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Today's Thought: Month July 2011





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Contenidos - Contents
Today's Thought - Sankarsana Das Adhikari

Today's Thought - MONTH of JULY 2011


AÑO 2011

Sunday 31 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Thank God I'm Not God

One of our readers related to us recently that previously he had been misguided by a spiritual master who taught him that he is God. Our reader wondered, "If I am God, why can't I fix all the problems of the world." He was frustrated by his lack of power to change the world and also by his lack of power to give up his bad habits. When he became blessed by the realization that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his life became wonderfully and completely transformed. Now he feels happy to be in a loving relationship with Krishna. This the greatest good news. We are absolutely delighted by his profound realization that he is not God, that He is instead the eternal servant of Krishna or God, and we wish him the very best on his pathway to spiritual perfection. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Is Krishna the Lord of Jesus Christ?

If Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, does that mean that He is the lord of all, including, for example, Jesus Christ?

R.P.

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Answer: Jesus Worships Krishna as God, the Father

Regarding Krishna's being the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no question of "if." Krishna absolutely is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus He is the origin and lord of everything and everyone including Jesus Christ, who worships Him as God, the Father when he prays in his famous prayer, "Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Saturday 30 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: What is Science? Why the World is a Jungle?

The real meaning of science is to know things as they are, to separate truth from untruth. The tendency to be scientific is the unique quality of the human being. This distinguishes him from the animals, who have no consciousness beyond eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. However, when, as at the present moment, non-verifiable, fanciful speculations are marketed as science, we've got a serious problem in the human society. As a result of this situation where nescience is being masqueraded as science we've ended up with an animalistic human civilization which bears more similarity to the jungle than it does to an actual human civilization.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Srila Prabhupada Exposes Fallacy of Modern Science

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Do You Ever Feel Despondent & Helpless?

In your recent "Thought for the Day" I cannot help but reflect on the advice that Dhritarashtra had been given from souls like Vidura, Bhisma, Drona and ending with the good Lord Himself before the complete annihilation of his dynasty. It's really sad that a being like yourself who has devoted his lifetime to educating the society at large literally goes unheeded. I will continue in my little way to continue to follow your most intelligent advice. Do you ever feel despondent and helpless? 

Chris S.

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Answer: By Krishna's Grace We Always Feel Hope.
Thank you very much for your compassionate appreciation of our mission to deliver the entire world. We are humbly begging you to please assist our mission in whatever way you can by helping us get this message out to the world. There is truly no greater welfare work than this. We have been ordered by our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, "Become guru, and deliver the entire world." We cannot do this on our own. We require the dedicated help of good souls such as yourself. There are various way you can help:

1. You can give you entire life by becoming our initiated disciple.
2. You can give financial support at:
http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/donate
3. You can spread the word to others by distributing Srila Prabhupada's books, by inviting people to your local ISKCON center, by telling people about our e-course, or simply by telling everybody that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 

Kindly see if you can assist us in any or all of these above three ways.

Regarding our feeling despondent and helpless, under the present circumstances it would be quite natural for us to feel this way. But by always remembering the unlimited mercy of the all-powerful Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, we always feel faith and hope that our efforts to deliver the world will not go in vain. 

Thank you once again for your wonderful appreciation. This is a great encouragement for us.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Friday 29 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Your Japa Creates Your Day

Our daily chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on japa beads is the most significant event of our day. It is our daily opportunity to have a personal, private meeting with God. Therefore the mood in which we chant is of the utmost importance. If our minds are wandering somewhere else during our japa, it will be difficult to remember Krishna throughout the day, and our day will be a struggle. But if we fix our minds nicely on on the mahamantra during our japameditation, it will be easy to remember Krishna throughout the day, and we'll have a really blissful day. So the essential point is that you create what sort of day you will have every day by how you chant your rounds first thing in the morning. Chanting one's rounds later in the day makes it more difficult to feel connected because one is beginning his day without tuning in to Krishna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Srila Prabhupada Deeply Absorbed in Japa

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Can I Chant a Shorter Version of Hare Krishna?

Respected Gurudeva,

While I chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra, I feel it is too long. I can chant a smaller mantra like "Om Namah Shivaya" and feel equally happy. Is there a shorter version of the Hare Krishna mahamantra which can be chanted?

Please forgive my impudence.

Shriram B.
Mumbai, India

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Answer: Take the Prescribed Medicine to be Cured

The physician gives the patient the correct medicine in the proper dosage for recovering his health as soon as possible. The patient does not take the medicine for his enjoyment. Even if bitter, he takes that medicine simply for the purpose of regaining his health. So are you chanting for your enjoyment or for your purification? 

If you are chanting for your purification, you should accept the recommended mantra for this age, the Hare Krishna mantra. If you are chanting for your enjoyment, you can chant anything you like. But do not expect to get the same result which you will get by chanting the full Hare Krishna mahamantra: 

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Taking this prescribed Hare Krishna mahamantra medicine will deliver you from the disease of birth and death. Chanting whatever you like, although perhaps seemingly easier, will not give you the same result.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Thursday 28 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Salvation from Economic Collapse

At the present moment the United States of America is tottering on the edge of economic collapse. That nation which has long led the world in power and wealth is now experiencing great difficulty. America's leaders are not able to solve the crisis because they are too much caught up in fulfilling their own greedy desires. What they do not know is that Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, always remains where Lord Narayana or Krishna is being purely worshipped and does not permanently remain where her Lord Narayana is not being purely worshipped. If the leaders of the USA want their country to remain strong and influential in the world, they must now engage themselves and their country in the service of Lord Narayana or Krishna. Then wealth, power, and influence will remain with their nation and never go away.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Lakshmi Always Remains with Her Lord Narayana

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How Krishna is Not a Hindu God?

Gurudeva:

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I have seen in India and noticed that people think that Krishna is a Hindu god. But Srila Prabhupada said that God is God just as gold is gold, that one cannot say, "Hindu gold" or "Christian gold." How can we understand that Krishna is not a Hindu god?

Chetan

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Answer: He is Not Hindunatha. He is Jagannatha.
If Krishna was a Hindu god, He would be called Hindunatha (the lord of the Hindus), not Jagannatha (the lord of the universe), as He is properly designated. Krishna never states that He is simply the lord of the Hindus. He clearly states in the Bhagavad-gita that He is the Supreme Lord, the source of all material and spiritual worlds, that everything emanates from Him. Krishna's authoritative words should be sufficient to establish that He is the lord of all. 

The readers of this course mostly already know that Krishna is the Supreme Lord. Our challenge is how to reach out to and convince those who have not understood the final conclusion of the Vedic wisdom as explained so clearly in theBhagavad-gita that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Wednesday 27 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Solution for a World Consumed by Greed

We live in a world consumed by greed. And the more the greed increases, the more the world civilization breaks down. We are seeing practical evidence of this every day. If we are going to ever have peace and prosperity for everyone on this planet, we must transcend the platform of greed and come to the enlightened platform of Krishna consciousness, where everything is seen as the property of God and everything is utilized fully in His service. Until then all attempts for solving the world's problems will prove to be utterly ineffective and a useless waste of time. What can the rascal self-serving politicians do? They only increase the problems.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Srila Prabhupada Trains Enlightened Leaders

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How Can I Start Chanting Again?

I have recently stopped chanting my rounds because I no longer have an attraction for doing so. I am very unhappy about this, but I don't know how to solve it. How can I solve this problem?

Bhakta B. from Peru

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Answer: Be Intelligent and Feed the Real Self

Chanting is the nourishment for the soul, and food is the nourishment for the body. Even though you know that are not your body, every day you make sure to feed it. It is not that some days you do not eat. You know that your real identity is that you are a spirit-soul. So how can you feed the covering of the self while you simultaneously starve the real self within? Kindly properly use your intelligence and do the needful.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Tuesday 26 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: The Supreme Mellifluousness

If you want to really connect with your true identity as an eternal, all-blissful, all-knowing, all-loving spiritual being, you should rise early every morning before dawn and dive deeply into the sweet, ambrosial ocean of hearing and chanting the glories of the unlimitedly splendorous Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. Then you will experience the supreme mellifluousness, the topmost ambrosial sweetness, of reviving your original loving relationship with that supreme superstar, the ultimate magician, Krishna or Govinda. The atheists say that He is a myth, but the real fact is that their philosophy is a myth. In the vast span of the history of the universe there has never been such a thing as something coming out of nothing. Therefore we do not buy their farcical atheistic dogma.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Relishing the Mellifluousness of Krishna Kirtan
3 May 2011--Tallinn, Estonia

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Is Lord Krishna Partial?

Dear Gurudeva

I have one doubt in my mind. Is Lord Krishna partial to His devotees and neglectful of others? He enlightens a few selected people by bestowing bhakti upon them, thus allowing them to return back to His eternal abode. Since He can make anyone His pure devotee, why doesn't He do so? In other words, why does He help a few selected people, His devotees, and neglect everyone else?

Regards
Vivek


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Answer: Krishna is Equal to All

Krishna is equal to all. He is impartially offering everyone the opportunity to become His pure devotees and return to His eternal abode. It is not that Krishna makes certain people into devotees and not others. Krishna does not make anyone into a devotee. He equally offers everyone to chance to become His devotee. Those who want to become His devotees can easily do so simply by following His instructions in the Bhagavad-gita. Those who do not wish to become His devotees will not be interested in reading the Bhagavad-gita nor in following the instructions that Krishna gives there.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Monday 25 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Lesson from the Utoya Island Massacre

If we simply treat the symptoms of a disease but do not treat its cause, we will never cure the disease. Ignorance of this principle is the deficiency of the world's modern day leaders. Even though they see so many symptoms of the ever-increasing global crisis, such as crime, terrorism, drought, hunger, and disease, they are in complete ignorance regarding the root cause of the global crisis and are therefore not able to save the planet from disaster. They do not have scientific knowledge of the Supreme Person who is the source of our existence, and thus they do not know how to live in a state of perfect harmony with Him. Indeed, many of them even deny His very existence. It's no wonder then that this planet is become more and more of hell every day as evidenced by the recent shootings in Norway on Utøya island. We are therefore urgently appealing to the world's leaders that they now take advantage of the sublime Vedic science for bringing a new age of peace and prosperity for all.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Mass Murder Chaos on Utøya Island
Symptomizes Our Lack of Krishna Consciousness

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Who Causes More Damage to Humanity?

Esteemed Guru,

I hope you will forgive my daring in addressing you through this medium. Since I was surfing on the computer and I found myself with you and thinking that you are the proper person, I would like to ask you two questions to which I have not been able to find the answers. My questions are: 

Who do you think will cause more damage to humanity, a scientist or an illiterate person?

How do you feel better, wasting a moment of your life helping someone or dedicating all your time to Krishna?

Thank you for your attention. 

Humberto A.


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Answer: The Person Who is Not Krishna Conscious

If a scientist or an illiterate person is Krishna conscious, by his life's activities he will render the greatest service to humanity. And if they are not Krishna conscious, their life's activities will simply be a disturbance to the human society.

Helping someone means to give them Krishna consciousness. Otherwise, how are we helping them? Therefore helping someone is the greatest service to Lord Krishna as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita when Krishna states that there is no one more dear to Him than the one who spreads His glories all over the world.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Sunday 24 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Krishna Consciousness Means Deathlessness

At every moment in this world of dangers we are on the verge of death. Death can come at any moment, even when we least expect it. So we must be always prepared for life's ultimate test by always being fully surrendered to Krishna with all of our thoughts, words, and deeds. In this way, if we are always absorbed in Krishna consciousness, we will be impervious to death. In other words, death will never be able to touch us. We will be deathless.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Srila Prabhupada Bestows Deathlessness
San Francisco Ratha Yatra Festival

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Krishna Disappeared Due to His Karma?

Respected Sir, I am an insignificant individual and can not dare to question your answer regarding the disappearance of Lord Krishna. But to clarify my doubt I am asking you for proper guidance. Was it under the law of karma that Krishna disappeared from this world?

A.S.T.

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Answer: Krishna Does Not Have Any Karma

Krishna is the Supreme Controller. Therefore everything is acting under His direction. He is thus not under the law of karma.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Saturday 23 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Our Degrading Consumeristic Mentality

Instead of living in harmony in a symbiotic loving relationship with Mother Earth, and our father, the Supreme Lord, we are not accepting our father's existence, disobeying His instructions, and mercilessly raping Mother Earth. Foolishly denying the law of karma, action and reaction, we continue as frenzied marauders plundering the earth's resources turning this planet into more and more of a hell every day. In spite of all environmental propaganda to the contrary, being impelled by a passionate consumeristic spirit, the human society forges foolishly forward into ever-increasing degradation. The difficulty is that we have forgotten that true happiness comes from giving, not from taking. We must now wake up and change our attitude before it's too late. If we can learn the art of perfectly serving all by serving the Supreme, there will the dawning of a new age of peace, happiness, and prosperity for all.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Selfish Consumerism is Dismantling Our Civilization

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How Did Krishna Leave this Earth Planet?

Hare Krishna Maharaja. 
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Thank you for your most kind service. Your “Thought for the Day" is very inspiring. I was told that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu after concluding His divine pastimes on this earth planet left by entering into a Deity. Could you please let me know how Krishna left after concluding His pastimes? I was told that Krishna got shot by a hunter and died and His body was just lying in the ground. This doesn’t seem to make sense to me because Krishna's body is spiritual and whenever He appears in the material world He appears in His spiritual body and not in a material body. So I can't understand why Krishna's body was lying in the ground after He supposedly got shot and left. Furthermore Lord Caitanya’s disappearance from this world is so mystical and extraordinary, why then would Krishna leave this world in such a normal way. Krishna appeared in such a wondrous manner in the jail cell why then would He opt for such an ordinary way to leave? 

A lot of people foolishly believe and accept that Sai Baba is God. So these people could argue how is Krishna's leaving this planet by being shot by a hunter different than Said Baba leaving by dying in a hospital. Our argument would be that God doesn’t die in a hospital from organ failure and their argument would be that God doesn’t die by being shot. Please enlighten?

Your servant
Hare Krishna
C.B

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Answer: He Departed in His Transcendental Body

Krishna did not die by being shot in the foot with an arrow. In fact, according to the great Vaisnava acarya, Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, the hunter's arrow merely touched the Lord's lotus foot and did not pierce it since the Lord's limbs are composed of eternity, knowledge and bliss. 

Since Balarama had just departed for the spiritual world, Krishna took this pastime with the hunter as an opportune moment to wind up His earthly pastimes and return to His eternal abode in His transcendental spiritual body. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Friday 22 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Fly Your Airplane to the Land of Eternal Bliss

We have all been blessed with an airplane with which we can escape the miseries of this material existence by flying to Krishnaloka, the land of eternal bliss. That airplane is consciousness. The spiritual master is our flight instructor and the scriptures are our flight manuals. If you are tired of the material miseries, you should take full advantage of the airplane that Krishna or God has given you and get trained up how to fly your airplane. Otherwise you will remain grounded here perpetually in the cycle of birth and death.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Hare Krishna Kirtan Airplane Takes Off
Riga, Latvia--15 April 2011

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Why Did I Not Become Self-Realized?

A few years ago I was meditating without any goal and to my surprise my thinking stopped completely and there was only the feeling of existence, without any body or anything else. When I returned from this state I felt a great euphoria and love for everything. But it didn't last long. I am still identifying with the body after this experience. Why didn't I become self-realized?

Thank you for answering and for the great course,

M.A.

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Answer: You Did Not Awaken Your Love for God

Until you revive your original loving relationship with that person who is the source of everything, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whatever spiritual awakening you may have will only last temporarily. This is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam (10.2.32) as follows:

ye 'nye 'ravindākṣa vimukta-māninas
tvayy asta-bhāvād aviśuddha-buddhayaḥ
āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ
patanty adho 'nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ

"Even though those who undergo great austerities to become self-realized may experience a sensation of merging into Absolute Oneness, of being liberated from material existence, because of not being engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord, they cannot remain there permanently. After some time they will fall back down into material consciousness."

Therefore, if you would like to become permanently self-realized, you will need to follow the instructions given by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita on how to become fully absorbed in His devotional service. In this way you will become a perfectly self-realized soul, and you will never return to material consciousness. Upon leaving your body at the time of death you will re-enter the Lord's eternal pastimes in the supremely splendorous spiritual sky. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Thursday 21 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Ecstasy Will Over Flood Your Heart

Do you want to always feel inspired and enlivened? To do so is not difficult. All you have to do is reconnect with the eternal brilliant reality, which is always splendorously shining far beyond the dense, dark clouds of illusion. Beyond the delusional quagmire of this miserable material existence resides the most beautiful, wondrous, all-powerful, all-loving person named Krishna, who is beckoning you to return to your original, all-blissful, all-knowing identity in His eternal pastimes. To regain your identity all you have to do is call out to Krishna with this amazing mantra in a mood of sincere devotion:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Do so and you will feel the most amazing ecstasy over flooding your heart. You will become completely inundated with divine bliss.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Hare Krishna Chanting Bliss
Sofia, Bulgaria Airport--26 May 2011

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Why Chanting Does Not Make Me Happy?

Hare Krishna Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances.

I heard somewhere from a devotee, that Srila Prabhupada stated "if a devotee is not happy he is doing something wrong". 

Related to me, I never feel satisfied or happy after doing chanting. I feel more confused, frustrated, unhappy after chanting, which kills my motivation to chant or associate with devotees. 

Could you please guide me what wrong I am doing. Please give me direction, what shall I do.

Hare Krishna
Your Servant

V.P.

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Answer: You're Chanting to Please Yourself

I am unhappy to learn that you are not experiencing happiness in chanting. Kindly note that if we try to be the enjoyers, we cannot be happy. It is only when we acknowledge that only Krishna is the actual enjoyer and do everything for His pleasure that we will taste genuine happiness. So instead of trying to taste happiness from your chanting try to chant like a child crying out for its mother to invoke the merciful blessings of Krishna. In this way Krishna will be very pleased with your chanting, and you will taste unlimited happiness. In other words, we experience transcendental bliss to the extent that we please Krishna. The more we please Him, the more we will taste the bliss.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Wednesday 20 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Attuned to the Underlying Divinity of Existence

Life is not based on an empty, meaningless void. If it were how, could there be so many beautiful, wondrous things to experience in this world? The splendor we sometimes experience gives us a hint or an indication of the underlying marvelous divine essence which pervades this experience that we call life. Those who are thoughtful do not dedicate their lives in the vain pursuit of temporary sense gratification. They instead focus their energies on attaining the beatitude which comes from being fully attuned to the divine in all times, places, and circumstances. This divine state of consciousness is known as Krishna consciousness.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Srila Prabhupada Connects with Krishna
By Chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra Japa

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Importance of Full Moon in July?

Every day I read your letters posted online. I believe that what you do is great. People like you are more than just a devotee, more than gurus. Someone told me that in the month of July the full moon was a very important event for the Hindus. Can you tell me why?

Christiane

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Answer: The Appearance Day of Srila Vyasadeva

I am happy that you are appreciating my humble attempt to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. Regarding what you perceive as my greatness, kindly note that I am nothing more than a humble servant of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I cannot take credit for whatever good qualities you may see in me since if I have any good qualities at all they are simply a reflection of Srila Prabhupada's unlimitedly great saintly qualities. Therefore I accept your appreciation and pass it on to my beloved spiritual master.

This year the full moon day in July is significant because it is the appearance day of Srila Vyasadeva, the literary incarnation of God. We are eternally indebted to him for giving us the Vedic wisdom. He is worshipable and the spiritual master is also worshipable because he is the representative of Srila Vyasadeva. Therefore it is customary for Hindus to worship all spiritual masters on this day. However, the more appropriate and personal worship for a particular spiritual master is to worship him on the actual day of his appearance in this world. This worship is known as Vyasa Puja, the worship of Vyasadeva, because by worshipping the spiritual master who represents Vyasadeva, we are automatically also worshipping Srila Vyasadeva. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Tuesday 19 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Spiritual Seekers Beware

Unfortunately many people nowadays who are seeking spiritual enlightenment by taking shelter of a spiritual master end up being grossly cheated by charlatans who use the position of guru for sense gratification. Due to the absence of spiritually enlightened governments these cheaters are allowed to continue with their nonsense without any restriction. Thus it is very easy to find a guru who will take away your money and very difficult to find a guru who will take away your anxiety. Therefore all spiritual seekers should be very cautious before accepting a spiritual master. They should make sure that he is bona fide. How does one tell? Here are some essential guidelines:

1. He must be coming in an unbroken line of disciplic succession from the original spiritual master, Lord Sri Krishna.
2. He must present the teachings of his predecessor gurus without any addition or subtraction.
3. He must be solidly fixed in the Absolute Truth and thus be fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness 24 hours daily.
4. He should be a living embodiment of the scriptures in all of his thoughts, words, and deeds. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Bona Fide Spiritual Master: His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Is Initiation Required?

Dear Maharaja, 

Please accept my humble obeisances.

It is stated by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur that we are a siksha (instruction based) sampradaya (disciplic succession). Furthermore I have heard that diksha (initiation) is essentially given only for the sake of doing deity worship and is not very important for getting the desired result of Krishna prema (pure love of Krishna). Please explain the importance of initiation and whether or not it is compulsory. 

Your unworthy servant, 
Charan

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Answer: Initiation is Absolutely Required

It is true that our disciplic line is based on siksha or instructions. Without the knowledge of Krishna's teachings purely passed down from master to disciple there would be no meaning to the initiation ceremony. But this does not mean that initiation is not important. Initiation is equally important because it is a contract in which the disciple vows to always follow the instructions of the spiritual master and the spiritual master vows to deliver the disciple from the cycle of birth and death.

Just as a train runs on two tracks, our disciplic line runs on two tracks: siksha (instructions) and diksha (initiation). I would be interested to see if such a quote from Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati actually exists, or if it is just hearsay, because according to Srila Jiva Goswami diksha is how one gets the awakening of transcendental knowledge and the release from his previous sinful activities, as confirmed in his Bhakti-sandarbha (verse 283):

divyaṁ jñānaṁ yato dadyāt
kuryāt pāpasya saṅkṣayam
tasmād dīkṣeti sā proktā
deśikais tattva-kovidaiḥ

"Diksha is the process by which one can awaken his transcendental knowledge 
and vanquish all reactions caused by sinful activity. 
A person expert in the study of the revealed scriptures 
knows this process as diksha."

These two aspects of the guru/disciple relationship both are of the topmost importance. Instructions are most essential because if one simply takes initiation from the spiritual master but does not follow his instructions, he has no connection with the spiritual master. Initiation is also most essential because if one decides to follow the spiritual master with no serious commitment, he can easily be deviated by the whims of the fickle mind.

Srila Prabhupada confirms the absolute necessity of diksha or initiation in the Nectar of Devotion as follows:

"The connection with the spiritual master is called initiation. From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Krishna and a person cultivating Krishna consciousness is established. Without initiation by a bona fide spiritual master, the actual connection with Krishna consciousness is never performed."

In conclusion, both instructions (sikhsa) and the solid commitment to follow those instructions (diksha) are absolutely essential for attaining the topmost perfection of going back to home, back to Godhead. Therefore everyone who aspires for spiritual perfection should seek out a bona fide spiritual master who can instruct him how to become spiritually perfect and should commit himself to follow that spiritual master's instructions through the holy sacrament known as diksha or initiation.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Monday 18 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Enjoy by Serving the Supreme Enjoyer

Here in this material world we are trying to be the enjoyers of all that we survey. But the actual enjoyer of a particular thing is its owner, not others. Because we are unlawfully trying to enjoy what belongs to somebody else, we are criminals and are thus bound to remain imprisoned in the cycle of birth and death. How can we claim to be the owners of anything when we come into this world with nothing, and we also leave with nothing? It is Lord Krishna who is the real proprietor. Instead of trying to enjoy His property as our own, if we will instead engage everything in His service, we will give Him unlimited satisfaction. And then when He is satisfied, because He is the root of everything, we will become unlimitedly satisfied, just as when we water the root of a tree all the leaves and branches become watered.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Krishna's Devotees Enjoy Equally With Him

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Can a Devotee Make a Difference?

I am someone who is interested in being of service to the world rather than to myself. This is something I have been involved in for years. From being a small child I was always interested in others before myself and when I look at what I really want it is for the world to be a better place. I love people, humanity and want to make a lasting difference. When people speak of attaining enlightenment I have always been clear I didn't come here for that in this lifetime. 

So my question is: Can I be out in the world making a difference as a Krishna devotee, or do I have to start withdrawing from the world to be His devotee? I am not interested in any spiritual practice that involves removing myself and withdrawing from the world. 

Thank you in advance for your answer.

Z.R.

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Answer: Only a Devotee Can Make a Real Difference

As it is said, "Physician heal thyself." If you want to liberate others from misery, you must first become liberated yourself. You cannot liberate others without being liberated yourself. Any attempt to liberate others as long as you are not liberated with not be successful in spite of your good intentions. The Lord's devotee is the best welfare worker. He is a liberated soul who fully absorbs himself 24 hours daily in doing the highest welfare of delivering all of the illusioned souls, who are suffering endlessly in the cycle of birth and death, back to their original home in the all-blissful spiritual sky. He is the only person who is a making a real difference in this world. Others are simply maintaining the status quo of birth, death, old age, and disease. So if you want to do real service for the world, you must become a devotee of Krishna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Sunday 17 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Life Did Not Explode Out of Nothing

There is no doubt that we've been given the most challenging assignment imaginable. Our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has ordered us to deliver everyone from illusion by teaching them what is their origin and how to perfect their relationship with that origin. At the present moment the popular theory is that life has evolved from a random combination of chemicals, which originally exploded out of nothing. It's no wonder that people are so bewildered and frustrated when such an empty, meaningless and dogmatic cosmology is being crammed down their throats. Therefore out of compassion upon these poor suffering fellows we must constantly tax our brains how to drive away this cosmological cloud of illusion with the brilliant sun of transcendental knowledge so that everyone will understand who they are and how to be who they are and thus become unlimitedly happy.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



So-Called Big Bang Is NOT the Origin of the Universe


This IS the Origin of the Universe & Everything Else

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How To Explain that God is One?

Dear Maharaja,

How to explain to the people from different faiths and also from the same faith as in "Hinduism" that the Supreme being told by the Prophet Muhammad, Moses, Jesus and all these messiahs is actually the same person? And how to explain that the Lord has mercifully revealed Himself as a personality in the Bhagavad-gita? Which verse in the Gita is suitable to be quoted?

Hare Krishna 
Dasanudas,

Jeevan 

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Answer: Existence Can Have Only One Origin

The simple logical answer is that there cannot more than one origin for the existence of which we are all a part. 

Do not quote verses to those who are not ready to respectfully hear them. One should only use logical explanations when speaking to those who lack faith in scripture or who are dogmatic that their scripture is the only scripture. You must be careful when teaching others this sublime science not to cause them to blaspheme the Vedic scriptures.

Not every divine person is the same. Sometimes the Supreme Lord personally comes, and sometimes He sends his confidential servitors as saktyavesh avatars to preach on His behalf. Some teach the full truth and some teach only a partial truth according to what their audience can accept.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Saturday 16 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: The Pivotal Day in World History

There is no question of global peace, happiness, and prosperity when the world leaders are not enlightened with knowledge of the foundational truths of reality. Sadly, due to such a leadership vacuum, at the present moment the world has been plunged into an ever-increasingly chaotic quagmire. The Krishna consciousness movement can create a class of leaders to bring about a sublime golden era of universal peace and happiness on this planet, but unfortunately no one is listening to its spokesmen. The world population and its leaders are totally caught in the maddened pursuit of wanton sense gratification practically on the level of wild animals. We pray for that day when they will decide to start listening to the enlightened spiritual masters who purely represent the Krishna consciousness movement. That day will be the pivotal day in world history. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Krishna Can Make the Whole World Happy

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Replace Bogus Guru With Bona Fide Guru

Dear Spiritual Master,

Hare Krishna,

These days there are many bogus spiritual masters who pretend to be perfect spiritual masters but in reality they are more engrossed in sense gratification than even ordinary household people. If by mistake any person takes initiation from any such guru and then later on realizes his mistake that he got initiation from a woman hunter or person engrossed in sense gratification, can that fellow go for initiation from a bona fide guru? Can he replace his bogus spiritual master with a bona fide spiritual master?

Please advise.

Regards,

Pankaj M.

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Answer: Take Real Initiation from a Bona Fide Guru

Initiation from a bogus guru is not a valid initiation. It does not count as a real initiation. If one has unfortunately received such an initiation, it should be neglected, and one should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master, who is fully empowered to deliver him from the cycle of birth and death.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Friday 15 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: If They Awaken, Whole World Will Be Saved

If the world population will wake up to their actual identities, the entire world will be saved from chaos and degradation. It is simply due to ignorance of the self and it's relationship with the Supreme Self that there is so much suffering going on all over the world. There is no reason for everyone to remain suffering in the cycle of birth and death. Therefore it's time for everyone wake up to know who they are and to truly be who they are by hearing from the enlightened sages of Vedic wisdom.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Difference Between Gita & Vedas?

Gurudeva,

What is the difference between Vedic knowledge and Bhagavad-gita knowledge? The Bhagavad-gita says that Krishna is God. But the Vedas say that God is not a person, that He is nirakara, not possessing a form. I'm confused. 

Ashi

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Answer: Gita is the Perfection of Vedic Wisdom

Bhagavad-gita knowledge describing the form and personality of God is the perfection of Vedic knowledge. Although the Vedas describe nirakara, the formless, impersonal conception of God as well as the personal, with-form conception of God, when the Vedic wisdom says that God has no form, this means that He has no material form. It does not mean that He is lacking a spiritual form. Therefore although the Vedas describe a formless, impersonal God to help us realize that God is not a person like us with a temporary form, the conclusion of Vedic knowledge is that God is a person with an eternal form full of knowledge and bliss.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Thursday 14 July 2011

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Defeat the Sun and Become Immortal

With every rising and setting of the sun we are being robbed of our duration of life. But we can defeat the influence of the sun if we are always engaged in hearing, chanting, and remembering the transcendental glories of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simply by absorption in Krishna consciousness we become immortal and undefeatable by the sun.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Attaining Immortality By Talking About Krishna
Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas--13 July 2011

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How to Choose My Spiritual Master?

There are so many bona fide spiritual masters coming in disciplic succession after Srila Prabhupada. I am confused to whom should I approach for initiation (diksha). Please let me know how to decide which guru I should accept as my spiritual master.

thanking you

Rajesh

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Answer: He Who Helps You Most to Be Krishna Conscious

I appreciate very much your thoughtfulness and careful consideration. This is the sort of spiritual intelligence that I look for in a candidate before I accept someone as my disciple.

You should associate with as many bona fide spiritual masters as possible through attending their lectures, hearing their recorded lectures, reading their writings, and corresponding with them, just as you are doing with me. From this association you can see which of these gurus is giving you the most mercy and the best guidance based on the Bhagavad-gita as it is for becoming a pure devotee of Lord Krishna. It is from that guru that you then should take your initiation (diksha). This is the most important decision you will ever make in your entire life. So do it wisely, not whimsically.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Wednesday 13 July 2011 

from Bhaktivedanta Ashram, Austin, Texas USA

Today's Thought: Stranger at Home

12 July 2011. We have just returned to our home base, Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Austin, Texas USA, after completing another around-the-world lecture tour. When I woke up this morning I could not figure out where I was. This was quite strange because when I am on the road I always know where I am immediately upon awakening. This reminded me that this world is not my actual home. If it were, I would feel at home when I returned to my home. That I did not feel at home at home reminded me that my real home is somewhere else, the transcendental abode of Lord Sri Krishna in that unlimitedly splendorous spiritual sky.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Our Real Home--Goloka Vrindavana

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How Can Krishna Not Know His Potency?

Gurudeva, I request you to enlighten me on this phrase: "The wonderful potency of the Supreme Lord Krishna is bewildering even to the jugglers. That potential power is unknown even to the self-sufficient Lord, so it is certainly unknown to others."
--Srimad Bhagavatam-Canto 3, Chapter 6, Verse 39 

Gurudeva, you have told us that Krishna is the Supreme. So how is this possible that Lord's potency is even unknown to the Lord Himself when He knows everything? Please enlighten me on this.

Your servant,
Archit

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Answer: Krishna's Dynamic Krishna Consciousness

Even though Krishna is conscious of everything, His potency is always expanding even beyond His consciousness. Of course, His unlimited consciousness can catch up with His ever-expanding potency. But as soon as it does, His potency has expanded even more. So in this way His unlimited consciousness is never able to keep up with His ever-expanding potency. What this means is that Krishna is always becoming more and more Krishna conscious. This confirms the fact that Krishna consciousness is dynamic and ever-expanding; it is not static, even for Krishna Himself, what to speak of for His devotees. In this way Krishna and His devotees are guaranteed to never become bored.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Tuesday 12 July 2011 

from Los Angeles, California USA

Today's Thought: Become An Acharya

On Sunday 10 July 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii I gave a lecture on Bhagavad-gita 3.21. This is verse is most profound because it describes how someone who is an ideal example of Krishna consciousness can inspire the world to take up Krishna consciousness. From this verse we can understand, that if we have any genuine love for our planetary brothers and sisters, we will constantly strive to the best of our abilities to be pure devotees of Krishna so that our examples will have a delivering impact on these poor souls who are suffering so much in the cycle of birth and death. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



"Become an Acharya" Sunday Feast Lecture
Honolulu, Hawaii--10 July 2011

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Request: Bless Me with Missionary Spirit

I am very inspired by your mails every day, which I have been following for the last six months. I see that you have so much vigor and missionary spirit for spreading Krishna consciousness. Please bless me that I will also be able to develop that same missionary spirit for preaching the Krishna Consciousness wherever I am, under the guidance of senior devotees.

Your servant,

Mahesh

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Answer: We Cannot Tolerate Seeing Them Suffering

Srila Prabhupada ordered his disciples to deliver the entire world. Therefore, if we are his actual followers, we will embrace this order as our very life and soul, just as Srila Prabhupada embraced as his very life and soul the order he received from his spiritual master to spread Krishna consciousness to the English speaking world. If we are actually Krishna conscious, we will not be able to tolerate seeing a world that is completely captured by ignorance and misery and we will fully dedicate our lives for saving these poor suffering fellows from their entanglement in karma cakra, the wheel of birth and death.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Monday 11 July 2011

from Honolulu, Hawaii USA

Today's Thought: Stranded in the Middle of Nowhere

This material world is millions and billions of light years away from our original home in the spiritual sky. Having severed our relationship with the Supreme Lord due to our foolishly envying Him, we have stranded ourselves here in this desolate place in the middle of nowhere, the material world. The good news is that in spite of our rebellious attitude the Lord is so forgiving and so kind that He is giving us all facility to return to our original Home if we are willing to call out His names with love.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari



Srimad Bhagavatam Class Via Skype
Volcano, Hawaii--8 July 2011

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How to Hear God's Instructions?

While going through the introduction of the Bhagavad-gita, I read that we should follow what the Supreme God tells us to do because in this way our activities will be on path of goodness. Can you please tell how to listen to what God is saying? I am very confused at present and things are becoming more and more complicated in personal life. I need Krishna's guidance. Please help.

M.P.

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Answer: Through the Bona Fide Spiritual Master

Krishna's guidance comes to us through the spiritual master. This is why Krishna orders us in the Bhagavad-gita to serve and take guidance from the bona fide spiritual master.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Sunday 10 July 2011

from the Hilo, Hawaii USA Airport

Today's Thought: Attaining the Supreme Nirvana in Hawaii

On Friday 8 July 2011 I lectured on attaining the supreme nirvana at the Volcano Garden Arts Gallery in Volcano, Hawaii. The term nirvana is usually associated with Buddhism. Nirvana means to become free from sufferings of material existence. The Buddhist nirvana takes one to a marginal position on the border between the material world and the spiritual world. This border is sometimes referred to as the Causal Ocean and sometimes referred to as Mahesh Dhama. Although this nirvana gives relief from the sufferings of material existence, it does not take one into the awakening of unlimited spiritual bliss and knowledge in a loving relationship with the Supreme Person. The supreme nirvana, in which one awakens the feelings of pure love of God within one's heart, takes one into a solid permanent identity in the spiritual world as an eternal association of the Lord. Because our nature as living beings is to be absorbed in loving relationships, the Buddhist nirvana does not permanently satisfy the living being, who will eventually come back down to the material existence to seek satisfying loving relationships or if he is extremely fortunate will progress to the supreme nirvana to give his pure love to the Supreme Person.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Revealing the Supreme Nirvana
Volcano Gardens Art Gallery
Volcano, Hawaii--8 July 2011







Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: How to Minimize Being Criticised?

From every side I have been getting criticized from most of all people. Why it is happening to me? Some time I am feeling bad. What should I do to minimize the criticism?

Your servant,

Vanga

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer: Tolerate It and Go Back to Godhead

In this material world we will be always be criticized because that is the nature of this material world. Since people here are envious, no matter what you do someone will always be there to criticize you. Therefore the best course of action is to be tolerant of all of this criticism and qualify yourself by full surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord to go back to home, back to Godhead, that place which is completely free from envy, where everybody is purely engaged in loving relationships with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and each other.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Saturday 9 July 2011 

from Volcano, Hawaii USA

Today's Thought: Praying for the Volcanic Eruption of Bhakti

We are staying currently here in Volcano, Hawaii on top of Kilauea (pronounced "kill-awaya") Volcano in the home of my beloved Godbrother, Sriman Ramananda Prabhu and his wonderful devotee wife, Srimati Yugala Rasa Devi Dasi. Being here on top of a volcano, which is fortunately not currently active at the place we are staying, reminds me of the wonderful song of the great Vaisnava acharya, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur in which he prays for that day when he will have the eruption of pure bhakti within his heart. Even though such great acharyas already have bhakti fully manifested within their hearts, they teach us by their exemplary songs and prayers what should be our mood for advancing nicely in Krishna consciousness. In other words, we get what we desire. If we desire sense gratification, we will get sense gratification birth after birth. And if we desire the supreme perfectional consciousness of pure love of God, that's what we will get in an eternal life, full of bliss, and full of knowledge. So may that volcano of love of God erupt today within our hearts.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Eruption of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: 

Question: Don't Tell the Faithless About Krishna?

I read in The Teachings of Lord Caitanya that the ninth offence against the chanting of Krishna's holy names is to preach the glories of the holy name of God to a faithless person who is not interested in hearing them. 
I don't doubt what I've read. I take it to be completely true, but I'm confused. How will we save the world, when most of the people are faithless? Isn't it Lord Caitanya's wish for everyone to reconnect with Krishna?

Thank you for your time and assistance. 

Shivashini

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Answer: Connect with their Inner Faithfulness

This instruction means that we should reach out to the faithless persons in such a way that they develop faith. No one is actually faithless. It is simply that their faith is sometimes covered by faithlessness. Since Lord Caitanya has ordered us to tell everyone about Krishna and since the sastras prohibit preaching to the faithless, we have to present Krishna consciousness to the people in such a loving, intelligent non-fanatical way that everyone will experience a reawakening of their original faithful nature. In this way we can follow Lord Caitanya's order to tell everyone about Krishna and simultaneously follow the sastric prohibition against preaching to the faithless.

Of course, if someone is blasphemous and we are not able penetrate their envious shell, we should not try to tell them about Krishna because this will only increase their venom. However, a highly advanced devotee, can even sometimes attract the hearts of such envious snakes and transform them into devotees.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Friday 8 July 2011 

from Hawaii, USA

Today's Thought: Finding the Real Heaven in Hawaii

No matter where one may go within this vast material existence, he will find that every place is predominated by the unavoidable and inescapable fourfold miseries of birth, death, old age, and disease. Now we have arrived in Hawaii where I am giving a series of lectures on the transcendental science of Krishna consciousness. Even though this place is famous for its heavenly atmosphere, we still see that the hellish material miseries reign supreme here, just like they do everywhere else. Everybody in Hawaii is born, gets sick, gets old, and dies. But by the mercy of Sri Guru and Sri Krishna one can live here or anywhere in real heaven by reconnecting with Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus conquering over these miseries.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



The Fourfold Material Miseries Rule Supreme
Even in Heavenly Hawaii

Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: Enlightening Others With Krishna Consciousness

Thank you so much for sacrificing so much of yourself in helping others revive their original consciousness and in so doing taking them out of their miseries. 

Maharaja, I wanted to ask how to enlighten others in the science of Krishna consciousness. I am trying to give Krishna consciousness to my eldest brother, but I think I am coming across as fanatical. It hurts to see him stuck and bewildered by this material world. I want to give him the tool by which he can free himself and others. Because I am the younger sister it's hard to get him to listen. He thinks I am brain washed. He asked me a question the other day, "How do you make people believe? There are so many religions in the world, which one to follow if any?" What is the answer to this question? 

I forwarded one of your lessons to him, "Transcending the Dualities of Material Existence". He didn't read it at first saying he must be wary of harmful information. I told him he wouldn't be able to identify harmful information because he has not yet seen good. He has read it now. He didn't like one sentence "The final conclusion is that everyone must come to Krishna consciousness as soon as possible for achieving their much desired peace, happiness, love, and success." He says it sounds like an ultimatum. What do I tell him?

Thank you kindly,

Anusuya


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Answer: Teach Others Who They Actually Are.
We have no interest in getting anyone to believe in and join another nonsense religion. Our interest is to enlighten others with the knowledge of their real identity so they can become free from all suffering. It is due to ignorance only that the human civilization is descending into an ever-increasingly miserable quagmire of delusion.

He said that my statement sounds like an ultimatum. This shows his ignorance of the English language. An ultimatum is a final demand whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a resort to force or other direct stringent action. We are simply stating the fact that as long as people remain ignorant of their actual identity they will never achieve the perfection of their existence. We are not putting a gun to their heads with the ultimatum that they must become Krishna conscious or we will blow their brains out. We are simply giving people the opportunity to attain unlimited peace, love, and happiness by realizing the Absolute Truth regarding the individual self and its relationship with the Supreme Self. If he has a problem with our offer to help people achieve genuine, undying happiness, that is his problem. We hope and pray that he will some day come to understand the liberating reality of his existence.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Thursday 7 July 2011 

from Los Angeles, California, USA

Today's Thought: Travelling to Make World Krishna Conscious

On 6 July 2011 when we were checking in for our Qantas Airlines flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles the friendly, helpful check-in agent noted that we were traveling on an around-the-world itinerary. She curiously inquired why we were traveling. I told her that we are doing so for the purpose of telling everyone about Krishna. I then asked her if she had heard of Krishna and she said, "Yes." I was very happy to hear this. The more that people have heard about Krishna, the more our movement is progressing. This was the most auspicious way to begin our 14 hour flight across the Pacific Ocean. It is a fact that simply by hearing about Krishna from a devotee everyone becomes blessed with the seed of the revival of their original enlightened consciousness. Therefore as much as possible all the devotees should always be telling everyone about Krishna as per the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Telling People About Krishna on WYN Radio
Melbourne, Australia--2 July 2011

Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: Do You Have Time to Answer Questions?

Please accept my most humble dandavats at your lotus feet.

My question is : 

Since You are extensively travelling globally like Srila Prabhupada was, do you really answer all our questions being asked to you on e-mail by yourself? Or does your personal secretary answer us?

If you do, then how do you manage your time for that in your such a busy schedule for travelling, lectures etc.?

Your servant,

Devchand
India


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Answer: I Work Hard to Make the Time

Just as Srila Prabhupada personally answered his correspondence, I do the same. I work very hard to maintain my correspondence. For example, now I am on a flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles. After taking some sleep I woke up at 12:30am and chanted my rounds. After completing my rounds I will now work through the night to answer emails until we land in Los Angeles at 7am.

I have burning desire to see that the entire world should become Krishna consciousness as soon as possible, therefore I sacrifice my personal comforts as far as my health will allow so that I can free up as much time and energy as possible for pushing forward this Krishna consciousness forward all over the world.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Wednesday 6 July 2011 

from Melbourne, Australia

Today's Thought: Jesus Christ Teaches Bhagavad-gita Principle

A Christian does not have to abandon Christianity to become Krishna conscious because Krishna consciousness is the perfection of Christianity. Christ expresses that perfection in Luke 22:42 when he prays, "Father, not my will, but thy will be done." So if we can lay aside what we want to do and simply do what God wants us to do, we become perfect in spiritual life. This is exactly the same teaching that Krishna gives in the Bhagavad-gita when He tells Arjuna to abandon all other considerations and simply do what Krishna wants him to do. Christ was a perfect Vaisnava, a pure devotee of the Lord. He taught the principles of bhakti in a very elementary way suited to those to whom he was teaching. The way of Jesus is the only way: the way of complete, total surrender unto the will of God as taught by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Explaining the Perfection of Christianity
Hoppers Crossing, Australia--4 July 2011

Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: Meaning of Not Being Materialistic

Gurudeva,

It is said that one should not be materialistic. Does it mean we should not strive for better pay and position?

Regards,
P.K.

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Answer: Strive to Get Ahead for Krishna

Not being materialistic means that all of your strivings should be offered to Krishna. In other words, you should strive for better pay and position so that you can give more financial support to the Krishna consciousness movement, not for increasing your sense gratification.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Tuesday 5 July 2011 

from Melbourne, Australia

Today's Thought: Don't Be an Animal

If we simply eat, sleep, mate, and defend, we are on the animal platform. Human life begins when we inquire about the nature of the Absolute Truth. A human being is meant for higher consciousness. Therefore he can never be happy as long as he remains on the animal platform. The final conclusion is that everyone must come to Krishna consciousness as soon as possible for achieving their much desired peace, happiness, love, and success.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 


Srimad Bhagavatam Class
ISKCON Melbourne--3 July 2011








Distributing Radha Damodar Mahaprasadam
after the Srimad Bhagavatama Class

Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: Can I Ask You When I Need Answers?

I'd have many questions for you but with this first e-mail I would just to say you thanks for everything you gave me, to have given me the spark to light the fire of my self realization, thanks!

If you allow me to ask you when I feel lost, when I need the answers to my questions, I'd be very happy.

I apologize if sometimes I'm wrong in writing or in speaking because my English isn't pretty good but I'm trying as much as possible to write and to speak with the heart.

Thanks for all.
Hare Krishna!

D.T.

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Answer: Feel Free to Write When You Need Guidance

I am very, very happy to hear from you and that Krishna has used me as the spark to light your fire of self realization.

Feel free to write me whenever you feel lost or whenever you need guidance on how to successful on the self-realization path.

Don't worry about the correctness of your English. Your sincerity shines through loudly and clearly.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Monday 4 July 2011 

from Melbourne, Australia

Today's Thought: A Day in the Life

On Saturday 2 July 2011 I was interviewed on the radio. My interviewer, Caitanya Caru Prabhu, asked me about my typical day. So I thought to share a sample day with you all, my readers. 

On the day of the radio interview I rose at 2:30am and took a shower. Between 3:00am and 7:00am I did 16 rounds of Hare Krishna mantra meditation chanting on my japa mala beads, attended mangala arati and Tulasi worship in the temple room, and worshipped Sri Sri Radha Damodar. I also composed and uploaded "Thought for the Day." Then at 7:00am I was driven to the radio station for the interview. After that it was back to the temple for breakfast. Since I had only gotten three-and-a-half hours of sleep the night before, after breakfast I took a nap. Then I was driven to a home where I led kirtanand lectured on the science of Krishna consciousness. Even though it was winter in Australia, the afternoon warmed up a little bit. So my disciples served me a picnic lunch in a park. Then we returned to the temple where I took bath and once again served Sri Sri Radha Damodar. After that I was driven to another city where I was the featured speaker at an event called Carnival of Peace. I led kirtan and lectured on the supreme formula for individual and world peace. After the lecture I did one-on-one spiritual counseling with several people. Then I took some prasadam and was driven back to my quarters at the temple where I took rest for the night.

I can tell you that there is nothing more inspiring and enlivening than giving an entire day to Krishna, except for giving your entire eternal existence to that most amazingly wonderful Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. If you haven't already surrendered to Krishna, do it now. You'll be glad you did.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Radio Station Interview--88.9 WYN FM


Then a Home Program


A Surprise Picnic in the Park


Leading Kirtan at the Carnival of Peace


Happy Chanters at the Carnival of Peace


Explaining the Supreme Peace Formula


"Become Ambassadors of Peace."

Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: Why Not Just Chant "Krishna"?

As Krishna tells us to chant His name in the ninth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita and that we should constantly chant His names 24 hours daily, why don't we just chant, "Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Krishna" repetitively instead of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, which if I am right, was not told by Krishna but was told by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 

I am questioning this because I wish to follow the instructions of God (Krishna) rather than instructions from anywhere else - no disrespect intended.

If you can help me out I would be most appreciative,

Thank you from Daniel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer: Krishna Told Us to Chant Hare Krishna

Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself. Therefore by following Lord Caitanya you are following God Himself, Lord Sri Krishna. That same Supreme Lord Sri Krishna who spoke the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna 5,000 years ago has reappeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu a mere 500 years ago to teach us what is the most effective means of awakening our dormant Krishna consciousness by chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra. Therefore, just as Krishna's instruction to chant His name is authoritative, Lord Caitanya's instruction to chant Krishna's name by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra is equally authoritative.

The effectiveness and pre-eminence of the Hare Krishna mantra in the present age of Kali is further confirmed in the Kali Santarana Upanisad as follows:

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 of Kali 
than the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra."

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Sunday 3 July 2011 

from Melbourne, Australia

Today's Thought: Unscientific Science

Scientists enjoy denigrating religionists comparing them to little children who believe in outrageous fairytales. But if we take a close look at what the scientists are asking us to blindly accept on faith from them, we will see that it is unscientific dogma. They want us to accept that the universe came out of absolutely nothing, but there is not even one shred of scientific evidence to support that anything can came out nothing, what to speak of the entire cosmic manifestation coming out of nothing.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari 



Exposing the Unscientific Nature of Modern Science
Melbourne, Australia--1 July 2011


"We Do Not Accept Their Absurd Fairytales"


Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: How to Read Bhagavad-gita?

Hare Krishna, Gurudeva. 

I just started to read Bhagavad-gita but I do not really understand what is the essence of the Gita. Please tell how to read and understand it. Is there any procedure to read it?

Rubina

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer: Cover to Cover With Questions

The essence of the Bhagavad-gita is to fully surrender unto Lord Sri Krishna under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master.

You should carefully read the Bhagavad-gita As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada cover to cover and keep a notebook for writing down the questions that come to mind while you are reading it. Then you should attend classes on the Bhagavad-gita at your nearest ISKCON center and inquire from the local devotees to get your questions answered. You may also write me with your questions.

Also our Ultimate Self Realization Course features a weekly lesson on the Bhagavad-gita. Kindly dutifully complete the lesson and send in your answer each week.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Saturday 2 July 2011

from Melbourne, Australia

Today's Thought: With Srila Prabhupada in Melbourne

On 30 June 2011 in Melbourne, Australia I was blessed with the most auspicious opportunity of making a presentation on the science of Krishna consciousness in the personal quarters of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. What made it especially auspicious is that Srila Prabhupada is fully present in those quarters both in his deity presence and in his vibrational presence. There is no feeling more wonderful than acting as a messenger of Srila Prabhupada, one of the greatest spiritual masters in the history of the universe. And to do so in a place where his presence can so strongly be felt is phenomenal.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


In Srila Prabhupada's Quarters
Melbourne, Australia--30 June 2011









Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: Spiritual Master is Considered Sinless?

Srila Gurudeva,

All glories to you.

I have a question: Is the spiritual master considered sinless?

Thank you for helping me in my journey.

Luis

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer: Not Considered Sinless, He Must Be Sinless.
There is no question of the spiritual master being merely considered to be sinless. He must factually be sinless. Otherwise, he cannot be a spiritual master. He is sinless because he is completely free from illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling and because he always acts selflessly for the liberation of all living beings from the cycle of birth and death.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Friday 1 July 2011

from Melbourne, Australia

Today's Thought: Blissfully at Home at the Urban Yoga Center

29 June 2011--After flying from Sydney down to Melbourne and unpacking in our quarters I was driven to downtown Melbourne to the Urban Yoga Center where I was the featured speaker for an evening of bliss composed of kirtan and unpacking the secrets of the Bhagavad-gita. On my around-the-world lecture tours when I unpack my luggage in a particular place I start to feel at home there. In a similar way, wherever I unpack the hidden truths of the Bhagavad-gita I feel the bliss of my connection with my original transcendental home in that all-nectarean fully lustrous spiritual sky. 

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


Unpacking the Bhagavad-Gita's Hidden Truths
Urban Yoga Center-Melbourne--29 June 2011









Answers According to the Vedic Version: 

Question: How to Quickly Attain Perfect Devotion?

Dearest Srila Gurudeva,

How to increase our faith and dedication to our spiritual master and Krishna for reaching to the topmost stage of perfect devotion?

The menial servant of your servants:

Junhui Du

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer: Remember, Worship, & Follow Instructions

The secret of success in Krishna consciousness for attaining the perfectional stage as soon as possible is to always meditate upon, worship, and execute the instructions you have received from your spiritual master to the best of your ability.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari


















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