krsna

"A pure devotee who has firm faith in the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is to be considered a most learned scholar, the topmost aristocrat and the richest man in the whole world. All godly qualities automatically exist in such a devotee. In the preaching work of the Krsna consciousness movement, we, as the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully believe in the words of Krsna and His servants, the disciplic succession. In this way we are presenting the words of Krsna throughout the world. Even though we are neither a rich man nor a very learned scholar, and even though we do not belong to any aristocracy, this movement is still being welcomed and is very easily spreading all over the world." (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 5.76, Purport)

German collie makes Lassie look like slow learner By Sheila Halloran Friday, June 11, 2004 A border collie from Germany is impressing the world with his extensive 200-word vocabulary and proving that dogs can grasp the human language. A study recently released in Science magazine studied a 9-year-old family border collie named Rico who learned the names of unfamiliar toys following new word-toy combinations. Rico would fetch an unfamiliar toy by eliminating the names of the toys he knew. German researchers tested Rico's 200-word vocabulary in a series of controlled experiments in which he correctly retrieved 37 out of 40 items from his toy collection. ``Never underestimate a dog's ability to learn a wide vocabulary,'' said Gail Miller, director of media relations for the American Kennel Club. ``From showing and training dogs for obedience, I think it goes even well beyond words. Dogs' perception of human behavior is extremely intricate and complex.'' Rico's retrieval rate is compared to that of language-trained apes, dolphins, sea lions, parrots and even 3-year-old toddlers, according to the researchers. ``I'm very impressed with this study,'' said Miller, ``and I definitely believe it's true.''

Yes,you are able to uncover the dishonest move here in this very peculiar 'history of Vaisnavism' The sleight of hand in how we should think in order for the sake of maintaning and abetting their guru-disciple relationship-this you are exposing by your questions. _______________ Do you mean to say that with this "very intimate relationship he has with his disciples..." a personal and private mode of communication hasn't been established or maintained?

New York Sankirtan Festival Posted June 9, 2004 Dear Devotees & Friends, Here is the schedule for the three-day Sankirtan Festival at Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir from Wednesday June 9 to Friday June 11, 2004 Daily: Book Distribution Seminar with H.G. Vaisesika Dasa Vaisesika Prabhu, North American Secretary for Book Distribution, is offering seminars on how to set up book tables. Come any day or every day. Classroom discussions start after breakfast prasadam in the Radha-govinda Mandir. Live demonstrations on the streets of New York start at 1:30pm. Join this training to learn how to perform the highest service in ISKCON. Wednesday, June 9: Morning class, afternoon on the street Thursday, June 10: Morning class, afternoon on the street Friday, June 11: Morning class, afternoon on the street Evening Programs Thanks and appreciation from dipika.org to our sponsor and host, Wednesday June 9: 6:00pm – Bhajans 7:00pm – Sandhya Arati & Kirtan 7:30pm – Lecture by His Holiness Jayadwaita Swami 8:30pm – Prasadam Thursday June 10: Lord Jagannath's Welcoming Festival Day 1 5:30pm – 7:30pm Bhajans & Kirtan with HH Radhanath Swami 8:00pm – Lecture Chaitanya Lila 9:00pm – Prasadam Feast Friday June 11: Lord Jagannath's Welcoming Festival Day 2 5:30pm – Arrival Kirtan for Lord Jagannath 6:30pm - 7:30pm– Bhajans & Kirtan with HH Radhanath Swami 8:00pm – Lecture Gundica Marjana 9:00pm – Prasadam Feast If you would like to help sponsor part of this festival, please contact Narada Rishi Das @ (718) 855-6480 Your Servants, New York ISKCON © dipika.org June 9, 2004

Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die? Srila Prabhupada: I will never die! Devotees: Jaya! Haribol! Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise. (Interview, Berkley, 17/7/75) Indian Lady: ... is that spiritual master still guiding after death? Srila Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Just like Krsna is guiding us, similarly spiritual master will guide us. (General lectures, 69/09/23) Eternal bond between disciple and Spiritual Master begins from the day he hears. (Letter to Jadurani, 4/9/72) The influence of the pure devotee is such that if someone comes to associate with him with a little faith, he gets the chance of hearing about the Lord from authoritative scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad Gita. This is the first stage of association with the pure devotee. (Nectar of Devotion, (1982 Ed.), p146) These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. (Letter to Rupanuga Das, 19/10/74) Regarding parampara system, there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. [...]We have to pick up the prominent acaryas and follow from him. (Letter to Dayananda, 12/4/6 These great souls (members of the disciplic succession) were not mere luminaries like comets appearing in the firmament for a while and disappearing as soon as their mission is done. They are like so many suns shining all along to give light and heat to succeeding generations. Long time yet to roll on when they will be succeeded by others of sublime mind, beauty and calibre. (Bhaktivinoda Thakura) Narayana: So those disciples who don't have the opportunity to see you or speak with you... Srila Prabhupada: That he was speaking, vani and vapuh. Even if you don't see his body, you take his words, vani. Narayana: But how do they know that they're pleasing you? Srila Prabhupada: If you actually follow the words of Guru, that means he is pleased. And if you do not follow, how can he be pleased? Sudama: Not only that, but your mercy is spread everywhere, and if we take advantage, you told us once, then we will feel the result. Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Jayadvaita: And if we have faith in what the Guru says, then automatically we'll do that. Srila Prabhupada: Yes. My Guru Maharaja passed away in 1936, and I started this movement in 1965, 30 years after. Then? I am getting mercy of Guru. This is vani. Even if Guru is not physically present, if you follow the vani, then you are getting help. Sudama: So there is no question of ever separation as long as the disciple follows the instructions of Guru. Srila Prabhupada: No. Cakhu-dano-dilo-jei. What is the next one? Sudama: Cakhu-dano-dilo-jei, janme janme prabhu sei. Srila Prabhupada: Janme janme prabhu sei. So where there is separation? Who has opened your eyes, he is birth after birth your prabhu. (Room conversation, 21/7/75) Madhudvisa: Is there any way for a Christian to do without the help of a Spiritual Master. To reach the spiritual sky through believing the words of Jesus Christ and trying to follow his teachings? Srila Prabhupada: I don't follow. Tamala Krishna Goswami: Can a Christian in this age, without a Spiritual Master, but by reading the Bible, and following Jesus's words, reach the ... Srila Prabhupada: When you read the Bible, you follow the Spiritual Master. How can you say without. As soon as you read the Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ. That means that you are following the Spiritual Master. So where is the opportunity of being without Spiritual Master. Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living Spiritual Master. Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual Master is not question of ... Spiritual Master is eternal...so your question is 'without Spiritual Master'. Without Spiritual Master you cannot be at any stage of your life. You may accept this Spiritual master or that Spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that "by reading Bible", when you read Bible that means you are following the Spiritual Master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ. (Morning Walk, Seattle, 2/10/6 You have asked if it is true that the spiritual master remains in the universe until all his disciples are transferred to the spiritual sky. The answer is yes, this is the rule. (Letter to Jayapataka, 11/7/69) Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting. Anyone who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected. (S.P.L. to Rupanuga dasa, 19th October, 1974) When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs, cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances in the path of chanting this maha-mantra, but one who is situated on the platform of love of Godhead chants the holy name loudly for all concerned. As a result everyone becomes initiated in the chanting of the holy names--Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (T.L.C. Chapter 1 Please try to popularize this book throughout England as much as possible. Because if these books are read, there is no doubt that many sincere souls shall be attracted and will join you in your work for Krishna. So please try for selling these books, it shall be considered as the greatest service. (S.P.L. to Gurudasa 1/12/6 One Krishna book sold means we go forward one step in our Krishna Consciousness. We should always remember this. (S.P.L. to Visnujana Maharaja 4th April 1971) But in my heart I want that KRSNA book in small or large form, should be distributed in every home who are English-speaking people. (S.P.L. to Karandhara May 17th 1971) I am glad to hear that you are distributing nicely books and magazines. The more we sell books, the more we advance in KC, and the more we help others to have solid information how they may take advantage of their human form of life and achieve the supreme perfection. So I want that you should now increase very greatly this selling of books and literatures. (S.P.L. to Kulasekhara 20/1/72) I am very glad to hear all the good news, especially that you want to sell books more and more. That is the best preaching work; each book sold means there is some practical effect of preaching, there is some tangible progress. So try to sell books as many as possible in your country, and in this way, so long you remain active but not for your personal sense-gratification, so long you remain active only satisfying Krishna's senses, then this movement will be successful without any doubt. As soon as someone wants to satisfy his own senses, then he fails at everything. (S.P.L. to Kuruksetra 23/11/12) Actually producing and distributing books is our most important engagement, all other engagements culminate in this one end--distribution of books. (S.P.L. to Tamala Krsna 27th July 1973) I understand from Karandhara that you are one of the most staunch supporters and workers for distributing our books and I assure you that it is the highest service to my Guru Maharaja. Thank you very much. (S.P.L. to Trai dasa 8/12/73) So I am always emphasizing book distribution. It is the better kirtana. It is better than chanting. Of course chanting should not stop, but book distribution is the best kirtana. (S.P.L. to Srutadeva dasa 24/10/74) I am especially pleased at how you are distributing our books, particularly to the schools and universities. This program is so important and should be increased more and more. We want to flood the world over with our books. So go on in this way and Krishna will surely bless you. (S.P.L. to Sri Govinda 21/1/71) Actually this book production is most important, and you have pleased me very much. Just go on and flood the whole world with these Krsna books. (S.P.L. to Bali-mardana 8/873) So I am very pleased with your activities. Now continue and increase. Everyone will want our books. We will always have customers. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy. (S.P.L. to Ghanasyama 20/11/75) Your report of the book distribution there is very encouraging. Make program to distribute our books all over the world. Our books are being appreciated by learned circles, so we should take advantage. Whatever progress we have made, it is simply to distributing these books. So go on, and do not divert your mind for a moment from this. (S.P.L. to Ramesvara dasa 11/10/74) So that is the real preaching, selling books. Who can speak better than the books? At least whoever buys, he will look over. If you have to sell books, do it by hook or by crook. The real preaching is selling books. You should know the tactic how to sell without irritating. What your lecture will do for three minutes, but if he reads one page his life may be turned. (S.P.L. to Bali Marden 30th September 1972) The results show that there is no limit to our book distribution. Our books are qualified to be distributed unlimitedly. (S.P.L. to Ramesvara dasa 18/1/76) The word kriyasu, meaning "by manual labor" or "by work," is important in this verse. One should engage in practical service to the Lord. In our Krsna consciousness movement, all our activities are concentrated upon distributing Krsna literature. This is very important. One may approach any person and induce him to read Krsna literature so that in the future he also may become a devotee. Such activities are recommended in this verse. Kriyasu yas tvac-caranaravindayoh. Such activities will always remind the devotees of the Lord's lotus feet. By fully concentrating on distributing books for Krsna, one is fully absorbed in Krsna. This is samadhi. (S.B 10.2.37) These books are the life of human society. Others may be disturbed, but they cannot disturb this Srimad-Bhagavatam. Let any man come, but here they cannot touch. We are putting these books for deliberation before the topmost thinkers of human society. Therefore, I have to see that in all languages all of our books are published. If we strain, and if he takes one book home, some day people will come to understand what valuable knowledge they have received. It is transcendental literature. Nobody can challenge it. It is done so nicely, without any spot, the spotless Purana. Please continue like this to print books in all the languages for the benefit of suffering, misdirected humanity. (S.P.L. to Puranjana, 4th May, 1976) Please print as many books as possible, this is my real pleasure. By printing these books of our Krsna Conscious philosophy in so many different languages we can actually inject our movement into the masses of persons all over the world, especially there in the western countries and we can literally turn whole nations into Krsna Conscious nations. (S.P.L. to Hrdayananda Maharaja, 21st December, 1974) Anyway, print books, distribute profusely, and that will be the best preaching work. What will your three minutes' preaching do?--but if they buy one book, it may turn their life. (S.P.L. to Bhagavan 5th November, 1972) Yes, that is a good proposal, print many many books in African language and distribute widely, that is real preaching work. If you sell a book to someone, that is better than your speaking to them--what will your three minutes' preaching do? But if they read a book it may turn their life. (S.P.L. to Brahmananda, 3rd November, 1972) TRANSLATION According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krsna. By the mercy of both Krsna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. PURPORT When we speak of brahmanda, we refer to the whole universe, or to the cluster of many millions of universes. In all universes, there are innumerable planets and innumerable living entities upon those planets in the air and in the water. There are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are engaged by maya in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity life after life. This is the position of the materially conditioned living entities. Out of many of these living entities, if one is actually fortunate (bhagyavan), he comes in contact with a bona fide spiritual master by Krsna's mercy. Krsna is situated in everyone's heart, and if one desires something, Krsna fulfils one's desire. If the living entity by chance or fortune comes in contact with the Krsna consciousness movement and wishes to associate with that movement, Krsna, who is situated in everyone's heart, gives him the chance to meet a bona fide spiritual master. This is called guru-krsna-prasada. Krsna is prepared to bestow His mercy upon all living entities, and as soon as a living entity desires the Lord's mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona fide spiritual master. Such a person is fortified by both Krsna and the spiritual master. He is helped from within by Krsna and from without by the spiritual master. Both are prepared to help the sincere living being become free from this material bondage. (C.C. Mad. 19.151.) Srila Prabhupada says "as soon as a living entity desires the Lords mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona-fide spiritual master." There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself. (C.C. Adi. 1.35) TRANSLATION Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is no one other than Krsna Himself. PURPORT It is not possible for a conditioned soul to directly meet Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if one becomes a sincere devotee and seriously engages in devotional service, Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show him favour and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. The preceptor appears before the external senses of the fortunate conditioned soul, and at the same time the devotee is guided from within by the caittya-guru, Krsna, who is seated as the spiritual master within the heart of the living entity. (C.C. Adi 1.5 In the text to the above verse such a representative is described as siksa guru. Srila Prabhupada elaborates on this in the purport "Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show him favour and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. The perceptor appears before the external senses of the fortunate conditioned soul" There is no difference between me and my picture. (S.P.L. Jadurani, 4th September, 1972) The eternal bond between disciple and spiritual master begins from the first day he hears. Just like my spiritual master. In 1922 he said in our first meeting, you are educated boys, why don't you preach this cult. That was the beginning, now it is coming to fact. Therefore the relationship began from that day. (S.P.L. to Jadurani, 4th September, 1972) How that relationship develops is described as follows. The influence of a pure devotee is such that if someone comes to associate with him with a little faith, one gets the chance of hearing about the Lord from authoritative scriptures like Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. Thus, by the mercy of the Lord, who is situated in everyone's heart, one gradually develops his faith in the descriptions of such authoritative scriptures. This is the first stage of association with pure devotees. In the second stage, after one becomes a little advanced and mature, he automatically offers to follow the principles of devotional service under the guidance of the pure devotee and accepts him as the spiritual master. (N.O.D. Chapter 19) It is the duty of the siksa-guru or diksa-guru to instruct the disciple in the right way, and it depends on the disciple to execute the process. According to sastric injunctions, there is no difference between siksa-guru and diksa-guru, and generally the siksa-guru later on becomes the diksa-guru. (S.B. 4.12.32) Generally a spiritual master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science becomes his initiating spiritual master later on. (C.C. Adi, 1.35) Devotional service entails being initiated by a bona fide spiritual master and following his instruction in regard to hearing about the Lord. Such a bona fide spiritual master is accepted by regularly hearing from him about the Lord. (S.B. 3.5.42) My guru maharaja, my spiritual master, used to say that you have to select a spiritual master not by seeing but by your ear, but by hearing. And you don't select a spiritual master who has got a very good hair or beard or some very beautiful feature, "Oh, he is a very good, nice looking." No. You must hear. Tad viddhi pranipatena. Sruti. The whole process is sruti. The Vedas are called sruti. The ear has to aural reception. (B.G. 4.24.34 Lecture, N.Y. 2nd August, 1966) ." There is no comparison. There is no competition. Every word is for the good of the human society. Every word, each and every word. Therefore we stress so much in the book distribution. Somehow or other, if the book goes in one hand, he will be benefited. At least he will see, "Oh, they have taken so much price. Let me see what is there. If he reads one sloka, his life will be successful. If one sloka, one word. This is such nice things. Therefore we are stressing so much, "Please distribute book, distribute book, distribute book." A greater mrdanga. We are chanting, playing our mrdanga. It is heard within this room or little more. But this mrdanga will go home to home, country to country, community to community, this mrdanga. (S.B. Lec. 1.16.8., Los Angeles 5th January, 1974) Out of the nine items of devotional service, book distribution falls in the category of sravanam kirtanam. Sravanam kirtanam is the beginning--to chant and hear. Book distribution is under this category of sravanam kirtanam. (S.P.L. to Satsvarupa, 19th January, 1975) Regarding Sankirtana and book distribution, book distribution is also chanting. Anyone who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing. Book distribution must not be neglected. If things deteriorate that is another thing, but it is not the fault of book distribution. (S.P.L. to Rupanuga dasa, 19th October, 1974) When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the transcendental vibration of the holy name, he is quite fit to become a spiritual master and to deliver all the people of the world. The chanting of the holy name is so powerful that it gradually establishes its supremacy above everything in the world. The devotee who chants it becomes transcendentally situated in ecstasy and sometimes laughs, cries and dances in his ecstasy. Sometimes the unintelligent put hindrances in the path of chanting this maha-mantra, but one who is situated on the platform of love of Godhead chants the holy name loudly for all concerned. As a result, everyone becomes initiated in the chanting of the holy names--Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (T.L.C. Chapter 1 Such vedanta-vadis, or the bhakti-vedantas, are impartial in distributing the transcendental knowledge of devotional service. To them no one is enemy or friend; no one is educated or uneducated. No one is especially favourable, and no one is unfavourable. The bhakti-vedantas see that the people in general are wasting time in false sensuous things. Their business is to get the ignorant mass of people to re-establish their lost relationship with the Personality of Godhead. By such endeavour, even the most forgotten soul is roused up to the sense of spiritual life, and thus being initiated by the bhakti-vedantas, the people in general gradually progress on the path of transcendental realization. (S.B. 1.5.24) I wish that all of our Krishna Consciousness literature’s may be available to men of all languages throughout the world, so whatever assistance you can give in this connection is always appreciated. (S.P.L. to Sivananda, 22nd July, 1969) (S.B. 1.5.24) purport: "Bhaktivedantas are impartial in distributing the transcendental knowledge of devotional service. To them no one is enemy or friend, no one is educated or uneducated. No one is especially favourable and no one is unfavourable.... thus being initiated by the Bhaktivedantas, the people in general gradually progress on the path of transcendental realization." Following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Krsna consciousness movement is distributing the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and inducing people all over the world to chant. We are giving people an immense treasury of transcendental literature, translated into all the important languages of the world, and by the grace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu this literature is selling profusely, and people are chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra with great delight. This is the preaching process of the Caitanya cult. Since the Lord wanted this cult preached all over the world, the International Society of Krishna Consciousness is acting in a humble way so that the vision of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu may be fulfilled all over the world, especially in the western countries. (C.C. Adi 16.19) Srila Rupa Gosvami has described Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as maha-vadanya- avatara, the most munificent incarnation. Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not physically present now, simply by chanting His holy name (sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda) people throughout the world are becoming devotees. This is due to the ecstatic chanting of the holy name of the Lord. It is said that a pure devotee can see the Lord every moment, and because of this he is empowered by the Lord. This is confirmed in Brahma-samhita: premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrda yesu vilokayanti. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared five hundred years ago, but it cannot be said that now the potency of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is less powerful than it was in His presence. By hearing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu through the parampara system, one can be purified. Therefore in this verse it is said: tathapi tanra darsana-sravana-prabhave. It is not that everyone is able to see Krsna or Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu physically, but if one hears about Him through books like Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and through the parampara system of pure Vaisnavas, there is no difficulty in becoming a pure Vaisnava, free from mundane desires and personal motivations. (C.C. Mad. 17.51)

Devotee: Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise... Srila Prabhupada: Well the questions are answ...answers are there in my books. (Morning Walk, Los Angeles, 13/5/73) So utilise whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered. (Letter to Upendra, 7/1/76) If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect. (Letter to Hugo Salemon, 22/11/74) Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered. ( Letter to Randhira, 24/01/70) In my books the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. (Letter to Brahmarupa Dasa, 22/11/74) Srila Prabhupada: Even a moments association with a pure devotee - all success! Revitananda: Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee? Srila Prabhupada: Yes Revitananda: Even a little association with your books has the same effect? Srila Prabhupada: Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it. (Room Conversation, 13/12/70) After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything. (Room Conversation, 18/2/76) Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad Gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing? Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can associate with Krsna by reading Bhagavad-Gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty? (Morning Walk, Paris 11/6/74) There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter. (Vrindavan, 17/5/77) If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way. (BTG 13:1-2, December 1977

More wonderful quotes from Srila Prabhupada! So far as personal association with Guru is concerned, I was only with Guru Maharaj 4 or 5 times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am following his instruction, I have never felt any separation. There are some of my Godbrothers here in India, who had constant personal association with Guru Maharaja, but who are neglecting his orders. This is just like the bug who is sitting on the lap of the king. He may be very puffed up by his position but all he can succeed in doing is biting the king. Personal association is not so important as association through serving. (Letter to Satyadhana, 20/2/72) So spiritually appearance and disappearance, there is no difference ... spiritually there is no such difference, appearance or disappearance. Although this is the disappearance day of Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, there is nothing to be lamented, although we feel separation. (Lecture, Los Angeles 13/12/73) So my Guru Maharaja will be very, very much pleased with you ... it is not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding ... he is seeing. I never feel that I am alone. (Lecture, 2/3/75) Vani is more important than vapuh. (Letter to Tusta Krishna Das, 14/12/72) Yes I am glad that your centre is doing so well and all the devotees are now appreciating the presence of their spiritual master by following his instructions, although he is no longer present. This is the right spirit. (Letter to Karandhara, 13/9/70) The spiritual master by his words, can penetrate into the heart of the suffering person and inject knowledge transcendental which alone can extinguish the fire of material existence. (SB(1987 Ed) 1.7.22) There are two words, vani and vapuh. Vani means words, and vapuh means the physical body. Vapuh will be finished. This material body it will be finished, that is the nature. But if we keep to the vani, to the words of the spiritual master, then we remain very fixed up...if you always keep intact, in link with the words and instructions of the higher instructions, then you are always fresh. This is spiritual understanding. (General lectures, 75/03/02) So we should give more stress on the sound vibration, either of Krsna or Spiritual Master. Never think that I am absent from you, presence by message(or hearing) is the real touch. (Letter to students, August 1967) Reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition. (SB (1987)Ed) 7.7.1.) The potency of transcendental sound is never minimised because the vibrator is apparently absent. (SB 2.9.8.) The disciple and Spiritual Master are never separated because the Spiritual Master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the Spiritual Master. This is called the association of Vani. Physical presence is called Vapuh. As long as the Spiritual Master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the Spiritual Master, and when the Spiritual Master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the Spiritual Master. (SB 4:28:47) If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual masters instructions and the spiritual master himself. In the absence therefore, his words of direction should be pride of the disciple. (CC(1975 Ed) Adi 1.35) He lives forever by his divine instructions, and the follower lives with him. (SB(1962 Ed) Preface) He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die, when thou art still living in sound. (Bhaktivinoda Thakur b) Yes, the ecstacy of separation of Spiritual Master is even greater ecstasy than meeting with him. (Letter to Jadurani, 13/1/6 Krsna and his representative are the same. Similarly, the spiritual master can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of place by the principle of relay monitoring. (Letter to Malati, 28/5/6 It is better service to Krsna and Spiritual Master in a feeling of separation; sometimes there is a risk in the matter of direct service. (Letter to Madhusudana, 31/12/67)

