Jahnava Nitai Das

This discussion time and again always comes to this same strawman argument. No one has ever said that homosexual devotees shouldn't be respected, given compassion, allowed to enter our temples and perform devotion, etc. These GALVA people are trying to establish the absurd claim that homosexuality was natural in Vedic culture, that it is perfectly in line with Chaitanya Vaishnavism, that Prabhupada in a secret unrecorded conversation sanctioned union of gay couples, that it is natural and not sinful for homosexuals to engage in homosex acts, and the best of all, homosexuals are actually more advanced because they are automatocally detached from family life. They repeatedly distort the statements of scripture to fool the scripturally uneducated and innocent, all while accusing Srila Prabhupada of being ignorant and uninformed. This has already been discussed a hundred times on this forum, so I will just post a link to my previous article on this matter: http://www.indiadivine.com/galva-reply.htm And there are a lot of devotees that smoke, eat meat, etc. Like all other vices, they should perform their devotion humbly while trying to purify themselves. They should not try to claim that their vices are actually virtues that were glorified in Vedic culture.

The following are statements by Srila Prabhupada on this particular topic. His view is that meat eating disqualifies one from spiritual advancement.

The following are statements by Srila Prabhupada on this particular topic. His view is that meat eating disqualifies one from spiritual advancement.

Before writing, I will just state that I believe Jesus Christ is a pure devotee of the Lord; not because of what I know about him, but because Srila Prabhupada has taught us this in his books and lectures. I say this only to avoid the misunderstanding that I may be attacking Christianity or Christ. Without denying the validity of this statement, it should be pointed out that this is the same answer given to establish the authenticity and purity of such Hindu saints as Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Nityananda Baba, Baba Muktananda, Sai Baba, etc. The stories of their lives are filled with narrations of apparent miracles, divine experiences and pure devotion. Whether such things are true, verifiable, or relevant evidence is questionable. This seems to be more of an emotional argument, as no one can actually gauge or judge these reported histories. Those who are devotees of Ramakrishna will believe that he had a divine vision of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Others may not give much importance to his own claims and may dismiss it as a fabrication. Similarly the descriptions of Ramakrishna's maha-bhava, performance of miracles, visions of God, revealing his divine form, etc., may also be dismissed. They are not valid evidences, they are only acceptable once the validity of the person has been established. All of the descriptions appear to point to a realized and liberated soul, perhaps even a divine incarnation, but the fact that they are personal recollections make them irrelevant until the source has been established as authentic or beyond doubt. "Yes, Sai Baba is God, for he has shown his universal form to some of his devotees." This is a similar evidence to what you suggest above in regards to the Christian saints. Sai Baba's followers use such things to assert the divinity of their guru, but it is not a valid evidence as the source has not been established beyond doubt. Simply a disciple making a statement doesn't establish that as reality. This is equally true for Hindu "saints" and Christian mystics alike. Here is a statement from Srila Prabhupada refering to Bhagavatam 10.1.4: ye tv anevaM-vido 'santaH stabdhAh sad-abhimAninaH pashUn druhyanti vishrabdhAH pretya khAdanti te ca tAn "Those sinful persons who are ignorant of actual religious principles, yet consider themselves to be completely pious, without compunction commit violence against innocent animals who are fully trusting them. In their next lives, such sinful persons will be eaten by the same creatures they have killed in this world." - Bhagavata Purana 11.5.15

Before writing, I will just state that I believe Jesus Christ is a pure devotee of the Lord; not because of what I know about him, but because Srila Prabhupada has taught us this in his books and lectures. I say this only to avoid the misunderstanding that I may be attacking Christianity or Christ. Without denying the validity of this statement, it should be pointed out that this is the same answer given to establish the authenticity and purity of such Hindu saints as Vivekananda, Ramakrishna, Nityananda Baba, Baba Muktananda, Sai Baba, etc. The stories of their lives are filled with narrations of apparent miracles, divine experiences and pure devotion. Whether such things are true, verifiable, or relevant evidence is questionable. This seems to be more of an emotional argument, as no one can actually gauge or judge these reported histories. Those who are devotees of Ramakrishna will believe that he had a divine vision of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Others may not give much importance to his own claims and may dismiss it as a fabrication. Similarly the descriptions of Ramakrishna's maha-bhava, performance of miracles, visions of God, revealing his divine form, etc., may also be dismissed. They are not valid evidences, they are only acceptable once the validity of the person has been established. All of the descriptions appear to point to a realized and liberated soul, perhaps even a divine incarnation, but the fact that they are personal recollections make them irrelevant until the source has been established as authentic or beyond doubt. "Yes, Sai Baba is God, for he has shown his universal form to some of his devotees." This is a similar evidence to what you suggest above in regards to the Christian saints. Sai Baba's followers use such things to assert the divinity of their guru, but it is not a valid evidence as the source has not been established beyond doubt. Simply a disciple making a statement doesn't establish that as reality. This is equally true for Hindu "saints" and Christian mystics alike. Here is a statement from Srila Prabhupada refering to Bhagavatam 10.1.4: ye tv anevaM-vido 'santaH stabdhAh sad-abhimAninaH pashUn druhyanti vishrabdhAH pretya khAdanti te ca tAn "Those sinful persons who are ignorant of actual religious principles, yet consider themselves to be completely pious, without compunction commit violence against innocent animals who are fully trusting them. In their next lives, such sinful persons will be eaten by the same creatures they have killed in this world." - Bhagavata Purana 11.5.15

Theist: Hare Krishna! Sorry for replying to this so late. Attached is a diagram of one of the the new projects. This is located in the village of Randiya, around 10 km from Bhadrak. Construction will begin in August. The idea is to create a community centered project that will eventually become the center of the nearby villages, providing both material assistance and spiritual guidance. This project will become a prototype that we will replicate in other villages. We are already making plans to do similar projects in three other villages around Bhadrak. http://www.audarya-fellowship.com/download.php?Number=50602 The following are the main features: 1) School 2) Goshala 3) Kalyana Mandapa (Marriage Hall) & Anna Dana Hall 4) Old Age Retirement Ashram 5) Krishna Temple 6) Medical Clinic 1) School - A school for poor and needy students. It will have a mixed curiculum of modern education as well as lessons on the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. In this way all the children will have a solid spiritual foundation as they grow up. The children will also be provided free prasadam meals every day in addition to all needed scool supplies and uniforms. 2) Goshala - The goshala will be for the protection of old cows which are neglected and left unatended in the street. 3) Kalyana Mandapa (Marriage Hall) & Anna Dana Hall - At first we will conduct free distribution of prasadam meals twice a week and gradually increase. During the marriage season we will provide the kalyana mandapa to poor families and perform their marriages free of charge. During marriages, it is always the girl's parents who have to pay for the marriage arrangements, and one of the largest expenses is the renting of a marriage hall to perform the marriage. By providing this service for free, it will help reduce the burden on parents of female children. 4) Old Age Retirement Ashram - Some old people have no children to take care of them, so we will create a simple ashram where old people can come and stay in exchange for performing nama-sankirtana. We will have a 24 hour Hare Krishna nama sankirtana in our temple, and the old people will attend in shifts for a couple hours a day chanting Hare Krishna. In return they will be provided a place to stay, prasadam meals, medical facilities, etc. It will be a retirement ashram where they only have to chant japa and attend some nama sankirtana, with everything else being taken care of for them. 5) Temple - A Krishna (Jagannatha) temple will serve as the center of the project, where we will hold daily satsangas, with nama-sankirtana, lectures on the Bhagavad Gita, etc. 6) Medical Clinic - We will open a medical clinic where we provide free treatment to the poor and needy. In these areas it is common for villagers to have to walk 10 km just to get to the nearest medical clinic. This will provide easy access to medical facilities, and all services will be free of charge. We plan to open similar projects in other villages near to Bhadrak. Once these projects have proven successful we hope to launch them in Tamil Nadu as well.

There is no sin incurred for rejecting those who are not bonafide devotees. To pose oneself as God is a great offense to the Lord. While instructing his disciples to follow Gita and do bhakti, he ultimately instructs them that the object of that worship and bhakti is himself. If you still feel hesitant to remove the picture, then give it to someone who is a devotee of Satya Sai Baba, or put it in a Satya Sai Baba temple.

I believe your premise that Sikkhism denies Krishna is false, and thus it isn't possible to answer your questions. Throughout the Guru Grantha Sahib there are many references to Krishna through his various names.

I believe your premise that Sikkhism denies Krishna is false, and thus it isn't possible to answer your questions. Throughout the Guru Grantha Sahib there are many references to Krishna through his various names.

Originally dowry was meant to be gifts for the daughter getting married, now it has become payments to the father-inlaw and mother-inlaw in the form of cash payments and a car/motorcycle. Despite it being officially outlawed in India, every single person demands it, even those law makers who outlawed it. It has really become a terrible thing in India. Actually the whole marriage system in India has become a very bad system because they hold onto only half of the original customs, and that half is so distorted that it has lost all the benefits and purpose that were originally there. One example is dowry, another example is arranged marriage. Arranged marriage works when the children were married at the age of 6 or 7 and they could grow up in close proximity, thereby developing a bond of friendship from their childhood. The present system of trying to suddenly force 23 year old boys and girls into arranged marriages with people they never saw in their life doesn't work anymore. This also plays into the dowry problem. It is easy to trouble someone you never knew for dowry. It is impossible to try to extort dowry from a close friend you grew up with from the age of 6. With child marriages, everyone got married regardless of how beautiful they were, but in the present system only those who are very beautiful can get married. All of the essential benefits of these practices have been lost and the only thing that remains are the negative aspects that have come due to their distortion and misuse.

Dhruva Maharaja was unable to speak when Narayana appeared before him. But the Lord blessed Dhruva by touching him on the head with His conchshell. This freed Dhruva from the awe that froze his senses, and enabled him to offer eloquent prayers in glorification of the Lord.

This is likely a case of a disciple wanting to leave the shelter of Prabhupada and take reinitiation from a Gaudiya Matha guru (He is already initiated as 'Asita Das'). Thus this letter isn't the positive acceptance it looks like at first glance.

This trust is still very active. Every year they rebuild dozens of broken down temples belonging to both Gaudiya Matha and other "traditional" Gaudiya groups, especially sites connected with the Lord's pastimes. They do this as a service, and have no connection with the running or management of the temples.

Ramakrishna and Vivekananda were both nonvegetarians. In addition to this Vivekananda smoked and died of lung cancer. Vivekananda said it was better to plant egglpant then tulasi, because at least you will get some food. Vaishnavas on the other hand plant and worship tulasi as the means to attain bhakti. They were not vaishnavas, and are not considered saints by those who follow bhagavata-dharma.

Ramakrishna and Vivekananda were both nonvegetarians. In addition to this Vivekananda smoked and died of lung cancer. Vivekananda said it was better to plant egglpant then tulasi, because at least you will get some food. Vaishnavas on the other hand plant and worship tulasi as the means to attain bhakti. They were not vaishnavas, and are not considered saints by those who follow bhagavata-dharma.

Mahaprabhu appeared to Tukarama in a vision and initiated him. Afterwards he spread nama-sankirtana throughout Maharashtra. Tukarama speaks of this initiation and of the golden form of the Lord appearing before him in some of his songs.

Mahaprabhu appeared to Tukarama in a vision and initiated him. Afterwards he spread nama-sankirtana throughout Maharashtra. Tukarama speaks of this initiation and of the golden form of the Lord appearing before him in some of his songs.

I think his point is that "dharma" is the injunction coming directly from God (dharman tu sakshad bhagavat pranitam), thus it may be logical to conclude God would have established certain fundamental principles in other cultures if He was actually establishing a religion focusing on shuddha-bhakti. Principles such as cow protection are not Hindu cultural beliefs or social customs, they are themselves sat-dharma. I personally do not know what was taught in the Christian religion thousands of years ago or whether cow protection was one of these principles. If it wasn't one of these principles, then I would personally conclude that these teachings (at whatever point in time) were not centered on pure devotional service to the Lord. I think Bhaktivinoda Thakur's own views on this topic are quite relevant: I believe the section in bold is right in line with Krishna_s's statement about cow protection.

I think his point is that "dharma" is the injunction coming directly from God (dharman tu sakshad bhagavat pranitam), thus it may be logical to conclude God would have established certain fundamental principles in other cultures if He was actually establishing a religion focusing on shuddha-bhakti. Principles such as cow protection are not Hindu cultural beliefs or social customs, they are themselves sat-dharma. I personally do not know what was taught in the Christian religion thousands of years ago or whether cow protection was one of these principles. If it wasn't one of these principles, then I would personally conclude that these teachings (at whatever point in time) were not centered on pure devotional service to the Lord. I think Bhaktivinoda Thakur's own views on this topic are quite relevant: I believe the section in bold is right in line with Krishna_s's statement about cow protection.

To believe that the head priest of the Jagannath temple (a brahmin) would rent out his restaraunt and not ask whether they were going to cook nonveg items is being gullible. This priest was just after money and a nonveg restaraunt will pay them more than a veg restaraunt. What to speak of restaraunts, even when renting out a house brahmins will ask whether the tenent is veg or nonveg.

The North American BBT Newsletter published each month contains the running totals of all books distributed. I don't recall the number when I saw it last.

Hare Krishna! Recently I have relocated permanently to our Ashram in Bhadrak, Orissa so that I can participate regularly in the food relief programs and also to oversee construction of two temple projects which will begin shortly (one in Randiya - 10 km from Bhadrak, and another in Betada - 40 km from Bhadrak). Due to this I haven't been able to participate in the forums nor take part in the moderation. The inconsistency of the phone lines and internet connection here also makes it difficult for me to participate regularly. Presently a group of several volunteers are assisting by acting as moderators for the forums, collectively under the name Admin5. If anyone has reasonable questions as to why a post is removed, or similar questions, they can contact one of the moderators by sending an email to forums@indiadivine.com. Please remember that they are volunteers assisting in their free time, so do not expect an instant response. If anyone feels the need to write me regarding moderation policies, you can send an email to bvashram@, but it may take a while to receive a reply. Questions regarding moderation should always be sent by email, not posted to the board, as they only clutter the real discussions that are occuring. It is now a policy here to remove any moderation questions or requests that are posted directly to the forums. Please send them to the moderators or myself by email. Raga had previously asked why two sites he had worked on were having their names filtered out. I inquired about it and the following is the information I received. Please note that it is not a matter of filtering opposing opinions or "competing" sites. It is only in connection with sites that contain very critical and political material that may disturb newcomers. Other sites such as raganuga forums have never been banned and have been advertised frequently here. If anyone ever gets a message that they are banned and they don't know why, they should send an email to myself or the moderators to find out if it is a mistake. Many times legitimate users accidentally get banned because their IP address is similar to some other trouble maker who was banned. Unless you send us an email we probably wont find out about the problem, so please write us if this happens to you and we can fix it quickly. If there are any other questions you can send me an email at bvashram@. Since I may not be able to read the forums regularly, please send replies by email.

Disparaging words pain a man even when uttered in jest. Therefore, those who know human nature are courteous even to their enemies. -Tirukkural 100:995

We were in the process of making a spiritually centered video game, but the work has been stopped for the time being due to more important work. Here is a picture of the main character: http://www.audarya-fellowship.com/download.php?Number=44616

We were in the process of making a spiritually centered video game, but the work has been stopped for the time being due to more important work. Here is a picture of the main character: http://www.audarya-fellowship.com/download.php?Number=44616