Our Bhakti Vaibhava 2 Course, which examines Shrimad-bhagavatam Canto 6, recommences on Monday January the 30th. at 7:30pm. The venue is the temple theatre.
'...the Bhakti-vaibhava examination...will prevent our Society from degrading to the level of so many other institutions where, in order to maintain the Temple, they accept all third class men as brahmanas.' (Shrila Prabhupada via his secretary, letter to ‘All Governing Body Commissioners’: Nellore, South India, 6 January 1976)
(Kadamba Kanana Maharaja, 28 Dec 2011, Pretoria, SA) One can think about a 100 problems in life which make it very difficult for us to practice this Krsna consciousness. Everyone can write down 100 special difficulties- ‘why I have an extra problem in being a devotee…’- like health, relationships with other people (family relationships, marriage relationships, work relationships- where there’s a whole field of problems! So in all these areas we can list our problems- then the government problems…it doesn’t end! And all these are giving us good reasons why it’s extra difficult for us to be a devotee and everyone feels like that. Everyone feels that, ‘it’s especially difficult for me. It is easier for others but my circumstance is that it’s especially difficult for me.’ Everyone feels that. It is funny but we always feel that we are the one who somehow or other has it more difficult for us. But that’s not a fact. Everyone has the mercy and should think, ‘what will I do with it?’ We all fly our own plane and we all have this individual responsibility to take advantage of this mercy.
Our Bhakti Vaibhava 1 Course, which examines Shrimad-bhagavatam Cantos 3-6, recommences on Saturday the 4th. of February at 2pm. The venue is the temple theatre.
'...we must set up our Society as a school as best we can...Please formulate the whole curriculum...that will be great gain for our Society. Bhakti-shastri is awarded after extensive study of Bhagavad-gita, Easy Journey to Other Planets, and The Nectar of Devotion. Bhakti-vaibhava is awarded after study of Vedanta-sutra and Shrimad-Bhagavatam on a preliminary basis and Bhakti-vedanta the highest tide is awarded after extensive study of Chaitanya-charitamrta.' (Shrila Prabhupada, letter to Brahmananda, 23rd March, 1969)
Our Bhakti Shastri Course for vaisnavis recommences on Sunday January the 8th. at 10am. The venue is the temple theatre.
'We have got so many books now and I want all of my disciples to read them carefully. Soon we shall be instituting Bhakti-sastri examinations and all brahmanas will have to pass. So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.” (Shrila Prabhupada, letter to Upendra, 7th January, 1976)
Many years ago, while in Vrindavan, I expressed to my spiritual master my difficulty in engaging in some elements of the process of devotional life. When he asked why, I explained how I was only inspired to do something not out of duty, or because I was told, or because it was required, but that I felt it had to come from the heart, it had to be done out of a deep, heartfelt desire to want to do it. It had to be for love.
He was silent for a long time, contemplating; his look was intense, but a small smile assured me I wasn’t in for a steamrolling When his words finally came, they were both a comfort and a challenge. He nodded slowly and said, “This is good. This is what we are working towards, what we’re trying to acquire: this loving devotion to whatever we do. This is bhakti…it’s natural, it’s in the heart…” However, there was a “however.” He added that this was an advanced level of devotional life, and that until our hearts were purified, we had to follow a process that we might find difficult or challenging; “be patient,” he wrote to me later, “and Krishna will reward you everything.”
Over the years, He has…occasionally a kirtan would take me to another realm, lift me out of the binding force of all that held me back, transport me, as Prabhupada promised, straight to the beautiful lotus feet of Krishna. It was occasional, but it was enough….for a while.
It was during that same visit I met Yamuna for the first time; over the years that followed, and most especially on her last visit here to Mayapur, I was certainly aware that Krishna was fulfilling my hearts desire to serve and engage in the process of bhakti in a way that nourished the deepest recesses of my heart. Yamuna was the embodiment of love: everything she did, every word she spoke or sang or chanted, everyone she came into contact with, it was all love. All of it. She was the personification of love, and to sit with her every day for a month on her last visit here and chant the holy names brought the same realization not only to my mind, but to the minds of anyone who chanted with her: “Yes…yes, this is the element of devotional life I’ve touched only rarely, this is what I have waited for…this is how I want to sit and chant, this is how I want to sing, this is the kind of kirtan my heart has longed for…”
We concluded the Festivals class with a wonderful drama some of the students performed about the origin of the Patita Pavana deity of Lord Jagannatha in relation to the Gajapati King Ramacandra Dev II of Puri in the 18th century. Additionally, Jananivasa prabhu offered his blessings to the students in a brief address. Lastly, we played two of Jananivasa Prabhu’s bhajan requests: Hari Hari Biphale and Manasa Deha Geha.
Winter has hit. Colours have shifted from green to white. It's a component of change and a symptom of cycle, an aspect of duality, the way of this world.
These truths of nature's phenomena are so evident when you step outside of the indoors. I had spent hours inside today caught up in the world that was imposed upon me. And then that illusion broke for another. I needed to get out into the elements. Yes, the elements - I have always found them to be a good way to meet Krishna. It becomes like an immersion into the vibrations of a temple, only outdoors.
When it's slippery and wet, pedestrians are more cautious. When it's cold heads are tilted forward and down to avoid snow. The body tenses up and shoulders tighten. It is also the time for an earned austerity. That could never be bad for anyone. The experience has to be taken as such, otherwise it is regarded as inconvenience.
When you are a renunciant, you look forward to sacrificial opportunities. It brings you closer to Him. When you see the sun or the moon they are His eyes. And when it's nighttime, He's wearing his shades. When it's too hot or too cold in His living room (the outdoors) it can only remind us that we are not these bodies and are beyond that.
While one of our young monks, Yogendra, was giving me a night time foot massage, I was reading some memories from our guru's students. The following is what Brahmananda, one of Srila Prabhupada's students recalls in regards to his walking:
"Prabhupada had a serious stroke on Memorial Day weekend when everyone had left New York City. Prabhupada couldn't function. We didn't want to bring him to a hosptial, so I called my family doctor, but he was out of town. I started making random calls, but everyone was out of town for the weekend. Ultimately, an old Jewish doctor came to see Prabhupada. The devotees were walking around barefooted, wearing jeans and T-shirts, chanting. We had no furniture, just a carpet. The doctor couldn't figure out what was going on. Meanwhile, Prabhupada was very sick.
"It took the doctor a long time to understand what was going on, what to speak of examining Prabhupada with the stethoscope and this and that. Afterwards we asked, 'What's wrong?' He said, 'I think the old man prays too much.' We said, 'Oh. Yeah. Okay.' The doctor said, 'He's got to get out. He's got to get some exercise.' Prabhupada could hear him from the other room. 'In the mornings he should go to the park for a walk.' then the doctor left.
"Eventually Prabhupada went to the hospital. When he came out we took him to a rented house by the seashore in New Jersey where he recovered. One day he announced, 'Now I will take a morning walk. That doctor said something valuable.' We thought the guy was nuts. 'No, no. He has given a good instruction. I will take that up.' Prabhupada proceeded to take a morning walk and Prabhupada always took that morning walk, no matter what his condition, what his health.
"When Prabhupada was in a hotel in Switzerland, it was snowing. Prabhupada couldn't go outside for his morning walk so he took it in the hotel corridors, walking and chanting just as if he were outside. When Prabhupada and all of us were injured in an automobile accident in Mauritius, we had aches and pains, but the next morning he went on his morning walk. Prabhupada followed that doctor's instruction."
It was fun. I went there to get fingerprints, as it is one the steps to getting my name legally changed to Nityananda Chandra Granger. They do a background check just to see if you are wanted by the FBI.
As I was invited to walk in the secure office one the officers asked about my dress. I told her that I was priest. She asked what the tilak meant and the śikha as well. She was very happy with the answers. I told her about our temple and restaurant and she immediately took a virtual tour on our website http://Kalachandjis.com
Yasoda Suta Das: As you may already know in 2003 the i-Foundation, spotted a glaring need for faith schools which give a universal approach to spirituality as propagated by Lord Chaitanya. The first Krishna Avanti primary school opened in Harrow and has since become an overwhelming success
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Mayapur, November 2011) Lecture – Caitanya-caritamrta Part 4
Snana-yatra is described in the other biographies………..which says:
“The queens used to sit on the roof, right opposite of the bathing ceremony”.
And the king this year said:
“I’m giving it to Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates.”
The queens were very upset, but later they still saw everything from another roof…. just a little further away. They saw the amazing experience of Snaha-yatra of how people were pouring tonnes of water over Lord Jagannatha, and drops of water were flying in all directions….and they were glittering in the sun.
But there was more water coming from Caitanya Mahaprabhu who was dancing in front of Jagannatha, than compared to Lord Jagannatha….and the tears that was shooting in all directions, and that was more water than all the bathing water that was poured on Jagannatha. So everyone was just amazed!
