Introduction

Today’s children are leaders of tomorrow. A

country’s strength is not machines and
industries, not the values of currency notes, not
the sports cars or cinema stars, nor the political
parties that are here today gone tomorrow. A country’s strength is the leaders
with character who can move mountains, who can change hearts and who can
make the whole population of India unite for the common cause. India is
known for producing such selfless leaders as Gandhi, Vinobha Bhave etc who
walked across the land of India and moved the masses to action, lived the life of
virtues and left a legacy for us to follow their royal path.

Where are such leaders today?

In the earlier times, education meant ‘wholesome’ education. That which does
not end with the classroom but also trains a student in appropriate behaviour,
healthy lifestyle and moral values. The current education system may produce
competent doctors, engineers and IAS officers but what lacks in today’s age is a
solid foundation of good character.

Let us take an example of a diseased person faced with two options. One, a
hospital of very competent doctors but a case history of exorbitant bills,
unnecessary extensions of treatment and even stolen kidneys. Or two, a hopital
with competent doctors who are honest and sincerely serve their patients with
care. Definitely, the person would choose the second hospital. Therefore to
become a truly successful individual, competence alone is not sufficient but
must be blended with character.

The seed of character is there in the culture of India and if we revive the Indian
culture it will again revive character in the people of India.

This book will easily help children understand and practically imbibe good
character and culture in their lives thus freeing the future of India from
problems of corruption, adultery, bad-habits like alcohol, smoking, extra-
marital affairs, people not taking care of their old parents, conflicts based on
religion, caste, race and selfishness.

Thanking you,

V.Krishna , B.Tech IIT BHU

Center for Value Education (CVE)

www.centerforvalueeducation.com

for any feedback & queries mail to : info@centerforvalueeducation.com

 Dedicated to

HDG A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA

(Founder acharya of ISKCON)

Acknowledgement

My sincere heartfelt gratitude to His Grace Radheshyam P whose teachings

greatly inspired in my life and also to bring the deep wisdom of Bhagavad Gita
to the modern youth in a modern context. We have used the stories and
concepts from ‘Essence of Bhagavad Gita’ series for modern youth by HG
Radheshyam P, M.Tech IIT Mumbai. Also my sincere thanks to Karuna
Gauranga & Rohit for designing the book. Also my thanks to Ajita Govind ,Vamsi
Gopal p & Prashant .

How to use this book for Value Empowerment Contest

1. For solving all the questions you need to refer to Bhagavad Gita As It Is
2. Eg. BG 6.34 refers to 34th verse of 6th chapter of Bhagavad Gita As It Is
3. Unless specified for all Multiple Type choice questions there is only one
correct choice.
4. Contest will be conducted in 2 levels – Level 1 – Std. 5 th and 6th & Level 2 –
7th to 12th.
5. Questions in the contest will come from this booklet but may come in a
modified form based on the understanding of the questions, conversations &
stories given. All questions in the Contest will be objective (i.e. Multiple
Type choice questions).
Art of Concentration 4

Positive Thinking 5

Secret of Smart Work 8

Self Control 10

Health and Regulation 13

Our Blissful Identity 14

Respect for All Religions, Non-Violence 15

Cleanliness………………………………………………………………………….21

Friendliness, Seeing Good in Others 202

Tolerance and Forgiveness 213

Big Brain Behind the Universe 225

Divine Knowledge 269

Devotion - Satisfaction of Heart 29

Goal of Life 355

YOGA For Modern Age 328

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap 359

Competence, Character and Culture in Action 381

Overcoming Bad Habits (for 7th and above) 41

G
 Art of Concentration

One day, Dronacharya decided to test his students’ abilities. He placed a toy
bird high up on a tree. Calling together all the
Princes, he said to each one of them, “Take
your bows and aim for the bird’s eye. One by
one I shall call you forward to shoot.” He called
for Yudisthira, Duryodhana and other Princes
one after another and asked what they saw.
Yudhistira replied first, “I see the tree and the
bird”. Dronacharaya said, “You cannot hit the
target”, likewise the other Princes also replied
in the same way. Then Dronacharya called for Arjun. “I see only the eye of the
bird” replied Arjun. Dronacharya said, “You can hit the target,” and Arjun hit
the eye of the bird with his arrow.

This incident shows us the Art of Concentration - how to focus. Answer the
questions given below to understand how we can practically get this
concentration in our lives.

When a flood occurs, the water flows unrestrained and causes havoc. But when
a dam controls the same mass of water, it becomes a source of great power for
the welfare of society. Then the water can be productively used for
hydroelectric power stations or for irrigation in a regulated way. So if we
compare the mind to water, then which of the following statement is true? (BG
6.6)

Uncontrolled mind is like a flood and Controlled mind is like a dam which
becomes the source of destruction can be used to do great things for the
and will cause trouble to oneself and welfare of society
others.
All of the above
Controlled mind is our friend and
uncontrolled mind is our enemy

You want to focus on studies but your mind is asking you to close the book and
watch movies. Your response can be:- (BG 6.6)

1: you think, “I can study later, but now I will watch a movie”

2: you use your intelligence to tell the mind, “I should not go according to the
dictation of the mind but do my duty of studying because that is good for me”

In (1) - your mind acts as your friend, Both in (1) and (2) - mind acts as your
In (2) - your mind acts as your enemy friend
 Both in (1) and (2) - mind acts as In (1) - your mind acts as your enemy,
your enemy (2) - your mind acts as your friend

Fill in the given boxes as the senses, the mind, the intelligence and the soul as
compared to different part of the chariot. (BG 6.34)

Fill in the blanks using the reference verses given:-

is even higher than intelligence (BG 3.42)

One should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual
_____________ (BG 3.43)
The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested is to
___________________________ (BG 6.34)
Experiences It is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it
Thoughts
Desires
is possible by suitable ________ and by _____________.
(BG 6.35)

See section of Self-Control for how to control the senses.

Positive Thinking

Read the following conversation and fill in the blanks.

Father: Dear son, why are you morose?

Son: Father, I had worked very hard for this exam but because of silly mistakes
in calculations I lost my marks. Also, the questions which I had prepared for
did not come. So I don’t feel like working hard any more

Father: Come on, today I will share with you some secrets of success from my
life.

BG 2.47 says, “You have a __________________________, but you are not entitled to the
fruits of action. Never consider ________________ the cause of the results of your
activities, and never be attached to ___________________________.”

Thomas Alva Edison failed 1000 times to build an electric bulb before he could
successfully do it. Also failure is not a terrible or shameful thing. It is a
stepping-stone to success. If every failure is treated as a learning experience, it
will finally help us succeed. Every champion loses a hundred matches before
winning a big one.

So the Lord is instructing us to do our duty by putting our best efforts without
worrying about the results. Now let us see another verse of Gita 18.14 which
talks about the 5 factors on which our results depend:

BG 18.14 says, “Success depends upon these 5 factors- ________________ [the

body], the _______________, the ________________ [instruments of action], the many
different kinds of ____________, and ultimately the Supersoul [God’s Grace].”

So son do your best and leave the rest on God.

Son: Thank you papa. Now I have understood that I should focus on my duties
and prepare for exams but not take tension about the results. Now I will study
nicely in the class. But how do I see the hand of God in my life. Does God really
exist?

Father: Son, who created this Universe? Who created this earth on which we
are living? It took me one full year to make the house, in which we are living,
with 20 labors working day and night. I paid ` 1 lac to the architect to design
this house. Do you think that this earth with so many species, so many varieties
of trees, so many rivers, and so many mountains has come by chance?

Son: No it cannot come by chance. Surely somebody has created this earth.

Father: Very nice.

BG 9.8 says that the whole ___________________ [or Universe] is under Me. Under
My will it is _______________________ [or created] again and again, and under My
will it is ____________________ at the end.

Are you seeing this big Banyan tree in front of our house? Do you know that it
has come from a small tiny seed? Now who made the arrangement for a small
seed to grow into such a big tree?
Son: Nature

Father: Can mother produce without the Father?

Similarly Lord Krishna says in BG 9.10 This material nature, which is one of
___________, is working _________________. O son of Kunti, producing all moving and
nonmoving beings.

Son: Now I am able to understand that there is Supreme Lord who has designed
and created everything.

Father: If traffic policeman controls the signal of traffic, Who controls the traffic
of revolving planets?

Son: God controls.

Father: Exactly! Very nice Son.

Son: Now I am able to

understand that there is God,
who is controlling everything
in this Universe. Now, every
day I will pray to that
Supreme Lord who is providing
us with food grains, air, water and
everything else. Okay, if God is a loving father, then why
does He let so many problems come in our lives?

Father: I will tell you a story.

Struggle Makes You Stronger

One day a man saw a butterfly struggling to come out of the cocoon. When he
saw the butterfly struggling for hours together, he cut the cocoon with scissors.
Then, the butterfly was able to come out of the cocoon. The butterfly then
emerged easily. But it had a withered body. It was tiny and had shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any
moment, the butterfly will fly. Nothing happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the
rest of its life crawling around with a withered body and shriveled wings.
Actually, the struggle required by the butterfly to come out of the cocoon was
nature’s way of forcing the fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings, so
that it would fly after coming out from the cocoon.

So sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If we were

allowed to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We
would not be as strong as we could have been. So God is all loving but struggles
do come in our lives to make us stronger.

Secret of Smart Work

Based on these verses of Gita :14.6-8, Write down the modes below each of the
qualities:
A cap-seller, tired of a long distance walk, kept his basket aside and slept off
under the shade of a banyan tree, the tree had a group of mischievous monkeys.
After a while he got up from his sleep, and found his basket totally empty. The
monkeys had picked up one cap each, and were wearing them on their heads.

Based on BG 14.17, and on the cap-seller’s response to the situation can you
write down the mode in which he was behaving?

Response to the situation Mode of the

He flared up in anger, and whirled a stick person
driving monkeys hither and thither
He beat on his chest, screamed, yelled,
fainted and wept
He took off his cap and threw it in the basket,
all the monkeys on the tree copied his act

Based on BG 18.26-28, identify the mode (G, P, I) of the workers below:

 Characteristics of
Mode Characteristic of worker Mode
worker
Greedy Insult others
Great enthusiasm Desires to enjoy the fruits
Attached to work and Work against the injunction
fruits of work of scriptures
Without false ego Envious of others
Steady in success and Lazy, morose and
failure procrastinating
Now with the knowledge of the previous verses of Bhagavad Gita in this section
and verses 18.23-25, fill in the mode in which the following people are situated:

Characteristic of Person Mode

Shakku somehow comes to college as he is forced by his parents. He
does not like to study and is always lazy in the class.
Ram is always attentive and regular in class . He asks questions to
his teachers whenever he has doubts.
When Pinnu when gets bored, he starts disturbing others in the
class. He only studies a few days before the exams.
Dr. Ravishankar a local M.D. is a thoughtful, qualified man, respected
for doing his job honestly and selflessly. He and his wife decided to
not eat meat as it involves killing other animals and also do not take
any intoxication. Every day they spend sometime in the morning
praying to God.
John and Betty never got married, but they live together . John
earns by peddling drugs. They decided that they will not follow any
religion. They spend their time sleeping at least 10 or 12 hours a day
Self Control

In the late 1960s, Walter Mischel, a professor at Stanford University, conducted

a test with a marshmallow (a delicious sweet candy). They called around 653
children of average 4 years age. 1 marshmallow sweet was kept in front of
every child. They were told that if they can control for 20 mins and not take the
marshmallow, then they will be given 2 marshmallows instead of 1. But very
few children could wait for 20 mins, most children ate it immediately. In the
late 1980s when these children became early adults, Mischel found out that
those who were able to restrain themselves at the age of 4 were more
successful in their career, studies and much more happy in their lives now.

What item out of 20 items of knowledge was tested in this test? [BG 13.8-12]

Tolerance Simplicity

Self-Control None of the above

Ravana is the personification of lust and Hanuman is the personification of
service attitude. Ravana wanted to enjoy Mother Sita and take her away from
Rama; Hanuman wanted to take Mother Sita back to Ram. Lust is about
selfishness and love is about service to God. How is service attitude
transformed into the propensity for sense enjoyment, and how has the living
entity come under the sway of lust? (BG 3.37)

By misuse of intelligence By misuse of independence

By misuse of resources By excessive opulence

Arjun is asking Lord Krishna in BG 3.36 that even though people do not want to
perform sinful acts (like intoxication, smoking, gambling, watching adult
movies) still why are they forced to do it? We also see people who initially who
say that they will drink or smoke only once or in a regulated way but later they
develop a habit of doing it again and again. What is the cause of one being
caught up by bad habits? (BG 3.37)

Foolishness Wrath

Lust Nature of Human Body

What are the 3 doors to hell? (BG 16.21)

Lust, anger, Desire Lust, Anger, Greed

Lust, arrogance, Greed All of the above

Identify lust, anger and greed in the following. (Mark ‘A’, ‘L’ or ‘G’ in the box)

A boy wants to see adult film or obscene pictures.

A man wants to enjoy with a girl without/before marriage.

People mix animal fat in ghee and chemicals in milk to make more money.

2 boys abusing each other.

Ravana abducting Sita although he knew that Sita is the wife of Ram.

One brother cheating another brother to get more share in land and property.

Chanakya Pandit speaks about the 3 qualities of a gentleman, which are listed
below. Now you have to identify which enemy (lust, anger, greed) we can
conquer by practicing which principle.

1 To see as garbage the wealth of another person

2 To see any other women as mother other than one’s own wife
 3 To treat others as you would like to be treated by others

Contemplation
Contemplation __________ __________
Lust
on Sense Objects _ __

__________
Lost __________
Delusion __________
Intelligence __
____

Fill in the boxes below from verses of BG (2.62-63)

From the above table what we understand that the cause of lust is
contemplation of sense objects i.e. if we have pure thoughts then we can avoid
this enemy of lust. It is said that Garbage IN is Garbage OUT. This means if we
see, hear, say bad things then naturally we will do bad things. Then how should
we engage our eyes, ears, tongue, etc? (BG 2.61)

Glorifying the __________________ Smelling Seeing __________

Lord and __________________ flowers offered form of Lord
chanting His __________________ to
Holy name _________ __________________
___

__________________ Tasting the Offering

_____________of tulasi leaves __________________
the Lord and the food __ to the Lord
offered to the
Lord
Health and Regulation

In the vedic times, people slept early(by 9pm) and woke up early in the
morning (one and a half hours) before sunrise and they all lived very healthy
lives. But today, we are faced with so many diseases. What is the Lord’s advice
on how we can change our lifestyle so that we can live healthy lives? (BG 6.17)

Become regulated in sleep i.e. sleep Become regulated in eating i.e. eat at
early and wake up early morning fixed timings

Become regulated in recreation All of the above

Encircle the food items which are in the mode of goodness and increase
duration of life, giving strength, health and happiness. (BG 17.8-10)

Our Blissful Identity

Manisha was born to Rampal and Khilli Devi in a little village called Milakpur
near Alwar, Rajasthan. At parents age of 2 years, when she learnt how to speak.
she told her parents, ‘mera naam Suman hai, Manisha mat bolo’. As she grew
older, she told that her father’s name was Kamal and her mother was Santosh.
She told that she stayed in a 3 storied building located near a Kamal Mandir .
Even before she started going to school she would tell colors of her school belt
and tie. She also told that she died of typhoid in her previous life. The news
about the girl spread and she met her “old” parents of her previous life. Kamal
and Santosh became very happy seeing their Suman alive but in a new body.
Now both the parents started living together to raise this child.

Read the newspaper article above and with the help of Bhagavad Gita verses
2.13 and 2.22, answer the following questions.

`Mera naam Suman hai, Manisha mat bolo’, the girl said. What can we infer
from the mentioned verses of Gita and from this incident?

As a person puts on new garments, As the embodied soul continuously

giving up old ones, the soul similarly passes, in this body, from boyhood to
accepts new material bodies, giving youth to old age, the soul similarly
up the old and useless ones. passes into another body at death

We are not this body but spirit soul All of the above

Did Reincarnation happen only for Suman? Will it happen only to some?

Reincarnation happens only for few Reincarnation will happen to

people everyone including animals

We cannot know about it Humans only undergo it.

Who fulfills the desire of the atomic soul? (BG 2.22)

His friends Himself

Supersoul His relatives

When Srila Prabhupada went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, he

asked the students, “You have department of Physics, Chemistry, Math ... Is
there any department which talks about the soul?” Nobody could answer him.
So what type of knowledge needs to be added in modern education to make it
complete? (BG 10.4-5)

Knowledge about different Knowledge about spirit

occupations
Knowledge of nuclear physics
Knowledge about software
In the Parrot–Golden cage analogy, if the parrot is compared to the soul and the
cage to the body, which of the following is true?

We should take care of the body very nicely but caring for the spirit soul is not
so important.

Just as the parrot is neglected by the person, in the same way, we are neglecting
our soul and that is why we are not feeling satisfaction of the heart.

Modern civilization is busy neglecting the soul and just caring for bodily
comforts, that is why even though people have money, cars, home etc., they are
still not happy.

Both b
and c

Respect for All Religions and Non-Violence aaa

A loyal dog used to lick its master’s feet as soon as the master returned home
from work. The master always wore traditional clothes. One day, the master
came wearing a coat and tie. He was afraid that his dog wouldn’t recognize him.
But to his surprise, the dog came running and started licking his feet. The dog
was able to recognize its master. A man who was watching this remarked, “If a
dog can identify its master when the master comes in a different dress, then
why can’t human beings identify their Supreme Lord when somebody calls Him
Krishna or Ram or Allah or Jehovah. He is the same master of all whether we
are Hindu, Muslim or Christian.” Just like a father is pleased when all his sons
live in unity, the same way, God also becomes pleased when we treat all the
living beings with respect and love, irrespective of whether they belong to the
same religion or not, whether they are rich or poor, ugly or beautiful, etc.

Suppose there are two students in a class belonging to different religions and
each having different ways of approaching God. How can these two people still
have respect for each other? (BG 15.7)

I am born in one religion and he is
born in a different religion but both of
us are part and parcel of God. So we
are children of the same God and we
should respect each other as brothers.
Just like water has a different name in
different languages so people worship
the same God with different names, so
why should we have differences
between us in name of God.

We can never respect anyone who is both a and c.

not of my religion.

The Supreme Soul is _______ and the atomic soul is ______ (BG 2.25)

Infinite, Infinitesimal Infinitesimal, Infinite

Infinite, Infinite

Infinitesimal, Infinitesimal
Mrigari The Hunter

Mrigari was a cruel hunter who would half kill the animals. Once Narada Muni
approached him and asked him, “Why are you half killing these animals? Better
kill them fully”.Then Narada showed Mrigari how he has to suffer in his future
life for killing these animalss. Mrigari said, “I am doing this for my family”.
Narada then asked Mrigari, “Will your family share the sin for killing these
animals?” Mrigari’s family members denied. Then he suddenly realized that he
is go ing on a sinful path. Narada Muni then told him to break his bow and
chant the holy names of God. Mrigari was completely transformed. All the
villagers became surprised seeing that a cruel person had become a devotee of
Lord and they started bringing all fruits, grains and vegetables for Mrigari and
his family.

One day, Narada Muni came with Paravata Muni to meet Mrigari. Seeing them,
Mrigari ran to pay his obeisances but he stopped suddenly seeing ants on the
way. So he gently swept away the ants from his path and then he went ahead.
Seeing this, Narada Muni was very pleased.

Why didn’t Mrigari step on the ants? (BG 4.35)

He saw all living beings as part and

parcel of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead i.e. he understood that
animals also have soul.

He came out of illusion

He obtained real knowledge from a

self-realized soul

All of the above

We know the 3rd law of Newton that for every action there is equal and
opposite reaction. In human society, if one kills a man he has to be hanged. The
law of nature works in the same way. So if somebody kills an animal or engaged
in meat-eating, then what will happen to him? (BG 14.16)

Nothing will happen, as animals do The killed animal will have a suitable
not have life. body to kill the animal killer also.

It is sinful to kill animals All of the above

Our Mother fed her own milk to us for one or two years but mother cow feeds
her own milk to us for our whole life. So killing of which animal is the most
vicious and grossest type of ignorance? (BG 14.16)

Deer

Lion

Cow

Horse
Somnath Sharma, receiver of Param Vir Chakra, was a heroic military officer. In
1948, they were only 50 officers and Somnath was having a fracture in his
hand. Suddenly, 700 militants from Pakistan attacked to capture the Indian
land. Somnath cried out, “We will die but will not let even an inch of our
motherland go to them”. Somnath with his group killed all the 700 soldiers and
they in turn were themselves killed. One person who was checking the pockets
of every dead body, was amazed to find a copy of Bhagavad Gita in one of the
dead body’s pocket and it was concluded that the dead body was of Somnath
Sharma because Somnath used to read Bhagavad Gita daily.

Krishna orders Arjun to fight. However violence committed as an act of fighting

for Krishna, is not violence at all. Why? (BG 2.21)

Violence committed by Arjun is for

administration of justice at the
instruction of Krishna. A soldier
fighting in the war on the order of the
government is not punished; he is to
be rewarded.

Because he is doing violence against

his enemies.

Because the soul cannot be killed.

Because he has to take revenge

Etiquettes of Speech and Truthfulnesss given.

Fill in the following from BG 17.15

Facts should be presented as they are,

for _________of others. Facts should
Truthful & not be misrepresented (BG 10.4)
Beneficial

One should not distort the truth for

some _________________ (BG 16.1)
___________ & not
Etiquettes agitating to others
of speech One should not speak in such a way
BG 17.15 as to _________________of others.

Reciting Holy By such discussions, one may derive

Scriptures like Gita , the ________________________
Quran , Bible etc. and elevate human society

As your friend Ravi was coming to the school, a person riding on a bicycle told
Ravi, “Are you blind, don’t you see the road while walking?” You come to the
school and tell all other friends that somebody called Ravi blind. Which
etiquette of speech is broken?

Truthful

Beneficial

Pleasing

Both b and c
Story Time – The Boy Who Cried Wolf

A Shepherd boy was taking care of some sheep, not far from a forest. Nearby
was a village, and he was told to call for help from the village if there was any
danger.

One day in order to have some fun; he cried out with all his might, "The wolf is
coming! The wolf is coming!" The men came running with big sticks to frighten
away the wolf that would kill the sheep. As they saw nothing, they went home
again and left the boy there. He was laughing away at them as they climbed
down the hill. He did the same on second day also. On the third day, the wolf
really appeared, right before the boys eyes. He cried in fear, “Help! Help! It's the
wolf!" But not a single man came to help him. The wolf broke into the flock, and
killed many sheep before the boy could run all the way to the village and beg
for help. The truth itself is not believed from one who often

has deceived.

When we tell lie or distort the truth for our personal interest then ultimately
who becomes the greatest looser?

a. Society b. Nation c. We ourselves d. None of the above

Cleanliness

Cleanliness

External Cleanliness Internal Cleanliness

BG 16.7 One should always be
careful to keep his body clean by
_____________, ______________,
______________ changing clothes.
BG 16.7 one should always remember the
holy names of God and chant Hare
Krishna, Hare Krishna, ______ ______,
_______ ________/ Hare Rama, Hare
Rama, ______ ______, ______ _______.
Formula for External Cleanliness – Keep a place for everything, and keep
everything in its place. Formula for Internal Cleanliness – Always remember
God and never forget God.

Tick the items by which you can keep yourselves and your surroundings
externally and internally clean

Wearing fresh clothes everyday

Throwing wrappers, waste material

or spitting in public places

Arranging and cleaning our room

everyday

After coming from school keep our

bags, school uniform in its

proper place everyday.

Washing our hands before and after

eating our food.

Chant the holy names of God

everyday.

Thinking badly of others or watching

movies showing excessive violence,
adult scenes.
 Friendliness and Learning to See Good in Others

Please match the following words with their meaning based on BG 12.13:

Advesta Friend
Sarva-bhutanam Nonenvious
Maitrah Kind
Karuna Toward all living entities

Which kind of a devotee is very dear to Lord Krishna? [BG 12.13-14]

One who is not envious One who is fixed in Devotional Service

One who is a kind friend to all All of the above

How can we become dear to God? Tick all the correct options based on the
previous two questions. (BG 12.13-14)

By speaking kind words to others Chanting the holy names of the Lord.
who help us by saying “Thank you”,
“I am grateful to you.”

By making fun of other classmates

who are weaker or less smart than us

By showing respect to our parents

and grandparents and also helping
them.

By speaking politely and kindly even

to our juniors or classmates in the
school or our younger brothers and
sisters.

Even if somebody uses abusive

language against us still we do not
use abusive words against them.

Whenever we lose in a game we do

not become angry or feel hatred for
the winning team.

We should mistreat people who do

not listen to us.

Daily offering our worship and

obeisance’s to the Lord.
You See What You Look For

Krishna asked Maharaja Yudhisthira to go out into the kingdom and return
after finding someone less qualified than himself. And He asked Duryodhana to
search the kingdom for someone better than himself. When wicked
Duryodhana returned, he told Lord Krishna that he couldn’t find anyone better
than himself. The saintly Yudhisthira, on the other hand, returned unable to
find anyone inferior to him.

What Quality did Yudhistira Maharaja show? [BG 16.1]

Aversion to fault-finding

Forgiveness

Tolerance

Non-violence
To bear heat in summer

To bear insult and dishonor

To bear pain in surgery

To be awake whole night

When it is a very hot summer say 48 ̊ C or a very chilled winter say below 5 ̊C, it
becomes difficult to study or do our duties and one can then just thinking of
trying to counteract the heat or the cold. What can we learn from BG 2.14 to get
inspiration?

Even mother cooks in the kitchen in

the hottest month of May and June

One should take bath in the morning

even in the chilled

winters of Jan- Feb

In the same way we should do our

duty even in difficult conditions of life

All of the above

“Please Forgive Them”

Jesus, called as the Son of God , also as the Messiah (Christ), was arrested, tried,

and sentenced by Pontius Pilate to be scourged, and finally crucified by the
Romans. Before being crucified, He was then hung on a wooden cross for six
hours (according to Mark's Gospel) between two convicted thieves. During this
time, the soldiers affixed a sign to the top of the cross stating "Jesus of
Nazareth, King of the Jews" in three languages. Jesus' only words, as they nailed
him to the cross, were, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
He could not have so mercifully and lovingly interceded for his executioners if
such thoughts of affectionate devotion had not been the mainspring of his life of
unselfish service. The ideas, motives, and longings of a lifetime are openly
revealed during a crisis. 

What great quality did Jesus show? (BG 16.1-5)

Tolerance

Non-Violence

Humility

Forgiveness
 Similarly you should forgive your friends

Big Brain Behind the Universe

There is a wonderful incident in the life of Sir Isaac Newton that goes to show
how he was a strong believer of God. Newton had a small-scale model of the
solar system made which, on completion, was installed on a large table in the
living room of his house. The artisan had done a fine job, simulating not only
the various sizes of planets and their relative proximity, but also constructing
the model in such a manner that everything rotated and orbited when a crank
was turned.

One day, one of Newton’s atheistic friends came by for a visit and he enquired
about the artisan who had made that model. Newton replied in all seriousness
that there was no artisan involved, the model had just popped up by chance! Of
course, the visitor was not convinced. Finally, Newton explained, “You refuse
to believe that this small model of the solar system came about by chance and
yet you are convinced that the great original, the actual solar system, of which
this mechanism is only a model, has come into being without there being either
its designer or its maker! Now tell me, by what sort of reasoning do you reach
such an absurd conclusion?”

What does Bhagavad Gita say about the source of our solar system, in fact the
whole Universe, and about the whole material and spiritual worlds? (BG 10.8)

Demigods like Lord Siva, Brahma, Durga

Lord Krishna

Brahman

All came by chance

In the management of affairs in the material world, we find there is some
official or a director, and above him there is a secretary, and above him a
minister, and above him a president. Each of them is a controller, but one
controls the other. But who is the Supreme controller? (BG 9.10)

President

Demigods

Lord Krishna

None of the above

 Fill in the blanks in the boxes below from the verses indicated of Ch. 11 of
Bhagavad Gita:

If __________________
of suns were to rise at
once into the sky, their Arjuna saw in that
radiance might resemble universal form unlimited
the effulgence of the mouths, unlimited eyes,
Supreme Person in unlimited wonderful
_______________. [12] ____________. [10-11]

Arjuna said: My dear

Lord Krishna, I see I see _________ sitting
assembled in Your body on the lotus flower, as
all the _____________ well as ____________
and various other living and all the sages and
entities. [15] divine serpents. [15]

I see in You no end, no

middle and no ___ [16]

O Lord of the universe, O universal form, I see in Your

body many, many _________, _________, _________ and
_____________, expanded everywhere, without limit [16]

Why did Krishna show the Universal form? (BG 11.54)

When one represents himself as an that person to reveal the universal

incarnation of God, people can ask form.

At the request of Arjun

Both a and b

None of the above

Fill in the following table:-

Wrong conceptions about Lord Right Conceptions about

Krishna (see purport of BG 11.52)
Krishna is considered to be a great
historical personality and very
learned philosopher, but He is an
___________________________ man
They think that from His impersonal
feature He assumed a personal feature
attached to material nature
Thus some think that the universal
form of Krishna which was manifested
to Arjuna is more important than His
_____________________________
Lord Krishna
He is the source of all
___________and ___________ worlds.
BG 10.8
Krishna’s body is completely
_____________ and full of bliss and
eternality. BG 11.52 purp
BG 14.27 And I am the basis of
the_________________ Brahman
The four-handed form of
Narayana and the two-handed
form of Krishna are __________and
transcendental, whereas the
universal form exhibited to
Arjuna is ________. (purport BG
11.54)

Dwaraka – Krishna’s Magnificent City. The findings in Dwarka and

archaeological evidence found are compatible with the Mahabharata tradition
and removes the lingering doubt about the historicity of the Mahabharata . We
would say that Krishna definitely existed” ~ S.R.Rao

Match the following based on what Shankaracharya says? [Last page of

Introduction of BG]

ekam sastram Hare Krishna Mahamantra

Let there be one God for the whole world Bhagavad Gita

eko mantras tasya namani tasya devasya seva

Let there be one work only Sri Krishna
What is our relationship with the Lord? (BG 15.7)

We and God are one There is no relationship

We are eternally fragmented parts God is sadcidananda whereas we are

and parcels of the Supreme Lord not.
In what form did Krishna appeared before His father, Vasudev and mother,
Devaki? (BG 4.6)

As an ordinary child

As child Krishna

As Narayana, with four hands

He appeared with six hands

As a child Krishna lifted a hill, which measures today 21 kms in circumference.

It is near Mathura Vrindavan. Name the hill. (BG 10.36)

a. Vindhyachal

b. Govardhan c. Tirumala d.
Shayadri
Demigods are … (BG 4.12)

Different forms of God

Incarnations of God

Different parts and parcels of God

All of the above

Divine Knowledge

Though all the vedic literatures are coming from time immemorial and
Vyasadev compiled them 5000 years before(3000 B.C.) . How many years
before was Bhagavad Gita spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna ?(BG 4.1)

1000 years b. 3000 years c. 5000 years d. 6000 years

Which knowledge is complete and directly spoken by the Lord Himself ? (BG
Introduction page 14)

a. Vedic knowledge b. Any ancient knowledge

c. Scientific research d. None of the above

Vedas state plants have Life – proved by

scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose
 Science is
discovering what Vedas state Cow dung is pure. Only in 1940 the
vedas have said long scientists found its antiseptic qualities
before
Modern man is turning to Yoga, Meditation, Vastu
sastra, Astronomy, Astrology, Metallurgy etc from
Vedas

Which scripture should be taken as the most perfect presentation of Vedic

Knowledge? (BG Introduction page 14)

a. Bhagavad Gita b. Vastu-sastra c. Yoga sutra d. All of the above

How Indians lost faith in vedas

Early indologists wished to control & convert the followers of Vedic Culture,
therefore they widely propagated that the Vedas were simply mythology. In
1868 MaxMuller perhaps the most well known early sanskritist and indologist,
wrote to George Campbell, the newly appointed Secretary of State for India:
“India has been conquered once, but India must be conquered again, and that
second conquest should be a conquest by education”.

Thomas Macaulay, who introduced English education into India wanted to

make the residents into a race that was: "Indian in blood and color, but
English in taste, in opinion, in morals, and in intellect." However, the German
Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer stated that the Sanskrit understanding of
these Indologists was like that of young school boys.

What is the advice of the Lord for getting divine knowledge? (BG 4.34)

One must strive very hard

One must approach a bona fide

spiritual master (spiritual teacher)

One must gather knowledge of whole

world

One must fast and follow strict

regulations
Many times we hear news of bogus religionists, bogus spiritual teachers and
bogus sadhus. If a fake currency exists then naturally real currency also exists.
How can you identify a real spiritual teacher from a fake one? From the choices
given below, tick the necessary qualities of a bona fide spiritual master like
Narada. (BG 2.8 & 4.34)

He should be a master in the science

of Krishna

He should be born in a brahamana

family

Even if he is born in a low family he

should know the science of Krishna.

He is 100% Krishna Conscious

(selfless servant of God) for he can
solve the problem of life

He should be an expert in all subjects

of vedic knowledge

He should be a vaisnava

He should be able to show how to do

economic development and gain
material comforts

He should be coming in the line of

disciplic succession from the Lord
Himself

He should have done independent

study of various books of knowledge

He should have discovered pr

created his own philosophy

He should have learned from a

bonafide spiritual master
Towards the end of the introduction of ‘Bhagavad Gita As It Is’, the whole
disciplic succession, originating from Lord Krishna till A. C. Bhaktivedanta
Swami Prabhupada – author of the book, is given. How many spiritual masters
are there between Narada and Swami Prabhupada?

30

29

27

28
Four gurus approach you and preach to you as given below. Identify which
guru amongst them is genuine.

“I will tell you a mantra by which you

will realize that you are God”

“By my austerities I got a mantra and

I will give you that mantra by which
you will become a rich person”

“I have learnt from my spiritual

master, coming in bonafide disciplic
succession, a mantra which will solve
all miseries of life

and will take you back home back to

Godhead”

“You just chant the mantra I have

given you; then even if you eat meat,
have illicit sex or intoxication, it does
not matter.”
 Devotion – Satisfaction of the Heart

Read the following conversation and fill in the blanks.

Ravi: Is God a Person (having form) or God is some formless light?

Devotee: We see that a government is present everywhere. When I was a child,

I remember believing that the electricity and the water supply were provided
by the government, that the court of law was also run by the government. I saw
the government as great and all pervading.

Then as I grew older, I understood that the Government is ultimately headed by

a Person who is called the Prime Minister. He has various cabinet ministers
under him who do all the work and that is how the government functions.
Finally everything is run by a person. Even a vast nation like India, has a single
person as its head.

In the same way, behind the energy there is the energetic. So God is that Person
who controls this entire Universe and is the source of all light.

Read purport of BG 2.2. Krishna and the Supreme Personality of Godhead are
_______________. Therefore Lord Krishna is referred to as ________________
throughout the Gita. Bhagavan is the ultimate in the Absolute Truth. Absolute
Truth is realized in three phases of understanding, namely ________________, or
the impersonal all-pervasive spirit; ________________, or the localized aspect of the
Supreme within the heart of all living entities; and Bhagavan, or the__________
___________________, Lord Krishna.

Therefore the Bhaktas, or the transcendentalists (or seekers of God) who have
realized the bhagavan feature of Absolute Truth (or Supreme) are ______________.

Ravi: But many people say that we, people, have given a humanlike form to
God.

Devotee: The Bible says, “God made man in his own image”. It is not that we
who gave our form to God, but God who made us in his form.

Ravi: But, What is the significance of a Temple, Church, Mosque or Gurudwara?

What is the significance of Deity (form of Lord in Temple)? Does God really
receive our prayers? God is present everywhere then why do we need the Deity
form?

Devotee: BG 9.11 purport says But if God is everywhere, is He not in the ________
or in the _______?
BG 12.5 purport says but the form of the Lord, though represented by material
qualities such as stone, wood or oil paint, is _______ actually material. That is the
_______________ nature of the Supreme Lord.

A crude example may be given here. We may find some mailboxes on the street,
and if we post our ________________ in those boxes, they will naturally go to their
________________ without difficulty

. But any old box, or an ________________ box which we may find somewhere but
which is not authorized by the Post Office, ______________________. Similarly, God
has an authorized representation in the ___________ form, which is called archa-
vigraha. This archa-vigraha is an incarnation of the Supreme Lord. God will
________________ through that ____________. The Lord is omnipotent, all-powerful;
therefore, by His incarnation as archa-vigraha He can accept the services of the
____________.

Let me tell you a beautiful story:-

The Deity Who Turned for His Devotee

During the 16th Century, there lived a great devotee of Lord Krishna named
Kanaka Das. He was a great poet, musician. Once, he had visited the Krishna
temple at Udupi, Karnataka. People, envious of his talent, did not allow him to
enter the temple. Yet, Kanaka Das waited patiently outside the temple,
meditating on Lord Krishna and singing songs in his praise, for weeks. He
composed poems in praise of Krishna and wrote kirtans about how all humans
are equal. A topic which holds relevance even today. Days went by, but Kanaka
Das’ patience and devotion only grew stronger and more persistent, he waited
many weeks desperate see his Lord Krishna. Days later, temple wall
mysteriously collapsed and revealed the deity of Lord Krishna, who had turned
around. Through a crack in the outer walls of the temple, Kanaka Das was
finally able to see his Lord. Ever since then, the Krishna deity has continued to
face the west, even though the main entrance is facing east. Today that window
is called the "Kanakana Kindi" as a -tribute to Kanaka Das. This incident which
happened over 500 years ago, stands testament that Lord Krishna reciprocates
with the devotion of a pure devotee

Just like you can use a mobile phone to call your relatives who in USA; God, who
is present everywhere, can receive our worship and prayers through His Deity
form.

Ravi: Oh Wow! Amazing story of Kanaka Das’s devotion. I now understand why
I felt so peaceful when I visited the Tirupati Balaji Temple and I chant the
Lord’s Names. By the way, does the Lord accept the fruits and flowers that we
offer to Him? And, does God reciprocate love with us?

Devotee: Yes Lord Krishna says in BG 9.26. “If one offers Me with ________ and
__________ a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will __________ it.”
Just as a father, is delighted when his child gives him something, in the same
way, when you offer something to the Lord, He too becomes happy. The Lord
can eat just by glancing at the food and this makes it prasadam.

Ravi: I have seen, that when people go to a Temple they have so many wishes to
ask. Are the Temple, Church, Mosque meant for fulfilling our desires?

Devotee: Lord Krishna says that 4 types of people approach me.

BG 7.16 four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me -
the _____________, the ______________, the ______________, and he who is searching for
knowledge of the Absolute.

BG 7.17. Of these, the one who is in _____________ and who is always engaged in
_____________ service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.

Pure devotional service is without ___________ and without ___________ for material
profit. Purport BG 7.16

Ravi: Now I have understood that the best thing to ask the Lord is to ask for
opportunity to glorify and serve the Lord.

Devotee: Yes you have understood and this is the greatest achievement in one’s
life. For the Lord,give himself to a pure devotee.

Goal of Life

Siddhartha later called Gautama Buddha, was a noble prince, who, in his youth
he was unaware of the miseries of life. When he travelled out of his kingdom for
the first time, he saw: a dying person, a young woman giving birth, a diseased
person, and an old man He then asked his servant if such hardships and
suffering were common and whether he would ever experience such suffering.
His servant responded that these calamities, in one way or another, necessarily
afflict every man in his sojourn through life. At that moment, Siddhartha
resolved to find a solution to such suffering.

Which item of knowledge did Buddha show out of 20 items of knowledge? (BG
13.8-12)

Respect Simplicity

Perception of evil of old age, disease,

death and birth

Tolerance
What is the purpose of life? (BG 3.7)

Free oneself from material bondage

Reach Lord Vishnu

Enter into the kingdom of God and

Love God

All of the above

The Bible also says: And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle,
neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign
forever and ever. [Rev.:22.5]

Desolate Island

Once a man named Mr. Patel, was on a ship with all his wealth on the way a big
storm came and sank the ship. Patel swam on a log of wood in the sea and
reached an island. He was surprised, as some tribal people gathered around
him and then garlanded him. A confused Mr.Patel asked –“What do you want
from me?” They replied, “You will be our king”.

After enjoying their royal treatment for a few days, Patel enquired, “Where are
the previous kings and for how long will I remain king?” The ministers told him,
“You will be king for the next one year only, after which you will be sent to the
same place where all other kings have gone - the Desolate Island -where there
is no food, shelter and clothing. You will die there of starvation.”

Upon hearing this, the king was alarmed. After deep thought, next day, he
ordered his soldiers to begin transporting the kingdom’s wealth to that Island.
Then he ordered them to make huge palaces, beautiful gardens and ponds
there. He ordered them to transport shiploads of food grains, store them there
and make the land cultivable. All this required a lot of administration and
management, and was mentally and physically tiring. However, after one year,
when he was send to that island, it was no more a desolate place. Thus Mr. Patel
acting wisely, lived happily ever after.

Mr. Patel had been intelligent enough to prepare for what would happen to him
after one year, despite enjoying his life and doing his duties as a king. So in the
same way for what should we prepare our life while responsibly executing our
daily duties? [Hint:- see the quality of dukha doshanudarshanam in BG 13.8-12]

For what will happen to us after this

life

For what will happen to us after 1

year

For what will happen to us after 10

years

None of the above

Just like Mr. Patel had to give up his kingdom and all comforts eventually, we
too are bound to lose everything at the time of death: our bank balance, our
family members, wife and children. But Mr. Patel made the Desolate Island into
a flourishing kingdom. So where should we prepare to go after this life is over?
(BG 15.6)

Heavenly planets

Spiritual world or vaikuntha

America

Brahmajyoti
How can one go to the abode of the Lord after this life, so that one does not
return to this material world? (BG 15.6)

Associate with devotees who are in

Krishna Consciousness

Economic Development

Becoming attached to devotional

service

Both a and c
The next body that we get after death depends on (BG 8.6)

Whatever we want

How much money we have

Our thoughts at the time of death

Random assignment to different

bodies
What is the proper state of mind to have at the time of death? (BG 8.5)

Think about family and friends

Regret for unfulfilled desires

Remember the Lord

Cry
What is the best way to remember the Lord? (BG 8.5)

By doing silent meditation

By watching serials on Lord’s

pastimes

By doing our work

Chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra

What is the problem in going to heavenly planets? (BG 9.21)

It is just like the ferris wheel – you go

high and you return

One cannot go to the spiritual world

to enjoy an eternal life.

One is not allowed to stay there

forever there, after the pious credits
are over one has to come back.

All of the above

 YOGA for the Modern Age

What do major religions say about chanting the Holy Names of Lord?

Christianity Sikhism Islam Sanatana

Sanatana Dharma
Dharma

Christ glorified Guru Nanak Muslims It also

the Lord’s holy prayed “In the repeatedly chant recommends
name by saying ambrosial hours the sacred name repetition of the
“Our Father who of the morning I of God - “Allah” holy names of
art in Heaven, meditate on the the Lord, in form
hallowed be Thy grace of the true of mantra
Name” name.

Freedom from anxiety/stress

Peace of Mind
Benefits of
Real Happiness
Chanting
SElf- Realization
Overcoming
Bad HAbits

How to Chant

Take the japa-mala in the right hand,
holding it between the thumb and the
middle finger. The index (first) finger is
not used,as it is considered
contaminated. Start at the bead next to
the head bead (the biggest bead).
Before the Hare Krishna maha-mantra
japa, chant the Panca-tattva maha-
mantra:- sri krishna-caitanya prabhu
nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara
srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda.

Now chant the complete maha-mantra -“ Hare

After chanting 108 times, you Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna
will again reach the head bead Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama
 move your thumb and middle finger onto the
next bead

As You Sow, So Shall You Reap

We know that “As you sow, so shall you reap”. We get the results of our actions
only. Eg. – if you slap somebody , you will get the slap instantly , if somebody
doesn’t study, then he will get bad results after few months , if somebody
drinks liquor he may get liver problems after few years . In the same way,
whatever good and bad we do, it comes back to us in this life or the next.

What law decides if somebody is born in a rich family, or is born poor, if

somebody is born ugly and or is born beautiful, if somebody is born intelligent
or somebody is born less intelligent? (BG 16.16)

Law of motion Law of Karma

Archimedes principle None of the above

Who is the witness?

Once, a Guru summoned his 3 disciples and gave them a fruit each. Guruji said,
“You should eat this fruit where no one is seeing you”. And so: The first disciple
went in a cave to eat the fruit. The Second disciple went under a tree where
there was no other living and ate the fruit. Third disciple, however, could not
eat the fruit at all and returned to Guruji. All disciples came back. Guruji asked
them, “Have you all eaten the fruit? “. The third disciple replied “As I could find
no place, where the Lord in my heart is not watching me, I could not eat the
fruit.” Guruji became very happy with this disciple and said,” You have attained
true knowledge”.

According to Bhagavad Gita who is seeing all our activities? (BG 13.23)

Demigods Government

Supersoul (Paramatma) Camera

The Farmer

In villages, huge, vertical cylindrical containers are used to store, up to ten tons
of rice. The grains are put from the top of the container and can be taken out
from below. Suppose a farmer stores in the first year 5 tons of bad quality
grains and in the second year stores 5 tons of good quality grains. If in the
second year the farmer starts taking out grains from below, the old bad quality
grains will come out although he has recently put good quality grains.

Why do we see some people, who are very bad, living happily and see some
good people, suffering in this world?

Just as the farmer had put good grains As we know there is reincarnation,
in this year but bad grains came out, our activities in the past are counted
similarly due to bad activities in the not only from this life but from our
past, they are receiving bad reactions. previous lives also.

These are all random events Both (a) and (c) are correct options.

Vibhishana’s surrender to Lord Rama

When Vibhisana left the evil Ravana and surrendered to Lord Rama . Lord
Rama said, “If a person comes to Me, saying just once, ‘I am Yours’, then I shall
give him courage and protection from all danger forever after. This is My
solemn vow made here before you all. Even if Ravana himself comes to Me, I
will not refuse him shelter.” Then Lord Rama accepted Vibhisana and declared
him to be the new king of Lanka.

What is the simplest way to come out of all this cycle of suffering due to our
past misdeeds?(BG 18.66)

By economic development By surrendering to the Lord

By one’s own efforts By Techonology

The process of surrendering to the Lord is mentioned as:- “Always think of Me,
become My _____________, ______________” (BG 18.65)

Competence, Character and Culture in Action

From the verses of BG 16.1-5,13.8-12 & 12.13,12.18, fill in the table:-

English
Sankrit English Meaning Sankrit
Meaning

Abhayam Fearlessness Tejah

approaching a
Ahimsa
spiritual master

compassion for
Kshama
all living entities
 Friendly to all
Tyagah
living entities

Tapah Amanitvam

Steady
Truthfulness
determination

Below are the passages from the life of His Divine Grace Abhay Charanarvinda
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Each paragraph shows a unique quality of
Srila Prabhupada. Choose the most appropriate quality for that paragraph out
of the 3 qualities mentioned below each paragraph.

In the year 1922, Srila Prabhupada met his Spiritual Master His Divine Grace
Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur in Kolkata, West Bengal. In the first
meeting his spiritual master instructed him, "You are an educated young man.
Why don't you preach Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's message throughout the
whole world?"

Approaching a bonafide spiritual Vigor

master
Humility

Srila Prabhupada took this as the mission of his life and he started preaching in
India. In 1944, during the second world war he started a magazine called ‘Back
to Godhead’. He would single-handedly write, edit, oversee the layout, proof-
read and sell the copies himself. While in India, he faced many challenges in
preaching but he continued on with determination.

With steady determination Simplicity

Austerity

Before going to America he wanted to print the first Canto of Srimad

Bhagavatam . He did not have sufficient money so he would miss his breakfast
and also walk a few miles to save money for purchasing paper for printing.

Non-violence Austerity Friendliness

In the year 1965, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada went to America at the
age of 70 years. He boarded a ship named “Jaladutta” to go to America. As the
ship passed through Red Sea, he suffered with sea-sickness and was not able to
eat anything. In two days he suffered 2 heart-attacks and he thought that if
another heart-attack was to come he would certainly die. But he was fearless.
On the night of second night, he had a dream - Lord Krishna, in many forms was
rowing a boat, and Krishna said to Srila Prabhupada that he should not fear for
anything and come along with Him. [options are in Sanskrit – refer above table]

Arjavam Abhayam Ksantih

After that dream the sea became calm. At such an old age, Srila Prabhupada
risked his life for showing compassion towards the people of the whole world,
just to give them the gift of connecting them to God, for he could see that people
were suffering without Krishna Consciousness.

