Gita 09.28 – Bhakti accommodates even those for whom bhakti is an afterthought
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.28 – Bhakti accommodates even those for whom bhakti is an afterthought appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

On Chanting the Holy Names, February 7, Alachua, Florida
Giriraj Swami

P9050116.jpgGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.11.

“We want to re-establish our relationship with Krishna. The way you show an interest in establishing a relationship with anyone is by spending time with the person. So when you spend time chanting japa, even if you are struggling, Krishna sees. ‘Oh, this person is trying to revive his or her relationship with Me.’ So He is pleased that you are making that effort and He will help you in the appropriate way and at the appropriate time. We have to be patient. He may help us one day or he may help us the next day. But we have to be patient, persevere and be confident of success in the end. But, the false ego wants to take the place of Krishna. The mind is by habit the agent of the false ego. So when we try to focus the mind on Krishna the false ego reacts, ‘Why Krishna? Why not me?’ But, the whole thing is like a false construction—it doesn’t have any reality. The false ego can seem so huge and so powerful—like there is no way to get free from it. But, if you just stick to chanting—and reading—you will see it is just like a joke. It is a big show but there is really no substance to it.”

Kirtan, Alachua
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.11, Alachua

BLOG THOUGHTS: FORMER WORKSHOP JUNKIE; ONE EVENT CAN CHANGE OUR LIVES FOREVER; MY STATE WHEN CHANTING;
→ Karnamrita's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

photo Chanting bliss_zpsz7urqr8p.jpg
I USED TO BE WORKSHOP JUNKIE BECAUSE I NEVER BELIEVED I WAS ENOUGH TO DO WHAT I AM HERE TO DO: While I do recommend being educated in one's chosen field or calling in life, there are many ways to obtain this education. It may be through formal schooling or be driven by one's intense purpose in life and learned from life experience and "hacking" an education from books and mentors. Personally, although I would have liked to have training as a counselor, I wasn't able to travel his route and mainly learned by studying alternative healing methods like in Reiki, prayer, and Hypnotherapy.

Still, I have never actually earned my living through those practices. I never believed I was sufficiently trained, or more deeply, that I was "enough" to say I was a this or that. I always wanted to 'be somebody" (like all those successful people) who could help others, and have been praying as intensely and sincerely as I can for years, even as I have endeavored to do this through my writing--and as I have heard, with some success...

Now, Krishna has given me a new identity and label, which has empowered me to have a vision of how to connect and help others--having a cancer diagnosis and being "near death" has helped me more than I could ever imagine. Somehow the idea of having a limited amount of time left to live, has pushed me to do what I pray for now, as I can no longer wait to "be enough," realizing that this day will never come, if I listen to the ego's self doubt and discouraging words.

read more

Vapu or Vani? Question: We often hear in lectures that Vani is…
→ Dandavats



Vapu or Vani?
Question: We often hear in lectures that Vani is more important than Vapu. Vani means instructions of the spiritual master. Vapu means physical presence of the spiritual master. My next question is we happen see the some devotees get very very good association of the spiritual master or some devotees he also inhibition and try away from talking or revealing their mind to the spiritual master and just contented to hear lectures or have darshan who is right and lucky? How should the second set of devotees be? How should they rectify themselves?
Radhanath Swami: Srila Prabhupada was in his second meeting with Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur. It was during the Varaja Mandal Parikrama. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur was in Koshi and it was advertised that he would be giving a lecture and there was also a Parikrama going to holy place called Seshsayee. So most of the devotees went to Seshsayee but Srila Prabhupada was thinking that what will I learn at Seshsayee? All the holy places are at the lotus feet of my Gurudev. So he sat and so many people were asking questions and Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati was lecturing on so many various topics of devotional service and Srila Prabhupada silently sat and listened attentively and submissively. He didn’t say anything. People were coming and people were going he was speaking from many many hours but Srila Prabhupada just sat and with an open heart and open ears just absorb what his Gurudev was saying. He said nothing to his guru, he just listened. Next day Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati left and Srila Prabhupada also left. Sometime after that at the Gaudia Matha in Allahabad, Srila Prabhupada had a business in Allahabad at that time. He was in the Grihastha Ashrama. He visited the Gaudiya Matha and one brahmachari I believe his name was Atulananda. He said that Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati is coming to give initiation and he recommended Srila Prabhupada’s name for initiation. That time his name was Abhaycharan. And he only sat in the presence of his guru twice. When Bhakti Siddhanta saw him he said yes I have noted that this young man he likes to hear. He does not go away. Just by sitting and listening attentively is inquiring submissively. If you have a question you ask it. If you have no question just by sitting in a room with hundred and two hundred and three hundred people if you are sitting and hearing attentively you are getting the most intimate association with your spiritual master. And who is the lucky one the person who is listening attentively because he is really getting the association with that spiritual master’s divine grace. In Srila Prabhupada’s life when he first came to America you know that Robert Nelson is actually a nice boy he was living with Prabhupada day and night. And so many other they were living with him day and night for months and months and months. But many of them never became devotees. They were asking so many questions, they were sitting next to him. They were very friendly with him. But they never became devotees and I know people who never spoke one single word to Srila Prabhupada in their whole life but in the few occasions they simply sat in a lecture with six- seven hundred people and they listened attentively and they dedicated their life to what they heard and they are the most intimate lucky devotees in all over the world. So we should know that “Krishna Consciousness is not quantitative it is qualitative”. As Nityaditya Maharaj said many of Prabhupada’s God brothers who are Sanyasis and brahmachari’s they were with Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati personally individually for years and years and years together almost constantly. Srila Prabhupada met with him only a few times rarely asked any questions but whatever Srila Prabhupada Bhakti Siddhanta spoke he heard attentively with the receptive heart and with the willingness to surrender what he heard. “If you listen attentively and you have the willingness to surrender to those instructions you are lucky.” And that’s what Srila Prabhupada appreciated most often times if devotees were doing very well he would not come to that place he said you are doing so well I don’t have to burden my time going there to try to inspire you, you are already doing so well. So we should understand that our receptivity is what will bring us the divine grace of our Guru and to our life.

Character or Capability? Sutapa das: Scriptures are often…
→ Dandavats



Character or Capability?
Sutapa das: Scriptures are often replete with long lists of names, exalted personalities who most have never heard of, but who are nevertheless immortalised in the pages of history. In the material world people are remembered for what they do – their ground-breaking achievements, their high ranking positions of responsibility, and their impactful influence on others. In spiritual circles, however, people are remembered for who they are. In some cases these outstanding spiritualists also made a visible mark on the world, but in many cases they were quiet, simple, humble souls who went about their daily life with a deep sense of devotion, sensitivity and saintliness, their consciousness merged in transcendence. Unassuming, and often unnoticed. The value system in spiritual circles, you see, is entirely different. Character over capability.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/c0mEBr

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami’s health update. Dear Vaisnavas,…
→ Dandavats



HH Kadamba Kanana Swami’s health update.
Dear Vaisnavas, friends and all,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Time is like a river, it is moving along and with it, there are so many occurrences. Presently where I am, the currents are going wild and all I can do is to go along with them and keep my balance. Only days ago I was diagnosed with cancer in the rectum, the tumor has already been removed by operation. Now a second operation is due to remove the surrounding tissue. It may or may not end there, that will come out after some more time. So far it has not been found that the cancer has spread to other places in the body, let’s hope it will remain so.
Lord Krsna is the Supreme Controller and we are little controllers, in this situation there is not much for me to control, I can not steer my boat on the now wild river of time, I have to just go along with things and see what will come on the way. So far there is a realistic chance of survival, but let’s see how things will evolve. You kindly pray for me. Either in this world or the next I am in Krsna’s hands. I will let you know more as things develop.
The doctors are advising me not to have many visitors, because there will be some radiation and chemo involved, which breaks down the immune system, we can’t afford to catch something on top of this.So I will write an update from time to time.
My heart goes out to so many wonderful people that I have met everywhere, and if Krsna so desires I hope that we can meet again and spend many inspiring moments together.
Your servant
Kadamba Kanana Swami

ISKCON Nairobi Holds its First Gita-contest
→ ISKCON News

The Gita Champions League (GCL) is a competition based on the teachings of the ancient book of knowledge, the Bhagavad Gita. This contest was a fun, inspiring and motivating way to help everyone to absorb themselves in the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, enrich and refocus their life in the right manner. GCL was a written test primarily targeting students from Class 5 to 8. 

