Please read the first chapter of the Book Beyond Birth and Death and answer
the following questions.
1.
What is the very first step in self-realization?
The very first step in self-realization is realizing one’s identity as separate from the
body. “I am not this body but am spirit soul” is an essential realization for anyone who
wants to transcend death and enter into the spiritual world beyond. It is not simply a
matter of saying “I am not this body,” but of actually realizing it. This is not as simple
as it may seem at first. Although we are not these bodies but are pure consciousness,
somehow or other we have become encased within the bodily dress. If we actually
want the happiness and independence that transcend death, we have to establish
ourselves and remain in our constitutional position as pure consciousness.
2.
What is the argument Srila Prabhupada gives to say it is incorrect to deny the
soul simply because we cannot perceive it by our gross senses? What is the alternate
method that Srila Prabhupada recommends by which we can perceive the soul?
Because we cannot perceive the soul by our gross senses, we deny it. Actually, so
many things are there which we cannot see. We cannot see air, radio waves, or sound,
nor can we perceive minute bacteria with our blunt senses, but this does not mean
they are not there. By the aid of the microscope and other instruments, many things
can be perceived which had previously been denied by the imperfect senses. Just
because the soul, which is atomic in size, has not been perceived yet by senses or
instruments, we should not conclude that it is not there. It can, however, be perceived
by its symptoms and effects.
3.
What is the common purpose of the Vedas the old and New Testament and
the Koran? And what is the common method recommended in all of them?
The word veda means “book of knowledge.” There are many books of knowledge,
which vary according to the country, population, environment, etc. In India the books
of knowledge are referred to as the Vedas. In the West they are called the Old
Testament and New Testament. The Muhammadans accept the Koran. Books of
knowledge are to train us to understand our position as pure soul. Their purpose is to
restrict bodily activities by certain rules and regulations, and these rules and
regulations are known as codes of morality.
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The Bible, for instance, has ten commandments intended to regulate our lives. The
body must be controlled in order for us to reach the highest perfection, and without
regulative principles, it is not possible to perfect our lives. The regulative principles
may differ from country to country or from scripture to scripture, but that doesn’t matter,
for they are made according to the time and circumstances and the mentality of the
people. But the principle of regulated control is the same.
Vedas are meant to control the three modes of material nature – goodness, passion,
and ignorance (traiguṇya-viṣayā vedāḥ). However, Kṛṣṇa is advising Arjuna to
establish himself in his pure constitutional position as spirit soul, beyond the dualities
of material nature.
4.
What is the simple process recommended by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to
establish oneself on the spiritual platform above the three modes of material nature?
Lord Caitanya’s teachings begin from the point of surrender to Kṛṣṇa. He does not
pursue the paths of karma-yoga or jñāna-yoga or haṭha-yoga but begins at the end of
material existence, at the point where one gives up all material attachment. The gift
of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the chanting of the names of Kṛṣṇa – Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare
Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare –
facilitates this process. This method is called bhakti-yoga or mantra-yoga, and it is
employed by the highest transcendentalists. Bhakti-yoga or mantra-yoga to establish
oneself on the spiritual platform above the three modes of material nature.
5.
What is the process for understanding god and his kingdom; explain in
your own words the example Srila Prabhupada gives.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, and His plenary portions cannot be
understood by mental speculation nor by the nondevotees. If anyone wants to
understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he has to take to pure devotional
service under the guidance of a pure devotee.
The abode of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is described in the Bhagavad-gītā, Fifteenth Chapter,
sixth verse:
“na tad bhāsayate sūryo na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma
paramaṁ mama”
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“That abode of mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by electricity. And anyone
who reaches it never comes back to this material world.” (Bg. 15.6)
This verse gives a description of that eternal sky. Of course we have a material
conception of the sky, and we think of it in relationship to the sun, moon, stars and so
on, but in this verse the Lord states that in the eternal sky there is no need for the sun
nor for the moon nor fire of any kind because the spiritual sky is already illuminated by
the brahmajyoti, the rays emanating from the Supreme Lord. We are trying with
difficulty to reach other planets, but it is not difficult to understand the abode of the
Supreme Lord. This abode is referred to as Goloka. In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is
beautifully described: Goloka eva nivasaty akhilātma-bhūtaḥ. The Lord resides
eternally in His abode Goloka, yet He can be approached from this world, and to this
end the Lord comes to manifest His real form, sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha. When He
manifests this form, there is no need for our imagining what He looks like. To
discourage such imaginative speculation, He descends and exhibits Himself as He is,
as Śyāmasundara. The inhabitants of the Vaikuṇṭha planets in the spiritual sky are all
liberated souls.
