Every Town and Village
30 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Festivals, Nityananda Tags: auspicious marks on the lotus feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, blazing fire of material miseries, Dasaratha-suta das, devotees, Lord Nityananda, lotus blossoms, lotusfeet, material ezistence, nitai pada kamala, Nitai's feet, sattvika, Sri Nityananda Prabhu
This will be our last post for a couple of weeks, as we will be doing some traveling and pilgrimage. Hare Krishna!
On February 1st, we will be celebrating the Appearance of Nityananda Prabhu.
nitai-pada-kamala
koti-candra-susitala
The lotusfeet of Lord Nityananda are cooling like a million moons
Meaning of the Auspicious Marks on the Lotus Feet of Sri Nityananda Prabhu
Compiled and translated by Dasaratha-suta dasa
30 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Varaha Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, agni-hotra, frog-philosophers, His tusks, Lord Boar, Lord Varāha (Boar), O descendant of Bharata, O lifter of the earth, O sinless Vidura, SB 3.13, Srimad Bhagavatam, The Appearance of Lord Varaha, The sage Maitreya, Vidhura
Varahadeva lifts the Earth
Today marks Bhaimi Ekadasi (fast from grains & Beans), but it is a special Ekadasi in that we fast till noon today for Varahadeva, and feast tomorrow.
In honor of the Appearance of Lord Varahadeva [Varaha Dvadasi] tomorrow, we are posting the entire chapter entitled “The Appearance of Lord Varāha” from the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Canto Three, Chapter 13
The Appearance of Lord Varāha
27 Jan 2015 1 Comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krsna Consciousness, Michael Buck, New Vrindavan, Simple Living Tags: ancient technique of cob, building with a mixture of sand, clay, fresh milk and cream, Michael Buck, Middle Earth, reclaimed materials, SB 4.22.24, straw, water and earth
There has been an ongoing discussion here at New Vrindaban about the possibility of establishing a Vedic or Eco Village, where people would be able to live simply, and practice Krishna Consciousness. Establishing cottage industries based on agriculture, dairy, arts and crafts, etc., and living a more earth based lifestyle
A few day ago my wife shared a link with me on Facebook describing an earth friendly, hand built house, built by Michael Buck, for practically nothing! As I have myself been a builder for almost 40 years now, as as we have been discussing the idea of an Eco Village here at New Vrindaban, I was of course interested. This is a nice example of a house that could easily be built with materials that are local to our area, using the ancient technique of cob – building with a mixture of sand, clay, straw, water and earth.
The following is the text and images as it appears on the English web site Daily Mail.
26 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness, KRSNA The Supreme Personality of Godhead Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, Kṛṣṇa, Krsna-katha, The Supreme Personality of Godhead
…The position of Mahārāja Parīkṣit and Śukadeva Gosvāmī is unique. Mahārāja Parīkṣit is the right person to hear about the transcendental pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī is the right person to describe them. If such a fortunate combination is made possible, then Kṛṣṇa-kathā immediately becomes revealed, and people may benefit to the highest possible degree from such a conversation.
This narration was presented by Śukadeva Gosvāmī when Mahārāja Parīkṣit was prepared to give up his body, fasting on the bank of the Ganges. In order to assure Śukadeva Gosvāmī that by hearing Kṛṣṇa-kathā he would not feel tired, Mahārāja Parīkṣit expressed himself very frankly: “Hunger and thirst may give trouble to ordinary persons or to me, but the topics of Kṛṣṇa are so nice that one can continue to hear about them without feeling tired because such hearing situates one in the transcendental position.” It is understood that one must be very fortunate to hear about Kṛṣṇa-kathā seriously, like Mahārāja Parīkṣit. He was especially intent on the subject matter because he was expecting death at any moment. Every one of us should be conscious of death at every moment. This life is not at all assured; at any time one can die. It does not matter whether one is a young man or an old man. So before death takes place, we must be fully Kṛṣṇa conscious.
At the point of his death, King Parīkṣit was hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from Śukadeva Gosvāmī. When King Parīkṣit expressed his untiring desire to hear about Kṛṣṇa, Śukadeva Gosvāmī was very pleased. Śukadeva was the greatest of all Bhāgavata reciters, and thus he began to speak about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, which destroy all inauspiciousness in this age of Kali. Śukadeva Gosvāmī thanked the King for his eagerness to hear about Kṛṣṇa, and he encouraged him by saying, “My dear King, your intelligence is very keen because you are so eager to hear about the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa.” He informed Mahārāja Parīkṣit that hearing and chanting of the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa are so auspicious that the processes purifies the three varieties of men involved: he who recites the transcendental topics of Kṛṣṇa, he who hears such topics, and he who inquires about Him. These pastimes are just like the Ganges water which flows from the toe of Lord Viṣṇu: they purify the three worlds, the upper, middle and lower planetary systems.
25 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, Time Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Asita, Atri, Bṛhadaśva, Bharadvāja and Paraśurāma and disciples, Dhaumya, Gautama, Gṛtsamada, Hūṇa, Indrapramada, Kakṣīvān, Kauśika, Kirāta, Mahabhrata, members of the Khasa races, Narada, Parvata Muni, Pulinda, Pulkaśa, SB 1.9.6-7, SB 2.4.18, Srimad Bhagavatam, Trita, Vasiṣṭha, Vyāsa the incarnation of God, Yavana, Śumbha, Ābhīra, Āndhra
One thing I have often found interesting when reading books like the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Maha Bharata, is how far back the recorded oral histories go. Often Millions of Years. On our last visit to Mexico we were learning some about the Mayan culture, and how Millions of people vanished some 5,000 years ago. Which happens to coincide with the ancient Battle of Kurukestra which took place in India.
Also Srila Prabhupada has mentioned so many places in his books about how at one time, all the different parts of the world were ruled by one king.
…In the modern age people are under the impression that during the Vedic period or the prehistoric ages America and many other parts of the world had not been discovered, but that is not a fact. Pṛthu Mahārāja ruled over the world many thousands of years before the so-called prehistoric age, and it is clearly mentioned here that in those days not only were all the different parts of the world known, but they were ruled by one king, Mahārāja Pṛthu. (from purport to SB 4.21.12)
An interesting link ended up in my mailbox this morning which I share with all of you describing some of the common spiritual cultures on differing sides of the world.
Baffling Links to Ancient India: History is full of misnomers; one such term is the New World, as applied to the Americas. The landing of Columbus in 1492 undoubtedly created a new life on the continents, but it neither created nor discovered a new world. Many centuries ago Asian migrants had come to the western shore in substantial numbers. What if the popular idea that Tibetans and American Indians have much in common in terms of their spiritual culture is largely a result of another historical scenario?
What if Hindus and Hopis, Advantins and Aztecs, Tibetan Monks and Mayans were part of one world culture – a spiritual one?
Click on Link Links to Ancient India for more information
We also include a few brief excerpts form the Srimad Bhagavatam describing this one world culture which existed thousands of years ago.
25 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Harinama Sankirtan, Kali Yuga Tags: ceto-darpana-marjanam, chanting Hare Krishna, chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, harer nama, Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, Nama is Krsna, SB 12.3.51
We all have our favorite quotes and slokas from the pages of Srila Prabhupada’s books. One of mine is the following:
“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.” (Bhāg. 12.3.51)
Srila Prabhupada quotes this partictular verse from the Bhagavatam many times in his lectures, conversations, books etc., for instance:
“In the sastra it is said this Kali-yuga is full of faults, so many faults. It is the ocean of faults. But there is a very nice thing, asti hy eko mahan gunah, a very great quality. What is that? Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. If you simply chant Hare Krishna mantra, then you become perfect. Is it very difficult? Chant Hare Krishna and you become perfect. But we are so unfortunate, we are not even prepared to chant. This is our position. So you have to make little determination that ‘I shall chant henceforward Hare Krishna mantra.’ Then everything is all right.”
24 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Hayagriva das, Letters by Srila Prabhupada Tags: Conversations and Letters, economic problems are solved, Europeans and Americans, healthy life for executing Krishna consciousness, lectures, Letter to Hayagriva, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, plain living, production of milk, protection or cows, simple living high thinking
click on image to enlarge
…So, if you seriously want to convert this new spot as New Vrindaban, I shall advise you not to make it very much modernized. But as you are American boys, you must make it just suitable to your minimum needs. Not to make it too much luxurious as generally Europeans and Americans are accustomed. Better to live there without modern amenities. But to live a natural healthy life for executing Krishna Consciousness. It may be an ideal village where the residents will have plain living and high thinking. For plain living we must have sufficient land for raising crops and pasturing grounds for the cows. If there is sufficient grains and production of milk, then the whole economic problem is solved. (Letter to Hayagriva by Srila Prabhupada, June 1968)
Full Letter More
21 Jan 2015 1 Comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Mahatma, Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, always chanting My glories, chanting the flories of the lord, divine nature, great soul, Krsna, krsna consciousness, mahatma, mahatmanas tu mam partha, Srila Prabhupada, Supreme Personality of Godhead, The Hare Krishna Movement, thoes who are not deluded, transcendental qualities
This morning I happened upon the above picture of Srila Prabhupada, and my mind immediately thought of the following two verses from the Bhagavad-gita:
O son of Pṛthā, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible. (Bg 9. 13)
Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion. (Bg 9.14)
…In this verse the description of mahātmā is clearly given. The first sign of the mahātmā is that he is already situated in the divine nature…The mahātmā does not divert his attention to anything outside Kṛṣṇa because he knows perfectly well that Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. There is no doubt about it. Such a mahātmā, or great soul, develops through association with other mahātmās, pure devotees.
…The mahātmā cannot be manufactured by rubber-stamping an ordinary man. His symptoms are described here: a mahātmā is always engaged in chanting the glories of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead. He has no other business. He is always engaged in the glorification of the Lord. In other words, he is not an impersonalist. When the question of glorification is there, one has to glorify the Supreme Lord, praising His holy name, His eternal form, His transcendental qualities and His uncommon pastimes. One has to glorify all these things; therefore a mahātmā is attached to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (from purports)
I find that for me personally, thinking about Srila Prabhupada is one of the best forms of meditation, is good for my Krishna consciousness, and makes me feel very fortunate to be a part of The Hare Krishna Movement.
Full text and purport More
20 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Tags: entanglement in material energy, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krsna conscious person, Liberated souls, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, material nature, miseries in material existence, Nimi, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, The Wise Man, three modes of material nature, unalloyed devotee, Vedic literatures
Teachings of Lord Caitanya
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Chapter Four
The Wise Man
Since no one can trace the history of the living entity’s entanglement in material energy, the Lord says that it is beginningless. By beginningless it is meant that conditional life exists prior to the creation; it is simply manifested during and after the creation. Due to forgetfulness of his nature, the living entity, although spirit, suffers all kinds of miseries in material existence. It should be understood that there are also living entities who are not entangled in this material energy but are situated in the spiritual world. They are called liberated souls and are always engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, devotional service.
19 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Krsna Consciousness, Photos Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, absoulte stage, Bhagavad-gita lecture, devotees, God, Govinda dasi, krsna consciousness, photograph of spiritual master, prabhupada, Sept. 16 1966, Spiritual Life, spiritual master, spiritually advanced, transcendental life
click on image to enlarge
…Yes. Those who are spiritually advanced, their photograph and ordinary photograph is different. Just like here is statue of Kṛṣṇa. He’s not different from Kṛṣṇa. The original person Kṛṣṇa and this statue of Kṛṣṇa is the same. Similarly, a spiritually perfect person and his photograph is the same. Because it is in the absolute stage. In the absolute stage there is no difference. In the material stage there is difference. Is that clear?… (Srila Prabhupada Bhagavad-gita Lecture Sept. 16, 1966)
Full Lecture More
18 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chapter a Day Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhagavad-gita, Brahma, brahmaji, Cause of All Causes, chad, chapter a day, demigod, disciplic succession, jnanam, Krsna, Lord Brahma, Narada, Narada Muni, parampara system, quailified spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, transcendental knowledge, Vedic literture
As we continue to update one of our other sites Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by posting a chapter at a time, of that great literary work by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, we will continue to share the progress with our readers here at The Hare Krishna Movement.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: Canto 2: “The Cosmic Manifestation”
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Canto Two, Chapter 5
17 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 Edition, Book Changes, Book Distribution, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Madhudvisa das, Ramesvara das Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, BBT, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, book changes, Book Changes Issue, change disease, dravida das, Madhudvisa dasa, Prabhupada Lilamrta, Ramesvara dasa, responsible publishing, Revised and Enlarged, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada books, thanscendental books, the lilamrita interviews
The following article appeared in my mailbox. It was sent to me by Madhudvisa Prabhu, and as I am personally, strongly against the changing of Srila Prabhupada’s beautiful books, this article caught my attention. I like Ramesvara Prabhu and have heard him speak a number of times now on the BBT, his relationship with Srila Prabhupada, book changes, publishing, art work, etc. and not only found his delivery very informative, but very truthful as well. I would highly recomend reading the Interview with Ramesvara if you havn’t already.
Ramesvara Clears up the Book Changes Issue
by Madhudvisa dasa
Hare Krishna
As you know our relationship with Srila Prabhupada is based on our associaton with him as we read his transcendental books. Srila Prabhupada is living in his transcendental books. The authority of Srila Prabhuapda’s books is lost if they are changed. And unfortunatly the BBT are constantly changing Srila Prabhupada’s books. If you are unfamiliar with this problem please refer to http://www.BookChanges.com
Srila Prabhupada appointed Ramesvara Prabhu as the manager of his Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) so he was responsible for organizing the printing and distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s original books. Prabhupada gave more direct personal instructions to Ramesvara on book production and distribution than any other devotee.
Fortunately Ramesvara kept a detailed diary and used that diary in an interview for the Prabhupada Lilamrta in 1981. It is because of this diary and the Lilamrta interview that Ramesvara’s memories on Srila Prabhupada’s instructions regarding the publication of his books have been very accurately and authoritatively preserved over the years.
Recently some letters from Ramesvara Prabhu have surfaced on the internet which shed a great deal of light on the book changes issue. Here are a few quotes from these letters.
17 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Founder-Acarya, Gaudiya Math, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva Tags: Gaudiya Matha, importance of the guru in spiritual life, religious society, spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, Srila Prabhupada, Supreme Personality of Godhead
click on image to enlarge slightly
The Absolute Necessity of a Spiritual Master—The Universal Teacher
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the world-wide Hare Krishna Movement
In February 1936, in Bombay, India, the members of a reputed religious society, the Gaudiya Matha, were astonished by the powerful and eloquent words of a young member who spoke in honor of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami. Three decades later, the young speaker would become the world-renowned founder and spiritual master of the Krishna consciousness movement. Srila Prabhupada’s presentation is a memorable statement on the importance of the guru in spiritual life.
14 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in Care for Cows, Cow Protection, Kurma Rupa das Tags: Care For Cows, Care for Cows newsletter, careforcows, CFC, cow protection, Gopastami festival, Govardhana Puja Festival Vrindavan, Kiki Nagla, Kurma Rupa das
Care For Cows
by Kurma Rupa Das
click on following link to read or save the Care for Cows Newsletter; Care for Cows NewsJanuary2015
13 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Cow Protection, Krishna, Krishna Consciousness, Krishna Nectar, Spiritual Life, Spiritual World Tags: caste, cow protection, cowherd boys and calves, cowherding, forest of Vrndavan, Krsna, mercantile and agricultural community, Nanda Manaraja, river yamuna, SB3.2.27, SB3.2.28, SB3.2.29, vaisya
This morning I was reading from the Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 2, and I just stopped and re-read the following three verses and purports a second time, as they were so visually attractive. Srila Prabhupada in his purport, was painting a beautiful picture of the spiritual world.
In His childhood, the Almighty Lord was surrounded by cowherd boys and calves, and thus He traveled on the shore of the Yamunā River, through gardens densely covered with trees and filled with vibrations of chirping birds. (SB 3.2.27)
…The forests on the shore of the Yamunā are all beautiful gardens full of trees of mango, jackfruit, apples, guava, oranges, grapes, berries, palmfruit and so many other plants and fragrant flowers. And because the forest was on the bank of the Yamunā, naturally there were ducks, cranes and peacocks on the branches of the trees. All these trees and birds and beasts were pious living entities born in the transcendental abode of Vṛndāvana just to give pleasure to the Lord and His eternal associates, the cowherd boys. (from purport)
Canto Three, Chapter 2, Text 27-29 More
12 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Calamity, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, advanced in spiritual knowledge, calamitous condition, calamity, catastrophes, devotional service, difficulty, highest perfection of life, mental calamity, spiritual energy, The Supreme Personality of Godhead
Yesterday we did one post entitled “There will always be difficulties”, and while doing that post I was reminded of Queen Kunti, as the following letter we posted yesterday points out…
…You are a very good girl and a sincere devotee therefore, even though you have experienced difficulty you are remaining pure in Krsna Consciousness and keeping faith in Krsna and the spiritual master. This faithfulness has pleased me very much. So many great devotees have had to undergo difficulties, and the great example among women was Queen Kunti whose family life was perpetual danger, but because she always thought of Krsna she was saved. (Letter to: Dinadayadri — Rome 26 May, 1974)
Today I thought I would expand on this notion of difficulties in the form of “Calamities”. Which Queen Kunti prayed for, as indicated by the following verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam:
I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths. (SB 1.8.25)
10 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Difficulties, Krsna Consciousness, Letters by Srila Prabhupada Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chant Hare Krishna, compression, depression, difficulities, difficult, guru disciple, krsna consciousness, letters by prabhupada, rectification, repression, the material world
Sometimes when people take to Krsna Consciousness, they think that automatically, all their problems and difficulties will be solved, but unfortunately this is not the immediate case, as the letters from Srila Prabhupada to his disciples so vividly indicate. I was listening to one lecture where Srila Prabhupada was saying “…in this material world there will always be difficulties. This material world was designed in such a way that there will always be difficulties.” I went through some of the letters and highlighted where Srila Prabhupada used the word difficulties. It was interesting to read how he explained about these difficulties.
“Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 27, 1973. I can understand that you are sometimes experiencing difficulties but that you are very sincerely trying to become Krsna Conscious and that you have a number of persons there who are interested in your presentation of Krsna Consciousness. Actually this material world is full of suffering conditions and the only way to become free from these sufferings which are due to past sinful activities is to chant Hare Krsna. In this age no other method of rectification is possible. Along with the chanting of Hare Krsna we have to rigidly observe the prohibition of four sinful activities. If only these things we can do our lives can become perfect. I think you have my books so please study them carefully.” (Letter to: Bhumata — Los Angeles 2 January, 1974)
And in this one famous letter he wrote to Gurudas Prabhu, Srila Prabhupada descrbes his own difficulties in starting this Hare Krishna Movement.
My dear Gurudasa,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 23, 1972, and I have noted the contents carefully. Do not be depressed. All along my godbrothers gave me only depression, repression, compression—but I continued strong in my duty. So never mind there is some discouragement, continue with your work in full enthusiastic Krishna Consciousness attitude of service…
Hoping this meets you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
The following are the letters that Srila Prabhupada wrote to his disciples wherein he uses the word difficulties. More
09 Jan 2015 1 Comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Prahlada Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada's Books, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, books by Srila Prabhupada, even though irregularly composed, fame, form and pastimes of the unlimited Supreme Lord, impious life, kaumara acaret pranjo, misdirected civilization, Preface to Srimad Bhagavatam, SB.7.6.1, sri prahrada uvaca, Srimad Bhagavatam, that literature which is full with descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, transcendental literature
It seems that every time I start a new volume of the Srimad Bhagavatam, I open it and read the Preface first. I must have read the preface now many times, but every time I read it, it seems fresh and new. One could argue that it because my memory is poor, or, that is just the nature of transcendental literature. But what is interesting is to me this morning, is how I never looked up the verse that Srila Prabhupada quotes in his Preface:
kaumāra ācaret prājñodharmān bhāgavatān ihadurlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janmatad apy adhruvam arthadam (Bhāg. 7.6.1)
This morning I was curious, so I went to the Seventh Canto, Chapter 6, Text 1, and it read:
Prahlāda Mahārāja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent should use the human form of body from the very beginning of life—in other words, from the tender age of childhood—to practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all other engagements. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service. Even a slight amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete perfection.
Full text and purport follows the Preface More
08 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavata Dharma Discourses, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Bhagavata Dharma Discourses, dharma means to become a devotee, dharmic life, hindu dharma, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, lectures on the Srimad Bhagavatam, liberation, New Vrindavan 1972, occupational engagements, philosophers, religious life, scientists, Vedic literature
This concludes our series on the “Bhagavata Dharma Discourses” at New Vrindavan in 1972.
…So this Bhāgavata discourse is meant for giving enlightenment to the people of the world. It is not a sectarian religion; it is meant for all human beings. They should take advantage of the instruction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā, and make their life perfect. That is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lecture
Given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
New Vrindaban, September 7, 1972
Canto One, Chapter 2, Text 9
Full Lecture More
07 Jan 2015 Leave a comment
in Giriraja Swami, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva, Remembering Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada vani, Vyasasan das Tags: devotional service, disciple, giriraj swami, Godbrothers, guru, guru and disciple, guru tattva, Krishna, prabhupada, Remembering Srila Prabhupada, service to guru, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Vyasasan das, Watering the Seed
Recently I was staying at a friends house, and in the room where I was spending the night there was one book by Giriraj Swami entitled “Watering the Seed”. I happened to open it and began reading from the Preface:
…from that first meeting with Srila Prabhupada, my whole life’s purpose became to bring people to meet Srila Prabhupada. And I was able to do that for many years. But when he passed away, I wondered ‘what will be my service now?’. My whole service had been to bring people to Srila Prabhupada.
Now I understand that Srila Prabhupada is always present, and that by speaking of him, hearing about him, remembering him, and, most significantly, by studying his books and following his instructions, we can experience his presence. So I can continue doing what I was doing when he was personally present-introducing soul’s to Srila Prabhupada-and that is what I feel most natural doing. Because I know that somehow or other, if someone comes in touch with Srila Prabhupada, his life will become successful. (Watering the Seed, Preface)
Now, I am always encouraged when I hear my Godbrothers speaking in this way, because this is how I have always felt, and continue to feel. That my main purpose, as a disciple, is to bring people to Srila Prabhupada, and there-by bringing them to Krishna.
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The Hare Krishna Movement 