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Sankarshana Das Adhikari
An Appeal for Your Help
On the order of his spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Sankarshan Prabhu has dedicated his life for the most urgent work of spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. The more that Krishna consciousness spreads, the more that the suffering, scarcity, and hate on this planet will be replaced with bliss, abundance and love. This is a golden opportunity for us to do the highest good for all living beings and receive the special blessings of the Lord. Therefore we should, as much as possible, sacrifice our time, energy, and resources to assist Sankarshan Prabhu in his most important work. If you would like to help out to any extent, little or big, kindly inform Sankarshan Prabhu of your desire.
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Don't Take Anything for Granted
Instead of acknowledging that all-merciful Lord who is constantly showering us with his unlimited kindness at every minute, our tendency is to forget Him considering ourselves to be in every way independent. Such forgetfulness is the root cause of all our anxieties in this material existence. So if we can simply wake up and realize that everything we have is provided by God, that we are fully dependent upon Him for everything at every moment, all of our problems will solved. We will be living in paradise.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Author Teaches Total Dependence on God
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia--12 June 2010
Question: Only One Way to Connect with God?
Guru Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances.
On the one hand you say that there is only one way to connect with God, and that is the teachings of Krishna. And in the 20 July 2010 "Thought for the Day" you have told us that there are four sampradayas through which we can connect with God. Kindly elaborate.
Your obedient servant,
Sundar
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Answer: One Way Taught by Many
It is fact that there is only way to connect with God, and that is through pure devotional service. This science of pure devotional service has come down to us through four disciplic successions or sampradayas. In this regard Srila Prabhupada writes as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 1.18.21:
"All of the four original sampradayas are still scrupulously engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord up to date, and they all declare that Lord Krishna, Mukunda, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no other personality is equal to Him or greater than Him."
Of these four sampradayas, the Brahma sampradaya is especially potent because it is in this sampradaya that the Supreme Lord Himself has only recently appeared on this planet 500 years ago. And it is this sampradaya that we are humbly serving through the sublime teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Tridandi Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
I've Got a Message
By the grace of my beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, I've got a message which can deliver the entire world from all varieties of suffering conditions. Therefore on his order my life is fully dedicated to broadcasting this message as far and as wide as possible so that everybody can become free from misery and relish the highest level of transcendental bliss at every minute. People may accept this message or they may reject it. But in either case it is our duty to try our level best to spread it to everyone in every part of the world so that everyone can become truly happy forever.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: Material Desires While Doing Bhakti
If we have desires to enjoy in the material world and also as we are aware of our real goal of life we are performing service for the satisfaction of the Lord--like chanting 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily, following the four regulative principles, and distributing the Bhagavad-gita--but still we have material desires in us, will Krishna accept us ?
Thanks
Ritu
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Answer: Strive for Pure Devotional Service
Krishna will certainly accept your chanting and service rendered as your eternal assets. But if in spite of knowing the ultimate goal of life you still have material desires, you may become diverted from the bhakti path and be forced to take birth again in this material world. Therefore the best course of action for you will be to strive for pure devotional service free from all material desires. Only in this way will you become fully satisfied.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
The Perfection of Existence
Since we prefer whatever we purchase to be free from defects, why shouldn't we demand the same standard for existence itself? If we purchase a product that turns out to be defective, we will want a refund or an exchange for a product which is in perfect condition. Since we demand such perfection when we shop, why shouldn't we demand a similar perfection from the most important product we own, our very existence.
The perfection of existence can be obtained from someone who has it already. That person is the bona fide spiritual master.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: Is Serving Others Selflessly Perfection?
What if we serve others without expecting anything in return? How is this called? Is this still some sort of selfishness? Or is this only another material activity in the mode of goodness?
Thanks,
J. Raúl Cárdenas
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Answer: Only When We Serve All Others
Serving others without expecting something in return is service in the mode of goodness. But unless that service includes all others, it remains imperfect. The perfection of that selfless service is when we selflessly serve all living beings, including the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When our selfless service expands to include Him also, we are situated on the perfectional stage in the mode of pure goodness on the transcendental platform beyond birth and death. How could we think that we are serving all others if we neglect to serve the Supreme Person, who is supplying all the necessities of all the living beings? He should be the first person that we serve because simply by serving Him we automatically serve everyone, just as by watering the root of a tree all the leaves and branches of that tree are nourished.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Don't Be Controlled By Your Mind
An unenlightened mind is the worst enemy of someone who aspires for spiritual perfection. Therefore the first step on the pathway of spiritual perfection is to bring the mind under control. Instead of allowing our minds to dictate to us what we should or not do, we must dictate to our minds what sort of thoughts they should be absorbed in. This is the real meaning of being a yogi. A yogi is someone whose mind is completely under his control 24 hours daily.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: How to Offer Your Job to Krishna?
Arjuna did not give up his job. He simply offered it in the service of Krishna. What is the practical of application of this for someone like me who is a university student?
Sukhleen
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Answer: Engage Your Income in Krishna's Service
As a student you can absorb your consciousness as much as possible in Krishna consciousness by chanting Hare Krishna, studying the Bhagavad-gita, and eating only Krishna prasadam. And once you begin working you can offer your job to Krishna by offering the income derived from that job in the service of Krishna. In this way even while working in the material world one can become a perfect yogi and pure devotee of Lord Sri Krishna just as Arjuna was on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Don't Let the Sunrise Catch You Sleeping
There is no doubt that it is quite a struggle to remain fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness 24 hours a day in a world that is completely materialistic. So how to accomplish this? The key is to rise early in the morning before sunrise and deeply absorb your consciousness in the ultimate transcendental meditation of the holy names of God. In this way if you will fully charge your spiritual batteries each day early in the morning, you will have no difficulty always remembering Krishna in all circumstances and you will thus be qualified for attaining the ultimate abode, Krishnaloka, at the time of death. Therefore do not let the sunrise catch you sleeping. Rise early every day before dawn and cash in on the unlimited mercy of the Supreme Lord fully manifested in the form of His most sublime holy names.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: The Supreme Personality and Durga
Namaste,
Blessings to you on your mission. This is probably a question asked many times, but I would like your illumination on the subject. When it is said that Krishna is the 'Supreme Personality of the Godhead', is it to be understood that He is the expression of God of which we can be most intimately be aware, in comparison to the formless Absolute as Nirguna Brahman? I understand that as He revealed Himself in all of His splendor to Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita, that it was too intense for the man to take. Thus, is Krishna as Himself the personality most comprehensible by our mortal minds until, at least, liberation?
I have one other, more personal, question that is however relevant: how can I relate Him in my own sectarian practice of shaktism? To me, God has been revealed to me as Durga, who is form and formless. There is no doubt to me that the mahamantra of Krishna brings me bliss, even in listening to it play repeatedly through the day as often I do. I know that God is God and God is One, within and without, in advaita proper. But how would I implement worship of the Lord when single-point devotion is so important?
I understand that you make valuable use of your time and I hope you can make time to enlighten me in there questions. Thank you for your time and, especially, the work that you do for the world. If only more held so much conviction.
Phillip
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Answer: Krishna, the Source of Durga
I appreciate very much the nice way in which you have inquired from me. I can see that you are a very sincere, genuine person.
When Krishna is described as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, this does not mean that He is the expression of something else. It means that He is the original source of all existence. For example, He is described in the Bhagavad-gita as being the source of the formless Absolute, the Nirguna Brahman as well as being the source of all spiritual and material worlds. It's not that Krishna is a subset of something which is too heavy for us to handle. Rather it was Krishna's partial manifestation as the universal form which Arjuna found was too hard to handle and His original two-armed flute-playing form that Arjuna found was easy to handle.
You are worshiping Durga, who is shakti, as the Supreme. Shakti is a Sanskrit word which means "energy." Kindly note in this connection that just as electrical energy requires a powerhouse, energy requires an energetic source. This is known in Sanskrit as "shaktiman." The Absolute Truth is not shakti, or energy, but shaktiman, the emanator of innumerable energies. Shakti is a manifestation of the Absolute Truth, but it is not the original Absolute Truth.
You are experiencing so much bliss from the Hare Krishna mahamantra because it directly connects you with shaktiman, Lord Sri Krishna, the source of all energy. The more we become connected with the shaktiman, the more we become energized and surcharged with transcendental energy. In other words, the more we become Krishna conscious, the more we become filled with transcendental bliss.
The conclusion is that when you finally bring your consciousness to the final conclusion, the ending point, the ultimate understanding of reality--you will come to Krishna. This is confirmed as follows in the Bhagavad-gita:
bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ
"After many births and deaths,
he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me,
knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is.
Such a great soul is very rare."
Bhagavad-gita 7.19
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ
"After many births and deaths,
he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me,
knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is.
Such a great soul is very rare."
Bhagavad-gita 7.19
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from ISKCON Vancouver, Canada
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Today's Thought:
Celebrating Constant Victory
Even though we prefer to always be victorious, in this world we are forced by the stringent laws of material nature to experience both victory and defeat. But for those who are enlightened with transcendental knowledge there is no such thing as defeat. Such illuminated souls experience the loving mercy of the Lord in all times, places, and circumstances as He brings them closer and closer to His lotus feet. Such fortunate beings who realize that they are the eternal servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly celebrate the victory of being liberated from the clutches of the material existence by the all-powerful mercy of the Lord.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Writing Thought for the Day--July 25, 2010
Mt. Seymour, British Columbia, Canada
Question: Can the Creator Do All Things Possible?
Who is the creator of the whole universe? Is He able to do all things possible?
Muzzmudd Ibrahim
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Answer: He Can Even Do the Impossible
The Supreme Personality of Godhead--who is known by different names such as Krishna, Allah, and Jehovah according to different scriptures--is the source of everything. Nothing exists except for what He is emanating from Himself. Because He is omnipotent He is able to do anything, both that which is possible and that which is seemingly impossible. I have used the word "seemingly" because for Him truly nothing is impossible.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from ISKCON Vancouver, Canada
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Today's Thought:
Most Ecstatic, Enlivening Existence
Since everybody is motivated to act for something, why not opt for the supreme motivation of perfecting one's spiritual life and attempting to deliver all living beings from their suffering condition in the cycle of birth and death? Even if one is not successful in doing so, what attempt could be more pleasing to the Lord? And the more we please the Lord, the more we become pleased. So at the bare minimum one will live the most ecstatic, enlivening existence, and whoever such a person is able to deliver will also be blessed with the most ecstatic, enlivening existence.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Teaching Bhakti Yoga
at the Unity Yoga Studio
July 24, 2010---Vancouver, Canada
Question: Does a Devotee Care for His Health?
Please accept my loving and humble obeisances.
May your mercy and blessings always be on me.
According to the philosophy of Krishna consciousness should one be careful about his physical health? Or is it that when one follows the principles of Krishna Consciousness one is automatically careless about his physical health? Please clarify.
Thanks and regards,
Sunil
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Answer: He Cares for the Property of Krishna
A devotee sees his body as the property of Krishna. Therefore on behalf of Krishna he takes very good care of his health.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Save the Planet Now
It's time we put the brakes on this material civilization because it is presently on a one way disintegration-destruction course. Since it is based on the false bodily conception of the self, it is not harmony with laws of nature and the laws of God and is consequently doomed. It cannot remain. We must therefore now, out of compassion upon the suffering souls of this sage, revolutionize this planet by the reintroduction of Vedic culture all over the world. This is the only hope for the suffering humanity.
So how do we do that? How can we possibly spiritualize a completely materialistic world? To do it we must begin with ourselves. In other words we must become and remain men and women of the highest standard of ideal character. We must be non-violent, peaceful, friendly, truthful, and above all, fully devoted to the serving the Supreme Lord with love 24 hours a day. And we must boldly present the message of Krishna to everyone that we meet. In this way, by cultural conquest, the entire planet can one day be saved.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Explaining Bhakti Science en Route to South Africa
to British Airways Flight Attendant Named Rod
May 28, 2010
Question: When Did You First Get Interested in Bhakti?
Today I have studied the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. You are very fortunate to have been personally taught by a guru like him. You were only in your 20's when you met him. When did you got interested in the science of bhakti for the first time?
When you were a child you probably never believed you would become a guru some day. Life is very surprising.
Have you ever had any doubts about the Vedic literatures that they are really the Absolute Truth. If so, how have you overcome them?
All the scientists in the world support the evolution theory. Do you think they deliberately want to mislead people?
I read that your master believed that an organization called "Illuminati" wants to control the world. What do you think?
Ari
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Answer: 1968
I first became attracted to the science of bhakti in 1968 when I was living in Denver, Colorado, USA. I was seeking a means by which I could become self-realized and thus become free from all material miseries. My dear friend Patrick Dolan introduced me to chanting Hare Krishna, which I then started doing on a daily basis. And then I read Krishna's statement in the Bhagavad-gita that if we offer Him our vegetarian foods with love before we eat them that He will accept them. This amazed me greatly that I could have this kind of personal reciprocation with God. So I began offering all my food to Krishna before eating. I then resolved to give up this material world by going to India to become a renunciate for the rest of my life. But on the way to India a voice from within told me to go to San Francisco instead. This is where I first met the Hare Krishna devotees.
It is fact that I never had any idea that I would one day become a spiritual master with disciples all over the world. This is the amazing arrangement of Lord Sri Krishna.
I've never had any doubts about the conclusions of the Vedic literatures because they present a more logical, consistent, and scientific vision of reality than any other teaching that I have ever encountered in my entire life. I have personally verified and proven their authenticity because as it is said: Truth works.
It is not true that all the scientists accept Darwin's theory. There are some scientists who staunchly oppose it. Even if their intentions are good, the scientists, who are promoting Darwinism, are grossly misleading the entire human society. As it is sometimes said, "The pathway to hell is paved with good intentions."
Srila Prabhupada did not mention any so-called "Illuminati" demons who are trying to take over the world. Rather he taught us about the real illuminati, the enlightened sages, who have taught the science of spiritual perfection throughout the ages.
The actual person who is presently misguiding the human society is a male demon named Kali. Under his influence the entire world civilization is presently running mad after material sense gratification. He is not to be confused with the female goddess, Kali, who is a great devotee of the Lord.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Be Happy the Easy Way
All we really have to do to be totally happy is connect with Krishna. But instead of taking it this easiest of all ways, because of our lording-it-over nature, which has been in our hearts for millions of lifetimes, we try to to become happy by manipulating our material situation. This approach does not work because it goes against our very nature, which is to be the humble servant of God. We must learn to give up this manipulative tendency because it is the very cause of our misery since time immemorial.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Manipulative Tendency Creates Hell on Earth
Question: Why Swastikas on the Boat?