Artha Event at Singapore
→ Dandavats

On 17th January, Artha forum organized its 5th event in Singapore held at Tanglin Club on the back of very successful events in 2013 and 2014. The conference titled “Conscious Leader” was attended by over 120 entrepreneurs, industrialists, corporate leaders and professional in yet another successful event by Artha Forum (a Not for Profit initiative dedicated to bringing relevance of Ancient Wisdom in Modern business). Bhakti Charu Swami was invited to be the keynote speaker for the event. Esteem corporate leaders from Singapore shared the dias including Vikram Rao of Crayon Data, Dr. Charles Chow – Founder and MD of East West Group, Subba Vidyanathan – MD and Regional Head of Retail Banking at SCB, Sumita Ambasata – Founder of Flowering Tree Inc. and Gowthaman Ragothaman – COO at Mindshare Asia Pacific & Global Client Lead at WPP. Other eminent business leaders present during the event were Jayesh Parekh Co-Founder of Sony Entertainment Television, Anurag Srivastava of Jungle Ventures, Chandrasekhar Pingali – Managing Director at I Cube Consortium Limited and Sanjiv Aiyar – President PAN IIM Alumni.

The event started off with the extremely insightful panel discussion where the panelist fielded relevant questions on how they practically implement Conscious leadership in their respective spheres of work. Gowthaman shared that Conscious leadership should not be left to interpretation. One has to lead by example every day, every moment so that everyone can look up at you and know what is right and ethical and what isn’t.

Dr. Chow gave a very interesting analogy of how potato, egg, coffee and frog behave differently under boiling water. They either turn soft in case of potato, hard in case of egg, grind and spread aroma in case of coffee or just adopt to boiling water in case of frog. So as a leader we need to think what we and people around us want to become given the situation.

Having been leader in Human Resource, Sumita brought out a very important point of integration of inner and outer development of an individual. She mentioned that its inner development that drives outer development; and all this starts with patient, listening and understanding the motivation that drives the individual. Corporate leaders should not be looking at individuals as resources and numbers. Subba shared his experience of having self care and to be resilient from perspective of physical, mental and emotional and to be grounded by spirituality.

Bhakti Charu Maharaj started of his keynote talk by defining Conscious Leadership as the leader who has to become conscious of their position of leading and guiding others. He mentioned that leader needs to have three qualities, which are: to have vision, to know how to motivate the followers and to facilitate. A leader is the position at which you serve and not exploit. But the state of world we see now, the leaders have resorted to exploitation more than service.

Bhakti Charu Maharaj said that we all are leaders with either a large sphere of influence or small, and as a leader we all have to answer the questions of “Where to lead?” He brought home the important message of Bhagvad gita that as a living spiritual being, we are different from matter. We need to understand the science of soul and consider this as important aspect when leading. Briefly describing the sankhaya philosophy, which extensively analyzes the material creation made of 24 elements; he said is “objective” reality which in turn is meant for the subject, which is the soul.

He mentioned that the world is probing deeply in so many other branches but we are hardly probing the science of soul and spirituality. Emphasizing the significance of vedas he said that “The wisdom of vedas are not just the matter of faith. Wisdom of the vedas are scientific probing of different subject both material and spiritual. And though the probing started from material domain but it reaches spiritual domain.”

He concluded saying that “The world today has everything in abundance but there is one acute scarcity – that is the scarcity of spiritual understanding. The scarcity of consciousness. So take this responsibility. The books are available. So take this opportunity in order to benefit yourself and in order to benefit world around you.”

The keynote talk was followed by an hour of Q&A session where both Bhakti Charu Swami and the panelist fielded interesting lineup of questions from audience which was very thoughtful and full of inquisitiveness of how to apply spirituality in one’s own life.

Picture Gallery

Plans For 2016
- TOVP.org

Recently, Ambarisa prabhu, together with the other TOVP managers, went all around the TOVP, discussing plans to be executed in the year 2016. They talked about all the different procedures and areas where work will begin, and viewed all the great achievements from 2015.

Ambarisa was very pleased with the progress of the construction and the finishing work elements like the sandstone cladding, marble work and GRC pillars. He has blessed the TOVP team for a great year ahead in the service of Srila Prabhupada.

 

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Plans For 2016 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Appearance of Sri Varahadeva
→ Dandavats

By Hari-sauri dasa

There are different incarnations or appearances of Lord Varahadev. Previously the white boar incarnation has been described. The one that is in the Bhagavatam as we receive it is the story about the red incarnation and His fight with the demon Hiranyaksha. So it is an interesting history and one that is very instructive for the devotees because it is a narrative of people feeling sorry. The history is Diti was feeling unusually lusty. She was feeling impelled to the point where she lost control of herself and she approached her husband Kasyapa at an inauspicious time for the purpose of having a child. Of course it is to be noted that it wasn't even though she was feeling lusty her intention was to have a child. So it was for procreative purposes. You could say it was dharmic nevertheless. However it was still at an improper time of the day because it was sunset and that is just when Lord Siva and his ghostly hordes become active. Continue reading "Appearance of Sri Varahadeva
→ Dandavats"

Meditation Through Sound. Meditation is an ancient process…
→ Dandavats



Meditation Through Sound.
Meditation is an ancient process which helps us connect to our true nature and purify the mind. There are two ways to meditate; either through silent meditation or sound meditation. The struggle with silent meditation is that it might work for some time, but eventually the noisy mind will come back and begin chatting again. The mind’s duty is meant to always think, so you can not stop it’s function. Better to engage the mind in higher consciousness, which can be done through the power of sound mantras.
To read the entire article click here: http://tattvadarsi.com/2016/01/31/meditation-through-sound/

Lord Nityananda Trayodasi
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Gour Govinda Swami

The two brothers went to the village called Mayuresvara, which was the village of Their maternal grand-father. Close to the village there was a jungle. Once, when these two brothers were about to enter that jungle, two villagers debarred Them, “Hey, don’t go to that jungle. There is a very big poisonous snake that devours everyone who goes there. No one returns. Please don’t go.” Nityananda Prabhu did not listen to them and They both entered that jungle. That big poisonous snake was staying under a tamala tree, and as soon as these two brothers entered the jungle it came out, raising his hood and hissing. Nityananda Prabhu was not afraid at all, rather He raised His hand and said, “Eh! Oh, wicked fellow! Dunta, stay there! Stay there! Don’t come forward!” The snake stopped. “Why are you killing and devouring innocent people?” Nityananda Prabhu is Nagaraja, the king of all snakes, Anantadev Naga, so when He told the snake to stop, he stopped. Then He continued and asked, “Why are you doing this?” Then the snake related his history from Dvapara-yuga. Continue reading "Lord Nityananda Trayodasi
→ Dandavats"

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 12, No. 1. Krishna-kripa…
→ Dandavats



Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 12, No. 1.
Krishna-kripa das: I share many insights from Srila Prabhupada’s books and lectures. I include a beautiful poem about the holy name by Bhaktivinoda Thakura called Sri Nama Mahatmya. I share an excerpt about the public chanting of the holy name from the daily journal of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I include notes on interesting lectures by Amala Bhakti Swami. There are notes on a recorded lecture by Radhanath Swami. Many nice realizations from Madhava Prabhu from New Raman Reti, speaking in Gainesville and Deva Madhava Prabhu, who runs a Krishna House near Ann Arbor, speaking at the Harinam Ashram in New York City. I also include realizations from newer devotees in Gainesville and Jacksonville.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/iSG7EA

February 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
→ Dandavats



February 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Meditating on Prabhupada’s Eternal Form.
Usually I favor meditating on Prabhupada as we knew him. As an expression of loyalty, I almost scoff at the possibility of Prabhupada having a form other than how he appeared in the West in 1965. But I know he does. Still, we prefer to think of Prabhupada as we knew him, and anyway, we really can’t know Prabhupada in any other form. At least not now.
Lately, I am coming to understand that it is possible for a disciple to know his eternal relationship with his spiritual master in the spiritual world. It is possible to meditate on that eternal relationship. This no longer seems scandalous to my loyalty if I think like that.
Now I want to pray that the other form is revealed. I cannot imagine it or concoct it, but I hope one day Srila Prabhupada will reveal how I can be with him as he assists Radha-Krishna in the spiritual world. Just as we sing every morning, nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai. Shri-radhika-madhavayor apara-madhurya-lila-guna-rupa-nammam / prati-kshanasvadana-lolupasya / vande guroh shri-charanaravindam. These two verses are meaningful. I pray that I may one day realize them.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5

Is Guru “as Good as” Śāstra?
→ The Enquirer

Is Guru “as Good as” Śāstra?

If we observe the various spiritual and religious groups in Indian history we see that they can be grouped in two categories: pantha and paramparā. The difference between them is that a pantha is based on the teachings of a guru, but a paramparā is based on the teachings of śāstra – which is disseminated through gurus.

A pantha is based on the teachings of a guru, but a paramparā is based on the teachings of śāstra.

Both have gurus. The difference is that the pantha’s guru is the origin of their philosophy, but in a paramparā the guru is the teacher, preserver, and maintainer of the a specific understanding and interpretation of śāstra established by the founders of the paramparā.

It may seem that pantha gurus are more inventive and innovative than paramparā gurus, but this is not necessarily true. Paramparā gurus are more than preservers or  “refrigerators” of ancient ideas. They must be extremely innovative and inventive to keep the ancient truth of śāstra alive and relevant to modern situations, points of view, advances of information, and so on. Thus, the difference between the pantha and paramparā is not really that one is liberal and inventive while the other is conservative and insular. The real difference is that a pantha does not have full support from the ancient wisdom of Vedic śāstra, while the paramparā does.

The difference between the pantha and paramparā is not really that one is more liberal and inventive than the other. The real difference is that a pantha does not have full support from the ancient wisdom of Vedic śāstra, while the paramparā does.

One might think that gurus are not essential in a paramparā, since anyone can go and read the śāstra for themselves. This is not true. The śāstra is very mysterious and confusing, because it deals with very sophisticated and deep subjects. A paramparā represents a very beautiful, sophisticated, and harmonious interpretation of śāstra resulting from millennia of philosophical and spiritual endeavor by dozens of great persons in previous paramparās. If we start from scratch and read śāstra without the guidance of paramparā gurus, it is extremely unlikely that we would arrive at an understanding with the same depth and broadness.

If we start from scratch and read śāstra without the guidance of paramparā gurus, it is extremely unlikely that we would arrive at an understanding with the same depth and broadness.

Thus, gurus are as essential in a paramparā as they are in a pantha, and they are also as creative and modern. Again, the only real difference is that the pantha guru doesn’t align with the ancient wisdom of śāstra, while the paramparā guru does.

If guru is our ultimate authority, we belong to a pantha. If śāstra is our ultimate authority, we belong to a paramparā.

Members of a pantha and members of a paramparā both consider the words of a guru to be “as good as śāstra,” but they have very different reasons for feeling this way. In a pantha, members feel there is no need for śāstra, because the guru’s word is everything. To them, the guru’s word is “śāstra.” In a paramparā, however, members feel that the guru’s words are “as good as śāstra” because their guru does not say anything that is not clearly and demonstrably supported by śāstra.

In a pantha, members feel there is no need for śāstra, because the guru’s word is everything. To them, the guru’s word is “śāstra.”

Buddha underscores how important the śāstra is to paramparā. All Vaiṣṇava paramparā accept him as an avatāra of Viṣṇu himself, and Śrīmad Bhāgavatam states this explicitly, yet Vaiṣṇavas do not follow do not follow his teachings (except coincidentally, where they  happen to be harmonious with  śāstra), because he rejected the Veda. This demonstrates that paramparā will reject any guru, even an avatāra of Viṣṇu himself, if his or her teachings are not based directly on the śāstra.

Paramparā will reject any guru, even an avatāra of Viṣṇu himself, if his or her teachings are not based directly on the śāstra.

The Buddhist lineage is a pantha, not a paramparā. Guru Nanak’s Sikhism is another, more recent example of a pantha.

Pantha vs. Paramparā, Round One!

So… Which is superior, a pantha or a paramparā?

Common sense suggests that the paramparā is superior – because it more fully avails of all the philosophical and spiritual effort humanity has made over thousands of years, and it much more fully avails itself of the ancient records of wisdom, the Veda.

Of course, Vedic śāstra concurs:

“Knowledge is born from Śāstra.”

— Vedānta Sūtra 1.1.3

“Logic and argument alone cannot conclusively prove or disprove things.”

— Vedānta Sūtra 2.1.11

“Śruti [Śāstra] is the ultimate root of the veracity of all  concepts.”

— Vedānta Sūtra 2.1.27

“The Veda is the only eye through which anyone – human, ancestor, or god – can see the Supreme and come to understand the ultimate objective and means.”

— Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.20.4

“Debate cannot determine things that are beyond comprehension.”

— Mahābhārata Bhīṣma.5.22

Paramparā is superior, but it runs the risk of degrading into a pantha if it allows its gurus to reach conclusions that are significantly different from the interpretations of śāstra established by the founders of that paramparā. It also runs the risk of becoming a pantha if it allows its disciples to over-extend the concept that “guru is as good as śāstra,” and thus never take the trouble to understand the guru’s words in context of the śāstric conclusions established by the paramparā founders.

Paramparā runs the risk of degrading into a pantha if it allows its disciples to over-extend the concept that “guru is as good as śāstra,” and thus never take the trouble to understand the guru’s words in context of the śāstric conclusions established by the paramparā founders.

The gurus of a paramparā must guard against this by teaching their disciples the importance of śāstra, and directly teaching the interpretation of śāstra established by the paramparā founders. Not every disciple is intellectually equipped to fully comprehend and represent the paramparā but this does not negate the duty for the guru to find and educate disciples who are. It is also important that gurus dissuade those who are not thoroughly educated or intellectually capable from involving themselves in debates over the conclusions embraced by their paramparā, for this will only ruin those disciples by making them partisan, and thus aparādhic at heart, and will only fill the ether with confusion about the paramparā’s conclusions. This is a particularly urgent concern in the internet age, where anyone at all can find an audience.

Vraja Kishor dās

www.vrajakishor.com


Tagged: Guru, Guru Sadhu Sastra, Parampara, Sastra, shastra

Please join us to celebrate Lord Nityananda appearance day – February 20th,2016 – 11:00am to 2:00pm
→ ISKCON Brampton



About Lord Nityananda:

"Nitya means eternal.Ananda means pleasure.Material pleasure is not eternal.As living entities,we are searching after pleasure.But the pleasure we are seeking is flickering n temporary.Real pleasure is Nityananda cause its eternal.Anybody,who has no contact with Nityananda,his life is spoiled,it is to be considered."
(Srila prabhupada,Los Angeles,january 31,1969)
 
He appeared in 1474 in the village of Ekachakra, now in West Bengal. Lord Nityananda always served Lord Chaitanya in any way. His beauty was so enchanting and He was so full of ecstatic love for Krishna that, wherever He moved, crowds of people would follow and become lovers of God.
To celebrate Lord Nityananda's appearance day is an important function for devotees of Krishna because without the mercy of Lord Nityananda it is very difficult to make advancement in spiritual life.

Special Program
11:00 - 11:15           Tulsi Aarti
11:15 - 11:30           Guru Aarti 
11:30 - 11:55           Mangala Aarti 
11:55 - 12:00          Narasinga Prayer  
12:00 -12:00          Welcome announcement 
12:05 -12:30          Gaura Nitai Abhisekam 
12:30 -  1:00          Glories of Lord Nityananda 
  1:00 -   1:30          Lord Nityananda Maha Aarti 
  1:30                         Lord Nityananda Grand Feast


We appreciate your constant support to the temple.Here are the details of the sponsorship available for this event.

*Nityananda Grand Feast.......$251
*Nityananda Maha Arati........$151
*Garlands and Decoration......$200
*Special Sringar..................... $351




Travel Journal#12.1: New York City Harinam, Atlanta, and North Florida
→ Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 12, No. 1
By Krishna-kripa das
(January 2016, part one)
North Florida
(Sent from USF, Tampa, Florida, on, February 18, 2016)

The first four days of 2016, I continued chanting with the New York City Harinam party in the subway stations. The next day I chanted in Atlanta for almost two hours between my flight from LaGuardia and my Megabus to Gainesville. The next day I chanted at Krishna Lunch and with my Krishna House friends at the Farmers Market. The next two days I chanted at University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and I attended their Friday Krishna Club meeting. Then I went to Orlando at the request of Trivikrama Swami, who wanted me to keep the Hare Krishna presence on the University of Central Florida campus alive while he was in Eastern Europe for two weeks at the beginning of the spring semester. The first day in Orlando, a Saturday, I chantedin public for two hours with devotees in Winter Park. The following week I took a day off my daily UCF campus chanting to attend a meeting of Bhaktivedanta Institute devotees in Gainesville, and I chanted at Krishna Lunch in Gainesville instead. The next Saturday, three other Orlando devotees joined me chanting for two hours in front the Patel Brothers, a popular Indian store.

I share many insights from Srila Prabhupada’s books and lectures. I include a beautiful poem about the holy name by Bhaktivinoda Thakura called Sri Nama Mahatmya. I share an excerpt about the public chanting of the holy name from the daily journal of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I include notes on interesting lectures by Amala Bhakti Swami. There are notes on a recorded lecture by Radhanath Swami. Many nice realizations from Madhava Prabhu from New Raman Reti, speaking in Gainesville and Deva Madhava Prabhu, who runs a Krishna House near Ann Arbor, speaking at the Harinam Ashram in New York City. I also include realizations from newer devotees in Gainesville and Jacksonville.

Itinerary

February 18–24: Gainesville area (and UNF and USF campuses)
February 25: New York City
February 26–28: Dublin, Ireland
March 1–3: Mumbai
March 5–10: Mayapur Kirtan Mela
March 12–21: Rishikesh Harinama
March 22–April 11: Vrindavan
April 13: Mumbai
April 14–: Dublin, Ireland
April 27: King’s Day, Amsterdam
April 28–29: Holland
April 30–May 1: Birmingham 24-hour kirtana
May 2–: The North of England and Scotland
July 12–16: Polish Woodstock
September 13–: New York City Harinam

New York City Harinam



As I mentioned in the previous journal we chanted in Bryant Park on New Years Eve. I forgot to include the above pictures Stella took of us there.


The Times Square subway station is one of the busiest in New York City, although perhaps the coldest of the ones we regularly perform in.



Not only did we chant there on New Years Eve, but on New Years Day as well (https://youtu.be/SJspozyyDjQ):


Grand Central subway station is one of the warmer ones but the weather was so cold that even the subway station was too cold for me. 

Still Deva Madhava Prabhu chanted a very fired-up kirtana getting the devotees dancing (https://youtu.be/7m91FGuzDik):


Nihal was among the best dancers.

Chanting in Atlanta

After my direct flight from Laguardia in New York to Atlanta, I chanted for almost two hours across the street from the Megabus stop in Atlanta, the Civic Center stop on the MARTA train. It was sunny, but windy and in the 40s (between 5 and 10 degrees C). One guy who passed by, stopped and sat cross-legged in front of me and listened for 5 or 10 minutes. That does not happen every day!

Krishna House Evening Kirtana

Ever since I moved into the temple on 55th Street in Manhattan back in 1979, I have loved the evening kirtana. After serving Krishna all day, it is wonderful to come back to the temple, and sing and dance for Him in the evening. Every time I return to Gainesville’s Krishna House, the evening kirtana is more ecstatic, and that makes me so happy. You can see some of the excitement in this video (https://youtu.be/LMLo-TfIV78):


Thanks to Vanna for her enthusiastic singing!

Farmers Market Harinama


Ecstatic Krishna House devotees chanted at the Gainesville Farmers Market the first Wednesday in January.

It was wonderful how many devotees came out.


One young couple donated some organic carrots, and accepted a Beyond Birth and Death book and my invitation to chant with us. They ended up chanting until we left an hour later, and there faces were smiling!

Audrey took this video you can see if you are her Facebook friend, or perhaps, mine:
https://www.facebook.com/audrey.hunsicker.77/videos/vb.100006459198285/1948113685413919/?type=2&theater

All glories to the congregational chanting of the holy name!

University of North Florida


One day I chanted my last 12 rounds in a study carrel on the topmost of the quiet floors in the University of North Florida library, looking at this picture of Radha and Krishna, and meditating on how They are nondifferent from Their names and that the mantra awakens love for Them. It was one of my better japa sessions recently. Certainly a lot better than chanting on the New York City subway!

Youssef Benbrahim led a great kirtana at Krishna Club on Friday night, with Richie on the harmonium. Madison, playing the karatalas, Tyrell, playing the drum, and Marie, on Tyrell’s right all came for the first time, having met us singing on the green in the afternoon. They all stayed to the end and had a great time. Laura Jayne and Amrita Keli danced. I love University of North Florida Krishna Club. Thanks to Amrita Keli and Lovelesh Chawla for maintaining this ecstatic program! (https://youtu.be/AkhVwRHuYJE):


Winter Park Harinama in Orlando


I was happy to learn that the one day a month when the devotees do harinama, public congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord, in Orlando, was the day I arrived. Unfortunately, most of the congregation lives away from the temple, so Dorian and I could not get a ride, and we had to ride the bus for almost two hours to get to Winter Park, the site of the harinama.Although we arrived twenty minutes late, still we were the second and third person to arrive. I started singing the lead, and then Dorian. Later on Rasikananda Prabhu arrived, and also took a turn leading. He has lots of musical talent and some natural devotion from being raised in a Hare Krishna family. You can see a little of our joy in this video (https://youtu.be/TSk8nqJjuhI):



We had a small book table between the sidewalk and the park behind us.

Chanting at the University of Central Florida in Orlando

The University of Central Florida has the largest undergraduate enrollment of all the colleges in the United States (52,539 students). The Hare Krishna temple is just two miles from the campus, and they say a fifteen-minute walk from the college’s free shuttle bus.

