Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 Montgomery, New York
"Don’t Jump, It’s Not Worth It!"
Rain permeated through the sky and through the previous night. It persisted through the morning. Off I went to a later than usual start at which time the drops did let up. Only then did I step out of the van. When I did so, five fawns spun out from the forest next to me. But guess who also emerged at that time? It was Tre’von, who slept overnight with Vivasvan and I and is now an official member of our team. He emerged from the van and, like a real trooper, took to the whole 20 miles of walking for the day.
We had a thrill walking on the bridge that suspended over the Hudson River. It took us exactly a half hour to walk it. That made it four revolutions on our meditation beads. We stopped somewhere at the middle of the bridge just to enjoy the view of the vista. When a motorist saw us while driving, he yelled out, “Don’t jump, it’s not worth it!” It gave us a good laugh. A construction worker on the bridge also noticed us. He was a big burly guy and upon seeing us he stopped his work and offered us a pranam ( a traditional palms together Vedic greeting).
We were treated royally at the Nimai Bliss kitchen to a tasty vegetarian Gujarati meal. I was impressed with the food and with Jimmy, one of the patrons of the place. Who is Jimmy anyway? He’s a garage owner across the street from the restaurant. He calls himself the All-American Boy but has taken a fancy to Krishna Consciousness. It comes at a good period in his life. At age 75, he is just looking to a new track in life. He is reading the books of our guru, whom I am walking for.
Once again, my guru’s name is Srila Prabhupada and he came to America 50 years ago. He started an explosion in consciousness-raising. To me, a walk in his honor is very justified.
We walked Newburgh, Little Britain, Plain View, Rock Tavern and Montgomery.
Vivasvan and I took a picnic break near SylvanLake. A runner came up to us, "I saw you in Connecticut. I am curious about what you are all about." The runner identified himself cordially along with his profession, "I am a retired professor. My interest now is UFOs." He mentioned he was writing a book about the positive experiences people have when they encounter beings from other spheres.
I offered to say that our Vedic literatures are replete with information about other places and planets of evolved life. The person was really nice and seeking knowledge. "I have got this left brain that wants to know. I think scientifically - why are these beings coming to us? Apparently all people who contact them have a good experience. They transform and they become somewhat enlightened."
I suggested that perhaps we don't need to over-analyze the situation but instead come to the point of loving, giving, and serving. There is always a problem with avoiding this natural obligation. I remember saying to him that our constitutional position is to serve. We are spirits and we are prone to bhakti (love) unconditionally.
Vivasvan and I left our new-made friend with some smaller BBT books (not to burden him too much - he's running) and a strand of japa meditation beads. He was most grateful to have a copy of the book Beyond Birth & Death.
Adios.
I also met Jessica who was one of the people who offered a ride today. To Jessica I gave a, "Thanks but no thanks. I am walking." She told me of her friends who used to live in the KrishnaBrooklynTempleand how they all learned how to cook. Now, our evening was spent back in Farmington to hear my godbrother monk speak. Niranjan Swami, who is from Boston, spoke about bhakti (unconditional love). The prasadam (food) was bangin' good.
It was a great day. I spent the last 2 hours walking with Murali, a friend who lives in the area. It was a great pleasure to know that he spent the time to drive and look for me. Once found, he parked the car and we walked. I walked through Fishkill, Hopewell, Beekman, and New Milford.
With an early start and it being dark we could not see the thick branches jutting out from the trees. So, when backing up, our rear window bashed and broke into millions of pieces. Something had to be done to replace the vehicle's back which was also damaged.
The forecast called for rain, even for a storm, so Vivasvan got working on the damaged rear-end right away.
Another mechanical issue is my knees. They don't seem to care for the initial steps taken in the morning with the up-and-down nature of the Appalachian trail. Eventually though, the machinery (my body) takes to it fine.
Trees are shedding their fruit. What I mean to say is that nuts are falling all over the place - walnuts and acorns especially. The squirrels are in glee. You hear the sound of a thud when a nut hits the pavement but only after several snap sounds which arise from contacting twigs and leaves during its descent. I am lucky to not be struck by one of these guys yet.
We have crossed another border at BullBridge. We are now in New YorkState. It's funny but I guess each state has its own personality. Suddenly, I felt an increased openness in the people of New York whereas in Massachusettsand Connecticutpeople were somewhat reserved. Finally we're in a place where we get noticed. This is a good thing of course. In fact, when some people see me, the way they express themselves is as if they're going nuts. They stop and talk and they find that the walk is awesome. Even the police came by after receiving a report of a guy in orange sleeping on the side of the road. The one officer said, "You know, prisoners are in orange jump-suits and sometimes they escape."
On a more serious note, I spoke to a friend (a rather well-known athlete) on my cell and being familiar with our guru, Srila Prabhupada, I asked him, "Now it has been 50 years since our guru came to the West...what kind of assessment, reflection, or vision do you feel we should have?"
"Appreciate and never think that because I am a devotee (spiritualist) that all things should be happening for me. Do not feel entitled. Be grateful."
Sunday, September 27th, 2015 New Preston, Connecticut
Mark Twain’s ‘Turf’
When I walked through Hartfordwith Tre’von, we went past the home of author Harriet Stowe who published the bestseller, ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’. She was an abolitionist and wrote about the slave escapees in the 1800’s. I was born near Uncle Tom’s cabin so it struck my interest.
Also, to my amazement, situated next to her home was the house of writer and humorist Mark Twain (1835 - 1910). It is a real stately house. I can’t help but deliver some of his best quotes:
“Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.”
“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”
“I don’t like to commit myself about Heaven and Hell. You see, I have friends in both places.”
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.”
“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing, it was here first.”
“Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.”
“All generalizations are false, including this one.”
“Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.”
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm than the vessel in which it is stored to anything on which it is poured.”
Saturday, September 26th, 2015 Burlington, Connecticut
Cultivation
It is almost alarming to see the intensity of traffic this early Saturday morning on secondary roads, not freeways. Who are these people? Where are they going at 6 AM and with such speed and intensity of purpose? On a Saturday? You can’t help asking these questions.
Karuna and I spent most of the journey, now west of Hartford, on Highway 4 through Farmington and then beyond Burlington. At one time, for about 2 miles, we encountered relief from the callous traffic by way of a trail frequented by runners, walkers, and cyclists. Thank God.
Occasionally, a motorist on the busy road honks his horn. You can tell when it’s a happy honk as distinct from a ‘watch it man’ type of warning. It’s rare to find nasty travelers as long as you walk responsibly. I still find it astounding to see the lack of ample space for alternative travelers like walkers. It appears that all is laid out to the advantage of the automobile.
What does compensate for the more or less little interaction with motorists is the time I spent with newcomer, Tre’von. I find him exceptional, devotionally a rare bird. I spent the evening with him after his work hours in what our guru used to call, ‘cultivation’. This is a word Srila Prabhupada used to use to describe someone’s preparation in devotion.
