Author Archives: Dandavats.com

A world beyond. Vaisesika das: Human beings are naturally…
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A world beyond.
Vaisesika das: Human beings are naturally attracted to reading books, watching movies, and attending live dramas that transport them to other worlds. And in practically every society people use drugs to experience altered states of consciousness.
These tendencies indicate that the spirit soul desires to see and experience more than just the three-dimensional material world.
However, to know real freedom and satisfaction, one must transcend the body and mind and engage in service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. Chemical intoxication is temporary and leads to addiction, disease and misery. And imaginative literature and dramas do not bring ultimate gratification to the soul because they are tainted by the three modes of nature.

Srila Prabhupada notes: “The need of the spirit soul is that he wants to get out of the limited sphere of material bondage and fulfill his desire for complete freedom. He wants to get out of the covered walls of the greater universe. He wants to see the free light and the spirit. That complete freedom is achieved when he meets the complete spirit, the Personality of Godhead.” (SB 1.2.8; purport)

By hearing transcendental topics about Krishna, especially from the Srimad-bhagavatam, bhakti yogis achieve real spiritual fulfillment and in the process transfer themselves to Krishna’s eternal abode, Goloka Vrndavana.

Mahaprabhu says that the process of hearing and chanting about Krishna waters the bhakti seed that has been planted in one’s heart by the spiritual master at the time of initiation.

Lord Caitanya:

“As one waters the bhakti-lata-bija, the seed sprouts, and the creeper gradually grows to the point where it penetrates the walls of this universe and goes beyond the Viraja River, lying between the spiritual world and the material world. It attains brahma-loka, the Brahman effulgence, and penetrating through that stratum, it reaches the spiritual sky and the spiritual planet Goloka Våndavana.” (Cc 2.19.153)

Those who read Srimad-Bhagavatam every day will come to relish it and will soon find themselves in Krishna’s enchanted planet, Goloka Vrndavana.

With gratitude and affection,

Five Nights of Wisdom. The Pancharatra is a group of texts as…
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Five Nights of Wisdom.
The Pancharatra is a group of texts as old as the four Vedas and has the same transcendental origin. They were ancient even in the time of the Lord Krishna’s appearance in this world, and are mentioned in the Shanti-parva section of the Mahabharata.
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Preaching program in Germany (Album with photos) Srila…
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Preaching program in Germany (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This is Indian attitude. They do not care for the modern, civilized way of life, wasting time reading some nonsense book or going to the bars, the cinema, talking unnecessarily. They do not like. Those who are old style, they do not. They have no time to waste time in that way. They must be inclined that “I must prepare something nice so that my husband, my children or my, all friends will be very pleased.” That is their policy. I wanted that all our girls, they should be expert. And in America they are doing that. They should learn the art of cooking and prepare very nice foodstuff, daily change of menu. And the children should be so trained up that no more birth. And that is life. They can produce hundreds of children, it doesn’t matter, but must be responsible, that “These children should be saved. This is the last birth; no more birth. I’ll train the child in such a way that next life he’s going to Krsna, back to home, back to Godhead.” That is parents’ duty. Otherwise they should not become parent. That is contraceptive: “I am not fit to train my children in that way, so I shall not produce cats and dogs.” This is life. Why shall I produce cats and dogs? And Bhaktivinoda Thakura was grhastha; he produced Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. That is wanted. So in this way, if there is ideal institution, ideal mode of living, it is happy; everything is all right. That is grhastha. Produce Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. My Guru Maharaja used to say that “If I can produce krsna-bhakta as children, then I’m prepared to marry and produce hundreds of children.” And if we cannot, then we shall not produce even one children. Srila Prabhupada – January 3, 1977, Bombay
Find them here: https://goo.gl/s1qgTh

