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"From now on unless I order you do something change or in
addition, go on with the usual standard way..."
Articles
Book Changes and Book Distribution
Festivals/Events
Acaryas-Pure Devotees
Hari Nama
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Hear, Sing and Accept Prabhupada's Approved Editions
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami has answered our questions and concerns regarding the status of those who support the idea of changing Srila Prabhupada's approved pre-1978 books.
First of all, Sukadeva Gosvami predicted Srila Prabhupada's original books from India -- books "meant for bringing about a revolution in a misdirected civilization..." As predicted, these editions exhibited
some "irregularities in composition" due to Srila Prabhupada's letting
a sincere devotee yet unqualified editor finish his proofs in New
Delhi. This was His causeless mercy on one devotee and the
fulfillment of Sukadeva Gosvami's prediction. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami predicted that these books would be "heard, sung, and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest." (SB 1.5.11). In fact, these editions were all we had in the early days when the genuine Krishna consciousness movement was spreading like wild fire. Sincere devotees relish these unique editions even today, never complaining about the "irregularities".
Srila Prabhupada approved minor changes to correct obvious mistakes in the original editions brought from India. These corrections were completed, however, way before Srila Prabhupada's disappearance day in 1977. He approved some minor changes in the 1972 unabridged Gita. But why go on making changes after 1977, claiming to be returning to an original manuscript version? This is a bogus argument. Srila Prabhupada blessed and accepted the service of the original editor of His unabridged "Bhagavad-gita As It Is", and He relished reading it.
It is simply false to say, as a BBT editor claimed, that Srila Prabhupada's approved editions are full of mistakes. I am a trained English editor who has been carefully reading Prabhupada's pre-1978 editions for decades, and I have a hard time finding errors, although I can easily find errors on almost every page of Time Magazine, a university textbook, or the latest best seller. Srila Prabhupada
himself relished reading, citing, and lecturing from these editions,
and he became upset when he noticed unauthorized editing, as Gauridas Pandit and Yasoda Nandan and other devotees can bare witness.
More importantly, where is the written instruction from Srila
Prabhupada saying He wanted His books changed after 1977? Rather, the opposite instruction is there in writing and on tape.
For those who think they understand-SP
Hare Krsna to All
Pranams
Glories to Prabhupada
This lecture by Srila Prabhupada is for those who think they understand it all-
What follows is excerpts from another ecstatic talk by Srila Prabhupada where he
clearly explains what it takes to come to the spirit platform, and the stages one will
find along the way.
Damaghosa dasa
-----------------------
720827SB.LA Lectures
Prabhupada: Suppose you want fire. So there are so many
stages. Earth, then there is wood. Wood is produced from earth. From wood, there is, first instance there is smoke, and then comes the fire. But you require the fire. When you get fire, you can get so many things done through fire, electricity. All industry is going on
through fire. Your household affairs, cooking, that is also, you
require fire. For your living condition you require fire, heat. So fire is necessity, not the earth, neither the wood, nor the smoke.
Similarly, although Brahma, Visnu, Mahesvara, they are one, from
Krsna--they are different incarnation of different modes of material nature--but actually, Visnu is required. Brahman, brahma-darsanam. If you want to see the Absolute Truth, then neither Brahma nor Siva is
required, but Visnu is required.
The example is: just like if you want to have your work done, then fire is required. The wood is also another stage of fire; the smoke is also another stage of fire. But as fire is necessity, similarly, to come to the platform of goodness, that is necessity, especially in this human form of life. In other forms of life, they're mostly in the ignorance. Just like the earth. The earth has got potency to produce wood, trees and plants, but there are some earthen plot of land, it is
not producing anything, desert. It has got the potency. If you pour
water, it has got the potency to produce wood, but, in that...
Similarly, the mode of ignorance, those living entities, those who are in the mode of ignorance, they cannot have any knowledge of the
Absolute Truth. That's not possible. Therefore it is gradual
evolution, from mode of ignorance to mode of passion. And passion,
there is little activity. Just like animal, they have got activity.
Just like a dog, we have seen, in the beach and other places, running very swiftly here and there, but there is no meaning. A monkey is very
active. You have not seen monkey in your country. In our country there are monkeys. Unnecessarily creating disturbance. But they are very active. But human being, they are not so active, but they have got brain, they're working with brain.
So foolish activity has no meaning. Without brain, simply active,
that is dangerous. Sober activity is required. Just like a high court
judge. He is paid very lump sum, money, but he's sitting on his chair and simply thinking. The others may think that "We are working so hard, we are not getting so big salary, and this man is getting so big salary. He's sitting only." Because foolish activity has no value. It is dangerous. So this modern world, they very active, but they're
foolishly active, in the ignorance and passion, rajas tamas. Therefore
there is confusion activity. Foolish activity, there is accident.
Sober activity required. Because, just like unless you come to the
platform of fire, you cannot utilize the material things. Fire is
required. Similarly, to make your life successful, there is gradual
evolution from aquatics to plant life, plant life to insect life,
insect life to reptiles, reptiles to bird's life, then beast life,
then human life, then civilized life.
KRSNA JANMASTAMI FESTIVAL
HARE KRSNA TO ALL
THIS IS A PERSONAL INVITATION TO ONE AND ALL TO ATTEND OUR ANNUAL
AND ALWAYS BLISSFUL JANMASTAMI /VYASA PUJA FESTIVAL
FESTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
1) ECSTATIC CHANTING OF THE HOLY NAMES OF GOD
2) ECSTATIC DANCING ALONG WITH THE CHANTING
3) ECSTATIC FEASTING ON KRSNA PRASADAM OF THE LORD
4) THERE WILL BE BEAUTIFUL GIFTS OFFERED TO THE LORD
5) BHAJANS WILL BE SUNG TO THE LORD
6) A PLAY WILL BE OFFERED TO THE LORD DEPICTING THIS LILA
7) AROTIKS AND ABISEKS WILL BE OFFERED TO THE LORD
8) CLASS ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS
9) OFFERINGS TO SRILA PRABHUPADA-GURU PUJA-PUSHPA PUJA
Date: August 29th (Janmastami/Vyasa Puja Festival)
Time: 2pm, Sunday
Place: 8805 Harrison Rd, Sedro Woolley , Wa.
360-856-5411
(All programs to be held at our 2 Acre Mini-Farm Ashrama)
GBC’s EXTREMIST ATTITUDE
Recently the following shocking message is being circulated widely by Narahari Dev Das (on behalf of HG Syamasundar Das (ACBSP)) among the devotees in Bangalore and perhaps in India:
Dear Vaishanavas,
Hare Krsna!
We have reached critical juncture in the court cases against Madhu Pandit das. Starting today the Karnataka High Court will be hearing the matter. We need all of your help to invoke the mercy of the Lord and it will just take a minimum of 15-20 minutes of your time every day by engaging in Bhagavatam reading vrata. You should read daily from two sections of the Srimad Bhagavatam, one dealing with Narasimha Lila(SB 7th Canto Chapters 2-10) and Parasurama Lila (SB Canto 9 Chapters 15-16).
The Sankalpa is “To Defeat and Destroy Madhu Pandit dasa and get back all the properties and assets he has stolen from Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON.”
After the sankalpa you can read a few verses from each Lila for several minutes, about 20 minutes minimum. Just read the verses. You should do this for as long as the court trial is going on. (next 2 weeks)
Sent on behalf of H.G.Shyamasundara dasa, Narahari Dev das
This message shows the continued cultist, fanatical, and extremist approach of the GBC guru camp. Instead of the intellectual sobriety, compassion and tolerance expected out of Vaishnavas in responding to theological issues, the email tries to whip up fanatic sentiments of innocent new devotees. The purported motive - to “destroy Madhu Pandit dasa” and “get back all properties”. The crime he has committed – standing up to the ISKCON’s self-appointed gurus and boldly declaring that only Srila Prabhupada is the authorized guru in ISKCON as per his own directions!
Amazingly enough, they are advocating the use of Srimad Bhagavatam to “destroy Madhu Pandit dasa”. This when Srila Prabhupada disapproved of even using the holy name for a materially good purpose. In a lecture on SB 1.10.5 in Mayapur on June 20, 1973, says,
“Everyone who knows history of Calcutta, the plague was subsided by sankirtana movement. Of course, we do not recommend that sankirtana should be used for some material purpose, that is nama-aparadha, nama-aparadha. Shama sa bhakti kriya (?) pramana. Sankirtana, you can utilize sankirtana for some material purpose, but that is not allowed. That is nama-aparadha, because nama, the holy name of Krsna, and Krsna, they are identical. You cannot utilize Krsna for your personal, material benefit. That is aparadha.”
How are they advocating the use of Srimad Bhagavatam for a destructive purpose against a vaishnava when Srila Prabhupada forbid it even for a material good purpose?
2010 RATHA YATRA LAMAI KOH SAMUI THAILAND
Formalities
BY: MAHESH RAJA
The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas.
In his recent article, "Ravindra Svarupa's Role in the Guru Reform Movement", Rocana Prabhu wrote"
“It's a fact, as Kurma dasa writes, that this system of voted-in gurus is nonsense. Of course, Kurma prabhu is trying to make out that Srila Prabhupada’s original program, which he thinks is synonymous with the current Rtvik system, should be put in place now. That’s where he and I have a different understanding. I don’t think you can introduce a system that has no verification in sastra.”
Since many of us support the July 9th 1977 ORDER of Ritvik System that Srila Prabhupada himself set-up AND NEVER RECINDED, I wish to respond to the above.
The Ritvik System is just FORMALITIES, so as per Srila Prabhupada’s instructions: “The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas.”
It is being misconstrued as “introduce a new system”, BUT--FACTUALLY--it is ONLY FORMALITIES.
Lets study the following in terms of FORMALITIES:
Sunday Morning Darshan
4 ways to serve God + some garden photos and text
Hare Krsna To Everyone
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below is a short few paragraphs where Srila Prabhupada explains a nice verse from
Caitanya Caritamrta about the 4 ways anyone can serve the Lord. And how we , should not
try to hide anything from God, like our "money" and then just chant Hare Krsna instead. That is
not devotion he states. Whatever we have at present,and we all have something, it all should be employed in the service of the
Supreme Controller and Owner of everything-Krsna. Then we will be happy and never otherwise.
And at the end I posted some photos I just took of the spring gardens just getting going in their service for Krsna.
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa
------------------------------
Two potencies of Maya-Ignorance and Covering
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below are small portions of one very nice class given in LA Calif in 1972 by Srila Prabhupada.
He explains nicely how we get ourselves into this fix of the material world and how we ourselves make sure, by our desires, stay here.
And thats ALL of us-- devotees included !!
-----------------------------
720818SB.LA Lectures
So this is called maya. Praksepatmika-sakti, covering.
Avaranatmika-sakti, praksepatmika-sakti. There are two kinds of energy
of material, maya. One is avaranatmi..., ignorance. One is living very
condemned life; still, he's thinking, "I am very happy." Or "We are
all right." So that is called avaranatmika, covered. Real knowledge is
covered. And another sakti is praksepatmika. Praksepatmika means if
anyone tries to get out of this... Suppose our students are coming to
Krsna consciousness, somebody is coming to us, maya will dictate, "Oh,
why you are coming here? There are so many restrictions and so rules
and regulations. Better give it up." "Why, yes, what is this nonsense?
Give it up." This is called praksepatmika. Maya is dragging. Because
the more one is sinful, the more one is miscreant, the more one is the
lowest of the mankind, he, maya will not allow: "Oh, why this rascal
is here? He must suffer under me for more..., some times more; then he
may be allowed." That is maya's business. Thankless business. Just
like police. Police is nobody's enemy, but when criminal, they punish
like that, put him in the jail and beats him with a rod. That is the
business of maya, thankless. Nobody will thank police. When police
beats, nobody will, "Thank you very much." No. Nobody is happy.
Similarly, maya's business is very thankless task, but she is engaged
by the supreme authority to punish.
So, so long one is not conscious that "What is the position of my
life? What I am doing?" that is called knot, tied up very tightly. So
here is the medicine. What is that? Yad anudhyasina yuktah. Just like
if there is very hard knot, you take a sharp knife and you can cut it,
then the knot will open, immediately. Similarly, this knot, this
materialistic way of life, is very strong. Daivi hy esa gunamayi mama
maya duratyaya. And this knot is, the beginning of the knot is sex
life. Beginning of this knot. We are tied up by this sex life. The
lowest is the hog. There is also the sex life.
So knot begins... Pumsah striya mithuni-bhavam etam. The world, we
are bound up within this material law of nature--why? Because we have
got strong desire for sex. Not only also human society, in animal
society also. The central point is sex. Yan maithunadi... These people
are working so hard because they have got the aim, "I will enjoy sex
life." Just like in your country, the hippies. They have given up
everything, but sex is there. They cannot give it up. They have
renounced everything, their father's property, their happy life,
everything, but the sex is there. They cannot leave it. That is the
central point of knot. "Where you shall go, sir? Here is your knot."
Candan Yatra-Lord Krsna slathered in sandlewood pulp
Hare Krsna To all
Pranams
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below are a few pictures of some of our Deities slathered in sandlewood paste. I am sure Yasoda nandan Prabhu can appreciate this service this time of year since he is one of the few devotees I know who LOVES to grind volumes of sandlewood paste for His Deities. Not only his Deities but everything in his house seems to be covered in sandlewood paste-Objects both moving and stationary.
Sunday began this annual 3 week festival observed in India with great style in both Vrndavana, Jagannatha Puri and many other places where the Deity of Lord Vishnu or Krsna resides. Because it gets so hot in India , and Krsnas devotees dont like to see Him perspire from the heat, they grind massive amounts of sandlewood to cool down His beautiful body. I mean they cover His body from head to toes, completely.
So as you can see from the following photos, we have tried to do that here also.
HareKrsna
Damaghosa das
SP on--- letting go....
Hare Krsna to All
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is a portion of a class given by Srila Prabhupada talking on the specific point of the futility
of working like an ass in this world thinking by what "I DO ALONE", all things will come to my plan !!
This clear understanding of just "letting go" and letting Krsna take control of ones life is difficult, as Srila Prabhupada states, for some to grasp and apply.
By "letting go" doesnt mean one doesnt have to work. What it means is that one has to work, but one has to work more at becomming Krsna or God Conscious than the work one does for maintaining his material body and the illusory bodies of his illusory bodily expansions, namely wife, husband, children, family, relatives,society, etc. All or most of this type of work he calls "extended selfishness" because it is based on the mistaken notion that one is his or her material body.
This particular point Srila Prabhupada states, is difficult for some to grasp.
Please read below and see why
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
-----------------------------
The authorized way to offer anything to God-thru Guru first...
Hare Krsna to All
Pranams
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is is three short things from Prabhupada which clearly explain the most basic aspect of devotional service-namely HOW to approach God. His answers are clear to the clear headed-one has to offer all to Guru FIRST, Not to God first--which is wrongly being done all over the world these days in certain "temples" of RadhaKrsna. Even Jesus Christ has said "only thru me can the father be reached"--I guess some have forgotten even this general guru principle instruction as well.
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
------------------
710215SB.GOR Lectures
Prabhupada: Not a special plate. The process is that whatever we offer
to the Deity, that is offered to guru. And guru offers to his guru. In
this way goes to Krsna. We don't directly offer Radha-Krsna. No. We
have no right. Neither He accepts in that way. The pictures of the
acaryas, why there are? Actually, one has to offer the plate to his
guru, and he'll offer his guru, he offers his guru, his guru. In this
way it will go to Krsna. That is the process. You cannot directly
approach Krsna or other subordinates to Krsna. That is not possible.
--------------
(The Original Guru-Nityananda Prabhu)
If we dont please guru, we wont know where we will go
Hare Krsna to all spiritual aspirants
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below, for those who like to know, are three very basic ideas Srila Prabhupada gives to us, if we are somewhat serious
about our (spiritual) life.
If not, then just delete this email-or let me know you dont want to receive these little beautiful bhakti bits of nectar...
Hare Krsna,
Damaghosa das
-------------------------------
1) 760705CC.WDC Lectures
So in order to know all these problems of life... Just like Arjuna
submitted, and any one has to submit. One has to... Tad-vijnanartham
sa gurum evabhigacchet. So Sanatana Gosvami is teaching us by his
personal behavior how to approach the bona fide spiritual master and
submit before him and putting himself pranipa, blank. Not that "I know
something, and what my spiritual master can teach? I know everything.
There is no need of spiritual master." No. This will spoil our life.
---------------
Become happy by this advice--SP
Hare Krsna To All
Obeisances
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows are 10 excerpts from various conversations with Srila Prabhupada about how to live
in this wonderful age called Kali yuga. His wisdom and advice is appreciated by those who follow him and try to do what he asks of us. And what does he ask us to do? Become happy, by this advice.
Hare Krsna
your humble servant,
Damaghosa das
----------------------------
1) 740312mw.vrn Conversations 354338/530501
Tamala-Krsna: In our centers we are awarding brahmana initiation,
second initiation...
Prabhupada: No, no. Initiation should go on. Even... You do not
understand what I have said, that that is for Vaisnava. A Vaisnava and
Visnu... Just like Krsna is Visnu, He's not human being, but He was
acting like human being, similarly, Vaisnava is transcendental. But
for proper management of the material world, one should be acting like
brahmana, one should be acting like ksatriya. That is required. Just
like actually we are doing so. Some of you are preaching, and some of
you are cleansing the temple. It does not mean that a sannyasi who is
preaching, he is better than that man who is cleansing. The... Their
position as Vaisnava is the same. But for the management, one is
cleansing, one is seeing the construction, one is going to preach,
like that. That should be there. It is not that "Because I have taken
sannyasa, therefore I cannot any more do anything." If need be, he has
to act as ksatriya. Or a sudra. It doesn't matter.
Hrdayananda: Oh.
Prabhupada: Doesn't matter. But manage, for management, this division
must be there. Otherwise it will be mismanagement. Yes. A Vaisnava
coming to the position of doing the work of a sudra does not mean he
has become sudra. He's Vaisnava. Try to understand this point. Just
like in the stage. If you want to play something, one must be king,
one must be queen, one must be..., but neither of them king or queen.
That is stage play. Similarly to manage things in the material world
we have to... Guna, karma. Karma there must be. Therefore the karma
should be done, executed, according to quality.
Krsna tells us He is flower bearing spring
Hare Krsna to All
What follows are some beautiful photos my wife took on a recent trip to one of our local tulip
fields. Here in Skagit County Washington, USA. We get to see firsthand why Krsna says
He is flower bearing spring !!
Access Denied?
In a recent discussion with an old friend we talked about why Srila Prabhupada’s disciples do not include access to his original books on their wonderfully accessible web sites. These devotees have attained wealth, fame and adoration since their early years as disciples of Srila Prabhupada. They have gone on to do great works for humanity at large opening the world to the Vedas and the realities of material existence. So why not include access Srila Prabhupada’s books? They dedicate thanks to him in the preface of their books but that is all the world knows about Srila Prabhupada when these web sites are opened as well as their books. Why?
Some have said that the relationship between Srila Prabhupada and the devotee are private so why wasn’t that understanding there when Srila Prabhupada was physically present? Srila Prabhupada never said that access to him through his disciples was a private matter only, otherwise I’d have never heard of him or read his books. The other argument is that Srila Prabhupada never made Bhaktisiddhanta's books available so why should these web sites make Srila Prabhupada’s books available? The answer is that as disciples he told us to make his books available.
There was no post Srila Prabhupada order that after he was gone that the books should not go out and that access should be denied. Denial of access to Srila Prabhupada and his books has gone on since the day he left his body. Gradually over time and with a great deal of effort by his disciples access to Srila Prabhupada’s original works has blossomed like a lotus flower. So why have his disciples who are teaching various Vedic disciplines and knowledge not giving their followers and associates access to Srila Prabhupada? I suggest you ask them.
Is it possible that giving access to Srila Prabhupada’s original works would be such a powerful distraction that these devotee web sites would loose a great deal of their audience? It is a fact as Srila Prabhupada has said that “When you know God, Krsna you will have all knowledge”
So teaching the world and giving the world access to Srila Prabhupadas books so that the world can know God, Krsna will not only revive completely Srila Prabhupada as a living guru. But as the most powerful competition to mayas world and select few good hearted and dedicated disciples.
So access to Srila Prabhupad’s books must not be denied by anyone.
From the Preface of the Srimad Bhagavatam series of books Srila Prabhupada writes.
Srimad- Bhagavatam should be introduced also in the schools and colleges, for it is recommended by the great student-devotee Prahlad Maharaja in order to change the demonic face of society”
So what self described disciple of Srila Prabhupada does not want these books to be taught in the schools in order to change the obvious and growing demonic face of society? Please speak up.
Srila Prabhupada writes.
“These books are so potent that anyone who reads them is sure to become Krishna conscious. They are so nice. So we want to make propaganda in that way. And if you are enthusiastic & sincere in your efforts, then Krishna will give you all facility. (to Prahladananda 17 Jun, 1971)”
“We must become now very serious to save the people of the world from this very dangerous situation. So become very convinced yourself of our philosophy and then your preaching will act. And try to sell as many books as possible at all the schools and colleges. This is scholarly information, flawless science. Kindly assist me in this great work, and know it for certain, that by your sincerely working in this way, you shall very soon go back to Home, back to Godhead. (to Locan 24 Nov, 1971)”
Anyone who reads Srila Prabhupada’s original books daily will know that each time they read them they get more and more information. They are transcendental literature and that is the nature of them as such. The knowledge revealed to the reader keeps expanding. So do these disciples in their particular Vedic disciplines deny access to Srila Prabhupada’s books because they are a threat to their domain? Read the allegory and ask them why on their web sites there is no access to Srila Prabhupada's original books.
The New Man of The Sea
The New Master posts on his web site: My whole life has been dedicated to learning how to cross great bodies of water. I present here in my books and CDs the information on how to build a canoe to cross the Lake of Life in this world, the source material and the nature of the lake. My teacher and master was a sea faring shipmaster and I dedicate all my works to him here.”
Then one day a new student wrote to the New Master as such.
“Dear Lake of Life expert and canoe master. Thank you for all your efforts in helping humanity. I have searched for and have located all the lectures, books and ship plans by your master and teacher. Not only is the canoe plan there but he also shows how to build a ship to cross the whole sea of life and never have to come back to the little Lake of Life again. It is so simple that even a child can do it. The plans he said are valid for anyone to have access to.
Thank you so much for introducing me to your teacher and master.
Regards. A new man of the sea.
Hasti Gopala Dasa
The month of Purushottama--Krsna Himself
Hare Krsna to All
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Coming up in one day is the sacred month of Purushottama --This special month, more auspicious
than even Kartik itself, is, according to Padma Purana, Krsna Himself within the 30 days of this month.
At the end of this letter I will include again, its description.
As I was sitting this morning in our greenhouse, around 10am, chanting some rounds of Hare Krsna mantra, I was thinking that I am very fortunate to be able to do this. Most people and even most devotees in this world will have to work at some job probably right up to the point of death-thats if they are "lucky" enough even to have a "job" in this present day economic situation. The world economic situation is now such a mess that millions of people are wondering if they will even have a house to live in soon, what to speak of a job!!. And now we hear that another economic "bubble" soon is about to collapse in China, another country tied financially to the USA.
So why do I feel personally fortunate?
How many devotees have the time, (that oh, so valuable commodity) what to speak of the inclination to write these nectar emails,that I send out regularly? How many dont even have the time to read them? How many devotees have organized their lives in such a way that Krsna is directly from the earth outside, supplying them with the food they need to live ?
Prabhupada has told us that if one takes to agriculture (or at least a small garden) then all his eatables can be made by himself in two months time. So when devotees , at least the lucky ones, read or hear this some think,- yeah thats a good trick, how am I ever going to find the time to do that? Or, why should I do that when I can go to the local store and just buy what I need easier and without the work of growing it myself?
Photo Essay-Your Morning Oatmeal-from field to bowl
Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below you will find a very informative photo story on how to make your own oatmeal--
Thats right-from growing the oats, to cutting them, to threshing them, separating chaff from grain, and finally rolling them flat for cooking.Everything you need to know, is below...
We begin with our small oat field out back, sown with hulless oats (this is important), wait a few months for them to grow, then cut them with a hand sickle, dry them for a day or two in the sun, thresh them in our homemade thresher machine,(this can also be done by hand if you dont have such a handy machine), then separate the grains from the hulls (chaff) with a fan (or wind power if you prefer), then flatten them inside your ashram or house with the grain roller. The oat flakes can then be cooked for about 5 minutes with other pleasurable additions like sesame seeds, sunflowers seeds, raisins, cinnamon and ghur (raw Indian sugar) . This tasty and nutritious foodstuff alone gives so much energy to the body I was told, that the work gangs that built the railroads across America were fed this every day because it gave them so much energy. And since I eat it every day, I know this to be a fact. " ... annand bhavani bhutani" (Bhagavad gita)--all living beings subsist on food GRAINS.
Surrender, inquiry and seva--otherwise we "dont know our whereabouts"--SP
Hare Krsna to all spiritual aspirants
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below, for those who like to know, are three very basic ideas Srila Prabhupada gives to us, if we are somewhat serious
about our (spiritual) life.
If not, then just delete this email-or let me know you dont want to receive these little beautiful bhakti bits of nectar...
Hare Krsna,
Damaghosa das
-------------------------------
1) 760705CC.WDC Lectures
So in order to know all these problems of life... Just like Arjuna
submitted, and any one has to submit. One has to... Tad-vijnanartham
sa gurum evabhigacchet. So Sanatana Gosvami is teaching us by his
personal behavior how to approach the bona fide spiritual master and
submit before him and putting himself pranipa, blank. Not that "I know
something, and what my spiritual master can teach? I know everything.
There is no need of spiritual master." No. This will spoil our life.
---------------
2) 680925LE.SEA Lectures
Prabhupada: This is another point. Even one thinks that he knows
everything, still, he, before the spiritual master, he should be blank
slate, that "I do not know anything." That is the qualification of the
disciple. He should approach the spiritual master as if he does not
know anything....
3) 680925LE.SEA Lectures
... And if you cannot please your spiritual master, then you must
know that you do not know your whereabouts. You do not know where you
are going. So Sanatana Gosvami was actually following the disciplic
principles. He wanted to please Lord Caitanya submissively. To please
the spiritual master means to approach him submissively, not in a
challenging mood. The Bhagavad-gita also explains in this way:
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti jnanina
tad jnanam tattva-darsinah
Tad viddhi pranipatena. If you want to understand the spiritual
science, then you have to approach to a person where you can
completely surrender yourself. Because everyone is proud: "Oh, who can
teach me? Why shall I go to a spiritual master? I know everything."
That is the general mentality. Therefore Bhagavad-gita gives us
direction that you should go to a person where you can fully
surrender. So you have to find out a bona fide spiritual master where
you can surrender your pride. Then tad viddhi pranipatena. Praniptena
means surrender. Pariprasnena. If you find out such, if you are
fortunate enough to find out some person where you can surrender, then
you can put questions before him. That Sanatana Gosvami is putting,
that "What is my position? I think that I am very learned man, I am
born of very aristocratic family and so on, so on, but actually, I do
not know what I am. What is my position?" This is pariprasna, inquiry.
Surrender, inquiry, and sevaya. That answer should be received in
service mood.
Sri Gaura Purnima Mahotsava- Sedro Woolley, Wa. USA-2010
Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Yesterday, sunday March 28th in Sedro Woolley Wa some of the local Vaisnavas came here to celebrate the Divine appearance day Mahotsava of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Although words cannot convey the mood of the devotees, nor the wonderful kirtans, nor the presents,nor the beautiful Deities, we shall try to say something.
Some days before I spent long hours making 13 new necklaces for all our Altar Deities. These were made from pearls, gold caps and ruby crystal--stunning to say the least. All were made custom for each Deity so each would fit exactly around Their transcendental bodies.
We also offered here , around 130 different preparations for the Deities pleasures which included 54 different types of burfy, gulab jamuns, sweet rice, chocolate covered sweets with various nuts and fruits inside, home grown Gauranga Potatoes,slathered in sour cream and fresh gound rosemary, Pushpan rice, three kinds of chutney, pakoras made from garden spuds and winter squash,various fresh and dried fuits, nuts of all kinds, our famous special fruit blend drink (made here from what grows here) ,etc, etc. and the various devotees also brought numerous preparations as well.
Besides the nice kirtans led by Makhancora prabhu, Kanhaiya and family performed a play about Dina Bandhu Krsna, Anubhavananda read one his intense poems to the accompaniment of some background music, we did a three Deity abhisek, then opened some presents for the Lords, all pulled our respective strings on the Chinese party poppers simultaneous to all chanting Sri Caitanya Ki Jaya!!! , Daria read the entire feast menu which took a long time, happily heard I might add by the fasting devotees, and last but not least, we all enjoyed very sumptuous Krsna prasadam to everyones FULL satisfaction !!
Lots of dancing, singing and feasting were done on this blissful day of celebrations for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, all of which makes Him very happy since that is the sum and substance of His movement which He imported to this earth planet from Goloka Vrndavana..
ALL GLORIES TO SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU---
ALL GLORIES TO ALL THE VAISNAVA DEVOTEES OF THE LORD
Hare Krsna,
your humble servants
Damaghosa/Daria
~ The Golden Avatar ~
By Gauridasa Pandita Dasa
Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared during an eclipse on the full moon night of March in Mayapur India about 550 years ago. During eclipses in India it is the custom of the people to go to the Holy rivers and chant mantras to invoke auspiciousness.
Thus at the time of Lord Chaitanya’s birth most of the people of India were engaged in chanting the Holy Names of the Lord congregationally. This chanting of the Holy Names would prove to be the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is confirmed by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in one of his great literary works, the Sri Chaitanya-Caritamrta, a 17 volume set of books about the glories of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
It is stated in the 13th chapter text 21 of the Chaitanya-caritamrta: “In jubilation everyone was chanting the Holy Name of the Lord–Hari-Hari–and Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then appeared, after first causing the appearance of the Holy Name. At His birth, in His childhood, in His early and later boyhood, as well as in His youth, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, under different pleas, induced the people to chant the Holy Names, especially the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hari Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare"
In different ages there are different methods for self-realization such as meditation, temple worship and various yoga practices to control the body and mind. This is the age of Kali-yuga which means that the people are short lived more than in other ages and prone to quarrels over insignificant matters.
Although this age of Kali is considered the worst of the four: Satya, Treta, Dwarpa and Kali; it has some greater benefits than the other ages. One is the all-auspicious appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Since He is the color of molten gold He is called the golden avatar, thus this is also called the golden age of Lord Chaitanya. It is said that this golden age will last 10,000 years from the time of the appearance of Lord Chaitanya. Srila Prabhupada said that his books will be the spiritual lawbooks for the next 10,000 years also. So we have a window of opportunity now to get the mercy of Sri Sri Guru and Gouranga. The fortunate souls will take advantage of this priceless mercy.
One of the benefits of this age is that even by thinking good thoughts such as worshipping the Lord in your mind you get the benefit as if you actually did the worship etc. This is calledmanasa-puja,mental worship.
Another benefit of this age is that self-realization is now easy simply by chanting the Holy Names. One can become self-realizedby chanting the Holy Names of the Lord, especially the most powerful Hare Krishna Mahamantra as taught and practiced by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself.
Lord Chaitanya is described in the western encyclopedia as a great saint who travelled all over India and transcended the caste system; uniting all people as servants of God, Krishna. But He was more than a great saint, He is Radha and Krsna combined, acting like a devotee to teach us.
Lord Chaitanya performing so many miracles. He cured the sick and converted sinful people such as Jagai and Madhai into great saints.
Due to the prayers of Sri Advaita Acarya, Lord Chaitanya appeared within the womb of mother Sacidevi. When her husband, Jagannatha Misra saw her thus impregnated he said, “I see wonderful things! Your body is effulgent and it appears as if the Goddess of Fortune were now staying personally in my home. Anywhere and everywhere I go, all people offer me respect. Even without my asking, they voluntarily give me riches clothing and food.” Mother Sacimata replied, “I also see wonderfully brilliant human beings appearing in outer space, as if offering prayers.”Jagannatha Misra then replied, “In a dream I saw the effulgent abode of the Lord enter my heart. From my heart it entered your heart. I can therefore understand that a great personality will soon take birth.” (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)
This missionary work of Lord Caitanya was taken up by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who, on the order of his spiritual master, came to New York in 1965 and started the Hare Krishna Movement in America. The Hare Krishna movement then spread around the world fulfilling Lord Chaitanya’s desire that the Holy Names spread to every town and village of the world.
Srila Prabhupada departed this world in 1977 but remains spiritually present in his teachings, through his books and recorded lectures etc. which will benefit aspiring souls for generations to come especially during this Golden Age of Lord Chaitanya.
Srila Prabhupada initiated thousands of disciples personally and set up an initiation system whereby he would continue to accept disciples after his departure from the material world, physically, by empowering his disciples to act as priests and perform the initiation ceremonies on his behalf. I was his personal servant at the time he made these arrangements on July 7th and July 9th 1977. I heard him say to continue initiating devotees on his behalf after he left the planet. It's on tape and in writing and I heard it.
All of the new devotees are his disciples and we all attend Gurupuja to honor Srila Prabhupada in all his Temples around the world. Srila Prabhupada said that he would live on in his books and we should take advantage. He said chanting Hare Krsna and following the rules and regulations were the 'real initiation.' (1968 letter to TKG) The formal sacrifice isn't as important as following the philosophy and chanting the Holy Names of the Lord. That's what delivers us back to Godhead. Each bird learns and flys by itself. We must earn the Grace of His Divine Grace and the Lord, by following.
Srila Prabhupada’s disciples today areto inspire and instruct the new devotees and initiate them on behalf of Srila Prabhupada who is our Guru, giving us the Divine knowledge in his books etc..We act as siksa Guru's and guide everyone to our Siksa Guru and Founder Acarya, the delivering Guru, Srila Prabhupada. The new devotees will be inspired by one or many of the senior devotees. They will respect even love and honor them, but the Guru puja is reserved for our founder Acarya Srila Prabhupada. All food should be offered to Krsna through Srila Prabhupada first as is the traditional way.
All glories to Sri Sri Guru And Gouranga!!! The Golden Saktavesa Avatar Srila Prabhupada and the Golden Avatar Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!!!
Today we celebrate the appearance of Lord Chaitanya all over the world by the mercy of Swami Srila Prabhupada. The biggest festival is held near the birthsite of Lord Chaitanya, at our Temple in Sridam Mayapura, India. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON, is now headquartered there. Devotees come from all over the world to join in the celebration. George Harrison also showed up before along with thousands of devotees from around the world.
When I first met His Divine Grace in San Francisco the day after the 1974 Rathayatra Festival he said to me and the RDTSP Devotees, "You are all very bright-faced and fortunate to come to Lord Chaitanya's Movement. Now that you are fortunate; make others fortunate. Preach this message of Lord Chaitanya's all over the world."
Srila Prabhupada often said that this mission of Lord Chaitanya’s could bring real peace to the world and indeed was the real 'United Nations.'
Printed in ‘THE NEW TIMES’ 1992 Seattle Washington.(some editing done by me today 2/22/10)
Hoping this meets you in best ofhealth and happiness in KC!
Editorial re: BEV
To Whom It May Concern:
The Sampradaya Sun on February 10, 2010 ran a story titled "Bhaktivedanta Eco Village's Tattva Darshana dasa, Convicted Sex Offender".
HKS (Hare Krishna Society) was cited as a a "Ritvik reform organization ". For the record, HKS has never been nor is a ritvik reform organization. The Mission statement and principles of HKS are found in the Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta book at www.krishnaconsciousnessmovement.com
Whether the original missionary institution of the Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is reformed or gets reformed in the future in not up to HKS, but it is up to Srila Prabhupada, the previous acaryas, Lord Caitanya and Lord Krishna.
As for the activites of Tattva darsana dasa, it is our understanding that the trustees of BEV (Bhaktivedanta Eco Village) have commenced a full-fledged investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims and allegations regarding the said Tattva darsana dasa.
While there seems to numerous accusatons, innuendoes and stories circulating on the internet regarding this individual, we feel it is prudent to wait until the responsible parties conduct their investigation and reach their conclusions.
In fariness to the individual, it should be mentioned that he has has rendered valuable service in the past to Srila Prabhupada's mission by pioneering bullock cart parikrama in villages in India, establishing BEV and assisting to faciltate the on-going school and gurukula at BEV for the last 13 years.
While HKS is not directlyy connected with BEV, we wish all devotees concerned the very best in their attempt to establish a vibrant varna-asrama community in the sacred valley of Kutakacala on the banks of the sacred Cakra nadi river.
Finally we should all remember the wise instructions of His Divine Grace in the Bhagavad-Gita
.
"Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Krsna consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary falldown does not disqualify him. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that if a person falls down, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, beautifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogī fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krsna consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path, for, as is explained in the next verse, such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krsna consciousness.
Therefore a person who is situated in Krsna consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare should be considered to be in the transcendental position, even if by chance or accident he is found to have fallen. The words sādhur eva, "he is saintly," are very emphatic. They are a warning to the nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should not be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has fallen down accidentally. And the word mantavyah is still more emphatic. If one does not follow this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental falldown, then he is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service. "
Bhagavad-Gita it is 9.30
Sincerely yours in Srila Prabhupada's service
Yasoda nandana dasa
President
Hare Krishna Society
-------------------------------
Sri Giri-Govardhana Ki Jaya!
CC Madhya-līlā,Chapter 18 Text 38
vāmas tāmarasākṣasya bhuja-daṇḍaḥ sa pātu vaḥ krīḍā-kandukatāṁ yena nīto govardhano giriḥ
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “‘May the left arm of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus flower, always protect you. With His left arm He raised Govardhana Hill as if it were a toy.’”
