Relegious Duties and Ecological Balance ?

Today Scientists boasts of great advancement in Industrial Revolution ; resulted in massive production of material goods and services which has uplifted the lives of many.
Although this may be true to a certain extent; Industries to function; depend on large quantities of raw materials such as Water etc which are obtained from nature. The food we eat, the Air we breathe, the water we depend for different day to day activities are not manufactured by Industries; but are gifts of God through nature .

Sri Krishna in Sri Bhagavad Gita 3.15 explains the significance of performance of relegious duties by all to maintain the Ecological Balance.

annad bhavanti bhutani
parjanyad anna-sambhavah
yajnad bhavati parjanyo
yajnah karma-samudbhavah

" All living beings subsists on food grains, which are produced from rain. Rains are produced by the performance of Yajna ( sacrifices ) and Yajna is born of prescribed duties."

Again in Bhagavad Gita 3.10 and 3.11 Sri Krishna talks about Yajna and how performances of which shall fulfill all ones desires.

saha-yajnah prajah srstva
purovaca prajapatih
anena prasavisyadhvam
esa vo 'stv ista-kama-dhuk ( 3.10) 

" In the beginning of the creation; the Supreme Lord Vishnu created people along with Yajnas and declared "  Prosper by this Yajna; because its performance will bestow upon you all desirable things. 

devan bhavayatanena
te deva bhavayantu vah
parasparam bhavayantah
sreyah param avapsyatha ( 3.11 )

" The Demigods ( The different Devas such as Indra, Varuna, Vayu etc who are representatives of Lord Vishnu ) being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you. Thus nourishing one another, there will reign general prosperity for all."

Today the world is plagued with different natural problems such as Drought, global warming, Food scarcity, gradual reduction in the renewable sources of energy. If one is not part of the Solution; he is part of the problem. It mandates all to listen to the voice of the Supreme Creator in the form of the instructions available in the Bhagavad Gita and thus begin to enquire on ones relegious duties and responsibilities in life to be a part of the Solution and thus play his role to maintain the ecological balance.

Is Everything Pre-Destined ?

Vedic Sastras talk about 2 types of Karma
a) Niyata Karma
b) Aniyata Karma

Niyata Karmas are those which are pre-destined such as the Curse of the Sage Srngi unto Maharaja Parikshith as depicted in the Srimad Bhagavatha Purana; that; The King would be bitten by a snake and thus would die in 7 days.

Aniyata Karmas are those which are accomplished through ones efforts. For example 98% of those which happen in our life fall under Aniyatha Karmas . For example; if one does not adopt a proper lifestyle and personal hygiene and cleanliness; he is bound to fall ill, if one does not score well in his examinations; it is because of his lack of preparation, similarly if one meets with an accident; it implies he did not drive carefully.

One must not necessarily shift the blame on destiny or God for all things we face in our life right from common cold to others.

It is a must we all deeply contemplate within on the shortcomings from our side before we point our fingers to the divine or towards ones destiny.

Krishna's Step towards Fearlessness - Step 2

The next key towards fearlessness is to not consider himself the only doer of an action. When one thinks himself as the sole doer of an action; he gets attached to the results of that action performed and becomes anxious towards the results. 

Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita 18.13,14 explains 5 factors responsible for any action performed. 

pancaitani maha-baho
karanani nibodha me
sankhye krtante proktani
siddhaye sarva-karmanam

adhisthanam tatha karta
karanam ca prthag-vidham
vividhas ca prthak cesta
daivam caivatra pancamam

"The 5 factors are the material body, the senses, the atman, Prana-Vayu, Paramatma"

When these 5 factors are in sync; an action is successful and produces fruit. The failure of even one of the factors will spoil the sport. For example; assume a student worked hard for his exams and has prepared well for it; however; on the day of the examinations; his body falls ill; thus he was unable to perform well. Similarly; assume a team of 5 members working towards for a Project completion; failure of even one team member will delay the project completion. 

Sri Krishna in this verse tries to convince Arjuna to not take the complete burden on oneself and be fearful of the results ( success or failure ). You only have the right to do you duty.

BG 2.47

karmany evadhikaras te
ma phalesu kadacana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango 'stv akarmani

" You have the right to do your duty. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities and never be attached to not doing your duty."

Krishna's Stepping Stone for Fearlessness - Step 1

As a first Stepping Stone; Sri Krishna stresses on scientifically realizing the atman (soul ) as different from sharira ( body). The material body one possesses is subject to various limitations. It is subject to make mistakes, to be illusioned, is subject to various diseases and finally it is temporary.

In the Bhagavad Gita 2.16; Sri Krishna explains the temporary nature of the material body.

nasato vidyate bhavo
nabhavo vidyate satah
ubhayor api drsto 'ntas
tv anayos tattva-darsibhih

" Those who know the truth; have concluded the continued existence ( the nature of being indestructible ) is not seen for the material body."

When one thus thinks himself as the body and gets attached to the temporary designations of the material body; he is subject to fear.
For example; an employee who thinks himself as a manager of a company; is always fearful to protect his post and his designation. When an atma thinks itself as a deer; it becomes fearful of protecting its body from superior animals. When a person thinks himself as the material body; he is more concerned and anxious to protect his body against diseases. When a person thinks he is now an old man; he is fearful of death.

Sr Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 2.12 talks of the eternal nature of the soul whose nature is contrary to that of the temporary material body.

na tv evaham jatu nasam
na tvam neme janadhipah
na caiva na bhavisyamah
sarve vayam atah param

" There was never a time that I, the Supreme Lord did not exist before; nor you; nor these kings. It is also not that all of us will not exist here afterwards. " 

In the Verse 2.13; Sri Krishna explains scientifically; how everyone knows they are the same person inspite of the fact that their material body has completely changed since birth, passing through various stages such as Boyhood to Youth to Middle Aged and OldAge. This proves the eternity of the I factor ( which is the self(atma) ).

dehino 'smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati

In the Verse 2.17; Sri Krishna explains " Because the atman is highly subtle as compared to the gross material body; it is indestructible.

avinasi tu tad viddhi
yena sarvam idam tatam
vinasam avyayasyasya
na kascit kartum arhati

In the Verse 2.20; Sri Krishna continues

na jayate mriyate va kadacin
nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah
ajo nityah sasvato 'yam purano
na hanyate hanyamane sarire

" The atma is not born, nor does it die at any time. It is unborn, it is eternal( never dies ), permanent ( is not subject to transformations ), is ancient. It does not get killed when the body is killed."

In the Verse 2.22; Sri Krishna explains the process of transmigration.
vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya
navani grhnati naro 'parani
tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany
anyani samyati navani dehi

" Just as a man gives up worn out clothes and puts on new clothes, similarly, the atman( soul ) gives up the worn out bodies and gets new bodies. "

Sri Krishna in Verses 2.23,24 continues to explain the indestructible nature of the atman.

nainam chindanti sastrani
nainam dahati pavakah
na cainam kledayanty apo
na sosayati marutah

acchedyo 'yam adahyo 'yam
akledyo 'sosya eva ca
nityah sarva-gatah sthanur
acalo 'yam sanatanah

" Arms and weopens cannot cut the soul, neither can fire burn it; nor water can wet it; nor wind could dry it.

Sri Krishna explains all the above verses to convince Arjuna on the eternal nature of the atma ( soul ) as being distinct from the temporary material body and thus it does not befit him to grieve in respect to fall downs

Listen to the Creator to avoid a Shock!!

Any new devices come with a user manual. If one tries to independently operate the device without following the instructions set forth by the creator in the user manual; one is sure to experience an electric shock or could malfunction the device itself.
Similar is the case in regards to the world we are living in. The creator of the Universe is the Supreme Lord Sri Hari and his instructions are codes in the Vedas which is a User Manual for us to make use of. Unfortunately; because the so called leaders of our societies and nation have failed to recognize and abide by this; we could see all the efforts go in vain in spite of their strenuous efforts to make the world a happy and a better place.

