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All living beings belong to God, and thus, we have no right to take away life (human or animal).

111. Can you digest your food?

If you can digest your food then you should thank Lord Krishna, because Lord Krishna is the fire of digestion. Without God, no living being can digest food.

“I am in the bodies of all living beings as the fire of digestion. I unite with

the ingoing and outgoing air, and I digest the food.” (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 15.14)

Yet another proof of Krishna as God, some people say God willing in their daily conversations. Without the will of God, we can’t even digest food.

112. Do you enjoy water and sun light?

If you drink water and can see due to the light, then you should thank Lord Krishna, because He is the taste of water and the light of the sun and the moon.

“I am the taste of water, the light of the moon and sun, the syllable ‘aum’ in

the Vedic scriptures, the sound vibration in ether, and the ability in man.”

(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.8)

Every time you drink water, you should thank Lord Krishna, because He is the taste of water. When you wake up in the morning, you should thank Lord Krishna, because He is the light of the sun and in the evening, He is the light of the moon. If you can do anything, then you should thank Lord Krishna, because He is the ability in man.

113. Why is life full of ups and downs?

One time we are very happy and another time we are sad. This is the law of nature.

We can’t always be happy, nor can we always be in distress. Just like the stock market, for some period, it goes up, for some periods it goes down, and sometimes it crashes.

Don’t be disturbed when there is joy or sorrow in your life. They will come and go like the seasons. Instead, work towards ending this cycle of ups and downs, by following the Vedic principles, of which the highest principle is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna.

“The winter and summer seasons will come and go. In a similar way, due to

one’s perception, happiness and distress will come and go. One should learn

to tolerate them, without being disturbed.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita

2.14)

114. Who are the Demigods?

The demigods are very powerful living beings who are assigned the task of maintaining nature (wind, rain, plants, rivers, oceans, and clouds etc..). There are 33

types or categories of demigods in this universe, they are more powerful than us, but they are not God. They are like the vice presidents in a corporation.

Many people think that there are millions of Gods in the religion of India, but this a mistake. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna is referred to as the Godhead, which means the head of all Gods. The word ‘God’ in the Vedic sense means someone who is in control, and not necessarily the supreme controller, the God. There are 33 types of gods (controllers), and one Godhead (supreme controller), Lord Krishna.

Lord Brahma is the vice president of creation. It’s his job to create everything within the universe at the beginning of each cycle.

Lord Shiva is the vice president of destruction. It’s his job to destroy everything within this universe at the end of each cycle.

Indra is the director of the heavenly planets. Durga is the director of material energy and so on. In this way the demigods perform various tasks in the universe. All the demigods report to Lord Krishna directly or indirectly. Just like in a corporation, everyone reports to the CEO, either directly or indirectly.

(Reference in Vedic scripture on demigods: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad - Chapter 3) 115. Can you buy or bring back time?

No. Our time of death, place, and cause is fixed. We cannot change it. All the money in the world cannot buy you 1 extra second of life. When your time is up, you (the soul) must leave the current body and enter another body. Nor can we bring back yesterday or even the last second. Don’t waste your time doing non-sense things, engage it in the service of the proven God, Lord Krishna.

“Time I am..” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 11.32)

Time is one of energies of Lord Krishna. Please don’t waste Him (time).

116. Does Sanatan-Dharma advocate circumcision?

Absolutely not. Ahimsa (non-violence) is one of the fundamentals of Sanatan-Dharma. Circumcision involves violence and thus is forbidden.

God has created our body the way He wants it. He did not forget to peel off anything. Our body is perfect as it comes out of the womb and develops naturally.

The Islamic scriptures very clearly advocate circumcision for males and females (female genital mutilation).

117. Does Satan really exist?

No, when humans engage in violence against any living being, hatred, wickedness, lust, greed, anger, pride and so on, they have become Satanic. There is no species of living beings that are Satan. Any human who engages in sin is called the Satan, until he stops all sinful activities.

Some people foolishly stone walls, as they think this will kill the Satan. They should stone themselves whenever they engage in sinful activities like wickedness, hate, violence, intolerance to other faiths, killing of animals and so on. This is the only way to kill the Satan.

God does not create Satan (evil, wicked, full of hate, violent, intolerant, and terrorist), rather people become satanic due to engaging in sinful activities and following evil ideologies.

118. Is Bollywood demonic?

Yes.

The theme of most Bollywood movies is lust and materialism. By Vedic standards, a half-naked girl dancing is called a prostitute, and those watching her are promoting prostitution. By watching Bollywood movies, you will slowly and unknowingly attain the demonic qualities that are portrayed in movies. These are meat eating, gambling, lust, greed, anger, materialism, and ignorance of spirituality.

The simple fact is that what you see and hear on TV will eventually manifest in your home and life. This means lust, greed, anger, ignorance of spirituality and so on. You should not watch Bollywood movies, unless you want to degrade yourself, and move down in life (lower species).

119. Is America the supreme destination?

Most people in India and many other countries are crazy about America. They want to go to America and become American Citizens. What is the difference between life in India, America, Heavenly Planets, and the abode of Lord Krishna (Goloka Vrindavan)?

India

America

Heavenly

Goloka

Planets

Vrindavan

Aging

Everyone

No Aging

ages

Disease

Everyone

No Disease

will become

diseased

Death

Everyone

No Death

must die

Anxiety

Life is full of Life is full of Life is full of

No Anxiety

anxiety for

everyone

Bills

Everyone

No Bills

must pay

the bills

Taxation

Everyone

No Taxes

must pay

taxes

Suffering

Everyone

No Suffering

suffers

The destination for all living beings should be the abode of God. Where you will get a beautiful body which is eternal, full of bliss, full of knowledge, no old age, no disease, no death, and there is no need to work.

For millions of years, India was pure and prosperous but now it has become degraded due to Indians becoming beggars of foreign cultures and technology, instead of being followers and givers of India’s greatest asset, spiritual knowledge.

“The supreme destination, which is infallible, the ultimate destination, a

place from which, once having reached it, one never returns. That is My

supreme abode." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 8.21)

A short life on the land of Bharat-varsa (India) is better than a lifetime on the planet of Brahmaloka, where the lifespan is trillions of years. Because after a long life on Brahmaloka, one must return to this or other planet and go through the repeated cycle of birth, old age, disease, misery, and death. In one short lifetime in India, if one can elevate his consciousness to Krishna consciousness, then the result will be that this will be the last material life. At death, the soul will be immediately transferred to the spiritual abode called Vaikuntha. There one can live in a beautiful body eternally, with no problems. Even the demigods, who are now living on the higher planets, wish to take birth in India when they end their current life. This is because outside India, there is godlessness. However, India is very quickly becoming degraded due to the influence of foreign cultures of sex before marriage, materialism, cow killing, lust in public, God being invisible, people suffer or enjoy by chance (no karma), this is the only life (no reincarnation), we are the body (no spiritual knowledge) and so on.

120. Why does Krishna only appear in India?

In the Vedic scriptures, there is no mention of any pastimes of Lord Krishna outside India. In short, when He descends to this planet, the people outside India are mostly atheistic. He does not appear to the atheistic.

Lord Krishna appears in His original form as Krishna only once in the daytime of Brahma. This is every 8.64 billion years, and this was last just 5000 years ago. Lord Krishna (God) is not so cheap that He will loiter anywhere.

• Outside India, most people believe God is invisible/unknown. They cannot describe Him. God is eternal and thus He must have described Himself to humans by now. He has and is completely known to those who believe in Him (theistic) and completely unknown to those who don’t believe in Him (atheistic). Lord Krishna does not appear to the atheistic.

• In India, there are millions of devotees of Lord Krishna who are pious and very eager to see Him, and they can completely describe Him. Hence Lord Krishna appears only in India.

The followers of Sanatan-Dharma are most pious, have the highest humane consciousness and thus deserve to be visited by the Supreme person. This can be proven by the following facts:

The Vedic followers have never enslaved humans

The Vedic followers have never stolen land belonging to others The Vedic followers have never attacked another nation The Vedic followers consider all living beings have a soul The Vedic followers are very appreciative, the cow is treated like a mother, even though she is an animal, because she provides milk for us The Vedic followers consider all living beings as divine, because the supreme is present in them (Lord Krishna is present in the heart of all living beings as the super soul).

The Vedic followers believe the supreme is present everywhere (omnipresent). He is the witness to all our actions and thus one must take responsible actions. (Lord Krishna is present everywhere)

The Vedic followers believe life is an intelligent design, nothing happens by chance (karma and reincarnation). There is justice for all living beings Those who are outside India have a history of using humans as slaves, they have a history of stealing land belonging to others, they have a history of invading and attacking other nations, they do not consider the animals having souls, they have no appreciation, they drink the milk of cows and then cut her throat and eat her, they do not believe all living beings are divine, they do not believe the supreme is omnipresent, they cannot understand why people suffer or enjoy, they cannot understand why there are variety of living beings in different situations, there is no justice for the animals (they are killed for food), and they give no equal rights to those who don’t follow their religion (no freedom of religion).

Even 5000 years ago, when He last appeared on this planet, although there was only one religion in the whole world at that time, Sanatan-Dharma (The Eternal Religion).

Lord Krishna appeared only in India, because the people outside India did not believe that this Krishna was the Supreme person. Most people in the world at that time believed Krishna was some powerful Yogi and not the Supreme person, Krishna.

Some people will look at the India of today and say how God can appear in a country where there is so much corruption, dirty streets, disorganization, tobacco chewers who spit everywhere and so on. Well, until a few hundred years, India was the most prosperous country in the world. The British and Mogul invaders ruled her for about 1000 years until 1947 and they raped India of her wealth and engaged in polluting and destroying the Vedic religion, because they cannot accept anything superior to their recently created man-made religions where God is completely unknown. They are envious of Lord Krishna, the only proven God. Also, since 1947, atheistic/anti-Vedic politicians have been ruling her and the result is the India of today.

In every Kali Yuga, it’s pretty much the same situation, there are many made religions/ideologies who are envious of the supreme person, Lord Krishna, and they deny Him for some unseen, unproven, unknown, and unknowable man-made God.

121. Is a degree in medicine the king of education?

Many parents are crazy about getting their children into medicine or other high earning material professions. They will ensure the children work hard at school and will spend all their accumulated wealth on their children’s education. At the time of death, will the degree in Medicine help the parents or the children?

A student of medicine will study hundreds of books. Will the Bhagavad-Gita be one of those books?

At death, all our degrees are completely useless. Those who have some intelligence will study medicine or get some other high-level education, and at the same time they will also gain some spiritual knowledge, by studying the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. The result of this is that they will earn good money by practicing medicine or other high-level professions and at death, because they gained some spiritual knowledge, they will get a chance to advance in spiritual life in their next life by being born in families who are engaged in devotional service. Then eventually they will be advanced enough in spiritual knowledge to go back to the 78

spiritual manifestation called Vaikuntha, where everyone has a beautiful body that is eternal, full of bliss, and knowledge.

Those who are less intelligent will not be interested in gaining spiritual knowledge from the Bhagavad-Gita and will focus only on the material education. At death, because they have no spiritual knowledge, they will take birth in families who are in darkness because they have no interest in spirituality. Those who are in darkness gradually sink into lower human species and eventually back into the animal and plant kingdoms.

“This is the purest knowledge, the king of education, the king of the most

confidential knowledge. It is the highest knowledge, most righteous, and

everlasting.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.2)

Lord Krishna states that the Bhagavad-Gita is the king of education. This knowledge will eternally benefit you. Will your knowledge of medicine benefit you, life after life?

I am not saying don’t study or don’t become a doctor. My point is that will it hurt to add one more book (The Bhagavad-Gita) to the list of hundreds of books that a student will study?

Some people say that they will worry about God and religion later in life after they are settled with a degree, house, good job, and so on. Do you have a certificate saying you will live to retirement age or even the next moment? Death can come at any moment for anyone. Many people die young. Michael Jackson thought he would live to 150, but he made a thriller, he was out at 50. Most people are short sighted, because they think about how they can be happy and live well for the 40-60 years that most live, but what about the trillions of years after this life?

122. What is the result of material education but no spiritual education?

An intelligent person will realize that a degree in Law or Medicine will be completely useless at the time of death and beyond this life. Material education only has temporary benefits.

When a person becomes materially engrossed, he has no capacity to hear about spiritual existence. Forgetfulness of spiritual existence entangles a man more and more in material existence. Such is the result of sinful life. Various bodies are developed with the material ingredients because of different types of sinful activities.

“At death, those who have developed the mode of goodness, will go to the

higher planets where the saintly persons live. Those who have developed

the mode of passion will take birth among those engaged in materialistic

activities. Those who have developed the mode of ignorance, will take birth

in the animal kingdom.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.14-15)

Spiritual education has permanent benefits. The result of spiritual ignorance is that one falls down into the plant and animal kingdoms. At the end of this short life, the souls of spiritually ignorant people will go through the evolutionary process of transmigration from one body to another. After going through 8 million species in the plant and animal kingdoms, the soul will once again get another human body, which 79

takes billions of years. You should not waste your short life on material development and ignorance of spirituality.

You should become materially educated to get a good job and earn money to pay the bills, but at the same time, you should get some spiritual education and engage in Bhakti Yoga to ensure the soul does not fall down into lower species after this short life.

Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein were both very well materially educated, but where are they now? Where are all those well-educated people that you once knew or came across? Do they now live eternally in the same body?

Did the material education help them to overcome birth, old age, disease, misery, and death? Does any University professor guarantee that by becoming well educated, one will be able to live in the same body eternally with no problems?

"Knowledge [spiritual] is the cause of liberation and ignorance is the cause

of bondage to material life." (Lord Krishna, Uddhava Gita).

The thousands of Vedic saints like Swami Srila Prabhupada, guarantee that if one becomes well educated in the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita, and practices them by performing Bhakti Yoga. Then at death, one will immediately be transferred to the spiritual manifestation, where people live in the same beautiful body eternally in complete bliss with no misery.

123. What is the caste system?

Based on the Vedic scriptures, there is a Vedic social work order system but there is no such thing as a Vedic caste system, commonly known as the Hindu caste system.

The word ‘caste’ means fixed but ‘work order’ means it can change based on qualities, attitudes, and consciousness development.

The current Hindu caste system in India is a complete corruption of the Vedic social work order system, because it’s based on birth (caste from birth) and not based on the attitudes, qualities, and consciousness developed. The Vedic scriptures do not authorize a caste system which is fixed from birth, they authorize a social work order system which is based on qualifications.

“It is therefore to be concluded that humanity is essentially one, but

distinctions of caste have been made according to a person’s qualities and

work. As far as general behavior is concerned, the entire human race is one.

There is only a difference in people’s occupations and attitudes. Those who

divide society into castes according to birth cannot see that human beings

are essentially one. After all, the birth, maintenance, death, and bodily

activities are only of one kind.” (Bhavishya Purana, 42.33-34)

It is very clear from above that the current caste system in India, which is based on dividing society into castes from birth with no consideration for qualities, attitudes, and consciousness developed, is completely rejected by this Vedic scripture and others.

“The caste system based simply on birth does not actually divide people

according to their development of consciousness. It is one’s envy and

hatred or lack of it that allows us to place him/her in a higher or lower

category.” (Bhavishya Purana, 40.19-20)

As stated above, it is due to envy, hate, and personal ego that people in India have corrupted the Vedic social work order system and created a caste system.

Definition of The Vedic Social Work Order System

In human society, there are 4 categories or social work order of personnel: a. Leaders to guide the society

b. Law and order administration and enforcement personnel c. Businessmen, farmers, and animal welfare personnel d. Workers to support all the above personnel

The above is naturally present in all societies in the world and the concept originates from the Vedic scriptures. The Vedic scriptures created this concept and gave the criteria which should be used to assign personnel to the appropriate category. This is the Vedic social work order system. This is logical, just, and scientific. It’s not about putting people in low category or high category, it’s about placing people in suitable roles in society based on their abilities. The Bhagavad-Gita very clearly confirms this as follows:

“Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras are distinguished by their

qualities of work, O chastiser of the enemy, in accordance with the modes of

nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.41)

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work associated

with them, the four divisions of human society are created by Me. And

although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the

nondoer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.13)

“According to their nature and qualities, there are prescribed duties for

brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras.” (Bhavishya Purana, 42.24)

Once again, the Vedic scriptures authorize a social work order system which is based on the qualities developed, and the attitude of a person. A person will belong to one of four social work order categories:

“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom,

knowledge, and religiousness–these are the qualities by which the

brahmanas work.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.42)

Those who possess the above qualities should be the Brahmanas: teachers and advisers in society.

“Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle,

generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.” (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.43)

Those who possess the above qualities should be the Ksatriyas: police, military, and administrators in society.

“Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the

vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labor and service to others.” (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.44)

Vaisyas – Those who possess good trading and farming skills, should be the traders (business owners), farmers, and cow protectors.

Sudras – Those who don’t possess the qualities of the above three categories should be the general workers and assistants.

Without the Vedic social work order system, there is no motivation to develop abilities, because there is no consideration for abilities when assigning people for roles in society. This is the case everywhere in the World today. The leaders in most countries around the world are thieves, liars, and irreligious. They are not qualified to be leaders. They don’t know what they are doing, and the result is that public suffers with injustice, high taxes, corruption, inflation, unemployment, and insecurity.

Wouldn’t it be nice if all the Politicians were peaceful, self-controlled, pure, tolerant, honest, knowledgeable, and religious? This is the aim of the Vedic social work order system. To ensure that suitably qualified personnel are appointed suitable roles in society. This concept is already used in corporations around the world. In a corporation, people are employed based on the abilities they have developed. Some are vice presidents, some are managers, some are admin clerks, and some are janitors. It is a fact that everyone is not the same; this can be proven by the fact that not everyone has the same abilities to the same level.

There is corruption in many countries, including India, because they do not assign personnel in government roles, based on capabilities and qualifications. They do not follow the Vedic social work order system.

It is a fact that everyone will not develop the same qualities. Lord Krishna (God) realizes this fact and He created the Vedic social work order system so that everyone is placed in roles in society which are suitable for them, but Lord Krishna does not dictate who belongs to what role. This is our choice, we have free will. Which means we can develop ourselves to become Brahmins or Sudras. It’s our choice, God is not a dictator.

The Social Work Order System is Not for Religious Standing

The Bhagavad-Gita very clearly states that regardless of the social order class a person belongs to, everyone can go back to the supreme destination. The abode of Lord Krishna, the kingdom of God. Thus, a Brahmin who performs Deity service in a Temple and a Sudra who cleans the floor in the Temple are both of equal standing with Lord Krishna. Both have different social work order due to different personal abilities.

“O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower

birth-women, vaisyas [merchants], as well as sudras [workers]-can

approach the supreme destination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.32)

In the above verse, Lord Krishan states that women, the vaisyas and sudras class can also approach the supreme destination if they worship Him. From a material point of view, the females are considered lower than males because they are physically weaker and thus some males will take advantage of this. From a spiritual point of view, we are all souls, and all souls are 100% equal, and all souls are part of the family of Lord Krishna (God).

“I hate no one. I am equal to all living beings…" (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-

Gita 9.29)

In the above verse, it is clearly stated that Lord Krishna is not partial to anyone, He is equal to all.

The Caste System is authorized in Non-Vedic Scriptures

Those outside India, often link the Hindu caste system with Sanatan-Dharma, but this is false, because the caste system is very clearly rejected by the Sanatan-Dharma scriptures. The caste system is only prescribed in the non-Vedic scriptures.

Which clearly state that those who do not follow their religion are automatically caste for eternal hell with no consideration for deeds. They divide humans into believers and unbelievers, purely based on religion following, without any consideration for pious deeds, qualifications, and behavior. They even refer to those who do not follow their religion, as untouchables.

Are Some People Good from Birth or Bad from Birth?

Some people do have the good qualities already developed in them from birth and some have bad qualities from birth and do not change. This is due to their consciousness development in past lives. People have inclinations towards good or bad qualities from birth, but they can easily change them based on their upbringing.

Lord Krishna confirms this in the Bhagavad-Gita in the case of Arjuna.

“The transcendental qualities are conducive to liberation, whereas the

demoniac qualities make for bondage. Do not worry, O son of Pandu, for you

are born with the divine qualities.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.5)

In this verse, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that he has the good qualities from birth.

Consciousness development continues from one life to another. No good effort is ever lost.

Everyone can develop good qualities and change their nature to divine by practicing the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita.

The Vedic social work order system is an intelligent design to ensure society functions properly by assigning people to roles based on their abilities.

124. What are the symptoms of purity in a person?

“The ability to chant mantras, perform fire sacrifice, practice penance, and

sacrifice animals does not make one a brahmana, just as a sudra remains a

sudra, despite the ability to perform all these activities.” (Bhavisya Purana

41.11)

Just because someone dresses or is employed as a Police officer, it does not mean that he is a Police officer. Only a Police Officer uniformed person who upholds the law of the land, can be called a Police officer and not otherwise. In a similar way, just by wearing a dhoti, performing penances and vibrating the mouth, does not make one a devotee. There are other actions that need to be taken as listed by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita which qualifies one to be called a devotee.

“Humility, pridelessness, nonviolence, forgiveness, honesty, simplicity,

service to a genuine spiritual master (guru), good thoughts/words and

physical cleanliness, steadfastness and self-control, aversion for the objects

of sense gratification, absence of ego, constant reflection on the pain and

suffering of birth, old age, disease, and death, nonattachment with family

members, home, etc., steadiness amid pleasant and unpleasant events,

constant and unalloyed devotion to Me [Krishna], taste for solitude, distaste

for social gatherings and gossips, steadfastness in acquiring the knowledge

of self-realization, and search for the absolute truth— I declare all this to

be real knowledge. That which is contrary to this is ignorance. (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 13.8-12)

Humility – You should share your belongings with others, become a servant of everyone by serving them (Das/Dasi).

Pridelessness – You should not look down on others, nobody is lower than you, you are not higher than others, you should give all respects to others, and you should bow down to others.

Nonviolence – Don’t say/use harsh words, these will hurt the feelings of others, don’t say things which might agitate others, don’t hurt or kill animals.

Forgiveness – People do make mistakes or do the wrong things due to forceful situations and so be prepared to forgive them. A new hour means a new start, forget what happened in the last hour.

Honesty – Always speak the truth, side with those who speak the truth, and never hide anything.

Simplicity – Don’t bother others, don’t give others a hard time, eat whatever is available according to your income/situation, be satisfied with what you have or what you receive, don’t make demands, sleep on the floor if there is no bed, wear whatever is available, share things with others.

Ego – The human body is nothing but stool, and all kinds of nasty chemicals and fluids. Realize that one bag of stool is competing with another bag of stool, this is the rat race of the material world. It’s worthless to think one bag of stool is superior to another.

Steadiness – If it’s Monday then Tuesday will come for sure, if it’s Night, then Day will come for sure. In a similar way, happiness and distress will come and go for sure. Don’t get disturbed by anything that happens in your life, stay fixed on the spiritual path.

Self-control – The trees stand still, even though it rains, wind blows, and people/dogs pee on them. In a similar way, if someone speaks harsh words to you, ignore them, if someone swears, ignore them. If someone cuts you up on the road, don’t open your mouth, just ignore them.

Social gatherings – Stay away from parties, because it’s from these places where the degradation and bad association starts. Stay away from places/events where there is meat, alcohol, drugs, illicit scenes, and spiritually ignorant people.

Lord Krishna – He is the only proven and seen God, and thus you should always think of Krishna and serve Him as best as you can, using your time, intelligence, money, resources, and energy.

Regardless of the external physical looks, only if one exhibits all the above symptoms then he/she can be called a real devotee. One of the main differences between a real brahmana and a sudra is that a brahmana is always truthful and compassionate, where as a sudra is not.

Don’t judge a person by the looks, because looks are deceiving. Judge by the actions the person takes and has taken. Don’t judge a book by its cover, judge based on the contents. Be aware, there are many wolves in sheep clothing.

If one sincerely follows the Bhagavad-Gita teachings, then he/she will become the purest human being, and this will be the last miserable life. At death, the soul will be immediately transferred to the spiritual manifestation where everyone lives eternally in the same body that is completely beautiful, full of bliss/love, full of knowledge, no old age, no disease, and no misery of any kind.

125. What takes away the good qualities in a person?

Bad association, lack of proper knowledge, and wrong knowledge, deteriorates the good qualities in a person. When we are born, we have pure thoughts. A child doesn’t see any difference between White, Asian, and Black people. Everyone is fun to play with and there is no such thing as money. Everything belongs to everyone.

But as the child grows up, due to the association with adults, the child slowly develops a mentality of likes and dislikes towards people and things. Parents, relatives, and teachers, condition the children.

The wearing of jewelry (gold, pearls, diamonds etc.) does not add beauty to the soul.

It is spiritual advancement that adds beauty to the soul.

Modern lifestyle of partying, discoing (western culture), irreligious values (envy and hatred), Bollywood movies, and ignorance (lack of knowledge and misunderstanding) slowly and unknowingly drain away the righteous qualities in a person.

“Just as the wind can carry away a boat on the water. The mind that gives

in to one of the roaming senses, can carry away the intelligence of a

person.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 2.67)

“By thinking about sense objects, a person develops attachment to the

objects, and from attachment, desires develop. When the desires are not

fulfilled, anger develops. From anger, arises delusion, from delusion there is

confusion and loss of reasoning. This results in loss of intelligence, and

when intelligence is lost, one falls down into lower species." (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 2.62-63)

126. How do I achieve peace of mind?

Don’t satisfy all your desires.

Every day we desire to buy something, we go here and there, and do this and that, and so on. We must realize that satisfying our desires today will only result in more desires tomorrow. Try to stop satisfying your desires by saying no you don’t need that, you don’t need to go there, you can live without it and so on. Be satisfied with what you have.

“The ocean is always being filled by waters from different rivers, but still it

remains steady. Like-wise, a person who is not disturbed by the constant

flow of desires can achieve peace, and not the person who fulfills all his

desires. A person, who gives up all desires, ego, and sense of ownership,

can alone achieve peace." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 2.70-71)

A person says, ‘I want peace’. If you remove the ‘I’ (ego), and the ‘want’ (desires).

Then you will be left with ‘peace’.

127. How do I become happy?

The bad news is that only those who are in complete ignorance or those who are completely wise can be happy in the material creation. The others cannot always be happy.

The good news is that we can make this our last material life and go back to the spiritual manifestation, Vaikuntha. There we can live in the same beautiful body eternally, with complete happiness, full of bliss, full of knowledge, and no trace of anxiety. One who practices Bhakti Yoga can achieve this.

“The great souls, who have achieved perfection, attain me [Krishna]. They

do not take birth again in this material creation, which is temporary and full

of miseries.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 8.15)

In our short lives, before going back to the spiritual manifestation, we can minimize our suffering by being satisfied with whatever we have and not being disturbed by what others have or say. Don’t be disturbed by whatever good or bad that happens to you or others.

“If one can tolerate the urges of desires and anger, he can become happy in

this life.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 5.23)

Be satisfied with yourself, the people around you, your job/business, your house, and all the material possessions you have. Satisfaction is absence of emptiness.

Greed comes from feeling emptiness. Greed wants to make you acquire everything material to make you think this will make you happy. The truth is that you will never be satisfied with material possessions. Even if you have all the money in the world, you will not be happy nor satisfied with everything and everyone.

128. Is life on all planets miserable?

Many people believe that if they go to heaven, they will be happy. But this is not the case. Those who go to the heavenly planets will enjoy heavenly delights, but they also grow old, become diseased, and die one day. Then they come back down to Earth or other similar planet, and again have to go through the pains in the womb, baby life (crying), infant life (wanting candies and toys, none of which will satisfy), teenage life (acne and stress of education), adulthood (marital problems, anxiety, and working stress), old age, disease, and death. Then go through the whole thing again and again.

The only way out is to go back to the spiritual manifestation called Vaikuntha. This can only be achieved by developing the good qualities listed in “moral values of civilized humans” and “Bhakti Yoga” questions. On the spiritual planets, people live in beautiful bodies that are eternal, full of bliss, full of knowledge, no terrorism, no marital problems, no taxes, no violence, no thieves, no liars, no cheaters, no corruption, no hatred, and so on.

“Everyone on the lowest planet to the highest planet of Brahmaloka, in the

material creation is subjected to the miseries of repeated birth and death.

But those who attain Me [Krishna], never take birth again." (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 8.16)

129. What are the three modes of material nature?

One is always forced to act in one of three modes of material nature, goodness, passion and ignorance. These modes compete in exerting their influence upon us.

“Goodness, passion, and ignorance are the three modes of material nature.

The qualities developed by a person are based on these three modes." (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.5)

The Mode of Goodness - A person in the mode of goodness is free from all sinful reactions and is in a condition of happiness and knowledge. One who dies in the mode of goodness attains the higher planets.

“The mode of goodness is purity. This mode illuminates and frees one from

sinful reactions. Those situated in this mode become inclined to happiness,

spiritual knowledge, and pure thoughts.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita

14.6)

The Mode of Passion - A person in the mode of passion is plagued by unlimited desires for material enjoyment, greed and lust (especially sexual pleasures). To satisfy these desires, one is always forced to engage in hard work that binds the person to sinful reactions, resulting in misery. A person in this mode is never 87

satisfied with the position already acquired. One who dies in the mode of passion, takes birth again on planets like Earth among persons who are full of desires, greed, and lust.

“The mode of passion is intense craving for sense gratification. This mode

creates desires and lust. Those situated in this mode become bound to

materialistic activities." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.7)

The Mode of Ignorance - A person in the mode of ignorance is in delusion. It fosters laziness, foolishness and madness. One who dies in the mode of ignorance takes birth in the animal kingdom or on the hellish planets.

“The mode of ignorance is darkness or delusion. This mode creates

carelessness, madness, and laziness. Those situated in this mode become

degraded." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.8)

By understanding that the three modes are active and not you (the soul) and by realizing that you are separate from the modes of nature, the influence of material nature on you will gradually diminish.

130. Should we be kind and tolerant like a tree?

The trees stand in the cold and heat. They give fruits, vegetables, and shade to all living beings. They don’t discriminate against any living being. Whether they get little water or no water, they will still try to provide for all. You should become tolerant and kind like the trees.

Please don’t kill trees, plant more trees in your gardens. Pass on his important message to others.

131. How can I go to the kingdom of God?

Give up all sinful activities like meat eating, gambling, drinking, smoking/chewing tobacco, partying, discoing, and relationships outside marriage. Realize that there is only one God and be friendly to all living beings. This mentality will lead you to the kingdom of God.

“By pure devotional service unto Me [Krishna], one can know Me as the

Supreme person in truth, and thereafter one can enter into My kingdom."

(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.55)

132. Is your mind your friend or your enemy?

The mind is always flickering and agitating. When it is controlled, it becomes the friend of the soul, and when it is not controlled, it becomes the enemy of the soul.

How many times have you had two opposite thoughts about doing something? This is your mind and the soul and/or super soul (God).

“The mind is a friend to those who have control over it, and the mind is the

enemy for those who do not control it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 6.6)

133. Should you only eat fresh food?

Yes, you should try to eat only freshly cooked foods. Processed, frozen, micro waved food, and meat is dear to those in darkness.

“People in the mode of ignorance like to eat foods that are prepared more

than three hours before eating. Foods that have a bad smell [eggs],

decomposed [meat], tasteless [not fresh], and stale [frozen food]." (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.10)

134. Are wholesome foods good for you?

Yes.

“People in the mode of goodness like to eat foods that are juicy, fatty, and

nutritious. These foods give strength, health, happiness, and increase

duration of life." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.8)

135. Are hot and salty foods bad for you?

Yes.

“People in the mode of passion like to eat foods that are bitter, sour, salty,

very hot, pungent, dry, and burning. These foods cause disease, distress,

and misery." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.9)

136. Is Eternal Damnation advocated by Sanatan-Dharma?

Absolutely not. Sanatan-Dharma is the only religion which does not teach that people go to hell eternally and burn in a fire and suffer. Based on Sanatan-Dharma, nobody goes to eternal hell, eventually every single soul goes back to the spiritual manifestation and lives in complete bliss with no old age, no disease, no death, no misery of any kind.

If you truly believe in following a religion where the God is proven to be the most merciful, compassionate, forgiving, and loving. Then you only have one choice, Sanatan-Dharma.

What Kind of a Person Would Want to Burn Anyone Eternally?

1. Please place your hand over a fire for 30 seconds. How does it feel?

2. Could you burn someone for 30 seconds?

3. Could you burn someone for 1 minute?

4. Could you burn someone for 1 hour? Do you have the heart to do this?

5. Could you burn someone for 1 month? Do you have the heart to do this?

6. Could you burn someone for 1 year? Do you have the heart to do this?

7. Could you burn someone for 20 years? Do you have the heart to do this?

8. What would you call someone who burns people for millions of years (eternally)?

The most merciful? Most loving? Most forgiving? A monster?

I hope you realize that even a fire dragon would not be able to burn a single person for long. Even he would have the heart to stop at some point. Do you think the most merciful person, God, would burn anyone eternally?

Based on many Bhagavad-Gita verses, Lord Krishna orders compassion for all living beings. This is because, all living beings are His children.

137. What are the moral values of civilized humans?

• Be kind to all living beings

• Be sociable. Visit your friends and relatives often

• Don’t eat your brothers and sisters (Vegetarianism)

• Share all your belongings with others

• Consider yourself to be the lowest (free from personal ego and pride)

• Treat others well whether you are in distress or happiness

• Be very tolerant in all situations

• Always be satisfied with whatever you get or don’t get

• Always control yourself

• Don’t be fussy with food, eat whatever is available or offered to you, provided its vegetarian

• Don’t be a miser, be miserly to yourself but not to others

• Give up all sense of ownership

• Be clean. Take bath at least once a day, brush teeth at least twice a day, and keep the home and work area clean. Men should be clean shaven (no beard)

• Never lie, always tell the truth

• Never cheat or mislead anyone

• Never gamble

• Never drink alcohol or take drugs

• Never smoke or chew tobacco

• Be free from lust. If you are a man, think of all women older than you as your elder sisters or mothers. All women younger than you, are your sisters or daughters. If you are a woman, think of all men older than you as your fathers or elder brothers. All men younger than you are your brothers or sons

• Don’t behave like the dogs on the street. No relationship outside marriage

• Always help others according to your ability

• Always be charitable according to your capacity

• Always be concerned for the welfare and wellness of others

• Accept that you are responsible for your own bills (Karma)

• Accept that you are the soul, which is eternal (Reincarnation) You should follow and recite this list of good qualities at least once a week, to become purified and elevated to higher consciousness.

