Planet ISKCON

University of Toronto, Toronto

 

Roll Out the Dice

 

I walked to “Theatrics Plus” and the friendly clerk found for me what I came for, a prop for the virtual drama that a group of us are putting together. “Rolling the Dice” is the name of the play. The highlight of the story focuses on some shady gambling from the “Mahabharat.” The props I purchased were dice, four of them at $2.50 a crack. They look good, roll nice, sound good when you shake them and are made in China. According to the epic, the iconic dice are supposed to be made of the bones of ancestors.

 

The place on Young—Theatrics Plus—is all geared up for the Halloween crowd. A large stock. “How’s business?” I asked the fellow who dug to find the dice.

 

“It’s picking up, but slower than usual because of…”

 

“Don’t say it. I know. Covid, right?”

 

“Exactly!”

 

With the dice in my pocket I continued the stroll and sat for a moment at a linear park, parallel to Yonge Street. Visitors to the city would never know of this secret passageway. Then, walking by me, appeared Suresh, who I’ve known for centuries (seems like).

 

“Hey! Haribol!” I said. He was surprised. We talked about the piano he donated to the Bayview Square Park.

 

“It’s survived two winters,” he said of this much-used instrument during the high season, summer, and which gets locked down and covered during ominous weather conditions.

 

“It’s a great service you are doing. People need more music in their life.” I said, as a way of encouragement. I continued on the stroll to and through the campus at the University of Toronto. I received a call from someone who wanted directions after seeing visions of Krishna. I offered encouragement. “Please bring the music of Krishna into your life and stop eating pork.”

 

Maybe Source be with you!

4 km

 

Yorkville, Toronto

 

Let the Rain Come Down

 

Drizzle! Drizzle! That is the sum and substance of weather conditions today and tonight. My encounter with it was in the evening. I didn’t mind. My full day was indoors, where it was rather dry. The important thing is one’s state of mind, regardless of the situation. Krishna is within and without. So let the rain come down.

 

I received a call from someone in Edmonton. He, like many, are quite affected by the fear culture installed by Covid-19. My response to him was to not get over-exposed to the news. It is highly important to be informed but is also of paramount importance to be enlightened. “Make sure to insert the Blue Boy in your day.”

 

This will be my message, from here on to the end of the month and beyond—insert the Blue Boy. Also, with the month of Kartik sneaking up on us as of October 31, we should naturally give attention to Him, God as a Child. Every year at this time we become charmed by Krishna as the one in slight trouble, danger and then resolve.

 

While some veggies are still on harvest, people, at least in this part of the world, are shopping for the colours orange and black. Pumpkins are forever. And this season there is better food, better sleep and better brain. Cool weather is more conducive for intelligence. Personally I will commit to more memorization of yogic mantrasbeginning with Bhagavad-Gita verse 4.42. Let the rain come down!

 

May the source be with you!

4 km

 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 1 August 2020, Radhadesh, Belgium, Initiation Ceremony Lecture)

Uttama-adhikari is living in a close relationship with Krsna. The uttama-adhikari is always thinking about Krsna in every moment. And every moment is dedicated to Krsna. This devotee is not wasting a single moment on anything else.

kṣāntir avyartha-kālatvaṁ
viraktir māna-śūnyatā
āśā-bandhaḥ samutkaṇṭhā
nāma-gāne sadā ruciḥ
(Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya Lila 23.18-19)

When the seed of ecstatic emotion for Krsna fructifies, many symptoms manifest in one’s behaviour. One of them is a taste for chanting the holy name of the Lord constantly! In this way, our spiritual life is meant to be a life of growth, a life where we are meant to change, and where we are meant to become very soft-hearted. This happens by dedicating every moment to Krsna.

The article " Dedicating every moment " was published on KKSBlog.

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Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Date:1st Nov 2020

Day: Sunday

Time: 11 am to 12 noon

Topic: "Don't generalize, analyze - Wisdom on relationships from Ramayana"

Speaker: HG Chitanya Charan das

Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9150790510?pwd=Wk5GYXVRMkJmdk84MzZJRXBKYUgwUT09

HG Chitanya Charan das

Chaitanya Charan is a monk, mentor and spiritual author. He has done his Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the Government College of Engineering, Pune. He subsequently served as a software engineer in a prominent multinational software corporation. He also secured 2350 out of 2400 in GRE, gaining the top rank in Maharashtra.

