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!

Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet [SB 12.3.51] Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, one becomes free from the bondage of material existence and thus becomes eligible to return home, back to Godhead. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.14.48 Purport) Read more ›

HG Ananda Chaitanya Dasa – SB 10.70.1 – 11.07.2014

Answer Summary: Madness possesses us when inner weakness couples with outer recklessness.

Answer:

Madness refers to our irrational relapses into regrettable behaviors that leave us shocked at ourselves: “How could I have done something as terrible as that?” Such madness doesn’t come upon us just by random chance about which we can do nothing – it comes by a method that we can comprehend and counter.

Essentially, madness possesses us when inner weakness couples with outer recklessness. Weakness refers to the impurities in our heart that make us vulnerable to certain forms of immoral or anti-devotional indulgences. Recklessness refers to our carelessness in leaving within easy reach the external sense objects for which we have a weakness.

Consider for example recovering alcoholics. They have a weakness for alcohol – though they have resolved to give it up, their resolve may go down whenever recollections of their past indulgences start attacking their consciousness. When they are thus internally weakened, a key thing that will check immediate relapse is the external unavailability of alcohol. The heavy attack of temptations doesn’t last forever – it comes in spikes of heightened craving. Recovering alcoholics just need to endure those heavy-attack phases and such endurance becomes easier when the object for indulgence is not readily available. Soon their intelligence and conscience will re-surface and they will resist and reject the temptation. But if they have recklessly kept alcohol nearby, then it’s almost certain that they will relapse. And who knows how long it will be before the madness releases them from its grip and they find themselves with a hangover in the head and frustration in the heart?

The heavy attack of temptations doesn’t last forever – it comes in spikes of heightened craving.

Alcoholism may not be a problem for most of us, but we all have our weaknesses that sometimes drive us mad. This analysis of how the coupling of weakness with recklessness invites madness can help us better apply in our inner battles the Bhagavad-gita’s two-point strategy given in its illuminating exposition on lust (03.36-43). Though this Gita section focuses on lust, the strategies it outlines can apply to whatever our blind spots may be.

The Gita's two-point strategy

The first strategy (03.41) centers on sensual regulation. In our analysis, it can correspond with avoiding recklessness and not keeping alluring objects easily available. In the past, most spiritual cultures and in fact of most human cultures stressed minimizing, if not preventing entirely, unfiltered mixing between the genders, thereby decreasing greatly the danger of wrongdoing. Thus the culture served as an assistant in the individual’s endeavors for sensual regulation. At present unfortunately, the culture has largely become an opponent to the individual’s efforts due to its public depictions of sexually suggestive imagery. But still we can get some cultural help by situating ourselves in a community that respects, even expects, sexual morality. And we certainly can according to our specific vulnerabilities put as much distance as possible between ourselves and the objects that especially allure us. Rather than rejecting such distancing as fanatical, we need to recognize it as foundational. For example, just as recovering alcoholics can’t stay sober if they choose to live next to a bar, recovering porn users can’t stay sober if they retain unfiltered Internet access. When we thus carefully keep our living environment morally safe for ourselves, we can stop madness from possessing us even when we feel internally weak.

Rather than rejecting such distancing from tempting objects as fanatical, we need to recognize it as foundational.

The second strategy (03.43) centers on spiritual nutrition. The Gita urges us to use our intelligence to contemplate our spiritual nature and situate ourselves firmly on the spiritual platform, thereby conquering lust. Situating ourselves spiritually means rendering loving service to Krishna because we are at our core, souls, who are eternally his parts, as the Gita informs later (15.07). When we remember and serve Krishna with a devotional disposition, we relish a profound non-material enrichment, just as the hand becomes nourished when it provides food to the belly. With our innate need for happiness thus satisfied at the spiritual level, we feel rejuvenated in our battle against our inner weakness. As our inner strength increases, we push back the temptation towards which we had been becoming allured. As our intelligence and conscience become re-activated, the folly and the futility and the depravity of the indulgence becomes evident to us. And we push the temptation completely out of our consciousness.

By thus protecting ourselves externally and nourishing ourselves internally, we can methodically counter the method of madness.

 

 

Diwali, also known as "festival of lights" (23rd of October), spiritually signifies the defeat of darkness / ignorance over light / knowledge. It is merely two weeks away and as is tradition, gifts (usually sweets) are exchanged amongst friends and family.

Gopinath's Delights has been serving you (on Diwali and Christmas) since 2011. We're now back- with more variety- and are pleased to inform you that we've started taking orders. For your convenience, we have four sizes: $5, $10, $15 and $20 sweet boxes. Each box comes with a free book*. Weekly sales have also been on for the past two Sundays and will go on for the next two weeksl; please check us out in the main hallway! 

These 100% natural, pure vegetarian and spiritually crafted sweets are prepared with care and offered to 
Sri Sri Radha Ksir-Chor Gopinath with love. Unoffered and sugar- / gluten- free sweets can also be prepared upon request. 

To place orders or if you have any queries, please contact Hina: (647)-989-1806   

*to be picked from pre-selected titles

You Want Lasting Happiness for Them

"I took solace in my faith in the holy names and their power to cleanse. I felt like I was chasing evil bandits like the police force and solving crimes."

From Bhajan Kutir #413
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 09 October 2010, Melbourne, Australia, Lecture)

When we offer a lamp to the deities, we try to lock the deities in our heart! We follow the shape of the deity as we are waving our lamp and we are trying to lock the deity into our heart. As we are waving the lamp, we are seeing the form, we are contemplating on the form of the deity and we pray that that form may be burned into our consciousness. That is our desire… because that will be our saving grace. All these activities will prevent us from becoming so distracted.

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player is needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer; if you are using Google Chrome it will automatically play, so if you don't want to listen, mute your speakers.)

Today has brought beautiful fall weather, with a cold morning, and now a warm—but not hot—day at 12 noon. I sit on the deck under a bright cloudless sky and appreciate the wonder of Krishna’s material energy, and his many blessings to me, pondering what is on my mind to share with you. I have been reading some fantasy and adventure novels to imagine what I might do with a book idea that has been percolating within me for quite a while now. This has been a useful exercise that has given me hope that I can write a novel meant for teaching about life and spirituality. Though I read many acclaimed books in their genre, I haven’t been very satisfied with them. Even when the characters, or the story line, are interesting and can hold my attention—and some don’t—I still feel sorry for want of a spiritual theme. Only occasionally God is mentioned, and usually not as a guiding principle of life.

Sometimes I think: “All that invested time for this ending?” or there is no ending, but just a lead-in to the next volume. To me, other than in devotional literature, I find there is little of specific spiritual merit, or personal benefit other than “entertainment,” or at best some moral message or social commentary. That has value, but is never enough for me, as a person concerned with meaning and purpose in everything. Yes, there are spiritually themed books which can inspire readers, but at this stage of the writing project, I have avoided them for contrast, and this endeavor has borne fruit, albeit, in ways I never imagined.

From my readings I became curious why we feel compelled to seek out entertainment and adventure—while I was reminded of my attraction adventure stories and the search for treasure, especially of the mystical variety. In a general sense what we have intense attraction to, or interest in, gives us hints as to an important aspect of our life direction. Part of the work of the spiritual aspirant is to make whatever we want or yearn for, part of our spiritual/Krishna conscious /yogic practice. Some spiritual paths shun all attachments and action, but in bhakti, we use our attachments and inclinations in relation to service to Krishna, and in that way purify them. Otherwise we may be diverted from self-realization by our unfulfilled natural propensities or inner conditioned compass.

read more