How to Remain Always in the Company of His Divine Grace

[krsna 3]

ADOPT THE PRACTICAL WAYS OF LORD CAITANYA

 

 

...In all gatherings the audience should not only be sustained by melodious musical performances of Bhajan Sangat or by religious or theistic discourses but they must be given some sort of remnants of food-stuff offered to God, as recommended in the Bhagavad-gita.

By this process of medical treatment people become gradually free from the following four kinds of addictions of sins namely--

 

(1) Illegitimate connection with women.

(2) Habit of animal killing.

(3) Addiction to intoxication habits

(4) Lure of gambling.

 

The conditioned human beings are enwrapped in the above four due to the influence of Kali-yuga. By the transcendental treatment of Hari Sankirtana the mirror of the heart of the human being becomes cleansed of all the above mentioned dusts. As soon as the dusts are removed the human being is able to visualize a clear conception of his real self and thereby he becomes free from the miseries pertaining to the body & mind, pertaining to the other living beings and pertaining to the onslaughts of nature.

 

As followers of Bhagavad-gita we are firmly convinced that the onslaught of nature, which is constantly being inflicted upon human society, is a sort of police action by the laws of the Almighty. As soon as we surrender unto the Divine Will of the Almighty, we not only become Mahatmas & saints but also the attack of unkind Nature is vanquished at once. That is the teaching of Bhagavad-gita and that is the demonstrative preaching of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The real life begins when we are freed from the clutches of Maya, which is nothing but a bewildered conception of materialistic life. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu changed the face of it spiritually.

 

..It is a common saying that example is better than precept. The example of the leading men in the right direction will very soon be followed by the common men. Mahatma Gandhi set the example at his fag-end of life and his daily prayer meetings in the midst of the gravest political occupation must be taken note of. So also in the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna, in the gravest moment of warfare, learnt the teachings of Bhagavad-gita & he changed his personal opinion in the manner of the fighting. So the present process of human thinking for material gains only, has to be changed by an organized preaching work of Bhagavad-gita as done by Lord Caitanya, not only for the benefit the people of India but also for all people in the world. Lord Caitanya's way of preaching is but a practical demonstration of the way of Bhagavad-gita. No amount of dry speculation by easy chair empiric philosophers will be able to implement the teachings of Bhagavad-gita unless we adopt the practical ways of Lord Caitanya as above mentioned.

 

(Letter from Srila Prabhupada, Allahabad 6/22/1951, to Sri R. Prakash M.A., Officer in charge for Social Upliftment & Prohibition)

 

 

 

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is an ocean of transcendental mercy, and although the subject matter of bhakti-yoga is very confidential, He has nonetheless manifested it so nicely, even in this Age of Kali, the age of quarrel.

 

(Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, C.C., Madhya-lila 22.1)

[krsna 3]

SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU, THE ONLY HOPE FOR DELIVERANCE IN THIS AGE OF KALI

 

...In the Bhagavad-gita the last instruction is to surrender fully unto Him, the author of the Bhagavad-gita, but unfortunate men of demonic mentality misunderstood the teachings of Bhagavad-gita as a method of sophistry, and therefore the same Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna in the garb of a transcendental devotee preaches the same techniques of Bhagavad-gita i.e. full surrender unto the almighty God or His different potencies in a demonstrative way.

 

The method of His demonstration was also very suitable. He inaugurated the sankirtana movement accompanied with melodious song which has been found practically very effective amongst the masses. It is not possible for the masses to study the Vedanta or to undergo the difficult mystic processes, especially in the Kali-yuga, when the general people is indolent, unfortunate, short-lived and always disturbed by physical and mental tribulations. So the general mass of people are fallen in the estimation of the great saints, and as such for them, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the only hope for deliverance. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Varanasi He was invited to a philosophical discourse by the Prakashananda Sarasvati, a great giant scholar and sannyasi of the Mayavadi or Sankara sampradaya, and discussion was made on the Vedanta philosophy. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was victorious in that discussion and converted the great sannyasi with his 60,000 followers to His cult of devotion and established His easy method of the sankirtana movement as the most suitable method for the deliverance of the people in general.

 

So on the occasion of the Lord's 463rd advent day, I beg to suggest that in the guru-mandala some such preaching method as was adopted by Lord Caitanya, may also be adopted for the benefit of the general people. The upasana of yoga system as recommended by Sastriji may not be suitable for the people in general because hardly they will be able to adhere to the principles of yoga, and it may be as suggested by the Rajguru Sastriji, that in the default of such yogic method the performer may fall ill and thus become doomed for his life.

 

You have encouraged your mill employees by establishing a recreation club, and the amiable feelings of your employees with the benevolent proprietors as has been exhibited in yesterdays function, may be supplemented by infusing them with spiritual inspiration by the simple method as done by Lord Caitanya. In the last portion of His transcendental pastimes, Lord Caitanya lived in Puri-dhama and worshiped the Lord Jagannatha. By Some way or other your mill area has been named Jagannatha Puri and I suggest that an actual temple of Sri Jagannathaji may be erected by the guru-mandala for the benefit of these mill workers. If they simply make melodious kirtana of Rama or Krishna or both combined and they are offered the prasadam of Sri Jagannatha surely they shall imbibe the spiritual tendency inherent in every human... (Letter from Srila Prabhupada Mar. 14, 1949)

 

Lord Caitanya calls out to the townsfolk, "You should understand this essential fact: life is temporary and filled with various kinds of misery. Therefore, carefully take shelter of the holy name and remain always engaged in His service as your eternal occupation. Desiring to shower benedictions upon all living entities, this sweet name of Krishna has descended to this material universe and shines like the sun in the sky of the heart, destroying the darkness of ignorance.

 

(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

[krsna 3]

"Only by the practice of bhakti-yoga can one achieve the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and see Him face to face (premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti). One cannot see the Lord by other means, such as karma, jnana or yoga. Under the direction of the spiritual master, one must cultivate bhakti-yoga (sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam .-sevanam). Then, even within the material world, although the Lord is not visible, a devotee can see Him. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah) and in Srimad-Bhagavatam (bhaktyaham ekaya grahyah). Thus by devotional service one can achieve the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He is not visible or understandable by materialistic persons."

 

 

 

(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 8.6.12, Purport)

[krsna 3]

From Antya 3.100:

 

 

 

This is not at all difficult for anyone, and the process of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra with a vow before the tulasi plant has such great spiritual potency that simply by doing this one can become spiritually strong.

 

... The process has immense spiritual potency. One should not miss this opportunity.

[krsna 3]

ANYONE WHO WORSHIPS LORD CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU BY CONGREGATIONAL CHANTING IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS VERY INTELLIGENT

 

The King said, "Upon seeing all these devotees, I am very much astonished, for I have never seen such an effulgence. Indeed, their effulgence is like the brilliance of a million suns. Nor have I ever heard the Lord's names chanted so melodiously. I have never before seen such ecstatic love, nor heard the vibration of the holy name of the Lord chanted in such a way, nor seen such dancing during sankirtana."

 

Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya replied, "This sweet transcendental sound is a special creation of the Lord known as prema-sankirtana, congregational chanting in love of Godhead. In this Age of Kali, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Krsna consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Krsna is the religious principle for this age. Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu by congregational chanting should be understood to be very intelligent. One who does not do so must be considered a victim of this age and bereft of all intelligence."

 

Such are the symptoms of pure devotees when they are chanting. All the pure devotees are as bright as sunshine, and their bodily luster is very effulgent. In addition, their performance of sankirtana is unparalleled. There are many professional chanters who can perform congregational chanting with various musical instruments in an artistic and musical way, but their chanting cannot be as attractive as the congregational chanting of pure devotees. If a devotee sticks strictly to the principles governing Vaisnava behavior, his bodily luster will naturally be attractive, and his singing and chanting of the holy names of the Lord will be effective. People will appreciate such kirtana without hesitation. Even dramas about the pastimes of Lord Caitanya or Sri Krsna should be played by devotees. Such dramas will immediately interest an audience and be full of potency. The students of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness should note these two points and try to apply these principles in their spreading of the Lord's glories. (C.C. Madya-lila 11:94-100)

 

 

By performing the sacrifice of congregational chanting of the holy name, learned scholars in the Age of Kali worship Lord Krsna, who is now non-blackish because of the great upsurge of the feelings of Srimati Radharani. He is the only worshipable Deity for the paramahamsas, who have attained the highest stage of the fourth order [sannyasa]. May that Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya, show us His great causeless mercy. (Srila Rupa Goswami, C.C. Adi-lila 3:58)

 

[Guest guest]

In the Caitanya Mangala, Lord Caitanya says that in the kali-yuga, some of the bhaktas will hide in the mleccha countries, but that he will send someone to ferret them out.

That to me is in every way a prediction of SP coming to the west.

My gurumaharaja always said that SP was saktyavesa avatar, empowered especially by Vyasadeva for writing and by Nityananda for preaching.

Any comments?

VdK.

[krsna 3]

 

I agree. Sounds good. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[krsna 3]

 

 

jayatam suratau pangor

 

mama manda-mater gati

 

mat-sarvasva-padambhojau

 

radha-madana-mohanau

 

 

 

"Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madan Mohan! I am lame and ill advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me." (Cc. Adi-lila, 1.15)

 

 

 

It was Radhastami, 1974, in Vancouver, Canada. The year before, I had moved into Krsna's temple on 16th Avenue and discovered my spiritual family. Their golden Lordships Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai and the happiest looking Jagannatha Deities in the world were already beaming on the altar. The kirtans in that small temple room were rockin' -- and so was the floor. Imagine the ecstacy when we found out that Radha-Krsna Deities were coming all the way from India to be installed in our living room!

 

 

 

The anticipation mounted over the weeks and months, and when Their Lordships finally arrived, we felt like we were suddenly catapulted to Goloka Vrindavan in the spiritual sky. On the day of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan's installation, even a lowly rascal like myself felt like I was ready to leave my body -- no, jump out of my body -- and go back home, back to Godhead immediately. Sukadeva Prabhu led the most amazing nonstop kirtan, devotees clanging kartals and dancing like wild transcendental dervishes as smoke billowed everywhere.

 

 

 

I'll never forget the moment the curtains opened to reveal the most attractive Deities in the universe. I was stunned and it took me a few minutes to remember that I was supposed to bow down and pay my obeisances. Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan had descended to earth on 16th Avenue that day and none of us who were there will ever be the same. There's an old saying in Egypt that once you've seen the Nile River, you'll inevitably return to see it again. And I might add, that once you've seen the spiritual beauty of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan, you'll always go back for more.

 

 

 

Padmapani das

[theist 1]

 

In the Caitanya Mangala, Lord Caitanya says that in the kali-yuga, some of the bhaktas will hide in the mleccha countries, but that he will send someone to ferret them out.

That to me is in every way a prediction of SP coming to the west.

My gurumaharaja always said that SP was saktyavesa avatar, empowered especially by Vyasadeva for writing and by Nityananda for preaching.

Any comments?

VdK.

 

 

New to me. But yes it is obvious who He sent.

 

Another blissful thread from Krsna das. My morning sadhana is reading his threads.

[Guest guest]

Theist, my morning (and evening) program is reading both yours AND Krsna Prabhu's postings. You may not know it, but you're spreading love of God far and wide. Who knows who might be reading every day? George Bush, Bob Dylan, John Kerry, Mick Jagger, Jay Leno? You just never know. But please keep up the good work in fostering love, respect and devotion on these forums. It's very much appreciated. And that goes to all of you. Thanks JN too for this first-class site -- amd ALL your important selfless and humble services. Loved your article on Chakra today about the relief efforts. Unbelievably touching. You guys (and gals) are REAL devotees. Obeisances to you all and thanks so much. Hang in there. Radhe Radhe!

[krsna 3]

 

 

 

 

On a morning walk at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, during one of Srila Prabhupada’s many visits to New Dwarka, Srila Prabhupada asked me about the mail-order dept. and the membership program I had recently developed through the mail. I gave him some of the statistics concerning how many BTG subscriptions we were handling each month as well as sales of books, beads, record albums, cassettes, etc.

 

 

 

From 1969 to 1980 I had the very good fortune to serve as the corresponding secretary of ISKCON. In the front of all Srila Prabhupada's books the following words appear: “Readers interested in the subject matter of this book are invited by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to correspond with its Secretary.” All such letters came to me during those years.

 

 

 

I told Srila Prabhupada that I was trying to develop a mail-order membership program by requesting people to send in regular monthly donations in exchange for which they received a monthly newsletter I developed called Bhakti Rasa, as well as a free BTG subscription, various membership benefits according to the amount donated… and we even sent lugdus through the mail now and then.

 

 

 

Srila Prabhupada listened with interest and appeared to be pleased. When I finished speaking he then told me that he once worked for Dr. Bose and one of his duties was to handle whatever correspondence came in to the company. He said, “even if the smallest inquiry arrived -- I would answer personally -- and continue to correspond until they became a customer.”

 

 

 

In this way I understood that Srila Prabhupada was stressing the importance of personal communication as well as determination and enthusiasm for any and every opportunity to preach. A few days prior to that morning walk it was suggested to me that I make up a form letter and send it along with our catalog to those who wrote in and expressed general interest in Krishna consciousness. I didn’t think it was a very good idea when I heard it and Srila Prabhupada’s words that morning confirmed the importance of taking a personal interest in every letter that arrived -- even if all that was written was “I am interested in your movement” or "please send information." Once again I was reminded of the meaning of the word Acarya... one who teaches by example. Jaya Srila Prabhupada!!

 

 

 

Swarup Das

[Guest guest]

"People Follow Leader"

October 16, 1975

 

 

Reporter: Your Grace, can I start by asking you what do you think of South Africa?

 

Prabhupada: That you can reply. Just preach this cult, Krsna consciousness. I was expected since a long time. So I could not come here due to my other engagements.

 

Reporter: Yes. What are your views of the country? What do you think of it?

 

Prabhupada: Every country is all right. I don't find any fault. But only difficulty is that all over the world the civilization is being misdirected.

 

Reporter: Misguided.

 

Prabhupada: Misdirected. They are not taking importance of the right thing. Just like we are in this body. Now, when the body is dead, we cry that "My father is gone away. My son is gone away." But if I reply that "Your father is lying on the bed. Why you're crying that your father has gone away?" what will be the reply? The father whom the son has seen since his birth, that body in the coat and pant, so that coat-pant and body is there on the bed, and why the son is crying, "My father has gone away"? What is the reply? What should be the reply?

 

Reporter: Well, I know what I would reply. I don't know what you would reply.

 

Prabhupada: No, I want what is your reply.

 

Reporter: My reply would be that he hasn't gone, that he's gone to God.

 

Prabhupada: He...? He has not seen his father. That is my reply. Now, the person whom he accepted as his father, he is lying there on the bed. And now he is crying that "My father has gone." That means he has not seen his father. So this is going on. The whole world movement is on the basic principle of that living force which makes the body so important. Either a politician or a philosopher or a scientist, so long the living force is there, the body is important. And as such, the living force is gone, then it is simply a lump of matter. So we are taking care of this lump of matter, not of the living force. This is the mistake of the whole civilization. We do not know what is that living force. There is no scientist, there is no philosopher, nothing of the sort. Simply as child we cry, "Oh, my father has gone away. My father has gone." Why did you not see who is your father or who is your son? Where is that education? Where is that enlightenment? Where is that university? Therefore I say the whole civilization is being misdirected. They do not know what is the important factor in civilization.

 

Reporter: If I asked you to give the people who will read my article a message...

 

Prabhupada: This is my message, that the whole civilization is misdirected, giving importance on the body, but the living force within the body, he does not know anything about.

 

Reporter: But what message would you give to people in terms of helping people, perhaps, to live better lives?

 

Prabhupada: Yes. But if the basic principle is wrong, then all their plans for becoming happy is also wrong. So he does not know what is the important factor. So when he comes to know that he is not this body, he is spirit soul -- he studies what is the nature of the spirit soul, what is the necessity of the spirit soul -- then he becomes happy. If he is under misconception... Suppose if I take you, Mr. Singer, as the coat, and I take care of the coat and not of you, person, then is that very good proposal? So that is going on. They are taking care of the shirt and coat, not the person who is putting on the shirt and coat. This is the mistake of the modern civilization. And the Krsna consciousness movement is an attempt to correct it, not theoretically, but by scientifically, by philosophically, economically, religiously, everything. Therefore we have got so many books. We are trying to distribute, enlighten people. This is our business. Then people will be happy. Unless one who knows "what I am, and what is my business, what is my aim of life," then how he can be happy? Just like a dog is jumping here and there, here and there, but he does not know what is the aim of life, so if we do not come to the spiritual platform, that we remain animal like cats and dogs, then what is the civilization of cats and dogs? If you keep the dogs as dog and if you ask some of them to come together and make a peace formula, is it possible the dogs will be able to make any peace formula? Because they are dogs, they will go on barking. That's all. So we are attempting so many peace formula, but we are keeping the consciousness on the body, exactly like the dog. And therefore there is no peace. There cannot be any peace. First of all you must come to the real platform, the living force, what is that spirit soul, what is the necessity, what is the aim. That you do not know.

 

Reporter: Your Grace, a great many of South Africa's church leaders from some of the big churches are fearful that South Africa is going to find itself in a situation, or find... What message would you give this country in terms of avoiding any...

 

Prabhupada: No, I am going to every country because everywhere the same mistake is going on, bodily concept of life. So I am trying to bring them to the real life and then make their plan. They will be happy. It is not for South Africa. For any Africa, or any country, South America or South India or anywhere. The problem is the same. Everywhere the same conception: "I am South African.I am American.I am Indian.I am this.I am that." So all these things are on the bodily concept of life. Nobody says, "No, I am not this body. I am different from body." Nobody says. We are simply preaching that "You are not this body. You are different from this..." That is our unique situation. Perhaps throughout the whole world we are trying to preach that "You are not this body. You are different from body." And we have not manufactured this idea. This is the instruction in the Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad-gita, the first teaching is,

dehino 'smin yatha dehe

kaumaram yauvanam jara

tatha dehantara-praptir

dhiras tatra na muhyati

[bg. 2.13]

This is the first instruction. Just like in the body of a child the spirit soul is there. Therefore the child is becoming a boy, and the boy is becoming a young man. Young man is becoming old man. Then what is the next? Then the old man must have next body. This is very simple logic. Now... But I am the same. I was also a baby. I was a boy. I remember. But the body is no longer existing. I am existing. I know that I had such and such body. So therefore the conclusion is that after annihilation of this body, I will exist in another body. Tatha dehantara-praptih [bg. 2.13]. So who knows this science? And there are 8,400,000 forms of body. What kind of or what form of body I am going to get next, where is that science? So we are teaching, by Krsna consciousness movement, all these things, not only theoretically, but with scientific knowledge, philosophy, everything. You can see our... We have got fifty books of four hundred, five hundred pages each. We are teaching only about Krsna consciousness.

Reporter: Your Grace, what stops so many people from becoming Krsna devotees?

Prabhupada: Join this, our center. You come here; you'll become Krsna devotee. Just like these boys. They are not imported from India. They are European, American, and South African. You are South African?

Reporter: British.

Prabhupada: British. And who is South African?

Pusta Krsna: They're South Africans.

Prabhupada: So we welcome everyone, African, South African, North African.

Reporter: What stops so many millions of people from doing it?

Prabhupada: Well, knowledge means it is meant for few men. If you want men without any university degree, you will get many thousands. But as soon as say, "We want graduate," it will be minimized. Or as soon as you say "postgraduate," it will be still minimized. So as soon as there is question of knowledge, the number of people will be diminished. So we cannot expect mass of people. But if there are good persons, exemplified person, vivid example, that will help the whole society -- "There is ideal class. They know everything."

Reporter: You're going to be delivering two addresses next week at one of our biggest universities.

Prabhupada: That he knows.

Pusta Krsna: Monday and Wednesday. It would be nice if you would mention that in your article.

Reporter: Yes, I will. But I want to know what will you tell the people.

Prabhupada: These things in different way, that "Come to your pure knowledge and make your plan. Then you will be happy. And if your basic principle is wrong, then whatever plan you make, it is useless."

Reporter: Yes. But, you see, the thing that worries me is that how do people begin to understand that their basic principle might be wrong?

Prabhupada: Just as one goes to a school and gradually he understands what is one, what is two, what is three, what is "two plus two equal to four," how to place. It is a question of learning, education.

Reporter: Yes, but this doesn't effect the ordinary man in the street, Your Grace.

Prabhupada: Huh?

Reporter: This doesn't effect the masses.

Pusta Krsna: The mass of people, he says it doesn't effect them.

Prabhupada: Mass of people will follow. Yad yad acarati srestha [bg. 3.21]. Just like everywhere, in politics there is in one leader and people follow him, so we want first-class leader. Then mass will follow. If the leaders are rascals and fools, then what will be result? Andha yathandhair upaniyamanah [sB 7.5.31]. If the leader is blind, how he can help other blind men? He must be open eyes. Then he can lead thousands of blind men -- "Come here." And if he is himself blind, then how he can help? That is wanted. One blind man... One open-eyes man is sufficient to lead many thousands of blind men. But if the leaders are also blind, then it is useless. He must be in perfect knowledge. That is wanted. We do not expect that mass of people will understand this philosophy. It is not possible. But at least the leaders, they must know how to lead people -- the father, the teachers, the government, like that. Then people will follow.

Reporter: My last question: Will you be meeting other spiritual leaders in South Africa?

Prabhupada: I do not know who is that spiritual leader. Nobody...

Pusta Krsna: We haven't found any really prominent personalities to introduce Prabhupada to.

Prabhupada: But one spiritual leader is there, Swami Sahajananda.

Pusta Krsna: Yes, the Divine Life Society in Durban, the head of that. He wrote one letter praising Prabhupada's work, that he is rightfully representing the Vedic literatures.

Reporter: Well, thank you very much.

Prabhupada: Thank you. Hare Krsna. You have taken lunch? So, it is very important movement. Try to study, understand. And it is the duty of the pressmen, journalists, to propagate. They must know the first science of the living force within the body. That is the most important part.

Reporter: I just feel that, in a way, I have enough to write, and I have enough to... Well, I believe in giving a little message of something in those things that I write. I try not to make them negative, and at least, I can present people with what they have and what you are saying. But I feel that within myself, and this concerns myself, that I haven't spoken to you enough, that I haven't heard you enough, and that I have...

Prabhupada: No, you can ask me more, more, other question. I can reply. There is no harm.

Pusta Krsna: You have any questions?

Reporter: Well, I can't stay now, and I feel too that I am imposing because I know that His Grace wants to rest.

Pusta Krsna: Okay. What you could do is write one article introducing, and then come to the Monday and Wednesday night programs and write another article. Because...

Reporter: Yes. I'll try at least to prepare this one trip on Monday...

Pusta Krsna: Oh, yes. That would be very nice if you act as an advertisement also. Thank you very much.

Reporter: Your Grace, thank you.

Prabhupada: Thank you.

Reporter: Good-bye.

Prabhupada: [break] You have done good because you are waiting for somebody's decision. So the decision-maker can change. Otherwise so many people are working so hard day and night; he is not getting even sufficient food. And another man, without working, he is getting so much money. How it is possible? Hm? So God is not an instrument of your whims. He is fully independent. That is God. Agatan gatan patiyase.(?) By His different energy He can..., does something which is impossible to be done. Take for example myself. I went to United States, unknown country, without any friend, without any hope, simply on theory (chuckles) that "I shall go and preach there," and with this expectation also, that "As soon as I shall ask them to give up all these habits, they will ask me to go away." (laughs) So in the face of so many odds and uncertainty, I went there, simply depending on my spiritual master and Krsna, with this hope only, that "If they desire, everything can be done. But otherwise there is no hope. I am going there, hopeless, just to make an experiment. My other Godbrothers, they failed. All right, Guru Maharaja asked me. In the beginning I did not do. Let me do it in this old age." So it became surprisingly success. Business started with forty rupees, and now we have got four crores. Where is that business in the material world, that a man started business with forty rupees and he has got four crores within ten years? Not only money, but also fame, respect. What do these kings and president or minister get respect?

Harikesa: It takes them fifty years.

Pusta Krsna: Still, they get kicked on the face like Nixon.

Prabhupada: Nobody would sincerely respect them. Only for some self-interest. But here, respect opportunity, it is out of love. That is not for any bargaining. So who can get this? So this is God's... So one has to see by the result. That is stated in the... I think we have described. The, what is called, container is understood by the quantity of contents. The container is understood by the quantity of the contents. The example is given of water-water, air, and bright. When there is good flame, then we can understand that the contents is very inflammable. Just like petrol. So that is in comparison like when there is big amount of, quantity of water; that means the container is big. Similarly, the big quantity of ether, then it is to be understood, quantity according to the content. So one has to understand, as Krsna said, yad yad vibhutimat sattvam mama tejo-'msa... How much Krsna's favor is there, we have to understand from the contents. Then we can understand, we can make an estimate of the container. By the quantity of contents we can understand the, what is called...?

Pusta Krsna: Capacity.

Prabhupada: Capacity of the container. This is described in the Bhagavata and the Caitanya-caritamrta also. Krsna sakti vina nahe krsna name pracara: "Without Krsna's special power of attorney, nobody can preach His name." Caitanya-caritamrta. So these rascals, Godbrothers, they are envious that... What he has written? Bon Maharaja. Just see what kind of men they are. They are not even ordinary human being. They are envious of me, and what to speak of make a judgment by estimation? They're envious. Enviousness is immediately disqualification of Vaisnava, immediate. He is not a human being. Paramo nirmatsaranam satam [sB 1.1.2]. This Bhagavatam is meant for the person who is completely not envious. That is the beginning. Why a Vaisnava should be envious for anyone? Everyone is working according to his karma. He is trying to rectify him, that "Be out of these clutches of karma. You come to bhakti." Why he should be envious? Vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. A Vaisnava should be like ocean of mercy to reclaim the fallen souls. That is Vaisnava's qualification. So Vaisnava should be envious? Just see. So these persons, they are not even human being, what to speak of Vaisnava. Vaisnava cannot be envious. Vaisnava should be: "Oh, my Lord's name is being broadcast. He is getting, giving so much service to make Krsna known." That man has appreciated, that "All these spiritual leaders, they are deriding. You are the only man... You are... It enthuses us, give us more encouragement, that you are keeping intact, love of Krsna." This is an appreciation. Why he should be envious? He should be, rather, very much enthused that "This single man is keeping Krsna all over the world." And everyone is deriding. Even Gandhi is killing Krsna. Dr. Radhakrishnan is killing. Their only business is to kill Krsna. He is also doing that, our, this Bon Maharaja. He never speaks of Krsna. His rascal, that Institute of Indian Philosophy, nobody goes to urine(?) there. We see practically. And our temple is always filled up, five hundred men. And he is trying for the last forty years. He is simply planning: "This will be playground. This will be this ground. This will be this ground." And it is becoming jungle. Still, he is so envious, black snake. So one circular letter should be issued to all our center, that "Any Bon Maharaja or anyone, his representative, should not be received." They are envious. Yes. Quoting that. We have got several complaints like that. Satsvarupa also complained. Sometimes our order was cancelled by Bon Maharaja's propaganda.

Pusta Krsna: You mean he has been corresponding with professors in America?

Prabhupada: Yes. Because he has got that background.

Pusta Krsna: From catalog, with his literature. There must be some catalog or something that his list of books is in.

Prabhupada: His books?

Pusta Krsna: Something. Or the Oriental...

Prabhupada: He has no book.

Harikesa: Just that one book.

Prabhupada: That is also.

Pusta Krsna: Also, when I read that book, long time ago, he said in the introduction that once he took a vow for two years not to speak anything. I thought it was very strange for a Vaisnava.

Harikesa: He lived underneath the ground in one cell. You know that?

Prabhupada: Yes. Just make a show.

Pusta Krsna: You've said, "Yes, if someone can only speak nonsense, they shouldn't speak. But if they can speak about Krsna to glorify Krsna-kathayantas ca mam nityam -- then always they can talk about Krsna."

Prabhupada: He said?

Pusta Krsna: No, you say. He said, "I have taken vow not to speak anything." I thought it was crazy.

Prabhupada: That is condemned by Prahlada Maharaja. You will find in Prahlada Maharaja that "This is for professional men to get some prestige." Prahlada Maharaja said like that.

Pusta Krsna: Can we take morning walk now, Srila Prabhupada?

Harikesa: We're having the morning walk in the room today. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation with Reporter of The Star -- October 16, 1975, Johannesburg

 

[krsna 3]

"Use common sense, and if you have none, consult with someone who does" -- Srila Prabhupada

[krsna 3]

k

 

 

 

 

<font color="red"> "When a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice. Living entities in a pure state are called devotees. The Supreme Lord becomes the devotee of His devotees."

 

 

 

(Bhagavad-gita, 9.29, Purport)

</font color>

[krsna 3]

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and His plenary portions cannot be understood by mental speculation nor by the nondevotees. If anyone wants to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he has to take to pure devotional service under the guidance of a pure devotee. Otherwise, the truth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will always be hidden. It is already stated (naham prakasah) that He is not revealed to everyone. Everyone cannot understand God simply by erudite scholarship or mental speculation. Only one who is actually engaged in Krsna consciousness and devotional service can understand what Krsna is."

 

 

 

(Bhagavad-gita, 18,56, Purport)

 

[krsna 3]

MYSTIC POWERS IN EVERYONE

Just like we were discussing this morning, we have to accept Krsna with mystic power, acintya-shakti. Acintya-shakti means beyond our conception. Because the mystic power is there in us also. Although we are teeny living entities, we have got so much mystic power within. We cannot understand. Take, for example, your hair. You cut, it is again growing. You do not know how it is growing, but it is growing. That is a fact. That is mystic power. If there is any cut on your body, even if you don’t apply medicine, automatically it becomes cured. How it is being cured? Even if you don’t go to the physician, automatically it will be cured. We are experiencing this daily. That is mystic power. We are creating so much chemicals, even by passing stool. The stool is analyzed by scientists. It contains the greatest amount of Hydrophosphate. Hydrophosphate is a very nice medicine for weak health. Just try to understand that something of such important medicinal value, we are producing in our stool, what to speak of other things. So that is mystic power.

 

The example is given of the deer who has got musk in the navel and the flavor is very nice, so he is jumping here and there, here and there, here and there. Where is this flavor? He does not know the flavor is in his navel. You see. The flavor is there in him, but he is looking “Where it is? Where it is?” Similarly we have got so many dormant mystic powers within us that we are unaware of. But if you practice the mystic yoga system, some of them you can evolve very nicely. Just like the birds are flying, but we cannot fly. Sometimes we desire, “Had I the wings of a dove, I could immediately go.” But that mystic power is also within you. If you develop it by yogic practice, you can also fly in the air. That is possible. There is a planet which is called Siddhaloka where the inhabitants have got so many mystic powers. We are trying to go to the moon planet by so many machines. They can fly there. As soon as they desire, they can go.

 

Mystic power there is in everyone. It has to be cultivated. Just like Krsna. Say, four or five years ago, you did not know what is Krsna. By cultivation you are coming to know Krsna, what is God, what is our relationship. So the human life is meant for such cultivation, not for seeking where is food, where is shelter, where is sex. These are already there. These things are not our subject matter of inquiry. But people have become such rascals. They are simply absorbed in the thought of where is food, shelter, sex, defense. This is the misguided civilization. The real problem is how to stop this repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. That problem is being solved by the Krsna consciousness movement. If you simply understand what is Krsna, there is no more material birth. If you make friendship with Krsna, Krsna will remain perpetually with you. (Class by Srila Prabhupada May 7, 1973 in LA)

 

By manipulating a fire-generating stick, great saints and sages can bring forth the fire lying dormant within wood. In the same way, O Lord, those expert in understanding the Absolute Truth try to see You in everything—even in their own bodies. Yet you remain concealed. You are not to be understood by indirect processes involving mental or physical activities. Because You are self-manifested, only when You see that a person is wholeheartedly engaged in searching for You do You reveal Yourself. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. (Mother Earth- SB 5.18.36)

[krsna 3]

 

 

One day in Montreal, during afternoon guest hours a young devotee from the temple asked me for an appointment to see Srila Prabhupada.

 

I agreed and told her to come in the late afternoon, as it was his custom to visit with guests and devotees after his afternoon nap. This girl was an artist, her name was Madhavi Lata and she had come from New York. She was now living at the Montreal temple and I assumed she wanted to discuss her paintings with Srila Prabhupada and ask questions about them, as did Jadurani and the other artists from time to time.

 

However, her intention was different. When she came, she began to explain her problem to Srila Prabhupada, and Srila Prabhupada having difficulty understanding her, called me into the room. I was working in the kitchen nearby and heard his call: 'Govind Dasi!' He always pronounced my name with 4 syllables: Govind Dasi, other than Govinda Dasi. I rushed in and made obeisances and he told me to bring prasadam. Then he motioned for me to sit down and listen to the discussion. Madhavi Lata was explaining to Srila Prabhupada that as a brahmacarini at the temple she was having difficulty being around all the other girls as they were often dressing and sometimes wearing only slips and cholis while putting on their saris. She tried to explain to Srila Prabhupada that this was a great agitation for her and she needed a different living situation. She was very upset and didn't know what to do. Srila Prabhupada was having difficulty understanding her problem. Srila Prabhupada was encouraging her to chant Hare Krsna, read his books and do her wonderful art work. He inspired her and preached to her and talked to her about Krsna and the temporary existence in the material world. I sat quietly listening to the conversation nearby and observing that he was giving her the highest instruction that was applicable in every case. However, there was clearly a lapse in communication. Eventually, the girl graciously respected prasadam and left. Then I sat down in front of Srila Prabhupada's desk and he asked me: 'What is her problem?' I groped for words, trying to find a way to express it and finally said: 'Srila Prabhupada, in this country there are some women who are attracted to other women sexually, not to men. So she is having this problem living with the other girls and doesn't know what to do about it'. Srila Prabhupada's eyes grew large and round and he said: 'Oh'. He saw the whole thing immediately. Then he said in a very surprised tone: 'In India there are some such low-class men but not women, never women'. His face was full of surprise. I said: 'Yes, Srila Prabhupada, in the West there are such women also'. Then he leaned back and wagged his head side-to-side, Indian fashion in a very amused and almost amazed look. 'Just see, this sex life. Men to men, women to women. Men to women. Sex life is the bondage. It is all bondage. But, he opened his eyes wide: the sex life between man and woman can be sanctified by marriage. That is the difference. Krsna says in the Gita that I am the sex life within marriage. So within marriage it can be used for having nice Krsna conscious children but not like this. This is very low class'. Srila Prabhupada you clearly cut through the illusion of homosexuality, simply and concisely. Never mind arguments one way or another. You saw it simply as another form of bondage, one that cannot be sanctified by God or purified within the marriage institution of God. Nowadays, Western society has begun to aggressively promote homosexuality but their promotion cannot change the truth. It is simply another form of bondage in the material world, forcing the soul to take birth after birth of endless suffering. Unlike us, Srila Prabhupada you never became swayed by personal likes or dislikes, preferences or passions. You cut through our illusions with the swift and sure knife of knowledge and irrefutable truth. Then you stitched the wound with your divine love and instruction: chant Hare Krsna and be happy. Thank you. Your opinion, Srila Prabhupada is as valid today and unchanged by time as it was in 1968. All these various modern trends of society you once commented to me, that nothing is new, they are all old, these things have been done again and again and Krsna knows them all. He spoke about them and he deals with each on in the Gita. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for being above everything and being able to teach us so that we also can see things from the window of spiritual realization. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada.

 

- From the 1008 Ways to Remember Srila Prabhupada by Govinda dasi ACBSP

 

[krsna 3]

"The perfection of life is simply to surrender to the Supreme. In the beginning of our spiritual life we must therefore worship Madana-Mohana so that He may attract us and nullify our attachment for material sense gratification. This relationship with Madana-mohana is necessary for neophyte devotees."

 

 

 

(Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 1.19, Purport)

 

[krsna 3]

"The Deity is known as arca-vigraha or arca-avatara, an incarnation of the Supreme Lord in the form of material manifestation (brass, stone or wood). Ultimately there is no difference between Krsna manifest in matter or Krsna manifest in spirit because both are His energies. For Krsna, there is no distinction between matter and spirit. His manifestation in material form, therefore, is as good as His original form, sac-cid-ananda-vigraha. A devotee constantly engaged in Deity worship according to the rules and regulations laid down in the sastras and given by the spiritual master realizes gradually that he is in direct contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

 

 

 

(Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 13.139, Purport

[krsna 3]

HEARING & EATING

 

One can directly approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead simply by executing the nine kinds of devotional service, of which hearing about the Lord is the most important. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has very favorably stressed the importance of this process of hearing. According to His method, if people are simply given a chance to hear about Krsna, certainly they will gradually develop their dormant awareness or love of Godhead. Love of God is dormant in everyone, but if one is given a chance to hear about the Lord, certainly that love develops. Our Krsna consciousness movement acts on this principle. We simply give people the chance to hear about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and give them Prasad to eat, and the actual result is that all over the world people are responding to this process and becoming pure devotees of Lord Krsna. We open hundreds of centers all over the world just to give people in general a chance to hear about Krsna and accept Krsna's Prasad. These two processes can be accepted by anyone, even a child. It doesn't matter whether one is poor or rich, learned or foolish, black or white, old or still a child-anyone who simply hears about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and takes Prasad is certainly elevated to the transcendental position of devotional service. (C.C. Adi-lila 7.141)

 

By honoring shak (a green leafy vegetable preparation), a dear favorite of Lord Caitanya, I consider life worthwhile. Whatever Bhaktivinoda obtains that is conducive for the service of Sri Krsna he accepts every day with the greatest joy. (Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)

[krsna 3]

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

 

Mr. Faill:..Is it necessary to follow certain eating habits to practice spiritual life?

 

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, the whole process is meant to purify us, and eating is part of that purification. I think you have a saying, “You are what you eat,” and that’s a fact. Our bodily constitution and mental atmosphere are determined according to how and what we eat. Therefore the shastras recommend that to become Krsna conscious, you should eat remnants of food left by Krsna. If a tuberculosis patient eats something and you eat the remnants, you will be infected with tuberculosis. Similarly, if you eat Krsna-prasadam, then you will be infected with Krsna consciousness. Thus our process is that we don’t eat anything immediately. First we offer the food to Krsna, then we eat it. This helps us advance in Krsna consciousness.

 

Mr. Faill: You are all vegetarians?

 

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, because Krsna is a vegetarian. Krsna can eat anything because He is God, but in the Bhagavad-gita (9.26) He says, “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water, I will accept it.” He never says, “Give Me meat and wine.”

 

Mr. Faill: How about the tobacco question?

 

Srila Prabhupada: Tobacco is also an intoxicant. We are already intoxicated by being in the bodily conception of life, and if we increase the intoxication, then we are lost.

 

Mr. Faill: You mean things like meat, alcohol, and tobacco just reinforce bodily consciousness?

 

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Suppose you have a disease and you want to be cured. You have to follow the instructions of a physician. if he says, “Don’t eat this; eat only this,” you have to follow his prescription. Similarly, we also have a prescription for being cured of the bodily conception of life: chanting Hare Krsna, hearing about Krsna's activities, and eating Krsna-prasadam. This treatment is the process of Krsna consciousness.

(Science of Self Realization-5)

 

My dear son Krsna, lotus-eyed Krsna, come here and drink the milk of my breast. My dear darling, You must be very tired because of hunger and the fatigue of playing so long. There is no need to play any more.

 

My dear Baladeva, best of our family, please come immediately with Your younger brother, Krsna. You both ate in the morning, and now You ought to eat something more. Nanda Maharaja, the King of Vraja, is now waiting to eat. O my dear son Balarama, he is waiting for You. Therefore, come back to please us. All the boys playing with You and Krsna should now go to their homes.

(Mother Yasoda- SB 10:15,16,17)

[krsna 3]

 

 

 

As a new member of ISKCON, I was sometimes naive and overzealous. Having been instructed that hot showers meant too much attachment for the material body, I was very strict about taking cold showers only. One day while waiting in line for my morning shower, I noticed hot steam pouring from under the shower curtain. Being a little puffed up with my newfound enthusiasm, I banged on the cubicle and said aloud, "Hey Prabhu, that's maya" (illusion). There was no reply, so I banged a little harder: "Come on, Prabhu, that's sense gratification." Needless to say, I shrunk back in complete embarrassment when Visnujana Swami (a celebrated devotee of Lord Krsna) stuck his head out and looked at me. Thankfully, he had a big grin on his face. I promised myself from then on that I would be more careful at passing judgement on others.

 

 

 

Later that day, Visnujana Swami asked me if I could shave his head. I was struck with horror since I had never done such a thing before. I informed him so, but he said "that's alright, just do your best." By the time I had finished, there were streams of blood pouring down his head. I had nicked and cut his skin in a number of places. Visnujana Swami took one look in the mirror, had a chuckle and walked out of the bathroom joyfully singing "gaur nityananda bol hari bol hari bol," unfazed by my hatchet job. He was totally forgiving in his attitude, which impressed me to no end. That was more than thirty years ago and I'm still grateful to this day that he was so kind to me.

 

 

 

When Visnujana Swami led kirtan in Vancouver's Stanley Park, hundreds of people encircled our party, all transfixed by his melodious chanting. Usually we might have a couple of dozen onlookers in attendance for harinam, but this was a monumental occasion. The devotees twirled and jumped and danced with great abandon. The sense of harmony amongst us was real and palpable. The swelling crowd was a testament to the infectious joy of chanting Hare Krsna in unity and love.

 

 

 

Later in San Francisco, hundreds of devotees arrived for the Rathayatra Festival to be held in Golden Gate Park. A large hall was rented to provide extra accomodation for the visitors who came from all across America and Canada. Visnujana Swami was there along with his beloved traveling Deities, Sri Sri Radha-Damodar. Ecstatic kirtans lasted for hours as the devotees danced in circles for the pleasure of Their Lordships. Flowers were gathered every morning to offer the Deities, whose divine presence graced the stage. Srila Prabhupada, our spiritual father, was about to arrive soon. We were all family. In fact, as we drove to San Francisco from Vancouver through Seattle and Portland, we called the temples in advance and they each arranged prasadam feasts for us along the way to help carry us through our journey.

 

 

 

By recalling the events and experiences which have touched our hearts with Krsna consciousness, we can embrace the mood that Prabhupada shared with us all. While he was personally present among us, Prabhupada showed us practically that we're capable of working together and achieving great things. Srila Prabhupada undoubtedly loved us and he entrusted us with his movement. The basic principle behind everything was always love and trust:

 

 

 

"All of our men have volunteered good service, so the background is good will. So everything should be done on the basis of good will." (Srila Prabhupada letter, September 7, 1974)

 

 

 

Visnujana Swami helped to spread that good will wherever he went, and consequently he is forever loved and appreciated by all those who had the good fortune of his magnanimous association.

 

 

 

Padmapani das

 

[krsna 3]

"Hearing about and glorifying the Lord are identical with the transcendental nature of the Lord, and by so doing, one will be always in the association of the Lord. This brings freedom from all sorts of fear. The Lord is the Supersoul (Paramatma) present in the hearts of all beings, and thus by the above hearing and glorifying process, the Lord invites the association of all His creation. This process of hearing about and glorifying the Lord is applicable to everyone, whoever he may be, and it will lead to the ultimate success in everything in which one may be engaged by providence. There are many classes of human beings: the fruitive workers, the emperic philosophers, the mystic yogis, and ultimately, the unalloyed devotees. For all of them, one and the same process is applicable for achieving the desired success. Everyone wants to be free from all kinds of fear, and everyone wants the fullest extent of happiness in life. The perfect process for achieving this, here and now, is recommended in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is uttered by such a great authority as Srila Sukadeva Gosvami. By hearing about and glorifying the Lord, all a person's activities become molded into spiritual activities, and thus all conceptions of material miseries become completely vanquished."

 

 

 

(Srimad-Bhagavatam, 2.1.5, Purport)

 

[jagatpurush 0]

Prabhupada also fulfills the descriptions of maha-bhagavata and paramahamsa. He had equal vision for all living entities, although he also acted with the preacher's discrimination. Once, an Indian gentleman accused Prabhupada of not seeing everyone equally because Prabhupada made a distinction between the sinful nondevotee and the devotee. Prabhupada responded by saying that he was not on such an elevated platform. He saw the sinner and felt compelled to tell him to stop. And he did this on the authority of the Bhagavad-gita and the past acaryas. When the man asked further, "But what have you done (besides repeating the words of the disciplic succession)?"

 

Prabhupada said that he had done nothing more than offer these teachings indiscriminately to the world: "That is my contribution and that is my version of panditah sama-darsinah."

 

From "Appreciating Srila Prabhupada" By Satsvarup DG.

[jagatpurush 0]

Bhakti Caru Svami:

 

"The Krsna Consciousness movement needs many exalted and learned persons who will sacrifice their lives to revive God consciousness throughout the world. We therefore invite all men and women advanced in knowledge to join the Krsna Consciousness movement."

 

This quotation reminds me of an incident. It was one of my first meetings with Srila Prabhupada, maybe the 2nd or 3d meeting with him. Srila Prabhupada told me, "Offer this life to Krsna." He said, "And then see what happens. If there is no gain, if there is nothing achieved out of that, then what is the loss? It is just one life out of so many." That left a very deep impression in my mind. I realized what Srila Prabhupada wanted me to do, namely to just offer this life to Krsna.

 

Srila Prabhupada also added something. Should I tell you that? Srila Prabhupada said, "Don't get involved with any woman." [laughter.] And then soon after that Srila Prabhupada gave me sannyasa. So here also Srila Prabhupada is emphasizing that this Krsna Consciousness movement needs many individuals' total involvement to revive Krsna Consciousness all over the world. And this means sacrifice.