Then it was Ratha Yatra, and He was just dancing and jumping so high! And spinning around so fast (just like when you have a glowing stick and you move it around very fast and it looks like a fire circle). He was moving so fast that his spinning hands looked like a closed circle! And He would dance so high and crash to the ground, and everyone just could not believe it!
He was calling out:
“Jaga….Jaga!”
So the Ratha Yatra was not an experience of preaching, since it was the most public display of the Lord’s ecstasy. Externally, the mercy of the Lord is freely distributed, but internally, it is about the viraha-bhāva of both Sri Caitanya and Lord Jagannatha!
I was chanting at Krishna Lunch the second half of November, mostly in Gainesville except once at the end of the month in Tallahassee. I gave a lecture for the Gainesville Sunday Feast program on dancing and spirituality, and it was well received, with almost everyone chanting and dancing. Madhava Prabhu and Visvambhar of the Mayapuris came to chant at Gainesville’s Krishna Lunch one day and both the devotees and some onlookers appreciated, as you can see in this video below:
Visvambhar Sheth of the Mayapuris and Madhava Naidoo sang at Krishna Lunch on November 22, 2011. Both are famous and talented singers in the Hare Krishna movement who play all over the world and have made CDs. It was an honor to have them play at Krishna Lunch. One kid danced along and one guy played his guitar. The dancing at the end was especially wonderful. The singers were in town for the Festival of the Holy Name in Alachua.
The last two Saturdays in November we chanted at the stadium in Gainesville before the Gator’s last two football games, and visiting devotees, such as Guru Prasad Swami and Dravida Prabhu, joined us. The video below, includes clips taken at these football game harinamas, following a brief one showing the Gainesville Friday program kirtana.
At Krishna House in Gainesville we have a Friday program with some lively singing and dancing. Some autumn Saturdays, joined by Hare Krishnas from Alachua, we chant at the football stadium, which besides the beaches, are practically the only place you can find a crowd in Florida. Senior brahmacari, Dravida Prabhu, visiting from San Diego chanted before two games, and a popular ISKCON guru for Central and South America, Guru Prasad Swami came for the last one. Due to the crowd for the Festival of the Holy Name, we had over fifty devotees chanting before the Gators final game on November 26, 2011.
The Festival of the Holy Name, Alachua’s 24-hour kirtana, split over two days, and with several days of wonderful evening kirtanas leading up to it was a absolutely wonderful major event during the end of November.
There are valuable insights from Prabhupada in the Acarya videos and Prabhupada Siksamrita, and from visiting devotees, Guru Prasad Swami and Dravida Prabhu, as well as many regular Krishna House speakers. Different devotees share different beautiful things that they were thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner at Krishna House.
The Festival of the Holy Name
Beginning the Saturday evening, the week before The Festival of the Holy Name, there was chanting of the holy name for several hours, every night, with the possible exception of the Thanksgiving at different places in the Alachua community. It was wonderful to see the devotees’ faith in and enthusiasm for the chanting.
One young lady from Florida State University who is doing her Ph.D. In ethnomusicology on kirtana in Hare Krishna festivals came to take video of the Festival of the Holy Name and to interview devotees. She had visited Alachua before and attended the Ratha-yatras in New York and Los Angeles, but she found the kirtana at the festival the sweetest of all and was very impressed.
I tried to stay for twelve hours both days except on Saturday when fifty of us chanted for two hours before the football game in Gainesville. I was impressed as usually only twenty people come out for that kirtana, but here thirty additional people chose not to hear some of the bestkirtana singers in the Hare Krishna movement but to instead share their enthusiasm for the holy name with others. The final day, the kirtanaended just before midnight, but I had to stop dancing half an hour before that because I was physically exhausted. I joked with Madhava Prabhu, the final kirtana leader, saying that he defeated me before he was able to keep singing but I had to stop dancing. I did not take much video of the event because I saw many people with better video equipment videoing it already. You can find videos posted by YouTube userbvdasa, who has two play lists of videos from the Alachua holy name event. Find them at http://www.youtube.com/user/bvdasa. I did take many still pictures, hoping for a one that is good enough to use for the chant page of Back to Godhead. I tried to get shots of devotees really absorbed in the chanting. Here are a couple:
Dancing for Krishna
Hanan, manager of Krishna Lunch, invited me to speak at the Gainesville Sunday Feast program, which is designed to encourage our friends from the university community in their spiritual life. My topic was dancing and spirituality. I explained how Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement, described his practice has having four features, chanting, dancing, feasting, and philosophy. At Krishna Lunch, the feasting is prominent, but the chanting is also there and the philosophy is evident in the books on the information table and through talks with devotees. The dancing, however, is somewhat lacking. I told about how my guru ordered me to dance more, and how dancing is there in the practicing stage of Krishna consciousness, in the stage of spiritual perfection, and in the spiritual world. God Himself, Krishna, is the source of dance and the best dancer. I complied a video of devotees dancing in different parts of the world, and I showed that for the audience. Then I taught the swami step, a simple dance taught by Srila Prabhupada himself, and seeing everyone participate in the chanting and dancing my joy knew no bounds. Mother Amrita Keli, who graduated from both University of Florida and our program at Krishna House and who is in charge of the academic aspect of it this year led the kirtana. One girl, who was a friend of Andrea, one of our most enthusiastic resident dancers at Krishna House, said that she did not expect to like the dancing, but that she found she did. Hanan Prabhu and his wife both loved the program, and I felt very successful. Here is the video I showed the people:
This video shows a variety of people in different countries and from different backgrounds dancing along with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. Some people are older, some younger, some are have been committed to the Hare Krishna practice for many years and others are just encountering it for the first time. Still all of them, as you can see, experience some joy dancing in the Hare Krishna kirtan
If you want to hear the lecture, it is on ISKCON Desire Tree. Click here.
Insights from Lectures
Srila Prabhupada:
From the Acarya videos:
Vedic religion means to accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Absolute Truth.
We chant to keep in touch with Krishna by just as by listening to the radio people keep in touch with what is going on.
From Prabhupada Siksamrita:
If one always remembers Krishna and prays that he may not fall down, Krishna will protect him.
For persons who were completely engaged in service, occasionally Srila Prabhupada did not consider their failure to chant sixteen rounds very seriously, but if anyone was not completely engaged in service, it was a great defect not to complete his japa quote, and it should be made up the next day.
Srila Prabhupada says in a purport, “One with material attachments cannot understand spiritual freedom.”
In one letter, Prabhupada said we should read at least twice a day, morning and evening.
“You are to keep your beads very carefully because they are your direct link to Krishna.”
“Keep chanting and any offenses, because they are not intentional, will be vanquished.”
“Keep your beads in a bag and keep the bag around your neck. In this way you will not lose them.”
“If you lose your initiation beads, you do not to have your spiritual master chant on another set of beads. Once your chanting has been sanctified by the spiritual master it is eternally so.”
Regarding split personality, there is no question of split personality, just a very disturbed mind. Fix your mind on chanting Hare Krishna and that will bring the mind under control.
Guru Prasad Swami:
Srila Prabhupada said the disease of you Americans is that you want to change things.
For the devotee, every day is Thanksgiving, or he is thankful just to be allowed to engage in devotional service.
I tell the devotees that the first principle is that the preacher himself must be happy. The thing that will change devotees’ hearts is if a devotee is happy. Because happiness is what everyone is looking for.
People in general are thankful for the earth’s bounty, but they are not thankful for calamities.
In this world of duality we try for pleasurable situations and avoid the unpalatable ones, but the devotee sees Krishna in every circumstances and finds happiness everywhere.
Being deprived of someone's association causes one to relish it more when one has it.
Surrender to Krishna, desiring to please Him, is the essential feature of the devotee, and the other twenty-five qualities may or may not be present. Even if a devotees does not have all the Vaishnava qualities we must appreciate the presence of this most important quality.
The devotee is thankful that his suffering is reduced beyond what he deserves and that his facility is increased beyond what he deserves.
When prosperity occurs we are thankful for a greater opportunity for serving externally and when deprivation occurs we are thankful for a greater opportunity for internal work.
A mature devotee sees everything to be meant to be engaged in Krishna’s service. Although nothing every leaves Krishna’s control, Krishna makes it look like that so the devotee can reclaim it and engage it on His behalf.
When there is a rebellion, the government tries takes away the rebel’s facility. But Krishna is so kind he gives facility to the rebels who protest His existence.
Some modern psychologists do not think children should ever be restricted, but even plants are restricted so they may grow in the proper direction.
If you are too tolerant, people will take advantage of you, and if you are too stern people will rebel.
You should be tolerant of a person’s offense if the person has no knowledge or the person is repentant or they are unable to understand the gravity of the offense, or it is the first time. If it is the second or more offense, or when they know it is wrong but they do it anyway, you must be stern.
We should not waste time defending the false ego.
In his youth his village was wiped out by plague, but Bhaktivinoda Thakura saw it as Krishna’s mercy.
We are trying to govern the whole world by varnasrama, but we first have to follow varnasrama ourselves.
Srila Prabhupada's purport to Bhagavad-gita, purport to 10.4-5 is very illuminating.
On this day of Thanksgiving, we thank Krishna for everything He has given us.
Q: One lady I met on harinama said she was already happy without any spiritual endeavor. What to do?
A: Unless persons are interested, Prahlada recommended not speaking to them. That lady was not ready to listen. She was ready to speak. Also sometimes Krishna sends us people to defeat our false pride.
Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati Thakura would only speak to the more intellectual people and let his disciples speak to others. This was not his lack of humility but his practicality. When there was a chance to distribute prasadam, however, he would eagerly distribute to everyone.
Krishna intervenes in a devotees life when he surrenders, otherwise he just gets the response of the cosmic karmic mechanism.
Krishna never creates a situation that is impossible for a devotee to handle, but we may require to take extra help from the devotees to understand what to do.
The only purpose for a pure devotee to suffer unnecessarily is to show that the devotee's happiness is beyond material plane.
Christ says that not only he but all are sons of God. [ask him for verse reference]
The tendency is to bring the scripture down to our level instead broaden our intelligence to come to understand the Lord.
In school we hear of the activities of the same historical figures year after year. My experience was it was boring the first time, and it remained boring. But Krishna’s pastimes are ever fresh.
Sometimes people interpret another intentions, but the real way to understand a person’s intentions is to ask the person.
Bhagavad-gita, according to the great spiritual teachers, is just an introduction to the spiritual science, yet most people do not understand it in a whole lifetime.
At Radha Kund Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakra spoke about sa vai pumsam and other Bhagavatam verses and Sri Isopanisad to make the two points that (1) unless one understands the basic philosophy one cannot appreciate the highest knowledge of spiritual relationships, and (2) one advanced in the spiritual science can hear repeatedly the basic knowledge and relish it. In this way he was simultaneously chastising those who were proud and giving nectar to the humble.
The South Indian brahmana who could not perfectly pronounce the Sanskrit verses of Bhagavad-gita but had great appreciation of the sweet relationship between Krishna and Arjuna in the estimation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, attained the highest success in spiritual life simply by meditating on this single pastime of the Lord.
The proof that one has understood the philosophy of life is that one is always happy and satisfied. If you understand the knowledge ofBhagavad-gita you must be happy, what to speak of understanding Srimad-Bhagavatam or Caitanya-caritamrta.
Lord Krishna wanted to speak Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna because he was a playing the role a common man in human society and not a great saint such as Narada or Sukadeva Goswami.
Sometimes we want to be Krishna consciousness, but when we encounter some obstacle, we hesitate and become like Arjuna, saying in effect, “Krishna, change my service.”
Krishna says that He is the taste of water. If your tongue is dry, you cannot taste something without water in. Water is necessary to relish the taste of things.
When Nrsimhadeva appeared He saved Prahlada Maharaja, but when Krishna appeared He delivered even those inimical to Him, and what to speak of Lord Caitanya, who came to give everyone love of God.
We are advised to follow the gopis who wanted no spiritual or material happiness but only Krishna’s pleasure
Once Rukmini was crying, and Krishna asked why, wondering if she was remembering His joking words. She replied that was not it. She explained the problem was that He did not understand the feelings the devotees have for Him.
The Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad-Bhagavatam are all based on inquiry. One who is humble will inquire and easily advance.
In japa we are sitting down alone with Krishna.
Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati Thakura says kirtana is powerful because we have the reinforcement of others.
Srila Prabhupada says when we are chanting, here is Krishna, here is Vrndavana, etc.
To improve japa get up so early there is nothing else to do.
Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami (from Memory in Krishna Consciousness):
The spiritual transformations that we seek do not come by accident. Only by deliberate management of our lives, taking time to go deep into the subject of spiritual devotion, can we obtain our hearts’ desires.
Dravida Prabhu:
We are taking the interest of the body and mind as our true interest and forgetting the actual interest of the soul.
Arjuna surrendered to Krishna when he realized he could not determine his actual self-interest and asked Krishna to instruct him about his real self-interest.
When we awaken from a dream, whether it is a nightmare we wish to forgot or a pleasant dream we may wish to return to, it is only temporary.
We invest every day, in our studies, in some relationship, or in Bhagavad-gita. And Srimad-Bhagavatam tells us where to invest.
Now instead of doing dharma to get economic development, people engage in technology to achieve that end.
Prahlada explains those who only see the value of the material cannot place their faith in Krishna. Because of uncontrolled senses they chew the chewed and view the viewed. Because they ignore the goal of Vishnu they take shelter of false goals, being led by blind men. Without taking shelter of the pure devotee, one cannot gain the goal of freedom from false goals.
Contact with the holy name gives us another kind of pleasure, and this pleasure is the antidote to all kinds of material addictions.
Serving Krishna means serving our true self.
We obey lust because we think it is us.
If we everything to Krishna, we get everything back. We have to have that faith that the more we give to Krishna, the more we get back.
Do we want to live eternally? Yes, but we have so much reluctance to do what is required to attain that state.
Srila Prabhupada asked his disciples, “What do you accept Krishna as God?”
One said, “Because what Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita.”
No said, Srila Prabhupada, “Because of you, Srila Prabhupada,” another said.
No, Srila Prabhupada, “Because you are experiencing bliss by chanting Hare Krishna.”
The Gaura-arati song is a description of the Maha-Prakasa-lilaof Lord Caitanya.
There is no point at which material piety can produce bhakti. Only spiritual piety can do that.
Greed is good, if it is greed for the Holy Name, or greed for service to the Lord. That comes from service to the guru.
As soon as you start chanting Hare Krishna, your previous life makes no difference.
Kalakantha Prabhu:
Because Drupada did not give Drona half his kingdom as he promised as a kid, Drona engaged his students in defeating Drupada as guru daksina [remuneration for their education], and thus winning his kingdom. Drona gave half back to Drupada so the promise would be kept but Drupada was so angry he performed sacrifice to have a son who would kill Drona, and thus Drystadyumna was born.
After the battle, when Arjuna is taking with Krishna about what to do about Asvattama, he offers prayers showing he is in full consciousness of Krishna as the Supreme Godhead and he is clearly surrendered to Him. Although in a serious situation, he is not freaked out because of his enlightened consciousness, and so he takes the time to glorify Krishna before asking for help.
People are looking for happiness in the mode of ignorance and passion but not finding it because happiness is there only in the mode of goodness. By living in an ashram we can come to mode of goodness.
Progressing in spiritual life is like walking on a tight rope, and sometimes Krishna will wiggle the rope. Actually you can count on Him to wiggle the rope.
When Srila Prabhupada heard that President Nixon asked the nation to pray for the safely of the Apollo 13 astronauts who were in danger, he chuckled and said, “They did not consult God before sending up the rocket.”
The people I ask to give class here [in Gainesville] have gone through many trying situations and remained in Krishna consciousness and so I think their realizations will benefit you.
In the 1970s, Srila Prabhupada could see that women’s liberation was promoted by men so they could exploit the women for their sense enjoyment without taking responsibility to maintain the women and their offspring. No one else was seeing it like that.
In Bg. 9.32 sudras are considered to be sinful birth, but in the Bhagavatam everyone in this age is said to be less than sudras, so we are all less than sinful.
One scientific study showed:
The weight of the brain is proportional to the weight of the body and thus women have smaller brains simply because their bodies are smaller. As a proportion of body weight there is no different in brain size between the sexes.
The study also showed that men work mostly with the left brain which specializes in discrimination, while women work with both sides of the brain and have better intuition and emotional intelligence. So the sexes excel in different areas.
Because of how they think women are better at passing on culture to children which is important and requires some time, therefore full time mothers play an essential role in society.
If a man cannot provide for a woman, he is not ready to get married.
The question, “Can pure devotees make mistakes?” often really means “Can I judge whether or not someone is a pure devotee by whether or not they make mistakes?”
Good judgment is born of experience, and experience is born of bad judgment.
One of my senior godbrothers used to tell us that Srila Prabhupada said, “My body is Indian, but my ideas are all American.”
Sesa Prabhu:
From a discussion on punishment:
Comment by Vaishnava Prabhu: Manu Samhita recommends different punishment according to the consciousness of the person who commits it.
Comment by Kalakantha Prabhu: To reduce meat consumption, I recommend taxing meat and reducing health insurance for nonmeat eaters.
Revenge is inconsistent with Krishna’s purpose of creating the material world.
Comment by Mother Amrita Keli: If forgiveness is globally applied, lawlessness will reign.
In a conversation with Prahlada Maharaja, the idea of sometimes forgiving is recommended, as never forgiving or always forgiving will not work.
From the legal point of view if one does not know of the illegal objective of an act he cannot be convicted for conspiracy to commit it. Thus because the meat eaters in general do not know it is sinful to kill animals they cannot be said to be part of conspiracy to do so.
We have to educate people about the connection between slaughtering animals and war and pestilence.
Animal rights theories:
For animal rights: Peter Singer, on the equality of all beings because they are sentient.
For animal rights: Tom Regan, animals have a right not be used in a way they experience pain or suffering.
Braja Hari Prabhu:
Somebody once told me that Arjuna decided to fight, because otherwise Krishna would explain the whole Bhagavad-gita all over again, and he did not want that. This of course is not true. Arjuna relished hearing the words of Krishna, although sometimes we [in our neophyte condition] get tired of hearing them.
Dr. Dina Bandhu: Without activity that is based on faith, there is no evidence that a person actually has faith.
“I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith. . . science without faith is lame, faith without science is blind.”—Albert Einstein
Mother Govinda Mohini dd from South Africa:
My mother is very supportive of my spiritual life, and she knows that Krishna has to purify me. Once when things were very difficult for me here in America, I decided to go back home to South Africa. My mother discouraged me, saying, “You are like a patient who is on the operating table in the middle of an operation. You should stay there.”
As Lord Caitanya accepted the form of a sannyasi so people would offer Him respect, sometimes Krishna would display the four-handed Vishnu form of the Supreme Lord so people would realize His divinity and take Him seriously.
Comment by Amrita Keli: When I burned my arm and was there in the hospital with Ali Krishna I really felt how I was not my body. I had been praying to Krishna for purification for two weeks, and I really felt Krishna taking me seriously.
In difficult situations, I feel we should be grateful and ask for help.
Thanksgiving Dinner:
[Many devotees at Krishna House said what they were thankful for, and I wrote down some of them.]
Krishna-kripa Das:
I am thankful to see so many devotees who really love kirtana and who chant together morning and evening here. I am thankful that the Krishna House devotees maintained my program of chanting Wednesday at the Farmers’ Market when I went away for the summer. I am thankful to see how things are increasing here in so many ways, and I am grateful to be allowed to live here.
Nimai Pandita:
If feel the three years I spent at Krishna House were the most valuable and educational in my life.
I am thankful Kalakantha Prabhu encourages people to offer their individuality in Krishna's service.
Padma:
I am thankful Arjuna was uncertain and needed guidance.
Anna, the Quaker lady:
I am thankful I heard the chanting at the Farmers’ Market, and that Terri taught me the Hare Krishna mantra. It does make you happy.
Gopal:
I am grateful that, unlike many men my age, I have the time to come and participate in Krishna House because I have not so many other responsibilities.
Trey:
I am thankful that I met Donna, a Unitarian universalist charible person, who came with me and spontaneously brought fruit to offer. I thankful for Krishna House.
Clayton:
I am thankful to Kalakantha Prabhu for letting me live here, to Estefania for making breakfast, to Gopal for cutting up all the vegetables, to Mike for his cooking, . . .
Govinda Mohini dd:
I am thankful for my month-long stay. I feel refreshed. I am inspired by the seriousness of the new devotees, some who are more serious than I am. I will always treasure this time.
Indian student:
I am thankful I applied to UF, and that Krishna House is right by the campus and Krishna Lunch is served every day.
Olivia:
I am grateful to Kalakantha and Caitanya Prabhus, who preached to me every day. Before meeting the devotees, the words on the Dr. Bronner’s soap bottle were all I knew of God. I see you are all very saintly people, and I am very happy to be in your association.
Sruti Sagar Prabhu:
I am thanks to Srila Prabhupada for bringing Krishna Consciousness to the West, and Gaura Nitai for allowing me to serve, and Kalakantha Prabhu for tolerating me. Thanks to all the devotees.
Jagannatha Puri Dhama Prabhu:
I feel thankful for Gopal every day [as he chops all vegetables I cook]. I am thankful for your calamities because it keeps me employed.
I am thankful for this amazing community that has been taking care of me in every way. Thanks for Kalakantha.
Joy:
I would not have become a devotee without Krishna Lunch and Krishna House. I have never lived in an ashram, although here I can pretend to.
Estefania:
I am thankful to Kalakantha Prabhu for dealing with all our stuff. I am thankful for my sister for becoming a great devotee, and Tony for teaching me mrdanga. I am thankful to Gaura Nitai, Srila Prabhupada, and Radhanatha Swami.
Mike:
I am thankful for my parents who are so supportive. I am thankful for all the great devotees who have created this place. Thanks for the friends. It is amazing you can make 25 friends all at once.
Ananta:
I am most thankful for Kalakantha Prabhu for facilitating my stay. I did not know what to expect. My mom said, “You are going to the Krishna House.” Everyone’s heart is so open here, even at 5:00 in the morning. Thanks to Tony for being such a respectable roommate. And Baladeva for being the ultimate gurukuli.
Ananda Seva Prabhu:
I want to thank Andrea for taking over this service [of organizing Thanksgiving dinner]. In the beginning I was worried letting the new people do my services. Now I like it. I do not think I would have been able to go back to school without Krishna. I would like to thank the Krishna consciousness management and all the devotees.
Brahma Tirtha Prabhu:
I am thankful for an interesting phenomena. In the beginning, we had more determination than patience, and we had Srila Prabhupada. But then Srila Prabhupada left, and we were left without any adult guidance, and somehow we just stuck to what we gave, and now we see you new devotees have come, and you have more patience and other good qualities, and to see this I am thankful. I can see how things will go on.
Hanan:
I am thankful for all the devotees I work with. Srila Prabhupada says in Nectar of Instruction that devotional service begins by appreciating the devotees have something valuable. Every day, every week, and every month I learn something valuable from the devotees.
Kalakantha Prabhu:
I am inspired to see all the devotion and all the happiness of the devotees.
Madhava Prabhu [from La Crosse]:
When we see a movie, we may cheer when the hero is victorious, but who is hearing our cheers? But when we glorify Krishna, it is different because He reciprocates.
Because we have an eternal relationship with Krishna, when we hear about Krishna, it awakens our spiritual emotions for Him.
Some devotees consider the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam a favorite part of the book because we are introduced to Krishna. We see how Krishna drives Arjuna’s chariot, He protects King Pariksit in the womb, he reciprocates with Kunti’s prayers.
Aindra Prabhu tells an analogy about a sitar and our relationship with Krishna. The sitar has two sets of strings, one that is played and another that vibrates when the others are played. Those reciprocal strings of our relationship with Krishna vibrate when we hear of Krishna.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura discussing Srivasa Thakuras son’s death and Srivasa’s words to the lamenting ladies, as long as you are in this world understand that your husbands, sons, etc., are temporary relationships. Do not get so caught up in them and forget your real relationship with Krishna.
Krishna has taken His dear one for His own pleasure.
Krishna may not protect your body or your mind which is so attached to your body, but He will protect your soul.
From Kalakantha Prabhu: When people are in lamentation over a loss, the best thing we can do is hear and try to understand their pain. Then if they are willing we can read Bhagavad-gita, just the verses about the eternality of the soul, without giving any of our own purport. You can ask their permission to read Bhagavad-gita.
Krishna did not call Arjuna a fool until he surrendered. Before they just had friendly talks.
When my mom was passing away, my relatives would watch TV as my mother lay dying. The first thing I did was turn off the TV. They were so attached to watching TV, you could see that disturbed their minds. Some even left soon after. I would take longer shifts than the others just so the TV would be off, and I would play kirtana softly. My relatives saw I knew how to deal with situation better than them, and that I was happier. My brother asked me about it, and I explained Krishna consciousness elaborately. But at a certain point, he realized to experience it, he would have to give up things that he was attached to, and so he stopped inquiring.
Some of the people you could see were making a show of grief, so in those cases, there is no grief to relieve.
On sankirtana one women was obviously disturbed my lamentation. She gave money and took a Coming Back. The next day she thanked my profusely, saying her son had just died, and she was so relieved after reading the book.
Dr. Dina Bandhu Prabhu:
Everyone just wants to be saved by just believing in something without worrying about changing his actions.
Just because you do not see your anarthas (unbeneficial qualities and behaviors) does not mean you do not have any. It just means you are in the mode of ignorance [illusion].
Madhava Prabhu [from Switzerland]:
Kirtana is very special. It is our connection to Gaura Nitai and Srila Prabhupada.
Aindra Prabhu would say Krishna has very fine ears. If you do not know how to play the karatalas, then do not play them. There is time to learn them, but now is not that time.
Subuddhi Krishna Prabhu:
Here Shiva is described as being satisfied by his own ecstasy. Most people are satisfied by their wealth and other material possessions, but here we find Shiva is satisfied by his own ecstasy.
We say that Krishna is identical to Vishnu, and some places in the Vedic literature, as here, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are described as nondifferent, thus people protest, “Why should we worship Krishna as Supreme?”
Comment by me: Perhaps we should show them the statements where Brahma and Shiva address Lord Krishna as being Supreme, as being their own worshipable deity, and as being the source of their potency.
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atmendriya-priti-vancha—tare bali ‘kama’
krishnendriya-priti-iccha dhare ‘prema’ nama
“The desire to gratify one’s own senses is kama [lust], but the desire to please the senses of Lord Krishna is prema [love].” (SriCaitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 4.165)
Over the last couple of weeks much attention has been paid to the important Bhagavad Gita case in Russia. As many will recall there was also a challenge being faced by members of our ISKCON family in Hungary. Thankfully the legislation was thrown out by the court, however it was quickly reintroduced with similar stipulations.
It looks like the threat to the land is diminished and it will need to be proven that our Gaudiya Vaishnava operations have been around for more than 100 years. Krishna Valley /ISKCON Hungary is not out of the woods yet and just as in the Russian court case, the collective prayers of the devotee community will play a part in the outcome...
In the News: Fidesz Submits New Church Bill; Recognized Religions In Hungary Must Be At Least 100 Years Old
"The new church bill submitted by Fidesz caucus leader János Lázár to Parliament yesterday stipulates that only churches with at least 100 years of international operations can be recognised by the state. The legislation is presented as a private member’s bill, meaning it can be passed without consultation with affected parties and with limited parliamentary debate.
Barring a few amendments, the bill practically agrees word for word with the law that was struck down by the Constitutional Court on procedural grounds on Monday.
One new element makes formal recognition of the Hare Krishna movement impossible, while another undoes a clause that would have deprived the group of its land.
The new bill stipulates that Parliament’s religious committee, rather than a cabinet minister, will assess requests for official church status, from January 1. To date, 72 communities have submitted such requests.
Fidesz MP Gergely Gulyás said about 12 new churches could be recognised by late February.
As the threat of a national security risk is grounds to refuse recognition, the Church of Scientology will not get official status, Gulyás noted.
The Constitutional Court struck down the church law passed last summer, which acknowledged 14 denominations, because it was completely rephrased with amendments by a committee shortly before the final voting procedure. The Court objected to the way the law was passed rather than its content."
Source: Hungary Around the Clock
"Poor families lined up along hundreds of metres of Rákóczi út on Sunday to wait for free hot meals distributed by the Hare Krishna society on Blaha Lujza tér. Organisers told Magyar Hírlap that the number of families relying on hot meals is rising, adding that many of them arrived with four or five children.
In other New from Hungary: More Families Line Up For Free Meals Distributed By Hare Krishna In Budapest
In previous years two-thirds of those showing up for the free meals were homeless people, but that ratio has gradually decreased as pensioners and large families find themselves in an ever worse position.
The Krishna Awareness Community also provided free meals in 12 cities around Hungary."
"I like to hear the truth, that our destination depends on our sadhana and bhajana. It makes me think that my remedial practice of japa is right. It is the way to go to the topmost stage because I first have to attend to the crucial deficiencies in my foundation. Greed for the name will lead to other spiritual greed."
The Bhagavad-gita (7.16) describes how most of us cultivate devotion for Krishna primarily because we feel that devotion has some survival value:
it helps remove the miseries that we feel are threatening our survival or
It bestows the wants that we feel are necessary for our survival.
Lord Krishna appreciates our devotion even if we are motivated by self-serving survival value (7.18), but he also gently prompts and prods us to rise to a less self-centered level of devotion. If we respond positively to his compassionate overtures, then gradually we open ourselves to receive a much greater gift: Krishna himself. After all, Krishna encompasses and embodies everything that our heart desires (vasudevah sarvam iti Gita 7.19). When we recognize and relish this sweet truth, then we discover that devotion has actually brought us a gift far greater than survival value: value to survival; it has made life worth living and loving.
2.30 pm – 4:30 pm Seminar by HG Uttama Sloka dasa “Life without Conflict” Pt.1
5.00 pm until midnight Maha Kirtan featuring HG Vaiyasaki dasa
5.00 pm Prasadam
6.00 pm Adivasa Ceremony for Sri Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai
6.30 pm Gaura Arati led by Vaiyasaki dasa
7.00 pm Maha Kirtana contnuing with Vaiyasaki dasa
Saturday 7
4.30 am Managala Arati
7.30 am Greeting the Deities and Guru Puja
8.00 am Srimad Bhagavatam class given by HH Prahladananda Swami
9.00 am Breakfast
10.30 am – 12.30 pm Seminar by HG Uttama Sloka dasa “Life Without Conflict” Pt.2
1.00 pm – 3.00 pm Seminar by HH Prahladananada Swami “Whom Should We Love and How” Pt.1
3.30 pm Prasadam
4.30 pm Grand Abhiseka of Sri Sri Krsna Balarama and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai 31st Anniversay Installation
6.00 pm Gaura Arati
7.00 pm “Swamiji at Sea” (drama) in the main tent
Sunday 8
4.30 am Managala Arati
7.30 am Greeting the Deities and Guru Puja led by HH Prabhvisnu Swami
8.00 am Srimad Bhagavatam class given by HH Prabhavisnu Swami
9.00 am Breakfast
10.30 am – 12.30 pm Seminar by Uttama Sloka dasa “Life without Conflict” Pt.3
12.30 am – 2:30 pm Seminar by HH Prahladananada Swami – “Whom Should We Love and How” Pt.2
3.00 pm Ratha-yatra (assemble at front entrance bridge) if weather permits there will be a class by HH Janananda Swami about Ratha-yatra before procession starting at 3:30 pm
4.30 pm – 5:00 pm Natyashakti Dance Troupe perform traditional Odissi Jagannatha Dance in main tent
5.00 pm Prasadam and the Bajan Babas to perform
5:30 pm till late HG Vaiyasaki dasa to lead Grand Finale Kirtan
Monday 9
4.30 am Managala Arati
7.30 am Greeting the Deities and Guru Puja
8.00 am Srimad Bhagavatam class given by HH Jananada Swami
9.00 am Breakfast
10.30 am – 12.00 pm Seminar by HH Prahladananada Swami “Whom Should We Love and How” Pt.3
Sponsorship Opportunities
Friday 6
Evening Feast – $201
Altar flowers – $108
Sponsor Krishna worship for the day – $108
Raj Bhoga offering – $108
Dhoop Arati – $51
Saturday 7
Breakfast Prasadam – $151
Evening Feast – $351
Grand Ahishek – Sri Sri Krsna Balarama $408
Grand Abhishek – Sri Sri Gaura Nitai $408
Altar decorations – $208
Flowers – $151
Sponsor Krishna worship for the day – $108
Raj Bhoga offering – $108
Dhoop Arati – $51
Sunday 8
Breakfast Prasadam – $201
Ratha Yatra Maha Feast – $1008
Contribution – Sudarshan Saini & family $508
Remaining – $508
Sponsor Krishna worship for the day – $108
Altar decorations – $151
Flowers – $151
Raj Bhoga offering – $108
Dhoop Arati – $51
Marquee – $850
VIP guests – $1008
Ratha Yatra procession – $251
Contact Gaura Shakti Devi Dasifor festival information and Sponsorship 0415 276757 gaura-shakti@exemail.com.au
For accommodation bookings and rates please contact Nandaraj and Mahesvari 026672 2485
By Visakha Devi Dasi: Although each of us must carefully follow the particular principles of the role we are playing in society - whether as a wife or husband, a brahmacari or sannyasi - our true identity is that we are the eternal servants of the servants of the devotees of Lord Sri Krsna. By playing our present-day role in the proper consciousness, we can realise our original identity - who we actually are - and rejoin Krsna in His home.
Krishna Consciousness is a universal phenomenon. It is non-sectarian. It has the highest spiritual quotient. Practicing Krishna Consciousness sincerely can help an individual transcend the material dualities of life such as happiness/distress, fame/infamy, pain/pleasure etc. Sincere practice also cultivates a sense of humility, compassion and love towards all living beings. Of course these attributes are possible only when the practitioner becomes fearless. So Krishna Consciousness also inculcates fearlessness within one's heart to the extent one is not afraid even to die.
All this is possible because Krishna Consciousness starts by asking basic questions that I believe every sane human being should be asking themselves. Questioning in this fashion, I believe, is the pinnacle of human intelligence. So here are the basic questions Krishna Consciousness asks or we as humans have to ask.
Who am I? (am i this body and mind or something beyond the body and mind)
If God exists, who is God? (if God does not exist then we do not have to bother about anything)
If God exists, then, what is my relationship with God?
What is the process to know and connect with God?
What is the end purpose or result of all of this?
Asking these questions form the basis for human existence. However, unfortunately people are not concerned with any of the above questions. Their only concern is to maintain this material life and exploit it.
Going into the new year, if anyone is reading this post, please desire to arouse your spiritual side and start of by asking these basic questions. This is the start and to one who is sincere the Universe will surely respond to your questions.
