Sri Isopanisad

Open book Assignment

Please answer any four questions.

Each answer may contain 250 to 300 words

1. Establish, in your own words, with appropriate evidence from Sri Isopanisad
verses, purports, regarding the personal form of the Lord.

Ans: Śrī Īśopaniṣad is the knowledge that brings one nearer to the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Sri Kṛṣṇa. Srila Prabhupad very beautifully gave the definition of supreme lord as
Supreme personality of Godhead.

Invocation: The personality of Godhead is complete and perfect (oṁ pūrṇam) Lets just for sake if
we assume that, he is formless or his creation than he could not be complete. To become
complete he must be having “form”.

Iso 5 : In translation it is said “ Lord walk and does not walk” (tad ejati tan naijati). From common
understanding if a person walks than how can possible he cannot walk but such a contradiction
simply serves to indicate His inconceivable power. In other angle if we see that, if he walk he
must have leg. Otherwise how can he walk? If we accept that if he has legs than he must have
form. He cannot be impersonal.

Īśo 8: In purport said "There are many personalities possessing the qualities of Bhagavān, but
Kṛṣṇa is the supreme because none can excel Him. He is the Supreme Person, and His body is
eternal, full of knowledge and bliss. He is the primeval Lord Govinda and the cause of all causes."
(Brahma-saṁhitā 5.1)

2. Explain in your own words, how the process of spiritual life as given to us
by Srila Prabhupada, enables us to achieve a balanced program of spiritual
and material knowledge.

In your response:

- Give reference to Sri Isopanisad Mantra 11 verse and purport.

- Give examples from your own experience and from the devotees in
ISKCON in general.

3. Describe in your own words, practical ways, and the benefits therein, of
applying the isavasya principle in :

- society in general
 - ISKCON

- your own life

Give reference to Sri Isopanisad Mantras 1 -3 and purports in your response.

4. Rakesh is brilliant student who believes that there is no difference in animals and human beings
why we do have to bother about so many things to enjoy in this world, he thinks ‘Just do it’?
can you convince him about his higher state life based on Mantra 3? (high court judge analogy
etc)
5. Baba Sukhale is well known spiritual figure in the society, his
philosophy is, practice that which makes you happy ‘yato mat tato
path’ and you will reach the same destination. People are very
happy with Baba’s approach to spirituality. A curious student
Jnanagamya wants to know the validity of baba’s approach, kindly
help him to resolve his doubts.
6. Give your examples for methods of acquiring knowledge i.e.
pratyaksa, anuman and sabda.
(Not that are given in the books, students have to relate their
experiences and validate one of the above method)
7. A well known painter of the country has been asked to draw a
photo/picture of god but he is confused due to insufficient
knowledge about the god he is desperate to get information about
god. How does he look like? etc. please provide him sufficient
information.(Brahma Samhita verses)
8. A thief was caught while stealing the property of a landlord by
inspector Satyaprakash, when thief was presented in the court he
argued to the judge that he is Nirdosh(faultless) because as
everything in this world belongs to God and we all are children
of the god so there is no such thing as stealing our own property
that is just a inheritance? Help the judge solve the case based
on Mantra 1 (this injunction is for them who possess and to
utilize their possession in others service, Human life of
responsibility, we have to follow social and current Gov.laws,
developing spirit that we are not the enjoyer)
9. Explain the concept of Liberation by work and bondage by work in
Mantra 2.
10. Choose one verse from Sri Isopanishad which, if applied, would
enhance your own Krishna consciousness. Write down a plan for
doing this.
11. Choose one verse from Sri Isopanishad which you consider most
useful in preaching. Explain why and discuss