08 Jul 2021
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness
Tags: A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, books by Srila Prabhupada, conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Krishna consciousness, Srila Prabhupada's books
Every day you have to read my books.
Do you know that every day even I read my own books?
Do you know why I read my books?
I read my books everyday because even I learn something new when I read them.
Do you know why I learn something new when I read my books?
Because these books are not my books – I do not write these books.
Every morning when I sit here to write my books Krsna comes personally and he dictates to me what to write, I simply take dictation from Krsna and I write these books.
Therefore when I read them even I learn something.”
-(Srila Prabhupada Room conversation with Bhagavat Das Vanachari, Bombay, 1974)
18 Jun 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Devotees, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Devotee's, Hare Krishna devi dasi, Hare Krsna devi dasi, Suresvara das, Uncategorized, Varnasrama Dharma
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, BBT, conversations with Srila Prabhupada, Hare Krsna devi dasi, Speaking about Varnasrama, Suresvara, the bhaktivedanta book trust
A friend of mine recently shared a book with me that I found most interesting. This first volume, Speaking about Varnasrama, focuses on Srila Prabhupada’s actual spoken conversations and lectures about varnasrama. This post includes a brief descprition of Srila Prabhupada taken from back cover of book, as well an the table of contents.
It can be ordered from the site Exoitc India
It is a good book for anyone interested in the Varnasrama System and Farm Community Development.
Speaking About Varnasrama Volume 1
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Compiled by Hare Krsna-devi dasi
Edited by Suresvara-dasa
Published by The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
About the Author
In this work, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the foremost Vedic scholar and teacher of the modern age, and author of than sixty volumes of authoritative annotated translations and summary studies of the philosophical and religious classics of India, presents a vision of a spiritual society. Criticizing a mode society based on industrialism, materialism, and a callous disregard for the workers who support it, Srila Prabhupada calls for a spiritualized•social structure. Citing Bhagavad-gita, he advocates varnasrama, dharma, a social institution in which people gain spiritual satisfaction and spiritual advancement by doing their daily work as an offering to God.
Though his vision is based on Vedic scriptures of India, Prabhupada faults the modern caste system as a perversion of scriptural injunction. But India is not alone, he states, for materialistic social structures around the world impede spiritual progress. Thus, in the forty conversations, lectures, and interviews in this volume, we hear him present a society where occupations are determined by character and training, not by birth and wealth; a society based on opportunity and maximizing human potential rather than on stagnancy and oppression; one based on mutual appreciation and cooperation between classes rather suspicion and disdain. We hear about a society which is inclusive rather than exclusive, a society based on simple living and high thinking rather than on wealth and greed. Above all, van, uarnasrama society Prabhupada describes is consciously organized to bring each kind of person closer to the actual goal human life, attaining a loving relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna.
More
12 Apr 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, guru-tattva, Spriritual Master
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, guru, Krishna, nama-rupe, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, vani
Spiritual Master Is with You by His Words
Devotee: Sometimes this question comes up, with the devotees especially, that it says the devotee makes advancement when the spiritual master is pleased. Right? So sometimes the spiritual master is far, far away. He may be in Los Angeles. Somebody is coming to Hamburg temple. He thinks, “How will the spiritual master be pleased?”
Prabhupada: Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you by his words. Just like my spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.
Devotee: And Krishna knows that; therefore we make advancement. He is sitting in our heart. He knows what we’re doing. So He sees, “He’s serving My pure devotee,” immediately there is advancement.
More
02 Mar 2018
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Mantra Meditation
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, astral world, Back to Godhead Magazine, bhakti yoga, chanting Hare Krishna, conversations with Srila Prabhupada, Hare Krishna Mantra, Krishna consciousness, Krsna, kundalini, kundalini-yoga, Lord Caitanya, mantra meditation, Om, raja yoga, reincarnation, sound vibration, Vedic mantras
This morning I happened upon this very interesting conversation between Srila Prabhupada and a guest, while I was visiting the Sampradaya Sun. We are reprinting the entire conversation as it was published in the Back to Godhead Magazine.
Kundalini, Reincarnation, the Astral World, and More
by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
excerpted from Back to Godhead Magazine 1983 Volume 18 No. 9
Questions and Answers On the Science of Transcendence
This conversation with guests took place at the Hare Krsna center in Los Angeles in the late sixties.
Guest: What is the outcome of the continual chanting of om?
Srila Prabhupada: Like the Hare Krsna mantra, om is a manifestation of the Supreme Lord in the form of sound vibration. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. So, Hare Krsna and om have practically the same value, but chanting Hare Krsna is easier. Another reason we chant Hare Krsna is that it was specifically chanted by Lord Caitanya. * [“Lord Caitanya is Krsna Himself in the role of His own devotee. He appeared in Bengal, India, five hundred years ago to teach love of God through the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra.]
Om is generally chanted at the beginning of Vedic mantras: om tad visnoh paramam padam sada. . . . om purnam adah purnam idam. Om addresses the Lord, and Hare Krsna also addresses the Lord. But chanting Hare Krsna is easier, and it is recommended for this age. Otherwise, transcendentally, or spiritually, there is no difference.
Guest: What do you think of kundalini-yoga and raja-yoga?
Srila Prabhupada: Raja-yoga means “the king of yogas.” But we are practicing the emperor of yogas, bhakti-yoga, so raja-yoga is included in it. In the Bhagavad-gita [6.47], Lord Krsna says,
yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
“Anyone who is always thinking of Me within himself is the topmost yogi.”
Therefore a person who is in full Krsna consciousness has surpassed all other kinds of yogic principles”.
More
31 Jul 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness
Tags: chant Hare Krishna, compassion of Srila Prabhupada, conversation with Srila Prabhupada, hari sauri das, Ramesvara das, SB 1.5.17
Conversation with Srila Prabhupada
Jan 21 1977
Hari-sauri: So those persons who can’t come up to the standard of the temple life…
Prabhupada: Yes.
Hari-Sauri: …they should remain outside.
Prabhupada: That is above all the guṇas.
Ramesvara: That’s very rare. That is the most rare.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Ramesvara: Not every man. You always say it’s not possible for every man.
Prabhupada: No, that you cannot do. Because you are in the material world, how you can avoid the influence of material qualities? But our process is so nice that anyone can avoid if he follows. There is no difficulty.
Hari-sauri: But just like in our society we already have so many people who are initiated, but they can’t follow the principles very strictly.
Prabhupada: That’s all right. It will take some time. They’ll do it.
Hari-suari: They just have to be encouraged to keep that association.
Prabhupada: Therefore I stress in every letter, “Chant Hare Krishna at least sixteen times. Follow the principles.” That can be done.(?) This simple method will help. Even if he cannot strictly follow, still, whatever he has done, that is his asset. And it will give me more and more chance. So it is not actually lost. tyaktva sva-dharmam caranambujam harer (SB.1.5.17)
Hari-sauri: So we have to give allowances to such people. We have to give allowance?
Prabhupada: Allowance? It is not allowance, but give him instruction. It is up to him to follow or not to follow.
Hari-sauri: But we cannot give any compromise.
Prabhupada: No. This is the way. “But you are not able? All right, take little more time.“
27 May 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva, Uncategorized
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, conversation with Srila Prabhupada, disciple, disciples of Srila Prabhupada, disciplic succession, guru, guru and disciple, guru tatva
The following conversation between Srila Prabhupada and Mr. Malhotra recorded in Poona, December 22, 1976, is a good instruction on our relationship between guru and disciple.
Prabhupada: Not equal; representative. Not equal. I send one representative of this man, and he may be very expert, doing very good business, still he cannot be equal with me. He is acting as my representative, that’s another thing. But not that he has become the original proprietor.
.
Disciple Never Becomes Equal to Guru
Prabhupada: These my disciples, they are part and parcel of me. Whole mission is going on with their cooperation. But if he says that “I am equal to my Guru Mahārāja,” then that is offense.
More
14 May 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada
Tags: conversation with Srila Prabhupada, July 5 1975, Mothers Day, room conversation with Mr. & Mrs. Wax, Srila Prabhupada
click on image to enlarge
I was doing a search on Mothers this morning and this interesting bit of conversation jumped out at me…
Room Conversation with Mr. & Mrs. Wax,
Writer and Editing Manager of Playboy Magazine
July 5, 1975, Chicago
Prabhupāda: Yes. So all the mothers of my disciples, they will get salvation because she has got nice son like…
Jayatīrtha: All the mothers will get salvation.
