"Mahabharata" Family Tree

A freind recently asked me whether I could pointout how Krsna was related to the Pandavs in the Mahabharat. So, I told him, and then worked on a family tree during that period.

Should you wish to receive a copy of this, please email me. You know what my address is!

Furthermore, if there are any errors, pleas let me know!

Changing Our Destiny - Possible, or Impossible?

Is it possible to change our destiny through prayers and/or puja?

Well, puja certainly changes a person so that you are not as harmed or vulnerable to the vicissitudes of life. If rain itself is inevitable, prayers will not aim to change the weather, but rather, equip you with the umbrella and raincoat that you need to face it.

There is no doubt about the boundless power of God's name. It has the strength to even change the course of one's fate. However, destiny is made by actions themselves. With each and every thought you have and karma you perform you are sowing the seeds of your destiny. The results you reap are what you call your "fate". If good karma and thoughts are your seeds then you will inevitably enjoy a wonderful crop. However, even if your seeds were bad and a situation comes your way, which cannot change, its power to hurt you can be less depending on the actions you choose today. Good thoughts and karma will always protect you both ways, one, by being your shield today and second, by flourishing in the future. And then, even when good things happen and come your way, action is still needed! This is a constant cycle where there will be ups and downs but the strength of a devotee comes from his unwavering faith. No matter how hot it gets outside, a Bhakta constantly enjoys his internal air conditioning. He thinks "I am God’s, God is mine and wants the best for me. Whatever God does, is for my good. This belief will never leave me."

Some of the above is from an original document, which unfortunately, I do not recall where from!

Happy Ganesh Chauth!

Another mailing went out last night! Should you have not received it, please email me! Files may now be downloaded from a section on the right-hand side!

(I need to get some sleep now!)

God Provides Through Destiny!

God Provides - A folktale from Andhra Pradesh

A generous king once ruled in the land of Andhra. Every day two beggars used to come to him for alms and he always gave them food and money.

On receiving the alms one of them, the older one, used to say: "God provides." The other beggar, the younger of the two, would say: "Our king provides."

One day the king gave them more money than usual, whereupon the older man cried out lustily: "God provides." This annoyed the king who thought: "It is I who am feeding him and he keeps saying: 'God provides, God provides'. It is time he learnt who his real benefactor is."

The next day after he had given them alms he asked the beggars to go by a little-used road instead of their usual one. "I have provided for one of you," he said. "God will provide for the other." He made sure that the one who always praised him went first. He had ordered that a purse of gold be kept on the road in the beggar's path so that he would find it.

But as the beggar walked down the road he wondered why the king had sent him that way. "Perhaps he wants me to enjoy the privacy of this road," he thought. "It is indeed a beautiful road and so broad. One can walk with eyes closed." And he closed his eyes. As a result he missed seeing the purse. It was spotted and picked up by the other beggar who was coming behind him.

The next day the king asked the beggars whether they had found anything on the road he had sent them by and he looked meaningfully at the younger man. But the beggar shook his head. "It was a beautiful road," he said. "But I did not find anything on it." "But I did," said the other man. "I found a purse of gold. God provides."

Now the king became even more determined to show the older beggar that he was their true benefactor. So while the beggars were going away he called the younger one back and gave him a pumpkin. The pumpkin had been hollowed out and filled with silver coins. But the beggar did not know that. On the way he sold it to a baniya for a few coins.

The next day the king asked the beggars if anything eventful had happened the previous day, looking meaningfully at the younger beggar. "Nothing," said the beggar. "Except that I earned a few more coins than usual by selling the pumpkin you had so generously given me."

The king tried hard not to show his dismay. "And you?" he said to the other beggar. "Did you too earn more than usual?"

"I certainly did," said the beggar. "As I was passing by a baniya's shop he called me and gave me a pumpkin. When I went home and cut it I found that it was full of silver. As I always say, God provides."

Moral of the story: When God wants to give anything, he gives by one means or other. But when he doesn't, even though you get that anything in your hand but still you will give away like the above beggar. We should remember that the fruit of our karmas whether good or bad we get with astounding precision. But when we repent for bad karmas and do not repeat and pray to God, God listens and provides on any day.

Conversations With Mitr - Part 3

The conversation below follows on from the previous two days posts:

Dipa:
OK Mitr, let me know your thoughts - although they will not be your thoughts, they will be destiny's thoughts, or will they? Hmmm... "Destiny created mind but destiny still wins over the mind. So at the end I don’t know who wins."

What is destiny? Is destiny not what created by God? Destiny is also called "fate" and referred to as "that which is meant to be". Considering all of this, destiny is from God. If Destiny is from God, then surely God has given us the mind too.

What is the mind? The mind is a tool which God has given us, so that we can make decisions and learn from. The mind is not the brain nor any other part of the body. It is a formless continuum that functions to perceive and understand objects. Because the mind is formless, or non-physical, by nature, it is not obstructed by physical objects. Thus, it is impossible for our body to go to the moon without traveling in a spaceship, but our mind can reach the moon in an instant just by thinking about it. Knowing and perceiving objects is the uncommon function of the mind. Although we say, "I know such and such", in reality it is our mind that knows. We know things only by using our mind.

"We think that mind is our friend and we own it and control the destiny with it"
I think that destiny is our friend, destiny owns us, and destiny controls the mind.

"So that is what is the battle between mind and the destiny and I don’t know who wins the battle."
There is no battle between mind and destiny. Destiny will always win, so where can there be a battle?

"Is it I winning the battle or the mind winning the battle whos the projection of destiny or I am just a puppet but I think I am dancing to the tune I like or the tune is impregnated with my liking by the destiny in mind so I like the tune and dance to it to claim that I do it."

You are not winning the battle. You are winning the battle. It depends on how the mind is thinking. You are the puppet with invisible strings. The invisible stings are part of destiny. The puppeter is God himself. The tune is part of destiny. The tune is from God. We are all puppets playing to God's tune. The mind needs to learn. Therefore sometimes the mind will desire something, but it is not destiny. Or sometimes destiny will give you something and the mind does not desire it. The mind needs to learn.

"But then where is my free will and return with the free will."
What is free will? Free will is that to unattach from destiny's path and chance destiny, or the impact of a milestone in destiny. This, can only be acheived through prayer and God's blessings.

Comments now please!

Conversations With Mitr - Part 2

Here, we continue the discussion from yesterday's post.

Mitr:
Destiny created mind and then Destiny still wins over the mind. So its like I don’t know who wins at the end.

Dipa:
Explain this which you wrote further: "Destiny created mind and then Destiny still wins over the mind So its like I don’t know who wins at the end."

Mitr:
"Destiny created mind but destiny still wins over the mind. So at the end I don’t know who wins." Our mind is given to us by Destiny but the destiny still has majority of control.

We think that mind is our friend and we own it and control destiny with it. So is the battle between mind and the destiny and I don’t know who wins the battle!

Is it I winning the battle or the mind winning the battle, who is the projection of destiny or I am just a puppet and I think I am dancing to the tune I like. Or that the tune is impregnated with my liking by the destiny in mind so I like the tune and dance to it to claim that I do it.

But then where is my free will and return with the free will.

Confused? I shall reveal the answer tomorrow. It is long, hence the reason to shorten these posts! However, your thoughts on this are most appreciated!

Conversations With Mitr - Part 1

(The discussion was about horoscopes and Kundali matching)

Mitr:
What are you trying to match? Your desires or your planets or both. Your planets may match but you may reject it because it doesnt suite your mind or vice-versa. Important thing in the life is family once you have the money to sustain the life. Away from family is all the chhakar.

Coincidence decides who you meet in your life...
Your heart decides with whom you want to stay in life...
But its only your destiny who decides who will stay in your life...

Dipa:
Your above quote is so true! But, if there is a good astrological match - I think that the desires will fit in automatically.

What do you think? I guess that when planets do match an the person does reject it, then its a matter of time and destiny. Sometimes things are just not meant to be. (I can't beleive I just said this, in light of yesterday's post! But, I'm not blaming God!)

Tomorrow the conversation leads onto Mind and Destiny! Now this was very interesting indeed!

Please, Don't Blame God

How many of you have said during one time or another that "If its meant not meant to be, it won't be"? or maybe "Whatever happens is for the better" or "Kismet ki baat hai"?

In other words, how many of you are taking the responsibility for your own actions or maybe lack of - and how many are simply blaming God? Or do you use the phrases above as a comforting thought because you know no better?

Are we simply just taking this life for granted, and not doing the things we want to? Our mind is that which is given to us by God in order to make decisions with. The mind is the instrument, the tool, and these decisons will create our karma. If somebody commits suicide, that is not his destiny - or what was meant to be... It is the mind which decided this and he/she has created their karma!

In life we have to try 100% to reach our goals. Lets take the example of a student and an exam. The goal is to pass the exam. But in reality, the student fails the exam. Now, if the student has not studied, then that is their fault, and you cannot blame God. If the person gave 100% dedication to his studies, and then did not pass, then maybe that is kismet - but he/she should still try again! Simply do not give up! We do not know whether it is karma or not.

