The ABCD formula for a happy life

The ABCD formula for a happy life

Association

"Birds of the same feather flock together" is a common saying. The people whom we associate with will also have an influence on us. By associating with devotees, we get strength and support to maintain sustained interest in our progressive march back to Godhead.There were two parrots brothers, who were sold in the market. A king bought one. A butcher bought another one. Once a sadhu was passing by butcher's shop and happened to hear the parrot calling vulgar words. Sadhu plugged his fingers into his ears and escaped from there. He went to the king's court where he heard the another parrot speaking sweet words, "Hare Krishna ! Please come in sir ! would you like to have some water ! Please take your seat. King will arrive in a few minutes. Hare Krishna !" Hearing this, the sadhu expressed his surprise : "How is it that your brother is speaking harsh words and you are speaking nectarine words ?" The parrot spoke a verse :

gau aashanena vaakyam shrunoti aham ca rajan vacananam muneenam
nasty asya dosho na ca mad guno va samsargajaa dosha guna bhavanti

"My brother hears the words of the cow-eating butcher. I am hearing the divine vibration of the sages visiting the king. My brother has no fault, nor am I greater in any way. Its all a result of association that one gets good or bad qualities".

Thus by the association of sincere devotees we can also think speak and do Krishna conscious things and we can easily control our senses. In ISKCON temples Srila Prabhupada has organized the early morning program of Mangal aratik Nrsimha arati, Tulasi arati, Shringar darshan, Guru puja, Srimad Bhagavatam class and Bhagavad gita class in the evening. Any one who regularly attends these programs and discusses Krishna katha with devotees and develops loving relationships in the devotional community will never hanker for the false mirage love promised by the material world.

Books Reading........

Srila Prabhupada mercifully has left behind a rich volume of devotional literature that can keep us completely absorbed in Krishna consciousness twenthyfour hours a day. By reading the scriptures like Bhagavad gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, we learn about an eternal blissful life awaiting us when we become purified We come to know that there is something much better than the high you can get from drugs, sex or alcohol. This gives us an incentive to control our senses.

Chanting

Chanting the mahamantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare helps very much. Chanting Hare Krishna is the recommended method in this age for self realisatioa If we take to that process on a daily basis, our material urges will subside. In fact the real key to spiritual progress lies in chanting Hare Krishna attentively everyday. As one progresses, one should focus attention on improving the quality of utterence of the holy name. When quality improves, three things happen - one gets taste for more chanting, one feels thoroughly contended and satisfied, one feels powerful and eager to preach the glories of the Lord and His divine name, exactly as a hungry man who has eaten a plate full of mahaprasadam feels a great taste in the tongue, satisfaction and strength to perform services.

Diet: eating Krishna prasadam

By accepting prasadam, food offered to Krishna, our desire to eat meat and similar things goes away. Prasadam purifies one's consciousness and helps one to advance quickly.In the Third Chapter, verse thirteen, Sri Krishna explains that only the remains of sacrifice are purified and fit for consumption by those who are seeking advancement in life and release from the clutches of the material entanglement. Those who do not make an offering of their food, He says in the same verse, are eating only sin. In other words, their every mouthful is simply deepening their involvement in the complexities of material nature. But preparing nice, simple vegetable dishes, offering them before the picture or Deity of Lord Krishna and bowing down and praying for Him to accept such a humble offering enables one to advance steadily in life, to purify the body, and to create fine brain tissues which will lead to clear thinking. Above all, the offering should be made with an attitude of love. Krishna has no need of food, since He already possesses everything that be, yet He will accept the offering of one who desires 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.