Priitaa

I don't have any quotes on me at the moment, but I remember when I was a new bhaktin I was told our relationship can change, and it changes in the direction of an increase.

Pita das prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP. Thanks for letting me know how your writings are being distibuted. I wasn't sure. Also, I wanted to get your permission. Thanks for that too. They're a nice addition to my newsletter. Shortly after putting them in, I recieved email how wonderful it is to have stories about Prabhupada and the old days. So yes, I enjoy your writings as do others. I have about 235 readers, and am honored to include this for them. Ok, will check back here from time to time. Right now I have quite a bit saved, and my newsletter only goes out once or twice a month. Hope you find the page you are looking for tho. Thank you for your wonderful service!

I wish to clarify my personal point, as otherwise it may be confused with Krishna consciousness or overall spiriutal life. So, I do not have any interest in pranayama as a spiriutal discipline, I do not intend on giving up Krishna prasad hahaha, and do not see pranayama as having much to do with the highest science of love of God/Krishna. The original poster thought there was some connection, but we all know the science of breath control and the science of love, what to speak of love of Krishna directly, are eons away from each other. My point is, just like we sometimes practice Hatha Yoga as a form of 'physical' exercise and not to become hatha yogis, pranayama practice is to improve the physical body in this oxygen depleted era, but should not be confused with using it for spirutal advancement. Its next to impossible to advance spirutally in this age of kali through any other yoga methods. The only yoga method that will stop this cycle of birth and death is bhakti or love and devotion to Krishna. I view breath work in the same category as taking a vitamin pill, or using herbs to heal. Thats all. It can be helpful for those with asthama, bronchial problems. I myself have a disorder that can cause me to have a loss up to 40% of oxygen intake, tho when treated it is drastically decreased, but not eliminated. (Mine is treated. This is the only reason why I wondered how long they practiced it daily.) So for material health, pranayama can be used, but no one should think they can get the inbreath to go into the outbreath and stop all breathing, thus transfer themselves to the heavens in this age. Nor would I want to go to the heavens! Am aiming for somewhere around Krisnaloka, tho not so sure I'll make it, but heck, I'll take Vaikuntha planets. lol (Tho they may not take me! ha Again, am working on it.) Krsna prasad ki jai! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Crimal, Pranayama is not dangerous for health. Matter of fact, a lot of regular people who have used it, in other words they were not yogis and did not have extensive training how to employ its energy, healed stubborn illnesses. Maybe you mean Kundalini? Because pranayama is part of the process to raise the kundalini, and it can be VERY dangerous to prematurely raise the kundalini, especially when a person doesn't know what they are doing. But that is a different process then some simple breath work.

Thiest, I have always believed this. I dont know for spiriutal purposes, as I am much more interested in trying to connect with Krishna and serve Him and share Him with others, then either my eating OR my breathing. But for health reasons, I sure could use some of that. I wonder how long they practiced Pranayama daily, because regarldess of religion, we know thats why they were doing. A rose by any other name is still a rose. You either obtain your nutrition from food or you obtain it from prana. Does it say anywhere how long they practiced breath work each day?

While I dont give out my email addy and dont do IMs anymore, I do send out a newsletter. It only comes out once or twice a month, so it won't fill up your email box. Here's the basic description I give: INSPIRATION NEWSLETTER Great Krishna conscious newsletter for anyone, but especially those not near a temple, desirous of sane devotee association and enlivenment. Released once or twice a month, depending on how much time I have to put it together, but each issue is full of nectar, news, Prabhupada Uvaca (said), Gita, Krishna book, Chaitanya Caritamrta, veggie links, the 'old days' of the movement, Jayananda info, and whatever else I happen to think up or discover. :-) InspirationNewsletter

Excellent point about the animals! The caste system is no longer the same Divine one handed down by Lord Krishna. It has been contaminated by those who want power and prestigue. I read where Prabhupada commented that brahmana brings one up to the mode of goodness. He did not say it brings one up to the spiritual platform, but under one of the modes of material nature. All be it, a better one, but still, a mode/guna. Sattva itself can be used by the individual to elevate themselves to a higher platform, but they need not be brahmana to do that. In addition, Prabhupada has made so many quotes about the unimportance of this caste system. One who is a qualfied brahmana is one who is a Vaisnava, or in other words, a qualified brahmana will do anything at all for Krishna, even clean the toilet at the temple. So Prabhupada gave some brahmana initiation, but he also expected them to be trained up well enough that they would act like Vaisnavas and do whatever was needed for the Lord thus taking the humble posiiton. He also made it very clear that all one needs to go back to Godhead is Harinama or initiation into the Maha Mantra and second initiation (brahmana) was not required.

Thanks Gaurachandra prabhu, I thought I read on this thread somewhere, that he had put them on another site, but I could be mistaken. Anyway, I started putting them in my newsletter cuz no one answered me with a "no." They are nectar and great preaching.

I don't know about the bhaktas causing difficulty. The only problem I have noticed is from (some) devotees with Jewish pasts who read what Prabhupada has to say about Jesus, then turn around and state Prabhupada only says like this for preaching purposes since Christianity is a popular religion, but he does not really believe like this. As if Prabhupada would put something untrue in book after book that will continue on into the next 10,000 years, possibly longer than the 'poopularity' of Christianity. I dont buy it. He's telling the truth but they can't handle it, and are finding ways to hang onto their bodily concept of life as well as their former religion. But those devotees who never had any problem with Jesus in the first place, not necessarily church-goers (and usually NOT church goers), just those who were trying to understand who Christ was and are favorable toward him, those devotees I never found difficulty with. Jesus was an undercover Vaisnava and no one should make an offense to a Vaisnava.

When you get ready to read the Bible all the way through (as I know these things take time & need to be penciled into a schedule), maybe consider getting one of the original versions from Aramic? I think the Essenes carry them. You can check out there web sites and email them. There are tons of essenes online. Many may think you have a current or past church connection more than anything else, because they are under the impression that Christ and churches are one and the same. I, however, can tell from your posting that is not the case. No dogma in your posts. Plenty of dogma in the churches! Its true that this concept of Christ as different from Christianity is something many don't get, but I was under the impression most of Prabhupada's movement got it. Yet you indicated his students may not have? My personal experience is not a problem with his disciples, but some Hindus, due to religious persecution from Christians, have a harder time accepting this. Maybe you had different experiences with ISKCON devotees, I don't know, but mine were mostly good to ok. By the way, where is Myra? She is usally active on threads which discuss this topic. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thiest, you read my mind! I just posted the same point. ha And its one that is continually missed, so am glad I'm not the only one who saw it.

Haribol Krsna-Balarama prabhu, Christ and Christianity are not the same. This distinction is important because it is almost always ignored. The teachings of Christ have been drastically changed by the church fathers of the past. So of course the critique of Christian "philosophy" in the Jaiva Dharma by Bhaktivinode Thakur would be as it is, and we agree. We also know that Prabhupada would not contridict Bhaktivinode Thakura. Thus, while Prabhupada has taught to accept Jesus, he has not told us to become modern day Christians and follow that religion. So the person Christ, and the religion Christianity, are not the same entity. This needs to be cleared. Next, regarding mention of Christ in the Vedas, read the following from the BhavisyaPurana, part of the MahaPurana: [shalivahan, ruler over the Aryans, grandson of Vikramaditya, occupied the throne of his father. He vanquished the attacking hordes of Chinese, Parthians, Scythians and Bactrians. He drew a border between the Arians and the Mleacha (meat eaters), and ordered the latter to withdraw to the other side of India.] ekadaa tu shakadhisho himatungari samaayayau hunadeshasya madhye vai giristhan purusam shubhano dadarsha balaram raajaa "One day, Shalivahan, the chief of the Sakyas, went into the Himalayas. There, in the middle of the Land of the Hun, the powerful king saw an auspicious man who was situated on a mountain. His complexion was fair and he wore white garments." ko bharam niti tam praaha su hovacha mudanvitah iishaa purtagm maam viddhi kumaarigarbha sambhavam "The king asked, 'Who are you sir?' 'You should know that I am Isha Putra, a Son of God,' he replied blissfully, 'and am born of a virgin.' mleccha dharmasya vaktaram satyavata paraayanam iti srutva nrpa praaha dharmah ko bhavato matah "I am the expounder of the religion of the Mlecchas (meat-eaters) and I strictly adhere to the Absolute Truth.' Hearing this the king enquired, 'What are religious principles according to your opinion?' shruto vaaca maharaja prapte satyasya amkshaye nirmaaryaade mlechadesh mahiso 'ham samaagatah "Hearing this questions of Salivahara, Isha putra said, 'O king, I came from a foreign land where there are no rules or regulations and evil knows no bounds. When the destruction of truth occurred, I, Masiha the prophet, came to the country of degraded people. Through me the sinners and delinquents suffered, and I also suffered at their hands. Finding that fearful irreligious condition of the barbarians spreading from Mleccha-Desha, I have taken to prophethood'. mlecchasa sthaapito dharmo mayaa tacchrnu bhuupate maanasam nirmalam krtva malam dehe subhaasbham naiganam apamasthaya japeta nirmalam param nyayena satyavacasaa manasyai kena manavah dhyayena pujayedisham suurya-mandala-samsthitam acaloyam prabhuh sakshat- athaa suuryacalah sada "'Please hear O king which religious principles I have established among the mlecchas. The living entity is subject to good and bad contaminations. The mind should be purified and the body by taking recourse of proper conduct and performance of japa, chant the holy names to attain the highest purity. Just as the immovable sun attracts, from all directions, the elements of all living beings, God as firm as the sun, Who is fixed and all-attractive, attracts the hearts of all living creatures. Thus by following rules, speaking truthful words, justice, mental harmony, unity of spirit and meditation, O descendant of Manu, in the center of that light one will find their way to Isa, and should serve and worship Him as that immoveable Lord'." [NOTE: Christ uses the word "Isa" here. Whether it is spelled Issa or Isa, it is the same. We should notice he first makes a distinction between that of Isa (God), and the Isa-Masih or one who came to preach about God. Isa is a name for Krishna that means the "Supreme Being" or "Supreme God." However, Isa das and Isa-Messiah both denote "servant" of God. Different language, same meaning. isha muurtirt-dradi praptaa nityashuddha sivamkari ishamasihah iti ca mama nama pratishthitam "Having placed the eternally pure, auspicious form of Isa, the Supreme Lord and giver of happiness, forever within my heart, O protector of the earth planet, I preached these principles through the Mlecchas' own faith, and thus my name became the Isa-Masih.' [NOTE: Christ refers to the "Form" (murti) of God as Isa, so it indicates Jesus believed in Deity worship, most likely as long as such worship was performed by sincere, honest, qualified priests/brahmana's.] iti shrutra sa bhuupale natraa tam mlecchapujaam sthaapayaamaasa tam tutra mlecchasthaane hi daarune "After hearing these words and paying obeisances to that person who is worshipped by the mlecca's, the king humbly requested him to stay there in that most miserable land of Mlecchas." svaraajyam praaptavaan raajaa hayamedhan cikirat rajyam krtva sa sasthyabdam svarga lokamu paayayau "King Salivahara, after leaving his kingdom performed an asvamedha yajna and after ruling for sixty years, went to heaven. Now please hear what happened when the king went to svargaloka." (Bhavishya Purana 19:20-33.) Thus ends the second chapter entitled, "The Age Of Salivahara" of the story of Kali Yuga of the Caturyuga Khanda also called pratisarga-parva of the wonderful Bhavishya Maha Purana, 3191 Kaukikia Era or 115 A.D, ~ Srila Vyasa dev - literary incarnation of Lord Krishna. ---- Hope this helps.

Yes, as I indicated, I did not feel you are trying to make me, or anyone, give up anything. Please dont mix my post up with the one stating those who dont accept Jesus as an avatAra are guilty of mundane religious discrimination. My post had nothing to do with that. I do not, however, appreciate being referred to as "You people." We do not pretend to be practicing Hinduism, we do not pretend our guru is the only pure devotee, we do not pretend to have the corner market on anything. As I have tried to explain, no one is pointing fingers that our guru is the only pure devotee or lineage. If that is how others perceive us, they do not know us and should make a thorough study of Prabhupada's books first. And if you want evidence of Prabhupadas exalted position, we will happily furnish it. What specific evidence are you looking for? We can give anything because he meets all requirements without a doubt. No one is saying never mind what shastra says. Of course, the understanding needs to be there that no one can properly understand shastra without a guru to link him up. Our guru does not say anything contradictory to shastra. The opinion of a pure devotee should not be confused with the "opinion" of persons like me, you, or anyone else. Our gurus opinion is perfect as is any pure deovtees opinion, even if they are not in our lineage. Also, Avatara and saktyavesa avatAra are not in the same exact category as you seem to be putting them. This alone could be the difference of understanding. One is jiva tattva, one is vishnu tattva. Mahaksa is right that for the uttama this is not so important. Since this thread currently is about the position of Christ as a major issue, I felt it necessary to point out the difference for us Kanisthas. With that said however, we are not advocating competition or sectarianism. In the long haul, these things do indeed get cleared, if we want them cleared.

Are you asking about Avatar, or shaktyavesavatar? Because they are different, as you probably know. Avatar being Vishnu tattva, shaktyavesh being jiva tattva but especially empowered by Krishna. I get the feeling you are asking if we, the Hare Krishna devotees, believe Jesus is Avatar, which I do not. Thiest does. I respect his beliefs and I will leave that part of the discussion up to him. As for myself, I do care only what Prabhupada, the pure devotee, has to say on this topic. He is my authority and we all must speak from authoritative sources. Othrewise it is merley concoction of course. And yes, there are other autortative sources, I do not deny that. We who have accepted initiation from Prabhupada (or those who wished they had, thus accepting him), should not be fickle regarding whose words we believe and accept. For the past 25 + years, everytime I turn around someone is insisting I give up what I believe and surrender unto their belief, from Christians to Hindus to New Agers. Even if it is (so called) open mindedness. If I dont have the same definition of "open minded" as they do, I am labled close minded, even though I am not. And Hindus too have tried to convert me to their guru. I am not saying you are doing this, I just was under the impression Hindus would encourage someone to stay dedicated to their guru. Instead they feel challenged by his power of authoritativenss. But he is not a threat. Many of the points many think are a threat, are not the points he is making at all. Anyway, for us, its not that now, because Prabhupada's vaphu is gone, we change our mind and loose faith in him as if vani is insufficient. Its not. And I think you are understanding of all this. However, other gurus such as those you mention, if they meet up to the Vedic standards of pure devotees, I would also care what their belief on Jesus is too. Its not that they are written off, most pure devotees are ultimately in agreement or come to similar conclusions. Prabhupada of course, will always come first for his disciples and devotees. For me the argument is not that Jesus is God. I have no problem with him as son of God. We are all sons and daughters of God anyway. Should one be fortunate enough to be pure, I dont care what religion he propagates according to time, place and circumstance, as long as he is a Vaisnava in his heart and knows what he's doing. At the very least, he is elevating people so some day, some birth, they can come to Krishna. By the way, most modern day Christians don't know their own religion, as much of Christ's original teachines have been changed by church leaders, etc. Therefore I humbly suggest not to evaluate Christ the person according Christianity, the religoin. Or by much of anything most modern day Church goers may have told you about him. They can't know what was hidden from their eyes.

Thanks Thiest, Actually, I dont know if its about my devotional attachment or just what it sounds like to me. For me, it has always sounded like Ramachandra. However, I read and heard a comment where Prabhuapda said it meant Balarama. So of course I go by what Prabhupada instructs, which is why I wanted a quote. Now it will probably mean both for me, but I am happy I can view this as Ramachandra cuz that's how I always felt. If that makes any sense. /images/graemlins/smile.gif Clear as mud, right? LOL

Has anyone actually read that Prabhupada said "Rama" means Ramacandra? Because I read Balarama is what he said. I always wondered if Ramachandra was also included though. Any quotes?

Arun, Here are some quotes from Srila Prabhupada on the Maha Mantra (Hare Krishna mantra) which you may find quite helpful: ~~~**~~~**~~~ "Simply by chanting the holy name of Krsna, one is relieved from *all* the reactions of a sinful life. One can complete the nine processes of devotional service simply by chanting the holy name." Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Madhya 15.107 "It was due to Ajamila's glorifying the holy name of the Supreme Lord that he was not punishable. The Visnudutas explained this as follows: "Simply by once chanting the holy name of Narayana, this brahmana has become free from the reactions of sinful life. Indeed, he has been freed not only from the sins of this life, but from the sins of many, many thousands of other lives. He has already undergone true atonement for all his sinful actions. If one atones according to the directions of the sastras, one does not actually become free from sinful reactions, but if one chants the holy name of the Lord, even a glimpse of such chanting can immediately free one from all sins. Chanting the glories of the Lord's holy name awakens all good fortune. Therefore there is no doubt that Ajamila, being completely free from all sinful reactions, should not be punished by Yamaraja." S.B. 6.2 (From Prabhupada's chapter summary) "... Of all the sacrifices, the chanting of Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare is the purest representation of Krsna." BG 10.25 purport "There is no difference between chanting the Hare Krsna mantra and meeting Krsna eye to eye, face to face. Simply one has to realize." (lecture by Srila Prabhupada, 1-12-73, Bombay) "Even if he be distressed or degraded, any person who chants the holy name of the Lord, having heard it from a bona fide spiritual master, is immediately purified. Even if he chants the Lord's name jokingly or by chance, he and anyone who hears him are freed from all sins. Therefore how can anyone seeking disentanglement from the material clutches avoid chanting the name of Lord Sesa? Of whom else should one take shelter?" S.B. 5-25-11 "In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way." (purport) The process of chanting the holy name of the Lord is always superbly effective, but it is especially effective in this age of Kali. Its practical effectiveness will now be explained by Sukadeva Gosvami through the history of Ajamila, who was freed from the hands of the Yamadutas simply because of chanting the holy name of Narayana. Pariksit Maharaja's original question was how to be freed from falling down into hell or into the hands of the Yamadutas. In reply, Sukadeva Gosvami is citing this old historical example to convince Pariksit Maharaja of the potency of bhakti-yoga, which begins simply with the chanting of the Lord's name. All the great authorities of bhakti-yoga recommend the devotional process beginning with the chanting of the holy name of Krsna (tan-nama-grahanadibhih)." S.B. 6.1.21 "Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura remarks, hari-kirtanam nisamyapatan, katham-bhutasya bhartur nama bruvatah: the order carriers of Lord Visnu came because Ajamila had chanted the holy name of Narayana. They did not consider why he was chanting. While chanting the name of Narayana, Ajamila was actually thinking of his son, but simply because they heard Ajamila chanting the Lord's name, the order carriers of Lord Visnu, the Visnudutas, immediately came for Ajamila's protection. Hari-kirtana is actually meant to glorify the holy name, form, pastimes and qualities of the Lord. Ajamila, however, did not glorify the form, qualities or paraphernalia of the Lord; he simply chanted the holy name. Nevertheless, that chanting was sufficient to cleanse him of all sinful activities. As soon as the Visnudutas heard their master's name being chanted, they immediately came. In this regard Srila Vijayadhvaja Tirtha remarks: anena putra-sneham antarena pracinadrsta-balad udbhutaya bhaktya bhagavan-nama-sankirtanam krtam iti jnayate. "Ajamila chanted the name of Narayana because of his excessive attachment to his son. Nevertheless, because of his past good fortune in having rendered devotional service to Narayana, he apparently chanted the holy name in full devotional service and without offenses." S.B. 6.1.63 (purport) "By speaking this verse, Sukadeva Gosvami wants to impress upon the mind of the reader that Ajamila's exalted position as a brahmana was vanquished by his association with the prostitute, so much so that he forgot all his brahminical activities. Nevertheless, at the end of his life, by chanting the four syllables of the name Narayana, he was saved from the gravest danger of falling down. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: even a little devotional service can save one from the greatest danger. Devotional service, which begins with chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is so powerful that even if one falls down from the exalted position of a brahmana through sexual indulgence, he can be saved from all calamities if he somehow or other chants the holy name of the Lord. This is the extraordinary power of the Lord's holy name. Therefore in Bhagavad-gita it is advised that one not forget the chanting of the holy name even for a moment (satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah). There are so many dangers in this material world that one may fall down from an exalted position at any time. Yet if one keeps himself always pure and steady by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he will be safe 'without a doubt'." S.B. 6.1.63 (purport) "To chant the holy name of the Lord just to counteract one's sinful activities, or to commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the holy name, is offensive (namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhih). But although Ajamila engaged in sinful activities, he never chanted the holy name of Narayana to counteract them; he simply chanted the name Narayana to call his son. Therefore his chanting was effective. Because of chanting the holy name of Narayana in this way, he had already vanquished the accumulated sinful reactions of many, many lives. In the beginning he was pure, but although he later committed many sinful acts, he was offenseless because he did not chant the holy name of Narayana to counteract them. One who always chants the holy name of the Lord without offenses is always pure. As confirmed in this verse Ajamila was already sinless, and because he chanted the name of Narayana he remained sinless. It did not matter that he was calling his son; the name itself was effective." S.B. 6.2.8 (purport) "The chanting of the holy name of Lord Visnu is the best process of atonement for a thief of gold or other valuables, for a drunkard, for one who betrays a friend or relative, for one who kills a brahmana, or for one who indulges in sex with the wife of his guru or another superior. It is also the best method of atonement for one who murders women, the king or his father, for one who slaughters cows, and for all other sinful men. Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Visnu, such sinful persons may attract the attention of the Supreme Lord, who therefore considers, "Because this man has chanted My holy name, My duty is to give him protection." S.B. 6.2.9-10 "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Please get up. You have chanted the holy name of Krsna; therefore the sinful reactions you have accrued for many millions of lives are now gone. You are now pure." C.C. Madhya 18.205 ~~~**~~~**~~~ There ya go. In this age of kali, chanting Hare Krishna is the only way out of the material world. How fortuante we are. Its so easy in this age! /images/graemlins/smile.gif YS, Priitaa dd

Haribol, Pardon my strong request, but I've posted about this before and I guess no one saw it. I asked to put Pita dasa's writings in my newsletter, and with no answer but such wonderful experiences, for the sake of preaching I put them in there anyway. Hope thats ok, but no one responded. (Actually, made me wonder if I was ignored because I'm not a guy. Hope I'm wrong.) Now here is my most important question: Are all the writings here? I thought someone mentioned they were posted on a web site elsewhere, but I'm not sure. If they are not all here, I'm afraid I will miss out, and my readers (of over 200!) will therefore miss out, as I see sometime they are posted and sometimes there are big gaps so it may be incomplete here? If these writings are on the web any place at all, please, please send me the url. I'm pretty sure you can get my email under my profile if you rather do it that way. Tho really, its ok to post a link here because many people dont click on the url, and those that do only do so a couple of times, then stop. So they will still want to read what is posted here too. Either way is fine with me though, just so long as I get the address.

"I here that the the ancient form of sanskrit letters are in granta libi. That is before devanagiri script. is it any website or institution teaching granta script. Tks " Where did you hear the ancient form of Sanskrit letters are Granta Libi and not Devanagiri script? What is your source of this information? I ask because before we (anyone) should accept something as fact, the source must be checked out to see if they are bona fide, or telling it like it is. /images/graemlins/smile.gif YS, Priitaa

I just read a post which asked to please put a book as a PDF file because it is easier, etc, etc., etc. Now, please, would someone explain to me how it is easier, better, more beneficial, etc. Because I use to have the abott reader installed in my comp and would download PDF files. Here is what happened to me. 1) They took FOREVER to download. Even just for the beginnings of the first page to open took forever. 2) Once they did, they had this weird little grabby-hand instead of an arrow for a curser and that hand did not seem to work in the same way, yet no explanation of how to use it. 3) I did not find it easier to read, but more difficult. The pages are not as solid (for lack of a better word) as a web page of the book would have been. 4) I can't save it to favorite places. Maybe its a book and meant to be kept on my hard drive? In which case, I don't see the advantage of taking up so much memory on my hard drive. 5) It appears one must be somewhat computer savy to use PDF files. Do you have to take some mini-course online or somewhere about how to use PDF? Can anyone answer the above questions? And can anyone give me reasons why PDF is easier than a book which has been put onto web page format? Cuz I dont see it. YS, Priitaa

You have it backwards. Getting closer to God doesn't mean He takes away our personal responsibility to make money or that we should keep what we do have all for ourself. Though knowlege of God CAN be obtained for free for those who sincerely want it. That is, just surrender all material desires and move into an ashrama, dedicate your life 100% to Krisna, then you get the same reciprocatoin in return. For most, we have one foot in each world, so it is to our benefit to give a donation to those who are using our money either to take care of others, to maintain an ashrama, and yes, even to take care of themselves because they are more surrendered than most and working hard to try to make this their last birth. And WE get some benefit by donating to such persons. With that said, here are links to free online books: Bhagavad-gita - http://www.asitis.com Krishna Book otherwise known as 10th canto Srimad Bhagavatam http://www.krishnabook.com Coming Back, the Science of Reincarnation - http://webcom.com/~ara/col/books/KR/cb/ ALL of Prabhupadas books! (However, I have not been able to find out if these are the ones that have been changed or if they are Prabhupada's original words, so I put it last.) http://www.geocities.com/freeprabhupadabooks That ought to keep ya busy. /images/graemlins/smile.gif YS, Priitaa dd

Bhakti rasamrita sindhu is the Nectar of Devotion book. I dont have the link on hand. Just do a net search for BBT, but the long way: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. They have it there for certain. YS, Priitaa

Haribol prabhu, This is not a chat room, but I send out a newsletter once or twice a month with a lot in it actually. Its Prabhupada centered. If interested, here is the general write up I use when posting info about it anywhere: INSPIRATION NEWSLETTER Krishna conscious newsletter for anyone, but especially those not near a temple, desirous of sane devotee association and enlivenment. Released once or twice a month, depending on how much time I have to put it together, but each issue is full of nectar, news, Prabhupada Uvaca (said), Gita, Krishna book, Caitanya Caritamrta, veggie links, the 'old days' of the movement, Jayananda info, and whatever else I happen to think up or discover. :-) InspirationNewsletter YS, Priitaa

I vote for numbers 4 & 6. /images/graemlins/smile.gif Maybe a little #5. Tho where IS is he? You're right, it's not like him to be quiet this long.