1
SHIKSHA CERMONY QUESTION
SET
ISKCON Whitefield
APRIL 20, 2020
VERSION 1
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
2
Krishna Sevaka
Chanting Minimum 4 Round of Hare Krishna Mahamantra
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
3
ISKCON Whitefield
ISKCON Bhakti Center
SIKSHA QUESTIONNARE – KRISHNA SEVAKA
Date: 04/05/2024 Shiksha Ceremony Date:
Name: Lavdeep kumar tiwari Address: 307, Executive PG for Gents, Aecs
layout'D'BLOCK, 60 Feet Rd, Kundalahalli,
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037
Contact No:9157928977
BV Leader: ______________________________
Mentor/Guide: Nikhil prabhu
Pre-Requisite
Chanting: Hearing:
1. Four Rounds Regularly: YES 1. Srila Prabhupada’s
Bhagavad Gita (Ch 1)
Reading/Reciting:
Lectures YES
1. Beyond Birth and Death YES 2. Others, if any
2. Science of Self Realization: _________________________
a. Chapter 1 YES _________________________
3. Bhagavad Gita As It Is _________________________
a. Introduction YES _________________________
_________________________
b. Chapter 1 YES
_________________________
4. Sikshastakam ☐ _________________________
_________________________
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
4
Please use this along with answer sheet
Questions
1. How often do you come to the temple in a month? 4
2. For how many days/ weeks/ months/ years are you visiting ISKCON? 1 year 6
months
3. How many Sunday programmes do you attend every month? 4
4. How many rounds of Hare Krishna Maha mantra do you chant every day? 4
5. How long does it take to chant your rounds? 42 mins
6. When do you chant most of your rounds? Morning
7. Where do you chant most of your rounds? In My PG
8. List all the books of Srila Prabhupada that you have read and indicate against
each book whether you have read fully or partially. Beyond Birth and Death:
full
9. Do you accept Krishna is the supreme personality of godhead?
Yes / No. YES
10. Why do you accept Krishna is the supreme personality of godhead? Because it
is written in scriptures, also all the godheads has stated that he is supreme
godhead, Krishna himself stated that he is supreme godhead In the Bhagavad
Gita, chapter nine.
11. What is the position of Devatas? Name a few.
In the Bhagavad-Gita, the position of the Devatas, or demigods, is described
as powerful celestial beings who administer various aspects of the material
universe under the direction of the Supreme Lord. They are responsible for
maintaining order and balance in the cosmos. For example:
Indra - the king of the heavenly planets and the god of rain and
thunderstorms.
Agni - the god of fire.
Varuna - the god of water and the celestial ocean.
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
5
12. Are you willing to do devotional service in ISKCON on special days and
Sundays? YES
13. Are you a vegetarian (tick the correct alternative)
a) Yes all my life
b) Yes for the past years/months/days
c) No
14. Write the meaning of the first 2 prayers of Sri Sikshastaka?
Please read the first chapter of the Book Beyond Birth and Death and answer the
following questions.
1. What is the very first step in self-realization?
The very first step in self-realization is realizing one’s identity as separate from
the body. “I am not this body but am spirit soul” is an essential realization for
anyone who wants to transcend death and enter into the spiritual world beyond.
2. What is the argument Srila Prabhupada gives to say it is incorrect to deny the
soul simply because we cannot perceive it by our gross senses? What is the alternate
method that Srila Prabhupada recommends by which we can perceive the soul?
Because we cannot perceive the soul by our gross senses, we deny it. Actually
there are so many things that are there which we cannot see. We cannot see air,
radio waves, or sound, nor can we perceive minute bacteria with our blunt senses,
but this does not mean they are not there. By the aid of the microscope and other
instruments, many things can be perceived which had previously been denied by
the imperfect senses. Just because the soul, which is atomic in size, has not been
perceived yet by senses or instruments, we should not conclude that it is not
there. It can, however, be perceived by its symptoms and effects.
3. What is the common purpose of the Vedas the old and New Testament and
the Koran? And what is the common method recommended in all of them?
They are to train us to understand our position as pure soul. Their purpose is to
restrict bodily activities by certain rules and regulations, and these rules and
regulations are known as codes of morality.
4. What is the simple process recommended by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to
establish oneself on the spiritual platform above the three modes of material nature?
Be transcendental to all of them. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties
for gain and safety, and be established in the Self.
5. What is the process for understanding god and his kingdom; explain in
your own words the example Srila Prabhupada gives.
The process for understanding God and His kingdom, as explained by Srila
Prabhupada, involves realizing our identity as separate from the body and
understanding that we are eternal spirit souls.
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
6
Srila Prabhupada uses the example of a diseased person to illustrate our
current condition. Just as a person with jaundice perceives sugar as bitter,
we perceive spiritual life as unpalatable due to our material conditioning.
The cure is to minimize bodily demands and engage in the eternal enjoyment
of spiritual life, which is our true nature.
6. Can we see god by our own endeavor? What is the correct process?
seeing God by our own endeavor is not possible. The correct process, as
mentioned in the Vedic scriptures, involves devotional service and surrendering
to the Supreme Lord
7. When we place our faith in something. What is it that we should carefully
look for?
when we place our faith in something, we should carefully look for the object of
faith that is infallible, consistent, and reliable, such as the Supreme Personality
of Godhead.
Science of Self Realization: Chapter One
1. Is Krishna Consciousness open to all?
Krishna Consciousness is open to all regardless of nationality, caste, creed, or
gender.
2. Why is a man given a better chance to live than swine or other animals?
a human being is given a better chance to live than swine or other animals
because humans have the capacity for self-realization and spiritual
understanding. This capacity enables humans to inquire about the purpose of
life and engage in activities that lead to spiritual advancement and liberation
from the cycle of birth and death.
3. Is Krishna Consciousness a belief or science? Explain in a few sentences.
Krishna Consciousness is described as both a science and a belief. It's considered
a science because it involves a systematic process of understanding the soul, the
Supreme Soul, and their relationship. At the same time, it's also referred to as a
belief because it requires faith in the revealed scriptures and the guidance of
spiritual authorities.
4. What is ‘Athato brahma jijnasa’?
"Athato Brahma jijnasa" means "Now is the time for inquiry about Brahman." It is
the first sutra of the Vedanta-sutra, indicating that human life is meant for
inquiring about the Absolute Truth.
5. What is spiritual death? And how does Krishna Consciousness movement
save human society from this?
spiritual death refers to forgetfulness of one's eternal relationship with the
Supreme Lord, resulting in a life centered solely on material pursuits. The
Krishna Consciousness movement aims to save human society from this
spiritual death by reawakening individuals to their true spiritual nature
through the practice of devotional service to Lord Krishna.
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
7
6. What point does the example first-class AC coach of the train signify?
The example of the first-class AC coach of the train signifies the first-class
devotees in devotional service who are always absorbed in thoughts of the
Supreme Lord and are indifferent to material distress or happiness.
Bhagavad Gita As It Is: Introduction & Chapter 1
1. Why is Srila Prabhupada’s edition of Bhagavad-Gita called “Bhagavad-Gita As
It Is”?
Srila Prabhupada's edition of Bhagavad-Gita is called "Bhagavad-Gita As It Is"
because he presents the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita without any personal
interpretation or deviation. He aims to present the message exactly as it is,
without any distortion or manipulation. This ensures that readers receive the
pure, unadulterated wisdom of the Bhagavad-Gita.
2. What are the five subject matters of Bhagavad-Gita? Describe briefly
about each of them.
The five subject matters of Bhagavad-Gita are:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead: Bhagavad-Gita deals with the
understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, who is the
ultimate cause of all causes and the source of all incarnations.
The living entity: It discusses the individual living entity, who is eternally part
and parcel of the Supreme, and their relationship with the Supreme Lord.
Material nature: Bhagavad-Gita elaborates on the material nature, which
constitutes the inferior energy of the Supreme Lord, and its influence on the
living entities.
Time: It discusses the concept of time and its influence on the material world
and the living entities within it.
Activity in the material world: Bhagavad-Gita provides guidance on how living
entities can perform their activities in the material world in a way that leads
to spiritual realization and liberation.
These subject matters collectively offer a comprehensive understanding of
the spiritual truths and practical guidance for living a meaningful life in
harmony with the Supreme.
3. What is the basic cause of Arjuna’s illusion?
The basic cause of Arjuna's illusion is his inability to distinguish right from wrong
due to temporary bodily and bodily relations.
4. List any three reasons Arjuna gives in this section for not fighting.
Compassion: Arjuna is overwhelmed by compassion and feels it would be better
to live by begging than to kill his relatives in battle.
Sin: Arjuna fears the sinful reactions of killing his own relatives and teachers,
considering it would lead to the destruction of family traditions, social chaos,
and a decline in righteousness.
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
8
Loss of pleasure: Arjuna anticipates that even if he were to gain the kingdom by
defeating his opponents, the pleasure from such victory would be marred by the
grief of having killed his loved ones.
These reasons contribute to Arjuna's initial reluctance to fight in the battle of
Kurukshetra.
5. What is the meaning of “Varna Sankara”?
The term "Varna Sankara" refers to unwanted progeny resulting from the mixing of
different castes, which leads to social chaos and degradation.
6. What is the relation between family elders, womenfolk, family traditions, and
the maintenance of a good society?
The relation between family elders, womenfolk, family traditions, and the
maintenance of a good society is crucial. The scripture emphasizes the
importance of upholding family traditions and respecting family elders as sources
of wisdom and guidance. Women are also regarded with honor and respect within
the family structure. When these principles are upheld, they contribute to the
maintenance of a harmonious and virtuous society
ISKCON Bhakti Center- Whitefield
Sensitivity: Internal & Restricted
