Samarpan

A Monthly e-Magazine by 

Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas

Issue: 14  

Feb 2016

 

In This Issue

rajas tamaśh chābhibhooya sattvaṁ bhavati bhārata 
rajaḥ sattvaṁ tamaśh chaiva tamaḥ sattvaṁ rajas tathā    

Sometimes goodness (sattva) prevails over passion (rajas) and ignorance (tamas), O scion of Bharat. Sometimes passion (rajas) dominates goodness (sattva) and ignorance (tamas), and at other times ignorance (tamas) overcomes goodness (sattva) and passion (rajas).
Bhagavad Gita 14:10 

From the Editor's Desk

This month's newsletter presents various features that revolve  around the theme of Overcoming Afflictions with Seva of God and Guru.  We start the section with a brief description how we get caught in the cycle of kleshas or afflictions (Bhakti Ras) and how seva or service can in the truest form can help us to overcome afflictions (Inspirations for Living).  Given that we live in a world overcome by maya, it is not unusual to forget from time to time, who w  e are or what the real purpose of our life is.  The story for Bal-Mukunds about how a poet experiences a writer's block but finds his muse when visualizing the image of Radha-Krishna, teaches us that even when overcome by kleshas, just reflecting on God can show us the correct path.  We then share a recipe for lauki juice to overcome the physical afflictions of the body in the Wellness for Life column.  Finally, we share with you the various types of community events which will provide you with the opportunity to uplift yourself and others.  

Bhakti Ras
Overcoming Kleshas or Afflictions
We live in a materialistic world and are required to constantly combat maya, the illusionary feeling that makes us act in ways to seek happiness for oneself.  Such self-serving actions, according to Maharishi Patanjali, can create various types of kleshas or afflictions like ignorance (avidya), false pride (asmita), attachment (raga), aversion (dvesa), fear of death (abhinivesah), and miseries (kleshas).

It is ignorance that breeds all other types of kleshas so to overcome these afflictions, we must get rid of ignorance.  It is ignorance to think of impermanent as permanent, impure as pure, suffering as happiness, and non-self as self.  This body is impermanent yet we do things to please the sensory desires of the physical body while the soul becomes parched.  This state is called avidya or ignorance.  Ignorance also causes false pride or asmita because we believe that we are responsible for our accomplishments.  The achievements are the result of actions performed by the physical body.  This belief leads to false pride, a defect of the intellect.  The pleasure experienced from achievements and its rewards, encourages us to contemplate on these repeatedly, leading to attachment to the outcomes or raga.  Such attachment to one's physical identity and bodily pleasures also causes fear of both, death, and misery. 

If we nurture the soul, which is permanent, we will achieve the state of intellectual awareness.  This will allow us to recognize that everything we have, material and spiritual, is a gift from God, which in turn will teach us to be humble.  Humility tends to keep us grounded in that we perform the actions to fulfill our duties and obligations but are detached from the outcome.  If we train the mind to think that attachment to God will result in purifying the soul, we will become attached to the idea of nurturing the soul.

Maharishi Patanjali suggests that meditation can helps us to control the vagrant mind and overcome the kleshas.  Through daily sadhana and seva of God and Guru, we will learn to practice compassion, forgiveness and humility. 
Inspirations for Living
The Importance of Seva or Service     

One way to help overcome the various types of mental afflictions is through sincere seva or selfless service.  While many religions espouse the value of seva, according to the Vedic scriptures, seva to mankind is akin to seva to God.  Swami Mukundananda ji says that everything we own is a gift from God.  We have nothing that is ours to give to God other than our love.  An expression of love for God is through seva.  What is seva?

Our scriptures as well as history provide many examples of saints and revered souls who made it their life's goal to serve mankind and receive the grace of God.  Who is not familiar with Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India and Mother Teresa?  For both of these souls, seva was a way of life.  Their service to the poor, oppressed, and disenfranchised was their life mission with no expectation of rewards or recognition.  The only motivation was to sacrifice oneself for the benefit of others.  To quote Gandhiji, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

Performing seva can be a very spiritually uplifting experience if it is truly selfless.  There are many forms of seva, the simplest ones for example are, doing something for family members or friends because it makes them happy; picking up trash in a neighborhood to clean one's community; volunteering in a soup kitchen; passing on one's gently used clothes and things to those who need them more; or even fund-raising for a noble cause.  However, there are also higher forms of seva like service to the soul.  When we perform sadhana to cleanse our soul, the humility, the expression of gratitude to God elevates a person.  It is this state of mind that makes one more amenable toward serving others.  Similarly, any service for the pleasure of God is a higher form of seva because it is done for his pleasure. 

As noted in the Bhagavad Gita (17.20):

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्विकं स्मृतम् || 20||
dātavyam iti yad dānaṁ dīyate 'nupakāriṇe
deśhe kāle cha pātre cha tad dānaṁ sāttvikaṁ smṛitam

In other words, when service is delivered to those who are worthy, at the right time and place, for no other reason than it is the right thing to do, and with no expectation of receiving anything in return, then the seva is considered to be an act of goodness.

A question that arises is, "how can we perform in a manner that will please God?"  The best way to serve God is by performing seva suggested by the Guru.  The seva should be one that is desired by the Guru only, then it will result in grace from Guru and God.
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom 
A Writer's Block: Blessing in Disguise
Once upon a time there was a king who was well known for his patronage for artists and poets.  But his patronage was for his own pleasure through enjoyment of the arts and pride in supporting the poor artists.  The king was particularly fond of his court poet Gopiraj, whose creative expressions had delighted patrons and the common people.  However, one time, Gopiraj developed a writer's block and was having trouble creating new poetry.  Each time he started to write, wayward thoughts disrupted his flow and he would crumple the paper and give up.  He had not written any new poems in a very long time.  So one day the king told Gopiraj that if he did not produce new poems soon, he would be replaced with another more creative poet.  The poet asked the king to give him some time to go to the forest to find his muse and return with a beautiful poem, inspired by the beauty of the forest. 

Around the same time, a thief who had insidiously infiltrated the king's palace, was running towards the forest to hide after having stolen a bag of gold coins and jewels.  When the king discovered that the missing jewels were the ones that had adorned the statues of Radha-Krishna in the palace, he made a proclamation that whoever caught the thief and returned the jewels would be suitably rewarded.  The king's security officers and many others were furiously looking for the trail that would lead to the thief.  Fearful for his life, the thief thought that it would be best to bury the bag of gold coins and jewels in the forest which he could retrieve later. 

The thief started to dig a huge burrow so he could bury the bag of riches.  A few yards away, Gopiraj was sitting under a tree trying hard to create a poem.  He saw a woodpecker on a tree pecking in a rhythm.  The digging and pecking were like music to Gopiraj's ears.  His mind started to frame the words, "tuk-tuk, tak-tak khodutt hai" (the bird's digging sounds like tuk, tuk, tak, tak).  The woodpecker and the thief both heard the poet recite the line.  The woodpecker extended his neck to carefully listen to the human sound.  Gopiraj saw the bird with its stretched neck and uttered loudly "lambi doké jowat hai" (the bird watches intently with its stretched neck). 

The woodpecker reacted to the poet's voice and sat very still as did the thief.  Gopiraj saw the bird and recited, "kukkad-mukkad baithat hai" (the bird sits all coiled up).  The woodpecker heard this and flew away.  Coincidently, the thief also decided to run and just then the poet made up another line, "jhat-put jhat-put daudat hai" (the bird got away quickly).  The thief too heard the line and was certain that the poet's words were referring to him.  So he went back to the poet with his bag of riches and confessed to Gopiraj that he had stolen the gold coins and jewels from the king's palace.  He swore to return the treasure and begged the poet to let him go free. 

Gopiraj agreed and came up with a new plan.  He took the bag from the thief and started walking toward the king's palace.  He was visualizing the beauty of Radha-Krishna decked in the jewels.  Poetry about Radha-Krishna's beauty started flowing from his mouth and by the time he reached the palace, his inspiration had returned and the poetry complete.  Gopiraj was singing the praises of Radha-Krishna, their beauty and their mercy as he returned the bag of jewels and gold coins to the king.  The king was so delighted, he asked Gopiraj to adorn Radha-Krishna with the jewels as a reward and also took him back as his court poet.  Thus, the writer's block was a blessing in disguise and the poetry emerged like magic as soon as his mind was focused on Radha-Krishna. 

Community Events 2016
Little Hands Big Hearts - Radha Krishna Temple Supports
Homeless Children
  
 

The Youth affiliated with the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas exemplified the virtues of seva through service at the Hope Supply Company in Dallas which serves homeless children throughout the DFW area.  They attended an enlightening presentation, participated in an informative session of questions-and-answers, and worked on several hands-on projects in preparing items to go out for distribution to various local agencies providing aid to homeless children.  We are very proud of these children, youth, and some of their parents for their caring and compassionate gesture and for representing the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas through a productive morning in community service.

 

Upcoming Community Events 2016
 
The Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas is very proud to announce several very interesting upcoming programs.  Please mark your calendars and save these dates.For the benefit of the community, The Radha Krishna temple provides abundant opportunities to volunteer and participate in various events.

Holi Ke Rang Radha Krishna Ke Sang
 
Vasant (spring season) is fast approaching, and the breathtaking and exhilarating early spring blooms of North Texas will soon burst forth.  Spring, the ṛitu rāja (the king of seasons) is an illustration of God's magnificence.  Holi is the very first festival that gives us an opportunity to celebrate His opulence and the advent of spring.  At the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, we are ushering in spring with soft flower petals, rich cultural programs, Swami Mukundananda ji's lecture, and Braj-style kirtans on March 27, 2016.  Please come join us for this lovely and divine experience.

For more details and to RSVP for this free community event, go to: http://radhakrishnatemple.net/events/holi-radha-krishna-2016/
Other Ongoing Community Events
 
For the benefit of the community, The Radha Krishna temple provides abundant opportunities to volunteer and participate in various events.

Weekly Satsangs


These satsangs truly propel one in the ocean of bhakti through a combination of prayer, singing bhajans/kirtans, viewing a video lecture, and followed by arati, and Prasad.    

For local satsang information visit:

www.radhakrishnatemple.net or info@radhakrishnatemple.net.


Bhagavad Gita
Study Group

Thru: Teleconference
On: 2nd & 4th Wed
8:30 to 9:30 PM 

 Details & Registration 

Free Community
Yoga Classes

At: 1292 Bossy Boots Dr.
Allen, TX 75013
On: Sat, 9:30 to 4:45 AM


 Details & Registration 

Vishnu Sahashra
Naam Chanting

At: 4020 Sendero Trail
Plano, TX 75024
On: 1st Sat, 3 to 4 PM


 Details & Registration 

 

'Dollar A Day' - Pledge Continuous Support!

 

Donate a Dollar a Day towards the building and upkeep of the Radha Krishna temple! By donating just $1 everyday,
you'll help this noble cause!

 How many of us have the opportunity and are fortunate enough to build a house for God?

Set up monthly contributions through credit card/debit card by calling: 860-605-3685 or by visiting temple website at Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (click).

   

Wellness for Life
Lauki (Bottle Gourd) Juice for Overcoming Physical Afflictions       
  In India, bottle gourd, a common vegetable is referred to as lauki or doodhi.  In the Indian culture bottle gourd is known for its medicinal qualities and incorporated in the diet for prevention and remediation.  The vegetable is rich source of phosphorous, fiber, potassium, iron, sodium, and vitamins.  Additionally, it has zero calories, fat or cholesterol which is why it is recommended to people with heart health issues.  Here is a recipe for lauki juice.

Ingredients:
  • One fresh bottle gourd washed in cold water   
  • Tulsi (Holi basil) leaves (7)
  • Mint leaves (5)                     
  • Pure drinking water
Method of Preparation:   
  • Take the washed bottle gourd without peeling the skin;
  • Cut lengthwise in quarter pieces and these into halves;
  • If you have a juice extractor, insert the lauki pieces lengthwise;
  • Add the tulsi and mint leaves;
  • Turn on the switch and extract the juice (approximately 4 ounces);
  • Add the same quantity of water as the juice;
  • Throw in some crushed pepper and rock salt to taste and enjoy a nice cool drink!
Uses:
  • Drink once a day for daily health and prevention but drink it thrice a day - after at least half an hour of food for remedial purposes.