Podcast
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Mainstream media credibility crisis – A spiritual perspective
Understanding the unborn’s understandings 1 – How can the embryo with an undeveloped brain speak prayers?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
[Bhagavatam class on 3.31.13 at ISKCON, Denver]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
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How to understand Krishna’s blessings – Mukunda Mala Stotra 1 – BULL acronym
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[Talk at Atlanta, USA]
Podcast
Podcast Summary
Video:
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How to use our free will properly – QA with children
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[Talk to Gita-Wise students, Atlanta, USA]
Podcast
Video:
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How hearing the Bhagavad-gita raised Sanjay’s standard of longing
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[Combined Bhakti Vriksha class at Atlanta, USA]
Podcast
Video:
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The three modes and the search for happiness
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[Talk at Bhakti Lounge, Atlanta, USA]
Podcast
Video:
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One Should be More Serious About Seeking the Mercy of the Devotee than that of the Lord Directly, September 29, Cincinnati, Ohio
Giriraj Swami
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Monday, September 30, 2019
Lucid Restaurant
→ Ramai Swami
About one and half years ago, Deva Gaura Hari, whom I have known for many years, worked hard to set up a restaurant at the mall in Murwillumbah. He named it, “Lucid.”
Since then, many people have come in to sample the fine vegetarian prasadam cuisine.
Although Deva Gaura Hari had invited me to come for lunch a few times, until now I hadn’t done so. However, I was so impressed by the layout, decor and menu that I instantly fell in love with it. Needless to say that Deva Gaura Hari very graciously looked after us with wonderful prasadam. Lucid Ki Jaya !
TOVP Design Popular at Durga Pujas in India
- TOVP.org
This is a pandal which was constructed in Kalyan, a city in the Thane District of Maharashtra, for Durga Puja, which was inspired by the TOVP.
Our model of the TOVP is actually used every year for the pandals in different places of India every time Durga Puja comes around, and we find that to be a wonderful preaching source for glorifying this vast project and Mayapur Dham as well. With each year the pandals are built larger and larger, and look more like the actual temple being built. This really shows how much they appreciate and are inspired by the TOVP, as well their love towards this magnificent project!
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When duty is a societal construct, why can’t we just follow our heart’s calling without caring for society’s opinion?
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Answer Podcast
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How can we work dispassionately when doing our duty requires passion?
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Answer Podcast
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How do we know whether we are in harmony with our true nature and God’s plan – what does harmony feel like?
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Answer Podcast
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If we are to not make judgments, why is Krishna making judgments and taking sides in the war?
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Answer Podcast
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Elephant Sculptures for the TOVP Main Entrance
- TOVP.org
As you come up the main staircase of the TOVP towards the temple room you will be greeted by two gigantic elephant sculptures standing side by side in front of an immense, 30’ tall, four column entranceway pillar.
There are two such pillars, each with two accompanying elephants and four interconnected columns. The elephant, hasti in Sanskrit, symbolizes wealth, strength, wisdom and royalty, and characterize the Vedic standard of abundance, along with cows.
Pictured here are the TOVP elephant sculptures in their current state of progress.
[See image gallery at tovp.org]
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Meeting My Perfect Master, October 29, Cincinnati, Ohio
Giriraj Swami
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Sunday, September 29, 2019
Please the Lord by Serving His Servants, September 29, Cincinnati, Ohio
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23.
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Sunday, September 29, 2019
Festival of Unity, September 28, Cincinnati, Ohio
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke on Bhagavad-gita 9.14
Posted by Giriraj Swami on Saturday, September 28, 2019
Friday, September 27th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Oakville, Ontario
Content Versus Discontent
The world is very much in a turmoil from discontented citizens on the climate change issue. There was a big student rally at our usual chanting spot in Kensington. Then there are serious talks about impeachment of the U.S. President who is in denial of any wrongdoings. Closer to home, news has surged on the infamous killing of ten people—which also left fifteen injure—when Alek Minassian drove a van along a Yonge Street pedestrian sidewalk leaving a trail of death.
