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SPIRITUALITY SPIRITUALI TY FOR THE MODERN YOUTH Seri es

Readers interested in the subject matter of this book are invited by the Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) to correspond with our Secretary at the following address: Sales Manager: Krishnakishore das A-102, Bharati Vihar, Katraj, Pune – 411 046 Phone: +91-020-24306330 Email: [email protected] Web: www.iskconpune.com

Edited by Chaitanya Charan das Cover design by Jaigopal das Layout by Vrajananda das Previous Printing: 15,000 Copies Revised Edition: October 2007 / 2000 Copies

Compiled by :

Radheshyam Das M.Tech., IIT Mumbai

2001, Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education , Pune All rights reserved. VOICE Pune expresses its gratitude to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) for the use of verses, purports and pictures from the books of Srila Prabhupada. All such verses, purports and pictures are BBT.

COVER: Since time immemorial, eminent scientists have been

Rekindling Wisdom, Reviving Love Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture and Education (VOICE) ISKCON, 4, Tarapore Road Next to Dastur Boys’ School, Pune – 411 001, Phone: (020) 26332328, [email protected]

trying to discover the origin and purpose of life. Similarly antimaterial scientists - the great devotees of God - have discovered their true identity as a servant of God by living according to the Vedic scriptures. Having experienced boundless ecstasy in their relationship with God, they dedicated their entire lives to preaching and inspiring humanity to discover themselves . Published by Radheshyam das for Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE)

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Eminent Personalities Say... “This is a well illustrated, easy to understand book and I know the author to have a genuine care for the well being of the young people of India, making him the true representative of the ‘Best Friend’ of youths today. Using his years of experience in this field Radheshyam Prabhu, has managed to produce a systematic, highly effective study of Srimad Bhagavad-gita. I strongly recommend that a serious study of these books is done to discover India’s ancient heritage and wealth of Vedic wisdom. I am confident this study course will inspire and motivate many to delve more deeply into the fathomless purports of Srila Prabhupad’s books.” His Holiness Lokanath Swami Swami Maharaj, ISKCON Padayatra Minister

“The Spirituality for the Modern Youth series is a lucid explanation of the most profound Truths revealed to mankind through various religions. An all-encompassing presentation written in a very rational and scientific manner.” Hrishikesh Mafatlal, Chairman and Managing Director, Mafatlal Group of Industries. Industries. “The Spirituality for the Modern Youth series is an invaluable contribution to the realm of higher dimensional science, which directs the exploring spirit on an adventurous journey in the world within… Every adherent of the scientific spirit of enquiry will relish it.” Dr Sudipto Ghosh, Ghosh, M. Tech. & Ph D, IIT Kanpur Scientist, Tata Research Development and Design Center, Pune – INDIA

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“The Spirituality for the Modern Youth series comes right down to where the reader is - lost amidst a plethora of philosophies and beliefs and elevates him step-by-step to the highest understanding of the fundamental truths of life.” F.I.C.O.G. Dr M. K. Patel, M.D., D.G.O., F.I.C.O.G. Consulting Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Coordinator, Dept. of Bio-Ethics, Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai. Mumbai.

“To present pristine spirituality to the modern scientific mind is no easy task. Coming from a dynamic spiritualist with a distinguished academic background, the Spirituality for the Modern Youth series meets the challenge wonderfully.” Dr Bhaskar Hosangodi, Hosangodi, Emeritus Prof and HoD, HoD, Chemistry Dept., Bombay University “The Spirituality for the Modern Youth series uses the analytical approach to present the profound philosophy of the Vedas in a way appealing even to the skeptical youth of today. A must-read for every scientifically-minded person with an interest in spirituality.” Ganesh Ramkrishnan, Ph D Student, Comp. Sc., IIT Mumbai.

vii We have been using these notes for vigorous youth preaching in Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE), Pune. VOICE, Pune was started and is being run by the divine inspiration and blessings given by H.H. Radhanath Swami Maharaj, H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj, H.H. Lokanath Swami Maharaj, H.G. Devamrita Prabhu, devotees of Shri Shri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Chowpatty, Mumbai and Shri Shri Radha Kunjabihari Mandir, Pune. The approach of having a systematic presentation of the Bhagavadgita has produced amazing results in effectively conveying the message to the youth and inspiring them to take to Krishna consciousness seriously. VOICE presently has hundreds of engineering students, who are chanting Hare Krishna and leading a pure life free from all bad habits like meat-eating, intoxication, illicit sex and gambling.

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Contents Foreword Chapter 1 Can A Scientist Believe In God? The Story of Isaac Newton Order and Design Tremendous Energy Organization and Craftsmanship A Giant in a Tiny Package Laws of Nature Did Everything Start from a ‘Big Bang’ or ‘Big Brain’

We hope that this book will therefore act as a beacon light for every sincere seeker of the truth, especially among the youth and the young at heart. It is our hope that the book will also serve as a useful guide for all preachers throughout the world in their attempts to take Krishna consciousness to the youth in particular and to the masses at large. This book is nothing but a systematic presentation of the remnants of the bold preacher, Srila Prabhupada, and my beloved spiritual master. It is therefore a humble offering at their lotus feet. We will consider our humble efforts successful if this endeavor can assist in fulfilling their pure desire to flood the entire world with Krishna consciousness.

Radheshyam Das Director, Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) , Pune. President, ISKCON, Pune.

A Charge Against Chance Do you know a machine which has no maker and with no purpose The Unseen Is Proven by the Seen The Spiritual Scientist

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3 3 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 17 18

Chapter 2 Getting The Eyes To See God

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Blind Men and the Elephant Pratyaksha Praman Imperfect Senses Tendency to be Illusioned Tendency to Commit Mistakes Cheating Anumana Praman Shabda Praman

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Chapter 3 Vedic Wisdom: The Privilege Of Humanity

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Human Life vs. Animal life The Special Prerogative of the Human Body The Actual Destination of Life Cause of Suffering Threefold Miseries Shun the Sinful Tendency and Surpass Suffering What is the Purpose of the Vedic Literature? Is Accepting the Vedas not Blind Faith? Why are Vedas Considered the word of God? Two Systems of Knowledge The Vedic Process of Learning

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Chapter 4 Science of the Soul

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The ABC of Bhagavad-gita Scientific Proof of the Soul’s Existence Common Sense Intuitive Understanding Awareness, Thinking, Feeling and Willing Near Death Experience (NDE) Past Life Memories Practical Benefits of the Knowledge about the Soul A Clear Understanding of Life and Death The Gross Body & the Subtle Body The Nature of the Soul The Soul is Indestructible. The Soul is Individual The Soul has Form Matter is Formless - Spirit Gives Form to Matter

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The Soul is Eternal 74 The Soul has a Form of Eternity (Sat) – Knowledge (Cit) 75 – Bliss (Ananda) The Soul is Situated in the Region of the Heart 75 The Size of the Soul 76 Are we Gods or God’s ? 76

Chapter 5 Substance And Shadow

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Where Does the Soul Come From? Spiritual World vs. Material World The Story of Liquid Beauty All That Glitters Is Not Gold The Goal of Life: Purification of Heart & Glorification of Lord Mantra Meditation Technique

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Chapter 6 If God Is One, Then Why So Many Religions?

