The Hare Krishna Movement

Sriman Madhu Pandit Prabhu

25 May 2011 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Devotee's, Iskcon Bangalore, Madhu Pandit das Tags: Akshaya Patra, Hare Krishna Movement, IIT-Mumbai, ISKCON Bangalore, Madhu Pandit dasa, mid day meals, Trivandrum temple

Sriman Madhu Pandit Prabhu

Madhu Pandit Dasa (former name Madhusudan S) was born in 1956 in Trivandrum, India. As a pre-degree student, he was selected by the National Science Talent search program of the country. He completed his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT-Mumbai in the year 1980. During his days in IIT, he became interested in the books of Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON. While he was doing his M.Tech course in IIT-Mumbai in 1981, he dedicated himself to the service of humanity by becoming a full-time member of ISKCON.

He began to travel all over South India organizing programs to increase the awareness of ISKCON and its mission. Seeing his potential as a leader, he was soon made the President of ISKCON, Trivandrum. In 1983, he became involved in overseeing the activities of ISKCON, Bangalore along with his responsibilities in Trivandrum temple. At that time a small fledgling centre in a rented apartment in an inconspicuous neighborhood of the city. Under his leadership, soon the popularity and activities of ISKCON-Bangalore began to blossom. In 1988, the Government of Karnataka allotted 6.5 acres of a rocky abandoned hillock in the city to set up a cultural complex. Being dissatisfied with what the commissioned architects were proposing for the cultural complex, he took upon himself to design the complex according to what he had envisioned. Soon he also started organizing efforts to raise funds for the construction of the complex. The next ten years unfolded an unprecedented scale of development on the hillock, now called the Hare Krishna Hill: the design and construction of a colossal cultural complex, mobilization of support and fund raising to a tune of Rs. 38 crores (Rs.380 million or $ 9.5 million) and recruiting and training nearly 100 full-time dedicated members of ISKCON. The monumental Cultural Complex was inaugurated in 1997 by the then President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma.

In 1994, he initiated an integrated social development project for the benefit of the rural people of Mysore and Mandya districts. A model, prototype organic farm based on natural and earth-friendly farming methods along with an internationally accredited farmer-training center has been setup in the 110-acre land on the banks of river Kaveri in Srirangapatam.

The primary purpose of this is to establish self-sufficient farming communities. The farming techniques employed are traditional and organic to promote pro-environmental agriculture. Hundreds of farmers are deriving inspiration to adopt environmental and soil friendly agricultural methods researched and disseminated scientifically from this model farm. Rural women are trained in this farm in the practices and methods of organic farming. This farm is also supporting hundreds of farmers during the transition from chemical to organic farms. Many neighboring farms have successfully converted into organic farms.

He initiated the Akshaya Patra program to provide mid-day meals to underprivileged children in the Government schools of Bangalore Rural District during July 2000.

Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra

25 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Bhagavad-gita Tags: Arjuna, as it is, Battlefield of Kuruksetra, bhagavad-gita, Bhismadeva, Draupadi, Dronacarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna, Kurus, Pandavas

Bhagavad-gita As It Is
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Observing the Armies on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra

Duryodhana clearly felt that the victory of the Kurus depended on the presence of Bhīṣmadeva. He was confident of the full support of Bhīṣmadeva and Droṇācārya in the battle because he well knew that they did not even speak a word when Arjuna’s wife Draupadī, in her helpless condition, had appealed to them for justice while she was being forced to strip naked in the presence of all the great generals in the assembly.

…it is already concluded that all of them would die in the Battle of Kurukṣetra for joining the party of the sinful Duryodhana. Duryodhana was, of course, confident of his victory on account of the above-mentioned combined strength of his friends.

TEXT 1

TRANSLATION

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O Sañjaya, after assembling in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukṣetra, what did my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu do, being desirous to fight?

PURPORT

Bhagavad-gītā is the widely read theistic science summarized in the Gītā-māhātmya (Glorification of the Gītā). There it says that one should read Bhagavad-gītā very scrutinizingly with the help of a person who is a devotee of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and try to understand it without personally motivated interpretations. The example of clear understanding is there in the Bhagavad-gītā itself, in the way the teaching is understood by Arjuna, who heard the Gītā directly from the Lord. If someone is fortunate enough to understand Bhagavad-gītā in that line of disciplic succession, without motivated interpretation, then he surpasses all studies of Vedic wisdom, and all scriptures of the world. One will find in the Bhagavad-gītā all that is contained in other scriptures, but the reader will also find things which are not to be found elsewhere. That is the specific standard of the Gītā. It is the perfect theistic science because it is directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

The topics discussed by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Sañjaya, as described in the Mahābhārata, form the basic principle for this great philosophy. It is understood that this philosophy evolved on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, which is a sacred place of pilgrimage from the immemorial time of the Vedic age. It was spoken by the Lord when He was present personally on this planet for the guidance of mankind.

The word dharma-kṣetra (a place where religious rituals are performed) is significant because, on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was present on the side of Arjuna. Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the father of the Kurus, was highly doubtful about the possibility of his sons’ ultimate victory. In his doubt, he inquired from his secretary Sañjaya, “What did my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu do?” He was confident that both his sons and the sons of his younger brother Pāṇḍu were assembled in that Field of Kurukṣetra for a determined engagement of the war. Still, his inquiry is significant. He did not want a compromise between the cousins and brothers, and he wanted to be sure of the fate of his sons on the battlefield. Because the battle was arranged to be fought at Kurukṣetra, which is mentioned elsewhere in the Vedas as a place of worship—even for the denizens of heaven—Dhṛtarāṣṭra became very fearful about the influence of the holy place on the outcome of the battle. He knew very well that this would influence Arjuna and the sons of Pāṇḍu favorably, because by nature they were all virtuous. Sañjaya was a student of Vyāsa, and therefore, by the mercy of Vyāsa, Sañjaya was able to envision the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra even while he was in the room of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. And so, Dhṛtarāṣṭra asked him about the situation on the battlefield.

Both the Pāṇḍavas and the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra belong to the same family, but Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s mind is disclosed herein. He deliberately claimed only his sons as Kurus, and he separated the sons of Pāṇḍu from the family heritage. One can thus understand the specific position of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in his relationship with his nephews, the sons of Pāṇḍu. As in the paddy field the unnecessary plants are taken out, so it is expected from the very beginning of these topics that in the religious field of Kurukṣetra where the father of religion, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, was present, the unwanted plants like Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son Duryodhana and others would be wiped out and the thoroughly religious persons, headed by Yudhiṣṭhira, would be established by the Lord. This is the significance of the words dharma-kṣetre and kuru-kṣetre, apart from their historical and Vedic importance.

TEXT 14

TRANSLATION

On the other side, both Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells.

PURPORT

In contrast with the conchshell blown by Bhīṣmadeva, the conchshells in the hands of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna are described as transcendental. The sounding of the transcendental conchshells indicated that there was no hope of victory for the other side because Kṛṣṇa was on the side of the Pāṇḍavas. Jayas tu pāṇḍu-putrāṇāṁ yeṣāṁ pakṣe janārdanaḥ. Victory is always with persons like the sons of Pāṇḍu because Lord Kṛṣṇa is associated with them. And whenever and wherever the Lord is present, the goddess of fortune is also there because the goddess of fortune never lives alone without her husband. Therefore, victory and fortune were awaiting Arjuna, as indicated by the transcendental sound produced by the conchshell of Viṣṇu, or Lord Kṛṣṇa. Besides that, the chariot on which both the friends were seated was donated by Agni (the fire-god) to Arjuna, and this indicated that this chariot was capable of conquering all sides, wherever it was drawn over the three worlds.

Legal History of ISKCON-Bangalore Society

25 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Iskcon Bangalore Tags: Governing Body Commission, Hansadutta Swami, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, ISKCON Bangalore, Karnataka Societies Registration Act, legally independent society, Shankabrit dasa, Srila Prabhupada

Legal History of ISKCON-Bangalore Society

ISKCON-Bangalore was registered under Karnataka Societies Registration Act at Bangalore in May 1978 as a legally independent society with objectives similar to the objectives of the first society, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Inc. that Srila Prabhupada founded personally in 1966 at New York. Since then, ISKCON-Bangalore society is functioning in Bangalore as a member of the worldwide confederation of ISKCON temples.

ISKCON-Bangalore was registered by Shankabrit Dasa under the direction of Hamsadutta Swami, the then member of the original Governing Body Commission appointed by Srila Prabhupada, who was in charge of Bangalore.

In the year 2001, several hundreds of fanatic disciples of the self-proclaimed ‘gurus’ made a vain attempt to physically storm Bangalore temple and throw out the devotees of ISKCON Bangalore and take illegal possession of the temple property. In defense of this ISKCON-Bangalore was obliged to file a suit being OS No.7934/01 seeking an order of injunction restraining ISKCON Bombay Society and others from interfering with our possession of the temple property. The Trial Court did not grant the injunction, but an appeal filed before the Hon’ble High Court granted the injunction sought for. The said order was confirmed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The matter is pending adjudication.

When the matter stands thus, absurd propaganda is being made by the agents of the self-proclaimed ‘gurus’ that Madhu Pandit Dasa ‘created’ the ISKCON-Bangalore society to grab the property of the temple on Hare Krishna Hill. This misinformation is indeed entirely false, baseless and ridiculous since Madhu Pandit Dasa joined ISKCON movement only in 1981, whereas the ISKCON-Bangalore society was registered as early as 1978.

It was the direction of Srila Prabhupada to register legally independent societies in the name and style of nternational Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) all over the world. In Dec. 1972, Srila Prabhupada wrote to one of his senior disciples, “Never mind there may be botheration to register each centre, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state.” (Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Karandhara Das, Bombay, 22nd Dec 1972). Accordingly, today, there are hundreds of ISKCON societies incorporated all over the world. It was on the basis of this worldwide practice, that the then GBC member in charge of Karnataka, Hamsaduta Swami, directed Shankabrit Dasa to register the ISKCON-Bangalore society in Bangalore.

http://struggle-for-truth.org

High Court restrains ISKCON Mumbai / ISKCON Bangalore

24 May 2011 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Iskcon Bangalore Tags: Akshaya Patra, employees of ISKCON, ISKCON Bangalore, ISKCON Mumbai, Madhu Pandit Das, missionary devotees, Srila Prabhupada

High Court restrains ISKCON Mumbai / ISKCON Bangalore
May 24th 2011 Bangalore.

The divisional bench of the High court of Karnataka today restrained ISKCON Mumbai from dislodging or removing Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa as President, other office bearers and employees of ISKCON Bangalore for 6 weeks. The High Court further observed that there are various yeoman services being rendered from the institution to the society and abrupt changes in the management, missionaries, employees and other members would disrupt the same leading to far reaching consequences.

The High Court also observed that other activities, organizations or trusts which are functioning from the Hare Krishna Hill premises are not part of this suit and hence their activities should go on unhindered.

The divisional bench of the High Court was giving their decision on the stay petition filed by ISKCON Bangalore. It may be recalled that the High court had set aside the verdict given by the Trail Court of Bangalore which had given absolute ownership of Sri Radha Krishna-chandra temple on Hare Krishna Hill to ISKCON Bangalore Society registered in 1978.
The counsel for ISKCON Bangalore said that the stay petition is not about the verdict and hence should be considered on the following grounds:

1. ISKCON Bangalore has been in de-facto possession of the Hare Krishna Hill premises for the last several decades and various court orders were in its support.

2. The practicality of any transfer of management will not be possible on an immediate basis.

3. ISKCON Bangalore has already given an undertaking in the Supreme Court that it will not alienate or part with the assets, and are willing to submit to any process of reporting to the court.

