15 Jan 2020
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ahimsa, Buddha
Tags: A. c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, ahimsa, animal slaughter, animal-killing, Bhagavad-gita, ego, Eightfold Path, four noble truths, Lord Buddha, nonviolence, Srimad Bhagavatam
Ever since I was a small child, I have been attracted to the statue of Buddha. Don’t know why, but I had a statue of Buddha in my bedroom, and it was a Christian home. I didn’t really know about Krishna then or who the Buddha was…but I was so attracted to everything Eastern. As I learned latter in life, Buddha was actually an incarnation of Krsna.
“From the Bhāgavatam we understand that Lord Buddha is the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa who appeared when materialism was rampant and materialists were using the pretext of the authority of the Vedas. Although there are certain restrictive rules and regulations regarding animal sacrifice for particular purposes in the Vedas, people of demonic tendency still took to animal sacrifice without reference to the Vedic principles. Lord Buddha appeared to stop this nonsense and to establish the Vedic principles of nonviolence. Therefore each and every avatāra, or incarnation of the Lord, has a particular mission, and they are all described in the revealed scriptures. No one should be accepted as an avatāra unless he is referred to by scriptures. It is not a fact that the Lord appears only on Indian soil. He can advent Himself anywhere and everywhere, and whenever He desires to appear. In each and every incarnation, He speaks as much about religion as can be understood by the particular people under their particular circumstances. But the mission is the same—to lead people to God consciousness and obedience to the principles of religion. Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form.” (from purport Bg 4.7)
I have included a short summary of the Four Noble Truths & The Eightfold Path, along with some references from the Vedic Perspective
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31 Dec 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Tags: A. c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, Krishna, Krsna, material world, New Years Eve, peace formula, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, temporary existence
Today marks the end of 2019 and the beging of a New Year. I guess everyone hopes for peace in the coming year, and the actual formula for peace is explained by Srila Prabhupada in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.11.33 and Bhagavad-gita 5.29, wherein Srila Prabhupada is describing the factual formula for peace in this material world. Very interesting.
…In the material world no one is permanently fortunate, however clever one may be. There have been so many big empires in different parts of the world, there have been so many powerful kings all over the world, and there have been so many fortunate men, but all of them have been liquidated gradually. This is the law of material nature. But spiritually it is different. The spiritual relation with the Lord is so enlivening and resourceful that no one can leave the company of the Lord, once having taken shelter of Him. (SB 1.11.33 purport)
…The conditioned souls within the clutches of illusory energy are all anxious to attain peace in the material world. But they do not know the formula for peace, which is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā. The greatest peace formula is simply this: Lord Kṛṣṇa is the beneficiary in all human activities. Men should offer everything to the transcendental service of the Lord because He is the proprietor of all planets and the demigods thereon. No one is greater than He…Under the spell of illusion, living entities are trying to be lords of all they survey, but actually they are dominated by the material energy of the Lord. The Lord is the master of material nature, and the conditioned souls are under the stringent rules of material nature. Unless one understands these bare facts, it is not possible to achieve peace in the world either individually or collectively. This is the sense of Kṛṣṇa consciousness: Lord Kṛṣṇa is the supreme predominator, and all living entities, including the great demigods, are His subordinates. One can attain perfect peace only in complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. (Bg 5.29 purport)
Full texts and purports More
15 Sep 2019
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Back to Godhead, Lectures, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: Back to Godhead Magazine, bhakti yoga, BTG, devotional service, Krishna consciousness, lectures by His Divine Grace, Lectures by Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vedic literature
“On The Teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu”
From The Lectures of Swami A.C. Bhaktivedanta
BTG Year-1967 Volume-01 Number-06
(Notes transcribed from a lecture given Wednesday, December 7, 1966.)
If you want Lord Krishna, then there is no other way except by devotional service. As for yoga, ritualistic performances, and the study of Vedic or other scriptural literature-all these forms are recommended to help us further ourselves. But, if you want to be in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you have to engage in devotional service.
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25 May 2018
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Book Changes, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: A. C. Bhaktivdanta Swami Prabhupada, BBT, BBTI, Bhagavatam set printed by Jitarati, books by Srila Prabhupada, Iskcon, Jitarati das, KBI, Krishna Books, Krishna Books Inc., Srimad Bhagavatam
I would like to offer my humble obeisances to Jitarati Prabhu, and all the devotees involved in printing and distributing this beautiful set of Srimad Bhagavatam’s. I am gladdened by the news that the court case was finally settled, and all parties involved, have agreed to work together for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada! -Vyasasan das
BBT Court Case Against Jitarati’s Bhagavatam-Set, Finally Settled
by Jitarrati das
www.iskcon-truth.com/bhagavatam-set/bbt-court-case-settled.html
BBT India and Jitarati Das court case amicably settled in Bombay High Court!
Justice Kathawala before whom the matter of printing the Srimad Bhagavatam 10 volumes by Jitarati Das came up on 16th May 2018, requested the parties to try to mediate and settle the matter out of court and come back to him.
BBT India represented by HH Gopal Krishna Goswami, HG Bhima Das and Ananda Tirtha Dasa mediated with Jitarati Das and has settled the matter. Both parties have resolved their differences and have agreed to work together for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada.
BBT India will print and make available the Srimad Bhagavatam in 10 volumes format (Nine Cantos and Krishna Book) WITHOUT 11th and 12th Canto. Jitarati Das has agreed to distribute the present printed sets outside of India by developing a new market outside of ISKCON circles.
This court settlement was recorded by the Justice and the suit is closed.
Jitarati Das
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24 Dec 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, Acarya, gop tax plan, Krishna, principles of religion, rogues and non-devotees, SB4.28.48, Srimad Bhagavatam, Supreme Lord, Supreme Personality of Godhead, tax bill
Unfortunately, I have been following the News of late, and with some personal disgust, have had to watch the Republican Tax Bill, which was written in secret, and pushed through the House and Senate for final signing, become law. It puts the country into more debt, while giving a tax break to the very rich and largest corporations. The new tax bill lowers the tax rate for top earners, and gives a massive tax cut to corporations. Starting on Jan. 1, 2018, big businesses’ tax rate would fall from 35 percent to just 21 percent, the largest one-time rate cut in U.S. history for the nation’s largest companies. Seems like the swamp didn’t get drained after all.
O best of kings, please get up! Get up! Just see this world surrounded by water and infested with rogues and so-called kings. This world is very much afraid, and it is your duty to protect her.
“Whenever an ācārya comes, following the superior orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative, he establishes the principles of religion, as enunciated in Bhagavad-gītā. Religion means abiding by the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead… Unfortunately, when the ācārya disappears, rogues and nondevotees take advantage and immediately begin to introduce unauthorized principles in the name of so-called svāmīs, yogīs, philanthropists, welfare workers and so on.
The main business of human society is to think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead at all times, to become His devotees, to worship the Supreme Lord and to bow down before Him. The ācārya, the authorized representative of the Supreme Lord, establishes these principles, but when he disappears, things once again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the ācārya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master. At the present moment practically the entire world is afraid of rogues and nondevotees; therefore this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is started to save the world from irreligious principles. Everyone should cooperate with this movement in order to bring about actual peace and happiness in the world. (from Purport to SB4.28.48)
Full text and purport follow: More
24 Dec 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhakti Yoga, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, atma-tattva, bhakti yoga, Brahma, jivatma, Paramatma, SB 2.9.4, Srimad Bhagavatam, yoga
Reading or hearing of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is also performance of bhakti-yoga
The sound of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is transcendental, and the resonance of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is as good as that of the Vedas. Thus the topic of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the science of both the Lord and the living entity.
…The sound of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is transcendental, and the resonance of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is as good as that of the Vedas. Thus the topic of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the science of both the Lord and the living entity. Regular reading or hearing of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is also performance of bhakti-yoga, and one can attain the highest perfection simply by the association of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Both Śukadeva Gosvāmī and Mahārāja Parīkṣit attained perfection through the medium of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. (from purport SB 2.9.4)
full text and purport follows: More
02 Oct 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Paratrika Ananda das, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's Accomplishments, Srila Prabhupada's Books
Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, books by Srila Prabhupada, Gita, Scholarly work of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupada's Accomplishments, Srila Prabhupada's books, Srimad Bhagavatam
A Summary of Prabhupada’s Miraculous Accomplishments
Compiled by Paratrika Ananda das
In reading many of the profiles of Srila Prabhupada, I’m saddened that a number of his important projects, programs and achievements are never mentioned. In the following summary I’ve tried to compile a more comprehensive list of his credits. Although this list is also incomplete, I hope it presents a fuller picture of Srila Prabhupada’s greatness. (Paratrika Ananda das)
A Summary of Srila Prabhupada’s Miraculous Accomplishments from 1965 to 1977
In 1965, at seventy years of age, he ventured outside India for the first time to fulfill the order of his spiritual master. During his voyage at sea, he suffered two severe heart attacks. He reached the shores of America with the equivalent of seven dollars to his name.
He founded the International Society for Krsna Consciousness with a small group of disciples, after a year of struggling alone in New York City. This marked the only time in history that a Krsna devotee successfully trained non-Indians in the strict disciplines of Vaisnavism. Amazingly, this was achieved during the blossoming of America’s hedonistic counterculture movement.
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02 Sep 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Lectures, Lord Vamanadeva, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vamanadeva
Tags: 15th incarnation, appearance day of Lord Vamanadeva, Bali Maharaja, Krsna, Lord Vamanadeva, SB 1.3.19, Srila Prabhupada lectures, Srimad Bhagavatam
Today we celebrate the Appearance of Lord Vamanadeva, the fifteenth Incarnation, wherin Krsna assumed the form of a dwarf brahmana. We are posting a lecture given by Srila Prabhupada on Sept 24th, 1972, on the Srimad Bhagavatam telling the story of Bali Maharaja and Lord Vamanadeva.
“In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf brāhmaṇa, Vāmana, and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Mahārāja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.” [SB 1.3.19]
Full lecture
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09 Aug 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Srila Prabhupada's Books, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, back to Godhead, constructing temples, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, importance of printing books, publishing books, SB 8.1, spiritual master, Srila Prabhuada, Srimad Bhagavatam, Summary 8.1.
Important Instructions
The following is an excerpt from the summary for Canto 8, Chapter 1 of the Srimad Bhagavatam, wherein Srila Prabhupada is describing the instructions given to him at Radha Kunda in August of 1935, by his spiritual master His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami.
Summary
First of all, let me offer my humble, respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda. Sometime in the year 1935 when His Divine Grace was staying at Rādhā-kuṇḍa, I went to see him from Bombay. At that time, he gave me many important instructions in regard to constructing temples and publishing books. He personally told me that publishing books is more important than constructing temples. Of course, those same instructions remained within my mind for many years. In 1944 I began publishing my Back to Godhead, and when I retired from family life in 1958 I began publishing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in Delhi. When three parts of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam had been published in India, I then started for the United States of America on the thirteenth of August, 1965.
I am continuously trying to publish books, as suggested by my spiritual master. Now, in this year, 1976, I have completed the Seventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, and a summary of the Tenth Canto has already been published as Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Still, the Eighth Canto, Ninth Canto, Tenth Canto, Eleventh Canto and Twelfth Canto are yet to be published. On this occasion, therefore, I am praying to my spiritual master to give me strength to finish this work. I am neither a great scholar nor a great devotee; I am simply a humble servant of my spiritual master, and to the best of my ability I am trying to please him by publishing these books, with the cooperation of my disciples in America. Fortunately, scholars all over the world are appreciating these publications. Let us cooperatively publish more and more volumes of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam just to please His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
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06 Aug 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, chanting, Chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Kali Yuga, Sankirtan
Tags: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Pabhupada, chant Hare Krishna, chanting Hare Krishna, hare krishna maha mantra, kirtanad eva krsnasya, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
We all have our favorite quotes and slokas from the pages of Srila Prabhupada’s books. One of mine is the following:
“My dear King, although Kali-yuga is full of faults, there is still one good quality about this age. It is that simply by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.” (Bhāg. 12.3.51)
Srila Prabhupada quotes this partictular verse from the Bhagavatam many times in his lectures, conversations, books etc., for instance:
“In the sastra it is said this Kali-yuga is full of faults, so many faults. It is the ocean of faults. But there is a very nice thing, asti hy eko mahan gunah, a very great quality. What is that? Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. If you simply chant Hare Krishna mantra, then you become perfect. Is it very difficult? Chant Hare Krishna and you become perfect. But we are so unfortunate, we are not even prepared to chant. This is our position. So you have to make little determination that ‘I shall chant henceforward Hare Krishna mantra.’ Then everything is all right.”
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21 May 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Book Changes, Book Distribution, Books by Srila Prabhupada, Devotee's, Hansadutta das, Jitarati das, Uncategorized
Tags: A. C. Bhaktivdanta Swami Prabhupada, BBT, BBTI, Bhima das, book changes, books by Srila Prabhupada, Jitarati, KBI, original books, Prabhupada News, Srila Prabhupada's original books, Srimad Bhagavatam
“The presence of the Bhagavatam in any house makes the house sanctified and free of all inauspiciousness. Worshiping the Bhagavatam is equivalent to worshiping Lord Krsna. Hearing and reading the Bhagavatam is unalloyed devotional service. There are two meanings of the word “Bhagavat” – one is the book Srimad-Bhagavatam and the other is the person Bhagavat who is the personification of Lord Krsna’s mercy. By daily worshiping, studying and hearing the Srimad-Bhagavatam, one is actually elevated to become a person Bhagavat.” (Antya Lila Chapter 3)
Bombay India – Attention: To All Devotees Worldwide!
By: News Correspondent Bombay
Please note that BBT India is trying very hard (at the present moment) to completely destroy Srila Prabhupada’s original Books.
Bombay BBT filed a new copyright infringement lawsuit in India and had KBI’s associate Jitarati Prabhu’s beautiful Srimad Bhagwatam 5,000 boxed sets blocked from delivery to him at the printer’s warehouse. All the BBT trustees are involved in the law suit, untruthfully claiming that there is no legality to the printing. They are holding the already printed books hostage. Who knows for how long? BBT India has further applied to the court that the printed books should be destroyed.
BBT India is planning to have Srila Prabhupada’s original books completely banned from printing (in India and USA) by trying to revoke the licence given to KBI, claiming that the KBI given license has expired. BBT India wants to end the printing & distribution of unchanged, original books.
KBI – Krishna Books Inc is licensed by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust to print and publish the pre-1978 literary works of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda.
BBT Licensed KBI to Print Original Books
http://harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/12-09/editorials5481.htm
NOWHERE is it stated that the license will expire
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25 Mar 2017
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Krishna Consciousness, Uncategorized
Tags: causeless mercy, Krishna consciousness, liberated, Nectar of Devotion, Prabhupada connect, respectful obeisances, rightful claim, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam, transcendental abode
This is perhaps my favorite sloka from the Srimad-Bhagavatam. It fills me with hope, and helps me to learn patience.
In the Tenth Canto, Fourteenth Chapter, verse 8, it is said; ‘My dear Lord, any person who is constantly awaiting Your causeless mercy to be bestowed upon him, and who goes on suffering the resultant actions of his past misdeeds, offering You respectful obeisances from the core of his heart, is surely eligible to become liberated, for it has become his rightful claim.’
This statement of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam should be the guide of all devotees. A devotee should not expect immediate relief from the reactions of his past misdeeds. No conditioned soul is free from such reactionary experiences, because material existence means continued suffering or enjoying of past activities. If one has finished his material activities then there is no more birth. This is possible only when one begins Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, because such activities do not produce reaction. Therefore, as soon as one becomes perfect in Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, he is not going to take birth again in this material world. A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments. When such impediments arise he should simply think of Kṛṣṇa and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord. By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God. The exact word used in this verse is dāya-bhāk. Dāya-bhāk refers to a son’s becoming the lawful inheritor of the property of the father. In a similar way, a pure devotee who is prepared to undergo all kinds of tribulations in executing Kṛṣṇa conscious duties becomes lawfully qualified to enter into the transcendental abode.”
(Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 10)
text pasted from; Prabhupada Connect
12 Dec 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Chanting Hare Krishna, Maha-mantra, Mantra Meditation
Tags: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Pabhupada, causelessmercy, chanting, chanting Hare Krishna, chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krishna, mantra meditation, meditating upon the form of Visnu, process of meditation, SB4.8.53, Srimad Bhagavatam
This morning I was reading from the Forth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam about the process of mantra meditation. I have always loved this story of Druva Maharaja, and his determination in meditation, on the form of the Lord. We have included the entire text and purport.
O son of the King, now I shall speak unto you the mantra which is to be chanted with this process of meditation. One who carefully chants this mantra for seven nights can see the perfect human beings flying in the sky. (SB4.8.53)
…Another point established in this verse is that meditation should be carried on with the chanting of a mantra. Chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is the easiest process of meditation in this age. As soon as one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, he sees the forms of Kṛṣṇa, Rāma and Their energies, and that is the perfect stage of trance. One should not artificially try to see the form of the Lord while chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, but when the chanting is performed offenselessly the Lord will automatically reveal Himself to the view of the chanter. The chanter, therefore, has to concentrate on hearing the vibration, and without extra endeavor on his part, the Lord will automatically appear.
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08 Nov 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Politics
Tags: A. C. Bhakthvedanta Swami Prabhupada, age of kali, Battle of Kuruksetra, dharma of Kali Yuga, kali yuga, mundane politics, mundane things, mundane to the mundaners, politics and diplomacy, pure devotees, SB 1.16.6, Srimad Bhagavatam, topics related to Lord Krsna, transcendental plane
Today is the election day here in America. I admit, that I have been following the election this year. I have been entertained, inspired, bewildered, and appalled. It has been very interesting indeed. But mostly, I have found it to be most disturbing. I cannot believe the nasty language and rude behavior we as Americans have been forced to witness and endure. It is truly shocking and symptomatic of the onslaught of the age of Kali-yuga. Sometimes I wish that I had just focused my undivided attention on the Lotus Feet of the Lord, and given up my passionate desire to watch this circus of events called American Politics.
The devotees of the Lord are accustomed to licking up the honey available from the lotus feet of the Lord. What is the use of topics which simply waste one’s valuable life? (Srimad Bhagavatam 1.16.6)
…Lord Kṛṣṇa and His devotees are both on the transcendental plane; therefore the topics of Lord Kṛṣṇa and of His pure devotees are equally good. The Battle of Kurukṣetra is full of politics and diplomacy, but because the topics are related with Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Bhagavad-gītā is therefore adored all over the world. There is no need to eradicate politics, economics, sociology, etc., which are mundane to the mundaners. To a pure devotee, who is actually related with the Lord, such mundane things are transcendental if dovetailed with the Lord or with His pure devotees. (from purport)
Full text and purport More
01 Nov 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Vidura das
Tags: A.C. Bhaktiveanta Swami Prabhupada, Arjuna, Battlefield of Kuruksetra, Bhagavad Gita, devotional service, Krishna, Krsna, revealed scriptures, SB1.15.25-26, SB1.15.27, SB1.15.28, SB1.15.29, SB1.15.30, SB1.15.31, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Prabhupadas instructions, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vidura das
I ran across this interesting compilation of quotes this morning on the Prabhupada News website, by Vidura Prabhu. This is a nice reminder that Krsna is present today, through His spoken words on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, and by chanting his holy names. And that Srila Prabhupada is also present today, through his words and instructions. I have done some slight editing (highlighting), and have included the full text and purports to SB 1.15.27-31 at bottom of post. -Vyasasan das
Arjuna Teaches Us How to Serve the Spiritual Master in His Absence
by: Vidura dasa
Oct 23 2011, USA — “The Lord left behind Him the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita not for the benefit of Arjuna alone, but also for all time and in all lands(1). […]The problem which arose in the heart of Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra was solved by the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita. […]The merciful Lord left behind Him the great teachings of the Bhagavad-gita so that one can take the instructions of the Lord even when He is not visible to material eyesight(2). […] Thus the Bhagavad-gita, or any authentic scriptural sound representation of the Lord, is also the incarnation of the Lord. There is no difference between the sound representation of the Lord and the Lord Himself. One can derive the same benefit from the Bhagavad-gita as Arjuna did in the personal presence of the Lord.” (SB 1.15.27)
“Arjuna began to think of the Lord’s instructions to him on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. Only those instructions began to eliminate the tinges of material contamination(3) in the mind of Arjuna.” (SB 1.15.28)
“As soon as Arjuna turned his attention towards the instructions of the Lord, as they are inculcated in the Bhagavad-gita, his true color of eternal association with the Lord became manifest, and thus he felt freed from all material contaminations.” (SB 1.15.29)
“As soon as Arjuna took up the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita, expert as he was, he could at once eradicate the material conception of Lord Krishna, his eternal friend. He could realize that the Lord was still present before him by His instruction(4), by His form, by His pastimes, by His qualities and everything else related to Him. […] One is not able to feel the presence of the Lord in all circumstances until one is endowed with the required transcendental vision made possible by devotional service prescribed in the revealed scriptures. Arjuna had attained this stage long before on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, and when he apparently felt the absence of the Lord, he at once took shelter of the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita(5), and thus again he was placed in his original position*.” (SB 1.15.31)
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30 Oct 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Dipavali, Festivals, Kartika, Krishna Consciousness
Tags: A. c. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, bound by mother Yasoda, dark moon, deepaavali, Dipavali, Diwali, Hindu, Hindu festival, Lord Kesna breaking the pot of yogart, SB 10.9.1-2, Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam
Today marks the festival of Dipavali. Dipavali [Diwali} Sunday, October 30, 2016 [Mayapura, West Bengal, India time]. The Dīpāvalī festival takes place on the dark-moon night in the month of Kārttika (October-November).
Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere) is one of the major festivals of Hinduism. It spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika in Bikram Sambat calendar. (excerpted from Wikipedia)
Although we do not celebrate in typical Hindu fashion, we do honor Dipavli as Srila Prabhupada has explained that the actual meaning of Dipavali celebration is Lord Krsna breaking the pot of yogurt and being bound by Yasodamayi.
Srila Prabhupada Explains Dipavali (Diwali)
…Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, quoting from the Vaiṣṇava-toṣaṇī of Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, says that the incident of Kṛṣṇa’s breaking the pot of yogurt and being bound by mother Yaśodā took place on the Dipavali Day, or Dīpa-mālikā. Even today in India, this festival is generally celebrated very gorgeously in the month of Kārtika by fireworks and lights, especially in Bombay. It is to be understood that among all the cows of Nanda Mahārāja, several of mother Yaśodā’s cows ate only grasses so flavorful that the grasses would automatically flavor the milk. Mother Yaśodā wanted to collect the milk from these cows, make it into yogurt and churn it into butter personally, since she thought that this child Kṛṣṇa was going to the houses of neighborhood gopas and gopīs to steal butter because He did not like the milk and yogurt ordinarily prepared. (from purport to SB 10.9.1-2)
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11 Oct 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Politics, Prahlada Maharaja
Tags: devotees, friends and enemies, philosophy of division, political philosophy, Politics, Prahlada Maharaja, pure devotee, SB 7.5.3, Srimad Bhagavatam, Teachings of Prahlada Maharaja, topics of politics
For anyone following the election this year, I think we can all agree, it has been interesting to say the least. For a post today I went to the Srimad Bhagavatam, Seventh Canto, where Prahada began to speak to his friends and teachers about the glories of devotional service to the Supreme Lord…
Politics involves accepting one group of men as enemies and another group as friends. Everything in politics is based on this philosophy, and the entire world, especially at the present, is engrossed in it. The public is concerned with friendly countries and friendly groups or enemy countries and enemy groups, but as stated in Bhagavad-gītā, a learned person does not make distinctions between enemies and friends. Devotees, especially, do not create friends and enemies. A devotee sees that every living being is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa (mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ [15.7]). Therefore a devotee treats friends and enemies equally by trying to educate them both in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Of course, atheistic men do not follow the instructions of pure devotees, but instead consider a devotee their enemy. A devotee, however, never creates a situation of friendship and enmity. (from purport SB 7.5.3)
Although the teachers tried to educate the boy Prahlāda in politics, economics and other material activities, he did not care for their instructions. Instead, he continued to be a pure devotee. Prahlāda Mahārāja never liked the idea of discriminating between one’s friends and enemies. Because he was spiritually inclined, he was equal toward everyone. (from chapter summmary)
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25 Sep 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Light of the Bhagavata, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: adverse conditions of life, advice and support, devotee, Light of the Bhagavata, Lob 12, lotus feet of the Lord, SB1.5.19, spiritual kingdom, spiritually advanced devotee, Srimad Bhagavatam, transcendental Personality of Godhead, Vyasa
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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28 Aug 2016
by The Hare Krishna Movement
in A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Buddha, Eightfold Path, Four Nobel Truths, Srimad Bhagavatam
Tags: A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, buddha, cause of suffering, Eightfold Path, end of suffering, Four Nobel Truths, happiness, Lord Buddha, nonviolence, province of Gaya, SB 1.3.24, son of Anjana, Srimad Bhagavatam, truth of suffering
Ever since I was a small child, I have been attracted to the statue of Buddha. Don’t know why, but I had a statue of Buddha in my bedroom, and it was a Christian home. I didn’t really know about Krishna then or who the Buddha was…but I was so attracted to everything Eastern. As I learned latter in life Buddha was actually an incarnation of Krsna. “From the Bhāgavatam we understand that Lord Buddha is the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa who appeared when materialism was rampant and materialists were using the pretext of the authority of the Vedas.” (from purport Bg 4.7)
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