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.
Mrs. Wax: Oh, good. (laughter)
Devotee (3): What about the fathers.
Prabhupāda: Father also. Both the father and mother. Because they are father and mother of a Vaisnava devotee, so they will be taken special care. You’ll find from the Pralada Mahārāja’s description. Even a father like Hiraṇyakaśipu, he got salvation because Pralada was son.
More
20 Apr 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Guru & Disciple, Science of Self Realization
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, accepting the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, as it is, Bhagavad-gita, fake guru, Genuine Guru, God Krishna, guru and disciple, Science of Self Realization, Spiritual Life, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
Saw this nice post in my mailbox this morning courtesy of my friend Padmapani Prabhu over at Prabhupada Connect and thought we would share it with all of you. The photo is by Mathuranath Prabhu I believe.
Finding a Genuine Guru
Excerpted from Science of Self Realization Chapter 2
Reporter: Have you ever had people come to you who had previously been involved with a fake
guru?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, there are many.
Reporter: Were their spiritual lives in any way spoiled by the fakegurus?
Srila Prabhupada: No, they were genuinely seeking something spiritual, and that was their qualification. God is within everyone’s heart, and as soon as someone genuinely seeks Him, He helps that person find a genuine guru.
More
03 Oct 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, Quotes by Srila Prabhupada
Tags: 9 types of devotional service, A. c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, devotional service, Krishna consciousness, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada letter, talent, talents in Krishna's service
Engage Your Talent in Krishna’s Service
by Prabhupada Connect
Today we present a fascinating collection of quotes consisting mainly of letters from Srila Prabhupada to his disciples on the subject of using one’s God-given talents for Krishna. Prabhupada makes it so simple.
“Krishna says, svakarmana: ‘Whatever talent you have got, you can serve Me and be perfect.’ That is the program.”
“Yes, it is your good fortune that you can serve Krishna in so many ways — to work, to write, to speak, to paint, to build — all of these talents must be employed in Krishna’s service. That will make you perfect. We are so fortunate to be in this human form of life, and to have the opportunity and the capacity to serve Krishna, and as there is very little time, we must do as much each day as we possibly can to serve Krishna, and to become always engaged in thoughts and activities of Krishna. Maya may try to pull us from Krishna’s service, and try to engage us in her service, but we must simply persevere, and try to do as much as possible for Krishna each day, and gradually it will be easier and easier to keep engaged in Krishna Consciousness activities. And pray to Krishna to please keep us always engaged in the service of His Lotus Feet. Krishna is very kind, and He is never ungrateful, and will give you more and more opportunity to serve Him. That is His Mercy.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, November 12, 1968)
More
07 Sep 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada
Tags: astronaut, Bahulasva das, Baradraja das, Bhagavad Gita, blind faith, das, faith, Harikesa, Jayadvaita das, moon rocks, Narayana das, Paramahamsa das, prabhupada, space project, Srila Prabhupada, Sudama das, Tamal Krsna Goswami, vani, Yadubara das, Yadunandana das
This is a very interesting morning walk discussion. You can click on following link to listen and/or read along below. Great questions and answers.
“Moon Rocks from Arizona”
Morning walk discussion by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and disciples
Recorded July 21, 1975
To hear lecture
Prabhupada: Oh. [break] Krsna dasa, some scientists say that there is no life in the other planets, and some scientists said there may be. So who is correct?
Paramahamsa: Well, didn’t the Yamadutas… You stated in your lecture yesterday that the Yamadutas said that what is truth is what is in the Vedas. So I assume from the Vedic knowledge that there is life on other planets. Logically speaking also.
Prabhupada: Yes. How can you say there is no life?
Read more… More
09 May 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, George Harrison, John Lennon, Yoko Ono
Tags: 690911rc.lon, and George Harrison at Tittenhurst, Bible, Conversation With John Lennon, George Harrison, John Lennon, Mukunda, prabhupada, Sanskrit, yoko ono
Conversartion with John Lennon, Yoko Ono and George Harrison at Tittenhurst, England
Prabhupāda: Would you like to record or not?
George Harrison: Don’t mind.
Prabhupāda: Give this garland.
Śyāmasundara: Haribol.
