There's Nothing More Cool

In this material world people are interested to do whatever is considered the most cool, whatever is the most fashionable, the most hip. They are after the coolest music, the coolest fashions, and everything else that is the most hip.

But who can compete with Krishna or God in this department? There is nothing more fashionable, more trendy than the pastimes of God. In fact Krishna openly declares in the Bhagavad-gita, "I am the Supreme Enjoyer." But yet in spite of this, Krishna is amazed when He sees that Srimati Radharani is enjoying more than Him.

nija-premasvade mora haya ye ahlada
taha ha'te koti-guna radha-premasvada

"Whatever pleasure I get from tasting My love for Srimati Radharani, She tastes ten million times more than Me by Her love."--Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila, 4.127

Not to be outdone, Krishna assumes the golden complexion and the devotional mood of Srimati Radharani so that He can expand His enjoyment ten million times. He takes the form of a Hare Krishna devotee. He becomes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

So even though the coolest thing of all is to be God, it is even more cool to a Hare Krishna devotee. So if you want to be really "in", hook yourself up with the hippest trend of them all. Become a Hare Krishna devotee. Join the "in crowd" today.

Answers According to the Vedic Version

Question: Why Vegetarian?...

Always me and my friends have a talk session on which is better--being vegetarian or non-vegetarian. And they always argue on one point. They say, "Plants and animals both have life in them. Then what's the difference? We can eat both plants and animals."

So please guide me how can I explain to them the difference!

Shruti

Answer: We Are Not Vegetarians...

It's a fact that plants and animals both have life. So whether I can kill and eat a plant or an animal I am a murderer. So what is the difference then between being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian? There is actually is no difference.

Why then do Krishna conscious devotees follow a vegetarian diet? This question is answered as follows in the Bhagavad-gita:

yajna-sistasinah santo
mucyante sarva-kilbisaih
bhunjate te tv agham papa
ye pacanty atma-karanat

"The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin." --Bhagavad-gita 3.13

In other words all kinds of eating is sinful unless the food is first offered to Krishna before eating. So if we want to be pure in our eating, we must first offer our food to the Lord before we consume it. So what kind of foods should we offer Him? If we truly love Him, we should obviously offer Him what He asks for. He requests that we offer Him foods from the category of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and grains. If He had wanted meat, fish, and eggs, He would have asked for them. But He did not. Therefore we can understand how to please Him by offering Him what He has requested. And since we only eat what He eats first, devotees of the Lord are naturally vegetarians, or more accurately stated...devotees of the Lord are naturally Krishnatarians.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari