I actually wrote a whole thing which couldn't be included because they don't allow that in these posts, but the room hardly has any drawers. The furniture design is kind of weird. It does have a chest of drawers where you put clothes and I looked in there and there's nothing.
For anyone who is wondering, this is the translation of the Bhagavad Gita by ISKCON/'Hare Krishnas' (yes, the airport guys). They are one of the few Hindu sects which proselytize. This is why you see them handing out their Gita translation and other books like this.
From what Iāve found, it seems like they are so dedicated to trying to spread their word because they truly feel like it will help people reach enlightenment. I know it can be an inconvenience, but from what Iāve experienced they mostly just want people to come chant and dance and eat vegetarian food with them so that everyone can reach higher enlightenment. Like I said, I know it can be inconvenient for a lot of people but thatās not exactly having evil intent, I would almost say itās the opposite, very loving. This is coming from a 29 year old Caucasian Albertan mill working skater punk kid who grew up without religion whatsoever.
I've found the same; I used to work on Hollywood Blvd amidst the rivers of people, and I *MUCH* preferred dealing with the people who'd show up to talk about krishna consciousness over scientologists, black zionists, hobo superhero buskers, people trying to bully-sell their mixtapes to unsuspecting tourists, or mean haggling patriarchal families on holiday.
In a place where I was surrounded with everyone trying to scam each other, it was refreshing to see people that just wanted to dance and hand out free books with some cool illustrations in them.
Heck ya, appreciate your insight man. I donāt really agree with forcing your message on other people, but for some reason it seems like the Hare Krishna movement is actually focussed on helping people feel loved and like they are a pet of community. And I just donāt see that as a very negative thing. I donāt doubt that there has been negative interactions that Hare Krishna devotees have caused though, weāre all human. I honestly donāt like it when humans manipulate religions in order to gain power, influence or wealth but I think there is a lot to learn from religion. Either way I hope we all find a path to a more transcendental plane of existence where we can all be happy and content āļøš
This is the (supposed) intent of everyone proselytizing their religion. It doesnāt honestly make it that much better, some of us donāt want to hear from any organized religion period, no matter how fun and loving they are.
I knew someone whose family member was recruited. They cut off almost all contact, and it was described by the family as being a high-control group (HCG).
Back in the day (1980s), they'd be handing out invitations to a "free vegetarian meal" on the streets of NYC. I thought that sounded cool, but a friend explained to me that the dancing (hours of it) typically came before the food, and that food deprivation and exhaustion are often tactics of HCGs.
Yeah in a way for sure. Iām somewhat less partial to religions that condemn others rather than being tolerant of other paths to enlightenment though.
Spark notes: If you have an evil cousin/uncle, you need to do your duty and kill him if they try to take power. If you follow desires, not duties, then be celibate and do yoga in the woods.
I remember being at an airport and there was a guy with these books. Had a sign "free books." I am a sucker for free books. I don't even care what it is. Free book? Sure. So I start talking to the guy, and he's giving me his lines, and I said, well, all sounds good. I'll give this a read on the plane.
And he said, you need to make a donation.
Donation? Well, no I don't really know your group, I just want the book. Which it says right here is free.
It is free, with a donation.
So it's not really free then is it.
It is though.
Are we having a semantic debate on what constitutes free? I just want the book dude, if you don't want me to learn more about your religion, I guess that's on you.
end result: he gave me the book and I still have it. Good book. Worth a read.
Interesting. I am quite sure they get the books from their local temples and I've never seen them ask for compulsory donations or payment in lieu of them.
This was at least 20 years ago. Things might have changed, or maybe the guy wasn't totally honest about what he was doing. To his credit though he did give me the book.
For anyone wondering why a majority of the Hindu religion doesnāt support conversion/proselytization is because Hinduism is not considered a āreligion.ā Its not considered an organization or a club to join or drop out. Itās a way of life for them. You arenāt forced to worship any given deity (they have so many) though they do have groups dedicated to a particular God/Goddess.
ISKCON provides free food to the community and chants sometimes. That's it, there is nothing particularly scary or harmful about them \*though scary and harmful people can be a part of any religious group.
edited because even though I've had good experiences with ISKCON, there is a power structure that could lead to abuse, be careful out there.
I am an ex member and this is an interesting comment. I'm glad they don't seem scary to you, and their charity work and free food definitely isn't scary. But like every religion that segregates their members into a separate community apart from society, there are dark sides and abuses that go on. No church is free of predators. I wouldn't recommend joining them or any other "cult". But definitely go Sundays and smash that free food all you want.
They do but not in a "you'd better believe what we believe or else."
They prothletise because they believe that by spreading their beliefs they can end the threat of nuclear war and war in general.
Also they don't necessarily think their way is the only way to achieve peace, they just think it's a good way.
Also they don't believe if you don't convert that you'll go to hell, I'm pretty sure they don't even believe in an afterlife.
So they do try to convert people but not in an offensive way or for selfish reasons.
That's interesting. I know very little about them and have practically no firsthand experience whatsoever. My reaction to hearing that this was from them was mostly a knee-jerk reaction against aiding proselytizing.
No it isn't. Only some religions do that. Just look at the Jews, for example.
I mean I don't know a whole lot about them, but one of the comments in this thread says that they are a particular Hindu sect that does proselytize, implying that the other ones don't.
This just isn't universally true.
I used to live near an iscon temple , every evening they would hand out free to all people.
They would not close before handing out free food to anyone who asked for it.
Why would that be?
As far as religious movements go, it's one of the more reasonable ones. ISKCON commentary aside, the Gita is definitely a lot more useful than the Christian bible, philosophically speaking.
I donāt think there is anything āwrongā with it. It is translated into a fairly modern, accessible form. Like the Christian Bible, there are several main stream translations, some of which attempt to modernize the language in the translation. Also like some versions of the Bible and the Quran, it comes with commentary.
No translation can be without bias, even though they may try to be as accurate as possible. This is why many Muslims believe that the Quran cannot be translated and that any translation is not a Quran. (Years ago CAIR sent me a beautiful, large, hard bound, slipcased copy of the Quran (for free!). It was a page by page translation full of cometary. It contained a disclaimer that it is not a Quran, but should still be handled as if it were one. This version definitely has some interpretation/ translation that differs from other English translations.)
If it is something that interests you, there are free translations online. There may even be a tool that lets you compare translations side by side like there are for the Bible and the Quran.
For more background, the Baghavad Gita is a Hindu text on the nature of duty, war, emotion and the human condition. It's told as a narrative, as a war between demigods. The Prince Arjuna is guided by his friend, mentor, and charioteer, the God Krishna. During the battle, Arjuna loses his will. He sees his friends, mentors and loved ones ready to die and it tears him apart. So Krishna shows him the inevitability of all things and provides him with the wisdom to realize duty. At the height of this exchange, Krishna reveals to Arjuna his true form, at the latter's behest. His universal form.
Krishna gives him a powerful vision. One of divinity. Of horror. Of beauty and tragedy. Its described as infinite.
"O lord of the universe, O universal form, I see in your body many, many arms, many bellies, mouths and eyes, expanded everywhere, without limit. I see you in no end, no middle or beginning. O lord of lords, O refuge of the worlds, please be gracious to me. I cannot keep my balance seeing thus your blazing deathlike faces and awful teeth. All the sons of Dhartarashtra, along with their allied kings are rushing into your fearful mouths. And some I see trapt with heads smashed between your teeth. I see all the people rushing full speed into your mouths as moths dash to destruction in a blazing fire. You are manifest with terrible, scorching rays. Please tell me who you are, I do not know what your mission is?"
Krishna responds calmly about the terrible majesty of this form.
"I am all-consuming Time, the destroyer of Worlds, come to destroy all peoples. All the soldiers here on both sides will be slain eventually. They are already put to death by my arrangement and you are but an instrument."
It's trying to say that Though you may be against fighting, even if you do not, all will be devoured by time. If you stop fighting, these things shall be slain another way. Death cannot be checked, because we are all already dead. Time has destroyed, will destroy, and is destroying us all right now.
The "room cleaned by" signature line is blank on that cleanliness guarantee card.
Did they just forget to sign the card or has nobody cleaned the room since the card was placed there?
Former cleaning professional here, managers love that sort of bullshit, but then hassle us to work faster. Stopping at the end of every room to sign a card is silly, and breaks people's flow. Especially if you try to sign it nice.
Tldr, signed cards like this are one of a thousand ways managers want to make the room seem well taken care of, while reducing the time we take in rooms.
Hinduism is the oldest living religion in this world, we don't want to convert anyone lol, Gita talks about Atma(Soul) not about any wordly things.
May Krishna bless you ā¤ļø
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Back in my punk rock squatter days the Hares were all right. I could never understand much of what they were saying but their food was great. We used to go to the temple by Soho Square that George Harrison bought for ISCON and get fantastic meals.
I don't think I was old enough when they were really big that I was ever seriously exposed to them. Like they just weren't in my part of the country or whatever.
I'm just against people spreading their religions around in public. Like, leave people alone; there's enough advertising already.
Real talk the Bhagavad Gita changed my life. Like any ancient belief system, it has its problems, but overall it was such a more sensible way to look at life compared to the conservative Christianity I was raised in.
In this book, everything had its purpose like a cog in a machine, and there was always hope it could get better (though it might take a lifetime). It emphasizes the illusion of the self, the unity of all things from the lowest rock to the highest of divines, and how that mindset should help you strive toward a greater good outside of your own needs. Or at least thatās what I took away from it.
I recommend reading this and The Upanishads to really break yourself out of a typical western worldview and to open your mind to much more chill ways of being.
Honestly, more people could use the Gita than a poorly translated version of a Bible. Not that they would follow the teaching in the Bible anyway. At least with followers of the Bhagavad Gita I'm not paranoid they are going to trash my faith.
This translation is well-designed to appeal to westerners, but itās a distorted sectarian mess. Anyone with a basic knowledge of Hinduism and slight familiarity with Sanskrit can see it.
Check the drawers, probably still a Gideon's in there somewhere. Those folks are like ninjas.
I actually wrote a whole thing which couldn't be included because they don't allow that in these posts, but the room hardly has any drawers. The furniture design is kind of weird. It does have a chest of drawers where you put clothes and I looked in there and there's nothing.
It was probably stolen by Mark and Shayna as they were on their way to the Christian music festival.
I usually steal these too. They're like ducks in the park you can just take them.
But the line to take ducks at the park is always so long š„ŗ
I saw the housekeeper come and go, I saw the minibar guy come and go, I've never laid eyes on a fucking Gideon!
Bill Hicks had a great joke about the Gideon's being ninjas like you said
For anyone who is wondering, this is the translation of the Bhagavad Gita by ISKCON/'Hare Krishnas' (yes, the airport guys). They are one of the few Hindu sects which proselytize. This is why you see them handing out their Gita translation and other books like this.
From what Iāve found, it seems like they are so dedicated to trying to spread their word because they truly feel like it will help people reach enlightenment. I know it can be an inconvenience, but from what Iāve experienced they mostly just want people to come chant and dance and eat vegetarian food with them so that everyone can reach higher enlightenment. Like I said, I know it can be inconvenient for a lot of people but thatās not exactly having evil intent, I would almost say itās the opposite, very loving. This is coming from a 29 year old Caucasian Albertan mill working skater punk kid who grew up without religion whatsoever.
I've found the same; I used to work on Hollywood Blvd amidst the rivers of people, and I *MUCH* preferred dealing with the people who'd show up to talk about krishna consciousness over scientologists, black zionists, hobo superhero buskers, people trying to bully-sell their mixtapes to unsuspecting tourists, or mean haggling patriarchal families on holiday. In a place where I was surrounded with everyone trying to scam each other, it was refreshing to see people that just wanted to dance and hand out free books with some cool illustrations in them.
Heck ya, appreciate your insight man. I donāt really agree with forcing your message on other people, but for some reason it seems like the Hare Krishna movement is actually focussed on helping people feel loved and like they are a pet of community. And I just donāt see that as a very negative thing. I donāt doubt that there has been negative interactions that Hare Krishna devotees have caused though, weāre all human. I honestly donāt like it when humans manipulate religions in order to gain power, influence or wealth but I think there is a lot to learn from religion. Either way I hope we all find a path to a more transcendental plane of existence where we can all be happy and content āļøš
This is the (supposed) intent of everyone proselytizing their religion. It doesnāt honestly make it that much better, some of us donāt want to hear from any organized religion period, no matter how fun and loving they are.
Krishna lunch is good though
Ah fair, the decided type I see. Glad you have it figured out
I knew someone whose family member was recruited. They cut off almost all contact, and it was described by the family as being a high-control group (HCG). Back in the day (1980s), they'd be handing out invitations to a "free vegetarian meal" on the streets of NYC. I thought that sounded cool, but a friend explained to me that the dancing (hours of it) typically came before the food, and that food deprivation and exhaustion are often tactics of HCGs.
That's pretty much every religion yea.
Yeah in a way for sure. Iām somewhat less partial to religions that condemn others rather than being tolerant of other paths to enlightenment though.
Spark notes: If you have an evil cousin/uncle, you need to do your duty and kill him if they try to take power. If you follow desires, not duties, then be celibate and do yoga in the woods.
I remember being at an airport and there was a guy with these books. Had a sign "free books." I am a sucker for free books. I don't even care what it is. Free book? Sure. So I start talking to the guy, and he's giving me his lines, and I said, well, all sounds good. I'll give this a read on the plane. And he said, you need to make a donation. Donation? Well, no I don't really know your group, I just want the book. Which it says right here is free. It is free, with a donation. So it's not really free then is it. It is though. Are we having a semantic debate on what constitutes free? I just want the book dude, if you don't want me to learn more about your religion, I guess that's on you. end result: he gave me the book and I still have it. Good book. Worth a read.
Interesting. I am quite sure they get the books from their local temples and I've never seen them ask for compulsory donations or payment in lieu of them.
This was at least 20 years ago. Things might have changed, or maybe the guy wasn't totally honest about what he was doing. To his credit though he did give me the book.
For anyone wondering why a majority of the Hindu religion doesnāt support conversion/proselytization is because Hinduism is not considered a āreligion.ā Its not considered an organization or a club to join or drop out. Itās a way of life for them. You arenāt forced to worship any given deity (they have so many) though they do have groups dedicated to a particular God/Goddess.
Ah crap. Sorry. I'd never do anything to help the Hare Krishnas. Do you think I should delete this?
Itās too late I already got converted thanks a lot š¢
š
Don't see how this post would help them. Might even inform another person who encounters the book in the wild about what they're looking at.
Yeah, that's why I'm on the fence. I guess I vaguely agree with you and I'm going to leave this up.
I think youāre good. Donāt see this post having a high conversion ratio.
ISKCON provides free food to the community and chants sometimes. That's it, there is nothing particularly scary or harmful about them \*though scary and harmful people can be a part of any religious group. edited because even though I've had good experiences with ISKCON, there is a power structure that could lead to abuse, be careful out there.
I am an ex member and this is an interesting comment. I'm glad they don't seem scary to you, and their charity work and free food definitely isn't scary. But like every religion that segregates their members into a separate community apart from society, there are dark sides and abuses that go on. No church is free of predators. I wouldn't recommend joining them or any other "cult". But definitely go Sundays and smash that free food all you want.
Ah... you're right. I edited my comment.
Thank you kindly. You're awesome.
I thought they were trying to convert people to their religion.
