Even though there are so many great acaryas, Srila Rupa Gosvami has been attributed with the honor of being that person who has established the innermost heart's desire, of Sri Krishna in the form of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When Sriman Mahaprabhu came to the village of Ramakeli-grama, He met with Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami and told them, "You should leave your homes and be with Me."
After a short time they left their homes, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came from Vrndavana and met with Srila Rupa Gosvami at Prayag, the confluence of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told him:
"The ocean of the transcendental mellows of devotional service is so large that no one can estimate its length and breadth. However, just to help you taste it, I am describing one drop.
(Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya-lila 19.137) Read more ›
The museum features several permanent pieces including three large framed wooden depictions of Lord Krishna’s universal form, Lord Ramachandra, and the Dasavatar (Krishna’s ten incarnations). But its main offering is an annually rotating roster of exhibits that include sculptures, paintings, photography, video, and other art mediums.
Gita wisdom reconciles the goodness of God’s creation with the weakness of his creatures by differentiating between our pure core as souls and the shell of impurities such as lust.
Medical doctors say that what I have (shingles) is one of the strongest pains. It is true - the pain killers, which I take seem to bow down before this pain and I don't want to take anything too strong to cloud my consciousness. In addition there is a terrible stiffness of the neck. I can only lie down when I bring my head into my arms and then slowly put it down. Read more ›
True gratitude is beyond a superficial flattery of the ‘thank-you’ we hear daily. Heartfelt appreciation may be above utterances. It cannot be just switched on and off.
The month of Kartika (Damodar) is fast approaching. This year is our 28th Vraj Mandala Padayatra. We have one bullock cart and capacity for 7 devotees, 50,000 books and one month to wander through the twelve forests of Vraj. If you are a little physically fit and up for a transcendental adventure please contact me email Read more ›
The National Green Tribunal has banned new construction within 100 meters on both sides of Braj Parikrama route, spanning across three states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan by declaring it as ‘No Development Zone’.
Braj Parikrama route spans across the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, part of Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and part of Palwal district of Haryana.
A bench of Justice P Jyothimani directed the government of UP, Haryana and Rajasthan to take steps to preserve the Parikrama path apart from restricting the growth of buildings. Read more ›
1968 August 8 : "This method of chanting in the park, distributing Prasadam, and selling our literature and making some collection, is just the way by which we can make both propaganda and maintain our institution." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1969 August 8 : "The Vedic system is students go from door to door for begging alms, and because everyone's son is in the asrama, nobody declines to give alms. So there is no financial difficulty; but now we have to adjust to the circumstance." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969
1971 August 8 : "First of all you must promise that you will not separate under any circumstances. This marriage is serious business and not to be taken lightly. There is no question of separation in Krishna Conscious marriages." Prabhupada Letters :: 1971
1972 August 8 : "How many trustees there are and how many are our initiated members? Our initiated members must be in the majority, and if any deed has to be prepared then I shall send you the wordings." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1972 August 8 : "They may install Deities later. First let them preach. Preaching is the first thing, and when there is experience then I can install Deities. Now you go on preaching with full vigor and determination." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1973 August 8 : "He has no sense. Unnecessarily he has canceled our sales agreement and we are suffering so much in litigation. So, he has not gained any experience what is the meaning of going to court. Therefore I cannot agree." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1973 August 8: "Yes, before the Spiritual Master a dullheaded fool is required, an over intelligent disciple is not a very good qualification. Chant, dance distribute books and Prasadam and everything will increase automatically." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1973 August 8: "I am happy that the preaching is going on. Above all our preaching must go on. If we do not get that land then we may purchase some other land, that is not a very difficult thing - but preaching is our real business." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1974 August 8: "Regarding your expectation of 10,000 people, that is very good. I am very much pleased. Give the people nice prasadam. This is what is temple - life. Chanting, dancing, prasadam, this is what I want." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1974 August 8: "I am especially concerned that the second initiations not be taken cheaply. Brahmins are expected to rise early and follow strictly. Everyone must always chant 16 rounds and follow the four regulative principles." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
Why is it necessary to come to the mode of goodness to practise bhakti? If bhakti is transcendental and does not depend on any material condition can’t it be practiced being in the modes of passion or ignorance?
Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:
Balarama is the elder brother of Krsna and also the direct expansion of Krsna. He is non-different from Krsna; in fact, the same Supreme Personality of Godhead, Balarama and Krsna, appear in two forms but in these two forms they have different moods.
Krsna is the supreme enjoyer, Krsna is the one to whom all sacrifices are being offered to, Krsna is the controller of all the planetary systems… In this way, Krsna is always the Supreme Lord.
But Balarama is the Lord in a mood of a servant. He is the Supreme servant. He is always serving Krsna and it is said that Balarama experiences the greatest pleasure, even greater than Krsna because in service there is greater pleasure than in taking…
Byron Bay is a beachside town located in the far-northeastern corner of the state of New South Wales, Australia. Even if one distributes ten million cows in charity during an eclipse of the sun, lives at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna for millions of years, or gives a mountain of gold in sacrifice to the brahmanas, he does not earn even one hundredth part of the merit derived from chanting Hare Krishna. Read more ›
Today ISKCON lost Madhudvisa prabhu, an iconic figure in the pioneering history of spreading Krsna consciousness around the world. Srila Prabhupada once described him as the, “Emperor of Kirtan.” When Srila Prabhupada himself was departing this world he said, “bring my son Madhudvisa here.” He was a powerful general in Lord Caitanya’s samkirtan movement, while [...]
Bada Hari sings and they go wild. And at one point I just looked up and out into the crowd. A veritable sea of people. And I said a prayer in awe of how attractive Sri Nama Prabhu is because there is no logical reason that these people, with their purple hair and their rock and roll t shirts, their crazy costumes and covered with tattoos should love Bada Hari. Lol. He's an older gentleman, he doesn't have any crazy hair, he doesn't look particularly cool by material standards. He's not screaming or anything. No tattoos. He’s not singing songs about drugs, sex or rock and roll. Just singing the best old school ISKCON melodies from the heart and they are shouting the holy name back to him and all of us on stage with all their soul. Just goes to show that when you do kirtan with a sincere heart, it doesn't matter what you look like, what you sound like, or even what melody you choose. Read more ›
Caitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended that everyone chant the Hare Krishna mantra just to cleanse the dust from the heart. If the dust of the heart is cleansed away, then one can actually understand the importance of the holy name.
Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 12,
Srila Prabhupada Read more ›