George Harrison: Thank you. Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Prabhupāda: This Kṛṣṇa’s blessings.
George Harrison: Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Prabhupāda: Yes. There is a verse in Bhagavad-gītā,
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
itaras tad anuvartate
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
BG 3.21
More
08 Apr 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva, Science of Self Realization
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, disciple, guru, interview with Srila Prabhupada, London Times, meditation, Saints and Swindlers, self proclaimed gods, self-styled gurus, yoga, yogi
click on image to enlarge
Saints and Swindlers
London Times Interview with Srila Prabhupada
Excerpted from the Science of Self Realization
Every day the number of people interested in practicing yoga and meditation increases by the thousands. Unfortunately, a person looking for a suitable guide is likely to encounter a bewildering array of magicians, self-styled gurus, and self-proclaimed gods. In an interview with the London Times, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains how a sincere seeker can tell the difference between a counterfeit and genuine spiritual guide.
More
10 Mar 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhagavad-gita, Krsna Arjuna, Srila Prabhupada
click on image to enlarge
When Lord Caitanya was traveling in South India…He saw one brāhmaṇa was reading Bhagavad-gītā. And people were joking him, “Oh, Mr. brāhmaṇa, how you are reading Bhagavad-gītā?” Because they were the neighbors, they knew that this brāhmaṇa was illiterate and he was studying Bhagavad-gītā. So they were joking. But the brāhmaṇa did not car. He was taking the book and in his own way he was reading.
Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw this incident, He came to the brāhmaṇa. So He asked the brāhmaṇa, “My dear brāhmaṇa, what you are reading?”
So he could understand “This persons is not joking with me; He is serious.”
So he explained, “My dear sir, I am reading Bhagavad-gītā. Unfortunately, I am illiterate. I do not know even the alphabets.”
“Why you are reading Bhagavad-gītā?”
So he said that, “My spiritual master knows that I am illiterate, but still, he has asked me to read Bhagavad-gītā. What can I do? Therefore I have taken this book. I am seeing simply. I do not know how to read.”
“Oh, that’s all right. You cannot read. But I see that you are crying. How you are crying if you are not reading?”
“Yes, I am crying. Of course, there is cause.”
“What is that?”
“As soon as I take this Bhagavad-gītā, I remember Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is sitting as driver and Arjuna is hearing. I have heard the story. I know something of the instruction but cannot read. So as soon as I take this book, this picture comes before me and I simply think, ‘Oh, how Kṛṣṇa is nice that He has become a charioteer of His devotee. He is so great. Still, He has accepted a menial service of His devotee.’ This gives me so much pleasure that I cry.”
Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced him, “Your Bhagavad-gītā reading is perfect. You have taken the essence.” So this is the thing. If you simply remember Kṛṣṇa is teaching Arjuna and Arjuna is hearing, if you simply remember the picture, that is sufficient. Even if you think that you cannot read. (Bhagavad-gita talks with Srila Prabhupada 11/25/1968)
Full Conversation More
24 Feb 2015
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Demigod, Shiva
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Dayananda, demigods, devotee, Difference between Shiva and Vishnu, Durga, Krishna, Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, Madhudvisa das, Parvati, prabhupada, sati
What is the Position of Lord Shiva?
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(excerpted from Bhagavad-gita class, Dec. 11, 1967)
Madhudvisa: Prabhupāda? What is the position of Lord Shiva?
Prabhupāda: Lord Shiva is a demigod, but he is higher than all other demigods. He’s higher than Lord Brahmā also. But he’s not the Supreme Lord. Just like there are different gradations. That is not difficult to understand. In society also, there are different gradations. Similarly, the living entities, there are different gradations. Some of the living entities are situated in higher planets, some of them are situated in lower planets and some of them are situated in high-grade life and some in low-grade life. So the demigods are also living entities, but they are enjoying better standard of life due to their acts of piety. But Lord Shiva is not amongst the living entities. He’s above the living entities but he is counted as one of the demigods. But his position is better than Lord Brahmā even. Brahmā is said to be the highest living entity within the universe, and Lord Shiva’s position is higher than that of Lord Brahmā.
More
29 Nov 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, George Harrison, Photos by Gurudas, Sriman George Harrison
Tags: George Harrison, Krsna Book, Mukunda, philosophy, photo by Gurudas, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada conversations with George Harrison, Srila Prabhupada's books
click on image to enlarge
Conversations with George Harrison
London, England – July 26, 1976
Srila Prabhupada: “Are you reading sometimes my books? Which one?”
George Harrison: “Mainly Krsna.”
Srila Prabhupada: “That is the main book.” [laughs)
George Harrison: “Mukunda gave me the new books, but there’s so much to read.”
Srila Prabhupada: “Philosophy.”
George Harrison: “I don’t know how anybody could have written it, it’s is difficult to read all that amount”
Srila Prabhupada: “Sometimes, they are surprised how one man can write so many books, but it is Krsna’ s grace. Otherwise, not possible. Human being, it is not possible.”
More
26 Oct 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavata Dharma Discourses, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Jon Nordheimer, New Vrindavan
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavata Dharma Discourses at New Vrindavan, chant the name of Lord Krsna, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta, janmastami celebration at new vrindavan, Jon Nordheimer, New Vrindavan farm community, New York Times reporter, open pavilion
This is the beginning of a new series of Lectures entitled “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.”
An interview held during the Bhāgavata Dharma Discourses at New Vrindaban, September 2, 1972. Śrīla Prabhupāda is interviewed by John Nordheimer of the New York Times.
More
15 May 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutanananda das, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Diksha, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Acyutananda das, guru mukha padma vakya, liberated, more than guru, prabhupada, room conversation, spiritual master, Yasomatinandana dasa
The following is a very famous room conversation that took place in 1976. It contains some very important lessons.
Acyutānanda: What prompts the soul to misuse his independence or improperly use…?
Prabhupāda: Because he has got little independence. Yathecchasi tathā, he has got this.
Acyutānanda: Why do some misuse it and some never misuse it?
Prabhupāda: That depends on him. If one is determined that “I shall only act according to the advice of my Guru Mahārāja,” then he’s perfect. One has to submit like Arjuna said, śiṣyas te ‘haṁ śādhi māṁ prapannam [Bg. 2.7]. Otherwise he’ll argue….
Devotee: Even nitya-siddha has guru.
Yaśomatīnandana: Even the liberated soul, nitya-siddha.
Prabhupāda: Liberated soul never says that “I am liberated.” As soon as he says “liberated,” he’s a rascal. A liberated soul will never say that “I am liberated.” That is liberated. Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He is God—guru more mūrkha dekhi’ karila śāsan [Cc. Ādi 7.71]. “My Guru Mahārāja saw Me a fool number one, and he has chastised Me.” He’s God. This is the example. If one remains always a servant ever-lastingly of guru, then he is liberated. And as soon as he thinks that he is liberated, he’s a rascal. That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Guru more mūrkha dekhi’. Caitanya Mahāprabhu is mūrkha? Why He’s posing Himself that mūrkha? “I am fool number one.” That means that is liberation. You must be ready always to be chastised by guru. Then he’s liberated. And as soon as he thinks that “I am beyond this chastisement, I am liberated,” he’s a rascal. Why Caitanya Mahāprabhu says guru more mūrkha dekhi’ karila śāsan? This is sahajiyā-vāda. He is thinking, “Oh I have become liberated. I don’t require any direction of my guru. I’m liberated.” Then he’s rascal. Why this Gauḍīya Maṭha failed? Because they tried to become more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave all direction and never said that “This man should be the next ācārya.” But these people, just after his passing away they began to fight, who shall be ācārya. That is the failure. They never thought, “Why Guru Mahārāja gave us instruction so many things, why he did not say that this man should be ācārya?” They wanted to create artificially somebody ācārya and everything failed. They did not consider even with common sense that if Guru Mahārāja wanted to appoint somebody as ācārya, why did he not say? He said so many things, and this point he missed? The real point? And they insist upon it. They declared some unfit person to become ācārya. Then another man came, then another, ācārya, another ācārya. So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Mahārāja. That is perfection. And as soon as he learns the Guru Mahārāja is dead, “Now I am so advanced that I can kill my guru and I become guru.” Then he’s finished. (from room conversation August 16, 1976)
Full Conversation More
01 Feb 2014
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead Magazine, BTG, dialogue with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Karandhara das, science, Srila Prabhupada, Svarupa dasa, The Tiny World of Modern Science
The Tiny World of Modern Science
A dialogue with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(Los Angeles, April 16, 1973)
Excerpted from Back to Godhead Magazine Vol. 1, No. 61, 1974
For many years, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the spiritual master of the Krsna consciousness movement, has every day customarily taken an hour-long early morning walk with some of his disciples wherever in the world he is then preaching. Sometimes His Divine Grace says little; he simply chants Hare Krsna on his beads and walks. Sometimes, however, he holds animated discussions or even arguments, challenging disciples to defend materialistic viewpoints so that he can defeat them with Krsna consciousness. The following dialogue was recorded on an inspired morning walk at Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Walking with Srila Prabhupada were two of his disciples, Karandhara dasa and Svarupa Damodara dasa, a chemist working on his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry at the University of California.
Svarupa: Scientists are worried about energy sources, and now they are working to utilize solar energy for cooking, lighting and various other purposes. They are hoping that when they exhaust all other energy sources, they will be able to use solar energy.
Srila Prabhupada: This is not a very new theory. Everyone knows that because the roots of trees store the sun’s energy, it is possible to get fire from a tree. These scientists are tiny creatures, but they are very proud. We don’t give them credit, because they are simply stating what everyone knows. As soon as you cut a tree, you cannot get fire from it. It has to be dried in the sun. When the energy is gathered from the sun, the tree can be utilized for fire. Actually everything is being maintained by the sun’s energy, but the scientists don’t know where the sun’s energy comes from. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna says:
More
04 Jul 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada
Tags: 4th of July, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, American Independence, Back to Godhead Magazine, BTG, Dependence on God, Independence day, life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, RDTSKP, transcendental literature
I remember as a younger man, back in 1976, when I was a member of the Radha Damodar Traveling Sankirtan Party (RDTSKP), I was in Washington D.C. distributing this very same issue of Back to Godhead Magazine. The thing about Transcendental Literature, is it remains ever fresh. 37 years later this article is still as important and significant as the day it was first published in Back to Godhead Magazine.
Declaring Our Dependence on God
Excerpted from Back to Godhead Magazine Vol. 11, No. 7, 1976
Two hundred years ago, Americans fought the War of Independence to assure life, liberty, and happiness in a fledgling nation. In a conversation with the BACK TO GODHEAD staff, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada explains that Americans can actually achieve these things only by maintaining a God conscious society, with God conscious leaders.
More
11 Apr 2013
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bob Cohen, Conversation with Srila Prabhupada, Perfect Answers Perfect Questions, Srila Prabhupada vani
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bob Cohen, changing bodies, Perfect Wuestions Perfect Answers, philosophy of krishna consciousness, self realization, Srila Prabhupada, yoga
click on image to enlarge
Continuing with our series of a True account entitled Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers… A search for meaning carries Bob Cohen, a young American Peace Corps worker halfway around the world, to an ancient village in the midst of West Bengal. There, in a small bamboo hut, he finds a teacher who is able to tell him everything he ever wanted to know.
Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Chapter Nine, New York—July 4, 1972
Deciding for the Future
…Śrīla Prabhupāda: Now, you are a very intelligent boy. You can try to understand this philosophy. It is very important. For sense gratification people are wasting so much energy. They are not aware of what is going to happen in the next life. There is a next life, but foolish people are ignorant. This life is preparation for the next life. That they do not know. The modern education and its universities are completely in darkness about this simple knowledge. We are changing bodies every moment—that is a medical fact. After leaving this body, we will have to accept another body. How are we going to accept that body? What kind of body? This can also be known. For example, if someone is being educated, one can understand that when he passes his examination, he is going to be an engineer or medical practitioner. Similarly, in this life, you can prepare yourself to become something in the next life.
Barbara: [Bob’s wife] Can we decide what we want to be next life?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes, you can decide. We have decided that next life we are going to Kṛṣṇa. This is our decision—back home, back to Godhead. Suppose you want to become educated. After this decision that you are going to be an engineer or you are going to be a medical practitioner, with that objective you prepare and educate yourself. Similarly, you can decide what you are going to do next life. But if you don’t decide, then the material nature will decide.
Full Chapter More
Previous Older Entries
The Hare Krishna Movement 