All Glories To My Gurudeva
today I am a different man and that’s because of what I know my conscience drives my feeble brain at 61 my life is changed let not the truth be killed by fear Krsna please let me be sincere return me to Thy lotus feet someone (but who?) has poisoned me never a man showed so much love at the last stage don’t torture me procrastination stay away or my last breath will be in vain it’s possible from Vaisnava lips so many years for it to show oh why did it turn out this way never a deed so sinful known eleven men sat on a thrown deceived by Putana the witch Patita Pavana is gone returning to his rightful home and we are left upon the shore but everything is in my books however now the books have changed unto my heart I can’t restrain perhaps the world cannot be saved and Kali Yuga wins the day do not believe the fight is lost all glories to my Gurudeva
Mahasana dasa June 12, 2009
Krishna Darshan....
Hare Krsna dear Devotees of the Lord,
Please accept my humble obesiances
with all Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I added some new Krishna pictures to
my Krsna Darshan album - sending them your way.....
Click here to see album
|
Jayadvaita’s Grammatical Embellishment program- Truth or Deception?
By Yasoda nandana dasa, Los Angeles, California, August 24, 2010
According to Jayadvaita Swami’s own convenient interpretation in the Sampradaya Sun on August 22, 2010:
“…In the mid 1970s I extensively revised the first canto, especially the first two chapters. Srila Prabhupada explicitly approved of this work, and the revised version was published in 1976…… In 1976 I also lightly revised the second canto, already edited by Hayagriva Prabhu and published. After the "Rascal Editors" conversation, Radha-vallabha Dasa, then the BBT production manager, sent Srila Prabhupada samples of my second-canto editing, and this is what led to Srila Prabhupada's statement, in a letter dated September 7, 1976, "Concerning the editing of Jayadvaita Prabhu, whatever he does is approved by me. I have confidence in him." The revised second canto was also published before Srila Prabhupada's departure...”
Accuracy does seem to occur in his revised edited dictionary. The “rascal editors” conversation occurred on June 22, 1977. But Jayadvaita claims that after this date [June 22, 1977] “Radha vallabha …sent Srila Prabhupada samples of my second-canto editing” Subsequent to this event the Grammatical Embellishment Acarya [JAS] now reveals that this led to the following “this is what led to Srila Prabhupada's statement, in a letter dated September 7, 1976, "Concerning the editing of Jayadvaita Prabhu, whatever he does is approved by me. I have confidence in him."
Srila Prabhupada Eternally Yours
Simply asking Srila prabhupada in May of 1977 regarding future initiations, then forming the July 9th letter and sending it out means
that they were uncertain. Uncertain about what? Their key interest was about initiations, at that time there was no concern about the
translating, book printing, future editing of books, Hari Nam, prasadam distribution, temple maintenance, preaching in general or even how the farming projects would continue to expand after he left. Why only the
concern about initiations in the future after he would be gone? One may say that the above topics had been discussed in detail before,
well so had initiations. That information abounds in Srila Prabhupadas books, conversations, morning walks and lectures etc. So why only strict focus on initiations after he left in their May discussions leading up to> the July 9th letter? You will notice of course that in the July 9th letter there is no reference at all to Srila Prabhupadas passing away in the
future. It simply states "henceforward". There is no specific time line indicated at all.
The specific approach that they made to Srila Prabhupada, the specific concerns and specific questions show extreme interest in one topic and one topic only. Who will initiate after he leaves? During the year prior we do not find the intensity of interest in
initiations as was put to Srila Prabhupada in May of 1977. Specific interest in the initiations means specific interest in persons. These
persons were the life blood of the movement at the time. They made the money and paid the bills, all with Srila Prabhupada's mercy.
Motive: Take away the leadership and replace it with new leadership and bingo! You have your motive: Money and power. So the very specificinterest in initiations shows specific interest in money and power. Of course we know that they grabbed hold of what was an illusion created by their greed and lust for power the reality or the source of everything escaped them then and escapes them now.
What is that reality? That Srila Prabhupada was and is multiplied one fold each time one of his original bona fide books is printed, that Srila Prabhupada manifests each time someone discusses his literature or reads his books, each time prasadam is offered and each time it is distributed. Each time there is Hari Nam kirtan Srila Prabhupada manifests himself. This understanding is not sentiment it is a spiritual axiom.
They have smashed themselves and limited themselves to the point now where there is actually not much left to look at let alone hear from. Trying to defeat a truth simply reveals more. So in a strange sense we have them to thank for our new strength but Srila Prabhupada knew this before we did so we ultimately have him to thank. Lastly I will quote a line from Stones byNeil Diamond..."Being lost is worth the journey home"
Hasti Gopala Dasa
What else do i want other than Srila Prabhupada's Lotus Feet?
BY: Kanhaiya DasAnudas
"What else do i want other than Srila Prabhupada's Lotus feet?
In this age of hypocrisy and hatredness that's my only treat
Who else will remind me of my eternal relationship that i have forgotten,
just due to the same reason - many million life times, here i have rotten,
When there was so darkness and the path in front I couldn't see....
When everyone else has given up hopes and abandoned me,
What else do i need other than His Lotus Feet,
which promise me the world -
the world of love and not hatred,
the world of care and not enviousness
the world of light and not darkness...
the world of association and not isolation..."
just some instant feelings on His Lotus feet...........
Where to Get Karma Free Food
BY: HASTI GOPALA DASA
First published on Sampradaya Sun
Aug 09, 2010 — TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (SUN) — To acquire karma free food as described in Vedic literature translated by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, please follow the instructions in this posting. These instructions have been downloaded from the ISKCON Mauritius temple web site.
Simply place this picture of Srila Prabhupada before the special plate and utensils that you will be using for these offerings. Separate cleaning and drying cloths are used as well. A small offering bell may be purchased in any city that has an Indian cultural community or from an ISKCON temple or Hare Krsna centre visited every Sunday. A bell however is not necessary.
Until the pronunciation of the text is learned you may offer the food stuffs by repeating the prayers in English. As beginners you may not have a Tulasi plant. Until you acquire one, disregard that protocol.
Here is your picture of Srila Prabhupada, which you can print up and nicely frame. One can also offer some nice incense, and don't forget the water. :)
Regards, Hasti Gopala dasa
Follow up SP lecture-Who can understand God?
721031SB.VRN Lectures
evam prasanna-manaso
bhagavad-bhakti-yogatah
bhagavat-tattva-vijnanam
mukta-sangasya jayate
"Thus established in the mode of goodness, the man rejuvenated by
loving service to the Lord gains liberation from material association
or mukti, and comes to know scientifically of the Personality of
Godhead."
...Vijnana means science. Without scientific knowledge, one
cannot understand what is God. Bhagavat-tattva-vijnanam. And who can
understand this vijnana, this scientific knowledge? Mukta-sangasya.
One who is liberated from the contamination of the three modes of
material nature, he can understand.
Those who are contaminated with tamo-guna, rajo-guna, they can
create their own God. There are different types of "God" also. In one
sense everyone is God. God means the controller. So everyone is to
some extent a controller. But as I have explained several times, real
controller means who is not controlled by others. That is God. If I am
controlled by the material nature, daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya
duratyaya... Birth, death, old age and disease, if I am controlled by these conditions of nature, then how I can become God? God is never controlled.
Therefore one who can understand God must be free from the
contamination of this material nature. Mukta-sangasya.... ...you shall be prasanna-manasa. You shall be always feeling jolly. If I
am not jolly, if I am not prasanna-manasa, that means maya has
attacked me. A bhagavad-bhakta shall never be aprasanna, not joyful.
Always joyful. If he is actually in contact with Krsna, how he can
become morose? No. If he is morose, if he is unhappy, that means maya
has attacked him. This is the test.... Anyone who has taken seriously devotional service... Vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah, janayaty asu vairagyam. Liberation
means knowledge and detachment. Knowledge, full knowledge means that
"I am not this body, I am spirit soul, and my bodily activities are
not congenial for my ultimate goal of life. I must engage myself in spiritual activity." This is called jnana and vairagya. When one knows
that he is not body, then why should he work hard day and night for
maintaining this body? That is knowledge. And karmis, they are trying
to maintain this body. Sometimes karmis also take to bhakti-yoga. Not
bhakti-yoga, so-called bhakti. But their aim is how to maintain this body nicely. That is also accepted. Akamah sarva-kamo va moksa-kama
udara-dhih. Because if you take to bhakti-yoga even for maintaining
this body nicely, that is also very nice, because gradually, due to
the influence of bhakti-yoga, you will come to the platform of mukta,
mukta-sanga. Bhakti-yoga is so strong. ... ..
Want peace of mind? Here is the formula according to Srimad Bhagavatam
740927SB.CAL Lectures
tada rajas-tamo-bhavah
kama-lobhadayas ca ye
ceta etair anaviddham
sthitam sattve prasidati
So the principle is that we have to place our mind, or consciousness,
in the sattva-guna. That is the first business. Because the material
world means sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna. Sattva-guna is the
qualification of pure brahmana. Samo damas titiksa arjavam jnanam
vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam. Sattva-guna. These are
the symptoms of sattva-guna. Without coming to the platform of
sattva-guna, or brahminical qualification, one cannot make any advance
in spiritual life. Therefore in our Krsna consciousness movement we
first of all bring anyone to the platform of brahmana. Therefore, at
the time of second initiation, we offer the sacred thread, to
recognize him that "He is now brahmana."….
Here is, also it is stated that sthitam sattve prasidati. Everyone is hankering after how to be peaceful in mind. Everyone. Everyone says, "Swamiji, kindly say how I can get peace of mind." The peace of
mind, how it can be attained is stated here: sthitam sattve prasidati.
If you fix up in sattva-guna, not in the rajo-guna, tamo-guna.
Tamo-guna is the life of the karmis. Tamo-guna and rajo-guna. Or
rajo-guna is actually karmis, and sattva-guna is the life of jnanis.
