THE FOLLOWING LECTURE ON SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM, CANTO 3, CHAPTER 24, THE RENUNCIATION OF KARDAMA MUNI, TEXT 43, WAS GIVEN BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CARU SWAMI IN ISKCON UJJAIN ON 11th SEPTEMPER 2010. Transcription : Her Grace Ranga Radhika Dasi Editing : Ramananda Raya Dasa Audio reference: click here After transcribing the lecture below for several hours [...]
The mystical power of the holy name of Krishna to pacify the agitated mind is expressed poignantly in the Mukunda Mala Stotra (32) as “the capacity to torment the tormentors of the mind.” When we strive to live virtuously, we often find our minds tormented by various ungodly forces that instigate us toward vice. Resisting and rejecting these tormenting forces often seems to be an uphill task, if not a losing battle. However, if we fervently chant, attentively hear and prayerfully remember the holy name, then we can turn the tables on those mental tormentors, for the holy name will unleash its irresistible power to torment and drive them away. Therefore, whenever our minds start getting tormented by unholy desires, let us see those desires not as burdens that signal another upcoming internal struggle, but as opportunities that herald new experiences of the magical power of the holy name.
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.4.1 - Devotees need to learn spiritual culture to avoid the offense of "maryādā-vyatikrama, or impertinently surpassing a greater personality" (SB 3.4.26 purp).
We saw how easily Bhisma Dev gave up the royal throne, just because of that fisherman! That ruthless, jealous, cold blooded, bargaining fisherman who wanted his son on the throne.
Bhisma Dev said:
“Okay, no problem”.
It wasn’t even like:
“Well, you know……….well this is very painful, what you are asking here”.
No, there was nothing in his heart like that. It wasn’t painful for him to give up the throne. And that was not just a throne, since that was like unlimited opulence….inconceivable opulence. But he was not interested. Therefore, Bhisma Dev was thoroughly free from the enjoying propensities. He was thoroughly free from the material energy, and had no desire to be in this world.
Whilst he was here, he was simply serving Krishna. That was his meditation. Not only was Bhisma not just desiring to be in this world and enjoy the material energy, Bhisma Dev was also not desiring to get out of this material world. He also did not think about liberation as his meditation!
One mood is the mood to enjoy, and the other mood is:
“Oh god, this world is too much! It’s just a world of frustration; it’s a world of pain; it’s a world of suffering; it’s a world of misery. We got to get out of here, if we can do anything to get out of here, and out of this world!”
That meditation was also not Bhisma Dev’s daily or constant meditation. His meditation simply was:
“Let me serve Krishna!”
So that is vaisnava. Bhisma Dev was beyond karma and beyond jñānī. He was on the level of:
Bhisma Dev was deep in his wisdom. He deeply understood the nature of the material world. Therefore Bhisma Dev was not attached. He was not attached to royal opulence. Bhisma Dev would say things like:
“I have been purchased by the wealth of Duryodhana”.
That was not a fact. Others maybe – yes. Others may have joined him because Duryodhana made them offers. This whole battle of Kuruksetra had different warriors who would take sides, and not only out of ideological reasons. No, there were often times when those who came first and proposed good offers:
“I’ll give you all this?”
“Okay, I’m on your side!”
A lot was simply based on monetary gain, and Bhisma referred to himself like that. The fact of the matter was that Bhisma was not interested in material enjoyment, and he proved that with his vow. Previously his name was ‘Devavratha’, which was given to him by birth. The name ‘Bhisma’ was given to him by a celestial voice, at the time when he made that vow to never get married. Devavratha, the great vowed that impossible vow of celibacy. When he made that vow, the demigods showered flowers upon him, and there was a celestial voice calling out:
“Bhisma – the terrible vow! He’s taking the terrible vow!”
So one cannot take that terrible vow, and simultaneously on another level be inclined towards enjoying the material energy, because then celibacy becomes impossible! One must give up the enjoying propensity. One must thoroughly give it up, if one actually wants to give up sex life, because otherwise, many types of enjoying mentality locks us in a train of emotions and thoughts, in the train of thinking feeling and willing, which will ultimately end in the final station called ‘sex’. And the train halts here and all passengers are meant to leave the train and:
“Don’t forget to take your belongings and get off here!”
Everyone in Wasaga seems to know Sam. The manager at the local hotel, the gas station attendant, people at the beach and even I know Sam, for that matter.
Sam runs a boxing studio near the beach in this modest size city of 16,000. He was as a young adolescent growing in Fiji a body builder and got in rigorous training for all of his growing years. Something that paid off. "It kept me out of trouble" he once told me. At 69 he still teaches boxing and he doesn't look his age.
On the wall at his studio on Dunkerron Street. He has his students commit to reciting the tagged on quotes from the Gita- quotes that emulate the qualities of a priestly warrior.
"Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, cleanliness, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness, heroism, power, determination, resourceful, courageous, generous and ability to lead."
Beyond reciting the above the students hear from Sam about curbing fowl language, smoking, and drinking. Sam gets real happy when he sees their commitment and the transformation. Sam himself is a staunch applicant of not only martial arts but of bhakti yoga, the lifestyle of surrender to Krishna. He has a large mural of Krishna and his brother Balaram engaged in stick fighting and a second one with Krishna fist-fighting the notorious opponent Kamsa.
I've known Sam since the seventies when he became a student of bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada. It was good to see him and his wife, Bhismaka, who was the guru's cook in the last months before he passed away. I enjoyed the invigorating walk with Sam aka Vishnu Tattva on the beach which goes on forever, so it seems.
It was a snap decision in the late morning to drive up to Georgian Bay to see them after delivering a talk on the topic of "balance." Sam, by the way, leads that perfect balanced life of levelling spirit and material.
"Holy Cow!" remarked the guy as he passed by. It confirmed for me that the North Americans can be rather extro-verted and uninhibited about expressing something when they see something different, namely me, a monk.
I've been called "Love Guru", "Grasshopper" (a martial arts character) and numerous other things by passersby, mostly compliments, from people on the street. It's mostly young people who volunteer names. When travelling the world you find most people to be reserved although it doesn't mean there isn't judgemental thoughts milling through people's minds.
Opinions have changed over the years with subsequent remarks so I've seen since I was a young brahmacari who joined the order in the spring of '73. We, the Hare Krishnas, were a curiosity at that time, a residual spill-over from the liberal sixties. By the mid-seventies we were viewed with suspicion by the public, mainly hyped by the media. The Ontario government commissioned an inquiry in the early eighties into surging faiths, (cults as we were called then) and with the Dan Nill Report groups like us became more or less liberated from sinister opinion. With so many immigrants coming into Canada, a feel for multi-culturalism and a firm alliance with the Hindu community we succeeded in gaining acceptance from the public.
It was no longer "cool" to call someone a cult member just because he/she belonged to a minority. The world was shaping into a mosaic form and we, the Hare Krishnas, were part of it. I recall battles involving the Human Rights. We were perceived as antagonists, but those were truly just not well informed people.
As of late people have become more cautions about what they say and if they speak spontaneously it is with enhanced respect. Malicious remarks have been on the decline since I've hit the streets. It's a kind of victory over unhealthy prejudices.
In Markham a community which epitomizes multi-culturalism, I attended a home program, a sat-sang, where everyone feels more or less in a safe environment. Of course the highlight feature was the kirtan, chanting.
I had not the chance in the morning for a brisk walk due to plane travel from Columbus. When you get home after being absent even for two or three days, and avalanche of tasks descend on your lap. Happily there are the usual emails from hopeful communicators. There are issues to discuss with ashram dwellers and with people who come to do volunteer services. I had two sibling sisters who came for a surprise visit which I was really charmed about. It meant I had to delay walking. How important is it to prioritize?
I don't mind being swamped or being under some pressure as long as Krishna is centre stage and as long as I can get a breather now and then. Then I accomplished for the day as the sun began to sink. The weather was near-freezing. I went out in my thick hemp robes. One man who was placing these deep red dogwood branches in a municipal planter stopped and wanted to know, "How about when it's real winter?"
"I'll wear a coat."
"How about long-johns?" he queried.
"I'll do that too. We have to be practical and use our brains."
He went on to say, "Yeah, we have to use the gifts we've been given."
"Thanks for being concerned," I said, no sarcasm intended.
I proceeded on, walking a steady pace to keep warm, I walked the brain as well, thinking that the human gift is to be introspective, spiritual. "We must follow our nature," is the message of the Gita in chapter Four.
When I returned to the temple/ashram (my home) I was handed a slip of paper with a quote from Einstein:
"Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."
Raghavendra Swami was a follower of Sripad Madhvacarya and lived from 1595 until 1671. Indu Yenage Govinda is a much-loved song that he sang shortly before he passed away. It is in the Kannada language of Karnataka. The song is a lament for time on earth wasted in material life. Expressions such as this are just as common as exultant songs of praise to Krishna. They are based upon the very real feeling, as death approaches, that: ‘I could have done more. I was given a precious chance to achieve perfection but I wasted my time.’
Raghavendra Swami’s leaving the world was extraordinary in that he simply walked into his own samadhi tomb and assumed the lotus position. Many years later, during the time of the British Raj in India, the local district collector, Sir Thomas Manroe, came to the small village of Mantralayam and visited the tomb. His purpose, however, was not devotional. In 1812 the East India Company had passed a rule that when a temple or shrine had no living owner, the property would be seized by the government. By 1820 the tomb and accompanying temple of Raghavendra Swami had no owner and the British official had come to arrange for its transfer of ownership.
“Where is the Swami?” asked Sir Thomas Manroe to the villagers, and the locals pointed him to the tomb. He took off his shoes and entered the structure. As the villagers and priests gathered around they saw a curious sight. The British government man was speaking to someone inside the tomb. They could see him asking questions but no-one could hear the replies. After some minutes the gentleman came out and with a smile said: “Well, that all seems to be in order. I’ve had a charming conversation with the Swami who speaks excellent English by the way, and he assures me that he is the owner of this place.”
Some weeks later, Sir Thomas was promoted to governor of Bellary and was therefore in the extraordinary position of officially approving his own account of the story. He came to understand that Raghavendra Swami had indeed passed on 150 years previously, but also knew that he’d had a conversation with him that day and noticed that: ‘His face was glowing…’
There are many such miraculous stories of Raghavendra Swami, but here is a rough translation of the song and two film versions of it, one old and another more recent:
Oh Lord Govinda, Mukunda, Lord of Indira (Lakshmi) please show me your lotus feet today.
Oh one with a beautiful face, son of Nanda, personification of bliss, who lifted the Mandara mountain, Lord of Indira…
I got engulfed in worldly bondage and suffered a lot. I did not see the way ahead, and despaired in the world. Oh Krishna, divine father, please consider me your child and do not count my shortcomings.
Oh Hari, out of sheer ignorance I led the life of a coward and did not show deep, strong devotion. I did not see you. I did not sing your glory. Oh charioteer Krishna, I beseech you.
During my lifetime I was a mere burden on the world. I lost my way and became like wicked people. There is nobody to protect me now. It all depends on you.
Oh brave Venugopal, please help me cross over this world of repeated deaths and births.
WhenBrenna Chase was farming in Connecticut a few years back, new farmersweren’t always welcome by oldsters. The pie, she says, just wasn’tbig enough. “But now,” she said to me here, where she now farms,“the feeling is that the pie is getting bigger and that the morepeople that get into this the better it will be for everyone.”
By“this,” she means sustainable farming (here I use the terminterchangeably with “organic” because many ethical farmers can’tafford organic certification), and the poised 33-year-old, who beganfarming in high school, is representative of young people I’ve metall over the country.
These are people whose concern for theenvironment led to a desire to grow — and eat — better food. Andalthough chefs still get more attention, the new farmers deserverecognition for their bold and often creative directions.
RuralMaine, it would seem to almost all of us from “away” as they saydown east, is as unlikely a place to find new farmers as exists inthe lower 48: it boasts harsh, dark winters; a short, cool growingseason; acidic soil; and a transportation “system” that makesshipping both in and out of state a challenge. (Even people havetrouble getting out, as I discovered Monday. And Tuesday.)
There’sonly a quarter as much land in farming in Maine as there was 100years ago, but that’s changing. There are more farms today (uparound 50 percent since 1992), more acres in farms and more moneygenerated by farming than there were 20 years ago. This is, at leastin part, thanks to people like Ms. Chase, who follow in the footsteps(foodsteps?) of one of the granddaddies of can-do, intensive organicfarming, Eliot Coleman.
Mr.Coleman runs FourSeason Farm inHarborside with his wife, the gardening writer Barbara Damrosch, andhas squarely faced nearly every challenge a new farmer can since hestarted in 1968. Now, the 1.5 acres he cultivates, mostly invegetables, are not only almost unimaginably lush (Ms.Damrosch’s gorgeousflowers don’thurt), but they’re so productive that, in his cheerful, wise way,Mr. Coleman almost gloats: “You couldn’t be in a less likely spotthan here to do what we’re doing,” he says, “and yet we’vetransformed a poor, wooded area into a place where there’s nothingwe can’t grow.” I marvel at his artichokes; he responds: “Igrow them just to make the Californians nervous.”
Now71, Mr. Coleman maintains his long-range view. (He delights intelling the story about unloading a truckload of free clamshells whena county agent came by. “The agent,” says Mr. Coleman, “wasincredulous: ‘Those aren’t going to break down for 100 years!’But I was thinking, ‘I have 100 years of free fertilizer here!’”) And he clearly loves the work. (“If work is what you do whenyou’re not doing what you want,” he quips, “I haven’t workeda day in my life.”)
Hesells his output locally for about $125,000 a year; most of that paysfor labor. If he scaled up, he reckons, the net income would begreater. This, of course, is the concern of many new farmers: How doyou afford to buy land, hire labor and still make a living?
ForMr. Coleman, this isn’t so much of an issue. In some circles he’sa hero for his innovative approaches to fertilizing, greenhouses,tool-making, teaching and more. He’s probably inspired as manyfarmers as anyone in the Northeast, and his books, especially “TheWinter Harvest Handbook,” have taught the art of season-extensionto thousands of gardeners, including me. (His place isn’t calledFour Season Farm for nothing, and, remember, this isn’t San Diego.)So book sales, speaking engagements and other money-generators forboth him and Ms. Damrosch help out with the income. (This isn’tunusual. Most conventional farmers, even those of commodity crops, dononfarm work to help pay the bills.That’s the current state of farming in America.)
Fornewcomers, though, this is precisely the issue because, as Ms. Chasesays, “If you could make a good living farming, people would gointo it and stay in it.”
Thesimple answer, of course, is to charge more for food. But can anincreasing number of sustainable farms find markets forhigher-quality, higher-priced produce?
Here,the answers become complicated: “If the cost of food reflected thecost of production,” says Ms. Chase, “that would changeeverything.” And this is undoubtedly true. But though sustainablyproduced food is too expensive for some, conventional food doesn’treflect either the subsidies required to grow it or the hugeenvironmental or health care costs it incurs. Once it does,sustainable food would appear far more competitive.
Thenwe’d see more farmers growing it, not only in Maine but everywhereelse. Which would, indeed, be better for everyone.
This Saturday saw a very colourful and festive wedding. This was the first wedding coordinated by Jess Mataji, our new 'Wedding Co-ordinator'.
Here are some pictures, the majority of which have been taken by Jahnu Best (Mother Urmila's grandson); it was also his first go at events' photography with a professional camera.
"His gunja-berry necklace is sweet, His flower garland is sweet, sweet is the Yamuna river, and sweet are her rippling waves, her water is sweet, and sweet are the lotus flowers also..."
(Madhurastakam)
O Yamuna Devi, O sweet devotee of such a sweet Lord, please always grant us His darsana.
You taught the importance of performing one's chanting without inattention. Inattention is counted as one of the aparadhas. Even if one successfully overcomes all the other offenses in chanting, and one is chanting continuously, love of God may not come. One should know that the reason for this is that one is committing the offense known as pramada, or inattention. This offense will block progress to prema.
1970 November 7: "The big temple on the bank of the Yamuna at Kesighat is for sale. I know of this temple. I used to live next to it before living in the Radha-Damodara temple. We would like to get this temple at all costs." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1970 November 7: "Instead of Sankirtana if you, husband and wife, try to see so many ministers and other important men, that will be nice. You may try and see Indira Gandhi. And perhaps you can meet with this President Giri." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1972 November 7: "Just like in our ISKCON there are so many false things: 'Prabhupada said this, Prabhupada said that.' Do not be deviated by such ideas. Krishna is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, He is the goal of knowledge." Prabhupada Letters :: 1972
1973 November 7: "Now my program is fixed up for going to Nairobi on November 23, instant, and from there I will return to Los Angeles via Rome. I will stop there for two days for meeting with the Pope." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
At the House of Commons, on Tuesday 11th October 2011, His Holiness Radhanath Swami addressed Members of Parliament and ministers together with the UK interfaith community to a private reception on “Spirituality and the Big Society”
1973 November 7: "I want that there be published one volume of Caitanya Caritamrta for Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Appearance Day. So please arrange for this." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1974 November 7: "Regarding Washington, D.C., that Damodara is also resigning, we are increasing in so many ways, but our men are deteriorating. What to do?" Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1974 November 7: "N.B. I refer to the Direction of Management as follows: 'Removal of a Temple President by GBC requires support by the local Temple members.' Therefore you should take a vote of the Temple members." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
About a month ago at this extraordinary blogsite there was a link to the short video of the fired-up kirtan by Kadamba Kanana Swami in Melbourne’s Urban Yoga Club, October 2011. This time we invite you to check out the event in full, the 41 minute long footage of the skyrocking performance by Kadamba Kanana Swami and his crew of jumping urban yogis.
International Society for Krishna Consciousness Recorded by Shiva Nanda Prabhu and Russell Prabhu with Sony HDRXR150 and Sony HDR-CX110. Edited on iMac with Final Cut Express.
Here, in the material world, there is difference between the name and the substance, but advaya-jnana, in the Absolute world there is no such distinction.
The name and the person, the same, identical.
So actually, when we chant Hare Krsna mantra, we directly associate with Krsna, because name is the incarnation of Krsna. Nama-rupe krsna-avatara.
Therefore, if we are sensible, then we should take very much respectful attitude to the name, because name and Krsna, the same.
Suppose Krsna comes here. How much respectful we shall be, immediately.
So similarly, when we chant Hare Krsna mantra, we should know Krsna is there.
Therefore we should be very much cautious and respectful, not neglectful. That is offense. That is offense. If you become inattentive, that is offense.
The path of spiritual life is stated in the Vedas to be like the edge of a sharpened razor. A little inattentiveness may at once create havoc and bloodshed, but one who is a completely surrendered soul, always seeking protection from the Lord in the discharge of his entrusted duties, has no fear of falling into material contamination.
Not only must one come to the stage of pure Krsna consciousness, but one must also be very careful. Any inattentiveness or carelessness may cause falldown.
Inattentive hearing is offensive.
Because of association with the modes of material nature for a very long time, even liberated souls sometimes become captivated by the illusory energy due to inattentiveness in the transcendental position.
If one does not take shelter of Acyuta and Baladeva, then the senses, acting as the horses, and the intelligence, acting as the driver, both being prone to material contamination, inattentively bring the body, which acts as the chariot, to the path of sense gratification. When one is thus attracted again by the rogues of visaya -- eating, sleeping and mating -- the horses and chariot driver are thrown into the blinding dark well of material existence, and one is again put into a dangerous and extremely fearful situation of repeated birth and death.
Narahari Das: The organizers of this Ratha Yatra procession were your humble servants Narahari Das and Trivikrama Das. It was happen owing to insperation of HH Indradyumna Swami. Please bless us to do much more next years
Super important instructions by Bhaktivinoda Thakura:
Harinama Cintamani – Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Chapter 12 - Inattention While Chanting
jaya jaya mahaprabhu jaya bhakta-gana
yanhara prasade kari nama-sankirtana
Haridasa spoke, "To Sanatana Gosvami in Puri and to Gopala Bhattawhen You travelled to South India, You taught the importance of performingone's chanting without inattention. Inattention is counted as one of theaparadhas. Even if one successfully overcomes all the other offenses inchanting, and one is chanting continuously, love of God may not come. Oneshould know that the reason for this is that one is committing the offenseknown as pramada, or inattention. This offense will block progress to prema.
"Pramada may mean madness, but here the meaning is inattention orcarelessness. It is from this offense that all other offenses spring. The wisemen recognize three types of inattention: indifference or no attention,laziness, and distraction (attraction to other objects).
"By good fortune, after getting faith, a jiva will take up the name.By chanting regularly, counting on a Tulasi mala carefully, he will developattraction for the name. However, until that attraction has actually developed,one must be very careful about how one chants. Naturally, the common man,having attachment to material things, will be attracted to these things evenwhile chanting. Though chanting japa daily, if his taste is elsewhere, he willshow indifference to the name.
His heart will not be absorbed in chanting thename but in some material object. How can that benefit him? He may chant 64rounds counting strictly on his japa beads, but in his heart he has notreceived one drop of the taste of the name. This indifference or apathy towardsthe name is one type of inattention. In the heart of a materialist it isunavoidable.
"If indifference or lack of attraction for the name is present, oneshould take association of Vaisnavas who are properly chanting in some placesheltered from the material influence. By chanting in that situation, hisabsorption in material things will be reduced; being inspired by the conduct ofthe Vaisnavas, he will give up that fault. Gradually the heart will getattraction for the name and will be anxious for the nectar of the name.
Theadvanced devotees have recommended that one live in a place where Krsna had Hispastimes, near Tulasi, in the company of Vaisnavas and gradually increase theperiod of chanting. Quickly the taste for material objects will go. Anotherremedy is to carefully chant in a room by oneself with the door locked, orconcentrate on the name by covering the eyes, ears and nose with a cloth or thelike to prevent stimuli from the exterior. Carefully chanting in this way, anattraction or taste for the name will develop and indifference will besuppressed.
"If one chants with a sluggish mind, or after chanting a little, onehas to stop before finishing his round, it is called laziness. From this, one'staste for the name cannot develop. The remedy for this is to take associationof Vaisnavas who do not waste time in material activity, but constantly chantand remember the holy name, being absorbed only in the name. One should followin their footsteps.
When one sees how the true Vaisnava or sadhu does not wastetime in useless pursuits, he will develop a taste to do likewise. In his mindhe will think, "very good." By this, enthusiasm will come to the lazymind and he will overcome the offense of laziness or inertia. One will becomedetermined to increase his chanting everyday. By this eagerness in his roundsand by the mercy of the devotees, the offense of inertia will quickly go away.
"One should be careful to eliminate the third type of inattention --distraction. From distraction all types of inattention are born. This faultresides in attraction for women (or men, in the case of women) and wealth,attraction for material success or victory, desire for position, and thecheating propensity. If one has attraction in any of these categories, one willnaturally be inattentive to the holy name. One should be careful to eliminatethese fixations by following the proper Vaisnava behavior.
On ekadasis andappearance days one should stop thinking of eating and all day and night chantin the association of devotees. In this way one will joyfully engage indevotional activities, listening to scriptures of the Lord in association withthe Lord's servants, in the Lord's dhama. Gradually the bhakti portion of one'smind will increase and the mind will rejoice in hearing topics about Krsna. Thehigher taste will come and the lower taste will go.
Upon hearing songs aboutKrsna from the mouths of the pure devotees, one's mind and ears will taste thereal nectar. In this way the desire for low material objects will disappear andthe heart will be constantly fixed and attracted to singing the name. Byavoiding the offense of distraction, one will be able to indulge in the nectarof name.
"One should thus never be inattentive to complete one's prescribednumber of daily rounds. This should be noted day by day. When chanting theseprescribed rounds, one should avoid the different types of inattentiveness.Giving up the desire to increase the number of rounds for show, one shouldattempt to first concentrate nicely on what one can manage.
Therefore, thedevotee starts by chanting with full concentration in a peaceful place for ashort time. He will always be praying to the Lord that he will chant clear,attentive rounds with the mind fixed on Krsna; for on one's own one cannotaccomplish anything. Krsna‘s grace is necessary to cross the ocean of materialexistence. Being anxious in heart, one should beg for mercy, and because Krsnais merciful, He will help. Whoever does not try for that mercy is veryunfortunate."
That person who has attained the ornament of the touchstone of the holyname still aspires for the two feet of Haridasa Thakura.
There was no walking today except for going from one terminal to another to depart for Mumbai, India. There was so little exchange with passengers because on both flights to and from Heathrow I had the seats on either side to myself. One flight attendant with a smile did say, "Hare Krishna." Another one, this time a woman, asked if I could be served on the flight by a woman.
"Because the Swami Narayan group forbids it, correct?" I asked.
"Correct," she replied.
"There is no problem for me. We are all spirits - in essence. I can appreciate the principle others abide by but our guru was a swami and he accepted the services of both genders." She nodded, smiled and left to attend to others.
I got to thinking about that some more. If tradition would have its way then our guru would naturally show more rigidity but he was so magnanimous. He flew atleast 10 times around the world and received the assistance of stewardesses. He gave a lot of personal time to guide his female disciples, his young western daughters. Then one day he told one of his female students that she would not be able to sit so close as she had been previously. Due to western conditioning and being unfamiliar with the etiquette towards an elderly monk, she had been innocently unaware of her familiar behavior. She complied from then on and some kind of standard was set in terms of how men and women communicate with each other in a spiritual setting. This model has been in place for centuries within ashrams in order that there be no distraction. Traditionally ashrams were for men.
Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, gave facility to accommodate women, in separate quarters, of course, as a compromise. He saw how young women in America were also curious to learn and so he gave provisions. In the mid-seventies some extremist attitude arose creating some divisions. Prabhupada sought to dissolve those attitudes to leave a feeling of inclusiveness.
Green Stream TV is a website that explores all things environmentally-friendly and provides environmental news, commentar and advice. They recently visited the Bhaktivedanta Manor in London, England and explored the sustainable philosophy of the Hare Krishna movement. Read more about the visit here.
Although the perfection of Krishna consciousness doesn’t stop at inner peace, peace is certainly a by-product of our spiritual practices. When I lived in ISKCON ashrams, I was often asked by guests visiting the Temple if I had obtained peace, or shanti. Although those who asked me about peace had what is considered a “high standard of living” compared to much of the world, real peace of mind was lacking. In fact, in modern education, peace and satisfaction aren’t offered as important goals, since the implication of materialism, is that if we have the right occupation, family, and accumulation of appropriate possession, we will find happiness. Peace seems an illusive goal to some, yet it is possible to achieve through spiritual practice or Krishna consciousness.
I am sure many of us are well aware from living in the world and observing others and modern media, that our current materialistic civilization, which is run by the mode of passion, (raja-guna) promotes dissatisfaction. Why, and what are practical ways to find inner peace?
I want to achieve some goals. I want to be more Krsna conscious, more happy, and more productive.
Q: What is it that is holding me back? Is it something in me or something outside of me?
Is it uncontrolled mind? Is it limiting beliefs? Is it wrong paradigms? Is it fears? Is it doubts? Is it lack of knowledge? Is it lack of skills? Is it lack of inspiration and motivation? Is it the combination of my dosas (energies in the body)? Is it my health? Or ... Is it my karma? Is it the stars? Is it other people? Is it the world economy? Is it the weather? Is it my parents? Is it the leaders?
Q: What is it? What is holding me back?
A: I think it is inattentive chanting which in turn makes the connection with Krsna weak.
Human energy should be properly utilized in developing the finer senses for spiritual understanding, in which lies the solution of life. Fruits, flowers, beautiful gardens, parks and reservoirs of water with ducks and swans playing in the midst of lotus flowers, and cows giving sufficient milk and butter are essential for developing the finer tissues of the human body
Please accept our respectful obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
On the request of H.G Malati prabhu, the venue has been changed from the apartments to Sri Sri Vrindaban Chandra Temple hall, so that we could all come together at the abode of our Dear Lordships Sr Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra.
Everyone is invited to come and join us for the last day of Kartik month to celebrate the festival of Krsna Rasa-Yatra, Marriage of Tulsi and Salagrama, Appearance of Nimbarkacarya. It is also the birthday of His Holiness Varsna Swami and he will be joining us to speak on the glories of Krsna’s Rasa-Yatra festival. Festival will be followed by full dinner prasadam. Following are the details of Program.
Date : Thursday, Nov. 10th 2011. Time : 5:00pm-8:00pm 5:00-5:30pm – Kirtan 5:30-6:30pm – Lecture by H.H.Varsana Swami. 6:30-7:30pm – Offerings. 7:30-8:00pm – Arati & Damodar Ashtakam. 8:00pm – Prasadam. Venue : Temple Hall
Yesterday was the auspicious disappearance day of Gauar Kisora Das Babaji. A murti of Babaji Maharaj was placed on the sub-altar in the Pancha-tattva extension. Devotees gathered together in the temple room to offer pushpanjai and arati to Babji Maharaj. Babaji Maharaj was a great saint and acharya in our Gaudiya Viashnava lineage.
A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Monday 7 November 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: The Ultimate Darshan Experience uploaded from Sri Vrindavan Dhama, India Early in the 18th century the three main deities of Vrindavan (Madana Mohana, Govinda, and Gopinatha) were taken to Jaipur to protect them from the Muslim tyrant Aurangzeb who was destroying the temples and deities of Vrindavan in an envious rampage. They were rescued by the pious Vaisnava king, Maharaja Jai Singh II. Madana Mohan was later transferred to a Rajastani village called Karoli. Maharaja Jai Singh was so devoted to Lord Govinda that when he built a new city, which he named Jaipur (city of victory), he dedicated it to his beloved Lord Govinda. The Maharaja established Govindaji's temple on the grounds of his palace so that he could take darshan from his quarters. For three centuries Radha Govinda's worship has been attracting great devotion from the residents of Jaipur. It is very auspicious to take the darshan of all three of these deities in one day. At 5am on 6 November 2011 twelve of us set out for the ultimate darshan experience. We reached the temple in Karoli for a late morning darshan of the beautiful Madana Mohan and then proceeded to Jaipur for a late afternoon darshan of Radha Govinda. When we went for darshan of Radha Govinda there were thousands of people waiting to see their beloved Radha and Govinda. We joyfully joined in with them singing Govinda Jaya Jaya, Gopala Jaya Jaya, Radha Ramana Hari, Govinda Jaya Jaya as we waited for the curtains to open. And then when the curtains finally parted waves of transcendental bliss swept the enthusiastic devotees as we feasted our eyes and hearts on the beautiful Sri Sri Radha and Govinda. Finally at sunset we capped off this most sublime day with a darshan of Radha Gopinatha, the deity who bestows pure love of God. I joyfully took darshan in each temple in a mood of humble submission begging the Lord for His mercy to save me from material consciousness and make me His pure devotee. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Original Madana Mohana in Karoli He Frees the Heart from Lust http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Karoli_madan_mohan.jpg Radha Govinda's Temple Is on the Grounds of the King's Palace in Jaipur http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Jaipur_City.Palace.jpg Waves of Bliss Swept the Assembled Devotees When the Curtains Opened http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Jaipur_Blisswaves.JPG Thousands Came for Radha Govinda's Darshan http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Jaipur_Darshan_Crowd.JPG Sri Sri Radha Govinda Darshan A Feast for the Eyes and Heart http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Jaipur_Radha-Govinda.jpg Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha Bestow Prema Bhakti http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Jaiipur_Radha.Gopinatha.jpg Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: What is the Result of Contraception? Respected Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to You and Srila Prabhupada. May I ask you a question? How does the soul enter the semen of his/her father? And what happens when people use contraception? With warm regards, Your student. Mohit Answer: They Will Be Blocked from Human Birth Srila Prabhupada describes in his purport to Bhagavad-gita 8.3 how living entity descends to the earth in the rain, takes on the form of grains, is eaten by a man, and transformed into semen. According to the universal laws contraception is sinful. If you sign a lease on an apartment and when you go to move in you are blocked from entering, this blocking is a criminal action. Contraception is sinful because it is blocking the living being who is trying to enter into his new lawful human body. Those who indulge in contraception will be blocked from getting a human body just as they blocked someone from getting a human body. 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 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. 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By Rajesh Hirani
By Indradyumna Swami
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