Planet ISKCON

Life of the Devotee (9 min. video)
My Spiritual Journey towards Krishna - Gunesvara Das.

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We are the Most Fortunate! (6 min. video)
Mahatma Das: One of the big obstacles to chanting good japa is a lack of appreciation of our good fortune. It is so rare that Mahaprabhu appears in this particular incarnation to give the premanama that we are among the most fortunate souls in the universe. Why? The holy name can take us from the lowest position of material existence to the highest position of spiritual perfection, and we don’t require any qualification to chant the maha-mantra. If we remember this, then while we chant our rounds we will constantly be appreciating the great fortune that has fallen upon us. And this will cause us to increase our taste and desire for chanting.

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Accessing the Kripa-Sakti While Chanting.
Human society is brought before the big question mark, “Does this all make sense?” the moment it is confronted with death – the existential dilemma. Vaisnava scholars hold that the teachings of Srila Sukadeva Gosvami begin in all earnestness after king Pariksit asked his urgent question: “What should I do now that I am at the brink of death? What should anyone do in this situation?”

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 05 February 2013, Prague, Czech Republic, Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.43-44)

bhyāsa-yoga-yuktena
cetasā nānya-gāminā
paramaṁ puruṣaṁ divyaṁ
yāti pārthānucintayan, (Bhagavad-gita 8.8)

Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that by regular practise of offering everything in service to him, we will become strong. So, it’s very nice that we have communities of devotees and when you visit and see all the children, you think, “How nice it is to grow up like this, with the deities and with Srila Prabhupada…” It’s such a good start. I always thought that this is a good place. A good place is based on the culture of the Bhagavatam, where Bhagavatam is discussed,

mac-cittā mad-gata-prāṇā
bodhayantaḥ parasparam, (Bhagavad-gita 10.9)

Devotees, when together take pleasure in discussing about Krsna. We discuss the Bhagavatam and we try to live according to the Bhagavatam, then we will have a very successful community – this is the key!

The article " Life according to the Bhagavatam " was published on KKSBlog.

It was a moment, mixed with emotions, ecstasy, joy & tears, to welcome HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaja, back at his home, Sri Mayapur dhama. After a year long separation from Sri Mayapur dhama, with loving feelings, both Maharaj and Mayapur devotees were waiting for this day to dawn to see that their beloved spiritual master […]

The post Welcome home, HH Jayapataka Swami Maharaj! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s Appearance – Srila Prabhupada Explains His Poetry (23 min. video)
Dhruva Maharaja dasa: I put this slideshow/video together for a class on Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s Appearance day this Saturday at the Alachua Temple of Srila Prabhupada explaining his famous Vyasa-puja Offering poetry from 1936. I think devotees may appreciate Prabhupada explaining reasons for using various phrases in that offering.

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Nityananda Trayodashi Celebration in ISKCON Kolkata and Adhivas Kirtan in Seal Mansion, Kolkata (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The devotee’s life’s mission is to please Krishna, and he can sacrifice everything for Krishna’s satisfaction, just as Arjuna did in the Battle of Kuruksetra. The process is very simple: one can devote himself in his occupation and engage at the same time in chanting Hare Krishna. Such transcendental chanting attracts the devotee to the Personality of Godhead. (Bhagavad-gita 12.6-7 Purport)

Jaya and Vijaya Coming to the TOVP (Album of photos)
Our murti department is making much progress on the various deities being sculpted for the TOVP.
Sadbhuja Das: These pictures are just an upgrade of the beautiful work of the Bengali artist sculpturing Jay&Vijay.
It’s amazing the dimensions and the great skills that the local artists are able to display. They are masters when it comes to murtis.

ISKCON Leicester’s Head Pujari, Visnu Murti Das, was invited tonight to lead prayers at Leicester City Council’s full council meeting.
He spoke about the deep divisions we are currently seeing in politics, and how public servants must remember their duty to serve the very people that put them in power. He also discussed some of the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita on the principle of servitude. Visnu Murti concluded with Sanskrit prayers and the mahamantra.
More photos: https://goo.gl/VwXuj8

By Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of January 2019. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN January 2019 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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By Praghosa dasa

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK with over 2 million jivas residing in human bodies. It is the most multicultural city in the western world, as only half of those human jivas are in white bodies. So it is a wonderful city for delivering the message of Lord Caitanya and now with our new temple in the city centre, next to the university, it gives us a fantastic opportunity to do just that. Great devotees have come from Birmingham in the past such as HH Subagh Swami and HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami Continue reading "Celebrating 50 Years of ISKCON UK at our New Temple in Birmingham
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Answer Podcast

The post Does focusing on Krishna require that we always be in the mode of goodness? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

2013-09-19 Bhakti Sangama (Russian)

How to understand the 5th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam and the rest of the cosmogony mentioned there (video)
A lecture with many...

Huge preparations in Mayapur for the return of HH Jayapataka Swami after his long battle with health difficulties. (Album of photos...

Please find below photos from Nityananda Trayodasi 2019 at the ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna Temple.
Slideshow (please turn on s...

By Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Narottama Dasa Thakura appeared in Kheturi which I believe is in current day Bangaldesh. Eventually in his late youth or so he went to Vrindavan and in Vrindavan he met Srila Jiva Goswami and took shelter of him. Then he met Srila Lokanath Goswami and was very deeply struck by the character of Lokanath Goswami and his standards as a devotee and just who he was as a devotee Continue reading "Appearance day Anniversary of Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura
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By Sri Nandanandana dasa

Sometimes I hear devotees say that they have been chanting Hare Krishna for thirty or forty years or more, and are still waiting to feel the taste for it, or the ecstasy from chanting, or from doing devotional service. I even heard where some devotee workshops were saying that it is not uncommon that devotees do not feel this bliss even after years of chanting, and that sometimes people leave the movement because they don’t feel the higher taste. They did not get what they expected. But the cure for that is clearly explained. Continue reading "Not Feeling the Bliss? Here’s the Cure
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Today is the appearance day Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, of whom Srila Prabhupada said, He was “a great acharya of the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya. He has written many songs about the Vaishnava philosophy, and they are approved as completely corresponding with Vedic instructions.  .  .  . So, we should relish the instruction of Narottama dasa Thakura.”

At the original Gaura-purnima festival held in Kheturi, in the presence of Srimati Jahnava-devi, Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, and Srila Srinivasa Acharya, six pairs of Radha-Krishna Deities were installed, and one pair, Radha-Braja-mohana, was sent to Vrindavan.

A few years ago, after Indradyumna Swami told me about the poor condition of the temple, I gave a donation to support the Deity worship, and in reciprocation, Maharaja gave me the conch shell that Narottama sent to Vrindavan for the worship of Braja-mohana. Maharaja said that it may have been blown by Jahnava-devi, Narottama, or Srinivasa, but in any case, it was part of the paraphernalia that Narottama sent to his disciple in Vrindavan.

In this photo, you can see the conch.

Hare Krishna.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Наш отдел мурти значительно продвинулся вперед в изваянии различных божеств для ХВП.

На данной фотографии – один из бенгальских скульпторов, работающий над фигурами Джая и Виджая, которые будут расположены в крыле Нрисимхадева. Данные мурти изготавливаются местными скульпторами с большим мастерством и вниманием к деталям прямо на территории храма.

 

НОВОСТИ ХВП – БУДЬТЕ В КУРСЕ

Посетите ХВП: www.tovp.org
Читайте о ХВП: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Смотрите о ХВП: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Загрузите приложение ХВП для мобильного телефона: www.tovp.org/ru/announcements-ru/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Подпишитесь на новости ХВП: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Поддержите ХВП: www.tovp.org/ru/donate/seva-opportunities/

The post Джая и Виджая явятся в ХВП appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Our murti department is making much progress on the various deities being sculpted for the TOVP.

Pictured here is one of our Bengali artists working on Jaya and Vijaya who will be placed in the Nrsimha Wing of the temple. These murtis are made with great skill and attention to detail by local artists right on location.

 

TOVP NEWS AND UPDATES – STAY IN TOUCH

Visit us at: www.tovp.org
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/tovp.mayapur
Watch us at: www.youtube.com/user/tovpinfo
Phone App at: http://tovp.org/news/announcements/new-tovp-phone-app-goes-live/
Mailing List at: https://goo.gl/forms/ojJ2WcUUuqWh8bXt1
Support us at: www.tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities

The post Jaya and Vijaya Coming to the TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Answer Podcast

The post Lust when unfulfilled leads to anger – does that mean the short-tempered have excessive lust that is unsatisfied? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

    Recently I read some reports on a conference in which India’s history was discussed with the conclusion that there is little reason to be proud of India’s past 1000 years for what some people call the enslavement by invaders. But I have a different view.

Of course, we know and recognize that India has been attacked and in many ways dominated over the past 1000 years by invaders of all kinds. It has cost India millions of lives and the loss of the great esteem that India had been known for. But now things have changed. We do not have to live in those memories, nor base India’s identity on those times. We can be thankful for the tolerance, durability, perseverance, and flexibility that India and its people are known for, and that the culture of India still exists, and the intellectual character of its society is not only still intact but is blossoming now more than ever.

