Ratha-yatra, November 16, Laguna Beach
Giriraj Swami

Lord-Chaitanya-at-Rathyatra“During the Ratha-yatra festival, Lord caitanya manifested the mood of Radharani wanting to bring Krishna back to Vrindavan. He would pull the chariot and that emotional process was pulling Krishna back to Vrindavan. In a way we want to install Krishna in our hearts. This body is compared to a chariot, so just as Lord Jagannatha was placed on a chariot at Ratha-yatra, we also want to place Lord Jagannatha or Krishna on the chariot of our hearts. But, in order to do that we have to cleanse our hearts.”

Kirtan, Laguna Beach
Ratha-yatra Talk, Laguna Beach

True Authority, According to Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī
→ The Enquirer

This is a translation of Tattva-sandarbha 10 & 11, with “my” comments inset. Please think about the implications of excluding “Statements of Scholars” and “Tradition” from śabdha-pramāṇa and the significance this has on 95% of what is most often spoken on contemporary disscussions of śāstra (like Bhāgavatam classes or public lectures).

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People have four flaws, beginning with misperception.

The four perceptive flaws are (1) misperception (bhrama), confusing one thing for another, (2) delusion (pramāda), believing in our misperceptions, (3) dishonesty (vipralipsā), hiding or ignoring evidence of the flaws in our misperceptions, and (4) perceptual ineptitude (karaṇāpāṭava), the foundation of misperception.

Therefore, our ability to ascertain the veracity of anything is limited, particularly in regard to things of a spiritual nature which are, by their very nature, beyond the boundaries of normal perception. For that we certainly require assistance from the uncommon words of the Veda.

All the numerous ways of trying to know reality can be classified as a particular blend of the these three fundamental strategies: 

1) Empirical perception (pratyakṣa) 
2) Logical deduction  (anumāna)
3) Expert instruction  (śabda)

“Empirical perception” involves many forms of direct measurement (pratyakṣa) as well as indirect observation of the remote effect one entity exerts upon another (ceṣṭā).  

“Logical deduction” involves many forms of extrapolation. Some examples are comparisons (upamāna), probabilities (arthāpatti), inferences (abhāva), and inclusions (sambhava).

“Expert instruction” means to receive valid information from someone who is an expert authority on a subject. However, this does not deserve to be a separate category unless the expert authority ascertains veracity on the basis of something other than empirical perception or logical deduction. For example, statements of scholars (ārṣa) seem like “expert instruction,” but it is relegated to Perception or Deduction if the scholars base their instruction primarily on their own empiricism or logic. Tradition (aitihya) is similar. Many people may accept an idea for a very long time, but this sort of authority is differentiated from “expert instruction” and relegated to the other two categories if the source of the tradition is someone’s perception or deduction.

If “expert instruction” does not originate from empirical observation or logical deduction, where does it originate? Śrī Jīva explains…

The beginningless and perfect words of the Veda are self-manifest and communicated to all people through paramparā.

Knowledge (“Veda”) is inherently contained within objects manifest by Viṣṇu, it simply takes a very developed and clear intellect to perceive all the knowledge inherent in the universe. The clearest, most developed intellect, in the person of Śrī Brahmā Jī, makes exactly such perception and then expresses his understanding in words, thus putting Veda into a spoken form accessible to those with less superhuman intellect. Brahmā’s explanation becomes inaccessible to the intellects of humans at certain points in history, which is when Vyāsa reconfigures Brahmā’s Veda into a myriad of Veda, Upaniṣad, and Purāṇa.
The Veda grants accurate knowledge of all things, worldly and transcendent. Therefore the ultimate basis upon which we can ascertain the validity of a statement is the Veda, in all places, at all times, and for all subjects both wondrous and common.

“Logic and argument cannot prove or disprove transcendent things.”

— Vedānta Sūtra 2.1.11

“Argument is not capable of determining things that are beyond comprehension.”

— Mahābhārata Bhīṣma.5.22

“Such knowledge is born from Śāstra.”

— Vedānta Sūtra 1.1.3

“The Śruti is the ultimate root of the veracity of all concepts.”

— Vedānta Sūtra 2.1.27

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

— Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 11.20.4


Ekadasi at Radha Gopinath Mandir
→ Ramai Swami

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On every Ekadasi, many devotees from Radha Gopinath Mandir, Bali, gather at the temple.

