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The post Why do I feel satisfaction on feeding a beggar but not on feeding the Deities? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post How can we avoid taking Krishna’s forgiveness as a license for our sinfulness? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post ​What is atma-nirikshana or soul-searching? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post ​Did Krishna’s lifting a wheel to attack Bhishma not break his vow? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post ​Didn’t Krishna protecting Arjuna from the Vaishnava astra break his vow? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post ​Are tolerance and surrender directly proportional to each other? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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The post How can we become determined in our bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Carl Yeargens

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 March 2015, Lenasia, South Africa, Rama Naumi Lecture)

When I first went to India, Lord Ramachandra was the first deity I ever saw because the first temple I went to was of Lord Ramachandra and that was my temple! It was a small round temple and later on, they renovated and made it into a big marble temple. Oh, I miss my small round temple; it was so nice; the deities were really close but now they are high up and far away.

Then, when I went to Benares, I picked up the “Sri Rama Jaya Rama” mantra from a temple. It was playing twenty-four hours a day at the temple and after a while, it gets into your head. When I was back in Europe, that mantra was still playing in my head, “Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama; Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama!”

Then when I mother was in her final days, I did not know what to do! What do you do!? She was dying of cancer. I was alone with her in the room and thought, “What do I do! I have to do something sacred. Let me sing that holy temple song – Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama!”And I sang it for her as she left this world.

So I got the mercy of Lord Ramachandra although I was covered by ignorance, and somehow or other, I was able to bless my mother with his holy name! So I am grateful and indebted to Lord Ramachandra. How can I ever forget the name of Lord Ramachandra? I was chanting the name of Lord Rama every day for four years before I started chanting Hare Krsna, “Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama; Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya Jaya Rama!”

On this day, my attraction to Lord Ramachandra has been reawakened. But the end of the Ramayana is too much, just too much (Lord Ramachandra banishing Sita devi)! No, I will be a Krsna bhakta! I will worship Lord Krsna. Yes, kecit kevalaya bhaktya vasudeva-parayanah (SB 6.1.15), Vasudeva Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead who says that my devotee will never perish, na me bhaktah pranasyati (BG 9.31). Ultimately, the full mercy of the Lord is manifested in Krsna. It goes beyond dharma; it goes to the platform of love. When love transcends dharma, that is what we see in Krsna. Therefore we are serving Krsna as our isthadev, our worshipable deity!

5050 Book Campaign News! Message from Vaisesika Prabhu (2 min video)
“Hare Krishna! For the 50th anniversary year of ISKCON, the 50th book distribution marathon is upon us. This is a great idea, that everyone can distribute at least 50 books. All members of ISKCON, all friends of ISKCON, are welcome to take 50 books, and go out and distribute them to their friends, people they meet everywhere, their colleagues at work. And why stop at 50 books? Why not do more? Why not invite other people to come in? In this way we can distribute millions of books this year for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. I endorse this program wholeheartedly and ask everyone to please get involved as much as possible. Thank you. Hare Krishna!”
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/rUafyr

HH Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaj came to USA on 30th March 2016. During this preaching tour Maharaj visited: New Jersey : 30th March 2016 Seattle : 31st March – 5th April 2016 Orlando : 6th April – 9th April 2016 New Jersey : 10th April 2016 After that Maharaj went to Dubai on 11th April 2016 […]

The post From USA to Africa : Preaching continues appeared first on Bhakti Charu Swami.

Thank you, George! (4 min video) Mangalananda Prabhu’s tribute to George Harrison. Cleverly included many of George’s most recognized guitar riffs.
Padmapani das: Srila Prabhupada once remarked that George Harrison was “more” than his disciple. During his final earthly pastimes in Vrindavan, 1977, Prabhupada took off his gold ring and requested that it be given to George. Due to his sincere and influential devotional service, George Harrison had pleased Lord Krishna’s pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada.
“The relationship between Srila Prabhupada and George Harrison was very close, and Srila Prabhupada regarded George as his son. When Bhaktivedanta Manor was donated, Srila Prabhupada said of George, ‘Because he has given shelter to Krishna by providing this temple, Krishna will surely provide shelter for him.’ Just before Srila Prabhupada left this world in 1977, he removed the ring on his right hand and said to the disciples around him, 'This is for George, give it to him.’” (The Bhaktivedanta Manor website)
Srila Prabhupada appreciated George Harrison’s humility and how he sincerely tried his best to utilize his God-given talents to spread the Hare Krishna mantra all over the world. He was bold and resolute in his devotion. Our godbrother, Tribhuvanatha Prabhu, used to visit him quite regularly and often said that George was very grateful and humble in his dealings. He especially liked prasadam, and never made a fuss about being an important rock star or drew attention to himself. In fact, when he attended public events at the temple, he remained quiet and unassuming. At other times, he was often seen chanting Hare Krishna sincerely on his japa beads.
Many devotees joined the Hare Krishna movement at least in part because of George Harrison. He legitimized Hare Krishna and Indian culture in the West because of his exalted status as a member of the Beatles. He broke new ground by introducing the sitar into rock music, studying under Ravi Shankar and bringing an ancient wisdom from India into mainstream pop lyrics: “Life flows on within you and without you,” etc. He had long talks with Srila Prabhupada and they both got along well together. George offered many services to Prabhupada over the years, and Srila Prabhupada was noticably pleased.
George Harrison was a devotee of Lord Krishna who Srila Prabhupada once referred to as his “uninitiated disciple.” George Harrison was very fortunate to receive some direct service to Prabhupada’s mission at such an exciting time in its development. He’ll go down in history for his loving devotional songs like My Sweet Lord, which contain the chanting of Hare Krishna. George Harrison also produced the beautiful Radha-Krishna Temple Album in London, which many devotees cherished at home before joining the temples. He was a devotee at heart – an individual who had the courage of his conviction along with an order from Srila Prabhupada to spread the Hare Krishna mantra worldwide. A true success story and a life well lived. Thank you, George. You’re dearly loved and appreciated by so many people all over the world.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/U2Q7l7

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The post Won’t thinking only about our relationship with Krishna make us insensitive in other relationships? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harinama in Biisk 10/04/16 Barnaul, Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krishna consciousness movement insists that everyone take to this path by adopting the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The preachers of Krishna consciousness go from door to door to inform people how they can be relieved from the miserable conditions of material life. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.14.39 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lLYnui

Bhaktivedanta Research Centre’s latest newsletter.
Highlights include:
* Rare manuscripts donated to our library collection from Sri Advaitacharya’s dynasty
* BRC’s Acquisition of Laser Engraver
* BRC Manuscript Mission Team visits Sr Vrindavan Dham
* Tech Team Updates
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/hVOE9z

The post Daily Darshan: April 12th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

From this, we can understand that consciousness merely reflects the experience of whatever it is directed towards, just as the space capsule reflects information from wherever it is directed. If you walk into a store, you can purchase whatever you like some ice cream, some fruit, or some milk. You make the choice. And according to whatever you select, you will have a certain taste experience. Similarly, in our lives and with our consciousness, we can be aware and have experience of whatever we choose. And the highest choice, that experience or taste which is the most perfect, the absolute and supreme, is Krsna, or God, and it is not abstract or impersonal. It is not some obscure conception. Krsna is never impersonal. He is a person, transcendental and complete. The Vedas, and especially the Srimad-Bhagavatam (science of God), give us all this personal information about Krsna. Krsna's qualities, form and attributes are described extensively in a simple and pure manner. Anyone can understand, and the result of exposing ourselves to this experience will be the perfection of our lives, God consciousness. Continue reading "The Perfection of Consciousness
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The post Monday evening in Krsna Valley appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The post A puppet in Krsna’s hands appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Srila Prabhupada writes, "Whatever is taken from the earth—either from the mines, from the surface of the globe, or from the atmosphere—should always be considered the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should be used for Yajna, Lord Vishnu. As soon as the process of yajna [sacrifice] is stopped, the earth will withhold all productions—vegetables, trees, plants, fruits, flowers, other agricultural products, and minerals. Continue reading "Mother Earth: Holder and Giver of Wealth
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How we value, acquire, use, and relate to money reflects our inner state of being. Krishna determines how much money each of us receives. It may appear accidental that one person is born into wealth and another into poverty, or that one person goes from rags to riches and another doesn't, but Krishna's law of karma destines these things. Srila Prabhupada says, "Everyone is thinking, 'If I become greedy, I shall get more.' That is not possible. You cannot get a farthing more than what you are destined." (Lecture, October 3, 1973) And he writes, "It is not possible that simply by endeavors to accumulate more money a person will be able to do so, otherwise almost everyone would be on the same level of wealth. In reality everyone is earning and acquiring according to his predestined karma." Continue reading "Money, Krishna, and Us
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The Three Month Padayatra Ready To Take Off In Russia!
Narada Dasa: In one month we’re going to start a 3 month Padayatra in Russia. Even though we now have a serious economical crisis in the country, we are ready to do whatever is takes to make this Russian Padayatra a very good offering for Lokanatha Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada’s pleasure.
We now have more than 27 padayatris from all over Russia, and one great kirtaniya, Mukti Datta Prabhu, will also join us. We’re planning to travel around 50 cities and villages doing harinama sankirtana, and to also have a bullock cart for some time, but for all that we do need some laksmi. In order to take care of all these padayatris, to organize transportation, pay for petrol, and so on, we need a total $ 5177. It’s an average of less than $ 60 a day, which is not much at all considering the number of devotees and the duration of the padayatra.
During the padayatra we are planning to raise donations by book distribution, and thus hope to cover around $ 2000. So far I raised $ 200 in Russia, which means we still need to raise $ 2977, more than half of the total amount needed.
We are humbly appealing to all of you to please make a generous donation for this project meant to glorify ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada.
In a recent interview about Padayatra Russia, Lokanath Swami quoted a Newsweek cover stating that Hare Krishna is the fastest growing religion in the former Soviet Union, with around 100 000 devotees. He commented that we have to let the Russian people know that the Hare Krishna devotees are very good people, friendly people working very hard for everyone’s welfare.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/qSaOEC

