krsna

Jesus & Judas By Michael English -- Summary: This sketch contrasts the characters of Jesus and Judas. It was written to be performed on the Wednesday before Good Friday. It will need minor editing to be performed at another time. Bible Reference: Matthew 26:14-16 and 27:3-10 etc. Characters: Judas and Jesus. Props: None, but, if you've got the facility, a dark stage and a spot on each of the two characters would be cool. Setting: A bare stage. -- (Jesus and Judas stand side by side on opposite sides of the stage.) Jesus: I am Jesus Judas: I am Judas Both: For the last few years we have run the race of life together. Jesus: Across Galilee Judas: Across Judaea Both: Without a place to lay our heads. Jesus: We have seen the lost found. Judas: The sick healed Jesus: Good News preached to the poor Judas: And demons cast out Both: And now we come to the final lap. We will run with determination the race that is set before us. Jesus: It is Wednesday. Soon the race will end. Judas: Tomorrow, I will depart into the night. Jesus: Soon the lambs will be sacrificed for Passover. Both: But which of us will win the prize? Judas: I will win thirty pieces of silver. The price of a man's life. Jesus: And I will win a cross and pour out my life to death. Both: But this is not the end. Judas: For I will hang myself and become a by-word for traitors. Jesus: And I will rise to life and become the Saviour of the World. Both: He who loves his life will lose it. But he who is willing to give up his life will keep it for life eternal.

JUDAS ISCARIOT From BBC: This Easter weekend, the name Judas will be invoked from pulpits and in the media across the Christian world. Is the story of the man who betrayed Jesus true - or is he a convenient symbol of the Christian idea of evil? When, according to the Gospels, he identified Jesus to the Romans in the Garden of Gethsemane by way of a kiss - making himself 12 pieces of silver better off - Judas Iscariot condemned himself to eternal damnation. In Germany, parents are not allowed to name a child Judas because of the potential harm it may cause. In Dante's Inferno, Judas is condemned to the lowest circle in Hell, doomed to be chewed for eternity in the mouth of Satan. The betrayal led to the crucifixion Renaissance paintings represent him as the embodiment of cowardice. The name Judas is synonymous with the words traitor and treachery. But recent research has offered more sympathetic interpretations of his role. The eminent Canadian biblical scholar, Professor William Klassen, argues in a biography of Judas that as the early Christian church began to move away from Judaism at the end of the first century, it either invented or exaggerated details about Judas's betrayal of Jesus in order to cast him as the archetypal Jewish traitor. Anti-Semitism This theme is also explored by Jewish writer Hyam Maccoby in his book Judas Iscariot and the Myth of Jewish Evil. Maccoby argues that Judas' portrayal in the Gospels and Acts is unhistorical. Paul's Epistles mention no treachery; the Gospels, written long after Christ's death, show how the story became more and more embroidered as time went on. Mel Gibson's film depicts the events remembered at Easter His bargain with the priests, his dishonesty and meanness appear only in the later accounts. "The popular myth of Jewish miserliness can be traced to Judas' love of money," Maccoby says, and he sees the caricature handed down through art and the medieval passion plays. Professor Klassen found that the Greek verb paradidomi, used in the Gospels to describe Judas's actions, meant "to hand over" rather than "to betray", as it was invariably translated. He shows that on the 59 occasions on which paradidomi is translated when relating to the death of Jesus, 27 are given as "hand over" when Judas is not mentioned, and 32 as "betray" when he is. This demonstrates how the translators were moulded by preconceived notions of Judas' treachery. Official merchandise for the film Mel Gibson opted for the original Aramaic in his film The Passion of The Christ. Yet he sticks to Luke's version of events - that Judas was possessed by Satan and, riven with remorse, he subsequently hangs himself, having handed back the blood money. Some scholars have suggested that Judas was merely the negotiator in a pre-arranged prisoner exchange following the moneylender riot in the Temple. He gave Jesus to the Romans with Jesus full knowledge and consent and, therefore, the later portrayal was, once again, a distortion. Judas may have informed on Jesus because he felt he had betrayed the rebel movement. In his book The Passover Plot, the British theologian, Hugh Schonfield, argued that the crucifixion of Christ was a conscious re-enactment of Biblical prophecy. Judas is mentioned in the Bible only during the final days of Christ. There is no character build-up, no context. The current ABC Television movie Judas imagines him as an anti-Roman rebel whose rage and emotional instability stems from a traumatic childhood in which he witnesses his father's crucifixion. Whatever the truths of Judas Iscariot, his religious significance is profound, involving such concepts as betrayal, redemption and free will. "I'm not saying Judas is a saint," says William Klassen. "But we owe him an enormous debt for having helped Jesus to accomplish God's will."

Chanting the Mahamantra in full consciousness of the Lord's causeless mercy on my head. Possible?

Srila Prabhupada lecture Seattle Oct. 2, 1968 When you come to the point of understanding that "I am not this body, I am spirit soul," then the next stage will be what is the function of the soul? That function of soul is Krsna consciousness, working in Krsna consciousness. So in the present age one has to take directly to the function of the soul; then other things will automatically come. It is not possible at the present moment that you can go to a secluded place and peacefully sit there and meditate upon... It is not possible in this age. It is impossible. If you try artificially, it will be failure. Therefore you have to take this process, harer nama harer nama harer nama eva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. In this age of Kali, there is no other alternative for self-realization than this chanting Hare Krsna. That is the practical, real fact. Madhudvisa: Is there any way for a Christian to, without the help of a spiritual master, to reach the spiritual sky through believing in the words of Jesus Christ and trying to follow his teachings? Prabhupada: I don't follow. Tamal Krsna: Can a Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the Bible and following Jesus's words, reach the... Prabhupada: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without? As soon as you read Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ, that means you are following spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without spiritual master? Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living spiritual master. Prabhupada: Spiritual master is not the question of... Spiritual master is eternal. 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. So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear? Madhudvisa: I mean like we couldn't understand the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita without your help, without your presentation. Prabhupada: Similarly you have to understand Bible with the help of the priest in the church. **************************************************** I do not find the strength to carry on alone the sankirtana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Krsna. Krsna is yours; you have the power to give Him to me. I am simply running behind you shouting, "Krsna! Krsna!" (Ohe Vaisnava Thakura by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

Hanuman (Mahavira), the famous nonhuman devotee of Lord Sri Ramacandra, attained success simply by carrying out the orders of the Lord. Hanuman the perfect devotee ************************ The relationship between Rama and Hanuman demonstrates the perfection of devotion in the mood of service (dasya-rasa). In an almost classical manner Hanuman demonstrated the symptoms of pure devotional service. Everything that he did was only for the pleasure of Lord Rama, whether it was building bridges, fighting rakshasas or flying across the country to fetch life saving herbs, his constant meditation was how to best serve Rama. When he sought out Sita in Ravana's Lanka, he was not merely satisfied at delivering to her the message of Lord Rama. He also destroyed the forest, killed many rakshasas and burnt down half of Lanka. That is the mood of a pure devotee. To consciously cultivate everything that is positive to the service of the Lord and reject everything that is not. Even though Lord Rama reciprocated very sweetly with gratitude, praise or benedictions for Hanuman, he never had any expectation for them. Hanuman often presented himself as a simple ignorant monkey in front of Rama. When Hanuman returned from Lanka with news of Sita, an overjoyed Rama embraced him tightly. However a clearly uncomfortable Hanuman stated that his position could only be at the feet of his Lord. The highest reward for him was to serve Lord Rama. Service to Rama was the most exalted destination for Hanuman, and he constantly endeavored to perfect himself in this respect.

Lord Krsna says "This Supreme science was thus received through the chain of Disciplic Succession,amd the Saintly Kings understood it in this way". The Disciplic Succession (1)Lord Sri Krsna (22)Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu (29)Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (30)Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji Maharaja (31)Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada (32)His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (33) A Pure Devotee ,that is a Disciple of His Divine Grace A.C Bhativedanta,Who you are sure that,By Krsna's Arrangement,Will be able to Teach you,and Direct You,and Take You,Back Home,Back to Godhead, to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,Krsna! I say a disciple of A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ,Because the word DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION ,means He must Be a Disciple Of the Former Guru! I Pray to Krsna,That Everyone Find A Guru ,with these Qualifications! KRSNA GIVES YOU GURU YOU DESERVE,GURU GIVES YOU KRSNA YOU DESERVE!

ALL GLORIES TO SRILA PRABHUPADA! These beautiful words mean so much to me right now. If not for Srila Prabhupada what would be the cause of our disagreements in life? Some of us might be arguing about who will win the world series or the super bowl. Others might be more inclined to argue over stock prices etc. More pious individuals may be having debates about how to present the teachings of Lord Jesus more purely. We are so very fortunate. We are able to argue and discuss here today at audarya-fellowship about the best way to engage one's body, mind and intellect in the process of devotional service to Lord Krishna. Srila Prabhupada has taken this bickering lot and made us very fortunate.

Hanuman says, "Rama has occupied my heart": sri-nathe janaki-nathe cabhedah paramatmanih tathapi mama sarvasvam ramah kamala-locanah Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare There is no difference between Sri-nath [Vishnu, the Lord of the goddess of fortune] and Janaki-nath [Rama, the Lord of Sita], since They are both the Supersoul. Still, lotus-eyed Rama is everything to me. (Prema-bhakti-candrika, text 29)

Prabhupada was the one gorilla, the one big brute. He was Hanuman surrounded by monkees; he was just naturally unquestionably in charge. Now we are simply monkees. What can we do?

Christ or Krishna -- the Name's the Same (from a conversation with a Benedictine monk) Christos is the Greek version of the word Krishna. When an Indian person calls on Krishna, he often says, "Krsta." Krsta is a Sanskrit word meaning "attraction." So when we address God as "Christ,Krsta," or "Krishna," we indicate the same all-attractive Supreme Personaiity of Godhead. When Jesus said, "Our Father, who art in heaven, sanctified be Thy name," that name of God was "Krsta" or "Krishna." Actually it doesn't matter -- Krishna or Christ -- the name is the same. The main point is to follow the injunctions of the Vedic scriptures that recommend chanting the name of God in this age. I have not come to teach you, but only to request you to please chant the name of God. The Bible also demands this of you. So let us kindly cooperate and chant, and if you have a prejudice against chanting the name Krishna, then chant "Christos" or "Krsta" -- there is no difference . Sri Caitanya said: namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktih. "God has millions and millions of names, and because there is no difference between God's name and Himself, each one of these names has the same potency as God." Therefore, even if you accept designations like"Hindu,Christian," or "Muhammadan," if you simply chant the name of God found in your own scriptures, you will attain the spiritual platform We always have these beads, just as you have your rosary. You are chanting, but why don't the other Christians also chant? If you would like to cooperate with us, then go to the churches and chant, "Christ,Krsta," or "Krishna" What could be the objection? Science of Self-Realization

The following conversation between His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and some of his disciples took place in Bhubanesvara, India, in February 1977. Devotee: Prabhupada, you have said, "Preaching God's message is a thankless task." Srila Prabhupada: Yes, just look at Jesus Christ-crucified. What was his fault? He was simply teaching God consciousness. of course, he was not killed. Nobody can kill the lord's pure devotee. Devotee: But ungrateful people tried to. Srila Prabhupida: Yes. Such a great personality, the son of God. He wanted to deliver God consciousness. And in return, he was crucified. We don't take Jesus Christ as insignificant. We give him all honor. He is a pure representative of God. Of course, he directed his preaching according to time, place, and circumstance, the era and region and people's mentality. In any case, he is a pure representative of God. Devotee: And he was able to do all his preaching in just three years, too. SRILA Prabhupada: He had so little time to preach,but still, what he did in three years is so wonderful. Devotee: Yes. He's been world Famous for the last two thousand years. SRILA Prabhupada: Yes, it is not a joke. Unless Christ is God's representative, how can he be so enduringly famous? That we know,Christ represents God. In Melbourne, wheh a priest asked me, "What is your idea of Jesus Christ?" I told them, "He's our guru." This they very much appreciated, Christ is preaching consciousness of God. So he is our guru, our spiritual master. That's a fact. Don't take him otherwise. He's our guru. And Christ's name-originally he was called "Jesus of the Christ." Isn't it so? Devotee: Yes. Srila Prabhupada: Jesus of the Father. Jesus of the Christ. And that Father, that Christ, is Krsna. Christa is simply another pronunciation of Krsna. And of course, from his teachings we can understand that Jesus Christ represents God. Devotee: Oh, yes. What he was teaching , what he was giving to his original disciples- he gave them examples like, "The birds are not worrying about their food. And yet God is suppilymg all their wants. So why should you worry about your food or other needs? Simply follow God's laws and teach others to do the same. God is feeding the birds. Do you think He will not feed you?" Sri1a Prabhupada: Yes, he said that, didn't he? That's a fact. That is our mission: simple living and high thinking. No need for such a big bombastic economic arrangement. Depend on God's natural economic arrangements -the earth's produce and the cow's milk. And the main thing, use your priceless human life for becoming God conscious. Devotee: So Christ was a pure devotee of God, teaching devotional principles. Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Sometimes people make propaganda that Christ may have eaten fish or even meat. But even if this were true, it would only have been because nothing else was available, not because he wanted to eat such abominable things for his own personal sense gratification. If nothing else were available , what could be done? It is not that in your America-with such bountiful grains and nuts and milk and cheese-you can keep slaughter- houses and daily kill millions of poor animals on the plea of "protein,"or "Christ may have eaten this." That is rascaldom. Devotee: And because it wasn't always easy to get fresh water, people in those days used dirnk a very cheap wine thatwas hardly alcoholic at all.Really Really it was just mildly fermented grape juice. They used to drink this because there was often very little fresh water. Srila Prabhupada: Not that they made the plea, "Now we shall drink bottle after bottle of strong wine and beer and liquor and intoxicate ourselves,, since Christ may have taken some grape juice." Anyone who is preaching the Lord's glories- he is a bona fide guru or spiritual master. So how can these people today take Christ so I lightly? The Vedas say, tad-vinanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet: "Only a bona-fide spiritual master can impart the Supreme Truth Now, Christ imparted the Supreme Truth to the whole world. So how could he do this unless he is bona-fide Spiitual master? Devotee: Yes. Really we a much better appreciation of Christ than some of of his nominal followers Srila Prabhupada: Better".Yes Oh, yes. Devotee:. . because we know that we just can't just shrug him off as "God's sacrificial lamb" and use him as an excuse to go on sinning. Srila Prabhupada: Yes, If Christ is a bona-fide representative of God, a true spiritual master, then we must strictly follow his instructions. So my disciples in are the greatest Christains.We accept Christ as our spiritual master - we follow his instructions. Now, if the Christians want to be reformed, we can help them reform. On the basis of the Bible, we can help them reform. There is no difficulty. Most of my disciples come from the Christian group. So the Christians can reform; they can return to following God's laws. And the Bible aIso recommends chanting God's holy names-the Lords glories. This age is most degraded. So the best way to spiritual success and happinness- live your life the Lord's glories.This age is most degraded.So the best way to spirtual success and happiness--live your life in the Glories of the lords.

Is Iraq another Vietnam? By Barnaby Mason BBC diplomatic correspondent The Vietnam war lasted 14 years and killed hundreds of thousands The veteran Democratic Senator, Edward Kennedy, has described Iraq as George Bush's Vietnam - the long war that ended in humiliating retreat for the United States in 1975. How justified is the comparison? There are obvious differences. The Vietnam war was fought over 14 years and on a far bigger scale. At its peak, more than half a million American soldiers were deployed there, compared with about a quarter of that number in Iraq. Nearly 60,000 died in Vietnam, together with perhaps 40 times as many Vietnamese. Looking at America's allies, the most obvious difference was the absence of Britain, its primary partner in Iraq. In the 1960s, the British government resisted Washington's pressure to send troops to Vietnam. South Korea fought alongside the United States, together with smaller contingents from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Thailand. Ruthless To help with the Iraqi aftermath, the US has assembled a longer list of allies on the ground, mostly European. But in military terms, only the British contribution is significant. The US used more ruthless methods in Vietnam - including large-scale bombing, often with incendiary napalm, and the destruction of whole villages suspected of harbouring Vietcong guerrillas. In both cases, the United States said it was defending freedom Such tactics are even harder to justify now. The Americans have far more accurate weapons available. But they are often irrelevant to the task at hand. Essentially, the same dilemma faces the Americans in Iraq - how to separate the fighters from bystanders, this time in run-down towns and cities rather than tropical jungle. A purely military solution was and is impossible. But then, as now, a superpower staked its prestige on victory, so the question became: how to get out? Many South Vietnamese welcomed the North's victory Vietnam ruined the presidency of Lyndon Johnson. His successor, Richard Nixon, negotiated a peace deal which in fact meant an American withdrawal and the takeover of South Vietnam by the communist North. Washington's local political instrument, the corrupt South Vietnamese military government, was discredited and collapsed. In Iraq, the Americans have appointed a Governing Council whose legitimacy is disputed. The difference, they hope, will be the involvement of the United Nations and a handover to a more representative government. Ideological justification One striking similarity is Washington's declaration of an ideological, even altruistic motive. In Vietnam, it was resistance to the spread of communism: the theory was that if it was not stopped there, the rest of south-east Asia would fall like a row of dominos. The reasons for the invasion of Iraq are more muddled, but the Bush administration has often sought to present it as part of a war against Islamic terrorism - as well as an effort to establish Iraq as a beacon of western-style democracy in the Middle East. In both cases, the United States said it was defending freedom: but its involvement in Vietnam stimulated a national resistance struggle and a similar phenomenon may be emerging in Iraq. So far, nothing like the mass protest movement against the Vietnam war has emerged in the US. But there is another way in which the shadow of Vietnam hangs over President Bush. His opponent in the November presidential election will be John Kerry, who was decorated for bravery in the Vietnam war - but later campaigned against it. Mr Bush avoided being drafted to serve in Vietnam.

Krishna and Jesus Christ Many people often wonder what is the view of Lord Jesus Christ in the Krishna consciousness movement. Srila Prabhupada, the foremost exponent of the Krishna consciousness movement explains that Jesus is Krishna's representative, son of God, and spiritual master. Below are excerpts from Srila Prabhupada's books, lectures, and conversations about Jesus Christ and his relationship with Krsna. "If one loves Krishna, he must love Lord Jesus also. And if one perfectly loves Jesus he must love Krishna too. If he says, "Why shall I love Krishna? I shall love Jesus," then he has no knowledge. And if one says, "Why shall I love Jesus? I shall love Krishna", then he has no knowledge either. If one understands Krishna, then he will understand Jesus. If one understands Jesus, you'll understand Krishna too" (Srila Prabhupada - Room conversation with Allen Ginsberg, May 12, 1969 / Columbus - Ohio) As Lord Jesus Christ said, we should hate the sin, not the sinner. That is a very nice statement, because the sinner is under illusion. He is mad. If we hate him, how can we deliver him? Therefore, those who are advanced devotees, who are really servants of God, do not hate anyone. When Lord Jesus Christ was being crucified, he said, "My God, forgive them. They know not what they do." This is the proper attitude of an advanced devotee. He understands that the conditioned souls cannot be hated, because they have become mad due to their materialistic way of thinking. In this Krsna consciousness movement, there is no question of hating anyone. Everyone is welcomed to come and chant Hare Krsna, take krsna-prasada, listen to the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, and try to rectify material, conditioned life. This is the essential program of Krsna consciousness. (Path of Perfection Chapter 3: Learning How to See God) Christian, Muhammadan, Hindu-it doesn't matter. If he is simply speaking on behalf of God, he is a guru. Lord Jesus Christ, for instance. He canvassed people, saying, "Just try to love God." Anyone-it doesn't matter who-be he Hindu, Muslim, or Christian, is a guru if he convinces people to love God. That is the test. The guru never says, "I am God," or "I will make you God." The real guru says, "I am a servant of God, and I will make you a servant of God also." It doesn't matter how the guru is dressed. As Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Whoever can impart knowledge about Krsna is a spiritual master." A genuine spiritual master simply tries to get people to become devotees of Krsna, or God. He has no other business. (Science of Self Realization Chapter 2: Choosing a Spiritual Master) So Lord Jesus Christ said, "My Lord, hallowed be Thy name." He wants to glorify the name of the Lord. And some people says that there is no name of God. How? If Lord Jesus Christ says "Hallowed by Thy name," there must be name. The name is there, but he did not pronounce it because the people at that time will not be able to understand or maybe some reason, but he says there is name. So we are making this propaganda, Krsna consciousness movement, the "Hallowed by Thy name. My Lord Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, let Your holy name be glorified." This is our movement. It is not a sectarian...(Lecture: Bhagavad Gita 3.27 Melbourne June 27, 1974) Sometimes Sri Krsna descends Himself, and sometimes He sends His representative. The major religions of the world-Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Moslem-believe in some supreme authority or personality coming down from the kingdom of God. In the Christian religion, Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God and to be coming from the kingdom of God to reclaim conditioned souls. As followers of Bhagavad-gita, we admit this claim to be true. So basically there is no difference of opinion. In details there may be differences due to differences in culture, climate and people, but the basic principle remains the same-that is, God or His representatives come to reclaim conditioned souls. (Raja Vidya Chapter 6 :Knowledge of Krsna's Appearance and Activities) Just like Lord Jesus Christ. He was so badly treated and still he was thinking, "Father, they do not know what they are doing. Please excuse." This is suhrdah. He is praying to God This is sadhu, mahatma. Suhrdah prasanta. Not that... In India there are examples like Haridasa Thakura, Prahlada Maharaja. And the Western countries also, Lord Jesus Christ, he is saktyavesa-avatara, God's son. And he tolerated so much. These are the examples of mahatma. Don't misunderstand that we are preaching that mahatmas are only in India. No. By the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead there are mahatmas even amongst the birds, even amongst the beasts, even amongst the lower than animals. Because this Krsna consciousness movement is going on in different places, in different circumstances.(Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.3 --vrndavana Oct 25, 1976) Conversation with Father Emmanuel - In 1974, near ISKCON's center in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany, Srila Prabhupada and several of his disciples took a morning walk with father Emmanuel Jungclaussen, a Benedictine monk from Niederalteich Monastery. Noticing that Srila Prabhupada was carrying meditation beads similar to the rosary, Father Emmanuel explained that he also chanted a constant prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, be merciful unto us." The following conversation ensued. Conversation with Cardinal Danielou - "Thou Shalt Not Kill" or "Thou Shalt Not Murder"? At a monastic retreat near Paris, in July of 1973, Srila Prabhupada talked with Cardinal Jean Danielou: "... the Bible does not simply say, `Do not kill the human being.' It says broadly, `Thou shalt not kill.'... why do you interpret this to suit your own convenience?" From Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers - Discussions between Peace Corps Worker Bob Cohen and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Jesus Christ Was a Guru - The spiritual leader of the Hare Krsna movement here recognizes Lord Jesus Christ as "the son of God, the representative of God... our guru... our spiritual master," yet he has some sharp words for those who currently claim to be Christ's followers... A devotee of Krsna is friendly to everyone. Therefore it is said here that he has no enemy (nirvairah). How is this? A devotee situated in Krsna consciousness knows that only devotional service to Krsna can relieve a person from all the problems of life. He has personal experience of this, and therefore he wants to introduce this system, Krsna consciousness, into human society. There are many examples in history of devotees of the Lord who risked their lives for the spreading of God consciousness. The favorite example is Lord Jesus Christ. He was crucified by the nondevotees, but he sacrificed his life for spreading God consciousness. Of course, it would be superficial to understand that he was killed. Similarly, in India also there are many examples, such as Thakura Haridasa and Prahlada Maharaja. Why such risk? Because they wanted to spread Krsna consciousness, and it is difficult. A Krsna conscious person knows that if a man is suffering it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest benefit one can render to human society is relieving one's neighbor from all material problems. In such a way, a pure devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord. Now, we can imagine how merciful Krsna is to those engaged in His service, risking everything for Him. Therefore it is certain that such persons must reach the supreme planet after leaving the body. (Chapter 11 Bhagavad gita text 55 purport)

Tomorrow is Good Friday (BTG -- Volume 12, No. 12. Dec. 1977) The Tolerance And Compassion of Christ The Srimad-Bhagavatam states that any bona fide preacher of God consciousness must have the qualities of titiksa (tolerance) and karuna (compassion). In the character of Lord Jesus Christ we find both these qualities. He was so tolerant that even while he was being crucified, he didn't condemn anyone. And he was so compassionate that he prayed to God to forgive the very persons who were trying to kill him. (Of course, they could not actually kill him. But they were thinking that he could be killed, so they were committing a great offense.) As Christ was being crucified he prayed, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they are doing."

