By Dravida dasa January 18, 2016

Dear follower of Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Kindly submit your homage to Srila Prabhupada for his Vyasa-puja book by April 15.

Also, this year, in observance of the fiftieth anniversary of ISKCON’s founding, we have been requested to ask everyone who submits an offering to work in something about that theme.

In addition, if you’re a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada, please check out www.sptributes.com to learn about a Vyasa-puja book open to all his disciples. The deadline for submission to this book is also April 15.

The standards for submitting an offering to the traditional Vyasa-puja book (the one published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) are as follows:

————

*Absolutely no offerings will be accepted after April 15, 2016.*

Offerings must be in English.

Please restrict the length to a maximum of 3,000 words.

Please omit all diacritics on words that can be found in the VedaBase. It’s easier for us to put them in. If you quote a verse from outside the VedaBase or compose original Sanskrit, please include diacritics.

Do not “recycle” an offering — no offerings from previous years will be accepted.

The Vyasa-puja book is meant for glorifying Srila Prabhupada, not venting grievances. The BBT reserves the right to reject an offering it deems inappropriate or to ask for a rewrite.

When writing an offering on behalf of a temple or other unit, please try to write in such a way that the other devotees in your unit can also identify with the offering.

Who may write an offering?

1) Governing Body Commissioners

2) Sannyasis

3) Authorized representatives of ISKCON temples, preaching centers, farms, gurukulas, BBT offices, and “others,” such as BTG magazine and ISCOWP (this is not a complete list). If there is some doubt, we will request you to send written authorization from your GBC representative.

4) No multiple offerings. For example, a temple should not enlist all its bhaktas to write offerings under the temple heading. Joint authorship (2-4 devotees) of a single offering is fine.

5) Please make sure you tell us where the offering originates. For example: New Vamsi-vata (the Madagascar farm community), NOT just New Vamsi-vata. If we don’t know where the offering comes from, we will not print it.

6) Always leave a double space between paragraphs. If you want some special formatting, submit your offering as an attached file in Microsoft Word or RTF format.

7) Submit your offering by emailing it to Dravida Dasa at dravida108@gmail.com.

Offerings may be submitted any time from now until April 15, 2016. We will confirm receipt of your offering by e-mail. If you do not receive a confirmation, resend it.

The BBT is not responsible for lost offerings.

————

Hoping this meets you well, I remain
Your servant,
Dravida dasa

January 19. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Honoring Prasadam. The way he taught in his Prospectus written in the 1950s for the League of Devotees, Swamiji gave prominent mention to prasadam. He invited members to live with him in the asrama, and he advertised the daily schedule. There were many times during the day when prasadam was served. The menu was described exactly. By studying that daily schedule, one can understand that prasadam is like attending arotikas, bhajanas, or Bhagavatam readings. Prasadam was not a material break in a spiritual day. It was another full-fledged, spiritual activity – a devotee was either chanting, or working, or honoring prasadam. Prasadam works. It makes you feel satisfied and free of sex agitation. Everything seems nice. You don’t want to argue with people. Prasadam helps to heal the ailing self. The atma is not only the soul; it is the mind, body and self. All of these will be satisfied by eating prasadam. When you honor prasadam, the body says, “I like Krishna consciousness.” The mind says, “I like it too, I am not agitated any more.” The self exclaims, “This prasadam was offered to Krishna. Swamiji says it is not ordinary food.” Prasadam is an item of faith, a sacrament.
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Diksha Diksha Diksha £250/Rs11,000 Diksha

Perception
Understanding
Background

How much does initiation cost?

If you ask those fortunate to have been given first and second initiation by Srila Prabhupada, their was zero exchange of money, no courses, indeed Srila Prabhupada showed the greatest mercy and grace to his young disciples.

I once asked a dear friend of mine what it was like to be initiated by Srila Prabhupada, he looked at me and gave me an honest and surprising answer; “I can’t remember I think I was still stoned, we did a lot of drugs back then and it was probably still in my system”

He explained that unlike today, most got initiated very quickly, he had only been in the movement a few weeks; but with a tear in his eye he said this was Srila Prabhupada’s greatest gift, his grace and mercy; his love touched your heart you would do anything for him.

Some years later I spoke to one of our amazing Sanyasi about his brahmana initiation, it was a beautiful story; he explained how he was helping build the temple and Srila Prabhupada sent for him. Looking at his nails he recalls how Srila Prabhupada questioned what sort of recommendation for brahman initiation is this just look at the nails. But somehow he recalled he got second initiation. Again he noted that Srila Prabhupada gave the greatest grace and mercy to his disciples, and again the words he touched my heart I have tried my best to be a good disciple. He showed me his nail brush, I always now carry this to keep my hands nice and clean.

Each noted how Srila Prabhupada gave them both a chance despite being under-qualified and having little knowledge; but this endeared them more leading to a lifetime of selfless service.

They remain humbled by such mercy

Is this mercy and grace still being shown, perception and practicality or modern corporate ISKCON would suggest not; now we have waiting times, forms, courses and exams. And some come with a cost; no course no diksha, no diksha unless you do a course and that comes with a price, you pay so diksha is now business. Mentorship is not about guiding to bring the best out of the individual working on their strengths to become life long practitioners of bhakti.

Indeed in my own early days, their was no courses, forms, exams, no standardisation; mentorship was their they were called senior devotees who were so inspirational they could convince you to change your ways and practice devotional life. Those who got initiation were recommended by the same senior devotees, it was simple and effective. Each had a place and a wonderful spirit of cooperation despite different backgrounds, educational and social upbringings.

I personally miss these days and more so miss these compassionate devotees who’s mercy and grace was as unlimited as that of their own Guru Maharaja, who later became my own Guru Maharaja and who’s instructions remain deeply embedded in my heart; this cannot be replicated or quantified by any form, course or exam.

Unalloyed love, the special connection between Guru and disciple cannot be artificially made and this includes mentorship.
However now we cannot get diksha, we cannot get first or second initiation without doing courses and filling out forms to monitor and make sure were good little devotees; so diksha now comes with cost; many effectively argue that corporate ISKCON is more interested in money and making of money than devotees, this is perception. But there is a good rational for this argument as diksha is withheld unless you do the course so first you must hand over your money.

And what about those who are not academic?

Well I guess pack up your bags and ship out, sadly many have I’ve lost count of those who love Srila Prabhupada but hate corporate ISKCON and leave; with no system to catch them, no mentor, no grace, no mercy.

It appears we have lost the example that Srila Prabhupada gave, lost his grace and mercy, his unlimited compassion and love; making the unqualified qualified not by forms or exams but by giving them a chance, giving them initiation.

Can we not do the same?

Can we not return to the beautiful spontaneous inspirational ISKCON that captivated me so many years ago?

And if were insisting on courses before initiation, can we give them at the same cost our founder Acharia charged?

Lets not reinvent the wheel and return to basics, love care and devotion

Otherwise we risk becoming the professional reciters Srila Prabhupada warned us against, who will only give out diksha or speak about how to become devotees only if you pay; diksha diksha diksha course £250/Rs11,000, no course, no money, no diksha

ponder

and as always thoughts

and may we return to the stage were we recite stories of how great and merciful our Guru Maharaja’s are giving us the greatest gift despite how unqualified we are.

Free Spirit Festival on Sunday 31 January 2016 from 5pm. Join us for an exciting evening with Devamrita Swami. $5 includes enlightening talk, kirtan and dinner. As a world traveller & international author, Devamrita swami is the kind of person to hear from if you really want to gain wisdom & strength to pursue “out […]

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Accepting Reversals In Brahmaji’s Spirit Of Surrender -Radhanath Swami, SB 10.74.1

Honoring Prasadam 

“There is no division between the name and the named”(abhinatvaṁ nāma-nāmīnaḥ). This is certainly the Gauḍīya conclusion, but it does not mean that the name is just a sound with no meaning. It means that the the sound of the word is intrinsic to and inseparable from its meaning.

If the true Gauḍīya attitude is that name of Krishna has no meaning or is “beyond meaning,” why would the founding ācārya of the Gauḍīya school, Śrī Jīva Goswāmī, explain the meaning of the name in Tattva-sandarbha?

What’s a “Word”?

There is a difference between a sound and a word: a word is a sound that has meaning (viz. Śabda kalpadruma: sa ca dhvanyātmako varṇātmakaś ca).

Nouns are words whose meaning indicates a specific entity (viz. Bhāgavata Sandarbha: mano-grāhya vastuno vyavahārārthaṁ kenāpi saṅketitaḥ śabdo nāmeti).

There are two types of nouns, (1) those temporarily associated with the entity they identify, and (2) those intrinsically connected to the entity they identify. (Śabdaśakti Prakāśikā: ājānikaś cādhunikaḥ saṅketo dvividho mataḥ)

An example of the first type, if you call a person “Joe” long enough the word “Joe” comes to identify the person. This is a temporary, created association. An example of the second type is to name a town “Little Falls” because it is by a river with a small waterfall. Or to name a girl Summer because she was born in the summer and has a very warm personality. This is a natural association between the name and the named.

