WELCOME TO SRILA PRABHUPADA'S HARE KRISHNA SOCIETY

"I wish that each and every branch shall keep their independent identity and cooperate keeping the Acarya in the centre.
On this principle we can open any number of branches all over the world."-Srila Prabhupada letter 1967

"He lives forever by His Divine Instructions and the follower lives with Him"
Srila Prabhupada's dedication to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, New Delhi, India 1962
| Home | About Us | Srila Prabhupada | Krishna Consciousness | Deity Darshan | Our Festivals & Events |
| Articles | Our Temples | Our Activities | Links | Contact Us |

"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

Pre-1978 Srila Prabhupada Books, Vedabase download(books only) click here


Festivals/Events

Acaryas-Pure Devotees

Hari Nama

Videos

Yashoda Nandana Prabhu discusses on Srila Prabhupada and the Ritvik system in ISKCON

1:

2:

3:

4:

5A:

5B:

6:

7:

8:

9:

10:

11:

12:

13:

14:

15:

Damaghosh Prabhu discusses on Srila Prabhupada and the Ritvik system in ISKCON

1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

6:

7:

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.’”

 

"Dont change ONE word"-----SP

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
 
Below we have a short article devoted to explaining how ONE word taken out  and changed of Prabhupadas purports (by the BBT editors) can dramatically change the entire meaning of the Hare Krsna Movement. Please read on to find out what the BBT editors have done  And this is just ONE of thousands of changes they have made.
 
We will attempt to show how the BBT editors by changing ONE word will entirely change the meaning of initiation as given by Srila Prabhupada. And why do they want to change the meaning of initiation? So they can justify their claim as "gurus". As with any material crime-"follow the trail of the money".
 
 
Regarding our disciplic sucession-
Srila Prabhupadas Original words in C.C.- 
Adi 1.1  Purport                                 The direct disciple of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, who accepted Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti as his servitor. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who initiated Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn initiated Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the divine master of our humble self.
 
In the new 9-volume edition, the same passage of C.C. by the BBT editors Dravida and Jayadvaita Swami (JAS) is as follows-

"The direct disciple of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, who accepted Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti as his servitor. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn accepted Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the divine master of our humble self."

So any normally thinking devotee would now ask the question -Why did Dravida and JAS take out the words "initiated" in Prabhupadas original CC purport and insert their own version of "accepted" instead??? Seem like a small thing? Don't bet the farm on it !!

Here below we have Dravidas  own words on this subject--

"On the side of not changing the "initiated" phrases we have the strong bias against changing the books unless absolutely necessary and the fact that Srila Prabhupada did indeed say that Jagannatha das Babaji initiated Bhaktivinode." (BBT Editor, Dravida Das)

Ok so now Dravida admits the Srila Prabhupada DID say that Jagannatha das babaji did initiate Bhaktivinode thakur .This admission on his part means he can read plain  english of an already published book written by Srila Prabhupada. So why change the text by taking out the word "initiated"?

Dravida says-  Leaving  one or both "initiated"s will strongly imply that the use of the phrases "direct disciple" and even "accepted [as his disciple]" indicate formal initiation as we know it in ISKCON, which is far from the truth."  [bold font and underline emphasis is mine] (BBT Editor, Dravida Das)  

This last was the weightiest argument, in my view, for changing the passage. (BBT Editor, Dravida Das)

Many times we have heard the BBT  editing argument that they were only fixing mistakes in grammar or punctuation, and not changing the philosophy. Now  in this change  we see they are more interested in changing substantial key points in our philosophy. That being the very and most basic way any conditioned soul (who comes to Prabhupada) can contact the param para and receive his mercy.

The BBT editors want us to believe by this new change that Jagannatha das Babaji did not really initiate Bhaktivinode Thakur but just "accepted" him.They also want us to think, by the current iskcon ideology, that one needs a physically living guru to accept as his guru and that the transmission of transcendental knowledge during diksa is not the most important part of initiation. This,however, is not what Srila Prabhupada tells us.

1) "Diksa[initiation] actually means "initiating" a disciple "with transcendental knowledge" by which he becomes freed from all material contamination."   (Madhya-lila, 4:112, Purport
So from this purport it is clear that when one gets initiated it does not take place necessarily when the banana gets tossed in the sacrificial fire,or even the new name given,  but rather as he mentions above, the essential ingredient of initiation is imparting the disciple with transcendental knowledge.
This means then that formal initiation is not really necessary if one has access to the knowledge of the param para.
 
2) 761210DB.HYD                   Lectures                     Prabhupada- So anyway, from 1922 to 1933 practically I was not initiated, but I got the impression of preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. That I was thinking. And that was the initiation by my Guru Maharaja. Then officially I was initiated in 1933 because in 1923 I left Calcutta. I started my business at Allahabad. 
 
So from this very instructive lesson given by Srila Prabhupada above, he tells us all , directly, that he was NOT initiated when he first met Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj, but by hearing from him he got the impression or transcendental knowledge imparted to him thru his ear and heart and by THAT lesson of hearing from Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj, our Srila Prabhupada considered  that hearing, his real INITIATION. And it was some 11 years later that he took formal initiation.
So these two statements by Srila Prabhupada clearly tell us what initiation consists of- The imparting of transcendental knowledge to the disciple. And where does this massive amount of transcendental knowledge originally come from? Srila Prabhupada and nobody else. 
Therefore he is the guru and Acarya.
 
The  BBT editors accept that the relationship between Jagannatha das babaji and Bhaktivinode Thakur was not one of formal initiation but of the transmission of transcendental knowledge. So if that transmission of transcendental knowledge alone constitutes initiation, as Prabhupada himself does write, then the iskcon system of initiation where one is required to accept a physically living guru is not necessary, since all one has to do is accept the knowledge that Srila Prabhupada himself gives to us thru his books and eventually the ritvik system he ordered for formal initiation.
If the BBT allowed these words to remain in the  C.C. purport then that would mean for many future generations many people could become Prabhupadas disciple thru the ritvik system for formal initiation, since everyone could have access to this transcendental knowledge thru his books tapes and lectures. This  the BBT editors dont want to happen because it would curtail their cash cow in the form of stolen and cheated disciples.
 
Now please consider these following thoughts regarding how a soul gets the mercy of a bonafide guru.
 
In the original  Iskcon songbook written by Acyutananda Swami and blessed by Srila Prabhupada, we have all heard and sung the words to the Sri Guru Carana Padma song done at every days guru puja ceremony.
 
Verse2-
guru mukha padma vakya, cittete koriya aikya
ar na koriho mane asa
My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth.
 
verse3-
cakhudana dilo yei hanme janme prabhu sei
dibya jnan hrde prokasito
He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my lord birth after birth.
 
This song is sung daily by everyone in iskcon, yet they are told to believe that Prabhupada is "not available" for them- in other words- dead and gone- which is why they all need a "living guru". Yet in this very same song they all sing daily to Srila Prabhupada, they are saying that they want their consciousness purified by Prabhupadas words. And why? because he Prabhupada, opens our dark hearts, filling them with divya jnana and he is doing this--birth after birth. We dont take the same body birth after birth, but get a new one, yet the Acarya Srila Prabhupada, we all sing, has the power or shakti to open our hearts in those new bodies, and give us transcendental knowledge.
If this is so,  that Prabhupada is doing this and will do this in future lives,and most all will readily admit this in iskcon, then why does anyone need one of their voted in, no objection, so called gurus?? 
So if Prabhupada is doing this--opening their hearts with transcendental knowledge, birth after birth,  as they daily sing , why do they continue to think he is dead and gone and need someone else to open their eyes, hearts and rescue them from birth after birth?  Do we all see the contradiction here?
The entire iskcon organization has had their brains hijacked by the bogus gurus and the "rascal editors" Dravida and Jayadvaita swami have aided and abetted them in this crime.
 
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das 
 
some supplemental quotes on this subject:
 
1) 74-11-22.Bah               Letter: Bahurupa                  Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 24th, 1974. I am pleased to hear that you are chanting 16 rounds daily and reading my books regularly and following the four rules. In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.
 
2) ►SB 5.12.14 P  ...as soon as a foolish disciple tries to overtake his spiritual master and becomes ambitious to occupy his post. he immediately falls down. Yasya ... yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi. If the spiritual master is considered an ordinary man, the disciple surely loses his chance to advance further.
 
3) Madhya 19.160  Others may make a show of devotional service like the prakrta-sahajiyas, or one may try to support his philosophy by joining some caste or identifying himself with a certain dynasty, claiming a monopoly on spiritual advancement. Thus with the support of family tradition, one may become a pseudo guru or so-called spiritual master... One may also try to carry out a professional business while chanting the Hare Krsna mantra or reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, or one may try to increase his monetary strength by illegal means. One may also try to be a cheap Vaisnava by chanting in a secluded place for material adoration, or one may desire mundane reputation by making compromises with nondevotees, compromising one's philosophy or spiritual life, or one may become a supporter of a hereditary caste system. All these are pitfalls of personal sense
gratification. Just to cheat some innocent people, one makes a show of advanced spiritual life and becomes known as a sadhu, mahatma or religious person. All this means that the so-called devotee has become victimized by all these unwanted creepers and that the real creeper of bhakti-lata-bija has been stunted.
 
4) ►SB 4.18.5 P   t .... Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul. A conditioned soul is hampered by four defects...
 
5) Madhya 1.220   A jealous person in the dress of a Vaisnava is not at all happy to see the success of another Vaisnava in receiving the Lord's mercy. Unfortunately in this Age of Kali there are many mundane persons in the dress of Vaisnavas, and Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described them as disciples of Kali. He says, kali-cela. He indicates that there is another Vaisnava, a pseudoVaisnava with tilaka on his nose and kanthi beads around his neck. Such a pseudoVaisnava associates with money and women and is jealous of successful Vaisnavas. Although passing for a Vaisnava, his only business is earning money in the dress of a Vaisnava. Bhaktivinoda Thakura therefore says that such a pseudoVaisnava is not a Vaisnava at all but a disciple of Kali-yuga. A disciple of Kali cannot become an acarya by the decision of some high court.[like the voted in gurus of iskcon] Mundane votes have no jurisdiction to elect a Vaisnava acarya. A Vaisnava acarya is self-effulgent, and there is no need for any court judgment. A false acarya may try to override a Vaisnava by a high-court decision, but Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that he is nothing but a disciple of Kali-yuga.
 
6) 690113LE.LA                    Lectures                  So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master, vibration. What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.

 

Moving from 3rd class to 2nd class devotee

Hare Krsna to All

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

What follows is a short summary of the different grades of devotees and what makes each what he is.

In sports, business, and academics, there are certain yardsticks of measurement by which we can

gauge our progress in each field of endeavor. What follows is the simple and clear instructions of the pure devotee of the Lord explaining these necessary things, to those who will listen.

1) SB 4.9.11 P Dhruva Maharaja Returns Home

We have therefore established the

International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Anyone who is trying

to be aloof from this Krishna Consciousness Society and yet engage in

Krsna consciousness is living in a great hallucination, for this is

not possible. From this statement by Dhruva Maharaja it is clear that

unless one is associated with devotees, his devotional service does

not mature; it does not become distinct from material activities.

2) SB 4.18.5 Prthu Maharaja Milks the Earth Planet

A foolish person who manufactures his own ways and means through

mental speculation and does not recognize the authority of the sages

who lay down unimpeachable directions is simply unsuccessful again and

again in his attempts.

PURPORT

At the present moment it has become fashionable to disobey the

unimpeachable directions given by the acaryas and liberated souls of

the past. Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish

between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul. A conditioned soul is

hampered by four defects: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is sure to

become illusioned, he has a tendency to cheat others, and his senses

are imperfect. Consequently we have to take direction from liberated

persons. This Krsna consciousness movement directly receives

instructions from the Supreme personality of Godhead via persons who

are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not

be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated

Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the

contamination of the material nature. ...

. Materialistic men are not interested in taking

directions from a liberated person, but they are very much interested

in their own concocted ideas, which make them repeatedly fail in their

attempts. Because the entire world is now following the imperfect

directions of conditioned souls, humanity is completely bewildered.

3) SB 1.2.12 Purport Divinity and Divine Service

There are four different types of human

beings--the karmis, the jnanis, the yogis and the devotees. The karmis

are materialistic, whereas the other three are transcendental. The

first-class transcendentalists are the devotees who have realized the

Supreme Person. The second-class transcendentalists are those who have

partially realized the plenary portion of the absolute person. And the

third-class transcendentalists are those who have barely realized the

spiritual focus of the absolute person. .....

Devotional service is not, therefore, meant for the less

intelligent class of transcendentalist. There are three classes of

devotees, namely first, second, and third class. The third-class

devotees, or the neophytes, who have no knowledge and are not detached

from material association, but who are simply attracted by the

preliminary process of worshiping the Deity in the temple, are called

material devotees. Material devotees are more attached to material

benefit than transcendental profit. Therefore, one has to make

definite progress from the position of material devotional service to

the second-class devotional position.

...In the second-class position,the devotee can see four principles in the devotional line, namely the

Personality of Godhead, His devotees, the ignorant and the envious.

One has to raise himself at least to the stage of a second-class

devotee and thus become eligible to know the Absolute Truth.

A third-class devotee, therefore, has to receive the instructions

of devotional service from the authoritative sources of Bhagavata. The

number one Bhagavata is the established personality of devotee, and

the other Bhagavatam is the message of Godhead. The third-class

devotee therefore has to go to the personality of devotee in order to

learn the instructions of devotional service. Such a personality of

devotee is not a professional man who earns his livelihood by the

business of Bhagavatam. Such a devotee must be a representative of

Sukadeva Gosvami, like Suta Gosvami, and must preach the cult of

devotional service for the all-around benefit of all people. A

neophyte devotee has very little taste for hearing from the

authorities. Such a neophyte devotee makes a show of hearing from the

professional man to satisfy his senses. This sort of hearing and

chanting has spoiled the whole thing, so one should be very careful

about the faulty process. The holy messages of Godhead, as inculcated

in the Bhagavad-gita or in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, are undoubtedly

transcendental subjects, but even though they are so, such

transcendental matters are not to be received from the professional

man, who spoils them as the serpent spoils milk simply by the touch of

his tongue.

A sincere devotee must, therefore, be prepared to hear the Vedic

literature like the Upanisads, Vedanta and other literatures left by

the previous authorities or Gosvamis, for the benefit of his progress.

Without hearing such literatures, one cannot make actual progress. And

without hearing and following the instructions, the show of devotional

service becomes worthless and therefore a sort of disturbance in the

path of devotional service. Unless, therefore, devotional service is

established on the principles of sruti, smrti, purana or pancaratra

authorities, the make-show of devotional service should at once be

rejected. An unauthorized devotee should never be recognized as a pure

devotee. By assimilation of such messages from the Vedic literatures,

one can see the all-pervading localized aspect of the Personality of

Godhead within his own self constantly. This is called samadhi.

4) Adi 7.95-96 Lord Caitanya in Five Features

A person who cannot keep his faith in the words of his spiritual

master but acts independently never receives the authority to chant

the holy name of the Lord. It is said in the Vedas (Svetasvatara

Upanisad 6.23):

yasya deve para bhaktir

yatha deve tatha gurau

tasyaite kathita hy arthah

prakasante mahatmanah

"Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the

Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge

automatically revealed." This Vedic injunction is very important, and

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu supported it by His personal behavior.

Some conclusions from the above statements by Srila Prabhupada

 

1)unless one regularly associates with devotees fixed in siddhanta his understanding of spiritual life

does not mature and worse-he can't tell the difference between material and spiritual activities within his own self or from others. In other words he may be in total maya, but will think he is KrsnaConscious. His fruitive acts are considered spiritual even though there is no renunciation of the fruits or the fruitive mentality or doing all acts for the pleasure of guru and God. (SB 4.9.11)

 

2) And because he does not accept the proper method of following Transcendental authority and its representatives, he continues to speculate and deviate from the proper method outlined by authorized persons. ( SB 4.18.5)

 

As a result of this foolishness he therefore cant even tell the difference between a liberated and a conditioned soul. Prabhupada has explained several times that if you do as an electrician does, following exactly what he tells you to do, then your acts,under his guidance, are as good as the first class electrician-even without his personal qualifications. Similarly if we follow the instructions of a bona fide guru exactly, then our acts are also liberating and without karmic reaction.. Because many devotees dont hear from Srila Prabhupada properly or regularly, they cannot tell who and who not to hear from in their own personal lives and from other devotees. He concludes by saying now the whole world is bewildered because they do not take the perfect instructions of the pure devotee and his representatives.

 

3) The third class devotees have barely achieved the spiritual focus of God,namely brahman realization

(I am not this body),are not detached from material association but have become attracted to Deity worship, and as a result(of the material attractions) have more of an affinity for material profit than spiritual gain.

The second class devotee can see 4 persons-God,the devotees, the innocent or ignorant,and the envious hearted. This last ability to see those are actually envious will serve that devotee well who can sever all ties with those who pose as devotees but at heart and behavior are envious of devotees. The 2nd class devotee avoids the envious and atheistic and preaches to the ignorant or innocent.

In order to raise oneself from 3rd class to 2nd class one must go to the book Bhagavat and person Bhagavat and regularly and sincerely hear from him. This is the authorized process.The 3rd class devotee has little or no taste for doing this-hearing the nectar of the param para but will make a show of doing so just to satisfy his senses.

 

"Oh I have attended SB class or the Sunday feast program therefore now I am a devotee- a spiritual person" "I also wear a very nicely pleated and ironed dhoti/kurta or sari and put on my tilak very carefully,therefore again, I am a very spiritual person." This type of devotee makes it his/her business to hear from the "professional devotees" those who have little or no renunciation or actual knowledge yet pose as gurus, acaryas and other such "holy men".

Srila Prabhupada states, .."This sort of hearing and

chanting has spoiled the whole thing, so one should be very careful about the faulty process..".

In other words Prabhupada is telling us here that in order that we dont get cheated, even if we attempt to hear SB from some devotee, then we have to know about that devotee, how they live, what they do and especially what are their motives.

 

He also warns-" the make-show of devotional service should at once be rejected. An unauthorized devotee should never be recognized as a pure devotee. This little bit of intelligence we must have to protect ourselves from the wolves of Kali yuga.

4) 100% Faith in the pure devotee of the Lord is the actual and tangible asset we should acquire. First we must find out WHO is the actual pure devotee of the Lord, then we follow him which also means automatically all the pretenders are then rejected.

 

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

below our Thanksgiving day Feast- organic pumpkin pie slathered in organic cream, organic garden carrots,

organic lentil loaf dunked in organic cashew gravy,organic baked candied yams, organic fried tofu, rice krispie treats,buttermilk orange juice nectar, organic mashed potatoes with cashew gravy, and organic cranberry relish.--THANK YOU KRSNA FOR EVERYTHING!!

We also had a nice grouping of local devotees come to celebrate our continued thanks to the Lord for all

He gives to us on a daily basis.

 

 

 

 

Dealing with Envious Natured People

 

 

 

          Time and time again Srila Prabhupada has warned us (His disciples) not to associate with His Godbrothers.  Why? Because, as Srila Prabhupada says, they were simply envious people. Envy is something that everyone has to deal with unfortunately. When in life you come across someone who is envious of you, be it a close relative, friend or co-worker, there is naturally a lot of friction between you two. This is because envious people not only give off bad vibes at the least, but also because they tend to scheme against you in any little way possible, creating a hostile environment and a dangerous situation. There’s nothing much you can do about it other than simply avoid that person. And a mature person would know that kindness tends to dissipate a person’s envy. You don’t want to play their game – do not give into their animalistic mentality and respond to their envy in a similar fashion. This is the psychology of dealing with envious people. Srila Prabhupada says in regard to His Godbrothers:

 “My Godbrothers are envious because they could not do. They could not do even half of Guru Mahārāja's work, and I am doing ten times. So therefore they are envious." (Room Conversation – 4/2/72, Sydney)

"So these rascals, Godbrothers, they are envious that... What he has written? Bon Mahārāja. Just see what kind of men they are. They are not even ordinary human being. They are envious of me, and what to speak of make a judgment by estimation? They're envious. Enviousness is immediately disqualification of Vaiṣṇava, immediate. He is not a human being." (Room Conversation – 10/16/75, Johannesburg)

           Srila Prabhupada, being above the three modes of material nature, knew better than anyone how to deal with envious people. It seems that He indeed ignored them for the most part and did His own thing. He warned His disciples about the dangerous nature of His Godbrothers so that His disciples wouldn’t get themselves hurt, spiritually – just as a caring, loving father always protects His children with relevant instructions on avoiding strangers, etc. for their own benefit (“don’t go in that place, there’s a monster in there!”). Therefore, faithful disciples of Srila Prabhupada avoid such people:

 “So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them. […]This is my instruction to you all. They cannot help us in our movement, but they are very competent to harm our natural progress. So we must be very careful about them.” (Letter to disciple – 4/28/74)

           Srila Prabhupada was just like this caring and loving father with all of His spiritual sons. He didn’t want any “wars” – of course not. He wanted more than anything to simply follow the order of His spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and thereby preach Krsna Consciousness all over the world. Unfortunately, sometimes a self-less, sincere effort is left unseen by way of selfishness and, well, insincerity. That is why Srila Prabhupada’s obvious spotless – loved by all – character and pure good-intended actions were “picked on” by certain people, namely His Godbrothers. Srila Prabhupada relates a story from His own spiritual master in this regard:

 “Regarding the Gaudiya Math, our position has nothing to do with them. They cannot do anything and if somebody does something, they will be envious. That is the nature of third class men. My Guru Maharaja once told this story; one friend informed another that one man has become the High-Court Judge. "Oh no,'' he replied, "No. That cannot be right.'' "Yes, he is now a Judge,'' said the first friend. "I have seen him sitting on the bench.'' The second man replied, "Maybe. But I don't think he is getting any salary.'' Such envious men will find out some fault anywhere. There is no fault, actually, but they will manufacture some fault. That is their business. So many persons were envious of my Guru Maharaja, but He was preaching and did not care for them.” (Letter to disciple – 11/18/70)

           This is simply how envious people are. That is their nature: “third class”. As such, for a mature, kind-hearted person, and especially for a pure devotee of the Lord, there is no question of creating enemies. Rather, the envious person creates such a war in his own mind and thus creates a dangerous situation, resulting in an intelligent man’s decision to avoid such a dangerous situation. A real devotee actually does nothing to create any envy in anyone, as supported in the above quote and ones to follow:

 "A devotee of the Lord is no one's enemy, although there may be many enemies of a devotee. A devotee of the Lord does not like to associate with nondevotees, although he has no enmity with them. He desires association with the devotees of the Lord." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.19.16 : Puport)

 "In this world, although a devotee is ajāta-śatru, he does not do anything which will create enemy, but the nature of the world is that they will become envious."

(Lecture : Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.16-17 -- Gorakhpur, February 10, 1971)

           As mentioned earlier in this article, it’s best not to give into their degraded games – it is better to just avoid them. Don’t even pay much attention to them. And when you see them, just be nice; say “Hi, how are you?” Be diplomatic. Diplomacy doesn’t mean compromising, not necessarily. The definition of diplomacy is “skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility” (Marriam-webster dictionary). Srila Prabhupada was most diplomatic in dealing with His Godbrothers. He was shedding their false pride and envy with His kind words. Srila Prabhupada demonstrated this diplomacy toward the very end of His physical presence on this planet. He remained very kind toward His Godbrothers during His final days here. In fact, the behavior from Srila Prabhupada at this time toward His Godbrothers is a prime example and model of how one should treat others, regardless of whatever friction there may be between each other. Making apologies just for the sake of apologizing, asking for personal favors just to give the other person a sense of superiority in you having to depend on him in some way or other – all fit into the list of ways in which one should act while directly dealing with a person who may have some kind of inferiority complex or enviousness – all of which Srila Prabhupada had demonstrated while directly dealing with His Godbrothers. Unfortunately, thirsty for such aggrandizement and intoxicated with flatter, the envious person will take such appraisal in whatever proportion desired, so will also any friends or relatives of his who have already invested some faith in him due to whatever the circumstances. This chain result, however, is all the more proof that such tactics actually work on people of the said nature.

           Srila Prabhupada was never interested in fighting with anyone. Of course, if someone poses a threat however, it is best to avoid that person at all costs. In that sense, then yes, there may be some kind of war, but the real fighting is going on within the envious person's mind. Especially in spiritual life, envy is very dangerous because it can manifest into offenses and deviations from philosophy, which can do a great deal of harm to the innocent people in general in regards to their spiritual journey back home. We therefore avoid such people as directed by Srila Prabhupada and also inform others where "not to wander". We do, however, leav all doors open for such ill-natured people to “come around” and cooperate with us. For such a sense of war to be over, the envious person would have to cooperate with the very person who he had held negative feelings toward for so long. Also, or at least, sincerely apologizing - fully addressing and recognizing his ill behavior and mistreatment toward the person. In Srila Prabhupada’s case, He makes it very easy for such a person to cooperate with his movement; He left a will and order on what his wishes were for the future of the movement. This is the July 9th letter. Anyone who decides to abide by those wishes will surely demonstrate a mature act of cooperation in fulfilling the ultimate mission of Lord Caitanya, and will thus surely have the blessings of Srila Prabhupada:

 "As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krishna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krishna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on." (Letter to disciple – 6/30/74)

 The treaty is there, it is just a matter of signing it.

  

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,

 Vidura das

 

 

What is religion?-SP

 

740109SB.LA                    Lectures                  
   So what is that religion? That is also explained in the
Bhagavad-gita. Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam. This is religion, to
surrender to God. It doesn't matter what religion you profess. It
doesn't matter. But you must learn how to obey the Supreme Lord. That
is religion. Religion does not mean that you stamp some stereotype
religion, "I am Christian," "I am Hindu," "I am Muslim," "I am
Buddhist," and then fight. That is not religion. That is fanaticism.
Religion means how one has become devoted to God. That is religion. Sa
vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje. You claim to be
religious, or you claim to be Hindu or Christian or Buddhist. That's
all right. But do you know what is God? Oh, everyone silent. Everyone,
all nonsense rascals, silent. He does not know what is God. And what
is his religion? If you do not know what is God, a vague idea, that is
not religion. You must know what is God. Just like to become American
citizen, it requires to know something of the history of America. So
if American citizen, if you ask him, "What you are?" "Now I am
American." "Who is your president?" "I do not know." What is this
nonsense, American? Would you like to hear from him that "I do not
know who is president"? Similarly, a human being professing some
certain type of religion, but you ask him, "What is God?"

Religion must be in relationship with God, any religion. But ask him, "What is
God?" No answer. But religion means,

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhoksaje
ahaituky apratihata
yayatma suprasidati

This is religion, first-class religion. What is that first-class
religion? Yato bhaktir adhoksaje, by practicing which one becomes a
devotee of the Lord. That is religion. That is religion. So instead of
becoming devotee of the Lord, we are devotee of dog. This is our
position.

Anybody ever had REAL raisins? I mean the kind you dry from grapes? 

below are some of the raisins we dried here--they taste like grapes-not store bought raisins

As Prabhupada said-anything grown in the garden is "100 times better" than store bought

 

photo by my wife who makes high end fashion hats--see any similiarity?

Avoiding Useless Debate and Misleading Association

by Narasimha das

 

Sadhus have no interest in hearing doubts and debate among various camps of proponents and counter-proponents, even when such debate is among devotees. As Srimad-Bhagavatam aptly notes, such debaters, although interested in establishing the truth, are forgetting their eternal souls. This is because they have neglected to hear carefully from the genuine acarya and have thus misunderstood the narrow path of the mahajanas. Only Srila Prabhupada's chaste followers are able to speak and write properly by quoting relevant evidence from sastras, particularly the purports of great acaryas, which are called amnaya. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that it is nearly impossible for conditioned souls to understand the truth in the holy scriptures without amnaya, or the bhasyas of great acaryas.