Modern Day Miracles--Jesus Christ, God, and PRABHUPADA are NOT Dead! A friend sent me these - they're all about God and miracles... thought they might make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. TAKE A DEEP BREATH BEFORE READING THIS. There was an atheist couple who had a child. The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord. One night when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other and the dad shot the Mom, right in front of the child. Then, the dad shot himself. The little girl watched it all. She then was sent to a foster home. The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church. On the first day of Sunday School, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her. The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, "Does anyone know who this is?" The little girl said, "I do, that's the man who was holding me the night my parents died." -- A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often. One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned is back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross. Seeing that image created such an unusual and strong response that instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs. -- Yes I do Love Jesus. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without him, I am nothing but with Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. -Phil 4:13 This is pretty deep.... Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven, provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says. Or is it scary? Funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God) Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace. Funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them. Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me. Jesus Loves You. -- And it's not just Christians who see the modern day miracles... I have personal experience and so do most devotees that Srila Prabhupada is living... We have seen the miracles ourselves so many times... -- In 1989 after returning from India and seeing there was no place for me in ISKCON Australia I took two boxes of Srila Prabhupada's books and puschased a bus ticket to Canberra. At that time there was no ISKCON temple there so I took encouragement from Srila Prabhupada. After buying the bus ticket I only had $1.00 left... I arrived in Canberra late in the night and ended up in a shelter for the homeless, Ainsley Village. I stayed there for a few weeks distributing books in the city and in the next few months I experienced miracle after miracle... In a few weeks we had a very nice three bedroom house near the city as a temple, we had a Sunday Feast with 100+ guests coming every Sunday, at least half of them students from the Australian National University, we had a Food For Life program on Wednesdays feeding 100+ homeless people. The Salvation Army were giving us money to buy the food, the government gave us a "Food For Life" van and a nice grant to cover the costs of the food program and the running expenses of the van... And I was going out evey day distributing Srila Prabhupada's books. It was perhaps the most blissful experience I have ever had. There were so many miracles, it came to the point that I was not even surprized when they happened. One Sunday I was cooking the feast in the temple. I was still incredablly poor. Krishna was sending the money to pay the bills, but no more than that. So I had no money at that time, not even a cent. Half-way throgh cooking the feast the gas ran out... I just looked at Srila Prabhupada and said: "OK. How are you going to get me out of this one?" And, right then, there was a knock at the back door. There was a young man there who introduced himself as "John." He said he was my new neighbour from over the back fence. He said he had heard me chanting Hare Krishna and wondered if I had any of those "Srimad-Bhagavatams"? A devotee had sold him one some years before and he had lost it... It just so happened that on the previous Friday an ISKCON devotee, Ananta Sesa Prabhu, had visited and, as was the custom, he left whatever books he had in his car with me so I had something to distribute... He left a partial set of Srimad Bhagavatam's so I could happily say to John, "Yes, I've got some of those Srimad-Bhagavatams..." I showed them to him and he picked out two volumes and handed me $50. So not having much time to get the cooking finished I thanked him very much and rushed off to buy the LPG gas... "So he wanted this, and he is not... It is not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding. Even ordinary living being, he does not die. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire. And what to speak of such exalted, authorized personality like Bhaktisiddhanta. He is seeing. I never feel that I am alone. Of course, when I came to your country without any friend, without any means... Practically, just like a vagabond I came. But I had full faith that "My Guru Maharaja is with me." I never lost this faith, and that is fact. There are two words, vani and vapuh. Vani means words, and vapuh means this physical body. So vani is more important than the vapuh. Vapuh will be finished. This is material body. It will be finished. That is the nature. But if we keep to the vani, to the words of spiritual master, then we remain very fixed up. It doesn't matter. Just like Bhagavad-gita. It was spoken five thousand years ago. But if you keep to the words of Krsna, then it is always fresh and guiding. Not that because Arjuna personally listened to Krsna about the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, therefore he knew it. That is not the fact. If you accept Bhagavad-gita as it is, then you should know that Krsna is present before you in His words in the Bhagavad-gita. This is called spiritual realization. It is not mundane historical incidences. If we keep... evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh sa kaleneha (mahata) yogo nastah parantapa If you don't keep in touch with the original link, then it will be lost. And if you keep touch with the original link, then you are directly hearing Krsna. Similarly, Krsna and Krsna's representative, spiritual master, if you keep always intact, in link with the words and instruction of the superior authorities, then you are always fresh. This is spiritual understanding. Na jayate na mriyate va kadacit nityah sasvato 'yam purano. Puranah means very old. Just like Krsna, the Supreme Being. He must be very old because He is the original person. But the Brahma-samhita says, advaita acyuta anadi ananta-rupam adyam purana-purusa nava-yauvanam ca. Purana-purusa, the oldest person, but you will find Him nava-yauvanam ca, always a fresh youth. That is God. God is not a material, that it gets old. The body gets old. So you are hearing this philosophy daily. Try to understand more and more. We have got so many books. And this is the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and, by disciplic succession, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, then my spiritual master. Then we are trying our level best. Similarly, you will also try your level best on the same principle. Then it will go on. Same principle. It doesn't matter whether one is born in India or outside India. No. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama, "As many towns and cities and villages are there," He did not say it to make a farce. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So sometimes I am very much criticized that I am making foreigners a brahmana. The caste brahmanas in India, they are very much against me. But this is not fact. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that all over the world His message will be broadcast, does it mean that it will be simply a cinema show? No. He wanted that everyone should become perfect Vaisnava. That is His purpose. It is not to make a farce, some lecturing and..., or some mutual praising society. No. It is Krishna Society. Everyone who will join this Krishna Society movement, he is more than a brahmana. Brahmana, what is brahmana? Brahmana is also material. A devotee is more than brahmana. The brahminical culture is included already. Brahma janatiti brahmanah: "Brahmana means one who knows the Absolute Truth, Brahman." He is brahmana. But that is not very fixed up. Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. Brahman is impersonal effulgence, and then further progress, realization of the localized aspect, Paramatma, Antaryami, and finally, understanding the Supreme Person, Krsna, Supreme Person, that is the final understanding. So people cannot understand that how the Supreme, the origin of everything, can be a person. That is their difficulty. Because they are thinking, "A person, God? How it is possible. God is great, and He is the creator of everything. How a person can do that?" Yes. That is the Vedic version. isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah anadir adir govindah sarva-karana-karanam He is the cause of Brahman. He is the cause of Supersoul. So ordinary man cannot understand. Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam. It requires Krsna's grace to understand Him. So try to receive Krsna's grace through the disciplic succession, Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then you will understand everything. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau. This is the process, Vedic process. One should have unflinching faith in God and spiritual master. Don't jump over God, crossing the spiritual master. Then it will be failure. You must go through. We are observing Vyasa-puja ceremony, the birth anniversary of our Guru Maharaja. Why? We cannot understand Krsna without spiritual master. That is bogus. If anyone wants to understand Krsna, jumping over the spiritual master, then immediately he becomes a bogus. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, guru- krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija. That is Vedic injunction. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya. Nobody can understand Krsna without going through His most confidential servant. This is the meaning of this Vyasa-puja. You cannot surpass. If you think that you have become very learned and very advanced, now you can avoid the spiritual master and you understand Krsna, that is the bogus. That is the meaning of this Vyasa-puja ceremony. We should always pray, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah. Yasya prasadad, only by the grace of spiritual master we can achieve the grace or mercy of Krsna. This is the meaning of this Vyasa- puja, offering obeisances by parampara system. So you have taken a very nice line of activities, spiritual activities. Of course, as far as possible, we have tried to give you instruction, books. But remain always faithful to the spiritual master and try to understand Krsna. And if you simply understand Krsna, then your life is successful. Janma karma ca divyam me yo janati tattvatah. The human life is meant for understanding Krsna. That is the perfection of life. Any other so-called understanding, that is simply waste of time because we are under the grip of the material nature. You may be very learned scholar. You may be a fool. It doesn't matter. You are under the laws of material nature. So before finishing this small span of life... We have got this human form of life. It will be finished, as the cats' and dogs' life also finished. But if we try through the guru and Vaisnava, then, we can achieve in this life the full success, not failure like cats' and dogs' life. That is the opportunity. So as far as possible, we are trying to lead you in this line, and you kindly follow. Then your life will be successful. That is the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He wanted to deliver these fallen souls, the conditioned souls rotting in this material world. So Krsna Himself... Krsna comes Himself, Krsna sends His devotees, Krsna comes as devotee--just to execute this mission to reclaim the fallen souls from the clutches of illusory energy, material world. Thank you very much. (end) Srila Prabhupada[750302BA.ATL]

ye yathA mAM prapadyante tAMs tathaiva bhajAmy aham mama vartmAnuvartante manuSyAH pArtha sarvazaH ye--all who; yathA--as; mAm--unto Me; prapadyante--surrender; tAn--them; tathA--so; eva--certainly; bhajAmi--reward; aham--I; mama--My; vartma--path; anuvartante--follow; manuSyAH--all men; pArtha--O son of PRthA; sarvazaH--in all respects. As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of PRthA. PURPORT Everyone is searching for KRSNa in the different aspects of His manifestations. KRSNa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is partially realized in His impersonal brahmajyoti effulgence and as the all-pervading Supersoul dwelling within everything, including the particles of atoms. But KRSNa is fully realized only by His pure devotees. Consequently, KRSNa is the object of everyone's realization, and thus anyone and everyone is satisfied according to one's desire to have Him. In the transcendental world also, KRSNa reciprocates with His pure devotees in the transcendental attitude, just as the devotee wants Him. One devotee may want KRSNa as supreme master, another as his personal friend, another as his son, and still another as his lover. KRSNa rewards all the devotees equally, according to their different intensities of love for Him. In the material world, the same reciprocations of feelings are there, and they are equally exchanged by the Lord with the different types of worshipers. The pure devotees both here and in the transcendental abode associate with Him in person and are able to render personal service to the Lord and thus derive transcendental bliss in His loving service. As for those who are impersonalists and who want to commit spiritual suicide by annihilating the individual existence of the living entity, KRSNa helps also by absorbing them into His effulgence. Such impersonalists do not agree to accept the eternal, blissful Personality of Godhead; consequently they cannot relish the bliss of transcendental personal service to the Lord, having extinguished their individuality. Some of them, who are not firmly situated even in the impersonal existence, return to this material field to exhibit their dormant desires for activities. They are not admitted into the spiritual planets, but they are again given a chance to act on the material planets. For those who are fruitive workers, the Lord awards the desired results of their prescribed duties, as the yajJezvara; and those who are yogIs seeking mystic powers are awarded such powers. In other words, everyone is dependent for success upon His mercy alone, and all kinds of spiritual processes are but different degrees of success on the same path. Unless, therefore, one comes to the highest perfection of KRSNa consciousness, all attempts remain imperfect, as is stated in the SrImad-BhAgavatam (2.3.10): akAmaH sarva-kAmo vA mokSa-kAma udAra-dhIH tIvreNa bhakti-yogena yajeta puruSaM param "Whether one is without desire [the condition of the devotees], or is desirous of all fruitive results, or is after liberation, one should with all efforts try to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead for complete perfection, culminating in KRSNa consciousness." <font color="red"> </font color> <font color="red"> </font color>

By A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Habit is second nature; it is very difficult to break. Sva yadi kriyate raja. tat kim nasnaty upanaham (Gitopadesa): One may seat a dog on a royal throne, but as soon as he sees a shoe, he will immediately jump down and run after it simply because he is a dog. The canine qualities are there, and they cannot be changed simply by putting the dog on a throne. Similarly, we have acquired material qualities by associating with the three modes of material nature--sattva guna, rajo guna and tamo guna--and our habits are formed by association with these three qualities, which are the qualities of goodness, passion and ignorance. If, however, we disassociate ourselves from the three modes of material nature, our real spiritual nature is invoked. That is the process of Krsna consciousness. If one is Krsna conscious, there is no chance of his associating with the three modes of material nature, and when one is conscious of Krsna, one's spiritual nature is automatically invoked. That is the secret. Those who seriously follow the process of Krsna consciousness, though previously habituated to many undesirable things, are able to stay on a platform where there is no material contamination simply by virtue of practicing Krsna consciousness. Thus Krsna consciousness is an excellent medicine. Unless one comes to awareness of Krsna, the habits he forms in association with the three modes of material nature will continue, and he will not be able to change them. If one actually wants freedom from the repetition of birth and death, he must come to Krsna consciousness - AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

(Letter 1958) My dear Brother, Please excuse me if I have offended you by calling you my dear Brother. Actually you are my dear brother and when you know me you shall be pleased that I have called you as such. You are my brother in relation to our common and Eternal Father the Almighty Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, the revealing Author of the great book of Philosophy ``Bhagavad-gita.'' And from this book of transcendental knowledge, I have known that you and all other living entities, in whatever form they may be, are all my brothers. You are not happy in the present set up of your affairs. You may have in your possession your so called accumulated material wealth, health or happiness but still you are always feeling some insufficiency and frustration and thus you are not happy as you ought to have been. If you do not feel like this, then you must be either an abnormal man or a liberated saint or in gross ignorance of lower consciousness. Should you feel yourself abnormally happy, I shall ask you the following plain questions. They are as follows:-- 1) Do you like to die? 2) Do you like to take your birth again? 3) Do you like to be an old man? 4) Do you like to be a diseased man? I am sure you shall reply to all these questions by saying the only word ``No.'' If you think yourself happy then have you solved all the above problems in any way? Have your vast resources of material knowledge helped you in solving these seemingly common but very big problems? Do you think that you shall ever be able to solve the above problems at any length of time? If you say so, I shall again call you in abnormal condition. So do not become a madman in false conviction. Do not remain in ignorance for your problems. Be just like a fully developed conscious man and acknowledge that you have never been happy in the true sense of the term neither your ideal of happiness has ever been fulfilled. The way in which you are seeking to be happy or trying to make others happy in your manufactured ideology--is called ``Maya'' or illusion. By such illusory way of making yourself and others happy, you have simply been credited with creation of much disturbances and entanglement for all concerned. That is the record of history of the material world. Empires may come and empires may go, the problems of life remains the same. Please therefore be cool headed and patiently ask within yourself if you are really happy. The happiness which you are hankering after is possible to be attained as soon as you learn to introspect yourself within yourself. You are yourself your friend and you are yourself your enemy. You can raise yourself by your self effort and you can lower yourself by the same effort. It is simply to know the direction and the way. In the right direction you can make yourself happy in the right way. Please therefore contact us and we shall help you to raise yourself to your normal happiness. It is no dream, neither any bluff. You shall know yourself how far you have made progress in that path and our duty will be to help you only... Yours Sincerely, For the League of Devotees, Abhay Charanarvinda Bhaktivedanta Secretary

Yugo Sako's Ramayan Odyssey A Japanese director has devoted his life to animating the Hindu epic. But is Hollywood ready for Prince Ram? By Lavina Melwani After eight months of negotiations, Japanese producer and director Yugo Sako thought he had achieved the near-mythic--a contract with a major Hollywood studio to release his animated, feature-length version of the Ramayana to U.S. audiences. Sako's movie, "Prince of Light: The Legend of Ramayana," had already received acclaim abroad as "The Warrior Prince." Now moviegoers would see the action-packed, award-winning film in multiplexes across America. Imagine, if you will, the merchandising possibilities alone: the shelves of Toys 'R' Us stocked with plastic Prince Ram figurines; an endless array of stuffed and cuddly Hanuman dolls; and of course, souvenir Coke cups emblazoned with the very svelte Princess Sita or the very wicked Ravana, available at your local McDonald's. What Star Wars had been to earlier generations of American kids, Ramayana hoped to become--a timeless tale of good and evil, a dazzling adventure movie with a moral epicenter. Then came the sticky part: The studio wanted to change the story, sending Ram and Sita into the forest for their honeymoon and doing away with the whole story of vanwas or Sita’s banishment. Recalls Krishna Shah, the co-producer of the film, "I said if I was to do that there would be a fatwa on my head! They wanted to do it as a straight adventure story. I told them it was a very sacred epic--you don't mess with it. How could we change Valmiki's text?” he asked, in deference to the original scribe. “Yugo would not agree nor could I. It was against our sensitivities." And so the filmmakers and studio parted ways, the latest development in a process that has itself been epic. The director has traveled to India 60 times and devoted a decade of his life and over $13 million in bringing this immortal story to the big screen. This version of the Ramayana evokes the fantasy and action-adventure genres, making a spiritual epic accessible to today's moviegoers. It skillfully combines the techniques of Manga, the Japanese school of animation, with Indian classical painting as represented by Ram Mohan, the leading animator in India. As the filmmakers note, they've lifted the story right out of its historic setting and delivered it slap-bang into today's world. Religion and spirituality impacted director Sako since he was a child. Born in 1928 in central Japan, he was orphaned at the age of 3. Monks in a Zen Buddhist temple raised him to become a future priest. He has strong memories of religion classes for local children and was passionate about collecting cards about the life of Buddha that were used in the classes. "This was my initial contact with Buddha and India." language=JavaScript1.1> document.writeln(" In college, he majored in Buddhist Studies. He then practiced asceticism at the Heirinji Zen Temple but soon realized that the priesthood was not for him. He returned to secular life and eventually set up his own company, Tokyo Cine Vision Ltd, which made music albums and TV documentaries. He first visited India in 1985 to film a documentary, "The Ramayan Relics," about an archeological excavation near Ayodhya. He was smitten by the story of Prince Ram's triumph over the forces of darkness, and as his research into the epic deepened, he realized it was much more than just a myth: It encompassed a whole philosophy of living and had historical underpinnings. He read Valmiki's Ramayana in Japanese and went on to study 10 different versions, all in Japanese. Although he was a documentary filmmaker, he felt only an animated format could capture the true magic and power of Ramayana. He says, "Because Ram is God, I felt it was best to depict him in animation, rather than by an actor." Meeting with academics, archaeologists and historians, Sako painstakingly researched the story of Ram, and spent months checking out costumes and architectural details. As a foreigner, he wanted to be extra vigilant in staying true to the epic. All the futuristic gizmos, flying vehicles, and even weapons of mass destruction depicted in the film are mentioned in the Ramayana. Sako collaborated with Ram Mohan, an eminent animator in India, to design the key art. In 1990, he started work in Japan on the principal animation, using over 450 artists. Krishna Shah, an old Hollywood hand, got involved in 1993 at a time when the film had been a work in progress for several years. Shah, a graduate of Yale and UCLA film schools, had written or directed shows such as "The Man From UNCLE" and "The Six Million Dollar Man." Shah points out some interesting similarities between "Star Wars" and the Ramayana, both morally centered tales. If Luke Skywalker is inspired by Rama, he says, Darth Vader has shades of Ravana, and the lovable Chewbacca is a dead ringer for Hanuman. Ask Sako about this, and he says: "In general, Indian mythology is like a treasure box for movie makers. So if George Lucas knows India, I am sure he was influenced." When Sako first proposed this film, the Indian government had been reluctant to hand over an Indian epic to a foreigner. Now, he's won over the skeptics with his integrity and devotion to details. Says Shah, "He has established his credentials--he knows Valmiki's Ramayana backwards and forwards." Although the film has been well received at film festivals and has been briefly exhibited in several countries, the insistence of the filmmakers to maintain the storyline has prevented it from gaining wide release. Indeed, Sako's film remains close to the original epic, while gaining a contemporary appeal. Fast moving, humorous, and colorful, the film makes Ram a 'cool' figure and a part of pop culture--without losing the direction set by the moral compass of the Ramayana. Hindu parents will be able to show it with pride to their second-generation children. As Shah observes, "Anyone can tell a story, because Ramayana is a plot-oriented tale, but the key to Sako is that he finds humanity in his characters. Indeed, this is not a cardboard Ramayana, and the characters from Ram to Hanuman to Kumbkharna are three-dimensional ones. Sometimes, you forget these are merely animated figures, for the film almost has a lush, David Lean kind of ambiance." What Sako particularly likes about the Ramayana and feels is a message for today's generation is the loving co-existence between the humans and the animal world that it depicts. Although Sako is not a Hindu, he is attracted to many of Hinduism's beliefs. He explains, "I trained to be a priest and am a Zen Buddhist formally. But after all these years, Hinduism is very familiar to me. However, to be Hindu, you have to be born in a Hindu family, so I don't know whether Hindus would accept me as Hindu or not. So I am Buddhist, but in my mind I feel I am Hindu." Next on the agenda for Sako is the story of Lord Krishna, the Celestial Cowherd. In this animated film, the magic will be recreated by bringing the Blue-Skinned God's story to life through Rajasthani miniature paintings. Sako is in the process of raising funds and is looking for partners, for the financial aspect is always daunting when he takes on a labor of love. What gets him through tough times? Sako believes his exposure to India has taught him to see the larger picture rather than worry about short-term goals. "If I pass away, then this work can be done by others," he says and adds with a laugh, "and if I die, I can be reborn and continue the work." to order http://store.nehaflix.com/raleofprradv.html

http://www.iskcon.com/icj/5_1/5_1knott.html

http://www.dipika.org/2004/04/10/07_diary_5_14/index.html

A Few Glimpses of the Lotus Feet of Srila Bhaktididdhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada By His Divine Grace Om Visnupad Srila Bhakti Promod Puri Goswami Once Srila (Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura) Prabhupada was viewing the Deities of Sri-Sri Guru Gauranga-Gandharvika-Giridhari at the Sri Caitanya Math, standing on the front porch of the temple. The door of that temple is not very wide and Srila Prabhupada did not have his glasses on. Standing next to him was one of his dear disciples. The disciple thought perhaps Prabhupada could not view the Deities very well through the narrow doorway. He said, "Prabhupad, this doorway is not very wide. So it is not possible to view the Deities very well from inside." Hearing this, Prabhupad smiled, and he said for the benedit of all of us, "We should not think of the Supreme Lord as an object of our vision. Instead we should meditate on the thought of how we can acquire some qualifications so we can become worthy objects of His vision. We should think about whether He wants to see us, and whether He will want to reveal Himself to us. atah sri-sri krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam-indriyaih sevonmukhe-hi jihvadau svayam-eva spuratyadah (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, "The holy name, form, qualities, and pastimes of Sri Krishna are divine and transcendental. They cannot be experienced by material senses. The Lord manifests Himself spontaneously on the tongue of a devotee who is eager to serve Him." Just as a devotee waits to see the Lord with great patience and eagerness, sometimes the Lord also waits with great patience and eagerness to see His devotee. It is described in the Caitanya-caritamrta how the hidden Deity of Gopal in Vrindavan was waiting for His beloved devotee, Sri Madhavendra Puri. bahu-dina tomara patha kari niriksana kabe asi madhava ama karibe sevana (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madya-lila 4.39) For many days I have been watching the road for you, and I have been wondering, 'When will Madhavendra Puri come here to serve Me?'" In this way the Supreme Lord, who succombs to His devotee's love, waits to see His devotee with great eagerness. bhaktera dravya prabhu 'kari' kari' khaya abhaktera dravya prabhu 'ulati' na caya "The Lord will grab food from His devotee, but He will not even glance at anything given by a non-devotee." This is why the eagerness to serve Him in loving devotion has to be present. Srila Prabhupada's loving devotion for the lotus feet of his Gurudev is beyond our comprehension. At one time he told us, "When I used to think that I was a big scholar of mathematics and philosophy, by my good fortune I got darshan of the lotus feet of Sri Gurudev. He ignored everything that was previously appreciated in me by others: my truthfulness, my moral and pious life, and scholarship, knowing them to be of little value. When he ignored whatever was good in me, I realized how good he himself was, he who could ignore so many "good qualities" in me; what inconceivable wealth there was in him. Being ignored by him, I realized that there was no one more fallen than me, more contemptible than me, and that this was my real identity. This great soul did not consider the things which I considered to be highly desirable, such as scholarship and pure moral character, to have any value. Then I realized what was in this great soul was absolutely priceless. I prayed very humbly to the Supreme Lord for His mercy. Later, by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, I realized that without receiving the mercy of this great soul and serving him, nothing good could happen to me. When I realized that and acted accordingly, by taking shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Gurudev and by receiving his unlimited causeless mercy, I considered my life fulfilled. I have understood that if the people of the world do not receive the same jolt that I received from my Gurudev, then their consciousness will not awaken. Therefore I am telling everyone, 'I am more stupid than anyone else in the world; please, all of you, do not be stupid like me. Do not live your life within the limitation of a calculating consciousness. Please enter the realm of the unlimited, and you will become very wealthy. I am only asking you to accept that which I have understood, by the causeless mercy of the Supreme Lord, to be supremely beneficial.' In another place he wrote, "Even after seeing Srila Gaur Kishore Das Babaji, many people, the immature and the clever, the young and the old, the scholarly and the foolish, those lacking devotion and those proud of their devotion, did not have the proper transcendental vision to see him. This is the transcendental power of a pure devotee. Hundreds of people came to him for his instruction, to fulfill their material desires. But that instruction was actually deceiving them. Many people take the garb of sadhus, and many people outwardly act like sadhus, but in reality, not only are they not sadhus, but they are very far from any sadhu. But there is no such impurity in my Lord. By his own example he demonstrated that purity was truth. His genuine affection was incomparable to anything in this world. He had no dislike for his competitors or his enemies. Even to those who received his mercy, he did not demonstrate any external favor. He used to say "In this world there is no one who is the object of my liking or disliking. I consider everyone to be respectable." Another inconceivable thing was that often deceitful, materialistic people whose mood was unfavorable to pure devotion, would surround my Gurudev without understanding his real position. They considered themselves objects of his affection yet kept their attachment to petty things. But he did not outwardly make any effort to get rid of them, nor did he accept them in any way. On the 29th of October, 1934, Srila Prabhupad discovered the place of pilgrimage where Srila Rupa Goswami saw Sri Gopal in the village of Sati-gara in Mathura. I remember in 1935, starting from the 8th of October, Srila Prabhupad observed Sri Damodar-vrata on the bank of his beloved Sri Radha Kunda. Every day he gave lectures on Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Upanishads, and other holy scriptures. Every day he would circumambulate Sri Radha Kunda and would hear or talk about the eight daily pastimes (asta-kaliya-lila ). At this time, to properly serve Sri Vraja-mandal, he started regular meetings preaching the glories of Sri Vraja-Dham (Sri Vraja-Dham Pracarini Sabha ). How much he loved talking about Krishna is inconceivable. He would talk about Him for hours on end, and if anyone asked or even gestured for Srila Prabhupad's prasad to be brought in, he would be displeased. There were times when his disciples requested him not to talk very much, being so instructed by experienced doctors. If anyone would ask him how he was, Srila Prabhupad would answer, "I am fine. My only disease is that I am not allowed to talk about Krishna." He use to say, "To wake up one sleeping soul, to make one conditioned soul aware of his real identity, one should be willing to give gallons of blood." Srila Prabhupad was extremely affectionate to his disciples, and if he found out any one of them was bewildered by Maya he would shed tears. In confronting those who had a demoniac mentality, he was deadly like a thunderbolt. Yet in his loving relationships his heart was softer than a flower. In any of his Maths, if any of his servants had to face a difficulty due to lack of money, Srila Prabhupad used to take great care to send that money as soon as he heard about it. He could not bear the thought that a devotee had to undergo hardships due to lack of money. He used to become very concerned if he heard of any devotee being ill. His affection could not be compared with that of millions of fathers and mothers. If we were ever sad and miserable, as soon as we sat near him, all sadness went away due to the shower of his unlimited affection. Even his chastisement seemed very sweet. "Srila Prabhupad has chastised me," we would say with great pride, and considered ourselves to be very fortunate. All difficulties in our service were made worthwhile a million times over when we could see the signs of pleasure on his affectionate lotus face. What we felt can be expressed by this verse of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura in his book Sarangati: tomarasevaya duhkha haya yata, seo ta' param sukha seva-sukha-duhka parama sampada, nasaye avidya-duhkha The suffering that comes from Your service is also our supreme happiness. Both the suffering and the happiness that come from Your service are our greatest treasure, and they destroy the miseries that come from ignorance. If we could not properly perform some service which had been ordered by Srila Ourudev, it would cause us great sadness. Our service to Srila Gurudev seemed to consist of everything: devotion, worship, meditation, realization, austerity, and sacrifice. He was most dear to Krishna. Therefore, if we could somehow bring him some satisfaction, we considered that the highest fulfillment of our devotional practice. If Srila Prabhupad went away from us for a few days, our hearts would ache in separation. We would think day and night, "When will he come back again?" Alas! How many years have passed since he left this planet! How am I spending my days in this long separation from him? Why is my soul still living here? For the sake of what kind of happiness? Perhaps due to my offenses to the holy name and at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupad, my heart has become hard like a thunderbolt and it does not feel any pain anymore. If I really loved him, how could I live this worthless life here? 0 merciful lord, please protect this fallen servant of yours. Even though I'm so fallen, so sinful, and so deviated from the path of devotional service, please pick me up and put me at the shelter of your lotus feet. Once you did give me shelter at your lotus feet, considering me the servant of the servant of your servants. We also got the assurance that if necessary, you would come here again and again to rescue the fallen souls, like myself. 0 merciful Gurudev, your heart is so full of affection! Please forgive all the offenses I have committed at your lotus feet, knowingly or unknowingly. The day before you left us, I clasped your lotus feet on my chest, and you looked at me with eyes full of affection. Please remember that. I am stupid, ignorant, bereft of scriptural knowledge; I do not know what is good or bad for me. Please correct me and make me worthy of your service. Please make me understand what my faults are and what my offenses are, so I will have the privilege of serving you. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Murari Gupta, sei bhakta dhanya, ye na chare prabhura carana sei prabhu dhanya, ye na chare nija-jana durdaive sevaka yadi yaya anya sthane sei thakura dhanya tare cule dhari ane (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila 4.46-47) Glorious is that devotee who does not give up the shelter of his Lord, and glorious is that Lord who does not abandon his servant. If by chance, a servant falls down and goes somewhere else, glorious is that master who captures him and brings him back by the hair. You gave me the Tulsi beads so I could offenselessly take the holy name. But alas, I am still indifferent to that. My worshipable Godbrothers, who are all my wellwishers, have set such examples for me by their own actions, but I was not inspired by that. I do not have the desire to take the holy name, what to speak of having love for the holy name. Have I been deprived of the mercy of the holy name due to my offenses at your lotus feet and the lotus feet of the Vaisnavas? 0 merciful Prabhupada, please give me love for the holy name. Please inspire me. Let those lotus feet of yours, which I had the good fortune to hold to my chest and which are more cooling than millions of moons, be installed and be worshipped in my heart for all eternity. This is my only prayer to you.