DOCSLIB.ORG

Realising Krishna in Kali-Yuga - Part 1

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Realising Krishna in Kali-Yuga - Part 1 Realising Krishna in Kali-yuga - Part 1 Date: 2017-08-05 Author: Uma Prathap Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. When Kardama Muni was commanded by Lord Brahma to beget children, Kardama Muni practised penance for ten thousand years to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead and pray to Him for a wife of like disposition. The Lord being pleased showed Himself to Kardama Muni in His beautiful transcendental form. In Srimad Bhagavatam verses 3.21.7 and 8, Maitreya Muni while explaining the glories of Kardama Muni to Vidurji says, tataḥ samādhi-yuktena kriyā-yogena kardamaḥ samprapede hariṁ bhaktyā prapanna-varadāśuṣam tāvat prasanno bhagavān puṣkarākṣaḥ kṛte yuge darśayām āsa taṁ kṣattaḥ śābdaṁ brahma dadhad vapuḥ During that period of penance, the sage Kardama, by worship through devotional service in trance, propitiated the Personality of Godhead, who is the quick bestower of all blessings upon those who flee to Him for protection. Then, in the Satya-yuga, the lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, being pleased, showed Himself to that Kardama Muni and displayed His transcendental form, which can be understood only through the Vedas. Thus we can see that the culmination of his ten thousand years of penance was the realization of the beautiful form of the Lord and this perfection of all his penance and yoga practice was reached through bhakti or devotion. Srila Prabhupada says in the purport of SB 3.21.7 that, "Without devotion, nothing can be perfect." Thinking of Krishna is the essence of all yoga practices. In the sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Krishna details out how one must practice dhyana yoga. He explains how to sit with body erect, with eyes half closed, gazing at the tip of the nose, in a secluded place and with constant control of body, mind and activities. When Arjuna hears this explanation, he honestly replies in Bhagavad Gita verses 6.33 and 6.34 as to how that yoga system is not practical for him as his mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong and to subdue it is more difficult than controlling the mind. After ten thousand years of meditating on the lotus feet of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before Kardama Muni. We have to see how practical it is for us living in Kali yuga to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this age, practicing meditational yoga following the example of Kardama Muni is impossible because of the following reasons: 1. We do not have the luxury of ten thousand years like Kardama Muni to meditate on the Lord. 2. The meditational system of yoga is very difficult even to such an exalted advanced devotee and intimate friend of Krishna in Dvapar yuga, then what chance do we have, who are in a material circumstance wherein at every moment our mind is subject to agitation? The solution is in chanting the holy names of the Lord. In Srimad Bhagavatam verse 12.3.52, Sukadev Goswami gives this solution to Parikshit Maharaj. He says, kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt Whatever result was obtained in Satya yuga by meditating on Vishnu, in Treta yuga by performing sacrifices and in Dvapara yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra . Krishna willing we shall continue to meditate more on this topic in the subsequent offering. Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Uma Prathap Abu Dhabi. Realising Krishna in Kali-yuga - Part 2 Date: 2017-08-06 Author: Uma Prathap Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev. This is in continuation of the previous offering titled, "Realising Krishna in Kali-Yuga". In the previous offering we saw how Srimad Bhagavatam verse 12.3.52 recommends that chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra is the dharma in Kali-yuga. Now we shall see further. In Satya yuga people were living for hundred thousand years and it was possible for them to execute meditational yoga for thousands of years. But for us in Kali yuga, where the life span is reduced to even less than one hundred years, Srimad Bhagavatam verse 12.3.52 says that simply chanting the names of the Lord, can give us the perfection of yoga achieved by ten thousand or more years of meditative yoga in Satya yuga. In other words, all the perfection of yoga, culminating in realizing the transcendental form of the Supreme Lord, face to face, can be achieved in the present age by bhakti yoga, by glorification of Sri Krishna through the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha mantra, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Lord Krishna concludes the sixth chapter of Bhagavad Gita by stating that the culmination of all yogas lies in bhakti yoga, the rendering of devotional service unto Krishna. Actually all the yogas described in Bhagavad Gita end on the same note, Krishna is the ultimate destination for all yoga systems. And if we see, Kardama Muni also was meditating on Lord Krishna in trance for ten thousand years and achieved success. In Bhagavad Gita verse 6.47, Lord Krishna says that, "of all the yogis, the one with great faith, who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself and renders transcendental loving service to Me – he is the most intimately linked with Me in yoga and is the highest of all." So it is concluded that the topmost yogi is he who is always thinking of Krishna within himself. Who can think of Krishna all the time? One who has developed love of Krishna, can think of Him constantly. As stated in Brahma Samhita verse 5.38 - premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti - Whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love. This stage of pure unadulterated love can be attained by the simple method of Hari-kirtana. In Caitanya Caritamrta Antya lila verse 20.11, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu assures us: nāma-saṅkīrtana haite sarvānartha-nāśa sarva-śubhodaya, kṛṣṇa-premera ullāsa Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krishna. Further in Caitanya Caritamrta Antya lila verse 20.14, He declares, kṛṣṇa-premodgama, premāmṛta-āsvādana kṛṣṇa-prāpti, sevāmṛta-samudre majjana The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Krishna and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Krishna and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love. Krishna willing we shall continue to meditate more on this topic in the subsequent offering. Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev, Uma Prathap Abu Dhabi. Realising Krishna in Kali-yuga - Part 3 Date: 2017-08-07 Author: Uma Prathap Hare Krishna Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudev. This is in conclusion of the previous offering titled, "Realising Krishna in Kali-Yuga". In the previous offering we saw how Srimad Bhagavatam verse 12.3.52 and Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommend that chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra is the dharma in Kali-yuga. Now we shall see further. Srila Haridasa Thakura, was a Mohammedan by birth and yet he could reach the state of Namacarya by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. He was blessed to leave his body fixing his eyes, "like two bumblebees", on the lotus face of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So chanting the Hare Krishna and becoming highly elevated in Krishna consciousness is very simple and sublime process prescribed for this age. Without difficulty one can sit down anywhere, plant a tulasi tree, and before the tulasi, chant the Hare Krishna mantra undisturbed. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu further teaches us how to chant. He says, tṛṇād api su-nīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā amāninā māna-dena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the name of the Lord constantly. sadā means always. Haridasa Thakura says, nirantara nama lao - chant the Hare Krishna mantra without stopping. Thus by always chanting the holy name without offenses and with the mood recommended by Lord Caitanya, one awakens his ecstatic love for the lotus feet of Krishna, as confirmed by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Caitanya Caritamrta Antya lila 20.26, ei-mata hañā yei kṛṣṇa-nāma laya śrī-kṛṣṇa-caraṇe tāṅra prema upajaya If one chants the holy name of Lord Krishna in this manner, he will certainly awaken his dormant love for Krishna’s lotus feet. The stage of pure chanting: In Srila Prabupada Lilamrita, it is said that, "the purification of one's chanting hari-nama means as soon as you chant the holy name (nama) of Krishna, you will see the form (rupa) of Krishna, realize the qualities (guna) of Krishna, remember the pastimes (lila) of Krishna. That is pure chanting of Hare Krishna mantra.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Devotional Practices (Part -1)
    Devotional Practices (Part -1) Hare Krishna Sunday School International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder Acarya : His Divine Grace AC. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Price : $4 Name _ Class _ Devotional Practices ( Part - 1) Compiled By : Tapasvini devi dasi Vasantaranjani devi dasi Vishnu das Art Work By: Mahahari das & Jay Baldeva das Hare Krishna Sunday School , , ,-:: . :', . • '> ,'';- ',' "j",.v'. "'.~~ " ""'... ,. A." \'" , ."" ~ .. This book is dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acarya ofthe Hare Krishna Movement. He taught /IS how to perform pure devotional service unto the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha & Krishna. Contents Lesson Page No. l. Chanting Hare Krishna 1 2. Wearing Tilak 13 3. Vaisnava Dress and Appearance 28 4. Deity Worship 32 5. Offering Arati 41 6. Offering Obeisances 46 Lesson 1 Chanting Hare Krishna A. Introduction Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation ofKrishna who appeared 500 years ago, taught the easiest method for self-realization - chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna '. Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rams Rams Rama Hare Hare if' ,. These sixteen words make up the Maha-mantra. Maha means "great." Mantra means "a sound vibration that relieves the mind of all anxieties". We chant this mantra every day, but why? B. Chanting is the recommended process for this age. As you know, there are four different ages: Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga. People in Satya­ yuga lived for almost 100,000 years whereas in Kali-yuga they live for 100 years at best. In each age there is a different process for self­ realization or understanding God .
