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KC Nectar - Jul 09 | |
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Question & Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja on the Modes of Material Nature and Chanting Submitted by Gopinath das. Modes of Material Nature Q.1) My question is about Arjuna's softhearted, devotee-like nature, and not so Ksatriya-like nature. Varnashrama divisions are based on nature and not by birth. Though one may be born in any one of the varnas, one can be elevated to the position of a Vaishnava by practice of devotional service. Right? Arjuna was a Ksatriya, but on the battlefield he did not want to fight because he was also a devotee and softhearted by nature. I understand that some of Arjuna's reactions were due to material conceptions and attachments. [Editor's note: Refer BG 1.28-30 purports, for a discussion on why Arjuna refused to fight.] My questions are:- Part 1. Once someone comes to devotional service, can their nature (according to Varnashrama system) change and therefore their occupation also? Or do they have to still continue with their prescribed duty? Answer. A person's propensities may or may not change by taking to devotional service. Whatever stage of bhakti in which one is situated, as one progresses in devotional service, they are gradually elevated to the brahminical status or mode of goodness, (and ultimately beyond mode of goodness). Thus one becomes increasingly austere, self-controlled, clean, truthful etc., but one's propensities towards work may or may not change. For instance, a person with artistic or administrative tendencies may not become a scholarly, studious person, but they can continue to serve Krishna with whatever qualities and tendencies they have, under the guidance of a pure devotee. When someone becomes completely transcendental, then they actually are not bound to any social duties, but are spontaneously attracted to serve Krishna. Even then, one might continue to function within their previous occupational duties in service to Krishna, just as Nanda Maharaja was the king of the cowherds. On the other hand, being transcendental, they can function in any other capacity also, if service to Guru and Krishna requires it. Someone functioning as a brahmana may take up some administrative role when called upon to do so, for example. Part 2. A hypothetical question - If Arjuna did not have material conceptions but just reacted the way he did out of compassion because he was a pure devotee - would that be right? Answer. Any action is judged based on how much it is pleasing to the Supreme Lord. That is the ultimate criterion. Krishna's will was that the unrighteous should be vanquished. One who is situated on the platform of pure devotion will make no other consideration than executing the Lord's plan. It is noteworthy that Srila Prabhupada simultaneously lauds the soft-heartedness of Ajuna, and in the same breath criticizes the materialistic calculations of Arjuna's arguments against fighting (BG 1.28-36 purports). The soft-hearted nature in itself is virtuous for a Vaishnava; but if it comes in the way of one's surrender and service to the Lord, it has no meaning. I such a circumstance, soft-heartedness can be understood to be acting as a material conception. This is an important conclusion of the message of Bhagavad-gita: no matter how lofty or noble an act may appear to be, it is worthless when divorced from loving service to the Supreme Lord. Chanting Q.3) While chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra sometimes the mind deviates and I am not able to concentrate on the chanting. How to obtain the concentration while chanting the holy name of the Lord always? Please clarify. Answer. This is an exhaustive topic! It can be discussed endlessly from many angles. Earlier we discussed this in Digest 20-Q.5. Some further thoughts: When Prabhupada was asked this question, he replied very simply --- "Just chant and hear, where is the question of mind?" !! In other words, initially we should try to focus upon just hearing the sound vibration, chant and hear and chant and hear. By practicing like that in a sustained manner, the mind becomes captured between the senses of hearing and speaking. In fact, that is the meaning of mantra: man=mind, tra=that which delivers. By focusing on the mantra one becomes delivered from the material mind. Setting aside the best part of one's day for chanting, especially the early morning hours when one is undisturbed by other responsibilities is especially helpful in this effort. Another more fundamental feature is to try to call upon Krishna from the core of one's heart, in a very prayerful attitude: "My dear Krsna! I am Your eternal servant. Having turned my attention away from you, I have fallen into this miserable material existence. Let me take shelter of You. Please engage me in Your service." The japa time is thus a period of continuous prayer, calling out to Krishna helplessly, like a lost child crying for its mother. The material mind is just an external feature of the conditioned soul. As Krishna explains in Bhagavad-gita, the soul is higher than the mind and intelligence. When we offer our soul, our very self at the lotus feet of the Holy Name, in a mood of surrender, inattentive and mechanical chanting automatically ceases. Q.4) One of the elder relatives of my family does not want me to chant on beads. He says by using beads concentration is lost. He also says Kabir advised not to use beads. Can someone please give me material describing advantage of chanting on beads so that I can tell him or any pointers where I can get that material. Answer. Please refer Digest 20-Q.2 Further references can be found in: Hari-bhakti-vilasa (quoted in Cc Madhya 1.35), Cc Madhya 4.125, Antya 3.100, 3.115, Sri Sadgosvami-astaka V.6 etc. Besides, our principal authority in following any spiritual practice is the precept and example of the acaryas. It is through the bona-fide spiritual master that sastra comes to life and since Srila Prabhupada, and all the previous acaryas, such as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, Bhaktivinoda Thakur and so on have taught us and personally demonstrated by chanting on beads, therefore we accept the practice of chanting on beads as very important and beneficial. [BACK] |