Actions

It was really overwhelming to see soo many email responses and questions from you regarding vegetarianism. It indeed strengthened my belief that everyone is seriously searching for answers. God willing, we will definitely see the light. I would like to dedicate this mail to all those people who are keen to bring in a change in both their lives as well as that of those around us - innocent animals including:-)

I will try to answer all your questions in different areas in this mail. If you need more clarification on any of these, please feel free to mail me.

Now thats said, lets talk some serious stuff:) What is the difference between a human and an animal? Well, Srila Prabhupada says that there are four activities which are common to both humans and animals.

1) Eating
2) Sleeping
3) Mating
4) Defending

Each and every work that a human or animal does, is always related to the above four activities either directly or indirectly. In addition to these four activities, there is one more work which only humans can do. And that is 'thinking'. Yes. Intelligence is a power which only humans know how to use. Animals on the other hand always work based on their instinct. Owing to this defect(blessing in disguise!), animals never incur any sin. In other words, whatever that an animal does, is considered to be an act of ignorance and hence they are always forgiven. When they die, they don't take with them any kind of sin.

Humans have intelligence. They know how to discern the right from the wrong. Hence whatever action they do, it is truly based on the choice(as against 'instinct' in the case of animals) they make in life. Due to the presence of the element of intelligence, man is always bound by the actions he does in life. In other words, every action he does brings to him the fruits of the action as well as sin(if any mistake done!). As they say, nothing comes without a price:) The resultant of all the actions(and sins) one has performed in ones life, decides how he is going to be in his next. Now that answers the most intriguing question, "Why is not everyone born rich and same?:)".

Lord Krishna says, "Just do your duty and give everything to me". Here 'everything' means both "the fruits or the results of action" and the "sins". Since Krishna takes everything(both the results and sins) from us, we can always remain unaffected by the sins. Thus whatever action or work one does, he should always "mentally" offer everything to Krishna. In that way, one can get rid of all the reactions of the sins he commits in life.

Lord Krishna makes His ultimate promise to the entire humanity in the final chapter of The Bhagavad Gita. The following verse(18:66) is considered as the most important teaching and the essence of the entire Bhagvad Gita.
"sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah"

Meaning: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.

He says "varieties of religion". Those include all the different religious processes and also the sinful activities(including animal slaughtering) one does in the name of religion. Hence if one sincerely wants to get rid of all his sinful reactions of all his past actions, he just has to worship Krishna and act according to what He says. In that way, one can not only become immune to his past sins but can also enjoy transcendental bliss in his life.

How can one mentally offer everything to Krishna? Well, do stay tuned for my future mails. We will learn that art of working for Krishna soon.

Jai Sri RadhaKrishna!