“O sinless one, certainly, how can any king accomplish his objectives if he doesn’t have such a messenger working for him?” (Shri Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.34)

Download this episode (right click and save)

एवं विधो यस्य दूतो न भवेत्पार्थिवस्य तु।
सिद्ध्यन्ति हि कथं तस्य कार्याणां गतियोऽनघ

evaṃ vidho yasya dūto na bhavetpārthivasya tu।
siddhyanti hi kathaṃ tasya kāryāṇāṃ gatiyo’nagha

“You see many images of Shri Hanuman if you are living within Vedic society. This could be at a temple environment or someplace where everyone is naturally devoted to the principles of sanatana-dharma, as passed down through the generations.

“The mistaken assumption is that the tradition is polytheistic, but in truth there is only one Supreme. The distinction is that He is described in countless ways. The recounting of His past achievements, His endless glories, and the promise of His future mercy delivered to the…

“Ishvara (the Supreme Lord), jiva (the living entity), prakriti (nature), eternal time and karma (activity) are all explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Out of these five, the Lord, the living entities, material nature and time are eternal.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Introduction)

Download this episode (right click and save)

The arguments are unavoidable. The conflict is inevitable. The competition is bound to occur. The differences are real. The Sanskrit word is vishesha. A distinction in the tradition of spirituality, in the manner of worship.

One side has their savior and the associated book. They are of the firm belief that anyone not subscribed to their ideas is destined for a hellish existence. A fate impossible to be rescued from, after the fact. Eternal damnation. No second chances. You either accept right now, today, within this lifetime, or miss the chance.

Your side worships differently. There are tall statues colorfully decorated and…

“Ishvara (the Supreme Lord), jiva (the living entity), prakriti (nature), eternal time and karma (activity) are all explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Out of these five, the Lord, the living entities, material nature and time are eternal.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Introduction)

Download this episode (right click and save)

Friend1: If someone were to say to you that Vedic culture is satanic, that it is a mark of the devil, what would your response be?

Friend2: Laugh in their face.

Friend1: It is something the itinerant preacher faces. Strong opposition. People who are firmly entrenched in their position.

Friend2: Dogmatic insistence. That is the term used by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I love it.

Friend1: But the people making the argument don’t think it is dogma.

Friend2: Consider it this way. Any person can pick up a book, read it, like it, and then declare any other person…

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 9.26)

Download this episode (right click and save)

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं
यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति
तद् अहं भक्त्य्-उपहृतम्
अश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः

patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ

“You can put this into the category of correlation. Comparison in order to relate. A way to explain to others a practice of a culture that may be unfamiliar to them. I am trying to reach out to the open-minded. Not the ones who cling to a book out of blind faith, who consider anyone outside of their tradition to be heathens.

“Yes, I know some look at your practices as satanic. They will deride with accusations of ‘false gods’ and ‘idol worship.’ This dogmatic insistence is quite foolish, since any person can follow…

“Prahlada Maharaja said: My dear King, the source of my strength, of which you are asking, is also the source of yours. Indeed, the original source of all kinds of strength is one. He is not only your strength or mine, but the only strength for everyone. Without Him, no one can get any strength. Whether moving or not moving, superior or inferior, everyone, including Lord Brahma, is controlled by the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 7.8.7)

Download this episode (right click and save)

श्री-प्रह्राद उवाच
न केवलं मे भवतश् च राजन्
स वै बलं बलिनां चापरेषाम्
परे ’वरे ’मी स्थिर-जङ्गमा ये
ब्रह्मादयो येन वशं प्रणीताः

śrī-prahrāda uvāca
na kevalaṁ me bhavataś ca rājan
sa vai balaṁ balināṁ cāpareṣām
pare ’vare ’mī sthira-jaṅgamā ye
brahmādayo yena vaśaṁ praṇītāḥ

Friend1: I think you mentioned one time about Shri Ramachandra, the avatara famously described in the Ramayana poem…

“Poverty will be looked on as dishonorable, while a hypocrite who can put on a show will be thought pious. Marriage will be based on arbitrary agreement, and simply taking a bath will be considered proper cleansing and decoration of the body.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 12.2.5)

Download this episode (right click and save)

अनाढ्यतैवासाधुत्वे
साधुत्वे दम्भ एव तु
स्वीकार एव चोद्वाहे
स्नानम् एव प्रसाधनम्

anāḍhyataivāsādhutve
sādhutve dambha eva tu
svīkāra eva codvāhe
snānam eva prasādhanam

Friend1: Vedic culture sure knows how to shock people. You start off with the restrictions on meat-eating and intoxication.

Friend2: Hmm, that is a more refined version of the culture. You will find plenty of people living within a tradition rooted in sanatana-dharma who still eat meat and consume adult beverages.

Friend1: Okay, I am referring to the serious followers. Those who are trying to become brahmanas, at the least.

Friend2: Which is the…

“Thus the nightmare of the Putana witch was over, and she assumed her real feature as a great demon. She opened her fierce mouth and spread her arms and legs all over. She fell exactly as Vritrasura when struck by the thunderbolt of Indra. The long hair on her head was scattered all over her body. Her fallen body extended up to twelve miles and smashed all the trees to pieces, and everyone was struck with wonder upon seeing this gigantic body.” (Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vol 1, Ch 6)

Download this episode (right click and save)

1. Considered a hoax

“Let’s be clear. The official statement from the board of leading scientists and medical experts is that it is impossible. What people say took place could not have. There must be some other explanation. Illusion. A figment of the imagination. I understand people have the…

“O sinless one, certainly, how can any king accomplish his objectives if he doesn’t have such a messenger working for him?” (Shri Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kand, 3.34)

Download this episode (right click and save)

एवं विधो यस्य दूतो न भवेत्पार्थिवस्य तु।
सिद्ध्यन्ति हि कथं तस्य कार्याणां गतियोऽनघ

evaṃ vidho yasya dūto na bhavetpārthivasya tu।
siddhyanti hi kathaṃ tasya kāryāṇāṃ gatiyo’nagha

“I am absolutely fascinated by the Hindu culture. Yes, I understand that you use the term ‘sanatana-dharma’ instead, that Hinduism is more a misappropriation from an outsider’s perspective. They don’t know exactly how to label that timeless way of living, so they relegate it to the category of faith, as familiar to so many around the world.

“Within that culture, the deity of Shri Hanuman is most interesting to me. I find that he receives universal adoration. That is to say, whichever sect you belong to…

“Being under the influence of illusion, I underestimated Rama and took Him to be a mere child. Thus I ran towards Vishvamitra’s sacrificial altar. With that, Rama released an acute arrow capable of destroying His enemies. Upon hitting me, that arrow forcefully threw me away to an ocean one hundred yojanas [eight hundred miles] away.” (Maricha speaking to Ravana, Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kand, 38.18-19)

Download this episode (right click and save)

अवजानन्नहं मोहाद्बालोऽयमिति राघवम्।
विश्वामित्रस्य तां वेदिमभ्यधावं कृतत्वरः।।
तेन मुक्तस्ततो बाणः शितश्शत्रुनिबर्हणः।
तेनाहं त्वाहतः क्षिप्तस्समुद्रे शतयोजने।।

avajānannahaṃ mohādbālo’yamiti rāghavam।
viśvāmitrasya tāṃ vedimabhyadhāvaṃ kṛtatvaraḥ।।
tena muktastato bāṇaḥ śitaśśatrunibarhaṇaḥ।
tenāhaṃ tvāhataḥ kṣiptassamudre śatayojane।।

“Say hello to my imaginary friend,” might be a good retort from followers of Hari, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A person who has not deeply considered the issue, who wants to start trouble as a sort of playful game, may claim to not believe in any…

“O Lakshmana, do you rule this earth with Me. You are like My second self, so this glorious opportunity has been presented to you as well. O Saumitra, do you enjoy all the pleasures you desire and the fruits of the regal life. My life and this kingdom I covet for your sake alone.” (Lord Rama speaking to Lakshmana, Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kand, 4.43-44)

Download this episode (right click and save)

लक्ष्मणेमां मया सार्धं प्रशाधि त्वं वसुन्धराम्।
द्वितीयं मेऽन्तरात्मानं त्वामियं श्रीरुपस्थिता।।
सौमित्रे भुङ्क्ष्व भोगांत्स्वमिष्टान्राज्यफलानि च।
जीवितं च हि राज्यं च त्वदर्थमभिकामये।।

lakṣmaṇemāṃ mayā sārdhaṃ praśādhi tvaṃ vasundharām।
dvitīyaṃ me’ntarātmānaṃ tvāmiyaṃ śrīrupasthitā।।
saumitre bhuṅkṣva bhogāṃtsvamiṣṭānrājyaphalāni ca।
jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca tvadarthamabhikāmaye।।

1. Their work history

This could be a relevant factor in the decision-making process, based on the position being filled. For an intern or junior, as long as they are in college or show some eagerness to learn, there…