Kaliya Ghat - Place where Krishna subdued the kaliya serpent

Kadamba Tree at Kaliya Ghat

This is one of the special and a sacred place in vrindavan, where devotees visit to remind them of the amazing and blissful pastime of Lord Krishna subduing the venomous serpent kaliya.Kaliya Ghat is just at a 3 minutes walking distance from the famous Madanmohan Temple of Srila Sanatana Gosvami.Also,the bhajan kutir and samadhi of Shrila Prabhodananda Sarasvati are close by this place. As a testimony of the Lord's pastime, the place still has the old Kadamba tree which Krishna climbed up, to jump into the waters of the lake where Kaliya was residing.This place actually used to be a small lake that was part of the great river Yamuna.This is the same, same tree upon which Lord Krishna climbed to jump into the lake where Kalia was living. It is said that the poison of Kaliya was so powerful that all the vegetation,grass and trees near the lake died except this tree.It was said that Garuda who envisioned that Lord Krishna will be coming to perform his pastimes, spilled some drops of Amruta (The Nectar of immortality) on this tree and that's how it could sustain the effects of poison of Kaliya.

Kadamba Tree at Kaliya Ghat

Srimad Bhagavatam and also the Krishna Book by Srila Prabhupada, explains the beautiful pastime in details of how Lord Krishna tightening his turban,his belt, hitting his arms like a wrestler jumped into the dangerous, poisonous waters and sported in the water without any fear. Then, after the furious Kaliya attached him, Lord Krishna fought with it, jumped and danced on the several hoods of the wicked snake. Kaliya felt crushed by each step of Krishna and finally vomiting blood, he surrendered to Lord Krishna. Also, the Naga Patnis - the wives of Kaliya have come to his rescue and prayed to Lord Krishna to spare his life.Lord Krishna forgave Kaliya and spared from killed him but, ordered the snake to leave the surrounds of Yamuna immediately with an assurance that Garuda, the mighty King of Birds will not kill or eat him, because the hoods of Kaliya got the imprints of marking of Lord Krishna's lots footprints.

A Babaji at Kaliya Ghat

It is believed that the snake left Vrindavan to the sea and made Fiji as its home.In Fiji folkfore traditional stories, you can hear numerous stories of a great snake living in one of its caves. Many people believe that Kaliya is still living there. Also, Fiji has the Iskcon's famous temple of Shri Krishna Kaliya temple is located in the heart of Lautoka city.

Bhakti Vinod Thakur, A great Acharya of Gaudiya Vaishnavism writes that,Kaliya represents cruel tendencies or anarths like Pride, deceit, harming others, cruelty and these are the tendencies one needs to give up.

Kaliya Ghat

Upon my visit to this sacred place I met this Babaji. I forgot his name but, I think it is - Shyam Das.For sometime, he was sitting there observing me and my family.As I started explaining about the Kadamba tree, he came upto us and started talking about the pastime of Kaliya Dhaman - Subdueing the serpent Kaliya by Krishna.He even showed us how, Krishna climbed the tree, where he put his feet etc. I asked about him. He informed that he had been living in Vrindavan since last 15 years.Originally, from Gorakhpur, he came here once as a tourist and stayed back. He gave up his family, friends etc for Krishna.I asked him " Di you ever tried or planned to go back?", and he replied saying that "What can I do, Thakurji Aur Yamunaji (Lord Krishna and Yamuna Devi) would not leave me. I am unable to move away from this place". He showed me a small attic sort of place in a nearby building and told me that, he lives there. Especially in winter, when it gets cold he sleeps there.

This is the specially of the place Vrindavana - if you are lucky and keep your eyes and heart open, you can see so many of great devotees in Vrindavan leading a simple life, meditating on the Lord's pastimes by going to the various places he performed his pastimes, hearing to Harikatha etc.

I remembered a verse spoken by Srila Rupa Gosvami,

"smeram bhangi-traya-paricitam saci-vistirna-drstim

 vamsi-nyastadhara-kisalayam ujjvalam candrakena

 govindakhyam hari-tanum itah kesi-tirthopakanthe

 ma preksisthas tava yadi sakhe bandhu-sange´sti rangah

 My dear friend, if you are indeed attached to your worldly friends, do not look at the smiling face of Lord Govinda as He stands on the banks of the Yamuna at Kesi ghata. Casting sidelong glances, He places His flute to His lips, which seem like newly blossomed twigs. His transcendental body, bending in three places, appears very bright in the moonlight." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.239).

Indeed, very few people have this great fortune of having the darshan of Lord Krishna in Tribhanga Form, body bent in three places and even few develop that great love and devotion that makes them the worldly attachments, family,friends, relations and assets insignificant.

As Lord Krishna himself says in Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 7: Knowledge of the Absolute,

"bahunam janmanam ante

 jnanavan mam prapadyate

 vasudevah sarvam iti

 sa mahatma su-durlabhah.

After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that  is. Such a great soul is very rare".

Is he the same person ?

This was a comment made on a Facebook post. One of my cousin posted his photo on the Facebook and one of his friends who saw him after a long time was surprised that the person he knew before and now looks so much different. So much so that, he looked  like a completely different person. So, is it a different person?. Yes and notify we ask the person that if he is the same person or different, he will firstly look at us, as if are you gone nuts or something?. Then, he will reply would be something like, ‘ Yes, I am changed over the time.I now have a new body which is different to the one which I had when I was a baby.But, I can still remember some incidents or memories of my childhood’ (generally from 4 to 5 years onwards).I did meet one person who told me that he actually remembers when he was a 1 year baby.

A Baby

Science tells us that, the body is always changing.As per science a human body consists of 50 to 100 trillion cells and each day about 3 billion cells are killed and similarly new ones created.

 

Bhagavad Gita 2.13 Translation

This verse from Bhagavad Gita succinctly conveys the same message,

"Chapter 2 Text 13

dehino smin yatha dehe

kaumaram yauvanam jara

tatha dehantara-praptir

dhiras tatra na muhyati”

So, to come back to the title of the article, "Is he the same person?". The answer depends on what you consider a person to be.If one considers the skin,bones, hair as 'A person' they are no longer the same because they have already been replaced so many times in the life time of a person.So the body is changing every moment manifesting as a child, youth, old man.But,inspite of all these changes, there is somthing that does not change and remains constant.In Bhagavad Gita, that changeless, non material or spiritual spark is called as the spirit soul. What happens at the time of death is that sub-atomic particle called Soul changes its body to that of another.In the saame section of Gita, it is explained that, just like a person changes his clothes and puts on new garments, the soul changes its bodies to various species of life, depending on the fruits of its past karma or actions. This process of changing bodies or transmigration of soul is called as reincarnation.As explained in Bhagavad Gita,just like an air carries the aroma, a living entity carries with it, the different conceptions of life which means, its desires, likes, dislikes, particular nature to different bodies.So when a person dies, his consciousness lives on and carries forward some of the memories, behaviours tendencies, even phobias etc.

This most important message from this section of Bhagavad Gita is about Soul, Reincarnation and transmigration of Soul answers so many questions or connects the dots which don’t normally make sense of. When we start to learn and understand this science of Soul and incarnation, we start to see things from a higher perspective and that empowers our future life. The most important distinction one can make out is that we are all spirit souls and different from the material body. 

A trip to Mount Wollumbin (Mt Warning)

I was there at this beautiful place with wonderful Tropical Rainforest few weeks ago.Mount Wollumbin as the aboriginals call it and later named as Mt Warning is a mountain in the Tweed Range in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia, was formed from a volcanic plug of the now-gone Tweed Volcano.The Mountain is about 1100 Mts and trekking both ways takes about 4 to 5 Hours. 

Mount Wollumbin (Mt Warning)

Mount Wollumbin (Mt Warning)

Mount Wollumbin (Mt Warning)

A View of the top of the Mountain

A Huge tre

Mount Wollumbin (Mt Warning)

Not for the weak hearted (I felt) but, I did see some Senior people coming down from the Mountain. Everyone's reaction was that - it's beautiful, wonderful and amazing view from the top.I did not go really far because, my intent of the visit to the mountain was that of curiosity and let us see how it looks like. Though, I was disappointed that once we start trekking that from the base of the Mountain, you cannot get the whole view of the Mountain. So, the best view is when you are on Top or driving towards it.Once I started climbing the Mountain, I somehow felt the place to be a sacred or spiritual vibration. When, my son one time hit a tree trunk with a smaller stick that he picked up,the words spontaneously came out of my mouth. "Son, Be respectful to the trees and everything in this place".Later I learnt that this is a sacred Mountain for the Bundjalung people, and to many of the other Australian Aboriginal tribes.Anyway, I was travelling with my family and running short of time, did not go long.Me and my eldest son msut have climbed for about a Kilometer or so and decided to return back because, we have people waiting for us at the base of the Mountain. Anyway, this was a mysterious and interesting Mountain to visit. 

