for reviewing our life with vows more..
Thesaurus - Vow
Swear
Swear, Promise, Give your word, Give your promise, Guarantee, Be determined,
Undertake, Declare, Assert
Promise
Promise, Oath, Guarantee, Declaration, Undertaking
Dictionairy - vow (vou), n.
1. a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment: marriage vows; a vow
of secrecy.
2. a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service,
or condition.
3. a solemn or earnest declaration.
4. take vows, to enter a religious order or house.
-v.t.
5. to make a vow of; promise by a vow, as to God or a saint: to vow a crusade
or a pilgrimage.
6. to pledge or resolve solemnly to do, make, give, observe, etc.: They vowed
revenge.
7. to declare solemnly or earnestly; assert emphatically (often fol. by a clause
as object): She vowed that she would take the matter to court.
8. to dedicate or devote by a vow: to vow oneself to the service of God.
-v.i.
9. to make a vow.
10. to make a solemn or earnest declaration.
[1250-1300; ME < AF, OF vo(u) < L v$tum, neut. of v$tus, ptp. of vov"re
to vow]
A vow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vow
So the tapasya life begins from celibacy, brahmacaryena. Sukadeva Gosvami recommends. Brahmacarya is described in the sastras that smaranam kirtanam kelih preksanam guhyam asanam (?). Sex life, smaranam, thinking of sex life, that is against brahmacarya. Complete celibacy means one should not think of even sex life. Smaranam. Or talk of sex life. Our modern literature, newspaper and everything, simply full with talks of sex life. But this is against brahmacarya life. Smaranam kirtanam keli. And actually indulging in sex life. Preksanam: looking, overlooking a nice boy or nice girl, that is also against brahmacarya. Guhyam asanam: whispering between girls and boys, that is also against brahmacari. Guhyam asanam sankalpam. Then determination of sex life. Vyavasaya: endeavoring how to effect sex life. So when we can stop all these activities, that is real brahmacarya. It is very difficult at the present age. Etan maithunyam astangam pravadanti manisinah vikarita brahmacaryam eda astanam laksanam iti (?). So brahmacarya means that you cannot think of sex life, you cannot talk of sex life, you cannot whisper about sex life, or you cannot endeavor for sex life. These eight types of activities in sex indulgence are against brahmacari life. But here it is prescribed that if you want to make solution of the problems of life, then you adopt, you have to adopt a life of tapasya, austerity, which begins from brahmacari. Lecture SB 6.1.11 New York July 25 ,1971
born July 26, 1894, Godalming, Surrey, Eng.
died Nov. 22, 1963, Los Angeles
English novelist and critic gifted with an acute and far-ranging intelligence. His works were notable for their elegance, wit, and pessimistic satire.
Aldous Huxley was a grandson of the prominent biologist T.H. Huxley and was the third child of the biographer and man of letters Leonard Huxley. He was educated at Eton, during which time he became partially blind owing to keratitis. He retained enough eyesight to read with difficulty, and he graduated from Balliol College, Oxford, in 1916. He published his first book in 1916 and worked on the periodical Athenaeum from 1919 to 1921. Thereafter he devoted himself largely to his own writing and spent much of his time in Italy until the late 1930s, when he settled in California.
Huxley established himself as a major author in his first two published novels, Crome Yellow (1921) and Antic Hay (1923); these are witty and malicious satires on the pretensions of the English literary and intellectual coteries of his day. Those Barren Leaves (1925) and Point Counter Point (1928) are works in a similar vein. Huxley's deep distrust of 20th-century trends in both politics and technology found expression in Brave New World (1932), a nightmarish vision of a future society in which psychological conditioning forms the basis for a scientifically determined and immutable caste system. The novel Eyeless in Gaza (1936) continues to shoot barbs at the emptiness and aimlessness experienced in contemporary society, but it also shows Huxley's growing interest in Hindu philosophy and mysticism as a viable alternative. Many of his subsequent works reflect this preoccupation, notably The Perennial Philosophy (1946).
Huxley's most important later works are The Devils of Loudun (1952), a brilliantly detailed psychological study of a historical incident in which a group of 17th-century French nuns were allegedly the victims of demonic possession; and The Doors of Perception (1954), a book about Huxley's experiences with the hallucinogenic drug mescaline.
Yet, the proxy-initiation theorists will have left their mark. If nothing more, even their most vigorous critics can thank them for helping to recognise all devotees' right to a real and direct relationship with Prabhupada. Heresies of Continuity TKG ICJ5.1 1997
At Abhay's birth, she had made a vow to eat with her left hand until the day her son would notice and, ask her why she was eating with the wrong hand. more..
avadhuta-vesah-dressed like a mendicant; vratani-vows; cere-performed; hari-tosanani-that pleased the Lord.
TRANSLATION
While so traversing the earth, he simply performed duties to please the Supreme
Lord Hari. His occupation was pure and independent. He was constantly sanctified
by taking his bath in holy places, although he was in the dress of a mendicant
and had no hair dressing nor a bed on which to lie. Thus he was always unseen
by his various relatives. SB 3.1.19
central ritual of a complex system of ceremonies performed by the Navajo to restore equilibrium to the cosmos.
Of the many rituals classified by the Navajo according to their purpose, the largest group is the Chant Ways, which are concerned with curing and are divided into three groups. The first group are the Holy Way chants-including the Blessing Way, parts of which are found throughout most of the rituals, and the Wind Ways-all of which are used to cure diseases that can be traced to some violation by humans of the supernatural provinces of the Holy People, or supernatural beings. These rituals are further classified into Peaceful Ways, which invoke the beneficence of the Holy People, and Injury Ways, which are primarily exorcistic.
A second subdivision is that of the Ghost Way, or Evil Way, chants-the best known being the Upward-Reaching-Way-that are practiced for exorcism and the curing of illnesses caused by ghosts and witches.
A third subdivision is the Life Ways, which are concerned with healing accidental injuries-the most notable being the Flint Way.
In addition to the Chant Ways, other prominent groups are concerned with success in war (the Enemy Ways) and hunting (the Game Ways), but these groups have mostly become obsolete.
