krsna

/images/graemlins/grin.gif From Cc Adi lila krsnere karaya yaiche rasa asvadana kridara sahaya yaiche, suna vivarana Now please listen to how Lord Krsna's consorts help Him taste rasa and how they help in His pastimes. krsna-kanta-gana dekhi tri-vidha prakara eka laksmi-gana, pure mahisi-gana ara vrajangana-rupa, ara kanta-gana-sara sri-radhika haite kanta-ganera vistara The beloved consorts of Lord Krsna are of three kinds: the goddesses of fortune, the queens, and the milkmaids of Vraja, who are the foremost of all. These consorts all proceed from Radhika. avatari krsna yaiche kare a vatara amsini radha haite tina ganera vistara Just as the fountainhead, Lord Krsna, is the cause of all incarnations, so Sri Radha is the cause of all these consorts. vaibhava-gana yena tanra anga-vibhti bimba-pratibimba-rupa mahisira tati The goddesses of fortune are partial manifestations of Srimati Radhika, and the queens are reflections of Her image. laksmi-gana tanra vaibhava-vilasamsa-rupa mahisi-gana vaibhava-prakasa-svarupa The goddesses of fortune are Her plenary portions, and they display the forms of vaibhava-vilasa. The queens are of the nature of Her vaibhava-prakasa. (vaibhava-vilas and prakash examples from Cc Madhya 20.170-onwards: Sri Balarama is a vaibhava-prakasa manifestation of Krsna. He is also manifest in the original quadruple expansion of Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. These are prabhava-vilasa expansions with different emotions. From that prabhava-vilasa, the original catur-vyuha, comes the entire pantheon of caturvyuhas which are vaibhava-vilasa features of the Lord. These four prabhava-vilasa pastime forms of Lord Krsna reside eternally in Dvaraka and Mathura. From the original quadruple expansions, twenty-four forms are manifest. They differ according to the placement of weapons in Their four hands. They are called vaibhava-vilasa. If one form or feature is differently manifested according to different emotional features, it is called vaibhava-prakasa The first manifestation of the vaibhava feature of Krsna known as vaibhava-prakasa, is Sri Balarama. Balarama and Krsna have different bodily colors, but otherwise Balarama is equal to Krsna in all respects. Another example of vaibhava-prakasa is the son of Devaki. He sometimes has two hands and sometimes has four hands) akara svabhava-bh ede vraia-devi-gana kaya-vyuha-rupa tanra rasera karana The Vraja-devis have diverse bodily features. They are Her expansions and are the instruments for expanding rasa. bahu kanta vina nahe rasera ullasa Iilara sahaya lagi' bahuta prakasa Without many consorts, there is not such exultation in rasa. Therefore there are many manifestations of Srimati Radharani to assist in the Lord's pastimes.

Hare Krsna I belong to Krsna and not to this world of matter and death. I no longer want to live in a modernity of 2004 AD/CE. What about 200,000,000,000,000,000,004 AD/CE? Or where was ' I ' before "200,...,004 BC ? You'll never find such info on my bith cirtificate. I refuse to continue to live in a time & space defined by a world of conditions super-imposed & dictated by men of meagre material intelligence. Instead,there must be a much higer realm of spiritual existance (the free light and spirit of Vaikuntha) where time is conspicuous by it's absence.All my endeavor will go to that end and NOT to a 'dead end'. Krsna das

na karma-bandhanam janma vaishnavanam ca vidyate vishnur anucaratvam hi moksham ahur manishinah A Vaishnava does not take birth under the jurisdiction of the laws of karma. His birth and disappearance are transcendental. The wise have declared that the servants of Vishnu are eternally engaged in the liberated service of the Lord and hence are free from the laws of material nature. (Hari-Bhakti-Vilaasa, 10.113, quoted from Padma Puraan) ata eva vaishnavera janma mrityu nai sange aisen, sange yayen tathai dharma, karma, janma vaishnavera kabhu nahe padma-puranete iha vyakta kari' kahe The Vaishnavas do not undergo birth and death like ordinary people do. They appear and disappear within this world of their own accord. In this way, sometimes we get their association and sometimes their association is withdrawn. The devotees are not subject to any worldly considerations of duty and karma. (C.B. Antya 8.173-174) acinoti yah shastrartham acare sthapayaty api svayam acarate yasmad Acharyas tena kirttitah “Know the Acharya to be as good as Myself. Never disrespect him. Never envy him or consider him an ordinary man for He is the sum total of all the demigods.” (Vayu Purana) “The life history of many such devotees is almost the same because there is always symmetry between the early lives of all great devotees of the Lord.” (SB. 2.3.15, purport) “Birth in a family of yogis or transcendentalists those with great wisdom is praised herein because the child born in such a family receives a spiritual impetus from the very beginning of his life. It is especially the case in the Acharya or goswami families. Such families are very learned and devoted by tradition and training, and thus they become spiritual masters. ….By the grace of the Lord, there are still families that foster transcendentalists generation after generation… Fortunately, both our spiritual master, Om Vishnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati goswami Maharaja, and our humble self had the opportunity to take birth in such families, by the grace of the Lord, and both of us were trained in the devotional service of the Lord from the very beginning of our lives.” (BG. 6.42) gumatmanas te 'pi gunan vimatum, hitavatirinasya ka ishire 'sya kalena yair va vimitah su-kalpair, bhu-pamshavah khe mihika dyu-bhasah ‘‘In time, learned philosophers or scientists might be able to count all the atoms of the earth, the particles of snow, or perhaps even the shining molecules radiating from the sun, the stars and other luminaries. But among these learned men, who could possibly count the unlimited transcendental qualities possessed by You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who have descended onto the surface of the earth for the benefit of all living entities?'' (S.B. 10.14.7)

Bhakti Raksaka Srila Sridhara Maharaja To err is human. To err is inevitable for all, being not perfect. Still, no one wants to remain imperfect. There is an element within all that is animate that tends towards perfection. If it were not so, we would feel no want at all. Our tendency towards perfection is certainly very weak and limited; otherwise we could attain the goal at once. Our limited capacity and tendency for perfection makes room for the guide or guru. The imperfect is not so if it is not in need of help, and that also from beyond itself. The perfect is not perfect if He cannot assert Himself or help others, and that too, of His own accord. So the guidance to perfection or Absolute Truth is necessarily a function of the absolute Himself, and the divine agent through whom this function manifests is Sri Guru or the divine guide. For a seeker of the Absolute Truth, submission to the guru is unavoidable. A class of thinkers believes, however, that when scientific research is possible, why cannot higher spiritual knowledge also be evolved from within? Such people are ignorant of the most essential nature of absolute Knowledge, that He alone is the Aksolute Subject and all else including ourselves constitutionally stand only as an object to His omniscient vision. It is impossible for the eye to see the mind; it can have some connection with the mind only when the latter cares to mind it. In a similar way, our connection with absolute knowledge depends mainly on His sweet will. We must solely depend on His agent, or the spiritual master, through whom He likes to distribute Himself. Our human society with its finest culture forms but an infinitesimal part of the dynamic absolute. How, except by the direct and positive method of revelation, dare we hope to comprehend or evolve any conception of the supernatural knowledge of the unconditioned infinite? All intellectual giants prove themselves but pygmies before the absolute omniscient omnipotence who reserves the right to give Himself away through His own agents alone. To our best knowledge and sincerity, however, we should see not to submit to a false agent. Here of course, we can't help ourselves very much; because in our present state we are mainly guided by our previous samskara or acquired nature. "Birds of the same feather flock together." Yet, although we are generally overpowered by habit, there is still the possibility of free choice to a certain extent, specially in the human species, otherwise correction becomes impossible, and punishment mere vengeance. Reality can assert itself. Light does not require darkness for its positive proof. The sun by itself can establish its supremacy over all other lights. Before an open and unbiased eye, the sad guru (real guide) shines above all professors of phenomenon. Sri Guru manifests himself mainly in a twofold way- -as the director from within and the preceptor from without. Both functions of the absolute help an individual soul--a disciple to reach the absolute goal. In our fallen state we cannot catch the proper direction of the inner guide, so the merciful manifestation of the preceptor without is our sole help and hope. But at the same time it is only by the grace of the guru within that we can recognize the real preceptor without and submit to his holy feet. A bona fide disciple must always remain fully awake to the fact that his highest spiritual fortune is but a gracious grant from the Absolute Lord, and not a matter of right to be demanded or fought out. Constitutionally, we are equipped only to be proper recipients of God's favor. In this connection it should be clearly understood that an individual soul can never be substantially the same as the Absolute Person. Not even in his liberated or fully realized condition can an individual soul be one with Godhead. The misconception of oneness has been introduced from the slothful nondiscrimination of the Absolute Personality from the luminous orb around His eternal, spiritual, and blissful home. In fact, an individual soul constitutes only a part of a particular power of intermediate value of the Supreme Lord, and as such he is capable of being converted from both sides. He differs from the absolute Entity both in quantity and quality; and is merely a dependent entity on the absolute. In other words, the Absolute Lord Krsna is the master,and an individual jiva soul is His constitutional subordinate or servant. Such a relationship is constant and really wholesome for the jiva. The apprehension of slavery does not arise because of his free choice and immense positive gain. The freedom and individuality of the jiva are not only unharmed bv surrender to the Absolute Good, but they really thrive in Him alone. Individual freedom and interest are the part and parcel of those who are of the absolute, and so they are quite at home there, as a fish is at home in water or an animal in a healthy atmosphere. But the freedom as well as all other qualities of the Supreme personality are unlimited and transcendental, and so only by their partial functions they harmonize all relative entities. Sri guru is not exclusively the same as the Supreme Lord Himself, but he fully represents the essence of the whole normal potency and embodies the most comprehensive and excellent service and favor of the Lord. As he is the fittest servitor of the Lord, he is empowered by the Lord to reinstate all misguided souls to their best interest. So, guru is the divine messenger of immortal hope and joy in this mortal and miserable world. His advent is the most auspicious and happy event to the suffering animation, and can be compared to the rising of the moming star that can guide the traveller lost in the desert. A gentle touch of sri guru's merciful hand can wipe off the incessant tears from all weeping eyes. A patriot or philanthropist makes the problem only worse in his frantic and futile attempt to alleviate the deeprooted pain of a suffering soul, as an ignorant doctor does in eagerly handling an unfortunate patient. Oh the day when this poor soul realizes the causeless grace of sri gurudeva. Swami B.R. Sridhara -this essay was originally published in 1934, in The Harmonist.

This is Brutal Hardcore Honesty straight from the heart of Theistji: Coming clean-"it ain't that easy" 04/25/02 quote: -- Originally posted by jijaji on another thread: Many seek affiliation with ancient traditions and lines that give complex esotetic practices and teachings because it is a replacement for realization. To have spiritual awakening is no easy or common thing, so seekers gravitate to a tradition that clams to possess the 'Highest' or most intimate or most secret teachings etc etc etc. This is simply a SUBSTITUTE for realizing the 'TRUTH' itself. It's like 'Fundy Christians' who say all ya gotta do is 'BEIEVE'... -- This is a subject in and of itself.It is not limited to just those who align themselves with the "most esoteric".I have been very aware of myself doing this in many ways.I like to think of myself as an ardent seeker of the truth. The fact is on a couple of occasions when I got a slight glimpse of some aspect of the truth it also involved my recognizing my own utter hatred,( yes hatred) of that reality. I envy Krishna to the core. Somehow I have become cornered by this philosophy.Birth and death sucks.Absorbtion into the impersonal Brahman is clearly not the best option. So I am left hearing and chanting in a half-hearted way at best hoping to lessen my suffering in some way, while I come to grips with the reality that I am the eternal subordinate energy of Krishna and am meant to be enjoyed by Him. It those words 'subordinate' and 'enjoyed'that are causing me grief. So at this level it is like I am hiding from Krishna(and myself)by pretending to myself that I am a true seeker of God.I have also noticed a tendancy to increase my external sadhana at times to actual block this realization. What a game.It is also a pyschological defense mechanism.If we focus too much on our own inner darkness too soon, we would just suffer a nervous breakdown. I feel like a cornered rat. Ys,Ratso Rizo

Theist is kind. Theist is keen, Theist forever. Haribol

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3645552.stm

By becoming Krsna's good friend and confidant .... /images/graemlins/cool.gif

The Story of the Four Regulative Principles . Excerpts From Saptama Skandha of the Devi Bhagavata Purana There is an interesting story that gives us some philosophical as well as moral, and practical examples as to why gambling, intoxication, meat eating and illicit sex are considered to have an alluring, consuming and destructive nature for all involved. Once the heavenly physicians the Aswini kumaras were ejected from the court of Indra, after labelling them as out castes, and drunkards. Indra then banned them from the use of wine. Discontented with this the Aswini kumaras approached Chyavana who had just completed the performance of a yajna to the moon god Chandra offering him his favourite beverage Soma wine. Chyavana gave some of this prasadam to the Aswini kumaras, who drank it against the will of Indra. . Infuriated at their behaviour king Indra sent his thunder bolt weapon Vajrayudha to kill the instigator Chyavana. But by his mystic powers the sage paralysed the hands of Indra leaving him helpless. Chyavana then performed another yajna and called a genie called Mada to return the complement, and kill Indra. . Frightened at the sight of the genie Indra humbled, fell at the feet of the sage and begged for his life, and forgiveness. The sage then called the genie caught him and tore him into four pieces, and threw each part into a different place. Since that time it is considered that Mada the destructive genie is personally present in four places each of which is the killer of human society. Gambling, intoxication, hunting and meat eating, and illicit sexual activities. . Something of interest from Agni Purana. . According to Agni Purana (Chapter 159.), for one who has any part in the killing of a cow, Gohatya there are certain purificatory activities that one must abide by, otherwise that unfortunate sinful soul will undergo similar unnecessary sufferings that his victim, the cow underwent but by a much greater magnitude. . There are also methods of atonement for such an act which are; For one month he should drink only barley water. He should live in a cow shed wearing the hide of the cow which he has killed. He can have some supper also but without salt. He must bathe for two months in cow's urine. During the day time he should follow the cows and tend to their comforts. He should drink the menstrual discharge with his face lifted upwards. Fasting is also recommended, during which time he should give away as charity ten cows and a bull. If this is not done then he should give all his hard earned wealth to qualified Vaishnava brahmins. . If a man only stops the cow for others to kill he should bear a forth of the punishment; and if he stops and ties the cow for the killing he should bear half the punishment; and if he stops the cow, ties it, and supplies the weapon to kill it, then he has to suffer three quarters of the punishment to be relieved of his sinful deeds. Such is the way for a Slaughterhouse Civilisation. . UPAPAATAKA (Upapapa) (Minor sins). . In accordance with the Rashtramimamsaa (political philosophy) of ancient India, crimes were divided into two types. They were called Upapaatakas (minor crimes) and Paatakas (major crimes). Upapaatakas are given below :- Cow slaughter in any case is considered abominable; sacrificing by one who is unworthy to perform it; seducing another man's wife; forsaking one's father, mother and teacher, forsaking self study, agni (fire) and son; becoming Parivettaa (one who gets married before one's elder brother is married), younger brother finishing education before the elder, giving an unmarried girl to Parivitti or Parivettaa, performing sacrifice by a Parivitti or a Parivettaa; slandering an unmarried girl of good character; living on the interest of money that is leant; violating one's vow; selling a pond, a garden, a wife or son; becoming an out caste, and or forsaking one's dependants or relatives by taking to asceticism without making provision for them; teaching the Vedas or other sacred scriptures after receiving remuneration for doing so; selling things which could or should not be sold; destroying or polluting the earth, working in mines, working on big machinery, destroying medicinal herbs; a man living by women selling herself; to impede sacrificial rites and to not show respect to devotees; to cut down fresh trees (not dried - dead) for fire wood; kidnapping women; mingling with slanderers of women; performing selfish or materially ambitious activities; eating forbidden rice 'or food' (cooked by non-devotees); not keeping Sacrificial fire; theft, including not repaying loans; learning forbidden or harmful sciences, doing things which are bad and will cause grief to others; stealing of base metals, grains and cows; contact with drunken women; killing women, Shudras, Vaishyas, and Kshatriyas and becoming an infidel, denying or not having faith in God are all Upapaatakas. , Worse is causing grief to a Brahmin; inhaling the smell of liquor and other prohibited toxic things, what to speak of drinking or using them for recreational activities; resorting to tricks, political manoeuvres or deceit to main oneself or gain the upper hand; and engaging in pederasty (sodomy and or homosexuality) are sins which would make one not only sinful, but also an out caste. . Slaughter of such beings as a dog, donkey, camel, lion, sheep, jungle or wild goat, fish, serpent and mongoose are sins of a mixed character depending on time, place and circumstance. . Receiving money from the despicable, criminals, etc.; buying, selling and laundering; serving an unworthy person of low moral restraint or an untrained shudra; telling a lie, especially to a saintly person; acting so as to render oneself unworthy; killing worms and birds; eating food along with liquor (alcohol); stealing fruits, flowers and butea; and not living up to one's responsibilities, becoming a coward, and or committing suicide are also sins to be avoided by those in pursuit of developing and maintaining human qualities. . One who wishes to commit suicide by dint of the activity is ignorant, and has no idea of who they are. They are most unfortunate and are to be pitied. However, their degree of selfishness is beyond compare for they only have thoughts for their own release - they have no thoughts for the sufferings of others, those who they would leave behind and who have done so much for them. . Suicide may take many forms. The slow poisoning effects of toxic liquors, the impounding bellows of thick smoke, the use of psychoactive drugs or other addictive narcotics punish the body beyond the addicted users comprehension. .A All such activties give to one a further imprisonment in their subtle body as ghost - and that is not a matter of whether you believe it or not. Then what to speak of the social implications of such an intoxicated society. Who can follow it's judgement? The amount of domestic violence, poverty, addiction and personal abuse, including abortion and misuse of rights and criminals maintaining their habits is phenomenal. What to speak of responsibility of life by intoxicated persons using machinery, such as cars, trucks, buses, or even air-craft - is such irresponsibility not sinful??? .. However, in today's advanced human civilisation people do many or even all of these sins without even thinking them wrong. Society has created an uncaring population, only interested in enjoying themselves at any cost. Such insensitive impersonalism in former times was considered the behaviour of the lowest classes of people, barely human. Yet today, modern advanced civilisation propagates such ideals as the normal way of life to pursue. If one doesn't pursue these sinful paths one is looked upon as something possibly wrong with them. ... In this modern age practically most if not all of the above are accepted and endorsed by the majority of the population. To change the flow of the tide is not merely a task of legislation, rather one has to be open, honest and reflectively humble to accept that which seems to go against the flow. .. There is more to a Salmon than being a fish. It has the amazing ability to keep it's focus against all opposition, and swim up-stream against the strongest of currents. That for a fish, in the watery environment is no easy task. .. However, consider this. If a population, uncultured and without direction, as lemmings are noted to be, charged for added excitement off of a cliff, would you? Then why do we defiantly stand looking into the eyes of death, thinking we will not be consumed. . A very dear friend, who used to encourage me in Krishna consciousness told a story to depict this scenario in a class given in Vrindavana (1984). ".....at the time of the French revolution ( all of the aristocracy was rounded up and systematically executed by the guillotine. The first few beheadings were quite exciting for the crowd to see. But as the entire aristocratic population fell prey to the sharp blade of the guillotine the novelty wore off. In fact it was such a common occurrence that within the crowd that it was boring. . Some observant member of the crown noticed that the only way out from the execution was a Royal reprieve, for which all, right up to the very last moment were waiting. The tension in their bodies was so strong as they knelt there in position that, the breath of a reprieve made a powerful motion to leave the executioners block. Their freedom to enjoy. . The crowd found some excitement in this too! But it was the macabre, which really excited them, to the point that a betting pool was set up. . Just as the guillotine's blade was about to drop and behead the victim of political circumstance, there was a person who would tap the prisoner on the back, and say the words they longed to hear, "Vous et libre pourpartyr" (you are free to go). But alas, then the blade would fall sending the head into the basket. However, the momentum of the tensely strung prisoner caught in the thought of reprieve sent the body in motion. On the betting board they would gamble how far the headless corpse(s) would go. . The winning corpse, a young aristocratic lady's bloody body is reputed to have gone several blocks before colliding with a brick wall." . The moral to this story is that we are also wondering how long a headless society can continue in motion before hitting the proverbial brick wall? Especially as we see so many symptoms of a finale in sight. . All of the Ancient Prophecies will in due course of time be fulfilled. THE FOUR PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM (A Comprehensive Study) by Satyaraja Dasa, 1994 -- Some verses from Srimad Bhagavatam - Bhagavat Purana: loke vyavaayaamiShamadyasevaa nityaa hi jantorna hi tatra chodanaa | vyavasthitisteShu vivaahayaj~na suraagrahairaasu nivR^ittiriShtaa || Bhaagavata PuraaNa 11.5.11 || loke - in the material world; vyavaaya - sex indulgence; aamiSha - of meat; madya - and liquor; sevaaH - the taking; nityaaH - always found; hi - indeed; jantoH - in the conditioned living being; na - not; hi - indeed; tatra - in regard to them; chodanaa - any command of scripture; vyavasthitiH - the prescribed arrangement; teShu - in these; vivaaha - by sacred marriage; yaj~na - the offering of sacrifice; suraa-grahaiH - and the acceptance of ritual cups of wine; aasu - of these; nivR^ittiH - cessation; iShTaa - is the desired end. In this material world the conditioned soul is always inclined to sex, meat-eating and intoxication. Therefore religious scriptures never actually encourage such activities. Although the scriptural injunctions provide for sex through sacred marriage, for meat-eating through sacrifical offerings and for intoxication through the acceptance of ritual cups of wine, such ceremonies are meant for the ultimate purpose of renunciation. (Bhaagavata PuraaNa 11.5.11) yad ghraaNabhakSho vihitaH suraayaastathaa pashoraalabhana.m na hi.msaa | eva.m vyavaayaH prajayaa na ratyaa ima.m vishuddha.m na viduH svadharmam || Bhaagavata PuraaNa 11.5.13 || yat - because; ghraaNa - by smell; bhakShaH - the taking; vihitaH - is enjoined; suraayaaH - of wine; tathaa - similarly; pashoH - of a sacrificial animal; aalabhanam - prescribed killing; na - not; hi.msaa - wanton violence; evam - in the same way; vyavaayaH - sex; prajayaa - for the purpose of begetting children; na - not; ratyai - for the sake of sense enjoyment; imam - this (as pointed out in the previous verse); vishuddham - most pure; na viduH - they do not understand; sva-dharmam - their own proper duty. According to the Vedic injunctions, when wine is offered in sacrifical ceremonies it is later to be consumed by smelling, and not by drinking. Similarly, the sacrificial offering of animals is permitted, but there is not provision for wide-scale animal slaughter. Religious sex life is also permitted, but only in marriage for begetting children, and not for sensuous exploitation of the body. Unfortunately, however, the less intelligent materialists cannot understand that their duties in life should be performed purely on the spiritual platform. (Bhaagavata PuraaNa 11.5.13) ye tvaneva.mvido'santaH stabdhaaH sadabhimaaninaH | pashuun druhyanti vishrabdhaaH pretya khaadanti te cha taan || Bhaagavata PuraaNa 11.5.14 || ye - those who; tu - but; anevam-vidaH - not knowing these facts; asantaH - very impious; stabdhaaH - presumptuous; sat-abhimaaninaH - considering themselves saintly; pashuun - animals; druhyanti - they harm; vishrabdhaaH - being innocently trusted; pretya - after leaving this present body; khaadanti - they eat; te - those animals; cha - and; taan - them. Those sinful persons who are ignorant of actual religious principles, yet consider themselves to be completely pious, without compunction commit violence against innocent animals who are fully trusting in them. In their next lives, such sinful persons will be eaten by the same creatures they have killed in this world. (Bhaagavata PuraaNa 11.5.14) What evidence do you have to show that animal killing is sanctioned by the Vedas? As the above verse state, any animal sacrifices prescribed in the karma kaaNDa portion of the shrutis is meant ultimately for renunciation of the act. Furthermore, Lord Chaitanya quotes a verse from the puraaNa which states: ashvamedha.m gavaalambha.m sannyaasa.m palapaitR^ikam | devareNa sutotpatti.m kalau pa~ncha vivarjayet || In this age of Kali, five acts are forbidden: the offering of a horse in sacrifice, the offering of a cow in sacrifice, the acceptance of the order of sannyaasa, the offering of oblations of flesh to the forefathers, and a man's begetting children in his brother's wife (Brahma-vaivarta PuraaNa). So even sacrifices like ashvamedha yagna are clearly forbidden for the Kali Yuga. The Four Regulative Principles of Human life are not meant as an imposition, more a positive guideline to follow to keep one out of harms way. . The biggest objection to people's trying to follow the "four reg's " is usually sex life. For most it is not that they are so addicted to sex, more that they don't understand who they are, and having listened to so many people from an early age emphasising (over-emphasising) the sexual act they have taken it as the norm' to pursue and enjoy. As many of you would know basic moral issues have changed dramatically over the past fifty years, especially. From where there used to be values of common decency, now anything goes - it's all on the InterNet. In their modern liberalistic so-called freedom the user/abuser have become near indistinguishable. In most cases mutual abuse of the body to gain sensual please has become the accepted norm. then to accentuate the feeling further the use of drugs, excitable clothing, or even contraptions formally used to restrain or torture by oppressors, has been incorporated into their game of darkness. Do anything, but feel pleasure, even if it harms the body, or harms others. In many places the pornographic industry has supported these ideals. Some have taken it to the furthest extreme to accentuate the sexual act by creating Snuff Movies where at the highest point of sexual climax they kill their partner as the Black Widow spider does. Not exactly human ethics, eh? If people had some idea that they are not that body, and then didn't exploit their bodies even through this liberalistic idea of mutual consent as a means of sexual-social interaction - using each other's body as a primary source of pleasure as depicted and marketed by the whole sex industry. The exploitation, misuse and abuse would be so much less. The whole thing is based on that basic misconception of who we really are, and then from there take it that they have an exclusive right to use, abuse, or misuse their body as they like. . If their sexual activity were focused on the purpose of the progenitive function their fulfillment/satisfaction with sex, as well as the quality of the nature of their relationships would be much more full. . When we talk of Spiritual Sex we are not talking of some Tantrik sexual gratificational exercise that has become popularised by some lusty people. We are talking of sex-life that is ordained by the Lord in the scriptures, that is empowered and embellished by the loving functionary aspect of Godhead called Kandarpa (Bhagavad Gita As It Is, 10:28. and purport) or Kaamadev (Cupid) (Srimad Bhagavatam 10:55:1 purport.) one of the eternal associates of the Lord (Srimad Bhagavatam 3:1:28., purport). Thus according to the revealed scriptures, and our experience "Lord Viñëu lives in the form of Kämadeva, only for the satisfaction of His devotees" as kämadeva-svarüpeëa (Srimad Bhagavatam 5:18:5.) Although this Kämadeva is viñëu-tattva, His body is not spiritual but material like ours (Brahmäëòa puräëa: kämadeva-sthitaà viñëum upäste). . The people of today want Safe-Sex. Safe from what? Safe from bad reaction - coming in the form of diseases. But actually the only Safe Sex in that case is that sex which is bound and endorsed with love that follows religious principles. All other sex-life one is bound to the actions and reactions of the material world in the form of karma. So if you want not only Safe-Sex, but Super Spiritual Sex then do it according to the Lord's direction. We are not against sex, but we are against sex that brings from it unwanted, neglected, diseased and or insipid children (varnasankara), who end up as a burden to not only the parents but the entire society. . We are also against the loose casual sex that aides the spread of so much STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Diseases which come not only because of the nature of the sex, but also because of the quality of the sex as far as it being the sinful reactions for it. However, anything that is done in a healthy - in union with the desire of the Lord. When anything is done under the sanction of the Lord all of his energies pervade it. From all of His administrative heads they give their blessings - this is the REAL Wholistic Approach that is so much desired and required, but so many are ignorant of. . "Lakñmédevé (the Goddess of Fortune) advises all devotees who approach the Lord with material desires that according to her practical experience, the Lord is Kämadeva, and thus there is no need to ask Him for anything material. She says that everyone should simply serve the Lord without any motive. Since the Supreme personality of Godhead is sitting in everyone's heart, He knows everyone's thoughts, and in due course of time He will fulfil all desires. Therefore let us completely depend on the service of the Lord without bothering Him with our material requests".(A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srimad Bhagavatam 5:18:21. purport.) Religious sex is specifically for bringing into the world good progeny, for the benefit of all of us. Furthermore intelligent persons who can control their senses and desires opt for abstinence rather than wanton fulfilment of lusty desires, and the reactions that come from it. Likened to an honest citizen who honours others rights, and a criminal who only thinks of him/herself. Then what to speak of Gambling away all that one has been given. According to our individual karma we are each given an allotted amount of everything. But Gambling, much like intoxication (alcohol, tobaco, marijuana, LSD, heroine, meth-anphetamine, etc) becomes an addiction that devours one like a savage beast. The Gambler in denial of their addiction thinks to him/herself that "I'll just give it another try...... I must win next time." Yet they forget the thousands of times that they lost before, and how much the Gambling houses collect in revenue each year off such suckers. . With all the above Material Problems, Spiritual Solutions are not far away, there just has to be some positive direction by the leaders of Society.

Have you been chosen to make a fast exit from martya-loka? Paramatma is the manifestation of guru and guru is the manifestation of Paramatma. Katha Upanisad says: nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na medhaya na bahuna srutena yam evaisa vrnute tena labyas tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanum svam The Supreme Self can never be known by any amount of arguments, reasoning, intelligence, or by much hearing. To those whom He chooses, however, He may reveal His personal form. (Katha Upanisad 1.2.23)

The following poem encapsulates what I'm trying to convey by my previous post : O MOST PRECIOUS PRABHUPADA by Anubhavananda dasa O most precious Prabhupada, O inspiration of the precious poem I write, I now pray for your purest, precious presence, back into your poet's heart to purely guide. O most precious Prabhupada, with the precious beauty of the innocence of a babe you came into this empty world and filled it with priceless pearls from Krishna's Eternal Kingdom in Krishna's Name. O most precious Prabhupada, the impossible was proven possible by you as a holy little old man, you came to this hellish land and opened the blindest eyes to see Krishna's truth. O most precious Prabhupada, with a walk and a talk that was not of this earth, you came from Krishna above and revealed His purest love, the only reason that you even took your birth. O most precious Prabhupada, it's you alone who are saving this lost soul, although my heart has known only sin, you have showed me how to win, and now Krishna's Holy Kingdom is my goal. O most precious Prabhupada, O heartbeat that beats along with God's heart throb, down to the darkest path I've gone, but now it's you I lean on, begging only for your mercy on this dog. O most precious Prabhupada, I was dumb, but now I write the highest wisdom, for when you come into my heart, all the darkness does depart by the lamp of knowledge you reflect from Lord Shri Krishna. O most precious Prabhupada, it is your presence that the wise forever seek, you are a pure servant of Krishna, God, O Shrila Prabhupada with the power to wake the world from its deep sleep. <font color="red"> O most precious Prabhupada, it's your mercy alone this world must know, and this mercy you are giving flows from the Holy Names of Krishna, when truly heard and chanted, Krishna's Names awaken the pure soul. </font color> O most precious Prabhupada, by your mercy I pray the world does read this poem, for this poem is being filled with but your mercy, the mercy to lift the fallen and melt a heart of stone. O most precious Prabhupada, please let me be an instrument of thy will so my words may convince all of thy mercy, and reveal to all I touch life's greatest thrill. O most precious Prabhupada, words empowered by you become alive with the Supreme Presence of Lord Krishna, fulfiller of all wishes, that All Attractive Person that has brought you to my side. O most precious Prabhupada, I don't know how I'm writing but for you, most exciting and inviting is your inciting, which moves my hand to write down the absolute truth. O most precious Prabhupada, by memories of you my pen comes to life, if one is truly touched by you, all his dreams come true, and as a pure servant of Krishna, he brings life's purpose to light. O most precious Prabhupada, push me on, push me on, push me on! Temptation is a tigress who leads us where sin's delight is, and only you have shown the way to win the fight. O most precious Prabhupada, sin is neglecting you, O savior of saviors, millions of lifetimes it takes us to learn, unless to you, we turn with concern, to surrender, to serve you and obey you. O most precious Prabhupada, as sinless as Krishna's sons like Jesus Christ, your message is the same, always praise Krishna's Holy Names, the most precious of all precious advice. O most precious Prabhupada, the greatest sin is envy of you, the cause of every sin is defiance of Him, Who is the Way and the Light and the Truth. O most precious Prabhupada, O servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna God, you have only repeated Krishna's message passed down through His pure passages, the passageway of Krishna's pure servants called pure devotional service. O most precious Prabhupada, O most humble servant of Krishna, God, the only way is to obey the way Krishna's servant's do convey, and you show the way, my most precious Guru deva. Krishna is not known by debate, Krishna is not known by challenge, the only way that God is truly known is through one perfect proven balance. There must be an obedient disciple to Kishna's obedient servant, the Guru, and by this way alone, Krishna is truly known, and seen and heard, the purest precious truth. O most precious Prabhupada, so precious that rarely one like you is found in this world of the cheaters and the cheated, it was impossible to achieve it until Shrila Prabhupada came to town. O most precious Prabhupada, as sinless as an infant crying for his mother's breast, when you came, all knew who surrendered to you truly that you're the only one who can lead all beyond death. O most precious Prabhupada, Krishna's preachers like you live on forever, but you are one in millions who can truly lead zillions, who can bring with love our universe together. O most precious Prabhupada, just your movement is the movement that leads beyond all pain, the movement of the congregational chanting of Lord Shri Krishna's Holy Names. O most precious Prabhupada, you've sacrificed your whole life to save us from falling, and now in reciprocation, we must all join your congregation, and with you on Krishna's Names always be calling. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Anubhavananda dasa

Krsna conscious in a second or not in a zillion births and deaths. It alll depends on Krsna's doing. If Krsna chooses to reveal Himself to you by His grace and causeless mercy. How to attain Krsna's causeless mercy ? To go beyond mere pretense and hype of mind,intelligence and false ego :there is the soul/spirit which is awakened by the spirit sound of Sri Nama Prabhu: Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Chant!Cry !Call out with all heart and soul(not just from the lips) and Krsna will reveal Himself according to your level of sincerity. Yes?

"KC Movement Even In Politics" 73/07/12 London, Bhagavad-gita 1.10 The modern civilization, they do not know it. They think it that death is natural sequence. It cannot be avoided. No. It can be avoided. It can be avoided. But these rascals, they do not know how to avoid it, although it is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita how you can avoid death. Birth, death, old age and disease, these are the problems, but they do not know how to solve these problems. They are simply engaged in some temporary business. And they are fighting. They are making plans. They are making diplomacy. But in the real problem they do not touch, neither they know how to solve it. But this Krsna consciousness movement can solve it. These rascals may understand this fact, that this Krsna consciousness movement is not a sentiment, so-called religious movement. It is a scientific movement to solve all the problems of life. This is Krsna consciousness.

IF THE FAN IS STILL MOVING Devotee 1: Sometimes devotees think that when Lord Kapila teaches in the Srimad Bhagavatam that there is devotional service in ignorance, in passion, and in goodness, that it may also mean your own disciples. But then some other devotees say “No, we’re above that designation. It’s not mixed devotional service, even though we’re neophytes.” Prabhupada: If you voluntarily do not follow, then you fall down. That is in ignorance. Devotee 2: So in the third canto, part four, where it is described about devotional service in ignorance, passion, goodness, and so forth, that has nothing to do with your disciples then? Prabhupada: Who is my disciple? First of all, let him strictly follow the disciplined rules. Devotee 2: As long as one is following, then he is... Prabhupada: Then he is all right. Devotee 2: He is above those lower levels? Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Otherwise, why is there a need of regulative principles? He is immedi-ately liberated. If he thinks that, “Because I have taken to [Krishna consciousness], I am liberated,” then why the rules and regulations? Devotee 2: But as long as he follows the rules and regulations. He comes to the brahma-bhuta platform, brahma-bhuta prasannatmaimmediately? Prabhupada: Yes. In Bhagavad-gita it is said, mam ca yo ‘vyabhicarea bhakti-yogena sevate — if one performs unalloyed devotional service then he is liberated [bg. 14.26]. If his service is not avyabhicarena, but vyabhicarena — sometimes he falls down — then it is within sattva-gua, rajo-gua, tamo-gua. Krishna says, mam ca ya avyabhicarea bhakti-yogena — pure bhakti. Devotee 2: Falldown means deviation from the orders of the spiritual master. Prabhupada: Yes, that is vyabhicarena, that is not avyabhicarea. If you are subjected to the attraction of maya,that is vyabhicarena. Devotee 2: If somebody is following the instructions, but there’s attraction for maya ... Prabhupada: That cannot be. Maybe in the beginning due to past habits, but that must be nil very soon. Otherwise, he is not fol-lowing. Just like a fan switched off may move for a little while, but it will not go on moving. If the switch is off, it must stop. And if it is still moving then it means that the switch is not off yet. — Morning walk conversation, 13 June 1976, Detroit.

THE THOUGHTS OF LESSER MINDS Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode’s Tattva-viveka [Certain philosophers say that] the conditioned soul should seek to please God by performing pious works and acquiring knowledge for the benefit of the whole world. Bhaktivinode’s Commentary The followers of this religion have no power to worship God selflessly. In general, their idea is that by cultivating fruitive work and speculative philosophy one should work to make improvements in the material world and thus please God. By building hospitals and schools and performing other philan-thropic works, they try to do good to the world and thus please God. Worship of God by per-forming fruitive work (the process of karma) and by acquiring knowledge (the process of jñ&#257;na) is very important to them. They have no power to understand pure devotional service (the process of &#347;uddha-bhakti), which is free of fruitive work and philosophical speculation. Worship of God done out of a sense of duty is never natural or unselfish. “God has been kind to us, and therefore we should worship Him.” These are the thoughts of lesser minds. Why is this not a good way to worship God? Because as a consequence one may easily develop the mentality that, “If God is not kind to me then I will not worship Him.” One will have the impure, selfish desire to receive special favors from God in the future. If one desires only that God should kindly allow one to serve Him, that is fine. But the religion under discussion does not see things in that way. This religion sees God’s kindness in terms of one’s enjoyment of a happy life in this material world.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3. Karma-yoga TEXT 12 istan bhogan hi vo deva dasyante yajna-bhavitah tair dattan apradayaibhyo yo bhunkte stena eva sah TRANSLATION <font color="red">"In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajna [sacrifice], supply all necessities to man. But he who enjoys these gifts, without offering them to the demigods in return, is certainly a thief. " </font color> PURPORT The demigods are authorized supplying agents on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vishnu. Therefore, they must be satisfied by the performance of prescribed yajnas. In the Vedas, there are different kinds of yajnas prescribed for different kinds of demigods, but all are ultimately offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For one who cannot understand what the Personality of Godhead is, sacrifice to the demigods is recommended. According to the different material qualities of the persons concerned, different types of yajnas are recommended in the Vedas. Worship of different demigods is also on the same basis--namely, according to different qualities. For example, the meat-eaters are recommended to worship the goddess Kali, the ghastly form of material nature, and before the goddess the sacrifice of animals is recommended. But for those who are in the mode of goodness, the transcendental worship of Vishnu is recommended. But ultimately, all yajnas are meant for gradual promotion to the transcendental position. For ordinary men, at least five yajnas, known as pancha-maha-yajna, are necessary. <font color="black"> One should know, however, that all the necessities of life that the human society requires are supplied by the demigod agents of the Lord. </font color> No one can manufacture anything. Take, for example, all the eatables of human society. These eatables include grains, fruits, vegetables, milk, sugar, etc., for the persons in the mode of goodness, and also eatables for the non-vegetarians, like meats, etc., none of which can be manufactured by men. Then again, take for example heat, light, water, air, etc., which are also necessities of life--none of them can be manufactured by the human society. Without the Supreme Lord, there can be no profuse sunlight, moonlight, rainfall, breeze, etc., without which no one can live. Obviously, our life is dependent on supplies from the Lord. Even for our manufacturing enterprises, we require so many raw materials like metal, sulphur, mercury, manganese, and so many essentials--all of which are supplied by the agents of the Lord, with the purpose that we should make proper use of them to keep ourselves fit and healthy for the purpose of self-realization, leading to the ultimate goal of life, namely, liberation from the material struggle for existence. This aim of life is attained by performance of yajnas. If we forget the purpose of human life and simply take supplies from the agents of the Lord for sense gratification and become more and more entangled in material existence, which is not the purpose of creation, certainly we become thieves, and therefore we are punished by the laws of material nature. A society of thieves can never be happy because they have no aim in life. The gross materialist thieves have no ultimate goal of life. <font color="blue"> They are simply directed to sense gratification; nor do they have knowledge of how to perform yajnas. Lord Chaitanya, however, inaugurated the easiest performance of yajna, namely the sankirtana-yajna, which can be performed by anyone in the world who accepts the principles of Krsna consciousness. </font color> ( BG 3:12. purport.)

Idioms, Proverbs, Slogans, Etc. Which Srila Prabhupada Has Quoted 1. "A bad king spoils the kingdom, and a bad housewife spoils the family." (Bengali proverb) 2. "A confectioner is never attracted by sweetmeats." (Bengali proverb) 3. "A dead elephant is also one lakh of rupees." (Indian parable - "Elephant, living or dead, still, it is valuable.") 4. "A dog cannot digest ghee." (Because he is a meat-eater.) 5. "A fight between the husband and wife should not be taken seriously." (Chanakya Pandit) 6. "A fool will be revealed as soon as he speaks" (Chanakya Pandit) 7. "A happy man is one who lives at home and who has no debts." (Chanakya Pandit) 8. "A man is known by the company he keeps." (Ralph Waldo Emerson) 9. "A man without an aim is like a ship without a rudder." (English Proverb) 10. "A man without an education is like a flower without a scent." (Chanakya Pandit) 11. "A person can become a preacher if he has got life. A dead man cannot become a preacher." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 12. "A rich man may be honored in his own country or on his own planet, but a learned man, a devotee of God, is honored wherever he goes." (Chanakya Pandit) 13. "A rolling stone gathers no moss" 14. "A woman who has not given birth to a child cannot understand the pain of childbirth." 15. "After getting up from your sleep, you take your shoes and beat your mind hundred times. This is your first business. And while going to bed, you take a broomstick and beat your mind hundred times. Then you can control your mind. Otherwise it is very difficult." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 16. "All men are created equal." 17. "All that glitters is not gold." 18. "An envious man is more dangerous than a snake." (Chanakya Pandit) 19. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." 20. "Anything material, if it is used in the service of Krishna, it is a mistake to give it up." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 21. "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." (Bible) 22. "at heart" (basically, fundamentally) 23. "at someone's beck and call" (always ready to serve somebody) 24. "Bad money drives away good money." (Gresham's theory) 25. "beating a dead horse" (engaging in useless activity) 26. "beg, borrow, or steal" (acquire somehow or other, obtain at almost any cost) 27. "Better late than never." 28. "Better to have a wise man as an enemy than a fool for a friend." 29. "Birds of a feather flock together." 30. "blind leading the blind" (someone who doesn't understand something trying to explain it to others) 31. "bury the hatchet" (stop quarreling and become friendly with someone) 32. "by hook or by crook" (in any way necessary) 33. "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion." 34. "call a spade a spade" (speak truthfully) 35. "castles in the air" (daydreams) 36. "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." 37. "chalk out" (plan, project, work out, sketch out, map out, lay out, design a prototype) 38. "change of heart" (change in the way one feels about something) 39. "Chant, chant, chant...Can't, can't, can't." ("There was a cartoon in some newspaper that depicted an old lady and her husband sitting face to face. The lady is requesting her husband, 'Chant, chant, chant.' And the husband is answering, 'Can't, can't, can't.'") 40. "chewing the chewed" (punah punas carvita-carvananam (SB 7.5.30) - "In our country, India, the sugar cane is chewed, the juice is sucked, and it is thrown in the street. Now, if somebody goes and chews the chewed sugar cane, what relish, what taste he will get? Similarly, because we have no information of spiritual life, we are simply chewing the chewed. That's all.") 41. "come to grips with" (struggle (successfully) with an idea or problem) 42. "Come to kingdom of God." (Bible) 43. "come to pass" (to happen, occur) 44. "come to terms" (reach an agreement) 45. "come to the point" (be direct) 46. "come up with" (produce or find a thought, idea or answer) 47. "Commit civil suicide." (If you commit suicide it is criminal. It is also suicide, no more connection with family. This is also suicide, but it is civil. There is no criminal action against... But it is also voluntarily committing suicide--no more connection with anyone.) (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 48. "dancing dog" (puppet, pawn) 49. "Devotees actually serious about advancing in spiritual life should give up the company of nondevotees and always keep company with devotees. (Chanakya Pandit) 50. "Discretion is the better part of valor." ("The better part of valor is discretion." - Shakespeare) 51. "Disease and unwanted guest: If you don't give food, they will go away. 52. "Disappointment gives rise to the greatest satisfaction." (Sanskrit proverb) 53. "Do not go to Vrndavana with return ticket." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 54. "Don't make a guru just like you keep a dog, as a fashion." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 55. "Don't try to see a saintly person by your eyes. You see a saintly person by the ear." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 56. "Don't try to see Krishna. Do something so Krishna will see you." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 57. "Don't waste time. Don't wait for another life. In this life, finish this business, to understand Krishna, and go back home, back to Godhead." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 58. "Don't worry about money, Do something nice for Krishna and money will come." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 59. "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Bible) 60. "Economic development begins from family affection." (Alfred Marshall, 1842-1924, British economist) 61. "Either disciple or son, he should be always chastised. If you pat, then he'll be spoiled. If you chastise him, he'll come out a very nice person." (Chanakya Pandit) 62. "Even a moment of one's lifetime could not be returned in exchange for millions of dollars. (Chanakya Pandit) 63. "Everyone's servant is nobody's servant." 64. "Example is better than precept." 65. "Failure is the pillar of success." 66. "Familiarity breeds contempt." 67. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Bible: Lord Jesus Christ to God, the Father, while hanging on the cross) 68. "fifty-fifty" (half-and-half) 69. "Finish this business in this life. Don't delay for the next life." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 70. "fish out of water" (someone who does not fit in) 71. "Follow in the footsteps" (Follow someone's example exactly) 72. "fool's paradise" (a state of delusive contentment or false hope) 73. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." (Alexander Pope, English poet) 74. "For one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 75. "Four kinds of enemies at home: If the father is in debt he is considered to be an enemy; if the mother has selected another husband in the presence of her grown-up children, she is considered to be an enemy; if a wife does not live well with her husband but deals very roughly, then she is an enemy; and if a son is a fool, he is also an enemy." (Chanakya Pandit) 76. "Fragrance in gold." ("Gold is already valuable, but if it has got some nice fragrance, then it becomes even more valuable.") 77. "from bad to worse" (get even worse, deteriorate even more) 78. "from the heart" (with great feeling) 79. "from time to time" (occasionally) 80. "give and take" (the practice of compromise) 81. "give rise to" (be the cause of something) 82. "Give the dog a bad name and hang it." 83. "go-down" (East Indian for "basement") 84. "God created man after His own image." (Bible) 85. "God helps him who tries to help himself." 86. "God is great." 87. "God is good." 88. "God, give us our daily bread." (Christian prayer) 89. "golden opportunity" (excellent opportunity, favorable opportunity, fine opportunity) 90. "hale and hearty" (in very good health, well and strong) 91. "Hallowed be Thy name." (Bible) 92. "hand to mouth" (having only enough money for basic living) 93. "have to do with" (be about or on the subject or connected with something) 94. "heart-to-heart" (candid, frank) 95. "hearth and home" (the folks at home, ancestral home) 96. "hen-pecked husband" (husband who is dominated or harassed with persistent nagging) 97. "History repeats itself." 98. "hope against hope" (continue to hope when things look very bad) 99. "Householder life is a concession for sense gratification." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 100. "However qualified a materialist may be, he is no better than a snake decorated with jewels. One should therefore be careful in dealing with such materialists, just as one would be careful in dealing with a bejeweled serpent." (Chanakya Pandit) 101. "I am a sannyasi. I am not married, neither I am meant for marrying. But if I can produce Krsna conscious children, I can marry hundred times." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 102. "I am the lord of all I survey." 103. "I don't find any scarcity within this world, except Krishna consciousness." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 104. "If a foolish person is given good instructions, he becomes more and more angry." (Chanakya Pandit) 105. "If a husband and wife are always satisfied with one another, then the goddess of fortune automatically comes." (Chanakya Pandit) ("Where there is no disagreement between husband and wife, all material opulence is present, and good children are born.") 106. "If a person has neither a mother nor a pleasing wife at home, he should leave home and go to the forest, because for him there is no difference between his home and the forest." (Chanakya Pandit) 107. "If an honest person deals with a great cheater, it is necessary for him to become a cheater also" (Chanakya Pandit) 108. "If by selling all these properties, temples, if I could turn one man to Krishna consciousness, then my mission will be successful." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 109. "If I could produce really Krsna conscious children, I can use hundred times sex life. Otherwise why shall I use my sex for cat, producing cats and dog?" (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 110. "If I get at least one quality disciple, then all my labor will be success." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 111. "If Krishna wants to kill someone no one can save him, and if Krishna wants to save someone no one can kill him." 112. "If one has a wife like a sly fox, he must immediately give up his life at home and go to the forest." (Chanakya Pandit) 113. "If people do not come to hear this philosophy, don't be discouraged. You sit down in a room and try to preach. The four walls will hear you. Don't be disappointed." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 114. "If somebody takes salagram and breaks peanuts, so there is no devotion." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 115. "If there is a good tree within a garden or forest, its flowers will fill the forest with their fragrance. Similarly, a good son within a family makes the whole family famous all over the world. (Chanakya Pandit) 116. "If there is one moon in the sky that is sufficient to dissipate all darkness. There is no need of thousands or millions of stars." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 117. "If you have got money, spend it for Krishna. Don't keep it. You cannot keep it. Either the money will go from you, or you will have to go from the money." (Chanakya Pandit) 118. "If you love me, love my dog" 119. "If you want to make spiritual advancement, then you should always think, 'Death may come at any moment.', but if you want to be materially happy, you should always think, 'I shall never die.'" (Chanakya Pandit) 120. "If you want to deal with enemy, you should always take him as very dangerous." (Chanakya Pandit) 121. "Ignorance is no excuse." 122. "'Impossible' is a word found in a fool's dictionary." (Napoleon Bonaparte) 123. "In a place where there is no friend, no temple and no river, don't go there." (Chanakya Pandit) 124. "in due course" (when the time is ripe, in the usual amount of time, at the right time) 125. "In God we trust." 126. "in keeping with" (going well together, agreeing) 127. "in kind" (in a similar way, with the same kind of thing) 128. "in light of" (as a result of new information, because of) 129. "in line" (doing or being what people expect or accept, within ordinary limits) 130. "in love" (liking very much, loving) 131. "in memory of" (as a memorial to someone who has died) 132. "in no time" (soon, quickly) 133. "in other words" (say something in a different (usually more direct) way) 134. "in part" (to some extent, partly) 135. "in spite of" (in opposition to, despite, in defiance of) 136. "in store" (ready to happen, waiting) 137. "In the beginning there was God." (Bible) 138. "In the beginning there was word only, and the word is God." (Bible) 139. "in the charge of" (under the care or supervision of) 140. "in the course of" (while, during) 141. "in the first place" (firstly, to begin with) 142. "in the long run" (the distant future, in the end) 143. "inside and out" (in every part, completely) 144. "It is better not to talk than to talk foolish[ness]." 145. "It is better to become a sweeper and honestly earn one's livelihood than to become a false Bhagavata reader for earning livelihood." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 146. "It is better to have a blind maternal uncle than no maternal uncle." (Bengali proverb) 147. "It is better to have one qualified son than to have hundreds of fools." (Chanakya Pandit) 148. "It is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss." (Thomas Gray, English poet, 1716-71) 149. "Judge by the result." 150. "Judge not others lest ye be judged." 151. "keep body and soul together" (keep alive, survive) 152. "keep books" (keep records of money gained and spent, do the work of a bookkeeper) 153. "keep from" (prevent, refrain from) 154. "keep in touch" (talk or write to someone) 155. "keep time" (show the right time) 156. "Keep to the left." (Drive on the left side of the road.) 157. "Keep to the right." (Drive on the right side of the road.) 158. "keep track of" (maintain a record) 159. "keep up with" (go at the same speed as a person or thing, maintain the same rate of progress) 160. "kick out" (get rid of) 161. "know by heart" (memorize) 162. "labor of love" (something done for personal pleasure and not for money) 163. "last but not least" (in the last place but not the least important) 164. "last word" (the last remark in an argument, the final say in deciding something) 165. "Let there be creation." (Bible) 166. "Like a fish out of water." (The spirit soul in a material body.) 167. "Like the nipples on the neck of a goat." (Useless, because they don't give any milk.) 168. "little by little" (gradually - Ajamila's devotional service grew little by little...) 169. "Love me, love my dog." 170. "Make the best use of a bad bargain." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 171. "Man is made in the image of God." (Bible) 172. "Man is the architect of his own destiny." 173. "Man is the architect of his own fortune." 174. "Man proposes and God disposes." 175. "moment of truth" (a critical or decisive time on which much depends, a crucial moment) 176. "Money and wife should always be kept under control." (Hindi proverb) 177. "Necessity is the mother of invention." 178. "Necessity knows no law." 179. "Never trust a woman or a politician." (Chanakya Pandit) 180. "No one hears from a person coming from a humble, simple life. You remain always very humble." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 181. "Not a blade of grass moves without the will of God." (Mahatma Gandhi) 182. "Not only a person in the renounced order or one engaged in devotional service, but everyone should avoid mingling with women." (Chanakya Pandit) 183. "Obedience is the first law of discipline." 184. "once and for all" (permanently) 185. "One man's food is another man's poison." 186. "One must [learn] what is right from any source. If there is a glass of poison with some nectar in it, one should take out the nectar and leave the poison." (Chanakya Pandit) ("If one finds gold in a filthy place, he should take it. Similarly, although according to the Vedic system of education one must be given instruction by intellectual persons like brahmanas, if someone lower on the social scale has learned the truth, one should accept him as a teacher and learn from him. One should not think that just because one is lowly born he should not be accepted as a teacher.") 187. "One nation under God." 188. "One should give up the company of devils, demons and nondevotees and should always associate with devotees and saintly persons. One should always act piously, thinking that this life is temporary, and not be attached to temporary happiness and distress." (Chanakya Pandit) 189. "out of sight out of mind" ((We tend to not think about things which we cannot see on a regular basis.) 190. "part and parcel" (component, constituent) 191. "pass away" (die) 192. "pass on" (die) 193. "pay attention" (look at or listen to with full attention) 194. "Physician, heal thyself." 195. "playing with fire" (rashness, dangerous game) 196. "point out" (explain, call attention to) 197. "post dated check" (questionable outcome) 198. "put the cart before the horse" (do things in the wrong order, execute step two before step one) 199. "Saintly persons should be seen not through the eyes, but through the ears." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 200. "second nature" (an acquired behavior or trait that is so long practiced as to seem innate) 201. "see the light of day" (be born or begun) 202. "selling like hotcakes" (selling quickly) 203. "show-bottle" (a fake which is used only for show) 204. "slow but sure" 205. "sour grapes" (Denial of the desirability of something after one has found out that it cannot be reached or acquired - The losers' scorn for the award is pure sour grapes.) 206. "Strike while the iron is hot." (take advantage of an opportunity) 207. "The child is father of the man." (William Wordsworth, English poet) 208. "The cuckoo bird, although very black, is beautiful because of its sweet voice. Similarly, a woman becomes beautiful by her chastity and faithfulness to her husband, and an ugly person becomes beautiful when he becomes a learned scholar." (Chanakya Pandit) 209. "The face is the index of the mind." 210. "The happiness of wealth is enjoyable by a person who has tasted the distress of poverty." 211. "The jackals may howl, but the caravan moves on." 212. "the kingdom of God" 213. "The meek shall inherit the earth." (Bible) 214. "The night is [darkest] right before the dawn." 215. "The person for whom I have stolen accuses me of being a thief." (Bengali proverb - The family members, for whom an attached person acts in so many criminal ways, are never satisfied.) 216. "The present human society is a combination of the cheaters and the cheated" (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 217. "The vulture goes very high, three miles, four miles high, but the aim is not very good: 'Where is a dead body?'" 218. "The wife is the husband's better half." 219. "There are two envious living entities--the snake and the envious man. (Chanakya Pandit) 220. "There is no scarcity in the world. The only scarcity is that people are not Krsna conscious. That's all. Otherwise there is no scarcity." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 221. "Things equal to the same thing are equal to one another." 222. "This is a society of cheaters and the cheated." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 223. "This [material world] is not a fit place for a gentleman." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 224. "This [printing] press is brhad-mrdanga (big drum)." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 225. "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Bible) 226. "Thou shalt not covet." (Bible) 227. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" (Bible) 228. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife" (Bible) 229. "Thou shalt not kill." (Bible) 230. "Thou shalt not steal." (Bible) 231. "Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain." (Bible) 232. "Three characteristics of a learned man (pandit): 1) Treats all women (except his wife) as his mother. 2) Treats others' property like garbage in the street. (Doesn't touch it.) 3) Treats all living entities as he wants to be treated." (Chanakya Pandit) 233. "Three things should be taken care of immediately: Fire, disease and debt." (Chanakya Pandit) 234. "Too much devotion is a symptom of a thief." (Bengali proverb) 235. "Trust no future however pleasant." 236. "Try and shoot the rhinoceros." ("If we fail, everybody will say never mind, nobody can shoot a rhinoceros anyway, and if we succeed, then everyone will say, Just see, what a wonderful thing they have done.") 237. "Up to five years, don't chastise, don't take any action. Let him [your son] be free. Whatever he likes, he can do. Then after fifth year, for ten years you must be very strict. Then five years and ten years, fifteen. And when he is sixteen years, treat him like a friend." (Chanakya Pandit) 238. "Variety is the mother of enjoyment." 239. "via media" (Just like my eyes are not very perfect, so I am using this transparent via media to see, similarly, because we have forgotten our relationship with Krsna, or God, so we have to see through the transparent via media of spiritual master.") (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 240. "What Bengal thinks today, other provinces will think tomorrow." (Gandhi's guru, Gokule) 241. "What is play to you is death to me." 242. "What is the use of a son who is neither a learned man nor a devotee of the Lord?" (Chanakya Pandit) (If a son is not a devotee of the Supreme Lord, he is just like blind eyes--a source of trouble.) 243. "Whatever spiritual progress one makes in life will be tested at the time of death." (Bengali proverb) 244. "white elephant" (an endeavor or a venture that proves to be a conspicuous failure) 245. "Why should you wait for another life? Finish Krishna consciousness business in this life." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 246. "Without a son, married life is simply abominable." (Chanakya Pandit) 247. "Women are generally not very intelligent and are therefore not trustworthy." (Chanakya Pandit) 248. "You are what you eat." (George Bernard Shaw) 249. "You have got wife, but if you have no children, that grha (household) is void." (Chanakya Pandit) ----------------- The following were quoted by Srila Prabhupada for illustrative or instructional purposes, but which he does not necessarily agree with or approve of: 1. "Beg some rice and bring it and cook it and eat and sleep." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 2. "Do your own thing." (Hippie slogan) 3. "Equality, fraternity, liberty." (French slogan) 4. "From each according to his ability; to each according to his needs." (Communist slogan) 5. "Give us this day our daily bread." (Bible) 6. "I do not believe that there was a person, Krishna, ever living." (Gandhi) 7. "I have got some dozens of disciples, and I have got a temple, and people are contributing. Now I have got good arrangement for eating and sleeping. Now I am perfect. Because I am getting some food without any work, and honor, then I am perfect." (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati) 8. "If it feels good, do it!" (Hippie slogan) 9. "The end justifies the means." 10. [Through the agency of gradual evolution one species is changing into another species]. ("The Darwin's theory is that the body is changing to another body. That is nonsense. That is not the fact. The soul is transmigrating from one body to another. That is knowledge. This is fact.") 11. "Why keep a cow when milk is available in the marketplace." (Why get married when prostitutes are available.)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3658172.stm

We're now all on the ground learning how to fly our own plane. But very soon we'll take our very final solo test. Have you learned all the instructions from the pilot instructor? /images/graemlins/confused.gif

Srila Prabhupada quoted the following verse at the time of giving Sannyasa to Srila Gour Govinda Swami, “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated, is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no duty.” He uttered this verse and said, “He is a real sannyasi” and then gave him the sannyasa mantra and danda. Shortly thereafter, many sannyasis and GBC members started complaining, “How has he taken sannyasa? He is a new man!” Then Srila Prabhupada told them, “He is a devotee from his birth - you are new men!”

RADHARANI’S DISGUISE Srila Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja One day Srimati Radharani made a very nice flower garland for Krishna and gave it to Vrinda- devi, “You take and give this to Krishna.” Vrinda-devi thought, “Subal-sakha is a priya-narma-sakha. He is very dear to Krishna. If Subal-sakha takes and gives it to Krishna, then Krishna will become very pleased.” So Vrinda-devi gave the garland to Subal-sakha. Krishna was sitting on the bank of Radha- kunda. It was midday. Subal-sakha came and gave the garland to Krishna. Then he ex-plained everything — who had prepared the garland, how it had come to his hand, and how he was handing it over. Then Krishna said, “Oh! I was just sitting here thinking about Srimati Radharani when you brought Me Her garland. My mind is very much agitated. Please help Me! Please help Me! Bring Radharani here. Please bring Radharani here. I want to meet with Her.” Subal-sakha said, “Oh my friend, this is not a good time. It is noontime. It is quite impossible to bring Radharani here now. Oh, my friend! Give up this hope. It is quite impossible.” Krishna said, “But My dear friend, My mind is very restless and agitated. Unless you bring Radharani for Me, then I will drown Myself in the Yamuna River and finish My life. I can-not survive.” Subal thought, “Oh? My friend cannot sur-vive? He will drown in the Yamuna? All right, then. By hook or by crook, somehow I must bring Radharani and give pleasure to my friend.” The friend’s mentality is to give pleasure. The sakhas always understand Krishna’s mentality. They know what Krishna is thinking and how they can help Him and give Him pleasure. This is sakhya-rasa — a madhura-rasa, sweet mellow. Such are the activities of the priya-narma-sakhas. They are very dear to Krishna. Subal-sakha is very expert in all these ac-tivities. He went to Yavat, Radharani’s father- in-law’s house. Radharani’s mother-in-law Jatila had just finished taking her lunch and was sitting at the doorstep facing the win-dow of Radharani’s room. When she saw Subal, she said, “Hey! Why have you come here at noontime?” She knows, “Oh, this boy has come for some purpose. Yes. He’s a naughty boy.” “Why are you coming here at this time?” Then Subal, with much humility, said, “O mother! One of my calves is missing. I have searched all of the expected places, but I couldn’t find him. At last I have come here. He might be here. Mother, will you please go in and see if my calf is here? I will be freed from anxiety if I know my calf is here or not.” Jatila became very angry. “I have already taken my lunch. I cannot move myself. You go inside and see.” He was expecting her to say that. It was very difficult to go inside because she was sit-ting at the doorstep. So he got the opportu-nity. All of Krishna’s lila's take place by the wonderful arrangement of yogamaya. Remembering yogamaya Subal-sakha prayed, and then entered the inner apartment where Radharani was. He told everything to Radha. “Krishna is sitting there on the bank of Radha-kunda, intensely thinking of You. You have to go there, otherwise He will drown Himself in the Yamuna.” Radharani said, “How will it be? This is an awkward time and My mother-in-law is sitting there at the doorstep. How can I go? How can I go?” But what is impossible? If you are very anx-ious to do something, to give pleasure to Krishna, what is impossible? Krishna can do and undo things. Nothing is impossible for Krishna. Krishna gives the intelligence. Pure intelligence comes from Krishna. The Gita (10.10) describes: To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me. Krishna says, “One who is satata-yukta, con-stantly engaged in My bhajana with priti, with love, I give him pure intelligence.” So, the intelligence came what should be done. Subal-sakha has the same appearance as Radharani. Subal-sakha said, “All right, Radharani, You take my garments.” He gave his dhoti, his kurta, his turban, and everything to Radharani. “You put all of this on. Now, You give me Your sari. I will put on Your sari and remain here.” They ex-changed clothes. Then how to get out? The keen eyes of Radharani’s mother-in-law Jatila and Her sis-ter-in-law Kutila are there on Radharani. How to get out? Now that Radharani was dressed in his clothes, Subal-sakha told Her, “Pick up a calf. Hold the calf on Your breast like this, then go out.” Subal-sakha had come to get his calf. She did as Subal told Her. Dressed in the form of Subal-sakha, She picked up a calf, pressed it to Her breast and passed through. When She came to where Jatila was sitting, Radharani as Subal-sakha said, “Mother, I got My calf.” “Oh, You got Your calf? All right, very good. Now go away! Get out!” Radharani got out and went to Radha- kunda and met Krishna. Happy union. However, Subal-sakha was still inside wear-ing Radharani’s sari. How was he going to get out? Another problem! Generally, at noontime, the damsels of Vrajabhumi all go to Surya-kunda to offer puja to Suryadev. Now was that time, so all the damsels of Vrajabhumi came out from their houses. Jatila called out, “Oh, daughter-in-law! Daughter-in-law! Aren’t You going to go to Surya-kunda to offer puja to Suryadev?” Imitating Radha’s voice, Subal-sakha said, “Yes, yes, mother. I am going, I am going.” In this way Subal-sakha got out of the house and went to Radha-kunda. Krishna became very happy because Subal- sakha brought Radharani before Him. Krishna looked at Subal-sakha and both of them were laughing. This is sakhya-rasa in vraja-lila. The sakhis, friends of Krishna, always help Krishna and give Him pleasure according to what He wants. Such are the loving dealings among friends. This pastime is known as subala-milana. — From Mathura Meets Vrindavan.

Die to live and live to chant the Holy Names !

http://srimadbhagavatam.com/1/5/25/en

In August 1993, when Srila Gour Govinda Maharaj went to ISKCON's New Vraja-Mandala farm outside of Madrid, Spain, he saw that the devotees were using oil lamps. Maharaj commented that in his childhood days, he also used oil lamps as there was no electricity in his village at that time. Srila Gour Govinda Maharaj then asked why the devotees were not using any electricity, to which he was answered that the electricity came from hydroelectric sources, and that there had not been any rain for over one and a half years. Srila Gour Govinda Maharaj told the devotees that if they "pleased the yajna purusa and did kirtan, it will rain." So after Maharaj gave a class, he led a very long and ecstatic kirtan. After some time there was a rumbling of clouds with thunder and lightning, but one Spanish devotee turned to Gour Govinda Maharaja's servant and said, "Oh, it gets like this often; thunder, lightning, but no rain." The kirtan went on, and within a short time after this devotee's statement, a HEAVY downpour of rain ensued, flooding the entire area. So many of the devotees then rushed to go to see Srila Gour Govinda Maharaj, who told his servant, "Let us leave this place. I am not qualified to receive this respect. It is Their mercy. I am an insignificant creature. I want to leave this place immediately because I am not meant for this glorification. This is meant for Srila Prabhupada, my eternal spiritual master, and the Supreme Lord Krsna." Within one hour Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja left Vraja-Mandala, and his servant changed their previous travel schedule to avoid receiving the glorification and respect that the devotees were offering.