Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 1972 Edition
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Chapter Thirteen
Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness
Nature, the Enjoyer, and Consciousness
10 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and Consciousness, Arjuna, Bg 13, knowledge, Krishna, ksetra, ksetrajna, nature, O son of Kunti, parkrtim purusam caiva, prabhupada gita, prakrti, Purusa, the Enjoyer
The Mahā-mantra
09 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Maha-mantra, Mantra Meditation, Nectar of Devotion Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Krsna, Hare Rama, heavenly happiness, liberation, Maha Mantra, mantra meditation, Nectar of Devotion, singing the flories of the Lord
This morning I was reading from the Nectar of Devotion the chapter entitled “The Mahā-mantra”. We have posted the entire chapter as well as some other related quotes from the Nectar of Devotion on the Maha-mantra.
In the Padma Purāṇa there is a statement: “For any person who is chanting the holy name either softly or loudly, the paths to liberation and even heavenly happiness are at once open.”
When a mantra or hymn is chanted softly and slowly, that is called japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly, is called kīrtana. For example, the mahā-mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare) when uttered very softly only for one’s own hearing is called japa. The same mantra, when chanted loudly for being heard by all others, is called kīrtana. The mahā-mantra can be used for japa and kīrtana also. When japa is practiced it is for the personal benefit of the chanter, but when kīrtana is performed it is for the benefit of all others who may hear.
In the Liṅga Purāṇa there is a statement about glorifying and singing about the Lord. It is said there: “A brāhmaṇa who is constantly engaged in singing the glories of the Lord is surely elevated to the same planet as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Kṛṣṇa appreciates this singing even more than the prayers offered by Lord Śiva.”
In the Viṣṇu-dharma there is a statement glorifying this process of congregational chanting: “My dear King, this word ‘Kṛṣṇa’ is so auspicious that anyone who chants this holy name immediately gets rid of the resultant actions of sinful activities from many, many births.” That is a fact. There is the following statement in Caitanya-caritāmṛta: “A person who chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa once can counteract the resultant actions of more sinful activities than he is able to perform.” A sinful man can perform many, many sinful activities, but he is unable to perform so many that they cannot be wiped out by one single uttering of “Kṛṣṇa.”
“Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.”
In the Padma Purāṇa also it is stated: “The chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is present only on the lips of a person who has for many births worshiped Vāsudeva.” It is further said in the Padma Purāṇa, “There is no difference between the holy name of the Lord and the Lord Himself. As such, the holy name is as perfect as the Lord Himself in fullness, purity and eternity. The holy name is no material sound vibration, nor has it any material contamination.”
Full Chapter More
Krishna is All Attractive
08 Aug 2013 2 Comments
in Krishna, Krishna Consciousness, Krsna-katha Tags: Govinda, He is playing on His flute, Kesi-ghat, Krishna, Krsna
“My dear friend, there is one boy—His name is Govinda. He is standing on the bank of the Yamuna near the Kesi-ghat, and He is playing on His flute. He is so beautiful, especially during this full-moon night. If you have any intentions to enjoy in this material world with your children, husband, or other family members, then please do not go there.”
Our Real Position
05 Aug 2013 1 Comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Spiritual Life Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, as it is, Bg 4.9, bhagavad-gita, cintamani-prakara-sadmasu, dancing and playing with Krsna, Krsna, material world, our real position, Prabhupada Lecture, prabhupada vani, that is Vrindavan, Vrindavan picture
Recently I celebrated another Birthday, and on one card there was this nice inscription; “we are meant for dancing and playing and walking and living with Krsna. That is our real position. That is Vrndavana.” So beautiful was this statement from one of Srila Prabhupada’s lectures, that I looked it up in Prabhupada Vani to read the entire lecture (you can click on underlined link).
…we are meant for dancing and playing and walking and living with Krsna. That is our real position. That is the Vrndavana. Everyone… Everyone is connected with Krsna. … the trees, the flowers, water, the cows, the calves, the cowherd boys, the elderly cowherd men, Nanda Maharaja, Yasodamayi, the gopis. Krsna comes with full Vrndavana picture, and He demonstrates His Vrndavana life, cintamani-prakara-sadmasu, just to attract us, that “You are trying to enjoy in this material world, but here you cannot enjoy because you are eternal. You cannot get eternal life here. So you come to Me. You come to Me.” Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. (Lecture given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, 21 Feb 76, Mayapura)
Full text and purport to Bg. 4.9 More
Faith in the Words of the Spiritual Master
02 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caaitanya-caritamrta, Chanting Hare Krishna, Spiritual Master Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, faith in the lord, guru, holy name, instructions of the spiritual master, spiritual master, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Vedic knowledge, yasya deve para bhaktir
This is another nice verse from the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, on the importance of following strictly the instructions of the spiritual master, and thereby receiving his blessings and mercy. Allowing us to taste the nectar of the Holy Name.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta 1975
By His Diine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Adi-lila 7. Texts 95-96
ei tāṅra vākye āmi dṛḍha viśvāsa dhari’
nirantara kṛṣṇa-nāma saṅkīrtana kari
sei kṛṣṇa-nāma kabhu gāoyāya, nācāya
gāhi, nāci nāhi āmi āpana-icchāya
ei—this; tāṅra—his (My spiritual master’s); vākye—in the words of; āmi—I; dṛḍha—firm; viśvāsa—faith; dhari’-depend; nirantara—always; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; saṅkīrtana—chanting; kari—continue; sei—that; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; kabhu—sometimes; gāoyāya—causes Me to chant; nācāya—causes Me to dance; gāhi—by chanting; nāci—dancing; nāhi—not; āmi—Myself; āpana—own; icchāya—will.
TRANSLATION
“I firmly believe in these words of My spiritual master, and therefore I always chant the holy name of the Lord, alone and in the association of devotees. That holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa sometimes causes Me to chant and dance, and therefore I chant and dance. Please do not think that I intentionally do it. I do it automatically.
PURPORT
A person who cannot keep his faith in the words of his spiritual master but acts independently never receives the authority to chant the holy name of the Lord. It is said in the Vedas (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23):
yasya deve parā bhaktir
yathā deve tathā gurau
tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ
prakāśante mahātmanaḥ
“Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.”
This Vedic injunction is very important, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu supported it by His personal behavior. Believing in the words of His spiritual master, He introduced the saṅkīrtana movement, just as the present Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was started with belief in the words of our spiritual master. He wanted to preach, we believed in his words and tried somehow or other to fulfill them, and now this movement has become successful all over the world. Therefore faith in the words of the spiritual master and in the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the secret of success. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu never disobeyed the orders of His spiritual master and stopped propagating the saṅkīrtana movement.
Singing, Dancing and Chanting the Lord’s Holy Name
01 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caaitanya-caritamrta, Sankirtan, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Adi-lila 2.2, celestial kingdom, chanting Hare Krishna, dancing, Ganges, Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, krsna consciousness, Lord Caitanya, lotus flowers, materialistic persons, pastimes of Lord Krsna, singing, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
…Lord Caitanya’s movement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is full of dancing and singing about the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. It is compared herein to the pure waters of the Ganges, which are full of lotus flowers. The enjoyers of these lotus flowers are the pure devotees, who are like bees and swans. They chant like the flowing of the Ganges, the river of the celestial kingdom. The author desires such sweetly flowing waves to cover his tongue. He humbly compares himself to materialistic persons who always engage in dry talk from which they derive no satisfaction. If they were to use their dry tongues to chant the holy name of the Lord-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare-as exemplified by Lord Caitanya, they would taste sweet nectar and enjoy life. (from purport to Adi 2.2)
Full Text and Purport More
Matchless Gifts
30 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, ISKCON, Krishna Consciousness, Lectures, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita lecture, bhagavata, Book Bhagavata, Hare Krishna Movement, hear from Me, Iskcon incorporated, Krishna Conscious, Krsna consciousness movement, me srnu, men and aquatics, person Bhagavata, realized soul, seed giving father, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada lecture, tat samasena me srnu
In honor of the auspicious anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s incorporation of ISKCON New York, in 1966, we post the following Lecture which has some very fundamental explanations of why this movement was founded.
…So these centers are being opened just to give the opportunity to the people who are suffering not only in this life, life after life.
ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija
(CC Madhya 19.151)
…Following in the footsteps of Nārada Muni, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is rendering service to humanity by giving everyone a chance to come in contact with Kṛṣṇa. If one is fortunate, he becomes intimately related with this movement. Then, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, one’s life becomes successful. Everyone has dormant kṛṣṇa-bhakti—love for Kṛṣṇa—and in the association of good devotees, that love is revealed. As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (CC Madhya 22.107):
nitya-siddha-kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya
Dormant devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is within everyone. Simply by associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, dormant love for Kṛṣṇa is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja (CC Madhya 19.151).
So it is our duty, we have taken this duty on behalf of Krsna. Krsna personally comes to teach. Just like He left His Srimad-Bhagavatam. Then He entrusts His devotees to explain to the people in general. We are attempting to do that. We have not manufactured anything or we have got anything of our own. The asset and the property is there. We are simply distributing as peon. That’s all.
And we have no difficulty. If we simply present Bhagavad-gita, the instruction of Krsna, as it is, then our duty finished. We haven’t got to manufacture anything; neither we have power to manufacture anything. Just like there are so many others. They manufacture new type of ideas, new type of philosphy…, all nonsense. That will not help. Take the real knowledge.
…Just like Krsna says, tat samasena me srnu. Me srnu: “Hear from Me or My representative. Then you will benefit.”
…We should hear from Kṛṣṇa and distribute this knowledge. We have no difficulty. Then those who will hear, they will be benefited and we will be benefited. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
Full Lecture More
ISKCON
30 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya, ISKCON, ISKCON History, Srila Prabhupada Conversations, The Hare Krishna Movement Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya, incorporation of ISKCON, Iskcon, Krishna consciousness, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Sankirtan Movement, Srila Prabhupada, The Hare Krishna Movement, The international Society For Krishna Consciousness, the Village Voice, Tompkins Square Park, your ever well-wisher
Today (July 30th) marks the auspicious anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s incorporation of ISKCON New York, in 1966. We thank Sampradaya Sun for posting this very nice homage in honor of the occasion.
Incorporation of ISKCON New York
July 29, 2013 — CANADA (SUN)
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust
In 1966, Srila Prabhupada began chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra under a tree in New York’s Tompkins Square Park, thereby inaugurating the western advance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s glorious Sankirtana movement. On July 13th, 1966 Srila Prabhupada incorporated ISKCON New York, and in Autumn of 1966 he established the ISKCON Press, which clearly demonstrated his emphasis on the importance of publishing and distributing his authorized books. Since that time, many millions of his books have been distributed throughout the world, translated into many different languages.
“We shall call our society I.S.K.C.O.N.”, Srila Prabhupada said with great pleasure when he first coined the acronym for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. ‘Krishna Consciousness’ was Srila Prabhupada’s rendering of a phrase from Srila Rupa Goswami’s Padyavali:
krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita
“To be absorbed in the mellow taste of executing devotional service to Krsna’.”
“He had initiated the legal work of incorporation that spring, while still living on the Bowery, but even before its legal beginning, he had been talking about his “International Society for Krishna Consciousness”, and so it had appeared in letters to India and in “The Village Voice” (newspaper). A friend had suggested a title that would sound more familiar to Westerners “International society for God Consciousness”. But ‘God’ was a vague term, whereas ‘Krishna’ was exact and scientific; ‘God Consciousness’ was spiritually weaker, less personal. And if Westerners didn’t know or understand that Krishna was God, then the ‘International Society for Krishna Consciousness’ would tell them, by spreading His glories ‘in every town and village’. (“Your Ever Well-wisher”, page 45-47)
Respecting Srila Prabhupada
30 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in Founder-Acarya, Padmapani das, Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, disciple, disciples of Srila Prabhupada, disciplic succession, Founder Acarya, guru, Padmapani das, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada
From time to time I like to visit the web site The Prabhupada Connection just to drink in the nectar. If you haven’t visited this site yet, I recommend that you visit the underlined link above and bookmark it to your favorites.
The site was created by Padmapani Prabhu who is a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, and is well loved by the devotee community. The following is some nectar I found in the Editorial Notes category.
Respecting Srila Prabhupada
by Padmapani dasa
As disciples and followers of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, we all have an eternal debt to Srila Prabhupada for his unprecedented sacrifice in freely distributing the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu all over the world.
The Gopīs’ Feelings of Separation
28 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Ecstasy, KRSNA The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Separation, Sriman George Harrison Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, adi 9.51, be with you, George Harrison, gopis, gopis feelings of separation, Krsna Book, Krsna The Supreme Personality of Godhead, My Sweet Lord, o govinda, see you, show you lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Prabhupada
click on image to enlarge
We were discussing the other night with some friends, that the mood of Lord Caitanya was love in separation, and that this should also be our mood as devotees. George Harrison understood this mood, and in his song “My Sweet Lord” we find in his lyrics:
My sweet Lord
Hmm, my Lord
Hmm, my Lord
I really want to see you
Really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord, but it takes so long, my Lord …
I really want to know you
Really want to go with you
Really want to show you, Lord, that it won’t take long, my Lord …
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Srila Prabhupada has described this very nicely throughout all his writings, and in the Caitanya-caritmrta we find:
“O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from My eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.” This is the perfectional stage of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and eating the fruit of love of Godhead, as exhibited by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. One should not artificially imitate this stage, but if one is serious and sincerely follows the regulative principles and chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, the time will come when these symptoms will appear. Tears will fill his eyes, he will be unable to chant distinctly the mahā-mantra, and his heart will throb in ecstasy. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that one should not imitate this, but a devotee should long for the day to come when such symptoms of trance will automatically appear in his body. (Purport Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi 9.51)
This is all but and introduction to one of the very best, sweetest, chapters in the KRSNA Book “The Gopīs’ Feelings of Separation” which we have posted here in its entirety.
Prasadam; The Lords Mercy
25 Jul 2013 2 Comments
in Practicing Krishna Consciousness at Home, Prasadam, The Hare Krsna Cookbook, Vegetarian Cooking, Vegetarianism Tags: cows and brahmans, extraordinary tastes, Krishna prasadam, Krishna's lips, Lord's mercy, mercy of the Lord, Prasadam, senses become spiritualized, spiritual nectar, spiritualized food, Srila Prabhupada, supreme absolute truth, transcendental qualities, uncommon fragrances, vegetarian
Prasadam
How to Prepare and Offer Food
Food prepared for and offered to Krishna with love and devotion becomes completely spiritualized. Such food is called Krishna prasadam, which means “the mercy of Lord Krishna.”
Lord Caitanya said of prasadam…”now that they have been prepared for Krishna and offered to Him with devotion, these foods have acquired extraordinary tastes and uncommon fragrances. Just taste them and see the difference! Apart from the taste, even the fragrance pleases the mind and makes one forget any other fragrance. Therefore, it should be understood that the spiritual nectar of Krishna’s lips must have touched these ordinary foods and imparted to them all their transcendental qualities.”
Eating only food offered to Krishna is the perfection of vegetarianism. In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna says that unless one eats only food that has been offered to Him in sacrifice, one will suffer the reactions of karma. He also states, “If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I will accept it.”
24/7
24 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Krishna Consciousness, Practicing Krishna Consciousness at Home, Spiritual Life Tags: 18.66, 24/7, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Praphupada, Arjuna, Bg. 18.65, impersonal Brahman vision, Krishna, Krishna consciousness, personal feature of the Lord, simply thinking of Krishna, so simple you can miss it, Spiritual Life, supersoul, transcendentalists
Srila Prabhupada once said that Krishna Consciousness is “So simple you can miss it”. Sometimes we become overwhelmed with so many books, so much instruction, rules and regulations etc.etc. but actually Krishna Consciousness is very simple, and anyone can begin this blissful process by simply thinking of Krishna. As we can see from the following verse and purport from the Bhagavad-gita:
Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend.
…Life should be so molded that one will always have the chance to think of Kṛṣṇa. One should always act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Kṛṣṇa. He should arrange his life in such a way that throughout the twenty-four hours he cannot but think of Kṛṣṇa. And the Lord’s promise is that anyone who is in such pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness will certainly return to the abode of Kṛṣṇa, where he will be engaged in the association of Kṛṣṇa face to face. This most confidential part of knowledge is spoken to Arjuna because he is the dear friend of Kṛṣṇa. Everyone who follows the path of Arjuna can become a dear friend to Kṛṣṇa and obtain the same perfection as Arjuna.
…one should concentrate his mind upon Kṛṣṇa—the very form with two hands carrying a flute, the bluish boy with a beautiful face and peacock feathers in His hair.
….One should be attracted by the beautiful vision of Kṛṣṇa. His name is Kṛṣṇa because He is all-attractive. One who becomes attracted by the beautiful, all-powerful, omnipotent vision of Kṛṣṇa is fortunate.
Full Verse and Purport More
You Become A Lover of God
22 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krsna Consciousness, Lectures Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Christian, govinda adi-purusam, Hindu, Krishna, krsna consciousness, Lecture by Srila Prabhupada, London August 11 1971, love of God, Love of Godhead, lover of God, loving propensity, Muslim, Radha, Radharani, religion, Srimati Radharani
click on image to enlarge
…If you want happiness, then you must learn how to love God. You are trying to love somebody, but you are being frustrated, foiled. Because except God, nobody is loving object. And if you love God, then naturally you love everything because God is everything. The example is that if you pour water on the root of the tree, it goes everywhere—to the twigs, to the leaves, to the flowers, everywhere.
That technique is love of Godhead. If you learn, it doesn’t matter what religion you profess. It is no concern. We do not say that “You become Hindu,” “You become Muslim,” or “Christian.” No. We say that “You become lover of God.” You learn how to love God. Your loving propensity is there, but it is being misplaced. It is placed on dog instead of God; therefore you are unhappy. When your loving propensity will be placed in the proper place, you will be happy. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, love of Godhead. (from Lecture)
Lecture by Srila Prabhupada
London, August 11, 1971
Prabhupāda: I have to speak something? So we are worshiping Rādhā-Mādhava, the lover or enjoyer of Rādhārāṇī. [break] Govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi **
Honey, which is Transcendentally Relished by the Devotees
22 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Honey Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, bee-mind, devotees, honey from the lotus flower, Lord Krsna, lotus, lotus feet of the Lord, lotus flower, lotus honey, Palace of Gold, Prabhupada's Palace, pure devotees, Srimad Bhagavatam
This last week we harvested some of the honey from our bee hives, and as we extracted it I was in awe of its beautiful golden color. After we offered some of it to the Lord, we sampled its taste and it was amazing, not of this world. They must be devotee bees’s gathering the nectar from the lotus flowers and rose gardens at Srila Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, here at New Vrindavan. The taste and texture was other-worldly, and remarkable. So I thought I would take a moment to to find some references on honey from Srila Prabhupada’s Books.
The pure devotees are always hankering after the lotus feet of the Lord. The lotus has a kind of honey which is transcendentally relished by the devotees. They are like the bees who are always after the honey. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, the great devotee ācārya of the Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya, has sung a song about this lotus honey, comparing himself to the bee:
“O my Lord Kṛṣṇa, I beg to offer my prayers unto You. My mind is like the bee, and it is after some honey. Kindly, therefore, give my bee-mind a place at Your lotus feet, which are the resources for all transcendental honey.” (SB 1.11.26)
When the Lord entered the forest of Vṛndāvana, all the inhabitants of the forest, both animate and inanimate, were eager to receive Him. He saw that the flowers of the forest, all fully blossoming, were weeping in ecstasy, honey flowing down their petals. The waterfalls on the hilly rocks were gladly flowing, and one could hear sweet sounds from the caves nearby. (Light of the Bhagavata text 24)
Sri Hamsadutta
20 Jul 2013 1 Comment
in Krishna, Kusakratha das, Rupa Goswami, Sri Hamsadutta, Srimati Radharani Tags: Akrura, ashoka flowers, Autumn, Autumn cloud, autumn evening pastimes, Balarama, bandhuka flower, bimba-fruit lips, bliss, buddha, cuckoo, dadamba flowers, Damodara, garments splendid as gold, Garuda, girimalli gflowers, gokulas's eyes, gopas, gopis, Govinda, jasmine vines, kadamba tree, kaliya lake, Kalki, Kamadeva, kaustubha jewel, king of the swans, Krishna, krishna's feet, kubja, Kurma, lalita, lord hari, Lord Krishna, lotus-faced one, lover of the gopis, madhuvana, manasa-sarovara, Matsya, Mount Kailasa, Mukunda, Nrisimha, peacock feather crown, peacock feathers, pillar arms, Radha, Radharani, Radhika, Ramacandra, rasa dance, rasa-lila, Sakara Mallika, shaphari fishes, shark earrings, silk garments, Srila Rupa Gosvami, swans, tamala tree, tilaka, Tulasi devi, tulasi leaves, Uddhava, Vamana, Varaha, vijayate, Vrindavana, Yamuna
This very beautiful translation of “Sri Hamsadutta” by Srila Rupa Goswami, is the work of His Grace Kusakratha prabhu (ACBSP).
Some of the literature, that Kuskratha Prabhu has translated, is so confidentially elevated that many devotees are not yet ready to grasp it. Nevertheless, these immortal works now stand as a vast body of reference material for the Vaisnava community to consult. Aside from accurately transmitting the words of the acaryas, Kusakratha has also rendered thousands of pages of glorification of Krishna through his personal English poetic composition. Some of these compositions have been published though many have not, as of yet.
More on Kuskratha Prabhu at bottom of post…but this is just a sampling of the Sri Hamsadutta before we post it here in its entirety.
May a certain blissful person in splendid yellow silk garments, the soles of His lotus feet glorious as a host of red roses, His form dark as a tamala tree, and His mouth playfully curved in a gentle smile, appear in my heart. (Text One)
July 9th Letter/May 28th Conversation
19 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Diksha, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, July 9th Letter, Letters by Srila Prabhupada, Siksa, Spiritual Master Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavan dasa Adhikari, Bhavananda Gosvami, Hamsaduta Swami, Harikesa Swami, Hrdayananda Gosvami, Jayapataka Swami, Jayatirtha dasa Adhikari, July 9th Letter, Kirtanananda Swami, May 28th conversation, Ramesvara Swami, Satsvarupa dasa Gosvami, Tamala Krsna Gosvami, to all gbc's and temple presidents
This is the last written instruction we have on initiations. It is a very important letter that all members of ISKCON should be familiar with, regardless of your position. It was adressed to All G.B.C., and Temple Presidents. This is where the first eleven names originated, and how initiations were to be carried out. This letter was based on the equally important May 28th Conversation between the GBC and Srila Prabhupada, as regards to how initiations in the future, will go on, particularly at that time when Srila Prabhupada is no longer with us.
It is essential for devotees to understand that all ISKCON members are first and foremost followers of Srila Prabhupada and that it is by his blessings that we advance in Krishna consciousness. The eternal spiritual master is a resident of Vaikuntha and is our ever well-wisher. It is he who is preparing a place for us in the spiritual world.
Very important history!
The full text is as follows: More
The Guru Issue Continued
19 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Diksha, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva, Parampara System, Quotes by Srila Prabhupada, Rakshana das, Siksa, Vidura das Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bona fide spiritual master, Guru Issue, Initiation, Iskcon, prabhupada, prabhupadanugas, Rakshana das, Sampradaya sun, spiritual master, transparent medium, Vidhura das, Vraja Vilasa
As always in our ISKCON Society, since the departure of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, there is an ongoing discussion, debate, and, or, argument on the guru issue. No doubt finding a qualified spiritual master is of utmost importance as is outlined in Easy Journey to Other Planets:
1. The serious candidate must accept a bona fide spiritual master in order to be trained scientifically. Because the senses are material, it is not at all possible to realize the Transcendence by them. Therefore the senses have to be spiritualized by the prescribed method under the direction of the spiritual master.
2. When the student has chosen a bona fide spiritual master, he must take the proper initiation from him. This marks the beginning of spiritual training.
3. The candidate must be prepared to satisfy the spiritual master in every way. A bona fide spiritual master who is fully cognizant of the methods of spiritual science, learned in the spiritual scriptures such as the Bhagavad-gītā, Vedānta, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Upaniṣads, and who is also a realized soul who has made a tangible connection with the Supreme Lord, is the transparent medium by which the willing candidate is led to the path of the Vaikuṇṭhas. The spiritual master must be satisfied in all respects, because simply by his good wishes a candidate can make wonderful progress along the path.
Recently I have been following on the Sampradaya Sun a slew of posts by Vraja Vilasa Prabhu:
Which were in response to the article by Rakshana Prabhu (which we also posted here):
The Transmission of Transcendental Sound
Followed by his reply:
Surround Sound and the Big Mrdanga
Then of course there was a rebuttal post by Vidura Prabhu in response to Vraja Vilasa Prabhu’s; “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right”, which was not posted on the Sampradaya Sun, but rather by the Prabhupanuga pages and which we (for the sake of disclosure) will post here. This is a very nice assortment of quotes, for instance…
“Krishna and his representative are the same. Similarly, the spiritual master can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body.” (Letter to Malati, 28/5/68)
Ecstasy
17 Jul 2013 2 Comments
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Ecstasy, Krsna Consciousness, Nectar of Devotion, Srimati Radharani, Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Vaisnava Vocabulary Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, amorous pastimes, ecstasy, ecstasy of transcendental love, Krishna, Radha Madana-mohana, Spiritual Life, Srila Prabhupada, Srimati Radharani, supreme ecstasy of srimati radharani
No common man can understand the ecstasy of transcendental love between Radharani and Krsna (from Teachings of Lord Caitanya)
That supreme ecstasy of Srimati Radharani is the essence of spiritual life. Her only business is to fulfill all the desires of Krsna (CC Madhya 8.164, Translation)
This morning as I was doing my morning meditations (japa) I happened to be looking at this beautiful picture of Radha and Krishna. I was very much moved by the picture and was reminded of the following verse…
“Glory to the all-merciful Sri Radha and Madana-Mohana, who are always engaged in amorous pastimes. They are the only shelter of my depraved and crippled self. Their lotus feet are the be-all and end-all of my life” (Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
…and the word that kept coming up in my mind was “Ecstasy”. I could not even begin to understand what Srimati Radharani must be feeling when She looks at Krishna, or what Sri Krishna must be experiencing when He looks into the eyes of Srimati Radharani. It must be Ecstaic Love!
I went to Srila Prabhupada’s “Nectar of Devotion”, to the “Teachings of Lord Caitanya”, and to try to get a better understanding also did a search on the word ‘ecstasy’ in vainquotes. The results of my readings are as follows:
Srimad Bhagavatam Tenth Canto
16 Jul 2013 2 Comments
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Free Downloads, Free eBooks, Srila Prabhupada's Books, Srimad Bhagavatam Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Book Distribution, epic bhagavatam, free books, free pdf download, pdf download, Srimad Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto, The Hare Krishna Movement
One of our readers suggested that we also upload Part One and Part Two of the Tenth Canto as a Free PDF Download, to go with Part Three which we posted the other day. So with great pleasure we post the Free links to read or save the pdf files of Part One and Two of Srila Prabhupada’s Epic Srimad-Bhagavatam.
click on link for free pdf download; SB10.1
click on link for free pdf download; SB10.2
The Meaning of the Hare Krishna Mantra
15 Jul 2013 Leave a comment
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Lectures Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Avatara, chanting Hare Krishna, Hare, Hare Krishna, Krishna, lecture on the maha-mantra, Maha Mantra, mantra, mantra meditation, prabhupada, Prabhupada Lecture, Rama, sound incarnation, Srila Prabhupada, swami, transcendental sound
So this sound, this Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, is the sound representation of the Supreme Lord.
Lecture on Maha-mantra
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Recorded September 8th, 1966, New York
Prabhupada: Now, some of you members have asked me to explain the meaning of this chanting, Hare Krishna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Now, this sound is transcendental sound, transcendental sound, incarnation, sound incarnation of the Absolute Truth. Just try to understand what is incarnation. Incarnation means… The Sanskrit word is avatara, and that is translated into English as “incarnation.” Of course, the root meaning of incarnation I cannot exactly explain to you, but the root meaning of the… (aside:) The root meaning of avatara is “which comes from the transcendental sky, the spiritual sky to the material sky.” That is called avatara. Avatarana. Avatarana. Just like… Avatarana means “coming from up to down.” That is called avatarana. And avatara is understood that when God or His bona fide representative comes from that sky to this material plane, that is called avatara.
The Hare Krishna Movement 