A friend shared this with me. It is a very beautiful documentary on a place I have always wanted to visit; Angkor Wat, is Cambodia. It also explores the Island Nations of Bali and Java.
Prajna Earth
03 Dec 2022 Leave a comment
in Buddha, Holy Places of Pilgrimage, India Tags: Angkor Wat, bali, Cambodia, Java, PBS America, Prajna Earth
Sacred Ganges Water
27 Nov 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 Edition, Ganges Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhagavad-gita, Ganges, Ganges River, Krishna, Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada:…”One cleanses himself daily by taking a bath in water, but one who takes his bath only once in the sacred Ganges water of the Bhagavad-gita cleanses away all the dirt of material life. Because Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad-gita.
In the present age, mankind is so absorbed with mundane activities that it is not possible to read all of the Vedic literatures. But this is not necessary. This one book, Bhagavad-gita, will suffice because it is the essence of all Vedic literatures and because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
It is said that one who drinks the water of the Ganges certainly gets salvation, but what to speak of one who drinks the waters of Bhagavad-gita? Gita is the very nectar of the Mahabharata spoken by Visnu Himself, for Lord Krsna is the original Visnu. It is nectar emanating from the mouth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the Ganges is said to be emanating from the lotus feet of the Lord. Of course there is no difference between the mouth and the feet of the Supreme Lord, but in our position we can appreciate that the Bhagavad-gita is even more important than the Ganges.
The Bhagavad-gita is just like a cow, and Lord Krsna, who is a cowherd boy, is milking this cow. The milk is the essence of the Vedas, and Arjuna is just like a calf. The wise men, the great sages and pure devotees, are to drink the nectarean milk of Bhagavad-gita.
In this present day, man is very eager to have one scripture, one God, one religion, and one occupation. So let there be one common scripture for the whole world–Bhagavad-gita. And let there be one God only for the whole world–Sri Krsna. And one mantra only–Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. And let there be one work only–the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
Bhagavad-gītā Introduction
—
New York, February 19-20, 1966 660219-20BG.NY
Introduction to Gītopaniṣad
(Earliest Recording of Śrīla Prabhupāda in the Bhaktivedanta Archives)
click on link to read or download The Bhagavad-gita As It Is
Yoga and Meditation
21 Nov 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Mantra Meditation, Meditation, Yoga, Yogi Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna, meditation, meditation on the form of Visnu, Srila Prabhupada, yoga

This is an old photo taken in 1907 that my wife found on Facebook. I remember as a kid, thinking that’s what yogis do. Sit on a bed of nails, or levitate off the ground while meditating.
Before Srila Prabhupada came to the West, bringing with him the Vedic Philosophy, not many people had any idea of what was Yoga or Meditation. Or that there were different types of Yoga and Meditation.
We share with you an excerpt from the small paperback book by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swmai Prabhupada entitled ” The Perfection of Yoga ”
The yogī obviously has to go through a great deal of difficulty to purify the ātmā (mind, body and soul), but it is a fact that this can be done most effectively in this age simply by the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Why is this? Because this transcendental sound vibration is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa. When we chant His name with devotion, then Kṛṣṇa is with us, and when Kṛṣṇa is with us, then what is the possibility of remaining impure? Consequently, one absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, in chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa and serving Him always, receives the benefit of the highest form of yoga. The advantage is that he doesn’t have to take all the trouble of the meditational process. That is the beauty of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
In yoga it is necessary to control all of the senses, and when all the senses are controlled, the mind must be engaged in thinking of Viṣṇu. One becomes peaceful after thus conquering material life.
jitātmanaḥ praśāntasya
paramātmā samāhitaḥ
“for one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is already reached, for he has attained tranquillity.” ( Bg. 6.7)
This material world has been likened to a great forest fire. As in the forest, fire may automatically take place, so in this material world, although we may try to live peacefully, there is always a great conflagration. It is not possible to live in peace anywhere in the material world. But for one who is transcendentally situated—either by the meditational yoga system or by the empirical philosophical method or by bhakti-yoga—peace is possible. All forms of yoga are meant for transcendental life, but the method of chanting is especially effective in this age. Kīrtana may go on for hours, and one may not feel tired, but it is difficult to sit in lotus position perfectly still for more than a few minutes. Yet regardless of the process, once the fire of material life is extinguished, one does not simply experience what is called impersonal void. Rather, as Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna, one enters into the supreme abode.
yuñjann evaṁ sadātmānaṁ
yogī niyata-mānasaḥ
śāntiṁ nirvāṇa-paramāṁ
mat-saṁsthām adhigacchati
“By meditating in this manner, always controlling the body, mind and activities, the mystic transcendentalist attains to the kingdom of God through cessation of material existence.” (Bg. 6.15)
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Execute Bhakti-yoga with Determination
13 Nov 2022 Leave a comment
in Bhakti Yoga Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhakti yoga, Gaurda, Lord Visnu
…As for determination, one should follow the example of the sparrow who lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow laid her eggs on the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried away the eggs on its waves. The sparrow became very upset and asked the ocean to return her eggs. The ocean did not even consider her appeal. So the sparrow decided to dry up the ocean. She began to pick out the water in her small beak, and everyone laughed at her for her impossible determination. The news of her activity spread, and at last Garuda, the gigantic bird carrier of Lord Vishnu, heard it. He became compassionate toward his small sister bird, and so he came to see the sparrow. Garuda was very pleased by the determination of the small sparrow, and he promised to help. Thus Garuda at once asked the ocean to return her eggs lest he himself take up the work of the sparrow. The ocean was frightened at this, and returned the eggs. Thus the sparrow became happy by the grace of Garuda.
full article
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Dissapearance Day of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
28 Oct 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Guru & Disciple, Vyasasan das Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna, Krsna, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
Dear Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my humble obeisance’s, and kindly forgive my offences.
We have all come here today to honor and celebrate your disappearance day with prayers and remembrances. While this may seem strange to some, us celebrating your disappearance day, but spiritually there is no difference between your appearance day and your disappearance day. Both are Transcendental.
The proper understanding of the disappearance of a Vaisnava was explained very nicely by you:
“As Lord Krsna’s appearance and disappearance are all spiritual, transcendental, they are not ordinary things, similarly, Lord Krsna’s devotee, His representative, who are sent to this material world for preaching the glories of the Lord, their appearance and disappearance are also like Krsna’s. Therefore, according to Vaisnava principles, the appearance and disappearance of the Vaisnava is all-auspicious.”
Bhaktivinoda Thakura also wrote a short stanza about the influence that a Vaisnava (a pure devotee of the Lord) carries in this world even after his passing:
“He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die When thou art living still in sound! The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try To spread the holy name around!”
So, while it is natural for us to be sorrowful that Srila Prabhupada has passed away, we can know for sure that he will never pass away, for he is “living still in sound.”
It has been my greatest good fortune to have met you and become your disciple. Pure devotees of the Lord are more powerful than even the waters of the sacred river Ganges. One can derive spiritual benefit out of prolonged use of the Ganges waters, but one can be sanctified at once by the mercy of a pure devotee of the Lord.
So thank you Srila Prabhupada, for coming into this world, sanctifying us all with your mercy.
Begging to remain in your divine service.
Your insignificant disciple
Vyasasan das
Initiations on My Behalf
18 Oct 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva Tags: bona fide guru, guru, guru and disciple, Guru Maharaja, Krishna, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
“Please accept my blessings. Just now I have received some more requests for giving first initiation from Dhananjaya, and now I am receiving weekly not less than ten to fifteen such requests from new students. So it is becoming very expensive to send so many sets of beads such long distance, and it has become little bothersome for me also, so I think now you may be appointed by me to give first initiations to new disciples by chanting on their beads on my behalf. In America Kirtanananda Swami is doing that. So now if there are two of you that will give me great relief. Kirtanananda will chant on the beads for new devotees in America, Canada, like that, you can chant on the beads for the European continent new disciples. They shall, of course, still be considered as my disciples, not that they shall become your disciples, but you will be empowered by me to chant their beads and that is the same effect of binding master and disciple as if I were personally chanting.”
Srila Prabhupada’s Letter to: Revatinandana — Bombay 4 January, 1973
Month of Damodara (Kartika)
13 Oct 2022 Leave a comment
in Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas Tags: Damodara, Damodarastakam, gee lamp, Kartila, Krishna, Lord Krishna, Mother Yasoda, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, vishnujana swami
To the supreme controller who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda, but was ultimately caught. To that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
We are now in the month of Damodara (Kartika). In honor and in celebration of the month of Damodara, we will be focusing our attention on the pastimes of Krishna in Vrndavan. Especially Krishna’s childhood pastimes. The following song is sung morning and evening and it is customary to offer a candle or gee lamp as well to a picture of Lord Krsna and Mother Yasoda.
click on underlined link to listen
Sri Damordastaka sung by Vishnujana Swami
after clicking on above link you can return to page and sing along with the words listed below
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You Are Government
03 Oct 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Politics, Srila Prabhupada Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, january 6, politicians, Politics
You are Government
“The government is people’s men. So if you are, we are ourselves fools and rascals, the government will also be a set of fools and rascals. And if you are intelligent, the government will be intelligent, because now it is democracy. You select some man. So don’t blame government. You are government. If you are fools the government are fools. If you are intelligent the government is intelligent. It is up to you to change; then everything will be all right.” Srila Prabhupada (Conversation with News Reporters — 25 March 1976, Delhi)
Sankirtan Movement
02 Oct 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Sankirtan, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: chanting Hare Krishna, Hari Nama Sankirtan, krsna consciousness, sankirtan movement, Tompkins Square Park
October, 1966, Tompkins Sq. Park
Question: When We’re out on Sankirtana, Chanting, What would be the Best Way for Us to Engage the Crowd to Become Participants in the Chant With Us?………
Prabhupada: Best way, you go on chanting. Your business is not to satisfy the crowd. Your business is satisfy Krsna, and then crowd will be automatically satisfied. We are not going to please the crowd. We are going to give them something: Krsna. So you should be very much careful whether you are delivering Krsna in the right way. Then they’ll be satisfied.Your only business should be to satisfy Krsna. Then everything will be satisfied. If Krsna is satisfied, then whole world is satisfied. If you pour water on the root, then it is automatically distributed in every parts of the tree. So Krsna is the root of the big tree, and you take to watering Krsna, chant Hare Krsna and follow the rules and regulation, everything will be all right.
Japan Was Once A Nation of Vegetarians
28 Sep 2022 Leave a comment
in Vegetarianism Tags: Krishna, vegetarianism
My wife shared this with me, something she saw on Facebook. Very interesting!
Japan was once a nation of vegetarians who held the cow as the most sacred of these animals and the fiercest protector of this animal was the ‘Samurai’ feared throughout the land for their martial arts, bravery and devotion to duty.
~
As Buddhism departed the shores of Vedic India it had a profound influence upon many countries including China and Korea and Japan and upon entering the lands of Japan around 1500 years ago leaders such as Emperor Tenmu banned the consumption of meat.
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Ghee, Ghee and More Ghee
23 Sep 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Ghee, Vegetarian Cooking, Vegetarianism Tags: ghee, Srila Prabhupada, Srutakirti das, vegetarianism
This was something that Srutakirti Prabhu posted on Facebook. We are sharing it with you because I truly believe that Ghee was that special ingredient that made the the prasadam in the early days both magical and mystical. We ate huge quantities of prasadam at the Sunday “Love Feast” and danced in ecstasy.
GHEE, GHEE, GHEE AND MORE GHEE!
(from a BTG article by Srila Prabhupada more than 65 years ago.)
“Pure Ghee (Clarified butter) offered on the fire of ‘Yajna’ produces more and more Ghee but non-acceptance of such sacrificial rites, under the plea of non-productive economy, drives away completely the production of ample pure ghee, yielding place to the harmful hydrogenated vegetable oils. In the ‘Ayurvedic’ scriptures oil is particularly mentioned to be harmful for the stomach but in the absence of sacrificial energy of the human being he is forced to accept harmful vegetable oil for the stomach in the name of and absence of pure unadulterated clarified butter. That is the importance of the process of ‘Yajna’ and that is the Law of Nature.
Foolish people think vitamin value of foodstuff in their own way and push into the stomach all sorts of rubbish thing thinking that ‘Vaiswanara’ heat, representative of the Supreme Lord, will accept any such rubbish thing for assimilation. The case is different. The ‘Vaiswanara’ representative power of Godhead in the stomach of the human being can accept only leaves, flower, fruits of the vegetable group and pure water and milk for vitaminising the human energy. The mouth being the entrance door to the region of the stomach, it must guard the tongue of every human being to acquire the quality of a Brahmin, who can accept only foodstuff of ‘Satwik’ quality. Description of Satwik quality foodstuff is mentioned in Bhagwat Geeta and that also of the Brahmin in fact.”
The Swami Who Rocked the World
07 Sep 2022 1 Comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Gallery of Images, Guru das, Photos by Gurudas, Srila Prabhupada (29) Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Guru das, gurudas photo essay, photo journal, Srila Prabhupada
My dear friend Gurudas Prabhu has just released a new photo journal. Follow the link below to view.
“My latest photo essay book about the genesis of the the International Society For Krishna Consciousness with rare photos of our founder Acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.”
Available on hardcover or Kindle. Order now on Amazon. Voted #1 on Amazon for New Photo Journal Release!
#theswamiwhorockedtheworlds#photo#book#photography#archival#rarephotos#swamiprabhupada#acbhaktivedantaswamiprabhupada#srilaprabhupada#swamiji#guru#iskcon#internationalsocietyforkrishnaconsciousness#genesis#movement#workdwide#spiritualpath#krishnaconsciousness
Animal Rights
06 Sep 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, The Laws of Nature: An Infallible Justice, Vegetarianism Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Animal Rights, cow protection, krsna consciousness, vegetarianism
I like the above picture, it is so profound.
…Any living being, if he terrifies other living beings, is a most wretched subject, and the king should at once kill such a disturbing element. As the wild animal is killed when it creates disturbances, similarly any man who unnecessarily kills or terrifies the jungle animals or other animals must be punished at once. By the law of the Supreme Lord, all living beings, in whatever shape they may be, are the sons of the Lord, and no one has any right to kill another animal, unless it is so ordered by the codes of natural law. The tiger can kill a lower animal for his subsistence, but a man cannot kill an animal for his subsistence. That is the law of God, who has created the law that a living being subsists by eating another living being. Thus the vegetarians are also living by eating other living beings. Therefore, the law is that one should live only by eating specific living beings, as ordained by the law of God. The Īśopaniṣad directs that one should live by the direction of the Lord and not at one’s sweet will. A man can subsist on varieties of grains, fruits and milk ordained by God, and there is no need of animal food, save and except in particular cases. (from purport SB 1.17.10-11)
Full text and purport
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A Biography of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
29 Aug 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, YouTube Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, biography of Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada, your ever well wisher
Your Ever Well Wisher
I ran across this nice YouTube, a Biography of Srila Prabhupada. What impressed me was the early footage.
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
28 Aug 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Free Audio Books, Free Downloads, Gallery of Images, Guru & Disciple, Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, free downloads, Krishna, Krsna, prabhupada.io, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
Today I was visiting a web page that I like very much, and respect the time d effort that must have gone into its creation. The page is simply titled Srila Prabhupada There are Books, Audio files, Letters, a Reference Glossary, Sanskrit & Bengali Dictionary, Prabhupada Videos, Prabhupada Photos, and Music with Purports. Very impressive Archive!!!
Anyway, I urge all my readers to check it out!
The following was a nice page about Srila Prabhupada…
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108 Quotes from Srila Prabhupada on the Importance of the Bhagavada-gita As It Is
27 Aug 2022 1 Comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 Edition, Book Changes, Book Distribution, Yasodanandana das Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, as it is, bhagavad-gita, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Krishna, Krsna, Srila Prabhupada
The following is a nice compilation of 108 quotes, taken from Srila Prabhupada’s books, lectures, letters, and conversations, on the importance of the 1972 Original Authorized Edition of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
This collection of quotes was compiled by Yasoda nandana Prabhu as his Vyasa-puja offering.
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Vyasa-puja 2022
21 Aug 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, Vyas-puja Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavata Dharma Discourses, Krishna, New Vrindaban, Srila Prabhupada, Vyasa-puja
Yesterday we celebrated Vyasa-puja here at New Vrindaban, it was a joyous event with many offerings of homage to Srila Prabhupada, and rememberances of his famous visit to New Vrindaban in 1972. It has been 50 years since his Bhagavata Dharma Discourse’s. The Vyasa-puja event was held on the top of the very same hill. It was a very nice event.
“The Bhagavata Dharma Discourses” which were held at New Vrindavan Farm Community in 1972. It was the third annual Janmastami Celebration held at New Vrindavan, and devotees poured in from everywhere, and even a New York Times Reporter appeared. “On the crown of a lovely green hill in the West Virginia contryside,” his article read, “under the aluminum roof of an open pavilion, the faithful gathered to chant the name of Lord Krsna and kneel at the feet of their spiritual master…A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.”
The Most Blessed Event; Sri Vyasa-puja
20 Aug 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Guru & Disciple, Krsna Book, Vyas-puja, Vyasasan das Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhagavad-gita, Krishna, Krsna, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Vyasa-puja, Vyasasan das
The Most blessed Event; Sri Vyasa-puja
Dear Srila Prabhupada
Please accept my most humble and heartfelt obeisance’s on this most auspicious day of your appearance. Although I am an unworthy disciple, full of faults, I approach you with the greatest appreciation, and utmost respect, for you are the greatest spiritual ambassador to spread Krishna Consciousness all over the world.
Thank you for coming to America, and bringing with you so many matchless gifts. Not only did you bring the message of Krishna and Lord Caitanya, but you brought with you music and art, Vedic medicine, the science of cooking vegetarian food, and the keys to a healthy and productive life, in the service of God. I may never have learned who is God, had you not appeared on our shores.
One of the very first books of yours I read, just a small book called the “Raja-vidya”, on the very first page, you gave the definite description of God. Although I had some conception of God from my early religious training, God is great, God is good, but no one could ever tell me who He was, what He looked like, where He lived, or what He does. But you could. On that very first page you gave the perfect definitive description of God.
“God possesses all opulence’s, the totality of knowledge, wealth, power, beauty, fame, and renunciation. When we find someone who possesses these opulence’s in full, we are to know that He is God…Only Krishna claims to possess them in totality.”
In time as I began to read from the Bagavad-gita As It Is, and the KRSNA Book, all my questions were answered. I came to know who God is, what He looks like, where He lives, what He does, and what is our relationship with Him.
It is interesting, but from the very first moment I saw a picture of you, on the back cover of the KRSNA Book, I knew, that at long last, I had found my spiritual master.
I fell in love with you from the very first moment I saw your picture. and I am still in love with you today. I have no words that convey the love that I feel , only to say, there is nothing that can compare.
Begging to remain in your service
Your unworthy disciple
Vyasasan das
Krishna Janmastami
19 Aug 2022 Leave a comment
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Festivals, Janmastami, Krishna, KRSNA The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lectures Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Janmastami, Krishna, Krishna Janmastami, Krsna

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
Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 7.96)
Today, here in the Western half of the World, we are celebrating Janmastami: the appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna. So let us take advantage of this auspicious day and hear, chant, and remember the pastimes of the Lord. Hare Krishna!
The following is Lord Krishna’s Appearance Day Lecture given by Srila Prabhupada on August 16, 1968, Montreal Canada.
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