Followers

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Million More Times Piety

vastuḥ koṭi-guṇaṁ śrutaṁ hi sukṛtaṁ
vāso’nna-vāsādibhiḥ
tīrthe vāsayituḥ svayaṁ hi tarati
dvau tau sa yat tārayet |
premānanda-rasātma-dhāmani pare
vṛndāvana-vāsakas tv
āścaryāṁ vṛṣabhānujā-priya-ratiṁ
prāpnoty anāyāsataḥ ||

Anyone who helps others reside in Vrindavan by supplying them with food, clothes and residence, accumulates a million more times piety than one who resides there, because one who resides there delivers only himself, whereas one who helps others reside there delivers himself as well as those that he helps. One who helps someone reside in the highest blissful abode of Vrindavan easily develops wonderful attachment for Krishna, the beloved Lord of the daughter of Vrishabhanu. (VMA 1.73)

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

No Need for Psychiatrists and Psychologists

Both Vrindavan and Gokul remind us of the enjoyment and pleasures of a life filled with love. Bhakthi here is enjoyment, happiness, love. The temples of Vrindavan resound with music. Devotees sing and dance and lose themselves in their bhakthi. There is hope and love. There is a temporary respite from the drudgery and misery of daily grind. In Gokul, after chanting “Om Shri Bhagavathe Vasudevaya!” devotees are asked to raise both hands and laugh loudly. If the laugher is not loud enough or lively enough, the pujari will chide you, “Louder! With more spirit!” The temple here resounds with happy laughter along with chants and bhajans.

We can see how temples, as indeed other places of worship, were places that relieved stress and kept depression at bay. In those days there was no need for psychiatrists and psychologists. The simple people with their pious beliefs found solace in temples and other places of worship.

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