sri-bhagavan uvaca
kama esha krodha esha
rajo-guna-samudbhavah
mahasano maha-papma
viddhy enam iha vairinam

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said:
It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact
with the material mode of passion and later transformed into wrath,
and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world."
--Bhagavad-gita 3.37

In his purport to the above verse Srila Prabhupada describes:

"When a living entity comes in contact with the material creation, his eternal love for Krishna is transformed into lust, in association with the mode of passion. Or, in other words, the sense of love of God becomes transformed into lust, as milk in contact with sour tamarind is transformed into yogurt. Then again, when lust is unsatisfied, it turns into wrath; wrath is transformed into illusion, and illusion continues the material existence. Therefore, lust is the greatest enemy of the living entity, and it is lust only which induces the pure living entity to remain entangled in the material world. Wrath is the manifestation of the mode of ignorance; these modes exhibit themselves as wrath and other corollaries. If, therefore, the mode of passion, instead of being degraded into the mode of ignorance, is elevated to the mode of goodness by the prescribed method of living and acting, then one can be saved from the degradation of wrath by spiritual attachment."

From Srila Prabhupada's brilliant purport we learn that lust is nothing more than love for Krishna in contact with the mode of passion. So you have to purify your passionate tendencies. Instead of being passionate to enjoy material sense gratification, you should be passionate to advance yourself in Krishna consciousness. In this way you can gradually transform your lust back into its original state, pure love for Krishna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam
adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca
vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

"I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is inaccessible to the Vedas, but obtainable by pure unalloyed devotion of the soul, who is without a second, who is not subject to decay, is without a beginning, whose form is endless, who is the beginning, and the eternal purusha; yet He is a person possessing the beauty of blooming youth."

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Another Name for Krishna?

To a question by a devotee, the explanation you gave was that Christ is the son of Krishna and that Allah is another name of Krishna. This is a little odd. Why should Krishna be known with another name?

With best regards,
your humble sevak,
Damodar B.

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Answer: Unlimited Names

It is indeed odd that you find it odd for God to another name besides "Krishna." You are not thinking very deeply. If even an ordinary man of this world can have many names, why God can only have name? For example, an ordinary man of this world can be called by so many different names depending on whether he is addressed by his wife, his child, his friend, his parent, or his boss. Is it reasonable to think that a person of this world can exceed God in any way? No, it is not at all reasonable. Therefore since God is unlimited, He can have hundreds and millions names.

Since Krishna is the Supreme Lord any name which refers to the Supreme Lord, even if it is from outside of the Vedic culture, can still be accepted as a name for Krishna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

saj-jana, durjana, pangu, jada, andha-gana
prema-vanyaya dubaila jagatera jana

"The Krishna consciousness movement will inundate the entire world and drown everyone, whether one be a gentleman, a rogue or even lame, invalid or blind."
---Caitanya Caritamrita Ādi 7.26

So the question is, "Should we trust our imperfect senses or trust the Vedic scriptures?" Of course, one could argue that trusting the Vedic scriptures is not being scientific. But when we see the repeated accuracy of the Vedic scriptures, which have again and again correctly foreseen the future, we can intelligently and reasonably put our faith in their predictions.

Of course, it may take many thousands of years for the above prediction to fully manifest. But at least we can begin planting the seeds of that future spiritual revolution now for the benefit of the future generations. And if we strive very diligently to make that spiritual revolution happen as soon as possible, what is the harm? At least our lives will have been fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness, and all those whose lives we touched will have been greatly benefited. And who knows? Krishna can do anything. If our desire to see global re-spiritualization is strong enough, Krishna can make it happen even during our lifetimes. There is nothing more virtuous than dedicating ourselves 24/7 for the deliverance of all living entities from the cycle of birth and death. This is the highest level understanding of living virtuously.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

krishna-varnam tvishakrishnam
sangopangastra-parshadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi su-medhasah

SYNONYMS

krishna-varnam -- repeating the syllables krish-na; tvisha -- with a luster; akrishnam -- not black (golden); sa-anga -- along with associates; upa-anga -- servitors; astra -- weapons; parshadam -- confidential companions; yajnaih -- by sacrifice; sankirtana-prayaih -- consisting chiefly of congregational chanting; yajanti -- they worship; hi -- certainly; su-medhasah -- intelligent persons.

TRANSLATION

In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.

--Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.32

I hope this convinces your friend to dive into the sweet ocean of sankirtana rasa.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

arjuna uvaca
param brahma param dhama
pavitram paramam bhavan
purusham sasvatam divyam
adi-devam ajam vibhum

ahus tvam rishayah sarve
devarshir naradas tatha
asito devalo vyasah
svayam caiva bravishi me

"Arjuna said:
You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth.
You are the eternal, transcendental,
original person, the unborn, the greatest.

All the great sages such as Nārada, Asita,
Devala and Vyāsa confirm this truth about You,
and now You Yourself are declaring it to me."
--Bhagavad-gita 10.12-13

In short, the Bhagavad-gita clearly reveals that the Supreme Truth as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, not as non-existing attributeless Brahman. The Prabhavanand-Isherwood edition is covering the clear statements of truth given in the Bhagavad-gita with the cloud of mental speculation.

If we want to understand the Bhagavad-gita as it was originally given to Arjuna, we should simply take what is directly stated by Krishna without trying to add some indirect interpretation of its meaning. Interpretation is only necessary when things are unclear. Just like if I tell you that I live in a house on the river, it will be unclear whether my house is on the bank of the river or it is a houseboat floating on the river. So some interpretation or further clarification will be required. But if something is clearly stated, there is no need for interpretation. When Bhagavad-gita clearly states that the person Krishna is the Absolute Truth, why do they explain the Absolute Truth differently as non-existing, attributeless Brahman? Such speculation should not published under the name of Bhagavad-gita. If they want to independently speculate that is their business, but they should not do so in the name of Krishna's immortal, timeless words of wisdom.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

"One who engages in full devotional service,
unfailing in all circumstances,
at once transcends the modes of material nature
and thus comes to the level of Brahman."
--Bhagavad-gita 14.26

Who is that person who after hearing this would not like to take full advantage of Lord Sri Krishna's liberating mercy? Only a person who is unwilling to open his mind.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Why Only Krishna?

Are not Christ (the son of God) and Allah (the universal) the same as Lord Krishna? Why not surrender to them? Why only to Lord Krishna just because I am born as a Hindu?

Awaiting your reply.

Hare Krishna

Rajeev

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Answer: Why Not? He is the Supreme Person

Krishna is God, the Father. Jesus Christ is His son. Allah is another name for Krishna. God is one, but He has many names. No matter what you were born as, you are still meant to surrender to that supreme person who is the source of existence. That person is Krishna, but He goes by many other names as well.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Since the more we give our undivided attention to these sweet names, the more intensely we connect with them, it is advised that we should rise early and chant our daily quota during the most peaceful, undisturbed time of the day before sunrise. If we will regularly chant the Hare Krishna mantra in this way on a daily basis, we will rapidly advance on the pathway of pure bhakti and gradually qualify ourselves to regain our original identities as inhabitants of that wondrous eternal spiritual sky.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: The Moon and Cloning

I was going through the book "Easy Journey to other Planets." It says that on the moon there is life and is being ruled by a demigod named Candra. Please show some light on this phrase as the moon has already been explored by mankind and there was no life found on the moon.

Secondly our scriptures say that soul is unborn and indestructible. But nowadays scientists are making the clone for animals, so how is this possible as soul is unborn?

Please show me light and shower your blessings.

Thanks,

Haribol!
Gaurav Gupta

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Answer: Landing without Clearing Customs

Even though one may physically enter a country, if he does not have a visa he will not be allowed to clear customs. So if even by the force of mechanical rocket some astronauts were able to land on the moon planet, without the permission of Candra, the presiding deity of the moon, they would not be allowed the enter into the precincts of the highly advanced civilization there. And even if the astronauts actually landed on the moon, they only examined a very small portion of it. So you cannot rightfully argue that the moon has been explored by mankind. It certainly has not.

