The character and attitude building in the Vedic culture

18 May '13. Voor het Nederlands klik hier>

What characters and attitude one should develop and help also others to develop so that he or she will have a joyful life here and after? 

This was the theme of the Vedic cultural program of this month.The recommended human development in this regard is given in the 12th chapter of Bhagavad Gita by the Lord Sri Krishna. It is then most authentically exmplained by Srila Prabhupada in his As It Is version. On this program the verses 13  and 14 was discussed for about two hours. It begins as follows: 

One who is not envious but who is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor, who is free from false ego and equal both in happiness and distress, who is always satisfied and engaged in devotional service with determination and whose mind and intelligence are in agreement with Me-he is very dear to Me. Please read more here>> 

Not to be envious or not to hate anyone but be friendely to all living entities is the first character required to live in the society in peaceful co-existence with others, including the animals and environment. This character if developed in us will enable also to qualify to enter into the spiritual planet in the life after. Lord Shri Krishna emphasized this character to develop when Arjuna inquired: Which is considered to be more perfect, those who are properly engaged in Your devotional service, or those who worship the impersonal Brahman, the unmanifested? 12.1

The Lord (in 12.2) replied: He whose mind is fixed on My personal form, always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith, is considered by Me to be most perfect.

Thus it is clear to the devotees like Arjun that worshiping the personal form of the Lord- the Sacidananda rupa, is the most perfect way for self realization. But to be able to come to that level requires one to develop palatable characters in order to qualify one to get into the devotional service. 

These issues of our daily importance was discussed among the participants. Among the regular attendants of this Vedic cultural program, this time two new Dutch aspirants came for the first time. There were about 20 participants. One of the new participants from Veghel expressed her deep appreciation of this program and took a set of Srimad Bhagavatam comprising fourteen volumes. The another new participant found this program very useful but at the same time quite heavy philosophy.

The program concluded with arati, bhajan kirtan and prasadam- see fotos.

To listen to this chapter or read in other languages visit here. 

The others verses of this chapter of Bhagavad Gita illustrates more on character building. That will be our focus in the next monthly program. Gautam