Increase your spiritual appetite! In the Srimad-bhagavatam, Kavi…
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Increase your spiritual appetite!
In the Srimad-bhagavatam, Kavi Yogendra (a great sage) compares the process of bhakti yoga to eating.
When a famished person eats a good meal, she feels satisfaction, nourishment, and her hunger lessens with each bite.
In a similar way, says sage Kavi, those who worship Krsna through the process of bhakti get devotion, direct experience of the Supreme, and detachment from other things not related to Krsna.
In his remarks about this verse, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the great Srimad-bhagavatam commentator says:

“Just as a person who eats a little gets a little satisfaction, a little nourishment, and a little relief from hunger, so a person who worships the Lord a little with hearing and chanting, gets a little experience of the Lord, and a little detachment from material life.”

“And just as a person who eats a lot gets full satisfaction, full nourishment and full relief from hunger, so a person who worships the Lord fully experiences the Lord fully and becomes completely detached from material life.”

Visvanatha Cakravarti adds:

“Although it is impossible to eat food continuously, one can increase his worship of the Lord without limitation. That is the difference.” (Sarartha Darsini Vol. 9, Pp. 31-32)

To increase one’s spiritual appetite, Suta Goswami says that one should serve great souls, because by rendering such service “one gains an affinity for hearing about Krsna.” (Bhag. 1.2.16)

Srila Prabhupada explains Suta Goswami’s statement thus: “By serving the servants of the Lord, one gradually gets the qualities of such servants, and thus one becomes qualified to hear the glories of the Lord.” (Bhag. 1.2.16, purport, p. 112)

According to scripture, the purpose of human life is to increase one’s hunger for hearing about Krsna.

Do something today to increase your spiritual appetite.
Vaisesika Das

Parallels (Alien Identities)
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Hare KrishnaBy Krishna-kripa Das

“This idea of love in relation to the Supreme Person can be compared with the ‘universal love’ mentioned in many UFO communications. These communications often define the ultimate One as an impersonal energy or force. Yet love is something having to do with persons. If the One is impersonal in nature, then how can love have a truly universal role? Note that this problem does not come up in modern scientific theories. According to modern science, love is simply a recent outgrowth of hominid evolution in Africa, and it has nothing to do with ultimate causes. But if the personal quality of love is a fundamental feature of nature, then it is natural to ask how this could be. If there is a Transcendental Person behind the universe, then the answer is that the universe was crafted according to the loving intentions of that person.” Continue reading "Parallels (Alien Identities)
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Gujaratis donate over $1mn for Iskcon temple project
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Hare KrishnaBy The Times of India

Ahmedabad: Alfred Brush Ford and his wife Sharmila organized a fundraiser at Iskcon temple on Saturday evening for the ambitious Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir (Temple of the Vedic Planetarium). Ford had started his Gujarat travels from February 1. It was the first state on his pan-India itinerary. Alfred is the great grandson of the founder of Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford. "Gujarat is a state blessed by Lord Krishna," Albert said at the Ahmedabad meeting. "It is a great pleasure to be here. I had been to Rajkot and Dwarka several years ago. Our collection of funds is going very well. We were ably supported by Jasumatinandan Das in the cause. We have collected over US $1 million (approximately Rs 6.72 crore) in just three days which is very encouraging." Talking about the temple project that started in 2009, Albert Ford said they are following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada, founder of Iskcon, who had dreamed of a spectacular temple at Mayapur as a tribute to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. "The process started with his travels to the West and sharing his dreams to revitalize Veda and ancient culture in India," said Ford, who is chairman of the project. His wife Sharmila said that, for the first time, visitors will be able to see 3D model of the universe as explained in the Hindu scriptures. The 350-feet-high temple will show Golok Dham at the top and Patal at the bottom, Ford said. Braj Vilasa Das, director of fundraising, said that apart from personal donation of Rs 250 crore by Ford, the project has collected an additional Rs 100 crore for the temple which is expected to cost Rs 700 crore. "Around 95% of the construction for the primary structure has been done. We expect the project to be complete by 2022. An 80-feet-high Kalash will be established above the dome this March," Das said. Continue reading "Gujaratis donate over $1mn for Iskcon temple project
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Beautiful New Mayapur, France
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Hare KrishnaBy Vrsabhanu dasa

The community of New Mayapur is situated near the Loire Valley in Central France. On the property of 80 hectars we find the beautiful Chateau d'Oublaise, rebuilt in the late 19th century. In the mid-seventies Srila Prabhupada visited the castle and he installed Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Who along with Sri Sri Radha Govinda Madhava are the principal Deities of the temple. Srila Prabhupada wanted his followers to develop a self-sufficient farm community in New Mayapur and a small group of devotees are working hard to fulfill this vision. In August 2017, after completing renovation work on their 60 room guesthouse, the devotees are planning a celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Krishna Balarama. Continue reading "Beautiful New Mayapur, France
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Gita 12.12 Serenity comes by rising from piety to spirituality
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Sadaputa Prabhu’s Books Are Back in Print
- TOVP.org

by Prishni devi dasi, Richard L. Thompson Archives
*protected email*

“Now our PhDs must collaborate and study the 5th Canto to make a model for building the Vedic Planetarium” proved a mandate from Srila Prabhupada that entered deep into the heart of his disciple Sadaputa dasa, in 1976. Having received his PhD in Mathematics from Cornell University just two years prior, he would soon be inducted as one of the founding members of Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Institute.

In that capacity, he devoted over 30 years researching Vedic perspectives on cosmology and the natural world, producing 9 books and numerous writings on these and a variety of other subjects while drawing upon both his scientific mathematical background and devotional experience with Gaudiya Vaisnavism. He was so appreciated amongst his peers and devotees in general that he was affectionately dubbed the ‘transcendental genius’. And in accordance with Srila Prabhupada’s above mandate he also became the principle mastermind behind the main planetarium chandelier, displays and exhibits of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Sridhama Mayapur before passing away in 2008. Indeed, because of his unique accomplishments and contributions to Vedic cosmology, the planetarium wing of the TOVP has been dedicated to him.

So when the Richard L. Thompson Archives decided to get Sadaputa’s books back into print a year ago, Yamaraja and Sthita-dhi-muni, two of his assistants for many years, felt inspired to start with his principle work on cosmology, Mysteries of the Sacred Universe: The Cosmology of the Bhagavata Purana (2000), considered by many his magnum opus. Dr. Subash Kak, Computer Science Professor at Louisiana State University, noted that “Thompson presents a compelling case showing that Puranic cosmology was intended to have multiple meanings that span the terrestrial, astronomical, and spiritual planes.”

Once this first reprint became available, two more followed in rapid succession. God and Science (2004), a collection of the best of Sadaputa’s 40 BTG articles, became the next. In his foreword to the book, Dr. Sheldon R. Isenberg, former Chair of the Department of Religion at the University of Florida, described: “Thompson’s erudition, the elegance of his prose, and his deep understanding of traditional and contemporary science give a different kind of credibility to the knowledge and wisdom of our intellectual and spiritual ancestors, east and west, which they encoded into their legends, myths, and rituals. One begins to suspect that we have forgotten at least as much as we’ve discovered.”

The third book reprinted was Maya: The World as Virtual Reality (2003), in which the modern concept of ‘virtual reality’ is used as a metaphor to illustrate our present situation as conscious beings experiencing conditional life.

Next, we republished Sadaputa’s popular work, Alien Identities (1993), using the author’s original working title, Parallels: Ancient Insights into Modern UFO Phenomena. Yamaraja, who crafted most of Sadaputa’s original book covers and layouts, designed the new cover to reflect Sadaputa’s initial intention to appeal to an audience beyond the ufology genre. As Hinduism Today noted in their review: “Parallels is a mind stretcher that goes as far as the evidence can allow for UFO-type phenomena in ancient India.”

Yamaraja and Sthita-dhi-muni have now begun working on Sadaputa’s pioneering cosmological work, Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (1990), and anticipate having it ready within a few months. Mechanistic and Nonmechanistic Science will take more time since it was originally produced prior to desktop publishing. As a result, we have nothing digital, text or layout, to work with, and will need to redo the entire project from scratch. Once volunteers become available to assist typing the basic text into a Word document format, we hope to produce this volume in a new digital layout by the end of the year. All offers of help will be much appreciated. If interested, please contact us at our email address: *protected email*.

In addition to Sadaputa’s book republishing, another project launched by Sunanda das is underway to transcribe almost one hundred lectures and seminars which remain as his aural legacy, and publish them in a series of books for those interested in serious research into the topics on which he spoke. These lectures, as well as several videos, are currently available to listen to/watch on the Sadaputa Digital Channel on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/user/SadaputaChannel.

The Sadaputa Oral History Project is yet another attempt to preserve Sadaputa’s legacy through interviews with devotees who knew him personally and whose lives were touched by his transcendental genius and deep Krishna conscious perspectives. The first of such interviews can be read at: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=35752

To order Sadaputa’s republished books, as well as new and used versions of older ones, please visit the Richard L. Thompson Amazon Author’s Page at: https://www.amazon.com/Richard-L.-Thompson/e/B000APL4BY. All books are Print-On-Demand publications or hard-copy books ready for shipping. E-book versions will be available in the near future.

The post Sadaputa Prabhu’s Books Are Back in Print appeared first on Храм Ведического Планетария.

Sunday, January 29th, 2017
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Brampton, Ontario

Chocolate?

Vladik is a Polish friend of mine who comes to visit, or calls me occasionally.  He likes to share with me new-found reading material that especially is provocative, or shall I say, introspective.  As a gesture of friendship he offered me two packets of the best European chocolate.

“Thanks so much, Vladik, you’re kind.”  In front of him I looked at the ingredients.

“I hope it’s okay?” he expressed with concern.

“Well, to be honest I rarely take chocolate.  It may have caffeine—something we avoid.”  I read away on the packaging, “whey powder, milk, nuts, salt, sugar, coffee even.  Boy oh boy!  This may not fly.  Anyways, let me google to see what some experts say about chocolate and how it affects the gout I have.”

From my android came the following: “Not only is chocolate a “miracle food” when it comes to gout prevention but it also knocks down the inflammation of an active gout flare…  Dark chocolate that consists of about 35% of cocoa is considered to be ideal for gout sufferers.  This type of chocolate is more bitter than the traditional sweet, milk or white…”

I was quite amazed by the info on chocolate and so was Vladik  and Vyasacharya who brought our Polish friend in the first place.  Vyasa immediately offered to go to a bulk food place.  He returned in minutes with the dark chocolate with practically few ingredients.  I indulged and took this food item as a natural medicine.

Does or did it work?  I’ll let you all in on the outcome.

May the Source be with you!


0 km

A letter circulated to Jim Kohr’s (Jayananda) classmates
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Hare KrishnaBy Andrew Hallum

I was repeatedly asked, "What was Jim like in school?" Well, you know, that was quite a few years ago. I had even forgotten, or just not given a thought to the fact that Jim and I lived in the same cabin in summer camp. I forgot that until I came upon the 1951 camp photo. And the photo of Jim on the front of the chariot is unrecognizable because of the years, the Hare Krishna robes Jim is wearing, and because as they said, the photo is not a good one because it was not taken until Jim was very ill. I told them that Jim was very funny. They said they could believe and understand that from what they had heard about him. I was told that Jim worked very hard. When Jim cleaned the garbage cans, he cleaned them so well "because they were Krishna's." New devotees would see his work and think, "If this is how thoroughly the garbage cans have to be cleaned, how must the more important work be done?" One time when Jim was a leader, he returned late at night and saw that a chore had not been done properly. Rather than awaken the offender, Jim did the job over again himself. Jim could run on very little sleep. A surprise birthday party was given for Jim, but he was truly embarrassed by all this attention being directed at him. So, now, the next time you see a Hare Krishna devotee on the streets, go up and tell him or her that you went to school with Jayananda. You'll get red carpet treatment. The story of Jayananda will be known! And, remember, I was in South Africa, which is 11,000 miles from Los Angeles. And they all knew! Continue reading "A letter circulated to Jim Kohr’s (Jayananda) classmates
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What Abortionists Don’t Know
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Hare KrishnaBy His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

This is a very important verse. The modern scientists, philosophers, they say that after finishing this body, we no more exist, finished, everything finished. This is not new. In olden times also there were atheists like Carvaka Muni, he also said like that: bhasmi-bhutasya dehasya kutah punar agamano bhavet. Now why you are worrying about next life? As soon as this body is burned into ashes, everything is finished. According to Vedic funeral ritualistic ceremony, the body is burned. There are three ends of the body, either to become stool, or to become ashes, or to become earth. Those who are burying the body, just like the Christian, Mohammedans do, the body becomes earth. Everything, from the earth it has come up: “Dust thou were, dust thou beist.” This beautiful body, nice body, will become earth. And those who are burning, so their body becomes ashes. And those who throw the body to be eaten by jackals and crows, they become stool. This is the end of the body. We are taking so much care of this body, but the ultimate end of this body is either stool, earth or ashes. So foolish persons who are in the bodily concept of life, they are thinking: “After all, this body will be finished. So so long the body is there, senses are there, let us enjoy. Why so much restrictions, no illicit sex, no gambling? No. These are all nonsense. Let us enjoy life.” This is atheistic life. Foolish life. They do not know, so the body is not all. So the nature knows how to punish these criminals. Therefore, the scientists are finding now shortage of petrol, shortage of this, shortage… What to do? What to do? This is the position. Otherwise, there is no question of overpopulation. The supply is restricted. That is the problem. Continue reading "What Abortionists Don’t Know
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When our opinions come from our nature, how can we understand that the opinions of those with different natures can also be correct – Hindi?
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If our talents such as a powerful voice sometimes inconvenience others, what should we do?
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When we start coming for spiritual programs, our college friends criticize us – how to respond?
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When we are not our bodies, why do devotee marriage boards want to know the candidate’s caste – Hindi?
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If others’ way of functioning disturbs our service, what can we do – Hindi?
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Gita 12.11 To be self-situated, begin with selflessness
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Sunday Love Feast – Vedic Discourse by Her Grace Kamala Gopi Devi Dasi
→ ISKCON Brampton

About Kamala Gopi Devi Dasi : Her Grace Kamala Gopi Devi Dasi  is a disciple of His Holiness Jaypataka Maharaj.  Mataji along with her spouse are very senior well respected devotees in Toronto and are often eager to expand the Sankirtan initiative across the GTA. Mataji and PrabhuTogether as a family they have made preaching their life mission and will go beyond their limits to ensure that Srila Prabhupada’s books are being distributed. 

Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!


When?

Sunday,Feb 5,2017
Program starts at 11.00am

Where?

6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen

Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
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Bhagavad Gita As It Is (18.66)
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
Translation
Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear.




11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                        
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                 
12.00 -  1: 00   Vedic discourse
  1.00  -  1.30    Closing Kirtan
  1.30 -  2.00    Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast



 
COMING UP AHEAD

Bhaimi Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Mon Feb 6,2017
Breakfast................. on Tue Feb 7 ,2017 b/w 8.46am-10.51am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
 
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 

 
Appearance Of Lord Nityananda
Celebration on Wednesday,Feb 8 at 7pm

Lord Sri Krishna, as the Vedic literature ultimately explains, is the absolute Personality of Godhead, and His first expansion in a form for pastimes is Sri Balarama. In the age of Kali-yuga, Lord Krishna appears in this material world as Lord Caitanya, and Balarama appears as Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda  is the spiritual brother of Lord Caitanya.He has descended to assist Lord Caitanya in spreading the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krishna in harinama-sankirtana, and to bring the mercy of Lord Krishna to all the fallen, materially conditioned souls.
**Detailed Program will be posted shortly**

Adult Education At The Temple
As part of our adult education at ISKCON Brampton, we would be conducting a series of seminars and courses soon.

The first one will be on Saturday Feb 25 starting 9:30am to 12:30pm.
Topic - "Exploring the art of chanting"

To register ($10 per participant) please contact Mother PremaGaurangi premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com. Prasadam will be included.
 

ONGOING Programs At The Temple
 

Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation

Next meeting is on Feb 11,5.30am

The chanting is a spiritual call for the Lord and His Energy to give protection to the conditioned soul.japa, when performed with focus and attention, can subdue the agitating effects of one’s mind and senses. The senses, of which the mind is also one, are constantly being stimulated by the external world  - by gross and subtle matter.
If you have not chanted before, and would like to participate in this program, we will be very happy to show how you can do this.
All welcome. We’ll loan you a set of Beads!
 
Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)

“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)

Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasadharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)


IB Vaishnavi Sanga

The Vaisnavi Sanga hosted by ISKCON Brampton is a special opportunity for ladies to come together for a spiritual getaway in peaceful, intimate surroundings. It is the perfect occasion for an evening filled with amazing association, spiritually surcharged program, and Krishna conscious discussions. It is a place where we will be able to learn from each other and have a safe forum to express our doubts and open our hearts.
(We'll resume this program during summer)
 
Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


The Mentorship Program

Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.    
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here

Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Sri Advaita Acarya
Giriraj Swami

On Sri Advaita Acarya’s appearance day, I share with you a talk about Him by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, given on April 6, 1975, in Mayapur, India.  Sri Advaita Acarya in Mayapur—Giriraj Swami

advaitam harinadvaita
  acaryam bhakti-samsana
bhaktavataram isam tam
  advaita acaryam asraye

“Because He is nondifferent from Hari, the Supreme Lord, He is called Advaita, and because He propagates the cult of devotion, He is called Acarya. He is the Lord and the incarnation of the Lord’s devotee. Therefore I take shelter of Him.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 1.13)

So, gradually the author is offering respect: sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita. He has already offered respect to Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda. Now it is the turn for Sri Advaita Acarya. Advaitam: “nondifferent”—He is expansion of Maha-visnu. He is visnu-tattva. He is not jiva-tattva. Therefore He is Advaita. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam. Krsna has got unlimited number of expansions—expansions, expansions of the expansions, and then expansions of the expansions, in this way. So Advaita Acarya is expansion of Krsna, as already explained. Therefore He is called advaitam. And acaryam bhakti-samsanat. This is the business of acarya: to spread bhakti cult. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit. It is said by the Lord, “You should accept the acarya.” Acarya means one who transmits bhakti cult. Bhakti-samsanat, spreading—gosthy-anandi. One who is not spreading—he is cultivating Krsna consciousness for his personal benefit in a secluded place, sitting and chanting—that is also nice, but he’s not acarya. Acarya means he must spread—gosthy-anandi. Bhajananandi, gosthy-anandi. Generally, gosthy-anandi means one who wants to increase the number of devotees. He’s called gosthy-anandi. And one who is self-satisfied, that “Let me do my own duty,” he is called bhajananandi.

My guru maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, he was gosthy-anandi; he wanted to increase the number of devotees. And the more you increase the number of devotees, the more you become recognized by Krsna. It is Krsna’s business. Krsna personally comes as He is to spread this bhakti cult. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. He’s canvassing personally.

paritranaya sadhunam
  vinasaya ca duskrtam
dharma-samsthapanarthaya
  sambhavami yuge yuge

“To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.” (Bg 4.8)

So, the same thing is entrusted to another devotee, who spreads—he’s acarya. So Krsna says, the acarya . . . Here it is said, advaitam harinadvaitad. Of course, Advaita Acarya is expansion of visnu-tattva, but any acarya, he is to be considered identical with the Lord. The Lord says that: acaryam mam vijaniyan—“One should understand the acarya.” Acaryam bhakti-samsanat. Acarya means one who is spreading the pure bhakti cult. “That acarya,” Krsna says, “you should consider such acarya as Myself.”

acaryam mam vijaniyan
  navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyasuyeta
  sarva-deva-mayo guruh

“One should know the acarya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.” (SB 11.17.27, Cc Adi 1.46).

You cannot consider, “Yes, he’s acarya, but not as good as Krsna.” No. Navamanyeta: don’t deride in that way. Then there will be falldown. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit. And in the Vedas also it is said:

yasya deve para bhaktir
  yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
  prakasante mahatmanah

“Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.” (SU 6.23) All the Vedic literature becomes revealed (prakasante) simply by these two principles.

Guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija. We should not jump over to Krsna, without the help of guru. That is not possible. You must go through, because Krsna says, tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreya uttamam: “One who is actually serious to understand higher transcendental subject matter, he must approach guru.” Tasmad gurum prapadyeta. These are Vedic injunctions. Cakhu-dan dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei. Anyone who opens . . . Guru means who opens the eyes of the ignorant person. Ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya—opening the eyes by giving real knowledge. Guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija. The bhakti-lata, the seed of devotional service, can be received by the parampara system through a bona fide spiritual master. And if we abide by the orders of spiritual master faithfully, then Krsna becomes pleased. That is stated by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura: yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah. Ar na koriho mane asa—Narottama dasa. All the acaryas say like that.

Acaryavan puruso veda: “One who has accepted acarya, he knows things are they are.” Others, they do not know. It is not possible. So Advaita Acarya is the typical example how to become acarya. All are our acaryas: sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. All of them are acaryas because they are following the supreme acarya, Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore they are acarya. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. So we have to follow the acarya. Then, when we are completely, cent percent, follower of acarya, then you can also act as acarya. This is the process. Don’t become premature acarya. First of all follow the orders of acarya and become mature. Then it is better to become acarya. We are interested in preparing acarya, but the etiquette is, at least for the period the guru is present, one should not become acarya.