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If God Is One, Then Why Do People Follow Different 94 Religion? Different Religions - Same message 97 Ascending From Fear to Love 102 Serving simply out of love, with no motivation 106 Sanatana Dharma - The Supermarket of Religions 107 Worship According to Propensities 109 Why is Krishna God? 110 The ABCD formula for a happy life 112

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Appendix 1

Appendix 4

117 What is the Theory of Evolution? 118 Dilemmas over Origin of Life 118 Theory of Spontaneous Generation 119 The Primitive Atmosphere 120 Formation of the Organic Soup 121 Formation of Proteins 123 Formation of the Genetic Code 124 Why Not Produce Life? 125 Is it Scientific? 126 Not all Scientists Accept it 127 Dilemmas over Origin of Complex Organs 128 Dilemmas over Fossils 129 What Fossil Record Says about the Origin of Living 129 Things Record of the Rocks Contradicts Darwin’s Theory 130 Fossil Record is the Final Court of Appeal 134 Creation or Evolution? 134 The Vedic Model for Evolution 135

Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) What is VOICE? Objectives of VOICE How Are The Students Trained in the VOICE? Personality Development and Character Build Up Yoga, Meditation and Nutritious Diet Topping in Academics Public Speaking and Discussion (PSD) Team Playing and Synergising Devotional Qualifications Personal Care And Counseling Developing Interpersonal Relationships Leadership Qualities Preaching VOICE Youth Centers managed by ISKCON, Pune Girls VOICE For Social Cause References VOICE Publications

Appendix 2

Appendix 5

Evolution or Creation: Let the Data Speak

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The Universe: How did it Begin? On the Role of Faith in Science What the Vedas say…

Appendix 3 Srila Prabhupada Kingdom of God

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or thousands of years, people have marvelled at the starry heavens. On a clear night, the beautiful stars hang like shining jewels against the darkness of space. A moonlit night bathes the earth with a beauty all of its own. Those who think, often wonder : "Just what is out there in space? How is it organized? Can we find out how it all got started? Who created all these startling variety of things?" The human mind is staggered by the immensity and complexity of the awesome universe. As ‘National Geographic’ magazine commented what man is now learning about the universe has "left him stunned." Who will not appreciate and realize that all this artistry is the work of an intelligent yet inconceivable designer and creator God?

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Can A Scientist Believe In GOD?

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If you want to see your face in the mirror you need the help of sunlight. Similarly if one is interested in discovering oneself, one needs to know God, the ultimate truth. Self-realization comes automatically by God realization. Group Work : Divide the class into groups of 3 each and ask them to discuss the following question in about 5 minutes : What gives you faith that there must be some God or Supreme Being in this world? Write down as many reasons as possible why y ou believe in the existence of God. Once the groups are ready ask one representative from each group to present all the points that came out from discussion and put it on a flip chart. The same can be repeated with other groups. Overlapping points can be left out. After this task the teacher can try to relate the points obtained with the ones given below. Then discuss them after the following story. When the points obtained from the students are put on the board and discussed, that gives them more confidence and faith than to ‘feed’ them without making them to think first.

Can A Scientist Believe In God ?

In this way, we can see the wonderful organization and arrangements made by God, who is creating, maintaining and guiding all living entities, small or big. A Giant in a Tiny Package

One of the smallest seeds has packaged within it the biggest living thing on earth - the giant sequoia tree. It grows over 300 feet high. high. Four feet above the ground its diameter may be be 36 feet. One tree may contain enough wood to build 50 six-room houses. The twofoot-thick bark is flavored with tannin that repels insects, and its spongy, fibrous texture makes it almost as fireproof as asbestos. Its roots cover three or four acres. It lives over 3000 years. Yet the seeds that a sequoia tree rains down by the millions are not much bigger than a pinhead surrounded by tiny wings. A puny man standing at a sequoia’s base can only

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its massive grandeur. Does it make sense to believe that the shaping of the majestic giant and of the tiny seed that packages it was not by design? Nobel-prize-winning physicist Robert A. Millikan, said at a meeting of the American Physical Society: “There’s a Divinity that shapes our ends…A purely materialistic philosophy is to me the height of unintelligence. Wise men in all the ages have always seen enough to at least make them reverent.” Laws of Nature The development that has taken place in all the physical sciences during the past hundred years has resulted chiefly from the application of the ‘Scientific Method’ to the study of matter and energy. In the experimental part of this study every effort is made to eliminate every known possibility that the results obtained are in any way due due to mere chance. This study consistently has shown in the past, and still continues to show that the behaviour of even insensible matter is not at all haphazard, but on the contrary obeys definite natural natural laws. The arrangement of chemical elements by the great Russian chemist, Mendeleef, is called ‘The Periodic Law’ and not ‘The Periodic Chance’. Also, the entire universe, from atoms to galaxies, is governed by definite physical laws. There are laws for governing heat, light, sound and gravity, for example. As physicist Stephen W. Hawking said : “The more we examine the universe, we find it is not arbitrary at all but obeys certain well-defined laws that operate in different areas. It seems very very reasonable to suppose that there may be some unifying principle.”


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So now what about the universe? It is not possible for us to observe more than one appearance of a universe-- we can only see the one we are in. The origin of the universe is thus a onetime event, and statements about it that involve chance are meaningless according to the rules of quantitative science.

Do you know a machine which has no maker and with no purpose? We have absolutely no experience of any object or system coming about by chance. Why and how then can we assume that the entire universe with all its harmony, order and structured organization came about by itself, by chance? Have you ever seen: A complicated machine coming by Chance? A complicated mechanism with no Purpose? • •

Suppose you go to the Strength of Materials laboratory and ask the lab incharge, “Where does the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) come from? And what is its purpose?” If he tells you that the UTM came by chance and that it has no purpose, will you not consider him to be a fool? This is what the so-called scientists of today are saying about the origin and the purpose of the most complicated mechanism - the universe. When a blind man leads many blind men everyone falls into a ditch. That is the condition of today’s society.

Any sane man can appreciate that a superb organization requires a superb organizer. Nothing in our experience indicates that anything organized happens by accident. Rather, our entire experience shows that everything organized must have an organizer. Every machine, computer, building, even a pen and pencil had a maker, an organizer. Logically, the far more complex and awesome organization in the universe must have had an organizer too.


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powerless to account for. After years of research and study this is what Sir Isaac had to say, “I do not know what may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been like a boy playing by the sea shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.” Scientists of today have begun to realize that the knowledge and ability they have is extremely limited and in fact quite insignificant. Therefore, instead of denying and challenging the existence of the Supreme Scientist, God, it should be the prime duty of all scientists to appreciate the inconceivable brain of God and His wonderful manifestations everywhere and create a worldwide spiritual awareness among people. Then there can be real peace in society. *

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Blind Men and the Elephant

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Once six blind men came across an elephant for the first time in their lives. After touching different parts of the elephant, every one of them started describing enthusiastically what they thought the elephant was like. One man who had touched the side of the elephant exclaimed,“It is like a wall which appears that it may fall anytime”. The second man who had touched the tusk said, “O! It is so very round, smooth and sharp. The elephant is like a spear”. The third man who had touched the trunk said,“Don’t you understand that the elephant is like a snake?”

Getting The Eyes To See GOD

The fourth man who had grasped one of the legs of the elephant felt that the elephant was like a tree. The fifth man had touched one of the ears of the elephant and stated that it was like a fan. The sixth man who had caught hold of the swinging tail of the elephant commented,“Why don’t you all understand that the elephant is like a rope!” In this way, they went on arguing until they resorted to the help of a learned man with proper eyesight. The learned man felt pity for them and told them the complete description of the elephant and then all the six blind men felt satisfied.

