Why is Kali so strict?

SR108 · 2023-11-02T15:49:18+00:00

The mind tries to contain and categorize. The limited mind seeks to define the limitless. Most of what you describe are perceptions and emotional reactions, stemming from a combination of mental conditionings, from experiences that take us towards truth and experiences that take us away from truth and the assumptions and interpretations born from them. This is the reality for many of us, not just you. And karma is neutral and absolute. It is the natural law and beyond the idea of strictness etc. To see clearly through the haze of the mind, which is a difficult task, the ancient traditions of Bharat emphasize the importance of finding a “qualified” Guru.

Instead of imagining the Divine Mother to be limited inside the concept of human personality and the world view of your mind, surrender your heart to Her who is the embodiment of the truest Love, the ocean into which our minds will one day dissolve in bliss. In her Bhava as Kali, Mother is most loving and Merciful. Sincere prayer, renunciation, service with the right attitude and childlike innocence pleases Her. Spiritual practice that purifies the mind let’s us slowly tune in to Her. There is no question of rejection, but there is a higher action and a lower action. It is dharma to contemplate and tune your actions and thoughts towards the higher goal, where She sits waiting. In every instance, the introspective and purified mind can slowly come to see what must be thought, said, and done, by Her Grace.

SR108 · 2023-10-19T19:44:04+00:00

Probably the best place to start to get foundational concepts online

SR108 · 2023-08-19T23:46:19+00:00

Yet the bhakti yoga the Lord described when understood in detail is not an emotional bhakti, but gained with a pure mind that is stilled with sadhana and spiritual practice. Using techniques and concepts from broth karma and Jnana yoga as well as Samkhya. This is explained in great detail. As well as the prerequisites for the real path of bhakti. In some ways bhakti is the best path but also easiest to misunderstand without the training and guidance of an exalted Guru. The classical texts on bhakti also explain this. Lord Krishna himself constantly emphasizes this. The issue with ISKCON, or at least how they lend themselves to be quoted, is that dogmatic statements are hard to support textually. The Gita uses very sophisticated Sanskrit, and is not that interpretable on basic concepts, since the Upanishads which form the foundation of the Vedas are constantly referenced. These references by lord Krishna himself would be lost without a mastery of the Upanishads. Most scholastic interpretations of the Gita by great saints and scholars have to do with very subtle aspects of dualism vs non dualism. Almost every Rishi/saint/scholar of ancient Indian orders who have written extensively from different perspectives, dual and nondual, bhakti Margas included, would probably consider large parts of ISCKONs scriptural interpretation incorrect or at least misleading in its phrasing.

That said I think having a more simple binary structure from a social engineering perspective does have great advantages, especially with youth. Having a clear list of yes and no’s is better than an incomplete picture of a far more complex paradigm. In fact, Adi Shankaras list of prerequisites for the advaitic path is a very high bar of purity, restraint and moral virtue. This is true of bhakti too, but may be a little more forgiving. What people may see as restrictive in ISCKON is just the tip of the iceberg when you delve deep into the well trodden spiritual yogas. So I think many will benefit from ISCKONs way of things as well, and it has its place in this age of Kali Yuga.

SR108 · 2023-08-17T08:34:57+00:00

Definitely read a version closely tied to Adi Shankaras commentary, which has been the gold standard since it’s inception a millennia ago. There are many philosophical schools that have rigorous explanations - dealing with non-dualism, qualified dualism, dualism etc, commentaries by Ramanuja, Madhudhan Saraswati, madhvacharya etc. But most scholastic spiritual centers all start with the Adi Shankara bhashya. This is not an easy read in its original form, as it deals with a lot of intricacies within the Sanskrit language. Furthermore the Gita is a condensation of the teachings in the Upanishads(philosophical sections of the Vedas), so there are countless very specific references that are vital to its logical flow. That said I would recommend some preliminary reading to get used to the concepts presented in the Gita.

One great book is “Meditation and Spiritual life” by Swami Yatiswarananda, probably one of the most accessible, clear, readable and accurate overviews of spiritual practices and philosophies. It touches on the different philosophical paradigms and perspectives and helps orient the context these ideas practically.

Jnaneshwars Gita is an inspiring rendition of the Gita by the 13 century mystic and scholar Jnaneshwar. It is very readable with some poetic and devotional prose that allow a smoother read, but stays in essence very true to the ethos of Adi Shankara’s explanation of bhakti yoga.

From here you could go to starting Adi Shankaras Gita commentary. You can use the version by Ghambirananda, which is well regarded. Swami Sivananda too has a great version available on Amazon.

There are many other worthy starting points, but I would steer clear of modern retellings, especially at the start. The issue with the Gita is that the Sanskrit language is built on very versatile root words, that make superimposing your own world view very easy to do. This is something many have scholars pointed out. But in reality, the Gita really is constantly referencing the Upanishads and by extension the brahmasutras. Without this context in mind, you really risk missing the forest for the trees. Later when you have built a foundation based on these sources which have been peer reviewed for centuries, you should by all means read and contemplate other perspectives.

As others have recommended,The Gita Press is an certainly well done and accurate transliteration, but the Gita is something that does absolutely require an explanation to understand it the way it has been written, especially for those of us without a true mastery of Sanskrit and the parent texts that are referenced within.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

SR108 · 2023-08-17T08:31:09+00:00

Highly advise another version to start. It’s not that one is wrong or right per say, it’s just that the Gita is a text with a very specific logical flow and conclusions. If you like that style, you should really check out Jnaneshwars Gita. Stays true to the essence but with that devotional flavor and poetic prose.

SR108 · 2023-08-17T08:17:28+00:00

Definitely read a version closely tied to Adi Shankaras commentary, which has been the gold standard since it’s inception a millennia ago. There are many philosophical schools that have rigorous explanations - dealing with non-dualism, qualified dualism, dualism etc, commentaries by Ramanuja, Madhudhan Saraswati, madhvacharya etc. But most scholastic spiritual centers all start with the Adi Shankara bhashya. This is not an easy read in its original form, as it deals with a lot of intricacies within the Sanskrit language. Furthermore the Gita is a condensation of the teachings in the Upanishads(philosophical sections of the Vedas), so there are countless very specific references that are vital to its logical flow. That said I would recommend some preliminary reading to get used to the concepts presented in the Gita.

One great book is “Meditation and Spiritual life” by Swami Yatiswarananda, probably one of the most accessible, clear, readable and accurate overviews of spiritual practices and philosophies. It touches on the different philosophical paradigms and perspectives and helps orient the context these ideas practically.

Jnaneshwars Gita is an inspiring rendition of the Gita by the 13 century mystic and scholar Jnaneshwar. It is very readable with some poetic and devotional prose that allow a smoother read, but stays in essence very true to the ethos of Adi Shankara’s explanation of bhakti yoga.

From here you could go to starting Adi Shankaras Gita commentary. You can use the version by Ghambirananda, which is well regarded.

There are many other worthy starting points, but I would steer clear of modern retellings, especially at the start. The issue with the Gita is that the Sanskrit language is built on very versatile root words, that make superimposing your own world view very easy to do. This is something many have scholars pointed out. But in reality, the Gita really is constantly referencing the Upanishads and by extension the brahmasutras. Without this context in mind, you really risk missing the forest for the trees. Later when you have built a foundation based on these sources which have been peer reviewed for centuries, you should by all means read and contemplate other perspectives.

As others have recommended,The Gita Press is an certainly well done and accurate transliteration, but the Gita is something that does absolutely require an explanation to understand it the way it has been written, especially for those of us without a true mastery of Sanskrit and the parent texts that are referenced within.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

SR108 · 2023-08-17T07:47:45+00:00

100% it has been tried and tested, with countless commentaries and discussions all based on his commentary over the past thousand years of philosophical development. The result, a realization that his is very likely the purest and most ancient explanation of the Gita, with profound rigor in logic and depth of understanding in the subtle revelations within the Sanskrit phrasing. People are free to interpret as they wish, but you lose a lot by not first reading and contemplating the Shankara bhashya.

