The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives

1. The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives

2. 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

3. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita to Arjuna • In order to show the world that this 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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??

7. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives Qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master • “By the mercy of guru one gets Krishna and • by the mercy of Krishna one gets a guru” • Well versed with the science of Krishna • Is connected with the parampara SAMPRADAYA • Samyat pradayate iti sampradaya • completely • Handing over

8. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives • Kumar - Nimbarkacharya • Brahma - Madhvacharya • Rudra - Vishnuswami • 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.

9. 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

10. 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……..”

11. 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….”

12. 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 - tolerant • karunika -merciful • 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

13. 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!!

14. 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

15. The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives – PART II

16. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives What does a Guru Teach ? • 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

17. 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

18. 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? • 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…

19. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives • Q. What is Definition of morality? • 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

20. 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

21. 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 Charity

22. 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..”

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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..

28. 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? • Concentration • Regulation • Q. When should we chant? • Brahma-muhurt is the best time

29. 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)

30. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives • Who is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ?