Answer Podcast

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[Sunday feast at ISKCON, Phoenix, USA]

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Chapter 17, Text 23:

oṁ tat sad iti nirdeśo brahmaṇas tri-vidhaḥ smṛtaḥ

“Oṁ tat sat” is advised by the three vedas.

Three vedas here should mean three divisions: karma, jñāna, and upāsana (bhakti). This mantra “Oṁ tat sat” is advised to be used in all three contexts.

Another meaning in these words is:

The three smṛti state that “Oṁ tat sat” indicates the Supreme.

This is because “Oṁ” is a name for the Supreme Being, because “Oṁ” is the seed of all vowels, and thus the seed of all sound – just as the Supreme is the seed of all existence.

brāhmaṇās tena vedāś ca yajñāś ca vihitāḥ purā

Brāhmaṇas have always used this mantra to comprehend the Vedas and perform Yajña.

This shows that the mantra is to be used for jñāna-yoga (“to comprehend the Vedas”) and for karma-yoga (“to perform Yajña”). It is equally applicable to both because it is upāsana / bhakti. It is an aṅga of bhakti because it is brahman nirdeśa, a name for the Supreme.

Text 24

tasmād oṁ ity udāhṛtya yajña-dāna-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ
pravartante vidhānoktāḥ satataṁ brahma-vādinām

This is why those who know the Veda always, as a rule, begin every ceremony, charity, austerity, or deed by invoking the word, “Oṁ.”

Text 25

tad ity anabhisandhāya phalaṁ yajña-tapaḥ-kriyāḥ
dāna-kriyāś ca vividhāḥ kriyante mokṣa-kāṅkṣibhiḥ

The word “tat” indicates that all ceremonies, charities, austerities, and deeds should be done without attachment to conventional results, but with the desire for mokṣa [enlightenment].

“Tat” is simply a pronoun, meaning “that.” But it has this meaning because it follows “Oṁ.” The “that” pronoun points to things. When it follows “Oṁ” it points us to god, to spiritual union with god, mokṣa.

Text 26

sad-bhāve sādhu-bhāve ca sad ity etat prayujyate

“Sat” is used in the sense of something that is real, and something that is good.

praśaste karmaṇi tathā sac-chabdaḥ pārtha yujyate

[So] use the word “Sat” to incline yourself to good deeds.

Text 27

yajñe tapasi dāne ca sthitiḥ sad iti cocyate

Become fixed in ceremony, austerity, and charity by pronouncing “Sat.” 

karma caiva tad-arthīyaṁ sad ity evābhidhīyate

And, “Sat” indicates that your deeds should be dedicated only to real results.

Text 28

aśraddhayā hutaṁ dattaṁ tapas taptaṁ kṛtaṁ ca yat
asad ity ucyate pārtha na ca tat pretya no iha

Faithless ceremonies, charity, austerity, and deeds are described as “asat”. Do not aim for them, for they are good neither in this life nor in the afterlife.

“Om tat sat” is a mantra which will significantly help ensure that our approach to the components of religion is not tāmasikī (for ill purpose) or rājasikī (for temporary selfishness).

It means, “Do good deeds (sat = sādhu), and do them for real, eternal goals (sat = real). That is, do them for enlightenment (tat), so that you can come towards the Supreme (oṁ).”

Everyone in every stage of evolution and concept can and should avail of this mantra, by remembering and/or verbally invoking it at the beginning and end of all significant endeavors.

[I originally wrote this in 10-08-2007 and included it in a chapter on death and dying in my book, "Give to Live." Such topics can help us be a better person, by informing or reminding us, that whatever we do to others, we do to ourselves. During the life review, as explained in what follows, we see our life from both our perspective, and that of others we have impacted, either positively or negatively. This goes along with what I am currently teaching in my talk, "Facing Death, to Live More Fully Today," which I created in response to my cancer diagnosis, which continues, though it hasn't worsened.

To me, the life review, which is taught not only in the near-death experience literature, but also in Vedic and Buddhist texts, is one reason we need to "Die Before Dying," or review our life to now, before we are dying, to make amends, forgive, or seek forgiveness from others--basically cutting karmic cords, and praying to improve our character and actions. Truly, "what goes around, comes around," which is one explanation of karma. We receive what we give, or what we do to others, we do to ourselves. Please reflect on this fact as you review your life, and as you interact with others ask yourself, "what am I giving to to them?" I lament that more of us don't practice loving kindness and less negative harsh judgement with other devotees and people in general!]

"Whatever state of being one remembers when he quits his body, O son of Kunti, that state he will attain without fail." [Bhagavad Gita 8.6]

I am not suggesting that you should buy every book on the subject. Knowing about these experiences is useful, for they share some viewpoints also expressed in Vedic texts. And some people like me, read many books outside our tradition which they feel have benefited them. Not everyone has to, or should necessarily.

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This kind of 5 day fast is also prescribed for the last 5 days of Kartika (Damodara) Month and it is known as “Bhisma Pancaka”. During that vrata puja offerings to the Lord are also prescribed. I am listing them below. There are also mantras that go with these offerings. However, I didn’t find any specific mention about this for Purusottama month. In the Padma Purana it only stated that in addition to ekadasee one can observe a “pancaratrika” fast until amavasya.

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Harinama in Medellin, Colombia 2017 (Album with photos)
Dharmatma Das: We’re greeted by Jambavan prabhu who rented a nice Villa near the City Center. Many devotees and friends from near and far joined us in Programs and Harinama’s. The owner of the Villa, Gustav and his friend Valentine served us nicely and got a wonderful dose of Krishna Consciousness.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/2VA4MQ

ISKCON Dwarka New Delhi: Shrila Prabhupada Disappearance Day Celebration on 23rd Oct 2017 (Album with photos)
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HOLY NAME RETREAT AT EKACHAKRA with Devaki dd Please come and join us…..! When……….? From the 23rd to the 27th of December 2017 We will leave Mayapur by bus at 5am outside the main gate, and we will return on the 27th by lunch time. THIS RETREAT WILL BE OPEN TO ONE AND ALL – […]

The post Holy Name Retreat at Ekachakra appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Cc. Antya 15-16.

Our only hope is Srila Prabhupada and his parampara! Giriraj Swami: Every evening, after reciting the Damodarastaka, we read from Srimad-Bhagavatam about the Damodara lila, and one of tonight’s verses and purports, related to Krishna’s deliverance of the two demigods cursed to stand as twin Arjuna trees, struck me as especially relevant. Lord Krishna said, “Although these two young men are the sons of the very rich Kuvera and I have nothing to do with them, Devarsi Narada is My very dear and affectionate devotee, and therefore because he wanted Me to come face to face with them, I must do so for their deliverance.” (SB 10.10.25) Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport, “Nalakuvara and Manigriva actually had nothing to do with devotional service or seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face, for this is not an ordinary opportunity. It is not that because one is very rich or learned or was born in an aristocratic family one will be able to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face. This is impossible. But in this case, because Narada Muni desired that Nalakuvara and Manigriva see Vasudeva face to face, the Supreme Personality of Godhead wanted to fulfill the words of His very dear devotee Narada Muni. If one seeks the favor of a devotee instead of directly asking favors from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one is very easily successful. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has therefore recommended: vaisnava thakura tomara kukkura bhuliya janaha more, krsna se tomara krsna dite para. One should desire to become like a dog in strictly following a devotee. Krsna is in the hand of a devotee. Adurlabham atma-bhaktau. Thus without the favor of a devotee, one cannot directly approach Krsna, what to speak of engaging in His service. Narottama dasa Thakura therefore sings, chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba: unless one becomes a servant of a pure devotee, one cannot be delivered from the material condition of life. In our Gaudiya Vaisnava society, following in the footsteps of Rupa Gosvami, our first business is to seek shelter of a bona fide spiritual master (adau gurv-asrayah).” Our only hope is Srila Prabhupada and his parampara, disciplic succession.

The post Daily DarshanL October 30,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Prabhupada offered his books for those who like to read them!

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 10/01/2017

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Chaitanya Mangala (chair), Kripamaya, Ranaka, and Vraja.

Participating Advisors: Jamuna Jivani (secretary), and Makara.

1. Ranaka’s Monthly Report

• Caitanya Bhagavat continues to work with the oxen for 1.5 hours each morning.
• The ox Priya has been diagnosed by the veterinarian as having an early form of genetic arthritis and is being retired from the ox program. He had been training with Hari who will continue to be handled individually until he is able to be paired with a new partner, hopefully one of the calves due soon.
• Robert reported on the September fruit and vegetable harvest (not including the tomatoes and green beans brought to the Valley Barn for Winter Storage). The numbers given indicate pounds:

Green Beans – 76

Carrots – 24

Apples – 32

Tomatoes – 100

Kale – 12

Chard – 31

Basil – 5

Patty Squash – 17

Strawberries – 12

Blackberries – 4

• In addition to what is listed above, Robert has been delivering to the Valley Barn processing room green beans and tomatoes for freezing. To date, 44 gallons of green beans and 33 gallons of tomatoes have been stored. This marks the end of the preserving for the season, as ECO-V’s two freezers are full.
• Ananda Vidya is milking six cows at the Temple Barn. Milk production is holding at 20 gallons per day.
• Ananda Vidya continues to produce 10-12 pounds of butter, 15 gallons of yogurt, and a half gallon of ghee on a weekly basis, and delivers them to the temple kitchens.
• Malati is due in October, and Sriya and Anjali are both due in February.
• There are three heifers residing at Temple Barn: one-month-old calf Lalita, nine-month-old Vamsika, and 18-month-old Subhadra.
• Ray finished the hay harvest for the year. We have approximately 460 new first-cutting and 200 second – and third – cutting bales in the barn, in addition to the approximately 250 bales carried over from last year.
• The main projects in October will include: harvesting, washing, and storing potatoes; spreading manure; chisel-plowing and disking areas in the temple garden; replacing the underground electric line to the Nandagram pasture cabin; pressure washing and painting the Valley Barn fences; and finishing work on Dharma the Bull’s outside pen expansion project at the Valley Barn.
• Nila Gopala is working to finish Madhu the Bull’s shed and pen at Nandagram.
• Lila is harvesting strawberries and blackberries, and weeding their spaces. She is also weeding the asparagus area.
• Suchandra, Robert and Lila are delivering between 200-300 flowers per day to the temple. Also, Robert continues to makes vases for the temple daily.
• Approximately 7,000 locally grown, organic flowers were delivered for Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra’s Pushpa Abhisheka ceremony, held on September 9th.
• Robert, Suchandra and Lila are putting the garden beds to rest for the winter and have already begun planning for next year.

2. ISKCON’s 2nd North American Farm Conference Update

Jamuna Jivani reported on the conference preparations:

• The conference is less than two weeks away.
• Currently, there are approximately 25 participants registered.
• A panel discussion on the topic of ahimsa dairy has been added to the schedule. The panel will include Balabhadra, Ranaka, Lalita Gopi, and Kalakantha.
• The seminars will primarily be held in the new Yoga Shala.
• Three-dozen organic cotton t-shirts have been ordered for the conference, which are being sponsored by ECO-V.
• The schedule still needs to be finalized and some supplies must be ordered.

3. Nila Gopal’s Resignation

Nila Gopal announced his plans to relocate to New Vraja Dhama in Hungary at the end of October. The ECO-V board members and advisors present expressed their appreciation for Nila Gopal and Sukhayanti’s service and contributions over the six months they have been involved with ECO-Vrindaban and wish them well in their future endeavors.

4. Process for New Board Members & Advisors

The ECO-V board has decided to implement a more formal procedure for those who are interested in being involved with the ECO-V. Interested parties should notify Ranaka via phone or email. He will act as the liaison to inform the board.

5. ECO-V/IMPCA Partnership

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to strategically collaborate with similar organizations with a goal to support and encourage mutual growth.

RESOLVED: The ECO-V Board commits to a three-year partnership with the ISKCON Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture (IMCPA), as proposed by Kalakantha prabhu.

For regular updates please visit and like the ECO-V Facebook page.

Varsana! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Every Gaudiya Vaisnava’s dream is to visit Varsana, the sacred home of Srimati Radharani, again and again. Our parikrama party was blessed the other day to circumambulate the entire area. A special treat was meeting the residents of Varsana as they went about their daily chores of tilling the fields and herding their cows.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/oSj1UH

H.H.Bhaktirasamrita Swami & H.G.Gunarnava Prabhu’s talks about Gopastami.

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[Reflection at Gainesville, USA]

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Answer Podcast

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[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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The post Ramayana series 3 – Shurapanakha’s slyness – Beware of those who manipulate us using our weakness appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

[Talk at Phoenix, USA]

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The post Ramayana series 2 – Maricha’s miscalculation – Our destination is not as important as our action appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Vaisesika Dasa: The New Oxford American Dictionary defines, opportunity cost, as “the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.” And here’s another simple definition by an economist: “ An opportunity cost is the cost of a missed opportunity.”
In the following verse from the Gita, Lord Krishna encourages us to use our time and energy to advance in Krishna consciousness, as by doing so, one gets the greatest value for one’s life:
“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” (Bhagavad-gita 2.40)
Especially for a human being – who is afforded the chance to free himself from birth and death and to go back to Godhead – the opportunity cost of missing even a second outside the practice of devotional service is huge.

Therefore, Visnu Purana states: “If even for a moment remembrance of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is missed, that is the greatest loss, that is the greatest illusion, and that is the greatest anomaly.”

Knowingly or by consent everyone incurs loss by the choices they make throughout their lives. Economists, businesspeople, financial advisers, and others therefore, carefully consider opportunity costs so that they may make the best and most profitable choices.

Serious bhakti yogis also meticulously calculate the opportunity costs of their actions and investments. Those who do this never lack the incentive to stay steadily engaged in devotional service and to forsake inferior activities.

ISKCON Italy Participates at a Conference in Parliament.
ISKCON Italy’s Narada Muni Das (Fabio Pianigiani) participated at a conference held in the Italian Parliament celebrating the bi-centenary of Baha’u’llah.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/T8euoV

What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.

Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.

What goes into a blog post? Helpful, industry-specific content that: 1) gives readers a useful takeaway, and 2) shows you’re an industry expert.

Use your company’s blog posts to opine on current industry topics, humanize your company, and show how your products and services can help people.

The post Daily Darshan: October 29,2017 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Srila Prabhupada continually stressed the importance of prasadam distribution in ISKCON Mayapur, and he instructed that no one within a ten mile radius of Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir should go hungry. Following Srila Prabhupada’s instructions, Food for Life Mayapur has been endeavoring for many years to fulfill this goal. Hundreds of thousands of visitors and […]

The post Let No One Go Hungry – Food for Life Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.

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Pictures from the Prabhupada Disciple photo shoot on the 24th of October, 2017 (Album with photos)
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