Regarding cloning, the soul always remains unborn. But if Krishna sanctions, the unborn soul may enter into a cloned body. Kindly read the following article on cloning for more information:

http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/cloning/

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

Bangkok

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Answer: Real vs. Pseudo Krishna Consciousness

Before you make such complaints you should properly understand what is Krishna. I am surprised that you would write me in such a way. I have been accused many times over the last 38 years since I fully dedicated my life to spreading the glories of Lord Sri Krishna all over the world. But it is most surprising to be told that I am ignoring Krishna.

In my writing and in my lectures I directly say the name "Krishna" thousands and thousands of times. For example, in this short email of three paragraphs I am stating Krishna's name more than a dozen times. In addition to this, in each and every word I am presenting the teachings of Krishna. Since the teachings of Krishna and Krishna Himself are one and the same, I am doing nothing except glorifying Krishna in each and every word. So you cannot rightfully say that I am ignoring Krishna. I am connecting my readers with Krishna in each and every word that I write.

We have to be very careful to avoid the trap of only wanting to hear about the person Krishna and His pastimes to the exclusion of His teachings. This is known as sahijiyaism, and is very detrimental for our spiritual progress. If we want to factually be connected with Krishna we must fully understand and implement the teachings of Lord Krishna as given in the Bhagavad-gita. This is real Krishna consciousness not the pseudo Krishna consciousness of only wanting to hear about the person Krishna and not taking any interest in His teachings.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet
--Mundaka Upanisad 1.2.12

In this verse the word "evabhiagacchet" means that one MUST approach a spiritual master. So there is no question of it being optional; it must be done. And one must carry out the order of the spiritual master and the order of the sastra, or scripture. When you follow without considering whether it is convenient or inconvenient, simply because it must be done, that is called tapasya. And such tapasya will quickly elevate you to the self-realization platform.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate

"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds.
Everything emanates from Me. "
Bhagavad-gita 10.8

So our ultimate origin is the transcendental body of Lord Sri Krishna, Who eternally resides in the spiritual world. Try to understand that since we originate from Krishna Who is in the spiritual world, we also must necessarily be originally situated in the spiritual world as His emanations. If an automobile manufacturing plant is located in a particular country, the cars that it produces are also naturally from the same country in which the manufacturing plant is situated, even if they are exported to a different country.

I have noted that you have included the words "need to be free again" in your email address This is a very nice statement of the factual reality. It means that previously the person was free, but that now he is no longer free and is feeling the need to be free again. You've hit the nail right on the head! You were originally in a state of perfect freedom in the spiritual sky, and now you can return back home, back to Godhead to your original free state through the most sublime ultimate self realization process.

I hope this helps to clarify this matter and that you are in the best of health and an ecstatic mood.

Always your well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

Warrior or Worrier?

It is oftentimes said that the best defense is a good offense, and in the self-realization process this is certainly most precisely and undoubtedly true. My spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, said that we have to declare war against maya, the Lord's illusory energy. By taking this aggressive position of attacking the material energy we will make steady advancement in driving it out of our hearts. Actually we have no choice in this connection. Maya has already invaded our hearts and taken over our consciousness. The only way we can get a foothold on the spiritual platform is to defeat maya with the weapon of transcendental knowledge. As soon as we assume this aggressive warrior stance, life becomes an exciting adventure of advancing steadily in Krishna consciousness. But if we remain in a weak feeble position wondering whether we should take Krishna consciousness seriously or not, the anxieties of material existence will continue to weigh heavily upon our hearts. Instead of being ecstatic transcendental warriors, we will be frustrated worriers.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Meaning of My Dream?

Yesterday you came in my dreams. I'm explaining to people that you send messages via e-mail about Lord Krishna through a course called "Ultimate Self Realization." I had the luck to talk to you at least through dreams, and you talked to me like you know me from before. Please be kind to explain the meaning of the dream.

