suchandra

Looks like the battle isnt yet finished - additionally 57,000 more troops are being send to Iraq.

("In God we trust and thanks to God for the invention of paper money to pay for all this.")

U.S. Announces Troop Deployments to Iraq

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2661835

By LOLITA C. BALDOR

Pentagon Announces That 57,000 U.S. Troops Have Been Told to Deploy to Iraq in Early 2007

WASHINGTON Nov 17, 2006 (AP)— The Pentagon announced Friday that 57,000 U.S. troops, including five combat brigades, have been told to deploy to Iraq early next year a move that will maintain current force levels there.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld signed the deployment orders for about 20,000 soldiers from active duty Army brigades based in North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, Kansas and Italy. Another 10,000 reserves and 27,000 active duty troops are scheduled to go to Iraq in smaller units.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman also said that 1,500 soldiers in the South Carolina National Guard's 218th Brigade Combat Team have been told they will deploy to Afghanistan early next year.

The deployments, which will serve as replacements for troops leaving Iraq, will largely maintain the current force level of 141,000. The moves were initially described by military officials last week, but the specific units were announced Friday.

The units scheduled for deployment are the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters from Fort Stewart in Georgia; the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley in Kansas; the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis in Washington; the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning in Georgia; the 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg in North Carolina; and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy.

At least one of the five combats brigades the 4th brigade of the 1st Infantry Division is currently at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., undergoing intensive final training for their deployment to Iraq.

Whitman said the deployments reflect a continuing commitment to maintaining security in Iraq. In a written statement, the Pentagon said the "U.S. force rotations will be tailored based upon changes in the security situation. Iraqi security forces continue to develop capability and assume responsibility for security in Iraq."

The announcement comes as some Democrats, who are poised to take control of the House and Senate, continue to press for substantial reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq, and a timetable for that drawdown.

Hridayananda Goswami wrote yesterday a perfect answer to this topic.

posted Fri 17 Nov 2006 09:10 PM CST |

The Logic of the Absolute

Given proof of God, would a materialist know how to read it?

by Hridayananda Dasa Goswami

<!--start section-->People often ask us, “Can you prove the existence of God?” Proof indicates a conclusive demonstration that establishes the validity of an assertion, in this case the assertion that God exists.

But as soon as we speak of a demonstration, the next question is “To whom shall we demonstrate?” If we speak of evidence or data, we must know who will see and hear it. In other words, who will judge the results of a particular experiment, test, or trial.

Consider a hypothetical example. Doctor Waterport, the famous scientist, has just discovered a sophisticated formula that solves a technical mathematical problem. He proudly calls his colleagues together and presents them with thirty pages of ultratechnical symbols. His fellow scientists pore over the pages and conclude, “Yes, this is the answer we’re looking for.” If Dr. Waterport were to show the proof to an ordinary person on the street, the person wouldn’t even know how to hold the pages right side up. Because he’s not trained in mathematics, the proof would be meaningless to him. Conclusion: Proof demands a qualified audience.

Certainly, any valid proof must be logical. But how we apply logic depends on our previous experience. For example, suppose an apple tree is growing outside your window. One morning you hear a sound like that of an apple hitting the ground, and when you look outside you see a ripe apple lying beneath the tree. Logically, you conclude, the apple has just fallen from the tree.

Your logical statement rests on your previous observation that the apple tree produces apples, that the apples fall to the ground, and that they make a certain sound when this occurs. And your statement appears logical to those with similar experience.

So we apply logic in terms of our experience. Therefore, how can we expect to make God logical to a person who has had no spiritual experience? How can God appear logical to a person to whom the very terminology of the science of God is unintelligible? Thus it is ludicrous when those who are spiritually blind, deaf, and dumb -demand that God be made “logical” to them and that His existence be “proved.”

In general, it is illogical for a person untrained in some field of knowledge to demand that a particular fact pertaining to that field of knowledge be logically demonstrated to him. For example, if someone who has no idea what a number is demands that I logically demonstrate that two plus two equals four, I can’t do it. Similarly, if a spiritual ignoramus demands that God be logically demonstrated to him, his very request is illogical. So how can the illogical demands of atheists be met?

We can easily provide innumerable proofs of God—provided we are free to stipulate that the judge of the data be a person who is spiritually trained. Devotees of the Lord who are advanced in Krishna consciousness can logically, evidentially, and demonstratively deal with the reality of the soul and God. But materialistic fools demand that God, a nonmaterial being, be reduced to a material formula.

It is patently absurd to demand material proof for a nonmaterial entity. Mathematical or physical laws describe predictable ways in which material things interact. God and the soul are not material and thus cannot be reduced to material descriptions.

This does not mean, however, that the soul is outside the jurisdiction of logical discussion. Consciousness itself is spiritual, not material, and thus the study of consciousness, or spirit, is not beyond the scope of human beings.

In fact, all fields of knowledge depend on tangible perception of the soul, since all sciences depend on a conscious scientist who works with consciousness, which is spiritual, not material. In other words, spiritual awareness is intrinsic to all types of awareness, although materialistic people do not recognize that consciousness is spiritual.

So there is no lack of data to prove the existence of spirit, since consciousness itself is spiritual. The problem is that foolish intellectuals whimsically designate consciousness a material, not a spiritual, entity. But as soon as we accept the simple truth that consciousness itself is spiritual, we find that in every stage of awareness and in every field of knowledge our perception of all manner of data is resting on a spiritual experience—the experience of being conscious. And when consciousness studies itself, it reaches the stage called spiritual consciousness, or self- realization. Ultimately, when the self-realized person fixes his consciousness on the source of all consciousness, he reaches the realization of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

For one who has not perceived the superior pleasure of Krishna consciousness, it will seem illogical to restrict his material enjoyment. A Krishna conscious person, however, perceives that spiritual consciousness is far more pleasurable and satisfying than material consciousness. He further perceives that sinful activities—activities against the laws of God—harm that consciousness. Thus it is entirely logical for a Krishna conscious person to obey the laws of God, just as it is logical for an ordinary citizen to obey the laws of the state.

Ultimately, we must come to the stage of absolute logic, which refers to absolute perception, a perception of things with eternally recognizable properties and eternally established relationships. For example, God is the supreme master and enjoyer and we are His eternal servants. Thus it is absolutely logical for us to serve Him, for we are then situated in our natural, constitutional position. To serve a mundane employer may be logical, but it is not absolutely logical, since after the employer’s death, or upon his bankruptcy, serving him is illogical.

In conclusion, logic is a secondary process that follows the primary process of consciousness. We are conscious, for example, that numbers have particular values and properties, and based on this perception, we can state that a particular mathematical equation is either logical or illogical. Similarly, by purifying our existence through the practice of Krishna consciousness, we can perceive the values and properties of God, and thus we can discern that a particular statement about God is either logical or illogical. By confirming our analysis with the Vedic literatures, which are standard reference works of spiritual science compiled by realized devotees, we can perfectly understand the science of God in Krishna consciousness.

Thanks for the responses, to the person who suggested Videorama and the shop on Kingsbury (I beleive you are reffering to baalika) yes I have been to both they do not have murti of Radha Krishna with a cow.

 

I've been looking for such a murti for 2 years now with no luck, when I do find one it is a really small one, I really am after one that is around 15 inches tall.

 

I guess I must wait for Moksha and reach Goloka to see Radha Krishna in this form!!

If you dont mind if They are 18 inch here's an offer, Lord Krishna with a cow, Srimati Radharani can be added.

http://www.krishnaculture.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=KC&Category_Code=MMURT

<!-- message -->

Well, "modern western Vaishnavas" supporting this is surely a bit far fetched.

What should be done? In order to travel we need airplanes?

Of course the climate is changing rapidely and scientists warn us again and again, but how to stop using oil?

<!--start-->

SUV's On Jupiter?

Are humans responsible for climate change on the outer reaches of the solar system, or is it the sun?

Behe's home page:

 

http://www.arn.org/authors/behe.html

Well thanks prabhu for pointing me to a bookstore to get the answer - indeed I actually couldnt have figure that out - to buy the philosophical literature!

Just one last question: this Michael J. Behe, is he a Vaishnava?

Austria, the very land of origin of intellectual nihilism - all the radio stations see it as their daily ritual to broadcast some PhD's commentary about, that there cannot be possibly a personal God, but rather, what they said just recently,

"God is an ongoing event, something always changing, the energy of evolution. If God is perfect, then God can’t have any needs or wants; hence, God wouldn’t bother creating something. If God deliberately creates something, it must be because of some need or want — even if it is as simple as curiosity.

A common argument against the existence of God is that omnipotence is incompatible with being all-loving, given how much evil there is in the world. There is another problem with this depiction of God, though: how can there be real and genuine love if God is in complete control of everything? When a person attempts to totally control another, we don't usually accept that as love."

In sum they pretend to present modern up to date academic perfect reason and logic but do nothing else than to manipulate peoples brain to believe that there is no God.

So, I'm looking for a paper to post which uses only reason and logic but that proves with clear predominance that there must be a Supreme Personality of Godhead which is the origin of everything. Any suggestions if such an article already exists?

The very fact that there is Christian missionaries out to convert people IS against Human Right in America, correct me if I'm wrong here.

 

In America, CAN a person go to a village, offer food and other stuff to needy people and then take away those food and stuff when the villagers do not accept offer of Religion which comes together with it?

 

Don't stand over there (In America) and see the World to be green pasture everywhere. Come to India and see what happening here.

 

And there is no High or Low Caste. The Caste System which exists in India today is based British Social Status which British brought along with them to India during their 250 years rule.

 

Same way British have upper society and lower society, they have split the Indians according to this "status" with Rulers as top level (only below themselves) and concentrate on "Westernizing" them first. The "Low Caste" as you describe them were the poor farmers and workers who stuck doing menial work during British Occupation.

 

When India become Independance (maybe it never did, now I look at it), this social status remain because, Man - in his egoistic nature - refused to give up the status which their masters (the British) have given them and went to link themselves to Religious background to strenghten them. That is how the Caste System which exists today have come to be.

Haribol Sephiroth these are good points but in sum India became a nation with so many different kind of people that they wont unite for a material goal, they just let happen whatever is imposed on them. However, if these people are united by spiritual knowledge then things can be changed.

Just like they constantly devalued the rupee what especially strikes the poor class of people. Although India is so strongly populated you never see any people uniting to go against the demoniac government. And why they constantly devalue the rupee, so that India's products are real cheap on the international market. This is the work of the globalization mafia, the leisure time play of the super rich who installed a global system of commerce which doesnt has any regulatory authority except their own whims. And the government staff nothing but employees/on the payroll list/ of the world trade managers. Hopefully the devas will correct that heavy decline of religious principles on planet earth!

NASA's New Moon Project Gets a Logo

http://www.space.com/news/cs_060814_orion_logo.html

http://www.collectspace.com/

Under Project Orion, NASA plans to launch crews of four to six astronauts aboard Orion capsules, first to orbit the Earth and the International Space Station and then later to the Moon.

Many space buffs see the moon as a necessary place to test the equipment and techniques that would be needed by astronauts on Mars. It's closer, just three days away versus six months away for the red planet.

The present NASA Space Shuttle technology, so far, has killed fourteen people, merely trying to attain an orbit about two hundred fifty miles above the Earth. How is it then, that a third of a century ago, with less computing power in the entire rocket than in a present day twenty dollar Wal-Mart watch, NASA claims to have gone 100,000% farther, six different times between 1969 and 1972, landing on another celestial body and then returning, without ever killing anyone? How could they have powered air conditioning in two hundred fifty degree heat for three days with batteries? Why is the "second round" of "returning" to the moon estimated to be no earlier than half a century after the first? Would there be a fifty-year span between the first and second trips across the Atlantic in an airplane?

If the moon landings were a government deception, then George Orwell's comment, "whoever controls the past, controls the future" is a scary wakeup call to insist that our government reform to the truthfulness of our founding father "who could not tell a lie." Otherwise, the powers that be will continue their addiction to deception and we all will be worse off for it.

Mira- don't go to Kripalu Maharaj. They discourage worshipping Sri Vigraha and Tulasi Maharani, they don't do japa and there is no diksha. Moreover, they think Kripalu is Krishna and Mahaprabhu rolled up into one, and worship him as such- as God. I hope nobody here thinks this is an OK, good thing.

Who's Kripalu Maharaja - only found Kripalu Yoga which hasnt anything to do with bhakti-yoga.

Seems Mira left for good.......

This Anu gita is a little confusing to me .... nowhere near as lucid as the Bhagavad Gita, it even strikes me as being written by different writers and doesn't seem to have the same authority. No offence but it even appears to be a shadow compared to the subtantial Truth expounded in Bg Gita. Maybe the translation i read didn't help.

After all in truth there were so many Bg Gitas before Srila Prabhupads As it is and none of them made devotees sing and dance to the holy Names in the western section that is, only some philosophers were interested in it as a mystical alternative to the Christian conception of God, but they had no real access to the treasure of Prema bhakti contained in it's confidential vaults.

Then Srila Sridhara Maharaj revealed still more in his 'Hidden Treasure of the Sweet Absolute'.

Thanks guest, thats what I wanted to hear - there's no such thing as Anu-gita except some mayavadha speculations. Prabhupada never mentioned it - so it is just some concoction by some rascals. Wonder why this guruvani points to a mayavadha link, but anyway, mayavadha seems to be everywhere nowadays.

Hare Krishna!

 

Hello to all the nice devotees on this forum, please accept my humble obeisances.

 

I do not want to get involved with any kind of sectarianism or groupism but I would like- and need- some nice vaisnava association. Please can someone tell me of any nice vaisnava groups or associations?

 

Thank you very much.

 

Mira.

Mira, a bit more information about your experience on the path of bhakti so far would be nice!

<TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="70%" colSpan=2>Written by WVA correspondent in Vrindavan </TD></TR><TR><TD class=createdate vAlign=top colSpan=2>Thursday, 09 November 2006

http://www.vina.cc/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>

Swami Ram Dev, preaching against multinationals, has become national hero in the last year. He has drawn the attention of hundreds and thousands of people, encouraging them to use Coca Cola to wash their toilets: it kills all germs.

All the leading saints and Bhagavat Acharyas of Braj met in a large closed door meeting with the chief of RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang), the chief indian organisation and the mentor of BJP Sri K.S. Sudarshan. The agenda of the meeting was to stop the brutal destruction of heritage hills in the Dig and Kamak sub division of Rajasthan, which is part of Braj. Every saint spoke vehemently against the irrational and self destructive policies of the BJP government in Rajasthan. Unfortunately Mr. Sudarshan did not make any positive commitment to end this mindless mining by which 2000 trucks load of masonry stone is being removed from the sacred mountains. At this rate the holy mountains of Braj will vanish in a very short while. Dr. Ramji Lal Shastri of Man Mandir Varsana, Sri Radhakand Shastri, Vice President of Braj Rakshak Dal and Sri Haribol Baba, Convener Hill protection movement, they made strong speeches with documentary evidences to educate the RSS leader about the illegality of mining in Braj. Phool Dol das Maharaja of Vrindavan and Ram Devanand Saraswati gave a warning to the RSS leader that if he does not intervene to stop this illegal mining then the sadhus of Braj, and devotees of Krishna, will be forced to demonstrate publicly in Delhi against the ineffectiveness of RSS and BJP.

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this one is a must read!

by Bhakta Giovanni Battista

Dear Devotees,

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

Every day, thanks to Srila Prabhupada's love, I have the opportunity to go out and distribute his books.

Recently Lilananda Prabhu and I have been distributing books in a working-class area of Rome known as Centocelle.

Visualize blocks of flats at least seven storys high, working-class dwellings where you find the strangest situations and the worst smells emanating from within. Below the apartment complex is an interminable series of shops where the people, under a high dose of passion, enter and exit without taking notice of anyone around them. Now add all the raucous noises of the city: welcome to Centocelle!

Unfortunately, yesterday I woke up late, and so I could not finish my rounds before our morning program (here it starts at 6:15 am). So after doing various things, I managed to go out at 11 o'clock. While driving toward Centocelle, I was trying think of a place to finish my rounds peacefully, but I could not. Then I had an idea: on previous days I had noticed a street right before reaching "the jungle area" that led to a zone of humble villas that might be peaceful.

Once there, I knew I had done the right thing: there were airplanes in the sky and trains on the tracks, but it was much more peaceful than the rest of the area. I parked the car and went to chant. There weren't many passersby, but every once in a while someone would appear, mostly older people, curiously looking at this strange person dressed in white, with no hair and murmuring to himself. I would say hello in a friendly way and try to put them at ease, but unavoidably the word spread in the area and more than one person "by chance" walked nearby to see the strange sight. After finishing my rounds and honoring prasadam, I went forth to distribute books. After visiting some houses, I reached an old green wooden gate, a young man and woman came to open the gate and invite me into their garden. I learned that they were brother and sister, Antonio and Stefania. After a while their sister Maria joined us; she was very curious to hear about the books. While I spoke, Stefania went away three times, later explaining to me that she had to check on her three-year-old daughter Helena, who was having difficulty breathing. I learned she had difficulty especially during sleep, and so it was very important that special care be taken at that time.

I saw that these people were very simple and innocent, not wealthy at all but very well disposed to hear about Krsna. After some time their parents arrived and Antonio exclaimed, "Mom, Dad, he is a Hare Krsna monk!" The mother jokingly said to me: "I saw you walking back and forth before and thought you had just escaped from a clinic nearby!" We all laughed. The father, in a wise mood, said, "But I told them that you were meditating!" (In fact, I had met him earlier on the street, where he told me that he already knew the devotees and that he was a follower of Father Pio. I sensed then that he was not interested in the books, so I politely greeted him and walked on).

After I had spoken to them for twenty minutes, Stefania, Helena's mother, felt inspired to buy "The Journey of Self-Discovery." Enchanted by this simple family, I decided to give them a BTG for free. Then I invited them to the Sunday Feast and left. When I meet such people, I feel the urgency to improve myself and become a better instrument in Srila Prabhupada's hands to distribute the transcendental knowledge found in his books.

Around 5 p.m. I decided to head back to the temple. While walking to the car, I thought of Maria, Stefania's sister. I remembered how attracted she was by devotional music, and since I had a CD in the car, I decided to go to their home and give it to them as a gift. They had all left such a nice feeling in my heart.

As I approached their house I saw Stefania standing outside. As soon as she saw me she called to me loudly: "Padre Giovanni! Padre Giovanni!"

"I'm coming!" I called.

Breathlessly she continued, "As soon as you left us, my daughter Helena woke up and ran toward me with a very blissful face, such as I had never seen before, and exclaimed, 'Mom, mom, I dreamt of an angel with no hair!!'

"I said, 'Oh! And what was He like?'

"'He was wonderful -- bright-faced, without hair, but with a pony-tail on the back of his head and a sign on his forehead. He was baptizing everybody!'"

Upon hearing that, I was a little confused. Then the grandmother said, "I took your magazine and showed it to Helena, asking her to tell me if she recognized the angel as I turned the pages. When I reached the first page, where there is a picture of your spiritual master in saffron clothes, Helena opened her eyes wide and pointed to him: 'Here he is! It's him! It's him!!'"

At this point, I have to admit, I struggled to hold back my tears. Srila Prabhupada had appeared in the dream of this special soul in the body of a little girl, just as I was in the garden presenting his books!

The grandmother continued: "We were all amazed and asked Helena if he had told her something. She said 'Yes, I remember that he was speaking about books, books, reading books.'" At this point a shiver went up my spine -- it really was Srila Prabhupada!

They invited me into the house to meet Helena. I noticed the little girl playing with her cousin, but when she turned and saw me with the tilak and no hair, she retreated and started to cry: "I don't want to see! I don't want to see!" She hid behind a wall, and Stefania took her into another room.

Meanwhile, the grandmother told me Helena was not new to these miraculous encounters. "Once, while Helena was in the hospital, she told me that Padre Pio was by her side telling her to be peaceful because everything would be ok." Curious, the grandmother had shown her a photo of Padre Pio, and Helena had said that it was him! Another time, Giovanna (the grandmother) dreamed that Pope Jean Paul II entered their house carrying a letter and saying, "This is the letter you are all waiting for. You can give it to Helena. Everything will be ok." At that time the entire family was in anxiety, waiting for a reply from the Vatican Hospital about whether Helena had a certain rare and grave illness. The day after that dream, a letter arrived saying she did not.

Feeling at ease in that house, I started preaching about the importance of book distribution and how this service is so dear to Srila Prabhupada. Helena calmed down but was still afraid of me, so after a little while I gave them the bhajan CD and left. While driving back to the temple I was moved and had a constant thought: Srila Prabhupada in His infinite mercy never leaves us. He is present when we read his books, and much more when we distribute them. At the temple I told the devotees what had happened, and they were all enthusiastic and full of gratitude. They also perceived Srila Prabhupada's presence.

I had an idea: I asked for Helena's birthday details and gave them to Ramanuja Dasa, a devotee from Peru who is living in Rome. He has studied Vedic astrology extensively and teaches it. After a week, during the Sunday Feast, Ramanuja called me aside to show me Helena's astral chart. "You know, Prabhu," he said, "I've been doing this work for about twenty years, but I have seen an astral chart like this one only once or twice! This is a very elevated soul. She has all the planets favorable for spiritual life, she's intelligent, and she has positive karma. For sure in her last life she was a devotee."

Upon hearing those words, I felt very lucky. I've been going on sankirtana for a whole year, but I never had a meeting like this one. I went to visit them again four or five times, bringing them prasadam, garlands, devotional pictures, music CDs, and t-shirts for Helena.

I learned that the miracle continued: From the day of the "meeting with the angel," Helena has told the story to everyone she meets, and even if she cannot read, she opens Srila Prabhupada's books often because, she says, "Prabhupada told me to read." In her room she insisted there be a photo of Srila Prabhupada and one of Gopal Krsna close to her bed. She often wants to hear stories about Krsna, and in particular she likes the maha-mantra. When she listens to the maha-mantra, she insists on wearing a t-shirt with a picture of mother Yasoda and Krsna, and then she dances while chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Simply wonderful!

This is Srila Prabhupada's mercy! Even a child of three can perform devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead! I sincerely hope this story can infuse in the core of your heart the desire to serve more and more this eternal mission, which only Srila Prabhupada could have founded: ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Your aspiring servant,

Bhakta Giovanni Battista

I'm with KB 100% here. This is an area of our lives in which we require guidance from experienced, more advanced devotees in whom we have confidence.

 

Although many of the participants here may be counted as experienced and more advanced than others, it seems odd to me to pose such a serious question to folks we don't know. If this poster has a guru, I would suggest asking him first. If the poster doesn't have a guru, I'd suggest just what KB does: find someone you trust and respect and take guidance from him or her. Failing that, if you're a member of ISKCON, try asking the question of someone in the Deity worship ministry, whatever it's called. I'd be reluctant to give such advice to someone with whom I don't have any relationship. And just how does someone take to worship of Radha-Krishna without guidance, or even permission, anyway? Gaura-Nitai may be one thing, but Radha-Krishna is serious business. I have seen trouble from neglect or carelessness in such worship.

 

Nevetheless, putting Them to rest after asking Them to accept your worship through a picture of Them you take with you may be a last-ditch option, if you don't have time to sort out the other issues.

Somehow it's a bit missing that absolutely nobody suggests of asking Srila Prabhupada. Have present "stonehearted" Vaishnavas molded their lives as such that they avoid Srila Prabhupada - are even scared to hear his name? That they consider Prabhupada as dead and gone?

What does Prabhupada say about that "dead and gone" doctrine:

"Just like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places. Similarly, the Spiritual Master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A Spiritual Master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of places by the principle of relay monitoring.

SPL 28th May 68

My Dear Sudama,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 4th, 1970. I noted the contents with great interest. Actually, I was thinking of you from London and by the grace of Krishna my anxiety was televisioned to you in your dream. 8th Jan 70

Physical presence is immaterial. Presence of the transcendental sound received from the Spiritual Master should be the guidance of life. That will make our spiritual life successful. If you feel very strongly about my absence you may place my pictures on my sitting places and this will be source of inspiration for you.

(Letter to Brahmananda and other students, 19/1/67)

But always remember that I am always with you. As you are always thinking of me, I am always thinking of you also. Although physically we are not together, we are not separated spiritually. So we should be concerned only with this spiritual connection. (Letter to Gaurasundara, 13/11/69 )

So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association.

(Lectures SB, 68/08/18 )

There are two conceptions, the physical conception and the vibrational conception. The physical conception is temporary. The vibrational conception is eternal.[...] When we feel separation from Krsna or the Spirirual Master, we should just try to remember their words or instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Krsna and the Spiritual Master should be association by vibration not physical presence. That is real association.

(Elevation to Krsna Consciousness, (BBT 1973), Page 57 )

Although according to material vision His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarsavati Thakura Prabhupada passed away from this material world on the last day of December 1936, I still consider his Divine Grace to be always present with me by his vani, his words. There are two ways of association - by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but Vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore, one must take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence.

(CC, Antya 5 Conclusion )

Therefore we should take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence. (Letter to Suci Devi Dasi, 4/11/75 )

I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically present, as I am getting guidance from my Guru Maharaja.

(Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 14/7/77 )

It is sometimes misunderstood that if one has to associate with persons engaged in devotional service, he will not be able to solve the economic problem. To answer this argument, it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.

(SB 3:31:48 )

I am always with you. Never mind if I am physically absent.

(Letter to Jayananda, 16/9/67 )

Paramananda: We're always feeling your presence very strongly, Srila Prabhupada, simply by your teachings and your instructions. We're always meditating on your instructions.

Srila Prabhupada: Thank you. That is the real presence. Physical presence is not important.

(Room Conversation, Vrndavana, 6/10/77)

You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me? When you are helping my missionary activities I am always thinking of you, and you are always thinking of me . That is real association. Just like I am always thinking of my Guru Maharaja at every moment, although he is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve him to my best capacity, I am sure he is helping me by his spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association.

(Letter to Govinda Dasi, 18/8/69 )

As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krsna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krsna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on.

(Letter to Bala Krsna, 30/6/74 )

'Anyone who has developed unflinching faith in the Lord and the Spiritual Master can understand the revealed scripture unfolding before him'. So continue your present aptitude and you will be successful in your spiritual progress. I am sure that even if I am not physically present before you, still you will be able to execute all spiritual duties in the matter of Krsna Consciousness, if you follow the above principles.

(Letter to Subala, 29/9/67 )

So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living.

(General lectures, 69/01/13 )

Devotee: ...so sometimes the Spiritual Master is far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg Temple. He thinks 'How will the Spiritual Master be pleased?'

Srila Prabhupada: Just follow his order, Spiritual Master is along with you by his words. Just like my Spiritual Master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.

(SB Lectures, 71/08/18 )

Just like I am working, so my Guru Maharaja is there, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there. To serve master's word is more important than to serve physically.

(Room Conversation, Vrindavan, 2/5/77 )

So that is called prakata, physically present. And there is another phrase, which is called aprakata, not physically present. But that does not mean, Krsna is dead or God is dead. That does not mean, prakata or aprakata, physically present or not present, it does not matter.

(Lectures SB 73/12/11 )

So, spiritually, there is no question of separation, even physically we may be in far distant place.

(Letter to Syama Dasi, 30/08/68 )

I went to your country for spreading this information of Krsna Consciousness and you are helping me in my mission, although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you.

(Letter to Nandarani, Krsna Devi and Subala, 3/10/67 )

We are not separated actually. There are two - Vani or Vapuh - so Vapu is physical presence and Vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same.

(Letter to Hamsadutta, 22/6/70 )

So in the absence of physical presentation of the spiritual master, the Vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master Sarsavati Goswami, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve his instruction, I never feel separated from him.

(Letter to Karandhara, 22/8/70 )

I also do not feel separation from my Guru Maharaja. When I am engaged in his service, his pictures give me sufficient strength. To serve master's word is more important than to serve him physically.

(Letter to Syamasundara, 19/7/70 )

Follow the instruction, not the body.

So far as personal association with Guru is concerned, I was only with Guru Maharaj 4 or 5 times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am following his instruction, I have never felt any separation. There are some of my Godbrothers here in India, who had constant personal association with Guru Maharaja, but who are neglecting his orders. This is just like the bug who is sitting on the lap of the king. He may be very puffed up by his position but all he can succeed in doing is biting the king. Personal association is not so important as association through serving.

(Letter to Satyadhana, 20/2/72)

So spiritually appearance and disappearance, there is no difference ... spiritually there is no such difference, appearance or disappearance. Although this is the disappearance day of Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, there is nothing to be lamented, although we feel separation.

(Lecture, Los Angeles 13/12/73)

So my Guru Maharaja will be very, very much pleased with you ... it is not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding ... he is seeing. I never feel that I am alone.

(Lecture, 2/3/75)

Vani is more important than vapuh.

(Letter to Tusta Krishna Das, 14/12/72)

Yes I am glad that your centre is doing so well and all the devotees are now appreciating the presence of their spiritual master by following his instructions, although he is no longer present. This is the right spirit.

(Letter to Karandhara, 13/9/70)

The spiritual master by his words, can penetrate into the heart of the suffering person and inject knowledge transcendental which alone can extinguish the fire of material existence.

(SB(1987 Ed) 1.7.22)

There are two words, vani and vapuh. Vani means words, and vapuh means the physical body. Vapuh will be finished. This material body it will be finished, that is the nature. But if we keep to the vani, to the words of the spiritual master, then we remain very fixed up...if you always keep intact, in link with the words and instructions of the higher instructions, then you are always fresh. This is spiritual understanding.

(General lectures, 75/03/02)

So we should give more stress on the sound vibration, either of Krsna or Spiritual Master. Never think that I am absent from you, presence by message (or hearing) is the real touch.

(Letter to students, August 1967)

Reception of spiritual knowledge is never checked by any material condition.

(SB (1987)Ed) 7.7.1.)

The potency of transcendental sound is never minimised because the vibrator is apparently absent.

(SB 2.9.8.)

The disciple and Spiritual Master are never separated because the Spiritual Master always keeps company with the disciple as long as the disciple follows strictly the instructions of the Spiritual Master. This is called the association of Vani. Physical presence is called Vapuh. As long as the Spiritual Master is physically present, the disciple should serve the physical body of the Spiritual Master, and when the Spiritual Master is no longer physically existing, the disciple should serve the instructions of the Spiritual Master.

(SB 4:28:47)

If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual masters instructions and the spiritual master himself. In the absence therefore, his words of direction should be pride of the disciple."

(CC(1975 Ed) Adi 1.35)

Friday, November 10, 2006

<!-- Begin .post -->The War Against Hinduism...

By Stephen Knapp

Over the years we have all heard about the many attempts that have been made in India to convert various sections of society from Hinduism to either Christianity or Islam. But only after my last trip to India did I really get a much clearer understanding of what has been going on. Furthermore, most devotees in Iskcon, as well as many Indians, are not fully aware of how the war against Hinduism is happening, nor how serious it is. It is taking place on many levels, and because of this, in some areas, the practice of Hinduism is declining rapidly.

When I was traveling, I had gone on a lecture tour, speaking every night at places like Mumbai, Nagpur, Warangal, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Hyderbad, Bangalore, Trivadrum, and Chennai. So I had the chance to meet with many of the intellectuals and some of the spiritual leaders in these areas, and learned how conversion was a very hot issue.

Now I don't have anything in particular against Christianity itself. I was born and raised a Christian, so I know what it is, but also how they work. My main contention is when the teachings that are said to come from Jesus are twisted and misinterpreted into something that does not spread the genuine love of God and humanity that we are all supposed to develop, but becomes the dog-like barking and criticism against every other religion that is not Christian. This does not only go on toward every religion outside of Christianity, but also within it between Catholics and Protestants and other denominations. It seems that this faith has become not something that promotes our similarities for cooperation, but our differences in that everyone who is of a unrelated Christian denomination are all going to hell.

In regard to India, there is a great number of missionaries of various denominations who are working there right now, all competing for the most number of converts. The Southern Baptists alone are a group that has nearly 100,000 career missionaries in North India, all working to spread the "good word." We also find that in order to make converts from Hinduism some of the numerous Catholic priests in Southern India dress like sannyasis, and call their organizations ashramas. This is to make Christianity more similar to the Vedic traditions. Bharat Natyam dance is also taught in the Christian schools, but with Christian symbols and meanings replacing the Vedic. This is all in the attempt to actively sway Hindus over to Christianity.

Some of the tactics that the Christian missionaries have used to help make converts is to offer cheap polyester pants to the tribals of the Northeast if they become Christian, or even offer motor bicycles if they help convert their brothers, which also means their wives and family. In Madhya Pradesh, as noted in the Neogy Report, the missionaries give small loans on interest to the tribals, who cannot pay back such loans easily. However, if they become Christian, then such loans and the interest are dismissed. This is what goes on in the democracy of India, and under the tolerance of the Hindus, while if one such incidence would ever occur in a Muslim country, the result would be an immediate expulsion of the missionary from that nation.

Another trick that has been done is that missionaries, while treating the sick, will give medicine of no value and ask the tribal to take it while offering prayers to his local deity. Naturally, no cure of disease is likely to occur with the useless medicine. Then the missionary gives the tribal real medicine and asks the tribal to take it while offering prayers to Jesus. Then when there is a recovery, it is attributed to the power of Christ and not to the medicine. Such conversion activities take place these days more often in the tribal areas under the guise of social service. However, true social service should be done without expecting anything in return, including conversion.

Another thing that takes place is mass healings at meetings similar to revivals. What they do is pay people to attend the healings portraying themselves as being sick, or invalids on crutches, etc., who then get called up and are miraculously cured of their disease. This is attributed to the power of Christ, which then convinces many tribals that they too can benefit in various ways if they become Christian. This has not had much of an effect amongst the Brahmin classes, but the lower classes who attend are more vulnerable and are impressed by such things, and are then swayed toward Christianity. This is why Christian conversion tactics have been focused more toward the tribal areas than other regions of India. So these conversions are not taking place due to pure preaching of the Bible or the message of Jesus, but are accomplished by trickery and the emphasis on material facility. This is, of course, what is being objected to by the general Hindu population. However, when or if people convert for purely spiritual reasons, then there is no objection.

Another way conversions are accomplished is with the promise to the Dalits or the lower caste Hindus that they will not have any more caste recognition by becoming Christians. However, after conversion many find out that this is not true. Even amongst the converted Christians there is found to be a caste mentality, with the lower castes forced to use separate doorways, separate seating, or have marriages performed only among equal caste Christians. When this becomes obvious to those who are newly converted, some of them want to come back to being Hindus again, which has been facilitated by such organizations as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

An interesting point is that in spite of these duplicitous ways of converting that the Christians have used, the Christian churches have threatened violence against the process of reconversion back to Hinduism that had been launched by the VHP. It was Rev. V. K. Nuh, secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Convention who said, "If someone tries to impose their faith, Christians in this region will not surrender. There will be a battle and we shall have no option. There will be a physical and religious war if attempts are made to propagate Hinduism by forceful means in the Northeast." In this same line of thinking, Rev. M.D. Oaugma, head of the Garo Baptist Convention of Mehgalaya said, "It could be a threat to Christianity if we remain silent to the VHP's game plan of mass conversion. We shall have to fight, we shall have to resist." (Maharashtra Herald, July 11, 1998)

Of course, it is easy for Hindus to be nonchalant toward other religions because they feel that each spiritual path takes you toward God. So in this light, it is alright to be tolerant of them or let them thrive. But the problem is that not all religions feel the same way toward Hinduism. Some feel that Hinduism is a culture that should be removed or destroyed. An example of this is that in Northeast India, in countries like Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur, they have witnessed a surge of nearly 200% in their Christian population in the past 25 years due to the wily tactics of foreign missionaries. Their grasp is so strong now that practicing Hinduism is forbidden in some areas. Hindus can no longer do worship or arati in the open because of the fanaticism in parts of the land. Durga puja has become almost obsolete as deities are destroyed or stolen in broad daylight. This confrontational climate has led to numerous militant outfits sponsored by the Church who are fighting for secession from India. So now the Eastern portion of India wants to secede from it, and another part of India will be lost if this should happen.

If the Catholic Church in particular is supposed to espouse the message that God is love, and that it is by love of God and neighbor that mankind is saved, it certainly hasn't shown much of that kind of love toward any other religion. With the Pope's recent call for conversions in Asia, it certainly shows that it is not a friend of other religions, but still holds the goal that other spiritual paths should be brought down to be replaced by Christianity. This should be clearly understood. This is also the case with the Baptists and other denominations.

While I was in New Delhi, I also met with Mrs. Shanti Reddy, a member of a government agency called the National Committee for Women. She revealed that another thing that missionaries have done was to kidnap young Indian children. What one Christian missionary couple in Chennai was doing before they were arrested was to bride tribals into giving their young baby girls to them. They would pay the tribals as little as 2000 to 5000 rupees for baby girls, and then turn around and sell the girls to foreigners for as much as $30,000 to $40,000. According to the records that had been confiscated from the missionaries' home, this had been a thriving business, and nearly 25 of such transactions had already taken place. The Indian authorities said they probably saved 300 baby girls from such a fate from the indications on the records they found. So this has been another one of the forms of activities that such missionaries do for their own benefit and profit against the real interest of India. However, whenever Hindus react with force against such people, they are labeled as fundamentalists, antagonists, or worse.

Another way that India is slowly losing its Vedic culture is through the process of secular or English and Christian education. Of course, in public schools all Vedic books have been removed from the curriculum. So there are no possibilities to study the ancient Indian literature or art. So Vedic values are no longer part of what the children are taught. Furthermore, the Christian schools, often staffed by Christian missionaries, can teach Christian values in their classes, and include a short study of the Bible everyday, or the Koran if it's an Islamic school. The so-called secular government has even helped them with free land and facilities. Since these schools offer English in their education, along with good discipline, many of the middle classes of Indians are favoring sending their children to these schools. Today, in the Indian cities, many of the parents of children are the graduates of Christian schools, who also send there own children to such schools. As this trend continues, there will be a decreasing number of Hindus in the educated sector. Thus, children in India, with the help of the secular government, are learning Christian values and perceiving their own history and culture as something less than honorable. They are taught that such important books as the Bhagavad-gita, Ramayana, Bhagavat Purana and other Vedic texts are nothing more than mythology, and not a result of one of the most profound civilizations in the world. They are also taught that their own God is but a demon and the only real way to God is through Jesus.

An example of this is that a few devotees from the New Delhi Iskcon (Hare Krishna) temple go out and give presentations to the children's classes in schools. Some of the questions that are asked by the children are, "Who is your God?" and "What can your God do for me?" and so on. Obviously, these questions are nothing but a direct result of the Christian and English oriented education that these children are receiving. Now I ask anyone, isn't this practically a covert form of conversion? This form of education indoctrinates the children to doubt their own culture, and disrespect their own history and traditions. As a result of this form of education, the Hindu population is slowly forgetting the unique history and lofty culture of their homeland.

As I traveled around, it was not unusual to see elementary schools around India with the name something like "Saint Xavier's School." People should know that this Francis Xavier, who is now one of the greatest so-called "saints," feverishly declared, "When I have finished baptizing the people, I order them to destroy the huts in which they keep their idols; and I have them break the statues of their idols into tiny pieces, since they are now Christians. I could never come to an end describing to you the great consolation which fills my soul when I see idols being destroyed by the hands of those who had been idolaters." (From "The Letters and Instructions of Francis Xavier," 1993, pp 117-8) This was his goal, to destroy Indian culture and make India a Christian nation. So it is ironic that now India embraces the schools that honor him in this way. How could they not know his true intention?

What is often not recognized is that, up until recently, for the last 50 years the politicians who have been directing the destiny of India are the ones who have an anti-Hindu attitude. They have set the economic direction and the educational policies that the country has been forced to follow. They have also promised the protection of the religious minorities with the hopes of acquiring votes. This has been one of the reasons why the secularists in the Congress party have treated everything that is Hindu with disdain.

Another aspect of the loss of Vedic culture in India is that the younger Indian people, especially ages from 15 to 25, are readily giving up Vedic customs to follow the more decadent so-called freedoms of the West. They see the western movies, they read what the celebrities say in the papers, and they admire them and want to adopt their forms of dress and lifestyles. Thus, in the big cities like Mumbai you have Indian couples living together without marriage, which is something you never would have seen before a few years back. Now the Vedic principles are looked upon as something obsolete, something that restricts the style that those who look to the West want to adopt. Thus, they are leaving Indian traditions behind and losing respect for anything Vedic. In this way, they adopt foreign standards, or lose so much respect for Indian and Vedic values that they become embarrassed to admit their Hindu background and heritage. Furthermore, Sanskrit scholars at the temples are also slowly dying out, and the modern Indians view the Ramayana and Mahabharata as merely myths or gaudy television shows.

Although India has been invaded by outsiders so many times and has always survived, what we are talking about is more than mere property or geography. What is actually being threatened is the basis of Indian culture itself. As younger generations give up their Vedic heritage, even if they return to it later when they are older and looking for more philosophical support, with whatever percentage of loss occurs with each generation, time has shown that it is never fully recovered. A portion of it is lost forever.

Another way of looking at this is that India presently enjoys an 85% Hindu majority in its population. This may sound quite significant, but in actuality this includes 15% Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains. So it is really only a 70% majority. How many more generations will go by before we see a big drop in this percentage due to the process of secular (meaning Christian or English, or even Islamic) education, or with the present rate of conversions by tactless Christians? This percentage could easily drop well below 50% in only several more generations at the present rate of change.

How many more generations will it take before the Hindu majority is no longer a majority, but a minority in its own country? As Hinduism declines, you will see that the demands on the government and those voted into politics will also change, and the laws will also alter more in favor of the increasing minority religions at the expense of declining Hinduism. Then as the years go by there will appear only small clusters of Hindu or Vedic communities, most likely centered around prominent holy places, until the more aggressive religions act in ways to diminish these as well, in the same way that they are presently doing in other countries.

The point of all this information is that it is time for all Hindus and followers of the Vedic culture, Sanatana-dharma, to realize what is actually happening and give up your timidness or nonchalance and speak out while such freedom still exists. We must become more pro-active for defending this culture. The point is that if you do not take it seriously, I can assure you that there are others who take this inaction and tolerance extremely seriously to promote their own goals and religions in India. It is because of this that India may not always remain the homeland of an active and thriving Vedic culture as it is now. We need to protect whatever is left of it and maintain the present liberties that Hindus still have in India. Then we all can continue to engage in Vedic traditions without hindrance, and with full freedom. For this, we need to unite ourselves in a concerted effort to make this happen. And it most certainly is possible.

Recently, as told to me by Professor Subash Kak, it was noted in a reputable publication that now 1% of the Russian population claim that they are Hindu. The article stated that this was primarily due to the preaching efforts of Iskcon. This shows a major social impact. This shows what is possible if we can work together in a concerted effort. This is why I am convinced that if we all work in a pro-active way under the banner of a united family of Vedic followers, we can keep and even expand the present freedoms that we now have to practice Vedic traditions, and keep India as the homeland of Vedic culture, the most ancient roots of humanity.

India must be protected and kept as the homeland of the Vedic heritage, Sanatana-dharma, Hinduism. Without it, what is its value, in spite of whatever else it accomplishes? The value of Hinduism and India are clearly expressed in the words of the famous English theosophist Dr. Annie Besant. She put great emphasis on the value of India, its history, the Vedic culture, and its importance to the world. As written in the cover notes from the book, Hindus, Life-Line of India, by G. M. Jagtiani, she says: "After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect, none so scientific, none so philosophic, and none so spiritual as the great religion known by the name of Hinduism. The more you know it, the more you will love it; the more you try to understand it, the more deeply you will value it. Make no mistake; without Hinduism, India has no future. Hinduism is the soil into which India's roots are struck, and torn of that she will inevitably wither, as a tree torn out from its place. Many are the religions and many are the races flourishing in India, but none of them stretches back into the far dawn of her past, nor are they necessary for her endurance as a nation. Everyone might pass away as they came and India would still remain. But let Hinduism vanish and what is she? A geographical expression of the past, a dim memory of a perished glory, her literature, her art, her monuments, all have Hindudom written across them. And if Hindus do not maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India's own children do not cling to her faith, who shall guard it? India alone can save India, and India and Hinduism are one."

In this light, it is absolutely necessary that as followers of Sanatana-dharma, Vedic culture, we realize that we need to repair whatever differences we have between us regarding whatever issues there may be. This is necessary in order to work with some cooperation with whomever we can if we expect to be a substantial force in defending the Vedic cause. Otherwise, all the issues that invariably come up, although these should not be ignored, should not take so much of our attention that our preaching stops. Otherwise, we will only serve as contributors to the continuing deterioration of all spiritual standards as the age of Kali progresses. This preaching, of course, means that we must all stay in touch with and practice the Vedic standards.

We cannot allow ourselves to be led into the danger of endless debate that leads to inaction. We all must be pro-active in some way to help defend and spread Vedic culture. Then we can work together to keep the freedom we presently have to practice the Vedic traditions and keep India as the homeland of a thriving, dynamic, and still living tradition. Such freedom does not come without its challenges, and we must be prepared as a society to meet those challenges. To take such freedoms for granted means that it's only a matter of time before they are lost. And that is exactly what some people want to happen. So we must be willing to work all the harder to prevent such a decline of our Vedic heritage.

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Anu-Gita is a part of the Ashwamedha Parva in the Mahabharata

 

http://www.astrojyoti.com/anugita.htm

Probably it doesnt has anything to do with bhakti-yoga otherwise Prabhupada would have translated it?

I have to admit that I never heard something about an Anu-gita.

Now there's a guest lecture in our Department of South and Central Asian Studies. The invitation reads as follows:

Dr. Herman Tieken lectures on Bhagavad-gita and Anu-gita

After the great battle Krishna expresses the desire to see His killed relatives again. Arjuna asks Krishna before leaving to repeat what He told him on the eve of the battle, since he has completely forgotten it. Krishna tells Arjuna that that is impossible. Instead He relates the teachings of a certain siddha. This passage has become known as Anu-gita.

However, on closer consideration the Anu-gita appears to pass over all those elements which make the Bhagavad-gita such a unique treatise. While the Bhagavad-gita plays a pivotal role in the first part of the Mahabharata, which culminates in the great battle, one may ask if the Anu-gita, as another sermon by Krishna, could not have played an equally pivotal role in the second part, which seems mainly concerned with the attempts of the survivors of the battle to get rid of the guilt of having killed their relatives.

Krishna wants to see His killed relatives after the battle?

Arjuna has completely forgotten what Krishna told him on the eve of the battle?

Any suggestions?

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=305 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=305 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Human-cow hybrid embryo planned

By Nigel Hawkes

Stem-cell researchers have applied to produce an embryo using an animal’s egg and a human cell

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD height=5></TD></TR><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=305 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top><!-- Picture and caption--><!-- bgcolor for pic and cation differ according to section - see style guide --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=150 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD><TD bgColor=#ffffff></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=middle><!-- picture caption - background color depends on section --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- Picture and caption ends-->British scientists are to submit plans to create a hybrid embryo — part human, part cow.

They are to develop a way of creating stem cells that does not require human eggs, but the application seems likely to be met with controversy.

The team, from the University of Newcastle, would take a cow’s egg and remove the nucleus. They would then replace it with the nucleus of a cell taken from an adult human, such as a skin cell.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TD id=mpuHeader name="mpuHeader"></TD></TR><TR align=right><TD align=right>........ type=text/javascript>NI_MPU('middle');.........></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The hybrid would be overwhelmingly human — 99.9 per cent, according to the team, led by Lyle Armstrong, of the North East England Stem Cell Institute. The other 0.1 per cent would be animal.

The embryo would then be allowed to divide for six days, when the team would try to extract stem cells, which have many potential applications in medicine. The hybrid embryo would be destroyed, as all research embryos are, at 14 days.

The application will be made to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, although it is by no means clear that the research falls within its remit. Some experts claim that hybrids, because they are not 100 per cent human, are outside the law under which the HFEA was established.

In 2000 Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, recommended that the mixing of human adult cells with the live eggs of any animal species should not be permitted.

This was accepted by the Government, which said that it would bring forward primary legislation to effect this “when the parliamentary timetable allows”. No such legislation has been through Parliament, although the Government announced a review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act last November.

The Select Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Commons disagreed with Sir Liam, saying that hybrids formed by nuclear transfer — the technique planned by the Newcastle team — may have value for deriving embryonic stem cells for research.

It recommended that any new legislation should define the nature of such embryos, make their creation legal for research purposes if they are destroyed after 14 days and prohibit them from being implanted in a woman.

Dr Armstrong said: “We are very hopeful that the HFEA will grant us permission for this work, which will help us to understand more about how cells behave after the nuclear transfer process.

“At the moment we don’t know if the nuclear transfer process works well enough in humans to create useful embryonic stem cells. We need to carry out many tests to establish this and, as animal eggs are freely available, it makes sense to use these. Stem-cell research promises huge potential medical advantages and we believe we will be working towards our ultimate goal of developing new patient therapies.”

Teams at the University of Edinburgh and Kings College London plan to seek permission for similar work. The HFEA said that it had yet to receive the Newcastle application, and could therefore not comment on it. But it indicated that, given the different opinions expressed on the subject of hybrids, any such application would require careful thought.

Dr Armstrong said that while there was still uncertainty whose responsibility it was, “If it isn’t the HFEA’s, I don’t know whose it is.” He said that it would be a valuable piece of research, aimed at discovering what it is about an egg cell that is able to “reprogramme” an adult cell so that it returns to an embryonic condition. He said: “Human eggs are in short supply, and most come from women who are undergoing IVF. It’s a much better use of a scarce resource to use them to help them have children.” Cows’ eggs had been chosen, he said, because they are large enough to be easily manipulated, unlike those of, say, a mouse.

CELL HISTORY

Ian Wilmut, who created Dolly the sheep, was given a licence to clone human embryos in February last year

The first licence to clone human embryos was given to Alison Murdoch and Miodrag Stojkovic in 2004 for diabetes research. In May last year they said that they had created their first cloned embryo

The first pure nerve stem cells made from human embryonic stem cells were created last year, raising hopes for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s treatments

The North-East England Stem Cell Institute was given a licence in July that allows women to cut the cost of IVF treatment if they donate some of their eggs for cloning research

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

posted on Tue 07 Nov 2006 10:03 PM CST

VAIKUNTHA DRESS by HH Danavir Goswami

http://www.iskcon-network.com/blog/_archives/2006/11/7/2481856.html

Many persons around the world have adopted the dress of Vaisnavas due to the influence of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> consciousness movement. In this article we shall be speaking about a few of the prominent Vaisnava dress ideals Srila Prabhupada introduced to his disciples because such patterns are conducive for performing devotional service (änukülyasya saìkalpa). It may appear Indian (from <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">India</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>) but actually, according to His Divine Grace, this dress is from Vaikuëöha in the spiritual sky.

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In my opinion, Clean shaved Brahmacharies & Grhasthas in saffron robes look like angels from Baikunta. (Letter to: Damodara --13 October, 1967)

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Although dress is external, it tells quite a bit about the person inside. Srila Prabhupada himself refused to give up wearing his standard sannyasi robes despite requests to the opposite from his compatriots:

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Before me, so many swamijis went there [to Western countries such as <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">America</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>]. They did not give, but they took something and came here [<ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">India</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION>] and advertised themselves as foreign-returned sannyäsé and exploited the people. They lost even their original dress. Everyone knows, I have never changed my dress. Rather, I have given the dress to the foreigners, and they have taken it. The Ramakrishna mission people came to request me that I dress myself in coat, pant, hat. Because they are doing. Their so-called swamis, they are dressed in coat, pant, hat. So this is a culture. (Srila Prabhupada lecture on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.9.48 -- Mäyäpura, June 14, 1973)

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In the spiritual world Lord Krishna, Lord Visnu and Their devotees wear dhotés, tilaka, etc., and naturally when They come to this planet for pastimes They dress the same. It is not surprising then, that Srila Prabhupada encouraged his followers to wear Vaikuntha dress.

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But Is Vaikuntha Dress Practical Today?

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Is it practical for modern-day devotees to wear? For the most part, yes. Exceptions would be where such dress could provoke violence from fanatics or while doing heavy or dirty work. Otherwise wearing robes, as Srila Prabhupada often referred to dhotés and saris, is the most practical dress for a devotee.

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As a soldier feels energy when wearing his uniform and as a uniformed policeman becomes easily recognizable by citizens, so devotees feel enlivened dressing in the style of devotees which also reminds others to think of <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE>. It is not that one cannot serve the Lord without wearing traditional devotional attire, however since it is favorable, it should be accepted.

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The saffron robes and the shaven head are not essential, although they create a good mental situation, just as when a military man is dressed properly he gets energy—he feels like a military man. (Science of Self Realizaiton, 5)

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MEN’S VAISNAVA DRESS

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Dhoté

Sikha (with shaved-head)

Facial Hair (without)

Earrings (without)

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WOMEN’S VAISNAVI DRESS

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Sari

Braided Hair (with part)

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MEN’S AND WOMEN’S VAISNAVA DRESS

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Tilaka

Kaëöhé-mälä, “neck beads”

Leather-less

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Çyämasundara: This is Kalki däsa and Ambikä devé däsé [husband and wife].

Prabhupäda: Now, with this dress you look so beautiful. This Vedic dress is also nice, very beautiful. It increases the beauty hundred times by this dress. (Initiations -- Sydney, April 2, 1972)

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MEN’S #1: THE DHOTÉ

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A dhoté is a piece of cloth (generally made of cotton or silk), four to five yards long and 48 to 60 inches wide, worn as a lower garment by cultured males in Vedic society.

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Dhoté, in India, they use dhoté, about five yards, one dhoté. (Class given by Srila Prabhupada; Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä 20.66-96 -- New York, November 21, 1966)

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After the dhoté is secured about the waist, the remaining length of cloth on either side is folded accordian-style and tucked into the waist band in the middle front and rear center. The piece of cloth brought between the legs and tucked in the rear is called a kacha. Srila Prabhupada introduced such dhotés to his male brahmacari and grhastha disciples in the 1960’s. Srila Prabhupada himself wore such dhotés while in the grhastha asrama.

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The photo shows Abhay in his late twenties. He is thin and dark, with a full mustache. His forehead is broad, his eyes dark and clear. He wears a white kurtä and dhoté and plain dark slippers. (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita)

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If there is no kacha in the back, or in other words no folded cloth brought from the front and tucked into the back center waistband, the garment is known as a lunghi. Sometimes such a lunghi is referred to as “mukta-kacha” without a kacha. This type of lunghi is designated to be worn by sannyasis as exemplified by Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja and Srila Prabhupada, etc.

Throughout the entire era of Srila Prabhupada’s presence in ISKCON in 1966 until his departure in 1977, ISKCON brahmacaris and householders wore the traditional dhotés with kacha tucked in the back. Since his departure, however some ISKCON men have begun wearing lunghis in the place of dhotés although they are not in the sannyasa asrama. This was not introduced by Srila Prabhupada and it is our opinion that wearing lunghis should not be worn within ISKCON by householders and brahmacaris.

By putting aside the standard dhotés we have been given by Srila Prabhupada, we wander out into unknown murky waters. Each item Srila Prabhupada introduced was a perfect instrument for cultivating <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> consciousness.

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“Dhuti” in Bengali

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The term dhoté (dhuti in Bengali) is directly used in the Sri Caitanya Caritämåta at the time when Sanätana Gosvämé came to see Lord Caitanya at Banares.

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tabe miçra purätana eka dhuti dila

teìho dui bahirväsa-kaupéna karila

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When Tapana Miçra gave Sanätana Gosvämé a used dhoté, Sanätana immediately tore it into pieces to make two sets of outer cloth and underwear. (Caitanya-caritämåta; Madhya 20.78)

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Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed at the home of a first class householder devotee, Tapana Misra, whom Caitanya Caritamrita specifically designates wore a dhoté rather than a lunghi.

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Although the word “dhoté” is not specifically mentioned in Sanskrit, the Srimad Bhagavatam indicates that dhotés were indeed worn millions of years ago by Mahäräja Påthu.

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mahä-dhane dukülägrye paridhäyopavéya ca

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mahä-dhane—very valuable; duküla-agrye—dressed with a dhoté; paridhäya—on the upper portion of the body; upavéya—placed like a sacred thread; ca—also.

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He [Mahäräja Påthu] wore a very valuable dhoté, and there was a nice wrapper on the upper part of his body.(Srimad Bhagavatam 4.21.18)

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The exact Sanskrit wording used is duküla Sanskrit-English Dictionary; Sir Monier-Williams; Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Delhi</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY>; 1995: duküla means “a very fine garment or raiment made of the inner bark of this plant [the duküla plant.” Since Srila Prabhupada, as the consummate Sanskrit scholar well-acquainted with Vedic culture, translated this word duküla and other Sanskrit words such as väsa, veña, kauçeya, etc. as dhoté it would be wise on our part to accept that dhotés were indeed worn in Vedic times.

5,000 years ago King Yudhisthira and his guests wore dhotés for the Rajasuya Sacrifice.

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All the men there shone like demigods. They were adorned with jeweled earrings, flower garlands, turbans, waistcoats, silk dhotés and valuable pearl necklaces.(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.75.24 At the Räjasüya sacrifice of Maharaja Yudhisthira)

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Did <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> Really Wear A Dhoté?

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A Sanskrit scholar was recently heard sarcastically commenting upon paintings showing Lord Krishna wearing a dhoté on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. He opined that the dhoté was probably the most impractical dress. We should not forget however that the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna displays the quality of lalita, or a meticulous dresser and as such He does everything in perfect style.

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Seeing such colorful dress and the garlands of different flowers, some great sages prayed, “Lord Kåñëa was going to the Battlefield of Kurukñetra not to fight, but to grace all of the devotees with His presence.” (Nectar of Devotion: 24: Kåñëa’s Apparel and Garlands)

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Vasudeva’s priests also dressed in dhotés.

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My dear Mahäräja Parékñit, Vasudeva’s priests and the officiating members of the assembly, dressed in silk dhotés and jeweled ornaments, looked so effulgent that they seemed to be standing in the sacrificial arena of Indra, the killer of Våtra. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.84.50)

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Also found in the Çré Båhad Bhägavatämåta commentary by Çréla Sanätana Gosvämé is the reference to Lord Näräyaëa’s garments; “His dhoté and upper cloth are yellow like the rays of the sun.” (Volume 2, chapter 4, text 67)

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Kirtanananda was the first to wear a dhoti, and Srila Prabhupada showed him how to put it on, in the style that you talk about. Kirtanananda had told Srila Prabhupada that he wanted to wear robes. When Kirtanananda came back from <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">India</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION> in 1967, he told the devotees that they could wear karmi clothes. When Srila Prabhupada found out, he was displeased and wrote a letter stating that he had never said any such thing. He said that when he saw the devotees with flags [sikhas] and dhotis, he thought they looked like angels from Vaikuntha.

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I received my second initiation in <ST1:CITY w:st="on">Montreal</ST1:CITY> in 1968, but I had gone to <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Montreal</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> without a dhoti because we did not worry so much about those things at that time. When the ceremony began Srila Prabhupada asked me, "Where is your dhoti?" So Himavati gave me a piece of cloth that I sort of made a dhoti out of. But Srila Prabhupada did not want to perform the initiation unless I was in a dhoti.

—Umapati Swami

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MEN’S #2: THE SIKHA (with shaved head)

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Since time immemorial, male devotees of Kåñëa have worn çikhäs and shaved heads as a sign of surrender to the spiritual master, who is pleased to see his disciples entering into Kåñëa conscious life.

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They are after being initiated with Vaisnavism by having their head shaved and keeping sikha and yajna-sutra and adorning with twelve tilakas, being engaged in Hari sankirtana. Are not all these things a pride for us Indians? (Letter from Srila Prabhupada: 28 September, 1976)

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The Sanskrit term çikhä literally means a tuft of hair on the top of the head, or sometimes the crown, or pinnacle. Srila Prabhupada also referred to the çikhä as “flag”—a term which seems to fit well with the idea that the body is a <ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:PLACETYPE w:st="on">temple</ST1:PLACETYPE> of <ST1:PLACENAME w:st="on">God</ST1:PLACENAME></ST1:PLACE>—thus a flag on top of the temple.

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I have no objection if members of the Society dress like nice American gentlemen; but in all circumstances a devotee cannot avoid tilak, flag on head, & beads on neck. These are essential features of a Vaisnava. (Lette from Srila Prabhupada to: Brahmananda -- 14 October, 1967)

According to the Vedic culture, when a person undergoes the cüòa-karaëa-saàskära (hair-cutting ceremony) and upanayana (Vedic initiation), he must shave his head, leaving a tuft of hair called a çikhä. One must have a çikhä to perform any kind of yajïa. Therefore in Indian tradition all the brähmaëas, Vaiñëavas or otherwise, keep a çikhä.

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According to sastra anyone who wears tilaka and sikha and kunti over and above the Vaisnava dress or Vaisnava sannyasi must be accepted [as a bona fide member of Vedic culture] especially while chanting Hare Krishna mantra with bead bags. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Syamasundara dasa --8 April, 1974)

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Another Vedic reference indicates that the çikhä is positioned on the top, back portion of the head covering and sheltering the soft spot. Traditionally Vedic students, brahmanas, sannyasis and Vaisnavas shave their heads and wear sikhas indicating their renunciation of the material world and dedication to Lord Krsna. The Mäyävädés and Buddhists, who are not inclined to the service of Krsna, do not accept the çikhä.

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“To date, all the devotees of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, following in His footsteps, accept the sannyäsa order and keep the sacred thread and tuft of unshaved hair. The ekadaëòi-sannyäsés of the Mäyävädé school give up the sacred thread and do not keep any tuft of hair. Therefore they are unable to understand the purport of tridaëòa-sannyäsa, and as such they are not inclined to dedicate their lives to the service of Mukunda. (Caitanya Caritämåta; Madhya 3.6 Purport)

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Srila Prabhupada’s personal servant, Nanda-kumära dasa, remembers His Divine Grace saying: “Gaudiya Vaiñëava çikha is an inch and a half across—no bigger. Bigger çikhäs means another sampradäya. And they have to be knotted." (SPL 40: Around the World but Absorbed in <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Bombay</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY>) “Knotted” means that the sikha is tied into a slipknot by entwining, folding and looping it modeled after a sideview photograph of Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakura. Other religious traditions share a similar liturgy called tonsure:

ton·sure (tawn“sh…r) n. 1. The act of shaving the head or part of the head, especially as a preliminary to becoming a priest or a member of a monastic order. 2. The part of a monk's or priest's head that has been shaved. --ton·sure tr.v. ton·sured, ton·sur·ing, ton·sures. To shave the head of. (The American Heritage Dictionary)

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Krsna pulls the devotee out of the material world and back to Godhead by the çikhä, it has been said. Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu once rescued His servant Krsnadasa from the clutches of bandits by the çikhä.

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bhaööathäri-ghare mahä uöhila krandana

keçe dhari’ vipre laïä karila gamana

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While there was much roaring and crying at the Bhaööathäri community, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu grabbed Kåñëadäsa by the hair and took him away. (Caitanya Caritämåta; Madhya 9.234)

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To the public, such signs as the çikhä are constant reminders that the devotees of God are present, and therefore the çikhä indirectly reminds everyone of Kåñëa.

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Regarding what is a Vaisnava, Vaisnava means that when others see him, they will also chant Hare Krsna. So why not give them the chance of seeing [a Vaisnava] by wearing the beads, tilaka, and sikha? You are not paramahamsa that you can do whatever you like. So my advice to you is that you remain ideal Vaisnava internally and externally, and everyone will respect you. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to Sudama --10 December, 1973)

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Famous as Shaven-headed

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The combination of a shaved head and a sikha has proven successful throughout the world, practically Hare Krishna devotees have become famous by these items. In the following exchange, His Divine Grace coins the expression “hippie seeds” indicating the growing of long hair.

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Prabhupäda: [You] Look very beautiful by keeping hair. What is that explanation?

Bhagavat: I was advised that because I was going to the European countries for preaching for some time, that...

Prabhupäda: But they, they, they...

Bhagavat: ...it would be required to keep these hairs.

Prabhupäda: ...owned victory with the court by keeping shaven hair.

Hari-çauri: They won a victory in the court by keeping a shaved head.

Bhagavat: I asked their advice, whether I should shave or keep the hair.

Prabhupäda: Who is that nonsense advice? Who is that rascal? “Advice.” By keeping hair you become beautiful and become victimized. “Advice.” This is... Without advice, this mentality is going on outside, to keep hair. We are known as shaven hair, whole society.

Hari-çauri: I’ve been shaving my head once every month. It’s just about three weeks since I’ve...

Prabhupäda: Every fortnight. At least. Before going to Europe, six years ago, you were keeping hair: “I have to go to <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Europe</ST1:PLACE>.” That I have seen. Everywhere. Those who... You like to keep hair. That hippie mentality is going on. That’s right. That is good, very intelligent reasoning, actual, long hair by keeping...(?) Everyone is giving some advice. Gurudäsa is giving. “He’s keeping. He’s...” Gargamuni. Everyone has some explanation. I do not know how you can give up this hippie mentality. Hippie. Lävaëyaà keça-dhäraëam. Kali-yuga. Victim of Kali-yuga. It is... It is not yet whole, but weak men, victimized by Kali-yuga... There are so many things to victimize over the living entities in Kali-yuga, and one of the item is that he will take that “I have become very, very beautiful, attractive by keeping long hair.” Keça. That is already stated there. You are victimized by that Kali-yuga. That’s all. No explaining. Our trademark is clean-shaven. We are known as shaven hair. Why you should be victimized? You are known as shaven hair. Are you not? Hm? They say that “Hare Kåñëa people, shaven hair”?

Hari-çauri: Shaven-headed.

Prabhupäda: Shaven hair. So why you should be victimized by keeping hair? What victory you will gain? Conquer over the whole world, <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Roman Empire</ST1:PLACE>, by keeping hair? Hippie mentality, that’s all. That is within the core of the heart. As soon as get some opportunity... Just like during summer season the field appears to be dried up. And as soon as there is some rain, oh, it is green, immediately green. So things are already there. Hm? Is it not?

Hari-çauri: Yes.

Prabhupäda: Now you see to the field. They’re all dry. But as soon as there will be rain in the village, all green. So the seeds are there, hippie seeds. As soon as there is some opportunity, come out, green: “Yes, I am beautiful. Come on.” But in the court room they never addressed. Judge never asked that “Why you are shaven-headed?” Was there any question like that?

Hari-çauri: Actually, when he first went to court, they were wondering why he had hair.

Prabhupäda: Hm?

Hari-çauri: When Ädi-keçava went to court the first time...

Prabhupäda: Yes.

Hari-çauri: ...he had suit and hair, and they wondered why he was dressed like that.

Prabhupäda: Yes. Then cheater.

Hari-çauri: Yeah, they accused...

Prabhupäda: That means, of course, indirectly hinted that “Now you are cheating. You are known as shaven-headed. Now you have kept hair. What is the purpose except cheating?” [break] Ideals become a leader. He’ll do. There must be some strong men. Tilaka always must be there. That is our great standard. Kaëöhé-mälä. Every fifteen days you should be cleansed [head shaved]. (Morning Conversation -- May 29, 1977, Våndävana)

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As a general tactic for preaching sikha/shaved head is preferable. Improving a public image does not mean to dress like the common public out of conformity.

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Now for our practical life we are known all over the world as shaven-headed. Is it not? Now we are becoming hair-headed. We are forgetting shaving because there is little leniency. Immediately faulty things are creeping in. So we should be known as shaven-headed, not long-hair-headed. This is discrepancy. At least once in a month you must be clearly shaven-headed. In the bright fortnight on the day of pürëimä, four days after ekädaçé, once in a month in the bright fortnight, you must be shaved…With folded hands I request you, don’t you become hippies again by growing hair. Keep your head cleansed at least once in a month. That is my request. (Class: Çrémad-Bhägavatam 5.6.3 -- Våndävana, November 25, 1976)

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The question has arisen whether Srila Prabhupada wanted his grhastha disciples to also adopt the sikha/shaved head. Indeed he did. Mostly householder men during the time Srila Prabhupada was present happily wore sikha/shaved heads.

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The Vaiñëavas, with tilaka, with kunti, with chanting beads, as soon as you see... And practically you know. As soon as they see these Hare Kåñëa movement people, they also chant, “Hare Kåñëa,” giving a chance to the others. The dress is also required. You should be always equipped with tilaka, kunti, and çikhä, sütra. Then, as soon as a common man sees, “Oh, here is a Hare Kåñëa man. Hare Kåñëa,” he’ll chant. Automatically you give a chance to chant Hare Kåñëa.

So this is required. The foolish rascals, they say that “What is the necessity of this, that?” No. This is necessity. You must always remain dressed like a Vaiñëava. That is necessity. So prekñaëéya: “is very beautiful to see.” Otherwise how they became impressed? Immediately they become so pious that they chant Hare Kåñëa. The chanting of Hare Kåñëa is not so easy. (Lecture on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.28.19 --October 29, 1975)

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Srila Prabhupada commented that he would be glad to see his grhastha disciples speaking about Krsna consciousness with tilaka and çikhä.

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One evening Prabhupäda conducted a Vedic marriage ceremony and an initiation before thousands of people. The marriage was arranged between Vegavän who was Swedish, and Padmavaté däsé, who was Australian. They completely enchanted the whole audience—she with her ornate red säré and Indian jewelry, including a nose ring, and he with his nice white dhoté and kurtä and clean-shaven head. (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita 33: A <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Lot</ST1:PLACE> of Ground to Be Covered)

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Sikhas for Sisyas

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Srila Prabhupada considered acceptance of the Vaisnava dress a necessary qualification for becoming initiated. This follows the general rule established exemplified by Sanatana Goswami who shaved his head and face for good prior to receiving initiation.

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Siddha-svarüpa: There are a lot of devotees here who follow the principles but cannot completely... [break] ...shaved up, and they still wear karmé clothes pretty much, but they’re clean, they’re devotees, and in this way they’re attracting many of the local people, because they’re able to relate to them.

Prabhupäda: So that...

Siddha-svarüpa: They’re not lowering your standard.

Prabhupäda: No, naturally, but when they are initiated they must shave. They must keep to the standard. If one becomes initiated and he still keeps the hippie form, that does not look nice. Do you think that is all right? No, that is not good. So long they are coming as outsider, joining kértana, they may have their own dress, it doesn’t matter. They are coming to kértana, that must be (indistinct). But when they are to be initiated, they must follow the rules and regulations given by the spiritual master.

Siddha-svarüpa: So...

Prabhupäda: Otherwise they should not be initiated. It is simple thing. Let them go on chanting, taking prasädam; we have no (indistinct). But when they are to be initiated, they must follow. This is the clear (indistinct). If you don’t want to disturb them, let them come, chant, dance, take prasädam We have no objection. But don’t recommend them for initiation unless he agrees to the rules and regulations given by the spiritual master. Where is the wrong? Where is the difficulty? You can talk with him like that.

Siddha-svarüpa: I think they only feel that because...

Prabhupäda: No feeling, if you..., when you are surrendering to the spiritual... Çiñyas te ’haà çädhi mäà prapannam. Find out this verse. Tad viddhi praëipätena paripraçnena sevayä.

Hari-çauri:

tad viddhi praëipätena

paripraçnena sevayä

upadekñyanti te jïänaà

jïäninas tattva-darçinaù

Hari-çauri: “Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Enquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.”

Prabhupäda: You have to submit. You cannot remain independent. That is the first condition. Çiñyas te ’haà, çiñya. Çiñya means voluntarily accepting the rules offered by the spiritual master. That is çiñya: “Ah, yes, I agree to abide by your order.” Then he becomes çiñya. Otherwise where is the question... “I am thinking like this, I am thinking...” So long you are thinking otherwise, you don’t try to become a çiñya. You remain outside and you are welcome: chant, dance, take prasädam, and remain independent. There is no objection. But when you become çiñya, then you cannot remain independent. These things convince him. Then you don’t become çiñya. Remain as friend, there is no harm. Just like so many people, they come. (Room Conversation -- May 3, 1976, Honolulu)

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Srila Prabhupada intended that devotees taking intiation within ISKCON would embrace braminical regulations.

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This is one of the items of our movement. If one wants to be initiated, he must be clean-shaved. So Sanätana Gosvämé was clean-shaved. (Lecture on Caitanya-caritämåta Madhya-lélä 20.98-102 -- April 27, 1976, Auckland, New Zealand)

<O:P> </O:P>

After a lecture in Bhubanesvara, one gentleman expressed his opinion to Srila Prabhupada that a guru did not have to wear çikhä/shaved head and kunti neckbeads. His Divine Grace clarified that only paramahamsas or those on the highest level were exempt from wearing the Vaisnava symptoms. If one acts as a guru then he is performing the duties of a madhyama adhikari and as such he must dress as an exemplary Vaisnava.

<O:P> </O:P>

Uttama adhikäré may be without kunti, without çikhä, without Vaiñëava symptoms. He’s paramahaàsa. But when he comes to the preaching platform he must become a madhyama adhikäré, not to imitate uttama adhikäré, because he has to teach. He cannot deviate from the teaching principles. So what you are speaking, that “Without çikhä without kunti, one can become guru,” that is fact for the paramahaàsa, not for the preacher. Preacher must behave very nicely. (Lecture on Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä 8.128 -- Bhubanesvara, January 24, 1977)

<O:P> </O:P>

Regarding new devotees accepting the sikha/shaved head---certainly His Divine Grace expected that any male who wished to live within ISKCON facilities would do so. He stipulated a trial period of three days where a new person could experiment with living in the temple before having to make the decision. Overall, Srila Prabhupada wanted to maintain the Vedic culture, and the sikha/shaved head is an important part of that culture.

<O:P> </O:P>

Akñayänanda: One boy came a couple of weeks ago. He had long hair. But the next day he came back and shaved up. He’s a devotee now. He’s doing nicely.

Prabhupäda: That’s nice.

Akñayänanda: So they will still come. They can become devotees. It’s all right then.

Prabhupäda: Hare Kåñëa. [break]

Akñayänanda: ...doing, Çréla Prabhupäda. If they come and they have long hair but if there’s a chance they might become devotees, I tell them they must tie up their hair in such a way that you cannot see it.

Prabhupäda: That’s all right. If many comes like that to become devotee, then it becomes a devotee place, er, hippie place. You give them chance to become a devotee. In the meantime, it will be known as a hippie resort.

Harikeça: That’s always been a problem here.

Prabhupäda: It is no problem. You can allow for three days only. If he does not change his habit, then he must go. (Morning Walk -- December 3, 1975, Våndävana)

<O:P> </O:P>

Cleanliness

<O:P> </O:P>

There is a subtle attraction to keeping hair which is impelled by Kali-yuga itself. Aside from considerations of occupation or persecution, sometimes one may wish to keep hair to appear more attractive to others. This is not a good reason for avoiding the sikha/shaved head.

<O:P> </O:P>

A brahmacäré, either he is clean-shaved or he keeps his hair without any taking care. That is two processes. Jaöä-kamaëòalün. Not that “I shall keep my hair.” Now in the Kali-yuga the hair is very valuable thing, life and soul. I have seen some of our disciples. As soon as he’s out of this camp, immediately hair, immediately. I have seen so many. When he was within the camp, very advanced supposed, but as soon as he is one day after, he keeps hair. Immediately. The tendency is there. Because in this age it is understood that if you can keep hair, bunch of hair, not very nice, but simply hair will make him beautiful. Lävaëyaà keça-dhäraëam. Although he has no lävaëya—he has no beauty—still, he thinks, “I have become very beautiful by keeping hair.” So this should be avoided…So it is better to remain clean-shaved. It has no botheration, no taking care of the hair, no iron required. (Srila Prabhupada lecture on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.12.4 -- Bombay, April 15, 1976)

<O:P> </O:P>

An important reason for keeping shaved heads is cleanliness and another name for brahmanas is çuci or clean since his entire bearing is one of simplicity and purity. It is asked sometimes, whether householder devotees living and working in the secular society are to be considered brahmanas. If they maintain their Vaisnava principles, using their grhastha stage of life as an asrama for making spiritual advancement, then they are Vaisnavas which includes brahminical qualifications.

<O:P> </O:P>

Reporter (2): And lastly, a very trivial question. The uniform, the haircut, why is that?

Prabhupäda: This shaving?

Reporter (2): Yes, why?

Prabhupäda: It is very nice. It makes the head cool, not with big bunch of hair, burden. We feel it burden. When there is bunch of hair, we feel it is an extra burden. Actually if you keep clean yourself, then your mind is also clean. If you keep yourself very clean and light, then your mind will work very nicely. It is a Vedic system. All the brähmaëas take clean-shaved. Vedic system. So we are trying to stay in the platform of brahminical culture. Therefore it is one of the essential things. (Interviews with Macmillan and various English Reporters -- September 12, 1973, London)

<O:P> </O:P>

His Divine Grace did leave a concession that devotees could if “absolutely necessary” defer from wearing the sikha but that the hair must be kept short.

<O:P> </O:P>

Unless absolutely necessary, one should keep head shaven and not allow the hair to grow long. If absolutely necessary, one can dress like an American gentleman, with short hair, but long hair is prohibited. The reason that one with long hair is not my disciple is because he is against the principle. Unless absolutely necessary one should keep hair short, and if necessary one can dress like an American gentleman with short hair. It is not expected that everyone will join. For that reason we can't compromise. The tendency is there to be hippy. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Dhrstaketu -- New York 17 July, 1976)

<O:P> </O:P>

For example, before Ramiya dasa was initiated Srila Prabhupada wanted a compelling reason why he was not wearing shaved head and sikha.

<O:P> </O:P>

Pusta Krsna: Randy prabhu?

Prabhupada: Oh, he is not shaven-headed? You have not shaven your head? Why

you have not shaven your head?

Randy: Umm, because I have a full-time job. I work in a company.

Prabhupada: Hmm? What is that full-time job?

Madhavananda: He's working at a very responsible job.

Prabhupada: Somewhere. Where?

Madhavananda: At Burrows [burroughs?]Corporation.

Prabhupada: All right. So what are the rules and regulations? (Initiations -- Detroit, June 15, 1976)

<O:P> </O:P>

MEN’S #3: FACIAL HAIR (without)

<O:P> </O:P>

Srila Prabhupada desired that his disciples refrain from keeping facial hair, i.e. beards or mustasches, etc. and he personally demonstrated this practice.

<O:P> </O:P>

Kirtanananda is the first man in our society who cleanly shaved and kept the Sikha on the top of the head and now he has begun to keep beard again. This is not good. Whatever he is doing nowadays has no sanction from me. (Letter to: Brahmananda -- Calcutta 11 October, 1967)

<O:P> </O:P>

The keeping of facial hair may be seen as an extention of the kesa-dharanam principle i.e. keeping long hairs and thinking ourselves beautiful. A devotee prefers to remain clean shaved and avoid the temptation to submit to trends of public fashion.

<O:P> </O:P>

In our Kåñëa consciousness movement, fashionable persons are taught to adopt one fashion—the dress of a Vaiñëava with a shaved head and tilaka. They are taught to be always clean in mind, dress and eating in order to be fixed in Kåñëa consciousness. What is the use of changing one’s dress, sometimes wearing long hair and a long beard and sometimes dressing otherwise? This is not good. One should not waste his time in such frivolous activities. One should always be fixed in Kåñëa consciousness and take the cure of devotional service with firm determination. (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.5.15 Purport)

<O:P> </O:P>

When Sanatana Goswami, an extraordinarily advanced devotee of <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE>, approached Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as a disciple, the guru wanted him to conform to Vaisnava dress standards and set the example for others.

<O:P> </O:P>

The words bhadra karäïä are significant in this verse. Due to his long hair, mustache and beard, Sanätana Gosvämé looked like a daraveça, or hippie. Since Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu did not like Sanätana Gosvämé’s hippie features, he immediately asked Candraçekhara to get him shaved clean. If anyone with long hair or a beard wants to join this Kåñëa consciousness movement and live with us, he must similarly shave himself clean. The followers of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu consider long hair objectionable. (Caitanya Caritamrta; Madhya 20.70 Purport)

<O:P> </O:P>

What About Srila Prabhupada’s Mustashe?

<O:P> </O:P>

The issue was raised about householders wearing facial hair since Srila Prabhpada himself wore a mustache as seen in an advertisement for his pharmaceutical products, De’s Liniment. Yet Srila Prabhupada explained that the photograph under discussion was taken before he was initiated as a disciple by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

<O:P> </O:P>

Prabhupäda: I do not accept you because you are keeping hairs.

Devotee (2): I did not know that.

Prabhupäda: Yes.

Devotee (2): You never told me that in <ST1:STATE w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Hawaii</ST1:PLACE></ST1:STATE>.

Prabhupäda: Now I say, I’ll repeat that anyone who is keeping long hairs, he is no more my disciple.

Devotee (2): All right.

Prabhupäda: This is the first condition.

Devotee (1): Does that apply also for householder dharma, or is that simply for brahmacäré dharma? Even you... I have pictures of you on the Bhägavatam when you did not have shaved head, with a mustache when you were doing your business as a householder. So does that apply to householders, or only to brahmacärés, that a householder must also keep a shaved head or is that...?

Prabhupäda: At that time I was not initiated. You were seeing my picture, mustaches, at that time I was not initiated. Since I became initiated, I have shaven.

Devotee (1): Well, in <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">India</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION> where one can do business...

Prabhupäda: I can... Why you are bringing this question? You ask, “Why you had mustaches?” I say when I had mustaches, at that time, I was not initiated. That answer is given. That’s all. (Room Conversation -- June 26, 1975, Los Angeles)

<O:P> </O:P>

What About Advaita Acarya’s Beard?

<O:P> </O:P>

All the devotees are delighted with the Panca-tattva Advaita Acarya’s white beard, yet Srila Prabhupada informs us that Advaita’s beard was certainly the exception which Lord Caitanya allowed out of love and respect for the elder acarya.

<O:P> </O:P>

So Tapana Miçra invited him to take, accept prasädam at his place, and Lord Caitanya said that “First of all you get him to a barber and have him cleansed of, of his beard and hairs which has grown for so many days. Let him become a gentleman.” The Lord said that “Let him become a gentleman.”

<O:P> </O:P>

candraçekharere prabhu kahe boläïä

‘ei veña düra kara, yäha iìhäre laïä’

<O:P> </O:P>

“Just get him to a barber and clean, clean-shaven.” According to the Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s sampradäya, they keep themselves clean-shaven. And only single instance is there, Advaita Prabhu. He had his beard. And Caitanya Mahäprabhu never asked Him to cleanse. Because one reason is that Advaita Prabhu was just contemporary to His father, so He did not like to dictate. But otherwise, all His disciples, they were clean-shaved. (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada on Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä 20.66-96 -- New York, November 21, 1966)

<O:P> </O:P>

And Other Acaryas’ Beards?

<O:P> </O:P>

In photographs, we sometimes see recent acaryas such as Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura and Srila Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji, etc. who allowed their facial hair to grow. This is because they were observing the four-month Caturmasya Vrata whereby one vows to practice serious austerities to make spiritual advancement. One of the least important items of austerity they accept is to avoid shaving during that period while the one of the more significant aspects of the vow is to daily only eat a few mouthfuls of unspiced boiled rice and dahl. But the compromising tendency allows us to take full meals and grow beards, at all times of the year.

<O:P> </O:P>

When the acaryas are seen with beard, that is during Caturmasya, July-September. If observed strictly there is not simply a beard. There are so many rules and regulations. One can't eat a variety of foods. Only kitri prepared and poured on the floor, and then licked up. There are so many other rules also. That is not always that they kept beard. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Dhrstaketu -- New York 17 July, 1976)

<O:P> </O:P>

MEN’S #4: EARRINGS (without)

<O:P> </O:P>

Men wearing earrings in imitation of South Indian Brahmanas has become a social fad among devotees. It reminds me of high school days when lots of students (even Jewish ones) began wearing St. Christopher medallions. His Divine Grace preferred that his followers not concoct or accept fashionable trends in dressing which he considered a symptom of drifting back into the hippie mentality.

<O:P> </O:P>

Akñayänanda: [break] ...thread from the Deity, the old sacred thread, and they tie it on their wrist. They tie it here.

Prabhupäda: Who?

Akñayänanda: Some of the devotees have started to do that now.

Prabhupäda: Why?

Akñayänanda: I don’t know. It’s just like wearing beads. The sacred thread from the Deity, after replacing, they take the old one and they wear it here.

Prabhupäda: Who has told them?

Akñayänanda: I don’t know.

Prabhupäda: Then why...

Akñayänanda: Well, I told one boy to stop it, and because I couldn’t quote any authority, he keeps wearing...

Prabhupäda: No, no, there is no author.... Where is his authority?

Akñayänanda: Yes.

Prabhupäda: This nonsense should be stopped.

Akñayänanda: Yes, I thought it was wrong. That’s why I mentioned it. I wanted to make sure.

Prabhupäda: Stop this.

Akñayänanda: Okay. Sure.

Hari-çauri: I think their idea is that because it’s prasädam, it’s from the Deity, that they’re able to wear it.

Prabhupäda: That is another concoction. The sacred thread is not used like that, in the hand.

Akñayänanda: I thought it was wrong. It seems like some kind of fashion or something, concocted fashion.

Hari-çauri: [break] ...small black beads that the devotees are wearing from Rädhä-kuëòa. They have a string of beads made of clay from Rädhä-kuëòa. Are they...?

Prabhupäda: Rädhä-kuëòa clay is not bad.

Hari-çauri: So it’s all right to wear them?

Prabhupäda: Not very constantly.

Puñöa Kåñëa: Sometimes I think, Çréla Prabhupäda, that you’re worried that one thing will lead to the next. Actually all we have to do is follow your example.

Akñayänanda: Yes, we don’t have to add anything. What can we add?

Puñöa Kåñëa: What is the use of it?

Akñayänanda: What can we add?

Prabhupäda: There is a proverb in Bengali that the crows, they eat stool. But when the crow is very young, he eats more stool. [break] ...tendency always, how to become hippie, as soon as there is little opportunity.

Akñayänanda: Yes, it’s something we have to guard against very carefully.

Prabhupäda: Don’t allow them. Don’t allow all these.

Akñayänanda: Even in <ST1:COUNTRY-REGION w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">India</ST1:PLACE></ST1:COUNTRY-REGION> people say like that, “Oh, you are hippies?”

Prabhupäda: As soon as you become hippie, immediately your all prestige will go.

Akñayänanda: Finished, yes.

Prabhupäda: Very carefully.

Hari-çauri: The thing is, a lot of the devotees, they’re not very much conscious that they’re being watched by the, very carefully by the public.(Morning Walk -- April 7, 1976, Våndävana)

<O:P> </O:P>

While it is a fact that Lord Krishna and ksatriyas such as Karna and Arjuna wore beautiful earrings, since we are playing a role of brahmanas within society. In the exchange cited above, Srila Prabhupada indicates that he does not approve of wearing deity brahmana threads around one’s wrist because it is a concoction. Similarly, we propose it is preferable for ISKCON men to forego the earrings, keeping in mind that Srila Prabhupada did not introduce them,

WOMEN’S #1: THE SARI

<O:P> </O:P>

Säré—traditional Indian dress worn by Hindu women—six yards long as a rule; Vedic women's dress.

<O:P> </O:P>

It’s no secret that Srila Prabhupada hoped that his spiritual daughters and granddaughters, etc. would prefer wearing saris to other types of clothing.

<O:P> </O:P>

A few Ananda Ashram men and women came by. One woman was wearing a säré. Prabhupäda turned to the other women and said, “A woman who wears a säré looks very feminine."(Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta 19: Planting the Seed)

<O:P> </O:P>

Why did he stress saris? Saris are modest, simple, easy to keep clean, ever-in-fashion, and Vedic. By adopting a Vedic tradition such as wearing a sari, one also adopts, to some degree, the culture as well.

<O:P> </O:P>

When there is a profuse supply of milk, yogurt, honey, food grains, ghee, molasses, dhotis, saris, bedding, sitting places and ornaments, the residents are actually opulent. (Srimad Bhagavatam 5.16.24 Purport)

<O:P> </O:P>

Saris Imported From the Spiritual World

<O:P> </O:P>

The Lord’s female counterpart, Srimate Radharani, sets the eternal example by wearing beautiful saris for pleasing Her Lord.

<O:P> </O:P>

The divine wisdom of pure jïäna is her silken säré, and the practice of the yoga of devotional service is her excellent bodily fragrance. Adorned by these qualities, that beautiful and chaste woman steals away the mind of Kåñëa Himself. (Gitavali; Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura : Song 3)

<O:P> </O:P>

Since attracting Krsna is Her only meditation it is significant that her shyness is displayed by wearing a sari.

<O:P> </O:P>

“After Her midday bath, Rädhäräëé takes another bath in the nectar of bodily luster, and She puts on the garment of shyness, which is Her black silk sari.(Caitanya Caritamrta; Madhya 8.168)

<O:P> </O:P>

In the spiritual world Radharani and Yasoda and Their devotees wear saris, braids and tilaka, etc., so naturally when They come to this planet for pastimes They dress the same.

<O:P> </O:P>

Dressed in a saffron-yellow sari, with a belt tied about her full hips, mother Yaçodä pulled on the churning rope. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.9.3)

<O:P> </O:P>

Vasudeva received initiation along with his wives, who wore silk särés and were adorned with bangles, necklaces, ankle bells and earrings. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.84.49)

<O:P> </O:P>

Srila Prabhupada’s genius was that he transported the spiritual world to the material world and showed how it was superior. His Western disciples eagerly embraced the divine saris to their hearts and won Srila Prabhupada’s approval. In doing so, ISKCON’s female devotees simultaneously deserted the decadent dress that had victimized the world.

<O:P> </O:P>

Rather these girls, when they dress in Indian way, they look more beautiful. That you will have to admit. Yes. So the girls, the women, they like to be more beautiful. So if by dressing in other way they look beautiful, why should you ask them not to do it?(Room Conversation with Srila Prabhupada -- Paris, June 9, 1974)

<O:P> </O:P>

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. But Srila Prabhupada raised his new Vaisnava children without the help of a Vedic village or even a mother. Therefore he had to personally bring saris and show his daughters how to wear them.

<O:P> </O:P>

He had brought back some gifts. For the ladies he had särés. He held up the thin cotton cloths one at a time, called the name of each initiated girl disciple, and handed her a säré. One säré was white with a red and black design, others were white with single-color borders. (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta 56)

<O:P> </O:P>

After having established saris for his female disciples, His Divine Grace perpetuated their use by ordering them and having them shipped from <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Benares</ST1:PLACE>.

<O:P> </O:P>

Similarly, if your friend supplies Benaras dhoti and sari that will be very nice arrangement. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Radharamana Sharanji -- Los Angeles 25 June, 1970)

<O:P> </O:P>

No More Jeans and Dresses

<O:P> </O:P>

His Divine Grace did not appreciate Western women’s dress and why should he. The more society strays from Vedic culture, the more its dress becomes degraded followed by illicit sex, divorce and abortion, etc.

Swamiji had commented that he did not like the Western women's dress, and at his request, Yamunä was dressed in a säré. (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta 22)

<O:P> </O:P>

When devotee women wear saris they make a statement in favor of chastity and <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> culture. Saris are modest compared to Western-style attire which often aims at inciting lusty desires.

<O:P> </O:P>

Nandarani devi dasi recalls her marriage day in San Fransisco (1967): “I finished cooking that afternoon about four o'clock, and then I went home to get dressed for the wedding. Although I had never worn anything but old dresses and jeans, Swamiji had suggested to the other ladies that they find a way to put me into a säré for the wedding. So we bought a piece of silk to use for a säré. I went to Mälaté's house. She was going to try to help me put it on. I couldn't keep it on, so she had to sew it on me. Then they decorated me with flowers and took me to Swamiji and showed him. He was very happy. “This is the way our women should always look. No more jeans and dresses. They should always wear särés.”(Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta 22: “Swami Invites the Hippies”)

<O:P> </O:P>

Otherwise by abandoning the safe and culturally-chaste sari in favor of other attire, we risk falling back into the godless pits of sense gratification.

<O:P> </O:P>

Today it has become a much advertised fashion for a woman to go almost naked, covering the lower part of her body only slightly, in order to draw the attention of a man to her private parts for sexual enjoyment. (Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.5.14 Purport)

<O:P> </O:P>

Sadly, in our ISKCON family of mothers, Western styles or poor east-west derivatives from <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Punjab</ST1:PLACE> have gained popularity against the Vaisnavi sari. Srila Prabhupada gave his disciples the best of everything through Krsna culture.

<O:P> </O:P>

Janaké: Swamiji said that I should wear a säri at my wedding, and he said it should be made of silk. I asked him what color, and he said red. So Mukunda bought me an absolutely elegant säré and some very nice jewelry. (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta 19: Planting the Seed)

<O:P> </O:P>

Therefore, let ISKCON’s ladies maintain the standard which Srila Prabhupada introduced and continue to wear chaste, beautiful and cultural saris.

<O:P> </O:P>

The public chanting of the holy name performed by Çréla Prabhupäda’s followers, clad in traditional Indian dhotés and särés, is now a familiar sight on the streets of most major cities of the world. (Çré Nämämåta: Introduction)

<O:P> </O:P>

WOMEN’S #2: BRAIDED HAIR (with part)

<O:P> </O:P>

Another feature of Vedic culture is that women keep their hair tied in a braid. Just as the devotee men should be willing to bear the austerity and occasional scorn for wearing shaven heads and sikhas, the devotee women should bear the austerity and the so-called scorn for being too traditional by wearing long braided hair.

<O:P> </O:P>

Poor cakraväké, even after closing your eyes, you continue to cry pitifully through the night for your unseen mate. Or is it that, like us, you have become the servant of Acyuta and hanker to wear in your braided hair the garland He has blessed with the touch of His feet? (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.90.16)

<O:P> </O:P>

For chaste women, wearing loose hair is only to be done privately whereas publicly the hair should be braided. It is in our best interest to adopt these Vedic principles which help keep us in the transcendental position.

<O:P> </O:P>

You should not go out in the evening or with your hair loose, nor should you go out unless you are properly decorated with ornaments. You should not leave the house unless you are very grave and are sufficiently covered.

<O:P> </O:P>

PURPORT: Kaçyapa Muni advised his wife not to go out onto the street unless she was well decorated and well dressed. He did not encourage the miniskirts that have now become fashionable. In Oriental civilization, when a woman goes out onto the street, she must be fully covered so that no man will recognize who she is. All these methods are to be accepted for purification. If one takes to Kåñëa consciousness, one is fully purified, and thus one remains always transcendental to the contamination of the material world. (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.18.50)

<O:P> </O:P>

“Krsna likes the ladies to wear long hair,” is what we tell guests who inquire about whether women in <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> consciousness have to shave their heads like the men.

<O:P> </O:P>

If you want you can cut your hairs, but there is no need of cutting. It would be nicer if you can put on sari, you can learn it from Jadurani. You must remain like a nice girl. The dress and appearance is social convention of the society. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Madhavi Lata -- Montreal 20 June, 1968)

<O:P> </O:P>

Even how a woman parts her hair is meaningful in Vedic culture. The chaste woman parts her hair in the middle beginning from the forehead and going back.

<O:P> </O:P>

When the sémanta... What is called in English, sémanta? This? Parting. If it is not in the middle, it is in side, she is a prostitute. So woman should dress in such a way that man will understand… So anyway, these are social customs in the Vedic civilization. (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada on Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.8.47 -- Los Angeles, May 9, 1973)

<O:P> </O:P>

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S #1: TILAKA

<O:P> </O:P>

“Beautiful tilaka,” Prabhupäda said, “means beautiful person.” In the Caitanya Caritamrta (Madhya 24.332) Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructed Sanatana Goswami to write a book on Vaisnava behavior, one item among which was the wearing of tilaka.

<O:P> </O:P>

You should also describe how one should render service to the spiritual master and paint one’s body in twelve places with ürdhva-puëòra [tilaka].

<O:P> </O:P>

The devotee marks twelve places on the body as Visnu temples for protection, sanctification and decoration with white, grey, or a whitish-yellowish clay (gopi chandan). Wearing tilaka is a significant element of sadäcära-sampanna or the enriched good behavior of a devotee.

<O:P> </O:P>

“After initiation, the disciple’s name must be changed to indicate that he is a servant of Lord Viñëu. The disciple should also immediately begin marking his body with tilaka (ürdhva-puëòra), especially his forehead. These are spiritual marks, symptoms of a perfect Vaiñëava.” (Padma Puräëa, Uttara-khaëòa)

<O:P> </O:P>

Those wishing to become initiated within ISKCON should be aware that Srila Prabhupada expected them to always wear tilaka. An initiated student should not be ashamed to wear the dress of a Vaisnava—otherwise it is better for them to wait until they develop more confidence in the culture of Vaisnavism.

<O:P> </O:P>

Prabhupäda: Ask him to have tilaka always.

Påthu-putra: That, that boy who came.

Prabhupäda: No, that man who came. Ask that...

Påthu-putra: To wears always tilaka. He has the kaëöhi-mälä, but I don’t...

Prabhupäda: No tilaka.

Påthu-putra: No tilaka.

Satsvarüpa: He does not wear tilaka.

Prabhupäda: So he must have tilaka. You ask him, “First of all have tilaka.” You see. Otherwise we’ll not take.

Satsvarüpa: Jaya Çréla Prabhupäda.

Prabhupäda: Jaya. (Morning Walk -- January 29, 1977, Bhubaneshwar)

<O:P> </O:P>

Similarly, when one advances in <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> consciousness, he continues to wear tilaka.

<O:P> </O:P>

The mahä-bhägavata is one who decorates his body with tilaka and whose name indicates him to be a servant of Kåñëa by the word däsa. (Caitanya Caritamrta; Madhya 24.330)

<O:P> </O:P>

Visnujana Swami used to call tilaka, “peace paint,” making a pun on the American Indians’ body markings of “war paint,” Especially wearing tilaka on the forehead is important.

<O:P> </O:P>

Tilaka is our position. That is Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s stricture. You will not see one face if there is no tilaka. He used to say it is cremation ground. Yes, without tilaka. Tilaka must be there. (Room Conversation with Srila Prabhupada -- March 31, 1977, Bombay)

<O:P> </O:P>

<ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> and Radha’s Tilaka

<O:P> </O:P>

Even the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krsna wears tilaka daily. One day cowherd boy Subala admitted to Krsna that he was defeated by Krsna’s beautiful features which included the vertical marks of tilaka on His forehead. Uncle Akrura thought how fortunate he was to visit Vrndavana where he would be able to see “the beautiful face of Kåñëa, which is marked on the forehead and the nose with tilaka.” Before Krsna was able to put on tilaka Himself, his mother Yasoda religiously applied it to her son in twelve places (laìkära-rakñä-tilakäçanädibhiù).

<O:P> </O:P>

Thereafter, O Mahäräja Parékñit, as required according to the scheduled round of His pastimes, Kåñëa returned in the evening, entered the house of each of the cowherd boys, and engaged exactly like the former boys, thus enlivening their mothers with transcendental pleasure. The mothers took care of the boys by massaging them with oil, bathing them, smearing their bodies with sandalwood pulp, decorating them with ornaments, chanting protective mantras, decorating their bodies with tilaka and giving them food. In this way, the mothers served Kåñëa personally. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.24)

<O:P> </O:P>

Sri Ramananda Raya described Srimate Radharani’s mark of tilaka on Her beautiful forehead as the sign of Her great fortune. In the Third Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Brahma narrates how the ladies on the Vaikuëöha planets, who are as beautiful as the goddess of fortune herself, see their faces decorated with tilaka (su-alakam) reflected in the resevoirs of water.

<O:P> </O:P>

Reminding Others of Krsna

<O:P> </O:P>

At the time of passing away from her body in 1970, Kartikeya dasa’s mother asked her son if Krsna was present. Srila Prabhupada said she became liberated by remembering the Lord at that critical moment and he attributed this to his disciple’s kindness and Vaisnava appearance, especially his wearing tilaka.

<O:P> </O:P>

Regarding what is a Vaisnava, Vaisnava means that when others see him, they will also chant Hare Krsna. So why not give them the chance of seeing by wearing the beads, tilaka, and sikha?

(Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Sudama -- Bombay 10 December, 1973)

<O:P> </O:P>

And so far our signals or some marks on the body—just like we take tilaka; we have some beads—this means... Just like it is practical. When I was in <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Montreal</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> and other cities, when we passed through the road, the children, the persons, they also said, “Hare Kåñëa!” So these marks and this symbolic representation reminds others to Kåñëa consciousness. Just like a policeman, as soon as he appears in his dress, “Oh, here is a policeman,” so similarly, these things are also required to remind others. Our process is to raise persons to Kåñëa consciousness. So if by our symbolic representation one immediately remembers Kåñëa, that is our success. (Interview with Srila Prabhupada--- September 24, 1968, Seattle)

<O:P> </O:P>

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S #2: Kaëöhé-mälä (neck beads)

<O:P> </O:P>

Another item of a Vaisnava’s dress is to wear kaëöhé-mälä or small tulasé beads around his/her neck.

<O:P> </O:P>

In the Padma Puräëa there is a statement describing how a Vaiñëava should decorate his body with tilaka and beads: “Persons who put tulasé beads on the neck, who mark twelve places of their bodies as Viñëu temples with Viñëu’s symbolic representations [the four items held in the four hands of Lord Viñëu—conch, mace, disc and lotus], and who have viñëu-tilaka on their foreheads, are to be understood as the devotees of Lord Viñëu in this world. Their presence makes the world purified, and anywhere they remain, they make that place as good as Vaikuëöha.” (Nectar of Devotion; Chapter 9)

<O:P> </O:P>

ISKCON’s standard is for uninitiated followers to wear one strand and for initiated disciples to wear a minimum of three strands.

<O:P> </O:P>

“After this, you should describe how one should decorate his body with gopécandana, wear neck beads…” (Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya-lila 24.333 Lord Caitanya to Rupa Goswami)

<O:P> </O:P>

At the time of initiation a devotee is expected to have three strands tied around his/her neck when the ceremony begins. In <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Detroit</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> a disciple expecting to receive his spiritual name and become initiated by His Divine Grace was suddenly skipped because he didn’t have neck beads on.

<O:P> </O:P>

Then, next. Where is...? No neck bead? How is that? Where is neck bead? Huh? Oh, these things are not good. It must be well equipped. Otherwise, what is the meaning of initiation? Give... No neck bead? Go on. First of all get neck beads.

Who is next? You have got neck beads? That’s all right. Viçvakarmä. Viçvakarmä is the engineer of this universe. Hare Kåñëa. Jaya. You know what are the rules and regulations? That’s right. (Srila Prabhupada Giving Detroit Initiations -- Detroit, July 18, 1971)

<O:P> </O:P>

Lord Caitanya personally wore neck beads because He was playing the part of a devotee.

<O:P> </O:P>

punarapi eka-bära äsiha néläcale"

eta bali’ kaëöha-mälä dilä täìra gale

<O:P> </O:P>

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu concluded, “Come again to Néläcala [Jagannätha Puré].” After saying this, the Lord put His own neck beads on Raghunätha Bhaööa’s neck. (Caitanya Caritamrta ; Antya 13.115)

<O:P> </O:P>

The neck beads should be tied around the neck tightly (although not chokingly tight) rather than draped loosely and hanging down.

<O:P> </O:P>

Prabhupäda: No. Everyone is Kåñëa’s. Where is your neck beads?

Gurudäsa: Oh, here.

Prabhupäda: Why?

Gurudäsa: They came, they came untied, and so I tied them together just like this.

Prabhupäda: You must have your neck, neck beads tight.

Gurudäsa: Right around the neck?

Prabhupäda: Yes. (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada-- Våndävana, October 16, 1972)

<O:P> </O:P>

One Mayavadi sannyasi came to <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Boston</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> and wished to stay in the temple. One of the conditions Srila Prabhupada set for allowing the sannyasi to stay in the temple was that he agree to the Vaisnava dress standards among which was the wearing of neck beads.

<O:P> </O:P>

If the Sannyasi who has come to our shelter becomes clean shaved and keeps a sikha with beads on his neck and chants Hare Krsna Mantra 16 rounds at least and changes his dress, then he can be allowed to stay with us. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Satsvarupa -- Surat 28 December, 1970)

<O:P> </O:P>

The wearing of neck beads is also appropriate for devotees who do not live in the temple. Below His Divine Grace advises a disciple who is studying at a university to always wear neck beads.

<O:P> </O:P>

You should also always wear Kunti beads around the neck and wear the marking of tilak. People will inquire from you and you can tell them about Krsna Consciousness and sell them books also. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Niranjana -- Hyderabad 23 April, 1974)

<O:P> </O:P>

Krsna’s Dogs

<O:P> </O:P>

George Harrison of the Beatles often wore neck beads and when asked he said that the beads indicated he was <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE>’s dog and this was his dog collar. This idea came from Srila Prabhupada.

<O:P> </O:P>

Somebody asked me that “Swamijé, why these tulasé beads in your neck or your devotees’ neck?” So I replied, “Just like a pet dog has got a collar, similarly we are pet dogs of God. We have got this collar. And Yamaräja will understand that ‘He is God’s dog. He should not be shot down.’ ” (laughter) (Lecture by Srila Prabhupada; Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.1.34-39 -- Surat, December 19, 1970)

<O:P> </O:P>

As the supreme Master loves his servants and gives them identification necklaces (kaëöhé-mälä)) so the servants love the Master and happily agree to be His obedient dogs or the dogs of His beloved servants.

<O:P> </O:P>

vaiñëava öhäkura, tomära kukkura, baliyä janaha more:

“My dear vaiñëava öhäkura, kindly accept me as your dog.”

— (Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura (Çaraëägati 19)

<O:P> </O:P>

At the initiation ceremony, two types of beads are sanctified and presented to the disciple, namely the chanting beads and the neck beads.

<O:P> </O:P>

Last night there was initiation ceremony in which your beads were sanctified. You'll take on string of small beads for sticking on your neck and the bigger ones you can chant according to the rules. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Indira (Iris Mendoza), Ekayani (Esther Mendoza) -- San Francisco 17 December, 1967)

<O:P> </O:P>

ISKCON is a full-fledged branch of the Caitanya tree and as such, it conforms to the practices of Gaudiya Vaisnavas.

<O:P> </O:P>

All [referring to Pancatattva Deities] should wear Tulasi kunti beads, not less than two strands. Three, four strands or my Guru Maharaja had five strands. (Letter from Srila Prabhupada to: Govinda -- Delhi 20 November, 1971)

<O:P> </O:P>

NOTE: In extraordinary cases which could bring danger to a devotee, wearing of neck beads and/or other devotional dress, may be neglected.

<O:P> </O:P>

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S #3: LEATHER-LESS

<O:P> </O:P>

Sometimes a person approaches us while we are chanting on harinama and asks why we wear leather shoes if we are vegetarians. It is a valid question so I show him that the sandals I am wearing are indeed manmade, not leather— and the inquirer is satisfied.

<O:P> </O:P>

Sitting inches away from Prabhupäda on the beach blanket, Satsvarüpa asked a question on behalf of the devotees in <ST1:STATE w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">New York</ST1:PLACE></ST1:STATE>. “Swamiji, is wearing of leather shoes permissible?"

“No."

“What if someone has given us some leather shoes?"

“Leather means violence," Prabhupäda said. He pointed to Satsvarüpa's shoes of inexpensive man-made material. “Your country is very nice. By your technology you can get these shoes easily without wearing leather." For Satsvarüpa and the others the question was answered for a lifetime; and the time and place became a reference, like a chapter and verse number in the scriptures. (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta 25: Long Branch, New Jersey, 1967)

<O:P> </O:P>

When a newcomer asked whether he should renounce wearing leather shoes, His Divine Grace politely deferred from dictating a strict policy but did gently explain that avoiding leather was preferred.

<O:P> </O:P>

Ian Polsen: There is another question, Your Grace. I wear leather shoes, and I know they come from animals...

Prabhupäda: Huh?

Ian Polsen: ...which have been slaughtered for this. Should I stop wearing leather shoes?

Prabhupäda: Well, that also you can continue. That is not... Just like we are using so many things made of skin. But as far as possible, you avoid. There are many shoes without skin, nowadays they are available. First of all try to understand the philosophy. (Room Conversation and Interview with Srila Prabhupada -- London, July 31, 1972)

<O:P> </O:P>

To a disciple preaching in a cold German climate, His Divine Grace permitted the wearing of leather shoes, yet his overwhelming preference was to avoid wearing leather at all costs. In 1972 one of Srila Prabhupada’s personal slippers was stolen by a monkey who chewed holes in it. His Divine Grace continued to use is however until two weeks later in <ST1:CITY w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Hyderabad</ST1:PLACE></ST1:CITY> when Mr. Pithi, a very wealthy life member, noticed Çréla Prabhupäda's slippers. Srutakirti Prabhu explained to him what happened and Mr. Pithi sent his servant out to purchase sandals. When the new pair was presented to Çréla Prabhupäda he accepted them graciously, but later told his servant, "I cannot wear these. They are made of leather." He continued to wear his damaged sandals for weeks until he arrived at another temple where devotees bought some non-leather sandals to Çréla Prabhupäda's liking and he released the others.

<O:P> </O:P>

CONCLUSION: DRESS and LIVE VEDIC

<O:P> </O:P>

We humbly advise those desiring advancement in devotional service to wear Vedic dress and live <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> consciousness. Here are some further reasons to consider:

<O:P> </O:P>

<ST1:PLACE w:st="on">KRISHNA</ST1:PLACE> CULTURE:

Vedic dress links us to the eternal Krishna culture and things related to <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> are transcendental.

<O:P> </O:P>

CHASTE:

Vedic dress modestly promotes chastity in thought and deed.

<O:P> </O:P>

ECONOMICAL:

Vedic dress saves money on fashion shopping and costly hair-styles.

<O:P> </O:P>

INVIGORATING:

Just as a soldier feels more like a soldier when he wears the uniform, so do devotees feel more like devotees when wearing Vedic dress.

<O:P> </O:P>

CLEAN:

Vedic dress is simple and easy to wash daily.

<O:P> </O:P>

ATTRACTIVE:

Vedic dress is more attractive than other dress.

<O:P> </O:P>

PREACHING:

Vedic dress reminds others of <ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Krishna</ST1:PLACE> and notifies others that we are His representatives.

<O:P> </O:P>

PLEASES PRABHUPADA:

Wearing Vedic dress is an easy and guaranteed way to please Lord Krishna by satisfying His dear devotee Srila Prabhupada.

<O:P> </O:P>

EXEMPLARY:

By wearing Vedic dress, we set the desired example for present and future generations of devotees.

<O:P> </O:P>

FAMOUS:

The world knows and loves the Hare Krishna devotees in their traditional dress. By wearing Vedic dress that fame is increased.

<O:P> </O:P>

That is the fault of the modern civilization. You make your own standard, I make my own standard, he makes his own standard. And therefore there is fight between the leaders. But according to our Vedic conception, there is one standard. We are persisting that “You take this Vedic standard; then you will be perfect.” And if you go on manufacturing your own standard, you will never be perfect. (Room Conversation with Srila Prabhupada -- July 10, 1975, Chicago)

<O:P> </O:P>

<ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Om</ST1:PLACE> tat sat. Hare Krishna.

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Africa, a huge beautiful continent with all the nature's opulences ended up to be the world's hell of the total miserable. Presently 40 million young Africans want to leave for good, mainly accepting the dirty business of selling drugs in European and NA countries. Their homeland nothing but a huge garbage dump.

Because of their half Voodoo half Muslim superstition Africa's nature turned against the people treating them like vermin - biblical droughts, pestilences and poverty of the extreme wherever you go. But still Africans stick to their most important "religious" rite, circumcision of young girls, performed with unclean used razor blades. The vedic term of dvi-pada-pasu comes to mind - animals within human body. Unfortunately even Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy seems to fail to reach the hearts of this species. Please tell if you have some other information!

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=550 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Low IQs are Africa's curse, says lecturer

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The London School of Economics is embroiled in a row over academic freedom after one of its lecturers published a paper alleging that African states were poor and suffered chronic ill-health because their populations were less intelligent than people in richer countries.

Satoshi Kanazawa, an evolutionary psychologist, is now accused of reviving the politics of eugenics by publishing the research which concludes that low IQ levels, rather than poverty and disease, are the reason why life expectancy is low and infant mortality high. His paper, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, compares IQ scores with indicators of ill health in 126 countries and claims that nations at the top of the ill health league also have the lowest intelligence ratings.

Paul Collins, a spokesman for War On Want, the international development charity, said the research 'runs the risk of resurrecting the racist stereotype that Africans are responsible for their own plight, and may reinforce prejudices that Africans are less intelligent'.

Collins added: 'The notion that people in poor countries have inferior intelligence has been disproved by much research in the past. This is another example, which other academics will shoot down.'

Philippa Atkinson, who chairs the LSE student union's 85-strong Africa Forum and teaches in the school's Department of Government, said the paper 'reflects the now discredited theories of eugenics, which should have been left behind'.

'Eugenics was a very influential discourse for centuries,' she said. 'It's the discourse that colonialism and racism in America until the Sixties were based on, and was part of the basis of apartheid too. Nobody could prove that there are racial or national differences in IQ. It's very, very controversial to say that national IQ levels are low in Africa, and completely unproven. It's a surprise that the odd person would try to bring it back,' she said.

However, she said the research contained some interesting ideas and merited serious consideration, and stressed that academics such as Kanazawa should not be deterred from exploring controversial subjects.

The reaction to Kanazawa's paper will reopen the simmering debate about whether academics are entitled to express opinions that many people may find offensive.

The Observer revealed last March that Frank Ellis, a lecturer in Russian and Slavonic studies at Leeds University, supported the Bell Curve theory, which holds that black people are less intelligent than whites. He also believed that women did not have the same intellectual capacity as men and backed the 'humane' repatriation of ethnic minorities. Initially, the university backed Ellis, despite protests by students and teaching staff, but he took early retirement in July.

Kanazawa declined to comment on either War on Want or Atkinson's allegations about reviving eugenics because, he said, other academics had come up with the national IQ scores that underpinned his analysis of 126 countries. In the paper he cites Ethiopia's national IQ of 63, the world's lowest, and the fact that men and women are only expected to live until their mid-40s as an example of his finding that intelligence is the main determinant of someone's health.

Having examined the effects of economic development and income inequality on health, he was 'surprised' to find that IQ had a much more important impact, he said. 'Poverty, lack of sanitation, clean water, education and healthcare do not increase health and longevity, and nor does economic development.'

The LSE declined to offer any opinion on Kanazawa's conclusions but defended his right to publish controversial research. A spokeswoman said: 'This is academic research by Dr Kanazawa based on empirical data and published in a peer-reviewed journal. People may agree or disagree with his findings and are at liberty to voice their opinions to him. The school does not take any institutional view on the work of individual academics.'

Kate Raworth, a senior researcher with Oxfam, said it was 'ridiculous' for Kanazawa to blame ill health on low IQ and 'very irresponsible' to reach such conclusions using questionable and 'fragile' international data on national IQ levels.

Rumit Shah, chairman of the LSE student union's 52-member Kenyan Society, said lack of education was probably one reason why many Kenyans die young. Aids, tuberculosis and malaria were key factors too.

Kanazawa's article was a 'misrepresentation' of the true causes of ill health in Kenya, added Shah. 'It portrays a bad picture of Kenya, because not everyone in Kenya has an IQ of 72. If there was more education, Kenyans would be wiser about their health.'

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1939891,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=1

The response to Kanazawa's article speaks volumes about the limited, blinkered mentality that now pervades the world of education and the media. Those who condemned his findings did so almost on reflex, mentioning "racism" and "colonialism".

However, having spent several decades living in Africa with my mixed race family I can say from direct experience that there may indeed be something in what he says. Significantly however, this is NOT due to any racial factor. For example, there is in South Africa a breed of white Afrikaaner renowned for their obtuseness and stupidity, the "Dom Boere".

Likewise, it's quite noticeable that blacks from other parts of Africa and the world – North Africa, America, Europe and the West Indies for example – are quicker on the uptake than their counterparts from south and central Africa. And they know it too.

This writer recalls seeing a group of North Africans walking down a street in central Johannesburg nearly ten years ago. Not only was it was obvious they were not indigenous South Africans because of their dress and language. What really distinguished them was their obvious disdain for the locals. Probably similar to the way the British had once regarded their colonial underlings in Ireland.

So this may not "racist" as such, rather more the result of cultural differences and this writer believes, astral influences which in turn are playing upon different regions of the earth: shaping its inhabitants and consequently their culture – regardless of race.

But will the media and educational establishment look into this? I don't think so. The real racists here are those who are so ready to condemn Kanazawa without looking deeper.

Those in the educational establishment and media are largely where they are because they help, knowingly or not, the plans of the ruling elite. In this case helping perpetuate ignorance and prejudice based on stereotypical models of white oppressor and victimised black underdog. Ed.

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What the Vedas teach since millions of years, modern science gradually also finds out. Science of Happiness says, that the richest man of the world, Bill Gates, enjoys happiness on the same level as an African Massai.

Science Confirms: You Really Can't Buy Happiness

By Shankar Vedantam

Washington Post Staff Writer

When Warren Buffett announced recently that he will be giving away more than $30 billion to improve health, nutrition and education, people all over America reflected on his remarkable generosity, pondered all the noble things the gift would achieve and asked themselves what they would do if someone were to give them that kind of dough.

Halt that daydream: Turns out the Oracle of Omaha is a wizard at more than investing. When it comes to money, giving may buy a lot more happiness than getting.

Buffett may have been thinking of his soul -- "There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great way," he said as he announced the largest gift in the history of the planet -- but he may also have been keeping up with the latest psychological research.

A wealth of data in recent decades has shown that once personal wealth exceeds about $12,000 a year, more money produces virtually no increase in life satisfaction. From 1958 to 1987, for example, income in Japan grew fivefold, but researchers could find no corresponding increase in happiness.

In part, said Richard Layard of the London School of Economics, who has studied the phenomenon closely, people feel wealthy by comparing themselves with others. When incomes rise across a nation, people's relative status does not change.

But surely a Buffett-size gift -- he wants to give away $4 million a day -- would make most people euphoric, right?

Temporarily, that is true, Layard said in an interview. However, social comparisons are not the only factor at play. Another big psychological factor is habituation: Dramatically changing one's wealth does create happiness, but it will last only until people get used to their newfound status, which can be a matter of months or a couple of years at most.

When people win lotteries, for example, Layard said, "initially there is a big increase in happiness, but then it reverts to its original level. So why do people want to win lotteries? . . . They have a rather short-term focus, and they don't seem to grasp long-term ways their own feelings work."

The journal Science reported last week yet more evidence and another theory about why wealth does not make people happy: "The belief that high income is associated with good mood is widespread but mostly illusory," one of its studies concluded. "People with above-average income . . . are barely happier than others in moment-to-moment experience, tend to be more tense, and do not spend more time in particularly enjoyable activities."

Wait, there's more.

"The effect of income on life satisfaction seems to be transient," the researchers added. "We argue that people exaggerate the contribution of income to happiness because they focus, in part, on conventional achievements when evaluating their lives and the lives of others."

Wow. Let's pause a moment to let all priests, nuns and anarchists take a bow and say, "I told you so!"

"People grossly exaggerate the impact that higher incomes would have on their subjective well-being," said Alan Krueger, a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University and an author of the study.

The problem is that once people get past the level of poverty, money does not play a significant role in day-to-day happiness, Krueger said. It certainly can buy things, but things do not usually address most of the troubles people experience in daily life -- concerns about their children, problems in intimate relationships and stressful aspects of their jobs.

When people daydream about winning big, Krueger said, "they focus on all the things they would buy, without recognizing that does not contribute all that much to their well-being."

In fact, the study noted, data from the Department of Labor show that the more money people have, the less likely they are to spend time doing certain kinds of enjoyable things that make them happy. High-income individuals are often focused on goals, which can bring satisfaction. But working toward achievements is different from experiencing things that are enjoyable in themselves , such as close relationships and relaxing leisure activities.

"If you want to know why I think poor people are not that miserable, it is because they are able to enjoy things that Bill Gates has not been able to enjoy, given his schedule at Microsoft," Krueger surmised.

Various studies have shown that people are enormously reluctant to accept a pay cut, even if that would give them more freedom, less supervision or a shorter commute -- all things that are tangibly associated with moment-to-moment happiness. The emphasis on salary is identical to the lottery ticket winner's mistake in thinking that money changes everything.

"One of the mistakes people make is they focus on the salary and not the non-salary aspects of work," Krueger said. "People do not put enough weight on the quality of work. That is why work looks like, for most people, the worst moments of the day."

My problem is even if both the traditionalists and the ritviks or either one of them is bonafide I would still have a natural inclination to avoid both groups just because I am spiritually lazy and to be honest on a Sunday afternoon I would much rather kick back in a reclinable chair and watch the NFL rather than go out into the world and try to convince everyone that life is suffering and the only way out is to call on the name of God. On balance however I do feel sympathetic to the Krishna Conscious Movement and anyone with any sort of common sense can recognize the great accomplishments of Prabhupada.

They surely get bodies in their next live which dont get injured so easily as this human bodies. Secondly they will get bodies which dont have to do other things that distract from this game. They will get brains which cant think of anything else. And by watching these folks you will get the opportunity to have more close association...and so it goes..science of reincarnation

Gauridas Pandit das says that it was on about July 8th or 9th Srila Prabhupada said that the GBC could add more ritviks in the future.

As a direct disciple and personal servant of Srila Prabhupada, the words of Gauridas Pandit das are coming down through the parampara system.

Pratyatosa das ( causelessmercy@gmail.com ) surely has those tapes because he's just about to publish a complete set of Srila Prabhupada's tapes as text.

http://causelessmercy.com