How many more blasts will it take for our fuddy-duddy politicians to get their acts together? May be we need to pray God that a few of their wives, daughters, relatives die first so that these bigots can act.
Today again, India has been attacked. Now is not the time for contemplation, now is the time to fight. Where is our Krishna & who will be Arjuna?

This ad campaign was created keeping in mind the following brief:

Person:

A college going person well versed with internet.

Promise:

Yahoo offers concise and precise information. (nothing extra - just what you want))

Problem:

To establish Yahoo as a search engine and to consider Yahoo while searching.

( Establish Yahoo as a competitor of Google search engine)

This image will be the transitional link between my previous bio post and this fresh one.

The painting is called "70s San Francisco Krishna Boy." I painted it here in this house a few months after we moved in in 2006. I did't get started until 2007. It took me a while to feel comfortable.

This image was an attempt to evoke certain parts of my memories of San Francisco. Sometimes I wish I could see things with a stranger's eyes just to know how others perceive the things I make. This image has been viewed more than any other I have posted on etsy.

I added the mod flowers after seeing perfect examples of that kind of design in a waterfront cafe scene while watching Streets of San Francisco.

I was driving on Churn Creek Road near Target and the Food Maxx the other day. I was stopped at the light and I noticed a large truck hauling chicken to market. The sides of the truck had lovely pastel landscapes painted on them. The truck pulled into a loading bay and I snapped these photos.

You can see the rivets where the panels are connected.

I liked the juxtaposition of the dreamy pastel landscape painted on the metal sheets of the trailer. I think I liked the fact that it was a chicken product too.

In my philosophical examination of killing animals for food I have concretely decided that I could kill for chicken.

Part of the decision was knowing that my body does not process soy and other beans well enough to use it as a replacement for meat.

I could not kill a cow, or deer, or any large animal unless it was a very drastic Into the Wilderness type situation but I could learn to kill chickens and even rabbits who are strange and often not very nice creatures despite all of Beatrix Potter's brilliant anthropomorphism.

I love chicken.

This classic fried chicken photo is from a southern fried blog called Varmintbites. If you click on their home page you will see amazing photos from a trip to Alaska.

What a coincidence. I was thinking as I wrote about chicken that I love salmon just as much and have fantasized about being a big ol' bear living in the north. I could reach my big paw into the river and fish out a fresh, wet salmon and feast.

(1) The Sun,
(2) Shiva (the static principle)
(3) Shakti(the dynamic principle),
(4) Vishnu (Krishna and Rama are his two important incarnations)
(5) Ganesha (the dispelled of obstacles and bestowed of fulfillment).

Hindus Gods and Goddesses Statues

All Hindu deities reduce to these five and their associates, who in their turn are but one and the same. It is possible for a Hindu to believe in (a) a personal god with manifestations in forms worthy of worship, (b) a personal god without such manifestations or (c) an impersonal principle. The idea, again, is to awaken divinity within oneself according to one's inclinations and capabilities, in the pursuit of spirituality. To rule fanatic parochialism out, Hinduism has the mandatory practice of paying obeisance to all the five forms before doing a special worship of any of them, highlighting the fact that divinity is one, though approaches to it may vary.

Very few characters in the Mahabharatha have captured my imagination like Karna, the legendary scion of the sun god but chastised for being born in a lower caste of charioteers.In a complicated epic like the Mahabharatha, Karna stands out an even complicated character.Recently managed to grab a copy of the malayalam translation of Shivaji Sawant's renowned " Mrityunjaya" titled simply as "Karnan". The book follows a beautiful perspective, a look at Karna's life from Six different angles, from Six different people.

Karna's story is a pivotal point in the Mahabharatha, it can be put down rather bluntly as how one young princess's curiosity with a divine incantation begins a cycle of almighty annihilation. The life story of karna is etched in detail by wiki here. An unparalleled warrior, a wonderful human being but still showered with insults and curses at every step of his life. "Karnan" proceeds through the eyes of six of the most important people in Karna's life namely : Kunti,Vrishali( Karna's wife),Shona or Shatrunthapa ( Karna's foster brother),Duryodhana (the best friend), Krishna (the master manipulator ) and finally through Karna's own eyes.

There are glowing episodes galore in the book, all of which reinforces Karna's towering persona and his helplessness at the face of fate or destiny or by whatever names we human beings refer to the uncontrollable and unstoppable chain of events.The insults he showers at Draupadi finally losing his cool and his shame at the event, his mixed emotions when Krishna reveals the truth of his parenthood, the way he promises his mother that 5 of the pandavas will be alive after the war be it Arjuna or himself and the way he overcomes insurmountable odds to keep the word.

The final chapter in Karna's life is as viewed by Krishna, this part is simply genius on the part of Shivaji Sawant and is the most glowing example in the book for as per the epic, Krishna manipulates Arjuna into sending the fatal arrow that takes the life of the legendary warrior. My personal favourite is when Krishna beautifully symbolises the five pandavas as the reins of the five horses he commands and Karna as the whip he uses to control the horses. The last act of kindness Karna performs before his death is quite a remarkable one and one i guess will stay with me for a long time to come.

The last line from the book, loosely translated from malayalam goes like this : ( as said from Krishna's perspective) : As i started back from atop the mountain after the funeral pyre had burned out with the horse in tow, i could see a group with lighted torches ascending the slope. I counted the torches, yes they were 5 in all; the Pandavas at last learning the truth about  their eldest and most virtuous brother were running to catch a last glimpse of Karna as their brother...but it was late.....too late

In an interview a month back, Mr Rajesh Talwar had stated in Hindi he might as well be hanged now that his bitiya( or guidya affectionately) is no more. Having been arrested almost immediately after her death and having had no time to mourn the loss of his daughter, it is hardly a matter of conjecture where his time should have gone after release- media or gudiya. How could the media justify its presence there? They could have waited for Mr Talwar to fully recover and no sensible person in the viewing public would have been interested in knowing Mr Talwar’s views on his jail stint at such a sensitive time.

The media clearly went overboard this time. In the NDTV program “We, the people”, prominent journalist Barkha Dutt probes the issue. Some main points from the program were:-

1. The media has to set its own Lakshman rekhas. Some time ago, in his Sunday column, Vir Sanghvi also spoke of self regulation. This is very true because if the govt has to intervene and regulate, it can severely curb the freedom of the press. One person in the audience said that in foreign countries, yellow cards were placed by the police at certain points beyond which the media could not go. If the media continues to behave the way it did with the Talwars, every citizen will also need to carry a yellow card.

2. A prominent lawyer suggested that the media should fully investigate systemic failures instead of moving to the next juicy story. This is very true. God alone knows what is the worth of talk shows if there is no follow up on any issue. The concerned people could follow up on discussion forums the net if possible.

3. One gentleman also pointed out that it is better to avoid sweeping generalizations and target only those media channels who wrongly sensationalized the whole thing. This is also correct but the problem is that after a few days, everyone will forget and it won’t be a surprise if there is a repetition in the future.

4. It was also pointed out that the term media trial is misleading. It should be media exposure and the media should confine its role to highlighting instead of also trying to be prosecutor and judge which is clearly exceeding its limits.

5. Someone suggested that there should be no political interference in the functioning of the police. The media and the judiciary have complete autonomy and if they can behave irresponsibly on occasions, one wonders what would happen if the police were to behave likewise. One has to have transparency in all matters so that misuse of powers is minimized irrespective of the profession.

6. Many youngsters pointed out that the media had no business in probing private SMS messages or whatever which is hardly debatable and which is why I mentioned the yellow card earlier.

7. One lady relative of Mr Talwar was shown crying on how he needed to be left alone with the family after release to mourn his daughter’s death. This was not discussed long enough or debated whether the media had any business to be there in the first place.

Rajesh Talwar’s elder brother Dinesh Talwar summed it up by saying that they all had to decide what kind of functioning of our democracy had to take place if such disasters had to be averted. Without any regular mechanism of follow up, not much change is likely to be effected. In India, we have more drama than karma.

The media went too far in its professional interest in this case. It is true that every person has his professional agenda which is most important to him or her and people going to any lengths to further their professional interest has become an all pervasive phenomenen. Agar society hoti badiya, na hota media ya Gudiya:-

Money makes the world go around- in this case beyond limits and out of bounds

Erinnert euch daran, daß Jugend der Liebessame Gottes ist!
Eingepflanzt in die menschlich-göttliche Form. Tatsächlich ist die Jugend das Göttliche im Menschen; Jugend ist geistiges Leben, schönes Leben. Es ist das einzige Leben, das lebt und liebt - das eine, ewige Leben. Altsein ist ungeistig, sterblich, häßlich, unwirklich. Furchtgedanken, Schmerzgedanken und Kummergedanken verursachen die Häßlichkeit, die wir >Alter< nennen. Freudegedanken, Liebesgedanken und Idealgedanken erschaffen die Schönheit, die Jugend genannt wird. Das Alter ist bloß eine Schale, in welcher der Edelstein der Wirklichkeit, das Juwel der Jugend, verborgen liegt.
Übt euch darin, das Bewußtsein der Kindheit aufrechtzuerhalten in euch.

Stellt euch das göttliche Kind vor, das in euch lebt. Bevor ihr einschlaft, sprecht zu eurem Bewußtsein: >Ich erkenne, daß in mir ein geistiger Körper der Freude ist, immer jung, immer schön. Gemüt, Augen,Nase, Mund, Haut sind schön und geistig, und ich besitze den Körper des göttlichen Kindes, der heute nacht vollkommen ist.< Wiederholt diese Versicherungen und meditiert darüber ruhig während des Einschlafens. Wenn ihr am Morgen aufsteht, so sprecht laut zu euch selber: >Nun, Lieber (nennt euch bei eurem Namen), es wohnt ein göttlicher Alchimist in dir.<  Durch die geistige Macht dieser Versicherungen findet während der Nacht eine Verwandlung statt und die Entfaltung von innen heraus; der Geist hat diesen geistigen Körper und diesen geistigen Tempel durchdrungen. Der innere Alchimist hat tote und erschöpfte Zellen zerfallen lassen und das Gold der neuen Haut  in ihrer unvergänglichen Gesundheit und Lieblichkeit zum Erscheinen veranlaßt. Wahrlich: da, wo göttliche Liebe zum Vorschein kommt, da ist ewige Jugend. Der göttliche Alchimist wohnt in meinem eigenen Körper und erschafft fortwährend neue und schöne Kindeszellen. Der Geist der Jugend ist in meinem Körper, dieser menschlich-göttlichen Form, und alles ist gut. Om Santi-Santi-Santi ! (Friede, Friede, Friede!)
Lerne so freundlich zu lächeln wie ein Kind. Ein aus der Seele kommendes Lächeln ist eine geistige Entspannung. Ein wahres Lächeln ist etwas wahrhaft Schönes, das Kunstwerk des >innern unsterblichen Gesetzgebers<. Es ist gut, mit Überzeugung zu sprechen: >Ich schicke einen liebevollen Gedanken aus an die ganze Welt. Mögen alle Wesen glücklich und gesegnet sein!< Gib dir, bevor du an deine Tagesarbeit gehst, die Versicherung: >In mir lebt eine vollkommene Form, die göttliche Form. Ich bin nun genau so, wie ich zu sein wünsche. Ich stelle mir jeden Tag das Schöne in mir vor, so lange, bis ich es in die Erscheinung hauche. Ich bin ein Gotteskind; alles, wessen ich bedarf, wird mir jetzt und immerdar gegeben werden.<
Lerne, dich mit Freude zu durchdringen. Versichere: >Unendliche Liebe füllt mein Gemüt und durchströmt meinen Körper mit ihrem vollkommenen Leben.< Mache alles um dich herum hell und schön. Pflege den Geist des Humors. Freue dich des Sonnenscheins.

Quelle: aus dem Buch =>Leben und Lehren der Meister im Fernen Osten Bd 1-3 von Baird Spalding (1894)

It is believed that Hindu gods and goddesses are at rest. This period is referred to as Chaturmas - four months. Since gods and goddesses at rest can get enraged if disturbed during this period, it is customary not to organise auspicious occasions like weddings, moving into a new house, establishing a temple, organising a community prayer or other auspicious activities. These activities are renewed only after the gods and goddesses have completed their rest on the 11th day of Kartik

Katha (Story):
You may wonder how did this Vrat come about and what is the significance of Devashayani (When the God sleeps) and Devprabodhini (When the God wakes)? It is explained in the Bhagavata Purana.

The Asuras and Devas, bitter enemies though they maybe, are brothers. Their father is Maharshi Kashyapa and their mothers are his two wives Diti and Aditi respectively. Who are also btw sisters the daughters of Tvastr Prajapati. Although Prajapati is properly the name of Brahmaji, his mind-born sons such as Tvastr, Kardama, Daksha etc. are called Prajapati because the actual work of creation was done by them. Thus another name of Brahmaji is Pitamaha or Grandfather as the entire creation is the children of His children. Only the youngest, Narada refused to take part. He realized that as vast and magnificent as this Brahmanda is, it is insignificant and momentary compared to Bhagavan. Enraged, Brahmaji cursed him to wander forever through the worlds but Narada Muni took it as a blessing, the chance to meet all the various Bhaktas and watch them praise Shri Hari.

Because their mothers are Dit and Aditi respectively, the Asuras are called Daitya and the Devas are called Adityas (Especially Suryadev who is the oldest.) The difference between the two can also be explained by their mothers names. Diti is what is finite and Aditi is infinity. It is explained in the Chandogyopanishad and elsewhere that both the Devaraja Indra and the Asura raja Virochana had an opportunity to study Brahmavidya. But Virochana thought it meant "There is nothing but the self so one can do whatever one likes." Indradeva on the other hand was able to understand the true meaning, that the self is beyond the limits of the petty whims and desires that make up the mortal body. For this reason, Bhagavan favours the Devas over the Asuras.

But the good guys don't always stay good and the bad guys don't always stay bad. Sitting in Amaravati his palace in Swarga, Indradeva became puffed up with pride and forgot the true source of his power. Meanwhile in Naraka, Bali the son of Virochana was thinking. Realizing the error his father had made, he resolved to purify himself of all evil and engage in rigorous tapa. Because of this the Daitya were able to overcome the Devas and Indra was dethroned. For all its exaltation and power, to be Indra is just an office. Just as through had work one can hope to be promoted in ones job, through earning much Punya one can hope to be promoted to the post of Agni, Surya, or even Indra. But the converse of that is that through the accumulation of paapa, one can lose that position again. In the Vishnu Purana there is a story of how once Bhagavan showed Indradeva a line of ants winding their way at the foot of his throne all of which had once been an Indra in a former life than sunk all the way down to the condition of an insect. Thus a wise man should realize the ultimate futility of karma and seek Vairagya alone.

Accompanied by the Devas, Indra went to Goloka and begged Vishnu Bhagavan to save him. Bhagavan who is ever merciful to his Bhaktas agreed. He took the form of Vaman a Batuk or 8 year old Brahman boy. Shiva Bhagavan takes a similar form in his Batuk Bhairava rupa. Bhagavan went to see Bali who received him cordially and offered him a gift. Bhagavan in his Vaman rupa asked him for enough land to cover three steps. Looking at the little legs of the boy in front of him, Bali burst out laughing and urged him to ask for more. But Bhagavan was adamant so Bali granted the strange request. Immediately, Bhagavan grew to collossal size. With one stride he covered the Earth and with a second, the heavens. Laughingly he asked Bali "I have covered everything and still have one step to go. Where shall I put it?" This btw is why one of His names is Vikram or Trivikrama. "Who takes (three) wide steps." Bali realized who he was dealing with and immediately offered up his own head for the third step. This is the sign of true nobility. When he was left with nothing Bali gave up his own head rather than break his word. Bhagavan took the third step and crushed Bali back down to Naraka again.

Pleased with this display of devotion, Bhagavan went to visit Bali and offered him a wish. Bali replied "As I provided the third step, I request that you together with your wife Lakshmiji should come and live with me one third of the year. Bhagavan agreed and since then we have observed the Chaturmas Vrat. During this time, Bhagavan is considered to be asleep. Thus the start of Chaturmas is called Devashayani Ekadashi and the day Bhagavan wakes up and Chaturmas ends is called Devprabodhini Ekadashi.

Whomsoever will hear this Katha (story) of the great Bhakta Bali and practice the Chaturmas Vrat will have the blessings of Vishnu Bhagavan forever.

Rituals & Importance:
Swami Sahajanand (Swaminarayan Sampradaya) in his Shikshapatri has given 8 ways of performing this Vrat and even though he was a Visishtadvaita, his advice is suitable for Smartas too.

Vishnoh kathayah Shravanam vachanam gunakirtanam
Mahaapuja mantrajapah stotrapaathah pradakshinah 77

Saashtangahpranatishcheti niyama uttamaa mataah
Eteshvekatamo bhaktayaa dhaaraniiyo visheshatah 78

To listen attentively to the stories of Vishnu Bhagavan, or to recite them, or to sing (bhajans) in His praise. To do Maha puja to His Murti, to chant his mantras (explained by the commentator as his names as in i.e. Vishnu Sahasranama.) and stotras. To do Pradakshina and bow down to His Murti, these are regarded as the most fitting additional duties. One or more should be observed with Bhakti.

The four months is of great importance to Lord Vishnu devotees as this period is believed to be the night of Vishnu. Vishnu devotees listen to his stories and spend time in helping the poor and in cleaning and maintaining Vishnu temples.

Most people decided to read the Mahabharata or Ramayana or Gita or Srimad Bhagwat Puran during the fourth month period. Some people make it a point to visit temples daily and indulge in spiritual activities.

In the Padampuran, Srimad Bhagwat Puran and other religious texts, this rest period is referred to as Yognidra, a term that describes the rest Vishnu took after annihilation of the world. This term is also used when Vishnu is in deep meditation and cannot be disturbed. The inability to be available to devotees is termed as sleep or rest.

The Vrat ends on Kartik Shukla 11 or Devprabodhini Ekadashi. (But Swami Sahajanand (Swaminarayan Sampradaya) notes that if a Bhakta is too physically weak to maintain the Vrat for four months, he may observe it for the month of Shravan only.)

Shravan month is of great importance to Lord Shiva devotees. The Mondays in the month are highly auspicious.

Importance is given to maintaining a healthy body during the four months, as the first two months are the peak monsoon season. Due to this reason, in some regions people avoid green leafy vegetables in the Shravan month. Curd, or yoghurt, is avoided in Bhadrapad month. Milk is avoided in Ashwin month. Pulses are avoided in Kartik month. Again there are no strict codes regarding food. It all depends on the person how he/she wants to observe the Chaturmas Vrat.

Devashayani Ekadashi. For Grihasthas it is the beginning of the Chaturmas Vrat. There is also a Sannyasi Chaturmas which starts on Ashadh Poornima which I won't describe here.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding the Chaturmas Vrat. It is often left to the devotee to decide how he/she wants to spend the four months.

Many people avoid non-vegetarian food during the four month period. Some people observe flexible fasting – eating just one meal or two, or just one meal on particular days in the month. Certain food items like jaggery or oil is avoided during the period or in any one of the four months. Some people avoid salty and sweet preparations. Those people who plan to undertake serious vows and fasting avoid garlic and onion as it can stimulate unnecessary excitements.

Chaturmas Vrat is very ancient as evidenced by the fact that Jains and Buddhists (at least in its Sannyasi form) also practice it.

www.harekrishnaturkiye.blogspot.com

WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR NEW ADRESS:

www.harekrishnaturkiye.blogspot.com

ಅನುಪಲ್ಲವಿ:

ಚರಣ:

1: ಸರಸಿಜಾಕ್ಷ ದೊರೆಯೆ ಸರ್ವರ ಪೊರೆವ ದಯಾನಿಧಿಯೆ
ಕರಿಯ ವರನ ಚಕ್ರದಿ ಉದ್ಧರಿಸಿದ ಹರಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಪಾಲಿಪ ಪಾಲ್ಗಡಲೊಡೆಯನು

2: ಇಂದ್ರದೇವ ವಂದ್ಯ ಇಶ್ಟರೈಂದು ಕಾವ್ಯ ನಿತ್ಯಾನಂದ
ಚಂದ್ರ ಕೋಟಿ ಲಾವಣ್ಯ ಮುಖದಲಿ ಸುಂದರ ಅರಳೆಲ ಹಾರಗಳಿಂದಲಿ

3: ಚರಣ ಕಮಲಕಾಂತೆ ಸರ್ವದಾ ಮಾಳ್ಪುದು ದಯವಂತೆ
ತರತರ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಕರೆದು ವರವನೀವ ಸರಸಿಜಾಕ್ಷ ನಮ್ಮ ಪುರಂದರ ವಿಟ್ಠಲನು

The police has got success now. Under the effect of Narcotics Rajkumar revealed many secrets. He disclosed that Hemraj invited him along with Krishna and Shambhu on a Alco-dinner. When they all were heavily drunk, Rajkumar followed by Krishna and entered into Arushi's room. Rajkumar wanted to rape  Arushi, whereas Krishna wanted to take revange with her father. Seeing them very brutal, Hemraj opposed and climbed to the roof of the building crying loudly.  Krishna and Rajkumar got freightened and slit Hemraj's throat up on the roof.  In the endeavour of escaping the legal punishment, they considered Arushi to be another big probem for them  and eventually slit her throat too.

Although, Rajkumar has accepted it under the Narco test but his statement could not be  used as an evidence. Still, it is for  CBI a big success. They are sure that they will soon crack this case on  in the court too.

Thre are some unsolved questions still live. Where are the mobile phones of Arushi and Hemraj ? Where is the mostly searched for lethal weapon - Khukuri?

Read More

The killers of Arushi

For de av oss som hører på denslags, virker krishnacore fortsatt som et av få steder hvor religiøse holder tritt med paraplysjangeren forøvrig. Baby Gopal var kanskje ikke det beste eksempelet på bra krishnacore, men det har sin sjarm syns jeg. (Bemerk klassisk 90s kameraføring, og ikke minst hardcorefashion '95-style!)

Sri Kesava var en gjenganger i amerikansk hardcore en periode, etter Baby Gopal tok hun opp med Ray Cappo og hade ikke-sex en periode i tempel, før de la ut på diverse Shelter-turneer sammen. Hun spilte bass (hva ellers?) i Shelter og også i senere Youth of Today reunion-turneer. Til de flestes forferdelse, mye pga. oppvarmingsacten hennes. Sri solo er nemlig mye bedre på skive enn live (som undertegnede fikk oppleve i Vänersborg en gang sent på 90-tallet). Kanskje er det like greit at hun har gått over til å gjøre progkrishnamusikk istedet. Så slipper hun å være med neste gang Youth of Today har reunionturné (det er vel ikke lenge til neste gang).
Sri - Din din jagata
For noe ræl.

Da foretrekker jeg fortsatt Shelter. Til tross for at Ray Cappo seiler opp som en av indiemusikkens mest reaksjonære, forvirrende og ikke minst selvmotsigende personligheter.

Så kan vi bare vente på at 108 skal gjøre en tredje konsert i Oslo, slik at en viss fan kan ikle seg bleie, male seg med blå maling og storme gjennom publikum, klatre opp på scenen og stagedive, for så på mystisk vis forsvinne.

ps. Egentlig passende å legge inn denne (igjen). Mest fordi jeg fant et klipp fra en konsert jeg faktisk var på, synd jeg ikke syns igrunnen.

Om jai Jagdish hare, Swami jai Jagdish hare, Bhakt jano ke sankat
Daas jano ke sankat, Kshan mein door kare, Om jai Jagdish hare

Vishay vikar mitao, Paap haro Deva, Shradha bhakti badao
Shradha prem badao, Santan ki seva, Om jai Jagdish hare

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

Jay sadguru swami, prabhu Jay sadguru swami
Sahajananda dayalu (x2), balavanta bahu nami ... Prabhu jay sadguru swami.

Jay sadguru swami, prabhu Jay sadguru swami
Sahajananda dayalu (x2), balavanta bahu nami ... Prabhu jay sadguru swami.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

