Category:Teachings of Lord Kapila Chapter 08 - Bhakti-yoga: The Supreme Yoga System
Pages in category "Teachings of Lord Kapila Chapter 08 - Bhakti-yoga: The Supreme Yoga System"
The following 106 pages are in this category, out of 106 total.
A
- A brahmana, characterized by the mode of goodness, is truthful and self-controlled. He controls his mind and senses, and he is very tolerant and simple
- A drunkard cannot remain without a drink, but a devotee is drunk with Krsna consciousness. The immunization against all material diseases is this Krsna consciousness
- A man, thinking of enjoying himself, tries to imitate purusa, but actually he is prakrti. As a consequence, he is cast into this material world
- A small child may not know anything, but simply by seeing the Deity, chanting and dancing, he is benefited. Temples are meant to give everyone a chance to advance in Krsna consciousness one step at a time
- According to Bhagavad-gita, the living entity never actually takes birth, and he never actually dies. Na jayate mriyate va kadacit - For the soul there is never birth nor death
- Adhyatmika means to awaken the soul to his proper position. The soul is purusa, spirit, and his business is to reconnect his lost relationship with Krsna
- Although we may try to revive the perfect varnasrama system, it is not possible in this age. People are fallen, disturbed and unfortunate
- Arjuna asks, "Why are you telling me? Why not another?" Sri Krsna answers, bhakto 'si me sakha ceti: "Because you are My devotee as well as My friend." - BG 4.3
- At the present moment everyone is like Jagai and Madhai, for everyone is intoxicated and mad after sex. Now, by the grace of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, thousands of Jagais and Madhais are being delivered
B
- Bahunam janmanam ante (BG 7.19). We have received this body through the evolutionary processes, and this human form is a great opportunity. Narottama dasa Thakura sings: hari hari viphale janama gonainu - My dear Lord Krsna, I have simply wasted my time
- Because the living entity wants to enjoy the material world and is attached to the three gunas, he receives different types of bodies
- Because we are part and parcel of Krsna - just as a son is part and parcel of his father - there is a natural love between us. However, somehow or other the son leaves home and forgets his father
- Bhagavan Sri Krsna is present in the temple Deity, and even if a child comes to offer his respects, he is counted as a devotee
- Bhava may increase to maha-bhava. This is not possible for ordinary human beings, but it was possible for the gopis and Radharani. Indeed, they could not live without Krsna. This is the highest stage of liberation
- By nature, we living entities are liberated. There is actually no question of birth, death, old age and disease. Since we are part and parcel of Krsna, the Supreme Lord, how can there be a question of these things
- By performing this yajna, the results will be ceto-darpana-marjanam (CC Antya 20.12) - the mirror of the mind will be cleansed. When the mirror of the mind is cleansed, one is automatically liberated
- By simply surrendering unto Krsna, our spiritual life begins
C
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu has explained the difference between nastikyam and astikyam. According to Vedic understanding, one who does not believe in the Vedas is called nastika
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself has opened the way (Krsna consciousness movement) with this sankirtana movement
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu says: veda na maniya bauddha haya ta 'nastika (CC Madhya 6.168). Lord Buddha defied Vedic authority, but His mission was to stop animal killing
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu, just to give relief to the rotting, conditioned souls of this age of Kali-yuga, has given us the maha-mantra
- Consciousness is the main principle, either for conditional life or for liberated life. We are therefore proposing Krsna consciousness, which means liberation from the repetition of birth and death
E
- Even if one goes to Brahmaloka, the highest planet in the material atmosphere, one is not actually perfectly situated. There is really no benefit because even on Brahmaloka the four miseries of material existence are found: birth, old age, disease & death
- Even if we do a little on the path of bhakti, it goes to our account. For instance, if we deposit only two dollars in a savings bank, it is kept in our account, and it will increase with interest
G
- Generally we experience that people are primarily interested in seeing Krsna, but why is the emphasis on seeing? Let us hear about Him. We must come with a little faith, and as we hear, that faith will increase
- Generally, for the neophyte, these items are essential - to hear His name and qualities and see and worship His form. That is Krsna's personal instruction: "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me." - BG 9.34
- God is purusa, male, not female. Purusa means "the enjoyer," and prakrti means "the enjoyed." Everything is enjoyed by the supreme purusa
H
- He (a brahmana) has full knowledge, and he knows how to apply knowledge in life. He has full faith in the authority of the Vedas, a quality called astikyam
- He had his birth, and when Lord Brahma dies, the entire material cosmic manifestation will be finished
- How can the peaceful varnasrama-dharma be revived when people are so harassed in this age? It is virtually impossible. Therefore the system of bhakti-yoga, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, should be adopted
- How can this perfect yoga be attained? That is explained by Lord Kapila in the next verse: ratam va pumsi muktaye. If our consciousness is simply attached to Krsna, we will be liberated
I
- If a man perfectly performs his own duties (sva-dharma) but is not Krsna conscious, what does he gain? There is actually no gain
- If one executes his duties as a brahmana, Visnu will be very pleased, and if one executes his duties perfectly as a ksatriya or sudra, Visnu will also be very pleased
