krsna

"Transcendental Goodness" Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.24 Vrndavana, November 11, 1976 Prabhupada: Just like a person becomes diseased. Diseased is not his permanent position. That is a temporary infection. But it can be cured. If one likes, he can cure his disease and again he can become healthy. Similarly, we are fallen somehow or other. "Somehow or other" means the reason is as soon as we become independent, we deny to serve Krsna, but we deny to serve Krsna -- we want to become independent. Then immediately we are forced by the illusory energy to come under her and work under her direction. We are born servant, jivera svarupa haya-nitya-krsna-dasa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109]. Just like this finger is part and parcel of my body. It is made for the purpose of serving me. This is the purpose. But when it is diseased When it cannot serve the body, then it is diseased. Similarly, our constitutional position is to serve Krsna. Jivera svarupa haya-nitya-krsna-dasa. That is real life. And when you don't serve Krsna or deny to serve Krsna, that is diseased condition. And that is called maya. Krsna bhuliya jiva bhoga vancha kare, pasate maya tare japatiya dhare. So we have to cure our disease. This disease means... Krsna consciousness movement means purification of our diseased condition, infectious condition. It is not anything artificial. Nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti sradhya kabhu naya.

You can find some profession that has minimal working hours so you can maximize bhakti time. Yes,more bhajan

Christians Build Church Next to Tamil Nadu Temple http://www.newstodaynet.com/24feb/ld4.htm CHENNAI, INDIA, February 24, 2004: Christians are building a "japakootam," prayer hall, just a few feet from the outside wall of the Kailasanathar Temple in Covalam, near Mahabalipuram, according to this News Today report. The temple contends the construction is illegal. This report says, "Interestingly, the construction of the japakootam began only after some Hindu volunteers began to involve the locals (mostly fishermen) in the functions of the temple. Just ten day ago, the volunteers had a function in which even the District Collector participated. The japakootam was not there then. In the land belonging to the temple, there are an estimated 36 houses/hutments. Out of these, four are said to be illegally occupied by Muslim families. The locals say these families cook and eat beef on the temple land itself. Apart from hurting the sentiments of the Hindus, the obnoxious odor emanating from the cooked items effectively drives the devotees out of the temple, one local said. Further, two of the houses are 'owned' by neo-converts to Christianity. The one-room japakootam is constructed by a neo-convert, who goes by the name Mohan. The locals fear the hand of a local church denomination behind the construction. The provocative construction and the illegal occupancy have come in the way of holding Utsavams that were planned by the religious minded locals and the very strong fishermen community. The Utsava Murthis (parade Deities) cannot be taken in procession around the parikrama (circumambulation path) because of the illegal occupants. When News Today broached the issue with the temple's Executive Officer, Kothandaraman, he said the construction has been stopped. He also said that the complaints of the locals against the illegal occupancy would be looked into. The locals allege that the evangelical groups who are trying rampantly to convert the fisherfolk are not taking kindly to the efforts of the Hindu volunteers to involve the locals in the affairs of the temple. 'This is the reason for their provocative action. They foment trouble and then try and build a case of persecution against them. This is a typical ploy,' an angry local says."

I guess I should be humble and take it as a mixed blessing. I am not a great pure devotee acarya anyway. My condition is delusions of grandeur.

Al-Qaeda 'joins headscarf row' Zawahiri is considered Osama Bin Laden's deputy Al-Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has reportedly criticised a French law that includes the banning of Islamic headscarves in state schools. The decision shows "the grudge the western crusaders have against Islam," Mr Zawahiri said in a tape broadcast on Arabic satellite station al-Arabiya. The tape said the decision by French President Jacques Chirac was part of an ongoing campaign against Islam. The ban on religious symbols sparked protests by Muslims and other groups. Mr Zawahiri has been heard on a number of audio and video tapes since he and al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden lost their bases in Afghanistan in 2001. In the latest tape - if it is confirmed to be him - he said that the headscarf ban was not restricted to France "but a policy implemented by the crusader-Zionists through their agents in Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia and elsewhere in the countries of Islam". The French legislation - which also prohibits large crucifixes, Jewish skullcaps and other signs of faith - was passed by the lower house of parliament on 10 February. It will be examined by the French senate on 2 March and looks certain to pass easily through parliament and come into force in time for the start of the new school year in September.

FOR PREACHING STUDY IS REQUIRED You may not have time to read, but try to read. If you have no time, you are hearing. We are publishing literature, I am trying to speak to you. The Vedas are received through hearing. And in this age, Kali-yuga, people cannot study so much. By unflinching faith in God and spiritual master then things will be revealed from within. This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita [bg. 10.10]. Lord Krsna says, “Those who are engaged in My service with love and affection, I personally give him intelligence by which he can come to Me.” In another place it is stated, “In order to show these devotees special favor, I personally dissipate their darkness within the heart.” So He is within you. If you are sincere to Him and following the instruction, then everything will come out automatically even if you don’t read. This is the special significance of Krsna consciousness, that we want simply a sincere soul; then everything is there. But for preaching work, studying is required. There are different stages of devotional life. But so far we are concerned, we have to preach. That is the second platform of devotional life. The second platform is not only to love God, but to make friendship with devotees who are loving God. And then those who are innocent, those who do not understand what is Krsna, we shall preach. And those who are atheist, against God, we shall avoid. And the highest stage is paramahamsa. Don’t try to imitate paramahamsa. Even if you are on this topmost stage, when you are preacher you have come to the second platform. So you have to raise yourself from the lower stage to the second stage, and if you are in the highest stage, even then you have come to the second stage for preaching work. So we are concerned with three: To love God, to make friendship with devotees and to teach the innocent. And those who are atheist, against God, avoid. Useless waste of time. By suffering, suffering, suffering, suffering, suffering, a day will come when he’ll understand God, at that time, preaching to him is better. So you do not expect that our preaching will be appeal to everyone. It will be useful for the devotees and for the innocent. Not for the atheist. So try to understand the philosophy very nicely, because you are going to preach. So many opposing elements will come. You have to defend yourself by giving some reference from books of authority. But even if you don’t give references, you can speak logically. The more you can defend yourself from the opposing elements, the more you are advancing. You should know that is the test. Because you are preacher, you have to test yourself, how you are making advancement. Don’t be self-complacent: “Oh, I have advanced very much.” Your advancement will be tested when you can meet opposing elements. Not that when the opposing elements come, “Oh, let him talk with Guru Maharaja, our spiritual master.” Why are you being taught? So you should be very careful to understand the philosophy, otherwise, you are not making progress. Progress means you shall defend yourself from the opposing elements. Thank you. Chant Hare Krsna. (Classes by Srila Prabhupada 11/18/1968, 4/30/1970) My Lord, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You, who are the shelter of the Vedic knowledge contained in the shastras like the Pancharatras and Vedanta-sutra, which are Your representations, and who are the source of the parampara system. Because it is You who can give liberation, You are the only shelter for all transcendentalists. (Gajendra SB 8.3.15) Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

At the request of his father, Gour Mohan De, Srila Prabhupada entered the pretigious Scottish Churches College in 1916. He spent four years there studying English, Sanskrit, philosophy, economics and Bible studies. "It is characteristic of advanced Vaisnavas following the principles of bhakti that they think themselves ordinary human beings. This is not an artificial exhibition of humility; a Vaisnava sincerely thinks this way and therefore never admits his exalted position." (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 5.24.26, Purport)

Devotee (1): In regard to worshiping the arca vigraha form, you have explained that if one receives a mantra from a spiritual master who is not bona fide, that mantra has no effect. So I would like to ask if one is worshiping a deity and his spiritual master is not bona fide, so that deity cannot be considered the Supreme Lord? Prabhupada: Well, first of all, if the spiritual master is not bona fide, how is his mantra bona fide? Your statement is contradictory. If you say that the spiritual master is not bona fide, then how has his mantra become bona fide? If he is bona fide, then his mantra is bona fide. Devotee (1): Then why is he giving instruc-tion to worship the deity? If the spiritual mas-ter is not bona fide, then is the deity also not bona fide? Prabhupada: I do not follow. What is he saying? Devotee (2): His idea is that if one receives a mantra from a spiritual master, if the spiritual master is not bona fide... Prabhupada: Then there is no question of mantra. There is no question of worshiping the deity. These are all bogus things. Just like here is a young medical man. If he has not received instruction from a bona fide medical college, then what is the value of his medical practice? That is... What is the technical name? Devotee (3): Quack. Prabhupada: A quack is not a medical man, no matter how much he may show red bottles and white bottles. There is a Bengali proverb, “One stethoscope, some bottles, and talking all nonsense, he becomes a doctor.” That means the quack doctor, not a qualified doctor. ... So experience is required. ... If you are trained under a bona fide doctor, then you can also get the quality of the doctor. Similarly, one should go to the bona fide spiritual master to learn this transcendental science. — From a lecture in Surat, India, on 23 December 1970.

GOVERNED BY THE SPIRITUAL MASTER His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Prabhupada: Surrender means to accept the orders of the spiritual master. So if you do not abide by the orders of spiritual mas-ter, what is the use of your surrender? Sur-render means favorable things, should be accepted. You do not know [what is fa-vorable]. Therefore the spiritual master will direct you, “This is favorable. This is unfa-vorable. Don’t smoke. This is unfavorable.” But if you don’t accept his instruction, then what is the meaning of surrender? Simply obeisances, falling flat for the time being, that is not surrender. Surrender means you must abide strictly the orders, , disciple, means one must agree to be governed by the spiritual master. That is called sisya. Governing is done by military, governing is done by lawbooks, governing is done by personal instruction, in so many ways. So sisya means one who voluntarily accepts to be guided or be governed by the representative of God.

By example and precept - to get Krishna in this vey lifetime to develop Krishna Prema To mold all of one's time 24 hours /7 days a week kirtaniya sada Hari

The following is an excerpt from an arrival lecture given in 1992 in Bhubaneswar India by His Holiness Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja. ..." Next thing, this Sacinandana Swami in Heidelberg, Germany, he asked me, "Maharaja, why have you come ? What is the purpose of your coming now ? You have so much bodily problem, you cannot move freely. So much thing I could notice. Still you are doing alot of touring, travelling and preaching. What is your purpose ?" He asked me. I said, " Maharaja, I have dedicated my life, my body, my mind, my speech, everything I've dedicated for the service of Guru and Gauranga and my revered spiritual master, Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Maharaja has founded this International Society for Krsna Consciousness, like his life, his body. He is getting so much pain now, I could feel so. After his disappearance, many left, so- called sannyasis, leaders, those who have joined the other camp, Sridhara Maharaja camp and some other camp and they are now criticising ISKCON, criticising Srila Prabhupada, committing such great offense they couldn't understand, and they must get punishment for it, definitely. But what they say, it is intolerable on my part, intolerable, especially in Rome. They showed me that booklet they are publishing, Sadjana Tosani, and they have put the name of my guru maharaja there, Srimad A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, then Bhaktiraksa Sridhara, then Govinda maharaj. Why have they put the name of my guru maharaja ? Devotee: It's cheating. Gour Govinda maharaja: Cheating, yes they are cheating. You are publishing your booklet, then you'll put your name. But the photo of my guru maharaja, "Guru maharaja said" articles they have printed there and telling these ISKCON devotees that Bhaktivedanta Swami taught, gave only elementary knowledge, A B C. He has not given any higher Vaisnava philosophy, education. Now, after Bhaktiraksita Sridhara maharaja, Govinda maharaja is keeping it up, "please come and join." So they are just tricking and stealing the men of ISKCON. And that is intolerable, very painful. I got such a shock in my heart. These fools, who are going there. They are fools ! I chastised them, "Why you are such a fool ? You believe them ? You don't believe Prabhupada who fulfilled the desire of Gauranga Mahaprabhu ? prthivi-parajanta jata ache desa-grama sarvatra sancara hoibek mora nama. C.B Antya 4.126 Who did it ? Did they do it ? Srimad Bhaktisiddanta Prabhupada maharaj already sent, prior to the coming of my guru maharaj to the West, he sent Bhakti Tirtha, Bhakti Hrdaya Bon maharaj and some others. Why they couldn't do ? They were sannyasis, they were living in the math with Bhaktisiddanta, but my guru maharaja was a grhasta, he was living in his home. he was not matha-vasi, staying in the matha. He was not a sannyasi at that time, he was a grhasta. But he could get the complete, full mercy, complete mercy of Bhaktisiddanta, Bhaktivinoda Thakur, specially empowered person, an empowered devotee. Who could fulfil the desire of all previous acaryas, especially Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Bhaktisiddanta Saraswati. Who came to the West. Who sowed the seed, who laid the foundation of Krsna Consciousness. Who fulfilled the desire of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Specially empowered. He's empowered. Can't you understand this thing, why couldn't they do this thing ? Why do they come at this time and do now, when the atmosphere is created, the platform is there, foundations are already laid some construction is there ? Now they are coming. Now you are going there, leaving ISKCON camp. Such foolishness ! You are such a fool. Can't you understand this thing ? Thereby they are committing such offence. He has given only elementary knowledge A B C, nothing higher ? You can't understand what he has said. When a tiny seed is there, it contains, like the seed of a banyan tree. So tiny but it contains a great banyan tree inside. You fool cannot understand this thing. So intolerable. As a disciple of my guru maharaja and as a member of this founded society ISKCON, it is our duty to keep up the prestige. Yes, it is our duty now. So, when Sacinandana Swami asked me, I said this thing. Therefore I have come, and I am now coming and touring, very extensive tour I am doing... ...Yes, that is my only purpose. So I am coming and teaching. And I want to make them 'mum', shut their mouth. Now there is higher teaching in ISKCON. Yes, the time has come now. The time has come when my guru maharaja, he gave everything in seed form. That seed will now be fructified. Yes, it contains everything and you should understand. You are so foolish you cannot understand this thing. What my guru maharaja said in one word, in one sentence, it needs further explanation. One word, one sentence contains and you can't understand, you're such fools. ... End. In 1994 in New York, U.S.A, Srila Gour Govinda Swami made the following statement regarding his mission; " My mission is to show how Prabhupada has put everything in his books. The Gaudiya matha, they criticise that Prabhupada only taught A B C, and this gives me so much pain in my heart. So my mission is to show how everything is there in Prabhupada's books and make them 'mum' and so nobody will leave ISKCON." The following are two letters written by His Holiness Srila Gour Govinda Swami. One to Gudakesa das and one to Goloka Vrndavan das: Dear Gudakesa das Hare Krsna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for your letter, undated. I have gone through it carefully and noted the contents. My opinion is that Srila Prabhupada will not be happy with these senior devotees going outside of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada has said that everything is in his books. If you try to understand this, then by the mercy of Srila Prabhupada it will all be made clear to you. It is a fact that if an elevated Vaisnava is there, then one should go and take his association. There is no harm in that. But in this case there is a danger that the discipline in our organisation will be affected adversely. If the leaders are going outside of ISKCON, how will we be able to maintain discipline ? Srila Prabhupada has formed this society, and this THREAT (my emphasis) to his society will only cause him PAIN (my emphasis). With this consideration, they should not go. That will only lead to indiscipline in our society. Two sides are there; philosophical and organisational. On the organisational side, this practice is not good. Therefore we have this GBC body which makes so many rules to maintain the discipline of the members of our society. But how will we be able to keep discipline now ? No one will listen, 'if the leaders are going, why should we listen, we will also go'. This will create only trouble. May this letter find you in the best of health and a blissful mood of Krsna consciousness. Your servant Gour Govinda Swami Dated 3/11/94 next letter: Dear Goloka Vrndavan das, Hare Krsna. May you have the blessings of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga all the time. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thank you for your letter dated Oct., 23 1993, which I have just received. I have gone through it carefully and noted the contents. You mention that many devotees are loosing faith in ISKCON and are leaving our society to find shelter elsewhere. That is not good. THEY SHOULD NOT LEAVE ISKCON ; that will never please Srila Prabhupada. Develop patience and tolerance, and pray to Srila Prabhupada from the core of your heart. How is it that he will not help you ?... I hope this letter finds you in good health and a blissful mood of Krsna consciousness, Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada Gour Govinda Swami. Dated 18/12/93 Of course, if one is crooked, one may try to twist what has been said in the above texts . Some so called godbrothers of mine have done this, but for the honest devotee, I'm sure it is clear. No doubt some will try to reply with all kinds of philosophical word jugglery, this and that, but we should try to understand things as it is, not in a crooked way. Some gross untruths; " Because of their intimate relationship, it was Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayan Maharaj who installed the murti of Srila Gour Govinda Maharaj in the Krsna-Balaram mandir in Bhubaneswar." Well, that's not exactly the fact. Yes, Narayan Maharaj was there as were many other senior vaisnavas, and one of Narayan Maharaj's disciples did help with the fire sacrafice, but to say that Narayan Maharaj installed the murti of my Gurudeva is a little exaggerated to say the least.

One of Srila Prabhupada's most respected disciples, Srila Gour Govinda Maharaja has pleaded: "No one should leave ISKCON". That is the position.

Does it make it more difficult?

