We live in the age of Kali, which is a difficult age. Here’s what is said about it: “O learned one, in this iron age of Kali men but have short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.”

With such a flattering background, it’s not surprising that early morning spiritual practices are hard for us. If it’s the choice between more sleep or getting up for meditation, it can be a battle between the mind and the mattress. We know getting up is good for us, but…

The key is the night before. I know someone who turned his whole life around by working on ‘the night before’. So here are some night before tips to guarantee a good early morning japa meditation the next day:

1. Find our beads: There is nothing worse than getting up and being ready to start chanting and we can’t find our beads. We can’t remember where we left them – maybe the car, or the kitchen, or our backpack? Find them and put them in an obvious and visible place.

2. Put clothing out: It’s good to take a shower before chanting. Set out clean clothes so you don’t have to think about it then.

3. Establish a meditation area: Make a place with a good sitting cushion or chair. It should be clean and tidy.

4. Place the alarm clock/ phone on the other side of the room: Sleep is powerful. It is considered the mode of ignorance, and it is hard to pull ourselves out of it. When the alarm goes off and we have to get out of bed and cross the room to turn it off, there is a better chance we will stay out of bed.

5. Get enough sleep: 6.5 to 7 hours is good for most people. Some need less, some more. If we sleep at 10pm we can get up at 4.30am and get at least a good hour of chanting in before we start the rest of our day.

6. Unplug early: Wind down by turning off the computer and reading an inspirational book or having a good conversation. It’s also a good time to reflect on the day or write in a journal. In the morning don’t go online until later. Nothing worse than reading some disturbing early-morning e-mail or the latest news of the world before we start our meditation. Both will be patiently waiting for us after our japa.

The main point is to get to our early morning practice with the least amount of difficulty or distraction. Each one of us will have our own circumstances to contend with. But for all of us, the early morning hours are pure gold when it comes to meditation. Treasure this quiet time and draw from it. It is one of the biggest factors that influence our quest for spiritual knowledge and realization. 
Source:http://iskconofdc.org/the-night-before/

There seems to be a tension between comfort and aspiration in our lives. We seek to explore, to grow, to achieve, yet we also desire security, safety and certainty. It’s clear, however, that we often have to sacrifice one to get the other. If we opt to remain in the comfort-zone, we may have to live with the inevitable feelings of being humdrum, run-of-the-mill and unexciting. On the other hand, if we dive for our dreams we’ll have to ready ourselves to brave the rocky road of uncertainty and opposition. Every significant achievement has its price tag. 

In reality, we usually go for something in between. Decisions on where to pitch our life are largely based upon the prevailing social mood of the day. What is everyone else doing? What are the expectations of society? What will keep everyone happy?Breaking free of such barriers and pursuing our ‘inner calling’ is a tough job. As life responsibilities increase, it’s easy to get boxed in, sealed tight and shelved up. Shifting the daily routine becomes more and more taboo. Doing something different may be seen as unintelligent, rash and irresponsible. And even when there are no grounds for such accusation, we conveniently accept those opinions just to reinforce our comfortable life and maintain the status quo. 

Life has its way of grounding us down. Very few people have a dream, even fewer seriously consider how to fulfill it, and only a rare soul actually has a decent shot. In an age where security, establishment and balanced prosperity have become the guiding beacons for our comfortable life, a pause for thought may be worthwhile. The Bhagavad-gita reminds us of a broader vision that needs to be etched into our consciousness. The inevitable laws of nature mean we come to this world empty-handed and we leave empty-handed. Everyone, without exception, is guaranteed to lose everything. Although our temporary constructed situations of life seem so real, they are all washed away by the ruthless waves of time. We’re building castles in the sand. It sounds counterintuitive, but I’m trying to invest quality time in developing this “vision of eternity”, hoping that it will make me a whole lot more dynamic in this temporary phantasmagoria. 

As I wander around in the spiritual hub known as Vrindavana, I’m reminded of a local saying which is beginning to make more and more sense to me: “All reality outside of Vrindavana is actually a dream, and all dreams in Vrindavana are actually a reality.” 

Source:http://sutapamonk.blogspot.in/2015/01/living-dream.html

Come in from the cold
And warm your hands
By the fire of Krishna’s
Love for you
A love so real and true
But we are so cold
It’s hard to feel it

Come in from the cold
Areas of your mind
That separate you from
Light and comfort
And make you think
-and sometimes do-
Unwanted things

Come in from the cold
And warm your heart
By the fire of the holy name
The Temple is warm
The music sweet
Accept the invitation
And be at peace
Source:http://iskconofdc.org/come-in-from-the-cold/

When Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acarya of ISKCON, was recorded in a morning japa practice with his disciples, at one point on the tape we can hear him admonish someone – “Sit properly!” His voice is strong and makes us all sit up. It’s a reminder that how we do our chanting practice is as important, if not more important, that just doing it.

When we chant we are inviting Krishna into our day, our moment. It’s a big deal, a big opportunity to connect with the source of all life and to allow his divine name to permeate our consciousness. For many people, the early morning cup of coffee brings them to life. They feel recharged, clear headed and ready to move into the day. For devotees of Krishna, early morning japa is like that – it can completely energize us, fill us with a deep sense of true self, and put everything in our life into a healthy perspective.

That, of course, is if the practice is done properly. An essential element is how we sit. A simple yoga pose with back straight and legs crossed is a good place to start. If you can’t sit on the floor, find a good sitting chair. Sit on the chair with feet planted firmly on the ground, hip width apart, and a straight back. The more we are attentive to sitting correctly, the more attentive we can be to our chanting.

Although there are no hard and fast rules for chanting it’s important we find what best works for us. When I sit for chanting, I try to keep myself as still as possible as I find this helps me hear the name better. It almost feels like I am quietly sipping the sacred as nothing is moving but sound. Sometimes our teachings describe that chanting is like drinking the nectar of the holy name – something sweet, refreshing, and full of taste. We want to be able to chant with that experience – that we are hearing something beautiful, receiving the incredible energy of life itself, and ultimately connecting with the supreme person, Krishna.

I heard recently someone quip that in their understanding the word ‘sadhana’ (spiritual practice such as japa) means painful. If chanting is a daily grind for us, start with adjusting how we sit. Practice with good posture and less movement. Japa meditation is an art – as in a skill acquired by experience, practice, and observation. Be a conscious and reflective chanter. Don’t settle for less. Work hard to create the best japa conditions for receiving Krishna’s sacred name. The name itself will do the rest.
Source:http://iskconofdc.org/sit-properly/

This Little boy is missing in my life since many lifetimes. Whoever finds Him please let me know His whereabouts!!! 

Color: blackish blue 
Dress: yellow silk 
Identification marks: will have peacock feather over His head 
Last known location: Groves of Vrindavan with cows 
Other details: Moonlike face to charm anyone in the universe, uses flute to mesmerize people 

Source:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.in/2015/02/missing.html

Is there an absolute “best” way to eat? One that tastes great, makes us feel good, doesn’t destroy the Earth, doesn’t inflict unnecessary suffering on other living creatures, and isn’t harmful to our health?

How about vegetarianism? Veganism? Lacto-vegetarianism? Raw food-ism? Juice fasting? Should we just do whatever feels good? Modified ovo-cannibalism? Maybe total fasting is the way to go?

What makes one way of eating (or non-eating) “better” than another? And who decides what’s “best,” anyway?

Anyone?

Making choices can be hard sometimes—especially if we don’t have any handle on what the Absolute Truth is (or don’t believe there is one)—and eating is just too important to put off making decisions about.

Plus, considering that:

1. We can’t remain in these bodies forever—no matter how nutritious our lunches are, and

2. All living being subsist on other living beings (no matter what),

Why not check out some practical eating advice that Krishna (described in the Vedas as the Absolute Truth In Person) offers:

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 9.26)

and,

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform — do that, O son of Kunti, as an offering to Me.” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 9.27)

Here’s another one:

“The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 3.13)

Someone who sincerely wants to do the best thing, and accepts—even theoretically—that Krishna is who the Vedas say He is (the Supreme Being), may want to look into the science of prasadam, the art of offering food to God.
Source:http://www.iskcondelhi.com/is-there-a-best-way-to-eat/

Raga-Dvesha, The Cause Of Bondage 

Raga (attraction), Dvesha (repulsion) and Tatastha Vritti (indifference) are the three important Vrittis of the mind. Raga and Dvesha (like and dislike or love and hatred or attraction and repulsion) are the two currents in the mind which bind a man to the Samsaric wheel of birth and death. Raga and Dvesha are the two Doshas or faults in the mind that have brought you to this world. The Svarupa of Bandha (bondage) is Raga and Dvesha. The Svarupa of Ajnana is Raga and Dvesha. All the emotions come under the category of Raga-Dvesha. These two currents are the Dharma (characteristics) of the mind and not of the spirit. Pleasure and pain, Harsha and Soka, exhilaration and depression are due to Raga-Dvesha. If Raga and Dvesha vanish from the mind, Harsha-Soka also will disappear. 

- Swami Sivananda 

http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.in/2015/03/material-emotions-originate-from-raga.html