When I was in Orlando I chanted there for three hours every day classes were in session. Often I had a book table in front of the student union. When I did not have that, I would chant in the free speech area behind the library with the books spread out on a cloth. 

I was so pleased that two devotees who are students joined me for some time almost every day, and they also helped set up the table and carry the books and instruments. 



They were Dorian (left), who I knew from when he attended the University of North Florida and later lived in Krishna House, and Naman (right), a Ph.D. in optics who is the president of our club on the UCF campus.  

Harinama at Patel Brothers in Orlando

I hoped to convince the leaders of the Winter Park harinama to come out again the next Saturday, but I was unsuccessful.


Sravan Ananda Prabhu saw my enthusiasm for more harinama, and he decided we could go to an Indian store named Patel Brothers and chant, collect donations and sell books. 



He came out, along with his wife, and Naman, and myself.


He was very happy we distributed some books and collected $60.


During the evening, a couple Indian girls delighted in playing the tambourine and even chanting while the rest of their families shopped. The manager of the store donated ingredients so I could make coconut burfi for the Orlando temple’s Sunday Feast.

To see pictures I took but did not include click on the link below:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103872792410945983719/TravelJournal121?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOOUuJ7zs--y8AE&feat=directlink

Notes on a Bhaktivedanta Institute Meeting in Gainesville

Prishni Devi Dasi:

Janaki Ram Prabhu’s Hindu Theology and Biology elevates the Srimad-Bhagavatam to the level of the best literature that deals with the question of biology and religion.

Brahma Tirtha Prabhu:

A serious problem in our movement is that a lot of people know the philosophy but they do not know philosophy.

Janaki Ram Prabhu:

Pradyumna Prabhu is a real untapped resource in our movement having knowledge about practically everything.

Murli Gopala Prabhu:

In Quantum Mechanics the math works perfectly, but the interpretation runs into difficulties such as Schrödinger’s cat paradox.

When the system is observed and measurement is taken, only the one of the many possibilities happens, and the equations cannot tell you which one. Wigner and Von Neumann argue that the consciousness of observer is the cause of the collapse of the wave function and the selection of a single possibility. Multiple observers are hard to deal with in this interpretation.

Rasaraja Prabhu interprets it in different way. He made the point that we are not here so matter can become actualized. Matter is a conduit is for one to exchange information with others. He argues that there is a universal observer and multiple observers.

Comment by Sthita-muni Prabhu: Rasaraja got published in Philosophy of Science and that means that among those people his ideas were worth considering.

Insights

Prabhupada:

From a lecture on The Nectar of Devotion,in Vrindavan, on November 4, 1972:

“Krodha, anger, is not good, but anger also can be utilized for Krishna’s service. Just like Hanuman, he became angry upon Ravana for the sake of Lord Ramacandra, and he set fire in the golden city of Ravana, Lanka. So that anger was utilized for Lord Ramacandra’s service. He never utilized anger for his personal sense gratification. In this way, everything can be dovetailed in the service of the Lord.”

“We can know also from the direction of the spiritual master how Krishna will be pleased.”

“You cannot avoid the miserable condition of this body. That is not possible. So we have to tolerate. There is no other excuse. But do not create another body. That is devotional service. . . . That is the aim of human life. . . . As soon as you get a material body, you are put into the miserable condition of material nature. So we should not create another body so that we shall be put into, under tribulation again. That is intelligence. So if we put ourself in the activities of devotional service, we save that risk. Not to create another body.”

From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.47, January 22, 1975, in Bombay:

There is spiritual sound, and therefore, there is spiritual sky. There cannot be sound without sky.

This sky is temporary, but the spiritual sky is eternal.

Omkara and Hare Krishna are sound vibrations from the spiritual sky.

If you chant material sound more and more, you will feel is disgusted, but if you chant spiritual sound you will feel transcendental bliss.

How to transfer to the spiritual world, the eternal world, is our only business in our human life.

You can be immediately in touch with Krishna by vibrating Hare Krishna.

“If you want water, if you chant only ‘water, water, water, water,’ you will not get water, because it is material sound. The water substance is different from the word water. Therefore, simply by chanting ‘water, water,’ you cannot quench your thirst.”

“But in the spiritual world, the name and the person or the substance is the same. There is no difference. Krishna and Krishna’s name is the same. There is no difference. Therefore, those who are chanting ‘Krishna, Krishna, Krishna,’ they are becoming more and more engladdened, enthusiastic to chant.”

“By chanting Hare Krishna vibration, the sound, you gradually become cleansed.”

“As soon as you begin chanting Hare Krishna maha-mantra,you gradually become self-realized, aham brahmasmi, simply by chanting. Aham brahmasmi [I am spirit], you can understand.”

“So ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Antya 20.12) means you’ll be freed from this ignorance that ‘I am something of this material world.’ This is wanted. So long we are not realized, self-realized, then we are no better than these cats and dogs, because they do not know that they are not the body.”

“If you are embarrassed with these four things, ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca [eating, sleeping, fearing and mating], then you are not making progress in spiritual life.”

“Some actress, some cinema artist, singing, and people are so fond of hearing that singing that the artist is paid fifteen thousand rupees for one song. There are many here in Bombay. So just see how much attraction we have got for the material sound vibration. Similarly, the same attachment, if we turn to hear about Hare Krishna maha-mantra, then we become liberated. The same sound. One is material; one is spiritual. So you practice to be attached by this spiritual sound vibration, then your life will be successful.”

“So this Krishna consciousness movement is meant for this purpose, that you have already attachment for sound. Now just transfer this attachment for spiritual sound. Then your life will be successful.”

“Don’t be very much happy when you are in [a] happy condition of life; neither you become mad in [a] miserable condition of life. Chant Hare Krishna and make your life [a] success. That is required. This is the propaganda of this Hare Krishna movement, or Krishna consciousness.”

From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.28.17 in Nairobi, Kenya, on Oct. 26, 1975:

“Just like the father wants to favor the son always. Father wants that ‘My son may become very fit, competent, to take all my favors.’ This is father’s wish. Every father, even in this material world, if father is very big man, great man, he wants that ‘My son also, let him become bigger than me.’ Is it not, practical?”

“[Krishna says:] ‘I am the seed-giving father of all living entities.’ It doesn't matter in different forms. He does not say that ‘I am the father only of the white, not of the black.’ He never says. He has no such distinction: white, black, European, American, or poor, rich, bird, beast, human being. No. He does not make any discrimination. He is always ready to bestow favor as the original father. That is God.”

“You have to give up this designation that ‘I am Hindu,’ ‘I am Muslim,’ ‘I am Christian,’ ‘I am African.’ No. No designation. Simply become pure Brahman. Then aham brahmasmi. That is called ahambrahmasmi, not that ‘I remain a Christian,’ ‘I remain a Hindu,’ ‘I remain black,’ ‘I am white,’ and ‘I am Brahman.’ No, not that. You have to give up your designation. That requires practice. And that practice means this param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam [the supremely victorious congregational chanting of the holy name of Krishna].Simply by chanting, you’ll be purified.”

“When you think like that, that ‘I am eternal servant of Krishna,’ then all these dirty things will automatically vanish.”

“Why you are trying to preach Krishna consciousness all over the world? Because we have accepted this principle, that ‘I am Krishna’s servant. Krishna wants to deliver these rascals from this misconception of life, so let me do something for Krishna.’ This is Krishna consciousness.”

“Whole world is servant of somebody, but he declines to become servant of Krishna. This is the disease, material disease. He will remain servant of thousands and millions of establishment and person, but he will disagree. As soon as Krishna says that ‘You give up. You become My servant,’ ‘No, no. Why can I? Why shall I do it?’ This is materialist.”

From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.31 in Honolulu on May 30, 1976:

We learn from the Vedic literature, the soul resides in the heart of the body.

The Vedas say we have to see through the revealed literature as our senses are imperfect.

We cannot see the closest thing, the eyelid, nor can we see what is most far away. Neither can we see at night. Our vision is subjected to so many conditions.

We cannot create earth, water, fire, air, and ether, only Krishna can. Thus our body composed of these elements is Krishna’s creation.

The yogis think “God is sitting with me, let me see.” Thus they engage in meditation to see God.

The devotee knows that everything belongs to Krishna and thus it must be used for Krishna. That is Krishna consciousness.

Everything is a fact, not mithya, false, as the Mayavadis say.

The princesses imprisoned by Bhaumasura could not find husbands because they had been taken by another man and had lost their respectability, thus they feelingly appealed to Krishna, who kindly agreed to marry all of them. We can learn from this if we take shelter of Krishna, whatever our position in society, He will take care of us. Therefore, we should be eager to take shelter of Him.

From a class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.32 in San Francisco on July 17, 1975:

“Here you can understand that in the Vaikuntha planets, as the Lord Vishnu is four-handed, similarly, all the inhabitants there, they are also four-handed and equally dressed. Just like here, if your President Ford comes, he also dressed like a nice gentleman. And there are many others also, equally nicely dressed. You cannot distinguish who is president and who is ordinary man.”

“But the Vishnudutas [servants of the Supreme Lord] have come there because although he was sinful, although he was most impious, although he was a prostitute-hunter and cheater and so many good qualities, still, he has chanted the holy name of Narayana at the end of his life. . . . Whole life sinful—ante narayana-smritih [Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.6], but he has remembered Narayana at the end of his life.”

Bhaktivinoda Thakura:

From Sri Nama Mahatmya [The Glories of the Holy Name]:

Verse 1

What power does the Name
of Krishna possess?
My heart constantly burns
in the fire of worldly desires
just like a desert scorched
by the rays of the sun.
The holy name, entering the core
of my heart through
the holes of my ears
showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul

Verse 2

The holy name speaks from
within my heart,
moves onto the tip of my tongue
and constantly dances
on it in the form of transcendental sound. 
My throat becomes choked up
my body shivers again
and again and my feet cannot remain still.

Verse 3

Rivers of tears flow through my eyes;
perspiration completely soaks
my body. All my skin thrills with rapture,
my hairs stand on end
and my complexion turns pale
and discolored. My mind grows faint.
I begin to experience devastation
and my entire body is shattered in
a flood of ecstatic emotions.

Verse 4

While causing such an ecstatic disturbance,
the holy name showers
nectar on my heart
and drowns me in the ocean
of divine love of Godhead.
He does not allow me to understand anything
for He has made me truly mad
by having stolen away my mind and all my resources.

Verse 5:

Such is the behavior of Him
in whom I have taken shelter.
I am not capable of describing all of this
the Holy Name is independent
and thus acts on its own sweet will.
In whatever way He becomes
happy that is also my
way of happiness.

Verse 6:

The Holy Name is the bud
of the flower of Divine Love
and is the very abode of the
astonishing mellows.
Such is the power He manifests
that when the Holy Name starts
to blossom a little further
that reveals its own divine form
and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted
and taken directly to Krishna.

Verse 7:

Blossoming fully the flower
of the Holy Name takes
me to Braja and reveals to me His own love-dalliance.
This Name gives to me my
own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Krishna’s side,
and completely destroys
everything related to this mortal frame of mine.

Verse 8:

The name of Krishna
is a transcendental touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows
is eternally liberated
and the embodiment of pure rasa.
When all impediments in pure chanting
of the Holy Name are taken away
and destroyed then my happiness will know its true
awakening.

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:

From “Poem for January 16” in Vihara Bhavan:

“Harinama devotees
bring relief to people
with disturbed minds.
They have appeared at
scenes of recent disasters
or riots and spread
a calming influence.
The positive-mindedness
of the chanters offsets
the gloom and depression
present in intense situations.
God’s holy names have
the power to calm
agitated minds. Even in intense scenes
of material enjoyment,
at gatherings before
rock concerts or
sporting events, it
is good to share
harinama to bring
a level of sanity
and spiritual presence.”

Amala Bhakta Swami:

If we really desire something from the heart, Krishna will reciprocate by sending whatever is required.

Bhagavad-gita 2.66 is a very important verse because it talks about peace of mind, something universally sought, but rarely found.

Everything is connected with Krishna but not everyone is in consciousness of this connection.

Lord Krishna’s maya makes us think we are making things happen when in reality Krishna is behind the scenes making everything happen.

If we do not think of Krishna, we will not fall in love with Him.

Srila Prabhupada wrote the Krishna book because he wanted to make sure that we had the Tenth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam in an authorized way, in a sober way, according to the line of spiritual teachers.

When you are ready for Lord Krishna’s rasa dance, you will be invited. You do not have to invite yourself. It is like in this world, if you crash a party you are not invited to, you will not be appreciated.

In Ratha-yatra, we are pulling Krishna back to Vrindavan.

We must desire to go back to Godhead, while at the same time being aware that we may not be yet qualified to go there.

By reading about Krishna’s pastimes, you will become attached to Him.

The spiritual sex of the Tenth Canto takes place in the heart region not the genital region. It is a completely different experience from the material experience.

I try to listen to Krishna book and Sri Caitanya-caritamrita every day to increase my attachment for Krishna.

Reading Krishna’s pastimes to the devotees in New Dvaraka for 23 years during meals helped me to develop whatever attachment I do have for Him.

When I die, I lose everything, so why should I envy those who have more than I do.

Freedom from sin is not the end, but it is just the beginning [love of God is the goal].

If we give the best to Krishna, He will give the best to us.

Q: How do deal with the gopis?
A: We try to understand they are the perfection of devotion. We aspire for such devotion. We pray for their mercy.

Rather than cause to distress to others, a humble devotee desires to tolerate distress himself. This is the example of Sanatana Goswami who tolerated the pain of the hot sand to avoid paining the brahmanas by possibly contaminating them.

Radhanath Swami:

From a recorded lecture:

It appears that the intimate talks between Krishna and the gopis are imitations of the romantic talks between boys and girls of this world, but actually just the opposite is true. The romantic relationships of this world are perverted intimations of the pristine pastimes of Lord Krishna and His pure devotees.

People say we assign human qualities to God to make Him appear more human, when in reality it is the opposite. We have different emotions because God Himself has emotions.

The impersonalist philosophers want us to annihilate our desires, but the devotees want to infinitely increase their desires to serve Krishna.

Madhava Prabhu [from New Raman Reti]:

The Ninth Canto has a lot of bewildering stories of how different people are allured by material distractions. The purpose of this to keep materially motivated people from reaching the Tenth Canto, the essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Also in the Ninth Canto you see lists of names spanning millennia.

“To show causeless mercy to the devotees who would take birth in the future in this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, acted in such a way that simply by remembering Him one will be freed from all the lamentation and unhappiness of material existence.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.24.61)

This especially appropriate because there is a lot of suffering in the Ninth Canto.

“Simply by receiving the glories of the Lord through purified transcendental ears, the devotees of the Lord are immediately freed from strong material desires and engagement in fruitive activities.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 9.24.62)

At the end of the Ninth Canto, it is as if Sukadeva is asking King Pariksit, “What do you really want to hear about Urvasi or Krishna?”

The sands of Vrindavan are special because Krishna goes barefoot there.