1. I (SAHAJANAND SWAMI) meditate in my heart upon Lord Krishna, on whose left stands Radha, on whose bosom resides Laxmiji and who plays (with his Bhaktas) in Vrindavan.
2. I, SAHAJANAND SWAMI, write this SHIKSHAPATRI - Gospel of Life Divine-from Vadtal to all my followers, residing in various part of country, viz.
3. Ayodhyaprasad and Raghuvir who have been installed by Me as Acharya at Ahmedabad and Vadtal respectively, sons of my brothers, Rampratapji and Ichharamji, born of Shri Dharmadev.
4. All naishtic Brahmacharis, Mukundanand and others and all house-holders. Mayaram Bhatt and others, all who have become My followers.
5. All female, married (including virgins also) and widows and all Sadhus, Muktanand and others, all who have become My followers.
6. All mentioned above, shall accept My Blessings Divine, Blessings which protect their Dharmas, which carry with them the Divine memory of SrimanNarayan and which are endorsed by the Shastras.
7. All the above shall ponder deeply in their mind My object in writing this SHIKSHAPATRI - which is to ensure ultimate good for all living beings.
8. All those who follow the rules of good conduct as prescribed by the Shastras (Such as Srimad Bhagavat etc.) do indeed attain happiness both in this world and the world beyond.
9. And all those who disregard them and behave according to their own whims are indeed evil-minded and shall verily meet with great miseries in this life and the life beyond.
10. Therefore, you all, My followers, shall always follow the precepts of this SHIKSHAPATRI with care and caution, and with love and sincerity.
11. My followers shall never kill any living being under any circumstances, knowingly, not even small insects like lice, bugs, etc.
12. (My followers) shall never kill goats and/or other living beings in sacrifice performed for the propitiation of deities and Pitris (ancestors), for non-violence is declared (by the Shastras) as the highest Dharma of all the Dharmas.
13. None shall ever kill a human being for obtaining women, wealth or even sovereignty.
14. None shall ever commit suicide even in a place of pilgrimage or through anger or on account of some untoward action by taking poison or by hanging or by falling into a well or from a hill-top or by any other means.
15. None shall ever eat meat, even if it be an offering in a sacrifice or shall ever drink liquor or wine even if it be offered to a deity.
16. When an untoward action is committed either by oneself or by others, none shall through anger or excitement cut or mutilate one's limbs or limbs of other persons by means of any kind of weapon.
17. None shall ever commit theft, even for the sake of performing an act of Dharma. Even articles such as firewood, flowers, etc. owned by others shall never be taken without their permission.
18. All my followers, males and females, shall never practice adultery and/or gambling and such other bad habits, nor shall eat or drink intoxicants like hemp, opium etc.
19. No one shall eat food prepared by a person, taking (cooked) food from whose hands prohibited in the Shastras or drink water from the vessels of such a person even as a prasad (eatables offered to a deity) of Shri Krishna, in any place, except at Jagannathpuri (where prasad of Shri Jagannathji may e taken).
20. No one should level false accusations against anyone, even for the sake of achieving some self-interest or shall utter indecent words/abuses to others.
21. None shall ever speak or hear ill of deities, places of pilgrimage, Brahmins, chaste women, Sadhus and the Vedas.
22. None shall ever accept prasad of a deity to whom offering of meat and/or liquor-wine are offered and /or before whom goats and/or other living beings are sacrificed.
23. When (my followers) on their way, come across temples of Shiv, and other deities, they shall bow down to them and have their darshan respectfully.
24. None shall give up Dharma of one's own varna (class) and Ashram nor shall practice Dharma of persons of other varnas (classes) and Ashramas or shall follow pseudo Dharma or Dharma dictated by one's own whims.
25. No one shall ever here sermons or religious discourses or philosophical talks from a person whose words are likely to lead one astray from the path of devotion to Lord Krishna and/or from the path of one's own Dharma.
26. None shall speak even truth which is likely to cause fatal misery to oneself or to others and shall avoid company of ungrateful persons or shall ever except illegal gratification from anybody.
27. No one shall ever associate with a thief, an addict, a hypocrite, a debauch, and a deceit.
28. No one shall also associate with persons, who under the grab of Bhakti (devotion) and Jnan (knowledge) indulge in committing sins, themselves being after women, wealth and (various) attachments (sexual gratification), objects of worldly pleasures, delicious dishes etc.
29. None shall ever hear or believe in the Shastras which clearly refute (the name, glory, form and existence of) Lord Shri Krishna and his incarnations.
30. None shall ever drink water and/or milk (including all kinds of edible oils) unfiltered nor shall use water containing many insects for purposes of bath, etc,
31. None shall ever take medicines which are mixed with meat and/or liquor-wine or with both; or take medicines given by physician whose antecedents are not known.
32. One shall never pass urine or answer call of nature or even spit in places prohibited for such use by people and by Shastras (e.g. places like dilapidated temples, bank of river or pond, sown fields, trees and their shadows, garden etc.)
33. No one should enter in or go through a door, not meant for the purpose or camp in a private place without the permission of its proprietor.
34. Male followers shall not here religious or philosophical discourses from females nor shall they enter into arguments with them or with a king or with his men.
35. None shall insult one's Guru, a very great person, a person highly placed in society, a learned man and a man with arms.
36. One shall never act under sudden impulse in haste; but an act pertaining to Dharma shall be done all at once. One shall impart knowledge, acquired by oneself, to others and shall always associate with saintly persons.
37. None shall go with empty hands for darsan of Guru or of a deity or of a king or shall ever commit breach of trust or shall praise oneself.
38. My followers shall never wear clothes so thin and fine as would expose their limbs for such clothes are considered indecent (bad).
39. None shall ever practice Bhakti of Lord Shri Krishna devoid of Dharma or shall ever give up his Bhakti, for fear of criticism from ignorant people.
40. When they go to the temples of Lord Shri Krishna for darsan either daily or on days of festivals, male followers shall not touch females and vice-versa (but when they come out of the temple premises, they may behave with each other according to their relation and social customs.
41. My disciples, who are twice-born (i.e. who belong to the first three classes, Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya) and who have been initiated as such (i.e. as disciples) by their Acharya, (who is a descendant of the family of Shri Dharmadev) shall wear on their neck, double lined necklace prepared from Tulsi beads and shall put on their forehead (and on bosom or chest, and two arm also) a vertical mark (tilak).
42. This vertical mark (tilak) shall be made either with Gopichandan or with sandal paste with saffron, etc. receive as prasad after puja of Lord Shri Krishna.
43. And in the middle of this mark shall put on a round mark, either with Gopichandan or with Kum-Kum (red-powder) received as prasad of Shri Radha and/or Laxmiji.
44. Persons, who are classed as higher Shudras (sat-shudra) and who are Bhaktas of Lord Krishna and who do follow their Dharmas properly, shall wear necklace on their neck and put on marks on their forehead etc. in the same way as twice born disciples do.
45. All other Bhaktas (who are classed below sat-shudras) shall were on their neck a double lined necklace prepared from sandal wood or other such wood and shall put on their forehead round mark only but shall not put on vertical mark.
46. Brahmin and other followers who are required on the account of their family tradition, to put on horizontal mark on their forehead and to wear on their neck a necklace prepared from Rudraksha beads shall not give up wearing them, even after becoming My followers.
47. All shall realize that Narayan and the Mahesh are one, for as Brahman they have been described as one in the Vedas.
48. My followers shall not adopt rules of exigency prescribed in Shastras as ordinary routine ones when the exigency is light.
49. My followers shall get up daily before sun-rise, offer prayers to Lord Krishna and then shall go to answer call of nature.
50. Thereafter, sitting in one place, shall cleanse teeth, then shall take bath with filtered and clean water and then shall wear one washed cloth and put on another such cloth as apron.
51. Thereafter, facing either north or east, shall sit on a pure and comfortable sheet, placed on pure ground and untouched by any other article (and then sip pure water three times).
52. Thereafter, all male followers shall put on their forehead and on bosom or chest and on the two arms also a round mark in the middle of the vertical one (as explained before) and all married women shall put on their forehead the round mark only with red powder.
53. All female followers who are widows shall not put on their forehead either the round mark or the vertical one. Thereafter, all male and female followers shall worship Lord Shri Krishna mentally.
54. Thereafter, all shall have darshan of and shall bow respectfully to the image(drawn on paper or cloth) of Lord Shri Krishna with Radha, then shall chant His mantra (eight syllabled one) according to their ability and then shall attend to (their worldly affairs) jobs.
55. My Bhaktas, who like Ambarish, have dedicated their lies completely to Lord Shri Krishna, shall also similarly go through all procedure of worship of lord Shri Krishna, (as explained above) upto mental worship.
56. These Bhaktas, shall worship the idol of Lord Shri Krishna, made either from stone or metal or Saligram with offering like flowers, sandal paste, fruit, etc. according to time place and their means and then shall repeat His eight syllabled mantra.
57. Thereafter, they shall chant according to their ability, the Stotras (verses in Sanskrit) in praise of Lord Shri Krishna and those who do not know Sanskrit, shall sing His name and glory.
58. Then they shall offer food to him and then shall partake of it as His prasad, they shall thus always remain in service of Lord Krishna with love.
59. Shastras proclaim these Bhaktas as Nirguna (i.e. completely free from mundane qualities like Satva, Rajas, and Tamas) since Lord Shri Krishna (Hari) is Nirguna. Because of their intimate relation with him, all their action also become Nirguna.
60. These Bhaktas shall never drink even water nor shall eat leaves, fruits, roots etc., without first offering it to Lord Krishna.
61. All Bhaktas, who are incapacitated by old age or by some great adverse circumstances and who are, therefore, unable perform worship (puja) of Lord Shri Krishna themselves, shall give over the idol to some other Bhakta for worship, etc. and then shall offer puja according to their abilities.
62. All shall worship with singular devotion only that form of Lord Shri Krishna which is installed by the Acharya (who is a descendant of the family of Shri Dharmadev) and which is given to them for the purpose by him. All other forms of Lord Shri Krishna shall but be bowed and respected.
63. All my followers shall daily go to the temple of Lord Shri Krishna, in the evening and shall sing loudly the name of Lord Shri Krishna.
64. And shall read and/or listen to with deep reverence, the narratives of His glories and shall celebrate all festivals, with His songs, in accompaniment of musical instruments.
65. All my followers shall invariably act daily as laid down above, shall study the Shastras either in Sanskrit or regional language according to their abilities.
66. one must always entrust, after proper consideration, a person with work just befitting his aptitude and ability but shall not act otherwise.
67. One shall always provide one's servants with food, clothing etc., according to one's means and according to their worth (merit).
68. One shall always speak to a person just befitting one's person and position and just in accordance with the time and place; but shall not act otherwise.
69. All my followers who are prudent shall receive their Guru, a king, a very old man and a person who has renounced the world, a learned man and an ascetic, respectfully, by rising from their seat going forward, by offering them proper seat by sweet words.
