Welcome to the KrishnaSoft's Electronic Newsletter.
This is the June 1999 issue entitled: "Devotees Are Not Attached to Money, Computers, and Internet!".
WEB: http://www.krishnasoft.com; EMAIL: krishna@krishnasoft.com or vdayal@castle.net
This newsletter now goes to over 1100 people who either have an interest in Vedic science and/or spiritually entertaining multimedia technology.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
(1) The Principles and the Instantiations
(2) Devotees Are Not Attached to Money, Computers, and Internet!
(3) Feedback: There is No Such Thing as Chance!
(4) Editorial Policy and Product List
1. THE PRINCIPLES AND THE INSTANTIATIONS
In the January 1999 issue, we discussed how the Srimad-Bhagavatam is the answer to all questions and the literary incarnation of Lord Krsna. And in the February 1999 issue, we stated how the Srimad-Bhagavatam can expand via devotional service [bhakti-yoga] and yet be the same:
"It is unlimited in strength, and however one may expand it according to one's own ability, Bhagavatam still cannot be finished by such expansion. Srimad-Bhagavatam, being the sound representation of the Lord, is simultaneously explained in four verses and in four billion verses all the same, inasmuch as the Lord is smaller than the atom and bigger than the unlimited sky." (Bhag. 2.9.44)
Another glimpse into understanding this point is the simple example in Physics of F = MA (force is equal to the mass multiplied by the acceleration). The principle is the equation of F=MA and the instantiations are unlimited. For example, force equals 35 when the mass equals 7 and the acceleration equals 5. You can fill up hundreds and thousands of pages of instantiations of the equations and never finish. At the same time, there are many millions of false values one can concoct that do not fit into this principle. Similarly, the principles of bhakti-yoga are the essence of the Srimad-Bhagavatam and everything done and understood via pure bhakti-yoga is real [bona fide] and all else is illusory.
"O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness." (Bhag. 2.9.34)
Since unscrupulous commentators also try to explain the Srimad-Bhagavatam, it should be noted that the explanations of devotees only should be accepted since devotees only speak in devotional service [bhakti-yoga] to Lord Krsna and not to satisfy their own agendas of achieving name, fame, wealth, mental gratification, or some other material gain:
"No one should try to give a new interpretation by dint of mundane knowledge. And the first step, therefore, in pursuance of the system of knowledge received by Brahma, is to approach a bona fide guru who is the representative of the Lord following the parampara system. No one should try to squeeze out his own meaning by imperfect mundane knowledge." (Bhag. 2.9.37)
"Srimad-Bhagavatam gives us this information as the supreme Vedic literature, and it was personally instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to Brahmaji so that the leader of the living entities might broadcast the message to all in the universe in order to teach the supreme knowledge of bhakti-yoga. Brahmaji in his turn instructed Narada, his beloved son, the SAME MESSAGE of Srimad-Bhagavatam, and Narada, in his turn, taught the SAME to Vyasadeva, who again taught it to Sukadeva Gosvami. Through Sukadeva Gosvami's grace and by the mercy of Maharaja Pariksit we are all given Srimad-Bhagavatam perpetually to learn the science of the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna." (Bhag. 2.9.38)
Note that the SAME MESSAGE was passed down although more devotional commentaries were added to help the general populace's understanding of the SAME MESSAGE according to time, place, and cirumstances. Therefore, although Srila Prabhupada has given us extensive commentaries extending to many different books, lectures, etc., he has not changed the message at all and has not differed from the previous acaryas by ONE IOTA! Therefore, we find so many millions of people have been profoundly affected by his books. This is because the transparent medium provides the message AS IT IS and thus gives us the opportunity of associating directly with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, anyone following in his footsteps can NEVER contradict what he has stated or try to add or subtract something to the message else the fruits of devotional love will be hampered:
"The disciplic succession holds that the Vedas were uttered by Lord Krsna to Brahma, by Brahma to Narada, and by Narada to Vyasadeva, and then by Vyasadeva to Sukadeva Gosvami and so on. SO THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VERSIONS OF ALL AUTHORITIES. The truth is eternal, and as such there cannot be any new opinion about the truth. That is the way of knowing the knowledge contained in the Vedas. It is not a thing to be understood by one's erudite scholarship or by the fashionable interpretations of mundane scholars. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE ADDED AND NOTHING TO BE SUBTRACTED, BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH." (Bhag. 2.2.32)
Currently, we find hundreds of people quoting Srila Prabhupada and differing amongst themselves on what he meant by particular statements. However, it should be noted that Srila Prabhupada is trying to present the message of the Bhagavatam and not inventing anything new so all of Prabhupada's statements should be understood in light of the principles of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Caitanya-caritamrta, Nectar of Devotion, etc. are also presenting the same message of bhakti-yoga as the Bhagavatam. This is why Srila Prabhupada stated that one should study his books to understand him. Anyone who gives an interpretation of Srila Prabhupada's letters, books, conversations, etc. contrary to the principles of the Bhagavatam is simply superimposing his imperfect mental concoctions on Prabhupada and not actually presenting Srila Prabhupada's and Lord Krsna's words AS IT IS.