- If one executes his duties as a perfect ksatriya, vaisya, sudra or whatever, Visnu will be pleased. The purpose of work is to please Visnu. Unfortunately, people have forgotten this
- If one is born in a brahmana family and gives up Krsna consciousness, he becomes a muci, a cobbler. Thus the door of devotion is open to everyone, whoever he may be
- If one is still attached to all these habits (illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling), he should know that he is not making progress. When one is actually advanced in bhajana-kriya, all these anarthas (unwanted things) will be finished
- If one performs even a little devotional service, it is not lost. One may come and join this Krsna consciousness movement, render some service and after a while fall down
- If one takes to Krsna consciousness but does not succeed, what has he lost? Even if he falls down, there is no loss
- If one takes to Krsna consciousness, even if he is born in a family of a cobbler (muci), he becomes greater than a brahmana - suci
- In Bhagavad-gita Sri Krsna says that we should always keep in mind the four miserable conditions. These are birth, old age, disease and death
- In the Krsna consciousness temples the devotees rise early in the morning, at 4:00 A.M., and they immediately bathe
- In the modes of passion and ignorance, no one can understand God. Also, from the material point of view, if one is situated in the mode of goodness, he can be elevated to higher planetary systems
- In the previous verse Kapiladeva instructed: yoga adhyatmikah pumsam mato nihsreyasaya. The soul is entrapped in the body, and the process of perfect yoga is the process of saving the soul from bodily confinement and the four miseries that plague the body
- In the Vedas there are recommendations for animal sacrifice, and therefore to prevent the killing of animals, Lord Buddha rejected the Vedas. Such sacrifice is not possible in this age because there is no brahmana qualified to carry it out
- In this age, there will be insufficient rainfall and food, and the government will plunder one's income by heavy taxation. All of these characteristics of Kali-yuga are described in Srimad-Bhagavatam
- It appeals to fat ladies who go to the classes to reduce and keep their digestive systems regular. Many people are interested in this kind of gymnastic yoga, but real yoga is adhyatmika
- It is stated that we are actually prakrti, not purusa. The human dress is simply maya, illusion. We are thinking that we are purusa, the enjoyer, but actually we are the enjoyed
- It is the body that is destined to die, whether the body be that of Lord Brahma or of a small ant. One should not think that one is liberated because one can live millions and millions of years
- It is this active medicine, this Hare Krsna maha-mantra, that is doing it. It is the perfect yoga system. This process is not manufactured, and we have not concocted anything. Our business is simply to accept the words of Krsna as they are
K
- Kapiladeva explains that once one takes to the path of bhakti-yoga, one never actually falls down
- Kapiladeva says that He previously delivered this yoga system to the great rsis, the great sages. This is the process of sravana, hearing
- Krsna and Kapiladeva are not teaching anything new. They are simply repeating the same message because, in the course of time, the knowledge has been lost
- Krsna comes and says, - You rascal! Give up all this nonsensical material engagement. You have manufactured so many religions and dharmas. Just give them all up and simply surrender unto Me
- Krsna comes Himself and leaves behind His words. His words are also Himself because His words are absolute. Presently we do not see Krsna, but if we actually advance, we will see Him
- Krsna consciousness is so complete that it is all-embracing. Everyone has an occupational duty as a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, but one does not have to give up his occupational duty to take to Krsna consciousness
- Krsna Himself says that regardless of one's position, if one takes shelter of Him, one can approach the supreme destination
- Krsna is present everywhere, but one has to acquire knowledge in order to know how to see Krsna. That is mukti, liberation. That is Krsna consciousness. That is also the process of bhakti-yoga-sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam... - SB 7.5.23
- Krsna is sac-cid-ananda-vigraha (Bs. 5.1), and being part and parcel of Krsna, we are also of the same nature. We are equal in quality, although not in quantity. Why, then, should we suffer the pangs of death
- Krsna says at the conclusion of BG (18.55), 'bhaktya mam abhijanati: if one actually wants to understand Krsna and one's relationship with Him, one must take to this process of bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga as explained by Lord Kapiladeva is sankhya-yoga
- Krsna's name, form, qualities, pastimes, paraphernalia and abode are all part and parcel of Krsna. However, understanding Krsna begins with hearing and chanting His name. Then there is His form
L
- Lord Brahma also dies and takes birth. From Vedic literatures we understand that Lord Brahma took birth from the lotus flower generated from the navel of Visnu
- Lord Kapiladeva states here: tam imam te pravaksyami yam avocam puranaghe. The word anaghe refers to one without sin. The word agha refers to past sins, and an means "without." Therefore one cannot understand Krsna consciousness unless he is free from sin
O
- Once begun, bhakti-yoga continues, even if one temporarily falls down. One is given another chance by taking birth in a good family, either in a wealthy family, a learned family or a brahmana family
- One does not have to change one's position. In Bhagavad-gita (18.46) Sri Krsna says that every man can become perfect by following his qualities of work
- One may say, "That will take some time. I cannot get free from sinful reactions overnight." However, Krsna says, - No, no. This can be done immediately. Simply surrender unto Me, and I will absolve you from all sin
- One must be very eager to hear, for spiritual life begins with hearing. - CC Madhya 17.136
- One should come to the temple, listen to talks about Krsna, & then, after some time, officially take initiation into the service of the Lord. That is called bhajana-kriya. At that time one has to abandon illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating & gambling
- One who is in the mode of goodness receives the body of a learned brahmana. This is somewhat elevated, for he can gradually understand what is God
P
- Param drstva nivartate (BG 2.59). When one appreciates something better, he rejects all kinds of nonsense. Once one gets a taste of Krsna consciousness, he cannot remain without it
- People will become so disgusted that they will suddenly leave their wife and children and go to the forest
- Presently it has become fashionable to manufacture a new system of religion, but Kapiladeva, like Krsna, does not manufacture anything new
- Presently we are under the sway of the three gunas, the modes of material nature - sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna. Out of these three gunas, sattva-guna, the mode of goodness, is the best
T
- The entire world is in darkness without KC, and in this age people are so dull that they do not even know the difference between mukti (liberation) and bandha (bondage). If a human being does not know this difference, he is no better than an animal
- The father, of course, never forgets his son. He thinks, "Oh, my son has left. If he would only come back!" Krsna thinks in this way
- The great souls are always chanting about Krsna. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. They are also endeavoring with great determination in their devotional service
- The life of Lord Brahma covers millions of earth years, yet he is also subjected to birth and death. That is the way of conditional life
- The purpose of this Krsna consciousness movement is to keep our minds constantly on Krsna. Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He is a person. When He was realized by Arjuna, He was addressed as purusam
- The stage of awareness of Krsna can be attained when one is advanced in Krsna consciousness. Then one can understand that Krsna is present in the Deity, in Bhagavad-gita, in the taste of water, in the sunshine, in the moonshine and in all sound
- The supreme ancient system of yoga pertains to the soul. Presently, in America especially, hatha-yoga is very popular
- The unsuccessful yogi is born into a family of righteous people or into a family of rich aristocracy. - Thus if one fails to perfect his bhakti-yoga, he is given another chance in the next life
- The whole aim of bhakti-yoga is to satisfy Visnu. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayaih: Visnu, Krsna, came Himself as Caitanya Mahaprabhu to teach us the way of sankirtana
- They (devotees of God) go to mangala-arati at 4:30, and after mangala-arati they study the Vedic literatures. These are the processes by which we can awaken our dormant love for Krsna
- They are delivering all kinds of sinful men simply by chanting Hare Krsna. And what is the evidence of this? The evidence is that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu delivered the sinful Jagai and Madhai
- This is the yajna (sankirtana-yajna), or sacrifice, especially intended for this age. We need only chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
- This material life is just like a blazing forest fire. Eating, sleeping, enjoying sex and defending are the main material activities. When we are engaged simply in these things, our hearts are always burning as if we had taken poison
- This system is not new, but very old (pura). Krsna says the same in BG (4.2), evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh - This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, & the saintly kings understood it in that way
- Those who are intelligent know that such a sacrifice (animal sacrifice) cannot be successful in this age because no one knows the proper mantras capable of giving an old animal the body of a new animal
- To be immuned to the infection of the gunas, we have to engage in bhakti-yoga. Once we attain the perfectional stage, we attain ecstatic love of Godhead. In that state we cannot remain without Krsna for a moment. That is called bhava
W
- We are all sons of Krsna, and Krsna is more anxious to get us back home, back to Godhead, than we are to go
- We do not need to be very learned. Our only requirement is that we receive the blessings of the Lord. The Lord's blessings will enable us to become learned and follow His instructions
- We have to understand that we receive different bodies due to our sinful actions. Now we are given a chance to execute our duty in the human form
- We only need to stick to this Krsna consciousness movement on the basis of Bhagavad-gita. When we are a little further advanced, we can read Srimad-Bhagavatam
- We should take advantage of the perfect knowledge given by Vedic literatures, by the great rsis and Bhagavan Kapiladeva, as well as by Bhagavan Sri Krsna, in order to attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death
- Whatever service has been rendered is to one's permanent credit. That will never be lost. When one begins again, he begins at the point where he has left off
- When an animal sacrifice is properly conducted, an old animal is sacrificed, and it emerges from the fire in a new body. This is not possible in this age, but what is possible is sankirtana-yajna, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra
- When one takes poison knowingly, he commits suicide, and not taking advantage of the human form is something like that. If we do not understand Krsna in this life, we are knowingly taking poison
- When we are able to put an end to these (birth, old age, disease and death), we are liberated. This simply requires that we clear our consciousness by thinking of Krsna
- When we see the Deity in the temple, we think, "Oh, this is an idol. It is not Krsna." If we think in this way, we have not seen Krsna. Krsna is also present in His words, in Bhagavad-gita. That is krsna-vani, the message of Krsna
- Without being a bhakta, a devotee of Krsna's, one cannot actually understand the science of bhakti-yoga. Understanding Bhagavad-gita means understanding Krsna. All this information is explained only in the bhakti-sampradaya, not in any other school