Hare Krishna,
Thanking you for your daily devotional emails. I notice in your picture of chanting on the Yamuna river in 2009 that there are symbols on the flags similar to the Nazi symbol. Could you enlighten the significance if any please?
Thanking you.
Howard
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Answer: The Swastika is a Most Auspicious Symbol.
The swastika you see on the flags is not a Nazi symbol. It is a Vedic symbol, and it is spelled svastika in Sanskrit. Svasti means auspiciouness and svastika means a symbol of auspiciousness. That it was co-opted by the Nazis for their nefarious purposes does not change it's original wonderful meaning. In fact it is described in the Vaisnava-tosani that there are four svastikas on Krishna's right foot. So what symbol could be more auspiciousness than that?
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Approach the Current Link
In order to receive the correct understanding of the self-realization science we must approach the current link, or spiritual master, in the chain of disciplic succession from Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we proudly think that we can figure out the self-realization science on our own without taking the guidance and blessings of the present spiritual master, we will not be successful in awakening the dormant love of God within our hearts. So instead of deriding or minimizing the spiritual master, we should humbly submit ourselves at his lotus feet as his disciples. In this way we will become fully qualified to realize the Supreme Truth and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Narada Muni Enlightens Vedavyasa With Transcendental Knowledge
Question: Do You Consider Yourself to Be a Guru?
Do you consider yourself to be a a guru or acharya, or simply to be a devotee sharing his knowledge?
Srila Prabhupada said his books are all we need to get his guidance (guidance from a realized soul) when he would leave this earth, and that his teachings would last for the next 10,000 years.
Thank you very much for your time.
John
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Answer: I Am Simply Srila Prabhupada's Dog.
I am simply Prabhupada's dog. And I just do what the dog is supposed to do for the master. I simply follow his orders, that's all.
You claim that Srila Prabhupada said that his books would be all that we need to get his guidance after his departure. Kindly inform me where in his books he says that.
Srila Prabhupada stated in London on September 3 1971 that it is not simply through books that one can contact the spiritual master. He said that there must be personal contact also, not that we have a spiritual master simply through books. He stated, "Not that in the air you make a spiritual master. You make a spiritual master concrete."
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Have a Super Ecstatic Eternity
Don't let the material modes of nature get you down. Transcend the material modes of nature by taking complete shelter of the Lord's holy names. It's not difficult. Simply you have to put your faith in the names and do it. That's all. Completely surrender yourself to Krishna in the form of His holy names, and you are guaranteed to have a super ecstatic day. And if you will do this every day, you will have a super ecstatic eternity.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Devotees Blissfully Singing and Dancing in Leipzig, Germany
Question: Mind Wanders While Chanting
I do the chanting with closed eyes, but still mind wonders here and there. But is it okay if I close my eyes and do the practice? What do I need to do to make you as my guru?
Deepak Kalia
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Answer: Beg Krishna to Help You
Be careful about chanting with fully closed eyes. Because this can cause one to fall asleep. The sastras (scriptures) recommend to meditate with half closed eyes. Whenever you see that your mind is wandering away from full absorption in carefully chanting and hearing the Lord's holy names, you should grab it and bring it back to absorption in the sweet sound of Krishna's names. Beg Krishna to help you stay absorbed in His names, and He will surely help you.
Becoming a disciple is not difficult. One simply must become fully dedicated to accepting the orders of Sri Guru as one's very life and soul. I am requesting that every day you must chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra on japa beads and that you must strictly follow the four regulative principles:
1. No Illicit sex
2. No meat eating
3. No intoxication
4. No gambling
Once you are solidly fixed in the above principles and are recommended as being so situated by your local ISKCON leader, I will be happy to initiate you as my disciple.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Dallas, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Tune in to the Source of Existence
Tune in to the source of existence, the Supreme Person, who is the fountainhead of all energies. In this way you will pierce the veil of the material energy, attain the supreme nirvana, and experience what is there on the other side of reality. Believe me, it's much better than what we get on this side. If you are skeptical, give it try anyway. You will be absolutely amazed by what you experience. What do you have to lose?
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
The Amazing Other Side of Existence
Sri Goloka Vrindavan--the Abode of Lord Sri Krishna
Question: What is Your Disciplic Lineage?
I live in Quebec, Canada. I am 54. I am a believer in Krishna. I also believe in the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam and all other Vedic Scriptures.
I have not been initiated in any sampradaya (disciplic lineage) yet, but I strongly believe it will happen in a few years. Could you tell me who is your spiritual master and from which sampradaya he comes? I love studying the Bhagavad-gita, but I would like to know more about you before I enroll.
Thank you very much.
John
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Answer: Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-Sampradaya
I am very happy to hear of your faith in Krishna, the books which describe the science of how to become a pure devotee of Krishna, and the process of initiation. May Lord Krishna bless you that you can soon become fully qualified to accept initiation.
My spiritual master is His Divine Grace Om Visnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Astottara-Sata Sri Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Tridandi Goswami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
There are four Vaisnava sampradayas, lines of disciplic succession for perfectly connecting with the Supreme Lord. One sampradaya comes from Lord Brahma, one from Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, one from the Kumaras, headed by Sanat-kumara, and one from Lord Siva. These four systems of disciplic succession are still going on. We are in the disciplic line descending from Lord Brahma, known as the Brahma sampradaya. The unique feature of this sampradaya is that only 500 years the Supreme Lord, Lord Sri Krishna, personally appeared within the Brahma sampradaya as Lord Caitanya. It also is a special feature of this sampradaya that the essence of Vedic wisdom, the Srimad-Bhagavatam, was originally imparted by Lord Sri Krishna to Lord Brahma.
My spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, is the 32nd in the disciplic succession coming from Lord Brahma. And on his order those of his disciples who are strictly following him are 33rd in the line of succession. Because our line descends through Brahma, Madhvacarya, and Lord Caitanya, our disciplic branch is known as the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya sampradaya.
It is our ardent hope that you will agree to accept training from us because if you do so and strictly follow our instructions, we can assure that you will attain spiritual perfection in this life and will thus become qualified to go back to home, back to Godhead upon leaving your present body.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Southfield, Michigan USA
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Today's Thought:
Blessed With Unlimited Good Fortune
I am astonished to see how much I have been blessed with unlimited good fortune while all around me I see a world population that is completely engrossed in ignorance and being dragged down by the laws of nature to the animal kingdom in the next lifetime. Somehow by the combined mercy of guru and Krishna I have received this unlimited good fortune of Krishna consciousness. So now I must carefully guard and nurture my good fortune and share it as much as possible with an unfortunate world so that these lost souls who are the beloved children of Lord Sri Krishna can also become fortunate.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Sharing the Unlimited Good Fortune
Kaliningrad, Russia--April 9, 2010
Question: How to Speed Up the Revolution?
I would like to honestly ask you, "What do you think the situation of world is right now?" The situation seems very desperate sometimes and progress seems very slow. What can be done to speed up the revolution? I want to assist you in your mission. What do you think I should do?
Ari
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Answer: Join It.
You have duly noted the desperate world situation and asked the most important question of how to speed up the revolution for the saving the human society. Thank you very much for your intelligence and compassion.