Eternal Descriptors of Eternal Entities

There are two types of nouns intrinsically connected to the entity they identify. The first consists of nouns like Little Falls and Summer – nouns relating to temporary entities. The second consists of nouns like “Krishna” “Hare” and “Rāma” – nouns relating to eternal entities. In the second case, the connection between the noun and the entity it names is eternal, and thus the name and the named are inseparable.

It is not an aparādhā to say that the name of Krishna is a word. It is an aprādhā to say it is an ordinary word, a sound temporarily associated with some meaning. If the name of Krishna was not a word it would not be called a “name.” The name is not an ordinary word, but it is simply an attempt to appear esoteric to say “the name is not a word,” or “the name is beyond meaning,” when everyone knows that a name is a noun, a noun is a word, and words are sounds that have meaning.

Great devotees like Śrī Gaurakishor and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said the name is made of letters. Letters form words. Everyone knows this. Everyone knows the name is a word, but what only the Vaiṣṇava’s know is that the name of Krishna is an “ajanika” word, an eternal noun for an eternal entity, and therefore “Krishna” and Krishna are indivisible (abhinatva).

How to Pronounce an Eternal Word?

Since the name and named are inseparable it stands to perfect reason that we cannot truly access one without the other. We cannot comprehend Krishna without comprehending “Krishna” (the word). And we cannot comprehend “Krishna” without comprehending Krishna. Thus ordinary people have absolutely no access to eternal words, which is why we doubt they even exist. It requires some comprehension of eternality before one can hope to pronounce and hear eternal words in their true form.

Thus we must start our endeavor to clearly understand Krishna. How do we do that? By contemplating śāstra under the guidance of someone who clearly understands śāstra (guru). For Gauḍīya’s the supreme śāstra is Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. So, by contemplating Śrīmad Bhāgavatam under realized guidance, we come to understand something initial about Krishna.

Once we understand something about Krishna, we don’t have to make any extraneous effort to try to think of Radha Krishna while chanting “Hare Krishna.” The entity being named naturally appears along with the sound of the name when it is an ajanika noun and we comprehend something about the entity.

In a sense, this works even with an ordinary noun. When you hear even an ordinary noun, like “Santa Claus,” do you not spontaneously think of christmas, a jolly fat man in a red suit, or whatever else you know or have associated with Santa in your memory? Similarly, if we know a little about Krishna by contemplating Bhāgavatam, then, by hearing “Krishna” we will naturally become aware of a flute-player with a peacock feather in his hair, who is the root consciousness at the origin of all existence (or whatever it is that we may have learned about Krishna from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam). In this, please note carefully that we are not paying attention to anything besides the name. It is by paying attention to the name that the named (who is inseparable from the name) manifests in the consciousness simultaneously with the sound of the name.

This still is not a direct transcendental realization of “Krishna.” It is not entirely mundane either. It is a mental association created by the guidance we’ve recieved from transcendent sources: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam via Śrī Guru. These glimpses of the meaning of Krishna make it far, far easier to concentrate attentively on “Krishna” without any strange misunderstandings of what “Krishna” indicates.

Attentive, non-misconstrued chanting of “Krishna” is often described as “inoffensive.” It is beyond nāma-aparādhā, significantly closer to the REAL name, śuddha-nāma, not just the sonic counterpart of it, nāmākṣara. Since it is closer to the real name, the real entity named can be more directly perceived in our contemplation of “Krishna.” This allows us to more deeply REALIZE the things we have heard from Bhāgavatam’s ślokas.

So, hearing Bhāgavatam and chanting Krishna-nāma are symbiotic practices that go hand in hand. One doesn’t fully “work” without the other.

From Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī

I’ll end the post by referring to Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī’s statement:

atha śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhavet grahyam indriyai
sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adah

“Śrī Krishna’s name and so on do not manifest within the reach of our senses. But if one is devotionally inclined, they will certainly manifest of their own accord on our tongue and so on.”

Sri Rupa says here that the true name of Śrī Krishna is not something that senses like a tongue can create. The tongue can pronounce the sound “Krishna” but cannot produce the eternal form of the word which is inseparable from Krishna. It is only when one has the proper attitude towards the name that the true name wants to manifest in our chanting, singing, or speaking.

To get a proper attitude towards the name, we have to clearly understand the person being named and our relationship to him. This is why I say that manifestation of the śuddha-nāma (pure, transcendental name) cannot be had without careful bhāgavata-śikṣā (study of the Bhāgavatam from a realized guru). This is why I say we have to strive to comprehend the Bhāgavatam and thus the meaning of “Krishna” so that we can chant more than the external sound “Krishna.”

