Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-10-03 03:02:00 →
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
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Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.23.44:
”Having excited that great woman’s desires and enthusiasm to the utmost, he assumed nine separate forms and made love with his beloved for many years, which seemed like a moment to her.”
If this were a movie it would be hard to keep it even to an “R” rating at this point.
OK, the elephant is in the room. Let’s talk about it. This is the purport where Prabhupāda makes the super-world-famous statement, "the sexual appetite of a woman is nine times greater than that of a man.”
We who are Śrīla Prabhupāda’s followers often make a huge mess out of comprehending and explaining his more unusual or unexpected statements, but this is very likely this single most poly understood and disastrously wrongly explained statement in the history of difficult “Prabhupāda said”s.
It’s just like this, ladies and gentlemen, plain and simple, straight from the bedroom. A man can have an orgasm once. Then he has to wait a while before he can even start intercourse again. Men with good sense control and excellent control of the muscles in their bodies can delay an orgasm for incredibly long times, but once the guy has an orgasm, that’s it, he’s gotta rest. Even the yogis.
Women, on the other hand do not have this limitation. Get it? That’s the idea. That’s why kāma-śāstras make statements like “women have 9 times more ‘sexual appetite’.” “Appetite” means capacity to eat. Women have “9 times” greater capacity to enjoy sex than men do. Why? on big reason is because they can have multiple orgasms in succession without waiting between them. The expert “sexologists” of ancient India (as Prabhupāda calls them sometimes) describe that in the time it takes a man to have one orgasm and then recover and be ready for the next, a woman can have nine orgasms.
That’s why Kardama divided himself into nine, so he could delight his wife continuously for years.
It does not mean “women are nine times more lusty.” It means they have “nine times more appetite for sexual pleasure.” Men are more sexually lusty than women. If you don’t believe me take a look at a man’s reproductive organ and compare it to a woman’s. The man’s is hanging out there right out in the open. The woman’s is small and hidden and indiscreet. The man’s interest in having sex is far greater than the woman’s. But in the act of sex itself, the woman’s capacity to enjoy pleasure is nine times greater than a mans, because it can easily endure nine times as long, and also because the man’s focus is completely localized in the sexual organ itself, but the woman’s experience is spread more throughout the entire body.
If people tried to understand things logically and reasonably instead of using “PRabhupāda said”s to justify their own (useless) preconceived outlooks, everyone in the world would have probably been chanting hari-nām saṅkīrtan by now.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 September 2003, Radhadesh, Belgium, Lecture)
In this material world, everything is so gross and cheap. Here, when there is a meeting between lovers then within no time, it is the full embrace – that is what it is all about… Right down to the action! The main thing! Let us not waste any time! Acceleration from zero to a hundred in two seconds, right!? That is the material experience. Very quick and very shallow and with strong exchanges.
But in spiritual loving exchanges, things are very different. In spiritual loving exchanges, everything is so meaningful that slight little exchanges are performed again and again, and give so much satisfaction.
When Srimati Radharani becomes aware that Krsna has left, has left her alone and that she is faced with separation then she faints… boom! She falls unconscious and as she hits the ground, just there on the ground, there are flowers of which the scent reminds her of Krsna. Krsna wears those flowers on his garland. The scent enters her nostrils and immediately she jumps off the ground in ecstasy! So, again, inconceivable! Inconceivable intensity!
So here, we have our dull loving exchanges in the material world, “Yes, I love you…” This is our level of material exchange. I love you today, and tomorrow I love someone else, because how deep is the loving experience in this world? Very shallow!
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.15 at Damodar’s birthday celebration.
sa vai bhagavato raja
pandaveyo maha-rathah
bala-kridanakaih kridan
krana-kridam ya adade
TRANSLATION
Maharaja Pariksit, the grandson of the Pandavas, was from his very childhood a great devotee of the Lord. Even while playing with dolls, he used to worship Lord Krsna by imitating the worship of the family Deity.
COMMENT by Giriraj Swami
Birth in a good family is a facility, but it is no guarantee of anything. If you read the stories of the lives of many of Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples, there is a symmetry—they were all seeking spiritual life and ultimately came to Srila Prabhupada. I heard that Srila Prabhupada said that Lord Chaitanya placed these devotees in different families in different parts of the world so they could spread Lord Chaitanya’s movement in different countries. So we find devotees taking birth everywhere—in Africa, in China, in Russia. In all sorts of places we find natural devotees taking birth and spreading Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission in those countries.
The movement inaugurated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu when He was present five hundred years ago is again being propagated all over the world, and factually we are seeing its practical results. People are being saved, protected and maintained by this Hare Krsna movement. Thousands of followers, especially Western youths, are taking part in this Hare Krsna movement, and how safe and happy they feel can be understood from the expressions of gratitude in their hundreds and thousands of letters.
CC Adi-Lila 14.1makee
Expression of Gratitude
My question to myself when did I personally thank a devotee for their advice, guidance, encouraging words or engagement in some small seva, do I personally take that small moment to write a letter of gratitude?
Sometimes a conversation with a devotee makes you stop, ponder, reflect and as the saying goes take a big slice of humble pie.
I wrote a reflection on fault finding like a fly in this age of Kali we find the stool the bad bits overlooking the magnificent garden the amazing seva each individual does; feeding this and surrounding myself with like minded fault finding individuals. Then comes offence.
But their is a better way by looking for the good in individuals developing the mood of gratitude, and expressing that, not in an artificial way but in a humble way with sincerity.
Gratitude
Reflection
At times we clash with devotees and indeed I look at the list of devotees I’ve sadly clashed with and in truth their amazing devotees; reality and in honesty if I had just an ounce of their bhakti I would be 100% a better devotee than I am now.
Puffed up with pride and belief in self and ones own self righteousness of course I am always 100% right so words of wisdom are ignored and gratitude not expressed; what a fool I’ve been.
Its hard to apologies, and it is hard to express Gratitude for the amazing tolerance individual devotees have shown to, now a huge piece of humble pie has been served and like all slices of humble pie it’s stuck in the back of the throat unless I act on it I will choke.
So let’s see:
The New Zealand Matajis each one showed amazing kindness, tolerance and without their guidance would never have had such a great grounding in Krishna Consciousness. How I miss your association I’m sorry I never came to your fair well meal. The pain of loosing your association was and still remains too much but I can say our time together was without a shadow of a doubt my happiest.
Candidas Das who’s patience and tolerance is limitless and guided me through the most turbulent time in Krishna Consciousness and who engaged me nicely in small act’s of seva, a truly remarkable devotee
Tarkanath Das who manages both the Swansea and Cardiff centre who’s dedication to serving his guru maharaja with the greatest success and who’s rugby analogue was truly priceless, my regret is I allowed my mind to spoil it all; I would encourage you all to visit their will be a warm welcome waiting for you.
Parogana Das from Bhaktivadanta Manor who on my first day their engaged me nicely in seva cleaning the temple room, how I miss the high clean I still clearly recall our first conversation and the words “the service is their if you want it, stay safe in Krishna’s service”
Parsharam Das and Chris Green and the food for all team, what fun we had and what an inspiration you all remain, thank you for the times I got to join you in the van.
The bakery and all my friends their who have helped and encourage me and supported all my little efforts in trying to make progress in spiritual life.
gadhadha and the pujairs who have taught and shared so much wisdom and insight
To senior devotees like mother Urmila Mataji who took time to read reply and give perfect guidance, to Kripamoya Das who’s advice and wisdom at times I’ve neglected but as time passes am appreciating more and more.
To all those amazing devotees who’s association I’ve had in one way or another each unequally inspirational
To those whom I’ve never met but interact with on social media
Thank you each and everyone of you for richly improving my life and please forgive my unforgiving nature and roughness may be by your association I may begin to show the qualities of a devotee
Apologising to anyone I’ve missed
Hare Krishna
Turkish devotees gathered on one of the beautiful Princes’ Islands off the coast of Istanbul for Bhakti Fest, from September 12th to 15th. 27 devotees stayed for the full duration of the event, while daily guests brought attendance to 45 by Sunday. Although that may have been a small group for many ISKCON communities, it was a crowd for Turkey, an Islamic country with very few devotees and no official ISKCON presence.
The high-tech museum is four blocks from the U.S. Capitol and three blocks from a global tourism mecca, the Air and Space Museum.
Lecture Highlights:
Each branch of knowledge like a lens to see the Gita from a particular perspective
Gita synthesizes six systems of philosophy within a devotional worldview - six systems were originally progressive departments within the same university but later became competitive independent bodies of knowledge, so Baladeva Vidyabhushan refutes the other five systems in his Govinda Bhashya
eg. Gita devotionalizes karma-mimasa eg. 2.42-43; 9.20-24
Descriptive approach to Gita study can't be countered merely by insisting on the correctness of the prescriptive approach, but by changing the mainstream intellectual ethos of Gita study
Prabhhupada's commentary is not bhakti-fanatic; it is bhakti-focused.
Lecture Highlights:
Only when body is maintained can it give the fruit of dharma, mukti and bhakti
Maintaining body means also maintaining mind with emotional sensitivity while applying the philosophy
1. Be encouraging and commiserating with sick devotees
eg. Body is like a dream - but that means, according to Baladeva Vidyabhushan, even dreams are real, not that the body is unreal
Every metaphor is like a rubber band
2. Be caring while helping others deal with loss
eg. Krishna with Arjuna while coping with Abhimanyu's death
3. Don't neglect social responsibility in the name of destiny
eg. Vasudeva - Devaki - Kamsa, Vidura-Dhritarashtra-Vyasadeva
Be dharma-centered, not karma-centered
Charity and social service are sattvika - Vaishnava critique of social service is a contextual response to Christian conversion through social service and Hindu reactionary propping of Manava seva above Madhava seva
Holi, or the Festival of Colors, which heralds spring and celebrates the pastimes of Lord Krishna and his eternal consort Srimati Radharani, was once an esoteric festival celebrated mainly in India. But today, thanks to festivals like the one at the Krishna temple in Utah, USA, it has become a phenomenon across the world. The latest country to host the event is Brazil, with last year’s hugely successful “Festival das Cores” in Sao Paulo.
…and what do we learn from the mountains and the trees?
The post Uddhava-gita series 23 appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
С 6 по 12 сентября красивый город в РФ, Анапа, был преобразован в духовную обитель. Более 5000 преданных съехались туда на фестиваль «Садху-санга». На открытии, Шрила Бхакти Вигьяна Госвами Махарадж трижды упомянул о приезде особых гостей. Ими были ЕМ Враджавилас прабху и ЕМ Радха-дживана прабху. Они приехали на фестиваль с целью вдохновить всех на участие в строительстве Храма Ведического Планетария, проекте, которому они отдали свои жизни.
Матаджи Нараяни Радха, ответственная за сбор пожертвований для ХВП по всей РФ, поделилась своими впечатлениями после общения с Враджавиласом прабху и Радха-дживаной прабху.
«Темп их жизни поражает. Поздно вечером мы приехали из аэропорта, уже утром Радха-дживана прабху прочел лекцию по Шримад Бхагаватам в нашей общине в Подмосковье. И сразу же местные преданные были покорены. Лекцию переводил ЕМ Мукунда Мурари прабху – известный проповедник, очень опытный переводчик. Однако было заметно, что ему приходилось прикладывать особые усилия. Позже он признался, что сам находился под таким впечатлением от речи Радха-дживаны прабху, что приходилось не переводить, а передавать свои эмоции на русском языке. Первое пожертвование – 150 долларов на один кв фут – преданные сдали тут же.
И сразу продолжается движение – машина до москвы, пробки, метро, экспресс до Домодедово и Анапа. В Анапе нас гостеприимно размещают в гостинице Национального Совета, ЕМ Ачьютаттма прабху и ЕМ Апрамеятма прабху хорошо о нас позаботились.
Хотя Анапа – приятный курортный город, никакого желания отдыхать и наслаждаться морем и погодой у РД и ВВ не обнаружилось. Мы пошли почтить “океан”, как они называли Черное Море. Не успели мы подойти к берегу, как к нам подошел молодой мужчина христианин-протестант. Заметив на гостях вайшнавскую одежду, он решил “спасти” их души, и вежливо предложил отказаться от веры в Кришну и принять веру в Христа, иначе, предупредил он, ад неминуем. Радха-дживана прабху очень убедительно и с достоинством объяснил человеку — чтобы говорить на такие серьезные темы, надо для начала проявить качества джентльмена, а подходить к незнакомым людям на улице и говорить, что они из-за своей веры в Бога пойдут в ад, это как минимум не по-джентльменски, поэтому разговор продолжаться не может. Также Радха-дживана прабху спросил, не в рай ли метит сам уважаемый, тот, естесственно, собирался именно туда. Радха-дживана прабху отметил, что искренне рад за него. От такого хода событий христианин несколько растерялся, и оправдывался тем, что желает гостям только добра.
Затем сразу ставим палатку ТОВП на территории фестиваля, баннеры, столик, ящик для пожертвований и остальные параферналии.
Узнав от ЕС Бхакти Вигьяны Госвами Махараджа о нелегком положении преданных – беженцев с мест военных действий в Украине, ЕМ Радха-дживана прабху прабху лично от себя пожертвовал 500 тыс рублей.
На фестивль прибыло большое количество гуру ИСККОН, учеников Шрилы Прабхупады и санньяси. Почти каждого из них Радха-дживана прабху и Враджавилас прабху знают лично, поэтому при встрече они были рады видеть друг друга, и очень мило беседовали. ЕС Джаяпатака Свами, ЕС Нирнджана Свами, ЕС Индрадьюмна Свами, ЕС Бхакти Вигьяна Свами, ЕС Гопал Кришна Госвами и ЕМ Чайтанья Чандра Чаран прабху – очень серьезно и душевно рассказали о ТОВП на своих лекциях. После каждого такого выступления вдохновленные преданные шли к палатке ХВП и искренне спешили жертвовать».
На фотографиях вы можете видеть наших передовиков по сбору пожертвований для ТОВП, которые с большим энтузиазмом исполняют свое служение нашему дорогому Шриле Прабхупаде.
«Враджавилас прабху и Радха-дживана прабху покорили всех своим энтузиазмом. Несмотря ни на что, они каждое утро шли на Бхгаватам и минимум по несколько минут давали объявления со сцены. Собственноручно раздавали флаера ТОВП в очереди на прасад. Бесконечно общались с командой ТОВП и всеми преданными на фестивале.
Приблизительно на третий день нам пришлось пережить “культурный шок” – Враджавилас прабху и Радха-дживана прабху сначала сели посередине дорги, затем переместили туда столик и баннер, перегородив большую часть пути и начали проповедовать еще интенсивнее. Враджавилас прабху попросил научить его русским словам, и начал скандировать: “МАЯПУР! МАЯПУР! ПОМОГИТЕ! МАЯПУР! ХРАМ!” , стуча по ящику рукой и вручая людям визитки с флаерами. При этом слово “помогите” выходило особенно выразительно, будто он тонет и ему действительно срочно нужна помощь. Хотя, если подумать, он был прав, тонем все мы вокруг, и стать участником строительства Храма Ведического Планетария, – означает получить спасательный круг. Таково настроение истинных проповедников..
Проявились 2 десятилетних мальчика, Субал и Данил. Они в течение дня собирали пожертвования и по нескольу раз приходили и складывали их в ящик в палатке. Субал – очень сереьезный преданный, на вопрос почему он это делает, он ответил, что не хочет больше рождаться здесь и хочет всегда быть с Кришной.
Пожилая вайшнави на этом фото тоже собирала пожертвования на фестивале для ХВП.
В посление дни Враджавилас прабху и Радха-дживана прабху стали активно продвигать Золотые Кирпичи и Плитки Нрисимхадева. И волонтеры команды ТОВП начали активную подписку преданных. Всего за фестиваль было подписано 50 кирпичей.
За время фестиваля к команде ТОВП присоединилось как минимум 10 преданных из разных уголков РФ, многие взяли в свои ятры флаера ХВП.
В Анапе благодаря всеобщим усилиям было собрано 1.3 млн рублей.
На этом дело не закончилось, сразу же по прилету в Москву нас ждала программа в храме Джаганнатхи на Ботаническом. Радха-дживана прабху прочел замечательную лекцию.
Затем ЕС Бхакти Ананта Кришна Махарадж объявил всем, что собирается купить Золотой Кирпич на свое имя, сказав, что это подобно страховке, если вдруг мы свернем с истинного пути и в конце жизни за нами придут ямадуты – мы скажем им, что под алтарем-то лежит наш кирпичик, тогда придут Вишнудуты и заберут нас на Вайкунтху. Держа в руках сертификат на кирпич он сказал, что это “билет в духовный мир”.
На следующий день состоялась программа в другом московском храме, где после лекции Радха-дживаны прабху было подписано 10 Кирпичей. Затем Враджавилас прабху и Радха-дживана прабху встретились с президентом Ассоциации индийцев России и с президентом храма – ЕМ Садху Прией прабху, обсудив сотрудничество в проекте Храма Ведического Планетария.
Наши гости также захотели побывать на Красной Площади, идя по которой Шрила Прабхупада сделал предсказание о распространении Сознания Кришны в России. Две этих души всегда идут по стопам Шрилы Прабхупады, неся его миссию в своих сердцах».
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From September 6-11, the beautiful city of Anapa in the Russian Federation was transferred into the spiritual realm. Around 5,000 devotees came there for the Sadhu-sanga” Festival. In the opening lecture, His Holiness Bhakti Vijnana Goswami three times mentioned two special guests. As you can guess, he was referring to H.G. Vraja Vilas and H.G. Radha Jivana prabhus from the TOVP. They came to the festival to give promotional presentations, trying to encourage each and everyone to take part it this wonderful project, one to which they have dedicated their own lives.
Mataji Narayani Radha kindly shared with us her impressions after meeting with Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivana prabhus.
The pace of their lifestyle is amazing. We arrived from the airport late evening, and next morning Radha Jivana prabhu gave a Srimad Bhagavatam class for local devotees. All of them became subdued by his lecture. H.G. Mukunda Murari prabhu – a famous preacher and very experienced translator, later admitted that he was so impressed by the speech of Radha Jivana prabhu, that he just tried to transmit his emotions in Russian. However, it required special efforts from him. When the first donation request was made – $150 per square foot – devotees donated immediately.
After that we went to airport and arrived in Anapa. Although Anapa is pleasant town for many tourists, our guests had no desire to relax and enjoy the Black Sea. Once we were approached by a young Christian. He decided to “save” our souls, and politely offered to give up faith in Krishna and take faith in Christ, otherwise we will go to hell. Radha Jivana prabhu very convincingly and with dignity explained to the man that if somebody is talking about such serious topic, at least he should have qualities of a gentleman. It is not good to approach strangers on the street and say that they will go hell because of their faith in God. After that prabhu asked Christian about his goal of life and after getting an answer, he sincerely wished him happiness in fulfilling his goal and reach to the heaven. That point changed mood of confused Christian, and he just wished all the best for our guests.
Then we put TOVP tent, banners, table, donation box and the other things. Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivan prabhus collected more than $30 000 and gave a generous donation towards Ukrainian devotees suffering because of war.
There were a lot of ISKCON gurus, Srila Prabhupada’s disciples and sannyasis at the Festival. They also were talking about importance of participating in TOVP project. H.H. Jayapataka Swami, H.H. Niranjana Swami, H.H. Indradyumna Swami, H.H. Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, H.H. Gopal Krishna Goswami and H.G. Chaitanya Chandra Charan prabhu asked us to participate and take the desire of Srila Prabhupada very seriously. So after lectures many inspired devotees went to the tent and gave their contributions toward TOVP.”
In the pictures you can see our fundraising stalwarts, enthusiastically rendering their service to our beloved Srila Prabhupada.
Narayani Radha continued, Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivana prabhus conquered all by their enthusiasm. Every morning they went to Bhagavatam class, gave announcements from the stage, distributed TOVP flyers in the prasadam line, and endlessly talked with the TOVP team and all the devotees at the festival.
On third day we had a “culture shock” – Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivana prabhus moved their table and banner to the middle of the way, blocking almost all paths, and began to preach more loudly. Vraja Vilas prabhu learned some Russian words and began to shout: “Mayapur! Mayapur! HELP! Mayapur! TEMPLE!” knocking on the donation box and putting flyers in devotees’ hands. His screaming was so real, just like someone who is drowning and needs urgent help. This is the mood of true preachers…
Then appeared two ten year old boys, Subal and Danil. They collected donations during the entire day and several times came to the tent and put the Lakshmi in the donation box. Subal is very serious devotee. When asked why he is doing this seva, he replied that he does not want to take birth again, he wants to be with Krishna always.
An old mataji came to help Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivana collect donations during the festival.
At the end of the festival, Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivana prabhus began to promote the Golden Altar Bricks and Golden Nrsimha Tiles. About 50 bricks and tiles were pledged, and at least 10 devotees from different parts of Russia joined the TOVP team to help raise funds throughout Russia. Radha Jivana prabhu again gave a great lecture at the Moscow Jagannatha temple.
Then H.H. Bhakti Ananta Krishna Maharaj announced that he was going to buy a Golden Brick in his name as the ticket which we can give to the Vishnudutas for carrying us to the spiritual world. After this, 12 more Golden Bricks were pledged. The next day there was a program at another Moscow temple where 10 more Golden Bricks were pledged.
Then Vraja Vilas and Radha Jivana prabhus met the President of the Indian Association in Russia, H.G. Sadhu Priya prabhu. They discussed cooperation with the TOVP project. And, of course, our guests desired to visit famous Red Square where Srila Prabhupada visited and, while walking, predicted the beginning of Krishna Consciousness movement in Russia.
These two souls are always following Srila Prabhupada’s footsteps, carrying his mission in their hearts.
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Kadamba Kanana Swami arrived in South Africa on 11 September and the very next day, he began doing programs in the Johannesburg area. These included a program at the University of Johannesburg, a nama-hata in Randburg and a program at the newly acquired centre in Midrand. On Sunday, 14 September, the 8th annual Soweto Ratha Yatra Festival took place. Bhakti Caitanya Swami and Bhakti Narashima Swami also attended. The procession began at the Soweto temple and ended at the Community Center where visitors were entertained by a stage program and prasadam was served to all.
Courtesy of Candrasekhara Das and Bhakti Narashima Swami
Please visit flickr to see pictures from all of the above mentioned programs.