Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Forest Rd., Nevada

Beyond Slot Machines

Our talk at the Lions Club in Ely went well.  To get to the room for their meeting, you enter the “Jailhouse Casino” and walk past myriad slot machines.  “Yes, it’s the real thing,” I must say.

We commenced the meeting after a warm greeting from Judge Stephen Bishop who heard us chanting in the park the other day.  We pledged allegiance to the flag and then a prayer followed by one of the members with the theme “God, empower us so we can perform our service and duties well.”  A great sentiment.

From there, I spoke of our walking endeavours and how it is truly a pilgrimage, a trek with prayer and introspection.  In any event, they are such good people, and what resonated with them was a mention about “entitlement.”  There is an attitude issue amongst many.

Now, something was odd this morning when a vehicle pulled over.  He came from behind and across the lane on Hwy 50.  The driver made a full stop.  He was driving a black pick-up truck.  He held up his phone to take a camera shot.  His face was not revealed because his arms and camera blocked his face.  Maybe I was a novelty.

I said, “Good morning!”

He lowered his camera.  It was a bespectacled, cold-faced man with a grey beard.  Very dark demeanor.  He said nothing, but drove on hastily.  Mysterious!  Callous encounter!

The sheriff came.  Perhaps I was perceived as a terrorist or something.  People don’t see too many monks around here.

May the Source be with you!

22 mi


Radhastami – Tuesday, August 29, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Hare Krishna Temple warmly invites you and your family to join us on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 for Radhastami celebrations - celebrating the appearance of Srimati Radharani! Festivities will commence at 6:00pm. Details of the festival are listed below. As an annual tradition, the highlight of the evening will be when we open gifts for Srimati Radharani that have been brought by the assembled devotees.

If you and your family feel inclined, you are welcome to bring a gift for Their Lordships.

A humble request is that all gift items be new as gifts will be placed on the altar and will be unwrapped and shown to the Deities during the program. Of course, donations of any kind are always warmly accepted! For festival sponsorship information contact us.


Vaishnavi Sanga – Women’s Retreat – Sep 2, 2017
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Hare Krishna Temple has been organizing a yearly Vaishnavi Sanga Retreat (Women's Retreat) for the past five years. This year, once again, we would like to invite you to attend the ladies-only retreat that will be held on September 2nd from 9 am - 9 pm!

The Vaishnavi Sanga Retreat is a wonderful opportunity for all Vaisnava ladies of any age group to take time off from their busy lives and get together for some fun activities and for spiritual nourishment. This intimate lady gathering is a unique opportunity for us to open our hearts and discuss spiritual topics that are specifically geared towards women who practice devotional lives. Whether you are a mother, a student, single, retired or even new to Krsna Consciousness, this retreat is just for you.

During this one day retreat, we will get together, enjoy sumptuous prasadam, engage in some fun activities and attend two seminars by Laxmimoni Devi Dasi. As a special treat, at the end of the day, we can all sit down and participate in a ladies-only kirtan session.

This year's event will be hosted by Gir Farms, located in Caledon Ontario, a mere 40 minutes drive from downtown Toronto. We will start the morning at 9 am with a delicious breakfast and end with a kirtan session at 9 pm.

To register for this year's retreat, please click here.

Strict adherence does not entail shunning of the non-strict
→ Servant of the Servant

Someone asked me about my thoughts on Neem Karoli baba. I heard about the Baba and how few of his followers have made him famous such as Krishna das and Baba Ram das. I also heard some of the other-worldly things he had done and how he was loving towards his followers etc. I think he is also a follower of Lord Hanuman. Since I have not met the Baba or read any of his books and know him only through hearsay, honestly, I cannot speak much about him. In India, there are so many babas and gurus even inside the line of vaishnaivism, so many that we can get lost and confused.

The general trends as far as I can tell is like this – those who believe God is a personal Being with form and attributes are most likely connected to some sampradaya in an official sense. They would have studied the scriptures in an academic manner and intellectually first approach God. Those who are not connected to a sampradaya but due to practice of yoga or some previous karmic spiritual realizations/yogic siddhis start their own ashram. Such self-proclaimed babas or gurus most likely live an ascetic life but their understanding of spiritual will lean towards an impersonal reality. This is the general trend as far as I can tell. Of course, there are other out-right cheaters who are not even ascetics (we can ignore them).

Srila Prabhupada, from the standpoint of suddha bhakti, was strict and even sounded sectarian against non-suddha bhakti. This is because he wanted to clearly demarcate the path to Vaikunta and this path is certainly methodical and not just sentimental. Therefore, from that perspective of pure devotion, we have to but shun other paths. Srila Prabhupada's definition of bonafide guru is from the perspective of pure devotion to Govinda.

There is another way to look at this too. Not everyone will be interested in pure devotion to Govinda. If that is the case, they will be more sentimental towards God than methodical. Such people will be attracted to any guru or baba who has esoteric qualities. We should not criticize the devotees who are seeking a lower-form of spiritual shelter. This is because at the minimum, even if impersonally inclined, these spiritual aspirants are taught to give up a gross materialistic way of life such as meat eating, sex, intoxication etc. So from the perspective of elevation from gross-materialism (approaching satva guna), I think those who are not interested in pure devotion still are making progress towards Krishna albeit slowly. Perhaps in a future state, they will see the fallacy of impersonalism and take to personalism.

Srila Prabhupada dealt in a practical sense like a gentleman towards all types of people. For example, he was friends of Dr.Misra who was an outspoken mayavadi. He even took services from him. He even personally served Dr.Misra, healing him back to health when he was sick. Srila Prabhupada also used Dr.Misra’s facilities as a way to spread Bhakti yoga. Srila Prabhupada was grateful to Allen Ginsberg and had nice things to say about him. Allen was openly gay and spoke in favor of it. Srila Prabhupada also knew about it, yet he was compassionate and kind. There is also documentation of how Srila Prabhupada was friendly with Yogi Bhajan and despite the difference in philosophy, Srila Prabhupada seeked Yogi’s help as a Kshatriya. Srila Prabhupada was also a close friend of Mr.Hanuman Prasad Poddar and seeked his help to publish his initial Srimad Bhagavatam Cantos. I do not think Mr.Hanuman Prasad Poddar was a seeker of pure devotion as chalked out by Prabhupada in his books. Like this, we can see how Srila Prabhupada had friendly relationships with everyone on a one-to-one basis (private) but as a teacher and guru he was vocal about mayavadism in this books and lectures (public).

As followers of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, we also have to respect all people from all backgrounds but for our own self (privately speaking), we strictly adhere to the principles set by the Guru and Parampara and we do not internally associate (although may be externally sometimes) with mayavadism or other non-suddha bhakti path.

Hare Krishna

A divine appearance
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 23 September 2012, Durban, South Africa, Radhastami Lecture)

Just as Krsna’s appearance was not ordinary, in the same way, Srimati Radharani’s appearance was also not ordinary. One day, Maharaj Vrsabhanu was approaching the Yamuna and within the waters of the Yamuna there was one extremely effulgent lotus flower. The effulgence of that lotus flower was so attractive that Maharaj Vrsabhanu felt like taking it. So he went into the water of the Yamuna, but then, he saw, in the whorl of that lotus flower, the cause of that effulgence. It was not that the lotus itself was so effulgent but it was a little girl, golden in complexion, lying there in that lotus! He forgot his idea of taking that lotus and he just picked up the little girl with great joy in his heart and took her home. In this way, Kirtida conceived a child – somewhat unusual but divine just like Krsna’s appearance.

Second Gen Devotee Participates In U.N. Youth Assembly
→ ISKCON News

Brinda Raval, 21, is offering an inspirational example of how young ISKCON devotees can engage with today’s global concerns. “I’m very interested in social justice issues, and how as a devotee and a spiritual person I can use that to serve,” says Brinda. Through a rigorous application process, Brinda was recently accepted to attend the UN Summer Youth Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York City.

How do we understand Prabhupada’s statement that most of my disciples will go to heaven – Hindi?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

The post How do we understand Prabhupada’s statement that most of my disciples will go to heaven – Hindi? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gajendra Moksha Katha 5 – Which comes first – giving up lower taste or getting higher taste – Hindi
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON Belgaum, India]

Podcast


 
 
Podcast Summary

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Gajendra Moksha Katha 4 – How age helps us become renounced – and how it doesn’t – Hindi
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON Belgaum, India]

Podcast


 
 
Podcast Summary

The post Gajendra Moksha Katha 4 – How age helps us become renounced – and how it doesn’t – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gajendra Moksha Katha 3 – Understanding when to wield control and when to yield control – Hindi
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Sunday feast class at ISKCON Belgaum, India]

Podcast


 
 
Podcast Summary

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Gajendra Moksha Katha 2 – Deviated spiritualists may lose the human body, but not their spiritual attraction – Hindi
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON Belgaum, India]

Podcast


 
 
Podcast Summary

The post Gajendra Moksha Katha 2 – Deviated spiritualists may lose the human body, but not their spiritual attraction – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The Swastika: A Symbol of Goodness or Hate? The swastika may be…
→ Dandavats



The Swastika: A Symbol of Goodness or Hate?
The swastika may be offensive to many people, but it’s probably sacred to far more. And with one billion Hindus, Buddhists and Jains holding it as auspicious, it could hardly be considered “one of the most hated symbols in human history.”
When Hitler began using the swastika as the symbol for his Nazi party in the 1920s, he brought about the death not only of millions of innocent people, but also of an innocent symbol. His use of the beloved Hindu religious sign instilled so much hate for it in the Western world that I wonder if its true meaning will ever be reclaimed.
In Hinduism, swastikas are used in conjuction with the elephant God Ganesh and the sacred om to remove obstacles and bring auspiciousness – at religious rites, as well as house and business openings. In Buddhism, they appear on the chest of some statues of Gautama Buddha, and mark the beginning of many scriptures. And amongst Jains, the swastika is the emblem of the seventh Arhat, or saint – the first of whom was Lord Rishabhadeva, whom the Srimad-Bhagavatam acknowledges as an incarnation of Krishna.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/xFooG2

The Self at War
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Yogesvara Das

The hero of India’s epic Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna, is at a crossroad. He is intelligent, well-intending, and overwhelmed by a dilemma we all might recognize: the apparent incompatibility of worldly responsibilities and other-worldly aspirations. Arjuna is a warrior who feels the call to a more peaceful, non-invasive life. On the verge of a mammoth war he refuses to fight, even though the enemy is an aggressor who must be brought down. Like Arjuna, once we acknowledge the call to a more enlightened life we may also find mundane duties distasteful. Is it possible to attend to such obligations without compromising our higher self? Is it possible to live in the material world without becoming overwhelmed by it? The Gita responds by analyzing our dilemma through the eyes of a soldier preparing to do battle. Continue reading "The Self at War
→ Dandavats"

Srila Prabhupada and the Sixth Commandment
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Satyaraja Dasa

When you're actually on the platform of love of God, you understand your relationship with God: "I am part and parcel of God - and this dog is also part and parcel of God. And so is every other living entity." Then you'll extend your love to the animals also. If you actually love God, then your love for insects is also there, because you understand, "This insect has got a different kind of body, but he is also part and parcel of God - he is my brother." Sama sarvesu bhutesu: you look upon all living beings equally. Then you cannot maintain slaughterhouses. If you maintain slaughterhouses and disobey the order of Christ in the Bible - "Thou shall not kill" - and you proclaim yourself a Christian, your so-called religion is simply a waste of time . . . because you have no love for God. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada and the Sixth Commandment
→ Dandavats"

Lalita Devi – The Guru of All Gopis
→ Dandavats

Hare Krishna Iskcon Mayapur: Lalita devi’s favourite instrument is the vina, and her favourite tune is raga Bhairava-kalingada. She specialises in serving tambula, betel nut to the Divine Couple. She can be seen offering a chamara whisk to Sri Sri Radha Madhava on the altar in Mayapur. She is twenty-seven days older than Srimati Radharani, her age being eternally fourteen years, eight months and twenty-seven days old. Her mood is khandita, like that of a jealous heroine who chastises her beloved. This mood is never manifested in relation to herself, however, but only when there is a delay in the meeting of Sri Radha and Madhava. She is well known for her hot and contrary nature, and her protective mood over her Prana-sakhi – Srimati Radhika.
Read More...

Activism is our rent for living on the earth
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“Activism is my rent for living on the planet.”

–  Alice Walker

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The idea of activism – of being a part of some cause that helps makes things better in the world – is increasingly catching on. It has become much cooler than what it was a few decades ago, when greed ruled the roost.

What has led to activism’s increased appeal? Thoughtful people have started realizing that when we live only for ourselves, for our own gratification, we sink into a black hole of self-centeredness wherein our obsession with our own cravings becomes compulsive and destructive. Today, we are ecologically threatened because of the indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources. We are intellectually adrift because mainstream materialistic culture doesn’t offer our life any meaningful purpose. We are emotionally alienated because our families, communities and countries are becoming increasingly fragmented. This ecological, intellectual and emotional context underlies activism’s appeal.

However, is the notion of paying rent for living on the planet anything more than a quaint image? From the materialistic perspective mainstream in today’s world, the material is the only thing we need, the only thing we can have, the only thing that is real. And the planet we live on is just a blob of stardust in a vast unfeeling cosmos. By some lucky accident, it has somehow provided the conditions for us humans to live. Given that the planet’s human-friendliness is accidental, no one owns it. So, materialism reduces the notion of paying rent for living on the earth to just a cute metaphor.

Some utilitarian materialists may reason that if the notion inspires people to do good, there’s no harm in using it. Maybe. But the notion would have far greater impact if it were appreciated as being not just metaphorical but also metaphysical. What if we could have an alternative vision of reality, a vision that made greater sense of things and brought deeper meaning into our life?

The Bhagavad-gita offers us such a vision wherein it (05.29) states that the entire world, nay all of existence, belongs to the Whole, whose parts we all are. We use the resources of the earth for our sustenance and enjoyment, though we didn’t create any of these resources. Just like some apartments come with the basic facilities for cooking, ventilation and sanitation, so too does our cosmic apartment come with the basic needs for living. And just as we need to pay rent for the apartments we live in, so too do we need to pay rent for staying on the earth – the rent of activism.

People often conceive of activism as anything done for making a difference. Gita wisdom gives such activism a deeper foundation and a more fruitful direction. It explains that we are at our core spiritual beings, parts of a Whole. We are meant to live in harmony with the whole. How? By using whatever talents and interests we have in a mood of devotional contribution.

This holistic vision can spiritualize our specific form of activism. If we feel driven to make the world a greener place, we can become spiritual environmentalists. We can help clean not just the polluted rivers but also the polluted hearts that make people indulge in short-sighted, self-aggrandizing actions that pollute the rivers. If we feel driven to use education as a means to make a difference, we can share spiritual knowledge that equips people to find higher purpose and pleasure in their lives. By thus spiritualizing our educational activism, we help people to counter and conquer the forces that impel them to live disharmoniously.

When we imbue our activism with the inspiration to harmonize with the whole, our activism makes an enduring difference – in our own lives, in our social circle and in the world at large.

 

 

 

 

The post Activism is our rent for living on the earth appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Chariot procession through York city center (UK) (Album with…
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Chariot procession through York city center (UK) (Album with photos)
SINGING and dancing members of the Hare Krishna movement have staged their first procession through York city center - pulling along a big chariot.
Tourists and shoppers were treated to a colorful and noisy parade, which began and finished in Parliament Street and took in streets including Coney Street, Stonegate and Low Petergate.
The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce, began the procession in line with tradition by breaking a coconut.
About 100 devotees of the movement, which follows ancient teachings of devotional yoga with roots in the Vedic culture of India, came to York from all over the country, including leader Janananda Goswami.

An American member, Krishna Kripa, said he really liked coming to York. “There’s a really nice group of people here,” he said, adding that they met once a month at the Quaker Meeting House.

A spokesman said the Hare Krishna philosophy was attractive to many people, adding: “In a world that’s becoming increasingly competitive, and has people believing they’ll only be happy through material gain, we’re showing a deeply positive alternative.”

One of the procession organizers, Ganesh Thapa, said it had been very successful, despite delays in transporting the chariot to York, and he hoped it would become an annual event. “It’s been amazing,” he said.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8NcCcE

Health update on GOVINDA DAS prabhu – Good news!
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

In less than 72 hours after a serious fall, HG Govinda das prabhu has made tremendous progress due to heart felt prayers of all the devotees.
Initially he was rushed to the trauma unit at the Sunnybrook hospital on Sunday evening where several CT scans were taken. The doctors were holding off on a head surgery due to excellent responses by prabhu even though it warranted an immediate operation according to the doctors.

As of now the doctors have decided that no head surgery is required. He was also moved from the trauma unit to the Intensive care unit (ICU) on Tuesday and today we are happy to inform you that he has been moved to a standard ward(5th floor, wing C 26 bed 1).

He is fully conscious of the past, present and future events and has also starting taking solid food (prasadam).

The doctors are continuing to monitor him.

We humbly request the devotees to continue to chant for his speedy recovery.