The best way for you to speed it up is that you fully join our movement by chanting at least 16 rounds daily of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on japa mala beads and strictly following the four regulative principles:
1. No illicit sex
2. No meat eating
3. No intoxication
4. No gambling
And then give as much as possible of your time, money, intelligence and words to help the devotees in your country in their activities of educating the local population. The more that we all work together as a team to save the world, the more there will a wonderfully positive synergistic effect for transforming the human society. So kindly, in the manner that I have described above, fully join us as soon as possible. This is how to speed up Lord Caitanya's spiritual revolution.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Departure of Sriman Aindra Prabhu
Saturday 17 July 2010--Today devotees all the world are lamenting the disappearance of one of ISKCON's dearest devotees, Sriman Aindra Prabhu, who left his body this morning in his room at ISKCON's Krishna Balarama temple in the sacred town of Vrindavan, India apparently due to an accidental gas leak. This great soul was the heart and soul of ISKCON Vrindavan's 24 hour Hare Krishna kirtan, having re-established it in the 1980's. To chant with him in Vrindavan was an exhilarating experience of blissful absorption in the unlimitedly sweet names of the Lord. He will be remembered with gratitude by all the devotees, especially those who had the good fortune to join with him in kirtan.
He one time told the story of how he was leading a kirtan in a temple in America when Srila Prabhupada was present. Srila Prabhupada expressed his great satisfaction with Aindra's kirtan by saying, "Jaya." This one word of encouragement from Srila Prabhupada greatly enthused Aindra Prabhu for an eternal life of chanting. Srila Prabhupada's mercy so wonderfully was manifested in Aindra's kirtans.
It was my greatest good fortune to have chanted with him and relished his nectarean association on many occasions in the transcendentally surcharged atmosphere of Sri Vrindavana Dhama. I will miss Aindra Prabhu greatly and am looking forward to joining him again in kirtan in that most wondrous of all places, Sri Goloka Dhama, the transcendental abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Now Relish this Nectarean Video
Sriman Aindra Prabhu Leading 24 Kirtan
Krishna Balarama Mandir--Vrindavana, India
Click here for Ecstatic Aindra Kirtan Video Aindra das, Vrindavana Krishna Balarama Temple
How Fortunate We Were to Have His Association
This Superb Kirtan Leader Will Be Greatly Missed
Answers According to the Vedic Version: Sriman Aindra Prabhu Leading 24 Kirtan
Krishna Balarama Mandir--Vrindavana, India
Click here for Ecstatic Aindra Kirtan Video Aindra das, Vrindavana Krishna Balarama Temple
How Fortunate We Were to Have His Association
This Superb Kirtan Leader Will Be Greatly Missed
Question: Don't We Need to Follow Jesus Also?
Regarding the position of ISKCON on Jesus Christ, I have read that he is believed to be the son of God because he encouraged people to praise God. But if he is in fact believed to be the son of God, then don't we also need to adhere to His teachings in addition to just following the Hindu teachings?
And, if Jesus is the son of God, then why did he not teach the Maha Mantra? It just seams like he either has to be accepted totally, along with his teachings, or rejected altogether. There cannot be this easy middle ground of saying that we accept him as the son of God, but then not be encouraged to also study and follow his teachings.
Kate
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Answer: We Are Already Doing That.
The organization ISKCON does not publish position statements on such things. It's up to each individual person to personally realize under the guidance of great realized souls the Absolute Truth, which is the foundation of all existence.
It's not that somebody has a belief that Christ is the son of God. He openly declares that he is the son of God.
The term "Hindu teachings" is not strictly speaking a correct term because the word "Hindu" appears nowhere in the ancient scriptures of India. This was term coined by the Muslims. Therefore it is better if we say "Vedic teachings" in reference to the teachings given in the Vedic scriptures.
Just as there is no difference between arithmetic and calculus because they are both part of the same mathematical science, similarly there is no difference between the teachings of Christ and the Vedic teachings. It is simply that one is a more advanced version of the same science of devotion.
This point is substantiated by the Bible and the Bhagavad-gita. In the Bible Christ says, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."--John 16:12. In other words there were further teachings which Christ wanted to give but the people were not yet qualified to hear. And in the Bhagavad-gita we read the following words of Lord Sri Krishna:
jñānaṁ te 'haṁ sa-vijñānam
idaṁ vakṣyāmy aśeṣataḥ
yaj jñātvā neha bhūyo 'nyaj
jñātavyam avaśiṣyate
"I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous.
This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know."
--Bhagavad-gita 7.2
idaṁ vakṣyāmy aśeṣataḥ
yaj jñātvā neha bhūyo 'nyaj
jñātavyam avaśiṣyate
"I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous.
This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know."
--Bhagavad-gita 7.2
So Christ is saying there is more to be revealed to you later, and Krishna saying that everything is being revealed now. So in this way we should understand the relationship between the Biblical knowledge and the Vedic knowledge. There is no contradiction between them. Biblical knowledge is introductory spiritual knowledge and Vedic knowledge is on the advanced level. Those who try to use one to defeat the other are not realized in transcendental knowledge.
Regarding Christ teaching the Hare Krishna mantra, even for teaching what he did Jesus was crucified. Can you imagine what would have happened if Christ had taught Sanskrit mantras in Israel? He would not have lasted as long as he did. Therefore he taught them on a level that they could understand. An elementary school teacher does not introduce calculus to her students. Rather she teaches them the mathematical science beginning from the simple level of "one plus one equals two" and gradually builds from there. So in the same way, the bhakti science, the science of how to perfect one's loving relationship with God, has to be taught according to the level of comprehension of the audience. Hopefully this has now been made crystal clear for your proper understanding.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Greatest Paradigm Shift in History
We have received the order from Srila Prabhupada to deliver the entire world from illusion, but some say that this is impossible. They argue, "How could the entire human society, which is so deeply engrossed in sense gratification, ever take to Krishna consciousness?" They are convinced that it simply is not possible.
But by the grace of guru and Krishna even that which is impossible becomes possible and can indeed take place. So why not try for it with all sincerity. And then--who knows?--by the Lord's inconceivable mercy it could indeed happen. So if we try for it, at worst we will relish the most exciting lives possible representing the Lord in this world and then regain our eternal positions in that wondrous spiritual sky. And at best we will be successful in sparking off the greatest paradigm shift in the history of the universe. What have we got to lose?
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Estonian Devotees Chanting Hare Krishna
For the Deliverance of the World from Illusion
Question: Can You Show Me Proof of Srila Prabhupada's Order?
As you said, you were ordered by your spiritual master to become a spiritual master. Can you show any letter or any document to prove that?
Sorry, I'm rude. but this is my sincere doubt.
Your Servant,
R.K.
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Answer: My Duty is to Serve My Guru's Order, Not Prove It.
With all due respect to your good self, it is not my duty to produce documented evidence of the orders I received from my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, before I try to execute them. It is simply my duty to execute them. That's all. Of course, if I can convince the doubtful, such as yourself, of the legitimacy of the orders, that's good. But this not required.
In this connection, kindly note that a similar question was asked of Srila Prabhupada regarding when he got the instruction to become guru from his spiritual master. He frankly told the inquirer as follows:
Indian man: When did he tell you to...?
Prabhupada: What is the business, when did he tell me? And why shall I disclose to you? It is so very insignificant thing that I have to explain to you?
Indian man: No, I am just curious when...
Prabhupada: You should be curious within your limit. You should know that one can become guru when he is ordered by his guru, this much.
--Nairobi, October 28, 1975
In Los Angeles, California, USA on December 17, 1973 Srila Prabhupada gave us the clear order, "Become guru and deliver the whole world." So therefore I now humbly bow down at his feet and beg the mercy that I can successfully carry out his order. As it is said:
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master,
even a dumb man can become the greatest orator,
and even a lame man can cross mountains."
