To be satisfied
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 19 May 2017, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.1.8)

The Bhagavad-gita says that there is austerity of the body, austerity of speech and austerity of the mind. One of the austerities of the mind is to be satisfied. This is interesting. How is it an austerity to be satisfied?

It means that when everything is proper, when all the proper arrangements are made and when things are favourable in spiritual life, then one has to stop his mind from still finding fault. One just has to be satisfied! This is the austerity of the mind – to be satisfied. This is a big thing, this is our biggest austerity.

Srila Prabhupada already made the Hare Krsna movement and that makes everything right. Now our problem is that we just have to be satisfied while we are in it. This is the biggest austerity, bigger than standing on one leg in the forest!

For the love of wisdom
→ The Vaishnava Voice

Philosophy – from the Greek words:

philo – love of, affinity for;

sophos – wisdom.

Philosophy – the love of wisdom

Wisdom – from the Old Norse visdomr – the ability to think and act utilising knowledge, experience, understanding, discernment, insight and common sense – coupled with just judgment as to action.

Philosophy means the love of wisdom, the ability to separate truth from error, reality from illusion, and the subsequent discernment as to correct action. Professional philosophers use the word in specific ways according to which type of reality and illusion they are talking about.

A philosophical discussion on values in human behaviour such as what is right and wrong, or what actions are blameworthy or praiseworthy is known as Ethics.

When philosophy deals with the question of value in arts, such as whether something is beautiful or tasteless, it is known as Aesthetics.  The philosophy of art is concerned with judgements of sense, taste, the emotions that art generates within the beholder, and standards of beauty. Both of these examinations of truth pertaining to values come under the umbrella term Axiology.

An attempt by the philosopher to codify the rules of rational thought is known as Logic. Logicians explore the structure of arguments that preserve truth or allow the optimal extraction of knowledge from evidence. Logic is one of the primary tools philosophers use in their inquiries; the precision of logic helps them to cope with the subtlety of philosophical problems and the often misleading nature of conversational language.

To be a logical philosopher means to not be swayed by emotionally appealing arguments to the detriment of the actual truth. For anything to be accepted as truth, the philosopher first has to ask the question: “Is it logical for me to accept this proposition?”

The study of methods to establish the truth separate from human error and to therefore understand how to verify evidence is known as Epistemology. This type of philosopher studies knowledge itself, the origin and structure of knowledge, and the limits of human knowledge. The main enquiry is to ask how we really know what we say we know, or “What kind of evidence do I need to accept this as true?”

When we have fully examined how we get to know reality, and turn our attention to the nature of existence itself, we will be in the territory of Metaphysics. Metaphysics is the study of the nature of things. Metaphysicians ask what kinds of things exist, and what they are like. They reason about such things as whether or not people have free will, in what sense abstract objects can be said to exist, what is the brain/mind/self and the nature of consciousness, and whether or not there is an ultimate reality or God.

‘Indian Philosophy’

If philosophy is the pure human spirit of enquiry into what is real, true, good or beautiful, then it cannot be divided up by geography or history. And yet in ordinary conversation we do speak of Greek philosophy or 20th century philosophers. We also speak of Catholic or Jewish philosophy, as if it was an entirely separate category of search for truth, involving only those of a particular faith group.

In reality, all attempts to discern reality as separate from illusion are one, whoever is making the effort and wherever they are situated in the world or whatever point in history. Conventional speech alone presses us to define a philosophy in a particular way.

The philosophical rigour of great thinkers in India was already well established centuries before the likes of Aristotle and Socrates. They did not refer to themselves as Hindu philosophers, merely deep thinkers who grappled with the main questions of existence. Their capability for abstract thought was immense. They may not be well known to the West, but their conclusions are every bit as logical, although expressed in the ancient language of Sanskrit rather than Greek, German or English.

One great mediaeval philosopher by the name of Madhva was a logician. When he wrote his philosophical commentary to the Vedanta Sutra, there were already twenty-one other historical commentaries on the same text. In developing his logic, Madhva reasoned that since knowledge meant both an object and a subject, a knower and a known, there must be an individual reality and a universal reality, not merely a unitary reality. He put forward the concept that the universe was real and that the individual self within the universe was real. That there are a multiplicity of selves and a singular universe inferred some relation between the selves, and the selves and the universe. He reasoned that there must be an independent principle, a super-consciousness, to which all the individual expressions of consciousness must be connected:

“The fact of knowledge is indisputable. As there can be no knowledge without a knower, a known or knowable object, the reality of the knower and the objects of knowledge must be accepted. Even though we make mistakes, the possibility of knowledge has still to be admitted.”

sri-jayatirtha

The great logical philosopher Jayatirtha

His student, Jayatirtha, wrote in his book of logic, the Tattvasankhyana Tika:

“The independent principle is that which does not depend on any other for its own nature and existence, self-awareness or for becoming an object of knowledge to the selves and for the free and unfettered exercise of its own powers”

The philosophical enquiries of the Indian philosophers led them into an area of knowledge which today we would term Theology, the study of theos or God. Although theology is considered today to be a separate discipline from philosophy, one more interested in sectarian religious dogma than scientific examination of the truth, the ancient Indian philosophers saw no such hard distinction. They simply saw that their line of enquiry into the ultimate reality led them to the very reasonable conclusion that there existed an independent reality that had unlimited awareness and volition, and the infinitesimal consciousness of the limitless number of individuals was somehow connected and given sustenance by this one entity.

But if this was true, and to understand that truth was to be situated in wisdom, the next step would be to act in the light of that Truth. And a modern thinker would say that this is the point at which philosophy ends and something called religion begins.

 

 

 

 


Can thinking positively create a brighter future?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

Transcribed by: Keshavagopal Das

Question: Can thinking positively create a brighter future?

Answer: There are two extremes. One is to think that our thoughts alone determine the future. There are books which almost make our mind as the controller of our destiny. For example, if I desire to have a car then I will have that car. Now basically, this is thinking that we are God. Certainly, by our thoughts alone, we cannot get whatever we want. That is not true. The other extreme is that our thoughts do not matter at all. That is also not true. Just as an archer has to properly use the resources (eyes, hands) with him to shoot the target, similarly mind is also a resource which needs to be used properly. If the mind is thinking always that we are not going to hit, then such negativity can sabotage us. Krishna talks about such habitual negativity as a characteristic of the mode of ignorance. In Gita, Krishna said that such determination is in the mode of ignorance where one is day dreaming, one is lamenting, one is habitually morose, one is gloomy. Such thinking is unhealthy.

Our negative thoughts can shape results negatively. This is something we all observe. Even in devotional circles, we observe this. When Srila Prabhupada went to the west, his godbrothers did not think that the prophecy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu can be fulfilled. However, Srila Prabhupada did not think like that. He was confident, he attempted and became successful. However, at the same time we also need to understand that thoughts alone are not the only factor.

Gita 18.16 talks about five factors of actions. adhishṭhanam tatha karta karaṇam ca pṛthag-vidham vividhash cha pṛithak cheshṭa daivam chaivatra panchamam. One of the factors is cheshta i.e. endeavor. Our thoughts will determine how much we endeavor. If I think that I am not going to succeed, why should I waste my time in endeavoring. So, our attitude does matter. However, many self-help books guide us thinking that attitude alone does matter. Attitude does not change realities. Attitude can shape realities. However, if I think that I will never grow old, I will never die, I will never have disease, such realities are not going to change.

End of transcription.

Gita 16.11 Use developed human consciousness to decrease material fears, not increase them
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Podcast

The post Gita 16.11 Use developed human consciousness to decrease material fears, not increase them appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Indian culture festival in Prague (Album with photos) Srila…
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Indian culture festival in Prague (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s transcendental mission is to distribute love of Godhead to everyone. Anyone who accepts God as the Supreme can take to the process of chanting Hare Krishna and become a lover of God. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 4.41 Purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/i1wFlo

Iskcon Wellington Celebrates H.H. Subhag Swami’s Visit After Many Years
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Hare KrishnaBy ISKCON Wellington

A lot has changed since H.H. Subhag Swami’s last visited the Wellington ISKCON temple many years ago. But the one thing that remains unchanged is the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples, H.H. Subhag Swami Maharaj being one of them. Initiated by Srila Prabhupada himself in 1971, H.H. Subhag Swami has since served Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission and vision from Sridham Mayapur for the last 40 years out of his 46 years in ISKCON. Continue reading "Iskcon Wellington Celebrates H.H. Subhag Swami’s Visit After Many Years
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Friday, May 19th, 2017
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Wood River, Nebraska 

The Couple

The couple were standing fairly close to each other, a bit unusual for the three of us monks to see at 4:00 a.m., as we stopped for the light en route to our starting destination for the day.  I rolled down my window to get some air and we could hear the pair actually having a serious and loud argument; not a kiss.  For myself, I was reminded because I have chosen a different lifestyle, I don't have to go through this type of entanglement.  A monk’s entanglements are of a more spiritual nature.

I met Jerry in the afternoon.  He was on his way back home to Pennsylvania.  He was pushing his bike, as the winds were too strong for peddling.  Packed onto and dangling from his bike were bags and boxes—in them his life’s possessions.  He reminded me of Johnny, whom I met by the Mississippi last summer and who was also drifting though the country, in wonder, or lost.  It’s easy to feel for such persons who are modestly displaced in society.  Johnny had slept in his vehicle during the rain storms and, after waking, noticed me.  I suggested to him a spiritual outlet.  “Try this mantra.”

Speaking of storms, does the rain and nature’s drain, the wind, ever stop?  My trekking through Grand Island, Alda and finally Wood River was met with much of this.  At the same time, response from people was most positive.  Austin, of the “Grand Island Independent” had done a great article featured today.  I received a lot of honks of approval.  Some motorists stopped.  At one point, I made a wrong turn, ended up lost, with no cell, at a truck stop, and a woman who read the article went out of her way to redirect me.  Bless her!  http://www.theindependent.com/communities/aurora/walking-monk-crosses-nebraska-on-way-to-san-francisco/article_cd3e5b48-3c21-11e7-88a8-ef6326be2fca.html

Our troup of three backtracked by way of the Jaladuta Express, our van, to Omaha for a sat sanga amidst torrential rains.  People were so responsive here, too.

May the Source be with you!


20 mi

Thursday, May 18th, 2017
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Grand Island, Nebraska

It’s All In A Day

When the Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 2, addresses duality as a reality in this world, it is no joke.  We, our troupe, saw so much of it in the last three days, weather wise.  Day one, we saw sun.  Day two, we saw rain.  Day three, we saw wind.  Physically, we went through a roller-coaster.  It was hot.  It was cold.  Hail came down the size of diamonds at one point.  Hayagriva, Marshall and I met the extreme side of nature.  And there was a tornado twisting around the area, near Omaha, which was behind us.

Fun?  Yes!  Exhausting?  Yes!  Out of it, we are developing the robustness needed to continue on.

What did help to add to the fun was people—motorists honking.  Motorists stopping.  “Would you like a ride?”

“No, thank you!  I'm walking!”  And I’ll tell them why.  “No cheating.  I’ve got to walk the whole thing.”

Three newspaper reps came, from Aurora, and two from Grand Island.  To be interviewed by a Spanish paper was a first.  Norma from “Buenos Dios, Nebraska,” filmed the interview.  I could quote from the Gita and spell out the entire maha-mantraon that one. http://www.theindependent.com/communities/aurora/walking-monk-crosses-nebraska-on-way-to-san-francisco/article_cd3e5b48-3c21-11e7-88a8-ef6326be2fca.html

This is big cattle country.  Monsanto.  Corn culture.  Nice people.  Llamas.  Wild rabbits.  Raccoons and possums.  A baby possum’s head was the only whole thing left after an attempted crossing of Highway 34.

At the end of the day Hemant, our motel room accomodater, served great Gujarati food.  We got to know his teens, Kajal and Akash, better, and the three of us, Hayagriva, Marshall and myself, are getting to know each other better, too.  That can’t be helped.  Our life is in the van, that is, when I'm not walking.

May the source be with you!


15 mi

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017
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Aurora, Nebraska

In and Out of the Storms


Penner’s Garage in York reattached the engine shield under the “Jaladuta Express.”  The apparatus was dragging and scraping along the pavement.  We gave it immediate attention and talked to the boss of the garage.  He really liked our program, our monk mission of walking the country.  He screwed it back on, and for free.

The weather was a challenge.  Thunder storms and tornadoes ripped through much of Nebraska.  The three of us had never ever seen so many displays of lightning, sounds of thunder claps and then floods of water descending from the sky.

As the saying goes, I told the boys, “It was raining cats and dogs, and we were stepping into poodles.”  Marshall had never heard that one before.

Our new-made friend, Stephen Moseley, from the York paper, got back to me after yesterday’s interview.

“Bhaktimarga swami… By complete coincidence our Wednesday columnist, a local pastor, wrote his piece on the many benefits of walking, both physically and otherwise.  Blind luck is as effective as planning, apparently, though not as frequent…  I very much enjoyed our short time together.  Be safe.”

Steve also sent me the links to his and the pastor’s articles. https://goo.gl/MhkmlUand https://goo.gl/MMGVtH.  They are excellent material for reading and encouraging the walking and prayerful culture.

I did manage nineteen miles today despite miserable conditions.  I see it as an austerity program, which is always great for the monastic life.

May the Source be with you!

19 mi



Tuesday, May 16th, 2017
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York, Nebraska

First Steps: Second Half

There we were, Hayagriva and I, taking the first of steps on the second half of the U.S. walk.  I had finished the first half from New York to six miles west of Seward, Nebraska last summer.  Now I’m reconvening with support from Hayagriva and Marshall.

It was 4:38 a.m. when we took those first steps on Highway 34.  One motorist passed by us and he or she phoned the police about a couple of guys in orange jump suits.  This alerted the police to come as quickly as possible.  The officer, a tall, young constable, asked us to stay where we were when he got out of his vehicle.  He was friendly enough with his questions.  We told him we’re just taking a walk to San Francisco.  We proceeded on, and so did he with his duty.

Hayagriva and Marshall are new to my routine, but they’ve adapted quickly.  Together we walk, or drive, and chant and from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., the boys go to the local town and inform media of our project.  They had instant success with Emily from “The Seward Independent.”

“Let’s go!” she said; so off she drove with a body guard behind her, in a separate vehicle, to meet me on the road for an interview. 
By that time I had already met Chad and son, O’Ryan, who stopped their Toyota truck to ask, “What’s your story?”  So, I gave it.

“I’m walking the US to encourage a walking culture—meditation and introspection.”

“Do you believe in reincarnation?”

“Sure, the Creator gives everyone a second chance to address the demons inside,” I said, to which he nodded.

The city of York also responded well.  Steve of the “York News Times” took an interview “tout de suite.”  He was great! 
http://www.yorknewstimes.com/news/the-walking-monk-visits-york/article_71ea5604-3ac6-11e7-b3e7-5b6c626c53cd.html

May the Source be with you!


21 mi

Australian leaders Meeting
→ Ramai Swami

Devotees came from all over Australia to attend the ISKCON three day Annual General Meeting, which was held at Melbourne temple.

Temple President, Aniruddha Das, and a wonderful team of devotees looked after everyone very nicely with accommodation and prasadam.

Many topics were discussed to help maintain and push forward ISKCON into the future.

One liners…
→ Servant of the Servant


  1. What is Faith? - Faith means unflinching trust in something sublime. 
  2. What is Self-realization? - Self realization means understanding Kṛṣṇa and one's eternal relationship with Him.
  3. What is Yoga?  - Yoga means to concentrate the mind upon the Supreme by controlling the ever-disturbing senses.
  4. What is Krishna consciousness? - Krsna Consciousness means an art of focusing one's attention on Supreme Godhead and Giving one's Love to him.
  5. What is Sannyasa? - Real sannyāsa-yoga or bhakti means that one should know his constitutional position as the living entity, and act accordingly.
  6. What is Knowledge? - Knowledge means knowing the distinction between spirit and matter.
  7. What is silence? - Silence does not mean that one should not speak; silence means that one should not speak nonsense.
  8. What is Renunciation? - Real renunciation means that one should always think himself part and parcel of the Supreme Lord.
  9. What is Liberation? - Liberation means freedom from the cycle of reactionary work.
  10. What is Humility? - Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others.
  11. What is Nonviolence? - Nonviolence means not to put others into distress.
  12. What is Tolerance? - Tolerance means that one should be practiced to bear insult and dishonor from others.
  13. What is Simplicity? - Simplicity means that without diplomacy one should be so straightforward that he can disclose the real truth even to an enemy.
  14. What is Steadiness? - Steadiness means that one should be very determined to make progress in spiritual life.
  15. What is False ego? -  False ego means accepting this body as oneself.

- One line definitions extracted from Srila Prabhupada's books

LOVE-and-PEACE and the RASCAL!
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 19 December 2011, Cape Town, South Africa, Lecture)

When we come to the spiritual platform, we think life is only love and only peace, that there is only one feeling, one emotion… LOVE-and-PEACE.

But no, no, no… true spiritual emotions are not only lovey-dovey, it is also YOU RASCAL! We know one of Prabhupada’s favourite words was rascal. In fact, I didn’t even know the word before I started reading Prabhupada’s books. I learnt the word from Prabhupada. It may even be an outdated word but in Iskcon, it is a bit of an endearing word.

