There are lessons to be learned when we carefully observe world events. Play Online Poker, The truth stares us in the face at all times. Play Online Poker, The symptom of everyday life is to ignore it and continue our mundane affairs, Play Online Poker, which revolve around trying to exploit the resources of nature for personal sense gratification.
The material world is an expansion of God’s infinite energy. Play Online Poker, It cannot be owned or controlled by finite men with their dreams of mastering it for their profit and pleasure.
Man comes into this world and is conditioned by having a material body that is subject to the forces of nature. Play Online Poker, He tries to dominate nature, Play Online Poker, but is instead subjected to the laws of nature and the sufferings of repeated birth and death. Play Online Poker, Throughout his life, Play Online Poker, he is constantly reminded of nature’s infinite power and uncontrollable forces that upset all of his plans to dominate and enjoy. Play Online Poker, Such overpowering events are constant reminders that man is not sovereign in this world. Play Online Poker, There are forces that are controlled by higher powers that are superior to man for whom we have no recourse but to submit. Play Online Poker, We experience these forces in our own body and in nature.
I will give a few examples of the overpowering forces of nature that man is forced to submit to and tolerate. Play Online Poker, The only recourse is to try and reconstruct after the damage is done. Play Online Poker, This, Play Online Poker, of course, Play Online Poker, is completely contrary to man’s will and desire, Play Online Poker, but he has no choice.
1. Play Online Poker, Tsunami in Southeast Asia – December 26, Play Online Poker, 2004 – nearly 230, Play Online Poker,000 deaths
2. Play Online Poker, Hurricane Katrina – 2005 – 1836 deaths and 81 billion dollars in damage in Louisiana, Play Online Poker, USA
3. Play Online Poker, Earthquake in Haiti – 2010 – 230, Play Online Poker,000 dead
4. Play Online Poker, Iceland Volcano eruption – 2010 – disrupted air travel across the Atlantic for weeks
5. Play Online Poker, Gulf Coast Oil leak – 2010 – this the most devastating environmental disaster in USA history and it is still not ended
Man can simply observe such overpowering disasters. Play Online Poker, He attempts temporary relief work, Play Online Poker, starts varieties of public and governmental institutions and policies to address the terrible suffering caused by nature’s devastating power. Play Online Poker, But, Play Online Poker, government has no solution how to pacify the insurmountable nature. Play Online Poker, This question is discussed in the Bhagavad-gita because it is of up most importance for man’s survival.
Without a correct and comprehensive understanding of the purpose of life in this world, Play Online Poker, man cannot plan how to have a successful life. Play Online Poker, With wrong answers, Play Online Poker, man is forced to suffer helplessly by violating the laws of nature due to ignorance. Play Online Poker, There is a verse in the Bhagavad-gita that helps to shed light on this question, Play Online Poker,
“Nature is said to be the cause of all material causes and effects, Play Online Poker, whereas the living entity is the cause of the various sufferings and enjoyments in this world.” (Bg 13, Play Online Poker, 21)
According to Vedic philosophy, Play Online Poker, living entities and material nature are both eternal or without beginning and endless. Play Online Poker, The living entities are eternal souls with individuality and limited free will. Play Online Poker, Their free will is limited to either accepting or rejecting God’s instructions. Play Online Poker, Depending on which way they decide, Play Online Poker, there are consequences. Play Online Poker, By accepting God’s instructions as the guiding principles of life, Play Online Poker, one gradually becomes free of the influence of the three modes of material nature (goodness, Play Online Poker, passion and ignorance) that condition us to be attached to the temporary body and its temporary pleasures and pains. Play Online Poker, By rejecting God’s instructions, Play Online Poker, one becomes entangled by the reactions to activities that breach natural laws. Play Online Poker, Possible consequences of such errant behavior are natural cataclysms, Play Online Poker, body ailments, Play Online Poker, trouble caused by other living beings and repeated birth and death in an endless cycle because the soul is eternal. Play Online Poker, The soul can be eternally liberated or eternally chained to a cycle of repeated birth and death.
God’s instruction as revealed by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita and other bona fide scriptures like the Bible, Play Online Poker, Koran, Play Online Poker, etc., Play Online Poker, give an explicit detail of forbidden activities that will result in adverse reactions and prescribed duties that free one from the cycle of suffering. Play Online Poker, The Bible, Play Online Poker, Koran and Torah have the Ten Commandments and other codes to regulate human behavior. Play Online Poker, The Vedas have four regulative principles to avoid and four to do:
To avoid
1- No meat eating including red meat, Play Online Poker, chicken and fish
2- No illicit sex outside of marriage
3- No gambling or philosophical speculation
4- No intoxication
To do
1- Read and discuss Holy Scriptures like Bhagavad-gita, Play Online Poker, Bible, Play Online Poker, Koran, Play Online Poker, etc.
2- Eat only sanctified vegetarian foods that have been offered first to God
3- Chant and meditate on God’s names (holy mantras)
4- Volunteer for service in a temple or house of God in the association of holy people
Further, Play Online Poker, the Vedas recommend nine favorable activities to develop spiritual consciousness, Play Online Poker, daily hearing, Play Online Poker, chanting and remembering the glories of God, Play Online Poker, serving, Play Online Poker, praying, Play Online Poker, worshiping, Play Online Poker, becoming the servant, Play Online Poker, making friendship with and surrendering completely to God. Play Online Poker, Any one, Play Online Poker, several or all of these principles will cause one to develop spiritual consciousness, Play Online Poker, which means one acts with the knowledge that God is a supreme controller and proprietor of nature. Play Online Poker, God has a plan how the living entities can live in this world happily and at last attain liberation from the suffering of birth, Play Online Poker, old age, Play Online Poker, disease and death.
The plan of God for suffering mankind entails first recognizing that God is the supreme controller and owner of nature and everything in it. Play Online Poker, Once man recognizes this fact, Play Online Poker, he can learn to use everything in nature to serve the purpose of God rather than trying to usurp God’s creation for his selfish purposes. Play Online Poker, This change of world view is the beginning of real human life. Play Online Poker, If we use things to serve God’s pleasure, Play Online Poker, nature and time, Play Online Poker, which are both controlled by God, Play Online Poker, support and cooperate with man to help him reach the goal of life.
The root cause of sin is deliberate disobedience of the laws of nature through disregarding the proprietorship of the Lord. Play Online Poker, Disobeying the laws of nature or God’s instructions, Play Online Poker, brings ruin to a human being and society. Play Online Poker, Endowed with free will, Play Online Poker, man needs to be educated how to properly exercise it. Play Online Poker, Making decisions based on knowledge and certitude that we are subordinate to God’s will and that we cannot achieve anything without the approval of God, Play Online Poker, helps us to determine right action from wrong. Play Online Poker, Ignorance of this fact leads us to make fundamental mistakes and violate natural laws that bring about misfortune and suffering.
The Bible states a law of God, Play Online Poker, “Thou shalt not kill.” This sounds simple and unequivocal. Play Online Poker, Yet, Play Online Poker, it is the subject of speculation. Play Online Poker, It is generally understood to mean one should not murder another human being. Play Online Poker, Yet, Play Online Poker, the word kill refers to any kind of killing, Play Online Poker, not only murder. Play Online Poker, Misinterpreting this direct law of God causes continual suffering because following a wrong conclusion about killing could destroy any hopes one has of living peacefully and achieving genuine love of God. Play Online Poker, One cannot disobey God and receive His favor and protection throughout life. Play Online Poker, To avoid speculation, Play Online Poker, one needs to understand this
law of nature from an authority in Vedic knowledge. Play Online Poker, The Manu Samhita, Play Online Poker, considered the law book of the Vedas state in chapter 5 that there are very restricted conditions under which one may eat meat, Play Online Poker, but never the meat of cows. Play Online Poker, Those conditions are limited to animals that are permitted for sacrifice by priests. Play Online Poker, One is never permitted to just kill or purchase meat for consumption outside of ritually slaughtered animals. Play Online Poker, If you read the following texts, Play Online Poker, you see that meat eating is severely restricted and, Play Online Poker, in fact, Play Online Poker, not encouraged.
27. Play Online Poker, One may eat meat when it has been sprinkled with water, Play Online Poker, while Mantras were recited, Play Online Poker, when Brahmanas desire (one’s doing it), Play Online Poker, when one is engaged (in the performance of a rite) according to the law, Play Online Poker, and when one’s life is in danger.
31. Play Online Poker, The consumption of meat (is befitting) for sacrifices, Play Online Poker,’ that is declared to be a rule made by the gods; but to persist (in using it) on other (occasions) is said to be a proceeding worthy of Rakshasas.
37. Play Online Poker, If he has a strong desire (for meat) he may make an animal of clarified butter or one of flour, Play Online Poker, (and eat that); but let him never seek to destroy an animal without a (lawful) reason.
38. Play Online Poker, As many hairs as the slain beast has, Play Online Poker, so often indeed will he who killed it without a (lawful) reason suffer a violent death in future births.
39. Play Online Poker, Svayambhu (the Self-existent) himself created animals for the sake of sacrifices; sacrifices (have been instituted) for the good of this whole (world); hence the slaughtering (of beasts) for sacrifices is not slaughtering (in the ordinary sense of the word).
45. Play Online Poker, He who desires to please himself by injuring peaceful beings will never finds happiness, Play Online Poker, neither living nor dead.
46. Play Online Poker, He, Play Online Poker, who does not seek to cause the sufferings of bonds and death to living creatures, Play Online Poker, but desires the good of all (beings), Play Online Poker, obtains endless bliss.
47. Play Online Poker, He who does not injure any (creature), Play Online Poker, attains without an effort what he thinks of, Play Online Poker, what he undertakes, Play Online Poker, and what he fixes his mind on.
48. Play Online Poker, Meat can never be obtained without injury to living creatures, Play Online Poker, and injury to sentient beings is detrimental to (the attainment of) heavenly bliss; let him therefore shun (the use of) meat.
49. Play Online Poker, Having well considered the (disgusting) origin of flesh and the (cruelty of) fettering and slaying corporeal beings, Play Online Poker, let him entirely abstain from eating flesh.
50. Play Online Poker, He who, Play Online Poker, disregarding the rule (given above), Play Online Poker, does not eat meat like a Pisaka, Play Online Poker, becomes dear to men, Play Online Poker, and will not be tormented by diseases.
51. Play Online Poker, He who permits (the slaughter of an animal), Play Online Poker, he who cuts it up, Play Online Poker, he who kills it, Play Online Poker, he who buys or sells (meat), Play Online Poker, he who cooks it, Play Online Poker, he who serves it up, Play Online Poker, and he who eats it, Play Online Poker, (must all be considered as) the slayers (of the animal).
52. Play Online Poker, There is no greater sinner than that (man) who, Play Online Poker, though not worshipping the gods or the manes, Play Online Poker, seeks to increase (the bulk of) his own flesh by the flesh of other (beings). Play Online Poker, (Manu Samhita, Play Online Poker, Chapter 5)
The laws of Manu were spoken and preserved in oral tradition long before the appearance of Lord Krishna, Play Online Poker, which was over 5000 years ago. Play Online Poker, After the disappearance of Lord Krishna, Play Online Poker, the age of Kali (hypocrisy and quarrel) began 5000 years ago. Play Online Poker, Because people in this age have poor memories, Play Online Poker, Manu’s laws were written. Play Online Poker, The first recorded texts of the laws of Manu date about 500 B.C. Play Online Poker, However, Play Online Poker, with the advent of the age of Kali, Play Online Poker, more restrictions came into effect because of the lack of qualification of the brahman class. Play Online Poker, “Five things are forbidden in the age of Kali – horse-sacrifice, Play Online Poker, cow-sacrifice, Play Online Poker, acceptance of sannyasa, Play Online Poker, offering flesh to the forefathers and begetting a child in the womb of the wife of one’s elder brother.” (Brahma-vaivarta Purana, Play Online Poker, Krsna-jnama Khanda 185.180). Play Online Poker, Almost all the rituals in which meat was required to be offered were eliminated. Play Online Poker, The only possibility for ritual meat in this age of Kali is the following: license is given to meat eaters to sacrifice a black goat once a month on the new moon night. Play Online Poker, It is strictly forbidden to purchase a commercially slain animal for consumption. Play Online Poker, The person who wants to eat meat must kill the goat on a dark (or new) moon night under the supervision of a priest who instructs him to repeat the following mantra before cutting the throat of the goat, Play Online Poker, mamsa khadatiti mamsah. Play Online Poker, The Sanskrit mamsah means, Play Online Poker, mam – me, Play Online Poker, and sa – he. Play Online Poker, “I am killing this animal; I am eating him. Play Online Poker, In my next life, Play Online Poker, he will kill and eat me.” Before the animal is sacrificed, Play Online Poker, this mantra is recited into the ear of the animal. Play Online Poker, “You are giving your life, Play Online Poker, so in your next life you will get the opportunity of becoming a human being. Play Online Poker, And I, Play Online Poker, who am now killing you, Play Online Poker, will become an animal, Play Online Poker, and you will kill me.”
The purpose of the ritual and the repetition of the mantra is to contain unrestricted meat eating by forcing the meat eater to kill the animal himself and witness the horror of the act as well as to repeat the mantra that reveals the consequences of such an act. Play Online Poker, Such regulation is meant to discourage the meat eater by making him understand that he will be held accountable for such unnecessary killing. Play Online Poker, Unrestricted meat eating is strictly forbidden in this age.
It is not only the person who eats the meat that becomes implicated by eating the dead animal, Play Online Poker, but also those who assist in the process.
51. Play Online Poker, He who permits (the slaughter of an animal), Play Online Poker, he who cuts it up, Play Online Poker, he who kills it, Play Online Poker, he who buys or sells (meat), Play Online Poker, he who cooks it, Play Online Poker, he who serves it up, Play Online Poker, and he who eats it, Play Online Poker, (must all be considered as) the slayers (of the animal).
52. Play Online Poker, There is no greater sinner than that (man) who, Play Online Poker, though not worshiping the gods or the manes, Play Online Poker, seeks to increase (the bulk of) his own flesh by the flesh of other (beings).
From the Vedic point of view, Play Online Poker, people who eat meat or participate in providing it, Play Online Poker, especially cow, Play Online Poker, are condemned to suffer for their brutal acts. Play Online Poker, This point was emphasized over five humdred years ago by Lord Caitanya, Play Online Poker, the incarnation of Lord Krishna in this age of Kali, Play Online Poker, to Chand Kazi, Play Online Poker, a Muslim scholar of the Koran. Play Online Poker, He explained a statement in the Bhagavad-gita ( 18. Play Online Poker, 44), Play Online Poker,
“The duty of vaisyas (businessmen and agriculturalists) is to produce agricultural products, Play Online Poker, trade and give protection to cows.” Thus, Play Online Poker, in Vedic society, Play Online Poker, it is imperative to protect cows, Play Online Poker, not eat them. Play Online Poker, It is forbidden to kill a cow or a bull in this age. Play Online Poker, Lord Caitanya told Chand Kazi in the Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi-lila, Play Online Poker, Chapter 17, Play Online Poker, verse 166), Play Online Poker, “ Cow killers are condemned to rot in hellish life for as many thousands of years as there are hairs on the body of the cow.”

Therefore, Play Online Poker, modern spiritual teachers, Play Online Poker, whether in Christianity, Play Online Poker, Islam, Play Online Poker, Hinduism, Play Online Poker, Buddhism, Play Online Poker, Judaism are misleading their faithful by engaging them in meat eating which will result in massive suffering in this life and the next. Play Online Poker, The ritual killing in Islam and Judaism to obtain hallal (or hillal) meat is also misleading because it includes cows. Play Online Poker, Judaism continued the pre-Kali yuga dietary rules of the Vedas without reference to restrictions in this age to cow sacrifice as well as ignoring the Vedic purpose of gradually eliminating all animal sacrifice through severely restricted animal sacrifice. Play Online Poker, The Old Testament indicates very severe restriction on animal flesh consumption. Play Online Poker, In Genesis 9, Play Online Poker, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and as I gave you the green plants, Play Online Poker, I give you everything. Play Online Poker, 4 Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, Play Online Poker, that is, Play Online Poker, its blood. Play Online Poker, 5 For your lifeblood I will surely require a reckoning; of every beast I will require it and of man; of every man’s brother I will require the life of man.” In these verses, Play Online Poker, the God of the Bible restricts man from eating animal flesh with blood still in it. Play Online Poker, This is impossible. Play Online Poker, Therefore, Play Online Poker, meat is strictly forbidden unless there is no blood in it. Play Online Poker, The God of the Bible says He will require a reckoning for the blood of the every animal man eats.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad writes about Lord Jesus Christ in his commentary on the Srimad Bhagavatam (7.15.10), Play Online Poker, “Animal sacrifice in the name of religion is current practically all over the world in every established religion. Play Online Poker, It is said that Lord Jesus Christ, Play Online Poker, when twelve years old, Play Online Poker, was shocked to see the Jews sacrificing birds and animals in the synagogues and that he therefore rejected the Jewish system of religion and started the religious system of Christianity, Play Online Poker, adhering to the Old Testament commandment, Play Online Poker, “Thou shalt not kill.” At the present day, Play Online Poker, however, Play Online Poker, not only are animals killed in the name of sacrifice, Play Online Poker, but the killing of animals has increased enormously because of the increasing number of slaughterhouses. Play Online Poker, Slaughtering animals in the name of religion or for food is most abominable and is condemned herein. Play Online Poker, Unless one is merciless, Play Online Poker, one cannot sacrifice animals as a religious act or for food.”
In the case where there is a famine and no other food available, Play Online Poker, the Vedas permit eating animal flesh for survival, Play Online Poker, but not otherwise.
The tragedy of modern life is that the common people are being misled into sinful acts in the name of religion by religious leaders and politicians who are ignorant or purposely ignore the laws of nature as given by God in the different scriptures. Play Online Poker, When the deep meaning of “Thou shalt not kill” is realized, Play Online Poker, one refrains from unnecessary killing. Play Online Poker, Saint Paul wrote, Play Online Poker, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. Play Online Poker, So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Play Online Poker, Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Play Online Poker, But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, Play Online Poker, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Play Online Poker, (Romans 14:21-23 NIV)
We should have faith that God loves all His creatures. Play Online Poker, Therefore, Play Online Poker, we should not kill if we can avoid it. Play Online Poker, The principle of “ahimsa - nonviolence” is not to cause harm to others verbally, Play Online Poker, physically or by withholding information about God’s instructions for man. Play Online Poker, Unnecessary killing will bring disaster upon mankind as we are seeing today. Play Online Poker, Therefore the four regulative principles of Vedic life, Play Online Poker, no meat, Play Online Poker, no illicit sex, Play Online Poker, no intoxication, Play Online Poker, no gambling are meant to help us avoid breaking the laws of nature and thus suffering. Play Online Poker, By living according to the correct understanding of God’s instructions, Play Online Poker, we can avoid unnecessary suffering and bring about a pacification of nature by which man can live peacefully. Play Online Poker, Without pleasing God, Play Online Poker, we become a victim of our own misdeeds by breaking the laws of nature for which there will be a reckoning.

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