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
"By the mercy of the spiritual master,
even a dumb man can become the greatest orator,
and even a lame man can cross mountains."
Now I am seeing how Srila Prabhupada has so kindly sent so many sincere souls from all over the world to assist me in my attempt to introduce the misguided Kali Yuga society to the sublime science of Krishna consciousness. This is his inconceivable loving mercy upon me and upon those whom he has sent. I humbly submit myself and my disciples at his lotus feet as his eternal servants.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
How to Connect with the Supreme Person
We plug in our electric lamp so that it can get electricity and illuminate our room. Even though the electricity is coming from the powerhouse, we do not directly plug our lamp into the powerhouse because the powerhouse is situated at a great distance from our home. Instead we plug our lamp into the power outlet on the wall.
In a similar way since Krishna is far, far away in His transcendental abode he has established the system of disciplic succession so that anyone who desires to be fully connected with Him can do so. He describes this in the Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 4, Text 2 that we connect with Him through the system known as disciplic succession. This means that we become the disciple of a bona fide spiritual maser who is coming in an unbroken line of disciple succession from Him. The process of connecting with Krishna through the spiritual master is by following the spiritual master's instructions. And when we make a permanent commitment to always follow his instructions we accept diksha or initiation. Initiation from the bona fide spiritual master is imperative for one who wants to attain spiritual perfection because Krishna states in the Adi Purana that we are not His devotee unless we have become the devotee of His devotee.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
The Author Gives Initiation to Akrura Das
Sofia, Bulgaria--4 November 2007
Question: What is Krishna Consciousness?
What is Krishna consciousness ? How can we be your disciples? Please guide us.
Steph & Roger
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Answer: To Reconnect with the Supreme Self
Krishna consciousness is the science of reconnecting the individual self with the Supreme Self through loving service. You are both welcome to become my disciples. One becomes a disciple by following the instructions of the spiritual master.
Your first step is to read Bhagavad-gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Do you have a copy? Have you read it?
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Flooding the World with Mercy
Lord Caitanya appeared 500 years ago in India to inaugurate the Krishna consciousness movement for the deliverance of all the fallen, conditioned souls back to their original home in the spiritual sky. These poor souls are presently entrapped in the cycle of birth repeatedly suffering birth, death, old age, and disease. If they can somehow or other come in contact with Lord Caitanya's movement and His divine mercy, they will be liberated from their suffering condition. Therefore those of us who have been so fortunate to receive the blessings of Lord Caitanya should dedicate our lives to sharing His inconceivably sublime nectarean mercy with everyone so that they can also become happy. This is the topmost welfare work because it liberates everyone from all types of suffering.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Lord Caitanya and His Associates
Flood the Universe with Inconceivable Mercy
How to Use Toys for Krishna?
Dear Gurudeva,
Kids, like me, sometimes ask for toys, and their parents buy that toy. They like to use it for themselves. But I want to know how to use it for Krishna. And also I am unable to not ask for toys, though I know it is maya stuff.
I want to be your loving servant.
Yukta
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Answer: Get a Krishna Doll
My Dear Yukta,
Please accept my blessings.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Ask your parents to buy you Krishna conscious toys like
the Krishna doll available at:
http://www.gopalsofttoys.com
Having such toys will be very favorable for your Krishna consciousness.
I will be very happy to accept the loving service of such a sincere devotee like you.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Non-Stop Blissful Celebration
All you really have to do to be completely happy is be yourself. But the problem is that in our modern day society practically nobody has even the slightest clue as to who they really are. Almost everyone misidentifies their body as being their self. But nothing could be further from the truth. Therefore they spend their entire lives serving a false conception of the self, never finding any genuine satisfaction. It's no wonder then that so many people commit suicide every day and that the mass population spend their lives pointlessly trying to kill their misery by absorbing themselves in this ism or that ism and by indulging in sense gratification.
One needs to simply understand his non-material eternal nature and connect with the Supreme Person, the source of all existence, through loving service. This will turn his life into a non-stop blissful celebration.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Connecting with the Supreme Person in Vrindavan
On the Yamuna River--Fall 2009
Question: Is the Mahabharata a Myth?
Many a time there is a question in my mind. I often wonder if the Bhagavad-gita is just a part of an fictional story written by Srila Vyasadeva called the Mahabharata. But people following it regard it as something which has happened in reality. Is Mahabharata just like a movie which is based on real location and real persons belonging to its contemporary time of creation, but at the end of it all is just another work of fiction, or is it something which really happened? If it is indeed real, then there must be some record or remains of the reality which has been discovered by archeologists or historians. I'm not talking about Vedic and/or other scriptures. I'm talking about reference other than the Vedas, Upanishads or Puranas, i.e. recent discoveries. Is there any evidence as such? Please clarify my doubt. And thanks a lot for answering all my questions till now and also for running this online course.
Gautam
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Answer: It Is the Most Accurate History
Thank you very much for your sincere appreciation of our humble attempt to enlighten the world with the profound Vedic knowledge, which very clearly distinguishes reality from illusion.
Regarding the Mahabharata, kindly understand that it is historical. It is not mythological. The persons described in it are real, and all the events described in it are also real. There may be so-called physical evidence or there may not be physical evidence. That is not an issue for us because the historical accuracy of the Mahabharata has been confirmed by all the great acharyas throughout history. These great acharyas are the perfect knowers of past, present, and future. They are not conditioned by imperfect senses. The Vedic literatures are not born from imperfect senses and mental speculation. They give perfect information of what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will transpire in the future. And you can personally confirm this by purifying your senses through the sublime self-realization process.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Don't Cheat Yourself
We have a choice of being thoroughly honest with ourselves and realizing the highest truth or we can cheat ourselves by running after the cheap thrills of material sense gratification. The choice is ours. An intelligent person will carefully analyze both options to see what the results of each are. And then he will naturally go with the choice which is most beneficial for his long run happiness. So now we have our choice whether we would rather be foolish or intelligent.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: Can I Chant a Different Mantra?
I have a query about the Hare Krishna mantra. I chant the mantra daily, but I get more bliss when I chant the mantra "Sri Krishna Govinda Hare Murari hai Nath Narayana Vasudeva".
Can only the Hare Krishna mantra give us liberation or can I chant the mantra I have specified above? This mantra helps me concentrate on the Lord better.
Parul
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Answer: Take the Most Effective Medicine
If we are sick is it better to take the medicine that tastes better or to take the medicine which is the most powerful to cure our disease? It is confirmed in the Kali Santarana Upanisad that the most powerful mantra for freeing us from the disease known as the repetition of birth and death is the Hare Krishna mantra:
hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma
rāma rāma hare hare
iti ṣoḍaśakaṁ nāmnāṁ
kali-kalmaṣa-nāśanaṁ
nātaḥ parataropāyaḥ
sarva-vedeṣu dṛśyate
"After searching through all the Vedic literature,
one cannot find a method of self-realization
more effective for this age
than the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra."
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma
rāma rāma hare hare
iti ṣoḍaśakaṁ nāmnāṁ
kali-kalmaṣa-nāśanaṁ
nātaḥ parataropāyaḥ
sarva-vedeṣu dṛśyate
"After searching through all the Vedic literature,
one cannot find a method of self-realization
more effective for this age
than the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra."
So now you can decide for yourself which medicine you would like to take: the one which is most effective to liberate you from birth and death or the one which you find to be more tasty. Actually there is no mantra more tasty than the Hare Krishna mantra, although for some it may seem to be a little bitter in the beginning due to their material conditioning.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Turning Anxiety into Pure Bliss
There is one thing we all have in common in this age, and that is tons of anxiety. We have one anxiety stacked on top another anxiety, stacked on top of another anxiety, stacked on top of another anxiety, reaching all the way up into the sky. What if we could transform this mega load of anxiety into the sweetest happiness? Wouldn't that be great? Well, here's how to do it. Simply stop trying to be the center of enjoyment. Instead of trying to get pleasure for yourself, try to always give the greatest amount of pleasure to all living beings. This is the key. How to do this? Channel your loving-serving propensity to the supreme source of all existence, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When you serve and please Him you automatically render the highest degree of loving service to all living beings, and you will attain the state of pure bliss. Live like this and you'll be loving every minute of your eternal existence.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: Is Krishna Mentioned in the Original Four Vedas?
Please accept my humble obeisances. I read your daily newsletter with devotion. I follow the your descriptions of Krishna Consciousness philosophy keenly. Please clarify a doubt I have. Almost all of the philosophy you propound is said to be based on Vedic literature. The four Vedas mention the names of personalities such as Indra, Varuna, Rudra and Narayana. Is Krishna mentioned in any of the verses? Please note my question is specific to the four Vedas: Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva, and not to other Upanisadic, Smriti or Puranic texts.
Regards,
Srinivas
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Answer: All the Vedic Literature Points to Krishna
Yes, Krishna is also mentioned in the original Vedas in the Atharva Veda:
brahmanyo devaki-putrah
"Krishna, the son of Devaki, is the Supreme Personality."
"Krishna, the son of Devaki, is the Supreme Personality."
But we should not think that the Vedic supplements such as the Bhagavad-gita are any less authoritative than the original Vedas. How can Krishna's direct words in the Bhagavad-gita be any less authoritative? He is the Supreme Authority, the source of all Vedic knowledge and has not restricted His revelation of the highest truth simply to the four original Vedas. He states in the Bhagavad-gita that all of the Vedic literature is pointing to Him.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA
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Today's Thought:
Antidote for the Poison of Kali
The age of Kali is dangerous time indeed because it is a time when demoniac qualities become increasingly predominant in all spheres of the human society. Since our consciousness is developed according to our association, and since our association in this age is so poisonous, we need an antidote to counteract this poison. That antidote is the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. This is confirmed as follows in the Srimad Bhagavatam:
kaler doṣa-nidhe rājann
asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ
kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya
mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet
"My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."
--Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51
asti hy eko mahān guṇaḥ
kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya
mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet
"My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom."
--Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51
So take advantage of this most sublime Hare Krishna maha-mantra and become delivered from the vicious qualities of this age.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: Conquering a Wandering Mind
I chant the Hare Krishna mantra regularly but still my mind wanders. What should I do to avoid this?
Karthik
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Answer: Grab It and Fix It on the Holy Names
The mind is flickering and unsteady by nature. Therefore when while chanting it drifts away from absorption in the holy names you have to grab it and bring it back to a fixed position on the holy names of Krishna. It is just like training a wild horse. If the trainer is strong and determined, the horse will eventually give in to the trainer and become obedient. So you must be more determined to fix your mind on the holy names than it is to wander away from the holy names. In this way by strong, steady determination you can train the mind to always remain fixed on the holy names. Once this happens, the dirt in your mind will be cleared away and you will attain your original pure state of spontaneous attraction to the holy names. At this stage chanting will no longer be a struggle. It will be constant celebration of tasting the sweetest nectar.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Los Angeles, California
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Today's Thought:
Freeing the World from Pollution
When weeding a garden if we chop off the top half of the weed but leave the weed's root in the ground, the weed will soon come back just as it was before. In a similar way the modern day environmentalists have completely missed the boat regarding how to solve the world's environmental problems. Instead of seeing the root cause of pollution and treating it on that level they waste their time trying to eliminate the symptoms. Such an incomplete approach will never be successful.
What needs to now be understood is that the underlying cause of pollution and indeed of all the problems which are plaguing the human society is polluted consciousness. Polluted consciousness is the false conception that I am the proprietor and enjoyer of all I survey. Such a mentality fails to take note of the fact that since we did not create this world, we are not the owners of it. There is someone else who is the creator and proprietor of this world. If we can utilize it in such a way that He is pleased, all the problems of the world will solved, and it will become a pristine paradise.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Typical Polluted Day in Los Angeles
Rare Unpolluted Day in Los Angeles
Question: You Are Argumentative
Hello. I enjoy the newsletter. Please continue your fine service. I also read your questions and answers regularly. Did you know that you are argumentative? Please note it in your yoga and practice.
Namaste,
Ryan
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Answer: We Agree
Thank you very much for your kind appreciation of our humble attempt to spread compassion and wisdom in a world that now needs it more than ever.
We cannot argue with your point that we are argumentative because we agree with you completely. We must be argumentative in a world where the general population is being grossly misled by false materialistic propaganda. It is said that if you are not part of the solution, you are are part of the problem. Therefore as an act of compassion we must strongly argue against the materialistic dogma which has totally captivated the modern day society.
A yogi who only thinks about his own deliverance is not as highly situated in yoga as the yogi who includes the welfare of all living beings in his practice. As we are sure that you are genuinely concerned about the welfare of all beings, we are confident that you will be able to understand and appreciate these points.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Los Angeles, California
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Today's Thought:
Spoiling God's Creation
Wednesday 7 July--As we were taking off in an airplane from Sydney, Australia on our flight to Los Angeles I marveled at the natural beauty of the clouds and clear blue sky and was painfully reminded of how much we are spoiling the natural beauty of God's amazingly magnificent creation by our uncontrolled lust and greed. If we could just get back to living in harmony with God instead of trying to play God, this world would be such a splendorous, happy, and healthy place. But unfortunately the leadership of the world is now in the hands of unenlightened fools who have not a clue how to utilize everything in the service of the Lord. Therefore the people in general are suffering like anything. We must now do whatever we can to bring about a change in the bleak current situation and restore the natural happy condition of the human race.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
God's Beautiful Creation
Question: How To Get Guru?
What should I do in order to get a guru.
Prakash
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Answer: You Already Have. Now Surrender.
By inquiring from me you have already gotten a guru. Now you should follow my instruction to fully surrender your life in the service of Krishna. If you do so, you will attain the supreme perfection.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Sydney, Australia
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Today's Thought:
The Secret of Success in Spiritual Life
The disciple's secret of success in spiritual life is to always meditate on the instructions that he has received from his spiritual master. This is the perfection of meditation because the order of the spiritual master is the life substance of the disciple. This is so important that the disciple does not even care whether or not he goes back to Godhead. His only desire is to always meditate on the instructions received from his spiritual master and try his best to successfully execute them. Our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ordered us, "Become guru and deliver the whole world." Therefore our perfection in life is to always remember this instruction and to always try our best to successful carry it out.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Srila Prabhupada Instructs His Disciples
Question: Is Krishna the Speaker of the Gita?
I have spoken to many Hindus about the Gita. They all tell me that the Me or I in the Gita does not refer to Sri Krishna but only to the impersonal Brahman that is within Krishna and everyone. How do I refute this? How did this misrepresentation crop up? Does Krishna say anywhere that He is referring not to Himself?
Amar
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Answer: Gita Clearly Describes Krishna As Its Speaker
Tell them that according to their philosophy they did not ask you that question and that therefore you are not obliged to answer them, but that if you were to answer them, you would first ask them for the proof. Where in the Bhagavad-gita does does Krishna say that when He speaks that is not He who is speaking? You can tell them that there is not a shred of evidence to substantiate their bogus argument.
This idea that Krishna did not speak the Bhagavad-gita is a concoction coming from those who do not want to surrender to Krishna. In the Bhagavad-gita Krishna describes such persons as miscreants.
Because the Bhagavad-gita is a famous book of knowledge mental speculators twist it to present their philosophy that the highest truth is impersonal Brahman. But Krishna clearly states in the Bhagavad-gita that impersonal Brahman is subordinate to Him. If they want to differ from Krishna that the impersonal Brahman is superior to Krishna, they should state it in their own name, not in the name of Krishna, who clearly says just the opposite.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Sydney, Australia
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Today's Thought:
The Supreme VIP
There is no person in all of existence who is more important than Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the most important, the supreme VIP, because He is the source of all existence, the supreme controller and enjoyer, and the best friend of all living beings. Therefore it is absolutely impossible for anyone to compete with Him in any way. Those who try to do so are not successful and consequently become entangled in the cycle of birth and death. However, the most amazing thing about this most important of all persons is that He gives more importance to His devotees than He does to Himself. This is why He acts as the charioteer of Arjuna or the chastised son of Mother Yasoda. So even though His devotee accepts Him as the topmost VIP, He accepts His devotee as topmost of all VIP's.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Krishna - The Supreme VIP
Question: How Can I Resist Temptation?
How can I resist temptation in this materialistic age of Kali?
Ajay Krishna
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Answer: Flip Your Consciousness to Reality
The simple technique for not being victimized by the tantalizing temptations which bombard us at every minute in this vicious age of Kali is to flip your consciousness from illusion to reality. The reality channel has much better programming than the illusion channel. Reality offers us eternity, knowledge, and bliss while illusion can only offer us temporality, ignorance, and misery. Therefore you should use your intelligence and not be carried away by the false glitter of illusion. All you have to do to flip your consciousness to reality is to chant the holy names of God such as the Hare Krishna mahamantra.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Sydney, Australia
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Today's Thought:
Properly Channeled Desperation
Desperation. People normally consider desperation to be a depressing, undesirable, negative state of mind. But a properly channeled sense of desperation is the greatest asset of a person who wants to achieve permanent relief from all material miseries by being fully engaged in pure devotional service. This is because when a devotee thus begs the Lord in the mood of a small child desperately crying for his mother the Lord immediately reciprocates by delivering the devotee from his material consciousness. In this way the misery of desperation becomes transcendentally transformed into the sweetest happiness. Therefore it is for our greatest benefit if we can call out to the Lord in a mood of helpless desperation. The Vedic scriptures recommend that we should do this by chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra on a regular daily basis.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Krishna Responds to Those Who Cry for His Mercy
Question: Finding A Spiritual Master for Initiation
I read that the Mundaka Upanishad tells us that we MUST take shelter under a spiritual master to be initiated and arrive at self-realization. Can you tell me if you, Sankarshan Das Adhikari, are one such enlightened master or the spiritual master would need to be His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada?
Sincerely,
Sandy
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Answer: By My Spiritual Master's Order
I am very happy to hear that you have properly understood from the Mundaka Upanisad the absolute necessity of accepting a spiritual master for attaining self-realization. And I am even more happy that you are interested in finding a spiritual master for initiation.
Although personally I consider myself to be nothing more than the humble servant of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, since he enlightened me with transcendental knowledge and ordered me to become a spiritual master, by his grace I am a bona fide spiritual master competent to deliver my disciples to the highest level of spiritual perfection.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Sydney, Australia
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Today's Thought:
Total Bliss Adventure
On July 3-4 2010 I was blessed with the immensely wonderful opportunity of being the spiritual leader of an ecstatic "Know Who You Are" retreat in a beautiful forest in Glengarry, Australia. It was a superb treat to dive deeply into the transcendental ocean of Krishna bhakti relishing the sweetest nectar hour after hour in the association of transcendentalists. There was no distraction from the ordinary worldly duties. We had our living facilities on the retreat grounds and the devotees fed us delicious Krishna prasadam (vegetarian food offered to Lord Sri Krishna with love). It was a total bliss adventure of being uninterruptedly absorbed in Krishna consciousness for 31 hours straight. The most wonderful feature of this retreat is that we can now carry forever in our hearts the enlivening memories of this transcendentally surcharged event.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Ecstatic "Know Who You Are" Retreat
Glengarry, Australia--3-4 July 2010
Question: How to Respond to the Attack of Atheists?
I know people who will lead me to talk about God...namely Krishna just to tell me I am silly for practicing my faith. They then will equate my God to something imaginary like Santa Claus. They choose not to see where I come from but to say that I am wrong and ignorant for limiting myself and behavior for God. I tried calmly to tell them I am not into myth, only truth and scientific ways to self realization...etc., but it does not work. What can I do or say to them?
Amanda
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Answer: "I Prefer Not to Be a Blind Fool."
You can point out to them that it has never been scientifically verified that something can come out of nothing. Therefore there must an original source of existence. Tell them that if they want to blindly put their faith in the dogma that existence came out of nothing, that is their business, but that as far as you are concerned you prefer to not make an ass out of yourself by being a blind fool.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Sydney, Australia
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Today's Thought:
The Ultimate Internet Connection
Nowadays internet connection is becoming more and more ubiquitous. Internet connections are cropping everywhere. From cyber cafes in remote Indian villages to smart phones that keep you online 24 hours daily wherever you may roam, the world is becoming more and more online. People want to be connected with what's happening. They don't want to be left out. But what they fail to realize is that the internet only connects us with a tiny infinitesimal fraction of what's out there in existence. If we want to be fully connected, truly online with everything that is going on everywhere, we need to connect with the source of all existence, the ultimate fountainhead of all energies. When we connect with this source we become truly connected with everything. The supreme internet provider has provided us with a password for logging in. And the only hardware we need is our consciousness. There are no monthly fees. The only price we have to pay to get connected is faith in the password.
So if you are willing to log in this way, you are in for the amazingly wonderful experience of a lifetime, or even for that matter millions of lifetimes. All you have to do is chant with faith the holy names of God:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
You will be immediately online with the Supreme Person and His astoundingly amazing multifarious energies. Try it. You'll like it. I guarantee it.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Answers According to the Vedic Version:
Question: The Sun God is a Superstition?
In so many ways the Bhagavad-gita is so far above anything else I have ever read, as far as spiritual understanding goes. But then they put in the sun god and moon god. Seriously? I suddenly feel as though the most profound and exquisite book just became ancient Egyptian or Mayan superstition. Are we to understand that the sun is a god? I thought it was a giant thermonuclear reactor.
Kathleen
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Answer: He Is A Real Person Who Heard the Gita
You are correct to understand the sun as a gigantic thermonuclear reactor. But just as behind a thermonuclear reactor there is a thermonuclear engineer who is in charge of it, similarly there is a sun engineer in charge of the sun. The current engineer is known by the name of Visvavan.
We understand the existence of the sun god and moon god from the evidence of the Vedic literatures which go back thousands and millions of years before the Egyptian and Mayan civilizations. From the Bhagavad-gita we learn that Krishna personally spoke the message of the Bhagavad-gita to the sun god millions of years ago. So please do not think that this is superstition. This is authoritative Vedic history.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from the Melbourne, Australia Airport
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Today's Thought:
Ecstasy and Challenges
Melbourne has been a most wonderful stop on our lecture tour. Whether speaking at the temple or in home programs I found the audiences to be extremely receptive. They joined in kirtan with great enthusiasm, attentively listened to the lectures, and asked many thought provoking questions.
Krishna blessed us with enough of the dualities of material nature to help us remain sober about our current situation in the cycle of birth and death. The difficulty we experienced was with the electricity. At various intervals this meant no heat in our room in the midst of a cold winter and also no light. One evening I had a meeting with one of my students in my pitch black living quarters when the utility company turned off all the power to the temple to repair the temple fuse box. We got a little bit of illumination from my flashlight. But of course, we got unlimited illumination from Krishna. It was an ecstatic evening.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Teaching Bhakti Science in a Home
Melbourne, Australia--1 July 2010
Question: Wrong to Love a Girl?
Is it wrong for a devotee boy to love a girl?
Vanuvamalai
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Answer: Krishna Conscious Marriage
Love between boys and girls is natural because it is originally there between Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. So if a boy loves a girl and a girl loves a boy, they should get married and live together peacefully in Krishna consciousness in accordance with the regulative principles of Krishna conscious married life. In this way by offering their married life in the service of Krishna they will become spiritually perfect and qualified to go back to home, back to Godhead at the end of this lifetime.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Melbourne, Australia
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Today's Thought:
Change the Picture of Krishna
One of our readers wrote me recently suggesting that we regularly change the above picture of Krishna for the sake of variety. Of course we understand that variety is the mother of enjoyment, and thus we regularly change the picture which comes below this column. But in another vein we should not think that the seeing the same picture of Krishna every day is monotonous. Krishna is ever-fresh. And when He appears in the form of painting He still remains ever-fresh. This means that a devotee can see the same painting of Krishna thousands and millions of times and derive ever-increasingly new transcendental ecstasies from seeing the amazingly beautiful form of the Lord.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Unlimitedly Amazingly Beautiful Krishna
The Perfection of Georgeousness
Question: Sun-god and Moon-god Are Superstitions?
In so many ways the Bhagavad-gita is so far above anything else I have ever read, as far as spiritual understanding goes. But then it brings in the sun-god and the moon-God. Seriously? I suddenly feel as though the most profound and exquisite book just became ancient Egyptian or Mayan superstition. Are we to understand that the sun is a god? I thought it was a giant thermonuclear reactor.
Kathleen
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Answer: They Are Real Persons
It is not that the sun is a god. It is presided over by a god. Just as thermonuclear reactor is under the direction of a thermonuclear engineer, the sun is under the direction of a super thermonuclear engineer, the sun-god Vivasvan.
We understand the existence of the sun-god and moon-god from the evidence of the Vedic literatures, which go back thousands and millions of years before the Egyptian and Mayan civilizations. From the Bhagavad-gita we learn that Krishna personally spoke the message of the Bhagavad-gita to the sun-god millions of years ago. So please do not think that this is superstition. Their existence is confirmed in authoritative Vedic history.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
from Melbourne, Australia
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Today's Thought:
The Planetary Chess Board
Just as chess experts find great satisfaction exercising their brains coming up with strategies for being victorious in chess, those who are expert in the transcendental science of Krishna consciousness find great satisfaction in the ultimate chess game of trying to the wrest the leadership of this planet away from the hands of those who are in darkness and place it solidly in the hands of those who are enlightened with transcendental knowledge. Why play a chess game whose outcome is confined to a chess board when you can play a chess game which will impact the future of the entire human civilization? The planetary chess board is the playground of the enlightened transcendentalists.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
Playing Chess on a Chess Board
Vaisesika Prabhu Playing Planetary Chess
Distributing Krishna Conscious Books
Question: How to Convince An Unwilling Person?
How do I convince someone to believe and follow Krishna Consciousness if he is not willing?
Kirti
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Answer: You Can't But...
You can't. Until one realizes that he is suffering in this material existence and is seriously looking for permanent relief, he will not be at all interested in Krishna consciousness. However, if you can set a good example of how wonderfully blissful it is to be Krishna conscious, give this person your loving kindness, and patiently and intelligently explain to him the philosophy of Krishna consciousness, you may be able to inspire him to take up Krishna consciousness. It is simply a matter of convincing him that this a greater pleasure than any amount of material sense enjoyment.
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
TABLA - FUENTES - FONTS
SOUV2
- SOUV2P.TTF - 57 KB
- SOUV2I.TTF - 59 KB
- SOUV2B.TTF - 56 KB
- SOUV2T.TTF - 56 KB
- bai_____.ttf - 46 KB
- babi____.ttf - 47 KB
- bab_____.ttf - 45 KB
- balaram_.ttf - 45 KB
- SCAGRG__.TTF - 73 KB
- SCAGI__.TTF - 71 KB
- SCAGB__.TTF - 68 KB
- inbenr11.ttf - 64 KB
- inbeno11.ttf - 12 KB
- inbeni11.ttf - 12 KB
- inbenb11.ttf - 66 KB
- indevr20.ttf - 53 KB
- Greek font: BibliaLS Normal
- Greek font: BibliaLS Bold
- Greek font: BibliaLS Bold Italic
- Greek font: BibliaLS Italic
- Hebrew font: Ezra SIL
- Hebrew font: Ezra SIL SR
Disculpen las Molestias
Conceptos Hinduistas (1428)SC
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Aa-Ag · Ah-Am · Ana-Anc · And-Anu · Ap-Ar · As-Ax · Ay-Az · Baa-Baq · Bar-Baz · Be-Bhak · Bhal-Bhy · Bo-Bu · Bra · Brh-Bry · Bu-Bz · Caa-Caq · Car-Cay · Ce-Cha · Che-Chi · Cho-Chu · Ci-Cn · Co-Cy · Daa-Dan · Dar-Day · De · Dha-Dny · Do-Dy · Ea-Eo · Ep-Ez · Faa-Fy · Gaa-Gaq · Gar-Gaz · Ge-Gn · Go · Gra-Gy · Haa-Haq · Har-Haz · He-Hindk · Hindu-Histo · Ho-Hy · Ia-Iq · Ir-Is · It-Iy · Jaa-Jaq · Jar-Jay · Je-Jn · Jo-Jy · Kaa-Kaq · Kar-Kaz · Ke-Kh · Ko · Kr · Ku - Kz · Laa-Laq · Lar-Lay · Le-Ln · Lo-Ly · Maa-Mag · Mah · Mai-Maj · Mak-Maq · Mar-Maz · Mb-Mn · Mo-Mz · Naa-Naq · Nar-Naz · Nb-Nn · No-Nz · Oa-Oz · Paa-Paq · Par-Paz · Pe-Ph · Po-Py · Raa-Raq · Rar-Raz · Re-Rn · Ro-Ry · Saa-Sam · San-Sar · Sas-Sg · Sha-Shy · Sia-Sil · Sim-Sn · So - Sq · Sr - St · Su-Sz · Taa-Taq · Tar-Tay · Te-Tn · To-Ty · Ua-Uq · Ur-Us · Vaa-Vaq · Var-Vaz · Ve · Vi-Vn · Vo-Vy · Waa-Wi · Wo-Wy · Yaa-Yav · Ye-Yiy · Yo-Yu · Zaa-Zy
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