krsna

<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>A lesson to learn: Update on Nirguna Prabhu's health condition

</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- start 'content' --><!-- begin content -->By gopijana on Sat, 2007-10-13 08:06.

'I am very grateful to get to serve this great vaisnava. Generally people towards the end stage are fearful of death, but it is amazing to see someone fighting this disease so bravely always smiling', expressed Dr.Vanish from Bhakti Vedanta Hospital, who is attending Nirguna Pr at Mayapur.He further said that the people in material world are eager to live but Nirguna Pr is teaching by his own example that how one should be eager to go back to Krsna.

It's nice to be with him and see the way he is dealing with such big problems smilingly, that teaches so many lessons and shows the beauty of practicing Krsna consciousness and dedicating one's life for Krsna.

Clinically, Nirguna Pr is suffering of Posterior Medistinal Spindle Cell Sarcoma. When asked about his present condition, Dr.Vanish said that he is comfortable, conscious, well oriented and the pain is under control. He has a supra-pubic catheter put to deal with his urinary drainage. He is quite critical condition and cannot survive for long. He has very good consciousness and welcomes every visitor with heart warming smile. He has stopped eating drinking since 09Oct'07.

Nirguna Prabhu expressed “ I am very fortunate to be here in the dham with all the devotees. I appreciated the spiritual care extended by devotees over here”.

A very nice team of devotees take care of him round the clock. Devotees come to meet him, chant, read Srimad Bhagavatham and give massage to this wonderful disciple of Srila Prabhupada.

If any of his godbrothers and sisters would like to call Nirguna pr, please call him between 06 - 09AM on his number is 09332584165.

We request all the vaisnavas to pray to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, Sri Sri Panchatattva and Sri Nrsimhadeva and Srila Prabhupada for his smooth journey into the spiritual world.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.!

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

NIRGUNA PRABHU getting more serious!

Published by admin on October 14, 2007

SrI SrI Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

Camp: Iskcon Mayapura Candrodoya Mandir, Nadia, West Bengal

Dear Dhritarastra Dasa.

Jaya Krishna BalarAma! DaNDavat PranAma! Please accept my respectful obeisances. All Glories to Sreela PrabhupAda.

Nirguna is getting weaker by the day, he’s goin’ faster then everybody has thought. He has (by the doctors @ 2 weeks to 1 month left.) one devotee br. dabblin’ in jyotish says that tuesday mangala arati time will be a crux time for him.

Nirguna’s phone number was listed on dandavats.com in suresvara’s letter, Bhima and dhrits, if you want to call him better you do so now as later on his voice will be too shot to speak to either of you.

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

yours in the service of Krsna BalarAma,

TridaNDi BhikSu, Bhakti Visrambha MAdhava

"Words of wisdom from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura"

1. We are put to test and trial in this world. Only those who attend the kirtana of the devotees can succeed.

2. Every spot on earth where discourses on God are held is a place of pilgrimage.

3. Possession of objects not related to Krsna is our main malady.

4. Let me not desire anything but the highest good for my worst enemies.

5. As dalliance with the body in luxury increases, so wanes the spirit of service of the Lord.

6. Those favored by God find their paths set by thorns.

7. There is no peace or happiness in our worldly life. Circumstances create turmoil and annoyance.

8. Chant the maha mantra loudly and with attachment. This will drive away inertia, worldly evils and pests.

9. Be indifferent to bazaar gossips, stick firmly to your cherished goals, no lack or impediments of the world will ever stand in your way.

10. Pay due respects to the extroverts of the world, but do not be appreciative of their manner”They are to be shaken off from your mind.

11. A devotee feels the presence of God everywhere, but one averse to the Lord denies His existence anywhere.

12. You cannot appreciate transcendental matters with the reasoning of the world. It is sheer nonsense to decry them with the measuring stick of your intellect.

13. To recite the name of Sri Krsna is bhakti.

14. Life is for the glorification of topics on Hari. If that is stopped, then what need is there to carry on life.

15. Physical illness with Hari-bhajana is preferred to physical fitness without Hari-bhajana.

16. Our span of life on earth is short. Our life will be crowned with success if the body wears out with constant discourses on Hari.

17. We are here on earth not to work as artisans for making big buildings with wood and stone but to work only as messengers for the teachings of Sri Caitanya Deva.

18. A sycophant is neither a guru or a preacher.

19. To transform the adverse desires of the jivas is the supreme duty ofTo rescue one person from the stronghold of Mahamaya is an act of superb-benevolence, far superior to opening innumerable hospitals.

20. Unless we are devoted to God,secularism shall not leave us.

21. Look within.Amend yourself, rather than pry into the frailties of others.

22. In this world of Maya, averse to the Lord, full of trials and tribulations, only patience, humility and respect for others are our friends for Hari-bhajana.

23. The Lord, Gaurasundara, puts His devotees in various difficulties and associations to test their patience and strength of mind. Success depends on their goodÊfortune.

24. When faults in others misguide and delude you - have patience, introspect, find faults in yourself. Know that others cannot harm you unless you harm yourself.

25. I wish that every selfless, tender-hearted person of Gaudiya Math will be prepared to shed two hundred gallons of blood for the nourishment of the spiritual corpus of every individual of this world.

<TABLE width="80%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD>

 

"Counteracting Kali-yuga"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.32-33

Vrndavana, September 27, 1976

 

listen

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

<HR width="60%" color=#ff0000 SIZE=1>

Submission and service to a bona fide master may manifest in various degrees after our initial connection of initiation. All good things devotionalcome from Guru. And by the grace of guru we will eventually receive inspiration to do more in the form of seva to please our Gurudev. Every day of our life is a new opportunity to engage all our energy in a multitude of serving activities that are truly life giving and pleasing to Krsna, the spiritual master and all the vaisnavas, when it starts bhakti continually begets more and more bhakti.

That is the magic of bhakti the more you give the more you have capacity. Not that we feel qualified, but we are aspiring to be, somewhere up ahead in eternity.

It would be rare indeed to ascend to any of the rasas on our own strength, it is told we are granted entrance into rasa only by the grace of those merciful agents situated or descending from that plane.

But if we are sincerely wanting it the Lord is making access available at all times, even to every town and village now. If we can't go to Him he is coming to us in the form of his devotees

Good analysis by a nice bhakta das.

Passing On: What It's Like To Die

Sunday October 14, 2007

Most of us have probably wondered what it is like to die - so scientists have tackled the issue head-on and revealed the macabre yet fascinating truth.

...And the other side of the story

New Scientist magazine has pondered the subject in great depth in its latest issue, discussing the various ways of meeting one's end, from being burned alive to drowning and decapitation.

The experts have taken their evidence from advances in medical sciences and accounts from lucky survivors.

Whatever the mode of death, it is usually a lack of oxygen to the brain that delivers the "coup de grace", says the report.

But in case there are still questions, here are some of their conclusions:

Drowning:

Victims first panic and try to hold their breath, typically for 30 to 90 seconds. Survivors have reported a "tearing and burning" sensation as water enters the lungs - but it is quickly followed by a feeling of calmness and tranquility. Oxygen deprivation results in loss of consciousness, the heart stopping and brain death.

Heart attack:

A "squeezing" chest pain, or feeling of pressure, is the most common symptom as the heart muscle struggles for oxygen. Disruption of the normal heart rhythm effectively stops the heart beating. Loss of consciousness can occur in about 10 seconds and death can follow minutes later.

Loss of blood:

Marked by several stages of "haemorrhagic shock". Anyone losing 1.5 litres of blood feels weak, thirsty and anxious. By the time two litres are lost, people experience dizziness, confusion and eventual unconsciousness.

<!-- ===== start MPU ===== --><!--JavaScript Tag with JS Keywords //Tag for the network 500: British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. // Website: Sky News // Page: Strange But True // Placement: Strange But True Content MPU (1001493) //created at: Apr 18, 2007 5:24:54 PM-->

<!-- ===== end MPU ===== -->Electrocution:

A household electric shock might stop the heart, leading to unconsciousness after around 10 seconds. Higher currents through the heart or brain can produce almost immediate unconsciousness. However, it has been claimed that prisoners executed with the electric chair may actually have died from heating of the brain or suffocation.

Fall from a height:

Survivors of great falls often report the sensation of time slowing down. A study of 100 suicide jumps from San Francisco's 246-ft-high Golden Gate Bridge found numerous cases of instantaneous death involving collapsed lungs, exploded hearts or damage to organs from broken ribs.

Hanging:

Hanging suicides and old-fashioned executions cause death by strangulation. This can lead to unconsciousness in 10 seconds but a poorly placed noose may result in many minutes of suffering. "Long drop" hangings are designed to break the neck. But a study of the remains of 34 prisoners executed in this way found that four-fifths died partly from asphyxiation.

Fire:

Burns inflict intense pain, and boost the skin's pain sensitivity. As superficial nerves are destroyed, some feeling is lost - but not much, according to experts. But most people who die in fires are actually killed by inhaling toxic gases and asphyxiation.

Decapitation:

Beheading can be swift and painless but consciousness is believed to continue for a short time after the spinal cord is severed. Experts have calculated that the brain might remain functioning for seven seconds. Reports from guillotine executions in France cited cases where movements of the eyes and mouth were seen for up to 30 seconds.

By Hari-sauri dasa

Here is a brief update on Nirguna prabhu:

October 10, 8:00 PM, Sridham Mayapur

Nirguna prabhu is in very good consciousness despite his body dwindling to practically skin and bone. He is only taking a little water, and that by shooting it into his mouth with a spray, but he is happy and looking forward to his departure. He told us this afternoon that when he first joined KC, he was told by the devotees there was no enjoyment in this material world, and at that time he didn’t really believe it. But now he said he understands it very clearly.

This afternoon the transcendental twins Jananivas and Pankajanghri prabhus spent some time chatting with him. He is having some nice realizations of progress in Krsna consciousness. He told us that initially when we join the movement, we are full of realizations and enthusiasm, we want to take sannyasa etc. But then after some time we retreat from that and we have to go through marriage, home, earning etc. But now he feels that he is making further and further progress to higher and higher levels, and now there is no falling back. It is very evident that he is fully detached from his body and everything connected with it, and he is centered on the only source of true satisfaction, Lord Krsna.

He is simply praying that Srila Prabhupada will come and take him at the right time. He is relishing readings from Caitanya Bhagavat by Bhakti Vishrambha Madhava Maharaja who has very kindly come to stay here until Nirguna prabhu leaves; 10th Canto readings of Krsna’s childhood pastimes, and some occasional readings of Srila Prabhupada’s pastimes. Some of the brahmacaris come to chant for him in the afternoons from 4-8 PM, many of the Mayapur youth are chanting for him also, and there is a small but enthusiastic squad of helpers to ease his last days in his broken body by providing almost constant massage to ease the pain of his paralysed legs. Janmastami and Samkalpa prabhus have worked hard to provide an ideal environment for his departure in the MIHET building, and have been very active in enlisting other devotees to assist.

Nirguna has been enlivened to receive calls from his godbrothers and sisters around the world. His number is 09332584165.

Its hard to say how much longer he will be with us, but he is setting a wonderful example of how to successfully complete this human form of life. If anyone wants to contact him for a last farewell before he moves to higher realms, India morning time is good for him from 6-9 AM.

Your humble servant, Hari-sauri dasa

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Eighty million years without sex

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> Asexual organisms are usually short-lived

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->The mystery of how an animal has survived for 80 million years without sex has been solved by UK scientists.

A Cambridge team says the creature owes its existence to a genetic quirk that offers some recompense for its prolonged celibacy.

Many asexual organisms have died out because they cannot adapt to changes in the natural world.

But an evolutionary trick allows this pond-dweller to survive when conditions change, researchers report in Science. <!-- E SF -->

<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg> There could be some benefit to millions of years without sex after all

Dr Alan Tunnacliffe, University of Cambridge

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->The animal is a tiny invertebrate known as a bdelloid rotifer. It lives in freshwater pools. If deprived of water, it survives in a desiccated state until water becomes available again.

The secret to this novel survival mechanism lies in a twist of asexual reproduction, whereby the animal is able to make two separate proteins from two different copies of a key gene.

Prolonged celibacy

Dr Alan Tunnacliffe, from the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge, who led the research, said his team had been able to show for the first time that gene copies in asexual animals can have different functions.

"It's particularly exciting that we've found different, but complementary, functions in genes which help bdelloid rotifers survive desiccation," he explained.

"Evolution of gene function in this way can't happen in sexual organisms, which means there could be some benefit to millions of years without sex after all."

The researchers discovered that two copies of a particular gene, known as LEA, in the asexual pond-dweller are different - giving rise to proteins with separate functions that protect the animal during dehydration.

One copy stops other essential protein molecules from clumping together as the animal dries out, while the second copy helps to maintain the fragile membranes that surround the creature's cells.

Genetic diversity

Humans and most other types of organism reproduce sexually. The union of sperm and eggs results in two copies (or a pair) of genetic instructions within a cell, one copy inherited from each parent.

This produces two nearly identical copies of each gene in each cell, and therefore two nearly identical proteins.

The "re-shuffling" of genetic material over many generations allows sexual animals to adapt to changes in their natural environment.

In contrast, many asexual organisms have died out because their rigid genetic make-up means they are unable to adapt in this way.

The latest discovery explains why the bdelloids have likely escaped this fate with their mechanism for generating genetic diversity in the absence of sexual reproduction. The study reported in Science magazine was conducted on a species of bdelloid rotifer known as Adineta ricciae.

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

Ram Mohan Roy, also written as Rammohun Roy, or Raja Ram Mohun Roy (Bangla: রাজা রামমোহন রায়, Raja Rammohon Rae), (May 22, 1772 – September 27, 1833) was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, one of the first Indian socio-religious reform movements. His remarkable influence was apparent in the fields of politics, public administration and education as well as religion. He is most known for his efforts to abolish the practice of sati, a Hindu funeral custom in which the widow sacrifices herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. It was he who first introduced the word "Hinduism" (or "Hindooism") into the English language in 1816.

In 1828, prior to his departure to England, Roy founded, with Dwarkanath Tagore, the Brahmo Samaj, which came to be an important spiritual and reformist religious movement that has given birth to a number of stalwarts of the Bengali social and intellectual reforms. For these contributions to society, Raja Ram Mohan Roy is regarded as one of the most important figures in the Bengal Renaissance.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Muslim scholars reach out to Pope

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> The Pope's remarks on Islam last year caused anger

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->More than 130

Muslim scholars have written to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding between the two faiths.

The letter says that world peace could depend on improved relations between Muslims and Christians.

It identifies the principles of accepting only one god and living in peace with one's neighbours as common ground between the two religions.

It also insists that Christians and Muslims worship the same god. <!-- E SF -->

The letter comes on the anniversary of an open letter issued to the Pope last year from 38 top Muslim clerics, after he made a controversial speech on Islam.

Pope Benedict sparked an uproar in September last year by quoting a medieval text which linked Islam to violence.

The letter coincides with the Eid al-Fitr celebrations to mark the end of Ramadan.

Koran and Bible

It was also sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the heads of the Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist churches, the Orthodox Church's Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I and other Orthodox Patriarchs.

The letter, entitled A Common Word Between Us and You, compares passages in the Koran and the Bible, concluding that both emphasise "the primacy of total love and devotion to God", and the love of the neighbour.

With Muslims and Christians making up more than half the world's population, the letter goes on, the relationship between the two religious communities is "the most important factor in contributing to meaningful peace around the world".

"As Muslims, we say to Christians that we are not against them and that Islam is not against them - so long as they do not wage war against Muslims on account of their religion, oppress them and drive them out of their homes," the letter says.

<!-- S IBOX --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibtbg>READ THE LETTER

<!-- S ILIN -->Open letter to Pope Benedict XVI [227KB]

<!-- E ILIN -->

Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader

<!-- S IINC -->Download the reader here

<!-- E IINC -->

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IBOX -->

It adds: "To those who nevertheless relish conflict and destruction for their own sake or reckon that ultimately they stand to gain through them, we say our very eternal souls are all also at stake if we fail to sincerely make every effort to make peace and come together in harmony."

One of the signatories, Dr Aref Ali Nayed, a senior adviser at the Cambridge Inter-faith Programme at Cambridge University, told the BBC that the document should be seen as a landmark.

"There are Sunnis, Shias, Ibadis and even the... Ismailian and Jaafari schools, so it's a consensus," he said.

Professor David Ford, director of the programme, said the letter was unprecedented.

"If sufficient people and groups heed this statement and act on it then the atmosphere will be changed into one in which violent extremists cannot flourish," he said in a statement. The letter was signed by prominent Muslim leaders, politicians and academics, including the Grand Muftis of Bosnia and Hercegovina, Russia, Croatia, Kosovo and Syria, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the former Grand Mufti of Egypt and the founder of the Ulema Organisation in Iraq.<!-- E BO -->

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

11_10_07_letter.pdf

by Kurma das the chef

Semolina halava is the most popular dessert served at any of the Hare Krishna restaurants worldwide. This version of the famous hot, fluffy pudding with juicy raisins, raw sugar, and walnut pieces rates high in the "halava-top-ten". I have cooked halava for 4 or 5 persons and for 1500 persons; either way, following the same basic steps yields equally stunning results.

The secret of good halava is to roast the semolina very slowly for at least 20 minutes, with enough butter so as not to scorch the grains. Steam the finished halava over very low heat with a tight-fitting lid for 5 minutes to fully plump the semolina grains; then allow it to sit covered for another 5 minutes. Fluffy, plump grained halava is best served hot, on its own, or with a spoonful of cream or custard. Serves 6 - 8 persons, or a couple of halava addicts.

• 2½ cups water
  
• 1¼ cups raw sugar
  
• 140 g unsalted butter, or ghee (1 ounce = 28.35 grams)
  
• 1¼ cups coarse-grained semolina (farina) - the more coarse the better 1/3 cup walnut pieces, or any nuts, or none at all a splash of pure rosewater 1 or 2 large, firm but ripe bananas, sliced fairly thinly

Combine the water and sugar in a 2-litre saucepan. Place over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to very low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Melt the butter or ghee in a 2- or 3-litre non-stick saucepan and over fairly low heat, stirring occasionally. Add the semolina. Slowly and rhythmically stir-fry the grains until they darken to a tan colour and become aromatic (about 20 minutes). Add the walnut pieces about halfway through the roasting. Stirring more carefully, raise the heat under the grains.

Raise the heat under the sugar water and bring the syrup to a rolling boil.

Remove the saucepan of semolina and butter from the heat, slowly pouring the hot syrup into the semolina, stirring steadily. The grains may at first splutter, but will quickly cease as the liquid is absorbed. Return the pan to the stove and stir steadily over low heat until the grains fully absorb the liquid, start to form into a pudding-like consistency, and pull away from the sides of the pan. Place a tight-fitting lid on the saucepan and cook over the lowest possible heat for 2 more minutes. Turn off the heat, splash in the rosewater, fold in the banana, and allow the halava to firm up, covered and off the heat, for an additional 5 minutes. Serve hot in dessert bowls as it is, or with the toppings suggested above.

http://blip.tv/file/411962

:pray: :pray:

<!--rightBar-->by Mahavan das, 2006

Introduction

By understanding the principles and why they're important / valuable, one can understand the details and how to apply them in different situations.

This is my own personal process based on what I've heard from guru, sadhu, and sastra, along with my own realizations; it's not necessarily "the way," or "the only way." I've realized I must do the following to give a good class:

Read Srila Prabhupada's Books Regularly

• You can only chant what you've heard (sravanam, then kirtanam);
  
• In this way it is obvious if a devotee reads (or what he reads) when he gives class, because "you can only chant what you've heard;"

Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.152:

"When a person receives the seed of devotional service, he should take care of it by becoming a gardener and sowing the seed in his heart. If he waters the seed gradually by the process of sravana and kirtana [hearing and chanting], the seed will begin to sprout."

Purport: To live with devotees or to live in a temple means to associate with the sravana-kirtana process….The word guru-prasada indicates that the spiritual master is very merciful in bestowing the boon of devotional service upon the disciple. That is the best possible gift the spiritual master has to offer.

Those with a background of pious life are eligible to receive life's supreme benefit, and to bestow this benefit, the Supreme Personality of Godhead sends His representative to impart His mercy. Endowed with the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master distributes the mercy to those who are elevated and pious. Thus the spiritual master trains his disciples to render devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is called guru-krpa.

…After receiving the spiritual master's mercy, one must repeat his instructions, and this is called sravana-kirtana—hearing and chanting. One who has not properly heard from the spiritual master or who does not follow the regulative principles is not fit for chanting (kirtana). This is explained in the Bhagavad-gita (2.41): vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana.

One who has not listened carefully to the instructions of the spiritual master is unfit for chanting or for preaching the cult of devotional service. One has to water the bhakti-lata-bija after receiving instructions from the spiritual master.

Who is my Audience?

Understand who is my audience and what will inspire them most in their Krishna consciousness. One must take into account time, place and circumstance; in other words the capacity of the audience and the most appropriate method of presentation for their understanding.

• Our Gurudeva uses the analogy of a pool: shallow end, middle and deep end;
  
• One should also not "speak over the audiences head," nor "under the audiences head;"
  
• This is austerity of speech;

Bhagavad-gita (17.15):

anudvega-karah vakyah

satyah priya-hitah ca yat

svadhyayabhyasanah caiva

vaì-mayah tapa ucyate

Synonyms: anudvega-karam—not agitating; vakyam—words; satyam—truthful; priya—dear; hitam—beneficial; ca—also; yat—which; svadhyaya—of Vedic study; abhyasanam—practice; ca—also; eva—certainly; vak-mayam—of the voice; tapau—austerity; ucyate—is said to be.

Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.

Purport (excerpt): One should not speak in such a way as to agitate the minds of others. Of course, when a teacher speaks, he can speak the truth for the instruction of his students, but such a teacher should not speak to those who are not his students if he will agitate their minds. This is penance as far as talking is concerned. Besides that, one should not talk nonsense.

One should not speak in such a way as to "agitate the minds of others." This can refer to "speaking to directly," or "over the audiences head," as Srila Prabhupada explains here—yet at the same time, one must speak the truth.

Purport (excerpt): The process of speaking in spiritual circles is to say something upheld by the scriptures. One should at once quote from scriptural authority to back up what he is saying. At the same time, such talk should be very pleasurable to the ear. By such discussions, one may derive the highest benefit and elevate human society. There is a limitless stock of Vedic literature, and one should study this. This is called penance of speech.

The most important aspect here is to speak for the benefit of the audience; this means to speak the truth, in a pleasing way, according to time, place and circumstance.

Repeat the Same Points Again and Again

I must try to repeat the same points again and again—I shouldn't be afraid of this, as it is a necessary part of the educational process; but I also must be imaginative, always thinking of new examples and angles of presentation. How many times did Srila Prabhupada present "you're not this body?"

Bhagavad-gita, 2.25:

"The soul is consciousness and conscious—that also is the statement of the Vedas, and we have to accept that. Unlike the bodily changes, there is no change in the soul. As eternally unchangeable, the soul remains atomic in comparison to the infinite Supreme Soul. The Supreme Soul is infinite, and the atomic soul is infinitesimal. Therefore, the infinitesimal soul, being unchangeable, can never become equal to the infinite soul, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This concept is repeated in the Vedas in different ways just to confirm the stability of the conception of the soul. Repetition of something is necessary in order that we understand the matter thoroughly, without error."

Bhagavad-gita, 11.19:

You are without origin, middle or end. Your glory is unlimited. You have numberless arms, and the sun and moon are Your eyes. I see You with blazing fire coming forth from Your mouth, burning this entire universe by Your own radiance.

Purport: There is no limit to the extent of the six opulences of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here and in many other places there is repetition, but according to the scriptures, repetition of the glories of Krishna is not a literary weakness. It is said that at a time of bewilderment or wonder or of great ecstasy, statements are repeated over and over. That is not a flaw.

Bhagavad-gita, ?

One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn't care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and who is engaged in devotional service—such a person is very dear to Me.

Purport (excerpt): We may find some repetition in the descriptions of the qualifications of a devotee, but this is just to emphasize the fact that a devotee must acquire all these qualifications. Without good qualifications, one cannot be a pure devotee.

In other words, repetition is good and necessary. Yet at the same time, Srila Prabhupada said he was "always thinking of new ways to present how ‘we are not this body.'"

Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1.5.16, purport:

"The expert devotees also can discover novel ways and means to convert the non devotees in terms of particular time and circumstance. Devotional service is dynamic activity, and the expert devotees can find out competent means to inject it into the dull brains of the materialistic population.

Such transcendental activities of the devotees for the service of the Lord can bring a new order of life to the foolish society of materialistic men. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His subsequent followers exhibited expert dexterity in this connection (Srila Prabhupada in particular). By following the same method, one can bring the materialistic men of this age of quarrel into order for peaceful life and transcendental realization."

Srila Prabhupada was always thinking of "you're not the body" examples—how many can we think of?

• Car and driver (Bg. 18.61);
  
• Body as a garment (Bg. 2.22);
  
• Dress of a drowning man;
  
• Changing bodies even in this life;
  
• Sun illuminates the universe;
  
• Live body / dead body;
  
• "I hand" or "my hand"?

The same point presented repeatedly presented from many different angles— this involves deep contemplation, which is an essential part of the process of Krishna consciousness.

Our main purpose of giving class is to expand the knowledge, understanding, and realization of the persons giving and hearing the class.

This is achieved by:

• Hearing, contemplation, application, and further contemplation;
  
• We can use many practical techniques, a few of which we will now discuss;

Preparation Details

I'm explaining the process for Srimad-Bhagavatam class—of course, particularly here in Wellington, there are many arenas in which to give classes—Krishna Fest, Bhagavad-gita classes, Loft-style discussions, seminars, etc., all requiring a slightly different approach. However, I've chosen to give the Srimad-Bhagavatam class as a practical example, as it is probably the one we'll get the most experience in, at least in the beginning:

1. Read the whole chapter, at least the translations;
   
2. Ascertain the main theme / themes;
   
3. How does this chapter relate to others, preceding or proceeding in this canto?
   
4. Read the verse and purport as many times as possible (at least 3-5 times), including the synonyms (notice how with each reading you get more depth of understanding);
   
5. Beginning with the verse, again ascertain the main theme(s) in this particular verse and try to understand how it fits into the chapter theme(s) and that of the whole canto and Bhagavatam;
   
6. Next move to the purport: try to understand how and why Srila Prabhupada has stressed and expanded on certain themes, etc. (he does this a lot by singling out one Sanskrit word);
   
7. At this stage in the class preparation, we need some tools for expanding our understanding and presentation:
   • Slokas: try to quote and expand on any Srila Prabhupada has used in this purport, as well as others connected to them to expand understanding;
     
   • Analogies: try to quote and expand on any Srila Prabhupada has used in this purport, as well as others connected to them to expand understanding;
     
   • Cross-referencing with other scriptures (philosophically): particularly Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya-caritamrta, etc. (a good example of this is the Nectar of Instruction );
     
   • Logic and reason: logical arguments that back up the sastric conclusion;
     
   • Pastimes: other examples from sastra through lila;
     
   • Personal experience/realization: these are very powerful because one "owns one's own experience," so to speak, and can therefore present it with full conviction;
     
   • Statistics / current affairs: give a modern context to the subject matter and create interest—sastra to the world / world to sastra—this gives very practical realization to both speaker and hearer of the relevancy of Vedic knowledge in our "everyday life;"
     
   • Question the audience: not just at the end, but also during the class. This interaction is stimulating and makes the audience feel part of what's being presented. Our Gurudeva does this a lot with great efficacy;
     
   • Conclusion / Summery: recap the main points and give a conclusion which everyone can practically apply. This is very important—there must be a practical conclusion that everyone can apply;
     
   • One may not necessarily use all these "tools" in one presentation, but it's good to have a "full tool kit," in any case;

    

Topic: Impersonalism—Proof of the Existence of God—Understanding Krishna

• You've gone through steps 1 to 7;
  
• Sloka's: Srila Prabhupada has quoted Bg. 7.25 (nahah prakacau sarvasya) in His purport, explaining that this is Krishna's reciprocation with the atheists—those who try to prove that God is impersonal through the speculative process;
  
• You could quote: Bg. 7.1—explaining that if one can "prove the existence of God" only by accepting "Gods process." Krishna say's "I'll prove to you that I'm God through the process of Bhakti" as previously explained, at the end of chapter 6;
  
• Analogy: The process for "proving the existence of God" is given only in the Vedic knowledge—this is established through the analogy of "Veda Mata."
  
• Analogy 2: The impersonalists attempt to understand God and prove that He is impersonal through the Veda's by their speculative method, is however is compared to one trying to taste honey by liking the outside of the bottle. Devotees, however, "take off the lid" by following the "Veda Mata as She is;"
  
• Cross-referencing with other scriptures (philosophically): particularly Bhagavad-gita, Cc, etc.—this point was explained by Lord Caitanya to Prakasananda Sarasvati;
  
• Cross-referencing with other scriptures (sloka) 2: and also by Lord Brahma in Srimad-Bhagavatam 1014.29:

athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-

prasada-lecanugahita eva hi

janati tattvah bhagavan-mahimno

na canya eko 'pi cirah vicinvan

"My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years."

• Logic and reason (1): logical arguments that back up the sastric conclusion—Is it logical that the cause can't account for the effect?
  
• Logic and reason (2): Sometimes atheists also ask devotee's to "prove the existence of God." Example: Prabhupada being asked: "can you prove God by logic?"
  
• Pastimes: other examples from sastra through lila: The four Kumars / Sukadeva Gosvami / Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya—these pastime examples prove that God is ultimately the Supreme Person (purusottama);
  
• Personal experience / realization: One can give an example from sankirtan, of meeting an impersonalist / atheist and discussing these points;
  
• Statistics / current affairs: an example might be stats of how many people believe in God in our country, and out of those who do, how many believe that God is a person—this would show modern trends and provide possible preaching angles;

   

  • One might also have some quote from a celebrity like the Pope or Prime Minister, etc., on the subject, reflecting the popular prevailing mind set or current political stance;

   

  [*]Question the audience: One might ask for others' experience on these points, or ask, "Has anyone ever challenged you to prove the existence of God, or to prove that Krishna is God? What was your reaction and how did it affect the situation?"

  [*]Conclusion / Summary:

  "So to conclude, the position of the atheists and
  mayavadis
  is not strong, as it goes against our own experience, logic, and reason and is not supported by the Veda's—my understanding is that we should become more attached to devotional service, which is the only way to ‘scientifically prove the personal existence of God' in full, free from doubt, as Krishna confirms in the first verse I quoted (Bg. 7.1). Therefore we should read
  The Nectar of Devotion
  every day with careful attention to fully understand the ‘complete science of Bhakti-yoga,' and in this way become factually convinced of the personal existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

   

Other Points

• If you want to speak without notes, go through the class from beginning to end—first with your notes and then in your mind, several times to solidify the presentation (this is a good thing to do in any case);
  
• Sambandha, abhideya & prayojana: a good class should contain aspects of all three, particularly in the conclusion;
  
• Humor—nice but don't overdo it;
  
• Ask for feedback, positive and negative, in order to improve next time;

Do's and Don'ts

• Strong introduction and conclusion: strong, decisive opening and finishing statements attract attention, create interest, and leave a lasting impression—don't "um and are," etc.;
  
• Don't apologize at the beginning of the class: whether it'sfor not preparing or for not being qualified to speak, or whatever—this has the opposite effect of "making a strong opening statement;"
  
• Pausing: nice for creating tension and anticipation, but don't over-do it, as it makes the mood rather "heavy;"
  
• Don't speak for too long: 30-45 min. is good, particularly for guests—60 min. max., unless you are giving a seminar or study class;
  
• Sit up straight and face the audience: very important for good communication and creating and maintaining interest—if you are alert and inspired, there's a better chance the audience will be, too;
  
• Look at the audience: as above and also important for making the audience feel you're "speaking to them;"
  
• Speak clearly and at a moderate speed: don't mumble or speak tooslow or too fast, as this will irritate the audience;
  
• Vary your speaking tone: monotones are "super boring," whereas variation creates and maintains interest;
  
• Mood: make sure the mood is not too heavy and not too light;" variation is good for making certain points;
  
• Don't fidget: this is very distracting for the audience—have yourself all organized and composed well before the class is about to start. This will cut down on the fidgeting (which may also be unconscious, so you may ask a friend, "how do I fidget," so you are aware and can correct the tendency);
  
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation: otherwise what happens? Also moderate the temperature if possible, to avoid the same scenario;

Link to the original MS-Word document

<LI class="first last taxonomy_term_329">Manuals & Instructions

Unless one is situated as pure Vaisnava in his dealing, in his behavior,

inside and outside,

he should not become a preacher because it will not be effective,

neither one should hear from such person.

But people in general,

they cannot understand,

but those who are preaching,

they must be very sincere,

the same way.

Rupa-raghunatha pade, haibe akuti.

They should read the literatures,

the instruction, just like Upadesamrta, The Nectar of Instruction.

We should follow, strictly follow.

Then prthivim sa sisyat.

Then you'll be able to preach and make disciples all over the world.

This is the injunction.

That is called gosvami.

Don't be cheap preacher, cheap guru.

No, no. That is not good.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.28 --

-- Mayapur, March 6, 1976

BOOKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

George Bush returns to Booker Elementary School to talk to the kids to get a little PR. After his talk he offers question time.

One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him his name.

"Stanley," responds the little boy.

"And what is your question, Stanley?"

"I have three questions. First, why are you President when Al Gore and John Kerry got more votes? Second, why did you just keep reading that book about pet goats? And third, why was Cheney there holding your hand and the Commissioners weren’t allowed to take notes?"

Just then, the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that they will continue after recess.

When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh, that's right: Question time. Who has a question?"

Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his name.

"Bobby," he responds.

"And what is your question, Bobby?"

"Actually, I have five questions. Why are you President when Al Gore and John Kerry got more votes? Second, why did you just keep reading that book about pet goats? Third, why was Cheney there holding your

hand and the Commissioners weren’t allowed to take notes? Fourth, why did the recess bell go off twenty minutes early? And fifth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"<?/bigger><?/fontfamily><?fontfamily><?param Arial><?bigger>

Banana Halavah (Kela Halavah)

• 6 bananas
  
• 1 &1/2 t cardamom seeds(peeled)
  
• 4 T butter
  
• 1 & 1/2 cups water
  
• 2 T blanched almonds
  
• 1 t rose water
  
• saffron

Melt butter in a heavy skillet. Peel and cut bananas into 1 inch pieces. Fry in butter 5-7 minutes on medium heat. Stir often and mash after they have fried for 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water. Simmer with care on low heat for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir the sugar into the remaining 1 cup water and add to the bananas. Boil gently 15 minutes. Stir often to prevent scorching, and also to thicken mixture. Add rose water, remove and pour into a shallow dish. Bruise the cardamom seeds and sprinkle on halavah. Sliver the almonds, and sprinkle enough saffron to colour the halavah golden. Offer hot or cold.

The simple fact is that Srila Prabhupada deputed certain disciples to act on his behalf regarding the monitoring of aspirants and seeing that they meet the stipulations of a sincere and eager aspiring disciple.

 

He delegated many portions of what most people mistakenly believe ONLY the individual person called the Spiritual Master can execute in this relation.

 

This is a bad case of selective memory, and an offense to the concept that an Acharya has broad latitude as to how he "gets to know" aspirants and dispenses their individual sadhana.

 

His orders were crystal clear, he worked with who stepped up to the plate, if they fumbled the ball, it is not that his instructions were not potent, it was that they were not followed.

 

So the spiritual master never left the building. His deputies were and are physically present. As for their behavior, well that is up to free will. And let us not forget the detailed instructions laced throughout his books.

Rtvikism is Vulgar Apa-Siddhanta

BY: BALAVIDYA DASA

Oct 4, USA (SUN) — In his recent posting, which questions our earlier posting "A Successful Guru Policy", Gadadhara dasa starts by saying we have three choices as regards guru. This is incorrect. We only have one choice if we actually want to practice spiritual life correctly. That one choice is to surrender to guru, sadhu and sastra with sincerity and chaste adherence.

Then, he misrepresents our statements by saying we have advocated what he calls the "the self-declared guru". Whence he has got this odd phrase "the self-declared guru", is not clear but it certainly isn't anything we have even mentioned. We have simply stated that if someone is interested in diksa, then he should examine carefully and intimately that prospective guru, as per the sastric guidelines. Thus we have only repeated sastric edicts.

Next, he attempts to decry any supervisory role for the GBC within ISKCON, and then, a couple of sentences later, contradicts himself by saying that the GBC didn't step in quickly enough with Balabadra S.

In the letter, to Karandhara, 1972, Srila Prabhupada certainly gives a supervisory role to the GBC:

• 
  "Each centre remains independent, that's all right, but the president and other officers must themselves follow and see the others are following the regulative principles carefully, and giving them good instruction so they may understand nicely why this tapasya is necessary. And GBC and Sannyasis will travel and see the officers are doing this, and if they observe anything lowering of the standard, they must reform and advise."
  

So Srila Prabhupada directed the GBC to supervise the spiritual standards. Now if someone misbehaves and says the like of "Lord Siva is Supreme and now we can smoke ganja!", then obviously the GBC must step in and carefully set the matter right. But Gadadhara dasa in his statements displays antipathy towards Srila Prabhupada's directions that the GBC have a supervisory role.

Next we see that Gadadhara dasa mood is to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" as regards the GBC. And a very negative and destructive mood issues from his statements; he seems to be blaming everyone but himself for his initiation problems.

Then finally, Gadadhara dasa reveals himself and shows why he's in such a philosophical mess: He's a ten-thousand year posthumous diksa-guru advocate. No wonder he's relying on bad logic and emotionalism to push his many times defeated concoction.

He asks: "Why not follow the Rtvik system?"

Well, the answer to that is quite simple: No, because Rtvikism is ridiculous. If Gadadhara dasa wants to convince anybody he should do so by providing instances from sadhu and sastra that support the odd Rtvik interpretation of the July 9th letter. But the Rtviks never do. Because they know, but can never admit, that there is nothing in sadhu and sastra to support such a foolish interpretation. Absolutely nothing.

What Gadadhara dasa doesn't realize is that he is confused and emotional because he is maintaining a great offense: He is misrepresenting the teaching of a great acarya by saying that that acarya created 10,000 year Rtvikism - clearly something unheard of in our Sampradaya. By offensively misrepresenting that sublime Acarya's restatement of eternal sastric principles, his intelligence is confounded and thus prone to increasing duplicity and mental speculation. One result is the illogical and disingenuous argumentation we find in his posting.

This proclivity for word-jugglery and mud-slinging is all the Rtviks have to offer because they can never offer any positive proof from sadhu and sastra to support their vulgar apa-siddhanta. No matter how many times they are challenged to come up with such positive proofs, they always return empty.

We hope this is found helpful,

Your servant,

Balavidya dasa

Srimad Bhagavatam purport, 4.16.1:

• 
  "As stated by Narottama dasa Thakura, sadhu-sastra-guru: one has to test all spiritual matters according to the instructions of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master. The spiritual master is one who follows the instructions of his predecessors, namely the sadhus, or saintly persons. A bona fide spiritual master does not mention anything not mentioned in the authorized scriptures. Ordinary people have to follow the instructions of sadhu, sastra and guru. Those statements made in the sastras and those made by the bona fide sadhu or guru cannot differ from one another.":pray: :pray:
  

Interesting, to be sure, but you evade the question. What specifically in the comments of the President is counter to Vaishnava conception?

Perhaps the following article will be useful in understanding 'the words of an evil man' :

<!--Spacer div fudge for Opera 7-->

<!-- To change picture from left to right, change "TopicImgLeft" to "TopicImgRight" -->By Amil Imani

To understand Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's mindset and behavior require close scrutiny of the elaborate and intricate theology of Hujetieh Shiism, perhaps the most fundamentalist of the numerous Shiite sects.

In the 1950s, a group of Islamic clergy led by Sheikh Mahmoud Halabi (a close associate of Ayatollah Khomeini) formed a society called the Anjoman-e Khayryyehye Hujjatiyyah-ye Mahdaviat (Charitable Society of the Mahdi), based in Mashhad, Iran. The Hujjatyyah membership was mostly composed by the bazaar-i businessmen and fanatical mullahs. Among many things, they were against the communists, Marxists, and atheists. Their overarching "raison d'être," however, was to prepare the world for the upcoming of the 12th Imam -- the Mehdi.

However, the most important immediate agenda item on their list was to harass and persecute the Baha'is, a religious group representing a small percentage of Iran's population. In fact, the Hujjatiyyah-y's alternative name became "The anti-Baha'i Society" (Anjuman-e Zidd-e Baha'iyat). They collectively worked for a single purpose: the eradication of Baha'is.

The terrible plight of the Baha'is in Iran is particularly heart-wrenching, since they are the largest non-Muslim population in the country and have been, from day one, severely brutalized by Muslims. Baha'i teachings of tolerance and openness to science are anathema to the Islamofascists on many levels, but the history of the faith includes direct challenges to the theological legitimacy of the mullahs. These slaveholders find the Baha'i faith a threat to their own version of Islam and the absolute theocratic power it puts their hands.

The egomaniac President Ahmadinejad is a member of Hujjatiyyah. He sees himself as the personal vassal of the Mahdi-Messiah or Hidden Imam, with whom he has fantasized tête-à-têtes frequently.

Ahmadinejad, a man driven by his religion, has a spiritual advisor in Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi (the defacto leader of the Hojatieh). The President's advisor is known for his extremist views on Islam and promotes suicide bombings and attacks on civilians in the West. There is only view of Islam for him. He once said, "...if anyone tells you their own interpretation of Islam, punch them in the mouth!"

President Ahmedinejad has in a short time acquired great many descriptors at home and overseas: zealot, fascist, fanatic, anti-Semitic, lunatic and more. One prominent Western columnist called him "unhinged." But we cannot just dismiss the man as an aberration, someone who is in urgent need of psychological help, a person out of touch with reality, who represents nothing of substance.

Once again the West is misreading and misjudging people and events in the Middle East, due to the fact that it views things through its own prism.

Looking at the man through Western spectacles, he indeed appears to be all of the above and more. Yet Ahmadinejad is far from unhinged. As a matter of fact he is firmly hinged to a set of beliefs that dictate his views of the world, and inform him how he should deal with it from his position of power.

An unhinged man has the potential of becoming once again hinged. But, there is very little that can be done to a person who is inseparably hinged, and Ahmadinejad views are firmly rooted in the most orthodox philosophy of Shiism.

For our purposes, however, it is sufficient to document the fact that Ahmadinejad is not mentally disturbed; there is no display of contradictory thoughts and behavior. There is a full internal consistency in Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad's words, deeds and beliefs show a fully hinged person.

Below are a few examples of his sayings, beliefs and actions. Whether one agrees or disagrees with them, they all fit perfectly into a consistent pattern.

▪ He literally believes in the imminent emergence of the Mahdi - the Shiites' promised one who is expected to appear to set aright a decadent and wretched world.

▪ He views himself as the vassal of Mahdi, working for him and being accountable to him.

▪ His main task is to prepare the world so to hasten the Mahdi's coming. If this preparation requires much destruction and bloodshed, so be it.

▪ As a former mayor of Tehran, he developed elaborate detailed plans preparing the city for the arrival of the Mahdi.

▪ He allocated generous sums for extensive road improvement to a mosque at Jamkaaraan near the city of Qum where it is believed the promised Mahdi is hiding in a well since the age of nine, over 1100 years ago.

▪ He reportedly visits the well frequently and drops his written supplications into the well for the hidden Mahdi to act upon them.

▪ He has said in private that it was he who asked the Mahdi to inflict the massive stroke on Ariel Sharon.

▪ He sees the Jews as the sworn enemies of Islam. The hostility dates back to the time of Muhammad's own treatment of the Jews in Medina. At first, expediently, Muhammad called the Jews "people of the book," and accorded them a measure of tolerance until he gained enough power to unleash his devastating wrath on them.

▪ He says that the Holocaust is a myth. He is, in this respect, in good company with a number of other revisionist fanatics.

▪ He wants Israel to be wiped out of the map or transferred to Europe.

▪ In his speech at the UN general assembly, he implored the Mahdi to come and save the world. He claimed that during his speech of some twenty odd minutes, a powerful light enveloped him and all participants were held transfixed, unable to move their eyes.

▪ He believes that the earth is Allah's and all people must either become believers of his brand of Islam or must perish as infidels najis (unclean) who by their very presence defile Allah's earth.

▪ He believes that this earthly life is passing and worthless in comparison to the afterlife awaiting a devoted and faithful believer. Hence, he holds to the old belief that if a faithful kills an infidel, he goes to Allah's paradise; and, if the faithful gets killed in the process of serving the faith, again he goes to Allah's paradise. Hence, it is a win-win proposition for the faithful.

Ahmadinejad is a true devoted Muslim. Being unpredictable, self-contradictory and inconsistent are major symptoms of the mentally unhinged. By these standards of insanity, Ahmadinejad emerges as completely sane. He is fully predictable, consistent and has shown no self-contradiction. He does not even pretend that he misspoke or apologize for his outrageous statements. He is not a typical politician who practices the devious art of doublespeak, deception and change of position to suit his immediate convenience.

He knows who he is, what he believes, and what his own mission in life is: serving as the instrument for the revered Mahdi. Allah will make him emerge from the well as soon as the world's conditions hit absolute hopeless bottom. Ahmadinejad sees himself as a driver who can play a critical role in doing just that, driving the world to the very bottom. And he plans on having an arsenal of nuclear weapons as soon as possible.

There is nothing really "unhinged" about Ahamadinejad's thinking, statements and actions. They are internally consistent. He is simply a fanatic who is wedded to an extremely dangerous exclusionary system of belief. Humanity must learn that dismissing him as alunatic will result in great suffering, as it did with Hitler.

Tragically, Ahmadinejad is the embodiment of several million people who are hinged exactly like him and who are willing to give their lives, and take with them as many lives as required in the service of their belief. In this age of Weapons of Mass Destruction a man with huge sums of petrodollars can serve as the catalyst of total annihilation.

Prudence would err on the side of being an alarmist than a complacent dismissive.

Ahmadinejad and his ilk are not interested in any negotiation, any compromise or any live-and-let-live final solution. They are determined to be the soldiers of Mahdi come-what-may. They have no problem with the total destruction of the world. They are headed for a life of eternal bliss in Allah's paradise. They hardly care, even rejoice, if the rest of humanity is subjected to a tragic death in the nuclear, biological and chemical wasteland of planet earth.

Humanity cannot afford and must not ignore the emergence of the final threat to its very existence on this planet.

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Tibet etc... All these countries have serious ethnic strife.

 

Why ? Why is India surrounded by all sides by these countries with such intractable societal problems? What is the meaning here?

<!-- end .post-top --><!-- the main section of the post goes here -->

AN INTERVIEW WITH PARTHA SARATHI DASA on the 30th of September and 3rd of October

By Hari-sauri dasa

* He first shouted out the name ‘Krsna!’ when he was six years old. He didn’t know what it meant at the time nor did his Jewish parents but it stuck with him.

* He first met the devotees in 1998.

* He is a sergeant on his fourth tour of duty in Iraq. He is in charge of ‘40 devotees’ as he put it.

* He has an asrama in his barracks in Iraq where he worships 3 Ugra Narasimha-shilas, big Laksmi-Narsimha and also Krsna-Balarama govardhan-shilas.

* The asrama is a small room. He sleeps on the floor and cooks for himself on a single hot plate.

* Some of his men are chanting and reading Srila Prabhupada’s books regularly (see photo of Bhakta Kennedy).

* He goes on missions everyday, for 12-16 hours a day.

* In his spare time he is building a ratha from materials donated by US contractors, and doing sankirtan.

* When I asked where he finds the time he replied, “I average 3 hours sleep so that I can maintain my sadhana, worship my Sila’s and preach.”

* He takes a shila out with him whenever he goes on a mission, and keeps Him in his body armor.

* On a recent mission he had to give medical aid to 56 dying Iraqis. Many of them died as he was treating them, so he was chanting to them, giving Jagannath prasadam in their mouths and placing his Ugra Nrsimha-shila on their heads as they left their bodies.

* He said they were very grateful to have some spiritual input while they were dying.

* He sent me the attached photo of his Krsna Balaram shilas. I told him, “They look really blissful, like They are enjoying your service like anything.”

* His reply: “I hope so… funny I have had a dream for the last 2 weeks, of 2 Govardhan Sila’s, saying “Come and take care of US, we are Radha Syama!’”

* I told him: “Haribol! You are really getting some special mercy there. Sounds like there is some transcendental competition going on for your services.”

* His reply: “Ha. I think They have pity on me. I also had a dream that a sadhu gave Vaish Prabhu (Vaisheseka dasa) and Kesava Bharati Goswami 2 Govardhan Silas for me.”

* In the short conversation we had today Oct. 3, he told me he was taking the day off because the mission he was on last night was hit by three IEDs – roadside bombs. So he is taking some time to try and recover his hearing.

* He is keeping a positive perspective on it all: “I lost most of my hearing in one ear last time and now I wear an earplug in the good one… but it did some damage.. So I walk around and scream to people standing next to me. Its actually humorous. Krsna is really amazing to put me through all this, just to bring out my attachment to Him and his devotees. If I never found this movement I would be mad at God, now I understand that He will give me exactly what I can handle and no more. That a life without KC is a wasted chance and I want to share that with others.”

* When he finishes this last tour next September 2008, he wants to visit India. It will be his first trip there.

* I would like to request the readers of Dandavats.com to keep this great soul in their prayers and hearts and encourage him in his preaching. You can’t get more front-line than this! Please bless him so that he can visit the holy dhamas when his military business is finished.

<!-- end .post-middle --><!-- the bottom of the post, the background graphic gets applied here --><!-- Blink It • Del.icio.us • Furl • Spurl • Technorati • BoingBoing • Slashdot • Digg

-->

<!-- end .post-bottom --><!-- <rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:trackback="http://madskills.com/public/xml/rss/module/trackback/"> <rdf:Description rdf:about="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4472" dc:identifier="http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4472" dc:title="AN INTERVIEW WITH PARTHA SARATHI DASA" trackback:ping="http://www.dandavats.com/wp-trackback.php?p=4472" /></rdf:RDF> --> <!--

-->

And, when I try and fail, it's just an irritation to my neighbors.

23. By sincerely endeavoring to chant Harinam without offences and remaining fixed in chanting constantly, one's offences will fade and pure Harinam will arise on the tongue.

24. As mundane thoughts arise while taking Harinam, one should not become discouraged. A secondary consequence of taking Harinam is that these useless mundane thoughts will gradually dissipate; therefore one should not worry about this. By dedicating one's mind, body, and words to serving Sri Nama and continuing to chant with great persistence, Sri Nama Prabhu will grant one darsan of His supremely auspicious transcendental form. And by continuing to chant until one's anarthas are fully eradicated by the power of Sri Nama realization of His form, qualities and pastimes will automatically arise.

We should understand that the loud calling out of Krsna's names is bhakti. :namaskar:

The Upadesavali Of Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada

1. "Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam–supreme victory to the congregational chanting of Krsna’s names" - this is Sri Gaudiya Math’s sole object of worship.

2. Sri Krsna, who is the visaya-vigraha or the object of the devotee’s prema, is the sole enjoyer, and all others are to be enjoyed by Him.

3. Those who don't perform Hari-bhajana are ignorant and murderers of their own soul.

4. The acceptance of Harinama and direct realization of Bhagavan are one and the same.

5. Those who equate the demigods with Visnu are unable to serve Bhagavan.

6. Establishing a printing press to print devotional books and preaching by organizing Nama Hatta programs constitutes genuine service to Sri Mayapur.

7. We are not doers of good or bad deeds, nor are we scholars or illiterate. Carrying the shoes of Hari's pure devotees as our duty, we are initiates into the mantra "kirtaniya sada hari".

8. Preaching without following proper conduct falls within the category of karma, mundane activity. Without criticizing the nature of other, one should correct one's self - this is my personal instruction.

9. Serving the Vrajavasis who felt great separation from Krsna when He left Vraja to reside in Mathura is our supreme constitutional occupation.

10. If we desire to follow an auspicious course in life, then disregarding the theories of even countless people we should hear instructions only from a transcendental source.

11. Life as an animal, bird, insect, or any other of the countless thousands of species is acceptable, but taking shelter of deceit is thoroughly improper. Only an honest person possesses real auspiciousness.

12. Simple heartedness is synonymous with Vaisnavism. Servants of paramahamsa Vaisnava should be simple-hearted, a quality which makes them the topmost brahmanas.

13. Helping to draw conditioned souls away from their perverted attachment to this material energy is the greatest compassion. If even one soul is rescued from maha-maya's fortress, that compassionate act is infinitely more benevolent than the construction of unlimited hospitals.

14. We have not come to this world to be construction workers; we are the bearers of Sri Caitanyadeva's instructions.

15. We will not remain in this world for long, and by profusely performing Hari-kirtan, upon relinquishing these material bodies we will experience the ultimate reward of embodied life.

16. The foot-dust of Sri Rupa Goswami, the fulfiller of Sri Caitanyadeva's inner desires is our life's sole desired object.

17. If I were to desist from lecturing about the Absolute Truth due to being fearful that some listeners may be displeased, I would be deviating from the path of Vedic truth and accepting the path of untruth. I would become one who is inimical to the Vedas, an atheist, and would no longer possess faith in Bhagavan, the very embodiment of Truth.

18. Krsna's darsan can only be attained through the medium of the ear as one hears Hari-katha from pure Vaisnavas; there is no other way.

19. Wherever Hari-katha is being spoken is a holy place.

20. Proper sravana, hearing, is accomplished through the medium of kirtan, and this will give one the good opportunity to practice smarana, remembrance. Then internal experience of rendering direct service to the astakaliya-lila, Sri Radha-Krsna's pastimes in each of the eight parts of the day, becomes possible.

21. We should understand that the loud calling out of Krsna's names is bhakti.

22. Bhagavan will not accept anything, that is offered by a person who doesn't chant Harinam one-hundred thousand times daily (1 lakh of names).

23. By sincerely endeavoring to chant Harinam without offences and remaining fixed in chanting constantly, one's offences will fade and pure Harinam will arise on the tongue.

24. As mundane thoughts arise while taking Harinam, one should not become discouraged. A secondary consequence of taking Harinam is that these useless mundane thoughts will gradually dissipate; therefore one should not worry about this. By dedicating one's mind, body, and words to serving Sri Nama and continuing to chant with great persistence, Sri Nama Prabhu will grant one darsan of His supremely auspicious transcendental form. And by continuing to chant until one's anarthas are fully eradicated by the power of Sri Nama realization of His form, qualities and pastimes will automatically arise.