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“I would rather die than do something which I know to be a sin, or to be against God’s will”.

Joan of Arc

God created us to serve Him and love Him. However, it is important to understand the concept of sin, which is going against God’s system or laws.

Sin separates us from God, depriving us of His mercy and leading to suffering in the cycle of birth, death, disease, and old age.

There are two types of sins: grievous sins (sudhurachar) and less grievous sins (durachar).

Grievous sins include offenses committed against God and His devotees, such as blasphemy and willful enjoyment of the material world despite knowing its temporary nature. These sins cut us off from God’s mercy and hinder our goal of connecting with and pleasing Him.

Examples of grievous sins specific to Krishna consciousness are the ten offenses against the Holy Name and the violation of the four regulatory principles related to eating meat, engaging in illicit sex, intoxication, and gambling. Committing these sins as a devotee can have severe consequences and lead to a loss of spiritual progress.

Less grievous sins, or durachar, encompass behaviors like overworking, overeating, indulging excessively in enjoyment, gossiping, blindly following rules without understanding them, associating with non-devotees or new devotees, and desiring material things. While these behaviors may not sever our connection with God, they can impede our devotion and spiritual progress.

It is important to note that God understands our limitations and shows mercy in certain situations. If a devotee unintentionally commits grievous sins or lacks knowledge about right and wrong, God continues to extend His grace. However, intentionally engaging in less grievous sins hampers our devotion more than unintentional grievous sins.

The key takeaway is that God’s mercy is based on our will and knowledge of what is right and wrong. By understanding the nature of sin and making efforts to eliminate it from our lives, we can connect with God and attain His grace. It is a continuous process of practicing righteousness, seeking forgiveness, and striving for a closer relationship with the Divine.

Unless we extend our best efforts earnestly,and qualify ourselves for the Lord’s mercy,it is next to impossible that we can be rescued from our fallen condition.

Srila Bhaktisidhanta Saraswati Thakur -Upadesha Upakhyana

Doing any kind of work takes effort. If we don’t put effort into our work, it will slowly get worse and eventually be ruined. It’s like if we have a business but don’t work hard, we could lose money and the business might disappear. The same goes for knowledge -if we don’t put effort into learning and understanding, we can forget what we know.

And just like that, when it comes to serving God, we need to make an effort too. We can’t be lazy or give up easily.

We have to keep trying putting efforts to understand philosophy, ask questions when we’re unsure, and do our best to do what God wants, even when it’s hard.

We should also be careful to protect our faith by being careful about the people we spend time with, avoiding those who might influence us in a bad way.

And most importantly, we need to stay excited and enthusiastic about serving God.

A true devotee always focuses on making an effort in serving God. They know that putting in effort is important in everything we do, especially in our relationship with God. Devotees therefore fix their vision on the efforts in the service of God

When it comes to the path of devotion, two essential aspects seamlessly intertwine: the unwavering dedication of one’s efforts during acts of service, and the profound embrace of divine mercy in prayer.

Imagine them as the two wheels of a cart, for without one, the other loses its purpose, rendering the cart motionless. Thus, the harmonious convergence of both is indispensable.

Yet, the focus on mercy and effort undergoes a subtle transformation for the ardent devotee.

During active service rendered unto the Lord, the primary focus lies on the sheer exertion and diligence invested, with mercy assuming a secondary role, residing in the recesses of the devotee’s consciousness.

On the other hand, in the fervent moments of prayer, mercy takes center stage, occupying the forefront of the devotee’s thoughts, while effort retreats to a more subdued presence, lingering in the background.

In essence, during acts of service, the devotee wholeheartedly fixes on the precision of their efforts, for such service is dedicated to the perfection. In this pursuit, the devotee’s attention remains steadfastly devoted to the exertion required for flawless execution.

Conversely, when immersed in prayer, the devotee’s focus intensifies on the expanse of divine mercy, embracing it wholeheartedly. Surrendering themselves completely, the devotee bestows sole credit to the Supreme Lord for all their actions and accomplishments.

Thus, the dance between mercy and effort unfolds, harmonizing seamlessly as the devotee traverses the path of devotion, constantly shifting their focal points.