All are reminders of a gloomy globe, but on a perfect weather day. At 20 degrees Celsius, we drove all the way to Oakville with windows rolled down. I was in good spirits. I had completed a chanting session at Kensington's Bellevue Square Park where Dan, our musician friend from yesterday, came back with fifteen bucks to purchase a softbound Gita. Should he read it, I think he'll be on the road to a wonderful discovery. https://www.instagram.com/p/B26jtoTgip2/?igshid=qfawy67w6mj6
Thank you Krsna Katha and Hari Katha for bringing me to the new home of Kasyapa Muni, whose birthday is today. Friends came to his new home; a new family to add to our congregation. Children were at least a dozen, and they sat there in front of me, with parents behind, in rapt attention.
I read the chapter, "Description of the Autumn," on analogous rendition of the fall season in people's lives. You know, it's not all that bad. Despite reflecting on the woes of the world, there are bright moments to contemplate on, too.
With our return journey back to Toronto, I insisted on Krishna Katha's dropping me at King and Spadina so I could “walk back to the ashram. I didn't get a footstep in today." One hour later and I retired for bed.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Thursday, September 26th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto, Ontario
SHOOT FOR THE STARS ©Bhaktimarga Swami
Shoot for the stars
Go beyond Mars
Bow and bend low
Humble we go
Attentive to detail
Then you won't fail
Be that optimist
Not that 'I'm pissed'
Do not procrastinate
For virtue can't wait
For all, have regard
That, or be hard
To pull out a vice
Take some advice
Make a new friend
Loneliness will end
Always move forward
Reverse has no reward
Without determination
Expect termination
Life is so great
Step up to the plate
Written after and before a walk.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Wednesday, September 25th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto, Ontario
Walking and Seeing
My walking ventures are nothing compared to those of our guru, Prabhupada. When I walk, I gawk. I find things of interest and I like to link what I see, whether it be trees, buildings and people, and relate them to the universal creator, but I don't always succeed. I'm certain he would have been fully seeing from the Krishna-centric perspective; all through the eyes of sastra, scripture.
In today's stroll, I came upon the stately home of George Brown, a Father of Confederation for Canada. Okay then, now can I compare this historic structure to just one of the palaces we read about in regard to the ancient city of Dwarka? I walked along Beverly Street, and there admired the first building the Krishna pioneers of Toronto used as a temple/ashram, a place of devotional service.
In the annex area, I passed by a massive shady tree whose branches extended over the street and also reached out to spread over three houses. Nothing like the banyan tree that we read about in the Gita, on the upside-down world (Chapter 15).
I came to the church, St. Stephen of the Fields, went inside and used this appropriate space for japa meditation. I believe that that is something our guru would do in the ‘60s in New York. Just a few minutes presence there, and I moved on through the University of Toronto district. Hmmm… A place of learning? How about reflecting on the city of Ujjain, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, which is the site where Sri Krishna took His education from Pandit Sandipani Muni.
It can be quite fun attempting to connect all that we see and do to the Supreme. Let us try.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Tuesday, September 24th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto / Brampton
The Two Places Are One
Some people dress and act rather kooky. At least that's the way it is at Kensington Market. Personally I rather like the liberal nature of the place where today Karuna, Michelle and I rolled out our drum beats and mantras. Daruka, who's visiting from Winnipeg, also delighted in the ‘free spirit’ of it all, and how people respond so favourably. Folks in the neighbourhood range from the highly intellectual and artistic, to the intoxicated, and mentally unstable—all very equal from the spiritual perspective. I mean to say that the range of karmic aptitude is very broad. https://www.instagram.com/p/B21MNnPgPv5/?igshid=1irc9evc11nsg
We love it.
Then in the evening Daruka drove Karuna and I to Brampton and a community that you’ll find to be a trifle more conservative in a very positive way. Brampton is one of those suburban communities which is populated largely by Southeast Asian folks, mainly from the Punjab. I was invited to the household of Pusta Krishna. It was his mum's birthday. She is an amiable senior lady who fibs about her age. "Sweet sixteen" is her determined position of Prithviin this regard. Oh well, she still dances excitedly, like anyone in Kensington would do. In the midst of cheering family and friends, she aroused us all. https://www.instagram.com/p/B21Mq7DA4U5/?igshid=94hg6p7h1sf9
Daruka, who has been my support person for one-and-a-half-cross-country ventures was quite elated to be at the birthday, and prior to that, the wild and free Kensington. Common to both venues was kirtan chanting.
It's good for all.
May the Source be with you!
0 km
Monday, September 23rd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto, Ontario
Arc of Beauty
I turned to the sky and pointed in that direction, to the east, encouraging the couple who were arm in arm to: "Look behind you and above!"
They were startled like I was. Most of us have seen rainbows before but this one was a stunner. "Oh my God!" said the woman. "Thanks for letting us know," said her man.
Newly-arrived Pariksit, and Nicholas and I had been conducting our kirtan when a beautiful summer shower (I know it's now autumn but...) came down upon us. The sun shone in the western sky exposing each and every raindrop. I knew we were destined for a rainbow. Our chanting ceased. We were getting moist and it was time for seeking shelter, so like two other guys we ducked under the kid's slide. Then the rainbow appeared, the most intense and defined rainbow you ever could set your eyes on.
Now the rain halted. People came out to do their usual business at Bellevue Square, which is to stroll or to sit on the grass and for some—smoke grass. Those who were witness were astonished at the beauty of the arc which was doubled.
Rainbows always give people hope. I'm not sure if they really register with birds and animals. They usually don't last long, but fade in time, within minutes. Like all things in this world, there is this temporal quality.
To get to this park, Pariksit and I walked. We did the same for the return but only after a second installment of chanting. The grass was hardly wet. We were fine.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Sunday, September 22nd, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Moundsville, West Virginia
Points We Covered
For the final day of the second annual MANtra Retreat, we discussed varying topics, such as the place for men in the categories below.
1) Affection
2) Commitment
3) Positive/realistic vision
4) Open/honest communication
5) Seeking guidance from superiors
6) Authenticity
7) Defining a sense of purpose
8) Health
9) Introspection
10) Education
11) Support/mentorship
12) Love
13) Protection
The above may appear to be a long list of lofty topics, but to narrow it down into some simple terms, a rather strong pulse of motivation was pulling our masculinity into the mode of goodness. It was felt that our group of Krishna Conscious men need to spend more time in that mode of goodness and thoughtfulness.
The seminar was completed. One last lunch was consumed before disbursing to our home destinations.
It was a rewarding retreat. I was busy, and for the last night, I had an unprecedented eight hours of sleep. Thank you Krishna.
May the Source be with you!
0 km
Saturday, September 21st, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Moundsville, West Virginia
Pursuing Ultimate Maleness
I cannot boast to have put my walking feet to work today. Dancing—yes! Regardless, I am somewhat attached, as any walker would be, to my footwear. When I saw my sneakers missing from the shoe rack, I did not exactly go paranoid. I was just concerned. It was an innocent mistake, as it ended up being; an elderly gentleman, a pilgrim, with not the greatest eyesight, who was pacing nearby. He apologized. No worries.
Bhuta Bhavana, is a young professional, who led us in a discussion on: The Three Modes of Masculinity. We had looked at what it means to be a male under the influence of either goodness, passion or ignorance. There is such a reality as masculine toxicity which is often projected through the filters of the lower modes—passion and ignorance. It is in the mode of goodness that we can experience the ‘responsible male’. The responsible male is the mode to aspire toward in building our character.
In the evening, artists presented entertainment along the theme of ‘negative versus positive maleness’. A comedian by the name of Ekendra, from Syracuse, New York, had us in stitches with his portrayal of a fanatical monk from the Black Sea in the form of, "Yama Niyama Das Brahmacari." His characterization had me moving laughing muscles which had been rather inactive.
So now, the reason for the lack of walking was due to my preoccupation in assembling the premier of our drama, "The Embassy." Well, my actors, the boys, did well. One respected member, Kripamoya, from the UK, after seeing the production said, "You've taken our theatre to another level."
May the Source be with you!
1 km
Friday, September 20th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Moundsville, West Virginia
Real Pilgrimage
It was like a real pilgrimage—people moving together, on foot, with a spiritual purpose. From the main temple in New Vrndavana, where the men's retreat was held this week, we commenced the kirtan chanting, and from there walked, bypassing the popular lodge, moving next to the lake where swans were plying over its waters, up the hill, and to the Palace of Gold. The movement of pilgrims (this time, all males) was how I imagined it in the period of Chaitanya five hundred years ago, when walking parties were conducted with destinations of tirthas, sacred places.
When we reached the Palace, we entered and continued our chant in an uproarious way. The joy experienced was boundless. Following this was a great meal. Lasagna was on the menu. A great bonfire was started as night fell, when camp-fire stories were told of inspiring sorts. We all sat on the grass, listening, laughing. No mosquitoes. But the daytime events were on par with the evening programs. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2p8vawAjY6/?igshid=1vuflc5lu6iux
Break-out sessions were meaningful. I sat in on the group that discussed the topic of affection in relationships. This is a pertinent topic because in our spiritual community you have those people of a rigid mindset in this regard, who speak of detachment as the ultimate goal in life. Others believe strongly in the more practical realm of affection and intimacy in a relationship. This subject is of course, more applicable to the husband and wife scenario, and I'm a monk right? Still it is necessary to speak about the accommodating factor under the controversial subject: illicit sex.
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Thursday, September 19th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
New York State / Pennsylvania
To The Hills
Our small crew of actors and myself, left for the hills of West Virginia, but in order for me to get some footsteps in on a day that would be destined with hours on freeways, I said to Billy, the driver, in Toronto, "I'm walking down the street. Pick me up!"
Through the rush of traffic on University Avenue I did swirl and dodge construction sites and people. Then the temple car assigned to us for our destination, the hills of West Virginia, arrived. I clocked my time and got a meager 3 kilometres in.
The drive was to Fort Erie in Ontario, then New York State, Pennsylvania, and finally the hills. In Butler, Pennsylvania, we detoured. It was my opportunity to bring Billy, Pariksit, Daniel and Nicholas to this place of pilgrimage. Let me explain.
In September of 1965, our guru, Prabhupada, arrived here, and stayed for a month under the sponsorship of Gopal and Sally Agarwal. "There is the home where the Agarwals stayed.” I pointed to where it was in the downtown. And about four blocks away: "Here is the old YMCA where he was accommodated for the time prior to his embarking upon his journey to New York with his mission."
In September of 2015, I had the good fortune to trek from Boston to Butler, and then to destination New York City, completed in mid-October. It was a good walk, always with a companion. The Pennsylvania hills on rural roads permitted me to exercise my biological brake system. It was the jumpstart to a U.S. trek that I won't forget. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2m79qdABJr/?igshid=23sx51ww9wez
May the Source be with you!
3 km
Wednesday, September 18th, 2019
→ The Walking Monk
Toronto, Ontario
Isn't It A Pity
These body-builders were doing a serious workout at the corner of the park. David, Michelle and I were nearby making kirtan rhythms which excited the guys.
"Keep going guys," was the message coming from them, aimed at us. They found our mantraand drum beat the sounds needed to keep their biceps swelling and contracting. Meanwhile people known to us joined in on our music circle. Tyler came, so did Mandala. Anthony is a newbie to us, but Vrndavana is not, as he lives just around the corner from our ashram.
It was time to disperse. Our music stopped. The company disappeared. The muscles ceased pumping. Michelle went home. David and I left for the ashram. I was in contemplation while on the stroll back. Our group was happy. Those in and around our circle were happy. Will we stay happy? Pedestrians were but not at all.
George Harrison's song "Isn't It A Pity!" came to my mind as I had heard it recently after years of being absent from that great song. The lyrics follow and truly express the heart of a soft soul.
“Isn't it a pity
Now, isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity
Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see we're all the same
And because of all their tears
Their eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
Isn't it a pity”. https://youtu.be/eDrLTW_sesI
The song goes on. If you listen to Nina Simone's version, one of her concluding lines are, "Everything's plastic." I find that significant. https://youtu.be/LLn3FT9BsRs
May the Source be with you!
4 km
Diwali / Govardhan Celebrations – Special Program – Mon 28th Oct 2019 7pm onwards
→ ISKCON Brampton
Kartik Nabadwip Mandal Parikrama
→ Mayapur.com
Kartik Navadwip Mandal Parikrama organized by the Mayapur Chandras is a small and intimate gathering of devotees travelling to various holy places hearing and chanting about the glories of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Their associates. The transcendental Sankirtan Movement is an everlasting phenomenon; Mayapur Chandras is simply here to facilitate. Going on Kartik Nabadwip […]
The post Kartik Nabadwip Mandal Parikrama appeared first on Mayapur.com.
A Devotee Is Not Afraid of Dying
Giriraj Swami
Today I heard a nice talk by Srila Prabhupada in which he said, “A devotee is not afraid of dying”—and explained why:
Here in the material world, padam padam vipadam. At every step there is vipada; there is danger. So don’t think that “She is dying” or “He is dying, and I shall not die.” Everyone will have to die. At every step, there is danger of dying. It is not that . . . Everyone has to die. So before that death we must become fully Krishna conscious so that ante narayana-smrtih. [“The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter and spirit, by practice of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life.” (SB 2.1.6)]
The end will come today or tomorrow or day after tomorrow. Nobody here will live. But the success is if we can remember Narayana at the end of life. That is success. Ante narayana-smrtih. We should practice that. Don’t bother about that “I shall die tomorrow. You are dying today, so I am better than you.” Nobody here will live. Everyone will die, and we must be prepared for death. And the devotee has no fear of dying, because if he is completely surrendered to Krishna, then he is going back to Him. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti. [“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” (Gita 4.9)] Simply by surrendering to Krishna.
And what is that surrendering? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru, mam evaisyasi asamsayah [Gita 18.68]. Without any doubt. He is giving assurance. Four things only. Always think of Krishna. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam. Anyone can do it. Everyone can offer Krishna patram puspam phalam toyam. [“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” (Gita 9.26)]
Everyone can hear from Krishna what is Krishna. Where is the difficulty? The difficulty is that we want enjoyment in this material world. That is the difficulty. Therefore it is recommended that akincananam mayi bhakti-bhajam. For a devotee there is no problem. He is not attracted by liberation or by Svargaloka or by yogic perfection. He is not at all interested. Bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kami—sakali ‘asanta’. They cannot get santi, because they want something. For bhukti, the karmis are working so hard. They want some material profit or go to the Svargaloka to enjoy more. This is bhukti. And for mukti, they are also undergoing severe austerities, penance, tapasya, for becoming one. Kaivalya sukha. Kevaladvaita. They are also working. And the yogis, they also work very hard. Yoga practice is not so easy. Dhyana, dharana, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, samadhi. It requires. . . And especially in this age it is not so easy. It was easier in the Satya-yuga. Krte yad dhyayato visnum. [“Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Visnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.” (SB 12.3.52)]
Samadhi was possible. Now it is not possible. Our bhakti-yoga is so easy, simply man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru—very simple thing. So we should take to bhakti, devotional service, and reject everything. Niskincana. That will make your life successful.
—Srila Prabhupada, talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.25, November 12, 1976, Vrindavan
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
Krsna’s beautiful nature
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 8 April 2019, Amritsar, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.37)
Krsna’s beauty is not only external. His beauty is not only in His form and in His lotus eyes and so on, the beauty is in His very nature. Krsna is very noble. Our Krsna is extremely kind. When Draupadi was in the assembly of the Kurus and Shakuni was carrying out his tricks with the dice and cheating, the Pandavas lost everything. Even Yudhistira himself was totally lost. He lost all his brothers, then he lost himself and then he wagered Draupadi. So Draupadi was saying that it was not a proper bet because Yudhistira, at that point, had already lost himself. But no one in the assembly cared about Draupadi’s declaration that this bet was illegitimate. Dushashan still came and tried to pull out her sari, in an attempt to expose her in public since she was now considered to be a slave. Despite holding onto her sari, what could she possibly do in comparison to Dushashan’s powerful arms? So instead, she just threw her arms in the air and cried, “Hey Govinda!” It was in this moment that Draupadi had totally surrendered to Krsna and so in return, the more sari that Dushashan pulled out, the more sari Krsna supplied. There was unlimited cloth, so much so, that the entire assembly hall filled up with this cloth.
