How to deal with Conflict?

Don't create enemies Unncecessarily.

We should understand that a sober,dispassionate opinion is much more powerful and less troublesome than an impulsive reply.

Even when someone is undobtedly resposible for a misdeed,it is advisable to directly avoid attcking him by name.There is a bengali proverb which says-chunco mere hatha ganda-if you want to kill a skunk,then your hands will smell.In other words,there is no sense in creating enemies unnecessarily,better to disregard the stinker altogather.We donot wish to engage in endless confict that disturbs our life as well as lives of others.

When Dharma,the bull was asked by King Parikshit to identify who mercilesly mutilated his legs,Dharma did not care to cast guilt upon anyone because he considered that there were superior and remote causes for his misfortune beyond the immediate actors.

Hence it is inaccurate to lay blame on someone else for unpleasant things that happen to us.

What is the cause for Climatic change,food crisis, financial meltdowns etc ?

Why Money, Take Away The ATM Itself !

New York Times reported on 27th Nov.2009
"A man in Colorado, US, tried to steal an ATM by hauling it away with a stolen truck."

The plan didn’t work. The attempted theft of the outdoor ATM in Boulder set off an alarm early morning. When police arrived they found the ATM on its side about 15 feet from its foundation outside a Chase Bank. No money had been taken.

Surveillance photos showed a man hooking the ATM’s chain to the back of a U-Haul truck. The truck, which had been reported as stolen, was discovered a short distance away later that day. Instead of stealing money from the ATM, the thief in question tried to steal the ATM itself. !!!!!!!!!!!!!





Similar is our story.

This world is an undisputed property of God because it existed before we entered here and will continue to exist after our exit. We humans are trying to haul it away from its lawful owner, God. Apart from stealing resources of the world, we are trying to haul away the World itself. We are denying the hand of God by manufacturing philosophies like Darwinism and Big Bang and in the name of nationalism, we are trying to carve out our share of the loot. Humanity is depriving other living beings their due share of natural resources.



Srila Prabhupada explains this in a conversation, “Tena tyaktena bhunjitha: [Isopanisad mantra 1] everything belongs to God. Just like the father has got many sons and the father is the proprietor of the house. He gives one son, “This is your room,” the other son, “This is your room.” So the obedient son is satisfied what the father allows to him. Others, those who are not obedient, they want to disturb other brother that “This room also belongs to me.” That creates chaos and confusion in the world. The United Nations, they have created a society for unity of the nations, but actually that is not unity. That is another way of encroaching upon others’ property. Therefore there is no peace, unless they accept God is the Supreme proprietor. And we must be satisfied with the allotment God has given to us. Then there is no trouble. But the trouble is that we are not satisfied with the allotment given to us. That allotment can be understood by language or similar culture. So why one should encroach upon others’ property which is allotted by God? That creates disturbance. So this so-called modern civilized man, first of all they create disturbances, and then they want to make some adjustment.”



Modern man is squandering finite natural resources, which are meant to be shared by all living beings, to fuel his insatiable greed in the form of rampant consumerism.By stealing from God we become subject to apprehension by His police force, which is known as material nature. As soon as we use the property of God to gratify our own senses, nature will inflict miseries upon us. People are not peaceful because if we steal something from someone else, we cannot expect peace. Nor can we ever really expect to enjoy that stolen property, because we will always be anxious about being caught.



This global loot has set the burglar alarms ringing, only if we are willing to listen. Climatic change, 2012, food crisis, financial meltdowns etc. are some of the unpleasant tintinnabulation of the very same alarm. ----------------------------By Sahadeva dasa

What is the difference between the teachings of Jesus and Krishna?

Answer:

Essentially there is no difference in the message of Krishna and the message of Jesus. Like father, like son. The very essence of Jesus' teachings is bhakti, or pure devotion to the Supreme Being.
Jesus was preaching perfectly, and his universal message is nondifferent from the teachings of Krishna.

Examples are as follows:

Message of Jesus :-

Man has to change his heart, give up sense gratification and turn to God with complete determination--"Thou shalt love The Lord Thy God with all Thy heart, with all Thy soul, and with all Thy might."

Bhagavad-gita
"Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend" (Bhagavad-gita 18.65).

"To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me" (Bhagavad-gita 10.10).

"To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance" (Bhagavad-gita 10.11).

