Govinda Bolo Hari Gopala Bolo…

Listening to the instrumental of this golden dhun at this moment. 

* Divinity 2.

(Source: youtube.com)

Anonymous asked: What are your views on homosexuality?

This is quite a broad question, in order for me to fully give an opinion, which leans towards the perspective given from bhakti marg, I will first have to establish the Hindu point of view. 

On a purely religious basis Hinduism has no qualms with homosexuality, indeed, the concept of punar janma or reincarnation lends itself to the explanation of sexual preferences (in a general sense, the concepts of reincarnation and karma help Hindus make sense of the world and thus help them deal with worldly issues in a much more positive way). The changing of bodies means that we may carry some characteristics from previous lives, not the soul which we see as being pure, but the five coverings of the soul that also migrate with it to different bodies, they are as follows: annamay kosh, pranamay kosh, manomay kosh, vighnamay kosh and the anandmay kosh. It is the manomay kosh that is carried with the kaaran sharir or subtle body and that is the psycho-emotional covering of the soul. Sexuality also falls into this covering. (E.g. If a soul is born within a male body after having taken many births previously within a female body the manomay kosh or the emotional and physiological tendencies of that soul will often strongly waver towards feminine characteristics and perspective). This is in my view the strongest and most sound reasoning for homosexuality. In Hinduism we move away from notions of eternal damnation, or a judgmental Lord, we call upon the Lord as karuna sindhu and daya na sagar; if our earthly parents care for our utmost happiness, would not our spiritual source? However, there are many posts that have been made about Hinduism’s views on this topic as a whole, I have provided a few links which give a good overview at the end of this post .

I will now focus on the view from bhaktimarg; the whole concept of sexuality or sexual fulfillment comes under the pursuit of kaam, and within bhakti we do not try to aim directly for the four purusharths of life (goals), namely, Dharma, Artha, Kaam and Moksh; (here I am particularly referring to kaam, the gratification of our senses/desire). Rather, we see past these, and in the purest expression of bhakti ultimately give them up as to come under divine shelter and become engaged in a divine and purely spiritual relationship. Thus, whatever other worldly desires we have (sexual or otherwise) we try to control and in the end, leave behind.

Ultimately even if one is homosexual, it does not bear great consequence, for every human is born with sexual desire, but satvic devotees of the Lord try to control desire in such a way to become conducive for satvic sadhana. The Lord repeatedly emphasis the destructive power of unbridled kaam or desire/lust (in whatever form it may take) within several shloks of the Bhagavad Gita (3.37-3.43). The spiritual journey is not dependent on sexuality, indeed, the path of bhakti focuses on the taming of it.

Lastly, I feel obliged to mention the great character of Raskhan. A devotional poet renowned in the area of Vrindavan, of whom we know very little, he was rumoured to be homosexual, infatuated with the (unrequited) love of a younger boy; a son of a merchant. Once some passersby happened to comment that his love would bear real consequence if only it was directed to the divine ever youthful Sri Krsna. Raskhan came to know of this and thus began his divine search, after which he left all worldly desires and bonds and became one pointed in his devotion to the Lord. The songs which he has left behind are revered and reach the surcharged emotional heights of devotional poetry. 

Personally, I believe the divine makes no distinction based on any minor bodily/ material characteristic, we are in actuality the ever unborn, eternal, ever-existing, undying and primeval soul.

I feel as though that sums up most of my thoughts on the topic, thanks for the question :)

http://www.atmabodh.net/panchkosh

http://philosophy.knoji.com/indian-philosophy-panch-kosh-viveka/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvF7mfgMsQo&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_igjjMXDhY&feature=related

http://aumnipresence.tumblr.com/

One of…

One of the most endearing aspects of Hinduism is that we pay respect to every aspect of nature, of the earth, of life. We pay respects to the sun, the moon, the planets, the earth, the water, fire, the elements, to trees, to plants, to animals, to almost all aspects of this universe. This appreciation has been deeply embedded into our culture through fasts, festivals, and colourful traditions.