krsna

The Irony of Life

Men:

1. All men are extremely busy.

2. Although they are so busy, They still have time for women.

3. Although they have time for women, They don’t really care for them.

4. Although they don’t really care for them, they always have one around.

5. Although they always have one around them, they always try their luck with others.

6. Although they try their luck with others, they get really distraught if the woman leaves them.

7. Although the woman leaves them, they still don’t learn from their mistakes and still try their luck with others.

Women:

[url="http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/"]

1. The most important thing for a woman is financial security.

2. Although this is so important, They still go out and buy expensive Clothes and stuff.

3. Although they always buy expensive clothes, They never have something to wear.

4. Although they never have something to wear, they always dress beautifully.

5. Although they always dress beautifully, their clothes are always just “an old rag”.

6. Although their clothes are always “just an old rag”, they still expect you to compliment them.

7. Although they expect you to compliment them, When you do, they don’t believe you.

<CENTER>mat tulyo nasti papatma

naparadhi ca kascana

parihare' pi lajja me

kim bruve purushottama</CENTER>

For my own real benefit it is extremely helpful to always think of myself as the worst offender, in the mood of Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada. It will cause my false ego to progressively evaporate like morning fog from the rising of the Krishna Sun within my heart. Without the encumbrance of false ego, my unfettered soul will be empty of ego distortions. An empty vessel that may then be filled with the Transcendental Word.

May we always remember the Blessed Instruction of Srila Saraswati Thakur that we must always consider that we are at best only the bearers (or "carriers") of the Transcendental Word with no false egotistical sense of proprietorship. While suffering from such "emptiness" or vacuous nature, many Ideas may simultaneously occur by tapping into the eternal wellspring of transcendental information or the fountainhead of all truth that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur encourages all souls to approach, as specifically expressed in his Beautiful Bhagavat speech.

<!-- end .post-top --><!-- the main section of the post goes here -->By Kesava Krsna dasa

Let’s face it; nobody in this material world likes to be bossed around. There is one experimental reality show called ‘Survivor’ in which contestants get stranded in some remote place far removed from modern civilization. Working in tribes, the members have to compete and cooperate at the same time. There is a process of elimination as fellow tribe members vote off those deemed as threats to their ambition to win the ultimate million dollar prize.

Those individuals, who display natural leadership traits and get things done around the camp, are usually the ones to get voted out ‘ people do not being bossed around. The canny ones however, keep low profiles; yet manipulate things to their advantage and improve their chances of winning.

This scene is quite far removed again from how things play out in the devotee community, yet Iskcon needs leaders. But how to choose them based upon what criterion has often been a thorny issue. Are we looking at spiritual advancement? Are we demanding expertise and administrative abilities? Do we consider those high in the popularity stakes? How about those with strong personality types? Or even those who are together and balanced and so on.

If we look back at our disciplic succession we will find unlikely leaders and acaryas who may not fit our modern day portrayal of leadership as required by Iskcon. Our largely vaidhi and sadhana based lifestyle would probably not accommodate them.

If we take Srila Gaura Kishora Dasa Babaji Maharaja for instance, would he fit in comfortably into one of our temples as a leader? He isn’t just a leader, but an acarya recognizable by those possessed of pure spiritual vision. Yet his penchant for seclusion, constant chanting and avadhuta behavior may not endear him very much to those who see with external vision. In fact, hardly anyone would recognize his true worth, and his apparently unproductive contribution to the temple may result in his sadly being asked to leave the temple.

His leadership is borne of sheer purity and renunciation, and he performed spiritual life in his siddha-deha in tune to the asta-kaliya times of the day. He wasn’t a coordinator or anything like that, but his command would be sacrosanct to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur who coordinated and organized thousands of disciples.

From the above example we can see that being a leader is not all about organizing, coordinating and administrative work. Needless to say, those who are vaisnavas are above all other designations. If a sannyasa or brahmana is a leader of the various orders of life, this role is fulfilled more by exemplary behavior, giving wise counsel, advising, teaching and so on.

When the sannyasa and brahminically minded devotees engage in affairs of management more suited for a ksatriya administrative type, even though vaisnavas can bypass the varna and asrama roles, it does not bode well for any prospect of implementing varnasrama-dharma within Iskcon. We either stick with what we are doing now, or forget about varnasrama talk for a couple more decades.

It usually happens if someone excels in a particular service, they become party leaders or departmental heads. Then we get some individuals who are competent or educated, will also be given a chance to manage. Then the vexing question must arise, does the position being held equal the spiritual advancement of the devotee? We can turn the question around and ask, does one have the spiritual qualifications for a certain managerial or important position?

The questions are raised because in many cases there seems to be a fixation on awarding outward results with responsibility, as opposed to apparent meager results shown by more inward brahminical devotees. Yet both types are leadership material in their own rights. Then we could have a scenario where a less spiritually qualified person is dictating to a more spiritually qualified devotee under his care, which has happened before.

So really there are two types of leaders under discussion, and they are not always being occupied in the right places. The GBC can be likened to a collective king or monarchy, but we do not have an advisory council for this body. Do we need one?

Not too long ago there were times when Srila Prabhupada countered and overruled certain policies endorsed by the then GBC. Was he not playing the sagely advisory role then, even though it was his solemn right to do so? In other words, the sannyasis and brahminical devotees who are presently managing the GBC affairs which could be done by trained sober ksatriya devotees can find their rightful place in an advisory council for the GBC.

This is not to say the GBC loses its power. It still retains the ultimate managerial authority. In politics the general politicians run the country. But they do not decide on every single bit of legislation that passes before them. The important ones are passed on to the upper chamber, or upper house (House of Lords) for the wise experienced men to deliberate and pass judgment. It goes back to parliament, or in Iskcon’s case, the GBC, where it is passed into law or whatever. By the way, this British system has endured for centuries, so something must be right.

Such a system in Iskcon will provide equitable employment for the brahmanas and sannyasis in the upper house of the advisory sagely committee, and the naturally gifted ksatriya devotees to run the GBC. Should this ever happen it will kick start the implementation of varnasrama-dharma at it would have started from the top.

There has been talk of a leadership academy to help train future leaders in Iskcon. While nothing can compensate for real ‘tread of the mill’ training learnt through the local temples with a little outside ‘pundit’ management know-how, nothing can beat following the core principles set by Srila Prabhupada. We want the right devotees to be in the right places.

If any insinuation of exclusivity is attached to the academy it will brew resentment and other unwanted feelings. In the military and corporate world the officers and management have their own canteens, bathrooms and other amenities separate from the gentry. We cannot emulate their ways.

While doing service in management, if it is taxing enough to interfere with basic hearing and chanting, we cannot always plead for Srila Prabhupada’s example of managing Iskcon and doing many other things too. He was after all a self realized soul. For him, managing or living in a grass hut were the same, his equilibrium stayed intact. For a Sadhaka busily engaged in management while trying to be self-realized, can be a slower way if the basics are compromised.

The devotees within Iskcon try to develop humility and glorify other devotees. This very liberal behavior can empower a leader among us who must have his senses under control. The humility of the devotees can cause a leader to abuse his position. It should go without saying that choosing the right devotees for leadership positions is a serious duty.

The ideal blend of being together and organized, and spiritually serious should put one up for candidature. It may be difficult to detect unwanted motivation in a leader until some unpleasant behavior is exposed. But then, if it comes to choosing between someone who wants to be a leader and someone who doesn’t, would it not be better to go for the reluctant leader?

Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa.

No there will be no more boms raining on Terror-ann

No more of this shock and awe campaign of offense

Rather there will be mutal agreement of nuclear disarmaent just as in North Korea recently.

Can't you see that Lod Caitanya's Moon Is Rising??? :)

Srila Prabhupada October 27, 1968

"If anybody calls for meeting and lecturing, we must charge. And if they want to hear free, they may come to our temple. Don't become cheap. My Guru Maharaja used to say: "If somebody becomes cheap, then nobody hears him.":deal:

All our sadhana, chanting, praying, serving, etc... will be tested at the time of leaving this body which is presently keeping the soul in bondage to matter. It is all stated in the sciptures:deal:

How will we remember KRSNA if in fact KRSNA doesn't remember us?

Do we actually deserve to be at all remembered, if in fact we are still wretched sinful selfish un-deserving souls without a pinch of love for Sri Sri Radha and Krsna?

Are we to artificially remember KRSNA with an iPod Mp3 player on our death beds?

What will stir us into a final great call-- nay a cry-- from the innner depths of our soul, who we really are as jiva souls, one sincere genuine, "HARE KRSNA( will it not be better than a zillion pretentious japa sessions)!!!" ??? :crying2: :crying2:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2>How I Changed My Life - Hare Krishna and Hip Hop

by Jason Fladlien

The Beginning

Hare Krishna.

Those two words changed my life and inspired me to create the "Kali Yuga Demolition Vol. 1" CD, an upbeat hip hop album. I was a 20 year old college drop out. My purpose in life was to see how drunk I could get without killing myself. Or maybe subconsciously I did want to kill myself.

Alcohol was my medication for my daily panic attacks. These panic attacks came from a depression that I had carried with me for 8 years, and had driven me mentally insane.

My whole life was out of balance. It's not normal to walk down the street and have an overwhelming feeling that at any second you could fall off the earth. l was 80 pounds overweight, cynical and spiritually bereft. I choose atheism because I found comfort in believing that soon I wouldn't have to feel at all.

Then by chance I found out about Hare Krishna. The Discovery

I was online one night researching vegetarianism, killing time while getting drunk. That's when I found a book called the Bhagavad Gita, translated by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.

I read the introduction and that was enough.

Srila Prabhupada's writing spoke not to me but to my soul. I felt his self in every word. I had never met a self realized soul before, and naively had concluded that none had existed.

Until now.

You could understand my attraction. He said that the perfection in life was to chant Hare Krishna, and I believed him.

I chanted Hare Krishna as strongly as I could. Within three months my panic went away. I had lost 100 pounds by eating a very natural, meatless diet and I had quit drinking.

Most importantly, I found my meaning and purpose in life.

Fulfilling the Purpose

When I was 8, I had a walkman I would rap into. At 12, I was performing rap and dance routines in the stands of local high school football games. By 16 I was writing songs.

But you lack aim in your life, sometimes you don't even realized when you've discovered your passion. As such, I didn't realize how to cultivate my desire of making music from a mere wish to an actual reality. It took self discovery, which I found through Hare Krishna, to help me realign myself with my passion in life.

I decided I would make a hip hop album.

I spent 10 to 14 hours every day working on it. I would rise at 4:30 am every morning and chant Hare Krishna for about an hour. Then I would devote the rest of my day to working on the "Kali Yuga Demolition Vol. 1" CD, stoppinig only to eat or chant Hare Krishna to refresh myself.

And that is how the "Kali Yuga Demolition" CD was created.

I did this rigorous schedule for about 8 months and never felt more fulfillment in my life. You see, there are things in life that are just waiting for you discover them. There is something out there that resonates perfectly with your being and if you find if then you should cherish it and never let it go.

It was the sublime phrase, "Hare Krishna" that did it for me.

I hope my inspiring story will help you search for your meaning and purpose in life as well.

All glories to you!

Jason Fladlien of the Straiht Wikid Crew

http://www.kaliyugademolition.com -- Eminem meets Matisyahu: A new hiphop music style by Straiht Wikid Crew

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=592 bgColor=#faf8e3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left width=591 background=/main/themes/nokoala/images/text_box_bg_up.jpg height=245>Update on Nirguna Prabhu – 19Oct

</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- start 'content' --><!-- begin content -->By Sankalpa Devi Dasi on Fri, 2007-10-19 04:56.

Last two weeks of Nirguna Pr had been eventful and traumatic. He underwent a small surgery, in his abdomen. After two days he was back in Mayapur. My husband, Janmastami Das, made all arrangements for locating him in our ground floor flat, which is bigger than up stairs, and more devotees could fit in Nirguna Pr’s room for kirtan.

He seemed to “recover” from the surgery well, although his time for leaving this world is imminent. Janmastami Das and Rama Devi decided to request Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai to send a hospice Doctor for more intensive medical care that lies ahead for Nirguna Pr prior to his final day.

Dr. Avanish arrived last Wednesday on Oct10. Nirguna Pr is now supplied with 24 hour medication, since the pain in the paralyzed legs became unbearable. Nirguna Pr has stopped eating and drinks only caranamrata and small amounts of water from a spray bottle. He is eager to leave. Chanting 16 rounds every day, he preserves all his energy only for the holy name, talking very little. He says, he is not afraid of anything and is eager to be in a position where he can serve Lord Krishna with purified senses and a loving heart.

According to Dr. Avanish based on the medical stand point, Nirguna Pr may continue for another 7-10 days. But we all understand that only the Lord knows his specific time for leaving. We are continuing with kirtans daily, specially, those lead by the enthusiastic gurukula boys and girls, awaiting the transcendental plan of the Lord to unfold for Nirguna Pr’s leaving for the transcendental abode.

Nirguna Pr is fully conscious and his mind is focused on the Holy name.

Dear Vaisnavas, please pray for Nirguna Pr’s peaceful leaving, his mind fully fixed on the holy name.

Jaya Srila Prabhupada

Jaya Sri Sri Radhamadhava

Jaya Sri Sri Panca Tattva

Jaya Sri Prahlad Nrsmhadeva

Ys. Samkalpa Dasi, MIHET, Mayapur

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

What Would You Do?

BY: SATYARAJA DASA (STEVEN J. ROSEN)

Prabhupada's Money Analogy and the Politics of Doing the Right Thing.

According to Srila Prabhupada, one can gauge a person's spiritual status by how they react to finding money on the street: Do they keep it for themselves? Do they leave it lying there? Or do they look for the original owner? What would you do?

In Sanskrit, there are three terms that cover the gamut of possible reactions to finding money in the street: bhoga, (enjoyment); tyaga (renunciation); and seva (a service attitude). In Prabhupada's "money analogy," a bhogi is one who finds money in the street and uses it for his own purposes. This is the enjoying spirit to which most people are slaves. Their senses dictate what they do. The world is meant for their pleasure. If they find something that doesn't belong to them, no matter, they will use it as they see fit.

A step beyond this is the tyagi. Here is someone who realizes the value of renunciation. Such a person has risen beyond the usual pleasures of the world and is now rejoicing in more subtle forms of material enjoyment. At best, they know that nothing in this world truly belongs to them, and they are thus willing to relinquish the enjoying spirit. In Prabhupada's analogy, this person leaves the money in the street: "It's not mine, and I have nothing to do with it."

As laudable as this approach might at first seem, a superior mode of behavior quickly reveals itself to a thoughtful person. The money left in the street obviously belongs to someone. Why not pick it up and give it back to its original owner? If it is at all possible to discern who left the money there in the first place, wouldn't the best course of action involve returning it to that person? This is called seva, or service.

But this is all to illustrate an analogy.

If we take the accouterments of this world and use it in God's service -- for it all obviously belongs to Him -- we are then properly reacting to the phenomena we see around us. Otherwise, we are merely thieves.

Sometimes Prabhupada would use this same analogy to highlight three other Sanskrit words: karma, jnana, and bhakti, which are closely related to the other three words mentioned above. Prabhupada's use of the analogy is always enlightening:

• 
  There is another example. Just like somebody drops his money bag, unconsciously drops. So somebody picks up and he thinks,
  "Oh, here is so much money. Put it in my pocket." [laughter]
  He's a thief. He's a thief. That is karmi. Karmi is trying to simply take from God's property and put it in his own pocket. That is karmi.
  "Bring me more. Bring me more. Bring me more."
  And the jnani, he sees that one purse is there, somebody has left, so
  "Why shall I touch it? Let it remain there."
  He doesn't touch anyone's property. Jnani: "Why shall I be criminal? Let it remain." He's jnani. But a bhakta, he finds a purse, so what his duty? He does not put it into his back pocket; neither does he throw it away --
  "let it stay there." He finds out,
  "Who is the proprietor? Who is the proprietor?" So he can ask somebody if anyone has lost anything. So somebody says,
  "Yes, yes. I have lost my purse." So you can examine whether it belongs to him:
  "I will now examine it. Sir, here is the purse.Yes, it is mine."
  So these three men, who is best? Hmm? The man who takes the purse and puts it in his pocket -- is he the best? Or is it the man who neglects it? This second one says, brahma satyam jagan mithya,
  "Why shall I touch it? It is mithya. It is false." Eh? He is good?Or the one who finds out and gives to the proprietor? Who is good?
  (Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.31 -- Honolulu, May 30, 1976)
  

What would you do?

In life, we are often confronted with this choice, or choices that reflect similar truths. Let's face it: the world is not ours for the taking. It belongs to God. We are simply here as visitors, and we'll be leaving all-too-quickly. While here, we should use whatever is given to us in the service of the Lord. How can we pretend that anything really belongs to us? The natural elements come from God. Everything we see, taste, touch, smell or hold dear are His and only His. Are we not thieves -- bhogis or karmis -- if we just take it for our own enjoyment, without recognize to whom it really belongs? Are we not thieves, too -- call it tyagis or jnanis -- if we renounce the world, which was given us by our Maker? Are we not obviously put here for a reason -- not to enjoy or renounce but to serve? Clearly, the virtuous person is the sevaite or the bhakta -- the person who sees that nothing really belongs to him but that everything belongs to God. Such vision necessitates using all things of this world in God's service. This is the realization that the Krsna Consciousness movement hopes to share with the world.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=700 bgColor=white border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=700>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<CENTER>Top 50 Countries

With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics

(Zuckerman, 2005)

</CENTER>Below is a list of the top fifty countries containing the largest measured percentage of people who identify as atheist, agnostic, or non-believer in God. These figures do not necessarily represent the number of people who are identify themselves as "atheists." For example, in Estonia in 2004, 49% of people surveyed said they did not believe in God. At the same time, only 11% of people in the country identified themselves as atheists.

<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=3 border=1><TBODY><TR>Country Total country

population % Atheist/

Agnostic/

Nonbeliever in God Number of Atheists/Agnostics

Nonbelievers in God

(minimum - maximum).....>

</TR><TR><TD>Sweden</TD><TD align=right>8,986,000</TD><TD align=right>46 - 85%</TD><TD align=right>4,133,560 - 7,638,100</TD></TR><TR><TD>Vietnam</TD><TD align=right>82,690,000</TD><TD align=right>81%</TD><TD align=right>66,978,900</TD></TR><TR><TD>Denmark</TD><TD align=right>5,413,000</TD><TD align=right>43 - 80%</TD><TD align=right>2,327,590 - 4,330,400</TD></TR><TR><TD>Norway</TD><TD align=right>4,575,000</TD><TD align=right>31 - 72%</TD><TD align=right>1,418,250 - 3,294,000</TD></TR><TR><TD>Japan</TD><TD align=right>127,333,000</TD><TD align=right>64 - 65%</TD><TD align=right>81,493,120 - 82,766,450</TD></TR><TR><TD>Czech Republic</TD><TD align=right>10,246,100</TD><TD align=right>54 - 61%</TD><TD align=right>5,328,940 - 6,250,121</TD></TR><TR><TD>Finland</TD><TD align=right>5,215,000</TD><TD align=right>28 - 60%</TD><TD align=right>1,460,200 - 3,129,000</TD></TR><TR><TD>France</TD><TD align=right>60,424,000</TD><TD align=right>43 - 54%</TD><TD align=right>25,982,320 - 32,628,960</TD></TR><TR><TD>South Korea</TD><TD align=right>48,598,000</TD><TD align=right>30 - 52%</TD><TD align=right>14,579,400 - 25,270,960</TD></TR><TR><TD>Estonia</TD><TD align=right>1,342,000</TD><TD align=right>49%</TD><TD align=right>657,580</TD></TR><TR><TD>Germany</TD><TD align=right>82,425,000</TD><TD align=right>41 - 49%</TD><TD align=right>33,794,250 - 40,388,250</TD></TR><TR><TD>Russia</TD><TD align=right>143,782,000</TD><TD align=right>24 - 48%</TD><TD align=right>34,507,680 - 69,015,360</TD></TR><TR><TD>Hungary</TD><TD align=right>10,032,000</TD><TD align=right>32 - 46%</TD><TD align=right>3,210,240 - 4,614,720</TD></TR><TR><TD>Netherlands</TD><TD align=right>16,318,000</TD><TD align=right>39 - 44%</TD><TD align=right>6,364,020 - 7,179,920</TD></TR><TR><TD>Britain</TD><TD align=right>60,271,000</TD><TD align=right>31 - 44%</TD><TD align=right>18,684,010 - 26,519,240</TD></TR><TR><TD>Belgium</TD><TD align=right>10,348,000</TD><TD align=right>42 - 43%</TD><TD align=right>4,346,160 - 4,449,640</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bulgaria</TD><TD align=right>7,518,000</TD><TD align=right>34 - 40%</TD><TD align=right>2,556,120 - 3,007,200</TD></TR><TR><TD>Slovenia</TD><TD align=right>2,011,000</TD><TD align=right>35 - 38%</TD><TD align=right>703,850 - 764,180</TD></TR><TR><TD>Israel</TD><TD align=right>6,199,000</TD><TD align=right>15 - 37%</TD><TD align=right>929,850 - 2,293,630</TD></TR><TR><TD>Canada</TD><TD align=right>32,508,000</TD><TD align=right>19 - 30%</TD><TD align=right>6,176,520 - 9,752,400</TD></TR><TR><TD>Latvia</TD><TD align=right>2,306,000</TD><TD align=right>20 - 29%</TD><TD align=right>461,200 - 668,740</TD></TR><TR><TD>Slovakia</TD><TD align=right>5,424,000</TD><TD align=right>10 - 28%</TD><TD align=right>542,400 - 1,518,720</TD></TR><TR><TD>Switzerland</TD><TD align=right>7,451,000</TD><TD align=right>17 - 27%</TD><TD align=right>1,266,670 - 2,011,770</TD></TR><TR><TD>Austria</TD><TD align=right>8,175,000</TD><TD align=right>18 - 26%</TD><TD align=right>1,471,500 - 2,125,500</TD></TR><TR><TD>Australia</TD><TD align=right>19,913,000</TD><TD align=right>24 - 25%</TD><TD align=right>4,779,120 - 4,978,250</TD></TR><TR><TD>Taiwan</TD><TD align=right>22,750,000</TD><TD align=right>24%</TD><TD align=right>5,460,000</TD></TR><TR><TD>Spain</TD><TD align=right>40,281,000</TD><TD align=right>15 - 24%</TD><TD align=right>6,042,150 - 9,667,440</TD></TR><TR><TD>Iceland</TD><TD align=right>294,000</TD><TD align=right>16 - 23%</TD><TD align=right>47,040 - 67,620</TD></TR><TR><TD>New Zealand</TD><TD align=right>3,994,000</TD><TD align=right>20 - 22%</TD><TD align=right>798,800 - 878,680</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ukraine</TD><TD align=right>47,732,000</TD><TD align=right>20%</TD><TD align=right>9,546,400</TD></TR><TR><TD>Belarus</TD><TD align=right>10,311,000</TD><TD align=right>17%</TD><TD align=right>1,752,870</TD></TR><TR><TD>Greece</TD><TD align=right>10,648,000</TD><TD align=right>16%</TD><TD align=right>1,703,680</TD></TR><TR><TD>North Korea</TD><TD align=right>22,698,000</TD><TD align=right>15%*</TD><TD align=right>3,404,700</TD></TR><TR><TD>Italy</TD><TD align=right>58,057,000</TD><TD align=right>6 - 15%</TD><TD align=right>3,483,420 - 8,708,550</TD></TR><TR><TD>Armenia</TD><TD align=right>2,991,000</TD><TD align=right>14%</TD><TD align=right>418,740</TD></TR><TR><TD>China</TD><TD align=right>1,298,848,000</TD><TD align=right>8 - 14%*</TD><TD align=right>103,907,840 - 181,838,720</TD></TR><TR><TD>Lithuania</TD><TD align=right>3,608,000</TD><TD align=right>13%</TD><TD align=right>469,040</TD></TR><TR><TD>Singapore</TD><TD align=right>4,354,000</TD><TD align=right>13%</TD><TD align=right>566,020</TD></TR><TR><TD>Uruguay</TD><TD align=right>3,399,000</TD><TD align=right>12%</TD><TD align=right>407,880</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kazakhstan</TD><TD align=right>15,144,000</TD><TD align=right>11 - 12%</TD><TD align=right>1,665,840 - 1,817,280</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mongolia</TD><TD align=right>2,751,000</TD><TD align=right>9%</TD><TD align=right>247,590</TD></TR><TR><TD>Portugal</TD><TD align=right>10,524,000</TD><TD align=right>4 - 9%</TD><TD align=right>420,960 - 947,160</TD></TR><TR><TD>USA</TD><TD align=right>293,028,000</TD><TD align=right>3 - 9%</TD><TD align=right>8,790,840 - 26,822,520</TD></TR><TR><TD>Albania</TD><TD align=right>3,545,000</TD><TD align=right>8%</TD><TD align=right>283,600</TD></TR><TR><TD>Argentina</TD><TD align=right>39,145,000</TD><TD align=right>4 - 8%</TD><TD align=right>1,565,800 - 3,131,600</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kyrgyzstan</TD><TD align=right>5,081,000</TD><TD align=right>7%</TD><TD align=right>355,670</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dominican Republic</TD><TD align=right>8,834,000</TD><TD align=right>7%</TD><TD align=right>618,380</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cuba</TD><TD align=right>11,309,000</TD><TD align=right>7%*</TD><TD align=right>791,630</TD></TR><TR><TD>Croatia</TD><TD align=right>4,497,000</TD><TD align=right>7%</TD><TD align=right>314,790</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>

Source: Zuckerman, Phil. "Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns", chapter in The Cambridge Companion to Atheism, ed. by Michael Martin, Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK (2005). <SMALL>* NOTE: The estimates of the number of atheists in North Korea, China and Cuba may be unreliable. The best data available have been used in making these estimates, but the people in these three nations live under Communist governments which have traditionally suppressed religious freedom and officially (often forcibly) endorsed atheism.</SMALL>

KRSNA

is the

Supreme Personality of Godhead.

You and I are

His tiny servants.

:pray: :pray:

It is said that a single pure devotee of the Lord can deliver all the fallen souls of the world. Thus one who is actually in the confidence of a pure devotee like Narada or Sukadeva Gosvami and thus is empowered by one’s spiritual master, as Narada was by Brahmaji, can not only deliver himself from the clutches of maya, or illusion, but can deliver the whole world by his pure and empowered devotional strength… A powerful pure devotee of the Lord, however, can deliver not only his personal self but also many others in his association.

…devotional service to the Lord is so powerful that it can cleanse the hearts of the people in general, by the devotional service of the pure, empowered devotee. A true representative of the Lord like Narada, Sukadeva Gosvami, Lord Caitanya, the six Gosvamis and later Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, etc., can deliver all people by their empowered devotional service.

By sincere efforts to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam one realizes his constitutional relationship with the Lord in the transcendental humor of servitude, friendship, paternal affection or conjugal love, and by such self-realization one becomes situated at once in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Not only were all the pure devotees like Narada self-realized souls, but they were engaged in preaching work automatically by spiritual impetus, and thus they delivered many poor souls entangled in the material modes. They became so powerful because they sincerely followed the Bhagavatam principles by regular hearing and worshiping. By such actions the accumulated material lusts, etc., become cleansed by the personal endeavor of the Lord within the heart. The Lord is always within the heart of the living being, but He becomes manifested by one’s devotional service.

(from SB 2.8.5 purport)

empowerment of devotees — by sincere efforts to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and by sincerely following the Bhagavatam principles.

[url="http://www.sivaramaswami.com/?p=1968"]

October 21st, 2007<!-- at 01:37pm--> Editor

Sannyasa lessons and bhajans find their way into the training curriculum for Christian clergy….

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the Anglican Church may shun Yoga, in Kerala the Syro-Malabar church - regarded as the oldest in the country - has decided to embrace the Hindu tradition of sannyasa. This and other cultural aspects like bhajans are becoming a part of new curriculum for training the Christian clergy in the church.

‘‘Priests have to work in the Indian milieu. So it’s necessary that they learn about India’s strong spiritual foundations like the Gurukul system, Sanyas, and Varnashram’’ church spokesman Paul Thelekat told TOI. The curriculum, which is called the ‘Charter for priestly formation in the Syro-Malabar church’, has been reformed and promulgated and is going to be applied in every seminary, he said.

‘‘We were taught the basics of Indian philosophical systems as part of theory,’’ says Thelekat, but now there’s focus on practical learning.

The clerical curriculum includes an introduction to Hinduism. Although the usual training is given by Indologists, of late seminaries are being advised to take direct assistance of sanyasis, to prepare students for ascetic life. ‘‘Undoubtedly, there are a lot of good ideas in the Indic way of life which we must incorporate and use. Priests must imbibe the rich Indian traditions and be open to new ideas,’’ said Thelekat.

But then why all this fuss about Yoga in the UK? ‘‘That’s absolute nonsense. Even we were taught Yoga during our training. It’s a method by which you can recollect yourself. I do it everyday. It’s good not only for the body but also for the mind,’’ said the priest.

Early this year, a church was opened at Pariman in Kollam district with Jesus seated in padmasana and was called ‘Jagat Jyoti Man-dir’. While the church calls this Indianisation, critics are wary of all the changes, suspecting it to be an attempt to confuse people.

Diary of a Traveling Preacher

Volume 8, Chapter 11

October 15, 2007

By Indradyumna Swami

“Farewell”

Dear Nirguna prabhu,

Please accept my most humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I am following the news of your departure from this world due to cancer through the Dandavats website, as well as through devotees who are coming to Vrindavan from Mayapura Dhama. The website has a telephone number and an invitation to call you and say farewell. However, it is too painful for me to say goodbye that way. I prefer to write. In this way it’s easier for me to reveal my thoughts and express the way I feel.

Like all devotees, I’m saddened by your imminent departure. Although you and I have known each other for only a few years, I feel we have developed a strong bond of affection. I remember when I visited Prabhupada Village in North Carolina a few years ago you gave me a gift of several thousand dollars. It was a significant donation from a simple householder like you, and I was very touched. You spoke highly of my services and I was humbled. I remember inviting you to visit our festival tour in Poland. Like many, you expressed an eagerness to attend; my experience has been, however, that few actually do. So I was delightfully surprised when a few months later you wrote to say you were actually coming that summer.

Curious, I began asking various devotees more about you. I am happy to report that each and every devotee I contacted in America had only praise for your many years of service to our beloved spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada. Time and again I heard you glorified as a long-standing book distributor, humble devotee, loyal ISKCON follower, and, most significantly, a Prabhupada Man. I became elated that you would join us on the tour. And join us you did! As soon as you came you were giving classes, going on harinama, preaching in the Questions and Answers tent, and helping in any way requested of you. Many tour devotees remarked how enthusiastic you were. It was our good fortune that you visited several times over the years. On behalf of all the Polish festival tour devotees, I thank you very much.

As I hear about you going through this final challenge, I can only admire the example you are setting. Your courage and your faith in Krsna at this momentous hour is outstanding. I noticed the same in our godbrother Sridhar Maharaja before his departure. It gives me confidence that I, too, can follow in the footsteps of such godbrothers and be fearless at the time of death. I believe such fearlessness is due to detachment from all the temporary things of this world and a genuine love for the spiritual master and Krsna. Such realizations come only after a lifetime of sincere and dedicated service.

I remember also seeing the same courage and faith in my disciple Vraja Lila dasi when she left her body a few years ago. Her words to me, just days before she passed away, remain in my heart like a beacon of light illuminating the path from this world to the next. I offer them to you as a meditation in your final hours:

My dearmost Spiritual Master,

I bow down to your lotus feet. All glories to you.

Everything is going away from my hands; every material hope which I had. But I am still a child in spiritual life. I wish I had a little love or spiritual bhava within my heart. But I have deep, firm faith in you. I am happy because of this faith, and I’ll be keeping it as a great treasure. It gives me another kind of faith to be back in the spiritual world and attain the service of the lotus feet of Sri Sri Radha-Syamasundara. And this kind of faith is faith in real things which, I am sure, are existing and are just waiting for me at that side of the door. I am indebted to you so much that you are guiding me in my spiritual life, although I feel so much separation from you.

Your servant, Vraja Lila dasi

* * *

My dear Nirguna prabhu, we have only our guru maharaja, Srila Prabhupada, to thank for guiding all of us safely back to the spiritual world. And for the service you have rendered in this lifetime you can be assured of eternal service to his lotus feet in that transcendental abode. Therefore, you have nothing to lament as you prepare to leave your diseased and pain-ridden body. It is for those of us who will remain to lament our prolonged existence in this miserable world. But while we are here, let us try to follow your wonderful example in preaching the glories of the Lord until the end.

Please tolerate any pain and inconvenience you will endure in these final days. It is something we must all experience, without exception. Know for sure that Srila Prabhupada is waiting for you. He once wrote me, “Yes, I am also missing my guru maharaja, but I always feel that he is watching over and protecting me.”

Thank you for your brief association in this lifetime. I only wish I had had the honor to meet you earlier. I hope to be blessed with the good fortune of serving with you in a future lifetime. Or perhaps, by the causeless mercy of Srila Prabhupada, we may meet again soon in the spiritual sky . . . where all walking is dancing, all talking is singing, and there’s a festival every day.

I love you and will miss you dearly.

Your servant, Indradyumna Swami

<!-- You can start editing here. --><!-- T R A C K B A C K S / P I N G B A C K S -->

<!-- C O M M E N T S -->Comments

<!-- end .comments-header -->

1 Dear Indradyumna Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

You were wise to say good-bye to Nirguna Prabhu in writing. And compassionate. When I called him to say good-bye yesterday, it was very difficult for him to speak. When I asked him how he was so fearless as death was approaching, his three-word response said it all: “Faith in Krishna.”

One reason Nirguna was able to join you on the Polish Tour was that Krishna had just dismantled his family life. Instead of becoming depressed or trying to recoup, he wound up his affairs and hit the road to preach. Like yourself, a true sankirtana soldier.

Thank you for beautifully expressing what all of us who know Nirguna feel: sad that he’s leaving us and happy for his golden opportunity to go home.

Bravo, Nirguna, the Golden Dancer awaits you…With brotherly love from your servant,

Suresvara dasa

<!-- end .comments-middle -->Comment posted by SuresvaraACBSP on October 16th, 2007

<!-- end .comments-bottom -->

<!-- end .comments -->

Thank you, Maharaja, for beautifully expressing what we feel for Nirguna Prabhu–sad he’ll be leaving us, happy he has such a golden opportunity to go home. We are moved and purified to hear one sankirtana soldier saying good-bye to another. Bravo to Nirguna. The Golden Dancer awaits his humble heart…Ys, Suresvara dasa

<!-- end .comments-middle -->Comment posted by SuresvaraACBSP on October 16th, 2007

<!-- end .comments-bottom -->

<!-- end .comments -->

Dear Nirguna Prabhu, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Since I probably won’t get to see you again in this life. I just wanted to say a few words. We were only toghther very briefly in Atlanta back in about 1988 but your association was so inspiring that when I heard about your condition it all came back to me. You were so dedicated to book distribution that it inspired me to go out. I am also still going out here in Italy where I have been living and preaching for the last 25 years or so I hope to follow in your footsteps as it seems that Prabhupada gives special mercy to those who gave themselves to distributing his books. I am sure that Prabhupada is waiting for you to help him in some other mission to save the conditioned souls somewhere. I’ll pray for you that you will make it there safe and sound and you pray for me that I can come there with you all some day and distribute books again with you and all the other members of Srila Prabhupada’s Sankirtan Party.

Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution kijay!

Your servant Trai das

ps please offer my obeisances to Janmastami Prabhu and Madhava Maharaja who are so kindly staying by you

<!-- end .comments-middle -->Comment posted by Trai das on October 18th, 2007

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=592 bgColor=#faf8e3 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left width=591 background=/main/themes/nokoala/images/text_box_bg_up.jpg height=245>

</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- start 'content' --><!-- begin content -->

Thu, 2007-10-18

I'm here in Shree Dhama Mayapur helping care for an old book distributor god-brother. Nirguna Krsna das will need all the public blessings he can get for his successful flight out of his body to the svetadvipa spiritual world. He's going through some heavy crises with his spine cancer. Devarsi dasa (the Jyotish) saying today at mangala arati time Mayapura, He'll be going through some tough times.

He really might be leaving then, His urine flow was very less yesterday, and he has not eaten anything since 1 week or so.

If you want to send him a message write him an e-mail fast, according to Devarsi dasa (a dabbler in astrology) as He might be leaving his body in 2 days, or if he lives after that Oct 26th is also a hard day predicted. his voice is so weak now, its useless to phone him to talk to him.

I'm here in Mayapura serving Nirguna Krsna dasa (acbsp) He has terminal spine cancer, with paralysis to his legs. he's skin and bones now, yet his doctor, says with his strength level he may last another day or as much as 15-30 days more. (this was the same doctor who served in vraja-radha kunda das-he left varunthini ekadasi in vraja april 13th with cancer, and

caitanyananda dasa br. of Helsinki Finland fame, who left August 7th of cancer all after 6 months fighting it).

on October 6th He had a mild operation to put a catheter in his stomach to his bladder so he can remove urine. he's in good spirits but in pain. he's paralysed from the waist down due to his spine neck cancer. he's drinking only very little water or caranamrta. He told me over the phone that he'd like to leave his body earlier if RAdha Madhava, asta sakhi gana and sri sri Panca Tattva allow him to.

I see that he's stabilizing in his weakness so far. his voice though weak seems stronger then yesterday, I read him his e-mails to him.

His e-mail is dasnirguna@

There is a huge list of people attending to

him now, as caretakers and as separate messagers. His legs are paining him a lot, although he can't move them independently, so His messagers are holding them up in the air and 'cyclin' them both, to relieve the Pain.

His spirit is quite strong, some devotees are reading brihat bhagavatamrta to him, others sarartha darshini, and I've been reading him caitanya Bhagavata Madhyakhanda with srila Bhaktisiddhanta's gaudiya bhasya after completing chapter 1 today we read Madhya 2 1-20.

24 hour kirtan has also started from yesterday.

yours in the service of Krsna Balarama,

Tridandi Bhiksu, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava swami

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!-- end .post-top --><!-- the main section of the post goes here -->By Kesava Krsna Dasa

Sometimes spiritual practitioners feel that after doing years of solid selfless service for Iskcon, they are entitled to some privileges, or what could be deemed a payback. Is it correct to expect such things? Would the services rendered be truly selfless with this expectancy? Does Iskcon owe us anything?

Such charity may come in the form of a trip to the holy dhama, some financial help, accommodation or whatever. After all, how uncommon it is in kali-yuga to sacrifice ones precious time, possessions, body, mind and soul in the fire of surrender; do we not deserve something at least? Or is Iskcon exempt from such things?

Many older devotees will remember how after first joining Iskcon with some raw and budding enthusiasm, they were encouraged to ‘savor the moment’ as it were. The intense but ecstatic engagement of frequent Hari-namas, book distribution and blissfully destitute way of life, made renunciation seem like a dainty stroll in King Indra’s palace gardens.

Then some reality set in. Not everybody is a happy renunciate. After some time, one will assume a little responsibility and be exposed to the likes and dislikes of those under care. Such paternal instincts will give a level-headed sobriety, or a rampant authoritarian keenness which will likely test the willingness to serve selflessly or not. A test of character beckons for one to see how ‘do it for Me’ as Lord Krishna says, does not become ‘do it for me.’

If the conscience is not very clear, the rightful attitude of ‘ask not what Iskcon can do for you, but what you can do for Iskcon’ approach will blur the fine distinction between being the doer with ownership permits, and utilizing everything in Krishna’s service, which can extend to other areas of life.

With a promise of lifelong commitment, one may consider for example, “If I remain in Iskcon until I am old and invalid, will I be looked after nicely?” Or, “Should I get married and fend for myself. At least I can lessen such worries.” Such vacillating moods make renunciation seem like a poisonous weighty burden. The exceptional reasons for joining Iskcon now fade into choices between enduring dedication and measured leisurely spurts.

Further on, if puzzlement still clouds the thinking, one will reach seniority level and expect reverence for imparting sagely wisdom, and for being a father or mother, uncle or auntie. Such cozy warmth from the juniors can lead one to wonder when the next flower garland will come. Such a dangerous thought! Why wait for flowers to come? We should be planting our own garden.

Any slight trace of ‘what’s in it for me,’ immediately cuts us off from the flow of mercy which oozes with abundance, but is not always captured. With little mercy and a hint of selfishness the creeper of Bhakti tends towards unwanted foliage, making one wonder why there is no spiritual advancement. Iskcon can be a bewildering place for the selfish.

Nature has it that we come into this world with nothing (except our karma) and leave this world with nothing (except additional karma). Many of us come to Iskcon with something, and some want to leave with something too. “I have given my life, everything to this movement. I now have no job experience or prospects, no money, nothing. Can Iskcon not spare me something?” Is Iskcon obliged to help?

Iskcon can be variously described as being non-different from Krishna, as Srila Prabhupada’s body, or as a house in which the whole world can live. In either case surrender to guru and Krishna entails no returns, except to seek mercy and blessings to advance in Krishna consciousness. These are the blissful returns which can only be appreciated on the platform of renunciation – sannyasa.

The mood of sannyasa refers not to a status or asrama, but a universal disposition adopted by all sincere servants of Srila Prabhupada’s Iskcon. Srila Prabhupada writes,

“There are many members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness who work very hard in the office or in the factory or some other place, and whatever they earn they give to the society. Such highly elevated souls are actually sannyasis and are situated in the renounced order of life.” (BG 18.11 purport)

Being in sannyasa mode can make one callous, even sometimes as a form of protection against Maya. This is usually visible in younger devotees. The mellow caring stance developed through maturity and purity will ensure genuine friendship and love for all, which is why it is essential to have senior devotees actively involved, and who can balance the callous with affectionate care.

It may seem that if Iskcon owes us nothing, then we are serving in an unforgiving environment. The catch is, while being renounced, we endear all members with a fond sense of belonging by treating our fellow brothers and sisters, grandfathers, fathers and mothers, uncles and aunties, nieces and nephews with respect and love, so the house of Iskcon truly becomes a family affair, in sickness and health.

Whatever image is portrayed of Iskcon in the public eye – positive or negative - can only be made by individuals within. People generally want to be part of a winning team, an illustrious heritage, and a renowned institutional brand. If we serve the purposes of Iskcon in true sannyasa mode, renouncing all sense of wanting from Iskcon, Iskcon can shine as a symbol of hope for all.

This renunciation is actually the sustainer of our lives and the good image of Iskcon. Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja dasa Goswami states,

“Renunciation is the basic principle sustaining the lives of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s devotees. Seeing this renunciation, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is extremely pleased.” (CC Antya 6.220)

Srila Prabhupada mentions the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in his purport to a verse speaking of using everything in Krishna’s service.

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform – do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.”

(BG 9.27)

In other words, Iskcon is the facilitator which accepts all our self-sacrificing and noble deeds through serving the vaisnavas.

“Acts of sacrifice, charity and penances are not to be given up; they must be performed. Indeed, sacrifice, charity and penances purify even the great souls.” (BG 18.5)

If Iskcon is our ‘sarangati,’ our place of surrender, it would defy all reasoning to expect something in return from it. If we are so extremely vulnerable as to depend on the very air to breathe, yet think in terms of ownership, ruler ship and other separatist ideas, we will lack the necessary humility to surrender everything in the fire of sarangati, and our understanding warps accordingly.

We can beg for resources to do our given services efficiently. We can beg for the association of the vaisnava and serve them. But whatever may be binding to us in any way within Iskcon, whether legally, in trust, in property and so on is given by the grace of Srila Prabhupada and his followers. These privileges are given for free, and free service though of great spiritual value is only meaningful when we expect nothing in return – Iskcon owes us nothing.

Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa – GRS.

http://mayapurkatha.blogspot.com/2007/10/nirguna-prabhu-is-preparing-to-leave.html

:pray: :pray:

12-10-07 update:

This video features Nirguna Prabhu leaving his body in the Holy abode of Mayapur Dhama, surrounded by helpful devotees of Krishna, who are trying to accommodate his needs – both medical and especially spiritual.

Nirguna has Posterior Medistinal Spindle Cell Sarcoma (a form of cancer).

In this short video, Bhakti Vishrambha Madhava Swami is reading pastimes of Lord Sri Chaitanya to Nirguna Prabhu.

</EMBED>

Devotees help each other at the moment of death to remember Krishna and leave body in a focused state of mind – focused on the real goal of human life – attaining Krishna.

Who is Crazy?

BY: HDG A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI

<CENTER></CENTER>

The whole world is divided into factions, and each accuses the others of being crazy. But if there are no criteria by which to judge sanity, then who can decide?

<CENTER>man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru

mam evaishyasi yuktvaivam atmanam mat-parayanah </CENTER>

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, engage your body in My service and surrender unto Me. Completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.” (Bg. 9.34)

Here Krsna says that one should always think of Him, be His devotee and worship Him. This is the process of devotional service; it is not very difficult, and anyone can execute it by thinking of God, offering obeisances and rendering some service unto Him. Generally people identify with some party, either socially, politically, economically or religiously. In America there are the Republican and Democratic parties, and on the international scale there are the capitalists and the communists. Religiously, people identify with a party as Christian, Moslem, Hindu and so on. In India there are social parties also, like the brahmanas and kshatriyas. In short, to avoid belonging to some party or other is not possible. Spiritualism, however, means that we should identify ourselves with God’s party.

On this platform also there is “party-ism” in that the spiritualists call the materialists crazy, and the materialists call the spiritualists crazy. We have formed a Society for Krishna Consciousness, and those who do not like it say that we are “crazy.” Similarly, a person in Krishna consciousness sees a person who is acting in material consciousness as a crazy person. Who, then, is actually crazy? Who decides? How are the parties involved capable of deciding? Indeed, the whole world is divided into parties, each accusing the others of being crazy, but if there are no criteria by which to judge sanity, then who can decide? If we ask any man, any common man on the street, what he is, he will reply, “I am this body.” He may give some further explanation by saying that he is Christian, or Hindu, or Jewish, or that he is Mr. So-and-So, or whatever, but all these are simply designations he attaches to the body. In other words, they all arise from the body. When a person says that he is an American, he is referring to the body because by some accident or reason he is born into the land of America and so takes the title of an American. But that is also artificial because the land is neither American nor French, nor Chinese, nor Russian, nor anything-land is land. We have simply artificially created some boundaries and said, “This is America, this is Canada, this is Mexico, Europe, Asia, India.” These are our concoctions, for we do not find that these lands were originally divided in this way. Three or four hundred years ago this land was not even known as America, nor was it even inhabited by white men from Europe. Even a thousand years ago Europe was inhabited by different peoples and called different names.

These are all designations that are constantly changing. From the Vedic literatures we can understand that this whole planet was known as Ilavrita-varsha, and one king, Maharaja Bharata, who ruled the entire planet, changed the name of the planet to Bharata-varsha. Gradually, however, the planet became divided again, and different continents and sectors became known by different names. Even recently India has been divided into a number of countries, whereas earlier in the century India had included Burma, Ceylon and East and West Pakistan. In actuality the land is neither Bharata-varsha, India, Europe, Asia or whatever-we simply give it these designations in accordance with time and influence.

Just as we give the land designations, we also give our bodies designations, but no one can say what his designations were before birth. Who can say that he was American, Chinese, European or whatever? We are thinking that after leaving this body we will continue as American or Indian or Russian. But although we may live in America during this life, we may be in China in the next, for we are constantly changing our bodies. Who can say that he is not changing bodies? When we are born from the womb of our mother, our body is very small. Now, where is that body? Where is the body we had as a boy? We may have photographs that remind us what the body was like in past years, but we cannot say where that body has gone. The body may change, yet we have the feeling that we do not change. “I am the same man,” we think, “and in my childhood I looked like this or like that.” Where have those years gone? They have vanished along with the body and everything that came in contact with it. But although everything is changing at every moment, we are still sticking to our bodily identification so that when we are asked what we are, we give an answer that is somehow or other related to this body. Is this not crazy? If a person identifies with something he is not, he is considered crazy. The conclusion is that one who identifies with the body cannot really be considered sane. This, then, is a challenge to the world: Whoever claims God’s property or earth as belonging to his body, which is constantly changing, can only be considered a crazy man. Who can actually establish that this is his property or that this is his body? By the chances of nature a person is placed in a body and is dictated to by the laws of material nature. Yet in illusion we think we are controlling that nature. Therefore Krishna says in

<CENTER>Bhagavad-gita:

prakriteh kriyamanani

gunaih karmani sarvasah

ahankara-vimudhatma

kartaham iti manyate </CENTER>

“The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by nature.” (Bg. 3.27)

Prakriteh kriyamanani: Material nature is pulling everyone by the ear, just as a stern teacher pulls a student. Every individual is under the dictations of material nature and is being put sometimes in this body and sometimes in that. We are now fortunate to have acquired a human body, but we can easily see that there are many other types of bodies (8,400,000 according to Padma Purana) and by the laws of nature we can be put into any type of body according to our work. Thus we are completely in the grip of material nature. Although this lifetime we may be fortunate in acquiring a human body, there is no guarantee that the next time we will not have the body of a dog or some other animal. All this depends on our work. No one can say, “After my death, I will take my birth again in America.” Material nature will force us into this body or that. Since we are not authorities, Bhagavad-gita informs us that everything is being conducted by the supreme laws of nature, and it is the foolish man who thinks, “I am something. I am independent.” Ahankara-vimudhatma: this is false reason. Although the living entity is different from the body, he thinks, “I am this body.” Therefore Sankaracarya basically preached the same message over and over: aham brahmasmi, “I am not this body; I am Brahman, spirit soul.”

Nonetheless, even when we have resolved to take to the path of self-realization, maya or illusion persists. By self-realization a person may come to realize that he is not the body but a spiritual soul. What then is his position? Void? Impersonal? People think that after the demise of this body there is nothing but nirvana or void. The impersonalists similarly say that as soon as the body is finished, one’s personal identity is finished also. In actuality, however, the body can never be identified with the living entity any more than a car can be identified with its driver. A person may direct a car wherever he wishes, but when he gets out of the car he does not think that his personality is gone. In Bhagavad-gita Krishna speaks of the living entity in this way:

<CENTER>isvarah sarva-bhutanam

hrid-dese ’rjuna tishthati

bhramayan sarva-bhutani

yantrarudhani mayaya </CENTER>

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.” (Bg. 18.61)

These various bodies are like cars, and they are all moving. One person may have an expensive kind of car, and another person may have an inexpensive one; one person may have a new car, and another person may have an old one. Should we then think that when we are out of the car of the body the personality no longer exists? This is another kind of craziness. The void philosophy, which maintains that after death we become nothing, is also a craziness that has been contradicted. We are not void but spirit. When one attains spiritual realization, knowing himself as spirit outside the body, he can advance further by inquiring about his duty as spirit. “What is my spiritual work?” he should ask. Realizing one’s spiritual identity and asking about one’s spiritual duty is actual sanity. So much individuality and discrimination are displayed by the living entity even in the body. Should we think that at death one’s intelligence, discrimination and individuality no longer exist? Although we may make such great plans and work so hard within the body, are we to assume that when we leave the body we become void? There is no basis for this nonsense, and it is directly refuted by Krishna at the very beginning of Bhagavad-gita:

<CENTER>na tv evaham jatu nasam

na tvam neme janadhipah

na caiva na bhavishyamah

sarve vayam atah param

dehino ’smin yatha dehe

kaumaram yauvanam jara

tatha dehantara-praptir

dhiras tatra na muhyati </CENTER>

“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change.” (Bg. 2.12-13)

Thus the spiritual identity of the individual soul continues after death, for Lord Krishna assures Arjuna of the eternality of all the individual souls assembled on the battlefield. The spiritual spark or self is within the body from the moment the body begins to form within the womb of the mother, and it continues existing in the body as the body undergoes all of its changes through infancy, childhood, youth and old age. This means that the person who is within the body is present from the moment of conception. The measurement of this individual soul is so small that the Vedic scriptures approximate it to be no larger than one ten-thousandth part of the tip of a hair-in other words, as far as human vision is concerned, it is invisible. One cannot see the soul with material eyes, but the soul is there nonetheless, and the fact that the body grows from the shape of a pea to full-grown manhood is proof of its presence. There are six symptoms of the soul’s presence, and growth is one of them. If there is growth, or change, one should know that the soul is present within the body. When the body becomes useless, the soul leaves it, and the body simply decays. One cannot directly perceive the soul’s leaving the body, but one can perceive it symptomatically when the body loses consciousness and dies. In the Second Chapter of Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna gives the following simile to illustrate this process:

<CENTER>vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya

navani grihnati naro ’parani

tatha sarirani vihaya jirnany

anyani samyati navani dehi </CENTER>

“As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, similarly, the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.” (Bg. 2.22)

Although the soul takes on new bodies, the soul does not select the bodies himself, the selection is made by the law of nature. However, the mentality of the soul does affect the selection, as indicated by Krishna in the following verse:

<CENTER>yam yam vapi smaran bhavam

tyajaty ante kalevaram

tam tam evaiti kaunteya

sada tad-bhava-bhavitah </CENTER>

“In whatever condition one quits his present body, in his next life he will attain to that state of being without fail.” (Bg. 8.6)

As one’s thoughts develop, his future body also develops. The sane man understands that he is not the body, and he also understands what his duty is: to fix his mind on Krishna so that at death he can attain Krishna’s nature. This is the advice of Krishna in the last verse of the Ninth Chapter:

<CENTER>man-mana bhava mad-bhakto

mad-yaji mam namaskuru

mam evaishyasi yuktvaivam

atmanam mat-parayanah </CENTER>

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, engage your body in My service and surrender unto Me. Completely absorbed in Me, surely will you come to Me.” (Bg. 9.34)

Every embodied soul is in the constant act of thinking. To refrain from thinking something is not possible for a moment. The duty of the individual, therefore, is to think of Krishna. There should be no difficulty in this, nor any harm; Krishna has pastimes and activities, He comes to earth and leaves His message in the form of Bhagavad-gita, and there are so many literatures about Krishna that thinking of Him is neither a difficult nor costly task. There are enough literatures on Krishna to last one a lifetime, so there is no shortage of material. Thinking of Krishna, however, should be favorable. If a man is employed, he may always be thinking of his employer: “I must get there on time. If he sees me late, he may deduct from my paycheck.” This kind of thinking will not do. It is necessary to think of Krishna with love (bhava mad-bhaktah). In the material world when the servant thinks of the master, there is no love; he is thinking only of pounds, shillings and pence. Because that kind of thinking will not save us, Krishna requests that one just be His devotee.

Thinking of Krishna with love, or devotion to Krishna, actually means service. The spiritual master prescribes various duties to enable the neophyte devotee to think of Krishna. In the Society for Krishna Consciousness, for instance, there are so many duties assigned: printing, writing, typing, dispatching, cooking, and so on. In so many ways the students are thinking of Krishna because they are engaged in the service of Krsna.

What is the duty indicated by Krishna? Mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Even if we are not inclined to obedience, we must obey and offer respects (namaskuru). Bhakti, or devotion, minus respect is not bhakti. One should engage in Krishna consciousness with love and respect and should thus fulfill his designated duties. Then life will be successful. One can never be happy by identifying himself with the material body and engaging in all kinds of nonsensical activities. For happiness, there must be consciousness of Krishna; that is the difference between spiritualism and materialism. The same typewriter, dictation machine, tape recorder, mimeograph machine, paper, ink, the same hand-on the surface, everything is the same, but everything becomes spiritualized when it is used in the service of Krishna. This, then, is spiritual. We should not think that something has to be uncommon to be spiritual. The entire material world can be transformed into spirit if we simply become Krishna conscious. By ardently following the instructions of Krishna in Bhagavad-gita and following in the footsteps of the great acaryas, teachers of Bhagavad-gita in the line of disciplic succession, we can spiritualize the earth and restore its inhabitants to sanity.

<TABLE id=table1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="99%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="5%"></TD><TD width="95%">truthiness noun /truns/

the quality of stating facts that you believe or want to be true, rather than stating facts that are known to be true

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="5%"></TD><TD width="95%">truthy adjective /trui/</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>‘A better word could not have been coined to describe the current debate over global warming … The … most bizarre example of truthiness is that we have a number of cheap, nonpolluting and renewable sources of energy we can exploit.”

("]The News-Press, Florida,18<SUP>th</SUP> January 2006)

‘The Bush Administration has shown that bold-faced lying works like a charm. As long as they speak with “truthy” conviction, they persuade people, despite the overwhelming evidence that they are leading us down the garden path.’

(The Progressive, 31<SUP>st</SUP> January 2006)

On 6<SUP>th</SUP> January 2006, in its 16<SUP>th</SUP> annual vote on new or significant English words, the American Dialect Society declared the word truthiness as overall winner, giving it the esteemed title Word of the Year for 2005.

So just why, amongst a range of more obviously topical or popular candidates such as podcast, Sudoku or rendition, did a dark horse like truthiness claim the crown? The answer seems to be that truthiness, which refers to the quality of preferring concepts or facts that you wish to be true, rather than concepts or facts that you know to be true, somehow embodies the zeitgeist of recent years, conveniently placing itself somewhere between the actual truth and the conviction of belief or opinion. Though the word initially prompted mixed reactions across the media as a rather unlikely choice for word of the year, possibly partly due to its more limited exposure relative to the other candidates, people quickly cottoned on to the word’s potential to fill a lexical gap for something fundamental about human nature. Truthiness is a very useful concept in today’s society because the truth is often inconvenient or simply boring. Truthiness has therefore been quickly associated with political spin and fabrication in general.

Soon after the announcement by the American Dialect Society, a controversy surrounding a best-selling book entitled A Million Little Pieces, by author and convicted criminal James Frey, acted as a catalyst in truthiness’smore widespread recognition and potential survival.It was claimed that the book, dealing with Frey’sdrug addiction and criminal activities, was filled with fabrications and lies. In a widely publicised interview on the The Oprah Winfrey Show, Frey was confronted about how far his memoirs constituted truthiness rather than actual truth.

Background

The word truthiness was first brought into the public eye in October 2005 by US comedian Stephen Colbert, who featured the term in his satirical news commentary programme The Colbert Report. Though Colbert exploited the non-intellectual, ‘made-up’ character of truthiness for humorous effect, the word was not his own invention and in fact dates back as far as the 1800s. The Oxford English Dictionary contains an entry for the adjective truthy, which is defined as ‘characterised by the truth’ and includes the derivation truthiness. Truthy and truthinesswere originally used as straightforward variants of truthful and truthfulness. Though Colbertcan’t be credited with inventing the word, he is certainly responsible for re-introducing truthiness and truthy into 21<SUP>st</SUP> century English, giving them a new, ironic meaning.

:pray: :pray:

I met Nirguna prabhu back in the late 70's.

No doubt he is an outstanding disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

I can only dream of meeting death as auspicioulsy as he is doing surrounded by loving devotees and having all facility for remembering Krishna.

I will never be so fortunate and so blessed.

 

Nirguna prabhu is a jewel of a soul and his death will be the beginning of a very auspicious new beginning.

 

He is blessed and fortunate.

Actually, I pray that he will pray for me, as he is destined for glory and I am so lowly.

 

Praying for Nirguna?

No.

We should all be asking that he should pray for us.

His destination is Cintamani-dhama.

Yes he is so very fortunate for the final curtain. All glories to his Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada through whom we may one day all meet together in the spiritual world! :pray: :pray:

"Regarding your question of Paramatma: you are fortunate enough for your sincere service, Krishna as Paramatma Who is sitting within your heart is now dictating. Krishna is so kind that He wants to help us as Spiritual Master in two ways. He helps us from within as Caitya Guru and He expands Himself externally as Siksa Guru (as instructor) and diksa Guru (initiator). So the principle is that whatever you are instructed by the Caitya Guru internally may be confirmed by the instructor or initiator externally. Then your progress will be complete."

Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sivananda, 05-21-69

<CENTER></CENTER>

"Well initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge... knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing."

Srila Prabhupada Press Interview, 10-16-76, Chandigarh

<CENTER></CENTER>

"The initiating spiritual master (diksa-guru) shows his causeless mercy by giving his disciples instructions in chanting the mantra. By so doing, he points the disciples in the direction of the truths pertaining to the Supreme Lord, Sri Krsna. I consider the numerous instructing spiritual masters (siksa-gurus) to be more important, for they show more mercy by training the sadhakas in all the essential aspects of sadhana-bhakti."

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Kalyana-kalpataru

<CENTER></CENTER>

"Prabhupada: "Then so siksa and diksa-guru... A siksa-guru who instructs against the instruction of spiritual, he is not a siksa guru. He is a demon. Siksa-guru, diksa-guru means... Sometimes a diksa-guru is not present always. Therefore one can take learning, instruction, from an advanced devotee. That is called the siksa-guru. Siksa-guru does not mean he is speaking something against the teachings of the diksa-guru/Acarya. He is not a siksa-guru. He is a rascal."

Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 17:1-3, 07-04-74, Honolulu

<CENTER></CENTER>

"If one develops love for Krsna by Krsna conscious activities, one can know the Supreme Absolute Truth, but he who tries to understand God simply by logical arguments will not succeed, nor will he get a taste for unalloyed devotion. The secret is that one must submissively listen to those who know perfectly the science of God, and one must begin the mode of service regulated by the preceptor. A devotee already attracted by the name, form, qualities, etc., of the Supreme Lord may be directed to his specific manner of devotional service; he need not waste time in approaching the Lord through logic. The expert spiritual master knows well how to engage his disciple's energy in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and thus he engages a devotee in a specific devotional service according to his special tendency. A devotee must have only one initiating spiritual master because in the scriptures acceptance of more than one is always forbidden. There is no limit, however, to the number of instructing spiritual masters one may accept. Generally a spiritual master who constantly instructs a disciple in spiritual science becomes his initiating spiritual master later on.

One should always remember that a person who is reluctant to accept a spiritual master and be initiated is sure to be baffled in his endeavor to go back to Godhead. One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realization, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination. It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple. If one thinks that he is above consulting anyone else, including a spiritual master, he is at once an offender at the lotus feet of the Lord. Such an offender can never go back to Godhead. It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the sastric injunctions. Sri Jiva Gosvami advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding."

Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi lila 1:35

<CENTER></CENTER>

"One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of Uttama-Adhikari. A neophyte Vaisnava, or a Vaisnava situated on the intermediate platform, can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore, a disciple should be careful to accept an Uttama-Adhikari as a spiritual master."

Nectar of Instruction, Chapter 5 Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.

<BIG>PATEL:</BIG><BIG></B> It is the church, Christian church, which has defaced Christism. </BIG>

<BIG></BIG>

<BIG>PRABHUPADA: </BIG><BIG>Hare Krishna.</B> Everywhere the followers make the whole thing bungled. </BIG>

“Is the chanting of Hare Krsna the answer to living successfully in today’s world?”

Srila Prabhupada:

Oh, that is the only successful living in this, today’s world. So long people do not understand it, they are still in the darkness. This is the only. Why it is the only? Just see these boys, these girls. I have not imported from India. I came here single-handed with seven dollars. I have got hundreds of students like that. How they have changed, their character, their behavior. I have given them life. Some of them are married. They are living very nicely. They have got children, and they have given up their all bad habits. You see? They are not, I mean to say, eating meat. They have no illicit sex life. They are strictly vegetarian. They are preparing nice foodstuff from vegetable and grains. They do not take part, intoxication. They do not smoke even. Just see practically. If everyone becomes like them, then what is the trouble? If you encourage them to indulge in illicit sex life, to become intoxicants, to gambler and eating everything, without any discrimination, then how you can expect to have very good men in this world? They are mad. So this question, that “Is this chanting of Hare Krsna the answer to living successfully in today’s…?”

[url="http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/"]

What do you mean by “successfully living”?

Successfully living does not mean that you work hard just like cats and dogs, and eat something and have sex life at night. That is not successful life. That successful life is there even in the cats and dogs and hogs. The hogs are also laboring very hard. The cats and dogs, they are also for their food. And the sex is there. Everything is there. That is not successful life. Real successful life is how to understand his real constitutional position as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. That is successful life. This is not successful life. What is this successful life? I see… I have got so many students. They are well-qualified. But they have got… When they work, they have to work so hard, they go at six o’clock to the working and comes again at six o’clock, all day, tired. They lost all vitality, all sense. Is that successful life, simply for one morsel of food, working so hard? And unless one works so hard, he cannot eat. We have created a civilization that one must earn thousands of dollars, then he can live like a gentleman. Is that successful life? And for earning that thousands of dollars he has to work so hard, just like animal, beast. No. That is not successful life. Successful life is that, that we should make our bodily necessities of life as far as required, not more than that. I want to eat something. God has given sufficient food. You grow. You live anywhere. You grow foodstuff. You grow grains. You grow fruits. You grow vegetables. Keep cows. Take milk. You can live anywhere. You haven’t got to go fifty miles off with a car to attend your office at six o’clock with velocity of hundred miles’ speed. Is that successful life, do you think? So where is successful life? We are proposing successful life.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Lecture — Hawaii, March 23, 1969