2. DEVOTEES ARE NOT ATTACHED TO MONEY, COMPUTERS, AND INTERNET!
"The complete functional activities of a pure devotee are always enaged in service of the Lord, and thus the pure devotees exchange feelings of ecstasy between themselves and relish transcendental bliss." (Bhag. 2.3.12)
"To be more clear, if one wants to attain the stage of love of Godhead, he must give up all desires for material enjoyment, he should refrain from worshiping any of the demigods, and he should devote himself only to the worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.... The pure devotee is only favorably engaged in the service of the Lord, without any hope of emolument." (Bhag. 2.2.31)
So it may questioned why we find devotees dealing with money, computers, internet, etc. The only reason for the devotees using computers and internet is because they are available and help them execute their devotional service to Lord Krsna. If the internet were to completely shut-down and all the computers were to stop functioning, the pure devotees would just find other means to execute their devotional service, for that is their only objective. They do not support the nondevotees' building of newer and more powerful computers because the execution of devotional service is not dependent on anything material being present but is the function of the soul:
"The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely satisfy the self." (Bhag. 1.2.6)
"No material condition can stop the flow of the devotional service of a pure devotee.... The pure devotee does not render loving service to the Personality of Godhead for any cause or for any benefit, material or spiritual. This is the first symptom of unalloyed devotion. Anyabhilasita-sunyam: he has no desire to fulfill by rendering devotional service. Such devotional service is meant for the purusottama, the Supreme Personality, and not for anyone else." (Bhag. 3.29.11-12)
Therefore, the pure devotee does not care for computers and internet but only of Lord Krsna and his service to Him. If computers help fulfill his service to Lord Krsna, then he sees the availability of computers as Lord Krsna's arrangement otherwise he takes no interest in computers and internet.
Money also falls into a similar catagory. Money used in the service of Lord Krsna especially when given to those broadcasting His message purifies the payer. In fact, we find that Srila Prabhupada did NOT freely distribute Krsna conscious literature to anyone and everyone. This is not a lack of compassion but EVEN MORE compassion. Some people think that by giving away free religious things it is the highest compassion. But this is not true. If someone pays for a book, and the person collecting the funds uses it in Krsna's service, the payer actually performs devotional service unknowingly [ajnata-sukrti] which becomes his eternal asset. This devotional credit can eventually help save the victim from the most dangerous condition although HE MAY NEVER READ THE BOOK! And it may also help him receive inspiration to read the book and make further advancement. So the devotee, even in this case of *SELLING* books which seems like mundane business to the nondevotees, is thinking of the benefit of the customer!
Some people donate money thinking they will *HELP* the devotee maintain himself. This is also incorrect as the devotee is maintained by the Supreme Lord Himself and does not need to depend on anyone. Lord Krsna is the richest Person and His devotees are specially treated by Him. The person who donates needs the help by donating as much as he can for Lord Krsna's pleasure so he can be helped out of the terrible material world.
Everything *CAN* be used in the devotional service of the Lord. Of course, devotional service means what Lord Krsna wants us to do which can be known through the bona fide spiritual master.
