PENSAMIENTO DEL DÍA: Con el más grande placer Enviado desde el Ashram Bhativedanta, Austin, Texas, EE.UU.
Nada hay más placentero, más iluminador que ocuparse en el servicio devocional de la Suprema Personalidad de Dios porque tal servicio lo conecta a uno con su verdadero ser. No es un placer efímero temporal de los sentidos que se disipa muy rápidamente después de ser saboreado. Mejor aun, es una felicidad permanente y duradera, que continua en incremento cada vez más todo el tiempo que uno se ocupa en él. En breve, no hay placer que iguale o exceda al placer del servicio devocional.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
RESPUESTAS DE ACUERDO A LA VERSIÓN VÉDICA:
Pregunta: El objetivo máximo de la entidad viviente
¿Cuál es el objetivo máximo para el jivatma, la entidad viviente? ¿Es ser uno con el Paramatma? ¿Es perder su identidad?
Ravi
Respuesta: Recobrar su identidad original
Antes de entender el objetivo máximo de la entidad viviente primero debemos entender que la fuente máxima de la existencia es una persona. Él tiene que ser una persona, sino tantas personas no pueden estar emanando de Él. El objetivo máximo entonces de la jivatma, la entidad viviente individual, es llegar a estar reconectado con esa persona original, el Paramatma. Dado que llegamos a estar conectados con otra persona solo a través de desarrollar una relación amorosa con esa persona, nuestro objetivo máximo es revivir nuestra perdida relación amorosa con la Persona Suprema, la fuente de toda la existencia, el Paramatma que es conocido por los yogis más avanzados como el Señor Sri Krishna, la Suprema Personalidad de Dios. Entonces la perfección espiritual no significa perder la identidad de uno o fusionarse con el Paramatma. Significa en cambio recobrar la identidad perpetua verdadera de uno como el sirviente eterno del Señor Sri Krishna.
(durante la celebración de Nrisimha Chaturdasi) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VISITE LA SECCIÓN:Curso de la Máxima Autorrealización -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Money is so dear that one conceives of money as being sweeter than honey. Therefore, who can give up the desire to accumulate money, especially in household life? Thieves, professional servants [soldiers] and merchants try to acquire money even by risking their very dear lives. [SB 7.6.10] “Money is sweeter than honey” is a common expression which has a special significance for most people living in today’s modern era of industrialization. The global politics of governance and diplomacy now place more emphasis on artificial factory-based economic growth than on the traditional natural agriculture-based growth of a country thus forcing people to live in such a way that they will not be able to subsist without receiving a pay check at the end of the month. That is the propaganda being promoted and to a large extent, that is today’s “reality of life”. The recent article entitled “Need to Migrate Workers from Agriculture to Services for High Growth: RBI”, which appeared in the Press Trust of India in Mumbai on June 18, 2010 in no unclear terms give credence to this on-going policy. This trend is a global one which has been in practice now since many decades. That such an article appeared in a public forum simply shows how governments take for granted that economic development through industrialization is meant to be the norm for one and all. [http://beta.profit.ndtv.com/news/show/need-to-migrate-workers-from-agriculture-to-services-for-high-growth-rbi-75760] For most people in today’s modern world, if one does not receive a pay check at the end of the month, one cannot survive. Those who cannot join the labour force due to illness, lack of job opportunities, or sometimes due to sheer laziness, will approach government established agencies in order to receive social assistance benefits commonly referred to in the West as “welfare assistance”. With rising unemployment in different countries, more and more people are either receiving a monthly “welfare check” or a monthly “unemployment check”. Others, who may be disabled due to either natural calamities or due to the tragedies brought about by the modern way we live, may receive a monthly “disability pension check”. In some of the more “developed” countries people who reach 60 or 65 years of age qualify to receive an “old age pension check” at the end of every month until they expire. All of this is extremely taxing on governments who can only meet such expenditures by levelling increased taxes upon the few healthy folks who can work. All of the above has come about due to severe deviations from the standard Vedic norms of life. The Vedic view of life is that one should strive for self-realization and be satisfied with whatever Krishna arranges while working a reasonable number of hours a day, the general norm being not more than eight. The goal of life was not based on economic development as we find in modern day society, but on self-development or self-realization. In the Vedic culture, the medium of exchange was not based on an artificial and fraudulent paper money currency but was based rather on real wealth, gold coins and similar minerals. Actual wealth was measured in how much grains one had in stock, in how many cows one protected and in how much land one cultivated. Before marriage, the criteria for accepting a bridegroom was how many cows and how much land he owned. Canakya Pandita, one of the well known moralists of his times, stated that real happiness was not having to leave home to make a living and not being a debtor. Srila Prabhupada made a similar statement when he said that intelligence means not leaving the village and going to the cities to engage in hard labour. Canakya Pandita also explained that three things should never be neglected: fire, disease and debts. According to the Vedic teachings, “one should own as much as he immediately needs.” [SB 7.13.36]. For this reason, Srila Bhaktisiddanta Sarasvati Thakura would instruct his temple leaders to spend all they had received the same day and thus avoid keeping money which could be a source of anxiety. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksa The four pillars in the Vedic culture are found in 1) dharma (religion), 2) artha (money), 3) kama (satisfaction of the senses) and 4) moksa (liberation). Vaisnavas generally reject these four activities thinking them to be maya and binding one to this material world. However, these four activities can either be a source of bondage or a source of liberation depending on the consciousness in which they are performed. Religion (dharma) practiced for selfish material motivation, money (artha) gained through non-traditional occupations and for merely material pursuits, satisfaction of the senses (kama) performed merely for unrestricted self-centered sense enjoyment and liberation (moksa) pursued for merging into brahman, will certainly bind one more and more to this material world. However, these same activities of dharma, artha, kama and moksa when performed in proper knowledge and understanding of the real goal of life can help one make steady progress in spiritual life. The varnasrama system gives this proper understanding and guidelines as to how such four activities are meant to be performed in life, with a view of satisfying Lord Hari. Dharma should be performed in the context of devotional service (param dharma) which will result is “yayatma suprasédati” [SB 12.6], where all things will be satisfied. Artha should be in keeping with the standard traditional occupations given within an agrarian based society (production of food and protection of cows, krishi go raksya [Bg 18.43], being by far the most prominent activities) where the emphasis on self-sufficiency and the bartering system resulted in most people not having to deal the local currency. Kama should be performed in a regulated way for the purpose of keeping body and soul together with the goal and higher purpose of rendering devotional service to the Lord. Moksa will then be automatically attained by one who performs the three above activities in such higher consciousness. Modern Paper Currency Flawed Within the system of varnasrama, three-fourth of the population does not earn money, namely the brahmacaris, those in the vanaprastha and those in the sannyasa asrama. Grhasthas, in particular the ksatriya householders and the vaisya householders, assisted by the sudra householders, are meant to support the rest of society. The brahmanas and sudra class do not earn money, only the ksatriya class through taxation and the vaisya class, but only one portion of the vaisya class, those engaged in trade, vanijyam. Those engaged in both krishi, agriculture and go-raksya, cow protection, also do not deal with money but rather with goods. The real currency should be in minerals such as gold or silver, and the real wealth should be in having tangible goods such as land, cows, grains, etc. The artificial paper currency currently in use is both artificial and fraudulent since it does not represent real wealth. Most countries in the world are in severe debts (and increasing every year), including the USA, with only temporary and flawed adjustments being made to salvage the present global economic crisis. It was only a few decades ago that in most countries of the world, the majority of people were living in rural areas and most people did not even need money. The land is meant to provide for all our necessities of life. Even in a country like Canada, going back to the early part of the 20th century when most Canadians were living in the country, practically speaking all their necessities were met from the land, including clothing and shelter. The Emerging Politics of Food Scarcity [http://www.earth-policy.org/] “The last century has seen ballooning populations develop impossible economies – all based on a dream of perpetually cheap energy, and based on ignorance of the laws of finiteness in regards to all the natural elements that make our life possible. The cheap energy bubble is bursting, soil and water are in overdraft, and the result is acute vulnerabilities for nations who’ve exceed their resource base. Industrialized countries amongst these are passing those vulnerabilities along – to nations that still have true wealth (soil, water) but who do not have social infrastructures sufficient to properly protect them. Many poor [countries] are having their natural capital sold out from under them,” said Lester R. Brown, Earth Policy Institute . Spiritual Economics The Vedic model of local and global economy is based on simplicity, psychology, logic, and God conscious principles. Sriman Dhanesvara Das is well versed in the basic concepts of varnasrama dharma and has deeply studied the essential teachings of the Bhagavad-gita in the context of economy. He has compiled a Krishna conscious thesis in the form of a book entitled “Spiritual Economics”. A portion of his introduction can help us gain more insight on the topic of money. “Spiritual Economics as a cross-disciplinary study combining psychology, economics and the spiritual science of the Bhagavad-gita explains why there is vulture capitalism, cut-throat competition, unending economic hardship, exploitation, inequity, and struggle in this world. “Spiritual Economics” explains the origin and solution of our ecological problems. “Spiritual Economics” explains why the present economic methods can do nothing to solve these problems, reveals the actual source of our economic problems, and explains the only factual solution that can