Keeping a Cool Head in the Combat Zone

To become Krishna consciousness in this grossly materialistic age of Kali is tantamount to declaring war against the material energy. Thus the sincere devotee of the self-realization science finds himself in a combat zone on a regular daily basis. This is why strong sadhana (devotional practice) is required. This strong sadhana fortifies the devotee against the attacks of the material energy. It enables him to always keep a cool head in spite of so many disturbing circumstances.

The devotee wants to stay fixed in Krishna consciousness, but the material nature is constantly trying to destroy his Krishna consciousness. The material nature tries to induce him to engage his mind, words, anger, tongue, belly, and genitals in sense gratification. But the self-controlled devotee uses them only in the service of the Lord. In this way by taking shelter of the Lord, he becomes a conquering hero who defeats the enemy attacks and successfully manifests Krishna consciousness, even though he finds himself deep within enemy territory.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: What is My Ecstasy?

Can I ask you a question, please?

Do you think I am in an ecstatic mood, which is beyond my rational thinking and self-control?

I am sure you are one who cares for all people in this world.

Regards,

Sree

Answer: Real or Imaginary

There are two kinds of ecstasy: real and imaginary. There is material ecstasy, which comes as a result of good karma. It happens when your material desires are being fulfilled. However this kind of ecstasy is always temporary because it is alternated with material miseries such as miseries of the body and mind, miseries caused by other living beings, and miseries caused by natural disturbances. Since it is not permanent it is always tinged by the deep-seated anxiety of knowing that it won't last. Therefore it is not real ecstasy. It is only a shadow of ecstasy.

The real ecstasy is experienced by those who fully awakened their dormant enlightened consciousness by re-establishing themselves in the devotional service of the Lord 24 hours a day under the expert guidance of the bona fide spiritual master.

The test of which type of ecstasy you are experiencing is to see whether or not you have become free from all types of material desires, even the subtle ones such as profit, adoration, and distinction.

The bona fide spiritual master does in fact care about the welfare of all beings. This is why my guru, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has ordered me to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Little Sparrow Who Conquered the Ocean

Image
In his purport to Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 6, Text 24 Srila Prabhupada wonderfully teaches us the power of determinations by telling us the story of the little sparrow who conquered the ocean: "As for determination, one should follow the example of the sparrow who lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow laid her eggs on the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried away the eggs on its waves. The sparrow became very upset and asked the ocean to return her eggs. The ocean did not even consider her appeal. So the sparrow decided to dry up the ocean. She began to pick out the water in her small beak, and everyone laughed at her for her impossible determination. The news of her activity spread, and at last Garuda, the gigantic bird carrier of Lord Visnu, heard it. He became compassionate toward his small sister bird, and so he came to see the sparrow. Garuda was very pleased by the determination of the small sparrow, and he promised to help. Thus Garuda at once asked t
Read more

Heart Melting Reunion with Amarendra and Gayatri

Image
On Friday 26 June 2015 I was blessed with the greatest good fortune of meeting with two of the dearest devotees of my entire life, His Grace Amarendra Prabhu and his good wife, Srimati Gayatri devi dasi. I am eternally indebted to these great souls for how much they helped me in my spiritual life when I was a young devotee. When I was young brahmacari monk in 1973 I joined with the two of them in Gainesville, Florida. We were a three person preaching center, and they were just like a mother and father to me. I had so many wonderful Krishna conscious experiences in their association that I can hardly begin to describe them here. But at least may it suffice for me to say for now that Gayatri taught me what it means to be a soft-hearted devotee of the Lord and she gave me my first cooking lesson, teaching me how to make cauliflower pakoras, and Amarendra taught me the art of how to preach strongly, intelligently, and coolly to defeat opposing arguments. Recently Gayatri almost died. But
Read more

Misguided Fools Say that Masturbation is Healthy

Image
Foolish modern day materialists recommend masturbation as follows: "Masturbation is a common activity. It’s a natural and safe way to explore your body, feel pleasure, and release built-up sexual tension. It occurs among people of all backgrounds, genders, and races. Despite the myths, there are actually no physically harmful side effects of masturbation." They are wrong. To get a proper understanding on this this topic read the question and answer section below. Answers According to the Vedic Wisdom Question: What are the Ill Effects of Masturbation? Since you answered questions related to understanding the real need of sex in a human being's life, so I also request you to please enlighten us with the knowledge about semen conservation, it's importance, and the consequences of frequently releasing it thorough sex or masturbation. Since today most of the youth are indulged in mansturbation and they think it to be good in comparison to doing sex with some female for
Read more