I've taken to people watching a lot these days. Just plop yourself in an area and just sit and look. It's amazing what you will see. People are fighting, smiling, conversing, hurting, shopping, crying, laughing, thinking... As I witness this, I often wonder about their lives. Some seem as though they "have it all". I've often noticed with myself that if I'm not careful, it's easy to get sucked into the polished veneer many present to the external world.
It's easy to compare and think, "Wow everyone seems happier than I am" but fortunately, as I'm getting older and getting to know many on a much deeper level, that illusion is steadily starting to crumble. It serves as a constant reminder to me that the western conception of satisfaction/happiness is something that happens at you, but that's not accurate. Satisfaction is actually an austerity that one has to practice as explained in the Bhagavad-gita.
It's so easy to put the blame on "the universe", Krsna or anybody else who gets in the way of our desires. But the only person we should hold accountable for our satisfaction, or more likely, lack thereof, is ourselves. Truth be told, that never sits right with me! LOL! I know it's the truth, but it doesn't and if I reflect I can only come to the conclusion it's because I don't want to take responsibility of my satisfaction. As almost everything else, it's so easy to put the blame or obligation on someone else.
So what to do if you're like me? Someone who knows that they are responsible for their own satisfaction but still finds it difficult to take full responsibility for it. The only conclusion I've come to is to associate with those who actually take responsibility for their satisfaction. You'll notice that those who do, spend much more time trying to help others by giving them Krsna who ultimately is the only person who can fill that Krsna sized hole in our hearts. Furthermore, they are grateful and positive. They don't focus on what went wrong or who supposedly caused them pain, but instead practically live the words Lord Brahma once spoke:
tat te 'nukampāḿ su-samīkṣamāṇo
bhuñjāna evātma-kṛtaḿ vipākam
hṛd-vāg-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jīveta yo mukti-pade sa dāya-bhāk
My dear Lord, one who earnestly waits for You to bestow Your causeless mercy upon him, all the while patiently suffering the reactions of his past misdeeds and offering You respectful obeisances with his heart, words and body, is surely eligible for liberation, for it has become his rightful claim. SB. 10.14.8
It's December 30, 2011. As many prepare for tomorrow night's festivities or a quiet night in to ring in 2012, I'm revisiting an old resolution. I'd like to take responsibility for my own satisfaction and stop waiting for it to just "come to me." I pray that in 2012 I may develop the proper consciousness to serve the vaisnavas.
I am saddened by my feeling of separation from you, that I will not see you again on this planet, yet I still feel close to you. Our relationship transcends material boundaries and You are in my, and many peoples hearts. Let us all pray for your continued spiritual journey, which makes me happy, as you are not in pain anymore, and with our beloved Spiritual Master, and Radha and Krishna.
I fell in love with you upon viewing your powerful presence
I fell in love with you, little did I know what A great path you carved out and offered to me, for you introduced me to Prabhupad.
I noted your great qualities, spiritual beauty, perseverance, a great confidant and friend. Steadfast, curious, sweet, meticulous, detail oriented, and expert in anything you were interested in. Your smile lit up many rooms and hearts.
You showed love for Prabhupad from the very beginning.
We were both interested in paths to God and how to be compassionate to others.We were a good team.
We laughed, cooked, sang, read to each other and shared 9 wonderful married years together.
We both literally saved each other more then once. We travelled to Bend Oregon to Aunt Edna’s dance class, which I photographed at Graduation. I met your dad also.
Yamuna you saved me from being paralyzed in Rockport Ca.
When I had Typhoid fever, You moved right into the hospital and hut hutted the big dog sleeping under my bed, which I thought was an hallucination, from 3 weeks of fasting and fever.
You moved right into the hospital room, cooked specially for me, which healed me, whilst you slept on the floor.
We set out for Rockport, Ca. with all our belongings in a borrowed car, not knowing where we would end up, with faith in Krishna.
We found a nice 7 room cottage in the redwoods for $33. 00 a month. untill the San Francisco devotees kidnapped us back.
We shared great Kirtans, the first west coast Hari Nam, with, Vishnujana Jayananda, Mukunda, and Tamal, etc.
You taught me how to cook and exemplary deity worship.
You were the first to learn the prayers.
We lived on Ashbury Street, Willard Street, in the Bowling alley temple. We shared places like Herne Hill, Clampham, Brixton (music and sounds all night), Betterton Street, Bury Place. We chanted at Conway Hall, The Hindu Center, Acacia house, singing with Sri Keshavji, and Shyama Mataji, Swami Sat Chid Ananda, Et al.
We lived, at the Radha Damodar Mandir, in straw huts on the site of Krishna Balaram Temple site, and then we went to Saurat, Amritsar Delhi and many many places together.
As the movement grew we did not have a normal ? Grihastra life, as you were put in charge of the woman ashrams and me in charge of the men etc.
Prabhupad found more and more services and abilities in us, and gave us more and more service. “Krishna will help you” Prabhupad told me when I said I don’t know anything about construction.
We Yamuna travelled on foot, taxis, bicycles, Rickshaws, trains, cars, boats, skis, hydrofoils, and airplanes.
We consulted and then parted to serve others. We were one and different simultainously.
We resided at Radha Damodar temple,as we were building the Krishna Balaram Temple.
I remember how you planned the temple and the diety rooms. They were planned by myself, Jai Tirtha and you who led the planning.
You contributed the most by designing wide doors, hooks on walls, separate kitchens,etc. You exuded artistic tendencies in everything you touched.
You are pukka, first class, applying your intelligence and intuition, Like the time Prabhupad sent Madhuvisa and You to Jaipur to obtain new deities.
Madhuvisa describes I was a new sanyassi. “I wasn’t supposed to look on woman or be alone with a woman, what to speak of traveling with a woman. When we rode in the rickshaws, I put my dunda in between us, but rickshaws were small and she was a little large, so finally, I stopped trying to not touch. It was impossible with the rickshaw joggling around.
After spending 3-4 days with her I saw what a great devotee she was.
Chanting, talking of Swamiji, and her intuition was wonderful via Chaitya Guru in her heart. She found a Radha at one Murti Wallah and Krishna at another Murti Wallah.”
We never argued she was a great team with me and others. I can say that we had a functional marriage and many came to us both for advice in their grihastra and even brahmachary lives.
She had a tough time in India. People don’t know I know. She told me she needed a rest after 5 years of sometimes, harsh living circumstances, sacrifice and some sicknesses, etc.
We went west to collect for Vrindavan Temple. She and Dina Tarine, left me and the movement in Florida temporarily. The next week my Father died.
I went to Atlanta and wrote and asked Prabhupad what to do. At first he told me to try and get her back, but she was adamant, wanted a break, and uncommunicative.
I ended up becoming Sanyassi under the circumstances, and she went to Oregon and then re entered devotional life, and founded Sharanagati.
I had the good fortune to reunite with her recently also in Florida and we shared 3 hours of reminiscing and chanting together. She sang to the flowers and birds in her sweetest voice.
Especially we remembered how together we would feed Krishna Prasadam to an asthmatic dog on the Krishna Balaram property.
We named the dog “Dogwood” and he would come at first to us excited wheezing and then after our care came to us breathing clearly
I remember how diplomatic and charming you were with Tom Driberg, S.S Dhawan, Sri Dhar, Shyama Mata, the Maharaja of Bhartpur, and countless others.
Even George Harrison could not help flirting with you one day. I had to tell him “Get away from my woman” We all laughed.
Everyone you touched fell in love with you and hence Radha Krishna and Prabhupad. You told people constantly of Prabhupad as I do. The Indian community took to you and you syphoned their cooking recipes and techniques. Prabhupad said you were the best cook.
Prabhupad also joked that you were better then Janaki to tease her.
I could always rely on you in our service together you anticipated things that needed to be done and we both offered that to Prabhupad. He asked you to speak, lead kirtans, to learn the prayers, make the first signs in Calligraphy, Create 2 covers of Hare Krishna Mantras in Sanskrit. You lead the Hare Krishna Mantra and Govindham (brahma Samhita) recordings. Of course that is known all over the world in every town and village, as it is played every morning. Prabhupad cried when he heard it. Prabhupad also asked you the first woman to become G.B.C. You declined because as you told me and showed me “You were more interested in loving Krishna by cooking and diety worship. ”
You added to me, “I don’t care for administration and politics”
Yamuna you are unique and a special devotee, who always inspired me and everyone to become a better Bhakta, and I thank Prabhupad and Radha Krishna for giving me so many shared and loving moments with our Yamuna Devi.
I still hear your Hari Hari Bol! Permeating the temple room, concert hall, recording or television studios, every town and village, our world, the whole universe, and in my heart forever.
You passed with bead bag in your hand with Hare Krishna Hare Rama on your lips.
All glories to her great service.
