Today is the appearance day of Sripad Ramanujacharya.Sripad Ramanujacarya has also visited Navadvipa dhama & performed his bhajan at Vaikuntapur. Navadvipa dham Mahatmya narrates Ramanujacarya’s arrival to Navadvipa as follows: A great acarya once came to Puri and pleased the Lord with his verses. Jagannatha appeared before him and said, “go and see Navadvipa Dhama, […]
If you click the above link from your desktop or laptop, you will be able to join directly
If you click this link from your cell phone or IPAD etc, you will have to download the Zoom application (less than a minute to download)
Summary of the Narayana Kavacha Shield: SB 6.8: Narayana Kavacha - literally means the armour of Lord Narayana. An armour protects one from all kinds of evil- above, below, within and without, all possible situations, times and circumstances and from our enemies and their weapons seen and unseen.
Benediction:
SB 6.8.37: This prayer, Narayana Kavacha, constitutes subtle knowledge transcendentally connected with Narayana. One who employs this prayer is never disturbed or put in danger by the government, by plunderers, by evil demons or by any type of disease.
From: ISKCON Toronto Kids <kids@torontokrishna.com> Date: Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 10:47 PM Subject: Special initiative from Krishna Funskool: Helping children stay spiritually connected To: Hare Krishna Dear Parents, Greetings from Krishna Funskool.
We have been missing all of the students from Krishna Funskool. We hope that you are all keeping well and staying safe at home. We would like to re-engage with the children as soon as possible to keep them spiritually connected during this time of unexpected closures.
As Ramanavami approaches, we would like the kids to learn the Nama Ramayana by sri Laksmanacharya, which is composed of 108 names of Lord Rama, describing his various qualities and pastimes from the 7 Khandas of the Ramayana. We are hoping to begin this tomorrow, Friday March 27, 2020, in the hopes of completing it on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lord Rama on April 2, 2020. We would like to connect with the children everyday through 30-minute Zoom calls from tomorrow.
Learn the Nama Ramayana Starting date: Friday, March 27th, 2020 Time: 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Please RSVP to let us know if your child will be participating in the zoom online Nama Ramayana learning session from tomorrow. We will send you the lyrics and the zoom online session link.
Additionally, we would like to go through the various resources listed and encourage the children to complete some age and/or ability appropriate activity on a daily basis, some of which will be selected to be posted on the ISKCON Toronto blog page.
The theme for the week of March 30th to April 4th, 2020 is the Ramayana.
Suggestions include:
1. Colouring
2. Drawing
3. Creating dioramas using modeling clay and recyclables
4. Create Ramayana themed crafts; For eg: make and decorate your own bow and arrow
5. Audio recording bhajans, Sanskrit verses from the Ramayana
6. Sharing recipes that they have prepared for offering to the Lord
7. Writing poems
8. Writing Small Biographies about the different personalities from the Ramayana describing their roles, relationship and relevant pastimes related to Lord Rama
Parents can send a picture of their child's work everyday to kids@torontokrishna.com to reach us by 9:00 pm everyday. Selected entries will be posted on iskcontoronto.blogspot.com. from Monday, March 30th onwards.
We hope that you will encourage your children to participate in this endeavour and we hope to stay connected on a regular basis with other activities going forward.
A resource 'Spirituality at Home: Coping with Kids During Uncertain Times' is attached herewith for your reference.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions/suggestions.
In your service,
Geetha Sarma
For Krishna Funskool team ISKCON Toronto 416.830.6850
Krishna's FunSkool - Spiritual Values through Interactive Learning Every Sunday 5:00-6:15 pm ISKCON Toronto
Ramanujacharya was born around 1017 in Sri Perumbudur village. His father was Kesava Samayaji and his mother was Kantimathi. He married Rashambal around 1036.
A few days after the wedding, his father died and He went with his mother and wife to Kanchipuram and settled there. He became a priest in the temple of Lord Varadaraja and began to expound the doctrine of devotional service to the Lord.
It is said that Ramanuja’s married life lasted until he was thirty, when he gave up worldly life. Ramanuja’s cousin, Govinda Bhatta was his closest friend and he played an important role in Ramanuja’s life.
