By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Teachings of Queen Kuntī, Chapter 3

tatha paramahamsanam
muninam amalatmanam
bhakti-yoga-vidhanartham
katham pasyema hi striyah

You Yourself descend to propagate the transcendental science of devotional service unto the hearts of the advanced transcendentalists and mental speculators, who are purified by being able to discriminate between matter and spirit. How, then, can we women know You perfectly?

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.20

Even the greatest philosophical speculators cannot have access to the region of the Lord. It is said in the Upanisads that the Supreme Truth, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, is beyond the range of the thinking power of the greatest philosopher. He is unknowable by great learning or by the greatest brain. He is knowable only by one who has His mercy. Others may go on thinking about Him for years together, yet He is unknowable. This very fact is corroborated by the Queen, who is playing the part of an innocent woman. Women in general are unable to speculate like philosophers, but they are blessed by the Lord because they believe at once in the superiority and almightiness of the Lord, and thus they offer obeisances without reservation. The Lord is so kind that He does not show special favor only to one who is a great philosopher. He knows the sincerity of purpose. For this reason only, women generally assemble in great number in any sort of religious function. In every country and in every sect of religion it appears that the women are more interested than the men. This simplicity of acceptance of the Lord’s authority is more effective than showy insincere religious fervor.

Kuntidevi prayed to the Lord very submissively, and this is the symptom of a Vaisnava. The Lord, Krsna, had come to Kuntidevi to offer respect to her by taking the dust of her feet. Because Krsna considered Kuntidevi His aunt, He used to touch her feet. But although Kuntidevi, a great devotee, was in such an exalted position, practically on the level of Yasodamayi, Krsna’s mother, she was so submissive that she prayed, “Krsna, You are meant to be understood by the paramahamsas, the most advanced transcendentalists, but I am a woman, so how can I see You?”

According to the Vedic system, there are four social divisions (catur-varnyam maya srstam). The highest members of the social order are the brahmanas, those who are intelligent, and then come theksatriyas (military men and administrators), the vaisyas (farmers and businessmen), and finally thesudras (ordinary laborers). One’s place in this system is determined by one’s qualities and work (guna-karma). The Bhagavad-gita mentions striyo vaisyas tatha sudrah, and the Srimad-Bhagavatam speaks of stri-sudra-dvija-bandhunam. According to these references women, sudras, and dvija-bandhus are considered to belong to the same category. The word dvija-bandhu refers to one who is born in an exalted brahmana or ksatriya family but who has no qualifications of his own. One’s social standing, according to the Vedic system, is determined by one’s qualifications. This is very practical. Suppose a man is born the son of a high-court judge. This does not mean that he himself is also a high-court judge. Yet because one happens to take birth in a brahmana family, even if he has no qualifications and is rascal number one, he claims to be a brahmana, and although his qualifications are less than those of a sudra, people accept him as a brahmana. This has caused the downfall of the Vedic civilization. The brahmanas in India are sometimes very much against my movement because I train and acceptbrahmanas from Europe and America. But we do not care about their arguments, nor will any other reasonable man. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said:

prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama
sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

“In every town, city, and village of the world, the Krsna consciousness movement will be preached.”

How is it, then, that Europeans and Americans will not become brahmanas? In fact, one who comes to Krsna consciousness has already surpassed brahmanism. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (14.26):

mam ca yo ’vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

“One who takes to bhakti-yoga surpasses the modes of material nature and comes immediately to the transcendental platform [brahma-bhuta].” Not to speak of becoming a brahmana, the person who fully engages in bhakti-yoga attains the highest transcendental platform.

The stereotyped, crippled idea that only a person born in a brahmana family can become a brahmanahas killed Vedic civilization, but now we are reviving the correct understanding that the attainment of perfection is meant for everyone. In Bhagavad-gita (9.32) Lord Krsna says:

mam hi partha vyapasritya
ye ’pi syuh papa-yonayah
striyo vaisyas tatha sudras
te ’pi yanti param gatim

“O son of Prtha, those who take shelter in Me – though they be lowborn, women, vaisyas, or sudras –can approach the supreme destination.” Thus although women, sudras, and vaisyas are ordinarily considered to belong to a lower class, when one becomes a devotee he or she goes beyond such designations. Women, sudras, and vaisyas are ordinarily regarded as less intelligent, but if one takes to Krsna consciousness one is the most intelligent, as stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta (krsna yei bhaje sei bada catura). And Caitanya Mahaprabhu says:

ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija

“Among all the living entities wandering throughout the universe, one who is very fortunate receives, by the mercy of the spiritual master and the mercy of Krsna, the seed of devotional service.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 19.151) The Krsna consciousness movement does not consist of wretched, unfortunate men. No. It consists of the most fortunate. One who has taken to Krsna consciousness is to be considered the most fortunate because he has found the way to act so that his life will be perfect. One who is Krsna conscious and discharging his duties nicely is the most fortunate and the most perfect. This is humbly stated here by Kuntidevi.

Although Kunti had the body of a woman, she was a devotee. Therefore she was not like an ordinary unintelligent woman. Rather, she was the most intelligent, for she recognized Krsna to be the Supreme Godhead: “He has come to me to offer me respect, materially appearing to be my nephew, but He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Therefore in a previous verse she said, alaksyam sarva-bhutanam antar bahir avasthitam: “You are not seen by ordinary men, although You are everywhere, inside and outside.” In another verse also she said, na laksyase mudha-drsa: “Fools and rascals cannot see You.” This indicates that Kunti saw Him. Unless she were able to see Krsna as He is, how could she say, na laksyase mudha-drsa? She also said, prakrteh param: “You are transcendental to this material creation.”

Now here also, in this verse, Kunti continues to express herself with humility. This humility is very good in devotional service. Therefore Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu teaches us, trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna: “One should be more tolerant than the tree and humbler than the grass to make progress in spiritual life.” This is necessary because for one who is living in this material world there will be so many disturbances, just as if one were traveling on the ocean. One cannot expect a very peaceful situation on the ocean; even a big ship may also be unsteady, and at any moment there may be tumultuous waves. Similarly, in this material world we should always expect danger; one cannot expect a very peaceful life within this material world. The sastra, the Vedic literature, says, padam padam yad vipadam (Bhagavatam 10.14.58): at every step there is danger. But if one becomes a devotee, then one can escape (mayam etam taranti te).

If one takes to Krsna consciousness, in the beginning there will be many disturbances caused by Maya, the material energy of illusion. Maya will test us to see how firmly we are fixed in Krsna consciousness. Because she is also an agent of Krsna, she does not allow anyone the freedom to disturb Krsna. Therefore she tests very rigidly to see whether we have taken to Krsna consciousness to disturb Krsna or are actually serious. That is Maya’s business. So in the beginning there will be tests by Maya, and we shall feel so many disturbances while making progress in Krsna consciousness. But if we follow the rules and regulations and chant regularly as prescribed, then we shall remain steady. If we neglect these principles, Maya will capture us immediately. Maya is always ready. We are in the ocean, and at any moment we may be disturbed. Therefore one who is not disturbed at all is called paramahamsa.

Kuntidevi therefore says, tatha paramahamsanam: “You are meant to be understood by theparamahamsas.” The word parama means “ultimate,” and hamsa means “swan.” So paramahamsameans “the perfect swan.” If we give a swan milk mixed with water, the swan will take the milk and leave aside the water. Similarly, this material world is made of two natures – the inferior nature and the superior nature. The superior nature means spiritual life, and the inferior nature is material life. Thus a person who gives up the material part of this world and takes only the spiritual part is calledparamahamsa.

One should know that the activities of the body are due to the soul within the body. That is the real fact. The body is only the outward covering. Similarly, one should know that Krsna is the real center of all activities, and one who knows this is a paramahamsa. Thus bhakti-yoga is for the paramahamsa,one who knows that Krsna is the central fact. Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita, aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate: “I am the source of everything; everything emanates from Me.” So one who knows, not only theoretically but practically, that Krsna is the cause of all causes – one who is convinced of this – is a paramahamsa.

Kuntidevi says, “You are meant for the paramahamsas, not for the rascals and fools. You are meant for the paramahamsas and munis.” The word muninam refers to those who are thoughtful or to mental speculators, and the word amalatmanam refers to one who has no dirty things in his heart. The heart of a materialistic person is full of dirty things. What are those dirty things? Lust and greed. All materialistic persons are lusty and greedy, and therefore their hearts are understood to be full of dirty things, but amalatmanam refers to those who are freed from these two contaminations.

Bhakti-yoga is meant for those whose hearts are cleansed, not for the lusty and greedy. Of course, those who are lusty and greedy may try to advance, and gradually they may do so, but once one is situated in bhakti-yoga there is no more lust or greed. Viraktir anyatra ca (Bhagavatam 11.2.42). This is the test – when one is free from lusty desires and greed, then he is situated in bhakti-yoga and is actually a paramahamsa. Kuntidevi humbly submits, “You are meant for the paramahamsas and munis,those who are cleansed in heart and are engaged in bhakti-yoga. But what are we? We are simply women. We are in a lower class. How can we understand You?” Although she understands everything, she still takes the position of an ordinary woman and says, “How can I understand You?” This is humility.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17762

Founder of the Krishna Temples in Spanish Fork and Salt Lake City, Utah, KHQN Radio, & Utah Holi
HG Caru Prabhu ACBSP, passed away this morning, April 7, 2026, following a car accident in Utah.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117701

ISKCON Resolve stands as a beacon of support and positive change within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Since 2002, this invaluable service has been dedicated to helping devotees navigate conflicts and address concerns in a spirit of collaboration and understanding, guided by the teachings of Srila Prabhupada.

ISKCON Resolve offers a comprehensive suite of confidential and neutral resources designed to empower individuals and cultivate a more harmonious community. Their services include:

Ombuds Representatives: Trained listeners provide a safe and confidential space for devotees to discuss their situations, offering guidance and support.

Mediation Services: Facilitating respectful dialogue, ISKCON Resolve helps parties in conflict work towards mutually agreeable resolutions.

Conflict Competence Trainings: Equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively address conflicts that naturally arise, fostering better communication.

Self-Help Tools: Providing practical resources to manage conflict effectively and promote understanding within the community.

ISKCON Resolve’s commitment to fostering cooperation is evident in its mission: to serve Srila Prabhupada’s vision by helping devotees settle conflicts collaboratively, creating a culture of cooperation that he championed. By utilizing ISKCON Resolve’s services, devotees can save time and resources while promoting positive relationships and a stronger sense of community.

Whether you’re seeking guidance, mediation, or tools to improve your conflict resolution skills, ISKCON Resolve is there to support you in building a more harmonious and collaborative ISKCON. Reach out and contribute to a culture of cooperation that honors Srila Prabhupada’s teachings. You can connect via Admin@iskconresolve.org or +91 9354004055

Read more: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117682

The second Zoom class of a 5-part seminar given by Narayani Devi Dasi on the Prayers of Queen Kunti is dedicated to the verses of Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.23 through 1.8.27. The video answers the questions:
1. How to deal with calamities in one’s life?
2. What to pray for?
3. How to get Krishna’s lotus feet?
The seminar concludes with questions from disciples.

Source: https://www.dandavats.com/?p=117701

By Sunanda Das, 

Braja Vilasa and the TOVP Team are pleased to announce our annual matching fundraiser: the Prabhupada 50 12-Day Matching Fundraiser. The fundraiser begins on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya day, April 19, and ends on the most joyful appearance day of Lord Nrsimhadeva, April 30. ALL donations will be matched by Ambarisa prabhu who has pledged another $10 million for TOVP construction.

This fundraiser focuses on the 50th Disappearance Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada on November 1, 2027, which is now the official opening date of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium leading into a three-month-long celebration. All our beloved Mayapur Deities will be relocated into Their new magnificent palace, along with fifteen new acharya murtis.

The matching fundraiser presents another opportunity to be part of this historic project. You can sponsor the new Prabhupada KRSNA Ring, a replica of Srila Prabhupada;s personal KRISHNA ring (installment payments), or give a donation of any amount. Make an extra-large pledge payment. Every dollar will be matched by Ambarisa to help further TOVP construction.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/tovp-launches-prabhupada-50-matching-fundraiser/

A recent “behind the scenes” video published by NDTV showcased one of the ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir’s most important services, distributing prasadam to the thousands of pilgrims who visit this iconic temple in Vrindavan. Inspired by the teachings of ISKCON’s Founder-Acharya A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who described ISKCON as “the kitchen religion.”

NDTV is one of India’s leading news broadcasters, with its YouTube channel reaching viewers across India and internationally. NDTV broadcasts in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, the Middle East, Mauritius, South Africa, Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand, and the channel has generated more than 15 million views.

The scale of the operation is remarkable, totaling millions of plates served over the decades. According to Vishnunam Das, CFO of ISKCON Vrindavan, the temple kitchen prepares approximately 20,000 plates of khichdi daily, along with 6,000 to 7,000 full prasadam meals each day, rising to 10,000 on weekends and even more during festivals such as Kartik.

To watch the full video, click here.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/ndtv-highlights-iskcon-vrindavans-prasadam-outreach/

By Atma Tattva Das, 

A growing body of devotional music emerging from urban bhakti communities is finding new expression through independent artists such as VisnuMaya, a New York-based practitioner and musician whose recent live EP, Puspāñjali, presents an intimate, acoustic approach to contemporary Krishna-conscious songwriting.

Recorded during a small in-person gathering in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the project reflects a broader shift toward personal, experience-driven expressions of bhakti among younger practitioners navigating both spiritual life and creative identity.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/emerging-devotional-music-in-urban-bhakti-spaces/

By Shyama Krsnapriya Devi Dasi  

The School of Rūpānugas continues its mission of offering spiritually enriching educational opportunities to devotees worldwide with the launch of a new Bhakti-śāstrī course beginning May 25, 2026.

Designed to help devotees deepen their scriptural understanding in a structured and accessible way, the 108-day online program offers participants the opportunity to complete Bhakti-śāstrī study through a practical, theme-based format. Organizers say the course is intended especially for devotees who have aspired to study the scriptures more systematically and gain a deeper philosophical understanding.

The course features theme-based lessons designed to provide a deeper, more integrated understanding of scripture. For the first time, classes will also be offered in Hinglish, making the content simpler and more relatable for many participants. The fully online format allows devotees from anywhere in the world to take part.

According to the organizers, the course is designed to make scriptural study both accessible and impactful, helping devotees strengthen their philosophical foundation while practically applying the teachings in daily life.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/school-of-rupanugas-launches-108-day-bhakti-sastri-course/

On September, HH Radhanath Swami was in New York City to speak at The Bhakti Center for their 3rd Annual Pearl Festival, celebrating Radhastami (the Divine appearance of Srimati Radharani). A special feature of this festival is that all guests received the opportunity to write a prayer on a paper pearl and offer it, along with a real pearl, to Radharani. All the real pearls were then collected, strung into a necklace and offered to Radharani as a gift. Below are some excerpts of his talk.

“The Latin poet Virgil, has written, ‘Love conquers all’. The second part of what he wrote, in many ways is instrumental. He said, ‘Love conquers all, so let us all be conquered by love’. This is the principle of bhakti. The first and great commandment is to love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and the natural consequence of that is that you will love your neighbor as yourself. And according to the Bhagavad-gita you will see every living being as your neighbor.”

“But that actual ecstasy of loving God really comes when we become conquered by God’s love. Krishna, who is the Supreme Absolute Truth, the one God who has many names and has descended into this world many times, in his fullest expression, comes once in a day Brahma to this world. Sri Radha comes with him. The one Supreme God is ever as two personalities, Krishna, the Supreme object of love, and Srimati Radharani, who is the ultimate supreme lover.”

“The deepest pleasure that everyone is seeking in this world is to love and to be loved. The origin of that experience is the love of Sri Krishna and Sri Radha. We are all part and parcel of Krishna and our nature, our greatest potential, is to love Krishna. This love for Krishna is within every heart. It is the nature of the soul.”

“In bhakti the goal of life is very different than what we see many religious people have done throughout history. People want to conquer others on a material platform in the name of God. In bhakti, we understand that the higher principle is to be conquered by love. Radharani is giving us the capacity to be conquered by Krishna’s love and to conquer Krishna by our love – that is bhakti.”

“Like a pearl, a little grain of sand goes into an oyster and just by staying there for some time it becomes a precious natural pearl. So whoever we are, if come into the association of those who have been blessed by the grace of Sri Radharani and Krishna, then naturally from our hearts, that pearl of love will grow and there is nothing more priceless than that.”

Soon you will be offering a pearl, but it is not things that give Krishna happiness, only love can do this. The real pearl is our love. I like this festival because I was born on Pearl Harbour Day! (laughter) But the Pearl Festival is a festival of love, of making an offering and when we write our prayers in bhakti we pray, ‘How may I please you my Lord, how may I serve you? How may I be the servant of the servant of the servant of the instrument of your love and compassion in everything I do?’ That is the highest prayer and it is that prayer, when offered sincerely, that conquers Krishna and in reciprocation, His and Radha’s love conquers us. – Radhanath Swami

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20094

By Prabhupada Ashraya Dasa   

The devotees of ISKCON Aravade recently completed a glorious seven-day padayatra to Shri Dham Pandharpur, carrying the divine forms of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai Sundar and Srila Prabhupada. Nearly 400 devotees joined this sacred journey, transforming the roads of Maharashtra into a moving temple filled with kirtan, katha, and prasadam.  

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/hundreds-join-padayatra-from-iskcon-arvade-to-pandharpur/

By Atma Tattva Das,

The devotional community at ISKCON New Talavan, Mississippi, USA, is preparing to inaugurate their newly constructed temple complex, built for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Radha-Kantha and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, through a series of public events scheduled from May 14 to May 25, 2026. The multi-day, in-person program will include a Vastu Yajna, kirtan gatherings, and a formal opening ceremony, marking the completion of a project that has been under development for several years.  The opening reflects a broader effort within ISKCON communities to establish durable centers of worship and outreach in rural settings.

The project has been undertaken by members of the New Talavan community, an established ISKCON farm community in Mississippi, with support from donors and a small construction team working largely on-site. The initiative was significantly shaped by donor Dr. Jagdish Somani, who sponsored the construction in memory of his late wife and encouraged a transition from renovating an older structure to building a new temple.

Radhe Shyam Ananda Das, who joined the construction effort during its second year, describes the shift as a defining moment. “The original idea was simply to renovate the pujari room,” he said. “But it became clear that building a new structure would better serve the long-term needs of the community.”

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/new-talavan-temple-nears-opening-after-years-of-community-work/

Excerpt from the lecture by HH Nirañjana Swami

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 8.16

Śrī Māyāpur Dhāma, March 4, 2014

The following is a partially-edited transcription of an excerpt of a lecture given on March 04, 2014 in Śrī Māyāpur Dhāma – CC, Ādi-līlā 8.16

This verse stresses the importance of chanting the Holy Name so that one can achieve the ultimate goal of this chanting. I wanted to read something also in connection to this. It is short but very relevant to this verse. In the words of our param-guru Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, in answer to the question, “How should we chant the Lord’s Holy Names?” I find this very relevant to myself and therefore I’ve been sharing it with many devotees and I would like to read it first, and then in some way try to explain the meaning behind it.

“Pure devotees do not chant the Lord’s Names to counteract sinful reactions, accumulate piety, attain heavenly pleasures, to mitigate famine, devastating epidemics, social unrest, disease, civil strife or to obtain wealth or an earthly kingdom. Since the Lord is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to ask Him to fulfill our wishes is to treat Him as our servant. This is an offense. Therefore, calling the Lord’s Names for any reason other than to attain His devotional service is useless. Jesus Christ told us not to take the Lord’s Name in vain.

However, this does not mean that we do not need to always chant the Lord’s Names, while sleeping, awake, eating or enjoying happiness. To chant the Lord’s Names, begging for His service, is not a useless activity. It is our only duty.

But to make a show of chanting for some other purpose – in other words to fulfill our own desire – is useless. We should not take to the chanting of the Lord’s Names uselessly. We should not chant to attain religiosity, economic development, sense gratification or liberation. Instead we should always chant to attain the Lord’s service.”

I thought this was very relevant. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura here explains that unless one is actually chanting for the service, then any other purpose – any other purpose – is materially motivated. And he gives a long list of what is materially motivated: for social unrest, for epidemics, for material prosperity, any chanting to relieve distress, whether individually or collectively.

Therefore, he uses a strong word, he says it’s ‘useless’ – which we may question, because sometimes we hear so many verses which explain that even once chanting the Holy Names of the Lord will eradicate all kinds of sinful reactions for millions of births. And here somebody may be chanting, collectively with a large group, for a particular purpose, yet he defines it as useless chanting.

It makes me think of a verse in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, in the 3rd Canto, spoken by Devahūti. She says that anyone whose work does not lead to religious life; and any one whose religious, ritualistic performances do not elevate one to renunciation; and anyone who is situated in renunciation that doesn’t lead to devotional service to the Supreme Lord, is to be considered to be a dead body, although breathing.

Here, in this verse, emphasis is given on the ultimate goal. If we want to actually achieve the ultimate goal of chanting, which is the essence of today’s verse, we have to become free from offenses. And unless the ultimate goal is achieved, which is devotional service to the Supreme Lord, any other achievement is useless. Because the only full achievement of chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, is to achieve love for the Supreme Lord. Love, which is freed from all material desires.

Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.1.1]: as Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī explains: such devotional service should be freed from the influence of karma and jñāna. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī also states that [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.22],

bhukti-mukti-spṛha yavat
pisaci hṛdi vartate

As long as the desire for bhukti (the desire for material enjoyment) and mukti (the desire for relief from suffering, liberation), are within the heart (these desires are considered to be like two witches which haunt one like a ghost), then one will never be able to taste the bliss of devotional service to the Supreme Lord. And therefore it is stated in Caitanya-caritāmṛta that the goal of chanting is to achieve this love.

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura here also states that to approach the Lord for something for ourselves is an offense. We should not ask anything for ourselves. He says that all these other purposes for which one chants are considered to be useless, unless we actually purposely, with intent, sit and intensely pray for the service to the Lord. That service, that opportunity to engage in devotional service, is bestowed by the mercy of the Lord, and also bestowed by the mercy of the devotee of the Lord.

Śrīla Prabhupāda in his commentary quotes the verse that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura emphasizes as the siddha-praṇālī for Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, which is, [Śikṣāṣṭakam, verse 3]

tṛṇād api su-nīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā māna-dena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

Lord Caitanya Himself has stated, when explaining this verse, that a devotee who is engaged in the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord does not retaliate, even if he is rebuked or chastised. He never retaliates or says anything to anyone else about such activity. He gives an example that, even if a tree is cut, the tree will not complain, and even if the tree is drying up, it will not ask anyone for water. He says that such forbearance must be practiced by the devotee. Thus a Vaiṣṇava should engage in the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord, and he should never ask anyone for anything for himself. If someone offers, he will accept, but if someone doesn’t offer, he is satisfied to accept whatever comes by its own means.

But then He says something very, very important: this type of behavior solidly maintains a devotee’s devotional service. This type of behavior: he doesn’t ask, he tolerates. So forbearing! There is a verse in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,

tiraskṛtā vipralabdhāḥ
śaptāḥ kṣiptā hatā api
nāsya tat pratikurvanti
tad-bhaktāḥ prabhavo ’pi hi

“The devotees of the Lord are so forbearing that even though they are defamed, cheated, cursed, disturbed, neglected or even killed, they are never inclined to avenge themselves.”[Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.18.48]

This verse is spoken about Parīkṣit Mahārāja by Śamīka Ṛṣi, when he learnt that his son had garlanded a snake around Parīkṣit Mahārāja’s neck. He was extremely disturbed, because he understood that Parīkṣit Mahārāja is a saintly Vaiṣṇava. In his heart he was thinking, “If only Parīkṣit Mahārāja would counteract what has happened to him by cursing my son, then that will be proper, just punishment for him.”

But then he realized, “Wait a minute!” tiraskṛtā vipralabdhāḥ, śaptāḥ kṣiptā hatā api. “How will it be possible? Parīkṣit Mahārāja wouldn’t do that. Because devotees of the Lord are so forbearing, that even if they are cheated, cursed, neglected, disturbed, insulted or even killed, they are never inclined to avenge themselves. What can I do? Parīkṣit Mahārāja will never counter-curse. I can only simply pray to the Lord, that somehow He sees the situation and He understands what needs to be done to correct the situation, because Parīkṣit Mahārāja will never counter-curse my son.”

Such is the characteristic of a devotee. A devotee is so forbearing. Cheated, cursed, neglected, insulted – insulted! – disturbed or even killed! But he will never avenge himself. Why? Because he is so forbearing, he is so tolerant!

This type of devotional service, this type of mood in the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord, as stated by Lord Caitanya Himself, is the behavior that solidly maintains devotional service for the devotee. It gives him the means by which he can actually be situated in devotional service, because he is so tolerant that the Lord cannot neglect! Others may neglect, but the Lord will not neglect! How can the Lord neglect such a devotee?! He cannot neglect! He cannot turn away.

Look what happened to Ambarīṣa Mahārāja! When Ambarīṣa Mahārāja was cursed he didn’t even pray to the Lord for protection, but the Lord protected him. Durvāsā Muni first went to Lord Brahmā; then he went to Lord Śiva; and then he went to Lord Viṣṇu. Of course, Brahmā and Śiva were not able to provide him relief, because that’s what he wanted, he wanted relief. “Please relieve me.” Brahmā says, “I can’t.” Then Lord Śiva says, “I can’t.” And then he came to Lord Viṣṇu and said, “Please look at me, I am suffering.” And Lord Viṣṇu says, “Sorry, I can’t do anything to help you.

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura in his commentaries to these verses explains the mood the Lord has in His conversation with Durvāsā Muni. When Durvāsā Muni approaches the Lord for protection and says, “Please, can You mitigate my distress? You have invoked this cakra, certainly You can remove it.”

But the Lord says, “I am sorry, I am not independent. I am completely under the control of My devotee. The devotee is always in My heart and I am always in the heart of My devotee. The devotee doesn’t think of anyone but Me and I don’t think of anyone but him.”

And then, what does Durvāsā Muni say? He says, “Certainly, when You see somebody suffering and they are coming to You for protection, certainly You must be inclined to feel for his suffering.” He’s begging, “Please have a heart.”

And the Lord says, “Sorry! Actually I can’t even think of your suffering. I don’t have a heart and I can’t even think of your suffering.”

Durvāsā Muni says, “How is it possible?”

And then the Lord explains, “My devotee is so dear to Me. He is My devotee because He always takes Me into the core of his heart, and he is always praying to Me, ‘Please let me engage in Your service.’ My devotee doesn’t want anything else. He’s always thinking how he can serve Me. So therefore, I approach My devotee and I say, ‘Please let Me give you something.’ But My devotee says, ‘I don’t want anything.’ And the Lord says, ‘I want to give you something. Anything!’”

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=63836

By Bir Krishna Das Goswami

To read the following article on the original pdf document (61MB) click here: https://devoteecare.org/magazines/004souvenir%20complete%20_%2060MBFILE.pdf

Read more: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=88995

From Back to Godhead

Far from being a sentimental activity, devotional service is based on well-defined principles that systematically guide a practitioner to ultimate perfection.

Discussions about the relationship between science and religion usually end in a stalemate: Scientists accuse religionists of relying too much on faith, which they say is experimentally unverifiable, while religionists accuse scientists of relying too much on physical and chemical laws, which they say fail to measure the emotions and sentiments of a conscious living entity. The scientists fail to address or even acknowledge consciousness and its attendant needs; religionists fail to provide a satisfactory scientific and logical explanation for the practices they follow. The refusal of scientists to experiment beyond mechanistic science and the inability of religionists to present religion as a bona fide science have only widened the gap between the two parties.

A study of the Vedic scriptures, however, reveals that the true Vedic religion is not a matter of blind faith but is an actual science, verifiable by experiment. Unlike conventional religions, which force their practitioners to accept dogma on faith, the Vedic religion (also known as sanatana-dharma, bhagavata-dharma, or Krishna consciousness) repeatedly prods its students to inquire and question at every step. Sentimental practice is never encouraged. While other religions teach us to love and serve God, the beauty of the Vedic scriptures lies in their ability to explain the dynamics of this spiritual relationship by revealing the precise, well-defined principles that underlie it. A deeper understanding of this subject will nourish the faith of the faithful and satisfy the intellect of the intellectuals.

1. The Law of Attraction

Newton’s law of gravitation states that every object possessing mass attracts every other object with a certain strength, called the gravitational constant, or G. Furthermore, the effect of G (called force, or F) reduces as the distance between the two objects increases. According to the spiritual law of attraction, every spirit soul is attracted towards the Supreme Soul, Krishna. Being an eternal part of Krishna, we are constitutionally meant to love and serve Him. All we need to do is uncover our loving propensity by practicing devotional principles. Just as iron filings get attracted to a magnet, all of us in our pure state have a natural attraction towards Krishna. Lust and many other unwanted things prevent the full exhibition of these loving feelings, just as rust prevents the full attraction of iron filings towards a magnet.

The spiritual law of attraction differs from Newton’s law in some areas. Whereas the attractive force (G) exerted by each mass on other masses is the same (G is a constant), the attraction (in this case, the affection or love) that Lord Krishna has towards the wayward spirit souls is much greater than what those souls have towards Him. Srila Prabhupada writes, “He [Krishna] is just like an affectionate father, who is more eager to see his son than the son is to see him. There is no contradiction in such a quantitative difference in affection.” (Mukunda-mala-stotra 1, Purport)

The attraction between Krishna and His devotees is unaffected by the physical distance between them, unlike the attraction (F) between two physical masses. Other material barriers, like the language in which a prayer is intoned, one’s social or financial standings, or any other mundane criteria, have no effect on this spiritual relationship.

In sharp contrast to Newton’s law, the attraction between Krishna and His devotees has been known to increase with distance. Love in separation from Krishna is described as the highest form of love, higher even than love in union with Him. The most exalted devotees, the gopis of Vrindavan, experienced this form of love. After first enjoying a decade of Krishna’s association in Vrindavan during His early pastimes, they later had to undergo a century of separation from Krishna while He spent His time in Hastinapura and Dwarka. All the while, their love for Krishna kept increasing despite their being separated by a great distance.

Bhakti, or loving devotional service, is known as shri-krishnakarshini, “that which attracts Krishna.” Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes in Jaiva-dharma, “The devotee whose heart is infused with shuddha-bhakti [pure devotion] attracts the attention of Krishna—along with that of all His close associates—by the power of his love. Love is the only way to conquer Sri Krishna; no other means are viable.” By the power of his devotion, Prahlada, although a five-year-old boy, could attract the Supreme Lord Nrisimhadeva, who appeared just to protect His dear devotee. Between a magnet and iron, it is the magnet that has the power to attract, not the iron. But with bhakti, the devotee—an infinitesimal spirit soul—can attract the infinite, all-powerful Krishna.

2. The Law of Reciprocation

Like Newton’s third law of motion, the law of karma states that for every action there is a reaction. However, the karmic law—an aspect of material nature, which is working under Krishna’s direction—is universal; it does not act merely in the realms of physics or chemistry. Pious actions result in pleasurable reactions, while sinful actions lead to hellish sufferings.

In the Bhagavad-gita (4.11), Krishna says, ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham: “As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly.” To those who consider God impersonal, He reveals Himself as the impersonal Brahman. To yogis who meditate on the form of the Lord within the heart, Krishna reveals Himself as the Paramatma, the Supersoul, who resides in the heart of every living being. But to those who accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna is eager to reveal His supreme form of sac-cid-ananda: His eternal personal form of full knowledge and bliss.

When Krishna entered the wrestling match Kamsa had organized in Mathura, He appeared differently to different groups of people: “The various groups of people in the arena regarded Krishna in different ways when He entered it with His elder brother. The wrestlers saw Krishna as a lightning bolt, the men of Mathura as the best of males, the women as Cupid in person, the cowherd men as their relative, the impious rulers as a chastiser, His parents as their child, the king of the Bhojas as death, the unintelligent as the Supreme Lord’s universal form, the yogis as the Absolute Truth, and the Vrishnis as their supreme worshipable Deity.” (Bhagavatam 10.43.17)

Fully surrendered devotees of Krishna receive the greatest reciprocation from the Lord. The Chaitanya-bhagavata relates the story of Vasudeva Datta, a greatly powerful devotee of the Lord. Feeling extreme pain to see the sufferings of conditioned souls, Vasudeva Datta requested Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to let him suffer for the sins of everyone in the universe. The Lord was so pleased by Vasudeva’s compassion that He said, “This body of mine belongs to Vasudeva Datta. . . . [He] may sell Me wherever he likes.” (Chaitanya-bhagavata, Antya-khanda 5.27–28)

Devotees are ready to sacrifice everything for the pleasure of the Lord, and the Lord is ready to give Himself to His devotee. Srila Prabhupada writes, “This transcendental reciprocation exists because both the Lord and the devotee are conscious. When a diamond is set in a golden ring, it looks very nice. The gold is glorified, and at the same time the diamond is glorified. The Lord and the living entity eternally glitter, and when a living entity becomes inclined to the service of the Supreme Lord he looks like gold. The Lord is a diamond, and so this combination is very nice.” (Gita 9.29, Purport)

The principle of reciprocation assumes extreme proportions when we offend great devotees or render service to them. The scriptures repeatedly warn us about the dangerous effects of vaishnava-aparadha, offense at the feet of an advanced soul. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu described this as “the mad elephant offense,” which can uproot and destroy the tender devotional creeper we are struggling to cultivate. The best way to avoid this is to always remain humble, expect no respect from anyone, and offer all respect to others.

On the other hand, service rendered to a pure devotee awards us untold benedictions. For example, mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimukteh (Bhag. 5.5.2): A little service offered to a devotee opens immediately the doors of eternal liberation.

3. The Law of Subjugation

As the master of the universe, Krishna controls everything and everyone. But one who has bhakti can control Krishna by love. Bhakti-yoga therefore is superior to all other spiritual practices, like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, or ashtanga-yoga.

The story of King Ambarisha and Durvasa Muni reveals this point clearly. Durvasa Muni had attempted to kill the pious Ambarisha for an insignificant offense. But Ambarisha remained unfazed and took complete shelter of the Lord. To protect His dear devotee, the Lord released His personal weapon, the Sudarshana chakra, and destroyed the demon Durvasa had sent to kill Ambarisha. The chakra then started chasing the Muni to kill him. Durvasa fled the scene and approached various demigods for help. Unable to get shelter from anyone, including Indra, Brahma, and Shiva, the great mystic finally approached Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha, requesting the Lord to withdraw the scorching chakra and thus save his life. To his surprise, the Lord expressed His inability to protect him and ordered him to beg forgiveness directly from Ambarisha. Lord Vishnu said,

aham bhakta-paradhino
hy asvatantra iva dvija
sadhubhir grasta-hridayo
bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyah

“I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me.” (Bhag. 9.4.63)

Only after being forgiven by His devotee, the Lord assured, would Durvasa stop being chased by the chakra.

Other examples of Krishna’s subjugation to His devotees: As a small child, Krishna would dance like a puppet when the adult gopis of Vrindavan clapped their hands. During the rasa-lila, sometimes the gopis would sing and Krishna would dance just to please them.

Pure love of God is of the nature of Krishna’s internal potency, or Srimati Radharani, and has the power to bring Krishna, the greatest person, under His devotee’s control. The Pandavas, for example, bound Krishna with pure affection and kept Him always near them. As Narada Muni said, “My dear Maharaja Yudhishthira, all of you [the Pandavas] are extremely fortunate, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, lives in your palace just like a human being. Great saintly persons know this very well, and therefore they constantly visit this house.” (Bhag. 7.10.48)

4. The Law of Unification

The perfection of bhakti-yoga lies in dovetailing all of our desires for the pleasure of Krishna. In other words, a devotee sets aside all selfish motives and wishes to fulfill the desires of Krishna. In this way, the desires of Krishna and the pure devotee are one. Whenever a pure devotee speaks, he is speaking on Krishna’s behalf, presenting whatever the Lord would Himself say.

Devotional service to Krishna is so sweet that the devotee and the Lord sometimes forget their own identities. They are so much in tune with each other that there is no difference in their purposes. Ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya mayi te teshu capy aham: “Whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him.” (Gita 9.29)

Again, in the story of Ambarisha and Durvasa, the Lord makes this famous statement:

sadhavo hridayam mahyam
sadhunam hridayam tv aham
mad-anyat te na jananti
naham tebhyo manag api

“The pure devotee is always within the core of My heart, and I am always in the heart of the pure devotee. My devotees do not know anything else but Me, and I do not know anyone else but them.” (Bhag. 9.4.68)

It is important to note that the oneness attained by a devotee is different from the oneness impersonalist philosophers imagine they will attain by merging with the Supreme. A devotee rejects such oneness as hellish because it means the end of his individual identity, and thus the end of his chance to serve the Lord. Srila Prabhupada gives the example of a green bird entering a green tree. Deep within the branches and leaves, the bird may not be visible to an observer standing below, but the bird never loses its existence. It enjoys the tree’s fruits and flowers. A devotee who has returned to the spiritual world similarly enjoys service to Krishna with ever-growing freshness and sweetness under the shelter of Krishna’s lotus feet.
Judge Your Progress in Bhakti

Rupa Goswami, a sixteenth-century Vaishnava saint and a direct disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, describes the systematic developments a devotee undergoes while practicing the science of bhakti. In the beginning one has faith (shraddha) in some form of divinity or in saints or scriptures. This faith, which is compared to a seed, helps one seek out the association of saintly devotees (sadhu-sanga), where the seed sprouts and takes root as a creeper. Receiving nourishment in the form of hearing and chanting the holy names and glories of Krishna (bhajana-kriya) under the guidance of devotees, the creeper grows luxuriantly. In the process, all the unwanted things in the heart that block the progress of bhakti go away (anartha-nivritti), clearing the path for the creeper.

Carefully cultivating spiritual practices and steering clear of all obstacles, the devotee achieves steadiness (nishtha) in bhakti. At this stage the waves of love of Godhead first appear. As the spiritual practices continue, the devotee’s steadiness matures into intense taste (ruci) for devotional activities, removing all threats of the recurrence of unwanted habits. Such a person is known as an uttama-adhikari.

Shivarama Swami, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, has written Suddha-bhakti Cintamani, based on past acharyas’ commentaries on Vaishnava literature. Discussing the advanced stages of pure devotion, he writes, “As devotees cultivate that taste, they develop concentrated attachment for Krishna (asakti). That attachment polishes the heart to such an extent that at times devotees think that Krishna has appeared there. At other times they intuitively understand their relationship with the Lord, though such realization is still immature.” (p. 303) “At bhava [the next stage], when they transcend the boundaries of matter, the touch of the pleasure potency immediately awakens pure greed in their hearts.” (p. 610) “Love of God (prema), the full manifestation of pure goodness, is like the sun. When a single but fully potent ray of the Krishna-sun touches a devotee’s heart, ecstatic devotion instantly becomes manifest. Just as a spark falling onto dry leaves quickly grows into a forest fire, one ray of pure goodness entering a devotee’s heart quickly flares into a blaze of love for God.” (p. 307)

Attaining the stage of pure love of God is the perfection of our existence, the goal of the human form of life. If we remain sincere, Krishna’s mercy is assured. Like any other science, if we stick to the principles and carefully avoid the dangers, we are bound to attain success in this life.

Recently, thanks to the pervasive presence of Vaisesika Dasa, ISKCON’s Minister of Book Distribution, the devotees of ISKCON London Sankirtan brought an unusual surge of spiritual energy to the streets of London on the grand day of the Monthly Sankirtan Festival (MSF).

This devotional, inspiring, and encouraging spirit was further enhanced by the presence of Nirakula Devi Dasi, who commemorated every devotee’s endeavor.

Sankirtan warriors from the Bhaktivedanta Manor and ISKCON London Soho Radha Krishna Temple united with one heart and purpose as they charged towards the streets of central London. The mission was bold and spiritually significant — the sacred distribution of Srimad Bhagavatam and the echo of the Holy Names on the street, to every soul we meet.

This MSF is a powerful declaration of intent as devotees came together in full support of the Bhadra Campaign’s ambitious goal of distributing 100,008 Bhagavatam sets, while ISKCON London embraces our very own, humble and personal offering of 600 sets to honor 60 years of ISKCON.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/london-devotees-unite-for-bhadra-campaign-book-distribution/

By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi, 

Sankirtanamrita: The Nectar of Sri Krsna Sankirtana, the newly released book by Navina Nirada Dasa, published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT), has been acclaimed across the ISKCON world as a landmark contribution to Vaishnava literature. Blending memoir, philosophy, and practical guidance, it offers a deeply personal exploration of sankirtana, which is the sacred mission of sharing Krishna consciousness through transcendental literature from nearly four decades of lived dedication.

His journey began in 1984, when he joined ISKCON in Zurich at just 15 and soon became one of the leading book distributors. He has since traveled extensively around the world, served as ISKCON’s Minister of Book Distribution, trained thousands in preaching and leadership, founded the Vaishnava Academy in Mayapur, and was the first devotee to earn his Bhaktivedanta degree from the Mayapur Institute. He started a spiritual center in San Francisco and continues to teach, mentor, and personally distribute books, thereby embodying the message of his work.

Read more: https://iskconnews.org/book-review-sankirtanamrita-the-nectar-of-sri-krsna-sankirtana/

B.g. Lecture 1969:

Devotee: Prabhupāda? Does Lord Jesus Christ appear in the spiritual sky with the body he manifested on the earth?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Otherwise how there can be resurrection? Ordinary body cannot be resurrected. He appeared in his spiritual body, certainly. Jesus Christ told, if I remember, that “Lord, excuse these persons,” who were crucifying him. Is it not? He knew that “These rascals, they are killing me, but… They are offending certainly. So they do not know that I cannot be killed, but they are thinking that they are killing.” You see?

But that was offensive, therefore he begged Lord to be excused because God cannot excuse to the offenders of the devotee. He can excuse one who is offender to God, but if somebody is offender to the devotee, God never excuses. Therefore he prayed for them.

That is devotee’s qualification. He prays for everyone, even of his enemy. And he could not be killed. That he knew. But those rascals, they thought they were killing Jesus Christ.

Source: https://ramaiswami.com/srila-prabhupada-on-jesus-christ-3/