Set apart from all these specifically oriented ways is the Blessing Way, a comparatively short (taking only two days to perform) and simple ritual. Performed for the general well-being of the community, rather than for specific curative purposes, it contains none of the typical features of curing rituals (e.g., sand paintings, prayer sticks, medicine songs, and herbs). To invoke good fortune-such as during childbirth, in blessing a new hogan (home), and in a girl's puberty ceremony-the traditional Navajo family would have the Blessing Way sung at least twice a year. Parts of the Blessing Way are incorporated into almost all other Chant Ways.
The story of the Blessing Way contains various details of the mythical events that occurred after the legendary emergence of the Navajo from the earth at creation. These events provide the prototypes for the organization of the cosmos, important Navajo ceremonials, and their central cultural institutions.
Copyright � 1994-2002 Encyclopadia Britannica, Inc.
In order to award the highest benefit of human life, the varnasrama system trains the follower to adopt the vow of celibacy beginning from the order of brahmacari. The brahmacari life is for students who are educated to follow strictly the vow of celibacy. Youngsters who have had no taste of sex life can easily follow the vow of celibacy, and once fixed in the principle of such a life, one can very easily continue to the highest perfectional stage, attaining the kingdom of the three-fourths energy of the Lord. SB 2.6.20
"The vow of brahmacarya is meant to help one completely abstain from sex indulgence in work, words and mind-at all times, under all circumstances, and in all places." No one can perform correct yoga practice through sex indulgence. Bg.6.13-14pp
To a large degree I feel it is because when we lost Srila Prabhupada's personal presence, we lost not only our powerful leader, our founder-acarya, but a mother with a heart. Sometimes devotees affectionately refer to Srila Prabhupada as having the heart of a Bengali mother, and indeed, Srila Prabhupada cared for us like an affectionate mother. Our mother has an amazing capacity to love us, accept us as we are, respect and appreciate us. She may see our faults, but she has faith that we will overcome them and our higher traits will prevail. Sometimes her reassuring faith alone helps us conquer our lower nature. She gives us a sense of self-worth and makes us feel that we have a contribution to make in the world. When there's fighting among the brothers and sisters, she knows how to pacify each one and maintain a co-operative spirit for the welfare of the entire family. If she's a good mother, she'll not only take care of us materially, but give spiritual direction as well. Prabhupada had more than a normal mother's capacity for patience and love and we came to know him as our most intimate well-wisher. He brought a nurturing, caring, spiritual relationship which we so much needed. Thus, he gathered his followers around him in love and made the ISKCON family.
We've all seen that devotees join ISKCON because of a personal relationship they develop with a devotee. Naturally there was some introduction like receiving a book or seeing devotees on hari-nama, but mostly devotees have joined due to a personal relationship. We stay because of relationships we develop, or we leave if they are lacking. Pranada dd, ICJ1/1 Jan/June 93
Persons who identify with bodily existence are attached to the fruitive activities described in the Vedic literature. For example, in the Vedas it is said that one who observes the caturmasya vow will attain eternal happiness in the heavenly kingdom. SB 4.2.22
A devotee should observe the vow of celibacy. Celibacy does not necessitate that one be absolutely free from sex life; satisfaction with one's wife is permitted also under the vow of celibacy. The best policy is to avoid sex life altogether. That is preferable. Otherwise, a devotee can get married under religious principles and live peacefully with a wife. SB 3.27.7
Forbids all voluntary sexual pleasure. It constitutes a matrimonial impediment. If the vow be a simple one, which may be anyone of four kinds (of virginity, of not marrying, of receiving Sacred Orders, or of entering religion), it is a hindering impediment, rendering a marriage unlawful although valid, unless a dispensation be obtained. If the vow be solemn, which means that it is made publicly and for life in a religious community wherein such vows are administered, it constitutes a diriment impediment. In certain other communities which have received a special permission from the Holy See to that effect, simple vows would cause a diriment impediment. In either case a dispensation may be given by the Church. The reception of Sacred Orders (that is, of the first of the major orders, which, in our Latin Rite, is subdeaconship) imposes a solemn vow of chastity; and while the Church has the power of dispensing from this, this has been very seldom done. New Catholic Dictionary
Citti, wife of the sage Atharva, gave birth to a son named Asvasira by accepting a great vow called Dadhyanca. Now you may hear from me about the descendants of the sage Bhrgu.
PURPORT
The wife of Atharva known as Citti is also known as Santi. She was the eighth
daughter of Kardama Muni. SB 4.1.43
sarva-dharman parityajya, mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo, moksayisyami ma sucham
(Bhagavad-gita 18.66)
"Totally abandoning all kinds of religion, surrender exclusively unto
Me. I will liberate you from all kinds of sins, so do not despair."
Many rules and rites of varnasram-dharma are given for our benefit, but that
is when we are in a lower stage. And in the higher stage, "crossing the
law, I shall serve Him"--that is faith!
Heart and Halo ch6 BR Sridhar Swami
He was born of a great brahmana father, Lord Brahma, but his treatment of Lord Siva was not exactly brahminical; therefore he admitted that he was not a perfect brahmana. Lord Siva and Lord Visnu, however, are affectionate even to an imperfect brahmana. Lord Siva punished Daksa not as one does his enemy; rather, he punished Daksa just to bring him to his senses, so that he would know that he had done wrong. Daksa could understand this, and he acknowledged the great mercy of Lord Krsna and Lord Siva towards the fallen brahmanas, including even himself. Although he was fallen, his vow was to execute the sacrifice, as is the duty of brahmanas, and thus he began his prayers to Lord Siva. SB 4.7.14
Caste Gosvamis and Smarta-brahmanas, Prakrta-sahajiyas, Ativadi, Aula, Baula, Sain, and Daravesa, Kartabhaja and Neda-Nedi more..
M. Scott Peck
Community making and peace
"If I think with any integrity at all, I immediately realize that my life is utterly nurtured not only by the erath and the rain and the sun but also by those farmers, publishers, booksellers, as well as by my patients, my children,my wife, and other teachers-indeed by the entire fabric of family, society and creation."pg 239
"it was a gracious respite , because by the end of the war things exploded. The majority of veterand enjoyed their welcome home from overseas as heroes and happily settled in to jobs and family life. But theer was a minority of young men whose souls had been bruised by the war, by the violence and evil, who turned inward and toward God. Sometimes by word of mouth, sometimes by seeming grace, they were drawn to this small rural Illinois monastic community as if to an invisible magnet. By the beginning of 1947 the guesthouse was full to overflowing with them. Most eventually drifted on, but some asked to stay. These were integrated in to the evening community meetings and shortly took vows. An addition was built on to the farmhouse. The chapel was enlarged. By the end of 1949, in the space of a mer three years , the monks of OSA had increased from six to twenty.
But there were also now seeds of chaos in the community. Consensual decision making had become increasingly difficult. Many of the new brothers started to form little alliances and required spiritual direction from the older ones. Secveral were so scarred by the war that they needed psychiatric treatment outside of the community.
Some who had made their vows within a matter of months decided to leave the order. Economically OSA was prospering. More land had been bought and a highly successful community buseness had been established developing and marketing hybrid grain seeds. But as a community it was in turmoil and close to chaos.
It was those quiet war years as much as anything that enabled the order to survive. By the end of this eyears the first six monks had not only become deeply wise and spiritually mature individuals but had also eveolved in to an extraordinarily cohesive nucleus.
Religion and religions
It is a measure of the cultural distance his disciples had to travel that they had to drop out not once but twice: from "straight" society into the counterculture, from counterculture into the organisation prolepticly named the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON).
But "reversal is the movement of the Tao". In going farther out, Prabhupada's followers found themselves coming back in: they shaved their heads close, rose daily before dawn to chant and pray, abstained from the flesh of animals, gave up the use of licit and illicit drugs, and even in wedlock avoided sex. Having gone farther out than the far-out, they became straighter than the straight.
In time, Prabhupada's students began to grasp that they had joined a formidable religious establishment in its own right, that Prabhupada was grooming them painstakingly to become heirs to an ancient and venerable spiritual tradition, and scrupulous fidelity to its teachings and practices was of central importance to Prabhupada. He himself was simply a conduit; he claimed to act as nothing more than the servant of his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, who had in turn been the servant of his guru, Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji, who similarly had served Bhaktivinoda Thaktura, and so on. In the introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is Prabhupada listed a historical succession of spiritual teachers, going back to Krsna Himself.* This list was Prabhupada's credentials, the source of his teaching authority.
Thus, even though the International Society for Krsna Consciousness emerged as a radical novelty and still finds itself in the situation of a "new religious movement", it is actually a contemporary of a branch of one of the four long-established Vaishnava traditions of India, a branch bearing the formal title of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya.
Ravindra Svarupa Dasa
ICJ 1/1 Religion and Religions Jan/June 93
Iskcon Community Discussion more..
Starvation can be mitigated by drinking water. It is sometimes found that if a person who has taken a vow to fast takes a little water at intervals, the exhaustion of fasting is at once mitigated. In the Vedas it is also stated, apomayah pranah: "Life depends on water." SB 3.26.43
Srila Vyasadeva and his representatives are pure in thought due to their spiritual enlightenment, fixed in their vows due to their devotional service, and determined to deliver the fallen souls rotting in material activities. SB1.5.13pp
Since then, by the grace of the almighty Visnu, I travel everywhere without restriction both in the transcendental world and in the three divisions of the material world. This is because I am fixed in unbroken devotional service of the Lord. SB 1.6.31
Maharaja Prthu offered his welcome to the four Kumaras, addressing them as the best of the brahmanas. He welcomed them, saying: From the beginning of your birth you strictly observed the vows of celibacy, and although you are experienced in the path of liberation, you are keeping yourselves just like small children. SB 4.22.12
These brahmanas take to education, austerity and vows only for the purpose of maintaining the body. SB 4.2.26
Thus the King, the worthy descendant of the Pandavas, decided once and for all and sat on the Ganges' bank to fast until death and give himself up to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who alone is able to award liberation. So, freeing himself from all kinds of associations and attachments, he accepted the vows of a sage. SB 1.19.7
The principle of brahmacarya is celibacy. There are two kinds of brahmacaris. One is called naisthika-brahmacari, which means one who takes a vow of celibacy for his whole life, whereas the other, the upakurvana-brahmacari, is a brahmacari who takes the vow of celibacy up to a certain age. For example, he may take the vow to remain celibate up to twenty-five years of age; then, with the permission of his spiritual master, he enters married life. SB 3.22.14
By tricks Arjuna took the arrows from Duryodhana, and Bhismadeva could understand that this was the trick of Lord Krsna. So he took a vow that the next day Krsna would have to take up weapons Himself, otherwise His friend Arjuna would die. SB 1.9.37
A Brief History of Celibacy in the Catholic Church more..
As is clear from this summary, the speaker was quite open about the situation in which Kan�a Consciousness in the West now finds itself. It is in a hostile environment alongside other religious groups, some of which have adapted themselves wholeheartedly to modernity and some of which continue to hold out against it. Set against the dominant ideology of modernism, Kan�a Consciousness looks like madness and certainly like fundamentalism. The obvious question this raises is "how is it to proceed?" How are devotees to further the spiritual path begun by Caitanya which they believe can transform the world in this age?*
Devotees, of course, believe there are many vital ways to effect this change. One of these is dialogue with those in other religions and those for whom religion is of academic interest, and it was on this subject that Ravindra Svarupa Dasa addressed two lectures to his audience of European devotees. ICJ 93 Kim Knott
by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura
The ceremony of diksha or initiation is that by which the spiritual
Preceptor admits one to the status of a neophyte on the path of spiritual endeavour.
more..
One who takes a vow to satisfy Lord Siva or who follows such principles will certainly become an atheist and be diverted from transcendental scriptural injunctions.
PURPORT
It is sometimes seen that devotees of Lord Siva imitate the characteristics
of Lord Siva. For example, Lord Siva drank an ocean of poison, so some of the
followers of Lord Siva imitate him and try to take intoxicants like ganja (marijuana).
Here the curse is that if someone follows such principles he must become an
infidel and turn against the principles of Vedic regulation. It is said that
such devotees of Lord Siva will be sacchastra-paripanthinah, which means "opposed
to the conclusion of sastra, or scripture." SB 4.2.28
The sage Kardama accepted silence as a vow in order to think of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and take shelter of Him exclusively. Without association,
he traveled over the surface of the globe as a sannyasi, devoid of any relationship
with fire or shelter.
