The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives Jnana (Theoretical knowledge) becomes Vijnana (Realized

The Practical Application Of

Gita In our Lives

The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives

Jnana(Theoretical knowledge) becomes

Vijnana(Realized knowledge) when put into

practice.

Or else it is useless.

Eg.Not sitting on train after purchasing a ticket Not taking medicine after receiving from

doctor

In B.G. Krishna says,

“Jnana vijnanam sahitam

sa jnytva mokshyase subhat”


Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita to

Arjuna• In order to show the world that this

timeless

message is meant not only for

renunciates • But also for householders with family and

social responsibilities

• Who have an occupation and are

bewildered about proper execution of their

duty • While pursuing the ultimate goal of life

– self-realization


• Spiritual life is retirement program

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL LIFE

• Spiritual life means to give up everything

• Gita tells us how to live dynamically. This

knowledge should be given at the age of

five so one can live his life perfectly

“Kaumaro acaret prajno…..”

• Spiritual life does not mean that we give up

everything but add Krishna to our life

We don’t have to change anything but our

consciousness

SPIRITUAL LIFE AS PER BHAGAVAD-GITA

• Krishna wanted to show us the

importance

of Gita. This knowledge has to utilized

during the most critical time of our life

Why Gita was spoken on the Battlefield?


• Would have Arjuna taken out time if it

were

not important

The Practical Application of Gita in our LivesWe don’t have Krishna To Guide

us?In B.G.4.2 Krishna says, “Evam parampara..”

• If we approach this knowledge as Arjuna

did we can have the same effect

• Srila Prabhupada

brought that same

message to all of us in

the unbroken chain

of disciplic

succession.

How do we know if we are hearing

from the right source??


Qualifications of a bonafide spiritual master

• Well versed with the science of

Krishna

• Is connected with the parampara

“By the mercy of guru one gets

Krishna and

by the mercy of Krishna one gets a

guru”

SAMPRADAYA

Samyat pradayate iti sampradaya

completely Handing over


• Kumar -

Nimbarkacharya• Brahma - Madhvacharya

• Rudra -

Vishnuswami

• Sri -

Ramanujacharya

Eg. - Getting degree from a recognized inst.

- Electricity connection.

How do we know if one is speaking

according to a sampradaya?

A bonafide spiritual master presents the

message without addition, subtraction and

concoction.


What is the proof that we are hearing

in parampara?There is a change in our heart and our

livesOtherwise it is simply a pious

entertainment• Has realized the conclusion of

scriptures

by deliberation• Fixed in devotional service to the supreme

• Has controlled his senses

• Is an acharya, following guru, sadhu &

Sastra


Qualifications of a disciple

• Inquisitive to know the truth• humbly inquires with the service

attitude

DISCIPLE – Ready to be disciplined

In B.G.4.34 “tad-viddhi

pranipatena………..”

In B.G.2.7 “Karpanya doshapahata……..”

Example of farmer sowing a seed

• complete surrender


Contributions of such as Acharya is

establishment of True temples which are

colleges of higher education, where one is

education and trained to perfect ones lives

Contributions of a bonafide Acharya

What is a real temple?

A real temple is like a hospital

•Diagnosis of the disease – we have material body •Cause of the disease – our envy & desire to

become controllers and enjoyers separate from

Krishna•Line of treatment – “sarva dharman..” Surrender

•Medicine – “harer nama harer nama….”


A real temple teaches the importance of• Association of devotees

Who is a sadhu ?“Titiksava karunika…”

• titiksava -

tolerant• karunika -merciful

• suhrdam sarva dehinam – friend of all living

entities

• ajata satrava – no enemies

• santah – like an ocean

• sadhava – He is a walking scripture

• sadhu bhushanah – All good qualities


• Dangers of materialitistic association

Shakespeare says,

“You tell me who your friends are and I will tell

you who you are”.

What does association mean??

Don’t reveal your heart to such people.

Television – The one eyed

guru!!