Vraja Kishor das

www.vrajakishor.com

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

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Is There A Conscious Self distinct from the physical mechanism of the body? Is there a mind distinct from the brain? Those who answer yes to such questions are called dualists, and they are rare in contemporary science and philosophy. Dualistic solutions to the mind/body problem are perhaps hampered by, among other things, inadequate analogies and allegories on the topic in Western thought. Whether we turn to Plato's cave, to the formulations of Descartes, or to the proverbial little green man in the brain, there is apparently not enough substance to inspire the modern researcher of consciousness to seriously consider dualism. But if we turn to chapters 25-29 of Canto Four in the Bhagavata Purana, or Srimad-Bhagavatam, a Sanskrit text from India, we'll find the elaborate allegory of the City of Nine Gates. The sophistication of this allegory challenges modern researchers to take a second look at dualism. Continue reading "The City of Nine Gates
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The ULTIMATE Dharma: a short film (13 min video)
An adventurous short film of gratitude and devotion. From Dallas to Nepal, join the spiritual quest of two sincere devotees of Krishna. Film Offering by: HoofprintMedia.com
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/otSJA4

By Patita Uddharana dasa Adhikary (Patita Pavana dasa)

Nectar with a Touch of Printer’s Ink

There are so many wonderful articles on the net about the days of ISKCON Press by talented devotee writers that I collected them together—and, voila, a book self-manifested. I took the tour when Shrila Prabhupada first visited the press in ‘69. I witnessed His Divine Grace gently tapping the big offset Chef 29 printing machine and emphatically stated, “This is my heart.” Every word of the pure devotee is shastra. These words proved to be the title of a book.

Each day the artists—Baradwaja, Muralidhara, Jadurani, Parikshit and sometimes Devahuti—were upstairs in the studio. Adwaita was running the gigantic offset. Uddhava was moving from here to there organizing everything. Madhusudan and Narayani were typing away on the IBM electric in a tiny basement nook. Vaikunthanatha and me were downstairs in the basement—once a morgue—hand binding Ishopanishads of Nectar of Devotions or cutting BTGs. Or we could be found operating the folding machine upstairs once Adwaita had printed the sheets. Brahmananda was in the office with Swarupa seeing to the business aspect. Satswarupa was the temple president, and a very austere one. He was editing the Bhagavatams at the time, or working a job to pay the bills.

It was an important, albeit brief, era of ISKCON’s rapid forward movement. This Is My Heart puts those cherished times together through the words of the Prabhus who were either there or who were somehow associated with the period. Each one of the devotee writers has generously granted their permission to use their articles together for the benefit of ISKCON generations to come. The book is intended for free distribution. It is also stored at the Bhaktivedanta Archives and on the latest Vedabase (no photos in that edition however).

To get your free download with illustrations, go to this page on the Suhotra Maharaja website and click on the link half way down the page. http://www.suhotraswami.net/abhaya-ashram-notes/

Here is what you’ll find:

Introduction “Books Any Man Would Be Proud to Have” ………. 8

Shrila Prabhupada on Printing ………………………………….. 16

The Business of ISKCON Press (Rameshwara dasa) …………… 28

Prabhupada Instructs the Artists ………………………………… 43

Prabhupada Visits Boston December 1969 (Nityananda dasa)….. 50

Shrila Prabhupada’s Boston Initiation Lecture..…………………. 69

History of ISKCON Press (Swarupa dasa)

Introduction ………………………………………………. 83

1. The Big Mridanga ………………………………………. 84

2. The Washington Peace Rally ………………… ………… 86

3. Saving the World from Godlessness ……………………… 89

4. The Cast of Characters ……………………………………. 92

5. Why the Press Moved from Boston Back to New York …… 95

6. “North, East, South and West”… ………………………….. 97

7. 32 Tiffany Place, Brooklyn ……………………………… 101

The MacMillan Miracle (Satyaraja dasa) ……………………… 105

George Harrison and the Krishna Book (Shyamasundara dasa)….. 111

Reminiscences of a Pandit (Pradyumna dasa) ……………………. 119

Thus Spake Krishna’s Artists:

(Govinda, Jadurani, Baradwaja, Pushkar, Bhargava) ………… 127

From Proofreader to Devotee (Mahamaya dasi) ………………….. 135

How I Met Swami Bhaktivedanta (Madhusudana dasa) ………….. 144

Two Poems from the Early Days (Patita Uddharana dasa)………… 146

I Just Want the Truth (Patita Uddharana dasa) ……..…………… 153

Letter from a Bookbinder (Patita Uddharana dasa) ……………….. 163

His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:

Wedding Ceremony and Lecture Boston, 6 May 1969 ……………168

In2MeC (Diary Entries of HH Suhotra Maharaja)

1. How I Almost Missed My Initiation ………………………….. 180

2. Meeting David Allen …………………………………………. 184

3 Why Don’t You Write? .……………………………………….. 188

4. “My Name is Prabhupada dasa” ……………………………… 189

Letter from a Friend (Prabhupada dasa) .……………………….…… 206

The Story of Kushakratha Das (Pushkar Das Adhikary) ……..….…. 210

Crazy Peter (Giriraja Swami) ……………………………………….. 219

Prabhupada’s Lecture at M.I.T. …………………………………..…. 221

Shrila Prabhupada’s Indexer (Satyaraja dasa).………………………. 236

ISKCON Press Bulletin Board (Patita Uddharana dasa) ……………. 256

The Letter that Saddened Shrila Prabhupada (Govinda dasi) ……….. 264

The First of Many Lessons (Rameshwara dasa) …………………….. 267

“You Will Take Stones to Eat?” (Hari Sauri dasa) .………………… 271

The Purport behind the Purport (Shrutakirti das) …………………… 272

Here are a few reviews:

“I love this book.”

-Vaisheshika dasa Prabhu (conveyed verbally via Gaura dasa)

“This is My Heart is a relishable read. Oh, for the innocence and idealism
of those early days …”

–HH Bhakti Vikas Swami

“A great read and a wonderful collection of stories around the press and also great research on all the photos. Classic. You have done a great job compiling the stories about the printing history of Prabhupada’s books which brings things into great historical perspective.”

-Siddhanta dasa Adhikary

“I have just taken a few minutes to glance through your new book. Really, you have done an amazing job of assembling historical nectar and putting it together in a way that all devotees will relish for the many years to come.

-Bhakta dasa Adhikary

“This Is My Heart immediately captured my attention. It is a masterpiece of putting together so many small pieces of information to make a great picture of glorious ISKCON history.”

-Vidyagati das Adhikary

“This Is My Heart is a very nice read for all Hare Krishna devotees. Ramesvara Prabhu’s input about how Shrila Prabhupada dealt with all the artists concerning the Krishna Book shows how Shrila Prabhupada felt about the art work in His books.”

-Satyahit dasa Adhikary

“This is My Heart is an awesome book. It has opened up many memories that were stuck and helped connect the dots.”

-Damayanti devi dasi

38th Anniversary Celebration of Iskcon Juhu, Mumbai (Album with 124 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: O my Lord! Persons who chant the holy names of your Lordship are far, far advanced in spiritual life, even if born in families of dog-eaters. Such chanters have undoubtedly performed all kinds of austerities and sacrifices, bathed in all sacred places, and finished all scriptural studies. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.33.7)
Photography Courtesy: Arjun Bhattacharyya
Find them here: https://goo.gl/MDHsHp

Varnasrama series in Leicester.

The post Do we recognise the need for devotees to be part of a varnasrama society (Part 2) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Links: http://www.tattvadarsi.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tattvadarsi108/

Tattva Darsi means to see the absolute truth. We get our knowledge from the Vedic literatures. Our mission includes traveling to different schools and festivals in North America and providing books on yoga & meditation. Our home base is in Los Angeles, California. We are a group of monks who live together in a monastery. We have a temple open to the general public with spiritual music (kirtan), philosophy, and vegetarian feasts. Our society is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

……………

This project is to present what we do as traveling monks, and a means to keep in touch with the people we meet both online and on the streets! (Universities, festivals, etc.)

We have been working on this project for almost five months now. Before it was just an idea of “we should make a website..” But now we are in full swing and have gathered content of our lifestyle and are trying to open it up to the general.

Our goal is to share with people the ancient teachings of spiritual India, the Vedas, which according to the Vedas is beyond all material designations. Its a spiritual tradition that has been practiced for thousands and thousands (and thousands) of years by monks, yogis, and spiritual conscious persons all over the world. Anyone can learn the ancient practices of yoga and meditation no matter who you are, or where you come from.

We as traveling monks come from an internation society for Krishna consciousness, founded by our spiritual teacher and guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Our guru has transplanted these teaching from the heart of India into the hearts of the western civilization, without compromise of its original spiritual identity. He has brought Bhagavad Gita as it is.