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2) Tendency to be illusioned 1) Imperfect Senses

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he first problem we face when trying to get accurate information about the external world is that our senses have physiological limits, or ‘thresholds of perception’. Eyes: We can see only a tiny fraction of the total electromagnetic spectrum. An electromagnetic wave can range from one quadrillionth of a meter up to 100 million metres in length. And of this, we can see only the waves that are 400 to 700 millimicrons long. Anything outside this thin band is invisible to us. Similarly, even if we draw 10000 lines within 0.1 mm, we will be able to see only a single line . Ears: Human hearing extends from 20 Hz upto 20,000 Hz . We are deaf to any vibration above or below this range. That’s why when you blow a dog’s whistle, all the street dogs will come running to you on hearing it, although you cannot hear any sound at all!

So our senses are imperfect. But what about scientific instruments? Nobel-Prize-winning physicist Eugene Wigner points out, “Even if we photograph the stars, we must eventually ‘take in’ by our senses what the photograph shows. Furthermore without our senses, we could not handle a photographic camera. Clearly all knowledge comes to us ultimately through our senses." So even if amplified/refined by instruments, any knowledge based on sense perception is no more perfect than our imperfect senses.

All the senses have many known deceptions. Some examples are given below: Group work: Each picture has at least two ways to see depending on what you choose to discard. Identify 4x2=8 different interpretations, what do you learn from it. Form groups to identify the different interpretations. What do you learn from this exercise?

Four Combined pitures 1. old Women & Young Girl 2. Tringle 3. ABC & 123 4. Glass & Face

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If one has been an automobile specialist for twenty years and knows the science of automobiles he can judge the condition of a vehicle as soon as he drives it even for a minute. But one who does not know the science of automobiles cannot understand anything about the condition of a vehicle. Similarly one who knows the science of God can immediately see the hand of God in every single aspect of the cosmos – from the microscopic to the macroscopic. But one who has no knowledge of the science of God cannot understand anything about the working of the world. That is why hearing the science of God from great saintly persons is called as ‘darshan’. ‘Darshan’ means ‘sight’ as well as ‘philosophical insight’ or ‘discourse’. Thus by hearing from great saintly persons who are devotees of God, we can come to see and realize the ultimate truth. If Mr. Bill Gates is sitting in a group meeting with you, you will not know his greatness, until you hear from someone who he is. Similarly, God’s greatness has to be heard from His pure unalloyed devotees, who are not only preaching about Him, but practicing a life in accord with His divine instructions. By hearing Vedic knowledge from such great souls, we can get the eyes to see God. *

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Group work: Make a list of the different species that you know of, for their special abilities (e.g. eagle- eye sight). Find out what is the speciality of human species.

Human Life vs. Animal Life

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ave you ever wondered how a human being is superior to an animal? The activities of human beings and animals are similar - eating, sleeping, producing children, defending themselves etc. In what way are humans superior to animals?

Vedic Wisdom: The Privilege of Humanity

Someone may reply ‘Reasoning Power’ or ‘Rational Thinking’. But reasoning power is there even in lower animals like dogs and cats. Suppose a dog comes up to you, and if you say, “Hut!” he will understand that you don’t want him. So, he has some reasoning power. Similarly if a cat wants to steal some milk from your kitchen, she has very nice reasoning power; she is always looking to see when the master is out, so that she can steal and drink the milk. So the four propensities of animal life – eating, sleeping, mating and defending – indicate that there is reasoning power even in the beasts. Then what is the special prerogative of the human being over animals? The special reasoning power that the human being has is the ability to inquire, “Why am I suffering?” The animals are suffering, but they do not know how to remedy their suffering. Generally, people are just like animals. They simply do not know anything beyond the necessities of the body: how to eat, how to sleep, how to mate and how to defend. An animal eats filth and garbage in a street; we may eat in a five-star hotel. An animal may sleep in a corner of a street; we may sleep on a

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The Vedic Process of Learning

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very field of science has got authoritative books that have earned the credibility of the readers. For example, if two students of Electrical Engineering have a difference of opinion about solving an electrical engineering problem, they can come to a conclusion by quoting or citing from B. L. Theraja’s electrical engineering book. Similarly spiritual science has got authoritative Vedic texts like Bhagavad gita or Srimad Bhagavatam, which have been understood, practiced and proven since time immemorial. In material science, we have professors to teach the subject and these professors have learnt the subject from their teachers. Similarly the knowledge of spiritual science has been coming down in disciplic succession and all the Vedic professors or acharyas have learnt the knowledge from their gurus. In material science, we seek admission in an authorized reputed college where we can be confident of gaining knowledge in the subject. The same holds true for the Vedas. So, if anybody genuinely wants to understand God and practice religion, he should first know that there are Vedic textbooks, teachers to teach these books and authorised schools called as ‘Sampradaya’ or ‘Parampara’ available. Aural reception of transcendental knowledge from authority is

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things within the material universe, transcendental knowledge pertains to things beyond this universe. The Vedas point to a supreme original truth unknowable either by direct perception (Pratyaksha) or by inductive method (Anumana). The Vedic philosophers proclaim that Shabda (hearing from an authority) opens up a realm of knowledge beyond scientific methodology. They hold Shabda to be the only process by which we can know what is unknowable in our present conditioned state. If a person can learn from someone who has received perfect knowledge, he can become free from all misery. “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master…” the Bhagavad-gita (4.34) enjoins, “Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” In addition, the Mundaka Upanishad (1.2.12) enjoins that a sincere student has to approach the ideal guru to receive transcendental knowledge and enlightenment. *

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Science of the soul

The ABC of Bhagavad-gita The first and most fundamental knowledge that a disciple learns from a guru is, “You are not the body; you are a spirit soul.” This knowledge is the ABC of Bhagavad-gita and one of the first instructions that Lord Krishna gave Arjuna, when Arjuna surrendered to Him [BG 2.13]. Let us understand this fundamental knowledge of the scriptures in this lesson. Doctors dissect and study a dead body. What makes a living body possess emotions and feelings like pain, pleasure, happiness, distress, etc? The soul is the spark of life that makes the body appear alive and when the soul leaves the body, we say the person is dead. According to the Vedic knowledge, the body is always dead. For example, a microphone is made of metal. When electric energy passes through the microphone, the sound is broadcast over loudspeakers. But when there is no electricity in the system, nothing happens. Whether the microphone is working

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The Nature of the Soul The Soul is Indestructible As soon as scientists come to know of any substance they want to study its physical and chemical properties. Thus Lord Shri Krishna explains to Arjuna that the soul is not made up of matter like solids, liquids, or gases. “The soul cannot be cut to pieces by any weapons; it cannot be burned by fire; it cannot be dried by wind; nor can it be moistened by water.” [BG 2.23] The Soul is an Individual Each soul is a separate individual with separate consciousness. You are aware of your body, mind, intelligence and false ego. I cannot perceive your headache and you cannot know what I am thinking. But God is aware of every particle of this creation. [Read purport to BG2.12, BG15.7] The Soul has form The spirit soul is not some ‘impersonal light’ or ‘void’ as some people wrongly think. The soul is a beautiful personality whose body is made up of sat-cit-ananda (eternity-bliss-knowledge).