When people were doing all kinds of things, Prabhupada was ready to call them rascals! The whole world is engaging in all kinds of abominable activities and in a modern way of thinking, we start to think of them more and more like victims – a victim of the circumstance. But Prabhupada would say rascal because it would make people responsible… because you know what you are doing… and you know what you supposed to do… you know it’s wrong… and still doing it… rascal!

So the paramahamsa (elevated) platform means to take responsibility to rearrange one’s life.

“But ohhh, so much work,” one may say, then lazy rascal – too lazy to rearrange your life!

“Well, it’s so difficult, it takes so much energy. I mean I’m trying…” No, trying is not good enough, you must DO IT. Trying basically means that you are not doing it and that means RASCAL!

Like that, Prabhupada had this refreshing spirit of being rebellious and had a fighting spirit. Not just being defeated, “Ohhh, it’s so difficult,” and we make it more difficult than it already is so that we do not have to do anything about it and everybody will say, “Well, that’s very reasonable. You have presented so many points there and we understand.” Because everyone, at the back of their mind, is thinking that tomorrow it may be my turn. This is a pact that the rascals have with each other!

Preaching program in Murmansk, a city in northwestern Russia…
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Preaching program in Murmansk, a city in northwestern Russia with Bhakti Caitanya Swami (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: So in this way Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, one of the six Gosvamis, very important devotee, he used to live. He used to eat every alternate day, not daily. One day starving, and the next day, a little butter. But he was observing his regulative principles, taking thrice daily bath and offering dandavat, what is called? Counting, numerical. Just like we count twenty-five rounds minimum, so Raghunatha dasa Gosvami was also chanting by counting. Similarly, he was offering dandavat. You offer dandavat, the same way. That is also counting. Sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih. Sankhya-purvaka, keeping a strength, a numerical strength, just like we are advised at least sixteen rounds. So these things were going on. Not that because he was taking little butter alternate day, he lost his strength. No. The strength was all right. So the fasting means if you don’t feel weak, then you fast. Not that you imitate Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. That is not possible in the beginning. But it is possible if you practice, if you practice. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau catyanta-dinau ca yau sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih kalavasani-krtau. So everything is possible. But that is advanced spiritual life. It is no use imitating a higher authority >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.22 – Chicago, July 6, 1975
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I am a big moralist!
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I am a big moralist!
Srila Prabhupada: What Krishna desires, if one dies, he’s above all this material. But it should not be manufactured. The thing is that our spiritual master wants to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and he has repeatedly stressed to distribute books, we shall distribute books by any means, that is good. That is good. And if you become moralist that, “Oh, they’re taking this means, that means for selling of book, so I’m big moralist. I’m bigger than him.”


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Srimaan Bhikhudan Gadhvi receives Srila Prabhupada’s…
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Srimaan Bhikhudan Gadhvi receives Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita (Album with photos)
Rameshwar das: With the Blessings of Srila Prabhupada and Vaishnavs I met Srimaan Bhikhudan Gadhvi, Such A Humble Soul, Amazing Personality! No words to describe and express my feelings for Srimaan Bhikhudan Gadhvi Bhai!
Bhikhudan Govindbhai Gadhvi (born 1948) is an Indian folk singer and songwriter, known as a proponent of Dayro, a narrative singing tradition of Gujarat. He is a recipient of the Gujarat Gaurav Award of the Government of Gujarat and the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri, in 2016, for his contributions to folk music.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/Onjyhu