He was also associated with Ranganatha temple where he establish the teaching that the worship of god and the soul is an essential part of the doctrines of the Upanishads on which the system of Vedanta is built, therefore the teachings of the Vaishanavas and Bhagavatas are not heterodox. He returned to Sri Rangam after 20 years and organised the temple worship, and founded 74 centres to disseminate his teachings.
Hare Krishna charity Food for All has been given government approval to serve free vegetarian meals to London’s homeless people during the UK’s Coronavirus lockdown.
This unprecedented environment has also created an unprecedented state of affairs for ISKCON, with all events cancelled, and temples across North America closed to the public, as well as to devotees except temple residents.
Thursday April 2nd is Rama Navami, the appearance of Lord Rama. Lord Rama is an incarnation of Krishna who appeared in Ayodhya (in current day Uttar Pradesh, India) as the son of King Dasaratha. During Lord Rama’s reign, all the citizens were happy, religious and their necessities of life were provided for. He was a virtuous, charitable and dutiful King. He is particularly known for his victorious battle with the ten-headed demon Ravana, the evil King of Lanka thereby freeing his wife Sita from the demon’s captivity. Through his life, he exemplified heroism, morality and good governance.
Due to COVID19 precautions the Temple remains closed to the public (CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION), as such we will be hosting special virtual celebrations.
Celebrations will conclude on Thursday when HH Bhaktimarga Swami will give a special Class from 6:30pm - 7:30pm EST. This live class will be broadcast on our Facebook Page "ISKCON Toronto: The Hare Krishna Centre".
In addition to these festivities, our Krishna Funschool is hosting some virtual Rama Navami themed activities for children. More information can be found HERE.
After two major earthquakes on the morning of March 22nd, all inhabitants of Zagreb ran out of their homes. Luckily, ISKCON's Nova Jaladuta temple building did not suffer any major damage, an the Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Deities have been worshiped without disruption.
Next Thursday,April 2nd is the auspicious occasion of Rama Navami. This day is generally marked with many festivities at the temple and this year- is going to be no different! We have a bunch of activities lined up for online participation! More on this soon - stay tuned!
Our Krishna Funskool, the weekly Sunday school, has also contributed in various ways to this celebration- presenting a tableau, performing bhajans, and more. To facilitate the children's engagement and learning this year, we are happy to announce a couple of things:
Virtual classes have been organized starting March 27th where a prayer known as the Nama Ramayana (the 108 Names of Lord Rama) will be taught to children. For details, please contact kids@torontokrishna.com.
Additionally, we would like to encourage children to complete some age and/or ability appropriate activity on a daily basis, some of which will be selected to be posted on this website and other social media pages!Parents can send a picture of their child's work everyday by 9:00pm to kids@torontokrishna.com.
The theme for the week of March 30th to April 5th is, of course, Ramayana.
Suggestions include:
1.Colouring
2.Drawing
3.Creating dioramas using modeling clay and recyclables
4.Creating Ramayana themed crafts, for eg: make and decorate your own bow and arrow
5.Audio recording bhajans and Sanskrit verses from the Ramayana or Srimad Bhagavatam.
6.Sharing recipes that they have prepared for offering to the Lord
7.Writing poems
8.Writing small biographies on the personalities from the Ramayana describing their roles, relationship and relevant pastimes related to Lord Rama
Yesterday I realised that to get a bag of rice or dal was going to take at least 8 weeks, the supermarkets were sold out and the warehouse suppliers were sold out.
Krishna came to the rescue and this morning 10 pallets, 10 tonnes , arrived, Hari Bol.When these magical events happen we can feel gratitude to Lord Krishna and his pure devotee Srila Prabhupada.
Last night the whole U.K. openly expressed gratitude towards the NHS, ( UK hospital staff) The Co Director of Food for All Jenny Matthias: Hari Krishna to all our wonderful devotees in Krishna Consciousness. Last night saw the public come out in their droves on veranda’s and outside their windows, clapping their hands and whooping with much respect for our angels without wings; It’s usually in times of severe adversity that you see Krishna at work. The NHS deserve fully the accolade of a nations respect but more still needs to be done and so we are calling on you specifically to help us distribute Prasad, our world needs a spiritual solution and you’re it. Who’s up for the challenge?? Hari Krishna and much LOVE to you all from Jenne Bellestar
Matthias”The Bellestars felt really honoured that their version of The Clapping Song was chosen by Channel 4 for the musical backdrop that played tribute to our heroic NHS carer’s on and off the front line.
