Post by Dr. Jai MaharajAt this time in the Kali Yuga, ignorance is equally
distributed worldwide, and wisdom has become an
endangered species.
- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001)
Founder of Hinduism Today
http://www.hinduismtoday.com
Forwarded message from Stephen Knapp
[ Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007
STAYING FREE OF KALYUG'S DARK INFLUENCE
By Stephen Knapp
As the age of Kalyug moves forward, many people are
wondering how bad social conditions will get before they
improve, and what can we do about it now. Yet the Vedic
texts contain a specific prescription for staying free from
the heavy influence that this age of Kalyug brings.
In spite of all the changes we can see in society and on
the planet, there are still many ways, both material and
spiritual, to stifle or even get free of Kalyug's
influence. If we are going to change anything for the
better, now is the time to work at it -- while the Golden
Age within Kalyug lasts.
One of the first things we must understand is that a
perfect civilization is based on working with valor while
depending on the Supreme. The more godless we become, the
more deteriorated and degraded society and this world will
be due to allowing the influence of Kalyug to come in
without any interference. Therefore, we all need to work
for our existence, but we need to recognize that we also
are dependent on nature, or the gifts of God.
For example, the proper and peaceful view of human
existence is described in Shrimad-Bhaagavatam where it
states: "All these cities and villages are flourishing in
all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance,
the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the
hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth.
And this is all due to the glance of the Supreme Being."21
It is natural for humankind and all life on this planet to
flourish and be happy by taking advantage of the gifts of
nature, such as fruits, grains, vegetables, unpolluted
rivers and lakes, fresh air, minerals, jewels, etc. All are
supplied by the arrangement of the Supreme. However, if the
world is sufficient in these items, then what is the need
to hanker after large industrial projects that often
exploit men and resources at the cost of slowly destroying
the planet and increasing unrest and dissatisfaction in
society for the sake of acquiring money? Money may be
necessary, but without spiritual knowledge and guidance, we
won't know how to use it or how to direct our actions in a
proper occupation. And without that, peace is not possible.
From the spiritual point of view, the Vedic literature
naturally puts great emphasis on which spiritual knowledge
is necessary to free ourselves from the effects of Kalyug.
It also explains the method needed to reach a higher level
of consciousness and enter a new dimension and higher
vibratory level of existence.
For starters, the Mahaanirvaan Tantr explains that Kalyug
cannot harm those who are purified by truth, who have
conquered their passions and senses, are compassionate,
devoted to the service of their guru, take care of their
mothers and wives, are adherents to the true dharm, and
faithful to the performance of its duties. The age of Kali
cannot harm those who are free of malice, envy, arrogance,
and hatred, and who keep the company of those who are
spiritually knowledgeable. The Kali age cannot harm those
who perform their penances, pilgrimages, devotions, and
purificatory rituals. The age of Kali is but a slave to
those who are free of crookedness and falsehood, devoted to
the good of others, and who follow the ways of dharm.22
This may all sound quite lofty, so to help us in knowing
the ways of true dharm and bring a change in the atmosphere
and social environment, the Shrimad Bhaagavat-Mahatmya of
the Padm Puraan states that the Shrimad-Bhaagavatam
(Bhaagavat Puraan) was expounded in Kalyug to guide us and
purify the minds of those who listen and learn from it. The
Bhaagavat-Mahatmya says: "Suta replied: Saunaka, I shall
disclose that which is the essence of all established
conclusions. I shall tell you that which is capable of
dispelling the fear of reincarnation, is prone to swell the
tide of devotion, and is conducive to satisfying Shree
Krshn. Hear it attentively. The holy scripture known by the
name of Shrimad-Bhaagavatam was expounded in this age of
Kali by the sage Shuka with the object of completely
