Friday, August 29, 2014

Easy Salvation

Salvation is easy. It is man who complicates it with rules and regulations. Surely rules have their place, but discipline is the mother of all rules; and discipline is born out of necessity. Even the birds of the air have discipline, thus it is no grand thing that a human require disciplines in day to day life. Albeit, we should not write down those disciplines and require others to follow them, if such disciplines do not in fact apply to the particular circumstances of others.

Many vegetarians think that meat eaters are sinners, when in fact, most modern societies make it difficult to afford any other diet than what is being sold. They do not supply nutritional information, other than that of the nutrition of the diet provided. Even if they wanted to become vegetarian, they share a budget perhaps with a loved one who is not yet open to changing their diet. This is why Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 6, Chapter 4 verse 9 clearly states that nature, by the order of Brahman Himself, has ordained that four legged animals become food for humans.

Vegetarianism is for Brahmins or Sannyasins who are able to take it up. The only requirement for devotion to Krishna Vasudeva is The Mahamantra. Singing His Perfect Name and being filled to over-flowing with the power of Samadhi. Yes Samadhi comes simply by chanting the "hare krishna" mantra. Chaitanya was aware of this and rejoiced in sharing it with as many as would come to him and glorify the name of Krishna. Salvation is a gift to all who worship the lord, by whatever name; how much more to those who glorify Krishna Vasudeva.

Krishna leads the soul that sings his name to appropriate scriptures for learning and understanding The Lord Purusha. Also, because Purusha is The Self within, one may view the spiritual master as The Self and be equally blessed. This is a hard teaching; because The Lord is no respecter of persons. All who truly seek peace and bless his name (whatever name); Krishna considers these to be His Very Self. This is because He loves His Creation and is eager to be worshiped in sincerity.

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare ramah hare ramah
ramah ramah hare hare

Monday, August 25, 2014

Only Chant

Do not worry about books, you are the book. Do not worry about rules, you are the rule. Don't worry about regulative principles, you are The Principle. Only chant to Krishna. This is the way of salvation. HE will show you what to read, HE will show you the rules. HE will help you to regulate your body. Krishna is a real God, who responds to those seeking truth and love. False teachers creep in, preaching disciplic succession and regulative principles, but those who really know Krishna, know that he is "all gods" anyway. Those who sought Krishna, knew him by another name before; and he alone was their salvation.

Krishna is holding all creatures in his hand and he does not drop anyone or anything. Those who finally come to him are already aware of their need to find true balance in their lives; true balance only Krishna can give. Those who come to Krishna were already destined to come to him and to become righteous. There are many religious people who do not really know Krishna. They think that following rules and being "good" is going to save them. This is not true. The righteous fulfill a need in all righteousness being fulfilled. They desire to know the god who truly loves all; the god who truly has reign over reward and punishment.

The true righteous have the desire to be witnesses for the grace of the one who really has the power to forgive and to punish. Krishna does not leave souls in an endless hell, but punishes the wicked like a father punishes his children. He punishes with a means to an end. This is an are where the false religions of the world come up short. They want so badly to be The One Way, that they condemn all others who do not follow their way to an endless hell. Meanwhile Krishna is the merciful father of all ways and he punishes children who are not merciful in their judgment.

Merely chanting the name of Krishna brings salvation and joy. As I have said time and again, to those desiring to be truly saved from sin and ignorance; chant the names of Krishna unto the fullness of salvation and truth. It is the only way. Not all are called to follow all the tenets of Vedic Life, yet The Name is given for the emancipation of all. Sing the sixteen names of The Lord like this:

hare krishna hare krishna
krishna krishna hare hare
hare ramah hare ramah
ramah ramah hare hare

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Glorious Krishna

Simple faith in Krishna is all that is necessary to receive salvation. Many Hindus, like Catholics and Jews try to say that there are certain requirements, certain regulations or rituals, necessary for the attainment of true salvation. None of this is true. Rituals are defined by the believer. They are merely acts of faith, carried out by the believer to show faith toward God. Krishna has made it clear, "If you cannot follow renunciation, then simply try to follow the tenets of scripture. If you cannot do this, then simply try to surrender to Me". If I am not a Hindu by culture, then I cannot follow Vedanta. But does this mean I cannot serve Krishna? Of course not. I need merely have faith in Krishna.

I can also practice Kirtan, chanting his name and offering prayers and devotion to him. This is vital. I can offer myself to the lord and my life for his pleasure. I can sing his holy name and honestly seek truth in my day to day life. Sincerity is pleasing unto Lord Yadeva. All believers in Krishna are entreated to practice Kirtan, or the chanting of his name. This is the most true form of devotion to him or any other god. True, sincere worship is the most acceptable for of devotion, because it pleases the lord as well as the believer. The Lord receives honor from the mouth of his servant, while the servant receives the gratification of joy, enlightenment and salvation.

So simple faith in Krishna, with the reasoned and sincere pursuit of His Word, is the way to salvation. His word is found in all Vedanta as well as in true world scriptures. Albeit, The Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam are the prominent scriptures for finding his word. Krishna Vasudeva is the central theme of these scriptures, whereas Vishnu is the theme of others, such as the Puranas or the Upanishads. Vishnu is among the most ancient of Krishna's incarnations. Thus it is the singing of his names, Hari, Ramah and Krishna which justifies us; Chanting simply thus:

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare