Hindu Pujas in Melbourne - Krishna Janmashtami

Divya Aatman,

Shri Krishna Janmashtami is on 22nd August 2011.
Let's reflect on waht the Lord said to the whole humanity in form of Shrimad Bhagvad Gita                                                        

       

THE CORNER-STONES of THE GITA-ETHICS - by Swami Sivanada 

Salutations to Lord Sri Krishna, the Sweetest Manifestation of the Supreme Being! Salutations to Srimad Bhagvad Gita, the Word of God! Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.
What You Say Is the Expression of What You Are.
Srimad Bhagvad Gita is the Gospel of Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna is regarded as the Purna-Avatara of God. He was perfect in every respect. God is All-pervading; Sri Krishna’s life-on-earth, too, was all-comprehensive. Study Srimad Bhagavata and the Mahabharata. You will understand what a multi-faceted diamond Sri Krishna was. He was a wonderful child, divine boy, resplendent youth, dearest friend, mighty warrior, wise administrator, sweet comrade, master of diplomacy, protector of the meek, death of the wicked, preserver of Dharma, clever strategist, humble servant, obedient pupil, dutiful son, loving husband and Supreme Guru. These and countless others are but aspects of His Immanence as Krishna. Above all these, He is God Who, in His own transcendental nature, is the Lord of lords, the Father and Mother of all creation, the very Soul of all that exists. He is the Substratum of all existence. He is the Reality, immortal, eternal, infinite and absolute. He is not only immortal but Immortality Itself.
It is, therefore, in the fitness of things that the Scripture that He propounded should partake of all these great virtues that characterised His Divine Manifestation and His transcendental Nature. The Bhagvad Gita is so comprehensive that everyone can draw inspiration and guidance from it, whatever his social status may be, whatever his profession and in whatever stage of spiritual evolution he may be. For, into the Bhagvad Gita the Lord has woven a beautiful and universal pattern of ethics that would appeal and apply to all. 
The grand edifice of the Ethics of the Bhagvad Gita has been built on the Eternal Corner-stones of 
(1) Immortality of the Soul;
(2) Immanence of God; 
(3) Impermanence of the world;
(4) Immediacy of Liberation. 
Because these truths are universal, the Ethics of the Bhagvad Gita also have universal application.
Existing as He does as the very Immortal Principle in all beings, Lord Krishna proclaims with unimpeachable authority, the Immortality of the Soul. Being manifest here in this world as the very life and soul of all beings, He reveals the Immanence of God. Being the witness of the actions of Prakriti and the interplay of the Gunas, and in the perfect knowledge of the nature of this play of the Gunas, He declares that the objects of the world are evanescent, that all that is born must die, that all that is created must perish. Being the One who is conscious of the One Imperishable, Indivisible Truth which is never affected by the illusory play of Prakriti in which the Jiva which is essentially one with that Supreme Being dreams that he is dumb-driven and bound, the Lord asserts that Liberation is possible here and now.
The thundering revelation of the Immortality of the Soul in the Sloka: Ajo Nityas-sasvatoyam Purano Na Hanyate Hanyamane Sarire warns man not to deceive himself by trying to ignore the Law of Karma, the Law of Rebirth and the Law of Retribution. The soul within him does not die with the death of the body; and, so long as it does not liberate itself by attaining Jnana, is bound to reap the harvest of the seeds it has sown in this birth--DhruvamJanma-Mritasya. The Jiva which imagines that it is the doer of an action is bound to it by an invisible thread called attachment. The action is a rubber ball with a long rubber band attached to it which is given to the children to play with; one end of the band is tied to the finger of the child and he throws the ball on the ground; and the ball promptly rebounds to the child’s hand. Similarly, every action performed by you with the idea that you are doing it, with a desire to attain a certain end, is bound to rebound on you sooner or later, in this birth or in another. Death itself is but going from one room to another; and so long as the band of attachment is not broken by the knife of non-attachment (Asanga Sastrena Dridhena Chhitva) and the knot of desire born of ignorance is not loosened; the ball of action is bound to come back. One who realises this will do no evil. It is ignorance of the immortality of the soul and the inevitable working of the law of action and reaction that makes the wicked man to go his evil way. The wise man dismisses the misfortunes that may befall him as the working out of the evil Karmas of a previous birth and is indifferent to them; and he is active in cultivating goodness and in doing good, convinced, in the words of Sri Krishna, "that the doer of good never comes by evil" and that in the life to come, he will not only be free from misery and misfortune, but will get greater opportunities of progressing more rapidly towards the goal, viz., Jnana. The doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul is, therefore, the most important corner-stone in the Gita-ethics.
The next is the revelation of the Immanence of God. God is not a cruel monarch or just a benevolent deity sitting on a golden throne in a far-away city depending for his knowledge of your actions on agents and spies. He is the Indweller of everyone. He is the Witness of your thoughts. People around you watch your actions and hear your words; God watches not only your actions, but the motives that prompt them; He hears not only your words but the whisper of your heart’s intentions. It is therefore that Lord Jesus, too, said: "Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." The doctrine of the Immanence of God exposes, too, the hypocrite who pretends to worship God in a shrine, ignoring the Lord walking bare-bodied on the road with a begging-bowl in hand, who is writhing in pain, groaning under subjection and groping in the darkness of ignorance--the disguises assumed by Him to test your sincerity and to give you a chance to worship Him truly, and to attain Him here and now. Look up, and see your Lord watching you through the eyes of everyone you meet. Have you got the sincerity to recognise Him? Then you are fit to realise God and your own Immortality. He is here, near you; and in order to bring this fact graphically before you, Sri Krishna describes Himself as the several manifestations set forth in the Vibhuti Yoga of the Bhagvad Gita.
The third--the doctrine of the impermanence of the world--is a stern warning against your setting too much store by the things of this world. The greatest treasure you acquire is but straw! The least that you do to the Lord immanent in all around you is the key to inexhaustible treasure. The things that you acquire are of this world which will pass away; but by the service you render to God immanent here, you are watering the plant of Immortality. Remember; the things that you possess, and the whole world; not only this world which is but a mere speck of dust in this universe, but the universe itself; not only this but countless universes that constitute creation--are but objects of a passing dream of the Supreme Being. Grabbing them is like catching hold of a cobra mistaking it for a rope to tie round the waist as belt. Great is the misery of one who takes the world as reality and runs after the pleasures of the world. Supreme Bliss is the prize that awaits one who, understanding the evanescence of the world, applies himself to Namasmarana, Japa, Kirtan, selfless service, renunciation and meditation, in short, to the life divine.
To such a one liberation is promised here and now. One who, through knowledge of the Immortality of the Soul, the Immanence of God and the impermanence of the world, casts off attachment to the world and the actions of Prakriti, attains Liberation here and now--Ihaiva Tairjitassargo Yesham Samye Sthitam Manah, Nirdosham Hi Samam Brahma Tasmat Brahmani Te Sthitah. Not only that; the true devotee of the Lord attains Him quite easily: Tasyaham Sulabhah Partha Nityayuktasya Yoginah. This doctrine of the Immediacy of Liberation, this doctrine of hope, is the great incentive to the diligent student of the Yoga of the Bhagvad Gita and is, therefore, the fourth important corner-stone of the Ethics of the Bhagvad Gita.
May the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna be upon you all! May you all attain Liberation from bondage here and now!

How to do Shri Krishna Puja on Janmashtami 

The greatest Shri Krishna pooja that a person can do is to read the Bhagavad Gita and contemplate. But many people feel the need to perform a puja when they feel they need to connect with the Supreme Being. A simple puja dedicated to Lord Krishna helps in keeping the mind calm and in concentrating. 

Simple ways to celebrate Janmashtami:

·                     Depending on time available (i.e. in morning or evening), sit with family in the Puja Room (place of worship)

·                     Light a Deepak and Aggarbatti

·                     Worship deities by offering flowers, applying tilak,offering naivedya (halwa or any sweet) and fruit, offering dhoopam/deepam

\  Worship Lord Ganesh: Om Ganeshaya Namah 12 times

\  Worship Devi :

·         Om Durga Devyai Namah   (3 times)

·         Om Maha Lakshmyai Namah  (3 times)

·         Om Maha Saraswatyai Namah ( 3 times)

May also chant Saraswati mantras mentioned on page 3

\  Worship Shri Shankar Bhagwan: Om Namah Shivaye (12 times)

\  Worship  Shri Narayana :

    

  अथ ध्यानम्
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्यनाभं सुरेशं 
विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम्।
लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यं 
वन्दे विष्णु भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम्।।

भावार्थ : जिनकी आकृति अतिशय शांत है, जो शेषनाग की शैया पर शयन किए हुए हैं, जिनकी नाभि में कमल है, जो ‍देवताओं के भी ईश्वर और संपूर्ण जगत के आधार हैं, जो आकाश के सदृश सर्वत्र व्याप्त हैं, नीलमेघ के समान जिनका वर्ण है, अतिशय सुंदर जिनके संपूर्ण अंग हैं, जो योगियों द्वारा ध्यान करके प्राप्त किए जाते हैं, जो संपूर्ण लोकों के स्वामी हैं, जो जन्म-मरण रूप भय का नाश करने वाले हैं, ऐसे लक्ष्मीपति, कमलनेत्र भगवान श्रीविष्णु को मैं प्रणाम करता हूँ।

I adore Lord Vishnu who is the embodiment of peace, who lies on the Shesha serpent, whose navel is the source of the Lotus of the Universe, whose complexion is swarthy like the clouds, whose body shines with heavenly beauty, who is the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi, whose eyes are like Lotus, who is meditated upon by the yogis, who is the remover of the fear of the world-process, the cycle of birth and death.



यं ब्रह्मा वरुणेन्द्ररुद्रमरुत: स्तुन्वन्ति दिव्यै: स्तवै-
र्वेदै: साङ्गपदक्रमोपनिषदैर्गायन्ति यं सामगा:।
ध्यानावस्थिततद्गतेन मनसा पश्यन्ति यं योगिनो-
यस्यान्तं न विदु: सुरासुरगणा देवाय तस्मै नम:।।

भावार्थ : ब्रह्मा, वरुण, इन्द्र, रुद्र और मरुद्‍गण दिव्य स्तोत्रों द्वारा जिनकी स्तुति करते हैं, सामवेद के गाने वाले अंग, पद, क्रम और उपनिषदों के सहित वेदों द्वारा जिनका गान करते हैं, योगीजन ध्यान में स्थित तद्‍गत हुए मन से जिनका दर्शन करते हैं, देवता और असुर गण (कोई भी) जिनके अन्त को नहीं जानते, उन (परमपुरुष नारायण) देव के लिए मेरा नमस्कार है।


Salutations to that God, Whom Brahma, Varuna, Indra, Rudra and the Maruts praise with divine hymns, of Whom the Sama-chanters sing by the Vedas and their Angas, in the Pada and the Krama methods, and by the Upanishads, Whom the Yogins see with their minds absorbed in Him through meditation, and whose end the hosts of Devas and Asuras know not.

               Chant Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaye (5 times /11 times/ or 108 times)              
                Contemplate on Geeta Saar and try to incorporate in life

The Bhagvad Gita ("Song of God") is the essence of the Vedas and Upanishads. It is a universal scripture applicable to people of all temperaments, for all times. It is a book with sublime thoughts and practical instructions on Yoga, Devotion, Vedanta and Action. The Bhagvad Gita has influenced many great thinkers over the years.



क्यों व्यर्थ की चिंता करते हो? किससे व्यर्थ डरते हो? कौन तुम्हें मार सक्ता है? आत्मा ना पैदाहोती है, न मरती है।

Why do you worry without cause? Whom do you fear without reason? Who can kill you? The soul is neither born, nor does it die.

जो हुआ, वह अच्छा , जो हो रहा है, वह अच्छा हो रहा है, जो होगा, वह भी अच्छा ही होगा। तुमभूत का पश्चाताप न करो। भविष्य की चिन्ता न करो। वर्तमान चल रहा है।

Whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good; whatever will happen, will also happen for the good only. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. The present is happening...

तुम्हारा क्या गया, जो तुम रोते हो? तुम क्या लाए थे, जो तुमने खो दिया? तुमने क्या पैदाकिया था, जो नाश हो गया? न तुम कुछ लेकर आए, जो लिया यहीं से लिया। जो दिया, यहींपर दिया। जो लिया, इसी (भगवान) से लिया। जो दिया, इसी को दिया।

What did you lose that you cry about? What did you bring with you, which you think you have lost? What did you produce, which you think got destroyed? You did not bring anything - whatever you have, you received from here. Whatever you have given, you have given only here. Whatever you took, you took from God. Whatever you gave, you gave to him.

खाली हाथ आए और खाली हाथ चले। जो आज तुम्हारा है, कल और किसी का था, परसोंकिसी और का होगा। तुम इसे अपना समझ कर मग्न हो रहे हो। बस यही प्रसन्नता तुम्हारेदु:खों का कारण है।

You came empty handed, you will leave empty handed. What is yours today, belonged to someone else yesterday, and will belong to someone else the day after tomorrow. You are mistakenly enjoying the thought that this is yours. It is this false happiness that is the cause of your sorrows.

परिवर्तन संसार का नियम है। जिसे तुम मृत्यु समझते हो, वही तो जीवन है। एक क्षण में तुमकरोड़ों के स्वामी बन जाते हो, दूसरे ही क्षण में तुम दरिद्र हो जाते हो। मेरा-तेरा, छोटा-बड़ा,अपना-पराया, मन से मिटा दो, फिर सब तुम्हारा है, तुम सबके हो।

Change is the law of the universe. What you think of as death, is indeed life. In one instance you can be a millionaire, and in the other instance you can be steeped in poverty. Yours and mine, big and small - erase these ideas from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone.

न यह शरीर तुम्हारा है, न तुम शरीर के हो। यह अग्नि, जल, वायु, पृथ्वी, आकाश से बना हैऔर इसी में मिल जायेगा। परन्तु आत्मा स्थिर है - फिर तुम क्या हो?

This body is not yours, neither are you of the body. The body is made of fire, water, air, earth and ether, and will disappear into these elements. But the soul is permanent - so who are you?

तुम अपने आपको भगवान के अर्पित करो। यही सबसे उत्तम सहारा है। जो इसके सहारे कोजानता है वह भय, चिन्ता, शोक से सर्वदा मुक्त है।

Dedicate your being to God. He is the one to be ultimately relied upon. Those who know of his support are forever free from fear, worry and sorrow.

जो कुछ भी तू करता है, उसे भगवान के अर्पण करता चल। ऐसा करने से सदा जीवन-मुक्त काआनंद अनुभव करेगा। Whatever you do, do it as a dedication to God. This will bring you the tremendous experience of joy and life-freedom forever.

Conclude the Puja with Eka Shloki Geeta :

                                    

यत्र योगेश्वरः कृष्णो यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः
यत्र श्रीर्विजयो भूतिर्ध्रुवा नीतिर्मतिर्मम॥

Wherever is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, wherever is Partha, the wielder of the bow, there are prosperity, victory, happiness and firm policy; such is my conviction. (Ch. XVIII-78)

 

With Best Wishes -on behalf of Hindu Samaj Australia Inc

Pandit Akashdeep

Phone: 03 8338 8937

Mobile: 040 2659 605

panditakashdeep@hotmail.com

http://gyanbhakti.com/

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Some quotes from famous personalities across the world on the Bhagvad Gita:

Albert Einstein

"When I read the Bhagvad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous."

Aldous Huxley

"The Bhagvad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of humanity."

Mahatma Gandhi

"When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagvad-gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day."

Henry David Thoreau

"In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagvad-gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial."

Dr. Albert Schweitzer

"The Bhagvad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions."

Carl Jung

"The idea that man is like unto an inverted tree seems to have been current in by gone ages. The link with Vedic conceptions is provided by Plato in his Timaeus in which it states 'behold we are not an earthly but a heavenly plant.' This correlation can be discerned by what Krishna expresses in chapter 15 of Bhagvad-Gita."

Herman Hesse

"The marvel of the Bhagvad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagvad-gita. It was the first of books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us."