Even for Cutting a Mango, One Requires a Guru … Giriraj…
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Even for Cutting a Mango, One Requires a Guru …
Giriraj Swami: Srila Prabhupada’s disciple Amogha came to India from Australia and did service in Juhu for some time. Later, he narrated one incident with Prabhupada that especially struck him:
“Prabhupada would go on the roof in the evening and give darshan. One evening I went up and there were five or ten devotees and a few Indian guests, including a famous movie star and his wife. Somebody brought mangoes for Prabhupada, and then at one point he told a devotee to cut a mango and distribute it as prasada. So a brahmacari got a knife and started slicing the mango, and it was dripping—the juice was going all over—and it was a mess. So the movie star’s wife indicated, ‘Give it to me.’ And Prabhupada said, ‘Let her do it.’ So she took it and cut it very neatly into two halves, then she turned each half and cut the mango into cubes, in a crisscross manner, and then she popped it out, and you could easily pick those cubes off the peel. Prabhupada laughed when she did it so expertly and neatly, and then he said, ‘Just see, even for cutting a mango, one requires a guru.’ ”
Later, I heard the recorded conversation. “Bring one knife,” Prabhupada began. Then, seeing that devotee struggling, he said, “You cannot cut it?”
“The knife is not very sharp,” the devotee replied.
“That is not the way to cut it,” one of the guests advised. “Slice it into two pieces.”
“Yes,” Prabhupada agreed. “You do not know how to cut. One who knows, let him cut.” Then Prabhupada quoted from the Mundaka Upanisad (1.2.12), “Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet”—“To learn the science one must certainly approach a spiritual master.” And the guests and devotees laughed.
“Everything requires a guru,” Prabhupada continued. “Otherwise he remains a fool, rascal, that’s all. In every item you require a guru. And to understand Krishna, or God, everyone thinks they are independent. Just see the foolishness. Yata mata tata patha. ‘Ah, you consider about God in your own way. It doesn’t require any guru.’ This foolishness is going on. For cutting a mango one requires a guru, and to understand Krishna, he doesn’t require a guru. This foolishness is going on. And Krishna says,
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena sevaya
upadeksyanti tad jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsina
[Bg 4.34]
[“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth.”] Krishna says you have to understand like this. But everyone is thinking, ‘Why shall I go to guru?’ ”
Seeing the expertly cut mango, Prabhupada said, “Just see how she has cut. It requires a guru.” The devotees and guests laughed, and Prabhupada told the brahmacari to distribute the prasada, one piece to everyone.
Prabhupada saw everything in the light of Krishna consciousness, and he shared his vision with others—to their great delight.

“Unity in Diversity” lecture at the International…
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“Unity in Diversity” lecture at the International Law Firm Norton Rose Fulbright, London (Album with photos)
On 20th March 2017, Radhanath Swami addressed a lunchtime crowd at Norton Rose Fulbright’s London office – a global firm that has over 3500 lawyers and legal staff across more than 50 cities in the world. Given Radhanath Swami’s unique life experiences, highlighted in his bestselling memoir, The Journey Home, the firm was curious to hear his thoughts on how to build a culture of collaboration, build genuine relationships and cut back on stress through mindfulness.

The Rt. Hon Shailesh Vara MP for North-West Cambridgeshire opened the event with the following words of praise: “As a politician I get to meet many people, but Radhanath Swami is definitely one of the most special people I have met. All of us believe that we lead busy lives and men of God do not. But that’s not the case with Radhanath Swami. He is a man who has started up a project feeding 300,000 people daily, setting up schools, ecovillages, schools and orphanages.”

Norton Rose Fulbright prides itself on the principles of quality, integrity and unity. They aim to do this by valuing differences, promoting a culture of respect for each individual and encouraging workforce diversity at all levels. The event was organised by the firm’s Origins network – the London office’s Black, Asian and minority ethnic employee resource group.

One of the more memorable stories Radhanath Swami shared with the group was his experience of being invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to welcome the President and First Lady of the United States of America. With all the pompadour of the welcoming ceremony, across the lawns of the Sansad Bhawan, he questioned what he was doing there. He felt insignificant and unqualified. Looking up at the clear sky, he saw a small bird circling above. As he sat in a room full of the most powerful people in the world, he thought to himself: “this tiny bird cannot do anything they can. It cannot manage countries, make trade deals or run for a public office. But similarly, the people in this room cannot do what the bird does – fly”.

A room full of lawyers can be a speaker’s worst nightmare. Every word could be construed to have a different meaning and every phrase questioned for its authenticity. However, after an hour of pin-drop silence, with the professionals attuned to the Swami’s every word, there was a rapturous round of applause.

After the talk Manuela Sforza, the firm’s diversity & inclusion advisor, commented: “I wish all employees could have been here to hear Radhanath Swami speak. We often address the corporate side, but this addressed people in a very personal and spiritual way”. Siri Nomme, the head of diversity and inclusion at the company added, “I was incredibly tense coming here this morning; I had a very busy morning. The Swami made me feel calm and reminded us not to judge and make assumptions about people”

James Morrison, a newly qualified solicitor explained how the stresses of his demanding and challenging role dissipated as Radhanath Swami was speaking: “I was excited about the event because it’s not every day you get to hear a speaker talking about balance, spirituality and taking time to connect to yourself. For me, it came at the perfect time and I was grateful for the opportunity to speak to him one-to-one.” Shiv Daddar, an intellectual property lawyer and co-vice chair of Origins group echoed his remarks: “the Swami’s talk was inspiring, relevant and current. I love how he drew perspectives from ancient texts and from his personal life experiences to teach us a different way of looking at the world today.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3DFQsH

Harinam Eva Kevalam in Germany, Cologne (Album with photos)…
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Harinam Eva Kevalam in Germany, Cologne (Album with photos)
Harinama sankirtana and book distribution are 2 sides of one arrow to hit the target of making people Krishna conscious. Srila Prabhupada had such an ambitious plan to change the world, because harer nam harer nama harer nama eva kevalam: “Harinama is the only way for spiritual perfection in this age.” This simple life is very conducive for spiritual advancement.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/5Uejdw

Harinam in Northampton, UK – 22nd April 2017 (Album with photos)…
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Harinam in Northampton, UK – 22nd April 2017 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Nityananda Prabhu approached Jagai and Madhai at the risk of being personally injured and still He definitely delivered them. The world is full of Jagais and Madhais; namely drunkards, women-hunters, meat eaters and gamblers, and we will have to approach them at the risk of insult, injury and similar other rewards. To face such reverse conditions of life and to suffer thereby the results of actions is considered as the greatest penance and austerity in the matter of spiritual advancement of life. To sit down in a corner without preaching risk and to make a show of chanting Hare Krishna Mantra is condemned by my Spiritual Master and He has written a very nice song in this connection. The substance is that to become very dear to Krishna or Balarama or in other words to Lord Caitanya and Nityananda is to take the task of preaching work very seriously at all risk. Please always remember this and you will be successful. Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Gajendra – Los Angeles 27 January 1970
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Olb8vg

ISKCON Auckland NZ: Harinam (Album with photos) Srila…
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ISKCON Auckland NZ: Harinam (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Dancing is very good. The more you dance, the more you become light; means the burden of material contamination becomes reduced. Dancing is so nice. Even if you don’t feel ecstasy, if you dance by force, that will also help us. Krsnot-kirtana-gana-nartanau-parau premamrtambho-nidhi. By dancing, dancing, we shall develop our dormant Krsna consciousness, love for Krsna. This is a nice process. Krsnot-kirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamrtambho-nidhi. Then you will merge into the ocean of love for Krsna. So this is the highest stage of ecstasy for Krsna consciousness, always chanting Krsna’s name, dancing in ecstasy, and to be merged in the ocean of love for Krsna. These are the perfection. Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on The Nectar of Devotion – January 8, 1973, Bombay
Find them here: https://goo.gl/NlnJCV

Vrindavan Das Thakur’s Criticisms of Vaishnava Aparadha
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Vrindavan Das’s Criticisms of Vaishnava Aparadha
Vrindavan Das primarily Mahaprabhu’s early activities such as his pastimes as a student, his childhood, his chastisement of the Qazi, his departure from Nabadwip, as well as some aspects of his life in Puri. Vrindavan Das Thakur demonstrated infinite mercy on the fallen souls by warning them:
eta parihare-o je papi ninda kare
tabe lathi maron tar shirera upare
Even after being told how objectionable it is, if someone still blasphemes the Vaishnavas, then I will kick him in the head.
These same words are repeated in the Adi, Madhya and Antya-khandas of the Chaitanya Bhagavat. Some foolish and arrogant persons misunderstand such statements and criticize Vrindavan Das for having made them. Such criticism leads them into the mud of offensiveness. In this connection, the remarks of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Goswami Thakur, the founder of the Sri Chaitanya Math and all the Gaudiya Maths, are well worth studying: “‘I am ready to kick the heads of those envious and hellish persons who blaspheme Nityananda Prabhu, if by so doing I will be able to forever prevent them from repeating their attempts to show disrespect for the Supreme Lord. Not only that, but if by so doing I can bring about a slear conception of the truth, I will be performing them the greatest service.’
“So says Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa and acharya of the Vaishnava faith. If even a single fleck of dust should fall from his foot on the head of a sinful blasphemer, then that person will be blessed and all his sinful conditioning will inevitably be eradicated. In words which embody the Goddess of Learning and a flood of pure devotion, the Thakur reveals compassion for even the most atheistic blasphemer with the unswerving faith appropriate to a servant of Nityananda Prabhu, the supreme guru. He tells them that though they should be the object of indifference due to their foolishness, nevertheless, because of their ignorance of the truth of Nityananda, their insistence on rushing headlong on the path to hell, and their reluctance to act in their own real self-interest, he and other compassionate Vaishnavas like him who practice and preach the Lord’s doctrines unselfishly and disinterestedly act for their welfare. The compassion which is manifested in Vrindavan Das’s statement is beyond the comprehension of those who have no understanding of what is truly in their own self interest. Anyone who follows in the footsteps of Vrindavan Das, the incarnation of Vyasa, and both practices and preaches the Vaishnava religion is always engaged in an effort to bring about the ultimate well-being of everyone. Though he may make a superficial show of wishing to punish the enemies of the Lord, in fact he harbors a compassion toward them which knows no limit.”
Vrindavan Das Thakur’s disappearance day is the Krishna Dashami of Vaishakh. There is some dispute the exact year of his disappearance which was likely 1511 Shaka (1589 AD).

Nikhil and Nikhil’s sister get the mercy. Shastrakrit Das:…
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Nikhil and Nikhil’s sister get the mercy.
Shastrakrit Das: I was at my book table. This Indian lady walked by my book table along with her teenage son. I called them over to give them some prasadam. I gave them a spoon of Maha halava each. The mother’s response was “oh we have all these books” but her teenage son was attracted to HH Devamrita Swami’s book “Hiding in unnatural happiness”.
So his mother bought it for him, her son, named Nikhil.
A couple of weeks later this teenage boy walked up to my book table and put a nice donation in my donation box and asked if he can have a copy of The Gita. I was so thrilled that this young man was so eager for The Gita and asked him why he is interested in the Gita?
He reminded me that I had given him the copy of the Hiding in Unnatural happiness earlier and he read it cover to cover and the author inspired him to read the Gita.
And again today I was at my book table, Nikhil came to me along with his cute little sister & he had finished reading The Gita already and he had amazing questions from the Gita like “ Prabhupada says we should go to Krishnaloka & few pages down Prabhupada says that a pure devotee doesn’t even want to go to Krishnaloka, he is happy just serving Krishna, so how to understand that ”?
After our nice discussion, he bought a Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.
And Nikhil’s sister had some deep questions as well like “why in the paintings we see the girlfriends of Krishna and animals are so attracted to Him, etc ”
And Nikhil bought a Krishna book for her little sister.
I was blown away how special these siblings are, must be from last life

Srila Prabhupada on Krsna consciousness. Prahladananda Swami:…
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Srila Prabhupada on Krsna consciousness.
Prahladananda Swami: Srila Prabhupada came to give the world Krsna consciousness. What precisely does Krsna consciousness mean? Srila Prabhupada has explained the importance of understanding this:
Therefore, one has to seek out such a bona fide spiritual master and, under him, learn what Krsna consciousness is, for Krsna consciousness will certainly drive away all nescience, as the sun drives away darkness. [Bhagavad-gita 5.16, purport]
To understand Krsna consciousness, we can examine some of Srila Prabhupada’s definitions. Srila Prabhupada originally took the definition of Krsna consciousness from a line of a verse by Ramananda Raya, quoted in Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Padyavali: krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita – absorbed in the mellows of executing devotional service to Krsna. (Padyavali 14, as quoted in Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 8.70)

To be in Krsna consciousness, one must be absorbed in pure devotional service and experience rasa, or transcendental mellows, by thinking of Lord Krsna.

In Srila Prabhupada’s Krsna book he writes: “The art of focusing one’s attention on the Supreme and giving one’s love to Him is called Krsna consciousness.” (Krsna book, Preface)

Researching Srila Prabhupada’s books, I was amazed to see the extent and depth of the definitions given for Krsna consciousness. In the Bhagavad-gita alone we can find a wealth of understanding of these words:

Constantly thinking of Lord Krsna. “Thus a devotee of Krsna can conquer both sleep and ignorance simply by thinking of Krsna constantly. This is called Krsna consciousness, or samadhi.” (Bhagavad-gita 1.24, purport)

For the benefit of Lord Krsna. “Activity in Krsna consciousness, or acting for the benefit of Krsna without expectation of sense gratification, is the highest transcendental quality of work.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.40, purport)

Full dependence on the good will of Krsna. “This transcendental position is achieved in full Krsna consciousness when one is fully dependent on the good will of Krsna.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.45, purport)

Directly into communion with Krsna. “In Krsna consciousness, one comes directly into communion with Krsna, and thus all directions from Krsna may be understood in that transcendental state.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.53, purport)

Krsna is everything. “The sthita-dhir muni is always in Krsna consciousness, for he has exhausted all his business of creative speculation. He is called prasanta-nihsesa-mano-rathantara (Stotra-ratna 43)

, or one who has surpassed the stage of mental speculations and has come to the conclusion that Lord Sri Krsna, or Vasudeva, is everything (vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah). (Bg 2.56 purport)

Knowledge of how to use everything in the service of the Lord. “On the other hand, a person in Krsna consciousness knows how to use everything in the service of the Lord; therefore he does not become a victim of material consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.63, purport)

Only concerned with the satisfaction of Krsna. “Although the person in full Krsna consciousness may apparently be on the sensual plane, because of his being Krsna conscious he has no attachment to sensual activities. The Krsna conscious person is concerned only with the satisfaction of Krsna, and nothing else.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.64, purport)

Engaging all the senses in the service of Lord Krsna. “One can curb the forces of sense gratification only by means of Krsna consciousness, or engaging all the senses in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.68, purport)

Perfect stage of Krsna consciousness. “To understand one’s actual position as the eternal servitor of Krsna, without falsely claiming this material body to be oneself and without falsely claiming proprietorship over anything in the world, is the perfect stage of Krsna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.71 purport)

Desiring everything for Krsna. “If, therefore, lust is transformed into love for the Supreme, or transformed into Krsna consciousness – or, in other words, desiring everything for Krsna – then both lust and wrath can be spiritualized.” (Bhagavad-gita 3.37 purport)

Simply meant to serve the Lord. “The living entities are parts and parcels of the Lord, and therefore they are simply meant to serve the Lord. This consciousness is called Krsna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 3.41 purport)

Direct connection with the Supreme. “In Krsna consciousness the soul makes direct connection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Bhagavad-gita 3.42 purport)

Deliberate spiritual intelligence. “Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind, and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Krsna consciousness] and thus – by spiritual strength -conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.” (Bhagavad-gita 3.43 purport)

Does everything for Krsna. “This freedom from the bondage of actions is possible only in Krsna consciousness when one is doing everything for Krsna. A Krsna conscious person acts out of pure love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore he has no attraction for the results of the action.” (Bhagavad-gita 4.20 purport)

Engaged in the satisfaction of Lord Krsna’s senses. “In material consciousness, the senses are engaged in sense gratification, but in Krsna consciousness, the senses are engaged in the satisfaction of Krsna’s senses. Therefore, the Krsna conscious person is always free, even though he appears to be engaged in affairs of the senses.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.8-9 purport)

The body is the property of Krsna. “The conclusion is that a person without Krsna consciousness acts according to the concept of the material body and senses, but a person in Krsna consciousness acts according to the knowledge that the body is the property of Krsna and should, therefore, be engaged in the service of Krsna.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.10, purport)

He himself belongs to Krsna. “‘A person acting in Krsna consciousness (or, in other words, in the service of Krsna) with his body, mind, intelligence, and words is a liberated person even within the material world, although he may be engaged in many so-called material activities.’ He has no false ego, for he does not believe that he is this material body, or that he possesses the body. He knows that he is not this body and that this body does not belong to him. He himself belongs to Krsna, and the body too belongs to Krsna. When he applies everything produced of the body, mind, intelligence, words, life, wealth, etc. – whatever he may have within his possession -to Krsna’s service, he is at once dovetailed with Krsna. He is one with Krsna and is devoid of the false ego that leads one to believe that he is the body, etc. This is the perfect stage of Krsna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.11, purport)

Steady consciousness. “This knowledge elevates him to the station of knowing the complete science of the Absolute Truth, namely Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan. He thus knows his constitutional position perfectly well, without falsely trying to become one with the Supreme in all respects. This is called Brahman realization, or self-realization. Such steady consciousness is called Krsna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.20 purport)

Everyone is subordinate to Lord Krsna. “This is the sense of Krsna consciousness: Lord Krsna is the supreme predominator, and all living entities, including the great demigods, are His subordinates.” (Bhagavad-gita 5.29, purport)

Engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. “Krsna consciousness means, concisely, to be always engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.” (Bhagavad-gita 6.10 purport)