India bets on election boom Analysis By Jeremy Scott-Joynt BBC News Online business reporter Vajpayee is betting on economic health for election victory One of the oldest rules of politics is that, more often than not, the state of the economy can decide an election. So Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's decision to send India to the polls this April should come as little surprise. After a tough few years, borne of droughts which ravaged the country's massive agricultural sector and confronted many of its billion-strong population with the risk of famine, things look to be on track. The latest figures show economic growth to be topping 8%, a rate only matched by the powerhouse that is China. The expansion not only embraces farming - back to solid growth thanks to the best monsoon season for a decade. Industry is booming, as December's 6.2% year-on-year growth showed. And the burgeoning services business is doing well too. Change of strategy For once, then, the Hindu nationalist coalition over which Mr Vajpayee presides might be able to pull off a win without having to put religion at the centre of its campaign. The government itself talks of a "feel-good" factor on which it hopes to base victory. An advertising blitz is filling hoardings and TV screens with the message: "India Shining". A mini-budget before parliament was dissolved in early February made only a few modest tax concessions, a far cry from the more usual giveaway seen as necessary to win the economic vote. Even international credit rating agency Standard & Poor's - never the greatest friend of India's once socialist economy - gave it good reviews. Fancy shopping malls cater to newly-enriched consumers "While (the budget's) projections are based on expectations of 8% GDP growth," S&P analyst Ping Chew wrote, "it is a positive sign that the looming general election has not led to a significant loosening in fiscal policy." In other words, things are good enough that the government does not think it needs a wholesale giveaway to win votes. Buy, buy, buy But where is this new-found boom coming from? And just how deep into this massive country, a majority of whose population still live off less than a dollar a day, does the prosperity penetrate? On the surface, certainly things have changed radically. Most big Indian cities can now boast shining shopping malls, the shelves groaning under consumer goods sourced from companies both at home and abroad. Familiar international brand names - in sportswear, clothing, beauty, electronics - are everywhere. A far cry indeed from the days little more than a decade or so ago, when it took half a decade to get a phone line, or when every second car on the roads was a locally built, boxy Ambassador. As many as 300 million people now count as middle class in India, and although wages are way below their Western counterparts, the difference in purchasing power means standards of living are shooting up. In another very modern symbol of development, there are now 30 million mobile phones in India - a figure which is confidently expected to triple within a year or so. Learn to win With Indian higher education turning out 2.3 million graduates fluent in English every year (twice as many as the US produces), the effects of India's economic revival are being felt overseas. Combined with the relatively low cost, the upsurge in highly-qualified personpower is creating a sweet spot that many employers in Europe and the US are trying to exploit. The most high-profile - and controversial - are probably the call centres, which are rapidly hollowing out large chunks of the business. Call centres are one growth industry But professional jobs are fleeing offshore too, with Indian computer programmers in particular in high demand. International consulting firm BearingPoint announced in mid-February setting up a software centre in Madras which within a couple of years will house 3,000 staff. Their work, and that of a 2,000-strong centre in Shanghai, will underpin the company's efforts worldwide, according Executive Vice-President John Condon. "This enables us to go for jobs we wouldn't be able to bid for otherwise," he said. In effect, it means the people at the sharp end of a particular project can get on with managing it and earning the big bucks - leaving their Indian colleagues to provide the back-end programming muscle at far lower cost than doing the job in the same location as the project itself. None of which means the country does not have its own thriving export industries, including software houses such as Wipro and drugmakers like Dr Reddy's. And car firm Tata is making Rover's new supermini - itself a derivative of one of Tata's own designs. Trouble in store? All is not entirely rosy, however. The huge weight of India's agricultural sector is a concern. With much of it still based on subsistence, India's opposition to opening farming to imports - and its consequent leading role in opposing fresh trade talks without significant concessions from the richer nations - comes as little surprise. The boom has yet to make much of a dent in a public deficit that S&P, for one, fears is too high for comfort at about 9% of GDP. Privatisation plans designed to ease public spending have generally run into the sand - partly because of opposition from the more strident nationalists in the BJP-led coalition. But for the moment, the boomtime perception is likely to dominate the economic headlines. For once, then, the government may be able to sell itself on protecting Indians' pockets, rather than defending its Hindu constituents from perceived ethnic or religious threats.

Thank you so much for these wonderful pics of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His intimate associates. Hare Krishna I offer this prayer at His Lotus Feet: Vijnapti, spiritual request kabe ha'be bolo se-dina amar (amar) aparadha ghuci', suddha name ruci, krpa-bale ha'be hrdoye sancar trnadhika hina, kabe nije mani', sahisnuta-guna hrdoyete ani' sakale manada, apani amani, ho'ye aswadibo nama-rasa-sar dhana jana ara, kobita-sundari, bolibo na cahi deho-sukha-kari janme-janme dao, ohe gaurahari! ahaituki bhakti carane tomar (kabe) korite sri-krsna- nama uccarana, pulakita deho gadgada bacana baibarnya-bepathu ha'be sanghatana, nirantara netre ba'be asru-dhar kabe navadwipe, suradhuni-tate, gaura-nityananda boli' niskapate naciya gaiya, beraibo chute, batulera praya chariya bicar kabe nityananda, more kori'doya, charaibe mora visayera maya diya more nija- caranera chaya, namera hatete dibe adhikar kinibo, lutibo, hari-nama-rasa, nama-rase mati' hoibo bibasa rasera rasika- carana parasa, koriya mojibo rase anibar Kabe jibe doya, hoibe udoya, nija-sukha bhuli' sudina-hrdoya bhakativinoda, koriya binoya, sri-ajna-tahala koribe pracar Translation When, oh when will that day be mine? When my offenses ceasing, taste for the name increasing, when in my heart will your mercy shine, when, oh when will that day be mine Lower than a blade of grass, more tolerant than a tree. When will my mind attain this quality? Respectful to all, not expecting their honor, then shall I taste the name's nectar sublime. When, oh when will that day be mine? Great wealth or followers, feminine beauty, I won't care for them or the comforts of my body. Birth after birth give me, Oh Lord Caitanya, causeless devotion to Your feet divine, when, oh when will that day be mine? When will I utter Krsna,Krsna, Krsna, with words choked up and shivering body? When will I be trembling all over, lose bodily color, tears pouring from my eyes, When, oh when will that day be mine? When in Navadvipa along the Ganges bank, shouting 'Gaura-Nityananda' as a surrendered soul, dancing, chanting, running everywhere, when will I become half mad of mind? When, oh when will that day be mine? When will Lord Nityananda show mercy upon me, when will I reject the world of Maya: Bestow unto me the shade of Your lotus feet, let the right to preach the name be mine. When, oh when will that day be mine? I will beg, borrow, or steal the nectar of the name. By the name's effect I will feel paralyzed. Oh! Enjoyer of the nectar of the name, When will I touch your lotus feet till the end of time? When, oh when will that day be mine? When kindness to all beings will be appearing, with free heart forget myself comforting, Bhaktivinoda in all humility prays, "Now I will set out to preach Your order sublime." When, oh when will that day be mine?

A godbrother is one who has the same spiritual master? Or one who has the same ista deva,"god"? Or one who shares the same mindset? Or one who follows the same party line?

Vegetarian Cooking or(Cooking for God) The Holy Bible King James version Genesis Chapter 1,verse(29) And God said,Behold,I have given you every herb bearing seed,which is upon the face of all the earth,and every tree,in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed;to you it shall be for meat. THE Bhagavad-Gita AS IT IS Translated by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder-Acarya of the Krsna Consciousness movement World Wide. Verse(9.26)Krsna says"If someone offers Me with love and faith,a little flower,a little water,a little fruit-I will accept it."(Yo me bhaktya prayacchati)THE Real OFFERING IS LOVE.Krsna,the Supreme Person,is giving all the necessities of life to all living entities.HE is actually the provider and maintainer of everyone. So,why is He asking you for a little fruit and water?Is He hungry?NO.HE is doing it just to induce you to love Him.That is the Point Vegetarianism is very important in being Krsna Conscious,but not simply being a vegetarian is important,but in The offering of the food to Lord Krsna,When you start,you think about Krsna,when you are shopping,you think,what does Krsna like to eat,so you are thinking about the Lord.Krsna only eats vegetarian food,so you are thinking,what beautiful,and fresh food you can get for Krsna.When you are cooking the food,you are thinking about making nice vegetarian preparations for God. When you are done cooking,you offer the Lord the food,by saying-Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare,Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare,and say Krsna,we offer this food to you,and within a microsecond,Krsna will eat the food,and He is so kind,that he eats,yet He leaves the nice vegetarian preparation asPrasadam,(THE LORD"S MERCY).Then,after that,we are able to eat the sanctified food,(Prasadam)and by just eating this Prasadam,we make spiritual progress,and anyone that eats this food,makes tremendous advancement in their spiritual life,even if they don't know it.And the person that prepared this food,is thinking about Krsna,when buying the food,and distributing and eating the prasadam,you are thinking about Krsna the whole time.I think that is being Krsna Conscious. "Prabhupada said,"Even a pigeon is vegetarian".But the thing we do with the food is what makes the human form of life so important,not to be wasted,so make,and eat some prasad,and become Krsna Conscious by offering your food to Krsna.It is not that Krsna needs our food,He is Omnipotent,the Cause of All Causes,and the Supreme Lord, God.He is in need of nothing,yet He is so kind,that He accepts the Vegetarian food we prepare and offer. Since our Spiritual Master is our Link to Krsna,it is Traditional to offer the food to the Spiritual Master,first,and HE offers it to Krsna.Anyway,when we offer to the Spiritual Master and Krsna,and eat prasadam,this is very nice,indeed.Krsna says,"If one offers to Me,with love and devotion,A FRUIT, A LEAF,A FLOWER,OR A LITTLE WATER,I WILL ACCEPT IT". Hare Krsna

Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Sri Krsna-samhita explains the relativity of scripture, the difference between scriptural topics that are subject to human logic and those that are not. Psychology and astronomy fall into the former category. Krsna dasa once asked Prabhupada why there is a discrepancy between the views of Bhagavatam and modern scientists regarding the moon and other planets. To this Srila Prabhupada replied, "These things are not very important, we may not waste our time with these insignificant questions. There are sometimes allegorical explanations [in the Bhagavatam]. So there are many things which do not corroborate with the so-called modern science, because they are explained in that way. But where is the guarantee that modern science is also correct? So we are concerned with Krsna Consciousness, and even though there is some difference of opinion between modern science and allegorical explanation in the Bhagavata, we have to take the essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam and utilize it for our higher benefit, without bothering about the correctness of the modern science or the allegorical explanation sometimes made in Srimad-Bhagavatam." (Letter 72-11-07) Here Prabhupada explains that literally accepting the explanation of the material universe found in the Bhagavatam is not essential to one's spiritual life. Indeed, the entire explanation is nonessential.

Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead "krsnas tu bhagavan svayam" Krishna predates Christ Therefore it is Christ who is the one who is copied from Lord Sri Krishna.

Vegetarianism Grows in Popularity http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=52666 INDIA, February 15, 2004: It seems that with each outbreak of Asian Flu or Mad Cow disease, people are either adopting a vegetarian diet or reaffirming their lifestyle choice if they are already vegetarian. Interviewing vegetarians from various regions of India, Saikat Neogi has uncovered a wide array of vegetarian followers. Vidyanidhi Dalmia, chairman of Dalmia Continental Private Limited, who was brought up a vegetarian and has now resumed the diet says, "Eating nonveg was always uncomfortable for me, and the very thought of killing a living being for consumption was abhorrent. And late last year I decided to turn vegetarian." Raj Khosla, director of Shelters comments, "I was going for a meeting and got struck in a traffic jam. Ahead of our car was an uncovered lorry carrying slaughtered chickens and their blood was flowing on the street. Every time the lorry used to brake, a splash of blood would hit our windscreen. It was very detesting. It was then that I decided to quit non-vegetarian food." Chelan Seth, chairman and managing director of Chemon adds, "I was a carnivore and ate every kind of meat under the sun. But after going through a couple of spiritual lessons, I decided to give up nonvegetarian food. The quality of meat in India is not very good and can lead to diseases." All three men are happy with their vegetarian food choices and say that globally vegetarian food is now easier to find than it used to be. Dilip Modi, CEO of Spice Communications says, "There is a plethora of fruits and vegetables available all over. So, being a part of the herbivorous food group one can enjoy a variety of cuisine in every country. It is hardly a sacrifice to be vegetarian like many may think and one can enjoy the vast variety of vegetarian food, apart from the fact that it is more healthy." Dr. Umesh Kapil, professor in the department of Gastroenterology & Human nutrition at All India Institute explains, "The high content of fibre in the vegetarian diet can prevent constipation which is responsible for diseases like diverticulosis, hiatus-hernia and varicose vein. Similarly, a vegetarian diet prevents one from being exposed to zoonotic diseases which spread because inadequate examination is done of animals before they are slaughtered."

Yes I believe in the Omnipotent ,omniscient all knowing Supreme Person, It's just that I have no realization of the son of Maharaja Nanda This ever youthful lad who frolics in the groves of Vrndavan with all those gopi friends of His- I just can't make any sense of His lilas and sports with my contaminated mind and intelligence. How on earth can I make Lord Sri Krishna my beloved Istha-deva? When o when will He appear before me so that I can speak to Him,serve Him nicely and give Him pleasure. He is the Greatest and yet the smallest being in the whole universe. The Supreme Transcendent Person who has no business with the material world. He delagates all that matter stuff to the appointed demigods to do. Lord Krishna's pastime is to engage in sweet love dalliances-rasas- with intimate glances,kisses,etc.with His gopi friends- Where does that leave me? krsnadas

I thought that this is a mighty good quote by the saintly politician: "Hindus will be judged not by their Tilaks, not by the correct chanting of Mantras, not by their pilgrimages, not by their most punctilious observances of caste rules, but their ability to protect the cow." Mahatma Gandhi

Dear Mataji, pamho agtSP All glories to your couselling service. I like your inspiration newsletter- full of nectar What's putting me in a lot of pain is my lacking in spiritual desire for krishna bhakti, the ever increasing taste for chanting is gone, the Dieties in the temple have become stone idols, the Bhagavatam pastimes mere myth, association with devotees mundane gossiping. The past made up of too many offenses to Guru and the Vaisnavas. I feel only Krishna and Krishna's pure devotee can help me now. What can I possibly do to once again attract the loving merciful sidelong glance of the darling beloved son of Mother Yasoda? yours in Krishna bhakti rasa, krsnadas

WHICH SONG IS TO BE CONSIDERED THE ACTUAL RELIGION OF THE LIVING ENTITIY? Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu next asked Ramananda Raya, "Among many songs, which song is to be considered the actual religion of the living entity?" Ramananda Raya replied, "That song describing the loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krsna is superior to all other songs." As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, "Lord Krsna descends apparently as a human being, and He exhibits His transcendental pastimes in Vrndavana so that the conditioned soul may be attracted to hearing His transcendental activities." Nondevotees are strictly prohibited from participating in songs celebrating the loving affairs of Radha and Krsna. Unless one is a devotee, it is very dangerous to hear the songs about the pastimes of Radha and Krsna that were written by Jayadeva Goswami, Chandidasa and other exalted devotees. Lord Shiva drank an ocean of poison, but one should not imitate this. One must first become a pure devotee of Lord Krsna. Only then can one enjoy hearing the songs of Jayadeva and relish transcendental bliss. If one simply imitates the activities of Lord Shiva and drinks poison, one will certainly meet with death. When a pure Vaisnava speaks on Srimad-Bhagavatam and another pure Vaisnava hears Srimad-Bhagavatam from such a realized soul, both of them live in the transcendental world, where the contamination of the modes of material nature cannot touch them. Freed from the contamination of the modes of nature, the speaker and hearer are fixed in a transcendental mentality, knowing that their position on the transcendental platform is to serve the Supreme Lord. Talks between Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya were meant for advanced devotees only. Those who are on the mundane platform and who study these talks in order to put forward some thesis for a Ph.D. will not be able to understand them. Instead, these conversations will have a poisonous effect. (CC Madhya-lila 8.250, Antya-lila 5.46) I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Goswamis, namely Sri Rupa Goswami, Sri Sanatana Goswami, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami, Sri Raghunatha dasa Goswami, Sri Jiva Goswami, and Sri Gopala Bhatta Goswami, who are very much enriched in understanding of Lord Caitanya and who are thus expert in narrating His transcendental qualities. They can purify all conditioned souls from the reactions of their sinful activities by pouring upon them transcendental songs about Govinda. As such, they are very expert in increasing the limits of the ocean of transcendental bliss, and they are the saviors of the living entities from the devouring mouth of liberation. (Srinivasa Acharya's Prayers to the Six Goswamis) Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Ghee to be Piped into Tirupati Temple Kitchens Press Reports HYDERABAD, INDIA, February 12, 2004: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), the richest Hindu Temple, has been known to adopt modern technology to make things easier for workers and pilgrims and save money. The ghee used for cooking the laddoo (a large sweet) and other prasadam (blessed food offered to the Diety) will now be supplied through pipes, making it free from human touch. With the help of the National Dairy Development Board, the TTD will soon have a pipeline supplying melted ghee round the clock. On an average, the temple uses 4,500 kg ghee daily. The entire exercise of getting the 1,100-odd tin containers, piercing them and getting the ghee out was time consuming and involved a lot of wastage. The other problem was finding the space to store the used tin boxes for the six-monthly auctions. The ghee pipeline will have double-jacketed pipes -- the inner pipe will carry ghee, the outer will carry steam to keep the ghee flowing. A huge tank is being erected alongside the temple to store ghee. The pipeline will save the temple US$130,000 a year. Everyday 35,000 to 40,000 devotees visit the shrine; about 100,000 laddoos are distributed as prasad, using 4,500 kg ghee.