Over the past five thousand years the book Bhagavad Gita has been circulating through the minds of great thinkers and soul seekers around the planet. Which teaches the origins of meditation.

We as monks dedicate our lives to distributing this knowledge to awaken the hearts of today’s society of a meditative, yet practical way of life.

We hope that you would like to join us on our spiritual mission and keep up with us on our adventures throughout North America!

LA veteran book distributer Bhrigupati Das meets star basketball player Mamadou N'Diaye at University of California, Irvine, and gives him a book of Srila Prabhupada.

Prasadam Distribution for the 38th Anniversary of ISKCON Juhu (Album with photos)
To celebrate the 38th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Sri Sri Radha Rasbihari temple at Juhu, Mumbai devotees organized prasadam distribution in different localities.
HH Gopal Krishna Goswami, ISKCON Juhu Temple President Braja Hari Dasa and the devotees went around in these localities distributing prasadam while being accompanied by the Harinam Party.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/1Qo6mE

36th day Prachar Yatra Report.
If we closely observe the situation in the world it is full of exploitation: the ‘haves’ exploiting ‘have-nots’, strong exploiting the weak, masculine gender exploiting the female gender, human species exploiting the lower species, powerful country exploiting the weaker countries, irreligion exploiting religion, cities exploiting villages, man exploiting environment, etc. The list of exploitation is vast and gets longer as the influence of kali-yuga progresses further. The history is also full with such exploitative stories.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/fncyYA

Harinam Party in Surfers Paradise, Australia (Album with photos)
All happiness in the material world has a beginning and an end, but happiness in Krishna is unlimited, and there is no end.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/303uOj

January 18. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Touched by His Greatness. Do not forget that Srila Prabhupada is your master. Never be condescending in your praise or estimation of him. As disciples, we worship our guru with affection as well as with objective evidence of his greatness. We also have to be regularly touched by his greatness. In describing Prahlada Maharaja’s prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva, Prabhupada asserts that Prahlada was able to please Lord Nrsimhadeva even though others, great demigods and even Laksmidevi herself, could not. What was Prahlada’s quality that so attracted the Lord? Prabhupada goes right to the heart of it sweetly and simply, entering the mentality of Prahlada Maharaja and explaining it to us. A great teacher is one who can convey tremendous thoughts and experiences to the students. It is one thing to feel something, and it is an added empowerment to convey it to others. That teaching ability arises from compassion and empathy. Prabhupada was able to grasp the whole relationship of Prahlada Maharaja and Nrsimhadeva and give it to an audience—not of great scholars or long-time practicing sadhus—but to ordinary persons. He stressed the simplicity of Prahlada Maharaja’s approach: in a childlike way, he prostrated himself before Nrsimhadeva.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4

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Consciousness is the essence of who and what we are. Consciousness exists without needing to be created, maintained, or destroyed. It expresses itself in various forms, seeking happiness. These forms need to be created, maintained, and destroyed. A specific form manifest from consciousness can die, but the essence of who and what we are never dies.

Is consciousness not even damaged by being stripped of its body? No, the soul is impervious – and is not really woven into the bodies it produces.

After explaining all this to Arjuna, Krishna turns his attention to Arjuna’s doubt, “Why should I believe any of this? Is there any proof that consciousness survives the death of the form it manifests?” In this video we explain the first part of Krishna’s answer, where he references the Upanishads. In the next video we will go into the other part of that answer, a logical answer without reference to the Veda.

Vraja Kishor explains this section of Bhagavad Gita by reading from his book, A Simple Gita, available through his website: http://www.vrajakishor.com

11.01.2016 H.G.Adi Purusha Prabhu

Touched by His Greatness

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Written by Nimai

The Drakensberg Mountains are about midway between the cities of Durban and Johannesburg. Spiritual retreats with Kadamba Kanana Swami started there in January 2005 and took place for three consecutive years. After an eight year break, devotees from all over South Africa gathered again for five days of great association.

We arrived at the Mont Aux Souces hotel on the Sunday, 03 January and stayed until the 7th. Soon after reaching the hotel, Maharaj gave a class to introduce all the devotees to the retreat. He spoke about the two realities – the physical/material reality and the spiritual reality. He explained how we have to put our energy into spiritual life to make progress and to visualise this, he used the analogy of the material and the spiritual leg, where we take a step forward and shift the weight towards the spiritual side.

In the days that followed, Maharaj gave a many inspiring talks and there were some ecstatic kirtans as well!

On the second day, the class was based on the Priti Sandarbha, a wonderful book written by Jiva Goswami, with quotes from the Bhagavatam. The following day, Maharaj went on to explain the three types of devotees, namely kanistha (neophyte), madhyam (intermediate) and uttama adikhari (topmost). We learned about the kanistha, who has weak faith and many material desires, and about the madhyam, who has strong faith and therefore does not pursue his material desires. In the evening class, Maharaj finished off the topic by describing the uttama adikhari. Then he spoke about Uddhava, who was sent to Vrindavan as a messenger of Krishna and was just amazed by the love the gopis showed for Krishna. But Uddhava went as an outsider and Maharaj pointed out how this is also our situation. We cannot fully enter into Vrindavan yet, therefore we must take shelter of the philosophy and of the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

During the retreat, we went for two morning walks/hikes. It was lots of fun, even though on the way back from the first walk, it became really hot and exhausting. Due to this, a smaller group of people ventured out the next day. The second walk led to what used to be a big waterfall. It had turned into a small trail of water due to the severe drought currently being experienced in South Africa. Maharaj gave a wonderful talk when we reached the ‘waterfall’, saying how we should learn from nature instead of living such artificial lives. He also spoke about ‘counting our blessings’ which means that we should appreciate all the good things we have in life. It was indeed very inspiring!

On Wednesday evening, there was a special program since it was the last evening. We had an ecstatic kirtan and then Maharaj mentioned amongst many other things, different types of intelligence. The lecture was followed by several performances, one of them being a professionally performed drama showing the struggles in life with the three modes of material nature. Then devotees re-enacted some incidents which happened during the retreat, in a funny way! One of them showed the situation, where Maharaj almost walked into a snake.

Before we left the hotel on Thursday, Maharaj gave a final class where he thanked everyone for coming to the retreat and then we drove back to Durban. On Friday and Saturday, Maharaj did evening programs in Pietermaritzburg and Phoenix. On Sunday morning, we travelled to Johannesburg for a double dose of programs – the first was a mid-morning one at the Lenasia temple, followed by an afternoon one in Midrand which brought an end to the January visit to South Africa. On Monday (11 January), we left for Europe and we are currently in Czech!

The three gunas (goodness in white, passion in red and ignorance in black) as they influence the conditioned soul.
From a recen...

By HH Kavicandra Swami

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what it means to give fifty percent. For most householders their income does not allow them to live and to give 50% to the temple.

The following from a purport by Srila Prabhupada might help to clear the air. I have inserted a few comments using [ ] to indentify them. The stress is on preaching, not what our our financial condition is. By finding some way to preach bhakti will be the most pleasing to guru and KRSNA. One need not be rich to please guru and Gauranga.

SB 1.5.37 Purport

The major portion of our monetary income, not less than fifty percent, must be spent to carry out the order of Lord Krsna. Not only should we give the profit of our earning to this cause, but we must also arrange to preach this cult of devotion to others because that is also one of the orders of the Lord.

The Lord definitely says that no one is more dear to Him than one who is always engaged in the preaching work of the Lord’s name and fame all over the world. The scientific discoveries of the material world can also be equally engaged in carrying out His order. He wants the message of the Bhagavad-gita to be preached amongst His devotees. It may not be so done amongst those who have no credit of austerities, charity, education, etc. Therefore, the attempt must go on to convert unwilling men to become His devotees. Lord Caitanya has taught a very simple method in this connection. He has taught the lesson for preaching the transcendental message through singing, dancing and refreshment. As such, fifty percent of our income may be spent for this purpose.

In this fallen age of quarrel and dissension, if only the leading and wealthy persons of society agree to spend fifty percent of their income in the service of the Lord, as it is taught by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,

there is absolute certainty of converting this hell of pandemonium to the transcendental abode of the Lord. No one will disagree to partake in a function where good singing, dancing and refreshment are administered. Everyone will attend such a function, and everyone is sure to feel individually the transcendental presence of the Lord. This alone will help the attendant associate with the Lord and thereby purify himself in spiritual realization. The only condition for successfully executing such spiritual activities is that they must be conducted under the guidance of a pure devotee who is completely free from all mundane desires, fruitive activities and dry speculations about the nature of the Lord. No one has to discover the nature of the Lord. It is already spoken by the Lord Himself in the Bhagavad-gita especially and in all other Vedic literatures generally. We have simply to accept them in toto and abide by the orders of the Lord. That will guide us to the path of perfection. One can remain in his own position. No one has to change his position, especially in this age of variegated difficulties.