Mind always absorbed in Krsna’s activities. “Therefore a person working in Krsna consciousness is the perfect yogi, because his mind is always absorbed in Krsna’s activities (sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh) (Bhagavad-gita 6.15 purport)

Serving Krsna with purified senses. “Serving Krsna with purified senses is called Krsna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 6.26 purport)

Nothing can exist without Krsna, and Krsna is the Lord of everything. “A person in Krsna consciousness certainly sees Lord Krsna everywhere, and he sees everything in Krsna. Such a person may appear to see all separate manifestations of the material nature, but in each and every instance he is conscious of Krsna, knowing that everything is a manifestation of Krsna’s energy. Nothing can exist without Krsna, and Krsna is the Lord of everything – this is the basic principle of Krsna consciousness.” (Bhagavad-gita 6.30 purport)

Steady concentration of the mind upon Krsna. “At the end of the Sixth Chapter, it has been clearly stated that the steady concentration of the mind upon Krsna, or in other words Krsna consciousness, is the highest form of all yoga.” (Bhagavad-gita 7.1)

Prayer. Question: My contemplations on prayer find me asking…
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Prayer.
Question: My contemplations on prayer find me asking for a clear definition of what prayer is. I heard that it means to glorify the Lord. Also that chanting the Holy name is the best prayer. Also, that prayer means an intense desire.
What does a prayer mean? Is it accepting the Supreme position of the Lord and subordinating my will to His Will?
How can I pray with a heart that gets frequently doubtful about Krsna and His devotees? Nonetheless, I pray because I have seen nothing else working out and I have been recommended to do so. Reading some of your kind answers I felt like seeking this clarification.
Romapada Swami: Prayer, or vandanam, is the sixth of the nine processes of devotional service. The dictionary meaning of prayer is defined as “a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.”
Prayer is a unique way of expressing our heartfelt expressions to Krishna; it is a way of expressing our heart to the Lord. Prayer expressed with deep feeling and sincerity is what is accepted by the Lord. Prayer indicates something that is above us, higher than us, or even beyond us. That which the senses and mind cannot reach, prayers can reach, although we are using the senses and mind to pray.

The best way to pray in this age of Kali is to chant the Maha-mantra with all of one’s sincerity.

The real purpose of prayer is not to gain material resources or even spiritual salvation for oneself. The power of prayer comes when we call to Krishna out of a desire to do His will. Such pure prayers are not means to the end but are themselves loving exchanges between the Lord and His pure devotees. Whether we call on Him from the darkness of our fallen state in the material world, or whether we praise Him in the midst of His liberated associates in the kingdom of God, the pure prayer is the same: “Please engage me in Your service”.

Srila Prabhupada explains the meaning of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra as follows: “The mantra is a spiritual call to the Lord, meaning, ‘Oh energy of the Lord, please engage me in the loving service of Lord Krishna.’ This chanting of Hare Krishna is directly enacted from the spiritual platform, surpassing all lower stages of consciousness, namely sensual, mental, and intellectual. There is no need to understand the language of the mantra, nor is there any need of mental speculation, nor any intellectual adjustment for chanting this maha-mantra. It springs automatically from the spiritual platform, and as such anyone can take part in this transcendental sound vibration without any previous qualification and dance in ecstasy. The word Hara is a form of addressing the energy of the Lord. Both Krishna and Rama are forms of directly addressing the Lord, and they mean “the highest pleasure.” Hara is the supreme pleasure potency of the Lord. This potency, addressed as Hare, helps us in reaching the Supreme Lord. The three words-namely Hare, Krishna, and Rama-are the transcendental seeds of the maha-mantra, and the chanting is the spiritual call for the Lord and His internal energy, Hara, for giving protection to the conditioned souls. The chanting is exactly like genuine crying by the child for his mother. Mother Hara helps in achieving the grace of the supreme father Hari, or Krishna, and the Lord reveals Himself to such sincere devotees”.