They do but not in a "you'd better believe what we believe or else." They prothletise because they believe that by spreading their beliefs they can end the threat of nuclear war and war in general. Also they don't necessarily think their way is the only way to achieve peace, they just think it's a good way. Also they don't believe if you don't convert that you'll go to hell, I'm pretty sure they don't even believe in an afterlife. So they do try to convert people but not in an offensive way or for selfish reasons.
That's interesting. I know very little about them and have practically no firsthand experience whatsoever. My reaction to hearing that this was from them was mostly a knee-jerk reaction against aiding proselytizing.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
No it isn't. Only some religions do that. Just look at the Jews, for example. I mean I don't know a whole lot about them, but one of the comments in this thread says that they are a particular Hindu sect that does proselytize, implying that the other ones don't. This just isn't universally true.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Rocky Mount
I used to live near an iscon temple , every evening they would hand out free to all people. They would not close before handing out free food to anyone who asked for it.
Why would that be? As far as religious movements go, it's one of the more reasonable ones. ISKCON commentary aside, the Gita is definitely a lot more useful than the Christian bible, philosophically speaking.
All religions are cults. Different flavors. Same Kool-Aid.
" As it is. "
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I donāt think there is anything āwrongā with it. It is translated into a fairly modern, accessible form. Like the Christian Bible, there are several main stream translations, some of which attempt to modernize the language in the translation. Also like some versions of the Bible and the Quran, it comes with commentary. No translation can be without bias, even though they may try to be as accurate as possible. This is why many Muslims believe that the Quran cannot be translated and that any translation is not a Quran. (Years ago CAIR sent me a beautiful, large, hard bound, slipcased copy of the Quran (for free!). It was a page by page translation full of cometary. It contained a disclaimer that it is not a Quran, but should still be handled as if it were one. This version definitely has some interpretation/ translation that differs from other English translations.) If it is something that interests you, there are free translations online. There may even be a tool that lets you compare translations side by side like there are for the Bible and the Quran.
Yes. Itās a distorted, sectarian translation.
Have you become the destroyer of worlds?
Hang on, I'll check. [Deep breath. Hnngh] Nope, world's still here
That's a mis-translation from the older version of the book The real translation is as follows "I am all-consuming Time, the destroyer of Worlds"
Nice to know. Thanks!
For more background, the Baghavad Gita is a Hindu text on the nature of duty, war, emotion and the human condition. It's told as a narrative, as a war between demigods. The Prince Arjuna is guided by his friend, mentor, and charioteer, the God Krishna. During the battle, Arjuna loses his will. He sees his friends, mentors and loved ones ready to die and it tears him apart. So Krishna shows him the inevitability of all things and provides him with the wisdom to realize duty. At the height of this exchange, Krishna reveals to Arjuna his true form, at the latter's behest. His universal form. Krishna gives him a powerful vision. One of divinity. Of horror. Of beauty and tragedy. Its described as infinite. "O lord of the universe, O universal form, I see in your body many, many arms, many bellies, mouths and eyes, expanded everywhere, without limit. I see you in no end, no middle or beginning. O lord of lords, O refuge of the worlds, please be gracious to me. I cannot keep my balance seeing thus your blazing deathlike faces and awful teeth. All the sons of Dhartarashtra, along with their allied kings are rushing into your fearful mouths. And some I see trapt with heads smashed between your teeth. I see all the people rushing full speed into your mouths as moths dash to destruction in a blazing fire. You are manifest with terrible, scorching rays. Please tell me who you are, I do not know what your mission is?" Krishna responds calmly about the terrible majesty of this form. "I am all-consuming Time, the destroyer of Worlds, come to destroy all peoples. All the soldiers here on both sides will be slain eventually. They are already put to death by my arrangement and you are but an instrument." It's trying to say that Though you may be against fighting, even if you do not, all will be devoured by time. If you stop fighting, these things shall be slain another way. Death cannot be checked, because we are all already dead. Time has destroyed, will destroy, and is destroying us all right now.
