Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Shyamananda Krsna das, Premabhakti devi dasi and their daughter, Radhika, moved to Newcastle last year. He is a professor of environmental science at a local university and his wife works nearby. For the previous 11 years the family was in Adelaide and before that in India.
They recently bought a house in the Mayfield area and invited the New Gokula devotees and I for a griha pravesha (new house samskara) lecture, kirtana and prasadam.
Gita verse-by-verse Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Gita 11.39 Appreciate the Absolute Truth in both bheda and abheda aspects appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
What to Pray For and How Krishna Reciprocates With Our Prayers.
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to pace back and forth on his balcony and pose questions to himself, and then answer them. I do the same in this newsletter. I ask the questions of myself and then answer them. I ask subtle questions that I believe are important for our progress in Krishna consciousness.
I ask about the nature of pure prayer: Is it wrong to pray to Krishna to protect us materially? Is it okay to pray to Krishna to fulfill material desires that would help us in devotional service or make us more peaceful so we can be more steady? And would such prayers indicate a lack of faith in His protection and maintenance?
I also ask if praying can change our karma, if praying is wrong if we don’t endeavor to achieve what we are praying for, do we really need to pray if we are already making a full effort to achieve our goals (what we are praying for), and if Krishna knows everything do we really need to pray to Him at all?
May you always think of Krishna,
Mahatma das
____________
1. Since we all have our individual karma, if we are praying to Krishna to attain something that we are not destined to get according to our karma, can we still get it?
Yes, praying can change our karma. But since karma is Krishna’s law to bring us closer to Him, why would He change it? There is a verse in Bhakti Sandharba that says if we only approach Krishna for material things, Krishna will reciprocate with that foolish person; but he won’t get bhakti. For this reason our mood should not be to ask for material things unless such material things or desires are in relation to Krishna’s service.
Krishna uses our karma to purify us, so if we pray to change that karma we may be praying to Krishna to interfere with His plan for what is best for us. But normally, whatever our karma, Krishna reduces the reactions for us.
Srila Prabhupada said it may be our karma to have our head cut off, but because we are devotees, we only get a cut on our finger. As a devotee becomes purified, he no longer needs purification of his full karma, so it is reduced by Krishna. Also, no matter what kinds of happiness and distress await a devotee, by responding to them in a Krishna conscious way, we are less affected by the happiness and distress. This is one way our destiny changes by surrendering to Krishna, i.e. we see and respond differently to our karma. Plus, we experience greater happiness in devotional service than what our karma can ever bring us.
Being disturbed by happiness and distress is an impediment to bhakti, so if we tolerate them we will be spiritually happy. And by advancement in Krishna consciousness we learn to better tolerate happiness and distress. Ultimately, our desire to pray for something material is about being happy. And by Krishna consciousness we can become many times happier.
Krishna will either reduce our karma or utilize it for our spiritual advancement. Receiving Krishna’s protection means that Krishna does what’s best. Usually our karma is what’s best for us, so Krishna uses it.
The main thing is to always pray in a way that invokes our dormant love.
2. How would you answer the above question in relation to devotees who are mostly engaged with work and family? Is there a difference between how karma affects them and how it affects those who are “fully engaged” in service?
The whole meaning of God is that He reciprocates with His devotees. So it depends on the devotee’s attitude, not ashram or external situation. If one’s ashram affects their spirit of dedication, then it will affect how Krishna reciprocates (“ye yatha mam prapadyante).”
Since every desire we have is known to Krishna, and every desire is really a prayer, is there any difference in the result we obtain by desiring something that we don’t pray for and desiring something we do pray for? The desire itself is the essence of prayer, but prayer is one of the processes of devotional service. So we should pray. Also, praying intensifies the desire. And from the position of rasa, not everything is known to Krishna; He is forgetful if that serves rasa. So it’s best to both desire and pray because maybe He won’t fulfill a specific desire unless we pray for it.
4. If my desire is material, since Krishna already knows what it is, why bother Him by asking Him to fulfill it? Plus, wouldn’t this show a lack of faith and purity since Prabhupada says, “A pure devotee of the Lord is ashamed to ask anything in self interest. But houeholders are sometimes obliged to ask favors being bound by the tie of family affection.”
In distress a devotee will want to seek shelter someplace; so why not seek help from Krishna? That seeking shelter is a natural flavor of love because the servant’s mood of love is that Krishna is my maintainer and protector. Of course with that confidence one may consider that there is no need to ask anything from Krishna because He is already maintaining and protecting us. So according to our faith we will ask – or not ask – Krishna for help. But either way there should be a mood of devotion, i.e. whatever we pray for, even if it is material, should help our bhakti in some way. Still, what we ask for will often depend on our level of faith.
5. Is there some way to purify what may seem to be a materially oriented prayer by praying for it only if I think it will help my service? In this way, although I may pray for a spouse, material security, or health, my mood is that with these things I can better serve Krishna and if He desires to give me these things I will use them for Him?
Yes, if you need to pray and compromise the spirit of love by asking God for something, then try to acknowledge that God’s will is best and what pleases Him most is by asking, as you have suggested, for things that will enhance your service, not your sense gratification. And if you are not sure what you are asking for is proper, you can add the phrase “if you so desire” to your prayer.
6. It seems unproductive, perhaps even useless, to pray for something that we don’t strongly desire and thus don’t actively purse. For example, I could pray to become free of envy but do little or nothing to become non-envious. To me this is like asking someone to help me carry a table and when they lift their end, I don’t lift mine. There is a saying, “Act like everything depends on you and pray like everything depends on God.” So is it improper to pray unless we are willing to make efforts to achieve what we are praying for?
I don’t think it is useless to pray this way because a devotee’s mood is that everything depends on Krishna. It is an acknowledgment that we are not independent of Him, which is the mood of surrender and the gateway to bhakti. So we ask for purity and at the same time the act of praying itself is the consciousness and endeavor for purity. In other words, praying for something that we do not yet strongly desire, and are thus not really pursuing, is still purifying as an act of sadhana, and by acting in this way the pure desire can develop.
We can also pray for the desire to want to become pure.
7. If we have a strong desire for pure devotional service, and thus take care to perform the activities that will help us achieve this, won’t that get us to our goal even if we don’t pray to achieve it? In other words, if I am totally fixed on my goal, isn’t that really the perfection of prayer, the external manifestation of prayer. Or is prayer still necessary?
Prayer is still necessary to keep us in the humble mood of dependence on Krishna to achieve success. Otherwise our determination may turn to into ahankara, thinking that I can achieve everything by my own power.
8. What about prayers to help us out of dangerous situations? A devotee doesn’t ask Krishna for anything yet at the same time is totally dependent on Krishna for protection. In danger ,we pray to Lord Nsmhadeva. Draupadi prayed to Krishna to protect her and Uttara came to Krishna when she saw the brahmastra coming. Only Krishna can protect us so is it wrong or right to seek and ask for protection. Or should we just ask Krishna to protect our devotional service?
In Nectar of Devotion , Srila Prabhupada says we should go to the Lord and reveal our troubles to Him. Prabhupada also said go to Gaura Nitai, tell them your problems, and they will do the needful. Again, if protection is motivated ultimately by the desire to be pure, then such prayers are welcome. Sometimes we circumstantially have to ask Krishna for material help because He is our only shelter and we are in great difficulty. And the nature of such prayers and dependence will reflect the level of our advancement. So although we want to elevate the quality of our prayers to not have to ask Krishna for anything on our own account, we also want to be real when we pray.
9. It seems there is a fine line between accepting a situation and praying to change a situation. When we pray for changing a situation that we can personally do nothing to alter, we may be putting ourselves into a mind set in which we will be unable to deal with the consequences if the situation doesn’t change. Is there a guideline?
Sometimes we need to pray for the strength to deal with the situation rather than pray to change the situation. “Krishna, please give me the strength, intelligence and ability to deal with the challenges that I face.”
10. What about the prayers of one who asks the Lord to save him from the ocean of birth and death? Can we say that on the platform of vaidhi, this is appropriate, but on higher platforms of bhakti it is not? And how does this relate to the question about praying to Krishna for protection?
For a neophyte, a prayer to be saved from the ocean of birth and death is in accordance with his level of advancement. He is suffering in the material world and wants to get out. This suffering is a strong impetus for him to be Krishna conscious. For a more advanced devotee, he wants to be free from the ocean of birth and death in the sense of, “Place me as an atom at your lotus feet.” He always wants to serve the Lord, free from all material impurities, be it in heaven or hell.
By Ananda Vrindavaneswari Devi Dasi As we settle into the rhythm of the New Year here are some pocket meditations to carry with us every day. These small reminders can bring quality to our lives and thus help us feel more alive. As the Joseph Campbell quote goes - “I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.” For those practicing bhakti, that means being alive to our relationship with Krishna and others. It’s all about relationship. Nothing mystical in these meditations, but things that can surely, when applied to the practice of bhakti, bring us to mystical experiences. Always Try to do Things Better Continue reading "Pocket Meditations for the New Year…
→ Dandavats"
Love is beyond the law.
Krsna has regulated the material world with perfect regard for the karma of living beings.
For every action I perform in this material world, I am subject to an equal, opposite reaction. This is the relentless, insurmountable rule of the material nature regulated and enforced by the three gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas – which like ropes, bind the living entity tightly, forcing him to submit.
Lord Krsna says:
“There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, which is freed from these three modes born of material nature.” (Bg. 18.40)
However, devotional service transcends the laws of the material nature.
Simply by surrendering to Krsna, one can easily cross over the otherwise impassable ocean of material nature by Krsna’s grace. (Bg. 7.14)
Lord Brahma corroborates this principle in the Brahma Samhita, saying: karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajan – “Krsna burns up all the karma of those engaged in His devotional service.” (Brahma Samhita 5.54)
And in the third canto of Srimad-bhagavatam, Kapiladeva tells Devahuti that the devotional assets a devotee acquires from devotional service are never lost under any circumstances.
These evidences show that work under the modes of nature is binding, predictable, and temporary. On the other hand, loving service to Krsna is liberating, beyond the laws of material nature, and brings permanent assets to the devotee.
As one learns about and clearly understands the difference between law-bound karmic work and voluntary work for Krsna in devotional service, one comes to appreciate that Krsna has compassionately given us free choice.
One who knows the options and freely chooses to serve Krsna does so out of love. The expression of such love – through active devotional service to Krsna – is the source of happiness and is the most powerful force in existence.
Lord Caitanya told Rupa Goswami:
“The exchange of spiritual happiness between Krsna and His devotee in which Krsna is controlled by His devotee is compared to an ocean of nectar into which the devotee and Krsna plunge. This is the verdict of learned scholars who appreciate Krsna’s opulence.” (Cc Madhya, 19.229)
Recognizing this fact, French poet Victor Hugo wrote, “Love conquers all.”
And in Srimad-bhagavatam, 10.14.3, Lord Brahma confirms that those who give up all other methods of understanding Krsna and serve Him by submissively hearing about Him from pure devotees will come to conquer even Lord Krsna who is otherwise unconquerable.
Vaisesika das
Cause of Material Life.
Question: Why did we come to the material world in the first place? I know this question has been asked many times and it seems no one really has the correct answer. I have heard from various other devotees that each individual will eventually find out why based on their own individuality; but there must be some logical explanation for God to build this material world. From my own conclusion and what I have heard is that we were given a choice to enjoy independently of Him while we were in the spiritual world since we are all individual beings, but why would we make that choice if we were enjoying eternal happiness? Could it be that we still didn’t have freedom, perhaps? And keeping us there in the spiritual world with no choice at all would have meant He really caged us in and forced us to be there. But then again it is our eternal position. It’s confusing - can you please elaborate on this subject. Why did we come to the material world?
Romapada Swami: As you indicated, yes, we are here because of our choice to enjoy independently of Krishna. But your question probes the reason or cause as to why would someone who is experiencing complete happiness in the spiritual world would make such a choice, as if he was experiencing
some shortcoming, or exhibiting a reaction to his dissatisfaction or rebellion against being ‘caged’ within the spiritual realm?
If you search through the digest of previous questions and answers, you will find that the 'event’ of misuse of free will is not a 'chronological event’ (this means 'an event within time’, eg “In the past I was outside of this room, then some time passed, then some notion came into my mind, and that inspired me to come within the room, which also took place through the passage of some time.”) but constitutes an event nonetheless. Call it an ontological event, if you will.
Now let us explore the 'cause’ of the soul’s misuse of free will.
The source of any hypothetical dissatisfaction could not be a reaction to the lack of freedom, as it seems your question proposes. The very fact that we are within the material circumstance of life implies that we do have such freedom; if we were forced or caged within the spiritual world, as you put it, we wouldn’t be here! The point is that free will also exists in the spiritual realm, and naturally so, since minute free will is an inherent quality of the soul, just as unlimited free will is an inherent quality of God.
Despite the all-perfect nature of the spiritual world, there is one desire which a living entity cannot possibly satisfy in that realm, a desire which can only be approached in illusion - the unceremonious aspiration to become God oneself!
The source of the misuse of free will is NOT coming from some source outside of the soul, acting upon it. Tiny free will is inherent within the soul itself, and there is no other cause.
By constitution, the living entity, being a miniscule fragmentary part of the Supreme, has freedom which is correspondingly limited. Jivas are dependent on the Supreme for enjoyment, much as a child is dependent on their mother and father. In the spiritual world, souls can enjoy unlimited bliss, but by serving the Lord and not independently.
There, Krishna is the only Enjoyer and the Cynosure of everybody’s attention and devotion. For those who unfortunately resent the Lord’s unrivaled opulence and His position as the central Enjoyer of all existence, He out of great kindness creates this illusory realm - like a loving father’s indirect protection of his prodigal son. Besides giving the soul the opportunity for an illusory sense of unlimited freedom, by illusion’s inherent miserable nature, it helps rectify the soul of this mentality. This is one of the grand mysteries of material creation.
Jan 6th South London.
By Sri Nandanandana dasa For those of us who have traveled the length and breadth of India, there are many temples that have allowed us in and left indelible and inspiring memories for our spiritual progress. There have also been some temples who have kept us, as Westerners, out, or even kicked us out after we have already entered, as if they do not want to share their culture with us, or anyone they feel does not meet their requirements Continue reading "The Vedas Say They MUST be Shared With Everyone
→ Dandavats"
By Kesava Krsna Dasa As a world body, how do the members of Iskcon – the devotees – deal with truth telling or the revelation of sensitive information in a vaisnava way, among themselves? Some believe there should be no restrictions while others urge caution due to aparadha. Is there a balanced way? It normally takes a trustworthy official statement to put a matter to rest. In between the official statement and an incidental cause for emotion and betrayal, our vaisnava approach to how knowledge or information should be revealed, is tested. If the brahminical quality of truth rules in all of our dealings and interactions with other devotees and the public, then to what extent should truth be revealed – in different circumstances - that could possibly cause loss of faith, betrayal, hurt, emotional reactions and so on? Continue reading "The Right To Know – The Vaisnava Way
→ Dandavats"
By Giriraj Swami Sometimes people think that physical proximity to the spiritual master is an indication of special mercy or good fortune, and in one sense it may be. But the real essence of the relationship with the spiritual master is service to the instructions. And service to the instructions does not depend on physical presence. When Srila Prabhupada was in Bombay, we used to go to his quarters every morning after mangala-arati, because at around six o’clock he would go for his morning walk. One morning Harikesa Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada’s secretary at the time, greeted us at the door. He was very excited and said, “Last night Srila Prabhupada finished translating Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. And he dictated the most wonderful glorification of his spiritual master.” Harikesa said that Srila Prabhupada was so blissful—and he had instructed that we celebrate the occasion with a feast. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Concluding Words
→ Dandavats"
Iskcon Toronto: What a Way to Kick Off the New Year!
Festival Report by: Smruthi Venkateshan
New Year’s Day kicked off with a bang at the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple, with grand celebrations for His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada who is the founder of the ISKCON movement.
The night started out with a melodious kirtan and arati ceremony for their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Ksira-Chora Gopinatha. After the arati, everyone gathered around Srila Prabhupada and offered their thanks to him, by placing flowers on his lotus feet.