And after coming to the sattva-guna, being peaceful in mind, that is
called... (baby crying--pause) ...brahma-bhutah prasannatma. You have
to come to the platform of sattva-guna. Then you'll be prasannatma.(joyful)
Prabhupada gives us a test- for our personal spiritual advancement
Pranams
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and Kirtan Rasa
Below is a short excerpt from one very ecstatic class given by Srila Prabhupada in LA, 1972. He explains very simply and very clearly HOW one is to advance in spiritual life. And he gives the test. There are no secrets, there is no hocus pocus, there are no short cuts. Actual spiritual life begins when one begins to become serious about hearing the Holy Names of God and hearing the words of the pure devotees. Everything else springs from these two things.
-------------------------------------
720822SB.LA Lectures
Gunamayi... Another meaning of guna is rope. Just like you have
seen rope. There are three layers, they are twisted very strong, and
such rope becomes strong. So similarly, these three gunas, these three
modes of nature, are twisted like rope, and we are bound up. You
cannot get out. Daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya. If your
hands and legs are tied with such rope, then it is very difficult.
Similarly, we are all bound up. We are declaring freedom, and so many
things, nonsense, we are speaking, but we have forgotten that we are
under the grip of this maya. Immediately, you can be overcome by maya.
Maya is so strong.
So therefore by this process,
Krishna Darshan........
Hare Krishna to all Dear Devotees of Lord,
Please accept my humble obesiances with all Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
This was giving me immense pleasure watching the slide show with the attached Krishna flute music....
Krishna Darshan
I thought to share with you all.......
Our problems and the solution to them all--Krsna
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below we have 4 separate things written by Srila Prabhupada.
1) The first one clearly defines our real problems. Defining a problem clearly, is the only way to begin to solve a problem. The Srimad Bhagavatam does this so nicely for us with the verse .."Dharmasya apavargyasya.."
2) The second one explains why the "real problems" cannot ever be solved-even if we take to bhakti yoga-- if we allow our senses to run rampant and wild, or uncontrolled.
3) This one gives us a nice and concise explanation of the only solution to all lifes problems--pure devotional service. And even though that is rarely achieved, the solution to that quandry is given in the last section.
4) Pure devotion and service to the Lord can easily be achieved by pleasing His pure devotees.
-------------------------------------------------
We have no authority to change Bhagavad Gita
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below is two different lecture/conversations. The main point Prabhupda is stressing in these
is that a disciple has no authority to change one word of his spiritual master, otherwise
the whole thing is lost.The authority of Bhagavad Gita is lost and the institution is lost all due to the whimsical ways of the motivated followers. On the other hand if the followers dont change anything, and follow the words of Guru, then all success comes naturally. This exact following is his "miracle", Srila Prabhupada states below, and can be ours also.
----------------------------------
1) 721022SB.VRN Lectures
As Krsna says, evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. No change.
Therefore we are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is. We do not change.
We have no power to change. Then where is the authority of
Bhagavad-gita? I am a third-class man, and if I change the statements
in the Bhagavad-gita, then where is the authority of Bhagavad-gita?
That is going on. Therefore it is practically... You have got
experience that there are hundreds of Bhagavad-gita editions in the
Western countries, but because we are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it
is, our sale is better than all others. .... Sometimes,
you know, people say that I have done miracles. They say everywhere.
But I do not know anything, miracles or magic. If there is any
miracle, that miracle is that we present things as they are. That's
all. Without any adulteration. So that should be the principle.
Present as it is. It will be accepted.......
THE PREDICTION
750302BA.ATL Lectures
So perhaps my Guru Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, attempted to fulfill the desire of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And sometimes in the year 1918, he was brahmacari, and Bhaktivinoda Thakura, his material father, he wanted... Actually, he wanted, Bhaktivinoda Thakura... Of course, everyone wanted. But he wrote one small book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Teachings and Precepts of Lord Caitanya, in 1896. And he presented that book to the McGill University in Canada. And he very much desired that the foreigners, especially Americans, would join this movement. That was his desire in 1896. And then, in 1918, my Guru Maharaja started with this mission one institution known as Gaudiya Math. Perhaps some of you know the name, Gaudiya Math. And he was trying to spread this message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and by chance OR BY PREDICTION, AS YOU THINK, I WAS TAKEN TO BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI THAKURA BY ONE OF MY FRIENDS. I did not want to go there, but he forcibly took me there. Yes. And he ordered me that "You preach the cult of Caitanya Mahaprabhu in English language. This is very much essential." So on the first meeting he told me like that. That was my first meeting with him. So at that time I was in favor of Gandhi's movement. So I said that "We are not independent--subjugated. Who will hear about our message?" So Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakura refuted my argument. I was very much pleased. I had so many talks. But I was very much pleased to be defeated, that "This so-called nationalism or any ism, they are all temporary. Real need is the self-realization."
The Golden Avatar & Saktavesa Avatar
Dear Guru And Gouranga Bhaktas, Dandavats! AGTSP!
I sent this out to my almost 4,000 friends on facebook ~ I wrote it 18 years ago and it was printed in the Seattle New Times in 1992. I did a little editing but it goes in like a needle and out like a plow on the Guru issue. I've been buttering the fb bread awhile now it's time to separate the grain from the husk. This will help ~ Hope you all have a wonderful Sri Goura Pournima!!!
~ The Golden Avatar ~
By Gauridasa Pandita Dasa
Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared during an eclipse on the full moon night of March in Mayapur India about 550 years ago. During eclipses in India it is the custom of the people to go to the Holy rivers and chant mantras to invoke auspiciousness.
Thus at the time of Lord Chaitanya’s birth most of the people of India were engaged in chanting the Holy Names of the Lord congregationally. This chanting of the Holy Names would prove to be the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is confirmed by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in one of his great literary works, the Sri Chaitanya-Caritamrta, a 17 volume set of books about the glories of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
It is stated in the 13th chapter text 21 of the Chaitanya-caritamrta: “In jubilation everyone was chanting the Holy Name of the Lord–Hari-Hari–and Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then appeared, after first causing the appearance of the Holy Name. At His birth, in His childhood, in His early and later boyhood, as well as in His youth, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, under different pleas, induced the people to chant the Holy Names, especially the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hari Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare"
In different ages there are different methods for self-realization such as meditation, temple worship and various yoga practices to control the body and mind. This is the age of Kali-yuga which means that the people are short lived more than in other ages and prone to quarrels over insignificant matters.
Srila Prabhupadas SB classes-summary file--VOLUME 1
Hare Krsna To All
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is a series we are doing over time.(this may take a while to complete) Below is a summation of some of the most important and very interesting topics in the 685 page Volume One book of Srila Prabhupadas Srimad Bhagavatam classes. This compendium of Srimad Bhagavatam classes stretches over 11 Volumes of books published by the BBT. So for those who dont have time to read these nectar books, we are going to summarize some of the material for your perusal and enjoyment. I think you will find them very interesting and useful for spiritual life.
Hare Krsna,
your servant
Damaghosa das
Srimad Bhagavatam lecture book-VOLUME 1
1) ►750221SB.CAR Lectures
…And now you come to your argument and reason, whether origin of
life is matter or life. That you have to discuss. So here it is said
that origin is life because here it is said, yato 'nvayad itaratas ca
arthesu abhijnah svarat. Just like if I am taken as the origin of this
Krsna consciousness movement, that means I know everything directly
and indirectly of all ... this movement, then I cannot be called the
founder-acarya. And as soon as the origin becomes a knower, he is
life. So therefore dull matter cannot be the knower
of everything.
2) 710815SB.LON Lectures
So we are being put into different conditions, under different
types of body. So liberation means that one shall not be under any
condition. Just like Krsna, He is not under any condition. That is
liberation. We can also, because we are part and parcel of Krsna, we
can also become without any condition. Just like Narada Muni. Narada
Muni is traveling in the space because he's liberated soul. He's not
conditioned. But because we are conditioned, we cannot travel in the
space without the help of some machine or something else. This
conditional life is going on anywhere you go within this material
world. There are innumerable universes, and each and every universe,
there are innumerable planets of different climatic conditions. Just
like we find the climatic condition in the moon is different from the
climatic condition of this earth. The climatic condition of sun is
different from the climatic condition in the earth or from the moon.
Every, each and every planet, each and every universe is differently
conditioned. That is the beauty of Krsna's creation. Kesava tuwa jagat
vicitra. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung: "Kesava, my dear Lord Krsna,
Your creation is so full of varieties." That's a fact. But all these
conditions are not very liking to us. We are trying to be liberated
from all conditions. Therefore liberation is the ultimate goal. As it
is here stated, "Religion includes four primary subjects, namely,
pious activities, economic development, satisfaction of the senses
and, finally, liberation from material bondage."
So the ultimate goal being liberation, we have to adjust things,
targeting to that point. That is real human civilization. The Vedic
civilization is based on this view, that all the conditioned souls,
they have... Why they have become conditioned? The reason is they
revolted against Krsna. They wanted to imitate Krsna. That is the
mentality everywhere. You know, everyone says, "Oh, I don't care for
God. I don't care for anything. I am at liberty to do anything." Just
the hippies, they say, "We don't care for anything, state laws or
convention or police or anything." The idea is that everyone is
wanting liberation, "be high." Because that is our constitutional
position. Liberation.
Which do we want? the Carrot (Mango) or the Stick??
Hare Krsna
Below are 3 different things Srila Prabhupada tells us--
1) Work in this world, clearly defined according to a Sanskrit verse in SB
2) How to avoid the worst of it and lastly,
3) How to really Enjoy Life !!
please read on if you are even remotely curious how to do it...
