Understanding of "Hindu"

About the Name "Hindu"
By Nandanandana dasa prabhu

I feel there needs to be some clarification about the use of the words “Hindu” and “Hinduism.” The fact is that true “Hinduism” is based on Vedic knowledge, which is related to our spiritual identity. Many people do accept it to mean the same thing as Sanatana-dharma, which is a more accurate Sanskrit term for the Vedic path. Such an identity is beyond any temporary names as Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or even Hindu. After all, God never describes Himself as belonging to any such category, saying that He is only a Christian God, or a Muslim God, or a Hindu God. That is why some of the greatest spiritual masters from India have avoided identifying themselves only as Hindus. The Vedic path is eternal, and therefore beyond all such temporary designations. So am I calling the name “Hindu” a temporary designation?

We must remember that the term “hindu” is not even Sanskrit. Numerous scholars say it is not found in any of the Vedic literature. So how can such a name truly represent the Vedic path or culture? And without the Vedic literature, there is no basis for “Hinduism.”

Most scholars feel that the name “Hindu” was developed by outsiders, invaders who could not pronounce the name of the Sindhu River properly. According to Sir Monier Williams, the Sanskrit lexicographer, you cannot find an indigenous root for the words Hindu or India. Neither are these words found in any Buddhist or Jain texts, nor any of the official 23 languages of India. Some sources report that it was Alexander the Great who first renamed the River Sindhu as the Indu, dropping the beginning “S”, thus making it easier for the Greeks to pronounce. This became known as the Indus. This was when Alexander invaded India around 325 B.C. His Macedonian forces thereafter called the land east of the Indus as India, a name used especially during the British regime.

Later, when the Muslim invaders arrived from such places as Afghanistan and Persia, they called the Sindhu River the Hindu River. Thereafter, the name “Hindu” was used to describe the inhabitants from that tract of land in the northwestern provinces of India where the Sindhu River is located, and the region itself was called “Hindustan.” Because the Sanskrit sound of “S” converts to “H” in the Parsee language, the Muslims pronounced the Sindhu as “hindu,” even though at the time the people of the area did not use the name “hindu” themselves. This word was used by the Muslim foreigners to identify the people and the religion of those who lived in that area. Thereafter, even the Indians conformed to these standards as set by those in power and used the names Hindu and Hindustan. Otherwise, the word has no meaning except for those who place value on it or now use it out of convenience.

Another view of the name “Hindu” shows the confusing nature it causes for understanding the true essence of the spiritual paths of India. As written be R. N. Suryanarayan in his book Universal Religion (p.1-2, published in Mysore in 1952), “The political situation of our country from centuries past, say 20-25 centuries, has made it very difficult to understand the nature of this nation and its religion. The western scholars, and historians, too, have failed to trace the true name of this Brahmanland, a vast continent-like country, and, therefore, they have contented themselves by calling it by that meaningless term ‘Hindu’. This word, which is a foreign innovation, is not made use by any of our Sanskrit writers and revered Acharyas in their works. It seems that political power was responsible for insisting upon continuous use of the word Hindu. The word Hindu is found, of course, in Persian literature. Hindu-e-falak means ‘the black of the sky’ and ‘Saturn’. In the Arabic language Hind not Hindu means nation. It is shameful and ridiculous to have read all along in history that the name Hindu was given by the Persians to the people of our country when they landed on the sacred soil of Sindhu.”

The location wherein the word “Hindu” occurs for what some people feel the first time is in the Avesta of the Iranians in its description of the country of India and its people. As their state religion of Zoroastrianism grew, the word seemed to take on a derogatory meaning. And of course as Islam spread in India, the words “Hindu” and “Hindustan” became even more disrespected and even hated in the Persian arena, and more prominent in the Persian and Arabic literature after the 11th century.

Another view of the source of the name Hindu is based on a derogatory meaning. It is said that, “Moreover, it is correct that this name [Hindu] has been given to the original Aryan race of the region by Muslim invaders to humiliate them. In Persian, says our author, the word means slave, and according to Islam, all those who did not embrace Islam were termed as slaves.” (Maharishi Shri Dayanand Saraswati Aur Unka Kaam, edited by Lala Lajpat Rai, published in Lahore, 1898, in the Introduction)

Furthermore, a Persian dictionary titled Lughet-e-Kishwari, published in Lucknow in 1964, gives the meaning of the word Hindu as “chore [thief], dakoo [dacoit], raahzan [waylayer], and ghulam [slave].” In another dictionary, Urdu-Feroze-ul-Laghat (Part One, p. 615) the Persian meaning of the word Hindu is further described as barda (obedient servant), sia faam (balck color) and kaalaa (black). So these are all derogatory expressions for the translation of the term hindu in the Persian label of the people of India.

So, basically, Hindu is merely a continuation of a Muslim term that became popular only within the last 1300 years. In this way, we can understand that it is not a valid Sanskrit term, nor does it have anything to do with the true Vedic culture or the Vedic spiritual path. No religion ever existed that was called “Hinduism” until the Indian people in general placed value on that name, as given by those who dominated over them, and accepted its use. So is it any wonder that some Indian acharyas and Vedic organizations do not care to use the term?

The real confusion started when the name “Hinduism” was used to indicate the religion of the Indian people. The words “Hindu” and “Hinduism” were used frequently by the British with the effect of focusing on the religious differences between the Muslims and the people who became known as “Hindus”. This was done with the rather successful intention of creating friction among the people of India. This was in accord with the British policy of divide and rule to make it easier for their continued dominion over the country.