I am certain, and as many have agreed, that you are with Prabhupad, cooking and singing, so happily and peacefully again.
Govindham Adi Purasham Tamaham Bajami
More memories of Yamuna from “By His Example”
The population of Rockport said goodbye to us. Our friends, Uddhava, Ramanuja, Lillavati, and Murari—our future but uninitiated-at-this-point friends—came back up to fetch us and told us that the Swami was coming to the temple more and leading wild chants three times a week, morning and evenings. “We have been cooking big feasts on Sundays and many people are coming to the temple.”
Back in San Francisco
Our old apartment on Willard Street with the piano and the parquet floors had a room open for Joan, Que Tal, and me. Harsharani and Jivananda were in one room and Lillavati and Murari were in another room. The hall ran to a large room in the back, adjacent to a kitchen and rear door and opening out to stairs leading into a plush yard. Glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge peeking out of Golden Gate park glistened in the sunlight.
Joan Became Yamuna
As the Swamiji and I became closer and closer, I became Gurudas. Joan was initiated as Yamuna, like the river in Vrindavan India (sometimes spelled Jamuna) where Krishna played. That night, after the initiation ceremony, Yamuna and I went in to see the Swami, and he greeted us with his vast, oceanic smile. “You are both great devotees of Krishna.”
We were silent but comfortable. After some moments, Yamuna asked, “When do you want us to get married?”
“Tomorrow,” the Swami replied.
He did it again! He was making me surrender my restless nature. I felt like I was playing hide and seek with Swamiji and Krishna.
Marriage Ceremony
The marriage ceremony was yet another fire sacrifice. Many guests and visitors filled the temple room, including Yamuna’s Aunt Edna from Klamath Falls, Oregon. Janaki, Yamuna’s sister, had been running around making preparations and had brought margarine instead of butter to make the ghee used in the ceremony. To make things even more precarious, wood from fruit cartons was used instead of forest twigs and branches, so that during the ceremony the fire continuously sputtered, even in Swamiji’s expert hands. His golden fingers picked just the right pieces of wood and made a tent to start the fire. He dipped each piece into the ghee first. The fire began to rise and then die down, rise and die down, but Swamiji kept it going, rising and falling, until finally it burst into flame, and a roaring, sputtering fire lit up the whole temple.
Smoke was rising to the ceiling as more guests came in. Then barley, rice, colored dyes, and bananas went into the holy fire. The Swami was singing ancient Sanskrit and Bengali songs. He said, “This marriage will be like the fire, beginning slowly and then bursting into flames. You are both good devotees; together you will be at least twice as strong.”
After the wedding ceremony, we all sat down to a huge feast of samosas, puris, rice, vegetable dishes, sweet rice, and dahl. The Swami sat on the floor, and ate and laughed with us. “Make sure everyone gets enough to eat,” he said. We were happy in the presence of our Divine father.
Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple
Now, instead of waking up in community crash pads next to new bodies every day, I rose in the mornings with Yamuna, with the Holy Names upon my lips, feeling spiritually clean and purified. The morning shower was refreshing, and so was the walk up Ashbury Street as we headed toward the new Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple on Frederick Street. All-night parties spilled out of the Grateful Dead house across the street as we walked by, and Jivananda and Harsarani would join us as we turned right on Frederick Street and we ambled down the hill. I felt excited by the newness of it all, but I also felt content, part of a growing family of devotees.
The Swami also had a knack for finding out our talents, dreams, and wishes and then engaging them in Lord Krishna’s service. “Everything we do,” he told us, “you can do it for Krishna; we can offer our food in thanks and, Gurudas, you can photograph beautifully, and Yamuna can write in her nice calligraphy.” He would lead kirtan and speak in the temple on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 7:00 a.m. and evenings at 7:00 p.m. The atmosphere felt otherworldly and ethereal. We would sing together, and then the Swami would talk for a while, then answer questions.
For-instance
Yamuna and I moved into a nice apartment on Willard Street with hardwood floors and a piano, just half a block from the temple. Lilavati, Murari, Jivananda, Harsharani, and my dog Que Tal moved in with us. Each married couple had a small room, and we shared a common living room and kitchen. I used the photo center run by the San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department on Scott Street to develop film and print photographs. Some of us, including Jayananda (taxi), Shyamasundar (Carpentry), Krishna dasa (Jeweler), and myself ( E.S.L. teacher), worked at jobs and gave some money for maintaining the Frederick Street temple. Others cleaned and cooked or did other service in the temple.
Yamuna and I liked our new family. We were vegetarians, for karmic and health reasons, and she could cook up a feast from very little. I was fortunate to be with such a smart, headstrong, sweet woman who could really, really cook.
Shining in the bright morning light, In the temple, I really liked when the Swamiji came down at 7 in the morning, 3 mornings a week. He was smiling as his saffron robes flowed in the soft breeze. With half-closed eyes, he began chanting, “Hare Krishna,” in a sweet, husky, yet plaintive manner. We as a group answered back and then we heard him and then sung out again. Yamuna’s loud voice soared above everyone. I felt my heart going into Lord Krishna’s. We all melted into the transcendental sound vibration. He smiled at us over us. He was like Buddha, Santa Claus, Saint Francis kindly blessing us all.
After we chanted, Swamiji talked to us sometimes about the sweetness of Krishna, and about Karma. Other times, he told of how by offering service in devotion to Krishna, we can Krishna-ize everything we do and we all will benefit. This will help as humanity in general: “Water, the root of the tree, and all the leaves and branches will be nourished.” He exemplified this service attitude by serving us through his instruction and his example.
Each night, the newly initiated devotees would file into the temple. Mukunda appeared with a conga drum, and Yamuna came in looking confident, like the mother of the temple, her beautiful, long, black hair flowing straight down her back. She smiled at her friends, as her sister Janaki, animated and giggling, followed right behind her. Govinda dasi and Gaurasundar, one of the first married couples, brought one of their new paintings of the Swami and hung it on the wall for everyone to admire.
At 7:00 p.m., Swami Bhaktivedanta walked in, head raised slightly, simultaneously noble and unassuming. Upendra stumbled in behind him like one of Snow White’s dwarves. The Swami was not looking directly at anyone but embracing us all. He then smiled, went to the altar, and sat down right under our new painting of the Pancatattva. The five avatars, with Their arms raised, eyes to Krishna in Goloka Vrindavan, dancing serenely: Lord Chaitanya, Nityananda, Sri Advaita, Gadadhar, and Shrivas catalyzed our mood. As Swamiji sang the Vande Ham prayers to his line of spiritual masters, it soothed and calmed us. The prayers ended as the sunset and the last rays streamed through the front door and window, bathing the temple room in orange-yellow light. I was nestled cross-legged on a pillow with my back straight. All eyes were on Swamiji.
He took out some bell-metal kartalas, looked around without looking at anything in particular, and began a three-beat: chah-chah-cheee, chah-chah-cheee, the third beat sizzling. In husky, sonorous tones, he sang out: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”
We couldn’t stay seated and jumped up almost in unison. Hayagriva blew the kelp horn, as the booming kettledrum created a throbbing foundation rhythm. The mantra was starting to grow on me, and singing with Swamiji leading the congregation was really fun. Kirtan usually lasted more than an hour, the sound rising, subsiding into sweet, low tenderness, and then ending in a joyous crescendo that left me with an afterglow—a clean, elated feeling.
The kirtan roared harmoniously even more. Yamuna yelled, “Hari hari bol!” her voice piercing the temple room with its pure, spiritual strength. Janaki echoed her sister. Mukunda played the drum expertly, catalyzing everyone with driving rhythms. I felt like I was leaving my body. We got into a steady, flowing ecstasy. After some time, the Swami speeded up the kartala beat, and we responded faster. The whole room was bursting; the whole city was rocking; the whole world was vibrating; the whole universe was in balance—and I was experiencing transcendental bliss! The bongos, kettle drum, cymbals, kelp horn, trumpet, and African instruments all stopped in one unified beat.
Swamiji called out, “Gaura prem-ananda hari hari bol!” In a voice that was simultaneously sweet and grave, he recited paeans glorifying the past preceptors in our spiritual lineage. We collapsed on the floor, bowing down.
We all alighted and sat upright silently as the Swami was now going to speak.
The swami settled into his raised seat. “Thank you very much—all of you nice young boys and girls—for coming and ..”
We heard pounding on the wall. A loud thump from next door suddenly resonated on the wall. Framed pictures shook. Again there was a thump.
The Swami didn’t miss a beat. He stopped talking, called me over, beckoned me closer. My ear was right near his mouth. I felt privileged.
“What is that sound?” he asked…….
—————-
I relished my association with Jayananda during his presidency of the first San Francisco temple. After I was elected vice president, we would ride together to the farmers’ market or the flower outlets and plan events for the temple. Jayananda gave Yamuna and me his apartment on Ashbury Street across from the Grateful Dead house, while he moved into the stark basement of the Frederick Street temple where the brahmacharis lived, and slept on the floor with them.
They were wonderfully happy and peaceful days. Swamiji came down and joined our love feast. He beamed love upon us as he was like a proud father, relishing the dhal and vegetable preparations that he taught us how to cook. The kirtan was long and beautiful. Yamuna’s “Hari hari bol!” rang out.
We were happy in an insular bhakti bubble, feeling love and devotion, giving to others again, and a reason to live.
California contingent
They sat, and we served prasadam. They were hungry after a long airplane trip, and they ate with both hands. All the girls—Janaki, Malati, and Yamuna—were advancing quickly in the art of Krishna vegetarian cuisine, and the food was delicious. Then, like a well-run basketball play, we broke off into little groups: Yamuna and Janaki with Frankie, Malati with Angie, Shyamasundar and Mukunda with Rock, Sweet William and Pete.
I sat down near a window with Ken Kesey. The Buddhist guy sat by himself. Conversations filled the room.
Meeting the Beatles
On the fourth day, we sent a walking, wind-up apple toy we had found at a kirtan program held at All Saints Church in Notting Hill. Yamuna wrote, “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,” in gold paint on the back of the red apple and sent it, along with one of our “Krishna Consciousness Is Coming” handbills, to the Apple offices. Yamuna had designed and written in calligraphy a cover for International Times that featured the Hare Krishna mantra in Sanskrit devanagari script.
On the fifth day, we sent Yamuna’s Sanskrit cover, plus our handbill showing Prabhupada’s eyes: “Krishna Consciousness Is Here!”
We sent the daily transcendental packets to Apple.
George at Betterton Street
Yamuna came out of the kitchen with her beatific smile, holding the plate of mahaprasad, and beckoned us into the temple room, where she placed it on the altar. We handed out kartalas (hand cymbals), and George took a pair. I wrapped the cloth strings from the cymbals around two fingers and watched as George did the same. “Let’s chant!”, she said.
Mukunda began with his swinging drumbeat. I clanged—da-da-daaah—and George picked it up immediately. Yamuna led the kirtan with her strong, sweet, soulful singing. “Hari hari bol,” yelled Janaki. We chanted in bliss for a long time. George was truly moved by chanting the holy names.
“Because Lord Chaitanya has made it easy and available for everyone,” Yamuna said, as she brought in a large plate of basmati saffron rice.
Recording Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
The recording went well, with Yamuna and Shyamasundar leading, our backup rhythms supportive but not overpowering. George laid down a beautiful guitar introduction, and the chanting built up nicely in tempo and volume to a wonderful crescendo that ended with Malati clanging a hanging brass gong. Our collective hearts stopped because the CLANG! sounded out of time—we hadn’t rehearsed it. We thought we’d have to do the whole recording over!
George was calm. Mal Evans, the roadie, didn’t move a muscle. George then led us back into the engineering booth for a listen. I sat next to George as he put the earphones on.
As we listened the mantra sprang forth, sounding fantastic and inspiring. George began sliding levers up and down, adjusting sounds on the various tracks. Paul and Linda McCartney came into the booth. We hardly noticed them, intensely waiting for the clang at the end. Once again our chanting came to a crescendo climax—and the gong clang was perfect in its timing and added a nice, conclusive, exotic ending!
George asked us to go back into the studio and sing over our own choruses, which we gladly did two more times. It was fun, and we became 8, then 16. George also called in secretaries, accountants, mail room clerks, to become the chorus,so there were finally 48 voices. It sounded great to me. Paul McCartney became the studio engineer in the control room. George asked us back to the control booth to listen. The mantra rang out purely and joyously. I was completely encouraged and excited by the holy sounds we had rendered. Linda and Paul, too, were nodding with the beat and smiling. They indicated that they liked the sound, and soon they were singing along.
Recording Govindham
Translation:
I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, whose transcendental form is full of bliss, truth, and substantiality and is thus full of the most dazzling splendor. Each of the limbs of the transcendental figure possesses in Himself the full-fledged functions of all organs, and eternally sees, maintains, and manifests the infinite universes, both spiritual and mundane.
George Harrison directed the whole session, and even though we were under pressure to do our best with this less-familiar mantra, he was a master at guiding our large group. George arranged a series of large, sound-diffusing panels around clusters of our singers and instrumentalists. Ishan played the trumpet a bit off-key and too loud, so George sent him out into the hallway.
Yamuna sang the lead verses. Mukunda was the lead mridunga drum player, and I was the lead kartal player. I played my rhythmic riff on kartalas near the end of the song. Shyamasundar played the esraj, and Hari Vilas, who was born in Armenia, played the oud, his Middle-Eastern notes cascading between verse and chorus. George played harmonium and the guitar introduction. George Martin directed the harpist and other members of the London Philharmonic, who created the huge ethereal wall of sound that makes “Govinda” so unique. The recording was well accepted, it sold well, and again The Radha Krishna Temple made the charts in many countries.
When Prabhupad heard the recording, he cried and asked that “Govinda” is played every morning to greet the Deities in every ISKCON temple on the planet. And still, whenever I hear the chorus building up at the end of “Govinda,” tears come to my eyes.
Another time, when all seven of us visited Mr. Driberg in the hospital, Yamuna profusely shook a patient’s hand and said, “We are so happy to meet you Mr. Driberg!” The sick man started shaking violently. From another bed across the room we heard a dry British voice say, “But I am Mr. Driberg.” The seven of us left the confused patient, settling at the correct bedside.
Yamuna led our charge
“We are happy to finally meet you Mr. Driberg!” We all laughed. This was a good sign. Mr. Driberg smiled wanly. He was undergoing an eye operation, and we had brought along tapes and books for him to read.
Letter From Prabhupad
“When I remember all of you in London, as well as George Harrison, I become very happy because the combination is very much hopeful. I am so glad to learn that George has said, “I don’t want to make nonsense records anymore.” This version of George I consider very valuable. His popularity and his great talent can be very nicely utilized by producing such nice records as “Govinda,” instead of producing something nonsense. In our Vaishnava literature there are hundreds and thousands of nice purposeful songs, and if those songs, under George’s supervision, are recorded, I think it will bring a great revolution in the record making business.
So when he says that he does not wish to produce nonsense this does not mean that he has to close his business. On the other hand, he will get greater opportunity for producing the finest transcendental records, songs which are still unknown to the world. When you meet him again, you can talk with him what I am speaking to you in this letter. My special thanks are due to your good wife, Srimati Yamuna devi. Her singing songs of Krishna consciousness, and Krishna will certainly bless her and you all.
Please offer my blessings to all the boys and girls, and be happy.
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Friday 30 December 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Help Popularize Our Message By Liking Today's Thought on Facebook: Today's Thought: Sraddha to Prema Seminar in Melbourne uploaded from Melbourne, Australia Like a blossoming lotus flower Krishna bhakti blossoms in nine different stages beginning with sraddha or faith and culminating in prema or pure love of Godhead. One who patiently sticks to the pathway of Krishna consciousness will gradually achieve prema, the topmost perfection of reviving their original forgotten relationship with the Supreme Lord, and be able to enjoy eternally His personal association. Here in Melbourne I gave a two part seminar on this amazing process of spiritual perfection on 28-29 December 2011. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Sraddha to Prema Seminar Melbourne, Australia 28 December 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Melbourne_Seminar1c.JPG http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Melbourne_Seminar1a.JPG http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Melbourne_Seminar1b.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Remembering Krishna at Death? Dear Gurudeva, Kindly accept my humble obeisance We are in the Kali yuga. Therefore we have to give more importance for the material duties of wife, children, and their well being. Of course we perform our spiritual duties as you have taught us in order that we can reach God's lotus feet and avoid rebirth. You have emphasized that this is possible if we die being conscious of God and uttering His names at the time of death. But death can happen all of a sudden, so where is the possibility that one can think of God while leaving the body? Kindly explain and clear my doubt. With respect, G.C. Answer: By Constant Practice You must always remember that death is sitting on your head at every moment and that it can therefore devour you at any time. With this sense of urgency you must practice remembering Krishna at every moment and offering everything in His service. In this way, by constant practice, you will easily remember Krishna at the time of death and enter into His eternal kingdom. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011-2012 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. Simply we request you to acknowledge where it is coming from with a link to our sign up page: http://www.backtohome.com Our records indicate that at requested to be enrolled to receive e-mails from the Ultimate Self Realization Course at: This request was made on: From the following IP address: {contact_address
When his words finally came, they were both a comfort and a challenge. He nodded slowly and said, “This is good. This is what we are working towards, what we’re trying to acquire: this loving devotion to whatever we do. This is bhakti…it’s natural, it’s in the heart…” However, there was a “however.” He added that this was an advanced level of devotional life, and that until our hearts were purified, we had to follow a process that we might find difficult or challenging; “be patient,” he wrote to me later, “and Krishna will reward you everything.”
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