“Absence of fear, purity of heart, charitable, striving for spiritual knowledge

by studying the Vedic scriptures, lives a simple life, always straight forward

in his dealings, always truthful, not violent, free from anger, not greedy,

always gentle, forgiving, very clean, not envious of others, compassionate

to all living beings, doesn’t talk non-sense, has no pride, doesn’t mislead

others – These are some of the qualities of those with divine nature." (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.1-3)

138. What is Bhakti Yoga?

There are many types of Yoga Systems. The Yoga System described and recommended in the Bhagavad-Gita is Bhakti Yoga. This means to link with Lord Krishna (God), devotional service unto Lord Krishna:

• Become pure hearted. This can be accomplished by developing all the good qualities that are described in question 137

• Offer all foods that you cook first to Krishna then you can eat them (parsadam). Krishna will not accept meat, fish, eggs, onions, and garlic. The food must also be freshly cooked (less than 3 hours)

• Chant the maha mantra:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,

Krishna, Krishna, Hare,

Hare Rama, Hare Rama,

Rama, Hare

• Offer flowers and Tulsi leaves to Krishna daily. This requires planting of flower bearing (especially roses) and Tulsi plants in your gardens

• Perform deity worship of Radha and Krishna daily

• Engage in some service at your local temple

• Read the Vedic scriptures, especially the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam

• Preach all the above to others. Preaching is the highest devotional service unto Lord Krishna

The above devotional service activities should be performed according to your capacity and ability, but do as much as you can, and the result will be that this will be your last miserable material life. At death, you (the soul) will be immediately transferred to the spiritual manifestation, where you will live in the same beautiful body eternally on the same planet as Lord Narayan, an expansion of Lord Krishna, or on the planet of Lord Krishna Himself.

“The great souls bow down to Me [Krishna], worship Me, and always chant

My names and glories, with determination and devotion.” (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 9.14)

“Just become My devotee, always think of Me, bow down to Me, and worship

Me. Then you will come to Me, without fail. I promise you this, as you are

very dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.65)

“If one who is devoted to Me, teaches this supreme secret to other

devotees, he shall be performing the highest devotional service unto Me,

and he will certainly come back to Me. There is no other servant on Earth,

who is more dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.68-69)

A Bhakti Yogi is one who has given up desires for material possessions and all his activities are done only for the satisfaction of the Supreme person, Lord Krishna (Linked to the Supreme).

139. What keeps people in ignorance?

Not being open minded, high personal ego, bad association, lack of proper knowledge and understanding, keeps people in ignorance. Arjuna acquired the knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita to overcome his confused state. When Maharaj Pariksit was told he had 7 days to live, he acquired the knowledge of the Srimad-Bhagavatam to make his consciousness pure before his death. It’s the knowledge in the Vedic scriptures that will give you knowledge of God, and the knowledge to get through this miserable material life. Which will save you from sinful activities and make your consciousness pure.

“Just as a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes. Knowledge burns all

reactions to material actions.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.37)

All negative qualities, such as lust, anger, violence, hatred, and greed, are nothing but a manifestation of ignorance.

The difference between a good doctor and an average one is that the good doctor will have more knowledge and understanding. A good doctor can be useful, but the average doctor is useless in many cases.

Ignorance means lack of knowledge or improper knowledge or incomplete knowledge. Ignorant people are easy target for deception by the deceivers. The deceivers are also in ignorance, but they are in denial of the truth and have very high ego. They will not question what they are taught, they will accept blindly.

Ignorance will lead to being deceived applies in religious ideologies, social relationships, and business relationships.

“But those, who, out of envy, do not follow these teachings of Mine, are

devoid of all good sense. Know such men as completely ignorant and

doomed to ruination.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 3.32)

140. What is foolishness?

When one judges or makes decisions, based on his/her own knowledge, ability, experience, and perception, this is called foolishness.

Some people say no one has seen God. Have you seen what the 7 billion people in the World today or the trillions of people who lived in the past have seen? No! So how can you say that no one has seen God?

Some people say I haven’t seen my last life nor my next life and so this is the only life. Have you seen your great grandfather? No? does this mean he never existed?

Some people say we have a form, and we are not great, and so God cannot have a form because as he is great. You have a form, and you are not a brain surgeon, does this mean that all brain surgeons must be formless?

Some people say we suffer because God is not present everywhere to help us. Just because you can’t be everywhere, does it mean that God can’t be everywhere?

Some people say if a person produces a small chunk of gold in his hand, then he must be God. What about the person who has created the gold mines?

Some say people are born unfortunate in their only life so that they will be judged earlier than others. First of all, when is the Day of Judgment? No answer. Who would choose to be born blind in their only life, so they can be judged earlier?

Some people say their God will save them on the Day of Judgment, and until then they must suffer. Will you work for a company that will pay you on the Day of Judgment?

A business who supplies goods to customers who promise to pay on the Day of Judgment, is most foolish.

If you go on a shopping spree, who should pay the bills? You or someone else?

If one thinks that someone else will pay for the crimes he commits, is evil and most foolish. Can a criminal say to the Judge, ‘hang someone else for my crimes’? Would any Judge accept this?

“The foolish persons cannot understand how a living entity quits one body

to take another. But those with knowledge can see this.” (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 15.10)

“Foolish men, disregard Me when I appear in a human like body. They do

not know that My nature is supreme, and I am the great Lord of

everything.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.11)

141. What are the problems of material life?

Your partner may be cheating you

The contractor may be cheating you

Your marriage may end at any time

You may lose your job at any time

Your business may go down at any time

You get cheated in a business deal

You may be kicked out of your house at any time

Your savings will run out at any time

Your retirement savings may become worthless

You may develop a serious disease like cancer at any time Your children may become diseased at any time

Your children may become corrupted

Your loved one may die at any time

Others cause problems, like your relatives, friends, people at your work, and family members. Problems are created by personal relationship with others, like marital problems, and work/business relationships. Problems are created by nature in the form of earthquakes, winds, flooding, rain, drought, and crop failures.

142. What are the daily decisions we have to make?

Every day we are faced with decisions to make in our life.

Shall I do this or that?

Will he/she be ok?

Shall I buy now or wait?

How much shall I spend?

When will I do it?

When will I go?

Which should I choose?

Who should I choose?

When will I retire?

Will it work out?

Based on our knowledge, tolerance level, material intelligence, and spiritual intelligence, we will make the right choice or the wrong choice. For which we will suffer or enjoy in the future. One day we will make someone suffer and another day it will be our turn to suffer.

Many times, we will be placed in a trance and forced to act in ignorance, this is due to our past sinful actions (bad karma).

The above list of decisions and problems are real and affects everyone. By knowing these possible situations in advance will help you to avoid some of them, and help you get through the others with minimum misery.

“The five factors of action are: The physical body, modes of material nature,

the various senses, various efforts, the Supreme. These are the five factors,

which cause whatever right or wrong action, a person performs by his body,

thought, and speech.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.14-15)

As stated above, things will happen to us based on our own efforts and sometimes by the will of God. This means that failure or rejection is many times the will of God for our own good.

143. Why Does God Appear?

Lord Krishna appears in the material creation to satisfy the wishes of His pure devotees, who wish to see Him and enjoy His association. To reestablish the principles of religion and destroy the demonic are the secondary reasons why He appears.

“Whenever there is a decline of religion and an increase in irreligion. I

personally appear to deliver the saintly devotees, destroy the sinful, and

reestablish true religion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.7-8)

The merciful Lord, out of His causeless mercy, descends to various planets and universes in the material creation and acts for the salvation of the conditioned souls. Only in Sanatan-Dharma there is a real God who appears, proves Himself as God, and associates with the living beings. In other religions, God is not described, and thus for them He is unknown.

144. Are women lower than men?

No, from a material point of view, the women have a weaker body than males and due to this some males take advantage of this. From a spiritual point of view, all living beings are souls and all souls are 100% equal. Every soul is a unique individual, full of bliss, full of knowledge, and eternal.

We say Radha Krishna and not Krishna Radha. Radha is a woman, and Her name must be addressed first, even before the Supreme person, Lord Krishna. We also say Sita Ram and not Ram Sita, Laxmi Narayan and not Narayan Laxmi.

By Vedic standards, on invitation cards/letters, the wife’s name must come before the husband.

The highest position that any living entity can attain in the material and spiritual manifestations is that of the Gopis, and they are females. The Gopis are the topmost devotees of Lord Krishna.

“I am death, and the origin of all future living beings. Of the females, I am

fame, beauty, pleasant speech, memory, intelligence, commitment, and

patience.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 10.34)

Females have all the above listed great qualities.

145. Why should women be protected from degradation?

The women produce children, and they should teach them what is right, and what is wrong (moral values and religious teachings). But when women become polluted, they become irreligious and the whole generation becomes degraded. For this reason, women should be protected from becoming polluted. Girls should not be allowed to travel by themselves. They must be accompanied by the parents or brother or husband. Otherwise the chances of them becoming corrupted or polluted are very high.

To remain pure, girls must avoid the following: partying, drinking, drugs, sex outside of marriage.

At work, at colleges, and on the web, there are many lusty males who have their eyes set on females for enjoyment. The spiritually dumb girls will be easily hooked and will suffer as a result. It is the responsibility of the parents to give their children some basic religious education. So, the children can know the truth and become 95

spiritually strong and remain physically and mentally pure. If the parents don’t teach their children the truth, others will teach them lies and the children will become misguided and irreligious.

“When irreligion prevails in the family, the women become corrupted and

unwanted children are born.” (Bhagavad-Gita 1.40)

146. What is the result of not following the Vedic scriptures?

If a person does not follow the Vedic scriptures, then he/she will become degraded.

“Those who act according to their own whims, disregarding the regulations

prescribed in the scriptures, never attain perfection, or happiness, or the

supreme abode.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.23)

Those living beings who have no interest in culture, religion, and who do not follow any regulations as prescribed in the scriptures are called basically animals. Humans who have no interest in religion will have their desires fulfilled after this life. They will take birth in the animal kingdom, where there is no religion and no possibility of knowing God.

147. What is the difference between human and animal consciousness?

The difference between human and animal consciousness is that humans are inquisitive and considerate.

Real human beings enquire:

• Who am I, and where have I come from?

• Where was I before this life?

• Where will I be after this life?

• Who exactly is God?

• Why do I suffer?

• Why is everyone born in different situations?

Every activity of a human being is to be considered a failure unless he enquires about God. Animals do not enquire. They simply eat, sleep, mate, and defend.

Humans are compassionate, they always think of the wellbeing of others. The animals mind their own business and don’t think of others.

“One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of Bharata

[India] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other

people.” (Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-Lila 9.41)

“It is the duty of every living being to perform welfare activities for the

benefit of others with his life, wealth, intelligence and words.” (Caitanya-

caritamrta Adi-Lila 9.42)

The humans are charitable, but the animals, are not charitable. They simply enjoy everything for themselves. The humans are friendly to all living beings, don’t eat the 96

flesh of other living beings, and follow some form of religion. The animals eat other animals, are often aggressive, and don’t follow any religion. The animals like donkeys are busy working hard all day. The humans also have to work hard to make a living, but at the same time they think of what is ahead after this life. The animals don’t think of what will happen after this life.

Do you have human or animal consciousness?

148. Why is human birth so rare?

If you look around, there are zillions of living beings. Living beings are everywhere, in the water, in the Earth, in the air. On the body of humans alone, there are millions of bacteria. If one understands that the soul is present in all living beings and the science of the soul as described in this book. Then one can understand that the souls can move from human body to animal/plant bodies. The ratio of human bodies to animals/plant bodies is at least 1 to zillions, thus for every human body there are zillions of animals/plants. Thus, for a soul to occupy a human body is very rare, most souls are in animal/plant bodies.

Life is an intelligent design; nothing happens by chance. The souls are placed in particular bodies exactly based on what they deserve. Human beings who die in ignorance of spirituality fall down into the animal/plant kingdoms. The souls in animal/plant bodies were once in human bodies. There are 8.4 million species of living beings and out of these 400,000 are human species and most of these human species are uncivilized human species. Out of the 7 billion plus people in the world, only a few hundred million can describe God in complete and know His history, pastimes, and qualities.