We can confidently proclaim that only those who accept Srila Prabhupada as ultimate authority can understand the conclusions of the scriptures today. Almost everyone else speculates inconclusively based on sentiment and personal bias. Sometimes they quote out-of-context statements from sastra that seem to support their particular bias, but they show no interest in serious, sastric discussions for establishing truth. Their understanding of siddhanta is polluted and incomplete. In this regard, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura comments, “In the conclusions of those who are ignorant of the truth, only a portion of the Vedas are accepted. In the conclusions of the knowers of truth, the purport of all the Vedas is accepted.”

In His book Sri Bhaktyaloka, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura mentions that it is detrimental to the development of bhakti to pry into the faults in others, particularly when one's motive is self aggrandizement or envy. In the chapter on prajalpa, He describes all kinds of useless talk. To be sure, the most dangerous useless talk is blaspheming sadhus. He gives an example of such blaspheming from Srimad-Bhagavatam, citing the story of Prajapati Daksa and Lord Shiva. He also describes the types of useless argument and debate to be avoided. He particularly mentions how harmful it is to investigate or pass judgments on the moral character of others. Regarding blaspheming sadhus, or the hati-mata offense, the examples used in sastra are of deliberate offenses against pure devotees, such as Lord Shiva, Maharaja Ambarisa, or other great devotees.

Although pointing out blatant, severe deviations in neophyte devotees is not palatable, it may be necessary sometimes and is not an offense. Such analysis following guru and sastra is not detrimental fault-finding, unless one becomes absorbed in dualities as a consequence. Toward the end of the chapter on prajalpa, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura explains that fault-finding done by our acaryas, the sastras, or Lord Chaitanya is beneficial for devotional service. He gives some examples of this kind of beneficial fault-finding. I heard that Srila Prabhupada said, “To call a thief a 'thief' is not fault-finding.” Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura confirms this idea: “Therefore when the previous acaryas have personally set examples and taught others, how will we be benefited by acting contrary to their instruction? And if one discusses in this way the improper behavior current in a religious sect or amongst the general public, then such talk is not averse to devotional service.”

Two days ago I was reading some poems Srila Prabhupada wrote. In one stanza He mentions “the jackal Ananta Vasudeva” and in several other stanzas He broadly condemns the behavior of His God-brothers, describing how so many sincere souls were driven away from the Gaudiya Math due to false pretense and personal ambition among leading preachers. Srila Prabhupada levels severe charges against Gaudiya Math leaders in many places, most notably of which are His book purports. Although I have heard His criticism of deviant leaders many times before, I was surprised that He mentioned this man by name, calling him a “jackal”.

The very next day, by His causeless mercy, Bhaktivinoda Thakura answered my doubt, “Even if one sometimes talks about a particular person, there is no fault.” He cites the example of Maitreya Rishi from Srimad-Bhagavatam, who condemned the behavior of King Vena. He also cites the example of Lord Chaitanya condemning the behavior of sannyasis who speak with women intimately or privately. Such talk of exemplary deviants is not detrimental but rather serves to illuminate the proper path of devotional service. At the same time, Bhaktivinoda Thakura warns, “But those who talk about others while influenced by devotional impediments like envy, hatred, pride, or distinction are offenders at the feet of Bhaktidevi.”

Based on this last statement I believe our editorial policy in Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta was correct, since it was done carefully and slowly with input and oversight from a group of sober Prabhupada followers, none of whom even wished to be personally acknowledged or thanked in its pages. The book never mentions any person or institution, and carefully avoids argument, debate and condemnations of devotees. Only in one place we list various severe deviations from siddhanta propagated by misguided preachers. The purpose of this publication was to avoid useless argument and debate by providing the essential conclusions of Srila Prabhupada's instructions in an easy-to-follow format. Quoting Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Srila Prabhupada predicted: “When our men will become sahajiyas, they will be the most dangerous.” The example is given of a snake with a valuable gem on its head. Both “Prabhupadas” made the same prediction, seeing the eagerness of many leading preachers to sit on the seat of the Spiritual Master. Bhaktivinoda Thakura elaborates on this point, as I have cited below.

Regarding toxic talk about the moral character of others, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says it is very antagonistic to pure devotional service. On a practical level, there is no proper way to examine or expose moral deviants unless they are gross, constant offenders living close at hand, in which case they expose themselves. Such persons should be carefully avoided with mind, body and words. Recently on an istaghosti site I tried to suggest that it was useless to talk of a specific sannyasi, a sahajiya who is accused by several devotees of serious criminal conduct long ago. I wrote in and suggested they discuss, instead, not accusations and rumors but clear deviations from siddhanta supported by this man and his maya-gbc cohorts. Many devotees writing on this site could not appreciate this advice.

Regarding one's level of philosophical and scriptural understanding, a learned man, half-educated man, ignorant man and a pretender are each recognized as soon as they speak or write something. This is why materialistic religious leaders stonewall serious inquiries and discussions. The Vedic tradition of establishing proper siddhanta and sadhana through logical, scriptural discussions is always carefully avoided by pseudo-religious leaders, who often condemn sincere devotees, accusing them of being heretics, severe offenders or demons.

The internet provides increased facilities for sadhu-sanga but also assists in the rapid spread of poison and poison mixed with milk. Today it quite possible, using the expediting facilities offered by the internet, for intelligent students of Krishna consciousness to quickly appreciate who is who in the movement. If they are fortunate enough to find favorable sadhu-sanga with chaste disciples who have carefully studied and understood the philosophical conclusions in all of Srila Prabhupada's books, they can easily avoid the misleading association of false preachers and their followers.

In my case, I came to the right conclusions about Srila Prabhupada and the path of devotional service long before I read all the books. How? I was fortunate to find and accept the association or sincere sadhus, such as Vishnujana Swami, Jayananda Prabhu, Srinatha Prabhu and others. This easy path is possible for everyone who is not poisoned by dharmadvajis or kali-cela. Bhaktivinoda Thakura describes the symptoms of false sadhus, as cited below.

“Sadhu” means one who cuts the hard knots of our false attachments. Real sadhus are pure devotees or chaste followers of the pure devotee. Srila Prabhupada specifically warns that there are many malicious persons posing as Vaisnavas in the Krishna consciousness movement. New devotees need training in separating wheat from chaff. And we all need to train our deviant minds to remain fixed at all times on Prabhupada's path only. Otherwise, if we insist that everyone always discuss only the purest nectar, no one will understand when poison is mixed with nectar. We see this danger in the sahajiya camps of today. They avoid a careful study of Srila Prabhupada's books because they have been misled into believing they are qualified to relish advanced Krishna Lila without humbly learning to relish Prabhupada's purports. Some of these devotees reject even the transcendental names Srila Prabhupada kindly gave them by His causeless mercy. Such deluded persons are on a dangerous path.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises that one “not give up the process of deliberation as being useless on the path of devotional service.” Until we are fully self-realized, we must carefully discriminate between matter and spirit. In this regard, Srila Bhaktivinoda quotes Caitanya-caritamrta: “A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussion strengthens the mind. Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Sri Krishna.” (Cc. Adi. 2.117.) Similarly, Sri Isopanisad advises, “Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death, and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra Eleven)

In the chapter titled “Jana-sanga,” Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura especially warns of the association of dharmadvajis, or those who make a show of devotional service for ulterior motives. “One should give up the association of dharmadvaja, the hypocritically devout, with special care. Those who accept the external signs of dharma but do not follow actual dharma are called dharmadvajis. There are two types of dharmadvajis : the hypocrites and the fools-- or the cheaters and the cheated. In devotional service this hypocrisy ruins everything. Better to associate with sense enjoyers, for in this world there is nothing worse than the association of dharmadvajis. Some of them become 'gurus' and some of them become 'disciples', and by trickery they accumulate wealth, women, false prestige and material assets. If one gives up the association of crooked hypocrites, then he can honestly engage in devotional service. Honest worship is the only way to obtain Sri Krishna's mercy.”

The term dharmadvaji is a polite way of referring to pretenders who dress like sannyasis but use the post of guru for collecting money and followers. Their “trickery” is to use the prestige and glory of the pure devotee, the holy dhama, the acarya's institution, the acarya's books, the acarya's disciples and even the Deity and nama-sankiritana to promote their own prestige and power. Srila Prabhupada describes such trickery as “increasing disciples in the manner of businessmen, using transcendental devices.” Bhaktivinoda Thakura points out that such cheating “gurus” provide facility for the false enjoyments of their followers. We see this today in the various sahajiya camps. Their festivals are aimed at bringing together men and women for collecting money, dating, swapping partners, swapping “gurus,” and remarrying. These camps offer nice facilities for jana-sanga but not for genuine sadhu-sanga. In other words, they avoid serious discussions of siddhanta based on Srila Prabhupada's books, and they try instead to assume a false status in devotional service or even a status like that of Srila Prabhupada or the Gopis. Thus they reveal their real motives by rejecting and arguing against Srila Prabhupada's order and instructions, no matter what the cost to the worldwide mission of Krishna consciousness. Bhaktivinoda Thakura cites the example of Ramadas Vipra from Caitanya-caritamrita. This man fooled many devotees into believing that he was highly advanced in Krishna consciousness. It is said that he chanted the names of Lord Rama 24 hours a day, was highly learned and a puca brahmin. But Lord Chaitanya, understanding his inner motive and his pride, ignored him completely.

In this same chapter, Bhaktivinoda Thakura defends the association of unpretentious sadhus who still act sinfully sometimes due to their former bad habits. How are such sadhus recognized? First qualification is they accept the conclusions of a Vaisnava, a pure devotee. They are disgusted with all material activities, and they worship Krishna with faith and conviction, even though they may still sometimes act against the regulative principles due to past bad habits. The Thakura confirms that such devotees, who are properly situated, are sadhus, and He quotes Bhagavad-gita 9.30-31 in this regard. He assures us that sincere devotees who follow the path of pure devotion are ashamed of their sinful habits, which they realize cause only suffering, and will soon become completely pure by sticking to the process of sadhana-bhakti. He then quotes Bhagavatam 11.20.27-29 to confirm this point. At the end of the chapter on jana-sanga, He comments, “The conclusion is that the association of pious persons (or sinful persons) who are bereft of Krishna consciousness is undesirable. On the other hand, association with persons who are sinful, yet devoted to the Lord, is desirable.”

Unfortunately many devotees are ruining their hopes for devotional service in this lifetime and the next due to their negligence in distinguishing paramahamsas from pretenders. In spite of all of Srila Prabhupada's instructions and arrangements to help them, they remain precariously situated. They have not properly accepted Srila Prabhupada as their diksa-guru, or sad-guru. We may say that this is all due to their sinful reactions and past offenses only, but according to Bhaktivinoda Thakura it is all due to a “poor fund of knowledge.” It is certainly unkind if learned devotees avoid sticky discussions of guru-tattva for fear of offending phony “gurus” and their ignorant followers. At the same time, who can blame respectable devotees nowadays if they avoid such discussions altogether? Bhaktivinoda Thakura mentions at least twice in this compact but astonishingly complete book that it is better to live alone at a secluded location to practice devotional service if one is unable to find the association of real sadhus. He says the most fortunate path, however, is to live at a secluded holy place in the association of practicing sadhus, or sadhakas. He devotes the last chapter to describing proper sadhu behavior, or sadhu-vritti.

The Thakura specifically points out that sannyasis who talk intimately with women or about women are the worst type of offenders who should be utterly rejected by all sincere devotees. For instance, one of maya-iskcon’s the leading “iskurus” is so foolishly arrogant that he wrote an entire book glorifying one of his own young, female followers, complete with her color photos. Similarly, another senior maya-iskcon sannyasi was seen talking intimately and alone with a woman in Golden Gate Park for nearly two hours. This is what we are up against nowadays -- the cheaters and the cheated. Interestingly, Bhaktivinoda Thakura puts them both in the same category. The cheated are not always so innocent. Rather, they want something cheap. As it is said, “It takes two to tango.”

Sri Bhaktyaloka is an amazingly concise, condensed, clear, book -- full of pure siddhanta on many fine points and most major topics of devotional service. Every page is astonishing. In this book, Srila Bhaktivinoda mostly quotes from Caitanya-caritamrita. Based on the quality of this edition, I believe the devotees who translated and edited this book have carefully studied Srila Prabhupada's books. Unless one has already studied all of Prabhupada's books carefully, he likely won't be able to deeply appreciate this short book, which is condensed nectar. It is only by Srila Prabhupada's mercy that we can begin to appreciate this book.

All glories to Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – Lord Chaitanya's Transcendental Energy!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and the Guru Parampara!

 

 

Krishna Balaram temple inauguration, Sunnyvale, CA

 
By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, and with the blessings and good wishes of all Vaishnavas, we were able to inaugurate our newest branch of Srila Prabhupada's temple here at the heart of Silicon Valley, in Sunnyvale city, California, on the 29th October 2011, with the installation of the Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada. This also happened to be the Disappearance day of our most beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. It was a fitting tribute to Srila Prabhupada on his disappearance day.

Many devotees worked hard to bring up this place and there is no doubt that it is a manifestation of Srila Prabhupada's pure desire. Even though Silicon Valley is a busy place for professionals, somehow, all the devotees (who are all working professionals) worked extra hard with devotion, commitment and determination to bring up this temple and please Srila Prabhupada.

His Grace Chanchalapathi prabhu, senior vice-president of Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON Bangalore, has provided invaluable guidance, vision and encouragement since the inception of this project. His Grace Vikram Krishna Prabhu, even though working away in a distant place and with a very busy work schedule, gave constant focus, direction, energy and unwavering commitment for this project to happen. All the local devotees of the Sunnyvale/San Jose area gave more than their best and sacrificed many personal comforts to make this project happen in such an accelerated time frame. I would have loved to name each of the devotee who worked for us but that is beyond the scope of this article. There is no way to express my gratitude to so many devotees who spent sleepless nights to put up this temple. I am sure Srila Prabhupada will be very happy about them and this is the best gift they could have earned for themselves.
 
 
His Grace Yasodanandana Prabhu, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, kindly accepted to perform the various ceremonies of Deity installation. He planned this event meticulously for a period of over one month in arranging and procuring various things required for the installation ceremony. He researched the various ceremonies that were conducted during Srila Prabhupada’s physical presence for Deity installation ceremonies in his temples. Due to the chaotic situation we were in just before the installation ceremony, Yashodanandan Prabhu too had to put up with a lot of inconvenience during those 3 days of events and practically slept only for 4 or 5 hours everyday. But he did all these cheerfully and never complained. We offer our sincere thanks to him and his team (consisting of his god-brother H. G. Damodar prabhu, Vidura prabhu and Bhakta Francisco) for making this event a smooth one.
 
 
 
 
We also offer our gratitude to His Grace Sridham Krishna Prabhu who took his busy time out and came all the way from Bangalore to help us in this event and to train us in Deity worship. He is still with us and training seven devotees in pujari services. All the guests and senior devotees  blissfully participated in the festivities despite some lapses in our arrangements simply because of their magnanimous nature. We thank them profusely for that.
 
 
We also wish to thank several devotees from ISKCON Bangalore and associated temples in Vrindavan, Jaipur, Chennai and Bellary, who assisted us in many ways: His Grace Madhu Pandit Prabhu for being the support, guidance and encouragement in this project. Vasudev Keshav Das, Radhakanta Das, Akshara Brahma Das, Virupaksha Das, Bharatarshabha Das, Prahladesha Das, Amitasana Das, Chitranga Chaitanya Das, Suvyakta Narasimha Das, Angada Das, Ratnangada Govinda Das, Shyamasundara Das, Yudhishtira Krishna Das, Sammohini Radha Mataji, Chamari Mataji, Usha Mataji and many more devotees assisted us in getting the Deities, Deity paraphernalia, Deity dresses, temple decorations and a host of other things. (Please pardon, if I have missed any one).
 
Finally, we offer our sincere thanks to all the innumerable devotees, some of whom came from faraway places, to witness and participate in this event. We need all your good wishes and blessings. We faced many hurdles along the path from the beginning of this project but by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we could overcome all of them gradually and Their Lordships Sri Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga finally decided to manifest Their divine presence in our humble facility.
 
 
We were apprehensive about the turn out on the Deity installation and inauguration day as we could not get much time to publicize the event. We got permission from City Authorities only a few days before the installation date. But to our surprise, the temple hall was thronged with devotees and visitors as the Deity Abhisheka went by. Throughout the whole day, there were close to 700 visitors who came for witnessing the Deity installation and other activities on the inauguration day. People were spell bound by the beauty of the Deities and the towering presence of Srila Prabhupada on his vyasasana and everyone was very satisfied as they went back.
 
 
Thanks to all matajis headed by Priya Sakhi DD (erstwhile Praveena). They worked round the clock to prepare dishes of delicious hot prasadam for the visitors. Thanks to all the volunteers who took extra care to make sure all visitors are satisified in all respects.
 
 
 
 
Many devotees and visitors got a chance to perform abhisheka for Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and Srila Prabhupada. That was very unique, and the most satisfying. If we are able to achieve this with just a handful of devotees in the Silicon Valley, it is only because of the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. He wanted this to be manifest in this way and things automatically got arranged for everything. 
 
 
 
 
On the day prior to the inauguration day, we performed Purusha Sukta homa (fire sacrifice) and the dhanya-adhivasa for the Deities. His Grace Yasodanandana Prabhu performed these ceremonies with attention to all detail.
 
 
 
The inauguration day started with the Deities opening Their divine eyes, technically called 'Netra unmilinam'. After waiting for one muhurta (1 hour 48 minutes), the Deities with open eyes were finally open to the eagerly awaiting public. The Deities were shown all auspicious items and paraphernalia like Srimad Bhagavatam, a picture of cows, some nicely decorated young kumaris and kirtana.
 
 
After this there was the marvelous abhisheka. H.G. Chanchalapathi Prabhu and H.G. Vikram Krishna Prabhu performed the first abhisheka for Sri Sri Krishna Balarama; H.G. Sridham Krishna Prabhu and H.G. Yasodanandana Prabhu performed and orchestrated the abhisheka for Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga and Srila Prabhupada. The Deities were bathed with panchamrita and a variety of fresh fruit juices and flowers.
 
 
 
At the end of the abhisheka, the screens were closed and people eagerly awaited for the first darsana of Their Lordships fully decorated. As it turned out, the first darsan of the Deities was just spell binding and the Govindam adi purusham song lifted the atmosphere to even higher dimension.
 
 
Before the screens opened, behind the closed curtains, there was this ceremony called 'ratnadi nyasa' which involved laying down precious ratnas underneath the lotus feet of the Deities and securing the Deities to the Deities base with bee wax. Again, this ceremony was performed by H.G. Yasodanandana Prabhu. After the darshana of the Deities were opened to the public, the first arati was offered to Their Lordships. The kirtan was ecstatic throughout the day and it was led by Bhakta Anuj, who would easily rank among the top kirtaniyas. 

 
All the visitors received the sublime nectarean charanamrita of their Lordships and were fed sumptuous feast throughout the day. Later on in the afternoon, for the pleasure of their Lordships, we had various cultural performances performed by renowned performers of Silicon Valley. We also gave opportunity to many children who are eager to show case their devotional talent in front of the Lord.
 
 
 
 
 
In the evening, we had a special program on the occasion of the disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada. H.G. Yasodanandana Prabhu and H.G. Chanchalapathi Prabhu both spoke on the importance of accepting a pure devotee as the spiritual master and how Srila Prabhupada continues to guide us. H.G. Chanchalapathi Prabhu narrated an incidence prior to Srila Prabhupada's disappearance lila in 1977, where Srila Prabhupada says: "I shall remain your personal guide, whether physically present or not, as I am getting personal guidance from my Guru Mahārāja." This is a profound statement which has to be remembered by all sincere followers and disciples of Srila Prabhupada. The evening ended with a beautiful rendition of Damodarastaka by Bhaktin Shravya and all devotees offered lamps to Sri Damodara in celebration of His famous lila. Devotees were more excited than exhausted.
 
 
 
The next day was an even bigger day for a few of the devotees. The next day, Harinama and Brahmana initiation ceremony was performed and ten devotees participated in the same. H.G. Yasodanandana Prabhu performed the fire sacrifice and spoke about the importance of initiation. H.G. Chanchalapathi Prabhu also spoke about the importance of initiation and briefly spoke about the ritvik system of initiation setup by Srila Prabhupada. After the event, all the devotees and visitors honored a feast.
 
 
At the end of all events, one of the visitor remarked, "A great work has been accomplished." But we would consider, the work has just begun.
 
Thank you one and all,
Your servant in Srila Prabhupada's mission,
Nanda Kishore Das

 

 

Govardhana Puja-Melville park

Haribol prabhus,

This is a 1.5 hour clip on our Govardhan puja.. you may view it as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcFc8qglb7M

Your servant
Siva

 

25 very potent warnings from Srila Prabhupada

 

Hare Krsna to All

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 Below we have gathered 25 very potent quotes from Srila Prabhupada which should act as WARNINGS to us all. When something goes wrong on your car and the red lights start flashing you know it  is time to stop and carefully check things out. Similarly in the same way, Srila Prabhupada has given us all warning signs for the sincere and serious devotees to watch out for in our devotional lives. If you are one of them, then please forge forward.

Damaghosa dasa

 

Prabhupada warned us in a 1973 letter to Dhruvananda:

 1) "The greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the deities. So don't ask any more new questions, whatever is going on, follow it just to the exact standard as I have given you, that's all."

 

 

2) 21 September, 1970 ,  Calcutta
Letter to Isana and Vibhavati  "In my books I have tried to explain clearly this simultaneously one and different philosophy acinta beda beda tattva propounded by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But sometimes it happens that this philosophy is given a self-interested interpretation. As soon as personal motivation comes in it is not possible for one to understand our Krishna Consciousness philosophy."

 

 

Order of how to offer bhogaApril 1, 1970   Los Angeles
Letter to Himavati 

3) "Yes, it is nice that you are worshipping Lord Caitanya along with Radha Krsna. That is alright. Lord Caitanya should be placed to the right side of Krsna. There is nothing special for His worship, but you may continue as you are doing now. The order of worshipping is first Spiritual Master, and then Lord Caitanya, then Radha Krsna (as in the mantras or Bunde aham prayer).
Your confidence to do whatever you are instructed by the Spiritual Master is very encouraging. Yes, this is the method of the Vedic injunction, staunch faith in Spiritual Master and Krsna makes one perfect in spiritual understanding."

16 June, 1969   New VrindabanLetter to Arundhati

 4) "Regarding your question about offering Prasadam, whatever is offered to the Deity actually it goes through the Spiritual Master.  The Spiritual Master offers to Lord Caitanya, and Lord Caitanya offers it to Krishna. Then Radha Krishna eats, or Jagannatha eats, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu eats, then the Spiritual Master eats, and it becomes Mahaprasadam. So when you offer something, you think like that and chant the Gayatri mantra, and then everything is complete. At last, ring the bell, take out the plate and wipe the place where the plate was kept."

 

 Vrndavana, India August 1967  Letter to: Devotee & Hamsaduta

5) "One who understands and appreciates the disciplic succession is certainly advanced, and we should always be very careful to give full respect to those who have so carefully handled this Divine Fruit of transcendental knowledge before us. Even a slight change will spoil it. That is why I have always been so careful to give you only those things which I have heard from my Guru Maharaja ."

 

 

6) Adi 5.232       The Glories of Lord Nityananda Balarama        There are others who are against the worship of CaitanyaMahaprabhu, thinking Him mundane. But any sect that differentiatesbetween Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Radha-Krsna, either by worshipingRadha-Krsna as distinct from Lord Caitanya or by worshiping LordCaitanya but not Radha-Krsna, is in the group of prakrta-sahajiyas.   Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, the author ofCaitanya-caritamrta, predicts in verses 225 and 226 that in the futurethose who manufacture imaginary methods of worship will gradually giveup the worship of Radha-Krsna, and although they will call themselvesdevotees of Lord Caitanya, they will also give up the worship ofCaitanya Mahaprabhu and fall down into material activities. For thereal worshipers of Lord Caitanya, the ultimate goal of life is to

worship Sri Sri Radha and Krsna.

 

 

What is the Hare Krishna Society?
By Narasimha das

 


Recent slander against HKS and two of its founding directors has reminded me of the story of Prajapati Daksha insulting Lord Shiva. Daksha had become overly proud due to his exalted status as a Brahmin, a direct son of Lord Brahma, and a leader of great demigods and celestial rishis. In spite of his exalted status, high birth, and high education, he was unable to appreciate the unique status and qualifications of the greatest Vaisnava, Lord Shiva. Because he was jealous of Lord Shiva, he was infuriated when Lord Shiva did not take notice of his grand entrance into the assembly of great sages and demigods, who had gathered for a big event Daksha had organized. Daksha therefore began to insult Lord Shiva in various ways, and this led to the immediate ruination of Daksha and his supporters. This story illustrates that even great demigods and rishis sometimes become malicious due to false pride and inability to recognize Krishna or a Vaisnava. This history from Srimad-Bhagavatam also illustrates the danger of insulting a Vaisnava. (In His purports, Srila Prabhupada offers many interesting comments on this topic.)


In the early days of Srila Prabhupada’s mission in the West some ISKCON leaders wanted to install teletype machines in all the temples but Srila Prabhupada did not approve of the idea. He expressed concern that his neophyte students would use the machines for politics and gossip and thus waste time. Today it is practically seen that those who have no life to preach hide behind their computer screens and spread gossip about devotees, trying to raise doubts about the activities and purposes of a bona fide sanga of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples. Those with a political agenda, and other ignorant or malicious persons, sometimes spread baseless rumors about Srila Prabhupada’s faithful disciples and thus commit the worst offense know as sadhu-nidha. Sadhu-nidha can quickly ruin one’s forward progress in devotional service. By hearing such rumors about disciples of Srila Prabhupada and by accepting and tolerating such nonsense without challenge or protest, internet surfers and sufferers may ruin their forward progress on the path of bhakti-yoga due to their tolerating offensive statements against sincere devotees.


Over the years, a few antagonistic persons have tried to malign the Hare Krishna Society for ridiculous and selfish reasons. Some devotees have apparently felt slighted by HKS because of our strict policy to ignore the various vitiated “iskcon” groups, the various members associated with these groups, senior devotees who are still confused about Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, and other misguided persons associated with various other groups, such as branches of the former gaudiya matha. We also tend to avoid persons who are obsessed with the idea of trying to reform corporate iskcon’s buearacrats and clerics. Because we refrain from involvement in drawn out, rambling discussions on the internet with persons who are misguided or antagonistic, some devotees feel slighted. We feel the best way to deal with various misguided persons and groups is to teach the truth about Srila Prabhupada and His instructions. If we attack something, we attack the sin and the sinful idea rather than all the individual sinners. As a rule we generally avoid discussing individuals. We have enough to do to explain the fundamentals of Krishna consciousness taught by Srila Prabhupada to those who have been misled by bogus preachers.


HKS is not a reactionary movement. We are not anti-ISKCON. We are not anti-gbc or anti-DOM. We are not opposed to devotees whose mission is to revise iskcon’s false leadership, but this is not our focus. Our positive agenda is to preach the glories of Lord Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada and the bona fide parampara. In the course of preaching correctly about the mission and teachings of the Krishna consciousness movement all opposing elements will be exposed naturally.
The misleading idea that any devotee can post himself as an initiating guru has severely disrupted the mission Srila Prabhupada wanted. This, of course, is the real problem. False ambition and “envy of the exalted status of the spiritual master” has ruined the united mission of iskcon just as it ruined the gaudiya matha. This problem has been more or less institutionalized throughout most of iskcon. It will be very difficult to change iskcon by political maneuverings, law suits and voting, but if revolutionary devotees can do this, we wish them the best. But why use this agenda as an excuse not to cooperate with those engaged in trying to preach to the innocent? It is not HKS policy to attack and expose individual leaders for their sinful secret lives and extravagance, nor is it advised in shastra to chase after and try to reform numerous unrepentant deviants. Nor is it practical. There is simply too much shell to shovel in this regard. It is a false charge that HKS wants to see iskcon broken. It is already broken, not by our preaching but by their own stubborn insistence on institutionalized deviations. HKS generally avoids direct confrontation with the fallen branches of iskcon. Thus some persons criticize us for 1.) not attacking iskcon, 2.) attacking iskcon, 3.) not being under a gbc, 4.) not supporting devotees who attack iskcon leaders, 5.) supporting those who attack Iskcon leaders, and so on.
Most of the founding members of Hare Krishna Society, in both India and America, have gone on record for years as having expressed eagerness to cooperate with anyone, or any group, willing to follow Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for initiations and other sadhana. For the benefit of all, HKS has definitively described the philosophical and theological position of the Krishna consciousness movement while distinguishing correct sadhana and siddhanta. In our book, Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta, we have concisely defeated the gbc and pseudo gaudiya matha false doctrines--- not by attacking any individual or group but by stating the truth simply with numerous scriptural references. This book was produced with the cooperation and oversight of many learned, senior devotees.


HKS in India and America is the only group that I know of that is actively trying to cooperate with Bangalore ISKCON and other camps of ritviks all over the world. But we are finding that those who are suspicious of the Hare Krishna Society are also suspicious and deliberately aloof from all other devotees who want to preach the mission of Srila Prabhupada. It is true that there must be more cooperation among Prabhupada’s true disciples, and HKS has tried to increase and assist such cooperation. Our possible future cooperation with the corporate gbc-iskcon would depend on a total reformation and redirection of the now severely corrupted gbc and its concocted “guru” club members. Only after resolving fundamental issues relating to the gbc’s deliberate deviations of siddhanta and sadhana in the areas of Deity worship, preaching, and initiations could sincere devotees hope to again work together under the ISKCON banner. We are not holding our breath until this happens. We will go on preaching to the innocent.


Because the gbc has banned all discussions regarding the “guru issue”, all attempts to improve the present-day iskcon by managerial arrangements, law suits, rallies, protests, debates, or voting may be pie-in-sky dreaming only. All we can do is preach the truth about Srila Prabhupada while learning to depend on Krishna fully.
Although the Hare Krishna Society has never opposed those who say they want to reform iskcon clerics, we feel this is not the best way to preach. In fact, it may be a distraction. The scriptures advise that devotees ignore persons who are envious of the Pure Devotee, even though they may present themselves nicely as Vaisnavas. Many of the founding members of the Hare Krishna Society were pioneers—at significant personal sacrifice and risk---in trying to reinstate Srila Prabhupada’s system for initiations in ISKCON. At one point, in the 1980s, leading gbc men were forced by a growing movement of would-be reformers to realize they had no philosophical or institutional basis for their concocted system of “guru” appointments. Thus they began a malicious campaign of blasphemy and intimidation against devotees who were trying to defend Srila Prabhupada’s mission and instructions.


The gbc began this toxic campaign by issuing various published letters and position papers warning their followers that ritviks and the “posthumous” ritvik idea were heretical and demoniac. In other words, the gbc leaders clearly expressed their unwillingness for sober, open talks based on scriptural conclusions and direct orders from Srila Prabhupada. These gbc fellows understood that intimidation and threats would provide their only possible means to quell the growing movement, which favored Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for ritvik initiations. It is not the duty of preachers to constantly chase after antagonistic persons posing as sadhus. Our duty is to preach to faithful devotees and the innocently ignorant. This is one of the main reasons that HKS was formed.
Some devotees are afraid of HKS because it is headed by senior, learned devotees who are not easily fooled by false pretense. It would appear that some persons are afraid of any kind of cooperation on any level unless cooperation is defined as “cooperation with me”. Some persons try to hide behind the name of “Prabhupada” or “ISKCON” as an excuse not to associate with or consult sincere, senior devotees. They say, “Until we reform iskcon, we cannot fully preach or practice Krishna consciousness or create any kind of alternative sanga.” Their real agenda seems to be, “I will remain independent and uncooperative because 1) I don’t trust any senior devotee. 2) I know best, 3) I am lazy about preaching and sadhana. Let me therefore create doubts about Prabhupada’s original disciples so my position of noncooperation and faulty sadhana will not be exposed.” This attitude is a dangerous path that leads to major offense, as we have seen time and again.


The Hare Krishna Society in America is not, at present, a physical institution with leaders, managers, properties, politics, money and followers. HKS has no bank balance, no collection schemes, and no money to launder. HKS is a bona fide religious organization and has done nothing illegal or shady. We have kept a humble profile as a Society, but none of us are afraid of iskcon thugs and other malicious instigators. HKS devotees mostly associate only with those who are knowledgeable disciples or aspiring disciples of Srila Prabhupada. We don’t go to iskcon centers to disrupt their programs. One important reason for which HKS was formed was to provide an avenue of sanga and training for serious preachers, new and old---especially those who have been driven out of the bogus iskcon due to their staunch loyalty to Srila Prabhupada.


HKS is meant to help devotees who have no tolerance for the gbc’s severe offenses to devotees and their deviations of siddhanta and sadhana. In America, although attempts are being made for these ends, HKS presently has no official church properties, communal farms, fulltime temple programs, or live-in ashrams for training new devotees and giving shelter to retired devotees. When such properties and programs develop beyond home programs, future temple presidents and GBC will then expand HKS according to Prabhupada’s DOM. As mentioned above, HKS is also trying to cooperate with ISKCON Bangalore in both America and India. Devotees the Seattle area, Los Angeles, Oregon, New Jersey, Fiji, North Carolina, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Bangalore, Udupi, Mangalore, Hubli, Hawaii, Bellary, Kollur, and many other places conduct regular programs for teaching the real mission of Srila Prabhupada. HKS strives to encourage all these programs. When our Hare Krishna Society sanga develops further, it will establish a GBC and other functionaries according to Prabhupada’s DOM, as Bangalore ISKCON has already begun to do.


Some of us had predicted long ago that those who refuse to associate with Prabhupada’s longtime, loyal disciples, such as Yasoda Nandana Prabhu, will eventually slip down the deadly cliff of sadhu-nidha due to their habit of personal attacks against devotees and their lack of discrimination. Such persons are often expert in creating doubts but not expert in cooperating with devotees, following sadhana or glorifying Srila Prabhupada through proper preaching. Some persons claiming to be Prabhupadanugas seem more interested in pointing out the faults of devotees, even to the point of spreading baseless rumors against Srila Prabhupada’s proven preachers.


Unlike others who have jumped on the political bandwagon against the corporate iskcon gbc in recent years, Yasoda Nandana was standing alone against the bogus gbc from day one. He could have easily gone along with their joy ride to hell--as most other iskcon leaders did at the time, just to maintain their status in iskcon, with all the benefits of money, prestige and followers-- but Yasoda nandana chose instead to risk his life and livelihood to stand for truth and sanity. One result has been that he has been attacked repeatedly with baseless character assassinations for the past 35 years. It seems some of the so-called “anugas” have adopted the gbc’s tactic of character assassinations. Such tactics are employed by misguided and malicious persons who are weak and confused.


The HKS policy is to preach the truth about Srila Prabhupada. We have no interest in prying out the personal faults of others, nor do we meditate on these faults. The faults of fallen pretenders become self-apparent in due course without the separate endeavor of others. Our focus is to preach the truth about Prabhupada. We feel this is the best way by which everything will be revealed. Those who think they should attack the homeless and helpless defenders of Prabhupada’s mission are foolish and frustrated. Because the iskconites ignore them completely, such rabble-rousers attack others, like the Hare Krishna Society. Their propensity is to fight, not to cooperate. Such belligerent rebels can’t really help devotees find the genuine sanga of the Krishna consciousness movement.


Aspiring Vaisnavas should carefully understand the symptoms of an actual disciple of Srila Prabhupada. Yasoda Nandana, for instance, is a good example of loyal follower of Srila Prabhupada. He has pleased Prabhupada in many ways with his steady devotional activities over more than 40 years, and he has done so in difficult circumstances. He is fully engaged in Deity worship, preaching and scriptural research while living a responsible householder lifestyle reminiscent of that of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. No pretender or bogus sadhu can fake the lifestyle of a Vaisnava for very long. Yasoda nandana has remained patient, calm and fixed in consciousness even in the face of the most obnoxiously malicious slander and physical threats. He has always been polite and friendly to sincere devotees, and he avoids confrontations with useless politicos posing as sadhus. Those who try to malign his character are fools who know nothing about spiritual life. I can say the same thing with regards to Damagosha Prabhu, who has been worshipping the Deity and conducting regular preaching programs for years. Similarly, other Hare Krishna Society devotees have been steadily preaching correctly and living honestly for decades.


One silly lone wolf who runs a popular “Hare Krsna” blog site has accused Yasoda Nandana of being influenced by South Indian traditions of brahminical life-- as if this was scandalous. I will discuss this laughable accusation at the end of this essay. The far more serious accusations against Yasoda nandana das that I have just recently heard from a different source are totally fabricated, and anyone who knows him at all understands this without doubt. The sad misfortune, however, is that such vicious rumors against bona fide devotees can dampen or kill the tender faith of neophytes on the path of Krishna consciousness.


Yasoda nandana and other members of the Hare Krishna Society have been challenged by various persons and groups for no rational reason. Such persons and groups have repeatedly shown that they are unable to appreciate some fundamental truths of the Krishna consciousness movement. Sometimes they accuse HKS members of leaving ISKCON when in fact it is the so-called iskcon leaders who have left Srila Prabhupada and booted out His faithful disciples. Devotees who have tried to maintain the ISKCON name while following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for management and initiations have been harassed by costly and distracting legal challenges from the gbc. Or they have been violently attacked by thugs hired by iskurus and gbc men. By his own example, Srila Prabhupada showed that it is better to preach to the innocent than chase deviants posing as Vaisnavas.


HKS is primarily an educational and informational society. We preach that Srila Prabhupada and His instructions provide the only sure method for everyone to go back to Godhead in this lifetime. We preach that anyone can accept Srila Prabhupada, with or without the sanction of the gbc. We preach that a bona fide spiritual master must be a liberated soul who is specifically empowered by Krishna for this service. We preach that all of Srila Prabhupada’s instructions for sadhana must be followed in ISKCON and other institutions representing Srila Prabhupada.
We do NOT teach that only institutions with name “ISKCON” can be bona fide. We do not teach that the Hare Krishna Society is the only bona fide mission and that all must join us. We have noticed, however, that some ritviks are not expert in preaching the siddhanta and sadhana without adulteration. In spite of sometimes hearing childish and ignorant complaints against us, HKS devotees have always expressed willingness to cooperate with other groups who at least accept Srila Prabhupada as the initiating spiritual master for all ISKCON devotees. We have zero tolerance, however, for politicians who try to create doubts about the character of Srila Prabhupada’s sincere followers. We do not accept the various false premises and insinuations of some of these supposed Prabhupadanugas. We do not accept unfounded ideas that are not supported in Srila Prabhupada’s books and instructions.


For instance, we do NOT accept: 1.) Iskcon, or a group with the “iskcon” name, is the only group that can be bona fide. 2.) Prabhupada disciples cannot preach but must only play recordings of Prabhupada’s lectures. 3.) Prabhupada’s disciples cannot write but must only cut and paste quotes from the Vedabase. 4.) Devotees who have logged in the most hours of Prabhupada’s personal association are automatically more advanced than other devotees. 5.) Srila Prabhupada’s personal presence on Earth and His association and pastimes with His disciples is now “unimportant”. 6.) All senior disciples of Prabhupada, especially Americans, should be treated with suspicion until proven innocent. 7.) Srila Prabhupada disciples cannot form their own sangas or institutions or offer ritvik initiations but must wait for the maya-gbc to authorize this. 8.) Any new sanga or organization must immediately include all the managerial elements that existed in the corporate, 1977 ISKCON, otherwise such associations or institutions are bogus. 9.) Prabhupada’s disciples may sometimes need to consult sadhus or brahmins outside His mission to learn details regarding guru-tattva and Deity worship.


Over the years I have been approached by various aspiring reformers who have asked my advice. I have always advised that they first consult and try to cooperate with longtime proven preachers like Yasoda nandana. Most do not take this advice, so I ignore them for fear that they have already been severely misguided or poisoned. Any organized effort to preach requires real friendship and trusting relationships with Srila Prabhupada’s bona fide disciples, otherwise it will ultimately fail. No managerial formula will help without friendship and trust. Those who deliberately avoid good association with senior devotees are misguided. Such persons may be falsely proud, may have a false agenda, or may be misled and paranoid. Most Hare Krishna Society devotees do not have the time or interest to sort out all the doubters, so we generally ignore such devotees unless we know them personally and feel they might hear our advice. Most of us at HKS feel this is the best policy, overall, for dealing with confused devotees.


To date, no one has been able to legitimately challenge the HKS book, Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta. This book was conceived at a meeting of over a hundred Prabhupadanugas. It was published and approved by the cooperative efforts of several senior devotees. If devotees follow the principles delineated and confirmed by Srila Prabhupada in this book and try to cooperate on this basis, anything is possible, as we are seeing practically in the case of ISKCON Bangalore. Without carefully understanding siddhanta and learning to preach properly, some ritviks may end up creating another hodgepodge movement that fails to train real preachers. We all need to follow Yasoda nandana’s good example: study more, gossip less, stay cool, worship the Deity, chant Hare Krishna.


Regarding the ridiculous accusation that Yasoda Nandana has been unfavorably influenced by South Indian traditions of Vaisnavism or brahmanism, I will tell an interesting story. One day in India, Srila Prabhupada was at a meeting with several prominent South Indian Vaisnava pundits and brahmins. As He often did in meetings with His disciples, Srila Prabhupada asked if someone knew a certain verse that He had alluded to. The respected Vaisnava pundits were momentarily stumped and scratching their heads when suddenly Yasoda nandana loudly chanted the verse with perfect pronunciation, tune and cadence in the style of South Indian brahmins. The pundits were very impressed with this. With obvious pride for His intelligent disciple, Srila Prabhupada beamed a huge, effulgent smile that lit up the whole assembly like noonday sunshine. (Even with the thousands of photos and volumes of video footage, it is not easy to find Srila Prabhupada smiling so ecstatically. Usually when Srila Prabhupada smiled in this way, it was due to the combined services of many devotees on a special occasion.)


Srila Prabhupada warned that there are many malicious persons in the dress of Vaisnavas in the Krishna consciousness movement. Students of Krishna consciousness must become intelligent enough to understand the difference between sincere devotees and ambitious upstarts who have no solid position in spiritual life. The Hare Krishna Society is devoted to the real mission and disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Those who associate with HKS will learn to distinguish matter from spirit for the good of everyone by understanding Srila Prabhupada and appreciating His disciples, His mission and His instructions.

 

Hearing the words of God brings immediate relief to the heart-SP

 

Hare Krsna to All

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 Below is parts of yet another brilliant lecture given by His Grace Srila Prabhupada in Los Angeles, 1973.Summary: By hearing the words of God brings relief to the burning heart of unlimited desire and the mind becomes pacified and peaceful and all trash thoughts become removed from our consciousness. How to do this? Associate with devotees-Its called Krsna Consciousness SOCIETY-not just Krsna Consciousness ! This consciousness of God cannot be done alone. We also have to understand the Lord thru the param para, disciplic sucession.If we try to jump over the present acarya we will not be successful.The real secret of spiritual success is faith in Guru and God by which we can come to the stage of Bhava.(ecstasy), which precedes perfection or Prema, Love of God.If we dont associate with devotees what faith we have in Krsna , will be lost. 

Hare Krsnayour humble servant,

Damaghosa das------------------------------

todays Lord's...They both look, especially Happy....

 

SB 1.15.27            The Pandavas Retire Timely          
   Now I am attracted to those instructions imparted to me by the
Personality of Godhead [Govinda] because they are impregnated with
instructions for relieving the burning heart in all circumstances of
time and space.
SB 1.15.28            The Pandavas Retire Timely          
   Suta Gosvami said: Thus being deeply absorbed in thinking of the
instructions of the Lord, which were imparted in the great intimacy of
friendship, and in thinking of His lotus feet, Arjuna's mind became
pacified and free from all material contamination.
SB 1.15.29            The Pandavas Retire Timely          
   Arjuna's constant remembrance of the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna
rapidly increased his devotion, and as a result all the trash in his
thoughts subsided.
731207SB.LA                    Lectures                  
 So here, if you simply think of Krsna--Krsna recommends also that,
man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. This Krsna consciousness movement is
nothing, just to train people how to think of Krsna and how to become
devotee of Krsna. That's all. So you may become devotee... But you
will become devotee. If you think of Krsna, naturally you will become
devotee. So... But think of Krsna, is it very difficult task? Very
simple, very easy, even a child can do it. Here is Krsna. You can
think of. So you go on thinking, thinking, thinking, thinking, you
will be attached. You will be attached. You will be attached. Adau
sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. And thinking of Krsna in association of
the devotees. Not alone, then you will go to hell. Alone will not do.
Association is so strong that anyone who is coming to our association,
we..., not that we are everyone teaching, but by association, he wants
to become devotee. By association, automatically. So the association
is so powerful. ....Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura says, 

                 tandera carana-sevi-bhakta-sane vasa
                    janame janame haya ei abhilasa

 He is praying, "My dear Lord, this is my ambition, birth after birth."
What is that? "That to be engaged in the service of the acarya guru,
and in the association of devotees. This is perfection."

......Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that "I will not prefer a birth like Brahma
if I forget You. But I will prefer to become an insect if I remain
with Your devotee." Because if one remains with a devotee, he will not
forget Krsna. That is the advantage. Just like when you go, people
address you, "Hare Krsna." Oh, it is very great benefit. Automatically
they chant Hare Krsna. We have seen it all over the world. And when I
was going from London to Nairobi, we stopped at Athens, the dead of
night. We are in the..., what is called? That transit room.
Devotee: Transit lounge.
Prabhupada: Yes, lounge. So as soon as they saw us, "Hare Krsna!" You
see. So this is advantage. Aho bata sva-paco 'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre
vartate nama tubhyam. Even a dog-eater chants Hare Krsna, he becomes
glorified.
   So this chance should be given. Let them chant Hare Krsna, either
willfully, or jokingly, or any way, let him chant Hare Krsna. This is
the movement. Let him chant once, let his tongue utter this
transcendental vibration, Hare Krsna, his life will be successful. ...

 731208SB.LA                    Lectures                
Prabhupada: Hmm. So here it is explained what is Bhagavad-gita. Gitam
bhagavata. Bhagavata means "by the Supreme Personality of Godhead,"
and gita means "spoken." They say "sung," you can say. But gita means
"spoken by." Therefore it is called Bhagavad-gita, "the instruction
given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally." Therefore it
is called Bhagavad-gita....  

So if you want to understand Bhagavad-gita, then we must understand
in the same way as the person who directly heard from. This is called
parampara system. Suppose I have heard something from my spiritual
master, so I speak to you the same thing. So this is parampara system.
You cannot imagine what my spiritual master said. Or even if you read
some books, you cannot understand unless you understand it from me.
This is called parampara system. You cannot jump over to the superior
guru, neglecting the next acarya, immediate next acarya. Just like
our, this Gau..., Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult; we cannot understand
Caitanya Mahaprabhu directly. It is not possible. We have to
understand through the Gosvamis. Therefore you'll find in the
Caitanya-caritamrta and at the end of every chapter, the writer says,                  

  sri-rupa-ragunatha-pade yara asa
                 caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsna-dasa

 This is the process. He does not say that "I've understood Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu directly." No. That is not understanding. That is
foolishness. You cannot understand what is Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Therefore repeatedly he says, rupa-ragunatha-pade...

"I am that Krsnadasa, Kaviraja, who is always under the subordination of the
Gosvamis." This is parampara system. Similarly, Narottama dasa Thakura
also says, ei chay gosai jar mui tar das, "I am servant of that person
who has accepted this six Gosvamis as his master. I am not going to be
servant of any other person who does not accept the way and means
of..." Therefore we say or we offer our prayer to our spiritual
master, rupanuga-varaya te, rupanuga-varaya te, because he follows
Rupa Gosvami, therefore we accept, spiritual master. Not that one has
become more than Rupa Gosvami or more than... No. Tandera
carana-sebi-bhakta-sane vas. This is the parampara system.
   Now here, the same thing is repeated: Arjuna, who directly heard
from Krsna. Sometimes some people say that "Arjuna heard directly from
Krsna, but we don't find Krsna in our presence, so how can I accept?"
It is not a question of direct presence, because you have no idea of
the absolute knowledge. Krsna's words, Bhagavad-gita, is not different
from Krsna. It's not different from Krsna. When you hear
Bhagavad-gita, you are directly hearing from Krsna because Krsna is
not different. Krsna is absolute. Krsna, Krsna's name, Krsna's form,
Krsna's quality, Krsna's instruction, everything Krsna's, they're all
Krsna. They're all Krsna. This has to be understood.........  

Just like the South Indian brahmana.

As soon as he opened his... He
was illiterate, he could not read Bhagavad-gita. But his Guru Maharaja
said that "You shall read every day eighteen chapters of
Bhagavad-gita." So he was puzzled, that "I'm illiterate, I cannot...
... So he was in a Ramanatha temple. He took the Bhagavad-gita and went like this. He
could not read. So his friends who knew him, they were joking, "Well,
brahmana, how you are reading Bhagavad-gita?" He did not answer
because he knew that his friends are "Joking me because I do not
know... I'm illiterate." But when Caitanya Mahaprabhu came, he was
also puzzled, "Brahmana, you are reading Bhagavad-gita?" He said,
"Sir, I am illiterate. I cannot read. It is not possible. But my Guru
Maharaja ordered me to read. What can I do? I've taken this book."
This is trying follow guru's word. He's illiterate. He cannot read.
There is no possibility. But his Guru Maharaja ordered, "You must read
Bhagavad-gita daily, eighteen chapters." Now what is this? This is
called vyavasayatmika buddhih. I may be quite incomplete. It doesn't
matter. But if I try to follow the words of my Guru Maharaja, then I
become complete.
   This is the secret. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau.

If one has strong faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and as
much faith in the guru, yatha deve tatha gurau, then the revealed
scriptures become manifest. It is not the education. It is not the
scholarship. It is faith in Krsna and guru. Therefore
Caitanya-caritamrta says guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija. Not
by education, not by scholarship, never says. Caitanya Mahaprabhu
says, guru-krsna-krpaya, by the mercy of guru, by the mercy of Krsna.
It is a question of mercy. It is not a question of scholarship or
opulence or richness. No. The whole bhakti-marga depends on the mercy
of the Lord. So we have to seek the mercy. Athapi te deva
padambuja-dvaya-prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi, janati tattvam...
Prasada-lesa, lesa means fraction. One who has received a little
fraction of mercy of the Supreme, he can understand. Others, na canya
eko 'pi ciram vicinvan. Others, they may go on speculating for
millions of years. It is not possible to understand. So Bhagavad-gita
As It Is. Therefore we are presenting because we are presenting
Bhagavad-gita as it was understood by Arjuna. We do not go to Dr.
Radhakrishnan, this scholar, that scholar, this rascal, that ra... No.
We do not go. That is not our business. That is parampara....called parampara.

Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. So if
we understand Bhagavad-gita, as Krsna..., as Arjuna understood. that
is perfect. That is Bhagavad-gita As It Is. And if you try to
understand Bhagavad-gita as some rascal commentator says, then you are
reading somebody else; rubbish. There's no meaning. You're simply
wasting your time. He may be such scholar, such big politician, like
this. In our country, big politician, they have commented; big, big
yogis, they have commented; big, big scholars they have... They're all
useless. Take it: useless. If you read such commentary of
Bhagavad-gita, it is simply waste of time. If you actually want to
study Bhagavad-gita, then as Arjuna understands. Arjuna directly
listened from Krsna......But one who cannot understand, one who thinks,
"Oh, Krsna is like us. He has got also two hands, two legs, one head.
We have got also. He is like me," he is a mudha, rascal. Therefore it
is said in the Bhagavad-gita, avajananti mam mudhah: "These rascal
fools, they deride." Manusim tanum as... Param bhavam ajanantah, "They
have no knowledge of the param bhavam." So the param bhavam, that is
understood by the devotees. That is the difference. Budha
bhava-samanvitah, Krsna has said. Budha bhava-samanvitah. Param
bhavam, this bhava... Bhava means assimilation--"Oh, Krsna is so
great." This is called bhava. That is real understanding, when you
understand really this bhava stage. Bhava-bhakti. Bhava-bhakti. Simply
engaged in Krsna's service. Param bhavam. Person who has not come to
this stage of bhava, he cannot understand Krsna. Param bhavam
ajanantah. The bhava stage comes......   Everyone can attain that bhava stage.

There is process. This
process is described by Rupa Gosvami how to come to the bhava stage.
Bhava stage means just prior to perfection. One must come to the bhava
stage, next stage is perfection. Next stage is full perfection. So how
to come to this bhava stage, that is Rupa Gosvami has described, adau
sraddha. First of all little faith. Just like many outsider also come
here, "What these people are doing, these Krsna consciousness men? So
let us see." So sraddha. That is called sraddha. Sraddha, real sraddha
means complete faith. That is described by Caitanya-caritamrta.
Sraddha-sabde visvasa kahe sudrdha niscaya. One who has got this much
faith, strong faith, that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
this faith, not flickering, firm faith, "Yes, Krsna is the Supreme
Personality..." That is called sraddha. That is beginning of sraddha.
If you have got still doubt, then you have not come to the stage of
sraddha even. Superfluous. You may come, but when you actually believe
that "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and if I engage
myself in Krsna's service, I am perfect"--two things--that is sraddha.
And the more you increase this sraddha you become advanced. The
beginning is this sraddha. Adau sraddha.

   So how this sraddha, this faith can be increased? Sadhu-sanga. If
you keep yourself associated with the devotees, then this sraddha can
be increased. If you simply believe, "Yes, Krsna is Supreme
Personality," but you do not live with the sadhus or devotee, then it
will drop. It will finish. So just to keep the standard, the
temperature right, you must keep always yourself warm. If you go away,
then your (indistinct) is gone. Again you become cold. You see. This
is the process. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. Everything is
perfect. The first thing is that you must believe that Krsna is the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yes. And to keep this faith strong and
going on, you must keep association with devotees. Otherwise whatever
little faith you got, it will be lost. It become again under the
clutches of maya. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. And if you actually
associate with sadhu, then the next stage is bhajana-kriya,
initiation, how to worship Krsna. Then anartha-nivrttih syat. If you
are actually engaged in devotional service, anartha, which are not
required, things will vanish. Just like we ask our students,

"Noillicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat-eating." Simply by
hearing it you cannot follow it. It is not possible. If you make
bhajana-kriya, if you're actually following--chanting sixteen
rounds--then you can follow the others. Otherwise, if you are
spiritually weak, you cannot. The government is spending so much money
to stop this intoxication, LSD, in your country. They're all failure.
But here, with our pure association, a person can give up immediately.
Just see how much the association is strong. Adau sraddha tatah
sadhu..., bhajana-kriya. Anartha.
   Then after one is free from these sinful activities, then he comes
to the understanding stage. So long one is sinful, he has no
possibility of understanding. Yesam tv anta-gatam papam. One who is
completely free from all sinful activities, anta-gatam, finished,
yesam tv anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam. And how you can
become free from sinful activities unless you act piously? Because we
must have some engagement. If you have no pious engagement, then you
cannot become free from sinful activities. You must act. If you do not
act piously, then you must act viciously. ..  

So you can give up this impious activities provided you are engaged
fully in devotional service. Otherwise it is not possible. Simply by
moral instruction, that "Stealing is very bad. Don't steal," nobody
likes it. Nobody likes it. It is practical. One man has stolen, and
he's arrested and he's going to the police custody. So everyone has
seen, and he has heard also that the government says that if you
steal, you'll be punished. In the Bible or in any other religious
scripture it is said that stealing is not good. So he has heard it,
and he has seen it that a man who has stolen, he is going to jail. So
these two things are experienced: hearing and seeing. In spite of all
his experience, why does he steal? Because he has no good association.
He knows that stealing is bad; otherwise why he steals at night?
Nobody can see. He knows he is doing some bad thing. But why he cannot
give up that bad thing? Because he's not associating with good person.
That is it.
   So association is so... Therefore we have named this Krsna
Consciousness Society. Not Krsna consciousness only. Krsna
Consciousness Society. A society's so beneficial we should understand.
So, in this way, atha bhajana-kriya anartha-nivrttih syat. If we
prosecute our devotional activities and keep our association with thedevotees,

then we can be free from sinful activities.

And when you are
completely free from sinful activities, then we get nistha. Yes, it is
full faith. Nistha means full faith. Tato nistha. Tato rucih. Ruci
means taste. Why you are hearing about Krsna daily, the same thing? We
are speaking nothing new. "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, and you have to surrender." This is our daily business. But
why you are coming to see..., hear the same hackneyed words? Because
it is very pleasing. This is called ruci, taste, "Yes, I want to hear
this repeatedly. Yes. Krsna is the Supreme Lord, I am the eternal
servant." You have got a taste. Unless one gets the taste, then you'll
say, "What is this hackneyed word?" Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
twenty-four hours you can chant because you have got the taste. Others cannot do.

This is called ruci.

And ruci means asakti, attraction: "I
must go. I must chant. I must do." Tato nistha, tato rucih, atha
asaktih. Tato bhavah. Then bhava: "Ah, Krsna. I will associate with
Krsna. Then Krsna's love, that is perfection."... 

  So therefore this Krsna consciousness movement is the only
humanitarian work who can save the human society. All are helping them
to go to hell. This is a fact. All are helping simply... So many
innocent human beings are being slaughtered by education, by culture,
by so-called society, friendship... It is very vicious cycle.......is very dangerous.

There are four classes: lazy intelligent, busy
intelligent, lazy foolish, and active foolish. The active foolish is a
fourth-class man. So at the present moment they're very active, but
they're all foolish. Therefore the world is in danger. Active
foolishness. Foolish, if he stops, he does not work, it is better. But
as soon as he becomes active he becomes more dangerous.
   So this rajas-tamo-bhava is prominent. There is no sattva-guna,
goodness. It is very rare. The symptom of goodness is that he can see
everything right. That is goodness. Prakasa. Just like in sunshine you
can see everything clearly. Similarly, one who sees clearly things as
they are, they are in the goodness, mode of goodness. There are three
modes of the material nature. One who's acting foolishly, he's in
rajo-guna, and one who does not know what is the meaning of life,
simply laziness and darkness, that is tamo-guna. So those who are in
the tamo-guna, jaghanya-guna-vrtti-stha adho gacchanti tamasah. So
they will go to the again to the animal kingdom. They'll go again
animal kingdom. Rajo-guna may have their human birth again, but that
is also very difficult. But if you stay in the sattva-guna, then your
life is successful even if you do not get Krsna in this life; you'll
get next life if you keep yourself sattva-guna.

Urdhvam gacchantisattva-sthah,

they will gradually be promoted to the higher planetary
system or in the spiritual world.
   Therefore we are trying to keep ourselves, our students always in
the sattva-guna. Cleanliness, sattva..., to remain a brahmana. If you
remain a brahmana then you'll not fall down. You'll not fall down.
Otherwise, if you remain in tamo-guna, then you are going to be next
animal. This is the process of nature. You cannot check. You may be
very great scientist, but you cannot check the process of nature. That
is not... Daivi hy esa guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya. That is not
possible. That is natural. I've given the instance that if you
contaminate some poisonous disease you must suffer. That is natural
way. Not that why you shall suffer. No, you must suffer because you
are already contaminated. Therefore the contamination of the material
world is going on, sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna. If you
contaminate with the tamo-guna, then you must suffer. If you
contaminate rajo-guna, you must get disease. That is not in your hand.
You cannot say. But people are so foolish they do not know how nature
is working. They're puffed up with little knowledge and thinking
they're master of the thing. That is not possible.
   Thank you very much.

 

 

Janmastami festival report Sedro Woolley 2011

 

Hare Krsna to All Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

 On August 21st Sunday at the Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Mandir, we celebrated the Divine appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan Sri Krsna. For the pleasure of the Lord we offered around 125 different items for His tasting satisfaction.Some of these treats included 60 different types of burfy, Gulab Jamuns, sweet rice, cakes, cookies, pies, fresh churned butter,an Indian sweet made for mothers with newborns, Roasted Gauranga Potatoes swimming in organic olive oil, butter and rosemary, nice rice, pakoras of three kinds, two kinds of spicy plum chutney,  various subjis, garden saks made with lots of fresh spinach, a number of plates with fresh fruits, dried fruits, and various nuts.And too many more to list here. The devotees who came were very much pleased by the beautiful and fragrant floral arrangements made by Daria devi dasi, and in fact the entire temple room spoke of devotion from all the devotees present who also offered their services, brought various gifts, flowers, foodstuffs and other nice things for the pleasure of Lord Krsna. Everyone had a very pleasing and satisfying time, including all the new guests who left their addresses in our guest book all wanting to be in touch with our next festival. Srila Prabhupada following in the footsteps of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, has introduced these festivals in the western world and it is an astounding event to behold.
Where can you go to find this kind of opulence in somebody's "home"?? Even the churches, temples and mosques do not have the opulences that Hare Krsna devotees live with on a daily basis where every day is a festival spent upon service to the Lord. In the words of Bhaktivinode Thakur in his Jaiva Dharma---"His (the household devotee ) ambitions and hopes, activities, desires, hospitality and worship of the Lord are all carried out as a part of his main pursuit, rendering devotional service to Krsna, His entire life is a joyous festival consisting of compassion towards all living entities, chanting Harinama  and serving the Vaisnavas." That about sums it up, dont you think?? Also,Much Thanks to all the devotees who participated and helped put on this festival-your service is appreciated greatly !! Hare Krsna your humble servants,Damaghosa das and Daria devi dasi 

 

 

a play with Nalakuvera, Manigriva and Krsna

 

The Beautiful Lord Gauranga and Lord Nityananda Prabhu

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgwgjwDbADM

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t-BFOtsMv4 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPmfjIKw7wQ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jx_9qhPlOk

 

Krsna Janmastami Invitation-Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Mandir

 

Hare Krsna to All

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below you will find a Janmastami poster inviting one and all

to our annual Janmastami/Vyasa Puja Festival here at Sri Sri Gaura Nitai

Mandir August 21st Sunday, 2011  at 2pm*.

Please note that time has been changed to 2 PM

I know most on this list cannot make it, but you're all invited, nonetheless.

Hare Krsna

your humble servants

Damaghosa das/Daria devi dasi

-----------------------------------

Krsna Book Preface                                              
   In these Western countries, when someone sees the cover of a book
like Krsna, he immediately asks, "Who is Krsna? Who is the girl with
Krsna?" etc.
   The immediate answer is that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. How is that? Because He conforms in exact detail to
descriptions of the Supreme Being, the Godhead. In other words, Krsna
is the Godhead because He is all-attractive. Outside the principle of
all-attraction, there is no meaning to the word Godhead. How is it one
can be all-attractive? First of all, if one is very wealthy, if he has
great riches, he becomes attractive to the people in general.
Similarly, if someone is very powerful, he also becomes attractive,
and if someone is very famous, he also becomes attractive, and if
someone is very beautiful or wise or unattached to all kinds of
possessions, he also becomes attractive. So from practical experience
we can observe that one is attractive due to 1) wealth, 2) power, 3)
fame, 4) beauty, 5) wisdom, and 6) renunciation. One who is in
possession of all six of these opulences at the same time, who
possesses them to an unlimited degree, is understood to be the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. These opulences of the Godhead are delineated
by Parasara Muni, a great Vedic authority.

We have seen many rich persons, many powerful persons, many famous
persons, many beautiful persons, many learned and scholarly persons,
and persons in the renounced order of life unattached to material
possessions. But we have never seen any one person who is unlimitedly
and simultaneously wealthy, powerful, famous, beautiful, wise and
unattached, like Krsna, in the history of humanity. Krsna, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, is an historical person who appeared on this
earth 5,000 years ago. He stayed on this earth for 125 years and
played exactly like a human being, but His activities were
unparalleled. From the very moment of His appearance to the moment of
His disappearance, every one of His activities is unparalleled in the
history of the world, and therefore anyone who knows what we mean by
Godhead will accept Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No
one is equal to the Godhead, and no one is greater than Him. That is
the import of the familiar saying, "God is great."

See Poster

 

ISKCON battle: Bangalore v/s Mumbai matter of trust

By: Sheetal Sukhija and Imran Gowhar

from: http://www.mid-day.com

Officials of the Bangalore ISKCON Temple claim that their image is being maligned by their counterparts in Mumbai, while the latter calls it a piece of fiction

 

Developments over the past week have led to skeletons tumbling out of closets in the grand ISKCON battle. While initially it appeared like power broker Balaji Subhash had conducted the sting operation exposing ISKCON Bangalore, the latter now alleges that their decade-old enemy -- the Mumbai ISKCON -- is the original mastermind behind the entire operation.


Intent unclear? A power broker had conducted a sting operation where
he trapped the deputy temple commander at the Bangalore ISKCON
accepting corporate donations under CSR scheme and offering
kickbacks on the same. Representation Pic

Bangalore ISKCON claims that their image is being maligned by their counterparts in Mumbai and has produced a recording of a telephone conversation, allegedly between President of ISKCON Mumbai Varada Krishna Dasa and Subhash. (See box for transcripts of the conversation.)

"The audio tapes reveal that Dasa is trying to malign our image by egging Subhash to release the tapes to the media and hold a press conference," said the communication manager of Bangalore ISKCON. They have also produced a copy of the email that was sent to their personal email ID from the power broker's account, a copy of which has also been handed to the CID. (See box for excerpts of the e-mail)

Fire starter?
Subhash, a controversial power broker, conducted a sting operation, where he trapped Acharya Ratna Das, deputy temple commander at the Bangalore ISKCON, accepting corporate donations under CSR scheme and offering 20-30 per cent kickback on the same.

He handed over the video clips to MiD DAY after he was released on bail by  Subramanyapura police. Sunhash was held on charges of blackmail and criminal intimidation. ISKCON filed a case against Subhash sensing something fishy as the cheque he gave them bounced. Meanwhile, the taped canversation clearly indicates Subhash is lobbying and a deal was being struck. (See box for   transcripts of conversation.)

Whodunit?
About who was backing his expose, Subhash said, "If two people want to be friends, then they should have a common enemy. This was my game plan. The Mumbai ISKCON has not paid me, nor has any political party."
Later however, Subhash accepted that he had deleted the email account, from which the mail was sent and agreed that he had been cashing in on the enmity between the Mumbai and Bangalore ISKCON.

 

 

 

The Sun Is Yellow

 
Mahesh Raja.
 
Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The Sampradaya Sun fears Srila Prabhupada and his free press, the Sun is Yellow.
 
Rochon has already told you at the beginning of his letter here that he will not post what you send. His saying that they will read with interest is a blatant lie. Other wise why would he say "we will not likely publish your postings" ?  Then he criticizes you for past dealings and your content at that time and demands that you give something new that he has not seen. Here he is supportive completely of his lacky George so do you see, you are wasting your time. "In the meantime, we welcome George's summary statements on the discussion he's having with you, and encourage him to present such summaries for the Sun readers". George and Rochon are then allowed to edit what he is getting from you then place in at the Sun and if you try to respond to defend yourself your complete posting will not be allowed at the Sun. Then you must post Georges article elsewhere in order to get your opinion heard all the while Georges/Rochons spiritually corrupted propaganda gets spread and the Sun gets a mention.   That's more wasted time. Rochon is a nobody that simply wastes time. He welcomes George because George follows where he is lead he is not an independant thinker. Rochon wants blind following of his misunderstandings. I will continue to reference the Sun in order to expose them to society as spiritually corrupt as I and others have been doing.
 
There is no independant discussions between George and you, Rochon will be there to feed off the exchange. Rochon must be abandoned, one sure way to get rid of rodents is to remove all nourishment.
 
They are as blind as it gets, anything new would not be recognised by them because we have exposed new material and they lie saying it is old. They are waving at you from their own asylum, the Sampradaya Asylum. This way he can have unlimited literature to pick apart simply feeding like vultures.
 
Rochon suffers from a superiority complex, you ought to know that by now. The last few weeks his postings from his handlers in the Gaudia Math where he approved of their Vaisnava apparada directly at Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet will tell you where the only two staff members at the Sun are going to. He does not follow his own editorial policy..."gratuitous propagandizing, offering arguments that have previously been published, over and over, without giving any new arguments, realizations or evidence." They are like the old broken record. They are in need of some attention but not from Srila Prabhupada's disciples.

Don't waste your valuable time, they are sleeping, no one is making any spiritual advancement by reading the Sampradaya Sun they are only becoming more and more confused. Associate with confused individuals and one becomes confused. They have absolutely no connection with Srila Prabhupada anymore, they are disconnected, Srila Prabhupada's legacy is a gold mine for them while they soul kill their readers. See my article below and references proving that the Sampradaya Sun "staff" will post severe offences to Srila Prabhupada to suit their life style.
 
Sampradaya Sun has dried up any respect they ever had simply by publishing their own and others severe offences to Srila Prabhupada.
 
We have the Prabhupadanugas web site, the Hare Krishna Movement, Srila Prabhupada's Hare Krishna Society, ISKCON Times, Prabahupada Vision and more are getting ready to set up. Rochon and his "staff' are simply not worth the ink, they never really were.
 
The Sampradaya Sun has no divine instructions, it won't go on forever and their followers will never live with them.
 
Ys  Hasti Gopala dasa
 
PS. Below this is my latest poem, Sampradaya Sun Over ISKCON Bog
 
First of all the CC referenced here is of no use unless it can be verified as original first printing, not changed. Second, I do not reference or observe references of any publications from the BBT. Get that out of the way right now, that's my editorial policy.

 

The first paragraph is not validated by what is in the CC. The first paragraph is designed to give a conclusion to the reader so that his thoughts may fit into the CC presented, if that is at all possible. The topic of ritvik is not presented in the CC here as posted therefore it does not apply to the thoughts of the first paragraph. To openly discuss "ritvik" one must source all of those references in relation to Srila Prabhupada's history and then apply them in contrast to the CC references. This is not done. Rochon loves to use the word "asiddhantic" and he may have added that here.
 
The next part is the inference without reference that ritvik initiators are "imagining" something and as you read on it infers that Srila Prabhupada was also "imagining". At the end of the first paragraph he is saying that he has something to offer "that nobody reading could possibly argue with".  Who is it that this piece is directed to? He doesn't say. For a first time reader of the Sun this article will mean nothing and for the experienced and thoughtful Srila Prabhupada follower and disciple it is of no use because it is BBT and most likely not fully original. If it is original then he should have sourced that for us, if he is directing this piece to us, the Prabhupadanugas.
 
He is saying in the second paragraph that he offers no conclusions so are we to try and "imagine" what his conclusions would be? Imagine that. He says "I think Srila Prabhupada has made them very clear". If he is not convinced that "they are very clear" then his presentation is doubtful from the beginning. He is also admitting his doubt and indirectly telling the reader that they must also doubt so therefore the reader must do nothing. He says that that is his advice. Would anyone take advice from this guy? Nope! Arjuna was in doubt while talking to Krsna but Krsna never said to "do nothing". He said "fight for me" ( my quote ) We as followers, disciples and teachers for Srila Prabhupada are never in doubt, we don't worry about initiation because we understand from Srila Prabhupada everything about initiation, all aspects and we understand that Srila Prabhupada is present at all times. He told us this, he taught us this. So this gentleman has the nerve to tell innocent people through the Sampradaya Sun and Rochon that Srila Prabhupada no longer exists and that no one can take shelter of him? Just see the Editorial Policy of the Sampradaya Sun in action here. They agree with Hamsavatar Dasa that Srila Prabhupada was simply imagining things as a conditioned soul, is gone, dead and not available for anyone to take shelter of.
 
The Sampradaya Sun quite clearly here is grasping at anything they can throw at Srila Prabhupada these days to defame him and his disciples, that's nothing new, but remember, defaming Srila Prabhupada is the same as defaming Krsna, Lord Caitanya and oh yes...the Sampradaya. Lord Yamaraja has some nice places for such offenders.
 
Ys  Hasti Gopala Dasa

 

To Accept or NOT to Accept, That is the Question

BY: HAMSAVATAR DAS

 

Jul 27, 2011 — OCALA, FLORIDA, USA (SUN) — In reading this discussion brought once again about accepting initiation from nonsense ISKCON gurus being "necessary", as propounded by the fawning followers of such, and the equally nonsensical "asiddhantic" argument of acceptance of "ritvik" initiation by someone imagining that they are empowered to initiate disciples for Srila Prabhupada, with the promise to the initiates that they have now become His duly initiated disciples, I wish to proffer something that nobody reading this could possibly argue with.

It is an exact copy and paste from Prabhupada's Chaitanya-caritamrita, Madhya Lila, Chapter 15, verses 107 through 111. Instead of my offering conclusions, I think Srila Prabhupada has made them very clear. My own advice, though, from an old Hindu saying: "When in doubt, do nothing", and I think this applies to whether or not to worry about initiation when an uttama-adhikari is not present to take shelter of.

 

 

 

 

Sampradaya Fog Over ISKCON Bog

 

ISKCON’S Bog under Sampradaya Fog

Call their pundit pimps

To pinch another log

From and endless supply

Of barkin like a dog

To serve their fat

Then wallow like a hog.

 

Like independent creeps

Blazing short trails

Their deeds are tracked

Like old slimy snails

In Srila Prabhupada’s teachings

Their lying fails

While securing their place

In old Durga jails

 

It is very curious

It is very odd

They employ vast holdings

To hide away God

No dancers no answers

Is the rule of their rod

Stay away from their keeping

Stay away from their pod

 

Embrace love of freedom

Embrace love of God

Through the world living master

That is Srila Prabhupada.

 

Hasti Gopala Dasa  July 28th  2011

 

 

Dear Mahesh Raja,

Please accept my obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

While we will read with interest your exchanges with George Prabhu, we
will not be likely to publish your postings from this thread in the Sun.

We extended a formal invitation to debate to you on Rtvik-vada, and you
refused to meet it. As you know, and as the Editorials index
demonstrates, we've made every effort to welcome your pro-Rtvik writings
in the Sun over the years. We only rejected articles, or cut text from
your published articles, in which you insisted on gratuitous
propagandizing, offering arguments that have previously been published,
over and over, without giving any new arguments, realizations or evidence.
Although you knew our editorial policies in this regard, you took
offense to this and broke off communications with us. That's your choice.
But don't now expect us to begin publishing your writings again.

Whatever arguments you make with George, or make in other forums, or that
you've made in past Sun articles, we will address them in a detailed
analysis of your position in the weeks/months ahead in the Sun as part of
this ongoing commentary on Rtvik-vada. In the meantime, we welcome
George's summary statements on the discussion he's having with you, and
encourage him to present such summaries for the Sun readers.

Hoping this finds you well,
your servant,
 
Rocana dasa


The Power of Prasadam-mercy of the Lord

 

Hare Krsna to All Pranams Glories to Prabhupada

 Its been a while since I have sent out some nectar-but thatis because I have been very busy dealing with our gardens.

Here  are some tidbits of nectar regarding the power of foodoffered to the Lord-and then the Lord's eating these offerings.

 Hare Krsna Damaghosa das--------

Madhya 4.93   Sri Madhavendra Puri' s Devotional Service       

 Here we can see the difference between the East and
the West. The people who came to see the Deity of Gopala brought all
kinds of food to offer the Deity. They brought all the food they had
in stock, and they came before the Deity not only to accept prasada
for themselves but to distribute it to others. The Krsna consciousness
movement vigorously approves this practice of preparing food, offering
it to the Deity and distributing it to the general population. This
activity should be extended universally to stop sinful eating habits
as well as other behavior befitting only demons.-------------------

Thursday, July 4, 1968
Montreal, Quebec
Letter to Upendra

"The only process for perceiving Krishna and His name, qualities, form is our sincere service attitude with our senses.

Beginning from the tongue, all our senses are practically led by the tongue sense, whose business is to vibrate and to taste.

If we can change the materialistic nature of the tongue, by changing of taste and vibration, then automatically the other senses become purified.

And we can render sevice to Krishna with purified senses. As such we should try to chant and eat Krishna prasadam as much as possible 

750211BG.MEX                   Lectures                 
Prabhupada: He can take prasadam. (laughter) Bhaktivinoda Thakura has
said like that, ta'ra madhye jihwa ati, lobhamoy sudurmati, ta'ke jeta
kathina samsare: "Out of all the senses, the tongue sense is very
powerful. So it is very difficult to control it." So he says, ta'ra
madhye jihwa ati, lobhamoy sudurmati: "The tongue is very greedy and
very difficult to be controlled. Therefore Krsna has given us one
weapon." What is that? Krsna baro doyamoy, koribare jihwa jay,
swa-prasad-anna dilo bhai: "Krsna is very kind. Therefore He has given
us His remnants of foodstuff." So if we make this promise, that "I
shall not take anything which is not offered to Krsna," then your
tongue will be controlled. And in the sastra it is said that you
cannot understand Krsna... Atah sri-krsna-namadi. Not only Krsna, even
His name you cannot understand with these imperfect senses.                         atah sri-krsna-namadi
                     na bhaved grahyam indriyaih
                        sevonmukhe hi jihvadau
                       svayam eva sphuraty adah "But when you engage your tongue in the service of Krsna, then Krsnareveals Himself.

" So the tongue's business is twofold. One is with
tongue we speak--it vibrates sound--and another business is with
tongue we taste nice foodstuff. So if you engage this tongue in the
matter of Krsna's service by vibrating Hare Krsna mantra, and if you
don't allow your tongue to touch anything which is not offered to
Krsna, then you become immediately Krsna-realized soul. So when the
tongue is controlled, all other senses are automatically controlled.
This is the process. Now again engage your tongue, chanting Hare
Krsna. (end)------------------750206BG.HAW                   Lectures                 
In the spiritual world you haven't got to work,
neither you have to eat. Everything is complete. But in the material
world means for your maintenance you have to work. But that work is
very simple. Grow some food grains and keep some cows, take the milk,
and just prepare nice foodstuff and eat. Patram puspam phalam toyam.
Keep Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Deity, at home, and
Krsna is pleased even you simply offer little fruit and little flower.
 So Krsna doesn't want anything else. Krsna does not say, "Give Me
meat. Give Me eggs. Give Me fish." No. He says, patram puspam phalam
toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. So if you are devotee, you cannot
take anything which is not offered to Krsna. So Krsna... I should
offer to Krsna what He wants. Just like if you want to offer me
something, so you inquire that "What shall I offer you? What do you
like?" So similarly, if you invite Krsna to live in your house or
temple, then you should ask Krsna, "Sir, what can I offer You?" Krsna
said, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. Krsna said
that "You give Me patram, means vegetables, flowers, fruits, and
phalam, fruits, and some liquid, water or milk." Krsna does not say,
"You give Me meat or egg or fish." No. Krsna can eat everything, He's
all powerful, but He does not eat, although He is all powerful. He caneat everything. He can eat fire. That is another thing. But because we
have to take prasadam, remnants of foodstuff, Krsna, therefore He
says, "Give Me this: food grains, milk, or fruits and flowers."
Prepared or unprepared, it doesn't matter. Krsna wants that. We... So
far the Vaisnava is concerned, sometimes they come forward to fight
with us: "Why we should be vegetarian?" No, no, we have no quarrel
with the nonvegetarian. Let them eat at their risk. But because we
recommend, "You take Krsna's prasadam," therefore we must be satisfied
with this patram puspam phalam toyam, nothing more than that.------------750705r2.chi                Conversations               
Prabhupada: Yes. Everywhere. This is the age of forgetting God. We say
it is Kali-yuga. Kali-yuga means the age of misunderstanding. And that
is, I said, dirty things within the heart. So God is so powerful that
if we chant the holy name of God, then we become purified. So our
movement is based on this principle, chant the holy name of God. We
give all facilities to everyone without any distinction that "You come
with us. Come in our temple, chant Hare Krsna mantra, and take little
prasadam, refreshment, and gradually you become purified." So if the
government authorities give us facilities for this business, that we
hold mass sankirtana, Hare Krsna, and give them little prasadam, then
we are sure the whole place will change.

----------------------------------------------

Below are some pictures of Krsna Prasadam-mostly grown from our gardensfresh garden salad and steamed peas with dried tomatoes in  the pasta

steamed beets, garden salad and rice made with beet juice

eggplant pasta with salad and steamed peas

tulsi manjari , rice, and salad

Chota Giri Hari

Saksi Gopal Maharaj

Radha Giri Manohara

Padmanabha Prabhu

Sri Sudarshana Chakra Maharaj

 bread rising- made with beet juice

From Prabhupada​nugas News!

 

This is brilliant and fun! A direct hit!!
 
My note of thanks is below this article. Make sure as many people as possible around the planet read this Prabhupadanugas Article
 
Ys  Hasti Gopala Dasa
 
 
By: “The Ritviks”
July 07 2011, Montreal, Canada — Today strikes the beginning of a much anticipated chapter in the Sampradaya Sun’s defeat. We have been focusing a bit more on the Sampradaya Sun and it’s associates but now we can move on to other more sensible and clear subjects.
With recent articles from the Prabhupadanugas, followed by, well actually followed by nothing from the Sampradaya Sun, our Sun friends have gone on high alert. They have been whooped in recent weeks with articles and emails challenging them on “Guru-tattva” and their biased policies against what they call “Rittvik-Vada”.
Naturally, they have published different pro-Sun articles in an effort to defend themselves from the many questions that they still cannot answer and once again refer us back to, in their words, “one of the many papers we’ve written on the subject” , making it very tempting to ignore any further articles made by them (although we probably won’t because they’re always pretty fun for us).

The Sun has recently written demanding that we accept a debate with them over each other’s written positions on “Guru-tattva”. We declined, however, because given the benefit of the doubt, it seems that they forgot to actually write what their position was. Simple mistake. So we’ll wait. To make it easier for them we even went as far as to help them establish their position by giving them the appropriate questions on the subject to get their noodles going. But they don’t seem to be accepting the help.
Instead, they insist that we read a body of writings on the subject even though we already told them that we are quite “unwilling” and “incapable” of decoding their subtle, stretching, seemingly invisible points (assuming they’re even there to decode). We recently addressed Rocana Das, whose recent articles fit all of the above adjectives. His replies were to no surprise of the same nature of all his other writings, vague and evasive.
But being the mature adults we are, we gave them yet another option and suggestion in order to establish their point in fewer than a million words scattered throughout the internet like a treasure in the vast sea. And no, we didn’t suggest drawing a treasure map (maybe we should have?). What we suggested was that perhaps they just state their positions briefly and concisely like the very short Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta booklet for example that we stand behind (which nobody has addressed to this day). It seems though that they took offense to our advice and had this to say:
“Instead, they hanker to be fed a very small portion that contains the entirety of our position on guru-tattva […] if only we could compose such a rare thing.”
But our SPS book is just that! Apparently it is too great of a task for the Sun. So hoping to avoid further pointless arguing, in an effort to not create any further embarrassment for our Sun friends, we have decided the best thing might be to just pray to Krishna and Srila Prabhupada to remove their demonic ambition to become greater than Guru.
With that said, we will be continuing to post nice quotes from Srila Prabhupada every day, discussing Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and chanting Hare Krishna for as many years as it takes to accomplish Srila Prabhupada’s goal of a bonafide ISKCON and mass book distribution. Thank you, Haribol.
Your servants,
“The Ritviks”
 
 
Dear Prabhupadanugas News.
 
Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada. It is quite obvious that this posting “Addressing Guru-tattva” Parody | Focusing more on the Sampradaya Sun has been brought to us by devotee or devotees who not only have a master sober wit and a great command of the english language, it is quite obvious that they are completely dedicated to Srila Prabhupada.
I have recently prided myself on being able to write anything over the past 2 years but I am humbled by this great humourus and direct comment. Bravo!!
 
Thankyou very much for clarifying a great deal in so short a span of time...for eveyone on the planet.
 
Ys  Hasti Gopala Dasa

 

Defeating Sampradaya Sun’s Bangalore Drama and Sampradaya Acharya

 

 

In response to Rochon Prabhus The Bangalore Drama and Sampradaya Acharya 

Original Article

“Better to be in maya thinking one’s self a disciple of Srila Prabhupada than to be a disciple of someone in maya.”

Hasti Gopala Dasa

So Rochon Prabhu considers as we know from his article that accepting Srila Prabhupada as one's diksa guru en masse or as a single person is a bad idea especially if their is a fire sacrifice involved. Better to "keep Srila Prabhupada at the centre" This is an old cliche used by ISKCON themselves to cause people to steer away from what is really meant by the term and to conclude automatically that the authorities must know what they are talking about. What we'd like to know from Sampradaya Sun is the exact in detail understanding of what is meant by "keeping Srila Prabhupada at the centre", not just in some temples but in our little homes and offices. 

Please explain for the benefit of the whole world so that they may not entertain the "bad idea" of accepting Srila Prabhupada as one's diksa guru. Ritvikism is a con term never used by Srila Prabhupada and is not a Vedic term. It is invented, the proper term is simply Ritvik first used by Tamal Krsna on May 28th 1977 and confirmed as a system by Srila Prabhupada, it came about as a result of a conversation initiated by the GBC in 1977 so Rochon Prabhu would have you disregard that conversation regardless of the fact that his spiritual master answered to the inquiries made to him by the GBC..so strike the conversation...ok done.

Next! The July 9th, 1977 letter which came about as a result of the conversation in which the founder acharya and Krsna spoke must also be discarded by everyone because it stems from the disregarded May 28th 1977 conversation.

For as many reasons as scholar devotees can dig up from changed and original satsra from Srila Prabhupada’s books they will try to explain the reasons for deleting the May 28th conversation and the attending post conversation July 9th letter. ...oh, and by the way only Srila Prabhupada’s original books can be used to qualify their opinions otherwise one is stepping over and out of Srila Prabhupada’s jurisdiction. That's ok though if you don't plan on having him at the centre of your life or if you are a GBC, ISKCON guru follower or from some other sect.

See reference from Rochon Prabhus article below.

"In addition to the fact that they have simply, and very successfully kept Srila Prabhupada at the center in Bangalore, their success has also seemed to be a result of the kshatriya or king-like leadership of Madhu Pandit das. He is no doubt a brilliant and dedicated devotee. We were surprised, therefore, to hear the bad news that Madhu Pandit had recently orchestrated and performed a mass Rtvik initiation in Bangalore. As far as I understand it, this was the first time an official institutional procedure like this has been conducted by Bangalore."

*********************

Madhu Pundit Prabhu has been doing exactly what Rochon Prabhu says he has not been doing, where is the evidence of not promoting a siksa environment, where has he not been giving Srila Prabhupada full recognition as being the Sampradaya Acharya. One thing he has not been doing, he has not been selectively disregarding Srila Prabhupada’s authority by telling people directly or indirectly what of Srila Prabhupada’s and Krsna’s words and historic instructions must be followed or not followed. "Simply follow Srila Prabhupada" means to live by his example in the same manner that Srila Prabhupada followed his guru, Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Prabhupada which means accepting the orders and being obedient to Srila Prabhupada. Madu Pundit Prabhu has set an exemplary example of that himself and others have followed. Srila Prabhupada was accused by his God brothers of the very same accusation by Rochon Prabhu to Madhu Pundit Prabhu. Srila Prabhupada institutionalised a programme that put emphasis on Diksa based on Sastra that was and is accepted by his spiritual master and Krsna. Otherwise Srila Prabhupada would not have done it. Therefore Madhu Pundit Prabhu is showing uncommon valour beyond the call any leader to keep Srila Prabhupada where he desires to be kept, for the people.

See reference to Rochon Prabhu’s article below.

"We are left to wonder why it is that for so many years prior, Madhu Pandit das had been doing what I have suggested in my presentation – essentially promoting a Siksa environment, giving Srila Prabhupada full recognition as being a Sampradaya Acarya, and encouraging devotees to simply follow him, without institutionalizing a program that puts undue emphasis on diksa, while at the same time accepting the sastric basis for diksa."

*********************

No, because he adopted Srila Prabhupada’s positions, Rochon Prabhu for all his dedication to Srila Prabhupada assumes that anyone following Srila Prabhupada’s instruction and obedience must be lacking some personal initiative. Learning from those who already know is the most universal of laws. Srila Prabhupada knows what is to be done and is continually teaching his dedicated disciples to this day, at least those who are still listening. Madhu Pundit prabhus official position is that of a disciple of Srila Prabhupada he has no other official position to promote. That's promotion enough. Srila Prabhupada does not need to be taught Rochon Prabhus philosophical perspective.

See reference to Rochon Prabhu’s article below.

"Unfortunately, for all the success he was getting in Bangalore over the years by practically employing just such a program, Madhu Pandit obviously did not adopt my philosophical perspective, or promote it as his own official position."

As we will see below in the next segment Rochon Prabhu does not refer to the new devotees of Srila Prabhupada at Bangalore as much as devotees but as "Ritiviks". Not even given the benefit of the doubt as if they are considered blind idiots who know nothing about Srila Prabhupada, his history or his works. That somehow Madhu Pundit has used them for his own political gain indicating indirectly that Madhu Pundit has now produced a number of simple pawns in a politico religious board game. Samefull! 

Those new initiates are to be considered on equal terms as any of Srila Prabhupada senior devotees, they know what is meant by ISKCON and they know they are a large part of ISKCON...they are learned and dedicated enough to know their new responsibilities that lay ahead of them. They will never feel alienated or outside. They have no interest in being considered by anyone other than Srila Prabhupada and Krsna, anyone else's opinion of them has no impact at all. They will be maintaining the philosophy of Srila Prabhupada and the position as his disciples.

Notice no where in the referenced paragraph below does Rochon Prabhu have the dignity to refer to them as disciples or even devotees. So who is the political impersonal motivator in this paragraph?

See here also from the quoted piece below..."the GBC/ISKCON and their representatives in Mumbai, who will now be faced with taking over a temple filled with all these Rtviks." "these Ritivks" Cleverly labelling these most dedicated devotees not as anyone devoted to Srila Prabhupad at all. Of course damming with faint praise can seem to exit anyone from a highly offensive diatribe and old history lesson.

The referenced piece from Rochon Prabhu’s article.

"Personally, I think the recent mass Rtvik initiation ceremony in Bangalore was a political tactic employed by Madhu Pandit das to create a large block of individuals initiated via Rtvik diksa. If and when the new GBC-deputed leaders arrive in Bangalore, they will be faced with hundreds of inimical devotees who, after the Rtvik initiation ceremony, will now be even more alienated than before. Their new 'initiated' status will separate and delineate them as being devotees who are 'outside' of ISKCON. They won't be considered 'in good standing' in ISKCON while they maintain the philosophy and position as Rtvik-initiates. That alone will represent a huge manpower drain for any new leaders arriving in Bangalore.

So the timing of this mass initiation event is very suspect, occurring as it did just weeks before the High Court handed down its decision. It seems to be an obvious ploy to further thwart the GBC/ISKCON and their representatives in Mumbai, who will now be faced with taking over a temple filled with all these Rtviks. We can assume that many of these devotees were well trained, and have been helping to maintain Bangalore's elaborate Deity worship, preaching programs, and other aspects of temple management, all of which are reported to be very professionally organized."

*********************

Finally: Below we will show reference to Rochon Prabhus Sampradaya Acharya philosophy as responded to by Damagosh Prabhu but never posted on Sampradaya Sun. If Rochon Prabhu believes as much in his approach as he says he does then Damagosh Prabhus response is indicative of why Madhu Pundit Prabhu never took up his philosophy...Madhu Pundit Prabhu continues to only take up Srila Prabhupadas philosophy.

Madhu Pundit Prabhu accepts nothing but Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, he has no need to try to cement anything. It is not the undoing of Bangalore as Rochon Prabhu predicts it is the undoing of nonsense. 

"Unfortunately, for all the success he was getting in Bangalore over the years by practically employing just such a program, Madhu Pandit obviously did not adopt my philosophical perspective, or promote it as his own official position. I believe history will prove me right in my belief that the recent Rtvik initiations in Bangalore and Madhu Pandit prabhu's failure to adopt the Sampradaya Acarya philosophy, instead cementing his acceptance of Rtvik-vada, will stand as a part of Bangalore's undoing." 

"Better to be in maya thinking one self as a disciple of Srila Prabhupada then to be a disciple of someone in maya"

 Ys Hasti Gopala Dasa

 Damagosh Prabhu's response to Rochons Sampradaya Acharya posted below.

 

"ritviks are forcing Prabhupada to take on karma"-refuted in this article

By Damaghosa dasa

Posted on: June 28, 2011

 

Hare Krsna

 

There is one argument floating around that the "ritviks" are forcing Prabhupada to come back to this world to take new disciples and their karma, thru the system of ritvik initiations.

 

Nothing could be further from the truth and we will attempt now to prove why this argument is wrong.

 

First of all, who can force Srila Prabhupada to do anything? This is ridiculous right off the start. Prabhupadas parents had to have about 5 people to hold him down just to get him to take some medicine when he was a child. His mother had to hire somebody to "make" Prabhupada go to school when he was a very young boy.

 

What to speak of any of us telling or forcing our spiritual master-"you must do this"!! He once told us that an astrologer read his palm lines and it said "this person, everyone else has to obey". So nobody could or can force Srila Prabhupada to do anything. Even Krsna had to convince him to come here because he originally told Him, he did not want to come .

 

Secondly, when they say we (the ritviks) are forcing him to take the karma for thousands of new people, ---then they are admitting that he can do it, that you dont need a physically living guru in front of you, otherwise how could he take on their karma if he is not physically present? This is just one of many foolish arguments that contradict the ritvik system of initiations that Srila Prabhupada has set up. Those people who say you must have a physically living person from whom to take initiation contradict themselves by this so called argument. On the one hand they will say you cant take initiation from Srila Prabhupada because he is dead and gone and that you must have a "living physically present body" from which to take diksa. And on the other hand in this argument they are saying we are forcing Prabhupada, who is not physically present (to them) to take on karma for thousands of new people, even without his sanction or knowledge or approval. This is very easy to understand the contradiction present.

 

Thirdly,If one needs a physically present guru, then why did Srila Prabhupada state that Christians today could accept Jesus as their guru if they followed his instructions?

 

The simple process of Krsna Consciousness is---to HEAR about Krsna

 

741024SB.MAY                   Lectures   

So simply by hearing, you become sinless. And after
being sinless, you become more and more interested.
   Just like in jaundice disease that, if you... Because the doctors,
the medical practitioners, they give sugar candy. The physician gives
sugar candy. The sugar candy, to the person suffering from jaundice,
tastes bitter: "Oh, it is bitter." But actually sugar candy is not
bitter. Similarly, to the sinful man the krsna-katha, discussion about
Krsna, does not appear to be very palatable. They do not like to hear.
They think it is waste of time. But that, as the sugar candy is the
only medicine for jaundice disease, similarly, the hari-katha, or
krsna-katha, is the only medicine for our material disease. If we take
it... Just like the jaundiced patient. If he takes sugar candy, then
gradually he becomes free from the diseased condition, and at that
time, the same sugar candy which he tasted in the beginning as bitter,
it appears to be very, very sweet. Then he cannot live without. This
is the process.
   So we are in material disease at the present moment. We have
forgotten Krsna, and struggling for existence, we are trying to be
happy by manufacturing so many plans. But this will not help us.
Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu approved this process.

 

Sankhya-yoga: A Brief Primer

 

By Narasimha das

 

Sankhya-yoga and Karma-yoga are One in Purpose

New students of Krishna consciousness sometimes confuse sankhya-yoga with useless mental speculation or impersonal meditation. Similarly, neophytes on the path of sankhya-yoga often confuse karma-yoga with karma-kanda, or sentimental pious activities on the mundane plane. Both classes of neophytes are ignorant of the facts, as Lord Krishna describes below.

“Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [sankhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both. One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical study can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same level, sees things as they are.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.4 and 5.5)

In his purports, Srila Prabhupada explains, “The aim of the analytical study of the material world is to find the soul of existence… The real student of Sankhya philosophy finds the root of the material world, Vishnu, and then, in perfect knowledge, engages himself in the service of the Lord. Those who do not know the ultimate end say that the process of Sankhya and karma-yoga are not the same, but one who is learned knows the unifying aim in these different processes… The real purpose of philosophical research is to find the ultimate goal of life.”

In Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna says, “After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Bg.7.19) In his purport, Srila Prabhupada says, “The living entity, while executing devotional service or transcendental rituals after many, many births may actually become situated in transcendental pure knowledge that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of spiritual realization.”

Lord Krishna explains the four kinds of people who begin to render devotional service, namely “the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.” Of these four, Krishna says, “One who is in full knowledge and who is always engaged in pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.” (Bg. 7.16,17)

Useful Devotees are Knowledgable

All living entities are dear to Krishna because they are part of Him. To reclaim all fallen souls, Krishna sends many avatars and pure devotees to this material world to teach the path of self-realization. Certainly those pious souls who approach Krishna in devotional service, even though they cling to material desires, are dear to Him. But Srila Prabhupada explains that a devotee who is actually wise and renders devotional service with pure knowledge and without material motives “becomes a really pure devotee of the Lord.”

Srila Prabhupada elaborates: “It is not that devotees who are less complete in knowledge are not dear to the Lord. The Lord says all are magnanimous because anyone who comes to the Lord for any purpose is called a mahatma, or great soul. The devotees who want some benefit out of devotional service are accepted by the Lord because there is an exchange of affection. Out of affection they ask the Lord for some material benefit, and when they get it they become so satisfied that they also advance in devotional service. But the devotee in full knowledge is considered very dear to the Lord because his only purpose is to serve the Lord with love and devotion.” Lord Krishna says He considers such knowledgeable devotees to be “just like My own Self.”

These verses and purports above remind me of several letters Srila Prabhupada wrote to his leading sannyasi preachers, “What is the use of so many devotees if none of them are knowledgeable.” (Letter, Satsvarupa, 1972) Srila Prabhupada wanted his leading preachers to carefully train devotees in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness because he knew that without such training, they were easy prey for maya. He clearly indicated that careful training of existing devotees was more important than constantly canvassing for new converts. “When the waves of maya attack your little sentiment for Krishna may not save you. All my disciples must be thoroughly trained in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness.“ (Letter, His Holiness Vishnujana Swami, 1972) Of course, all of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples are dear to him, but those who are knowledgeable are useful. Others may be useless, or worse. 

One day Srila Prabhupada called together several of his leading disciples and asked them if they believed Krishna was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They were surprised to hear the question, but Prabhupada was persistent. He wanted to know if each of them really understood that Krishna was the Supreme Lord controlling and sanctioning everything in the here and now, or if they were thinking He was a distant concept. Srila Prabhupada wanted each of us to carefully understand that Krishna is the Supreme Person and not simply an impersonal energy or principle.  Srila Prabhupada wanted us to think deeply on this subject rather than just parroting repetitions of line and verse. He encouraged careful analysis; he said we should become “scientists and philosophers and make research into the Absolute Truth.”

Srila Prabhupada leads us on the path of sankhya-yoga throughout his books. He tries to get us to think for ourselves by his repetitive use of various arguments and examples. Sometimes devotees tire of hearing these examples repeatedly and consider, “I don’t need these arguments. I am devotee already. These arguments are for impersonalists, materialists and karmis.” Such devotees sometimes neglect careful philosophical analysis and study and end up joining some pseudo rasa-bhava club. Or they leave the path of devotional service completely. We may eventually fall from the path of devotional service or karma-yoga unless we learn to relish hearing Srila Prabhupada’s lectures and studying his books.

Although it is true that one can surpass many lifetimes of searching for knowledge on the path sankhya-yoga and the path of “executing devotional service or transcendental rituals [for] many, many births”, the only way this short-cut method is possible is by carefully hearing from Srila Prabhupada in and understanding first things first. The first thing to understand with philosophy and reason that Krishna is God. As mentioned above, Srila Prabhupada called together several leading disciples and asked each of them, “Do you really believe Krishna is God?” On another occasion he asked a group of disciples, “Why should we surrender to Krishna?”  He got various answers such as, “Because He is all attractive,” “this is the only way to be happy,” “it will make Krishna happy,” “guru and sastras tell us to,” and so on. Srila Prabhupada was not satisfied with any of these answers. He wanted the foremost, direct answer. I will discuss Prabhupada’s answer to this question below.

Those who have understood that Srila Prabhupada is their spiritual master and Sad-Guru for the Golden Age have likely already executed karma-yoga and devotional rituals for many lifetimes, but many persons in the Krishna consciousness movement have obviously not reached this level of devotional service. Sankhya-yoga is a process that can be practiced by any intelligent person, even one not yet fortunate enough to recognize and accept Srila Prabhupada as his eternal spiritual master.

Sankhya Philosophy is Useful for Devotees

Sankhya philosophy was first taught by Lord Kapiladeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Lord. The Vedanta Sutra and Srimad-Bhagavatam begin with the statement: “The Absolute Truth is that from Whom everything emanates.” These scriptures advise that all human beings find out the ultimate source, the ultimate truth, the final reality, which sustains all others. Ahato brahma-jijnasa. “Now inquire about the Absolute Truth.” “Now” means “now that we have attained this rare human form of life”. This inquiry is needed for the highest benefit of not only ourselves but every living being. To find the ultimate truth, one needs realized knowledge. Blind following is not enough. One needs to exercise one’s higher intelligence, which is known as buddhi-yoga. In Bhagavad-gita the terms “buddhi-yoga” and “devotional service” are the same. “Buddhi” literally means intelligence. Unless one is intelligent he can’t begin devotional service. And unless one engages in devotional service, he can never be truly intelligent, no matter how advanced he may be in other studies. Krishna consciousness is not achieved by blind following or even by devotional rituals but by thoughtful devotion. One who has cultivated Krishna consciousness carefully in this way is most dear to Srila Prabhupada and Krishna and is also the most useful devotee. Srila Prabhupada has said that one of the primary aims of the Krishna consciousness movement is to train real brahmanas, or first-class intellectuals.

In my early days in this Hare Krishna movement, I went to college campuses and met many academic intellectuals and had to deal with their many questions and doubts about the teachings of Krishna consciousness. A professor at the University of Hawaii told me, “I have gone through this book, and I agree that the idea of a personality of Godhead as the supreme cause is not unreasonable, but I am not convinced that a supreme person is the only logical explanation for understanding the absolute truth.” In talking to this professor, and other students and professors like him who were open minded yet not immediately inclined to join the mission or accept Srila Prabhupada as guru, I learned to refine my presentation and my way of thinking about Krishna consciousness. You can’t convince empiricists simply by quoting Sanskrit verses.

I would often quote persons they had already accepted as authorities -- men such as Carl Jung. (In his analysis of prominent western intellectuals, Srila Prabhupada confirmed the thinking of Carl Jung almost completely.) I would mention to these academicians that Carl Jung had written that he accepted “a priori” that there was a Supreme Being and that He was a person. For Jung, there was no need for endless debate to establish this truth. I suggested that any thoughtful and intelligent person should accept the same conclusion.

Through Sankhya philosophy it is in fact possible to quickly come to a preliminary correct conclusion that God is the supreme absolute person and that we are part of Him—even without relying totally on Vedic authority. There are three basic steps in sankhya-yoga. The first step is to study the world around us as an index of spiritual reality. The second step is to understand that the visible world around us, although an indication of absolute truth, is in itself without substance and therefore only a reflection of reality. The third step is to isolate and identify the real substance of reality. (These steps are interrelated and may not be as distinct as one, two, three.) Overall, sankhya-yoga is a process of separating matter (prakriti and pradhana) from spirit (atman and brahman) through the discriminatory powers of higher intelligence, or buddhi. When one has transcended illusion in this way, he becomes eligible to reclaim his constitutional position of freedom as part and parcel of the Absolute Truth.

According to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, when one achieves pure devotion through bhakti-yoga, the principle of acintya-bhedabheda-tattva supersedes rudimentary exercises in discrimination and one sees Krishna Himself as being simultaneously and inconceivably one and different from His creation, which includes both His superior (para) and inferior (apara) energies. At this stage of full devotional service, which he says is attained “after much time,” one may neglect sankhya-yoga and become “eligible for becoming a true devotee.” (Sri Brahma-samhita, Verse 62, Purport)

Nonetheless, for most of Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and aspiring disciples, knowledge of sankhya-yoga will be an asset, especially when preaching to our own doubtful minds or trying to induce materialists to begin a study of Krishna consciousness. Srila Bhaktivinoda  Thakura advises that one “not give up the process of deliberation as being useless on the path of devotional service.” Until we are fully self-realized, we must carefully discriminate between matter and spirit. “Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death, and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.” (Sri Isopanisad., Mantra Eleven)

 

 

"Intelligence means- he must be independent"--SP

 
 

730711r6.lon                Conversations                337701/530501
Prabhupada: Yes. They like this chanting and dancing. So we are, our
business is to awake the sleeping man. Sleeping man means when you
sleep you have no knowledge. If somebody kills you, you cannot protect
yourself. Sleeping, that is sleeping stage, that we do not know what
is happening. That is called sleeping stage. Even if you are so-called
awakened, if you do not know the value of life, that is sleeping
stage. That is sleeping stage. So in that sleeping stage, we are
trying to awake the human society. A man, a human being, may be
materially very qualified, but he does not know what is the value of
human life, he's sleeping. He's sleeping. Can you distinguish...? You
are all educationists. What is the difference between a human being
and an animal?
Guest (1): Higher intelligence?
Prabhupada: Eh?
Guest (1): Higher intelligence, I think.
Prabhupada: What is that higher intelligence?
Guest (1): Speech and ability to compute what you hear.
Prabhupada: Oh, that, dog can also do. If you train dog that "If
somebody, outsider comes, you bark," he'll do it.
Guest (2): The consciousness is...

 

Prabhupada: And so... Real intelligence is that to know "what I am."
"I do not want to suffer. Why suffering in this world is imposed upon
me?" This is intelligence. Take, for example, nobody wants to die. Why
death is forced upon him? Nobody wants to die. If there is now news
immediately, "Now this house will collapse," immediately we shall fly
away. Because we don't want to die. If we understand that this house
is going to be bombed immediately, we'll immediately leave. If there
is earthquake... So many things. So nobody wants to die. But death is
sure. So what solution they have made? I do not want to die, and death
is forced upon me. So what solution we have made. What is, what is the
scientists have done in this connection? Psychologically, if I do not
want to die, then I must find out some way that death will not bother
me. That is intelligence. You are talking of intelligence. Therefore I
am explaining what is intelligence. Intelligence means "I do not want
something, but it is being forced upon me. How to check it?" That is
intelligence. Actually, the whole world is going on, we do not want to
suffer. But suffering is there. Three kinds of suffering. One kind of
suffering is called pertaining to the body and mind. I don't want to
be diseased, but there is, all of a sudden, there is disease.
Diarrhea. I don't want it, but it is imposed. This is suffering. Due

 

to the body. Some discrepancies. Mind... Body's sound, but mind is not
sound. Mind is "Oh, I don't feel today very nice." You see. This is
one kind of suffering. Another suffering: other living creature gives
you some pains. There are so many. Some of your friends, he turns to
become your enemy. He puts you in difficulty. Or there are so many
animals, so many insects. They give us trouble. This is one kind of
suffering. Another kind of suffering: by nature's... All of sudden,
there is drought. Now, just like, all, in India there is drought. They
are suffering. No rain. All of a sudden there is earthquake. That is
also suffering. There is some epidemic, pestilence. You cannot check
it. So in this way, either of these three, sufferings going on. But
those who are sleeping, they cannot understand that this is suffering.
Just like animals. They cannot understand. That is sleeping stage. And
when one is awakened, he will think "I don't want all these
sufferings. Why they are imposed upon me? How I can avoid?" That is
intelligence. So human being, unless he comes to this platform of
intelligence, he is animal. The animal cannot do any remedy. You take
one animal to the slaughterhouse. He cannot do anything. So sleeping
means to remain in ignorance. And awakened stage means in knowledge.
So intelligence means one must have knowledge. That is intelligence.

 

So this division--brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra--means the highest
intelligent class man is called brahmana. He knows. He's in knowledge.
Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati. Next intelligent,
less, is the ksatriyas. Next, the vaisyas. And the sudras, they are
like, almost like animals. They have no independence. Just like animal
has no independence. A dog, without a master, he cannot live. His life
is very precarious. So at the present moment, however one qualified
may be, unless he gets a good job, he's just like a dog, a street dog.
He may be very highly qualified, technologically, but if he does not
get a job, then he's useless. He'll go. "Sir, can you give me any
job?" "No vacancies." A dog like. Just like dog goes, moves the tail,
"Can you give me some food." Somebody gives him, "Eh! Hut!" This is
the position. Therefore in this age kalau sudra-sambhavah. In
Kali-yuga, there is no brahmana, no ksatriya. There are some vaisyas.
And all sudras. Because they cannot live without being engaged by
somebody else. And the whole civilization is going on, big, big
factories, big, big... What is that? Sudras. They are creating sudras.
"People should be dependent." Unless you work... Therefore people are
going fifty miles away, going... I have seen in New York. People are
coming from the other side... What is that?

 

Tidbits of Nectar from SP Srimad Bhagavatam lectures--​Vol 3

 

Hare Krsna to All

Pranams

Glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

Below is Volume three of the series of Srimad Bhagavatam Nectar  lecture series delivered over time by Srila Prabhupada.  What you will find is some tidbits of nectar within each of these talks that we have pulled out and saved into a file and now deliver to you for your enjoyment and spiritual illumination.

 

We know that many of you, if not most of you will probably not read it all, but if you just hear or read some of it, you benefit since it is transcendental vibration coming from the lotus mouth of a pure devotee of God. We also know that we dont know who will benefit from reading these things but know that somebody will derive benefit in some ways I will probably never understand. For that reason only, we continue delivering the "mail".

 

Hare Krsna,

Damaghosa das

-------------------

 

 

SB lectures Vol 3

 

1. 740804SB.VRN                   Lectures                 

 So Narada Munigot this opportunity. Now, you can calculate. This is knowledge. Then

he had the opportunity to serve these yogis for four months only. Not

more than that. And he became Narada. Just understand how much

powerful is service to the Vaisnavas, devotees. And that is also

confirmed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:

 

 …All the people who are less than the sudras. They are called

pancamas, fifth grade. First grade, brahmana, second grade, ksatriya,

third grade, vaisya, fourth grade, sudra, and all others--fifth grade.

They are called candalas. The candalas... The sweeper, the cobbler,

and the... Low grade. Still, in India, these fifth-grade persons only,

they eat meat, pigs, and sometimes cows. Fifth grade. Now it has

become a practice. And he's a first-grade man. So just see. What was

the business of the fifth-grade men, that has become the business of

the so-called politicians. You see. So if you are ruled by the

fifth-grade men, then how you can be happy? That is not possible.

 

2. 740806SB.VRN                   Lectures                 

So before this creation. Bhutva bhutva praliyate. We are in this material

contamination not that in this millennium--before that. Just like

millennium after millennium. Narada Muni was speaking his life before

this millennium. So anadi. Anadi means creation. But not only one

creation, several creations, we are forgotten, or we are in this

material world. Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha... We are searching

after material comfort, material comfort, sense gratification, in so

many ways. So anadi karama-phale padi' bhavarnava-jale, taribare na

dekhi upaya. In this way we are going.

 

3. 740806SB.VRN                   Lectures                  

Tad-dharma. Sakrt bhunje. One side is apasta-kilbisah. Kilbisah means

the sinful reaction of life. To reduce the reaction of sinful life.

