Treat the culprit with the head not with the heart

Criminal who has committed severe crimes can not be forgiven, and judge need to take strict action against him although he seems to be innocent by face. If dealt sentimentally and forgiven he can be more dangerous in future.

Similarly our uncontrolled mind is main culprit who create troubles for us in various ways. It proposes different ideas for sense enjoyment which result only in future problems. It is one which keeps us hankering for different things due to which we always remain discontent and dissatisfied. Mind poses to be our good and innocent friend who always looks for our well wishes also we may feel what's the problem in fulfilling mind's desire.

But no, uncontrolled mind can only create havoc and has to be dealt very strictly not loosely. There were many in past on the path of self realisation who got cheated by mind thus lost from path. Mind is superior to senses due to which senses get easily deluded but intelligence is higher than mind. Thus real yogi always remembers his ultimate purpose and deals with his mind with spiritual intelligence acquired from scriptures and spiritual masters and not with his heart sentimentally.

Based on Gita 3.43

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa 
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

10 Spiritual Lessons from Currency Discontinuation

Indian prime minister Mr. Modi has taken a bold step to stop flow of black money and to teach hard lessons to corrupt people who earned money by unlawful meanings and by avoiding taxes. But common people like us who are law abiding can also learn few lessons from this whole scenario.

B- What about the black heart? Yes, Modi's decision is absolutely correct to get black money back, but unless and until something is done to cure black heart, black money again will be created in near future. The best thing is teach principles of Dharma to children from childhood along with other studies.

L-Laws has to be followed, now no one can say I don't follow PM's law, if he says so he is doomed. Similarly Lord has given us the laws in the form of scriptures which has to be followed, if we miss we will be the losers and the criminals too.

A-Acknowledge our nature, understand our nature, don't be so panic, as a soul we have nothing to do with money, at the end we will be leaving everything here only!

C-Change is certain, in material everything is changing constantly, when we focus too much on things of these changing world including our money and body we will be disturbed. One has to become 'Dhira', a sober person.
K-Karma getting nullified, we are facing so much problems on currency exchange, big queues in front of banks and ATMs etc., but understand that troubles and pains in our life are only due to our past karmas, don't blame others.

M-Money can't buy happiness, many those who are middle class or poor think that those who are rich they must be happy and one day I also would like to become rich. But just see situation of rich people from past few days, they are the one who are most miserable and tensed. Although Bangaladesh is one the poor country in the world but it is the most happiest of all other countries according to BBC.

O-Once lost is lost and even once gained is also lost in this world, many have lost crores of rupees which can't be retrieved back. This is nature of material world, but even simple activities done for spiritual cause has the effect for eternity, once gained is ever gained.

E-Excise(tax) has to be paid. We are taking so many facilities from Government we must pay taxes. If we miss the tax we will be penalised. Similarly God has also provided us so many facilities, Sun, moon, rains etc have we ever paid the taxes to Him? Simple way in this age to pay taxes to God is to just chant Mahamantra.

N-Nature of this world is to give sufferings. Whatever we do end result will be sufferings only, so don't get so surprised by seeing miseries of people beacasue of this new rule.

Y-Why to enter into such businesses which will cause us troubles? Do we really need big money to live satisfied? World is like toilet just finish business without entangling yourself and come out!

By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
In the service of www.iskcondesiretree.com

*The only solution for pollution*

A thick smog has enveloped the Delhi since Diwali and people are experiencing worst spell of smog. Cases of respiratory diseases with elders and children are increasing day by day. There are various causes for pollution like cars or fire crackers etc and different measures are taken by the government to reduce but it seems of no use because all solutions are baseless and will create further problems.

The most basic cause of pollution in any city or nation is not something external but our polluted hearts alone and the interesting thing is that everyone is unaware of it. Polluted heart is greedy and lusty for things, it just asks for more and more without bothering for future consequences. Polluted heart doesn't feel satisfied ever, just take the example of demon hiranyaksha, he was so greedy for gold that he kept digging the earth in one side thus earth lost its balance and felt from its path, then lord came as Varaha(Boar form) to restore the earth and to kill the greedy demon who was destroying the life on earth. Similarly, we are also exploiting resources in a rapid way and creating pollutants, which are in turn troubling us.

