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"Planet ISKCON" - 52 new articles

1. Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #51
2. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 9 April 2011--We're Out to Save the World--and--What Makes a Religion Legitimate?
3. New Vrndavan, USA: Rama Navami Festival this Tuesday April 12th
4. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
5. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, April 7th, 2010
6. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
7. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
8. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
9. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
10. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
11. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
12. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
13. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
14. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
15. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
16. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
17. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
18. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
19. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
20. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
21. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
22. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
25. Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Latest twitter updates–Notes, Billy Corgan of SP, & Radhanath Swami Initiation videos
26. Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Kirtan 2011-04-07
27. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 274—Poem for April 8
28. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): OLD FRIENDS
29. Japa Group: Remain Awake & Chant With Devotion
30. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Bhaja Gauranga! Kaha Gauranga! Laha Gauranga! It is Sri Ramanujacharya's Appearance Day!
31. Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Frogs In The Pond
32. Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: being clean
33. ISKCON News.com: Vitamin D Helps Prevent Breast Cancer
34. H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.4.51-52 Sex Life & The Hungry Starved Minds 4-6-2011
35. ISKCON News.com: Shilajit - Find strength, stamina and stress relief
36. Nitya Navina dd, New Jersey, USA: Nitai's Staff
37. ISKCON News.com: Children Exploited For Profit Using Fictitious Mental Disorders
38. Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Craft Collective : More Jam
39. Dandavats.com: Bhagavad-gita eCourse
40. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: BELIEFS AND FACTS
41. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: COOL FRIENDS
42. ISKCON News.com: Varnasrama College Course Starts Vrindavan
43. New Vrndavan, USA: Welcome Sanga for New Vrindaban Community’s New President
44. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Rama Navami Celebrations this Sunday!
45. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Bh. Nicholas, Bh. Razvan, Nilim Jadhav, Toth Sandor, Shekar Kyatam ask about
46. Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Appearance Day of Sri Ramanujacarya
47. Mayapur Academy, Mayapur, IN: “Mayapur Gandharaj ki Jaya!!”
48. Mayapur Online: Zee News Broadcasts Mayapur Gaura Purnima Festival
49. Vraja Kishor, JP: Gopinath
50. Japa Group: Holy Name Transforms The Heart
51. Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Alex
52. Vraja Kishor, JP: Bhagavad Gita, Texts 21-24 of Chapter 10
53. More Recent Articles
54. Search Planet ISKCON
55. Prior Mailing Archive

Bhakta Chuck, CT, USA: Friday Night Oxen #51

Hello Everyone,

This is a 19th century engraving that I have been admiring for almost a year. I have not presented it yet because I have been trying to decide what I think about it. Sometimes I feel there is something very triumphant in the oxen, even in the face of the monolithic oppression of the wall as a backdrop. At other times, it is most depressing and I think it must be a product of a time of war and strife.

So, I go back and forth with my feelings on this one. But, that’s OK and I will let you draw your own conclusions.

Have a nice weekend, in service to the Oxen

ys, Chuck

Chant

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 9 April 2011--We're Out to Save the World--and--What Makes a Religion Legitimate?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course(TM) Saturday 9 April 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. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) 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: We're Out to Save the World Uploaded from on the road to New Delhi, India We have been ordered by our spiritual master His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to save the entire human civilization from its pitiable suffering condition. At the present moment due to gross ignorance, practically the entire human race is living in such a way that they will become animals or even lower in their next life. Although we understand ourselves to be totally incompetent for even thinking of undertaking such an awesome task, we must accept this duty because it is an order which has been given to us by our spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, for the benefit of all the suffering souls in this world. Therefore taking the dust of his feet upon our heads, we humbly beg that we may be able to somehow or other serve his most merciful mission of delivering all of the fallen, conditioned souls back to home, back to Godhead by the combined sublime mercy of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Lord Caitanya's Mission: Save the Whole World http://www.backtohome.com/images/PancaTattva.jpg Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: What Makes a Religion Legitimate? I have read and heard in Srila Prabhupada's lectures and books that even though Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the names Allah, Jehovah, God etc. are also equally applicable to Him. Does this mean that Vedic scriptures have references to Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed etc. or the Christian and Islamic religion and hence Allah and Jehovah are bona fide names of God? Are the scriptures how we can tell if a religion is bona fide or not? The reason I ask this question is because I often hear people say that all religions are equal and can lead back to God. While I can believe that Krishna Consciousness and Christianity might be equal; I can not believe that Scientology and Krishna Consciousness are equal. So how does one know what is bona fide and what is not? Thank you, A.J. Answer: Accordance With the Vedic Conclusion Although Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed are both predicted in the Bhavisya Purana, the actual means of discerning the legitimacy of any religious teaching is to see if it is in accordance with the Vedic siddhanta, the Vedic conclusion. The pure original form of dharma or religion is elaborately described in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. It has been in existence even before the creation of this universe 155 trillion years ago. The other religious systems, which have all been introduced only recently, have legitimacy only insofar as they are in accordance with Vedic religion. To whatever extent they are not aligned with Vedic dharma they are illegitimate. For example, the basic principle of Christianity is valid because it is in harmony with Vedic dharma in that the Bhagavad-gita teaches total surrender to the will of God as also does the Bible. But the devil is in the details. When the Christians try to justify meat eating by the invalid principle that the animals do not have souls, they are polluting the pure teachings of Christ with adharma or irreligion. The Bible teaches Thou shalt not kill while the Christians are murdering millions of innocent animals every day in their slaughterhouses. 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 http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=714185709 Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. 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New Vrndavan, USA: Rama Navami Festival this Tuesday April 12th

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings in his Sri Nama-kirtana:


"...sri-radha-vallabha, brndavana-natabara..."

Sri Krishna is the lover and beloved of Srimati Radharani and the great dancer of Vrindavana.

Admire the darsana of 'bhakativinod-asraya': Sri Radha Ballabha, the only shelter and refuge of Thakura Bhaktivinoda.

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, April 7th, 2010

March to Vaikuntha

Toronto, Ontario

It's been a while since I walked the Belt Line Trail. It's where I started my trining for marathon waling. At mid afternoon the trail is not ignored by locals despite the mud in some areas. They are doing what they need to do. The are out here to chill, just like I am. There is a need, a compulsion to get out. The building you are in and the constant dealing with people that pushes you away. It's necessary on a daily basis.

I'm grateful for this space, the air and the rare person with their dog. The atmosphere is pleasant, as close to Vaikuntha (heaven) as it will ever get.

I thought how unfortunate some people are, for instance, those residing in the politically-hot domino countries of the middle east. There, one cannot boast of peace. You cannot enjoy a walk.

And yet here in this place of relative peace not all persons are smiling and expressing good cheer. I had come out of the ravine and onto a path of a higher elevated park when I heard a toss and a rustle in a plastic bag. I though, "Oh, here, we must be having a raccoon who trapped himself in a garbage bin, but no...." I turned around to see Mr. Grumps. Now, Mr. Grumps was doing a good deed.

I said to him, "Oh, I though it was a raccoon; you know how they get caught inside trying to find food."

"No," said he, "I tossed out a soft drink can. It was 20 feet from the bin and someone couldn't take the time."

"It's carelessness," I suggested.

"Carelessness?" retorted Mr. Grumps. "It's ignorance." He forged ahead, passed by me. I was watching him. He found another piece of trash to pick up. The park was quite clean except for the odd piece of garbage. I though, "Okay, Mr. Grumps, there are some ignorant people. At least enjoy your volunteer service, or else you fall into the same category." I concluded he's not at peace.

It is so rare to find it in this world. All the more reason to march to Vaikuntha.

8 KM

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

At St. Ignatius

Mississauga, Ontario

Students of grade 11 at St. Ignatius Loyola stood up twice, once for the national anthem and once for us. The "us" was Goura from our temple ashram, Nitai Priya, our temple receptionist and I. "We" engaged the class in chanting and dancing. I selected one of the more outgoing kids of each gender to come up front with us to boost the spirit of the others in the class. It worked but mainly it was because of the teacher who was so much into it. She was terrific.

In fact she had stumbled upon us at last summer's Ratha Yatra festival, the Krishna's largest outdoor event at the Toronto Islands. Although Catholic, she was open enough to love what we were doing.

In the beginning when we walked into the classroom, I saw mandalas hanging along the blackboard. "We just finished teaching about Buddhism and that's the reason for the mandalas." She said. "Darn," I thought, "These brightly patterned hangings could have been easily upstaged by the brilliant picture of Jaganath (Sri Krishna) that I was think about bringing as a part of our presentation. Oh well, we do have ourselves to appear colourful."

I think we did appear so. Goura Explained how when he was young he went to secular school only to get bullied a lot and then got the relief of his life by attending a Krishna boarding school in India. And Nitai Priya explained to the students what the tilak was all about - sacred clay applied to the forehead to indicate humility by shaping the form of God's footprint with the substance at the mid-brow area. Then I explained what is a chadar, a shawl which (I demonstrated) becomes a coat, a seat, a blanket and a begging cloth all in one.

I took the opportunity to explain "dharma", to walk the line of duty, to stay on the road and don't be distracted by the things around you. One major principle in our sacred book, The Bhagavad Gita, is to be committed to duty and results will be what they will be. Stick to dharma and feel protected.

All in all, I think we were colourful to the students.

5 KM

H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Thanked my guru

Markham, Ontario

Pornography. The topic came up.

A female devotee expressed that before pornography established itself in the world the mood was more chaste, a greater respect for the individual. I told her I couldn't agree more. Pornography has indeed become mainstream and has contributed to sex addictions, broken homes derailing wholesome traditional values and more. It's a big distraction and yet a big industry reaping millions if not billions of dollars annually. At what cost may we ask? It is not likely an industry that will shut down tomorrow until it shuts us down.

I had to look at families which I considered wholesome this evening when visiting two households as part of my pastoral obligations. In each case they were Hindu folks neither orthodox nor too liberal, but strong enough in moral values that you could declare, "Here is something stable." I thought that the sexual passions employed by these folks wear tempered by good old fashioned values. It was so evident in the behaviours of their kids. Most assuredly I could say that the porno-culture was not an issue in these two homes. They are stable families.

I felt safe in their environment not because I'm in the renounced order and am not exposed to the common licentiousness of todays atmosphere. I felt protected because I was respected as an individual. I grew up in the sixties in the era of free love and didn't really partake in it. Thank God! Call me dull.

Back in '96 on my first walk across Canada I completed trekking though the Rockies and was just ready to enter the vast Prairies when I sat at a creek upon a rock to chant a noon mantra. I was miles away from any humans. At the base of the rock was a glossy magazine and as I peered at it I could tell it was a porno magazine. I left it there knowing its not for me to see. It was something I had not ever seen before and I didn't need to be tempted although I was all alone.

I thanked my guru, Srila Prabhupada, internally for providing me with superior literature and superior things to think about.

3 KM

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1968 April 8: "Whenever there is need of my lecture, I am always prepared to serve; it doesn't matter whether big or small. You are making arrangements, so I must come."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 April 8:"MEMO TO ALL ISKCON TEMPLE PRESIDENTS: I AUTHORIZE YOU TO DISREGARD ANY DECISION FROM THE GBC. ALL GBC ORDERS ARE SUSPENDED HEREWITH BY ME UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 April 8: "If there is genuine preaching the local people will be attracted, so long the preacher has no self-motivation, but simply chants and preaches. This is how I started. Sit down and simply talk about Krishna and organize the local people."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1966 April 8:
"Chaturthi. Today the whole day and night also I stayed at Mr. Paul&'s loft. Saw Elsy to enquire about the Library of Congress card. No very encouraging. Evening there was meeting. Seven boys & girls attended. Contribution $5.00 and some fruits also. Expenditure - Bus fare .30."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 April 8: "By the grace of Srila Prabhupada my preaching work is coming out very successful. So you can help by sending as many mrdangas and Navadvipa made karatalas as you can because we require them for our Sankirtana movement all over the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 April 8: "This discrimination is spiritually illegal. Many hundreds of my foreign disciples will be coming to India in the near future and it will be the misfortune of the administrative officials of Puri if so many qualified devotees of the Lord are not allowed into the temple, simply because they have taken their birth in a faraway place."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 April 8: "Your program for traveling and holding festivals at schools is approved by me. Especially you must try to convince these students to join us. There is nothing else that will save the world from destruction and it is our responsibility to recruit these young educated boys and girls before they become spoiled by the degraded conditions of this society."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 April 8: "Study our books very carefully and then try to write something. Do not concoct your own theories. This is not the process. Write just as you have heard from the Spiritual Master and nothing else. Otherwise, your writing is useless."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1966 April 7:
"Tritiya. Today I am staying with Paul. I cooked food and dined with him and Sakar. They liked the foodstuff very nice. Circumstances seem to be favorable. Paul promises to organize. He is enthusiastic. Let us see. He attended the morning class punctually."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1967 April 7: "I am very glad to learn that Lord Jesus Christ has approved our activities. I love Lord Jesus Christ as good as Krishna; because He rendered the greatest service to Krishna according to time and circumstance. Now work with more enthusiasm and we are sure to be successful in our great mission."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1967 April 7: "Just you write this drama very nicely in poetry so that they can be sung in Western tone all over America and Europe and staged everywhere. A nice drama on Lord Caitanya will be a great stride for our mission and I hope it will help us financially a great deal."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 April 7: "So far my preaching work is concerned, I have now got twenty-eight temples in different parts of the world. I hope you will understand this Krishna Consciousness movement is a major revolutionary renaissance of Vedic social, cultural and religious life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1972 April 7: "YOUR MATERIAL FORMULA WILL NOT HELP US. ONLY OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE CAN HELP US. I HAVE NO APPROVAL FOR ANY OF THESE PLANS. DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING. - BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1973 April 7: "The report of book distribution is very pleasinge. I am especially pleased that you are introducing my books as textbooks in the colleges. We must attract the educated young men and women in your country so that in future there will be many strong leaders to keep our Krishna Consciousness Movement strong."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 April 7: "The printing of the new book appears excellent and this new publication has given me unlimited bliss. That you are profusely distributing the book all over is the crowning success of our movement. We will conquer Europe with these books. I am planning to go to Paris soon and at that time I shall be able to join you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1974 April 7: "Because of the inability of present managers I will be traveling there to make a decision for the permanent leadership of the centers. Stop the bickering and conflicting camps. If everyone is strictly chanting at least sixteen rounds daily, reading my books and observing the regulative principles then management will be at your finger's end."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 April 7: "To know everything means whatever his Guru knows, that much is "everything." If one follows the orders of Guru then he knows everything. But a disciple should not think that he has become perfect. He should always be ready to be chastised - that is perfection. As soon as he thinks he has become perfect, he's nonsense number one." Prabhupada Lectures

Nityananda Chandra Das, Dallas TX: Latest twitter updates–Notes, Billy Corgan of SP, & Radhanath Swami Initiation videos

Best talks R not only truthful but also beneficial.Not only beneficial but pleasing.Not only pleasing but not causing hurt to enemiesBG17.15 3 Russian Book Distributor Devotees Die in a Car Crash http://j.mp/hNx1vq please devotees drive careful & also please don't travel at night http://twitpic.com/3lbe3z super excited about reading this book, Śārārtha Darśinī Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1st & 2nd Canto

Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Kirtan 2011-04-07

H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): 274—Poem for April 8

www.sdgonline.org.

5:02 A.M.

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 April 8

The swami’s bhajana man
sang “Samsara davanala” and then
he spoke on the meaning. He said,
“In Gaudiya Vaisnavism, we have
the greatest emphasis on guru-
bhakti and it was that way
when Prabhupada was here.”

Then he said a girl
was associating with him and noted
how his disciples were affectionate
to him. She asked if she could
become his disciple and he
accepted her.

I thought of my own case
and how I cannot
initiate any more.
But I have a number of disciples
who love me and will do so
until the end, as long as
I am exemplary.

I sat and listened to
him describe the first impressions “samsara” had
on him. It was nice.
I thought if I were called
upon, I would speak on the effect
chanting Hare Krishna had on
me in the storefront
in 1966. But I didn’t
get a chance. Then it
was after seven, and Baladeva
tapped me on the shoulder
and said we should go.

This morning I couldn’t find
my sock, and I had a little
beginning of a headache but
otherwise life was normal.
I forgot to offer the incense
to the Deities and had to do
it later. We are having
lunch with the swami on Sunday,
and I can ask him why he opened a
center in Central America.

Everything is going as planned,
and Krishna is taking care
of me. Narayana said,
“When something is to be done
I do it right away without
delay.” Is that my way?
I like the plan to
stay here in New York
and write my personal
life in a creative way.

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

www.sdgonline.org.

Srila Prabhupada Samadhi Diary (1997)

There is a method of prayer which I like to practice in the evenings. You think of how you contacted Krishna during the day, how you served Him, and then you feel some emotion about that. This recall is meant to bring assurance and confirmation of your active relationship with Krishna.

When I think of today, I remember back to the morning when I talked with my Godbrother about the Prabhupada Centennial. We discussed one kind of Prabhupada consciousness, but it was mostly ideals—intellectual.

Today I spoke with Madhu about my desire to again worship a Prabhupada murti. He suggested that before I make a commitment, I could start a simple offering of incense and flowers to a picture of Prabhupada.

Where did I contact Prabhupada today? He was in the usual places—his books and lectures. I was interested to hear Prabhupada speaking today to different people in Melbourne.

I sometimes feel challenged when I hear Prabhupada discussing with different guests and not actually answering their questions. For example, I heard a room conversation where he was speaking to Franciscan seminarians. Twice in a row Prabhupada didn’t answer their questions but spoke on something else. One man asked something about Prabhupada saying the chanting of the holy names is the best means of God realization, but what about other paths? Prabhupada replied as if the man had asked, ‘Could you tell us about the chanting of the holy names?’ He went on to describe the glories of the holy names without making reference to other systems.

The next question was about the nature of evil. The man said that there are different theories about the nature of evil, and asked Prabhupada to explain his theory. The man added that some people say that evil is due to our own consciousness. Instead of discussing evil, Prabhupada picked up on the word ‘consciousness’ and described the difference between the supreme and individual consciousness.

It’s possible that Prabhupada simply didn’t understand their questions. Some disciples think of it in a more mystical way and say that Prabhupada always did know what they were asking, but that he gave the answer they needed to hear. Of course, whatever Prabhupada said was good for them, and sometimes he did clearly answer with that in mind. Sometimes he purposely didn’t answer their questions because they were foolish.

When I think of these things, I feel some sympathy for what it must have been like for Prabhupada having to face hundreds of seminarians and his own disciples, and not only deal with their questions but with their languages and differing pronunciations of English. Prabhupada was surcharged with what he wanted to say about Krishna, and practically anyone who said anything to him would inspire him to talk more about the subjects that were most urgent for him and for the audience to hear. In that sense, we can say that Prabhupada didn’t care that much about what they were asking. He had his own agenda and that was best for everyone.

There is a humorous example of Prabhupada misunderstanding a guest. Reverend Powell of Melbourne mentioned to Prabhupada about the Gospel story of the ten talents. This came up, I think, when they were discussing Communism and the idea that each person should get a share of the wealth according to his needs and his work. The Reverend compared it to the parable of the talents and told the story of the man who gave different people wages according to how they worked. The word ‘talent,’ of course, was an old Biblical currency. Prabhupada’s response focused on talent as propensity or skill and how it can be used in Krishna’s service. The Reverend didn’t correct Prabhupada, but listened to what he said.

“How else did I contact Prabhupada today? I appreciated Chapter Fourteen of the Madhya-lila, how Prabhupada spoke such deep philosophy about the spiritual world.

“I am looking for even closer contacts with Prabhupada—wisps of memories (I want to catch myself remembering him and record it) and states of prayer, real calling out to him and hints of him responding. I hope to have dreams and remember them.

From The Worshipable Deity and Other Poems (1984)

A Worldwide Movement

“We are required to be all things—
spiritually, mentally, and physically pure beings.
No wonder we sometimes waver—
the aspiration is so great.
These songs are inspiration
for soldiers in the cause of the Absolute,
for fighters against the mass of ignorance.

“Fools fight as black against white,
as workers against exploiters,
but all are a union in blindness,
unaware that after a life of fervid allegiance
the next life will bring an ironic twist
as the black becomes white,

the woman, a man,
the cat, a dog,
the naked, a tree,
the prisoner, free?
No. No one is free;
birth after birth they repeat
their blindness.

“This is the one work
that will release us:
the Krishna consciousness movement worldwide.
Let there be one scripture for the whole world:
Bhagavad-gita As It Is.
Let there be one God who is
proven Bhagavan by His words and opulence:
Lord Krishna.
Let there be one hymn, one prayer:
the chanting of His Name.
And let there be one work:
service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

“Whoever can help is great and good and blessed.
If one can set the example of pure chanting, he is great.
If one can distribute books with a passion, he is great.
If one holds a Krishna conscious managerial office,
or loves to preach, or cook, or build, or raise children—
he is great.
All are great, down to the humblest,
who chant and dance, who sincerely join
the Krishna conscious union worldwide.
Never mind that some come and go.
They also play a role
in the ongoing movement,
and they will return.

“But every devotee must endlessly improve
within the few years we are each alloted.
Spread the encouraging word—
what Prabhupada said, what he did.
Revive the memory of the first days.
Make the vision for the future,
and stabilize the Now.

“We will lead when we follow.
As Lord Krishna says, ‘In all activities
just depend on Me
and work under My protection.’

“But it will not happen
by moving away with your family,
giving up simple living and high thinking.
It won’t happen if we are impure,
not if we keep slipping to the fringe,
moving away from the commitment,
talking against Krishna conscious authority
until we begin to sound like anticultists,
becoming young urban professionals
at the cost of our souls.

“Or if we are fiery devotees
and call out, ‘One scripture!’
but we can’t stand still to read it,
or if we cry out, ‘One God!’
but we’re too frantic to chant His Name,
then how will it happen?
How will He entrust us?
It has to be a spiritual revolution
led by saints who work and pray.
They will see the day
of the ushering in
of bhagavata-dharma.

“When will the day come? When will Krishna consciousness carry millions of followers on this earth?
When will the predictions of the acaryas come true
and the high-court judges wear Vaisnava tilaka?
When will the aims of this movement
spread throughout the land?
All will happen on the sweet will of Krishna,
but we are meant to give our all,
to carry it through
to the next generation.
Let us give them a successful start—
billions of seeds already planted,
thousands of pure souls already on the move,
and Krishna consciousness a deep tradition
in every country of the world.”

Japa Group: Remain Awake & Chant With Devotion

The best way is to hear yourself chanting the actual names, Hare Krsna mantra. This is the way to chant without losing attention. One’s mind should be fixed on the sound. As Prabhupada has written, the mouth should move. One should not slur Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna. He should not fall asleep while chanting in his so-called bhajana. As Krsna advises Arjuna in practicing yoga, “Wherever the mind wanders due to its restless and flickering nature, you have to drag it back.” So this applies to our chanting. You have to chant with attention. Remain awake and chant with devotion.

From Japa Reform Notebook
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Bhaja Gauranga! Kaha Gauranga! Laha Gauranga! It is Sri Ramanujacharya's Appearance Day!

Krishna Lounge, LA, USA: Frogs In The Pond

During the rainy season, little ponds get filled up with frogs who play and enjoy there. As the sun comes back out, in their ignorance, their place of enjoyment slowly dries up and, yep, they die!

Similarly, as we take pleasure in the temporary illusory arrangements of this world (such as friend, family, and politics) our habitat in this world is gradually being evaporated by the Sun of Time. An intelligent person will leave the shelter of the temporary pond and use the human life to seek the ever-flowing river banks where they can enjoy a perpetual life of security and happiness without having to fear the inevitable destruction that occurs in this material world.

Talk by Giriraj

Bharatavarsa.net: Bhakti Vikasa Swami: being clean

Srila Prabhupada said that being clean is part of being a devotee of Krsna.

Miracle on Second Avenue, Mukunda Goswami, Torchlight Publishing 2011, p. 94.

ISKCON News.com: Vitamin D Helps Prevent Breast Cancer

The 2011 D-Feat Breast Cancer Campaign, an initiative of the Vitamin D Council, is now in full force as the group works to raise awareness about natural ways in which to prevent breast cancer. One of the primary ways to prevent breast cancer is to maintain high levels of vitamin D, particularly through skin exposure to natural sunlight.

H.H. Prahladananda Swami: Lecture – SB 6.4.51-52 Sex Life & The Hungry Starved Minds 4-6-2011

SB 06.04.51 Sex Life & The Hungry Starved Minds 2011-04-06

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 6.4.51-52 Sex Life & The Hungry Starved Minds 4-6-2011 Los Angeles

SB 06.04.51 Sex Life & The Hungry Starved Minds 2011-04-06 Lecture - Srimad Bhagavatam 6.4.51-52 Sex Life & The Hungry Starved Minds 4-6-2011 Los Angeles

ISKCON News.com: Shilajit - Find strength, stamina and stress relief

There is no curable disease in the universe that cannot be cured by Shilajitu, according to the ancient Indian text Charaka Samhita. In historic India, through the country's Ayurvedic tradition of medicine, Shilajit was used as treatment for diabetes, gallstones, kidney stones, heart disease, anemia, anxiety, ulcers, asthma, arthritis, epilepsy and jaundice.

Nitya Navina dd, New Jersey, USA: Nitai's Staff

Nitai on Nityananda Trayodasi 2011 Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura receiving Darshan of Nitai. Sri Nityananda Astakam By Vrindavan Das Thakura 1) I perpetually worship Shri Nityananda Prabhu, the root of the Krishna-bhakti tree, whose bright face   mocks the full autumn moon, whose pure complexion glistens, whose gait is like that of a maddened elephant, who is always intoxicated in

ISKCON News.com: Children Exploited For Profit Using Fictitious Mental Disorders

For over two decades drug and psychiatric industries have bombarded schools, parents, doctors, the media and government with propaganda that ADHD is a medical condition that must be managed with drugs. About 10 percent of U.S children are said to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a mental illness treated with drugs. A recent study blows a wide hole in that myth.

Devadeva Mirel, Alachua, USA: Craft Collective : More Jam

Yesterday Mohini and I made more jam. Strawberry and rose petal. We will be taking a break from jam until peaches and blueberries are in. Check back next week to see what the Craft Collective tackles next. Here are pictures from our jam session. Recipes are linked here: strawberry jam + rose petal jam.

 

 

 

 

 

Dandavats.com: Bhagavad-gita eCourse

Krishna.com & BhaktiLife: Hare Krsna Everyone! For the fifth time Dhruva Maharaja dasa and Samapriya devi dasi will be presenting their online Bhagavad-gita eCourse, which is now held only once a year. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to study the deep truths of the Gita in the association of sincere devotees

Akrura das, Gita Coaching: BELIEFS AND FACTS

Facts often do not determine our beliefs, but usually our beliefs determine the facts that we accept.

Akrura das, Gita Coaching: COOL FRIENDS

Govinda Consult from Denmark:

www.govindaconsult.dk

RIKKE LAURSEN

- I attended the course ”Become Your Own Healer” at Govinda Consult.
It has been hard, fun, a worth-while experience, educational and
challenging. I am deeply grateful that Ajit and Kalki have helped me
on my way to see life in another light. I’ve now got a much better
understanding of what life is all about. What I learned during the
course, WILL ALWAYS STAY WITH ME! Now, I just have to continue
building on top of what I’ve learned so far. So it’s definitely not
the last time they see me. You meet love, trust and security in Ajit
and Kalkis spiritual presence. They are a magnificent team, and they
always manage to reach deeply underneath the skin/the layers. At
Govinda Consult you will be shaked and turned upside down, nothing is
accidental or unimportant.

They are hard-bitten and razor-sharp! 

With love.
Rikke Laursen.
Director/Rikke Laursen Design

METTE LAURSEN

- A big THANK YOU for all you have reached for and with me.
I came with stress, performance anxiety, tinnitus, addictions of
different kinds, depression, knots on the vocal chord, and I was
therefore not a happy person. I was a forwarder and had lots of hurry
in my daily life; nothing could stop me except illness. After my
participation on the “Self-development Course” and “Become Your Own
Healer” I stand tall as a very beautiful, happy, positive, and open
spiritual flower. There is nothing which can prevent me from having a
good and challenging day, it is Saturday and sunshine every day in my
life now. I am completely out of all the before mentioned
diseases/diagnoses, and here THANK YOU are very poor words. This
should be obligatory in the school; in that case wars would not exist
nor would we find any unhappy/ill people  It has been hard, mystical,
tough, despairing, and sometimes with mixed feelings, when I had to
realize, who I really am. You are so skilled at what you do,
hard-bitten and still loving, that even I came through the needle’s
eye! Today I am no longer working as a forwarder but have found my
life’s calling as spiritual coach and body therapist.

I recommend in pure love these courses to you, who desire permanent,
ecstatic happiness. You are always welcome to contact me, if you have
any questions!

With love,
Mette Anthony Laursen
Student of “Body sds”/body therapist
www.sundhelhed.dk

CHRISTIAN JØRGENSEN

When I came at first at Govinda Consult I was feeling very bad. I felt
like I had a hard knot in my heart. I had completely shut down
emotionally and had begun taking anxiolytic medicine. My doctor later
told me he had been very nervous for me! One of the first things that
hit me when I started the “Self Development Course” was that here
somebody actually listened to me. It was not the same superficial
listening as you meet the most; even among friends and family. Ajit
and Kalki listened to me with a truthful and deep interest in me as a
person, and I was immediately assured, that they from the heart wished
to help me with the things, I struggled with. By their help I
gradually loosened my frozen feelings, let go of my sorrow and pain,
which made me feel true happiness for the first time in a very long
time. I began very quickly to taper the anxiolytic medicine and the
doctor was more than surprised that I could stop it than suddenly and
at the same time show so much more capacity and joy in many ways. I
gradually turned my focus from the negative thoughts towards a
positive and spiritual point of view. Kalki and Ajit were fabulously
good at showing me the problems related to the material living, and I
got more and more convinced that the spirituality should become the
fulcrum of my life. I’ll never forget the powerful experiences I had
the first time I tried meditation. I found out that there is something
out there much higher than myself! It was fantastic! I realized that I
am an immortal, eternal living being, which nature is to be happy. At
Ajit and Kalki I got a lot of spiritual and philosophical knowledge
and tools and pure answers to the big questions of life. It gave me
believe in myself and a deep confidence, that I carry with me now,
wherever I go. Another great thing about Ajit and Kalki is that they
don’t let go of one, when you finish the course. Today they are among
my best friends, and I often show up at their spiritual meetings with
hour common spiritually interested friends.
A million thanks to Kalki and Ajit. I am deeply grateful!

With love from
Christian Jørgensen
Educational Assistent, swim coach and former danish and nordic
champion in bodybuilding.

ANNA NYGAARD

- The first time I entered at Govinda Consult a huge gang war was
going on in my mind and it had completely taken over. I had entirely
lost all willing of life and my inner negative filters transformed the
world to look like a tremendous, dark hell. I am surely not able to
remember even one thing that I took the slightest control of, and
everything inside of me was leading me beyond a slope of an apparently
bottomless hole.

I don’t grasp how lucky I am to have been placed at Govinda Consult. I
have now attended the COURSE IN SELF DEVELOPMENT and been in Ajit and
Kalkis amazingly positively infectious company for about half a year.
I’ve got deleted unbelievably huge volumes of inner shit from my hard
disc; awakened my vigor, willpower, courage and not to forget a true
desire – and the recipe - to live my own life.
It might sound contradictory, but I’ve only just begun the adventure.
But that fact only confirms that the road is infinite when the goal is
to reach your pure soul and live on a spiritual platform. But believe
me! Another more attractive, exciting, admirable, life-affirming (I
could go on for ages) journey doesn’t exist!

Follow a reasonable request and put on the spiritual hiking boots! I
assure you, that it will give you all you wish including more, if you
are willing to cross icy rivers, climb hillsides and fight a million
demons on your way. If it seems difficult to believe that just YOU are
able to go through all this, then listen to a wise man’s words:

“Impossible is a word in a fool’s dictionary!”

Another thing is certain: I couldn’t have come this far at any other
course, and I get butterflies in my stomach by thinking about my
further self-development in the company of Kalki and Ajit - In
harmony with all which is beautiful and right and certainly worth
fighting for! And yes, that was a recommendation!

Many warm greetings
Anna Nygaard
Student (yoga and Indian philosophy)

ISKCON News.com: Varnasrama College Course Starts Vrindavan

The upcoming "Panchagavya Medicines" course in Vrindavan will teach not only a range of 18 products such as toothpowder, gooark, massage oil, dhoop, etc., but Ox training, Goshala design and maintenance and treatment to cows will also be covered.

New Vrndavan, USA: Welcome Sanga for New Vrindaban Community’s New President

From nvcommunications

On Wednesday, March 30, over 40 members of New Vrindaban Community gathered in the home of Raghunath dasa and Jamuna devi dasi. The gathering was organized to welcome Jaya Krsna Prabhu. Jaya Krsna became the new Community President of New Vrindaban on the auspicious day of Gaura Purnima (March 19).

“The welcome sanga really touched my heart,” said Jaya Krsna. “The devotees expressed so much gratitude toward me for taking up this service. Moreover, everyone offered their support for a revival of the Brijabasi Spirit in New Vrindaban. I feel inspired and encouraged in my new service.”

During the evening, Varsana Maharaja spoke eloquently about the “Brijabasi Spirit.” The Brijabasi Spirit, explained Maharaja, is found in the loving relationships between devotees. This love reaches its full expression in Goloka Vrindaban. “The dham is like a container that holds the loving exchanges between the devotees. Even after Krishna left Vrindaban to travel to Mathura, the Brijabasis could not leave Vrindaban because they are so attached to the dham,” said Maharaja. “Srila Prabhupada told us that New Vrindaban is non-different from Goloka. This means that the residents of New Vrindaban have the opportunity to experience the same quality of relationships amongst ourselves as the residents of Goloka.”

Maharaja expressed his hope that all the residents of New Vrindaban will support the new Community President in fostering a paradigm shift that will be conducive to the Brijabasi Spirit.

Jaya Krsna noted that as a new-comer to New Vrindaban, a crucial role he will play in fostering the paradigm shift is to act as a mirror for the community. Jaya Krsna sees three areas where mirroring will be effective. The first area is to appreciate the past sacrifice of the devotees who built New Vrindaban. The second area is to recognize the future potential of the devotees and the dham. Finally, the third area is to appreciate the good qualities of the devotees and to be willing to overlook one another’s weaknesses. “These three areas are directly related to creating an environment that is conducive to the Brijabasi Spirit,” said Jaya Krsna. “If I can help the community make progress in these areas, then I will feel I am successful in my goal of healing some of the wounds of the past and in creating optimism about the future.”

Next, Jaya Krsna discussed the management structure he is currently putting into place. “My goal is to see that the management structure is so well-established that it can withstand the coming or going of any individual,” said Jaya Krsna. His first step has been to create five Vice-President (VP) positions for community management and development. These positions are (1) VP for Legal, Finances and Administration, (2) VP for Congregational Development, (3) VP for Guest Services, (4) VP for Temple Services, and (5) VP for Facilities.

Jaya Krsna is personally covering the services of the VP for Legal, Finances and Administration. Yugal Kisore dasa, the Head of the Congregational Development Department, has accepted the position of VP for Congregational Development. The VP for Guest Services is Damodar dasa. Damodar’s three goals will be to ensure that the pilgrims and guests receive proper care, to attract additional guests, and to organize programs during the weekends for the guests. The VP for Temple Services, Arya-siddhanta dasa, will be responsible for all activities in the temple. During his first year, Arya-siddhanta’s main focus will be to increase chanting and hearing of the temple devotees, to establish clear service agreements with the devotees, and to attract new devotees and bhaktas. Finally, the position of VP for Facilities is still vacant.

Jaya Krsna and the other devotees who spoke also expressed their thanks to Nityodita dasa, Rupanuga dasa, Jayasri devi dasi and Tapahpunja dasa for their long-lasting service as board members and managers of New Vrindaban Community. “I am more happy than anyone to see Jaya Krsna here,” said Nityodita, the outgoing Community President. “I feel like the reinforcements have arrived and New Vrindaban is in good hands.”

ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Rama Navami Celebrations this Sunday!

*** UPDATE - The temple will be hosting a 24-hour reading of the Ramayana, starting at 1:30pm on Saturday. Please come and join us for this wonderful reading! ***

H.H. Sivarama Swami: Bh. Nicholas, Bh. Razvan, Nilim Jadhav, Toth Sandor, Shekar Kyatam ask about

16,108 kirtan melodies, becoming dependent on Krsna, chanting japa, and different versions on creation between Bhagavatam and the Bible.

Subhavilasa das ACBSP, Toronto, CA: Appearance Day of Sri Ramanujacarya

Mayapur Academy, Mayapur, IN: “Mayapur Gandharaj ki Jaya!!”

Mayapur Academy is quiet now after the hustle and bustle of the Diploma course and Festival seminars, but our incense production continues. We sold close to 100kgs of Pure Frankincense during the festival and our incense is currently the main fragrance being used by the ISKCON Mayapur Deity department for offering to their Lordships and Srila Prabhupada. “Mayapur Gandharaj ki Jaya!!”

Apart from the wonderful fragrance, this incense is so popular because it is 100% chemical free. Pure and natural and as such recommended for offering to the Lord.

Please contact us for orders or information:  gaurangasimha@gmail.com

Text by: Gauranga Simha Prabhu

 

Mayapur Online: Zee News Broadcasts Mayapur Gaura Purnima Festival

Zee News team visited Mayapur for the first time to cover Gaura Purnima Festival from New Delhi. Zee News Channel is one of the popular News Channel in India.

The news editor and the producer of the channel arrived in Mayapur dham on 18th March and stayed for 3 days with whole news crew.

read more

Vraja Kishor, JP: Gopinath

Translation of a Bengali song by the great Bhaktivinode

Gopinath
hear this plea
from a selfish sensualist, always addicted to lust
without a trace of good character: me.
Gopinath, you are my only hope
seeking asylum at your feet
am I, your servant.

Gopinath…
how will you redeem me?
I don’t know what “devotion” is, all I think about are my selfish plans
I’ve fallen into the grip of death’s horrific cycles.
Gopinath, everything here is an illusion
I have no strength, and am devoid of true knowledge
It’s impossible to get free from all this on my own

Gopinath…
An eternal place at your feet
begging pitifully for it, weeping and weeping
out of mercy, give it to me.
Gopinath, you can do anything
you can even rescue the wicked, that is your power
who is more wicked than me?

Gopinath…
your mercy is limitless
for the sake of lost souls, you manifest in this world
and expand your wondrous pastimes
Gopinath, I am more faulty than the faulty
all the demons attained your feet
but I, Vinoda, remain behind.

Japa Group: Holy Name Transforms The Heart

Here is an excellent workshop on how the Holy name changes and transforms our heart.

Gouranga TV: Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Alex

Bhajan – 24hr Kirtan – Alex

Vraja Kishor, JP: Bhagavad Gita, Texts 21-24 of Chapter 10

The actual content of this subject as literally given in the tenth chapter may not always be so relevant to modern readers, because some of the examples given are not things that we already know of. Most of it is still quite relevant. The stuff that isn’t relevant to us today is actually quite interesting to people who have a fascination with Vedic India. So I will go through the content we have examined so far. I have a huge book called the “Puranic Encyclopaedia” which I will use to explain the obscure stuff.

The section begins with the 21^st text, so I will begin from there.

Text 21

Among Adityas I am Vishnu

“Aditya” refers to 12 sons born to Aditi and her husband Kashyapa. These are persons placed in charge of various very important universal functions – they are “the demigods” or a certain subgroup of demigods. It is perhaps more truthful to consider them all various features of the demigod who is the Sun.

The Sun is also called “Vishnu” perhaps because the light and heat and energy of the Sun pervades everywhere and maintains everything in our world. If that is the case, than what we can take from Kṛṣṇa’s statement that he is “Vishnu among the Aditya” is that we should appreciate the divine Supreme Personality of Godhead in the all pervading energy of light and warmth that comes from the sun and supports the existence of our world.

Among Jyotisham I am the Sun

“Jyotisham” means things that give off light. Not only is Kṛṣṇa the Vishnu deity who empowers the Sun to have all-pervading light and heat (as we heard in the previous line), also Kṛṣṇa is the actual firey globe of the Sun itself. We should appreciate the divine being as both the light and warmth of the sun as well as the brilliant sun-planet itself.

Among Maruts I am Marici

This is a confusing one, because there are a few people named Marici. One of them is a great famous sage,a son of Lord Brahma. However, Viśvanātha Chakravarti’s commentary on this text reveals that this is not the Marici Krsna is referring to, nor is that Marici one of the Maruts.

The Maruts are other sons from Aditi and Kashyapa, another subset of “adityas.” (Yes, Aditi and Kashyapa has thousands of children, because they are prajapati – beings entrusted to begin universal population). There are 42 Maruts. Why 42? Because Indra went into Aditi’s womb to perform an abortion! He sliced her child into 42 pieces because he thought the child would become his enemy! The 42 pieces, however, were successfully born as 42 different persons! (Remember, Aditi and Kashyapa are not human beings.)

These 42 are all in charge of various types of storms and winds. In fact, it may be that their proper name is “Rudra” (gods of howling storms) because they were named by Indra saying, “Ma Ruda” (don’t cry) as he was cutting them up. Among the 42 the Marici wind is apparently very special.

What do we take away from this?

We should appreciate the divine as the firey globe of the Sun, and as the heat and light that comes from the world and sustains our existence. That heat and light causes weather patterns on earth. That, I believe, is the subject of this “of Maruts I am Marici” – we should appreciate that the awesome weather, storms and winds are all the power of God – so when we experience wind we should be reminded of the divine.

Among Nakshatra I am the Moon

Nakshatra means “heavenly bodies.” There are two types of nakshatra: (1) Stationary, (2) Mobile. The stationary nakshatra are the “stars” the mobile nakshatra are the “planets.” The Sun is also a nakshatra, but it is a very hot, harsh one. The moon is bright and huge like the Sun, but without the flaw of being overbearing and burning. Of all heavenly bodies, therefore, the Moon can remind us and put us in touch with the soft, sweet gentle side of the divine.

So – in this text we hear:

• Remember God in the all-pervading light and warmth of the Sun which sustains our existence
• Remember God as the brilliant sun-globe itself.
• Remember God as the weather and wind that arises from the Sunlight
• Remember God as the Moon which reflects the light of the sun so sweetly and soothingly.

Text 22

Among Vedas I am Sama

Veda means “knowledge.” Sama is short for saman which means “melody.” This state of Kṛṣṇa could then be read as “of all knowledge I am music.”

The sama-veda is so named because it is a songbook. It takes all the mantras of the Rg Veda and organizes them into songs as a means for performing religious rituals and thus increasing one’s knowledge. The technical manual for using the Sama Veda is “Gandarva-veda” which provides the entire art and science of music, dance, and theatre. In one sense Kṛṣṇa is declaring that these arts are the pinnacle of all learning and knowledge.

What to take away?

All knowledge is impressive, but much of it is ugly – neuclear bombs, silicon chips, etc – the knowledge which is pleasant and beautiful, and melodious is the best knowledge. When we encounter such art and knowledge we should remember Kṛṣṇa, the divine dancer and flute player.

Among Devas I am Vasava

The devas are the beings who live in “heaven.” Vasava is the king of all the heavenly beings, Indra.

Indra is akin to the middle-eastern and western common religious ideas of God (though of course the mystical traditions go beyond Indra). So, one thing to take away from this is that the modern judeo-christian-islamic concept of God is also something worthy to remind us of the divine Supreme Personality.

Among Senses I am the Mind

The Mind controls all the senses. All the senses are shakti of the mind, they all work on behalf of the mind to acquire information about the world, and to experience worldly sensations. Kṛṣṇa is the mind, and all of the senses are all the rest of the living entities.

We constantly deal with our mind and senses, so this is quite a relevant meditation. We can see our senses serving our mind and become more aware of how our soul is supposed to serve Kṛṣṇa by acting as his shakti, acquiring and delivering pleasant sensations to him.

In the Jiva I am Cetana

Jiva means “the soul” – the element that sustains life. The most important quality of the soul is that it is self-aware. Cetana means “awareness.”

Matter is asleep, and spirit is awake. That is one major difference. The spirit is an atom of Kṛṣṇa-shakti. Matter is a reflection of Kṛṣṇa-shakti. The reflection is not the real thing – therefore it has no self-awareness, no true existence. The spirit is atomic but nonetheless it is the real thing.

From this we should take away that, “Kṛṣṇa is my ability to be aware of my own existence.”

Text 23

Among Rudras I an Sankara

Rudra is a fascinating being. Best I can explain goes like this: Lord Brahma had to populate the universe he created. He therefore produced special powerful beings to generate population. However the first among them were very englightened. They were the “four kumaras.” They had no interest mating and making children and populating the material world. Their disobedience made Brahma so furious that he wanted to destroy the entire universe (thinking it would have no purpose if no one would populate it, perhaps?). At that moment a magnificent being sprang from Brahma’s forhead, the personification of that anger. It was “Rudra.”

Half the body was male, half female. Brahma said, “divide yourself” and left. The female part split from the male. Then the male and female Rudra split into 11 further beings, so that there were 11 rudras and elevent Rudranis. These are deities in charge of destructive power.

Kṛṣṇa says that among these awesome beings, he especially can be identified as sankara. Who is “Shankara”? Shankara is a synonym for Shiva. Shiva is the original Rudra and the original being who manifested in this world through Brahma’s forehead, in my estimation.

What to take away?

Destructive force is also awesome and powerful. When we see destruction we should also remember the power of the divine person and our atomic nature in comparison to him.

Of Yakshas and Rakshasas I am Kuvera

Here are some fascinating details: Among “demigods” there are three categories: (1) deva, (2) ganadeva, (3) upadeva.

Among the devas, is Indra and the others. Among the ganadevas (a less powerful group) the 12 adityas are foremost. It also includes the 11 rudras and many other subclasses. Among the upadevas (a still less powerful group) are 10 subclasses including Vidyadharas, Apsaras, Yaksas, Rakshasas, etc.

I would describe the upadevas as being persons who are incharge with protecting elements of nature. The yakshas seem to be in charge of the power of wealth and the rakshasas are in charge of forests, rivers, etc. They are very primordial beings, all the upadevas – chaotic and unruly.

Kuvera is the king of the Yakshas and the Rakshasas. Kuvera is the lord of material opulence (vitta-isha). The idea is that the upadevas are all the gods of material opulence (talents, sexuality, wealth, nature, etc). The supreme among them is Kuvera, the lord of opulence.

What to take from this?

When we experience material opulence in a beautiful tree, a forest, a powerful primal force like the sex drive… we should be reminded of God, and that God is the supreme master of all such forces.

Among Vasus I am Agni

There are 8 Vasus, they are one subtype of ganadeva. These vasus are famous in Mahabharata, they were the children drowned by Gangadevi as a result of a curse. It could be said that the Vasu are guardians and messengers for the higher gods. There are 8 vasus, one for each major direction (N, NE, E, etc.) Perhaps it is that Agni is the most important messenger to the higher gods, because he acts as fire – which is an indispensible part of Vedic ritual, for it carries sacrifices and offerings to the Gods.

What relevance to find in this?

We can think of the Vasus as our “telephone line” to the divine. Kṛṣṇa then is saying that the best telephone line pertains to him. In Vedic religion the best telephone line to the divine is fire. But in our case I believe the best telephone line to the divine is our guru. Therefore when we interact with our guru we should feel ourselves to be in the presence of the vibhuti of God.

Among Mountains I Am Sumeru

Carucandra Prabhu has described this very eloquently: “mount meru is not only famous for its rich natural resources (made of gold and the ganges runs through it before it comes to our earthly realm) but it is the dead center of our universal system. it sits right in the middle of bhu mandala so it occupies the exact center of the universal bubble (both horizontaly and vertically).  so not only does meru represent Krsna as the supreme of all mountains but it also represents Him as the center of our universe.  we should understand Krsna to be the center of our universe both literally and figuratively in the sense that He should always be in the center of all our actions. our consciousness should always be centered around Him and His desire.”

Text 24

Among Priests I am Brihaspati

“Priest” here means purohit – the type of priest who performs religious rituals.

The aim of religion is heaven. The king of heaven is India. How does he maintain such a high position? Because he has the best priest. Who is that priest? Brihaspati.

(As an aside, the planet Jupiter is a representation of Brihaspati).

What does this mean to you and me? It means that paradise is awesome, we all want it. The best guide to paradise represents Kṛṣṇa. The truth is that Indra’s paradise is hell. Why? Because when we get there we sooner or later must face the fact that it is not real, it is only a reflection of reality. Thus losing paradise we plunge into hellish depression. The only real paradise is the real world – the internal energy of Kṛṣṇa. The supreme priest of that paradise is not Brihaspati but Śrīmati Rādhārāṇī. To me, this statement means that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the true vibhuti of Kṛṣṇa in the ultimate sense. We should gave upon her, for in so doing one cannot easily forget her shaktiman, Śrī Krsna, our desired goal.

Of Generals I am Skanda

Everyone wants to get into paradise, and many people don’t want to deal with the paperwork. They try to take heaven by force. These are the “demons.” Because of them (or so they say, at least) Indra needs an army. The army of the king of heaven must be very bad-ass. Who would command such an army? Whoever it is must be the most bad-ass commander. His name is “Skanda” a.k.a. Kartikeya, The Slicer, the god of warfare.

Brutal power such as is seen in military people is awesome in a terrible way. Whenever we see power we can remember the supreme power, God. Even the most powerful of all powerful warriors, Kartikeya, is merely a reflection of the vibhuti of God’s power.

Of Reservoirs I am the Ocean

Finally! Another reference that doesn’t require us to look up ancient Vedic references!!!!  I used to live in Southern California. It is a desert. Move a few miles away from the shore and there are cactus. The more you continue inland, the more it becomes serious desert. Living there I came to appreciate how much I love water and moisture. A reservoir is a very important thing. It represents God, because from it we get the moisture that we need to survive.

If a reservoir is a powerful thing, God is so powerful that he is the ocean. That is the idea in this line.

We can swim in a pool or in an ocean and contemplate this line.

 

 

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