    [Show full text]
  • Time Structure of Universe Chart
    Time Structure of Universe Chart Creation of Universe Lifespan of Universe - 1 Maha Kalpa (311.040 Trillion years, One Breath of Maha-Visnu - An Expansion of Lord Krishna) Complete destruction of Universe Age of Universe: 155.52197 Trillion years Time remaining until complete destruction of Universe: 155.51803 Trillion years At beginning of Brahma's day, all living beings become manifest from the unmanifest state (Bhagavad-Gita 8.18) 1st day of Brahma in his 51st year (current time position of Brahma) When night falls, all living beings become unmanifest 1 Kalpa (Daytime of Brahma, 12 hours)=4.32 Billion years 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 71 Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas Chaturyugas 1 Manvantara 306.72 Million years Age of current Manvantara and current Manu (Vaivasvata): 120.533 Million years Time remaining for current day of Brahma: 2.347051 Billion years Between each Manvantara there is a juncture (sandhya) of 1.728 Million years 1 Chaturyuga (4 yugas)=4.32 Million years 28th Chaturyuga of the 7th manvantara (current time position) Satya-yuga (1.728 million years) Treta-yuga (1.296 million years) Dvapara-yuga (864,000 years) Kali-yuga (432,000 years) Time remaining for Kali-yuga: 427,000 years At end of each yuga and at the start of a new yuga, there is a juncture period 5000 years (current time position in Kali-yuga) "By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together form the duration of Brahma's one day [4.32 billion years].
    [Show full text]
  • HINDU GODS and GODDESSES 1. BRAHMA the First Deity of The
    HINDU GODS AND GODDESSES 1. BRAHMA The first deity of the Hindu trinity, Lord Brahma is considered to be the god of Creation, including the cosmos and all of its beings. Brahma also symbolizes the mind and intellect since he is the source of all knowledge necessary for the universe. Typically you’ll find Brahma depicted with four faces, which symbolize the completeness of his knowledge, as well as four hands that each represent an aspect of the human personality (mind, intellect, ego and consciousness). 2. VISHNU The second deity of the Hindu trinity, Vishnu is the Preserver (of life). He is believed to sustain life through his adherence to principle, order, righteousness and truth. He also encourages his devotees to show kindness and compassion to all creatures. Vishnu is typically depicted with four arms to represent his omnipotence and omnipresence. It is also common to see Vishnu seated upon a coiled snake, symbolizing the ability to remain at peace in the face of fear or worry. 3. SHIVA The final deity of the Hindu trinity is Shiva, also known as the Destroyer. He is said to protect his followers from greed, lust and anger, as well as the illusion and ignorance that stand in the way of divine enlightenment. However, he is also considered to be responsible for death, destroying in order to bring rebirth and new life. Shiva is often depicted with a serpent around his neck, which represents Kundalini, or life energy. 4. GANESHA One of the most prevalent and best-known deities is Ganesha, easily recognized by his elephant head.
    [Show full text]
  • Kalisantarana Upanishad | the Spiritual Scientist
    7/17/2014 Kalisantarana Upanishad | The Spiritual Scientist Kalisantarana Upanishad Posted by Chaitanya Charan das • May 16, 2012 • Printer-friendly TEXT 1 hari aum dvaparante narada brahmanam jagam katham bhagavan gam paryatankalim santareyamiti hari—Lord Hari; aum—the transcendental sound vibration; dvaparante—at the end of Dvapara-yuga; narada—Narada Muni; brahmanam—Lord Brahma; jagam—went; katham—to ask by what means; bhagavan—incarnation of Krishna (here as Gunavatar); gamparyatan—traveling all over the earth; kali—Kali-yuga; santareyam—how shall I be able to swim across nicely; iti—by what TRANSLATION Hari Aum! At the end of Dvapara-yuga, after traveling all over the earth, Narada Muni went to Lord Brahma and asked him, “Oh, Lord! How will I be able to swim across this ocean known as Kali-yuga?” TEXT 2 sahauvaca brahma sadhu prustosmi sarva sruti rahasyam gopyam tacchruna yena kali samsaram tarisyasi sa—he; ha—indeed; uvaca—spoke; brahma—Lord Brahma; sadhu— devotee who speaks; prusta—asked; asmi—I am; sarva—(for the benefit of) all; sruti—Vedic scriptures (that which is heard); rahasyam am—the essential secret; gopyam—worth concealing; tat—that; chruna—listen; yena—by which; kali—Kali-yuga; samsaram—the world at that stage; tarisyasi—swim across TRANSLATION http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2012/05/kalisantarana-upanishad/#printpreview 1/6 7/17/2014 Kalisantarana Upanishad | The Spiritual Scientist Lord Brahma said, “Your words will benefit all mankind. Listen to the essential secret of the Vedic scriptures, which is concealed