Fast Friends (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we visited the famous Llama Temple in downtown Beijing. While there we met with several of the resident Buddhist monks and discussed philosophy and the similarities of our lifestyles. Later, the senior monk saw me praying to Lord Buddha at the main alter and inquired why I was doing so. I explained that we accept Lord Buddha as one of the 10 incarnations of Lord Krishna and that I was praying to Lord Buddha to develop compassion. The monk appreciated that very much and we became fast friends. In the afternoon we visited a memorial to Confucius.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/GU074D

April 12. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: David Allen.
Prabhupada wrote to his friends in India, describing his relationship with his new roommate in the Bowery loft, David Allen.
He was attending the class at 72nd Street along with others, and when I experienced this theft case in my room, he invited me to his residence. So I am with him and training him. He has good prospect because he has already given up all bad habits. In this country, illicit connection with women, smoking, drinking and eating of meats are common affairs. But by my request he has given up 90% of his old habits, and he is chanting Maha-mantra regularly. So I am giving him the chance and I think he is improving. Tomorrow I have arranged for some prasadam distribution, and he has gone to purchase some things from the market.
When David first came to the Bowery, he appeared like a clean-cut college student. He was twenty-one, six feet tall, blue-eyed, handsome and intelligent looking. Most of his new friends in New York were older and considered him a kid. David’s family lived in East Lansing, Michigan, and his mother was paying $100.00 monthly to sublease the loft. Although he did not have much experience, he had read that a new realm of mind expansion was available through psychedelic drugs, and he was heading fast into the hazardous world of LSD. His meeting with the Swami came at a time of radical change and profoundly affected his life.
David: It was a really good relationship I had with the Swami, but I was overwhelmed by the tremendous energy of being that close to him. It spurred my consciousness very fast. Even my dreams at night would be so vivid of Krishna consciousness. I was often sleeping when the Swami was up, because he was up late in the night working on his translations. That is possibly where a lot of the consciousness in dreams just flowed in, because a lot of that deep relationship. It also had to do with studying Sanskrit. There was a lot of immediate impact with the language. The language seemed to have a strong mystical quality, the way he translated it word-for-word.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

David Allen

QUESTION: I once read somewhere, but I cannot remember where, that Kubja was attracted by Krishna in a selfish way of sensual satisfaction, and still Krishna fulfilled her desire. And then it is said that this intimate contact with Krishna purified her, so that her love later transformed into pure prema, as that of the gopis. Do you perhaps know where is this described?

Her love became like the prema of the gopīs but is actually not on the same level of quality.

In Bhakti Rasamṛta Sindhu, First Division, Second wave, in the section about Rāgātmikās of the Kāmarūpa type, Śrī Rūpa goswami specifies that Kubjā is not a Kāmarūpa Rāgātmikā. Her love is “kāmaprāya” (almost kāmarūpa prema). It has a semblance of the gopī’s love because it is also passionate and sexual (kāmarūpa rāga), but the purity of what Śrī Rūpa calls Krishna-śukhārtha (the intention to make Krishna happy) is not clear enough in her case to qualify her as being similar to the pristinely clear and pure motivations and intentions of the Vraja gopīs.

As such Kubjā doesn’t quite exist within Vṛndāvana with the gopīs, but close by in Mathura with the women of that city. 

In describing the divisions of rāgānuga-sādhana, Sri Rupa and Sri Jiva (the commentator) explain that those who aspire for romantic love with too much focus on the external physical details (“sambhoga-icchāmāyī”) actually wind up emulating kāma-prāya persons, like Kubjā. Those who focus primarily on the pure sentiment of selfless love at the core of that sexual passion (“tad-bhāva-icchāmāyī”) are the better examples of kāmānuga-rāgānuga-sādhakas (those who aspire to love Krishna like the gopīs do).

Kubjā was extremely, extremely blessed, but still there is an experience that is higher and more intensely blissful than what she attains. That is the mood of the Vraja gopīs, whose best is Śrī Rādhā.

Vraja Kishor

www.vrajakishor.com

Tagged: gopi-bhava, kubja, Raganuga