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7
Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.org


From: ISKCON SCARBOROUGH
Sent: August 21, 2017 10:27 PM
To: ISKCON SCARBOROUGH
Subject: [URGENT} prayers needed for GOVINDA DAS prabhu

Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Please continue to pray for the health of HG Govinda das prabhu. He still remains at the ICU at the Sunnybrook hospital.
We thank all the devotees who come to the temple to chant for prabhu today.
Through face time, devotees were able to see prabhu at the hospital and Govinda das prabhu was able to see the devotees chanting for him at the temple.


ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7
Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.org


From: ISKCON SCARBOROUGH
Sent: August 20, 2017 9:34 PM
To: ISKCON SCARBOROUGH
Subject: [URGENT} prayers needed for GOVINDA DAS prabhu



Hare Krishna!
Please accept our humble obeisances!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

We urgently request all the devotees to pray for the speedy recovery of HG Govinda das prabhu who is currently at the Sunny brook Hospital ICU after a fall.

Tomorrow evening - Monday- 21st Aug 2017, we will have a collective chanting at ISKCON Scarborough(address seen below) at 7 pm.

More details on his health will follow soon.

All we request is urgent prayers for prabhu!



ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7
Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com
website:
www.iskconscarborough.org

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

Bobcat Ranch Rd / Nevada

Beauty and the Brawl

Curtis and I heard people shouting outside our room at the Ruby Hill Motel.  It was a commotion alright.  We opened the door to view a genuine fight—two men rolling on the grass, attempting some head and arm locks.  Some kids and adults were circled around.  Lola, the motel owner, told me later, after the break-up, that the brawl was over the custody of a child.  The biological dad was trying to take away the child when the adopted father resisted.  Lola says, “They are like family, from Mexico.”  Quite the scene!

Fortunately, the police station is across the street and some level of shanti(peace) was achieved.  The real peace is on the road, while walking.  It was a day of showers coming down in areas looking like angel hair and then evolving as if jelly fish.  Clouds rolled by and in diverse hues.  Rainbow arches appeared at varying times of the day and the sun was playing the game of hide-and-seek with those clouds.

At the Senior Centre I spoke about our purpose.  A nice place.  People were eating while I was speaking—a casual atmosphere.  We met Paul who said his dad was the producer of the iconic TV show “Let’s Make A Deal.”  All four of our team had a table to sit at with occupants.  It was just great being with these down-home people.  Of course, we had to speak a bit slower and louder than usual, considering they are seniors.

The day was magical in Eureka and beyond and every time a fresh shower would come it left an aroma of strong natural tea—emissions from the sage and rabbit brush. https://youtu.be/oek5BAmKd4w

May the Source be with you!

23 mi

Monday, August 21st, 2017
→ The Walking Monk

More West of Eureka, Nevada

Back to the Desert

The boys picked me up at Arrivals in the Las Vegas Airport to proceed from the spot where I left-off last Friday.  The five hour drive was pleasant.  There are few-and-far-between towns, all of which as you enter have their welcome sign indicating the town’s elevation rather than population.  I guess the figures are too modest.

Reception is very poor.  I can’t call anyone successfully, even once I commenced walking.  That’s not unnecessarily a bad thing.  I just have to be very much in the present.

While I was still in the vicinity of Las Vegas I managed to get through to Anna, a godsister from Stagecoach, Nevada.  A funny thing she said in an opening line was, “In my neck of the woods—oops—of the desert.…”

Yes, we are in the desert.  The boys enjoyed their stay in Vegas.  No, they did not get into the slot machines.  They are monks.  They did, however, enthusiastically jump into kirtan, chanting and drumming, along with local devotees down the strip at night.  The response was phenomenal.  Of course everyone is in the party mode.

Now, back to Highway 50 and more west of Eureka—crickets are alive and well rehearsed.  I like their show.  It beats Vegas!  Also as the scene removed itself from sight, the coyotes did their routine.  It always makes my hair stand on end, especially being out here alone.

So, Bugsy Siegel, I admit your Vegas is not a thriller for me.  I prefer the desert.

May the Source be with you!

7 mi

Essence of essence is humility
→ Servant of the Servant

Gaudiya Vaishnavism is a branch from the Brahma-Madhwa parampara. The uniqueness of this branch is that it imbibes the mood of Radha and sweetness of Krishna. No other sampradaya focuses on these two qualities much. Sripad Madhavendra Puri is the initiator of this mood and Lord Chaitanya accepted Madhvendra Puri as His Param Guru. Then Mahaprabhu planted this seed all over India and Srila Prabhupada all over the world.

The recommended method to achieve the mood of Radha as given by Mahaprabhu is Nama-sankirtanam. Therefore, (1) Externally speaking, the essence is chanting (2) Internally speaking, the essence is love in separation of God in the mood of Radha. the essence for both is humility. Therefore the essence of the essence is humility!


Therefore, Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami said “One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord. Raising my hands, I declare, Everyone please hear me! String this verse on the thread of the holy name and wear it on your neck for continuous remembrance.One must strictly follow the principles given by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this verse. If one simply follows in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya and the Gosvāmīs, certainly he will achieve the ultimate goal of life, the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.”  – CC Adi 17.31-33

As per my understanding. humility is as follows;
  1. to be sincere, serious and no other ulterior motive but to follow the instructions of the spiritual master
  2. to do one's best in fulfilling the mission of the spiritual master
  3. to try one's best to depend on Krishna in all circumstances and pray to Him always
  4. to internally cultivate a mood of service to all living beings and mood of love for Krishna
Hare Krishna

Krishna: Expert Dancer, Uninhibited Lover The following is an…
→ Dandavats



Krishna: Expert Dancer, Uninhibited Lover
The following is an article published by the Times of India, as part of their “Speaking Tree” philosophy section. It was written by ISKCON devotee Chaitanya Charan Dasa.
“I would believe in a God who could dance”, said German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. During his time, God was generally portrayed as a frozen perfection, remote, static, and wholly unsociable. No wonder he was disillusioned by this stereotypical idea of God.
Nietzsche would have been pleasantly surprised had he heard of Krishna, who danced expertly on the hood of the venomous serpent Kaliya. He also danced to the tune of his mother just to get butter, and he danced with gopis in celebration of divine love, in rasa-lila. He is Vrindavana-natabara, dancer par excellence in the pastoral paradise of Vrindavana.
All theistic traditions assert that God is great. In Krishna, that greatness is graphically demonstrated. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna gives a glimpse of his awe-inspiring greatness through his vishva-rupa darshana, which is one of the greatest mystical visions in world literature. Arjuna saw within the Universal Form - within Krishna - everything and everyone in existence. He saw all the planets, stars and universes as well as all living beings: celestial, terrestrial and subterranean. Krishna also exhibited his omnipotence by effortlessly over- powering numerous demons, who were the scourges of the universe.

Most endearingly, Krishna delights, not in the magnificence of godhood, but in the sweetness of uninhibited love. Krishna expresses his sweetness in His lila as a prankster who steals butter from the homes of elderly gopis. Krishna as God is self-satisfied and doesn’t need anything for his enjoyment. Moreover, when everything belongs to him, where is the question of his stealing anything? Yet just to reciprocate love with those devotees who love Him in a parental mood (vatsalya-bhava), Krishna plays the role of their darling child and speaks and behaves mischievously. The disarming hospitality that Krishna extended to Sudama and the subsequent generous benedictions that he bestowed upon his poor gurukula-friend are also eloquent testimony to Krishna’s personal warmth and sweetness.

For the demoniac, Krishna’s sweetness gives way to his greatness. Krishna went as a shanti-duta (peace messenger) to dissuade Duryodhana from war with sweet words. But when the arrogant prince tried to arrest him instead, Krishna foiled the attempt by manifesting the gigantic universal form. But for devotees, Krishna is sweetness. During the rasa-lila, Krishna disappeared and reappeared as the majestic four-armed Vishnu. When his most beloved consort Radha offered him obeisance and asked him where Krishna had gone, He tried to point in a false direction. But seeing her selfless love and her intense anxiety caused by separation, Krishna could no longer maintain his guise. His two extra hands disappeared and Radha beheld before her the sweet Lord of her heart.

The laws of karma impartially and unerringly deliver everyone of their karmic dues sooner or later. But if we turn to Krishna with devotional love, He manifests his sweetness as a forgiving father: “Abandon all varieties of religion and surrender unto me. I will free you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear”.

We can easily surrender to Krishna by chanting his holy names, which manifest both his greatness and sweetness. The holy name has the great power that even nuclear weapons don’t have: the power to destroy all our negative habits and tendencies. Janmashtami is a reminder that our right to enjoy divine sweetness is beckoning us. Krishna is ready for us. Are we ready for him?