There is something magical about the new year time. Comes, as it does, at a time of year that is almost universally celebrated as the yearly holiday season, it already includes the benefit of reduced stress levels. For many it is also a time of reflection or partying or both. A time for vacation or staycation or perhaps just relaxing a wee bit more. However, what truly infuses the magic is this whole feeling of Renewal and Rebirth that New Year evokes within us. New Year is a time of Optimism, of looking forward and rededicating ourselves in Celebration of life.
But Why does the message of
Rebirth Fascinate us so?
The wisdom of the Upanishads confirm
that we are all immortal souls. Sri Krishna, Lord God Himself, in His divine
message to humanity, the Bhagavad Gita, assures as that our bodies are like merely
coverings upon our real being as spirit souls, just as cloths are covering on bodies.
The doctrine of the five sheaths, Panchakosha Viveka, also points toward the
same truth.
I feel the near universal
attraction to the message of rebirth and reincarnation is the just a reflection
of nature of our true self. Our Spirit Soul
knows that it is immortal, that it transmigrates, that every birth is a step
towards our ultimate destination of union with Lord Krishna.
Thus every new year, for the
devotee among us surely, is also the time of recognition of our real identify,
of our relation with Lord Krishna and also the time to reaffirm our faith in
Sri Krishna and renew our resolve to be become qualified attain His Grace. To purify ourselves through devotion and
knowledge.
For our family, 31st Dec
also has a deeper connection, 25 years ago, on this day, Baba left for his
heavenly abode. A deeply spiritual and dedicated devotee of Sri Krishna, I feel
that the strong foundation of devotion that my brother and I have, comes
entirely for him and Mom. A man who spent his
life singing Bhajans and Kirtans, our mind’s eye sees him seated at the feet of
Lord Krishna and singing his melodious Bhajans to the Lord. May Kanai’s blessing be always with Baba and
all of creation.
Taking a step towards Krishna
The promise of Vedantic
Spirituality, the phalasruti (the fruit), is truly incredible: atyantika-dukha-nivritti ('complete
cessation of sorrow') and paramānanda-prāpti ('attainment of supreme
happiness')
From the few droplets from the ocean
of Bhakti, that Lord Krishna in his causeless mercy has bestowed on the
fortunate, we know this supreme happiness, the Paramananda, is Krishna Bhakti
and Krishna Bhakti alone. The whole journey
of Bhakti is filled with pleasure beyond what one can imagine. All that is
needed is taking that first step towards Krishna. Pick up a copy of Gita, join a Kirtan, Do Japa.
Everything helps.
As this year draws to a close and
we look forward to a Rebirth and Renewal in the new year. I wish everyone a Happy and Krishna
Conscious New Year.
He Krishna, Karuna Sindhu
Dino Bandhu, Jagat Pate
Gopesha Gopika Kanta
Radha Kanta
Namostote