After hearing the objections of ISKCON Mumbai to this stay petition, the High Court bench consisting of Justice Nagmohan Das and Justice Arali Nagaraj gave their restraining order that ISKCON Mumbai shall not invoke their constitutional powers to dislodge Madhu Pandit Das, other current functionaries, missionary devotees and employees of ISKCON Bangalore serving in the temple from their services. The court also stated that Akshaya Patra and other trusts which are functioning from Hare Krishna Hill where ISKCON temple has been built are not party to the case and should function on their own. This order shall facilitate the smooth functioning of the various activities of ISKCON Bangalore and at the same time enable ISKCON Bangalore to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

“ISKCON Bangalore will file an appeal in the Supreme Court shortly after obtaining and studying the order copy. We have full faith in the judiciary of our country and are confident that we will be able to present the case in our favor,” said Madhu Pandit Das, President of ISKCON Bangalore.

For further details please visit http://www.iskconbangalore.org/High-court-restrains-ISKCON-Mumbai orhttp://iskcontimes.com/high_court_restrains_isk_mumbai

Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON Bangalore to go on appeal

24 May 2011 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Diksha, Iskcon Bangalore, Siksa, The Struggle for Truth Tags: Disksha guru, ISKCON Bangalore, Madhu Pandit, Srila Prabhupada as the sole acharya, Srila Prabhupada's ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON Bangalore to go on appeal
Bangalore, 23 May 2011.

For ISKCON Bangalore, this is not a fight for properties but a sincere effort to re-establish Srila Prabhupada as the sole acharya or diksha guru of ISKCON. We are confident that truth will prevail and by the mercy of Sri Radha Krishna-chandra, our services to Their Lordships will continue unhindered.

Battles may be lost but war for Srila Prabhupada will be won

The divisional bench of the High Court of Karnataka gave its verdict on the appeal filed by ISKCON Mumbai. Honorable Justice H M Nagamohan Das and Honorable Justice Arali Nagaraj today gave their verdict on appeal filed by ISKCON Mumbai and set aside the Civil court’s judgement.

However, ISKCON Bangalore will pursue its case within the legal framework and will appeal against this decision in the Supreme Court. We have full faith in the judiciary of our country and are confident that we will be able to present the case in our favor.

It may be recalled that the City Trial court of Bangalore had given a judgment on April 17, 2009 stating that ISKCON Bangalore is the absolute owner of Sri Radha Krishna temple on Hare Krishna Hill. The Honorable Civil Court judge had also declared that ISKCON Bangalore is an independent legal entity and further restrained ISKCON Mumbai, their agents or representatives from interfering in the affairs of ISKCON, Bangalore by granting a permanent injunction.

Unfortunately, the Honorable High Court today set aside this 350 page judgement and gave its verdict overruling the earlier order.

The genesis of this dispute between ISKCON Mumbai and ISKCON Bangalore is related to the spiritual succession of the movement founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada had taught from the Vedic literatures that an Acharya plays a prime role in the development of Krishna bhakti in the heart of a disciple. In order to play that role of an Acharya, one must have extraordinary spiritual qualifications and purity.

Just months before his physical departure from this world Srila Prabhupada instituted a rtvik system of initiation thro’ a written directive sent to all its GBC’s and Presidents on July 9th 1977.

He made it clear in this written directive that he remained the diksa guru or the acharya of ISKCON and that his disciples acting as his representatives or rtviks would initiate new disciples as disciples of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. ISKCON Mumbai which is predominantly controlled by foreigners who are themselves voted in unauthorized gurus has disregarded this particular instruction and has manufactured its own system of succession. ISKCON Bangalore on the other hand tries to follow this and many other directives of the founder and acharya of ISKCON Srila Prabhupada strictly.

New Vrindaban, West Virginia (Chapter 14)

24 May 2011 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Hayagriva das, The Hare Krishna Explosion Tags: ashram, Hayagriva dasa, Kirtananda Swami, Krishna's name is chanted, New Vrindavan West Virginia, Satsavarupa das. Srimad bhagavatam, Swamiji, the hare krishna explosion, Vrindavan

The Hare Krishna Explosion
by Hayagriva Dasa

Part III: New Vrindaban, 1968-1969
Chapter 14

New Vrindaban, West Virginia

When Kirtanananda phones from West Virginia, I tell him that Prabhupada wants Mr. Foster converted to Vaishnavism.

“Impossible,” he replies. “We don’t agree on anything. I’ve just moved out to the back farm for some peace and quiet.”

“What about selling? Is he interested?”

“No, but he still favors five year leases on small parcels.”

“But we require the property!”

“Patience,” he says.

Impatient, I begin looking at real estate in the Poconos, near Wilkes-Barre. Prices, however, are prohibitive. Still, letters from Prabhupada keep pushing the conception of a rural ashram in West Virginia:

“We should always know that Vrindaban is not localized in a particular area, but that whenever Krishna is present, Vrindaban is automatically there. And wherever the holy name of Krishna is chanted, Krishna is present. There is no difference between Krishna and His holy name. So now Krishna is blessing a nice piece of land, resembling Vrindaban, to be a new place of pilgrimage for you Western devotees. So you must try for it.”

Satsvarupa has opened a fourth ISKCON center in Allston, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. From there, Prabhupada writes Kirtanananda, May 23:

“If this piece of land is turned into New Vrindaban, I shall forget to return to Indian Vrindaban. I am getting older and older, so actually if I get a peaceful place, as you describe, the rest of my life will be continued translating Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Goswami literatures, assisted by some of my disciples like you. So anytime you take me to your new hermitage, I shall be very glad to go there.”

About Iskcon Bangalore/ Interview with Project Director, Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa

23 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Iskcon Bangalore Tags: Krishna, Krishna temple, Madhu Pandit Dasa. project director of Iskcon Bangalore, Spiritual Life, Srila Prabhupada, Vedic society

Interview with Project Director, Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa

Q1: What was the motivation and inspiration for conceiving and executing a project of this proportion?

