LeadingMeaningful

Lives

Based on the teachings of

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

PrabhupadaFounder Acharya –

International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Fundamental Question

Who am I ?

Lord Krishna explains

dehino ’smin yathä dehe

kaumäraà yauvanaà jarä

tathä dehäntara-präptir

dhéras tatra na muhyatiBhagavad - gétä 2.13

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this

body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at

death.”

väsäàsi jérëäni yathä vihäyanaväni gåhëäti naro ’paräëi

tathä çaréräëi vihäya jérëäny

anyäni saàyäti naväni dehé

Bhagavad - gétä 2.22

“As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones,

the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.”

na jäyate mriyate vä kadäcinnäyaà bhütvä bhavitä vä na

bhüyaùajo nityaù çäçvato ’yaà

puräëona hanyate hanyamäne

çarére

Bhagavad - gétä 2.20

“For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He is unborn,

eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.”

4 things which we all are busy with

Eating

Animals also eat butnot is such a gorgeous way

Sleeping

Animals also sleep but may not in a cozy bed in an aircontioned room

Mating

Animals may also may do so, but not in a gorgeous fashion as man

Defending

Animals do in a crude way. We do using the missiles and nuclear

arsenals.

Scriptures point out

that...

... if we spend all our time in

• eating,• sleeping,• mating and• defending...

...then we are no better than

animals.

dharmeëa héna paçubhiù samäna

Without real religious principles, we are no better

than animals.

dvi-päda-paçu

Animals with two legs.

Western countries have reached summit of

material advancement

Luxurious Houses

Skyscraper Buildings

Jet Planes

Latestmethods of

communication

In spite of all this advancement, men are

dissatisfied full of anxiety stressed depressed

& above all unhappy

WHY ?

Story of Golden Cage

Bible points out

“What profieth a man if he wins the whole world

but loses the soul.”

Human life is meant for

“Now you have achieved a human body, you

should enquire about the Absolute Truth.”

athätho brahma-jijïäsä

In human life we are endowedwith intelligence to inquire

Who am I ? Who is God ? What happens after death ? Why am I suffering ? What is the real aim of my life ?

labdhvä su-durlabham idaà bahu-sambhavänte

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29

“We have attained human form, which is very rare, after

many many lifetimes.”

mänuñyam artha-dam anityam apéha dhéraù

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29

“Although human life is temporary, it affords one

opportunity to attain highest perfection.”

türëaà yateta na pated anu-måtyu yävan

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29

“A sober man should quickly endeavor for ultimate goal before he falls into clutches

of death.”

niùçreyasäya viñayaù khalu sarvataù syät

Srimad Bhagavatam 11.9.29

“Sense gratification (eating, sleeping, mating, defending)

is available even in most abominable species of life.”

Am I too young for spiritual practices ?

Story of lady approaching Aristotle for her child’s education

Instructions of Prahlada Maharaj from Srimad Bhagavatam

kaumära äcaret präjïo

“One who is intelligent should use human body from tender age of childhood to practice activities

of devotional service.”

durlabhaà mänuñaà janma

“The human birth is most rarely achieved.”

tad apy adhruvam arthadam

“Although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because

one can practice devotional service and progress towards

ultimate goal.”

So what should we do ?

Vedic Scriptures favorable breeze

Spiritual Master expert captain to steer the

boat

Human Body boat

Practical Tips

Chant the Holy Names of the Lord everyday, especially Hare Krishna maha-mantra.

Practical Tips

Read and practically apply instructions of Bhagavad-gita & Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Practical Tips

Aspire to spend time with saintly persons and make best use of all such oppurtunities.

“Its really a process of

having realization of

God.”

George Harrison

“Everything started happening

for me when I began chanting Hare Krishna.”

Jean Claude Halliche

Youngest Directorof 3M Inc. - France

(29 year old)

“Chanting Hare Krishna has

made a tremendous

impact in my life.”

Albert Brush Ford

Owner - Ford Motors

“I've been chanting Hare

Krishna for many years, and I've never found

anything more pleasurable. Just try to chant 5-10

minutes a day for a week and you'll

feel the difference.”

N.D. Desai

Leading Indian Industrialist

(Apar Limited, GE Apar Lighting, CEMA Tubes,

Apar Infotech)

“Chanting Hare Krishna has helped me face all the ups and downs in my life with a great confidence and peace of mind.”

Hrishikesh Mafatlal

CEO - Mafatlal Fabrics

“Chanting helped me give up bad

habits. It changed my vision of

things.”

Anne SchaufussDutch Model

“By starting to chant Hare Krishna,

I feel tremendous happiness.”

Vicki Overtonleading European Model

Marco Ferrini

Italy’s top furniture designer

“Chanting makes me feel close to God.”

“Mahä-mantra

significantly reduces stress,

depression, & the mode of ignorance

and considerably

increases mode of

goodness.”

David Wolf

Master of Social Service Program at Florida State

University

Researcher for studying the

effects of chanting Hare Krishna Mahä-mantra.

“If I start my day on a spiritual

note by chanting Hare Krishna, I

can make it through the day

in a pleasant mood.”

Stephen Farmer

Health food store owner

“Chanting has opened my eyes to things I never noticed. Its like

beautiful music – a very peaceful

feeling, very satisfying.”

Mrs. Grace Acquistapace

Housewife

“When I am stressed out, I chant. It’s one thing which charges my batteries. It

clears my mind and brings me back in focus.”

Paul Bleier

Printing Executive

“When I’m nervous I find chanting very

claming. I don’t get shaken up at

little things.”

Mrs. Sally Raleigh

Merchandiser

“My outlook towards life is

lot more brighter,

after starting to associate with Hare Krishna

devotees and chanting the

mahä-mantra.”

Bruce Klienberg

Army Officer

“Chanting makes me more

perceptive, more in harmony with everything and

everyone around me.”

Jane Lahner

Jewelry Designer

Hare Krishna