Because unless we are sinful, we cannot remain within this... A

prisoner means a criminal. As soon as you find a person in the

prisonhouse you should understand that he's a criminal. That

criminality may be of different degrees, that is another thing, but

he's a criminal. Similarly, anyone, beginning from Brahma down to the

germ in the stool, they're all sinful. All sinful. People will be

surprised that "Brahma is also sinful?" Yes. Brahma has also desired

that "I shall be the supreme creature within this brahmanda, whole

universe." A little or more.

…Something belongs to somebody, and if you make a plan to possess that

thing, is it not criminal? So actually, Krsna is the bhokta. Bhoktaram

yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram. He is the proprietor, sarva-loka.

Not a single plot of land belongs to you. Isavasyam idam sarvam.

Actually Krsna is the proprietor of everything, He is the enjoyer of

everything. Then why I shall desire to enjoy and own the property?

This is criminal. This is criminal. That may be in small portion. That

is going on. The ant is also struggling for existence to possess a

grain of sugar, and somebody is trying to possess some state, and

somebody is trying to possess the whole universe. But the status of

mentality is the same. So this mentality means criminality. This

mentality: "How I shall become enjoyer? How I shall possess this?"

Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare. He forgets. When one forgets

that Krsna is the enjoyer, Krsna is the proprietor, as soon as he

forgets and tries to become himself the enjoyer or himself the

proprietor, immediately maya captures.

 

We want this kind of God, Krsna, Urukrama. So how this Urukrama, one

can surrender? Naisam matis tavad urukrama anghrim. Anghrim means this

leg. How one can be attached? Now, what is the use of taking shelter

of Krsna's lotus feet? Because these misgivings, this garbage of

different types of desires, will be finished. So how it is possible?

Niskincananam mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam. So long one does not take

the dust of the lotus feet of a devotee who is niskincana, who has

nothing to do with this material world... But he's exalted in Krsna

consciousness. Unless you do that, there is no possibility. Mahiyasam

pada-rajo-'bhisekam.

 

4. 740809SB.VRN                   Lectures                 

you, your, you are not free from the material bondage. When you become

a pure Vaisnava, then you are free from the bondage of the material

world. And to become Vaisnava, you require this devotion, bhakti.

Bhakti. Immediately, beginning of bhakti means rajas-tamopaha, upaha.

One who is situated even beginning, he is above the rajas-tamo-guna.

He's situated... Tada kama-lobha...

   There is a... There is a verse. Nasta-prayesv abhadresu nityam

bhagavata-sevaya. Here the same thing is described, that

sankirtyamanam munibhir mahatmabhih. Sankirtyamanam. We have to hear

the sankirtana not from professional men. That will not be... If you

hear sankirtana from the professional men... Professional men: who

makes sankirtana as the means of livelihood. Just like people do some

business or work to get some money to maintain the life, similarly, if

somebody takes the sankirtana as the means of livelihood, that will

not help you. You can go on hearing sankirtana from such professional

men for millions of years; still, you will remain where you are, not

rajas-tamopaha. You cannot get out of the bondage of... Therefore you

have to hear from the sankirtyamanam munibhir mahatmabhih. Mahatma.

Mahatma means mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakrtim asritah,

bhajanty ananya-manasah. Mahatma means those who have finished thismaterial business.

 

5. 740810SB.VRN                   Lectures                 

accept me as the chief of this institution. There must be one chief.

Otherwise there will be no management. It will be chaotic. So we are

atma, and Krsna is also atma. But He is Paramatma. We are isvara.

Krsna is also isvara. But He's Paramesvara. Therefore we have named

"Godhead" purposefully, not "God." We don't say "Back to God." We say,

"Back to Godhead.""Head" means the chief. Everyone can claim that "I

am God," because everyone has got some power, little power. But not

the supreme power. That is Krsna.

 

 

"One cannot become an ācārya simply by mental speculation."

His Divine Grace Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
 Founder~Acharya of the Krsna Consciousness Movement
 
 

Sri Caitanya Caritamrta 1975
Antya-lila 7.12
Purport

"Śrī Madhvācārya has brought our attention to this quotation from the Nārāyaṇa-saṁhitā:

dvāparīyair janair viṣṇuḥ
pañcarātrais tu kevalaiḥ
kalau tu nāma-mātreṇa
pūjyate bhagavān hariḥ

"in the Dvāpara-yuga one could satisfy Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu only by worshiping opulently according to the pāñcarātrikī system, but in the age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting His holy name." Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that unless one is directly empowered by the causeless mercy of Kṛṣṇa, one cannot become the spiritual master of the entire world (jagad-guru). One cannot become an ācārya simply by mental speculation. The true ācārya presents Kṛṣṇa to everyone by preaching the holy name of the Lord throughout the world. Thus the conditioned souls, purified by chanting the holy name, are liberated from the blazing fire of material existence. In this way, spiritual benefit grows increasingly full, like the waxing moon in the sky. The true ācārya, the spiritual master of the entire world, must be considered an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa's mercy. indeed, he is personally embracing Kṛṣṇa. He is therefore the spiritual master of all the varṇas (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra) and all the āśramas (brahmacarya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa). Since he is understood to be the most advanced devotee, he is called paramahaṁsa-ṭhākura. Ṭhākura is a title of honor offered to the paramahaṁsa. Therefore one who acts as an ācārya, directly presenting Lord Kṛṣṇa by spreading His name and fame, is also to be called paramahaṁsa-ṭhākura."

 

Lessons From Kishkinda: All Things Must Pass

 

By Narasimha das

This is a world of change. Nothing here is permanent. As songwriter sage George Harrison sang, “All things must pass.” As the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna sang, “Of the nonexistent, there is no endurance.” That’s the nature of this illusory world, the jagat: it’s always in a flux of transformation, regeneration, degeneration and annihilation. Like reflections on a lake’s surface, the forms of this world have no substance.

We spirit souls, however, are eternal. We have always existed and will never cease to be. We all shine on -- like the Sun, the Moon and the stars. Even before these planets existed, we existed. After these planets are destroyed, we remain. Lord Krishna assures us, “For the soul there is neither birth nor death. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.” Because we are eternal, everyone naturally wants to live forever in an eternal abode. But in this jagat, the world of constant change, that’s never possible. Therefore everyone who has taken birth in this temporary world is full of anxieties -- unless or until they have achieved self-realization.

The human form of life, particularly human life on Earth, provides the best chance for conditioned souls to realize their true nature and transcend the ocean of birth and death. Human life provides an opportunity to go back to our natural home in the spiritual world. As Lord Brahma confirms, human life in India is desired even by demigods in heaven. In India there is full facility for understanding God and the facts of life, or karmic reactions. This is due the mercy of many great devotees and avatars who taught here the path of God-realization. Although life on Earth is brief, it neither too hellish nor too heavenly, which is another advantage for those on the path of self-realization.

I have not visited Kishkinda Kshetra since 1976, but I have always remembered this place because it seemed so old, is if eternal. One of the things that attracts tourists to this area are the huge rounded boulders, which are impossibly stacked up, forming large and small hills with innumerable caves where  monkeys, bears, bats, big snakes and rishis live. (The latter two are hard to spot these days, but I heard if you have a tripod and telescope it is possible.)

 

This area is the native place of Sri Sriman Hanuman-ji, and it’s an important place connected to the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra. Kishkinda Kshetra includes Hampi, Anegundi, Anjanadri (Hunuman Giri) and Pampa Sarovar. In more recent times, Anegundi on the north bank of the Tungabhadra and Hampi on the south bank were the capital city area of the famous Vijayanagar Empire, the most fabulously opulent empire on Earth in the past 3 or 4 thousand years. Marco Polo’s descriptions of Vijayanagar are hard to fathom but have been corroborated by many historical accounts and other travelers such as Paes and Neuniz. Under the rule of King Krishnadeva Raya, this empire reached its height during the times of Lord Chaitanya’s manifest presence on Earth and was completely destroyed around thirty-five years after His disappearance. Krishnadeva Raya once invaded the outskirts of the kingdom of King Prataparudra. After a sporting battle, Maharaja Prataparudra was pleased to offer him his daughter, Jaganmohini, in marriage. In this way Krishnadeva Raya became the son-in-law and ally of one of Lord Chaitanya’s great devotees. People in this area still talk about Krishnadeva Raya with affection, as if he were very recently the ruler here. He died around the time Lord Chaitanya’s disappearance. Krishnadeva Raya is still adored and missed by people all over this region.

Among Kishkinda’s hills of stacked boulders flows the holy Tungabhadra River, which Srimad-Bhagavatam and other scriptures describe as being directly the Ganges. Here in the river-bottom lands of Kishkinda are some of the most productive agricultural fields in the world, which have very deep black soils with no rocks—at least no small rocks. Some fields are interrupted by protruding house-size boulders. Farmers in this area grow mostly sugar cane, bananas, rice and coconuts.

Although these hills of boulders give one a feeling of eternity, their visible forms are not eternal. Every thousand years or so one of them splits in half or loses a large chunk. By “chunk”, I mean a piece the size of a locomotive. These are rare events. Sadhus and pilgrims camp in caves here with no fear of falling rock, and people build homes directly beneath towering boulders.  Ancient temples were built on top of some of them. I am presently renting a house that is dwarfed by the single, four-story boulder that it’s built up against. All these massive boulders are under the protection of the Central Government of India.  Although most of the older structures in the region were built from their cut stones and blocks, today it is illegal to paint, cut, break, or move them for any purpose.

As if to remind me that even the boulders of Kishkinda are not permanent, one of them broke in half the other day. It happened the day before I arrived here. It was big news locally. This boulder was part of the massive “Sisters” formation, a world famous landmark.  A huge chunk blocked one of the two main roads in the area for several days, until the proper government agencies could authorize its removal. Tourists had been standing under these massive boulders just minutes before it happened. Scanning the hills of the locality, I find it difficult to spot other naturally broken boulders that still have sharp edges, having not yet been rounded by eons of rain and wind. This proves how rarely these boulders split apart. The quarried boulders of the Vijayanagar era still look freshly cut, with sharp edges and solid gray inner color. Several hundred years of weathering means nothing to these boulders. It’s their consistent rounded edges and multi hues that make the hills of Kishkinda appear so old, as if changeless. These boulders are definitely very old—and geologists are perplexed how they got stacked up in so many interesting ways--but they are not changeless. Some adi-vasis and sadhus consider the “Sisters” event a portent. No one has been able to tell me what it means, but I am sure it indicates all things must pass.

My first hour here I met Raghu (Raghavendra), a local devotee. He took me that evening to a temple on a hill called the “Sunset Temple” by tourists and guides. This large temple, Malyavantha Raghunatha, is one of the few temples in the Hampi area that maintains regular puja. Sadhus live in this temple by special permission of the Central Government of India, and they maintain 24-hour kirtana for ancient Deities of Sri Sri Sita-Rama. Many tourists come through this temple, only to go around back to see the sunset.  At least they all hear the kirtana. That evening I stayed and chanted with the kirtana group of two sadhus and a young priest. I didn’t have my kartalas, but they gave me an ancient instrument on metal strips, which I played the best I could. The sadhus were quite lively in their singing and playing kartalas and mridanga. This was no tired kirtana. It went on for hours in the same fast tempo. Nor was it stylish or showy, though both men were expert musicians. They had exuberant energy. They were chanting by reading directly from huge Sanskrit texts of the Ramayana.

They next day Raghu convinced me to take a tour the Vijayanagar temples and palaces ruins. After the previous evening’s experience, my interest in the area was increasing. It took us the whole day to go to several of the main places in the Hampi area, and though I found it fascinating, it was also depressing. By seeing these ruins, most of which were elaborate stone temples, temple tanks, irrigation works, and other religious and public facilities, I could perceive some of the wonder that was Vijayanagar. This empire’s leaders and people were devoted to Vedic culture, the worship of Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Surya Narayana, Narasimha Deva, Hanuman and the principle demigods. I was reminded that even such a grand and noble civilization-- created by the cooperative efforts of many Vaisnavas, Brahmins and pious rulers—can be suddenly devastated due to malicious envy. The sastras say fear is the greatest ever-present misery of material existence. Another great misery of material existence is caused by the presence of malicious people, who always create fearful situations for themselves and others.

After touring the ruins of Vijayanagar, I decided to go the next day to Pampa Sarova and Hanuman’s hilltop birthplace, the Anjanadri Temple. I first went to the Pampa Sarova, an ancient holy place mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata and other Vedic scriptures. Only two pujaris, two wandering mendicants and a local avadhuta were there. After bathing in the crystal-clear waters of the transcendental Pampa Sarova, which is overgrown with lotuses, I had darshana at the small temple and met a blissful 11-year-old pujari. Raghu then showed me the way to Hanuman Giri.

After ascending the many steps that lead up to Hanuman’s hilltop temple, I finally arrived alone just in time for the last part of the after sunrise mangala arotika, which lasts an hour. A more or less 24-hour kirtana has been maintained here for many years under the guidance of the resident swamiji. (I can’t recall his name, which he spoke so softly.) His tradition of sannyasa stems from the Alwars, predating by a thousand years the specific sannyasa tradition of Sri Ramanuja Acarya. Later that day, while we were looking across the Tungabhadra River toward the ruins of Vijayanagar, he commented, “All of that Vijayanagar was there and gone in a moment. This present Hunuman temple is at least 2,000 years old. The original site dates back 74 lakhs years.” I was thinking this would be before the advent of Lord Ramachandra when he added, “Hanuman lived here long before the advent of Lord Rama.”

There was a large group of pilgrims present who had made a donation for doing a special abhisekha and puja. I stayed and chanted japa for an hour during the abhisekha and arotikas. Everyone there, both priests and pilgrims, included me in all their rituals and made sure I touched the lamp and accepted charanamrita and got close darshan of Hanuman at the right times. With all the clueless Western tourists and pseudo-sadhus that come up here just to have a look, I would have expected them to be skeptical of me. I think they appreciated my focus on japa. One of the pujaris, a young man, was also chanting japa intently with a bead bag like mine.

After a while all the pilgrims left, but when I was ready to leave, the swamiji invited me to stay longer and have breakfast with them in thirty minutes. I gladly agreed and continued chanting japa while circumambulating the temple. I was thinking I never wanted to leave this place. The ambiance was tranquil and pure, and the location seemed truly timeless. The panorama of the lush Tungabhadra bottom lands and other amazing nearby hills was sublime. The weather was perfect. I was feeling I had lived here before. At that moment the swamiji walked up to me and said, “Would you like to live here?” I immediately said, “Yes.” He asked, “For how long? One month? One year? Two years? One life? Two lives? Many lives?” I replied, “The rest of one life.” He said, “Very good,” and then asked, “Do you smoke?” I said, “No. No drinking either, not even tea.” He said, “Then no problem.”

I explained that I was married and had big murtis of Radha-Krishna and wanted to do a lot of puja. Hearing this, he paused, appearing thoughtful for some time. Then he showed me the new construction he was doing. By special permission from the Government, they were breaking stone to make another small building. The Government provides water to this small temple and ashram via a large external water line with plenty of pressure. Everything is green along the route the line takes because monkeys have punched it with several small holes. The Government also provides electricity, and someone donated a solar backup system.

The swami and 10 student priests live here. Other sadhus visit from time to time. Presently they live together in the same small building that houses the kitchen facilities, which takes most of the space and is totally separate from the living space. Bathrooms and toilets are outside. Everyone, including the swamiji, is living out of their individual shoulder bags, all of which are neatly arranged along the walls with rolled up sleeping mats.

The breakfast prasada was divinely special that day. The swamiji and all of the devotees sat together inside the room where they slept at night, and two devotees served subji, hot puris and warm pal-payasana (milk sweet-rice). The swami didn’t take sweet-rice, but everyone else, including a jolly, 75-year-old visiting sadhu and me, took seconds or thirds on everything.

I liked the mood of this ashram. Vivikta desha sevitvam, aratir jana-samsadi.  (Bg. 13.11) Of the 18 practices of devotional service, item 17 is: “One should develop a feeling for residing in a secluded place with a calm and quiet atmosphere favorable for spiritual culture, and thus avoid congested places where the non-devotees congregate.” (Sri Isopanisad Mantra 10, Purport)

No one at this hilltop ashram was rushed. No one was eager to develop the place with a big guesthouse and temple, although their location is a potential gold mine for donations. Their program is puja, prasad, 24-hour kirtana and japa. They seemed content and happy with this special place and the leadership of the swamiji. From what I saw, pilgrims to this place are treated with respect, even clueless sightseers, both Indian and Western. These hilltop resident devotees have everything they need without having to canvass for donations. Their main asset is peace of mind and Hanuman’s mercy by dint of their tradition of constant chanting of the holy names and Ramayana. For their kirtanas, they have a separate room in the temple with a large picture of Sita-Rama, Lashmana and Hanuman. At least two devotees chant there with kartalas and mridanga. The kirtana is broadcast via mike and speakers. It can be heard clearly from two miles away, as I learned the other day while chanting japa at remote mandap on the Tungabhadra River.

The majority of the hundreds of temples established during the times of Vijayanagar are in ruins, with no murtis and no worship today. Interestingly, most or all of the few temples that have survived and still have regular programs and puja are ancient temples, with murtis and traditionsestablished by great acaryas or rishis in another yuga. Several hundred years ago, a sadhu living in one of these temples, the sage Vidyaranya, gave precise instructions for the creation of Vijayanagar and predicted its rise and fall. Vidyaranya is considered by many historians to be the true founder of the Vijayanagar Empire. This indicates that pure temple worship sometimes creates empires, as a minor byproduct, but material empires can’t create or protect genuine temples.

I find the people of this area are very pious. They easily and naturally chant Hare Krishna. They often remind me to chant loudly as I walk along. One day while touring around Bengal, Lord Chaitanya noticed that people of one area very readily chanted Hare Krishna. He then told His devotees that the Ganges River must be nearby.  When the devotees inquired from villagers they learned that the Ganges was in fact only a short walk away. This story reminds me of a quote from Srimad-Bhagavatam that states that although in Kali-yuga Vaisnavas will be rare, many will take birth along the banks of South India’s holy rivers. What I have realized since coming to Kishkinda is that the Tungabhadra is directly the Ganges, as confirmed in Bhagavatam, Fifth Canto. Thus many residents of Kishkinda very readily chant, “Hare Ram! Hare Krishna!”

Although the boulders of Kishkinda will gradually crumble to dust, the tradition of nama-sankirtana, like God and the soul, goes on forever. Hanuman-ji has promised to live on Earth as long as the holy names of Lord Rama are sung and chanted. As Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings, “There is nothing to be had in all the three worlds but the holy names. Take shelter of the holy names as your only business.” Unfortunately, we conditioned souls, although eternal, are attached to the fleeting forms of this world, as if they were eternal. With deep compassion, Srila Prabhupada notes this hellish misery of all embodied souls.  Pleading with us all, he says, “In this horrible condition of life, there is no alternative but to take shelter of the holy names of the Lord.”

The benefits of Sandlewood paste/oil--SP

 

730424SB.LA                    Lectures                 
Prabhupada: So there are two Malayas. One Malaya hill and one, this
Malaya... Malaysia, now it is known as. Formerly, in this part of the
world, Malaysia, they were growing sandalwood in great, large scale.
Because 5,000 years ago, there was good demand for sandalwood. Every
person should use the sandal pulp. Because in India, it is tropical
country. So this is a good cosmetic. Still, those who can afford
during very warm day of summer season, if you apply pulp of sandalwood
on your body, you feel no warm. It is cool. Yes.
   So it was the system... Still that is going on, but a very small
scale. That everyone, after taking bath, he should smear over the body
with sandalwood pulp. It will keep the body whole day nice, cool and
calm. So that was the cosmetic. Now, in the Kali-yuga, that is called
prasadhanam. Just like, every country, the system is, after taking
bath, you dress your hair, add something scented. So in India it was
the system that after taking bath, having tilaka, going to the Deity
room, offering obeisances, then the prasadam, candana-prasadam was
taken from the Deity room and it was used. This is called prasadhanam.
In Kali-yuga, in the, it is said that: snanam eva hi prasadhanam. If
one can take bath nicely, that is prasadhanam. So much. No more this
cosmetic or sandalwood oil or rose scent or rose water. These arefinished. That snanam eva prasadhanam. Simply by, taking bath...
   While I was in India, in the beginning, so taking bath is very
ordinary thing because even the poorest man will take early morning
bath. But actually when I came to your country I saw that taking bath
is also difficult thing. Taking bath, that is also not in practice.
Perhaps once in a week. We are accustomed to see in India thrice in a
day. And I have seen in New York that friends are coming to another
friend's house because one has no facility for taking shower bath. So
coming to a friend's house. Is it not? I have seen it. So the symptoms
of Kali-yuga described that it will be very difficult also to take
even bath. Snanam eva hi prasadhanam.
   And daksyam kutumba-bharanam. Daksyam. Daksyam meaning, means one
who is famous for his pious activities. He's called daksyam. Daksyam,
this word comes from daksa. Daksa means expert. So daksyam
kutumba-bharanam. In Kali-yuga, if a person can maintain a family...
Family means wife and a few children, or one or two children. That is
called family. But family does not mean in India like that. Family
means a joined family. Joined family, the father, the sons, the
nephews, the sister, husbands. They join together. That is called
family. But in the Kali-yuga, it will be difficult even to maintainfamily. If one can maintain his family...
   In New York, when I was there, one old lady was coming. So he has,
she had a grown-up son. So I asked her: "Why don't you get your son
married?" "Yes, he can marry if he can maintain the family." I did not
know that, that the maintaining of family is a difficult job here. I
did not know that. So these are described in the Bhagavatam. If one
can maintain a family, oh, he is very glorious man. "Oh, he's
maintaining five (?)." If the girl has got a husband, she is
considered to be very fortunate. So actually these things are there.
... the example is given: Just like malayasyeva candanam.
Candana. This is a tree. A tree can grow anywhere, but the sandalwood
tree, because it is very prominent in the Malaysia country, formerly
they were growing this candana tree, as I told you, because there was
good demand, in India especially, of sandalwood. So they, nowadays
they are growing rubber tree because there is good demand for rubber.    So it is not our business to criticize, but the symptoms of
Kali-yuga is very, very severe, and it will grow more and more. We
have simply passed 5,000 years only of the Kali-yuga, but the duration
of Kali-yuga is 400,000, 432,000 of years, out of only we have passed
5,000 years. And after passing 5,000 years, we find so many
difficulties, and the more we grow in this Kali-yuga, the days will be
more and more difficult. So best thing is that you finish your Krsna
consciousness business and go back to home, back to Godhead. That will
save you. Otherwise, if we come back again, the difficulties, the
difficult days are ahead. We have to suffer more and more.----------------------------------------------------- Conclusions- Formerly at least in the USA temples, we would get sandlewood pulp offereddaily to all the devotees which was Deity prasadam, as Prabhupada mentions. Nowadays, who amongst us all (if one is not doing daily deity worship) gets sandlewood pulp/oil to put on his or her body? Also who amongst us is not finding it difficult to maintain the family situation? Gradually the inconveniences to maintain simple things, even the taking of daily bath will be all but impossible as the kali yuga advances year by year. We should note these things spoken by Prabhupada, carefully. 

Hari bol

Damaghosa das------------------------------ 

 

The Key to Transcendental Knowledge: Shushruma Dhiranam

 

By Narasimha das

“It is said that one result is achieved by worshiping the Supreme Cause of all causes, and that another is obtained by worshiping what is not supreme. All this was heard from the undisturbed authorities who clearly explained it.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra Thirteen) In his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada explains, “Unless one hears from the bona fide acarya, who is never disturbed by the changes of the material world, one cannot have the real key to transcendental knowledge.” Iti shushruma dhiranam, ye nas tad vicacaksire.

Devotees who have traveled and preached in India can easily understand what Srila Prabhupada identified as the main problem with modern India: “In modern times the numbers of such pretenders has increased in considerable numbers, and it has become a problem for the pure devotees of the Lord to save the mass of people from the holy propaganda of these pretenders and imitation incarnations of God.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 13, Purport) Although people in India have natural devotion to the Supreme Lord and His great devotees, such as Hanuman, most are confused or ignorant about the conclusions of the scriptures and get misled into ”worshiping what is not supreme.” This is because they hear from bogus preachers rather than the pure devotees of the Lord.Thus they are unable to distinguish between matter and spirit.

“Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish between a conditioned soul and a liberated soul.” (SB. 4.18.5, Purport)

“If one tries to mingle the worship of yogamaya and mahamaya, considering them one and the same, he does not really show very high intelligence.” (Caitanya-Caritamrta, Madhya 8.90, Purport)

Monkey Worshipers and Hanuman Offenders

I am presently residing at Sri Kishkinda Kshetra, the birthplace of the pure devotee avatar Sri Hanumanji. In a few days from now, a half million people will converge on the nearby tiny village of Hampi for Hanuman Jayanti. Many of the pilgrims, local tour guides and residents here refer to Hanuman’s divine birthplace as “The Monkey Temple.” In fact, all over India, Hanuman is referred to as “the monkey god.” At the same time, here, and at other places in South India, monkeys are worshiped as Hanuman. People feed them all kinds of sweets and junk food. This causes them to become deranged and destructive; they constantly create havoc in the temples and villages. At remote small farms they often destroy entire crops of coconuts and bananas for sport. Nonetheless, they are not only tolerated but freely fed and adored by foolish, misguided persons, who consider them expansions of Hanuman. (According to modern Indian law it is illegal for a farmer to kill a single monkey to protect his livelihood, yet it is perfectly legal for big businessmen to export millions of cows for slaughter.)

The other day, while I was walking into the Virupaksha temple (at Hampi) with a bunch of ripe bananas to offer to Lord Shiva, I was attacked by three large languor monkeys, commonly known as “Hanuman monkeys.” Fortunately I had my umbrella and was able to fight them off. Seeing the fray, some pilgrims protested, shouting, “No, no, give them the bananas. They are Hunuman!” I exclaimed, “Monkeys are animals! Hanuman is a devata!”

Actually Hanuman is much more than an ordinary devata; he is a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is offensive to consider Hanuman a monkey or to consider monkeys to be Sri Hunuman-ji. Similarly, it’s offensive to worship a demigod as God or to consider the Supreme Lord a demigod. Such worshipers are condemned in the Bhagavad-gita and in Sri Isopanisad. “Those who are engaged in the worship of demigods enter into the darkest regions of ignorance, and still more so do the worshipers of the Absolute.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 12) Persons who consider the spiritual master an ordinary man and persons who worship a pretentious upstart as the spiritual master are on the same dangerous path. All such foolish mistakes are avoided by understanding the difference between matter and spirit. Proper discrimination is achieved by hearing from “the undisturbed authorities who clearly explained it.” Iti shushruma dhiranam, ye nas tad vicacaksire.

Vaikuntha Avatars

Queen Kunti Devi prayed to Lord Krishna, expressing her feelings that His pastimes as a human being were sometimes bewildering.  Although she was fully aware that Krishna was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, she expressed wonderment at how He seemed to act exactly like an ordinary human being in many ways. For instance, He seemed take birth from the womb of Devaki. He would offer Kunti Devi and other so-called superiors His humble obeisances. He once cried in lamentation when the mystic demon Shalva presented an illusion before Him wherein Shalva was beheading Krishna’s father, Vasudeva. As a child, He cried when Mother Yasoda chased Him with a whipping switch. Srila Prabhupada comments in this regard that when Lord Krishna plays a role, He does it perfectly. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu played this role more completely than any other avatar of God  by following strictly the rules and regulations of varnashrama-dharma. Similarly, the eternally liberated spiritual master plays the role of an ordinary human being for the benefit of all living entities, to show everyone how to become a pure devotee.  And he does it perfectly.