The Krishna consciousness movement has wonderful things to offer to everyone. Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya, has taught us Lord Krishna’s instructions in such a clear way that they can be applied to any life situation to bring the best within oneself to achieve happiness. There is unlimited facility in today’s world to promote knowledge in various fields, in order to equip the society with the tools required to achieve happiness. But all these pertain to the temporary material sphere only. They cannot provide the real and eternal quality of happiness that we, the souls, are actually looking for. Any amount of material progress will not provide this. Thus although we have a very materially advanced world, we still have an unhappy, dissatisfied and disturbed humanity. Man is primarily spiritual and his real happiness lies at the soul level. He has to pay attention to develop his spiritual identity and serve his real needs along with his material pursuits. Specific attention has to be paid to develop the spiritual aspect of the society if real happiness and harmony have to be experienced. This is the service the Krishna Consciousness movement is doing for the world. This project provides a facility to disseminate Vedic knowledge in a practical and rational way for the benefit of as many people as possible.

ISKCON Bangalore — The Best Temple in ISKCON

22 May 2011 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Iskcon Bangalore Tags: bhajans, Gauridas Pandit dasa, Iskcon, ISKCON Bangalore, jagat guru Srila Prabhupada, kirtans. Madhu Pandit, Srila Prabhupada Temple

ISKCON Bangalore — The Best Temple in ISKCON
By Sriman Gauridas Pandit Prabhu

If you treat Srila Prabhupada like he is alive, he is alive. To those who say he is dead and gone, to them he is. But in Bangalore Srila Prabhupada is alive and well! Very well.

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my respectful obeisances.

All glories to our jagat guru Srila Prabhupada!!!

I am very enlivened and impreesed beyond my expectations after visiting the Bangalore temple for the last 4 days. When you first approach the temple and get your first glimpse it is just awe inspiring. No picture I’ve seen does it justice. The temple is situated on a hill and and be seen for great distanes all around. The combination of the ancient and modern design is breathtaking. Now I see why pilgrims come from all over India and line up by the thousands to see the temple. Srila Prabhupada’s voice is heard nonstop in different areas some chanting japa, others singing bhajans and giving lectures. The Deities are powerful because of the chaste worship by the ever-increasing devotees, all Prabhupada anugas.

If you treat Srila Prabhupada like he is alive, he is alive. To those who say he is dead and gone, to them he is. But in Bangalore Srila Prabhupada is alive and well! Very well. I could sense it especially from the main Prabhupada Deity on the Vyasasana. In most temples he looks sad (Seattle, etc.) (probably due to the lipservice and dis-service to the new devotees who are directed away from him at initiation). Srila Prabhupada is carried around the temple to the different alters with powerful chanting of mantras and Kirtan.

The Kirtans in Bangalore are different also. The leaders volume is less and the response is more. The showbottlism you see in most places is absent in Bangalore. Attention and devotion is put on pleasing the Deities and Srila Prabhupada more than themselves. It is refreshing. At least 90% of the temple devotees (of over 100) attend the full morning program which is very enlivening. There are Kirtans one after another in 3 different temples then Gurupuja which is awesome.

The temple devotees are very nice and accomodating. Madhu Pandit Prabhu was very nice and gave me a special seat and lovely garlands from the Deities at the crowded puja ceremonies. I also stayed at the nice guesthouse ‘free’! Whereelse in ISKCON or anywhere does that happen? Even the devotee who signed the papers for the latest lawsuit against Bangalore came and Madhu Pandit Prabhu offered him nice accomodations showing the example that a devotee even treats his so-called enemies nicely. The devotee after observing the emple for a few days admitted that the temple is very nicely run and that is the way Srila Prabhupada would want it and he regretted signing the court papers. He said he would not do so again in the future. Another devotee involed in the case got into an accident and died so it is not looking too good for those who are trying to take away Bangalore from Srila Prabhupada and his true followers. It costs $11,000 every time they have to go to court and the lawsuits just keep coming. Srila Prabhupada would be furious at those devotees who are involved and they will get their day in the court of Yamaraja, I can guarantee you that. Bangalore is the only ISKCON temple to follow Srila Prabhupada’s orders to keep him as guru. That’s why they are so sucessful, feeding thousands daily Prasadam and distributing so many of Srila Prabhupada’s original books.

It would be a shame if the Kali chelas, Kali Yuga devotees, ever won away the Bangalore temple. They could not manage it so expertly and a divided house (among many ‘gurus’/or gundas?) cannot stand.

I know there are many different groups of Prabhupada anugas out there; Yasodanandans, Kapindra Maharaja and others everywhere and are sometimes critical of each other. But I am asking you all to unite for the common good of keeping Srila Prabhupada as our living guru now and forever. Let’s look beyond the bug on the windshield and see the road ahead, the road back to Prabhupada, that’s the road back to Godhead, others are detours to who knows where. Not anywhere I want to go! All glories to all of the devotees who take full shelter of the one and only Srila Prabhupada!

I advise any serious devotee who can to visit the Banglore temple and see what can happen if we just cooperate to serve Srila Prabhupada. Finally there’s light at the end of the tunnel!
Hoping this meets you all well and advancing in Krsna Consciousness!

Your servant,
Gauridasa Pandita Dasa

Srila Prabhupada, His Movement and You

21 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Guru & Disciple, Hansadutta das, Krishna Consciousness, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada His Movement & You Tags: Brahma Sampradaya Acharya, Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya, hansadutta das, Krishna movement, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada, His Movement and You
By Sriman Hansadutta Prabhu

The recent proliferation of gurus, both within and without ISKCON, appears to be like the proliferation of ambitious kings who were eventually annihilated by Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra 5,000 years ago.

How to Recognize the Acharya

The pioneer in any field always gets the greatest credit, because it is he only who opens the door to a new world, a new thought, a new horizon-like Columbus, who innocently chanced upon America, the New World, while searching for India. Columbus opened the door for a whole migration of humanity from Europe and all the world to eventually form the New World, or the United States of America, the most powerful nation on Earth.

So everyone after Columbus, however great he may be, owes his regards to Columbus for opening the door to the New World, and Columbus is never obliged to any late-comers or new-comers. Like Columbus, Prabhupada set out from India and opened the door to the spiritual world for the whole world, and every transcendentalist thereafter is obliged to Prabhupada. Prabhupada is never obliged to those coming after him, however great they may appear as individuals. Neither is he obliged to his contemporaries. That is the unique position of Prabhupada as the acharya of the entire Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya.

With this view in mind, everyone should see their way clear for uniting harmoniously under the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada, the acharya of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya, for preaching the great mission of Krishna consciousness all over the world as Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati envisioned it. Any individual or group obstinately remaining stuck up in their petty, egocentric conception of preaching Krishna consciousness is surely doomed to fail.

Here we wish to present some shastric evidence in support of the afore-mentioned conclusions. The following excerpts courtesy of Atma Tattva dasa:

The Founder-acharya is distinguished from all other acharyas, and his qualities and activities are outlined in the shastras:

tabhyas sarvajana trata sarvasrestatamo dhruvan
dina abhaya pradanartham visadikritya bhutale

Among all acharyas, certainly he who is the deliverer of all people, who appears in this world for the purpose of removing the fears of the fallen souls (dina-abhaya ) is the most perfect.

gitacaryokta tatvartha caramartha prakasanam
rsiproktapramananam krtva vyakhyanamuttamam

He sheds light on the ultimate meaning of the philosophical conclusions spoken by Krishna, who is the speaker of Bhagavad-gita. He also gives perfect purports to the evidences given by the rishis.

divyaprabandhan lokebhya sarakopadibhi paryantam
arthopadesa yaryanta1n vardhayaitva ca sasvatah

He propagates everywhere the meanings and purports of the songs of the previous acharyas.

natharyadi gurunam ca satakopadi yoginam
ahrtya vyasa sutranam artham lokahitaya ca
sribhasyadi mahagrantham vidhaya karunarnaya
nirjitya sarvasamayan vadena sataso’subhan

He, the ocean of mercy, contributes great books for the welfare of the people that explain the meaning of Vedanta strictly in line with the previous Vaishnava acharyas and devotees. In this way he conquers all, defeating hundreds of different kinds of inauspicious philosophies by his arguments.

ityadibhir yatisresta karye lokahite rata
nathadidesike tebhya pradhano bhavati dhruvam

Because of engaging in the welfare of the people of the world, that perfect and topmost mendicant is certainly the most important Founder acharya (pradhana ). ( Prapannamrita Tarpana 62.47-53)

Just as Vyasadeva is recognized as acharya because he presented the Vedic literatures, so Prabhupada is recognized as acharya because of his making the Vedic literatures accessible to every man all over the world, and no one since has been able to contribute anything so significant. Rather, everyone is borrowing from him-his books are the standard.

Srila Prabhupada translated and wrote purports to the four essential Vaishnava literatures, namely to 18,000 verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam, 700 verses of Bhagavad-gita, 17 volumes of Chaitanya-charitamrita and the Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu. He not only published these books and others; he also created a monthly magazine (Back to Godhead ). He also recruited thousands of young disciples in every country of the world, whom he engaged in distributing these literatures by the millions. Prabhupada wrote 7,000 letters (printed in five volumes) and gave lectures and personal darshans, a collection of which has been published recently by the Bhaktivedanta Archives, comprising another 42 volumes of books.

Srila Prabhupada initiated a whole new movement in the field of art, producing thousands of paintings, sculptures, music and dance performances.

Srila Prabhupada built temples in Bombay, Vrindaban and Mayapur, with comfortable and stylish hotel and guest houses for each place. His disciples opened and continue to maintain hundreds of temples worldwide.

Srila Prabhupada inspired the New Vrindaban-type farm communities all over the world. He started Gurukulas for teaching Krishna consciousness to children.

Srila Prabhupada taught a whole generation a new way of life from how to eat, how to dress, how to bathe and toilet, how to live as a gentleman in this world and how ultimately to leave this world for the next world, to go back to home, back to Godhead. NO OTHER PERSON ON THIS PLANET HAS PREACHED WORLDWIDE SO EXTENSIVELY. THEREFORE HE IS THE BRAHMA SAMPRADAYA ACHARYA. What Vyasadeva is to the Vedic age, Srila Prabhupada is to the modern age and for ages to come, because everyone is taking advantage of his books, temples and devotees to preach Krishna consciousness all over the world.

Return to the Hare Krishna Movement

20 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Devotee's, Guru & Disciple, The Hare Krishna Movement, Vyasasan das Tags: devotee, disciple, letters by disciples, servant, Srila Prabhupada, The Hare Krishna Movement, Vyasasan das

Return to the Hare Krishna Movement

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my most humble obeisances, and kindly forgive my many offences. As is my custom, I am speaking to you directly as I often do, writing you letters, offering prayers from within my heart, or speaking to your picture or murti. And it is truly remarkable that you are always there for me, although I am just an unworthy disciple full of faults and shortcomings, but because I am thinking of myself as your disciple, you have always remained my ever well-wisher, and dearmost friend.

As you know, I left the society of devotees in 1978, shortly after your departure because of profound philosophical confusion, and because I still had some material desires. But I promised you, I promised myself, that I would return when I was 50 to again take up this great mission of yours. I have since returned into the society of devotees, to fulfill the promise I made, and am writing to inform you of the changes I have witnessed since my return to this once glorious Hare Krishna Movement. I am sad to report however it is not entirely the same Movement that I left many years ago.

The temples I have visited in North America seem dried up and often devoid of life. The centers I remember when you were still personally present were all full to overcrowded, and there was great joy and much activity. I think this is due to three prominent issues, which I call to your attention. The first thing I noticed upon my return is the whole process of initiation has yet to be remedied. My godbrothers are still taking on disciples rather than initiating on your behalf as you instructed. Secondly, I noticed that your books were being changed! The translations and purports were being re-written. I was shocked by this, and could not believe this was happening! A cruel travesty was being perpetrated. And finally, to my surprise, I realized that devotees were being paid to perform their service. I remember when we performed our services and duties as an offering to you. We were performing devotional service, and working on your behalf, for the benefit of humanity. When did we become paid employees? In fact these three issues prompted me to write you this letter.

Of course I am not telling you anything you do not already know, for as you have shown me many times, you know what is in the hearts and minds of your disciples. And after all, we are materially conditioned souls, and there is a desire to Lord over material nature. The servant wants to become the master, the student thinks he is smarter than the teacher, and, as you have stated in the Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, when one is poor in Krishna Consciousness, he has a need for material gain. So I should not be to surprised at the changes to your Hare Krishna Movement, but am nonetheless very disappointed and dismayed.

The Divine and Demoniac Natures

20 May 2011 2 Comments

by The Hare Krishna Movement in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Divine and Demoniac Natures Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, as it is, Bg chapter 16, bhagavad-gita, Demoniac, Divine, nature, qualities

The Divine and Demoniac Natures

We are in the middle of a pandemic that is killing thousands of people worldwide.

Here in America we have a president that instead of acting in a sympathetic, compassionate way towards the sufferings of others, is instead criticizing and blaming others. This is not a good quality for a leader who should be taking responsibility for the safety and welfare of his citizens. All his self glorification, and his attack on others, in this time of turmoil, I find very disturbing and reminiscent of the description given in the 16th chapter of the Bhagavad-gita entitled “The Divine and Demon Natures”

Arrogance, pride, anger, conceit, harshness and ignorance—these qualities belong to those of demonic nature… (Bg. 4.16)

Those who are demoniac do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them. (Bg. 7.16)

The demoniac person thinks: “So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes. So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him; and my other enemy will also be killed. I am the lord of everything, I am the enjoyer, I am perfect, powerful and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.” In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance. (Bg. 13-15.16)

Full Chapter Texts and Purports More

What is a Hare Krishna Anyhow?

18 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Madhudvisa das, What Happened to the Hare Krishna's? Tags: bhagavad-gita, Deity, devotee, devotees of Krishna, dharma, Krishna, krsna consciousness, Madhuvisa dasa, religion, Srila Prabhupada, What Happened to the Hare Krishna's

What Happened to the Hare Krishna’s?
Chapter Three
By Sriman Madhuvisa Prabhu

Once one gets a taste of Krishna consciousness he cannot remain without it. A drunkard cannot remain without a drink but a devotee is drunk with Krishna consciousness. The immunization against all material diseases is this Krishna consciousness.

What is a Hare Krishna Anyhow?

Receiving Krishna consciousness means receiving light. People are exhausted with the materialistic way of life especially in the West. Now the Krishna consciousness movement is giving new life to Western society… The great souls are always chanting about Krishna. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. They are also endeavouring with great determination in their devotional service. For instance in the Krishna conscious temples the devotees rise early in the morning at 4:00 A.M. and they immediately bathe. Then they go to mangal-aroti at 4:30 and after mangal-aroti they study the Vedic literatures. These are the processes by which we can awaken our dormant love for Krishna.

Because we are part and parcel of Krishna – just as the son is part and parcel of his father – there is a natural love between us. However somehow or other the son leaves home and forgets his father. The father of course never forgets his son. He thinks Oh, my son has left. If he would only come back! Krishna thinks in this way. We are all sons of Krishna and Krishna is more anxious to get us back home back to Godhead than we are to go. Therefore Krishna comes and says You rascal! Give up all this nonsensical material enjoyment. You have manufactured so many religions and dharmas. Just give them all up and surrender unto Me.” Krishna comes Himself and leaves behind His words. His words are also Himself because His words are absolute.

Disappearance Day of Srila Madhavendra Puri

17 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Madhavendra Puri Tags: beautiful cowheard boy, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, ecstatic love, Gopal, Krishna, love of God, Madhavendra Puri, sang the names of the Lord

Disappearance Day of Srila Madhavendra Puri

Madhavendra Puri appeared almost mad in his love of God. He loudly chanted and sang the names and glories of the Lord without thinking of the time or place. Sometimes in his ecstasy he didn’t know whether it was day or night. Sometimes he laughed and sometimes he wept. Sometimes he danced wildly and sometimes he fell to the ground unconscious. He took absolutely no interest in anything not connected with Krishna, and for fear of talking about anything other than the Lord, he always lived without a companion. He would eat only if someone offered him food—otherwise he would simply fast.

In many remarkable ways Krishna returned Madhavendra Puri’s intense love. Once Madhavendra was fasting and meditating beneath a tree in the forest of Vrindavana, where thousands of years before Krishna had played as a child. Suddenly a beautiful cowherd boy (gopala) came with a pot of milk and placed it before Madhavendra. “Please drink the milk I have brought you,” the boy said. Seeing the beauty of the boy, Madhavendra Puri became satisfied in his mind, and hearing these sweet words, he forgot all hunger and thirst. Then within an instant, the boy left the place and did not return. Madhavendra Puri’s heart was filled with wonder. Later, he realized who the boy actually was and cried out in; great ecstatic love: “I saw Lord Krishna directly—but I could not recognize I Him!”

Western religion usually teaches us that God is someone to fear and revere. In India, though, great spiritual masters have long taught that we can go beyond this limited conception and worship God as our master, friend, or child. And about five hundred years ago Madhavendra Puri taught that we can even worship God as our dear beloved.

Appearance Day of Srinivas Acarya

17 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srinivas Acarya Tags: Caitanya Mahaprabhu, catursloki, Gaura-shakti, Gauridas Pandit dasa, Shat-Goswami ashtakam, Srinivas Acarya

Appearance Day of Srinivas Acarya
(compiled by Gauridas Pandit dasa)

Appearance

In a small village of Chakhandi lived a pious Brahman names Gangadhar Bhattacharya and his wife Lakshmi-priya. Both were great devotees of Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Gangadhar was fortunate to witness the sannyasa ceremony of Mahaprabhu in Katwa. He returned filled with such love for Mahaprabhu that the villagers renamed him Caitanya Das. Later the childless couple traveled to Puri to serve Mahaprabhu, and here they received a benediction from Him to soon expect the birth of a great personality. Thus blessed, in the first decade of 1500, Shrinivas was born.

Youth

Shrinivas grew up to be the brightest, most beautiful and beloved boy of Chakhandi. He studied under the famed Dhananjaya Vidyavachaspati, who would later admit that there was nothing he could teach Shrinivas, “since the boy already knows more than I can ever hope to learn”. Due to his fame, Shrinivas came in contact with Narahari Sarakar, an intimate associate and devotee of Mahaprabhu. He accepted Narahari as an instructing guru and later approached him for initiation. Narahari however declined saying that it was Mahaprabhu’s will that he be initiated by Gopal Bhatta Goswami in Vrindavana. He also instructed Shrinivas to meet Mahaprabhu in Puri. On reaching Puri, he took shelter of Gadadhara Pandit, since Lord Chaitanya had already left the planet, to study the Bhagavatam under him. However the only copy of Bhagavatam in Puri had been rendered ineligible by the tears of ecstasy that Mahaprabhu and Gadadhara had shed while reading it. So Shrinivas returned to Bengal to procure the only other copy from Narahari. However by the time he returned, Gadadhara Pandit, unable to bear the separation with His Lord any more had also left the planet.

Sri Sri Radha Ramana Devaji – Appearance Day

17 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Krishna Tags: beautiful three-fold bending form, Gopala Batta Goswami, Radha Raman, self manifesting deity, Shalagram shilas, Sri Sri Radha Ramana, tri-bhangananda-krishna, Yamuna river

Sri Sri Radha Ramana Devaji – Appearance Day

In the evening after offering some bhoga and arotika to his Shalagram shilas, Gopala Bhatta put them to rest, covering them with a wicker basket. Late in the night, Gopala Bhatta took a little rest and then, in the early morning went to take bath in the Yamuna river. Returning from his bath, he uncovered the Shalagramas in order to render the puja for Them, and saw amongst Them a Deity of Krishna playing the flute. There were now eleven shilas and this Deity. The “Damodara shila”, had manifested as the beautiful three-fold bending form of tri-bhangananda-krishna. Floating in the ocean of ecstasy, he fell to the ground in order to offer his dandavats and then recited various prayers and hymns. This wonderful event of the appearance day of RadhaRaman happened on the day after Sri Nrisimha Chaturdasi, and is celebrated on that day accordingly. That day they offer 500 liters of milk for the Lord’s pleasure and many other sweets and different things. The RadhaRaman temple has the highest standard of Deity worship in all of Vraj.

Five Prayers to Lord Narasimha

16 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Nrsimha Tags: Lord Narasimha, Nrsimha, Sri Navadwipa Bhava Taranga, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Five Prayers to Lord Narasimha
by Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written five beautiful prayers in “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga” for receiving the mercy of Lord Narasimha. These prayers are certainly assurance to all sincere devotees that the worship of Lord Narasimha is purely in the line of aspiring love and devotion to Sri Sri Radha and Krsna. Those prayers are as follows.

e dusta hrdaye kama adi ripu chaya
kutinati pratisthasa sathya sada raya
hrdaya-sodhana ara krsnera vasana
nrsimha-carane mora ei to’ kamana

Within my sinful heart the six enemies headed by lust perpetually reside, as well as duplicity, the desire for fame, plus sheer cunning. At the lotus feet of Lord Narasimha, I hope that He will mercifully purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Lord Krsna.

kandiya nrsimha-pade magibo kakhana
nirapade navadvipe jugala-bhajana
bhaya bhaya paya yan’ra darsane se hari
prasanna hoibo kabe more daya kari

Weeping, I will beg at the lotus-feet of Lord Narasimha for the benediction of worshipping Radha and Krsna in Navadvipa, perfectly safe and free from all difficulties. When will this Lord Hari, Whose terrible form strikes fear into fear itself, ever become pleased and show me His mercy?

yadyapi bhisana murti dusta-jiva-prati
prahladadi krsna-bhakta-jane bhadra ati
kabe va prasanna ho’ye sa krpa-vacane
nirbhaya karibe ei mudha akincane

Even though Lord Narasimha is terrifying toward the sinful souls, He offers great auspiciousness unto the devotees of Lord Krsna headed by Prahlada Maharaja. When will He be pleased to speak words of compassion unto me, a worthless fool, and thereby make me fearless?

svacchande baiso he vatsa sri-gauranga-dhame
jugala-bhajana hau rati hau name
mama bhakta-krpa-bale vighna jabe dura
suddha cite bhajo radha-krsna-rasa-pura

He will say, “Dear child! Sit sown freely and live happily here in Sri Gauranga-dhama. May you nicely worship the Divine Couple, and may you develop loving attachment for Their Holy Names. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are cast far away. With a purified heart, just perform the worship of Radha and Krsna, for such worship overflows with sweet nectar.”

ei boli’ kabe mora mastaka-upara
sviya sri-carana harse dharibe isvara
amani jugala-preme sattvika vikare
dharaya lutibo ami sri-nrsimha-dvare

Saying this, will that Lord delightedly place His own divine lotus-feet upon my head? I will experience sublime love for the Divine Couple Radha-Krsna and undergo the ecstatic transformations called sattvika. Falling on the ground, I will roll about at the door of Sri Narasimha’s temple.

(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, – “Sri Navadvipa Bhava Taranga”, 36-40)

Pasted from; a href=”http://www.stephen-knapp.com” target=”_blank”><http://www.stephen-knapp.com/prayers_to_lord_narasimhadeva.htm

Jayananda

15 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Devotee's, Jayananda Thakur, Padmapani das Tags: brahmacari, devotee, Jayananda, Lord Jagannatha, Padmapani das, Rathayatra Festival, Srila Prabhupada disciple, Visnujana Swami

Jayananda Prabhu: Staunchness Personified
By Sriman Padmapani Prabhu

The first time I saw Jayananda Prabhu was in 1974 in San Francisco. A number of devotees had driven down from Vancouver to participate in the Rathayatra Festival there. As soon as we arrived, the brahmacaris were sent over to help out at the cart site. There were many devotees there lifting wooden beams, hammering nails and working like mad to meet the deadline. Then along came a tall serious looking devotee who struck me as a genuine no-nonsense leader. It was Jayananda Prabhu. He immediately took charge and began engaging everyone in Lord Jagannatha’s service. Along with Visnujana Swami, I had never seen anyone with such a powerful devotional aura about him. There was no mistaking his total dedication to his service. In fact, I recall thinking to myself at the time, “This devotee is staunchness personified.” To this day, I always remember him in that light.