Yes, I believe that certain events in a person's life - I like to call them milestones - will occur as this is their destiny, having to pay the dues of their karma from their past lives in this present life! But that, we do not know whether those milestones are really a result of the decision-making in this life, or theirkarma. And their decisons in this life may be their karma in their next life.

So, please - don't blame God... God has given us the tool - which is the mind. Look at yourself first, and see what you could do! And even if it was something written in your kismet - then you yourself are to blame for it. Neither should you go and blame another person.

As the saying goes "a bad cook always blames thier utensils" (or something to that effect!) I'll say it once more - Please, don't blame God...

www.Anuraga.com

I mention Anuraga many times. Anuraga means "Divine Love". And that, is which I have. So, I have another website - www.Anuraga.com, in which I shall just just focusing on one individual God or Goddess for a week, or maybe more, and then continue onto our next God or Goddess!

There are so many lovely pictures out there which our eyes are thirsty for, and knowledge to be gained to quench our jignasa!

We eat to maintain our bodies. What do we do to maintain our souls? Seek Dipa-Anjali and Anuraga...

More Online Radio Stations

Here are some more online Radio Station, with a summary. You can also find a list of these on the right hand side, under the heading "Online Radio Stations"

Sanskar Radio

Hindu Community radio station from Leicester, UK.

Broadcasts from 6:00am - 12:00pm

Antarbrahmandiya
All traditional Hindu bhajans - the best & latest !

Broadcasts from Ketchikan, AK, United States.

BBC Asian Network

Either listen to a live show, or a previous show. All previous shows recordings are online, and special shows/interviews stay online for weeks! They have a couple of great Hindu/Gujarati shows. Simply click on "Listen Again", then under the "A-Z OF ALL SHOWS (42)" section for : Devotional Sounds: Hindu, Gujarati Show, and Weekend Gujarati.

Broadcasts from the UK 24 hours a day.

Online Radio Station...

A friend in England passed the following website address to me:
Sanskar Radio.

"Broadcasting to the Hindu Community across the world. Excellent religious and cultural music accompanied by lively speech and audience participation."

It is based in Leicester, UK. At present, it is broadcasting between 6:00 am till 12:00 pm UK time. (The UK is 5 hours ahead in time from the East coast of USA).

I'm listening to it right now in the USA! They've had some Hare Krsna devotees in this morning, and right now, they are playing a story based on the pastimes of Lord Krsna!

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

Go on, log in and listen to it! What do you have to loose?

Its Midnight...

Its midnight, and I'm thankful to the Lord. Thankful that He took the form of Krsna and walked on this earth. I was counting the hours - that "yes", my friends in India are celebrating right now, a few hours later those in England, finally midnight in the East coast of America, which followed into the other timezones in America! Haribol! The Lords anuraga was moving across the world...

How many of you stayed awake until midnight to see the clocks turn, and feel the spiritual vibrations? Janmastami is one of the most auspiscious days in the Hindu calendar. Where were you? Were you focusing on the Lord, or out partying since it was a Friday night? Well, if I was back in England, I would have partied - but with other devotees! Let me ask you this again - do you stay awake to welcome in the New Year? If you do, and you call yourself a Hindu, were you awake to welcome in the Lord?

Nand gher anand bhayo, Jai Kanaiyalal ki ...!
Hathi, ghoda, palkhi, Jai Kanaiyalal ki ...!
Bawa Nand tane darbar, nobat vaage re lo ...!
Hari pragatya taaranhaar, nobat vaage re lo ...!

Recent Janmastami Powerpoint Files

If you are unable to open the Powerpoint .pps email attachments, then let me know via email. Its most likely that you are using an older version of Powerpoint (1997) and my files have been created using the 2003 version.

I've resaved the files, as a compatible version, but you may lose some functionalty (such as the transitions) when viewing the slides. However, what is important is that you see the content!

Thanks to a devotee in England who raised the issue!

Janmastami Special - The Meaning of the HareKrsna Mantra

A mailing went out last night - "Janmastami Special - The Meaning of the HareKrsna Mantra" to all, containing a file with PowerPoint slides explaining the Hare Krsna Maha mantra.

Check your inboxes, check your spam folders, check your trash! If you've not received it, send me an email with the subject "Hare Krsna Maha Mantra" to Dipa.Anjali@Gmail.com

Anyone wishing to receive a copy of the whole Hare Krsna Maha Mantra which plays in the presentation, then please email me with the subject "HKMM Bliss". What you hear in the presentation, is just an extract of the chant. The full mantra is beautiful. It is an MP3 file, unzipped size is 4.75MB, zipped up, it is 4.64MB !!! Please ensure that you have enough space in your mail account!

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna Hare Hare,

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

Those devotees who had sent me email addresses of other individuals to be added to my mailings - that has been done.

Those devotees who had sent me an email requesting a copy of the "Prabhu Ke Darshan" powerpoint prsentation - that has been done too.

Any issues, me know. As they say - Seva Mein Hum Samarpit Hai !

Janmastami Greetings

Yet another mailing from a devotee. You need to sing it in the tune of "Happy Birthday". Very cute indeed! Hope it brings a smile to all your glorious faces!

Happy birthday Kanhaiya
It's been a long long time
Happy birthday dear Krishna
You're looking so divine

Have a wonderful birthday
Hope someone gives a surprise
May you be even more amazed
Than even you have prophesized

Happy birthday dear Govinda
Cheers to a really great guy
Happy birthday our Radha's darling
And here's a chipped rice lullaby

What Krsna Says

How many of us pray to God, asking for something, only to be disullioned and hurt when things don't work out the way we want them to? I was emailed the poem below by one of my readers:

Krsna Neh Kaha -

If I answer your prayer at once, it is because I am testing your faith.

If did not answer your prayer at once, it is because I am testing your patience.

If I did not answer your prayer at all it is because I have a better plan for you.

Remember Krishna's promises are yes and Haribol!

He is God not man, which explains why He can never fail, hold on...

Don't be discouraged, your miracle is knocking at the door of your heart.

A little more faith is what you need to see all your needs met.

The Prayer Answering Krishna is saying He has met all your needs.

And, if your prayers are not answered, it is simply not destined to be!

Krsna ki krupa yah Krsna ki ichcha hai

Radha-rani Aur Kanhaiya-lal

The relationship of Radha and Krishna is the embodiment of love, passion and devotion. Radha's passion for Krishna symbolizes the soul's intense longing and willingness for the ultimate unification with God. Shri Krishna is the soul of Radha and Radha is definitely the soul of Shri Krishna. She is the undivided form of Shri Krishna. She will remain a mystery unless one can know her inexpressible divine elements. She is worshipper as well as his deity to be worshipped. She being a beloved of Shri Krishna is known as "Radhika".

The whole universe material and spiritual is the creation of Shri Radha - Krishna. Shri Radha is the presiding Goddess of Shri Krishna. The Paramatma - supreme Lord - is subservient to her. In her absence Shri Krishna does not exist.

Shri Krishna is not only the ultimate object of all love, but also is the topmost enjoyer of all loving relationships. Therefore, in the dynamic and expanding form of Krishna, He has unlimited desires to enjoy spiritual loving relationships or pastimes, known as leela. To do this, He expands Himself into the dual form of Krishna and Radha, His eternal consort and topmost devotee. In other words, Radha is the feminine aspect of Lord Krishna and is non-different from Krishna, but together (both the masculine and feminine aspects). They fulfill the purpose of engaging in sublime loving pastimes to exhibit supremely transcendental loving exchanges.

Brajbhoomi where Lord Krishna was born comprises the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. It is not just a sacred land where Lord Krishna was born and performed His cosmic leela, but a place full of divine reminiscences. It was here that He ultimately found Radha, His inseparable companion. Vrindavan, 15 km from Mathura, was the favorite haunt of the divine couple.

Radha-Krsna

Real love exists between Radha and Krishna.

Real love is transcendental and spiritual.

We have to become attracted to spiritual love

and give up false love and beauty, which are only skin-deep.

There is nothing beautiful underneath the skin.

Real love is Anuraga.

Krishna - A Brief Biography

Lord Krishna was the eighth incarnation of the Supreme Lord, born in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh at midnight on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Shravana, approximately five thousand years ago.

Lord Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devaki. A sage had prophesised that their eighth child would kill Devaki's evil cousin Kansa, a demonic King and tyrant, who had forcefully taken the throne of his father, King Ugrasena, and imprisoned him. Fearful of this prophecy, he imprisoned the couple, and killed the first six sons, doubting each one of them. It appeared as if the seventh child was miscarried, but Balarama was miraculously transferred from Devaki's womb to that of Rohini, Vasudeva's youngest wife. Their eighth child then appeared to them in the form of Lord Vishnu and said He would become their son Krishna. The Lord instructed Vasudeva to exchange Him for the girl Yogamaya born to his friend Nanda and his wife Yashoda in Gokula. Vasudeva miraculously escaped from jail and carried out this instruction. Kansa tried to kill Yogamaya, thinking her to be the eighth child, but she escaped and revealed to him her identity as Durga, the personification of material energy.

For eleven years, Nanda and Yashoda were oblivious to Krishna's divine identity, or to the fact that He had been born to Devaki. Krishna was brought up amongst the cowherds, the Gopas and milkmaids, the Gopis in Gokula. Krishna had a very adventurous childhood. When Kansa learned of Krishna and Balarama's escape, he made many attempts to kill Them through a series of demons, but every time the demons were killed by Krishna. He was a mischievous yet loveable boy. He was a maestro with the flute. One of his favourite pastimes was raiding the dairies of the Gopis and mother Yashoda, stealing curds and butter, raiding orchards for fruit, and blaming the other children for his mischief! The most celebrated part of Krishna's life among the cowherds is His amorous pastimes with the Gopis, headed by His beloved Radha.

At the age of eleven, Lord Krishna went to Mathura to fulfil the prophecy and kill his uncle, Kansa, for his wicked crimes, and restored Kansa's father Ugrasena to his rightful throne. He also brought back to life His six brothers from the underworld. Thereafter He moved to Dwarka, killed many demons, married 16,108 Gopis (with Radha being His true consort) and ruled Dwarka.

When Krishna's paternal first cousins, the Pandavas, were about to commence the Mahabharata war on the Kurukshetra battlefield with their first cousins, the Kauravas, Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita (song of God) to Arjuna (a Pandava brother) and manifested Himself to him in His universal form, Vishvarupa. Lord Krishna served as Arjuna's charioteer throughout the war, won by the Pandavas.

Sometime after the war had ended, Krishna, as well as His brother Balarama, departed from this world. That day the ocean engulfed Dwarka and the Kali Yuga commenced.

Krsna leaves Mrityulok

Just Imagine - Pradbhu Ke Darshan

Dipa-Anjali ki Janmastami

Have you received Pradbu Ke Darshan? No? Well, a mailing "Janmastami Greetings" went out last night to all, containing a file with PowerPoint slides which have some of the most beautiful pictures of our Kanhaiya-lal, and simply depicting his birth, life and demise from this mrityulok (planet earth).

Just imagine, those pictures being reality, and you being there! How glorious must it feel to have been there! The happiness, the glory, the laughter, the overwhelming magnitude of the Lords presence. Just Imagine!

Check your inboxes, check your spam folders, check your trash! If you've not received it, send me an email with the subject "Prabhu ke Darshan" to Dipa.Anjali@Gmail.com

Krishna's Names

Just as we may have different names according to our various roles—Mommy, Dr. Jones, Sweetheart, Professor, Your Honor—so does God. And since God is unlimited, He has innumerable names.

The names can be generic terms, such as "God" or "the Absolute Truth."
They can be in Sanskrit, such as Govinda, Gopala, or Shyamasundara.
They can be in other languages, such as Yahweh and Allah.

The name Krishna, which means "the all-attractive One," implies that each of us has an eternal relationship with God and we are always drawn either to Him directly or to His energies.

God and His names are identical, so by speaking them we enter His purifying company. Regularly reciting, singing, or chanting His names awakens our innate love for Him and gains us release from bondage to matter.

Krishna is omnipresent. The word has three meanings:

Krishithi-ithi Krishna - The man who ploughs is Krishna. The heart is the symbol of a field. The heart should be cleared of weeds (evil qualities). It should be filled with love. The seeds of the Lord's name should be sown in it. Krishna encourages the devotee to do all this.

Karshathi-ithi Krishna - Because he attracts, he is Krishna. Krishna has the supreme power of attraction. By his words, his sport, his music, and all his actions he attracts all people. This power of attraction is present in everyone. Hence, everyone is potentially Krishna.

Krushyathi-ithi Krishnah - Because he imparts bliss, he is called Krishna. Everyone seeks happiness. The Divine, who is the embodiment of happiness, is in you. God wants you to be happy, but you do not realize it. Try to recognize the source of bliss within you. It is not the true nature of man to be unhappy. When anyone is otherwise, people around him are concerned about him. You should always be happy, because you are the embodiment of the Aathma. Never give way to worry.

As a spark of the Divine, you have to behave like the Divine. Do not give room for grief. What use is there in turning over the beads of the rosary while your mind is thinking of mundane matters? First of all, purify your mind. Dedicate all actions to God. Free yourself from all attachments. Treat all things as gifts from God for which you are the guardian and not the owner.