Till the time one thinks that I am the enjoyer and proprietor of the world one will take things for granted. One will exploit the rare resources thus destroying the nature. Not being aware of the supremacy of God is basic problem of everything. Nature doesn't work independently, God is the instructor and if we interfere into it we will be the suffer. Lord came to kill demon who was creating imbalance in nature, will lord appear again to kill polluters? Lord has already appeared in the form of holy names and stored all the potencies into it, so when one chants he is not killed but his demoniac tendencies are killed.

When heart gets more and more cleansed by chanting the names of God, one realises that we are just servant of God and caretakers of his property not the proprietor so one is very careful while using His resources. When one feels this river is property of God then why will he throw sewage or pollute the water, when one feels this air is God given then he will take utmost careful before discharging poisonous gases of industries and cars into it or at least he will have some protective measures. Thus all other solutions are there but they are simply temporary and can't be as effective as becoming devotee of God. So in conclusion everything depends upon the civilised and fine thinking, feeling and willing of the people, if they become devotees of god they will have respect for everything in creation of god but if they don't they will simply act like a demon creating problems for themselves as well as for others.

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

Who is your favourite actor ?

Hardly anyone is there who don't have any interest in watching dramas or movies. Although one may not be regular movie watcher but he also knows about latest or past actors and actresses through some advertisements or trailers or promos or songs etc. Most of people have their favourite actor/actresses and they won't miss a single movie of them, but all these actors have their own limitations thus not complete or perfect. Then who is perfect hero to be followed or liked?

A- perfect actor is one who can perform all roles perfectly, only God can take this position. He acts as a beautiful lady(Mohini) and bewilders everyone including Lord shiva, not only this but he takes the roles of different animals too like lion, turtle, fish, boar etc. and likewise he has taken to unlimited roles, none of today's actors can do this even in their dreams.
C- captivating, a perfect actor is expert in captivating the heart of watcher. But many times it seems that they are boring and wasting our time. Lord's pastimes are simply amazing, they are still attracting the heart of millions even after thousands of years. When he becomes child and plays with cows and Gopas and gopis, he protects everyone in Vrindavan by killing various demons, then his Mathura, Dwarka Lilas are just mind blowing.
T- talents and skills, mortal actors lacks multi talents and skills, few days ago during shooting 2 actors jumped into dam from helicopter as a part of scene but still they are missing. God is perfectionist, once he jumped with his brother Balaram from big mountain but landed safely, he has multi talents and skills, he is wrestler, lover, dancer etc he has 64 other skills too.
O- open hearted, rather than being open hearted and kind most of the actors are just selfish, hard hearted and they have nothing to do with others. But God is so generous that he is ready to give everything whatever his fan asks for, he is ready to share his wealth and property with his dear devotee, who else other than God can do this?
R- reciprocator, none of the actor knows fully about their fans then what to say of doing welfare to them. But see the example of God he is such a actor that he knows and acknowledges his each and every fan of his each and every role and reciprocate with them fully because he is staying most near to us in the form of super soul. He expands into 16108 forms to reciprocate with each of his queens.

In conclusion movie stars doesn't have to do anything with our life so don't just blindly like or love or follow them, ask yourself is that person helping me, inspiring me, directing me, giving hopes to me in miserable world anyway? Film stars are just for our entertainment, they are not real heros of our life, it doesn't make any sense making them favourite in life. Make the God a favourite actor of your life, follow him and just see how he acts miraculously to make sure that we see happy end of our life movie.

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

What kind of happiness are you looking ?

Everyone of us is looking for happiness, isn't it? But many doesn't know what real happiness is, how to acquire it, how to maintain it and what kind of happiness should be looked for. Happiness doesn't mean only some pleasurable moments or some thrill or filling of being elated, real or true happiness is deep term and have a relation directly with soul.

Gita explains about 3 kinds of happiness(BG 18). The first kind of happiness is spiritual, it is bitter in beginning but gives unlimited enjoyment at the end, and most of us don't want this type of happiness. We want immediate happiness without wanting anything troublesome thus generally no one goes for this kind of happiness. Spiritual life involves regulations and austerities to control mind(mediation) and senses(getting up early in the morning) thus seems bitter in beginning but when one crosses this tough phase of rules and control endless happiness can be acquired.

