14 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in 108 Bhagavad-gita slokas, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 Edition, Slokas, Uncategorized
Tags: 1972 Edition, A.C. Bhaktivedanta, Arjuna, bagavad-gita slokas, Bhagavad-gita, Krishna, slokas
I am sure that many of you have your favorite Bhagavad-gita slokas, and I was thinking about it this morning. I was trying to recall my top 8 slokas, (which is hard to select only 8). But I have listed them below, in no particular order.
For the list the 108 most important Bhagavad-gita slokas click on following link: 1972 Bhagavad-gita
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.
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12 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita As It Is 1972 Edition, spiritual sky, Spiritual World, Uncategorized
Tags: God, Krishna, krsna consciousness, material world, religion, Spiritual World, spirituality
I was thinking about it this morning, how in the Material world everything is temporary and limited, whereas is the Spiritual world everything is eternal and unlimited. For instance:
…In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is said that when Kṛṣṇa comes before Rādhārāṇī, She becomes so much engladdened by seeing the beauty of Kṛṣṇa that She becomes more beautiful, and as soon as Rādhārāṇī becomes beautiful, Kṛṣṇa becomes engladdened and He becomes more beautiful. So unlimitedly there is competition of becoming more beautiful. That is the state. Competition. Because in the spiritual world everything is unlimited. So unlimitedly both of them becoming more beautiful and both of them enjoying unlimitedly. ((Lecture on SB 1.2.8 New Vrindaban, September 6, 1972)
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11 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta, faith, God, Krishna Consciousness, Lord Caitanya, spirituality, Srila Prabhupada, the-special-kindness-of-lord-caitanya
Yesterday was the Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda, but this morning I was still thinking about some of His pastimes. One was the story of the deliverance of Jagai and Madhai. Nityananda Prabhu reminded Lord Caitanya of His mission to deliver the hopelessly fallen souls of the age, of whom Jagai and Madhai were typical examples. Ninety-nine percent of the population of the age resemble these brothers, despite high birth and apparent respectability. We also include the story of the Lord Caitanya “Inspiring the Jungle Animals” to chant the holy names of the Lord.
The Special Kindness of Lord Caitanya
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of the Supreme Lord, appeared in India in the fifteenth century. His mission was to freely distribute pure love of God to everyone without considering who was qualified or unqualified. He predicted that the whole world would one day hear the chanting of the Lord’s holy names. The first of the following two narratives is excerpted from Srila Prabhupada’s introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam. The second taken from his English translation of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, an extensive account of Lord Caitanya’s life and teachings.
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10 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caaitanya-caritamrta, Uncategorized
Tags: appearance day of Lord Nityananda, Bible, God, Krishna, Lord Nityananda, Nityananda, Srila Prabhupada
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)
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Ādi-līlā, Chapter 5, Text 1-12
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08 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: bhaktivinoda, Govinda, India, Krishna, Krsna, songs-of-the-vaisnava-acarys, spirituality, Srila Bhaktivinoda, yosomati-nandana
This is such a beautiful song, it is a meditation in itself.
Krishna is very pleased when we call on Him by His Names, which are associated with His devotees, qualities and pastimes. This song by Bhaktivinoda Thakura is composed of the Nanes of Krsna in different aspects. (from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas)
Śrī Nāma-kīrtana
Chanting of the Holy Names
by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
full song with synonyms and translations
yaśomatī-nandana, braja-baro-nāgara,
gokula-rañjana kāna
gopī-parāṇa-dhana, madana-manohara,
kāliya-damana-vidhāna
yaśomatī-nandana–Lord Kṛṣṇa is the beloved son of mother Yaśodā; vraja-vara-nāgara–most beloved of the inhabitants of Vraja; gokularañjana–the attractor of the people of Gokula; kāna–(an intimate nickname); gopī-parāṇa-dhana–the wealth of the lives of the gopīs; madana-manohara–who can attract even the mind of Cupid; kāliyadamana-vidhāna–the chastiser of the Kāliya serpent.
Lord Kṛṣṇa is the beloved son of mother Yaśodā; the transcendental lover in the land of Vraja; the delight of Gokula; Kāna [a nickname of Kṛṣṇa]; the wealth of the lives of the gopīs. He steals the mind of even Cupid and punishes the Kāliya serpent.
amala harinām amiya-vilāsā
vipina-purandara, navīna nāgara-bora,
baṁśī-badana suvāsā
amala harinām–these pure holy names; amiya vilāsā–are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes; vipina-purandara–He is the monarch of the garden groves; navīna nāgara-bora–He is the best of youthful lovers; vaḿśīvadana–He is seen with His flute placed to His lips; suvāsā–He is an excellent dresser.
These pure, holy names of Lord Hari are full of sweet, nectarean pastimes. Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of the twelve forests of Vraja, He is ever-youthful and is the best of lovers. He is always playing on a flute, and He is an excellent dresser.
braja-jana-pālana, asura-kula-nāśana
nanda-godhana-rākhowālā
govinda mādhava, navanīta-taskara,
sundara nanda-gopālā
braja-jana-pālana–the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; asura-kula-nāśana–the destroyer of demonic dynasties; nanda-godhana-rākhaoyālā– the keeper of Nanda Mahārāja’s valuable cows; govinda–the giver of pleasure to the cows; mādhava–the husband of the goddess of fortune; navanīta-taskara–the butter thief; sundara nanda-gopālā–the beautiful cowherd son of Nanda Mahārāja.
Kṛṣṇa is the protector of the inhabitants of Vraja; the destroyer of various demoniac dynasties; the keeper and tender of Nanda Mahārāja’s cows; the giver of pleasure to the cows, land, and spiritual senses; the husband of the goddess of fortune; the butter thief; and the beautiful cowherd boy of Nanda Mahārāja.
yāmuna-taṭa-cara, gopī-basana-hara,
rāsa-rasika, kṛpāmoya
śrī-rādhā-vallabha, bṛndābana-naṭabara,
bhakativinod-āśraya
yāmuna-taṭa-cara–He wanders along the banks of the river Yamunā; gopī-vasana-hara–He steals the garments of the gopīs; rāsa-rasika–He delights in the mellows of the rāsa dance; kṛpāmoya–He is very merciful; śrī-rādhā-vallabha–the most beloved of Srīmatī Rādhāraṇī vṛndāvananaṭabara–the great dancer of Vṛndāvana; bhakativinod-āśraya–the shelter of Bhaktivinoda
Kṛṣṇa wanders along the banks of the River Yamunā. He stole the garments of the young damsels of Vraja who were bathing there. He delights in the mellows of the rāsa dance; He is very merciful; the lover and beloved of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; the great dancer of Vṛndāvana; and the shelter and only refuge of Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda.
Full Song Broken Down
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06 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanchalapati das, Devotee's, Disciplic succession, Guru & Disciple, guru-tattva, Uncategorized
Tags: Bhagavad-gita, disciplic succession, evam-parampara, hinduism, India, iskcon-banglore, Krishna, madhvacarya, spirituality
So today we recognize the Disappearance day of Madhvacarya, who is in our line of Disciplic Succession dating back to Krsna. His philosophy and writings have distinguished him as one of India’s greatest spiritual teachers. He is the Acarya of the Madhva Sampradaya. So this following post by Chanchalapathi Prabhu is very timely.
“Srila Prabhupada is the Deliverer of all ISKCON Devotees”
By Chanchalapathi Dasa -ISKCON Bangalore
Recently I had the opportunity of interacting with a few scholars of Madhva sampradaya in Bangalore and Udupi. One of them was an elderly Sanskrit scholar, a seventy year old retired university professor, a respected teacher and follower of Madhva philosophy in Bangalore.
The discussion with him led to the subject of the theological differences between ISKCON Bangalore and ISKCON Mumbai.
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06 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta, bakti-yoga, Devotional Service, India, meditation, mindfulness, spirituality, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, yoga
…The process of meditation recommended in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is not to fix one’s attention on something impersonal or void.
The process of meditation should begin from the lotus feet of the Lord and progress to His smiling face. The meditation should be concentrated upon the lotus feet, then the calves, then the thighs, and in this way higher and higher. The more the mind becomes fixed upon the different parts of the limbs, one after another, the more the intelligence becomes purified. (SB 2.2.13)
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Canto Two, Chapter 2, Text 13-14
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05 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: ac-bhaktivedanta-swami, Evolution, God, heaven or hell, philosophy, science, spirituality, Srimad Bhagavatam, the evolutionary process
Some years back I was reading from one book and the author was explaining how within each of us, we have the Keys to the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven, and we also have the Keys to the gates of Hell. It is our choice at every moment which we choose to use. Evolution can work both ways.
The Evolutionary Process
…All living entities within this material world are undergoing the cycle of birth and death according to the laws of nature. This struggle of birth and death in different species may be called the evolutionary process, but in the Western world it has been wrongly explained. Darwin’s theory of evolution from animal to man is incomplete because the theory does not present the reverse condition, namely evolution from man to animal.
Human life, which is obtained in the course of the evolutionary process, is a chance for elevation (svargāpavarga) or for degradation (tiraścām punar asya ca). If one uses this human form of life properly, he can elevate himself to the higher planetary systems, where material happiness is many thousands of times better than on this planet, or one may cultivate knowledge by which to become free from the evolutionary process and be reinstated in one’s original spiritual life. This is called apavarga, or liberation. (from purport to SB 7.13.25)
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01 Feb 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: ac-bhaktivedanta, Caitanya, hinduism, India, Krishna, spirituality, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Krishna Caitanya, Srila Prabhupada, travel
Sometimes I think if only I could take a picture with my mind, and recall it at any time, this would be one of the images I would like to hold on to. And of course one of Srila Prabhupada as well.
We share with you a song by Narottama Das Thakur entitled “Gaurangera Duti Pada”, with a purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.
Gaurangera Duti Pada
by Narottama Dasa Thakura
” Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Caitanya can understand the true essence of devotional service. If one is captivated by the pleasing pastimes of Lord Caitanya, the dirty things in his heart will all become cleansed.“
…Gauranga refers to Lord Caitanya, who has a fair complexion. One who has a fair complexion is called gaura, and since Lord Caitanya was very fair, just like molten gold, He was also named Gaurasundara. Narottama dasa Thakura says, gaurangera duti pada, jar dhana-sampada, se jane bhakati-rasa-sar. Anyone who has accepted the two lotus feet of Lord Caitanya can understand the true essence of devotional service. Devotional service is very difficult. It cannot be understood by any ordinary man. As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, out of many thousands of persons who are trying to achieve the perfection of human life, only some actually become perfect and realize the self. And out of many thousands of such self-realized persons, only one can understand Krsna. Without understanding Krsna, how can one engage himself in the service of Krsna? Therefore, the devotional service of Krsna is not an ordinary thing. But fortunately, if one follows in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya (gaurangera duti pada) by following the path shown by Lord Caitanya-the process of simply chanting Hare Krsna-he can very easily understand what devotional service is. (from purport to the song “Gaurangera Duti Pada”)
Full song with Bengali Lyrics, English translation, and purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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31 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Faith, Spriritual Master, Srila Prabhupada, Uncategorized
Last night I was having a discussion with a fellow vaisnava, and the following, important sloka, came up in the course of our conversation. I was reminded of a story that once Gurukrpa Swami asked Srila Prabhupada what was the most important sloka in our literature, and Srila Prabhupada responded:
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.” (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23)
I wanted to see how many times Srila Prabhupada used this sloka in his books and lectures so I went to Vani Quotes and did a search. It appears that this verse was used in:
Bhagavad-gita; 2 times
Srimad Bhagavatam; 11 times
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta; 12 times
Lectures; 43 times
Letters; 7 times
Morning Walks and Conversations; 22 times
Other books; twice
We share with you some of the the results of the Vani Quotes Research team, and thank Visnu Murti and Mayapur prabhu’s efforts.
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30 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Maha-mantra
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, India, Krishna, Krsna, krsna consciousness, spirituality, Srila Prabhupada
I remember years ago when I was just a young new devotee, and we were asked to go out and distribute books, we were asked so many questions by people we met. One question I will never forget; “What does the mantra mean?” How to explain this to someone who has never heard of Krishna? So I replied; “O Lord please engage me in Your loving devotional service”. Even as a new devotee I knew there was more I could have said, but I left it at that.
But that basic question always stayed with me.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Another definition I discovered is;
Hare– Srimati Radharini (the divine energy of the Lord)
Krishna– The All Attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead
Rama– Name of Lord Krishna who is the reservoir of pleasure. (as in Radha-Ramana, the giver of pleasure to Srimati Radharani) The name Rama also means Lord Ramacandra, and Lord Balarama.
But for me, I like this verse I discovered in my reading;
“O Srimati Radharani, O All Attractive Reservoir of Pleasure, Lord Sri Krishna, please engage me in your loving devotional service”
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26 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krsna Consciousness
Tags: India, Krishna, mercy of the Lord, spiritual master, spirituality, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, the-lords-mercy, travel
Of late, there are some devotees I know, who are having difficulties in life; health issues, impoverishment, depression, etc. Sometimes I am asked for advice or support. I generally don’t like to give advice, as I consider myself fallen by nature. But thinking along these lines of ‘advice and support’ I did a search in Srila Prabhupada’s books to see how a devotee of the Lord deals with suffering. I have posted a couple of nice verses that deal with the Lords Mercy.
The mountains, although being struck by torrents of rain during the rainy season, are not shaken, just as those whose hearts are dedicated to the transcendental Personality of Godhead are never disturbed, even when harassed by great misfortune. (Light of the Bhagavata 12)
Because a person who is spiritually advanced accepts any adverse condition of life as the mercy of the Lord, he is completely eligible to enter into the spiritual kingdom. Even though a person takes to the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, he may sometimes become diseased, impoverished, or disappointed by life’s events. A true devotee of the Lord always considers these sufferings to be due to past sinful activities, and thus without becoming disturbed he patiently awaits the mercy of the Supreme Lord. Such devotees are compared to high mountains, which are never agitated in any way, even when struck by powerful torrents of rain in the rainy season. Rather, such devotees remain humble in spiritual enlightenment. Free from pride and envy, they easily gain the mercy of the Lord and go back home, back to Godhead.
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26 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: faith, God, human life, Jesus, Krishna Consciousness, philosophy, Prahlada Maharaja, Pralada, spirituality, Srila Prabhupada lecture
The Dearmost Person
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 7, Chapter 6, 1968
Today I shall speak to you of the history of a boy devotee named Prahlāda Mahārāja. He was born in a family that was stubbornly atheistic. There are two kinds of men in this world: the demons and the demigods. What is the difference between them? The main difference is that the demigods, or godly persons, are devoted to the Supreme Lord, whereas the demons are atheistic. They do not believe in God because they are materialists. These two classes of men always exist in this world. At the present moment, due to the Age of Kali (Age of Quarrel), the number of demons has increased, but the classification has existed since the beginning of creation. The incident I am narrating to you occurred very, very long ago, a few million years after the time of creation.
Prahlāda Mahārāja was the son of the most atheistic person and the most materially powerful as well. Because the society was materialistic, this boy had no opportunity to glorify the Supreme Lord. The characteristic of a great soul is that he is very eager to broadcast glorification of the Supreme Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, for example, was very eager to broadcast the glorification of God, but demoniac people misunderstood him and crucified him.
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25 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Pure Devotee, Ramananda Raya, Uncategorized
Tags: ac-bhaktivedanta, Caitanya, Caitanya Caritamrta, Krishna, Krsna, Radha, Ramananda Raya, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srimati Radharani
click on image to enlarge
This picture hangs in our temple room, not only is this one of my most favorite pictures from the Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, but this is one of the most nectarian chapters as well. I always marvel at how fortunate this Ramananda Raya is.
After embracing Rāmānanda Rāya, the Lord pacified him, informing him, “But for you, no one has ever seen this form.”
In the Bhagavad-gītā (7.25) Lord Kṛṣṇa states:
nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya
yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ
mūḍho ’yaṁ nābhijānāti
loko mām ajam avyayam
“I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency [yogamāyā], and so they do not know Me, who am unborn and infallible.”
The Lord always reserves the right of not being exposed to everyone. The devotees, however, are always engaged in the service of the Lord, serving with the tongue by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and tasting mahā-prasāda. Gradually the sincere devotee pleases the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the Supreme Lord reveals Himself. One cannot see the Supreme Lord by making personal efforts. Rather, when the Lord is pleased by the service of a devotee, He reveals Himself.
This is a continuation from our previous post Drops of Nectar, and includes texts 279-289 from chapter eight of the Madhya-lila entitled “Talks Between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Rāmānanda Rāya”.
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all pleasure, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the personification of ecstatic love of Godhead. These two forms has combined as one in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This being the case, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu revealed His real form to Rāmānanda Rāya.
Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta 1975 Edition
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Madhya-līlā, Chapter 8, Text 279-289
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23 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Lord Nrsimhadeva, Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, Sri Nrsimha Pranama
There are so many nice pictures of Lord Nrsmha and Prahlada Maharaja, but this is my favorite. The following is the song that is sung daily in all the ISKCON temples. I like to sing it as well, here at home.
Śrī Nṛsiṁha Praṇāma
Translation from the Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas 1972 Edition
namas te narasiḿhāya prahlādāhlāda-dāyine
hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-śilā-ṭańka-nakhālaye
ito nṛsiḿhaḥ parato nṛsiḿho yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiḿhaḥ
bahir nṛsiḿho hṛdaye nṛsiḿho nṛsiḿham ādiḿ śaraṇaḿ prapadye
“I offer my obeisances to Lord Nṛsiṁha -deva, who is always giving bliss to His devotees like Prahlada Maharaja and chiseling at the hearts of demons like Hiraṇyakaśipu. The devotee always sees Lord Nṛsiṁha everywhere. Lord Nṛsiṁha is within and without. Therefore let us take shelter of Lord Nrsimha.”
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-śṛṅgaṁ
dalita-hiraṇyakaśipu-tanu-bhṛṅgam
keśava dhṛta-narahari-rūpa jaya jagadīśa hare
“O my lord Nṛsiṁha-deva, Your hands are very beautiful, like the lotus flower, but with Your longs nails You have ripped apart the wasp Hiraṇyakaśipu. Unto You, Lord of the Universe, I offer my humble obeisances.” (Prayers to Lord Nṛsiṁha from Dasavatara by Jayadeva Gosvami)
Purport
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21 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Devotional Service, Teachings of Lord Kapila
Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bhagavad-gita, chanting Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krsna, krsna consciousness, spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
This morning I was reading from the “Nectar of Devotion”, about devotional service. Srila Prabhupada was explaining the nine processes of performing devotional service and referenced the “Teachings of Lord Kapila”, which was a book I have not read for such a long time, so I thought I would share a chapter with you today. And also this very important verse from the Srimad Bhagavtam.
śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ
smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam
arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ
sakhyam ātma-nivedanam
[SB 7.5.23]
“Hearing, chanting and remembering the holy name, form, pastimes, qualities and entourage of the Lord, offering service according to the time, place and performer, worshiping the Deity, offering prayers, always considering oneself the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, making friends with Him and dedicating everything unto Him—these are the nine processes of devotional service.” (Bhāg. 7.5.23)
There are nine basic processes of devotional service—hearing and chanting about the Supreme Lord, remembering Him, serving His lotus feet, worshiping Him, offering prayers to the Lord, acting as His servant, becoming His friend, and surrendering everything to Him. The beginning is śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam, hearing and chanting. One must be very eager to hear and chant.
Teachings of Lord Kapila, the Son of Devahūti
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Chapter Three, Text 3
Full chapter
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20 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Uncategorized
Tags: Bhagavad-gita, cooking-vegetarian, India, Krishna, Krishna prasadam, spiritual food, spirituality, vegetarian, vegetarian-food
One very important and enjoyable activity we can practice, is cooking and offering foodstuffs to Lord Krishna. The following are some instructions on cleanliness, ingredients, and prayers for offering. This is a nice way to practice Krishna Consciousness at home.
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.”
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.”
We can offer Krishna foods prepared from milk products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. Meat, fish and eggs are not offerable. And a few vegetarian items are also forbidden— garlic and onions, for example, which are in the mode of darkness. (Hing, or asafoetida, is a tasty substitute for them in cooking.) Nor can you offer Krishna coffee or tea.
In preparing food, cleanliness is the most important principle. Nothing impure should be offered to God, so keep your kitchen very clean. Always wash your hands thoroughly before entering the kitchen. While preparing food, do not taste it, for you are cooking the meal not for yourself but for the plea¬sure of Krishna. Arrange positions of the food on dinnerware kept especially for this purpose; no one but the Lord should eat from these dishes. The easiest way to offer food is simply to pray, “My dear Lord Krishna, please accept this food,” and to chant each of the following prayers three times while ringing a bell.
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18 Jan 2025
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in Prayers to the Six Goswamis, Six Goswamis
Tags: chanting Hare Krishna, gopal-batta-goswami, India, jva-goswami, Krishna, krsna consciousness, raganath-das-goswami, raghanatha-batta-goswami, religion, Rupa Goswami, Sanatan Goswami, six goswami's, spirituality, Srinivasa Acarya
This is probably one of my most favorite songs from the “Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas” songbook. I try to sing it every day as part of my morning program. And I like to recite the English as well.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvāmīs, who were chanting very loudly everywhere in Vṛndāvana, shouting, “Queen of Vṛndāvana, Rādhārāṇī! O Lalita! O son of Nanda Mahārāja! Where are you all now? Are you just on the hill of Govardhana, or are you under the trees on the bank of the Yamunā? Where are you?” These were their moods in executing Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Śrī Śrī Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka
Eight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis
by Śrīnivāsa Ācārya
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