The Hare Krishna Movement

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” (Bhagavad-gita 4.9.)

The above verse from the Bhagavad-gita is a very important instruction for aspiring devotees. Just hearing about Krishna, His appearance and activities is so beneficial to our advancement, and liberation, from this temporary material world.

The following verse from the Srimad Bhagavatam, describes some of Krishna’s pastimes in Vrindavan.

…There is no parallel to His childhood pastimes as exhibited at Vrajabhūmi, which are the prototypes of His eternal affairs in the original Kṛṣṇaloka described as the cintāmaṇi-dhāma in the Brahma-saṁhitā [Bs. 5.29]. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa descended Himself at Vrajabhūmi with all His transcendental entourage and paraphernalia. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore confirmed that no one is as fortunate as the residents of Vrajabhūmi, and specifically the cowherd girls, who dedicated their everything for the satisfaction of the Lord. His pastimes with Nanda and Yaśodā and His pastimes with the cowherd men and especially with the cowherd boys and the cows have caused Him to be known as Govinda. (from purport to SB 1.8.21)

Full Text and Purport

Some time back I found this nice download of reference material and study guide for aspiring devotees. I printed it out, which took 80 pieces of paper, punched holes, and put it in a ring folder. It is arranged very professionally, and is broken down into eight basic areas of study.

1) Spiritual Master

2) Disciple

3) Deity Worship

4) Devotional Service

5) Chanting

6) Demigod Worship

7) Prasadam

8) General Information

For a free pdf download to view or save follow link; Harinam_Diksha_Reference_Material_for_Written_Test_new

June 14, 1969: New Vrindavan.

Hayagriva: We are entering Prabhupada’s fourth week at New Vrindavan. He is looking robust and is enjoying himself immensely. In the early morning, he walks down Aghasura Road to the spring and takes a little fresh water in his hand and sips it. He comments on everything: the birds, flowers, fence, pasture, buildings. Nothing is too insignificant to escape his attention. He even inquires about a stray dog.

Prabhupada: “Does he have a name?”

Hayagriva: “We call him Hare Rama,” I say.

Prabhupada: “And how’s that?”

Hayagriva: “Because he chants. He can’t say Hare Krishna, but he can say Hare Rama.”

When I coax Hare Rama by chanting “Hare Rama,” he responds, as always, by lowering his head between his paws and making a strange sound that very closely resembles “Hare Ramaramarama.”

“Oh, very good!” Prabhupada laughs. “Even the stray dogs are making nice progress here. That is the potency of a holy dham. In Vrindavan, you will see many dogs running loose in the streets, but when they die, they are liberated. That is a special benediction for those who have committed offenses in Vrindavan. They receive one life as a dog or hog in Vrindavan. Then liberation.”

Reference: The Hare Krishna Explosion – Hayagriva Dasa