"From now on unless I order you do something change or in addition, go on with the usual standard way..."

surrender, inquiry and seva--otherwise we "dont know our whereabouts"--SP

Hare Krsna to all spiritual aspirants
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below, for those who like to know, are three very basic ideas Srila Prabhupada gives to us, if we are somewhat serious
about our (spiritual) life.
If not, then just delete this email-or let me know you dont want to receive these little beautiful bhakti bits of nectar...

Hare Krsna,
Damaghosa das
-------------------------------

1) 760705CC.WDC Lectures
So in order to know all these problems of life... Just like Arjuna
submitted, and any one has to submit. One has to... Tad-vijnanartham
sa gurum evabhigacchet. So Sanatana Gosvami is teaching us by his
personal behavior how to approach the bona fide spiritual master and
submit before him and putting himself pranipa, blank. Not that "I know
something, and what my spiritual master can teach? I know everything.
There is no need of spiritual master." No. This will spoil our life.
---------------

2) 680925LE.SEA Lectures
Prabhupada: This is another point. Even one thinks that he knows
everything, still, he, before the spiritual master, he should be blank
slate, that "I do not know anything." That is the qualification of the
disciple. He should approach the spiritual master as if he does not
know anything....

3) 680925LE.SEA Lectures
... And if you cannot please your spiritual master, then you must
know that you do not know your whereabouts. You do not know where you
are going. So Sanatana Gosvami was actually following the disciplic
principles. He wanted to please Lord Caitanya submissively. To please
the spiritual master means to approach him submissively, not in a
challenging mood. The Bhagavad-gita also explains in this way:

tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti jnanina
tad jnanam tattva-darsinah

Tad viddhi pranipatena. If you want to understand the spiritual
science, then you have to approach to a person where you can
completely surrender yourself. Because everyone is proud: "Oh, who can
teach me? Why shall I go to a spiritual master? I know everything."
That is the general mentality. Therefore Bhagavad-gita gives us
direction that you should go to a person where you can fully
surrender. So you have to find out a bona fide spiritual master where
you can surrender your pride. Then tad viddhi pranipatena. Praniptena
means surrender. Pariprasnena. If you find out such, if you are
fortunate enough to find out some person where you can surrender, then
you can put questions before him. That Sanatana Gosvami is putting,
that "What is my position? I think that I am very learned man, I am
born of very aristocratic family and so on, so on, but actually, I do
not know what I am. What is my position?" This is pariprasna, inquiry.
Surrender, inquiry, and sevaya. That answer should be received in
service mood.

Sri Gaura Purnima Mahotsava- Sedro Woolley, Wa. USA-2010

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Yesterday, sunday March 28th in Sedro Woolley Wa some of the local Vaisnavas came here to celebrate the Divine appearance day Mahotsava of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Although words cannot convey the mood of the devotees, nor the wonderful kirtans, nor the presents,nor the beautiful Deities, we shall try to say something.
Some days before I spent long hours making 13 new necklaces for all our Altar Deities. These were made from pearls, gold caps and ruby crystal--stunning to say the least. All were made custom for each Deity so each would fit exactly around Their transcendental bodies.
We also offered here , around 130 different preparations for the Deities pleasures which included 54 different types of burfy, gulab jamuns, sweet rice, chocolate covered sweets with various nuts and fruits inside, home grown Gauranga Potatoes,slathered in sour cream and fresh gound rosemary, Pushpan rice, three kinds of chutney, pakoras made from garden spuds and winter squash,various fresh and dried fuits, nuts of all kinds, our famous special fruit blend drink (made here from what grows here) ,etc, etc. and the various devotees also brought numerous preparations as well.
Besides the nice kirtans led by Makhancora prabhu, Kanhaiya and family performed a play about Dina Bandhu Krsna, Anubhavananda read one his intense poems to the accompaniment of some background music, we did a three Deity abhisek, then opened some presents for the Lords, all pulled our respective strings on the Chinese party poppers simultaneous to all chanting Sri Caitanya Ki Jaya!!! , Daria read the entire feast menu which took a long time, happily heard I might add by the fasting devotees, and last but not least, we all enjoyed very sumptuous Krsna prasadam to everyones FULL satisfaction !!
Lots of dancing, singing and feasting were done on this blissful day of celebrations for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, all of which makes Him very happy since that is the sum and substance of His movement which He imported to this earth planet from Goloka Vrndavana..
ALL GLORIES TO SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU---
ALL GLORIES TO ALL THE VAISNAVA DEVOTEES OF THE LORD

Hare Krsna,
your humble servants
Damaghosa/Daria

~ The Golden Avatar ~
By Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared during an eclipse on the full moon night of March in Mayapur India about 550 years ago. During eclipses in India it is the custom of the people to go to the Holy rivers and chant mantras to invoke auspiciousness.

Thus at the time of Lord Chaitanya’s birth most of the people of India were engaged in chanting the Holy Names of the Lord congregationally. This chanting of the Holy Names would prove to be the mission of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is confirmed by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in one of his great literary works, the Sri Chaitanya-Caritamrta, a 17 volume set of books about the glories of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

It is stated in the 13th chapter text 21 of the Chaitanya-caritamrta: “In jubilation everyone was chanting the Holy Name of the Lord–Hari-Hari–and Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then appeared, after first causing the appearance of the Holy Name. At His birth, in His childhood, in His early and later boyhood, as well as in His youth, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, under different pleas, induced the people to chant the Holy Names, especially the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hari Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare"

In different ages there are different methods for self-realization such as meditation, temple worship and various yoga practices to control the body and mind. This is the age of Kali-yuga which means that the people are short lived more than in other ages and prone to quarrels over insignificant matters.

Although this age of Kali is considered the worst of the four: Satya, Treta, Dwarpa and Kali; it has some greater benefits than the other ages. One is the all-auspicious appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Since He is the color of molten gold He is called the golden avatar, thus this is also called the golden age of Lord Chaitanya. It is said that this golden age will last 10,000 years from the time of the appearance of Lord Chaitanya. Srila Prabhupada said that his books will be the spiritual lawbooks for the next 10,000 years also. So we have a window of opportunity now to get the mercy of Sri Sri Guru and Gouranga. The fortunate souls will take advantage of this priceless mercy.

One of the benefits of this age is that even by thinking good thoughts such as worshipping the Lord in your mind you get the benefit as if you actually did the worship etc. This is calledmanasa-puja,mental worship.

Another benefit of this age is that self-realization is now easy simply by chanting the Holy Names. One can become self-realizedby chanting the Holy Names of the Lord, especially the most powerful Hare Krishna Mahamantra as taught and practiced by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself.

Lord Chaitanya is described in the western encyclopedia as a great saint who travelled all over India and transcended the caste system; uniting all people as servants of God, Krishna. But He was more than a great saint, He is Radha and Krsna combined, acting like a devotee to teach us.

Lord Chaitanya performing so many miracles. He cured the sick and converted sinful people such as Jagai and Madhai into great saints.

Due to the prayers of Sri Advaita Acarya, Lord Chaitanya appeared within the womb of mother Sacidevi. When her husband, Jagannatha Misra saw her thus impregnated he said, “I see wonderful things! Your body is effulgent and it appears as if the Goddess of Fortune were now staying personally in my home. Anywhere and everywhere I go, all people offer me respect. Even without my asking, they voluntarily give me riches clothing and food.” Mother Sacimata replied, “I also see wonderfully brilliant human beings appearing in outer space, as if offering prayers.”Jagannatha Misra then replied, “In a dream I saw the effulgent abode of the Lord enter my heart. From my heart it entered your heart. I can therefore understand that a great personality will soon take birth.” (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)

This missionary work of Lord Caitanya was taken up by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who, on the order of his spiritual master, came to New York in 1965 and started the Hare Krishna Movement in America. The Hare Krishna movement then spread around the world fulfilling Lord Chaitanya’s desire that the Holy Names spread to every town and village of the world.

Srila Prabhupada departed this world in 1977 but remains spiritually present in his teachings, through his books and recorded lectures etc. which will benefit aspiring souls for generations to come especially during this Golden Age of Lord Chaitanya.

Srila Prabhupada initiated thousands of disciples personally and set up an initiation system whereby he would continue to accept disciples after his departure from the material world, physically, by empowering his disciples to act as priests and perform the initiation ceremonies on his behalf. I was his personal servant at the time he made these arrangements on July 7th and July 9th 1977. I heard him say to continue initiating devotees on his behalf after he left the planet. It's on tape and in writing and I heard it.

All of the new devotees are his disciples and we all attend Gurupuja to honor Srila Prabhupada in all his Temples around the world. Srila Prabhupada said that he would live on in his books and we should take advantage. He said chanting Hare Krsna and following the rules and regulations were the 'real initiation.' (1968 letter to TKG) The formal sacrifice isn't as important as following the philosophy and chanting the Holy Names of the Lord. That's what delivers us back to Godhead. Each bird learns and flys by itself. We must earn the Grace of His Divine Grace and the Lord, by following.

Srila Prabhupada’s disciples today areto inspire and instruct the new devotees and initiate them on behalf of Srila Prabhupada who is our Guru, giving us the Divine knowledge in his books etc..We act as siksa Guru's and guide everyone to our Siksa Guru and Founder Acarya, the delivering Guru, Srila Prabhupada. The new devotees will be inspired by one or many of the senior devotees. They will respect even love and honor them, but the Guru puja is reserved for our founder Acarya Srila Prabhupada. All food should be offered to Krsna through Srila Prabhupada first as is the traditional way.

All glories to Sri Sri Guru And Gouranga!!! The Golden Saktavesa Avatar Srila Prabhupada and the Golden Avatar Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!!!

Today we celebrate the appearance of Lord Chaitanya all over the world by the mercy of Swami Srila Prabhupada. The biggest festival is held near the birthsite of Lord Chaitanya, at our Temple in Sridam Mayapura, India. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON, is now headquartered there. Devotees come from all over the world to join in the celebration. George Harrison also showed up before along with thousands of devotees from around the world.

When I first met His Divine Grace in San Francisco the day after the 1974 Rathayatra Festival he said to me and the RDTSP Devotees, "You are all very bright-faced and fortunate to come to Lord Chaitanya's Movement. Now that you are fortunate; make others fortunate. Preach this message of Lord Chaitanya's all over the world."

Srila Prabhupada often said that this mission of Lord Chaitanya’s could bring real peace to the world and indeed was the real 'United Nations.'

Printed in ‘THE NEW TIMES’ 1992 Seattle Washington.(some editing done by me today 2/22/10)

Hoping this meets you in best ofhealth and happiness in KC!

Editorial re: BEV

To Whom It May Concern:

The Sampradaya Sun on February 10, 2010 ran a story titled "Bhaktivedanta Eco Village's Tattva Darshana dasa, Convicted Sex Offender".

HKS (Hare Krishna Society) was cited as a a "Ritvik reform organization ". For the record, HKS has never been nor is a ritvik reform organization. The Mission statement and principles of HKS are found in the Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta book at www.krishnaconsciousnessmovement.com

Whether the original missionary institution of the Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is reformed or gets reformed in the future in not up to HKS, but it is up to Srila Prabhupada, the previous acaryas, Lord Caitanya and Lord Krishna.

As for the activites of Tattva darsana dasa, it is our understanding that the trustees of BEV (Bhaktivedanta Eco Village) have commenced a full-fledged investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims and allegations regarding the said Tattva darsana dasa.

While there seems to numerous accusatons, innuendoes and stories circulating on the internet regarding this individual, we feel it is prudent to wait until the responsible parties conduct their investigation and reach their conclusions.

In fariness to the individual, it should be mentioned that he has has rendered valuable service in the past to Srila Prabhupada's mission by pioneering bullock cart parikrama in villages in India, establishing BEV and assisting to faciltate the on-going school and gurukula at BEV for the last 13 years.

While HKS is not directlyy connected with BEV, we wish all devotees concerned the very best in their attempt to establish a vibrant varna-asrama community in the sacred valley of Kutakacala on the banks of the sacred Cakra nadi river.

Finally we should all remember the wise instructions of His Divine Grace in the Bhagavad-Gita
.
"Sometimes, however, it may be seen that a person in Krsna consciousness commits some act which may be taken as most abominable socially or politically. But such a temporary falldown does not disqualify him. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that if a person falls down, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, beautifies him and excuses him from that abomination. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogī fully engaged in the service of the Lord sometimes becomes ensnared; but Krsna consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown is at once rectified. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for some accidental falldown from the ideal path, for, as is explained in the next verse, such occasional falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Krsna consciousness.
Therefore a person who is situated in Krsna consciousness and is engaged with determination in the process of chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare should be considered to be in the transcendental position, even if by chance or accident he is found to have fallen. The words sādhur eva, "he is saintly," are very emphatic. They are a warning to the nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should not be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has fallen down accidentally. And the word mantavyah is still more emphatic. If one does not follow this rule, and derides a devotee for his accidental falldown, then he is disobeying the order of the Supreme Lord. The only qualification of a devotee is to be unflinchingly and exclusively engaged in devotional service. "

Bhagavad-Gita it is 9.30

Sincerely yours in Srila Prabhupada's service

Yasoda nandana dasa
President
Hare Krishna Society
-------------------------------

3 short points-pride, knowledge and how to surrender to God

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada who is forcing open our eyes with the
torchlight of knowledge.

Below are three short sections-
First-- a letter to Rayarama explaining that if one wants to
consider himself a "devotee", then he has to associate with other devotees. I find it sad
that in todays world, some "devotees" would rather associate with outright karmis and mudhas,
in their daily lives, than associate during kirtan with other devotees. Even given that these devotees may
have some faults, still that association is a million times better than one second with those who
are against the Supreme Lord and His instructions.
Second-In BG the Lord says that unless one is free from pride which is caused by delusions
of all sorts, then the surrendering process will not take place. Prabhupada also gives
this process of how to surrender in this purport.
Third-Anyone who takes to any path but surrender to the spiritual master, if simply wasting his
valuable time. And this process of how to surrender as Prabhupada mentions, begins with
associating with devotees of the Lord.

Hari bol
Damaghosa das
-------------------------------------------------------

71-10-22.Ray Letter: Rayarama
Srila Rupa Goswami has described that
devotional service can be advanced by six processes. Perhaps you know
them. They are as follows: enthusiasm, patience, conviction, following
the regulative principles, being honest in one's profession, and in
the association of devotees. So this Krishna consciousness society is
especially meant for giving people the opportunity to associate with
devotees. Devotees means who are following the regulative principles.
One cannot be independent and at the same time become a devotee
because all devotional activities are based on surrender. So in the
association of devotees we learn this important item--how to
surrender, but if we keep our independence and try to become devotees,
that is not possible.
You write to say that you cannot feel any taste for temple life or
Deity worship. This means you are keeping the same temperament you
entertained before leaving our society. Our process is to accept both
the lines of bhagavata marga and pancaratriki marga. Perhaps you might
have seen the picture of the Gaudiya mission. On one side there is the
bhagavata book and on the other side a picture of Laksmi Narayana for
Deity worship. You cannot make any progress in devotional service
unless simultaneously you follow both the lines. Just as the tracks of
a railroad line; both must be there. Similarly temple worship is
essential for purifying us from the material contamination and without
being purified we cannot glorify the Lord. As it is stated in
Bhagavad-gita that the Lord is completely pure and we cannot approach
Krishna without being purified. So as you say that you do not feel
very much encouraged in Deity worship and temple life, I see that your
disease is still continuing. Under the circumstances simple academic
career will not help you. If you want to live with us you must accept
temple life, namely cleanly shaven head, observing the regulative
principles, decorating the body with tilak, etc. You know all these
things.

Bg 15.5 -- One who is free from illusion, false prestige, and false
association, who understands the eternal, who is done with material
lust and is freed from the duality of happiness and distress, and who
knows how to surrender unto the Supreme Person, attains to that
eternal kingdom.

PURPORT

The surrendering process is described here very nicely. The first
qualification is that one should not be deluded by pride. Because the
conditioned soul is puffed up, thinking himself the lord of material
nature, it is very difficult for him to surrender unto the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. One should know by the cultivation of real
knowledge that he is not lord of material nature; the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is the Lord. When one is free from delusion
caused by pride, he can begin the process of surrender. For one who is
always expecting some honor in this material world, it is not possible
to surrender to the Supreme Person. Pride is due to illusion, for
although one comes here, stays for a brief time and then goes away, he
has the foolish notion that he is the lord of the world. He thus makes
all things complicated, and he is always in trouble. The whole world
moves under this impression. People are considering that the land,
this earth, belongs to human society, and they have divided the land
under the false impression that they are the proprietors. One has to
get out of this false notion that human society is the proprietor of
this world. When one is freed from such a false notion, he becomes
free from all the false associations caused by familial, social and
national affections. These faulty associations bind one to this
material world. After this stage, one has to develop spiritual
knowledge. One has to cultivate knowledge of what is actually his own
and what is actually not his own. And, when one has an understanding
of things as they are, he becomes free from all dual conceptions such
as happiness and distress, pleasure and pain. He becomes full in
knowledge; then it is possible for him to surrender to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.

Adi 17.257--When all the students thus resolved, criticizing Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, their intelligence was spoiled. Thus although they were
learned scholars, because of this offense the essence of knowledge was
not manifest in them.

PURPORT

In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam
asritah: when one becomes inimical to the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, adopting an atheistic attitude (asuram bhavam), even if one
is a learned scholar the essence of knowledge does not become manifest
in him; in other words, the essence of his knowledge is stolen by the
illusory energy of the Lord. In this connection Sri Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura quotes a mantra from the Svetasvatara Upanisad
(6.23):

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah
The purport of this verse is that one who is unflinchingly devoted
to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, and similarly devoted to
the spiritual master, with no ulterior motive, becomes a master of all
knowledge. In the heart of such a devotee, the real essence of the
Vedic knowledge becomes manifest. This essence is nothing but
surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead (vedais ca sarvair
aham eva vedyah). Only unto one who fully surrenders to the spiritual
master and the Supreme Lord does the essence of Vedic knowledge become
manifest, not to anyone else. ... Sridhara Svami
confirms in his commentary that first one must surrender to the
spiritual master; then the process of devotional service will develop.
It is not a fact that only one who diligently pursues an academic
career can become a devotee. Even with no academic career, if one has
full faith in the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, he develops in spiritual life and real knowledge of the
Vedas. The example of Maharaja Khatvanga confirms this. One who
surrenders is understood to have learned the subject matter of the
Vedas very nicely. One who adopts this Vedic process of surrender
learns devotional service and is certainly successful. One who is very
much proud, however, is unable to surrender either to the spiritual
master or to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus he cannot
understand the essence of any Vedic literature. Srimad-Bhagavatam
(Bhag. 11.11.18) declares:

sabda-brahmani nisnato
na nisnayat pare yadi
sramas tasya srama-phalo
hy adhenum iva raksatah

"If one is learned in Vedic literature but is not a devotee of Lord
Visnu, his work is a useless waste of labor, just like the keeping of
a cow that does not give milk."
Anyone who does not follow the surrendering process but is simply
interested in an academic career cannot make any advancement. His
profit is only his labor for nothing. If one is expert in the study of
the Vedas but does not surrender to a spiritual master or Visnu, all
his cultivation of knowledge is but a waste of time and labor.

The vedas are meant for DIRECT understanding, not imaginations

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

what follows is a short summary of how we are to understand Srila Prabhupadas books and instructions.
It is to be done directly,in the mode of goodness and not indirectly through mental concoctions of our own fertile imaginations. He gives the proof, and any sincere disciple should be eager to follow in this way.
And the last verse and purport give the results of such eager following.

Hari bol
Damaghosa dasa
-------------------------------------

Madhya 6.133-135 Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "The Vedanta-sutra is the summary of
all the Upanisads; therefore whatever direct meaning is there in the
Upanisads is also recorded in the Vedanta-sutra, or Vyasa-sutra.
"For each sutra the direct meaning must be accepted without
interpretation. However, you simply abandon the direct meaning and
proceed with your imaginative interpretation.
"Although there is other evidence, the evidence given in the Vedic
version must be taken as foremost. Vedic versions understood directly
are first-class evidence."

PURPORT

In his book Sarva-samvadini, Srila Jiva Gosvami has noted that although there are
ten kinds of evidence--direct perception, the Vedic version,
historical reference, hypothesis, and so on--and although they are all
generally accepted as evidence, the person presenting a hypothesis,
reading the Vedic version, perceiving or interpreting by his
experience is certain to be imperfect in four ways. That is, he is
subject to commiting mistakes, to becoming illusioned, to cheating and
to having imperfect senses. Although the evidence may be correct, the
person himself is in danger of being misled due to his material
defects. Apart from the direct presentation, there is a chance that an
interpretation may not be perfect. Therefore the conclusion is that
only a direct presentation can be considered evidence. An
interpretation cannot be accepted as evidence, but may be considered
proof of evidence... Therefore Srila Jiva Gosvami has warned
us not to depend on any kind of interpretation. It is better to take
the verses as they are, without interpretation.
Madhya 6.137 "The Vedic statements are self-evident. Whatever is stated there
must be accepted. If we interpret according to our own imagination,
the authority of the Vedas is immediately lost."

PURPORT

Out of four main types of evidence--direct perception, hypothesis,
historical reference and the Vedas--Vedic evidence is accepted as the
foremost. If we want to interpret the Vedic version, we must imagine
an interpretation according to what we want to do. First of all, we
set forth such an interpretation as a suggestion or hypothesis. As
such, it is not actually true, and the self-evident proof is lost.
...The Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda, Mahabharata,
Pancaratra and original Ramayana are all considered Vedic literature.
The Puranas (such as the Brahma-vaivarta Purana, Naradiya Purana,
Visnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana) are especially meant for Vaisnavas
and are also Vedic literature. As such, whatever is stated within the
Puranas, Mahabharata and Ramayana is self-evident. There is no need
for interpretation. The Bhagavad-gita is also within the Mahabharata;
therefore all the statements of the Bhagavad-gita are self-evident.
There is no need for interpretation, and if we do interpret, the
entire authority of the Vedic literature is lost.

750601SB.HON Lectures
... We have got four defects--means we commit
mistake, we become illusioned or bewildered, our senses are imperfect,
and, because everything is imperfect, still we want to become teacher,
that is cheating. I am imperfect. How can I teach? That is going on. A
imperfect person is teaching about transcendental knowledge. Therefore
people are being cheated. Our process is to take lesson from the
perfect person and distribute it, just we are doing. Krsna
consciousness movement means we are preaching what Krsna has said,
that's all. Not that we have manufactured something new. No. That is
not our business. How I can manufacture? I am imperfect. How can I
manufacture? But the spiritual master who follows the perfect teacher,
he is perfect. He is perfect because whatever he is speaking, that is
the statement of the perfect person.

SB 4.18.5 P- 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. Lord Caitanya therefore says:
"By My order you may become a spiritual master." One can immediately
become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental
words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His
instructions. 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.

SB 3.24.12 P A conditioned soul in the material world has the disqualification of cheating. He has four
disqualifications: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is sure to be
illusioned, he is ... others, and his senses are imperfect. But if one
carries out the order of the spiritual master by disciplic succession,
or the parampara system, he overcomes the four defects. Therefore,
knowledge received from the bona fide spiritual master is not
cheating. Any other knowledge which is manufactured by the conditioned
soul is cheating ....

740615rc.par Conversations
Yogesvara: "Is there some, any qualities, in the sense that some
people have more receptivity towards the divine than other people?"
Prabhupada: Yes. That I explained, sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna.
Those who are in sattva-guna, they can understand easily. Those who
are in rajo-guna, they have got difficulty. And those who are in
tamo-guna, they cannot.

SB 1.3.44 P--...That is the real process of receiving Bhagavatam. One should
hear with rapt attention from the real person, and then he can at once
realize the presence of Lord Krsna in every page. The secret of
knowing Bhagavatam is mentioned here. No one can give rapt attention
who is not pure in mind. No one can be pure in mind who is not pure in
action. No one can be pure in action who is not pure in eating,
sleeping, fearing and mating. But somehow or other if someone hears
with rapt attention from the right person, at the very beginning one
can assuredly see Lord Sri Krsna in person in the pages of Bhagavatam.

Adi 9.53- Persons who had formerly criticized Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
calling Him a drunkard, also ate the fruit and began to dance, saying,
"Very good! Very good!"

PURPORT

When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu started the sankirtana movement, even
He was unnecessarily criticized by Mayavadis, atheists and fools.
Naturally we are also criticized by such men. They will always remain
and will always criticize anything that is actually good for human
society. But the preachers of the sankirtana movement should not be
deterred by such criticism. Our method should be to convert such fools
gradually by asking them to come and take prasada and chant and dance
with us. This should be our policy. Anyone who comes to join us, of
course, must be sincere and serious regarding spiritual advancement in
life; then such a person, simply by joining us, chanting with us,
dancing with us and taking prasada with us, will gradually also come
to say that this movement is very good. But one who joins with an
ulterior purpose, to get material benefit or personal gratification,
will never be able to grasp the philosophy of this movement.

Adi 9.51 yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me

"O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to
be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from My eyes like
torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your
absence." This is the perfectional stage of chanting the Hare Krsna
mantra and eating the fruit of love of Godhead, as exhibited by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. One should not artificially imitate this stage,
but if one is serious and sincerely follows the regulative principles
and chants the Hare Krsna mantra, the time will come when these
symptoms will appear. Tears will fill his eyes, he will be unable to
chant distinctly the maha-mantra, and his heart will throb in ecstasy.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that one should not imitate this, but a
devotee should long for the day to come when such symptoms of trance
will automatically appear in his body.

Srila Prabhupada explains who can understand?

Yogesvara: "Is there some, any qualities, in the sense that some people have more receptivity towards the divine than other people?"
Prabhupada: Yes. That I explained, sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna. Those who are in sattva-guna, they can understand easily. Those who are in rajo-guna, they have got difficulty. And those who are in tamo-guna, they cannot. 740615rc.par Conversations

Srila Prabhupada explains how to hear properly?

One has to learn Bhāgavatam from the representative of Śukadeva Gosvāmī, and no one else, if one at all wants to see Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa in the pages. That is the process, and there is no alternative. Sūta Gosvāmī is a bona fide representative of Śukadeva Gosvāmī because he wants to present the message which he received from the great learned brāhmaṇa. Śukadeva Gosvāmī presented Bhāgavatam as he heard it from his great father, and so also Sūta Gosvāmī is presenting Bhāgavatam as he had heard it from Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Simple hearing is not all; one must realize the text with proper attention. The word niviṣṭa means that Sūta Gosvāmī drank the juice of Bhāgavatam through his ears. That is the real process of receiving Bhāgavatam. One should hear with rapt attention from the real person, and then he can at once realize the presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa in every page. The secret of knowing Bhāgavatam is mentioned here. No one can give rapt attention who is not pure in mind. No one can be pure in mind who is not pure in action. No one can be pure in action who is not pure in eating, sleeping, fearing and mating. But somehow or other if someone hears with rapt attention from the right person, at the very beginning one can assuredly see Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa in person in the pages of Bhāgavatam. Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:"Creation" : SB 1.3: Krsna Is the Source of All Incarnations : SB 1.3.44 : PURPORT

"... That is brahma-bhūtaḥ state. So this can be awakened by hearing. Therefore the Vedic mantra is called śruti. One has to receive this awakening through the ear. Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ [SB 7.5.23]. Always one has to hear and chant about Viṣṇu. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Then ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12], everything will be cleansed, and he'll come to understand that "I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa."
Srila Prabhupāda: When you become Vaiṣṇava, the brahminism is already included. General process is, unless one does not come to the sattva-guṇa platform, he cannot understand what is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the general rule. But this Kṛṣṇa, devotional service, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, is so nice that simply by hearing about Kṛṣṇa, you come to immediately to the brahminical platform. Naṣṭa-prāyeṣu abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā [SB 1.2.18]...." Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 2: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 2.20 -- Hyderabad, November 25, 1972

"... Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī says that unless we accept this principle that Kṛṣṇa or God has got inconceivable power, acintya-śakti, we cannot understand. If we put Kṛṣṇa within the jurisdiction of my limited understanding, that is not understanding of Kṛṣṇa..." Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 2: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 2.23-24 -- London, August 27, 1973

So less intelligent class of men, they cannot understand Kṛṣṇa. Therefore śāstra says, ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. These indriya, these material senses, cannot speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is not possible Lectures : Bhagavad-gita Lectures :

So our process is to receive the perfect knowledge from the perfect source and distribute it. We don't manufacture knowledge. Therefore we are presenting Bhagavad-gītā as it is, as it is. The Bhagavad-gītā is already perfect. Why shall I interpret with my imperfect senses? This is cheating. But people want to be cheated. Vaṣcita-vaṣcaka-sampradāya. The whole world is full of cheaters and cheated. Because we want to be cheated, there are so many cheaters. They don't want real thing. Here is the real thing, Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead speaking personally about Himself. Why should we interpret? Does it mean that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme authority, left something unexplained to be interpreted later on by some rascals? No. But the rascals dare; they interpret. That is cheating. That is another faultBg 1: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 1.13-14 -- London, July 14, 1973

So ordinary man cannot understand. Therefore they interpret foolishly, speculate, and demonstrate their rascaldom. That's all. Even big, big scholars. So they cannot understand because they are not devotee. It is meant for the devotee Lectures : Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 1: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973

There is no difficulty. Simply one must be sincere, not sinful. But a sinful man cannot understand Him. Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 1: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973

Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ [Bg. 18.55]. Only by devotion, simply. He could have said, "By high, topmost knowledge" or "By yogic process" or "By acting, becoming a very great karmī, worker, one can understand Me." No, he has never said, never said. So the karmīs, jṣānīs, yogis, they are all rascals. They cannot understand Kṛṣṇa. All rascals. Karmīs are third-class rascals, the jṣānīs are second-class rascal, and the yogis are first-class rascal. That's all. Lectures : Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 1: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 1.20 -- London, July 17, 1973

It is not so easy thing that "I do everything, whatever I like." Some rascals preach that "Oh, religion has nothing to do with your eating. You can eat anything you like, and still you become a religious man." This is all nonsense. Nobody can become religious man if he is attracted by sinful activities. It is not possible. You must stop sinful activities. That is first condition. Otherwise you cannot understand what there... People... Perhaps, in this Kṛṣṇa conscious, except this Kṛṣṇa conscious movement, all rascals, they do not know what is God. Lectures : Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 1: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 1.21-22 -- London, July 18, 1973

This knowledge has to be received by paramparā system. Evam paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ [Bg. 4.2]. So simply by academic career, by knowledge of ABCD, you cannot understand Bhagavad-gītā. In the Bhagavad-gītā it is said, bhakto 'si priyo 'si me [Bg. 4.3], without becoming bhakta... Therefore Sanātana Gosvāmī has forbidden that "Don't hear anything about Kṛṣṇa from a person who is not a Vaiṣṇava." Avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇa-pūta-hari-kathāmṛtaṁ śravanaṁ na karta... This is prohibited. You cannot hear. But this audience or the students, they also do not know that "Here is a rascal, he is not a devotee, he is not a Vaiṣṇava. Why shall we hear from him Bhagavad-gītā?" The first condition is bhakto 'si. And the prohibition is also by ācāryas. Avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇa-pūta-hari-kathāmṛtaṁ śravanaṁ na kartavyam. Pūta-hari-kathāmṛtam. Hari-kathā, talks of Kṛṣṇa, they are by themselves pure. But still, it is prohibited that if it is spoken by an avaiṣṇava, nondevotee, one should not hear, should not hear. Must immediately reject. First of all, we have to see who is going to speak about Kṛṣṇa. Is it a devotee of Kṛṣṇa? Is he a Vaiṣṇava or not? If he is not, then immediately reject: "Oh, we are not going to hear from you." But people do not know. Any rascal speaking about Bhagavad-gītā we hear. That is not the process. Then you will misunderstand. Avaiṣṇava-mukhod..., sarpocchiṣṭaṁ payo yathā. Just like milk is very good food, everyone knows. But when it is touched by the tongue of the serpent, it is poison immediately. So we cannot drink poison. Don't hear Bhagavad-gītā or any talk about Kṛṣṇa from a person who is not a Vaiṣṇava, who is not a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. We'll misunderstand. Just like they will say, they will say, "Oh, Kṛṣṇa is engaging Arjuna for fighting, for committing so many sinful activities." No, that is not the fact. Kṛṣṇa is engaging Arjuna fighting, to fighting, just to serve His purpose. Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtam [Bg. 4.8]. Lectures : Bhagavad-gita Lectures : Bg 1: Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 1.44 -- London, July 31, 1973

Evolution of Cartoon Science

by Narasimha dasa

National Geographic Society rencently devoted another entire issue to
Charles Darwin and his speculations regarding the origin of species.
Their agenda was to show how Darwin’s ideas are now widely accepted by
scientists and researchers while most religious leaders reject Darwin
due to their blind faith in scriptures. They quoted Srila Prabhupada
briefly, and out of context, saying, “Darwin’s ideas are nonesense.”
The entire issue was aimed at illustrating how modern science is
confirming the fundamentals of Darwin’s ideas regarding the evolution
of species; yet instead of providing substantial evidence, they simply
glorified Darwin and offered imaginative narratives on how species
might have transformed themselves through mysterious mutations.
Evolutionists claim that most leading scientists now support Darwin’s
hypothesis that all life has evolved from simple compounds and that
every species has improved itself automatically through chance
mutations and the process of natural selection. National Geographic
Society, Discovery Channel, Science Channel and most of the academic
community, apparently, have suspended scientific thinking when it
comes to the topic of evolution and the origin of species.

Before I began studying the Darwinist teachings, I expected to
encounter at least 2-star scifi script ramped up a few notches,
perhaps, with elaborately devised academia speak. Instead of
compelling mock science, however, I’ve found only Disney-style cartoon
tales of amoebas learning to be fish, fish sprouting wings, learning
to fly and breathe air, monkeys learning to make tools, build condos,
wear pants, grow corn, and so on. All this is possible, the
evolutionists say, by the power of innumerable, successive, genetic
mutations. They believe these mutations have continuously improved
millions of species over millions of years due to the principle of
survival of the fittest, or natural selection.

Srila Prabhupada Quote of the Day

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

February 2, 1970

Los Angeles

My Dear Lalita Kumar,

My open advice is that if any one can remain a Brahmacari, it is very nice, but there is no need of artificial Brahmacaris. In Bhagavad-gita it is stated that one who exhibits outwardly as self restrained, but inwardly he thinks of sense gratification he is condemned as mithyacara which means false pretender.

We do not want any false pretenders in numbers, but we want a single sincere soul. There is no harm in accepting a wife and living without any disturbance of the mind and thus sincerely advancing in Krishna Consciousness.

More Quotes

SRI GAURA PURNIMA—2010-NECTAR

Krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah

680803SB.MON-Lord Caitanya appeared--very fair complexion,
very nice, golden color. You have got pictures of Lord Caitanya, very
beautiful. He was very beautiful figure. Krsna-varnam tvisa... Tvisa
means "by His complexion." Therefore His another name is
Gaurasundara. Gaurasundara means "very fair complexion." Sundara means
beautiful, and gaura means fair. The another name is Gaurasundara, or
Gauranga, "whose body is very fair."
So krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam: "He is always
accompanied by some associates," especially Lord Nityananda, Lord
Advaita, Srivasa, Haridasa, like that. You have seen the pictures. He
is chanting and dancing with the associates and others. When Lord
Caitanya was present, wherever He would go "Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna
Krsna..." And He was so beautiful and attractive that people would

follow. Thousands and thousands will..., people will follow, chanting
Hare Krsna.... And when He started this movement in Bengal He was a boy of twenty years old. So so many people were following. So Nawab Hussein Shah inquired from his minister,
"Who is this person, that He is chanting Hare Krsna and so many people
are following Him?" So the minister was Hindu. He thought that "He is
Muhammadan king, so he may not like this movement." Therefore he
wanted to hide it: "My Lord, you have misinformed. He is not very
important. Some, I mean to say, people are crazy fellows. They are
following. Not... A few only, not many." The Nawab replied, "No, I
know it certainly, but you don't try to hide the facts. He must be a
great personality. Otherwise so many people are following Him?" That
was his remark. Similarly, Lord Caitanya, wherever He went, that was...
Sangopangastra-parsadam: "always followed by many associates." These
are the symptoms. And how to worship that Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Krsna, in this age? Yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi
su-medhasah: "This form of the Personality of Godhead is worshiped by
the intelligent class of men." Su-medhasah. Su means very good, and
medhasah means brain, brain substance. One who has got very good brain

substance, they will understand this sankirtana movement nicely

More sastric proof from Srila Prabhupada why we are not to take disciples

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

What follows is 4 verses and purports which prove without a doubt, at least to me and many others, that Srila
Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not want his followers to accept disciples. Please read carefully
and see what you think. If you disagree, kindly show me how.
thanks
Damaghosa das

Adi 17.126-.. Although the members of the so-called
Hindu society had followed the social customs and formulas, they had
practically forgotten to execute their religious principles strictly.
But with the presence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu they actually began
following the regulative principles according to His order. That order
is still existing, and anywhere and everywhere, in all parts of the
world, one can execute it. That order is to become a spiritual master
under the direction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by following the
regulative principles, chanting daily at least sixteen rounds of the
Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and preaching the cult of Krsna consciousness
all over the world. If we adhere to the order of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, we shall get spiritual strength without a doubt, and we
shall be free to preach this cult of the Hare Krsna movement and not
be hampered by anyone.
-------------
So by reading this quote many will take it to mean we all should become initiating spiritual masters and--- take on disciples. However, this is not what Srila Prabhupada nor Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says here. What he is saying is one should become a spiritual master HOW?- BY following the regulative principles, chanting, 16 rounds,
and preaching. Doing this basic sadhana bhakti qualifies one to become an instructing spiritual master.
So what exactly does Srila Prabhupada mean here by "guru" or "spiritual master" and "initiates"??
First lets look at the very order given by Mahaprabhu in CC and see what is directly said, and then we will look at his definitions
of "guru" and "initiates"
---------------
Madhya 7.128--"Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they
are given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way
become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land."

PURPORT

This is the sublime mission of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness. Many people come and inquire whether they have
to give up family life to join the Society, but that is not our
mission. One can remain comfortably in his residence. We simply
request everyone to chant the maha-mantra: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. If
one is a little literate and can read the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and
Srimad-Bhagavatam, that is so much the better. These works are now
available in an English translation and are done very authoritatively
to appeal to all classes of men. Instead of living engrossed in
material activities, people throughout the world should take advantage
of this movement and chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra at home with
their families. One should also refrain from sinful
activities--illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Out
of these four items, illicit sex is very sinful. Every person must get
married. Every woman especially must get married. If the women
outnumber the men, some men can accept more than one wife. In that way
there will be no prostitution in society. If men can marry more than
one wife, illicit sex life will be stopped. One can also produce many
nice preparations to offer Krsna--grain, fruit, flowers and milk. Why
should one indulge in unnecessary meat-eating and maintain horrible
slaughterhouses? What is the use of smoking and drinking tea and
coffee? People are already intoxicated by material enjoyment, and if
they indulge in further intoxication, what chance is there for
self-realization? Similarly, one should not partake in gambling and
unnecessarily agitate the mind. The real purpose of human life is to
attain the spiritual platform and return to Godhead. That is the
summum bonum of spiritual realization. The Krsna consciousness
movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life
by pursuing the method described by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His
advice to the brahmana Kurma. That is, one should stay at home, chant
the Hare Krsna mantra and preach the instructions of Krsna as they are
given in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam.

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

In the above very important verse and purport, first of all there is absolutely no mention of taking on disciples, in the process of becomming a guru or spiritual master. Secondly this purport only tells us to stay at home, become purified by following the regulative principles and preach the instructions of Lord Krsna--thats it---a basic description of a "regular devotee" who has become a dedicated follower of Srila Prabhupada.
-------------------------

Madhya 7.129--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu further advised the brahmana Kurma, "If you
follow this instruction, your materialistic life at home will not
obstruct your spiritual advancement. Indeed, if you follow these
regulative principles, we will again meet here, or, rather, you will
never lose My company."
PURPORT

This is an opportunity for everyone. If one simply follows the
instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, under the guidance of His
representative, and chants the Hare Krsna mantra, teaching everyone as
far as possible the same principle, the contamination of the
materialistic way of life will not even touch him. It does not matter
whether one lives in a holy place like Vrndavana, Navadvipa or
Jagannatha Puri or in the midst of European cities, where the
materialistic way of life is very prominent. If a devotee follows the
instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he lives in the company of
the Lord. Wherever he lives, he converts that place into Vrndavana and
Navadvipa. This means that materialism cannot touch him. This is the
secret of success for one advancing in Krsna consciousness.

Madhya 7.130--At whosoever's house Sri Caitanya accepted His alms by taking
prasada, He would convert the dwellers to His sankirtana movement and
advise them just as He advised the brahmana named Kurma.

PURPORT

The cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is explained here very nicely.
One who surrenders to Him and is ready to follow Him with heart and
soul does not need to change his location. Nor is it necessary for one
to change status. One may remain a householder, a medical
practitioner, an engineer or whatever. It doesn't matter. One only has
to follow the instruction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chant the Hare
Krsna maha-mantra and instruct relatives and friends in the teachings
of the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. One has to learn humility
and meekness at home, following the instructions of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, and in that way one's life will be spiritually successful.
One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking,
"I am a first-class devotee." Such thinking should be avoided. It is
best not to accept any disciples. One has to become purified at home
by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and preaching the principles
enunciated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thus one can become a spiritual
master and be freed from the contamination of material life.
There are many sahajiyas who decry the activities of the six
Gosvamis--Srila Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha dasa, Bhatta Raghunatha,
Jiva and Gopala Bhatta Gosvamis--who are the personal associates of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who enlightened society by writing books
on devotional service. Similarly, Narottama dasa Thakura and other
great acaryas like Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya and others accepted many
thousands of disciples to induce them to render devotional service.
However, there is a class of sahajiyas who think that these activities
are opposed to the principles of devotional service. Indeed, they
consider such activities simply another phase of materialism. Thus
opposing the principles of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they commit
offenses at His lotus feet. They should better consider His
instructions and, instead of seeking to be considered humble and meek,
should refrain from criticizing the followers of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu who engage in preaching. To protect His preachers, Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given much clear advice in these verses of Sri
Caitanya-caritamrta.
----------------------------------
So now we have read in these three continuous verses that Sri Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada wants His followers to remain at home, become purified , preach Krsna to everyone we meet, best not to accept any disciples, and in this way by simply giving instructions to all, become spiritual masters. No mention whatsoever of accepting disciples. In fact he recommends its BEST to NOT accept disciples.
OK now lets read what Srila Prabhupada says about who and what is a spiritual master or guru.

1)" I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want. (letter August 4, 1975)

2) "If everyone just initiates, then there will only be a contradictory result. As long as it goes on, there will be only failure." (Phalgun Krishna Pancami-SP poem honoring his guru 1961)

3) 68-04-26. Letter: Janardana
On the whole, you may know that he is not a liberated person, and therefore, he cannot
initiate any person to Krishna Consciousness. It requires special spiritual benediction
from higher authorities.

4) a.-- 760607mw.la Conversations
Hari-sauri: I always understood before that the rasa was fixed, but
that within that rasa one may take different..., one may take a
different line.
Prabhupada: That will be revealed when you are liberated. Why you are
bothering now?...
b.--680326BG.SF Lectures
you understand God perfectly well... And there is intricate
relationship also. That relationship will be revealed when you are
perfectly liberated. Each and every living creature has got a
particular relationship with God. We have forgotten that. So when that
relationship will be revealed in the process of devotional activities,
Krsna consciousness, you should know that is the perfection of your
life.

4) Bg 2.8 P-- scholarship,high position, etc., are all useless in solving the
problems of life; help can only be given by a spiritual master like
Krsna. Therefore, the conclusion is that a spiritual master who is one
hundred percent Krsna conscious is the bona fide spiritual master, for
he can solve the problems of life.

CONCLUSIONS FROM THE ABOVE--

Srila Prabhupada tells us in these 4 verses

1)Adi 17.126--that one should become a spiritual master--HOW? By following the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds a day and preaching Krsna Consciousness to all we meet. Sounds like a sisksa guru or ritvik acarya to me-or one who does NOT take disciples per the orders of Srila Prahbupada.
2)Madhya 7.128-- Here is the actual order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu- tell everyone about Krsna by giving him the instructions of Krsna and in this way by instructions, become a spiritual master.
3) Madhya 7.129--Again here the instruction is to live if one wants at home, become purified,preach to others,and by following the sadhana bhakti process as already given by Srila Prabhupada, the contamination of kali yuga will not touch one--this is the secret of of success in spiritual life !! Ok here is the open secret that unmotivated followers of Sri Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada enjoy !!
4) Madhya 7.130--One should not think artificially himself to be an advanced devotee, but should remain at home, learn all the devotional principles, teach them to others, best not to accept disciples, and in THIS WAY one can become a spiritual master. No mention in any of these three very important verses of accepting disciples-rather the opposite is stressed to NOT accept disciples. Why not? Because that activity is for the liberated souls, namely Srila Prabhupada.

Therefore, unless one is a liberated soul, he cannot initiate anyone. How can one tell? Do we know our eternal relationship or rasa (siddha deha) with God? No? Then that alone simply means we are not liberated hence cannot liberate anyone else nor initiate them. This is my humble conclusion and if anyone disagrees please feel free to write me back and straighten me out.
Thanks !!

Hare Krsna
your humble servant
Damaghosa das

P R A S A D A M

complied by Mahesh Raja

SPL 70-08-05 SUBHADRA

Yes, you are certainly right when you say Radharani cooks prasadam for Lord Krsna. Whenever He returns in the evening from herding cows with His cowherd boy friends, Radharani has a nice preparation waiting for Lord Krsna.

BG 2.63

Whereas an impersonalist tries to avoid good eatables, a devotee knows that Krsna is the supreme enjoyer and that He eats all that is offered to Him in devotion. So, after offering good eatables to the Lord, the devotee takes the remnants, called prasadam. Thus everything becomes spiritualized, and there is no danger of a downfall. The devotee takes prasadam in Krsna consciousness, whereas the nondevotee rejects it as material. The impersonalist, therefore, cannot enjoy life, due to his artificial renunciation; and for this reason, a slight agitation of the mind pulls him down again into the pool of material existence. It is said that such a soul, even though rising up to the point of liberation, falls down again due to his not having support in devotional service.

BG2.64

prasadam—the mercy of the Lord;

BG 6.17

Thakura Haridasa would not even accept prasadam nor even sleep for a moment without finishing his daily routine of chanting with his beads three hundred thousand names.

ENVY

Two presentations about Srila Prabbhupada talking about:

Prabhupada, The truth about my God-Brothers:

Prabhupada, The truth about Tirtha & Sridhara Maharajs:

Fanaticisim vs practicality to spread Krsna Consciousness

770415rc.bom 480882/530501
Prabhupada: And if you kill, then wholesale will be killed. No... There will be no candidate for learning. You have to kill everyone.That will be at the end, Kalki-avatara, simply killing, bas, finish. They'll have no capacity to understand. Nowadays there are... They cannot understand this philosophy. But there are some, they are trying to understand. But at the end of Kali-yuga there will be no brain to understand or to hear all these things. Mleccha. That is mleccha. Mleccha means they are so unclean, unstandardized, they have no brain. That is Europe, America. That's ... Mleccha. Kill animals. Eat. Mleccha, they are, according to Vedic, untouchable. If you touch, then you infect. Tamala Krsna: Of course, Srila Prabhupada, but you did not become infected by our association. Prabhupada: But the danger is there. Danger is there. Tamala Krsna: Therefore traditionally the sadhus will not go outside India. They won't cross the ocean. Prabhupada: And I took the risk. I told you the story, that I was keeping my foodstuff in the same Frigidaire that dog's flesh is here. What can I do? Circumstance. Therefore this rascal, Ginsberg, he used to say, "Swamiji, you are very conservative." And "You do not know what is conservative. I'm so lenient. You do not know what is the meaning of conservative," I used to reply him. If I was conservative, then for a single moment I could not stay here. Immediately I would have gone. Tamala Krsna: But with yourself you were very conservative. With others you were very lenient, but in your own personal... Prabhupada: No, no, strictly I am not doing because I am keeping my foodstuff in the same Frigidaire where there is leftover and meat and dog's food is kept. (end)

Do some tangible service-otherwise no Krsna for you....

Hare Krsna to all Obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada Below is a very instructive letter to a disciple about just wandering around this world, doing basically nothing for his spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada tells him, unless one fixes his mind upon some tangible service, that disciple will NOT obtain Krsna. Hari bol Damaghosa dasa ------------------- 68-07-25. 265405/530501 Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated July 8, 1968, and regarding your previous letter or any other letters, it is my habit to reply each and every letter. ... ... And I think if you want to do some real service to Krishna, and to the society, you should now fix up your mind to follow my instructions and do some tangible work. Unless you fix up your mind to serve your Spiritual Master, Who is direct representative of Krishna, it is not possible to approach Krishna. Krishna is approached through the transparent via media, of Spiritual Master. Anyway, the letter which you sent me 3 weeks prior was duly received by me and I have duly replied them point to point, and if you have not received that letter, I am enclosing a true copy of the reply which will clear all the points raised by you. Regarding the Murtis, the letter will explain. ...Acyutananda has formally opened a branch in Delhi, c.o Radha Press, but I do not think it is acting very nicely. Because you are not combined. If you combine together there, following my instructions, you can develop a branch in India anywhere very nicely. How to do it, that I shall give you instructions. You have simply to carry out my instructions in that respect. But at the present moment you are not prepared to follow my instructions. You are simply visiting different places, for sight seeing recreation. This sort of service is not accepted by Krishna. You are thinking of coming back to USA because your sight seeing business is now finished. But now you should think what service you have rendered to Krishna by going to India. Sometimes back, when you were in Navadvipa, I asked you to send some mrdangas, but you declined to execute the order. I asked you also to develop one asrama at Mayapur, that also you declined. Similarly, Acyutananda was bent on opening a center at Kanpur, and the result is that instead of opening a center, there, he has lost two typewriters, taken away by force by some rogue there. So, so long whatever you have done, both you and Acyutananda, let us forget those things. Now if you decide to work rigidly on my instructions in India, then I can give you necessary instructions. Otherwise, you can do whatever you like. Thanking you once more, and hoping you are keeping in good health, Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami ------------------------------------------------------- Bg 2.44 T Contents of the Gita Summarized In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material opulence, and who are bewildered by such things, the resolute determination of devotional service to the Supreme Lord does not take place. SB 2.1.2 The First Step in God Realization Those persons who are materially engrossed, being blind to the knowledge of ultimate truth, have many subject matters for hearing in human society, O Emperor.

Nimai and Murari pandit pastime--sweet nectar.....

Nimai Spoils Murari’s Lunch
Adapted from Srila Lochan Das Thakur’s
Śrī Caitanya-mangala
Ādi-khanda, Bālya-līlā, texts 373-403

One day, the learned scholar and physician Murari Gupta visited Nabadwip, accompanied by his followers. While walking down the road, they were discussing yoga-sāstras. The young boy Nimai, walking directly behind Murari Gupta, began mimicking Murari’s way of speaking. Murari noticed this from the corner of his eyes but continued speaking to his followers. Nimai and his friends then increased their mocking of Murari by exactly imitating both his walking style and hand-gestures. Finally, Murari became furious and rebuked Nimai, “Who says that this boy is well-behaved? I recognize him. He is the son of Jagannath Mishra. Everywhere I have heard his glories. His name is Nimai.”
Hearing his words, out of kindness to his devotee Murari Gupta, Lord Gaurahari became angry. Knitting his eyebrows, the eloquent young boy said, “When you take your meal I will teach you something.” Bewildered by this oblique statement, Murari returned to his residence. He became absorbed in his domestic activities and forgot about the incident.
At noon he sat down to peacefully take his meal.

All Glories To My Gurudeva

today I am a different man and that’s because of what I know my conscience drives my feeble brain at 61 my life is changed let not the truth be killed by fear Krsna please let me be sincere return me to Thy lotus feet someone (but who?) has poisoned me never a man showed so much love at the last stage don’t torture me procrastination stay away or my last breath will be in vain it’s possible from Vaisnava lips so many years for it to show oh why did it turn out this way never a deed so sinful known eleven men sat on a thrown deceived by Putana the witch Patita Pavana is gone returning to his rightful home and we are left upon the shore but everything is in my books however now the books have changed unto my heart I can’t restrain perhaps the world cannot be saved and Kali Yuga wins the day do not believe the fight is lost all glories to my Gurudeva

Mahasana dasa June 12, 2009

Who is the real Acarya?

Adi 3.98 The External Reasons for Lord Caitanya' s Appearance

Seeing the activities of the world, the Acarya felt compassion and began to ponder how He could act for the people's benefit. PURPORT This sort of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bona fide acarya. An acarya does not exploit his followers. Since the acarya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart is always full of compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to the absence of devotional service to the Lord, and therefore he always tries to find ways to change people's activities, making them favorable for the attainment of devotion. That is the qualification of an acarya. Although Sri Advaita Prabhu Himself was powerful enough to do the work, as a submissive servitor He thought that without the personal appearance of the Lord, no one could improve the fallen condition of society. In the grim clutches of maya, the first-class prisoners of this material world wrongly think themselves happy because they are rich, powerful, resourceful and so on. These foolish creatures do not know that they are nothing but play dolls in the hands of material nature and that at any moment material nature's pitiless intrigues can crush to dust all their plans for godless activities. Such foolish prisoners cannot see that however they improve their position by artificial means, the calamities of repeated birth, death, disease and old age are always beyond the jurisdiction of their control. Foolish as they are, they neglect these major problems of life and busy themselves with false things that cannot help them solve their real problems. They know that they do not want to suffer death or the pangs of disease and old age, but under the influence of the illusory energy, they are grossly negligent and therefore do nothing to solve the problems. This is called maya. People held in the grip of maya are thrown into oblivion after death, and as a result of their karma, in the next life they become dogs or gods, although most of them become dogs. To become gods in the next life, they must engage in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; otherwise, they are sure to become dogs or hogs in terms of the laws of nature. The third-class prisoners, being less materially opulent than the first-class prisoners, endeavor to imitate them, for they also have no information of the real nature of their imprisonment. Thus they also are misled by the illusory material nature. The function of the acarya, however, is to change the activities of both the first-class and third-class prisoners for their real benefit. This endeavor makes him a very dear devotee of the Lord, who says clearly in the Bhagavad-gita that no one in human society is dearer to Him than a devotee who constantly engages in His service by finding ways to preach the message of Godhead for the real benefit of the world. The so-called acaryas of the Age of Kali are more concerned with exploiting the resources of their followers than mitigating their miseries; but Sri Advaita Prabhu, as an ideal acarya, was concerned with improving the condition of the world situation. JUDGE BY THE RESULT.......BEFORE AND NOW...... What happened when Srila Prabhupada was here and what happened when he left? Srila Prabhupada actually cared for his devotees, he cared for all humanity, and above all,he cared for His Lord Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu who gave him solace when he took the Jaladuta across the Atlantic ocean. Compare him then to what we have now. There is just NO comparison at all, for none of us are on that level of devotion. Our best and safest position is to humbly follow, somehow or other, in his grand footsteps as the most humble servants of the servant.

Hare Krsna

your humble servant

Damaghosa das

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.’”

Krishna Darshan....

Hare Krsna dear Devotees of the Lord,
Please accept my humble obesiances

with all Glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I added some new Krishna pictures to

my Krsna Darshan album - sending them your way.....

Click here to see album

This fly is disturbing-this is not the problem.....SP

Prabhupada: Yes. And He says, suhrdam sarva-bhutanam: "I can adjust things." So we are not taking. (Hindi) From all angles of vision, if you study Bhagavad-gita, everything is perfectly there. And if you take it seriously, you become happy in this life and dehantare. If you simply take, accept Krsna as He says, then what is result? Krsna says, janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti. Punar janma, tatha dehantara-praptih, but one who has understood Krsna perfectly--it is not possible to understand Him, but as far as possible, as far as our knowledge is concerned--if we understand Krsna, then immediate result is that we are freed from the bondage of janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. So that is the real problem. We are solving problems, this problem, that problem, that... They are not problems. That is natural in this material world. Just like this fly is disturbing. This is not a problem because the fly is made for that purpose. How... You cannot stop him. You can protect yourself. It is not possible to stop him. This is not problem, how to drive away the fly. The real problem, Krsna says, janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam, that you are in the cycle of birth, death... Tatha dehantara-praptih. You get another life and you suffer. Again you get another life. This is your problem. So that problem, Krsna says, that "You can solve it. Simply try to understand Me." Janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah, tyaktva deham. That is our business. But we are being deviated from the real business, and we are being engaged in so-called this ism, that ism, that ism. This is spoiling the whole thing. asraddadhanah purusa dharmasyasya parantapa aprapya mam nivartante mrtyu-samsara-vartmani This life, this human form of life, is meant for understanding the real problem of life and to solve it. This is the opportunity. And Krsna personally coming to instruct you, "You solve in this way." But we are so doggish, we will not take. What can be done? Then become a dog. Nature's law, you work. Karanam guna-sango 'sya sad-asad-janma-yonisu. If you remain doggish--you do not become human being--then, all right, you become a dog next life. Tatha dehantara-pra... Then take life of the street and "Gow! Gow! Gow!" Mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. This... For this purpose we request every one of you that you study Bhagavad-gita very seriously as it is, apply it in your practical life, and teach it to others. That is perfection. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's... He says that "You become guru, everyone." (break) You simply repeat. Don't misinterpret. Boliye. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's... Every one of you become a guru, not a bluffer, but a guru, real guru. "How real guru? What can be done? I have no qualification." Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa: "You simply take the words of Krsna and preach." Krsna says, mattah parataram nanyat. You simply repeat, "Sir, Krsna is the Supreme Being, God." What is the difficulty? Krsna says, "There is no superior authority than Me." You simply say, "Krsna is the supreme authority." That's all. Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam... You preach, "Come here in the temple. See Krsna's Deity and always think of Him." Where is the difficulty? Now, these Europeans and Americans, what I have done to them? I have not given any bribe. I say, "Here is Krsna. He is God." They accept it, worship Him. Man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. Just if you cannot do anything, just offer one obeisances, namaskara. Any child can do. They have done it, and they are going ahead. (Hindi) Krsna-upadesa is there, perfect upadesa. (Hindi) As Krsna says, you try to assimilate it and distribute it.