In the mood of giving thanks, devotees presented Srila Prabhupada a letter that the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau wrote to ISKCON Toronto in celebration of our movement’s 50th anniversary. Devotees attempted to persuade Prime Minister Trudeau to join them for the Ratha Yatra this year, by sending a photo with the letter and all the devotees who were gathered.
Following the special photo session, kids from 4 to 13 years, gave a small recital of verses from the Gita as a special offering to Srila Prabhupada. Continuing the celebrations, Toronto showcased its unique connection to Remuna a holy place in India and explained the origins of Sri Sri Radha-Ksira-Chora Gopinatha in the form of a play, expertly directed by Bhaktimarga Swami. After a ecstatic kirtan, and arati, devotees celebrated the night away with a wonderful vegetarian feast!
Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra picks up momentum to reach the 108 mark!
The Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra commemorating ISKCON’s Golden Jubilee year of 2016 reached the 105th village on 28th December 2016.
The three-days Yatra fulfills the ardent desire of HG Satya Madhav Prabhu and Manimanjari mataji to take the Holyname to their native and adjacent village.
The first village, Chandana Pally in Nalgonda district of Telangana State, is located on the outskirts of the Nalgonda district near to Panagal Uadaya Samudram (reservoir). This village was shifted to construct the reservoir.This reservoir supplies drinking water to the nearby villages as the villages in Nalgonda district are mostly affected with high fluoride content.
The farmers in this village cultivate paddy and has orchards of mango and orange trees.
Satya Madhava Prabhu’s uncle (Sri Kompaly Chendraiah) coordinated and helped in organizing the Yatra in this village.
The program started with a Nagar sankirtan with about 130 – 150 villagers participating. A video show on the need for cow protection was screened. Most of the viewers become emotionally surcharged when they saw the present situation in the agriculture sector especially when viewed in the context of diminishing cows in the villages.
Six maha books and few small books were distributed. The highlight of this Yatra was that HG Paramhansa prabhu with his group of devotees, who are running the Bhakti Vedanta Institute, also participated.
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/Nj3L02
Chaitanya Charan Das: How do we explain the authenticity of the Lord’s pastimes to skeptics who doubt Vyasadeva’s saintly authority?
Listen to it here: https://goo.gl/YxLsLX
Gita verse-by-verse Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Gita 11.38 Knowledge of the Absolute helps us see how the things we know manifest the one we need to ultimately know appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Let life give new eyes to see old relationships – Wisdom on Wisdom 7 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post No place in the world is pain-free – Wisdom on Wisdom 6 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Podcast
Download by “right-click and save content”
The post Pain is new for the sufferer, old for the observer – Wisdom on Wisdom 5 appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
What is needed is the reformation of one’s own mundane vision. This reformation of vision of our own self and the outside world, according to Srila Prabhupada, can happen only by the mercy of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Mundane reformation for a social cause or moral justice may seem appealing to the apologetic religionists’ and impassionate politician as it seemingly deals with social equity – fight for the right of the underdog. However, such social justice cause almost always is about satisfying an ulterior agenda of appealing to vox populi and not to establish dharma or eternal occupation of the eternal living being.The world stands in no need of any reformer. The world has a very competent person for guiding its minutest happenings. The person who determines that there is scope for reform of the world, himself stands in need of reform. The world goes on in its perfect way. No person can deflect it even the breadth of a hair from the course chalked out for it by providence. - Srila Prabhupada
What is missing is our inner-vision of that highest guidance. By chanting Krishna nama, that vision which we were originally blind to becomes apparent and in that enlightened state we realize our eternal position in relation to Krishna.As soon as Krishna enters the listening ear, He clears up the vision of the listener so that he no longer has any ambition of ever acting the part of a reformer of any other person, because he finds that nobody is left without the very highest guidance. - Srila Prabhupada
This revelation of the Lord's original form will once and for all relieve the soul from bondage of all sufferings' that is related to this body and mind and that which arises from the dualities of this world.By chanting without offenses you will personally realize that all perfections come from the holy name. Through chanting, the distinction that exists between the self, and the gross and subtle bodies, is gradually effaced and one realizes one’s own spiritual form. Once aware of the spiritual body, as one continues to chant, one sees the transcendental nature of the Lord’s form. - Srila Prabhupada
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2009, Durban, South Africa, Lecture)
There was a Mr Gupta who lived in Indore in India and he had a shop selling truck parts and the whole day people would visit his shop. But there was something special about his shop in that everywhere there were pictures of Krsna! Never ever before had I seen in one space that many pictures of Krsna! There were pictures all over the wall, there were pictures on the ceiling, pictures on the door, pictures on the door knob, pictures on the table – everything had a picture of Krsna! And every day he was putting more and more little pictures of Krsna; he was addicted to it. His watch had a picture of Krsna and even his pen had a picture of Krsna! So one day I asked him, “Mr Gupta why do you have so many pictures of Krsna?” and he just said, “Just in case I might forget…” This is the spirit of trying to increase our Krsna consciousness – just in case we might forget!
Now, the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) has released an art book for the general public, written to provide people with a cultural experience and to attract them to take a closer look at Krishna consciousness through its “windows to the spiritual world.” “Avatar Art: Neo-Vedic Paintings Celebrating Life” includes 104 BBT paintings, some vintage and some newer, with supporting text that takes readers on a tour through Srimad-Bhagavatam, Krishna Book, and the Caitanya-caritamrta.
Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!! | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
Speaking on the 
offenses against the holy name, Srila Prabhupada said, “‘To become inattentive while chanting the holy name.’ Sravanam kirtanam: hearing and chanting. One has to hear nicely, and if he hears nicely, then he can speak nicely. But we must practice hearing . . . So many times this chanting, it is not so nice, it’s slurred, it’s unclear. No. We are not trying to be fast. We want to hear, and we should worship the holy name when we utter it. We should worship the holy name. So, we should be attentive, because it’s Krishna, the Supreme Person, we are addressing—no one less. So we should be conscious of that holy name on our lips and hear as carefully as we can.”
I pray to have even a glimmer of such realization.
Hare Krishna.
—Giriraj Swami
Three undisputed facts of humanity’s complex existence. But what is to come before and after these things, and why? An ancient philosophy could help us live more harmoniusly in the modern world.
By Satsvarupa Das Gosvami The Krishna conscious gifts Srila Prabhupada brought to the West are for everyone. Srila Prabhupada left us with a dynamic legacy in his books, through his devotees, in the development of his communities, and in his teachings of how to expertly apply Krishna consciousness of his communities, and in his teachings of how to expertly apply Krishna consciousness in every situation. If we simply use our intelligence to claim our relationship with Prabhupada by practicing Krishna consciousness in the mood in which he taught it, we will inherit the most wonderful relationship with Krishna's pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada. Service in separation for Prabhupada's disciples was undoubtedly a fact. Otherwise, now that they were without his personal presence, how would they be able to sustain themselves in spiritual life? The fact that they could continue as before, increase their feelings of devotion, and increase their serving capacity, meant that Srila Prabhupada was still very much with them. Continue reading "How all generations can stay with Srila Prabhupada
→ Dandavats"
Music by Gadabhrit Das (Gabor Gaspar), song performed by Anjavati Dasi (Hungary).
Discourse, November 10th in Vraja.
Maggie the gentle horse.
Last weekend I visited some devotee friends in Big Sur, a very natural, scenic area along the coast of California. My hosts, Yamuna Dasi and Todd, who are local residents, took me for a walk one day up a hillside trail. Along the way, a friendly and gentle horse named, Maggie, joined us.
Maggie lives in a stable nearby Yamuna and Todd’s home; but during the day, she wanders about the wide-open countryside, grazing.
After meeting up with us, Maggie followed us wherever we went.
Temptation to watch movies.
Question: I am an initiated devotee and stay away from my shiksha guru as well as diksha guru. I attend local chapter of the ISKCON temple thrice a week and participate in the activities of the temple. My (including my wife) daily routine of activities are as per ISKCON guidance. We get up at 3.30am, mangala arti at 4.30am, chant 16 rounds by 8am and listen bhagavatam lectures, take prasadam etc in the house for 4 days, 3 days in the temple. I chant 32 rounds of japa daily and my wife 20 rounds.
The Problem is: even after practising this for many years, i am tempted to see famous movies and mythological serials. Can you please explain why this happens and suggest remedial measures for avoiding these attractions.
Answer by Romapada Swami.