“Out of thousands of persons, one will strive for spiritual self-realization,

and among the strivers, someone may know Me. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-

Gita 7.3)

Once a soul falls down into the animal/plant species. It has to go through the 8

million species lower than humans, from one species to another, before it gets another human birth. It takes billions of years for a soul to go through the 8 million animal/plant species. Once a human being falls down, he (the soul) has to wait for billions of years before he gets another human body.

If one simply wants to eat, sleep, mate, and enjoy. Then he/she is better off in the animal kingdom because the animals also do these things but better than the humans.

149. What is the purpose of human life?

The purpose of human life is to know God as a real person and serve Him. Thus, to know Lord Krishna as the supreme person and serve Him. The result of devotional service unto Lord Krishna (God) is that at death, the soul will be immediately transferred to the spiritual manifestation where everyone lives in the same body that is completely beautiful, full of bliss/love, full of knowledge, with no old age, no disease, and no misery.

“The whole cosmic manifestation is working under My direction. Producing

the moving and nonmoving. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.10)

“One knows Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead without a doubt, is

the knower of everything and he engages in My devotional service with

love.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.19)

Only the Vedic scriptures describe God, and thus one must read and follow the Vedic scriptures to know and serve God. To fulfill the purpose of human life.

150. Why marriage to a spiritually minded person is very important?

Those who are intelligent will think about the trillions of years of life that will come after this short life which is at most 100 years. The less intelligent and foolish will not think about what will come after this short life. Just look around, living beings are dying every second and living beings are taking birth every second in various species and in various situations.

“When irreligion prevails in the family, the women become corrupted and

unwanted children are born.” (Bhagavad-Gita 1.40)

Marrying spiritually ignorant people ensures that both the couples and their children will come back to old age, disease, misery and repeated birth and death in various species of living beings and in various situations. A whole generation of spiritually ignorant population will be created by the spiritually ignorant parents. Human beings who are spiritually ignorant move down to the plant/animal species. One acquires lower births when one’s spiritual intelligence is reduced.

By reading, studying, and following the Vedic scriptures like the Bhagavad-Gita gives one the best chance of elevating the human consciousness to spiritual self-realization. Thus, to know that we are the eternal soul and not the body and we are part of the supreme and our purpose is to serve the proven supreme, Lord Krishna.

The result of this consciousness is that one will go back to the kingdom of God called Vaikuntha. At the end of this short life and give their children the best chance to do the same.

“At death, those who have developed the mode of goodness, will go to the

higher planets where the saintly persons live. Those who have developed

the mode of passion, will take birth among those engaged in materialistic

activities. Those who have developed the mode of ignorance, will take birth

in the animal kingdom.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.14-15)

An intelligence person will realize that we are eternal and think about his/her eternal existence and not just about this short life, and thus follow the Vedic path and marry those who follow the Vedic path. Those who have no interest in spirituality, fall into the animal species.

Only the Sanatan-Dharma scriptures (Vedic scriptures) teaches that all living beings are souls which are all 100% equal and there should be justice for all living beings (law of karma). Hence, if one truly believes in justice and equality for all then he/she should follow Sanatan-Dharma.

The Vedic system is that the selection of a good husband for a good girl is always entrusted to the parents. Girls should never be thrown in the public streets to search out their husband, for when girls are grown up and are searching after a boy, they forget to consider whether the boy they select is suitable for them, based on his culture, beliefs, and habits. Out of the urge for sex desire and companionship, girls will accept almost anyone who approaches them. If the husband is selected by the parents, they will take into consideration many important factors to ensure suitability, and this will give the best chances of success.

One should never marry without the approval of the parents.

151. How great are some Yogis?

There are millions of Yogis who can walk on water, and air, make themselves lighter than a cotton swab, travel from one planet to another, one universe to another, create planets and universes, multiply food, cure the sick, fly without any machine, and so on. The master of all yogis and mystic power is called Yogeshvar (Krishna).

152. Are you what you eat?

If a person eats animals, then the qualities of animals will manifest in the person.

These qualities include aggression, intolerance, and violence. The animals are aggressive, intolerant of others who intrude in their self-assigned territory and will kill or hurt others when they are bothered or not in agreement with them.

People who eat plant food only (vegetarians), will manifest the qualities of plants.

Thus calmness, peaceful, tolerant, and non-violent. The plants provide fruits and vegetables to all living beings. The tree provides shade and fruits to all living beings, even if we try to chop the tree down or don’t water it, still the trees will not hit back, and try to provide for all. The plants and plant eaters are calm, tolerant, non-violent, and helpful to all living beings.

“Just as the air carries a particular smell from one place to another, the

living entity will be carried to a particular body at death, based on the

consciousness developed by him during life. On taking a new body, the

living entity will get a particular set of senses, like ears, eyes, tongue,

smelling potency, sense of touch, and mentality. The foolish persons cannot

understand how a living entity quits one body to take another. But those

with knowledge can see this.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.8-10)

Due to the increase in animal eating in the world, the animal propensities of ignorance, violence, intolerance, and hatred are also increasing. This can be proven by the fact that all the violent criminals and terrorists in the world are meat eaters.

The scientists are beginning to realize this truth about the relationship between human diet and human mentality.

153. Why should you be charitable?

Donating money gives one the opportunity to become free from material attachments and ultimately material life. Those who do not donate simply waste the money on material possessions and become attached to a materialist life. They become bonded to material life for many lifetimes.

A foolish person works hard all his life, accumulating a big bank balance, properties, jewelry, fast cars, and other material possessions. Then he quits his body to take another, leaving behind everything. Because he spent the money on himself and did not offer the results of his work (money) to God. He lived in sin and his next body will be that of a beggar.

A wise person spends his hard-earned money on himself and gives a portion of it in charity. When he quits his body, he will be able to enjoy his wealth in his next body too. He will be born in a rich family.

Did you ever wonder why some are born in rich families and some in poor families?

Now you know why.

154. What is the best charity?

The giving of the gift of spiritual knowledge to your friends, relatives, and others is the best charity. The best welfare is to help others discover their real nature, spiritual self-realization.

The gifting of material goods only increases sense gratification and bondage to material life. Spiritual knowledge helps people to stop the sinful activities in their lives. This sets one free from material life, which is a cycle of birth, old age, disease, misery, and death.

155. What is the highest service to God?

All living beings are the children of God and thus anyone who helps God’s children go back to their original abode, back to the spiritual manifestation, are most dear to God.

“If one who is devoted to Me, teaches this supreme secret to other

devotees, he shall be performing the highest devotional service unto Me,

and he will certainly come back to Me. There is no other servant on Earth,

who is more dear to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.68-69)

In this verse, Krishna states that if one teaches the Bhagavad-Gita to others, then that person is very dear to Krishna. Every devotee has the right to explain the Bhagavad-Gita according to his/her understanding to others. There are many who foolishly think that only a Sanyasi can explain the Bhagavad-Gita to others. Krishna very clearly states in this verse that anyone who is devoted to him can preach according to his or her ability and understanding. Lord Chaitanya, who is an incarnation of Lord Krishna, confirmed this by stating that anyone who is devoted to Lord Krishna should become a spiritual Guru.

This is Kali Yuga, the age of darkness, ignorance, and irreligion. The Bhagavad-Gita can save humanity, it's the only scripture that is spoken by God in person and written by God in person.

Lord Krishna is the speaker of the Bhagavad-Gita and Veda Vyasa, who is an incarnation of Lord Krishna, is the recorder of the Bhagavad-Gita and all other Vedic scriptures.

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Until 5000 years ago, the whole world was called Bharat (the light), and there was only one religion in the whole world, Sanatan Dharma. But because of the influence of Kali Yuga, now the whole world is in darkness due to the irreligious principles of man-made teachings. These irreligious principles being Meat eating, God being unknown or invisible, we are the body (no reincarnation), everything happens by chance (no karma), killing for virgins and wine in heaven, and so on. Only those who have the higher spiritual consciousness can bring light to the whole World again.

Out of the 7 billion plus people in the world, at least 6 billion are in complete ignorance, because they are godless. They cannot answer the simplest question 'Can you describe the Supreme Person'? Only the Vedic scriptures answer this basic question. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Person (God), and He is completely described in the Vedic scriptures with His history dating back to trillions of years on this planet and beyond this planet.

156. What is the difference between Devotees and Yogis?

Yogis are those who are only interested in their own advancement, they have no interest in helping others to advance. Devotees are those who help others to advance, they don’t think about their own advancement.

Basically, devotees want to save others and yogis only care about themselves.

Arjuna was a pure devotee and thus we should become pure devotees and not pure yogis, verses 18.68-69 confirm this.

157. What is the mentality of those who don’t follow the Bhagavad-Gita?

* Narrow-minded – They think their way is the only way and want all others go to hell for simply being different

* No faith in God – They cannot understand that God is in full control and thus it’s God who is creating and maintaining all others

* God is not real – They cannot describe God, He is unknown/invisible

* Hatred – They cannot understand the concept of universal brotherhood

* Animals – The animals are just food. Millions of animals are breed for food and killed daily

* Who are we – They think they are the body (no belief in eternality of soul)

* No eternality – They think this is first and only life (no belief in reincarnation)

* Purpose of religion – Some believe that by following their religion, they will go to heaven and enjoy sex with many virgins and wine

* No Karma – People suffer or enjoy by chance

The result of above mentality is hatred, terrorism, poverty, wickedness, selfishness, godlessness, and destruction of nature.

158. Does Lord Krishna curse those who don’t follow Him?

A man-made God will curse those who don’t follow him to a life in hell and he will be jealous, because he is not in control. But Lord Krishna is not like this. He is so nice 101

and is in full control. He doesn’t force anyone to follow Him, nor does He send anyone to hell just because they don’t follow Him.

“I have explained to you the most confidential knowledge. Now, think about

it and then do as you wish.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.63)

After speaking the Bhagavad-Gita to Arjuna, Lord Krishna gave him free will. He doesn’t say Arjuna will go to hell if he doesn’t follow Him nor does Lord Krishna say He will be jealous if Arjuna doesn’t follow Him. This is because Lord Krishna is a mature and responsible person. Lord Krishna, the real God, is all loving and all merciful.

The real God does not curse anyone, because He is in full control and thus, He does not need to curse anyone. Only those who are not in control and want to be in control will curse others, as they are frustrated and envious of the supreme controller (Lord Krishna).

159. What is wickedness?

➢ It is wicked to deny others the same rights that you want. Just as you want to practice your beliefs freely. You must also let others practice their beliefs freely.

➢ It is wicked to accept gifts from others but not give any gifts to others. You must take less and give more.

➢ It is wicked to waste other people’s time. You do not want others to waste your time. You should not waste other people’s time either.

➢ It is wicked to want the highest price for your items and expect others to give you their items free. You should put yourself in their shoes and pay for items appropriately.

➢ It is wicked to want the highest pay when you work and when it comes to paying others for their work, you want to bargain and pay the lowest amount. Put yourself in their shoes and pay reasonably.

➢ It is wicked to visit the homes of people and eat their food and when they come to your home, you wonder why they came. Eat from others but you must also feed others when they come to your home or whenever possible.

➢ It is wicked to live off others. You must pay your share of the costs or help out based on your resources (effort, give time, give money).

➢ It is wicked to take from the poor. You must give to the poor and not just take from them.

➢ It is wicked to want others to listen to you when you don’t want to listen to them. Listening should be both ways and not one way.

➢ It is wicked to think your way is the only way. People are different and thus there are different ways for everyone.

➢ It wicked to think that you know everything. Knowledge is not limited to what you know. Listen and learn from others. The variety of people have variety of knowledge and thus one must learn from all to learn the most.

➢ It is wicked to expect others to follow your orders when you follow nobody’s orders. If you want to give orders, you must also obey orders from others.

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➢ It is wicked to expect others to tell the truth, when you are a liar. Speak the truth, stand up for the truth, and side with those who are truthful.

➢ It is wicked to expect from others everything and you expect to give nothing to others. Expect from others but also realize that others are expecting from you. Take and give.

➢ It wicked to expect cheap labor. You would not work cheaply, so why should others? Pay others what you would expect if you were doing it.

➢ It is wicked to only contact others when you are in need. You must stay in contact with everyone on a regular basis.

➢ It is wicked to take from others and not give. You must take and give give give give give give. Take one and give double.

➢ It is wicked do onto others what you wouldn’t want done onto you. Treat others the same as you want others to treat you. Treat everyone nicely.

➢ It is wicked to be miserly. Be miserly with yourself but never be miserly with others. Be very generous with others.

➢ It is wicked to live in other peoples’ homes when you have your own home.

Be satisfied with what you have, and use what you have, don’t live off others.

➢ It is wicked to use other peoples’ things when you have your own. You must live with what you have.

➢ It is wicked to sell something that you would not use yourself.

➢ It is wicked to cook something that you would not eat yourself.

Please give up being wicked from this moment onwards.

160. What is the mentality of those who follow the Bhagavad-Gita?

The devotees of Lord Krishna have the following mentality:

* Broad minded – They never say or think others will go to hell simply for being different

* Full faith in Krishna – They know that God is in full control and thus don’t have any problems with others

* God is real – God is visible and known

* Universal brotherhood - Consider all living beings as brothers and sisters. All living beings are the children of the one God and thus brothers and sisters

* Animals – They are our brothers and sisters too. Thus, no meat eating (vegetarianism)

* Who are we – We are not this body but the soul

* Eternality – We are eternal and thus this is not the only life

* Purpose of religion – A sincere devotee of Krishna only wants to eternally serve Krishna and has no desire for sense gratification. Thus, no lust, no intoxications, no killing, and no speculation

* Karma – People suffer or enjoy based on their past actions. Nothing happens by chance. As you sow, so shall you reap

People with the above mentality make the World a safer and peaceful place to live.

Also, at the end of this life, these souls will go back to the spiritual manifestation and 103

live eternally in the same beautiful body with God. Persons with the above mentality are called self-realized.

“Being freed from attachments, fear, anger, and fully situated in thought of

Me, many have become purified by penance and knowledge of Me. They all

attained pure love for Me. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.10)

The eternal Bhagavad-Gita has already delivered, trillions of people back to the spiritual manifestation, where people live in the same beautiful body eternally with no misery, and you can be next.

161. What are the characteristics of a self-realized person?

* A person who realizes that he is not the material body but the soul.

The material body is temporary, but the soul is eternal, and one who knows this realizes that he (the soul) has been transmigrating from one body to another for countless lifetimes and thus his current body is just one of the millions of bodies he (the soul) has occupied. This means he is not the body but the soul within the body.

* A person who realizes his relationship with the supreme.

The relationship between the living entities and the supreme (God), is that all living entities are part and parcel of the supreme. That means the qualities of all living entities (souls) are the same as those of the supreme. These qualities being eternality, blissfulness, and knowledge.

* A person who realizes that the part is meant to serve the whole.

Just as the hand serves the body, the living entities, who are part of the Supreme, must serve the whole, thus serve the Supreme.

* A person who has given up desires for material possessions and all his activities are done only for the satisfaction of the supreme.

* A person who teaches all the above to others.

A self-realized person is concerned for the welfare of all living beings and thus wants to deliver all living beings back to the spiritual manifestation, where everyone lives happily eternally.

“The great souls, who have achieved perfection, attain Me [Krishna]. They

do not take birth again in this material creation, which is temporary and full

of miseries.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 8.15)

162. What are the benefits of Krishna consciousness to the world?

* Non-violence – Krishna conscious people are totally non-violent. No killing (vegetarian)

* Simple people – Krishna conscious people believe in living a simple life (not materialistic)

* No druggies or drunkards – Krishna conscious people are not intoxicated. No drugs or alcohol

* No hatred – Krishna conscious people believe God is the father of all living beings 104

and thus we are all brothers and sisters

* No Gamblers – Krishna conscious people don’t gamble

* Treat all people equally and nicely – Krishna conscious people view all living beings as souls and not physical bodies. Thus, there are no bodily designations, and even the plants and animals have equal rights and are treated like human beings

Those who sincerely follow Lord Krishna will become decent human beings.

163. How did Krishna prove He was God?

People argue over who God is. First you must know what qualities the applicant for the supreme position should have. These qualities are listed in the question ‘What is God?’ Then compare the pastimes, miracles performed, and statements made by the applicants for the supreme position, and then there will be no doubt who is God and who isn’t.

* Lord Krishna lifted a mountain (Govardhan hill) that is 21km in perimeter and weighing millions of tons for 7 days. Do you know anyone else who has lifted a mountain?

* Lord Krishna expanded his body into 16108 forms. Do you know anyone else who can multiply himself into thousands of identical bodies or even once?

* Lord Krishna swallowed a forest fire to save His friends. Do you know anyone else who has saved his followers in their current life?

* Lord Krishna cured the diseased, including transforming a hunchback woman into a most beautiful woman. Do you know anyone else who has transformed the ugly into beautiful in their current life?

* Lord Krishna brought the dead back to life. Do you know anyone else who has brought back the dead?

* Lord Krishna defeated all those who challenged Him including Kamsa, Putana, Bakasura, Kesi, Aghasura, and Sisupala. Do you know anyone else who has defeated all those who challenged?

* Lord Krishna saved all His followers in this life. Do you know anyone else who has saved their followers in their current life? Only a fool would accept a post-dated check.

* Lord Krishna transformed Himself into others. Do you know anyone else who can transform themselves into others?

* Lord Krishna was born fully clothed. Do you know anyone else born with clothes on?

* Lord Krishna has appeared in the same body more than 18,000 times in the current cycle alone. Do you know anyone else who has appeared with the same 105

body these many times or even twice?

* Lord Krishna never looks older than about 16. He is forever youthful, forever beautiful. Do you know anyone else who always looks youthful and beautiful?

Lord Krishna is the greatest person known to mankind. So why not follow the only proven and seen God?

“The whole cosmic manifestation is working under My direction. Producing

the moving and nonmoving. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.10)

164. Will Krishna take away my sins?

Yes, but Lord Krishna won’t take your sins and suffer Himself, because He is God himself, and God does not suffer. This is another difference between God and the living beings. The living beings suffer, but God does not, that’s why God is great, and we are not.

By taking shelter of Lord Krishna and abiding by His instructions in the Bhagavad-Gita, you will stop committing sins, do everything for Lord Krishna, instead of for yourself, and change your consciousness from material to spiritual. The result of this is that at death, Lord Krishna will release you from all the sinful actions you have taken in millions of lives and transfer you (the soul) to the spiritual abode (Vaikuntha). There you will live in the same body that will be completely beautiful, completely blissful/full of love, full of knowledge, eternal, and with no misery.

“Give up all other religious beliefs and just surrender unto Me [Krishna]. I

will release you from all your sins. Do not worry.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-

Gita 18.66)

165. Is there a conflict between the teachings of the world religions?

Not really.

It’s due to personal ego and ignorance that humans hate and fight each other in the name of religion. God is the creator of all living beings, and He is in full control. Since people have a variety of mentalities, God allows the variety of religions to exist.

People have variety of mentalities, knowledge, ability, and intelligence. Hence people will understand and worship God in different ways. Jesus declared himself as the son and servant of God, Muhammad declared himself as the salve of God, and Lord Krishna declared and proved Himself as God. So, there is no real conflict between the teachings of Christianity, Islam, and Sanatan-Dharma (the Eternal Religion).

The God of Christianity has NEVER been seen based on the Bible itself (John 1:18).

The God of the Islam has NEVER been seen based on the Quran itself (Quran 6:103) and the Hadiths (Sahih al-Bukhari 3234). The God of the Bhagavad-Gita (Lord Krishna) has been seen and proven millions of times. This is because, God is one.

Those who have no personal ego and are willing to accept the truth will accept Lord Krishna. They are truly surrendered unto God. Those who have hatred towards others or are against the will of God, are the unbelievers and the envious of God.

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The Islamic Koran and the Christian Bible do not describe God, but the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures, completely describe God. This is because, God is One, and He is completely known to some and completely unknown to others, based on the qualifications and level of consciousness developed.

The Islamic Koran confirms that we all worship the same One God.

“We believe in that which has been revealed unto us and revealed unto you;

our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.” (Koran 29:46)

Jesus declared himself as the servant of God.

Jesus said, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me”

(John 7:16)

Jesus said, “I go unto my father: for my father is greater than I” (John

14.28)

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself” (John

5.19)

“All living entities are My eternal fragmental particles. Due to material

nature, they are conditioned by the six senses, including the mind, and

struggle very hard.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.7)

All living beings are part of the one God.

“In the body, there is also the super soul. He is the master, supreme

enjoyer, overseer, and the permitter - The Supreme Lord.” (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 13.23)

God is the master, enjoyer, overseer, and permitter.

“I am transcendental, beyond the fallible and infallible, and because I am

the greatest, I am celebrated as the Supreme person, on the material, and

spiritual planets, and in the Vedas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.18)

God is the greatest person in the whole of creation.

“All species of living beings in this material creation appear by taking birth,

and I am the seed giving father.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.4)

God is the father of all living beings.

“I hate no one. I am equal to all living beings…" (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-

Gita 9.29)

In the eyes of God, all living beings are equal.

“…One who has no enemies among all living beings comes to Me.” (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 11.55)

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“Those who are wise, have real knowledge, understanding, and gentleness.

They see with equal vision, a Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a

dog eater." (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 5.18)

Those who see everyone with equal vision and are friendly to all living beings are very dear to God.

166. Are there contradictions in the Vedic Scriptures?

None.

Some people say there are contradictions in the Vedic scriptures because they give conflicting instructions. The Vedic scriptures come from Lord Krishna (God) and He is also the creator of all humans and thus He knows that not all humans have the same mentalities/abilities. Hence to accommodate the variety of evolved consciousness, Lord Krishna gives instructions that are suitable for each category of humans. This is like the different educational institutions, which are suitable for people will different level of abilities. We have pre-schools, primary schools, intermediate schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and so on. Not every human will be able to acquire the same level of education.

A good example of this is the 18 Puranas which are divided into three parts. Each part is suitable for people in three categories: Goodness (Sattva Guna), Passion (Rajo Guna), and Ignorance (Tamo Guna).

Those who are in the mode of Goodness will be inclined to follow the instructions in the 6 Puranas of

Lord Vishnu: Vishnu Purana, Naradiya Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Varaha Purana, and Bhagavata Purana.

Those who are in the mode of Passion will be inclined to follow the instructions in the 6 Puranas of Lord Brahma: Brahmanda Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana, and Brahma Purana.

Those who are in the mode of Ignorance will be inclined to follow the instructions in the 6 Puranas of Lord Shiva: Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Linga Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Agni Purana.

The Bhagavad-Gita also mentions these three modes of nature: Goodness, Passion, and Ignorance. All human beings are acting in one of these three modes based on their evolved consciousness. It is a fact that not all humans have developed the same level of intelligence, abilities, and consciousness. This can be proven by the fact that not everyone is a doctor, or brain surgeon or rocket scientist. Not everyone is clean to the same degree. Not everyone is truthful to the same degree. Not everyone is kindhearted to the same degree. Not everyone is charitable to the same degree. Not everyone is a criminal. Not everyone is a terrorist and so on.

The human beings have different levels of consciousness, because the consciousness has not evolved to the same level for everyone. Some humans have lower consciousness like the animals and thus they will be inclined to eat meat, and some have evolved higher consciousness and thus they would not even touch meat, like the Vaishnavas (followers of the Bhagavad-Gita and Lord Krishna). God has to give 108

differing instructions to accommodate all humans, who all have different abilities and intelligence.

For some humans God is unknown/invisible because they do not have the ability (lower consciousness) to know God and some humans know and can describe in God in full because they have higher level of consciousness. The purpose of these differing instructions, which may seem like contradictions is to slowly elevate each human being to a higher consciousness, and to eventually know Lord Krishna as the absolute truth.

Even in a family, not all the children will behave in the same way or become educated to the same level in the same filed of knowledge. The father knows this very well and will try to help each of his children based on their ability. In a similar way, the Supreme father, Lord Krishna, has provided different levels of instructions to help develop each human being slowly to the highest level of consciousness, which is to know Him as the absolute truth. For some humans it will take many millions of lifetimes to evolve their consciousness to the highest level and some will make it in this life.

If one carefully reads this book, follows the instructions, and understands that Lord Krishna is the absolute truth without any doubt. Then they have attained the perfection of human life. Eventually every soul will arrive at this conclusion, because Lord Krishna is most merciful and will help each and every soul to return back to the spiritual manifestation where everyone lives in the same body that is completely beautiful, full of knowledge, completely blissful/full of love, eternal, and with no misery. This is one of the main differences between the real God (Lord Krishna) and the so-called Gods of other religions who are completely unknown/invisible and always cursing a life of eternal hell for those who don’t follow their unknown/invisible God.

Those who are intelligent will realize that Lord Krishna is the one true God, and He is completely described. The Gods of the other religions are not described, because God Is One, Lord Krishna.

“Give up all other religious beliefs and just surrender unto Me [Krishna]. I

will release you from all your sins. Do not worry.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-

Gita 18.66)

In this verse, Lord Krishna is stating that we should abandon the variety of beliefs in the Vedic scriptures, which were created due to different abilities of understanding among people, and completely abandon the man-made or adulterated Vedic ideologies, and surrender unto Him.

167. What is Theistic and Atheistic?

Theistic means one accepts there is a God and believes He must be described, seen, and proven.

Atheistic means one does not believe in the existence of God or believes God is not described, thus God is unknown/invisible/unseen.

Those who follow ideologies where God is not described are following atheistic ideologies, because God is eternal and thus by now, trillions of years after creation.

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He must have described Himself to the humans who want to know Him. Why should the eternal God keep Himself unknown/invisible, and unseen? The Vedic scriptures completely describe God and thus those who do not accept Lord Krishna as the Supreme (God), must present another contender with similar details as provided for Lord Krishna. If they cannot then they are basically atheistic because they are rejecting the only contender for the Supreme, Lord Krishna.

168. What are the 2 types of human beings?

There are 2 types of human beings, those who have divine qualities and those who have demoniac qualities. Everyone belongs to one of these types, and anyone can change from type to the other.

“There are two types of human beings in this world, one possessing the

divine nature and the other possessing a demoniac nature..” (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 16.6)

The divine qualities are listed in many Bhagavad-Gita verses including 16.1-3. Some of the qualities that are found in those with the divine nature are: Truthfulness, compassion, charity, cleanliness, non-violence, and engaged in spiritual education.

“Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, ignorance, and wickedness –

these are the marks of those with demoniac nature.” (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 16.4)

“Those with the demoniac nature, do not know what is right and what is

wrong. Neither cleanliness, nor proper behavior, nor truthfulness is found in

them.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.7)

169. Why do people change religions/paths?

I have carefully studied why people change from one path to another. People don’t know the truth about their own religion, and they are not told the truth about the ideology they are changing to.

It’s due to ignorance and deception from others that makes people change from one path to another.

The parents should learn themselves and teach their children the Vedic values directly from the source, the Vedic scriptures. This will make the children spiritually strong, otherwise they will become easy targets for conversion to man-made ideologies from the deceivers who are in complete ignorance and thus godless.

Anyone who cannot describe God is being deceived and simply following a cheating ideology.

Question everything and ask for proof of beliefs, this will expose the deceivers. Ask for proofs based on scriptural quotes, history, and actions.

Until 5000 years ago, there was only one religion in the whole world, Sanatan-Dharma. But due to lack of preaching by the Vedic followers. We now have many man made ideologies where God is unknown and unproven. Those who are intelligent will question everything and follow a religion where God is proven.

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170. Do we originate from Adam and Eve?

No. The Abrahamic theory is that we originate from Adam and Eve, who lived around 6,000 years ago. The Vedic theory is that we originate from thousands of couples and not just one, and humans have existed for 155.522 trillion years in the current cosmic cycle. This is explained in detail, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures. See the “Vedic Theory of Universe Population Creation” chart from the following web site, www.EternalReligion.org

The scientists have proven with genetic science that it’s impossible for the human population of the world to originate from one couple (Adam and Eve). They have also proven that humans have existed for millions and not just 6,000 years. The bones of humans dating back to millions of years can be found in museums around the world.

171. Can you describe the Kingdom of God?

Only the Vedic scriptures answer this very important question.

“My supreme abode is not illuminated by the sun, moon, fire, or electricity.

Those who go there, never come back to this material creation.” (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.6)

The kingdom of God is called Vaikuntha, the spiritual manifestation of Lord Krishna.

"The inhabitants of the Vaikuṇṭha planets are described as having a glowing

sky-bluish complexion. Their eyes resemble lotus flowers, their dress is of

yellowish color, and their bodily features very attractive. They are just the

age of growing youths, they all have four hands, they are all nicely

decorated with pearl necklaces with ornamental medallions, and they all

appear to be effulgent. Some of them are effulgent like coral and diamonds

in complexion and have garlands on their heads, blooming like lotus

flowers, and some wear earrings. The Vaikuṇṭha planets are also surrounded

by various airplanes, all glowing and brilliantly situated. These airplanes

belong to the great mahātmās or devotees of the Lord. The ladies are as

beautiful as lightning because of their celestial complexions, and all these

combined together appear just like the sky decorated with both clouds and

lightning." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.11-13)

After knowing the above, anyone who is truthful, would immediately surrender unto Lord Krishna so they can go to His kingdom at the end of this short life.

172. Are followers of Lord Krishna most peaceful?

It’s extremely rare for devotees of Lord Krishna to engage in violence in His name or the Bhagavad-Gita. Once someone becomes a devotee of Lord Krishna, the first change is that they stop killing by going vegetarian, and once someone stops being a devotee of Lord Krishna and follows any of the non-Vedic paths, the first change is that they start killing (become meat eaters). If you accept that killing is wrong and want to follow a loving, seen, and proven God, then you should surrender unto Lord Krishna.

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“My devotees become righteous, attain lasting peace, and never perish.

“Lord Krishna (Bhagavad-Gita 9.31)

You have a choice, you can follow a real, seen, proven, and loving God, Lord Krishna, or you can follow an unproven/invisible/unknown character as God.

173. Why do Hindus have a mark (Tilak) on their forehead?

There are many reasons including:

a. To show that one is a devotee of God and thus reminds one to live a responsible life taking only righteous actions

b. The Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Krishna) have 2 lines which signify Radha and Krishna and the base which signifies Tulsi

c. The mark on the forehead signifies that the body is a Temple, because the divine is present within. Lord Krishna is present within the heart of all living beings

d. The women have a red dot to show that they are married 174. Why do Arti (ceremony of light)?

The ceremony of light (Arti) involves the following before the deity of God: a. Waving lighted wicks which are soaked in ghee (purified butter). This signifies light (the truth). The waving is clockwise, just like the clocks. This indicates progression or advancement of spiritual consciousness. Never anti-clockwise, which indicates regression or degradation

b. Offering water

c. Offering flowers and incense

d. Waving a charmer (wisp) or white cloth

e. The Arti is started and ended with the blowing of a conch-shell

“The mind, intellect, ego, ether, air, fire, water, and earth are the eightfold

division of My material energies. “ (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.4)

By performing the Arti, we are offering the five gross material elements of creation to God, to thank and remember Him for everything He has given and done for us.

Fire (light), water, earth (flowers), air and space (wiping), are the five gross material elements of creation. The mind, intellect, and ego are the three subtle elements.

The blowing of the conch signifies scarring away bad qualities, awakening the good qualities, and other reasons.

175. Why surrender unto Lord Krishna?

“The divine illusionary energy of Mine [maya] consisting of the three modes

of material nature is very difficult to overcome. Those who surrender unto

Me can become free from it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.14)

The three modes of material nature are: Goodness, passion, ignorance 112

Maya, is the illusory energy of Lord Krishna, and thus we can only overcome it, by His grace. We all originate from the spiritual manifestation and due to our own desire, we came to the material creation and the purpose of the illusory energy is to keep us in the material creation, because that was our desire. When we surrender unto Lord Krishna, we slowly transcend beyond the three modes of material nature, become undeterred by maya, and eventually go back to the spiritual manifestation, our original home.

176. How should one make work, business, or management decisions?

We must work or engage in some business to eat and pay our bills, this is necessary.

But you should do what is ethical and offer the results of our work to Lord Krishna.

At least some of it, in this way we will not get any side effects in life from our work.

a. Focus on the work/business, but without attachment to the results b. Work hard

c. Always do your best

d. Timing is important

e. Being responsive in a timely manner is important

f. Don’t be greedy

g. Treat others fairly

h. Keep proper and complete records (legal buy/sell documents, accounting, plans, personnel records, take references, and recommendations etc.) 177. For how long can you stand on your one leg to prove your faith?

Millions of followers of Lord Krishna have performed severe penances to prove their faith in Lord Krishna. This included standing straight on one leg with the hands folded for many years and meditating on Lord Krishna. Can followers of other God’s stand straight on their one leg for many years to prove their faith? Or even for 1

day?

Those who are intelligent will follow these time-tested devotees and follow Sanatan-Dharma and Lord Krishna. It is Lord Krishna who gives His devotees the ability to perform penances.

“I am the taste of water, the light of the moon and sun, the syllable ‘aum’ in

the Vedic scriptures, the sound vibration in ether, and the ability in man.”

(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.8)

178. Has Lord Krishna already saved people?

Lord Krishna has already appeared and saved His followers millions of times, right here on this planet, and He is so nice. If you can’t make it in this life, then you will get unlimited chances (reincarnation) and you will never be sent to hell eternally. But why waste this life? Just take shelter of Lord Krishna and make this your last miserable life.

There are many examples of Lord Krishna saving His followers: a. The 5 Pandava brothers were saved so many times. One example, they were on the battlefield for 18 days and although millions of others around them died, the 5 Pandava brothers were untouched.

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b. A boy called Prahlad was thrown off a cliff, thrown in fire, attacked with a sword, given poison, but still nothing happened to him, because Lord Krishna was saving him.

c. A 5-year-old boy named Druva was in distress and performed severe penances for 6 months, then He saw Lord Krishna, face to Face.

d. A woman named Draupadi was disrobed in front of many people, but still she could not be made naked, because Lord Krishna was supplying her with an unlimited length sari.

e. Whenever Lord Krishna appears in Person, He saves His followers, and even when He doesn’t appear in Person. He still saves His pure devotees, because He is omnipresent.

“Those who without deviation, meditate upon Me, worship Me, fix their mind

on Me, and become attached to Me, I very quickly deliver them from

material existence, which is an ocean of birth, death, and miseries.” (Lord

Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 12.6-7)

There is only one person who has appeared and prove Himself as God, Lord Krishna.

179. What abilities does Lord Krishna have?

There are eighteen superior types of mystic siddhis (perfections), and five inferior perfections, which Lord Krishna has in full.

The eight primary perfections are as follows:

1) Anima-siddhi – The ability to decrease the size of one’s body and become smaller than the smallest particle. Through this siddhi one may enter into stone or change the density in one’s body, enabling one to pass through solid matter.

2) Mahima-siddhi – The ability to increase the size of one’s body, ultimately enveloping the universe.

