Everyday Geeta

April 20, 2012 A  previous post highlighting a beautiful Krishna Arjuna chariot image  has proven to be quite popular.    Here's a beautiful one we saw just recently over one of the gates at the Srirangam Ranganathar koil. You can even spot Hanumanji on the dhwaja flying above the chariot. The photograph was taken by Arundhati.  Of course, one wishes that the geniuses we know exist in India, would figure out a way to place the wires and bulbs more aesthetically. Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post

April 8, 2012 Recently, at the Bhagavat Geeta Study group we were discussing the following portion of the Geeta नायं लोकोऽस्त्ययज्ञस्य कुतोऽन्यः कुरुसत्तम ||४-३१|| naayaM loko.astyayaGYasya kuto.anyaH kurusattama .. 4-31.. O Arjuna (Kurusattama), even this world is not gained by the non-performer of sacrifice; how then the other (world)? I am struck by how Śri Kŗşņa beautifully connects the spiritual and the secular. For instance, Usain Bolt, featured in the video above, could break six world records because he put in many weeks, days and hours of practice while his classmates were probably out doing what typical teenagers do. While Usain Bolt might be an extreme example, even the simple act of buying a house calls for the homeowner to have saved money by giving up on small pleasures and easy gratifications. Some might see Mark Zuckerberg and think a 'billionaire brat' but I recall how the movie, The Social Network revealed a very focused, hard working young guy who was cons...

April 3, 2012 As a follow up to my post on Swami Swaroopanandaji's teaching on Bhakti , Blogger Ashok has asked where he can get Swamiji's CDs. In India, you can always enquire with your local Chinmaya Mission. For the contact of your local Chinmaya Mission, please click on this search link. Our Ashrams usually have a more comprehensive set of resources and can be searched at this link. You could alternatively, seek to shop from the convenience of home at the online store . I will confess I have never used this online store since I visit Mumbai 2-3 times a year and tend to drop in at the Powai Sandeepany Sadhanalaya . That is when I get my fill of new books. CDs, etc. In the US, you can shop online at www.chinmayapublications.com . Other sources, I would recommend the the Gita Press or the Ramakrishna Mission (although I am not familiar with their online shopping sites). Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post

April 8, 2012 At the SWARANJANEYA event (see link for description of the event in New Delhi) in Singapore on April 7, 2012, Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayanandaji told a humorous story that I thought illustrated Chapter 12 nicely. What follows is from my notes and not a direct quote from Guruji. Once Devarshi Naaradmuni (Naaradji) heard that Śri Mahavishnu, the Lord of the Universe had a list of Bhaktas. So, Naaradji went up to the Lord and said that, "Given my Right to Information, I demand to see the list." Śri Mahavishnu shared the list with Naaradji who was surprised at some notable omissions. Naaradji ran to Hanumanji who looked at the list and shrugged. Naaradji asked Hanumanji, "Aren't you surprised your name is not on the list?" Hanumanji said, "My devotion is not meant to get me on any list." Soon, Naaradji heard that the Lord had another list. Once again, Naaradji demanded to see the list. Once again, Śri Mahavishnu complied with the request. ...

April 2, 2012 I came across a very cool website that indicates the relative scale of many things in the universe ( thanks to atheist philosopher Dan Fincke for pointing me here although my conclusion is going to upset him!). This is a wonderful example of the vibhooti (glory) of graphic representation on the web. In Bhagavad Geeta 8-9, there are a couple of adjectives used to describe the Self or Brahman, the Supreme Reality: 1. पुराणम् purANam.h Ancient 2. अणोरणीयंसमनुस्मरेद्यः aNoraNiiya.n-samanusmaredyaH Minuter than the Atom These adjectives sping to mind as you navigate the website that ranges from the inanimate to living, from the molecular to the massive and from the nearest to the most distant. Thanks to this website, I came to know for instance that "The Sloan Great Wall" is the largest known object in the universe and that scientists think that the "the quantum foam" is foundation of the fabric of the universe although it is so small (can you image w...

April 1, 2012 In Bhagavad Geeta 5-10, there is a wonderful metaphor of the way water plays on a lotus leaf. Śrī Kṛṣṇa says: ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः | लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||५-१०|| brahmaNyaadhaaya karmaaNi saN^ga.n tyaktvaa karoti yaH . lipyate na sa paapena padmapatramivaambhasaa .. 5-10.. He who does actions, offering them to BRAHMAN, abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf remains unaffected by the water on it. Here is a video that demonstrates the lotus leaf's amazing ability to be unaffected. Hari Om and Namaskaar until the next post