Complexities in geopolitical affairs in the Middle East surrounding the Sunni, Shia, Christian, Jew are forever spinning in one direction or another, it seems . In general, the Sunni align with Western democracies and the Shia don’t .
In real terms, religion and politics should be mixed but not mixed , their real purposes are only understood by the broad thinking and pure hearted intelligentsia and not by political or religious fanatics who are not intellectually able to grasp the purpose of either religion or politics or see how they are supposed to interlink and assist each other . Practical living has its place but should not supercede the all-important philosophically led consciousness development in society that should be based on the sciences of body, mind, and consciousness. Religions of all kinds serve the same purposes, which is to understand our own individual consciousness , the Supreme consciousness of Divinity, and the purpose of our coming to the temporarily situated material energies , sciences of every kind are designed to be the tools to understand, objective sciences always shows truths , subjective speculations in sciences should be avoided when presenting as truth .Politics of every kind serves the same purposes to make practical arrangements for uniting communities, countries, and the world’s people .The broad range of people that make up in society are supposed to unite and assist each other like the body does ,the arms , legs ,belly and head all play vital roles , one cannot really survive without the other .
So religion and political affairs are united and separated , they are one and different. Using religion for political ends or using politics for religious ends is an abuse of both, and those that do should be avoided .
Divinity Himself has clearly laid out the purpose of both and how they assist each other . When one assists the other in the broadest possible terms along with respect of everyone’s histories , cultures, and traditions, we will know the true intelligentsia are having influences in the world .The Vedic literary contributions brings us this broad picture. Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to give this message, and Srila AC Bhavtivedanta Swami Prabhupada has brought this message all over the world and its slowly being heard , the intelligentsia will return.
An introduction to Srimad Bhagavatam and its contents..
The Srimad Bhagavatam is highly beneficial to all those living in the material world primarily because it brings everyone gradually or quickly to the path of Bhakti . It has the power to destroy every kind of ignorance and delivers an all-inclusive loving attitude within the heart . This is so because when one learns how to love God automatically, everyone will be loved because every being is a part of God. The Vedic ontology and the epistemological methods are discussed fully within its pages .
The Bhagavatam can respond very strongly as God might do at times but also a little less so , like a close family member , or even less so , like a friend . The same messages but as a person a can understand
Many devotees of Lord Krishna write of His glorious activities , thus ,many further elaborations of the Srimad Bhagavatam in the form of the Smriti are recorded by the Gaudia Vaisnava param para devotees . Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Ragganatha das Goswami and Sanantana, and Jiva Goswami’s have all written extensive Smriti and they are as good as the Sruti , the formal texts . His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada presented the Srimad Bhagavatam to the Western societies for the first time in the late 60s and 70s . AC Bhaktivedanta Swami is most expert at presenting these topics in practical ways to the modern world . In our films, we are surveying highly those esteemed and trancendental works .The Bhagavatam is recognized by leading scholars in every university. ISKCON itself has developed a specialist Oxford branch that introduces Gaudia Vaisnavism to various departments in universities . Previously to this only Sankacarya’s impersonal philosophy of Hinduism had been predominantly taught .
In current times, the word WHY is said to be the most popular word on Google , unlimited keyboards regularly type it . Indeed, the Bhagavatam indicates that unless a human asks , “Who am I ? why do I exist? ” and “What is the purpose of life , and how did this universe begin ?” So unless one asks, the full potential of humanity can not be achieved . Animals obviously don’t have facilities of rational and logical enquiries , although they all possess consciousness like you and I , but we should not become sophisticated animals.
Examples of philosophers and thinkers throughout history can be found . William Paley intelligently concluded that someone finding a watch whilst walking in the long grass in 1850 , although never having seen one before , on examination, would naturally assume the fine engineering and design are certainly the work of a superbly creative person and exceptional intelligence . Isaac Newton thought that each individual thumbprint of human beings was clear evidence for individual engineered design . The teleological argument , that design permeates everything within nature and our universe remains as strong as it ever did and becomes stronger as scientific research progresses . Recent studies of the entropy of the cell show the cell has low entropy, meaning it’s highly organised in its centre of workings , but at the same time, there are incredibly high energy levels operating . Such high levels would lead one to expect high exposive entropy . Low entropy indicates deliberate controlled systems and , in our experience, controlled means a controller. The fine tuning of the universe , the so-called goldilocks phenomena , is on view to everyone. Everything is perfect , not too much heat , or too cold , a perfect gravitational force is present , but its certainly a puzzle why gravity is weak close to earths surface but strong enough to influence the tides from space . There is a perfect mix of gases that produce oxygen. All on show , objective evidence for deliberate order and engineering in anyone’s calculations.
