Friday, Jun 13, 2025

Isopanishad Mantra Seven

Theme: Krishna is everywhere, in everything, and in everyone.
Sri Isopanishad is in a thematic format, with each mantra building on the previous one.
Our acharyas have given us the instructiin to read and understand the Sri Isopanishad.
Ekatvam - Oneness. We have to be careful not to misunderstand this oneness - that results into impersonalism.
Some say aham brahmasmi - I am God, but this is not a correct understanding. That is a misunderstanding of the oneness and results into impersonalism - mayavadi philosophy.
We have same qualities as Krishna but never in quantity. Infact we have only partial qualities of 50, of the known 64 oppulences of Krishna.
Fire has sparks, spark has qualiities of fire, but spark is not fire. Spark is part and parcel of fire, but spark is not fire.
SB says <> If we are hearing about the pastimes of Krishna, we will have no illusion or doubts about Krishna. We therefore understand that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and we are His parts and parcels. We are not God, we are part and parcel of God.
BG 7.5 - Closely related to the points of discusson today.

apareyam itas tv anyāṁ
prakṛtiṁ viddhi me parām
jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho
yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat

We are maybe similar in quality but not quantity - Drop of an ocean is similar in quality to the ocean, but not in quantity. We are part and parcel of Krishna, but we are not Krishna.
That drop is Jiva - finite and Krishna is infinite the ocean.
Scriptures - we
Demigods are like the limbs of the Supreme Lord, and they do not have qualities in whole as the lord.
If we are part of the Supreme Lord, then we are all family including the demigods, and we have a shared interest in the service of the Supreme Lord.
Krishna is the supreme father, and we are all His children. We are all part of the Supreme Lord's family.
We should have complete faith in the Supreme Lord.
If one doess not have the proper understanding of the Supreme Lord, then all they have trouble in their life as their understanding is not correct.
BG 8.7

tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu
mām anusmara yudhya ca
mayy arpita-mano-buddhir
mām evaiṣyasy asaṁśayaḥ

Devotee is known by two things - 1. When they wake up and 2. What they do once they wake up.
Having dieties at office desk is a great idea, so that we can remember Krishna while working.
Irrespective of dualities, One should remain equipoised and remember Krishna.
If krishna chooses, he can protect us from all dangers, but we should not be dependent on that. We should do our duty and remember Krishna.
If Krishna chooses, he can punish us, but we should not be dependent on that. We should do our duty and remember Krishna.
Information to transformation only byu application of knowledge.

Monday, Jun 16, 2025

BG Tells us there are three potencies - Internal potency, External potency and Marginal potency.
BG 7.5

apareyam itas tv anyāṁ
prakṛtiṁ viddhi me parām
jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho
yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat

The nature of the soul is to always be active and seek enjoyment.
Instance: Observable in children.
Prabhupada: It is okay to seek enjoyment, but not in the wrong platform. Krishna must be the center of our enjoyment. Otherwsise, the result is soka and moha (lamentation and illusion).
Spiritual world - nirguna - No confusion, no lamentation, no illusion. The enjoyment is all about Krishna and how to serve Krishna better, learning from each other.
When one gives us feedback, then we start to lament. Material world - saguna - Confusion, lamentation, illusion. The enjoyment is all about me and how to serve myself better, learning from each other.
SB - Samsiddhir hari-tosanam - Perfection of life is to please Krishna.
Krishna only sees the bhava (mood) of the devotee, not the action. If the mood is right, then Krishna accepts the action. Not quantity, but quality.
Mahaprabhu: In south india travel, he saw a brahmana who was crying while reading Bhagavad-gita (who was reading as instructed to read every day). Mahaprabhu asked him why he was crying, and the brahmana said that he could not understand the meaning of the verses. Mahaprabhu then explained the verses to him, and the brahmana was very happy with the realization.
If one does not understand, then it is srama eva hi kevalam - simply wasting time.
If Krishna is not the center of our enjoyment, then intention and desires are all crushed.
Prabhupada is talking here about the atma-bhuta and brahma-bhuta consciousness. Atma-bhuta is the consciousness of the soul, and brahma-bhuta is the consciousness of the Supreme Soul. It is about understanding the perfect one-ness - Enjoyment on the spiritual platform. THe supreme sould is the Lord himself and keeping him in the center of all enjoyment is the perfection of life.
One should make the best of a bad bargain. Keeping Krishna in the center of all enjoyment is the best way to make the most of our bad bargain.
We are all the lord's children - all jivas including ants, birds, trees, plants, demigods, etc. We are all part of the Supreme Lord's family - Lord's marginal energy.
From pratikula to anukula - From unfavorable to favorable. We should try to make the best of our situation and keep Krishna in the center of all enjoyment.
Nature of the soul is anandamayo 'bhyasat - The soul is always seeking pleasure and enjoyment.
Prabhupada explains about the rasa dance - Krishna is at the centre.
Three types of karma - 1. Karma, 2. Vikarma, 3. Akarma.
Sarva dharman parityajya - Surrender to Krishna and do not worry about the results of your actions. Dont be under the 3 modes of material nature - Sattva, Rajas, Tamas. Surrender to Krishna exclusively.
Prabhhupada: The best compassion to one is to give them Krishna consciousness. Giving prasadam is a very strong form of preaching.
Before going to bed, ome should think what did i do for Prabhupada today? What did I do for Krishna today? What did I do for my spiritual master today? This is the best way to end the day. What we do maybe a start for someone to start their spiritual journey.

17Jun 2025

What does it mean to say dust of the lotus feet of the lord? Always surrender to krishna and be cognizant of our position as the servant of the servant of the servant of the lord.
Lord's form is spiritual and eternal - Only mahatmas realise this. BG - sa mahatma sudurlabhah - Such a great soul is very rare.

Key Points from Isopanishad Mantra Seven

Spiritual Oneness (Ekatvam): The mantra teaches that all living entities are spiritually one in quality with the Lord, like sparks from a fire, though they are not equal in quantity or power.
Levels of Devotees: Only devotees on the madhyama-adhikārī (intermediate) and uttama-adhikārī (advanced) levels can properly perceive this spiritual equality.
Qualitative vs Quantitative: Like salt in a drop of seawater compared to the ocean, living beings share the Lord’s qualities but in minute measure. Hence, they are not fully equal to Him.
Energy and Energetic Unity: Great devotees see everything as part of the Lord’s energy. Since the energy is non-different from the energetic, they perceive oneness in purpose and identity.
Shared Family Interest: All beings are part of the Supreme Lord’s family. Just as citizens of a nation or members of a family have a shared interest, so too do all living beings share the Lord’s interest.
Bhagavad-gītā Reference (7.): All creatures, from humans to insects, are manifestations of the Lord’s marginal energy, emphasizing universal kinship under the Supreme.