Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
Gita 05.04 – See beyond the diversity of process to the commonality of purpose
Gita 05.03 – Renunciation in action is lasting renunciation
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
If sensory knowledge is defective, why do we use it to refute atheistic theories?
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Answer Podcast:
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In the three scopes of meanings of the word Veda, which meaning is used by the Vedas themselves?
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Answer Podcast:
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When Bhagavatam is the commentary on Vedanta-sutra, why do Advaitins still study Vedanta-sutra
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Answer Podcast:
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Does achintyabhedabheda harmonize dvaita & advaita – or fall in the dvaita category?
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Answer Podcast:
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Sadly Missing Krishna
→ Life With the Cows and Land
All the cows went in the barn at the end of November. In later December we noticed Krishna getting thin. This was usual for him for the past three years and we didn't worry. He would get thin in winter but have no problem moving around and eating. Then he would fatten up in the spring when he and all the other cows were let out on pasture. His spring, summer and fall video updates showed him well and happy.He seemed to be following the same pattern this year.
This evening Balabhadra found him lying down in the barn. He said he is real weak and doesn't seem able to get up. He is surrounded by his friends and we have the Hare Krishna mantra chanted by Srila Prabhupada playing in the barn 24/7. Balabhadra and Lakshmi put a bunch of hay under him to make him comfortable.
We had an ox quite a few years back who had similar problems and the vet said he had Johnes disease for which there is no cure even if recognized in the early stages. It is a digestive disease. For that particular ox we tried a bunch of remedies anyway to no avail.
If you could please pray for Krishna that he receive the mercy of Lord Krishna.
1/22/15
Hare Krsna!
Balabhadra went to check this morning on Krishna and found him in the same position. He sprinkled Govardhana dust and Radha Kund water on his head, put Tulasi leaves in his mouth and put a Lord Nrsringhadev kavitra on his horns. The sound of Hare Krsna bhajans could be heard in the barn from a CD player which we have playing 24/7. An hour later Balabhadra called me from the barn to tell me Krishna had passed away. He will be buried on the farm today.
Krishna's passing is unexpected and therefore difficult to accept. He was ten years old and in human years he would be 50 years old. Some of the cows were nudging him and sniffing him as if expecting him to get up. Narayana (a young Milking Shorthorn) was trying to lift him by his horns to get him moving. Balabhadra said that Krishna came over to him three days ago, the day before he went down, to talk to him while he was filling the feed aisle with hay. Krishna was quite chipper and his usual friendly, charming self. He went down yesterday evening and left us this morning, a very quick departure which greatly reduced his physical suffering.
Krishna and his friend Balaram were found in a petting zoo by some devotees who were told they were about to be shipped to the slaughterhouse because they had become too big for the petting zoo. They were 3 months old. The devotees called us and asked us to take them and they have been with us ever since. Balaram is quite healthy and I am sure will be missing Krishna.
Krishna will be remembered for his handsome appearance and his charming personality. He was always friendly to guests and patient with them in his mild mannered way. He was especially popular with the female guests. I always looked forward to visiting with him as he was always so relaxed and friendly. His association had a calming, soothing affect.
We will all miss Krishna greatly. Please pray for his journey to greener pastures.
Krishna (on the right) and Balaram setting foot on ISCOWP ground for the very first time in 2004. |
Krishna (on the left) skinny and with large cuts. Balaram on the right. We were surprised at their condition when they arrived. |
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Krishna fattening up during the summer. |
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Amicable Krishna. |
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Balaram and Krishna (sitting down). |
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Krishna (with Balabhadra) and Balaram (with Lakshmi)received basic training by voice commands early in their lives. |
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Krishna and his friends during the fall of 2014. |
Advaita Acharya
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 November 2008, Lecture at Mamgachi)
We will just read something from the Caitanya Bhagavata. Srila Prabhupada said that the nature of scripture is that it is sweet on all sides so it does not matter where you begin, it is always sweet.
Lord Visvambhara looked at Advaita Acharya and said, “I have descended to this world in response to your vow and repeated worship. I was resting on the ocean of milk but your roaring woke Me up. You are so merciful that you could not bear to see the suffering of the conditioned living entities and so you summoned Me to alleviate their painful condition. All of these demigods, sages, devotees and associates have appeared in response to your call.”