SB 1.5.37 Purport

By Hari Narayana Das

Batam is the largest city in the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia, across the Strait of Singapore, the third-largest city in Sumatra region and the eighth largest city in Indonesia. Located 20 km off Singapore‘s south coast, it is an industrial boomtown, an emerging transport hub and part of a free trade zone the Indonesia–Malaysia–Singapore Growth Triangle.

His Grace Samudrasena das (leader of ISKCON Batam) under the guidance of His Holiness Subhag Swami Maharaj organized the third Ratha Yatra festival with the help of devotees from different parts of Indonesia on 26^th December 2015.

“Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it.”– SPL to Shyamasundara, 4th May, 1967

The usual system in Indonesia is that the devotees join a local parade or cultural event with the permission of the Government and simultaneously hold the Ratha Yatra festival as one of the ‘acts’. The Ratha Yatra committee was considering joining the annual ‘Batam Anniversary Festival’ but the Lord had other plans. He wanted to have a festival of His own!

Invitations were sent out and preparations were underway. There are only five families practicing Krishna Consciousness in Batam presently but their spirit is large and that reflects in the way they serve together to please Srila Prabhupada. Many devotees from across Indonesia arrived the day before the festival and helped in various services. The majority of devotees were awake till midnight decorating the Lord’s chariot with various flowers and lighting arrangements.

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“The faith increases in Krsna consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krsna. Serving Krsna is unlimited and He can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord…..” SPL to Brahmananda 20th February, 1968.

On the day of the festival devotees from Singapore and other parts of Indonesia arrived. Special guest Atmanivedana Swami Maharaj made a boat journey to attend the festival from Singapore. At 3pm all assembled in front of Their Lordships who were beautifully decorated with a variety of fragrant flowers and stunning ornaments. Bhoga was offered and followed by an arati ceremony. A welcoming dance was then performed by the children of the ‘Batam Gauranga Centre’ to get everyone in the mood of the festival. The leader of Batam’s Hindu Parisad gave an ecouraging speech appreciating the devotee’s efforts in organizing the Ratha Yatra festival. Atmanivedana Swami Maharaj then spoke on the significance of the Ratha Yatra festival. A recorded message by Subhag Swami Maharaj was played. He spoke on the life of Srila Prabhupada and how he introduced the ‘Lord of the Universe’ to the West. Maharaj mentioned that Jagannath went to the West to bless the residents of those countries who had never heard about Him. Now by His sweet will He is travelling to different places in Indonesia and bestowing His unlimited grace upon all, especially those who are working hard to please Him.

After the series of cultural acts, Their Lordships were placed upon Their chariots and Jagannathastakam was harmoniously sung followed by arati led by Atmanivedana Swami Maharaj. Coconuts were broken and conch shells were blown in order to invoke auspiciousness. Devotees then pulled the ropes of the chariot and the Lord was on His way for a 2km ride. The kirtan team attracted the public to join in the festival and chant and dance with the devotees. With their cameras and mobile phones, the public were constantly taking pictures of Jagannath and His followers. With the help of a police escort there were fortunately no disturbances throughout the parade. Cookies and fruits offered to Jagannath were distributed to all.

“For the present, you endeavor to make the Rathayatra Festival grand successful. You should arrange the procession and procedure so nicely that all the neighboring people may be attracted to join the procession.” SP letter to Upendra –1^st June 1968

At 7pm the chariot arrived in Sumatra Conventional Building where prasad was distribute freely. The atmosphere was surcharged with a positive vibration that could be felt in all directions. The following day the festival appeared in the local newspaper.

“But I have not received any newspaper clippings, which I am very much anxious to see.” SPL to Shyamasundara, 15th July, 1968

The organizers of the Ratha Yatra committee would like to offer their obeisances to His Holiness Kavicandra Swami and His Holiness Ramai Swami, the GBCs for Indonesia. We are grateful for their support and for constantly guiding us in pushing forward Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Sankirtan movement. We are extremely grateful to His Holiness Subhag Swami Maharaj who has been inspiring us to explore new frontiers in preaching and performing this Jagannath Ratha Yatra in every city in Indonesia for the pleasure of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We thank His Holiness Atmanivedana Swami for attending this event and inspiring the devotees. We offer our respects to His Grace Samudrasena das the leader of ISKCON Batam for helping to make this festival a success. Last but not least we thank Sesa das and Rasikananada das for their melodious singing which attracted all.

Jaya Sri Sri Jagannath Baladev Subadra Maharani Ki Jaya!

Jaya Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra Utsava Ki Jaya!

Jaya Srila Prabhupada Ki Jaya!