Hare Krishna

Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 7

2012-02-11T06:38:00.001-08:00

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 7 asmakam tu visishta ye tan nibodha dvijottama nayaka mama sainyasya samjnartham tan bravimi te

Translation:
But for your information, O best of the brahmans let me tell you about the captains who are especially qualified to lead my military force.

Explanation:
Even though Drona is a brahman, he has taken on the profession of a ksatriya and is therefore present to fight on the battlefield. The army of Duryodhana was much larger than that of the Pandavas and had many powerful fighters. However Duryodhana did not want his warriors to become too complacent and so he had described at great length the powers of the Pandava army. At the same time he does not want to discourage his own army so he now begins to glorify the great fighters in his own army. The use of the phrase 'my military force' also reveals the egoistical nature of Duryodhana.

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

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 11

2012-02-11T06:36:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"When we are children, innocent, we have no bad habits, but as we grow and associate with bad company, we also acquire all these bad habits, To give up all these bad habits means we have to associate with sadhus or devotees, saintly persons. Then we can give it up. This is called anarthanivrtti, means giving up all unwanted bad habits."

Mexico, February 11 ,1975

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 10

2012-02-10T05:48:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Mango is so nice, either ripened or unripened, it is always good. And that goodness may be tasted by different types of men. But mango is always good. Mango is mango, "King of all fruits." So devotional service is king of all processes of God realization. That is its position always, either ripened or unripe."

Gorakhpur, February 10,1971

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

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

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 6

2012-02-10T05:47:00.001-08:00

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 6 yudhamanyus ca vikranta uttamaujas ca viryavan saubhadro draupadeyas ca sarva eva maha-rathah

Translation:
There are the mighty Yudhamanyu, the very powerful Uttamauja, the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi. All these warriors are great chariot fighters.

Explanation:
Duryodhana further embellishes the theme of the strength of the Pandu army by mentioning the names of several powerful fighters. In the hierarchy of fighters lowest are the ardha-ratis, those who can fight with less than one opponent. A yodha can fight with the single opponent. A maha-rathi can fight with ten thousand opponents and an ati-rathi with unlimited opponents. All the fighters mentioned by Duryodhana are in the category of ati-rathis.

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

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

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

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We Should Always Be Very Grateful

2012-02-09T20:39:00.001-08:00

"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."

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

The individual soul is situated only within the heart of one body. But the Supreme Soul or Krishna is seated in everyone's heart. This is the distinction between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul. At the present moment due to our blunt material vision, we cannot directly perceive the presence of the either the individual soul or the Supreme Soul. But the presence of both of them can be understood by their symptoms. So even though in our present state of consciousness we cannot directly perceive them, there is tons of circumstantial evidence to confirm the existence of them both.

Krishna is everywhere. He is omnipresent. But due to our eyes being covered by the cataracts of lust, anger, greed, madness, illusion, and envy we cannot see Him. The beauty of the purificatory process of Krishna consciousness is that if we adopt it conscientiously, in due course of time we will become fully qualified to fully realize our own eternal spiritual natures and to see God face to face, eye to eye.

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Be Real Followers, Not Figurehead Followers

2012-02-09T02:29:00.001-08:00

Srila Prabhupada, the Greatest Spiritual Master,

Reveals the Ultimate Science, Krishna Consciousness

If we claim to be followers of Krishna and His topmost pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada, we must take the time and trouble to carefully study the knowledge they are giving us in order to see what it actually means to follow them. Simply claiming to be their followers is not sufficient. Figurehead following will not save us at the time of death. Only genuine following will enable us to enter the spiritual world upon leaving our present bodies.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on February 09

2012-02-09T02:16:00.005-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We should always remember that our body is not for sense gratification; it is for Krishna's service only. And to render very good sound service to Krishna we should not neglect the upkeep of the body."

Letter to Rayarama, February 9, 1969

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 5

2012-02-09T02:16:00.003-08:00

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 5 dhrishtaketus cekitanah kasirajas ca viryavan purujit kuntibhojas ca saibyas ca nara-pungavah

Translation:
There are also great, heroic, powerful fighters like Dhrishtaketu, Cekitana, Kasiraja, Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Saibya.

Explanation:
In this verse Duryodhana mentions 17 warriors, all different grade of maha-ratis (one who can fight thousands of opponents). He does not mention the Pandavas, since they were so famous, that every one knew of them. Also they were a grade about the maha-rati called ati-ratis. Warriors in this category had access to divya (divine) weapons and could fight unlimited warriors. Bhishma, Drona, Karna were some other warriors in this category.

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

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 3

2012-02-09T02:16:00.001-08:00

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 3 pasyaitam pandu-putranam acarya mahatim camum vyudham drupada-putrena tava sishyena dhimata

Translation:
O my teacher, behold the great army of the sons of Pandu, so expertly arranged by your intelligent disciple the son of Drupada.

Explanation:
These nine verses is the only time in the Bhagavad-gita that Duryodhana speaks. These verses bring forth the character of Duryodhana as an astute politician, expert in using words and situations to his advantage and in manipulating others for his purpose.

Duryodhana was aware that Dronacarya was favorable to the Pandavas, especially Arjuna, who was his favorite disciple. He deliberately begins by bringing Drona's attention to Dhristadyumna, the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army. He refers to him as the son of Drupada, hoping to incite Drona's anger since Drona and Drupada were old enemies. Duryodhana also addresses Dhristadyumna as the disciple of Drona to remind Drona that he had in the past made an error in accepting Dhristadyumna as his disciple and so he should be extra vigilant now.

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

Chant and Be Happy:

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 08

2012-02-08T08:45:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"One who seeks pleasure externally, he is materialist, and one who seeks pleasure internally, he is spiritualist."

Los Angeles, February 8, 1969

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 4

2012-02-08T08:44:00.001-08:00

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 4 atra sura maheshv-asa bhimarjuna-sama yudhi yuyudhano viratas ca drupadas ca maha-rathah

Translation:
Here in this army are many heroic bowmen equal in fighting to Bhima and Arjuna: great fighters like Yuyudhana, Virata and Drupada.

Explanation:
Duryodhana shows Drona the great threat from the powerful warriors on the side of Pandavas. Since the prowess of Bhima and Arjuna were widely known, he uses them as an index to show the power of the Pandava army. He mentions Bhima first, since he was the most determined to fight. In the past Bhima had made many vows, like killing the hundred sons of Dhrtrashtra, ripping the arm and heart and then drinking the blood of Dushasana and breaking the thigh of Duryodhana. He also once again mentions Drupada here to further incite Drona.

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

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Taking The Next Step

2012-02-07T19:06:00.001-08:00

This week in the Japa Room we discussed about the importance of really diving into the sound of the Holy names - we may have reached a stage where we are avoiding external distractions and to some degree listening to the sound vibration but there is another step.
This could be compared to a telephone call - one person speaking and the other hearing but not really feeling the emotions or empathising with the person about what they are talking about - we can do this with our Japa, we may be hearing the names, but we're not going deeply into the spiritual energy as much as we can and we are not feeling the spiritual emotions.
If we really try hard to make this next step into total absorption in the sound vibration, then Krsna will reciprocate with us and we will feel his spiritual energy in a much more meaningful way.

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Always Remain Humble

2012-02-07T07:39:00.001-08:00

Srila Prabhupada Teaches Us Perfect Humility

If you want to advance steadily on the pathway back to home, back to Godhead, the key is to always remain humble. In other words, you should always remember that you don't know everything, that you still have a lot to learn. In short, to be humble means that you are always teachable, that you are always open to being corrected and directed by someone who knows something that you do not know.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on February 07

2012-02-07T07:33:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Spiritual anxiety means you are advancing in spiritual life, and material anxiety means you are going downhill. Maya is so strong that as soon as I am sitting in s solitary place, then I'II think of money and women. Therefore we should live always in the assembly of devotees and chant Hare Krishna and save ourself from the danger of material falldown."

Hawaii, February 7, 1975

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Facts about GHEE

2012-02-07T01:01:00.001-08:00

Fact: Ghee has a very high smoke point and doesn't burn easily during cooking. Ghee has the more stable saturated bonds and so is lot less likely to form the dangerous free radicals when cooking. Ghee's short chain fatty acids are also metabolized very readily by the body. Hmm.... So now aren't you confused? Is ghee good or bad you ask with a puzzled look? Be patient, just a bit more.

Lab studies have shown ghee to reduce cholesterol both in the serum and intestine(aren't you surprised?!). It does it by triggering an increased secretion of biliary lipids (stuff coming out of your bile). Ghee is also good for nerves and brain. It helps control eye pressure and is beneficial to glaucoma patients. I bet you didn't know these, did you?
Ghee is most notably said to stimulate the secretion of stomach acids to help with digestion, while other fats, such as butter and oils, slow down the digestive process and can sit heavy in the stomach. You don't want that really.
In addition to ghee's nutritional value, it is rich with antioxidants and acts as an aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals from other foods, feeding all layers of body tissue and serving to strengthen the immune system. A high concentration of butyric acid, a fatty acid that contains anti-viral properties, is believed toinhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.
It is also good for treatment of burns and blisters; a little kitchen remedy there for y'all. According to Ayurveda ghee promotes learning and increased memory retention. Make sure you remember that. And it'll help you remember if you had some ghee!
However, as a caveat, while in a healthy personconsuming ghee may reduce your cholesterol or not affect it, it not advised for people already suffering fromhigh cholesterol.

So should you eat Ghee or not???
If you're healthy, ABSOLUTELY. It is safer thanbutter and has more nutritional use than oil. No you understand how the Punjabi’s have tonnes of ghee and still are fitter and stronger than any other group of Indians? Go get some ghee you weakling.
A high concentration of butyric acid, a fatty acid that contains anti-viral properties, is believed to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors.

Although tests and research are still ongoing, it has been used in Indian medicinal practice to help with ulcers, constipation, and the promotion of healthy eyes and skin. An Indian folk-remedy for thousands of years, ghee is also said to promotelearning and increased memory retention. It is used in Indian beauty creams to help soften skin,and as a topical for the treatment of burns and blisters.

Part II

About GHEE

Ayurveda

A Glimpse into the 5000 Year Old Ancient Science of Healing.

Looking for a cooking oil that's healthy, yet doesn't mean you have to compromise on taste? Consider Ghee -- the ayurvedic cooking medium that's been around for thousands of years. It has a rich, buttery taste and aroma, and comes with a host of benefits that are listed in the traditional ayurvedic texts.

What is Ghee?

Ghee is clarified butter -- the butter oil, without the lactose and other milk solids. It is traditionally prepared by gently heating butter until it becomes a clear golden liquid. The lactose and other milk solids coagulate and are meticulously removed. This process also evaporates most of the natural water content, making ghee light, pure and resistant to spoilage.

Benefits regconized in the Ayurvedic Texts

Ayurveda considers ghee the ultimate cooking oil, with diverse mind/body benefits listed in the ancient texts.

Looking for a cooking oil that's healthy, yet doesn't mean you have to compromise on taste? Consider Ghee -- the ayurvedic cooking medium that's been around for thousands of years. It has a rich, buttery taste and aroma, and comes with a host of benefits that are listed in the traditional ayurvedic texts.
Preservative: Ghee does not spoil easily, and actually preserves the original freshness and potency of herbs and foods. It does not need refrigeration.
Digestion: The ayurvedic texts say that Ghee helps balance excess stomach acid, and helps maintain/repair the mucus lining of the stomach.
Mild Burns: Like aloe, Ghee is said to prevent blisters and scarring if applied quickly to affected skin.
Mind: Ghee is said to promote all three aspects of mental functioning -- learning, memory and recall.
Ayurvedic Balance: Ghee balances both Vata (the ayurvedic mind/body operator that controls movement in mind and body) and Pitta (the operator that controls heat and metabolism).

Ghee has been given the cherished title of "rasayana" in ayurveda -- pre-eminent herbs and foods that help overall health, longevity and well-being.

The Right Kind of Fat

It is generally recognized that some fat is essential for health. A totally fat-free diet can actually accelerate aging of the skin, nerves and brain cells. Without an adequate quantity of the right kind of fat in the diet, cell regeneration can be adversely impacted. Fats are needed for efficient absorption of crucial lipid-soluble vitamins such as A, E, D and K. The stomach lining, which protects the stomach from the acids it secretes to help break down foods, needs fat to maintain a healthy coating. Similarly, cholesterol in the body serves functions that are crucial to health, such as building cell membranes, and hormone and bile balance. It is when cholesterol is damaged by harmful free radicals that it leads to clogged arteries and heart problems. Ghee imparts the benefits of the best essential fatty acids without the problems of oxidized cholesterol, transfatty acids or hydrogenated fats. It is also resistant to free radical damage and is both salt and lactose free.

Versatitle Cooking Medium

Ghee has an excellent aroma & is so flavorful that you can use half or two-thirds as much as other cooking oils. It has a very high burning point and doesn't burn or smoke during cooking. It combines excellently with a wide variety of spices. You can use ghee to sauté foods, in baking, to deep-fry, or even as a spread.

Pure Ghee - For Your Body, Mind and Soul

Generation after generation, Pure Ghee has been used to heal, soothe and feed the Body, Mind and Soul. Traditionally used for religious ceremonies and cooking, pure ghee has also been used in the ancient Ayurvedic systems of medicine that dates thousands of years back.
Pure Ghee is the cornerstone of authentic Indian cooking and many traditional recipes, as demonstrated in this website. When used for cooking, Pure Ghee has an excellent aroma and does not smoke, splutter or burn. Additionally, this clarified butter imparts the benefits of the best essential fatty acids without the problems of oxidized cholesterol, transfatty acids, or hydrogenated fats. Guaranteed free of artificial colouring and flavouring, Pure Ghee is also resistant to free radical damage & is both salt & lactose free.

Due to its pureness, food cooked with Pure Ghee has a full natural flavour, unspoiled by greasiness. Pure Ghee has also been awarded the Halal Accreditation by the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Inc.

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Please Do Not Fail To Chant 16 Rounds

2012-02-06T19:31:00.001-08:00

"Please do not fail to chant 16 rounds, rise early, read my books carefully and follow all the regulative principles."

Letter to Gandharva das
12 January, 1975

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 1, Verse 2

2012-02-06T02:35:00.001-08:00

	Chapter 1: Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra
	Verse: 2 sanjaya uvaca drishtva tu pandavanikam vyudham duryodhanas tada acaryam upasangamya raja vacanam abravit

Translation:
Sanjaya said: O King, after looking over the army arranged in military formation by the sons of Pandu, King Duryodhana went to his teacher and spoke the following words.

Explanation:
Sanjay was very pious by nature and a disciple of Srila Vyasadeva. He was also the faithful secretary of Dhrtrashtra. It is by the mercy of Srila Vyasadeva that he was able to witness all the events of Mahabharata while sitting in the palace. These events he faithfully relayed to King Dhrtrashtra, who was blind.

Here Sanjay tries to encourage Dhrtrashtra by immediately speaking about the one person who was completely committed to the war, namely Duryodhana the eldest son of Dhrtrashtra. By doing so Sanjaya reassures Dhrtrashtra that there is no possibility of compromise.

Though Duryodhana is the prince, he personally goes up to Dronacarya to speak to him. This shows that he is a politically astute person. In a war, the commander-in-chief is the key to victory and Duryodhana wants to make sure that Dronacarya is properly motivated for the war. It is interesting to note that Srila Vyasadeva uses the word 'vacanam' to indicate the words of Duryodhana. Vacaman also means 'empty words', the kind of speech made by politicians simply for achieving their ends.

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

Chant and Be Happy:

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 06

2012-02-06T02:32:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The flies, they are finding out where is sore, and the bees, they are finding out where there is honey. Two classes: Fault- finding and collecting the good things. Similarly, there are many rascals who are simply fault- finding. Blasphemy means you have good qualities, but still, I am defaming you. The saintly person tends to overlook the bad qualities and see the good ones."

Mayapur, February 6, 1976

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We Need To Go Deeper In Our Chanting

2012-02-05T19:05:00.001-08:00

"Chanting produces best results when we go deeper into chanting. Standing on the shores of the ocean one can’t access the precious gems and jewels on the bed of the ocean; one will be tossed away by the waves. However if we go deeper into the ocean, we can access the pearls. Similarly by chanting superficially or occasionally, we can’t avail the benefits; we’ll be thrown away by the waves of material energy. We need to go deeper in our chanting to reap the fruits of chanting. What does it mean to go deeper?"

Radhanatha Swami

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Make One Worthy To Chant Hare Krishna

2012-02-05T02:47:00.001-08:00

Lord Caitanya instructed us to be more humble than the grass on the street, and more tolerant than the trees, and to offer all respects to all, demanding no respect for ourselves. All these nice qualifications make one worthy to chant Hare Krishna.

Letter to Hamsaduta
February 4, 1968

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on February 05

2012-02-05T02:45:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Your suggestions that the devotees visiting Vrindaban engage in preaching and chanting and not in gossiping is very good. We have sacrificed our life for Krsna's service, where is there scope for sleeping and gossiping? You can see in my example, not a single moment is wasted."

Letter to Gurudas, February 5 ,1977

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Technology - Blessing or curse ?

2012-02-05T02:44:00.001-08:00

Spiritual_Scientist_-_Technology_blessing_or_curse.pdf Download this file

Article....Worth reading.

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on February 04

2012-02-04T07:05:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The more you cleanse the temple, the more you decorate the Deity, the more your heart becomes cleansed and you become spiritually decorated. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Material world means dirty things and spiritual world means clean."

Calcutta, February 4, 1977

Chant and Be Happy:

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 03

2012-02-03T05:28:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"You said that your job is maya, but you must know that maya is illusion. As soon as there is absence of Krishna Consciousness - that is maya. But you are working just to help and push Krishna's interest; therefore, it is not maya. Anything used to Krishna Consciousness is real renouncement."

Letter to Jayagovinda, Febryary 3, 1970

Chant and Be Happy:

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 02

2012-02-02T02:53:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Cleopatra. You have heard the Grecian history. She was very beautiful, and she conquered many great warriors. Beauty sometimes can conquer even the greatest man, but that does not mean beauty can conquer God. To conquer God is bhakti. If you are advanced in devotional service, then you can conquer God. Just like the gopis."

Log Angles, February 2,1968

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Ekadasi Alert: Fri 3rd Feb, 2012

2012-02-01T08:52:00.001-08:00

Bhaimi Ekadasi (Jaya Ekadasi)
from Bhavisya-uttara Puran
Date - Fri 3rd Feb, 2012
Breakfast: 06:42 AM - 10:36 AM Next day ***
-----------------------------------------------

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "Oh Lord of the lords, Sri Krishna, all
glories unto You! Oh Master othe universe, You alone are the source of
the four types of living entities

*
those born from eggs,

*
those born from perspiration,

*
those born from seeds and
*

those born from embryos.

You alone are the root cause of all, Oh Lord, and therefore You are
the creator, maintainer and destroyer.

"My Lord, You have so kindly explained to me the auspicious day known
as Sat-tilA EkAdasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna
paksha) of the month of MAgha (January - February). Now please explain
to me the EkAdasii that occurs in the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura
paksha) of this month. By what name is it known, and what is the
process for observing it? Who is the presiding Deity that is to be
worshipped on this sublime day, which is so very dear to You?

Lord Sri Krishna replied, "Oh Yudhisthira, I shall gladly tell you
about the EkAdasii that occurs during the light half of this month of
MAgha. This EkAdasii obliterates all kinds of sinful reactions and
demoniac influences that may be affecting the spirit soul. It is known
as JayA Ekaadasii, and the fortunate soul who observes a fast on this
sacred day is relieved of the great burden of ghostly existence. Thus
there is no better Ekaadasii than this, for it truly bestows freedom
from birth and death. It is to be honoured very carefully and
diligently. So you to listen to Me very attentively, Oh Pandava, as I
explain a wonderful historic episode regarding this Ekaadasii, an
episode that I have already related in the Padma Purana.

"Long, long ago in the heavenly planets, Lord Indra ruled his
celestial kingdom very nicely, and all the devas (demigods) living
there were very happy and content. In Nandana Forest, which was
beautifully graced with Parijata Flowers, Indra drank ambrosia
whenever he liked and enjoyed the service of fifty million celestial
maidens, the Apsaras, who danced in ecstasy for his pleasure.

"Many singers, led by Pushpadanta, sang in sweet voices beyond
compare. Chitrasena, Indra's chief musician was there in the company
of his wife MAlini and his handsome son MAlyavAn. An Apsara named
Pushpavati became very much attracted to MAlyavAn; indeed Cupid's
sharp arrows pierced the core of her heart. Her beautiful body and
complexion, along with the enchanting movements of her eyebrows,
captivated MAlayavAn.

"Oh King, listen as I describe the splendid beauty of Pushpavati: She
has incomparably graceful arms with which to embrace a man like a fine
silken noose; her face resembles the Moon; her lotus eyes reached
almost to her lovely ears, which were adorned with wonderful and
costly ear-rings; her thin, ornamented neck looked like a conch,
having three lines; her waist was very slender, the size of a fist;
her hips were broad, and her thighs like the trunks of banana trees;
her naturally beautiful features were complemented by gorgeous
ornaments and garments; her breasts were highly raised emphasizing her
prime of youth; and to look upon her feet was to behold newly grown
red lotuses.

"Seeing Pushpavati in all her heavenly beauty, MAlyavAn was bewitched
at once. They had come with the other performers to please Lord Indra
by singing and dancing enchantingly, but because they had become so
enamored of each other, pierced through the heart by the arrows of
Cupid, lust personified, they were utterly unable to sing or dance
properly before the lord and master of the heavenly realms.

Their pronunciation was wrong and their rhythm careless. Lord Indra
understood the source of the errors at once. Offended at the discord
in the musical performance, he became very angry and screamed, "You
useless fools! You pretend to sing for me while in a stupour of
infatuation with each other! You are mocking me! I curse you both to
suffer henceforth as pisAchas (hobgoblins). As husband and wife, go to
the earthly regions and reap the reactions of your offenses.'

"Struck dumb by these harsh words, MAlyavAn and Pushpavati at once
became morose and fell from the beautiful Nandana Forest in the
kingdom of heaven to a Himalayan peak here on planet Earth.

Immeasurably distressed, and their celestial intelligence vastly
diminished by the effects of lord Indra's fierce curse, they lost
their sense of taste and smell, and even their sense of touch. It was
so cold and miserable high on the Himalayan wastes of snow and ice
that they could not even enjoy the oblivion of sleep.

"Roaming aimlessly hither and thither in those harsh altitudes,
MAlyavAn and Pushpavati suffered more and more, from one moment to the
next. Even though they were situated in a cave, because of the
snowfall and cold their teeth chattered ceaselessly, and their hair
stood on end because of their fright and bewilderment.

"In this utterly desperate situation, MAlyavAn said to Pushpavati,
'What abominable sins did we commit to have to suffer in these pisAcha
bodies, in this impossible environment? This is absolutely hellish!
Though hell is very ferocious, the suffering we are undergoing here is
even more abominable. Therefore it is abundantly clear that one should
never commit sins".

"And so the forlorn lovers trudged onward in the snow and ice. By
their great good fortune, however, it so happened that very day was
the all auspicious JayA (Bhaimi) Ekaadasii, the Ekaadasii of the light
fortnight of the month of MAgha. Because of their misery they
neglected to drink any water, kill any game, or even eat whatever
fruits and leaves were available at that altitude, they unknowingly
observed Ekaadasii by fasting completely from all food and drink. Sunk
in misery MAlyavAn and Pushpavati collapsed beneath a Pipal tree and
did not even try to get up. The Sun had set by that time.

"The night was even colder and more miserable than the day. They
shivered in the frigid snowfall as their teeth chattered in unison,
and when they became numb, they embraced just to keep warm. Locked in
each other's arms, they could enjoy neither sleep nor sex. Thus they
suffered through the whole night under the powerful curse of the deva
Indra.

"Still, Oh Yudhisthira, by the mercy of the fast they had by chance
(unknowingly) observed on JayA EkAdasii, and because they had remained
awake all night, they were blessed.

Please hear what happened on the next day. As DwAdasii dawned,
MAlyavAn and Pushpavati had given up their demoniac forms and were
once again beautiful heavenly beings wearing lustrous ornaments and
exquisite garments. As they both looked at each other in amazement, a
celestial airplane (vimana) arrived on the spot for them. A chorus of
heavenly denizens sang their praises as the reformed couple stepped
into the beautiful aircraft and proceeded directly to the heavenly
regions, buoyed up by the good wishes of everyone. Soon MAlyavAn and
Pushpavati arrived at AmarAvati, Lord Indra's capital city, and then
they immediately went before their lord (Indradev) and offered him
their cheerful obeisances.

"Lord Indra was astonished to see that they had been transformed,
restored to their original status and forms so soon after he had
cursed them to suffer as demons far, far below his celestial kingdom.
Indradev ask of them, 'What extraordinary meritorious deeds have you
performed so that you could give up your pisAcha bodies so quickly
after I cursed you? Who released you from my irresistible curse?

"MAlyavAn replied, 'Oh lord, it was by the extreme mercy of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna (VAsudeva) and also
by the powerful influence of the JayA EkAdasii, that we were released
from our suffering condition as pisAchas. This is the truth, Oh
master: Because we executed devotional service to Lord Vishnu (even
performed unknowingly – by ajnAta sukriti) by observing the day most
dear to Him, we have happily been restored to our former status."

"Indradev then said, 'Because you served the Supreme Lord Sri Keshava
by observing EkAdasii, you have become worshippable even by me, and I
can see that you are now completely purified of sin. Whosoever engages
in devotional service to Lord Sri Hari or Lord Shiva becomes
praiseworthy and worshippable even by me. Of this there is no doubt.'
Lord Indradev then gave MAlyavAn and Pushpavati free rein to enjoy
each other and wander about his heavenly planet as they wished.

"Therefore, Oh Maharaj Yudhisthira, one should strictly observe a fast
on the sacred day of Lord Hari, especially on this JayA EkAdasii,
which frees one from the sin of killing even a twice born brahmin. A
great soul who observes this fast with full faith and devotion has in
effect given all kinds of charity, performed all kinds of sacrifice,
and bathed in all the Holy places of pilgrimage. Fasting on JayA
EkAdasii qualifies one to reside in Vaikuntha and enjoy unending
happiness for billions of yugas – indeed, forever as the soul is
eternal. Oh great king, Lord Sri Krishna continued, one who even hears
or reads these wonderful glories of JayA EkAdasii achieves the blessed
merit attained by performing an Agnistoma fire sacrifice, during which
the hymns from the Sama-veda are recited."

Note on Cupid: KAmadeva, lust personified, has five names according to
the Amara-kosha dictionary: kandarpa darpako 'nanga kAmah
pancha-sharaih smarah "Cupid has five names; (1) Cupid; (2) Darpaka,
'he who prevents future events'; (3) Ananga, 'he who has no physical
body'; (4) KAma, 'lust personified'; and (5) Pancha-sharaih, 'he who
holds five arrows' ".

Kandarpa: In the tenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita (BG 10:28.)
Lord Sri Krishna says, prajanash cAsmi kandarpah; "Of causes for
procreation, I am Kandarpa". The word Kandarpa also means "very
beautiful". Kandarpa appeared as Lord Krishna's son Pradyumna in
DwArakA.

Darpaka: This name indicates that Cupid can perceive what is to
take place and prevent it from happening. Specifically, he tries to
impede pure spiritual activity by alluring one's mind and forcibly
engaging one in material sense enjoyment.

Ananga: Once, when Cupid disturbed the meditation of Lord Shiva,
that powerful deva (demigod) burned him (Cupid) to ashes. Still, Shiva
gave Cupid the benediction that he would act in the world even without
a physical body - like a ghost.

KAma: In Bhagavad Gita BG 7:11.) Lord Sri Krishna says,
dharmAviruddho bhuteshu kAmo'smi: "I am sex life which is not contrary
to religious principles."

Pancha-sharaih: The five arrows with which Cupid pierces the mind
of the living entities are taste, touch, sound, smell, and sight.

These are the five names of the empowered deva Cupid, who enchants all
living entities and makes them do whatever he wants. Without receiving
the mercy of Guru and Krishna one cannot resist his power.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of MAgha-shukla EkAdasii, or
JayA EkAdasii, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
*** Date and breakfast timing is mentioned for Bangalore city (India).
Please visit nearest ISKCON temple for date and breakfast timing or visit http://vaisnavacalendar.com/

Chant and Be Happy:

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 01

2012-02-01T01:33:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We must all become ideal in our character and then people will be very impressed with such purity. A devotee is faultless. He has no flaws."

Letter to Batu Gopala, February 1, 1973

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Eventually The Mind Cooperates

2012-01-31T20:38:00.001-08:00

"Just keep chanting Hare Krishna and moving the beads and focus on listening to the syllables of the Holy Names. As the mind wanders, we shouldn’t get agitated. Just keep chanting; don’t give up the process and eventually the mind cooperates."

Radhanatha Swami

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on January 31

2012-01-31T01:42:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"One man was to go to a fair, so he began to dress himself nicely. So dressing, dressing, in the meantime the fair is finished. This is science. All rascals, simply promising, with no solution of problems. You require water immediately: "All right, after three hundred millions of-water." If we become Krishna conscious, chant Hare Krishna, there will be rainfall. And then even barren land will be fertile. They do not know this. Instead they are importing water."

Bhubaneshwar, January 31, 1977

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on January 30

2012-01-30T08:12:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"If you want perfection in your business, then you must try to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Otherwise you are simply wasting your time."

Bharata Chamber of Commerce, Calcutta, January 30, 1973

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Bhajan: Gay Gaura Madhur Sware (bhajan and purport)

2012-01-30T08:11:00.001-08:00

Sri Nama

(from Gitavali)

audio flash player

Text One

gay gora madhur sware
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare

SYNONYMS

gay–sings; gora–Lord Gaurasundara; madhur sware–in a very sweet voice; hare krsna hare krsna, krsna krsna hare hare hare rama hare rama, rama rama hare hare

TRANSLATION

Lord Gaurasundara sings in a very sweet voice, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Text Two

grhe thako, vane thako, sada 'hari' bole' dako,
sukhe duhkhe bhulo na'ko, vadane hari-nam koro re

SYNONYMS

grhe thako–just live at home; vane thako–or live in the forest; sada–always; ‘hari'–the holy name of Hari; bole' dako–shout while chanting; sukhe duhkhe–in happiness or distress; bhulo na'ko–don't forget; vadane–with your lips; hari-nam–the holy names; koro re–oh please chant!

TRANSLATION

Whether you are a householder or a sannyasi, constantly chant "Hari! Hari!" Do not forget this chanting, whether you are in a happy condition or a distressful one. Just fill your lips with the hari-nama.

Text Three

maya-jale baddha ho 'ye, acho miche kaja lo 'ye,
ekhona cetana pe'ye, 'radha-madhav' nam bolo re

SYNONYMS

maya-jale–in the entangling network of maya; baddha ho'ye–you are bound up; acho–yours is; miche kaja–fruitless toil; lo'ye–accepting; ekhona–now; cetana pe'ye–obtaining full consciousness; ‘radha-madhav' nam–the names of Sri Sri Radha and Madhava; bolo re–so chant!

TRANSLATION

You are bound up in the network of maya and are forced to toil fruitlessly. Now you have obtained full consciousness in the human form of life, so chant the names of Radha-Madhava.

Text Four

jivana hoilo sesa, na bhajile hrsikesa
bhaktivinodopadesa, ekbar nam-rase mato re

SYNONYMS

jivana–your life; hoilo sesa–may end at any moment; na bhajile–you have not served; hrsikesa–the Lord of the senses; bhaktivinodopadesa–this advice of Bhaktivinoda Thakura; ekbar–just once; nam-rase–in the nectar of the holy name; mato–become intoxicated; re–oh!

TRANSLATION

Your life may end at any moment, and you have not served the Lord of the senses, Hrsikesa. Take this advice of Bhaktivinoda Thakura: "Just once, relish the nectar of the holy name!"

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SVA 2: Sri Nama (gay gora madhur sware)

Purport to Sri Nama

Purport
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

audio flash player

Gay gauracand madhu sware. This is a song sung by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. He says that Lord Caitanya, Gaura, Gaura means Lord Caitanya, Gaurasundara, the fair complexion. Gay gauracand madhur sware. In sweet voice, He is singing maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

In very sweet song He's singing, and it is our duty to follow His footsteps to sing the maha-mantra. So Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises, grhe thako, vane thako, sada 'hari' bole' dako. Grhe thako means either you stay at your home as a householder, or you stay in the forest as the renounced order of life, it does not make difference, but you have to chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna. Grhe vane thako, sada 'hari' bole' dako. Always chant this maha-mantra. Sukhe duhkhe bhulo na'ko, "Do not forget chanting either in distress or in happiness." Vadane hari-nama koro re. So far chanting [is concerned], there cannot be any check, because in whatever condition I may be, I can go on chanting this maha-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

So Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises, "Never mind, you are in distress or happiness, but go on chanting this maha-mantra." Maya-jale baddha ho'ye, acho miche kaja lo'ye. You are entrapped by the network of illusory energy, maya-jale baddha ho'ye, just like the fisherman catches from the sea all kinds of creatures within the network. Similarly we are also within the net of illusory energy, and because we have no freedom, therefore all our activities are useless. Action in freedom has got some meaning, but when we are not free within the clutches of maya, within the network of maya, then our so-called freedom has no value. Therefore, whatever we are doing is simply defeat. Without knowing our constitutional position, if you are forced to do something by the pressure of the illusory energy, it is simply useless waste of time. Therefore, Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, "Now you have got full consciousness in the human form of life. So just chant Hare Krsna, Radha-Madhava, all these names. There is no loss or great profit." Jivana hoilo sesa, na bhajile hrsikesa. Now gradually everyone is on the verge of death, nobody can say that, "I shall remain, I shall stay for more hundred years." No, any moment we can die. Therefore, he advises jivana hoilo sesa: "Our life is at end at any moment, and we could not serve Hrsikesa, Krsna. Bhaktivinodopadesa." Therefore Bhaktivinoda Thakura advises, ekbar nam-rase mato re: "Please be enchanted, nam-rase, in the mellow of chanting the transcendental name. Dive yourself within this ocean. That is my request."

>>> Ref. VedaBase => CD 3-4 (04:34 Min.) Purport to Sri Nama

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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So You Continue In This Way

2012-01-29T19:59:00.001-08:00

"So you continue in this way, always thinking of Krsna, chanting 16 rounds, reading the books, and doing your daily chores all on behalf of Krsna."

Letter to Hladini Devi Dasi
28 January, 1973

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Humility And Genuine Desire For A Service Attitude

2012-01-28T20:11:00.001-08:00

"Many great saints descended on the earth to teach us this higher principle of developing love for God by sincerely chanting the Holy names of the God. However, we cannot really chant the names of God from our hearts unless we have humility and genuine desire for a service attitude towards others."

Radhanatha Swami

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on January 28

2012-01-28T09:08:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"As your devotional service becomes mature you shall see Krsna more and more, and more and more you shall realize the qualities of the holy land of Vraja."

Letter to Hladini, January 28, 1973

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on January 27

2012-01-27T08:18:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Something has dropped in the water, in the river. You cannot see the things dropped within the water by agitating the water. Just stand still for some times. As soon as the water is settled up, you'll see the things as they are. So as soon as our enthusiasm is agitated, it is better to sit down in any temple suitable and chant Hare Krishna. There is no question of being disappointed. After all, we commit so many mistakes. That is human nature. To err is human. That is not fault. But try to rectify with cool head."

Calcutta, January 27, 1973

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on January 25

2012-01-26T11:51:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"A snake can be charmed by herbs and mantra, but the man, envious, cannot be. Therefore he's more dangerous than the snake."

Puri, January 25, 1977

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You Can Concentrate In Chanting And Hearing

2012-01-23T19:01:00.001-08:00

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:01 PM PST

"...if you can sit, it helps you. It helps you. If you can sit straight like this, it will be very nice, it can help, yes, you can concentrate in chanting and hearing. Therefore these things are required."

Lecture on BG 6.46-47
February 21, 1969

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Chanting Is The Prime Necessity

2012-01-22T20:24:00.001-08:00

It’s such a good thing when you chant your japa decently. It brightens your day. You feel hope for the ultimate goal. After all, chanting is the prime necessity, the easiest way to achieve love of God. In fact, it’s the only way in Kali-yuga.

From Japa Transformations
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

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Pronunciation Helps Concentration

2012-01-21T19:13:00.001-08:00

From time to time I receive messages from devotees who are struggling with their Japa - it's usually connected to inattention and the wandering mind.
Lately I've been changing my pronunciation of the word Rama....I used to say just Ram but now I am making an effort to pronounce the whole word and it's working wonders for attentive Japa.

My realisation is that we if really concentrate on the words and give an effort to hear them clearly, inattention dissolves and we can get fully absorbed in the Holy names and not our mind.

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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The Key For Good Chanting

2012-01-17T19:00:00.001-08:00

"Patience and perseverance is the key for good chanting. We may chant attentively and excitedly one day but the next day we may feel lethargic and disinterested. The secret of successful chanting of Hare Krishna lies in disregarding our mood and maintaining consistency. Even if we feel bored and uninspired, if we keep chanting daily, we’ll eventually achieve victory over the mind. Regularity in chanting assures success in the long run."

Radhanatha Swami

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Reminder for Thursday, 19 Jan 2012 - Sat-tila Ekadasi

2012-01-17T07:30:00.001-08:00

Vaisnava Calendar Reminder
--------------------------

Reminder for Thursday, 19 Jan 2012

Fasting for Sat-tila Ekadasi
http://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/i/fasting-for-sat-tila-ekadasi.html

Sri Daalbhya Rishi said to Palastya Muni, “When the spirit soul comes in contact with the material energy, he immediately begins to perform sinful activities, such as stealing, killing, and illicit sex. He may even perform many other terrible deeds, such as killing a brahmin. Oh purest of personalities, please tell me how these unfortunate souls may escape the punishment of being sent to hellish regions of creation. Kindly inform me how, by giving even a little in charity, one may be easily released from the reactions of his sins.”

Pulastya Muni replied, “Oh fortunate one, you have asked me an important and confidential question, which not even Brahmaa, Vishnu, Shiva or Indra has ever asked. Please listen very carefully to my answer.
“With the arrival of the month of Magh (January – February), one should bathe, carefully control his senses by giving up lust, anger, pride, jealousy, faultfinding, and greed, and meditate on the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna. One should then gather up some cow dung before it touches the ground and, after mixing it with sesame seeds and cotton, form 108 balls. This should be done on the day when the constellation of Purva-ashadha nakshatra arrives. then one should follow the rules and regulations of Sri Ekaadasii, which I shall now explain to you.
“After bathing, the person who intends to observe Ekaadasii should worship the Supreme Lord. While praying to Lord Sri Krishna by chanting His holy name, he should promise to observe the Ekaadasii fast. He should remain awake overnight and perform a homa (fire sacrifice). Then the devotee should perform an Arati ceremony for the pleasure of the Lord – Who holds a conch, disk, club, and so on in His hands – offering Him sandalwood paste to his feet, incense, camphor, a bright ghee lamp, and delicious food preparations. Next the devotee should offer the 108 balls of cow dung, sesame seeds, and cotton wool into the sacred fire whilst chanting such holy names of the Lord as Purusha sukta, and other names. Throughout the whole day and night he should also observe the standard Ekaadasii vrata (fast, which in this case is a fast from all kinds of grains and beans). On this occasion one should offer the Lord pumpkin, coconut, and guava. If these items are unavailable, betel nut may be substituted.
“The devotee should pray to Lord Sri Janardana, the benefactor of all living beings, in this way; ‘Oh Lord Sri Krishna, You are the most merciful Personality of Godhead and the giver of liberation to all fallen souls. Oh Lord, we have fallen into the ocean of material existence. Please be kind to us. Oh lotus-eyed divinity, please accept our most humble, affectionate and respectful obeisances. Oh protector of the entire world, we offer You our humble respects again and again. Oh Supreme Spirit, Oh Supreme One, Oh source of all our forefathers, may You and Your eternal consort, Srimati Laxmi-devi, please accept these humble offerings.’
“The devotee should then try to please a qualified brahmin with a warm welcome, a pot full of water (purna kumbha), an umbrella, a pair of shoes, and clothes (cloth – dhoti, and anga vaastra), requesting him at the same time to bestow his blessings, by which one may develop unalloyed love for Lord Sri Krishna. According to one’s ability, one may also donate a black cow to such a brahmin, particularly to one who is very well versed in all the injunctions of the Vedic scriptures. One should also offer him a pot full of sesame seeds.
“Oh exalted Daalbhya Muni, black sesame seeds are especially suitable for formal worship and fire sacrifices while white or brown ones are meant to be eaten by a qualified brahmin. One who can arrange to give both kinds of sesame seeds (black and white or brown) especially on this Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii day will be promoted to at least the heavenly planets after leaving this present body, for as many thousands of years as the number of seeds that would be produced if the seeds he donated were sown in the ground and grew into mature, seed bearing plants.
“On this Ekaadasii a faithful person should (1) bathe in the water mixed with sesame seeds, (2) rub sesame seed paste on his body, (3) offer sesame seeds into the fire in sacrifice, (4) eat sesame seeds, (5) give sesame seeds away in charity, (6) accept charitable gifts of sesame seeds. These are the six (sat) ways in which sesame seeds (tilaa) are utilised for spiritual purification on this Ekaadasii. Therefore it is called Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii.
“The great Devarishi Naarad Muni once asked the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, ‘Oh mighty armed Lord, Oh You who are so affectionate to Your loving devotees, please accept my most humble obeisances. Oh Yaadava, kindly tell me the result one obtains by observing Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii.’
“Lord Sri Krishna replied, ‘Oh best of the twice born brahmins, I shall narrate to you an account of an incident I personally witnessed. Long ago on earth there lived an old female brahmini who worshipped Me every day with controlled senses. She very faithfully observed many a fast, especially on special days honouring Me (My various appearance days Janmaasthami, Rama-navami, Vaman Dwadasi, Nrisimha Chaturdasi, Varaha Dwadasi, Gaura Purnima, etc. – Calendar) and served Me with full devotion, devoid of any personal motive. Her rigorous fasting made her quite weak and thin. She gave charity to brahmanas and to young maidens (kanyas), and even planned to give away her house in charity. Oh best of the brahmanas although this spiritually minded woman gave charitable donations to worthy people, the odd feature of her austerity was that she never gave food to brahmanas or the devas (demigods).
“‘I began to reflect on this curious omission: “This fine woman has purified herself by fasting on all the auspicious occasions and by offering Me strict devotional worship. Therefore she certainly has become eligible to enter My personal abode, which is unattainable by ordinary persons.” So I came down to this planet to examine her, disguising Myself as a follower of Lord Shiva’s, complete with a garland of skulls draped around My neck and a begging pot (kumandalu) in My hand.
“‘As I approached her, she said toMe, “Oh respectful one, tell me truthfully why You have come before me.”
“‘I replied, “Oh beautiful one, I have come to get some sacred alms from you” – whereupon she angrily threw a dense lump of mud into My begging pot! Oh Naarada Muni I simply turned around and went back to My personal abode, astonished at this fine brahmani’s peculiar mixture of great magnanimity and stinginess.
“‘At last this austere lady reached the spiritual world in her self-same body, so great were her efforts at fasting and charity. And because she had indeed offered Me a lump of mud, I transformed that mud into a beautiful home. However, Oh Naradaji, this particular house was just like that mud completely devoid of any edible grains, as well as any furniture or ornamentation, and when she entered it she found only an empty structure. She therefore approached Me and said with great anger, “I have fasted repeatedly on so many auspicious occasions, making my body weak and thin. I have worshipped You and prayed to You in so many different ways for You are truly the master and protector of all the universes. Yet despite all this there is no food or wealth to be seen in my new home, Oh Janardana, please tell me. Why is this?”
“‘I replied, “Please return to your house. Sometime later the wives of the devas (demigods) will pay you a visit out of curiosity to see the new arrival, but do not open your door until they have described to you the glories and importance of Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii.”
“‘Hearing this, she returned to her house. Eventually the devas’ wives arrived there and in unison said, “Oh beautiful one, we have come to have your darshan. Oh auspicious one, please open the doorto your house and let us see you.
“‘The lady replied, “Oh most dear ones, if you want me to open this door, you will have to describe to me the merit one obtains by observing the sacred fast of Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii.” But to this request, not even one of the wives responded.
“‘Later, however, they returned to the house, and one of the wives nicely explained the sublime nature of this sacred Ekaadasii. And when the lady at last opened her door, they saw that she was neither a demigoddess, a Gandharvi, a she-demon, nor even a Naga-patni. She was simply an ordinary human lady.
“‘From then on the lady observed Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii, which awards ALL material enjoyment and liberation at the same time, as it has been described to her. And she finally received the beautiful furnishings and grains she had expected for her home. Moreover, her once ordinary material body was transformed into a beautiful spiritual form made of sac-cid-ananda (eternality, knowledge,and bliss), with a fine complexion. So, by the mercy and grace of Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii, both the lady and her new home in the spiritual world were at last radiantly splendid and lustrous with gold, silver, jewels, and diamonds.
“‘Oh Naradaji, a person should not ostentatiously observe Ekaadasii out of greed, with the hope of attaining wealth dishonestly. Selflessly, he should simply donate sesame seed, clothes, and food according to his capacity, for by doing so he will achieve good health and exalted spiritual consciousness, birth after birth. Ultimately, he will begiven release from the bonds of this world (liberation) and admittance into the Lord’s supreme abode will be his to enjoy. That is my opinion, Oh best of the demigods deva-rishis).’
“Oh Daalbhya Muni,” Pulastya Rishi concluded, “one who properly observes this wonderful Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii with great faith become free from all kinds of poverty – spiritual, mental, physical, social, and intellectual – as well as all kinds of ill luck and evil omens (sakuna). Indeed, following this Ekaadasii fast by donating, sacrificing, or eating sesame seeds frees one of all past sin, without a doubt. One need not wonder how this happens. The rare soul who properly performs these acts of charity in the right devotional mood, following the Vedic injunctions, will become utterly free of all sinful reactions and go back to Godhead, back home to the spiritual world.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Magh-krishna Ekaadasii, or Sat-tilaa Ekaadasii,
from the sacred Bhavishya-uttara Purana of Srila Krishna Dwaipayana Vyaasa.

These stories have been summarised and slightly changed or abbreviated from how they are found in the celebrated book, “Ekadasi: The Day of Lord Hari” 1986. HH Krishna Balaram Swami. Bhaktivedanta Institute Press. pages 39-44.

Note:: Special thanks to Jaya Tirtha Caran prabhu from NZ for allowing us to use some of the content from his site to compile these pages.

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This Will Keep You Strong In Spiritual Life

2012-01-16T18:34:00.001-08:00

"Always be sure to chant 16 rounds and study my books daily. This will keep you strong in spiritual life."

Letter to Locanananda das
16 January, 1975

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Please Do Not Fail To Chant 16 Rounds

2012-01-13T19:11:00.001-08:00

Please do not fail to chant 16 rounds, rise early, read my books carefully and follow all the regulative principles.

Letter to Gandharva das
12 January, 1975

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Attain God's Kingdom During Your Present Life

2012-01-09T20:22:00.001-08:00

One does not have to wait for death to enter into the kingdom of God. If one becomes a pure chanter of the holy names of God, he can actually enter into the kingdom of God even within his present body. This is described as follows by Srila Prabhupada in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 2nd Canto, Chapter 2, Text 30:

"The first stage is the offensive chanting of the holy name, and the second is the reflective stage of chanting the holy name. The third stage is the offenseless chanting of the holy name of the Lord. In the second stage only, the stage of reflection, between the offensive and offenseless stages, one automatically attains the stage of emancipation. And in the offenseless stage, one actually enters into the kingdom of God, although physically he may apparently be within the material world. "

So we don't have to wait for death to enter into the kingdom of God. We simply have to master the art of chanting the holy names of God without any offense.

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Just Keep On Chanting

2012-01-08T19:12:00.001-08:00

Whatever our situation - whatever the material energy conjures up in our lives, we need to keep on chanting regardless. It's something I was meditating on today after I finished my last 2 rounds - Maya may make so many disturbances in our lives, and it can become a very big distraction in our minds.

Regardless of these disturbances, we need to keep on chanting the best way we can and keep connected with Krsna.

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The First Medicine

2012-01-07T20:45:00.001-08:00

"So the first medicine which you should be concerned with is to chant Hare Krishna and to become increasingly steady in Krishna Consciousness."

Letter to Upendra
January 6, 1969

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If One Chants Japa Regularly

2012-01-07T06:15:00.001-08:00

"If one chants japa regularly to please the Supreme Lord, then the Supreme Lord, being pleased, will increase one's spiritual advancement and give one the eternal liberation."

Hari Bhakti Vilasa

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Ekadasi Vrata – Purpose of Fasting

2012-01-07T00:23:00.001-08:00

Purpose of fasting on Ekadasi

ekadasyam samayantyam prapunantyam jagattrayam
sthatavyam annamasritya bhavata papa purusa

sansare yani papani tany eva ekadasi dine
annam asritya tisthanti sriman narayana ajnaya

(Padma Purana, Kriya Yogasara 22.46,50)

When Ekadasi arrives, at that time, all of the sins from the three worlds reside in grains in the form of a sinful person.

Whatever sins are available in this world, they all together reside in grains on Ekadasi day by the order of Lord Sri Narayana.

The 9th anga of sadhana is harivas-sammano “Respecting the days of Hari”. In illustration, Rupa Goswami quotes in BRS 1.2.109:

hari-vasara-sammano yatha brahma-vaivarte -
sarva-papa-prasamanam punyam atyantikam tatha |
govinda-smaranam nrnam ekadasy amuposanam ||

Respecting the Holy Days of Hari

Brahma-vaivarta Purana: “Ekadasi destroys all a person’s sin, bestows limitless piety, and causes them to remember Govinda.”

Thus, there are three aspects mentioned here to following Ekadasi (1) removal of bad karma, (2) gain of good karma, and (3) remembrance of Govinda.

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Bhajan: Sri Sri Gurv-astaka

2012-01-05T01:38:00.001-08:00

Sri Sri Gurv-astaka

Eight Prayers to the Guru
by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, who appeared in the middle of the seventeenth century, is a great spiritual master in the Krsna conscious chain of gurus and disciples. He says, "One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer to the spiritual master during the brahma-muhurta obtains direct service to Krsna, the Lord of Vrndavana, at the time of his death."

Audio

Text One

samsara-davanala-lidha-loka-
tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam
praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

samsara -- (of) material existence; dava-anala -- (by) the forest fire; lidha -- afflicted; loka -- the people; tranaya -- to deliver; karunya -- of mercy; ghanaghana-tvam -- the quality of a cloud; praptasya -- who has obtained; kalyana -- auspicious; guna -- (of) qualities; arnavasya -- who is an ocean; vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

Text Two

mahaprabhoh kirtana-nrtya-gita-
vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena
romanca-kampasru-taranga-bhajo
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

mahaprabhoh -- of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kirtana -- (by) chanting; nrtya -- dancing; gita -- singing; vaditra -- playing musical instruments; madyat -- gladdened; manasah -- whose mind; rasena -- due to the mellows of pure devotion; roma-anca -- standing of the hair; kampa -- quivering of the body, asru-taranga -- torrents of tears; bhajah -- who feels; vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the sankirtana movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

Text Three

sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-
srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato 'pi
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

sri-vigraha -- (of) the arca-vigraha (Deities), aradhana -- the worship; nitya -- daily; nana-(with) various; srngara -- clothing and ornaments; tat -- of the Lord; mandira -- (of) the temple; marjana-adau -- in the cleaning, etc.; yuktasya -- who is engaged; bhaktan -- his disciples; ca -- and; niyunjatah -- who engages; api -- also; vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

Text Four

catur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada-
svadv-anna-trptan hari-bhakta-sanghan
krtvaiva trptim bhajatah sadaiva
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

catuh -- four; vidha -- kinds; sri -- holy, bhagavat-prasada -- which have been offered to Krsna; svadu -- palatable; anna -- (by) foods; trptan -- spiritually satisfied; hari -- (of) Krsna; bhakta-sanghan -- the devotees; krtva -- having made; eva -- thus; trptim -- satisfaction; bhajatah -- who feels; sada -- always; eva -- certainly; vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master is always offering Krsna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

Text Five

sri-radhika-madhavayor apara-
madhurya-lila guna-rupa-namnam
prati-ksanasvadana-lolupasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

sri-radhika -- (of) Srimati Radharani; madhavayoh -- of Lord Madhava (Krsna); apara -- unlimited; madhurya -- conjugal; lila -- pastimes; guna -- qualities; rupa -- forms; namnam -- of the holy names; prati-ksana -- at every moment; asvadana -- relishing; lolupasya -- who aspires after; vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

Text Six

nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai
ya yalibhir yuktir apeksaniya
tatrati-daksyad ati-vallabhasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

nikunja-yunah-of Radha and Krsna; rati -- (of) conjugal love; keli -- (of) pastimes; siddhyai -- for the perfection; ya ya- whatever; alibhih -- by the gopis; yuktih -- arrangements; apeksaniya -- desirable; tatra -- in that connection; ati-daksyat -- because of being very expert; ati-vallabhasya -- who is very dear; vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krsna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrndavana. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master.

Text Seven

saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

saksat -- directly; hari-tvena -- with the quality of Hari; samasta- all; sastraih -- by scriptures; uktah -- acknowledged; tatha -- thus bhavyate -- is considered; eva -- also; sadbhih -- by great saintly persons; kintu -- however; prabhoh -- to the Lord; yah -- who; priyah -- dear; eva -- certainly; tasya -- of him (the guru); vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krsna].

Text Eight

yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado
yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi
dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

SYNONYMS

yasya -- of whom (the spiritual master); prasadat -- by the grace; bhagavat -- (of) Krsna; prasadah -- the mercy; yasya -- of whom; aprasadat -- without the grace; na -- not; gatih -- means of advancement; kutah api -- from anywhere; dhyayan -- meditating upon; stuvan -- praising; tasya -- of him (the spiritual master); yasah -- the glory; tri-sandhyam -- three times a day (sunrise, noon, and sunset); vande -- I offer obeisances; guroh -- of my spiritual master; sri -- auspicious; carana-aravindam -- unto the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krsna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SVA 1: Sri Sri Gurv-astaka (samsara-davanala-lidha-loka)

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Why Our Japa Goes Through A Ritualistic Phase

2012-01-03T18:58:00.001-08:00

"One reason why our japa goes through a ritualistic phase is the deep rooted tendency in our hearts of wanting to be in control of things. This is merely a reflection of our propensity to be the enjoyer, the root cause of suffering in this material world."

Radhanatha Swami

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 30

2011-12-30T23:16:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"There is a proverb in Bengali that one person wanted to see how many thieves are there in this village, and when he began to scrutinize, he saw that everyone is a thief. Similarly, in this world you go to anyone, they are all envious of God."

Los Angeles, December 30, 1968

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 29

2011-12-29T05:07:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Bhismadeva was a military man so he was pleased to see Krishna in military spirit, as much as the Gopis wanted to see Krishna as the most beautiful lover. Krishna can be loved in any feature and because He is absolute there is no difference to love Krishna as a military man or as a simple Gopi."

Letter to Jadurani, December 29, 1967

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 28

2011-12-28T04:23:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"A real Vaisnava will never say that he is superior to anyone. He will say that he is the lowest of the living entities. If he says that he is superior then actually he is not superior."

Letter to Sukadeva, December 28, 1974

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The Deity of Amiya Nimai – Vrindaban

2011-12-27T22:07:00.001-08:00

The Deity of Amiya Nimai - Krishna Kathamrita Bindu

Sri Amiya Nimai, another stunning deity of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (the largest deity of Sri Chaitanya in Vrindavan, about 7 feet tall!).

In the disciple succession of Sri Gopal Bhatta Goswami, Sri Sarvabhauma Madhusudan Goswami got the privilege to worship the self manifested deity of Sri Radha Ramanji in Vrindaban. He was a great scholar of nyaya (Sanskrit grammar), a preacher, a social reformer, and a great devotee. During his life-time, he toured around various parts of India a number of times and thus spread the love of religion of Sri Mahaprabhu very vigorously.

At that time, Shishir Kumar Ghosh, Sri Kedarnath Bhaktivinod Thakur, Sri Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati, Pandit Rasik Mohan Vidya Bhushan, Sri Madan Mohan Malaviya, Sri Haridas Goswami and other learned scholars had close association with him.

His life was completely dedicated to Sri Mahaprabhu. He had unshakable faith in Sri Mahaprabhu and the Holy name. Through Sri Madhusudan’s inspiration, Sri Shishir Kumar Ghosh succeeded in writing books : “Amiya Nimai Charitra” in Bengali and “Lord Gauranga” in English. Through also Madhusudanji’s inspiration, Sri Krishna Gopal Duggal wrote one book on Mahaprabhu’s life in Urdu. Through the inspiration of his own disciples, Sri Madhusudan had Maharprabhu’s deities installed at many places.

In Navadwip, Sri Madhusudan obtained a very old life sized deity of Sri Mahaprabhu, he have the name “Sri Amiya Nimai Gauranga Mahaprabhu” to that deity. By Sri Madhusudan’s command and inspiration his great devotee and disciple, Sri Radha Govinda Goswami, got the same deity installed in Bag Bazar of Kolkata.

Sri Radha Govinda Goswami was born in a high class Brahmin family. His ancestors were great devotees of Sri Mahaprabhu. Sri Radha Govinda Goswami was a highly skilled in music. The only means of his livelihood was the teaching of music. Whatever he earned by this work, he always spent in the service of Sri Mahaprabhu. All the Gaudiya devotees in Kolkata always honored him. In the image of Sri Mahaprabhu, Sri Radha Govinda Goswami did not have the slightest feeling of a deity. He viewed and worshipped it as an actual manifestation of Sri Mahaprabhu.

When Sri Radha Govinda Goswami started growing older and older, he began to worry about the future worship of Sri Mahaprabhu. There was no successor in his family. Once in an infirm helpless condition, Sri Radha Govinda directly asked a question to Sri Mahaprabhu, “In the future, who and how will your service be performed ?” At night in the dream Mahaprabhu told him, “Stop worrying. Soon take me to Vrindaban where your Guru’s son lives”. Upon receiving this order in dream he wrote a letter to his Guru’s son Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami. He explained the order of Sri Mahaprabhu and requested him to arrange to take the deity of Sri Mahaprabhu to Vrindaban. Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami thought : “How will such a big deity be carried over to Vrindaban ? Where will it be seated ? In what way will its service and worship be arranged ?” therefore he expressed some inability, but again Sri Radha Govinda Goswami wrote another letter and repeated his request. This way the exchange of letters continued between both for some time.

One day in the evening, while singing the “Geet Govinda” in front of Mahaprabhu’s deity Sri Radha Govinda Goswami left his body. For the local devotee it was a heart-rending tragedy. All began to worry, “How will the order of Sri Mahaprabhu of carrying away the deity to Vrindaban be executed ? Sri Radha Govinda Goswami had no successor. At once the police came along and sealed the place. Then the local devotees started doing the worship, mentally, and also offered bhoga in front of the locked gate. Shortly after wards, the police unlocked the gate and searched the whole place. The police found the exchange of correspondence between him and Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami concerning Sri Mahaprabhu’s deity and carrying him to Vrindaban and his will was in favor of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami. On the basis of these documents the police wrote a letter to Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami requesting him to take off Mahaprabhu’ deity to Vrindaban. Now Goswamiji had no other alternative so he went to Kolkata. Over there he discussed this matter with his disciples, devotees, Sri Ramdas Babaji Maharaj and others.

In 1936, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami, Sri Ramdas Babaji Maharaj and his followers, and the devotees of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami as well as Sri Mrinal Kanti Ghosh, Sri Tushar Kanti Ghosh, Smt. Brij Bala Ghosh (Amrat Bazar Patrika Group, Kolkatta) accompanied the deity of Mahaprabu to Hathras by a reserved bogey of Toofan Train from Kolkata. At Hathras, the deity of Mahaprabhu was very profusely and heartily welcomed by the devotees. For four days, at Hathras, the deity was worshipped together with other devotional activities like Bhajan discourses etc. After that the deity was brought to Vrindaban by a truck.

About five hundred years ago, Sri Mahaprabhu himself arrived in Vrindaban on the full moon of Kartika. Exactly on the same day, 26^th November 1926, on full moon of Kartika, the deity of Sri Amiya Nimai Gauranga Mahaprabhu arrived in Vrindaban. All the devotees and Vaishnavas extended unprecedented welcome by kirtan. Immediately no suitable spot over there was available for installing such a big deity of Sri Mahaprabhu. Outside the main gate of Sri Radha Raman Temple, in the room inside the “Raas Mandal” Mahaprabhu’s deity was seated, and the worship was performed. For about four or five years the worship of Mahaprabhu continued. Shortly afterwards, Sri Shah K.S. Gupta, (Present Servitor of Sri Shahji’s Temple, Vrindaban). His grandmother Smt. Ram Devi constructed two large rooms on the Yamuna bank which was then the garden of Shaji’s temple (also known as Jugal Bagicha). At this location, Mahaprabhu’s deity was seated, and for sixteen years Mahaprabhu remained at that spot.

As the years rolled by, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami thought, “Mahaprabhu must have his own temple where his worship can be conducted smoothly and regularly” Sri Goswami’s one landed property was in Gopinath Bazar, Vrindaban. Over there, around 1954, the construction of one temple was started. a lot of contribution and co-operation for this temple’s construction came from “Amrat Bazar Partika Group Kolkata”. In 1956, the temple was ready, so the deity was installed ceremoniously in his own temple and the function was celebrated very pompously with great rejoicing. Since that day, the worship and service or Sri Mahaprabhu are conducted and carried on continuously and regularly.

After Sri Krishna Chaitanya Goswami, his only son, Sri Vishwambhar Goswami fulfilled and discharged all the responsibilities. After Sri Vishwambhar Goswami’s departure, his sons Sri Padmanabh Goswami and Sri Padmalochan Goswami are sincerely continuing all the responsibilities of making arrangements and conducting worship of Sri Amiya Nimai to the present.

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These Sixteen Words

2011-12-27T20:19:00.001-08:00

"These sixteen words - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare - are especially meant for counteracting the ill effects of the present age of quarrel and anxiety."

Kali-santarana Upanishad

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2011-12-27T09:32:00.001-08:00

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Kolaveri Di- Hare Krishna Style

youtube.com - Anish singing Why this Kolaveri Di, Hare Krishna style. Epic.

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 27

2011-12-27T07:54:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The business of leader: He must be himself always enthusiastic and inspire others to be always enthusiastic. Then he is real leader."

Letter to Trai Das, December 27, 1972

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This is my request.

2011-12-26T20:22:00.001-08:00

Yes, we are fighting impersonalism and voidism with pure devotionnal service. impersonalism and voidism kills the natural aptitude of devotion which is lying dormant in everyone's heart. Therefore we are printing books like our KRSNA book so that people may know it that the supreme absolute truth is a person, The perfection of every living creature is to render transcendental loving service to that Supreme Person and thereby go back home, back to Godhead. Krishna has said in Bhagavad-gita that "whoever explains my transcendental glories to thers is most dear to me in this world and never will there be one more dear to me than he."

LETTER TO BHAGAVAN, 24 NOVEMBER 1970

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One Will Certainly Be Delivered From The Clutches Of Maya

2011-12-26T20:06:00.001-08:00

It is to be concluded that with a strong vow, one should chant the holy name of the Lord - Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare - for thus one will certainly be delivered from the clutches of maya by the grace of Krishna.

Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.23–24 purport

Tips For Chanting

My suggestion is that you begin your more concentrated practice of chanting Hare Krsna by going through the helpful tips, which are given in the "Nectarean Ocean of the Holy Name". That is:

Focus your mind on chanting concentrated rounds the day before
Go to bed early.
Rise early and start your practice by sincerely begging for the mercy of the Holy Name.
Chant the Panca-tattva maha-mantra.
Chant in the mood of ayi nanda-tanu ja (5th verse of the Siksastakam).

From a letter by Sacinandana Swami

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 26

2011-12-26T06:44:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, is called cancala. She does not remain at one place. Today one man is very rich; next generation is no longer rich. If you are actually religious, then don't spoil your money for sense gratification. Use it for service of Krishna. If you have got some money, try to construct a very nice temple for Krishna's situation. That is proper use."

Bombay, December 26, 1972

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 25

2011-12-25T04:24:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Simply propagate this chanting, dancing, feasting and following the regulative principles. These are the four pillars of our success."

Letter to Krsna das, December 25, 1969

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 23

2011-12-23T22:12:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Anukarana, anusarana, there are two Sanskrit words. One is imitation, and one is following the footprints. If one tries to follow the footprints of great personalities, that is very nice, but we cannot imitate. Imitation is dangerous."

Los Angeles, December 23 ,1968

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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We Must Stay Strong In Our Determination

2011-12-22T20:02:00.001-08:00

My thought today was based on how I sometimes feel about Japa - we feel like we just don't want to spend the time and effort to chant rounds - there are so many other things in life to be done and the mind tends to latch onto that excuse - "You can finish them later, you have all day....now you need to do more important things before it's too late".
This is our mind taking the role of an enemy - Maya enters through our thoughts and it can sweep us away.

Srila Prabhupada established the regular morning program for this very reason - so that we can become regulated in our sadhana and stick to it every day. Even if we can't attend the morning program at the temple, we can have our own morning program of chanting Japa and reading etc.

We must stay strong in our determination to carry on with good quality sadhana....chanting is our life and soul.

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 22

2011-12-22T09:00:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"There is no limit to perfection- we may go on improving more and more, and still there is no limit to how much we may please Krishna, just like for the materialist there is no limit to how much Maya can kick us! "

Letter to Balavanta, December 22, 1971

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 21

2011-12-21T02:40:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"This Krishna consciousness movement is for approaching Radha-Krishna, to be associated with the Supreme Lord in His sublime pleasure dance. That is the aim of Krishna consciousness."

Los Angles, December 21 ,1968

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India asks Russia to resolve Gita controversy - Altamash Hashmi, CNN-IBN

2011-12-20T09:50:00.001-08:00

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/india-asks-russia-to-resolve-gita-controversy/213627-3.html

New Delhi: India on Tuesday described a complaint about the Bhagvad Gita in Russia as patently absurd. The government also promised Parliament that it was taking the controversy seriously and was closely monitoring the case. But the BJP is not satisfied and has even asked the government to declare the sacred scripture as a national book.

External Affairs Minister SM Krishna assured Parliament on Tuesday that India has registered its protest to the Russian government on a petition seeking a ban on Bhagvad Gita in a Siberian court.

Krishna hoped that Russia would act appropriately on the Bhagvad Gita controversy.

"The complaint in a local Russian court appears to be the work of some ignorant and misdirected or motivated individuals. While this complaint is patently absurd, we have treated this matter seriously and the Embassy of India is closely monitoring this legal case," Krishna said.

The government believes that it can't do more than that because it's a Siberian court that has to decide on a ban on December 28.

But the South Block is hopeful because the court has asked academics and Indologists to help it decide if parts of the Russian translation of the Gita penned by the ISKON founder are extremist in nature or not.

India has also got support from the Russian government.

Sargei Karmileto, Russian Embassy Spokesperson, says, "Russian side regrets that the issue has reached such controversy . You can not ban any sacred text Bhagvad Gita is considered a sacred text in Russia as well."

But the critics haven't been satisfied. The BJP even demanded that the Gita be declared a national book to protect it from being dishonored ever again.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said, "Srimad Bhagvat Gita must be declared a National Book so that no country can ever engage in any act of insult to this book in the future. The government should be proactive. This ban must be removed."

There is also criticism that the government has delayed its intervention, ignoring ISKON's red alert on a possible ban, an alert sent to the prime minister's office and to Sonia Gandhi on 1st November.

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 20

2011-12-20T05:50:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"If one can please a pure devotee of the Lord, such action means immediate satisfaction of the Lord, even though such a person is not officially qualified to receive the mercy of the Lord."

Letter to Yeager, December 20, 1970

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Ekadasi Alert: Wed, 21 Dec 2011

2011-12-20T02:59:00.001-08:00

Saphala Ekadasi
from Bhavisya-uttara Purana
Date of fasting: Wed, 21 Dec 2011
Breakfast : 06:41 AM - 10:29 AM Next day ***
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yudhisthira Maharaj said, "O my Dear Lord Sri Krishna, what is the
name of that Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the
month of Pausha (December-January)? How is it observed, and which
Deity is to be worshipped on that sacred day? Please narrate these
details to me fully, so that I may understand Oh Janardana." The
Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna then replied, "O best of
kings, because you desire to hear, I shall fully describe to you the
glories of the Pausha-krishna Ekadasi.

"I do not become as pleased by sacrifice or charity as I do by My
devotee's observance of a full fast on Ekadasi. To the best of one's
ability, therefore, one should fast on Ekadasi, the day of Lord Hari.

"O Yudhisthira, I urge you to hear with undivided intelligence the
glories of Pausha-krishna Ekadasi, which falls on a Dwadasi. As I
explained previously, one should not differentiate among the many
Ekadasis. O king, to benefit humanity at large I shall now describe to
you the process of observing Pausha-krishna Ekadasi.

"Pausha-krishna Ekadasi is also known as Saphalaa Ekadasi. On this
sacred day one should worship Lord Narayana, for He is its ruling
Deity. One should do so by follow the previously described method of
fasting. Just as among snakes Shesha-naga is the best, and among birds
Garuda is the best, among sacrifices the Ashvamedha-yajna is the best,
among rivers Mother Ganges is the best, among gods Lord Vishnu is
best, and among two-legged beings the brahmins are the best, so among
all fasting days Ekadasi is by far the best. O foremost of kings who
took your birth in the Bharata dynasty, whoever strictly observes
Ekadasi becomes very dear to Me and indeed worshipable by Me in every
way. Now please listen as I describe the process for observing
Saphalaa Ekadasi. "On Saphalaa Ekadasi My devotee should worship Me
by offering Me fresh fruits according to time, place and circumstance,
and by meditating on Me as the all-auspicious Supreme Personality of
Godhead. He should offer Me jaambira fruit, pomegranate, betal nuts
and leaves, coconut, guava, varieties of nuts, cloves, mangoes, and
different kinds of aromatic spices. He should also offer Me incense
and bright ghee lamps, for such an offering of lamps on Saphalaa
Ekadasi is especially glorious. The devotee should try to stay awake
the Ekadasi night.

"Now please hear with undivided attention as I tell you how much merit
one gets if he fasts and remains awake throughout the entire night
singing and chanting the glories of Narayana. O best of kings, there
is no sacrifice or pilgrimage that yields merit that is equal to or
better than the merit one gains by fasting on this Saphalaa Ekadasi.
Such fasting – particularly if one can remain awake and alert the
entire night long – bestows the same merit upon the faithful devotee
as the performance of austerity for five thousand earthly years. O
lion among kings, please hear from Me the glorious history that made
this Divine Ekadasi famous.

"Once there was a City called Champaavati, which was ruled by the
saintly King Maahishmata. He had four sons, the eldest of whom,
Lumpaka, always engaged in all manner of very sinful activities –
illicit sexual encounters with the wives of others, gambling, and
continual association with known prostitutes. His evil deeds gradually
reduced the wealth of his father, King Maahishmata. Lumpaka also
became very critical of the numerous devas, the empowered universal
attendants of the Lord, as well as toward the brahmins, and every day
he would go out of his way to blaspheme the Vaishnavas. At last King
Maahishmata, seeing the unrepentant brazen fallen condition of his
son, exiled him to the forest. Out of fear of the king, even
compassionate relatives didn't come to Lumpaka's defense, so angry was
the king toward his son, and so sinful was this Lumpaka.

"Bewildered in his exile, the fallen and rejected Lumpaka thought to
himself, 'My father has sent me away, and even my kinsmen do not raise
but a finger in objection. What am I to do now?' He schemed sinfully
and thought, 'I shall sneak back to the city under cover of darkness
and plunder its wealth. During the day I shall stay in the forest, and
as night returns, so shall I to the city.' So thinking, the sinful
Lumpaka entered the darkness of the forest. He killed many animals by
day, and by night he stole all manner of valuable items from the city.
The city-dwelling folk apprehended him several times, but out of fear
of the king they left him alone. They thought to themselves that it
must have been the accumulated sins of Lumpaka's previous births that
had forced him to act in such a way that he lost his royal facilities
and became to act so sinfully like a common selfish thief.

"Though a meat-eater, Lumpaka would also eat fruits every day. He
resided under an old banyan tree that unknown to him happened to be
very dear to Lord Vaasudeva. Indeed, many worshipped as the demi-god
(representative departmental head) of all the trees in the forest. In
due course of time, while Lumpaka was doing so many sinful and
condemnable activities, the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived. On the eve of
the Ekadasi (Dasami) Lumpaka had to pass the entire night without
sleep because of severe cold that he felt due to his scanty bedclothes
(bedding). The cold not only robbed him of all peace but almost of his
very life. By the time the sun rose, near dead, his teeth chattering
and near comatose. In fact all that Ekadasi morning, he remained in
that stupor and could not awaken out of his near comatose condition.

"When midday of the Saphalaa Ekadasi arrived, the sinful Lumpaka
finally came to and managed to rise up from his place under that
banyan tree. But with every step he took, he stumbled and fell to the
ground. Like a lame man, he walked slowly and hesitantly, suffering
greatly from hunger and thirst in the midst of the jungle. So weak was
Lumpaka that he couldn't even concentrate to nor muster strength to go
and kill even a single animal that whole day. Instead, he was reduced
to collecting whatever fruits had fallen to the ground of their own
accord. By the time he returned to his banyan tree home, the sun had
set.

"Placing the fruits on the ground next to him (at the base of the
sacred banyan tree), Lumpaka began to cry out, 'O, woe is me ! What
should I do ? Dear father, what is to become of me? O Sri Hari, please
be merciful to me and accept these fruits as an offering !' Again he
was forced to lie awake the whole night without sleep, but in the
meantime the all merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord
Madhusudana, had become pleased with Lumpaka's humble offering of
forest fruits, and He accepted them. Lumpaka had unwittingly observed
a full Ekadasi fast, and by the merit he reaped on that day he
regained his kingdom with no further obstacles. "Listen, O
Yudhisthira, to what happened to the son of King Maahishmata when but
a fragment of the merit spouted up within his heart.

"As the Sun beautifully rose in the sky on the day following Ekadasi,
a handsome horse approached Lumpaka as if seeking him out, and stood
next to him. At the same time, a voice suddenly boomed out from the
clear blue sky saying, 'This horse is for you, Lumpaka! Mount it and
ride swiftly out of this forest to greet you family! O son of King
Maahishmata, by the mercy of the Supreme lord Vaasudeva and the
strength of the merit you acquired by observing Saphalaa Ekadasi, your
kingdom will be returned to you without any further hindrances. Such
is the benefit you have gained by fasting on this most auspicious of
days. Go now, to you father and enjoy your rightful place in the
dynasty.' "Upon hearing these celestial words resounding from above,
Lumpaka mounted the horse and rode back to the city of Champaavati. By
the merit he had accrued by fasting on Saphalaa Ekadasi, he had become
a handsome prince once more and was able to absorb his mind in the
lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari. In other
words, he had become My pure devotee.

"Lumpaka offered his father, King Maahishmata, his humble obeisances
and once more accepted his princely responsibilities. Seeing his son
so decorated with Vaishnava ornaments and tilak (udhvara pundra) King
Maahishmata gave him the kingdom, and Lumpaka ruled unopposed for
many, many years. Whenever the Ekadasi came, he worshipped the Supreme
Lord Narayana with great devotion. And by the mercy of Sri Krishna he
obtained a beautiful wife and a fine son. In old age Lumpaka handed
his kingdom over to his son – just as his own father, King
Maahishmata, had handed it over to him. Lumpaka then went to the
forest to dedicate his concentrate attention to gratefully serve the
Supreme Lord with controlled mind and senses. Purified of all material
desires, he left his old material body and returned back to home, back
to Godhead, attaining a place near the lotus feet of his worshipful
Lord, Sri Krishna.

"O Yudhisthira, one who approaches Me as Lumpaka did will become
completely free of lamentation and anxiety. Indeed, anyone who
properly observes this glorious Saphalaa Ekadasi – even unknowingly,
like Lumpaka – will become famous in this world. He will become
perfectly liberated at death and return to the spiritual abode of
Vaikuntha. Of this there is no doubt. Moreover, one who simply hears
the glories of Saphalaa Ekadasi obtains the same merit derived by one
who performs a Rajasurya-yajna, and at the very least he goes to
heaven in his next birth, so where is the loss?"

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Pausha-krishna Ekadasi, or
Saphalaa Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
*** Date and breakfast timing is mentioned for Bangalore city (India).
Please visit http://vaisnavacalendar.com/ for other places

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Showing Krishna That We Are Valuing Our Session

2011-12-19T20:04:00.001-08:00

When the mind conjures up ‘important’ proposals, we can patiently tell the mind to listen to the mahamantra and also reassure him that after the japa session you shall certainly address the issue.

Before we sit to chant, we can resolve to chant a certain fixed number of rounds in that sitting. Say for example you resolve to chant six rounds without a break. Till the six rounds are done you should then refuse to look at the watch or put things on the planner. Whenever the mind protests, just reassure him that after the six rounds are done you shall certainly work on the concerns expressed by the mind. This way we are showing Krishna that we are valuing our session with him and are not looking to end the meeting.

Radhanatha Swami

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 19

2011-12-19T09:03:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna's plan. Whatever is meant to be I am doing. Let me do it with my full attention to every detail. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna's alone pleasure is my motive."

Letter to Jayapataka, December 19, 1972

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 18

2011-12-18T03:17:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Our centres are like the oasis in a vast desert. In the desert there is no water, but occasionally if one is fortunate he may come in contact with an oasis and he is saved. Similarly in this material world we are drying up due to lack of spiritual knowledge. Our ISKCON centres are meant to give relief to the dried up conditioned souls who are searching after the nectar of joyful life."

Letter to Bhagavan, December 18, 1970

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Method to make Gold ..Miracle!

2011-12-17T21:29:00.001-08:00

Prabhupada: Many yogis, they make such gold for meeting their expenditures. Yes. Still in India they know how to make gold from copper. Yes. The process is they will drink mercury at night, and in the morning they will urine on the copper coins. And then, after some hours, the copper coins taken and put into the fire, it becomes gold. And it is scientific that some molecules of mercury, if mixed with copper, it is gold. Gold is combination of mercury and copper. But the people cannot mix it. They have tried. That is called alchemist. They tried to mix it. Because they do not know the process, as soon as mercury is put into fire, it immediately goes out. You melt copper, and in hot copper, if you put mercury, it will not melt together. Immediately it will throw away. So some of the yogis, they know. They digest copper, er, mercury, and it comes in the form, urine. And then the copper is put there. There is an interaction, and then put into fire. It becomes gold.

Gargamuni: So we should start manufacturing.

Prabhupada: You first of all eat mercury then. (laughter) You'll be finished. [break] ...no scarcity. Why should we go to imitate the rascals? We have got enough gold. Krsna is supplying gold whenever we require. [break] ...artha-prayojanam. Whatever you need, Krsna will supply, if you actually remain dependent on Krsna. There are so many literatures of different groups, but who is selling so much? Forty thousand, fifty thousand daily? Unless Krsna is helping us. In the history no religion book have sold thirty thousand, forty thousand daily. There is no history. So why don't you see this wonderful thing? All the money that I have brought from USA, India, it is all book fund. Nobody has given. George has given. That is not in cash. And he gave that two lakhs. That was spent for Krsna Book. So wherefrom the cash is coming?

Gargamuni: Sales of books.

Prabhupada: That's all right. Because we have got substantial sale of books, we are free to get money. And it is unbelievable that religious books are sold thirty thousand, forty thousand, fifty thousand daily. There is no history.

Gargamuni: So that is a miracle.

Prabhupada: Is it not miracle?

December Book Distribution Marathon Ki Jai

See the full gallery on Posterous

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Bhagavad Gita faces ban in Russia

2011-12-17T21:18:00.001-08:00

Bhagavad Gita faces 'extremist' branding, ban in Russia.

The final pronouncement in the case will come two days after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his Dec 15-17 official visit.

MOSCOW: Bhagavad Gita, one of the holiest Hindu scriptures, is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as "an extremist" literature across Russia. A court in Siberia's Tomsk city is set to deliver its final verdict Monday in a case filed by state prosecutors.

The final pronouncement in the case will come two days after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his Dec 15-17 official visit for a bilateral summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev consolidated bilateral trade and strategic ties and personal friendship.

The case, which has been going on in Tomsk court since June, seeks ban on a Russian translation of "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

It also wants the Hindu religious text banned in Russia and declared as a literature spreading "social discord", its distribution on Russian soil rendered illegal.

In view of the case, Indians settled in Moscow, numbering about 15,000, and followers of the ISKCON religious movement here have appealed to Manmohan Singh and his government to intervene diplomatically to resolve the issue in favour of the scripture, an important part of Indian epic Mahabharata written by sage Ved Vyas.

The ISKCON followers in Russia have also written a letter to the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi, calling for immediate intervention, lest the religious freedom of Hindus living here be compromised.

"The case is coming up for a final verdict on Monday in Tomsk court. We want all efforts from the Indian government to protect the religious rights of Hindus in Russia," Sadhu Priya Das of ISKCON and a devotee of a 40-year-old Krishna temple in central Moscow, told IANS.

The court, which took up the case filed by the state prosecutors, had referred the book to the Tomsk State University for "an expert" examination Oct 25.

But Hindu groups in Russia, particularly followers of ISKCON, say the university was not qualified as it lacked Indologists who study the history and cultures, languages, and literature of the Indian subcontinent.

The Hindus pleaded with the court that the case was inspired by religious bias and intolerance from a "majority religious group in Russia", and have sought that their rights to practice their religious beliefs be upheld.

The prosecutor's case also seeks to ban the preachings of Prabhupada and ISKCON's religious beliefs, claiming these were "extremist" in nature and preached "hatred" of other religious beliefs.

"They have not just tried to get the Bhagavad Gita banned, but also brand our religious beliefs and preachings as extremist," Das said.

The ISKCON devotees have taken up the matter with the Indian embassy in Moscow too for an early diplomatic intervention before things get worse and the court passes an adverse verdict banning the Bhagavad Gita and Krishna consciousness teachings.

In the Nov 1 letter addressed to Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji, ISKCON's New Delhi branch Governing Body Commissioner Gopal Krishna Goswami, said the prosecutor's affidavit claims Lord Krishna "is evil and not conforming to Christian religious view".

Goswami also urged Manmohan Singh to accord priority to the matter during his Moscow stay and take it up with the Russian authorities.

Indian diplomatic corps officials at the embassy here, who were unwilling to be named, told IANS that they have been following up the case since the time it was brought to their notice earlier this year.

They had also taken up the matter at the appropriate levels in the Russian government to get the case either withdrawn or get the defence to fight the case to obtain a favourable verdict.

Officials at the Indian Prime Minister's Office, who were part of the Indian delegation accompanying Manmohan Singh, confirmed to IANS the case and the letter they received from ISKCON in this regard.

"This matter is receiving the highest attention and the Indian embassy officials in Moscow have been instructed to follow up the case with the Russian authorities," they said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Bhagavad-Gita-faces-extremist-branding-ban-in-Russia/articleshow/11143014.cms

Dhanyawad.

__,_._,___

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 17

2011-12-17T21:15:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Every one of us is searching after some mellow, some pleasure from everything. Krishna is the reservoir of all pleasures, rasa-vigraha, fully personified. Wherever there is Krishna, there is rasa, a transcendental mellow, enjoyment, relishable."

Surat, December 17, 1970

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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The Vibration Is Sure To Act

2011-12-16T20:25:00.001-08:00

"...therefore, if you chant Hare Krishna offenselessly, that is to say, avoiding the 10 kinds of offenses, the vibration is sure to act."

Letter to Gurudasa
December 14, 1968

With Patience And Forbearance Like A Tree

"You should always chant the transcendental name of Godhead with patience and forbearance like a tree and humbleness like a straw . . . There are many amongst you who are well qualified and able workers. We have no other desire whatsoever."

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

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Appreciation letter from president of India for ISKCON Russia

2011-12-16T20:11:00.001-08:00

"Now it's the time to get very busy in book distribution and sankirtan. This is only my saving grace."

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Bhagavad-gita court case

2011-12-16T20:06:00.001-08:00

Kindly sign the online petition below and help ISKCON Russia to prevent the Bhagavad-Gita from being banned in Russia.

Your servant,

Manikantan

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Bhakti Vijnana Goswami (GBC) (Moscow - R)
Date: 16-Dec-11
Dear Maharajas, Prabhus, members of this conference,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Today we received the testimony of the experts from Kemerovo State
University. As it should have been expected, it is highly negative.
We uploaded the petition. It is self-explanatory, and formulated in such a
way that not only ISKCON devotees can vote. Please feel free to share this
link.
http://www.petitions24.com/gita
Please find below the text of the petition. On the site it is both in
Russian and English.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is, one of the most respected holy scriptures of the
world today, is under the threat of being banned in Russia.
The court proceedings will resume in Siberian city Tomsk, Russia, on Monday
19th. The persecutors in Tomsk suggest that the widely distributed book
translated and commented upon by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada should
be included in the Justice Ministry's list of banned extremist literature.
Bhagavad-gita As It Is is translated in more than 80 languages. Over 100
million copies of this book was distributed to date all over the world!
Millions of people in the world today consider it as the main book in their
life.
The persecutors with great determination and vigor are pushing through this
absurd case. During the first three court hearings, the testimony of the
Tomsk experts upon which the persecutors built their case for the court was
recognized as «inadequate». However, the Persecutor's office ordered the new
testimony. Noteworthy, that the testimony was requested not from the
well-known experts of Hinduism from Moscow, but from some unknown experts
from Kemerovo State University. This move clearly suggests that the court
decision is already predestined. This practice brings to memory the Middle
Age Inquisition, Witch hunting, burning of books and the persecution of the
dissidents during Soviet period of Russian history.
Tomsk Ombudsperson, eminent scholars of Hinduism, the members of the Public
Chamber of Russian Federation, representatives of Indian community in
Russia, and people belonging to different religious denominations in Russia
have already expressed their perplexity and outrage caused by the activities
of Tomsk persecutors.
We demand to stop the court over the Holy Scripture! These initiatives of
the Tomsk Persecutor’s Office offend the religious sentiments of all the
followers of Hinduism and bring disgrace to the country of Russia.
Once you sign the petition - you will receive e-mail asking you to confirm
your vote. This is very important - otherwise it will be canceled.
And please share this link to your friends.
The court hearings will start rather early on Monday (considering the
Siberian time zone - 7 hours), so better to hold any prayers on Sunday.
Your servant Bhakti Vijnana Goswami

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 16

2011-12-16T10:03:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"One can take service from a particular type of well for a particular purpose, but if he goes to the ever-flowing river, all water purposes will be served there. So if you take to Krishna consciousness, then all the purposes of different types of wells is served in the ever-flowing river of Krishna consciousness."

Los Angeles, December 16, 1968

Chant and Be Happy:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 15

2011-12-15T05:21:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"There is need of a clue as to how humanity can- become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society."

Delhi, December 15, 1962

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One Must First Give Up Sadhu-ninda

2011-12-14T21:18:00.001-08:00

"Without developing a spirit of service, chanting the holy name is in vain. Real devotion can be cultivated only when one receives the blessings of an unalloyed devotee. . . . Therefore to give up namaparadha one must first give up sadhu-ninda, or finding faults with the devotees."

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

Raise Your Family To Be Exemplary Vaisnavas

"Raise your family to be exemplary Vaisnavas by yourself following the regulative principles and rigidly chanting Hare Krishna mantra, and without any doubt they and yourself will become all of you firmly situated on the path back to home, back to Godhead."

Letter to Candrabali
13 December, 1972

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Krishna Talk 135 - Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s Disappearance Day

2011-12-14T09:12:00.001-08:00

Krishna Talk 135 - Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s Disappearance Day
by Swami B.G. Narasingha

View online:
http://www.gosai.com/writings/srila-sarasvati-thakura-s-disappearance-day

(The following is a lecture on the disappearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta
Sarasvati Thakura given on 7th December 2007 at Kaliya-mardana Krsna Asrama
in Mulki, South India. After singing the song ‘Jayare jayare Jaya
Paramahamsa Mahasaya’ Srila Narasingha Maharaja spoke as follows…)

This song was written by Gopala Govinda Mahanta, an admirer and follower of
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. This song passed the scrutiny of all
of Sarasvati Thakura’s initiated disciples. We know that Srila Sridhara
Maharaja appreciated this song very much and he would always have it sung on
the day of Srila Sarasvati Thakura’s disappearance. Gopala Govinda Mahanta
was not an initiated disciple of Sarasvati Thakura. Generally we put so much
emphasis on proper initiation in order to become a proper disciple and
properly understand Krsna consciousness. But what is initiation? There have
been many people who have taken initiation from the beginning of time till
now, who later became the enemy of their guru. Simply taking initiation does
not mean anything. Yet it is a formality that is kept intact because if we
remove the form, then anything goes – there has to be some form. Srila
Sarasvati Thakura emphasized that we are the followers of substance, not
form. However, we have to give it some form, otherwise how will we find the
substance? There has to be some organization, and therein lies a problem
– giving form to the substance of God consciousness and thus allowing
people to connect, and simply becoming an institution in the material world
which is all about form and nothing about substance.

Therein lies the problem. This world is a problem! It is not a nice place.
Yesterday afternoon I was looking at the river here. It was so beautiful. But
as I looked down I saw a big fish come up and eat ten other smaller fish.
Then there was a crab that was crawling around trying to pinch everything in
sight. So even within beauty, if you go a little further, you will see that
there is only suffering, destruction and death. Presently we are making a
beautiful ghata by massacring all the shellfish that are around there cutting
our feet. We’re chopping them, smashing them, eliminating their existence.
That is this material world – a place of elimination. When you minimize
the dangers in your proximity then that is considered to be nice. There
actually isn’t anything nice. We say, “It’s a beautiful sunny day”,
but actually the sun is killing people – it’s giving people skin cancer;
it’s causing the algae to grow in the water. At the same time, if we
don’t have any sun, we’d die.

‘ENJOY’ IS NOT A WORD IN A VAISNAVA’S VOCABULARY

Some religionists think, “God created this world for us to enjoy.” But
another view says, “Well actually this whole universe could disappear in a
second – it could just fall into a black hole in space and disappear. In
fact, we’re lucky to be around because black holes are everywhere and
there’s only a few safe spaces in the universe.”

This place doesn’t seem to be meant for enjoyment – it seems to be set up
for fragile existence and ultimate destruction. The Christians are totally
wrong – God did not create this world for our enjoyment. Eternally it is
meant for His service. But some living entities are determined to enjoy.
People want to enjoy this material world, but everywhere there is disaster
and destruction, and now and again one may find a little safe zone where
material life can go on haphazardly for a while. But the whole universe is
screaming in our face that, “There’s a better life than enjoyment, find
out what it is!” The prospect of enjoying separate from Krsna does not
work. Therefore there is no enjoyment – there is only the illusion of
enjoyment. In fact, Srila Sridhara Maharaja said that Vaisnavas should not
use the word ‘enjoy’. When somebody visited his birthplace at Hapaniya,
he asked, “So you went to Hapaniya?”

They replied, “Oh yes Guru Maharaja, we went there and enjoyed it very
much”

He said, “No, no – that is not a word in a Gaudiya Vaisnava’s
vocabulary”.

Sometimes I’ve seen amongst devotees saying goodbye to each other and they
say, “Enjoy your trip to Vrndavana.” It’s not about enjoyment.

WHAT IS INITIATION?

So, as we were saying, generally much emphasis is given to initiation, but
when it comes down to it, what is initiation? Is it just a ceremony? Is it
just receiving some beads that cost a few rupees in the market? Is it
receiving some mantras and then writing them on a piece of paper and
memorizing them? Is it receiving a sacred thread that is also purchased in
the market? Is it offering grains into the fire that is said to be the mouth
of Visnu? What is it?

Initiation is actually a heart connection. It’s also described as knowledge
of one’s eternal relationship with Krsna that constitutes initiation. Many
people have knowledge, but knowledge can be very theoretical. But when
there’s a heart connection, when it’s deep within the plane of faith
(sraddha), then that connection is made and that is initiation. It is
possible to make that connection without going through all the required
ritualistic steps. For example, anyone can chant the Maha-mantra. Still it is
recommended that one should take shelter of a bona-fide guru and learn the
process of devotional service.

If you go back to ancient times, we see that Sukadeva Gosvami didn’t take
initiation. When he was born, he immediately ran away from home and went to
live in the forest. Vyasadeva wanted to instruct him, so he sent out his
disciples to collect wood and instructed them to chant a verse from the
Bhagavatam. Vyasadeva knew that if Sukadeva would hear this, he would become
attracted. When Sukadeva heard that verse he came out of his conscious
equilibrium of being unconcerned about the world and asked the disciples,
“Where did you get this sloka?” The disciples directed him to Vyasa’s
asrama, and there he heard the Srimad Bhagavatam. However he did not undergo
the rituals of diksa. So in the ancient world things were predominantly based
on substance. Initiation meant receiving the mantra, and receiving
instruction from the guru – there was no ritual. Lord Brahma was initiated
by Krsna – they didn’t sit down and perform a yajna or any type of
ritual. But these things developed in time because we’re not Lord Brahma or
Sukadeva Gosvami. Therefore, personalities of the class of Sukadeva and
Brahma developed a system because people in this world require such.
THE NECCESSITY OF INSTITUTIONS

Particularly in this age institutions are unavoidable. There are institutions
and organizations for everything. The Deist movement in America that is
credited as being the religion of the founding fathers was not based upon
Christianity at all. In fact, most of the founding fathers could not stand
Christianity. They thought it was a foolish idea that was detrimental to
human society and they are the ones credited with the most enlightened
political doctrine that is called the American constitution.

But the Deists didn’t have any institution. They didn’t have any
churches, they didn’t have any meeting hall, and they had no official name.
They didn’t do any preaching, they didn’t have any coded book. They had
some letters by Thomas Paine that inspired them, but it wasn’t a scriptural
canon. Eventually they vanished.

Christianity was building churches everywhere. You go to some countries and
there’s a church on every corner. Even within half a mile of the Vatican
there’s twenty more churches. They’ve got them on the corner of every
single ancient city. That was their mood – the more churches, the better.
People go to churches, so open more churches – make an institution. The
Deists had nothing so they were almost forgotten. So there has to be some
rules and institutionalization in this world, there has to be some buildings.

One friend of mine, when he started preaching he said, “Temples are not
important. First just make a temple in your heart”. But then when he got a
lot of money he started opening temples. First he was criticizing Prabhupada
and ISKCON for opening many temples, but then when he got money and a lot of
followers he also started building temples. If you have a message, you have
to have an institution that people can come to. But simply joining that
institution and simply going through all the rituals does not constitute real
initiation.

RADHARANI – THE FIRST AND LAST WORD OF THE ABSOLUTE

Real initiation is born from sraddha. What is the first and last word of the
Absolute? When you chant the maha-mantra, the first word is ‘Hare’ and
the last word is ‘Hare’. That is the first and last word of the Absolute.
What is Hare? Hare means Radharani. She is the internal potency of Krsna, and
where you find that first is in sraddha. She is Sraddha-devi. The effulgence
of Radha is sraddha. That comes and shines on the living entity. Our journey
to the Absolute begins with faith, and it ends with service to Radharani.
There are many types of service – serving Lord Narayana, serving Lord
Narasimha, serving Lord Rama, serving Lord Krsna in Dvaraka or Mathura and
serving Lord Krsna in Vrndavana in various rasas and this finally comes to
the highest type of service. Krsna is Vrajesvara, but Radha is Vrajesvari,
the feminine controller who controls Krsna by Her love, devotion and
surrender – then Krsna Himself becomes a servant of Radharani.

The first and last word of the Absolute truth is Hare – faith in the
beginning, and divine service in Goloka in the end. Everything else is there
to help us find where that faith is. Faith is the fundamental basis, and
faith changes and takes different shapes. It is called nistha, it is called
bhava and it is called prema. There are nine stages that faith goes through.
Faith itself becomes prema – pure love of Krsna. That has many shades and
varieties also.

SCIENCE IS BORN OUT OF RELIGION

All these things have to do with capturing the plane of our heart – not the
brain. Calculation can be our enemy, and the brain can be a dangerous and
fickle sense. The brain means the mind. Once I was talking with a man at a
university who said, “I’ve realized the truth”, and he pointed to his
head. And I replied, “I’ve realized what is meant to be true”, and I
touched my heart. Bhakti is not in the head, bhakti is in the heart. But that
doesn't mean this material organ that pumps blood – otherwise when the
heart dies, then bhakti also dies. Intuitively, when we speak of the self, we
point to the heart.

We intuitively know that the self is there. Even an animal has certain
intuitions. There are many God-given intuitions. However, as human beings, we
sometimes have less sense than animals. When an animal sees something hurts
him, he stays away from it. But human beings create machines that kill them,
cigarettes, junk food etc. You’d think they would change their lifestyle,
but no! Even if it’s killing them they don’t stop. But when an animal is
suffering, it analyses why and stops. So on some level, human beings are
dumber than animals, because they can’t give up the cause of their
suffering. In science we understand that there are reactions to certain
experiments. If you boil water, this happens; if you add this chemical, that
happens etc. But then on the physical plane, do they really think that they
can do anything to anybody and nothing will happen? That means they are less
intelligent. They can’t figure out what is actually the cause of their
suffering.

Intelligent human beings can understand certain things, but there is a
certain propensity that always arises, and that is the search for God. People
in atheistic societies have tried to drive God out and they’ve destroyed
anything to do with religion. But as soon as that regime is gone, religion
just comes back again. This is not something that is created. This essential
drive in the human being is not due to his weakness. Some people think that
religions appeared because people thought, “Well, I can’t explain the
universe, I don’t understand biology or chemistry, I don’t know how
things work. I have a necessity to know, so I guess God did it all.”

Recently there was an article by a scientist from England and she begins by
saying that for centuries modern science and Christianity have banged heads.
When Christianity was developing they didn’t know about the universe, they
didn’t know the order of the planets, they didn’t know that the world was
round etc. Then science came along and discovered all these things and found
out that what the Bible said and what the church said wasn’t true. The
scientists then said that religion was invented simply because people
didn’t understand the world around them. This lady points out that that
idea falls flat on its face when you come to ancient India because at the
time that the Vedas were written, there was great scientific knowledge. In
fact it is written in the Vedic literature that the world is not flat, that
there’s the order of the planets, that there’s a thing called an atom
etc. So the argument that God was created out of necessity because mankind
did not understand the universe doesn’t work when you look at Vedic
civilization because they knew all these things and still they concluded
that, “God did it”.

Some people say that science and religion cannot be harmonized in any way,
but that’s also wrong. All this scientific knowledge was there in Vedic
times – in fact, some of the greatest scientists in the ancient world were
great spiritualists also. Actually science is born out of real religion, and
therein lies the issue – science in general has never examined real
religion. They have only examined the concocted religions in the western
world. They have never closely examined the body of Vedic knowledge. You will
find that some of them have, but with a biased viewpoint - they don’t like
the color of the people who wrote the Vedas, they don’t like the language
of the Vedas because it kind of makes them look bad.

Voltaire, the famous French philosopher, once said, “Everything has come
down to us from the banks of the Ganges.” But those kinds of statements
don’t get popularized; they get forgotten. There are scientists now, who we
would call educated researchers, that say there is a creator, and that the
universe screams this in your face all day long, nonstop. The most
intelligent conclusion is that the world was created and in order for there
to be creation there must be a creator. When they finally stop arguing about
whether or not there is a creator, they finally come to the question, “If
there is a creator, is He personal or impersonal?” Right now this debate is
on a very unintelligent level. These scientists are actually less
intelligent. Prabhupada said, “The reason they cannot understand is because
they are meat-heads. They eat meat.”

TAKING OVER THE WORLD

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura liked this type of preaching – he
liked to challenge misconceptions, be they religious, philosophical or
historical. Of course, historical misconceptions are not so important, but
scientific misconceptions are very important. For example, look at Darwinism
- its not even knowledge, it’s an unproven idea that still rules the world.
Darwinism was already on the way out during the time of Bhaktivinoda and
Sarasvati Thakura, its death grip was broken, but still Darwinism is being
taught in schools. The old guard dies slow, but the good news is that finally
they will die and the new guard takes over and then new ideas have some
scope.

Young people are making a big noise about the government, the economy etc,
but they don’t understand that they don’t run this world – they don’t
control money until they get to about fifty years old in most cases. Those
above fifty run the world. They control all the money and everybody else is
simply eating biscuits. That’s the way it is, and that’s the way it’s
always been. Actually, the truth is America doesn’t even control it’s own
money – the European Bank does. Other organizations control the so-called
wealth of America. It’s the economic plan.

Prabhupada was also planning – he was walking up and down the room thinking
how to take over the world. Many times he’d ring his bell and his secretary
would come in, thinking he needs something. Then Prabhupada would say,
“Books for the intelligent, prasadam for the masses – this is what we
have to do”. He was not just sitting in his room thinking about some small
thing. He was thinking about how to take over the world.

In the material sense there are many people trying to control the world, and
from a religious sense also there are many people that want to control the
world. Nowadays there are some people who want to control India and convert
India to Christianity. There was a recent e-book I saw online written by some
Christians who want to convert India to Christianity. The book was called
‘Exposition of Damnable Heresies” – that kind of title belongs
somewhere in the 1700’s. The next thing to follow that is witch burning.
This is the sort of book that they used to shake in peoples faces before
burning them alive. Let these people loose and they would do it again. They
would light everybody who’s not a believer on fire. They have an office –
it used to be called ‘The Congregation of the Holy Office of the
Inquisition’, Now it’s called ‘The Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith’. They adjusted the sound of the name, but the business is the same.

Sometimes it disturbs me how devotees become so smalltime in their thinking.
Sometimes they say, “Well, what about me? What about my life?” I tell
them, “You don’t have a life. You’re just dying, and then the day comes
when it’s finished. What do you mean, ‘your life?’ Did you prescribe to
be born somewhere, a certain size, a certain color? Did you prescribe for
this? Did you even request it? You had nothing to say about it! So where do
you get this idea of ‘my life’? What part of it is yours? You don’t
know how many hairs are on your head, you don’t even know what your
skullcap looks like, but you say, ‘I want to lead my life’.

KRSNA WANTS A REVOLUTION

One friend of mine left Krsna consciousness on the plea that, “Well, I
never really had a relationship.” Fifty million lifetimes of buzzwords like
‘relationship’… what are you talking about? It is simply something
going on in the material mind. Your life belongs to Krsna. We’re just
riding on a chariot that doesn’t even belong to us. If you want to qualify
that then become a devotee of Krsna – then your life belongs to Krsna.
Devote your life to Krsna – that’s living your life properly. What is
this thing about ‘fulfilling a relationship’? Who? Where? Show me! There
is no fulfillment in the material world. In the end there’s only
disappointment. Then you will surround yourself with photographs and
trinkets, trying to convince yourself that you’re fulfilled. When you’re
dead and gone, they will tie them all up and throw them in a box. Did you
ever see all those black and white photos from the turn of the century and
World War II? Those were somebody’s dear photos and now they’re just in
an antique shop somewhere gathering dust. Nobody knows who those people were.
And even if you do make your mark and do something great in this world,
they’ll probably write something about you in the history books that is
wrong. You could be the next Tesla, but it’ll be a hundred years later
before we find out what you actually did. You could be a jerk and go in the
history books as a wonderful person, or you could be a wonderful person and
go down in history as a jerk! And how long will your name be famous? There
are names like Pythagoras and Plato from the ancient world, but how many
hundreds and millions of people have come and gone since then? What is your
real prospect? What is your life all about? What matters? Devotees are not
supposed to be like the everyday Joe in this world with a mundane job.
That’s not what Krsna wants. Krsna wants a revolution! He doesn’t
necessarily call for a violent revolution, but He wants a revolution of
consciousness. When you have a revolution of consciousness that means a
change of lifestyle. This thing where devotees try to live the American dream
and settle down in middle class America in row housing with a two-car garage
has nothing to do with why they came to Krsna consciousness. They should just
give it up!

One acarya has said, “I’m selling my house and moving to Vrndavana.”
Then in the next verse he says, “If nobody wants to buy my house, then
I’m just going to give it away’. The point is that there are better
things. If you can’t cash out, then give it away, burn it, throw it away
– who cares? Srila Sridhara Maharaja says, “Get out of the fire of the
thing that charms you and keeps you in the fire, whatever it is.” There is
nothing more important than Krsna Consciousness.

Unfortunately most living entities never realize this. Hundreds of billions
of people are dying every day and they don’t realize the real purpose of
life, they just float through. They accept some good times, some bad times,
and just move on – not upwards. They’d be lucky to simply attain a
second human life – and that’s almost impossible. This is not the India
of Satya-yuga where people are going to heaven or to Vaikuntha. This is the
India where 2.4 million people are dying of AIDS and going to hell. What is
the meaning of going to hell? It means that they’re not getting a good,
prosperous, wholesome birth in their next life. Practically everyone in India
believes in reincarnation. But they just think that they’re going to be a
human in their next life. They don’t think, “What about all the dogs?
Where did they come from? What about all the fish? Where did they come
from?” They just think, “I have many lives, next life I’ll be born in
this village.” Well, maybe... as a crow or a goat! Even that is doubtful.

KRSNA’S VISION IS BROADER THAN THE INSTITUTIONS

Krsna consciousness is the most important thing. We say that Krsna
consciousness is not a matter a life and death – it’s more important
than that. Sarasvati Thakura had such a view. Can you imagine? He sends out
an invitation to come for the Gaura Purnima, festival, so people naturally
come. They spend the whole day together, and then, when the people go to
leave he tells them, “Don’t cheat me like this.” They are stunned and
tell him, “We’re just going back to our home. We have a job”, and he
says, ‘That doesn’t matter – nothing matters. You come now to
Krsna.”

They’re not really seeing what he’s seeing. It would be like coming to
the temple and seeing Krsna Himself sitting on the altar eating, and after
seeing that, you said, “Well, I’ve got to go now. I have to get back to
work.” Who would do that? If you saw that, you couldn’t go back to work
anymore. If you realize Krsna, you won’t do that anymore, unless that is
what Krsna wants you to do.

Kunja-bihari was the secretary of the Gaudiya Matha. He had a job and gave
all his money to the mission of Sarasvati Thakura. And whenever he could take
a loan, he took a loan and he also gave that. He’s already giving his
salary, so how is he going to pay back the loan? Usually if you take a loan
you have to keep some of your salary to pay the loan; but he took all the
salary and gave it. Eventually he left and went to work in Basra in Iraq
where he got a higher paying job so that he could pay back the loans that he
took. Finally Sarasvati Thakura contacted him and he came back. Nobody tells
if he paid back the loans because that’s irrelevant. What we’re told is
he gave everything in the service to his guru.

Professor Nisikant Sanyal was another disciple of Sarasvati Thakura who was
also like that. He worked as a professor at Cuttack University. He would get
his monthly salary from the university and he would give everything to his
guru – everything! And then Sarasvati Thakura would give half back to
Professor Sanyal’s wife and say, “This is for your matha”. ‘Matha’
means their household.

Now, Prabhupada didn’t do that, and most of his disciples didn’t do that.
They didn't just come and give everything. But everyone has to face this
reality – if what we’re doing is not benefitting Krsna Consciousness, if
it’s not in the association of devotees then it’s just a waste of time.
That’s the real vision of life. Even people with big institutions decide
what they’re doing only based on their institution – they don’t do
things for the benefit of others. But if those others are going to join their
institution then “of course we can do that”. But if it’s just for the
broad benefit of others then, “No, we don’t want to do that. We can’t
help others.” This is not Krsna’s vision. Krsna’s vision is much
broader than the institution.

Once, Srila Prabhupada said, “Bring five hundred children for the
gurukula.” Then one devotee said, “But Prabhupada, we don’t have five
hundred children in ISKCON.” Prabhupada said, “ISKCON, Schmishcon! Just
bring children!” He didn’t care if they were ISKCON children or not
– bring children into the school and give them a proper training. Of
course, that was the ideal – in the end it became something different. But
it wasn’t that Prabhupada was thinking, “It has to be our ISKCON
children. The children have to sign up and be in ISKCON first.” It was,
“Let us train children. Let us train people.” It wasn’t just for one
group – it was for the world. It was not that he was creating a little
clique that was for itself and by itself. No – this is for Krsna, and in
order to be for Krsna you have to be attentive to the will of Krsna. When
you’re inattentive to Krsna’s will, you miss an opportunity. Many
spiritual institutions evolve into a scenario of missed opportunities that
ultimately becomes their total lifestyle.

"I do not know how much nectar the two syllables 'Krs-na' haveproduced. When the holy name of Krsna is chanted, it appears to dance withinthe mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dancing the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert."
[ Srila Rupa Gosvami's "Vidagdha-Madhava" 1.12 ]

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 13

2011-12-13T19:33:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"God's business is to protect the faithful and kill the demons. Therefore we find Lord Visnu, the four symbolic representations: for killing, the club and the cakra; and for protecting, the lotus flower and conchshell."

Indore, December 13, 1970

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Will Gradually Clear Everything In Due Course

2011-12-12T20:42:00.001-08:00

"...the difficulties of life may come as seasonal changes but we should not be disturbed by all those difficulties. Our process is to chant and that process will gradually clear everything in due course."

Letter to Mukunda
6th June, 1967

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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He Is Elevated Step By Step

2011-12-11T20:00:00.001-08:00

"Everyone begins his devotional life from the neophyte stage, but if one properly finishes chanting the prescribed number of rounds of hari-nama, he is elevated step by step to the highest platform, uttama-adhikare."

Nectar Of Instruction
Verse 5 puport

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 11

2011-12-11T02:30:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"When we simply remember to accept the control of Krishna and not to act independently then all fortune is automatically present."

Letter to Brahmananda, December 11, 1968

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 10

2011-12-10T18:04:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life."

Letter to Hamsaduta, December 10, 1972

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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This Very Chanting Will Give You All Peace And Prosperity

2011-12-10T18:03:00.001-08:00

"Please go on chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna as you are doing now and this very chanting will give you all peace and prosperity both in this life and the next."

Letter to Ballabhi
April 22, 1967

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 09

2011-12-09T07:01:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"One who feels humble and meek has the door for the Kingdom of God opened for him or her."

Letter to Janaki, December 9, 1968

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Krishna is Inviting You to Come Home

2011-12-08T05:17:00.001-08:00

Don't Be a Rascal. Come Back to Krishna

For countless lifetimes we have been acting as rascals by defying the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because of our foolish rascal mentality we have needlessly suffered in the cycle of birth and death. So instead of punishing ourselves, we should be kind to ourselves by returning to our original, healthy, innate state of consciousness. In other words, we should give up our rascaldom and come back to Krishna consciousness.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Question: How Can We Not Merge Back into God?

How is it possible that when Lord mentions he is the Source of everything, that I can be part and parcel of him and still be separate from Him? If He is the source, we were all in Him at some point and thus at some point will merge back with Him. In this way, the vasishtadvaita philosophy of Ramanuja looks logically correct!

Thanks for your time and efforts in sending the daily mails.

regards

Prasad

Answer: We Were Never Merged & Will Never Merge

Just as the center of a circle and all other points on the circle are inseparably one because they are all part of the same circle, but at the same time are distinctly different because of their varying locations on the circle, in a similar way the Lord and the living beings are inseparably one and at the same time distinctly different. The circle must have a central point. It cannot be without a central point. And all points on the circle besides the central point are distinctly different from the central point, even though they are all one because they are all part of the circle. They all have locations in the circle relative to the central point.

Even though Krishna is the source of everything, this does mean that we were originally merged in Him and then became unmerged when He decided to emanate us from Himself. This is so because we are eternally being emanated from Him. There was never a time that we did not exist as His emanated separated expansions. Nor will there ever be a time in the future when we will not exist as Krishna-emanated individuals. This point is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita 2:12.

You have misunderstood Sri Ramanujacharya's philosophy known as Visitadvaita. According to his teaching although the Lord and His energies are one, each keeps his individuality. The Sanskrit word vasistya means individuality. A nice example in this connection is the sun and sunshine. The sunshine is nothing but the sun. But at the same time it is different. When the sunshine enters our room, we may say the sun has come. But if the sun planet had entered, we would be burned to a crisp immediately. So the sun and the sunshine, although one, are different. Just as the sunshine, although also sun, is the sun's separated energy, in a similar way the living beings are non-different from God because they are nothing but His energy, and at the same time they are different because they cannot emanate everything from themselves as God is able to emanate everything from Himself.

I hope this clears up your understanding.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 08

2011-12-08T05:03:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We are not enemies of machines. If they can be used for Krishna's service then we welcome them."

Letter to Kirtanananda, December 8, 1968

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Begging for the Mercy of the Six Goswamis

2011-12-07T07:18:00.001-08:00

In the first stanza of the Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka (Eight Prayers to the Six Goswamis) Śrīnivāsa Ācārya prays as follows:

"I offer my respectful obeisances to the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, namely Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, and Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī. They are always engaged in blissfully chanting the holy name of Krishna and dancing in ecstasy. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and the ruffians because they are not envious of anyone. Whatever they do, they are all-pleasing to everyone, and they are fully blessed by Lord Caitanya. Thus they are fully engaged 24 hours a day in missionary activities meant to deliver all the conditioned souls in the material universe."

I fall down at their feet and beg for their mercy that I can always be engaged in their service by being fully absorbed in assisting their mission.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan

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The Best Welfare Work

2011-12-07T07:05:00.001-08:00

"One who is beyond duality and doubt, whose mind is engaged within, who is always busy working for the welfare of all sentient beings, and who is free from all sins, achieves liberation in the Supreme." (Bhagavad Gita 5.25)

All over the world we see that religious organizations are busy with so many different programs of welfare work for the benefit of the poor, the sick, the young and the disadvantaged. In India this is also very prominent. There they have a very bogus and unauthorized concept of "daridya Narayana seva." It means "service to the poor Narayana." It is such a nonsense concept. They think that Narayan has become poor and if they serve the poor then they will be serving Narayana. So on the basis of this daridya narayana seva all the religious organizations in India are very much interested in serving the poor.

"In Kali-yuga there is a scarcity of food almost every year, and thus philanthropists spend lavishly to feed the poor. For this they invent the term daridra-narayana-seva. This is prohibited. One should distribute sumptuous prasada, considering everyone a part of the Supreme Lord, but one should not juggle words to make a poor man Narayana. Everyone is related to the Supreme Lord, but one should not mistakenly think that because one is related to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he has become the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana. Such a Mayavada philosophy is extremely dangerous, especially for a devotee. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has therefore strictly forbidden us to associate with Mayavadi philosophers. Mayavadi-bhasya sunile haya sarva-nasa: if one associates with the Mayavada philosophy, his devotional life is doomed." (Srila Prabhupada from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.15.6)

There are so many attempts all over the world by religious and philanthropic organizations to feed the poor but still there are so many poor people who are hungry. So what does this mean? For so many years so many organizations are spending billions to feed the hungry but there are still so many hungry people. The reality is that we experience things in this world according to our karma. Karma means work and every time we perform any type of work there will a reaction to that work and in the future we have to enjoy or suffer that reaction. If it is good work we will enjoy the results of it in the future and if it is bad work then that will cause us to suffer in the future.

So the hungry people are actually suffering from the hunger as a karmic result for sinful activities they have performed in the past. It is caused by their own sinful activities, and it is the arrangement of Krishna, the arrangement of the material nature -- we all have to suffer and enjoy the reactions to our activities in the past. There is nothing we can do about this and it is not possible for the religious and philanthropic organizations to improve the situation either.

"Fifty years ago, when I first came to Bombay, at that time I was grhastha. I saw there were persons lying down care of footpath, and fifty years after, we are seeing the same thing is going on. No change. There is a class of men who must lie down care of footpath. There are so many institutions, daridra-narayana-seva. But why there are daridras still? That means you cannot change. It is not possible. It is not possible. Just like a man who has done something criminal and he is in prison. Can you take him out? It will be another criminal action. If you try to take him away from the prison house by some means, then you'll be punished and he'll be punished, both. This is the law state. Similarly, how you can surpass the stringent laws of nature and the laws of God? That is not possible." (Bhagavad Gita 13.21 Prabhupada lecture)

So this is the fact, this material world is a place of suffering and we will suffer here. And we can not stop the suffering of others no matter what we try to do, at least not on the mundane platform by trying to feed the poor people, etc.

Therefore this mundane welfare work is useless. It does not work, the hungry and poor people remain and the people who are trying to feed and give them money are also sinful in the same way as a man who tries to free the prisoners because they are suffering becomes a criminal himself and he will not be successful. Rather, even if he is able to free a few prisoners, the police will find him and they will also find those escaped prisoners and they will all be put back in the prison with much longer sentences this time...

Only a person who is fully Krishna conscious can be said to be engaged in welfare work which is truly beneficial for all living entities. When a person knows that Krishna is the fountainhead of everything and when he acts in that spirit he acts for everyone.

The sufferings of humanity are due to forgetfulness of Krishna as the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor, and the supreme friend. Therefore, to act to revive this Krishna consciousness within the entire human society is the highest welfare work. One cannot be engaged in first-class welfare work without being liberated in the Supreme. So the real beneficial welfare work is to awaken everyone's dormant Krishna consciousness and this is the purpose of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Sankirtan movement.

In this Kali-yuga the people are very unfortunate, fallen and greatly sinful. So in this fallen age Krishna is so merciful that He, in the form of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is giving the highest spiritual advancement to anyone at all who simply agrees to chant:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rare Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

So in one sense this age of Kali is a very difficult time for spiritual life but actually, because of the mercy of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu it is now a very good time for spiritual life, because Krishna has made everything very easy for us. All we need to do is chant Hare Krishna. It is so very simple:

kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah
kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet

"This age of Kali is an ocean of faults, but there is one great benefit. Simply by Krishna kirtan, chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, one can become purified of all material contamination and return back home, back to Godhead."

So the greatest welfare work is to spread this Krishna kirtan all over the world on the other hand a person engaged only in trying to improve the physical welfare of human society cannot factually help anyone. Temporary relief of the external body and the mind does not solve one's actual problems. The real cause of one's difficulties in the hard struggle for life is one's forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Lord. So the true welfare work which is beneficial for all the living entities of this universe is to popularize the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra all over the world.

If you have comments or questions on this please do not reply to this email, instead post your question at:

http://krishna.org/the-best-welfare-work/

and I will reply there.

Madhudvisa dasa

www.Krishna.org

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 07

2011-12-07T06:50:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"In your country the dog is protected, and the cow is killed. The dog is passing stool and urine in the street, he is considered the best friend of man, and the cow is all pure, stool, urine, and milk, but they are taken to the slaughterhouse and killed for food. What kind of civilization is this? "

Letter to Nayanabhirama, December 7, 1971

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Overcoming Distraction

2011-12-06T18:49:00.001-08:00

Overcoming distraction
Distraction in chanting breeds illusion which becomes the cause of further serious offenses against the holy name. This illusion, difficult to overcome, engenders attraction to wealth, women, position, success and the cheating propensity. When these attractions cover the heart, the neophyte becomes neglectful of the chanting of the holy name.
One must make a constant effort to try and drive such attractions away from the mind by diligently following the ways of Vaisnava culture. This will bring back his good fortune.

Chant:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare

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Srila Prabhupada speaks on December 06

2011-12-06T04:38:00.001-08:00

PRABHUPADA'S QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Devotees, they are para-duhkha-duhkhi. The symptom of a devotee is they are unhappy by seeing others unhappy."

Ahmedabad, December 6, 1972

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This is my request.

2011-12-05T19:44:00.001-08:00

So I can see that there is a very potency at the present moment for spreading this movement as was desired by my Guru Maharaja, and I am simply trying my best to carry out His desire. And if some of my students adopt this attitude, without any other motivation, surely Krishna will fulfill our desire. So push on with book publication and distribution, and I am very glad that you are now distributing to schools and libraries.

LETTER TO BHAGAVAN, 22 SEPTEMBER 1970

Please fulfill his desire.
Click here.

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