    [Show full text]
  • Importance of Epoch of Kali Yuga
    1 of 5 c The Importance of Epoch of Kaliyuga In the ancient texts of our Nation, time is measured both in Micro and Macroscopic units. Puranic Texts like Vishnu Puranam (1:3:8 to 10) and Sreemad Bhagavatam (3:11:33) describe Macro Time. Varivasya Rahasyam (vv.12cd, 13 & 16 cd) describes Micro Time. In the same way, Astronomical texts like Surya Siddhanta 1:11 to 27, Maha Aryabhatta Siddhanta 1:15 to 20, Brahma Sphuta Siddhanta 1:4 to 14, Vatesvara Siddhanta 1:7 to 10 and Siddhanta Siromani 1: 5 to 27 mention the Time Division in Micro as well as Macroscopic units. These Puranic and Astronomical texts describe that the life time of Brahma is 432,00,00,000 x 2 x 360 x 100 years, i.e. 3,11,04,000,00,00,000 human years. The smallest unit of time mentioned in these ancient texts is Truti i.e. 1/1,12,500 second. Life time of Brahma has 2 x 360 x 100 Kalpa. One Kalpa has 432 Crore human years and of 14 Manvantra of 30,84,48,000 human years, including Sandhi period. One Manvantra has 71 Mahayuga and their Sandhi period. Sandhi Period is equal to 17,28,000 human years (Years of Kruta or Satya yuga). One Mahayuga is of 43,20,000 human years, i.e.17,28,000 years of Kruta + 12,96,000 years of Treta + 8,64,000 years of Dvapara + 4,32,000 human years of Kali yuga. Here, 360 human years are equal to one Divya year which is again equal to 12 Pitru years.
    [Show full text]
  • Kali Stotram Herself
    “The mind can disentangle itself from worldliness if, through Her grace, She makes it turn toward Kali Stotram Herself. Only then does it become devoted to the lotus feet of the Divine Mother.” Hymns to Goddess Kali ~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa In India there has been an unbroken tradition of worshiping God in the form of the Divine Mother Kali for many thousands of years. Kali is She from whom all are born and into whom all must eventually return. She is the ultimate power of creation and destruction, and pervades every aspect of the universe. While Her iconography and mythology have deep mystical and symbolic meaning, Her essence is simple: transformation. Loving Her transforms our lives. She annihilates limitations, purifies hearts, fills lives with joy and protects Her children in ways understandable only to those who worship and depend on Her. Kali is the Goddess of the Tantric tradition, which is characterized by dynamic spiritual practices aimed at transforming consciousness. Primary among these is the devotional recitation of mantras and hymns. Chanting gives expression to the heart’s innate longing for the Divine while awakening subtle energies within the body and mind. This collection of rare hymns to Goddess Kali is being made available with the prayer that they will be approached with humility, devotion, and unselfishness. Translated by Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati © 2012 Kali Mandir www.kalimandir.org Gayatri Mantra for Goddess Kali Meditation on Dakshina Kali This meditation mantra is found in Kali Tantra and Tanta Sara. Dhyana mantras are recited to sonically invoke and mentally visualize the subtle forms of deities before meditation and worship.
    [Show full text]
  • Rajaji-Mahabharata.Pdf
    MAHABHARATA retold by C. Rajagopalachari (Edited by Jay Mazo, International Gita Society) Contents 39. The Wicked Are Never Satisfied 1. Ganapati, the Scribe 40. Duryodhana Disgraced 2. Devavrata 41. Sri Krishna's Hunger 3. Bhishma's Vow 42. The Enchanted Pool 4. Amba And Bhishma 43. Domestic Service 5. Devayani And Kacha 44. Virtue Vindicated 6. The Marriage Of Devayani 45. Matsya Defended 7. Yayati 46. Prince Uttara 8. Vidura 47. Promise Fulfilled 9. Kunti Devi 48. Virata's Delusion 10. Death Of Pandu 49. Taking Counsel 11. Bhima 50. Arjuna's Charioteer 12. Karna 51. Salya Against His Nephews 13. Drona 52. Vritra 14. The Wax Palace 53. Nahusha 15. The Escape Of The Pandavas 54. Sanjaya's Mission 16. The Slaying Of Bakasura 55. Not a Needle-Point Of Territory 17. Draupadi's Swayamvaram 56. Krishna's Mission 18. Indraprastha 57. Attachment and Duty 19. The Saranga Birds 58. The Pandava Generalissimo 20. Jarasandha 59. Balarama 21. The Slaying Of Jarasandha 60. Rukmini 22. The First Honor 61. Non-Cooperation 23. Sakuni Comes In 62. Krishna Teaches 24. The Invitation 63. Yudhishthira Seeks Benediction 25. The Wager 64. The First Day's Battle 26. Draupadi's Grief 65. The Second Day 27. Dhritarashtra's Anxiety 66. The Third Day's Battle 28. Krishna's Vow 67. The Fourth Day 29. Pasupata 68. The Fifth Day 30. Affliction Is Nothing New 69. The Sixth Day 31. Agastya 70. The Seventh Day 32. Rishyasringa 71. The Eighth Day 33. Fruitless Penance 72. The Ninth Day 34. Yavakrida's End 73.