create an economy that serves everyone. “Spiritual Economics” explains the actual source of our economic problems and how to solve them, once and for all.” A Memo From the Past What Have we Learned in 2064 Years? The following short message written during the time of the Roman Empire by Cicero (55 BC) gives us a little insight regarding the topic at hand: “The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” The answer is: “Nothing.” Conclusion As widely advised by our acaryas, whatever money comes our way, we should utilize in the service of the Lord. The Vedic norm is that 50% of one’s income is meant to be used for helping spread Krishna consciousness. Money, when thus used in the Lord’s service, becomes a means of liberation for the living entity. But money used for sense gratification, either self-centered or extended, becomes a source of bondage to this material world. The varnasrama system is so designed as to help us minimize and ultimately do away with the need for paper money by stressing a lifestyle of simple living and high thinking, in keeping with the principles of self-sufficiency and sustainability, depending on the mercy of the Lord. HH Bhakti Raghava Swami For Further details: Contact the author: “Bhakti Raghava Swami” bhakti.raghava.swami@pamho.net Or Contact: vrindavanlila.brs@gmail.com
By Bhakti Raghava Swami
Money is so dear that one conceives of money as being sweeter than honey. Therefore, who can give up the desire to accumulate money, especially in household life? Thieves, professional servants [soldiers] and merchants try to acquire money even by risking their very dear lives
Let's face it. There's no doubt about it. This material world is hell. We are being dragged by the laws of nature repeatedly through the cycle of birth, death, old age, and disease. In spite of all claims from the scientists that they are going to free us from these miseries, we see that the miseries are continuing for every man, woman, and child in...
TKG Academy hosted a summer camp for the children of the community. At the end they presented a Bhajan and a Drama. This is the drama "Pastimes of Lord Chaitanya".
Article Sent By His Grace Mukunda Prabhu – Pictures : Nayika Mataji *Guru Maharaj arrived on 31st August at Indore airport in the evening where quite a few young students and grihastha families came to meet him. He drove to Ujjain and later came down to the temple and greeted Their Lordships with his melodious [...]
I was master of ceremonies last week for our Annual Supporters Dinner, and also yesterday for our weekend Janmasthami celebrations. We have a large, high-ceilinged marquee that can seat one thousand people comfortably, and the large stage offers a very good view of the entire crowd. As I surveyed one thousand friendly faces at the annual dinner and the audience at the festival, I could not help but feel grateful for all the support that comes from our friends who provide both funding and hours of volunteer service. Without them, such a large project as Bhaktivedanta Manor could not function. With their support and help, it is an indisputable fact that the Manor has gone from strength to strength, and has succeeded in implementing at least some of the orders that Srila Prabhupada gave. I am very happy with that. There is so much more to do, that’s true, but we can see improvements year on year.
But my sense of gradual growth is not shared by all. I know that some devotees are concerned by the fact that the Manor has come to represent some of the changes within ISKCON that they perceive as unwelcome and a hindrance to spiritual progress. They are not in the majority, yet they are vocal. They say that ISKCON has changed significantly from its early years; from a membership of mainly young, idealistic and frugal western converts, to a diverse movement of all ages, from all walks of life. They feel that through this change the movement has somehow lost its initial spiritual potency, and perhaps, as a consequence, its appeal to young people. They argue that the original purpose and pioneering edge has been eroded, and we have gone from a rugged, highly committed campaigning group on the fringes of modern society, to a much more socially accommodated organization for the middle classes - an established ’religion’ even. This they find troubling.
In addition to this, somewhere along the way, during all the years of ups and downs, through all the meandering twists and turns that such a growing movement takes, we have attracted a huge amount of support from those of Indian background (or ‘east Indian’ if you’re in the USA). And when Indians come to ISKCON they bring with them, just as the western converts did, their cultural conditionings and existing religious perspectives, namely those of Hinduism.
Now, I’ve written about Hinduism before, and how its a generic, catch-all term that in its broadness defines nothing at all. Its a geographical designator, not a theological one, and was stuck on as a false label by both Muslim and British overlords in the days of invasion and subjugation. But now the label has stuck and most people of sub-continental origin, no matter what their particular religious affiliation, are quite happy to be regarded as Hindu, whatever the term means to them.
What devotees in ISKCON mean when they speak somewhat disparagingly about Hinduism and Hindus boils down to just three simple ideas. Ideas they find objectionable. The first is the notion that there are ‘many gods’ and that ‘all the gods are the same’. The second is that by religious ceremonies, morality and virtuous behaviour one can aspire to enjoy more sensual gratification in this life or the next. The third is that the ultimate state of existence is the soul’s merging with the divine, formless light known as Brahman.
Now these three ideas are also condemned as inferior beliefs by all Vaishnava schools of thought in India. Indeed, you will not find a great Vaishnava teacher, and certainly not the head of any of the traditional Vaishnava institutions, that will not have strong words about each of these notions. They are held as popular beliefs within other strands of Hinduism. But popularity does not mean they are true or in the best interest of the soul. All Vaishnava acaryas have consequently seen it as their duty to elevate mankind above those primary level religious ideas that are, in essence, selfishly motivated. The Vaishnavas want to help others towards selfless love of God, which includes the greatest and everlasting rewards for the true self . Accordingly, the founder of ISKCON also had strong words about such notions that were prevalent within the broad Hindu population. What is often seen, and what he spoke about, is that while on the surface many Hindus will vocally espouse the conceptions of selfless devotion of bhakti to Krishna, the three ideas mentioned above still lie just beneath the surface and therefore need to be addressed by robust teaching.
ISKCON devotees, as Vaishnavas, naturally feel they have a duty to carry out their duty to Srila Prabhupada by similarly condemning philosophies of life that he indicated as errors of philosophical judgement. And they also feel duty bound to convey the positive conceptions of Krishna bhakti as taught by all Vaishnava acaryas throughout history.
But they should also understand if Hindus residing in the west, brought up from childhood to admire and respect Krishna, are drawn to ISKCON. And if they come in their thousands because of the beauty of our religious services, festivals and shrines, that is certainly not a threat. What is a threat is if ISKCON compromises its theology, liturgy or governance structure to accommodate any one of the non-Vaishnava ideas identified above. Has that happened? I don’t know for every branch of our Society. I can say that it has not happened here. Could it happpen? Yes, of course. There is always a chance of ISKCON’s growth being compromised by any one of a number of factors.
So far as I see at Bhaktivedanta Manor, the reverse influence is taking place: our local Hindu community has been singularly affected by ISKCON and its message of practical devotion to Krishna; the very opposite of what is feared by some. New converts from ‘generic Hinduism’ to Vaishnavism are coming forward every year, and last year more than one hundred became initiated. During our last Summer Book Distribution Marathon – a core ISKCON missionary activity if ever there was one - over 70 participants were from Indian backgrounds. Our Janmasthami Festival, this year attracting some 70,000 visitors over two days; almost entirely staged by 600 volunteers who came every evening after their day’s work finished to give ISKCON an average of four hours voluntary service each. Then there is the considerable financial support: 400 major supporters and many thousands of donors, all of whom help to realise what Srila Prabhupada wanted for Bhaktivedanta Manor: the new agricultural land and driveway (£1 million), the new roof (£1.5 million), the new cow and oxen protection centre (£2.5 million), the new school, pushed forward by a combination of community involvement and central government funding (total £13 million) and many other projects, all of which help to establish the core activities that ISKCON’s founder identified as being essential.
We can never become complacent, however. Many is the religious organisation that was inadvertently, and gradually – sometimes over many years – profoundly affected by the divergent ideas of its members. Core values and foundational principles can be set aside for more pragmatic ones; policy making based on the founder’s wishes can fall victim to popular notions and more liberal philosophies or the process of modernization. Can Bhaktivedanta Manor’s outreach activities and considerable resources be more directed to the young spiritual seeker from a Christian, Jewish or Atheist background? As Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura termed them, the ‘fair-skinned English?’ Of course, more could always be done.
But we do not accomplish more in one direction of outreach by disparaging attempts in another. And far less is achieved by criticizing those attempts when they are successful, as they are at Bhaktivedanta Manor. To all those who would challenge that ISKCON has become ‘Hinduized’, I would ask: “What do you mean – exactly?”
Prabhupada: No, we... "It is voluntary. In our society we find so many brahmacaris, so many grhasthas. And if you cannot stop this itching sensation, all right, marry one girl and live peacefully like a gentle... What is this nonsense, every three weeks divorce? We are not so rascal. If we accept one girl as my wife, I take full responsibility. Because I require a girl or woman, so this woman, that one... We are not so rascal that at home I have got woman, I am searching after another woman, another naked woman. We are not so madman. The sex pleasure is there at home, and I am seeking after sex pleasure in here, here, in the club, in the... What is that? Is that vagina is different? You are so fool. You require vagina; take one vagina. Be satisfied. And lick it. Why you are going here and there, here and there, here and there? Even old man is going to the nightclub to lick another vagina. Is that civilization? You are proud of your civilization." Tell them like that. "Licking of the vagina, different, obnoxious smell. You are less than the dog. The dog likes to smell the vagina. You are like that. What is business of going another vagina? You require vagina. Take one and be satisfied. That is intelligence. First of all there is no need of vagina. But if you want, take one and be satisfied. Why you are searching after dog vagina, this vagina, that vagina, that vagina? Is that civilization?" Expose them like that. "Your brain is filled with so much stool, so we are washing it. What is the wrong there?" Adi-kesava: Actually they all need brainwashing. Prabhupada: Yes, "Every one of you require, because your brain is filled up with stool. You have no brain. Brain is covered with stool." What they will answer? Satsvarupa: That "If I want to have a stool brain, it may be lamentable, but don't force me to be washed. Prabhupada: It is not force. It is no... Satsvarupa: Let me remain in stool. Prabhupada: We are preaching. It does not mean that we are forcing. We are saying that "Your brain is in stool. Wash it like this. If one agrees, he does it. Not that in our movement all world has joined. One who is intelligent, he has agreed, 'Yes.' I am not forcing. If I would have possessed that forcive power, what right you have got to bring me in the court? You are forcing me to stop this. You are forcing. Nobody can force, but you are forcing." You should take this argument and expose them at least in the court, licking of the vagina civilization, like dog. Yes animals do that. Adi-kesava: I think the more strongly we preach in this way, that we don't try to give in and compromise... Prabhupada: No, no, no. Adi-kesava: The more that everyone will hear about this issue... Prabhupada: We must expose them, that's all. This is our business. This is a good opportunity in the court, so that it will be published. People will know what is our philosophy. Licking of vagina civilization, this. Publish. Adi-kesava: All right. Prabhupada: What they have got anymore, this Western civilization? Adi-kesava: They say that they are all actually in despair. They don't see any hope in the future. Prabhupada: This is their position. Hari-sauri: Their only hope in the future is that we'll eat trash, process trash and... Prabhupada: Yes, Gaura-Nitai. Is that argument all right, licking the vagina civilization? Prthu-putra: Great. Adi-kesava(?): Very bold. Hari-sauri: No one's ever talked to them like that. Prabhupada: But this is a fact. The old man, seventy-five years old, he's going to lick up another vagina in the club. This is your Western civilization. Adi-kesava: Sometimes in New York... You know we live right next to Broadway. The temple is right next to Broadway. Sometimes in New York we see old, old men... Prabhupada: And in France it is very... In France you have got. Prthu-putra: In France, yes. All the prostitution going on around the temple. Adi-kesava: You see even old, old men going to these clubs. Hari-sauri: If you can still have sex when you're seventy-five, then you're a great man. Glorified. Prabhupada: Just see. This is their civilization. In Paris there are so many clubs. The old men, they first of all pay fifty dollars to enter into the club. Then he selects which vagina he will lick up. Then another payment. I know that. (aside:) No, he can be asked to sit down there. Hari-sauri: To sit in the room. Prabhupada: Yes. Actually this is the fact. But they are fools. They still like to lick up new vagina. Exactly dogs. We are restricting that "Give up this business, licking of vagina," and they are seeking up to the point of death another vagina, another vagina, another... Which is better? If we say that "Give up this nonsense business," is that brainwash? And if it is brainwash, it is for good. What is this civilization, who is never satisfied? The same business is going on up to the point of death. Our civilization is: "All right, you are attached to vagina-licking. Do it up to fifty years. Then give it up." This is our civilization. "You are so much accustomed to the vagina-licking business -- up to fifty years, so long you are young. Then give it... Don't do it anymore." This is our civilization. And that also, after twenty-five years. For twenty-five years teach him, "It is no good business. Brahmacari. Remain alone. You have got so much botheration." If he's still unable: "All right, take one wife. Be satisfied. Lick up one. And then, at the age of fifty years, give up." This is our... Is that wrong? Satsvarupa: It's good. Hari-sauri: It's great. Prabhupada: Because unless you give up this business of vagina-licking, you'll have to be entangled in this body. Either as a dog or as a hog, as a human being or as a demigod, as a tree, as an insect, it will go on. In this way plead. Let the people understand what we are preaching. Advance this philosophy, widely discussed. Then our success. Hari-sauri: There's no question this will be widely discussed. Prabhupada: And... (someone enters) (Bengali) [break] Smelling the aroma, such a nonsense. Hari-sauri: As you say, just like dogs. Prabhupada: Hm? Hari-sauri: Just like the dogs. Prabhupada: Dogs and all animals, smelling vagina. They think, "Here is real pleasure." Hari-sauri: There's no need to move around, Srila Prabhupada... [break] Prabhupada: They're going for vagina and paying heavy toll: fifty dollars for entering the club, then two hundred dollars for drinking. You know this? Hari-sauri: Yes. Prabhupada: This is their civilization, vagina civilization. In Florida they go, Miami, to spend money weekly, five hundred, five thousand dollars for naked dance. You know that? Hari-sauri: Yes. So many places. Las Vegas. Every big city has... Prabhupada: And Brahmananda told me sometimes they see on the stage a fatty woman having sex with an ass. This is exhibited in Mexico. And they enjoy it. Hari-sauri: In Europe they have sex fairs. Prabhupada: Sex fair? What is that? Hari-sauri: You can go, and they have sideshows, men and women having sex on the stage at regular intervals, and they exhibit all kinds of contraptions that you can use to pervert your sex life even more. Prabhupada: What they will understand about this Krsna consciousness? Hari-sauri: There's not very much hope for them. Prabhupada: Help is for everyone, but if they remain stubborn to their own way of life, then it is not possible. They have to wash the brain. Otherwise it is possible. Hari-sauri: You explain in the Bhagavatam that everything actually is just an extension of the sex desire. Prabhupada: That's it. Hari-sauri: Their whole big cities and so much industry... Prabhupada: Yes. Hari-sauri: ...and work is just simply... Prabhupada: For the central point-vagina.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Adi-kesava Swami -- February 19, 1977, Mayapura
We were about to drive from Townsville, in North Queensland, to Brisbane, a distance of about 400 km. There is a big market in Townsville that I thought would be great for harinam and book distribution. But my wife felt a bit sick and wanted to leave right away so that we wouldn't get to our destination too late in the evening. I agreed with her proposal. So we set off with no plans to do books -- but Krsna had other plans.
I stopped in a side street to wash some fruit to eat on the way. There was a young guy sitting on a bench, so I decided to show him some books. He very happily took a Gita and a Dharma, giving a nice donation. Thus our journey began on an auspicious note. When we stopped on the way for some nuts and fruit, the shopkeeper took a cookbook. Later we stopped in a park to take lunch prasadam, some kichari and halava. We had just started our lunch when my wife said I should offer prasadam to some backpackers who had pulled in for lunch. They were not interested, but then I noticed two young men nearby, and when I invited them they enthusiastically came over and sat down for prasadam. We showed them some books, and they happily took a Gita and Cookbook for a nice donation.
After the backpackers had left I went to wash our plates, and I noticed a lady walking some dogs. I asked if she would like to try some vegetarian prasadam. She eagerly came over with her husband and partook of some kichari and halava. They also eagerly took a "Renunciation Through Wisdom" and a copy of Kurma's cookbook.
Finally we arrived at our destination. I had to stop at a gas station for directions to a friend's place. The lady behind the counter was on the phone talking about mashed potatoes for dinner -- how boring! She gave me directions. Then I mentioned that we had beautiful cookbooks which would leave her mashed potatoes for dead, and that we also had books containing solutions to stress. She said she had eaten our food at a lot of music festivals and loved it. (All glories to Braj Gauranga Prabhu and his team, who do the catering for hundreds of thousands of people throughout Queensland, and in fact all of Australia -- every year.) The lady enthusiastically purchased a copy of Kurma's cookbook, an SSR, and a "Renunciation Through Wisdom" all for $60.
Originally we had planned to just drive, but because we slightly desired to give people the topmost mercy in the form of Srila Prabhupada's books, Krsna made some wonderful arrangements.
Your servant, Rupa Raghunatha dasa Australia (Text D:3457053) -------------------------------------------
Speaker: HH Bhakti Charu Swami Venue: Sri Sri Nitai Gaura-Hari Mandir, Johannesburg, South Africa Occasion: Evening program on the eve of Randburg Ratha Yatra Transcription sent in by Madri Dasi Hare Krishna. [Chants Jaya Radha Madhava] Gaurapremanande Hari-hari bol! nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine Hare [...]
When I arrived at Berlin temple I was asked to give a Saturday class. I was a little hesitant but then they suggested that I could do a presentation on the Polish Tour. I showed photos and films off the internet of our favourite festival tour.
And where would you go? A shimmering white beach? The summit of a mountain that touches the sky? Or maybe a holy village, a temple, or a sacred river?
But still, I ask you: have you really escaped?
***
I get out of the car and walk along the sandy driveway in the velvet summer evening. Light slants through the majestic oak trees, and Spanish moss forms golden canopies above my head. My mind whirs with a thousand plans and a thousand anxieties.
I reach the front door of a renovated barn and sigh. I slip off my shoes and enter a room with warm wood floors and saffron walls. I join the other students in front of the wall-to-wall mirrors and we fold our palms and recite prayers in unison.
We offer our respects to the earth, to God, to our guru, to the audience, and then we turn to the corner of the room to offer obeisance to the deity of Lord Nataraj – the Lord of Dance.