Always be a Yogi – Koala Yoga and the way to sleep

This is the way one should be sleeping. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of visitors, I am impressed to see this Koala at Currumbin* Wildlife sanctuary is sleeping with its body perfectly balanced between the tree branches. This is the way to sleep. Like a yogi who is deep meditation, and nothing else can disturb him.

In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 Verse 46, this is what Lord Krishna advises Arjuna that, 

Koalas at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

A Koala at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

"A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi”.

Generally, the moment word Yogi is heard, people take it to be someone who had given up everything in life, wearing orange clothes, leading a secluded life, of course with a long beard, one who can bend his body in any direction etc.

But, Lord Krishna in the very next verse 47 gives his opinion about the best or highest of all the yogis.

“yoginām api sarveṣāḿ
 mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā
 śraddhāvān bhajate yo māḿ
 sa me yukta-tamo mataḥ

Translation

And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me—he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion”.

Further on from the Chapters and at the conclusion of Bhagavad Gita, we understand that Arjuna becomes the greatest yogi by performing his duty as a devotional service to the Supreme Lord, which is called bhakti-yoga and is considered as the ultimate perfection of all Yogas.

The word Yoga has its roots in a word called Yuj, which means to connect with the Supreme God. So, the ultimate purpose of any yoga is to connect to the supreme reality. Talking about Koala Yoga,the word Yoga today has become synonymous with a particular body posture but, in reality it is only one part called Hatha Yoga where a number of yoga poses are incorporated taking the inspiration from the nature like, Birds, Animals,trees, Reptiles and even Aquatics.(Hatha Yoga inturn is a branch or limb of Astanga Yoga which consists of Eight limbs called Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara,   Dharana,Dhyana and ultimately Samadhi).

Here is a list of some Yoga poses:-

Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): Benefits are flexibility, reduce stiffness and tension.

Cat Pose (Bidalasana): Useful for for increasing spine flexibility

Fish Pose (Matsyasana): Useful to relieve congestion in the nasal passages.

Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana): Good for the spine (posture) and stretches both the legs and the arms.

Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): An excellent pose to open the chest and also strengthens the spine.

Pigeon Pose (Rajakapotasana): Stretches the upper legs, increasing flexibility.

Crow Pose (Bakasana): Crow Pose is an invigorating and satisfying balancing act.

Peacock Pose (Mayurasana): This pose is good for balance and strength, but also aids the inner organs.

Eagle Pose (Garudasana): Stretching for the upper body.

Crocodile Pose (Makarasana): Excellent resting pose for relieving stress and tension.

Scorpion Pose (Vrischikasana),Frog Pose (Bhekasana),Camel Pose (Ushtrasana),

Turtle Pose (Kurmasana) etc.
* (http://www.cws.org.au/ Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a heritage-listed    zoological garden at 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin, Queensland, Australia)

Artwork Images of Indigenous Culture at Law Building, University of Melbourne

Today, I happened to visit the Law building at the University of Melbourne campus for a team activity on level 9, Common room.There, I came across these interesting artwork.I thought, they are awesome, mystical, charming and intriguing.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK IMAGES

Artist: Ande K Terare

Language group: Bundjalung

Tribe/clan: Minjungbal

Titles of image:‘Food Sites’

Ande K Terare was born in 1970 on the North Coast of New South Wales. He gained knowledge of traditional culture from older siblings and other relatives in his family. His paintings depict the traditional ways of life: the land, the natural resources, ceremonies, stories and legends, and contemporary works which are largely influenced by his Aboriginal heritage. He currently shows his work at Art Yarramunua Gallery (www.artyarramunua.com.au)