    [Show full text]
  • References to the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra
    References to the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra (Collected by Madhavananda Das) 1. References from the followers of Sri Caitanya.................2 2. References predating Sri Caitanya...................................9 3. An excerpt from Nama-tattva Vijnana...........................15 4. Commentaries on the meaning of the maha-mantra.....18 REFERENCES FROM THE FOLLOWERS OF SRI CAITANYA Dhyanacandra Gosvami describes the Hare Krishna maha-mantra in his Gaura Govindarcana-smarana-paddhati (132-136) in the following words, drawing from the Sanat-kumara Samhita: asyaiva kRSNa-candrasya mantrAH santi trayo ’malAH | siddhAH kRSNasya sat-prema-bhakti-siddhi-karA matAH ||131|| tatrAdau mantroddhAro yathA sanat-kumAra-saMhitAyAm-- hare-kRSNau dvir AvRttau kRSNa tAdRk tathA hare | hare rAma tathA rAma tathA tAdRg ghare manuH ||132|| hare kRSNa hare kRSNa kRSNa kRSNa hare hare | hare rAma hare rAma rAma rAma hare hare ||133|| “There are three Krishna-mantras that are very pure and powerful; they are famous for bestowing prema-bhakti on their chanters. A reference for the first mantra is from the Sanat-kumara-samhita: ‘The words Hare Krishna are repeated twice, and then Krishna and Hare are both separately twice repeated. In the same way, Hare Rama, Rama and Hare are twice repeated.’ 1 The mantra is thus: ‘Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare’” asya dhyAnaM yathA tatraiva-- dhyAyed vRndAvane ramye gopa-gobhir alaGkRte | kadamba-pAdapa-cchAye yamunA-jala-zItale || 134 || rAdhayA sahitaM kRSNaM vaMzI-vAdana-tat-param | tribhaGga-lalitaM devaM bhaktAnugraha-kArakam || 135 || vizeSato dazArNo ’yaM japa-mAtreNa siddhi-daH | paJcAGgAny asya mantrasya vijJeyAni manISibhiH || 136 || “The meditation which accompanies this maha-mantra is also found in the Sanat-kumara Samhita: Sri Krishna is sporting in the cooling waters of the Yamuna, or in the shade of a kadamba tree in the beautiful Vrindåvana forest.
    [Show full text]
  • Kali, Untamed Goddess Power and Unleashed Sexuality: A
    Journal of Asian Research Vol. 1, No. 1, 2017 www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/jar Kali, Untamed Goddess Power and Unleashed Sexuality: A Study of the ‘Kalika Purana’ of Bengal Saumitra Chakravarty1* 1 Post-Graduate Studies in English, National College, Bangalore, India * Saumitra Chakravarty, E-mail: [email protected] Abstract This paper attempts to analyse the paradox inherent in the myth of Kali, both in her iconic delineation and the rituals associated with her worship as depicted in the twelfth century Kalika Purana. The black goddess Kali breaks conventional stereotypes of feminine beauty and sexuality in Hindu goddess mythology. She is the dominant sexual partner straddling the prone Siva and the wild warrior goddess drinking demon blood. She is originally depicted as a symbol of uncontrolled fury emerging from the fair, beautiful goddess Ambika in the battle with the demons in older goddess texts. Thereafter she gains independent existence both as the dark, mysterious and sexually demanding version of the more benign and auspicious Parvati and the Primordial Goddess Power pre-dating the Hindu trinity of male gods, the Universal Mother Force which embraces both good and evil, gods and demons in the Kalika Purana. Unlike other goddess texts which emphasize Kali’s role in the battle against the demons, the Kalika Purana’s focus is on her sexuality and her darkly sensual beauty. Equally it is on the heterodoxical rituals associated with her worship involving blood and flesh offerings, wine and the use of sexual intercourse as opposed to Vedic rituals. Keywords kali, female, sexuality, primordial, goddess, paradox 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavad-Gita Chapter-4
    Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Bhagavad-Gita chapter-4 1. the history of the Bhagavad-gītā traced from a remote time when it was delivered to the royal order of all planets? BG 4.1 Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku. 2. Which god is known as Vivasvān? BG 4.1 A. Sun B. moon C. Agni D. Indra 3. Which planet is the king of all planets? BG 4.1 A. Moon B. Sun C. Jupitor D. Saturn 4. Which yuga this science of the relationship with the Supreme was delivered by Vivasvān to Manu? BG 4.1 Treta-yuga 5. At the present moment we have just passed through how many years in Kali-yuga? BG 4.1 A. 5000yrs B. 3000yrs C. 8000yrs D. 4000yrs 6. How many years Kali-yuga will last? BG 4.1 Kali-yuga lasts 432,000 years. 7. Which Yuga was before Kali-yuga? BG 4.1 Dvāpara-yuga 8. Dvāpara-yuga last for howmany years? BG 4.1 800,000 years 9. Which Yuga was before Dvāpara-yuga? BG 4.1 Tretā-yuga 10. Howmany years Tretā-yuga last for? BG 4.1 1,200,000 years 11. The age of the current Manu is calculated to last for how many years? BG 4.1 305,300,000 years 12. What is the rough estimate is that the Gītā was spoken at least how many years back? BG 4.1 120,400,000 years ago 13.
    [Show full text]
  • Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra
    o Hare Krishna Maha-mantra "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama HARE KRISHNA, HARE KRISHNA, KRISHNA KRISHNA, HARE HARE Rama, Hare Hare — these 16 names composed HARE RAMA, HARE RAMA, RAMA RAMA, HARE HARE of 32 syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is Vedic civilization once worldwide and karma are the cause of suffering, he preached no alternative to the chanting of the holy ahimsa, nonviolence to all living entities. Buddha These words (left) from the Upanishads and Puranas, name." (Kali-santarana Upanishad) was the son of a Vedic king who ruled according to ancient Sanskrit texts were written more than 5,000 the Vedic system, but he ended up rejecting the "Living beings who are entangled in the years ago, when the Vedic civilization extended complicated meshes of birth and death can be authority of the Vedas when some persons argued throughout the world, including China. By the time freed immediately by even unconsciously that the Vedas permit animal killing and flesh eating Buddha's teachings crossed over into China, chanting the holy name of Krishna, which is — "If you say that the Vedas endorse killing and feared by fear personified." (Srimad-Bhagavatam roughly 1,300 years ago, there still remained some eating animals, then I reject the Vedas." His special 1.1.14) traces from a much earlier civilization that had the mission, as an incarnation of Vishnu, the Supreme markings and elements of a Vedic kingdom, but it "If one always chants the holy name of the Lord Lord, was to round up the atheists, all those who lived with great devotion in the evening and in the had long since deteriorated.
    [Show full text]
  • Many Ma's: Goddess in America
    Hinduism Many Ma’s: Goddess in America Many Ma’s: Goddess in America Summary: The Goddess in the Hindu faith is known by many names: Parvati (the wife of Shiva), Lakshmi or Bhu Devi (the wife of Vishnu), Durga or Kali, Shakti (meaning power). Her most common name most often used in prayer is Ma, or Mother. The main celebration of the Goddess is Durga Puja, also called Navaratri since it takes place over “Nine Nights.” Ma, or Mother, is also used to refer to women whose lives embody the power of the Divine within the Hindu community. The Goddess goes by many names in the Hindu tradition. She is Parvati, the wife of Shiva. She is Lakshmi or Bhu Devi, the wife of Vishnu. In some cases, her role as a “wife” fades almost completely, and she stands on her own as Durga or as Kali, her many arms and many hands filled with the weapons of all the male gods. She is omnipotent, to be sure. Among her names is Shakti, which means sheer energy or power. Her most common name, however, for those who come to her in prayer is simply Ma, or Mother. Hindus readily see the powerful presence of the Divine to be manifest in female form. Coming before the Supreme God and pressing one’s hands together in prayer, saying, “O Mother!” is common in the Hindu tradition. In America, the Divine Mother is celebrated in many ways. Her main festival is called Durga Puja, taking the name of the goddess Durga. The festival takes place over the course of the “Nine Nights” and is also called Navaratri.
    [Show full text]