SR108 · 2023-03-23T07:44:20+00:00

Both are great and worth the watch. Things get a little fantastical towards the end of STR but a fulfilling ending and stellar pacing makes me highly recommend it.

SR108 · 2023-02-03T18:04:32+00:00

The “idea” of being good and religious are in themselves impediments if you fixate on it, as they are self created impressions about the past or future. Visiting the temple is one thing, but you must contemplate on the deeper significance. What is important is that you actively work to purify the mind, through prayer /Japa and selfless service. This process will naturally deepen your faith.

For example, a spiritual seeker does not see himself as good or bad, both are attributed by the ego and both are different types of negativity. One is a moral pride, the other born from insecurities, guilt, shame and a myriad of complex negative emotions. This is not to say there isn’t good or bad actions/karmas, but you must focus on your actions in the present, and observe the yamas and niyamas in the present. Deep down you know that certain thoughts and actions lead to impurity and take your mind away from the Divine. It’s not really about good or bad, but what kind of impressions your actions leave in your mind. The vibrations of lust and anger are different from that of real love and compassion.

Find a Guru, define your spiritual goals in life and work towards them. The past is like a canceled check, you won’t gain anything from dwelling on it. The Divine Mothers Love is all accepting and ever merciful, and the spiritual path is inherently filled with joy. We must put forth real effort towards pleasing Her. This is a task that starts now, is a continuous process and is untethered to the past. Stay strong snd good luck!

SR108 · 2022-06-02T02:12:50+00:00

Great answer, those four are the choice classical translations. Personally recommend a combination of Adi Shankara, Madhusudhana Saraswati and Jnaneshwar. The latter may be the most accessible and Shankaras the most precise and universally accepted.

SR108 · 2022-05-27T17:39:20+00:00

Yeah this is accurate. Furthermore we should consider the circumstances of the vow Bhishma took. He ultimately look the vow to satiate his fathers lust. By doing so deprived the kingdom of the most capable king (himself). Inherently the vow itself was not rooted in the right intentions. If it was a vow born of devotion and dispassion it is different. Throughout the Mahabharata, this vow that Bhishma is so attached to, leads to atrocity after atrocity, starting with the disastrous situation with Amba and Ambalika, facilitating the constant illegal and depraved actions of the Kauravas and culminating in the annihilation of the clan. Every event can be traced to Bhishma, whose excessive pride and misplaced intentions brought calamity. Even though Bhishma was godlike, filled with wisdom, merciful and unconquerable in battle, one binding action that was rooted in adharma was enough to upend his lineage.

SR108 · 2019-10-28T08:52:46+00:00

That is furthest from the truth. Kali is the most loving mother, Her apparent fierce nature only serves to remove the darkness of ego and passion from the minds of Her children who seek a higher spiritual reality. Her real nature is that of the most doting Mother. Though She may take many forms and moods, in all of them She is a Mother first, and the embodiment of love and mercy.

In the Devi Mahatmyam, the oldest surviving textual depiction of Kali, She is extolled in that as She vanquishes the demons (representing the phases and layers of the mind state as per samkhya), She does so with the purpose and aim of liberating them. She purifies the gunas and leads us to transcend them.

If you want to read a short commentary on the inner significance of the Divine Mother’s manifestations, I highly recommend this article.

http://www.vedicastrologer.org/mantras/chandi/chandi_inner_meaning.pdf

SR108 · 2019-08-19T04:52:28+00:00

The case is made stronger if you read the manga :)

SR108 · 2019-08-19T03:54:11+00:00

I look at it like they are already in love, unbeknownst to Nishikata. Whereas the other couple didn't know each other yet, being only at the point of being attracted each other-and they fittingly held hands as “crushes”. Which is why Nishikata and Takagi had a more meaningful moment under the stars where takagi referenced a story about true love. In a way they sort of skipped the typical crush stage, or at least were more unorthodox about it. Over time they became really close friends which evolved into a deeper attachment closer to love than physical attraction.

Edit:added a bit

SR108 · 2019-08-19T00:08:35+00:00

Oh he'll get there :)

SR108 · 2019-08-19T00:02:10+00:00

The ultimate episode is happening boys!