They chant extra rounds, do more kirtan, hear Bhagavad-gita and some even stay awake all night to observe the Ekadasi vrata.
Lord Krsna told Yudhisthira, “One who observes Ekadasi just once earns ten times more merit than a person who gives a thousand cows in charity to a brahmin.” IMG_1047IMG_1044

Appreciations from guests (Iskcon, Dallas) Our good friend Woody…
→ Dandavats.com



Appreciations from guests (Iskcon, Dallas)
Our good friend Woody Winn, a teacher at Brewers High School, a public school in Fort Worth always holds Krishna dear to his heart. He is a wonderful Christian teacher who engages his students in a 3 week study of the sacred philosophical text, the Bhagavad Gita. Last week we had a superb visit with 40 of his students.
http://goo.gl/0DNqlh

A visit to ISKCON temple in Denpasar, Bali (Album 28 photos) All…
→ Dandavats.com



A visit to ISKCON temple in Denpasar, Bali (Album 28 photos)
All glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krishna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krishna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).
http://goo.gl/SzjeP5

Thailand 2014 Nov, “Nitay-Gauranga Harinam yatra”…
→ Dandavats.com



Thailand 2014 Nov, “Nitay-Gauranga Harinam yatra” (50 photos)
Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on ones having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. (Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 4.71 purport).
http://goo.gl/Y33czu

Snapshots and Huge Pictures
→ Seed of Devotion

Have you ever noticed that I tend to write on my blog about "snapshot" experiences that somehow impact my heart?

Have you ever noticed that I rarely write about the "huge picture" experiences that impact my heart?

Maybe it's because the "snapshot" experiences can be shared simply enough as a full, complete picture.

Invariably, every time I want to write about a "huge picture" experience, I feel like I'm gushing: "Oh my god, it was unbelievable, amazing, I'm speechless, so profound and beautiful and amaaaaaaazing. Life transformative. Wow."

Seriously. That's pretty much how I want to describe Bus Tours, Satvatove seminars, festivals in Alachua, visiting Mayapur, Vrindavan, Mumbai, or South India, an encounter with Radhanath Swami, studying in India, the Mayapur Academy, attending a kirtan festival in Brazil, 24 Hour Kirtans...

All of these experiences are unbelievable, profound, life transformative, amaaaaaazing. They feel so vast though, I wonder where to begin, how I could possibly encompass such a powerful experience in a little blog post. It's as if I'm trying to fit all of those sky-wide emotions into a 300-word post with maybe a couple grainy cell phone pictures.

I'm sure you've had this experience, too - you'll have gone on a vacation and when you return people ask you, "So, how was it?"

What do you say? "It was great." And maybe, if you're like me, you'll say, "It was amaaaaaaazing. Beyond words."

I am having this dilemma in trying to describe the experience of teaching these two Kirtan Connection courses that just concluded. There were 15 people total in 2 levels, and we just had our epic graduation on Sunday. It wasn't a neat experience that I could describe in a couple hundred words.

But I will try. My next blog post I will dedicate to the experience in teaching Kirtan Connection, to honor those who saw me through - Ghanashyam, Dhira Govinda Prabhu, and Badahari Prabhu; those who graduated, and Srila Prabhupad.

Yes, it was a profound experience. Beyond words. At the same time, the service of the writer is to put the un-wordable experiences into words so that others may share in the beauty. That is what Srila Prabhupad did.

I'll do my humble best to share the "huge picture." 
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Appreciations from guests
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Our good friend Woody Winn, a teacher at Brewers High School, a public school in Fort Worth always holds Krishna dear to his heart.  He is a wonderful Christian teacher who engages his students in a 3 week study of the sacred philosophical text, the Bhagavad Gita.  Last week we had a superb visit with 40 of his students. 
















News Feed

Nityananda Chandra Granger was an amazing host, guru and most importantly a friend today as he taught and served us. I am so blessed to have someone like him as an example for my precious students. It was an exceptional field trip, one that my kids will not forget! God is Great!
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  • Nityananda Chandra Granger Thank you very much Woody Winn Prabhu for you kind words. I always so happy when you come with your wonderful students. I always have confidence that you can present the Gita to them in a proper way, thank you very much. - Your humble servant, Nityananda Chandra Das
    November 12 at 9:41pm · Like · 3
  • Sarah Yowell I still tell people what an amazing teacher you were to take us on such educational and inspirational field trips! So glad to hear your newer students still get such an amazing experience.
    November 12 at 9:43pm · Unlike · 3
  • Kristen Noël Vrabel This BLOWS my mind. My Alma Mater taking a field trip to the Temple that I spend the bulk of my time at!!!!
    November 12 at 11:13pm · Unlike · 4
  • Kerrie Jansson Jowers I know a cpl of the students that went with you and they were so stoked to go. Glad it was amazing.
    November 13 at 8:42am · Unlike · 1
  • Scarlett Laci Pettis I still talk about our visits to the temple. I believe my first visit was also one of Nityananda Chandra Granger's first group visits. We had such a good time! It's a beautiful place with beautiful people, welcoming energy and oh man, the FOOD! ; -)
    So glad you're still showing kids a broader understanding of service and love, Mr. Winn. 

The Tongue Must Work
→ Japa Group


"If one chants and accepts the holy name as a material vibration, he falls down. One should worship and chant the holy name of the Lord by accepting it as the Lord Himself. During the chanting of the holy name, the tongue must work; the tongue is sevonmukha-jihva - it is controlled by service."

Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya 15.108