“If I can be cheeky , I have a Natco Foods invoice here for £4,421 , and Hodmedod Foods invoice for £9,500 , can anybody pay them please , will be grateful, Email : foodforalluk@gmail.com
The first annual UP Devotional Arts & Film Festival, which took place on March 8th at Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi Auditorium in Mayapur, focused on screening music videos by devotee artists from around the world.
All day, we are talking about money. At work, money is the centre. That is what it is basically all about; doing all these things to make money. We make money, the company makes money. So money is all we are doing it for. Having a nice meeting – for money! Everyone is present – for money! That is all that is for.
At work, one is busy with money. But then at home, that is enough! How much time can we spend for money? Money comes anyway on it’s own accord. And its also to be remembered that one should just live according to his means – whatever comes naturally without going too far. That is what one should accept, his destiny. Not that we can go against destiny and that we want to be richer than we are meant to be and then we just somehow or other endeavour twelve hours, fourteen hours and so on. Because then, there is no more spiritual life left.
If someone says, “I have no more time for spiritual life”, then the first question is, “How much time are you spending just making money?” Prabhupada said once that about six hours a day is enough. Now you can tell your boss that; that is certainly going to be a complication (laughter). But at least we can try and minimize the time we spend just making money. This will mean that we have to live a little simpler, but that is fine!
Hare Krsna Please accept our humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Our 33rd month - interactive, multimedia online Srimad Bhagavatam Katha will be held from 4 pm to 6 pm coming Saturday. Please note that this is a virtual class where you can take part from the comfort of your home.
Topic: Rantideva - The personification of Generosity and kindness
Date: 28th Mar 2020 (Saturday)
Time: 4 pm to 6 pm
Link to join the class from your desktop or laptop:https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9150790510 If you click the above link from your desktop or laptop, you will be able to join directly If you click this link from your cell phone or IPAD etc, you will have to download the Zoom application (less than a minute to download)
Summary of the pastime: SB 9.21: King Rantideva and his family fasted for a very long time. When they were finally ready to break the fast they were interrupted in succession by uninvited guests. In spite of his severe thirst and hunger, the king fulfilled the requests of the guests respectfully and without any hesitation. Resultantly, the king was at the verge of his death due to his generosity and kindness but these were the stringent tests by various Demigods that he passed with flying colours.
Benediction for hearing the pastime: All those who followed the principles of King Rantideva were totally favoured by his mercy and became pure devotees, attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana. Thus they all became the best of yogis.
The life of Rantideva is a practical demonstration of the following verse: Bhagavad-gita 5.18: vidya-vinaya-sampanne brahmane gavi hastini suni caiva sva-pake ca panditah sama-darsinah
The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].
After being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, it can take as few as two and as many as 14 days for symptoms to develop. Cases range from mild to critical. The average timeline from the first symptom to recovery is about 17 days, but some cases are fatal. Here's what it looks like to develop COVID-19, day by day. A video by Science Insider.
As I ventured west on Bloor Street,a woman asked me for change just outside the Dollarama.
“I’m sorry,“ I said, “I don’t have anything.“
At Bathurst, I crossed over to head back in an easterly direction, and at Brunswick Avenue, I saw the woman again.She had also crossed the street but she wasn’t about to ask me again. She was persistent though, with others.
“Do you have any change?“ she asked the next guy.
“What’s it for?“ he replied.
“So I can get something to eat…and some cigarettes.“
“No! No! Cigarettes are not essential. I’ll get you something to eat. I’ll get you some pizza.“
It looked like he was on his way to hop into the pizza place himself, just a few steps away.
“Do you want some pizza?“
She hesitated. I guess her priority was to get the sticks with fire on one end and a fool at the other.
“Okay, suit yourself.“ He went into the shop alone. I imagine a pizza was too ‘cheesy’ for her.
On my return to get my night’s attempt at sleep, I came upon a skunk. The skunk meandered around in someone’s front lawn. He was digging. He knew what he wanted and he got what he wanted—something from out of the ground.
Know what you want and go after what you want. Hopefully it’ll be beneficial.
If I didn’t get to the outside for that daily walk, I would feel utter cabin fever. In a prison. So, while the sun is at optimum power, I feel I must burst out the door.
I observed interesting behaviour from fellow pedestrians. Well, some are really kind and offer a greeting of some kind, others are, IMHO (in my humble opinion), a bit over the top with caution. For instance, at one point when Corrado and I were moving on foot on the sidewalk, the oncoming pedestrian left the sidewalk to take to the middle of the street. Actually, it happened more than once, and after we passed each other they would get back on the sidewalk; and this was even at times when Corrado and I moved in single file to make room. I guess, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Colorado left and split from our walk to tend to more devotions at the temple. I went on solo. In another instance, I was on the sidewalk proceeding ahead, when a group of three adults decided that the accommodating space I made wasn’t quite good enough for keeping to that grid. They stepped off and trekked over someone’s front yard grass.
People are keeping to that social distancing and taking it very seriously in response to the growing number of COVID-19 victims. It really was an uncomfortable sensation, but then I understand where people were coming from.
What I thought to be a real blooper was an attempt at streaming a Facebook event after my walk. I made an attempt at a podcast. To me it was not a finished delivery on words on the topic of isolation and how to go inward as a response.To make such a broadcast more exciting, I need a moderating host.
I walked to the old house, 187 Gerrard Street, which was a temple at one time. Forty of us lived there in that three-storey building with a basement; the first place I lived in the city. I came here specifically to get my monastic training.We were a vibrant bunch of Hare Krishnas, getting up at 3:30 a.m. to chant, study, do community service, eat, sleep, and teach. Memories!
On Jarvis Street, I came upon the mansion the two Massey brothers lived in—Vincent who became a Governor General, and Raymond, who became a Hollywood actor playing the role of Abe Lincoln, among many others.
The sun was strong but the air—cool.
A fight broke out between a man and woman just in front of me. Anger exploded in the air. First with him. He pulled off her flowing, silvery wig. She started beating him with a left and right, over and over. He held his arms up to guard his face. Then she kicked him between the legs, and screamed, “I hate you! I hate you!“ I guess she didn’t like him, anymore.
I walked forward, wanting to stop the violence, but she quickly stepped away. Emotions were high for both of them. He moved on. I got the impression they had both loved one another, at one time. I saw him farther along the trail and asked if everything was going to be all right.
“Yeah!“
Farther on, a cab driver shouted, “Haribol!” addressing me. At Allen Gardens, a woman stepped aside from her boyfriend to say to me, “Hare Krishna!“ This couple was cool.
I announced to our small crew of monks that as of tomorrow, there will be a shutdown of the temple, due to the coronavirus. “Oh yes, the duty service will go on, the cooking and business as usual, but we will not be able to welcome people, even the regular pujari’s (priests).
These words did not meet ears with surprise. Our resident monks saw something like this coming, what with all that’s around us shutting down. “The Ford auto plant in Oakville is closed. In Oshawa, General Motors is closed,“ said one of our congregants. And he added, “All parking in Toronto is free, but parking for what?“
Wow! What a surreal world we are living in. Extra-ordinary times.
This mandatory carefulness is to last for two weeks—our temple/ashram closing. The decision was not mine alone, but a group of elders, medical professionals and temple leaders who had that conference call and arrived at this point.
So, for most of us who reside in the ashram, we have the freedom to get out, or to go outside. Dharma and Dakshin walk every day. So does Gaurachandra, while Jai Sri cycles—all seniors.
Dwarkanath, our young cook, routinely runs. Corrado and I walk.I’ll get cabin fever, if I don’t. They ordered these days as “stay at home, work from home.“ But I’ve got to go outside, and when I do, I go ‘inside’ with my fingers on my beads and the mantrato the heart.
We walked to the edge of a cliff by a ravine and just sat there “to go inside.“
[reposted from 12-24-16
and revised 7-3-18] Who are we really—
beyond who we settle for
without thinking too deeply
as most just blindly accept
as normal, conventional identities
that we’ve learned from others
and from our educational system
so it must be true, right?
Is it really a fact that
we’re our past sad or happy history?
What about our genes, race, ethnicity,
our skin color, occupation,
economic status, religious
institution, sect, or sanga,
state or region, political party,
conservative or liberal bend,
or our nationality or home planet—
do they accurately define us?