PURPORT
Here the words anagnir aniketanah are very significant. A sannyasi should be
completely detached from fire and any residential quarters. A grhastha has a
relationship with fire, either for offering sacrifices or for cooking, but a
sannyasi is freed from these two responsibilities. He does not have to cook
or offer fire for sacrifice because he is always engaged in Krsna consciousness;
therefore he has already accomplished all ritualistic performances of religion.
Aniketanah means "without lodging." He should not have his own house,
but should depend completely on the Supreme Lord for his food and lodging. He
should travel.
Mauna means "silence." Unless one becomes silent, he cannot think completely about the pastimes and activities of the Lord. It is not that because one is a fool and cannot speak nicely he therefore takes the vow of mauna. Rather, one becomes silent so that people will not disturb him. It is said by Canakya Pandita that a rascal appears very intelligent as long as he does not speak. But speaking is the test. The so-called silence of a silent impersonalist svami indicates that he has nothing to say; he simply wants to beg. But the silence adopted by Kardama Muni was not like that. He became silent for relief from nonsensical talk. One is called a muni when he remains grave and does not talk nonsense. Maharaja Ambarisa set a very good example; whenever he spoke, he spoke about the pastimes of the Lord. Mauna necessitates refraining from nonsensical talking, and engaging the talking facility in the pastimes of the Lord. In that way one can chant and hear about the Lord in order to perfect his life. Vratam means that one should take a vow as explained in Bhagavad-gita, amanitvam adambhitvam, without hankering for personal respect and without being proud of one's material position. Ahimsa means not being violent. There are eighteen processes for attaining knowledge and perfection, and by his vow, Kardama Muni adopted all the principles of self-realization. SB 3.24.43
jambavati-Jambavati, a queen of Lord Krsna's; vratadhya-enriched by vows; devam-the demigod; guham-of the name Karttikeya; yah-whom; ambikaya-unto the wife of Siva; dhrtah-born; agre-in the previous birth.
TRANSLATION
O gentle one, does Samba fare well? He exactly resembles the son of the Personality
of Godhead. In a previous birth he was born as Karttikeya in the womb of the
wife of Lord Siva, and now he has been born in the womb of Jambavati, the most
enriched wife of Krsna.
PURPORT
Lord Siva, one of the three qualitative incarnations of the Personality of Godhead,
is the plenary expansion of the Lord. Karttikeya, born of him, is on the level
of Pradyumna, another son of Lord Krsna. When Lord Sri Krsna descends into the
material world, all His plenary portions also appear with Him to exhibit different
functions of the Lord. But for the pastimes at Vrndavana, all functions are
performed by the Lord's different plenary expansions. Vasudeva is a plenary
expansion of Narayana. When the Lord appeared as Vasudeva before Devaki and
Vasudeva, He appeared in His capacity as Narayana. Similarly, all the demigods
of the heavenly kingdom appeared as associates of the Lord in the forms of Pradyumna,
Samba, Uddhava, etc. It is learned here that Kamadeva appeared as Pradyumna,
Karttikeya as Samba, and one of the Vasus as Uddhava. All of them served in
their different capacities in order to enrich the pastimes of Krsna. SB 3.1.31
When the Lord saw that there was no time for the Pandavas to counteract the brahmastra of Asvatthama, He took up His weapon even at the risk of breaking His own vow. Although the Battle of Kuruksetra was almost finished, still, according to His vow, He should not have taken up His own weapon. But the emergency was more important than the vow. He is better known as the bhakta-vatsala, or the lover of His devotee, and thus He preferred to continue as bhakta-vatsala than to be a worldly moralist who never breaks his solemn vow. SB 1.8.14
O friends, just think of His wives, whose hands He has accepted. How they must have undergone vows, baths, fire sacrifices and perfect worship of the Lord of the universe to constantly relish now the nectar from His lips [by kissing]. The damsels of Vrajabhumi would often faint just by expecting such favors. SB 1.10.28
O My Lord! Your holy name has affectionatly manifested a festival in the mouths of pious people. (devotees). Your bodily splendor, like a dark raincloud, are the black ointment for their eyes. The music of Your flute has decorated their ears. But our heart has been occupied with material desires, so, we do not desire to relish this. It does not appear beautiful to us.
Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati's Caitanya-Candramrta, verse 49.
kalah kalair balina indriya vairi vargah sri bhakti marga
iha kantaka koti ruddhah
ha ha kva yami vikalah kim aham karomi caitanyacandra yadi nadya krpam karosi
kalah the time; kalih the age of Kali; balinah very strong; indriya senses;vairi vargah enemies; sri-bhakti of devotional service; margah the path; iha here; kantaka of thorns; koti with millions; ruddhah obstructed; ha alas; ha alas; kva where?; yami shall I go; vikalah weak and agitated; kim what?; aham shall I; karomi do; caitanyacandra O Lord Caitanyacandra; yadi if; na not; adya now; krpam mercy; karosi You do;
Now it is the age of Kali. My enemies, the senses, have become very strong. The splendid path of pure devotional service is blocked by millions of brambles. I am weak and agitated. Alas! Alas! Where can I go? O Lord Caitanyacandra, if now You will not give me Your mercy, what can I do?
Srila Rupa Goswami's astadasa-cchandah-stava verse 11 (part 2)
prophet, religious community, religiosity of social strata, intellectualism
and religion, theodicy and salvation, asceticism and mysticism, salvation by
other's achievement, religious ethics and the world, religions and the world
more..
Thoughts from the man who, together with Carl Rogers, pioneered the practice of "encounter groups." more..
During student life the brahmacaris were given full instructions about the importance of the human form of life. Thus the basic education was designed to encourage the student in becoming free from family encumbrances. Only students unable to accept such a vow in life were allowed to go home and marry a suitable wife. Otherwise, the student would remain a permanent brahmacari, observing complete abstinence from sex life for his whole life. It all depended on the quality of the student's training. We had the opportunity to meet an avowed brahmacari in the personality of our spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Gosvami Maharaja. Such a great soul is called a naisthika-brahmacari. SB 3.12.43
TRANSLATION
The Lord continued: Because I am the servitor of My devotees, My lotus feet
have become so sacred that they immediately wipe out all sin, and I have acquired
such a disposition that the goddess of fortune does not leave Me, even though
I have no attachment for her and others praise her beauty and observe sacred
vows to secure from her even a slight favor. SB 3.16.7
O King, the Personality of Godhead, being very much pleased with Lord Brahma because of his nondeceptive penance in bhakti-yoga, presented His eternal and transcendental form before Brahma. And that is the objective goal for purifying the conditioned soul. SB 2.9.4
Svayambhuva Manu continued: O wise man, I heard that you were prepared to marry. Please accept her hand, which is being offered to you by me, since you have not taken a vow of perpetual celibacy. SB 3.22.14
The danger in their rejecting this Krsna consciousness while in the human form of life is expressed in the Bhagavad-gita. One may slip down to the lower forms of life in the future births.
The spiritual world, which consists of three fourths of the Lord's energy, is situated beyond this material world, and it is especially meant for those who will never be reborn. Others, who are attached to family life and who do not strictly follow celibacy vows, must live within the three material worlds. SB 2.6.20
(Greek: "All-Giving"), in Greek mythology, the first woman. After Prometheus, a fire god and divine trickster, had stolen fire from heaven and bestowed it upon mortals, Zeus, the king of the gods, determined to counteract this blessing. He accordingly commissioned Hephaestus (a god of fire and patron of craftsmen) to fashion a woman out of earth, upon whom the gods bestowed their choicest gifts. She had or found a jar-the so-called Pandora's box-containing all manner of misery and evil. Zeus sent her to Epimetheus, who forgot the warning of his brother Prometheus and made her his wife. Pandora afterward opened the jar, from which the evils flew out over the earth. According to another version, Hope alone remained inside, the lid having been shut down before she could escape. In a later story the jar contained not evils but blessings, which would have been preserved for the human race had they not been lost through the opening of the jar out of curiosity by man himself.
Copyright � 1994-2002 Encyclopadia Britannica, Inc.
Durvasa Muni: A powerful mystic brahmana determined to observe the principles
of religion with great vows and under strict austerities. His name is associated
with many historical events, and it appears that the great mystic could be both
easily satisfied and easily annoyed, like Lord Siva. When he was satisfied,
he could do tremendous good to the servitor, but if he was dissatisfied he could
bring about the greatest calamity. SB 1.15.11
It attracts me to look at Srila Prabhupada's human side, besides the supernatural features of the saktyavasa avatara, because it gives us an authorization to also be human and yet be eligible to go back to Godhead. This make the process feasible.
Upon completion of the novitiate year, the novice makes his first profession of vows. These simple vows are ordinarily taken for a period of three years. They can be renewed for another period of time if there is special need to do so. Normally, however, at the end of the three years of simple vows, the religious makes solemn vows for life. more..
The first stage for a prospective candidate is to live in our guesthouse for a week to ten days; we might ask him to do this a few times before inviting him into the cloister. Once in the monastery he will be expected to participate fully in the life of the community. This stage is referred to as the observership, and it usually lasts for a month or two depending on each individual case. Next comes the postulancy which has a duration of six months. Postulants attend the novitiate classes. The pre-novitiate period is completed at the end of the postulancy. At this point the aspirant becomes a novice for a period of a year.
The novice receives a new name along with the black tunic, belt and short scapular. During this period of formation he will study scripture, chant, liturgy, monastic history and the Rule of St. Benedict. At the end of twelve months, if the chapter, that is the monks in final vows, approves his petition, he may make simple vows for one year. At the time of simple profession he is clothed with black tunic with a long scapular of the professed monks. Classes for the simple professed cover a wide range of topics, including monastic and church history, liturgy, patristics, philosophy and theology; allowing the monk to choose a particular field of interest. The simple vows are renewed each year, normally lasting for a total of three years, but church law permits up to nine years.
The next stage in a monk's life begins with his solemn profession. This commitment is for life. These are his final vows: obedience, stability, and conversion of life. It is at this point that the monk is given a long black choir robe, the cowl, and assumes the responsibility of a chapter member, those who meet with the Abbot and vote on important matters in the monastery.
Let me begin with a little recent history. In the fall of 1965, a small and fragile-looking Bengali monk, the saffron robes of a sannyasi wound about him, disembarked from a nondescript Indian freighter out of Calcutta onto the wharves of Manhattan. more..
"What great concept was reborn in the Renaissance? The answer :the ancient idea that man is the focus of human concern. As Protagoras said twenty-five centuries ago, man is the measure of all things.
"The protestant reformation, with its emphasis on the individual need for grace, confirmed the answer. Everyone now had to be able to read the Bible so that he could determine its meanings for himself. The invention of printing made that practical;the translations of the Bible into all the European languages made it easier. Everyone was now his own theologian, and God had descended in to the breast of every Christian. " PG.166/167
"For a thousand years since the fall of Rome, men and women had turned over responsibility for their moral lives to surrogates of God on earth, the pope at Rome, his bishops, their parish priests or ministers." PG.167
"The term Renaissance man suggests a person, either man or woman, of nmany accomplishments. A Renaissance man is neither an expert nor a specialist. He or she knows more than just a little about "everthing" instead of knowing "everything" about a small part of the entire spectrum of modern knowledge." PG134
(A History of Knowledge, Charles van Doren ISBN 0-345-37316-2)
Mostly men are conducted by the modes of passion and ignorance, and thus they are engaged always in lust, desire, hankerings, ignorance and sleep. Out of many such manlike animals, there is actually a man who knows the responsibility of human life and thus tries to make life perfect by following the prescribed duties. SB 1.2.20
Such persons are ever bereft of devotional service due to being too attached to sense gratification, and therefore, although they perform various kinds of sacrifices and take great vows to satisfy the demigods and forefathers, they are not interested in Krsna consciousness, devotional service. SB 3.32.2
The moon is considered one of the planets of the heavenly kingdom. One can be promoted to this planet by executing different sacrifices recommended in the Vedic literature, such as pious activities in worshiping the demigods and forefathers with rigidity and vows. But one cannot remain there for a very long time. Life on the moon is said to last ten thousand years according to the calculation of the demigods SB 3.32.3
Other necessities include invoking the different names of the demigods by specific hymns and vows of recompense, in accordance with the particular scripture, for specific purposes and by specific processes.