Even if one chants the holy name imperfectly, he still easily attains liberation:
[A disciple of Prakasananda Sarasvati to an assembly of disciples]: “In this age of Kali, one cannot attain liberation without taking to the devotional service of the Lord. In this age, even if one does not chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly, he still attains liberation very easily.”
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 25.30
Even imperfectly uttered, the holy name frees one from sin:
[Haridasa thakura to Lord Caitanya]: Namacarya Haridasa thakura continued, “lf one offenselessly utters the holy name even imperfectly, one can be freed from all the results of sinful life.”
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.61
In any condition or for any reason, if one chants the holy name of the Lord, he is freed from all sins:
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: Even if he be distressed or degraded, any person who chants the holy name of the Lord, having heard it from a bona tide spiritual master, is immediately purified. Even if he chants the Lord’s name jokingly or by chance, he and anyone who hears him are freed from all sins.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 5.25.11
Even chanting that is indirect, frivolous, neglectful (etc.), frees one from sin:
[The Visnudutas to the Yamadutas]: One who chants the holy name of the Lord is immediately freed from the reactions of unlimited sins, even if he chants indirectly [to indicate something else], jokingly, for musical entertainment, or even neglectfully. This is accepted by all the learned scholars of the scriptures.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 6.2.14
Conditions of effectiveness of partial or improper uttering of the holy name:
[Haridasa thakura to Lord Caitanya]: “The letters of the holy name have so much spiritual potency that they act even when uttered improperly.”
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati thakura states that the word vyavahita (“improperly uttered”) is not used here to refer to the mundane vibration of the letters of the alphabet. Such negligent utterance for the sense gratification of materialistic persons is not a vibration of transcendental sound. Utterance of the holy name while one engages in sense gratification is an impediment on the path toward achieving ecstatic love for Krsna. On the other hand, if one who is eager for devotional service utters the holy name even partially or improperly, the holy name, who is identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exhibits its spiritual potency because of that person’s offenseless utterance. Thus one is relieved from all unwanted practices, and one gradually awakens his dormant love for Krsna.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.59
Whether vibrated properly or improperly, the holy name will liberate the chanter providing it is not done to facilitate sinning:
“‘If a devotee once utters the holy name of the Lord, or if it penetrates his mind or enters his ear, which is the channel of aural reception, that holy name will certainly deliver him from material bondage, whether vibrated properly or improperly, with correct or incorrect grammar, and properly joined or vibrated in separate parts. O brahmana, the potency of the holy name is therefore certainly great. However, if one uses the vibration of the holy name for the benefit of the material body, for material wealth and followers, or under the influence of greed or atheism−in other words, if one utters the name with offenses−such chanting will not produce the desired result very soon. Therefore one should diligently avoid offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord.’”
This verse from the Padma Purana is included in the Hari−bhakti−vilasa (11.527) by Sanatana Gosvami.
Therein Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives the following explanation: 
sarvebhyah papebhyo 'paradhebhyas
ca samsarad apy uddharayaty 
eveti satyam eva; kintu nama−sevanasya 
mukhyam yat phalam, tan 
na sadyah sampadyate. tatha 
deha−bharanady−artham api nama
sevanena mukhyam phalam
asu na sidhyatity aha−tac ced iti.
The holy name has so much spiritual potency that it can deliver one from all sinful reactions and material entanglements, but utterance of the holy name will not be very soon fruitful if done to facilitate sinning.
tan nama ced yadi dehadi−madhye
niksiptam− deha− bharanady−artham eva
vinyastam, tadapi phala−janakam na bhavati kim?
api tu bhavaty eva, kintv atreha
loke sighram na bhavati,
kintu vilambenaiva bhavatity arthah.
The holy name is so powerful that it must act, but when one utters the holy name with offenses, its action will be delayed, not immediate, although in favorable circumstances the holy names of the Lord act very quickly.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.60
Even unconscious, unintentional, Or accidental chanting is effective
Even unconscious chanting of the holy name liberates one from birth and death:
[The sages at Naimisaranya to Suta Gosvami]: Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Krsna, which is feared by fear personified.
The transcendental name of Krsna, even though uttered unconsciously or by force of circumstances, can help one obtain freedom from the hurdle of birth and death.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 1.1.16
Even if one chants the holy name of the Lord unintentionally, he is fully purified:
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: That old man Ajamila had ten sons, of whom the youngest was a baby named Narayana. Since Narayana was the youngest of all the sons, he was naturally very dear to both his father and his mother. Because of the child’s broken language and awkward movements, old Ajamila was very much attached to him. He always took care of the child and enjoyed the child’s activities. When Ajamila chewed food and ate it, he called the child to chew and eat, and when he drank he called the child to drink also. Always engaged in taking care of the child and calling his name, Narayana, Ajamila could not understand that his own time was now exhausted and that death was upon him. When the time of death arrived for the foolish Ajamila, he began thinking exclusively of his son Narayana. Ajamila then saw three awkward persons, with deformed bodily features, fierce, twisted faces, and hair standing erect on their bodies. With ropes in their hands, they had come to take him away to the abode of Yamaraja. When he saw them he was extremely bewildered, and because of attachment to his child, who was playing a short distance away, Ajamila began to call him loudly by his name. Thus with tears in his eyes he somehow or other chanted the holy name Narayana. My dear King, the order carriers of Visnu, the Visnudutas, immediately arrived when they heard the holy name of their master from the mouth of the dying Ajamila, who had certainly chanted without offense because he had chanted in complete anxiety.
Since the old man was very attached to the child, he enjoyed the child’s activities, and because the child’s name was Narayana, the old man always chanted the holy name of Narayana. Although he was referring to the small child and not to the original Narayana, the name of Narayana is so powerful that even by chanting his son’s name he was becoming purified (harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam [Adi 17.21]). Srila Rupa Gosvami has therefore declared that if one’s mind is somehow or other attracted by the holy name of Krsna (tasmat kenapy upayena manah krsne nivesayet), one is on the path of liberation. It is customary in Hindu society for parents to give their children names like Krsnadasa, Govinda dasa, Narayana dasa and Vrndavana and get the chance to be purified…
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is kind to the conditioned soul. Although this man completely forgot Narayana, he was calling his child, saying, “Narayana, please come eat this food. Narayana, please come drink this milk.” Somehow or other, therefore, he was attached to the name Narayana. This is called ajnata−sukrti. Although calling for his son, he was unknowingly chanting the name of Narayana, and the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is so transcendentally powerful that his chanting was being counted and recorded… Somehow or other, Ajamila consciously or unconsciously chanted the name of Narayana at the time of death (ante narayana−smrtih), and therefore he became all−perfect simply by concentrating his mind on the name of Narayana.
It may also be concluded that Ajamila, who was the son of a brahmana, was accustomed to worshiping Narayana in his youth because in every brahmana’s house there is worship of the narayana−sila. This system is still present in India; in a rigid brahmana’s house, there is narayana−seva, worship of Narayana. Therefore, although the contaminated Ajamila was calling for his son, by concentrating his mind on the holy name of Narayana he remembered the Narayana he had very faithfully worshiped in his youth.
In this regard Srila Sridhara Svami expressed his verdict as follows:
etac ca tad−upalalanadi−sri−narayana−
namoccarana−mahatmyena tad−bhaktir evabhud
iti siddhantopayogitvenapi drastavyam.
“According to the bhakti−siddhanta, it is to be analyzed that because Ajamila constantly chanted his son’s name, Narayana, he was elevated to the platform of bhakti, although he did not know it.” Similarly, Srila Viraraghava Acarya gives this opinion:
evam vartamanah sa dvijo mrtyu−kale
upasthite satyajno narayanakhye putra
eva matim cakara matim asaktam akarod ity arthah.
“Although at the time of death he was chanting the name of his son, he nevertheless concentrated his mind upon the holy name of Narayana.” Srila Vijayadhvaja Tirtha gives a similar opinion:
mrtyu−kale deha−viyoga−
laksana−kale mrtyoh sarva−dosa
−papaharasya harer anugrahat kale 
datta−jnana−laksane upasthite 
hrdi prakasite tanaye purna−jnane 
bale panca−varsa−kalpe
pradesamatre narayanahvaye
murti−visese matim smarana
−samartham cittam cakara
bhaktyasmarad ity arthah.
Directly or indirectly, Ajamila factually remembered Narayana at the time of death (ante narayana−smrtih)…
A person who performs sinful activities performs them with his body, mind and words. Therefore three order carriers from Yamaraja came to take Ajamila to Yamaraja’s abode. Fortunately, even though he was referring to his son, Ajamila chanted the four syllables of the hari−nama Narayana, and therefore the order carriers of Narayana, the Visnudutas, also immediately arrived there. Because Ajamila was extremely afraid of the ropes of Yamaraja, he chanted the Lord’s name with tearful eyes. Actually, however, he never meant to chant the holy name of Narayana; he meant to call his son.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti thakura remarks, hari−kirtanam nisamyapatan, katham−bhutasya bhartur nama bruvatah: the order carriers of Lord Visnu came because Ajamila had chanted the holy name of Narayana. They did not consider why he was chanting. While chanting the name of Narayana, Ajamila was actually thinking of his son, but simply because they heard Ajamila chanting the Lord’s name, the order carriers of Lord Visnu, the Visnudutas, immediately came for Ajamila’s protection. Hari−kirtana is actually meant to glorify the holy name, form, pastimes and qualities of the Lord. Ajamila, however, did not glorify the form, qualities or paraphernalia of the Lord; he simply chanted the holy name. Nevertheless, that chanting was sufficient to cleanse him of all sinful activities. As soon as the Visnudutas heard their master’s name being chanted, they immediately came. In this regard Srila Vijayadhvaja Tirtha remarks: anena putra−sneham antarena pracinadrsta−balad udbhutaya bhaktya bhagavan−nama−sankirtanam iti jnayate. “Ajamila chanted the name of Narayana because of his excessive attachment to his son. Nevertheless, because of his past good fortune in having rendered devotional service to Narayana, he apparently chanted the holy name in full devotional service and without offenses.”
– Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.24−30
Whether one chants knowingly or unknowingly, the holy name will free one from all reactions to sinful activities:
[The Visnudutas to the Yamadutas]: As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one’s sinful activities. If a person unaware of the effective potency of a certain medicine takes that medicine or is forced to take it, it will act even without his knowledge because its potency does not depend on the patient’s understanding. Similarly, even though one does not know the value of chanting the holy name of the Lord, if one chants knowingly or unknowingly, the chanting will be very effective.
Fire will act, regardless of whether handled by an innocent child or by someone well aware of its power. For example, if a field of straw or dry grass is set afire, either by an elderly man who knows the power of fire or by a child who does not, the grass will be burned to ashes. Similarly, one may or may not know the power of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, but if one chants the holy name he will become free from all sinful reactions…
In the Western countries, where the Hare Krsna movement is spreading, learned scholars and other thoughtful men are realizing its effectiveness. For example, Dr. J. Stillson Judah, a learned scholar, has been very much attracted to this movement because he has actually seen that it is turning hippies addicted to drugs into pure Vaisnavas who voluntarily become servants of Krsna and humanity. Even a few years ago, such hippies did not know the Hare Krsna mantra, but now they are chanting it and becoming pure Vaisnavas. Thus they are becoming free from all sinful activities, such as illicit sex, intoxication, meat−eating and gambling. This is practical proof of the effectiveness of the Hare Krsna movement, which is supported in this verse. One may or may not know the value of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, but if one somehow or other chants it, he will immediately be purified, just as one who takes a potent medicine will feel its effects, regardless of whether he takes it knowingly or unknowingly.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 6.2.18−19
The holy name acts even when chanted without reference to the Supreme Lord by those bereft of Vedic culture:
One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Haridasa thakura as usual, and in the course of discussion He inquired as follows. “My dear thakura Haridasa, in this age of Kali most people are bereft of Vedic culture, and therefore they are called yavanas. They are concerned only with killing cows and brahminical culture. In this way they all engage in sinful acts. How will these yavanas be delivered? To My great unhappiness, I do not see any way.” Haridasa thakura replied, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence. Because the yavanas are accustomed to saying, 'ha rama, ha rama’ [O Lord Ramacandra], they will very easily be delivered by this namabhasa. A devotee in advanced ecstatic love exclaims, 'O my Lord Ramacandra! O my Lord Ramacandra!’ But the yavanas also chant, 'ha rama, ha rama!’ Just see their good fortune!”
If a child touches fire, the fire will burn him, and if an elderly man touches fire it will burn him also. Haridasa thakura says that a great devotee of the Lord exclaims, “ha rama, ha rama,” but although yavanas do not know the transcendental meaning of “ha rama, ha rama,” they say those words in the course of their ordinary life. For the yavanas the words “ha rama” mean “abominable,” whereas the devotee exclaims the words “ha rama” in ecstatic love. Nevertheless, because the words “ha rama” are the spiritual summum bonum, the fact is the same both for a child and for an elderly man. In other words, the holy name of the Lord, “ha rama,” always acts, even when the holy names are chanted without reference to the Supreme Lord. Yavanas utter the holy name in a different attitude than devotees, but the holy name “ha rama” is so powerful spiritually that it acts anywhere, whether one knows it or not. This is explained as follows.
Namacarya Haridasa thakura, the authority on the chanting of the holy name, said, “The chanting of the Lord’s holy name to indicate something other than the Lord is an instance of namabhasa. Even when the holy name is chanted in this way, its transcendental power is not destroyed. 'Even a mleccha who is being killed by the tusk of a boar and who cries in distress again and again, "ha rama, ha rama” attains liberation. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with veneration and faith?’“
This refers to an instance in which a meat−eater being killed by a boar uttered the words "ha rama, ha rama” again and again at the time of his death. Since this is a quotation from the Nrsimha Purana, this indicates that in the Puranic age there must also have been mlecchas and yavanas (meat−eaters), and the words “ha rama,” meaning “condemned,” were also uttered in those days. Thus Haridasa thakura gives evidence that even a meat−eater who condemns something by uttering the words “ha rama” gets the benefit of chanting the holy name that the devotee chants to mean “O my Lord Rama.”
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.49−56
Even unintentional chanting of the holy name, if offenseless, will take one back to Godhead:
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: While suffering at the time of death, Ajamila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore, if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?
– Srimad Bhagavatam 6.2.49
Either deliberate or accidental chanting of the holy name immediately frees one from sinful reactions:
[Sukadeva Gosvami to King Pariksit]: If one who is embarrassed by hunger or who falls down or stumbles chants the holy name of the Lord even once, willingly or unwillingly, he is immediately freed from the reactions of his past deeds. Karmis entangled in material activities face many difficulties in the practice of mystic yoga and other endeavors to achieve that same freedom.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 5.24.20
Even if chanted in separate parts, The holy name is effective
The holy name is effective even if vibrated in separate parts (provided there are no offenses):
“'If a devotee once utters the holy name of the Lord, or if it penetrates his mind or enters his ear, which is the channel of aural reception, that holy name will certainly deliver him from material bondage, whether … properly joined or vibrated in separate parts.’”
This verse from the Padma Purana is included in the Hari−bhakti−vilasa (11.527) by Sanatana Gosvami. Therein Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives the following explanation:
vaci gatam prasangad van−madhye pravrttam api,
smarana−patha−gatam kathancin manah−sprstam api,
srotra−mulam gatam kincit srutam api;
suddha−varnam vasuddha−varnam api va;
'vyavahitam’ sabdantarena yad−vyavadhanam
vaksyamana−narayana−sabdasya
kincid uccarananantaram prasangad
apatitam sabdantaram tena rahitam sat.
This means that if one somehow or other hears, utters or remembers the holy name, or if it catches his mind while coming near his ears, that holy name, even if vibrated in separate words, will act. An example of such separation is given as follows:
yadva, yadyapi 'halam riktam’
ity ady−uktau hakara−rikarayor vrttya
hariti−namasty eva, tatha 'raja−mahisi’
ity atra rama−namapi, evam
anyad apy uhyam, tathapi 
tat−tan−nama−madhye
vyavadhayakam aksarantaram
astity etadrsa−vyavadhana−
rahitam ity arthah; yadva,
vyavahitam ca tad−rahitam capi va;
tatra 'vyavahitam'−namnah kincid
uccarananantaram kathancid 
apatitam sabdantaram samadhaya pascan
namavasistaksara−grahanam ity evam rupam,
madhye sabdantarenantaritam ity arthah, 
'rahitam’ pascad avasistaksara−grahana−varjitam,
kenacid amsena hinam ity arthah,
tathapi tarayaty eva.
Suppose one is using the two words “halam riktam.” Now the syllable ha in the word “halam” and the syllable ri in “riktam” are separately pronounced, but nevertheless it will act because one somehow or other utters the word “hari.” Similarly, in the word “raja−mahisi,” the syllables ra and ma appear in two separate words, but because they somehow or other appear together, the holy name rama will act, provided there are no offenses.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 3.60
Even if chanted jokingly, The holy name is effective
Because the holy name is absolute, it is effective whether one chants sincerely or jokingly:
Krsna consciousness is not at all to the liking of the demons of the present age. As soon as they see a Vaisnava dressed in saffron garments with beads on his neck and tilaka on his forehead, they are immediately irritated. They criticize the Vaisnavas by sarcastically saying Hare Krsna, and some people also chant Hare Krsna sincerely. In either case, since Hare Krsna is absolute, whether one chants it jokingly or sincerely, it will have its effect. The Vaisnavas are pleased when the demons chant Hare Krsna because this shows that the Hare Krsna movement is taking ground.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 7.5.7
Even chanting for the sake Of blasphemy is effective
Even if the holy name is chanted for the sake of blasphemy, the holy name is so powerful that it frees one from reactions of sinful activities:
[Rupa and Sanatana Gosvami to Lord Caitanya]: “Jagai and Madhai had but one fault−they were addicted to sinful activity. However, volumes of sinful activity can be burned to ashes simply by a dim reflection of the chanting of Your holy name. Jagai and Madhai uttered Your holy name by way of blaspheming You. Fortunately, that holy name became the cause of their deliverance.”
Jagai and Madhai chanted the name of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by way of blasphemy, but because they simply chanted His name, they immediately became free from the reactions of sinful activities. Thus later they were saved.
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Madhya lila 1.194−95
Even demons who utter Krsna’s name only for blaspheming Him attain liberation:
The conditioned soul, being envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, may accuse Him, saying, “Krsna is bad, Krsna is a thief” and so on, but Krsna, being kind to all living entities, does not consider such accusations. Instead, He takes account of the conditioned soul’s chanting of “Krsna, Krsna” so many times. He sometimes punishes such demons for one life by putting them in a lower species, but then, when they have stopped accusing Him, they are liberated in the next life because of chanting Krsna’s name constantly.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 7.1.25
Even if uttered to chastise Krsna, the holy name brings liberation:
[Svarupa Damodara to a Bengali poet]: “Sometimes it so happens that one who wants to chastise Krsna utters the holy name, and thus the holy name becomes the cause of his liberation.”
– Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya lila 5.155
Even blasphemers can be freed from sinful activities by chanting the holy name:
Jaya and Vijaya inwardly knew that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they purposely became His enemies to be delivered from material life. From the very beginning of their lives they thought of Lord Krsna as an enemy, and even though blaspheming Lord Krsna, they chanted the holy name of Krsna constantly along with their inimical thoughts. Thus they were purified because of chanting the holy name of Krsna. It is to be understood that even a blasphemer can be freed from sinful activities by chanting the holy name of the Lord.
– Srimad Bhagavatam 7.1.26 
Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=21819

Giriraj Swami spoke on Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila,22.83:

krsna-bhakti-janma-mula haya ‘sadhu-sanga’
krsna-prema janme, tenho punah mukhya anga

“The root cause of devotional service to Lord Krishna is association with advanced devotees. Even when one’s dormant love for Krishna awakens, association with devotees is still most essential.” (Cc Madhya 22.83)

“Sacinandana Swami made the point that if we are in a humble mood, we will see our godbrothers and godsisters—people similar to ourselves—as being more advanced than we are and that that would fulfill the condition that one should associate with devotees more advanced than oneself (sadhu sanga sato vare). And he gave the example of the two of us. Superficially we appear to be equals, but he is thinking, ‘Oh, Giriraj Swami is more advanced than I am; I can learn from him,’ and Giriraj Swami is thinking—and this part is true—’Sacinandana Swami is more advanced than I am and I can learn from him.’ And in this mood we are getting the benefit of sadhu-sanga.”

Kirtan, Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 22.83, Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016

Question: Do you have any nice words to remind us not to have doubt whenever we have fear or doubt?

There are two types of doubts. One type of doubt comes from sinful activity and attachment to sinful activity. The other type of doubt comes from intelligence because we are also investigating something and cannot just accept everything blindly. So, there is also a healthy doubt. In the third canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Kapiladev explains to his mother these two types of doubt. About the other doubt, the one coming from sinful activities, one senior vaishnava said that instead of thinking about my doubts, I think about my faults and when I try to improve my faults then my doubts go away!
Source:https://www.kksblog.com/2016/06/fear-and-doubt/

Bhaktitirtha Swami had a way of striking up a spontaneous friendship with celebrities such as Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali also shared the spotlight with Srila Prabhupada, at an anti-war peace concert Ali had organized.

Muhammad Ali in 1975 was received with a flower garland by a devotee of Iskcon during his visit to Frankfurt Trade Fair. 

Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=21823

Muhammad Ali Talks About Meeting God (10 min video)
Kavicandra Swami: While distributing books in the airport of Chicago, me and other book distributers we would often meet with Muhammad Ali and we would stop him to give him a book. In 1974 I met him and gave him one of Srila Prabhupada’s books. In the beginning he thought that I wanted him to sign it but when I asked him to take it and give a donation, he immediately took out his wallet and gave a 20 dollar donation.
In many other occasions also he received Krishna conscious books from other devotees as he was quite friendly with all. Did he read them??
Judge for your self from this video where he preaches about God during a TV show, repeating almost verbatim Srila Prabhupada’s teachings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofUhct5Bk_g
Below is a brief description:
Muhammad Ali Talks About Meeting God. 
A little boy asked Muhammad Ali, “I’d like to know what you’re going to do when you retire from boxing?” Ali’s answer couldn’t be more inspiring as he takes his time and gives this young fan an answer he’s sure to never forget. With news of Ali’s death, it is reassuring to know that he prepared for where he wanted to go. Ali said:
When I retire from boxing, I want to say something right here. Life is not really long. Let’s say the average person (is) 30-years-old. If you’re 30 years old you are not but about seven years old…how can I prove it? Add up all the seven, eight, nine hours you slept for 30 years. Out of all the years last night when you went to bed and woke up this morning, you don’t remember a thing. You’ve been unconscious for about eight years…if you’re 30-years-old you slept about eight years. Ok, how much traveling have you done in 30 years, from the television station to home, to another country, to another city, to school, to church…you’ve probably traveled two years your life just getting back and forth to where you’re going. So there’s eight years of sleeping, two years of traveling, There’s 30 years out of your life before you ever accomplish anything. How long do you sit in school? In America we sit in school from the 1st grade to the 12th grade. Six hours a day for 12 years, break it down, you sit in the classroom for three years! Without leaving. Ok, two years of traveling, eight years of sleeping, three years of school. Probably two years of entertainment. By the time you have children, by the time you have made a way for your children, by the time you’ve paid for your home you’re pushing 60-years-old. So…life is real short.
What am I gonna do in the next sixteen years? What’s the best thing I can do? Get ready to meet God. Owning real estate, going in business, teaching boxers…that won’t get me to heaven.
The boxing champ goes onto ask how many people in the audience believe in God, believe that a higher being is behind the earth, moon, the sun and the stars? Most raise their hands that they do. When he asks who doesn’t, not many go up. But Ali questions one of them. He holds up a glass of water and asks if she believes the glass made itself, if the tv studio and her own clothes made themselves. He talks about the moon and planets, and how someone had to have made them, and he believes that someone is God. Because of this, Ali’s mission is to help people because one day he is going to be judged. God is watching him, and he wants to do good. He said:
He wants to know how do we treat each other? How do we help each other? We need someone in the world to make peace. This is a test to see where will we spend this life, heaven or hell? This is not the life here. But your soul and your spirit never die. So God is testing us on how we treat each other and how we live to see where our real home be in heaven. So this physical stuff don’t last us so long. We don’t stay here. We’re just trustees. The most important part thing about life is what’s going to happen when you die. Are you going to heaven or hell?
Looking very serious, Ali talks about just how long forever really is, and the reality of burning in hell versus living in heaven for an eternity. It sounds like Ali has earned his way to the latter. 

Source:http://m.dandavats.com/?p=21831

Lord Caitanya, the 16th Spiritual Teacher in disciplic line from Lord Krishna, left only one prayer (eight verses) behind him. It contains the complete guide to the practice of devotional service. Here it is in short form with the complete prayer at the end.

. Clean the heart
. Transcend with names
. Humility, like grass
. Desire devotion
. Request a rescue
. Nurture longing
. Feel separation
. Love, no matter what

1. Clean the heart – the first prayer invites us to clean the dust accumulated in the heart through sankirtan – the glorification of Krishna. Sankirtan not only cleanses the heart, it reduces of feelings of misery in life, and enable us to experience spiritual emotions.

2. Transcend with names – Krishna has hundreds and millions of names. Each are invested with his potency. Connect with His name and we connect directly with Krishna Himself.

3. Humility, like grass – the third prayer gives us the mindset for successful devotional practice – more humble than a blade of grass. Find some grass and reflect on this. It’s a powerful insight into what humility can be.

4. Desire devotion – What do we want in life, from life? Peace, love, money, happiness, our own island? What do we want? Lord Caitanya says nothing compares to feelings of devotion to Krishna. Desire only that.

5. Request a rescue – we know we are making progress when we accept we can’t do it on our own, and even more progress when we ask for help. Please pick me up from this ocean of birth and death is the ardent request in the fifth prayer.

6. Nurture longing – when we don’t have something we really want, we long for it. Focus that longing on loving service to Krishna. Such feelings of longing can soothe a heart parched by the troubles and sadness of the world around us.

7. Feel separation – as we come to the end of the verses we glimpse advanced stages of devotion. Even as we move closer to Krishna we ironically feel the spiritual “pain” of separation. It’s a heightened sense of longing that brings a deeper love.

8. Love, no matter what – this is the goal of the practice of Krishna Bhakti – pure, unconditional love for Krishna. He is purchased by this love, only satisfied by this love, and we too are incomplete until we can offer it. This last verse brings us to the summit of love.

This eight verse prayer is deep and wide. It outlines the path to pure love and if we walk it we will see that it’s not so hard. Not only is such love part of us, but Krishna, the object of our love, reciprocates as we progress. The first step is to want it – to want to find, live, and offer pure love. We have to discover that important desire within us and put it front and center of our lives. And keep it there.

Here is the complete prayer:

Source: http://iskconofdc.org/8-steps-to-love/

I have an iPhone.

They are everywhere. We talk on them, walk with them, search them, listen to them, laugh, cry, sleep, and die with them. The ubiquitous iPhone is a friend to all. If we forget it or lose it we feel pain. And today, I write my blog on one.

Studies are now showing that we should leave our phone aside more often. It distracts, interrupts, can cause ill health and certainly fatal accidents. “Don’t let the things we own, own us” we learned last week during the Sunday Open House. When there is too much “i” involved with our iPhone, there will be trouble.

