The Disappearance of Jayananda Thakur
08 May 2017 Leave a comment
in Jayananda Thakur Tags: Jayananda dasa, Jayananda Thakur, Ratha-yatra, Rathayatra Festival, spiritual energy, Spiritual Life, spiritual master and disciple, The Beautiful Life of Jayananda Thakur, vishnujana swami
Astronomical Calculations
23 Apr 2017 1 Comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Astrology, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, astronomical calculations, Bg3.9, pious acts, SB1.12.12, Srila Prabhupada, stellar influences, Supreme Lord, zodiac
For some reason this Purport from the First Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam caught my attention this morning. I generally do not put much thought into the Zodiac, or stellar influences upon us, or how the laws of nature are controlling us at every moment. But in this purport by Srila Prabhupada, he mentions the importance of preforming pious acts to take advantage of good stellar influences. “Suitable arrangement of astral influences is never a creation of man’s will, but is the arrangement of the superior management of the agency of the Supreme Lord. Of course, the arrangement is made according to the good or bad deeds of the living being. Herein lies the importance of pious acts performed by the living being. Only by pious acts can one be allowed to get good wealth, good education and beautiful features.” (Purport Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.12.12)
Astronomical calculations of stellar influences upon a living being are not suppositions, but are factual, as confirmed inŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Every living being is controlled by the laws of nature at every minute, just as a citizen is controlled by the influence of the state. The state laws are grossly observed, but the laws of material nature, being subtle to our gross understanding, cannot be experienced grossly. As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (3.9), every action of life produces another reaction, which is binding upon us, and only those who are acting on behalf of Yajña (Viṣṇu) are not bound by reactions. Our actions are judged by the higher authorities, the agents of the Lord, and thus we are awarded bodies according to our activities. The law of nature is so subtle that every part of our body is influenced by the respective stars, and a living being obtains his working body to fulfill his terms of imprisonment by the manipulation of such astronomical influence. A man’s destiny is therefore ascertained by the birthtime constellation of stars, and a factual horoscope is made by a learned astrologer. It is a great science, and misuse of a science does not make it useless… (Purport Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.12.12)
Prabhupada Blesses George Harrison
22 Apr 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, George Harrison, Prabhupada, Prabhupada Connection, Sriman George Harrison Tags: chanting Hare Krishna, conversation with Srila Prabhupada, George Harrision, george harrison lyrics, Krsna Book, Living in the Material World, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada conversations with George Harrison, Sriman George Harrison
George Harrison Remembers Prabhupada
21 Apr 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, George Harrison, Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, People, Sriman George Harrison Tags: chanting Hare Krishna, George Harrision, prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada, the hare krishna mantra, The Hare Krishna Movement, Vedic scholars
Finding a Genuine Guru
20 Apr 2017 2 Comments
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
Easy Journey to Other Planets
19 Apr 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhakti Yoga, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Easy Journey to Other Planets Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, bhakti yoga, Bhaktivedanta Swami, Easy Journey to Other Planets, journey to other planets, original books by srila prtabhupada, out of body travel, science of yoga, stage of perfection, yogi, yogic perfection
It is said that the perfect yogi can relinquish his body at death and journey, at the speed of mind, to antimaterial planets far beyond the limits of the material universe. Encompassing the systems of sankhya, astanga and bhakti, this absorbing publication treats the science of yoga, particularly in its application to out-of-body travel.
Easy Journey to Other Planets was one of the earliest small books available at the onset of The Hare Krishna Movement. The following is a link for a free download of the original edition that Srila Prabhupada printed in India before he ever came to the USA. Just click on link at bottom of post.
The Art of B. G. Sharma Krishna’s Childhood Pastimes
19 Apr 2017 Leave a comment
in Art, B. G. Sharma Art, Krishna Consciousness Tags: Artist B. G. Sharma, B.G. Sharma, gallery of Krishna pastimes, Krishna art, The Krishna Art of B. G. Sharma, Traditional Indian Art
Today we are posting a gallery of pictures by one of my favorite Traditional Indian Artists; B. G. Sharma. This particular gallery is of Krishna’s childhood pastimes.
We Should Not Become Sahajiyas
31 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Quotes by Srila Prabhupada, Sahajiya, Spiritual Life Tags: anartha nivrtti, devotional symptoms, imitation of God, love of Krsna, prakrta-sahajiyas, pure devotees, rasa-lila, Sahajiya, sarupa, transcendental ecstasy
click on image to enlarge
We Should Not Become Sahajiyās
This is a nice compalation of quotes by Srila Prabhupada on the class of devotee known as ‘ahajiya’.
“A class of so-called devotees known as prākṛta-sahajiyās sometimes display devotional symptoms to exhibit their good fortune. They are pretending, however, because these devotional features are only external. The prākṛta-sahajiyās exhibit these symptoms to advertise their so-called advancement in love of Kṛṣṇa, but instead of praising the prākṛta-sahajiyās for their symptoms of transcendental ecstasy, pure devotees do not like to associate with them. It is not advisable to equate the prākṛta-sahajiyās with pure devotees. When one is actually advanced in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa, he does not try to advertise himself. Instead, he endeavors more and more to render service to the Lord.” (Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya 20.28, Purport)
Letter to: All Governing Board Commissioners
27 Mar 2017 1 Comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, GBC, Letters by Srila Prabhupada Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Ppabhupada, GBC, Hare Krishna Movement, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, management responsibilities, sannyasis, Srila Prabhuapada, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Temple Presidents
Letter to: All Governing Board Commissioners
Honolulu
19 May, 1976
76-05-19
All Governing Board Commissioners
My dear GBC disciples,
Please accept my blessings. Over the past ten years I have given the framework and now we have become more than the British Empire. Even the British Empire was not as expansive as we. They had only a portion of the world, and we have not completed expanding. We must expand more and more unlimitedly. But I must now remind you that I have to complete the translation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is the greatest contribution; our books have given us a respectable position. People have no faith in this church or temple worship. Those days are gone. Of course, we have to maintain the temples as it is necessary to keep our spirits high. Simply intellectualism will not do, there must be practical purification.
Acting in Krishna Consciousness
25 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness, Uncategorized Tags: causeless mercy, Krishna consciousness, liberated, Nectar of Devotion, Prabhupada connect, respectful obeisances, rightful claim, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, transcendental abode

This is perhaps my favorite sloka from the Srimad-Bhagavatam. It fills me with hope, and helps me to learn patience.
In the Tenth Canto, Fourteenth Chapter, verse 8, it is said; ‘My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on suffering the resultant actions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible to become liberated, for it has become his rightful claim.’
This statement of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam should be the guide of all devotees. A devotee should not expect immediate relief from the reactions of his past misdeeds. No conditioned soul is free from such reactionary experiences, because material existence means continued suffering or enjoying of past activities. If one has finished his material activities then there is no more birth. This is possible only when one begins Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, because such activities do not produce reaction. Therefore, as soon as one becomes perfect in Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, he is not going to take birth again in this material world. A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments. When such impediments arise he should simply think of Kṛṣṇa and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord. By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God. The exact word used in this verse is dāya-bhāk. Dāya-bhāk refers to a son’s becoming the lawful inheritor of the property of the father. In a similar way, a pure devotee who is prepared to undergo all kinds of tribulations in executing Kṛṣṇa conscious duties becomes lawfully qualified to enter into the transcendental abode.”
(Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 10)
text pasted from; Prabhupada Connect
Photos by Gurudas
25 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Photos, Photos by Gurudas, Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada Conversations, Uncategorized Tags: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhuada, Gurudas, photographs by Gurudas, photos by Gurudas, Srila Prabhupada
Today we are posting some of the very famous photographs taken by me dear friend and senior God brother Gurudas Prabhu. Gurudas was well known for his photography and he traveled around the world with Srila Prabhupada taking pictures and writting. We share some of them with you here today.

The Importance of Srila Prabhupada’s Books
15 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's Books Tags: A. c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, books by prabhupada, books by Srila Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, self realization, Spiritual Life, spiritual master, transcendental knowledge
This is a very nice compilation of quotes by Srila Prabhupada on the importance of reading his books.
The Importance of Prabhupada’s Books
Quotes compiled by Padmapani dasa
“Thank you for reading my books and appreciating them. Please continue to do so. That will help you advance nicely in spiritual life. By reading my books and chanting Hare Krishna, your life will become perfect.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 14, 1975)
“Sometimes I become surprised how I have written this. Although I am the writer, still sometimes I am surprised how these things have come. Such vivid description. Where is such literature throughout the whole world? It is all Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. Every line is perfect.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, June 28, 1977)
Senapati Bhakta Srila Prabhupada
12 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Senapati Bhakta, Sri Nandanandana das, Srila Prabhupada, Stephen Knapp, The Hare Krishna Movement
Today as we are celebrating the appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu we are further reminded of the great senapati bhakta Srila Prabhupada who Lord Caitanya foretold would take the sankirtana movement everywhere.
…Lord Caitanya foretold the coming of an empowered devotee who would take the sankirtana process everywhere: “I want to flood the whole world with the chanting of the holy names. I will personally preach and flood India with harinama sankirtana, chanting of the holy names. And My senapati bhakta (great devotee commander) will come, preach in different countries and flood the world with the chanting of Hare Krishna.” This means that, though Sri Caitanya came to establish and spread the process of congregational chanting of Krishna’s names in India, there would be one great devotee who would appear and spread it throughout the world.
Today we honor not only Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu but his empowered devotee as well with this nice biography written by Stephen Knapp (Sri Nandananda dasa).
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
by Stephen Knapp (Sri Nandanandana dasa)
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana, in a conversation with Ganga Devi, Lord Krishna describes that after 5,000 years of Kali-yuga have passed, His mantra upasaka, the great sage and worshiper of Krishna’s holy names, will appear and spread the chanting of Krishna’s names (in the form of the Hare Krishna mantra) not only in India but throughout the world. Lord Krishna explains that by the chanting of His holy names the world will become spiritualized and everyone will be hari-bhaktas, engaged in the process of devotion to the Supreme. The purified devotees will visit the holy places and holy rivers of India and will purify them. They will also purify those with whom they come in contact. Thus, Sri Krishna predicted the appearance of a powerful devotee who would spread the chanting of His names worldwide.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
12 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Chanting Hare Krishna, Gaura Purnima, Gauranga, Stephen Knapp Tags: appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, biography of Sri Caitanya, Gaura Purnima, gauracanda, nima tree, nimi tree, sankirtana movement started by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada, Stephen Knapp
click on image to enlarge
Today marks the appearance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu otherwise known as Gaura Purnima. We will honor it today with a fast till moonrise followed by a feast. The following post is a beautiful biography on Lord Caitanya, written by Stephen Knapp.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
by Stephen Knapp
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu [pronounced Chaitanya] (February 27,1486 to 1534 A.D.) was born in Navadvipa, Bengal, on a full moon night during a lunar eclipse. It is typical for people to bathe in the Ganges during an eclipse and chant the Lord’s holy names for spiritual purification. So, everyone in the area was chanting the holy names when He was born. His parents, Jagannatha Misra and Sachidevi, gave Him the name of Vishvambhara, meaning the support of the universe, because astrologers had predicted His super human qualities and that He would deliver the people of the world. He was also nicknamed Nimai because He had been born under a nima tree.
The Disciplic Succession
04 Mar 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caaitanya-caritamrta, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Chanting Hare Krishna, Disciplic succession Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, awakened, chanting Hare Krishna, chanting of the holy name, disciplic succession, ecstatic love of God, Hari, Krsna, Madhya17.47, Madhya17.48-49, purified, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada, vaisnava devotee
click on image to enlarge
When someone heard the chanting of the holy name from the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and someone else heard this chanting from that second person, and someone again heard this chanting from the third person, everyone in all countries became a Vaiṣṇava through such disciplic succession. Thus everyone chanted the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and Hari, and they danced, cried and smiled. (Madhya-lila 17. 48-49)
The transcendental power or potency of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is herein explained. First, the holy name is vibrated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When someone hears from Him directly, he is purified. When another person hears from that person, he also is purified. In this way the purification process is advanced among pure devotees. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no one can claim His potency. Nonetheless, if one is a pure devotee, hundreds and thousands of men can be purified by his vibration. This potency is within every living being, provided he chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra offenselessly and without material motives. When a pure devotee chants offenselessly, another person will become a Vaiṣṇava, and from him another Vaiṣṇava will emerge. This is the paramparā system. (Purport)
Siva Ratri
25 Feb 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Shiva, Siva Ratri Tags: A. c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, festival in Hinduism, god Shiva, Maha Shivaratri, overcoming darkness and ignorance, Shivaratri, siva ratai, Srila Prabhupada, the great night of shiva, yoga, yogi
Today marks the annual festival of Shiva Ratri , in honor of the God Shiva. Although as Vaisnavas or as Krishna bhaktas, we do not participate in the many Hindu festivals, still we honor Lord Shiva as being the greatest yogi (SB. 2.8.20) and as the greatest devotee (SB. 4.24.18). Both Text and purports by Srila Prabhupada follow.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. There is a Shivaratri in every luni-solar month of the Hindu calendar, on the month’s 13th night/14th day, but once a year in late winter (February/March, or Phalguna) and before the arrival of spring, marks Maha Shivaratri which means “the Great Night of Shiva”.
It is a major festival in Hinduism, but one that is solemn and marks a remembrance of “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in life and the world. It is observed by remembering Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga, and meditating on ethics and virtues such as self-restraint, honesty, noninjury to others, forgiveness, and the discovery of Shiva. The ardent devotees keep awake all night. Others visit one of the Shiva temples or go on pilgrimage to Jyotirlingams. This is an ancient Hindu festival whose origin date is unknown. (text pasted from; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri)
The Glories of Lord Nityānanda Balarāma
08 Feb 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caaitanya-caritamrta, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Tags: A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Adi Lila Chapter 5, Adi5.1, appearance dau of Lord Nityananda, Lord Balarama, Lord Sri Nityananda, Nityananda Balarama, Sri Caitany-caritamrta, Supreme Personality of Godhead
click on image to enlarge
Today we celebrate the Appearance of Lord Nityananda with a few select verses from the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi Lila Chapter 5, entitled “The Glories of Lord Nityananda Balarama”.
“Let me offer my obeisances to Lord Śrī Nityānanda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose opulence is wonderful and unlimited. By His will, even a fool can understand His identity.” (Adi 5.1)
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balarāma is His second body.” (Adi 5.4)
“That original Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared in Navadvīpa as Lord Caitanya, and Balarāma appeared with Him as Lord Nityānanda.” (Adi 5.6)
Happening Album, 1966
23 Jan 2017 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting, Chanting Hare Krishna, Maha-mantra, Music Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, chanting of Hare Krishna, Happening Album, illusion is called maya, illusory struggle, Krishna consciousness, material nature, stringent laws of material nature, struggle for existence, transcendental plane
click on image to enlarge
Hare Krishna Address
Click Here to listen to Srila Prabhupada’s address in mp3 format
As explained on the cover of the record album, this transcendental vibration — by chanting of Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare — is the sublime method for reviving our Krishna consciousness. As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krishna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter since time immemorial, our consciousness is now polluted by material atmosphere. In this polluted concept of life, we are all trying to exploit the resources of material nature, but actually we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities.
This illusion is called Maya, or hard struggle for existence over the stringent laws of material nature. This illusory struggle against the material nature can at once be stopped by revival of our Krishna consciousness.






























