PLANET ISKCON
"Planet ISKCON" - 35 new articles
Haricharana das, Indonesia: HH. Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Visit Sri Sri...
HH. Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Swami Visit Sri Sri Jagannath-Gauranga Ashram  • Email to a friend •  •Nitya Navina dd, New Jersey, USA: Mahatma Gandhi and JagannathIt was a windy morning on Sunday, 2 October 2011. Sri Jagannath Baladev and Subhadramayi went on Their last Rathayatra of the year. The Destination was Queens Village, New York...As usual whether its someone's birthday, wedding anniversary or any other occasion, the devotees sneaked in the element of Krishna Consciousness by holding a Rathayatra along with the Mahatma Gandhi Peace March that was • Email to a friend • •Vraja Kishor, JP: Karma and Liberation Image via Wikipedia Most humans are involved in vikarma. That is, they are performing selfish actions without any regulation. A portion of humanity, however, is doing karma – they are performing selfish actions too, but are following the regulations of some type of authority figure, ultimately a scriptural authority. Vikarma creates what people nowadays call “bad karma” and karma creates what they call “good karma.” Bad karma puts you into distress and makes your next life in the sub-human species. Good karma puts you at peace and makes you your next life in the super-human species. Between the two types of people mentioned so far, that’s probably about 95% or more of human society. The small remaining portion is very different because they are trying to become unselfish in their actions. The majority of these people attempt to perform practical charitable actions meant to benefit others. This is karma-yoga. A very small portion have already become significantly unselfish by these charitable and dutiful actions, and take to jnana-yoga: where they cease all activity, as far as possible, and focus their energy on meditative contemplation of knowledge. A very very small potion of those persons attain a complete realization of selflessness. They are brahma-bhuta. A very very very small potion of brahma-bhuta persons go beyond inactive selflessness and enter a vast state of active selflessness, otherwise known as “divine love” – Bhakti Yoga. The majority of humans, vikarmis and karmis, are involved in creating good and bad karma for themselves. The minority are not doing this. They are instead involved in various stages of “yoga.” They are ceasing the production of new karmas, therefore as their old karmas fructify there are no new karmas to replace them, so karma gradually disappears and the person gradually becomes free from bondage to the illusory plane of existence (“samsara”). All the yogas are powerful and each can gradually lead to the next, from karma-yoga to jnana-yoga to bhakti-yoga. Karma and Jnana yoga lead to the brahma-bhuta platform, where the soul finally becomes liberated from all selfishness and its resultant karma. This culminates in a realization of the self as being one with the spiritual essence of the universal substratum (brahmajyoti). This is a stage of liberation from samara, but it is somewhat unnatural for a spiritual atom to remain inactive as the state of comeplete selflessness entails. Therefore the souls in that condition are prone to eventually seek either a higher or a lower plane in which they can express their active nature. If they seek a lower plane they again come down into the karmic cycle of samsara (repeated birth and death). If they seek a higher plane they come into contact with active, personal selflessless – LOVE, divine love. This is bhakti. Bhakti Yoga goes beyond liberation and takes one to the “vaikuntha” manifestation of spiritual reality, which is a vibrant, variagated place full of individuality and distinction. The objects of divine love are the various forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead conceived of as Narayana, Rama, Dvaraka-Natha, Mathura-Nath, Bala-Krsna, Pauganda-Krsna and Vrindavana Kishor Krsna in ascending degrees of intimacy and intensity. Bhakti Yoga situates one in a direct transcendental relationship of divine love with the manifestation of Godhead appropriate to perfectly reciprocate with ones loving affections.        • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: 56 WAYS TO STUDY SRILA PRABHUPADA'S BOOKS(Sorry for the fonts flaws. I was not able to convert them.) Srimad-Bhagavatam SB Preface and Introduction One will be unable to capture the effects of the Tenth Canto without going through the first nine cantos. The book is complete in twelve cantos, each independent, but it is good for all to read them in small installments one after another. SB Preface: Śrimad-Bhagavatam begins with the definition of the ultimate source. It is a bona fide commentary on the Vedanta-sutra by the same author, Śrila Vyasadeva, and gradually it develops into nine cantos up to the highest state of God realization. The only qualification one needs to study this great book of transcendental knowledge is to proceed step by step cautiously and not jump forward haphazardly like with an ordinary book. It should be gone through chapter by chapter, one after another. The reading matter is so arranged with its original Sanskrit text, its English transliteration, synonyms, translation and purports so that one is sure to become a God-realized soul at the end of finishing the first nine cantos. The Tenth Canto is distinct from the first nine cantos because it deals directly with the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead Śri K???a. One will be unable to capture the effects of the Tenth Canto without going through the first nine cantos. The book is complete in twelve cantos, each independent, but it is good for all to read them in small installments one after another. SB Canto 2 One should also read and hear the Bhagavad-gita and Śrimad-Bhagavatam in the association of devotees. SB 2.2.30, Purport: When we speak of hearing and chanting, it means that not only should one chant and hear of the holy name of the Lord as Rama, K???a (or systematically the sixteen names Hare K???a, Hare K???a, K???a K???a, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare), but one should also read and hear the Bhagavad-gita and Śrimad-Bhagavatam in the association of devotees. By reading and hearing Śrimad-Bhagavatam as a scientific presentation, the conditioned souls will gradually be promoted to the higher status of transcendental knowledge after being freed from the illusory energy based on sense enjoyment. SB 2.7.53, Purport: In the Śrimad-Bhagavatam, the science of God, the first nine cantos prepare the ground for hearing the Tenth Canto. This will be further explained in the last chapter of this canto. In the Third Canto it will be more explicit. A pure devotee of the Lord, therefore, must begin reading or hearing Śrimad-Bhagavatam from the very beginning, and not from the Tenth Canto. We have several times been requested by some so-called devotees to take up the Tenth Canto immediately, but we have refrained from such an action because we wish to present Śrimad-Bhagavatam as the science of Godhead and not as a sensuous understanding for the conditioned souls. This is forbidden by such authorities as Śri Brahmaji. By reading and hearing Śrimad-Bhagavatam as a scientific presentation, the conditioned souls will gradually be promoted to the higher status of transcendental knowledge after being freed from the illusory energy based on sense enjoyment. SB Canto 5 As a matter of principle, devotees should read, speak and hear Śrimad-Bhagavatam persistently, twenty-four hours daily if possible. SB 5.6.16, Purport: The pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees are recorded in Śrimad-Bhagavatam so that those who recite these pastimes and listen to them will become purified. Nitya? bhagavata-sevaya (SB 1.2.18). As a matter of principle, devotees should read, speak and hear Śrimad-Bhagavatam persistently, twenty-four hours daily if possible. That is the recommendation of Śri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Kirtaniya? sada hari? (CC Adi 17.31). One should either chant the Hare K???a maha-mantra or read Śrimad-Bhagavatam and thereby try to understand the characteristics and instructions of the Supreme Lord, who appeared as Lord ??abhadeva, Lord Kapila and Lord K???a. In this way one can become fully aware of the transcendental nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in Bhagavad-gita, one who knows the transcendental nature of the Lord's birth and activities attains liberation from material bondage and returns to Godhead. Lectures Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures As soon as he begins reading K???a book with a little faith and adherence, K???a will be very much pleased. Lecture on BG 4.9 -- Bombay, March 29, 1974: The people who are reading K???a book very seriously, and tries to understand K???a, he will understand. K???a is very kind. As soon as he begins reading K???a book with a little faith and adherence, K???a will be very much pleased. If you read Bhagavad-gita rightly, as it is spoken by K???a, not foolishly interpreting nonsensically, but as it is, as it is... Call the spade a spade. Lecture on BG 7.2 -- San Francisco, September 11, 1968: Therefore K???a says that out of many, many thousands of people, somebody is interested for making perfection of his life. And out of many, many thousands of men who are actually trying to make perfection of their life, you'll find somebody—or you may not find out—who knows God or K???a. But K???a is so kind that He comes Himself to be known by everyone. And He's so kind also that before His departure from this material world, He leaves behind Him this Bhagavad-gita so that you can know from His personal talks what is God. So if you read Bhagavad-gita rightly, as it is spoken by K???a, not foolishly interpreting nonsensically, but as it is, as it is... Call the spade a spade. K???a says that "I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Don't interpret this version with your foolish interpretation, but accept K???a as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And by His acts, by His sastric knowledge, wisdom... Everyone accepted previously, all the acaryas. So we have to follow the footprints of the acaryas. Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures Read them very nicely. Lecture on SB 1.2.5 -- Visakhapatnam, February 20, 1972, At Ladies Club: Bhagavad-gita should be read, should be understood as prescribed in the Bhagavad-gita. K???a says, in the Fourth Chapter, eva? parampara-praptam ima? rajar?ayo vidu? (BG 4.2). The Bhagavad-gita should be understood by the line of disciplic succession of authorized acaryas. Fortunately, in your South India all the great acaryas appeared-Śa?karacarya, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Vi??u Svami, all of them. So you are very fortunate, and the acarya commentary is also there. Ramanujacarya commentary is there, Madhvacarya commentary is there. So you take advantage and read them very nicely. That is our request, K???a consciousness. Śrimad-Bhagavatam you should study very scrutinizingly, critically. And there is explanation of great, I mean, stalwart devotees. Lecture on SB 1.5.1-4 -- New Vrindaban, May 22, 1969: Śrimad-Bhagavatam you should study very scrutinizingly, critically. And there is explanation of great, I mean, stalwart devotees. In Śrimad-Bhagavatam there are eight kinds of commentary. In Bhagavad-gita... They are authorized. They are not ordinary commentaries. Ordinary commentary, there may be many. Similarly, Śrimad Bhagavad-gita there are nine kinds of commentary. So Śrimad Bhagavad-gita or Bhagavata, they are themselves illuminating. Just like sunlight—there is no need of a lamp to see the sunlight. Similarly, Śrimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita, they are self-illuminating. Simply word to word if you try to understand, then you'll get enlightenment. Still, there are acaryas who can help you. As long as you are reading, the sun is unable to take your life. It is not possible for the sun to take your life. So if you constantly read, then where is the opportunity of sun's taking your life? Lecture on SB 2.3.17 -- Los Angeles, June 12, 1972: So hearing is not very difficult job. But you must hear from the realized soul. That is... Sata? prasa?gan mama virya-sa?vida?. If you hear from a professional man, that will not be effective. Hearing must be from sadhu, from devotee, from the lips of the devotee. Just like Śukadeva Gosvami was speaking to Maharaja Parik?it. So ... Or even if you hear yourself, you read books, you will save your life. If you simply read K???a book or Bhagavad-gita or Teachings of Lord Caitanya, then you know the... As long as you are reading, the sun is unable to take your life. It is not possible for the sun to take your life. So if you constantly read, then where is the opportunity of sun's taking your life? That means you are becoming immortal. People are very much anxious to become immortal. Nobody wants to die. Everyone knows that "I shall die." But if there is immediately some danger, fire, immediately you go away from this room. Why? I do not wish to die. I do not wish to die. Although I know I must have to die. Still, why do I go away? I know that... The GBC member means they will see that in every temple these books are very thoroughly being read and discussed and understood and applied in practical life. Lecture on SB 2.9.3 -- Melbourne, April 5, 1972: Cow protection means just like Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is tending the cows. He is going, taking the cows personally from His royal palace going to the forest whole day, working there. Is it not, cowherds boy? And taken some little fruit, mother, whatever mother has given. They are playing that. So this is cow protection, not that "Somebody will give money and we shall keep some third class cows and feed there and become cow protector." We must tend the cows very nicely so that they give us sufficient milk. And with that milk we shall live. "No, because we are giving protection to cow, you send money for the cows and the cow protectors, and earn money there and give us money. We shall eat nicely and sleep." As soon as this practice is going on, then next will be: "Give me some LSD, give me something else." This will go on. We don't want that. Similarly, the GBC member means they will see that in every temple these books are very thoroughly being read and discussed and understood and applied in practical life. That is wanted, not to see the vouchers only, "How many books you have sold, and how many books are in the stock?" That is secondary. You may keep vouchers... If one is engaged in K???a's service, there is no need of vouchers. That is... Everyone is doing his best. That's all. So we have to see that things are going on very nicely. So in that way the GBC members should divide some zones and see very nicely that things are going on, that they are chanting sixteen rounds, and temple management is doing according to the routine work, and the books are being thoroughly discussed, being read, understood practically. These things are required. Now, suppose you go to sell some book and if somebody says, "You have read this book? Can you explain this verse?" then what you will say? You will say, "No. It is for you. It is not for me. I have to take money from you. That's all." Is that very nice answer? So read books profusely, and learn the problems of life and the solution of life. Lecture on SB 5.5.5 -- London, September 3, 1971: So read books profusely, and learn the problems of life and the solution of life. Everything is there. Read it. Nectar of Devotion Lectures So every one of you should read this Nectar of Devotion repeatedly. The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, June 23, 1970: So we have published our Nectar of Devotion. So every one of you should read this Nectar of Devotion repeatedly. The whole substance of Vai??ava philosophy and activities, everything is there. So every one of you read this Nectar of Devotion once, twice, thrice. So we have published our Nectar of Devotion. So every one of you should read this Nectar of Devotion repeatedly. The whole substance of Vai??ava philosophy and activities, everything is there. So every one of you read this Nectar of Devotion once, twice, thrice. The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, June 23, 1970: Hare K???a. So we have published our Nectar of Devotion. So every one of you should read this Nectar of Devotion repeatedly. The whole substance of Vai??ava philosophy and activities, everything is there. So every one of you read this Nectar of Devotion once, twice, thrice. Unless you have got full-fledged ideas what is this devotional service... That was written by... Actually, it was spoken by Lord Caitanya to Rupa Gosvami. For ten days continually He instructed Rupa Gosvami at Prayaga, Daśaśvamedha-gha?a. You have seen the picture in TLC. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was at Allahabad, Prayaga, and Rupa Gosvami met Him there. He was offering obeisances flat. You have seen that picture. So at that time Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally gave him instruction what is this cult of bhakti. So for ten days. And he took note of it and later on he placed this book in the form of Bhakti-rasam?ta-sindhu. That is in Sanskrit. It will be difficult for you. Therefore I have presented a summary study, and the summary study has come to 407 pages. If we would have elaborately described each and every verse, then it would have come to at least thousand pages. So the whole substance is creamed. You should take advantage of this. And don't indulge in much unnecessary talks. Time should be very properly utilized. If we take the chance of living with the devotees, and try to serve the Gosvamis, who wanted to establish the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then our life will be successful. This is Bhakti-rasam?ta-sindhu. Study Bhakti-rasam?ta-sindhu very minutely, and this result you will achieve very easily. The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 8, 1973: If we take the chance of living with the devotees, and try to serve the Gosvamis, who wanted to establish the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then our life will be successful. This is Bhakti-rasam?ta-sindhu. Study Bhakti-rasam?ta-sindhu very minutely, and this result you will achieve very easily. Śrila Rupa Gosvami has left The Nectar of Devotion. Festival Lectures You can scientifically and philosophically study. Ratha-yatra -- San Francisco, June 27, 1971: One of the book is known as Teachings of Lord Caitanya. It is very important book. If you want to learn this K???a consciousness movement, we have got enough books. You can scientifically and philosophically study. But if you have no inclination to study, if you simply take to this chanting of Hare K???a, gradually everything will be revealed unto you, and you will understand your relationship with K???a. If you want to learn this K???a consciousness movement, we have got enough books. You can scientifically and philosophically study. Ratha-yatra -- San Francisco, June 27, 1971: One of the book is known as Teachings of Lord Caitanya. It is very important book. If you want to learn this K???a consciousness movement, we have got enough books. You can scientifically and philosophically study. But if you have no inclination to study, if you simply take to this chanting of Hare K???a, gradually everything will be revealed unto you, and you will understand your relationship with K???a. General Lectures We can see from His presentation of this Bhagavad-gita how supreme He is. He spoke this truth five thousand years before, and continually, for five thousand years, all scholars are studying this scripture, and studying very devotedly to understand it. Lecture on Maha-mantra -- New York, September 8, 1966: There are five authorities, recognized authorities, in India so far this is..., spiritual life is concerned. One of them is Śri Ramanujacarya and other is Śa?karacarya. The other is Madhvacarya, other is Vi??u Svami, and other Nimbarka, Nimbaditya (?). Principal. The whole, I mean, some of them flourished, say, two thousand years before; some of them 1,500 years before; some of them eleven hundred years before. Just like there are different ages, they have come. But all of them, in spite of their coming in different ages, they all are in one opinion—k???as tu bhagavan svayam: (SB 1.3.28) "K???a, Lord K???a, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Just like we have cited, iśvara? parama? k???a? (Bs. 5.1): "The supreme controller, the Supreme Lord, is K???a." Now, we can see from His presentation of this Bhagavad-gita how supreme He is. He spoke this truth five thousand years before, and continually, for five thousand years, all scholars are studying this scripture, and studying very devotedly to understand it. Conversations and Morning Walks 1972 Conversations and Morning Walks All these books should be regularly read. Room Conversation -- April 2, 1972, Sydney: Prabhupada: You read regularly, Nectar of Devotion, regularly. All these books should be regularly read. That will give you guidance. You haven't got to ask repeatedly to me; everything is there. 1976 Conversations and Morning Walks He must be expertly reading, not as a book worm, expert. Morning Walk -- February 26, 1976, Mayapura: Jayapataka: Service and reading are nondifferent? Prabhupada: Yes, if one is actually reading. Just like Rupa Gosvami. He was reading. Nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau. But he must be expertly reading, not as a book worm, expert. Jayapataka: And on the other hand, sometimes devotees are only engaged in service, and then, without reading, and they... Prabhupada: But every, everyone... You cannot expect everyone is capable for reading. Jayapataka: They have desire to read, but they have no opportunity. And then in their service, they become... They lose sight sometimes, where they, because of fallen condition, they cannot remember Krsna in their service. But while reading, one can easily..., cannot help but remember Krsna. Prabhupada: If he cannot remember Krsna, he will sleep. That is the test. When you have seen so many reading but sleeping, that means there is no Krsna. Yahan krsna tahan nahi mayara adhikara. Sleeping is maya, so if he's thinking of Krsna, there cannot be sleeping. Jayapataka: No, I'm talking not about the reading half, but the service half. Prabhupada: Service also... Everything depends on advancement in Krsna consciousness. If Krsna is there, either you read or work as a coolie, the same thing. 1977 Conversations and Morning Walks Bhagavata is the only guide. Read Bhagavata, repeatedly whole life. Safe. Always. Always, whenever there is time, read, read, read. Room Conversation -- February 16, 1977, Mayapura: Prabhupada: What can they do in darkness? (laughter) That is the only engagement in darkness. Jayapataka: They could have chanted Hare K???a. Prabhupada: No... Even Hare K???a people. Naviviktasano bhavet, matra svasra duhitra va (SB 9.19.17). It is strictly forbidden: "You should not sit alone even with your mother, sister or daughter, what to speak of wife." Balavan indriya-gramo vidva?sam api kar?ati: "The senses are so strong, even learned persons, advanced, they also become victimized." Balavan indriya-grama?. Balavan means very strong. When the... It is forbidden even with mother, sister or..., and daughter. That is the only capturing instrument in the material world. Maithunyam agara, prison house of sex, this material world. It is a prison house, but locked up by sex. The ordinary prison house, they are locked up by guards, and here the locking process is sex. Maithunyam agara. The words are selected in Bhagavata. They are thinking free. (laughs) They are imprisoned, locked up. And everyone falsely thinking, "I am free. Our nation is free. I am free." What nonsense free? You are locked up already. That he does not... Now this word is used, maithunyam agaram ajna?. He has preferred to remain in this prison locked up by sex because he is rascal. Maithunyam agaram ajna?. Pradyumna: Where is that, Śrila Prabhupada? Prabhupada: In the... Find out, Fifth, Fifth Canto, Fifth Chapter. Bhagavata is the only guide. Read Bhagavata, repeatedly whole life. Safe. Always. Always, whenever there is time, read, read, read. anarthopaśama? sak?ad bhakti-yogam adhok?aje lokasyajanato vidva?ś cakre satvata-sa?hitam (SB 1.7.6) Vyasadeva has done this satvata-sa?hita. Anartha. To live in this material world is anartha, unnecessary. Hm? You have got it? Pradyumna: yada na paśyaty ayatha gu?eha? svarthe pramatta? sahasa vipaścit gata-sm?tir vindati tatra tapan asadya maithunyam agaram ajna? Prabhupada: Ajna?. Jayapataka: Which verse? Pradyumna: It's Canto Five, Chapter Five, verse number seven. "Even though one may be very learned and wise, he is mad if he does not understand that the endeavor for sense gratification is a useless waste of time. Being forgetful of his own interest, he tries to be happy in the material world, centering his interests around his home, which is based on sexual intercourse and which brings him all kinds of material miseries. In this way one is no better than a foolish animal." Prabhupada: Yes. Maithunyam agaram ajna?. The selection of words in Bhagavata are, from even literary point of view, perfect. Pada? pada? yad vipada? na te?am (SB 10.14.58). Bhavambudhir vatsa-pada? para? pada? pada? pada? yad vipada? na... This is literary. Samaśrita ye pada-pallava-plavam. Again plava? plavam. Anuprasa. This is literary, anuprasa. Correspondence 1969 Correspondence My special request to you is that you seriously read our literature, especially Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Letter to Ann Clifford -- Los Angeles 2 August, 1969: So if you will come to our temple on Park Avenue and chant and speak with the devotees as far as possible, you will find that all lesser attachments and lesser enjoyments will fall very short of your attachment for and attraction for service of the Lord in Krishna Consciousness. That is a fact, and my special request to you is that you seriously read our literature, especially Bhagavad-gita As It Is, chant Hare Krishna always; then you will find your life becoming sublime. So try to understand this philosophy of Krishna Consciousness by reading our books and literatures, discussing amongst the devotees. Letter to Oliver -- Los Angeles 19 August, 1969: So try to understand this philosophy of Krishna Consciousness by reading our books and literatures, discussing amongst the devotees and chanting Hare Krishna Mantra as much as possible. Whenever there is any inquiries, you can write to me directly, and I shall try to reply them. You should read our own books over and over again. Letter to Hamsaduta -- Tittenhurst 2 November, 1969: So these Christian and Buddhist scriptures were delivered for a different class of men, and we needn't spend our time in studying their doctrines. You should read our own books over and over again and as far as possible do not try to enter into controversy. We do not concern ourselves with any other religion. Our religion is to become the servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna (CC Madhya 13.80). Continue to chant all of your rounds daily, and read our magazines and books as much as possible. In this way your future will be very bright, and surely you will be able to do great service to this movement within your lifetime. Letter to Vasudeva -- London 20 November, 1969: Krishna is very merciful to His sincere devotees, but also we have to remember that Maya is very strong. Therefore, we have to always be engaged in serving Krishna. At every moment we should be doing this or that service for Krishna's transcendental pleasure. If we do not remember this, then Maya is right there to grab us. It all depends upon our leaning towards Krishna or towards Maya. If you lean towards Krishna, you will be in Krishna Consciousness; and if you lean towards Maya, then you will be captivated by material nature. Krishna and Maya are just like light and shadow which are directly next to one another. If you move a little this way, you are in light and there is no question of shadow. But if you move a little the other way, you are in darkness. So if we remember to always be engaged in Krishna's service, then there will be no Maya and everything will be all right. Please always remember this great secret of advancement in Krishna Consciousness. So as you are showing promise to be a nice artist, I think you may next paint some pictures of the Spiritual Masters in the line of disciplic succession. Also, continue to fix up the new temple nicely and promote the Sankirtana Movement as far as possible. These, along with promoting our literatures will give you sufficient engagement to fill your time. Also, continue to chant all of your rounds daily, and read our magazines and books as much as possible. In this way your future will be very bright, and surely you will be able to do great service to this movement within your lifetime. 1970 Correspondence We have presented the complete philosophy of Krsna Consciousness in our books Bhagavad Gita as it is, Srimad Bhagawatam, Teachings of Lord, Chaitanya, Krsna, and others being printed, so the classes and personal study should be undertaken penetratingly. Letter to Jayapataka - So. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, Cal. 90034 February 13, 1970: Now we want some men who understand all the purports of the Shastras so that they will be able to face any questionnaires put to them especially ………. This is a very important business, and I want all of my disciples to be thoroughly versed in this way. Our first business to every initiated devotee is to chant daily sixteen round of beads without fail, and to follow the regulative principles rigidly, and our literatures must be studied with great attention. We have presented the complete philosophy of Krsna Consciousness in our books Bhagavad Gita as it is, Srimad Bhagawatam, Teachings of Lord, Chaitanya, Krsna, and others being printed, so the classes and personal study should be undertaken penetratingly. Please see that all the devotees are following these principles; this program is the essential basis of our spiritual advancement. If chanting and following of the regulation is done sincerely, without offense, all questions and doubtful points of philosophy will be cleared up by realization of Krsna from within the heart of the devotee. I hope you will read our books attentively and you should ask guidance in understanding Krsna Consciousness from your elder God-brothers. Letter to Goverdhan - So. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, Cal. 90034 March 6, 1970: I hope you will read our books attentively and you should ask guidance in understanding Krsna Consciousness from your elder God-brothers. If you stick to the principle of regularly chanting Hare Krsna and executing devotional service, Krsna will give you all protection in all circumstances of life. Read them one after another. Letter to Unknown -- Los Angeles 12 April, 1970: For the further understanding of this religious process I would recommend you to read our three books namely Sri Isopanisad, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and Easy Journey to Other Planets. When you have finished them, you can read Srimad-Bhagavatam and Teachings of Lord Caitanya. Besides these we have many other books and our "Back to Godhead" magazines, in which we are fully describing about this religion only. So you read them one after another, and whenever there is a question you may write to me and I shall be very glad to answer it as far as possible. Study our literatures with the cooperation of your God-brothers and sisters in Buffalo, and any questions you may have may be submitted to Srimad Rupanuga for answering. Letter to Tejiyas -- Los Angeles 20 May, 1970: Please follow the rules and regulations for advancing in Krsna Consciousness beginning with strict observance of the four restrictions, and chant daily the prescribed number of sixteen rounds on the beads, and you will grow strong in spiritual strength. Study our literatures with the cooperation of your God-brothers and sisters in Buffalo, and any questions you may have may be submitted to Srimad Rupanuga for answering. So in this way always find some engagement in Krsna's service and you will be supremely happy and successful in your life. If you are more serious about Krsna Consciousness then you should not only read our books and literatures with due care. Letter to Sriman Murthy -- Los Angeles 22 May, 1970: Krsna's further mercy upon you is exhibited that you are now living in our Temple. Our different centers are specially meant for reclaiming sincere souls to understand Krsna Consciousness, and if you are more serious about Krsna Consciousness then you should not only read our books and literatures with due care, but also if possible you should come here and live with me for some time. Study our literatures with the help of your senior God-brothers and sisters. Letter to Aditi -- India 29 September, 1970: Study our literatures with the help of your senior God-brothers and sisters, go on Sankirtana when possible, take special care to remain always engaged in some Krsna conscious activity, chant Hare Krsna Mantra always and be happy. Read our literatures sincerely. Letter to Karandhara -- Surat 18 December, 1970: I am very much happy that you are now attempting for opening up some centers in South America. It has long time been my desire to have some of our branches there. So you train up some qualified men and send them and if they can do something there it will be a great achievement. Simply they must chant Hare Krsna, observe the regulative principles and read our literatures sincerely and their success is guaranteed. 1971 Correspondence Your quotations from our Vaisnava sastras are very nice and I request you thoroughly to study all of our literatures very thoughtfully and try to understand the sublime import of this Krishna consciousness philosophy. Letter to Stephen -- Bombay 4 January, 1971: Your quotations from our Vaisnava sastras are very nice and I request you thoroughly to study all of our literatures very thoughtfully and try to understand the sublime import of this Krishna consciousness philosophy. The basic principle of advancement in our Krishna consciousness is stressed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu that if one simply chants the Hare Krsna Mahamantra without offense and has firm faith in Krsna and Spiritual Master then he will advance and he only can understand the deep import of Krsna consciousness. Study our literatures with the help of other devotees. Letter to Gerald -- ISKCON Akash Ganga Bldg; 89 Bhulabhai Desai Road; Bombay-26 India 19th February, 1971: Do not be disappointed if sometimes your mind gives some agitation. Such agitation is only temporary and will be driven away by chanting. So chant loudly whenever there is some disturbance and hear the transcendental sound attentively. Study our literatures with the help of other devotees and render some devotional service in the Temple or on Samkirtan Party. As your heart becomes more and more purified by the chanting process you will feel constant happiness in Krsna's service and at that time Krsna takes all the sinful reactions from the devotee thus protecting him from all distresses of life. 1972 Correspondence You must all study very scrutinizingly all of the books so that when the need arises you can repeat in your own words their purport. Letter to Hrdayananda -- Bombay 6 January, 1972: And you must all study very scrutinizingly all of the books so that when the need arises you can repeat in your own words their purport. Also I will be very pleased if you contribute articles to BTG. By writing regularly, what you read will become realized. As much as possible read, chant, and preach. This is our life and soul. If we keep to this simple formula then there is no doubt that we will be victorious wherever we go and very soon we shall become the only religion in the world. I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision. Letter to Bhargava -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1972: If we are Krishna Conscious, any type of occupation will suit me and we shall always be satisfied. Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your godbrothers even while you are working at the press, and when you are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my lectures and hear in that way. And never neglect to chant your 16 rounds of beads daily, rise early without fail, attend mangal arati, take bath, and follow the other regulative principles, and everything will come out very successfully, you can rest assured of that. I recommend you to read books more and more. Letter to Bhargava -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1972: If we are Krishna Conscious, any type of occupation will suit me and we shall always be satisfied. Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your godbrothers even while you are working at the press, and when you are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my lectures and hear in that way. If we are Krishna Conscious, any type of occupation will suit me and we shall always be satisfied. Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your godbrothers even while you are working at the press. Letter to Bhargava -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1972: So I am requesting all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without fail. In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily in the transcendental subject matter of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and other books then very easily you will make your advancement in Krishna Consciousness. It is not a matter of changing our engagement, adjusting this or that material condition, in order to find our real happiness. Krishna Consciousness is not like that. It is able to be performed under any variety of material conditions or with any type of engagement. Therefore if your duty as a photographer is very much helpful to our propanganda work and for improving our BTG then there is very much need for your remaining in that occupation and doing it to your best capacity. It is a fallacy to say that my present engagement with the press is not the best for my spiritual advancement, and if we think in this way we may go on trying out one engagement after another and always say the same excuse. This restlessness or agitation of the mind cannot be rectified by altering the material circumstances. If we are Krishna Conscious, any type of occupation will suit me and we shall always be satisfied. Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your godbrothers even while you are working at the press, and when you are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my lectures and hear in that way. And never neglect to chant your 16 rounds of beads daily, rise early without fail, attend mangal arati, take bath, and follow the other regulative principles, and everything will come out very successfully, you can rest assured of that. I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision. Letter to Bhargava -- Los Angeles 13 June, 1972: The more we become renounced from this material world, the more we advance in Krishna Consciousness. But we are only able to make such sacrifices and perform tapasya if we have got knowledge. So first thing is to become knowledgeable in Krishna Consciousness, then the tapasya or voluntary life of austerity will result automatically. So I am requesting all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without fail. In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily in the transcendental subject matter of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and other books then very easily you will make your advancement in Krishna Consciousness. It is not a matter of changing our engagement, adjusting this or that material condition, in order to find our real happiness. Krishna Consciousness is not like that. It is able to be performed under any variety of material conditions or with any type of engagement. Therefore if your duty as a photographer is very much helpful to our propanganda work and for improving our BTG then there is very much need for your remaining in that occupation and doing it to your best capacity. It is a fallacy to say that my present engagement with the press is not the best for my spiritual advancement, and if we think in this way we may go on trying out one engagement after another and always say the same excuse. This restlessness or agitation of the mind cannot be rectified by altering the material circumstances. If we are Krishna Conscious, any type of occupation will suit me and we shall always be satisfied. Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your godbrothers even while you are working at the press, and when you are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my lectures and hear in that way. And never neglect to chant your 16 rounds of beads daily, rise early without fail, attend mangal arati, take bath, and follow the other regulative principles, and everything will come out very successfully, you can rest assured of that. You want to perform sacrifice so continuously read our Vedic scriptures and perform the Vaikuntha yajna. Letter to Himavati -- Los Angeles 15 June, 1972: So remain always compact in Vaikuntha yajna, simply by thinking of the Glories of the Lord. Don't try to do anything artificially. That is sahajiya, which means a class of men that take everything very cheap. You want to perform sacrifice so continuously read our Vedic scriptures and perform the Vaikuntha yajna. I am very much stressing at this point that all of my students shall be very much conversant with the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, and that they should read our books very diligently. Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972: I am successful only because I am following strictly the orders of my Guru Maharaja, and I do not deviate. Therefore people respect what I am saying and they listen because I do not say one thing and do another. So now you are doing my work and you shall be like me and be yourselves the worthy representatives of our disciplic succession. I am very much stressing at this point that all of my students shall be very much conversant with the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, and that they should read our books very diligently at least one or two hours daily and try to understand the subject matter from varieties of angles. Each word is pronounced by me and repeated by the students and then altogether we chant the sloka several times until we have learned it. Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972: We are holding our morning class here in Los Angeles in the temple and I am speaking from 7 to 8 am, and the process is that we are going through some chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam by taking one sloka each day, and reading the Sanskrit aloud, each word is pronounced by me and repeated by the students and then altogether we chant the sloka several times until we have learned it. We discuss the subject matter very minutely and inspect it from all angles of approach and savor the new understandings. Letter to Madhudvisa -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972: We are holding our morning class here in Los Angeles in the temple and I am speaking from 7 to 8 am, and the process is that we are going through some chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam by taking one sloka each day, and reading the Sanskrit aloud, each word is pronounced by me and repeated by the students and then altogether we chant the sloka several times until we have learned it. And then we discuss the subject matter very minutely and inspect it from all angles of approach and savor the new understandings. So you introduce this system in all of the centers in your zone, and you will discover that everyone becomes very much enlivened by these daily classes. I advise you to daily read our books as far as possible and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision by discussing frequently with the devotees. Letter to Bob -- Los Angeles 16 June, 1972: One makes his advancement in Krishna Consciousness by giving up voluntarily his attachment to material nature or maya and such renunciation is called tapasya. But we are not very willing to perform austerities without good reason, therefore any man with scientific and philosophical good brain such as your good self, must appreciate first what is the transcendental knowledge. If you get knowledge, automatically tapasya will follow, and then you make your advancement in spiritual life. So to get knowledge is the first item for anyone who is hoping to find his perfection of life. Therefore, I advise you to daily read our books as far as possible and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision by discussing frequently with the devotees at New York Temple. In this way you will become gradually convinced, and by your sincere attitude and devotional service you will make progress. Give them all good advice how to understand the books, and inspire them to study the things from every point of view. Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1972: Now I am feeling very much inclined for retiring behind the scenes to translate my Srimad-Bhagavatam. This means that now you all leaders, especially the GBC members, must become very much responsible and do the work that I am doing to the same standard. So I want you leaders especially to become very much absorbed in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and become yourselves completely convinced and free from all doubt. On this platform you shall be able to carry on the work satisfactorily, but if there is lack of knowledge, or if there is forgetfulness, everything will be spoiled in time. So especially you must encourage the students to read our books throughout the day as much as possible, and give them all good advice how to understand the books, and inspire them to study the things from every point of view. In this way, by constantly engaging our tongues in the service of the Lord, either by discussing His philosophy or by chanting Hare Krishna, the truth is that Krishna Himself will reveal Himself to us and we shall understand how to do everything properly. Now we have got so many students and so many temples but I am fearful that if we expand too much in this way that we shall become weakened and gradually the whole thing will become lost. Just like milk. We may thin it more and more with water for cheating the customer, but in the end it will cease to be any longer milk. Better to boil the milk now very vigorously and make it thick and sweet, that is the best process. So let us concentrate on training our devotees very thoroughly in the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness from our books, from tapes, by discussing always, and in so many ways instruct them in the right propositions. Study our books and see our philosophy from different lights of directions. Letter to Bhagavatananda -- New York 8 July, 1972: Try to always study our books and see our philosophy from different lights of directions, become convinced yourself of this knowledge and without a doubt all of your difficulties of mind will disappear forever and you will see Krishna face-to-face. If you chant daily 16 rounds and read at least one hour daily Srimad-Bhagavatam, plus your other prescribed duties, never mind this or that, you will feel yourself becoming happy more and more and these practices will protect you from maya or hazy consciousness without any doubt. Letter to Saucarya -- Vrindaban 23 October, 1972: You are feeling some discomfort in your life in Krishna Consciousness, but I can assure you that this is only temporary condition of little importance, because main thing is that somehow or other you have got a little attraction for Krishna and you have become His devotee and this is the highest platform of development of life. So you should always feel yourself very much blessed by Krishna that you have come to this point after so much long struggling, so if there is from time to time little discomfort, do not pay it any attention. Now you have got the formula how to achieve very quickly the supreme perfectional stage, and it is up to you if you will practice it seriously or not. If you chant daily 16 rounds and read at least one hour daily Srimad-Bhagavatam, plus your other prescribed duties, never mind this or that, you will feel yourself becoming happy more and more and these practices will protect you from maya or hazy consciousness without any doubt. Of course, it is very much favorable to our advancement in spiritual life if we are engaged in some service for Krishna which is also pleasing t us to perform. So if you have got some special talent or experience you may discuss with Jagadisa how to engage yourself in that way. That is his duty as leader, to give you good engagement. 1973 Correspondence Please read my books very carefully. Letter to Roger -- Calcutta 26 January, 1973: Thank you very much for your kind sentiments. By engaging in this Krsna Consciousness Movement you will be perfecting your own life as well as helping others to also come to the platform of God-consciousness. This is the real business of human life, though unfortunately the majority of human beings are neglecting. Now it is our business to wake them up to Krsna Consciousness. Please read my books very carefully and become convinced on this point. Chant Hare Krsna, take prasadam, and follow the regulative principles very rigidly. This will make you more and more advanced in spiritual life. We should become habituated to read the books more profoundly. Letter to Sukadeva -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 23 July, 1973: Regarding the starting of a society newsletter, I think there is no need for it. Do not unnecessarily increase your responsibilities. What responsibilities you have make perfect. Besides, we already have our society journal, Back to Godhead. As for receiving news of other centers, why should you be so anxious? The news is always the same, sankirtana is going on, deity worship, with little change. We should rather turn our interest to learn from the books more and more. We should inquire about Krsna. Temple life is going on with little change, but we should become habituated to read the books more profoundly. 1974 Correspondence In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. Letter to Bahurupa -- Bombay 22 November, 1974: I am pleased to hear that you are chanting 16 rounds daily and reading my books regularly and following the four rules. In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. Krishna Consciousness is not a hackneyed thing but it is something which is our natural and original consciousness. Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything. You should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered. Letter to Hugo Salemon -- Bombay 22 November, 1974: Our process is something universal. It cannot be checked by any means. Anyone in any place, in any country can chant Hare Krishna. If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect. If you continue to read our books very carefully and try to understand our philosophy very deeply, this is nice. Letter to Mr. Quinn -- Bombay 17 December, 1974: If you continue to read our books very carefully and try to understand our philosophy very deeply, this is nice. 1975 Correspondence Please study my books intensely. Letter to Aticandra -- Bombay 4 January, 1975: First thing is that one must understand Srimad-Bhagavatam fully. The first verse, if you simply explain, will take volumes and volumes. So, please study my books intensely and do not fail to chant 16 rounds daily following the four regulative principles strictly. This will make everything perfect. 1976 Correspondence I wish that all my students can become as adept at presenting the information in the books like this. Letter to Tusta Krsna -- Vrindaban 18 September, 1976: I thank you very much for your very nice presentation of the issue of birth. You have assimilated the process of birth very nicely through the books. This has pleased me very much and I wish that all my students can become as adept at presenting the information in the books like this. You can make this a grand subject for agitation in that country and your preaching on this point alone will make you very famous. Therefore you should speak everywhere on this subject matter from the Bhagavatam and gita and you will be glorified. As the disciple is glorified so also the spiritual master becomes glorified more. Use this issue to advance your propaganda and become a leader in the society. They must study my books at least three hours a day (including classes). Letter to Bhadravardhana, Hrdayagovinda -- Vrndavana October 25, 1976: Please perform your service of training up the new men very carefully. Present the philosophy of Krsna consciousness as it is. There is no need to add anything or take anything away. As it is. They must learn to strictly follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds minimum every day, avoiding the 10 offenses. The new men should also go out for samkirtan, chanting or distributing my books. This will make them strong. Also, they must study my books at least three hours a day (including classes).  • Email to a friend • •ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kadamba Kanana SwamiSrimad Bhagavatam 1.3.13 - Endeavor to become simple in private life and simultaneously with intelligence use anything you need to use for preaching Krishna consciousness. • Email to a friend • •ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Kadamba Kanana SwamiClass given on Saturday. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.12 - A devotee always looks for Krsna's plan. • Email to a friend • •Japa Group: The Meaning Of The Mantra
What meaning does the Maha mantra have in our daily spiritual lives and how does it affect us as devotees. When we engage our sense of hearing and enter deeply into the sound of the mantra, forgetting the mind's internal dialogue...then the different energies of the Lord come to us and we feel this also during the day when we chant in our mind or sing the mantra. The purify effects of concentrated chanting affects all other aspects of our spiritual life and we can remember the Supreme Lord.  • Email to a friend • •ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Thanksgiving Weekend Celebrations - LIVE! • Email to a friend • •H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for October 84:31 A.M. Poem for October 8 Krishnadasa Kaviraja wrote Caitanya-caritamrta in his very old age. Fearing that he would not live long enough to complete the book, he wrote the later pastimes of C.c. in the second chapter of Madhya-lila. These were the ecstatic manifestations of Lord Caitanya which the author was actually able to [...] Poem for October 8 is a post from: EVERY DAY • Email to a friend • •H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Selected WritingsFrom Human at Best "Free Hare Krishna" "Are you tired? But still you could sing. People want to hear of Krishna even though they don't know it. "Your job is to give. Don't sit around forever healing yourself and balancing your masculine and feminine sides and your shadow and light, you'll never become perfect so [...] Selected Writings is a post from: EVERY DAY • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1967 October 8: "The movement which I have started will fulfill the desires of those who are actually anxious to have bona fide spiritual guidance. There are other swamis & yogis in your country who can simply exploit the sentiment but they can not deliver the real thing."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1967 October 8: "I am very glad that your service attitude is progressively increasing. Krishna Consciousness is such a nice thing that the more you work for the cause, the more you become enthusiastic to execute the purpose. Follow my instructions and you shall never be unhappy."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1967 October 8: "My mind is always with you. India is foreign country for me now. Practically your country is my home now. Where my spiritual family exists, there is my home."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1971 October 8: "So don't be disheartened at any circumstance. Depend on Krishna. After all this is the kingdom of maya. She is always peeping to take the opportunity of attacking us, but if we fix up our attention on the Lotus Feet of Krishna, maya cannot even touch us."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1972 October 8: "From your letter I can see you are persevering. That new devotees are coming is the sign of our success. I will be in India up to April then I can go to South Africa, or if you like, to Australia. My immediate program will be for one month at Radha Damodara Temple where we shall be holding class on the Nectar of Devotion."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1974 October 8: "Krishna will help you, that is a fact. So do your work sincerely, husband and wife, and you will have good success. You be pure, and teach others to be pure. The process is there. Follow very strictly our rules and regulations and maya will not be able to touch you."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1974 October 8: "If we actually follow in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, where is the question of conspiracy? I am training some of my experienced disciples. So if instead of taking my training, if in my lifetime you people say 'I am the Lord of all I survey,' that is a dangerous conspiracy."  • Email to a friend • •Srila Prabhupada's Letters1974 October 8: "I wanted you all my experienced disciples should manage the whole institution very cleverly without any personal ambition. The Gaudiya Math institution has become smashed on account of personal ambitions. So I shall request you all not to be personally ambitious."  • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: YOUR VISION, MISSION, PRINCIPLES AND VALUESThe two important questions in life are 'Who am I?' and 'What do I want?' Sometimes a picture of our 'ideal' life is imposed on us, or we adopt a pseudo-purpose and pay lip service to values in which we don't really believe. Consequently, we are not satisfied because we play a false role in our life and service, rather than following our own vision. Often the starting point in coaching is to help you clarify who do you think you are and create a clear vision of what you want. What would you see, hear and feel in your desired ideal life? The answers to this questions will enable you to plan a more defined route and to live a more authentic life. It's often a wake-up call to realize that you do not need to suspend your vision, but that by following it you will be more happy and more productive.  • Email to a friend • •Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PERSONAL GROWTHPersonal growth means: - You grow smaller, i.e., more humble - You connect with God more strongly - You take guidance from genuine saintly people - You life is based on timeless principles - You improve your body, mind, heart and spirit  • Email to a friend • •ISKCON News.com: As More Take Initiation, Second Generation Looks Deeper