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Matter is formless – Spirit soul gives form to Matter Matter in itself has no form. Matter acquires a form only when a spirit soul enters it. For example, if you take a plain cloth it may be formless, but if you put your finger inside then it assumes a form. When you remove your finger then it loses its form. Similarly, matter (the eight elements that constitute the body) assumes a form when the soul enters it. At death, when the soul leaves the body, the body decomposes, disintegrates and loses its form. So matter is formless, only the spirit gives form to matter. A table or chair may have a form, although it is dead matter. Matter can assume form only when a soul manipulates it. For example, a table has been given a form by a soul (carpenter). The Soul Is Eternal “For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, everexisting, undying and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” [BG 2.20]

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Substance And Shadow

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he Absolute Truth or God is so beautiful that many sages, saints and devotees have left everything for the sake of attaining that Truth. Every one of us in this world is attracted to someone very beautiful, e.g a cinema actor; or we are attracted to someone who is very strong, e.g boxer Mike Tyson; or someone who is very wealthy, e.g Bill Gates. Why are we attracted? We are attracted because originally these opulences are present in God, who is supremely attractive. The great sage Parasara defines ‘Bhagavan’ as one who is full in six opulences – Beauty, Wealth, Knowledge, Fame, Strength and Renunciation. This makes God all attractive to everyone. The word ‘Krishna’ means ‘all attractive’. Since Krishna possesses all opulences in full, when He plays on His flute He is attractive not only to humans but also to animals like deers, monkeys, cows and birds like peacocks and rivers like Yamuna. All the living beings of this world possess a tiny fraction of God’s opulences and thus if God’s potencies are compared to sun, the living beings’ potencies are like that of tiny rays of sun, namely the sunlight. When the soul leaves the spiritual world and comes to material world, He forgets his true identity as soul and foolishly thinks himself to be the material body made up of flesh and bones. Thus he becomes attracted to the glittering illusion of false beauty of the objects of the material world which is simply a poor imitation of the spiritual beauty. The bodies of beauty queens, who in their youth make men go crazy, become dried up in old age like grapes turned into raisins. Why can’t the beauty of this world remain permanent? Why cannot the beauty of this world give us happiness? Why does the happiness obtained from the objects of this world vanish so quickly? The answer is that we should know what is substance

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If God is one, then why so many religions?

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If God Is One, Why do people follow different Religions? There are people who are not atheistic, but accept that there is some Supreme God who is the Supreme Controller and Proprietor. But they still have a difficulty as to which path to follow? They wonder why God has created so many religions, if He is only one? Which could be the right path? Are all paths right? Do they all lead to the same destination? Do they lead to different destinations? Why are there different names of God, forms of God, worship of God, rituals and rites, customs and etiquettes? Is there any path that is the synthesis of all these religions? Is there one ultimate goal behind all these religions? These questions are genuine and have answers that will be discussed here. Religions presented according to the ability of audience the to digest the Truth

God gives His message, directly or through His messenger, according to the capacity of the individuals who receive it. If the message is for the spiritually advanced, then it may be given in an undiluted pure form. If the message is for the morally and spiritually degraded it is suitably modified to preclude rejection and yet help them to make limited spiritual progress. Unawareness of this fundamental principle, which underlies and unifies the diverse religions of the world, has resulted in religious conflicts, confrontations, wars and so on throughout history. An example will help in understanding this better. In elementary school Mathematics, a child is taught basic addition and subtraction such as 5 - 2 = 3. But if he is asked, “What is 2 - 5 ?”, he will say that it is not possible to subtract a bigger number from a smaller

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to please Him in that way. The important element, in preparation, in serving and in offering, is to act with love for Krishna.

Let us say YES to the ABCD of Krishna consciousness and prepare our consciousness to return back to Godhead. *

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In this book, you learnt about your self. If you liked this book, please contact us for the next book in the same Sp iritua lity fo r t h e M o d e r n Yo u t h series, entitled Your Best Friend. Some of the topics covered therein are: • • • • • •

The Definition of God The qualifications of guru and disciple Worship – Divine and Mundane Your heart-to-heart friend and wellwisher Krishna’s rasa dance - Can we imitate? Lord Shiva’s position

And much much more.

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What is the Theory of Evolution?

Appendix

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he theory of Evolution teaches that the first living organism developed from non-living matter. Then, as it reproduced, it is said to have changed into different kinds of living beings, producing ultimately all forms of life that have ever existed on earth, including humans. And all of this is believed to have been accomplished without intelligent direction. Creation as opposed to evolution is the conclusion that the appearing of living things can only be explained by the existence of an Almighty who designed and made the universe and all the basic kinds of life in it.

Evolution Or Creation: Let the Data Speak

In this chapter, we will study the scientific possibility of life emerging from inert matter. We will also analyze whether simple living beings actually evolved into all the complex variety of species seen today and specifically whether apes evolved into humans.

Dilemmas over Origin of Life

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xplaining how lifeless chemicals suddenly came alive has been a formidable problem for all evolutionists. When Charles Darwin advanced his theory of evolution he conceded that life may have been “originally breathed by the creator into a few forms or into one”. But present-day evolutionary theory generally eliminates any mention of a Creator. Instead, the theory of the spontaneous generation of life, once repudiated, has been revived in a somewhat altered form. Belief in a form of spontaneous generation can be traced back for centuries. In the 17th century even respected men of


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Solution: Oxygen is clearly necessary for amino acids to be preserved for the next stage I spontaneous generation of life, yet the presence of oxygen prevents the formation of amino acids. There is no solution to this problem! Problem II: Was energy (supplied by sunlight or lightning or volcanoes) present or not? Explanation: If energy was not present, simple compounds would not have split and no formation of amino acids would take place. If energy was present, that energy would immediately decompose any amino acids formed into simpler compounds. Solution: Amino acids just can’t be formed without energy and with energy they can’t survive. There is no way spontaneous generation can proceed beyond this stage.

Formation of the Organic Soup Problem III: Did the amino acids stay inside the water or outside it? Explanation: After the amino acids formed in the atmosphere it is assumed that they somehow managed to reach the ocean in the same area so as to form an organic soup. Now if the amino acids stay inside the water they would not combine to form proteins because water favors breaking up of big molecules (depolymerisation) and not their formation (polymerization). But if they are outside the water, they would be immediately decomposed by the cosmic rays.

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Amino acids have to be in water for reaction & further combination to occur. But that very water inhibits further combination. So the organic soup just can’t be formed. “In other words,” evolutionist Francis Hitching says, “the theoretical chances of getting through even this first and relatively easy stage (getting amino acids) in the evolution of life are forbidding.” This means there would be no accumulation of organic soup! Biochemist George Wald believes this to be “the most stubborn problem that confronts us (evolutionists)”. (Scientific American, ‘The Origin of Life ’, by George Wald, pp.49, 50). Problem IV: How did specific amino acids form in the organic soup? Explanation: There are over 100 amino acids, but only 20 are needed for life’s proteins. Moreover, they come in two shapes: some of the molecules are “right-handed” and others are “left-handed”. Should they be formed at random, in the theoretical organic soup, it is most likely that they would be half righthanded and half lefthanded. And there is no known reason why either shape should be preferred in living things. Yet, of the


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gene can be synthesized in the chemical laboratory. And those in the forefront of microbiology and biochemistry have made a vigorous effort to put all the necessary chemicals together and prepare the first synthetic life in the test tube. Unfortunately there are no life symptoms visible when all these chemicals are combined. Even without taking so much trouble to synthesize all these chemicals, scientists can actually isolate the necessary chemicals from an already living body and then recombine them. If life were a chemical combination, scientists could actually make life in the test tube by assembling all these important chemicals. They cannot do this, however. Solution: Hitching asserts “The answer must be: they developed in parallel.” In effect, he is saying that ‘the chicken’ and ‘the egg’ must have evolved simultaneously, neither one coming from the other. Does this strike you as reasonable?

This is just a sample of the kind of intractable problems involved in the spontaneous generation theory. There are also problems in the formation of the cell membrane, the emergence of nucleotides and the replication mechanism, which are equally, if not more, formidable.

Why Not Produce Life? An easy way to lend some credibility to the theory of evolution is to produce some form of life in the laboratory by chemical reactions. Practically speaking, at this stage of scientific knowledge most of the important chemicals found in the living cell including the

Despite great scientific discoveries and achievements, the bright hope for understanding life in molecular terms seem to be losing ground and many prominent scientists in various fields are beginning to doubt the validity of this concept. In the ‘Biology Today’, Nobel-prize-winning chemist Albert Szent Gyorgyi remarked, “In my search for the secret of life, I ended up with atoms and electrons, which have no life at all. Somewhere along the line, life ran out through my fingers. So, in my old age, I am now retracing my steps…”

Is It Scientific? If a spontaneous beginning for life is to be accepted as scientific fact, it should be established by the scientific method. This has been described as follows: observe what happens; based on those observations, form a theory as to what may be true; test the theory by further observations and by experiments; and watch to see if the predictions based on the theory are fulfilled.


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nowhere. They have no yesterday, no fossil record.” – Science Digest From Ape to Man:

“No fossil or other physical evidence directly connect man to ape.” – Science Digest “The human family does not consist of a solitary line of descent leading from an ape like form to our species.” – The New Evolutionary Timetable

Record of the Rocks Contradict Darwin’s Theory

Dilemmas over Fossils What Fossil Record Says about the Origin of Living Things On Insects: “The fossil record does not give any information on the origin of insects.” – Encyclopaedia Britannica

“There are no fossils known that show what the primitive ancestral insects looked like.” – The Insects On Fish:

“To our knowledge, no ‘link’ connected this new beast to any previous form of life. The fish just appeared.” – Marvels and Mysteries of Our Animal World On Reptiles Becoming Mammals:

“There is no missing link (that connects) mammals and reptiles.” – The Reptiles On Apes:

“Modern Apes, for instance, seem to have sprung out of

The date of origin of modern man according to Darwin is 40,000 years. But the record of the rocks show the origin of modern man several million years ago. Anamolous evidence concerning human remains raises major questions about the evolution theory. According to the conventional speculative view, hominids, or manlike creatures, began to evolve from apelike ancestors in Africa about 4 million years ago. The early hominids from this period (4-2 million years ago) are known as ‘australopithecenes’, beings with manlike bodies and apelike heads. There is further development of ‘australopithecenes’ to ‘homo habilis’, which appeared about 2 million years ago. ‘Homo erectus’ evolved from ‘homo habilis’ about 1.5 million years ago and migrated to Europe and Asia. About 2,00,000 to 3,00,000 years ago, the very first representatives of ‘homo sapiens’ appear, but these are not quite like modern human beings. From this species, about 100,000 years ago Neanderthal man develops and spreads throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. About 40,000 years ago fully modern man is thought to have evolved in the Near East Asia. Called homo sapiens sapiens, the


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species then enter Europe and replaces Neanderthal man, who disappears from the scene. The rudiments of modern civilisation begin 10,000 years ago.

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According to the standard accounts, this whole development took place in the Old World. The only humans ever to have existed in the New World are fully modern men who migrated there from Asia no earlier than 30,000 years ago. This is the standard scenario, yet much evidence has turned up that challenges it. We shall now review some of this evidence and examine how scientists have responded to it.

The picture of Monkeys & Human Being (The story of rocks)

At Border Cave in South Africa paleontologists have made fossil discoveries. They have concluded, “anatomically modern homo sapiens (homo sapiens sapiens) originated at some as yet uncertain time prior to about 110,000 years before the present” (South African Journal of Science, Vol.74). This differs substantially from the standard version, with its date of 40,000 years ago for the origin of modern man in Asia or the Near East. In 1962, archaeologist Cynthia Irwin-Williams excavated stone artifacts, including spearpoints, representative of a technology usually associated with fully modern (Cro-Magnon) man in Europe at an archaeological site at Valsequillo in Southern Mexico. In 1972 and 1973 a team of dating experts, including geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey, using several independent dating techniques, found that the layers in which the artifacts were found were about 250,000 years old. The Valsequillo artifacts thus present a far greater challenge to the accepted view of human evolution than the Border Cave finds. The date is twice as old.


s x e u l o p i v m e r o p c

n i d l d n r u o o F W s l a a e s R t c e a h F T

l f e o d s o n M o i t n o c i i t d a e r r e P C

m m e c o r r o n f f a h y l n t o c y o s y b e e a d m w o o c c c i o e f i N t e L e n ) i f ) e 1 l 2 g s n u a o i v y e r b p d e m t o a r f e r y c r l o n y t a o l l e r a s i C e n g t n m i e o r g c o i l l ; e e t e f i f n L i l i y b

e f i l n n o o i n t u l m o v o e r l f l a e c f d d i o o e m s M l v e n n o h o i o v c t i e e t c c i u

x m e o s l r p f m m e r o o t f c a r g f n o a i k e p e n c s i n ; l a y d o r t n n a i e i e k ; : p r s a d v w p w n o a t e i k n h n a s e e r s s d g h u l o i d n c i s u i a s s e e v o ) f ) e r F 1 i l 2 p y ; l s n d e i n d k d u ; r s y j o t a e : s i r m a w m v g r o o t i n h f a t s e s a r r d l x g a m p r u e i o f o l n e h p g s g s m i n n s o r s i k l i c a p n s e a i g s p l o ) p ) o F 1 a 2 n g g n n i t i a k n n i l i g i r o s : s m r o w m f r o o h f l s e a d n s l f i o e u l i n o ; t i h l e y s o s p l l n s s m a a l r u o i i u t

y y d l l e a n a u m m d r o a r f y g l e h t g l e p s u o d h m n t i l o k a c s n n i a o g , n r w g o e n ; s r n i e o r i a t s e i e e r n o p p a o N a v b y s l y l l e e a n t u o e d b l p a r e m g t o e c l p s t r s m a d o c p n i i n l k l a o t n u b , w ; s e g n n n i r a d a g e e r o m p o p r r o N a o f ; s l y a l n l e a n o o i u b t d i s a e n r t g e a r l t p s g m u n o o i s c i i n r r i a a v f n o i s s d s n n g a i n g k i n r s n o e

e i n g r a t l l , u l s u e f r m r r a h e v e s n n o ; i t l a a w e t u h t n e m l g n i l l s h a e t y m n n S o a ; e f i l x e w l p e n m g o n c i o h t t l y u n a f n m r i a t l h u s s n e o r i t t a o n t u o M d ; l a i c i f e n e b t l u s s e r e u r t t a e e f n : w e s n e n t o i t a r

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; e n r a e m w n o i h t t a i s r i w s l i e v l l i s c r e a w h e d t p i p w a y e r a r n v o o a i c p t a m s e i t l i y n v n o i C a c ; n a m h t i w h t i s w u i n o g e e n b a n r o o t o i t p x a m e s t e l i p l i n m v o o i C C c , h l a i s u t d u r a r b g , e n d o i t u r a c s i l f i v o i c t s f u o o g n i n n g n n

e h t i r w o m s u n o t e e f n o a r n o s r p e e d m n e o o t n t m o n n c i e a h t e c g n x a a l e u ; p g n n a m a o L m c x h t e i l w p s m u o o c e s n e a r g o a p u m g n e l a t n t e o n t c e e l e i p g c n a a m u ; o g n c n a d a n L m a e x l e p l p m i m s o c m o r t o f n i d s e e v s g l o d a v n u e u g o n a e s l g a l n u a r e

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There are numerous other controversial finds of ancient man in the New World that are conspicuous by their absence from standard accounts. Recent examples include the Calico Hills, California, early man site (500,000 years old), the Flagstaff, Arizona find (100,000 – 170,000 years old) and the Mission Valley find in San Diego, California (100,000 years old). (Jeffrey Goodman: American Genesis, p.112).

Fossil Record is the Final Court of Appeal When we let the fossil record speak, its testimony is not evolution-oriented. Instead, the testimony of the fossil record is creation-oriented. While there was great variety within each kind, these had no links to evolutionary ancestors before them. Nor did they have any evolutionary links to different kinds of living beings that came after them. Zoologist Coffin stated: “To secular scientists, the fossils, evidences of the life of the past, constitute the ultimate and final court of appeal, because the fossil record is the only authentic history of life available to science. If this fossil history does not agree with evolutionary theory — and we have seen that it does not — what does it teach? It tells us that plants and animals were created in their basic forms. The basic facts of the fossil record support creation, not evolution.” Astronomer Carl Sagan candidly acknowledged in his book ‘Cosmos’: “The fossil evidence could be consistent with the idea of a Great Designer.”

Creation or Evolution ?

W

hen we compare what has been found in the real world to what evolution predicted and to what creation predicted.

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The Universe: How did it

Begin?

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ook up at the night sky, full of stars and planets. Where did it all come from? These days most scientists will answer that question with some version of the big bang theory. In the beginning (or before the beginning, if you will), you will hear, all matter in the universe was concentrated into a single point at an extremely high temperature, and then it exploded with tremendous force. From an expanding superheated cloud of sub-atomic particles, atoms gradually formed, then stars, galaxies, planets and finally life. This litany, having assumed the status of revealed truth, is elaborated in countless textbooks, paperbacks, slick science magazines, television serials complete with computer-generated effects. As an exciting, mind grabbing story it certainly works. And the big bang theory does seem to be based on factual observation, and the scientific method. It seems to so many people more reasonable than alternative anti-material accounts of creation. This big bang theory is, however, only the latest of a series of attempts to explain the universe in a mechanistic way, a way that sees the world - and man - solely as the products of matter working according to materialistic laws. One of the greatest problems faced by the big bang theorists is that although they are attempting to explain the origin of the universe, the origin they propose is mathematically indescribable, and physically inadmissible. According to the standard big bang theories, the initial condition of the universe is a point of infinite density and temperature. Nothing can be said about it. All calculations go haywire. It is like trying to divide a number by zero. As of yet, the barrier of the dreaded singularity has not been surmounted even by the greatest exponents of the big bang theory. “Unfortunately,” Steven Weinberg laments, “I cannot start the film at zero time and

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Srila Prabhupada The Ambassador of The Kingdom of GOD

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His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of ISKCON, appeared in this world in Calcutta in 1896 on Nandotsav day, the day following Janmastami. In his youth in 1922, he met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, who convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge, especially in the English language. In 1944, he single-handedly started Back to Godhead, an English fortnightly magazine. Though practically penniless, his faith in the order of his spiritual master took him to New York in 1965 at the advanced age of 70. After a year of intense struggle, in July 1966, he established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) with its first centre in New York. During the next eleven years, before his passing away on November 14, 1977, he undertook vigorous preaching tours that took him round the globe fourteen times. Under his guidance, he saw the society grow to over 108 centres. ISKCON continues to expand even now with over 600 centres all over the world. He taught the individual and the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of Lord Krishna as the topmost form of yoga and meditation and millions of people all over the world have adopted this mantra meditation as an integral part of their lives.

Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE)

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What is VOICE? VOICE, the Vedic Oasis for the stressed mind of modern age Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) touches the hearts and lives of children, teenagers, adolescent youth, corporates, families. Its motto is rekindling wisdom and reviving love. VOICE represents 'Spiritual Sound of Vedas' 'Shabda brahma' or 'Voicing concern'. Modern world is facing great degradation of character, culture and values. For a sincere human being to live a life of pure principles is a great challenge. The 'Vedic Oasis' conveys the idea that it is 'life-giving' centre in a 'stress-ridden fast-paced rat race society' that is like a desert. Thus VOICE will provide a facility like an Oasis in the middle of desert to keep oneself surcharged in remembrance of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna always. The inspiration is spiritual inspiration to practice devotion to God with full enthusiasm. We have different wings of VOICE catering to the needs of different sections of society : Children VOICE (for children between 5 yrs to 12 years), Teenage Boys VOICE (for teenage boys, Age group 13 to 19), Teenage Girls VOICE (for teenage girls, Age group 13 to 19), Boys VOICE (for the college students, Age group 19 and above ), Girls VOICE (for the college girls, Age group 19 and above), Corporate VOICE (for the company-going men and women), Senior Citizens VOICE (for members above 50 years of age)


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The teenage boys and girls are trained separately by male and female teachers respectively. As the psychology of boys and girls are different their training programs are also made suitable to their needs. Woman has a vital role to play in any family, in the life of her husband, children, and in laws and others. It is said that the hand that moves the cradle can make or mar the world. Great leaders have had great mothers. Keeping this in view, the girls are trained in various activities to become a ideal wife, a loving mother and a chaste and exemplary housemaker to benefit home, nation and all humanity. Objectives of Teenage Girls VOICE •

• • •

•

•

• •

Training girls to Learn Values like politeness, truthfulness, being prayerful, love in action, positive attitude etc Learn Self-Excellence skills like Power of Habits etc Understand the importance of Dos and Don’ts Learn the basic philosophy of KC and develop a taste for chanting, hearing and seva Learn the danger of free mixing, glamour, romance, blue film watching, internet and media etc. Developing Good habits, behaviour, friendships with fellow devotees etc. Sloka recitation from BG chapters 7, 9 and 12 Assisting in Children VOICE teaching

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Objectives of Girls VOICE •

•

•

•

•

• • • •

Training girls to Learn the basic philosophy of KC and develop a taste for chanting, hearing and seva Values like Overcoming Greed, Anger, Depression, Fear, Inferiority complex Perform devotional activities like offering puja, maintaining deity, making garland, pure habits etc Cultural activities like singing, playing instruments, cooking, put rangoli etc. Live a life of chastity, character, modesty, simplicity and similar values Learn to be a ideal wife, mother, daughter-in-law, -in-law etc Dealing with guests, elders, family members and others Learn to celebrate festivals at home Teaching Children VOICE students

The Girls VOICE organizes a quarterly special youth festival for girls called ‘CHETANA’ where hundreds of girls participate in program consisting of a seminar, kirtans, dancing and Prasadam. Special eminent speakers are invited for this program. Their special activities are : •

• •

Seminars like ‘Role of woman in Vedic society’ by senior ladies Group presentations on topic of “Six anarthas”, Doing Arati to the Lord,

Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE) • • • • •

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Garland making Singing Bhajans and Kirtans, Cooking recipes, Slide show presentations Outdoor spiritual picnics and camps

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to their health in personal life and leads to loss of efficiency, cleavage in relationships, etc in professional life. Corporate VOICE offers seminars and courses to help them learn : • •

One of the satellite centers of Pune Girls VOICE is at NIT Warrangal run by a devotee professor’s wife.

Corporate VOICE Corporate Preaching Board members Chairman - Radheshyam das Executive Chairman - Vamshi Vadan das Executive Vice-Chairman (CFP) - Anantashesh das (mobile: 9850 881105) Executive Vice-Chairman (CYP) - Gopal Champu das (mobile: 9325 070111) Executive Secretary (CFP) - Amit Relkar Executive Secretary (CYP) - Revati Pati das Lead Trainer - Bala Govinda das

In today’s fast paced and competitive corporate world, the executives, managers and team leaders usually have more mental work than physical which gives rise to many stress born diseases like hypertension, etc and

Discover Your Self

• •

•

•

• •

To bring balance between personal and professional life. How to achieve peace of mind to focus on their duties properly. Unique techniques to eliminate stress and negativity. Simple tips to resolve inner conflicts and improve physical and mental health. Changing attitude and outlook to life for converting distress to eustress. Meditation techniques to go beyond depression and avoid hypertension Developing calm, clear and creative thinking. Secret of Happiness and improving performance.

We have three types of programs to cater to the needs of corporate people : 1. Corporate Family Programs (CFP) - Age group: after marriage 2. Corporate Youth Programs (CYP) - Age group 22 to 30 3. Company Seminars and Workshops (CSW) organised by the company 1. CFP (Corporate Family Program) – These weekly programs are conducted in the following areas: Range hills ( Atharva ), Prabhat Road, Wanowrie, Wanowrie ( Sacred Heart Town ), Camp, Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park, Wakad, Lullanagar, Salisbury Park, Kothrud, Aundh, Magarpatta city, Viman Nagar, Pashan


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2. CYP (Corporate Youth Program) – These programs are intended for unmarried corporate youths. Over 20 such programs are held in the weekends, mostly at the temple. 3. YOGA (Youth Of Gods Abode) are Corporate VOICE youth hostels where working youths live together in software park areas and practice Krishna consciousness. Contact Gopal Champu prabhu (9325 070111) for more details.

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11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Fate and Free will Karma – the Law of Infallible justice Key to Real Happiness Conflict Resolution Eight Qualities of an Effective Leader Managing our Anger Self Development (flowing of consciousness) Personality development and Character buildup Proactive Leadership Art of Living and Leaving

4. Company Seminars and Workshops – Seminars such as ‘Stress Management’ ‘Time Management’ involving presentations and activities lasting for about three hours are held in various companies in and around Pune. We have already conducted programs in Finolex (170 delegates), Tech Mahindra (Formerly know as MBT for 140 delegates), Concentric (top 12 managers attended), Hotel Sagar Plaza (40 delegates) and Zensar (20 delegates).

# All the seminars are designed for a duration of approx 3 hrs session, making it concise & convenient for corporates to squeeze in their working hours or to make it after office hrs also. ## These modules also offer great flexibility & could be “tailor-made” to suit an organization’s particular needs.

‘Bring out the LEADER in you’ Seminars on Leadership For Corporates -- Overview

For more details you may contact our Executive Vice Chairman, Mr.Anant (mobile: 9881401814).

VOICE offers seminars on topics given below. The pocket books on all these topics is in pipe line and likely to be completed before the end of this year. Seminars : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Stress Management Time Management Art of Self Management Power of Habits Secret of Concentration Mind your Mind Positive mental attitude Team playing and winning trust of others Overcoming Inferiority complex


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VOICE Publications

References 1. Bhagavad-gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam , Ishopanishad and other books by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivadanta Swami Prabhupada. 2. Scientific Basis of Krishna Consciousness , H. H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Maharaj. 3. Elements of Vedic Thought, H.H. Satsvarupa Das Goswami. 4. Consciousness the Missing Link, Bhaktivedanta Institute. 5. Enlightenment by the Natural Path, H.H. Hridayanand Goswami. 6. Science and Nescience, Vol.1 No.1 February 1993, Dr. P.V. Krishnan (Prof, Dept of Applied Mechanics, IIT, Delhi). 7. Life – How did it get here?, International Bible Students Association. 8. Forbidden Archeology, Michael Thompson .

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9. Origins – Higher Dimensions in Science , Bhaktivedanta Institute, ISKCON, Hare Krishna Land, Juhu, Bombay 10. Darwin’s Secret Identity, David Webb. 11. The Spiritual Scientist, No. 2 Vol. 3, Scientific Evidences for the Existence of the Soul, ISKCON Youth Forum, Pune. 12. Scientific Evidence for the Existence of Soul, Benitto Rees.

Spirituality for the Modern Youth

This series explains systematically and scientifically how spiritual life is for the truly intelligent - those who want the best in life. An eye opener for those who think that spirituality is the resort of sentimentalists, escapists and oldies. Discover Your Self: Make the one discovery that can fill your life with happiness forever: Who am I? 57 pictures, soft bound, 192 pages (For preachers who want to use Discover Your Self as a course book for youth, we also have: 84 attractive colour slides - both hard & soft copies Audio tapes for all sessions) Your Best Friend: Can you understand and develop a relation with the one Supreme Truth that stands eternally beyond all barriers of caste, creed, colour, nationality and religion? Your Best Friend is the key to a scientific understanding of God. 62 pictures, soft bound, 336 pages Your Secret Journey: Modern scientists, humbled in their attempts to create a humanoid robot, are wondering how a human being is different from a robot. Is there a spiritual paradigm to explain the mystery of life? Scientific proof of past life memories shows that we survive after death. In fact, we go through a journey from one body to


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Journey explains the secret of action that can free us from all problems. 86 pictures, soft bound, 322 pages Victory Over Death: Everyone has to face death one day. Although you cannot avoid death, you can conquer it. Victory Over Death explains how to cultivate life so that you can die triumphantly. 97 pictures, Soft bound, 532 pages Yoga of Love: The highest form of yoga is simultaneously simple, sublime and safe. Moreover it is full of love and joy. Empower yourself with the Yoga of Love (Coming soon) Pocket Books Stress Management : Stress is neither a germ nor a bacteria to be treated by antibiotics. It is your outlook to life, a problem of the mind that needs a holistic solution at the level of body, mind, intellect and soul. Read this book for practical tips to tackle the stress problem.

