Use of Analogy

Q. Kindly inform me on what basis we identify Krishna/Bhagavan Vigraha, which is sat chit ananda, with deity/archa which is made up of matter. I want to know the Gaudiya logic and appropriate scriptural backing.

Q. While practicing Krishna consciousness, sometimes I am very enthusiastic and sometimes I feel very morose. The cause for being morose is not being able to see any change in my attitude. Please help me.

Q. It was also said that "What we think about ourselves (aham) is a measure of how humble we are". Is it correct to extrapolate it a little by thinking that "What/how much we know about Krishna determines our humbleness"? The more we know/feel the all-merciful, all-loving, all-attractive, all- beautiful and compassionate nature of Krishna, the more we are humbled?

Q. I have heard that karma is counted only for those who are in human form and staying on earth. Can you elaborate on this?

Bharata-varsha or the earthly realm is referred to as the field of activities, or karma bhumi. That is to say one gets the opportunity here to perform activities by which one can either accumulate pious credits or sinful reactions. In all the other realms, one is more or less expending their karmic account, good or bad.

Q. I have a question related to the chariot analogy of the living entity. In the Katha Upanishad a description is given of a chariot drawn by 5 horses representing the senses, the mind the reins, the charioteer the intelligence and the passenger the soul.

My understanding is that as long as the soul/passenger is asleep, the living entity is conditioned, as he has no proper direction and undergoes repeated "birth and death" in the material world.

Impersonal Brahman as Constitutional Position of Ultimate Happiness?

Q. It is always mentioned that the Supreme God is Lord Krishna. People who know about Vedas or about Indian culture can understand and accept this. How can a man of a different religion or a different region accept this? How can we convince others that everybody in the universe is governed by the laws of Vedas?

Q. 1. What is rebirth?
 

Q. I recently heard the story of Lord Yamaraj cursed by a Sage to be born as Sri Vidura. When the Sage heard from Yama-dharmaraj that his child-hood mistakes caused the Sage to undergo much suffering, the sage got angry and cursed. {Editor's note: The reference is to the history of Manduka Muni, see SB 1.13.1 purport}

Q. Is it possible in Krishna Consciousness to cross all the stages of anartha nivritti in one life time and become a pure devotee? Can our efforts, along with Krishna's mercy, help us achieve pure transcendental love of Krishna in this life time itself?