Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 16

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 16 Verse 16-18 anantavijayam raja kunti-putro yudhishthirah nakulah sahadevas ca sughosha-manipushpakau kasyas ca parameshv-asah sikhandi ca maha-rathah dhrishtadyumno viratas ca satyakis caparajitah drupado draupadeyas ca sarvasah prithivi-pate saubhadras ca maha-bahuh sankhan dadhmuh prithak prithak

Translation:
King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew his conchshell, the Ananta-vijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosa and Manipuspaka. That great archer the King of Kasi, the great fighter Sikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, the unconquerable Satyaki, Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the others, O King, such as the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, all blew their respective conchshells.

Explanation:
At the time it was customary for prominent personalities to have personal paraphernalia that was often named. The conch shell were unique to each warrior and could be often recognized just by the sound. In the battle of Virata where Arjuna was disguised, he was immediately recognized by the Kurus when he blew his conch shell.

It is also interesting to note that only those warriors whose concshells have been named in the last three verses survived (with the exception of Satyaki who is called unconquerable). All the other warriors, from Bhisma to Abhimanyu were slain in the battle.

Srila Prabhupada comments, "Sanjaya informed King Dhritarashtra very tactfully that his unwise policy of deceiving the sons of Pandu and endeavoring to enthrone his own sons on the seat of the kingdom was not very laudable. The signs already clearly indicated that the whole Kuru dynasty would be killed in that great battle."

Please read the Sanskrit Verse and the Prabhupada's Purport.

"We should always be very grateful to Krishna for giving us the Hare Krishna mantra, and we should show our gratitude by chanting it as much as possible. That way we will bond with Him, which is our heart’s greatest desire. 

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

 Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare."

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on February 20

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"An old father required massaging so all the children wanted to serve the father. The father divided the right and left portion of his body to be served by the children. Later along with the service, there was some quarrel between the children, and they were competing by hitting the parts of the father that was assigned to the opposing party. The father said that you are hitting my different parts due to your opposition to one another, but I am therefore dying. If there is any misunderstanding, please live peacefully."

Letter to Rayarama, February 20, 1969

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on February 19

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"If we want to take a particular medicine, then we have to follow the particular direction mentioned on the label of the medicine, or as directed by the physician. Similarly, the Bhagavad-gita also should be taken or accepted as it is directed by the speaker Himself. The speaker of the Bhagavad-gita is Lord Sri Krsna."

New York, February 19, 1966

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 15

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 15 pancajanyam hrishikeso devadattam dhananjayah paundram dadhmau maha-sankham bhima-karma vrikodarah

Translation:
Lord Krishna blew His conchshell, called Pancajanya; Arjuna blew his, the Devadatta; and Bhima, the voracious eater and performer of herculean tasks, blew his terrific conchshell, called Paundra.

Explanation:
Srila Prabhupada notes, "The Lord has different names according to different pastimes." It is interesting to note the way the names of Krishna and Arjuna are used to indicate certain quality that is relevant to that stage of discussion. For instance here Krishna is addressed as "Hrishikesha," which means the controller of senses. Srila Prabhupada states that this is significant because the impersonalists deny their own senses in an attempt to deny God. But Krishna situated as Supersoul in everyone's heart controls their senses in proportion to their extend of surrender. A pure devotee like Arjuna is completely surrendered to Krishna and thus Krishna has taken complete control of his senses. And for one who is under the control of Krishna, there is no question of defeat.

Arjuna is referred to as "Dhananjaya," which means the "conqueror of wealth." Sanjaya is discreetly indicating that Arjuna in the past has won great victories over formidable kings. Here he is present, directly under the control of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Victory is therefore assured for them.

Please read the Sanskrit Verse and the Prabhupada's Purport.

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Give The Mind’s Full Attention To This Simplicity

"It’s a simple thing. Anyone can do it. We should not push it to a corner of the mind and dwell on other things because of its simplicity. Give the mind’s full attention to this simplicity. It’s a prayer to which you can give your whole heart. Call out to Krishna, the Supreme Lord, by saying His name. Call out to Radha, our eternal benefactor, by calling Her name. They can help you. Be sure of that. Use your time for this, and other things can get done at another time." From Japa Transformations by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 14

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 14 tatah svetair hayair yukte mahati syandane sthitau madhavah pandavas caiva divyau sankhau pradadhmatuh

Translation:
On the other side, both Lord Krishna and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells.

Explanation:
Srila Prabhupada says, "In contrast with the conchshell blown by Bhishmadeva, the conchshells in the hands of Krishna and Arjuna are described as transcendental." This is the first of the next seven verses that describe signs that would indicate an auspicious victory for the Pandavas. Krishna is addressed as "Madhava," which means the husband of the Goddess of Fortune (Lakshmi devi). Since Krishna is on the side of the Pandavas,
as a chaste wife, Lakshmi devi will reside by the side of her husband, giving all good fortune to the Pandavas.

Please read the Sanskrit Verse and the Prabhupada's Purport.

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Feeling Krishna's Presence in a Daily Meeting

Srila Prabhupada Meets Krishna in Chanting Japa Since Krishna and His name are one and the same, Krishna is personally present when we chant Hare Krishna. In this connection Srila Prabhupada has instructed that while chanting Hare Krishna we should always feel the personal presence of Krishna. This is so beautiful and wonderful to understand that Krishna Himself comes when we sincerely chant His name. Therefore let us execute our japa chanting with the utmost seriousness for having our own daily personal meeting with Krishna or God.   Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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"We should always be very grateful to Krishna for giving us the Hare Krishna mantra, and we should show our gratitude by chanting it as much as possible. That way we will bond with Him, which is our heart’s greatest desire. 

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

 Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare."

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