When I was a boy growing up in a farming district, the term cultivation was used to mean ploughing or turning the soil by way of machinery. I believe it’s an appropriate word as Tre’von is really having a turnover in life. My support person, Vivasvan, is also helping him learn the ways of bhakti, devotion. I can see Tre’von’s head spinning around in a most positive way. I explained to him, “Just look at it this way”, as cars are whipping by, “we are not these bodies but spirits. The body perishes. Our souls go on. We can get over our identity crisis by concentrating on the point, 'I am spirit'".
As ISKCON is getting closer to golden jubilee in 2016, devotees at ISKCON Mayapur are doing a four month book distribution marathon starting from 1st October. Join us in this offering to Srila Prabhupada by sponsoring as many Bhagavad Gita books you can ONLINE.
Media Release.
We are very excited to invite the community on Friday, October 2nd for a Musical Event with Bhaktimarga Swami
Bhaktimarga Swami, who has walked across Canada four times, plans to walk from Boston to Butler, Pennsylvania and then to New York City this autumn, as a sort of 60-day warm up drill. In 2016 he plans to walk from New York City to the west coast.
The Swami, 63, is walking to draw attention to the contributions of his own spiritual teacher, or guru, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada arrived in the USA 50 years ago, on September 17, 1965.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20186
Hare Krishna! Prasad Distribution at the European Parliament 29th September 2015
I wanted to share a nice story with you all about a wonderful project put on by Mukunda Prabhu at the European Parliament in Brussels. The movie gives the illusion that I am the doer but I am simply the cook, and Mukunda Prabhu is doing a great service by presenting our philosophy to the top brains of Europe. On Wednesday 29.9. 2015 Food for Life Global has co-organised a sustainable food event held on the Esplanade of the European Parliament in Brussels.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20181
Hare Krishna! New Vrindaban Radhastami Celebration Filled With Love
“Everyone was given the chance to offer Her a stick of incense, a ghee lamp, and a flower,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krsna Das. “They then each wrote a special vow or prayer to Srimati Radharani, which were all collected and offered in a basket at Her lotus feet. Finally everyone got to take a balloon with a heart- shaped label at the end of its string, each marked with a different one of Radharani’s 1008 names, and place it on the altar.” The festival also included ecstatic kirtans led by Shyamala Kishori from North Carolina and Shyamasundar Das from Pittsburgh.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20178
Hare Krishna! Krsna’s calling at New Vraja Dhama, Iskcon Hungary.
Devotees often say that Radhastami is the most important festival at New Vraja Dhama. Although the verdict shall be taken according to one’s individual preference, i humbly agree with the premise, for She is known as Vrindavanesvari and the mood on Her day at New Vraja Dhama is always additionally surcharged by some mysteriously special substance. “She is not a woman”, Jayapataka Maharaja said recently in Mayapur, “She is the pleasure potency of the Lord. If you can please Radharani, and She tells Krsna that there is this devotee who is nice, then He will be very happy to give His mercy”. At New Vraja Dhama, Janmastami could be taken as the central annual event, Govardhan-puja can be described as the most opulent worship, Gaura Purnima can be taken as the most munificent and most merciful day, but in this community Radhastami is surely the most important festival and celebration.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20175
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 26 August 2015, Stockholm, Sweden, Jhulan Yatra Lecture)
Krsna consciousness is for idealists. Perfection is possible. It is not necessary to settle for less than your dream because what you can get on the spiritual platform is greater than your dream. In the material world, you know how it is – you dream and then you get a little less. Always a little less! You know what I mean!
But in spiritual life, you dream of something and then what you get is greater than you can imagine! Dhruva Maharaj is the proof. “I was praying for broken pieces of glass and I received diamonds!I approached you, my Lord, for a kingdom greater than my father’s but you gave me your personal darshan and exceeded all my desires. It was more than I could imagine!” said Dhruva Maharaj.
So in this way, the spiritual reality exceeds our dreams. That is what spiritual life is meant to be – a life based on eagerness, where we are alive at every moment! It is exciting! It is promising! We are making a breakthrough! And when we are alive then miracles start to happen! People start to respond to us. Suddenly doors will open. That is how it goes when we are alive.
Hare Krishna! Srila Prabhupada’s Treasures in Vrindavan
Daivisakti Devi Dasi: Srila Prabhupada’s Home at the Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama Temple in Vrindavan is the first residence built exclusively for him by his disciples. He stayed in his home whenever he came to Vrindavan from 1972 to 1977. He also chose to enter the divine lila of Sri Sri Krishna-Balarama at his home on November 14, 1977. Since then, his rooms have been converted into an inspiring museum where visitors can appreciate Prabhupada’s presence through his personal belongings, sitting places, library, daily letters, classes and lectures. His private garden is an oasis of peace. His private upstairs rooms offer a glimpse into Prabhupada’s personal life of devotion. Thousands of devotees and pilgrims visit Prabhupada’s House on a weekly basis, and each person receives a handful of prasadam after being blessed with his darshan.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20172
TOVP Managing Director, Sadbhuja das, is on the road again on a mission in Europe to see and purchase some of the world’s most unique marble, the best of the best.
The red marble, named Rouge de Saint-Pons, is found in Southern France in the city of Saint Pons de Thormieres at the Marble de France mines. Pictured in the first two photos is this beautiful red marble in its raw, block form. Once cut and polished it will have the lustrous red shade shown in photos 3 and 4.
Pictured in photo 5 is the unique and fascinating blue marble from Italy that will be used for the finishing work on the altars. This is considered a very prestigious and rare marble due to its dark blue and wavy patterns.
In photo 6 we can see Sadbhuja standing next to some samples of Italy’s fine marble sculptures of historic personalities.
About His Grace Rohini Priya Prabhu : Rohini Priya Das Prabhu graduated as a doctor of Medicine from Mumbai university but decided to dedicate his life in the service of Lord Krishna.
His Grace Rohini Priya Das Prabhu, is a senior Brahmachari at ISKCON's Sri Radha Gopinath mandir at Chowpatty,Mumbai,India. He is currently serving as the Vice President at ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai.
For the last 19 years he has not only been practicing Krishna Conciousness but has been actively distributing the message of Bhagavad Gita to thousands of Engineering , Medical students and other professionals all over India.
He also travels widely to USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauricious, Nepal and Canada and delivers various seminars on Krsna Consciousness.
He also delivers various seminars in Universities and other ISKCON centers.
Indira Fasting.....................on Thu Oct 8th,2015 Breakfast................. on Fri Oct 9th,2015 b/w 7.024am-11.11am Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is availablehere
Building Strong Krishna Conscious Families This seminar is designed to help you take your relationship to a higher level. This is a 3-days seminar. Friday October 16th, 6:30pm - 9:30pmSaturday October 17th, 9:30am - 4:30pm Sunday October 18th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm This seminar will be facilitated by members of the Grihasta Vision Team - His Grace Partha Das and Her Grace Uttama Dasi (disciples of Srila Prabhupada). They have been successfully conducting such retreats and seminars for many years all around the world.Please registerhere.
ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
Sunday School
To register,contact usEmail:sundayschool108@gmail.comCall:647.893.9363 The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC). Gift Shop Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.
Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a peanut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Chant and Be happy
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:
On the occasion of Haridas Thakur’s disappearance and Holy Name week, more than 100 devotees went on kirtan at Kuta Beach Bali.
I had the pleasure of leading the kirtan, which was literally on the sand along the ocean. There were many locals and tourists who joined in and danced in ecstasy with hands raised in the air.
Hare Krishna! Please accept our humble obeisances! All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!
We are very happy to inform you that HG Rohini Priya das prabhu will be at ISKCON Scarborough tomorrow (2nd Oct 2015) to give a special class.
Program starts at 6:45 pm.
Prabhu will be joining us for the live Geethavaani Radio program on Saturday from 10 am to 11 am.
Prabhu will also be taking part in a home program on Saturday evening and then giving the class at ISKCON Brampton and ISKCON Toronto on Sunday.
Prabhu will also be delivering a presentation in York University on Monday and will join a Bhakti Vriksha program during his stay here.
Biodata of HG Rohinipriya das prabhu: HG Rohini Priya Das prabhu graduated as a doctor of Medicine from Mumbai university but decided to dedicate his life in the service of Lord Krishna.
Prabhu, is a senior Brahmachari at ISKCON's Sri Radha Gopinath mandir at Chowpatty,Mumbai,India.
He is currently serving as the Vice President at ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai.
For the last 24 years he has not only been practising Krishna Consciousness but has been actively distributing the message of Bhagavad Gita to thousands of Engineering , Medical students and other professionals all over India.
He also travels widely to USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal and Canada and delivers various classes/ seminars on Krsna Consciousness.
We welcome you, your family and friends to ISKCON Scarborough coming Friday
ISKCON Scarborough 3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3, Scarborough,Ontario, Canada,M1V4C7
Lord Krishna’s eternal consort Srimati Radharani is known as the Queen of Vrindavan. So what better place in the Western World to celebrate Her appearance day, Radhastami, than New Vrindaban?
Described by Srila Prabhupada as “non-different” from Vrindavan in India, New Vrindaban’s Radhastami festival on September 21st 2015 drew many devotees from neighboring states, as well thirty students with their professor from nearby Christian liberal arts school Bethany College.
Favored by devotees for its particularly sweet and loving mood, the festival began with the traditional temple morning program when Sri Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra were revealed in a stunning new dark blue and silver bespoke outfit made in Vrindavan, India.
With Radha carrying an umbrella of marigolds from New Vrindaban’s gardens, Krishna leaning on a staff entwined with flowers, and both Their heads decorated with heart-shaped flower halos, Their Lordships were breathtaking to behold. And, of course, Srimati Radharani’s lotus feet were visible throughout the day, the only day in the year when She bestows this boon upon devotees.
Visiting for three days, Hridayananda Das Goswami brought his scholarly outlook to several classes explaining Radharani’s position as the feminine aspect of God, and Her qualities of compassion and devotion. He alsoshared memories of Srila Prabhupada’s 1972 visit to New Vrindaban during an evening program at Nityodita Das and Radha Dasi’s home.
At noon, devotees immersed themselves in the Vrindavan mood, gathering in the under-construction Radha Gopinath temple on New Vrindaban’s Govardhan Hill to sing kirtan before the small yet incredibly sweet presiding Deities.
As in the transcendental village She reigns over, many residents of New Vrindaban offered Srimati Radharani dishes they had made with love in their own homes, such as laddhus, baklava, and fruit salad. The preparations included a strawberry-almond cake baked by Lakshman Isvara Das in the shape of a lotus with twelve petals representing the twelve forests of Vraj.
While Radha enjoyed Her offerings, longtime resident Varsana Swami gave a class full of entrancing stories and revelations about Her pastimes with Krishna, including one wherein She beat the Lord in a wrestling match and pinned Him down until He conceded, “I surrender!”
As it was a beautiful day, all the devotees then sat outside on the grass of Govardhana Hill around the glittering waters of New Vrindaban’s Radha-Kunda, Shyama-Kunda and Lalita-Kund to honor a prasadam lunch prepared by the appropriately-named Radha Dasi. A bull was brought up by the resident cowherds and the recently completed ornate “moon tower,” where Radha and Krishna are said to go to survey Their subjects and property, added to the Vrindavan atmosphere.
Meanwhile back at Radha-Vrindabanchandra’s temple, two visiting sisters from Mexico, Hladini and Aindayi, were married to their respective husbands Nimai Pandit and Jacob with a fire yajna and a talk on love and marriage in Krishna consciousness by Hridayananda Goswami. With its beautiful natural surroundings and spiritual vibrations, New Vrindaban has become a popular wedding destination among devotees.
The evening featured an abhisekh bathing ceremony for the small Deities of Radha Vrindavan-nath, along with a New Vrindaban Radhastami special, in which each devotee gets to receive Srimati Radharani’s mercy by submitting their own individual offering to Her.
“Everyone was given the chance to offer Her a stick of incense, a ghee lamp, and a flower,” says ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krsna Das. “They then each wrote a special vow or prayer to Srimati Radharani, which were all collected and offered in a basket at Her lotus feet. Finally everyone got to take a balloon with a heart-shaped label at the end of its string, each marked with a different one of Radharani’s 1008 names, and place it on the altar.”
The festival also included ecstatic kirtans led by Shyamala Kishori from North Carolina and Shyamasundar Das from Pittsburgh.
It concluded with a multi-course feast cooked by Sundari Dasi featuring a coconut-sauce subji with Arvi, a potato-like vegetable from India that is said to be Radharani’s favorite. There was also an oatmeal-oregano bread; a baked dish called Handvo; paneer subji; pina colada ice cream, and another jaw-dropping cake from Lakshman Iswara in the shape of the steamship Jaladuta, in honor of the recent 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the U.S.
“Radhastami at New Vrindaban is so mellow and pleasing to the heart – hearing Radha’s pastimes and having an opportunity to make our own offerings to Her fills us with oceans of love,” says resident Autumn. “And where else in world – besides Vrindavan, India – can one spend Radhastami on the banks of Radha-Kunda?”
Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 11, No. 17 By Krishna-kripa das (September 2015, part one)
Newcastle, Sheffield, Ireland, New York City (Sent from Brooklyn, New York, on September 30, 2015) Where I Went and What I Did
September began with a final harinama in Newcastle, followed by the regular Sheffield nama-hatta program and a harinama and evening Janmastami program the next day, an increase for the devotees there. Then I went on to Dublin for harinama the day before Janmastami and a seven-hour harinama on Janmastami day, by the mercy of Ananta Nitai Prabhu, who pushed me past my limits. I observed the rest of Janmastami and Vyasa-puja on Govindadvipa, (Inis Rath Island) in Northern Ireland, and four of us chanted in Cavan, Ireland, on Vyasa-puja evening. My last day in Europe was in Belfast, where seven of us chanted in Victoria Square for three hours. Then I joined Rama Raya Prabhu and his New York City Harinama, helping out by leading, singing the response, dancing, distributing the Krishna: Reservoir of Pleasure, and manning the book table.
I share insights from Srila Prabhupada's lectures. I share notes on the lectures of Jayadvaita Swami, Rama Raya, and Madhavendra Puri Prabhu in New York City, and notes on the lectures of Tulasi Priya Das and Gopalacarya Prabhu in Northern Ireland. I share notes from Srila Prabhupada remembrances by Mula Prakrita dd. I also share Srila Prabhupada Vyasa-puja offerings from the devotees at Govindadvipa in Northern Ireland.
Thanks to the Newcastle temple for helping with my expenses in England. Thanks to Shelina, who picked us up at Derrylin on Janmastami and Bhakta Tom, who drove us to Cavan for harinama on Vyasa-puja Day. I am very, very indebted to Kaliya Krishna Prabhu, disciple of Romapada Swami, who kindly pays for my subway expenses so I can attend the New York City Harinam. All thanks to him.
Thanks to Joe Kenny for all the pictures of the harinama and Janmastami program in Sheffield. Thanks to Ravi Chambers for his video of us chanting in Dublin.
Itinerary
September 28–November 12: New York City Harinama
November 13: Philadelphia?
November 14–17: Washington, D.C., Harinama
November 18: Jacksonville, FL
November 19: Tampa
November 20: Orlando
November 21–December 15: Krishna House (except 5 days in Tallahassee)
December 16–January 3: New York City Harinama
Harinama in Sheffield
I was happy we had eight people on harinama in Sheffield, including a new person who played guitar.
Sometimes I sang.
When Geoffrey sang, I distributed.
Sheffield Janmastami Program
We had a Janmastami program on Thursday, because we were going other places on the actual Janmastami day (Saturday).
The venue was the Burngreave Ashram, where we have prasadam and kirtana on every Thursday.
The organizer of the ashram, Rev. John Vincent, came to the program, and I had a nice chat with him about religion before the program started. Both he and his wife, Grace, participated by chanting Hare Krishna and honoring prasadam. He gave me a copy of his book on discipleship.
I sang the first kirtana, and Harisuta dd did arati.
I spoke briefly about the universality of Lord Krishna's instructions to remember Him, become His devotee, to worship Him, and to bow down to Him, and the importance of understanding the transcendental nature of His appearance and activities.
I also read the beautiful description of the evening that Krishna appeared, when everything was adjusted for supreme auspiciousness.
We had a second kirtana sang by one brand new person, a lady who was a friend of Geoff, a soprano who taught music to children. She ended up leading for almost an hour. She really got into the kirtana, and it was beautiful to see.
Thanks to Joe, Geoff, and Harisuta dd, for their organization work, and to the nice Indian lady, Manju, who along with help from her husband, a distinguished teacher of cardiology, made a wonderful feast.
Harinama in Dublin the Day Before Janmastami
The advantage of doing harinama the day before Janmastami is that you can invite people to the festival the next day. Both the Indians and the Westerners who like Hare Krishna and Hare Krishna festivals are likely candidates.
Amazingly I met one Indian man living in Dubai who I had seen back in April when I chanted in Dublin with my friends. He had taken a book, given a donation, gone to Govinda's Restaurant, and come back to see us the next day. Now he was in Dublin with his whole family as his daughter enrolled in Trinity College. They knew it was Janmastami the next day and were planning to fast, and they were very happy to hear of our Janmastami festival at our Dublin temple, above the restaurant.
Ravi Chambers, who is originally from Ireland, was well known to Premarnava Prabhu, also from Ireland, and Ananta Nitai Prabhu and I knew him from his later life in the UK, where he is the MC of our 24-hour kirtana in Birmingham each year. We were all surprised to see him in Dublin as we were chanting on the steps of the Bank of Ireland. He took this little video of our meeting (https://youtu.be/Dv4cS2A1Ptw):
Harinama in Dublin on Janmastami
We planned to chant from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Janmastami. I thought we should do a little longer, because I always do three hours, but I wanted to go to the Janmastami celebration on the island, and it takes three hours to get there. After some time, Ananta Nitai Prabhu said he was thinking of chanting until midnight. I was already noticing I was more tired than usual after 2:00 p.m., and I knew midnight would be too much. Thus I said I could chant for five or seven hours instead of three. That way I could still catch the end of the festival on the island. In this way, we chanted for seven hours!
Ananta Nitai Prabhu and I began the harinama.
Premarnava Prabhu, and later Manu Prabhu, joined us.
We chanted on O'Connell Street near Govinda's for a while, then we chanted through Temple Bar and down Grafton Street.
Manu Prabhu played his accordion and sang at the top of Grafton Street, a very busy area (https://youtu.be/L-qotxL_u8k):
Later, back on O'Connell Street, when it was just myself and Ananta Nitai Prabhu, one group of young guys enjoyed chanting and dancing with us (https://youtu.be/h-ImHWyV4o0).
They liked it so much that they came back to visit us again, this time wearing Burger King crowns (https://youtu.be/dk-FYUYwdyg):
After chanting from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., we dashed off to catch the 7:30 p.m. bus to Derrylin to see Radha Govinda on Their island.
We got there at 10:45 p.m., and the devotees let both me and Ananta Nitai Prabhu sing a kirtana for the Lord.
Vyasa-puja of Srila Prabhupada
On the day of the Vyasa-puja of Srila Prabhupada, I decided to go to mangala-arati. There were about six of us. I had slept 3 hours and 10 minutes and was able to get that much rest only because they made the arati an hour later than usual.
During the midday kirtana, as I saw Srila Prabhupada at one end of the temple and Sri Sri Radha Govinda at the other, I recalled how Srila Prabhupada said, “By the mercy of Krishna, one gets a guru, and by the mercy of the guru, one gets Krishna.” As I chanted I felt happy to be the recipient of the mercy of both guru and Krishna.
Vyasa-puja Offerings
There were not many people around to make the offerings due to the late night, but there were a few.
Tulasi-priya Prabhu:
Even just considering all that you did in the year 1966, it is truly amazing, and then looking at 1967, you have another whole set of amazing activities.
One Indian lady asked Srila Prabhupada, “How did you do this?” He replied that he just presented the words of his spiritual master as they are.
We actually experience that by chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna, following the four rules prohibiting sinful activities, studying your books, all our problems of life are solved. That is because we become free the clutches of the material energy of the Lord.
Narottama Prabhu:
Thank you for traveling over the six continents and preaching Krishna consciousness.
You saved us from going to hell.
Thank you for giving us Krishna.
Without you what are the heroes our children will grow up with.
Krishna-kripa Das:
Thank you for giving an ocean of conclusive knowledge of God.
Thank you for solving the problem of evil.
Thank you for letting us understand that every living creature is a soul as good as another.
Thank you for revealing the beauty of the Supreme Lord and His pastimes.
Thank you for revealing to us that we have an eternal relationship of love with Him.
Thank you for giving a joyful process of spiritual life. Even children are attracted by our public chanting, and sometimes when their parents forcibly drag them away they cry.
Thank you for planting seeds of devotion all over the world and establishing centers worldwide. All over the world I encounter devotees with faith in Krishna, by your mercy, and I encounter devotees who want to share Krishna with others.
Rohini Kumara Prabhu:
Your instructions save us from our lower nature.
Inspired by you, half a billion books were distributed by your followers.
Ananda Maya dd:
I never felt a part of my family, and I went on a spiritual search.
I investigated everyone who had some spiritual idea, I had every baptism, and I became disillusioned.
I saw the devotees chanting on O'Connell Street, and they were striking, and that planted seeds in my heart.
Vaishnavi dd:
You single-handedly brought the mercy of Lord Caitanya to the West.
The more I realize my fallen nature, the more I am amazed by your great mercy, what you had to overlook to train Westerners.
I pray that my sons might have a fire of devotion ignited by you in their hearts.
Sri Rupa BCS Prabhu:
I remember I was in a distressed condition, when I first read your books. The words were glittering on the page. I rarely understood the words, but I liked the nice feeling I got while reading.
Over the last 25 years, when I look, I see it is your books and your followers saving me.
Madana Mohana Prabhu:
You have made a great impact on Western society by bringing this Vedic culture.
Beyond our reading of your books, whole lifestyle is based on your instructions.
Acarya Prabhu:
Srila Prabhupada was living every verse of Bhagavad-gita. He embodied all the divine qualities described there, such as tolerance, mercy, etc.
Srila Prabhupada made it clear that without surrender to the guru, one cannot express spiritually.
Those preaching impersonalism do not appreciate the value of surrender to the spiritual master.
Hari Sauri Prabhu says that now we are so much concerned with creating a comfortable situation for ourselves, that we cannot understand how Krishna is taking care of us. In the early days of the movement it was not like that.
When I am on book distribution, if I think that “I will distribute 20 books,” then I do nothing, but if I think I am just an insignificant being, then Krishna will make all kinds of arrangements, sending me people who are interested in books.
Ananta Nitai Prabhu:
Thank you for giving me the association of persons who are enthusiastic to spread your message.
If you go out on the street to do books, harinama, or prasadam, you see how people are attracted, and it gives you faith.
Visiting devotee communities, I see that people really take care of each other, and I am inspired.
I like these presentations, because you do not really know who is who, but the bhakti is really coming.
Supriya dd, daughter of Prahlad and Ananda Mayi:
It is not enough to be born in this movement, you have to actually join it.
Your mercy has brought me from existing to really living.
I read your Jaladuta diary. My heart was breaking to read it. You gave everything to save us.
Realizing my debt to you, I want to give my life to your mission. I am ready to be your puppet. Make me dance.
I am working with the Sadaputa Archives, and I hope to dedicate my life to serving your Bhaktivedanta Institute.
Dmitri:
You brought meaning to my life.
In 1988, I felt there was more than materialistic life. My parents could not help me. The Russian Orthodox Church could not answer my questions about relationship with God. I read difficult esoteric books. In 1989 I got Easy Journey to Higher Planets, and I visited the temple. I lived with the devotees two years, and then on my own, but always keeping Bhagavad-gita as my guide.
Harinama in Cavan
Although I like to go on harinama every day, I think we get special mercy making harinama part of our celebration of the festival days. I feel like we are including the general populace in our honoring of the great personality whose appearance we are celebrating, and they are getting special benefit from that.
It is always difficult to get people to go on harinama on Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa-puja day. People are tired after the feast and have many rounds of Hare Krishna to chant before meeting their quota. Thus I was very happy we had a team of four devotees to chant in Cavan. Tim had lead some nice bhajans as part of the festival, and Arena, daughter of a devotee mom from Latvia, was enthusiastic to play the drum. Ananta Nitai and I are always enthusiastic to go out. As it turned out we did not make it to Cavan and begin singing until 6:26 p.m., so we only chanted 1¼ hours. We were worried that there would be no one on the streets at that late hour on a Sunday, but we were pleasantly surprised. At one point, I counted fifteen people on the street at once. Cavan has a great venue for harinama, a square with a stage that is protected from rain. Across the street were two ATMs and a cafe that got regular traffic as did an Irish Post box to the side.
One young guy who was clearly inebriated and his friends, who appeared less so, danced with us for a time. He was so happy he threw a euro and some change into our donation box and took a book and invitation. One girl with him danced very nicely.
Other people listened for awhile including a man who liked the music but did not want literature, and a family eating some fast food.
While we were there, two different Indian men came by, one with his family, both of whom had recently moved to the area and did not know about our temple just half an hour away and who were happy to learn of it.
There were some rascal kids who must have thrown twenty small hard fruits at us, none doing any damage, but the amazing thing was, as we left, one was singing the mantra at the end to the last tune we sang, which was not a simple tune.
We were glad we went out and hope Srila Prabhupada was pleased with our little attempt to share Krishna with people on his appearance day.
I told Bhagavati dd (formerly Bhagavata dd) to bring her friends on harinama in Belfast, but I was amazed when she turned up with five people, including Belfast temple president, Prabhupada disciple Bhagavata Asraya. Thus including myself and Ananta Nitai Prabhu, we had seven all together, and we stayed out for three hours.
We also had prasadam and books for distribution to accompany the chanting.
New York City Harinama
New York City Harinama is always an increase in my devotional service, from three hours to six hours each day. It is powerful to be living with a group of people so dedicated to sharing the holy name. I will just share a few drops from the ocean of nectar here.
As usual, Rama Raya Prabhu leads a lively finale kirtana that gets both onlookers and devotees dancing (https://youtu.be/Mp6_q_Wq9hc):
One timeAnanta Gauranga Prabhu led a kirtana in the subway inspiring one saxphone player to play along (https://youtu.be/dyE4JKzF53U):
Clarissa comes whenever she is not in high school and has learned some tunes on the harmonium since my last visit (https://youtu.be/T4ZeFtBoIOw):
From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam1.8.19 in Mayapur, India, on September 29, 1974:
Krishna is very difficult to understand because (1) we are fools and rascals, (2) the deluding energy is covering us and placing obstacles in our path, and (3) Krishna is adhoksaja, beyond that which we can describe with words. Therefore, we have to be very serious.
Without hearing about Krishna, we will simply do sense gratification. Thus hearing is very important, but we are not inclined to hear.
We who have taken a vow to become Krishna's friend, Krishna's lover, we cannot remain mudra-drsa [of foolish vision] without opening our eyes. Krishna is everywhere but for the mudra-drsa He is not visible. Thus we must increase our love for Krishna.
The most important process is sravanam, hearing. My guru was very kind upon me because I wanted to hear. That was my only qualification.
Lecture on maha-mantra, New York, September 8, 1966:
“These are different, nine processes, sravanam kirtanam.Sravanammeans hearing, and kirtanam means chanting, chanting. So by this process... Just like I chant and you hear, and you chant and I hear. Parasparam. Bodhayantah parasparam. This is the factual activities of devotion in devotional society. This bodhayantah parasparam: I chant, you hear, and you chant, I hear. So by this process, the transcendental name, the sound incarnation of the Supreme Lord, becomes manifest, manifest so that we can realize God simply by chanting and hearing. Simply by chanting and hearing that will be realized.”
From Srimad-Bhagvatam 8.1.15, purport:
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, appears in order to teach us how to work so that we will not be entangled in this material world. Our real problem is that we are entangled in materialistic activities, and because we are conditioned, our struggle continues through punishment in material existence in one body after another in different forms of life . . . We must therefore follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and then, like Krishna who is never entangled by His material activities of creation, maintenance and annihilation, we will have nothing for which to lament (navasidanti ye 'nu tam). Krishna personally gives instructions in Bhagavad-gita, and anyone who follows these instructions is liberated.”
From Srimad-Bhagvatam 8.1.16, purport:
“Follow the instructions of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and your life will be successful. That is the summary of the Krishna consciousness movement.”
Jayadvaita Swami:
From a class with Satsvarupa dasa Goswami at Stuyvesant Falls:
Srila Prabhupada advised that even his ISKCON Press workers, who were considered to be doing the most important service, go out on harinama for one hour a day. Our practical experience was that going out that hour a day did not detract from our ISKCON Press work.
Srila Prabhupada said regarding sentimentality:
First to cry, first to dry.
If you come on sentiment, you will leave on sentiment.
From classes in New York City:
Krishna has nothing to gain in the material world. Everything is already His property. Thus when Krishna acts, He does not act to get something. He does not have to do anything because His energies do everything.
This material world is like a slum. What does Krishna have to gain here?
If simply by knowing Krishna, one becomes free from entanglement, how could Krishna be entangled.
Our constitutional position is to act as servants of Krishna, and if we do not act in this way, we are entangled.
One should not eat food cooked by the nondevotees. It is a simple thing to offer food. It is not a big yajna [sacrifice], to bow down to Krishna, ring a bell, offer the food, “please take.”
Imagine taking rest in a room with your worst enemy, who has a knife under his pillow. That is the uncontrolled mind.
We cannot follow Krishna's instructions without becoming His devotee. He advises in Bhagavad-gita, “Just become my devotee.” Thus one should become an initiated devotee.
We are always bowing down so we come to understand we are servant of the Lord and of the spiritual master. The material world means master, master, master.
If one accepts that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and acts accordingly, he goes back to Godhead. Knowing implies acting.
Comment by Rama Raya Prabhu:
One reporter asked, “What do you think of Hinduism and Buddhism?”
Srila Prabhupada asked, “We have nothing to do Hinduism and Buddhism. We are speaking the truth, and if you are truthful you will accept it.”
Q: How does understanding that Krishna is not entangled translate to ourselves not be entangled.
A: We can understand Krishna is so great, acting yet being unattached, I should serve Him and thus be unattached.
What you do before you are initiated counts, but it counts when you become initiated. It is just like your advanced placement in high school counts, but it counts after you are enrolled in college. Otherwise it has no significance.
Srila Prabhupada said initiation means “Yes, sir.”
When we gain the association of devotees and begin some acts of devotion, we become purified, and when we get initiated everything becomes solidified.
Comment by Abhirama Prabhu:
We think that when we have a good kirtana everyone gets the same benefit, but actually they benefit individually as they surrender.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati said in The Harmonist, “We do not hate the sahajiyas because they are acknowledging Krishna, whereas the Mayavadis are trying to kill Krishna. But we do not associate with them.”
In Tehran there have been Hare Krishna devotees since Srila Prabhupada's time. There is a picture of a Janmastami celebration with all these ladies in head scarves wearing tilaka.
Comments by Abhirama Prabhu:
When I chant just to get the chanting done, I do not even say the mantra properly, but when I chant, calling on Krishna to save me, I see the chanting has a different quality.
I saw my old friend Ambarish, the Ford heir who has millions of dollars, after many years.
Ambarish said, “I have heard about your Harinama Ashram in New York. You are so fortunate.”
I replied, “I am the richest man in the world to have this opportunity.”
People need leaders. Even if they are rebels, they follow a rebel leader.
Solzhenitsyn criticized Russia society saying that it failed not because of not following Lenin but because of following Lenin exactly. That is the result of following an imperfect leader.
It is a fact that modern society creates madness. Madness is a symptom of ignorance.
Q: People have different ideas of how distribute Krishna consciousness.
A: Srila Prabhupada said chant Hare Krishna and distribute my books. Do not make it complicated. And do not bicker about this and that.
The Internet was started by the military and then academia got into it.
Netiquette: Do not post something you would not say in person. Do not post in a passion without considering it for a day.
If we had to pay money before sending an email, we would be more careful.
The society is degrading while the Vaishnavas are busy criticizing each other for what someone said years ago. It is not a good situation.
The soul is present everywhere in two ways:
1. There are souls everywhere, in all the planets
2. The consciousness of the soul is spread throughout his body.
A Srila Prabhupada analogy: You know your apartment, but the landlord knows all the apartments.
That Krishna has hands and legs everywhere can be explained in two ways:
1. Everyone's hands and legs are His.
2. He is everywhere.
Srila Prabhupada said that Indra is sense gratifier number one among the demigods.
We like to think of the good side of life in the womb. All the nutrients are supplied, it is warm and cozy, etc. But we neglect that the embryo is cramped, bitten by wombs, and suffers when the mom eats spicy food.
Bhagavad-gita says we should not gloss over the miseries of material life.
What is the pharmaceutical industry working on these days? Anti-depressants. 40% people are clinically depressed, and the rest are just depressed.
Even you discount the miseries, we cannot stay here.
A body has life. Where did the life come? From a body that has just died.
Krishna says that the cycle stops when one comes to Him. Krishna means the Supreme Lord.
In our natural state we are ever existing.
How long does a cockroach want to live? It wants to live forever.
When the parts serve the whole, they are happy, especially when it is a happy whole.
When we chant Hare Krishna we associate with Krishna and become joyful.
The worst fools are the fools who do not know they are fools. The beginning of knowledge is to understand I am a fool.
To ask “Who am I and why are these miseries harassing me?” is the business of human life.
The other animals are busy fighting, and we are spending half our budget on defense.
We eat eat, sleep, have sex, and protect ourselves, but these are not the goal of life.
Q: Why Hare Krishna as opposed to another religion?
A: We are not concerned with the religion you were brought up with or which you choose to identify with. We are interested in understanding the eternal nature of the self and what are its activities. The activity of the soul is to connect to God. It is not that you serve God, and God is indifferent. Even though in this material world we are turning away from Him, He still tries to benefit us.
Why milk and not eggs? Milk does not turn into a cow.
Gambling agitates the mind and in such a state you cannot focus on God.
The alternative to sex within marriage is exploitation.
The divorce rate for the first marriage is less than that for future marriages. This shows that divorce and remarriage is not a formula for happiness.
The Vedic conception is that trial and error in sex does not bring happiness. It is almost like gambling.
If I train my mind to be satisfied with what I got, then I can actually be satisfied.
Q: Why do we exist?
A: God created us to enjoy happiness. Just like if I were alone in this room, how much happiness would I experience. Thus God expanded us to enjoy, and when we participate in that enjoyment, we enjoy.
Q: How do I know that bhakti-yoga will not make me irresponsible and escape reality?
A: Krishna advises Arjuna to be responsible and do his duty. If my idea of reality is actually an illusion, then to escape illusion is good. If I think ultimate happiness is to be found in relationships based on the body, then I am in illusion.
Come to these meetings, take up the chanting, read our books, associate with us, and you will get a higher taste. Do not worry about the past.
If I was giving a million dollars away, you would not say, “I will wait until I am forty-five to accept it.”
Q: Is it all right when asked if we are a religion if we say we are a universal nonsectarian spiritual practice?
A: Yes, if you can get all that out.
When an avatar is described, His physical characteristics and His mission are listed. Thus here Lord Caitanya is described has having a yellow color and preaching the Kali-yuga dharma, the chanting of the holy name.
The holy name is best method of spiritual realization because the holy name is not different from Krishna Himself.
The mantra must come from the sampradaya [spiritual lineage]. Otherwise it does not have potency. It is not that we can concoct some mantra from different names.
Our goal is get people to chant Hare Krishna, so we should chant Hare Krishna ourselves.
Srila Prabhupada did not introduce the chanting of jaya sri krishna caitanya nityananda sri advaita gadadhara srivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrinda before each round of japa. Perhaps because Srila Prabhupada advised the chanting of that Panca-tattva mantra before the Hare Krishna mantra in kirtana, some people may have decided to do it before japa, but he did not instruct that.
When it is said we should chant “the names that are dear to us” it means we should chant the names of the Lord that our guru has given us. It also means that the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra should become dear to us.
Srila Prabhupada said that we should chant the mantras and the songs of the previous acaryas. Not that we hear something from the greater yoga kirtana circle.
In Vrindavana Srila Prabhupada told Harikesa Maharaja the morning kirtana should be “Gurvastakam,” sri krishna caitanya, Hare Krishna, and nothing else, and the evening kirtana should be the Gaura Arati song, sri krishna caitanya, Hare Krishna, and nothing else.
In the Bhagavatam, it is described in this degraded age of Kali, the government administrators will become like thieves, mispending the citizens tax money for their own purposes. You can see this even now. In America this is generally covered up, but in some countries they do not bother covering it up.
Srila Prabhupada sometimes described the demigods as law abiding and the demons as outlaws. The demigods consult the sastra (revealed literature) to determine their duty, but demons act according to their own whims.
There is a sense of duty even now, as in the military, but when an officer is off duty, he acts according to his whims for sense gratification.
One cannot go back to Godhead by mental concoction.
Sally Agrawal, from her brief dealings with Srila Prabhupada when he first arrived from America, thought that Srila Prabhupada had just wanted to sell books and print more books, not that he wanted to start a movement.
Srila Prabhupada said that the brahmacari ashram should be so full of books that if the brahmacaris want to sleep they have to distribute the books.
Srila Prabhupada spoke of translating other books. Maybe Bhagavad-gita (another version). Katha Upanisad, some of the other Upanisads, Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana.
Mula Prakrti Devi Dasi (from a Prabhupada memories tape):
At the last lecture of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura's last parikrama he spoke about spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world: “Bhaktivinoda Thakura desired that. My mother Bhagavati told me as she was on her death-bed, 'Your father wanted very much that this Krishna consciousness spread all over the world, so you do it.' So Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura told of his attempts. “I have a prediction that the disciple of mine who goes across the sea will bring back the whole world.”
Srila Prabhupada, they have been calling for you. They have been crying for you.
Srila Prabhupada went to Delhi and told people he was looking for someone who could help him go to the West, and if they could help, he asked that they let him know.
At Devananda Gaudiya Math Srila Prabhupada spoke about his preaching in the West. He tried different things, but found that the disillusioned young people were those Lord Caitanya meant Him to pursue. “I would chant in the park. It was so awful what was going on in the park, I would close my eyes. I had to drag them with my own hand out of the gutter.”
Another time Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura was talking about going to the West with his disciples. He was encouraging them. He asked Sridhara Maharaja, but he said he was too reserved and could not understand the Western inflection. Then he asked Narottama Ananda Das Brahmacari who was very outgoing and successful preaching in India. He said, “I am just like a kid. I would die there, being away from you, and I would fail, and fall away. Do not send me.” Then Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura glanced around the room. He glanced at our Srila Prabhupada and said, “No need to worry, Abhay Babu will do it.”
A couple of weeks before Srila Prabhupada left this world, he talked to Puri Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada asked Puri Maharaja for a gift. “Yes, what is it.” “I wanted to go on parikrama around Govardhan but I was unable. You wanted to sing for our Guru Maharaja at the end of his life but you were unable. Please sing “Jaya Radha Jaya Krishna” so I can go on parikrama around Govardhan.” I want to give you gift, and he gave him some maha-prasadamhalava. Puri Maharaja said, “He pleased our Guru Maharaja more than anyone could ever imagine. He taught me that all jivas are qualified to accept Krishna.” Saying that, he cried many tears.
Sridhara Maharaja heard our Srila Prabhupada was coming. Srila Prabhupada dropped his suitcases and began running to Sridhara Maharaja, and Sridhara Maharaja ran toward him, and they were touching their feet.
Sridhara Maharaja and our Srila Prabhupada would talk hari-katha for hours and sometimes he would not even open his pharmaceutical business that day.
I met one couple who lived in Jhansi near Srila Prabhupada's place there. The man recalls Srila Prabhupada incredible enthusiasm. The couple told him they were mostly Rama bhaktas and were into Sanskrit and said they would not be interested in Lord Caitanya's chanting and dancing, but Srila Prabhupada was not concerned. He was eager to try anyway. The man took Prabhupada on the back of a bicycle looking for temples. He did not want to hear about Krishna, but Prabhupada would speak anyway, and Prabhupada said, “Someday you will chant Hare Krishna.” Years later, it actually happened.
