Monthly Archives: April 2018

Reaffirmation of Ministries and Standing Committees
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Hare KrishnaBy The GBC

GBC Nominations Committee: Members – Bhakti Caitanya Swami (Chairman), Prahladananda Swami, Praghosa Das, Gopal Bhatta Das (Convenor), Tamohara Das, Anuttama Das, Revati Raman Das, Radha Krsna Das, Gauranga Das, Aniruddha Das, Devakinandan Das (MVG), Laxmimoni Dasi, Manohara Das, Kaunteya Das, Tapana Misra Das (Non-voting Executive Member)

Sannyasa Waiting List
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By The GBC One Year Waiting List: Bhaktipada Das Deva Deva Das Ekalavya Das Navadwip Dwija Gauranga Das Priti Vardhana Das Pushpashila Shyam Das Raghava Pandit Das Santa Nrsimha Das Vrindavan Chandra Das Two Years Waiting List: Asim Krishna …

Zonal Assignments 2018
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By The GBC Zonal Assignments for GBC Members Acyutatma Das Co-Zonal Secretary with Bhakti Caitanya Swami for: Russia: Northwest Co-Zonal Secretary with Gopal Krishna Goswami and Niranjana Swami for: Russia: Moscow Anuttama Das Zonal Secretary for: Del…

Srila Prabhupada’s youngest son left his body
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Srila Prabhupada’s youngest son Vrindavanchandra De prabhu, left his body last night around 10.30 pm at his residence in Kolkata.
Deena Bandhu Das: He was suffering from cancer last few months. He was present with Srila Prabhupada when he boarded the Jaladuta in 1965. I took him for Radha Kunda Snan many years ago.
Please join us in prayers!

New Vrindaban Days – Chapter 1
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

New Vrindaban Days As New Vrindaban enters its 50th anniversary (1968 to 2018), I wrote this series of articles for the Brijabasi Spirit in an attempt to give the reader not only an “understanding,” but more importantly a “taste,” of what life in early New Vrindaban was like – through the stories of one devotee’s […]

Gita 17.16 Austerity of mind transforms our inner disruptive enemy into a constructive friend
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Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Gita%20verse-by-verse/Gita%2017.16%20Austerity%20of%20mind%20transforms%20our%20inner%20disruptive%20enemy%20into%20a%20constructive%20friend…

If we feel more attracted to managerial services than scriptural study, are we in the mode of passion?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/If%20we%20feel%20more%20attracted%20to%20managerial%20services%20than%20scriptural%20study%2C%20are%20we%20in%20the%20mode%20of%20passion.mp3

The post If we feel m…

Will future scientific progress explain consciousness and spirituality in mathematical terms?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/Will%20future%20scientific%20progress%20explain%20consciousness%20and%20spirituality%20in%20mathematical%20terms.mp3

The post Will future scientific progress expla…

Our natural position
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 18 October 2017, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 4.3.17) We are currently living in an age where everyone is over-educated and has a degree that is not going to bring them much benefit in life. In fact, it is going to take them away from Krsna. We become proud and start to think […]

The article ” Our natural position ” was published on KKSBlog.

Saturday, March 31st, 2018
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Durban, South Africa
Falling Object

I became aware of a new sign, tacked onto a palm tree, which read, “Caution—Beware of Falling Fronds.”  It’s a decent warning for those who walk along the temple’s moat, which is lined with indigenous trees, and also the odd invasive flower from India.  Often a frond—branch of leaves—makes its descent when old, dried-up and brown.  It comes as a surprise and can hurt.

Things do fall from the sky.  Ask Chicken Little.  Natural things and sometimes aeroplanes come down for unfortunate landings.  I’ve been always in the clear when it comes to falling objects and only got close to getting struck, in the Fall of 2015, when walking from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania.  Those bountiful black walnut trees send those nuts in bullet-like speed from top to bottom.  I was not able to dodge those bullets, but was lucky to be missed.

Apparently we, as souls, fall from grace, from a spirit world, and enter the world of martya-loka, the place of death, somewhere along the line.  Anyway, here we are.  Let’s make the best of it—the best of our karma.  Look at the goods you have.  Look at the bads you have.  Look at the combination you have and offer that package deal to the Supreme with bhakti, with devotion.

Life is all about sacrifice, but be prepared for death.  It can come at any moment.  You don’t know when a heavy object, or even a light one, will strike the head and crack it.  Will you be prepared in the right state of mind when death comes knocking on your door?

May the Source be with you!

6 km


Friday, March 30th, 2018
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Durban, South Africa
First Night of the Show

The young man who plays the leading role in our drama is Boikanya from Pretoria.  He told me, after his splendid performance, “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Boikanya was like a hot ocean of salt water when we embraced.  He was hot and sweaty, like all the boys whom I exchanged hugs with, to express my gratitude for their effort.  With the girls, I offered my pranams and an additional air hug.  Remember, I’m a monk.  All the performers were in thick costumes, on a stage with hot lights overhead.  The movement of air was almost nil and the dance/martial arts moves built up body heat.  The audience was no less than two thousand—a packed house.

Boikanya said, “It was scary.”

It’s understandable that he was nervous.  He plays the role of Karna, a tragic character from the epic, The Mahabharat.  Before he came to Durban, he had never heard of the story before, let alone the main character.

I let him know he was a natural as an actor playing a warrior.  “It’s in you.  It’s like walking.  We are designed for that.  Walking takes little training.  Totally natural.”

I really appreciated that Boikanya and all the other marvelous boys and girls in this production of, “The Queen’s Secret,” gave it their all.  The audience stood up in approval when the entertainers came for their curtain call.  And that was over the recording of Nina Simone’s soothing voice in “Here Comes the Sun.”

I love that piece of music.  It’s like the voice of an elder Kunti, Karna’s mother, expressing resolve.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Thursday, March 29th, 2018
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Durban, South Africa
Good for the Feet

I’m doing some barefoot moving around.  The campus at the ISKCON Centre in Chatsworth is kept very clean.  Every space is either swept or raked or hosed down with water.  At least there’s water here in Durban.  Cape Town is running dry.

There is a moat around the temple, and it’s there on the pathway next to the moat, that I walk.  You will find colourful Koi fish in the moat.  And there’s no animal scat to worry about.  I’ve never seen a dog on the grounds.  Maybe a cat.  Monkeys, definitely.

So, things are clean.  Suci.  Sucimeans clean.

The interior of the temple, where our bhakti yoga sadhana is performed, is wiped daily with a mop.  I don’t see that happening in all temples.

I was going to continue my barefoot boldness at the site of the Durban Festival of Chariots venue, the Old Durban Drive-In.  Old DBN Drive-In doesn’t sound too exotic.

Upon arriving at the site for practice, I realized it was smart to wear my kyboots.  The pavement has an accumulation of years of broken glass, mostly liquor bottle remnants.  I would have gone, ouch.

We humans are bad.  We are expert at ruination.  The sastras—ancient Vedic texts—describe a spiritual world where the ground you walk on is of chintamani—divine gems.  That’s probably good for the feet.

May the Source be with you!

5 km


Wednesday, March 28th, 2018
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Durban, South Africa

Work is Good

Hard work is good, especially when devotionally channelled.  You don’t mind it because there’s a good result.  The result I’m referring to is the learning that is reaped from such endeavours.  Even if the fruits of one’s labour are not up to one’s expectations, we can learn detachment from the world, from losing and not always winning.  So that is a good thing.  Humility is life’s embellishment.

We may also conclude, “I’m not really in charge around here.  There is someone else who is the Supreme Controller.  It’s not me.”

To assemble a production as we are, with “The Queen’s Secret,” is intense work.  Who ever said that work is not play and that a play is not work?  There is a tremendous amount of energy that goes into something like this hour-and-fifteen-minute production.  Sweat? Yes. Tears? Well, the actor has to feign the weeping.  Blood? Not yet in this production, but we did incur some injury.  The fellow playing the lead role as Karna slipped and fell and thus experienced a dislocation of the hip.  Luckily, there was “a doctor in the house.”  People are vulnerable at any work-site—in this case, play-site.

When the young man collapsed, he had lots of support from all of us.  Actually he was such a good sport.  His mood was, “The show must go on!”  It must go on for the higher purpose.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


Tuesday, March 27th, 2018
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Dubai / Durban

The Poster to Surprise Us

Today I flew between the two cities, the two D’s.  I was happy to come upon Pariksit at Dubai’s airport.  We were then off together to Durban to prepare for the city’s Festival of Chariots.  It’s my 19th year here.  It’s Pariksit’s first.

Working with him recently in India on the drama “Many Mothers Many Fathers,” went so well.  Through my helper back home, Rajasuya, a ticket was arranged for Pariksit to come to South Africa.  We have but three days to get a major production together.

This year’s drama piece is called “The Queen’s Secret,” based on the epic story from India, The Mahabharat, and Queen Kunti, who reluctantly left her newborn in a basket, subject to the whims of a river.  It will be a marathon, like some of the walks I’ve taken.

Perhaps it was smart to do some preparatory work for this project.  The majority of our time in the air was pleasantly consumed by lining up the sound tracks for the drama, in addition to auditioning online while on the plane.  Can you believe it?

Our hosts in Durban really believe in us.  After clearing customs and then getting driven to Chatsworth, where we are accommodated, my eyes seemed to deceive.  Along the freeway, throughout the city, the poster of our play, “The Queen’s Secret,” is set on all the lampposts—the show that the audiences will relish.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


Monday, March 26th, 2018
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In the Air / Dubai
Activity in the Airport

One realization that came to me as of late is that the airport—any one—is full of pedestrians.  My route for destination Durban is Toronto, Boston, Dubai, and then Durban.  In each and every one of these airports, people meet, readying themselves for a major journey somewhere on the planet.  They number in the millions per day.  No longer do we find foot travel a popular means of transport.  Cars and planes have replaced that.  Some downtowns still carry a vibrancy of pedestrian-friendliness.  New York is one.  Many places in Europe, too, excel.

On my travels I physically see multitudes, and they see me for the dhoti, kurtaand utariya, in faded orange.  I see folks walking long corridors—better exercise than many get on a regular basis.  The bridge walkway to Terminal E is a good one.  It takes you over several wide motorways.

I was in ecstasy trekking that facility.

The only problem with flying is the sedentary nature of it.  For hours you are still, and only the blessing of nature’s call allows for movement.

In airports you are either on the ‘go, go, go’ trying to reach your gate, or then ‘sit, sit, sitting’ at your gate. Or lastly, if time allows, you ‘eat, eat, eat’.  That’s what people do, and when seated in a chair for the ‘eat, eat, eating’ or the ‘sit, sit, sitting’, 75% or more are on their phones.

This is just an observation.  In some terminals I check out the prayer room.  The last one I visited, I found some folks engaged in ‘sleep, sleep, sleep’.

May the Source be with you!

2 km in the airport.

Sunday, March 25th, 2018
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Brampton, Ontario

Victory to Rama

It was the anniversary of Rama’s birth today, and to celebrate, world-wide temples, institutes and homes of Rama devotees go out in a big way to honour His appearance, which occurred in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the city of Ayodhya.  I was channelled to Brampton to give a talk to a lively crowd there at the ISKCON centre.

People ask about Rama versus Krishna.  There is no conflict of interest.  If we embrace the wholesome concept of oneness then it is easy to accommodate two personalities in one, and it doesn’t mean that one is resorting to schizophrenia.  The Absolute has the capacity to hold fathomless characterizations.  Rama and Krishna are different aspects of the Divine.  To simplify, my humble suggestion is that we see it like an actor who plays many roles.

In our tradition, we are content to say “Krishna,” “Rama,” and “Radha,” in one breath through our daily mantra of Hare Krishna.  Indeed, Radha is used as Hare in the mantra, meaning the Divine Female.

I was very impressed by the turnout at the Brampton ISKCON Centre.  The chanting was enthusiastic and the prasadam—sacred food—was delicious.

From Brampton, I was driven to the airport in preparation for the festival in Durban, South Africa.  There is little rest for me, these days, what with trying to fulfill obligations.  There is a problem when I am not able to walk and take some footsteps in the ravine or through the forest.

May the Source be with you!

2 km


Net Surfing or Net Suffering?
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[Talk at Ohio State University, Columbus, USA]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/Net%20Surfing%20or%20Net%20Suffering.mp3

 
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist….

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by H.H.Lokanath Swami at ISKCON…
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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by H.H.Lokanath Swami at ISKCON Vrindavan, yesterday, 02.04.2018 (video)
Read More…

Royal Military Academy consults leading devotee. Kripamoya Das…
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Royal Military Academy consults leading devotee.
Kripamoya Das was invited to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to attend a workshop staged by the British Army’s Centre for Conflict Research. The event attracted participants from the fields of religion, academics, and the Army. The day featured panel discussions with serving British Army officers as well as practitioners from a wide range of faith traditions in the UK.

First Aiders in Iskcon UK. Tutorcare, a vocational training…
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First Aiders in Iskcon UK.
Tutorcare, a vocational training provider, awarded pass certificates to 12 community devotees who t…Read More…

Sacred Sounds Retreat 2018 (14 min video)
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Sacred Sounds Retreat 2018 (14 min video)
The annual Sacred Sounds Retreat at New Govardhan, Australia attracts devotees from all over the country. The unique and beautiful forested area around New Govardhan provides a perfect background setting for kirtans that go on for hours and hours. Aside from the morning program, the festival is focused wholly and solely on chanting the holy names with some of ISKCON’s most renowned kirtaneers. Everyone agreed this year’s festival was the best ever!

EastEnders star ( a famous British TV programme) visits…
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EastEnders star ( a famous British TV programme) visits Manor.
EastEnders’ new star Madhav Sharma, who plays the part of Arshad Ahmed, paid a visit to the Manor. He discovered that he shared the same school as Srila Prabhupada, namely the Scottish Church College in Calcutta. Madhav, a Royal Academy trained actor, enjoyed standing on the Manor theatre stage and decided to recite a portion of one of William Shakespeare’s plays!

Ombudsman Programme for ISKCON UK. It’s one thing for an…
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Ombudsman Programme for ISKCON UK.
It’s one thing for an organization to say they care for its members, and another to act on such statements. ISKCON UK is establishing an Ombuds program so devotees can raise concerns, dealing with interpersonal conflicts and find clarity on ISKCON policies and practices.
Vraja Vihari das from ISKCON Resolve, has been training up a team to work in this capacity. They are from different parts of the UK and are a diverse group of devotees, including His Holiness Dayananda Swami, Prabhupada Prana dasa, Chandra dasi, Gomati dasi, Guru Carana Padma dasi and Ananta Vijay dasa.
The idea is to work towards “zero barriers”- so that members of ISKCON should be able to raise, in good faith, concerns they have, and discuss how they can be addressed.
ISKCON UK Ombuds are totally confidential (except imminent risk), independent of management in their capacity of Ombuds, neutral, and informal (conversations are off the record). iskconombudsuk@gmail.com

The Ballad Of John And Yoko – with Shyamasundara in the background
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The Ballad Of John And Yoko – with Shyamasundara in the background (3 min video)
This brief, but it seems, official video of th…Read More…

ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry Standing Annual Presentation to GBC Body
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Hare KrishnaBy The GBC

Whereas when Deity worship is done properly following the rules of worship and maintaining strict cleanliness and punctuality, the worship is enlivening to devotees; Whereas, it has been seen that in temples where the worship is below the required minimum standard, it is often a result of zonal leadership, temple management, and/or the head pujari not knowing the proper standards of worship; Whereas GBC members and other leaders of ISKCON may not have the time to learn appropriate standards for ISKCON centers; Whereas, the maintenance of public Deity worship in an ISKCON center is the responsibility of the management of that center, under the supervision of that center’s zonal authorities, but ultimately it is the responsibility of the GBC Zonal Secretary and the GBC Body; Whereas Deity worship is one of the five primary angas of bhakti and therefore of primary importance in a sadhaka’s progress in spiritual life; Whereas other primary activities of ISKCON, such as book distribution, have standing annual presentation time to the GBC and discussion on ISKCON Deity worship at our centers is similarly worthy of the GBC Body’s attention and awareness; Resolved: Each year at the AGM in Mayapur, the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry will be allocated a minimum of 1 hour, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, to present a report of Deity worship in ISKCON, particularly with a focus on Radha-Krsna worship.

Radha Krsna Deity Worship Standards
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By The GBC Resolved: That the ISKCON Law governing the commencement of worship of Deities in ISKCON centers shall be amended to include the following: ISKCON centers proposing to commence worship of Radha-Krishna Deities must ensure that their propos…

Establishing The ISKCON International Office for the Prevention of Leader Misconduct (PLM Office) as a permanent ISKCON managerial entity
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By The GBC Resolved: 1. The ISKCON International Office for the Prevention of Leader Misconduct (PLM Office) be established as a permanent ISKCON organizational entity subject to review by the GBC Body (as with other Offices and Ministries). The PLM …

Gita 17.15 Speech is meant not just for commnication but also for purification
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavad-gita verse-by-verse podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Gita%20verse-by-verse/Gita%2017.15%20Speech%20is%20meant%20not%20just%20for%20commnication%20but%20also%20for%20purification.mp3

The post Gi…

How do we strengthen the intelligence?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/How%20do%20we%20strengthen%20the%20intelligence.mp3

The post How do we strengthen the intelligence? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How do the modes correlate with an analysis of the mind’s functioning?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/How%20do%20the%20modes%20correlate%20with%20an%20analysis%20of%20the%20mind%E2%80%99s%20functioning.mp3

The post How do the modes correlate with an analysis of the mind’s functioning? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Sadbhuja Das: We recently began fixing the stars and ribbons on…
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Sadbhuja Das: We recently began fixing the stars and ribbons on the domes, starting with the Planetarium dome.
Works are happening fast and we have already completed 3 segments.
Each segment has been sealed and waterproofed. They have been so well executed we won’t ever have to go there again!
Premavatar Gauranga Prabhu is working on the next 3 segments.

THE CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE: Thanking Jayasri and…
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THE CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE: Thanking Jayasri and Pratapana.
Vinod Bihari dasa: With great pleasure and a sense of deep appreciation, we would like to thank Jayasri devi dasi and Pratapana dasa for their support of Srila Prabhupada’s gurukula at New Govardhana and their desire to see the school being equipped with all the necessary facilities to ensure a high standard of education in the senior school years.
Our gurukula is currently undertaking the construction of the high school facilities that include eight classrooms and study spaces, the art studio, the science lab, the full-size outdoor basketball field, play areas, pathways, gardens and a new toilet block. This project will assist our students in learning and our teachers in providing a top quality education in both the conventional sciences and Krishna consciousness – helping our students to become compassionate, competent and confident people within the society at large. At the same time, this nurtures their connection with Krishna and engagement in devotional service.
To assist with the construction of the high school facilities, Jayasri and Pratapana have decided to donate $100,000 towards the building project. They will also provide the school with a friendly loan to cover our required contribution towards the project.
Jayasri says, “It is our strong desire in helping support this initiative that the new school has sufficient resources to continue to attract and maintain dedicated passionate teachers who can bring out the very best in every student. Success attracts success. If the students reach their potential on all levels, if they are happy, peaceful and flourishing academically and spiritually, society in general will take note and want to know our formula. It is such an inspiring project.”
On behalf of all the students, parents and staff, we express our sincere thanks to Jayasri and Pratapana for their generous support.

Harinama in Moscow, Russia (4 min video)
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Harinama in Moscow, Russia (4 min video)
Mahamsa: Also another party of five devotees, they have started on the bullock cart sankirtana, going village to village. And one person came to the temple in Hyderabad and met me. He said that “After your devotees had a program in our village, the farmers in the evening they were coming and doing kirtana instead of just…” Previously they were not doing anything, but now they are coming after farming. In the evening they are collecting and they are doing kirtana together. Prabhupada: Just see how quickly there will be response. Therefore I was insisting, “Go village to village, town to town.” Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s prediction, prthivite ache yata nagaradi. Morning Walk – November 21, 1975, Bombay
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/eC11Sz

QA session at Columbus 2018 Spring
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[QA session at Columbus, Ohio, USA]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/QA%20session%20at%20Columbus%202018%20Spring.mp3

 
Video:

The post QA session at Columbus 2018 Spring …

From state of the art to state of the heart
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[Sunday feast class at Columbus, Ohio, USA]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/From%20state%20of%20the%20art%20to%20state%20of%20the%20heart.mp3

 
Podcast Summary
http://www….

Srimad Bhagavatam Class by H.G.Sankarshan Prabhu at ISKCON…
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Srimad Bhagavatam Class by H.G.Sankarshan Prabhu at ISKCON Vrindavan, 01.04.2018 (video)
“If you have faith in one but disrespect the other, your logic is like the logic of accepting half a hen.”

Life Of A Devotee – Karuna Sindhu Das (28 min video)
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Life Of A Devotee – Karuna Sindhu Das (28 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: Actually, this world is like a hospital. We are all like sons of rich men running mad in the streets. Our Father, Krishna or God, is the wealthiest father, and we are all His sons gone mad. Someone is thinking, Oh, give him food, that will help, or give him house, or clothes, this or that – but the madness is still there. Actually, they have got sufficient of everything from their Father, but they have run off mad. So this kind of bodily welfare work will not help. The world is supposed to be a place for curing men of their varieties of diseases of madness and sending them back home, like a hospital. But men have now got the mistaken idea to make a permanent settlement in this madhouse! Just like the hog is eating stool and he is thinking, Oh, I am enjoying like anything, and when I am finished, then sex with any she-hog – wife, daughter, sister, it doesn’t matter – and for so many children I shall have to have big house, and on and on like this, all because of his madness that he thinks “I am enjoying.” So preach like this, and I think many people will appreciate our philosophy and gain respect for this Krishna Consciousness movement. Do everything very cleanly and nicely. Srila Prabhupada, letter – 18 February, 1972

Vraja-kumara asks why Kaviraja Gosvami and Srila Prabhupada don’t quote Sanatana Gosvami, and what is the Grantha-samadhi
→ SivaramaSwami.com

Sanātana Gosvāmī’s Hari-bhakti-vilāsa is quoted in Caitanya-caritāmṛta and Bṛhad-Bhagavatāmṛta is quoted in Prabhupāda’s purports According to oral tradition the Grantha-samādhi contains books written by the Gosvāmīs that are only suitable for liberated souls Gīta-Govinda is very popular due to its wonderful poetry but brings ordinary people misconceptions and ruins their spiritual lives