Can we see god by our own endeavor? What is the correct process?
Although we cannot perceive the transcendental nature of the Supreme Lord, His
name, fame, and activities, if we establish ourselves in Kṛṣṇa consciousness,
gradually God will reveal Himself before us. We cannot see God by our own endeavor,
but if we qualify ourselves, God will reveal Himself, and then we will see. No one can
order God to come before him and dance, but we do have to work in such a way that
Kṛṣṇa will be pleased to reveal Himself to us.
The simple process of chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa will reveal what one is, what God
is, what the material and spiritual universes are, why we are conditioned, how we can
get out of that conditioning – and everything else, step by step. Actually, the process
of belief and revelation is not foreign to us. Every day we place faith in something that
we have confidence will be revealed later.
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6.
When we place our faith in something. What is it that we should carefully look
for?
We may purchase a ticket to go to India, and on the basis of the ticket we have faith
that we will be transported there. Why should we pay money for a ticket? We do not
just give the money to anyone. The company is authorized and the airline is
authorized, so faith is created. Without faith we cannot take one step forward in the
ordinary course of our life. Faith we must have, but it must be faith in that which is
authorized. It is not that we have blind faith, but that we accept something that is
recognized.
The Bhagavad-gītā is recognized and accepted as scripture by all classes of men in
India, and as far as outside India is concerned, many scholars, theologians, and
philosophers accept the Bhagavad-gītā as a great, authoritative work. There is no
question that the Bhagavad-gītā is authority. Even Professor Albert Einstein, such a
scientist, read the Bhagavad-gītā regularly.
Science of Self Realization: Chapter One
1.
Is Krishna Consciousness open to all?
Yes. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is open to all. Just like, we are calling everyone, "Come
and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." It is open to all. There is no question of becoming poor or rich.
However, if he takes the advantage, that is up to him. We are not restricting here that
only the rich persons or brāhmaṇas or pious family or rich family can come here, no.
Everyone. Everyone is welcome. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, māṁ hi pārtha
vyapāśritya ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ. Poor family or uneducated family, uncultured
family, they are called pāpa-yoni, sinful family. But Kṛṣṇa says, "Never mind. Even if
he is in sinful family, whatever he may be, if he comes to me, he also can enter into
the spiritual kingdom." Therefore, there is no such restriction. Here, when people come
here, we do not inquire whether he is poor or rich or this or that. "Come on. Sit down.
Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." The opportunity is equal for everyone.
2.
Why is a man given a better chance to live than swine or other animals?
Why is a man given a better chance to live than swine or other animals? Why is a
highly posted government officer given better facilities for a comfortable life than an
ordinary clerk? The answer is very simple: the important officer has to discharge duties
of a more responsible nature than those of an ordinary clerk. Similarly, the human
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being has to discharge higher duties than the animals, who are always busy with filling
their hungry stomachs.
We are given this human form of life not just to work hard like the swine or dog, but
also to attain the highest perfection of life. If we do not want that perfection, then we
will have to work very hard, for we will be forced to by the laws of nature.
3.
Is Krishna Consciousness a belief or science? Explain in a few sentences.
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a question of belief; it is a science. The first step is to know
the difference between a living body and a dead body. What is the difference? The
difference is that when someone dies, the spirit soul, or the living force, leaves the
body. Therefore, the body is called “dead.” So, there are two things: one, this body;
and the other, the living force within the body. We speak of the living force within the
body. That is the difference between the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is
spiritual, and ordinary material science. As such, in the beginning it is very, very difficult
for an ordinary man to appreciate this concept. One must first understand that he is a
soul or something other than his body.
4.
What is ‘Athato brahma jijnasa’?
