Inspiration - RKT Newsletter
March 2024
Honoring Mother Earth!
Quote
पुण्यो गन्ध: पृथिव्यां च तेजश्चास्मि विभावसौ |
जीवनं सर्वभूतेषु तपश्चास्मि तपस्विषु || 9||
punyo gandhah prithivyam cha tejash chasmi vibhavasau
jivanam sarva-bhuteshu tapash chasmi tapasvishu
“I am the pure fragrance of the Earth, and the brilliance in fire. I am the life force in all beings, and the penance of the ascetics.”
From the Editor's Desk
As young children, many of us learned to start the day with a beautiful shloka before getting out of bed and putting the feet on the ground (i.e., Mother Earth). The popular shloka is: “समुद्रवसने देवी, पर्वतस्तन मंडिते; विष्णु पत्नी नमस्तुभयं, पादस्पर्शम क्षमस्वमे” (Samudravasane devi, parvata-stana-mandite; Vishnu patni namastubhyam, pada-sparsham kshamasva me). The literal translation of this verse is: “O Mother Earth, with oceans as your flowing garments and the mountains as your bosom, you are the consort of Shree Vishnu. I bow to you; pardon me for touching you with my feet.”
Knowing this, we still trample on Mother Earth and plow the land for farming. When we sow a seed, she bears it in her womb, keeping it warm until it is the right time to germinate. Moreover, when the seed shoots up breaking through her womb, she supplies all the necessary nutrients to the plant. Do we stop here? No. We drill holes into her to plunder the wealth hidden in her womb. She responds to our harsh behavior with patience and kindness, providing us with everything – food, clothes, minerals, oil, medicine, and whatever else is needed to sustain mankind.
With consideration to her immense compassion, this month, we honor Mother Earth.
Bhakti RasCreation is Sweet, Our Creator is Sweeter
When we step out into the open at the end of a busy day, and take one look at the blue sky, the lush green trees, or the bright flowers, we feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Is there anyone who is not stirred and delighted by the sights and the sounds of nature? All of us are drawn to the beauty and brilliance of God’s creation – the splendid colors in the rainbow, the glow in the fire, the radiance in the sun, the exquisite light of the moon, and infinite other sources of joy. Hence, there is no human being who is not a devotee of God, says Maharshi Valmiki.
How do we know that this world or Mother Earth is the veritable form of God? Shree Krishna Himself explains to Arjun that everything has emanated from Him:
भूमिरापोऽनलो वायु: खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च |
अहङ्कार इतीयं मे भिन्ना प्रकृतिरष्टधा ||
bhumir-apo ’nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva cha
ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakritir ashtadha
“Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and ego—these are the eight components of my material energy”.
Not only does everything originate from Him, but He also pervades the entire universe. Hence, we derive immense joy from His magnificent creation. If spending some time in the lap of nature were to give us this much happiness, imagine the happiness we would derive from seeking its creator in His personal form.
Experience of the Bliss of God’s Personal Form
The bliss of God’s personal form is immense and ecstatic, as is described even by the Brahmagyanis who experienced the bliss of Premanand. King Janak, an embodiment of wisdom who was beyond bodily identification, was overwhelmed by love with one glance at the alluring form of Shree Ram. Bewildered by his own emotions, he said:
सहज बिरागरूप मनु मोरा, थकित होत जिमि चंद चकोरा
sahaja biragarμupa manu mora, thakita hota jimi chanda chakora
“By nature, my mind is free from all worldly objects, but I am spellbound by the sight of Shree Ram, like the partridge (chakora bird) is fascinated by the nectarous rays of the moon.”
Such is the divine charisma of His personal form!
Similarly, Sukhdev ji Maharaj, a Paramhans, known as one of the biggest Brahmagyanis, once heard a verse from the Bhagavatam that expounded the sublime beauty of the personal form of Shree Krishna. He broke his samadhi and desired to learn about God’s divinely beautiful form instead of meditating on the formless light. The story of how this came about is very interesting.
Shukhdev Maharaj – the soul – had such tremendous spiritual powers even when he was in his mother’s womb. He was already a Brahmagyani who stayed in his mother’s womb for 12 years. He was afraid of being engulfed by God’s material shakti Maya. When convinced by Narad Muni that Maya would not engulf him, he emerged out of his mother’s womb. Using his tremendous yogic powers, he transformed himself into a 12-year-old and immediately left for the forest despite the pleas of his father.
When Shukadev Maharaj went to the forest and reached the highest level of samadhi, no one could dislodge him from that highly elevated state. In an attempt to dissuade him, Ved Vyas ji sent his disciples to recite two heart-touching pastimes of Lord Krishna from the Bhagavatam in Sukhdev Maharaj’s ear (verses 10.21.5 & 3.2.23).
The first verse broke his samadhi but he felt humbled that God would not accept a tiny soul like him. The second verse made Shukadev Maharaj feel hopeful that if God accepted the demoness Putna, He would surely accept him. He went straight to Ved Vyas to hear the whole Bhagavatam and experience Premanand. The lesson to learn here is that if the highest gyani yearns for Premanand, the bliss of the exquisite personal form of God. This creation of which we are an integral component, is His veritable form, and we, His tiny fragments gravitate toward Him.
Our Relationship with Our Creator
Over the years, we have all learned from Swami Mukundananda that God alone is our eternal and selfless relative and that the ultimate goal or purpose of our life is to attain God-realization through exclusive, constant, and selfless service for His pleasure. Even though this journey spans across lifetimes, it is never too late to start to learn ways to intensify devotional love for God.
The moment we start developing a relationship with our Ishta Dev (i.e., the personal form of God), we lay the first stone for His temple in our hearts. We must practice feeling His constant presence as we take our minds to His names, forms, virtues, pastimes, divine abode, and saints.
When we listen to God’s sweet leelas or pastimes with faith, meditate on them with wonderment, and repeatedly practice the sentiments of gratitude for His graces, we can grow in devotional love. The bottom line is to nurture the sentiment that “God alone is mine and I am His alone.” This will help to attach the mind to God while detaching it from the material world. Each time we step outside any building, we must take a few moments to appreciate the creation around us – the beautiful sky, clouds, trees, air, etc. and revel in the knowledge that we are engulfed in this creation which is His energy. Wherever our senses of perception and knowledge reach, is the kingdom of God – that God who is our soul beloved and in whose personal form the heart finds solace.
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
Faith in the impossible
The following story illustrates how fighting to protect the earth is important.
Shree Krishna was playing a ball game with his cowherd friends near the Yamuna River. While playing, they got closer to the river banks and suddenly some of the cowherd friends became unconscious. Through meditation, Shree Krishna identified that the water was poisonous and the fumes were the reason for his friends’ unconscious state. The source was the poisonous snake, Kaliya, who was living at the bottom of the river.
Shree Krishna intentionally threw the ball into the river and jumped after it. His action stirred the water and disturbed Kaliya who then came up. Kaliya grabbed Shree Krishna with his tail and took him inside the water. Seeing this, the cowherd friends ran to inform Shree Krishna’s parents and they came running to the river. Both the parents were willing to jump into the water to rescue him.
Shree Krishna wanted to ensure that they were not harmed. Shree Krishna saw their grief and started to quickly expand His body size to the point that Kaliya thought that his tail would burst, so he let go of Shree Krishna. Shree Krishna quickly swam up to the surface of the water with Kaliya in hot pursuit. Kaliya released hundreds of hoods in an attempt to scare and capture Shree Krishna. However, the Lord jumped from hood to hood as if in a divine dance, suppressing Kaliya until he was severely injured and struggling for life. Blood started spewing from his mouth.
Seeing Kaliya’s condition, his wives, the Naagpatnis, surrounded Shree Krishna and started worshipping the Lord. They said that their husband was evil, which was why he was born in the species of a serpent – as happens to evil souls. Then they said that despite their husband’s evil actions, he was so fortunate because he was blessed with the divine footdust of the Lord. Hearing their humble prayers, the ever-compassionate Lord released Kaliya. When Kaliya regained consciousness, he heard the pleas and prayers of his wives. He too was repentant and surrendered to Shree Krishna.
Shree Krishna forgave Kaliya but told him that he could no longer reside in the Yamuna. He ordered Kaliya to leave immediately with all his family members and never return. Kaliya Naag thus left the Yamuna forever and all the Brajwasis experienced the bliss of Shree Krishna’s presence back in their lives.
Practical Wisdom:
- The fumes from the poison caused Shree Krishna’s friends to become unconscious. Mother Earth has graced humans with many gifts including water, air, rain, sunlight, and a cultivable earth for survival. Similar to the effect of Kaliya’s poison, current human activities are impacting these gifts negatively by resulting in pollution, environmental changes, ecosystem destruction, energy wastage, poor health, etc. These changes are making it difficult for Mother Earth to be inhabitable as a home for all present and future beings. Lack of spiritual understanding is the root cause behind the plundering of the earth. Therefore, growing spiritually and developing a mindset of gratitude and protection for these graces will help us to preserve Mother Earth’s gifts.
- Shree Krishna took it upon himself to fight with Kaliya. He set an example for all to follow. All beings receive so much from Mother Earth for survival and are consequently indebted to her for her graces. Protecting Mother Earth from the effects of current activities is an undertaking all must undertake just like Shree Krishna.
Youth Insights
The need to address environmental issues has never been more pressing in today's world. As a teenager, one might feel like the challenges facing our planet are insurmountable. However, every action, no matter how small, can make a difference to the earth. From reducing plastic waste to advocating for sustainable practices, there are numerous ways you can contribute to the preservation of our planet.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
One of the simplest and most effective ways to help the planet is by practicing “the three Rs.” Reduce your consumption of single-use plastics by opting for reusable water bottles, bags, and containers. Reuse items whenever possible. And, Recycle materials like paper, glass, and aluminum to minimize waste.
I carry a reusable water bottle to school every day and say “no” to single-use plastics like straws and utensils. I also make an effort to reuse items like clothes and school supplies.
Choose Sustainable Products
Be mindful of the products you purchase and their environmental impact. Support brands that prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly materials, minimizing packaging, and implementing ethical manufacturing practices. By making informed choices, as a consumer you can over time influence companies to adopt more environmentally friendly policies. Increasing sustaintable products supports Mother Earth!
Conserve Energy
Take steps to reduce your energy consumption at home and school. At home, I'm mindful of my energy use. I turn off lights and unplug electronics when they're not in use. I also encourage my family and peers to adopt energy-saving habits, such as using natural light during the day and adjusting thermostats to conserve energy. Conserving energy supports Mother Earth!
Get Involved in Community Initiatives
As teens, we can join environmental clubs at our school dedicated to preserving Mother Nature. We can also go to events like the Earth Fest at Radha Krishna Temple. We can take the initiative to organize green initiatives at our school or in the neighborhood, such as tree planting campaigns or recycling drives.
I encourage children and youth to participate in the Community Clean Up and the Essay Contest due on April 1, 2024.
Educate Yourself and Lead by Example
Youth can have conversations with friends, family, and classmates to highlight the importance of environmental conservation and discuss steps to mitigate environmental degradation. I stay informed about environmental issues by reading books and watching documentaries. I try to take steps like reduce, reuse, and recycle to save our planet and encourage others to do the same.
In conclusion, as teenagers, we have the power to make a significant impact on the health of our planet. By adopting sustainable habits, getting involved in our community, and advocating for change, we can help create a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come. Remember, every action we take, no matter how small, contributes to the larger effort of saving our planet. Together, we can make a difference.
Holistic Health TitbitsWhat Does Honoring Mother Earth Mean For Health?
Honoring Mother Earth means recognizing the interconnection of all living beings with the environment. As outlined above, each of us can take action to protect and preserve the planet for the health and well-being of current and future generations.
Avoiding pollution and supporting efforts to reduce air and water contamination can prevent respiratory diseases and waterborne illnesses. We can help by driving less or using cleaner transportation methods. Electric cars, electric or human-powered bikes, and scooters are great alternatives. Planting trees will improve the air quality in our communities.
Sustainable agriculture strives to maintain and improve the health of the environment (biodiversity) and food safety, as well as conserve natural resources (water, soil) while still meeting the increasing demands for food. Support your local farmers market, buy organic, or grow a garden using sustainable methods. “Persons in the mode of goodness prefer foods that promote life span and increase virtue, strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, succulent, nourishing, and naturally tasteful” (Bhagavad Gita 17.8).
Spending time outdoors, whether hiking, gardening, or simply enjoying nature, can promote physical activity, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood. .
We can also do our part to preserve natural environments by using natural building materials for projects, protecting habitats in our communities, and organizing trash clean-up and recycling drives.
Conserving natural resources is a beautiful way to show respect for the environment. God has given us everything we need to sustain our existence. For example, the Tulsi plant has antimicrobial and wound-healing properties.
Be mindful of the amount of water used for bathing, washing, and cooking, and upgrade plumbing fixtures to more efficient models. Shop for sustainably sourced products and use smart energy appliances.
We should avoid exposure to toxins and not release them into the environment by choosing eco-friendly products and reducing reliance on single-use plastics and chemicals. We can use natural cleaning products and organic personal care items and minimize the consumption of processed foods packaged in plastic.
By caring for the planet, we also care for ourselves and future generations, promoting a healthier and more sustainable world for all living beings. Radha Krishna Temple will celebrate Earth Day on April 13, so watch for announcements to learn how you can participate.
Reflection Questions for DiscussionBhakti Ras / Inspiration
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
Youth Insights
Holistic Health Titbits
Upcoming EventsThe upcoming month of April will be the most auspicious at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen) because we will celebrate numerous festivals in the divine presence of Swami Mukundananda ji.
Bhakti Kirtan Retreat with Swamiji – April 19 to 21, 2024
Kirtan is the loud chanting of the holy names, forms, pastimes, virtues, abodes, and saints of God. The power of kirtans cannot be underestimated. It enables souls to attach their restless minds to God when distracted by worldly affairs. For this reason, kirtan is also referred to as the yug dharma or the most powerful means of engaging in sadhana in this age of Kali. All Vedic scriptures and bhakti saints also recommend kirtan as a tool for evoking devotion and love for God, which purifies the heart.
We have the most wonderful opportunity to participate in a 3-day Free Bhakti Kirtan Retreat with Swamiji at the Radha Krishna Temple. Take advantage of this opportunity to:
- Break free from the cacophony of modern life to find inner peace and spiritual fulfillment. Kirtans provide a sanctuary of peace and serenity amidst the chaos of everyday life.
- Experience the harmonious blend of music, chanting, and contemplation that captivates the mind and keeps it engaged. Each verse, each melody, offers a different facet of divine expression, keeping our practice fresh and vibrant.
- Embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual elevation as you listen with the ears and meditate with the mind. Kirtans are more than mere musical compositions; they are portals to divine knowledge and wisdom embedded in the lyrics.
- Through the repetition of sacred names and the invocation of divine qualities, experience a profound sense of unity with God.
- Above all, soak in the bliss of listening to Swamiji’s chants and deeply divine and melodious kirtans that will transport you to a realm not easily experienced in the humdrum of material existence.
Registration details: https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/Bhakti-Kirtan-Retreat
Ram Navami with Swamiji – April 16, 2024
Celebration of Ram Navami reminds us of all the beautiful metaphors and leelas that evoke deep devotional sentiments. To quote Swamiji, “Listening to the Ram Katha is like the Kalpavriksh that provides cool shade to weary travelers, or like Lake Mansarover where the Paramhans take a dip in the cool and soothing waters of divine knowledge.”
We invite you to participate in the Ram Navami celebration organized by the Radha Krishna Temple to recall all the lovely leelas and kathas. Be inspired by the sweet story of how Kevat uses irrational logic just to wash Lord Ram’s feet! Be dazzled by how King Janak, the devotee of the formless aspect of God, became so attracted to the personal form of Shree Ram in Mithila. Become mesmerized by how the great sage Vishwamitra questioned whether Lord Ram was God or not until he saw how the demoness Tadka fell at Lord Ram’s feet and surrendered after He shot her. Vishwamitra was convinced that the Lord is patit-pawan or redeemer of the fallen souls.
Inspire yourself with these leelas and other festivities. Details: www.radhakrishnatemple.net/ramnavami
Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Cheti Chand – April 9-16, 2024
Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Cheti Chand fall on the first day of Shukla Paksha or the first day of the new moon as per the Hindu calendar. As per the Western calendar, these festivals usually fall in March or April. Each festival is celebrated in a unique way as per the regions of India from where they are celebrated.
Ugadi is celebrated by the people of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. They celebrate spring by stringing mango leaves into a toran and placing it at the entrance of their homes.
Gudi Padwa is celebrated by the people of Maharashtra and the Konkani region. People use a wooden stick, the top of which is covered in a bright red or orange cloth, and strings of garlands made of neem and mango leaves. They also put bright-colored flowers and sugar. A pot is placed on the top to complete the Gudi.
Cheti Chand is celebrated by the Sindhi community to celebrate the birth of Jhulelal. People worship water as the primary source of sustenance of life.