2nd kind of happiness is born out of interaction between senses and sense objects. For e.g. I want tasty food to satisfy my taste buds and when I eat that I become happy, here the happiness is immediate but it's not long lasting in fact it causes troubles in future e.g. Only eating tasty food will not nourish your body it will make you weak and sick eventually. But because it gives pleasure immediately people tend to look for this kind of pleasures. 3rd kind of happiness is derived from sleep, laziness and illusion. Actually here happiness doesn't exist at all but under influence of illusion one thinks I am enjoying while sleeping or dreaming(imaginary happiness).  Spiritual practices may seem little tough but it's fruits are sweeter and every practitioner can receive it after qualification where as material practices seems very easy and pleasurable but results only into misery and sadness at later stage.

As we discussed earlier happiness is related to soul and not with body but we seek for the happiness in things which doesn't have any connection with soul and thus receives false or momentarily happiness or gets frustrated in attempts to become happy. In conclusion happiness isn't acquired by fulfilling the demands of the senses and mind but it can be achieved only by suitable spiritual practices of connecting soul with super soul.

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa

Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

One Indian Man

One Indian girl is a story of 'Radhika' a girl from Delhi born in middle class family but who is ambitious, studious thus gets employed for high paying job. But because she is woman she gets exploited, undermined, cheated and troubled by the men dominated society. Author has tried his best to create the awareness of the problems which women are facing but couldn't give solution, in fact there were so many movies and books written in past on feminism though couldn't make any positive impact on society because matters were dealt superficially without going to the depth of the problems. Solutions to all kinds of various 'ism' including feminism, altruism, nationalism etc are perfectly given by 'one Indian man' through his teachings.

This one Indian man(A.C. Bhaktivedant Swami) born in Calcutta, raised in traditional cultures was follower of Gandhi but later highly influenced by teachings of Saraswati Thakur, a high class saint of 18th century. Thakur ordered him to take the teaching of scriptures to the west and present in English language, Saraswati Thakur was convinced nothing else without God consciousness can make society happy and peaceful. Thus taking his orders seriously one Indian man went to west at the advance age of 70 to create revolution in the world. He translated and wrote commentary of revered scriptures like Gita and Bhagavat Mahapuran. He started lecturing in storefront and began his daily chanting in park which was attended and liked by hippies who later became his disciples. He established the international society to spread God consciousness throughout the world.

As a true representative of God and previous saints he always presented message as it is but with contemporary examples so that essence can be digested easily. Apart from 700 temples all over the world and many projects his contribution to the society is his books. His books are still sold in millions and although he has departed many decades ago from this world he is still influencing the people's lives and transforming them. He is the one who has given the real aim of life and made people actually happy. He is jagadguru leading people on right path.

Books like one Indian girl deals with problems on superficial level and offer some temporary solution which in turn becomes bigger problem, but books of Prabhupad goes to the depth and reveals our constitutional position as a soul and an eternal servant of God. When one understand that everyone is part and parcel of God why he will disrespect or exploit others, all the problems have one root cause and that is forgetfulness of our eternal relationship with God, Prabhupad's books deals with how to revive that lost connection with God and create serenity in the society and the whole world. In conclusion if you still want to experience cheap trills and entertainment then go for one Indian girl but if you are looking for something substantial in life then you must read the books by One Indian Man, Srila Prabhupad who created internal as well As external revolution on planet.

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

What do you prefer Reel life or Real life?

Everyone likes to watch reel life that means movies which are based on attractive stories filled with romance, humour, fights, some struggles, tragedy, emotional drama, 3D effects etc. Usually story starts with hero getting fascinated by heroine then begins struggles of hero to get her hands, then how he overcomes all the hurdles and marries her at last people are also happy and satisfied seeing happy end of movie.