People were amazed at Srila Prabhupada's determination to print books, even in the heat of the Delhi sun. He was very blissful despite all obstacles.
Some Sanskrit scholars had a writers group, and Srila Prabhupada regularly came and showed his manuscripts. He could use their help with the Sanskrit. When he had finished his three Bhagavatams, he took them to the scholars, telling them that his guru and Bhaktivinoda Thakura wanted these books to go to the West, and begged the scholars to touch the books and give their blessings. Then he said, “Someone must take the books, and I want to be that person, can you give me your blessings?” And so they happily did, although he knew they were not originally inclined to because of warnings in the scriptures about sadhustraveling over the seas.
On sadhusent his disciple in November 1977 to Vrindavana to pay full dandavat respects to Srila Prabhupada himself and on his guru's behalf.
Srila Prabhupada asked him, “What are you doing?”
“I am managing temples. I have paid priests,” he replied.
Srila Prabhupada told him, “But your grandfather did all the service himself. You should do it yourself. And you should take sannyasa, and travel the world and preach.”
Despite many different impediments, the man ended up doing as Srila Prabhupada desired.
Tulasi Priya Das (from Ireland):
From a Janmastami lecture:
Bhakti-rasayana are verses from the Tenth Canto which increase one's love for Krishna. Rasayana is a life-giving elixir.
Chanting is the best form of meditation on the Lord.
By hearing about chanting from those who have experiences from chanting we advance.
Although unaware of Krishna's glories, the gopis attained pure love for him.
The perfection of love is to be totally absorbed in Krishna and not even slightly attracted to anything else.
From a Vyasa-puja lecture:
The British were in control of India when Srila Prabhupada was a youth. He presented to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati his doubt that it would possible to spread Lord Caitanya's message with India under foreign control. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati explained that it did not matter who was in control of the government.
In the world, wherever you look, you see one country trying to control another. Srila Prabhupada frequently made the point that those who are too much absorbed in bodily relationships have the same consciousness as animals. If you put animals from different countries together, they will simply fight, and so you cannot expect the United Nations to bring peace.
Srila Prabhupada wanted to purify the consciousness of the people.
Rama Raya Prabhu:
A party is a group of people as well as a function where you have a good time. Our sampradaya has both features. We are a group of people who have a good time sharing Lord Caitanya's message.
Madhavendra Puri Prabhu:
Only because of lack of enthusiasm for hearing and chanting about Krishna do our material desires remain.
Everything we do is to make arrangements for our own hearing and chanting about Krishna and to also similarly make facility for others.
Foolishly we think that the few minutes of pleasure we get every day is worth the 23 hours and so many minutes of inconveniences. By hearing, we learn of a world were people are happy at every moment. By continual hearing, we decide we should try to attain that place.
Srila Prabhupada explained the material mind is trying to keep us in material existence forever.
The challenge in chanting japa is to hear the vibration of Hare Krishna and not the nonsense mind.
Bhakti-yoga has to be intense to blast away the mountain of ignorance covering us. Krishna will reciprocate with our intensity.
When Krishna becomes Gaura (Lord Caitanya) to relish devotional ecstasies, all His devotees want to take part in His pastimes.
Haridasa Thakura, during Lord Caitanya's maha-prakasa lila, asked to be able to have the remnants of the food of the devotees life after life, although he felt he was shameless to ask for such an exalted benediction.
By hearing of the sweet loving exchanges between the Lord and His devotees, we should become greedy to achieve that position. It is possible for everyone, but it is not easy. Still it is the only thing worth achieving, and if we do not strive for it we will be degraded by maya and suffer.
If you have a vast treasure, why ignore it and get a job of McDonalds!
Maya does not let you remain a mediocre devotee. Either you advance or you fall away.
The long descriptions of the suffering of the material world are not required for one who is willing to absorb himself in hearing and chanting about Krishna and His devotees.
It is a travesty of religion to say that for a limited number of crimes there is a unlimited punishment.
We work for Lord Caitanya's mission and hear of Lord Caitanya's lila.
Get rid of the hocus pocus. Keep a simple focus.
Those who neglect hearing and chanting end up barking and panting.
Gopalacarya Prabhu:
A dream is very realistic when you are in it, but when you wake up, you realize it was just a dream. Similarly our situation in this material world seems very significantalthough it is not.
It is a wonderful situation to be in Krishna consciousness, despite the different issues we may be facing
Often people who come to Krishna consciousness these days do not understand that Srila Prabhupada came with a mission and that we are meant to assist him in his mission. New people should be advised that they should learn what is Srila Prabhupada's mission, and then take part in it. The sampradaya has a mission, and we learn it from our guru, and then we execute it. The plan is already there for the spreading of Krishna consciousness. We just have to play some part in it.
“I want all the people of the world to come to Krishna [God] consciousness and be happy. Without God, there is no question of happiness. Without God consciousness there are no good qualities.”
We chant, we read Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, and we distribute prasadam. We do not need to add anything else.
So many times Srila Prabhupada requested people to simply assist him in his mission.
Srila Prabhupada advised, “Do not try to do anything beyond the jurisdiction of my instructions.”
Every day should be an offering of ourselves to Srila Prabhupada.
When we read Srila Prabhupada's books, we should considering “What is Srila Prabhupada trying to teach me?”
Srila Prabhupada said that his guru said if he could deliver one soul back to Godhead his mission would be successful. Srila Prabhupada said the same thing of himself. That should be our mission also: to deliver one soul back to Godhead.
The indirect preaching programs may be done by grhasthas outside the temple. In the temple, we should be just presenting pure Krishna consciousness.
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I like to remember these Bhagavad-gita verses spoken by Krishna on Janmastami, the anniversary of His appearance. Simply by understanding them one can attain spiritual perfection.
paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge
“To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.” (Bg. 4.8)
janma karma ca me divyam evam yo vetti tattvatah tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so ’rjuna
“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” (Bg. 4.9)
Hare Krishna! Big changes for the New Govardhana community
We dedicate our time and energy to keep New Govardhana beautiful for the Lord and for the many guests who come to connect with Him. A new temple is the physical manifestation of this consciousness – it is a place where God is worshipped and where we are given an opportunity to experience His kindness and mercy. Such a rare opportunity to build a temple for Krishna is not simply a matter of logistics and finances, but is an effort from all the New Govardhana devotees to increase their spiritual connection with Lord Krishna and each other.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20168
Hare Krishna! I wrote this book after many years of answering all kinds of questions on initiation,” Kripamoya explains. “Devotees would ask me questions on shastra and Vaishnava history, on Srila Prabhupada’s statements, and they would often share their concerns about ISKCON’s historical scandals and ongoing reputation. So I took to writing short pieces and sharing them, and readers found them helpful.” He claims that the average spiritual seeker now requires more of ISKCON: “In general, interested people these days have already done their research online. They are fascinated by Krishna, they like the idea of a spiritual teacher, but they have a natural caution and need satisfying answers.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20165
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