“A nitya-siddha devotee comes from Vaikuntha upon the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and shows by his personal example how to become a pure devotee. (anyabhilasita-sunyam…) A pure devotee, therefore, is a practical example for all living entities, including Lord Brahma.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.10.3, Purport)

“The Personality of Godhead, from His Kingdom, sends His bona fide servants to propagate this mission of going back to Godhead, and sometimes He comes Himself to do this work.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 11, Purport)

“Whenever and wherever there is decline in religious practice, O descendent of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” (Bg. 4.7)

In the case of some pure devotees, there is another reason they descend: to show sadhakas the pitfalls on the devotional path, as did the great devotee Bharata Maharaja, who became a deer in his next life due to becoming attached to a pet. Sometimes a liberated devotee acts as if he were bewildered or perplexed. In truth, he allows himself to come under the spell not of mahamaya, or material illusion, but Krishna’s yoga-maya. Srila Prabhupada mentions that when a pure devotee speaks as if he were fallen or unqualified, he is not making a show; rather, he truly feels this way due to deep humility, which is inspired by the Lord’s internal spiritual potency. Usually when a great devotee appears to be in illusion or ignorant, it is for the sake of enacting a pastime of the Supreme Lord. For instance, Arjuna was apparently bewildered on the battlefield of Kurukshetra before the fight, and this gave rise to the great lila of Krishna speaking the Bhagavad-gita. Those who have heard about the transcendental character of Arjuna from undisturbed authorities, know there could be no material reason why Arjuna would hesitate to do his duty, especially with Krishna by his side, driving his chariot.

“Pilgrims to Hell”

Srila Prabhupada points out that there is another reason that Krishna sometimes acts like an ordinary human being. It is to bewilder the envious atheists --to give them full opportunity to deny God and go to hell. “If a living being wants to go to hell, the Lord allows him to do so without interference, and if he wants to go back home, back to Godhead, the Lord also helps him to do that.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra Eight, Purport) The mission of the Pure Devotee is the same as that of Lord Krishna. Although he is said to be more merciful than Krishna Himself, his mission is fundamentally the same.

Duplicitous, mischievous persons sometimes deride the authorized acarya. The memoirs and writings of such polluted conditioned souls should be carefully avoided by those serious about advancing in Krishna consciousness. To a grossly conditioned soul, Srila Prabhupada might have sometimes appeared temperamental, capable of making mistakes or ignorant of certain facts, but thoughtful disciples are not misled by external appearances. Maya can create any illusion before a conditioned soul. These are tests. Only those who are knowledgeable and willing to surrender can understand Sri Guru and Sri Krishna in truth. Otherwise, if one has some other agenda in the Krishna consciousness movement, he will likely make fatal miscalculations regarding Srila Prabhupada or Lord Krishna Himself.

“If the spiritual master is considered an ordinary man, the disciple surely loses his chance to advance further.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.12.14, Purport)

“Fools deride Me when I descend in the human form. They do not know My transcendental nature and My supreme dominion over all that be.” (Bhagavad-gita 9.11)

Why would the self-effulgent pure devotee hide his true glory from his own disciple? He would not. The sastras, however, are full of stories of disciples being tested by the guru or maya’s agents. But a sincere student passes the tests. Duplicitous pretenders fail. They get weeded out. In spite of their opportunity to associate with Srila Prabhupada and witness his extraordinary devotional mood and unique transcendental qualities, some of his direct disciples have fallen from the path due to their “envy of the exalted status of the spiritual master.” Under the tight grip of illusion, they began thinking, “My guru is a regular guy. Let me exploit him and his mission for my own sense gratification.” Such mundane students are quickly ruined. “One should consider the spiritual master to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of all of these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, he is doomed.” Some so-called followers deliberately conspired to minimize Srila Prabhupada and remove him as the spiritual master of the Hare Krishna movement. Their motive? They coveted his post. Srila Prabhupada prophetically warned of this: “As soon as a foolish disciple tries to overtake his spiritual master and becomes ambitious to occupy his post, he immediately falls down.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.12.14, Purport)

Many modernly educated Indians have concluded that Krishna’s pastimes on Earth were a myth. Such persons have all been indoctrinated by Western traditions of atheism and speculation. “Such faithless persons are described in Bhagavad-gita as mudhas, foolish as the ass. It is said that the mudhas deride the Supreme Personality of Godhead because they don’t have complete knowledge from the undisturbed acaryas. One who is disturbed by the whirlpool movements of the material energy is not qualified to become an acarya.” (Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 13, Purport) Such shallow persons are unable to appreciate that Lord Krishna has been worshiped as the Supreme Personality of Godhead for thousands of years by the most intelligent and highly qualified people who ever lived in this world. For example, Srila Vyasadeva, Sri Sukadeva Goswami, Sri Madhvacarya, Sri Alavandar, Srila Ramanujacarya, Bilvamangala Thakura, Emperor Kulashekara, King Prataparudra, Emperor Krishnadeva Raya, Ramananda Raya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Six Gosvamis of Vrindaban, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and Srila Prabhupada have all accepted Krishna as the Supreme Absolute Truth, as have innumerable other great persons throughout history. Yet according to a few deluded, modern-day pseudo-Hindu leaders, the hundreds of millions of Krishna bhaktas throughout the past 5,000 years, and prior, were fools.

In fact, the pseudo-humanitarian politicians and Godless Hindu scholars are the fools. They have tried to exploit Krishna’s words and fame for mundane social and political causes while simultaneously claiming Krishna is a myth. Secular party politics and atheistic systems of education have done the worst violence to millions of innocent Indian people by indoctrinating them with a sectarian socio-political consciousness imported from the West. This type of indoctrination leads to disastrous, bloody conflicts or full-scale war. Godless social ideals of secularism and party politics aim to repress the natural, native-born Krishna consciousness of all Indian people. Avajananti mam mudha, manusim tanum asrita. (Bg. 9.11)

Another type of miscreant understands that Krishna was a genuine historical personality, yet they think He was an ordinary king who died by an accidental wound to the foot. This brand of ignorant person fails to consider that according to all historical accounts, Krishna easily defeated the greatest warriors and their powerful weapons and armies. Even as a child He easily killed the most powerful mystic demons. So how was it possible that He could be killed by a hunter’s single small arrow in His foot? Bad luck? Yet this misleading story of a hunter shooting Krishna’s lotus foot is there in sastras. Why? Srila Prabhupada explains that one reason is to give envious persons facility to go to hell. Krishna thus fulfills the desires of those who would rather be pilgrims to hell than pilgrims to Vaikuntha.  “If a living being wants to go to hell, the Lord allows him to do so without interference…” Na mam duskritino mudhah, prapadyante naradhamah. (Bg. 7.15)

Lord Krishna’s brother and first expansion, Sri Balaramaji, who always worships Krishna as His superior, disappeared in a much different way --one more in line with what one would expect of an avatar of Godhead. He was seen mounting a huge, multi-headed, effulgent serpent and flying off into outer space. Dull-minded persons who never hear from proper authorities cannot understand why Krishna disappeared in an apparently ordinary way and seemed to leave a material body behind. Similarly, although Valmiki Rishi described in Ramayana how Ravana kidnapped Mother Sita, the liberated acaryas who know the conclusions of all the sastras know this incident was a pastime enacted under the Supreme Lord’s internal spiritual potency. Lord Caitanya Himself discovered the passages in the Kurma Purana that explain that Ravana kidnapped an illusory form of Mother Sita. This is fully explained in Caitanya-Caritamrita. Ravana could never capture the all-spiritual Srimati Sita Devi, who is more powerful than Durga Devi, her expansions and all demigods combined.

Srila Prabhupada’s translations and purports give the final conclusions of all Vedic scriptures. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, he explains, “Persons who are addicted to the impersonal feature of the Lord, whether in meditation or otherwise, are all pilgrims to hell, because as stated in Bhagavad-gita (12.15), impersonalists simply waste their time in mundane mental speculation because they are addicted more to false arguments than reality.” (SB. 3.9.4)  Such people who teach that Krishna’s form is temporary or mundane, part of the illusory maya-shakti, will certainly go to hell. “Impersonalists who consider the transcendental forms of the Lord to be products of the material world are surely destined for hell.” He warns that their association is most dangerous and condemned by Lord Brahma, because in truth the personal forms exhibited by the Supreme Lord are meant for blessing everyone in all the universes. “Therefore the association of impersonalists is condemned herewith by Lord Brahma.” Equally as toxic is the association of Western indoctrinated pseudo-sadhus, pseudo-Hindu politicians and professors, and Indian Christians and Muslims who teach that Krishna is a myth. It would be far better for those unwilling to accept the authority of the authorized guru-parampara to avoid speculating on the Absolute Truth and the Vedic scriptures. In this way, they could avoid causing great harm to themselves and those who hear from them.

So-called disciples and others who think Srila Prabhupada was an ordinary man are not intelligent. They have not carefully understood Srila Prabhupada’s exalted character, unique qualities and predicted activities and symptoms. They have obviously neglected a careful study of his books. Such persons, and those who like to publish, distribute and read their polluted memoirs, will likely suffer serious reactions. For them, there may be hell to pay. Perhaps Srila Prabhupada will save them, or perhaps not. Srila Prabhupada said one malicious ex-disciple would get another bona fide guru after ten million lifetimes.  “… gurusu nara-matir… naraki sah: One who considers that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being… is considered a naraki, a candidate for hellish life.” (CC. Antya 6.294, Purport)

Materialistic devotees (prakrita-bhaktas) might argue, “Srila Prabhupada himself said he was an ordinary man, and he often presented himself in that way. Why would he mislead us?” Srila Prabhupada answers, “That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Guru more murkha dekhi. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is murkha? Why is it He’s posing Himself as that murkha?—‘I am fool number one.’ That means that is liberation. You must always be ready to be chastised by the guru. Then one is liberated.” (Conv. August 16, 1976, Bombay) Liberated saints, such as Srila Sanatana Gosvami and Srila Raghunath Das Gosvami, although on the same level as Krishna Himself, often speak of themselves as being fallen and lowly. Such statements are due to their feelings of transcendental ecstasy and should never be taken literally. Liberated acaryas show the proper mood that should be cultivated in devotional service. Prakasananda Sarasvati, though an impersonalist at the time of his first meeting with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was not a dull fellow or an offender. He never accepted that Lord Caitanya was a fool. In spite of the Lord’s testing him with the statement: “guru more murkha dekhi,” Prakasananda Sarasvati understood that Lord Chaitanya was personally the self-effulgent source of the brahma-jyoti. Similarly, sincere disciples are not misled by Srila Prabhupada’s examples of humility but rather appreciate his unique, transcendental character and symptoms, which are self-effulgent.

Persons who think Srila Prabhupada was ignorant or deficient in any way are, at best, foolish and dense. Those who imply that he speculated about the future or lacked full command of English or Sanskrit, or that he neglected to give important instructions, are certainly narakis, orcandidates for hellish life. Their association may be as dangerous as the diehard impersonalists, who Srila Prabhupada said are “pilgrims to hell.”

As Good As Krishna Himself

Those who carefully read Srila Prabhupada’s books and develop fundamental faith learn that the supernatural perfections of mystic yoga “constitute only an insignificant part of the opulence of a pure devotee.” The eight-fold mystic powers intensely sought by great rishis and demigods, which are rarely achieved by anyone in full, are an insignificant part of the power of a pure devotee --particularly one who acts as Lord Krishna’s empowered representative (shakshad hari). It is described in sastras that all the powers of the demigods and great rishis, as well as full liberation, which is high above all such powers, wait with folded hands as maidservants of the pure devotee, who generally neglects them.

“Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krishna Himself. (Caitanya-Caritamrta, Adi-lila 1.58)

“On the whole, the spiritual master is an agent of Krishna. Either he is assistant to the gopis or assistant to the cowherd boys. He is on the level of Krishna. That is the verdict of all scriptures.” (Letter, Sept. 26, 1969)

“One should consider the spiritual master to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of all of these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, he is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are all useless, like the bathing of an elephant…” (SB. 7.15.26, Purport)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY RAMA NAVAMI!!!

 

vitarasi dikṣu raṇe dik-pati-kamanīyaṁ
daśa-mukha-mauli-balim ramaṇīyam
keśava dhṛta-rāma-śarīra jaya jagadiśa hare

 

O Keśava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Rāmacandra! All glories to You! In the battle of Laṅkā You destroy the ten-headed demon Rāvaṇa and distribute his heads as a delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions, headed by Indra. This action was long desired by all of them, who were much harassed by this monster.

 

 

Srila Prabhupada's Unparalleled Achievement

 

In reading many of the profiles of Srila Prabhupada, I’m saddened that a number of his important projects, programs and achievements are never mentioned. In the following summary I’ve tried to compile a more comprehensive list of his credits. Although this list is also incomplete, I hope it presents a fuller picture of Srila Prabhupada’s greatness. Paratrikananda dasa (10-05-04)

A Summary of Srila Prabhupada’s Miraculous Accomplishments from 1965 to 1977

In 1965, at seventy years of age, he ventured outside India for the first time to fulfill the order of his spiritual master. During his voyage at sea, he suffered two severe heart attacks. He reached the shores of America with the equivalent of seven dollars to his name.

He founded the International Society for Krsna Consciousness with a small group of disciples, after a year of struggling alone in New York City. This marked the only time in history that a Krsna devotee successfully trained non-Indians in the strict disciplines of Vaisnavism. Amazingly, this was achieved during the blossoming of America’s hedonistic counterculture movement.

He sent his followers, chanting the names of God, into the streets of cities and towns everywhere and Hare Krsna became famous in every corner of the earth.

He sent his disciples to London, where they recorded the single, “Hare Krsna Mantra”, with George Harrison, in 1969. It became the fastest selling of all the Apple Corporation’s releases, including those of the Beatles. The record reached #3 in Czechoslovakia, #9 in Britain, and made the top ten in Germany, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Yugoslavia, and many other countries.

He formally initiated approximately five thousand disciples. These initiates represented a sweeping diversity of nationalities, races, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds.

He established 108 Krsna temples on six continents, installed the deity of Krsna in each center and trained his disciples in the process of deity worship. Thirty-two new temples (almost three a month) were opened in a single year, between 1970 and 1971.

He inaugurated the Rathayatra Festival of Lord Jaganatha in major cities around the globe, in effect, bringing the temple to the people.

He instituted the brahmacarini asram, something previously unheard of in Vedic culture, to give shelter to single women wishing to practice Krsna consciousness.

He instructed his disciples in 1967 to start an incense business to provide financial support for the temples. Within four years the business, Spiritual Sky Incense, generated an annual revenue of one million dollars (equivalent to $4,600,000 in 2004).

He introduced the “Sunday Love Feast” and other prasadam (sanctified food) distribution programs that provided millions of free meals to the public.

He created the world’s first chain of vegetarian restaurants.

He spoke daily on the philosophy of Krsna consciousness, delivering thousands of formal lectures. Over 2,200 were recorded and archived.

He conducted many hundreds of informal conversations on the science of Krsna consciousness with disciples, guests and friends. Over 1,300 were recorded and archived.

He had scores of interviews and philosophical discussions with news reporters, scientists, religious leaders and politicians, as well as meetings with world-renowned dignitaries and celebrities like Indira Gandhi, Allen Ginsberg, Ravi Shankar, Alice Coltrane, John Lennon and George Harrison.

He recorded more than twenty albums of devotional music.

He published the monthly magazine, Back to Godhead, which he called the backbone of his movement. At the height of its circulation in the mid seventies, over a million copies per issue were sold.

He launched the ISKCON Life Membership Program that enrolled tens of thousands of members.

He built major temples in Bombay and Vrndavana, and founded a spiritual city at Mayapur. All became international sites of pilgrimage.

He established primary schools to provide education in the principles of devotional service.

He founded the Bhaktivedanta Institute to advance Krsna consciousness within the scientific community, engaging serious academics in the consideration of the science of self-realization.

He formed the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust to unearth and renovate the holy places of Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.

He set up farm communities to teach “simple living and high thinking”, emphasizing cow protection and dependence on God and nature.

He commissioned his artist disciples to produce hundreds of illustrations of Krsna’s pastimes based on his meticulous instructions and the descriptions in his books.

He directed some of his followers to learn the Indian art of “doll making” to present Vedic philosophy through dioramas. This project became the FATE Museums.

He counseled his disciples on complex managerial, philosophical and personal issues in more than 6,000 archived letters.

He was the subject of more than 30,000 archival photos and more than seventy hours of documentary film footage.

He wrote approximately seventy books on the science of Krsna consciousness, sleeping only a few hours per day. Dozens of prominent scholars and educators from leading universities praised his work (see appendix). The Encyclopaedia Britannica proclaimed that his voluminous translations from the original Sanskrit and his lucid commentaries “have astounded literary and academic communities worldwide.” This feat is even more astonishing considering the translations and commentaries were in English, which was a second language to the author.

He founded the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) in 1972, to produce his books. By 1976, over 55,000,000 literatures had been published in twenty-five languages and distributed in almost every country, making the BBT the world’s largest publisher of Indian religious and philosophical texts. One printing alone of Bhagavad-gita As It Is required seventy-six train cars to ship the paper needed to print it.

He completed the entire Caitanya-caritamrta manuscript (seventeen volumes) in eighteen months.

He ordered and supervised the BBT in publishing seventeen volumes of his books in only two months time, in 1974.

He circled the globe fourteen times, visiting twenty-four countries, preaching, inspiring his followers and making countless public appearances before multitudes of people.

He skillfully managed his international society simply through letters and personal meetings, virtually without the use of a telephone.

In accomplishing all the above, he also fulfilled the following:

 

 

The Whole World is Spiritual-if its used, for Krsna Seva--SP

 

Hare Krsna To AllPranamsGlories to Srila Prabhupada Below is a short conversation with Srila Prabhupda where he explains the subtlety of God's energies. Originally everything is spiritual becauseeverything emanates from God, who is All Spiritual. But when anything, like a flower growing in a tree is used for anything except Krsna's Service, then that original spiritual flower,which is Krsna smiling to us, now becomes a material flower and its misuse now binds us to the wheel of Karma. When we completely understand that nothing belongs to us, then we can stop being either big or small thieves and return everything back to the Lord's service. Hare KrsnaDamaghosa das---------------------------730514mw.la                 Conversations                335317/530501
Prabhupada: We say that. Life is eternal. It is not created nor
destroyed. It is covered only for the time. Just like, I'm eternal,
but last night I was covered by dreaming, sleeping. So I say
"yesterday" and "today." This is my position. I'm eternal, but because
last night I was covered by dreaming, therefore I say "yesterday" and
"today."
Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, if material nature is the absence of Krsna
consciousness, then where is material? I've heard you say that once
before...
Prabhupada: There is no material. Yes? If you continue Krsna
consciousness, there's nothing material. Just like when we offer this
flower in Krsna consciousness, is it material?
Devotees: No.
Prabhupada: You still can accept anything material? No. So how it
becomes? It was material in the tree and it becomes spiritual? No. It
is spiritual. So long I was thinking it is meant for my enjoyment that
is material. As soon as I take it for Krsna's enjoyment, it is
spiritual.
Paramahamsa: So, actually this entire world is spiritual.
Prabhupada: Yes. That we want, that engage everything in Krsna'sservice. This will be spiritual world.
Paramahamsa: So we can also appreciate Krsna's creation in that light?
For example, this is very beautiful because it is Krsna's.
Prabhupada: Yes. We realize that. We don't say... Just like Mayavadi
philosophy says mithya. Jagan mithya. "This world is false." We don't
say that. We don't say "jagan mithya."
Devotee: This material nature is just one energy of Krsna acting in a
certain way?
Prabhupada: Why shall I say...? Krsna has created so many nice things
for His enjoyment, why shall I say, "mithya." Suppose if you create
nice house, very good apartment and you call me, "Just see." And if I
say, "It is all mithya."
Paramahamsa: That's also an offense. Because I can't enjoy it.
Prabhupada: (laughing) Then how much depressed you'll be. Let's say I
brought this friend and this rascal is saying, "This is mithya."
Karandhara: Sour grapes.
Prabhupada: That is explained that asatyam apratistham te, jagad ahur
anisvaram. These rascals, these demons they say like that, that this
is asatya, this is untruth. There is no cause. There is no isvara.
This is the demoniac declaration. If Krsna is fact, His creation isfact. His energy is fact. Why shall I say false? We don't say it is
false. The Mayavadis say it is false.
Krsna-kanti: If someone looks at the Deity of Krsna and thinks it's
only stone or wood, for him it's still material?
Prabhupada: That is his ignorance. How it can be material? The stone
is also Krsna's energy. Just like electricity energy is there
everywhere. The electrician knows how to utilize it, how to take
electricity. Similarly, Krsna is everywhere, even in the stone. The
devotees know how to utilize stone to appreciate Krsna.

mystic power means Paramatma realization

 

HARE  KRSNA TO ALL

PRANAMS

GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA

 Prabhupada explains below that he cannot swim, but that the real yogic power isfinding Paramatma sitting within his heart-of which there is not doubt he did, and does. A side point would be that if one has uncovered his relationship with Paramatma, then other  mystic powers  side by side, will also be there as well. So if one has no mystic power,(which is much different than charisma) then the conclusion is he still has not uncovered his eternal relationship with the indwelling Supersoul... (see below). And if he has not done this, then how can he guide one as guru? One must be liberated to become initiating spiritual master.Hari bol Damaghosa das------------------- 730509mw.la                 Conversations              
Prabhupada: Yes. Mystic yogic power means the same acintya-sakti,
dormant potency which is within everyone. That can be awakened. The
same example, as I have given, that everyone has got the potency to
swim, but it has to be practiced. I cannot swim. For me, if one is
swimming, it is inconceivable power. But I have got also that power.
By practice, it has to be awakened.
Svarupa Damodara: That is a yogic process.
Prabhupada: That is yogic process. Real yogic process is to find out
Paramatma, but side by side many other dormant powers become awakened.
Another example, that tree is producing chemicals. So every living
entity has got dormant potencies, more or less. So God, Krsna, is the
supreme living entity; therefore He has the full potency. God means
full, complete. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam. The best living
entity, that is God. (pause) Is there any difficulty to understand the
best living entity?
Svarupa Damodara: The best living entity?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Svarupa Damodara: No.
Prabhupada: Yes. So that best living entity is God. Isvarah paramah
krsnah. That means the best controller, the supreme controller. Justlike this man is controlling his dog, and that man is controlled by
somebody else. In his office or where he works, he is controlled by
his boss. And the dog is controlling the cat, the cat is controlling
rat. In this way, one after another, there are controllers. I control
you, he controls me, another controls him. In this way, you go on
searching. When you find out somebody who controls but is not
controlled by anyone, He is God. Where is the difficulty to
understand? Everyone here we see that although a person is controller,
at the same time he is controlled. Therefore the ideal living entity
is, he controls but he is not controlled by others. That is supreme

. 

new jewelry of gold and pearls for Lords Gauranga and Ananta

 

Gaura Purnima Celebrations at ISKCON Bangalore

 

Hare Krishna,

Kindly find below the photos of Gaura Purnima celebrations at ISKCON, Bangalore, for more photos, videos and related articles please visit:

http://www.iskconbangalore.org/sri-gaura-poornima-celebrations-2011

Thank you

 

Sri Gaura Purnima Mahotsava-​Sedro Woolley,Wa​. USA 2011

 

Hare Krsna to All

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

 Yesterday, Saturday,on Gaura Purnima, we had a packed crowd of many devotees who attended our annual ecstatic event and who all reluctantly left --with smiles, a mile wide. The festival began with Sri Gaura Arotik with Makhancora prabhu leading . During the course of the evening many devotees whirled and danced themselves into ecstasy which is what happens when you have been infected with the Holy Names of Krsna and Rama. After this kirtan we did the Narasimha mantras to harmonium and Jaya Radha Madahva songs and then we gave a class on the conclusion to the Teachings of Lord Caitanya with the discussion of questions and answers between Lord Gauranga and Ramananda Raya. Then we explained the nasty conditions predicted for kali yuga, and how to remedy this by chanting Hare Krsna Mantra. We also went into some depth about the nature of sound vibration, its four levels (Vaikari, Madhyama, Pasyanti and Para Vak) and how at the 3rd level (pure intelligence or Pasyanti) one begins to see colors and forms in sound vibrations and then on the completely transcendental platform one will experience sound to be the exact same thing as that which it describes. Krsna is His Name, and He is fully conscious within it. 

 Anubhavananda prabhu wrote and gave us a very nice poem set to some music.

 Next was the play of Jagai and Madhai vs. Nityananda Prabhu performed by Kanhaiya Prabhu and his kids. Sometimes I think Kanhaiya has missed his calling and should have been an actor instead of a computer programmer .Its pretty obvious he loves to perform for an audience of Devotees and in front of the Lord.

 Then we did abhisek of two Salagram Silas and Kaliya Krsna murti, and everyone enjoyed pouring ghee, honey, milk , yoghurt and rose water over the Lord's bodies. Next was opening some presents for the Lord. We made a 6 foot long tulsi/vaijanti garland for the altar front edge. The tulsi beads were from old plants who gave up their bodies over the years and the interspersed Vaijanti beads (this flower is one of Krsna's favorites) came from Kanhaiyas parents who are now visiting here for a few months. We also gave the Lord's some beads made from pearl and gold caps as well as another set made from colored glass beads. Recently a new Salagram Sila appeared here as a donation to us, a Varaha Sila so we offered Him a silver nose ring as well.

 After this Navadvipa and family did some bhajanas and Krsna Kirtan for the Deities and devotees pleasure.

 There was some wild dancing going on at the end of this. After the Prema Dvani prayers everyone got a chinese party popper and we all simultaneously pulled the strings to the chorus of Sri Caitanya Ki Jaya !!! 

 And then the Feast !!

 Chanting Dancing and Feasting-- this is the simple program given by Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya for all of us kali yuga inhabitants to become happy on a daily basis. Some will take to it congregationally, some wont. The fortunate ones take to it (and are happy) and the unfortunate ones ,even though invited, don't seem to be able to understand this simple process..

 We offered the Lords' here over 108 different preparations including 56 different kinds of burfy, gulab jamuns, sweet rice (the "old fashioned" kind with camphor and cooked down rice-no large chunks at the bottom !!), all kinds of fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, subjis, pushpana rice, Gauranga Potatoes, differents chutneys, 4 kinds of pakoras, puris, pasta, pesto, and on and on... (see the photo below).

 What else can I say? It was a blissful event. ..

 Hare Krsna-

Damaghosa das

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   From His Divine Grace
   A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
               The Right Of  Discipline

I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisance’s unto him. When will Srila Rupa Gosvami Prabhupada, who has established within this material world the mission to fulfill the desire of Lord Caitanya, give me shelter under his lotus feet?
From the Introduction to the 1972 edition of The Bhagavad Gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
The word discipline comes from disciple, or disciple comes from discipline. So unless there is discipline, there is no question of disciple.

 

                    The definition of truth by Srila Prabhupada.

“Satyam, truthfulness, means that the facts should be presented as they are for the benefit of others. Facts should not be misrepresented. According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in a straight and forward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief, that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth.”

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1972 edition Chapter ten texts 4-5 from purport

 

Welcome To The Hare Krishna Movement

             Hare Krsna is Non-sectarian

                      His Divine Grace A. C.
                  Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

..."ISKCON (the International Society of Krishna Consciousness) is a non-lucrative organization whose purpose is to promote the well-being of human society by drawing its attention to God. We are a non-sectarian society, and our members include people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, as well as Hindu faiths. The aim of ISKCON is not to found a new religious sect but to invoke the living entity’s dormant love of God, and thus provide the human society of all faiths with a common platform of clear theistic knowledge and practice. Members of ISKCON may retain their own respective religious faiths, as ISKCON is meant to establish a clear, practical common formulation of the common ideal of all theists, and to defeat the unnecessary dogmatic wrangling that now divides and invalidates the theistic camp. This common theism is to develop love of God.—

Letter to Roland Michener, Governor-General of Canada. 24
August 1968.

 

The whole world has the right to take Srila Prabhupada as their Diksa guru, if they follow his teachings, just like Srila Prabhupada said anyone can also be a follower of Jesus if he follows his teachings. It’s all based upon acceptance.  
Everyone has the Right of Discipline in direct relation to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. If you have decided to become a disciple of Srila Prabhupada you must follow the four regulative principles strictly and chant 16 rounds of the maha mantra every day on your beads. Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

A list of representatives will be presented at the end of this paper. You may contact them personally via their web sites or by regular mail.