Why ~
Persistent sense gratification tendencies are due to residual impurities of heart, intermittent contact with the mode of passion, and one’s prior tendencies/bad habits resurfacing. There are certain remedial measures you can take to avoid these attractions:
What to do ~
BG 10.11 directly address this question. “The darkness born of ignorance” is precisely this: residual tendencies to indulge the senses in sense objects, in the mood of trying to enjoy. Krishna alone can lift one from this tendency.
The same understanding is found in Kapiladeva’s teachings: the power of bhakti is so great that it has the power to dissolve false ego, the very covering that keeps us within the sphere of fruitive activities and sense gratification.
Here are some practical steps to consider.
1. When the urge or the push for watching movies and serials come, engage yourself in some devotional activity such as reading, chanting, hearing lectures, etc. One should tolerate the urge to turn on the TV/computer to watch movies. Every time and as soon as you catch yourself caught in this temptation, just shift your consciousness to a mood of service towards Krishna. Then re-instate your devotional practices with ENTHUSIASM, DETERMINATION AND PATIENCE. You have to do this as many times as it is required, with courage and patience towards yourself and with a mood of loving service towards guru and Krishna. There is no short-cut to this.
Understand that this unsteady tendency is a given in the early stages of bhakti and the only way to get past this is by continuing to try, try and try again. When we endeavor sincerely like that, we attract Krishna’s mercy, who then kindly pulls us out of this anartha.
2. Seek out the help of an advanced devotee during such times. It can be a simple phone call to such a devotee and sharing your feelings.
3. Strive ceaselessly for attentiveness while chanting. Conversely, make sure your chanting is not becoming mechanical. Srila Prabhupada mentions that one should engage one’s mind in hearing one’s chanting.
4. Also one can pray to Krishna sincerely to help remove this unwanted desire from one’s heart.
5. Seek the association of advanced devotees and serve them sincerely. By doing so, by their blessings, the anarthas/unwanted desires from one’s heart gradually vanish.
New Year’s Harinama in Sydney (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami: Most people take their holidays between Christmas and New Year’s and like to go downtown for shopping or go to the beach and other areas.
Hare Krishna devotees take advantage of this opportunity to increase Harinama Samkirtan and book distribution.
Govindas Asrama devotees in Sydney went out a number of times during this period and especially on New Year’s Eve they had a Maha Harinama to the delight of ten’s of thousands of spectators.
I was fortunate enough to be able to join them.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KqtSGM
“As good as God!”
Kadamba Kanana Swami: When I approached my spiritual master for initiation, he said, “Hmmm, as good as God, are you prepared to accept that?” And I thought, “Umm, well, I don’t know…” but I just said yes with a weak voice because it is not so simple to accept the spiritual master as good as God. But this is Krsna’s standard so what can we say. So somehow, gradually we must bring the guru-disciple relationship to that point. For me, it was not so easy because I had been initiated before and that relationship did not work – the spiritual master did not maintain spiritual standards and then to try to get into the mood of being a disciple again was a little difficult.
At that time, I was the temple president in Vrindavan, one of the big international headquarters of Iskcon. People would salute me as I would walk by and offer pranams (respectful hand gesture)! Half the town would come and offer respects, what to speak of devotees in the temple. And suddenly, I had to sit in a yajna again with the new bhaktas, remove my brahmin thread and sit down there and be initiated!
So I had a complete identity crisis to tell you the truth! At that time I felt somewhat awkward but my spiritual master understood and was kind and gave me some credit in the midst of that sacrifice. He said, “I want to give him two initiations at once.” Well, that was a relief because I wasn’t sure if he was going to do that so at least I was going to get my brahmin thread back; that was something! And then he said, “In fact, I would like to give him three, I would like to give him sannyasa as well but we will have to postpone that due to the particular rules and regulations in that regard.” By then it got pretty nice but it was not easy to just sit down in the sacrifice!
But afterward, there was the whole thing of bowing down! I had to get used to it, to bow down! The scriptures say to bow down many times whenever one sees the spiritual master. That was a bit of an adjustment. Like that, I had to practice and I still have to practice in this guru-disciple relationship – to not take it casually, to not take it cheaply but to get really serious about it as a disciple and try to really act in such a way as he likes, as he would like in all situations. By now, I have some idea of what he likes and what he does not like.
