Laws of Nature-Lecture by Srila Prabhupada

The Laws of Nature-Lecture by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada
FOUNDER ACHARYA OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS (ISKCON)

Srila Prabhupada delivered thousands of lectures on various topics and these lectures contains frofound wisdom of knowledge never to be found before.

Out of thousands of lectures delivered by Srila Prabhupada The Laws of Nature indicates how the material laws of natures works, how the material laws of nature affect human beings and much more...

"Ever wondered how the material laws of nature works? What is that affects the human beings? Why are we put into difficulties?

If so this video regarding The Laws of nature by HDG Swami Srila Prabhupada will surely answer all your questions and will lead you to another realm of untold mysteries of The Material Laws of Nature"
  -Amit Teli

We have been harresed as human beings since time immemorial and we may be wonderig how does such a thing works? Why are we under constant manupulation of mood, different emotions, varitios in sensations, each and every time of physco activities different, Why is that some times we are in the modes of Goodness, Passion, Ignorance? What is that which is guarding the stringent laws of the material nature?

And as human beings of superior inteligence we are always wondering to either overcomming the material laws of nature or completely getting rid of the laws of nature or escaping from the laws of nature.

Our constant enderviours are shattered by the laws of nature as they are so stringent the no one can overcome it.

SRILA PRABHUPADA who is the founder acharya of ISKCON or (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) also popularly known as The Hare Krishna Hare Rama Movement answers all of the questions with the intense dept of profound wisdom of knowledge.

I hope this video The laws of nature will give you the answers that your looking for.

Please leave your comment below

HARE KRISHNA,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and Gauranga
Your Humble Servant,
Amit Teli

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ISKCON Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra 2014 a report

ISKCON BANGALORE Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra 2014 a Report

ISKCON (International Society For Krishna Consciousness) in BANGALORE celebrated Sri Krishna Balarama Ratha Yatra recently.

Thousands of people came to the attend the festive season to pull the chariot and be a part of their grace. Young Boys (ISKCON Youth Club) gathered at various junctions inside and outside the temple to assist the temple activites. Several of the boys were even found carring donnnas (leaf cups) and sweet rice and distributing to the public for free along the street.

It all began by 5:00 in the evening in front of the temple once their lorsdhips Sri Krishna Balarama along with Srila Prabhupada arrived  to be seated in the chariot. ISKCON Bangalore Temple President His Grace Sri Madhupandit Das inagurated the festival along with invitees by litting the candle. ISKCON BANGALORE Temple Vice President His Grace Sri Chancalapathi Das was the host who spoke and introduced the festival.

Several eagar devotees who were intiated were foun in saffron robes eagarly awaiting to pull the cart along with general and congregate devotee public.

Once the chariot started moving excitement reached the sky which was found like a wild fire which could never be put off.

By 8:30 in the night the chariot returned back ( the temple and still devotee and public were found not to be quenched of the thirst.

Free Pure Vegetarian Satvic food offered to Sri Krishna was distributed to all who had attended at the OAT (Open Air Theator) of ISKCON BANGALORE premises.

The ratha moved from ISKCON through Rajajinagar 1st block, Navarang Signal and back to ISKCON.

The great carnival of the year ended by 9:30 in the night in the Lecture Hall of ISKCON BANGALORE where devotees sang, danced and glorified Sri Krishna Balaram and Srila Prabhupada.

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GURU ISSUE WITHIN ISKCON a VISHNAVA APARADHA?

GURU ISSUE WITHIN ISKCON a VISHNAVA APARADHA?

After I watched this video I was really perplexed as eventhough I knew about the Guru Issue within ISKCON (International Society For Krishna Consiousness) I had not taken it much seriously as one of the devotee in ISKCON BANGALORE His Grace Amitasana Das had informed in one of the lectures not to worry about it and just concentrate on our services.

Eventually I took it seriously and started supporting and I feel after much controversies with lot of people I feel that I facing much of the consequences.

I am wondering "Why people do such things that when one is not appointed to act in such an such a thing why in the world a person does so?"

I belive I may not be the only one who is or may have faced consequences in life but there would several others also.

I see this to be taken as a Vaishnava aparadha as such as blastpheming a devotee, hurting the sprotual master in whatsoever matter it may be.....

The consequences may also include unable to chant the hare krishna mahamantra.

I would like to know what do you feel about it.

Please do not leave a response or a comment based on ego, let it be unbaised and must never be a curse sort of a thing.

Remember, we are all devotees so your comments will be heard around the globe and affected all the devotees.

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Stories of ISKCON Book distribution 1

"Srila Prabhupada used to stress a lot on book distribution

"

ISKCON Book Distribution Stories - 1

One day when we were going to distribute Srila Prabhupada's books we had to board ISKCON book distribution vehicle and we left the temple by 9:30 in the morning to a place nearby to the temple in BANGALORE.

We reached there by 10:00 in the morning and by the time we setup the stall it was 10:30.

Then we held some small books in hand and started to call out people who passed by as it was next to the bus stop, lot of passers by were to be found which made me feel I could sell as many books a possible without even having any experience before I set out in the world alone though a dedicated devotee was along with us.

After the tedious sun rays hit my had I felt I could no longer withstand the heat and neither did I sell a single book till then.

It was already half a day passed by and the devotee asked me to have prasadam which I did without asking a single question but I was all along thinking how could I sell more books?

This thing struck me as the devotee was easily selling books without any problems and lots of people passing by I had practically no idea how about to go with the sales.

I kept on watching Srila Prabhupada's face on the vehicle and feared that he may feel bad so I had to shout and run along with marketong ideas and hold Bagawad Gita As it is and issue offers. Some how or other distribute the books and please Prabhupada.

As the day passed to evening I stood only looking at the devotee's face who was simply distributing books upon books and I was practically doing here one there one.

Finally I had to pleade Prabhupada and Sri Krishna in mind to help me out to atleast distribute some books.

Some hope signs arrived in the night as there were so many people than I had imagined, it was here I thought that I have got to do something.

No hope arrived as it was just my first day in book distribution. I could barely sell some books and as time approached we had to packup and return back to temple ISKCON BANGALORE by boarding the vehicle back.

Hare Krishna
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada
Your Servant
Amit Teli

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Disappearance of Haridasa Thakura

Disappearance of Haridasa Thakura 

 

After the passing away of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the Lord Himself took his body on His lap, and He danced with it in great ecstasy. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-lila 10.46)
Today being the Disappearance of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, we honor him with this short post. We have selected a verse from the Bhagavad-gita 6.44 wherein Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport;

…Lord Caitanya, accepted Ṭhākur Haridāsa as one of His most important disciples. …he was elevated to the post of nāmācārya by Lord Caitanya due to his rigidly attended principle of chanting three hundred thousand holy names of the Lord daily: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

Full Text and Purport

Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 Edition
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter Six, Text 44

pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva
hriyate hy avaśo ‘pi saḥ
jijñāsur api yogasya
śabda-brahmātivartate

pūrva—previous; abhyāsena—practice; tena—by the influence of that; eva—certainly; hriyate—is attracted; hi—surely; avaśaḥ—helpless; api—also; saḥ—he; jijñāsuḥ—willing to know; api—so; yogasya—of yoga; śabda-brahma—ritualistic principles of scripture; ativartate—transcends.

TRANSLATION

By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles—even without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist, striving for yoga, stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures.

PURPORT

Advanced yogīs are not very much attracted to the rituals of the scriptures, but they automatically become attracted to the yoga principles, which can elevate them to complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the highest yoga perfection. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.33.8), such disregard of Vedic rituals by the advanced transcendentalists is explained as follows:

aho bata śvapaco ‘to garīyān
yajjihvāgre vartate nāma tubhyam
tepus tapas te juhuvuḥ sasnur āryā
brahmānūcur nāma gṛṇanti ye te.

“O my Lord! Persons who chant the holy names of Your Lordship are far, far advanced in spiritual life, even if born in families of dog-eaters. Such chanters have undoubtedly performed all kinds of austerities and sacrifices, bathed in all sacred places, and finished all scriptural studies.”

The famous example of this was presented by Lord Caitanya, who accepted Ṭhākur Haridāsa as one of His most important disciples. Although Ṭhākur Haridāsa happened to take his birth in a Moslem family, he was elevated to the post of nāmācārya by Lord Caitanya due to his rigidly attended principle of chanting three hundred thousand holy names of the Lord daily: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. And because he chanted the holy name of the Lord constantly, it is understood that in his previous life he must have passed through all the ritualistic methods of the Vedas, known as śabda-brahman. Unless, therefore, one is purified, one cannot take to the principle of Kṛṣṇa consciousness nor become engaged in chanting the holy name of the Lord, Hare Kṛṣṇa.

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Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra [ISKCON, Vrindavana] - Amit Teli

Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra [Sri Krishna and Srimati RadhaRani] @ ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra Mandir, The Akshaya Patra Campus, Chattikara, Vrindavana, Mathura District, Uttarpradesh, India as on June 01, 2013

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Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra as on May 31, 2013 -Amit Teli

Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra  [Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani] @ ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra Mandir, The Akshaya Patra Campus, Chattikara, Vrindavana, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh, India as on May 31, 2013

 

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Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra [ISKCON] - Amit Teli

Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra [Sri Krishna and Srimati Radharani] @ ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Vrindavana Chandra Mandir, TheAkshaya Patra Campus, Chattikara, Vrindavana, Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh, India as on May 30, 2013

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Offering Food to the Lord [ISKCON]

Offering Food to The Lord [ISKCON] a Letter by Srila Prabhupada, Founder Acharya of International Society for Krishna Conciousness and Only GURU in ISKCON to various Disciples

…For offering prasadam simply prayers to the Spiritual Master is sufficient. The process is that everything is offered to the Spiritual Master, and the Spiritual Master is supposed to offer the same foodstuff to the Lord. When a thing is offered to the Spiritual Master, he immediately offers to the Lord. That is the system, and as we come by parampara system, it is our duty to go through the right channel—namely, first the Spiritual Master, then Lord Caitanya, and then Krishna. So when we chant prayers, we do this, Vande ham Sri Guru . . . and gradually to the Goswamis, then to Lord Caitanya, and then to Radha Krishna. That is the praying system. But offering the prasadam to present everything before the Spiritual Master whose picture is also in the altar, means that the Spiritual Master will take care of offering the foodstuff to the Lord. Therefore simply by chanting the prayer to the Spiritual Master, everything will be complete. (Letter to Harer Nama May 28, 1968)
1. Prayer to Srila Prabhupada:
nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhutale
srimate bhaktivedanta-swamin iti namine
namas te saraswate deve gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha shunyavadi pashchatya desha tarine
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.
Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanya deva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.”
2. Prayer to Lord Chaitanya:
namo maha-vadanyaya krishna-prema-pradaya te
krishnaya krishna-chaitanya-namne gaura-twishe namaha
“O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani. and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.”
3. Prayer to Lord Krishna:
namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya cha
jagad-dhitaya krishnaya govindaya namo namaha
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Krishna, who is the worshipable Deity for all brahmanas the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas and the benefactor of the whole world. I offer my repeated obeisances to the Personality of Godhead, known as Krishna and Govinda.”

Letter to Harer Nama
28 May, 1968
Allston, Mass
My Dear Harer Nama,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 24, 1968, along with the news article published in the Daily Californian, p.9, on Wednesday May 22, 1968. The pictures and the statement are very appropriate and I hope this article will attract the attention of many students.
Actually this Krishna Consciousness movement is the greatest need of the present day situation of the world. It is authorized approved and very old, and practical. It can be accepted by any person in any part of the world; that is already tested. Now each one of us has got a great responsibility to spread this movement as far as possible and that is the greatest service to the suffering humanity. You are a student of psychology, so you can study this movement more clearly than others, and try to spread it to your best capacity.
Regarding your 2 questions: For offering prasadam simply prayers to the Spiritual Master is sufficient. The process is that everything is offered to the Spiritual Master, and the Spiritual Master is supposed to offer the same foodstuff to the Lord. When a thing is offered to the Spiritual Master, he immediately offers to the Lord. That is the system, and as we come by parampara system, it is our duty to go through the right channel—namely, first the Spiritual Master, then Lord Caitanya, and then Krishna. So when we chant prayers, we do this, Vande ham Sri Guru . . . and gradually to the Goswamis, then to Lord Caitanya, and then to Radha Krishna. That is the praying system. But offering the prasadam to present everything before the Spiritual Master whose picture is also in the altar, means that the Spiritual Master will take care of offering the foodstuff to the Lord. Therefore simply by chanting the prayer to the Spiritual Master, everything will be complete…
*Note: not full letter (page missing)
Hope you are well.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Entrance in Dvaraka

In one of our previous posts entitled “Lord Kṛṣṇa's Transcendental Conchshell” we were describing Lord Krsna’s entrance in Dvarka. This post is a continuation from that chapter, describing the citizens presentation and prayers to the Lord. Very nice!
The citizens arrived before the Lord with their respective presentations, offering them to the fully satisfied and self-sufficient one, who, by His own potency, incessantly supplies others. These presentations were like the offering of a lamp to the sun. Yet the citizens began to speak in ecstatic language to receive the Lord, just as wards welcome their guardian and father.
…Lord Kṛṣṇa’s attraction is so powerful that once being attracted by Him one cannot tolerate separation from Him. Why is this so? Because we are all eternally related with Him as the sun rays are eternally related with the sun disc. The sun rays are molecular parts of the solar radiation. Thus the sun rays and the sun cannot be separated. The separation by the cloud is temporary and artificial, and as soon as the cloud is cleared, the sun rays again display their natural effulgence in the presence of the sun. Similarly, the living entities, who are molecular parts of the whole spirit, are separated from the Lord by the artificial covering of māyā, illusory energy. This illusory energy, or the curtain of māyā, has to be removed, and when it is so done, the living entity can see the Lord face to face, and all his miseries are at once removed. Every one of us wants to remove the miseries of life, but we do not know how to do it. The solution is given here, and it rests on us to assimilate it or not. (Excerpted from purport SB 1.11.10)
…Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, being the primeval Lord, the Supreme Truth, is compared to the sun. Without Him all our knowledge is either false or partial. The opposite of the sun is the darkness, and similarly the opposite of Kṛṣṇa is māyā, or illusion. The devotees of the Lord can see everything in true perspective due to the light disseminated by Lord Kṛṣṇa. By the grace of the Lord the pure devotee cannot be in the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, it is necessary that we must always be in the sight of Lord Kṛṣṇa so that we can see both ourselves and the Lord with His different energies. As we cannot see anything in the absence of the sun, so also we cannot see anything including our own self, without the factual presence of the Lord. Without Him all our knowledge is covered by illusion. (Excerpted from purport SB 1.11.9)
Full Text and Purport
Srimad Bhagavatam
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Canto 1, Chapter 11, Text 4-10
tatropanīta-balayo
raver dīpam ivādṛtāḥ
ātmārāmaṁ pūrṇa-kāmaṁ
nija-lābhena nityadā
prīty-utphulla-mukhāḥ procur
harṣa-gadgadayā girā
pitaraṁ sarva-suhṛdam
avitāram ivārbhakāḥ

tatra—thereupon; upanīta—having offered; balayaḥ—presentations; raveḥ—up to the sun; dīpam—lamp; iva—like; ādṛtāḥ—being evaluated; ātma-ārāmam—unto the self-sufficient; pūrṇa-kāmam—fully satisfied; nija-lābhena—by His own potencies; nitya-dā—one who supplies incessantly; prīti—affection; utphulla-mukhāḥ—cheerful faces; procuḥ—said; harṣa—gladdened; gadgadayā—ecstatic; girā—speeches; pitaram—unto the father; sarva—all; suhṛdam—friends; avitāram—the guardian; iva—like; arbhakāḥ—wards.
The citizens arrived before the Lord with their respective presentations, offering them to the fully satisfied and self-sufficient one, who, by His own potency, incessantly supplies others. These presentations were like the offering of a lamp to the sun. Yet the citizens began to speak in ecstatic language to receive the Lord, just as wards welcome their guardian and father.
Purport
The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa is described herein as ātmārāma. He is self-sufficient, and there is no need for Him to seek happiness from anything beyond Himself. He is self-sufficient because His very transcendental existence is total bliss. He is eternally existent; He is all-cognizant and all-blissful. Therefore, any presentation, however valuable it may be, is not needed by Him. But still, because He is the well-wisher for one and all, He accepts from everyone everything that is offered to Him in pure devotional service. It is not that He is in want for such things, because the things are themselves generated from His energy. The comparison is made herein that making offerings to the Lord is something like offering a lamp in the worship of the sun-god. Anything fiery and illuminating is but an emanation of the energy of the sun, and yet to worship the sun-god it is necessary to offer him a lamp. In the worship of the sun, there is some sort of demand made by the worshiper, but in the case of devotional service to the Lord, there is no question of demand from either side. It is all a sign of pure love and affection between the Lord and the devotee.
The Lord is the Supreme Father of all living beings, and therefore those who are conscious of this vital relation with God can make filial demands from the Father, and the Father is pleased to supply the demands of such obedient sons without bargaining. The Lord is just like the desire tree, and from Him everyone can have everything by the causeless mercy of the Lord. As the Supreme Father, the Lord, however, does not supply to a pure devotee what is considered to be a barrier to the discharge of devotional service. Those who are engaged in the devotional service of the Lord can rise to the position of unalloyed devotional service by His transcendental attraction.
natāḥ sma te nātha sadāṅghri-paṅkajaṁ
viriñca-vairiñcya-surendra-vanditam
parāyaṇaṁ kṣemam ihecchatāṁ paraṁ
na yatra kālaḥ prabhavet paraḥ prabhuḥ
natāḥ—bowed down; sma—we had done so; te—unto You; nātha—O Lord; sadā—always; aṅghri-paṅkajam—the lotus feet; viriñca—Brahmā, the first living being; vairiñcya—sons of Brahmā like Sanaka and Sanātana; sura-indra—the King of heaven; vanditam—worshiped by; parāyaṇam—the supreme; kṣemam—welfare; iha—in this life; icchatām—one who so desires; param—the highest; na—never; yatra—wherein; kālaḥ—inevitable time; prabhavet—can exert its influence; paraḥ—transcendental; prabhuḥ—the Supreme Lord.
The citizens said: O Lord, You are worshiped by all demigods like Brahmā, the four Sanas and even the King of heaven. You are the ultimate rest for those who are really aspiring to achieve the highest benefit of life. You are the supreme transcendental Lord, and inevitable time cannot exert its influence upon You.
Purport
The Supreme Lord is Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā, Brahma-saṁhitā and other authorized Vedic literatures. No one is equal to or greater than Him, and that is the verdict of all scriptures. The influence of time and space is exerted upon the dependent living entities, who are all parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. The living entities are predominated Brahman, whereas the Supreme Lord is the predominating Absolute. As soon as we forget this clear fact, we are at once in illusion, and thus we are put into threefold miseries, as one is put into dense darkness. The clear consciousness of the cognizant living being is God consciousness, in which one bows down unto Him in all circumstances.
bhavāya nas tvaṁ bhava viśva-bhāvana
tvam eva mātātha suhṛt-patiḥ pitā
tvaṁ sad-gurur naḥ paramaṁ ca daivataṁ
yasyānuvṛttyā kṛtino babhūvima
bhavāya—for welfare; naḥ—for us; tvam—Your Lordship; bhava—just become; viśva-bhāvana—the creator of the universe; tvam—Your Lordship; eva—certainly; mātā—mother; atha—as also; suhṛt—well-wisher; patiḥ—husband; pitā—father; tvam—Your Lordship; sat-guruḥ—spiritual master; naḥ—our; paramam—the supreme; ca—and; daivatam—worshipable Deity; yasya—whose; anuvṛttyā—following in the footsteps; kṛtinaḥ—successful; babhūvima—we have become.
O creator of the universe, You are our mother, well-wisher, Lord, father, spiritual master and worshipable Deity. By following in Your footsteps we have become successful in every respect. We pray, therefore, that You continue to bless us with Your mercy.
Purport
The all-good Personality of Godhead, being the creator of the universe, also plans for the good of all good living beings. The good living beings are advised by the Lord to follow His good advice, and by doing so they become successful in all spheres of life. There is no need to worship any deity but the Lord. The Lord is all-powerful, and if He is satisfied by our obedience unto His lotus feet, He is competent to bestow upon us all kinds of blessings for the successful execution of both our material and spiritual lives. For attaining spiritual existence, the human form is a chance for all to understand our eternal relation with God. Our relation with Him is eternal; it can neither be broken nor vanquished. It may be forgotten for the time being, but it can be revived also by the grace of the Lord, if we follow His injunctions, which are revealed in the scriptures of all times and all places.
aho sanāthā bhavatā sma yad vayaṁ
traiviṣṭapānām api dūra-darśanam
prema-smita-snigdha-nirīkṣaṇānanaṁ
paśyema rūpaṁ tava sarva-saubhagam
aho—oh, it is our good luck; sa-nāthāḥ—to be under the protection of the master; bhavatā—by Your good self; sma—as we have become; yat vayam—as we are; traiviṣṭa-pānām—of the demigods; api—also; dūra-darśanam—very rarely seen; prema-smita—smiling with love; snigdha—affectionate; nirīkṣaṇa-ānanam—face looking in that mode; paśyema—let us look; rūpam—beauty; tava—Your; sarva—all; saubhagam—auspiciousness.
Oh, it is our good luck that we have come again today under Your protection by Your presence, for Your Lordship rarely visits even the denizens of heaven. Now it is possible for us to look into Your smiling face, which is full of affectionate glances. We can now see Your transcendental form, full of all auspiciousness.
Purport
The Lord in His eternal personal form can be seen only by the pure devotees. The Lord is never impersonal, but He is the Supreme Absolute Personality of Godhead, possible to be visited by devotional service face to face, which is impossible to be done even by the denizens of higher planets. When Brahmājī and other demigods want to consult Lord Viṣṇu, the plenary portion of Lord Kṛṣṇa, they have to wait on the shore of the ocean of milk where Lord Viṣṇu is lying on White Land (Śvetadvīpa). This ocean of milk and the Śvetadvīpa planet are the replica of Vaikuṇṭhaloka within the universe. Neither Brahmājī nor the demigods like Indra can enter into this island of Śvetadvīpa, but they can stand on the shore of the ocean of milk and transmit their message to Lord Viṣṇu, known as Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Therefore, the Lord is rarely seen by them, but the inhabitants of Dvārakā, because of their being pure devotees without any tinge of the material contamination of fruitive activities and empiric philosophical speculation, can see Him face to face by the grace of the Lord. This is the original state of the living entities and can be attained by reviving our natural and constitutional state of life, which is discovered by devotional service only.
yarhy ambujākṣāpasasāra bho bhavān
kurūn madhūn vātha suhṛd-didṛkṣayā
tatrābda-koṭi-pratimaḥ kṣaṇo bhaved
raviṁ vinākṣṇor iva nas tavācyuta
yarhi—whenever; ambuja-akṣa—O lotus-eyed one; apasasāra—You go away; bho—oh; bhavān—Yourself; kurūn—the descendants of King Kuru; madhūn—the inhabitants of Mathurā (Vrajabhūmi); vā—either; atha—therefore; suhṛt-didṛkṣayā—for meeting them; tatra—at that time; abda-koṭi—millions of years; pratimaḥ—like; kṣaṇaḥ—moments; bhavet—becomes; ravim—the sun; vinā—without; akṣṇoḥ—of the eyes; iva—like that; naḥ—ours; tava—Your; acyuta—O infallible one.
O lotus-eyed Lord, whenever You go away to Mathurā, Vṛndāvana or Hastināpura to meet Your friends and relatives, every moment of Your absence seems like a million years. O infallible one, at that time our eyes become useless, as if bereft of sun.
Purport
We are all proud of our material senses for making experiments to determine the existence of God. But we forget that our senses are not absolute by themselves. They can only act under certain conditions. For example, our eyes. As long as the sunshine is there, our eyes are useful to a certain extent. But in the absence of sunshine, the eyes are useless. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, being the primeval Lord, the Supreme Truth, is compared to the sun. Without Him all our knowledge is either false or partial. The opposite of the sun is the darkness, and similarly the opposite of Kṛṣṇa is māyā, or illusion. The devotees of the Lord can see everything in true perspective due to the light disseminated by Lord Kṛṣṇa. By the grace of the Lord the pure devotee cannot be in the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, it is necessary that we must always be in the sight of Lord Kṛṣṇa so that we can see both ourselves and the Lord with His different energies. As we cannot see anything in the absence of the sun, so also we cannot see anything including our own self, without the factual presence of the Lord. Without Him all our knowledge is covered by illusion.
kathaṁ vayaṁ nātha ciroṣite tvayi
prasanna-dṛṣṭyākhila-tāpa-śoṣaṇam
jīvema te sundara-hāsa-śobhitam
apaśyamānā vadanaṁ manoharam
iti codīritā vācaḥ
prajānāṁ bhakta-vatsalaḥ
śṛṇvāno ‘nugrahaṁ dṛṣṭyā
vitanvan prāviśat puram
katham—how; vayam—we; nātha—O Lord; ciroṣite—being abroad almost always; tvayi—by You; prasanna—satisfaction; dṛṣṭyā—by the glance; akhila—universal; tāpa—miseries; śoṣaṇam—vanquishing; jīvema—shall be able to live; te—Your; sundara—beautiful; hāsa—smiling; śobhitam—decorated; apaśyamānāḥ—without seeing; vadanam—face; manoharam—attractive; iti—thus; ca—and; udīritāḥ—speaking; vācaḥ—words; prajānām—of the citizens; bhakta-vatsalaḥ—kind to the devotees; śṛṇvānaḥ—thus learning; anugraham—kindness; dṛṣṭyā—by glances; vitanvan—distributing; prāviśat—entered; puram—Dvārakāpurī.
O master, if You live abroad all the time, then we cannot look at Your attractive face, whose smiles vanquish all our sufferings. How can we exist without Your presence?Upon hearing their speeches, the Lord, who is very kind to the citizens and the devotees, entered the city of Dvārakā and acknowledged all their greetings by casting His transcendental glance over them.
Purport
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s attraction is so powerful that once being attracted by Him one cannot tolerate separation from Him. Why is this so? Because we are all eternally related with Him as the sun rays are eternally related with the sun disc. The sun rays are molecular parts of the solar radiation. Thus the sun rays and the sun cannot be separated. The separation by the cloud is temporary and artificial, and as soon as the cloud is cleared, the sun rays again display their natural effulgence in the presence of the sun. Similarly, the living entities, who are molecular parts of the whole spirit, are separated from the Lord by the artificial covering of māyā, illusory energy. This illusory energy, or the curtain of māyā, has to be removed, and when it is so done, the living entity can see the Lord face to face, and all his miseries are at once removed. Every one of us wants to remove the miseries of life, but we do not know how to do it. The solution is given here, and it rests on us to assimilate it or not.

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I Have Instructed Everything in My Books

 

Here are some nice quotes stressing the importance of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books.
One has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.
(SB 3.31.48)
What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.
In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.…You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time.
(Letter to: Bahurupa Bombay 74-11-22)
I have instructed everything in my books.
(Letter to: Dina Dayala Mayapur 76-02-25)
(Lecture Excerpt – Los Angeles, January 13, 1969)
So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn't matter.
(Arrival Speech – May 17, 1977, Vrndavana)
If I depart, there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and my orders. I will always remain with you in that way."
(Back To Godhead vol.13 01/02, 1978)
Indian lady: Can the death of a spiritual master take to us, or I can get… Is that spiritual master still guiding after the death?
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Just like Krsna is guiding us, similarly, spiritual master will guide. We are being guided by Krsna, by the Bhagavad-gita. Although Krsna is not physically present, so-called… Krsna is present always. But even if we say that Krsna is not physically present as He was present before Arjuna, still, His book, Bhagavad-gita, is there.
(His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture — London, September 3, 1971)
Indian Man: …like your company very much in Toronto and we feel like talk you so much, but we don't have so much time to talk with you. You have so much mercy, so we have not… know so much about Krsna from you.
Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That's all.
Indian Man: Personally, we think more greater.
Prabhupada: That's all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.
(Morning Walk — August 7, 1975, Toronto)
Prajapati: In the Bhagavad-gita it is indicated by Sri Krsna that when we approach a bona fide spiritual master our relationship is twofold. We render service and then we also make inquiry.
Prabhupada: Yeah.
Prajapati: Now, you have answered all our inquiries so thoroughly in our books that to make inquiry at this point seems like…, you've already answered all the questions. So how may we… What is the proper relationship at that point to make inquiry?
Devotee : Read the books.
Prabhupada: Yes. Read the books, yes. Why I'm working so hard? Read the books. [break]
(Morning Walk – January 5, 1974, Los Angeles)
Lord Brahma heard the occult sound tapa, but he did not see the person who vibrated the sound. And still he accepted the instruction as beneficial for him, and therefore he engaged himself in meditation for one thousand celestial years. One celestial year is equal to 6 x 30 x 12 x 1000 of our years. His acceptance of the sound was due to his pure vision of the absolute nature of the Lord. And due to his correct vision, he made no distinction between the Lord and the Lord's instruction. There is no difference between the Lord and sound vibration coming from Him, even though He is not personally present. The best way of understanding is to accept such divine instruction, and Brahma, the prime spiritual master of everyone, is the living example of this process of receiving transcendental knowledge. The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita or any revealed scripture in the world is never to be accepted as an ordinary mundane sound without transcendental potency.
(SB 2.9.8)
One has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.
(SB 3.31.48)
In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.…You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time.
(Letter to: Bahurupa Bombay 74-11-22)
I have instructed everything in my books.
(Letter to: Dina Dayala Mayapur 76-02-25)
Interviewer: You are the translator of many books, from what I understand.
Prabhupada: Yes. So that translation, the book, will speak how I have translated.
Interviewer: Um hm. I was wondering…
Prabhupada: You read the books, Then you'll understand. Instead of asking me, you better read the books. That is real understanding.
(Interview with Newsweek – July 14, 1976, New York)
In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. Krishna Consciousness is not a hackneyed thing but it is something which is our natural and original consciousness. Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything.
(Letter to: Bahurupa – Bombay 22 November, 1974)
Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice — in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.
(Letter to: Ranadhira – Los Angeles 24 January, 1970)
So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.
(Letter to: Upendra – Nellore 7 January, 1976)
Reporter: What will happen to the movement in the United States when you die?
Prabhupada: I will never die.
Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (laughter)
Prabhupada: I shall live for my books, and you will utilize.
(Press Conference – July 16, 1975, San Francisco)
The merciful Lord left behind Him the great teachings of the Bhagavad-gita so that one can take the instructions of the Lord even when He is not visible to material eyesight. Material senses cannot have any estimation of the Supreme Lord, but by His inconceivable power the Lord can incarnate Himself to the sense perception of the conditioned souls in a suitable manner through the agency of matter, which is also another form of the Lord's manifested energy. Thus the Bhagavad-gita, or any authentic scriptural sound representation of the Lord, is also the incarnation of the Lord. There is no difference between the sound representation of the Lord and the Lord Himself. One can derive the same benefit from the Bhagavad-gita as Arjuna did in the personal presence of the Lord.
(SB 1.15.27)
One who can see Srimad-Bhagavatam can see also Lord Sri Krsna in person. They are identical.
(SB 1.3.43)
What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.
(Lecture Excerpt – Los Angeles, January 13, 1969)

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By the Grace of Kṛṣṇa: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

By the Grace of Kṛṣṇa




…There are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are engaged by māyā in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity life after life. This is the position of the materially conditioned living entities. Out of many of these living entities, if one is actually fortunate (bhāgyavān), he comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Kṛṣṇa's mercy.
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Madhya-līlā, Chapter 19, Text 151
brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja
brahmāṇḍa bhramite—wandering in this universe; kona—some; bhāgyavān—most fortunate; jīva—living being; guru—of the spiritual master; kṛṣṇa—of Kṛṣṇa; prasāde—by the mercy; pāya—gets; bhakti-latā—of the creeper of devotional service; bīja—the seed.
“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. By the mercy of both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.”

PURPORT
When we speak of brahmāṇḍa, we refer to the whole universe, or to the cluster of many millions of universes. In all universes, there are innumerable planets and innumerable living entities upon those planets in the air and in the water. There are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are engaged by māyā in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity life after life. This is the position of the materially conditioned living entities. Out of many of these living entities, if one is actually fortunate (bhāgyavān), he comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Kṛṣṇa's mercy.
Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone's heart, and if one desires something, Kṛṣṇa fulfills one's desire. If the living entity by chance or fortune comes in contact with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and wishes to associate with that movement, Kṛṣṇa, who is situated in everyone's heart, gives him the chance to meet a bona fide spiritual master. This is called guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāda. Kṛṣṇa is prepared to bestow His mercy upon all living entities, and as soon as a living entity desires the Lord's mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona fide spiritual master. Such a person is fortified by both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master. He is helped from within by Kṛṣṇa and from without by the spiritual master. Both are prepared to help the sincere living being become free from this material bondage.
How one can become this fortunate can be seen in the life of Śrīla Nārada Muni. In his previous life he was born of a maidservant. Although he was not born into a prestigious position, his mother was fortunately engaged in rendering service to some Vaiṣṇavas. When these Vaiṣṇavas were resting during the Cāturmāsya period, the boy Nārada took the opportunity to engage in their service. Taking compassion upon the boy, the Vaiṣṇavas offered him the remnants of their food.
By serving them and obeying their orders, the boy became the object of sympathy for the Vaiṣṇavas, and, by the Vaiṣṇavas' unknown mercy, he gradually became a pure devotee. In the next life he was Nārada Muni, the most exalted of Vaiṣṇavas and the most important guru and ācārya of Vaiṣṇavas.
Following in the footsteps of Nārada Muni, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is rendering service to humanity by giving everyone a chance to come in contact with Kṛṣṇa. If one is fortunate, he becomes intimately related with this movement. Then, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, one's life becomes successful. Everyone has dormant kṛṣṇa-bhakti-love for Kṛṣṇa-and in the association of good devotees, that love is revealed. As stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta (
Madhya 22.107):
nitya-siddha-kṛṣṇa-prema 'sādhya' kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya
Dormant devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Simply by associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja.

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ISKCON Bangalore Lectures: Sri Stoka Krishna Dasa

Lecture by His Grace Sri Stoka Krishna Dasa on October 17 at Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON Bangalore, Cord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore.

Audio: 

Download Lecture:

SB 2.7.22_HG Stoka Krishna Dasa_Oct 17.mp3

Month: October

Day: Wed, 2012-10-17

Date: 17
Year: 2012
Speaker:  Sri Stoka Krishna Dasa

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Sri Panca-tattva

Updated Lately :(

Fifteen-Hundred-Year Tradition

 

Sri Panca-tattva’s journey began in the village of Swamimalai, where the deities were cast under the expert hands of Devasenapathy Stapathy and his sons, Radhakrishna and Srikand. The family traces its lineage back to the era of King Chola fifteen hundred years, or three hundred generations. The king ruled the Tanjore district, and placed great importance in art, music, sculpture, and architecture. When he desired to build a temple, he brought families of sthapatis (deity carvers) from the north of India. The temple, which took thirty years to build and is still standing today, was the biggest temple in the world at the time. Its tower was constructed from a single stone, weighing eighty tons and covering the entire temple, so that the shadow of the temple never touches the ground. After the temple was completed, the sthapatis remained, and still today they make up the village of Swamimalai.

Before the deities were cast, there were many years of preparation. Bharata Maharaja Dasa, who was to play a major part in the deities’ creation, began to study the Silpa Sastras, the scriptures covering deity making. He en-countered a major problem: Worship of Sri Panca-tattva is from the Bengali tradition, and no scriptures existed for their worship. So Bharata turned to the South Indian traditions but modified the deities’ proportions according to the written records of the Panca-tattva’s pastimes in Navadwip around five hundred years ago.

Still there were countless details to be resolved, including the height of the deities and their pose. Towards the end of 1997, the Sri Mayapur Project Development Committee (SMPDC) decided upon the poses from drawings submitted by Caitanya Candrodaya Dasa, an artist who worked in the SMPDC’s London office.
Bharata Maharaja’s study of the scriptures and his involvement with the sketching and the subsequent molding of clay models gave him a strong idea of how the deities would look. He worked strictly under the direction of Jananivasa Dasa, the headpujari (priest) at Mayapur. Jananivasa’s instructions related to the mood and characteristics of each personality of the Panca-tattva.
“We didn’t just have the deities carved according to some formula or computer-generated calculation,” Bharata Maharaja said. “Jananivasa put the personality and mood into each deity; he captured the expressions that you see on each face.”
Jananivasa would relay his directions to Bharata, who would then produce a clay model of the particular part of the body discussed. Then the artists would copy it and produce the final cast. In this way, the deities developed individually.
Recently, sitting behind the closed doors of the altar in the Panca-tattva temple and adding the finishing touches to the deity forms, Bharata Maharaja admitted that it was unavoidable that Western concepts would inuence the shape and form of the deities.
“Different cultures have different conceptions of beauty,” he explained. “In African tribal traditions, for example, a long neck is considered beautiful. In South India, their concept of beauty is different from a Bengali viewpoint. So in this way, through the involvement of South Indian sthapatis and Western devotees, we have produced these deities.”
Bharata Maharaja smiled as he looked up at the outcome.”The ultimate result is uniquely beautiful.”
A Needed Push
Towards the end of 2001, though, things had been at a standstill. Ganga Dasa and Bhagavatamrta Dasa, both long-time residents of Mayapur who were involved in the deity-casting project from start to finish, decided the time was right to get things done. They were keen to revive the project and see it through to the end.

Ganga told Bharata, “We thought we could just get on our motorbikes, ride down to South India, and get everything moving get these deities made!”
It was to take a lot more than that, but it was no doubt because of the involvement of these two devotees that things took a giant step towards completion. They once again approached Devasenapathy, who sent his eldest son, Radhakrishna, to Mayapur. Radhakrishna discussed the desires of the team and showed examples of his previous work. Because of Devasenapathy’s ill health, the job was given to Radhakrishna and his brother, Sri-kand, and the fiberglass models of the deities were sent south to their workshop. When the father saw the model of Lord Caitanya, he approved, saying it was made according to the South Indian scriptures that guided his tradition. He gave the nod for the work to commence, telling his sons, “Take extra care with this work it’s a special project.” Sadly, Devasenapathy would not live to see the result: He passed away in 2002 before the casting began.
One of the main contributions to the deities’ form from the South Indian tradition is the ornaments and intricate engraving on the bodies. This was one of the conditions that Devasenapathy made to Jananivasa that he would cast the deities as long as he could include these traditional ornamental carvings. He told Jananivasa this condition must be met; otherwise his entire line hundreds of generations would be cursed, since sthapatis never make deities without clothing. Jananivasa agreed. The result speaks for itself.
Bharata Maharaja was called to South India to oversee the refinements that were added at each stage of the carving.
“Every stage of the work saw changes made,” said Bharata, “and every person involved added something. We didn’t move backwards.”
The preparations for the castings began, starting with puja (worship).
“The casting is not a manufacturing process,” Radhakrishna explained. “Everything is done according to culture.”
First, Radhakrishna and Srikand, along with their wives, invited brahmanas to the area where the casting would take place. Purification rites were performed during a fire sacrifice, and the brahmanas were asked to give their benediction that work would flow smoothly. This was followed by Go-puja (worship of the cow) and Tulasi-puja (worship of the sacred Tulasi tree). Finally, Agni-pujaworship of Agnideva, the god of fire was performed, as the process of casting is done under conditions of intense heat. Sixty to a hundred devotees performed kirtana continuously throughout the casting period.

In April 2003, Lord Caitanya was cast first, followed by Nityananda, then Gadadhara, Advaita Prabhu, and finally Srivasa. The casting of each deity was performed strictly according to astrological calculations. Auspicious days, hours, and minutes were chosen, as directed by scripture.
On the day of casting Gadadhara, heavy rain surrounded the area and threatened the workyard. Because of the intense heat of the liquid metal, not a drop of water can be mixed into the metal; such a mixture could result in small explosions capable of injuring those onsite.
Radhakrishna approached Jananivasa and said to him, “Maybe today there will be no casting.”
A dose of mercy was needed, and it seems that Krsna gave it.
“While all around the sky was black and rain fell continuously,” Ganga Dasa said, “the entire work area was dry.”
Work continued day and night. When it was suggested that outside help be brought in to speed things up, the workers refused: No one but them was going to work on these deities! They increased their pace. Radhakrishna says that without Bhagavatamrta’s pushing, the deities would never have been finished in time. Although the work was going on, Bhagavatamrta came daily, pushing harder and harder, encouraging everyone to work faster. He was the main force behind Sri Panca-tattva’s arriving in Mayapur on time. He was anxious to share the excitement with devotees worldwide. His emails, sent hurriedly from South India, captured the mood that was prevalent as the deities prepared to leave for Mayapur.
A Well-Earned Title
Loading the deities onto the truck and unloading them at the other end would prove to be another obstacle, which lasted several days. Along for the ride was Ravi Chandra, the chief engineer in charge of ensuring that the deities were taken care of properly and unloaded without damage.

The job was left in his capable and in the end, damaged hands. When Lord Nityananda was being worked on in December, He broke free of His ropes not once, but three times. The third time, Ravi put both his hands out to stop the deity from falling quite a remarkable feat, considering the deity weighs in at around two and a half tons. Somehow, Ravi’s hands did the job, and Lord Nityananda was saved. But Ravi’s left hand was trapped underneath the deity’s left hand the same hand that reached out of the packaging and beckoned the devotees while still on the truck and required twenty-four stitches. He also broke a finger on his right hand. Regardless, he showed up for work the next day.
Refinements continued up to the installation. Radhakrishna was particularly thoughtful when asked if he was satisfied with the result.
“Ordinarily, when we began to work, our father would guide us. After finishing a job, we would ask his approval. This time, our father was not here, so we wanted to make this job better than anything we had done in his presence, so that we knew he would be pleased, wherever he may be.”
He added that seeing the deities complete and watching the devotees’ reactions to the first darsana (audience) was a moving experience for him.
“I was standing at the front of the altar, but when the doors opened and the devotees roared with delight, I was thinking I should have stood at the back, because I wanted to see the looks of joy on the faces of the devotees, to see their longing to see the Lord.”
During the abhiseka (bathing) ceremony at the installation, which Radhakrishna describes as “the most grand abhiseka I have ever seen anywhere,” he was amazed at the devotees’ reactions: Tears of joy poured from their eyes, and their love for the deities was evident in their chanting and in their blissful faces.
When asked how he felt about leaving the deities in the care of devotees in Mayapur, Radhakrishna said, “Usually the father likes to see that the son is very well situated, not doing as well as the father, but better. Similarly, when I made Lord Caitanya and His associates, they became like my sons.”

Radhakrishna pauses, choosing his words carefully. “When I saw how everyone was worshiping the Lord so nicely, with so much love, I was very happy.”
He lifted the corner of his cloth, wiping the tears from his eyes.
“I can say with confidence, ‘the son is doing very nicely.’”
It is evident that Radhakrishna is pleased with the outcome.
“I have made many deities before these, but only now, after making Lord Caitanya, can I say that I have earned the title ‘sthapati.’”

Thousands of devotees worldwide will certainly agree.

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What is the Real Goal of Life?

The Real Goal of life   Updated Lately :( Continuing with our series of a True account entitled Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers… A search for meaning carries Bob Cohen, a young American Peace Corps worker halfway around the world, to an ancient village in the midst of West Bengal. There, in a small bamboo hut, he finds a teacher who is able to tell him everything he ever wanted to know. Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda Chapter Three The Real Goal of life February 28, 1972 (continued) Śrīla Prabhupāda: This movement is especially meant to enable a human being to reach the real goal of life. Bob: The real goal… ? Śrīla Prabhupāda: The real goal of life. Bob: Is the real goal of life to know God? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. To go back home, back to Godhead. That is the real goal of life. The water that comes from the sea forms clouds, the clouds fall down as rain, and the actual goal is to flow down the river and again enter the sea. So, we have come from God, and now we are embarrassed by material life. Therefore, our aim should be to get out of this embarrassing situation and go back home, back to Godhead. This is the real goal of life. mām upetya punar janma duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ ["After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogīs in devotion, never return to this temporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest perfection."] [Bg. 8.15] That is the version of Bhagavad-gītā. If anyone comes to Me—mām upetya: he does not come back again. Where? To this place—duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam [Bg. 8.15]. This place is the abode of miseries. Everyone knows, but they have been befooled by so-called leaders. Material life is miserable life. Kṛṣṇa says, God says, that this place is duḥkhālayam—it is a place of miseries. And it is also aśāśvatam, temporary. You cannot make a compromise: "All right, let it be miserable. I shall remain here as an American or Indian." No. That also you cannot do. You cannot remain an American. You may think that, having been born in America, you are very happy. But you cannot remain an American for long. You will have to be kicked out of that place. And your next life you do not know! Therefore, it is duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam [Bg. 8.15]—miserable and temporary. That is our philosophy. Bob: But when you have some knowledge of God, then life is not so miserable? Śrīla Prabhupāda: No! Some knowledge will not do. You must have perfect knowledge. janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ [Bg. 4.9] Tattvataḥ means "perfectly." Perfect knowledge is being taught in Bhagavad-gītā. So, we are giving everyone in human society a chance to learn Bhagavad-gītā as it is and make his life perfect. That is the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. What does your science say about the transmigration of the soul? Bob: I think… that science… cannot deny or affirm it. Science does not know it. Śrīla Prabhupāda: Therefore I say that science is imperfect. Bob: Science may. though, say something. It is said in science that energy is never destroyed; it is changed. Śrīla Prabhupāda: That's all right. But how the energy is working in the future—that science does not know. How is the energy diverted? How, by different manipulations, is the energy working differently? For instance, electrical energy. By different handling it is operating the heats and it is operating the refrigerator. They are just the opposite, but the electrical energy is the same. Similarly, this energy—living energy—how is it being directed? Which way is it going? How is it fructifying in the next life? That they do not know. But in Bhagavad-gītā it is very simply stated. vāsāṁsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya [Bg. 2.22] You are covered by a dress, by a shirt. When this shirt is unuesable, you change it. Similarly, this body is just like a shirt and coat. When it is no longer workable, we have to change it. Bob: What is the "we" that has to change? What is constant? Śrīla Prabhupāda: That is the soul. Bob: From one life to the next? Śrīla Prabhupāda: That is the soul—I. What "you" is speaking? You! What "I" is speaking? Identity: ātmā, or soul. Bob: My soul is different from your soul? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. You are an individual soul, I am an individual soul. Bob: You have removed yourself from karmic influences. If I was to remove myself from karmic influences, would our souls be the same or different? Śrīla Prabhupāda: The soul is of the same quality in all. You are under a certain conception of life at the present moment, and these countrymen of yours [the Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees] were under a certain conception of life, but by training they have taken to another conception of life. So the ultimate training is how to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. That is the perfection. Bob: If two people are Kṛṣṇa conscious, is their soul the same? Śrīla Prabhupāda: The soul is always the same. Bob: In each person? In each person is it the same? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: [pointing to two devotees] If these two are Kṛṣṇa conscious, are their souls the same? Śrīla Prabhupāda: The soul is the same but always individual, even if one is not Kṛṣṇa conscious. For instance, you are a human being, and I am a human being. Even if I am not a Christian, even if you are not a Hindu, still we are human beings. Similarly, the soul may not be Kṛṣṇa conscious, or he may be Kṛṣṇa conscious—it doesn't matter. But the soul is the soul. Bob: Can you tell me more about this? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Soul—as pure spirit, all souls are equal. Even in an animal. Therefore it is said, paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ: [Bg. 5.18] those who are actually learned do not see the outward covering, either in a human being or in an animal. Bob: If I may ask another question on this? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: I have considered the soul somewhat as part of God. At times I think I feel God. I'm here, and you may say God is here. So if the soul is inside me, then should I be able to feel God inside me? Not all of God, I mean, but a… Śrīla Prabhupāda: Part of God. Bob: But I don't feel God in me, but God may be here, separate—separate from me. But should I be able to feel God inside me, since my soul is Part of God? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. God is inside also. God is everywhere. God is inside and outside also. This is to be known. Bob: How do you feel God inside you? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Not in the beginning, but you have to know from the śāstras [scriptures], by the Vedic information. For example, in the Bhagavad-gītā it is said, īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati: [Bg. 18.61] God is there in everyone's heart. Paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham: God is also within every atom. So this is the first information. And then, by the yogic process, you have to realize it. Bob: Yogic process? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: Is chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa such a yogic process? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, it is also a yogic process. Bob: What kind of yogic process must I do to find out—to feel this information—to feel the soul inside? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, there are many different yogic Processes, but for this age this process is very nice. Bob: Chanting. Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: Through this I can feel not only God outside but God inside? Śrīla Prabhupāda: You'll understand everything of God—how God is inside, how God is outside, how God is working. Everything will be revealed. By this attitude of service, God will reveal Himself. You cannot understand God by your endeavor. Only if God reveals Himself. For instance, when the sun is out of your sight at night, you cannot see it by your torchlight, or any light. But in the morning you can see the sun automatically. without any torchlight. Similarly, you have to create a situation—you have to put yourself in a situation—in which God will be revealed. It is not that by some method you can ask God, "Please come. I will see You." No, God is not your order carrier. Bob: You must please God for Him to reveal Himself. Is that correct? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Śyāmasundara: How do we know when we are pleasing God? Śrīla Prabhupāda: When we see Him. Then you will understand. Just as, when you eat, you do not require to ask anyone whether you are feeling strength or your hunger is satisfied. If you eat, you understand that you are feeling energy. You don't need to inquire from anyone. Similarly. if you actually serve God, then you will understand, "God is dictating to me. God is there. I am seeing God." A devotee: Or God's representative. Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Devotee: It comes easier. Śrīla Prabhupāda: You have to go through God's representative. yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ ** "By the mercy of the spiritual master one is benedicted by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa." If you please God's representative, then automatically God becomes pleased, and thus you can directly see Him. An Indian gentleman: How to please God's representative? Śrīla Prabhupāda: You have to carry out his orders, that's all. God's representative is the guru. He asks you to do this, to do that—if you do that, that is pleasing. yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi "Without the grace of the spiritual master one cannot make any advancement." If you displease him, then you are nowhere. Therefore we worship the guru. sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair uktas tathā bhāvyata eva sadbhiḥ kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam ** ["The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord because of his being the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged by all revealed scriptures and is followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Lord Kṛṣṇa."] The guru should be accepted as God. That is the injunction of all śāstra. Bob: The guru should be accepted as a representative of God? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, the guru is God's representative. The guru is the external manifestation of Kṛṣṇa. Bob: But different from the incarnations of Kṛṣṇa that come? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: In what way is the external manifestation of the guru different from the external manifestation of, let us say, Kṛṣṇa or Caitanya when They come to earth? Śrīla Prabhupāda: The guru is the representative of Kṛṣṇa. So there are symptoms of who is a guru. The general symptoms are described in the Vedas. tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet samit-pāṇiḥ śrotriyaṁ brahma-niṣṭham [MU 1.2.12] A guru must come in a disciplic succession, and he must have heard thoroughly about the Vedas from his spiritual master. Generally a guru's symptom is that he is a perfect devotee, that's all. And he serves Kṛṣṇa by preaching His message. Bob: Lord Caitanya—He was a different type of guru than you are? Śrīla Prabhupāda: No, no. Gurus cannot be of different types. All gurus are of one type. Bob: But He was—was He also an incarnation at the same time? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself, but He is representing the guru. Bob: I… I see. Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: And then… Śrīla Prabhupāda: Because Kṛṣṇa was God, He demanded: sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja [Bg. 18.66] "Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me." But people misunderstood Him. Therefore Kṛṣṇa again came as a guru and taught people how to surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Śyāmasundara: Doesn't He say in Bhagavad-gītā, "I am the spiritual master"? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, He is the original spiritual master because He was accepted as spiritual master by Arjuna. So what is the difficulty? Śiṣyas te 'haṁ śādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam. Arjuna told the Lord, "I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me." So unless He is a spiritual master how does Arjuna become His disciple? He is the original guru. Tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye: "It is He only who first imparted Vedic knowledge unto the heart of Brahmā, the first created being." Therefore He is the original guru. Bob: Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. He is the original guru. Then His disciple Brahmā is a guru, then his disciple Nārada is a guru, then his disciple Vyāsa is a guru—in this way there is a guru-paramparā [disciplic succession of gurus]. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam: the transcendental knowledge is received through the disciplic succession. Bob: So a guru receives his knowledge through the disciplic succession, not directly from Kṛṣṇa? Do you receive some knowledge directly from Kṛṣṇa? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Kṛṣṇa's direct instruction is there: Bhagavad-gītā. Bob: I see, but… Śrīla Prabhupāda: But you have to learn it through the disciplic succession, otherwise you will misunderstand it. Bob: But presently you do not receive information directly from Kṛṣṇa? It comes through the disciplic succession from the books? Śrīla Prabhupāda: There is no difference. Suppose I say that this is a pencil. If you say to him, "There is a pencil," and if he says to another man, "This is a pencil," then what is the difference between his instruction and my instructions? Bob: Kṛṣṇa's mercy allows you to know this now? Śrīla Prabhupāda: You can take Kṛṣṇa's mercy also, provided it is delivered as it is. Just as we are teaching Bhagavad-gītā In Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says: sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja [Bg. 18.66] "Just give up all other forms of religion and simply surrender unto Me." Now we are saying that you should give up everything and surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, there is no difference between Kṛṣṇa's instruction and our instruction. There is no deviation. So if you receive knowledge in that perfect way, that is as good as receiving instruction directly from Kṛṣṇa. But we don't change anything. Bob: When I pray reverently, faithfully, does Kṛṣṇa hear me? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. Bob: From me to Him? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, because He is within your heat He is always hearing you—whether you are praying or not praying. When you are doing some nonsense, He is also hearing you. And when you pray, that is very good—welcome. Bob: To Kṛṣṇa's ear, is praying louder than nonsense? Śrīla Prabhupāda: No. He is all-perfect. He can hear everything. Even if you don't speak, even if you simply think, "I shall do it," then He hears you. Sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭaḥ: Kṛṣṇa is seated in everyone's heart. Bob: But one should pray—is that so? Śrīla Prabhupāda: That is his business—praying. Bob: Whose business? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Every living entity's. That is the only business. Eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān. That is the statement of the Vedas. Bob: What does that mean? Śrīla Prabhupāda: He supplies everything to everyone. He is supplying food to everyone. So He is the Father. So why should you not pray, "Father, give me this"? Just as in the Christian Bible there is, "Father, give us our daily bread." That is good—they are accepting the Supreme Father. But grown-up children should not ask from the father; rather, they should be prepared to serve the father. That is bhakti [devotion]. Bob: My questions you solve so nicely. [Everyone laughs with affection.] Śrīla Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. Bob: So, should I ask you another question now? Śrīla Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Yes! Text pasted from Causless Mercy

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The Spiritual Master Srila Prabhupada ISKCON

Updated Lately :( This is excerpted comment by Locanananda Prabhu at Prabhupada News on an article posted there by one of Srila Prabhupada's personal servants, Gauridasa Pandita dasa, about the Ritvik order. Very nice comment. The Spiritual Master by Locanananda dasa Srila Prabhupada is the eternal spiritual master of his followers and of all generations of followers still to come. His Divine Grace likened initiation to the admissions procedure at school. He said it was more or less a formality. He surely never wanted this initiation issue to divide his followers into different camps. The essence of the process of devotional service is to surrender to the spiritual master. A disciple accepts the discipline taught by Krishna's pure representative. He does not manufacture his own way. In that sense, followers are disciples, and Srila Prabhupada will deliver them to Krishna. As far as the formalities of diksa are concerned, in the ritvik system of initiation that should have been implemented in ISKCON after Srila Prabhupada's departure, diksa was to be given by the ritvik acarya acting on Srila Prabhupada's behalf, in other words, with transparency to the founder acarya. When Srila Prabhupada was asked whose disciples they would be, he referred to them as his grand disciples. That means that the ritvik acarya who was giving diksa by officiating would also be connecting the disciples to Krishna's pure devotee through whom Krishna's mercy would flow directly to them. It is only in terms of formalities that the ritvik acarya would be considered the initiator, and that is a principle that cannot be ignored. However, because his role is to officiate, he does not become an absolute authority or the object of meditation and worship for the disciple. As Krishna's empowered emissary, that is Srila Prabhupada's role, and no attempt should be made to usurp his position. One should not be upset thinking himself unfortunate not to have been directly initiated by Srila Prabhupada during the lifetime of the founder acarya. If the official initiator is capable of acting as a transparent medium, and if the disciple takes full shelter at the lotus feet of the eternal spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, the difference is in name only. Besides, Srila Prabhupada used to say that although the ever-liberated spiritual master is kind to his direct disciples, he is even kinder to grand disciples.

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Get a Copy of Original Books of Srila Prabhupada

Original Books of Srila Prabhupada @ Facebook

Below is a link that has been suggested we include from our site. We are strong proponents of making the Original Writings(books) of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada available again, and are urging the printing and distributing of all of Srila Prabhupada’s great original works, throughout the world. So with great pleasure we submit the following Facebook link.

https://www.facebook.com/Original.Books.of.Srila.Prabhupada

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ISKCON Bangalore Lectures: Sri Amitasana Dasa

Lecture by His Grace Sri Amitasana Dasa on October 14 at Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON Bangalore, Cord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore

Audio: 

DownloadLecture:

SB 1.2.15_HG Amitasana Dasa_Oct 14.mp3

Month: October

Day: Sunday
Date: 14
Year: 2012

Speaker: Sri Amitasana Dasa

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Chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra (Japa)

It has been requested that we do a post on Japa Meditation, so on this auspicious day of the appearance of Haridasa Thakura, we share with you some instructions on the chanting of Japa. …Since God is all-powerful and all-merciful, He has kindly made it very easy for us to chant His names, and He has also invested all His powers in them. Therefore the names of God and God Himself are identical. This means that when we chant the holy names of Krishna and Rama we are directly associating with God and being purified. Therefore we should always try to chant with devotion and reverence. The Vedic literature states that Lord Krishna is personally dancing on your tongue when you chant His holy name. You can chant these holy names of the Lord anywhere and at any time, but it is best to set a specific time of the day to regularly chant. Early morning hours are ideal. The chanting can be done in two ways: singing the mantra, called kirtana (usually done in a group), and saying the mantra to oneself, called japa (which literally means "to speak softly"). Concentrate on hearing the sound of the holy names. As you chant, pronounce the names clearly and distinctly, addressing Krishna in a prayerful mood. When your mind wanders, bring it back to the sound of the Lord's names. Chanting is a prayer to Krishna that means "O energy of the Lord [Hare], O all-attractive Lord [Krishna], O Supreme Enjoyer [Rama], please engage me in Your service." The more attentively and sin¬cerely you chant these names of God, the more spiritual progress you will make. Since God is all-powerful and all-merciful, He has kindly made it very easy for us to chant His names, and He has also invested all His powers in them. Therefore the names of God and God Himself are identical. This means that when we chant the holy names of Krishna and Rama we are directly associating with God and being purified. Therefore we should always try to chant with devotion and reverence. The Vedic literature states that Lord Krishna is personally dancing on your tongue when you chant His holy name. When you chant alone, it is best to chant on japa beads (available at any ISKCON temple). This not only helps you fix your attention on the holy name, but it also helps you count the number of times you chant the mantra daily. Each strand of japa beads contains 108 small beads and one large bead, the head bead. Begin on a bead next to the head bead and gently roll it between the thumb and middle finger of your right hand as you chant the full Hare Krishna mantra. Then move to the next bead and repeat the process. In this way, chant on each of the 108 beads until you reach the head bead again. This is one round of japa. Then, without chanting on the head bead, reverse the beads and start your second round on the last bead you chanted on. Initiated devotees vow before the spiritual master to chant at least sixteen rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra daily. But even if you can chant only one round a day, the principle is that once you commit yourself to chanting that round, you should try and complete it every day without fail. When you feel you can chant more, increase the minimum number of rounds you chant each day—but don't fall below that number. You can chant more than your fixed number, but you should maintain a set minimum each day. (Please note that the beads are sacred and therefore should never touch the ground or be put in an unclean place. To keep your beads clean, it's best to carry them in a special bead bag, also available at our temple.) Aside from chanting japa, you can also sing the Lord's holy names in kirtana. While you can perform kirtana individually, it is generally performed with others. A melodious kirtana with family or friends is sure to enliven everyone. ISKCON devotees use traditional melodies and instruments, especially in the temple, but you can chant to any melody and use any musical instruments to accompany your chanting. As Lord Chaitanya said, "There are no hard and fast rules for chanting Hare Krishna." Golden Rules for Japa Meditation To obtain the full blessings of Lord Krishna for good meditation, chant the Pancha-tattva maha-mantra first (jaya) sri krishna chaitanya prabhu nityananda sri adwaita gadadhara srivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrinda Chant the full maha-mantra on each bead: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama Rama Rama, Hare Hare Chant each syllable aloud and clearly. Listen very carefully & concentrate on the sound of the maha-mantra Some text pasted from; Iskcon Bangalore http://www.iskconbangalore.org/chanting-hare-krishna-mantra

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