destroying the fear of being caught in the jaws of the
serpent of time. There is no means other than this
conducive to the purification of the mind. One gets to hear
Shrimad-Bhaagavatam only when there is virtue earned in
one's past lives."23
In this way, we begin to understand the potency of the
Shrimad-Bhaagavatam and why it is so effective for changing
the atmosphere and spreading genuine spiritual knowledge in
this age. In fact, the Bhaagavat-Mahatmya also states: "All
these evils of Kalyug will surely disappear at the very
chanting [or recitation] of Shrimad-Bhaagavatam, even as
wolves take to flight at the very roar of a lion. Then
Bhakti (devotion) and Jnana (knowledge) and Vairagya
(detachment) will dance in every heart and in every
home."24
The Bhaagavatam is considered so powerful that, "They [the
seers and demigods] came to regard the holy book of
Shrimad-Bhaagavatam as an embodiment of the Lord Himself in
the Kali age and capable of conferring the reward of speedy
access to Vaikuntha (the divine spiritual realm) by merely
being read or heard."25
Suta Gosvami states in the Bhaagavatam itself that, "This
Shrimad-Bhaagavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and
is compiled by Shrila Vyaasadev, the incarnation of God. It
is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is
all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect."26
The Bhaagavat-Mahatmya relates many powerful
characteristics of the Shrimad-Bhaagavatam. For example, it
states that an opportunity to hear Shrimad-Bhaagavatam is
so uncommon in this world that even the demigods [residents
on the higher planetary systems] consider it a rarity to
hear it.27 The four Kumaras also state that the Bhaagavatam
is the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads.28 And a house
where it is read every day is a sacred place,29 and if you
seek the highest destiny, read even a quarter verse of it
every day.30 An assortment of other verses are found that
signify that reading Shrimad-Bhaagavatam is superior to
everything else,31 is important for reaching a high destiny
and the spiritual world,32 and for gaining spiritual
merit,33 and for making sure one's life is not wasted.34
Other verses explain the importance of taking advantage of
the rare opportunity of hearing the Bhaagavatam,35 and how
focusing on reading or hearing it is superior to
everything, including fasting, rituals, going on
pilgrimage, or practicing yoga and meditation.36 In
conclusion, Shrila Vyaasadev himself says that the
Bhaagavatam is the mature fruit of all Vedic wisdom: "This
Bhagavat Puraan is as brilliant as the sun, and it has
arisen just after the departure of Shree Krshn to His own
abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who
have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of
ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this
Puraan."37
The point of all this is that as you understand this
spiritual science, you will automatically understand the
other aspects of this material creation and you will have
your own spiritual realizations about who and what you are
and how you fit into the scheme of things. The more you
become spiritually purified, the more clear things will be.
Just as when you have a million dollars all of your ten
dollar problems are solved, similarly, once you begin to
understand the highest levels of spiritual science you also
understand the lower levels of existence. Thus, in order to
spread as much light and spiritual knowledge in this age as
possible, to counteract the pollution and confusion that
pervades this planet and the consciousness of society, and
to relieve humanity of the influence of Kalyug, the use of
and familiarity with this Shrimad-Bhaagavatam is of the
utmost importance.
CHAPTER NOTES
21. Shrimad-Bhaagavatam (1.8.40)
22. Mahaanirvaan Tantr (4.57-69)
23. Padm Puraan, Shrimad-Bhaagavat-Mahatmya (1.9-12)
24. Ibid., (2.62-63)
25. Ibid., (1.20)
26. Shrimad-Bhaagavatam (1.3.40)
27. Padm Puraan, Shrimad-Bhaagavat- Mahatmya (1.17)
28. Ibid., (2.67)
29. Ibid., (3.29)
30. Ibid., (3.33)
31. Ibid., (3.32-39)
32. Ibid., (3.40-41)
33. Ibid., (3.30-31)
34. Ibid., (3.42)
35. Ibid., (3.44-50)
36. Ibid., (3.50-51)
37. Shrimad-Bhaagavatam (1.3.43)
End of forwarded message from Stephen Knapp
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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