Movies are good mediums to create awareness but hardly any one shows the realities of the world in fact movies distract from harsh realities and put the people in the state of confusion. Reel life ends when hero unites with heroin but real life begins at the union then real responsibilities and struggles of life starts. People generally want to see the movie because many things which they want to do are not practical so they try to fulfil them by mentally fantasising about it in the form movies(they see themselves in the form of hero) for e.g. to have best of the facilities to enjoy unlimitedly like hero but many times it leads to only frustration because expectations and ground realities are different.

Movies don't talk about miseries of life and how to overcome them. No one shows how painful the old age is, how incurable the diseases are, how sudden and shocking the death is(end is not happy at all as shown in movies)! It's just presents romantic and happy moments which makes one forgetful of real life and it's purpose creating mass destruction in society. Our scriptures also filled with amazing love stories, drama, fights and other things but the difference is ultimately they talk about realities of the world and offers solution to get out of this world whereas movies of these world ultimately talks about lust and various ways to fulfil it and shackles us to be in this world life after life by keeping the mind always agitated for sense objects.

Reading of scriptures won't give us only excitement and entertainment but also satisfaction and purification of heart because they describe the glories of all pure God. They are not made by ordinary man of this world but by God himself so carries the extraordinary potency of transformation. No one has become a transformed person after watching reel life, there life continues in same sinful way in fact they become more passionate for enjoyment which is not purpose of human life. Scriptures again and again reminds us about our real life that is our natural position as a soul, part and parcel of God and his purpose that is to serve God lovingly. In conclusion one should not waste his money, time and energy to get more confused and bewildered about life by watching reel life but take proper shelter of scriptures like Gita and learn about realities of this life and about real life!!

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

Watch the trailer and get a role in the movie!!

Once when I opened my YouTube app to check some info I was amazed to see that one of the trailer of particular movie was viewed by 20 crores people in one day, what a craze! Trailer is overview of movie to attract the people to watch the movie, trailer is for promotion and free of cost. After watching trailer person becomes desirous of watching movie by buying costly tickets and hopes for 2-3 hours of excitement and happiness.

It's practically unheard that someone watched the trailer and what to say of freely watching movie but he gets role into next movie. But it happens. When God appears in the world and performs different pastimes which are like the trailer of His real eternal movies going on in spiritual world. Everyone likes to see movies and follow hero and God fulfils desire of conditioned people in positive way. When he descends to this world he enacts the perfect roles, when he takes role of baby he actually becomes and exactly behaves as baby, when he takes role of lover he perfectly reciprocates with loved ones, when he becomes husband, king and a servant of devotee no one can doubt his credibilities of acting thus he becomes perfect hero whose example can be followed.

His earthly pastimes which are like trailers which reveals glimpse of his activities in eternal world. These trailer of God is the subject matter of scriptures like Gita and Bhagavat Mahapuran, as we discussed earlier that peculiarity of these trailer is that it qualifies one to watch fully movie(understand whole pastimes of Lord) and get chance to enact role in these movies with Lord by becoming his associate(one gets entry to eternal world) without costly tickets. One loses his time, money, energy as well intelligence by watching movies of this world because non of them teaches purpose of life and activities to be performed to achieve it, in fact people get  more bewildered and think sense gratification is only aim of life.

There is no one more merciful and compassionate than God who avail this facility of just reading and listening about him from authentic spiritual teachers and getting entrance into his kingdom filled with eternal bliss also it's a perfect utilisation of time and energy. In conclusion these pastimes of Lord are not something boring or tiring or old(as usually thought) but keeps the potency to fulfil all human emotions and always felt newer and newer by the sincere practitioner, at the same time it makes one qualified to enter the spiritual world by purification of heart.

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa

Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

(Spiritual) Health is Wealth- 3 Lessons from pastime of Dhanvantari

Today is the day when Lord Dhanvantari appeared during the churning of milk ocean. During churning demons became very morose and depressed when they saw Goddess of fortune accepted the shelter of Lord Narayan neglecting everyone. They again engaged themselves vigorously in the churning expecting something wonderful to come out of it. Thereafter a beautiful male appeared from ocean, He was strongly built; his arms were long, stout and strong; his neck, which was marked with three lines, resembled a conchshell; his eyes were reddish; and his complexion was blackish. He was very young, he was garlanded with flowers, and his entire body was fully decorated with various ornaments. He was wearing the beautiful robes, he was also carrying a big jug full of nectar.