Outlined below are few of the many benefits of Chanting the Maha Mantra:

1. One can be liberated from the effects of all sins simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord.

2. One is directly associating with Krsna by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

3. Chanting Hare Krishna awakens love of God.

4. Chanting Hare Krishna brings liberation as a side benefit along the way.

5. When one chants Hare Krishna, one automatically develop knowledge and detachment.

6. Chanting Hare Krishna gets one out of the endless cycle of birth and death.

7. Chanting Hare Krishna cleanses the heart of all illusions and misunderstandings.

8. By chanting Hare Krishna, one becomes free from all anxieties.

9. There are no hard and fast rules for chanting. One can chant anywhere, anytime, under any circumstances.

10. Krishna Himself is fully present in the transcendental sound of His name.

11. All other Vedic mantras are included in the chanting of Hare Krishna maha mantra.

12. A person who chants Hare Krishna develops all good qualities.

Also please find below the link to an audio lecture on the power of prayers and the role of prayer in chanting:
https://goo.gl/ggkh1h

Ecstatic Harinama and book distribution in Israel (Album with…
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Ecstatic Harinama and book distribution in Israel (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, under whose control even the sun, which is considered to be the eye of the Lord, rotates within the fixed orbit of eternal time. The sun is the king of all planetary systems and has unlimited potency in heat and light.” This verse from Brahma-samhita confirms that even the largest and most powerful planet, the sun, rotates within a fixed orbit, or kala-cakra, in obedience to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This has nothing to do with gravity or any other imaginary laws created by the material scientists. >>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 5.23.3
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US$150m new ‘Mahabharata’ movie, the most ever expensive Indian…
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US$150m new ‘Mahabharata’ movie, the most ever expensive Indian movie soon to begin.
Filming is due to start late next year with the first installment set to hit screens in early 2020, the statement said. It will be released in several Indian languages and dubbed for foreign audiences as well. The blockbuster will be the latest retelling of the Mahabharata, an ancient Sanskrit story about a battle between feuding princes which includes the Bhagavad Gita.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/D08ScN

Indian basmati rice’s increased production is contributing…
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Indian basmati rice’s increased production is contributing to the problems of the Yamuna river.
Recently, a high court in India declared the Yamuna river a living entity, bestowing on her the same legal rights as a person. Many shared the news on social media, excited about this seemingly major move towards cleaning up the heavily polluted river, once called “dead” by the United Nations.
But a closer look shows that the development, while a nice gesture, won’t actually achieve much.
“This status was only given by a court in the Northern state of Uttarakhand, where the Yamuna is already pristine enough to drink and there’s not much pollution,” says Krisztina Danka, Ph.D. (Krishna-lila Dasi), director of the upcoming documentary The Stolen River. “The problem is that according to Indian law every state has a right to all its natural resources, including rivers. So this ruling has absolutely no bearing on the other states further down the river – such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh – where most of the pollution is actually taking place. Thus it doesn’t solve the problem!”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/CoKHtH

Vani and Varun, April 15 wedding in Alachua (Album with photos)…
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Vani and Varun, April 15 wedding in Alachua (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Full dependence on the good will of Krsna. “This transcendental position is achieved in full Krsna consciousness when one is fully dependent on the good will of Krsna.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.45, purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lC93hx

Sacred Sound 2017 (7 min video) Indradyumna Swami: Over Easter…
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Sacred Sound 2017 (7 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: Over Easter weekend devotees from all over Australia, and beyond, came together at the New Govardhan community to chant and dance in ecstasy to the holy names of the Lord. No one, who was present, will ever forget the happiness and joy they experienced in each other’s association. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/L9h5e0

Easter Saturday London Harinama Sankirtan (Album with photos and…
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Easter Saturday London Harinama Sankirtan (Album with photos and video) Video clip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidcphotography2/33902896232/
alternative version in case the above doesn’t work for you:
http://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_62fHs0aE5XaDJmOFg5ajNXNjQ
Photo slideshow (please turn on sound):
http://davidc.zenfolio.com/easter_saturday_harinama_sankirtan_15042017/slideshow
Photo gallery:
http://davidc.zenfolio.com/easter_saturday_harinama_sankirtan_15042017
With best wishes,
Hare Krishna,
David

Maha Harinam Sankirtan Nectar in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album with…
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Maha Harinam Sankirtan Nectar in Tel Aviv, Israel (Album with photos)
The Absolute Truth is Sri Krsna, and loving devotion to Sri Krsna in pure love is achieved through congregational chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all bliss.” (CC Adi-lila 1.96)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aTsZ6A

Srila Prabhupada and His Lady Disciples. Sydney, April 1, 1972….
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Srila Prabhupada and His Lady Disciples.
Sydney, April 1, 1972. Srila Prabhupada returned to the temple that evening to attend the 7 o’clock arati and kirtana, and to give a class on Bhagavad Gita. As he entered the small temple room, he was pleased to see it packed with guests and devotees. The vyasasana had been moved, so he could now sit with his left side to the altar. He nodded approvingly.
The pujari blew a big pink and white conchshell. The red velvet curtain swished open, revealing the Deities. After offering prostrated obeisances, Srila Prabhupada stood. Powerfully built Nanda Kumara picked up a clay mrdanga and began to sing the evening arati prayer. Srila Prabhupada remained standing and glanced at Syamasundara, who opened a small velvet bag and passed Srila Prabhupada a highly-polished pair of karatals. Prabhupada played deftly, head slightly to one side, as he stood, looking lovingly and attentively at Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha on Their beautiful new altar. After continuing like that for a few minutes, Srila Prabhupada sat down on his vyasasana and chanted with the kirtana.

After forty minutes, the jubilant kirtana drew to a close. Srila Prabhupada opened up his Bhagavad Gita set on a simple wooden bookstand balanced atop two red velvet covered steps in front of him. Wally, sitting on his right, set up the heavy reel-to-reel tape equipment, ready to record the class. Prabhupada again picked up his shiny karatals, wrapping the red straps deftly around his fingers, closing his eyes and striking the shiny brass cymbals in the familiar one-two-three, one-two-three fashion. Seated amongst the crowd of devotees, Jagattarini was feeling completely satisfied after the joyous kirtana. She had almost forgotten a secret desire that she had been maintaining for a long time: considering herself a good singer, she had hoped one day to sing for Srila Prabhupada.

Nanda Kumara, seated next to Prabhupada on the floor, had scarcely placed the heavy clay mrdanga on his lap when Srila Prabhupada suddenly stopped playing his karatals and opened his eyes. Scanning the silent crowd for a brief few seconds, his eyes fell on Jagattarini seated close by.

“You lead,” Srila Prabhupada said. Mohanananda looked at Syamasundara in amazement. Jagattarini could hardly believe it; she swallowed and sang ‘Jaya Radha Madhava Kunja Vihari’ as loudly and nicely as she could. Srila Prabhupada and the devotees sang the response. Srila Prabhupada’s karatals chimed sweetly as Nanda Kumara increased the tempo with his rhythmic mrdanga beats. The song reached its climax and stopped. Jagattarini, her desire fulfilled, opened her eyes to see Srila Prabhupada staring at her intently. “Krsna has been so merciful to you,” Srila Prabhupada said, and began his evening class.

After the discourse, Srila Prabhupada again glanced lovingly at the altar. Radha and Krsna were wearing impressive handcrafted crowns of soft blue and pink stones, the whole effect reminiscent of mother-of-pearl. He looked around the room, “Who has made these crowns?”

Rasarani flushed and slightly raised her hand. Srila Prabhupada smiled and Srila Prabhupada said, “Very nice”.

(from The Great Transcendental Adventure, by Kurma dasa)

Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat at Iskcon New Govardhana – 15 April…
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Sacred Sound Kirtan Retreat at Iskcon New Govardhana – 15 April 2017 (Album with photos)
Prabhupada gave his disciples credit for chanting kirtanas with heart and soul as he did. One evening we had a small, informal kirtana in Prabhupada’s hotel room in Hawaii. Since there was no official program at the temple, Prabhupada was spending a quiet evening working, and his servants were also busy with their tasks. However, Prabhupada called us together and asked us to chant. I came from my editorial desk, Pradyumna came from his Sanskrit work, and Bali Mardana and Sudama also came. Prabhupada asked Sudama to lead the singing. As Sudama began to sing a particular tune, he became self-conscious and stopped. He said, “That’s not the right tune.” He meant that it was not the tune that Prabhupada usually sang. Prabhupada encouraged him, “That is all right. That is your ecstasy.” It enlivened us to think that Prabhupada said we had ecstasy within us, and that even a neophyte devotee’s choosing of a particular tune could be called “his ecstasy.”
Find them here: https://goo.gl/vkYyRZ

ISKCON Auckland NZ: 45th anniversary of Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari…
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ISKCON Auckland NZ: 45th anniversary of Sri Sri Radha-Giridhari (Album with photos)
One time, during the annual Gaura-Purnima festival in Mayapura, Prabhupada called his GBC men to his room to tell them that he was hearing and take pleasure in the kirtana. With his leaders gathered before him in the room, Prabhupada stated that all the devotees in the world should come to Mayapura and constantly have kirtana. He was very blissful as he told them of Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s statement that he had searched the fourteen worlds but found nothing of value except the chanting of the holy names.
(From “Prabhupada Meditations” by SDG)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/B20JqT