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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Monday 14 March 2011--Don't Be A Dumb Animal in a Slaughterhouse--and--Can You Request Prayer for Japan?

Kurma dasa, AU: Too Busy to Blog

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, March 13th, 2011

Jahnavi, UK: The S Word

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Earthquake and Tsunamis Strike Japan! A Call for Prayers!

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Gujaratis "natural devotees"

Japa Group: Stop Your Other Activities

David Haslam, UK: I would be given a wife

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Sunday Feast Live!

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.23 - Entrances & Exits

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 248—Poem for March 13

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

New Vrndavan, USA: Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Positions Open

Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: The Illusion of False Ego

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Repurpose : Soapstone Tile For Pizza Making

Sutapa das, BV Manor, UK: In times of need...

David Haslam, UK: Interesting Vides

Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Paramatma and the time bomb affect

Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group

Book Distribution News: Paramatma and the time bomb affect

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Because of technical problems it is not possible to load a podcast today

Dandavats.com: Gita Nagari Website Update

Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Gopi Gita dasi

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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Monday 14 March 2011--Don't Be A Dumb Animal in a Slaughterhouse--and--Can You Request Prayer for Japan?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(tm) Monday 14 March 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. Today's Thought: Don't Be A Dumb Animal in a Slaughterhouse Uploaded from Bhaktivedanta Ashram--Austin, Texas USA Don't be like a dumb animal in a slaughter house complacently accepting birth, death, old age, and disease, blindly accepting them as unavoidable, unchangeable aspects of existence. You can easily and permanently conquer over them if you will simply revive your lost loving relationship with Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If you do so, you will enter into an eternal, all-blissful, all-wise, existence. So instead of blaming God for these miseries, be intelligent and blame yourself for foolishly accepting these miseries. In this way if you will take proper guidance from the bona fide spiritual master, you will conquer over them. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Can You Request Prayer for Japan? Respected Gurudeva, I hope you must be aware of the misery, in Japan. I am praying to the Lord that the nuclear reactor should not burst. Can you kindly request all the devotees to pray for the people of Japan? S. Kumar Answer: Why Only Japan? I share your feelings of compassion for the horrible suffering of the people of Japan. There is one horror story after another. In the city of Minamisoma with a population of 70,000 practically every building was washed away by the tsunami and there was not a sign of even one survivor. What a hellish nightmare this is! Not only in Japan, but in every country and every city throughout world people are suffering horrible miseries every day. This is why I feel very sorry for the suffering humanity and like to often recite this prayer of the great mahajana, Sri Prahlada Maharaja: svasty astu vivasya khalah prasdatm dhyyantu bhtni ivam mitho dhiy mana ca bhadram bhajatd adhoksaje veyatm no matir apy ahaituk May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other's welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Sri Krishna, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him. --Srimad Bhagavatam 5.18.9 If we can teach the people to live in perfect harmony with the laws of God, the ever-increasingly hellish atmosphere of this planet can be wonderfully transformed into heaven on earth. This is why we must now more than ever accept the duty given to us by Lord Caitanya to enlighten everyone, especially the leading members of the human society, in the all perfect science of Krishna consciousness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. 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Kurma dasa, AU: Too Busy to Blog

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Deity Darshan: Sunday, March 13th, 2011

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Jahnavi, UK: The S Word

Jahnavi, UK: The S Word

Tonight I was sitting next to my mum and a few people commented that we looked ‘exactly like sisters!’ Compliment for her. Yes, I know I’m not getting any younger. Tomorrow marks one more year of being, and I’m surprised at how meaningless it’s starting to feel.
When I was younger I was all into birthdays. Each year had a different theme, from St Patrick’s Day, to murder mystery, to Hawaii. It was fun. But now that I’m officially an old crotchet, I don’t feel much for the passing of another twelve months – except the realisation that there’s no time like the present to become more determined to live my words – put my thoughts into action.
So many experiences this year have brought me to the understanding that I have to surrender. I know – it’s almost a dirty word in today’s society. Surrender is what you do when you get arrested, or when you realise that you’re going to be stuck in traffic, whether you beep the horn twenty times or not. Surrender means relinquishing control. Failing to take charge of life.
Well, not really. At least not from where I’m standing. To me surrender means being satisfied with the fact that I’m not in control. It means acknowledging the divine source of everything in my life, and having faith that there is a higher plan. It means letting go to whatever vision I have of the way things are supposed to be, and listening, watching and learning as they unfold the way they will.
Tomorrow is a birthday for me, but a funeral for my uncle. We step into this life for a few moments, and walk off through the wings after the play ends. It’s so important to make everything inbetween count. Not in a frantic way. Not anxiously watching the years passing, our bodies changing. But with grace, good humour, patience and faith.
I love the way my dear friend Gaura put it in his song, ‘Surrender’. Heartfelt realisation.

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Earthquake and Tsunamis Strike Japan! A Call for Prayers!

As many of us already know, Japan was struck by earhquakes and tsunamis a few days back. During our Sunday program this evening, a special moment was taken out of the program to chant for all the souls affected by this disaster. We encourage devotees in our community to send your heartfelt prayers to all those affected by the recent events. Below, is an excerpt from ISKCON News:

Historic Earthquake and Tsunami Hits Japan

An 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northeast Japan spawned a ferocious tsunami that's caused massive destruction; flattening whole cities, starting raging fires, and killing hundreds. Nearly 88,000 people are reported missing, according to the official Kyodo news agency.

"The Tokyo ISKCON Center and Govinda`s Restaurant did not get impacted - says Sanjay Krishnacandra Das, Tokyo Krishna-devotee - apart from some cracks on the walls, there was no substantial damage."

The 30 temple resident devotees are safe, they make sure to watch for the emergency evacuation instruction in case of a violent after-shock.

ISKCON News will keep readers updated about the situation Japan.

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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

Their Lordships are floating in a haze of pastel hues today.

Regardless of Their ever-changing set or the coming of every new day or the unpredictable weather, Chota Gaura Nitai are always immersed in ecstasy of Love of God, with Their arms outstretched, reaching the heights of bliss prevailing in Goloka Dhama.

Especially our Nityananda Raya: He is forever "blissed-out" as per our ISKCON vocabulary!

Nitai Gosai so mercifully allows us to take darsana of His eternal abode daily.

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Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: Gujaratis "natural devotees"

The Gujerati people are natural devotees, so if you organize them, they will come out first-class devotees. There is no doubt about this. Organize the performance of kirtan and distribution of prasadam as far as possible. That will guarantee automatic success. I have seen the Gujerati Back to Godhead and it has been done very nicely in an improved way.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yasomatinandan, 28 April, 1977

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Japa Group: Stop Your Other Activities

You can’t get up and go here and there; you can’t do business; you can’t do anything, except this yoga. That is the whole idea. Stop your other activities, sit down, meditate. So when we sit and meditate, we should not do anything else. You sit tight and hear and chant, hear and chant—for only two hours a day.

Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

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David Haslam, UK: I would be given a wife

We see at times people come, stay for some time and then leave devotee association and I would guess more so outside of the Indian community. Sometime it’s because of the searching disturbed mind that moves quickly from one faith to another, picking the bits they like whist discarding the other bits they know make [...]

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ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Sunday Feast Live!

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Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.23 - Entrances & Exits

Rupa Madhurya das, TX, USA: Lecture - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.23 - Entrances & Exits

Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 1, Text 23 titled "Entrances and Exits" by Prahladananda Swami.
Dallas, TX
2010-12-16

Download: 2010-12-16 - Prahladananda Swami - SB 10.1.23 - Entrances and Exits.mp3

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 248—Poem for March 13

www.sdgonline.org.
A Writer of Pieces
New format–I will begin with a poem written on the day of its printing. Then I will print random excerpts of books I have printed over the last 30 years. I hope this variety will be pleasing.
Poem for March 13
There was a volcano, a
tsunami in Japan, a huge
crack in the earth. And here
the trees have been cut down
and removed from the roofs.
Winter is hanging on in
New York.
Haridasa is visiting us. Last
night I excused myself from
conversation with him and wrote an
autobiographical piece based
on Mukunda’s book Swami
in San Francisco. It was
a little inhospitable, but I
felt I had to write and then
go to bed. Today T. J.
is holding the “first grains”
ceremony for his baby,
I will attend, in the yoga
studio at 4:00 P.M.
Dhanurdhara Swami and Kaulini
will direct the rituals.
Tulasi is the baby, and
we hope she will behave well
and choose a Bhagavatam or
money to indicate her nature.
I never had the benefit
of that samskara. I
was raised in the Catholic
church. It wasn’t until
I was twenty-five that I
met the Vedic way and
entered the samskaras,
being initiated three times
by the Swami and chanting
Hare Krishna as a
daily routine. I’m
in my last years,
still chanting and hearing,
the last samskaras
will be the rites
at death when
Vaisnavas
surround me and put
tulasi on my tongue and
possibly Ganges water
like Prabhupada had.
He left his body
in ideal conditions.
I hope to follow him.

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H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS

www.sdgonline.org.
The Week Before Gaura Purnima, (1994), Chapter 6
The sannyasi and his disciples had a simple meeting on ekadasi evening. He arranged a line-up of bhajans, some of which he sang and some he asked others to sing. They were all on the theme of Lord Caitanya and His associates. The temple owned an excellent Indian harmonium and the young man who played mrdanga kept a steady, no-nonsense beat.
First they sang the Sad-goswamy-astakam. Through a translator the sannyasi commented on some of the verses. He said we cannot imitate the six Gosvamis but we love to hear of their ideal, saintly life. He meant what he said; he loved the brief portraits of the Gosvamis life given in those verses and he knew Srila Prabhupada sang it often and recommended it “if you want to know what is a Gosvami.”
Then he asked Dama dasa to sing. Dama’s back was forcing him to make unusual facial expressions and to sometimes stand and stretch and sit in different positions seeking relief. He sang Jiva Jago in a gruff, but sweet voice.
The sannyasi said, “We get a nice picture in this bhajana of Lord Caitanya going on harinama sankirtana at dawn. We can’t go out at dawn or people would call the police and would yell, “We’re trying to sleep!” We go out into the streets when the people are up. We have confidence that if they hear the holy name they will be benefited.” There were about ten devotees in the room. The harmonium chords swelled up and the drum and karatalas and voices carried them through their mental tedium. You could tell that the participants were into it as they sang with faces absorbed in the mellows. Of course you can’t read minds, but they looked pleased to be together, and in the kirtana-rasa.
Next the sannyasi sang Hari haraye nama krishna. He said verse seven was one of his favorite prayers, tandera carana-sebi-bhakta-sane vas. Then someone sang Parama karuna. Then he sang Gauranga bolite and finally Je anilo prema dhana. After that he told them his plan to go to Mayapur at the end of the year and said they could join him if they were free.
“Is there any prasadam to distribute?” One of the women handed him a large bowl containing four apples and a knife.
“Just like 26 2^nd Avenue,” he said and he began cutting the apples into slices and giving them out.
He went back to his room and thoughts of Narahari in India came to his mind again. He had to take care of his personal items without the assistance of Narahari. He gathered his clean clothes for the next day and put water in the water bottle. One of the devotees came to tell him the latest news about Maria, but the sannyasi didn’t want to talk about it much. He just wanted to take rest and end the ekadasi in the mood that was generated during the evening bhajana.
At midnight the sannyasi rose and began writing. He was composing a series of memoirs of Srila Prabhupada based on letters Srila Prabhupada had sent to him. But he paused in that work to think of the classes he had to give today. Again there would be one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The morning would be a reading of Caitanya Caritamrta, but he would interrupt the reader and make comments. He saw one comment he wanted to make about sahajijyas. Another section was Advaita Acarya feeling sorrow for the sufferings of the conditioned souls. For that, the sannyasi selected statements from Srila Prabhupada’s book Renunciation Through Wisdom. Srila Prabhupada recommended that industrialists in India should arrange for Deity worship in their factories and they should distribute prasadam to their workers. Other statements stressed that complex material problems can be solved only by people turning to devotional service. Srila Prabhupada: “If the number of Lord Krishna’s devotees even slightly increases there will be immediately a resurgence of peace and prosperity in the world.” The sannyasi found a great quote by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati in the book. It stated that the neophyte’s ringing of the bell during Deity worship is a million times more valuable spiritually and materially than charitable workers building many hospitals or feeding thousands of the poor. Srila Prabhupada stated that “When devotional service to the Lord is neglected, very other activity is illusory and futile. And so the time passed and the sannyasi was busy, even taxed, but in a pleasant way, although he didn’t leave the temple building.
The devotees pressed him for his opinion what to do about Maria. They wanted to stage a break-in and rescue her from the hovel. He said that was okay. Was she an adult or a minor. He didn’t know the laws or prevailing attitudes of this country, he said, so he couldn’t venture an opinion. Besides he wasn’t a media expert. Devotees were determined to rescue her and told him they would do it and there would be nothing illegal about it. They were also approaching lawyers and government people. “We know you don’t want to get entangled in this, but at least we want to let you know what’s happening. After all, she’s a devotee.”
They also asked the sannyasi if he would go with them on Saturday for harinama in the streets of Verona the day before Gaura Purnima. He agreed. He thought “After my advocating harinama in he lectures how can I refuse? It’s the best way to observe Gaura Purnima, especially since I couldn’t go to India.”
By late morning he received a phone call from Narahari in India. It was a decent phone connection and he could hear and speak without shouting.
“Mission accomplished,” said Narahari.
You burned it?”
“Yes. Not without some complications but I’ll tell you when I get back. I want to be back with you for Gaura Purnima.”
“What complications?”
“Nothing really. More like adventures. I had some scuffles with the people who were looking for the diary. I shouldn’t call them complications…”
Prabhupada Meditations, Volume II, More Reasons for Remembering Him
Prabhupada has said that each person is ultimately alone, like a pilot in a one-man airplane. This will be made clear to us at the time of death when we have to “fly our own plane.” Then we will want to surrender ourselves fully to Prabhupada and Krishna. Then there will be no relief in medicines, and the body itself, which seem to be our friend and shelter, will not be able to sustain us, worldly pleasures and possessions will lose their taste.
Now is the time to prepare. Later our ability to think of Krishna and Prabhupada will be impaired. Telling memories of Prabhupada is for now, when we are looking for subject matters for reading and hearing, and when we are capable of it. A living being is so lively and curious that if he doesn’t hear of the pure devotee, he will hear something else. So Prabhupada meditations are a way to keep the mind fixed at the lotus feet of the pure devotee.
Some philosophers say that the best preparation for death is detachment towards things of this world. It is not possible for the eternal living being to kill all his attachments and desires, but one may transfer them from material things to Krishna consciousness. Whatever we think of at the end of life will form our situation in the next life. And so it is said by Lord Kapiladeva:
Every learned man know very well that attachment for the material is the greatest entanglement for the spirit soul. But that same attachment when applied to the self realized devotees, opens the door of liberation. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.20)
In a similar statement Lord Rsabhadeva said “One can attain the path of liberation from material bondage only by rendering service to highly advanced spiritual personalities.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.2)
Who are the mahatmas and sadhus? They are described in the sastras.
The mahatmas are equipoised, they do not see any difference between one living entity and another. They are very peaceful and engaged in devotional service. They are devoid of anger and they work for the benefit of everyone. They do not behave in any abominable way. Such people are known as mahatmas. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.2.)
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is certainly a mahatma according to the standard description in Srimad-Bhagavatam. Without the presence in ones lifetime of such a mahatma, the teachings of the mahatmas or previous yugas may remain distant to us. We are inclined to the here and now, and so we need to be picked up by a living example. Prabhupada was the one bright and holy presence in our lives and we cannot allow ourselves to forget him. Therefore in addition to his books which lead us to Lord Krishna and Lord Caitanya, we want to gather memories of the activities and teachings of Srila Prabhupada.
A Litany for the Gone
1995
So much for setting the scene. Now I will work with a list of those seven who are gone, but I have cold feet. Should I simply bite the bullet and expose how little I knew of them and tell the things that will embarrass both me and them? I’ll do so because it’s important for my Krishna consciousness. This isn’t gossip.
Some of these memories are painful, and I can’t help but feel I am compromising their confidentiality. It was nice to remember taking lunch at Divijnana’s apartment in Baltimore and that his wife was enthusiastic, nice to praise Laulyam dasa for his courage but what can I say about the fact that they left Krishna consciousness?
The first name on the Hawaii list is Ajita dasi. I don’t know where she is now, but she has long been out of touch with me. She was already faded and distressed in 1978. Astrologers would probably say that she had a lot of difficulty to go through, but she seemed to attract difficulty. She had poor health, a difficult marriage, and other problems. I don’t want to trifle with a human life. I came riding in on my white horse and said “I’ll take your karma and be your guide.” They took vows they couldn’t follow later. I don’t want to be cavalier about it.
A brief mention of a human life can be devastatingly improper simply because it is brief. After all, someone like Ajita dasi went through so much. What can my awareness of it be? How can I understand her whole history before coming to Krishna consciousness, her inner life, how she felt? And how can I presume to say anything?
I’m sorry her initiation didn’t enable her to stay fixed in Krishna consciousness. Or maybe it did. She has drifted so far out of touch with me that I don’t even known whether she is following or not. She married a man named Smara Haridasa. I used to see her once in a while but she would write to me—always full of troubles—but then she dropped out. Am I supposed to track her down?
It won’t be enough to state the disclaimer, “Dear devotees, you may read your name on this list and not be pleased at how I describe you. The details may not even be accurate. Your see, I used your name as a springboard…My aim is not to reach deeply into your past and present activity and to give an objective report. I’m writing because I need to write and this is and important theme. Please excuse me. By the way, how are you?”
Damn the sensitive nature of this writing. Will I have to pay if I write about these devotees?
I am already paying. I initiated them and hundreds have left. If, for the sake of argument, we say that it is not my fault that they left, am I accountable? Is it all right to just forget them, to write, “gone” next to their names and forget about it?
I have to give my main attention to those who are still here. Therefore I write my books and extend myself as much as possible and practical for me (not like I thought I could do during the jet set days of 1978: “I’ll fly to Hawaii every few months to see them.”). Besides that I have to be humble and sincerely ask forgiveness from each devotee whose name appears on this list. What is the use of an insolent holier than thou attitude: “Here’s another one who left, but I’m still in Krishna consciousness by Guru’s grace?” Instead let me take the opportunity to repeat each one’s name, to bow down before each one in writing and to ask forgiveness for what I could not do. Since they are mostly all alive I pray that each name on the “gone” list may again take up the auspicious path of Krishna consciousness. Whether they write to me or depend on me is not the main point. I pray that they take up Krishna consciousness.
I can’t preach to them in person. I don’t know their addresses (or hearts and minds). Not long ago, I tried to write to some of them who I thought were defunct. I asked them “Okay, where are you at? Why don’t we terminate this relationship properly? At least let me know how you are feeling. I got a few letters back. My attempt didn’t seem to help.
These disciples names are on the record Krishna keeps on me. Therefore I need to go before Him and Srila Prabhupada and speak my mind. Prabhupada initiated thousands of disciples, many of whom have left. Am I doing anything to help them come back?
Ajita had a sweet face. She was sincere. Her son went to gurukula. She wanted him to have a chance at Krishna consciousness. Life is hard, but she was fortunate to contact Krishna consciousness. That makes her most intelligent among human beings.
Ajita, named after the unconquerable one. I know you tried your best to honor the Krishna conscious life. You came to ISKCON because of Srila Prabhupada’s presentation. I came to you as his disciple. I know I was unqualified in so many ways, but I tried to help you anyway. I offered you a link to Prabhupada, and you promised before the Deities to honor it. Your initiation was not a travesty. We performed it together in the presence of God in the Hawaii temple. I wish you well.
Spiritualized Dictionary
Chastity
To read the word “chastity,” as with many words, I first have to get through all sorts of false feelings due to socialization. We’re always putting up a front and because we know what words connote we don’t want to be caught with our feelings exposed. Socialization can make it hard to know what we really feel about something. We become accustomed to so much pretense that we lose track of ourselves. Why to we pretend? Because we want to be accepted. In some societies, you can be mocked for being overweight or having a strange name or belonging to the wrong race. In others there are other issues. It makes us defensive. I hope to be able to respond to a work such as “chastity” properly now that I’ve been liberated from a lot of that pressure, thanks to Srila Prabhupada.
But then I have to see, have I taken on a different kind of socialization in this religious movement? Have I become so dogmatic toward certain words that I no longer think about them or consider their meanings? “Chastity” may be such a word.
It’s not that there’s anything wrong with having absolute, or should I say standard definitions of words. That’s certainly better than having each person concoct their own meaning or usage. Still, words require response because they express thoughts and feelings. Our thoughts and feelings should be sharp and thought out as much as possible, especially about important issues and not dull or conditioned.
With that in mind, here’s a dictionary definition of “chastity”: “The quality or state of being chaste, virtuousness; sexual abstinence; celibacy; decency or modesty; simplicity of style.” Following “chastity” in the dictionary is “chastity belt”: A belt-like device made of metal or leather, etc., allegedly fastened on a woman in the middle ages to prevent sexual intercourse during the absence of her husband.
Chastity should not require such contraptions for its maintenance. Rather it should be maintained out of the desire to remain pure for God. It’s an expression of fidelity, and it has a broader application than sexual abstinence. Of course sexual abstinence is an important principle of chastity and in that sense chastity is synonymous with celibacy. Celibacy is the practice, and chastity is the attitude that maintains the practice. Chastity means wanting to save yourself for God. It means not wanting to be sullied by carnal interaction because in the light of our relationship with God, it can be seen as promiscuity. Do we love God only? That is a question that a chaste person will ask.
All practices have to be seen in that light. Is this for God? Is this expressing my singular love for Him? It may be a wife’s duty to be chaste to her husband. That is, she may serve him and no other man. She may bear his children and no one else’s children. It is her duty. But why should she maintain her chastity and to whom is she offering of chastity made? Ultimately it’s her way of protecting her God consciousness. She vowed at her marriage to remain chaste to one man. Because everything she does is for God, she will keep her promise for Him. That’s still sexual fidelity, but there are other applications. We should be chaste to our spiritual tradition and to the masters in our own line. That means we are rooted or steeped in their understanding and mood. Similarly, we should remain chaste to the guru’s instructions. I heard one critic condemn the guru-disciple relationship as it is practiced in ISKCON. He said that we used the word “chastity” to describe the bond between the guru and disciple, but chastity is between man and his wife. The relationship of the spiritual master and disciple is as father and child. He couldn’t understand how chastity could apply in such a relationship. If we understand “chastity” as decency, fidelity and simplicity, however, chastity does apply. Chastity to the spiritual master means that we should be loyal to his teachings and not accept another’s teachings if they contradict the teachings of our spiritual master.
In this age people mock chastity. Nevertheless, an aspiring spiritualist will strive to attain it. If he is successful he will be loyal to God, guru and scripture. Not because he is dull but out of gratitude to the Supreme and out of singular love for Him.
A Visit to Jagannatha Puri, 1987
“I cannot go near the temple”—this is Vaisnava humility. One year when the devotees from Bengal arrived to see Lord Caitanya in Jagannatha Puri, He individually embraced each devotee and spoke words to them. When He did not see Haridasa Thakura the Lord asked, “Where is Haridasa?” Then Lord Caitanya saw that in the distance Haridasa was lying flat on the road offering obeisances. All the devotees went to Haridasa saying “The Lord wants to meet you, please come immediately.” But Haridasa replied, “I cannot go near the temple because I am a low caste abominable person. I have no authority to go there.”
Impressions from harinama at the Simha-dvara
When we first arrived in town beggars and salesmen approached us, and we were the usual pass of westerners. But I knew that today would be different because within a few moments we would have the dominant energy—the chanting of Hare Krishna. As soon as we began kirtana (five men, one mrdanga, one gong, two pairs of karatalas) a respectful crowd gathered. And for the most part that was the main impression, a pious curious audience. Of course, most people went about their usual business and paid slight attention to our presence. This happens to be true whether you are in New York or London or Jagannatha Puri. Here we held a steady crowd of about thirty to forty. It was inspiring to chant out loud directly before the Simha-dvara gate. From where we were chanting we could see into the entrance where the Jagannatha Deity known as Patita-pavana gives His merciful darsana. We could also see the two gate lions and Jaya and Vijaya and many other temple figures. And looking in the other direction down the road we saw the red sandstone domes of the Gaudiya Matha temple
We had stationed ourselves somewhat close to an entrance section. Two policemen wearing white suits and white helmets with a red stripe came near our party to direct the extra traffic due to our kirtana. They did not approach us with a complaint but we sensed the inconvenience we were causing and moved out of the way.
Even in off season the area in front of the Jagannatha temple is very noisy so we had to raise our voices loudly. There were the usual very small children standing in the front rows of our audience, their school books covered with newspaper, holding on to battered tin lunch bails. Most of the people appeared very simple, and I guess they were Puri residents quietly listening to the foreigners’ performance of harinama. Occasionally someone who looked like a local brahmana or member of the priestly intelligentsia with a slight stubble of beard and refined intelligent features came to look us over and then walked away. A couple of gentlemen after watching us made some demonstrative remarks to the nearby crowd appearing to mock us. I thought to myself that anything they may be saying about our foolishness is correct, and that’s alright. We should not think that we are great because we are chanting the holy name. The wonderful thing is the holy name itself. By chanting the holy name we expose the fact that all these people are not chanting. Why don’t they chant with us? Or why aren’t they chanting on their own? The loud chanting of the holy name is praised in all the scriptures as the panacea for this age. It is glorious when some persons, no matter who they may be, gather to vibrate the holy name. Let them make fun of us because of our appearance. At the same time, we chanters should be as respectable as possible in our behavior so that the chanting will be the most effective.
108 Japa Poems, #210—Chant with devotion
What does it mean to
chant with devotion?
You’ll concentrate and realize
you don’t have much time
left. You move close to
Harinama and recall
fondly all the years you
have been close to them,
in temples, in camp grounds,
in solitary rooms. You
recall your sincere efforts
in the sound vibrations echoing
in you ears, running in your
pulse. You chant with devotion
when you think of Prabhupada
and how he gave you the names
in the storefront and in every place
since then, your
dependency and loyalty to him.
The spiritual master gives the names,
and you give them back to him,
trusting they are Radha and Krishna
and bringing you out of this
world of misery and pain.
To chant with devotion you
share it with others in
the Sankirtana movement
of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
You pray to be a preacher
of Nama Prabhu.
Inspiration
A friend tells you of
his japa and makes
you want to improve
you own. We are
packed up together although
living in different places,
chanting the mantras as
Prabhupada gave us and
told us to do it nicely on our
own. He said he didn’t
talk to anyone about
his japa and though it
was generous that I write of it.
I write for my
survival. Wish I could
report better, but hope
it helps my friends.

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1966 March 13: "Saptami. In the evening two ladies and Mr. Susman came. There was some discussions, one of the ladies brought bread for me. No income and no expenditure."

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 March 13: "Today we had a very nice lecture at the State College; the attendence was very nice, and the meeting was successful. They have arranged many other meetings which I shall attend one after another."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1969 March 13: "There may be a temple or not, it does not matter; you are doing very nicely, more than having a temple. You six together are doing so nicely that I am very much proud of you. Be blessed and go on like this."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 March 13: "If we limit ourselves to Hindus, then there will be many competitors. But if we preach the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness in right earnest, it will be accepted throughout the whole world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 March 13: "If we limit ourselves to Hindus, then there will be many competitors. But if we preach the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness in right earnest, it will be accepted throughout the whole world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 March 13: "They say that nobody could act so wonderfully as I am doing. Perhaps it is right. But I do not know how such things are happening. The only reason that can be adduced is that I am presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is."
Prabhupada Letters ::1970

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 March 13: "Arrange a solid program of translation, printing and distribution of my books by sankirtana party and you will find the devotees willing to help you in this noble project."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 March 13: "My Guru Maharaja stressed printing and distribution of literature even over gorgeous temple construction. So you follow the footsteps of the previous acaryas while always strictly following the regulative principles."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

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New Vrndavan, USA: Landscaping and Grounds Maintenance Positions Open

Where: New Vrindaban, West Virginia USA
When: April through Sept-Oct. (this could be a six month position, or longer, depending upon the person)
Must be knowledgeable and conversant with horticulture. Would be responsible for up-keep, beautification & maintenance of grounds, which include lakes, walk ways, lawns, gardens, etc.
References required.
Contact:
Malati dasi: malatidevi@aol.com (304-845-9591)
Jaya Krsna dasa: jaya.krsna.sns@pamho.net (304-843-1600 ext. 149)

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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: The Illusion of False Ego

“So this false ego, “I am this material body. I belong to this material world, I belong to this community, sect, or nation,” so many, they are all based on ahankara. Ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27]. Actually, every one of us who are in this material world, they are, we are all under the full control of this illusory energy and working differently according to the influence of the different modes of material nature.
“I am not real karta. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani [Bg. 3.27]. Gunaih karmani. I am under the influence of different gunas, and still, falsely, I am thinking that “I am the doer. I have got the capacity of acting. And the effect, whatever I have produced, it is due to my labor.” This is called illusion, moha. Mohah ayam aham mameti [SB 5.5.8]. This conception of life is moha. Moha, delusion or illusion, just like a person in feverish convulsion is lying unconscious, thinking something else.”
Srila Prabhupada Srimad-Bhagavatam class 3.26.26 — Bombay, January 3, 1975
“If we take our vulnerable shell to be our true identity, if we think our mask is our true face, we will protect it with fabrications even at the cost of violating our own truth. This seems to be the collective endeavor of society: the more busily men dedicate themselves to it, the more certainly it becomes a collective illusion, until in the end we have the enormous, obsessive, uncontrollable dynamic of fabrications designed to protect mere fictitious identities – “selves,” that is to say, regarded as objects.”
Thomas Merton, Raids on the Unspeakable (New York: New Directions) 15

Filed under: Thomas Merton

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Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Repurpose : Soapstone Tile For Pizza Making

You know that girl who walks down the hallway in middle school and accidentally plows into the water fountain , spilling sheets of loose leaf paper everywhere? Accident prone and smelling like hard pretzels? That might as well be … Continue reading →

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Sutapa das, BV Manor, UK: In times of need...

The devastating tsunami in Japan is yet another reminder of the unpredictable might of Mother Nature. Immediate estimates report nearly 2000 deaths and 300,000 homeless, with thousands of troops being mobilized in the area to minimize further chaos. We all react differently to such stories of suffering. Some try to shut it out and avoid thinking about it too much – out of sight, out of mind. Some will see it, but remain unmoved. After years of devastating news headlines, they become desensitized to such disasters. Some may watch the scenes and begin counting their lucky stars. Their personal issues are put into perspective and such news helps them develop the attitude of gratitude. Some will see the acute suffering of others and compare that to their own comfortable and cozy life. The subsequent feelings of guilt and shame impel them to offer help in some way, shape or form.

Vedic scriptures, however, describe the true spiritualist as para-dukha-dukhi – one who feels others’ sufferings to be his own. Think about how naturally we act to mitigate our own pains and problems – an instinctive reaction that doesn’t require a second thought. The spiritualist acts just as naturally solve the problems of everyone around him. Natural disasters like the tsunami in Japan remind the spiritualist of the dire need for spiritual wisdom in the world. All maladies in the world can be traced back to a severe lack of genuine spirituality.

Thus, to share wisdom with others is the very cornerstone of our spiritual movement. Our hope is that as many people as possible will benefit from this profound wisdom of life. It is not that we have a master-plan to expand our influence, usurp the upper echelons of society, and then manipulate and exploit economic and political positions for the purpose of world domination. We are simply interested in offering spiritual solutions to material problems - solutions which will actually make a difference. Thus, to work selflessly for the upliftment of others is the very hallmark of a spiritualist. We can find ourself by forgetting about ourself.

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David Haslam, UK: Interesting Vides

Here is some interesting mixes done by Bhakta Karlos Soundcloud.com/karlos-fandango

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Bharatavarsa.net: Book distribution seminar: Paramatma and the time bomb affect

I was distributing books at the University of California Irvine campus in USA with Sachitanoy prabhu when I saw a young lady near by sitting and reading something. I looked closely and to my surprise she was reading "Krishna the Reservoir of Pleasure." I saw her reading and reading with a huge smile in her face.
She finsihed the pamplet and as she was leaving I asked her, "Did you liked what your were reading?"
She was surprised that I knew what she was reading and said, "Yes I did, every word that the author said made sense and I really want to get more books by him."
I said, "Well today is your lucky day because I have about five titles by the same author that I'm distributing right now."
She showed so much excitement and surprise, bought all the titles I had and gave me a $20 donation.
I thought she got the pamplet from Sachitanoy who was also distributing with me but to my surprise she said she got the "Krishna the Resevior of Pleasure" ages ago, (the time bomb affect) it was in her bag, she just saw it and decided to read it that day while I was distributing right next to her (Paramatma does it again).
yhs
Shastra Krit das
"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"

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Japa Group: Please Join The Japa Group

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction email and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108@gmail.com

ys

Rasa Rasika dasa

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Book Distribution News: Paramatma and the time bomb affect

I was distributing books at the University of California Irvine campus in USA with Sachitanoy prabhu when I saw a young lady near by sitting and reading something. I looked closely and to my surprise she was reading "Krishna the Reservoir of Pleasure." I saw her reading and reading with a huge smile in her face.
She finsihed the pamplet and as she was leaving I asked her, "Did you liked what your were reading?"
She was surprised that I knew what she was reading and said, "Yes I did, every word that the author said made sense and I really want to get more books by him."
I said, "Well today is your lucky day because I have about five titles by the same author that I'm distributing right now."
She showed so much excitement and surprise, bought all the titles I had and gave me a $20 donation.
I thought she got the pamplet from Sachitanoy who was also distributing with me but to my surprise she said she got the "Krishna the Resevior of Pleasure" ages ago, (the time bomb affect) it was in her bag, she just saw it and decided to read it that day while I was distributing right next to her (Paramatma does it again).
yhs
Shastra Krit das
"Chant Hare Krishna and be happy"

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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Because of technical problems it is not possible to load a podcast today

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Vrindavan Experience
SRS: This is a blog on a wonderful documentary about Vrndavana, Govinda Swami and two of his disciples are working on: http://www.vrindavanexperience.com/

www.vrindavanexperience.com

The Cow and the Monkey

A scene that once took place at Govindaji temple.

Chandan Yatra. The festival of the hot season.

Chandan Yatra at Krishna-Balaram temple in Vrindavan. This video brings you both the festival atmosphere and the sneak view of the preparation behind the altar curtain.

Cows and Flying Saucers
Cows and Flying Saucers
An Interactive Documentary made by Saurabh Sikka at a very special infirmary for cows in Vrindavan, India. Care For Cows has been facing a paradoxical situation since January 2009. In a land where cows are held sacred, bands of thugs armed with AK47 rifles roam the streets of this ancient town, stealing cows for slaughter.

Radhika Raman. The sacred journey

The passing away of Sriman Radhika Raman Das Brahmacari, a true Vaisnava. On March 28, 2011 he left his body in the sacred Yamuna river in Vrindavan...

Govardhan

A morning at the holy Govardhan hill.
This video is available on Glimpses of Vraja DVD.

Dandavats.com: Gita Nagari Website Update

Ortrun Gates: Hare Krishna! The Gita Nagari Farm Website has been updated. Please visit us at: http://www.gitanagari.org and peruse all the pages. We would especially like to mention that this year we are organizing a three-day mini camp for children aged 9 to 13 at the farm

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Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Gopi Gita dasi

Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Gopi Gita dasi

Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Gopi Gita dasi

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