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Practical Tips to Mind Control: What should you do when the whole world appears to have come to an end - everyone appears an enemy, providence appears cruel, the future appears bleak and life appears not worth living? Open the doors to a new life full of joy by applying the Practical Tips to Mind Control. 10 pictures, 88 pages Can I Live Forever? A concise pocket book that gives a scientific understanding of life and death. It also explains an easy and effective way to end all suffering and attain an eternal, happy life. Read and empower yourself to control your present and determine your future. 12 pictures, 54 pages Misdirected Love: One out of every three love marriages in the West ends in divorce within three years of marriage. Why? Love - What exactly is it? Love is an emotion that promises to bring the highest happiness but often brings the greatest pain. Read Misdirected Love and find new direction to your love and life. 9 pictures, 48 pages Other Books

How to Harness Mind Power?: What is the mind? How does it operate? Can I use it to my advantage to do positive things in life? Find out in the Art of Mind Control. 19 pictures, 48 pages Audio tape and colour slides (hard and soft copies) also available

Horizon: A compilation of selected Spiritual Scientist articles. Contains scientific findings about spirituality & health, systematic answers to the fundamental questions of life and spiritual solutions to contemporary problems. 100 pages, soft bound


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The Spiritual Scientist - Selected Newspaper Articles: Make your daily breaks spiritually refreshing! During Tea break, Lunch break, Travel … Browse these brief and Power-packed Articles Published in Times of India, The Speaking Tree • Maharashtra Herald, The Soul Curry • • Deccan Chronicle, Festival Message And rediscover the missing spiritual dimension of life. The memorable examples, the soothing language, the eloquent words, the convincing logic, all add spice to the refresher. Essence of Bhagavad-gita: A condensed version of the Spirituality for the Modern Youth series. Now the same book is going to appear in a easy-tohandle course book format in 5 Courses with the following titles :

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Spiritual Scientist (Discover Your Self) Positive Thinker (Spirit of Bhagavad-gita) Self Manager (Basics of Bhagavad-gita) Proactive Leader (Secret of Bhagavad-gita) Personality development (Essence of Bhagavad-gita)

Bhagavad-gita 7-Day Course: Brief point-wise notes for conducting 7 day course on the Bhagavad-gita. Spiral bound, 100 pages Youth Preaching Manual: A practical and detailed guidebook on how to present the wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita to the youth.

13 colour photos, spiral bound, 127 pages

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Value Education: Vital values for teenagers and children explained lucidly through Vedic stories, modern anecdotes and everyday examples. Smiling Faces Crying Hearts: Concise Spiritual Scientist articles exposing superficial modern civilization & glorifying timeless Vedic wisdom.

Children’s Books These books were conceived to help children understand and appreciate the timeless wisdom and culture of Vedas. You will find stories, songs, scripts for dramas and puppet shows, and art and craft activities that thrill the children. The books offer thought-provoking quizzes that relate to their practical day-to-day life. My first Krishna Book: The child's first introduction to Krishna. Read-aloud rhymes and attractive pictures to colour. 24 pictures, 22 pages Getting to know Krishna: Children are naturally curious. Their little minds want to explore the world around them. Who is God? Why do we go to the temple? Nurture your child's interest and help him take his first steps in discovering Krishna Consciousness. 124 pictures, 47 pages


More about Krishna: Lead the child into the amazing world of Krishna 's pastimes. Enjoyable activities and thought provoking discussions enliven the children and help them to inculcate good values. 187 pictures, 85 pages

Devotees of Krishna: Packed with stories, dramas and poems, this book will appeal to older children. Many basic concepts are made clear through games, discussions and activities. 86 pictures, 76 pages

Wonderful Krishna: Exciting adventures of Krishna, the protector of His devotees. Group projects and comprehension exercises suitable for the growing child. Many fun filled activities add to their enjoyment. 82 pictures, 76 pages. Krishna's Childhood Pastimes: Sweet and simple description of Krishna's childhood pastimes. Plus exciting activity sheets important Bhagavad-gita verses, prayers, Vaishnava songs and Vaishnava etiquette.

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Courses offered by VOICE common to Boys VOICE, Girls VOICE & Corporate VOICE Essence of Bhagavad gita Five short-term Certificate courses Through Weekly Study Circle Course books: 1. ‘Essence of Bhagavad-gita’ five courses series, for ‘Siddhanta’ or philosophy 2. Vaishnava Etiquette Manual published by ISKCON, Shri Shri Radha Gopinath mandir, Near Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 7, K.M.Munshi marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400 007 Phone: (022) 2369 7228, [email protected] 3. ‘Devotional Practice’ and ‘Vaishnava Culture’, Introductory Course Student Handbook, Contact: Sita Rama prabhu, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hilfield Lane, Aldenham, Watford WD25 8EZ, U.K.

I. Spiritual scientist (Discover Your Self) Duration: 3 weeks, weekly twice

Rekindling Wisdom, Reviving Love

The course helps one to scientifically discover one’s real identity and one’s relationship with the Supreme. A material scientist knows only the atom; a spiritual scientist knows the soul, which is spiritual. This knowledge helps him find goal, mission and vision of life.


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Introduction to Bhagavad gita Material problems, Spiritual solutions Getting the eyes of Knowledge Vedas – the privelege of Humanity Science of Soul Different platforms of Worship Sadhana and Sadachar topics

Sadhana and Sadachar topics 1. Practical Devotional Service 2. Etiquette within the Temple 3. Habits and Behavior 4. Four Regulative Principles 5. The Four Don’ts to Freedom

III. Self Manager (Basics of Bhagavad gita) Duration: 6 months, weekly once

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II. Positive Thinker (Spirit of Bhagavad gita) Duration: 4 months, weekly once This course helps one with the Positive spirit needed to tap the powerful message of Gita. It helps one to identify a divine guide in your life and to obtain the necessary qualifications to become a cheerful positive thinker in life by knowing the sublime truths. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Identifying my divine guide Spirit of Bhagavad gita Qualifications of an ideal Disciple Reincarnation – fact or fiction? Evolving towards Perfection

This course teaches not the art of managing men, machine, material, market and money, but managing ones own life by a holistic approach that combines knowledge of God’s position and practical application of mantra meditation. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Peace Formula Who should be the object of my worship? God and gods Is God Personal or impersonal ? The Art of Self Management

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Sadhana and Sadachar topics Hearing and Chanting Deity Worship Tulasi Worship Learning Meaning of Morning program Songs Holy Days Serving and Honoring Prasadam Dress and Appearance Missionary Activities Dealing with Parents, Relatives and Friends


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IV. Proactive Leader (Secret of Bhagavad gita) Duration: 6 months, weekly once

V. Personality Development (Essence of Bhagavad gita) Duration: 6 months, weekly once

This course prepares one to become a Proactive Leader. All of us at some moments or the other, become victims to anger, lust and pride and feel sorry for our un-exemplary behaviour. The Proactive Leader is a thoughtful person who gives a positive spiritual response, by knowing what is illusion opposed to reality and the resultant effects of all types of action.

Personality development is not a superficial change. We are generally covered over superficially by our acquired qualities like Experiences, Abilities, Memories, Learning, Habits and Beliefs etc. But the innate qualities of the soul like Peace, Love, Truth, Happiness, Humility, Tolerance are hidden. When we awaken the innate qualities of the soul, they come out in the 4 R’s of our life-- in the various Roles that we have to play, the different Routines that we go through, the Responsibilities we have to shoulder, and the various Relationships that we care for. The innate qualities are brought out when one’s personality is truly developed.

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The three ropes that bind us Surpassing Maya Our lost home – Kingdom of God Karma – the law of infallible justice

Sadhana and Sadachar topics : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

ISKCON’s Cultural Identity and its connection to the Vedas Varnasrama Dharma Ethics and Morality Sadhana Position of women in Vedic culture Relating to Devotees with Due Respect

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Essence of Bhagavad gita Creation and Universal Time Different types of Yoga system Practical Application of Bhagavad gita Passing the Final Exam Sadhana and Sadachar topics : 1. Relating to Seniors, Juniors and Peers 2. Three levels of Devotees 3. Dealings with Guests 4. Offenses to the Vaishnava 5. Twenty-six Qualities of a Devotee

Discover Your Self

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