spiritual path, underpin the progress of others who are reeling and give new vigor and energy to those who are weakening. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Today we are celebrating the most important day of the universe, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. Since yesterday we meditate on this supreme love, to be in love with bringing Krishna happiness, to make everyone happy in Krishna consciousness. This meditation leads us to understand who Srimati Radharani is in our life. Who is Krishna? Who are we?  [...] Srimati Radharani does everything to make Krishna supremely happy. I renounced my liberation to help others. In Krishna consciousness we need to understand that the most valuable things are to make others aware of Krishna. Do you want to enter the camp of Srimati Radharani?  Do you want to be part of the intimate group of Srimati Radharani? Then you must want to run to help others. A devotee of Radharani is someone with a strong desire to show others the path of spiritual love to stop suffering. Your task is to work on the spirituality of others. An intimate servant of Radharani is one that is fully committed to the urgent needs of this world.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Sunday Chat, Radhastam”
September 23 2012 (Sri Radhastami), Colombia
http://www.vrindanews.com/
http://vrindanews.com/category/swami-b-a-paramadvaiti/
http://nimaihuset.blogspot.com.ar/2012/09/srila-ba-paramadvaiti-maharaj-sunday.html

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/