The purpose of this paper is to present the historical events regarding the original final directive given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada regarding how first and second initiations were to take place after his physical departure. We present supporting understandings from authoritative sources and from the works of two of Srila Prabhupadas disciples to reinforce the understanding that taking formal Diksa from Srila Prabhupada is authorized by him and is directed by him. Those formal initiations as directed by Srila Prabhupada are still going on today.

My comments will be indicated with the letters HGD. Hasti Gopala Dasa in relation to any part of this paper. In the May 28th 1977 conversation below the  Arial Black Bold are additions of mine.

Notes From The Bhagavatam 1

 

Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
 
I am working slowly on a long term project to compile some of the notes I have made over the years from reading of the original Srimad Bhagavatam books presented by Srila Prabhupada. That presentation is called Continuous Revelations.
 
This mailing is from part two of the first canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam and is being presented simply due to some old inspiration. It may not be repeated or may be repeated from time to time so bare with me.
 
If you take the time to reference what I have quoted then you can read the full context from which these bits of transcendental literature are from. It is very relaxing and wonderful to be going through these gems. I feel that volumes can be written from some of these simple quotes even in their place in relation to the original text. They can be discussed amongst devotees on line, around a bowl of hot milk or beside a camp fire in some future evening.
 
Srila Prabhupadas books will continue to reveal transcendental knowledge to us every time we open his books. I hope that my sharing of my discoveries from Srila Prabhupadas books will cause others to share with me what they find the next time they open his books. I'd like that.
 
Ys Hasti Gopala Dasa
 
Canto One Part Two.
Chapter 8 Text 6 Purport.
Page 381.
 
"The Lord is equal to everyone, but a devotee of the Lord is more glorified because he is always in touch with the all great. The sun rays are equally distributed, but still there are some places which are dark always. This is not due to the sun but to the receptive power. Similarly, those who are cent percent devotees of the Lord get the full fledged mercy of the Lord, which is always equally distributed everywhere".
 
Page 399.
 
"The more attachment is there for the Lord, the more success is there for the devotee."
 
Page 404.
 
"A living being is always finished as soon as there is nothing to possess. Therefore a living being cannot be, in the real sense of the term, a renouncer. A living being renounces something for gaining something more valuable."
 
Page 412.
 
"But in the case of democracy, the impious citizens themselves send their representative to rule over them, therefore they cannot blame anyone for their unhappiness".
 
Page 418.
 
"He is the hero in all circumstances, and hearing about Him or His devotees or combatants is conducive to spiritual life"
 
Page 421.
 
"We may therefore, invent by our advancement of material knowledge all sorts of counteracting material resources, but without being guided by the Lord all such inventions end in fiasco, however strong and stout the reactionary elements may be"
 
Page 425.
 
"To cut off family affection means to broaden the field of activities. Without doing this, no one can be qualified as a brahmana, a king, a public leader, or a devotee of the Lord"
 
Page 426.
 
"To cut off the tie of all other affections does not mean complete negation of the finer elements, like affection for someone else. This is not possible"
 
Page 427.
 
"Seeing the darkness is not seeing. But seeing by the light of the sun means to see the sun and everything else which was unseen in the darkness. That is the way of devotional service."
 
 
Ys Hasti Gopala Dasa

 

SRI GAURA PURNIMA 2011

SEDRO WOOLLEY, WA

Chanting-Dancing-Feasting

The Sublime and authorized method for reviving ones's dormant God Consciousness in this Age of Quarrel

FREE FESTIVAL

click to see larger image

 

DATE: MARCH 19th, 2011

PLACE: 8805 Harrison Rd

Sedro Woolley, WA

TIME: 2PM

360-856-5411

 

Some Choice Words from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj

 

Hare Krsna to all

 

Pranams

 

Glories to Prabhupada

 

We continue to read at breakfast  time the book entitled Brahmana and Vaisnava by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj. It is  a most excellent treatise on the finer distinctions of bhakti and helps us understand more clearly, what went wrong with the Hare Krsna Movement.

 

Let me relay a few of his words below.....

 

"Those who traverse the descending  process are qualified to reach the Absolute Truth. But since those who traverse the ascending process have accepted the external  ascending path to reach the undisputed destination, they have become eager to minimize the glories of the Absolute Truth. As a result, even though they proudly advertise their faith in the Vedas, their actual intention is to disregard the Vedas. This is clearly understood...."

 

How many times have we seen clear distortions to the words and instructions over the past 35 years of Srila Prabhupada ? Something as simple as offering bhoga is now totally the opposite to what he taught to us ,in practically ALL of his temples ! And this has all come about because certain leading devotees accept the ascending process of mental speculation instead of total acceptance of the descending process of words coming straight from Prabhupada himself.  Prabhupada once said the difference between the so called scientists and us is that we use the descending process and they use the ascending process. So these so called devotees have come under the spell of Maya and are now using her methods instead of her masters.

 

"Whenever the sages gave explanations on the Vedas that were contrary to the actual purport of the Vedas, differences in their respective realizations arose. On the ascending path, one sage attacks another sage and tries to establish his own opinion.

 

In the descending path, however, there is no such outrage or drawback. The varieties that are perceived are all used in the service of the nondual Personality  of Godhead; one does not become puffed up or averse to Hari...."

 

When one loses perception and rememberance of his eternal position, namely being a humble servant of his spiritual master, he can no longer speak rightly because his speech is now dictated by Maya, not God or Guru. When this illusion takes over, one cant even perceive his present position since his original position has already been lost. Due to enviousness and an intense hankering for sense gratification these people are impelled by sinful desires to remove their own spiritual guide from his rightful position as  sole Acarya of his own temples and they then concoct opinions which differ from their own spiritual masters.All this is due to offenses committed against him by refusing to obey his commands to us all.They have no respect, basically, due to excessive pride and envy of the exhalted position of a Paramahamsa pure devotee of the Lord.

 

And the proof they are wrong is that they continually contradict themselves and one another and have continued to do so-- for 34 years now.!!!

 

 On the other hand the Prabhupadanugas have held fast to one conclusion since Prabhupada departed.

 

That conclusion is this--He, Srila Prabhupada is the current, and living Acarya who is fully competent to deliver the entire world back to home back to Godhead thru his voluminous instructions, conversations,  books, lectures and murti form. One definition of a bona fide guru (and devotee) is that he is brahma nistham--FIXED, he doesn't change his opinion year to year !!

 

"...Wherever respect for the spiritual master has been diminished, the ascending process , in the form of disobeying the spiritual master, has simply created a perverted mentality of vivarta vada, or the Mayavada theory of illusion, filled with pride and nourished by the four defects like committing mistakes and being illusioned. This diseased mentality eventually turns into a mine of licentiousness...."

 

Does this licentiousness need be explained here?? The massive falldowns, the crushing of thousands of devotees material and spiritual lives, the murder of devotees, the bad publicity, the breaking of even civil laws, what to speak of the overall degradation in the publics eyes of the once pure and powerful Hare Krsna Movement .This is all the result of disrespect for the pure Vaisnava Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada.

 

"When persons who disregard the spiritual master try to understand the Vedic literatures through their evil attempts, differences of opinion automatically arise in their understanding. But if the sages give up their pride of seminal birth and become fixed in real knowledge by following the descending path, then their recitation of songs from the Sama veda will be non different from that of the Rg Veda. Those who are proud of seminal birth and whose bodily conception of life is very prominent are not qualified to hear the instructions of the spiritual master. When the sages subdue their material pride and live in a gurukula to study the Vedas they are able to comprehend the hearing and studying of the Vedas...."

 

Again here Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj  slams the inordinate pride of the smarta class of so called spiritualists. How many times have iskcon leaders been humbly approached by Prabhupadanugas for discussion of the ills of our movement, and then been spat upon, thrown out on the street, ridiculed and even tortured?? Is this the mentality of a sadhu, what to speak of a Vaisnava? Is this how Srila Prabhupada taught us to deal with each other? 

 

...The wordly or social, smrtis may please and bring auspiciousness to people, but they misguide those who traverse the descending path from their goal and cause their downfall....Those who have been permanently qualified in the kingdom of aversion to the Lord are alone incapable of attaching importance to the service of the Lord Hari, through wordly or Vedic performances..."

 

Car puja anyone?? How about some demi god worship along with Radha Krsna seva? Or how about having someone sing opera instead of Krsna kirtan in front of Radha Krsna? Some temples are operating bingo games for profit to the temple. Some "swamis" lend money, that was supposed to have been collected for the Deities, lend this same money to the temples Deities-- with interest !! God now needs to take out a loan !!

 

All this madness comes about when persons disregard the words and instructions of their own spiritual master. So these misleaders have destroyed the pure path of bhakti set out by Srila Prabhupada .

 

These misleaders preach that car pujas will help you-- if your car has been blessed by some "priest".

 

Yet in India, the land of puja, where has it ever become SAFE to drive along side of the millions of maniacs that have had their cars/tongas/rickshaws so "blessed"? 

 

What to speak  this thing has never been even mentioned by Srila Prabhupada as a "service" to the Deities. This so called service is to the congregation only, thinking of yet another way to fill the temple coffers with ill gotten money. 

 

The result of all this deception and illusion is that the actual path of bhakti has been obscured by madness and greed. Because these people put more importance upon things of this world, and not correct importance on the things of the spiritual world,Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj states-they misguide those who traverse the descending path from their goal and cause their downfall" .

 

Let us not be so fooled by this charlatans of Kali yuga by praying to Srila Prabhupada to keep us purely engaged at his holy lotus feet.

 

Hare Krsna

 

Damaghosa das

Dasyu dharmabhih-as predicted-govt men will be plunderers of all in this age-SP

 
740928SB.MAY                   Lectures                  214172/530501
They have now discovered this democracy. Democracy... "Demon-cracy.
" Shortcut of "demon-cracy" is "democracy." All the demons and rogues,
they gather together, somehow or other votes, and occupy the seat, and the
business is plundering. The business is plundering. If we talk very much upon this, it will
not be very favorable, but according to sastra... We, we talk
according to sastra, that the democracy means assembly of rogues and
plunderers. That is the statement in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Dasyu-dharmabhih. The government men will be all dasyu. Dasyu means
plunderer. Not pickpocket. Pickpocket, somehow or other, if you do not
understand, takes something from your pocket, and the plunderer, or
the dasyu, he catches you and by force, "If you don't spare your
money, I shall kill you." They are called dasyu.
   So the, in the present age of Kali, the government men will be
dasyu. This is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Dasyu-dharmabhih. You
can, we can see practically. You cannot keep your money. You earn with
hard labor, but you cannot keep gold, you cannot keep jewelry, you
cannot keep money. And... They will take it away by laws......
 
... Just like the prisoners: they are condemned, and the government puts them into jail.
So for their criminality they are punished within the jail. But the government does
not want that these prisoners may remain perpetually within the jail.
...   Sometimes government arranges nice instruction, classes. Perhaps
those who were with me in Ahmedabad... We were invited by the jail
authorities to speak. Who were with me? Nobody? In Ahmedabad?
Devotee: I was.
Prabhupada: Yes. So I was given place just in front of the room where
Gandhi was imprisoned. That, that room is considered as sacred. So
government makes such arrangement that "These prisoners may be
corrected." Similarly, in this material world, although we are all
condemned... Anyone who is within this material world, he is
condemned. Simply there is division. Just like in jail also, there are
first-class prisoners, there are second-class prisoners and
third-class prisoners. The first-class prisoners, they are given some
facilities. Just like political prisoners, they are given separate
bungalow and servants, newspaper, book. But they cannot go out of the
prison. That is called first class. Similarly, there are second class.
And third class, ordinary.
   So here also, we are first-class, second-class, third-class
prisoners. Therefore we find so many varieties of living condition.
But we are all prisoners. And He's the supreme controller. Therefore
Krsna, as supreme controller, He wants His representative to rule over...
   So it is the duty of the representative of Krsna to reform these
condemned persons to Krsna consciousness. This is their duty. Krsna
wants that "These rascals, these condemned persons, who are suffering
in this material world, and they cannot understand that 'We are
suffering...' They are making plan. No plan will be successful." Daivi
hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya. You can make your plan, but it
will never be successful. The only plan will be successful. What is
that? Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. That is the only
plan. There is no other plan. But these rascals, they are being put
into severe penalties. Duhkhalayam asasvatam.  The more
they are forgetting God, they are put in, they are put into more and
more miserable condition. Practically we see, with the advancement
Kali-yuga, people are forgetting his relationship with Krsna, and the
price of commodity and the food grains, the price is increasing. They
cannot eat sufficiently. So many people are dying of starvation. If
they cannot eat, how they will live?
   Therefore Krsna gives His instruction. He's the supreme ruler. He
gives this order: annad bhavanti bhutani: "You require food grains."
This is practical. Who will disagree with Krsna, that "We don't
require food grains; we require bolts and nuts in the factory"? Who
will say? This is practical. So they do not... Just like we see here
that, that they do not grow food grains. They are growing jute because
they will get some money, more money. But the rascal does not know
that "I will get more money, and it will be taken away next by the
food grain seller." So similarly, we are interested in industry, in
plan-making, this, that, so many things. But Krsna does not say that
"You open slaughterhouse and industries and brothels and cinema." No.
Krsna does not say. Krsna says, "Grow more food, rascal! You'll eat
and become strong." And nobody is obeying Krsna. Is it not?
Practically try to understand Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavata. Not
by sentiment. And preach this philosophy all over the world.
   What Krsna says, that is practical. Annad bhavanti bhutani
parjanyad anna-sambhavah. "How we shall get anna? There is no rain."
You see nowadays, there is no rain. Why? Because you are, we are all
rascals. We do not know how to get rain. Krsna says, parjanyad
anna-sambhavah: "There will be food grains when there is sufficient
rain." And how rain there will be? Yajnad bhavati parjanyah: "And if
you perform yajna, then there will be sufficient rain.".....
 
   So people are so rascal, they will not even chant Hare Krsna
mantra. Krsna, svayam bhagavan... Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He introduced.
Sankirtanaika-pitarau. Gaura and Nityananda is the father of the
sankirtana movement. .....
sankirtanaika-pitarau kamalayataksau vande maha-purusa te
caranaravindam(?). So Krsna is teaching. Krsna is so kind. He's
personally teaching. That is perform yajna. He's personally chanting,
dancing, Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The picture is in our front. Personally
He's teaching us, "Perform this yajna, you rascal, and you'll get
everything. ...
   So Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Isvara. He's
teaching us this yajna. He's giving us the hint. Yajnad bhavati
parjanyah. If you do not accept this movement, then you'll go on
suffering, suffering, suffering, suffering. If you don't accept this
principle, then your future is simply suffering.

 

 

How Lord Gauranga wore His dhoti...Tri kaccha style

Hare Krsna To All
Pranams
Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below is a description of how some Bengalis and apparantly Lord Gauranga Himself wore His dhoti.
I was happy to find that I was following in his (dhoti) footsteps my self...
 
Damaghosa das
------------------------------
Sri Chaitanya-lila Vyasa Sri Vrindavan Das Thakur (artist unknown)
 
Graceful Gauranga by
Srila Vrindavan Das Thakur

madana-mohana tanu gauränga sundara
laläöe tilaka çobhä ürdhve manohara
Graceful Lord Gauranga is more enchanting than
Cupid. A glistening vaiñnava-tilaka adorns his forehead.
tri-kaccha vasana çobhe kuöila-kuntala
präkåta nayana dui parama caïcala
He wears glorious tri-kaccha garments. His hair
is curly. His two eyes are naturally restless.
[Note: The word tri-kaccha refers to a style in
which some Bengalis wear their dhotis. When
the left end of a dhoti is taken between the legs
and tucked in at the back it is called kächä. When
the other end is tucked in at the navel it is called
koìcä. When the other end of this koìcä is also
tucked in at the navel it is called tri-kaccha.]
çukla-yajïa-süta çobhe beòiyä çarére
sükñma-rüpe ananta ye hena kalebare
Manifesting a very slender form, Lord Ananta
has become his white sacred-thread.
adhare tämbüla häse adhara cäpiyä
yäìa våndävana-däsa se rüpa nichiyä
On His lips rest betelnuts and a smile. Vrindavan
Das worships him.·
— Translated from Jagabandhu Bhadra’s Gaura-pada-taraìgiëé.
Sri Gauranga Press. Calcutta. 1931. Bengali.
Material taken from Krishna Katamrita Bindu

 

I have to shed my blood 3 tons before I convince them-SP

 

720418rc.hk                 Conversations               
Guest (1): How many disciples do you now have, sir, in the U.S.?

 


Prabhupada: You cannot expect many disciples, but still, there are two
thousand. Because I have got so many conditions and the fact is so
difficult to understand, Krsna consciousness. They have forgotten
Krsna, they have forgotten God, and I am trying to make them Krsna
conscious. It is a very difficult job. I have to shed my blood three
tons before I make one convinced in Krsna consciousness. That is my
experience. I have to talk with him, especially these Europeans and
Americans. They do not accept anything so blindly. They try to... I am
always being questioned, even in my tooth(?) Question, question,
question. That's nice. Inquisitive, they want to know. So I give them
answers. I have got four secretaries always with me. They are giving
answers. So to become Krsna... Especially in Europe and America, when
I make this condition that you cannot have illicit sex, you cannot
have intoxication, you cannot meat eat, er, you cannot eat meat, you
cannot have gambling... This is their daily affair. This is their
life. Even Lord Zetland refused, "Oh, we cannot give up these things."
So I am controlling them in this way. Still, they are coming. So it is
very difficult job. Still, there are many thousands, and they are so
sincere that if I ask them that... This boy is going to Red China. I

 

am sending him. You see? So I have asked them, "You go there. You go
there." They go even at the risk of life. Yes. It is the duty of the
Indians to spread this Krsna consciousness movement, but they are
preaching very nicely. I am training these foreigners. They are doing
this duty. It is the duty of the Indians. It is their culture. But
they are satisfied only... If one young man gets a nice wife and a
little bit of money, oh, he says, "My life is successful." Therefore I
went away. I approached many gentlemen. "Please, you have got four
sons. Give me one son. I shall make him a real brahmana." "Swamiji,
(Hindi)." He does not know the value. Therefore I left India,
hopeless. And Krsna has given me chance, very good chance. Now they
are appreciating. When I go to India they become surprised, "Swamiji,
how you have done this thing?" This is the reason....

 

... But still, from materialistic point of view,
these boys and girls, they, three or four years ago they did not know
what is this word Krsna. But now they are so perfectly devotee of
Krsna, and nobody can deviate them. If somebody says that "You give up
this Krsna consciousness and take..." Now here is Syamasundara. His
father is very, very rich man, young man. He is always canvassing him
that--he is only son--that "You come, do business. You take millions
of dollars, whatever you like." He is not going. There are many like
that. They cannot give up this Krsna consciousness. And you know our
Jagatarini, wife of Bhurijana, she was a theatrical girl and earning
millions of dollars, but she has given up everything. You have seen
his wife, you all, Bhurijana's wife? She is a nice girl, educated,
qualified. But she is satisfied. I asked her to go and marry
Bhurijana. She never saw her (him). She never saw her (him), what kind
of husband she is going to accept. But simply on my word, she came,
and she came from Los Angeles to Japan and got married. Similarly I am
asking one girl. She is a French girl, Mandakini. So I am asking her
to go to Russia and marry one boy. She has never seen. So they obey in
such a way. The Western boys and girls, they want to see and behave

 

before marrying. But they are so obedient that without any
consideration... Because marriage or no marriage, that is not their
consideration. The only consideration is how to please Krsna and his
representative. Guru-krsna-krpaya-paya bhakti-lata-bija.
Bhakti-lata-bija. Bhakti is just like a creeper, and the seed of that
creeper can be obtained by the mercy of guru and Krsna. That is Vedic
injunction.

 

                       yasya deve para bhaktir
                        yatha deve tatha gurau
                      tasyaite kathita hy arthah                 prakasante mahatmanah

 

 

 

   The Vedic knowledge, Vedic knowledge, becomes revealed to a person
who has got unflinching faith in Krsna and guru. This is the system.

 

When one becomes expert preacher-then able to chant without offense-SP

 

1) ►760916SB.VRN                  Lectures
Prthivite ache yata nagaradi. That is His mission. It is not that
"Become a big Vaisnava and sit down and imitate." This is all
rascaldom. So don't follow this thing. So at least we cannot advise
you in that way. We have learned from our Guru Maharaja that preaching
is very, very important thing, and when one is actually an experienced
preacher, then he is able to chant Hare Krsna mantra without any
offense. Before that, this so-called chanting ... .. And giving up all
other business to make a show of a big Vaisnava, that is
not required. Thank you very much. (end)

 

2) 741130SB.BOM                   Lectures                 
So this easy process, sukham jihvadau, that begins from the jihva,
tongue. If you kindly train your tongue to chant Hare Krsna mantra,
and if possible without offense... There are ten kinds of offenses. If
we avoid the offenses and you chant Hare Krsna mantra, you become
liberated. And it is very easy. Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah
param vrajet. Mukta.

 

3) 760627g2.nv                 Conversations                429802/530501
... Now how shall I know who is rascal and who is not a
(rascal)? Asat eka 'stri-sangi------eka asadhu, krsna-bhakta ara. One
who is too much attached with woman, he is rascal. Another rascal, who
is not a devotee of Krsna. That's all. So we have got everything test
tube. Put the test tube and you understand. If one is stri-sangi...
Stri-sangi means not only the man, the man or woman, one who are very
much sexually attached, he is a rascal. One should give up his
company. And another rascal, who is not a devotee of Krsna. That's all,
finished. So if you want to be a Vaisnava, you must give up the
company of these two rascals. Then your progress is guaranteed.
Everything is there. There is no difficulty to distinguish between
rascals and intelligent, guru and bluffer. Everything is there. And to
become a perfect Vaisnava, Caitanya Mahaprabhu said asat-sanga tyaga
ei vaisnava. Don't talk even with these rascals. But sometimes in the
preaching work we have to talk with such rascals, but not to take
their theory but to teach them our theory. If you become defeated by
their theory, then you are not a preacher. Don't preach, chant Hare
Krsna. You are not fit for teaching. If you become overcome by their
teaching, then you are finished. A preacher is madhyama-adhikari,
advanced devotee. He can preach. Kanistha-adhikari should be engaged

 

in temple worship, very nicely, then gradually he'll come to the
madhyama-adhikari. So the preacher is madhyama-adhikari. A
kanistha-adhikari cannot become preacher. He is in the lowest stage of
devotional service; he cannot become preacher. He'll be conquered by
the asat. And madhyama-adhikari, he knows how to deal with asat. At
least he does not mix with them. That's all. If he cannot defeat them,
he should avoid them, because that valuable time can be utilized for
preaching Krsna consciousness to a person who is inquisitive to hear....

 

4) Bg 18.68 T    Conclusion--The Perfection of Renunciation  
   For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional
service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Generally it is advised that Bhagavad-gita be discussed amongst the
devotees only, for those who are not devotees will neither understand
Krsna nor Bhagavad-gita. Those who do not accept Krsna as He is and
Bhagavad-gita as it is should not try to explain Bhagavad-gita
whimsically and become offenders. Bhagavad-gita should be explained to
persons who are ready to accept Krsna as the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. It is a subject matter for the devotees only and not for
philosophical speculators. Anyone, however, who tries sincerely to
present Bhagavad-gita as it is will advance in devotional activities
and reach the pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure
devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead.

 

 

 

Conclusions--

 

If we want to quickly become  pure devotees we should aspire to become sincere preachers

 

following in the footsteps of  Srila Prabhupada because this Hare Krsna Movement is meant for preaching  the path back to Godhead and everything else is meant to support that transcendental activity. That process is chanting Hare Krsna maha mantra, worship the Deity daily, learn the art of preaching and the philosophy, and then by Krsna's grace, we will be allowed to chant without offense. Bas...

Everyone's a criminal here-SP

 
760923SB.VRN                   Lectures                 
  So similarly, here in this material world, we are
simply engaged in sinful activities. Here the so-called pious and
impious, that is simply imagination. Really, if I am actually pious, I
should not get this material body. Just like to remain in the prison
house means criminal. You may be a first-class prisoner, it doesn't
matter, but you are a prisoner. You are a criminal. Sometimes the big,
big politicians, they are put into the jail and they're given all
comforts. But that does not mean he's not a criminal. He's a criminal.
Either he may be Gandhi or anyone, because he's put into the jail he's
a criminal. Similarly, anyone who is enwrapped with this material
body, he's a criminal. He's a criminal. Either he may be in the
heavenly planet or in this earthly planet or in the cats' and dogs'
life or insect or aquatics. There are varieties of life. Every one of
us, as long as we are put into this material body, it is to be
understood that we are all criminal.
   Therefore Krsna said,
 
                     
yesam tv anta-gatam papam
                        jananam punya-karmanam
                       te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
 
The krsna-bhajana [the process of purification] is not so easy thing. Yesam tv anta-gatam papam. One
who is completely free from the reaction of papa, [sin] he can take
to Krsna consciousness. But in the ordinary way, karma... According to
karma... Just like you are working to earn some money, businessman,
karma. So ordinary way you have to work very hard day and night to get
some money. Suppose if you want one lakh of rupees or one crore of
rupees, you have to work for it. But there is another way. Suppose one
rich man gives you, that "You haven't got to work. Take this one lakh
of rupees or one crore of rupees. You take it." That is another way.
Ordinary way to accumulate crores of rupees, it may not be possible in
your life. But if some friend or some rich man becomes kind upon you
and delivers you, "Take it," you can get it immediately, without any
hard labor. Similarly, Krsna, the supreme rich man, supreme rich
being, is offering you, sarva-dharman parityajya mam... "You haven't
got to do anything. Come on. You surrender unto Me, and I give you
immediately liberation." Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma
sucah. There is no anxiety......
 
 
So if you go on the ordinary way, from the karma platform to jnana
platform, from jnana platform to yoga platform, but ultimately you
have to come to the bhakti platform. If you do not come to the bhakti
platform, then there is no question of liberation. That is not
possible. You can get better [material] position by karma, jnana, yoga. Suppose a
yogi, he can achieve many wonderful things. Suppose we can fly in the
sky by airplane. Many hundreds of miles we can. But a yogi, within a
second he can reach even the sun planet. That yogic perfection is
there. Prapti-siddhi. It is called prapti-siddhi. A perfect yogi,
simply by catching the beam of sunlight, he can go to the sun planet.
He can go to the moon planet. Within a second. That is called
yoga-siddhi. But even if you go to the sun planet or moon planet by
yoga-siddhi or material science, what is the profit? There is no
profit. Krsna says, abrahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino 'rjuna:
"Even if you approach the topmost planet, Brahmaloka, you have to come
back again." Again come back, [the soul falls from higher planets to earth planet in form of rain] again become grass and again be eaten by cows, and again somebody drinks milk, and he gets the semina, again
gives you birth in the womb of woman. These subtle laws they do not
know, how things are happening in the subtle ways.

 

 

Immunity to past reactions(Karma)-can also come back

 

What follows are three  very clear examples given by Prabhupada to explain how by pure unmotivated devotional service acting under the orders of the pure devotee spiritual master, one achieves right now, the platform of liberation and immunity to past sinful reactions.

 

1) 71-11-12.Nit              Letter: Nityananda             285610/530501
   An example of summary punishment is this: If you are sentenced to
be hanged but instead you are given a simple pinprick, that is very
nice. Krishna minimizes the devotee's suffering to the lowest. So long
as one is engaged in devotional service, he is immune to the reactions
of his past sinful activities, but if he chooses to give up this
devotional service, then he has to undergo all these reactions.
   For all devotees chanting, attending arati ceremony, taking
prasadam and attending classes is compulsory. If it is possible,
everyone may go on sankirtana.

 

-------------------------