Non-violence Simplicity Compassion

In the New York City, Srila Prabhupada started preaching the message of
Bhagavad Gita to the American youth. He went amongst them and started doing
the Kirtan of Mahamantra - “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare”. And by the effect of
association and vigor of Srila Prabhupada, they all became devotees of Krishna,
became his disciples and became saintly persons. It was there in New York that
Srila Prabhupada established the International Society for Krishna
Consciousness (ISKCON) in the year 1966. He then sent his disciples all over
the world to spread Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s message and opened new centers
in Montreal, Boston, London, Germany.

Ahimsa Amanitvam Tejah

When Srila Prabhupada visited London. People asked him “why have you come
here?” Srila Prabhupada replied, “You came to India to take away wealth from
India but you forgot to take the most important wealth of India - spiritual
knowledge which I have come to give to you”

Satyam Tapah Kshama

Srila Prabhupada was seeing that after gaining independence, Indians had lost
interest in their own vedic culture and were going towards the western culture.
But Srila Prabhupada wanted to bring western people to India to motivate
Indians to understand the value of their own culture. Srila Prabhupada used to
say that “Indians are sitting on diamonds (i.e. rich spiritual culture of India) but
looking for the broken pieces of glass (i.e. modern western culture)”. He made 3
large temples in Mayapur, Vrindavana and Bombay. Now today there are more
than 600 temples and centers all around the world.

Tyaga Daya bhuteshu Arjavam

Because of hectic travelling, Srila Prabhupada slept little and would spend the
early morning hours writing. He would write almost daily from 1:30 am to 4:30
am; he wrote commentaries on around 70 books. His writings have been
translated into over 81 languages. In just twelve years, despite his advanced
age, renouncing his bodily comforts, he travelled across the world fourteen
times.

Tyagah Sthairyam Acharya upasanam

Once a guest asked Srila Prabhupada, “Are you the guru of the world?” Srila
Prabhupada bowed his head in humility and cast his eyes towards the floor, he
said “I am everybody’s servant”.

Ahimsa Tyaga Amanitvam

Srila Prabhupada made disciples all over the world. When there are festivals in
Mayapur, devotees from many countries including America, UK, France, Russia,
China, India will come together and chant the holy names of Lord together. Srila
Prabhupada has made a house in which the whole world can live.

Forgiveness Friend to all living entities

Absence of false ego

Overcoming Bad Habits (for 7th and above)

Vicky: Hi Shyam, how are you? You are always happy and focused and you live
a pure life. I was also an innocent boy like you but my friends once took me to
watch bad pictures or movies, and smoking. Now I feel these things have given
me pleasure, so whenever I feel tempted I enjoy doing these things.

Shyam: I will tell you a story.

The Lord Who Stole the Heart of Dhanurdas

There was a wrestler in the court of the King of Srirangam. His name was
Dhanurdasa. Once the procession of Lord Ranganath was going through the
streets of Srirangam where the great Acharya Ramanujacharya was also
walking. Ramanujacharya noticed Dhanurdasa absorbed in seeing the beauty of
a girl named Hemamba. Ramanujacharya called Dhanurdasa but he did not
come. Then when Ramanujacharya approached him, Dhanurdasa told him, “If
you can show me anything more beautiful than this girl then I will surrender to
that personality”. Ramanujacharya said,” Please come tomorrow early morning
to the Temple”. Then in the morning when Dhanurdasa came, Ramanujacharya
was praying to Lord Ranganath for the poor soul who was illusioned by this
worldly beauty made of flesh, urine, blood; and requesting the Lord to reveal
His beautiful form to him. Then Ramanujacharya first showed the arati to
Lord’s lotus feet, then to Lord’s abdomen, then to Lord’s face. As soon as
Dhanurdasa saw Lord’s lotus face, he was captivated by the immense beauty of
the Lord. He said, “I have never seen anything more beautiful than this, I
surrender to you my Lord
and I will leave that girl
Hemamba.” So Dhanurdasa
found the greatest beauty in
Lord Ranganatha.

Read BG 2.59 ~ but one who

has tasted the beauty of
the_______________, in the
course of his advancement in Krishna consciousness, no longer has a taste for
dead, ______________________.

Vicky: Now I have understood that there may be some things which give more
happiness. But what is the problem with the kind of happiness that I pursue?

Shyam: Happiness in the mode of passion is _________ in the beginning and

________ in the end. But Happiness in mode of goodness is _________ in the
beginning but _______ at the end. (BG 18.37-38)
Though it looks pleasurable in the beginning, it gives suffering for a long time.
When our mind is disturbed by adult movies, we cannot focus on our studies.

GIGO – Garbage In Garbage Out. Whatever we take in through books, movies,

songs, friends that will come out. If we take good things, good things will only
come out.

Also what matters the most is the association we keep. It is said that a man is
known by the association he keeps. If we keep association of good children then
we will cultivate good habits and be successful in our studies and career.
However if we keep association with boys who are indulging in bad habits then
we will lose our purity, determination, concentration, self-confidence, good
behavior.

I was also tempted by some of my friends, I remembered that my mother

always told me not to get into bad habits or bad friends, so I immediately left
the association of those friends.

Vicky: Are not people who do these things called modern? We are after all
living in a modern society.

Shyam: Do you know that in the United States there are metal detectors in
schools. In the US in 2012, a 20 year old student took a gun and shot 20 young
school children. These children see so many scenes of violence, murder, abuse,
intoxication, obscenity on TV. It may look modern, but it has its harmful effects.
Whereas in the Indian culture whether a child is born in a Hindu or a Muslim
family, right from childhood, he is taught nice culture of respecting elders,
keeping away from bad habits, giving respect to women and not unnecessarily
mixing with girls.
 Smart Card

Let us add “value” to ourselves so that we become valuable to the

world. This has been my secret of success.

So let us see how to practically visualize and monitor our progress

on a day to day basis. This can be easily done using the
“SMART card”. From successful students at IIT to IT
professionals, many have followed it and experienced
regulated and fruitful living. This will help you cultivate the “Right Values” &
build a “Bright Future”. ~ Gokul Ramesh, M.Tech (IIT), All India Rank 1, GATE
2011

10 marks 5 marks 0 marks

To bed before 10 pm 10:00 - 11 pm after 11 pm
Wake up before 6 am 6:00 - 7:00am after 7 am
Study hours 1 hrs or more 30 mins - 1hr less than 30 min
One act of service to At least one act
No act
parents, teacher, friend of service

30 marks 15 marks 0 marks

Reading Bhagavad Gita, 15 mins or
5 to 15 mins Less than 10 min
Bible, Quran etc Daily more
Chanting Holy Names of 10 mins or
5 to 10 mins less than 5 mins
God – Japa, Namaz etc. more

Eg: On Monday Ravi woke up at 6:15 am, he studied for 1.5 hours, he read
Bhagavad Gita for 20 mins and chanted the Hare Krishna Mahamantra for 15
mins , he helped his mother by cleaning the room and he slept at 10:15 pm. So
his marks are shown in the table as:

Wake To Study Reading Mantra One Total

up bed hours holy meditation Act of
scripture service
Mon 5 5 10 30 30 10 90

So he got total of the day as 90 out of 100 i.e. 90 %.

So if you want to know how your day went then (and same for the month)
>80% excellent >70% good >60% average >50% pass