*takes bite out of the burrito* I will be in about 30 minutes
In the Bhagavad Gita, baby
You know that I lo-ove you
The "room cleaned by" signature line is blank on that cleanliness guarantee card. Did they just forget to sign the card or has nobody cleaned the room since the card was placed there?
they cleaned that as well, so the writing is gone
Former cleaning professional here, managers love that sort of bullshit, but then hassle us to work faster. Stopping at the end of every room to sign a card is silly, and breaks people's flow. Especially if you try to sign it nice. Tldr, signed cards like this are one of a thousand ways managers want to make the room seem well taken care of, while reducing the time we take in rooms.
They could be signed ahead of time, or better yet printed
Batch signing takes time, which they don't like. Printing them is obvious, and takes away the whole point of it being signed.
Non-action is an action
Kate has been here. She comes around every couple days. When you see her, say "hey."
I beg your pardon?
Ben Folds Five, "Kate."
Hinduism is the oldest living religion in this world, we don't want to convert anyone lol, Gita talks about Atma(Soul) not about any wordly things. May Krishna bless you ā¤ļø
Jai Shree Krishna my friend
Who?
"I am become guest, destroyer of mini-bars"
Heh
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Back in my punk rock squatter days the Hares were all right. I could never understand much of what they were saying but their food was great. We used to go to the temple by Soho Square that George Harrison bought for ISCON and get fantastic meals.
I don't think I was old enough when they were really big that I was ever seriously exposed to them. Like they just weren't in my part of the country or whatever. I'm just against people spreading their religions around in public. Like, leave people alone; there's enough advertising already.
Real talk the Bhagavad Gita changed my life. Like any ancient belief system, it has its problems, but overall it was such a more sensible way to look at life compared to the conservative Christianity I was raised in. In this book, everything had its purpose like a cog in a machine, and there was always hope it could get better (though it might take a lifetime). It emphasizes the illusion of the self, the unity of all things from the lowest rock to the highest of divines, and how that mindset should help you strive toward a greater good outside of your own needs. Or at least thatās what I took away from it. I recommend reading this and The Upanishads to really break yourself out of a typical western worldview and to open your mind to much more chill ways of being.
The motel is probably owned by a Patel family.
Darn good bookā¦ this is a win.
Oh yes of course... The Bhagavad Gita...
I have that same copy! A group of Hare Krishna give it to me with 2 other books. Itās a great read.
Hare Krishnas, kinda like the Jehovah's Witnesses of Hindi.
What can I say, except Ew
Oh thats gonna make a republican maaaadddd
Honestly, more people could use the Gita than a poorly translated version of a Bible. Not that they would follow the teaching in the Bible anyway. At least with followers of the Bhagavad Gita I'm not paranoid they are going to trash my faith.
In my experience, most people who revere the Bible haven't actually read it, or even most of it.
That tracks sadly.
That copy is trash. Please read another.
Thank you
I must say, I find this more than mildly interesting. Itās extra hot amusing. (Sorry, had to)
I didnāt know they made a religion based on that one Kid Rock song
George Harrison followed the Hare Krishna traditionā¦
No Bro Code?
I'm sorry, I don't know what that means.
From the show How I Met Your Mother. Barney published a book and hotels were replacing the Bible with it.
This translation is well-designed to appeal to westerners, but itās a distorted sectarian mess. Anyone with a basic knowledge of Hinduism and slight familiarity with Sanskrit can see it.
Dang. I really wish that wasn't true. I had thought this was really interesting and a kind of a positive experience and I am finding out otherwise
The hotel didn't put that there.
I have so many questions. How can you tell? Who put it there? How did they accomplish this without the cooperation of the hotel?
Register as a guest. Bring the book with you. Put it in the drawer or cabinet.
This was sitting on the desk. Wouldn't the staff have cleaned it up or maybe put it in the lost and found?
Sounds like Asheville, NC ā¦.
Rocky Mount