Hari bol,

Your humble servant,

Meera

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Answer: Guru is Calling You to Surrender to Krishna

When the spiritual master appears in your dreams this is his special mercy upon you to induce you to take up seriously the process of Krishna bhakti for gaining salvation from the cycle of birth and death. The spiritual master is calling you to now fully surrender yourself to Lord Sri Krishna. This is the meaning.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Once you have established studying and chanting as a regular daily routine, you may inquire from me further.

I hope this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.

Always your well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

mat-karma-krin mat-paramo
mad-bhaktah sanga-varjitah
nirvairah sarva-bhuteshu
yah sa mam eti pandava

"My dear Arjuna, he who engages in My pure devotional service, free from the contaminations of fruitive activities and mental speculation, he who works for Me, who makes Me the supreme goal of his life, and who is friendly to every living being--he certainly comes to Me."
--Bhagavad-gita 11.55

One may wonder how the above verse is a confirmation of Srila Prabhupada's statement. This is very easy to understand. Because the spiritual master engages the disciple in following exactly this instruction of Krishna, Krishna guarantees that by following the spiritual master's instructions that the disciple will attain Krishna.

So, are you now ready to take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master?

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

"mitam ca sāram ca vaco hi vāgmitā" iti

"Essential truth spoken concisely is true eloquence."
--CC Adi 1.106

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: 16 Rounds Immediately or Gradually?

I will try to follow your advice and develop myself spiritually. Should I start directly with 16 rounds or gradually increase it? And I will also try to be in touch with you thru your daily thoughts.

Regards,

Your student,

Krishnan K M

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Answer: Immediately If Possible

The best thing is to immediately begin chanting at least 16 rounds every day. After all, life is short. We can die at any time. So the ideal thing is to take fully to Krishna consciousness as quickly as possible to give ourselves the best shot at going back to home, back to Godhead in this very lifetime.

Of course if chanting at least 16 rounds every day is not possible in the beginning, rather than not chant at all one may adopt a lesser number and then gradually increase. But kindly note in this connection that even though Krishna consciousness is a gradual process we should not make it any more gradual than it has to be.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari
 

om tad vishnoh paramam padam sada pasyanti surayah

"The demigods are always looking to that supreme abode of Vishnu."
--Rig Veda 1.22.20

If the demigods and Vishnu were one and the same, the Rig Veda would not make this distinction.

You also state that none of them are demigods. This is also not a fact. Of course, that Vishnu is not a demigod is confirmed in the above verse because His abode is described as the supreme abode. But that Shiva and Brahma are demigods is confirmed in the following verse from the Varaha Purana:

narayanaḥ paro devas
tasmaj jatas caturmukhah
tasmad rudro 'bhavad devah
sa ca sarva-jñatam gatah

"Narayana is the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
and from Him Brahma was born,
from whom Shiva was born."

That Krishna (the original form of Vishnu or Narayana) is the Supreme Lord is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (10.8) where the Lord says:

aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah

"I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts."

Here is a correct description of the Supreme Lord, given by the Lord Himself. The words sarvasya prabhavaḥ indicate that Krishna is the creator of everyone, including Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. And because these three principal deities of the material world are created by the Lord, the Lord is the creator of all that exists in the material and spiritual worlds.

In the Atharva Veda (Gopāla-tāpanī Upanishad 1.24) it is similarly said:

"He who existed before the creation of Brahma
and who enlightened Brahma with Vedic knowledge
is Lord Sri Krishna."

Similarly, the Narayana Upanishad (1) states:

"Then the Supreme Person, Narayana, desired to create all living beings. Thus from Narayana, Brahma was born. Narayana created all the Prajapatis. Narayana created Indra. Narayana created the eight Vasus. Narayana created the eleven Rudras. Narayana created the twelve Adityas."

Since Narayana is a plenary manifestation of Lord Krishna, Narayana and Krishna are one and the same. The Narayana Upanishad (4) also states:

"Devakī's son [Krishna] is the Supreme Lord."

The identity of Narayana with the supreme cause has also been accepted and confirmed by Sripada Sankaracarya, even though Sankara does not belong to the Vaishnava, or personalist, school.

The Atharva Veda (Maha Upanishad 1) also states:

"Only Narayana existed in the beginning, when neither Brahma, nor Shiva, nor fire, nor water, nor stars, nor sun, nor moon existed. The Lord does not remain alone but creates as He desires."