Athāto brahma jijñāsā. Atha, "now," ataḥ, "after this," brahma, "the Supreme Absolute
Truth," jijñāsā, "one should inquire." This human form of life is especially meant for
inquiring about the Absolute Truth or the Transcendence.
5. What is spiritual death? And how does Krishna Consciousness movement save
human society from this?
This human body is especially given to the conditioned soul to take a chance for
spiritual emancipation. So anyone who does not care for spiritual emancipation, he is
inviting spiritual death. Spiritual death means to forget oneself, that he is spirit. That is
spiritual death.
This very important Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to save human society
from spiritual death. At present human society is being misled by leaders who are
blind, for they do not know the aim and objective of human life, which is self-realization
and the reestablishment of our lost relationship with the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. That is the missing point. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to
enlighten human society in this important matter.
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So in the animal life it is fully forgetfulness. They cannot be reminded at any
circumstances that they are not this body; they are different from this body. It is only
in this human form of body, human form of life, one can understand that he is not this
body, he is spirit soul. So by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, one can easily understand this fact,
and by worshiping Lord Chaitanya, following His principles and ways, one can chant
Hare Kṛṣṇa and very easily come to the platform of spiritual understanding
6. What point does the example first-class AC coach of the train signify?
There is certainly a great deal of comfort in the first-class coach of a train, but if the
train does not move toward its destination, what is the benefit of an air-conditioned
compartment? Contemporary civilization is much too concerned with making the
material body comfortable. No one has information of the real destination of life, which
is to go back to Godhead. We must not just remain seated in a comfortable
compartment; we should see whether our vehicle is moving toward its real destination.
There is no ultimate benefit in making the material body comfortable at the expense
of forgetting the prime necessity of life, which is to regain our lost spiritual identity. The
boat of human life is constructed in such a way that it must move toward a spiritual
destination.
Bhagavad Gita As It Is: Introduction & Chapter 1
1.
Why is Srila Prabhupada’s edition of Bhagavad-Gita called “Bhagavad-Gita
As It Is”?
The spirit of Bhagavad-gītā is mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā itself. Bhagavadgītā should be taken or accepted as it is directed by the speaker Himself. The speaker
of Bhagavad-gītā is Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Srila Prabhupada’ is the world's foremost Vedic scholar and teacher, and stands as
the current representative of an unbroken chain of fully self-realized spiritual masters
beginning with Lord Krishna Himself. Thus, unlike other editions of the Gita,
“Bhagavad Gita As It Is” is presented “as it is”– without the slightest adulteration.
Hence, Srila Prabhupada’s edition of Bhagavad-Gita called “Bhagavad-Gita As It Is”
2.
What are the five subject matters of Bhagavad-Gita? Describe briefly
about each of them.
There are five main themes illustrated in the Bhagavad-gita. They are:
1.
2.
Ishvara – The Supreme Lord,
Jiva – The Living Entity,
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3.
4.
5.
Prakruti – The Material Nature,
Kala – Eternal Time
Karma – Activities.
Ishvara – The Supreme Lord: The Bhagavad-gita pronounces that God is the source
and foundation of this entire creation. He is also the maintainer and annihilator. From
Him everything radiates. In the Bhagavad-gita, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Krishna is referred to as Bhagavan. He is declared as the greatest person and as
having the supreme consciousness. Lord Sri Krishna Himself declares that He is also
the supreme creator of all planets, the enjoyer of all sacrifices and the friend of all the
living entities. In the Bhagavad-gita, He is addressed as Brahman, Paramatma and
Ishvara. He is the supreme controller and hence called Ishvara, the Supreme Lord.
2.Jiva – The Living Entity
The living entity has no separate independent identity. He is the marginal energy of
the Supreme. When he is entrapped by material energy, he is conditioned and when
he is Krishna conscious or aware of the spiritual energy, then he is in his real and
natural state of life. The living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme Lord.
Because the living beings are in quality like the supreme controller, they are
considered as superior energy.
3. Prakruti – The Material Nature
Material nature is the separated energy of the Supreme Lord. Material nature is not
independent. She is acting under the directions of the Supreme Lord. Material nature
or Prakruti is female and she is controlled by the Lord just as the activities of a wife
are controlled by the husband. Prakruti is always subordinate, prevailed by the Lord,
who is the predominator. Prakruti is always under control of the Supreme Lord,
whether inferior or superior. The Superior energy – living entities and Inferior energy
– Material nature are both predominated, controlled by the Supreme Lord.
4.Kala – Eternal Time
Kala means time. Time has got its very great influence. Time’s business is to
depreciate. Kala’s business is to kill, destroy. We make a nice house, but as soon as
it becomes older it is destroyed. We all have a body, nice body, but the influence of
time will ultimately prevail and destroy this body. That is the influence of time. In
the Bhagavad Gita, the universal form of Krishna is addressed as “Kala”. Kala is a
powerful force of the Supreme Lord which destroys and disintegrates everything of
this material world. In the Bhagavad-gita, the Supreme Lord says that He devours
everything of this world as Kala.
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5.Karma – Activities
In this world, living entities are engaged in various activities called karma. Every action
in this world brings reaction. Living entities are suffering or enjoying the results of their
activities from time immemorial, but they can change the results of karma, or their
activity, and this change depends on the perfection of knowledge. The effects of karma
may be very old. They do not know what sort of activities they should adopt to gain
release from the actions and reactions of all activities. This knowledge is explained in
the Bhagavad-gita. When the living entity is in material consciousness, he has to take
on various bodies in the material world. That is called karma or varied creation by the
force of material consciousness. According to his identification with material or spiritual
nature, he receives a material or spiritual body.
3.
What is the basic cause of Arjuna’s illusion?
Arjuna has fallen into illusion. He is forgetting the underlying spiritual reality behind
the façade of material existence. He doesn't see that the material world is simply a
theatrical display enacted for the rectification of those living beings who have
foolishly turned their backs on the Lord. He should be realizing that his only duty is
to execute the instructions of the Lord. But because he has fallen into bodily
consciousness, considering that he is his body and that his kinsmen are also their
bodies, he is now in great anxiety.
4. List any three reasons Arjuna gives in this section for not fighting.
1.
Fear of Sinful reactions: Killing is sinful action. Killing someone will be
sinful action and sinful action cause suffereings.
2.
With the destruction of the dynasty, the eternal family tradition is
vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligion.
3.
Killing own relatives and fighting with grandfather Bishma and guru
Dronacharaya. Arjuna will not be able to enjoy the kingdom with his relatives if
they are all dead.
5. What is the meaning of “Varna Sankara”?
When families are destroyed, timeless family traditions are destroyed. And when that
happens, families plunge into lawlessness. And with families plunging into
lawlessness, women become corrupt. And when women become corrupt, varna
sankara results. Varna sankara [the intermixture of varnas] leads to hell both those
who destroy the families and the families themselves. Deprived of the offerings of
water and food, the spirits of the ancestors fall. By these evil deeds of those who
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destroy families, causing confusion of varnas, the eternal dharmas of families and
castes are destroyed. BG 1.40-43
6.
What is the relation between family elders, womenfolk, family traditions,
and the maintenance of a good society?
The elder members of the family bear age-old traditions, customs, ideals and noble
values of a community, which they pass on to their next generations. These traditions
help nurture moral values in families and build religious propriety in a society. If the
elders die early, their valuable knowledge goes with them and in the absence of proper
guidance, the next generation sways away from the virtuous path.
Women occupied a very high status in Vedic society. For families to be religious, and
societies to be moral, it is necessary that their women be virtuous. According to the
Manu Smṛiti: yatra nāryas tu pūjyante ramante tatra devatāḥ (3.56) “Societies where
women are worshiped, for they are chaste and virtuous, the celestial gods are joyous.”
Good population in human society is the basic principle for peace, prosperity and
spiritual progress in life. The varṇāśrama religion’s principles were so designed that
the good population would prevail in society for the general spiritual progress of state
and community. Such population depends on the chastity and faithfulness of its
womanhood. As children are very prone to be misled, women are similarly very prone
to degradation. Therefore, both children and women require protection by the elder
members of the family. An increase in unwanted children results in hellish life both for
the family and for those who destroy the family. Deprived of sacrificial offerings, the
ancestors of such corrupt families also fall.
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