Physical presence is immaterial. Presence of the transcendental sound received from the Spiritual Master should be the guidance of life. That will make our spiritual life successful. If you feel very strongly about my absence you may place my pictures on my sitting places and this will be source of inspiration for you. (Letter to Brahmananda and other students, 19/1/67) /images/graemlins/cool.gif But always remember that I am always with you. As you are always thinking of me, I am always thinking of you also. Although physically we are not together, we are not separated spiritually. So we should be concerned only with this spiritual connection. (Letter to Gaurasundara, 13/11/69) So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association. (Lectures SB, 68/08/1 There are two conceptions, the physical conception and the vibrational conception. The physical conception is temporary. The vibrational conception is eternal.[...] When we feel separation from Krsna or the Spirirual Master, we should just try to remember their words or instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Krsna and the Spiritual Master should be association by vibration not physical presence. That is real association. (Elevation to Krsna Consciousness,(BBT 1973), Page 57) Although according to material vision His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarsavati Thakura Prabhupada passed away from this material world on the last day of December 1936, I still consider his Divine Grace to be always present with me by his vani, his words. There are two ways of association - by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but Vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore, one must take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (CC, Antya 5 Conclusion) Therefore we should take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (Letter to Suci Devi Dasi, 4/11/75) I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically present, as I am getting guidance from my Guru Maharaja. (Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 14/7/77) It is sometimes misunderstood that if one has to associate with persons engaged in devotional service, he will not be able to solve the economic problem. To answer this argument, it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life. (SB 3:31:4 I am always with you. Never mind if I am physically absent. (Letter to Jayananda, 16/9/67) Paramananda: We're always feeling your presence very strongly, Srila Prabhupada, simply by your teachings and your instructions. We're always meditating on your instructions. Srila Prabhupada: Thank you. That is the real presence. Physical presence is not important. (Room Conversation, Vrndavana, 6/10/77) You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me? When you are helping my missionary activities I am always thinking of you, and you are always thinking of me . That is real association. Just like I am always thinking of my Guru Maharaja at every moment, although he is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve him to my best capacity, I am sure he is helping me by his spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association. (Letter to Govinda Dasi, 18/8/69) As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krsna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krsna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on. (Letter to Bala Krsna, 30/6/74) 'Anyone who has developed unflinching faith in the Lord and the Spiritual Master can understand the revealed scripture unfolding before him'. So continue your present aptitude and you will be successful in your spiritual progress. I am sure that even if I am not physically present before you, still you will be able to execute all spiritual duties in the matter of Krsna Consciousness, if you follow the above principles. (Letter to Subala, 29/9/67) So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living. (General lectures, 69/01/13) Devotee: ...so sometimes the Spiritual Master is far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg Temple. He thinks 'How will the Spiritual Master be pleased?' Srila Prabhupada: Just follow his order, Spiritual Master is along with you by his words. Just like my Spiritual Master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words. (SB Lectures, 71/08/1 Just like I am working, so my Guru Maharaja is there, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there. To serve master's word is more important than to serve physically. (Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 2/5/77) So that is called prakata, physically present. And there is another phrase, which is called aprakata, not physically present. But that does not mean, Krsna is dead or God is dead. That does not mean, prakata or aprakata, physically present or not present, it does not matter. (Lectures SB 73/12/11) So, spiritually, there is no question of separation, even physically we may be in far distant place. (Letter to Syama Dasi, 30/08/6 I went to your country for spreading this information of Krsna Consciousness and you are helping me in my mission, although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you. (Letter to Nandarani, Krsna Devi and Subala, 3/10/67) We are not separated actually. There are two - Vani or Vapuh - so Vapu is physical presence and Vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. (Letter to Hamsadutta, 22/6/70) So in the absence of physical presentation of the spiritual master, the Vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Sarsavati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve his instruction, I never feel separated from him. (Letter to Karandhara, 22/8/70) I also do not feel separation from my Guru Maharaja. When I am engaged in his service, his pictures give me sufficient strength. To serve master's word is more important than to serve him physically. (Letter to Syamasundara, 19/7/70)

Wow,only a drop? Imagine a whole glassful or a swimming pool, or an ocean of love of Krsna...

Prabhupada: Today's subject matter is life after death. So we shall try to speak something Prabhupada: Today's subject matter is life after death. So we shall try to speak something on this subject. So life after death is not very difficult to understand. We have got different grades of life. Just like the child is crying, that is also life. Then the child body vanquished then gets another body, boy's body. Then this body also vanquishes. Another body, youthful body. This body also vanquishes. And then an old man's body like me, this will also vanquish. So the logic is as the other bodies vanquish and I get a next body, similarly, when this old body will be vanquished, I'll get another body. So here it is stated by the supreme authority Krsna, that as these bodies are changing in this duration of life... It is changing. The old body, the child's body, boy's body of me, they are no longer existing, but I am existing. I know that I had a small body like this. I had a boy's body, youthful body. I can remember. Therefore I am eternal. The bodies are temporary. So this is evolution. This evolution theory... It is not theory; it is fact, stated in the Vedic literature, Padma Purana, how we have passed through so many bodies, and ultimately we have got this civilized, human form of body. We have to pass through 900,000 forms of aquatic bodies within the water. Then, gradually, we come to the form of trees and plants. There are two million varieties. Then we get the bodies of the insect. There are 900,000 forms of body. Then we enter into the species of birds, one million forms of body. Then, after bird's body, there are three million different varieties of beast body. Then, after this period, we become human body, but there are 400,000 species of human body. And thus we get this nice human form of body with good brain and good consciousness. So it should be utilized properly. That... By the laws of nature, prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah. This is the law of nature. Gradually we develop different types of body and different types of consciousness. So when we come finally to God consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, that is the perfection of life. So we are living in this planet, but in other planets also, there are different forms of life. So there is one planet... There are many millions of planets. Specifically, there is one planet within this universe, that is called Siddhaloka. There is other planet also, heavenly planet, Brahmaloka planet. And in different planets there are different species of life, different standard of comforts. But in the higher planetary system, the standard of comfort is more and more, thousand times more, thousand times more, in this way. Just like in this planet we have got different standard of life. In your western countries, your standard of life is, at least, it is to be understood more comfortable than other standard of life. In this way, if you promote yourself to the topmost planetary system, which is called Brahmaloka, then you get your duration of life many millions of years. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that sahasra-yuga-paryantam arhad yad brahmano viduh. In the Brahmaloka planet, the residents, they have got their one day. One day means day time. Not night time. Twelve hours, say. That is equal to, their twelve hours is equal to our millions of years. Sahasra-yuga. Sahasra-yuga means 43 hundred thousands of years multiplied by one thousand. That is called sahasra-yuga. Such is the, such duration of time is equal to twelve hours in the Brahmaloka planet. So even if you go to the Brahmaloka planet... So our natural tendency is to go to other, better planets. Therefore people are trying to go to the moon planet. Similarly, you can go to the sun planet, heavenly planet. There are so many. But the information is, even though you reach the topmost planet of this universe, still, there the four principles of material life, namely, birth, death, old age and disease, are there. So we can go to the topmost planet. There is process how to go. Urdhvam gacchanti sattva-stha madhye tisthanti rajasah, jaghanya-guna-vrtti-stha adho gacchanti tamasah. If you keep yourself in sattva-guna or in the modes of goodness, you are promoted to the higher planetary system. Even to the topmost planetary system. That is called urdhvam gacchanti sattva-stha. And if you keep yourself in the modes of passion, you shall remain within the middle planetary system. This is middle planetary system.

Sudanese children dying of hunger Aid workers fear there could be thousands of burials in Darfur Hundreds of children have started to starve to death in Sudan's war-torn western province of Darfur. The BBC's Hilary Andersson saw the burial of two-year-old Ikram and says 400 other children in the same camp in Kalma were unable to keep food down. Their families have fled attacks by pro-government Arab militias, accused of forcing black Africans off the land. Last week, a senior aid worker said 300,000 people would starve in Darfur, even if help is sent immediately. Some 10,000 have died in Darfur, since a rebellion broke out last year and one million have fled their homes. The rains have already begun to fall, which will soon make Darfur, an area the size of France, virtually impassable, our correspondent says. 'Too little' Speaking after his return from the area, UK Secretary for International Development Hilary Benn said Darfur was undoubtedly the largest humanitarian crisis in the world and more aid agencies were needed there. "We are in a race against time in Darfur," he told MPs. Adam's mother walked for 10 days after their village was burnt He admitted that the UK response to the crisis had been too little, too late but said the UK was committed to doing all that it could. "I have also been concerned about the adequacy and speed of the UN's response, although this should now change." Our reporter in Darfur says that while Ikram died, another boy on the same mat, Joseph, could not be coaxed to eat. His mother could do nothing but watch. The mother of nine-month-old Adam says that she walked without food for 10 days to reach the camp. "The militias burnt our village... They were burning the children," she said. Our correspondent says village after village in Darfur has been burnt, while food is running out in all the camps, where people have sought refuge. Air-strikes "If we get relief in, we could lose a third of a million. If we do not, it could be a million," Andrew Natsios, head of the US Agency for International Development told a UN donor conference last week. The figures were based on mortality and malnutrition rates, he said. The government and two rebel groups have signed a ceasefire but the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) has accused the army and its militia allies of attacking them near the border with Chad earlier this week. Jem official Abu Bakr Hamid al-Nur told Reuters news agency that the government had used an Antonov aircraft and helicopters to bomb the rebel positions.

Harrods apology over Hindu bikinis By Rajesh Priyadarshi BBC Hindi online London's Harrods department store has apologised to its customers for selling controversial underwear bearing images of Hindu goddesses. Harrods removed the underwear and swimwear range from sale after a protest by a Hindu pressure group. Hindu Human Rights said the garments, created by Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, insulted the religion. The store said: "We apologise to those customers who have been offended or distressed by the situation." Signatures Hindu Human Rights, a group which says it "safeguards the religion and its followers", lodged a complaint with the store on Monday seeking the removal of the range. When we see any image of goddesses we bow our heads with respect and here they were displayed in such an insulting way Amitabh Soni, human resources executive "When we heard that Harrods was selling such garments, we registered our protest. We cannot bear the insult to our religion," said spokesperson Sheila Church. "Our goddesses are revered by millions of Hindus. How can somebody use them for such purposes? We sent Harrods a large number of signatures protesting against it." The summer range has been on sale for some time but the controversy started on Sunday when an Indian human resources executive, Amitabh Soni, saw mannequins bearing the brightly coloured bikinis. "I was shocked to see them," he told BBC Hindi Online. "When we see any image of goddesses we bow our heads with respect and here they were displayed in such an insulting way", Mr Soni said. He is now happy at the outcome, but said the store had not listened when he asked it to remove the garments. "So I got in touch with Hindu Human Rights," he said. Controversies relating to Hindu icons are not new. Hindu Human Rights is also protesting against the new film by Ismail Merchant, Shakti, in which rock singer Tina Turner plays the role of goddess Kali. Last year another department store had to apologise for selling toilet seats with images of a Hindu deity. Selling slippers with Hindu symbols created trouble for a third London-based retailer. A number of designers have been attracted by the richness of Hindu iconography and the fad for exotic ethnic patterns.

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Having taken up the process of bhakti-yoga under disciplinary guidance of the spiritual master for some years I have these lingering doubts which need to be slain by the weapons of knowledge and detachment. Have I really changed to a spiritual person who sees Krsna in everything and everything in Krsna? To the hard core, to the soul, not only from the lips but from the heart soul. Am I a divine being although still encased in a demonic body and mind which constantly defiles itself? /images/graemlins/confused.gif

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Srî Nrisimha Pranâma Prayers to Lord Nrisimha namas te narasimhâya (Dm AmIIDm) My reverence to You Lord Nrsimha, prahlâdâhlâda-dâyine (Dm C Dm) who pleased Prahlâda Maharâj. hiranyakas'ipor vaksah- (Dm AmIIDm) who Hiranyakasipor his breast, s'ilâ-thanka-nakhâlaye (Dm C Dm) stonelike with His nails as chisels. ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho (Dm AmIIDm) Here Lord Nrsimha, there Lord Nrsimha, yato yato yâmi tato nrsimhah (Dm C Dm) wherever I go, there Lord Nrsimha, bahir nrisimho hridaye nrisimho (Dm AmIIDm) Outside Lord Nrsimha, Lord Nrsimha in the heart, nrisimham adim s'aranam prapadye (Dm C Dm) to Nrsimha the origin, the highest refuge, I surrender. tava kara-kamala-vare nakham (Dm AmII C) Your hand like a lotus beautiful adbhuta-s'ringam ( C Dm) Your nails brilliantly pointed, dalita-hiranyakas'ipu-tanu-bhringam (C Am II Dm) ripped apart Hiranyakasipu, his wasp body. kes'ava dhrita-narahari-rûpa (BbI) Kesava Lord of man, took the form of a lion, jaya jagadîs'a hare (Dm AmIIC) all honor to the Lord of the Universe, jaya jagadîs'a hare, (C AmII) all honor to the Lord of the Universe, jaya jagadîs'a hare (Bb I C Dm) all honor to the Lord of the Universe, jaya nrisimhadeva, jaya nrisimhadeva (Gm Dm) All glories to Nrsimhadev , all glories to Nrsimhadev, jaya nrisimhadeva, jaya nrisimhadeva (C Dm) all glories to Nrsimhadev , all glories to Nrsimhadev. jaya prahlâda mahârâja, jaya prahlâda mahârâja (Gm Dm) All glories to Prahlâd Mahârâj, all glories to Prahlâd Mahârâj, jaya prahlâda mahârâja, jaya prahlâda mahârâja (C Dm) All glories to Prahlâd Mahârâj, all glories to Prahlâd Mahârâj, Nrisihma-Bhagavân ki...jaya Prahlâda Mahârâja ki...jaya Gaur-premânanda Haribol. (chords harmonium) WORD FOR WORD namahi--obeisances; te--unto You; nara-simhaya--unto Lord Narasimha; prahlada--(to) Prahlada Maharaja; ahlada--(of) joy; dayine--the giver; hiranyakasipoh--of Hiranyakasipu; vaksah--chest; silas--(on) the stonelike; tanka--chisels; nakha-alaye--whose nails. TRANSLATION I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu. WORD FOR WORD itah--here; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha; paratah--there; nrsimhah-- Lord Nrsimha; yatah yatah--wherever; yami--I go; tatah--there; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha; bahih--externally; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha, hrdaye--in the heart; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha; nrsimham--to Lord Nrsimha; adim--the origin, saranam--the supreme refuge; prapadye--I surrender. TRANSLATION Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge. WORD FOR WORD (from Sri Dasavatara-stotra, p. 97) itah--here; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha; paratah--there; nrsimhah-- Lord Nrsimha; yatah yatah--wherever; yami--I go; tatah--there; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha; bahih--externally; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha, hrdaye--in the heart; nrsimhah--Lord Nrsimha; nrsimham--to Lord Nrsimha; adim--the origin, saranam--the supreme refuge; prapadye--I surrender. TRANSLATION Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge. O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp like demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful lotus hands.

Aside His well-known pastimes with Prahlad Maharaja, Sri Narasimha is famous among the Gaudiya Vaishnavas as the protector of the sankirtana movement of Sri Caitanya. On occasions, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself became absorbed in the mood of Sri Nrsimha. The following excerpts are from Sri Caitanya Bhagavata of Vrindavan Das Thakura. -- Madhya-lila, Chapter 2 Srivasa was engaged in worshiping Lord Nrsimhadeva behind closed doors. The Lord came and kicked the door. The Lord screamed out, "Who are you worshiping? Whom are you meditating on? The person whom you are worshiping is here!" Srivasa trembled, and sat awestruck. The Lord spoke to Srivasa calling out, "Oh Srivasa, all this time you did not know who I was. I left My spiritual abode of Vaikuntha and came down to this material world at your beckoning, because of your loud chanting of the holy name, and Advaita Acarya Prabhu's loud calling. Not recognizing Me, you are living completely complacent and unconcerned. And avoiding Me, Advaita Acarya Prabhu has gone back to Santipura. I have come to protect the pious and punish the miscreants. There is no need for you to worry, just go on worshiping Me." Tears filled Srivasa's eyes and his heart swelled with love for the Lord. All his fears were destroyed by His assuring words. Currents of joy passed through his body, and he stood up with folded hands, offering prayers to the Lord. Srivasa Pandita was a good and pure devotee, and a great scholar. Having received the Lord's order, he began to offer prayers to Him. Antya-lila, Chapter 3 Gradually all the associates and servitors of the Lord began to come to Nilacala. Those associates who were born in Utkala or modern Orissa also came one by one to join the Lord. Elevated souls like Pradyumna Misra, who was always absorbed in love of God, and Paramananda ans Ramananda came and joined the others. Damodara Pandita and Sri Sankara Pandita came shortly after. Pradyumna Brahmacari also came. He was a pure servant of Lord Nrsimhadeva. It is described that Lord Nrsimha manifested Himself in his body and that while he performed kirtan he looked like Lord Nrsimha as a sannyasi. -- Mahaprabhu also called Pradyumna Brahmacari as "Nrsimha Brahmacari" on account of his devotion to Nrsimha. There is a famous story related with Nrsimhananda Brahmacari in the Madhya-lila of Caitanya Caritamrta, first chapter, where he mentally decorates the road on which Lord Caitanya travels. The following incidents are from Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. -- Adi-lila, Chapter 17 One day the Lord ordered Srivasa Thakura to read the Brhat-sahasra-nama [the thousand names of Lord Visnu], for He wanted to hear them at that time. As he read the thousand names of the Lord, in due course the holy name of Lord Nrsimha appeared. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard the holy name of Lord Nrsimha, He became fully absorbed in thought. In the mood of Lord Nrsimhadeva, Lord Caitanya ran through the city streets, club in hand, ready to kill all the atheists. Seeing Him appearing very fierce in the ecstasy of Lord Nrsimha, people ran from the street and fled here and there, afraid of His anger. Seeing the people so afraid, the Lord came to His external senses and thus returned to the house of Srivasa Thakura and threw away the club. The Lord became morose and said to Srivasa Thakura, “When I adopted the mood of Lord Nrsimhadeva, people were greatly afraid. Therefore I stopped, since causing fear among people is an offense.” Srivasa Thakura replied, “Anyone who takes Your holy name vanquishes ten million of his offenses immediately. “There was no offense in Your appearing as Nrsimhadeva. Rather, any man who saw You in that mood was immediately liberated from the bondage of material existence.” After saying this, Srivasa Thakura worshiped the Lord, who was then greatly satisfied and returned to His own home. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited several temples of Sri Nrsimha during his travels. -- Madhya-lila, Chapter 8 According to His previous program, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went forward on His tour and after some days arrived at the place of pilgrimage known as Jiyada-nrsimha. Upon seeing the Deity of Lord Nrsimha in the temple, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu offered His respectful obeisances by falling flat. Then, in ecstatic love, He performed various dances, chanted, and offered prayers. “sri-nrsimha, jaya nrsimha, jaya jaya nrsimha prahladesa jaya padma-mukha-padma-bhrnga” “‘All glories to Nrsimhadeva! All glories to Nrsimhadeva, who is the Lord of Prahlada Maharaja and, like a honeybee, is always engaged in beholding the lotuslike face of the goddess of fortune.’ ugro ’py anugra evayam sva-bhaktanam nr-kesari kesariva sva-potanam anyesam ugra-vikramah “‘Although very ferocious, the lioness is very kind to her cubs. Similarly, although very ferocious to nondevotees like Hiranyakasipu, Lord Nrsimhadeva is very, very soft and kind to devotees like Prahlada Maharaja.’” In this way Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recited different verses from the sastra. The priest of Lord Nrsimhadeva then brought garlands and the remnants of the Lord’s food and offered them to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Nrsimha is often praised as the protector of His devotees. However, there is one incident of such a mighty ghost who would not flee upon hearing the Nrsimha-mantra even. The ghost was so powerful that its influence over the obsessed one only doubled upon chanting this mantra. -- Antya-lila, Chapter 18 Svarupa Damodara proceeded east with others, looking for the Lord on the beach or in the water. Everyone was overwhelmed with moroseness and almost unconscious, but out of ecstatic love they continued to wander here and there, searching for the Lord. Passing along the beach, they saw a fisherman approaching with his net over his shoulder. Laughing, crying, dancing and singing, he kept repeating the holy name “Hari, Hari.” Seeing the activities of the fisherman, everyone was astonished. Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, therefore, asked him for information. “My dear fisherman,” he said, “why are you behaving like this? Have you seen someone hereabouts? What is the cause of your behavior? Please tell us.” The fisherman replied, “I have not seen a single person here, but while casting my net in the water, I captured a dead body. “I lifted it with great care, thinking it a big fish, but as soon as I saw that it was a corpse, great fear arose in my mind. “As I tried to release the net, I touched the body, and as soon as I touched it, a ghost entered my heart. “I shivered in fear and shed tears. My voice faltered, and all the hairs on my body stood up. “I do not know whether the corpse I found was the ghost of a dead brahmana or an ordinary man, but as soon as one looks upon it, the ghost enters his body. “The body of this ghost is very long, five to seven cubits. Each of its arms and legs is as much as three cubits long. “Its joints are all separated beneath the skin, which is completely slack. No one could see it and remain alive in his body. “That ghost has taken the form of a corpse, but He keeps his eyes open. Sometimes He utters the sounds ‘gon- gon,’ and sometimes He remains unconscious. “I have seen that ghost directly, and He is haunting me. But if I die, who will take care of my wife and children? “The ghost is certainly very difficult to talk about, but I am going to find an exorcist and ask him if he can release me from it. “I wander alone at night killing fish in solitary places, but because I remember the hymn to Lord Nrsimha, ghosts do not touch me. “This ghost, however, overcomes me with redoubled strength when I chant the Nrsimha mantra. When I even see the form of this ghost, great fear arises in my mind. “Do not go near there. I forbid you. If you go, that ghost will catch you all.” Hearing this, Svarupa Damodara could understand the full truth of the matter. He spoke sweetly to the fisherman. “I am a famous exorcist,” he said, “and I know how to rid you of this ghost.” He then chanted some mantras and placed his hand on top of the fisherman’s head. He slapped the fisherman three times and said, “Now the ghost has gone away. Do not be afraid.” By saying this, he pacified the fisherman. The fisherman was affected by ecstatic love, but he was also fearful. He had thus become doubly agitated. Now that his fear had subsided, however, he had become somewhat normal. Svarupa Damodara said to the fisherman, “My dear sir, the person you are thinking is a ghost is not actually a ghost but is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. “Because of ecstatic love, the Lord fell into the sea, and you have caught Him in your net and rescued Him. “Simply touching Him has awakened your dormant love of Krsna, but because you thought Him a ghost, you were very much afraid of Him. “Now that your fear has gone and your mind is peaceful, please show me where He is.” Finally, we have the famous story of Sri Nrsimha appearing to Chand Kazi on account of his interrupting the sankirtan pastimes of Sri Caitanya. -- Adi-lila, Chapter 17 “My dear maternal uncle, I wish to ask you another question. Please tell Me the truth. Do not try to cheat Me with tricks. “In your city there is always congregational chanting of the holy name. A tumultuous uproar of music, singing and dancing is always going on. “As a Muslim magistrate, you have the right to oppose the performance of Hindu ceremonies, but now you do not forbid them. I cannot understand the reason why.” The Kazi said, “Everyone calls You Gaurahari. Please let me address You by that name. “Kindly listen, O Gaurahari! If You come to a private place, I shall then explain the reason.” The Lord replied, “All these men are My confidential associates. You may speak frankly. There is no reason to be afraid of them.” The Kazi said, “When I went to the Hindu’s house, broke the drum and forbade the performance of congregational chanting, in my dreams that very night I saw a greatly fearful lion, roaring very loudly, His body like a human being’s and His face like a lion’s. “While I was asleep, the lion jumped on my chest, laughing fiercely and gnashing His teeth. “Placing its nails on my chest, the lion said in a grave voice, ‘I shall immediately bifurcate your chest as you broke the mrdanga drum! “‘You have forbidden the performance of My congregational chanting. Therefore I must destroy you!’ Being very much afraid of Him, I closed my eyes and trembled. “Seeing me so afraid, the lion said, ‘I have defeated you just to teach you a lesson, but I must be merciful to you. “‘On that day you did not create a very great disturbance. Therefore I have excused you and not taken your life. “‘But if you perform such activities again, I shall not be tolerant. At that time I shall kill you, your entire family and all the meat-eaters.’ “After saying this, the lion left, but I was very much afraid of Him. Just see the marks of His nails on my heart!” After this description, the Kazi showed his chest. Having heard him and seen the marks, all the people there accepted the wonderful incident.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM: A CULTURAL PRESENTATION FOR THE RESPIRITUALIZATION OF HUMAN SOCIETY We must know the present need of human society. And what is that need? Human society is no longer bounded by geographical limits to particular countries or communities. Human society is broader than in the Middle Ages, and the world tendency is toward one state or one human society. The ideals of spiritual communism, according to Srimad-Bhagavatam, are based more or less on the oneness of the entire human society, nay, of the entire energy of living beings. The need is felt by great thinkers to make this a successful ideology. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need in human society. It begins, therefore, with the aphorism of Vedanta philosophy janmädy asya yatah to establish the ideal of a common cause. Human society, at the present moment, is not in the darkness of oblivion. It has made rapid progress in the field of material comforts, education and economic development throughout the entire world. But there is a pinprick somewhere in the social body at large, and therefore there are large-scale quarrels, even over less important issues. There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the re-spiritualization of the entire human society. Disparity in human society is due to lack of principles in a godless civilization. There is God, or the Almighty One, from whom everything emanates, by whom everything is maintained and in whom everything is merged to rest. Material science has tried to find the ultimate source of creation very insufficiently, but it is a fact that there is one ultimate source of everything that be. This ultimate source is explained rationally and authoritatively in the beautiful Bhagavatam, or Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the transcendental science not only for knowing the ultimate source of everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. It is powerful reading matter in the Sanskrit language, and it is now rendered into English elaborately so that simply by a careful reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the reader will be sufficiently educated to defend himself from the onslaught of atheists. Over and above this, the reader will be able to convert others to accepting God as a concrete principle. I must admit my frailties in presenting Srimad-Bhagavatam, but still I am hopeful of its good reception by the thinkers and leaders of society on the strength of the following statement of Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.5.11): "On the other hand, that literature which is full with descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a transcendental creation meant to bring about a revolution in the impious life of a misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though irregularly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest." Om tat sat A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (Excerpts from SB preface)

Harnessing honey's healing power By Angie Knox Professor Molan is trying to pin down the mystery factor Honey has been known for its healing properties for thousands of years - the Ancient Greeks used it, and so have many other peoples through the ages. Even up to the second world war, honey was being used for its antibacterial properties in treating wounds. But with the advent of penicillin and other antibiotic drugs in the twentieth century, honey's medicinal qualities have taken a back seat. But that might be about to change - thanks to one New Zealand based researcher. Working in his Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato, in the central North Island, biochemist Professor Peter Molan has identified one particular type of honey with extraordinary healing qualities. Professor Molan has shown that honey made from the flowers of the manuka bush, a native of New Zealand, has antibacterial properties over and above those of other honeys. Mystery ingredient He said: "In all honeys, there is - to different levels - hydrogen peroxide produced from an enzyme that bees add to the nectar. "In manuka honey, and its close relative which grows in Australia called jellybush, there's something else besides the hydrogen peroxide. "And there's nothing like that ever been found anywhere else in the world." That "something else" has proved very hard to pin down. Even now, after more than twenty years of research, Peter Molan admits he still has no idea exactly what it is. But he has given it a name: unique manuka factor, or UMF. And he has found a way to measure its antibacterial efficacy, by comparing UMF manuka honey with a standard antiseptic (carbolic, or phenol) in its ability to fight bacteria. The results are astonishing. He said: "We know it has a very broad spectrum of action. "It works on bacteria, fungi, protozoa. We haven't found anything it doesn't work on among infectious organisms." Resistant strains A satisfied user "I got bitten by an Alsatian. It grabbed my hand and gave me a five-stitch bite. So I went off to the doctors, and they solely used manuka honey, nothing else, no other treatment. I've got barely a scar now, and that's only three weeks ago. Now in the medical kit I carry in the truck, I have manuka honey and bandages, and that's all." Chris Graham In fact, he says UMF manuka honey can even tackle antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria - a growing problem for hospitals around the world. "Staphylococcus aureas is the most common wound-infecting species of bacteria, and that's the most sensitive to honey that we've found. "And that includes the antibiotic resistant strains - the MRSA - which is just as sensitive to honey as any other staphylococcus aureas." Clinical trials at the Waikato Hospital have shown that even out of the lab, UMF manuka honey has amazing healing properties. Nurse practitioner Julie Betts has successfully used honey to treat leg ulcers and pressure sores. And she says it helps healing after surgery - particularly for diabetic patients. "It has an anti-inflammatory effect as well, so if I want to do several things apart from actually controlling the bacteria in that wound, then that's when I'll use honey." Cancer treatment Cancer specialist Dr Glenys Round has also found honey to be an effective treatment. The honey is exported widely "We've been using honey to treat fungating wounds, where the cancer has broken through the skin," she said. "The results in that situation have been excellent." Most recently, she has had success in using honey dressings on patients with wounds or ulcers resulting from radiation therapy. "Most of these patients in the past had tried various other conventional treatments without good success, and that is the reason why at least initially honey was tried." Most patients seem happy to try the honey treatment. "They don't have a problem with it at all," said Julie Betts. "Humans in general have a fondness I think for natural remedies, so they're quite happy to use them." "I think the problem we encounter is when people don't understand how it works. "They think that sourcing any honey will achieve the same outcome, and that's not always true." Worldwide export That's a view shared by beekeeper Bill Bennett a few kilometres up the road from the hospital. He and his wife Margaret run the Summerglow Apiaries, one of just a handful of registered suppliers of UMF manuka honey in New Zealand. They produce between eight and twelve metric tonnes of manuka honey every year, and sell it across the world. The honey is rigorously tested three times during production for that elusive unique manuka factor; only then can it carry the label "UMF manuka honey". "It just seems that manuka from a few areas within New Zealand produces a nectar that has this special property," said Bill Bennett. "There is a lot of manuka honey out there that doesn't have this special property. That's why it's so important to look for the name UMF." Now, a New Zealand natural health products company Comvita is taking UMF manuka honey one step further. Dressings Comvita has set up a new medical products division to take hi-tech honey dressings developed by Peter Molan to the international market. The new dressings have been designed to take the mess out of honey. "It's like a sheet of rubber, you can touch it without it being sticky at all," he said. Comvita has high hopes for the new product. "Previously untreatable wounds of many types are now found to be treatable by honey," said Comvita's Ray Lewis. "The global market for wound care is in the range of two to six billion US dollars. So if we can capture just a small percentage of that, we will obviously be doing very well."

O.K. folks I'm on a first name basis with George W. and gonna have tea with Queen Liz at her palace in London... Will Srila Prabhupada and his teachings be now taken seriously?

The Holy Kural Written over two millenia ago by Saint Tiruvalluvar Hatred Chapter 86 of 133 Verse 851 It is said that hatred is the disease that spreads The plague of discord among all living creatures. Verse 852 Though men plot disunity and deliberately harm you, The highest path is not to plan hateful retribution. Verse 853 Removing the incurable cancer called hatred Reveals one's undying, undiminishing radiance. Verse 854 The destruction of hatred, that sorrow of sorrows, Yields to man the joy of joys. Verse 855 Who is there who could conquer those Who keep themselves free of all hostilities? Verse 856 To those who claim they take delight in hatred, Failure and life's ruin are quite near. Verse 857 Men immersed in animosities, knowingly causing harm, Can never see that triumph comes from noble truths. Verse 858 Wealth waxes when a man walks away from confrontation And wanes whenever he encourages it. Verse 859 Seeing a prosperous season approach, men neglect hatred. In times of ruin, they nurture it to profusion. Verse 860 From hatred springs all suffering, But cheerful friendship yields good fortune's joys. ************************** Info on Saint Tiruvalluvar: web page

Respecting Srila Prabhupada: Don't be over-intelligent by Padmapani das Posted on chakra June 7, 2004 As disciples and followers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, we all have an eternal debt to Srila Prabhupada for his unparalleled sacrifice in freely distributing the mercy of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu all over the word. Prabhupada did not have to leave the holy village of Vrindavan at the advanced age of 69 to travel by steamship across the Atlantic Ocean, suffering two heart attacks in the process and landing onshore with less than seven dollars in his pocket and with no help from anyone except his beloved Lord Shri Krishna. In spite of his enormous compassion and love for all of Krishna's estranged parts and parcels in this material world, Srila Prabhupada always remained humble and respectful to everyone, including those whom he personally endeavored to help with his personal instructions, hard work and patience: "I am very poor and I have nothing to return for your loving service, but I can simply pray to Krishna for your gradual advancement in Krishna Consciousness. I think that is the best blessing which we can have in this material existence." (Srila Prabhupada letter, October 21, 1968) We may not always understand the actions or statements of Krishna's pure devotees and that is not uncommon or unnatural. After all, we're conditioned souls in this world and our material education and upbringing are often at odds with the ancient conclusions of Vedic literature. At the same time, the scriptures and the bona fide acharyas in disciplic succession from the Lord Himself urge us to be humble and not to always rely upon our material judgment for a complete understanding of everything. As conditioned souls, we are subject to the four defects of imperfect senses, the ability to commit mistakes, the tendency to cheat others and the propensity to fall into illusion. An aspiring devotee is willing to suspend his complete faith in these tendencies and place his trust in higher spiritual authority from those authorized representatives of the disciplic succession coming down from the Supreme Lord Himself. Without this attitude of surrender, there is no meaning to the word disciple. Of course, Prabhupada never condemned sincere inquiries, saying that doubt is a symptom of intelligence. But along with that doubt there must be an open mind and a respectful attitude: "Even the most intelligent person cannot understand the plans and activities of a pure devotee. The exact words are vaisnavera kriya mudra vijne na bujhaya. A person who is thus always engaged in the service of the Lord or is always thinking and planning how to serve the Lord is to be considered completely liberated at present and in the future, his going back home, back to Godhead, is guaranteed. He is above all materialistic criticism, just as Krishna is above all criticism." (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 9.28, Purport) A pure devotee of Krishna is not an ordinary man of this world. Sometimes it appears this his behavior is on the mundane platform just like the rest of us. But we are always cautioned not to make a foolish mistake in this regard. Therefore Lord Chaitanya clearly warns us for our own spiritual benefit: "Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has very strongly recommended that one not commit any offense at the lotus feet of a devotee. Such offenses are compared to a mad elephant because when a mad elephant enters a garden it causes devastation. Therefore one should be extremely careful not to commit offenses at the lotus feet of a pure devotee." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 9.4.68, Purport) Even Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, cautions us accordingly: "The devotee of the Lord does not retaliate against the wrongdoer, but the Lord does not tolerate any mischief done to the devotee by the miscreants. The Lord can excuse a person on his own account, but He excuses no one who has done harm to His devotees." (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 1.35, Purport) Prabhupada has warned against the disciple becoming "over-intelligent." He gave the example of the mouse who requested the blessing of a sage to make him a cat in order to protect him from the advances of a threatening feline. Later he wanted to become a dog to save him from the attacks of another dog. Eventually he asked for the boon of becoming a tiger so that he could be saved from an aggressive tiger. Upon receiving this final blessing, he approached the sage who had bestowed these benedictions and boldly declared that he now wanted to eat the very benefactor who had helped him. So the sage then cursed him: "So now again you become a mouse." Here we learn not to bite the hand that feeds us. Almost every Vaishnava and aspiring Vaishnava in the Western world is ultimately indebted to Srila Prabhupada, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us all. No matter our personal doubts, at least we can afford him the respect and love that he so rightly earned and so richly deserves in a public forum read by people all over the world. Disrespect clothed in word jugglery can never impress the Lord or his sincere devotees. The test of a real disciple or follower is clearly described in the Svetasvatara Upanisad, 6.8: "Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith both in the Supreme Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed." Let's remember that a disciple has to pass the test of the spiritual master before achieving the desired results: "Sometimes Maya may come and try to interfere but we must not falter; we must always follow the chalked-out path laid down by the great acharyas, and in the end you will see." (Srila Prabhupada letter, 25/11/73)

We have fear to slight this most senior devotee so we will not dare speak the truth. We will cower frightfully in our little world in safety rather than take the risk of calling a spade a spade. *************************************** From a devotee weblog: Satsvarupa Maharaja was surrounded by loving friends and disciples and yet they did not catch his fall down until after the fact. Compare this to Lord Caitanya's associates like Damodara Pandita and Govinda, who were vigilant to see that the Lord would not be in a situation that could potentially bring Him ill repute. (When the Lord acts like an ordinary human being, that is always for our instruction.) In a spiritual society, social responsibility is guided not by "innocent until proven guilty" but by "where there is smoke there is fire."

Bhaktivinda Poem Sutra: "Forget the past that sleeps And ner' the future dream at all Act in times that are with thee And progress ye shall call" Thank you Theist Prabhu for your thoughtfulness. /images/graemlins/cool.gif