Seeing the prevalent problems of stress, depression, addiction and overall misdirection – all caused by a lack of spirituality – he felt inspired to dedicate his life to the cause of sharing the spiritual wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita under the aegis of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness).

He travels all over the world from Australia to America, giving talks on spiritual subjects in universities such as Princeton, Harvard, Stanford and Cambridge and companies such as Intel, Google, Amazon and Microsoft. See Chaitanya Charan’s talks across the world

He is the author of the world’s only Gita-daily feature, wherein he writes daily a 300-word inspirational reflection on a verse from the Bhagavad- Gita. Till now he has written over seventeen hundred Gita meditations that are posted on www.gitadaily.com and are read through daily feeds by thousands from all over the world. He also answers questions by seekers on his site www.thespiritualscientist.com, where his over three thousand five hundred audio answers and several hundred articles are available.

His articles have been published in many national newspapers including Indian Express, Economic Times and Times of India in the Speaking Tree column. His writings in English have been translated into several foreign languages including German, Chinese and Romanian and several Indian languages including Kannada, Telgu, Bengali, Hindi and Marathi.

He is a member of ISKCON’s leading intellectual body, the Shastric Advisory Council, and is the associate-editor of ISKCON’s global magazine, Back to Godhead.

He has authored several wonderful books

ISKCON Scarborough

3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,

Scarborough, Ontario,

Canada, M1V4C7

Website: www.iskconscarborough.org

Email:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

scarboroughiskcon@gmail.com

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ISKCON Child Protection Guidelines state:

“No person, who has been determined to have engaged in severe maltreatment of children, will be allowed to remain active in a position of authority or trust within ISKCON, this includes activities such as leading kirtan, giving class, speaking publicly at any ISKCON event or representing ISKCON in official capacities.”

In February 2019 the Bhakti Center Directors confirmed the center will comply with ISKCON GBC resolutions and CPO policies and decisions regarding Dhanurdhara.

Below is Dhanurdhara’s official resignation letter:

June 21st, 2006

Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

The recent suicide of Ananda, and Shakuntala’s letter, has brought renewed attention and scrutiny to my past mistakes. I deeply regret these mistakes and the harm they have caused. Though I can’t say I realize all the pain I have inflicted, I have witnessed the strong emotions of those I have harmed and know their wounds are deep. I’d like to reiterate my pledge to continue to meet gurukula alumni, beg for their forgiveness, and to offer whatever help I can.

But despite my efforts to accept responsibility for my mistakes and the periodic reciprocation I receive from the victims, this controversy continues to brew and I now believe that only a radical solution will resolve the issue. Therefore I will step away from ISKCON and perform devotional service outside the institution. I do this as a service to Srila Prabhupada’s Society and to ISKCON’s youth. I plan to live a simple, repentant life, where I hope my presence will not disturb others, taking shelter of the holy name and my godbrothers. I hope this will be a step toward mending the great rift that seems so destructive to our Society.

I plan to continue to encourage my disciples to live and serve in ISKCON wherever their faith will be respected. I request the GBC and all devotees to consider their welfare when dealing with this issue.

If the wounds of those so deeply affected can be healed and a new strength for Srila Prabhupada’s movement achieved, that would be a great blessing. I will continue to seek and help those I have offended, which is my most crucial work for this movement.

With deepest regret for the trouble I have caused,

Dhanurdhara Swami

Here’s a link to his letter on Dandavats.

A statement from the MVT Trustees:

“MVT (Mayapur Vrindavan Trust) Trustees sought direction from the ISKCON Child Protection Office. Based on the response from CPO (Child Protection Office), Dhanurdhara Swami was asked not to enter MVT premises. On February 26, 2020, Dhanurdhara Swami agreed to comply.”

• 

• 

Shri Madhvacharya appeared in 1238 A.D. near Udupi, Karnataka in South India. He was considered an incarnation of Vayu (wind god). He had an unusually strong physique and extraordinary intellectual power.

Once a fierce Bengali tiger attacked Madhvacharya’s sannyasa disciple, Satya Tirtha. Madhvacharya wrestled the tiger and sent him away with his tail between his legs. Madhvacharya took diksha at age five, sannyasa at twelve and left home. He appeared with a mission to fight and defeat Sankara’s Mayavada (impersonal) philosophy. 

