Planet ISKCON

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[Prabhupada Vyasa-puja Offering at Detroit, USA]

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The post Appreciating Prabhupada’s sacrifice, wisdom and legacy appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 January 2018, Brisbane, Australia, Q&A Programme)

Can you talk about your early life? What recollections do you have about your childhood and your family?

I am from the outskirts of Amsterdam which is the business heart of Holland. This is what my family did – they ran lots of businesses. My grandfather was a director of a large multinational corporation and so were my uncles and my father. So this was the idea from Day 1, that I would also follow such a path. I went to the right schools and played with the right kids, until I turned about 13, which is when I started playing with the wrong kids. Generally, my early childhood was quite nice – very peaceful and good.

My mother was a nice and pious lady. She was religious, but did not have much faith in the Church, which was the mindset of many people during that time because my parents had gone through WWII; they saw the bombs, the starvation and so on. But my grandfather had a business of selling tent materials and covers for ships and trucks, so he would take some of those to swap with farmers to get some food on the table for the family. So the family did well in this way but they were very much in the mood of re-building the nation after the war and working very hard to build up the economy. Therefore, my family did not have much time for spiritual life. They were quite successful as a generation, but when time started to pass by, we felt that something was lacking. It was all too materialistic. And this really hit me and inspired me; there must be more to life than just making money!

It was very clear to me when I was about 12 that making money was not going to be the goal of my life. At one point, I decided to go more on a spiritual direction when I was about 17, and so I left school and all. I never graduated from my school, but instead I started travelling and went to India and this is really where my life began. Before that, I was just living my life how my parents scripted it, but after that I started making my own choices.

The article " Q&A with KKS: Early life " was published on KKSBlog.

Another day, someone asked why Krishna and why not Jesus?

We all have opinions. That makes us who we are. Between different opinions, an expert's opinion is given weight. Between experts, the expert with extensive knowledge and experience is given weight. Like this we can deduce logically that commonly, when opinions are sought, the person with the most knowledge and experience weighs out others' opinions. If we also know the amount of mistakes one commits then that can still filter out opinions. Above all this, if we know the person really cares about me and my well-being then that opinion still stands high.

So anyone's opinion who has a combination of all three (extent of knowledge,lack of error and well-being) to a high degree can be accepted. In that regard, Krishna is faultless (perfect), all-knowing (omniscient) and friend of all beings. Above that, He is also the person who owns everything in this cosmos. Therefore, we accept Krishna's opinion versus another say like Jesus or someone else.

Therefore, O Lord, feeling weary of material life and tormented by its distresses, I now surrender unto You because You are the perfect master. You are the unlimited, all-knowing Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose spiritual abode in Vaikuṇṭha is free from all disturbances. In fact, You are known as Nārāyaṇa, the true friend of all living beings. - Uddhava to Krishna - SB 11.7.18

Hare Krishna

Srila Prabhupada is the Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness.

As such, he will always hold the most prominent position in ISKCON, for grand disciples and especially for his direct disciples.

I was privileged to attend his Vyasapuja celebration at New Govardhana where there were homages offered, abhiseka of his murti, puspanjali, guru puja and prasadam.

It was blissful being with around 10-15 of my god-brothers and god-sisters, as well as all the other devotees who participated in glorifying Srila Prabhupada.

Janmastami Festival 2018, ISKCON of DC, Potomac, MD, United States (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This Krishna consciousn...

Janmastami in Hungary (Album of photos)
Sivarama Swami: We had a fantastic celebration at Krishna Valley for the annual Janmastami festival — the day Krishna appeared, 5000 years ago!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/HrJM6Z

Saint Petersburg, Russia: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja Celebration 4th September 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The secret of surrendering to Krishna is that such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krishna’s plan. Whatever is meant to be I am doing. Let me do it with my full attention to every detail. Let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is. Let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krishna’s alone pleasure is my motive. Letter to Jayapataka, December 19, 1972.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/aDaA74

Below is the 2018 Vyasa Puja offering to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami, which enshrines his profound dedication to our Founder-Acharya and to the fulfillment of his desire for the Temple of the Vedic planetarium.

My Dear Spiritual Father,

Please accept my respectful obeisances on the occasion of your Vyāsa-pūjā.

I am reminded how you undertook the great sacrifice of taking Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the Western world and how we are so indebted to Your Divine Grace.

You took Lord Caitanya’s mercy all over the world.

You have shown us how we should be dedicated to serving Guru and Gaurāṅga, how we should be following your footsteps.

I would like to finish the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium along with the devotees, see the Navadvīpa parikrama expand, see the unification of the Caitanya disciplic succession, and see the distribution of your transcendental literature increase exponentially.

There are many other instructions you have given us, your disciples. Following them is possible only by your grace. We can remain together, carrying out your orders, if you give us your mercy. All glories to you!

Your servant,
Jayapatāka Swami

The post His Holiness Jayapataka Swami Vyasa Puja Offering appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Janmastami - ISKCON of Alachua (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Our centers are like the oasis in a vast desert. In the de...

Subroto Das: In a bid to make the inauguration ceremony of Tehatta sub-divisional court building in Nadia district auspicious, the devotees of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Mayapur were invited by Hon’ble District Judge Smt. Rai Chatterjee on 1st of September 2018.

Kirtan Fest 2018, ISKCON of Houston (Album of photos)
Blissful festival of the Holy Name in Houston, TX.
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By Satyaraja Dasa

The Bhagavad-gita is one of the world’s perennial wisdom texts. Because it offers knowledge of the Absolute Truth, some of its texts can be difficult to understand. Few are as difficult as verses four and five of Chapter Nine: "By Me, in My unmanifested form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings are in Me, but I am not in them. And yet everything that is created does not rest in Me. Behold My mystic opulence! Although I am the maintainer of all living entities and although I am everywhere, I am not a part of this cosmic manifestation, for My Self is the very source of creation." Continue reading "Krishna, Lord of Paradox
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"I looked in the mirror and what did I see, but a little old lady peering back at me With bags and sags and wrinkles and wispy white hair, and I asked my reflection, 'How did you get there?' You once were straight and vigorous and now you're stooped and weak, when I tried so hard to keep you from becoming an antique My reflection's eyes twinkled as she solemnly replied, 'You're looking at the gift wrap and not the jewel inside. A living gem and precious, of unimagined worth Unique and true, the real you, the only you on Earth The years that spoil your gift wrap with other things more cruel, should purify and strengthen, and polish up that jewel So focus your attention on the inside, not the out On being kinder, wiser, more content and more devout Then, when your gift wrap's stripped away your jewel will be set free, to radiate God's glory throughout eternity.'"

By Indradyumna Swami

“Victory! Victory! Victory! I behold something wonderful! All the inauspiciousness of the living entities is destroyed. No one is going to hell. Yamaraja has no more work to do and the effects of Kali-yuga have ceased to exist. This is because all over the world an increasing number of Lord Visnu’s devotees are singing His names while dancing and playing musical instruments.” [ Divya-prabandha, Tiruvaymoli 5.2.1 by Nammalvar, one of the twelve great Vaisnava saints from South India ] Continue reading "Dearest Srila Prabhupada…
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Vyasa-puja talk (Right click to download)

By Administrator

A recent class of Rupa Vilas prabhu in the temple of Soho street, London, nicely analyzing the so many attractive qualities, activities and behaviors of Lord Krishna. The Lord is making so many arrangements to come towards us but unfortunately we are so busy trying to enjoy the matter.. He is coming personally in so many forms and expansions to attract us back home, back to Godhead and rescue us from the pains but we have so many excuses... Continue reading "The many reasons why you should love Krishna (and Radha)
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Answer Podcast

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 January 2018, Brisbane, Australia, Q&A Programme)

How do we know if Krsna is pleased with our service?

We serve Krsna under the guidance of the Vaishnavas; the Vaishnavas give us the service and when they are pleased with us, then we take it that Krsna is also pleased with our service. One attains Krsna by winning over the Vaishnavas; one has to go through the Vaishnavas first before reaching Krsna.

The article " Reach Krsna through Vaishnavas " was published on KKSBlog.

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[Talk at ISKCON, Farmington Hills, USA]

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[Talk at ISKCON, Detroit, USA]

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“In one class at Bhaktivedanta Manor Srila Prabhupada proclaimed from the vyasasana that, ‘You can fall down but I cannot fall down’. After the class he was praying before the dieties. One disciple asked him what he was praying because he seemed to be very intent. Srila Prabhupada replied, ‘I am praying that I may never fall down’. The disciple said,’ But Srila Prabhupada, you just said in the class that you could never fall down.’ And Srila Prabhupada said, ‘Yes, because I am always praying that I will never fall down, therefore I will never fall down’. Srila Prabhupada also said that whenever he entered a rich persons home he would pray that he would not be attracted by the material opulence of the householders life. One could say that the underlying psychology behind that prayer is fear that one will be effected by the material nature. So, that fear and prayer is essential. One complaint Srila Prabhupada had about his disciples is that they were not afraid enough of Maya.”

Janmastami Kirtan (Right click to download)
Janmastami Talk (Right click to download)

ebe nama sankirtana tikshna khadaga laiya antara asura jivera phelibe katiya “Taking the sharp sword of the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra, (nama-sankirtana) I will root out and destroy the demoniac mentality in the hearts of all the conditioned souls.” yadi papi chadi dharma dure dese yaya mora senapati-bhakta yaibe tathaya “If some sinful […]

The post Honoring Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Senapati bhakta appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Hail, Srila Prabhupada, full of grace! Empowered to save the human race. Had you not come with vigor and brace, Humanity'd fall into utter disgrace. Following your order, there's a hope We can live up to and manage to cope.

Ambarisa Das: 2018 Tribute.
Dear Srila Prabhupada, please accept my most humble obeisances at your lotus feet. All glories to your international mission to bring the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Love of Sri Krishna to all the people suffering in this material world.
This is called a ‘Tribute’; formally “an act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration.” One can barely scratch the surface.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for giving us the Holy Name of Hare Krishna. Without this simple method of contacting the Supreme Personality, how could we survive in this dangerous place? It keeps us safe and focused, and there are no hard and fast rules. This simple method is the underpinning of the sublime spiritual life you have taught us.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for saving us from ignorance. Your books are the shining beacon for all the bewildered and misdirected people of Kali-yuga. Before reading your books, I was completely lost. Your boundless mercy has saved me and countless others from madness and nihilism.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for saving me from banality. It is the 50th reunion of my high school graduating class. I keep getting invitations to join classmates for a golf weekend. After 68 years on this planet, this is the best they can come up with as a way to spend their years leading up to inevitable death?
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for giving me a purpose. I was lost for so many years, not knowing the purpose of life. The result was self-destruction. Before reading your books and listening to your recorded classes, my ignorance kept me bound up in a downward spiral.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for saving me from boredom and lethargy. Krishna Consciousness as you have taught us is a dynamic ever-expanding experience, even beyond birth and death. It is constantly challenging us and is tailored to our individual abilities and spirit.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for the gift of good association. Because of ISKCON, we can go anywhere in the world and find devotees for association, without which we would surely fall.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for introducing us to prasadam. The world is full of nasty things to eat which totally pollute the consciousness and keeps the jivas in the cycle of birth and death. By honoring prasadam, the entire atmosphere becomes purified, and we become qualified to hear the message of Bhagavatam.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for revealing all the Vaisnava festivals which help keep our focus on Sri Krishna throughout the whole year. Mundane celebrations seem so stale compared to the holidays of the transcendental world.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for showing us how to beautifully worship the Archa vigraha of Sri Krishna and Mahaprabhu. The deity worship in ISKCON is second to none and is famous around the world.
Srila Prabhupada, thank you for circling the planet non-stop for 12 years to bring your unconditional mercy to all the people of the earth. You have given everything and all in all to benefit us. There is no way we can ever repay you but to remain stringently loyal to the program and organization you have freely given with love
Your servant, life after life, Ambarisa das.

Originally launched with the full text in English and Russian, we’ve now added German, Russian, Norwegian, Danish, and Lithuanian, with more languages to follow. Includes an extensive, cap­tioned image gallery, includ­ing paintings and photos of Srila Prabhupada and inspiring quotes about the Bhagavad­gita or its philos­ ophy from his books, letters, and conversations.

Balabhadra Das: The photo of Srila Prabhupada eating Sugar cane was taken in the first preaching center in Hawaii in an area named Kaaawa in March of 1969. It was Srila Prabhupada's first visit to Hawaii and Govinda Dasi had arranged many preaching programs.
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Ramesvara das: In 1974 we were faced with a great dilemma. Our most important single book for distribution was the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. The rights had been given to Macmillan in 1969 and 1970 before Prabhupada even dreamed of his own Society distributing books in large quantities.

Janmastami 2018 in Los Angeles (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Every one of us is searching after some mellow, some pleasu...

Although it was a rainy night at New Govardhana and a Monday, there were still many devotees who attended Sri Krsna Janmastami.

The deities were gorgeously dressed and little Radha Krsna came out to be swung on Their swing.

There was also, dance, drama, abhiseka, kirtana and stories recited. Of course, after the midnight arati, an ekadasi feast was served to those devout devotees who stayed until the end.

My dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my prostrated obeisances in the dust of your lotus feet. All glories to Your Divine Grace.

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

 “I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krsna on this earth, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.”

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine                                

 “Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.”

After the conveyance of the Juhu land was finally signed in October 1973, you declared, “It was a good fight. Someone should write a book about it.”

And in Vrindavan in June 1977, you repeated the instruction when speaking with Tamal Krishna:

Tamal Krishna: Always you came out victorious. Always. I have never seen you ever defeated. In Bombay it was absolutely impossible. It seemed to be impossible.

Prabhupada: Nobody encouraged. . . . Nobody, not a single man. Who could see such a big project would come out?

Tamal Krishna: Only you could see that, you and Radha-Rasabihari.

Prabhupada: Nobody. Still, I was determined: “No, this place is very nice.”

Tamal Krishna: They should write a book about that.

Prabhupada: Yes, it is worth writing—history.

You had already instructed me, in February 1971, “You should write. This is your first business,” and over the years you repeated this instruction, and so I thought that you would want me to write that book about Juhu. As it is, I am the only devotee who was intimately involved in the project from the time you got possession of the land in 1972 to the time the temple opened in 1978.

So, with the encouragement and assistance of many well-wishers, I took up writing about you and Juhu as my first priority. In doing so, I became absorbed in your divine qualities, activities, and words, and I came to understand you—and even events to which I was party—in new, deeper ways. I felt like I was mining a limitless reservoir of precious gems.

Now, by your and Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari and the devotees’ mercy, I have finished writing the basic narrative of the book, entitled “I’ll Build You a Temple”: A Good Fight and a Promise Fulfilled. In the process, I have come to appreciate you—and your servants—even more, first and foremost those servants who assisted you in the Juhu project, and also those who have supported me in my efforts to write about it.

Your transcendental desire to establish a center of Krishna consciousness in the remote Bombay area of Juhu was awakened even before you left for America. When you would visit Sumati Morarji, you would pass the land and think, “This would be a nice place for a temple.” Years later, Mr. Nair offered to sell you the very same land, to be “profitably utilized for big purpose, as yours,” and you brought Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari from Their residence in a posh flat in Akash Ganga, overlooking the Arabian Sea, to a rented pandal on the property. From there They were moved onto a wood-plank platform under cloth supported by bare bamboo poles; then, for the rainy season, into a chatai hut with devotees; and on Janmastami 1972 into a makeshift structure of bricks and asbestos sheets. But you had vowed to Them, “I will build You a temple.” And finally, after years of struggle, we were able to offer Their Lordships the temple you had promised.

You expressed your spiritual desire to build Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari a temple with great, intelligent endeavor. And in your purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.13.50 you explained, “The word svakarthanam refers to great desires. As mentioned in this verse, the glance of Lord Visnu creates the desires of the devotees. A pure devotee, however, has no desires. Therefore Sanatana Gosvami comments that because the desires of devotees whose attention is fixed on Krsna have already been fulfilled, the Lord’s sidelong glances create variegated desires in relation to Krsna and devotional service.” Thus in “a place where there was no temple, . . . a devotee desired, ‘Let there be a temple and seva, devotional service.’ Therefore, what was once an empty corner has now become a place of pilgrimage. Such are the desires of a devotee.”

By the strength of your desire, an overgrown plot of land in Juhu became a place of pilgrimage and devotional service. And in the long process, you engaged so many of us in devotional service. As you explained in your introduction to The Nectar of Instruction, “This devotional service is a sort of cultivation. It is not simply inaction for people who like to be inactive or devote their time to silent meditation. There are many different methods for people who want this, but cultivation of Krsna consciousness is different. The particular word used by Srila Rupa Gosvämé in this connection is anusilana, or cultivation by following the predecessor teachers (acaryas). As soon as we say ‘cultivation,’ we must refer to activity. Without activity, consciousness alone cannot help us. . . .

“We can offer many services with our bodily activities. But all such activities must be in relationship with Krsna. This relationship is established by connecting oneself with the bona fide spiritual master, who is the direct representative of Krsna in disciplic succession. Therefore, the execution of Krsna conscious activities with the body should be directed by the spiritual master and then performed with faith.”

You engaged us, your disciples—and so many others—in devotional service authorized by the principles of scripture and the instructions of previous spiritual masters, developing Hare Krishna Land on a grand scale, and after your departure, by your mercy, we were left with tremendous challenges of work and responsibility—for our own spiritual benefit and for the benefit of all those who would associate with the temple.

In spite of all opposition and obstacles, you remained perfect in Krishna consciousness—an ideal sadhu. During one of your talks on Srimad-Bhagavatam, you spoke about our situation in relation to a verse describing the qualities and behavior of a sadhu:

titiksavah karunikah
  suhrdah sarva-dehinam
ajata-satravah santah
  sadhavah sadhu-bhusanah

“The symptoms of a sadhu are that he is tolerant, merciful, and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.” (SB 3.25.21)

You perfectly exemplified the verse, and while discussing it, you explained to us your inner mood and motivation, but you did so in such a way as to include us:

“Here all the boys and girls, the devotees, they are concerned with Radha-Krishna. That’s all. Their whole business, day and night, is Radha-Krishna. From early morning, three o’clock, to night, ten o’clock, their only business is Radha-Krishna. That’s all. Therefore they are sadhu.

“And so many people are criticizing. We are not getting the sanction to build, because we have so many enemies. They say we are creating a ‘nuisance.’ We are chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, and that is a ‘nuisance.’ This complaint is going to the police. So that is very difficult.”

Filled with emotion, you exclaimed, “Therefore a sadhu is advised, Titikñavaù, tolerate! Tolerate all this nonsense! What can be done? We have no other alternative but to tolerate. Nobody’s coming to help us. Our business is so thankless. Because we are trying to create one temple, so many enemies are giving hindrance: ‘You cannot do it.’ Therefore titiksavah. You have to remain sadhu. You cannot become asadhu. You have to tolerate. What can be done?

“At the same time, you have to become merciful. You know what has happened in this place, Hare Krishna Land? So much attack by the police, by the municipality: ‘Break this temple.’ We could have gone, concluding, ‘What is the use of taking so much botheration? We have hundreds of temples outside India. If people here are not liking, let us go away.’ No. Karunikah. We have come to distribute Krishna consciousness. We must tolerate and give this message to the people. Karunikah: very merciful, in spite of all trouble.

“These American boys and girls have come to help me—not that they have come because they are hungry. No. My mission is, ‘You Americans, you chant Hare Krishna so the people of India will see, “Oh, Americans are also chanting. Why not we?” ’ But unfortunately—such dull brains—that thought is not coming. But still, we have to do it. We have to tolerate, and we have to become karunikah, merciful.

“Why should you want to be merciful? Para-duhkha-duhkhi. Krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye. A Vaishnava understands, ‘These people are engaged like cats and dogs in sense gratification. They are misguided, and in the next life they’ll be punished. Let us do something for them.’ This is karunikah: out of mercy. There is no question of getting something, money. No. We have got sufficient money. But just to become merciful upon these fallen, conditioned souls, who are suffering on account of becoming animalistic, without Krishna consciousness, the preacher, the sadhus. . . These are sadhus—titiksavah, tolerant: ‘Never mind. Whatever hindrances and tribulations they are offering to us, never mind. Tolerate.’

“And suhrdah. Suhrdah means the heart is so nice. . . . The Vaishnava is always thinking how a man can be saved from the clutches of maya. He has no other desire. The Vaishnava is so kind that suhrdah sarva-dehinam: he is kind not only to the human beings but to all embodied souls—cats, dogs, trees, plants, insects. A Vaishnava will hesitate to kill even a mosquito. Sarva-dehinam. Not that ‘I shall take care of my brother only. I am good, and my brother is good.’ No. Suhrdah sarva-dehinam.

“And ajata-satravaù. When one is living in that way, as a sadhu, why will others become his enemy? The sadhu does not create enemies, but people become enemies out of their own character. How can a sadhu create enemies? Krishna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja, and we are simply teaching, ‘My dear human being, my dear friend, you become a surrendered soul to Krishna.’ So what is our fault? So we don’t create any enemy, but they become enemy. Why shall I create enemy? Suhrdah sarva-dehinam. But they become, out of their own nature. . . .

“So we are in this society, human society, and because we are spreading Krishna consciousness, the envious, who are more dangerous than snakes, are putting so many impediments. But we have to tolerate. We have no other alternative. You see? Ajata-satravah santah. Be peaceful. What can be done? Depend on Krishna.

“These are the ornaments of a sadhu: titiksavah karunikah suhrdah sarva-dehinam. You must know what is a sadhu. First, a sadhu is a devotee. And if he is a devotee, then all the symptoms are there. Now, you find a sadhu and associate with him. Then your path of liberation will be open.”

Srila Prabhupada, it has been our greatest good fortune to be able to associate with you, a perfect sadhu. And by your words and example, you encouraged us to try to become sadhus as well. And by the service of such a sadhu as you, one actually develops the qualities of the sadhu.

Along with your desires as a preacher, you also had your personal commitment and service to Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari. “My dear Sir,” you had told Them, “You just stand here, and I will build You a temple.” And you did. You fulfilled your promise. And what a temple you built! And what a struggle to do it! But you did it. It was a good fight, but you did it: you kept your promise and built Them a temple.

All glories to Your Divine Grace, to your wonderful service to Sri Sri Radha-Rasabihari and to all of Mumbai, all humanity, and all living entities—including this fallen soul. And all glories to your servants, who, by your mercy, are continuing your sublime mission.

mukam karoti vacalam
  pangum langhayate girim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
  sri gurum dina-taranam

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the deliverer of all fallen souls, whose mercy turns the dumb into eloquent speakers, and enables the lame to cross mountains.”

Hare Krishna.

Your eternal, dependent servant,
Giriraj Swami

By Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami

The next day was Vyasa-puja day, the celebration of Prabhupada's seventy-fourth birthday. That morning a package arrived from New York containing several copies of the Vyasa-puja booklet, a twenty-five-page paperback filled with homages from Prabhupada's disciples. Months before, one of the devotees had discovered an old issue of a magazine published by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati; the magazine contained a Vyasa-puja homage Prabhupada had written commemorating the appearance day of his own spiritual master. When the article had been brought to Prabhupada's attention, he said that his disciples could also write their own appreciations, just as he had done forty years before. So the devotees in New York had gathered offerings from seventeen different temples and had printed them all in a Vyasa-puja booklet. Continue reading "The first Vyasa Puja book
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By Iskcon Mayapur

How is it possible that in the face of encroaching materialism and a culture of sense gratification, a process which preaches the reverse is spreading? How is it possible that as problems and suffering increase exponentially on the global scale, transcendental happiness is also increasing? How is it possible that in the darkest age of Kali-yuga, the most ecstatic process of bhakti-yoga is spreading? How is it possible that millions of books preaching the essence of love of God have been distributed in dozens of languages? How is it possible that people of all nationalities and backgrounds have joined together to raise their arms and chant the holy names of the Lord? Continue reading "Honoring Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Senapati-bhakta
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