• Importance of acceptance of guidance

from a spiritual preceptor

Transparent via media of the lord.

He is not lord but a rep of the lord and repeats

the message of the lord and makes it

accessible


The Practical Application Of

Gita In our Lives – PART II


What does a Guru Teach ? 1. How one can be Krishna

conscious in family life?

Lord Rshabhdev says,Gurur na sasyat sva jano na sa syat

Pita na sa syaj janani na sa syat

Daivam na tat syan na patis ca sa syan

na mocayed samupetya mrtyum


2. Strictly follow the four

regulative principles

What does a Guru Teach …..contd

•No meat eating •No intoxication

•No gambling •No illicit sex

If you are not following these

things don’t worry !!!

Just take up the positives and

negatives will go automatically


3. Moral and Spiritual Honesty


Q. What is moral and spiritual

honesty?A. Being moral and honest to Krishna

real morality and honesty

• Real morality is “yatra yogeshwara

Krishna..”• Highest principle is living as per Krishna’s

instructions.

• Krishna says,

“aham tvam sarva papebhyo………...”

Eg of 4 theives…


Q. What is Definition of morality?

A. Morality is a standard of activity by

which the supreme authority (Krishna)

is satisfied.

For a higher principle lower principle can be

given up

Example of Kaushik muni

Gita speaks of standard morality which is

immortal

i.e. living a pure and simple

life to satisfy Krishna



4. Charity

Q. What is Charity?

Krishna says in BG that there are three

kinds of charity

Krishna says in BG 8.5,

“Yajna daan tapascaiva….”

• Charity in Mode of Ignorance

Giving the wrong thing to wrong person

in wrong place at wrong time


• Charity in Mode of Goodness

Giving the right thing to right person in

right place at right time with right

motive

• Charity in Mode of Passion

Giving the right thing to right person in

right place at right time with wrong

motive

All these three charities are

bindingTherefore the best

charity is

Transcendental

Charity


Q. What is Transcendental

Charity?A charity by which we give Krishna to others

Example of Mr. Malhotra and Srila

Prabhupada

Transcendental charity means to give in such

a

way that somehow or other the person gets

Krishna.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

“Praner arther diya vaca..”



5. How to dovetail your

occupation in devotional

service“Big problem of 21st Century…we have

no time”

Guru give us the secret of……

How to make our home into a temple?

A temple has a chakra or flag at the top!

Example of Vidhan sabha


How to transform our home into a

temple?• Invite the lord in our homeIf we have a place for the lord in the heart

then we will have a place for him in our

home• Give him the best possible place in the

homeExample of Krishna in the closet of a big office

The Lord should be

established and

worshipped


How do we worship?

1. Establish an altar

2. Offer him food

Example of offering water to ganga

3. Offering aarti

4. Inviting family to participate

“A family that prays together stays

together”. Example of throwing stones in a

lake


In Vedic culture joint families were

staying together

80% marriages in america end into a

divorce in first 3 years

Impact on Children

• First 3 years of life of Kids are crucial

like wet cement

• These spiritual activities leave lasting

impression upon the kids.

Example of old lady bringing her

grandson to the temple


Therefore, it is very imp that we establish a temple in our

home. But,

There is a tendency that everything done

repeatedly for sometime becomes mechanical

How to protect ourselves from all our

activities

become ordinary mechanical material

activity? By performing Sadhana..


What is Sadhana?

Those activities that re-spiritualize our

lives From nowonwards everything is most

important

1. Japa – chanting the holy names of the lordQ. Why should we chant on

beads?1. Concentration

2. Regulation

Q. When should we chant?

Brahma-muhurt is the best time


2. Reading of Scriptures

3. Hearing from advanced devotees

The 4 Do’s - ABCDA – Association of Devotees

B – Books – reading books

C – Chanting the names of

lord

D – Diet (Krishna Prasad)


Who is Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu ?

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The Practical Application Of Gita In our Lives. The Practical Application of Gita in our Lives Jnana (Theoretical knowledge) becomes Vijnana (Realized