The Scriptures lay down a condition to the worldly people for peace and happiness. " Karananthu Dhyeya" " The Creator of the universe is the be meditated on".

 The Brahma-samhita confirms who the creator is : isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah/anadir adir govindah sarva-karana-karanam. "The Supreme Lord Sri Hari is the cause of all causes"

Srimad Bhagavatham quotes" ete camsa-kalah pumsah krsnas tu bhagavan svayam"

The Katho Upanishad explains " nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman " 
" He not only creates; but has also been maintaining all the living entities and fulfilling their desires." 

Even in the practical world; we see; law abiding citizens are protected and nourished by government; however; the miscreants who violate the law are punished.
Vishnu Dharmottara quotes" Shruti:smriti: mamaiva AgyA-yastAm ullanghya vartatE AgyAcchEdI mama drOhI mama bhaktOpi na Vaishnava " The one who does not abide by the laws set forth in the Sruthi and Smriti are great offenders.

In the Bhagavad Gita CHapter 2 Verse 66; Sri Krishna explains the state of those who are not united with him in mediation.

nasti buddhir ayuktasya 
na cayuktasya bhavana 
na cabhavayatah santir 
asantasya kutah sukham

" To the one who is not united with me in meditation; true knowledge of the self does not take place
---> Thus there is no chance of mediation on the self ---> Thus there is no peace of mind for such a person ----> For one who does not have peace of mind; where could there be happiness?

Krishna's tip for Mind Control..

Before the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna talks about Mind Control, in Verse 60 2nd Chapter of Sri Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna talks about the rebellious nature of the senses which is a component of ones mind.

yatato hy api kaunteya
purusasya vipascitah
indriyani pramathini
haranti prasabham manah

" Hey Arjuna, even in spite of the wise man trying to control the senses and ones mind, the rebellious senses carry away forcible his mind. " 

Lack of Mind control & direction is one of the true reasons why we engage in frequent petty quarrels amongst family members, peers and workplaces. Sometimes this goes out of control and result in large scale fights and wars between different communities, societies, states and nations as a whole.

In Verse 61 of the 2nd Chapter of Sri Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna helps us with solution to control ones mind.

tani sarvani samyamya
yukta asita mat-parah
vase hi yasyendriyani
tasya prajna pratisthita

If a person desires to control ones senses; Sri Krishna talks of fixing ones Mind on him. He says " Because he is the Supreme pure, auspicious and full of unlimited good qualities; he is the only subject fit for meditation. Thus fixing ones mind on him --> a persons mind becomes purified of all contamination --> Thus it becomes free from attachment to sense objects --> Thus the senses are also brought under control. 

A person who thus has his mind under control achieves peace even while living in this world.

Mental Disturbances..

Today the so called modern scientists boasts of their great advancement in the field of Science & technology and talk on how evolved mankind has become from the bygone ages. However a question arises here, Has technology resulted in Human evolution?
Incidentally,  people today suffer from great mental disturbances in the form of mental depression, anxieties etc which has resulted in exponential rise in the number of suicides and crime rates in the society.
The Supreme Godhead Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita elaborately explains on the root cause of such mental disturbances existing today and provides a simple solution to transcend them.

yada te moha-kalilam
buddhir vyatitarisyati
tada gantasi nirvedam
srotavyasya srutasya ca ( 2.52)

sruti-vipratipanna te
yada sthasyati niscala
samadhav acala buddhis
tada yogam avapsyasi  (2.53)

When one abides by the laws of God one acquired piety ( punya ) and when one defies or disregards the laws of God, one is subject to Sin ( Papa ). This sins causes mental disturbances.

When one performs all actions for the service of the Supreme Lord Hari ( Karma Yogam ), then the Lord is pleased and destroys our sins ; which disturbs the mind. With a pure mind; one is able to meditate on his self ( atma ) and paramatma. By anudhyanam ( constant meditation without disturbance ) on the atma and paramatma one attains atma  sakshatkaram ( self realization of the soul  ). He then attains the mental state of supreme bliss by constantly meditating on the atma and paramatma.