1966 October 9: "Sitting under a tree in a Lower East Side park, fifty followers of a Hindu swami repeated a sixteen-word chant for two hours yesterday afternoon to the accompaniment of cymbals, bells, and a small reed organ."
[From the New York Times, October 9, 1966]

1968 October 9: "We can take part in politics only which is sanctioned by Krishna. This political struggle by the students is different thing. I am prepared to go and lecture if somebody agrees to hear continually for some time. But not to take part in some political agitation."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1971 October 9: "It is not that everyone will be able to understand this philosophy. Still if some intelligent section of the human society understands it, there will be tremendous change in the atmosphere."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 October 9: "The important matter is that the children are taken care of nicely. That is the first duty. They must have sufficient quantity of milk and then dhal, capatis, vegetables, and fresh fruit will keep them always fit."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 October 9: "Recoup your health, Delhi climate is now very good. Soak sugar candy overnight in water and take early in the morning and that will help you. Also take green vegetables with lime juice. Green papaya boiled is also nice."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1971 October 9: "Yes, Visnujana Maharaja is personally a nice devotee so he has created nice devotees. Lord Caitanya also behaved personally and taught others. So every one of us should follow this principle of Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 October 9: --STOP ALL NEGOTIATIONS. DO NOT PAY A FARTHING UNTIL CONVEYANCE EXECUTED. SENDING KARANDHARA FOR FILING SUIT FOR SPECIFIC EXECUTION OF SALE AGREEMENT
--A. C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 October 9: "Yes, it is understood that your paintings are offered to the Deities when they appear in my books or on our temple walls. Regarding asking me questions, yes you can ask, but unless it is sanctioned by me, you cannot act on it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

“O friend, by great good fortune you have attained this body where you have heard Vrndavana’s wonderful glories and learned that everything in this world is like a dream. Don’t, don’t, don’t put any faith in the mind and body. Run to Vrndavana!” [ Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati, Sataka One, Text 80 ]

By seriously chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and avoiding offenses, especially inattention, our faith in the Holy names will increase.
If we chant to our best ability, Krsna will reciprocate with us and gives us purification...we get a taste and we can perceive that chanting the Hare Krsna mantra does actually work.

The Key Difference Between Modern and Ancient Science

In the Bhāgavata (3.24.18) we hear Brahmā tell this to Princess Devahūti:

My dear daughter of Manu, the destroyer of deceptions has come forth from your own womb! His teachings will traverse the globe, setting it free from the knotted ropes of ignorance and confusion. He will become the leader of hosts of people attaining perfection. He will become the exemplar of the sciences, and will speak with excellent and full deliberation upon authority. With the name ‘Kapila’ he will be celebrated throughout the world, thus increasing your fame

Kapila’s science was explained with excellent and full deliberation upon authority. This means that Kapila’s epistemology begins with śabda-pramāṇa and descends into anumāna and pratyākṣa-pramāṇa. (he begins with statements from primeval authority and carries those statements into logical rationale [anumāna] and then into practical observation [pratyākṣa].

Later on, science changed. Even in India, the saṁkhya-darśan later changed. Another person came forward calling himself Kapila and gave new conclusions to the science. His version influenced the Greeks, which has created the modern science that now dominates the world. This form of science differs from the sciences explained by Devahūti’s beautiful son in that her son established science “with excellent and full deliberation upon authority” where as the later ‘Kapila’ (and the modern science stemming from his root) take an opposite approach.

Devahūti’s Kapila’s approach is avaroha — it comes from “top-down.” It begins with authoritative knowledge (śabda) and this informs and guides the rationale and logic (anumāna) which then educates and informs the perception (pratyākṣa).

The other Kapila’s approach is varoha — it goes from “bottom-up.” It begins with perception (pratyākṣa) from which one constructs logical rationale (anumāna) and finally arrives at authoritative knowledge (śabda). This approach is insufficient compared to the approach of the original Kapila because perception is subjective and incredibly subject to flaw and limitation.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.15.2 during the morning class.

“Our acharyas say, krsnaika-sarana—one should take exclusive shelter of Krishna. If one has that one qualification, even if he is lacking in the other twenty-five, he is to be considered a devotee, or sadhu. And to criticize such a devotee is an offense: sadhu-ninda. Conversely, if one has all the other twenty-five qualifications but is lacking the one qualification of krsnaika-sarana, then he is not considered a devotee. Here again we see the same principle. If one is coming from a low family but is a devotee, he is worshipable and is entitled to perform worship. But if one is born in a brahman family but is not a devotee, he cannot purify even himself, what to speak of others. So, we are blessed with a wonderful opportunity to associate with devotees, who are so rare. But it is also a challenge to live in the association of devotees and appreciate them as devotees and not be overwhelmed by the perception of their apparent—or real—defects.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.15.2

If by the tongue you chant Hare Krishna mantra, and by the tongue you taste prasadam, you will be perfect, simply by executing these two things. London, July 12, 1973. Read more ›

Said to be an incarnation of Krishna’s brother Lord Balarama Himself, the Mridanga is a powerful instrument, which helps to carry devotees into blissful ecstasy while they chant the holy names of Krishna. In Kirtan, with thousands of people or just one or two, the Mridanga raises the consciousness and allows one and all to focus more fully on Krishna. Read more ›

As stated in the Padma Purana: "One cannot understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krishna through one's materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him." Read more ›

"O Lord, Your transcendental name and form are not ascertained by those who merely speculate on the path of imagination. Your name, form and attributes can be ascertained only through devotional service." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36) Read more ›

30-09-2014 Krishna Balaram Katha Part 1, ISKCON Gaborone, Botswana.mp3

Damodarastaka, is a beautiful prayer that is sung everyday during the month of Karthika (Oct-Nov). It is accompanied by lighting and offering lamps to the Lord. These 8 verses describe the unique pastimes of Lord Damodara.

The post October 8th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Kali-kale nama-rupe krsna-avatara (Cc. Adi 17.22): In this age, Krishna has appeared in the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. The Krishna Consciousness movement is spreading like wildfire all over the world, and it will go on doing so. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.20 Purport) Read more ›

1967 October 8: "The movement which I have started will fulfill the desires of those who are actually anxious to have bona fide spiritual guidance. There are other swamis & yogis in your country who can simply exploit the sentiment but they can not deliver the real thing."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 October 8: "I am very glad that your service attitude is progressively increasing. Krishna Consciousness is such a nice thing that the more you work for the cause, the more you become enthusiastic to execute the purpose. Follow my instructions and you shall never be unhappy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 October 8: "My mind is always with you. India is foreign country for me now. Practically your country is my home now. Where my spiritual family exists, there is my home."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

The post Conversation with devotees in Moscow on the difference between being a believer and a real rasika in Krsna consciousness appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

1971 October 8: "So don't be disheartened at any circumstance. Depend on Krishna. After all this is the kingdom of maya. She is always peeping to take the opportunity of attacking us, but if we fix up our attention on the Lotus Feet of Krishna, maya cannot even touch us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1972 October 8: "From your letter I can see you are persevering. That new devotees are coming is the sign of our success. I will be in India up to April then I can go to South Africa, or if you like, to Australia. My immediate program will be for one month at Radha Damodara Temple where we shall be holding class on the Nectar of Devotion."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Oct 8, 2014, lecture by Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu Read more ›

1974 October 8: "Krishna will help you, that is a fact. So do your work sincerely, husband and wife, and you will have good success. You be pure, and teach others to be pure. The process is there. Follow very strictly our rules and regulations and maya will not be able to touch you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 October 8: "If we actually follow in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, where is the question of conspiracy? I am training some of my experienced disciples. So if instead of taking my training, if in my lifetime you people say 'I am the Lord of all I survey,' that is a dangerous conspiracy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 October 8: "I wanted you all my experienced disciples should manage the whole institution very cleverly without any personal ambition. The Gaudiya Math institution has become smashed on account of personal ambitions. So I shall request you all not to be personally ambitious."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Indradyumna Swami: "O friend, by great good fortune you have attained this body where you have heard Vrndavana’s wonderful glories and learned that everything in this world is like a dream. Don’t, don’t, don’t put any faith in the mind and body. Run to Vrndavana!" [ Srila Prabhodananda Sarasvati, Sataka One, Text 80 ] Read more ›

Results of world's largest Near Death Experiences study published. Recollections in relation to death, so-called out-of-body experiences (OBEs) or near-death experiences (NDEs), are an often spoken about phenomenon which have frequently been considered hallucinatory or illusory in nature; however, objective studies on these experiences are limited. Results of the study have been published in the journal Resuscitation and are now available online. Read more ›

Lecture Podcast

The Puranas (Vedic histories) extol the month of Kartik as the topmost in the calendar. Lord Krishna’s mercy is very easily accessible in this month and to demonstrate their sincerity devotees accept different austerities such as fasting, cutting down on non-essential activities and offering charity. Worship of Tulsi and serving Lord Krishna’s cows is especially glorified. Read more ›

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra Challenge asks that you sing the maha mantra in a non-traditional, but very recognizable tune. Watch these vaishnavas that accepted the challenge! Read more ›

The performance of sankirtana-yajna is a special concession for human society to save people from being affected by known or unknown sinful activities. We are surrounded by unlimited sins, and therefore it is compulsory that one take to Krishna consciousness and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.16.23 Purport) Read more ›

Kadamba Kanana Swami will be in Melbourne for a week (08-15 October). If you are in the area, be sure not to miss out. Please see the poster for all the info!