Planet ISKCON

Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast

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Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan Shetty

Edited by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: Gita 09.15 – Is jnana yajna is the same as jnana-yoga?
Answer: Gita 09.15 states,

jnana-yajnena capy anye yajanto mam upasate
ekatvena prthaktvena bahudha visvato-mukham

“Others, who engage in sacrifice by the cultivation of knowledge, worship the Supreme Lord as the one without a second, as diverse in many, and in the universal form.”

This is an important transitional verse in the Gita. Lord Krishna talks about people with widely varied conceptions about him. BG 09.11 and BG 09.12 talks about people who misunderstand Krishna by thinking him to be a material person or thinking his form to be ordinary. In BG 09.13 and BG 09.14, Krishna has talked about those who understand him to be the Absolute Truth and surrender to him, making him the ultimate goal of their lives. The first category of men is described by the word mudha (foolish) and the second category is described as mahatma (great souls). Between these two categories, there are many other people about whom Krishna talks in BG 09.15. These people are addressed as anye (others) and it’s a separate category. Krishna says these people worship me through knowledge (jnana-yajnena). They are those who conceive things in oneness (ekatvena) or in duality (prthaktvena).

The word jnana yajnena is also used by Krishna in BG 4.28 and BG 4.33 and later, most famously, in BG 18.70 where he says that “He who studies this sacred conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence”.

In a broad sense, jnana yajna can be called as using our knowledge in the pursuit of the Absolute Truth. What the conception of the Absolute Truth is and what knowledge different people have will vary from seeker-to-seeker. Accordingly, the nature of jnana yajna will vary. That is why, one should not think that jnana yajna and jnana yoga are same. Jnana yoga is a particular method of sadhana which involves certain intellectual conceptions. In verse BG 09.15, Lord Krishna talks about three ways in which people do jnana yajna: (i) ekatvena (ii) prthaktvena bahudha (iii) vishvato mukham

(i) Ekatvena (oneness): There are transcendentalists who by the eyes of knowledge see beyond the duality and diversity that characterises life at the material level. Krishna talks about this in BG 18.20 as knowledge in the mode of goodness where he says, “That knowledge by which one undivided spiritual nature is seen in all living entities, though they are divided into innumerable forms, you should understand to be in the mode of goodness”.

One should understand that all conceptions of oneness are not one. There are conceptions of oneness which consider Krishna’s form to be an illusion which Krishna disapproves strongly by calling holders of such views as mudha (foolish) in BG 9.11. In BG 9.12, he explains that the endeavours of such people are futile.

In BG 09.15, Krishna talks about those who worship him in a different way which is not necessarily the best but laudable since they see beyond matter to spirit.

(ii) Prthaktvena bahudha: This does not refer simply to demigod worship but to the idea of heathenism which means that there is one Absolute Truth who is actually formless but manifests in many forms. Krishna says such people are also worshipping Me but they are not worshipping with a proper understanding. Their worship, as explained in BG 09.23, is avidhi-purvakam (done in a wrong way and not according to scriptural injunctions).

(iii) Vishvato-mukham: In BG 09.15 Krishna also uses the word vishvato-mukham to refer those who worship him in his manifestation as the universal form.

It is important to note that this single verse (BG 09.15) will be expanded upon in the later parts of the Gita by Lord Krishna.

The idea of vishvato-mukham will span over the entire Chapter 11 of Gita which is titled – “The Universal Form”.

Similarly, the idea of ekatvena will be discussed in Chapter 12. In BG 12.01, Arjuna inquires, “Which are considered to be more perfect, those who are always properly engaged in Your devotional service or those who worship the impersonal brahman, the unmanifested?”.

And prthaktvena bahudha or the idea of demigod worship will be talked about later from BG 09.20 to BG 09.27.

Therefore, essentially this is a very concentrated verse which sets the scene for much further discussion in the Gita and with an inclusive tone Krishna says that the transcendentalists mentioned in this verse also worship Me (yajanto mam upasate).

Sometimes we are much harsher towards impersonalism than Krishna himself. Although we have to be careful that we are not contaminated by impersonalism especially when we are aspiring for pure devotion but at the same time, we should not criticise people who are doing jnana yajna as mayavadis.

End of transcription.

The post Gita 09.15 – Jnana yajna is not the same as jnana-yoga appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Rishikesh, now the land of the Bhakti Yogis! (3 min. video)
Amazing participation in the Rishikesh Kirtan Fest 2020!

As someone who has devoted 35 years of my life to sharing these practices with the people of Australia for betterment of health and well being, and for the upliftment of conscious awareness, I am extremely disappointed that you chose to make such statements in Parliament. The lack of sensitivity and discretion your comments displayed is appalling.

KIRTANA BRINGS THE RAIN!
First there was a drought over most of Australia. Livestock and wildlife as well as rural properties were severely suffering. Water levels in most catchment dams were down and restrictions on water use were enforced by most councils.

I was surprised to learn that Krishna consciousness had been steadily building up in Korea.

Beautiful Bhaktivedanta Manor as it stands today!

The perfection of life (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HH Bhanu Swami - 3 March 2020 in ISKCON Melbourne

Answer Podcast

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Transcription :

Transcriber: Sharan Shetty

bEdited by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: How are jnana and karma uncovered in bhakti?
Answer: Jnana and karma are two basic faculties of every living being, more specifically, human beings. Jnana connotes with knowledge or cognition and karma connotes with action. If we consider a body, it has hands, head and heart. Metaphorically, karma is primarily the path of the hands, whereas jnana is the path of the head. Underlying the hands and the head and unifying it all is the heart. Bhakti is the process of the heart, but it is not the process of the heart alone, it also engages the hands and the head.

When jnana and karma are covered, they are motivated by something other than pure love. That is why, jnana-karmady-anavṛtam means removing the covering.

The covering is basically a misdirection just like when white light is covered with red film, the light that comes out is red. Similarly, the soul has the capacity for action and cognition but when there is lack of devotion for the Supreme, then the capacity for action and cognition are misdirected.

It is not that bhakti rejects karma and jnana. Bhakti yogis are both active and intellectual, but both these faculties are subordinated to the love they have for the Supreme and therefore harmonised.

At one level, purification means removing the impressions which are imposed upon us by the external world. Another understanding of purification is activating the longing for the Supreme which is the innate nature of the soul. Our jnana and karma are misdirected by the various conceptions and contaminations that we have. Hence anavratam means that we remove those conceptions and contaminations. That way, when the soul’s nature to love Krishna is activated then jnana and karma become harmonised.

Shukadeva Goswami had a monistic disposition but when he understood how the all-attractive Supreme Person transcends the impersonal brahman then he used his phenomenal intelligence to compose and speak the Srimad Bhagavatam. Therefore, the jnana which was avrata (covered) became anavrata (uncovered). He used the same knowledge to glorify the personal bhagavan, instead of understanding impersonal brahman which is subordinate to the Supreme Lord.

Similarly, karma may also refer to some pious fruitive activity. There were many kings in the past who would perform such yajnas. Prachin Barhi used to do yajnas but he had no knowledge of transcendence. In Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4, it is described, that when Prthu Maharaj was doing yajnas, he was not only remembering the particular devatas for whom the yajna was performed, he was also remembering Vishnu and was offering the fruits of the yajna to Vishnu.

Therefore, the idea is that karma or jnana are not to be given up. Arjuna was doing the karma of fighting and wanted to give it up but Krishna did not sanction. Instead he told Arjuna to perform his duty with a spiritual conception and motivation.

Thus, we have the capacity for both action and cognition, which should be harmonised and used in the purpose of devotion. That is jnana-karmady-anavratam.

End of transcription.

The post How are jnana and karma uncovered in bhakti? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Kirshna I have a problem!

Some time ago I looked at my bank statement, it was prompted by the continued pondering from a lovely devotee who reminded me that the big mistake we make is thinking “this is my money” when actually it is Krishna’s money and as devotees we need to take care of it.

So most of the direct debits and similar transaction’s I could identify and account for, but some personally I couldn’t identify so informed the bank to stop them. Several months later an e-mail came from the temple, asking about the money.

Personally I was saddened, the contact from the temple wasn’t an genuin enquire about how I was, nor that they haven’t seen me. Great sadness came on me although speaking about impersonalism and how it takes subtle forms and that we need to be conscious and focus on the individual. it felt the focus was my wallet, and although in many ways I’m a guardian of Krishna’s money I wondered if giving to the temple was indeed right as no loving exchange appears to be there.

The toil with the conscious begins, what to do?

Then  more e-mails in the same tone it was so sad to get, added to the insult of no calendar even as a thank you for the laxmi given, a small gesture and still no genuine concern as to how I am both physically and spiritually. Indeed the health is an ongoing issue.

And here’s the sadness I feel the discussionn was correct as no loving exchanges appear to be there and remembering another exchange with a great devotee who said if there is no loving exchange no one benefits.

Yes I am reminded that we should not expect anything in exchange, but also that there has to be genuine concern or loving exchange, and that my greatest heart desire which would have let me do more seva was blocked by the same devotees enquiring about my money.

So Dhirabhakta Das simply weeps

There has to be loving exchanges and I personally feel an enquire about money and not welfare is just to much for me to take, and the blocking of the one thing I desired reminds me sadly devotees are not like desire trees who will make sure your ability to do more in Krishna’s service.

Money appears to this soul the money, it wasn’t like this when I first met the devotees and introduced to Srila Prabhupada and ISKCON; I weep and long for those days to return.

Krishna I have a problem and simply weep

A new ISKCON temple is set to open in the historic town of Velletri in the Castelli Romani hills, Italy, about an hour south of Rome city center.

Our scriptures give us a simple solution to fight the real cause of climate change—our greed and propensity to exploit others (including nature). 

From letters Srila Prabhupada wrote to his disciples, we know that he envisioned New Vrindaban as, among other things, a holy place of pilgrimage in North America, where devotees could gather for spiritual education.

Bhakti Learning is an educational initiative directed by Prana dasa, an experienced ISKCON educator of more than 30 years.

“ We shouldn’t leave Parikrama the same person we were when we started it.” -HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Maharaj Are you with us? The nectar is starting to overflow! The mystical transformations which happen within the consciousness of a pilgrim of Navadvipa are indeed extraordinary and worthy of mention. As these few days pass which […]

The post Navadwip Mandal Parikrama: Day 4 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The month of March is made even more auspicious because this year’s Gaura Purnima – the Appearance Day of Lord Caitanya - falls on the 9th of March. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on earth with the purpose of making everybody chant the Holy Name of the Lord – Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Outstanding success for the preaching programs in the “Land of the Rishis” (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our “Kirtan Fest” here in Rishikesh is an outstanding success. We have rented a beautiful asrama on the banks of the Ganges which has nice accommodation for our 60 devotees. We do harinam through the town during the day, inviting people to the asrama for both morning and evening programs. We are averaging 400 people a day, mainly spiritual seekers from the West. We have hours and hours of kirtan, workshops and a huge vegetarian feast each night!

Education is the cornerstone for development and success. It is meant to equip us to better deal with the ups and downs of existence yet we inevitably find that our toolbox lacks those essential life-saving hacks. Material education by and large teaches us how to make a living but it seldom teaches us how to live. This clearly reflects in the unfortunate trend today where people have tasted the sweet heights of success in terms of technological advancement yet the mental health, suicide and crime rates soar.

We are embarking on an initiative to offer educational seminars (spiritual and life skills) at our Temple at 243 Avenue Road. We are requesting you to kindly fill out this short 30 second survey to help understand your preference for topics, frequency and best time to schedule the seminars. For all categories, please pick as many choices as you like. The link for the form is here:

https://forms.gle/wujn3Qxvs2n6WNsx6

No mercy, austerity and cleanliness in this age (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HH Guru Prasad Swami in ISKCON Vrindavan

Read More...

One evening Harikesa and Saurabha got to talking about Prabhupada’s plans for the Mayapur project. Harikesa, appreciating Prabhupada’s genius—how, from Mayapur, God-centered cities with temples, educational institutions, and proper social organization would spread around the globe—became so excited that he ran all the way from the construction office to Prabhupada’s apartment. He bounded up the stairs and, without even knocking, burst into Prabhupada’s room and threw himself on the floor and paid full dandavats.

Prabhupada was in the middle of eating a sandesa and a puri. He looked at Harikesa with big eyes, then went back to eating.

“Srila Prabhupada!” Harikesa exclaimed, “You’re a genius!”

Prabhupada looked up and said, “Oh?”

“Your plans for taking over the world. This is wonderful, this is fantastic—how you’ve made this plan for Mayapur and everything is so perfectly arranged.” Harikesa went on and on.

Prabhupada smiled and said, “Thank you very much.” Then he said, “Come here.” He broke the sandesa he was eating in half, gave Harikesa one half and the rest of his puri, and, still smiling, said, “Thank you very much.”

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

In Focus with Glenn and Kate Harrison.
by Dandakaranya das.
Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you both come to practice bhakti-yoga?

We have agreed to continue our dialogue and will meet again in a few months. We do so realizing that the more we listen and try to understand the issues that separate us, the better chance we have to find common ground.

Bhaktivedanta Manor and CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk of coronavirus in the UK from low to moderate. Bhaktivedanta Manor is currently open; however, regard will be had to the most recent and up-to-date medical advice available, including updates provided by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England (PHE). The approach taken by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) with respect to Coronavirus will be measured and proportionate to the risks identified. We are regularly monitoring the risks and the potential impact this may have on worshippers or visitors to our Temples.

Mayapur GBC meeting (Album of photos)
Ramai Swami: After the ISKCON Leadership Sanga finished, the GBC meeting in Mayapur continued on. As always, there were a lot of different subjects and issues to discuss and luckily, by Krsna’s mercy, we were able to finish off nicely.

Today Pushkar Tirtha invited the Parikrama at its banks. There 3 small boys from the Bhaktivedanta Gurukul, played the pastime which took place there few thousand years before Mahaprabhu’s appearance. As Pancharatna Prabhu narrated in dramatic ways the boys gestured and moved in pure sincere ways. Even though they were a little more than 1,20 […]

The post Navadvipa Mandal Parikrama: Day 3 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The temple Hari Hara, was the first place to receive the devotees. HH Maha vishnu swami led the devotees into the adequate mood by singing the song : “ mahadeva panca mukhe rama rama hare hare”. There the first katha was held. We had the special presence of HG Pankajanghri Prabhu. Several speakers flooded the […]

The post Sri Navadvipa Parikrama Day 2 -Surabhi Kunja appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Bhaktimarga Swami: Gaudiya Dasa ACBSP from Ontario, Canada, passed away this morning at 1AM ...

It has come! It has come! After a whole year Sri Navadvipa Parikrama has come once again inviting all devotees to enter its prema filled islands. Around 6 am, in the hazy morning of the 26th , vaishnavas and vaishnavis from all walks of life and of multifarious cultural and ethnical backgrounds gather at the […]

The post Sri Navadvipa Mandala Parikrama Adhivas and Day 1 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Food for life program at Sonitech, Kenya (Album of photos)
Hare Krishna! Dandavat Pranam to all. Today’s Food for Life program at Sonitech, Kenya. Kirtan followed by prasadam serving. Jaya Prabhupada!
Find them here: http://bit.ly/2vvqvah

The ocean of the material world (video)
Srimad Bhagavatam class by HG Vaisesika Dasa in ISKCON Silicon Valley

By Vijaya das

The Mayapur temple won last year, for the year 2019, but look out Mayapur! It looks like New Delhi is taking 2020 real seriously by getting a big head start. It did 145,921 book points in January. In second place this January was a temple in the small-temple category. That's right, passing all those big temples in the large category, Surat (India) took second place, with 39,708 book points. Continue reading "WSN January 2020 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
→ Dandavats"

 

This is a transcript and translation of a recorded message sent (in Spanish) by Guru Prasad Swami to his disciples, regarding the online petition asking the International GBC reject Dhanurdara Swami’s request to be reinstated in ISKCON.

—————————————————————————-

“Hare Krishna.  Please accept my blessings. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.  I am in the middle of GBC’s meetings, but I know that you and other devotees are giving opinions regarding Dhanudhar Maharaja. I am sending this message, then you can share it. Not in Facebook, but with those devotees who have been commenting. Because it is my duty to oversee that my disciples and devotees in general do not commit offences against vaisnavas.

