The English word religion is a little different from the Sanskrit word dharma. Religion conveys the idea of faith, and faith may change. One may have faith in a particular process, and he may change this faith and adopt another, but dharma refers to that activity which cannot be changed. For instance, liquidity and heat are essential characteristics of water and fire respectively. Without these qualities, fire and water can not exist. Similarly, the eternal function of the eternal living entity cannot be taken from the living entity. Dharma is eternally integral part of the living entity. That which is eternal, which has neither end nor beginning, must not be sectarian, for it cannot be limited by any boundaries. Dharma is the business of all the people of the world—nay, of all the living entities of the universe.
A particular religious faith may have some beginning in the annals of human history, but there is no beginning to the history of dharma, because it remains eternally with the living entities. Insofar as the living entities are concerned, the authoritative scriptures state that the living entity has neither birth nor death. In the Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the living entity is never born and that it never dies. He is eternal and indestructible, and he continues to live after the destruction of his temporary material body. In reference to the concept of dharma, we must try to understand the concept of religion from the Sanskrit root meaning of the word. Dharma refers to that which is constantly existing with a particular object. We conclude that there is heat and light along with the fire; without heat and light, there is no meaning to the word fire. Similarly, we must discover the essential part of the living being, that part which is his constant companion. That constant companion is his eternal quality, and that eternal quality is his eternal religion or dharma.
The English word religion is a little different from the Sanskrit word dharma. Religion conveys the idea of faith, and faith may change. One may have faith in a particular process, and he may change this faith and adopt another, but dharma refers to that activity which cannot be changed. For instance, liquidity and heat are essential characteristics of water and fire respectively. Without these qualities, fire and water can not exist. Similarly, the eternal function of the eternal living entity cannot be taken from the living entity. Dharma is eternally integral part of the living entity. That which is eternal, which has neither end nor beginning, must not be sectarian, for it cannot be limited by any boundaries. Dharma is the business of all the people of the world—nay, of all the living entities of the universe.
A particular religious faith may have some beginning in the annals of human history, but there is no beginning to the history of dharma, because it remains eternally with the living entities. Insofar as the living entities are concerned, the authoritative scriptures state that the living entity has neither birth nor death. In the Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the living entity is never born and that it never dies. He is eternal and indestructible, and he continues to live after the destruction of his temporary material body. In reference to the concept of dharma, we must try to understand the concept of religion from the Sanskrit root meaning of the word. Dharma refers to that which is constantly existing with a particular object. We conclude that there is heat and light along with the fire; without heat and light, there is no meaning to the word fire. Similarly, we must discover the essential part of the living being, that part which is his constant companion. That constant companion is his eternal quality, and that eternal quality is his eternal religion or dharma.
Self Care Tips to stay Jolly During the Holiday Season
As we are in the midst of the holiday season, you might find yourself so much in the spirit of giving that you neglect your own self care and end up drained, stressed, or exhausted. This article will suggest ways in which you can care for yourself throughout the holidays, and will also touch upon the meaning of self care and what actually is the meaning of self.
Spiritual seekers are taught to be givers, compassionate, and caring of others. We may worry that taking time for self care comes in the realm of selfishness, especially during this holiday season of giving. You may think, I will just bake one more fruit cake to give to a friend, write one more Christmas card, or I will attend one more holiday party, when really inside you are running on empty. We must remember that self care is not selfishness in the negative sense of the word. In order to really be of service to others, we need to be fit, healthy, and of a balanced mind ourselves.
On that note, if you find your batteries running low during your third round of holiday shopping, or while baking that fourth batch of holiday cookies, take a step back and try the following holiday self care techniques:
1) Take inventory of your diet. It is ok to say a polite “no thank you” to all those holiday treats at work. It is not about watching your waistline, but about fueling your body with the proper energy sources (whole grains, fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables, etc.) and minimizing the high sugar, artificial foods. At a party, accept a small sampling to be polite if needed, but stick to small portions of the sweets which can give you a short term sugar high but a bigger energy crash later. One tip is to fill your stomach with healthy snacks and vegetables before attending a party so that saying “no thanks” to the sweets will be easier. Avoid crash diets or the binging and purging cycle, but rather take time to eat healthy and balanced meals mindfully while sitting down, to keep your batteries running strong during the holiday season.
2) Take a spa day (or hour). If the holiday season seems to be go, go, go, schedule into your calendar some self care time, be it a trip to the spa, a massage, restorative yoga class, day at the beach, journaling, or any other healthy and relaxing activity. If you are always on the move, literally pencil this self care time into your calendar. If your mind starts screaming at you about your mile long to do list, gently allow your intelligence to inform your mind that you will be more productive after taking some rejuvenation time.
3) Exercise! Exercise reduces stress and renews energy; so, do not neglect your regular workout schedule during this busy time of year. If time is short you can at the very least go for a brisk walk, do some sit ups at home, or turn on your favorite music and take a dance break.
4) Meditate and breathe. Nothing helps bring a frenzied mind back to feeling grounded and calm like some meditation time. Whether you have a morning breathing practice (see page ? for one suggested calming breathing exercise), silent meditation practice, prayer or mindfulness session, mantra practice or visualization, starting the day with meditation (or taking a mindfulness break during a busy day) can help us step back and see the bigger picture of life and not get stressed out by the little details.
Meditation can also help us turn inwards and get in touch with the spiritual aspect of the holidays. After all, Jesus Christ did say to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Let’s not neglect the loving ourselves part. This takes us to our last point of discussion on what really is self care in the spiritual sense. In order to care of the self, we need to know who the self is. Caring for the health of our bodies and minds is essential, as the body is a vehicle for us to move around in this world, and the mind a more subtle aspect of ourselves which can become our own best friend or worst enemy depending on our ability to guide our thoughts accordingly. However our bodies and mind change, our sense of self is constant. As Miley Cyrus recently posted on her Instagram account a photo from the Bhagavad Gita, our bodies were once in the baby form, but then grew, but inside there is a spark of consciousness or sense of self identity that remains constant throughout our lives despite our physical transformations. This spiritual spark, according to the Bhagavad Gita and other authentic spiritual texts, IS the real self.
How do we care for this true self, the spirit soul? That is a very large topic of discussion, but as a basic introduction, any activities that connect the self to its source, to the Supreme Soul, or God (known as Krishna among many other names), is an act of spiritual self care. Praying, hearing from authentic sources about God, glorifying Him, remembering Him, serving Him and His devotees, and offering one’s heart to Him in love, are all spiritual activities that enliven and bring happiness to the permanent self. Chanting the Maha Mantra, which is a form of prayer and meditation combined, is a very simple, free, and easy method of engaging in self care, and connecting to this source of pure love. The mantra is as follows:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
and is a call to be engaged in spiritual service. This form of meditation also has the favorable side effects of focusing and grounding the mind, helping one become more present, and bringing a sense of inner happiness and fulfillment to the self. You can chant anytime – either as a more structured sit down form of meditation on meditation beads, while walking, while engaged in other activities like cooking, cleaning, working, or shopping, or you can sing the mantra alone or with a group accompanied by musical instruments. You can even engage in self care by finding some youtube links of the beautiful Maha Mantra and simply listen to this meditation while performing your other holiday related duties. Additionally, you can take a break and visit your local Krishna temple or other place of worship for some spiritual self care during this busy holiday season in order to connect with the original meaning of these holy-days (holidays).
In summary, amidst your shopping marathon, string of holiday parties, pageants, and performances, take some time out for self care. Eat healthfully, plan some self nurturing time, exercise, and meditate or pray, and in this way keep your body, mind, and yourself – the spirit- in a balanced, energized, healthy, and happy state during the holidays. Your sense of calm will then rub off on others, and you will then be sharing actual holiday joy and cheer, rather than just barely getting through the season while feeling stressed and tired.
Self Care Tips to stay Jolly During the Holiday Season
As we are in the midst of the holiday season, you might find yourself so much in the spirit of giving that you neglect your own self care and end up drained, stressed, or exhausted. This article will suggest ways in which you can care for yourself throughout the holidays, and will also touch upon the meaning of self care and what actually is the meaning of self.
Spiritual seekers are taught to be givers, compassionate, and caring of others. We may worry that taking time for self care comes in the realm of selfishness, especially during this holiday season of giving. You may think, I will just bake one more fruit cake to give to a friend, write one more Christmas card, or I will attend one more holiday party, when really inside you are running on empty. We must remember that self care is not selfishness in the negative sense of the word. In order to really be of service to others, we need to be fit, healthy, and of a balanced mind ourselves.
On that note, if you find your batteries running low during your third round of holiday shopping, or while baking that fourth batch of holiday cookies, take a step back and try the following holiday self care techniques:
1) Take inventory of your diet. It is ok to say a polite “no thank you” to all those holiday treats at work. It is not about watching your waistline, but about fueling your body with the proper energy sources (whole grains, fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables, etc.) and minimizing the high sugar, artificial foods. At a party, accept a small sampling to be polite if needed, but stick to small portions of the sweets which can give you a short term sugar high but a bigger energy crash later. One tip is to fill your stomach with healthy snacks and vegetables before attending a party so that saying “no thanks” to the sweets will be easier. Avoid crash diets or the binging and purging cycle, but rather take time to eat healthy and balanced meals mindfully while sitting down, to keep your batteries running strong during the holiday season.
2) Take a spa day (or hour). If the holiday season seems to be go, go, go, schedule into your calendar some self care time, be it a trip to the spa, a massage, restorative yoga class, day at the beach, journaling, or any other healthy and relaxing activity. If you are always on the move, literally pencil this self care time into your calendar. If your mind starts screaming at you about your mile long to do list, gently allow your intelligence to inform your mind that you will be more productive after taking some rejuvenation time.
3) Exercise! Exercise reduces stress and renews energy; so, do not neglect your regular workout schedule during this busy time of year. If time is short you can at the very least go for a brisk walk, do some sit ups at home, or turn on your favorite music and take a dance break.
4) Meditate and breathe. Nothing helps bring a frenzied mind back to feeling grounded and calm like some meditation time. Whether you have a morning breathing practice (see page ? for one suggested calming breathing exercise), silent meditation practice, prayer or mindfulness session, mantra practice or visualization, starting the day with meditation (or taking a mindfulness break during a busy day) can help us step back and see the bigger picture of life and not get stressed out by the little details.
Meditation can also help us turn inwards and get in touch with the spiritual aspect of the holidays. After all, Jesus Christ did say to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Let’s not neglect the loving ourselves part. This takes us to our last point of discussion on what really is self care in the spiritual sense. In order to care of the self, we need to know who the self is. Caring for the health of our bodies and minds is essential, as the body is a vehicle for us to move around in this world, and the mind a more subtle aspect of ourselves which can become our own best friend or worst enemy depending on our ability to guide our thoughts accordingly. However our bodies and mind change, our sense of self is constant. As Miley Cyrus recently posted on her Instagram account a photo from the Bhagavad Gita, our bodies were once in the baby form, but then grew, but inside there is a spark of consciousness or sense of self identity that remains constant throughout our lives despite our physical transformations. This spiritual spark, according to the Bhagavad Gita and other authentic spiritual texts, IS the real self.
How do we care for this true self, the spirit soul? That is a very large topic of discussion, but as a basic introduction, any activities that connect the self to its source, to the Supreme Soul, or God (known as Krishna among many other names), is an act of spiritual self care. Praying, hearing from authentic sources about God, glorifying Him, remembering Him, serving Him and His devotees, and offering one’s heart to Him in love, are all spiritual activities that enliven and bring happiness to the permanent self. Chanting the Maha Mantra, which is a form of prayer and meditation combined, is a very simple, free, and easy method of engaging in self care, and connecting to this source of pure love. The mantra is as follows:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
and is a call to be engaged in spiritual service. This form of meditation also has the favorable side effects of focusing and grounding the mind, helping one become more present, and bringing a sense of inner happiness and fulfillment to the self. You can chant anytime – either as a more structured sit down form of meditation on meditation beads, while walking, while engaged in other activities like cooking, cleaning, working, or shopping, or you can sing the mantra alone or with a group accompanied by musical instruments. You can even engage in self care by finding some youtube links of the beautiful Maha Mantra and simply listen to this meditation while performing your other holiday related duties. Additionally, you can take a break and visit your local Krishna temple or other place of worship for some spiritual self care during this busy holiday season in order to connect with the original meaning of these holy-days (holidays).
In summary, amidst your shopping marathon, string of holiday parties, pageants, and performances, take some time out for self care. Eat healthfully, plan some self nurturing time, exercise, and meditate or pray, and in this way keep your body, mind, and yourself – the spirit- in a balanced, energized, healthy, and happy state during the holidays. Your sense of calm will then rub off on others, and you will then be sharing actual holiday joy and cheer, rather than just barely getting through the season while feeling stressed and tired.
One form of a breathing exercise that can help you destress, and feel calm, grounded, and balanced during the holiday season (or any time of year) is alternate nostril breathing. This breathing exercises helps to balance the left and right (lunar and solar) pathways of breath in the body and instantly calms and focuses the mind.
Sit comfortably in a place free from distractions. Sit with a straight spine as much as possible, or use support for the spine if needed. Rest your left hand comfortably in your lap, or in jnana mudra with the thumb and index finger touching and the remaining three fingers extended. This is the mudra, or hand position, of knowledge and wisdom. Close eyes and turn attention inward.
Make a loose fist with your right hand. Keeping index and middle finger folded into the palm, extend the ring finger and thumb. Plug right nostril with your thumb and inhale through left nostril for a slow count of three. Keep thumb plugging right nostril while you plug left nostril with your ring finger and hold breath calmly for a slow count of 9. While holding breath, keep face and jaw relaxed and keep your inner gaze at your third eye, your point of intuition between the eyebrows. Release thumb while still plugging left nostril with ring finger, and exhale right nostril for a count of 6. Repeat on the other side by inhaling right for 3, holding breath while plugging both nostrils for 9, and exhaling left for 6. Continue – inhale left for 3, hold for 9, exhale right for 6, etc. for five minutes. Then return breathing to normal with eyes closed, and simply observe the calming effects on the mind.
You can make counts shorter or longer but the ratio should be 1-3-2, and should be as long as possible without straining.
“This breathing exercise helps to balance the left and right (lunar and solar) pathways of breath in the body and instantly calms and focuses the mind.”
One form of a breathing exercise that can help you destress, and feel calm, grounded, and balanced during the holiday season (or any time of year) is alternate nostril breathing. This breathing exercises helps to balance the left and right (lunar and solar) pathways of breath in the body and instantly calms and focuses the mind.
Sit comfortably in a place free from distractions. Sit with a straight spine as much as possible, or use support for the spine if needed. Rest your left hand comfortably in your lap, or in jnana mudra with the thumb and index finger touching and the remaining three fingers extended. This is the mudra, or hand position, of knowledge and wisdom. Close eyes and turn attention inward.
Make a loose fist with your right hand. Keeping index and middle finger folded into the palm, extend the ring finger and thumb. Plug right nostril with your thumb and inhale through left nostril for a slow count of three. Keep thumb plugging right nostril while you plug left nostril with your ring finger and hold breath calmly for a slow count of 9. While holding breath, keep face and jaw relaxed and keep your inner gaze at your third eye, your point of intuition between the eyebrows. Release thumb while still plugging left nostril with ring finger, and exhale right nostril for a count of 6. Repeat on the other side by inhaling right for 3, holding breath while plugging both nostrils for 9, and exhaling left for 6. Continue – inhale left for 3, hold for 9, exhale right for 6, etc. for five minutes. Then return breathing to normal with eyes closed, and simply observe the calming effects on the mind.
You can make counts shorter or longer but the ratio should be 1-3-2, and should be as long as possible without straining.
“This breathing exercise helps to balance the left and right (lunar and solar) pathways of breath in the body and instantly calms and focuses the mind.”
Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 10, No. 23 By Krishna-kripa das (December 2014, part one)
New York City and Stuyvesant Falls (Sent from Gainesville, Florida, on January 3, 2015)
Where I Went and What I Did
On December 1, I took the Chinese bus from Jacksonville toNew York City to save money, and it was a pretty austere 19 hours, though scheduled to be17. I was still able to do 3 hours of harinamawhenI arrived the next day. Then I spent the rest of the first half of December with the New York City Harinam party, doing nearly 6 hours of harinama each day in different subway stationsexcept for December 6.. That day I went with Rama Raya and Bhagavatananda Prabhu of the party and a couple other disciples, to Stuyvesant Falls, New York, to celebrate the Vyasa Puja of our diksa guru, Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami.
One night I gave a lecture at Atmanivedana Prabhu's program at 26 Second Avenue, and I am always happy to see the enthusiasm of the devotees who come to and maintain it. I also gave a lecture at Krishna Balaram temple in Queens, where I am greatly impressed to see the enthusiasm of the devotees for the congregational chanting. On the A train back to Brooklyn, I encountered three young Afro-Americans from the Bronx who had also come to the Queens program and who were very happy to chant kirtana with me until I got off the train at Utica Avenue, greatly inspiring me.
I share a quote from a Srila Prabhupada lecture, notes on Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami's Vyasa Puja address, and some homages by his disciples, and notes on lectures by senior devotees at the Harinam Ashram, namely Abhiram Prabhu, Laksmi Nrsimha Prabhu, Rama Raya Prabhu, Janmastami Prabhu (in transit from Mayapur to Florida), and Lilananda Prabhu (visiting from Italy).
Thanks to Kaliya Krishna Prabhu, who always makes sure I have enough money to ride the New York subways. Thanks to the devotees at 26 Second Avenue for their kind donation. Thanks to Bhakta John for driving us up to Stuyvesant Falls for Vyasa Puja.
Itinerary
January 3 – April 8: Florida (Gainesville, Alachua, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Tampa)
April 9–11: Washington, D.C.
April 12: Albany
April 13–15: New York City
April 16: Toronto
April 17–24: Ireland
New York City Harinam
Because of the cold and wet weather and because the Christmas Market took over our spot at Union Square, we chanted in the subway stations during the first half of December.
The Atlantic Avenue – Barclays Center station in Brooklyn is a new one for us, and we started chanting there for the first time in November 2014. In the beginning, people did not know what to make of us, but as time went by they became more favorable. According to Wikipedia, it is the busiest subway station in Brooklyn because the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, and the 5trains all stop there and also the Long Island Railroad.
Even a police lady was seen moving to our music.
A kid gave a donation and got a pamphlet.
Ishvari Jahnava dd, originally from Russia and visiting from Vancouver, developed so much love and respect for the party seeing them online, she decided to come and render service. Here she played a lively tune on the accordion, getting Madhavi dd to dance.
Later a man joined in the dancing.
Another man was attracted by the presentation.
Others also danced with us there.
You can get a feel for the scene at Atlantic Avenue – Barclays Center from this video where Rama Raya Prabhu is singing (http://youtu.be/sHQgI_5WrrI):
We also chant at 42ndStreet - Times Square subway station, said to be the busiest station in the whole New York City subway system. There the A, C, E, N,Q, R, 1, 2, 3, and 7trains meet, as well as the Times Square shuttle,and there also is the Port Authority Bus Station.
Sometimes people dance with us.
Sometimes they play the gong.
Sometimes they play the shakers.
Sometimes they take photos of themselves with the Hare Krishnas.
Onceat Times Square, Bhagavatananda Prabhu noticed a Christian was approaching him. Before the Christian had a chance to open his mouth, Bhagavatananda Prabhu said to him with a smile, “Hey brother, Jesus loves you!” The guy was caught off guard, was a little frustrated that Bhagavatananda had stolen his line, and complained through his little sound system that we did not understandabout the love of Jesus.
Jackson Heights, which is populated by a lot of Indians, other Asians, and Hispanics, is where we get the most people to stay for some and listen to our kirtana. There we sing in the Roosevelt Avenue – Jackson Heights subway station, the warmest of all the ones where we sing.
When Rama Raya Prabhu sings with unparalleled enthusiasm, often we get a crowd listening (http://youtu.be/onuwal3PHlo):
There we chant just near the stairs leading down to the subway, and when the trains come in, lots of people pass by us as you can see in this video, in which a local guitarist also joined us (http://youtu.be/GqTks5cMtPQ):
Because we sing at Union Square in the good weather, we are generally well received also in the Union Square subway station.
Here one man who received a pamphlet read it immediately.
If Madhavi dd can find another girl, like Clarissa, to join her, then she will become inspired to dance.
Lee, although 70 years old, often will come and play the flute at Union Square.
Rama Raya Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna to the “Jingle Bells” tune and a passerby in a Christmas costume danced (http://youtu.be/zWsbKxgq4c4):
Michael Collins, who I know from chanting together in Gainesville, sometimes sings with us. Here he sings a lively tune at Union Square (http://youtu.be/znTvqEkBdTA):
One kid enjoyed dancing to the Hare Krishna music so much his mom had great difficulty dragging him away (http://youtu.be/pd_z-ddSoZg):
Ishvari Jahnava dd describes a wonderful incident at Union Square which I missed, having left early to give a lecture in Queens: “On December 14 a six-year-old could not pass us by . . . she stayed with us dancing and playing a shaker. And then she started to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra,reading it from the card with her dancing sister. And when her dad came to pick her up she confidently took a card with the maha-mantrafrom the book table and handed it to her dad making him to chant with her. I could not believe my eyes . . . ” You can see some of this in her video if you have access to Facebook:
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami, one of the early disciples of Srila Prabhupada, most famous for having written his authorized biography, Srila Prabhupada-lilamrita, was born seventy-five years ago, and his disciples observed the standard Vyasa-puja celebration in his honor. There were more people there than usual.
In this picture, he wears the string of red beads that Srila Prabhupada chanted on at his initiation in 1966.
He gave a talk and people read homages. The oldest disciples, beginning from those initiated in 1978 read their offerings first. There were so many disciple those initiated in 1983, like myself did not get speak.I will include my offering below, which I had written, after the others.
When I came up to get a copy of the the third and final volume of his autobiography, The Story of My Life, I told Guru Maharaja that I had put my Vyasa Puja offering in the book of offerings that the devotees had given him, but I had forgotten a couple things. In his daily journal, he often writes, “I called out to Krishna because without His blessings I cannot do japaon my own endeavor. ” I told him I liked that sentiment when I initially read it, but it took two weeks or so before I was able to consistently pray like that every day, but now I can and I think it helps. I also told him, “Because you have faith in the holy name, we are able to have faith in the holy name, and because you have faith in Srila Prabhupada, we are able to have faith in Srila Prabhupada. Thank you.” He was pleased to hear that.
I saw Satya Devi, the wife of Ramabhadra Prabhu, the temple president of Radha Govinda Mandir, at Vyasa Puja for the first time in quite a while. She came with a friend, Lalita Devi, and they were glad that they came.
Satya gave Guru Maharaja a garland from Govinda in Brooklyn.
Guru Maharaja took off his previous garland and gave it to her.
The prasadam was awesome as usual, and there was plenty of it. Baladeva Vidyabhusana Prabhu's spinach and panirwas very tasty, and his sweet rice was wonderful.
There was a winter festival that night in Hudson, the largest city nearby, and we hoped chant there with our instruments afterward. It was a cold and wet night, however, and no one except me still wanted to go out chanting. I thought we should have chanted one time down the street despite the bad weather conditions because there is so much benefit in it for all concerned.
Doughnut Plant
Part of my relationship with my niece, Fern, and my sister, Karen, is to go to the Doughnut Plant, the prasadam business run by Hare Krishna devotee Mark Israel, which has just opened a new location in Brooklyn, at 245 Flatbush Avenue. We always go to the one in the Chelsea Hotel, which is generally closer to where we are.
Here Fern and Karen are happy after doughnuts and hot chocolate with vegan marshmallows, a favorite.
“Srimad-Bhagavatamis filled with descriptions of the characteristics of various devotees, with reference to the service of the Lord. This Vedic literature is called Bhagavatambecause it deals with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee. By studying Srimad-Bhagavatamunder the direction of the bona fide spiritual master, one can perfectly understand the science of Krishna, the nature of the material and spiritual worlds, and the aim of life. Srimad-Bhagavatam amalam puraṇam. Srimad-Bhagavatamis the spotless Vedic literature, as we have discussed in the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Therefore, simply by understanding Srimad-Bhagavatam, one can understand the science of the activities of the devotees, the activities of the demons, the permanent abode and the temporary abode. Through Srimad-Bhagavatam, everything is perfectly known.”
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:
Ravindra Svarupa's book on Srila Prabhupada as founder-acarya is well researched and worth reading. I recommend it to everyone.
I am a Prabhupada cela, although I have disciples. I instruct them to read his books.
Regarding my book Readings in Vedic Literature, Srila Prabhupada told me, “You having quoted the rascals without becoming contaminated.”
When I inquired from Srila Prabhupada about writing he replied, “Persons like the Goswamis wrote so many books, and so I am writing. My disciples will also write. Unlimited books can be written without deviating from the original source.”
Srila Prabhupda advised, “We should assimilate and present in our own words.”
The goal of the devotee artist is glorify Krishna with heartfelt expression.
Prabhupada Smaranam is one of my favorite books.
The BBT in Russia has printed Prabhupada,Readings in Vedic Literature, and Narada-bhakti-sutra. They are also printing the full length Srila Prabhupada-lilamrita.
Devamrita Swami wrote me greatly appreciating Prabhupada Smaranam, how the book draws you into it and shares beautiful insights about Srila Prabhupada, and you cannot put it down.
My disciples and I are a family within in the family of ISKCON. There are no temples of my disciples, but they can unite around my books. Some disciples who teach seminars use my books.
Chanting japa is a very personal connection with the spiritual master. It is the one vow you made to me, to Prabhupada, to the Deity, to the fire. Japais becoming increasingly the essence of my Krishna conscious bhajana.
From “Free Writing in ISKCON”:
Telling them “Not quarreling or fault finding.”
Bowing down before him, feeling surrender in your bones.
Prabhupada gave it [the danda, the staff of one in the renounced order of life] to you with the instruction, “Preach, preach, preach.”
Srila Prabhupada said Bhaktivinoda Thakura's desire was fulfilled when Bengalis and Westerners chanted Hare Krishna together.
Prabhupada was satisfied whether I was in Boston, Dallas, or traveling.
From “Vani and Vapu”:
It became different when there was only vani[Srila Prabhupada's instruction] and not vapu [Srila Prabhupada's personal presence].I had a Prabhupada murti[worshipable statue]to keep in touch.
As you get older you do fewervarieties of service. You do japa,read, and write. You hope Srila Prabhupada is pleased with you.
I experienced sweet weeks of living like a sadhu in Vrindavan.
One is invited to do fiction by the acaryas who have written fiction [like Bhaktivinoda Thakura].
I decided to end this series called The Story of My Life because it may seem egotistical to have so many volumes with that title. I will create a new series with the working title Looking Backwards. Rupa Vilasa my proofreader suggested I abbreviate it to Looking Back, and explain in the introduction the reason. I want to review the books I have written in my life.
Offerings:
Disciples from 1978:
Janmastami Prabhu:
I had the honor of garlanding you when you came for the first time to 55thStreet in New York. I was thrilled. You spoke on Srila Prabhupada's mood and the maya sukhaya [illusory happiness] verse. You have always talked about the chanting. You would say that Srila Prabhupada said we should use our best intelligence to chant Hare Krishna. And throughout our relationship you have always emphasized the chanting, and I am so grateful for that.
In Mayapur Suresvara Prabhu talked to all the devotees about Srila Prabhupada from Lilamritatoday, your Vyasa Puja day.
Brahma-sampradaya Prabhu:
You say you do not travel, but you are traveling all around the world every day by your web site.
Syama Gopa Rupa Devi:
I first heard you speak dispelling doubts arising by Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto5, Part 2. I was impressed by your pure devotion to Srila Prabhupada and his presentation of Vedic Cosmology.
You publish your daily journal which is honest and transparent.
I am blessed to be able to assist you publishing your writings.
We are an eternal spiritual family, and yet we do not know each other so much, so we should get together more.
Mukta-vandya Prabhu:
I was always fried about a lot of things, but when I heard you were going to be the guru for the devotees in Boston, I was happy because I had experienced you before.
You say for those who were first initiated by Prabhupada, they could take you as spiritual master or not, and I decided I would. Later disciples of Srila Prabhupada could not easily have his association, but if they were brought in my you or TKG, they could come right in. I feel if I am with you I will be with Prabhupada.
Samika Rsi Prabhu:
You said guru is like father and disciple is like son.
You lovingly taught us how to chant the gayatrimantra.
My mother wanted some material blessings for her son, and you explained the spiritual master is just for spiritual blessings.
You would write notes to Anarta, my wife, about what you wanted to eat, and that was a very personal connection.
Haridasa Prabhu:
You spoke in Dallas after Srila Prabhupada's leaving.
One cannot think of you without thinking of Srila Prabhupada, and one cannot think of Srila Prabhupada without thinking about Krishna.
Disciples from 1979:
Haryasva Prabhu:
I wanted to know and love Srila Prabhupada. And you have given me that, and are giving me that more and more.
You have given me a family of wonderful godbrothers and godsisters.
I have always felt love from you. The same as I felt from my mother except this is better.
Your books are a treasure. I understand more your enthusiasm to distribute them.
Lila-avatara dd:
I appreciate how you stress chanting the holy names.
Once you told me, “If you cannot chant on your beads, chant in your mind, but do not forget the chanting.”
We want to emulate you by giving others so many things to benefit their spiritual lives.
I find by the chanting I forget about the pains of illness.
Your pictures and drawings of devotees dancing with upraised arms make me happy.
A person who chants japaand worships Madhusudana attains the spiritual kingdom.
Baladeva from Trinidad:
We are celebrating your almost 50 years of service to Srila Prabhupada.
Laksmi Narayana Prabhu:
Even disciples of other gurus glorify your books for inspiring them in spiritual life.
Kirtan Rasa Prabhu:
Pray to Krishna I may always go along with you. Pray to Krishna for your health and long life. Do not think it is selfish.
Vishnu Aradhanam Prabhu:
Thank you for your tapes, books, and website for telling us about Krishna and His holy name.
Kalki Devi:
“YOU ARE My INSPIRATION. You inspire me by the description of your feelings when you write about your chanting sessions.”
“So many human beings have been touched by these writings which are coming from your heart.”
“You share so much of yourself in many ways, and therefore this helps to bring us (your disciples) closer together under your shelter.”
“I just pray I can follow even in a small way your example and make this lifetime successful.”
When I see Radha-Damodara I think of you. You are together in my mind.
Disciples of 1980:
Bhagavatananda Prabhu:
I heard Srila Prabhupada had just left and there were new spiritual masters and one was coming. I returned and heard you. Sitting way in the back, I could hardly hear. I heard you was coming again. I returned and also sat in the back and did not really hear or understand. When I left the room and hit the street, I recalled that being in your association was so peaceful, quite unlike the street scene I was entering.
You gave me the service of preaching in Jamaica, and I am not done with it.
Your disciples are very powerful.
That Jada Bharata Prabhu left us. I think he was the first of us to go. We should take note that we also will go, and we should associate while we can.
I have been with Rama Raya Prabhu his party. To be in the association of like minded people chanting Hare Krishna in New York, I am refreshed and invigorated like the old days and optimistic about the future of ISKCON. I am inspired you have produced disciples like that.
Disciples from 1981:
It was my great, great fortune that you were my zonal acarya.
When you give a class, you are giving us Krishna in a very direct way.
You wrote me once, “Janmastami [your leader on the book distribution party] is not your spiritual master.”
Rama Raya Prabhu:
That you have wonderful disciples doing things all over the world is evidence of your position as a bona fide spiritual master. You have led the way for all the devotees in ISKCON, stressing the chanting of the holy name. Many of your godbrothers are inspired in that way following your example. Srila Prabhupada said it is the first duty of a sannyasi to give a literary contribution, but you have given many, many literary contributions, and these are lasting contributions.
I am very inspired by your realization of the harinama. You are inspiring us in that.
Krishna-kripa das:
“You teach by your glorious example to put the japa of the holy names as a top priority by rising early and doing the bulk of your japa before other things. 'Of all the instructions of the spiritual master, the order to chant sixteen rounds is essential.'You always strive to improve the quality of your chanting, especially in attentiveness, and you share your struggles with others for their benefit. You remind us that the maha-mantra is composed of Radha’s and Krishna’s names and is a prayer to be engaged in Their service. You inspire us by telling how you are now, for the most part, not disturbed by outside thoughts. And you teach us to yearn for the day when we see the form and pastimes of the Lord spontaneously appearing in our minds when we chant.
“Now I am chanting with Rama Raya Prabhu’s party in Union Square, and you inspire us all by your appreciation, replete with choice scriptural references, of the supreme importance of nagara sankirtana, and your words especially encouraging us in our venue in New York City. Through your paintings and drawings of happily dancing devotees, you also remind me of the instruction you gave me back in the 1980s to 'dance more in kirtana.'By promoting the dancing you follow Srila Prabhupada, who always appreciated the dancing of the devotees, and Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, who are always dancing, even in Their Deity forms.
“Through your daily writing and artwork you teach the importance of engaging your God-given talents in His service, as well as reminding us that Srila Prabhupada wanted us to write down our realizations every day. Your writings provide inspiration for us to apply Srila Prabhupada’s instructions in our lives and thus attain spiritual perfection.
“Your determination to make good on your promises to Srila Prabhupada for the reminder of your life inspires us to keep our promises to you.
“Thank you for inspiring us, your disciples, as well as the devotees in general, by your personal example and your literature.
“Please bless us that we might always follow your path back to Godhead, your life of devotion to guru and Krishna.”
To see all the offerings in the tributes book for 2014, click on the link below:
There is a tendency for people to create an aristocracy, a privileged class. This is so powerful it happens even in a spiritual movement.
The Goswamis of Vrindavan accepted Bhaktivinoda Thakura because he was initiated by Bipin Bihari Goswami, but they consider the line stopped there. They do not accept Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and what to speak of Srila Prabhupada?
Comment by Laksmi Nrsimha Prabhu: On a morning walk in Central Park, Srila Prabhupada saw a branch detached from a tree and said, “Asara (useless).” Then he explained that because the branch was detached from the tree although it was green now it would soon dry up. Similarly he explained that because the different apasamprayadas [unauthorized lineages] are detached from Lord Caitanya they are worthless.
Many persons I met in India while doing business were born in brahmana families and wore brahmana threads, but their activities were indistinguishable from the others in society.
It is easy for elitism to creep in. “I have been here for two years but this person has only been here two months.”
There is no special door to Krishnaloka marked “Prabhupada disciples.”
We offer respect to a superior because no one attains a superior position without the blessing of Krishna.
It is a great credit to realize that we are dependent on God for our daily bread, but simply to worship God to attain bread is a subreligious idea.
Lord Caitanya's teachings are available, and we can execute this bhagavata dharma and attain perfection.
We have the tendency to serve someone great. This is natural and not wrong, but ultimately the Supreme Lord is meant to be the object of our complete devotion.
Laksmi Nrsimha Prabhu:
The San Diego devotees had a Govardhan festival in Balboa Park in the 1970s. Between that and a college program, four people joined. On Radha Damodar it was not unusual to have two or four join the party from a program.
My greatest realization is that God is a person.
The Mayavada philosophy has the defect that we have a quality, namely form, that is not present in the Supreme.
Bhakti is to meditate on the name, form, qualities, and pastimes of the Lord.
Golf is the materialists' sannyasa. The forest is the golf course, and the danda [the staff of the renounced order] is the golf club.
When the Radha-Damodara party became more oriented toward book distribution and the mood changed, the original members of the party dispersed, mostly to India.
Srila Prabhupada did not want divorce, and Srila Prabhupada did not want remarriage. That is clear. Yet he sometimes permitted these when he felt that otherwise the devotee would leave the society of devotees.
A pujari in the Gaudiya Matha fell down with a woman, and the temple leaders kicked him out. When Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati Thakura found out, and he was angry and said, “I will not come to your temple until you get that man back.”
The verse, Bhagavad-gita 9.30 is for us to recognize a sadhuand to respect him, not for the sadhuhimself.
Recognition, remorse, rectification, and reunion are the four stages of recovering from a falldown.
There is one tribe when if you do something wrong theyput you in the center of all the members and each one says something good about you. Then when the offender is inspired by the love of the others he generally rectifies himself.
Comments by Janmastami Prabhu: There was a case when a sankirtanaleader had sex with two sankirtanaunmarried ladies. Prabhupada called the ladies in and advised them, “Do not that do anymore because it is not good for your spiritual life.” He called the sankirtanaleader and chastised him by sentencing him to not have sweets for a year.
Fault faulting has been compared to bathing in the urine of an ass. You think you are getting clean, but you are actually becoming more dirty.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had a retreat center where a sannyasicould go who had some falldown to gain strength. That kind of thing is what should be done.
Look how Krishna dealt with Ajamila's falldown.
Comments by Brajaraja Prabhu:
If a soldier falls on the battlefield, you do not imprison him or kill him, but you bring him to a hospital.
Comments by Abhiram Prabhu:
In crowd dynamics the consciousness of a crowd tends to descend to the level of the lowest member.
Bhavananda and Ramesvara said Yamuna and Dinatarine were cut off from ISKCON because they were living on their own and not in the temple. They asked Srila Prabhupada what temple he wanted them to live in. He said that he saw no need for them to move, that they were nicely situated with their Deities, and explained that association can be two or two hundred, but it must be favorable.
From a class on Sri Caitanya-caritamrita,Adi 1.63:
The moralist tries to make a better life in the material world but not transcend it, and so he is considered by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to be a materialist.
We are protected by the Lord when we are acting according to the scriptures and saints.
A great Muslim saint said that words that come from the heart go to the heart.
Krishna's love enters the heart of the pure devotee, and from the heart of the pure devotee it comes into our heart.
In the association of a pure devotee are found the four other principle limbs of bhakti, namely the chanting of the holy name, hearing of Srimad-Bhagavatam, faithfully serving the deity, and living in a holy place.
We cannot distribute Srila Prabhupada's books without reading them and appreciating they are the panacea for all the sufferings of humanity.
The goal is to always remember and never forget Krishna, and Srila Prabhupada and the acaryas [the previous great spiritual teachers] have given us many ways to do this.
Materially tinged means having the tendency to put ourselves in the center.
Of the six Puranas in the mode of goodness, only the Srimad-Bhagavatam is known as amalam-puranam, having no material touch.
Janmastami Prabhu:
If we can find some area that Srila Prabhupada wanted developed that has been neglected and we make some significant contribution in that area, that will be a great source of spiritual strength.
After Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura departed, he had made it clear he wanted his mission to go on under the direction of a governing body. His disciples ignored this and elected someone to be their leader. That leader found out what his eternal relationship with Krishna was and engaged in raganuga-bhakti performing nirjana-bhajana, all against the desire of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. What was result? He fell down and the preaching mission of the Gaudiya Matha was curtailed.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that the full pastimes of the divine couple are within the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Srila Prabhupada said that we have wasted many lifetimes but that if we dedicate this one life to the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, even if we are not perfect, the Lord will make up for it, and we will go back to Godhead at end of life. Srila Prabhupada is so dear to Krishna that Krishna will certainly fulfill his words.
Srila Prabhupada put so much importance on writing books because he could understand by doing that he could massage the hearts of his followers for generations.
There is a verse that says there is no difference between bhaktithat is performed with a taste or without a taste as long as the goal is the same.
Srila Prabhupada said that a representative for a company may negotiate a contract. Later the proprietor of the company may review the contract and disagree with it, but because his representative negotiated it, he will honor it anyway. When Giriraja Swami heard this, hefound it bewildering how that the acaryacould disagree with Krishna, but later he was able to appreciate that the Lord and His representatives have different personalities.
At the end of Nirguna Prabhu's life, there is no question that his eternal relationship with Krishna was revealed to him. He was a completely dedicated book distributor, distributing many thousands of books.
The first picture Nirguna had seen as a new devotee was Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill. About 10 days before he left this world, he got the intimation that he was a manjari in Krishna lila, but was not for sure. He talked as if he was waiting for an invitation to go back to the spiritual world and enter this pastime. Hari Sauri Prabhu asked him from time to time if he had received such a sign, but he said no dejectedly. When he had practically no pulse and was breathing 2 or 3 times a minute, and was unconscious, the doctor said he had just a few hours to live. They had kirtana all night. Kurma sang seven hours. Around 7:22 a.m. he became conscious and began singing along with the kirtana, although he previously could just make a whisper. Nirguna said he was told, “Get your piece and go.” A devotee asked him, “What is that?” He replied, “Giriraja.” The devotee repeated his understanding, “Giriraja said to go and take Him?” Nirguna replied, “Yes.” He was asked, “Did you get your invitation?” “Yes.” he said, very blissfully. One of the Govardhan silas was not found after he had passed away.
We do not endeavor for raganuga, but it will be revealed as our preaching matures.
Rama Raya Prabhu:
As long as we identify our self with our body and mind, we are slaves to the illusory energy of the Lord.
There is a limit to how much knowledge you can give people, but there is not a limit to how much harinama [congregational chanting of the holy name] you can give them.
You do not get realization about something you do not do.
By desire we come to this material world, by desire we stay in this material world, and by desire we go back to the spiritual world.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: If the sadhu speaks flattering words, he will mislead people into sense enjoyment.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: Tolerance and humility are meant to aid in preaching the Absolute Truth.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura blessed Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati with the ability to preach the truth despite all opposition by the people in general.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati explains that pure presentation of the truth is so powerful that even when it is opposed, it will be accepted by all honest people who hear it.
This material world is where people come to be the big fish. They do not want to be reminded that they are not the big fish but are meant to serve the big fish.
By serving the mission of the master, we get the vision of the master.
Actions speak louder that words. Lord Caitanya delivered millions of people in South India simply by harinama-sankirtana. He only spoke philosophy to just a few people.
The holy name is all merciful. It is up to us to arrange the meeting.
All the service the disciple performs for the guru is not for the benefit of the guru but the benefit of the disciple. This is just like the mathematical problems given by the math teacher and solved by the student are meant for the student's benefit not the benefit of the math teacher.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: Any deception in devotional service is actually only self-deception.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: Only one who hascandidly surrendered everything to the service of the Lord can obtain the ultimate good.
Prabhupada got into an argument with a unsubmissive hippie in India purposely to separate the audience in to those think the sadhu should always speak sweetly, who left, and those who are willing to hear the truth, even if uncomfortable, who stayed.
It is natural for people to be with their family members so for Krishna to tie someone into a family relationship with Him [as with the Pandavas] is a great favor.
Abhiram Prabhu says we cannot go back to Godhead without our Godbrothers because when we get there Srila Prabhupada will say, with displeasure, “Where is so-and-so Prabhu?”
In the rasa dance all the gopis were together, yet they were experiencing Krishna individually. It is also like that when as a group we take darsana [or view] the Deity, we are all there together, but each of us has his own experience.
In our kirtana we should pray for the pure holy name to appear and deliver everyone.
Lord Shiva appears in four places to guard Vrindavan.
People tend to glorify those who are superior but that is misused to glorify leaders in sense gratification instead of the Lord who is possessed of all divine qualities.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati describes that just as the sun can be never seen at night by using artificial lighting, the Supreme Lord, the guru, and the Vaishnava cannot be understood by the mental speculation of materialistic persons but only when they reveal themselves.
A hippie challenged Srila Prabhupada, “How will this Hare Krishna benefit the world?”
Srila Prabhupada replied, “You are not of this world? As it has benefited you, it will benefit others.”
Lilananda Prabhu:
Although Krishna is inconceivable, He can be partially understood by the grace of the lineage of spiritual teachers.
Srila Prabhupada once said, “Anyone who gives one cent to Krishna will not have to go to hell.”
As guru dakshina[remuneration to the guru] Prabhupada and his followers, who saved us from hell, wanted us to spread these teachings.
Although Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj did not preach, he had a strong desire that Lord Caitanya's teachings be spread.
In Italy the people are pious, and they can generally understand whether they are meeting a genuinely religious person or someone bogus.
We were taught to always give everyone something, spiritual food, literature, chanting, etc., and we try to do that.
Matysa Avatar Prabhu has cultivated academics and other leaders in society, encouraging them to chant Hare Krishna.
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This is one of my favorite quotes about the holy name because gives me great conviction about its amazing value:
“The name of Krishna is purely spiritual. There is no knowledge as great as that of the name, and no practice of austerity or meditation, no result of spiritual activity, no form of renunciation, no act of sense control, no pious act, and no goal that can match it. The name is supreme liberation, the supreme destination, and the supreme peace. The name is eternal life itself. The name is supreme devotion and the supreme intelligence. The name is supreme love and the supreme remembrance. The name is the soul’s reason for existence. The name is the lord of the soul, the most worshipful object, and the supreme guru.” (Agni Purana, quoted in Nama Rahasya by Sacinandana Swami)
Giriraj Swami and others spoke during the program.