By giving a pure interpretation of Vedanta-sutra he promoted pure theism. He named his innovative shastric explanation dvaita-dvaita-vada (pure dualism).

With a hope of meeting Shrila Vyasadeva himself Madhvacharya walked up the Himalayas. Vyasadeva gave him a Shalagrama sila called Ashtamurti, approved his Bhagavad-gita commentary, and blessed Madhvacharya with deeper realizations of the sastras. 

In Udupi, Madhvacharya installed a beautiful Deity of Gopala standing alone holding a cowherding stick. This Deity manifested from within a chunk of gopi-candana (sacred clay). He established eight mathas (Temples) to lovingly serve “Udupi Krishna.” The sannyasi leaders of each matha worship the Krishna Deity with a rigorous regimen of ceremonial ritual, punctuality, and impeccable personal conduct. Every Ekadashi they observe nirjala (total fast all food and water).

For the Sat Sandarbhas Shri Jiva Goswami drew heavily from Madhva’s writings. Jiva Goswami found ‘the Gaudiya philosophy of acintya-bheda-abheda tattva in Madhva’s Bhagavat-parya. Shri Chaitanya Himself visited Udupi, the seat of Madhva’s sect. The Lord introduced Hari Nama sankirtana into their sect. 

 Shri Madhvacharya’s Nine Teachings

   (1) Bhagavan Shri Krishna alone is the Supreme Absolute Truth, one without a second.
 
   (2) He is the object of knowledge in all the Vedas.

   (3) The universe is real, satya.
 
   (4) The differences between Ishvara (God), Jiva (soul) and Matter are real.
 
   (5) Jiva souls are by nature the servants of the Supreme Lord Hari.
 
   (6) There are two categories of jivas; liberated and illusioned.

   (7) Liberation (moksha) means attainmg the lotus feet of Bhagavan Krishna, in other words, entering an eternal relationship of service to the Supreme Lord.

   (8) Pure devotional service to Krishna is the only way to attain this liberation.
 
   (9) The truth may be known by pratyaksha (direct perception), anuman (inference or logic), sabda (spiritual sound or Vedic authority.

   Shri Madhvacharya serves as Madhavi-gopi in Radha-Govinda’s eternal Vrindavana pleasure pastimes. 

• 

• 

Important TOVP Announcement from Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa Prabhus on opening date deferred.

For congregation members and families in ISKCON, deity worship at home has long been a major part of their spiritual practice, as well as a way to bond in service to the Lord.

The cabin where Shyamasundar Das, one of ISKCON’s earliest pioneers, worked on his ‘Chasing Rhinos With the Swami’ trilogy burned down last month in the Lionshead wildfire in Oregon, USA. The wildfire began on August 16th and has burned 204,469 acres, making it the sixth-largest fire of the past 100 years in Oregon. “By Krishna’s […]

The post Shyamasundar Das’s Writing Cabin Burned Down in Oregon Fire appeared first on ISKCON News.

The cabin where Shyamasundar Das, one of ISKCON’s earliest pioneers, worked on his ‘Chasing Rhinos With the Swami’ trilogy burned down last month in the Lionshead wildfire in Oregon, USA.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of Srila Prabhupada’s most beloved and dedicated servants from this world, His Grace Jasomatinandana prabhu, on October 24 in Ahmedabad. A preaching pioneer in India, he was the main force behind the development and construction of the current ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad, and the general expansion of ISKCON in Gujarat.

The TOVP Team is indebted to him for his support and inspiration, and for his assistance with raising hundreds of thousands of dollars from temples in Gujarat. He enthusiastically offered what he could for the project and thus set a perfect example of service in cooperation for the greater good of the society.

He will be sorely missed by all of us and by all who knew him throughout the world. We pray that Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna may be pleased upon him and take him under their divine shelter for his everlasting happiness in Their service.

