Author Archives: H.H. Giriraj Swami

“In order to encourage the King, who had only seven remaining days of life, Srila Sukadeva Gosv?m? asserted that there is no use in living hundreds of years without any knowledge of the problems of life — better to live for a moment with full consciousness of the supreme interest to be fulfilled. The supreme […]

This Krishna consciousness movement is spreading quickly all over the world—within four, five years. Is it my credit? No. It is Krishna’s credit. But because I have tried to do this business, people are automatically giving me the credit. They say, “Swamiji, you have done wonderful.” I have done nothing wonderful. It is Krishna’s business. […]

According to tithi, the date on the Vaishnava calendar, today is the disappearance anniversary of His Holiness Sridhar Swami Maharaja, who left his body in Mayapur on Srivasa Pandita’s disappearance day in 2004. He was such a good friend to me—and to all the devotees in ISKCON, and ultimately to everyone. I spend my days […]

Srivasa Pandita is one of the members of the Pancha-tattva: sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasa. Vedic authorities state that in the current Age of Kali, Krishna came as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Balarama came as Sri Nityananda Prabhu. Similarly, Maha-vishnu appeared as Advaita Acharya, Srimati Radharani as Gadadhara Pandita, and Narada Muni as Srivasa Pandita. […]

HH Giriraj Swami Maharaj from USA
H.H Giriraj Swami

From Snana-yatra to Ratha-yatra
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Saturday, June 13, 2020

“On numerous occasions Srila Prabhupada has given the the formula for enthusiasm – which is to follow all the regulative principles strictly. To chant our minimum sixteen rounds, to follow the four restrictive principles, and to engage in all of the activities that we are instructed. That is the way to become enthusiastic and to […]

The Passing Away of Devotees in Apparently Unfortunate Circumstances
Please join in to hear from H.H. Giriraj Swami Maharaja.
Topic: “The Passing Away of Devotees in Apparently Unfortunate Circumstances”
Posted by Aritra Nath on Saturday, …

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“These regulative principles should act as servants of the basic principle — that is, one should always remember Krishna and never forget Him. This is possible when one chants the Hare Krishna mantra. Therefore one must strictly chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra twenty-four hours daily. One may have other duties to perform under the direction […]

For Sripada Tamal Krishna Goswami’s Vyasa-puja today, I wrote a small offering: Tamal Krishna Goswami has done so much service for Srila Prabhupada—I could speak for hours about it—and I know that Prabhupada is pleased and proud of him. Tamal Krishna Goswami has helped me personally in so many ways as well. I could speak […]

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.16. etevan sankhya-yogabhyam sva-dharma-parinisthaya janma-labhah parah pumsam ante narayana-smrtih Translation The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of […]

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavtam 1.8.25. “Generally the distressed, the needy, the intelligent and the inquisitive, who have performed some pious activities, worship or begin to worship the Lord. Others, who are thriving on misdeeds only, regardless of status, cannot approach the Supreme due to being misled by the illusory energy. Therefore, for […]

In difficult times like these, I feel the urgent need for Srila Prabhupada’s books to be distributed in large numbers, for only such literature can enlighten people how to proceed in the right way. Srila Prabhupada’s preface to Srimad-Bhagavatam is profoundly relevant: “We must know the present need of human society. And what is that […]

We have gathered at the lotus feet of the Pancha-tattva on this most auspicious occasion of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s cida-dadhi festival. The background to this incident can be found in the early life of Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. His uncle and father, Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, were wealthy landlords in Bengal—almost like kings—and had a […]

Today I heard Srila Prabhupada’s talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.34–35, September 28, 1976, Vrindavan, and in the wake of George Floyd’s recent death, caused by the police, and the subsequent riots, the following excerpt seemed especially relevant and poignant: “Kshatriya . . . Kshat means injury. And trayate, to deliver. Kshatriya’s duty is to save the […]

“Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita (13.9) that the real sufferings of the material world are four—janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi (birth, death, old age and disease). In the history of the world, no one has been successful in conquering these miseries imposed by material nature. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah. Nature (prakrti) is so strong that no one can overcome […]

Amrtera Tarangini Canto 2 ch 6
H.H. Giriraj Swami and ISKCON devotees all over world
Posted by Balimardana Das on Saturday, May 30, 2020

“While teaching Rupa Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru-krishna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija: one can achieve the seed of devotional service by the mercy of the guru, the spiritual master, and then by the mercy of Krishna. This is the secret of success. First one should try to please the spiritual master, and then one should attempt […]

“This material world is certified by the Lord in the Bhagavad-gita as a dangerous place full of calamities. Less intelligent persons prepare plans to adjust to those calamities without knowing that the nature of this place is itself full of calamities. They have no information of the abode of the Lord, which is full of […]

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.12. “Everyone should be friendly for the service of the Lord. Everyone should praise another’s service to the Lord and not be proud of his own service. This is the way of Vaisnava thinking, Vaikuntha thinking. There may be rivalries and apparent competition between servants in performing service, […]

“This material world is certified by the Lord in the Bhagavad-gita as a dangerous place full of calamities. Less intelligent persons prepare plans to adjust to those calamities without knowing that the nature of this place is itself full of calamities. They have no information of the abode of the Lord, which is full of […]

My beloved, exalted disciple Kamala devi dasi left her body in Mauritius two days ago. Everything about her departure was auspicious, and her consciousness was fixed on Goloka Vrindavan. She was ably assisted in her final journey by HH Bhakti Brhat Bhagavata Swami, Karunika dasi, Vrajesvari dasi, Manasi Ganga dasi, Arcana Siddhi dasi, and her […]

Hearing Srila Prabhupada speak about why danger is required, I thought of the coronavirus pandemic. In a talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.33, April 25, 1973, Los Angeles, Prabhupada said: “We have got natural devotion. Just like father and son, there is natural affection. The son has got natural devotion to the father, mother. Similarly, we have […]

My dear Indradyumna Swami Maharaja, Please accept my prostrated obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. And all glories to your service. I could speak for many days about your service to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and for many hours about how you have helped me personally. But today I […]

Even when there is duty, we have to see what will be the effect of the duty. Not everything should be done very blindly. This is devotee. Devotee means he’s not blind. Yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. (SB 5.18.12) [“All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge, and […]

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“Want to Chant – Special Sunday Feast with HH Giriraja Swami (Part 1 of Blissing our Bhakti series) “Want to Chant – Special Sunday Feast with HH Giriraja Swami (Part 1 of Blossoming our Bhakti series) – SB 2.1.11 Posted by AVCC – Iskcon of Round Rock on Sunday, May 17, 2020 Audio Want to […]

Posted by Giriraj Swami on Saturday, May 16, 2020

 
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Saturday, May 16, 2020

“Burning to ask my question, I raised my hand. “There are so many swamis and yogis,” I began, “and each recommends a different process of self-realization, and each says that his is the best. So how do I know which is actually best?” Prabhupada responded, “What is your goal? Do you want to serve God, […]

Giriraj Swami read from and spoke on the teachings of Queen Kunti—Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.25. “The duty of the sane person, therefore, is to be undisturbed by worldly calamities, which are sure to happen in all circumstances. Suffering all sorts of unavoidable misfortunes, one should make progress in spiritual realization because that is the mission of human […]

Today marks the completion of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta by Srila Krishnadasa Gosvami, four hundred and five years ago, at Radha-kunda. At the end of the Madhya-lila (25.277–279), Srila Krishnadasa Gosvami writes: “The devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu take the responsibility for distributing nectarean devotional service all over the […]

We continue our discussion of the conversation between Sri Ramananada Raya and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, ramananda-samvada, recorded in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Eight: “Talks Between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya.” TEXT 1 sancarya ramabhidha-bhakta-meghe   sva-bhakti-siddhanta-cayamrtani gaurabdhir etair amuna vitirnais   taj-jnatva-ratnalayatam prayati TRANSLATION Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is known as Gauranga, is the […]

Today is an auspicious day in Krishna consciousness. Of course, every day is auspicious in Krishna consciousness. When we first arrived in India, in Bombay, Srila Prabhupada was invited to a program on the lawn of an aristocratic gentleman’s house. Most of us went ahead, and Srila Prabhupada followed with a few disciples. When we […]

Giriraj Swami read from and spoke on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.12.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.12 (Right click to download)

Giriraj Swami read from and spoke on the teachings of Queen Kunti—Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.42. “Perfection of pure devotional service is attained when all attention is diverted towards the transcendental loving service of the Lord. To cut off the tie of all other affections does not mean complete negation of the finer elements, like affection for someone […]

“There are very exalted spiritual understandings in Krishna consciousness. They are not fictional, imaginary, or concocted. They are facts, and every devotee can have the privilege to understand and indeed take part in Krishna’s pastimes if he is actually advanced. We should not think that the privilege given to Mother Yasoda is not available to […]