However, we should mention that others who try to justify the word “Hindu” present the idea that rishis of old, several thousand years ago, also called central India Hindustan, and the people who lived there Hindus. The following verse, said to be from the Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana and the Bruhaspati Samhita, is provided as proof, yet I am still waiting to learn the exact location where we can find this verse:

Aaasindo Sindhu Paryantham Yasyabharatha Bhoomikah

MathruBhuh Pithrubhoochaiva sah Vai Hindurithismrithaah

Another verse reads as: Sapta sindhu muthal Sindhu maha samudhram vareyulla Bharatha bhoomi aarkkellamaano Mathru bhoomiyum Pithru bhoomiyumayittullathu, avaraanu hindukkalaayi ariyappedunnathu. Both of these verses more or less indicate that whoever considers the land of Bharatha Bhoomi between Sapta Sindu and the Indian Ocean as his or her motherland and fatherland is known as Hindu. However, here we also have the real and ancient name of India mentioned, which is Bharata Bhoomi. “Bhoomi” (or Bhumi) means Mother Earth, but Bharata is the land of Bharata or Bharata-varsha, which is the land of India. In numerous Vedic references in the Puranas, Mahabharata and other Vedic texts, the area of India is referred to as Bharata-varsha or the land of Bharata and not as Hindustan. The name Bharata-varsha certainly helps capture the roots and glorious past of the country and its people.

Another couple of references that are used, though the exact location of which I am not sure, includes the following:

Himalayam Samaarafya Yaavat Hindu Sarovaram

Tham Devanirmmitham desham Hindustanam Prachakshathe

Himalyam muthal Indian maha samudhram vareyulla

devanirmmithamaya deshaththe Hindustanam ennu parayunnu

These again indicate that the region between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean is called Hindustan. Thus, the conclusion of this is that all Indians are Hindus regardless of their caste and religion. Of course, not everyone is going to agree with that.

Others say that in the Rig Veda, Bharata is referred to as the country of “Sapta Sindhu”, i.e. the country of seven great rivers. This is, of course, acceptable. However, exactly which book and chapter this verse comes from needs to be clarified. Nonetheless, some say that the word “Sindhu” refers to rivers and sea, and not merely to the specific river called “Sindhu”. Furthermore, it is said that in Vedic Sanskrit, according to ancient dictionaries, “sa” was pronounced as “ha”. Thus “Sapta Sindhu” was pronounced as “Hapta Hindu”. So this is how the word “Hindu” is supposed to have come into being. It is also said that the ancient Persians referred to Bharat as “Hapta Hind”, as recorded in their ancient classic “Bem Riyadh”. So this is another reason why some scholars came to believe that the word “Hindu” had its origin in Persia.

Another theory is that the name “Hindu” does not even come from the name Sindhu. Mr. A. Krishna Kumar of Hyderabad, India explains. “This [Sindhu/Hindu] view is untenable since Indians at that time enviably ranked highest in the world in terms of civilization and wealth would not have been without a name. They were not the unknown aborigines waiting to be discovered, identified and Christened by foreigners.” He cites an argument from the book Self-Government in India by N. B. Pavgee, published in 1912. The author tells of an old Swami and Sanskrit scholar Mangal Nathji, who found an ancient Purana known as Brihannaradi in the Sham village, Hoshiarpur, Punjab. It contained this verse:

himalayam samarabhya yavat bindusarovaram

hindusthanamiti qyatam hi antaraksharayogatah

Again the exact location of this verse in the Purana is missing, but Kumar translates it as: “The country lying between the Himalayan mountains and Bindu Sarovara (Cape Comorin sea) is known as Hindusthan by combination of the first letter ‘hi’ of ‘Himalaya’ and the last compound letter ‘ndu’ of the word ‘Bindu.’”

This, of course, is supposed to have given rise to the name “Hindu”, indicating an indigenous origin. The conclusion of which is that people living in this area are thus known as “Hindus”.

So again, in any way these theories may present their information, and in any way you look at it, the name “Hindu” started simply as a bodily and regional designation. The name “Hindu” refers to a location and its people and originally had nothing to do with the philosophies, religion or culture of the people, which could certainly change from one thing to another. It is like saying that all people from India are Indians. Sure, that is acceptable as a name referring to a location, but what about their religion, faith and philosophy? These are known by numerous names according to the various outlooks and beliefs. Thus, they are not all Hindus, as many people who do not follow the Vedic system already object to calling themselves by that name. So “Hindu” is not the most appropriate name of a spiritual path, but the Sanskrit term of Sanatana-dharma is much more accurate. The culture of the ancient Indians and their early history is Vedic culture or Vedic dharma. So it is more appropriate to use a name that is based on that culture for those who follow it, rather than a name that merely addresses the location of a people.

It seems that only with the Vedic kings of the Vijayanagara empire in 1352 was the word “Hindu” used with pride by Bukkal who described himself as “Hinduraya suratrana”. Whereas the main Sanskrit texts, and even the rituals that have been performed in the temples from millennia ago, used the word “Bharata in reference to the area of present-day India. Thus, it is traditionally and technically more accurate to refer to the land of India as “Bharata” or “Bharat varsha”.

Unfortunately, the word “Hindu” has gradually been adopted by most everyone, even the Indians, and is presently applied in a very general way, so much so, in fact, that now “Hinduism” is often used to describe anything from religious activities to even Indian social or nationalistic events. Some of these so-called “Hindu” events are not endorsed in the Vedic literature, and, therefore, must be considered non-Vedic. Thus, not just anyone can call themselves a “Hindu” and still be considered a follower of the Vedic path. Nor can any activity casually be dubbed as a part of Hinduism and thoughtlessly be considered a part of the true Vedic culture.

Therefore, the Vedic spiritual path is more precisely called Sanatana-dharma, which means the eternal, unchanging occupation of the soul in its relation to the Supreme Being. Just as the dharma of sugar is to be sweet, this does not change. And if it is not sweet, then it is not sugar. Or the dharma of fire is to give warmth and light. If it does not do that, then it is not fire. In the same way, there is a particular dharma or nature of the soul, which is sanatana, or eternal. It does not change. So there is the state of dharma and the path of dharma. Following the principles of Sanatana-dharma can bring us to the pure state of regaining our forgotten spiritual identity and relationship with God. This is the goal of Vedic knowledge and its system of self-realization. Thus, the knowledge of the Vedas and all Vedic literature, such as Lord Krishna’s message in Bhagavad-gita, as well as the teachings of the Upanishads and Puranas, are not limited to only “Hindus” who are restricted to a certain region of the planet or family of birth. Such knowledge is actually meant for the whole world. As everyone is a spiritual being and has the same spiritual essence as described according to the principles of Sanatana-dharma, then everyone should be given the right and privilege to understand this knowledge. It cannot be held for an exclusive group or region of people.

Sanatana-dharma is also the fully developed spiritual philosophy that fills whatever gaps may be left by the teachings of other less philosophically developed religions. Direct knowledge of the soul is a “universal spiritual truth” which can be applied by all people, in any part of the world, in any time in history, and in any religion. It is eternal. Therefore, being an eternal spiritual truth, it is beyond all time and worldly designations. Knowledge of the soul is the essence of Vedic wisdom and is more than what the name “Hindu” implies, especially after understanding from where the name comes.

Even if the time arrives in this deteriorating age of Kali-yuga after many millennia when Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and even Hinduism (as we call it today) may disappear from the face of the earth, there will still be the Vedic teachings that remain as a spiritual and universal truth, even if such truths may be forgotten and must be re-established again in this world by Lord Krishna Himself. I doubt then that He will use the name “Hindu.” He certainly said nothing of the sort when He last spoke Bhagavad-gita.

Thus, although I do not feel that “Hindu” is a proper term to represent the Vedic Aryan culture or spiritual path, I do use the word from time to time to mean the same thing since it is already so much a part of everyone’s vocabulary. Otherwise, since I follow the Vedic path of Sanatana-dharma, I call myself a Sanatana-dharmist. That reduces the need to use the label of “Hindu” and also helps focus on the universal nature of the Vedic path. Therefore, I propose that all those who consider themselves to be Hindus begin to use this term Sanatana-dharmist, which not only refers to the correct Sanskrit terminology, but also more accurately depicts the true character and spiritual intention of the Vedic path. Others have also used the terms Sanatanis or even Dharmists, both of which are closer to the real meaning within Vedic culture.

However, for political and legal purposes it may be convenient to continue using the name Hindu for the time being. Until the terms Sanatana-dharma or Vedic dharma become more recognized by international law and society in general, “Hindu” may remain the term behind which to rally for Vedic culture. But over the long term, it is a name that is bound to change in meaning to the varying views of it due to its lack of a real linguistic foundation. Being based merely on the values people place in it, its meaning and purpose will vary from person to person, culture to culture, and certainly from generation to generation. We can see how this took place with the British in India. So there will be the perpetuation of the problems with the name and why some people and groups will not want to accept it.

Yet by the continued and increased use of the terms Vedic dharma or Sanatana-dharma, at least by those who are more aware of the definitive Sanskrit basis of these terms, they will gain recognition as being the more correct terminology. It merely takes some time to make the proper adjustments.

This is the way to help cure the misinterpretation or misunderstandings that may come from using the name “Hindu,” and also end the reasons why some groups do not care to identify themselves under that name. After all, most Vedic groups, regardless of their orientation and the specific path they follow, can certainly unite behind the term Vedic dharma.

APPENDIX: Srila Prabhupada, founder of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, has said different things at different times or to different people regarding the use of the name “Hindu”. Many times members of Iskcon seem to think that the name Hindu should be avoided at all costs. And on numerous occasions Srila Prabhupada did say Iskcon members are not necessarily Hindus.

However, he succinctly explains to Janmanjaya and Taradevi in a letter from Los Angeles of July 9th, 1970 that there is a connection between Hinduism and Krishna Consciousness: “Regarding your questions: Hindu means the culture of the Indians. India happens to be situated on the other side of the Indus River which is now in Pakistan which is spelled Indus–in Sanskrit it is called Sindhu. The sindhu was misspelled by the Europeans as Indus, and from Indus the word ‘Indian’ has come. Similarly the Arabians used to pronounce sindhus as Hindus. This [thus] Hindus is spoken as Hindus. It is neither a Sanskrit word nor is it found in the Vedic literatures. But the culture of the Indians or the Hindus is Vedic and beginning with the four varnas and four ashramas. So these varnas and four ashramas are meant for really civilized human race. Therefore the conclusion is actually when a human being is civilized in the true sense of the term he follows the system of varna and ashrama and then he can be called a ‘Hindu’. Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is preaching these four varnas and four ashramas, so naturally it has got some relationship with the Hindus. So Hindus can be understood from the cultural point of view, not religious point of view. Culture is never religion. Religion is a faith, and culture is educational or advancement of knowledge.”

He further says in a letter from Los Angeles, July 16th, 1970, wherein he answers questions for a Nevatiaji: “9. The Americans are very intelligent and qualified boys and girls so they understand the principles as genuine and thus they accept them. They understand that Krsna Consciousness Movement is neither Indian nor Hindu, but it is a cultural movement for the whole human society although of course because it is coming from India it has [an] Indian and Hindu touch.”

In this way, Srila Prabhupada differentiated Krishna Consciousness as a universal, cultural and spiritual movement that could stand on its own, apart from any particular religious and cultural distinction. Yet he still relates how there is certainly an Indian and Hindu relationship with what is being presented within his movement. And this does not have to be nor should it be completely ignored or avoided. We can certainly work together for the preservation and promotion of Vedic culture without difficulty with those who may prefer to call themselves Hindu, knowing our connection with the Vedic traditions.

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Re: Who eats the flesh of slain beasts, eats of the body of death

Respected Swamiji and all Vaisnavas,

        Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Please accept my respectful obeisances!

  

Even in Christianity, it is clearly said here that animal killing is wrong. But they have invented the statement that animals and lower species do not have a soul, only humans have a soul. I am seeing that they are so troubled about the cloning process in the name of human rights and embryo killing, but no one bothers when so many animals are killed in the laboratory or in the slaughterhouses. Just behold the proof!

Srila Prabhupada: Jesus Christ said, “Thou shall not kill.” So why is it that the Christian people are engaged in animal killing?

Cardinal Danielou: Certainly in Christianity it is forbidden to kill, but we believe that there is a difference between the life of a human being and the life of the beasts. The life of a human being is sacred because man is made in the image of God; therefore, to kill a human being is forbidden.

Srila Prabhupada: But the Bible does not simply say, “Do not kill the human being.” It says broadly, “Thou shall not kill.”

Cardinal Danielou: We believe that only human life is sacred.

Srila Prabhupada: That is your interpretation. The commandment is “Thou shalt not kill.”

Cardinal Danielou: It is necessary for man to kill animals in order to have food to eat.

Srila Prabhupada: No. Man can eat grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk.

Cardinal Danielou: No flesh?

Srila Prabhupada: No. Human beings are meant to eat vegetarian food. The tiger does not come to eat your fruits. His prescribed food is animal flesh. But man’s food is vegetables, fruits, grains, and milk products. So how can you say that animal killing is not a sin?

Cardinal Danielou: We believe it is a question of motivation. If the killing of an animal is for giving food to the hungry, then it is justified.

Srila Prabhupada: But consider the cow: we drink her milk; therefore, she is our mother. Do you agree?

Cardinal Danielou: Yes, surely.

Srila Prabhupada: So if the cow is your mother, how can you support killing her? You take the milk from her, and when she’s old and cannot give you milk, you cut her throat. Is that a very humane proposal? In India those who are meat eaters are advised to kill some lower animals like goats, pigs, or even buffalo. But cow killing is the greatest sin. In preaching Krsna consciousness we ask people not to eat any kind of meat, and my disciples strictly follow this principle. But if, under certain circumstances, others are obliged to eat meat, then they should eat the flesh of some lower animal. Don’t kill cows. It is the greatest sin. And as long as a man is sinful, he cannot understand God. The human being’s main business is to understand God and to love Him. But if you remain sinful, you will never be able to understand God — what to speak of loving Him.

Cardinal Danielou: I think that perhaps this is not an essential point. The important thing is to love God. The practical commandments can vary from one religion to the next.

Srila Prabhupada: So, in the Bible God’s practical commandment is that you cannot kill; therefore killing cows is a sin for you.

Cardinal Danielou: God says to the Indians that killing is not good, and he says to the Jews that…

Srila Prabhupada: No, no. Jesus Christ taught, “Thou shall not kill.” Why do you interpret this to suit your own convenience?

Cardinal Danielou: But Jesus allowed the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb.

Srila Prabhupada: But he never maintained a slaughterhouse.

Cardinal Danielou: (laughs) No, but he did eat meat.

Srila Prabhupada: When there is no other food, someone may eat meat in order to keep from starving. That is another thing. But it is most sinful to regularly maintain slaughterhouses just to satisfy your tongue. Actually, you will not even have a human society until this cruel practice of maintaining slaughterhouses is stopped. And although animal killing may sometimes be necessary for survival, at least the mother animal, the cow, should not be killed. That is simply human decency. In the Krsna consciousness movement our practice is that we don’t allow the killing of any animals. Krsna says, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati: “Vegetables, fruits, milk, and grains should be offered to Me in devotion” [Bhagavad-gita 9.16]. We take only the remnants of Krsna’s food (prasada). The trees offer us many varieties of fruits, but the trees are not killed. Of course, one living entity is food for another living entity, but that does not mean you can kill your mother for food. Cows are innocent; they give us milk. You take their milk — and then kill them in the slaughterhouse. This is sinful.

Student: Srila Prabhupada, Christianity’s sanction of meat eating is based on the view that lower species of life do not have a soul like the human being’s.

Srila Prabhupada: That is foolishness. First of all, we have to understand the evidence of the soul’s presence within the body. Then we can see whether the human being has a soul and the cow does not. What are the different characteristics of the cow and the man? If we find a difference in characteristics, then we can say that in the animal there is no soul. But if we see that the animal and the human being have the same characteristics, then how can you say that the animal has no soul? The general symptoms are that the animal eats, you eat; the animal sleeps, you sleep; the animal mates, you mate; the animal defends, and you defend. Where is the difference?

Cardinal Danielou: We admit that in the animal there may be the same type of biological existence as in men, but there is no soul. We believe that the soul is a human soul.

Srila Prabhupada: Our Bhagavad-gita says sarva-yonisu, “In all species of life the soul exists.” The body is like a suit of clothes. You have black clothes; I am dressed in saffron clothes. But within the dress you are a human being, and I am also a human being. Similarly, the bodies of the different species are just like different types of dress. There are 8,400,000 species, or dresses, but within each one is a spirit soul, a part and parcel of God. Suppose a man has two sons, not equally meritorious. One may be a Supreme Court judge and the other may be a common laborer, but the father claims both as his sons. He does not make the distinction that the son who is a judge is very important, and the worker son is not important. And if the judge son says, “My dear father, your other son is useless; let me cut him up and eat him,” will the father allow this?

Cardinal Danielou: Certainly not, but the idea that all life is part of the life of God is difficult for us to admit. There is a great difference between human life and animal life.

Srila Prabhupada: That difference is due to the development of consciousness. In the human body there is developed consciousness. Even a tree has a soul, but a tree’s consciousness is not very developed. If you cut a tree it does not resist. Actually, it does resist, but only to a very small degree. There is a scientist named Jagadish Chandra Bose who has made a machine which shows that trees and plants are able to feel pain when they are cut. And we can see directly that when someone comes to kill an animal, it resists, it cries, it makes a horrible sound. So it is a matter of the development of consciousness. But the soul is there within all living beings.

Cardinal Danielou: But metaphysically, the life of man is sacred. Human beings think on a higher platform than the animals do.

Srila Prabhupada: What is that higher platform? The animal eats to maintain his body, and you also eat in order to maintain your body. The cow eats grass in the field, and the human being eats meat from a huge slaughterhouse full of modern machines. But just because you have big machines and a ghastly scene, while the animal simply eats grass, this does not mean that you are so advanced that only within your body is there a soul, and that there is not a soul within the body of the animal. That is illogical. We can see that the basic characteristics are the same in the animal and the human being.

Cardinal Danielou: But only in human beings do we find a metaphysical search for the meaning of life.

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. So metaphysically search out why you believe that there is no soul within the animal — that is metaphysics. If you are thinking metaphysically, that’s all right. But if you are thinking like an animal, then what is the use of your metaphysical study? “Metaphysical” means “above the physical” or, in other words, “spiritual.” In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna says, sarva-yonisu kaunteya: “In every living being there is a spirit soul.” That is metaphysical understanding. Now either you accept Krsna’s teachings as metaphysical, or you’ll have to take a third-class fool’s opinion as metaphysical. Which do you accept?
Cardinal Danielou: But why does God create some animals who eat other animals? There is a fault in the creation, it seems.

Srila Prabhupada: It is not a fault. God is very kind. If you want to eat animals, then He’ll give you full facility. God will give you the body of a tiger in your next life so that you can eat flesh very freely. “Why are you maintaining slaughterhouses? I’ll give you fangs and claws. Now eat.” So the meat eaters are awaiting such punishment. The animal eaters become tigers, wolves, cats, and dogs in their next life — to get more facility.

 

Daaso'smi,

Srinath

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Re: Who eats the flesh of slain beasts, eats of the body of death

Respected Swamiji and all Vaisnavas,

        Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Please accept my respectful obeisances!

        All over the world about 15 billion animals are being killed every year for meat, which is 2.3 times the current world population. So we can just imagine how much farmland and vegetarian food goes into just feeding these animals. This way there is a colossal waste of energy, food, and land.

        According to the food-chain rule, if one feeds 1000 calories to an animal and then eats it, he gets only 10% of the energy, 100 cal. If one really wants to stop the hunger problem, one has to minimise all wastage of food. But we see that by eating meet, 90% of the energy required for 15,000,000,000 animals annualy goes waste. Some people argue that taking vegetarian food causes global warming and damages the environment. But they ought to know these facts.

        Meat processing from the slaughterhouse to the dinner plate totally consumes 21 Litres (5 gallons) of crude oil by various direct and indirect ways. So many millions of tonnes of meat are being produced every year, just imagine the amount of CO2 and pollution caused in the process. Given that the oil prices are at $150 a barrel, just see how much of it goes wasted. These days airlines have intoduced 1000s of regulations to cut down fuel.....but what is saved in one hand goes out through the other!

        Today they'll kill the cows, its not wrong for them. Tomorrow, in the future of Kali Yuga,  even killing their children or their parents will not be wrong. Abortion is already acceptable. When there is no absolute standard of laws, it won't take long before everyone does what they like. The laws of nature and karma don't bother about people's opinions of right or wrong, though. They will work even if nobody believes in them. How will these people ever be delivered?

        I have not seen one meat eater who can understand God or who has any genuine devotion to the Lord. By animal killing, all pity and mercy and love is lost. So how can we love God? Many animals love much more than humans. I saw that lion, how much love it had. How many dogs love their masters, following them to the grave!

They may say that killing plants is equally wrong, but that is not a fact. Its true that everyone eats other living entities, but we can eat only what is allowed to be eaten. That doesn't mean we can kill our mother (the cow is also our mother) or our son for satisfying the tongue, belly and genitals. 