We begin to dance, and the room resounds with the rhythm of our feet. One by one, my thousands of thoughts drop away. My worries, daydreams, plans, schedule... my excitement, sadness, anger…
Everything.
When I dance Bharatanatyam, my mind washes clean. If I think about a single plan, even form a single sentence in my head, my hands slip, my feet fall off beat, and I lose my expression. It's impossible to dance and to think.
Every moment I feel the fire circulate through my body; I focus on every moment to bend, jump, smile, and shift my gaze. Just to breathe is an adventure. Every moment is alive. I am alive.
This is my addiction to Bharatanatyam dance.
Amazing how in life so often we want to escape the present moment into an other world.
But dance is an escape from my world into the pure and present moment.
"The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures." Rabindranath Tagore
We were about to drive from Townsville, in North Queensland, to Brisbane, a distance of about 400 km. There is a big market in Townsville that I thought would be great for harinam and book distribution. But my wife felt a bit sick and wanted to leave right away so that we wouldn't get to our destination too late in the evening. I agreed with her proposal. So we set off with no plans to do books -- but Krsna had other plans.
I stopped in a side street to wash some fruit to eat on the way. There was a young guy sitting on a bench, so I decided to show him some books. He very happily took a Gita and a Dharma, giving a nice donation. Thus our journey began on an auspicious note. When we stopped on the way for some nuts and fruit, the shopkeeper took a cookbook. Later we stopped in a park to take lunch prasadam, some kichari and halava. We had just started our lunch when my wife said I should offer prasadam to some backpackers who had pulled in for lunch. They were not interested, but then I noticed two young men nearby, and when I invited them they enthusiastically came over and sat down for prasadam. We showed them some books, and they happily took a Gita and Cookbook for a nice donation.
After the backpackers had left I went to wash our plates, and I noticed a lady walking some dogs. I asked if she would like to try some vegetarian prasadam. She eagerly came over with her husband and partook of some kichari and halava. They also eagerly took a "Renunciation Through Wisdom" and a copy of Kurma's cookbook.
Finally we arrived at our destination. I had to stop at a gas station for directions to a friend's place. The lady behind the counter was on the phone talking about mashed potatoes for dinner -- how boring! She gave me directions. Then I mentioned that we had beautiful cookbooks which would leave her mashed potatoes for dead, and that we also had books containing solutions to stress. She said she had eaten our food at a lot of music festivals and loved it. (All glories to Braj Gauranga Prabhu and his team, who do the catering for hundreds of thousands of people throughout Queensland, and in fact all of Australia -- every year.) The lady enthusiastically purchased a copy of Kurma's cookbook, an SSR, and a "Renunciation Through Wisdom" all for $60.
Originally we had planned to just drive, but because we slightly desired to give people the topmost mercy in the form of Srila Prabhupada's books, Krsna made some wonderful arrangements.
Your servant, Rupa Raghunatha dasa Australia (Text D:3457053) -------------------------------------------
Okay, that is some austerity that you perform for Krishna's pleasure. When you perform some austerity then Krishna becomes pleased and you derive some benefit. And what is the spiritual benefit ? The spiritual benefit is that Krishna becomes pleased and you make spiritual advancement. I am very happy that you all came and I [...]
"[The Vishnudutas to the Yamadutas:] Authorities who are learned scholars and sages have carefully ascertained that one should atone for the heaviest sins by undergoing a heavy process of atonement and one should atone for lighter sins by undergoing lighter atonement. Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, however, vanquishes all the effects of sinful activities, regardless of whether heavy or light.
"One should take shelter of Krishna-Balarama, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose protective power is so great that it can not be equaled in the material world. However powerful the reaction of one’s sins, they will immediately if one chants the names of Hari, Krishna, Balarama or Narayana." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.16)
Good heavens! I forgot to set the alarm on my clock and did not wake up until 3:17 A.M. This means I get no rounds chanted before I have to begin my writing. This is an extraordinary setback for me. I'll have to chant my rounds later in the morning. I have no japa report to give.
I overslept and did no japa by 3:15. It is not a catastrophe but just means I have no early morning experience to share. Just yesterday a sannyasi asked me what was the part of the day I enjoy the most. I said I am not sure about "enjoying" but the most important is when I rise about 1 A.M. and begin my rigorous japa. I will look for that tomorrow, and there is nothing to prevent me from decent chanting later today on Labor Day.
Prabhupada, I'm well enough to give the class. I've got my notes and memories of things you've said. I can represent you.
Today, class is about the ten divisions of the Bhagavatam. The first nine are meant to set apart the tenth which is Krishna the summum bonum. I'll stick to what you've said.
These are farmers, but I want to tell them we all need to know the philosophy and that's done by hearing and repeating.
That's how Sukadeva and Suta Gosvamis got such perfect knowledge. The first item is creation. It doesn't come by chance: Life comes from life.
I will also raise the question, "Why not go at once to the pastimes of Krishna and the gopis which are sweeter than anything?" I have your answers and I have adopted them as my own. I don't want to jump over.
I will end the lecture by saying "What is Krishna doing in Vrndavana?" I'll sing the stanza you taught us cintamani-prakara-sadmasu … it's a window on the spiritual world. Krishna returns from cowherding, and all Vrajavasis strain to see Him, the boys tell what wonderful acts He did, and the gopis embrace Him with their eyes.
I'm well enough to give the class and sobered. Material nature can take away my power. Please give me this brief chance.
1. Pull down his statue. That was Saddam Hussein Shah in Iraq. It was happening at the time I wrote this, far away. But it was on the news. My poem is not about all that, but my own struggles. I am not aware of much else. I'll tell you what the poem means, although it's pretty clear in itself. It's in Under Dark Stars:
I turned randomly to Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.39-40: "Thus the devotee who worships Me, the all-pervading Lord of the universe, in unflinching devotional service, gives up all aspiration to be promoted to the heavenly planets or to become happy in this world with…anything related to the body. I take him to the other side of birth and death." In the purport Prabhupada writes that the devotee is conscious that he has committed sins in his past life. He prays to be born in the house of a pure devotee that he may get a chance to develop himself. But the Lord arranges for the devotee to be transferred back to Godhead just after quitting his body. The devotee doesn't aspire for liberation, but on His side the Lord excuses his sinful reactions so he doesn't have to return to another material body. That's what's explained in this purport. It is a significant purport with the emphasis on the Lord's power and will to bring a devotee to the spiritual abode. Sometimes we read of the devotee's point of view, that he doesn't mind if he doesn't go back to Godhead, all he wants is pure devotional service life after life. But here the Lord's position is stated, that the devotee is treated specially by the Lord's special mercy and is transferred to the supreme abode. It's a very encouraging purport. We might say this is the arrangement for the pure devotee and a mixed devotee has to come back again to the material world, but it's not worded that way. There are two points of view, the devotee's and the Lord's, and even if the devotee has given up hope of attaining the Lord, the Lord can still take him "to the other side of birth and death." That is the hope offered in this purport, that the devotee who has no material desires is taken to Krishna's eternal abode. We should keep this in mind in our progress. Mainly we should have no material desires, and you should want only to serve the Lord. Then leave your destiny up to Him. Pray for pure devotional service. At least in this purport, it's stated that if you think like this, the Lord will bring you to Him in the eternal abode.
The following lecture was given by H.H. Bhakti Caru Swami Maharaja on September 02nd, 2010, in ISKCON Ujjain. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Canto 10: The Summum Bonumndash; Chapter 3: The Birth of Lord Kṛṣṇandash; Text 21
As I drove to the temple Thursday morning to celebrate Srila Prabhupada's appearance day I couldn't help but reflect on Iskcon's mission as given to us by Srila Prabhupada, which can be summed as the respiritualization of the world.
Srila Prabhuapda stated it this way in his mission statement for Iskcon, "To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world."
Iskcon obviously has a long way to go to realize its full mission.
And although it may seem ridiculous to even think about that as a goal given the state of the organization and its limited resources I think that is the line of thought we need to be take. That is the purpose of a mission statement, to help us guide our day to day actions so that we always keep our mission in mind.
And I would argue that because we haven't taken that seriously Iskcon has floundered, or has not made significant progress towards it goal. Of course there are many reasons Iskcon has floundered, most of which are simply sociological reasons connected with the fact that Iskcon is a new religious organization, and the specifics of the way the original members joined.
But now that the movement is solidly on its feet I think it is time to seriously consider Srila Prabhupada's vision and mission.
On Srila Prabhupada’s appearance day, I was chanting in Srila Prabhupada’s room in the evening. At 7.30 pm Jananivas Prabhu walked in and offered his obeisances to Srila Prabhupada. Apart from the caretaker of Srila Prabhupada’s room, there was only a Russian mataji in the room. Mataji spontaneously requested Jananivasa Prabhu to tell us a Prabhupada story. He kindly obliged and spoke not one but many stories stretching over half an hour.
Money is so dear that one conceives of money as being sweeter than honey. Therefore, who can give up the desire to accumulate money, especially in household life? Thieves, professional servants [soldiers] and merchants try to acquire money even by risking their very dear lives
By HH Bhakti Raghava Swami 
By Bhakti Raghava Swami 