Nectar was supposed to be the culmination of whole activity of churning. Everyone was happy seeing the nectar. Both the parties were really eager to taste it but some powerful demons without concern for anyone just snatched the jug and ran away to drink. Demigods were helpless, lord appeared to them and told don't worry you will be the enjoyer of nectar. Here demons started fighting amongst themselves deciding who will have it first. 1)One lesson we can learn from here is that Lord Dhanvanatari who is God of health couldn't protect the jug from demons indicating health of material body is flickering and time is snatching it away from us and even best of the doctors can't do anything.

Lord asked demigods to keep some patience, He assumed the form of Mohini to bewilder the demons. Forgetting the nectar they started running after her, they put their full trust on her and handed over jug asking her to distribute it equally amongst everyone. But what Mohini did, she started distributing nectar only to demigods. Demigods are servant of God whereas demons defy the God and His supremacy. 2)Here Mohini is indicating that only the devotees are rightful heirs for nectar which will give healthy body because demigods are using body in service of Lord, where as the demons wanted to have healthy body for their own sense pleasure, Lord provides all necessities for His devotees, they always gets best of both the worlds.

Sukdev Goswami concludes this chapter glorifying the nectarian holy name of Lord. Similarly rather than seeking nectarian bliss anywhere else we also should engage ourselves in churning of our heart with Bhakti process and then result will be the taste for holy names, by experiencing this nectar our spiritual Heath will improve and we can become fit to return our eternal home. 3)It doesn't means  that one should neglect the bodily health but one shouldn't exploit his body for sense pleasures of this world which will only cause moroseness as seen with the example of the demons.

Article By Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com

Significance of Dhanteras

Today evening most of us will be worshipping Goddess Lakshmi seeking her choicest blessings in the form of money and good fortune. Today is the day when Lakshmi Devi appeared from the milk ocean during it's churning. Actually everyone within the world is seeking her slightest glance upon them, they are trying out so many things to attain her mercy. More than money and some fortune she has something really special to offer us.

Once Durvasa muni cursed Indra to become deprive of his heavenly kingdom and all fortunes. Indra with other demigods was also defeated by demons, they lost everything. Lord Vishnu being compassionate upon His devotees asked them to have a truce with the demons. He told them to churn the milk ocean which will result in getting nectar, everyone agreed. Lord helped them in getting Mandara mountain as churning rod and Vasuki snake as rope. Both parties demigods and demons started churning vigorously expecting the nectar but first thing which came out was poison, that was accepted by Lord shiva protecting universe. Then various wonderful things started coming out and everyone according to their positions were accepting them. Surabhi was accepted by Rishis, horses and elephants were taken by demons etc. Soon a lady with exquisite beauty appeared from ocean like a lightening. She was goddess of fortune herself.

Everyone was seeking for her hand. Sages started praising her and had bathing ceremony with Vedic mantras and other paraphernalia. After accepting new garments she started searching for perfect master who can give her protection. She was roaming in the midst of all celestial beings and demons but she found out that no one is complete and everyone is full of faults, someone had good looks but no intelligence, someone was ascetic but influenced by time, someone was powerful but had no position. When she approached Lord Vishnu without a second thought she offered a garland over His shoulder indicating He is the supreme one.

Lord also accepted her as an eternal consort and gave her place on His chest. Being the chaste wife of Lord she always follows the Lord. And whom does the Lord follow? Lord follows the heart of devotees, He stays in the heart of devotees and where there is Narayan there is Lakshmi, it's so simple equation. Only being desirous of Lakshmi is a mentality of Ravana who also wanted Sita without Lord Ram but that only caused for his destruction. On the other hand those who worshipped Them together became prosperous. If someone only worships Lakshmi desiring material benefits she appears to them as Chanchal(flickering) or illusory Lakshmi offering them some temporary benefits but one who becomes devotee of Lord Narayan she offers eternal fortune upon those souls. In conclusion rather than running after grace of Lakshmi run after the grace of her master Lord Narayan whose shelter she also seeks, this is the significance of Dhanteras.

Article by Rupesh Gauranga Dasa
Sent by www.iskcondesiretree.com