Harinam, Prasadam and book distribution (Album with…
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Harinam, Prasadam and book distribution (Album with photos)
@Taman Kota, Singaraja (Singaraja’ is a port town in northern Bali, Indonesia) 21.5.2017
Srila Prabhupada: The devotees of the Lord, while delivering speeches and describing the transcendental attributes of the Lord, do not think that they can do anything independently. They think that they can speak only what they are induced to speak by the Supreme Lord, the master of the senses… No one is free to act freely and independently, and as such, one should always seek the permission of the Lord to act or eat or speak, and by the blessing of the Lord, everything done by a devotee is beyond the principles of the four defects typical of the conditioned soul. SB 2.4.11 purp.
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1st Ratha Yatra in Sampit, Indonesia (Album with photos) Nila…
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1st Ratha Yatra in Sampit, Indonesia (Album with photos)
Nila Kamal das: Sampit ‎ is a town and a timber port on the Sampit River in the Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo, Indonesia. It is the seat of East Kotawaringin Regency. Sampit is the biggest timber port in all of Indonesia.
Sampit town became known worldwide following inter-ethnic violent communal clashes between the Dayaks and the Madurese during the Sampit conflict which broke out on February 17, 2001 and lasted for 10 days. In just two weeks 469 were reported to have been killed, of which 456 of them were Madurese. Virtually the entire Madurese people fled and “ethnic cleansing” has taken place in Sampit and surrounding areas, despite the Madurese previously forming about 60% of the population. However, according to a BBC report, the overall picture of the conflict caused 500 deaths, with over 100,000 Madurese displaced from their homes.
On the 19th of May 2017 the first Ratha Yatra festival was held in Sampit. Presently there are no devotees staying in Sampit but devotees from Palanka Raya (the capital of Central Kalimantan) helped in organizing the Ratha Yatra festival. HG Ananda Maya das (disciple of HH Bhakti Raghava Swami) requested the local Government in Sampit if it was possible for the devotees to join in the annual city parade. After a long and anxious wait the devotees got permission in April and started making preparations.
“This is very good proposal. Make the Ratha-yatra festival very great success. This will be a great introduction in your city and people will appreciate it” (SPL to Syamasundara, 4th May, 1967)
The chariot itself came from Palanka Raya as this has been the fourth Ratha Yatra that has been held in the Central Kalimantan area, the first being in Palanka Raya itself with HH Subhag Swami and HH Bhakti Raghava Swami being personally present.
Devotees arrived the day before the event with many of them staying up the entire night to attend last minute services. The next morning HG Shyamasundarananda das (Mayapur) delivered a lecture to inspire all the devotees present for the upcoming festival. Around 2pm, the devotees departed to the town centre to begin the festival. Along with Lord Jagannath and His Ratha were many wonderful chariots present. From local tribals to a team promoting organic chocolate, you could find it all at the parade!
Just before the parade was about to start it began to drizzle. After ten minutes however the light drizzle turned into heavy rain! Devotees quickly took shelter under waterproof plastic sheets. Half an hour passed but still the rain was coming down strong but the show had to go on. The devotees as well as the other participants in the parade began pulling their respective chariots in the rain. Although the microphones could not be used the kirtan kept going with devotees joyfully dancing the entire way.
Orange prasad was distributed throughout the journey as well as many books. HG Gopal das (Spain) was the top scorer with thirty books been distributed in an hour. During the course of the parade devotees had the opportunity to gift copies of the Bhagavad Gita to various VIPs including Sampit’s chief minister’s secretary. At the end of the event the devotees returned to their base and took prasad. The devotees received some good news the following day that they were awarded the second prize in the parade.

“These public festivals have proven very effective in spreading knowledge about Krsna consciousness to all the citizens”. SPL to Galim dasa, November 20th, 1971
We hope that in the future we can expand our preaching efforts in Sampit as well as other less well known places around Indonesia in trying to assist in Mahaprabhu’s desire to have the holy name spread in every town and village,
Our ever grateful obeisances are due to HH Kavichandra Swami and HH Ramai Swami, the GBCs of Indonesia, for their support and guidance to always look for new avenues for sankirtan.
We thank HH Bhakti Raghava Swami for his efforts to preach in the Kalimantan area and inspiring the devotees there.
Our humble obeisances to HH Subhag Swami for always reminding us of the importance of the Sankirtan movement of Mahaprabu and inspiring us with the dedication of Sriman Jayananda Prabhu, for bringing us closer to Srila Prabhupada and keeping us united in family of ISKCON.
Jay Jagannatha…Jay Baladeva…Jay Subadra devi ….
Jay Srila Prabhupada…..
Find them here: https://goo.gl/QvMzYE

Is God Male or Female?
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Hare KrishnaBy Chaitanya Charan Das

Before we can understand whether God is male or female, we need to clearly understand that we ourselves are neither male nor female. We are at core spiritual beings, souls, whereas our gender refers only to our shell, our physical bodies. Our spiritual identity is eternal, our gender is transient. According to the law of last thought described in the Bhagavad-gita ( 8.5), we attain in our next life a body as per the thought that predominates our consciousness at the last moment of this life. So a male in this life may become a female in the next life, if the person dearest to him happens to be a female and vice versa. Hence both male chauvinism and feminism are two sides of the counterfeit coin of physical misidentification. Only when we distance ourselves from our temporary physical gender will be freed from the ideological preconceptions that are inevitably dragged into discussion on the gender of God. So in the conventional sense of the words 'male' and 'female' where these refer to bodily gender, God is neither. Continue reading "Is God Male or Female?
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