So the spiritual master is always present in his instructions and following instructions does not come automatically, it takes real endeavor, but when that endeavor is made then the relationship becomes really meaningful…
Iskcon Durban breaks all records by distributing 50.000 books!
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple, as a final offering in celebration of 50 years of ISKCON, set a goal of distributing 40.000 of Srila Prabhupada’s books during the 2016 Prabhupada Marathon. We are pleased to announce that not only did we surpass that goal but reached 50.000 books. 50.000 Books for 50 years of ISKCON! Thank you to all who helped us get there.
By Daamodara Dhananjaya DasJust imagine, we are on one of the most happening streets of a modern and a rich city like Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on the New Year’s Eve at 11.00 pm, while the whole country is eagerly waiting for the clock to cross its 12. There’s so much rush that it is barely possible even to move and everyone is singing and dancing, on some extrinsic song of a C grade Hindi movie, at the top of their voices and wearing weird masks, projecting their true demoniac qualities within and above all, they are SEVERELY INTOXICATED. And in such an environment if we suddenly see a group of devotees; bright-faced, peaceful, joyous, smiling, singing and dancing, decently dressed in a traditional Vaishnava attire, distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books and Mahaprasadam, what could be our instant exclamation? OUT OF PLACE? NA-NA. That’s exactly what our JOB is! We are here to permeate through the most impenetrable orchestration of Maya, with the help of the weapons of Harinama, Mridanga-Karatala, Mahaprasada, Srila Prabhupada’s books and genuine CARE & LOVE towards the fallen conditioned Jagais and Madhais. And that’s exactly what His Grace Muralimohan prabhu and his group practically did. By the mercy of Lord Nityananda, they acquired the brilliant idea of jeopardising their tolerance, purity and steadfastness, to get into the herds of the wildest of the cranks, just for the sake of trying to break through the indestructible clenches of Mayadevi and to make them chant “Hare Krishna”, at least once. Continue reading "Celebrating the New Year’s Eve with Jagais and Madhais – Lord Nityananda’s Outreach
→ Dandavats"
ISKCON Ahmedabad - New Year’s Eve at CG Road (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: One should always offer to the spiritual master whatever one can. One should chant the Hare Krsna mantra at least 16 rounds daily and follow the four regulative principles then one’s life can become perfect. Always try to remember Krsna in all your activities and gradually He will help you to break free of all material attachments of life and along with your sincere desire your path back home back to godhead can be clear. One should always be sincere to please the spiritual master by following his instructions, then life is very easy. From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to: Joan Fields: – Bhaktivedanta Manor 24 July, 1976
Find them here: https://goo.gl/M553TT
By Subhananda Hari Das Go-puja was performed for global auspiciousness in Mumbai under the auspices of ‘Om Sri Surabhi Campaign’ on 1st January 2017 at Madhav Baug Goshala, located in Lakshmi Narayan Temple compound. Located in the heart of South Mumbai, the Goshala not only provided us a break from busy city life but more importantly provided us an opportunity to serve Mother Cow and worship her. The Gir cows of the Goshala were very nicely taken care by Mr. Mahesh Yadav and family, who kindly allowed us to perform the ceremony. The program started with the Harinam, followed by Tulasi Arati. Go-Puja was performed by His Grace Prem Nimai Prabhu, founder of ‘Gopal Dham’ Project in Orissa. Continue reading "Auspicious beginning of Year 2017 with Go-Puja at Mumbai
→ Dandavats"
Moscow: freezing outside, boiling inside (Album with photos)
Bhakti Caitanya Swami: Now we’re doing a Japa Workshop in our main temple in Moscow. We’re at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Dayal Nitai Saci Suta, the presiding Deities of Moscow. They are very nice and very beautiful. Quite a few devotees are attending the Workshop, and the atmosphere is wonderful, although outside the weather is minus 23 Centigrade.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/nsliwL
Putrada Ekadasi
Six loving exchanges Among devotees(Seminar)
Japathon-Congregational Mantra Meditation
Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
IB Vaishnavi Sanga
The Mentorship Program