It is described the different notes that Krishna plays have special effects:
1st  note: bewilders the Demigods and Anantasesa sways to the melody
2nd note: Yamuna flows backwards
3rdnote: Makes the moon stop in orbit
4thnote: Makes the cows run to Krishna. Krishna calls the cows on the 4th note.
5thnote: Attracts the gopis and makes them come running to Him.
6thnote: Melts stones and manifests the Autumn Season
7thnote: Manifests all seasons
8thnote: Exclusively for Srimati Radharani. The flute takes Her name and calls for Her directly.

Seeing Krishna steals our sight away from all other attractions.

“Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the reservoir of all beauty. All beautiful things emanate from Him, and His personal form is so attractive that it steals the eyes away from all other objects, which then seem devoid of beauty in comparison to Him. When Lord Krishna was on the earth, He attracted the eyes of all people. When Krishna spoke, His words attracted the minds of all who remembered them. By seeing the footsteps of Lord Krishna, people became attracted to Him, and thus they wanted to offer their bodily activities to the Lord as His followers. In this way Krishna very easily spread His glories, which are sung throughout the world by the most sublime and essential Vedic verses. Lord Krishna considered that simply by hearing and chanting those glories, conditioned souls born in the future would cross beyond the darkness of ignorance. Being satisfied with this arrangement, He left for His desired destination.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam11.1.6–7)

Bhagavat Purana Prabhu:

If you sing from the diaphragm then you can sing louder and longer and not destroy your voice.

Deva Madhava Prabhu:

If you can take one soul back to Godhead, you are actually the best doctor. Otherwise the poor soul will take many births and suffer AIDS, cancer, heart disease, etc., in many lives.

Advaita Acarya is the incarnation of Maha-Vishnu and Sadashiva. He is a combination of multiple personalities like many persons in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes, including Lord Caitanya Himself.

Srila Prabhupada went to Shantipur to call out for Advaita Acarya’s mercy to distribute Krishna consciousness in the West, even as Advaita Acarya called out for Krishna to descend.

Lord Vishnu said he could not protect Durvasa from the Sudarsana cakra because that cakra was meant to protect His devotees.

In our college days, when we heard there was a party, our first question would be “Who is going to be there?” If our friends were not going to be there, it would not be worth going to. Krishna has a similar psychology. Krishna sends his associates to the material world before coming.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrita is the living manual for Vaishnava etiquette.

The practice that we are following is the process that Lord Caitanya taught to realize the highest truths about Himself.

Jayapataka Swami tells how Srila Prabhupada was paralyzed from the neck down from a stroke and yet was still preaching to the nurses and doctors in the hospital.

Jayapataka Swami says that amanina manadena, expecting not respect for oneself but willing to respect others, is the essence of all advice for self-improvement.

If we remember that all our abilities were given to us by others, then we can remain humble.

Lord Caitanya send His associates first so He would have others to serve with.

Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that sacrificing one life in the fire of the sacrifice of the congregational chanting of the holy name yields one two spiritual bodies, one in the Goloka Vrindavan and one in the Navadvipa section of the same.

On harinama we are not trying to sing beautifully or collect money, but we are trying to engage the people we encounter in a loving exchange. If we treat people as their external designations, we may sell some literature, as professional salesmen do, but that exchange will not change their hearts.

To think that Krishna does not want us to be with those devotees who are presently around us is to doubt His love for us.

It is not what they can do for you but what you can do for them that will help you advance.

Comment by me: In Bhagavad-gita 2.44, the word prasaktanam means “too much attached.” It is natural that we may have some attachment for sense enjoyment and material opulence, but when we are too much attached then we cannot attain samadhi, the perfection of yoga.

Natabara Gauranga Prabhu:

Chanting six hours a day increases vata, and if you do not have a program for balancing that, in the course of time, it will adversely affect your health.

Amrita Keli Devi Dasi:

From a University of North Florida Krishna Club meeting:

Along with chanting, we are advised to associate with devotees. We are not meant to practice spiritual life alone.

Laura:

From a University of North Florida Krishna Club meeting:

I find my spiritual practice has really helped me in relationships with people. I analyze how I react and try to understand it.  I do not know how I could do marriage if I was not Krishna conscious.

Abhimanyu Prabhu:

Aham brahmasmi [I am spirit] is just half it. The rest of it is jivera svarupa haya krishnera dasa [I am by constitution a servant of Krishna].

Seeing the happiness of the people engaged in devotional service inspired me to take it seriously.

It is a science of self-realization, so if you practice it you will get some experience of it.

My father [Dhira Govinda Prabhu] said regarding his mantra study, “I am sure I am going to be punished terribly for creating a bogus mantra, but it was for science.”

-----

What is the value of all this public chanting of Hare Krishna?
People advance spiritually, even without their knowledge!

ajnanad athava jnanad
uttamasloka-nama yat
sankirtitam agham pumso
dahed edho yathanalah

yathagadam viryatamam
upayuktam yadricchaya
ajanato ’py atma-gunam
kuryan mantro ’py udahrtah

“Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. For example, if a field of straw or dry grass is set afire, either by an elderly man who knows the power of fire or by a child who does not, the grass will be burned to ashes. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions.


“If a person unaware of the effective potency of a certain medicine takes that medicine or is forced to take it, it will act even without his knowledge because its potency does not depend on the patient’s understanding. Similarly, even though one does not know the value of chanting the holy name of the Lord, if one chants knowingly or unknowingly, the chanting will be very effective.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.18–19)

Gita 09.27 – Bhakti accommodates seekers at multiple levels
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Gita 09.27 – Bhakti accommodates seekers at multiple levels appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Harinama, my reply to a question
→ simple thoughts

Share

The other week as I was visiting a group of secondary school student’s as always making sure their was plenty of time for questions; one was a simple question, what two verses of your holy scriptures would you think have the greatest impact on society?

It was a question that took me back, most are superficial questions but this was had a beautiful deepness in it; which two verses for me summed up Krishna Consciousness.

My first verse was this:

harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha
[Cc. Adi 17.21]

“‘In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.'”

Ref. Madhya 6.242

The second was the Mahamantra:

The Mahamantra was given to Narada by Brahma. Other mantras made by ordinary men are not authorized by the Sastras, so they have only proportionate effect as much as they are authorized or unauthorized. Highest benefit is from the Mahamantra, or Hare Krishna Mantra, because this is said by authorities. You know these things, you are becoming strong yourself by chanting this mantra, so actually it is so. Compare what you were before to what you have become, now challenge any other mantra to produce such effect. You know it, now try to realize it yourself and convince others, that is Krishna Consciousness. Yes, the more one surrenders, the more he is enabled by the Spiritual Master to succeed.

Ref. Letter to: Madhavananda — Tokyo 25 April, 1972

I was sat discussing this during my recent visit to The Manor pondering on my thoughts that in many ways we have missed the power of simple Harinama; each group I visit there is one thing that they like the most and is strongly associated with the devotees.

The street chanting of the Holy Names, many are fascinated by the Rathayatra, indeed we consistently hearing stories of devotees who were first attracted by the harinama party and many in the early days simply followed them to the temple.

The wonderful thing is that not only is this harinama one of the most powerful ways to attract people to Krishna Consciousness but that they can then learn all about Sri Krishna through his books; and one of the first and easiest ways to get into devotional service is by chanting the holy names. From this the kripa of bhakti grows and one can develop the knowledge and find a service one finds attractive, but we should never forget or stop this harinama after all it’s the prescribed prescription for relieving the spirit soul from material entanglement in this age of kali.

And not forgetting we are after all Sri Caitanya Sankirtan Movement, and our Founder Acharia Srila Prabhupad started the whole of ISKCON by simply sitting in a park chanting Hare Krishna, and that the disciples did Harinama along side book distribution; indeed have you noticed how many will take a book when they see the harinama party?
So I remain inspired by harinama and the chanting of the holy names, this simplicity has attracted so many to the devotees, I love rathayatra no matter what the size people are just amazed as they watch Lord Jaganatha how perfect is that?

I’m inspired when hearing about devotees looking at doing more harinama and rathayatra’s travelling from city to town and village, indeed one of our amazing young bhakta’s is raising funds to do just that.

Go Fund Me, Rathayatra Cart

And as I sat discussing my insights on answering this question, one recalled how Srila Prabhupad said that this Krishna Consciousness is so simple we may miss it, and for me the simplicity is found in the power of the holy names, this alone attracts the spirit soul.

It also reminded me I need to get out more doing just this simple harinama along with a little prasadam and book distribution, in this age there is truly no other way.

Lord Varaha’s Appearance Day – Feb 19, 2016
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Tomorrow marks the Appearance of Lord Varahadeva - Lord Krishna's boar incarnation.  Fasting for the occasion takes place today.  Below are some excerpts from a write up about this special day from the wonderful devotees at krishna.com:

Lord Varaha is Krishna appearing in the extraordinary form of a gigantic boar—gigantic enough to carry the Earth on His tusks. Sound amazing? It is. And why should the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead be anything less than supremely amazing?

But exactly how, and why, would God Himself make His appearance as such an extraordinarily humongous swine? What was the idea? Here's how that particular story begins—a few verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Third Canto, chapter 13:

"Brahmā thought: While I have been engaged in the process of creation, the earth has been inundated by a deluge and has gone down into the depths of the ocean. What can we do who are engaged in this matter of creation? It is best to let the Almighty Lord direct us.

O sinless Vidura, all of a sudden, while Brahmā was engaged in thinking, a small form of a boar came out of his nostril. The measurement of the creature was not more than the upper portion of a thumb.

O descendant of Bharata, while Brahmā was observing Him, that boar became situated in the sky in a wonderful manifestation as gigantic as a great elephant.

Struck with wonder at observing the wonderful boarlike form in the sky, Brahmā, with great brāhmanas like Marīci, as well as the Kumāras and Manu, began to argue in various ways.

Is this some extraordinary entity come in the pretense of a boar? It is very wonderful that He has come from my nose. . ."

Here's a capsule summary of Lord Varaha's pastimes on Earth, from “Water, a Meditation” by Urmila devi dasi:

“In Vedic cosmology, planets are conscious persons. The planet Earth once fell into the universal water when demonic persons disturbed her orbit by drilling for oil and upsetting her balance. Celestial beings, called devas, who control the universe in service to Krishna, wanted Earth to be rescued.

Responding to their desire, the Lord came to save her. He assumed the form of a splendid, gigantic boar (Varaha), dove to the bottom of the universal ocean, picked up Earth, and gently carried her on His tusks to the water’s surface. As He did so, a great demon challenged them.

Lord Varaha then carefully placed fearful Earth on the water and gave her the ability to float. A fight between the Lord and the demon ensued within the great ocean. After defeating the demon, Lord Varaha returned to the spiritual sky."

GUNDAIPALEM Concludes the Fourth Phase of Yatra. Among the few…
→ Dandavats



GUNDAIPALEM Concludes the Fourth Phase of Yatra.
Among the few villages located at the confluence of a river and ocean is Gundaipalem. The village is constantly resounded by ocean roars and influenced by eight types of breezes from different directions. Beautiful Gundlakamma river flowing from west to east is resplendent due to sun rays from east in the morning and from west in the evening. These are some of the distinct features of this remote village. Though fishing is their main profession, agriculture was also practiced a decade or so ago. Agriculture has mostly been replaced with aqua culture due to which the lands have become saline and unfit for agriculture. The ground water is also polluted due to this. In spite of the degraded soil there are a few farmers determinedly engaged in agriculture from many years. Since last eight years, with the efforts of IDVM volunteers, the number of cows and bulls has increased in the village and also the practice of traditional agriculture has been introduced. There is an old temple of Lord Shiva and another for Lord Sri Rama. Remarkably, the deities of Sita Rama Lakshmana as a single stone block were found in a fishing net some fifty years ago. IDVM has also helped set up a small mud and straw Krishna temple eight years ago along with a Bhaktivedanta library. Surprisingly the temple survived two major floods in this area. There are ten devotee-families who have stopped their fishing profession and have sought alternative occupations. Under the auspices of HH Bhakti Raghava swami, who visits this village at least once almost every year, IDVM started the first Shikshalaya center, an educational program for children as a pre-runner for gurukula in this village. Three students qualified from shikshalaya program and are now getting trained in a gurukula in Chirala. This program is continuing under the supervision of HG Vraj Vrindavan prabhu, an active local devotee. Six Varnashrama camps were also conducted wherein people from city got an experience of an ideal village life. This village is also known for SiddaVaidya–a traditional treatment system coming from Dravidian culture. Legend says that Siddha is one of the oldest medical systems having deep knowledge of all types of diseases. Sixty years ago there was a Sidda maestro by name of Butchaiah, who was known in the whole district for his ability to diagnose diseases simply by seeing into the patient’s eyes.Due to lack of purity and interest in the younger generations this system has totally been wiped out, except for two very old persons practicing this system for one or two skin related ailments. Local devotees welcomed the preaching team with kirtan and subsequently they were served Idly and dosa prasadam as breakfast. Later local villagers arranged a boat ride in the river which went up to the confluence of the river and ocean then further into the ocean. Devotees from Hyderabad comprising of Ramsharan prabhu, Sripati Prabhu,Toshan Krishna prabhu and Haridas prabhu had their first experience of the continuous tides in the ocean. The boat was stationed and everyone swam in the ocean experiencing floating in the void, free of gravity. After returning from the ocean a full course meal with eight to ten traditional preparations was served. The evening program started with a procession consisting of spirited villagers. The nagarsankirtan went through all the main streets of the village. The program was arranged in a big open ground besides the newly built Sri Rama temple. People eagerly assembled at the venue and heard with rapt attention to the lectures of Sripati prabhu, Haridas prabhu and Ramsharan prabhu. Power point presentations and videos were also displayed. A reverential gopuja and pradakshina was conducted with more than one hundred people participating in it. The program followed with the pledge for protecting mother cow, arati and profuse distribution of prasadam. Villagers, who were otherwise not serious about ISKCON activities, also showed up in the program and gave a positive feedback.

Character or Capability?
→ ISKCON News

 In the material world people are remembered for what they do – their ground-breaking achievements, their high ranking positions of responsibility, and their impactful influence on others. In spiritual circles, however, people are remembered for who they are.

Reincarnation 3 – Five intuitive contemplations for self-discovery
→ The Spiritual Scientist


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Reincarnation 3 – Five intuitive contemplations for self-discovery appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Crossing the Border of Impersonalism
→ Dandavats

By Abhaya Mudra Dasi

The meanings of personalism and impersonalism may seem clear when the subject is discussed in theory, but in practice these two understandings of eternal existence seem to intertwine and confound the inexperienced spiritual practitioner. The answer lies in how we approach the Supreme Absolute Truth. While espousing the cause of a personal Godhead, neophytes are often seen to behave in a way that reveals longstanding impersonal roots. To understand the highest concept of personalism, let us see how Shrila Prabhupada describes the relationship of Krishna’s foremost devotees, the gopis of Vrindavana, to the Supreme Lord. And then let us consider how these compare with the relationships between materialistic women and men. Understanding this comparison is essential for realizing the difference between the ultimate reality of personalism and the utterly materialistic falsehood of impersonalism. Continue reading "Crossing the Border of Impersonalism
→ Dandavats"