"Therefore the illusion of maya is at once dissipated as soon as one's full energy is converted in the service of the Lord instead of in sense enjoyment.... By service of the bona fide spiritual master, the Lord consents to reveal Himself in proportion to the service rendered. Utilization of the human energy in the service of the Lord is the progressive path of salvation. The whole cosmic creation becomes at once identical with the Lord as soon as service in relation with the Lord is rendered under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. The expert spiritual master knows the art of utilizing everything to glorify the Lord, and therefore under his guidance the whole world can be turned into the spiritual abode by the divine grace of the Lord's servant." (Bhag. 1.5.23)
Even if one is attached to material things such as computers, internet, money, etc., the best way of eliminating the attachments is to dovetail them in the service of the Lord instead of artificially trying to renounce them. Of course, if they cannot be dovetailed in Krsna's service, one must try to renounce them:
"O Brahmana, Vyasadeva, it is decided by the learned that the best remedial measure for removing all troubles and miseries is to dedicate one's activities to the service of the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead [Sri Krsna]." (Bhag. 1.5.32)
"Think always that the money which is accumulated is the wealth of the Lord. Wealth is Narayana, or the husband of Laksmi. Try to engage Laksmi in the service of Lord Narayana and be happy. That is the way to realize the Lord in every sphere of life. The best thing is, after all, to get relief from all material activities and engage oneself completely in hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Lord. But in case of the absence of such an opportunity, one should try to engage in the service of the Lord everything for which one has specific attraction, and that is the way of peace and prosperity." (Bhag. 1.5.32)
3. FEEDBACK: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CHANCE!
>Science brings the necessary light to some of the
>questions which were dividing so many men and which were the cause of
>some forms of ignorance. This ignorance even revealed to be dangerous
>several times in the past. Nowadays the different seasons, the rotation
>of the planets, the growth of human cells, mecanical energy,
>electromagnetic fields, etc can be understood in a better way.
None of the above can be said to be knowledge; they may have completely different theories in 50 years. And even if it's true, how does it help stop old age, disease, and death. How does it make people happy? How does it make us eternal? What use are such theories?
>Scientific progress has even helped in medical assistance and in
>telecommunications. For example we would not be communicating right now
>if rational intelligence had not been put forward in a rational way!
I advise you to read Bhagavad-gita: 3.27 especially regarding WHO IS THE DOER. Some people work very hard to create things and never succeed and some people work a few hours and become famous as great engineers. Who gave them the knowledge???? Is it random? Who is controlling material nature?
>Nevertheless science also shows the limit of rational intelligence ...
It's not science, it's just speculations one on top of the other. Krsna is fulfilling their desires to Lord it over material nature by sanctioning their inventions according to their karma. Scientists cannot even make a grain of rice.
> I would like to know what bothers you in the theory of Evolution, the
>Big Bang one is perhaps not strong enough but that does not mean that it
>should immediately be rejected because it cannot be proved. In that case
>Fermat's theorem would have already been thrown to the bin long before!
What bothers me is that Bhagavatam is a PROVEN process so I have no need for speculations about how the universe came about or how the species came about. Why should I accept someone's belief system over something that works and explains everything??? I already showed you that anything that uses terms of "chance" or "probability" is incomplete in knowledge and cannot be accepted as scientific. You should be unbiased and first study what exactly the Bhagavatam is saying unless you are ready to prove your theories. If you have no proof, you have to keep looking out for the better theory or something that's actually science. You are already assuming everything is just a bunch of theories!
4. EDITORIAL POLICY AND PRODUCT LIST
"One should engage in practical service to the Lord. In our Krsna consciousness movement, *ALL* our activities are concentrated upon distributing Krsna literature. This is very important. One may approach any person and induce him to read Krsna literature so that in the future he also may become a devotee.... By fully concentrating on distributing books for Krsna, one is fully absorbed in Krsna."
Krishna Software Inc. has produced some multimedia CDROMs and all the details of these CDROMs can be found at our website http://www.krishnasoft.com. Here is our current list of products:
(a) Multimedia Bhagavad-gita As It Is CD: Lord Krsna's eternal instructions to Arjuna and the rest of the world about Isvara (Supreme Lord), jiva (the soul), karma (activities), kala (time), and prakrti (nature). This is a 30-hour audio-visual CDROM.
(b) Multimedia Bhagavad-gita As It Is Hindi CD: Same as (a) but with Hindi and English translations; currently available on CD-R only.
(c) Multimedia Krsna CD w/Vedic Astronomy game: This is a 51-hour audio-visual presentation of the Krsna book and a Vedic Astronomy game based on the Fifth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. All on a single CDROM. Free sample demo downloadable.
(d) Multilingual Word Processor CD [version 4.00]: Type in diacritics, Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali, and Assamese without knowing the alphabet. Free demo downloadable.
All of the above software was tested on various Intel 486 and Pentium processors running Windows 3.1, Windows '95, Windows '98, and Windows NT (client and server).
Latest pricing and ordering information is at our web site: http://www.krishnasoft.com.
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End of Newsletter- written and edited by KSI staff; (c) 1998-1999 Krishna Software Inc.
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All glories to Lord Sri Krsna and His transcendental potencies! All glories to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the literary incarnation of the Lord Sri Krsna!