• Email to a friend • •Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: Farewell my friend!Today, I heard a sad news that one of my friends passed away. I feel sad that I could not spend more time with him and encourage him in Krishna consciousness. He was not very wealthy materially speaking but he was a nice friend who would desire to help me whenever the need arose. When I went to India this spring, I wanted to take him with me to Mayapur and Vrindavan but that did not happen as I lost his contact till he contacted me some months before. He had deep aspirations to make it big in the cinema industry. I encouraged him and by the side also encouraged him to seek Krishna's help which he did in earnest and he chanted at least one round of the Maha mantra. He had heart problems but I did not realize it was serious. Perhaps I did not take his friendship seriously and hence was not keen to contact him. I feel sad I will not see him anymore. I want to dedicate this post to you my friend and also let you know that I always wanted to help you materially and spiritually. I hope your journey continues and that you take full shelter of the Supreme Lord who is the ultimate cause and effect. I pray at the Lotus Feet of the Divine Couple to give him shelter at their Lotus feet. Godspeed to you my friend and farewell!! It was great to know you and thank you for being a good friend Hare Krishna  • Email to a friend • •Haricharana das, Indonesia: Harinam & Distributing Srila Prabhupada books
Harinam & Distributing Srila Prabhupada books • Email to a friend • •H.H. Sivarama Swami: In praise of brahmacaris and the brahmacari asrama
• Email to a friend • •H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for October 64:31 A.M. Poem for October 6 "Lord Caitanya asked Srinivasa Thakura to deliver His flute, but Srinivasa replied, "Your flute has been stolen by the gopis." Srinivasa described the transcendental situation of Vrndavana's pastimes. Hearing this, the Lord felt great jubilation in His heart. The Lord exclaimed, "Speak on!" and Srinivasa expanded on the pastimes [...] Poem for October 6 is a post from: EVERY DAY • Email to a friend • •H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Selected WritingsFrom 108 Japa Poems "66. 'Quantity or Quality?' "Quantity and quality, the quality is more important. I chanted them as quickly as possible and aware of each mantra as it passed through my mind sooner than usual, I finished sixteen but something was missing, and it's elusive to gain, the heart fixed on Radha and [...] Selected Writings is a post from: EVERY DAY • Email to a friend • •Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “The Farmer” By W.D. EhrhartEach day I go into the fields to see what is growing and what remains to be done. It is always the same thing: nothing is growing, everything needs to be done. Plow, harrow, disc, water, pray till my bones ache and hands rub blood-raw with honest labor— all that grows is the slow intransigent intensity of need. I have sown my seed on soil guaranteed by poverty to fail. But I don't complain—except to passersby who ask me why I work such barren earth. They would not understand me if I stooped to lift a rock and hold it like a child, or laughed, or told them it is their poverty I labor to relieve. For them, I complain. A farmer of dreams knows how to pretend. A farmer of dreams knows what it means to be patient. Each day I go into the fields. Filed under: Poetry         • Email to a friend • •Temple of the Vedic Planetarium: Bon Voyage Sadbhuja Prabhu!This coming week our much-loved Managing Director, Sadbhuja Prabhu, will be leaving the office to take a trip to Bangkok, Thailand and Brisbane, Australia. First he will arrive in Bangkok to see someone regarding Bronze work for the temple doors and what the feasibility would be. • Email to a friend • •Yoga of Ecology, Bhakta Chris, USA: A Way To Make Motor Fuel Out Of Wood? Add Water A Georgia company says it has overcome a major roadblock in turning agricultural waste into vehicle fuel and other useful chemicals by experimenting with a technology that treats the waste with compressed water heated to very high temperatures. RenmatixTechnology from Renmatix obtained this sugar solution from wood pulp by applying very hot water at high pressure. The company, Renmatix, plans to cut the ribbon on a research and development center on Tuesday in King of Prussia, Pa., near the heart of the nation's chemical and refining industry, to complete development of the process. The goal is to accomplish something that has eluded a dozen companies in recent years despite big government inducements: to commercialize a technology for making use of cellulosic biomass, or wood chips, switchgrass and the nonedible parts of crops. If it works, the technology could reduce the nation's reliance on oil imports for gasoline in favor of a cleaner-burning and less expensive source of energy. A company with a workable technology would have a guaranteed market, given that Congress has set quotas for the consumption of cellulosic fuel but so far, hardly any is being produced. What is more, the supply of cellulosic biomass is far larger than the amount of corn available for making ethanol, and it does not involve diverting many resources from food production. Cellulose is made up mostly of sugars that can be fed to microorganisms to make ethanol or be chemically processed into other fuels or chemical feedstocks. Yet those sugars are locked up in a form that makes them mostly useless to anything but grazing cows and termites. The process developed by Renmatix involves putting hardwoods into a small pressurized chamber. One class of sugars, the type with five carbon atoms, is broken off and harvested. The remaining material is pumped into a second pressurized vessel for a longer period to release the remaining sugars. A solid component of woody biomass called lignin remains and is burned to provide energy for the process. In both phases, the cellulosic material is treated by water at a pressure and temperature that is so high that the water is neither steam nor an ordinary liquid but in a form known as "supercritical." Competitors use various combinations of steam, acid and enzymes to convert the woody waste into fuel. But the enzymes are far more expensive than water, and the acid residue must be removed from the resulting product. Some companies have tried to blast the cellulose into very small molecules and then recombine them as alcohols or other chemicals, but they have had trouble controlling the mix that results. Renmatix uses only pressurized water. When the water is in the so-called supercritical phase, the company says, its pH level can be adjusted to turn it into an acid. When it is depressurized, it reverts to pure water with a neutral pH level. Renmatix began its lab-scale process in late 2008. A year later, it began operating a pilot-scale plant in Kennesaw, Ga., that processes three tons a day of mixed wood chips. "We use no significant consumables, like enzymes or acids," said Fred Moesler, a company engineer who is in charge of scaling up the process. But scaling up and reaching competitive prices have tripped up several competitors in the field. "It's not unimaginable that it would work," said Thomas L. Richard, a professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Penn State University and the director of itsInstitutes for Energy and the Environment. Yet he cautioned, "I'm quite confident that they will face some challenges moving from a lab success to a tens-of-millions-of-gallons commercial refinery." Renmatix's process stops at the point that the wood waste is transformed into useful sugars. Other companies would convert the sugars into feedstock chemicals or motor fuels.  • Email to a friend • •Dandavats.com: Urgent need at ISKCON - Belfast - N.Ireland for a brahmana initiated pujariCaitanya candrodaya dasa: There is presently an urgent need at ISKCON Radha Madhava Mandir - Belfast - N. Ireland for a brahmana initiated pujari to take up the position of Head Pujari, due to the health situation of the present Head Pujari |