Every day we had to help work on the carts and around the grounds to help get things ready in time for Rathayatra. I heard that there were about 500 brahmacaris there from all over the U.S. and Canada. It seemed like total mayhem to me, but Jayananda always

looked like he knew what he was doing, so I assumed that everything was in complete control.

Jayananda Prabhu was all over the site and beyond during those Rathayatra Festivals, attending to every little detail and making sure that everyone was engaged and well fed so that we could try and keep up to his pace. But it was obvious to everyone that he was specially empowered to perform this service like no one else. Yet he made no big fanfare about it nor showed even a trace of false ego. He was just totally sincere and worked harder and longer than anyone else.

While working alongside him, I think that the best word which comes to mind in describing his attitude is “determined.” His mind was totally fixed on devotional service. His consciousness was unlike that of an ordinary conditioned soul, prone to wandering here and there. He was blessed with pinpoint concentration, which he fully engaged in the service of his beloved Srila Prabhupada and Lord Jagannatha. What a blessing just to be in his presence and watch him serve with such unparalleled devotional zeal.

Books for Distribution

15 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Book Distribution, Books by Srila Prabhupada Tags: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Prabhupada books, Science of Self Realization, wholesale books

The Science of Self Realization
By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad

This High Quality Hard Bound is a reproduction of the book first published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust in 1977

In this book you will discover the timeless science of the soul, information on practicing yoga and meditation in this Age l, finding the cure for todays social ills, choosing a spiritual master, understanding Krsna and Christ, and reaching life’s perfectional stage.

4×7 hardbound
360 pages
Appendixes: About the Author, Glossary, Guide to Sanskrit Pronunciation, and Index, 44 to the case!

Wholesale Price of $130.00 per case

Available for sale on line at; http://www.theharekrishnamovement.com

Become Self Realized by Reading These Books

15 May 2011 Leave a comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Letters by Srila Prabhupada Tags: books by Srila Prabhupada, devotee of Lord Krishna, Miss Nedungadi, self realization

Letters by Srila Prabhupada

Anyone who tries to understand these books will become a great realized devotee of Lord Krishna gradually

Bombay, Calicut–2, Kerala State,
Friday, 19 March, 1975:

My dear Miss Nedungadi, please accept my greetings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated March 6th, 1975 and have noted the contents.

Thank you so much for your kind appreciations. I am so much grateful that you have enjoyed studying my books. Many young intelligent persons such as yourself are studying these books in the colleges and universities all over the world.

Actually anyone who tries to understand these books will become a great realized devotee of Lord Krishna gradually. The original potency of the sastra remains in these books because I have not added or opinionated anything of my own. I have simply presented the scriptures such as Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam as they are. Therefore just see the effect they have on the world.

At present, we have about 100 centers worldwide and about 10,000 fully dedicated students in those centers. You are welcome to visit or stay in any of our centers for your spiritual advancement. We have a nice center in Madras: 50, Aspiran Gardens, 2nd St., Kilpauk, Madras–600010. You can get all the books there.

I will be in Bombay at the end of April and beginning of May. So, if you can come then, I shall see you there. In the meantime please correspond with or visit one of our temples.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Svami

ACBS/ps

Pasted from http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/?p=3171

Enter, Srila Prabhupada (Chapter 13)

14 May 2011 1 Comment

by The Hare Krishna Movement in Devotee Books, Hayagriva das, The Hare Krishna Explosion Tags: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, hayagriva das, Iskcon, Kirtanananda Swami, Lord Krishna, matchless gifts, Srila Prabhupada, Swamiji, the hare krishna explosion

The Hare Krishna Explosion
by Hayagriva das

Part III: New Vrindaban, 1968-1969
Chapter 13

Enter, Srila Prabhupada

In his long absence, Swamiji’s words haunt me: “Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget my publications. I wish that if I live or die, you will take very serious care for my publications.“

We are bewildered trying to keep the ISKCON ship afloat, subsisting on the only supplies left—the holy names, the words, the taped lectures, the few books and pamphlets, the memories and photographs.

“Although I am practically on the path of death….”

(Swamiji always said “practically” for “actually.”)

His publications! The Word in English! Before me sits the first complete draft of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, ready for final English revision. “It must be published at once,” he told us repeatedly. “Either get some publisher, or we print it ourselves. Complete it quickly.”

Leaving San Francisco, even revising the manuscript on the plane, I return to New York to work with Brahmananda, who is still hounding publishers.

In Matchless Gifts, we carry on, keeping silent vigil for reports on Swamiji’s condition. Every day, we wait for a letter from Swamiji himself, signed in a large, firm hand, “Your ever well-wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami.”

Soon letters from Kirtanananda begin to arrive. Word spreads. Swamiji and Kirtanananda were detained overnight in London because someone on the plane was infected with smallpox. A twenty-four hour quarantine. They were accomodated in a hotel by the airline. In the morning, Swamiji was feeling much better, and they were in Moscow in three hours.

Swamiji was not impressed by the stark silence of the Moscow airport. Nor by the peasant women mopping the floor, nor by the Marxist tracts. Women should be protected, and in every society there exists the four castes. How can the sudras, the working class be expected to dominate government? The four castes were proclaimed eternal by Krishna Himself. Mr. Marx cannot arbitrarily abolish them. Such is the illusion of demons.

“We stayed in Moscow about an hour,” Kirtanananda writes, then reboarded and were in Delhi by midnight. We arrived in the middle of the monsoons, so when we got off the plane, the hot and humid Indian air hit us. It was like walking into a scorching brick wall.”