Govindaram

Hare Krishna I am Not judging anyone, Lord Krishna knows my defects and good points, He will destroy them one day, when I surrender unto Him and I will say, thankyou Krishna..now where's that makhan! Haribol! (sorry Krishna I just joking)

Hare Krishna Thanks, for explaining about yourself, it helps to know who people are, behind their comments (sometimes!) Anyway... you seem to have done a lot for other people with preaching KC, Again, I asked because even Great devotees leaded somewhat regulated lives, with chanting etc.. But I think you are right I can't understand 'these things' yet, so would you kindy explain please!

Hare Krishna Guruvani r u practising Srila Prabhupada's teachings.. I am curious as you seem to have associated with devotees, or, has Maya put you into sinful life again.. /images/graemlins/mad.gif u don't have to answer ofcourse but r u a least.. chanting 16 rounds of Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra a day, not sure why I'm asking this maybe just to see, if your words have any bearing, if u know what I mean /images/graemlins/smile.gif /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Haribol..thanks for that it took me about 10 reads before I realised what you meant, to give an example which somebody gave me 'off topic' about the soul... the soul is watching television, we have choice to turn it OFF! (not change channels!), or watch another programme in a 100 years (depending on age) the souls wants to enjoy, live in its own little world, not realising it own blissful nature, the only way to help it is ..... through the chanting of the names of Krishna Hare Krishna /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Krishna /images/graemlins/smile.gif Krishna Krishna /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Hare /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Rama /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Rama /images/graemlins/smile.gif Rama Rama /images/graemlins/smile.gif Hare Hare /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hare Krishna Prabhupada then told him that according to his guru Maharaja anyone who does not chant 64 rounds in a day is considered fallen Just reading the above makes me feel like chanting 64 rounds I think I could do it I mean it's just 16 x 4 Plus my mind is very fickle so I could probably trick it into thinking it's just chanted 16 rounds..ha ha. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hare Krishna R U the incarnation of Vyasadeva for 'vaishnava sites' by any chance? /images/graemlins/wink.gif he single handidly wrote the Srimad Bhagavatam as well! /images/graemlins/smile.gif just kidding.... /images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Hare Krishna A devotee of Radha-Krishna mentioned this to me- That Sri Radha committed suicide jumped from Govardhana Hill, and went to the Sun planet then to Dvaraka as Satyabhama, But another Sri Radha was still in Vrindavan! As for the Jewel - Krishna gave it to Balaram to Madhumangal and He gave it to Sri Radha because of Gopis jealousy if Krishna gave it directly to Sri Radha. I think its from the book Udhava Sandesh by Sri Rupa Goswami, but you need to buy it to find out..

Me: you said Radha-Krishna loves you, <font color="red"> Him: of course u part of them </font color> Me: but in SP books it says Krishna neither hates anyone or LOVES anyone but is esp. inclined to His Pure Devotee <font color="red"> Him: sun and shining </font color> Me: Srila Prabhupada books <font color="red"> Him: U his constitutions and Prabhupada mean material love attraction </font color> <font color="red">Him: Krishna Love Radha more than His on life </font color> Me: i'm sure lot of people confuse what SP said .....like me Me: so Krishna loves us spiritually..Haribol <font color="red"> Him: its ok He give basics </font color> <font color="red"> Him: yes </font color> Me: right thankyou very much <font color="red"> Him: as soul </font color> Me: for telling me that, been bothering me for long time Me: as father? Me: friend? <font color="red">Him: ok </font color> <font color="red"> Him: any </font color> Just a web chat which I had with a devotee of Radha-Krishna, Hare Krishna! /images/graemlins/smile.gif /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

VOLUME THREE Diary of a Traveling Preacher, volume 3 - Chapter 40 "All glories to our most merciful master, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu!" Lodz, Poland, June 12h to 18th 2001 On June 12 we packed up our festival program in Gorzow Wielkopolski and headed south, back towards Lodz to begin final preparations for our festival there. Gorzow Wielkopolski had been a picnic for the devotees - we were special guests in the city and the authorities had made all the arrangements for our festival program. Devotees were relaxed and had enjoyed the preaching, but the light mood gradually changed as we drove south. The attack on our festival in Tomaszow, near Lodz, was still fresh in the minds of the devotees, and word had spread among them that our hired security felt that Lodz was the most dangerous city in Poland. Although the harinamas we had in Lodz before leaving for Gorzow Wielkopolski were well received, the writing was "on the walls" in Lodz. The all-pervading graffiti in the city revealed the hate and frustration of much of the youth there: "Poland for Poles,Death to Jews," and "Nazis Rule Here" are favored slogans on the sides of buildings everywhere. Lodz is an industrial town with lots of factories, but many people are out of work. Boredom and frustration give rise to the sentiments of xenophobia (extreme nationalism) that caused the attack on our festival in Tomaszow. The further south we drove the worse the weather became. Big black clouds hovered overheard as we passed Lodz and neared our base. After looking out the window, one devotee turned to me and said, "Maharaja, some devotees feel we're asking for trouble by doing a festival in Lodz. They say the same people who attacked us in Tomaszow may come back." I replied, "We shouldn't worry. Devotees are not afraid to defend themselves if necessary." I quoted from a class by Srila Prabhupada in London in July 1973: ". . . Vaisnavas do not simply chant Hare Krnsa. If there is need, they can fight under the guidance of Visnu and become victorious . . . Generally, a Vaisnava is non-violent [however] if Krsna wants we shall be prepared to become violent also." I then said, "But if there's trouble we won't do the fighting. We're well protected by our hired security team for the entire three-day festival. Don't worry, their very presence will act as a deterrent to anyone who would want to harm us. We must go ahead with the festival. Many interested people are expressing a desire to come. All the major local newspapers have written articles about the festival. If there's anything we should worry about it's those dark clouds above. They're our most formidable enemy right now!" Not wanting to worry the devotee, I didn't share with him the advice our security firm's manager gave at a recent meeting. He had said, "Despite all the security we're offering you, there remains one way your enemies can stop this festival for good." "What's that?" I said. Looking at me intently, he said, "Take you out." Coming closer, he continued, "You have to take certain precautions from now on. From the attack in Tomaszow it's obvious that some people will go to any extreme to try to stop your festival. Here's a brochure describing different types of bullet-proof vests. You'd be wise to place an order." Taken aback, I thought to myself, "A bullet-proof vest! What would the sannyasis of yore think of that? They were carrying only a water pot and a staff, and here I'll be wearing a bullet-proof vest and carrying a can of CS tear gas and a fighting stick tucked into my dhoti!" I was going to reply that Krsna protects His devotees, but I realized Krsna expects His devotees to use their intelligence as well. The story of Narada Muni initiating a cobra flashed through my mind. Narada had accepted the cobra as a disciple, and at his initiation ceremony the snake had promised to follow the four regulative principles. But Narada Muni requested one more discipline of him, and said: "Don't bite anyone." Having heard the snake wouldn't bite anyone any more, all the children started throwing sticks and stones at him as he slithered through town the next day. The snake returned to Narada Muni's asrama that evening and complained about the children taunting him. Narada Muni chastised his unique disciple, saying, "I instructed you not to bite, but I didn't tell you to give up your intelligence! If the children come near you again, simply show your hood like you are going to bite . . . then they'll run away!" The security team manager continued speaking: "It's your decision, but don't underestimate your enemies." I pushed the brochure back across the table . . . and he pushed it back. "We're not playing games here," he said. "Give me your measurements." When we arrived back at our base near Lodz, a letter was waiting for us from the police in Tomaszow investigating the attack on our festival. They discovered that on the day of our program a van had been rented by a priest in the town of Czestochowa, 50km south of Tomaszow, which had transported 15 tough-looking boys to a parking lot not far from our program. Witnesses had seen the boys hurrying to the festival site near the end of our program, and 20 minutes later running back to the van which then sped off. Further evidence indicates that these boys may have been responsible for the havoc that night. The investigation is continuing and legal action is to be taken at its completion. The night before the first day of the Lodz festival I tossed and turned in bed unable to sleep. I was in anxiety about the event. I knew it could be a huge festival, if only because we had done more advertising for it than any festival before. We had distributed almost 50,000 invitations, put up more than 1000 posters, and been featured throughout the media. The stage was set. But two things weighed heavily on my mind: the frustrated youth of Lodz and the dark rain clouds that continued to hang over the city. When I woke up in the morning after a brief sleep, the first thing I did was look out the window. The clouds were darker than the previous day and I could feel the air thick with moisture. I asked a devotee to buy a newspaper, and when it came my worst apprehensions were confirmed - the weather report predicted rain. But my eye caught another concern which hadn't been brought to my attention - not far from our outdoor festival, and at the same time, there was to be a major soccer match, a sure sign of trouble. I did puja to my Deities, Laksmi-Nrsimhadeva, with all the devotion I could muster, ran through the whole morning program with the devotees, and after prasadam put everyone on to our buses to the festival site. Under ominous clouds we worked for many hours setting everything up, and at 4.30pm opened the festival to a small crowd. After one hour the crowd had grown to only 2000 people. Of course, many yatras would consider such a crowd a big success, but our problem is never getting too few people - it is how to deal with the huge crowds we often get of 10,000 or more. I attributed the "poor" attendance to the possibility of rain, but as time went on the rain held off and things were going smoothly. The 15 men on the security team, however, appeared somewhat nervous, apparently knowing the nature of the youth in Lodz and the fact that any trouble at the nearby soccer match could easily spill into our festival. But I couldn't see how these men had anything to worry about - each one of them was over 6.5ft tall and built like a fighting machine with huge muscles, fierce eyes and scowls on their faces! All of them were dressed in black and armed with various weapons. At one point, I approached the man in charge of security and asked if everything was all right. He replied that we didn't have to worry about anything, but that he did want to speak to me about one thing. I agreed and we sat down to talk. He said, "Maharaja, I don't want my men eating your food any more. During the last festivals your devotees have been giving them all kinds of things to eat from your restaurant." I said, "Are you worried there may be drugs in the food?" "No," he replied, "I know your pure standards. The problem is that your food has a special effect on my men. It makes them become like all of you." "What do you mean?" I said. "It makes them smile all the time. It makes them soft and loving and compassionate. These men have to be tough to do this job. Your food is turning my lions into lambs! Just look over there." I glanced over towards our restaurant, and saw two of his men eating samosas while laughing and joking with the devotees in a relaxed manner. "They were never like that before," he said. "It's the food, the singing, and the whole atmosphere!" "OK," I consented, "when the festival season is over we'll give them prasadam to take home." I wandered over to the stage just as Sri Prahlad and the Village of Peace reggae band started to play. Darkness was setting in, but I could still see the security men dressed in black guarding the stage. As Sri Prahlad and the band broke into a number chanting Hare Krsna, I looked closely at the security men and saw the words of their chief come true - they were swaying slightly back and forth chanting the holy names! I left it to the chief to tell them not to sing on the job - for me it was once again confirmation of the power of the holy names to turn hearts of steel into soft butter. "As the rising sun immediately dissipates all the world's darkness, which is deep like an ocean, so the holy name of the Lord, if chanted once without offenses, can dissipate all the reactions of a living being's sinful life. All glories to that holy name of the Lord, which is auspicious for the entire world!" [Padyavali, Text 16] After days of worrying about the festival I started to relax, seeing our preaching bear fruit. Then suddenly, without warning, I saw them coming . . . a big gang of youths appeared on the field out of nowhere. I immediately recognized them by their attire - skinheads! Dressed in black boots, tight Levi's and T-shirts, they moved slowly towards the crowd. Their faces manifested the same hate and anger I'd seen on numerous occasions on the street, and at the festival in Tomaszow in particular. The ominous words of the devotee I had spoken to a few days earlier came to mind: "Maharaja, some devotees feel we're asking for trouble by doing a festival in Lodz. They say the same people who attacked us in Tomaszow may come back." I looked to the left and right and saw our security men move in closer and brace themselves for trouble. The skinheads went slowly through the festival area keeping in a big group, as they always do. As they moved around, people backed away and I even saw some start to leave, fearing violence. I looked again towards the security men who were hastily meeting, obviously planning a strategy if a fight broke out. The situation was tense and my adrenaline was running. I touched my jacket to make sure that my tear gas and fighting stick were still in my pocket - and then it happened. The skinheads moved quickly into the crowd of young people dancing before the stage and stood there for a moment, as if waiting for a signal. The security men started moving towards them. Sri Prahlad and the band, oblivious to the danger, were singing another song with the maha mantra, chanting the holy names loudly while the drummer played a driving beat that had the kids dancing wildly. I jumped on to the stage, figuring it would be a vantage point if there was a fight. Suddenly, to my amazement I saw a few of the skinheads start to tap their big black boots to the music. Then as our powerful sound system carried the maha mantra far and wide, some of the skinheads stood there as if dazed, then slowly but surely began repeating the words of the mantra. After a few minutes all of them were chanting and swaying back and forth - a little self conscious at first, but as soon as the kids saw them chanting, they grabbed them and pulled them into the kirtan and they started dancing wildly! Eventually they were completely absorbed in the kirtan, chanting Hare Krsna at the top of their lungs and twirling and dancing without abandon. I sat down at the front of the stage in utter astonishment. As I did so, I saw the security men back off to their original position, smiling to themselves. I said to myself, "What is happening here? How is it that these boys who came here intent on fighting are now laughing and dancing along with the devotees? How has this sudden change of heart come over them?" I looked at Sri Prahlad, perspiring profusely as he chanted the holy names with deep faith and conviction from the stage and leaping and twirling through the air. I looked at the audience again and saw skinheads, teenagers, children and adults all holding hands dancing in a big circle. The lights from the stage illuminated them and made them appear as a huge firebrand being twirled around. As the kirtan went on I sat there in amazement. At one point I thought to myself, "My God, this is what it must have been like during the time of Lord Caitanya! The gentle and the ruffians all chanting the holy names together in ecstasy by the unfathomable mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu." Knowing it to be one of those rare occasions that we experience only once in a great while in Krsna consciousness, I relished every moment. Then suddenly the band stopped and the kirtan was over. The skinheads, still laughing and enjoying themselves, just turned around and started walking out of the festival grounds. In a few minutes they were gone - although you could still hear them from a distance singing Hare Krsna. I immediately thought of the pastime of Srila Haridas Thakur, who at one time lived in a cave with a dangerous snake. People hesitated to come and see him, and so one day the snake (being inspired by the Supersoul within his heart) just slithered away and left. It seemed to me that these hooligans had been directed by the Lord within their hearts to chant Hare Krsna . . . and afterwards He sent them away. All glories to the holy names! All glories to our most merciful master, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the shelter for the whole cosmic manifestation and the actual protector of His devotees! "Chanting the Hare Krsna maha mantra, His own holy names which bring auspiciousness to the world, His hand trembling with love as He touches the knotted string about His waist to count the number of names, His face bathed in tears as He comes and goes, eager to see His own form of Lord Jagannatha, and bringing great delight to the eyes of all, may the golden form of Lord Caitanya protect you all!" [sri Caitanya-candramrta - Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati] By Indradyumna Swami A disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. <font color="red"> Traveling-Preacher /images/graemlins/smile.gif </font color>

<font color="blue">"Arjuna then asked, '0 Lord, according to You, a thousand Vedic sacrifices do not equal even one Ekadasi fast. How can this be? How has Ekadasi become the most meritorious of all days?' </font color> "Lord Sri Krsna replied, 'I will tell you why Ekadasi is the most purifying of all days. In the Satya-yuga there once lived an amazingly fearsome demon called Mura. Always very angry, he terrified all the demigods, defeating even Indra, the king of heaven; Vivasvan, the sun-god; the eight Vasus; Lord Brahma; Vayu, the wind-god; and Agni, the fire-god. With his terrible power he brought them all under his control. " 'Lord Indra then approached Lord Siva and said, "We have all fallen from our planets and are now wandering helplessly on the earth. 0 lord, how can we find relief from this affliction? What will be the fate of us demigods?" "'Lord Siva replied, "0 best of the demigods, go to that place where Lord Visnu, the rider of Garuda, resides. He is Jagannatha, the master of all the universes and their shelter as well. He is devoted to protecting all souls surrendered to Him."' "Lord Krsna continued, '0 Arjuna, winner of wealth, after Lord Indra heard these words of Lord Siva's, he proceeded with all the demigods to the place where Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of the universe, the protector of all souls, was resting. Seeing the Lord sleeping upon the water, the demigods joined their palms and, led by Indra, recited the following prayers: " ' "0 Supreme Personality of Godhead, all obeisances to You. 0 Lord of lords, 0 You who are praised by the foremost demigods, 0 enemy of all demons, 0 lotus-eyed Lord, 0 Madhusudana [killer of the Madhu demon], please protect us. Afraid of the demon Mura, we demigods have come to take shelter of You. 0 Jagannatha, You are the doer of everything and the creator of everything. You are the mother and the father of all universes. You are the creator, the maintainer, and the destroyer of all. You are the supreme helper of all the demigods, and You alone can bring peace to them. You alone are the earth, the sky, and the universal benefactor. " ' "You are Siva, Brahma, and also Visnu, the maintainer of the three worlds. You are the gods of the sun, moon, and fire. You are the clarified butter, the oblation, the sacred fire, the mantras, the rituals, the priests, and the silent chanting of japa. You are the sacrifice itself, its sponsor, and the enjoyer of its results, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Nothing within these three worlds, whether movable or immovable, can exist independent of You. 0 Supreme Lord, Lord of lords, You are the protector of those who take shelter of You. 0 supreme mystic, O shelter of the fearful, please rescue and protect us. We demigods have been defeated by the demons and have thus fallen from the heavenly realm. Deprived of our positions, O Lord of the universe, we are now wandering about this earthly planet."' "Lord Krsna continued, 'Having heard Indra and the other demigods speak these words, Sri Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, replied, "What demon possesses such great powers of delusion that he has been able to defeat all the demigods? What is his name, and where does he live? Where does he get his strength and shelter? Tell Me everything, O Indra, and do not fear." " 'Lord Indra replied, "0 Supreme Godhead, 0 Lord of lords, 0 You who vanquish the fear in Your pure devotees' hearts, 0 You who are so kind to Your faithful servants, there was once a powerful demon of the Brahman dynasty whose name was Nadijangha. He was extraordinarily fearsome and wholly dedicated to destroying the demigods, and he begot an infamous son named Mura. ""'Mura's great capital city is Candravati. From that base the terribly evil and powerful Mura demon has conquered the whole world and brought all the demigods under his control, driving them out of their heavenly kingdom. He has assumed the roles of Indra, the king of heaven; Agni, the fire-god; Yama, the lord of death; Vayu, the wind-god; Isa or Lord Siva Soma, the moon-god; Nairrti, the lord of the directions; and Pa§i, or Varuna, the watergod. He has also begun emanating light in the role of the sun-god and has turned himself into the clouds as well. It is impossible for the demigods to defeat him. 0 Lord Visnu, please kill this demon and make the demigods victorious." " 'Hearing these words from Indra, Lord Janardana became very angry and said, "0 powerful demigods, all together you may now advance on Mura's capital city of Candravati." Encouraged thus, the assembled demigods proceeded to Candravati with Lord Hari leading the way. "'When Mura saw the demigods, that foremost of demons started roaring very loudly in the company of countless thousands of other demons, who were all holding brilliantly shining weapons. The mighty-armed demons struck the demigods, who began abandoning the battlefield and fleeing in the ten directions. Seeing the Supreme Lord Hrsikesa, the master of the senses, present on the battlefield, the furious demons rushed toward Him with various weapons in their hands. As they charged the Lord, who holds a sword, disk, and club, He immediately pierced all their limbs with His sharp, poisonous arrows. Thus many hundreds of demons died by the Lord's hand. "'At last the chief demon, Mura, began fighting with the Lord. Mura used his mystic power to render useless whatever weapons the Supreme Lord Hrsikesa unleashed. Indeed, to the demon the weapons felt just like flowers striking him. When the Lord could not defeat the demon even with various kinds of weaponswhether those that are thrown or those that are held-He began fighting with His bare hands, which were as strong as iron-studded clubs. The Lord wrestled with Mura for one thousand celestial years and then, apparently fatigued, left for Badarikasrama. There Lord Yogesvara, the greatest of all yogis, the Lord of the universe, entered a very beautiful cave named Himavati to rest. 0 Dhananjaya winner of wealth, that cave was ninety-six miles in diameter and had only one entrance. <font color="red"> I went there out of fear, and also to sleep There is no doubt about this, 0 son of Pandu, for the great fight made Me very tired </font color> I went there out of fear, and also to sleep There is no doubt about this, 0 son of Pandu, for the great fight made Me very tired. The demon followed Me into that cave and, seeing Me asleep, started thinking within his heart, "Today I will kill this slayer of all demons, Hari." "'While the wicked-minded Mura was making plans in this way, from My body there manifested a young girl who had a very bright complexion. O son of Pandu, Mura saw that she was equipped with various brilliant weapons and was ready to fight. Challenged by that female to do battle, Mura prepared himself and then fought with her, but he became very astonished when he saw that she fought him without cessation. The king of the demons then said, "Who has created this angry, fearsome girl who is fighting me so powerfully, just like a thunderbolt falling upon me?" After saying this, the demon continued to fight with the girl. "'Suddenly that effulgent goddess shattered all of Mura's weapons and in a moment deprived him of his chariot. He ran toward her to attack her with his bare hands, but when she saw him coming she angrily cut off his head. Thus the demon at once fell to the ground and went to the abode of Yamaraja. The rest of the Lord's enemies, out of fear and helplessness, entered the subterranean Patala region. "'Then the Supreme Lord woke up and saw the dead demon before Him, as well as the maiden bowing down to Him with joined palms. His face expressing His astonishment, the Lord of the universe said, "Who has killed this vicious demon? He easily defeated all the demigods, Gandharvas, and even Indra himself, along with Indra's companions, the Maruts, and he also defeated the Nagas [snakes], the rulers of the lower planets. He even defeated Me, making Me hide in this cave out of fear. Who is it that has so mercifully protected Me after I ran from the battlefield and went to sleep in this cave?" "'The maiden said, "It is I who have killed this demon after appearing from Your transcendental body. Indeed, 0 Lord Hari, when he saw You sleeping he wanted to kill You. Understanding the intention of this thorn in the side of the three worlds, I killed the evil rascal and thus freed all the demigods from fear. I am Your great mahd-sakti, Your internal potency, who strikes fear into the hearts of all Your enemies. I have killed this universally terrifying demon to protect the three worlds. Please tell me why You are surprised to see that this demon has been killed, 0 Lord." "'The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, "0 sinless one, I am very satisfied to see that it is you who have killed this king of the demons. In this way you have made the demigods happy, prosperous, and full of bliss. Because you have given pleasure to all the demigods in the three worlds, I am very pleased with you. Ask any boon you may desire, 0 auspicious one. I will give it to you without a doubt, though it be very rare among the demigods." "'The maiden said, "0 Lord, if You are pleased with me and wish to give me a boon, then give me the power to deliver from the greatest sins that person who fasts on this day. I wish that half the pious credit obtained by one who fasts will accrue to one who eats only in the evening [abstaining from grains and beans], and that half of this pious credit will be earned by one who eats only at midday. Also, may one who strictly observes a complete fast on my appearance day, with controlled senses, go to the abode of Lord Visnu for one billion kalpas after he has enjoyed all kinds of pleasures in this world. This is the boon I desire to attain by Your mercy, my Lord. 0 Lord Janardana, whether a person observes complete fasting, eats only in the evening, or eats only at midday, please grant him a religious attitude, wealth, and at last liberation." "'The Supreme Personality of Godhead said, "O most auspicious lady, what you have requested is granted. All My devotees in this world will surely fast on your day, and thus they will become famous throughout the three worlds and finally come and stay with Me in My abode. Because you, My transcendental potency, have appeared on the eleventh day of the waning moon, let your name be Ekadasi. If a person fasts on Ekadasi, I will burn up all his sins and bestow upon him My transcendental abode. " ' "These are the days of the waxing and waning moon that are most dear to Me: Trtiya [the third day], Astami [the eighth day], Navami [the ninth day], Caturdasi [the fourteenth day], and especially Ekadasi [the eleventh day]. "'"The merit one attains by fasting on Ekadasi is greater than that achieved by observing any other kind of fast or by going to a place of pilgrimage, and even greater than that achieved by giving charity to brdhmanas. I tell you most emphatically that this is true." "'Having thus given the maiden His benediction, the Supreme Lord suddenly disappeared. From that time onward the Ekadasi day became most meritorious and famous all over the universe. 0 Arjuna, if a person strictly observes Ekadasi, I kill all his enemies and grant him the highest destination. Indeed, if a person observes this great Ekadasi fast in any of the prescribed ways,' I remove all obstacles to his spiritual progress and grant him the perfection of life. "'Thus, 0 son of Prtha, I have described to you the origin of Ekadasi. This one day removes all sins eternally. Indeed, it is the most meritorious day for destroying all kinds of sins, and it has appeared in order to benefit everyone in the universe by bestowing all varieties of perfection. Lord Krishna is so kind that He beacame almost defeated so 'we' could benefit from Ekadasi...Haribol! This extract is from the story of Vijaya Ekadasi /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hare Krishna The Spiritual Master & Disiple Sometimes there are inquiries as to how one can surrender unto the Supreme Lord. In the Bhagavad-Gita (18.66) the Lord asked Arjuna to surrender unto Him, and therefore persons unwilling to do so question where God is and to whom they should surrender. The answer to such questions or inquiries is given herein very properly. The Personality of Godhead may not be present before one's eyes, but if one is sincere in wanting such guidance the Lord will send a bona fide person who can guide one properly back home, back to Godhead. /images/graemlins/smile.gif The bona fide representative of God is as good as God Himself. Or, in other words, the loving representative of the Lord is more kind and more easy to approach. A sinful soul cannot approach the Lord directly, but such a sinful man can very easily approach a pure devotee of the Lord. And if one agrees to put himself under the guidance of such a devotee of the Lord, he can also understand the science of God and can also become like the transcendental pure devotee of the Lord and thus get his liberation back to Godhead , <font color="red"> back home </font color> for eternal happiness. <font color="red"> Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.46</font color>

Hare Krishna Therefore the cow is also our mother. Just as we drink breast-milk from our mother, we drink milk from mother cow. You must not kill your mother; that is a great sin. Therefore meat-eating is prohibited. But people have become so sinful that they do not consider, When I was young this cow supplied her blood in the form of milk to feed me, to keep me alive. But now that I am grown up, I am so ungrateful that I am going to kill her and eat her flesh. This is the advancement of modern education: that people have learned how to kill their mother. (N98:TQE 7) Try explaining the above to <font color="red"> flesh/meat-eaters. </font color>

Hare Krishna I am sure a lot of people find different ways of preaching, this is one of mine..... I place a CD called The Morning Programme by SP in Hi-Fi, at about 10AM or anytime! Put it on full blast with TBASS, and watch my neighbours faces of anger and sadness turn into delight, especially when they hear kirtan from Srila Prabhupada, I think also it reminds them of the 60's but when I turn it off, ohh how there faces turn sour (and so does mine!) /images/graemlins/frown.gif

Hare Krishna I have seen you name somewhere before, can't remember where? anyway here's a joke you may understand...just for you! why did the 'dog' cross the road, because he 'felt' like it! /images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Hare Krishna I was having a chat on paltalk with a devotee of Lord Krishna, and he said in answer to my question that- "your body is mechanism for service of Radha-Krishna and looking after this body is a must so look after it nicely" good advice don't you think?

Hare Krishna why not try eating panner as a substitute for cheese?, it's just as tasty especially when fried...i know i shouldn't send in recipes but I've been eating this for about a week now.you should try it.. half cup milk, boil, add 1tbsp lemon juice, curdle, lower heat, add 1&half tbsp oil, simmer 4 mins, drain through sieve, add bit of the curd water, make nice paste, add some lemon j, salt & pepper, you have indian mayonnaise ! /fry some potatoes/chips, pour the mayo over and enjoy! /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

THE VISION OF GURU by Tridandi Svami B.G. Narasingha Maharaja KRSNA TALK 42 ------------------------ Devotee: It has been said that the disciple should see his guru as a direct manifestation of Srimati Radharani. Is such actually appropriate? Narasingha Maharaja: It is a fact that the higher devotees may have such a vision of guru, but such big words do not look good in the mouth of the neophyte. In Gaudiya Vaisnava-siddhanta Srimati Radharani is the highest conception of guru-tattva but many things are required before we are to come to that stage. If a neophyte devotee speaks such high things, "My guru is Radharani," but such a devotee is lacking in the qualifications of a pure devotee, then the higher conception from his mouth becomes a mockery. First one should understand that our guru is all in all, he has given us everything for our spiritual advancement. Therefore, we are fully indebted to Sri Gurudeva. We must feel eternal gratitude toward Sri Gurudeva. Our gurudeva has given us the Holy Name of Krsna (the highest form of Reality), and the proper conception of chanting the Holy Name. The Holy Name of Krsna is not simply an external sound vibration, internal conception is required, proper conception. The name of Krsna chanted by the Mayavadi and the Name of Krsna chanted by the Vaisnava are not the same thing. The former is nama-aparadha, like the milk touched by the lips of a serpent and the later is as pure as amrta, eternal nectar. The Mayavada conception is that Krsna is formless, no features, no activities, no senses etc. and such a conception puts one in the category of a pasandi or an offender to the Supreme Lord. Sri Gurudeva has given us the conception that Krsna is the supreme proprietor, the supreme enjoyer, and the dearmost friend of all living beings. Sri Gurudeva imparts to us the conception that we are the eternal servants of Krsna and that service to Krsna must be preformed with full surrender of kaya, mano, vakya or body, mind, and words. Such a conception places us on the threshold of pure devotional service. Next Sri Gurudeva gives us the vaisnava-mantras (diksa-mantras) that assist us conceptually in the chanting of the Holy Name and aid us in our internal development, rasa. Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa states that one who is initiated into the Vaisnava-mantra and who is devoted to worshipping the Supreme Lord is a Vaisnava. To be accepted as a Vaisnava is indeed no small affair and to discard or neglect the diksa-mantras that Sri Gurudeva has given us is paramount to spiritual suicide. It is stated in Gopal Bhatta Goswami's introduction to Sat-Krya-Sara-Dipika that one who has given up his diksa-mantras will have to be reinstated (re-initiated) into the status of a Vaisnava: kevalam sri guru govinda tastad bhave tat patnyas tad bhave tat putrat, tad bhave satirtha guru-bhratus tad bhave sajatiyananya sarana sadhutah punah panca-samskara-purvaka sri bhagavan-nama-mantra grhanam punah samskaratisaya suddhasya tasya sri visnu-pujanam tannamadi sravana-kirtana-smarana-vandanadi purvaka mahotsavadikam varniyam "One should again accept Name and mantra from one's own spiritual master. If the guru is not present (left his body), one should accept from the guru's wife, son or respected godbrother or from any other pure sadhu having similar qualities. Thus, becoming exceedingly pure by having accepted the panca-samskaras again, he should offer obeisance to and worship Lord Visnu, by fully engaging in hearing, chanting and remembering the Name, form, qualities and pastimes of Lord Visnu." Therefore, we should be most attentive to the Holy Name of Krsna and to our diksa-mantras, as if they were our very life and soul. If we think that we have the higher realization but we do not chant purely and we neglect our diksa-mantras, then we are sure to fall down. Actually if that is our position, we are already fallen. Next, we should understand how Sri Gurudeva has placed us in connection with the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his foremost eternal servants. To enter Krsna-lila is very, very difficult. But one who has achieved the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is automatically accepted in Krsna-lila. The foremost service to Mahaprabhu is to spread His sankirtana movement (this includes book distribution and all other aspects of the Hare Krishna Movement). Not only is such a devotee accepted in Krsna-lila but also such a devotee will find that he has been automatically transferred to the service of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani in Vrndavana. yatha yatha gaura-padaravinde vindeta bhaktim krta punya rasih tatha tathot sarpati hrdy-akasmat radha padambhoja sudhambhu-rasih " One who is extremely fortunate may get the mercy of Sri Gauranga. As much as we devote ourselves to the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga, to that extent we will automatically be able to taste the nectarine service of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani in Vrndavana. The more one engages in the service of Lord Gauranga, the more one finds oneself in Vrndavana, tasting the nectar of the service of Sri Radha. (Caitanya-candramrta 88) Then we must understand and appreciate how Sri Gurudeva has brought us in connection of the Lord's associates such as Svarupa Damodara, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, and so forth. The most intimate associate of Sri Gauranga in his vipralambha-lila (pastimes of separation) in Jagannatha Puri is Svarupa Damodara. Svarupa Damodara is Lalita in Krsna-lila, the most favorite friend of Radharani. Other than Svarupa Damorara very few devotees could understand the mind and heart of Sri Gauranga, especially when the Lord entered deep within the feelings of separation. Sri Rupa Gosvami is the manjari-gopi in Krsna-lila named Rupa Manjari and in Gaura-lila Sri Rupa is connected with the innermost feelings of the Lord's heart through a vicarious relationship. Sri Rupa did not live personally with the Lord nor was he present for many of the Lord's pastimes at Gambhira, where the Lord manifested extreme feelings of separation for Krsna. But Rupa Gosvami was connected to the Lord through the Lord's instructions and through His service. Thus Sri Rupa was able to understand the Lord's heart when He danced and chanted in front of Lord Jagannatha in a most unusual way. For such, Sri Rupa Gosvami was appointed as the head of the Gaudiya-sampradaya and authorized to distribute raganuga-bhakti, spontaneous love in the mellows of sweet devotion. Not only are we to understand that Sri Rupa is the head of our Gaudiya-sampradaya but also we are to understand that entrance into the Lord's intimate domain is possible for the jiva only by the same method as shown by Sri Rupa, humble submission and strict obedience to the Lord's instruction while serving in separation. This is our method of raganuga-sadhana. It is an important point to understand that the indirect method of approach is a superior means to the end (dasa, dasa, dasa, dasanudasa) and Sri Gauranga has recommended such a path for all jivas. The direct approach to Krsna is flawed from the outset because it clashes with the very nature or constitutional position of a jiva. By nature and constitutional position the jiva requires shelter, asraya. And this is particularly true when it comes to rasa with Krsna. A jiva does not have the capacity to directly associate with Krsna in any given rasa and again, particularly in madhurya-rasa. The jiva requires the shelter and recommendation of the Lord's parsadas, eternal associates. So Mahaprabhu has recommended this method. gopi bhartuh .-kamalayor dasa dasanudasah 'Our position is that of the servant, of the servant, of the servant, of the followers of the Vaisnavas (gopis)." Sri Sanatana Gosvami was the older brother of Sri Rupa and he has given us the vaidhi, rules and regulations, in adjustment to the path of raganuga-bhakti. So Sri Gurudeva has brought us in connection with these three important personalities in Gaura-lila and by doing so he has increased our good fortune many millions of times. We must gain such appreciation for Sri Gurudeva before we can understand his highest status. If we have not understood all these matters concerning Sri Gurudeva then we have not actually understood what he is or what he represents. Simply shouting "jaya gurudeva" with no proper understanding is only giving lip-deep service. Then we are to appreciate that Sri Gurudeva has brought us in connection with the most holy of holy places, Sri Mathura-mandala, the residents of the Dhama, Sri Radha-kunda, Sri Giri Govardhana and lastly Sri Gurudeva has placed within us the great hope that one day we will get the divine service of Sri Sri Radhika Madhava-sundara in Their eternal abode. Raghunatha dasa Gosvami has said in his prayer that he has received all these things from Sri Gurudeva and so he bows his head with all respect at the lotus feet of Sri Guru. nama-srestham manum api saci-putram atra svarupam rupam tasyagrajam uru-purim mathurim gostavatim radha-kundam giri varam aho radhika-madhavasam prapto yasya prathita-krpaya sri gurum tam nato 'smi Later on, in the absence of Sri Gurudeva, Dasa Gosvami has said that the world is empty and vacant, he says that without the presence of Sri Gurudeva the great Govardhana Hill seems like a big python coming to devour him. And Radha-kunda, the holiest place on Earth, seems like the gaping mouth of a ferocious tiger. sunyayitam mahagostham girindvo ajgaraye te vyaghra tundaya te kundam jivatu rahitasya me "Now that I do not have the association of the sustainer of my life (Sri Rupa), Vraja seems completely empty and desolate, Govardhana Hill seems like a huge python and even Sri Radha-kunda seems to be like the gaping mouth of a ferocious tiger." (Sri Prathanasraya Caturdasakam, Verse 11) Srila B. R. Sridhara Maharaja has commented that such a feeling of separation as felt by Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami will naturally come into the heart of a sincere disciple who experiences separation from Sri Gurudeva. So before we make much of boasting and declare that our gurudeva is Srimati Radharani we should first try to follow in the footsteps of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, our prayojana-acarya, and appreciate the proper conception of Sri Gurudeva beginning from the first step and gradually, with proper qualification, come to the ultimate realization. ------ Krsna Talk Questions & Answers: SWAMI B. G. NARASINGHA http://www.gosai.com/chaitanya/saranagati/html/nmj_articles/indexna.html KRSNA TALK INDEX http://www.gosai.com/krishnatalk_fs.html SUBSCRIBE KRSNA TALK http://www.gosai.com/krishnatalk_fs.html

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<font color="red"> Cc. Madhya 24.98 </font color> <font color="blue"> Our Krishna consciousness movement is meant for this purpose. We want to create pure devotees so that other people will benefit by their association. In this way the number of pure devotees increases. Professional preachers cannot create pure devotees...Only a pure devotee can convert others to pure devotional service. It is therefore important for all the preachers in our Krishna consciousness movement to first become pure devotees and follow the regulative principles, refraining from illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. They should regularly chant the Hare Krihna Maha-Mantra on their beads, follow the devotional process, rise early in the morning, attend mangala-arati and recite Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita regularly. In this way, one can become purified and free from all material contamination.... To make a show of devotional service will not help one. One must be a pure devotee following the devotional process; then one can convert others to devotional service.... If a preacher behaves properly in devotional service, he will be able to convert others. Otherwise, his preaching will have no effect. </font color> Probably not what you asked for, but I think it's still nice to read anyway. Hare Krishna /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Once upon a time...old man & old women, old women gets sick, old man goes to doctor's, doctor gives medicine, doctor "shake medicine and give to wife", old man very slow in head, old man goes home, shakes his wife, gives medicine, wife drops down dead. the end /images/graemlins/mad.gif

Hare Krishna what a great story, i nearly had a tears in my eyes, while I was reading it, beats Harry Potter any day /images/graemlins/mad.gif

Hare Krishna The doubts that Arjuna had was for the people in general, in reality he is a pure devotee of Krishna, asking for other people, if you are very simple you can acieve Krishna vey easily if you debate about this and that and everyting else you have a long way to go.

Hare Krishna (I am back I know) Why do all people have all these doubts, after all when YOU read from Srila Prabhupada's books etc, and Lord Gauranga, they say the only way to KRISHNA is through chanting the Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra, if you do this simply you can achieve Krishna... so why all this debate? I ask because I suspect most people in here are Jnana Yogis&#8217;s&#8230;

I NEED a break see ya all soon.....that's all folks!

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