         In eating fruits or milk, we don't kill. No cow suffers to give milk to the devotees.

        There is karmic reaction in killing plants, but the Lord allows us to use these vegetarian foods in his service by offering him naivedya. By doing so the plants become used in the service of the Lord and so they get spiritual sukrti and eventually they will become devotees in a future life. Those who honor the prasada also become delivered. In this way, the offering and the offerer are delivered.

         Jaya mahaprasada!

Daaso'smi,

Srinath

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Re: Who eats the flesh of slain beasts, eats of the body of death

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

This Essene Gospel of Peace is truly wonderful, thank you so much. It brings home the truth 'how can we practice ahimsa on a more subtle level, when we still consume the gross flesh of dead beasts'.

y.s.

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Re: A rascal's lamentation

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krsna!

Dear Srinath, please accept my simple obiesances.

I can understand your spiritual yearning to some extent, this yearning is from God. As we gradually move closer to purification of conscious awareness, the Lord will teach us the qualities, of what a true servant manifests from her heart. This is a process - the Holy Name will bring this process to fruition by faith and application. All these qualities of selfless service will come - in due course.

Once we can begin to integrate our experiences (and the shadow) in deeper vision of truth, our soul experience will become profoundly deeper - eventually leading to heart felt compassion and serving mood. As our hearts day by day become saturated in love our addictive nature will begin to leave. Since babes we thought we were the center of the universe, now we are gradually learning to be a tiny tiny particle within that greater reality, Reality the Beautiful (Sri Krsna).

I am working through a process of healing like yourself - and love for the Holy Name is the key. Last year I chanted 100,000 holy names perday for one whole year - then I fell. And am grateful - now I pick up my mala in the correct frame of mind - like a small babe learning to live again (in reality). And am grateful if I can chant at least one name, in humility.

Here is some prayers that have helped me greatly, that I can meditate upon in the course of naam-bhakti-yoga.

y.s. Nava Gauranga dasa

3. I have offended endlessly,
given suffering to animals and man.
I have ruined my health and brain,
trying to enjoy and going insane.
I broke my word a thousand times
and still I thought that this is fine.
Oh Lord of the fallen, please come to me,
let me take shelter of your sacred feet.
And shower me with causeless grace,
to serve your cause with smiling face.
That faith will guide me that I share,
Your love with all so they come near.“

4. Mysterious Faith,
Please take me unto your shelter
Guide me to your Lord of love
Remove my ignorance
And selfish desires
Make me strong
To follow your ideals
Make me humble
To never offend
Make me simple
With wisdom
Make me sharp
Against illusion
Make me soft
To serve with love
Make me bright
To see your light
Give me determination
To leave my faults
To follow you
All the way
So that someday
My soul can stay
With love personified.
Oh Faith Divine
I am Yours
Not mine
Egotism
Has me driven
But You have given
Hope again
Faith in love
Gift from above
Meaning to follow
Lessens to swallow
A way to go
To find my home
Oh flower of faith
Oh ray of light
Oh taste for truth
Oh love divine
Grant me Your grace
Your love is mine.
Send me the guide
To trust the wise
Without fanaticism
To heal with inner vision
To see the love in all
And serve the highest goal

http://www.oidatherapy.org/introduction.htm

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Re: Vice of Fault Finding

Why does fault finding come about and why do we see defects in other people?

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! If the fault-finding is not to humbly point out the correct philosophy or to genuinely benefit anyone, it comes about due to a lack of offenseless chanting or due to offensive chanting. Envy is the deep-rooted vice in our conditioned bodily life. The origin of envy is right at the point when we decided to try to enjoy as God and fall down in this material world, when we were situated in the tatastha shakti or the marginal energy of the Lord. The moment our soul was embodied, false ego and the resultant envy were born. Envy is of two types: envy for God and the resultant envy for His part and parcels. These can only be removed by doing exactly the opposite: service to God by chanting the Holy Names and service to the souls of all beings by giving them the Holy Names. If there is mundane anger involved, then certainly that kind of fault-finding is greatly detrimental for our soul.

Is it true that all the faults we see in others are actually our own faults?

We may not exactly possess those same faults but fault-finding due to envy, malice or anger does implicate us in those faults of others. We are qualified to point out others' faults only if we have purely 100% genuine intentions to benefit those faulty persons without even a tinge of envy in our hearts and we should be in a position of authority to do so.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Flesh and the blood which quickens it, shall ye not eat

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Jesus Christ speaks in the Gospel of Peace written by John, his foremost disciple:

“It was said to them of old time, ‘Honor thy Heavenly Father and thy Earthly Mother, and do their commandments, that thy days may be long upon the earth.’ And next afterward was given this commandment, ‘Thou shalt not kill,’ for life is given to all by God, and that which God has given, let not man take away. For-I tell you truly, from one Mother proceeds all that lives upon the earth. Therefore, he who kills, kills his brother. And from him will the Earthly Mother turn away, and will pluck from him her quickening breasts. And he will be shunned by her angels, and Satan will have his dwelling in his body. And the flesh of slain beasts in his body will become his own tomb. For I tell you truly, he who kills, kills himself, and whoso eats the flesh of slain beasts, eats of the body of death. For in his blood every drop of their blood turns to poison; in his breath their breath to stink; in his flesh their flesh to boils; in his bones their bones to chalk; in his bowels their bowels t o decay; in his eyes their eyes to scales; in his ears their ears to waxy issue. And their death will become his death. For only in the service of your Heavenly Father are your debts of seven years forgiven in seven clays. But Satan forgives you nothing and you must pay him for all. ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot; burning for burning, wound for wound; life for life, death for death.’ For the wages of sin is death. Kill not, neither eat the flesh of your innocent prey, lest you become the slaves of Satan. For that is the path of sufferings, and it leads unto death. But do the will of God, that his angels may serve you on the way of life. Obey, therefore, the words of God: ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon th e earth, wherein there is breath of life, I give every green herb for meat. Also the milk of every thing that moveth and liveth upon earth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given unto them, so I give their milk unto you. But flesh, and the blood which quickens it, shall ye not eat. And, surely, your spurting blood will I require, your blood wherein is your soul; I will require all slain beasts, and the souls of all slain men. For I the Lord thy God am a God strong and jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands -of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength: this is the first and greatest commandment.’ And the second is like unto it: ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ There is none other commandment greater than these.”

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

 

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Re: Viewing Bhakti Yoga Videos is Most Important

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Yes, exact sync is quite difficult. But there is no doubt that text captions are surely a very effective way to present non-English videos. Even for the English videos, english text captions enhance their retention by the audience. We will try to do it for some important non-English videos when we find time to see how exactly it would be possible.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: A rascal's lamentation

Dear Srinath, Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Pranams!

I have read your honest message. We all are with you in your struggle to attain devotion. I understand you feel completely dejected at the present time. Please do not feel lost. There is still hope.

We all know it is a very and uphill difficult struggle with our senses which may let us down at any time and take us into the darkest realms of consciousness at the very next moment. Though you may think you are losing to Maya or have already lost, I think you have not. Every failure is our chance to rise and succeed. Besides, we may not get such a fortunate birth again at a time when Lord Nitaai's mercy is still very much available via His Holy Names, Pastimes, Abodes and Devotees. So we have to somehow succeed, no matter how many times we fail and no matter how deep and hard we fall. Please understand that the characteristic of Lord Nityaananda's causeless mercy in Kali is that it gives us hope against all hope. In the most hopeless of all situations, He is there to help us if we just cry out His Name.

Please try to isolate the problems which are causing you to fall down and try to conscientiously avoid them as much as you can, with as much sincerity as you can summon. We may not be able to completely overcome Maya but if we do not forget His Holy Names come what may, even while we accidentally fall into sinning, then we will somehow be heard the Lord. We may not be able to immediately stop ourselves from falling down due to the alluring sense attractions but that does not mean we should stop trying sincerely to avoid such a situation. We surely can make ourselves to chant the Holy Names and cry out to Him even when we are in that position. No one can stop us from doing that. He is surely noticing our efforts during our struggle. The result is not the only thing which is important.

Our sincere prayers are always there for you. I have prayed to Lord Nityaananda to give you strength so that you can rise and try again with determination. You can always call me when you feel the need.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Viewing Bhakti Yoga Videos is Most Important

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!
Jaya Swami Gaurangapada!

Maybe another  possible option would be to have to have a devotee translate and record the Hindi or Gujarati  audio into english in sync with the video. Then they could send it to someone to add the english captions. This seems like it could be difficult to synchronize exactly but maybe another option if needed.

Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna
Jagannatha Gauranga dasa

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Re: Viewing Bhakti Yoga Videos is Most Important

Dear Jagannatha Gauranga dasa, Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna! Jaya Shri Guru Parampara! Pranams! Thanks for posting about this important service which can be done for the spiritual videos in Hindi etc. As you have given, Subtitle Workshop 4+ is one of the best free software to accomplish this. The download link is here.

I have done some research about it and found that after the captioning is completed in Subtitle Workshop, we need to Save it As SubRip (*.srt) file from Subtitle Worksop for adding subtitles (captions) on the fly to our flv and mp4 videos as they play in our online flash player. The online Silverlight player for the wmv videos seems to not support on-the-fly captioning. I will check if we can do something about it.

To add the subtitles before we output (compress) the video, I think we would need to save it as a DVDSubtitle (*.sub) file from Subtitle Workshop. But this would not be possible to do in most cases, at least right now, since it will furthur delay the publication of videos from our end.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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Re: Who Disappears into the deity?

Nityaananda! Gauraanga! Hare Krishna! Dear Srinath, This is a good question. Ishvara Sayujya or merging into the transcendental body of the Lord at the time of death can lead to two destinations, not just one. One is sayujya itself which is to remain merged in the body of the Lord or to remain merged with Him in the brahmajyoti or His divine bodily effulgence. This is the worst scenario for devotional service.

But if the Lord so desires, especially in the case of His pure devotees like Shrila Rasikananda, Shrila Jaya and Vijaya etc., He will reinstate them in their original constitutional position in Goloka or Vaikuntha etc. (their respective spiritual planet) when they enter into His body. For the pure devotees entering into the divine body of the Lord is not permanent. It is only a gateway. The Lord instructs them to use His divine body as a path (gateway) to enter into their respective spiritual planets, because all the spiritual world is fully present within His body. By instructing them in this way, the Lord wants to increase the glories of the disappearance of His pure devotes from this world. Lord Gaura Krishna absolutely cannot award His pure devotees with oneness with Him since this is a heavy punishment which He gives to demons etc.

Daaso'smi, BR Sadhu Swami Gaurangapada.

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A rascal's lamentation

Respected Swamiji and all Vaisnavas,

     Nityananda Gauranga Hare Krishna! Please accept my respectful obeisances! Here I am frankly telling you the truth of my personality. There is no end to all my sinful vices and bad qualities.

      I only pose like a devotee to create a good impression. Actually I am a hypocrite, only a wretched hypocrite and a liar. Even as I write this letter, I know I am only boasting, "Look at me! I am humble!" Please forgive me.
 
      I have no service mentality. I have considered devotion as a fad or fashion or worse, just like a drug. I never thought of it as service. I have only given trouble to everyone. I did not follow the rules properly. I had no love. I am more interested in Mayawada and other nonsense than most Mayawadis and atheists are. Actually I am a rascal, the worst fool!!

      I have become so proud of my knowledge thinking I am a great philosopher. I have studied only to establish my skill in defeating others.

      Daily I find only faults in other people not seeing what lies in me. I am the most sinful and I am shamelessy calling others sinful. What I have done only the Lord knows in truth.

      Because of fault finding, I never mingle properly with others and I am an introvert. Because of this I am headed to be one of life's failures. Day and night I only indulge in speculation after speculation spending my life in dreamland, even though I know I am only fuelling my doom and that I can never find the Lord in this way.

      I have no sincerity in chanting. I do it one day and don't do it another. I have never made it part of my life. As a matter of fact, no good habit stays with me for long. Today I am repenting, but tomorrow I will be back to my old ways.

      I have become addicted to the internet, chatting prajalpa and movies and what not and so I give pain to myself, my parents and everyone. Everyday I search only for the gossip that goes around the place knowing very well it won't make an atom's worth of difference. I search all nonsense on the net instead of spending my time chanting.

      I am a lusty beast. There's no other word. I am a beast. I have caused great sorrow to others because I am so envious and a sadist. There is no sin I have not committed. I never tried to protect myself from the attacks of lust and I have no celibacy. I have wasted my brains, my good qualities and my spiritual progress by doing everything indescribable against proper life.

     I have ruined everything by excessive sex indulgence even though I should be a brahmachari at this stage. I am unable to control any of my sense like the tongue, belly, genitals, and all others.

           

      Jagai and Madhai did not commit Vaisnava aparadha. But I have offended the whole parampara! Shame on this beastly wretch, only worth his body's weight in garbage. I am millions of times more condemned than them.

      I have been of no useful service to anyone. I have only set a bad example to everyone.

      Whenever the Lord gives me time, I waste it on nonsense. That which will help me I consider it to be trouble and try to avoid it claiming falsely that it will affect my non-existent bhakti. But instead I waste all my time in nonsense. Because of this everyone is troubled that I accept the nonsense and reject the good things.

     I use the Lord's mercy and devotees mercy as a drug and give it less regard than I give my own dirt!!! Alas alas alas...!!!!

      I am dreadfully lazy for anything and always waste time. Because of this I give great trouble to others. I always goof up on the job because of lack of interest. Everyone is very unhappy because of me.

I always postpone things till the last minute or day and then take everyone else's life out by over stressing them.

I am a teenager deeply afflicted with guilt because of what I have done and am doing. I make my mum cry and scream out of frustration, as if her existing troubles were not enough. She is slowly losing hope on me.

Whatever I do, I always postpone. I am unable to get rid of this. I need all of you to forgive and open the divine connection so that I lose this habit. Because of this, both materially and spiritually I am losing out and I am unable to regulate any material or spiritual activity. Sometimes I do them or sometimes I don't. I am never consistent in any practice so I worry that am heading to become a failure in life. Basically I have great trouble making habits because of laziness.

I have a drug mentality towards life and I am so proud I think myself God and expect everyone to serve me and take care of my things while I sleep around all the time.

Therefore I have become very arrogant and lazy and because of this I have to suffer so much by piling things up at the last minute. Still I don't learn anything.

I use the Lord, the devotees, my parents, friends, opportunity, everything as a drug for my own sense gratification and I fear I will go to eternal condemnation in hell for all my sins. Please forgive me for I have also used you as a drug without realizing the monstrosity I have committed.

Please help me change the drug mentality into a service mentality so that I become humble and do everything without thinking of it as a chore.

Ultimately I am an ungrateful dog and and an animal. How will I ever reach or please the Lord or his devotees?

Never did I chant even one name without serious offenses. Actually internally I am secretly encouraging all my material desires in another corner and actually I make decisions only for material things. My chanting is worthy only for being eaten by vultures and beating tortured by Yamadutas in hell.

    Other than Nityananda Gauranga's and Radha Krishna's devotees, who can save me now. You may decide.

    Please do not say ever that I am being humble. I am telling the truth. You can come and see me. You will see. Otherwise why do I write like this?

     Overcome by the pain of guilt more than anything, I am writing this and beating myself, banging my head on the walls.

    When I suffer the fist blows, I know that I deserve only to be made to drink molten metal and be cut to pieces and humiliated. Anyone who chastises me, or abuses me or humiliates me, or kills me is a great person who is perfectly right. No sin will be committed by this.


    I should suffer much more than this. In this way I am continuously sinning. I deserve no mercy. Still, you Vaisnavas are tolerating my impunity and forgiving me and always helping me again and again with your mercy. Otherwise by now it would be all over and I would have been rejected. But still I have only thought of you at the level of a shameless hippie, as a drug. Will you all forgive me. Today I am repenting for all this

I want to do everything as my service to the Lord and his pure devotees. and get rid of all these worst, animal qualities. That is all this wretch is praying for.

Worthless rascal and sinner,
--

Srinath
 

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