The great Spiritual master Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur teaches:
manasa deho geho jo kichu mor arpilun tuwa pade nanda-kisor
"My mind, my body, my home, whatever I have in my possession, I offer unto You, my Lord."

Srila Rupa Gosvami, the direct disciple of Sri Krishna Caitanya, says:
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalamhrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate
"When all one's senses are engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord, the master of all the senses, and the soul renders pure service unto the Supreme, he is freed from all material designations, and one's senses are purified" (Narada-pancaratra qtd. in Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.12).

The message is the same: Jesus was preaching intense spiritual life; to forsake, home, relatives and the rest and turn to God radically in pure devotion.

"…and if you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21).

"…Do not worry about anything: look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than them?"

"…And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:26-33).

"Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:7-11).

One disciple said to him: "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said: "Follow me. Let the dead bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:20-22).

All it depends upon is the surrender of the soul and complete abandonment to the will of the Supreme Lord: "Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done…" (Matthew 26:42); "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10).

Here we hear the same old voice that is speaking at the heart and root of any genuine tradition: As the result of such surrender, Sri Krishna reveals Himself to His devotee:

ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham
"As they surrender unto Me, I reveal myself" (Bhagavad-gita 4.11). Never mind religion, race or nation: samo 'ham sarva-bhutesu na me dvesyo 'sti na priyah - "I am not partial to anyone. I am equal to all" (Bhagavad-gita 9.29).

sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja

aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah

"Abandon all varieties of mundane religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear." (Bhagavad-gita 18:66).

Reference : Prithu das Adhikary / Peter Brinkmann www.omjesus.net

How much can a person tolerate?

By Giriraj Swami

As long as we are in this world, we must suffer–pain caused by others, pain caused by our own bodies and minds, pain caused by acts of nature. And unless we can tolerate, we cannot live in this world.

But how much can a person tolerate? Should we not, on occasion, resist? Why, then, should we tolerate? And if we must, what will enable us to endure the difficulty without being disturbed.

Srila Prabhupada told the story of a young boy who tolerated more than I can imagine, giving some idea of why he did not resist and how he was able to abide without being disturbed:

“Prahlada Maharaja–his father was putting him in so many dangerous conditions, even giving him poison. He knew that ‘My father has given me poison to drink. All right, let me drink. If Krsna likes, He will save me. Father is giving poison. Who can check?’ And his father was such a big, powerful demon–Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada’s mother cried, requested, but his father forced her: ‘Give your son this poison.’ She begged so much, but he was a demon: ‘No, you must give.’ So the mother knew, and the son knew, that the father was giving this poison. What could he do, a small child? ‘All right, let me drink.’ He was not agitated. ‘All right, if Krsna likes, I will live.’”

So, one reason to tolerate is that we have no choice. The forces that act in opposition to our will are too great, too powerful for us to resist. And what will enable us to endure without being disturbed? Faith in God, in Krsna. “If Krsna likes, He will save me. I will survive–and progress.”

In the same talk, Srila Prabhupada explained, “A sadhu [devotee] is titiksava–he tolerates all kinds of miserable conditions. Because this is a place of miserable conditions, a sadhu learns how to tolerate. A sadhu is never disturbed. Yasmin sthito gurunapi duhkhena na vicalyate [Bhagavad Gita 6.22]. A sadhu, who has got the shelter of Krsna, if he is placed in the severest type of dangerous condition, he is never disturbed.”

So, again, one who has faith in God, who has taken shelter of God, can tolerate. But when he can resist, or leave, why should he tolerate? Srila Prabhupada answered with one word: karunikah–titiksavah karunikah:

“Titiksavah–the sadhu does not become disturbed. At the same time, karunikah. He is himself being disturbed, but he is merciful to others.

“Just like Jesus Christ. He was being crucified, and still he was merciful: ‘God, these people do not know what they are doing. Please excuse them.’ This is sadhu. Personally, he is being disturbed by the demons, but still, he is merciful to the general people. They are suffering for want of Krsna consciousness. Even up to the point of death, he is trying to preach Krsna consciousness. ‘Let the people be benefited. What is this material body? Even if I am killed, I am not killed; this body is killed, that’s all.’ This is sadhu. Titiksavah karunikah. On the one side he is tolerant, and on the other side, merciful.

“In the material world, when a man is disturbed, he cannot do any beneficial work for others. He is disturbed: ‘No, I am very much disturbed. Don’t talk with me.’ But a sadhu still goes on benefiting the people in general. Titiksavah karunikah [Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.21].”

We all face situations that are painful and difficult, and we want to do what is just and right–ultimately, what will please God. If we act on the basis of our true self, the soul–not the body or the mind–with faith in God, to please Him, to present His message, He will give us the intelligence how to proceed and we will follow His direction.

I pray that He gives me that strength and intelligence.

How do we know if God is real? Is God, just a concept?Can a scientist believe in God?

One way we can come to understand or verify the existence of God is simply by studying the meticulous organization of this universe and all the things happening around us. There is such precise design, order and control in the way everything in nature functions, from the gigantic planetary movements down to the intricate workings of a cell.

Is it not illogical to propose that this vast universe is conducted so meticulously just by chance and for no purpose?

From our practical experience, we know that without much laborious planning, organization and maintenance, everything quickly degrades to chaos. So who has planned, organized and is maintaining the universe? Consider how is it that the sun rises every morning without fail or why there isn't a tsunami or earthquake every week, consider who has supplied all our necessities like fresh water, air and food? Scientists would try to explain that away as natural laws which have come by blind chance, but law means there must be a law-maker.

Nothing in our experience works automatically or by chance. A child may be amazed to see a remote-controlled car and conclude that it is moving by itself, but an intelligent person knows that somebody is operating it from behind the scenes. Just because we cannot see the operator does not mean he doesn't exist! Not just in the physical laws governing the universe, but there is order even in subtler laws that govern human interactions. It is hardly rational or meaningful to suppose that someone is born rich and another poor for no reason, some are endowed with brilliant intelligence, and others are born blind or crippled.

There is reason and justice behind all these and there is a Controller or law-maker -- we can come to this conclusion simply with a little introspection, although our modern ways of education and artificial living styles often rob us of opportunities for such introspection.........As explained by HH Romapada swami.

Killing of Plants and bacteria while cooking Vegtarian food.

It is written in purport of Bhagavad Gita (14.16) that one should not kill any living entity. But, microorganisms (bacteria, virus) are always killed by us and plants are also living entities. While one accepts that one should not kill animals for eating, but what about plants and bacteria and vermins? Does that incur sin?

Yes, killing any living entity knowingly, or even unknowingly, incurs sinful reactions. The Supreme Lord is the supreme Father of all beings and every living entity has the right to live in this world, just as we humans do. We do not have the right, because of being in a superior life form, to needlessly take the life of or even cause pain to any other living entity; rather as human beings we are expected to show compassion to these innocent creatures.

In fact, Srimad Bhagavatam describes that it is the duty of a grihastha (householder) to protect and maintain even the insects, lizards and other lower life forms as if they were one's own children, what to speak of killing them! (Please refer SB 7.14.9)

We also hear of great saintly persons taking the trouble to not kill even some insignificant ants crossing their path. It is the nature of a sadhu to be compassionate and not harm anyone even if it meant bearing personal inconvenience; and if there is an option to get rid of a troublesome living entity without killing that should be preferred.

It is impossible for an embodied living entity in the material world to exist without unavoidably inflicting some difficulty upon other embodied living entities. Just by one's very existence one kills many micro-organisms even while harmlessly walking or just by breathing.

The solution is to purify our existence. These unavoidable sinful reactions can be counteracted only by dedicating our lives unto God's service and performing yajna (such as sankirtana yajna, chanting the Lord's Holy Names). If one's very existence is completely dedicated to the Lord, and one is not envious towards any living entity but a well-wisher of all, then whatever one does becomes beneficial even to the unseen microorganisms.

Actitivities such as killing plants for food also incurs sin, albeit relatively less sinful compared to killing of animals. But when a devotee prepares food items and cooks for Krishna, offers the food to the Lord and then partakes the prasadam, there is no sin incurred for the devotees. Conversely, the plants derive great spiritual benefit because of being offered to the Lord's in devotion, and are thus promoted to higher forms of life than would have been the case had natural death taken place instead.-------As explained by HH Romapada swami.

PETA - Meet your Meat
The video that all meat-eaters should watch and every vegetarian should own, "Meet Your Meat," narrated by Alec Baldwin, covers each stage of life of animals raised for food.

What is real dharma / religion? Why there is quarrel in the name of religion?

Dharma is sometimes translated as religion,but that is not exactly its meaning. Dharma actually means that which one cannot give up, which is inseparable from oneself. There is nitya-dharma and anitya-dharma, eternaldharma and temporary dharma. Every living or noliving object around us , has its eternal nature or dharma. That nitya-dharma cannot be separated from the an object.
Srila Prabhupada gives an example: the warmth of fire is inseparable from fire. Therefore,warmth is the nitya or eternal dharma of fire. Another example is water. Liquidity is the eternal dharma of water. Sometimes if there is freezing cold then water turns into a block of frozen ice. But that is not its eternal dharma. The eternal dharma of water is liquidity. When the temperature rises again, it melts. The ice is temporary, anitya-dharma.
The body has its dharma, the mind has its dharma, and the soul has its dharma. Sense gratification is the dharma of the material body. The dharma of the mind is sankalpa and vikalpa, accepting something and rejecting something. Thinking, feeling, and willing is the dharma of the mind. We,living entities are soul,atman.We are neither body nor mind.

Dharma of the Soul

In chapter eighteen, verse sixty-six, Krishna has given His most concluding, confidential instruction in the Bahgavad Gita: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja i.e.“Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto Me.” That is the dharma of the soul, i.e atma-dharma. It is not the dharma of the body or the dharma of the mind. You are soul, and your eternal dharma is as a servant of God or Krishna,i.e.Krishna Dasa. If you donot become a servant of Krishna then you will be forced to become a servant of maya i.e.maya dasa.

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said, jivera svarupa haya Krishnera nitya-dasa. As a jiva, your svarupa, your constitutional position, is as an eternal servant of Krishna. [Cc. madhya 20.108] This is parama-dharma, bhagavata-dharma, the eternal dharma of the soul.
It is not Hindu dharma or Muslim dharma, or dharma of the black or dharma of the white. It is not Australian dharma, American dharma, Japanese dharma, Chinese dharma, or Indian dharma. No.Dharma is one. Dharma is to become God's/Krishna’s servant and completely surrender unto His lotus feet.That is the only dharma. You may be Australian, African, Chinese, Japanese, or Indian,whatever . but you are all souls.

If society can understand what is real dharma, eternal dharma, then there will be no quarrelling on the matter. Everyone will be satisfied. But they donot try to understand this subject. Therefore quarrelling goes on in name of dharma/ religion.

As explained by SRI SRIMAD GOUR GOVINDA SWAMI MAHARAJA

How to break bad habits?

The first step in overcoming this material conditioning is of course to recognize the bad habits themselves. This recognition should be accompanied by sincere regret followed by firm resolve to give up the habit. But often we find that despite being aware and regretful for their habits, many people are unable to avoid their sinful tendencies, because of the lack of proper effort. It takes great commitment sustained over time to accomplish the result.

Srila Rupa Gosvami gives us the formula for accomplishing it:(Nectar of Instruction verse 3)

utsahan niscayad dhairyat
tat-tat-karma-pravartanat
sanga-tyagat sato vritteh
shadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

i.e.Enthusiasm, determination, patience, following regulative principles under the guidance of saintly authorities, and avoiding bad association.

The particular methods for addressing specific bad habits may vary, but these are the fundamental principles and I would like to particularly highlight two key factors that support all the others, and help us stay on track until we completely break free — good association and adopting strong daily practice of devotional activities.

Submission and developing attachment to the good preceptor is the most compelling force that gives leverage to overthrow our deep-rooted bad habits. Srimad Bhagavatam describes, that even lowborn and uncivilized people can come to the highest perfection of life. Once again how we can develop that submission and attachment is by valuing and appreciating very deeply the association of such saintly devotees.
One way of practical expression of such submission is to take up strong devotional practices, (daily chanting, scriptural study etc) which themselves give us determination and keeps us enthusiastic. But beyond that they attract the mercy of the Lord, Who alone can ultimately cleanse all material contamination from within our hearts (SB 1.2.17:). Without the accompanying cultivation of theistic knowledge and positive spiritual practices, other methods to counteract bad habits, as we often see around us, would at best effect a temporary change. Sooner or later the living entity will once again become susceptible to and overwhelmed by material energy.
In short, the process of retraction of bad habits can be summed up as follows: Recognition, Regret, Rectification, and Reinstatement - aided by saintly association and devotional practices.

----As explained by HH Romapad Swami.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

One may ask a question-I have always been a pious man, given in charity and donated to the temple. Then why am I made to suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people?Why do innocents suffer in accidents or natural calamities?

Vedic scriptures give a very consistent explanation understanding which, having properly understood, one is not bewildered and shaken in their faith in God in the face of a tragedy.

The laws of karma are very intricate. Both scripturally and logically, however, we can conclude that every reaction hints at past actions. In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna says to Arjuna, BG 4.17: gahana karmano gatih. The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.

While the living entity is indeed dependent on God for both happiness and distress, God is not responsible for either; Human being is responsible for it.
Karma can be individual, or it can be collective, i.e. reactions experienced by an entire community or large segments of society.

Large-scale sinful activities of society such as organized slaughterhouses or undue exploitation of nature can lead an entire society to experience mass karmic reactions in the form of wars, epidemics and natural disasters.

Krishna has described this material world as 'duhkhalayam asasvatam' - a temporary place full of misery. ( BG 8.15 ): Srimad-Bhagavatam certifies this world as "a place where there is danger at every step" (SB 10.14.58), yet there is a place beyond this material realm, free from all anxieties, and which is our real home, and our goal should be to return there.

One who fully understands the laws of karma and the spiritual nature of self and is faithful to God, would naturally feel deep compassion for the magnitude of mass suffering; and in feeling thus, he/she would see the need to take deeper shelter of the Lord and encourage others to do so, knowing that to be the only real solution.

Is Human Superior Than Animals?

Mahabharat says :

ahaAra-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca.
samanyam etat pasubhih naranam .
dharmo hi tesam adhiko viseso .
dharmena hina pasubhih samanah .

Four common things for animals and human beings.
1.Ahara- eating .
2.Nidra - sleeping .
3.Bhayam- having shelter or house for protection from fear.
4. Maithunam- Sex .

Srila Prabhupada.

Extra quality with human beings is the dharma or his duty to inquire about the absolute truth or God. The dharma of every human being is to understand what he is, who God is, the relationship between him and God,and to engage in rendering loving service to God.

Therefore a human being is superior than animals only when they inquire about the Absolute truth,otherwise they are considered just like animals.

What is mother?

What is mother ?

There are seven mothers according to VEDAS:

atma-mata guru patni
brähmani raja-patnika
dhenur dhätré tathä prithvi

saptaita matarah smrtah

1. Atma-mata -Real mother, from whose womb we have come to this world
2. Guru patni- wife of the teacher or spiritual master.
3. Brahmani- the wife of a brahamana

4. Raja-patnika- the wife of the king, or the queen.
5. Dhenu- Cow is our mother.
6.Dhatri-Nurse is also mother.
7. Tatha prithvi-the earth is also our mother.

Srila Prabhupada
According to Vedic civilization, anyone who supplies milk from the body, she is mother. So cow is mother because we are drinking her milk. So from that point of view, one cannot kill cow.

If a boy wants to understand, "Who is my father?" the only authority is the mother. Vedic literature is considered to be the mother. She gives evidence that God or Lord Krishna is our father.

Is there any life after death?

Bhagavad Gita says-we are eternal spirit souls and we get another material body after death.

BG 2.13: As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

BG 2.22: As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.


Please watch the follwing videos of real life experiences, for the verification of thousands of years old Vedic knowledge. More of these scientific videos on the side bar.

What is the importance of Sacrifice (Yajna) or austerities ?

By performance of yajnas, all activities become purified, as it is stated in the Vedas:

ahara-suddhau sattva-suddhih

sattva-suddhau dhruva smritih smriti-

lambhe sarvagranthinam vipramokshah.

Performance of yajnas has many benefits

By performance of yajna one's eatables become sanctified

By eating sanctified foodstuffs one's very existence becomes purified; By the purification of existence finer tissues in the memory become sanctified, and when memory is sanctified one can think of the path of liberation.

In Bhagavad Gita (BG) Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna

BG 3.16: My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice established by the Vedas certainly leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain.

As explained by Srila Prabhupada

Yajna or sarcifice for the current  Age of Kali is the sankirtana-yajna (Kirtan- chanting of the Holy name) is recommended by the Vedic scriptures, and this transcendental system was introduced by Lord Caitanya for the deliverance of all men in this age.

How to achieve real peace ?

In Bhagavad Gita (BG) Lord Krishna instructs to Arjuna,

BG 2.70: A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires -- that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still -- can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.

BG 2.71: A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego -- he alone can attain real peace.

BG 2.66: One who is not connected with the Supreme [in Krishna consciousness] can have neither transcendental intelligence nor a steady mind, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?

BG 5.29 and Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.7

People are anxious to attain peace in the material world. But they do not know the formula for peace, which is explained here. "Men should offer everything to the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord because He is the proprietor of everything."

Isopanishad

Iso 1: Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the supreme Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.

What is the cause of disturbed mind?

Bhagavad Gita(BG) Lord Krishna says to Arjuna

BG 2.60: The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.

BG 2.62: While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.

BG 2.63: From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.

BG 2.67: As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence and can disturb the mind.

What is Yoga?

In Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna instructs to Arjuna,

BG 2.48: Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.

BG 6.2: What is called renunciation you should know to be the same as yoga, or linking oneself with the Supreme, O son of Pandu, for one can never become a yogī unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification.

Who is a successful Yogi ?

BG 2.56: One who is not disturbed in mind even when there miseries or happiness, and who is free from attachment, fear and anger.

BG 2.57: One who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it.

BG 2.58: One who is able to withdraw his senses from sense objects, as the tortoise draws its limbs within the shell

What is the purpose of knowing Vedas?

Bhagavad Gita.(BG)Lord Krishna instructs to Arjuna as follows:

BG 2.46: All purposes served by a small well can at once be served by a great reservoir of water. Similarly, all the purposes of the Vedas can be served to one who knows the purpose behind them.

Further Lord Krishna says:
BG 15.15:
vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo vedānta-krd veda-vid eva cāhamBy all the Vedas
I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.

Srila Prabhupada

Vedānta mean the last word in Vedic wisdom, and the author and knower of the Vedānta philosophy is Lord Krishna; and the highest Vedāntist is the great soul who takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord. That is the ultimate purpose of all Vedic mysticism.

Does Violence has any utility?

Manu-samhitā- 

The lawbook for mankind, says a murderer should be condemned to death so that in his next life he will not have to suffer for the great sin he has committed. Therefore, the king's punishment of hanging a murderer is actually beneficial.

Srila Prabhupada
Everything has its proper utility, and a man who is situated in complete knowledge knows how and where to apply a thing for its proper utility. Similarly, violence also has its utility, and how to apply violence rests with the person in knowledge. Although the justice of the peace awards capital punishment to a person condemned for murder, the justice of the peace cannot be blamed, because he orders violence to another person according to the codes of justice.

What are qualities of Soul?

Bhagavad Gita

BG 2.20: For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

BG 2.22: As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.

BG 2.24: This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.

BG 2.25: It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.

The Śvetāśvatara Upanisad (5.9 )In the Mundaka Upanisad (3.1.9)
Size of the soul is described as one ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair.
Very very minute....

Katha Upanisad (1.2.20)
There are two kinds of souls — namely the minute particle soul (anu-ātmā) and the Supersoul (Parmatma). Both the Supersoul [Paramātmā] and the atomic soul [jīvātmā] are situated within the heart of the living being,like two birds sitting on the same tree.

Is Soul separate from body? -Learn it from a Neurosurgeon.

"Yes, Soul is separate from body "--Dr.Hamilton

This and much more details about the soul  are mentioned in Bhagavad Gita and Vedas...more than 5000 years ago!!!!!

What happens after death?

Bhagavad Gita

BG 2.13: As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

BG 2.22: As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.

Who is Guru or spiritual master?

(Caitanya-caritāmrta, Madhya 8.128)

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that one who is master in the science of Krishna consciousness, regardless of his social position, is the real spiritual master.

kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya
yei krishna-tattva-vettā, sei 'guru' haya

"It does not matter whether a person is a vipra [learned scholar in Vedic wisdom] or is born in a lower family, or is in the renounced order of life — if he is master in the science of Krishna, he is the perfect and bona fide spiritual master." So without being a master in the science of Krishna consciousness, no one is a bona fide spiritual master.

Padma Purāna

"A scholarly brāhmana expert in all subjects of Vedic knowledge, is unfit to become a spiritual master without being a Vaisnava, or expert in the science of Krsna consciousness. But a person born in a family of a lower caste can become a spiritual master if he is a Vaisnava or Krishna conscious."