What about our sexual proclivity,
desires, likes and dislikes,
skeletons in our closet,
On February 26, 2019 ISKCON New Delhi unveiled the gigantic “Astounding Bhagavad Gita”, considered “the largest principle sacred text ever to be printed”, at a size of 10’(2.5m) x 6.5’(2m). Produced, printed and bound by the publisher of the largest and most expensive books in the world in Milan, Italy, this Bhagavad Gita has no rival in the world.
Now the TOVP has contracted with the same printer, as well as with Milan, Italy’s best gold/silversmith, and bas-relief designer, to produce a Special Edition 125th Anniversary Vyasa Puja book to offer Srila Prabhupada in 2021 that will contain only the names of all the donors who have completed their pledges by the end of 2020. This offering of the names of donors to Srila Prabhupada on this most auspicious and sacred occasion will symbolize the incredible support from all his followers worldwide who have helped to make his dream a reality.
Here are some of the details of what is to be the most beautiful, ornate and jewel-like Vyasa Puja book ever published in ISKCON:
12”(.3m) x 17”(.4m) in size
44lbs (20kg) in weight
500 gold-leafed pages
Silver/Gold bas-relief on the cover
Printed on hand-made Freelife Merida paper
Special illuminated text
Printed in Milano, Italy
A work-of-art offering to Srila Prabhupada
To be permanently on display in the TOVP
Get your name included in this magnificent, one-of-a-kind Vyasa Puja Book offering to Srila Prabhupada by completing your TOVP pledge or making a first- time pledge and completing it, by December, 2020. The 2021 Special Edition TOVP Vyasa Puja Book will remain permanently displayed in the TOVP, and your name will be read by thousands of Vaishnavas for generations to come. Donor levels begin with the Nrsimha Brick sponsorship ($1000).
Recently we sent out the official announcement about the Second Annual #GivingTOVP 10 Day Matching Fundraiser which you can read here. This event starts on April 26 (Akshaya Tritiya) until May 6 (Nrsimha Caturdasi) and is poised to raise over $300,000 to help the completion of Lord Nrsimha’s entire East Wing and altar in the TOVP for the opening ceremony during Gaur Purnima 2021.
In this video Her Grace Svaha Mataji, wife of TOVP Chairman Ambarisa das, speaks about the importance of completing the TOVP by 2022 and how you can help during this ecstatic 10-day matching fundraiser which her husband will match up to $150,000.
Despite the escalating effects of the corona virus throughout the world, we pray that Lord Nrsimha will protect, inspire and empower devotees worldwide to give to this historic project even in the face of adversity. Without continued funding we run the risk of having to delay the Grand Opening in 2022. Please make a small sacrifice for this most auspicious cause. Thank you.
To read the official TOVP Corona Virus message go here.
Advisory on Government restrictions on public places: In line with the restrictions imposed by the government regarding West Bengal lock down, Sri Sri Radha Madhav temple, Srila Prabhupada samadhi, Bhajan Kutir and Lord Jagannath Temple in Rajapur will remain closed for devotees and pilgrims starting today 4pm till 27th March 2020 . Deity services will […]
Dear Beloved Devotees of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, This is to inform that following the government advisory rules on COVID-19, ISKCON Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir is closed for both devotees and pilgrims till 27th March as of now. The deity services will go on as usual and the same can be watched online at Mayapur.TV. The following […]
Death is not something we often think about. What can we expect at the time of death? Is there anything we can do to prepare for this final stage of our life?
After my stay at Sydney temple, Kaliya Krsna from New Gokula drove me up to our farm in the Hunter Valley. Like many parts of Australia, which were affected by months of drought, so too was New Gokula.
Fortunately, the farm had some good rain and everything was looking green and fresh. Obviously, more will be needed but at least for the time being the situation was much improved.
I always enjoy my visits there because of the beautiful deities of Sri Radha Gokulananda, Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sri Gaura Nitai. Not to mention the wonderful devotees and cows.