“Srila Prabhupada said to Mr. Sethi. ‘It is the duty of the spiritual master to provide accommodations for his disciples. And just as you are building these accommodations here at Hare Krishna Land, Lord Krishna is making your rooms ready in Vaikuntha.'”
"Chanting is a calm thing, a peaceful, easy yajna, but it must be done with fervor and grace if you want to win the race. By “win,” I mean you pay attention and your senses are enlivened."
From Japa Transformations by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami
Preaching programs in Heathrow to Swansea (Album 13 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Persons suffering from jaundice cannot taste the sweetness of sugar candy, although everyone knows that sugar candy is sweet. Similarly, because of the material disease, nondevotees cannot understand the transcendental name, form, attributes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36 Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/h5uPnh
Adventures In Iran!
We looked at the machine gun, we looked at the crowd and decided to get off! We got off the bus and then the people made a path way into an army barracks and as we walked pass the crowd, the people started to hit us on the back and we ran in the courtyard and the solders were waiting for us and they said, “Line up against the wall!” There my Krishna consciousness was tested, there I was chanting very carefully because they were Muslims and I didn’t want to agitate them.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/WakYyD
Merry Krishnas Harinam in Tel Aviv, Israel 31.12.2014!!! (Album 113 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “O Lord,” the demigods say, “the impersonalists, who are nondevotees, cannot understand that Your name is identical with Your form.” Since the Lord is absolute, there is no difference between His name and His actual form. In the material world there is a difference between form and name.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36 Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/sA5SQZ
Devotees at the British Yoga Show, Business Design Centre, London - Dec 2014
In this workshop, Radhanath Swami shared with us lessons he learnt from various esteemed yogis in the Himalayas and across India. These teachings helped him connect with his inner essence to find inner peace, contentment, and love. We explored how every interaction, event and circumstance in our lives can be an opportunity for a deep spiritual transformation that leads to a more happier, joyous life.
Hare Krishna!
After a month of hectic travels across the UK, it’s time to change gears. As I catch my breath in London for a week, I simultaneously prepare for a flight to India this coming Tuesday. My destination is the remote village of Vrindavana, the holy place where Krishna spent His childhood years. Located 130 km south of Delhi, it’s a mystical place which is full of inspiration and insight. They say that nobody returns from Vrindavana the same person, and that’s exactly why I’m going there. Though we act as spiritual doctors, we are undoubtedly patients as well. People accept us as teachers of wisdom, yet we remain humble students. After a month of sharing spirituality with others, now comes an opportunity to do some soul-searching and reflect on whether I’m walking the talk.
These trips are not just a physical journey to a special place but also an inner journey towards transcendence. The great saints of Vrindavana exemplify the pinnacle of spiritual consciousness. Complete absorption in the spiritual reality rendered them indifferent to the external world. Their living quarters were not formal brick or wooden structures, but temporary arrangements like the hollow of a tree, a clearing under a thorny thicket, or an underground cave. In these austere and solitary settings, the great saints would settle into spiritual trance and have their conversations with God, continuing for hours on end. Their spirituality wasn’t a casual activity. It wasn’t a ritual. It wasn’t simply a discipline – rather, it was full of emotion and feeling. It was from the core of the heart.
I doubt that I could isolate myself and go that deep, and neither is it recommended to try. But hearing of such remarkable personalities nevertheless inspires me to intensify my spiritual endeavors. I’m trying to break free of my mechanical and ritualistic approach. I’m trying to rediscover the freshness, enthusiasm and simplicity that I once had. I'm searching for that childlike innocence that is so beautiful. I’m going back to basics. The core spiritual practices and teachings I was introduced to at the onset of my spiritual journey remain the bridge to the eternal reality; they are not to be taken lightly. I’ll attempt to go a little deeper, and hopefully I’ll become a little closer to Krishna. I’m approaching Vrindavana in the mood of a beggar: spiritually impoverished but confident that I’ll find some sacred treasures along the way.
The lonely vaisnava
Kadamba Kanana Swami: I used to think, before I came to Krsna consciousness, that now I would join a movement of very like-minded people and that I would feel very intimate friendship. Then, I was shocked to see that that person who I kind of detested for his views, he also had joined! (laughing)
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/F5FvR3
Udupi Krishna (Album 112 photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The city of Udupi is situated in the southwest state of Karnataka in India. It has a population of 165,000 people, but is filled with visiting pilgrims throughout the year. Devotees come specifically to take darsan of the beautiful deity of Krishna [ Udupi Krishna ] who was established by Sripad Madhvacarya in the 13th century. Udupi is the headquarters of the followers of Madhvacarya. ISKCON identifies with the personal philosophy expounded by Madhvacarya, calling ourselves part of the ‘Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya.’ Lord Caitanya visited Udupi during His travels in South India. During our 3 day visit we appreciated how Vedic culture is very much intact in Udupi and recommend it as a place devotees visit for Krsna conscious inspiration. Unfortunately, we did not get permission to take a photo of the deity of Udupi Krishna.
See them here: http://goo.gl/yxsuuD
“Agriculture and protecting cows, this is the main business of the residents of Vrindaban, and above all simply loving Krishna.” – Srila Prabhupada, July 1973.
Click here to read the rest of the letter at the Vanipedia website.
Why is Srila Prabhupada special? - Of course, personally he is my beacon of light. I have not seen any person (not exaggeration) as intelligent and humble as Prabhupada. That being said, the point here i want to make is among the jet paced global spiritual gurus of his time, I think Prabhupada was the only person who was not afraid to call a spade for a spade.
For those who were serious of spiritual life, like an expert doctor, he clinically isolated the bad from the good. Prabhupada was not afraid to point out bogus philosophy, watered down vedanta, pure word jugglery and outright cheating. After clearing the dirt, Prabhupada injected pure organic vedanta as have been taught through the ages without adulteration. This style of presentation of God was actually a systematic scientific presentation found only in academia.
Prabhupada presented the topic of God with such clarity (distinguishing the fake from real), it was hard to find fault. The only way one can disagree was if one simply was not interested in the real message of God. Even today, so called spiritual gurus beat around the bush explaining the metaphysics of life. I don't think there will be anyone as clear as Prabhupada in explaining the science of God.
Those flute vibrations loosen all tightly bound, dazzling skirts (and all bonds of ignorant infatuation with superficial glitter) which fall away to reveal thousands of splendid gopīs, who surround and smother him.
The key phrase in this line (line 3 of Krishna Karnamṛta, Verse 2) is निरुद्धनीवि(niruddha-nīvi) the nīvi is the more original style of dress that eventually evolved into the sārī. It’s a short skirt. Under Muslim influence, presumably, this became longer and longer and also covered the head (but at least still shows the belly button and face, unlike the Muslim burka). Indian girls used to wear nīvi and kanchuki (a cloth tied around the breasts). This evolved into sārī and sewn cholī (kanchuki is not sewn. It’s simply tied).
Bilvamaṅgal Kavirāja describes the gopīs in this attire. Generally gopīs are painted in this attire as well, although their nīvi are painted much longer than they probably should be. ISKCON artists sometimes paint gopīs in sārī. Artists and poets also depict the gopīs often wearing dupatti (top cloth) which is a third piece of cloth (essentially the saree fused the dupatti and neevi into a single garment).
Anyway, the literal meaning of nīvi is “tied-thing, tied-cloth.” So it allows the line to take dual-meaning. On one hand it means, “the skirts tied around the gopīs’ hips.” On the other hand it means, “the ignorance that binds the jīva (soul)to māyā (illusion).”
The direct meaning of the line appears when we take the direct meaning of nīvi as “skirt.” Then it means “Krishna’s flute makes a vibration that loosens the gopīs’ tightly bound skirts, and makes them fall off. This reveals their splendid beauty as they smother and cover Krishna.”
So Krishna is covered in two things, flower petals (line 1) and beautiful young girls!
Therefore we cannot approach him with male mentality. We must adopt a female identity and perspective, then we can participate. Otherwise we have to access some compromised version of this most primordial reality which BIlvamaṅgala Ṭhākur describes. The direct reality of the primordial absolute truth is only accessible through a feminine perspective.
The male mentality is niruddha-nīvi – a very tight bondage. It is the tight bondage of attraction to vilasat, the sparkle and glitter of external objects which seem to be feminine (i.e. sources of happiness and pleasure). [psychologically, “male” means enjoyer of pleasure and happiness, while “female” means origin of happiness and pleasure. The male mentality is an imposition on the original nature of the spiritual entity, “soul.”].
If we listen to the sound of Krishna’s flute, this male mentality which keeps our soul tied as a hostage to māyā will loosen and fall away. Then we will be anāvṛtam / avṛtam (un-eclipsed) in our true spiritual nature, which is patently feminine through and through by design. At that time we will be able to join this incredibly primevally blissful, decadent, joyful scene as a gopī smothering Krishna in joy.
But how can we listen to the sound of Krishna’s flute?
The flute was described in the previous line as the prastuta of the vastu. The vastu is Krishna, and the prastu is the thing that is integrally proximate to the vastu. In short, the flute is an integral part of Krishna, like a limb is part of a body. Therefore the flute sound is within the Hare Krishna mahāmantra, which is non-different from the vastu Krishna. Therefore we must listen for the flute vibration within the name and the name-mantra.
It is also noted that the flute sound is present in the klīṁ kṛṣṇāya govindāya… mantra, upon which we should carefully meditate.
It is also understood from Brahmā-saṁhita and Bhāgavatam that Brahma chanted this very mantra (klīṁ kṛṣṇāya…) and eventually heard the flute-sound in it, which filled him with knowledge, which he later put into words as the veda, which in its most mature, ripe form is Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.
So listening deeply to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam and hearing deeply the holy name in meditation and in kīrtan… this is how to listen to the sound of Krishna’s flute. These sound vibrations will untie our souls bound in the false, perverse gender-abnormality of masculine psychology (female embodied persons are only slightly less immersed in the masculine mental psychology), and allow us to exist in true spiritual form as a participant in Krishna’s absolute, original, primeval festival of wanton bliss, from the perspective of a nīvi-kanchuki tying (and retying and retying) gopī.
Hari bol.
Not the ideal face for this article, but you can see examples of nīvi-kanchuki here (also look at the green in the back). It’s definitely pre-muslim!
By pure consciousness due to constant devotional remembrance, one attains the spiritual sky, which is ruled over by the Supreme Lord Krishna. External Pastimes
Melbourne: Happiness of being Brahman realized multiplied by billions of times is nowhere close to even a drop of happiness derived from ocean of devotional service. Your own special private hell
?udras mudhas. Without submission.
Vaisyas naradhama seem to have Culture
Mayaparitya jñ?n? Kshatriyas
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2014, Mayapur, India, Siksastakam Seminar: Verses 1&2, Part 1)
I have a story of my spiritual master, Jayadvaita Swami. He comes up with good titles of seminars and he came up with the title: The hopes and horrors of household life. Even before the seminar, there was a storm of discussion and people were saying all kinds of things, “The hopes and horrors of household life – what does he know about it? He has never been married. Why doesn’t he speak of the hopes and horrors of sannyasa!” There were all kinds of comments going around. So it was a good title as it got people going even before the seminar started.
I was supposed to go to the first session but I got stuck in traffic somewhere, so I was late and I missed it. I just arrived as people came out of the room. There was someone else who had also missed it and he asked another devotee, “So, how was it?”
The devotee said, “Oh, it was all theoretical, just quotes from the scriptures!” I thought that was such an amazing statement, really, because when the quotes from the scriptures are just theoretical it means that you are not following the scripture! I mean, when you live by the scripture, it is not theoretical anymore, then it becomes realised and it becomes very relevant… as simple as that!
"Do not give up chanting the Hare Krsna mantra simply due to some external difficulties. Under all circumstances you should always chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. This will protect you from all danger of being influenced by maya or the material energy."
I was drawn to Casa Loma this morning. They call it Canada's best known castle. Going for a japa (chanting) walk with two American friends and another from Montreal, I take a dual role as their mentor and tour guide simultaneously.
This impressive structure is a mere 20 min walk from our ashram. It sits gracefully atop a hill. Developers dare not rival its majestic presence. I believe it's law that you cannot put this edifice into obscurity. It's a good law.
Our small walking team was awed by Casa Loma. But even more so by a lit up yuletide ornament at the building's front door. There we marveled at this classy illuminated horse and sled display. Our interpretation is that here we see the chariot that was meant for Krishna and Arjuna. It glows in the dark and is totally attractive.
I guess we are always fascinated by anything that gives light in the dark. Try walking in the night alone under an aurora borealis sky like I have experienced and you will have gone through a sensation.
I believe it is practically everyday that I look for something that casts an effulgence. I was really pleased to read from the "Journal of Vaisnava Studies" the first article by a friend, Shukavak N Dasa, author of "Hindu Encounter with Modernity", on the life of spiritual luminary Bhaktivinode Thakur. His article made my heart shine in the dimness of an often dark world and provided what newspaper articles cannot.
I anticipated a day of excitement in the environment of devotional service which was to include an evening practice on our drama, "Blue Mystic". Rising on a usual day, the thrill of early morning sadhana sparks before a 4:30 am arati. We start with song and dance, an offering to guru and Krishna. Then a trek through the neighborhood with eager devotees becomes a real catch for fresh air. We return for more mantra meditation followed by a class facilitated these days by myself. The current topic being the walking avatar who goes by the name of Vamana.
So the story of Vamana and his interesting encounter with Bali, conqueror of the universe, entails the unfolding of rich traits of human character. Personally I have read the epical scale book Bhagavatam several times over and I still become stunned at each new reading by the depth of dimension in regards to the interaction of these two personalities. I find myself venturing new territory even though I've been down this trail before.
What comes as a "new to me" is the respectful response to words and actions projected by the two characters. Their very dealings embody humility, introspection, a purging and other dynamics. To me it is totally fascinating, particularly how the events lead to the modest voluntary post taken by the walking avatar. He becomes a doorman to Bali's domain. Content with menial service and relishing the place where adulation generally doesn't find itself. There is something for all of us to learn from this story.
The temperature rating for today was above freezing. Still, our newly arrived monk from Brazil found it quite the adjustment to make. Nevertheless, this fine young man who bears the gift of a smile appreciated our including him in a breezy walk through residential Rosedale where "quiet" prevails.
Vitaliy, originally from the Ukraine, now residing in Detroit, has no issue with the freshness of air, nor does his fiancée, Anandarupa, who is visiting us from Miami. Natalia, from Columbia, has already acclimatized herself to winter in our North. All five of us meandered through the streets for a mere hour as we chanted on our individual chanting beads.
My thoughts are that anyone who makes a move physically, from one geographical location to another, is always up for needing to adjust, or being like a chameleon who changes his color. To be versatile or to turn with ease from one thing to another is a skill much in demand even in a spiritual environment.
It becomes a tough task at times to deal with people (devotees of Krishna included) who do not develop the art of flexibility. For example, those who keep to ways that worked well in 1965 will find that those ways do not necessarily apply in today's world. Change is a reality as much as permanence is. They run in parallel lines. People's attitudes change. Lifestyles change. Strategies change. But basic values such as respect should be a perpetual anchor, just as the soul is a constant principle. Finally, certain ways of doing things out of the box should be welcome while core principles be sustained.
