Leading Meaningful Lives

Based on the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder Acharya – International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Fundamental Question Who am I ?

Lord Krishna explains

dehino ’smin yathä dehe kaumäraà yauvanaà jarä tathä dehäntara-präptir dhéras tatra na muhyati Bhagavad - gétä 2.13

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death.”

väsäàsi jérëäni yathä vihäya naväni gåhëäti naro ’paräëi tathä çaréräëi vihäya jérëäny anyäni saàyäti naväni dehé Bhagavad - gétä 2.22

“ As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.”

na jäyate mriyate vä kadäcin näyaà bhütvä bhavitä vä na bhüyaù ajo nityaù çäçvato ’yaà puräëo na hanyate hanyamäne çarére Bhagavad - gétä 2.20

“For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.”

4 things which we all are busy with

Eating Animals also eat but not is such a gorgeous way

Sleeping Animals also sleep but may not in a cozy bed in an aircontioned room

Mating Animals may also may do so, but not in a gorgeous fashion as man

Defending Animals do in a crude way. We do using the missiles and nuclear arsenals.

Scriptures point out that...

... if we spend all our time in eating, sleeping, mating and defending...

...then we are no better than animals.

dharmeëa héna paçubhiù samäna Without real religious principles, we are no better than animals.

dvi-päda-paçu Animals with two legs.

Western countries have reached summit of material advancement

Luxurious Houses

Skyscraper Buildings

Jet Planes

Latest methods of communication

In spite of all this advancement, men are  dissatisfied  full of anxiety  stressed  depressed & above all unhappy

WHY ?

Story of Golden Cage

Bible points out “What profieth a man if he wins the whole world but loses the soul.”

Human life is meant for “Now you have achieved a human body, you should enquire about the Absolute Truth.” athätho brahma-jijïäsä

In human life we are endowed with intelligence to inquire  Who am I ?  Who is God ?  What happens after death ?  Why am I suffering ?  What is the real aim of my life ?

labdhvä su-durlabham idaà bahu-sambhavänte Srimad Bhagavatam “We have attained human form, which is very rare, after many many lifetimes.”

mänuñyam artha-dam anityam apéha dhéraù Srimad Bhagavatam “Although human life is temporary, it affords one opportunity to attain highest perfection.”

türëaà yateta na pated anu- måtyu yävan Srimad Bhagavatam “A sober man should quickly endeavor for ultimate goal before he falls into clutches of death.”

niùçreyasäya viñayaù khalu sarvataù syät Srimad Bhagavatam “Sense gratification (eating, sleeping, mating, defending) is available even in most abominable species of life.”

Am I too young for spiritual practices ?

Story of lady approaching Aristotle for her child’s education

Instructions of Prahlada Maharaj from Srimad Bhagavatam

kaumära äcaret präjïo “One who is intelligent should use human body from tender age of childhood to practice activities of devotional service.”

durlabhaà mänuñaà janma “The human birth is most rarely achieved.”

tad apy adhruvam arthadam “Although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because one can practice devotional service and progress towards ultimate goal.”

So what should we do ?

Vedic Scriptures  favorable breeze Spiritual Master  expert captain to steer the boat Human Body  boat

Practical Tips  Chant the Holy Names of the Lord everyday, especially Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Practical Tips  Read and practically apply instructions of Bhagavad-gita & Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Practical Tips  Aspire to spend time with saintly persons and make best use of all such oppurtunities.

“Its really a process of having realization of God.” George Harrison

“Everything started happening for me when I began chanting Hare Krishna.” Jean Claude Halliche Youngest Director of 3M Inc. - France (29 year old)

“Chanting Hare Krishna has made a tremendous impact in my life.” Albert Brush Ford Owner - Ford Motors

“ I've been chanting Hare Krishna for many years, and I've never found anything more pleasurable. Just try to chant 5-10 minutes a day for a week and you'll feel the difference. ” N.D. Desai Leading Indian Industrialist (Apar Limited, GE Apar Lighting, CEMA Tubes, Apar Infotech)

“C hanting Hare Krishna has helped me face all the ups and downs in my life with a great confidence and peace of mind. ” Hrishikesh Mafatlal CEO - Mafatlal Fabrics

“Chanting helped me give up bad habits. It changed my vision of things.” Anne Schaufuss Dutch Model

“By starting to chant Hare Krishna, I feel tremendous happiness.” Vicki Overton leading European Model

Marco Ferrini Italy’s top furniture designer “Chanting makes me feel close to God.”

“Mahä-mantra significantly reduces stress, depression, & the mode of ignorance and considerably increases mode of goodness.” David Wolf Master of Social Service Program at Florida State University Researcher for studying the effects of chanting Hare Krishna Mahä- mantra.

“If I start my day on a spiritual note by chanting Hare Krishna, I can make it through the day in a pleasant mood.” Stephen Farmer Health food store owner

“Chanting has opened my eyes to things I never noticed. Its like beautiful music – a very peaceful feeling, very satisfying.” Mrs. Grace Acquistapace Housewife

“When I am stressed out, I chant. It’s one thing which charges my batteries. It clears my mind and brings me back in focus.” Paul Bleier Printing Executive

“When I’m nervous I find chanting very claming. I don’t get shaken up at little things.” Mrs. Sally Raleigh Merchandiser

“My outlook towards life is lot more brighter, after starting to associate with Hare Krishna devotees and chanting the mahä-mantra.” Bruce Klienberg Army Officer

“Chanting makes me more perceptive, more in harmony with everything and everyone around me.” Jane Lahner Jewelry Designer

Hare Krishna