Everyone wants to be happy, and the good news is that happiness is within reach for anyone, regardless of their age, appearance, job, or income. Happiness is something everyone deserves, and you don’t have to strive to create it.

The real question is: How do we attain happiness?

Well, there’s a super simple four-step happiness formula mentioned in the Charaka Samhita:

Sukham shete satyavakta sukham shete mitavyayi।

Hitabhuk mitabhuk chaiva tathaiva vijitondriyah॥

1. Be honest and speak the truth: Always tell the truth and never lie. When you lie, you end up getting tangled in a web of more lies, which only leads to frustration.The best way to speak truth is to always speak about God because He is the Supreme Truth.

2. Spend wisely: Only spend money on what you truly need. Avoid unnecessary expenses and be mindful of your financial choices.

3. Don’t overindulge in food: Enjoy healthy meals, but don’t go overboard with your eating. It’s all about maintaining a balanced and moderate approach.

4. Keep your senses in check: If you can control your senses and not let them run wild, your mind will find peace and tranquility.

So, in a nutshell, the secret to happiness lies in telling the truth, spending wisely, eating in moderation, and having control over your senses.

It’s a simple yet powerful formula that can pave the way to a happier life.

The main thing holding us back from reconnecting with God isn’t some external force like Maya (illusion), but actually ourselves!

It’s hard to believe, but we are our own worst enemy in this regard. We have nobody to blame but ourselves for our current state.

That’s why Kanak Das, a follower of the Madhva Vaishnava tradition, sings, “I may go, If I will go.

“In simpler terms, if I can let go of my own ego and selfish desires, then maybe I can enter the spiritual world.

When we stop being so self-centered and start focusing on God, we can start our journey back to God.

Of all the nourishing foods,

Detachment nourishes the best.

(Ayurveda sutrasthan 25.40)

Forget popping pills or eating salads, the real deal for getting healthy is something totally different and way more awesome.

It’s called detachment!

Yes, you heard it right. Detaching yourself from material desires is like a super food for your mind and body. It’s the key to finding inner peace and kicking stress and anxieties to the curb.

And you know what that means?

Say goodbye to all those nasty lifestyle diseases like heart attacks, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Plus, your immune system gets a major boost, protecting you from those pesky infections. No stress, no diseases

But here’s the kicker: Detachment isn’t just about the body—it nourishes your soul too.

When you let go of worldly attachments, your soul becomes a warrior, resisting all those tempting distractions and staying focused on one thing: getting that sweet, sweet Love of God. A detached mind is a strong mind, and a strong mind builds a sturdy body!

Those who sacrifice Materialistic Pleasures for the Pleasure of God, for them God is very near.

(Vedanta Desika, a prominent philosopher & theologian in South India during the 13th and 14th centuries)

God desires for us to let go of the pleasures of this world, not out of jealousy, but with our best interests at heart.

Picture this: it’s like parents dealing with a kid who’s all eager to grab a snake’s tail without knowing how dangerous it can be. Just like that, we often have no clue about the risks lurking behind the flashy pleasures of life. What are those risks?

First off, those worldly pleasures are sneaky little devils that distract us from our real purpose in life.

What’s more? They may seem exciting at first, but they eventually leave us feeling empty and frustrated. Those flashy pleasures may seem like a ticket to eternal happiness, but guess what? They’re nothing but mirages in the desert of life. Sooner or later, they leave us parched frustrated, and craving something more substantial.

Oh, and let’s not forget the hustle and bustle we gotta go through just to get a taste of those pleasures. We gotta slog and hustle, clawing our way to grasp them. It’s a continuous struggle, my friends. One wonders, Is this pleasure at all?

You know what’s even worse? Becoming dependent on stuff for our happiness. It’s like being chained to the material world instead of experiencing true unbounded spiritual bliss. It’s time to break free, my friends, and experience a higher levels of bliss not dependent on anything material whatsoever.

And the grand finale? Falling into the trap of addiction. Those worldly pleasures can turn us into slaves, stuck in an endless cycle of chasing after our own desires. It’s like being trapped in a twisted maze, chasing after the next hit of pleasure, losing our true selves in the process.

So here’s the deal: God is all about love and wants the best for us in the long run. So, He’s asking us to let go of the flashy distractions and focus on what really matters—our spiritual growth and well-being. Trust me, it’s the ultimate game-changer that’ll leave you truly charmed and benefited

When lovers come together, their eyes communicate the unsaid sentiment “I am Yours.”

The same holds true for God and His followers. They are the best  of all lovers.

These three straightforward words, “I am Yours,” have numerous layers, though.

I am Yours, according to Madhvacarya, may imply that I am dependent upon You. In all of our endeavors, the Lord is our upholder and sustainer.  He is the inspired within the heart and gives the approval as well.

Yamunacharya reads it as meaning You are my master and controller. Lord personally makes plans for His devoted followers, leads them, and, if necessary, punishes them.

But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu does not stop there; he goes even further, saying, “O my dear Lord! You may use me for your own gain. You can use me for your needs and then discard me if you like. Even if I don’t feel happy, your happiness is my happiness.

But if the next two considerations are not made, no interpretation of I am Yours has any meaning at all.

These three short words of I am Yours are built on the first principle of obedience to God’s rules. Any emotion, no matter how deep, is only sentimentalism without any real meaning if it is not in accordance with God’s will.

Second, the servant needs to know how to look after the master. The lover anticipates consideration and care in the material world. However, there is no such expectation in the spiritual world. It is essentially a service, and the only thing that might be expected in return is more service.

I am Yours is a truly original idea, and if correctly grasped and applied, it will quickly result in the perfection of life, which is Love of God.

Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for the lost money or hidden treasure.

Proverb 2.3-4 Bible

Do you know what’s the price you must pay to meet God?

It is greed! An intense greed to meet Him.

God longs to reveal Himself unto us, but the question is, are we ready to receive Him?

They say : First deserve and then desire. Do two simple things.

First, follow the rules sincerely.

Second, do not speak lofty words and sing songs but show your greed by making your heart pure.

He always is, was, and will be by your side. However, we must be with Him!

The Vedic scriptures are vast and complex, with each verse having multiple layers of meaning. This makes the Vedas glorious and deep, while making them difficult to understand. 

 Many saints have attempted in the past to develop a comprehensive philosophy that can explain all the layers of scripture without falling into contradictions.

 Nimbarkacharya proposed Bheda-Abheda philosophy, Ramanujacharya Vishishta-advaita, Madhavcharya Dvaita, and Vallabhacarya Suddha-Advaita. However, none of their philosophies were adequate or satisfactory.

It was Lord Chaitanya who, five hundred years ago, developed his philosophical system that synthesized the basic ideas of all the other philosophies to create a holistic philosophy capable of harmonizing any Vedic contradiction. 

 From Nimbarkacharya, Lord Chaitanya took Gopi Bhava (the high esteem for the gopis’ love of Krishna) and Ananya Radhika Asraya (the necessity of taking shelter of Radha). 

 From Ramanujacharya, He took Vaishnava Seva (the service of devotees) and Suddha Sharanagati (the concept of Bhakti unpolluted by Karma and Gyan). 

 From Madhavacharya, Mayavad Khandanam (refutation of Mayavad Philosophy) and Archa Vigrah Seva (Deity Worship). 

And from Vallabhacharya, Pushti Marga (the path of raga Bhakti) and Ananya Ashraya (the sentiment of exclusive dependence on Krishna)

 But at the same time, Lord Chaitanya also pointed out the defects in their philosophies. In his essays on Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Bhaktivinoda Thakur points out that Nimbarka’s system is asampurna (not complete), Ramanuja’s system is apraphullit (not blossomed), Madhava’s system is aprasphutit (in seedling stage), and Vallabha’s system is aspashta (not clear).

 Lord Chaitanya removed the flaws and deficiencies in their systems, incorporated their basic aspects, and developed his own philosophical system of Achintya Bheda-Abheda Tattva (simultaneous difference and non-difference).

Indeed, Lord Chaitanya is not only the embodiment of the love of God, but also the supreme philosopher