I know Dhanudhara Swami since 1975; every time I visited Vrindavan, I used to stay with him at gurukula’s accommodation; I saw his behavior, how he contributed academically, I saw his brahminical nature. Almost everything they are saying about him is not true; there was another devotee, his name was Raghunath. He hit devotees sometimes. He was the person who pushed a devotee against a column and broke his nose. He was the person who hit devotees. He was the person who chastised using sticks. He was the person who forced devotees to eat vomit.  Dhanudhara Swami didn’t do anything like that.

He committed some mistakes.  His mistakes were: Once, maybe twice, he pushed a devotee. That devotee fell and hurt his arm a bit, but that was not his intention.

And those children were out of control, coming from broken families, carrying very serious psychological issues; I saw them.  He told me about them, he asked me what to do with them. Some of those families didn’t care for their children.

He also made the mistake of censuring the exchange of mail communication with their families, to avoid having the children expose the situation of the gurukula.  His intention was to solve everything internally. That was his mistake.

He did many mistakes, but he didn’t do these things they are commenting.  I believe that those who are criticizing him, really don’t know him and are committing offences.

Dhanudhara Swami brought to ISKCON, two hundred or two hundred fifty persons in USA, India and Italy. Highly qualified people. His followers are more qualified than followers of any other preacher.  They are bank managers and powerful executives. The quality of his preaching is incredible.

So, I am just warning, please be careful, better you put more emphasis and attention chanting the Maha Mantra, spending less time on Facebook giving opinions regarding situations that you don’t know about. Many times, the information from the internet is exaggerated or false. Please be careful.

Thanks.  I hope you are well.  Receive my blessings from Mayapur.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada, Sri Guru and Gauranga.”

—————————————————————————-

This transcript from Guru Prasad Swami is an extraordinary synopsis of the false narrative Dhanurdhara Swami has been sharing with his followers.

It’s not new. We’ve heard bits and pieces of this dog whistle and gaslighting commentary for nearly three decades.

What’s unique is this is the first time we have verifiable proof this is what they’ve been saying.

Let’s analyze a few key parts.

1. Here’s what Guru Prasad Swami says about Dhanurdhara Swami:

“I know Dhanurdara Swami since 1975… Almost everything they are saying about him is not true… Dhanudara Swami didn’t do anything like that… He committed some mistakes…  His mistakes were: once, maybe twice, he pushed a devotee… I believe those that are criticizing him don’t know him and are causing offenses…”

Juxtapose that with a 2006 report from ISKCON’s legal counsel, who worked on the bankruptcy case for six years:

“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.”

2. Guru Prasad Swami says this about the pioneer generation of children raised in ISKCON’s Gurukulas:

“And those children were out of control, coming from broken families, carrying very serious psychological issues; I saw them. He told me about them, he asked me what to do with them. Some of those families didn’t care for their children.”

Here’s a small sampling of what Srila Prabhupada said about these same children:

“If we are able to make a whole generation of our children into fine Krishna Conscious preachers, that will be the glory of our movement and the glory of your country as well. But if we neglect somehow or other and if we lose even one Vaisnava, that is very great loss.”

“These children are given to us by Krishna, they are Vaisnavas and we must be very careful to protect them. These are not ordinary children, they are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them chance to advance further in Krishna Consciousness. That is very great responsibility, do not neglect it or be confused. Your duty is very clear.”

In Guru Prasad Swami’s statement, we can see how the former students of the Vrindavan Gurukula are presented as damaged beyond repair, easily cast away and forgotten by leaders who place their priorities and values elsewhere.

3. Contrast that with Guru Prasad Swami’s glowing descriptions of Dhanurdhara Swami and his disciples:

“I know Dhanudhara Swami since 1975; every time I visited Vrindavan, I used to stay with him at gurukula’s accommodation; I saw his behavior, how he contributed academically, I saw his brahminical nature.”

“Dhanudhara Swami brought to ISKCON, two hundred or two hundred fifty persons in USA, India and Italy. Highly qualified people. His followers are more qualified than followers of any other preacher. They are bank managers and powerful executives. The quality of his preaching is incredible.”