70. In the presence of a Guru, deity and/or in an assembly none shall sit with one leg raised and placed on another and/or with knees raised and tied with piece of cloth.
71. None shall ever enter into arguments with Acharya. All shall treat him with respect by offering him food grains, money, cloths etc. according to their means.
72. My followers, on hearing about the his arrival shall immediately go forward to receive him and when he departs shall also go forward to receive him and when he departs shall go upto the outskirts of their village to give him a worthy send-off.
73. None shall ever perform an act, which is likely to yield great advantage but which is devoid of or is against Dharma, for Dharma alone is capable of fulfilling the four Purusharths (aims of life i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).
74. Action of past great men which are not in conformity with Dharma shall never be accepted and followed as precedent; but those actions which conform with Dharma shall only be adopted (and followed).
75. Never shall ever divulge secrets of other persons anywhere and to anyone. Others shall be treated as they deserve. This rule shall not be violated in the name of equality.
76. All my followers shall practice as additional rules, which are explained below during the period of four months (i.e. from the 11th day of the bright half of Ashadha to the 11th day of the bright half of Kartika). Those who are weak and feeble, however, shall practice them only for the month of Shravan.
77. 78. Listening to and 2. reading narratives of glories of Lord Shri Krishna 3. singing his name and songs 4. performing His worships (puja) with elaborate rites 5. repeating (chanting) His Mantras (names) 6. Chanting his Hymns (Stotras) 7. going round His image/idol and
78. 8. lying down prostrate before Him. These eight rules are considered best by Me. My followers shall adopt anyone of them as additional rule (Dharma) with devotion.
79. All shall observe devoutly and with proper festivities, the Vratas of all Ekadashi days of every month as well as the birth day of Shri Krishna and Shiv.
80. All shall avoid with care sleeping by day time on such days, for such an act destroys merits of the fast just as sexual intercourse does on such days.
81. Shri Vitthalnathji, son of Shri Vallabhacharya, a king among the Vaishanavas, has given decisions regarding all Vratas and festivals.
82. All shall observe them accordingly. The mode of worship of Lord Shri Krishna as explained by him shall also be followed.
83. All followers shall undertake pilgrimage to place like Dwarika and others, observing all rituals properly, and shall always be kind to the poor according to their means.
84. My followers shall regard the five deities named here with reverence - Vishnu, Shiva, Ganpati, Parvati and the Sun.
85. In times of trouble caused by evil spirits like Ghosts etc. none shall invoke inferior deities but shall repeat the Mantra, known as Narayan Kavach or of Hanuman.
86. Whenever an eclipse of the Sun or of the Moon takes place, all followers shall immediately suspend all work and after purifying themselves (by means of bath, etc.) shall repeat the Mantra of Lord Shri Krishna.
87. And when it is over, all shall take bath together with all clothes worn at that time, and thereafter, those who are householders shall give alms according to their means and others shall perform worship of Lord Shri Krishna.
88. All My followers belonging to the four varnas (classes) i.e. who are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras shall observe days of impurity (days of Sutaka) consequent upon birth or death, as the case may be, according to their social relations and as prescribed for them by the Shastras.
89. The followers, who are Brahmins, shall acquire the qualities of tranquility, self-restraint, forbearance and contentment, the Kshatriyas shall acquire the qualities of valor, fortitude etc.
90. The Vaishyas shall go in for agriculture, trade, banking etc. and the Shudras shall take to service of the above three varnas (classes).
91. The followers, who are twice-born, shall perform as occasion requires, all sanskaras with (beginning from conception) daily ceremonial offerings to deities and the Shraddhas (obsequies) of the Pitris (ancestors) as prescribed by in their respective Gruhya Sutra according to their means.
92. Whenever an untoward action or sin is knowingly or unknowingly committed, all concerned shall make amends (as shown in the Shastras and by saintly persons) for it as best as they can.
93. The Vedas, the Vyas Sutras, the Puran, named Trimmed Bhagwat, Shri Vishnusahasranam;
94. Shri Bhagvad-Gita and Vidurniti all these (three) from Mahabharat, Shri Vasudev-mahatmya, contained in Vishnukhand of Skand Puran
95. The Yajnavalkya-Smruti from among the Dharma Shastras, these eight are My favorite Shastras.
96. All my followers who desire to secure their welfare shall hear them and those who are twice-born shall study them, teach them to others and shall read them.
97. Of these eight Shastras, the Yajnavalkya Smruti with the Mitakshara commentary thereon shall be followed while taking decision on matters relating to the conduct of life, social and legal matters and expiation.
98. And for realizing glory and greatness of Lord Shri Krishna, the tenth and the fifth canto of the Trimmed Bhagwat shall be pre-eminently followed.
99. the tenth and fifth canto of Srimad Bhagvad shall and the Yagnavalkya Smruti shall be treated as My favorite Bhakti shastras, Yoga shastras and Dharmashastra respectively.
100. And the commentary on Vyas-sutras and Shri Bhagvad Gita by Ramanujacharya shall be treated as my favorite Shastras on philosophy.
101. Those portion of these Shastras which explain the merits of knowledge of the form of Lord Shri Krishna, of Dharma, of Bhakti and of Vairagya (non-attachment) in highest terms only.
102. Shall be treated as taking precedence over all other portions. The sum and substance of all these Shastras is Bhakti of Lord Krishna with Dharma.
103. Dharma means the path of good conduct as enjoined by Smruties and Shrutis. Bhakti of Lord Krishna means profound love for Him accompanied by knowledge of His glorious greatness.
104. Vairagya (non-attachment) means absence of love for objects other than Lord Shri Krishna, and knowledge means clear comprehension of the nature and form of Jiva, Maya and Isha.
105. Jiva is one who is installed in the heart, is atomic and subtle, is all-consciousness, is the knower, is pervading all over the body by means of his power of knowledge and bears characterization such as indivisibility, invulnerability, eternality, and so on.
106. Maya is one which constitutes the three qualities - Satva, Raja and Tama, is ignorance incarnate, is power of Lord Shri Krishna and is the cause prima for ego and personal attachment for body physic and everything else related to it, on the part of Jiva.
107. Just as Jiva is installed in the heart, so does Isha abides in the heart of Jiva as the inner controller, is absolutely independent and is the judge Supreme of all action s of all Jivas.
108. This Isha is Lord Shri Krishna, is Supreme Brahman, is Bhagwan and is the source of all incarnations.
109. When Lord Shri Krishna is with Radha He is known as RadhaKrishna, when He is with Rukmini, Rama, i.e. Laxmiji, He is known as Laxmi-Narayan.
110. When he is with Arjun He is known as Nar-Narayan and when He is with Balbhadra and others He is named and known accordingly.
111. These bhaktas, Radha and others, sometimes stay by His side, and some times on account of love par-excellence stay in His Body Divine then He is described as alone.
112. therefore, none shall draw lines of differentiation between His various forms, be it four-armed, eight-armed, thousand-armed and so forth, for He always has two arms and assumes all these forms according to His will.
113. All person on the earth, therefore, shall with fervent devotion worship Him alone. All shall know that in this world there is nothing more conducive to the realization of salvation than His Bhakti.
114. Bhakti of Lord Shri Krishna, and association with saintly persons (these two) are the highest-achievements for persons endowed with merits like learning etc. Without these two qualities even the most learned shall decay and degenerate.
115. Lord Shri Krishna, His incarnations and His forms, only shall from the objects for meditation. One shall never meditate upon Jivas-men as well as deities, however great, as Bhaktas and knowers of Brahman they may be.
116. One shall first consider oneself as distinctly different from the three bodies viz.: Gross (Sthool) subtle (Shukshma) and causal (karan) then shall identify oneself with Brahman and then with that form sublime shall always worship Lord Krishna.
117. All shall here with respects, daily or once a year the tenth canto of Srimad Bhagwat. Those who are learned shall read it daily or once a year.
118. And shall perform Purushcharan (Reading and listening sacred Shastras with due rites and ceremonies) of the tenth division of Srimad Bhagwat and Shri Vishnushahstranam and such other books, for the performance of such Purushcharan always brings in desired results.
119. In times of difficulties, caused by forces of nature or by human beings or by diseases, all shall behave in a way so as to protect themselves and others but shall not act otherwise.
120. Aachar (conduct), Vyavahar(behavior) and Prayaschit(expiation) in life shall always be adopted according to place, time and age, monetary condition, varna (class) and physical ability.
121. Know you all, qualified monotheism, Vishishtadwait is the doctrine of philosophy, favor, Golok is the Abode Divine, dear to Me, and in that Abode with Body Divine, to be in Service of Lord Shri Krishna, is the final beatitude according to Me.
122. So far are described general Dharmas for all the followers, males and females, tyagies and householders. All alike shall act accordingly. I now proceed to describe hereunder their special Dharmas.
123. Ayothayaprasad and Raghuvir, sons of My elder and younger brother respectively (and who has been installed by Me as Acharya) shall never preach to females except those who are their nearest relatives.
124. They shall never touch or speak with them. They shall not be cruel to any living body nor shall they accept deposits from anyone.
125. They shall never stand as surety of any person in social dealings and in times of distress, shall (if need be) maintain themselves on alms but shall never incur debt.
126. They shall not sell food-grains received by them from their followers but old food grains may be exchanged for new ones, for such an exchange is not considered as sale.
127. They shall perform worship(puja) of Shri Ganpati and Hanuman on the 4th day of the bright half of the month Bhadrapad and on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Aswin respectively.
128. They are installed as Acharya (Ayodhayprasadj at Ahmedabad and Raghuvirji at Vadtal) with a view to (safeguard) guide all the followers in their respective dharmas. They, therefore, shall initiate into discipleship all male and aspirants (for final beatitude).
129. They shall see that all followers act in conformity with their respective dharmas and shall employ them in a way that just befitting their merits, shall treat (all) saintly persons with respect and shall study the Sat-Shastras with reverence.
130. They shall perform with proper rites and ceremonies, the worship of Shri Laxmi-Narayan and other icons of Lord Shri Krishna, installed by Me in big Temples.
131. They shall courteously and according to their means give food-grains and alms to a person who has come to seek food to the temple of Lord Shri Krishna.
132. They shall establish an institution with a learned Brahmin as teacher, and through it shall propagate Sadvidya (right knowledge) on the earth for the promotion of such learning in this world is indeed a highly meritorious act.
133. the wives of these Acharyas with the concurrence f their husbands shall initiate and give Mantra of lord Shri Krishna to females only but never to any male.
134. They shall never touch nor speak with nor show their faces to any male who is not their nearest relative.
135. My male followers who are householders shall not touch widows who are not their nearest relatives.
136. They shall never stay alone in a lonely place even with their young mother, sister or daughter, except in emergencies and shall never give away in alms their wives to anybody.
137. They shall never keep close relation with a woman who has any kind of relation with a king.
138. Whenever a guest comes to their house, they shall treat him courteously with food etc. (according to their means), and shall perform all rites and ceremonies pertaining to deities and Pitris (ancestors) according to their means.