Dear ISKCON Leaders and Devotees Worldwide,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

As you know, we have planned for some time now to shift the Mayapur Deities into the new TOVP temple room by 2022. In the meantime, of course, the COVID -19 Pandemic came on the scene and all construction came to a halt from mid-March to mid-October, 2020, and it is only now that we have restarted the construction in a limited phase-like manner. Also, during this period we have faced and continue to face a significant financial downturn. In light of all these difficulties and serious delays we met with our project management consultant, Cushman & Wakefield, and discussed the matter threadbare. The unanimous and obvious conclusion was that, considering all these factors and the quantum of work to be completed, it will not be possible to have the TOVP Opening in 2022. Therefore, we are hereby appraising you that we are postponing the shifting of the Deities and the opening date to 2023, and only somewhat later can we confirm the exact months of the opening.

Even for successfully meeting our new target date of 2023 for the TOVP Opening we are entirely dependent upon the whole ISKCON Society to help us achieve that goal. We, consequently, are looking to each and every ISKCON leader and all the devotees within their Zones to assist us by endeavoring to see that every devotee fulfills their pledge to the TOVP in the quickest possible time. Additionally, it is imperative for each leader to enthusiastically encourage their temple congregation to pitch in their might. It must be realized that we, just a few of us, have no real capacity to bring up and complete such a monumental and unique project, the personal vision of Srila Prabhupada and the entire Parampara, in isolation and without the full and active support of every leader and devotee in ISKCON.

Likewise, we were planning to hold the Inauguration and Installation of the unique TOVP worshipping pose Murti of Srila Prabhupada in Sridham Mayapur on February 27, 2021. However, given the great unlikelihood that any GBC members or significant number of devotees will be attending at that time, due to the continuing Covid-19 Pandemic, we have decided to also postpone that event. Nevertheless, we are most eager to have this extremely auspicious and historic Inauguration at the soonest possible time and have rescheduled it for October, 2021 during the month of Damodar (date to be announced).

We humbly request all devotees to please continue with their pledge payments, and whenever possible, to give again. Our fundraising focus for the next year will be the installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP, and you can now sponsor an abhisheka for that purpose at the TOVP website as indicated below. This will be our worldwide dakshina to our Founder/Acharya, and our combined welcome and greeting to him into the TOVP. This will also provide an important steady stream of income to our current construction work and the payment of existing bills to vendors.

We regret having to make this grave announcement, but under the circumstances we feel this is the only practical path to follow under the circumstances. We both wish all of you our sincere thanks for your continued support and beg your prayers for the successful opening of the TOVP in 2023.

Your servants,
Ambarisa das – Chairman
Braja Vilasa das – Director of Development

Sponsor an abhisheka for the Grand Installation of the new Prabhupada murti in the TOVP today!

The 2018 GBC Child Protection Policy confirms Dhanurdhara has lifetime restrictions in ISKCON from holding any roles of trusted authority and in leading public worship:

“No person, who has been determined to have engaged in severe maltreatment of children, will be allowed to remain active in a position of authority or trust* within ISKCON, this includes activities such as leading kirtan, giving class, speaking publicly at any ISKCON event or representing ISKCON in official capacities.”

“*Position of trust or authority include any of the following: 1. Having any position of leadership within ISKCON. 2. Giving class or leading kirtan in the temple or at any ISKCON related program/festival. 3. Having any service that involves contact with children.”

Here’s a link to the 2018 GBC Child Protection Resolutions.

2007 GBC Resolution 312 Part B. Positions of Leadership

[Statement] RESOLVED:

Whenever the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection rules that an offense is such as to restrict a person from serving in ISKCON in positions of leadership (including but not limited to offices of GBC, minister, zonal secretary or temple officer), the restriction must include the position of initiating guru. This restriction shall apply to all previous and future decisions of the Central Office of Child Protection.

Here’s a link to the full 2007 GBC Resolutions.

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Here is an excerpt from a 2006 report by ISKCON’s legal counsel to the Child Protection Office and GBC:

“As a result of the litigation in Texas, and the 600-plus claims filed in the bankruptcy court, we now have a vast body of information (evidence) that was not available in 1999. Although much was known with respect to allegations of physical and mental child abuse by Dhanurdhara Swami at the Vrindavan gurukula, we now have even more information than we had at that time. Based upon this additional information, it is now unequivocally clear to ISKCON’s legal team that the damage inflicted by Dhanurdhara Swami was significantly greater than that which was known in 1999. In fact, Dhanurdhara Swami is named as an abuser in the bankruptcy claims far more than any other person.”

For emphasis, I’ll repeat the last sentence to make sure we catch the significance:

“In fact, Dhanurdhara Swami is named as an abuser in the bankruptcy claims far more than any other person.”

The report concluded:

“We have seen and reviewed firsthand the claims filed in the bankruptcy court documenting the severe abuse inflicted on the Vrindavana gurukula children by Dhanurdhara Swami, as well as the CPO information. From a legal standpoint, we have no doubt that these claims are legitimate.”

Today Srila Prabhupadas beloved disciple, my dear godbrother, Jasomatinandan Das left his body in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, due to COVID-19. He is Srila Prabhupada’s eternal servant, and he will continue his service at Prabhupada’s lotus feet.

On a morning walk on Juhu Beach, Srila Prabhupada asked Dr. Patel why he was coming daily.

“I don’t know,” Dr. Patel replied. “I have got some . . .”

“We don’t pay you any fee.”

“I feel some sort of attachment to you. That is why I come. I don’t understand why I am attracted to you specially. I don’t understand. I have been thinking about it. I am very much thinking there must be some purva-janma, something from the past life. I don’t know. No sadhu has been able to attract me as much as you have. Not even temples have attracted me, to tell the truth.”

And Jasomatinandan Prabhu chimed in, “There is no sadhu except Prabhupada”—which, to me, exemplified his absolute dedication and devotion to Srila Prabhupada.

His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Srila Prabhupada’s beloved disciple Jasomatinandan Das ki jaya!

Their humble, eternal servant,
Giriraj Swami

 

On Saturday the 24th of October, 2020 at approximately 5 pm Indian Standard Time, His Grace Jasomatinandana Prabhu left this planet. He had been hospitalized with Covid-19 for nearly two weeks and was in the city of Ahmedabad, India; he passed away today due to cardiac arrest. HG Jasomatinandana Prabhu was an exemplary devotee and […]

The post His Grace Jasomatinandana Prabhu Passes Away appeared first on ISKCON News.

On Saturday the 24th of October, 2020 at approximately 5 pm Indian Standard Time, His Grace Jasomatinandana Prabhu left this planet. He had been hospitalized with Covid-19 for nearly two weeks and was in the city of Ahmedabad, India; he passed away today due to cardiac arrest.

• 

• 

On the tenth day of the waxing moon of Padmanabha (Asvina) month, occurs Vijayotsava. On this day Lord Ramacandra heard from Hanuman beneath the sami tree that he had found and seen Sita on the Island kingdom of Lanka.

Hearing this, Ramacandra held a festival, and then set out for Sri Lanka. On this day one may perform special puja of Lord Ramacandra and then in His honour feed the Vaisnavas. This is a popular festival in north India, where, on this occasion, large paper effigies of the demon Ravana are burned to the resounding chants of Victory to Rama, Victory to Rama.

In the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he absorbed Himself in the transcendental lila of Lord Ramacandra in the following manner as recorded by Srila Krishna dasa Kaviraj Goswami.

Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila Chapter 15 Texts 31-35.

Madhya 15.31
parama-avese prabhu aila nija-ghara
ei-mata lila kare gauranga-sundara

TRANSLATION
In great ecstasy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to His residence. In this way, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Gauranga-sundara, performed various pastimes.

Madhya 15.32
vijaya-dasami——lanka-vijayera dine
vanara-sainya kaila prabhu lana bhakta-gane

TRANSLATION
On the victory day celebrating the conquest of Lanka–a day known as Vijaya-dasami–Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu dressed up all His devotees like monkey soldiers.

Madhya 15.33
hanuman-avese prabhu vriksha-sakha lana
lanka-gade cadi’ phele gada bhangiya

TRANSLATION
Displaying the emotions of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up a large tree branch, and, mounting the walls of the Lanka fort, began to dismantle it.

Madhya 15.34
‘kahanre ravna’ prabhu kahe krodhavese
jagan-mata hare papi, marimu savamse’

TRANSLATION
In the ecstasy of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu angrily said, “Where is the rascal Ravana? He has kidnapped the universal mother, Sita. Now I shall kill him and all his family.”

Madhya 15.35
gosanira avesa dekhi’ loke camatkara
sarva-loka jaya’ jaya’ bale bara bara

TRANSLATION
Everyone became very astonished to see the emotional ecstasy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and everyone began to chant, “All glories! All glories!” again and again.