3) Laghima-siddhi – The ability to make one’s body lighter than air and fly at will. The perfection of this siddhi enables one to travel on the sun’s rays and enter into the sun planet.

4) Prapti-siddhi – The ability to manifest any object one desires within one’s hand. This siddhi removes the limitations of space which separate two objects from each other. It is said one will even be able to touch the moon with one’s finger [i.e. the limitation of distance is removed].

5) Prakamya-siddhi – The ability to attain anything one desires.

6) Ishita-siddhi – The ability to control the sub-potencies of the laws of nature.

This enables one to control various energies and seemingly defy the laws of nature. On the lowest level, one may make fire come from one’s mouth, etc.

7) Vashita-siddhi – The ability to bring others under one’s control.

8) Kamavasayita-siddhi – The ability to attain anything anywhere. This is the highest of the eight and contains most of the abilities of the other perfections.

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The ten secondary perfections are as follows: 1) The ability to be free from hunger and thirst. With this perfection one no longer depends on food and water for maintenance of one’s body. One will be able to sustain himself simply on prana, the life air.

2) The ability to hear things far away. With this perfection one can hear any conversation spoken anywhere in the world.

3) The ability to see things far away. With this perfection one develops a mystic vision, by which one can see any person or place. Sanjaya, the disciple of Vyasa, used this siddhi to see and hear the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna (known as Bhagavad-Gita) which took place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, though he was situated far away.

4) The ability to travel at the speed of the mind. With this perfection one can travel great distances in a moment simply by thinking of the destination.

5) The ability to assume any form one desires. This enables one to change one’s physical body at will.

6) The ability to enter the bodies of others. This perfection enables one to enter into the bodies of others and enjoy through their senses. Since ghosts do not have physical senses, they often resort to this to satisfy their desires through other’s bodies.

7) The ability to control the time of one’s death. With this perfection one may choose the time of leaving his body.

8) The ability to witness the pastimes between the demigods and the celestial girls called apsaras.

9) Satya-sankalpa – Perfect accomplishment of one’s determination. Whatever one desires to happen will happen.

10) Satya-yak - Giving orders that are unimpeded. With this perfection one’s very word is truth. Simply by saying something it occurs.

Besides the eighteen superior perfections, there are five inferior perfections as follows:

1) The ability to know past, present and future.

2) The ability to tolerate heat, cold and other dualities.

3) The ability to know the minds of others.

4) The ability to check the influence of fire, water, poison, and weapons.

5) The ability to remain unconquered by others.

Reference: Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 11, chapter 15: Lord Krsna’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections

These eighteen superior mystic perfections and the five inferior perfections are the potencies of Lord Krishna, who is called Yogesvara, the Master of all mystic perfections. Anyone who claims to be God, must exhibit all these perfections, and if 115

he cannot then he is not God, but an imposter. Lord Krishna is the only Person who has exhibited all these perfections, not just once, but millions of times. This is because, He is the only God.

Lord Krishna gives some of these mystic perfections to His pure devotees who want them. The Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures, give details on how one can acquire some of these mystic perfections. Those who have acquired one or more of these perfections are called mystic yogis, and these yogis have been seen walking on water, flying, transporting themselves from one place to another within a few seconds, materializing objects, changing forms, predicting the future, bringing back the dead, seeing the dead in their new life and so on. In the past, there were millions of mystic yogis, but now very few, as the potency has been reduced due to the influence of Kali Yuga.

“Wherever there is Yogeshvar, the master of all yogis, and wherever there

is Arjuna, the expert archer, there will be opulence, power, victory, and

morality.” (Sanjaya to Dhrtarastra, Bhagavad-Gita 18.78)

180. Is acquiring spiritual knowledge Bhakti?

Yes. You will truly advance in devotional service unto God by studying and applying the knowledge in the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures. Not by jumping from one Temple to another. Religion without philosophical knowledge is just sentiment.

Please don’t waste your time, energy, and money on travelling from one Temple to another, stay in one place and absorb the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. In this way you will truly advance. You cannot find Lord Krishna; He will find you when you become qualified.

By reading or listening to the Bhagavad-Gita or any Vedic scripture, this is considered performing Bhakti, devotional service unto Lord Krishna.

“Those who study this sacred dialogue of ours are worshipping Me with the

yagna of knowledge.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.70)

"Knowledge [spiritual] is the cause of liberation and ignorance is the cause

of bondage to material life." (Lord Krishna, Uddhava Gita).

Many people visit India to jump around from one Temple to another. They learn absolutely nothing from doing this and in many cases, they become sick due to the travelling. These people also visit Singapore, Dubai, Las Vegas, Rome, Paris, London, and so on. This clearly indicates that they are materialistic people who are simply interested in sightseeing and not serious about religion. A genuine devotee of God would not even think of visiting such places. It is an unfortunate fact that by visiting most Temples, one will not learn anything and thus will not advance in devotional service. Temples are not setup to give spiritual knowledge and guidance which people most desperately need. They are simply money grabbing stores.

Acquiring spiritual knowledge is most important and this is real advancement of consciousness and devotional service unto God. Without reading the Bhagavad-Gita directly or learning via others, one will not know what is taught by Lord Krishna.

From the Bhagavad-Gita we learn that Arjuna bowed down to Lord Krishna and then heard His instructions. He didn’t simply bow down and then go home.

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When visiting holy places, one should do something for the benefit of the place by cleaning it, spreading religious knowledge to others who come there, helping to maintain it and serve everyone. Unfortunately, most people visit holy places and make it more materialistic by spending money there, make it dirtier by leaving their droppings, and do absolutely nothing that is of benefit to the place. God is not an egoistic person who simply wants people to bow down to Him. He wants people to change their consciousness by acquiring spiritual knowledge and do something that is of benefit to the place (environment, people, animals, and plants).

181. Why the Bhagavad-Gita is the most suitable scripture for taking oaths on?

The following are against USA and international human rights laws:

• Human slavery

• Human trading

• Taking females captive

• Stoning people to death

• Burning people

• Eternal punishment

• Looting

• Intolerance

• Taxation based on religion

• Division of humanity based on religion

All the above are very clearly advocated by the scriptures which originate from outside India. The Bhagavad-Gita does not advocate any of the above.

Thus the Bhagavad-Gita teachings are in compliance with USA and international human rights laws. The Bhagavad-Gita is the most suitable scripture for taking oaths on for USA government positions including the presidency. All countries around the world should use the Bhagavad-Gita for takings oaths on.

182. What is universal knowledge?

That knowledge which is existing beyond this planet and in other universes is called universal knowledge. That knowledge which cannot exist beyond this planet is called non-universal, and thus man-made knowledge.

Only the Vedic scriptures exist beyond this planet and thus the Vedic knowledge is universal. In this universe, the Vedic knowledge was first imparted to Brahma at the beginning of creation. This was 155.522 trillion years ago. The Vedic knowledge is also established in millions of other universes.

“O great one, you pervade from outer space to Earth in all directions, seeing

you in this wonderful and terrifying form of yours, all the planetary systems

are disturbed.” (Arjuna to Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 11.20)

Only the Vedic knowledge is eternal and universal. This is because it comes from God, Lord Krishna.

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183. What are the four Yugas (Ages)?

Just as there are four seasons, there are four ages in which we keep circulating, one after the other:

Satya Yuga: The age of truth. Only one religion (Sanatan Dharma) exists in the whole world. The Yuga lasts 1.728 million years and the lifespan of humans is 100,000 years. People are mostly self-satisfied, merciful, and friendly to all living beings. They derive pleasure from within, see all things equally, and always endeavor for spiritual advancement.

Treta Yuga: The introduction of ignorance takes place in this age, but still only one religion exists in the whole world. The Yuga lasts 1.296 million years and the lifespan of humans is 10,000 years. People are devoted to rituals and severe austerities, but the principles of religion are reduced by 25%.

Dvapara Yuga: Decline in the truth and religious values take effect in this age, but still only one religion is followed in the whole World. The Yuga lasts 864,000 years and the lifespan of humans is 1000 years. People devote themselves to the study of the Vedas, are very opulent and enjoy life with large families, but the principles of religion are reduced by 50%. Dissatisfaction, untruth, violence and enmity increase.

Kali Yuga: The age of darkness, ignorance, and degradation. Many man made religions and deviations blossom in the World. The Yuga lasts 432,000 years and the lifespan of humans is 100 years at the beginning, and this gradually reduces to 12

years. People tend to be greedy, badly behaved, obsessed with material desires, and will fight with one another without any reasons. Only 25% of the principles of religion remain and these gradually decrease by the increasing principles of irreligion (mainly untruth, violence, enmity, dissatisfaction, following unknown/unproven/unseen characters as God).

We are currently 5000 years into Kali Yuga. As each day passes, man is becoming more ignorant and degraded. The result of which is more suffering for mankind.

184. What is the life span of Brahma?

As mentioned in the verses (8.17-19), one day of Brahma lasts one thousand cycles of the four yugas.

“One day of Brahma lasts one thousand cycles of four yugas [4.32 billion

years]. The night is also of the same duration. At the start of Brahma’s day,

all living beings become manifested from the un-manifest state. Then at

night, all living beings become un-manifest again. This is repeated again,

and again. At the beginning of each day of Brahma, all living beings are

manifested, and at night, they are helplessly un-manifested." (Lord Krishna,

Bhagavad-Gita 8.17-19)

1000 cycles of the four yugas is:

1000 x (1.728+1.296+0.864+0.432) = 100 x (4.32 Million) 118

= 4320 Million = 4.32 Billion years

One day (12 hours) of Brahma is 4.32 Billion Earth years, and he lives for 100 of his years, which is 311 trillion, 40 billion years for us.

4.32 Billion x 2 x 30 x 12 x 100 = 311 trillion, 40 billion years.

Just think how fantastic the life of Brahma is compared to us, but even he must die one day, and he has already lived for 155.522 trillion years, this is his current age, and half his long life is over. We live a very short life of at most 100 years and should realize that this material life is meant for spiritual realization and not material accumulation and attachments. We are working like donkeys to accumulate properties, and bank balances, but this is all a complete waste of life. If we don’t use our time, energy, and wealth in the service of Lord Krishna.

185. Who is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient?

nipresent, meaning He is present everywhere.

“I am everywhere.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.5)

nipotent, meaning He is the greatest.

“With a single particle of Myself [Krishna], I maintain the entire creation.”

(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 10.42)

niscient, meaning He is all knowing. He knows the past, present, and the future of everyone.

“I completely know the past, the present, and the future. I also know all

living beings, but no one really knows Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita

7.26)

186. What is the most practical spiritual advice for today?

What is the value in gaining all the people in the world as your silly face book contact, but you lose your soul (to degradation)?

What is the value in having 7 billion followers, but your soul has none?

What is the value in gaining many connections in the world, when your soul has no connection to the material world?

What is the value in hooking your body to the material world, when you are the soul, which cannot be hooked to a body for long?

What is the value in talking non-sense all day, if your soul will be forced to come back in another body to hear back the non-sense?

➢

Immediately close all your silly social media accounts.

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➢

Minimize the use of cell phones. NEVER take your cell phone to Temples and Kathas.

➢

Don’t give your children (<16 years) a cell phone.

The purpose of these silly social media accounts is simply to waste valuable time by engaging you in non-sense thoughts and talks.

The purpose of the cell phone is simply to engage you in non-sense talk all day, so you waste your days and life.

When your mind is occupied in social media and/or cell phone usage, your mind becomes more materialized. Spirituality is opposite of materialism. Stop the non-sense social media and cell phone usage and let your mind focus on the self, the soul. Rather than other people who are completely materialized.

Social media and cell phone usage is all about seeing non-sense, talking non-sense, thoughts of non-sense people and their activities and so on. Basically, everything that is mentioned in the below verse is affected by social media and cell phone usage.