4. I would like to give attention to the following sentence:

“Because it is my duty to oversee that my disciples and devotees in general do not commit offences against vaisnavas.”

I’ll briefly circle back to an earlier point.

Again, those who Srila Prabhupada affectionately referred to as his “Vaikuntha children,” have little or no value to Guru Prasad Swami who, by saying this, inflicts even more damage to the already severely abused Vaisnavas.

Meanwhile, the individual responsible for hundreds of documented vaishnava-aparadas and also “named as an abuser… far more than any other person” in ISKCON’s history, is made out to be the victim and – tragic hero – in Guru Prasad Swami’s faithful retelling of Dhanurdhara Swami’s false history.

5. Next, I’d like to point out something quite revealing.

In one sentence there’s an assumption embedded so well, at first, I missed it:

“Dhanudhara Swami brought to ISKCON, two hundred or two hundred fifty persons in USA, India and Italy.”

Rather than be subject to GBC lifetime restrictions against holding any leadership position, including that of initiating guru, Dhanurdhara Swami left ISKCON in 2006, and has operated outside the organization ever since.

In 2020 Dhanurdhara Swami petitioned the GBC for re-admittance into ISKCON. The North American GBC and CPO both issued public statements declining his request. Rather than face the likelihood his request would also be denied at the international level, Dhanurdhara Swami withdrew his appeal, and remains outside ISKCON.

Knowing that, why would an ISKCON GBC member state “Dhanurdhara Swami brought to ISKCON two hundred or two hundred fifty persons?”

The best answer I can come up with is Guru Prasad Swami is one of the ISKCON leaders who publicly profess “Dhanurdhara Swami is out,” and privately act as if he’s really in.

6. And, as I conclude this analysis, here’s one more thing I’d like to highlight:

I am floored by the audacity of Guru Prasad Swami, a senior Prabhupada disciple, ISKCON guru, swami and GBC, who holds several of the most respected and influential positions in our Society.

In the opening sentence he says, “I am in the middle of the GBC meetings…”

If you listen to the audio, he wasn’t kidding.

He was literally sitting in the 2020 Annual Mayapur GBC meetings, recording a message to his disciples, spreading a patently false narrative, in an ongoing effort protect and defend Dhanurdhara Swami, the #1 child abuser in ISKCON’s history.

Looking forward, here are some of my questions:

Does this represent the ISKCON we want to be a part of?

Does this reflect the best ISKCON has to offer?

Are we ok with this untenable behavior from ISKCON leaders?

What more can we do to make ISKCON a Society we are proud of?

After the ISKCON Leadership Sanga finished, the GBC meeting in Mayapur continued on. As always, there were a lot of different subjects and issues to discuss and luckily, by Krsna’s mercy, we were able to finish off nicely.

I chaired most of the meeting, which sometimes was not easy because of the many who wanted to speak. In the end, all the devotees who helped facilitate the meeting with office paraphernalia, drinks and snacks etc. were thanked by the GBC body.

My godbrother Bhagavata Asraya Prabhu told me the following story, which he heard from our godbrother Gunarnava Prabhu.

Srila Prabhupada was visiting Bombay for what turned out to be one of the last times. Although the building was still under construction, at his request his quarters had been hastily prepared, and he had moved in.

Srila Prabhupada was by this time in poor health, and everything was a great effort for him, but still he was giving darshan to some devotees and guests. At one point an Indian man stood up in the midst of it all and, making something of an exhibition of himself, folded his hands and requested, “Swamiji, give me your blessings.”

Srila Prabhupada fixed the man with a stare that lasted long enough for the man and everyone in the room to start to feel uncomfortable. When the situation seemed to reach the point where it was intolerable, Srila Prabhupada began to speak. Addressing everyone, he said, in effect, “Such a big organization, this ISKCON . . . worldwide organization . . . with so many problems. All coming on my head. Every day all problems coming to me . . . so many letters from all over the world. All on my head.”

He gently tapped his head a few times, saying, “You don’t know the headache I have.” Then he gave the man another look and said, “So, if you want my blessings, you take some of my headache.”

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami