The Hare Krishna Movement

His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu has Departed

07 May 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Jananivasa das, Pankajanghri das Tags: disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, GBC executive committee, Jananivasa das, Lord Caitanya, Nrsimhadeva pujari, Pankajanghri das, Sri Mayapur dham

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu, the beloved Nrsimhadeva pujari, and twin brother of His Grace Jananivasa Prabhu. He died of Covid-19 complications in Mayapur, India.

HG Pankajanghri Prabhu has Departed

By the GBC Executive Committee

Dear Devotees,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

HG Pankajanghri Prabhu, ISKCON’s most beloved Nrsimhadeva pujari, has departed from this world in Sri Dham Mayapur.

Having joined ISKON in the footsteps of his twin brother, HG Jananivasa Prabhu, in 1973, the two brothers dedicated their lives to serving the Lordships of ISKCON’s International Headquarters in Lord Caitanya’s divine abode of Sri Mayapur.

Pankajanghri Prabhu served not only the Lord, but devotees worldwide, who would turn to him in their time of need, begging him to offer their hearts’ prayers at Lord Nrsimhadeva’s feet. Every devotee who has visited Mayapur Dham will hold fondly the image of Pankajanghri Prabhu standing on Nrsimhadeva’s altar, offering prayers and puja on behalf of the devotees, and in turn, offering the Lord’s mahaprasadam to the devotees.

Not many of us, however, were aware that in the background, Pankajanghri Prabhu was also managing the pujari department for many years, ensuring that the service to Their Lordships continues efficiently while expanding and deepening exponentially. We are all indebted to Pankajanghri Prabhu for the great inspiration we derive from the beautiful darshans and festivals that can be experienced only in Sri Dham Mayapur.

Pankajanghri Prabhu also graced the devotees with weekly classes on Srimad-Bhagavatam and Caitanya-caritamrita. He was a founding board member and inspiration for Mayapur Academy, an international school for brahminical training, where he taught the proper mood and method of deity worship to hundreds of students as instructed by Srila Prabhupada.

Along with fifty years of steadfast service as a pujari, manager, speaker, and educator, Pankanjanghri Prabhu was also a dear brother, uncle, and friend to both the Mayapur community and ISKCON worldwide. Today is a heartbreaking day especially for the generations of Mayapurvasis who grew up in the affectionate shelter of such a loving and playful uncle.

It is rare indeed to find a personality with the combination of such dedication, humility, joviality, and kindness. As Srila Prabhupada himself said in 1976, “The two brothers Pankajanghri and Jananivasa – there is no comparison.”

We join the worldwide family of Vaisanvas, especially HG Jananivasa Prabhu and the Mayapur community, in grieving the loss of a beloved godbrother and friend while simultaneously feeling gratitude for the mercy of Sri Nrsimhadeva, who kindly brought His dear servant home to Sri Dham Mayapur for a glorious departure befitting a dedicated devotee like Pankajanghri Prabhu.

Hare Krsna,

In Honor of His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu

07 May 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Ambarisa das, Jananivasa das, Pankajanghri das, Uncategorized

A Message from Ambarisa and Braja Vilasa Prabhus

To All Devotees Around the World,

With heavy hearts we observed the peaceful passing of His Grace Pankajanghri prabhu yesterday. As one of the most critical personalities in the development of the Pujari floor of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium, his absence is now deeply felt. Over the years (even decades), we have come to rely on his seniority, purity, and quality of devotion to Krishna as an example to us all.

Still, it is in the mood of separation that we remind ourselves of how important yesterday was. In truth, our association with His Grace Pankajanghri prabhu has not ended, but evolved, for now we may have him in our hearts forever as a Vaishnava who departed towards Srila Prabhupada’s service in the company of other Vaishnavas from around the world, surrounded by the chanting of the sacred mahamantra, on the banks of the most auspicious Mother Ganga, at the very heart of Navadwip Dhama, Sri Mayapur. There is no more glorious, auspicious, or ideal departure than that of His Grace Pankajanghri prabhu, and even in his passing he is teaching us to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.

At the TOVP, we shall continue to uphold Pankajanghri prabhu’s teachings and standards in deity worship as we prepare for the unprecedented shift of Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Sri Panchatattva, and Sri Nrsimhadeva into Their new temple. What we have learned from Pankajanghri prabhu will serve as a legacy to all future pujaris, and now more than ever we ask all devotees, donors, friends, well-wishers and colleagues to come together to honor his memory in kirtan and prayer from the safety of your own homes.

All glories to His Grace Pankajanghri prabhu!
Srila Prabhupada ki jai!
Your Servants,
Ambarisa das and Brajavilasa das

Mantra Rock Dance

03 May 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Maha-mantra, Mantra Meditation, Mantra Rock, Music, Padmapani das, Prabhupada Connection Tags: Allen Ginsberg, Big Brother & The Holding Company, chanting Hare Krishna, mantra meditation, Mantra Rock, Moby Grape, Padmapani das, Prabhupada connect, Srila Prabhupada, The Grateful Dead

This is an older Editorial by my good friend Padmpani Prabhu over at Prabhupada Connection. I never tire of reading and re-reading his posts.

The Prabhupada Revolution

For many of us who came of age in the Sixties and Seventies, the counterculture and its promise of an alternative society based on love and peace was an important part of our lives. Art, music, poetry, philosophy, ecology and human rights were just a few of the buzzwords floating around the collective psyche of the Sixties generation. Revolution was in the air. “The establishment” was doomed and soon to be replaced with a kinder, gentler society. Peace would reign supreme and all peoples of the world would unite and be free from the chains of oppression. Or so we thought.

At the time it appeared that massive cultural changes were about to sweep away the capitalist system (or the “military-industrial-complex” as we used to call it). Every day there was a new victory for change. Underground newspapers proliferated, broadcasting the latest progress reports: the sit-ins, the love-ins, the be-ins, the antiwar and civil rights demonstrations, the Democratic National Convention of 1968, the Chicago Seven Trial, Woodstock, etc. Something was happening here, and it was big.

The Appearance Day of Lord Ramacandra

21 Apr 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Lord Ramachandra, Rama Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, appearance day of Lord Ramacandra, Lord Ramacandra, Rama, Rama Navami, ravana Ayodhya, sita rama, son of Dasaratha, son of Raghu, the pastimes of the supreme lord ramacandra

So today is the appearance day of Lord Ramachandra or Rama-Navami. We honor it with a fast untill sunset, followed by a nice vegetarian feast. It is good to read and chant throughout the day and remind each other about the glorious pastimes of Lord Ramachandra.

In honor of the Appearance day of Lord Ramacandra, we are posting the entire tenth chapter from the ninth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam entitled “The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra”.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Canto Nine, Chapter Ten

The Pastimes of the Supreme Lord, Rāmacandra

Full chapter

O Lord Kṛṣṇa, Please Protect and Maintain Me

21 Apr 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness, Meditation Tags: Caitanya Mahaprabhu, danger at every step, Krishna consciousness, Krsna Book, Krsna consciousness movement, Krsna Krsna krsna he, pahi mam, raksa mam, rama raghava, Srila Prabhupada

KRSNA The Supreme Personality of Godhead

This is kinda a continuation of our previous post “Danger At Every Step”. But this is the solution to the dangers of the world; remembering God (Krishna) at every moment. That is Krishna Consciousness. That will help us endure the dangers of this material world.

kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! pāhi mām
rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rakṣa mām
kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! pāhi mām

TRANSLATION

The Lord chanted:

Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! he
Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! he
Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! rakṣa mām
Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! pāhi mām

That is, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please protect Me and maintain Me.” He also chanted:

Rāma! Rāghava! Rāma! Rāghava! Rāma! Rāghava! rakṣa mām Kṛṣṇa! Keśava! Kṛṣṇa! Keśava! Kṛṣṇa! Keśava! pāhi mām

That is, “O Lord Rāma, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Kṛṣṇa, O Keśava, killer of the Keśī demon, please maintain Me.”

(Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 7.96)

Prabhupāda: So we have to be very careful. The age is very bad, the Kali-yuga. You are experiencing. We have to simply take shelter of Kṛṣṇa and always cry,

kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, he!
kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, he!
kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, rakṣa mām!
kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, pāhi mām!
kṛṣṇa, keśava, kṛṣṇa, keśava, kṛṣṇa, keśava, rakṣa mām!
rāma rāghava, rāma rāghava, rāma rāghava, pāhi mām!

Like that, as Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught us. The time is very dangerous. And still, in this dangerous time… Just like in epidemic condition where every people is being contaminated and dying, still, the doctors appointed by the government, they have to go into the epidemic area and try to treat the person and save them. Our duty is like that. The whole atmosphere is epidemic, whole atmosphere, this Kali-yuga. And still, by the superior orders we have to preach this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

Therefore our only shelter is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇa, rakṣa mām. Very dangerous position. The foolish people, they are thinking that “We are very happy and we are very safe.” But nobody is safe. Nobody is safe. So we have to deal with persons very carefully, and at the same time, we have to push our missionary activities.

(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Calcutta, January 6, 1971)

Danger At Every Step

30 Mar 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Lectures, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, danger, danger at every step, Krishna, krsna consciousness, lectures on Srimad Bhagavatam, Srimad Bhagavatam, suffering

“…So don’t think that “Because I have become a devotee, there will be no danger, no suffering.” Prahlāda Mahārāja suffered so much. The Pāṇḍavas suffered so much. Haridāsa Ṭhākura suffered so much. But we should not be disturbed by those suffering. We must have firm faith, firm conviction, that “Kṛṣṇa is there. He’ll give me protection.” Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati [Bg. 9.31]. Don’t try to take benefit of other shelter than Kṛṣṇa. Always take to Kṛṣṇa.”

So this is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We must take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness in…, at all circumstances, even it’s the most dangerous position. We must keep our faith in Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, and there will be no danger. (Srimad Bhagavatam lecture 1.8.24 April 17, 1973 Los Angeles)

Kṛṣṇa, is always protecting us. But still, there are so many dangers. This is the instruction, that because Kṛṣṇa is protecting you, you cannot expect that you’ll be out of danger. Danger you must meet, because…, then you’ll know that this material existence is full of dangers. Padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadām [SB 10.14.58]. This we always remember. We should not be so fool that “I am living very now comfortably.” No, sir. You are in danger. That is said by Kṛṣṇa. Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam [Bg. 8.15]. Do not take this material existence as comfortable at any moment. Then you’ll not be able to make progress in spiritual life. As soon as you think that “I am very comfortable here,” then you are spiritually fall down. That is māyā. (Srimad Bhagavatam lecture 1.8.25 Oct. 4, 1974 Mayapur)

Full lecture follows;

The Mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

28 Mar 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caitanya Mahaprabhu Tags: appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Caitanya, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, gaur purnima, Mercy of Lord Caitanya

Lord Caitanya’s Mercy

Compilation of Quotes by Prabhupada Connection

namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

“O most munificent incarnation! You are Kṛṣṇa Himself appearing as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and You are widely distributing pure love of Kṛṣṇa. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya 19.53)

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the mercy incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is addressed by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī as mahā-vadānyāvatāra, or the most magnanimous incarnation. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī also says, karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau: it is only by His mercy that He has descended in this Age of Kali.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Adi 7.150, Purport)

“May the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Lord Śrī Caitanya bestow His causeless mercy upon us. His smiling glance at once drives away all the bereavements of the world, and His very words enliven the auspicious creepers of devotion by expanding their leaves. Taking shelter of His lotus feet invokes transcendental love of God at once.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Adi 3.63, Purport)

The Appearance Day Of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

28 Mar 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Uncategorized Tags: appearance of Lord Caitanya, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, gaur purnima, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Today marks the appearance day of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We honor it with a fast until moon rise, followed by a nice vegetarian feast, chanting, and readings from the many pastimes of the Lord.

His Appearance

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared at Sridhama Mayapura, in the city of Navadvipa in Bengal, on the Phalguni Purnima evening in the year 1486 AD. His father, Sri Jagannatha Mishra, a learned brahmana from the district of Sylhet, came to Navadvipa as a student. He lived on the banks of the Ganges with his wife Srimati Sachidevi, the daughter of Srila Nilambara Chakravarty, a great learned scholar of Navadvipa. Their youngest son, who was named Vishvambhara, later became known as Nimai Pandita and then, after accepting the renounced order of life, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

His Pastimes

The wonderful pastimes performed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the city of Navadvipa and in Jagannath Puri are recorded by His biographers. The early life of the Lord is most fascinatingly expressed by the author of Chaitanya-bhagavata (Sri Vrindavana Dasa Thakura), and as far as the teachings are concerned, they are more vividly explained in the Chaitanya-Charitamrita (by Sri Krishna Dasa Kaviraja Gosvami). Now they are available to the English-speaking public in the Teachings of Lord Caitanya. (click on link to veiw or download)

In Praise of Srila Prabhupada

10 Mar 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Pure Devotee, Qualities of a Devotee, Srila Prabhupada Tags: 26 qualities of a pure devotee, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Ajitananda das, divine qualities, Krishna, pure devotee of Lord Krishna, Srila Prabhupada

I posted this some years ago, but this morning I happened upon it again, and so enjoyed it, we thought we would post it again. In this treatise Ajitananda Prabhu describes how Srila Prabhupada perfectly displayed the twenty-six qualities of a pure devotee of Lord Krishna.

In Praise of Srila Prabhupada
.
by Ajitananda dasa
________________

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who successfully distributed the message of Lord Krsna throughout the world, was not an ordinary conditioned soul, governed by the harsh laws of material nature. Although to the unenlightened he may have appeared to exhibit commonplace characteristics, it is evident through the careful study of his life and activities, that Srila Prabhupada perfectly displayed the twenty-six qualities of a pure devotee of Lord Krsna. We learn from Vedic literature that one who possesses these qualities is necessarily free from material bondage, and enjoys an eternal position in the intimate association of the Supreme Lord. Such a great soul is very rarely found within this material realm, and owing to his unparalleled purity and exalted status, he is worshipable by the entire world. Individually, and as a collective society of aspiring devotees, we must always strive to appreciate Srila Prabhupada’s divine qualities, teach this application to others, and perform all of our devotional activities for his satisfaction. This treatise is an imperfect but hopeful attempt to please Srila Prabhupada by illustrating, in a practical way, how he perfectly displayed the twenty-six qualities of a pure devotee of Lord Krsna.

Appearance Day of Lord Varaha

24 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krsna is the Source of All Incarnations, Lord Varaha, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, appearance of lord varaha, boar incarnation, Krsna Is The Source of All Incarnations, Lord Boar, Lord Varaha, Varaha

So today we celebrate the second incarnation of Krsna, Lord Varaha, with a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations

First Canto, Chapter Three, Text 7

dvitīyaṁ tu bhavāyāsya
rasātala-gatāṁ mahīm
uddhariṣyann upādatta
yajñeśaḥ saukaraṁ vapuḥ

dvitīyam—the second; tu—but; bhavāya—for the welfare; asya—of this earth; rasātala—of the lowest region; gatām—having gone; mahīm—the earth; uddhariṣyan—lifting; upādatta—established; yajñeśaḥ—the proprietor or the supreme enjoyer; saukaram—hoggish; vapuḥ—incarnation.

TRANSLATION

The supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices accepted the incarnation of a boar [the second incarnation], and for the welfare of the earth He lifted the earth from the nether regions of the universe.

PURPORT

The indication is that for each and every incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, the particular function executed is also mentioned. There cannot be any incarnation without a particular function, and such functions are always extraordinary. They are impossible for any living being to perform. The incarnation of the boar was to take the earth out of Pluto’s region of filthy matter. Picking up something from a filthy place is done by a boar, and the all-powerful Personality of Godhead displayed this wonder to the asuras, who had hidden the earth in such a filthy place. There is nothing impossible for the Personality of Godhead, and although He played the part of a boar, by the devotees He is worshiped, staying always in transcendence.

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

15 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, prologue from teachings of lord caitanya, Sri Caitanya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Teachings of Lord Caitanya

Bhagavad-Gita-Original-Art-Pancha-Tattva1

We all have our favorite pictures of Lord Caitanya, I guess this is mine. We have included the Prologue from the Teachings of Lord Caitanya for some insight into the life and activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya, who is more magnanimous than any other incarnation, even Krishna Himself, because He is bestowing freely what no one else has ever given pure love of Kṛṣṇa.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Prologue

by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

[This account originally appeared in a short work by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura entitled, “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: His Life and Precepts.” (August 20, 1896)]

Caitanya Mahāprabhu was born in Māyāpur in the town of Nadia just after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Phālguna 1407 Śakābda, answering to the 18th of February, 1486, of the Christian Era. The moon was eclipsed at the time of his birth, and the people of Nadia were then engaged, as was usual on such occasions, in bathing in the Bhāgīrathī with loud cheers of Haribol. His father, Jagannātha Miśra, a poorbrāhmaṇa of the Vedic order, and his mother, Śacī-devī, a model good woman, both descended from brāhmaṇa stock originally residing in Sylhet. Mahāprabhu was a beautiful child, and the ladies of the town came to see him with presents. His mother’s father, Paṇḍita Nīlāmbara Cakravartī, a renowned astrologer, foretold that the child would be a great personage in time; and he, therefore, gave him the name Viśvambhara. The ladies of the neighborhood styled him Gaurahari on account of his golden complexion, and his mother called him Nimāi on account of the nimba tree near which he was born. Beautiful as the lad was, everyone heartily loved to see him every day. As he grew up he became a whimsical and frolicsome lad. After his fifth year, he was admitted into a pāṭhaśālā where he picked up Bengali in a very short time.

Vrindavan, India

13 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Photos, Places of Pilgrimage, Vrindavan India Tags: India, photos of vrindavan, Vrindavan

My wife shared with me some beautiful pictures of the inhabitants of Vrindavan, India she found on Facebook. The photography was excellent, and although I don’t know who took these pictures, I hope there will be no objection to me posting them from my page, and that they will be well recieved. -V

The Practice of Yoga

12 Feb 2021 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Vegetarianism, Yoga, Yogi Tags: gifts of God, Krishna milking a cow, Krsna Book, milk, the practice of yoga, vegetarian, vegetarian diet, yoga, yogis

The gopis remembered their pastimes with Krishna p208

click on image to enlarge

This morning as I was making a breakfast offering, and was offering a nice glass of fresh milk, my mind just seemed to go to this picture of Krsna milking a cow. And I thought ‘milk is such a wonderful food, miraculous really. One can live on milk, and as small children milk is all that is required, and as we develop as yogis, we can subsist on the gifts of God, such as fruits, grains and milk, without a need for killing.

The above picture is one of my very favorites from the Krsna Book, because it is so simple and sweet, and there is a noticeable absence of technology.

The following are two verses from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is describing the healthy diet, and activities of the yogi.

He Lives Forever

05 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Padmapani das Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, He lives forever, Padmapani das, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's books

This is another great article by my friend Padmapani Prabhu over at the Prabhupada Connection. He expresses exactly my feelings about how Srila Prabhupada remains forever in our hearts and minds through his divine instructions.

“He lives forever by his divine instructions and the follower lives with him.”

He Lives Forever

by Padmapani dasa

Over the years I’ve often received comments from our readers stating how lucky they think the first generation of devotees was to have seen Srila Prabhupada while he was physically present on the planet. “What about us?”, they ask despondently. Startled by hearing such remarks by newcomers who should be brimming with hope and enthusiasm in Krishna consciousness, I try to explain that Srila Prabhupada is, in fact, as present now as he has ever been. Throughout Prabhupada’s books, letters and conversations, he has emphasized this point again and again, so there should be no cause for misunderstanding.

When asked by a reporter in July of 1975 what would happen to the movement after he departed, Srila Prabhupada replied: “I will never die. I shall live from my books, and you will utilize.” And in his purport toCaitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35, Srila Prabhupada explains: “There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself.” Further assuring us, Prabhupada spoke the following words just a few months prior to his departure in 1977: “I will remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically present, as I am getting guidance from my Guru Maharaja.”

Srila Prabhupada Chants Hare Krishna

02 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Happening Album, Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Krishna Consciousness, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhakti yoga, chant and be happy, chanting Hare Krishna, Happening Album, Krishna consciousness, Prabhupada chants Hare Krishna, Srila Prabhupada

click to listen the the Krishna Consciousness Happening Album

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

“This Transcendental Sound Vibration is called Bhakti yoga, or the Yoga of Ecstacy. It is easy and can be practiced by anyone. Simply sit down, RELAX, and LISTEN! Listen carefully and gradually you will begin to feel like singing too. SING! As you sing, you will feel like dancing. Dance! Do the ‘Dance of Ecstacy.’ Anyone can. There is no question of learning it. You already know it! Simply raise your arms over your head and dance. RELAX, SING, DANCE. A new life of bliss and Cosmic Consciousness await you on the other side of the mirror of the mind. This life is lived in love and can most easily be reached by SINGING and DANCING. This is Bhaktiyoga, the yoga for a New Age. Try it!” (Happening Album, back cover liner notes)

“Before meeting Prabhupada and all of you, I had bought that album Prabhupada did in New York, and John and I listened to it. I remember we sang it for days, John and I, with ukulele banjos, sailing through the Greek islands chanting Hare Krishna. Like six hours we sang, because we couldn’t stop once we got going. As soon as we stopped, it was like the lights went out. It went on to the point where our jaws were aching, singing the mantra over and over and over and over and over. We felt exalted; it was a very happy time for us.” (George Harrison, Chant and Be Happy)

“It brings a state of ecstasy.” (Allen Ginsberg, New York Times)

Some Noteworthy Quotations on Vegetarianism

31 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Kurma das (cook), Vegetarian Cooking, Vegetarianism Tags: Great Vegetarian Dishes, Kurma Dasa, kurma.net, recipes from around the world

This morning I took out one of my favorite cookbooks; “Great Vegetarian Dishes” by Kurma Dasa. There are over 240 recipes from around the world. Kurma Dasa also has a nice web page Cooking With Kurma, and while visiting this nice site I ran across these noteworthy quotes on Vegetarianism we share with you.

“Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind.”
Albert Einstein

“There is just no reason why animals should be slaughtered to serve as human diet when there are so many substitutes. Man can live without meat.”
The Dalai Lama

I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals, as surely as the savage tribes have left off eating each other.
Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854

Don’t Miss This Golden Opportunity

28 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Letters by Srila Prabhupada, My Dear Sons and Daughters, Prabhupada Connection Tags: back home

My good friend over at Prabhupada Connection, Padmpani Prabhu did this nice post this morning. I was so enlivened by reading it, I thought I should share it with all of you. We have this golden opportunity simply by chanting Hare Krishna, and remembering Krishna, to go back home, back to Godhead.

“You have got now the golden opportunity of this human form of life, and it is not accident that you have got your spiritual master, so take advantage by following always in his footsteps and very quickly you will attain the supreme perfection of your life. That is done by trying always to please your spiritual master, being engaged 24 hours in Krishna’s business of spreading this Krishna Consciousness Movement all over the world, helping me however best you are able to do it according to your individual capacity. Then you will be freed from maya’s clutches and go with me back to home, back to Godhead.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter to My dear Sons and Daughters, December 27, 1972)

The Most Successful Indian in America

23 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Pankaj Uttara Sharma, Srila Prabhupada's Accomplishments, Steve Jobs Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhakti yoga, food relief program, Hare Krishna Movement, India Republic, Iskcon, midday meals, vegetarian food relief program

My wife ran across this on Facebook and shared it with me. After reading it I thought it would make a good post, so I am sharing it with all you you.

At the age of 70 perhaps most of us wold think of retiring in a cozy cottage or in a farmhouse in the serenity of solitude. But this extraordinary persona embarked upon an extra ordinary journey that can be termed as the greatest achievement so far by an Indian in America.

Can We Keep Society from Going to the Dogs?

17 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead, Interview with Srila Prabhupada Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, animal life, Back to Godhead Magazine, Bhavans journal, corruption, interview with Srila Prabhupada, religion, scandal, society

Can We Keep Society from Going to the Dogs?

Excerpted from Back to Godhead Magizine 1977, Vol. 12, #1

Many observers feel that with corruption so common and scandal nearly standard, society is in a bad way and getting worse. What’s really happening, and what to do? India’s Bhavans Journal interviews His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Interviewer: The first question is this: “Is the influence of religion on the wane? And if so, does this factor account for the increase in corruption and the widespread deterioration of moral values?”

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, religion is on the wane. This is predicted in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [12.2.1]: tatas canudinam dharmah satyam saucam ksama dayal kalena balina rajan nanksyaty ayur balam smrtih “In the Kali-yuga [the present age of quarrel and hypocrisy] the following things will diminish: religiosity, truthfulness, cleanliness, mercifulness, duration of life, bodily strength, and memory.”

These are human assets, which make the human being distinct from the animal. But these things will decline. There will be no mercifulness, there will be no truthfulness, memory will be short, and the duration of life will be cut short. Similarly, religion will vanish. That means that gradually we will come to the platform of animals.

Interviewer: Religion will vanish? We’ll become animals?

Epidemic Disease, and Antiseptic Vaccine

17 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Health, Pandemic, Prasadam Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, antiseptic vaccine, bhagavad-gita, conspiracy theories, devbotees, epidemic, epidemic disease, health, Pandemic, political unrest, Prasadam, vaccine

In these troubling times, in the mist of a worldwide pandemic , there is a small glimmer or hope; a vaccine. I know there is much debate over mask wearing, and taking the vaccine, due mostly to political unrest, and conspiracy theories. Even amongst devotees, there is much debate.

However,Srila Prabhupada has given us some instruction in the Bhagavad-gita, chapter 3, text 14, on how we can help protect our health.

…the devotees of the Lord, who are in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, offer food to Kṛṣṇa and then eat-a process which nourishes the body spiritually. By such action not only are past sinful reactions in the body vanquished, but the body becomes immunized to all contamination of material nature. When there is an epidemic disease, an antiseptic vaccine protects a person from the attack of such an epidemic. Similarly, food offered to Lord Viṣṇu and then taken by us makes us sufficiently resistant to material affection, and one who is accustomed to this practice is called a devotee of the Lord. Therefore, a person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, who eats only food offered to Kṛṣṇa, can counteract all reactions of past material infections, which are impediments to the progress of self-realization. On the other hand, one who does not do so continues to increase the volume of sinful action, and this prepares the next body to resemble hogs and dogs, to suffer the resultant reactions of all sins. The material world is full of contaminations, and one who is immunized by accepting prasādam of the Lord (food offered to Viṣṇu) is saved from the attack, whereas one who does not do so becomes subjected to contamination. (from purport Bg 3.14)

Full text and purport