WHITE BLOOD -Milk, Tradition, and Compassion: Rethinking Our Choices

The Hypocrisy of Animal Fat in Tirupati Laddus

HYPOCRISY TO THE CORE!

Podcast (Please read and play the Podcast for a better understanding of the topic)

I was appalled and, at the same time, amused by the news of animal fat being found in the laddus sold in Tirupati!

Animal fats can be categorised as milk fats, rendered fats, and fish oils (marine oils). The main representative of milk fats is the fat from cow’s milk (milk fat, butter fat, butter oil). All other milks are of almost no importance as far as their fats are concerned.

As a pure vegan, I can say that this is another case of typical Indian hypocrisy. Many people, blinded by traditions, complain about animal fat but consume ghee. Where do they think that fat comes from? From plants? Ghee comes from the secretion, often containing pus, of bovine animals, which secrete it for their own young ones and not for fully grown adults of a different species!

Is there any other species that drinks mammary secretions in adulthood? Not even bulls do. And more so from another species! Indians are accustomed to a lot of nonsense in the name of ridiculous traditions. This stems from a lack of knowledge.

People don’t have time to spend three hours reading a copy of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and reflecting on the supreme knowledge it offers, but when it comes to following family traditions blindly, they do so without asking a single question!

In Chapter 1, Arjuna talks about family traditions being lost, and Krishna does not even consider it something worth discussing. In Chapter 4, Krishna tells Arjuna in so many words to ask questions and get answers. He never advocated blindly following meaningless traditions.

Krishna, in Shloka SBG 9:26 says:
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः || ९ २६ ||
patram pushpam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktyaa prayacchati
tadaham bhaktyu-pahritam-
ashnaami praya-taat-manaha (SBG 9:26)
“I accept whatever is offered to Me with devotion and a pure heart. It could be a leaf, a flower, a fruit or a little water.” HE DID NOT SAY: STEAL A CALF’S BABY FOOD AND POUR IT ON ME!

Have you ever considered the plight of the poor cows kept in horrifying conditions, their milk taken from them? When they deliver male calves, the poor little chaps are sent straight to the slaughterhouse to be killed and their tender meat used for something else, all because they will not give milk! And these vegetarians think they are absolved of all the brutal murders done to these animals just because their meaningless traditions tell them they should consume animal milk?

IF YOU STAY SILENT ABOUT A CRIME BEING COMMITTED, YOU ARE COMPLICIT IN IT.

Watch the videos below that I published some time ago, and help your conscience come out after being shrouded for so long under ignorance. That’s called evolution.

Ten things you should know about dairy…

All confused or pseudo-devotees of Krishna, please remember that YOU ARE THAT, and so is everything and every being!

No! No creature was created for you to steal its baby food or kill and eat it!

SBG 13:27 (or 28 in some editions)
समं सर्वेषु भूतेषु तिष्ठन्तं परमेश्वरम् |
विनश्यत्स्वविनश्यन्तं यः पश्यति स पश्यति || १३ २७ ||
samam sarveshu bhooteshu
tisht-hantam parameshvaram
vinashyatsva-vinashyantam
yah pashyati sa pashyati
(SBG 13:27)
The person who truly sees is the one who sees the Paramatma or Supreme Self, existing equally in all beings – the unperishing within the perishing.

The All-pervading SELF – YOU!

There was a man called ‘Agyani’, who ‘lost himself’ and set out to ‘find himself’!

Don’t waste your time looking for yourself outside your subjective awareness! That is impossible! Contemplate yourself! Because that is the path towards Atmagnyaana – the Highest Achievement possible!

Faith vs. Reason – Christianity vs. Vedanta

Unveiling the Shocking Truth: Christianity vs. Vedanta – Faith or Reason?

We live in a world filled with diverse beliefs and philosophies, in which, the quest for truth remains a constant journey. This video, “The Shocking Truth: Christianity vs. Vedanta – Faith or Reason?” takes you on an enlightening exploration of two profound world-views that have shaped human thought and spirituality for centuries.

The Clash of Faith and Reason

Christianity and Vedanta offer distinct paths to understanding the nature of existence, the divine, and our place in the cosmos. While Christianity is rooted in faith and belief in a personal God, Vedanta emphasises knowledge and SELF-realisation, guiding seekers towards the ultimate truth of oneness with Brahman.

What to Expect in the Video

This thought-provoking video, is a discussion on the core principles of both Christianity and Vedanta, comparing and contrasting their teachings. We discuss the concept of duality versus non-duality, the role of reason and logic in spiritual pursuit, and the historical context that has shaped these traditions.

The Mahavakya or grand statement “Aham Brahmasmi” (“I am Brahman”) from the Brihadaryanaka Upanishad is a powerful representation of the Vedantic experience of unity and self-realisation. This Mahavakya can be used as a gateway to begin understanding the profound insights of Vedanta.

Stay Connected

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to the Tavamithram Sarvada blog and YouTube channel for more posts and videos on philosophy, spirituality, and self-discovery. Follow this blog for updates and more enlightening content.

Embark on this journey with me and uncover the shocking truth that lies at the intersection of faith and reason.

Does Choosing Superstition Over Spiritual Evolution Cause Man’s Suffering?

Who or what is it that causes suffering?

Shattering Illusions: The Rational and Logical Path to Spiritual Enlightenment

In this enlightening video, we delve into the profound teachings of Krishna as presented in Shloka 13.4 or 13.5 of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Krishna emphasises that the truth is articulated through Vedic hymns and the Brahmasutras with reason and logic, leaving no room for blind belief or unquestioned acceptance.

Explore why genuine understanding and research are vital for spiritual growth. Watch this video titled “No Blind Belief but Reason and Logic” (Video 93 of the Hundred Logos Calls series) to gain insights into the importance of questioning and seeking knowledge.

Religious divisions often stem from differing beliefs, yet the Srimad Bhagavad Gita transcends such systems by not enforcing or even recommending blind belief. Krishna encourages reflective thinking and personal choice, urging us to seek deeper wisdom and live with a sense of duty, free from attachment.

Explore how spiritual evolution is about acquiring true knowledge, not performing meaningless rituals. Learn to apply the teachings of Vedanta to your life for genuine transformation.

Embrace the wisdom of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and start your journey towards spiritual evolution.

Stay blessed.

Jai Shri Krishna.

Free Downloads – Quick Reference Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita

Shlokas for different situations

I am happy to share with you, six insightful and transformative downloadable PDFs, each addressing a crucial aspect of personal growth and spiritual development. These resources are designed to help you navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace:

  1. Krishna: The Divine Father and Mother – Explore Krishna’s nurturing and protective aspects, embodying both paternal and maternal love.
  2. KILL Fear and Anger – Learn practical techniques to overcome fear and anger, transforming these negative emotions into sources of strength.
  3. Remove Demotivation – Discover effective strategies to reignite your passion and drive, helping you stay motivated in all aspects of life.
  4. Handling Temptation – Gain insights into resisting temptations and making choices that align with your highest values and goals.
  5. Fighting Laziness – Equip yourself with tools and tips to combat laziness and cultivate a proactive and energetic mindset.
  6. How to Become Dear to Krishna? – Uncover the steps and practices to deepen your relationship with Krishna, fostering a sense of closeness and devotion.

Download these PDFs now to embark on a journey of self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment.

Quiz Chapter 2/18 – The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering

Quiz Chapter 2/18 on The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering by Tavamithram Sarvada

Have you acquired for yourself a copy of the above-mentioned publication? It is available in paperback, audiobook, and e-book formats.

Please take the following Quiz on Chapter 2/18 You will need to sign using your Gmail ID.

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A CRYSTAL CLEAR MIND free from doubts

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Quiz Chapter 1/18 – The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering

Quiz Chapter 1/18 on The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering by Tavamithram Sarvada

Have you acquired for yourself a copy of the above-mentioned publication? It is available in paperback, audiobook, and e-book formats.

Please take the following Quiz on Chapter 1/18 You will need to sign using your Gmail ID.

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A CRYSTAL CLEAR MIND free from doubts

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The Curse of Duality

Take to Sheer and Pure Vedanta and BE FREE

* This is a post on Substack. Please note that pledging support for the newsletter is only optional. Subscribing to my Substack does not cost anything!

Srimad Bhagavad Gita 7:03 presents a profound insight: “Out of thousands of men, hardly one tries to achieve perfection in Self-realisation…and among those who do achieve Self-realisation, there is hardly one who truly knows Me.” This Shloka highlights the rarity of individuals who question, seek understanding, and reject unfounded beliefs.

Influenced by organised religions and personality cults, the concept of duality has entrenched itself in the minds of many Indians and those of Indian origin. This post aims to clarify that Vedanta transcends mere belief systems. For that matter,…READ ON SUBSTACK

‘The Curse of Duality’ on Substack

 

The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering’

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The Bhaja Govindam Song – Sanskrit Text, Transliteration, and English Translation

Shri Adi Shankaracharya

Aum Shri Gurubhyo Namaha

Introducing the Bhaja Govindam Song: A Code for Responsible Living

Have you ever wondered about the true meaning behind the captivating Bhaja Govindam song? Often recited and sung without understanding, this song holds profound wisdom that transcends mere prayer.

In my latest video, I delve deep into the essence of Bhaja Govindam, offering an English translation that unlocks the hidden messages within each Shloka. Additionally, I provide a PDF file containing the original Sanskrit Shlokas, transliteration, and translation for those who wish to explore further.

Contrary to popular belief, Bhaja Govindam is not exactly a conventional prayer song. It begins with the bold declaration, “O Fool,” setting the tone for a profound exploration of life’s responsibilities and truths. This song serves as a code for responsible living, urging individuals to shed ignorance and false beliefs.

In the video, I discuss how Shri Adi Shankara categorised his works into three groups, each tailored for individuals at different levels of understanding. However, throughout his teachings, Shankaracharya emphasises the importance of attaining SELF-knowledge (Atmagnyaana) and dispelling ignorance.

Moreover, I highlight the significance of gaining clarity of mind through understanding Vedanta, rather than blindly adhering to rituals and rites. In today’s world, where external influences seek to sway individuals from their spiritual path, it is crucial to grasp the essence of Vedantic teachings.

If you haven’t yet acquired my latest work, titled ‘The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering,’ please do so at your earliest convenience. The wisdom gained from exploring this song along with one or two reads of my book will undoubtedly bring clarity to your mind, leading to a peaceful, enjoyable, stress-free, calm, enriching, and fulfilling life.

The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Present-Day Rendering’

FREE PROMO CODES: LIMITED OFFER

The Greatest Gift to Yourself for 2024 and the Future

BhajaGovindam #VedantaWisdom #AdiShankara #SelfKnowledge #SpiritualJourney

Bhaja Govindam, Vedanta Wisdom, Adi Shankara, Self Knowledge, Spiritual Journey

Anthropomorphisation: Beyond Dualistic Worship and Confusion

A Gateway to Understanding Vedic Symbolism

Learning to Decode the Mysteries of Vedic Anthropomorphisation

The renowned Greek philosopher Seneca said, “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.”

Isn’t it true? Many people are eternally afraid of a ‘heavenly ‘god”, who they fear would ‘punish’ them for wrongdoings or for not being ‘pious’ and ‘religious’ enough! What does such baseless fear stem from? From DUALITY or DUALISM, of course! Even the fear of death, which is the mother of all fears, stems from duality!

‘Anthropomorphisation’ is a term I used in one of my first posts on this blog. The post is titled ‘Fearlessness – achieving it by understanding the ‘God’ Concept.’

Since July 2014, my journey has been dedicated to elucidating the concept of anthropomorphisation and guiding individuals away from the veils of ignorance fostered by duality and dualistic worship, perpetuated by miscommunication from previous generations. Young children are often taught to believe in and pray to imaginary beings, which can hinder their intellectual development. Through the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, we’ll explore how such dualistic thinking can limit understanding of the all-pervading nature of the SELF or Krishna, as described in the supreme scripture. Fools, in the words of the supreme scripture, are those who do not grasp this.

Think about it. Arjuna says to Shri Krishna in Shloka SBG 11:23 “Having seen You, O mighty-armed One (Shri Bhagavan Krishna), in your Cosmic form, with many faces, eyes, many arms, many thighs, many legs, many bellies, and many terrifying teeth, all the planets are perturbed. I too am aghast.”

Can this be taken literally? Can you imagine Krishna as a being with ‘many faces, eyes, arms, thighs, legs, bellies, and terrifying teeth’ in a literal sense?

Understanding anthropomorphisation is pivotal to grasping the essence of Vedic Dharma, which advocates progressing from simplistic worship of the various forces of nature towards intellectual enlightenment and the attainment of Atmagnyana, or SELF-knowledge.

SBG 3:21 (Krishna says) “Whatever or whichever action an important person does, others follow him and emulate him. What he does becomes a standard for the others.”
It’s a stark reality that some practices and traditions of certain people in the past have morphed into rigid superstitions and belief systems, steering people away from the path of knowledge and towards cults and sects. 

The primary cause of such decay in Dharmic society is the widespread ignorance about Vedanta, exploited by charlatans and self-proclaimed religious leaders to amass followers and material wealth.

Vedanta, signifying the culmination, end, or zenith of the Vedas, represents the ultimate goal. As affirmed by Krishna in Shloka SBG 9:02
राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् |
प्रत्यक्षावगमं धर्म्यं सुसुखं कर्तुमव्ययम् || ९ २ ||
raaja-vidyaa raaja-guhyam
pavitra mida-muttamam
pratyakshaa-vagamam dharmyam
su-sukham kartu mavyayam (SBG 9:02)
“This is the royal science, the supremely holy and profound secret that can be experienced directly and with ease. It is very easy to practise and is everlasting.”

All it requires is a simple comprehension of texts like the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, shedding dualistic thoughts, and delving into the anthropomorphisation and allegory prevalent in Vedic scriptures such as the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

The Srimad Bhagavatam explicitly states in SB 12:3:14:
कथा इमास्ते कथिता महीयसां विताय लोकेषु यशः परेयुषाम् ।
विज्ञानवैराग्यविवक्षया विभो वचोविभूतीर्न तु पारमार्थ्यम् ॥ १२.३.१४॥
kathaa imaaste kathita mahiiyasaam vitaaya lokeshu yashah pareyushaam
vignyaana-vairaagya-vivakshayaa vibho vachovibhootiirna tu paaramaartham
(Rishi Shuka, the narrator of the Srimad Bhagavatam, said to Parikshith), “I have narrated to you the stories of great kings to embellish my narrations with power and opulence. However, my primary aim has been to impart transcendental knowledge and renunciation. These stories contribute to the richness of my narrative but do not embody the highest knowledge.”

Further elucidation is provided by Shloka SBG 7:24:
अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः |
परं भावमजानन्तो ममाव्ययमनुत्तमम् || ७ २४ ||
avyaktam vyakti-maapannam
manyante maam-abuddhayaha
param bhaava-majaa-nanto
mamaa-vyayaman-uttamam
(SBG 7:24)
“Foolish people who do not know My formless, exalted, imperishable, and supreme nature think I assume a manifest human form.”

Can you imagine adults using an abacus to tally their finances? That would look silly, wouldn’t it? Persisting in a dualistic approach, even in later years, reflects ignorance, laziness, and the reluctance to transcend one’s current level of understanding, hindering progress towards the ultimate goal of Atmagnyaana.

To reiterate: all deities, gods, and goddesses are anthropomorphisations or personifications of various natural factors. Brahman, the all-pervading substance or substrate of everything, is unseen, while the deities represent their ‘Vibhuti’, created by humans for relatability.

In my book ‘The Ever-Relevant Gita: A Contemporary Interpretation by Tavamithram Sarvada‘, I delve into the symbolism of the main characters:

1. The Kauravas and Pandavas serve as personifications of the conflicting forces within the human psyche.

2. Arjuna’s adversaries, including family, friends, and mentors, symbolize the emotional attachments to people, possessions, and ideologies that ensnare individuals.

3. The battlefield of Kurukshetra allegorically represents the perpetual struggle of conflicting ideals within the human consciousness.

4. The beloved figures in the narrative epitomise the myriad attachments that can undermine one’s mental fortitude, leading some to forsake their aspirations.

5. Arjuna embodies the archetype of the ordinary individual who, despite possessing education, wisdom, and experience, succumbs to emotional turmoil and contemplates retreat.

6. Krishna embodies the intellect, representing the potential for enlightenment attainable by those who master their thoughts, exhibit unwavering responsibility, and adhere to the path of righteousness.

7. In Shloka SBG 5:13, Krishna metaphorically depicts the human body as a city with nine gates, known as ‘Dwaras,’ hence the term Dwaraka. As explained in SBG 10:20, Shri Krishna the ruler of Dwaraka, symbolises the SELF within each individual: Makes sense?

If you’ve been a regular visitor to this blog/site but haven’t yet read or listened to the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, despite the decade of assistance and free resources I’ve offered, and if you still believe that reciting or, rather, regurgitating Sanskrit mantras or visiting mountaintop temples can resolve your problems, then I can only express my sympathy for you.

However, it’s never too late. NOW is the first moment of the rest of your life. Reach out to me should you need help, and I will share with you whatever humble knowledge and experience I have gained during my journey through life until now.

It’s time to transcend petty disputes over gods, deities, and temples. Embrace Vedanta, and lead a blissful life.

Jai Shri Krishna.