Priya Kunj Ras

  In previous article, we have discussed about the ultimate aim of human birth. There are many paths described in the scriptures about how to realize one’s relationship with God. These spiritual paths can be broadly classified as Nirguna Upasana path and Saguna Upasana path. [Shakti means power and Shaktimān means the powerful. Just like fire and its ability to burn are one and inseparable, Shakti and Shaktimān are one and inseparable. But due to transcendental quality of God, His Shakti can take a separate form. In fact, the appearance, divine qualities, names and pastimes of God are the functions of His Shakti. When Shakti remains inactive, God does not have any form, name, etc. Just like a dicot seed that looks like one piece while its seed coat is intact. As soon as it is removed, we find two identical halves of the same seed.] Nirguna Upasana path: When Shakti and Shaktimān remain as one and Shakti is inactive, God remains in a state that is nameless, formless, the primary ...

  Chaturmāsa Vrata is a four month long fast. It starts from Shayan Ekadasi and ends on Utthan Ekadasi. It could also be started from Vamana Masa Purnima (Guru Purnima) and ends on Damodara Masa Purninma. It has great significance for Vaishnavas. During this time, Lord Hari goes into Yoga Nidra (divine sleep) during which He watches His devotees and is especially pleased by those engaged in austerities. [For more details, one may refer to Hari Bhakti Vilas on this topic.] One of the main aspects of Chaturmāsa Vrata is Āhāra Shuddhi (purity of food intake). “Āhāra śuddhau sattva śuddhau dhruvā smṛtiḥ smṛtilambhe sarvagranthīnāṃ vipramokṣah.” (Chandogya Upanishad 7.26.2) Meaning: If one eats pure food, one’s mind becomes pure. If the mind is pure, one’s memory (of Lord Hari) becomes strong and steady. If the memory is good, one becomes free from all bondages. The food we eat has a great impact on our bhajan. Food can be of three types according to the three modes of na...

  The duties of an individual towards family, society, nature and mankind are called Loukika Dharma (Loukika = related to material world, Dharma = duty). They are concerned with the body and its relation with the world and therefore, it is also referred as Jada Dharma. The duty of a person to realize his/her eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is called Parloukika Dharma . Since it is concerned with Ātma (the pure soul), it is also called Ātma Dharma or Param Dharma. All creatures are searching for peace and happiness. Happiness does not exist in this material world. If material things and people could give happiness, then why would one cry when a person dies? Even when the body of the person is still lying-in front of others, people cry saying, “Where have you gone leaving me?” This means the person he/she loved is not that body. It was the soul that existed inside the body. That soul has now gone away. That is why people feel a sense of loss. Ac...