So think about this very deep point. Krsna says that He never forgets His devotee. We keep forgetting everything, and the one thing I especially forget is my passwords. In fact I put all my passwords in one place which is protected by a password, and then I forget that password too. But Krsna does not forget. Krsna says that whenever He remembers how Draupadi surrendered, His appreciation for her increases, and then He remembers her surrender again and again. This way, Krsna’s appreciation is increasing eternally.
So this is the nature of Krsna and this is the nature of devotional service. Krsna is appreciating His devotees more and more and more, regardless of what service His devotees render. That is Krsna. So if you think about how beautiful Krsna’s nature is, we can see that it is amazing!
The article " Krsna’s beautiful nature " was published on KKSBlog.
Finding My Perfect Master, September 27, Columbus, Ohio
Giriraj Swami
HH Giriraj Swami at Chandra prabhu’s home
Posted by ISKCON Columbus on Friday, September 27, 2019
Sun Love Feast – Sep 29th, 2019 – Vedic discourse by His Grace Kashyap Muni Prabhu
→ ISKCON Brampton
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Pasankusa Ekadasi
Deity-Welcoming Program, September 25, Columbus, Ohio
Giriraj Swami
Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.22.
“Engagement in such worship of the Deity, under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master, will greatly help the householders to purify their very existence and make rapid progress in spiritual knowledge. Simple theoretical book knowledge is not sufficient for a neophyte devotee. Book knowledge is theoretical, whereas the arcana process is practical. Spiritual knowledge must be developed by a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge, and that is the guaranteed way for attainment of spiritual perfection.” — Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.22 purport.
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Deity Welcoming (Right click to download)
TOVP Architecture Department Report, September 2019
- TOVP.org
Barrier: Balancing the Visual Connection
Now that the building is manifest into its glorious form, several intriguing deliberations are stemming up.
Balancing the building mass and volume with balustrades (decorative railing supports) has been one of the exercises on the drawing board. We are undertaking some mock-ups of appropriate size and proportions to determine their aesthetic feasibility. Please read on – the design meditations as they progress…
Click here to see it in your browser or download a copy to your desktop for offline reading.
The post TOVP Architecture Department Report, September 2019 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.
Young ISKCON Activists Take Part in Global Climate Strike
→ ISKCON News
Over four million people around the globe walked out of their schools and workplaces on Friday September 20th to demand an end to the age of fossil fuels. The protests were organized by young people led by 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg. The campaign has seen students walk out of their schools on Fridays to demand their political leaders take urgent action to address climate change.
Chanting, Doubts, and Knowledge
Giriraj Swami
“I am happy to hear that you continued to chant despite so many doubts and skepticism. That is the process. Even there may be doubts and skepticism, but if one continues the chanting process, the doubts will all disappear, and real knowledge will be revealed by the grace of Krishna. The example is given of the jaundice patient. He is suffering from disease, and when given sugar candy, which is the cure, he finds it very bitter and distasteful. But that does not mean the sugar candy is not sweet and delicious; it is simply due to his diseased condition that it seems bitter. In order to be cured from his disease, he must take the medicine of sugar candy, despite the apparently bitter taste, and as he becomes cured, the real sweet taste of the candy is gradually revealed. Similarly, we are diseased, and only if we take to this chanting process may we be cured. Maya may put so many doubts and worthless arguments into our minds, but if we continue the chanting, the curing process will go on, never mind the doubts, and gradually we will get a taste of that sweet nectar of Krishna nama-sankirtana. That is the process. And you may explain it to all your friends, so they may understand the nature of their doubts and skepticism, and be benefited.”
—Srila Prabhupada, letter to Terry and associates, March 22, 1968
Thank you very much.
Hare Krishna.
Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami
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