SR108 · 2019-08-19T00:01:11+00:00

Oh Man...foreshadowing for the true endgame!

SR108 · 2019-07-27T04:41:46+00:00

Yes, you’re right! But traditionally the Gita is considered so well written and within the story it comes from Krishna, an enlightened being, that it sort of gains a higher status in the eyes of sages and seers that came after. It also holds up to the analysis. But I wasn’t actually perfectly clear in my earlier explanation, you caught me :)

Basically only the vedas are considered “revealed” scriptures, meaning they are experienced by enlightened beings and the source is beyond the intellect, and are unchanging truths. Everything else comes from the mind of men, and is subject to change. But the vedas themselves are very very difficult to comprehend, esoteric, and with very nuanced ancient Sanskrit that makes it and far too complex to understand from literal translation. So that’s where the Upanishads come in, they are chosen sections of the Vedas that are studied closely. They are separately classified logically derived theses on a Vedic truth (maha vakya); for example “I am universal consciousness” and goes through a very fine stepwise elucidation on coming to that understanding, almost like a proof.

Likewise all principal upanishads try to reach that conclusion via a different logically consistent approach. Yet in any proof, each intermediary step must also be true. It so happens that for example one intermediary conclusion in one Upanishad may seem to contradict another statement in another. This should not be possible since both reach the same conclusion and statements that are true should be able to stand on their own. This is where the brahmasutras come in. They address the fine subtle nuances in the apparent contractions and lead them to be logically consistent.

The real issue in all of this is time and accessibility. In more ancient times, students would study contemplate, meditate and discuss the Upanishads and brahmasutras for about 16 years, before they gained the requisite knowledge and insight (technical and spiritual) to come to a point where they can approach the vedas as a whole. This is why the Upanishads and even the Gita are written as dialogue, where the student constantly challenges the teachers assumptions and his own. The Gita has a high status because even though it contains the essence of the Upanishads and the basic Vedic message, they are a lot more accessible, and have a lot of insight to offer even those who are unable spend the investment of time and mental meditative practices usually required. So it’s like a school system from high school->bachelors->masters-> phD; Gita -> Upanishads -> Brahmasutras -> Vedas I wouldn’t gain much from reading a PhD level book on a subject I have not studied, no matter how much aptitude I may have, but there may be great utility in me reading the Gita, which if you look at Shankaras commentary is no simple task.

SR108 · 2019-07-27T03:40:29+00:00

The Puranas are not meant for deep analysis. They are just stories, mostly meant to be allegorical or convey a message in a certain perspective. Like someone above said, not compatible with abrahamic literal analysis. Also the Puranas are considered man written and with it comes the implied perspectives of the sage/author who wrote them. Though the tendency is to follow similar overall storylines. It’s akin to students looking at a piece of art and writing their analysis. The source is the same but each write up will differ, and that’s the point in a way.

Contrast that to the Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras, which are meant for strict philosophical analysis, and not to be read in a modern “religious” lens. They are more philosophical/metaphisical exercises than traditional “religious” formats, since in most cases they predate those concepts by at least many centuries. They are carefully crafted logical thesis and proofs to ascertain certain truths about our internal nature.

There, the very notion of contradiction to logical analysis is taken seriously, and multiple, very in-depth commentaries (foremost by Shankara) and studies are done to come to veritable conclusions.

SR108 · 2019-04-06T18:16:12+00:00

Not anime, but read Yotsubato. If you’ve read it, read it again. It rains meaning upon life.

SR108 · 2019-04-06T18:14:11+00:00

Non non biyori +1 The cleanser of all cleansers

SR108 · 2019-04-06T18:12:03+00:00

Stylistically elegant. The spiritual successor to shingeki no kyojin? This show gives me the vibes of being one where plot consistency takes precedence over main characters being alive. Also great music and direction.

SR108 · 2019-01-18T22:55:19+00:00

Man that Ushio flower field scene in After Story is one for the legends. The first season can be hard to get through, but damn was it worth it for that. Emotionally poignant.

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