139. All my followers during their lifetime shall serve their parents, Guru and ailing person, according to their ability.
140. They shall follow vocation just befitting to their class and Ashram. Those who follow agriculture for maintenance shall not castrate their bullocks.
141. They shall make provision for food-grains and money, according to their requirements and according to their time and their capacity and those who own cattle shall also store-up sufficient fodder according to their means.
142. Cows and other cattle shall be maintained only if they can take care properly with fodder, water etc. but not otherwise.
143. They shall never enter into any transaction regarding land and/or money even with their own sons and friends, without putting it in writing with proper attestation.
144. They shall make transaction regarding money to be paid in connection with marriage of themselves or others, in writing with proper attestation; but shall never do it orally.
145. Expenses shall always be in proportion to the income but shall never exceed it. All shall clearly understand that those who spend more than what they earn shall verily land themselves in great miseries.
146. Recollecting their income and expenses incurred during routine and/or special transactions, they shall daily write clearly in their own hands, an account thereof.
147. They shall offer to Lord Shri Krishna one tenth part of food-grains and or money, derived as income from their vocation, but those who are financially weak shall offer one twentieth part instead.
148. They shall perform ceremonial observance of all Vratas, such as Ekadashi and other according to their means as laid down in the Shastras, for such observance yields desired results.
149. They themselves or through someone else shall perform or get performed with love the worship (puja) of Shri Mahadev with leaves of Bilva tree (Angle marmaloss) in the month of Shravan.
150. They shall never borrow money from their Acharyas or from the temple of Lord Shri Krishna and shall never bring utensils, ornaments, garments and such other articles, for use on social occasions from them.
151. Whenever they go for darsan (paying homage to) of Lord Krishna, their Guru or Sadhu, they shall not partake enroute or at their places food etc. belonging to others, for partaking such food deprives them of religious merit. therefore, (on such occasion) they shall partake their own food.
152. They shall pay in full whatever remuneration either in cash or in food-grains or both as promised to person employed for the work, but shall never give less. They shall never conceal an act of repayment of debt, family lineage, matrimony of their daughters etc. and shall never deal with wicked persons.
153. When loss of prestige or estate or life is threatened in a place where they reside either due to very bad times like famines or by enemies or by a king.
154. My followers, who are wise and discreet shall immediately leave that place, even if it be their native place or a place received as gift (giras) and shall migrate to a place where such calamities do not exist (or are not likely to arise) and live there in peace and happiness.
155. Those who are rich, shall perform non-violent sacrifices like Vishnu-yag, and shall feed Brahmins and Sadhus in place of pilgrimage and on auspicious days like twelfth day of each half of a month and such other days:
156. They shall also celebrate big festival in temples of Lord Krishna and shall give various kind of alms to deserving Brahmins.
157. The rulers who are my followers shall treat their subjects as their own children according to Dharmashastras and shall establish a rule of dharma on earth.
158. They shall thoroughly acquaint themselves with the ways of administration of their state viz.: characteristics of seven Angas, four Upayas and six Gunas, four Tirthas of persons who possess legal and administrative practical abilities, and of persons who deserve punishment and who do not deserve it.
159. Female followers who are married shall serve their husbands like God, even if the are blind, sick, poor or impotent and shall not speak harsh words to them.
160. They shall not even unintentionally maintain any relations with persons who are young, handsome, and/or who may be well versed unlearning, art, etc.
161. All chaste women shall never expose their navel, breast and thigh to any other male and shall not keep their bodies uncovered by a garment. Also they shall not go to see vulgar shows nor shall they associate with immodest and immoral women.
162. When their husband have gone out to another town or country they shall not wear fine clothes and ornaments, nor shall make merry and cut jocks with others nor shall pay visit to houses of other persons.
163. Female followers who are widows shall serve Lord Shri Krishna as their husband and shall always follow the advice of their father, son and such other relatives but shall never act independently.
164. They shall never touch males who are not their close relatives and (especially) when they are young shall never speak to young persons who are not their nearest relatives unless absolutely necessary.
165. If they happen to touch a suckling accidentally no blemish attaches to them, just as touching animal carries no blemish for them. In times of sheer necessity, if they touch or speak with an old man, no blemish attaches to them.
166. They shall not receive lessons of any kind from males who are not their nearest relatives and shall control their bodies an senses by frequent observances of various Vratas and fasts.
167. They shall not give any money even for religious and charitable purpose, if the money is just sufficient for their maintenance, but if it be in excess, then only they may give some.
168. They shall take food once a day only, shall sleep on the floor and shall never knowingly look at any living beings in coitus.
169. They shall not wear dress like married women, nor like a Sanyasini (a female recluse) nor like a Vairagini (a nun) nor shall they put on dress which is against the custom of the place and the practice on their family.
170. They shall never associate with nor even touch women who practice abortion, nor shall indulge in or hear amorous talks regarding males.
171. Young widows shall never stay alone in a lonely place even with their close relatives, who are also young, except in exigency.
172. They shall never play Holy nor shall ever put on ornaments and /or fine cloths interspersed with thread of gold or such other metals (materials).
173. All female followers, married (including virgins also) and widows shall never bathe naked nor shall never bathe naked nor shall they ever conceal the fact of their menstruation.
174. And when they come into menses they shall not touch any person or other clothes for three days but on the fourth day, after taking bath, they may do so. (All Acharyas and their wives, shall observe all the above Dharmas of house holders, males and females).
175. All Naisthic Brahmacharis who are My followers shall never touch nor speak with nor even knowingly look at any female.
176. They shall never talk nor hear talks about them nor shall go for bath etc. to places frequented by them.
177. They shall never touch nor even knowingly look at idols of females made from wood, stones etc. and pictures of females other than those of deities.
178. They shall never draw a facsimile of females nor shall touch clothes worn by them and shall never knowingly look at any living being in coitus.
179. They shall not touch nor look at nor speak with a male in guise of a female and shall not deliver sermons or religious and philosophical discourses addressed directly or indirectly to females.
180. They shall disregard commands of even their Guru, if such commands are likely to lead to a breach of their vow of celibacy and shall always be patient, contented and humble-minded (free from ego).
181. They shall instantly check a female who tries forcibly to come near them, either by advising her or by administering reproaches, but shall not allow her o come near.
182. But when life of a female and/or their own is in danger they shall protect her and or even by touching her.
183. They shall not smear their bodies with oil and shall not keep or carry arms and/or dress which is not proper for them and shall control sense of taste.
184. They shall not go for taking food to a place of a Brahmin, where food is served by a female but shall go to a place of another Brahmin where service is done by a male.
185. They shall study the Vedas, the Shastras, etc. and shall serve their Guru (faithfully) and shall always avoid association with effeminate males just like females.
186. They shall never drink water carried in leather bags/buckets nor shall eat onion, garlic, etc.
187. They shall not take their meals without taking bath and without performing Sandhya and chanting Gayatri Mantra, and worship (Puja) of Shri Vishnu and Vaishvadev sacrifice.
188. All Sadhus like the Naishtic Brahmacharis shall avoid sight of, speaking etc. to women and effeminate males and shall master all inner enemies like lust, anger, greed etc.
189. They shall control all senses, specially the sense of taste and shall never receive or keep money themselves or through others.
190. They shall not accept deposits from anyone, shall never lose patience and shall never allow a female to enter their premises.
191. Except in emergency, they shall never got out alone without a companion at night or at any other time.
192. They shall never put on or use costly clothes with gaudy colors and designs or valuables shawls even if they are willingly offered to them by others.
193. They shall never go to a place of a house holder except for the purpose of taking food or religious assembly and shall never while away their time but shall pass it in devotion of Lord Shri Krishna.
194. To the place of householder where food is served by a male and females are not likely to be visible.
195. To such a house only, My Sadhus shall go for taking food, if this be not possible, they shall beg uncooked food stuffs only and then prepare (cook) food for themselves and partake it after offering to Lord Shri Krishna.
196. In remote past, Bhartji, son of Rishabhdev lived and behaved on earth like a detached Brahmin. All my Paramhansa and Sadhus here also live and behave similarly.
197. All Brahmacharis and Sadhus shall carefully abstain from the use of betel leaves, opium, tobacco etc.
198. They shall not take food prepared bin connection with the performance of Sanskaras like conception, all rites of obsequies upto the eleventh and twelfth day after death.
199. Except in emergency like sickness they shall not sleep by a day nor knowingly indulge in or hear gossips.
200. Except in emergencies like sickness they shall not sleep on a cot and shall always be frank and be straigt forward with other Sadhus.
201. Whenever a wicked person abuses them or beats them they shall never abuse him nor beat him, in return, but shall pardon him and always wish good of him.
202. They shall not act as an agent for others nor shall they do back-biting nor shall they be spies nor shall they have attachment to their body nor shall they entertain feelings of intimacy with their relatives.
203. I have thus described above in short, general and special Dharmas of all My followers. For further details, they shall refer to other Shastras of My Sampraday.
204. I have Myself extracted substance from all the Satshastras and then have written this SHIKSHAPATRI which fulfills all desires of all men.
205. Therefore, all My followers shall always lead their lives with care in conformity with the precepts of this SHIKSHAPATRI but shall never act according to their whims.
206. All my male female followers who act according to the percepts of this SHIKSHAPATRI shall indeed attain all the four Purusharthas.
207. All male and female followers of My Sampraday shall consider all the males and females who live and behave against the precepts of this SHIKSHAPATRI as outcast from My Sampraday.
208. All My followers shall daily read this SHIKSHAPATRI. Those who are not able to read shall hear it daily with respects;
209. And when a reader of SHIKSHAPATRI is not readily available, they shall worship it daily. All followers shall honor My word as My Image with deep reverence.
210. This SHIKSHAPATRI shall only be given to persons endowed with spiritual qualities but shall never be given to persons with wicked tendencies.
211. This SHIKSHAPATRI is written by Me on Vasant Panchami i.e. on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Maha of V.S. 1882 and is indeed all auspicious.
212. May Lord Shri Krishna, Destroyer of all miseries of His followers, Protector of Bhakti with Dharma and Giver of all desired happiness to His Bhaktas, bestow on us all Bliss and Peace Divine.

Thanks to www.swaminarayan.nu for this Shikshapatri in English.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

"A serene spirit accepts pleasure and pain with an even mind, and is unmoved by either.  He alone is worthy of immprtality."  Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita

My two brothers are currently travelling around Australia. We have family over there and after some time spent with them they have hired a campervan and are heading through the outback etc.
I keep getting asked if I will be visiting at some point too and the answer is no! The only place I definately want to see before I die is India. My step-dad was in the Hari-Krishna's and travelled India for three months. He wowed me with stories of India when I was a little girl and I feel a sort of connection to the spirituality and history of the place. I realise there is a lot of harsh poverty and inequality but I feel I could deal with that.

I was thinking, just thinking, maybe it would be good to teach English there. Any thoughts/ experiences of India would be good.

Today will be my first day having ever chanted 16 rounds of japa. I want to make a commitment to Lord Sri Krishna that I will chant 16 rounds of japa per day, and with his love and strength, I will keep this vow and not break it.

All glories to the devotees whom inspire me so much, probably without even knowing it, to take on with enthusiasm this vow. I look up to the members of our society and I am so thankful to be in their shelter.

I don’t know why exactly that taking on this vow is all of a sudden important to me, but I know through Srila Prabhupada’s teachings that it is definitely good for my soul and will help to purify me. I think that this change of events in my life has something to do with my Grandmothers leaving her body and some lessons I have been learning from it. I’m still trying to process the loss. I find solace in my chanting japa.

Next on my list is to exclude entirely the use of onion, garlic, and egg products from my diet. I go back and forth with this one. I find it easy to replace hing for garlic and onion when cooking foodstuffs from home. This is easy. It’s the pre processed store bought items and going out to eat for lunch and some dinners that is the real culprit. These activities need to stop. I just am not organized enough at the moment to make a full commitment to stopping these activities. I work full time, go to school part time, am practically a single mother to my 10 year old daughter and keeping all of these things together sometime isn’t always very easy for me. Sometimes I feel that everything my life will bust at the seams because it’s all so difficult and complicated. This fast paced life of business, eating, sleeping, etc has got my mind in a fuzzy blur and things go by so quickly that it actually scares me sometimes. I am afraid I will be 70 years old and still in the same position, having never taken action on the goals and dreams of my life.

I really did do things so backwards and really wrong in this life so far, and sometimes I go into a daze, thinking in my mind, speculating about my past and in utter disbelieve on the things I have done and the roads I have taken. I honestly don’t feel fit to be a devotee or person that God could love sometimes. Other times I am off on an adventure trying to forget the past, but it never really goes away. I wonder if God can forgive me? I’m not sure I can forgive myself. If I can’t forgive myself, then how will God?

I hope that by keeping this vow of chanting 16 rounds per day that my soul can become a little purified and that I can find some peace and forgiveness in Krsna’s name. I understand that only by his mercy can this really happen and I am hoping against hope that he will accept my chanting His name’s. I give everything up to Krsna. My life is guided by Him. I am at His mercy, in His love. I want back my relationship with Him that was lost unknown times and ages ago. Please accept me Krsna and my vow of chanting your name. PLEASE, I beg of you. Let me serve you through the chanting of your name. Please lovingly guide me and show me the right path.

I am your must lowest servant.

All glories to the devotees whom inspire me so much, probably without even knowing it, to take on with enthusiasm this vow. I look up to the members of our society and I am so thankful to be in their shelter.

I don't know why exactly that taking on this vow is all of a sudden important to me, but I know through Srila Prabhupada's teachings that it is definitely good for my soul and will help to purify me. I think that this change of events in my life has something to do with my Grandmothers leaving her body and some lessons I have been learning from it. I'm still trying to process the loss. I find solace in my chanting japa.

Next on my list is to exclude entirely the use of onion, garlic, and egg products from my diet. I go back and forth with this one. I find it easy to replace hing for garlic and onion when cooking foodstuffs from home. This is easy. It's the pre processed store bought items and going out to eat for lunch and some dinners that is the real culprit. These activities need to stop. I just am not organized enough at the moment to make a full commitment to stopping these activities. I work full time, go to school part time, am practically a single mother to my 10 year old daughter and keeping all of these things together sometime isn't always very easy for me. Sometimes I feel that everything my life will bust at the seams because it's all so difficult and complicated. This fast paced life of business, eating, sleeping, etc has got my mind in a fuzzy blur and things go by so quickly that it actually scares me sometimes. I am afraid I will be 70 years old and still in the same position, having never taken action on the goals and dreams of my life.

I really did do things so backwards and really wrong in this life so far, and sometimes I go into a daze, thinking in my mind, speculating about my past and in utter disbelieve on the things I have done and the roads I have taken. I honestly don't feel fit to be a devotee or person that God could love sometimes. Other times I am off on an adventure trying to forget the past, but it never really goes away. I wonder if God can forgive me? I'm not sure I can forgive myself. If I can't forgive myself, then how will God?

I hope that by keeping this vow of chanting 16 rounds per day that my soul can become a little purified and that I can find some peace and forgiveness in Krsna's name. I understand that only by his mercy can this really happen and I am hoping against hope that he will accept my chanting His name's. I give everything up to Krsna. My life is guided by Him. I am at His mercy, in His love. I want back my relationship with Him that was lost unknown times and ages ago. Please accept me Krsna and my vow of chanting your name. PLEASE, I beg of you. Let me serve you through the chanting of your name. Please lovingly guide me and show me the right path.

I am your must lowest servant.

“Ha-ray Krishna temple,” I responded. “Yes, I am.” “Are you,” she continued, “a priest, minister, or rabbi of your religion?” She had a raspy smoker’s voice. “A priest,” I affirmed.

“OK, then. I’m calling you from the Philadelphia City Council, office of Councilman Kelly.” She paused while a phlegmy cough made its way up her bronchial tubes. “The council,” she resumed, “meets every week in its chambers on Thursdays, at ten a.m. The meeting always opens with an invocation by a member of the clergy, and the council members are responsible for inviting a clergyman on a rotating basis. In two weeks it will be Councilman Kelly’s turn. He is offering to you the honor of giving the invocation. Will you accept?” “Yes, I’ll be happy to,” I answered right away. But I was mind-blown, flabbergasted, gob smacked.

I was acutely aware of how small our group of Krishna devotees was and how alien we seemed to most people. In those days we were generally regarded as the weirdest and most spiritual subset of the counterculture, utterly strange yet benign.

I had graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school that for over two centuries had reliably churned out fresh members of the Philadelphia establishment. Automatically, I had taken a certain social status for granted. I did not at all anticipate the total and complete devaluation I underwent the day I shaved my head and put on a dhoti. Shopkeepers no longer met my eye, secretaries stopped being polite. All it took was a little outward alteration, a mere half-hour’s work, to transform me into a non-person, an outcast. What a valuable lesson I received about human society—and about my own attachments as well.

It was therefore startling to be invited to open the session of city council, and by no less a personage than John B. Kelly,Jr. , a celebrity among his colleagues: famous as a scion of a wealthy Philadelphia family, famous as an former Olympic athlete, and famous especially as the younger brother of Grace Kelly, a Hollywood golden goddess of the 1950s who by 1973 reigned as Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco.

Jack Kelly had a reputation as a bit of a maverick, too, and for that reason I could entertain the notion that he had, somehow, become attracted to Krishna consciousness.

The secretary on the phone then gave me specific instruction. A driver in a city limousine would pick me up at the temple and drive me to City Hall. I would be escorted to Councilman Kelly’s office, were I would relax until the appointed time. Then I would be led to the Council Chambers. On a cue from my escort, I would walk out to the podium before assembled council members, where I would deliver my invocation. Directly behind me, a few steps up, would be the president of the city council. I would face the chamber and deliver my address.

“Keep it short,” the secretary said. “Just a few words to point the councilmen in the right direction, to enlighten their hearts. Not too long.” “OK,” I said. “And,” she said “No bells!” My heart sunk as I agreed, “All right.” “When you finish,” she went on, “you turn around, walk up a few steps to the podium of the council president, where you will shake hands with the president. Then you exit the chamber the same way you came in. Is that clear?” “Yes,” I answered, and I repeated the part involving the President. “That’s right,” she said. “You will also be returned home in a city limousine,” she added, “and you’ll get a check by mail, fifty dollars. We give an honorarium.” She paused, waiting. “Thank you,” I obliged. “OK,” she continued. “And just remember, OK: Don’t make it too long, and don’t ring any bells!”

Upon receiving the invitation, the image that had immediately sprung to mind was of my standing before the city council, kartals in hand, and chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. But the secretary had put the kibosh on that notion. Yet I could not forgo the desire for the city council to hear the maha-mantra at least once. From what I had heard, that body badly needed some purification. I decided that I would start my invocation by reciting the entire mantra—spoken, not sung. (No bells.) And the rest of the invocation would be about the meaning of the mantra. I would conclude by coming around to the mantra again.

I would make it clear that the meaning of the mantra concerned not this or that faith but rather the universal principles of religion as such. I would try to make this relevant by stressing the necessity of those principles for any civil society, and of the obligation of government to support them.

I worked a long time to make the invocation short. When it was finished, I typed it all out on my Smith-Carona portable—all capitals, double-spaced, on a single sheet of paper. I had my script. I was prepared.

On the day before the engagement, Subala Swami showed up unexpectedly at the temple. He had been the president of the Philadelphia center when I first began associating with the devotees. He had taken sannyasa, resigned from management, and had been staying in India. I showed him my invocation, and he liked it. He was happy to come with me to City Hall.

The limousine arrived Thursday morning at the appointed time, and we were led through the corridors of the imposing City Hall to the office of Councilman Kelly. I eagerly looked forward to talking with him, and I had brought him prasadam and some books. As we waited, I saw him twice go quickly in and out of the office, but I couldn’t get his attention. I figured he was busy, and I would get my chance to talk to him later.

Subala and I were soon led to a pair of velvet-covered chairs placed in the wing of the Council Chamber, a large room seriously ornate in the 19th century fashion, abounding in mosaic tiles, intricately carved wood, and glittering wrought metalwork. When I walked to the podium, I was startled to see the huge number of people in the chamber, filling the space behind the councilmen’s desks and packing the upper galleries. The members of the press and media packed the rear of the room, beneath a dense bank of TV cameras and flood lights. I reached the podium, and turned to face the chamber.

A gavel banged behind me. All rose together to their feet, and below me, I saw the councilmen bow down their heads. It seemed as if they were listening in submission as I began slowly to say: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare . . . .” Before the first “Hare Krishna” had left my mouth, a dazzling radiance burst forth from the back of the room. I had to suppress a start of surprise. Along with the light came a whirr of TV-camera motors and the staccato popping of flash bulbs. The sound was so loud I automatically raised my voice.

I realized, as I neared the completion of my exhortation, that the audience would be expecting an “Amen” to know when to raise their heads and sit back down, so I tacked a “Thank you” onto the end of my invocation. The glare blinked off. I turned away and, with the rustle and scrape of the seating crowd behind me, walked up to George X. Schwartz, city council president. As we shook hands, I looked into a pair of eyes that seemed cold and dead. There was an aura of menace about his countenance. “Congratulations,” said the president, unsmiling. With that, I headed to the wing, where Subala awaited me. “Wow,” he said, looking over my shoulder at the council president, “what a demon that guy is.” I heard my very own thought coming out of Subala's mouth.

As I waited back in the office, Councilman Kelly rushed in, and then, as he was rushing back out he stopped, shook my hand and said, “Congratulations. Glad you could make it.” Clearly uncomfortable, he dashed back out before I could say much of anything. Subala and I cooled our heels for nearly an hour before our driver finally showed up.

On the ride back, I began to put together what had actually happened. Councilman Kelly did not want to be seen with us. He was embarrassed. Snatches of conversation I had overheard in the hallway and office began to coalesce into a coherent picture: Councilman Kelly had been in hot water because he had been frequently delinquent when it was his turn to provide a clergyman to open the council meeting. Apparently, he had been served some sort of ultimatum, and he resented that. And so, he hit upon a way that would fulfill his duty to the letter of the law, and at the same time, stick it to those who were getting on his case.

He invited me.

Well, this was a humbling realization.

Still, the Lord uses those who would use him. The invocation to open the city council meeting was carried in the local evening news on all three TV channels. And the Daily News and the Evening Bulletin each displayed on their front page a picture of me delivering the invocation.

The photograph below is from the Philadelphia Daily News. You can see how ornate the council chamber is. And you can see behind me the figure of the then council president, George X. Schwartz, whom Subala Swami and I both perceived as—how to put this—particularly ungodly.

Events bore us out. A few years after my encounter with the council president, he had an encounter with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which was running a sting operation called ABSCAM. Schwartz was nabbed, along with many other corrupt state and federal legislators, for accepting a bribe. He was convicted and went to jail. Mike Mallowe, in his Bulletin article titled “Looking Back in Anger,” recalls “the dark days of George X. Schwartz’s haughty and hypocritical rule in city government.” He goes on to note how Schwartz, during his reign as council president, “would ultimately lead the way to federal prison for a whole generation of the politicians he had selected, mentored, invested with power and introduced to bribery.”

I hope that the maha-mantra has bestowed its mercy on Councilman Schwartz, on Councilman Kelly, on the council itself, and on our City of Brotherly Love. I can only think that it was the Holy Name himself who brought me before the city council in 1973, making use of Jack Kelly’s prank to fulfill his own transcendent purposes.

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