Advaita Acharya had worshiped the Salagram Sila with Ganga-jal and Tulasi because he had read in the scriptures that the Lord said, “When you offer Me Ganga-jal and Tulasi, then there is nothing in My possession to repay such an offering. And thus all I can do is give Myself.” Thus, Advaita Acharya thought, “This is it! I will force the Lord to appear!” but he never knew that the Lord had appeared because for so many years Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained hidden.
No one knew that Nimai Pandita, the extraordinary scholar, was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. No one had any idea but at this point, where we are reading now, Lord Caitanya has just revealed to Advaita Acharya that He is the Supreme Lord so Advaita Acharya is in ecstasy.
Lifting his arms, Advaita Acharya responded, ‘Today my life has become successful. All of my dreams have been fulfilled. By seeing Your lotus feet, my birth has gained meaning. O Lord, who else but You could liberate all the living entities.” Tears rolled down Advaita Acharya’s cheeks as He spoke. “Now perform My worship,” the Lord said. Having received this instruction, Advaita Acharya began worshiping the Lord’s lotus feet in great ecstasy. First, he washed Visvambhara’s lotus feet, then he smeared scented oil on them. Next, he dipped tulasi-manjari’s into sandalwood paste and placed them on the Lord’s lotus feet. Advaita Acharya performed worship with flowers, frankincense and lamps while everyone glorified the Lord. While Advaita Acharya continued the worship, he chanted the verse, ‘O my Lord, You are well-wishers of the cows and the brahmanas indeed. You are the maintainer of the entire universe.’
Or the famous verse: namo brahmanya-devaya, go brahmana-hitaya ca, jagad-dhitaya krishnaya, govindaya namo namah. Advaita Acharya kept on repeating that mantra again and again while he was worshiping the Lord. So it is very interesting how that mantra is now so much part of our everyday life. At least a few times a day, we are chanting that mantra as if it is just another mantra and not realizing how intimate that mantra is to the Supreme Lord, how dear it is to the Lord and how essential it is to the pastimes of the Lord.
Staying with Krishna for the Long Haul by Finding Our Personal Mission and Potential Power—Part 1
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In my last blog I spoke of illness or difficulties that can be used to rekindle our spiritual practice. In this blog I am sharing a sample of what of what some friends and I have been discussing about regarding the difficulty in finding one’s personal power and life mission. In a general sense all Gaudiya Vaishnavas, or devotees of Shri Krishna Chaitanya, share the same ultimate mission of prema, or loving service to Krishna and the spiritual practices to obtain it, or sadhana. However, the details concerning how one lives their life to obtain this ultimate mission, whether as a renunciate or married person with countless occupational possibilities, is as varied as are the types of people who come to Krishna. We could think of a personal unique mission, and a general spiritual one. They may look the same or seem very different. Many years ago I discovered I had issues with my personal power—or my lack of it. Reading the comments of devotees on this subject, I realized that I’m not alone, and so the topic of personal mission and personal power is essential to discuss for our long term standing as devotees.
Reflecting on how I grew up in a family situation where I had to turn off my personal power in order in to survive in a negative, violent atmosphere, it is easy to see that using my personal power is a major life lesson. My withdrawal of energy, or not being very conscious of it, continued to cast a shadow over my life when I came to Krishna. At first it helped me focus on my spiritual practices, but later I was practically forced to become a more balanced and integrated devotee. I have always been a late bloomer and so it isn't surprising to me that it is only now, toward the later years of my life that I have found the gift in this personal deficiency. Of course, we all have our own time in becoming aware of what we need to do in our life. I'm endeavoring and praying to manifest my personal mission in the world—or my corner of it—as my offering for my gurus and Krishna, and to encourage others to do the same.
For the spiritually minded, life is really about managing our human energy in relationship to our spiritual path, and giving it shape according to our personal mission. Some intuitives call our personal mission our "sacred contract," and I have called it our "karmic mission."
Thursday, January 22nd, 2015
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What Do You Think?
In the morning Bhagavatam class, speaker Anuttama, touched on some good topics. Most topical was the subject of religious fanaticism. In every camp you have right wingers to the far extreme and it’s these people who are of the mindset to destroy.
The terroristic tendencies to be oppressive to an innocent public is the current concern worldwide. That type of spirit isn’t religious at all. I still recall Sheila Copps, a dignitary in Canadian politics say, “It has nothing to do with religion.,” in response to an arson act that destroyed Sita Ram deities in a demolished Hindu temple in Hamilton. I was there when she said it at a ceremony to lower the deity parts at the base of the harbor. Some fanatic decided that the peaceful temple was culturally connected to the 9-11 devastation in New York. Were they ever wrong!
I asked Anuttama after his class whether he had an opinion on what was worse – spiritual arrogance or regular mayic or materialistic arrogance (I also ventured to say that spiritual arrogance is like an oxymoron).
“Well, what do you think?” he asked.
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely!” And I expressed that when you put God behind your ego, you are worse off.
He nodded.
After his class I felt like I wanted to start an anti-fanatic walking crusade.
May the Source be with you!
4 KM
Wednesday, January 21st, 2015
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The Fabric Came
Nancy had come to drop off the material – fabric that was flowy, dreamy and meant to be used as a prop in the weekend production of “Blue Mystic”. Nancy I consider to be Miss Fabric herself because she deals with it all the time with her bridal boutique called “Gowns of Grace”.
She was telling me that gorgeous gowns had lost their lace in the sixties. Princess Diana then reintroduced fancy feminine dresses to the world. Her trail blazing the attire of glamour or perhaps grace is like Bruce Lee being credited for popularizing martial arts from the east.
I then though how our own guru, Prabhupada, set a trend for bringing kirtan to the west. He really did trail blaze and made an impact on the world, whether people are aware of it or not. I discussed this with my dear godbrother, Gunagrahi Goswami, and brought to his attention the article by journalist Brennan O’Connor who declared that we are all now Hare Krishnas. He admitted that Hare Krishna may not be mainstream, but all their ideas are.
What an honour it is to be a small component to the arrow head of the pioneering of Krishna Consciousness.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Tuesday, January 20th, 2015
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Tough guys!
Cowboys? No! I haven’t met any yet. But tough guys, yes. Pitbulls and other ferocious dogs are abundant, at least in the neighbourhood of Kalachandji’s Restaurant and Palace where our continental meetings are held. Meetings of sadhus or sages, both men and women, converge at Texas to discuss Krishna Consciousness.
Back to the pitbulls: young Brajananda, my monk companion and I, venture down this alleyway. It was daring for both of us to trek down this unused trail, uneven in terrain and overgrown with weeds, yet it became our opportunity for adventure.
We started to hear the snarls from the other side of the wooden fence. And then there were these fences that were of steel mesh where teeth and bark are clearly revealed. The look and bark of these boys coming from both sides of the alley way was rather intimidating. One particular canine stuck his aggressive head and paw through a hole in the fence and it was hair-raising because a little more push from him and he could have burst through. Thant would mean open game for us.
As Brajananda and I ambled along through that noisy trail of barkers, some emotional buttons including fear were pushed. Believe me, these were mean dogs who looked eager to tear us asunder. Tough guys made of muscle, hair and teeth, their arousals didn’t let up.
The alley way continued on but our journey had to come to an end. We veered off. We got our thrill for the day. I guess we were a little like stray dogs. All the fellows we met had masters.
Come to think of it, we are all dogs, servants to our Master? You know whom I’m talking about.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Monday, January 19th, 2015
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We Need The Holy Names
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HH Romapada Swami – Pastimes of Rama Lila / SB 9.10.5
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Bhagavatam-daily 100 – 11.08.16 – See analogy in the light of its purpose to avoid misunderstanding
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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:
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“Wintery” Harinama in Gamla Stan, Stockholms Län, Sweden (Album…
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"Wintery" Harinama in Gamla Stan, Stockholms Län, Sweden (Album 8 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The names of the Lord and the Lord are non-different. So Lord Krishna’s instructions to Arjuna to “remember Me” and Lord Caitanya’s injunction to “always chant the names of Lord Krishna” are the same instruction. (Bhagavad-gita, Introduction)
See them here: http://goo.gl/zfWqfK
BEAUTIFUL VASANT UTSAV DANCE …..at our MVT Gardens in…
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BEAUTIFUL VASANT UTSAV DANCE …..at our MVT Gardens in Vrindavana by Shatakshi Goyal and troupe. (Album 7 photos)
See them here: http://goo.gl/L4Yu0L
Christchurch Devotees
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The devotees in Christchurch have finally got resource consent from the city council to rebuild the temple, which had to be demolished a few years ago after the earthquake.
Harinama 22/1/2015 Tel-Aviv, Israel (Album 91 photos)
Srila…
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Harinama 22/1/2015 Tel-Aviv, Israel (Album 91 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Kirtan means sometimes chanting with music, and sometimes speaking. Both of them are kirtan. Kirtayati iti kirtanam. Whenever we glorify the Lord, that is called kirtan. The Srimad-Bhagavatam reading is also kirtan.
(Janmastami, Montreal, August 16, 1968)
See them here: http://goo.gl/cGGR9b
BBC: The hazards of too much stuff
Srila Prabhupada: Everyone…
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BBC: The hazards of too much stuff
Srila Prabhupada: Everyone requires possessions such as food grains, clothing, money and other things necessary for the maintenance of the body, but one should not collect more than necessary for his actual basic needs. If this natural principle is followed, there will be no difficulty in maintaining the body. According to scriptures, collecting of more than necessary (atyahara) is prohibited. Now the entire world is suffering because of it. (The Nectar of Instruction, 2)
Here is today’s article from BBC which presents practically the results of such over accumulation: http://goo.gl/kvlGx3
Auckland New Zealand Friday night ecstatic Harinam (Album 32…
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Auckland New Zealand Friday night ecstatic Harinam (Album 32 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: We have seen many philosophical speculators. They simply talk in the meetings and that’s all. And if we examine their private character it is less than ordinary. A person may be a nice speaker but will that help you in your spiritual realization? On the other hand, if you chant Hare Krishna, it will give you immediate results. (Lecture 1968, Los Angeles)
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The nectar and the challenges of book distribution (Part 2)
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Swansea istagosti.
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Radhadesh Mellows: Arrival 23-01-2015 (Album 58 photos)
Srila…
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Radhadesh Mellows: Arrival 23-01-2015 (Album 58 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport, Vidagdha-Madhava 1.12)
See them here: http://goo.gl/dWCZyi
Bhakti Groove (Album 15 photos)
SUBANG JAYA – Inspired by the…
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Bhakti Groove (Album 15 photos)
SUBANG JAYA - Inspired by the success of Kirtan Mela in Malaysia, the youths from Klang and Kuala Lumpur gathered at one of the youth’s home in Subang Jaya to start a monthly gathering of spiritual and fun bliss called “Bhakti Groove.”
Bhakti means devotion emphasizing the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee towards the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. Groove in the urban dictionary is an adjective describing a rhythmic quality of music that is emotionally communicative and soulful.
The combination of both words “Bhakti Groove” formed a mystical formula of invocation, assisting communion with Sri Krishna.
See them here: http://goo.gl/5QxSJP
27 Jan 2015 – Bhismastami
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From Kirtan Mela to Bhakti Groove
→ ISKCON Malaysia
SUBANG JAYA - Inspired by the success of Kirtan Mela in Malaysia, the youths from Klang and Kuala Lumpur gathered at one of the youth's home in Subang Jaya to start a monthly gathering of spiritual and fun bliss called "Bhakti Groove."
Bhakti means devotion emphasizing the mutual intense emotional attachment and love of a devotee towards the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. Groove in the urban dictionary is an adjective describing a rhythmic quality of music that is emotionally communicative and soulful.
The combination of both words "Bhakti Groove" formed a mystical formula of invocation, assisting communion with Sri Krishna.
The enthusiastic youths began the session with kirtan from Rasika, a devotee from France who was visiting Kuala Lumpur, and was followed by Gauravani Dasa who kept the youth singing out loudly the names of the Lord with all their hearts to the music tempo.
Gadadhara Pandit Dasa then shared the sweet pastimes he had with HH BB Govinda Swami during the Kirtan Mela that was organized, his experience preaching in the prison, encouraging words and anecdotes he received from HH Jayapataka Swami and HH Radhanath Swami, all which emphasized the urgent need for the youth to take up the mission of Caitanya's seriously and to inundate the world with the message of Godhead. And he said it should all begin with preaching to as many people they meet about Krishna Consciousness.
After a good meal with spagetti with tomato sauce, pasta with creamy white sauce plus spinach, potato gnocchi, quesadilla, chocolate cake, blueberry cupcakes, peanut cookies and local delicacies, the very vibrant youth then played an interactive game called "George", which was Krishna-ized and called, "Krishna", which brought about peals of laughter and formed an even stronger bond among them.
Mangala Arati Iskcon London
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Mangala Arati Iskcon London
Prabhupada’s Vision for New Vrindaban: Simple Living
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“It may be an ideal village where the residents will have plain living and high thinking.” – Srila Prabhupada, June 1968
Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.
January 24th, 2015 – Vasant Panchami Darshan
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Join us with your family & friends for this Sunday, January 25th 2015 from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Hear and associate with His Grace Ananda Gauranga Dasa.
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Gita 05.02 – The path that takes us away from bondage fastest is the best
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
Gita 05.01 – Understand meanings of terms from context, not from preconception
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast
Gita 04.42 – Win the inner war with spiritual knowledge and fight the outer war
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
Gita 04.41 – Knowledge and faith can be symbiotic
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
HG Vaisesika Dasa Adhikari / SB 5.15.7
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Gita 04.40 – Don’t let doubts deprive you of happiness
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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:
Join Us for the 3rd Anniversary of Tuesday Sanga!
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Since January of 2012, your ISKCON Toronto Temple has been hosting "sangas" which consist of an evening gathering which includes reading, chanting, interactive discussions as well as a feast. Sanga is nice weekday retreat that offers more intimate association than the hustle & bustle of our weekly Sunday Feast and a great we to reinvigorate your week.
Please join us this Tuesday for our special 3rd Anniversary celebrations and, of course, you are welcome to join us for any Tuesday! We hope to see you soon!
Seminar: Nectar of Instruction – Feb 8, 2015
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Across five centuries comes this incredible guidebook of essential spiritual teachings. How to choose a guru, how to practice yoga, even where to live — you'll find it all in Nectar of Instruction, originally written in Sanskrit by Rupa Goswami, the greatest spiritual genius of medieval India. Translated and illuminated by Srila Prabhupada, the Nectar of Instruction is the key to enlightenment for all seekers on the path of spiritual perfection.
From 10am to 3pm, everyone is invited to come to the to Hare Krishna Temple for a special course which will unpack the wisdom from the Nectar of Instruction. Lunch prasadam will be served, hence the request for participants to register - so that we can plan for lunch. The course will be facilitated by Uttamananda Krsna das, our resident scholar and brahmacari! His recent travels took him to India wherein he completed his Bhakti Sastri degree from the Vrndavan Institute for Higher Education (VIHE),
The course is free of cost but donations are accepted! If you would like to attend this course, please complete the course registration form below:
Bringing peace
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 September 2014, Durban, South Africa, Sunday Feast Lecture)
Srila Prabhupada was working and still he was very conscious of Krsna. As a householder, in 1944, in the middle of the war, he produced ‘The Back to Godhead’ magazine’. That was not easy, in fact it was very difficult because it was hard to get the money and it was even harder to get the paper because paper was controlled by the army.
Prabhupada went to an army officer and he said, “Sir, I need paper to print my magazine.” The officer said, “We are very sorry Mr De. It is very nice that you are doing such a thing, but at the moment there is a war and all the paper is reserved for the purpose of the war. Because at the moment, our paper mills are not running and we may run out of paper and we just really need to keep this paper for military purposes – for the war.”
Prabhupada said, “Exactly, therefore you must give me paper because my newspaper will bring peace. It will bring an end to the war.” In 1944, Srila Prabhupada produced ‘The Back to Godhead’ magazine and he got the paper from that officer.