PURPORT
The whole process of offering sacrifice is under the category of fruitive action,
and such activities are extremely scientific. They mainly depend on the process
of vibrating sounds with a particular accent. It is a great science, and due
to being out of proper use for more than four thousand years, for want of qualified
brahmanas, such performances of sacrifice are no longer effective. Nor are they
recommended in this fallen age. Any such sacrifice undertaken in this age as
a matter of show may simply be a cheating process by the clever priestly order.
But such a show of sacrifices cannot be effective at any stage. SB 2.6.26
Lord Sankarsana thus spoke the purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam to the great sage Sanat-kumara, who had already taken the vow of renunciation. Sanat-kumara also, in his turn, when inquired of by Sankhyayana Muni, explained Srimad-Bhagavatam as he had heard it from Sankarsana. SB 3.8.7
A sannyasi is duty-bound to take all these risks without fear, and the most typical sannyasi of the present age is Lord Caitanya, who traveled in the same manner through the central Indian jungles, enlightening even the tigers, bears, snakes, deer, elephants and many other jungle animals. In this age of Kali, sannyasa is forbidden for ordinary men. One who changes his dress to make propaganda is a different man from the original ideal sannyasi. One should, however, take the vow to stop social intercourse completely and devote life exclusively to the service of the Lord. The change of dress is only a formality. Lord Caitanya did not accept the name of a sannyasi, and in this age of Kali the so-called sannyasis should not change their former names, following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya. In this age, devotional service of hearing and repeating the holy glories of the Lord is strongly recommended, and one who takes the vow of renunciation of family life need not imitate the parivrajakacarya like Narada or Lord Caitanya, but may sit down at some holy place and devote his whole time and energy to hear and repeatedly chant the holy scriptures left by the great acaryas like the six Gosvamis of Vrndavana. SB1.6.13
The existence of the conditioned soul can be purified only by the method of engaging mind and speech in the service of the Lord. The tridandi-sannyasi of the Vaisnava school accepts three rods, representing the vow to engage in the service of the Lord with body, mind and speech, whereas the ekadandi-sannyasi takes the vow to become one with the Supreme. SB 3.6.36
What can repression accomplish?
sadrsam cestate svasyah
prakrter jnanavan api
prakrtim yanti bhutani
nigrahah kim karisyati
SYNONYMS
sadrsam-accordingly; cestate-tries; svasyah-by his own; prakrteh-modes of nature;
jnana-van-learned; api-although; prakrtim-nature; yanti-undergo; bhutani-all
living entities; nigrahah-repression; kim-what; karisyati-can do.
TRANSLATION
Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows
the nature he has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish?
PURPORT
Unless one is situated on the transcendental platform of Krsna consciousness,
he cannot get free from the influence of the modes of material nature, as it
is confirmed by the Lord in the Seventh Chapter (7.14). Therefore, even for
the most highly educated person on the mundane plane, it is impossible to get
out of the entanglement of maya simply by theoretical knowledge, or by separating
the soul from the body. There are many so-called spiritualists who outwardly
pose as advanced in the science but inwardly or privately are completely under
particular modes of nature which they are unable to surpass. Academically, one
may be very learned, but because of his long association with material nature,
he is in bondage. Krsna consciousness helps one to get out of the material entanglement,
even though one may be engaged in his prescribed duties in terms of material
existence. Therefore, without being fully in Krsna consciousness, one should
not give up his occupational duties. No one should suddenly give up his prescribed
duties and become a so-called yogi or transcendentalist artificially. It is
better to be situated in one's position and to try to attain Krsna consciousness
under superior training. Thus one may be freed from the clutches of Krsna's
maya. BG 3.33
Simple vows are a period of temporary commitment and usually lasts three years. The period of temporary commitment is, however, a serious commitment and is a time for continuing growth. During these years, the monk will receive a broad theological foundation, as well as some practical experience in apostolic activities. By embracing humility, poverty, chastity, stability, and obedience, he will be better able to determine his ability to live the monastic life successfully. The community will be able to decide whether his manner of life is in accord with its spirit and objectives. Pronouncing vows is easy, but the faithful living of their spiritual summons is a life-long task. There are successes and failures, joys and sorrows. But with self-discipline and patience, linked with sacrifice and mortification, the road broadens as one learn to rely more on God and less on self.
If after much discernment and four to five years of spiritual training the monk in simple vows would like to consecrate his whole life to God, he will ask the community to admit him to solemn vows.
The Krsna consciousness movement has been introduced in the Western countries, but it is not possible for Westerners to go to the forest and practice the severe austerities which were ideally practiced by Prthu Maharaja or Rupa Gosvami. However, Westerners or anyone else can follow in the footsteps of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura by living in a temple, which is transcendental to residence in a forest, and to vow to accept krsna-prasada and nothing else, follow the regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds daily of the Hare Krsna mantra. In this way, one's spiritual life will never be disturbed. SB 4.23.5
Just to realise that there is such a thing as an individual's way is to face responsibility. ISKCON cannot define or legislate what each of us should become or how to fulfill our deepest spiritual needs. There is an individual level of spiritual life, just as there is an institutional one for members of ISKCON. I remember reading St. Francis of Assisi's last words as they were recorded in his biography. He was surrounded by followers and disciples and had developed a movement of thousands. He said, "I have done what I had to do in serving Christ. Now you find your way." It is not possible for everyone to imitate a charismatic leader. We have to follow him. By seeing his enthusiasm, we can became more enthusiastic in our services. It is not that we think we have to take up the details of the leader's service; we have to develop the inner meaning of that service within ourselves.
ISKCON Communications Journal #1.1 - January/June 1993
Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami
Individual expression is fully relevant in the stage of raganuga bhakti, where the devotee in spontaneously drawn to serving Krishna. However even in vaidhi bhakti, serving Krishna out of duty according to rules and regulations, there is a need for individual expression,- so that we can be human beings-; but still we can only accept whatever is favorable for spiritual progress.
Kadamba Kanana Swami, July 2006
TRANSLATION
The Personality of Godhead said: My dear Dhruva, son of the King, you have executed
pious vows, and I also know the desire within your heart. Although your desire
is very ambitious and very difficult to fulfill, I shall favor you with its
fulfillment. All good fortune unto you. SB 4.9.19
Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge.
PURPORT
These sacrifices may be fitted into various divisions. There are persons who
are sacrificing their possessions in the form of various kinds of charities.
In India, the rich mercantile community or princely orders open various kinds
of charitable institutions like dharma-sala, anna-ksetra, atithi-sala, anathalaya
and vidya-pitha. In other countries, too, there are many hospitals, old age
homes and similar charitable foundations meant for distributing food, education
and medical treatment free to the poor. All these charitable activities are
called dravyamaya-yajna. There are others who, for higher elevation in life
or for promotion to higher planets within the universe, voluntarily accept many
kinds of austerities such as candrayana and caturmasya. These processes entail
severe vows for conducting life under certain rigid rules. For example, under
the caturmasya vow the candidate does not shave for four months during the year
(July to October), he does not eat certain foods, does not eat twice in a day
or does not leave home. Such sacrifice of the comforts of life is called tapomaya-yajna.
There are still others who engage themselves in different kinds of mystic yogas
like the Patanjali system (for merging into the existence of the Absolute),
or hatha-yoga or astanga-yoga (for particular perfections). And some travel
to all the sanctified places of pilgrimage. All these practices are called yoga-yajna,
sacrifice for a certain type of perfection in the material world. There are
others who engage themselves in the studies of different Vedic literatures,
specifically the Upanisads and Vedanta-sutras, or the Sankhya philosophy. All
of these are called svadhyaya-yajna. or engagement in the sacrifice of studies.
All these yogis are faithfully engaged in different types of sacrifice and are
seeking a higher status of life. Krsna consciousness, however, is different
from these because it is the direct service of the Supreme Lord. Krsna consciousness
cannot be attained by any one of the above-mentioned types of sacrifice but
can be attained only by the mercy of the Lord and His bona fide devotees. Therefore,
Krsna consciousness is transcendental. [As-They-Surrender-Unto-Me ] Bg 4.28
brahmacari-vrate-in the vow of celibacy; sthitah-situated; manah-mind; samyamya-completely subduing; mat-upon Me (Krsna); cittah-concentrating the mind; yuktah-the actual yogi; asita-should sit; mat-Me; parah-the ultimate goal.
TRANSLATION
One should hold one's body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare
steadily at the tip of the nose. Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid
of fear, completely free from sex life, one should meditate upon Me within the
heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life. Bg.6.13-14
karmana manasa vaca
sarvavasthasu sarvada
sarvatra maithuna-tyago
According to Yajnavalkya's religious injunctions, a woman whose husband is away from home should not take part in any social functions, should not decorate her body, should not laugh and should not go to any relative's house in any circumstance. This is the vow of the ladies whose husbands are away from home. At the same time, it is also enjoined that a wife should never present herself before the husband in an unclean state. She must decorate herself with ornaments and good dress and should always be present before the husband in a happy and joyous mood. The queens of Lord Krsna were all in meditation, thinking of the Lord's absence, and were always meditating upon Him. The Lord's devotees cannot live for a moment without meditating on the Lord, and what to speak of the queens, who were all goddesses of fortune incarnated as queens in the pastimes of the Lord at Dvaraka. They can never be separated from the Lord, either by presence or by trance SB 1.11.31
matra sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna sukha dukha dah BG 2.14
to tolerate and rise above happiness and distress
Not only from the present but also from the past.
I have, under strict disciplinary vows, unpretentiously worshiped the Vedas, the spiritual master and the altar of sacrifice. I have also abided by the rulings and have shown the import of disciplic succession through the explanation of the Mahabharata, by which even women, sudras and others [friends of the twice-born] can see the path of religion.
PURPORT
No one can understand the import of the Vedas without having undergone a strict
disciplinary vow and disciplic succession. The Vedas, spiritual masters and
sacrificial fire must be worshiped by the desiring candidate.
My dear lord, Your Lordship has introduced the system of sacrifices through the agency of Daksa, and thus one may derive the benefits of religious activities and economic development. Under your regulative principles, the institution of the four varnas and asramas is respected. The brahmanas therefore vow to follow this system strictly.
PURPORT
The Vedic system of varna and asrama is never to be neglected, for these divisions
are created by the Supreme Lord Himself for the upkeep of social and religious
order in human society. The brahmanas, as the intelligent class of men in society,
must vow to steadily respect this regulative principle. The tendency in this
age of Kali to make a classless society and not observe the principles of varna
and asrama is a manifestation of an impossible dream. Destruction of the social
and spiritual orders will not bring fulfillment of the idea of a classless society.
One should strictly observe the principles of varna and asrama for the satisfaction
of the creator, for it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita by Lord Krsna that the
four orders of the social system-brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras-are
His creation. They should act according to the regulative principles of this
institution and satisfy the Lord, just as different parts of the body all engage
in the service of the whole. The whole is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
in His virat-rupa, or universal form. The brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and
sudras are respectively the mouth, arms, abdomen and legs of the universal form
of the Lord. As long as they are engaged in the service of the complete whole,
their position is secure, otherwise they fall down from their respective positions
and become degraded. SB 4.6.45
Like the sun, Your Goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds, and like the air you can penetrate the internal region of everyone. As such, you are as good as the all-pervasive Supersoul. Please, therefore, find out the deficiency in me, despite my being absorbed in transcendence under disciplinary regulations and vows.
PURPORT
Transcendental realization, pious activities, worshiping the Deities, charity,
mercifulness, nonviolence and studying the scriptures under strict disciplinary
regulations are always helpful. SB 1.5.8
O Vyasadeva, your vision is completely perfect. Your good fame is spotless. You are firm in vow and situated in truthfulness. And thus you can think of the pastimes of the Lord in trance for the liberation of the people in general from all material bondage. SB 1.5.13
savitram-the thread ceremony of the twice-born; prajapatyam-to execute the vow for one year; ca-and; brahmam-acceptance of the Vedas; ca-and; atha-also; brhat-complete abstinence from sex life; tatha-then; varta-vocation in terms of Vedic sanction; sancaya-professional duty; salina-livelihood without asking anyone for cooperation; sila-unchah-picking up rejected grains; iti-thus; vai-even though; grhe-in household life.
TRANSLATION
Then the thread ceremony for the twice-born was inaugurated, as were the rules
to be followed for at least one year after acceptance of the Vedas, rules for
observing complete abstinence from sex life, vocations in terms of Vedic injunctions,
various professional duties in household life, and the method of maintaining
a livelihood without anyone's cooperation by picking up rejected grains. SB
3.12.42
The daughter of Manu, who was fully devoted to her husband, looked upon him as greater even than providence. Thus she expected great blessings from him. Having served him for a long time, she grew weak and emaciated due to her religious observances. Seeing her condition, Kardama, the foremost of celestial sages, was overcome with compassion and spoke to her in a voice choked with great love.
PURPORT
The wife is expected to be of the same category as the husband. She must be
prepared to follow the principles of the husband, and then there will be happy
life. If the husband is a devotee and the wife is materialistic, there cannot
be any peace in the home. The wife must see the tendencies of the husband and
must be prepared to follow him. From Mahabharata we learn that when Gandhari
understood that her would-be husband, Dhrtarastra, was blind, she immediately
began to practice blindness herself. Thus she covered her eyes and played the
part of a blind woman. She decided that since her husband was blind, she must
also act like a blind woman, otherwise she would be proud of her eyes, and her
husband would be seen as inferior. The word samanuvrata indicates that it is
the duty of a wife to adopt the special circumstances in which the husband is
situated. Of course, if the husband is as great as Kardama Muni, then a very
good result accrues from following him. But even if the husband is not a great
devotee like Kardama Muni, it is the wife's duty to adapt herself according
to his mentality. That makes married life very happy. It is also mentioned herein
that by following the strict vows of a chaste woman, Princess Devahuti became
very skinny, and therefore her husband became compassionate. He knew that she
was the daughter of a great king and yet was serving him just like an ordinary
woman. She was reduced in health by such activities, and he became compassionate
and addressed her as follows. SB 3.23.6
While Abhimanyu was being killed, mercilessly surrounded by seven great generals, the Pandavas came to his help, but Jayadratha, by the mercy of Lord Siva, repulsed them with great ability. At this, Arjuna took a vow to kill him, and on hearing this, Jayadratha wanted to leave the warfield and asked permission from the Kauravas for this cowardly action. SB 1.15.16
As soon as one takes a vow to live in the forest, he must simply eat roots, tree trunks, fruits, dried leaves or whatever nature provides in that way. Prthu Maharaja strictly adopted these principles for living in the forest, and sometimes he ate nothing but dried leaves and drank nothing but a little water. Sometimes he lived on nothing but air, and sometimes he ate some fruit from the trees. In this way he lived in the forest and underwent severe austerity, especially in regards to eating. In other words, overeating is not at all recommended for one who wants to progress in spiritual life. Sri Rupa Gosvami also warns that too much eating and too much endeavor (atyaharah prayasas ca [NoI 2]) are against the principles by which one can advance in spiritual life. SB 4.23.5
Yudhisthira, who was born without any enemy, was unfairly defeated in gambling. But because he had taken the vow of truthfulness, he went off to the forest. When he came back in due course and begged the return of his rightful share of the kingdom, he was refused by Dhrtarastra, who was overwhelmed by illusion. SB 3.1.8
O Vidura, they reached the hermitage of the sage, who had just completed his vows of austerity on the very day foretold by the Lord. SB 3.21.38, SB 3.21.39, SB 3.21.38-39
From the very features of the sage, it appeared that he had undergone great austerities; that is the sign of one observing brahmacarya, the vow of celibacy. If one lives otherwise, it will be manifest in the lust visible in his face and body. The word vidyotamanam indicates that the brahmacari feature showed in his body. That is the certificate that one has undergone great austerity in yoga. A drunkard or smoker or sex-monger can never be eligible to practice yoga. Generally yogis look very skinny because of their not being comfortably situated, but Kardama Muni was not emaciated, for he had seen the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face. Here the word snigdhapangavalokanat means that he was fortunate enough to see the Supreme Lord face to face. He looked healthy because he had directly received the nectarean sound vibrations from the lotus lips of the Personality of Godhead. Similarly, one who hears the transcendental sound vibration of the holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna, also improves in health. SB 3.21.45-47
Krsna is the master, controller of everything, but to the pure devotee He becomes dependent. So why the pure devotee will ask for anything else? Adurlabham atma-bhaktau. For a devotee, Krsna is within the palms of a devotee. Ajita, jito 'py asau. Although Krsna is not conquerable, but He likes to be conquered by His devotee. That is the position. Just like He willingly placed Himself to be conquered by Mother Yasoda, to be conquered by Radharani, to be conquered by His friends. Krsna became defeated and He has to take His friend on the shoulder. Practically sometimes we see that a king keeps a joker amongst his associates, and sometimes the joker insults the king, and the king enjoys. The joker sometimes... Just like there is a famous joker, Gopala Bon, in Bengal. So one day the king asked him, "Gopala, what is the difference between you and an ass?" So he immediately measured the distance from the king. He said, "It is three feet only, sir. The difference is only three feet." So everyone began to laugh. And the king enjoyed that insult. Because sometimes it is required.
So Krsna also... Everyone praises Him in exalted position. Everyone. That is Krsna's position-the Supreme Lord. In Vaikuntha, there is only praising. There is no such thing. But in Vrndavana Krsna is free to accept insult from His devotee. The people do not know that, what is Vrndavana life. So devotees are so exalted. Radharani orders, "Don't allow Krsna to come here." Krsna cannot come in. He flatters the other gopis: "Please allow Me to go there." "No, no. There is no order. You cannot go." So Krsna likes that. SP lect NOD Cal.Jan 30.73
What are Will Power and Self Discipline, Developing Will Power and Self Discipline, Advantages of Possessing Strong Will Power and Self Discipline more..