You mention that Brahman is the one truth, the one reality and that everything in this world are HIS manifestations. You are telling us that persons are not really real, that they are just symbolic representations of Brahman. If you are quoting from scriptures as you say you are, where are the verses to back up your points? You have not produced them. In discussions of Absolute Truth we must quote the authoritative references. Otherwise if I simply give my opinion and you give your opinion, the debate with go on endlessly without any conclusion.

We must understand what is the Brahman from the authoritative scriptures, not from mental speculation. Brahman is described in the revealed scriptures as the transcendental effulgence emanating from the body of Lord Sri Krishna. In the Bhagavad-gita Sri Krishna states:

brahmano hi pratisthaham

"I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman."
--Bhagavad-gita 14.27

And in the Brahma Samhita, Lord Brahma states:

yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti-
kotisv asesa-vasudhadi vibhuti-bhinnam
tad brahma niskalam anantam asesa-bhutam
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

"I worship Govinda (Krishna), the primeval Lord, whose effulgence is the source of the nondifferentiated Brahman mentioned in the Upanishads, being differentiated from the infinity of glories of the mundane universe appears as the indivisible, infinite, limitless, truth."
--Brahma-samhita 5.40

You are correct in stating that there is only one God. But when you say that only God exists and nothing else, you are quite wrong. The eternal individuality of God and the living entities is confirmed by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita as follows:

na tv evaham jatu nasam
na tvam neme janadhipah
na caiva na bhavisyamah
sarve vayam atah param

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings;
nor in the future shall any of us cease to be."
--Bhagavad-gita 2.12

You have stated, "Since Vedas and Upanishads are the valid means of authority and Bhagavad-gita is in essence Upanishads only, so it is wrong to say in any other way."

But where is the proof? How can the Bhagavad-gita not be authoritative when it is accepted by all the great sages of India, even Sankaracharya, the founder of the impersonalist school? You may disagree with all the great Vedic authorities, that is your prerogative. But that does not mean that we are going to be misguided by such foolish speculations.

You mention, "Since you believe in Lord Krishna HE is Supreme. I believe in Brahman and so to me Lord Ganesh, or Lord Shiva or Lord Krishna are one and the same and are supreme.. So please don't send wrong message through your answer. It is very painful."

You may be speaking on the platform of your belief, but we do not speak on such a platform. We are speaking from the solid ground of Vedic authority. To say that all the gods are one and the same, that they are all supreme is not a fact as confirmed by the many authoritative verses quoted above. Besides that, if all gods were the supreme, there would then be no Supreme God. Supreme means one without a second. Just like for example, how many supreme courts are there in India? There can only be one. Otherwise, if there more than one, it is not the supreme court. To say that everything is the supreme is a round about way of saying there is no supreme. In other words, it is simply covered atheism.

The fact that is that all different branches of Vedic wisdom are authoritative because they are all coming from Krishna as confirmed here:

vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo
vedanta-krd veda-vid eva caham

"By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed,
I am the compiler of Vedanta,
and I am the knower of the Vedas."
--Bhagavad-gita 15.15

We are sorry that you are feeling pained by the Vedic conclusion. But still it is our duty to present it as it is. It may not be pleasant when the doctor tell us that we have a serious disease, but it is his duty to honestly inform us. So in this well-wishing mood of sincere service we are informing you that you have been misguided by impersonalist philosophy which emphasizes the impersonal nature of God over the personal nature of God.

In the final analysis, we can see that God is both personal and impersonal, but that His original personal nature is more important than His impersonal aspect. Actually it is a matter of common sense. We always see that personality predominates over impersonality. For example, how many persons do we know who are impersonal? There are many. And how many impersons do we know who are personal? None. Therefore God must ultimately be a person Who also has an impersonal aspect, not an imperson Who has a personal aspect.

I hope that this clarifies in your mind what is the ultimate Vedic conclusion and that this meets you in the best of health and in an ecstatic mood.

Always your well-wisher,

Sankarshan Das Adhikari