Krishna is absolute. Krishna the person, and Krishna’s words, Bhagavad-gita—there is no difference. Advaya-jnana, no duality. Everything is one, absolute. Krishna is absolute, Krishna’s instruction is also absolute, Krishna’s pastimes absolute. Everything. That is Absolute Truth. There is no difference. In the material world, the name and the thing are different. Suppose here is mango—mango the thing and mango is name. If I simply say “Mango, mango, mango,” there is no mango. There must be the thing, mango. That is duality. This is the world of duality. “Absolute” means the name and the thing are the same. Otherwise, if they’re different, then what is the use of chanting “Krishna”? Krishna chanting means Krishna this word, and Krishna the person are the same. Therefore constant chanting means constantly associating with Krishna. And thus we are becoming purified. Purified. There is no difference.
—Srila Prabhupada, talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.19, May 19, 1976, Honolulu
Unprecedented times require unprecedented solidarity.
Never before have I experienced a time where one persons behaviour can impact another so dramatically.
I don’t think I need to explain how bad the coronavirus crisis is everywhere.
Many services for homeless people are closing. Schools are closing which immediately impacts low income families. Almost 1.3 million children, about 15% of those in England’s state schools, receive free school meals because they come from low income families. Official data showed the need was greatest in parts of London, the north and Midlands where more than one in four pupils were entitled to free meals. No school means an unacceptable rise in the number of hungry children. How can that be right?
UK Governments call for the elderly and the vulnerable to self-isolate is the right thing to do, however many people on a low income are not in a position to isolate them selves. The need to house and feed themselves and their families doesn’t afford them that ‘luxury’. The homeless continue to be the first to suffer, closely followed by families on low earning and then the impact reaches out to the general populace.
Can something be done to help? Most certainly YES!
Volunteers at Food For All are raring to get into action to respond to the need of the day. We are ready to cook 20,000 meals daily at our certified kitchens in Holborn, Central London. We have the infrastructure in place to be able to distribute hot vegetarian meals from the following seven distribution points:
Tower Hamlet
Islington
Camden
Kings Cross
Russell Square
Trafalgar Square
Holborn
With all Government guidelines and safety policies in place, meals will be freshly cooked in three batches throughout the day and served fresh all day. The hot meal will consist of a protein rich, complete meal, the healthy ‘kitchari’ which will provide each person with satisfying nourishment for the day. The health benefits of ‘kitchari’, can be viewed here;
If you’re fit and healthy, then please come volunteer your time. If you are self-isolating then no need to feel helpless, please consider donating generously to the budget below. For as little as 10p-15p a plate, we can provide a hearty meal to a child or a person in need during these uncertain times.
Each giant pot of kitchari will provide 6,000 meals and will require:
100kg dal – £110
120kg potatoes – £120
30kg carrots – £40
8 large cans tomato purée – £54
Ghee – £25
Spices plus other vegetables – £40
Gas – £60
Plates, spoons, containers – £380
Total: £829 per pot.
To provide 20,000 meals per day we need £2,500 per day.
These extraordinary times call on each one of us to step up and to reach out to those in the most need. That any child or adult should go hungry in a prosperous first world country never fails to appal me.
To be fully operational by the 6th April we need you to galvanise into action now. We are ready to do our part to serve, we await your much needed support.
sarve tam anunirjagmur, bhrātaraḥ kṛta-niścayāḥ kalinādharma-mitreṇa, dṛṣṭvā spṛṣṭāḥ prajā bhuvi
Translation The younger brothers of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira observed that the Age of Kali had already arrived throughout the world and that the citizens of the kingdom were already affected by irreligious practice. Therefore they decided to follow in the footsteps of their elder brother.
Purport The younger brothers of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira were already obedient followers of the great Emperor, and they had sufficiently been trained to know the ultimate goal of life. They therefore decidedly followed their eldest brother in rendering devotional service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. According to the principles of sanātana-dharma, one must retire from family life after half the duration of life is finished and must engage himself in self-realization. But the question of engaging oneself is not always decided. Sometimes retired men are bewildered about how to engage themselves for the last days of life. Here is a decision by authorities like the Pāṇḍavas. All of them engaged themselves in favorably culturing the devotional service of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Svāmī Śrīdhara, dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa, or fruitive activities, philosophical speculations and salvation, as conceived by several persons, are not the ultimate goal of life. They are more or less practiced by persons who have no information of the ultimate goal of life. The ultimate goal of life is already indicated by the Lord Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.64), and the Pāṇḍavas were intelligent enough to follow it without hesitation.