The Bhagavad-gita (4.9) describes that the result of understanding Krishna – his divine birth and his sublime activities – is liberation and reinstatement in his kingdom. This extraordinary result underscores the difference between familiarity and understanding: we may be familiar with Krishna, having heard about his activities through family traditions or entertainment media or pious gatherings, but we need to take this familiarity to the next level of understanding by permeating it with devotion. The Gita (18.55) further explains that when we approach Krishna with devotion, we will be able to understand him in truth – not as a mythological or historical character whom we have always known, but as a living, loving God whose ever-new glory and ever-fresh beauty makes us feel that we have never really known him. We will discover his ever-available mercy in the flood of love that inundates our heart in reciprocation for every drop of love that we offer him. When we are thus charmed by Krishna, we will relish a sublime fulfillment that will gradually free us from all the worldly desires that bind us to material existence. Thus freed, we will attain the ultimate fruit of understanding Krishna: return to his abode of love to continue our ecstatic love affair with him – eternally.
Try the 21 day Hare Krishna challenge! “What is night for all beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled; and the time of awakening for all beings is night for the introspective sage.” Bhagavad Gita 2.69 Attention all seekers or aspiring devotees and yogis! Who’s up for a 21 day challenge? There’s 3 levels. All of them include vegetarian diet, waking early, some study and weekly gatherings Level 1 Daily: - chant 108 hare krishna maha mantras - read 2 verses of the bhagavad Gita Level 2 Daily: - chant 4 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha mantra on japa beads (432 mantras) - read for 1/2 an hour of Bhagavad Gita or Srimad Bhagavatam if you’ve all ready read the Gita - eat only prasadam (krishna-ised vegetarian food) by chanting the maha mantra to offer the food to Krishna before eating or eating prasad from temple or hare krishna restaurants - wake early (5am - 7am) - go to Krishna conscious gathering once a week. Level 3 Daily: - chant 8 rounds of the maha mantra on japa beads - read 1 hour of srila Prabhupadas books - Attend 2 gatherings a week - Offer service at temple, urban yoga or crossways - Wake up before 5am - no intoxication Keep a blog or dairy At the end of every day let us know how blissful it was and share your realizations by posting a blog. for example: Today I got up 5 am, chanted 4 rounds of the hare krsna mantra on my japa beads then had prasad from last night at urban yoga, went to work, read the Gita in my lunch break i finished chapter 3 karma yoga. After work saw some friends then went to Krishna fest then went back home feeling so refreshed! My house mates were just complaining, that’s all they ever do! its sad so I gave them some prasad then they asked me if I was joining a cult and I said um no Bhakti yoga isn’t a cult it’s the expression of the soul therefore it’s non sectarian then he said hmm sounds interesting tell me more so I tried to explain what I read and what iv heard from the devotees and offered to lend a book on kc to them to which they happily said they would read and consider coming to urban yoga next Saturday. I realized kc rocks! And that I feel a decrease of material desires when I chant and dance. Every one who participates will receive a Copy of HH Devamrita Swamis book - Searching for Vedic India or the new book based on the teachings of srila prabhupada - VEDA Just Some of the Benefits -Experience what it’s like to live a regulated spiritually balanced life free from karmic influence and stress. -By the end of the 3 weeks you will feel like you have never felt before, like a new person. -Unlock the treasures of your heart. Realise higher values, morals and character, peace of mind, detachment from results, freedom from stress, inner happiness, fulfillment, gratitude, emotional desire to serve and help others, qualification to help, bliss, knowledge, self realization and other sublime symptoms. - new way of looking at the world and your short term and long term goals. -And of-course a copy of Searching for Vedic India -Swapping bad habits for good ones. It takes 21 days to make and break habits . One can also use these 21 days to kick bad habits. You can only give some thing up by taking something better! By getting the param drstva or the higher taste (BG 2.59 Krishna says in the Gita 2.49, 2.50 and 2.59 “O Dhanañjaya, keep all abominable activities far distant by devotional service” “A person engaged in devotional service rids himself of both good and bad actions even in this life. Therefore strive for yoga, which is the art of all work.” The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness. -BUT don’t sweat if you fall from your vow.. Krishna says: “The senses are so strong and impetuous, O Arjuna, that they forcibly carry away the mind even of a man of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them.” Bhagavad Gita 2.60 Just keep trying, when you were learning how to walk or talk and you made a mistake you didn’t go on strike you just kept trying until you got it -What about work/study? “Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.” Bhagavad Gita 3.9 So work in krishna consciousness and in that way always remain in the spiritual platform. That goes for study or anything. Krishna told Arjuna to use his warrior nature in yoga also so it’s about connecting everything spiritually. If your in for the challenge just reblog this, and blog your progress so we can follow you and so you can get your prize.
Its seven days since the departure of one of the most beloved disciples of Srila Prabhupada, Her Grace Srimati Yamuna devi dasi on December 20 2011 in Melbourne Florida, Saphala Ekadasi. I have been musing on what to write, thinking that I could never say enough to properly glorify and appreciate such a great soul. There aren’t enough superlatives to adequately convey the respect and deep loving regard that Yamuna devi commanded by her purity, humility, deep devotion, personalism and precise absorption in the mellows of transcendental dealings. Aside from Srila Prabhupada himself, it’s hard to think of anyone I have met who was as Krsna conscious as she.  ‘
I have read over the last week a great outpouring of appreciation and love from all sectors of the Vaisnava community-men, women, sannyasis, new and old devotees. She touched the lives of millions directly and indirectly by her service and devotion. She was not an ordinary person nor indeed an ordinary devotee.  
One of the things that comes strikingly through from the offerings and eulogies is her unique ability to make everyone she met feel special. Her dealings were such that even a brief meeting with her left you feeling as if you had known her all your life. She was kind, attentive, appreciative, wise and completely present with whoever she was with. Even in seemingly casual conversation she had that deep and fathomless quality that only the very advanced possess. When you met her you felt that you had a special relationship with her; and that’s what made her special. She was a true daughter of Srila Prabhupada.  
I hope I can add to the portrayal of our dear Yamuna devi with a few anecdotes which may highlight her special relationship with Srila Prabhupada and with all of us. My own first indirect contact with her started on the very first day I started doing service at the Sydney temple in February 1972. I was engaged with another bhakta in renovating a small storefront next door to the temple in Glebe. For a week I would walk over to the temple in the early morning and spend the day painting and decorating. We had a small record player and one record, the Radha Krsna Temple album. 
All day long we repeatedly played it, listening over and over again to music and singing that transported us to an otherworldly, mystical state of consciousness. Predominant was the slightly nasal, indescribably attractive Vaikuntha voice of Yamuna. I had never heard anything like it. The way she sang ‘Bhaja Mana Hure’ and ‘Govinda Jaya Jaya’ was totally captivating. 
And every morning we heard her lead the Brahma-samhita prayers “Govindam adi purusham tam aham bhajami” as we greeted the newly-dressed forms of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha 
It was a great introduction to Krsna consciousness. When I asked one of the senior devotees, Baibhavi dasi, who the singer was, she replied in awed tones, “That’s Yamuna. Prabhupada said she is already on the stage of bhava.” I didn’t know whatbhava was, but I could understand it was something very special from Yamuna’s singing. The playing of the Govindam prayers each morning to greet the Deities became an ISKCON standard from the moment the recording was made. Srila Prabhupada had been sent some copies by Shyamasundara prabhu immediately after it was recorded by George Harrison: 
Februrary 16 1970 – London Dearest Prabhupada, Please accept my most humble obeisances, though I am so unworthy even to accept crumbs from the plates of your devotees. Please find enclosed the first copy of “Govindam” which you have taught us, and which we, quite badly, have rendered for the glorification of your Guru Maharaj in the world at large. Yamuna, myself, Mukunda and Janaki are singing, with everyone joining on the chorus. George plays guitar, Mukunda plays organ, a new boy, Hamper (an Armenian boy), plays “oud” (an Arabian stringed instrument), I play esraj, Gurudas and I play khartals and there is an orchestra of 6 violins, 6 violas, 2 double-bass, 2 tubas, 3 cellos, and one harp. Please accept this record as our humble offering unto your divine Lotus Feet. As you can see by enclosure, we are very popular also in Yugoslavia, a communist country. Two weeks ago we were #1, now we are #5. George has received letters from young people in Yugoslavia asking him to send someone there to start a temple. I will xerox these and send them in due course to you. . When the record is released here March 6 there will be a flurry of publicity and we shall have many occasions to mention the book [note: 'Krsna']. I will be with George all day Thursday walking on the grounds of his new monastery to asses the work he wants me to supervise and I shall discuss the foreword with him. I am pretty sure he will do it. Shall I ask him to say anything in particular? Your idea of a small booklet is supreme, and I shall try to get that foreword from George as soon as possible. If Boston prints it, I can work out details with them (such as English spelling, English prices etc.) and begin taking orders. I may have to travel around Britain to sell Krsna book but the record publicity should make this easier. Since the record will not be released in U.S. til about first of May perhaps the U.S. centers can plan a double campaign (book and record). 
I have just come from the cutting room where this record was made, it is late at night in Trafalgar Square post office so I shall write a longer letter tomorrow to clarify some points. Your servant and friend forever, Shyamasundar.” Srila Prabhupada sent a long reply, opening with an appreciation of the record: Letter to: Syamasundara — Los Angeles 21 February, 1970 My Dear Syamasundara, Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16 February, 1970, along with “Govindam” record. I have heard it played on a record player and, although the machine was not very good, still I enjoyed the transcendental vibration very much. .” And in a subsequent letter on February 25 1970 Prabhupada commented: “I have already acknowledged that the “Govindam” record is very nice, and I am sure it will be appreciated. Devananda also has liked it and says that the sound will be very attractive to the young people especially. Regarding the presentation of “Govindam” as well as other mantras, the vibration is always pure. I will give the theme and if the sound is Westernized that does not matter.” It was reported that when Srila Prabhupada heard the Govindam prayers he had tears in his eyes. And as he installed more and more Deities in his rapidly expanding ISKCON movement and standardized the sadhana and routines of temple life, the playing of the Govindam prayers at the greeting of the Deities became an integral and well-loved feature, giving transcendental pleasure to tens of thousands the world over. 
Later on, just after I joined Srila Prabhupada’s party in December 1975, a letter arrived addressed to His Divine Grace from some brahmacaris in Los Angeles. They were objecting to the playing of the London recording of the Govindam prayers, and particularly the fact that a woman, Yamuna devi, was singing them: [TD1] December 12 1975 – Vrndavana-dhama During his massage Prabhupada heard a letter from Jayasacinandana dasa in Los Angeles written on behalf of a group of brahmacaris. In every ISKCON temple in the world the assembled devotees offer their obeisances to the Deities in the morning as the Govindam prayers loudly play. George Harrison recorded it and Yamuna dasi sings the mantras. Disturbed by this custom, Jayasacinandana quoted Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (as well as Srila Prabhupada) that if a brahmacari hears and is attracted to a woman singing, it is a subtle falldown. “In light of this,” he wrote, “many of the brahmacaris approached the temple president to see if it would be possible that when the Deities are greeted in the morning that instead of listening to Gurudasa Maharaja’s former wife singing the Brahma-samhita prayers, we could listen to Your Divine Grace rather than hear a woman sing. He did not want to change the tape because it had been a standard thing in ISKCON since 1970. So requested by many devotees, I am enquiring from Your Divine Grace if we could play a tape recording of you singing instead of a woman when the Deities of Rukmini-Dvarakadisa are greeted in the morning. I am sure that all the devotees would be enlivened to hear you instead of electric guitars, the London symphonic orchestra, etc. etc.” “Srila Prabhupada was not pleased. He said that constantly changing things is “our Western disease.” His reply was short and direct. “No! You have made some discovery. All along you have been hearing the recording of Yamuna dasi, and now you want to change. It is not ordinary singing, it is concert. Many people are singing, so it is not bad. Just like sankirtana, many voices are there — men and women; so it is the same thing, sankirtana. I approve of it. Here in the Krishna-Balaram temple we are hearing the same recording every morning. So if it is good here, why not there?” Yamuna’s transcendental rendering of the Govindam prayers continues as a firmly established ISKCON tradition, and has been heard by millions over the last forty+ years. Let us hope that it continues to inspire hundreds of millions more for the millennia to come. As long as it is played, Yamuna devi remains firmly in our midst and in our hearts. 
Yamuna Devi Dasi remembers. “Although we lament the loss of the association of the great vaisnavas who leave us, there is one good feature. We all become absorbed in remembering and mediating on their sublime good qualities. I only met Yamuna devi once, and it was sublime. Her humility was awesome. Now I am blessed to be able to read so many wonderful narrations of her “tivra bhakti” and get more insight into my own degraded nature.” Kavicandra Swami on Facebook 
Xmas realisations -My cousins don’t get excited about shopping or junk food like we used to. Too much of it makes you desensitised or familiar with it. Maybe there spoilt. -tv and radio is poisonous entertainment and I’m so grateful I don’t have time or facility to be victimised by them. -over one million dollars worth of unwanted gifts.Xmas is a time of giving and refunding. -my family is very nice and accepting of my krsna consciousness. -respect must be there for there to be some kind of relationship therefore I can’t say my cousins dont respect there parents but it seems that due to there teenage symptoms and whatever else that respect is covered by a superficial hatred. My grade 11 cousin will express complete disgust towards his dad unprovoked to which the dad will sadly reply “that’s not very nice” this cousin was telling me how at his school some of the kids swear at him and make fun but he doesn’t care. Hes friends with the cool kids but doesn’t hang out with them because “they get mixed in the wrong things like drugs and playing up” “some times when a kid doesnt hand in an assignment the teacher will ask why and the kid will say f#%k you miss get out of my life” so theres no culture of respect. But one can’t solve a problem unless one knows why the problem exists so my uncles approach of saying “that’s not very nice” every time his son dis’s him probably won’t effect change because it’s not addressing the underlying cause for the apparent disgust my cousin has for his father. So I was talking to my cousin and when he told me about the kids at school sweating at their teachers I said yeah there’s no culture of respect, I can’t believe kids swear at thier parents like they owe their parents so much. They wouldnt even have a home or clean clothes or hot dinners if it wasn’t for their parents intense labor” My uncle was clearly hurt by his sons cutting language and I was hurt also. -the only training ground for learning these basics is the hate krsna movement. Nowhere else is this teaching of respect so emphasised. Trinad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniya sada hari One should chant the names of Krsna in a humble state of mind thinking oneself lower than the grass one should be mote tolerant than a tree devoid of false prestige and should offer all respects to others without expecting respect in return in such a state of mind one can chant constantly. For devotees of Krsna this is actually the foremost teachingTandem practice, we are told to string this verse with the Mahayana mantra and wear it on our neck. Their are many many examples persons who do this in our movement - therefore if one at all wants the best for their children the should send them to the hare krsna school to be properly trained in the ways of Bhakti or loving relations or at least do what my mother did and send them to a qualified hare krsna councillor to imbibe their loving spirit and take good advice from them and if the child decides to be a full time practitioner of Bhakti the parents should follow them or at least support them in every way . My mother and I used to fight every day so she asked her friend from Govindas restaurant who was a councillor and who happened to be a practising disciple of Prabhupada the founder of the krsna movement so he asked me to come every Wednesday under the pretext of finding out young peoples values and beliefs so I did go their to boast about my values and hobbies but had no beliefs or philosophy so I asked him about krsna consciousness and his answers resonated with my soul so much that 4 years later I’m a full time practitioner and what is the result?I live with good friends, I live in a temple, eat well, don’t do drugs, eat meat, sleep around or gamble, don’t swear, i read about science, philosophy and god, cook, do art and contribute to society in many ways like teaching higher values, gratitude to the supreme, the art of relationships and vedic culture, charity work, food relief and more. As a result I never disrespect my mum so she’s very happy that our relationship is so nice. 
Words in Praise of Yamuna Devi
While chanting on my meditation beads on Christmas morning it occurred to me I should write in honor of Srila Prabhupada’s disciple, Yamuna Devi, who passed away recently. I met her just a few times. Although she was gracious and friendly, I had a sense she was on a level of sincerity and devotion way above me. I think my limited sincerity kept me a little distant from her. I wanted to say a few things which I was able to appreciate about the interactions I had with her, tell my favorite recipe from her most famous cookbook, and conclude by sharing the notes I took on what she said [and what others said of her] at the fortieth anniversary of the installation of their most beautiful and most merciful Lordships Sri Sri Radha Londonisvara at Soho Street, London, back in November 2009.
My first contact with Yamuna Devi was indirect, by hearing her voice. Back in the late 1970s I was a student at Brown University, where my friend would play the Radha Krishna Temple Album after we would do our meditation. I loved all the songs on the record, including the “Govindam” recording in which Yamuna Devi was the lead singer.
I first recall meeting Yamuna Devi when she attended a wonderful program that Kartamasa Prabhu (known by most as Kar), a very devoted Vaishnava youth, had at his place in Alachua. Almost every other Sunday, as far as I recall, Kar would invite a senior devotee to his house to speak to his friends, mostly a crowd of the Vaishnava youth, the children of the Hare Krishna devotees. I would come too because I knew Kar from chanting with him at Krishna Lunch in Gainesville one or twice a week for two hours while was working on his master degree in sociology. Kar would ask the senior devotee he invited two questions: (1) How did you join the Hare Krishna movement? (2) Why have you stayed in the Hare Krishna movement? Usually he would record these programs on video, and I hope he still has the tapes. There would also be worship and singing for his deities of Krishna and Balarama. Yamuna Devi was a devotee Kar had the utmost respect and affection for. When Yamuna came, that was the first time I got to hear her singing live. Then in addition to her beautiful voice in the kirtana, I recall most how she tried to encourage each devotee there. She asked a question to the devotees and had each one of us respond. She listened carefully and discussed what each person had to say. I could see from that that she really cared about the devotional lives of each of us, and that impression remains in my mind until this day. That was more powerful to me than how she answered Kar’s two questions, which I actually forgot.
When I go home to visit my mother, sister, and niece, I do all the cooking, and my sister has a copy of Yamuna Devi’s largest cookbook, Lord Krishna’s Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking. Yamuna includes a recipe I love for a rice with carrot and coconut which is really simple and tasty, and comes out every time. I thank her for the tremendous achievement of writing such a voluminous cookbook that received awards for being the best vegetarian and best Indian cookbook when it came out, all as a beautiful devotional offering to Srila Prabhupada and Lord Krishna.
In December 2009, Kar was in Mayapur, and he invited me to come each evening to a program they had there with Mother Yamuna, where they chanted all the bhajanas in Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Gitavali over a period of several days. It was attended by about twenty devotees, ranging from Vaishava youth teenagers to Prabhupada disciples in their sixties. I could not attend the whole program each day as it overlapped with the three-hour harinama program in Mayapur I attend which ends at 6:00 p.m., but I came several times and I was there for the last session. You could see she really appreciated the message and mood of Bhaktivinoda Thakura and wanted to share that. At the last session, she asked for our realizations of the program. I expressed that her program of hearing the bhajanas and their meaning made me realize that these are a gift that Srila Prabhupada gave us that many of us do not fully appreciate. We have systematic study of the scriptures like at Mayapur Institute for Higher Education and Training and other places, but we do not, as a worldwide society, encourage the devotees to sing, learn, and appreciate the bhajans of the acaryas. Perhaps we should do that more in general and also, in a systematic way. I felt she appreciated my words. Perhaps now as Yamuna Devi has passed away, in her honor, our leaders might consider promoting bhajana study throughout the movement at their upcoming meetings in Mayapur.
Devotees Speak About Yamuna Devi at the London Forty Years Festival
Guru Das Prabhu:
Srila Prabhupada himself said that the Bury Place temple was like a family, that I (Guru Das) was the father, and Yamuna was the mother, and the proof that it was like a family is that the men and women were just a floor apart, but there was no mixing because they were so happy being engaged in devotional service.
Malati Prabhu:
Yamuna was attentive, submissive and always inquiring. Thus Srila Prabhupada taught her many things.
Bhagavat-asraya Prabhu:
I was always told that Guru Das Prabhu and Yamuna Prabhu were the father and mother of the family. There are different conceptions of ISKCON, the corporate conception, etc., but the family conception is the best. We always tried to keep it like a family.
Sarva Mangala Prabhu (Bhagavat-asraya’s wife):
The devotees really loved the devotees who introduced them to Srila Prabhupada, who had since gone to India, and they would often talk of them, especially Yamuna Prabhu. I think that Radha-Londonisvara have really blessed us that when we serve Them together we develop nice relationships between each other. When you practice Krishna consciousness it changes your heart, and you can pass that on to others. Let’s keep the family spirit.
Dhananjaya Prabhu:
Srila Prabhupada gave Yamuna lessons in singing the slokas of Bhagavad-gita. I do not recall he did that for anyone else.
When Srila Prabhupada was sick he engaged Yamuna in making hot chili pakoras to increase his body heat. As a person who regularly massages Srila Prabhupada, I was entitled to the remnants of his lunch. Since I did not want to share them with anyone, I ate them in a room with the light off. The pakoras were unbearably spicy hot, but I was determined to eat them anyway. Besides, I didn’t want to be caught with some of the remnants, although I felt there must be smoke coming out of my ears.
Srutakirti Prabhu:
I always remember seeing Yamuna making chapatis for Srila Prabhupada at Radha Damodara. All I could think is about Mother Yasoda cooking for Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada insisted that I take prasadam, and so I did. I never tasted anything that was as good as what Yamuna cooked for Srila Prabhupada.
Yamuna Devi Speaking at the London Forty Years Festival
I never had a desire to cook. Cooking, for me, meant cleaning up all the time, so I was not attracted. But I found out cooking for Krishna was different.
Within an hour of meeting Srila Prabhupada, he engaged me in cooking.
Srila Prabhupada was expert in so many things, besides being a devotee empowered to spread Krishna consciousness. He learned cooking from his maternal uncle, auntie, and street wallas (vendors).
There was never a time Srila Prabhupada did not ask a guest to take prasadam.
After meals, Prabhupada asked me if knew how to cook everything that was served. If not, he wanted me to learn.
Sometimes Prabhupada was lenient, and sometimes he would reprimand with such subtlety we would only understand it years later.
Prabhupada would describe the ingredients in a dish, and then critique it after we made it, indicating first class, second class, and third class with gestures.
He demonstrated how to make pera, explaining the principles.
Srila Prabhupada revealed a buni or bunji kitri, a thick kitri, for Ratha-yatra for Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra. It should be the main dish at every Ratha-yatra feast.
All I have is a notebook from autumn 1969. I like to remember the pastimes with other devotees. We all remember different things. It is wonderful having Malati’s association.
Srila Prabhupada said of deity worship, you are dealing with the supreme pure, so you have to become pure. The same is true of him.
This is the only place Srila Prabhupada gave the instruction for mantra-snana [bathing by mantra] Deity worship. We did not ask why. Perhaps it was we were understaffed.
I came to the marriage of my sister. I thought Krishna consciousness was alright for my friends but not for me. I liked Srila Prabhupada. At one point, I decided I would do an experiment and try to follow the four principles and chant. I read the first seventeen chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam and was truly impressed. I was chanting practically all day.
Next time I saw Srila Prabhupada, he inquired about my plans, and I said I wanted to go to a higher place, like the Himalayas. Srila Prabhupada replied, “I can take you to a higher place than the Himalayas. Just see. Just see.”
My cooking for Srila Prabhupada, I felt, was progressing from kindergarten through high school. In London, we had been devotees only a year and a half.
Srila Prabhupada was so perceptive on so many levels. We all appreciated him differently. Sometimes he would just indicate things with his eyes.
Srila Prabhupada would repeat an instruction until we got it, and then he would move on.
All glories to Yamuna Devi, a great devotee of Srila Prabhupada, who imbibed the devotional attitude from him.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada, who spread Krishna-bhakti all over the world.
For those wanting to read a broader descriptions of Yamuna Devi’s life, click here.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.27 - Pastimes of Lord Jagannath's Appearance and Snana Yatra.
When one is adorned with love and affection, his face is lotuslike.
When one's eyes are smeared with love of Krsna (premanjana-cchurita), he always sees Krsna, outside and inside.
Only those who engage in devotional service with love and faith receive the necessary intelligence from the Supreme Personality of Godhead so that gradually and progressively they can advance to the abode of the Personality of Godhead.
If any devotee offers Krsna even a small leaf, or a flower or water, with love and affection, the Lord accepts it and is pleased.
At theBhakti Vriksa Seminar held in Inish Rath ISKCON Temple in Northern Ireland, onedevotee mentioned how vicars in one church don't allow congregational membersto take up more responsible roles because the congregational members are betterthen them, and keep them just giving donations. This is very vividexample what the leader must give up - envy of those who work under him. Do wesometimes examine our motives? Do we really want people to succeed? Are weafraid for our position or reputation?
A devotee of Krishna should be glad thatpeople are coming forward to take up responsibility. He should encourage andcoach them. He should be genuinely happy when another devotee is successful and isdeveloping as a caring leader, or a responsible person. One GBC Minister saidwe should see congregational devotees as partners and not look down upon them.
In manyspiritual and business organizations today leaders are forced to give upcontrol and become facilitators. Practically it boils down to 'change or soonyou'll be strange'. But it is not easy to change, to give up control, give upfalse prestige and enjoying or exploitive mentality.
Intelligentspiritual leader knows he will be tested and he prepares for it by reflection,introspection and examining his motives. He does it to learn and improve when he is faced with a challenge. Andchallenges will come.
Krsna is sometimes addressed as vatsala. Vatsala means "always favorably disposed." One of Lord's names is bhakta-vatsala. He is famous as bhakta-vatsala, which means that He is always favorably inclined to the devotees
Sent By His Grace Krishnarchan Dasa (Click on the pictures to discover the Treasure House Of India’s Spiritual Wisdom as presented by ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada) Ishtagoshthi in Iskcon Ujjain by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Guru Maharaja (Summarised and paraphrased) All of you become fixed-up devotees. Krishna consciousness means [...]
Notes from His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami’s lectures in Iskcon Ujjain in the recent visit (December 2011) (only some points noted down and paraphrased) Sent By Krishnarchana Dasa (Click on the pictures to discover the Treasure House Of India’s Spiritual Wisdom as presented by ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada) The Vedas [...]
Sent By His Grace Pankalochana Krishna Dasa (Click on the pictures to discover the Treasure House Of India’s Spiritual Wisdom as presented by ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada) 24th December 2011, It was 4’o clock in the morning and I was really very excited about my long journey under [...]
I wrote this several days ago in my journal:
This morning Manorama Prabhu received a text message that the beloved illuminary of service and devotion, Mother Yamuna, had left this world. Right now we're singing kirtan in her honor, and the voices of everyone encircle me in an embrace.
Life is tottering like a drop of water on a lotus petal.
This morning I have experienced that fragility of life. As we sang the Vaishnava song of mourning, I saw people cry that I have never heard or seen cry before. When we sang the Govindam prayers in her honor, many wept. I wept. The voice of Mother Yamuna has been embroidered upon the heart of every person on this bus as well as thousands upon thousands of others.
I do not want to take a moment of this life for granted, and yet all too soon that drop of water shall fall from the lotus petal. Am I ready? Am I ready?
"We must live our material lives as though we shall live forever; we must live our spiritual lives as though we shall die tomorrow." - Unknown
I would say today was my best day in terms of the amount of books distributed and money collected. I collected more than $35 and distributed more around 10-15 books (not exactly sure how many). I may have knocked on at least 125 doors of which I could convince say 10 people to take the book. I met a whole variety of folks. I must say the residents of the buildings were probably of low-income category or perhaps less affluent is more apt. Most of the houses had dogs and I have fear of dogs. Although the dogs were not on leash, the owners were always careful to not allow the dogs in front.
I have said this in my previous posts, and I say again that most of the residents practice Christian faith and most likely not interested in Krishna Consciousness. So I started to talk to them about Jesus and that chanting Jesus Christ's names would benefit them spiritually. I made sure this is not a sectarian concept of religion. I met a muslim girl from Pakistan who donated money generously but was absolutely adamant to not accept the books. Somehow I requested her to accept theBeyond Illusion and Doubt book which was purely an interpretation on western philosophy. She reluctantly accepted it.
Anyways, I met many people but unfortunately my memory escapes me. I do remember one funny incident. I was distributing a book to an elderly African American lady. As I was explaining the philosophy, the sister of the lady came into the living room and she saw me. The lady to whom I was talking introduced me to her and turned and pointed to her sister the book and said this is Krishna. The sister looked at me with exasperation in her breath and loudly said "Krishna?"...and she nodded her head in disapproval on hearing Krishna and went back her into the room. I didn't know what to say and the lady who was talking to me said its ok. The lady gave me a nice donation and I left. It is interesting to see the impressions people have on other religions and especially Krishna.
Overall however, I would say the majority response was either a big fat no and some seemed recipient to spiritual life. I distributed all the books I carried but one book. After about 2 hours, I became tired and was getting dark, figured I will return. With that, I went back to my office and then to my house.
I have to say I am little pessimistic in terms of anything sustainable coming out of book distribution especially where I live because people are either religious or very materialistic. It is very hard for me to convince them in like 60 secs to take a book and at the same time perhaps read it and email me. Unless I meet someone who is also seeking spiritual knowledge and who is not attached to any current form religious system, then may be I will have chance to make an impression and make something sustainable out of it. For now, I pray Krishna to give me desire to distribute and also pray Krishna to send me the interested person.
We will never know! This unknown gives some hope!
Hare Krishna
Sometime in spring 2012 New Vrindaban will be hooking up to Public Service District #3 for its potable water needs. One advantage this will give us over our own system is sufficient pressure and volume for fire suppression. Here is a picture of a current excavation by Tejomaya being done behind the Radha Vrindaban Candra temple for a fire hydrant. 
New Vrindaban will continue to maintain its current system to provide water for irrigation and toilet flushing. New Vrindaban will continue to maintain its own sewage treatment facility.
During my las t visit to the Manor there was a small discussion regarding book distribution and how they are announced even if only one book is distributed by a devotee this brings the greatest Joy to all the attending devotees. 
It is also with some sadness that due to on going problems I am unable to go into my home town and distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books as this will bring me into direct conflict with the local ISKCON management; sadly despite many efforts the on going issues fail to be resolved and each year I make the same offer that if they need help or if I can serve in any way then let me know; each year the same response but still the offer remains. So my book distribution is very small and humble working with some constraints so as not to cause offense to others and are as follows: 4 Gita’s 6 Veda 2 SB 1st Canto 15 Small Srila Prabhupada Books 2 KC Calendars I pray that this small offering as part of Srila Prabhupada’s book marathon meets with with some approval. So I am gearing up for the up coming school and community marathon over the next few months. And thank the wonderful devotees at Bhaktivadanta Manor, who have given me shelter, inspired me and engaged me nicely in service each month who each and every one remains very dear to my heart. Humbly as Always Ys Dhirabhakta Dasa
The winding up day for travelling book distributors. and action hero’s and there sankirtan activities 
Sutapa manages the whole sankirtan yatra including administration and organizing the supplying of the books to travelling devotees and himself austerely distributes’ Guru das is a good preacher with a kind nature and good preaching tactics he convince people with his American style of approaching.. and slap people with dynamic philosophy, and hand’s them a book like a innocent child with he’s humble and straightforward manor. And the other side our hero’s Ananda Caitanya Das, Sundar Madhava Das, Jagat Priya Devi Dasi, Madhurya Gaourangi Devi Dasi and Hemah Devi Dasi; they all are now focused as ever dispensing out Srila Prabhupada’s mercy in a great number of books. Let there be victory of all those soldiers and our merciful soldiers B.M.F team and our back up team at the Manor, Madan Mohan Prabhu our long time back up hero and our Alexey Russian hero, Sundar Nitai Prabhu, Caitanya Valabh Prabhu, Prem Rasa Prabhu, Sridama Prabhu, Ruben Prabhu and Mother Syamsundari Devi Dasi and many more and our manor shop hero Acarya Sevak Das, and my dear friend Dhirabhakta Das prabhu who did house to house distributing books and Dayananda Maharaj many many more soldiers you name it. These books by the grace of Srila Prabhupada will one day bring nice fruits and by Srila Prabhupada’s grace by nurturing the bhakti lata one day it will become ripe fruits and will produce more hero’s who will distribute more and more books. this is beating of a drum. fire of sankirtan. which never ever stops;;; This set fire is created by Lord Caitanya and only he can check its power once again today on Christmas eve we finished our book marathon on the street of Notingham town centre with Sundar Madhava joining us from other party. Some how it founded that after 1999 this year is the biggest book marathon happened in UK, solid book distribution is a future preparation for solid member of Krishna Consciousness. The intenship in regular book distribution and total competition mood minimises the daily reading, and weather causes little tiredness and may minimises little attention on japa, but these careful soldiers know the limit. So after marathon they cover up. But for some special soldiers have no problem they are good all rounder. Today while distributing books, I kept my book trolley in front of a car phone shop and while I was stopping people a consultant from that shop came out and gave me donation and took B,GITA AND VEDA instead of chasing away us from there. Today Sundar Madhava told me that in southampton. people were making lines to buy our books. and on top of that they were coming and bringing food stuffs to offer to us. Because they were saying that we are doing the top most service to the general people in this austere weather. by simply becoming a sankirtan soldier solves all other problems because intense anxiety to how to go out; how to stop people and how to convince them in this weather to take a book and ask for donation these anxiety is pure and if practised selflessly than its amazing sankirtan devotees chant japa more harder to maintain that pure atmosphere on the street to serve krsna. By the purity honesty and sincerity of a devotee a non devotee momentarily disentangle from the modes and could sense the goodness in order to buy and give lots of donation and ready to read those books because super-soul Srila Prabhupada and a sankirtan soldier all are helping this non devotee on the street to accept this gift and become a devotee of Krishna a team work. a constant anxiety how to give out these books the best way to introduce Srila Prabhupada to non devotees because as soon as you give them a book if they open and read, than they began speaking to Srila Prabhupada bcs. he wrote it and they penetrate those those words in the book which is non different than Krishna and sooner or later they began to purify this is the power of the writings of the Acaryas it is not so easy to so deeply study these writings it needs so much amount of purity and conviction and faith and humility. Srila Prabhupada writings are only meant for the swan like vaisnavas not for crows like me but hopefully by the power of these swan like sankirtan worriers I could grasp some part of that valuable gift. Yours in Sankirtan Service Vicaru Das Bhaktivadanta Manor, UK
Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments, nadhikuryat adhikara na kuryat; yad va strebhyo ’dhikara na dadhyat ity arthau. Nadhikuryat means one should not appoint women; in other words, one should not give authority to women. 
And why are Lord Caitanya’s associates tired in kirtana. (Conference with Russian speaking devotees, English)
 By Shyamasundara DasaOn Christmas Eve I was traveling in North Bangalore and was surprised to see this billboard display sponsored by Amul Dairy Corporation. The driver of the car told me that Amul often put up such billboards touching on current events
In an earlier post, I discussed about free will and predestination. In that I mentioned about the forces of nature and how it is practically difficult to overcome the temptations and urges of material nature. Even if we have a strong desire to do something but our circumstance and environment and association is otherwise, there are more chances to be led astray. We will do something we will regret. This feeling of regret is there because internally our original desire was to not do the thing we end up doing. So there are forces of nature always acting to influence our free will and that force is strong beyond human capabilities. Therefore we should be careful when we judge people. Anyways that is perhaps a different post.
We have to train ourselves to use our intelligence to depend on Krishna. Below is a brief conversation by Srila Prabhupada on how to practically use our free will - in other words - depend on Krishna. Next time when we are faced with problems such as coworker problems or disease or money problems or job insecurity or spouse problem etc etc...let us try to simply focus all our energy meditating on Krishna and His form and submit our case to Him in humility and in that mood conduct our duties (not attaching to the result). Please read conversation.
He (Prabhupada) explained that the real problem is that people are not following Krishna ’s instructions properly. If one practically surrenders to Krishna , He makes everything successful.
“Practical”, he (Prabhupada) said, “means it will be done by Krishna . Your only business is to surrender to Krishna . You cannot do anything. And as soon as you think, ‘I shall be able to do it,’ then you are a rascal. Immediately you are rascal.”
“So only a fully surrendered soul can do everything perfectly?” Harikesa asked.
Prabhupada answered, “He cannot do anything. Everything is to be done by Krishna . But he has to apply his intelligence by Krishna consciousness. Even if he is intelligent, he cannot do anything.”
Harikesa added, “Except surrender.”
“Yes. He can surrender, and Krishna will do everything. You have to act very sincerely under the direction of Krishna , and then the war will be successful, as Arjuna did.”
- A Transcendental Diary (Vol 1,Ch 2, Pg 44) by Hari Sauri Das
In essence, we can only do one thing, use our free will and intelligence to surrender to Krishna under all circumstances (good and bad) and do our duty. We have to have faith that whatever transpires as a result of that duty & situation is Krishna's desire and be satisfied with that.
Hare Krishna
BhaktiVriksa Servant Leaders are devotees who have taken up the responsibility topersonally take care of a group of serious candidates for the advancement indevotional service. They are leaders-servants, the concept that is becomingmore and more prominent in business sector today. They are facilitators. Theyrecognize talents and potential of the devotees and help them express andengage those talents. They are friendly and selfless. They like to see others advance. They like to assist others in becoming servant-leaders.
The essence of our life is service and giving with love. This is why we exist. This is why God created us. Anything less than that will not make us happy. Therefore, the best way to start our day is to ask: How can I serve today? How can I give today? With love.
The devotees of the Supreme Lord, or the persons who are in Krishna consciousness, are called santas, and they are always in love with the Lord as it is described in the Brahma-samhita (5.38): premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hridayeshu vilokayanti. The santas, being always in a compact of love with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda (the giver of all pleasures), or Mukunda (the giver of liberation), or Krishna (the all-attractive person), cannot accept anything without first offering it to the Supreme Person. – purport to Bhagavad-gita As It Is 3.13
Yesterday was another ecstatic day of distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books. We have our own nice table set in the main entrance of the mall in the main hallway in front of the place where you go to get your photos with Santa Claus. We had that day a total of nine devotees distributing numbers of books in the this wonderful mall. It was great. We also sold a lot of books using Square credit card terminal on iPhone and iPad. We had seasoned veterans such as Narottamananda Prabhu and Radha Vinod Prabhu and many other devotees such as Mother Sucharya, Bhaktin Elizabeth. We also had many devotee who were getting on the job training such as Mother Githa Narayana and the Madana Kisor Prabhu and his whole family, as well as Muraleedharan Prabhu. All the devotees did wonderfully. Because the books very easily flowed out of their hands it was a very nice place to learn how to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. Devotees felt enlivened and satisfied in heart, even one devotee was crying tears of happiness. Hare Krishna. 
Check out this video on YouTube:
Mucukunda das
<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:KwTdNBX3Jqk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:KwTdNBX3Jqk" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=8SoRm_V9T_8:ydguIeD_XfY:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div>
<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:63t7Ie-LG7Y"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=63t7Ie-LG7Y" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:dnMXMwOfBR0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=dnMXMwOfBR0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:YwkR-u9nhCs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=YwkR-u9nhCs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:KwTdNBX3Jqk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:KwTdNBX3Jqk" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?i=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?a=16cxWdF78fI:V9LD5zi7G50:TzevzKxY174"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Iskcondesiretree?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"></img></a> </div>
Sankirtana Stories Told By Narahari Prabhu From England (Click on the pictures to discover the Treasure House Of India’s Spiritual Wisdom as presented by ISKCON Founder Acharya Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada) In UK, England there is a town called Watford, it is primarily made of muslim population. It comprises of a large mosque [...]
Shri Shri Radha Parthasarthi The Lecture Programs with His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami organized by His Grace Ananda Shivalanka Prabhu and his crew were so wonderfully set up that his example should be the standard for all other such programs, it is a most wonderful example. Please find all details further in this article. Sent [...]
A cow that has never given birth is called a “heifer.” New Vrindaban has just added two new heifers to its milk herd, bringing the number up to six. Moreover, both heifers are pregnant and due to give birth within the next two months. After giving birth, the cows will each produce 6 – 8 gallons of milk per day, which be used for cooking for Radha Vrindabanchandra and Their servants.
The two cows are named Anjali Soma and Asha Soma. “The donor does not want his own name publicized,” says Jaya Krsna das, Community President. “But he definitely wants us to publicize the names his children helped picked out!” “Anjali Soma and Asha Soma are both extremely gentle,” continues Jaya Krsna. “They are both Brown Swiss, a breed which is known for its gentle temperament, but these cows have been treated extremely well so they are particularly sweet and good with children.”
In the spiritual world, Krsna spends His days happily swimming in the Yamuna River, exploring the caves of Govardhan Hill, and herding the cows. Nanda Maharaja, Krsna’s father, has one million cows. “In Goloka Vrindaban in the spiritual world, Krsna and His Brother Balarama go out all day and serve the cows,” explains Jaya Krsna. “New Vrindaban is non-different than Goloka Vrindaban. Therefore, anyone who serves the cows of New Vrindaban receives 1,000 times the benefit of service done elsewhere.” If you would like to offer some service to the current herd, please contact Yugal Kishore das at ykdrns@gmail.com or 304-843-1600 x105.
Amara Harinam prabhu kirtana
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Sunday 25 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: Be Always Ready for the Unexpected uploaded from Govinda Valley, Australia In this material world we can never know for sure what will happen next. Therefore we should always be ready for the unexpected and utilize whatever may happen to us in the service of Krishna. There are two things we know of for sure that will never change: 1. Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 2. We are all His eternal servants. If we always think, speak, and act in terms these certainties, how happiness is certain. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Unpacking the Secrets of the Bhagavad-gita Govinda Valley Retreat--24 December 2011 http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Govinda_Valley1.JPG http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Govinda_Valley2.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How to Overcome the Fear of Death? Dear Gurudeva. Please bless me. My question is that death may come at any time. But still we have the fear of death. But is there any method by which we can overcome the fear of death? Kowsthub Answer: Surrender Fully to Krishna The way to overcome the fear of death is to become deathless by fully surrendering yourself to Lord Sri Krishna. 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
More Recent Articles | 
Print
Facebook
Twitter
Google Bookmarks
StumbleUpon
Yahoo! Buzz
del.icio.us
Digg
Live
MySpace
PDF
