Govardhana Puja at ISKCON BANGALORE, Cord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore
This festival is celebrated to commemorate the pastime of the Lord lifting the Govardhana Hill on His little finger.
12:36 PM
Śrīla Prabhupāda vāṇī
Śrīla Prabhupāda vāṇī
Submitted by Vidura dasa
“…killing is also preaching. If I kill your ignorance, that is also killing. That is also killing. …Killing does not mean that everyone has to take the sword.” (Morning Walk, Los Angeles, 13/5/73)
“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.”
(Letter to: Bahurupa — Bombay 22 November, 1974)
“Every disciple must consider himself completely unaware of the science of Kṛṣṇa and must always be ready to carry out the orders of the spiritual master to become competent in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. A disciple should always remain a fool before his spiritual master.” (Lord Caitanya in Five Features : Adi 7.72 : Purport)
“The Lord and His associates appear and disappear by the will of the Lord. They are not subjected to the laws of material nature. [...] Devotees of the Lord never assert independent individuality; on the contrary, they utilize their individuality in pursuit of the desires of the Lord, and this cooperation of the devotees with the Lord makes a perfect scene of the Lord's pastimes.” (SB 3.3.15 Purport)
12:34 PM
The Spiritual Master
…What Srila Prabhupada arranged in ISKCON was a very safe and very clear path for the new adherent to advance in Krishna consciousness and in the end to reach the ultimate goal of going back to Godhead. The process of sadhana bhakti with morning and evening classes, kirtana and Deity worship coupled with training in preaching and daily Sankirtana activity was the path to purification and the awakening of our dormant love for Krishna. Simple, yet sublime!
As far as acceptance of a spiritual master, in our day it was a foregone conclusion that the initiated disciple was agreeing to worship Srila Prabhupada as good as God and that the spiritual master was promising to deliver the disciple from the cycle of birth and death.
Presently, people are still being attracted to join this movement by coming into contact with Srila Prabhupada's books, by association with good devotees who represent him with transparency, and by developing a taste for chanting the Holy Name and honoring Krishna prasadam. They agree to abide by the principles established by Srila Prabhupada for all generations of ISKCON devotees — past, present and future. They read and distribute his books, offer obeisances to him when entering the temple, worship his murti, and focus on cultivating a personal relationship with him. In other words, someone who joins our movement today is doing so as a follower of Srila Prabhupada and is accepting His Divine Grace as their eternal spiritual master. It is he who is taking them back to the spiritual world. How could someone who is not a resident of the spiritual world do so?
And The Spiritual Master (Part 3) This is a fascinating account by Sriman Locanananda Prabhu revealing his insights into the 'guru issue' in our ISKCON society today, from his own personal understanding, and his realizations of the instructions given by Srila Prabhupada shortly before his untimely departure. Our obeisances to him for sharing his personal recollections and realizations. This new The Spiritual Master (Part 4) is exploring the same theme although from a different source.
The Spiritual Master (Part 4)
by Sriman Locanananda Prabhu
"Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books."
Because the implementation of an initiation system is basically a function of management, the question becomes whether Srila Prabhupada gave managerial instructions in his books to guide ISKCON in this regard? If so, we should have been able to find all of the information necessary to set up the required initiation protocols by researching them in his books. The fact is that throughout his books there is not even one mention of the GBC, ISKCON's topmost rung on the ladder of management, what to speak of Srila Prabhupada's management instructions given to ISKCON's GBC on the subject of conducting future initiations.
Because Srila Prabhupada was an expert manager and always did everything possible to protect ISKCON and his young disciples, he must have guided the society through channels other than through his books. Those would include his letters to devotees and his room conversations, particular with ISKCON leaders, like the one that took place on May 28, 1977.
It is said that if we receive instructions that are difficult for us to reconcile, our duty is to follow the most recent instruction. The reason why the ritvik explanation is imperfect is because it places the greatest emphasis on the July 9th letter, which was issued in pursuance of the May 28 conversation.
In other words, it was the more recent order and, in the mind of the ritvik ideologist, the final order on initiations.
To understand these references clearly and to be able to see the July 9, 1977 letter in proper perspective, one must first grasp how the May 28th conversation reveals the two phases of initiation protocols Srila Prabhupada was introducing: 1) initiations that would be performed during the remainder of his lifetime and 2) initiations that would be performed when he would no longer be with us visibly. The July 9th letter is in pursuance of the May 28th conversation insofar as it names those disciples who were going to act on Srila Prabhupada's behalf to conduct initiations during the two phases under discussion. The other protocols that are mentioned in the letter refer to that time when Srila Prabhupada was still with us (1). So when the letter states that those initiated would be Srila Prabhupada's direct disciples, it is referring to those initiated during Srila Prabhupada's lifetime. According to the May 28 meeting with the GBC, those initiated during phase two by officiating acaryas would be Srila Prabhupada's grand disciples.
The term "officiating acarya" was coined by Srila Prabhupada and first introduced in ISKCON during the May 28th conversation. He was being asked particularly about initiations that would be conducted when he would no longer be present, and he replied, "I will recommend some of you to act as officiating acaryas." Where, then, are ISKCON's officiating acaryas? In thirty-five years since this conversation took place, no GBC resolution has ever mentioned "officiating acaryas," nor has a single initiator of disciples in ISKCON ever referred to himself as such. When will a meeting finally take place with the purpose of discussing the role of the officiating acarya as the giver of diksa in Srila Prabhupada's absence?
We can be sure that Srila Prabhupada was well aware of the conflict of authority that was bound to take place in ISKCON if initiators were thinking of themselves as the ultimate spiritual authority in the lives of their disciples. He meant to curb the tendency in his leading disciples of wanting to control everything by adding the limitation of "officiating" to the term acarya, but that was rejected. Instead, we have had scores of "diksa gurus" and "initiating spiritual masters" who were supposed to be pure devotees making disciples all of the world (Nectar of Instruction, 1). Whether it is because they accepted the karma of too many disciples or became carried away with the worship and praise of their underlings, ISKCON's leaders obviously have been unable to come up with a system of initiation suitable for a worldwide movement through the process of experimentation and based upon their independent research of Srila Prabhupada's books.
Perhaps the time has come for everyone to give Srila Prabhupada's recommendation a chance to succeed. Without doing so, our ISKCON society will continue to be hampered by two non-parallel lines of authority that are in conflict with each other more often than not. This arrogant dismissal of Srila Prabhupada's recommendation to have officiating acaryas perform initiations has been a great hindrance in the spreading of Krishna consciousness and to the unity of ISKCON. How much longer must the world wait for us to give up our prideful independence and disinclination to act according to the will of the spiritual master?
Text pasted from the series diksa or ritvik
12:39 PM
The Mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Very Important verses and purports from Srila Prabhupada’s Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, on the Mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
” ‘In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.’ “
The King said, “According to evidence given in the revealed scriptures, it is concluded that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. Why, then, are learned scholars sometimes indifferent to Him?”
The Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “A person who has received but a small fraction of mercy from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can understand that He is Lord Kṛṣṇa. No one else can.
“If the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not bestowed upon a person-regardless of how learned a scholar that person may be and regardless of his seeing or listening-he cannot accept Lord Caitanya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
” ‘My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years.’ “
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Madhya-lila 11.100-104
The Beda-kirtana Pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Text 100
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ
kṛṣṇa-varṇam—repeating the syllables kṛṣ-ṇa; tviṣā—with a luster; akṛṣṇam—not black (golden); sa-aṅga—along with associates; upāṅga—servitors; astra—weapons; pārṣadam—confidential companions; yajñaiḥ—by sacrifice; saṅkīrtana-prāyaiḥ—consisting chiefly of congregational chanting; yajanti—they worship; hi—certainly; su-medhasaḥ—intelligent persons.
” ‘In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.’ “
PURPORT
For an explanation of this verse, refer to Ādi-līlā, Chapter Three, verse 52.
Text 101
rājā kahe,-śāstra-pramāṇe caitanya hana kṛṣṇa
tabe kene paṇḍita saba tāṅhāte vitṛṣṇa?
rājā kahe—the King said; śāstra-pramāṇe—by the evidence of revealed scripture; caitanya—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hana—is; kṛṣṇa—the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa; tabe—therefore; kene—why; paṇḍita—so-called learned scholars; saba—all; tāṅhāte—unto Him; vitṛṣṇa—indifferent.
The King said, “According to evidence given in the revealed scriptures, it is concluded that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. Why, then, are learned scholars sometimes indifferent to Him?”
Text 102
bhaṭṭa kahe,-tāṅra kṛpā-leśa haya yāṅre
sei se tāṅhāre ‘kṛṣṇa’ kari’ la-ite pāre
bhaṭṭa kahe—Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said; tāṅra kṛpā—of Lord Caitanya’s mercy; leśa—even a fraction; haya—there is; yāṅre—unto whom; sei se—that person only; tāṅhāre—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛṣṇa kari’—accepting as Kṛṣṇa; la-ite pāre—can take up.
The Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “A person who has received but a small fraction of mercy from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can understand that He is Lord Kṛṣṇa. No one else can.
PURPORT
The saṅkīrtana movement can be spread by a person who is especially favored by Lord Kṛṣṇa (kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana). Without first obtaining the mercy of the Lord, one cannot spread the holy name of the Lord. One who can spread the Lord’s name is called labdha-caitanya in the words of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. The labdha-caitanya is one who has actually awakened his original consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The influence of the pure devotees in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is such that it can awaken others to become immediately Kṛṣṇa conscious and engage themselves in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa. In this way the descendants of pure devotees increase, and Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu takes much pleasure in seeing the increase of His devotees. The word su-medhasaḥ means “sharply intelligent.” When one’s intelligence is sharp, he can increase the interests of common men in loving Caitanya Mahāprabhu and through Him in loving Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. Those not interested in understanding Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are simply material in their attempts at professional chanting and dancing for money, despite their supposed artistry. If one does not have full faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he cannot properly chant and dance in the saṅkīrtana movement. Artificial chanting and dancing may be due to sentiments or sentimental agitation, but this cannot help one advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Text 103
tāṅra kṛpā nahe yāre, paṇḍita nahe kene
dekhile śunileha tāṅre ‘īśvara’ nā māne
tāṅra kṛpā—His mercy; nahe—there is not; yāre—unto whom; paṇḍita—learned scholar; nahe—even though; kene—nevertheless; dekhile—even by seeing; śunileha—even by listening; tāṅre—Him; īśvara—as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nā māne—does not accept.
“If the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not bestowed upon a person-regardless of how learned a scholar that person may be and regardless of his seeing or listening-he cannot accept Lord Caitanya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
PURPORT
The same principles can be applied to demoniac persons, even though they be in the sampradāya of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Without receiving the Lord’s special power, one cannot preach His glories all over the world. Even though one may celebrate himself as a learned follower of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and even though one may attempt to preach the holy name of the Lord all over the world, if he is not favored by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu he will find fault with the pure devotee and will not be able to understand how a preacher is empowered by Lord Caitanya. One must be considered bereft of the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu when he criticizes the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement now spreading all over the world or finds fault with this movement or the leader of the movement.
Text 104
athāpi te deva padāmbuja-dvaya-
prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi
jānāti tattvaṁ bhagavan-mahimno
na cānya eko ‘pi ciraṁ vicinvan
atha—therefore; api—indeed; te—Your; deva—my Lord; pada-ambuja-dvaya—of the two lotus feet; prasāda—of the mercy; leśa—by only a trace; anugṛhītaḥ—favored; eva—certainly; hi—indeed; jānāti—one knows; tattvam—the truth; bhagavat—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mahimnaḥ—of the greatness; na—never; ca—and; anyaḥ—another; ekaḥ—one; api—although; ciram—for a long period; vicinvan—speculating.
” ‘My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years.’ “
PURPORT
This verse is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.29). It is explained in the Madhya-līlā, in the Sixth Chapter, text 84.
Text pasted from Prabhupada Books
1:34 AM
Govardhana Puja 2012 at ISKCON BANGALORE
Invitation for Govardhan Puja at ISKCON BANGALORE, Cord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore
Posted: 09 Nov 2012 12:04 AM PST
 |
11:30 AM
10:56 AM
Deepotsava 2012 Images at ISKCON BANGALORE
Images of Celebrations in Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON BANGALORE, Cord Road, Rajajinagar, Bangalore.
November 2012            |
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