It was only a matter of becoming free again from the dominance of outsiders, those invaders and the exploitation they imposed on India’s people and its resources, to finally allow India to again flex its intellectual wings to become a major force with which the world must recognize and engage and reciprocate. As we can see, even India’s economy is surpassing the economy of England, which was one of India’s dominating forces for a few centuries. It was only a matter of time when India’s superior culture and the ingenuity and intellectual capacity of India’s people would again shine forth.

Therefore, I say there is much to be thankful for to be where India is now. But there are lessons we need to remember. India needs to remember that one of the prime reasons for the last 1000 years of attacks and dominance by outsiders was the lack of unity among the princely states to defend themselves from the invaders. When the Muslims first entered India, they were repelled. By they returned with a bigger force and cut through. But if other princely states would have joined in to help, they could have easily fought off the invading forces. But that did not happen. So, one by one, the princely states were attacked and defeated, which lead to the domination over India by outsiders for so many years. This should not be allowed to happen again.

Other lessons we should learn is to make sure we do not become apathetic to the need to defend India’s culture. Apathy is one of the most dangerous symptoms that allows you to be defeated by those who hate you or want to exploit you. Secondly, the divisions among the Indians should be viewed as superficial, and not very relevant to the ongoing existence of the  cooperation and respect we need to show each other for our future development. Thirdly, the secular media, when secular in many cases means to be anti-Hindu or even anti-India, needs to be recognized as a major challenge to our unity and to the future well-being of India and its people. To have a press which amplifies or magnifies anything that can be interpreted as anti-Hindu is obviously working against the very culture and vibrancy and unity of Indian society.

India was one of the greatest and most developed and wealthiest countries in the world, and gave the planet inventions and developments for which the world enjoys the fruits of today. These were such inventions as in metals, textiles, medicine, surgery, rhinoplasty, and mathematics, and on and on, which were way ahead of the rest of society, and without which the world would be devoid of many of the developments that came from these inventions. (Anyone can read more about these in my book, “Advancements of Ancient India’s Vedic Culture.”) Furthermore, we should recognize how the Vedic philosophy and its spiritual understanding and the wisdom of India’s great rishis and sages were so well accepted and respected that it influenced many other cultures throughout the world. (Anyone can read my books “Proof of Vedic Culture’s Global Existence” and “Mysteries of the Ancient Vedic Empire” for lots more information on this point of view.) As a foreigner, I constantly count my blessings that I came across the Vedic philosophy and culture of India.

So, now that India is again free to chart its own course and destiny, Indians should be proud of what it has offered in the past and use that as a sign of what it can offer in the future.

However, we should dedicate ourselves to what works now. We can see how well India gave contributions to society in the past, but also how the invaders interfered with India’s continued progress, because if the last 1000 years of slavery, as some call it, did not happen, who knows how much farther ahead in progress India might be today. So, we should also reject those foreign influences that have the power to be a hindrance to what India and its people were and what they are today. We should reject the foreign influences and recognize the way they slaughtered so many Indians and destroyed so many of its temples, and forcefully converted so many people, and imposed such events as the horrible Goan Inquisition, and still today inflict the feeling and politics of division. (My book, “Crimes Against India” describes much more of this history.)

We should reject those cultures or religions that are outrightly opposed to Vedic and Indian values, or that have a history of slaughtering millions of Indians or destroying thousands of temples, or forcefully converting people to foreign or invader’s religions. If they have had such little respect and so much disdain for us in the past, that is not likely to change any time soon. They may, in fact, simply look at what they do now as conducting unfinished business–the continued conquest of India.

What benefit is there to cater to these outside, anti-Indian and anti-Hindu forces and organizations? At the time of this writing, the ex-CM of Mizoram wants to declare it as a Christian country that should separate from India. How many more times is this going to be allowed to happen?

We should also reject things like communism and see it as an outside force that does not and has never worked, and which in India is now only a distraction in its attempted implementation.

Am I proposing nationalism? No. I am only proposing that India depend on what actually works, what actually benefits all of India as a people. And we can find that what actually produced the higher consciousness, intellectual capability, flexibility, etc., is what had always been a part of India’s Vedic lifestyle and culture.

That does not mean we reject everything that comes from the west or outside of India. We can take whatever actually benefits India. But we take the best and leave the rest. Nonetheless,  we should use the proven formulas of what comes from India, what we know works best for India.

Actually, India should try to become as self-sufficient as possible, especially agriculturally, technologically and philosophically.. That is what India was over 1000 years ago, which attracted so many people, including all of its invaders, to come to India. But if India becomes more self-sufficient, then whatever difficulty happens to the rest of the world, India is least affected by it. It remains a contributor to the world, not a taker, and remains in control of its own destiny. The more you depend on others, the more you depend on their approval, and then their dictates. India should be above all that. This will really show the flexibility and versatility of India, which Indians should value. It’s India’s system, culture and lifestyle that has protected it all these years, and that is what we must be thankful for.

A good lesson in this regard is Britain. It was once a great empire, but now has become reduced to a small island. And even what is left of its own culture is gradually disappearing and changed by the inflow of immigrants into the country that are not assimilating. We need to make sure that does not happen to India. We should have learned our lessons very clearly from the last 1000 years to plan India’s destiny wisely, and for that we should be very thankful.

Book distribution is needed! (Album of photos)
Mohanasini Dasi: You can’t argue with success! When you click on the pics…you’ll see that book distribution is wanted, that book distribution is needed! I pray that this will inspire you to distribute books….for me, it is my life and soul!
Book totals for Feb 1 - Feb 17: 17 Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 28 Perfection of Yoga, 21 Chant and be Happy, 246 Higher Taste Cookbooks, 6 Science of Self Realization, 271 soft bound 72 Bhagavad Gitas, 16 Hard bound 72 Bhagavad Gitas, and 10 Srimad Bhagavatams Total: 616 books
Find them here: https://goo.gl/FUwK1D

Srila Narottam Das Thakur’s Appearance Day in Vrindavan (2019) (Album of photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Today was Maghi Purnima, the Appearance Day of Srila Narottam Das Thakur. We had a wonderful program at Sri Sri Radha Braja Mohan Mandir where one of the Kheturi Festival Deities now presides. We sang many bhajans written by him and had katha remembering his life’s story. Then we had a super delicious feast. Hundreds of devotees showed up for the event. We are very thankful to all our facebook donors for such a blissful program! Relish the pics of Vittalrukmini.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/XRGpfo

By bhakta Ankit

Srila Prabhupada wanted Krishna Consciousness to be preached in Bangladesh. Preaching there is really risky, however, pure devotees take the risk. HH Subhag Swami has been continuously preaching in Bangladesh for the past 45 years. In the early days, Maharaj used to preach wearing a formal dress and take shelter at some Hindu family homes. Continue reading "Bangladesh preaching program 2019
→ Dandavats"

Visiting Sri Mayapur for Gaura Purnima Festival 2019?
Don’t miss out the bliss of travelling in Jaladuta Cruise!
The bookings for Jaladuta boat service from Kolkata to Mayapur has started now! No more bumpy &
risky roads & pollution, enjoy the relaxing cruise, passing through villages & countryside beautiful
scenery around, fresh air and a sattvik mood on the whole with kirtan and devotional videos on. It is an
unique experience to travel in Ganga, capturing the mood of Mayapur all through your journey!
Jaladuta Cruise offers:
Reclining comfortable seats
2 washrooms on board
Krsna Conscious entertainment
Breakfast prasadam
Extra seats in the front gallery for passengers to stretch and move around. Passengers can feel the nice cool fresh breeze of Ganga. Devotees can chant their rounds here in association with
Ganga devi who is filled with Krsna Prema by Gauranga Mahaprabhu’s touch.
The cruise will leave from Millennium Park 2 which is situated across Howrah on the other side of Ganga.
Book your seat now! Only limited seats available. Each trip 30 seats only!!
For Special offers on group bookings call 9733578071.
Dates of Operations:
Kolkata to Mayapur -Feb 28th, March 4th, 7th, 20th

Mayapur to Kolkata - March 2nd, 6th, 17th & 23rd Price: Rs.2000/- (US $ 30/-)
Travel time Kolkata to Mayapur 6hrs, Mayapur to Kolkata 4hrs.
For inquiries & bookings, write to us at reservations@mayapur.com or
call or whatsapp to 6383832530.

Visiting Sri Mayapur for Gaura Purnima Festival 2019? Don’t miss out the bliss of travelling in Jaladuta Cruise! The bookings for Jaladuta boat service from Kolkata to Mayapur has started now! No more bumpy & risky roads & pollution, enjoy the relaxing cruise, passing through villages & countryside beautiful scenery around, fresh air and a […]

The post Jaladuta Cruise to Mayapur! appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Sacinandana Swami: Once there was a lady in India called Kamabai. She lived in a small straw hut and materially speaking she was very poor. However, she had strong love for our Lord, Jagannatha, in her heart. Every morning before the Lord received His over 30 food preparations from the first-class priests in the temple, she cooked a simple stew called kitchari which traditionally consists of rice, beans and if you have enough money also vegetables. It is easy to digest and the main food of the money-less.

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Sivarama Swami - Business & Life at the Artha Forum 2019 (20 min. video)
Sivarama Spoke to 100 corporates in the heart of London about balancing life with Spiritual pursuits.

Ecstatic Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Canberra, the capital of Australia (Album of photos)
Jagannatha Rathayatra @ Multicultural Festival 2019
Enthralling Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Australia’s Capital - A Fabulous Day of Devotion n Joy
We had enthralling Rathayatra as part of National Multicultural Festival. Lord Jagannatha, His brother Baladeva & sister Subhadra majestically rode on Their beautifully bedecked palanquin through the Central Business District of capital, blessing one and all with Their merciful darshans.
Hundreds of people including ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and other dignitaries had opportunity to witness this Festival, as Hare Krishna devotees danced & chanted enthusiastically. All devotees participated contributing with great synergy for pleasure of Lord Jagannatha.
Very grateful to our ISKCON Founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada, to be fortunate to do some services to enumerate in West this age-old 12th century’s devotional Festival originating from holy Jagannatha Puri Dhama in Orissa.
Jagannatha Rathayatra Mahotsav ki jai!! Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3Y8P

Ecstatic Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Canberra, the capital of Australia (Album of photos)
Jagannatha Rathayatra @ Multicultural Festival 2019
Enthralling Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Australia’s Capital - A Fabulous Day of Devotion n Joy
We had enthralling Rathayatra as part of National Multicultural Festival. Lord Jagannatha, His brother Baladeva & sister Subhadra majestically rode on Their beautifully bedecked palanquin through the Central Business District of capital, blessing one and all with Their merciful darshans.
Hundreds of people including ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and other dignitaries had opportunity to witness this Festival, as Hare Krishna devotees danced & chanted enthusiastically. All devotees participated contributing with great synergy for pleasure of Lord Jagannatha.
Very grateful to our ISKCON Founder-acarya Srila Prabhupada, to be fortunate to do some services to enumerate in West this age-old 12th century’s devotional Festival originating from holy Jagannatha Puri Dhama in Orissa.
Jagannatha Rathayatra Mahotsav ki jai!! Srila Prabhupada ki jai!!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/3Y8P

By Subroto Das

Spread over 700 acre ISKCON has decided to set up a 3000 crore (420 million US dollars) World Heritage centre at Mayapur , Nadia, birth place of Sri Chaitanya MahaPrabhu and spiritual headquarter of the institution. The construction of a 500 crore grand temple , Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) is the first step towards it. The temple is expected to be inaugurated in 2022 On Sunday morning , Mr Jindal along with other industrialists arrived at Mayapur on his private chopper at 11.00 am. They were warmly greeted and welcomed as per the Vedic traditions by senior devotees of ISKCON. Continue reading "World Heritage Centre at Mayapur
→ Dandavats"

“Instead of contemplating what will happen to this world, you have got a short duration of life, say fifty, sixty years. You chant Hare Krsna and go back to home, back to Godhead. Don’t consider what will happen to this world. Nature will take care of it. You don’t puzzle your brain with these thoughts. You utilize whatever time you have got in your possession and go back to home, back to Godhead. You cannot check it. Best thing is that you mold your life and go back to home, back to Godhead. Because people will go on with their rascal civilization, natural consequences will be there. You better take advantage of whatever time you have got and become fully Krsna conscious and go back to home.”

[Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, February 21, 1975, Caracas]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213728198862176&set=a.3707173840886&type=3&theater

By Siddhanta Das

Hawaii's State Senator Mike Gabbard, father to Tulsi Gabbard, presents the Senate Proclamation honoring the 50th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada's establishment of ISKCON Hawaii. Continue reading "ISKCON Hawaii Golden Anniversary Proclamation
→ Dandavats"

[Talk at Radha Krishna Cultural Center, Goldcoast, Australia]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post When our prayers are unanswered appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Talk at Goldcoast, Australia]

Podcast

 

Podcast Summary

 

Video:

The post How to deal with uncomfortable emotions – 5 Ds appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Answer Podcast

The post When Dhruva already had darshan of Vishnu, how could be become disproportionately angry at the Yakshas? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.