Even if he is complete, he should not, because the etiquette is if somebody comes for becoming initiated, it is the duty of such person to bring that prospective candidate to his acarya, not that “Now people are coming to me, so I can become acarya.” That is avamanya. Navamanyeta karhicit. Don’t transgress this etiquette. Navamanyeta. That will be falldown. Just like during the lifetime of our guru maharaja, all our godbrothers who are now acting as acarya, they did not do so. That is not etiquette. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta. That is insult. If you insult your acarya, then you are finished. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto ’pi—finished. If you displease your acarya, then you are finished. Therefore it is said—Caitanya Mahaprabhu says to all the acaryas . . . Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu, and Srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda, they are all carriers of orders of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

So try to follow the path of acarya process. Then life will be successful. And to become acarya is not very difficult. First of all, become very faithful servant of your acarya: follow strictly what he says and try to please him and spread Krsna consciousness. That’s all. It is not at all difficult. Try to follow the instruction of your guru maharaja and spread Krsna consciousness. That is the order of Lord Caitanya. Amara ajnaya guru hana tara’ ei desa, yare dekha tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa: “By following My order, you become guru.” And if we strictly follow the acarya system and try our best to spread the instruction of Krsna . . . Yare dekha tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa. There are two kinds of krsna-upadesa. Upadesa means instruction. Instruction given by Krsna, that is krsna-upadesa, and instruction received about Krsna, that is also krsna-upadesa. Krsnasya upadesa iti krsna-upadesa. Samasa, sasti-tat-purusa-samasa. And krsna visaya upadesa, that is also Krsna upadesa. Bahu-vrihi-samasa. This is the way of analyzing Sanskrit grammar. So Krsna’s upadesa is Bhagavad-gita. He’s directly giving instruction.

So, those who are spreading krsna-upadesa, simply repeat what is said by Krsna. Then you become acarya. Not difficult at all. Everything is stated there. We have to simply repeat like parrot. Not exactly parrot. Parrot does not understand the meaning; he simply vibrates. But you should understand the meaning also. Otherwise, how you can explain? So, we want to spread Krsna consciousness. Simply prepare yourself how to repeat Krsna’s instructions very nicely, without any malinterpretation. Then, in future . . . Suppose now you have got ten thousand. We shall expand to hundred thousand. That is required. Then hundred thousand to million, and million to ten million.

Devotees: Jaya!

Srila Prabhupada: So there will be no scarcity of acarya, and people will understand Krsna consciousness very easily. So make that organization. Don’t be falsely puffed up. Follow the acarya’s instruction and try to make yourself perfect, mature. Then it will be very easy to fight maya. Yes, acaryas declare war against maya’s activities. Maya is instructing, “Here is wine, here is cigarette, here is that.” In your country these advertisements are very prominent—holding both ways, wine advertisement, cigarette advertisement, naked woman advertisement, and sometimes also gambling advertisement. What is that? Congo?

Devotees: Bingo.

Srila Prabhupada: Bingo. Yes. So this is maya. And our declaration of war against maya—no intoxication, no meat-eating, no bingo. This is our declaration of war. So we have to fight in that way, because nobody can understand Krsna without being free from all sinful activities. These are sinful activities. Therefore it is acarya’s business to stop these nonsense activities. Otherwise they’ll not be able to understand, especially the meat-eaters. They cannot understand.

nivrtta-tarsair upagiyamanad
  bhavausadhac chrotra-mano-’bhiramat
ka uttamasloka-gunanuvadat
  puman virajyeta vina pasughnat

“Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the parampara system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except one who is killing animals or one who is killing his own self?” (SB 10.1.4)

Unless one is very expert in killing animals, he is not bereft of Krsna consciousness. That means one who is very expert in killing, he cannot understand. Therefore Christ also said, “Thou shall not kill”—the first business. Nobody will be able if one is a killer of animals, small or big—ultimately killer of his own children, killer of his own self. The killing process is so nice that it goes up to the point of killing one’s children. That is now happening. The killing business has so expanded that they are killing their own children. Just see the influence of Kali-yuga. The children take shelter of the father and mother, thinking very safe. Now, in this Kali-yuga, there is no safety even under the care of father and mother. Just see how this material civilization is progressing. Very, very dangerous. Kalau nasta-drsam. Therefore that Bhagavata verse is there:

krsne sva-dhamopagate
  dharma-jnanadibhih saha
kalau nasta-drsam esa
  puranarko ’dhunoditah

“This Bhagavata Purana is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Krsna to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the age of Kali shall get light from this Purana.”

Very, very abominable condition in this age of Kali—very, very. It is the beginning of Kali. Now we have to pass through 427,000 years. Kali-yuga will make progress in that way. And people are now practicing eating their children, and at the end of Kali there will be no food available. They’ll have to eat the children, like the snakes do. The snakes eat their own children. There are many animals who eat their own children. So don’t try to repeat your birth again and again in this Kali-yuga. It will be not very happy life. Better sacrifice everything in this life and be fully Krsna conscious and go back home, back to Godhead. Don’t wait for the next life. This is very seriously repeated, that “This life I shall finish my Krsna consciousness business.” And as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna consciousness business means to understand Krsna rightly. And He’s explaining Himself rightly. Where is the difficulty to finish the Krsna consciousness business? If Krsna is explaining Himself—what He is—then where is your difficulty? Krsna is explaining Himself in the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna is sending His representative acarya to teach you, and Krsna is within you trying to teach you, if you are actually serious. Then where is the difficulty? Inside, outside, all ways—books, knowledge—He is prepared.

So where is the difficulty to make yourself perfect in Krsna consciousness? There is no difficulty at all. Provided you are serious, you can become fully Krsna conscious in this very life.

A special gift for devotees all over the world for the 40th…
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A special gift for devotees all over the world for the 40th anniversary of Jayananda Thakura`s departure (Album with photos)
In this week the construction of the bas-relief on dedicated to the first Saint of ISKCON near to the Samadhi of Sriman Jayananda Thakur, on the wall behind the Samadhi in the temple of Lord Jagannatha, was completed. Three sections of the bas-relief depicted scenes from the life of Jayananda his outstanding contribution to the development of the mission of Lord Caitanya, his spiritual master Srila Prabhupada's love and gratitude to him.
Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu, the sculptor of the project is a well-known disciple of Srila Prabhupada, who has sculpted many murti of Srila Prabhupada worshiped around the world. Panels located in the Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada in Vrindavan, also are the creation of his hands. Above the bas-relief project Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhu worked in Mayapur for a few months. He took it with enthusiasm, wanting to glorify and perpetuate the memory of his dear spiritual brother and friend. Until recently, the author of the bas-relief is kept secret that is depicted in it. Now his creation, designed to preserve the memory of a wonderful example of the outstanding disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is available public.
If you see fit please post on the website the news that will be a gift for devotees all over the world for the 40th anniversary of the Jayananda Thakura`s departure.
Krishna Mangala das
Find them here: https://goo.gl/49oKmV
An other work of Bhaktisiddhanta prabhu in Vrindavan in the Srila Prabhupada’s Samadhi here; https://goo.gl/AMIMwn

Sura Das Talks Chaitanya’s Civil Disobedience at Martin Luther King Festival
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On Saturday January 14th, Sura Das of ISKCON Los Angeles was invited to speak at Culver City’s 12th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in Culver City Hall.  Sura serves as the secretary and treasurer of the Interfaith Council of West Los Angeles, and represents ISKCON Los Angeles on the Council. This theme of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was “Peaceful Warriors for Positive Change.” 

Pujari Sanga Inspires North American Priests
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Pujaris from all over North America gathered in New Vrindaban, West Virginia in January to gain inspiration, support and training from two events organized by the ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry: the inaugural North American Head Pujari Sanga, followed by the third annual Weekend Pujari Training. First off, twenty-one head pujaris and deity department managers from seventeen temples gathered for the Head Pujari Sanga, from January 3rd to 5th.

Bring out the best within, not the beast within
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[Talk at youth forum meeting, Nasik]

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‘Story of Srila Advaita Acharya’
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Radhanath Swami: Today is the day when we honor that personality who has brought the descent of Lord Caitanya into this world Shri Advaita Acarya, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is Mahavishnu, He is the personality who created this entire cosmic manifestation and knowing the purpose of the cosmic manifestations to send everyone back to Godhead that same Mahavishnu incarnated within this material world slightly over five hundred years ago. He was born in a little village in Bengal called Navagram, his mother’s name was Näbhadevé and his name was Kuvera pandit. When he was just a small child he was given two names Kamaläkña and Advaita. It is said that immediately after his birth the first word that came out of his mouth were Shri Krishna Caitanya but nobody could understand this. Playing the role of an ordinary human being, when he was very young he received the sacred thread, when he was only about four years old his parents moved to Shantipur on the banks of the Ganges. His parents both left this world; they died when he was just a very young man. So after performing the Çraddhä ceremony in Gaya he decided to go and Tirth Yatra to visit the holy places through all of India. During his journey he met that great spiritual master Madhavendra puri and he accepted initiation from him.

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Even if it’s Flawless, We’re Not.
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QUESTION: Even if we accept the Vedas as a flawess source of transcendent knowledge, there still is the flaw of misinterpreting this source, because we have to use our own flawed intellect and experience to comprehend it. So there seems to be no way to really get flawless knowledge.

This is a very good point, and really needs careful explaining.

If we consider the importance of grammar and linguistics in mimāṁsa (understanding the Veda); the importance of objectivity and mental-calm in yoga; and the importance of painstaking intellect and logic in nyāya; ti is very very clear that we have to apply our own intelelct to the Veda with very careful scientific procedure. Indeed, Brahma-sūtra tells us this right from the beginning, “Brahman can be known from śāstra, but only when that śāstra is understood syncretically.” (Sūtras 3 and 4). Syncretic means very carefully, thoroughly, and broadly – taking everything into account wholistically.

Yet the Vedas – especially the Upaniṣads – also abundantly explain that actual experience of their subject can only come by a direct experience unmitigated by external, flawed tools and conceptions.

So what is the role of intellect? And what’s the role of this revelationary direct experience?

Intellect makes us capable of receiving the direct experience. Specifically, we have to use very careful intellect to understand the Vedas so that we can trust them (really trust, not talk ourselves into something, or “believe”). When we really, deeply “get it” and comprehend that the Veda truly are supremely reasonable, sublime, deep, all-inclusive, and supernatural, then we can open our hearts fully to their guidance. Then we can have unmitigated, direct experience of the reality the Veda have introduced us to and pointed us towards.

So, the “flawless” part of the Veda only comes to us at the very end, when we realize it through direct experience. Meanwhile, we work diligently on getting rid of our own flaws in comprehending what it is trying to say. That effort is done by our limited intellect. But when it accomplishes its task as best as it can, it makes the citta (heart and mind) capable to directly experience transcendence. It is that direct experience which is flawless.

Vraja Kishor

www.vrajakishor.com


Tagged: Epistemology, Pramana, Revelation, Shabda Pramana, Veda

Harinama Sankirtana in New Zealand (Album with photos) Srila…
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Harinama Sankirtana in New Zealand (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The best policy to control the mind is to desire how to spread Krsna consciousness. This is the best. Kamah krsna-karmarpane. Narottama dasa Thakura has said that you cannot be free from desire. That is not possible. This is useless attempt. They say that “You become desireless.” No, that is not possible. How can I…? If I become desireless, I become dead. So long I am living entity, I must desire. I cannot check it. Therefore kama means desire. So at the present moment, we are desiring how to become happy in this material world, how to acquire so much money, how to acquire this, how to acquire this, how to get this, how to get that. This is kama. So this brain taxation, if you engage in Krsna’s service – how to spread Krsna consciousness, how to convince people about Krsna, how to take them to the Krsna’s desire, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66] – and in this way, if you go on making plan for spreading Krsna consciousness, then your mind is controlled. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.27 – January 4, 1975, Bombay
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Wisdom Gained – Number Four / Стяжание мудрости – 4
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“My dear Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, You are the Supreme Soul. If one meditates upon Your transcendental body, You naturally protect him from all sources of fear, even the imminent danger of death.” [ Srimad Bhagavatam 7.10.29 ]

Purport by Srila Prabhupada:
“Everyone is sure to die, for no one is excused from the hands of death, which is but a feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When one becomes a devotee, however, he is not destined to die according to a limited duration of life. Everyone has a limited duration of life, but a devotee’s lifetime can be extended by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, who is able to nullify the results of one’s karma. A devotee is not under the laws of karma. Therefore even a devotee’s scheduled death can be avoided by the causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord. God protects the devotee even from the extreme danger of death”.

 

Дорогой Господь, о Верховная Личность Бога, Ты — Высшая Душа. Тех, кто медитирует на Твое трансцендентное тело, Ты непременно защищаешь от любых страхов и даже от нависшего над ними риска смерти. [ Шримад-Бхагаватам 7.10.29 ]

Комментарий Шрилы Прабхупады :

Каждому предстоит умереть, ибо смерть — это одно из проявлений Верховной Личности Бога и никто не способен ее избежать. Однако, если человек становится преданным, он может прожить дольше, чем ему предначертано судьбой. Жизнь любого существа ограничена определенным сроком, но для преданного она может быть продлена, ибо Верховный Господь по Своей милости способен обнулить последствия его кармы. Законы кармы не властны над преданным. По беспричинной милости Верховного Господа преданный может даже прожить дольше, чем ему предписано. Бог защищает преданных даже от самой грозной опасности, смерти.

Gita 12.10 Bhakti means dedicating our external to the eternal internal instead of the ephemeral internal
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Gita verse-by-verse Podcast


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