Indigenous Artwork

Indigenous Artwork

Indigenous Artwork

It's me, Ofcourse

Indigenous Artwork

Indigenous Artwork

Let me get some Good Karma

Saving a Butterfly for Good Karma

One day as I got into the lift at my workplace and noticed that One of my colleague was standing in a stiff and funny way. 'What's wrong with him', I thought and then I noticed that he is having a butterfly sitting on his shoulder."What are you upto Mate ?." I asked him, trying to not disturb his mood of whatever that he is upto.Looking a little bit embarrassed and proud my colleague replied." Oh, You see ! Found him trapped in the lift.Obviously, he is in the wrong place. I am going to take him out of the building and leave him in the nature. Let me get some Good Karma". I thought this is a good act by my colleague. If someone wants to bestow kindness, there are so many ways he can.Man is endowed with a higher sense, which is different to the animals. For animals in the jungle, the laws are different. There, the strongest will survive. But, laws of human beings are different.It is not the survival of the fittest but, Live and let live. It is showing compassion and taking care of other living beings suffering in the world.What could be the intention of my colleague - I wondered. Because, most of the times people consider Karma to be something straight forward and black and white. Also, some people visualize it as a dramatic event of equal justice, ' An eye for eye' etc.I also remember seeing a movie, long time ago where the villian is a Mafia Don and getting people killed.Once he hears the news of someone dead, he dramatically saves a Ant or a insect drowing in a glass of water or somthing and says something like ‘One killed and another saved.It is now even..Ha ha ha’ Actually, it is not so. The laws of Karma are so intricate and difficult that even the most knowledgeable persons are sometimes bewildered. Bhagavad Gita advises the same thing. There is a story of  a King Nrga in Bhagavatam who performed a wonderful Fire sacrifice and donated a lots of Cows to brahmanas but, had to take birth as a lizard for a simple mistake of donating same cow twice.Similarly, we see a rich person who has practically everything like fleet of Cars, Bank balance and a huge mansion can only eat so much or may be cannot eat sweets due to health reasons, or he might have a 20 bedrooms but, cannot go to sleep suffering with insomnia. So, the Karma for a living entity as Mahabharata explains, especially an evil deed is like a indigestible food in the belly- which is its own punishment, if not experienced in this life will follow us to the next life. No one can escape the laws of Karma (Not even by suicide)

So, it is completely wrong to consider that one wrong act or deed can be counteracted by another noble act or a good deed.

An Evil Act - Law of Karma

As per Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 and 3 Krishna explains karma, akarma and vikarma. Karma Yoga is essentially acting, or doing one's duties in life as per his/her dharma, or duty, without attachment to results – a sort of constant sacrifice of action to the Supreme. It is action done without thought of gain. In a more modern interpretation, it can be viewed as duty bound deeds done without letting the nature of the result affect one's actions. Krishna advocates Nishkama Karma yoga (Selfless Action) as the ideal path to realize the Truth. The most important theme of Karma Yoga is not focused on renouncing the work, but doing the work in the spirit of detachment and sacrifice.

Thus, there are various paths or Yogas explained in Bhagavad Gita like, Karma Yoga which is further subdivided into Sakama Karma Yoga which is performing a work with a God Consciousness but there is still an attachment to the fruits of the work, and Nishkama Karma Yoga where one is completely detached from the fruits of work with God as center.

Lord Krishna, advises Arjuna to fight without considering happiness or distress, loss or gain, victory or defeat and informs him that by this he will not incur Bad Karma, Vikarma or Sin. And, then further on Lord Krishna talks about various other yoga, like Jnana Yoga, Dhyana or Ashtanga Yoga and  finally Bhakti Yoga, which is the devotional service to God.

Dhruva Teela,Dauji and Shatrughna Temples at Madhuvan Forest

Lord Vishnu deity in the temple at Dhruva Teela

Dhruv Teela

During my last visit to India, I visited Madhuvan, the forest near Mathura.Madhuvan is one of the 12 forests of Vraja Mandala,situated towards the western side of river Yamuna.This is a very special forest area with many interesting references in the scriptures. Although, today the forest area is reduced to a bare minimum, may be about 50 Acres, the place (Now a small Village) still has some magical charm to it.After visiting the temple and taking darshan of the deity of Lord Vishnu,we stepped on to explore the forest. There are a number of Peacocks and some small cottages, Huts where some Babaji's live.We entered the residence of one of the Babaji's, who had few Cows, I looked around nervously to see if there is any sign-boards like, 'Keep off, private property. Trespassers will be prosecuted, or something similar. However, there was nothing like that and our Guide, Radha Charan Prabhu being a local was quite at ease and patting the Cows there remarked to the old man relaxing on a Cot 'Beautiful Cows Babaji, are these yours?.' And, the old Babaji got up and with folded hands said 'Nothing is mine.They all belong to Tagore ji(Lord Krishna)'.