Certainly, the opening pages of the Srimad Bhagavatam confirm this observation. The famous opening sloka declares that Divinity is directly and indirectly conscious of every aspect of creation , a creation that emnates from consciousness . Life comes from life… Molecules don’t move towards life , something brings them together . The Vedas say Krishna is within and outside of His material energies , as much as within a modern business global empire, the boss is outside, but his intelligence permeates the whole affair. The Srimad Bhagavatam itself is a series of one to one conversations through time frames , there are dialogue partners , and these constantly weave in and out of space time and over billions of years with no specific chronological orders . There are references to appropriate histories, and crucial lessons are taught . Either from Divinity Himself or His devotees . They are defined as factual events relating to Krishna and His devotees or illustrative stories , bringing home key and important philosophical points .
The Bhagavatam appears and dissappears in the long course of 311 trillion years , a set time of this universe . As much as the sun rises and sets and appears to appear and disappear so does the Vedic Bhagavatam. The creator god Lord Bramha has 4.5 billion of our years as his 12 hours , and its recorded in the Bhagavatam as he sleeps , a partial shut down of our universe begins lasting 4.5 billion years begins , before being rebooted once again. Although our total universe is trillions of years old , parts are temporarily shut down , and the highest planetary systems remain unaffected.
Lord Krishna Himself comes to reestablish forgotten Dharma or principles of religion , but most importantly ,to attract His devotees to His personality and pastimes. 5000 years ago He did just that, and when He left this universe after completing His purposes, the question arose what happens to Dharma or principles of religion and truth . Dharma is a living thing through the desires and orders of Krishna , it has a supervisory system , which means , if one acts within Dharma, ones life is reasonably fulfilled and progressive and elevation of progressive consciousness will take place . But if one acts against Dharma, one automatically degrades one’s own consciousness, and one becomes further and helplessly entangled in reactions and sufferings within material conditioning .The key to understanding the Bhagavatam is to gain positive scientific objective knowledge of our universe , seeing its set motions at play and its intelligent design and by so doing increase faith in the Divinity. Learning of the eternal occupation of the soul , the symptom of the soul is consciousness .
Ultimately by following such Dharma, one is taken to a place where consciousness can thrive , where it is surrounded by pure intelligence and pure consciousness, the spiritual energy . One will leave the deteriating and fluctuating matter made of atomic particals far behind …….The sages who questioned Sukadeva Goswami in the Bhagavatam, were told that when Krishna leaves this world , Dharma, with all its directions take shape in the form of the Srimad Bhagavatam Everything for mankind is contained within its pages , and the expert person Bhagavat , who is realised and has understood the Bhagavatam, can extract and understand its mysteries , applying them to given times , places or circumstances . No matter who we are or what we are , progressive steps are chalked out for every section of society within the Bhagavatam and through those who understand it . It is said that one who does wrong or suffers wrong is wrong , but Lord Krishna always favours wise council to bring justice to all proceedings in administrations . In its absence, there is turmoil in society ,most definitely that is reflected in the current times . We see unnecessary suffering deliberate misguidance brought about by rouge leaders , democracy can mean fools voting in fools . One who studies the Srimad Bhagavatam brings great security and wisdom to himself and his family . Objective history , objective science, and non cheating religions are all essential ingredients to the development of real knowledge . Mistaken ideas lead to great misfortunes , who is a friend and guide must be understood Wherever there is Krishna, there is always great fortune and victory. Krishna lies within all the pages of the Bhagavatam directly or indirectly.
Racism is condemned by all good thinking persons , bone fide religious teaching naturally teach of the soul the body is the machine that carries the soul .An external machine has no real bearing when it comes to understanding spiritual consciousness . The equality of all persons was clearly understood by the original founding fathers of the USA , at least academically, who wrote in their constitution that this equality is a self-evident truth , and indeed it is to sensibly situated and balanced educated persons , incidentally those persons should be leaders , not peddlers of hate and division.
The questions come regarding freedoms, just how far do you want to take liberal democracy , and the rights of freedom of expression and lifestyle. Does it mean if the majority of unthinking persons can become convinced by a small minority of other unthinking persons who have the means to promote a message that something that was thought harmful is actually good for everyone , and that such messages should be openly broadcast in the name of freedom.