-------------------
1)...720907SB.NV Lectures
Here it is said, dharmasya hy apavargyasya. Hy apavargyasya,
apavarga. This pavarga I have explained several times. In Sanskrit
grammar there are vargas, ka-varga, ca-varga, ta-varga, ta-varga,
pa-varga--five vargas. So pa-varga means pa pha ba bha ma, five
letters. Pa means parisrama, hard labor. And pha means foaming.
Because when you work very hard, from your mouth some foam comes out.
Sometimes we see in the body of the horse, or any animal. Pa, pha, ba.
Ba means vyarthata, frustration. Instead of, in spite of working very
hard, there is frustration in this material world. Pa, pha, ba, bha.
Bha means bhaya, fearfulness. Although I am working very hard, still,
I am fearful what will happen. I am not sure that things will be done
properly, in spite of my working very hard. Pa, pha, ba, bha, and ma.
Ma means mrtyu, death. Working so hard, day and night, and still,
there is death. Working so hard... The scientific world is working so
hard, but the scientist is dying himself. He cannot stop death. He can
create some atom bomb to kill, but he cannot create anything which
will stop death. That is not possible. Therefore, this pa, pha, ba,
bha, ma, these five letters represent five kinds of our activities in
this material world.
Pleasing God is easier than pleasing anyone else
Hare Krsna To All
Pranams
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is two side by side verses from SB coming from Prahlada Maharaj. Because of Prahlada, Lord Nrsimhadev appeared in this world to prove He does protect His devotees. He protects all kinds of devotees, and not just the great ones either. And in these two particular verses, we can understand the futility of trying to please or satisfy anyone but that Supreme Being-Krsna.
We all know the story of Hiranyakasipu being killed by Lord Nrsimhadev, and its a wonderful one no doubt.
But equally important and maybe more so for all of us housholders, is to be reminded of the "deep dark well" in which we all seem to live, and Prahlada and Prabhupadas instructions of how to get out of it, once and for all.
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
-------------------
Work as punishment
Hare Krsna To all
Obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
This email is intended specifically for those devotees who have a sacred thread draped over their shoulders.
The brahmana, by definition is supposed to be one who leads all others by instructions and practical example for material and spiritual life. All devotees of the Lord are wonderful and special , but those who have "brahmana brains" as Prabhupada puts it-should not be working 24/7 , hard like asses.
These emails I send out periodically are intended to help all of us devotees (myself included) who are struggling in this rotten material world-especially with the current economic turn of events. High unemployment, loss of income,loss of wealth, loss of homes, loss of families, loss of health, and loss of a spiritual institution that once was the glory of Srila Prabhupadas personal endeavor, is now the norm, both for the karmis and the devotees.
I know some of these emails I send out hit nerves of agitation is some devotees. Why is that? Is it because I am saying something which is offensive to them? Or is it because what they are hearing (the quotes from Srila Prabhupada) are just too hard for them to take? Or is it the because they dont like the way I present these quotes? I couldnt sugar coat the medicine enough?
And pigeons may fly.....
750224SB.CAR Lectures 208247/530501
Therefore the next verse says, nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam:
"This real service is enunciated here as the essence of all Vedic
knowledge." Nigama means the Vedas, and it is called kalpa-taru.
Kalpa-taru means desire tree. Vedic knowledge is so perfect that you
can receive from the Vedas all different types of knowledge. You can
receive knowledge from the Vedas, all types of knowledge, means that
social, political and scientific, and there are so many departments of
knowledge, even engineering, medical science. The medical science is
called Ayur-veda. Ayur-veda means the Vedic knowledge about the
duration of life. Similarly, there is Dhanur-veda. Dhanur-veda,
military science. There are so many departments. Just like this
aeroplane. That is also mentioned in the Vedas. There are not only
aeroplanes; there are three other sciences. It is called kapota-vahi.
Kapota-vahi means... The ka means the sky, and pota means ship. So as
there is science how to manufacture the airship, that is there. There
is another science of the same type, it is called kapota-vahi. Kapota
means pigeons. You can train up pigeons, and they will carry you from
one place to another. There is another science which is called
akasa-yanam. Akasa-yanam means in the akasa, in the sky, you can fly
with any vehicle. There are mantras... Suppose I am sitting on this
throne. By chanting those mantras this seat will be, fly in the sky.
We read from Srimad-Bhagavatam that Kapiladeva? No, Kardama Muni,
father of Kapiladeva, he made an aeroplane or a exactly a township
with big, big buildings, with lake, garden and so many people, that
was flying in the sky and visited all the planets.
Therefore it is said, nigama-kalpa-taru. Kalpa-taru means desire
tree. So Vedas are compared with the desire tree. Desire tree means
just like here in this material world you go to the mango tree. You
get mangoes. But you cannot get samosa. (laughter) But desire trees
there are. In the spiritual planets there are desire trees. Whatever
you want, you can get from that tree. If you go to any tree and
whatever you like, you get it from it. So that is called kalpa-taru.
So these Vedas are compared with the kalpa-taru because you can derive
any kind of knowledge from Vedic literature. So Veda means knowledge.
The word Veda means knowledge. .....
-----------------------
SB 10.6.4 P The Killing of the Demon Putana
Raksasis learn mystic powers by which they can travel in outer
space without machines. In some parts of India there are still such
mystical witches, who can sit on a stick and use it to fly from one
place to another in a very short time. This art was known to Putana.
Assuming the feature of a very beautiful woman, she entered Nanda
Maharaja's abode, Gokula.
--------------------
below on our shed wall where we see portrayed --the law of the universe
pigeons are a little lower on this food chain....
Without vairagya (renunciation) -no bhakti or spiritual life-SP
731113SB.DEL Lectures
So you will find many panditas like this, many learned scholars.
And ask him, "What you are?" He is silent. "Wherefrom you have come?"
Silent. "Where you are going?" Silent. "What is God?" Silent. So these
kind of panditas will not save you. If you actually want to save
yourself from dragging down again to the lower abominable species of
life, then you must take to Krsna consciousness, bhakti-yoga. Vasudeve
bhagavati. Then you will be enlightened. Vasudeve bhagavati
bhakti-yogah prayojitah, janayaty asu vairagyam. Because vairagya
means detachment, detachment. When you understand that "I do not
belong to this establishment," then naturally you will be vairagya,
that "What interest I have got?" The karmis are very much attached.
Karmis, they are working very hard. They are thinking that "This
material advancement of life will make me happy." But that is not the
fact. Therefore they are ajnani. And the jnanis, when they are baffled
in advancing,... brahma satyam jagan mithya, "This world is false.
Brahman is reality." But if he does not engage himself in Brahman
activities, then he will also fall, the so-called jnani. That has been
proved.
Knowledge and renouncement-these two necessary for all humans-SP
Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is a very short excerpt from part of one lecture given by Srila Prabhupada on one verse in SB.
It is simple to understand and very consise in his wording to us all about how to perfect this valuable human form of life.
Hari bol
Damaghosa das
More sastric proof from Srila Prabhupada why we are not to take disciples
Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
What follows is 4 verses and purports which prove without a doubt, at least to me and many others, that Srila
Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not want his followers to accept disciples. Please read carefully
and see what you think. If you disagree, kindly show me how.
thanks
Damaghosa das
Adi 17.126-.. Although the members of the so-called
Hindu society had followed the social customs and formulas, they had
practically forgotten to execute their religious principles strictly.
But with the presence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu they actually began
following the regulative principles according to His order. That order
is still existing, and anywhere and everywhere, in all parts of the
world, one can execute it. That order is to become a spiritual master
under the direction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by following the
regulative principles, chanting daily at least sixteen rounds of the
Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and preaching the cult of Krsna consciousness
all over the world. If we adhere to the order of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, we shall get spiritual strength without a doubt, and we
shall be free to preach this cult of the Hare Krsna movement and not
be hampered by anyone.
-------------
So by reading this quote many will take it to mean we all should become initiating spiritual masters and--- take on disciples. However, this is not what Srila Prabhupada nor Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says here. What he is saying is one should become a spiritual master HOW?- BY following the regulative principles, chanting, 16 rounds,
and preaching. Doing this basic sadhana bhakti qualifies one to become an instructing spiritual master.
So what exactly does Srila Prabhupada mean here by "guru" or "spiritual master" and "initiates"??
First lets look at the very order given by Mahaprabhu in CC and see what is directly said, and then we will look at his definitions
of "guru" and "initiates"
---------------
Madhya 7.128--"Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they
are given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way
become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land."
PURPORT
This is the sublime mission of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness. Many people come and inquire whether they have
to give up family life to join the Society, but that is not our
mission. One can remain comfortably in his residence. We simply
request everyone to chant the maha-mantra: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. If
one is a little literate and can read the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and
Srimad-Bhagavatam, that is so much the better. These works are now
available in an English translation and are done very authoritatively
to appeal to all classes of men. Instead of living engrossed in
material activities, people throughout the world should take advantage
of this movement and chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra at home with
their families. One should also refrain from sinful
activities--illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Out
of these four items, illicit sex is very sinful. Every person must get
married. Every woman especially must get married. If the women
outnumber the men, some men can accept more than one wife. In that way
there will be no prostitution in society. If men can marry more than
one wife, illicit sex life will be stopped. One can also produce many
nice preparations to offer Krsna--grain, fruit, flowers and milk. Why
should one indulge in unnecessary meat-eating and maintain horrible
slaughterhouses? What is the use of smoking and drinking tea and
coffee? People are already intoxicated by material enjoyment, and if
they indulge in further intoxication, what chance is there for
self-realization? Similarly, one should not partake in gambling and
unnecessarily agitate the mind. The real purpose of human life is to
attain the spiritual platform and return to Godhead. That is the
summum bonum of spiritual realization. The Krsna consciousness
movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life
by pursuing the method described by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His
advice to the brahmana Kurma. That is, one should stay at home, chant
the Hare Krsna mantra and preach the instructions of Krsna as they are
given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.
---------------------------
In the above very important verse and purport, first of all there is absolutely no mention of taking on disciples, in the process of becomming a guru or spiritual master. Secondly this purport only tells us to stay at home, become purified by following the regulative principles and preach the instructions of Lord Krsna--thats it---a basic description of a "regular devotee" who has become a dedicated follower of Srila Prabhupada.
-------------------------
Madhya 7.129--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu further advised the brahmana Kurma, "If you
follow this instruction, your materialistic life at home will not
obstruct your spiritual advancement. Indeed, if you follow these
regulative principles, we will again meet here, or, rather, you will
never lose My company."
PURPORT
This is an opportunity for everyone. If one simply follows the
instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, under the guidance of His
representative, and chants the Hare Krsna mantra, teaching everyone as
far as possible the same principle, the contamination of the
materialistic way of life will not even touch him. It does not matter
whether one lives in a holy place like Vrndavana, Navadvipa or
Jagannatha Puri or in the midst of European cities, where the
materialistic way of life is very prominent. If a devotee follows the
instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he lives in the company of
the Lord. Wherever he lives, he converts that place into Vrndavana and
Navadvipa. This means that materialism cannot touch him. This is the
secret of success for one advancing in Krsna consciousness.
Madhya 7.130--At whosoever's house Sri Caitanya accepted His alms by taking
prasada, He would convert the dwellers to His sankirtana movement and
advise them just as He advised the brahmana named Kurma.
PURPORT
The cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is explained here very nicely.
One who surrenders to Him and is ready to follow Him with heart and
soul does not need to change his location. Nor is it necessary for one
to change status. One may remain a householder, a medical
practitioner, an engineer or whatever. It doesn't matter. One only has
to follow the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chant the Hare
Krsna maha-mantra and instruct relatives and friends in the teachings
of the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. One has to learn humility
and meekness at home, following the instructions of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, and in that way one's life will be spiritually successful.
One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking,
"I am a first-class devotee." Such thinking should be avoided. It is
best not to accept any disciples. One has to become purified at home
by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and preaching the principles
enunciated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thus one can become a spiritual
master and be freed from the contamination of material life.
There are many sahajiyas who decry the activities of the six
Gosvamis--Srila Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha dasa, Bhatta Raghunatha,
Jiva and Gopala Bhatta Gosvamis--who are the personal associates of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who enlightened society by writing books
on devotional service. Similarly, Narottama dasa Thakura and other
great acaryas like Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya and others accepted many
thousands of disciples to induce them to render devotional service.
However, there is a class of sahajiyas who think that these activities
are opposed to the principles of devotional service. Indeed, they
consider such activities simply another phase of materialism. Thus
opposing the principles of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they commit
offenses at His lotus feet. They should better consider His
instructions and, instead of seeking to be considered humble and meek,
should refrain from criticizing the followers of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu who engage in preaching. To protect His preachers, Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given much clear advice in these verses of Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta.
----------------------------------
So now we have read in these three continuous verses that Sri Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada wants His followers to remain at home, become purified , preach Krsna to everyone we meet, best not to accept any disciples, and in this way by simply giving instructions to all, become spiritual masters. No mention whatsoever of accepting disciples. In fact he recommends its BEST to NOT accept disciples.
OK now lets read what Srila Prabhupada says about who and what is a spiritual master or guru.
1)" I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want. (letter August 4, 1975)
2) "If everyone just initiates, then there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on, there will be only failure." (Phalgun Krishna Pancami-SP poem honoring his guru 1961)
3) 68-04-26. Letter: Janardana
On the whole, you may know that he is not a liberated person, and therefore, he cannot
initiate any person to Krishna Consciousness. It requires special spiritual benediction
from higher authorities.
4) a.-- 760607mw.la Conversations
Hari-sauri: I always understood before that the rasa was fixed, but
that within that rasa one may take different..., one may take a
different line.
Prabhupada: That will be revealed when you are liberated. Why you are
bothering now?...
b.--680326BG.SF Lectures
you understand God perfectly well... And there is intricate
relationship also. That relationship will be revealed when you are
perfectly liberated. Each and every living creature has got a
particular relationship with God. We have forgotten that. So when that
relationship will be revealed in the process of devotional activities,
Krsna consciousness, you should know that is the perfection of your
life.
4) Bg 2.8 P-- scholarship,high position, etc., are all useless in solving the
problems of life; help can only be given by a spiritual master like
Krsna. Therefore, the conclusion is that a spiritual master who is one
hundred percent Krsna conscious is the bona fide spiritual master, for
he can solve the problems of life.
CONCLUSIONS FROM THE ABOVE--
Srila Prabhupada tells us in these 4 verses
1)Adi 17.126--that one should become a spiritual master--HOW? By following the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds a day and preaching Krsna Consciousness to all we meet. Sounds like a sisksa guru or ritvik acarya to me-or one who does NOT take disciples per the orders of Srila Prahbupada.
2)Madhya 7.128-- Here is the actual order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu- tell everyone about Krsna by giving him the instructions of Krsna and in this way by instructions, become a spiritual master.
3) Madhya 7.129--Again here the instruction is to live if one wants at home, become purified,preach to others,and by following the sadhana bhakti process as already given by Srila Prabhupada, the contamination of kali yuga will not touch one--this is the secret of of success in spiritual life !! Ok here is the open secret that unmotivated followers of Sri Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada enjoy !!
4) Madhya 7.130--One should not think artificially himself to be an advanced devotee, but should remain at home, learn all the devotional principles, teach them to others, best not to accept disciples, and in THIS WAY one can become a spiritual master. No mention in any of these three very important verses of accepting disciples-rather the opposite is stressed to NOT accept disciples. Why not? Because that activity is for the liberated souls, namely Srila Prabhupada.
Therefore, unless one is a liberated soul, he cannot initiate anyone. How can one tell? Do we know our eternal relationship or rasa (siddha deha) with God? No? Then that alone simply means we are not liberated hence cannot liberate anyone else nor initiate them. This is my humble conclusion and if anyone disagrees please feel free to write me back and straighten me out.
Thanks !!
Hare Krsna
your humble servant
Damaghosa das
P R A S A D A M
complied by Mahesh Raja
SPL 70-08-05 SUBHADRA
Yes, you are certainly right when you say Radharani cooks prasadam for Lord Krsna. Whenever He returns in the evening from herding cows with His cowherd boy friends, Radharani has a nice preparation waiting for Lord Krsna.
BG 2.63
Whereas an impersonalist tries to avoid good eatables, a devotee knows that Krsna is the supreme enjoyer and that He eats all that is offered to Him in devotion. So, after offering good eatables to the Lord, the devotee takes the remnants, called prasadam. Thus everything becomes spiritualized, and there is no danger of a downfall. The devotee takes prasadam in Krsna consciousness, whereas the nondevotee rejects it as material. The impersonalist, therefore, cannot enjoy life, due to his artificial renunciation; and for this reason, a slight agitation of the mind pulls him down again into the pool of material existence. It is said that such a soul, even though rising up to the point of liberation, falls down again due to his not having support in devotional service.
BG2.64
prasadam—the mercy of the Lord;
BG 6.17
Thakura Haridasa would not even accept prasadam nor even sleep for a moment without finishing his daily routine of chanting with his beads three hundred thousand names.
ENVY
Two presentations about Srila Prabbhupada talking about:
Prabhupada, The truth about my God-Brothers:
Prabhupada, The truth about Tirtha & Sridhara Maharajs:
Evolution of Cartoon Science
by Narasimha dasa
National Geographic Society rencently devoted another entire issue to
Charles Darwin and his speculations regarding the origin of species.
Their agenda was to show how Darwin’s ideas are now widely accepted by
scientists and researchers while most religious leaders reject Darwin
due to their blind faith in scriptures. They quoted Srila Prabhupada
briefly, and out of context, saying, “Darwin’s ideas are nonesense.”
The entire issue was aimed at illustrating how modern science is
confirming the fundamentals of Darwin’s ideas regarding the evolution
of species; yet instead of providing substantial evidence, they simply
glorified Darwin and offered imaginative narratives on how species
might have transformed themselves through mysterious mutations.
Evolutionists claim that most leading scientists now support Darwin’s
hypothesis that all life has evolved from simple compounds and that
every species has improved itself automatically through chance
mutations and the process of natural selection. National Geographic
Society, Discovery Channel, Science Channel and most of the academic
community, apparently, have suspended scientific thinking when it
comes to the topic of evolution and the origin of species.
Before I began studying the Darwinist teachings, I expected to
encounter at least 2-star scifi script ramped up a few notches,
perhaps, with elaborately devised academia speak. Instead of
compelling mock science, however, I’ve found only Disney-style cartoon
tales of amoebas learning to be fish, fish sprouting wings, learning
to fly and breathe air, monkeys learning to make tools, build condos,
wear pants, grow corn, and so on. All this is possible, the
evolutionists say, by the power of innumerable, successive, genetic
mutations. They believe these mutations have continuously improved
millions of species over millions of years due to the principle of
survival of the fittest, or natural selection.
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Srila Prabhupada's Srimad Bhagavatam classes Summary:
VOLUME 1
Krishna Consciousness
Fundamental Documents
Atma (Soul)
Science and Darwinism
Varna-Asrama
Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta
Read Srila Prabhupada
Siddhanta Online
Editorials
By Mahesh Raja
By Damagosha Dasa
By Radha Krsna dasa
By Narasimha dasa
By Yasodanandana Dasa
By Gauridas Pandit dasa
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