krsna

From Lalitanatha dasa

Posted May 7, 2005

The April issue of the respected science magazine Nature has a feature article on the Intelligent Design movement. The magazine also devotes its entire front page to the topic, and there is an editorial stating that although Intelligent Design is wholly unscientific and fundamentally wrong, it is making big inroads in the scientific world and amongst students and therefore must be dealt with.

The Intelligent Design movement is a movement of scientists, who on strictly scientific grounds criticize the theory of evolution and claim that life has features that can only be explained in terms of an intelligent cause. The scientific establishment has been fighting vigorously against this movement for the last ten years but seemingly to no avail. It appears in these years that more and more scientists are rejecting the theory of evolution (thus fulfilling Srila Prabhupada's desire).

You can read the article in Nature at http://www.nature.com/news/2005/

050425/full/4341062a.html

and some comments from the Intelligent Design movement at www.idthefuture.com.

Your servant,

Lalitanatha dasa

© dipika.org May 7, 2005

So the chanting of Krishna's name is the only meditation, the only sacrifice,

the only worship in this Kali-age -

Name is the means, Name is the end.

But is should be noted with

the utmost care that Krishna's name is not mere combination or utterance of letters.

A similarity in utterance and appearance is not identity.

The fire and the glow-worm though similar

in appearance are not identical.

The minutest spark of fire set consciously or unconsciously,

seriously or playfully will instantaneously burn an inflammable thing, whereas a thousand glow-worms will not act in a thousand years.

Krishna's name is identical with Krishna Himself and

pregnant with all the properties and attributes of Krishna.

So His name, unlike all other names,

is full of energy, perfect, eternal, pure, devoid of illusion and eternally free.

Aurora is sufficient

to dispel the darkness of night and to drive the wild animals to their lairs and thieves and

dacoits to their resorts, enables us to distinguish the various objects of senses and ushers the

advent of the glowing lamp of heaven.

So does Namabhasa (the utterance of name avoiding

the ten profanations) stop poverty from planting our pillows with thorns, destroy our worldly

hankerings and dispel the illusory gloom,

so that we may see the Name face to face.

When the everburning lamp peeps out of the eastern horizon, its ever-effulgent rays make us see it face

to face and feel its golden rays and enable us to see all objects bathing therein.

The sun is seen and felt by us with its own rays and heat and not with the help of any other glowing object.

The brightest candles of the universe put together can not make the sun visible to us.

When our dreamy nights are at an end -

when we shake off the torpor, open our eyes,

turn them to the east,

we see the Name-sun with all his glory and beauty.

- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta;

from 'Vaisnavism : Real and Apparent'

Srila Jiva sends letters of affection

to Srinivasa Acarya

Srinivasa Acarya’s pure devotion had no end. Srila Jiva Gosvami was very respectful to him. Who has the power to describe the affection Sri Jiva felt for Srinivasa? From Vraja he mercifully sent many letters to Srinivasa Acarya. One day Srinivasa Acarya said to his associates, "A letter will come from Srila Jiva Gosvami. Why would there be any delay?" At that moment an intelligent devotee named Sri Vasanta Raya, who was carrying a letter, entered Srinivasa Acarya’s assembly. With a few words he told the news from Vraja. Then he gave Srila Jiva Gosvami’s letter to Srinivasa Acarya. Very respectfully Srinivasa Acarya accepted the letter. Tears flowing from his eyes and onto his chest, he read the letter.

"Glory to Sri Krishna, the master of Vrindavana!

Greetings at the feet of Sri Sri Srinivasa Acarya, whose feet bring all happiness to me. He who bears the name Jiva offers respectful obeisances and gives you the following information:

"I always wish you well. For many days we have not heard news of you. You bring us great happiness. At present I and the others are in good health. The only exception is Bhugarbha Gosvami, who surrendered himself, body and soul, before Lord Krishna, who is Vrndavana ‘s master. Among your own followers, please write to us about Sri Vrndavana dasa. Does he read yet, or not?

"Also, where is Sri Vyasa Sarma, and how is he doing? I ask the same of Sri Vasudeva Kaviraja.

"Also, the editing of Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Sri Madhava-mahotsava, Sri Gopala-campu’s Second Part, and Sri Hari-namamrita-vyakarana is not yet complete. They will not be ready this year. If the Supreme Lord is favorable, I will finish them eventually. Everyone here offers respectful obeisances to all of you there. Please also give my blessings to the saintly king."

The Vrindavana dasa mentioned in this letter is Srinivasa Acarya’s eldest son. In Vraja there was talk of Srinivasa’s son. Srila Jiva Gosvami happily mentioned his name. Vyasa and Vasudeva are two disciples of Srinivasa Acarya. The saintly king’s name is Birahambira. After some days another letter came for Srinivasa Acarya. Srinivasa read it aloud in the assembly of devotees.

"Glory to Sri Krishna, the master of Vrindavana!

"Greetings to Srinivasa Acarya, who has all virtues, and who is my dear friend.

"The person named Jiva from Vrindavana offers his obeisances, his embrace, and his wish that all will be auspicious for you. These greetings are an offering of respect from a person who resides in Vrindavana. I was very eager to hear about you. When I did not hear about you or heard inauspicious reports, I became sorrowful at heart. Now that I have heard from you, I feel comforted.

"This letter is in reply to your most recent letter. This we say: Even if the body and senses bring many sorrows and obstacles, the devotee should persevere. In this way a devotee will make an end to all sorrows.

"Sri Syama dasa Acarya is a devotee who knows the true goal of life. He wishes to be with you. He is learned and affectionate. His explanations of devotional service to the Lord give the correct conclusions. With help like the help he gives, the blasphemers will be crushed into pieces. Now I am editing and re-considering the books Vairnava-tosani, Durgama-sangamani, and Gopala-campu. Now I am engaged with these books. I am myself carefully editing and re-considering these books. This must be done.

"Previously I sent you the Hari-namamrita-vyakarana. If that book and its commentary are studied then all misunderstandings (of Sanskrit grammar) will be corrected. The other books are in the final stage. The second part of the Gopala-campu is now finished. It needs only the final touches. When I become fortunate I will hear news of you. From afar I think of your welfare. I think of the welfare of Vrindavana dasa and the others. I also think of the welfare of the devotees headed by Sri Gopala dasa. This letter is addressed to Srinivasa Acarya."

The Syama dasa Acarya mentioned in this letter is the son of Vyasa Acarya. Vrindavana dasa is Srinivasa’s son. "The others" mentioned after him are his brothers and sisters. Sri Gopala dasa is the son of King Birahambira. Sri Jiva Gosvami reveals his name here. That devotee became famous everywhere by the name Sri Dadhihambira. Sri Jiva Gosvami thinks of the welfare of him and his associates.

When he received this letter from Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srinivasa Acarya sent a letter in reply. As they came and went between the two places, the Vaisnavas carried letters. I cannot describe the bliss these letters brought. At that time Srinivasa Acarya Thakura enjoyed pastimes at Yajigrama. His heart yearend to see Ramacandra dasa. Ramacandra, Narottama, and Sri Govinda, these three were always as if intoxicated by performing sankirtana at Sri Khetari-grama. One day, as the three sat together, a letter from Srila Jiva Gosvami arrived. Overcome with ecstatic spiritual love, and very respectfully placing the letter to his head, Govinda read the letter aloud.

"Glory to Sri Krishna, who is like a moon shining in Vrindavana!

"Greetings to Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, Sri Narottama dasa, and Sri Govinda dasa, who are praised by all the Vaisnavas, and who are a great treasure of happiness for persons like myself.

"I, who bear the name Jiva from Vrindavana, embrace you and humbly speak these words: I give all respect to you and I wish for your welfare. Out of great affection I always wish for your welfare. Out of affection for me please send me copies of your songs. Then I will consider myself very fortunate. What more need I say? You three are affectionate without limit. One should always be rapt in devotional meditation. This is described in Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, in the verse beginning with the words ‘seva sadhaka-rupena’ sadhana is performed with the external material body. Siddha devotional service is performed by meditating on performing devotional service as one desires with one’s original spiritual form. That is the meaning of this verse from Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu. Siddha devotional service performed according to desire (raga) is of many kinds according to time, place, and pastime. How many words could be employed to describe it? Sadhaka devotional service is of three kinds and it follows the descriptions found in the Agamas and other scriptures. The great acaryas teach sadhaka devotional service. For us sadhaka devotional service is the be-all and end-all of our lives. What more need be said? This letter was written on the caturdasi day of the month of Vaisakha."

After hearing Srila Jiva Gosvami’s merciful letter, everyone joyfully sang Srila Jiva Gosvami’s glories. Bidding everyone farewell, Sri Govinda Kaviraja departed from Khetari and went to Budhari-grama. Sitting down in a secluded place, with a joyful heart Govinda collected together his jewel-like songs. At that time another letter came from Vraja. After first touching the letter to his head, Govinda dasa read it.

"Glory to Sri Krishna, who is like a moon shining in Vrindavana!

"Greetings to the great devotee Sri Govinda Kaviraja, who is the abode of sublime spiritual love. Jiva Gosvami always thinks of your welfare. Our friendship shines with great splendor. There I yearn always to hear that all is auspicious for you.

"Previously you sent me some songs you had written describing Lord Krishna. Tasting these songs sweet like nectar, I became very pleased. However, I am still not satisfied. I yearn to get your most recent songs. Please be merciful and send them.

"I received a copy Syama dasa made of Srinivasa Acarya’s commentary on Brihad-Bhagavatamrita. This new commentary removes all doubts. What more need be said? This letter to you, who are merciful, glorious, and auspicious, was written on the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Caitra.

"Please give my blessings to Narottama and (Ramacandra) Kaviraja. Many obeisances to Sri Krishna dasa."

In the last paragraph of this letter the word Kaviraja refers to Ramacandra Kaviraja. Narottama and Ramacandra were often mentioned together in this way. The words "Sri Krishna dasa" in this letter refer to Krishna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Reading this letter, Sri Govinda dasa was overcome by feelings of ecstatic spiritual love. He sent his collection Gitamrita (the Nectar of Songs) to Srila Jiva Gosvami.

The year was 1977 and I had just returned to Vrindavana after visiting Jaipur. It was quite a decision to visit India since it was public knowledge that His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada was traveling to the west even though gravely ill. It was a difficult decision based upon the fear that the frailness of his health could rob us of a last opportunity to spend time with the spiritual master.

Rightly or wrongly, I went to India and immediately preceding my return to the holy dhama, Srila Prabhupada arrived unannounced from England. We quickly learned the news that his health had taken a turn for the worse and that he had come to Vrindavana to spend his last days. To say the least, the devotees were in shock at the thought of losing Srila Prabhupada's association and guidance. We all prayed that our worst nightmare wouldn't come true.

Srila Prabhupada left his quarters only twice after his return from England and both times were to circumambulate the Deities. Recently, I saw a video of him circumambulating the temple and was surprised that the kirtan was so subdued. I had attended his last two outings and the kirtans were incredibly intense. My only thought is that the video-recorded instance occurred upon his arrival before my return.

In any event, the next day, as Srila Prabhupada sat on his palanquin, he was accompanied by a throng of devotees and a roaring kirtan. We were leaping and chanting in a manner I don't think any of us had experienced before. It was a herd of singing and dancing white elephants.

To see His Divine Grace in such a weakened condition was a jolt for us all. It drew out our love but was mixed with the unthinkable thought that Srila Prabhupada may not be in our midst forever. The chanting and dancing reflected our love for Srila Prabhupada and the thought of losing his direct association drew out even more intense emotion. The threat of his departure brought new realizations and intense appreciation of what he had done for us. It was both wonderful and horrible all mixed together. The sweet and sour emotions sparked intense kirtan, wild dancing and free-flowing tears. Our only contribution was to bathe him in the holy name and pray that Lord Krsna would save the situation for our benefit.

As we accompanied His Divine Grace around the temple courtyard, I had the opportunity to be dancing directly by his side. As I looked his way, there was a tear flowing from the corner of his eye and down the length of his cheek.

Of course, I cannot say for certain what was on Srila Prabhupada's mind. But my feeling was that he deeply appreciated that his disciples had developed a genuine attachment and affection for him and the holy name. Even in the closing moments of his pastimes he inspired us and drew out our dormant love of Godhead. As always, he was the perfect devotee and our spiritual beacon. Life without him was unimaginable.

.

Vyapaka dasa

(Editor, Hare Krishna Rural Life)

Sanatana Dharma

"Temporary duties are short lived. The soul's temporary duties are not performed in all situations and all times.

For example: a brahmana's brahmana nature, a ksatriya's ksatriya nature, and other like natures also, are manifested because of a particular cause. When the cause ceases to be, these natures vanish. A person may in one birth be a brahmana and in the next birth an outcaste. Therefore the duties of the brahmana caste are temporary. They are not the original duties of the soul.

Therefore in reference to temporary duties the phrase 'own duty' is only a figure of speech. That is why in every birth a soul's 'own duty'

changes. However, in none of these births does the soul's eternal duty ( Sanatana Dharma ) ever change. This eternal duty is the soul's true 'own duty'. Temporary duties are all short lived.

"If one asks, 'What are the duties of the Vaisnavas?' then I answer: The Vaisnavas' duties are the eternal duties of the soul. When he is liberated from the world of matter, the Vaisnava soul attains his pure spiritual body, and with that body he engages in devotional activities that express his spiritual love for Lord Krsna. When he resides in the material world, a person who is intelligent respectfully accepts all that advances his spiritual life and rejects all that hinders it. He does not blindly follow the orders and prohibitions of the scriptures.

When the scriptures encourage devotion to Lord Hari, then such a person happily accepts those teachings. When the scriptures' teachings do not encourage devotion, he does not dishonour those teachings. In the same way a Vaisnava also honours or rejects the prohibitions taught in the scriptures.

A Vaisnava is the best person in the world. A Vaisnava is the friend of everyone in the world. A Vaisnava is the auspiciousness of the world.

In this way I have humbly said all I wish to say to this assembly of Vaisnavas.

May the Vaisnavas wash away all my faults and mistakes-Vaisnava Das "

-------------

This is an excerpt of a discourse, delivered by Vaisnava das to an assembly of scholars and devotees, it may be read in it's entirety in the book entitled Jaiva-dharma presented by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur.

IT IS THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP US IN OUR MISSIONARY WORK RATHER THAN TO HINDER US

...It is not recommended that a Krishna Conscious devotee go into seclusion for chanting by himself and thereby gaining salvation for himself alone. Our duty and religious obligation is to go out into the streets where the people in general can hear the chanting and see the dancing. We have already seen practically how by this process many, many boys and girls of America and Europe have been saved from the immoral practices of this age and have now dedicated their lives to the service of Krishna.

The state laws are specifically meant for making citizens men of good character, and good character means avoiding the following sinful activities: intoxication, illicit sex life, gambling and meat-eating. We are checking people from practicing these sinful activities. All of our students are applying these principles practically in their lives, and they are teaching others to follow the same principles. Therefore, it is the duty of the government to help us in our missionary work rather than to hinder us.

It is hoped that the government authorities will cooperate with our Sankirtana parties in enabling us to perform Sankirtana on the streets. To do this it is necessary that we be able to chant the names of Krishna, dance, play the mrdanga drum, request donations, sell our society's journal, and on occasion, sit down with the mrdanga drum. As devotees of Lord Krishna it is our duty to teach the people how to love God and worship Him in their daily life. This is the aim and destination of human life...

...It is not a sectarian movement meant for a certain class of men, but it is a necessary movement for all humanity irrespective of caste, creed, or color. So far I am concerned, I am a humble disciple of His Divine Grace, Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, who was the original pioneer of spreading this movement in the Western world. During his lifetime, up to 1936, he started 64 main centers all over the world, including centers in Berlin, Germany, and London, England. His Divine Grace entrusted me to spread this movement in the Western countries, and since 1965, I am trying in my humble way to spread this movement in this part of the world...

(letters from Srila Prabhupada 10/1/1969, 2/21/1968)

O holy name, if You are manifest on the tongue of Your unalloyed devotee, then all of his sinful reactions of both past and present lives are completely destroyed. This truth is sung by the Vedas again and again. O holy name, when You arise within the living being’s heart, it becomes completely purified. The shackles of materialistic activities and intellectual knowledge are cast far away, and the soul’s worldly existence comes to an end without any difficulty. Bhaktivinoda raises his arms and says, “Take up the banner of the holy name and walk along sounding the drum of the holy name. In this way you will surely obtain the direct audience of Lord Muralidhara, the holder of the flute.”

(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura- Gitavali, song 4)

This summer, the Pentagon will execute the largest maritime exercise ever, surging seven of our 12 carrier battle groups to the South China Sea. This provocative move has already escalated China's long-term military strategy. The question is whether it will provoke a war this summer.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commen...omment-opinions

Sailing Toward a Storm in China

U.S. maneuvers could spark a war.

By Chalmers Johnson, Chalmers Johnson's latest book is "The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic" (Metropolitan, 2004).

Quietly and with minimal coverage in the U.S. press, the Navy announced that from mid-July through August it would hold exercises dubbed Operation Summer Pulse '04 in waters off the China coast near Taiwan.

This will be the first time in U.S. naval history that seven of our 12 carrier strike groups deploy in one place at the same time. It will look like the peacetime equivalent of the Normandy landings and may well end in a disaster.

At a minimum, a single carrier strike group includes the aircraft carrier itself (usually with nine or 10 squadrons and a total of about 85 aircraft), a guided missile cruiser, two guided missile destroyers, an attack submarine and a combination ammunition, oiler and supply ship.

Normally, the United States uses only one or at the most two carrier strike groups to show the flag in a trouble spot. In a combat situation it might deploy three or four, as it did for both wars with Iraq. Seven in one place is unheard of.

Operation Summer Pulse '04 was almost surely dreamed up at the Pearl Harbor headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Command and its commander, Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, and endorsed by neocons in the Pentagon. It is doubtful that Congress was consulted. This only goes to show that our foreign policy is increasingly made by the Pentagon.

According to Chinese reports, Taiwanese ships will join the seven carriers being assembled in this modern rerun of 19th century gunboat diplomacy. The ostensible reason given by the Navy for this exercise is to demonstrate the ability to concentrate massive forces in an emergency, but the focus on China in a U.S. election year sounds like a last hurrah of the neocons.

Needless to say, the Chinese are not amused. They say that their naval and air forces, plus their land-based rockets, are capable of taking on one or two carrier strike groups but that combat with seven would overwhelm them. So even before a carrier reaches the Taiwan Strait, Beijing has announced it will embark on a crash project that will enable it to meet and defeat seven U.S. carrier strike groups within a decade. There's every chance the Chinese will succeed if they are not overtaken by war first.

China is easily the fastest-growing big economy in the world, with a growth rate of 9.1% last year. On June 28, the BBC reported that China had passed the U.S. as the world's biggest recipient of foreign direct investment. China attracted $53 billion worth of new factories in 2003, whereas the U.S. took in only $40 billion; India, $4 billion; and Russia, a measly $1 billion.

If left alone by U.S. militarists, China will almost surely, over time, become a democracy on the same pattern as that of South Korea and Taiwan (both of which had U.S.-sponsored military dictatorships until the late 1980s). But a strong mainland makes the anti-China lobby in the United States very nervous. It won't give up its decades-old animosity toward Beijing and jumps at any opportunity to stir up trouble — "defending Taiwan" is just a convenient cover story.

These ideologues appear to be trying to precipitate a confrontation with China while they still have the chance. Today, they happen to have rabidly anti-Chinese governments in Taipei and Tokyo as allies, but these governments don't have the popular support of their own citizens.

If American militarists are successful in sparking a war, the results are all too predictable: We will halt China's march away from communism and militarize its leadership, bankrupt ourselves, split Japan over whether to renew aggression against China and lose the war. We also will earn the lasting enmity of the most populous nation on Earth.

(Arrival Address,Los Angeles)

Prabhupada: So I thank you very much for your kind reception. It is necessary.

saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair

uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih

kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya

vande guroh sri-caranaravindam

This is the process, Vedic process, to receive the transcendental knowledge through the parampara system, and the reception or honor given to the spiritual master, it goes to Krishna. Spiritual master is the official collector.

Just like in government there is collector. He receives the money, taxes, from the citizens, not for his personal use but for the government. Similarly, this is the Vedic system, to receive knowledge through the transparent medium, guru, and to receive... Guru means the honor goes to Krsna. So this is necessary. This is not an artificial thing, but spiritually it is necessary. Therefore we hold Vyasa-puja day.

So I am very glad to see that you are maintaining the temple standard as good as I saw when I left. That is my satisfaction. And keep this, I mean to say, situation, atmosphere, always, and follow the regulative principles, chant sixteen rounds. You'll remain always happy, because although we are in Los Angeles, we have nothing to do with the material atmosphere of Los Angeles. Therefore a devotee who lives with Krsna or in Krsna consciousness, he does not live in the material world. He always live in the spiritual world. That is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita. Mam cavyabhicarini-bhakti-yogena yah sevate: "Anyone who is engaged in bhakti-yoga with Krsna," sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya kalpate, "such person is always above these material modes of nature."

Our difficulty or miserable condition of life is due to being under the material laws of nature. So it is very simple method, and you are all intelligent boys and girls in the Western country, and I am very, happy that you have taken it seriously. And continue this. You'll never be unhappy. And not only here but also, as Krsna said, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru, if you simply practice these four principle--always think of Krsna, man-mana, or become Krsna's devotees and offer Krsna obeisances and worship Krsna--these four... We are teaching these four principle in the temple, how to worship Krsna how to serve Krsna, how to become Krsna's devotee, and how to think of Krsna twenty-four hours. And if we do this, there is guarantee. Krsna says, mam eva esyasi asamsaya: "Without any doubt, you will come to Me. You will go back to home, back to Godhead."

So do not be slackened. And it is not difficult. Su-sukham kartum avyayam. This devotional service is so nice. It is... To execute the devotional is also very pleasing. Su-sukham kartum avyayam. And whatever you do, that is your permanent asset. It will never be lost. In the material world, suppose you have got some money. So that is not permanent. But anything, material possession, that is not permanent. Especially after death, everything is finished--another new chapter. That we do not know. But devotional service, it is guaranteed. It is permanent asset, even you cannot finish in this life. But that does not mean you should be neglectful. Try to finish the completely to become Krsna conscious in this life. Do not keep in abeyance. That is not intelligence. But even if it is not finished, then the next life a human life is guaranteed, and you begin where you ended. These are the sastric... So execute this devotional service very sincerely, seriously. Even there is little inconvenience, tolerate it. There is no inconvenience. But if you think it is inconvenience--that is our mental concoction--still, you should not be neglectful in the discharging your duties in devotional service.

So those who are engaged in Deity worship, those who are engaged in sankirtana party, those who are engaged in distributing books, those who are engaged in the office for keeping accounts--and all of them in devotional service--not a single moment waste. Kirtaniyah sada harih.

And whenever you have got time, read books. Now we have got volumes of books. Again we have got another five volumes of books. All are now immediately published. So you have got enough to study. And those who are grhasthas, children, we have got our Dallas. As soon as the children is fit, three to four years, you can send to Dallas. They are taking very much care. And if your children are educated Sanskrit and English, and reads all our books, he is more than any university M.A., Ph.D., more than. The M.A., Ph.D. of the ordinary university will not be able to be compared with that. So rest assured that education, culture, happiness, satisfaction, and next, go to home, back to home, back to Godhead.

Thank you very much. (end)

Hari Nama - The Glories of the Holy Name

Sri Nama-Mahatmya

What power does the Name of Krishna possess? My heart constantly burns in the fire of wordly desires, just like a desert schorched by the rays of the sun. The Holy Name, entering the core of my heart through the holes of my ears, showers unparalleled nectar upon my soul.

The Holy Name speaks from within my heart, moves onto the tip of my tongue, and constantly dances on it in the form of transcedental sound. My throat becomes choked up, my body shivers again and again, and my feet cannot remain still.

Rivers of tears flow from my eyes, perspiration completely soaks my body, all my skin thrills with rapture, my hair stand on end, and my complexion turns pale and discoloured. My mind grows faint, I begin to experience devastation, and my entire body is shattered in a flood of ecstatic emotions.

While causing such an ecstatic disturbance, the Holy Name showers liquid nectar on my heart and drowns me in the ocean of divine love of Godhead. He does not allow me to understand anything, for He has made me truly mad by having stolen away my mind and all my resources.

Such is the behaviour of Him in whom I have taken shelter. I am not capable of describing all this. The Holy Name of Krishna is independent and thus acts on His own sweet will. In whatever way He becomes happy, that is also my way of happiness.

The Holy name is the bud of the flower of divine love, and is the very abode of astonishing mellows. Such is the power He manifests that when His Holy Name starts to blossom a little further, it reveals His own divine form and qualities. Thus my heart is abducted and taken directly to Krishna.

Blossoming fully, the flower of the Holy Name takes me to Vraja and reveals to me His own love-dalliance. This Name gives to me my own eternal spiritual body, keeps me right by Krishna’s side, and completely destroys everything related to this mortal frame of mine.

The Name of Krishna is a transcedental touchstone, a mine of all devotional mellows. It is eternally liberated, and the embodiment of pure rasa. When all impediments to the pure chanting of the Holy Name are taken away and destroyed, then my happiness will know its true awakening.

From Saranagati by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

According to Srila Jiva Goswami, the twenty-eight verses of the prayers of the personified Vedas (Texts 14–41) represent the opinions of each of the twenty-eight major srutis. These chief Upanisads and other srutis concern themselves with various approaches to the Absolute Truth, and among them those srutis are supreme which emphasize pure, unalloyed devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Upanisads direct our attention to the Personality of Godhead by first negating what is distinct from Him and then defining some of His important characteristics.

Srila Viswanatha Cakravarti interprets the first words of this prayer, jaya jaya, to mean "please reveal Your super excellence." The word jaya is repeated out of either reverence or joy.

"How should I reveal My excellence?" the Lord might ask.

The srutis answer by requesting Him to mercifully destroy the ignorance of all living beings and attract them to His lotus feet.

The Lord says, "But Maya, who imposes ignorance on the jeevas, is full of good qualities [grbhita-gunam]. Why should I oppose her?"

"Yes," the Vedas answer, "but she has taken on the three modes of nature to bewilder the conditioned souls and make them falsely identify with their material bodies. Her modes of goodness, passion and ignorance, moreover, are tainted [dosa-gribhita] because You are not manifest in their presence."

The srutis go on to address the Lord as ajita, implying that "only You cannot be conquered by Maya, whereas others, like Brahma, are defeated by their own faults."

The Lord responds, "But what proof do you have that she cannot conquer Me?"

"The proof lies in the fact that in Your original state You have already realized the perfection of all opulences."

At this point the Lord might object that merely destroying the ignorance of the jeevas will not suffice to bring them to His lotus feet, since the jeeva soul, even after his ignorance is dispelled, cannot attain the Lord without engaging in devotional service. As the Lord states in His own words, bhaktyaham ekaya grahaya: "I am attainable only through devotional service." (Bhag. 11.14.21)

To this objection the srutis reply, "My Lord, O You who awaken all energies, after creating the intelligence and senses of the living entities, You inspire them to work hard and enjoy the fruits of their labor. In addition, by Your mercy You awaken their ability to pursue the progressive paths of knowledge, mystic yoga and devotional service, allowing them to advance toward You in Your aspects of Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan, respectively. And when jnana, yoga and bhakti mature, You empower the living beings to directly realize You in each of Your three aspects."

If the Lord were to ask for authoritative evidence to support this statement by the personified Vedas, they humbly reply, "We ourselves are the evidence. On some occasions—such as now, the time of creation—You consort with Your external, Maya potency, whereas You are always present with Your internal energy. It is at times such as the present, when Your activity is outwardly manifest, that we, the Vedas, can recognize You in Your play."

Thus endowed with authority by their personal association with the Supreme Lord, the srutis promulgate the processes of karma, jnana, yoga and bhakti as various means for the conditioned souls to employ their intelligence, senses, mind and vitality in search of the Absolute Truth.

In many places the Vedas glorify the transcendental, personal qualities of the Supreme. The following verse appears in the Svetaswatara Upanisad (6.11), the Gopala-tapani Upanisad (Uttara 97), and the Brahma Upanisad (4.1):

In the Pratisarga part of the Bhavisya Purana, Chapter 20 verses 71-73; we find the following prediction:

"Lord Jagannath, the Supreme Lord Sri Hari Himself, spoke these attractive words for the welfare of all: The mlecchas who are born from mixed countries ruled by descendants of Kasyapa and the sudras will become brahmanas by qualification and initiation.

They will wear sikhas and brahmana threads and will become well versed in the uncontaminated fruit of the Vedas (Srimad Bhagavatam).

They will worship Me by the Yajna prescribed by the Lord of Lords, the protector of Saci. (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu)."

Forty-six years before the beginning of Kali Yuga, Vishnuchitta, one of the twelve great Vaisnava saints of the Sri Sampradaya predicted: "There will come a race which will tread the Earth with raised hands and vertical tilaka on their foreheads, who will chant the names of Hari; this will destroy the influence of Kali."

(Divyaprabandha 1.10).

Sripada Ramanuja predicted: "The pure devotion to Sri Hari ( Krishna ) devoid of karma and jnana will grow and grow like a banyan tree covering the whole world, teaching everyone who takes shelter of it."

(Prapannamrta tarpana - last chapter)

Sripada Madhvacharya predicted: " Real knowledge of the difference between jiva ( soul ) and Sri Hari ( Personality of Godhead ) and the service of Sri Hari ( Bhakti ) will spread all over the world very shortly."

(Anu Madhva Vijaya - last chapter)

Today and in the future Loving servants of the Personality of Godhead will guide living entites from all races and countries and unify them in the chanting of the holy name.

( Bhaktivinode Thakur )

1838-1914

In recent times Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896-1977) traveled world-wide and declared very boldly;

"I am not God! You are not God! We are all servants of God and Krishna is His Name, please chant the Holy Name and become Happy ."

Atheism: Frequently Asked Questions

by Jon Nelson

What is atheism?

Atheism is the non-belief in a god or gods. Although some have defined atheism in other ways, this is the definitional essence.

How is atheism different from agnosticism?

An atheist does not believe in a god or gods. An agnostic does not know if such things exist. Therefore, it is possible to be both an atheist and an agnostic.

Is atheism a religion?

Of course not! Since supernaturalism is at the base of all religious systems atheism, by not believing in the supernatural cannot, by definition, be a religious viewpoint. Saying that atheists are religious because they deal with religion is like saying doctors are sick because they deal with illness.

Why don't atheists believe in God?

Atheists do not believe in any of the gods that have been offered throughout history, recognizing them to be nothing more than idealizations of humanity's wishes and fears. This is true whether we are talking about Zeus, Osiris, Quetzlcoatl, or the god of the Bible. Since no believer in a god can tell us exactly what a god actually is, we recognize that, as a consequence, such creatures can exist only in the imaginations of the people who believe in them.

What about the Bible?

The bible fails on all counts. As a book of history, it contains innumerable factual errors. As evidence for a god, the Bible no more proves the existence of Jehovah or Yahweh than the Book of Mormon proves the existence of the angel Moroni. Finally, as a book of moral behavior, the Bible fails most alarmingly of all; the historical track record of Crusades, Inquisitions, torture, and other evils makes a mockery of the notion that the Bible is a good moral guide.

Do atheists want to abolish all religions?

Certainly not. People are entitled to go to any church, synagogue, mosque, or other building that they desire. They may believe in anything they choose, no matter how absurd it may be. What we atheists do want to abolish is the promotion of religious absurdity by our paid government officials who, by their actions, help to promote and sustain ignorance, superstition, and mythologies that should have properly died out at the end of the Upper Bronze Age.

How can you be moral if you don't believe in God?

Why is believing in a non-existent deity evidence of moral superiority? Why is gullibility rather than respect for objective truth a guarantee that the believer will behave morally? When you consider the countless millions of people who have suffered and died because god-believing moral idealists have made their lives a hell on earth, a better question might be: How can you be moral if you do believe in god?

Doesn't religion do a lot of good?

No. Individual religious people can and often do perform good deeds, but so do atheists. Consider this: Which person is more fundamentally moral, the person who does good deeds because he or she thinks their god wants them to, or the person who performs them without a belief in a god but with a love of humanity as a standard of value?

If atheism is true, doesn't that mean that life has no purpose?

No. Atheists recognize that if a person's life is to have a purpose, it is up to that person to set it. No god will perform this function for us. Many religionists insist that the only "purpose" in life is to prepare one for the alleged life to come. However, if there is no such future existence, the believer has thrown away all that he has in the futile hope of an afterlife.

Doesn't the origin of the universe require a creator?

The origin of the universe requires an explanation, not a creator; it is a scientific, not a religious question. Since the universe, by definition, includes everything in existence, it is existence itself that is at the root of all causal change. One does not need reference to a supernatural "cause" for any change in the material universe. Atheists also recognize the silliness of the "creator" idea: The believer wants us to believe in an unknowable, indescribable, invisible being (itself a contradiction in terms) who has somehow created everything in existence by some unknowable means, at an unknowable time. How does this nonsensical double-talk "explain" anything?

Doesn't the perfect order of the universe show the stamp of a brilliant designing mind?

Once again, no. One must be careful in the use of words such as "order." All this really means is that things are as they are, and can only act in accordance with their nature. These two facts are known as the Law of Identity and the Law of Causality. A radish seed is what it is, and, under the right conditions, will grow into a radish. Is this the mysterious "order" the believer needs a god to explain? The laws of identity and causality are sufficient in and of themselves. What alternative to an "ordered" universe could a believer possibly imagine? A world in which the radish seed sprouts into a microchip and where tables suddenly sprout wings and fly? Such a universe cannot exist, except perhaps in the mind of a believer who stubbornly refuses to accept the fact that things are what they are because they cannot be anything else.

How is atheism different from Humanism?

The two are separable but related. An atheist does not believe in a god. A humanist does not rely on the intervention of gods in human affairs. We are responsible for our own affairs; if a child disappears, it is up to us humans to search for and hopefully find it. Prayers uttered heavenward may make the believer feel better, but will not deliver the child.

Why are so many atheists Democrats?

Atheists can and do belong to any political party. In the United States, the Religious Right has exerted a dominating influence on the politics of the Republican Party; this is no doubt one of the leading factors why many atheists are Democrats.

KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS: THE SANKIRTANA MOVEMENT

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness is a bona fide religious society strictly following the principles described in the Vedic scriptures and practiced in India for thousands of years. Our basic beliefs are as follows:

1) The Absolute Truth is contained in all the great scriptures of the world; the Bible, Koran, Torah, etc. However, the oldest known revealed scriptures in existence are the Vedic literatures, most notably the BHAGAVAD GITA, which is the literal record of God's actual words.

2) God, or KRISHNA is eternal, all-knowing, omnipresent, all-powerful and all attractive, the seed-giving Father of man and all living entities. He is the sustaining energy of all life, nature and the cosmic situation.

3) Man is actually NOT his body, but is eternal spirit soul, part and parcel of God, and therefore eternal.

4) That all men are brothers can be practiced only when we realize God as our common ultimate Father.

5) All our actions should be performed as a sacrifice to the Supreme Lord . . . ``all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto Me.'' (Bhagavad-gita, IX, 27)

6) The food that sustains us should always be offered to the Lord before eating. In this way He becomes the Offering, and such eating purifies us.

7) We can, by sincere cultivation of bona fide spiritual science attain to the state of pure, unending blissful consciousness, free from anxiety in this very lifetime.

8) The recommended means of attaining the mature stage of Love of God in the present age of ``Kali,'' or quarrel, is to chant the Holy Name of the Lord. The easiest method for most people is to chant the Hare Krishna mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.

Our basic Mission is to propagate the Sankirtana Movement (chanting of the Holy Names of God) all around the world as was recommended by the Incarnation of the Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. People in this age are reluctant very much to understand about God consciousness on account of their unfortunate condition of life. They are working hard day and night simply for sense gratification. But this transcendental vibration of Sankirtana will knock at the door of their hearts for spiritual awakening. Therefore, they should be given the chance for this opportunity... (Letter from Srila Prabhupada 10/1/1969)

All glories to the chanting of the holy name of Krsna! It extinguishes the horrible forest fire of material existence. This chanting removes all material tribulations. All glories to the chanting of the holy name of Krsna! It gives one a taste of fully satisfying nectar at every step. This chanting is the bestower of ecstatic love of God. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura- Gitavali, song 1)

http://www.indiadivine.org/karma-jnana-bhakti-yoga1.htm

For any idea, program, plan or device, there is first of all the contemplation of the plan, and that is called bija, or the seed. The methods, rules and regulations by which one is perfectly trained in devotional service constitute the bhakti-lata-bija, or seed of devotional service. This bhakti-lata-bija is received from the spiritual master by the grace of Krishna. Other seeds are called anyabhilasa-bija, karma-bija and jnana-bija. If one is not fortunate enough to receive the bhakti-lata-bija from the spiritual master, he instead cultivates the seeds of karma-bija, jnana-bija, or political and social or philanthropic bija. However, bhakti-lata-bija is different from these other bijas. Bhakti-lata-bija can be received only through the mercy of the spiritual master. Therefore one has to satisfy the spiritual master to get bhakti-lata-bija (yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah). Bhakti-lata-bija is the origin of devotional service. Unless one satisfies the spiritual master, he gets the bija, or root cause, of karma, jnana and yoga without the benefit of devotional service. However, one who is faithful to his spiritual master gets the bhakti-lata-bija. This bhakti-lata-bija is received when one is initiated by the bona fide spiritual master.

By karma-misra-bhakti (bhakti mixed with fruitive inclination) one is elevated to the celestial kingdom, by jnana-misra-bhakti (bhakti mixed with mental speculation) one is able to merge in the Brahman effulgence, and by yoga-misra-bhakti (bhakti mixed with the desire for mystic perfections) one is able to realize the omnipotency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But pure bhakti does not depend on karma, jnana or yoga, for it simply consists of loving affairs. The liberation of the bhakta, therefore, which is called not just mukti but vimukti, surpasses the five other kinds of liberation - sayujya, sarupya, salokya, sarsti and samipya. A pure devotee always engages in pure service (anukulyena krishnanu silanam bhaktir uttama). Taking birth in the upper planetary system as a demigod is a chance to become a further purified devotee and go back home, back to Godhead. Ultimately there is only one way to attain the true liberation known as vimukti, and that is by satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

jnana-karma-yoga-dharme nahe krishna vasa

krishna-vasa-hetu eka - prema-bhakti-rasa

"By following the Paths of speculative philosophical knowledge, fruitive activity or mystic yoga to control the senses, one cannot satisfy Krishna, the Supreme Lord. Unalloyed devotional love for Krishna is the only cause for the Lord's satisfaction."

Attaining Pure Love For Krishna,

Krishna Prema

by

His Divine Grace

Srila Bhakti Sidddhanta Saraswati Goswami

Obeisance to the most Magnanimous, the Giver of the Love of Krishna, the Own Self of Krishna, the Lord bearing the Name Krishna-Chaitanya and possessed of the Form of golden hue! I submit myself to Sri Krishna-Chaitanya, that merciful Person of wonderful deeds Who by the nectar of the treasure of His Own Love intoxicated the world, delerious with ignorance, by freeing it from the malady of nescience.

Lord Sri Chaitanya said:

Listen, Rupa, to the charactersitics of the rasa (matured mellowness) of Bhakti. I shall speak in a condensed form, for rasa is not susceptible of elaborate description since rasa can only be understood thorugh insight and deep realisation. The ocean of the mellow of Bhakti is profound and devoid of bounding shores. I shall speak one particle of the same (Bhakti), in order to make you taste it.

In this world the number of jivas (souls) is infinite. They form the content of this world by their wanderings birth after birth through 8,400,000 different kinds of physical bodies (human bodies, animals, trees, etc.)

The specific nature of the jiva is infinitessimal in magnitude like the hundredth part of the tip of a hair. The jivas are divided into two distinct groups, viz., (1) stationary and (2) moving.

The moving jivas are again divided into those who live on the land, in water and in the air.

Mankind is a very small part of the total number of jivas that live on the land. Among men are also to be found the Mlechchas (Europeans), Pulindas, Baudhas (Oriental people), Aboriginies, etc. Among those who practice the religion of the Veda (Hindus), one half profess to follow the Veda but in fact they only follow with their lips. They commit many sins forbidden by the Veda and do not really care for that religion. Then again, among those who really act in accordance with that religion, most persons are addicted to fruitive activities. They do work (karmma) to produce fruit that they can enjoy. It is hardly possible to find even a single seeker of knowledge (jnanin) among 100,000 people working to make good karmma and there is hardly even one person who is truly Mukta (liberated) amongst 100,000 people seeking liberation.

It is hardly possible to find a single Bhakta (devotee) of Krishna among 100,000 liberated persons. The Bhakta of Krishna is free from all selfish hankerings and is, therefore, of a really peaceful and equipoised disposition (shanta), while those who desire to do work (karmma) to create enjoyment, or who desire liberation or mystic powers through yoga, are all discontented (ashanta).

It is rarely that any fortunate jiva, in the course of his wanderings in this mundane world, may obtain a chance to come to know Bhakti. That is, it is rare for someone to obtain the seed of the creeper of Bhakti, which is only found by the favour of Guru and Krishna.

Bhakti grows like a creeper growing from a tiny seed. By becoming a gardener the jiva sows the seed and splashes the seed with nourishing water, in the form of hearing the Name of Krishna and chanting the Name. The creeper of Bhakti springs to shoot and grows, piercing through this mundane sphere. The growing creeper goes through the stream of Viraja (unmanifest formless state outside this universe), then goes through the illuminated plane of Brahma (white light of Spiritual bliss), until at last the creeper finally attains for herself a home in the soil of the infinite sphere called Paravyoma. The creeper contiues to grow in that Paravyoma atmosphere and reaches the limits of the higher sphere of Goloka-Vrindaban where she climbs and clings to the Purpose-Tree at the Feet of Krishna.

Prema (Divine Love), the fruit of the creeper of Bhakti, grows on the creeper only when she attains to the Feet of Krishna. All this time the gardener continues to splash the creeper with the water of hearing and chanting the Holy Name of Krishna.

At this stage there is a also a second function towards the creeper, besides watering it. As the creeper begins to grow after being watered for some time, hostile animals make their appearance and tear the leaves, or the tender leaves begin to dry up because of excessive heat, etc. In these circumstances offence against the Vaishnavas (real devotees) is the entity corresponding to the vicious animals. It is such offence against the Vaishnavas that causes all those various sorts of damage, or that is to say, it is the negligence of the gardener who has failed to erect fences or to devise other protective methods to protect the creeper, and who has not given special care so that there may be no possibility for the creeper to be trampled by the mad elephant of offence to the Vaishnavas. Offence against the Vaishnavas is identical with offence against the Holy Name - it is one of the ten categories of offences against the Holy Name.

There is yet another possible disturbance at this stage. As the creeper of Bhakti begins to grow, if there is luxuriant growth of the secondary branches then such growth also does michief. The secondary branches are desire for enjoyment, longing for liberation, addiction to forbidden conduct, over-attention to small points of conscience, cruelty or slaughter of living things, desire of pecuniary gain and a desire for one's own worldly honour or fame. If special care is not practiced these secondary branches are apt to grow vigorously to the detriment of the principal stem of the creeper, with the result that the main stem is stunted and cannot grow. Therefore, it is the duty of the gardener to prune these secondary branches from the moment of their appearance, while one is busy with the primary task of hearing and chanting. If this is done the principal stem, continuing to grow, attains to Vrindaban, the land of Krishna.

The fruit of Prema then ripens and drops on the ground. The gardener now tastes its mellow flavour. By the help of the creeper the gardener is also enabled to reach the Purpose-Tree. The gardener can now serve in Vrindaban at the foot of the Purpose-Tree and savour the taste of the luscious juice of the fruit of Love. This Prema is the supreme desideratum, the final fruit of all activity of the soul. The four-fold objects of human endeavour namely dharma (virtue), artha (worldly possession), kama (objects of worldly desire) and moksa (liberation) are as insignificant as a straw lying by the wayside in comparison with Krishna-Prema.

The realisation of coveted powers and excellences (siddhis), or of the equable state of overflowing oneness with the bliss of Brahma-realisation (on attainment of complete withdrawal of the mind from all external efforts, as a result of practicing pious activities enjoined in the scriptures), can dazzle the imagination of a man by their glaring features. But these dazzling realisations are only dazzling until the man has savoured the smallest portion of the fragrance of the medicine of Love. Pure Love can subdue even the Lord Himself, and He is the subduer of Madhu, the great demon who is at the core of the pattern of consciousness (yantra) we perceive as the mental state of "intoxication". A person must be free from mundane intoxications which lead him to try to enjoy as a master of siddhis (siddhi-yoga) or the bliss of oneness with unmanifest Brahma (liberation) before Love can appear on the pathways of the heart.

"Bhakti is declared to be service of the Lord of the senses (God) by means of one's senses. It is free from all physical and mental elements. It is absolutely free from all mundane dirt by reason of its being entirely directed to God" -- (Narada Pancharatra)

Lord Sri Chaitanya contined:

As soon as the tidings of My Excellences enter the listener's ear his mind exhibits a constant inseparability from Me which is comparable to the state of a body of pure water of the Ganges on its entry into the ocean. This is the only sure characteristic of devotion which is free from all mundane tendencies. The devoted soul is inseparable from Me.

The devotees never accept the gifts of residence in Vaikuntha (the unlimited realm), or the opulence and honour of a form resembling My Majestic Self, or proximity to My Presence, or complete merging in Me. All of these prospective attainments I offer to them, but they do not accept these attainments. They have no desire to have these attainments, and this is so because there is nothing covetable by them save and except My Transcendental Service.

This is Devotion that is Pure and Perfect. It is by means of such Devotion that the individual soul attains to unalloyed Love for Me, thereby transcending the limiting potency that is covering over the jiva (soul) with layers of mundane desires and feelings.

If the mind harbours the least desire either for mundane enjoyment, or for liberation from the desire for enjoyment, Love for Godhead is not aroused even by the most diligent pursuit of service according to the practices enjoined in the scriptures.

So long as the ugly spectre of desire for mundane enjoyment or mundane emancipation continues to haunt the chambers of the heart, how can the bliss of devotion arise therein?

This form of Bhakti is fit to be cultured. Being duly cultured it gives rise to Rati (the natural tendency of the soul towards Krishna, or the basic principal of Love). Condensed Rati is Prema. By the process of gradual augmentation Prema becomes Sneha, Maana, Pranaya, Anuraga, Bhava and Mahabhava. A good analogy is furnished by the series of processes in the refining of raw juice of sugarcane. First there is juice, then mollasses, raw sugar, residual sugar, refined sugar, white sugar and icing sugar. These are varieties of the basic principle (Sthayibhava) in the operations of the mellow liquid (Rasa) of the Service of Krishna. If the basic principle is conjoined with higher principles known as Vaibhava, Anubhava, Satvika and Vyabhachari then the operations of the liquid mellow of the service of Krishna exhibits the most exquisite nectarean taste. Just as the treatment of curd with sugar, ghee, pepper and camphor produces a most tasty composition.

There are five varieties of Rasa corresponding to the different types of devotees. The five varieties of Rasa are Shanta (feeling of peacefulness), Dasya (feeling that "I am a servitor of Krishna"), Sakhya (feeling that "I am a friend of Krishna"), Vatsalya (feeling that "Krishna is a child and I am Krishna's parental guardian") and Madhura (mood that "Krishna is my beloved"). There are also seven secondary types of Rasa known as Hasya (humourous mood), Adbhuta (astonishment), Veera (chivalrous mood), Karuna (compassionate mood), Raudra (angry mood), Bhayanaka (mood of awe and dread) and Vibhasta (ghastliness). The five principal kinds of Rasa are permanent and constantly permeate the mind of the devotee, whereas the seven secondary moods adventitious and are not constantly present within the mind of the devotee.

Shanta-rasa is exemplified by the conduct of the nine yogis called the Yogendras, and also in the case of the yogi Sanaka and his young brothers. Dasya-rasa, the mood of a servitor of Krishna, is seen everywhere in the case of numberless devotees of Krishna. Among the Sakhya-rasa group are the young cowherd boys who are associates of Krishna such as Sridam, as well as Krishna's cousins Bhim, Arjuna, etc. The devotees in the mood of Vatsalya-rasa includes the parents and all the older relatives of Krishna. In Madhura-rasa the principal Bhaktas (devotees) are the Milk-Maids in Vraja and also the Royal Consorts and Lakshmis whose great number baffles all calculation.

Then again Krishna-Rati is twofold, viz., (1) adulterated with the perception of His Majesty and (2) unalloyed. In the two royal cities of Mathura and Dvaraka and in the Vaikuntha worlds the mood of Divine Majesty predominates. In Gokula-Rati, love for Krishna is in a mood devoid of the consciousness of His Divine Majesty. Love exhibits shyness if the sense of Majesty becomes prominent. It is the distinctive characteristic of unalloyed Gokula-Rati that the Goddess of Devotion directing service in that realm does not pay any mind to the Majesty of Godhead, even if Majesty is manifested to Her. In Shanta-Rasa and Dasya-Rasa the realisation of Divine Majesty on rare occasions serves as a helpful excitant. In Sakhya-rasa and Madhura-Rasa it always acts as a deterrant. Krishna acted in a formal role when he met his parents Vasudeb and Devaki and he bowed down and greeted their feet. The realisation of Divine Majesty filled the minds of both His parents with astonishment (one of the secondary Rasas - Adbhuta). Arjuna was terrified on beholding the Cosmic Form of Krishna. He craved His forgiveness for his arrogance in behaving as His chum. Rukmini was overwhelmed with fear when Krishna told her jokingly that He would leave her.

But the Source of Unalloyed Love knows nothing of Divine Majesty. If She meets with any exhibition of Majesty, She simply ignores all relationship on Her part with such Entity.

In Shanta-Rasa there is found exclusive attachment to Krishna due to the realisation of one's spiritual nature. Krishna Himself says, "Equinamity (Sama) results from the inclination of constant attachment to Me". The specific effect of Shanta-Rasa is noticeable in this, that the Shanta-devotee discards every other longing except for Krishna. Hence no one can have real equanimity of disposition except the devotee of Krishna. The devotee of Krishna regards paradise and liberation as hell. The two characteristics of the Shanta-devotee are constant attachment to Krishna and renunciation of all other longing. These two characteristics permeate all the devotess of Krishna just as sound permeates and penetrates all mundane elements.

It is the nature of the Shanta-devotee to be devoid of any personal tie of love with Krishna. In the heart of the peaceful Shanta-devotee, the realisation of Krishna as the Supremely Great Being (Para-Brahma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramaatman) is strong. In Shanta-Rasa there is only the realisation of the spiritual nature of one's relationship with Krishna; whereas in Dasya-Rasa there is the greater realisation of the Nature of Krishna as the Master possessing Full Divine Majesty. In Dasya (service of the Master) mood there is exuberance of the realisation of God as the Possessor of controlling power and great dignity. The servitor by his humble ministration gives constant pleasure to Krishna.

In Dasya (servitor mood) there are the two characteristics of Shanta with the further addition of the specific activity of servitude; therefore, Dasya possesses this two-fold quality. In Sakhya (friendship) there are the qualities of both Santa and Dasya, but whereas in the Dasya mood the servitude is full of the sense of inferiority and high respect for Krishna, in Sakhya (friendship) it is characterised by full confidence. The chums of Krishna climb to His shoulders, make Him climb theirs, engage in the sport of wrestling with Him, serve Krishna and make Krishna serve them in His turn. Sakhya is marked by the predominance of confidential relations devoid of the sense of respect and of one's inferiority to Him. Hence Sakhya-Rasa possesses the three-fold quality. There is a greater measure of the personal sentiment, a sense of regarding Krishna as one's own. It is this last trait that makes Godhead submit to Sakhya-Rasa, as for instance when Krishna agreed to drive the chariot of His cousin Arjuna when Arjuna was fighting on the battlefield at Kurukshetra.

In Vatsalya-Rasa (Parental mood of Devotion) there are the qualities of Shanta and the ministration of Dasya. There are also the qualities of Sakhya consisting of the absence of restraint, and of awe and respect, as well as an absence of fear of punishment and scolding - which is due to the sentiment of kinship. Additionally, there are the activities bearing the designation of "tending" (palana). There is the sentiment of regarding oneself as the guardian of Krishna, Who is regarded as the Ward. By this fourfold characteristic Vatsalya-Rasa is as delicious as nectar. Krishna Himself is immersed in that nectarean bliss in the company of His devotee. Those jnanins (meditators) such as Suka, Sanaka and Sanatan who are aware of the Nature of Krishna as Divinity possessed of controlling Power, declare that Krishna also possesses the quality of subservience to His devotee.

In Madhura-Rasa there is constant attachment to Krishna, extreme servitude, the absence of diffidence of the chum, the increased sentiment for Krishna that is felt when one is tending one's Child, and finally serving Krishna by means of one's own body as Consort. Hence Madhura-Rasa exhibits five distinct qualities. An analogy is supplied by the case of the five mundane elements (space, air, fire, water, earth). The quality of each element commencing with space (akasha) is carried to the next in the series and added to its own distinctive quality till the last of the elements, viz., the earth, is generated and seen to be possessing the distinctive qualities of the preceding four elements in addition to its own specific qualities. In the same manner, all the Bhavas combine in Madhura. For this reason, Madhura-Rasa has greater tastefulness which makes it so exquisitely delicious.

The Lord said to Sri Rupa Goswami that He had given him the mere outline of Bhakti-Rasa. Sri Chaitanya advised Sri Rupa Goswami to ponder this and to amplify and expand upon it in his writings. It is by the practice of constant meditation that Krishna manifests Himself to the heart. By the Grace of Krishna even an ignorant person is enabled to realise the nature of the Ocean of Rasa.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Sri Caitanya Siksamrita describes the demons killed during Sri Krishna's Vrindavana pastimes and the anarthas (unwanted things) that they represent.

Putana - the pseudo guru

Sakatasura (the cart demon) - carrying the burden of a cart-load of old and new bad habits, lethargy and vanity.

Trinavarta (the whirlwind demon) - false pride which comes from material scholarship, which leads to bogus philosophies.

Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva (breaking the twin arjuna trees) - Arrogant pride which comes from puffed-up prestige, which is rooted in a madness for wealth.

Vatsasura (the calf demon) - a childish type of mentality which gives rise to a type of greediness which results in a wicked type of mischievousness.

Bakasura (stork demon) - Cunning duplicity, deceptiveness and false types of behavior.

Aghasura (the snake demon) - Cruelty and violence.

Brahma-vimohana Pastime (Lord Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves) - mundane activities and speculative scholasticism.

Dhenukasura (the ass demon) - gross materialistic intelligence, ignorance of spiritual knowledge.

Kaliya (chastising the Kaliya serpent) - brutality and treachery.

Extinguishing the Forest Fire - Quarreling amongst Vaishnavas.

Pralambasura (killing the Pralamba demon) - lusty inclinations; desire for personal gain and honor.

Second Forest Fire - disturbance of religious principles and interference with religious people who are atheist.

Brahmanas Performing Sacrifice - indifference toward Krishna caused by pride because of one's status (position) in varnasrama.

Overcoming the Pride of Indra - demigod worship, and the tendency to think "I am Supreme."

Nanda Maharaja Captured by Varuna - thinking that spiritual life can be enhanced by intoxication.

Nanda Maharaja Swallowed by Vidyadhara (the snake) - rescuing the truth of Krishna consciousness from being swallowed by the impersonalists.

Sankhacuda (killing the conch-shell demon and getting the jewel that was stolen by him) - proneness toward acquiring name and fame, and desire for sensuous enjoyment, under the plea of devotion.

Aristasura (the bull demon) - pride arising from indulging in false religions invented by cheaters which causes neglect of devotional service (bhakti).

Kesi (the horse demon) - The feeling that "I am a great devotee and spiritual master."

Vyomasura (the demon in the sky) - associating with thieves and other rascals, and with people who put themselves forward as avataras.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says: "The devotee who worships the holy name should first petition the Lord for the strength to cast out all these unfavorable tendencies and should pray thus before Lord Hari ( Balaram - Nityananda ) on a daily basis. By doing this regularly, the devotee's heart will eventually become purified. Sri Krishna has killed a number of demons which may arise in the kingdom of the heart, so in order to destroy these problems, a devotee must cry very humbly before the Lord and the Lord will then nullify all contaminations."

ODE TO THE WEARERS OF KAUPINAS

Sripad Sankaracharya’s Śrī Kaupīna-pañcaka-stotra

Fortunate are the kaupīna wearers! They always take pleasure in the words of Vedanta and are satisfied with whatever food can be obtained by begging. They are never unhappy, and they are merciful.

Fortunate are the kaupīna wearers! They live under trees and they eat whatever they can hold in their two hands. They revile even thegoddess of fortune as if she were a useless rag.

Fortunate are the kaupīna wearers! They have removed all false identification with thebody and they see the supersoul within the self. They meditate on that which has no middle, end, or outside.

Fortunate are the kaupīna wearers! They are always situated in transcendental bliss and their senses are peaceful. Day and night, they delight in brahman.

Fortunate are the kaupīna wearers! They recite the purifying five-syllable mantra [(om)namo śivāya], meditating on lord Shiva in their hearts as they wander in all directions begging alms.

— Translated by Sri Kusakratha Das and Sri MatsyaAvatar Das.

THE DEPARTURE OF JAGANNATH MISHRA

Srila Murari Gupta’s

Sri Caitanya-carita Maha-kavya 1.8.11-24

Listen to the sublime history of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. A mortal being who hears it withfull faith becomes freed from the bondage of birth and death. While staying in the house of His guru, the victorious Lord, the husband of Saraswati, studied all the Vedas. Thereafter He began to teach His own students.

While Sri Gaura Hari was happily studying Vedanta-sutra and the other scriptures, His most fortunate father, the exalted brahmana Jagannath Mishra, returned to the Lord’s abode. By the will of providence, Jagannath became afflicted with a fever that plundered his very life force. Seeing that His father was in such a condition, Viswambhara Hari together with His mother brought His father to the bank of the Ganga, surrounded by devotees fully absorbed in hari-kirtana.

Embracing His father’s feet, Sri Hari addressed him in a voice choked with tears, “O venerable master, dear father, you are abandoning Me so suddenly. Where will you now go?”

His father eagerly drank through his ears his son’s nectarean words, and replied, “I wholly dedicate You to the feet of Lord Raghunath.”

The host of the devas, including mighty Indra, appeared in the sky and the people on earth were immersed in hari-sankirtana. That best of the twice-born entered the waters of the Ganga and abandoned his mortal coil. Taking his seat on a chariot of the celestials,he departed for Sri Hari’s abode. He was an eternally liberated soul who had come by his own free will to benefit humanity by showing an example of pure paternal devotion.

When Jagannath Mishra had departed for the destination of perfected souls, Sachi Devi was deeply afflicted with grief. Surrounded by a group of women, she fell lamenting at the feet of her prabhu, as the female osprey laments for her lost mate. As the ocean of mercy, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu repeatedly grieved for His father. Tears cascaded down from His eyes and glistened on His chest, creating an illusion of a lustrous string of pearls.

Although He was full of sadness, Prabhu was pacified by His kinsmen. Then He performed acts of purification to invoke an auspicious future for His father. All these were performed by brahmanas according to the guidance of scripture.

Apparently dejected, the Lord, feeling very affectionate for His father, with accumulated wealth brought clay pots and other pure ingredients to perform a yajña for his father’s welfare. Afterwards, He honored each of the brahmanas present according to their seniority and age.

Anyone who recites with attention this narration of the entrance of Sri Gauranga’s father into the spiritual abode will also attain the divine Ganga at the time of death. Immediately giving up all contamination, he will attain the abode of Sri Hari.

— Murari Gupta. Sri Caitanya-carita. English translation by Sri Bhakti Vedanta Bhagavata Swami. Gaura Vani Press. Distributed by Nectar Books. Union City, Georgia. 1998.

Media connect Myers' report about strain on US military with lag in recruitment.

By Matthew Clark | csmonitor.com

Media reports in the US and around the world have taken note of a new classified report from the top US military adviser, which indicates that the US military's current commitments overseas may prevent it from adequately fighting future conflicts.

BBC writes that Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "has warned that ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan could limit the ability of the US to fight another war."

In a yearly risk assessment report required by Congress, Myers said any future armed conflicts "may result in significantly extended campaign timelines, and achieving campaign objectives may result in higher casualties and collateral damage." Myers said the US would still prevail in any future conflict, but "may be unable to meet expectations for speed or precision."

The timelines (to winning a new war) may have to be extended and we may have to use additional resources, but that doesn't matter because we're going to be successful in the end.

MSNBC called the assessment "sobering."

Some major US newspapers connected the report to lagging recruitment numbers as further evidence of strain on the military.

"Underscoring the stress facing the armed services," writes The Washington Post, "the Army reported separately [Monday] that its recruiting efforts are continuing to slip, as recruiters nationwide obtained less than 60 percent of the April goal of 6,600 new recruits into the active-duty force." The Post calls Myers' assessment "a rare open acknowledgment that the stresses on the force and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could have an impact on other military operations."

A Los Angeles Times editorial suggests that Myers' admission is a refreshing change, which "indicates that common sense continues to have its place."

The blunt honesty of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard B. Myers, is a bracing change from repeated claims by Pentagon civilians and President Bush that everything is fine.

After pointing out that "recruiting lags substantially," the Times ends with a reminder about the importance of soldiers vs. high-tech weaponry in the current conflict in Iraq.

For all the emphasis in recent years on unmanned aircraft and high-tech weapons, the problems of Afghanistan and Iraq should remind US administrations of the bottom line for armies: feet on the ground. Precision-guided missiles are all but useless against improvised explosive devices at the side of the road and are of no use at all in building democratic institutions.

A report from an Australian Broadcasting Corporation program called "The World Today," says that "what the General told the Congress seemed at odds with what he'd told the President ... only last week ...."

The report cited Bush's quote from last Thursday night's press conference.

The person I asked that to, the person I asked that to at least, is to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, my top military advisor. I said 'do you feel that we've limited our capacity to deal with other problems because of our troop levels in Iraq', and the answer is 'no', he doesn't feel we're limited. Feels like we got plenty of capacity.

White House spokesman Trent Duffy, acknowledged the report, but played down its impact.

We are at war, and that level of operations does have some impact on troops. But the president continues to be confident, as well as his military commanders, that we can meet any threat decisively.

While most news sources stress Myers' findings that the Iraq war has hampered the military's ability to respond quickly to other potential foes, an article by the American Forces Information Services posted on the Defense Department's website, emphasizes that the US military can still "handle any task."

The story begins this way: "The US military can accomplish all the tasks laid out for it in the National Military Strategy, according to [Myers]."

ISKCON's Annual Communications Meetings

Krsna Ksetra Dasa and Smita Krishna Swami at the 2005 ICELT Meetings

The thirteenth annual ISKCON Communications meetings saw discussion on "ISKCON and Hindu Nationalism", "Change, Continuity, Authority", and "Understanding the Postmodern Generation".

Under the auspices of the ISKCON Communcations Ministry and its GBC (Governing Body Commissioner), Anuttama Dasa, the annual ICELT (ISKCON Communications Europe Leadership Team) meetings have outgrown their title: they are more than European, with an increasing American involvement, and they are attended by many who wouldn't consider themselves "communications devotees". The meetings are growing into a vibrant think-tank. A place of vigorous enquiry safeguarded by a conservative devotional atmosphere.

This years meetings were held at the Goloka Dhama community in southwestern Germany and attended by more than forty delegates.

Special guest speakers this year included Prof. Jean Francois Mayer, from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) who held a three hour session entitled, "ISKCON, Hindu Nationalism, and Western Sympathisers of Hindutva". Prof. Mayer spoke on the balance that ISKCON tries to find between being relevant to political leaders, specifically Indian political leaders, while remaining true to its non-sectarian and non-political ethos.

He mentioned that some ISKCON leaders do keep close ties with with Hindu nationalist groups and suggested that although, "these involvements seem to be individual initiatives rather than a kind of general trend within ISKCON", that it would be advisable for ISKCON to clarify its policy on such dealings. There was also discussion on one of ISKCON's favourite chestnuts: What is its relationship to Hinduism?

Krsna Ksetra Dasa, a now an Oxford DPhil (PhD), lead a discussion and exercises on "Change, Continuity, Authority. A Meta-Reflexive Exercise for ISKCON". He argued that ISKCON's forty years are time enough to begin evaluation of the past and to anticipate future challenges. The group particualrly discussed ISKCON's greatest challenges—noted as (1) philosophical (theological/doctrinal), (2) practical (ritual/formal), (3) experiential (emotional/individual), (4) social (institutional/communal), (5) ethical (moral/legal), (6) narrative (historical/mythic),and (7) material (artistic/expressive)—and linked these with four components of authority—canon, charisma, competence, and contingency.

Ohter highlights:

Vyenkatta Bhatta Dasa, the new Assistant Director of ISKCON COmmunications USA spoke on "Youth Audiences. Understanding the Postmodern Generation".

Anuttama Dasa led a session on the Moscow Temple's difficulties in getting planning permission. This was followed, appropriately, by a session on crisis communications.

Short reports on ISKCON in Germany, Bhaktivedanta College, and the Child Protection Office.

Shaunaka Rishi Dasa on the creation of an "ISKCON Institute" to facilitate proper study of the tradition by practitioners.

The forty participants were relieved from all this heavy thinking by a short retreat led by Atmananda Dasa and a picnic walk around the nearby lake.

"Sex life, intoxication and meat eating are general tendencies of human society, but a regulated householder does not indulge in unrestricted sex life and other sense gratification. Marriage on principles of religious life is therefore current in all civilized human society because that is the way for restricted sex life. This restricted, unattached sex life is also a kind of yajna because the restricted householder sacrifices his general tendency toward sense gratification for higher transcendental life."

Bhagavad-gita 4:26 Purport

"As long as one is situated in the material world, there must be pleasure and pain arising from the material body. As Krsna advises in Bhagavad-gita, tams titiksasva bharata. One has to learn how to tolerate the temporary pains and pleasures of this material world. One must also be detached from his family and practice celibacy. Sex with one's wife according to the scriptural injunctions is also accepted as brahmacarya (celibacy), but illicit sex is opposed to religious principles, and it hampers advancement in spiritual consciousness.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5:5:10-13

"In Bhagavad-gita (7.11) it is said: dharmaviruddho bhutesu kamo 'smi bharatarsabha. Sex is allowed only for the begetting of children, not for enjoyment. One can indulge in sex to beget a good child for the benefit of the family, society and world. Otherwise, sex is against the rules and regulations of religious life. A materialistic person does not believe that everything is managed in nature, and he does not know that if one does something wrong, he is witnessed by different demigods. A person enjoys illicit sex, and due to his blind, lusty desire. he thinks that no one can see him, but this illicit sex is thoroughly observed by the agents of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the person is punished in so many ways. presently in Kali-yuga there are many pregnancies due to illicit sex, and sometimes abortions ensue. These sinful activities are witnessed by the agents of the Supreme personality of Godhead, and a man and woman who create such a situation are punished in the future by the stringent laws of material nature (daivi hy esa guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya). Illicit sex is never excused, and those who indulge in it are punished life after life. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (16.20):

asurim yonim apanna

mudha janmani janmani

mam aprapyaiva kaunteya

tato yanty adhamam gatim

"Attaining repeated birth among the species of demoniac life, such persons can never approach Me. Gradually they sink down to the most abominable type of existence."

The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not allow anyone to act against the stringent laws of material nature; therefore illicit sex is punished life after life. Illicit sex creates pregnancies, and these unwanted pregnancies lead to abortion. Those involved become implicated in these sins, so much so that they are punished in the same way the next life. Thus in the next life they also enter the womb of a mother and are killed in the same way. All these things can be avoided by remaining on the transcendental platform of Krsna consciousness. In this way one does not commit sinful activity. Illicit sex is the most prominent sin due to lusty desire. When one associates with the mode of passion, he is implicated in suffering life after life.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5:14:9 Purport

"The natural instinct of a woman is to enjoy the material world. She induces her husband to enjoy this world by satisfying his tongue, belly and genitals, which are called jihva, udara and upastha. A woman is expert in cooking palatable dishes so that she can easily satisfy her husband in eating. When one eats nicely, his belly is satisfied, and as soon as the belly is satisfied the genitals become strong. Especially when a man is accustomed to eating meat and drinking wine and similar passionate things, he certainly becomes sexually inclined. It should be understood that sexual inclinations are meant not for spiritual progress but for gliding down to hell. Thus Kasyapa Muni considered his situation and lamented. In other words, to be a householder is very risky unless one is trained and the wife is a follower of her husband. A husband should be trained at the very beginning of his life. Kaumara acaret prajno dharman bhagavatan iha (Bhag. 7.6.1). During the time of brahmacarya, or student life, a brahmacari should be taught to be expert in bhagavata-dharma, devotional service. Then when he marries, if his wife is faithful to her husband and follows him in such life, the relationship between husband and wife is very desirable. However, a relationship between husband and wife without spiritual consciousness but strictly for sense gratification is not at all good. It is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam (12.2.3) that especially in this age, Kali-yuga, dam-patye 'bhirucir hetuh: the relationship between husband and wife will be based on sexual power. Therefore householder life in this Kali-yuga is extremely dangerous unless both the wife and husband take to Krsna consciousness."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6:18:40 Purport

"Material life is such that due to indulgence in illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and meat-eating, the conditioned soul is always in a dangerous condition. Meat-eating and intoxication excite the senses more and more, and the conditioned soul falls victim to women. In order to keep women, money is required, and to acquire money, one begs, borrows or steals. Indeed, he commits abominable acts that cause him to suffer both in this life and in the next. Consequently illicit sex must be stopped by those who are spiritually inclined or who are on the path of spiritual realization. Many devotees fall down due to illicit sex. They may steal money and even fall down from the highly honored renounced order. Then for a livelihood they accept menial services and become beggars. It is therefore said in the sastras, yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham: materialism is based on sex, whether licit or illicit. Sex is full of dangers even for those who are addicted to household life. Whether one has a license for sex or not, there is great trouble. Bahu-duhkha-bhak: after one indulges in sex, many volumes of miseries ensue. One suffers more and more in material life. A miserly person cannot properly utilize the wealth he has, and similarly a materialistic person misuses the human form. Instead of using it for spiritual emancipation, he uses the body for sense gratification. Therefore he is called a miser."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5:14:22 Purport

"Materialistic life is based on sex life. The existence of all the materialistic people, who are undergoing severe tribulation in the struggle for existence, is based on sex. Therefore, in the Vedic civilization sex life is allowed only in a restricted way; it is for the married couple and only for begetting children. But when sex life is indulged in for sense gratification illegally and illicitly, both the man and the woman await severe punishment in this world or after death. In this world also they are punished by virulent diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea, and in the next life, as we see in this passage of Srimad-Bhagavatam, they are put into different kinds of hellish conditions to suffer."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3:30:28 Purport

"Generally a man should not have sexual relations with any woman other than his wife. According to Vedic principles, the wife of another man is considered one's mother, and sexual relations are strictly forbidden with one's mother, sister and daughter. If one indulges in illicit sexual relations with another man's wife, that activity is considered identical with having sex with one's mother. This act is most sinful. The same principle holds for a woman also; if she enjoys sex with a man other than her husband, the act is tantamount to having sexual relations with her father or son. Illicit sex life is always forbidden, and any man or woman who indulges in it is punished in the manner described in this verse."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 5:26:20 Purport

"Those who strongly desire to cross the ocean of nescience must not associate with the modes of ignorance, for hedonistic activities are the greatest obstructions to realization of religious principles, economic development, regulated sense gratification and, at last, liberation.

Purport: The four principles of life allow one to live according to religious principles, to earn money according to one's position in society, to allow the senses to enjoy the sense objects according to regulations, and to progress along the path of liberation from this material attachment. As long as the body is there, it is not possible to become completely free from all these material interests. It is not, however, recommended that one act only for sense gratification and earn money for that purpose only, sacrificing all religious principles. At the present moment, human civilization does not care for religious principles. It is, however, greatly interested in economic development without religious principles. For instance, in a slaughterhouse the butchers certainly get money easily, but such business is not based on religious principles. Similarly, there are many nightclubs for sense gratification and brothels for sex. Sex, of course, is allowed in married life, but prostitution is prohibited because all our activities are ultimately aimed at liberation, at freedom from the clutches of material existence. Similarly, although the government may license liquor shops, this does not mean that liquor shops should be opened unrestrictedly and illicit liquor smuggled. Licensing is meant for restricting. No one has to take a license for sugar, wheat or milk because there is no need to restrict these things. In others words, it is advised that one not act in a way that will obstruct the regular process of advancement in spiritual life and liberation. The Vedic process of sense gratification is therefore planned in such a way that one can economically develop and enjoy sense gratification and yet ultimately attain liberation. Vedic civilization offers us all knowledge in the sastras, and if we live a regulated life under the direction of sastras and guru, all our material desires will be fulfilled; at the same time we will be able to go forward to liberation."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 4:22:34 Purport

Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

04/05/05, Update from the caregivers of HH Bhakti Tirtha Maharaj

Dear Beloved Devotees:

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All glories to H.H. Bhakti-tirtha Swami Maharaja.

Once again, Gurudeva asked to be driven to the Temple last Sunday because of the possibility of rain. Last Sunday, as in previous weeks, Godsiblings, disciples, and well-wishers from across the country come to hear from Bhakti-tirtha Maharaja, many of whom he had not seen in several years. Many of these devotees lined up outside of the Temple to greet Gurudeva, eagerly awaiting a chance to carry him up the Temple steps in his wheelchair.

Guru Maharaja began the class enthusiastically chanting, "Jaya Jaya Radhe Jaya Jaya Shyama Jaya Jaya Sri Vrindavana Dhama and Jaya Jaya Radhe Jaya Jaya Shyama Jaya Jaya Sri Gita-nagari DhamaI" Devotees were shocked by the energy with which he sang and spoke. It was a powerful lecture; Gurudeva read his prayer, "We Bid Each Other Farewell to Go Deeper" and gave a full length class (including time for questions) to a full Temple room of devotees. His voice was strong; however, his body was and still is extremely weak and causing great discomfort.

Gurudeva spends each day chanting, listening to parikrama lectures, and answering a few emails from Godbrothers/sisters; occasionally, someone may get the opportunity to read to him. Even though Gurudeva is not so available to meet with devotees, a few guests including H.H. Guru Prasad Maharaja and H.H. Jaya Advaita Maharaja visited Gita-nagari, enlivening residents and guests with their association and with Srimad Bhagavatam Class.

Additionally, Sangita Mataji, Gurudeva's godsister and a hospice nurse, visited for two days and gave the caregivers tips and advice on caring for Maharaja's physical needs. Her wealth of knowledge and experience is extremely valuable. We are most grateful to her for coming and for her continued availability and care.

On a scale from one to ten, Gurudeva's bodily discomfort is about nine; the tumors are increasing in size and spreading to various parts of the body and thus, he is unable to walk, sit or lie for any long period of time. Ekavira. Dhruva, and Brahma Muhurta Prabhus reposition Gurudeva sometimes every hour throughout the night to minimize bedsores and breaking of the skin.

Although this may be difficult for many of us, Gurudeva is requesting devotees to assist with his departure by understanding that Srila Prabhupada is calling him and that he is also ready to join Srila Prabhupada.

Additionally, Maharaja is requesting us to cultivate a deeper relationship with his vani (instructions) instead of holding on to his vapu (form). He requests that devotees please stop praying for him to remain in this world.

Thank you all for your continued support. We will do our best to keep you informed.

Hare Krishna.

Your indebted servants,

Caregivers of H.H. Bhakti-tirtha Swami

THIS CIVILIZATION IS SOUL KILLING, WE HAVE TO SAVE THEM

Regarding religion, not only at present, but also in the past, all of them are described as pseudo-religions. The Bhagavat has condemned such pseudo-religion in the second verse of the first chapter, first canto. Under the spell of material energy, man is forgetful of his eternal relationship with God. They create some religion to derive some material benefit as they create political organization for mutual undisturbed sense gratification. So religion is also a part of that concept of life. As such, in most of the religions you will find some instruction on morality and goodness, and God consciousness is superfluous. So except Krsna Consciousness or Bhagavata Dharma or religion of the Bhagavata, any other system of religion is only pretension, that is the fact. It is not therefore surprising that your impression of the meeting of the Jews and Christians, where you had opportunity to speak, was that they were lacking so much in God-consciousness. So far we are concerned, our principle is to live with God as actual fact, and not to make God a supplying agent.

...It appears that now it is the government policy to curb our activities. The zoning problem is another harassment. The general policy is to stop our Movement. That has begun, in so many ways; by the parents, by the municipality, by the government, by zoning; somehow or other to check this Movement. We are enemies to their standard of civilization. That is the problem. We are enemies, certainly. We frankly say, ``This civilization is soul-killing. We have to save them, para upakara.'' Actually they are misleading people that the skin is everything. That is not the fact. The soul is everything. That they do not understand. They say, ``What is this nonsense?'' They have no idea of religion. For them it is just a decoration...

...Yes, civil disobedience will be the only method in this circumstance. But there are so many judgments in our favor. We should bring the matter in the court. We have the opinions of so many scholars. Bring the matter in the court. But if it is a state policy to cut down this Movement, then civil disobedience. What can be done?...

...Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated October 8th and 10th, 1969 and I have noted the contents carefully. I understand from your letter of October 8th that there is a struggle with the Kazi. This obstacle by the Kazi is not new to our Krishna Consciousness Movement. It was there even during the time of Lord Caitanya, but we must steadily go on with our activities without caring for these so-called custodians of law. We are the most lawful citizens in the world, but if some demon Kazi gives stumbling to our execution of duties, we cannot abide by such order. I am very glad to learn that some of the Catholic priests are sympathetic with our movement. The government says ``In God we trust'', and we are preaching the message of love of God, pleading with the people to become servants of God. So where is the cause of breaking the public peace? I am enclosing herewith a declaration of our Krishna Consciousness Movement which you may present in court if necessary. You depend on Krishna, try to face the charges by your best abilities and surely Krishna will help you... (Letters from Srila Prabhupada 4/11/1970, 1/3+4/1977, 10/13/1969)

When, O master, out of your great mercy, will you bestow upon this servant the spiritual qualification to fulfill your order? My mind will then become tranquil, I will endure all hardships, and I will serve Lord Hari with undivided attention. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura- Saranagati, song 10)

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COMMENTS

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Someone recently directed me to your site and it is encouraging to see this

kind of preaching continuing some years now after Sri Gour Govinda Maharaja

has departed.

-- Swami B.V. Tripurari

Your e-mail magazine is pure nectar and by now (99 issues) it has turned

into a transcendental encyclopedia of spiritual knowledge. Keep up the good

service.

-- Evanatha Das, Bihac, Bosnia, Europe

Thanks a lot for your wonderful service to the Vaishnavas. Please keep up

the good work. My best wishes to the KK Bindu team.

-- Bhakta Vishal

Thank you for the wonderful nectar you shower on us every Ekadasi.

-- Gaurachandra Das, Kuala Lumpur