What are the measuring tools for the levels of liberalism if any , who is able to give references , what is the source, and why should it be accepted
Scientific knowledge of the workings of the body , mind and consciousness will be required in order to make sure that human existence is utilised for the greatest benefits of individuals and communities and nations . Naturally the Vedas says there are always an intelligentsia within societal stuctures , there always has been snd always will be , Divinity has the responsibility to guide societal affairs and He does so by favouring the Brahminical classes , they are the essential elements in society, and they spontaneously have a heart for all living beings and through their applications of theological studies are scientifically in tune with nature , phycological matters ,spiritual matters and social sciences of every kind . They can explain in detail what is good and why its good and what is bad and why its bad . They can set practical programs to bring the attached to the gradual path of detachment . Addicted to the bad , people need the path out to experience the higher tastes of the good . Goodness , passion, and ignorance all need a thorough understanding, and the Brahminical classes know these topics well . Further developments of the human condition need understanding, and the psychological journeys both good and bad should be taken into account . Real human brings and real leaders are aware of these sensitivities , but not animal like leaders , who do not take advice from an intelligentsia but rather ignore them , and they promote harmful animalistic freedoms, this is the real problem society is facing, fools have voted in fools , the results are clear . The science of consciousness and rasa are given in the Vedas , the full understanding of exchanges and the potential of love are given and as well self imposed degradation of consciousness causing the original pure love to decend to the lower depths of unlimited lust , with bodies of many many types to facilitate that , spontaneously delivered by the material energies within 8,400,000 species of life . What is the cause of all causes , Richard Feynman admitted was a difficult topic , but there is always a cause of everything , nothing happens by chance , everything has a scientific explanation , and this supreme science is discussed in the Srimad Bhagavatam third canto. THE fundamental principles of material nature.
When the mind is fixed upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His external feature made of the material modes of nature — the gross universal form — it is brought to the platform of pure goodness. In that transcendental position, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, who in His subtler form is self-effulgent and beyond the modes of nature. O my lord, please describe vividly how that form, which covers the entire universe, is perceived.
This Verse from Srimad Bhagavatam 5.16.3. indicates that by seeing the universe as it is , meaning as its objectively observed scientifically . Its a place where inexplicable precise laws of nature are present as constants , if they were not, nothing would be able to be maintained . These are gravity, electromagnetism, a strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear forces that are the basis of all interactions in the universe and operate within all the species , at different scales. It’s also a place where unlimited information within the genome, i.e., dna codes that are responsible for body assemblies of every single species of life with precise and fine engineering beyond the comprehension of our greatest engineers or computer modellers could ever conceive of .
“The number of possible DNA combinations within a species is so extraordinarily large that it is effectively considered
innumerable or near-infinite in practical terms, even though the total number of theoretically possible sequences is finite.
Here is a breakdown of the possibilities:
Human Example: The human genome has approximately 3 billion base pairs. Since there are four possible nucleotide bases (A, T, C, G) at each position, the raw mathematical possibilities for a single genome is
43,000,000,0004 raised to the 3 comma 000 comma 000 comma 000 power43,000,000,000, a number that far exceeds the estimated number of atoms in the known universe.”
Richard Dawkins, Lee Cronin and many scientists who follow scientific materialism admit to this information and obvious precision within the universe from macro universes to the microbial world and their advice is , ignore the impression of design and order , Nyaya logic and common sense tells us , if we see smoke in distant hills we know there is fire , if we see information we know it originates from consciousness, a personality.
So part of the process for advancing in God consciousness is to see God in nature and to meditate and reflect upon this aspect of Divinity, His universal form . From those types of meditations and appreciations, greater understanding and insights towards Divinity will come about . The Vedas call this further progression Paramatma realisation, and then through further appreciation and acceptance of Divinity and his innumerable energies and forms , The Supreme Personality of Godhead can begin to be approached , everything centres around appreciation and devotion and ends in pure love as relationships begin to fructify .Is that not how life works?
The Srimad Bhagavatam brings us the full range of observed sciences of God in numerous ways , as well as the psychology of devotion from its very beginnings to its pure states called Bhava and Prema Bhakti .
Srila AC Bhavtivedanta Swami has introduced this Srimad Bhagavatam to the whole world under the order of his spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja an exceptional scholar in his own right . Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami also set up the Bhaktivedanta Institute , a scientific wing of ISKCON.
Nick Afanasiev…..what do you mean by God , unless you can say , how do you know God does not exist. If you were to examine Amazon .com external workings would you conclude Jeff was a figment of customers imagination… First, understand Jeff and his inner workings and motivations, and then you might be able to connect his projects to him the person and his personality to his projects. It’s a very unscientific approach to say God does not exist without understanding the sciences of mind ,matter, and consciousness. We should understand consciousness, which means personality and personality means energies and expression, and purpose . Thus, Einstein said. Science without religion is lame. His point is valid for many, many reasons. Nyaya logic says .. If you see smoke in distant hills and conclude there is no fire , you would be calculating irrationally. Similarly if you conclude information and informational exchanges taking place when living body parts are assembled and to high grade engineering precision and then conclude information of this caliber should never be thought of as an intelligent arrangement , again these are atheistic sentiments and illogical. http://www.thevedicspectator.com
Every theologically driven culture has its first class , second class, and third class followers , its obviously important leaders of religions are of the first class categories , unfortunately its often the case they are not which leads to conflict and even wars .The Vedas call them Uttama , Madhyama and Kanishtha devotees.
First class means someone has exalted faith , they are extremely well versed in their particular theological texts, and they can expertly apply them in every situation and give current meaning to timeless texts . They also see parallels within every religion in all circumstances . Especially the sciences of the world are easily identified within their theological realisations , they know full well science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind. They are friendly to everyone and see everyone situated within Divinity . Second class means they have unflinching faith , but they are not so well versed in theological texts or applications they also have respect for other religious thinkers but discriminate for preaching purposes as to who is or who in not situated correctly within Divinity Third class means their faith is weak , they are not well read in scripture and understanding of them and cannot make correct applications . They only see God in their own particular religions , often seeing others as anti-religious, and they do not properly respect followers of God in their own religion or other religions . But by association of the second and first class devotees, the third class improve and can themselves be first class . By humility and respect for others, anything can be achieved in any walk of life .
A very important point that should not be overlooked from Nityananda prabhu’s appearance day is His informal dealings and extraordinary spontaneous outbursts that are centred around pure love . Getting beyond the caged formal human condition is important . Intelligence , sobriety, and formality have a place in theological circles, but formality is ultimately broken out of when it comes to spontaneous exchanges of love .Spiritual life in not an intellectual pursuit , but should be linked to aspects of Sastra that display beauty and love , this is Krishna pastime lila .This type of informality is particularly shown by Nityananda prabhu and brings our attention to the extraordinary informal behaviours in Vraja with every type of traditional convention put to one side , the shackles of formality. This should be carefully approached one cannot be artificial in spiritual love . If one is in pure consciousness spontaneously, it flows , as Nityananda prabhu teaches , but fools rush in where angels dare to tread . The great Vaisnava H.H. Tripurari brings us a very wonderful class on some of these topics and more . 2021 Nityananda prabhu Trayodasi with Swami Tripuari .you tube .. http://www.thevedicspectator.com
When Nityananda prabhu came to Navadvipa , Mahaprabhu had Srivasa prabhu take care of Him in His house . Mahaprabhu wanted to test the love of Srivasa for Nityananda ,so he said, ” How can you keep this fellow in your house? He is an avaduta and unpredictable in behaviour. You don’t know his family heritage or background.
Srivasa prabhu told Mahaprabhu that “even if a meat-eating prostitute who steals and abuses catches hold of Nityananda prabhu , still I will never stop loving Nityananda prabhu. Srivasa declared this three times to Mahāprabhu. Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very, very pleased by the unflinching love that Srivasa had for Nityananda prabhu.
In dealing with Vaisnavas of all sorts, we should also be careful not to judge or condemn them even if they may appear a certain way or fall a little from the path , we should remain positive, caring and helpful towards them and help with any rehabilitation or adjustments needed , Srila Visvanatha Cakravati Thakur indicates if a devotee is prepared to go to hell for sins , but will never give up being a devotee of Krishna he should be regarded with a generous spirit and shown love and care appropriately.
At times, unsavoury characters may attach themselves to the Vaisnavas for the wrong reasons and seek to steal or do harm, as was the case once when some theives and their leader wanted to steal the jewellery of Nityananda prabhu . The chief of the theives sent a spy to see when the theft could best begin . The spy witnessed the ecstatic chanting and dancing of Nityananda prabhu and His companions . The theives then assembled, ready to steal, waiting for the dancing to stop so during sleep time the robbery could happen. Unfortunately for the theives, Maya devi arranged for the theives to quickly fall asleep by a blanket of ignorance whilst waiting , and their opportunity was lost .
The theives argued with each other, blaming each other for falling asleep. They, however, concluded thing went wrong because they had not offered sacrifice to Goddess Durga , they agreed that night they would do the theft after offering sacrifice to Goddess Durga.
When the thieves returned that night, they found mysterious and powerful tall guards surrounding Nityananda’s house . The guards were all loudly chanting Hare Krishna, and they had so many wonderful weapons , the theives were bemused as to how this had come about . The theives had to retreat , who can bring obstacles within the Sankirtana movement of Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityananda prabhu, remembering this lila anyone who comes to disturb the Sankirtana movement will be defeated and divine arrangements will be made to remove obstacles or persons doing harm .
The chief of the theives was a fallen Brahman, and they tried numerous times to steal from Nityananda , but any contact with Nityananda brings purification so ultimately all the thieves came to their senses, gained trancendental knowledge and perfected their lives , Nityananda prabhu made the conditions no more , no more sinful life , walk on the path of religion and spiritual life , Nityananda said and perfect your life and save others who are sinful .This is the unlimited mercy of Nityananda prabhu.
Srila AC Bhavtivedanta Swami Prabhupada once told a leader in ISKCON who wanted to throw another devotee out of the movement, “You do not understand the extent of the mercy of Nityananda prabhu
Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested Nityananda prabhu to extensively preach Nama Sankirtana to one and all . He would go door to door, requesting everyone to take up Krishna consciousness. The most fallen of persons can receive His blessings if he simply lends an ear and attentively listens. If Nityananda prabhu accepts one , Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will also . Sri Guru, in all his or her forms, is the representative of Nityananda prabhu , Nityananda prabhu is none other than Lord Balarama the first expansion of Krishna and the origins of the Jiva . Being accepted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His all merciful mood is the special benediction in current times and that broad acceptance reflects the elegance kindness and nature of Srimati Radharani, entrance to the trancendental land of Vraj is guaranteed if the Supreme Goddess of fortune accepts us . Anyone who assists Nityananda prabhu in assisting Him in His continued work of giving knowledge of Krishna consciousness throughout any part of the world is guaranteed to be accepted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu their path to perfection is sure . Many sincere devotees assist Nityananda prabhu in his campaign of rescue, and of those devotees who extensively spread Krishna consciousness AC Bhaktivedanta Swami has made a unique contribution by the wholesale distribution worldwide of Krishna consciousness through his ISKCON society . What he did with his early followers is astounding, and ISKCON is increasing its activity hour by hour , there is no stopping it . The storehouse of love of God has been truly broken open, and its treasure is scattered in every direction as Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu desired and Nityananda prabhu carries out and still to this day , Nityananda prabhu empowers His representatives.
How to be Harmonized …It is summarised as follows . All living things are inconceivably and simultaneously one and different from their origins ,who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead , He is the cause of all causes . By accepting Nityananda prabhu and His mercy, an exchange of trancendental bliss erupts within both the origin and the parts and parcels . These exchanges of pure love and attraction take place in higher spiritual planes , the super subjective plane , and in the highest degrees in Goloka Vrndavana amongst the cowherd damsels of Vraj, everyone in Vrndavana are in one way of another supportive of these trancendental pastimes. http://www.thevedicspectator.com
In the seventh Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, the powers of Divinity are discussed.
If the Lord were everywhere, everything and everyone should be omniscient. Srila Jiva Goswami gives the answer that His powers are also appropriately covered by Maha Maya , so He remains everywhere and nowhere. Actually, though, He is very obvious to the truthful, honest, and thoughtful person who is able to be a little freed from some of the influences of Maya, and as such can observe honestly and objectively science for what it really is , intelligently designed for specific purposes for specific living beings.
For instance the flight of the bird , a tiny finch that can fly so incredibly fast and for long periods , with such small hearts and breathing capacities , flying is a mysterious process itself, its an exhibition of Divinity who is everywhere but nowhere , and flying remains a puzzle even mechanistically to the best of engineers
Many extraordinary examples within nature show incalculable complexities that appear to automatically take place . So, indeed, God is everywhere and He is personally conscious of every individual and listening to their thoughts and desires , the Christians call this portion of God the Holy Ghost, the Vedas refer to Him as Paramatma.
God is Father, son ,and Holy Ghost. In Vedic terms, God is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is also expanded in everyone’s heart and within every atom , and He has expanded Himself as seperated expansions as the living beings .
God within the material world is not so difficult to understand, commune with, or approach even while in His own personal abode .Whilst being here in this so-called material world , we can be simultaneously in the spiritual realms . Everything is the energy of God, including matter , which is eternally situated , after all energies transform but are never destroyed. Electromagnetic energies within the atom akin to light that originates from the Brahmajyoti , the spiritual light in the higher realms of light frequencies