Walking around in the forest

Srimad Bhagavatam describes the pastime of Dhruva Maharaj in Satya Yuga, who at the tender age of five, left home in anger.He wanted to sit on the lap of his father while his step brother is already sitting.His step mother immediately stopped him saying that to gain the eligibility to sit on your father's lap, you should be born as a son to me.Angry and humiliated Dhruva went to his mother and told her that - as a revenge, he wanted to get a bigger kingdom than that of his father or anyone else in the world. His mother advised him that only Lord Vishnu can fulfil his desire and it is said that Lord gives his vision to people who worship him undergoing severe penances in the forests.

Selfie in the forest

Forest Walk

Then Dhruv left home and on his way met Narada Rishi on his way. Narada Rishi took pity on the boy and advised him to go back. But, upon seeing determination of the young Prince, Narada Rishi gave his blessings and advised him to go to Madhuvan forest,perform his tapasya there.He also gave initiation and the mantra 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' to Dhruva.Interestingly, Narada Rishi gave a wonderful description of the appearance, features of how the Supreme God looks like and instructs Dhruva to meditate on this form of Lord Vishnu and not on any light or other forless aspects of God.

So there is a Hillock famously known as Dhruva Teela,the place where he performed his Tapasya meditation and attained the darshan, vision of lord Vishnu known as Prsni Garbha.Today, there is a small temple with deity of Lord Vishnu exists. There is also a Shiva Linga and a stone inscription by a sadhu who centuries old, which glorifies the power of this place and how he also performed the tapasya and had darshan of the Lord Vishnu.As instructed by Narada Rishi, Dhruva practiced controlling of Breath - Pranayama, Astanga yoga, devotional service and worship of Lord Vishnu for six months.

Bhagavatam explains that when Dhruva Maharaj performed tapasya or austerities, deity worship, devotional service, chanting the mantra given by Narada Rishi Lord Vishnu appeared and awarded him the kingdom of Dhruva Loka, which is famously called as Pole Star, which is the brightest star visible in the sky. 

Entrance to the cave of Lavanasura

Cave of Lavanasura

Dhruv Teela

Then there is also a small temple of Shatrughna, the brother of Lord Rama,who made his capital in Madhuvan.There is a small temple and Deity of Satrughna.Then, there is Krishna Kund which was made by Krishna striking his flute on the ground. There is also a cave in which the demon Lavanasura lived and who was killed by Satrughna.You can visit the cave of the demon Lavanasura today which was of course built with steps and walls, so that people can go and visit the place.Probably, this is the only place where there is a temple for Shatrugna (I thought but, later found out that there is one more temple for Shatrugna. Bharat and Shatrugna are the two demigods known as Ashwini Kumaras incarnated in human form).

Deity of Lord Shatrugna with his wife

It is also said that during the time of Lord Krishna's pastimes on earth, this used to be the pasturing ground for his cows.Lord Krishna, as Gopal would bring His cows for grazing to the forest of Madhuvan and would have His cows drink the cool nectarine waters of Madhu Kunda also known as  Krishna Kunda in Madhuvan.It is said that during the time of Krishna, Madhuvan was filled with Kalpavriksha trees covered with the most nectarine bee hives which would produce the sweetest Madhu (honey) in all the creation for the pleasure of Krishna. Therefore this forest came to be known as Madhuvan and Krishna would perform the sweet pastime of Rasa Leela with the Gopis on the banks of Madhu Kunda in the autumn season.

Temple of Dauo Ji - Lord Balaram

Dauo Ji - Balaram appearing in Black Complexion

There is also a temple of Balarama who is known as Dauo ji(Elder Brother) and the speciality of Balaram here is that instead of white color, here the deities complexion is black. The reason for which is explained that,Once while extolling the beautiful qualities of Krishna to the Gopis, in order to pacify their feelings of separation after Krishna’s departure from Vrindavan, Balaram ji Himself became so absorbed in thoughts of Krishna that His complexion turned blackish.Dauji is the village deity and we have also visited this temple and took darshan and blessings of Dauji. I went into a local village shop and bought some Mishri (sugar candy) and Yoghurt and offered them to Dauji because, apparently you should never go to a temple empty handed.