• 

• 

• 

• 

On the tenth day of the waxing moon of Padmanabha (Asvina) month, occurs Vijayotsava. On this day Lord Ramacandra heard from Hanuman beneath the sami tree that he had found and seen Sita on the Island kingdom of Lanka.

Hearing this, Ramacandra held a festival, and then set out for Sri Lanka. On this day one may perform special puja of Lord Ramacandra and then in His honour feed the Vaisnavas. This is a popular festival in north India, where, on this occasion, large paper effigies of the demon Ravana are burned to the resounding chants of Victory to Rama, Victory to Rama.

In the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu he absorbed Himself in the transcendental lila of Lord Ramacandra in the following manner as recorded by Srila Krishna dasa Kaviraj Goswami.

Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya-lila Chapter 15 Texts 31-35.

Madhya 15.31
parama-avese prabhu aila nija-ghara
ei-mata lila kare gauranga-sundara

TRANSLATION
In great ecstasy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to His residence. In this way, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Gauranga-sundara, performed various pastimes.

Madhya 15.32
vijaya-dasami——lanka-vijayera dine
vanara-sainya kaila prabhu lana bhakta-gane

TRANSLATION
On the victory day celebrating the conquest of Lanka–a day known as Vijaya-dasami–Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu dressed up all His devotees like monkey soldiers.

Madhya 15.33
hanuman-avese prabhu vriksha-sakha lana
lanka-gade cadi’ phele gada bhangiya

TRANSLATION
Displaying the emotions of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took up a large tree branch, and, mounting the walls of the Lanka fort, began to dismantle it.

Madhya 15.34
‘kahanre ravna’ prabhu kahe krodhavese
jagan-mata hare papi, marimu savamse’

TRANSLATION
In the ecstasy of Hanuman, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu angrily said, “Where is the rascal Ravana? He has kidnapped the universal mother, Sita. Now I shall kill him and all his family.”

Madhya 15.35
gosanira avesa dekhi’ loke camatkara
sarva-loka jaya’ jaya’ bale bara bara

TRANSLATION
Everyone became very astonished to see the emotional ecstasy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and everyone began to chant, “All glories! All glories!” again and again.

• 

• 

Sometimes when we see a need, the solution is to step forward and fulfill it ourselves.

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The post Should we gratify our desires so that we don’t carry our desires to the next life? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Without love, nothing can sustain. If I do not love Krishna, I cannot surrender—it is not possible. Just like a small child—he is naturally surrendered to the parents because there is love. The child loves the parents. So without the basic principle of love—the more you love, the more the surrender is perfect. Just like a small child—you slap the child, he’s crying, yet crying with the words, “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,” because there is love. Even in distress the child cannot forget. That is natural. Similarly, when you remain fully surrendered to the supreme will, either in distress or in happiness, that is your happiness, that is real happiness.

This condition cannot be without love. In any condition, you remain surrendered. It cannot be done without love. When there is lack of love, this kind of mentality cannot develop: “In any condition I shall remain surrendered.” Just like you are; you are, a whole society is, carrying my order, not because I am superior person; there is love. Without love, you cannot do so. You have got some bit of love for me; therefore you carry my order. Otherwise it is not possible. And I cannot also . . . You are foreigners, you are Americans. I came from another country; I have no account. I cannot also order you, “You must do it; otherwise I will chastise you.” Because there is love. It is a connection of love. I can also become bold enough to chastise you, but you also, in whatever condition, carry out my order due to the basic principle of love. Our whole philosophy is love.

—Srila Prabhupada, room conversation

The Sacred Ecology Forum – which facilitates environmental activism and spiritual growth rooted in the Krishna Bhakti tradition – is presenting a special Eco-Bhakti weekend from October 23^rd to 25^th on Zoom.

Sometimes when we see a need, the solution is to step forward and fulfill it ourselves. This is what Arjun Bhattacharyya, a young devotee known in ISKCON as a photographer and assistant to Deena Bandhu Das, realized when he decided to volunteer his own time to add the original Bengali script that had been missing […]

The post Dedicated Volunteer Brings Original Bengali Script To Sri Caitanya-caritamrita Online appeared first on ISKCON News.

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The post If Krishna is merciful, he takes everything away from us – how to not become fearful on hearing this statement? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.