Bg-science Of Self Realization - Part7

The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

In B.G. Krishna says,

“Jnana vijnanam sahitam sa jnytva mokshyase subhat” Jnana(Theoretical knowledge) becomes Vijnana(Realized knowledge) when put into practice. Or else it is useless. Eg.Not sitting on train after purchasing a ticket Not taking medicine after receiving from doctor

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita to • In order to show the world that this

Arjuna

timeless message is meant not only for renunciates • But also for householders with family and social responsibilities • Who have an occupation and are

bewildered about proper execution of their duty • While pursuing the ultimate goal of life – self-realization

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL LIFE

• Spiritual life is retirement program

• Spiritual life means to give up everything

SPIRITUAL LIFE AS PER BHAGAVAD-GITA

• Gita tells us how to live dynamically. This knowledge should be given at the age of five so one can live his life perfectly “Kaumaro acaret prajno…..” • Spiritual life does not mean that we give up everything but add Krishna to our life We don’t have to change anything but our consciousness

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Why Gita was spoken on the Battlefield?

• Krishna wanted to show us the importance

of Gita. This knowledge has to utilized during the most critical time of our life • Would have Arjuna taken out time if it were not important

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

We don’t have Krishna To Guide us?

In B.G.4.2 Krishna says, “Evam parampara..” • Srila Prabhupada brought that same message to all of us in the unbroken chain of disciplic succession. • If we approach this knowledge as Arjuna did we can have the same effect

How do we know if we are hearing from the right source??

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Qualifications of a bonafide spiritual “By the mercy of guru one gets master Krishna and

by the mercy of Krishna one gets a guru” • Well versed with the science of

Krishna • Is connected with the parampara

SAMPRADAY A Samyat pradayate iti sampradaya completely Handing over

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

• Kumar Nimbarkacharya • Rudra Vishnuswami

• Brahma - Madhvacharya • Sri Ramanujacharya

Eg. - Getting degree from a recognized inst. - Electricity connection.

How do we know if one is speaking according to a sampradaya? A bonafide spiritual master presents the message without addition, subtraction and concoction.

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What is the proof that we are hearing in parampara?

There is a change in our heart and our lives Otherwise it is simply a pious entertainment

• Has realized the conclusion of scriptures by deliberation • Fixed in devotional service to the supreme • Has controlled his senses • Is an acharya, following guru, sadhu & Sastra

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Qualifications of a disciple

DISCIPLE – Ready to be disciplined Example of farmer sowing a seed

In B.G.4.34 “tad-viddhi pranipatena……….. ”

• complete surrender • Inquisitive to know the truth • humbly inquires with the service attitude

In B.G.2.7 “Karpanya doshapahata……..”

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Contributions of a bonafide Acharya

Contributions of such as Acharya is establishment of True temples which are colleges of higher education, where one is education and trained to perfect ones lives

What is a real temple? A real temple is like a hospital •Diagnosis of the disease – we have material body •Cause of the disease – our envy & desire to become controllers and enjoyers separate from Krishna •Line of treatment – “sarva dharman..” Surrender •Medicine – “harer nama harer nama….”

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

A real temple teaches the importance of • Association of devotees Who is a sadhu ? “Titiksava karunika…” • titiksava -

• karunika -merciful

tolerant • suhrdam sarva dehinam – friend of all living entities • ajata satrava – no enemies • santah – like an ocean • sadhava – He is a walking scripture • sadhu bhushanah – All good qualities

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

• Dangers of materialitistic association Shakespeare says, “You tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are”.

What does association mean?? Don’t reveal your heart to such people.

Television – The one eyed guru!!

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

• Importance of acceptance of guidance from a spiritual preceptor Transparent via media of the lord. He is not lord but a rep of the lord and repeats the message of the lord and makes it accessible

The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives – PART II

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What does a Guru Teach ?

1. How one can be Krishna conscious in

family life?

Lord Rshabhdev says, Gurur na sasyat sva jano na sa syat Pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat Daivam na tat syan na patis ca sa syan na mocayed samupetya mrtyum

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What does a Guru Teach …..contd

2. Strictly follow the four regulative principles •No meat eating

•No intoxication

•No gambling

•No illicit sex

If you are not following these things don’t worry !!! Just take up the positives and negatives will go automatically

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What does a Guru Teach …..contd

3. Moral and Spiritual Honesty Q. What is moral and spiritual honesty?

A. Being moral and honest to Krishna real morality and honesty •

Real morality is “yatra yogeshwara

•

Krishna..” Highest principle is living as per Krishna’s instructions.

•

Krishna says, “aham tvam sarva papebhyo………...” Eg of 4 theives…

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Q. What is Definition of morality? A. Morality is a standard of activity by which the supreme authority (Krishna) is satisfied. For a higher principle lower principle can be given up

Example of Kaushik muni Gita speaks of standard morality which is immortal i.e.

living a pure and simple

life to satisfy Krishna

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What does a Guru Teach …..contd

4. Charity Krishna says in BG 8.5, “Yajna daan tapascaiva….” Q. What is Charity? Krishna says in BG that there are three kinds of charity •

Charity in Mode of Ignorance

Giving the wrong thing to wrong person in wrong place at wrong time

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

•

Charity in Mode of Passion

Giving the right thing to right person in right place at right time with wrong motive

•

Charity in Mode of Goodness

Giving the right thing to right person in right place at right time with right motive

All these three charities are binding Therefore the best

charity is Transcendental

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Q. What is Transcendental Charity? A charity by which we give Krishna to others Example of Mr. Malhotra and Srila Prabhupada

Transcendental charity means to give in such a way that somehow or other the person gets Krishna. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, “Praner arther diya vaca..”

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What does a Guru Teach …..contd

5. How to dovetail your occupation in devotional service

“Big problem of 21st Century…we have no time” Guru give us the secret of…… How to make our home into a temple? A temple has a chakra or flag at the top! Example of Vidhan sabha

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

How to transform our home into a temple? •

Invite the lord in our home

If we have a place for the lord in the heart then we will have a place for him in our

•

home

Give him the best possible place in the home

Example of Krishna in the closet of a big office

The Lord should be established and worshipped

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

How do we worship? 1. Establish an altar 2. Offer him food Example of offering water to ganga

3. Offering aarti 4. Inviting family to participate “A family that prays together stays together”. Example of throwing stones in a lake

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

In Vedic culture joint families were staying together 80% marriages in america end into a divorce in first 3 years

Impact on Children •

First 3 years of life of Kids are crucial like wet cement

•

These spiritual activities leave lasting impression upon the kids.

Example of old lady bringing her grandson to the temple

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Therefore,

it is very imp that we establish a temple in our home. But, There is a tendency that everything done repeatedly for sometime becomes mechanical How to protect ourselves from all our activities become ordinary mechanical material activity? By performing Sadhana..

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

What is Sadhana? Those activities that re-spiritualize our lives From nowonwards everything is most important 1. Japa – chanting the holy names of the lord Q. Why should we chant on beads? 1. Concentration 2. Regulation Q. When should we chant? Brahma-muhurt is the best time

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

2. Reading of Scriptures 3. Hearing from advanced devotees

The 4 Do’s - ABCD A – Association of Devotees B – Books – reading books C – Chanting the names of lord D – Diet (Krishna Prasad)

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Who is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ?