Murali_Mohan_das

Alex, you maintain a veneer of politeness in your postings, but doesn't sincere dialog require at least acknowledgement of questions asked of one, an answer, or at least an admission that one does not know the answer? I do hope you will answer stonehearted's question (it looks like you have not replied since he posed it) as well as mine regarding whose example we are better advised to follow, that of Srila Prabhupada and Sriman Mahaprabhu, or that of Lord Brahma (which you have clearly ignored). Also, while I understand you very much appreciate a certain book, is it not rude to, in conversation, post lengthy quotes rather than addressing questions and challenges posed by using your own synthesis of what you've read? Wasn't it *you* who, early on in the discussion, made some sanctimonious statement regarding parroting plattitudes? Isn't that exactly what you do by posting large excerpts from the work of someone else without explaining exactly how the quote is cogent? Also, you misinterpret me when I say your position is tenuous. While English may not be your first language, you seem rather proficient at expressing yourself in it. Writing, to my knowledge, cannot be tenuous. Rather, I claim your *position* of accepting the vani of Srila Prabhupada as a substitute for the vapuh of a pure devotee is a tenuous and dangerous one. I hope you understand the distinction.

http://www.scsmath.com Look in the upper left-hand corner (among other places). While he has accepted me as his disciple, I don't feel comfortable calling him "my guru", though. I don't have even the smallest fraction of his good qualities, nor do I follow his teachings very faithfully. I simply have some small appreciation for his humility and sincerity.

Sripad Janardana Maharaja speaks, as he often does, in praise of Srila Sridhar Maharaja, Srila Govinda Maharaja, and his own initiating spiritual master, Srila Swami Maharaja Prabhupada, offering reminiscences of their mercy. Also, Maharaja stresses the immeasurable value of practical devotional service, even at the expense of book-reading, saying that, to forge a service connection is part of our spiritual "coming of age". Embedded: <embed style="width: 400px; height: 326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=153704556366617335&hl=en" flashvars=""> Link: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=153704556366617335&hl=en

Also, if you've seen some of my comments which were deleted by the moderators, you'd know that I *can* certainly be a lot more sanctimonious.

I appreciate Vikram's "sanity check". I am filled with self-doubt, though, for the sake of discussion, I might try to assume an authoritative tone. It's nice to know I'm not *completely* crazy. While Vikram cannot claim to speak for the entire membership of the forum, he obviously feels strongly enough to comment. If others feel strongly enough that his comment does not represent their views, they too, of course, are free to comment. It must be lonely where you are.

As Saint Bob Dylan said: You're going to have to serve *somebody*. Why simply serve your own mind?

Video and audio from last night's program coming soon. Here's the audio from last week's Sunday Feast. Follow the link to eSnips (More Info) for download. Higher Quality: <table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=blue&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/0f3ff70c-dec6-4b2d-9c0a-e650117b1cd5&theName=Sunday Feast - Sripad Janardan Maharaja - December 16, 2007 - High Quality&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=0f3ff70c-dec6-4b2d-9c0a-e650117b1cd5"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/0f3ff70c-dec6-4b2d-9c0a-e650117b1cd5/Sunday-Feast---Sripad-Janardan-Maharaja---December-16,-2007---High-Quality/?widget=flash_player_esnips_blue"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table> Standard Quality: <table bgcolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" bgcolor="#000" width="328" height="94" src="http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/esnips_player.swf" flashvars="theTheme=blue&autoPlay=no&theFile=http://www.esnips.com//nsdoc/6232d149-c239-4f49-9a12-ebb49902f141&theName=Sunday Feast - Sripad Janardan Maharaja - December 16, 2007&thePlayerURL=http://res0.esnips.com/escentral/images/widgets/flash/mp3WidgetPlayer.swf"></embed></td></tr><tr><td><table cellpadding="2" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-left:2px; color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none ; ; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold"><tr><td><a style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/CreateWidgetAction.ns?type=0&objectid=6232d149-c239-4f49-9a12-ebb49902f141"> Get this widget </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td align="center"><a align="center" style="color:#FFFFFF; text-decoration:none " href="http://www.esnips.com/doc/6232d149-c239-4f49-9a12-ebb49902f141/Sunday-Feast---Sripad-Janardan-Maharaja---December-16,-2007/?widget=flash_player_esnips_blue"> Track details </a></td><td style="font-size:7px; font-weight:normal;">|</td><td><a align="center" style="color:#FF6600; text-decoration:none" href="http://www.esnips.com//adserver/?action=visit&cid=player_dna&url=/socialdna"> eSnips Social DNA </a></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>

I'm sorry you feel that way. I don't feel that way. I have stated a number of times that we each get the guru we deserve (or better, given the mercy of the Lord). One of my best friends was poised to take initiation from an ISCKON sannyasi who was popular in L.A. in the late 90's when that Maharaja "fell down". While I felt sorry for that sannyasi and his disciples, and for my friend, I wished none of them ill. Rather, I find it enlivening to see that former sannyasi at San Francisco Ratha Yatra every year in his jeans and (fake?) leather happily engaging in Hari Nama sankirttan. What I find lamentable and somewhat infuriating is when *you* complain that there are no qualified gurus and then stubbornly refuse to at least take darshan of a person in whom so many of Srila Prabhupada's senior disciples have found nourishment and shelter--someone who displays no envy towards Srila Prabhupada or his disciples, but, rather, who praises the inconceivable spiritual achievements of Srila Prabhupada at every opportunity.

I thought they were already available for download, but here are Mahaksa Prabhu's lovely recordings of devotional songs and kirtanas: http://www.esnips.com/web/MahaksadasaAudioRecordings eSnips recently changed their policy regarding downloading. Formerly, those with an eSnips account (free and easy to create) could download any track from any other member. Now, each track must be explicitly authorized for download by the member. I just enabled downloading for these recordings. I think non-members can now download as well (though I'm not certain). Enjoy!! Mele Kalikimaka!!! I was listening to these tracks last night as the kids and I drove to (and back from) the Ashram under the (almost) full moon. After a busy weekend of doing chores, I was in the right mindset (though sober) to appreciate their ethereal, mystical beauty.

I see you as a humble and sincere disciple of Srila Prabhupada, Mahaksa-ji, whatever the "official" roster might or might not say. Not that my "endorsement" is worth anything. Not that my vision is perfect. Rather, I feel fortunate to have your virtual association.

Can you point out where I said that? One thing which I do not appreciate having words put into my mouth.

It's funny, but, when I saw this title, I assumed it had to do with Sri Guru "downloading" Mahamantra into our hearts, or something mystical like that. Happy downloading!

Thanks for tips. I might give it a try. My musical quest in the past few years has been a quest for simplicity. Rock-stead-easy!!

I said "Sri Vyasdev" in error. It was Lord Brahma mentioned in the quote from Dhira Govinda Swami. The basic point remains the same.

To speak of "PL models" indicates mental speculation and a failure to fully appreciate the exhortations of Srila Saraswati Prabhupada. Krishna Consciousness does not entail dry mental speculation, empiric evidence, or modeling of reality. It consists of Reality the Beautiful.

You can say that again! I'm sorry, but tape recorders can capture the words, but not the essence or the potency. There's something about being in the presence (physical or otherwise) of the pure souls to which nothing else can compare.

The last thing I wish to do is shut you up or drive you away. Rather, the more you write, the more dangerous and tenuous you reveal your position to be. So, please, for the edification of all, continue as the Spririt moves you. I experience Srila Prabhupada as being present in my life as well, both through the lingering effects of the cookie Prasadam which I received from his hands as well as in the person of Srila Gurudev, who arguably had more of his direct association than any of Srila Prabhupada's Western (or Eastern) disciples. As you feel moved to share from that which you have received by Srila Prabhupada's grace, so do I. None of us can claim to have a monopoly on the mercy of Sri Guru. That's an interesting quote. I cannot quarrel with what it expresses. Rather, let's put it into context. Who are we in relation to Sri Vyasdev? Are we so confident in ourselves as to try to follow *his* example? Param Gurudev, Srila Sridhar Maharaja, reminds us again and again that, by the Will of the Lord, *anything* is possible. Anything at all. We can rule out nothing. Still, what was the example set by Sriman Mahaprabhu, the Lord appearing as His Devotee? Did even *He* follow the path of Sri Vyasdev, or did He sit humbly at the feet of His Guru and (as Mahaksa Prabhu reminds us) *dance* in transcendental ecstasy with His Guru Maharaja? Are we better than Sriman Mahaprabhu to think that we can work things out for ourselves with a map in hand, or are we better advised to follow a guide who we can see (however imperfectly) with our own eyes? Of course, the choice is ours. Choose wisely.

...and, what makes a Guru genuine if it is not his/her implicit faith in Sri Krishna? You seem unwilling to accept that faith is the lynchpin in all of this. You seem to hanker for empiric evidence and dry reason much the same as the atheists with whom I discuss similar matters on another site. What makes Guru genuine is not his/her book learning, the hoops through which he/she has jumped, or any other mundane consideration. What makes Guru genuine is the unshakeability of his/her faith. To that extent, *all* of the definitions of "bona fide" apply, not just number 3.

Ooh! I like this very much. I might just have to cover it (with your blessing, of course). Got chords for it?

Thank you, Mahaksa Prabhu, for seeing (and thereby strengthening) the small speck of good in me and not dwelling on my numerous and glaring flaws. You are truly a swan among geese.

You see that for which you seek. When have I ever called myself a devotee? Or were you referring to someone else?

I'm glad you're so certain of Srila Prabhupada's intention. Why not accept disciples? Merry Krishna!

My comment was meant as a compliment, not an insult. I'm sorry if you're offended. I find no fault in your returning to your Christian roots. My roots happen to be Gaudiya Vaishnava. That was my good fortune. I also had the good fortune to attend a Catholic High school and sing in the choir there. I attended every Mass at which the choir sang. I was moved by the devotion of the Marist Brothers who taught me. Though I was never baptized, I consider myself a Christian (or, rather, an aspiring Christian, just as I consider myself an aspiring Vaishnava). Merry Christmas!

Thanks for the reminder, Mahaksa-ji!!

"Bona fide" means, simply "good faith". It does not mean "Divinely ordained", or even "infallible". So, whose "good faith" are we talking about? Is it the guru acting in good faith, or is it the disciple's good faith inquiry? Or is it both? Another thing which the "Swami Jesus Prabhupada" folks conveniently ignore is: not only does the disciple need to accept the spiritual master, but the spiritual master must ACCEPT THE DISCIPLE. As merciful as Srila Prabhupada is, how do *know* that he is accepting you as his disciple???