There are other “i’s” that get us into trouble too. We carry them with us all the time and they truly cause problems and blockages in our spiritual life.

iKnow – when you think you know everything there is no room for learning. To keep this app from taking over your head; make it a practice to learn something new. To gain spiritual knowledge one must come to the point of knowing that you don’t know. It’s not a foolish kind of “not knowing.” It’s the kind that makes us humble and eager to inquire about spiritual truths.

iWant – we are full of desires and are unendingly entertained and enticed by the thoughts of fulfilling them. It is one of the two main functions of the mind – hankering and lamenting. Learning to live with less, working with needs instead of wants, and desiring to love and serve Krishna are good ways to balance out the iWants in our lives.

iDon’tCare – at the end of the day we don’t really care about a lot of things, even our self. This is a painful fact to face and why a healthy spiritual life is so important. Whenever I am lazy about recycling , I don’t care. Whenever I lie, cheat, or steal, I don’t care. We can make our own list. Not caring comes from laziness and ignorance. Lots of attentive chanting and hearing can transform this tendency.

iPhones are here to stay. As are the i’s in our life. Keep them small so that they are manageable. They, as well as life in general, are meant help us find the true I, the true spiritual ego beneath it all.

The above applies to Android phone owners as well!

Source: http://iskconofdc.org/iphone-blog/

Dear devotees,

Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

We just celebrated ISKCON’s 50th anniversary at the Sadhu Sanga Retreat last week. To thank all the sponsors and core volunteers who work for the retreat all-year, we have a tradition of gifting them a sweatshirt. This year, we wanted to do a very special design for the sweatshirt to commemorate ISKCON50.

The inspiration for the design came from His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja who had come up with the title “The Seven Petals of ISKCON” for his Gita Nagari retreat last weekend to discuss the seven purposes for which Srila Prabhupada founded ISKCON. The pun here is the fact that there are seven petals in the ISKCON logo, which can be taken to mean the seven purposes of ISKCON. (By the way, I’m curious to know who designed the ISKCON logo originally and if this pun is intended).

One of the things I’ve been having difficulty with is remembering the seven purposes of ISKCON – as they are a bit long. Modern companies have figured out that remembering the mission is important to ensure all the activities of employees are aligned with the mission of the organization. For e.g. Google leaders repeatedly emphasize their mission of “organizing the world’s information and making them universally accessible” over and over in meetings so that employees keep that in mind when developing any product.

So we thought of making it easy to remember the seven purposes of ISKCON through the design of the sweatshirt. To do that, we did the exercise of taking each purpose and boiling it down to its core essence to fit in just two words so that we can use that as a mnemonic to remember the whole purpose. Here is what we came up with based on Romapada Swami’s explanation of these purposes in this article http://www.dandavats.com/?p=11900

1. To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world. => *Spiritual Education*

2. To propagate a consciousness of Krishna (God), as it is revealed in the great scriptures of India, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. => *Krishna Consciousness*

3. To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, thus developing the idea within the members, and humanity at large, that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna). => *Loving Relationships*

4. To teach and encourage the sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. => *Congregational Chanting*

5. To erect for the members and for society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the personality of Krishna. => *Temple Construction*

6. To bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler, more natural way of life. => *Farm Communities*

7. With a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings. => *Book Publication and Distribution*

After doing this distilling exercise, our appreciation for Srila Prabhupada grew so much more as it helped us understand what a great visionary His Divine Grace is. Even when most of these purposes hadn’t manifested yet, Srila Prabhupada had such a futuristic vision with which he had encoded a spiritual blueprint for our Society in these purposes. Fast forward fifty years from then – still we are doing exactly just these things in ISKCON!

So we put these two words on the sides of each petal. And now, how do we easily remember these two words for each purpose? For that, we came up with an image for each purpose that helps us remember the corresponding two words easily – after all a picture is worth a thousand words. Putting all these together, this is the final design we came up with:

The front of the sweatshirt has a customizable design where each individual Temple/project can put their logo.

We printed 250 sweatshirts for Sadhu Sanga and 120 sweatshirts for Gita Nagari Memorial Day Weekend retreat and all of them were sold out! Since there is so much interest amongst devotees, we are making this design available for any Temple/project to customize it for their own congregation.

To start with, we’ve customized the sweatshirt for the first ISKCON Temple which Srila Prabhupada started at 26, Second Ave in New York in 1966 as a way of helping with the maintenance of the 26 Second Ave Temple as mentioned here: http://krishnanyc.com/iskcon-50th-anniversary. The designer of the sweatshirt, Mother Jaeme from ISKCON Laguna Beach, has kindly offered to donate 50% of the profits towards the maintenance fund for the 26 Second Ave Temple. Here is the link to buy http://sundaram.life/collections/apparel/products/iskcon-50-anniversary-hoodie this really high-quality sweatshirt. Please help spread the word: the more people buy, the less the printing costs are and the more funds we get for this holy tirtha in NYC.

Who wouldn’t want to get this beautiful sweatshirt, anyway?

And, next time, when you happen to stand in a long Prasadam line behind a person wearing this sweatshirt, you probably wouldn’t mind the wait – as it’s yet another opportunity to remember Srila Prabhupada’s greatness!

Hare Krsna,
your servant,
Govinda caran das.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=21835

On Saturday 28th May, ISKCON-London had our first Open Day event of the year. Every year, we organise several Open Days during the summer months to welcome new and inquisitive souls to the Temple.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of ISKCON, and to increase the public’s awareness and appreciation of the movement, the theme for this year’s Open Days is “50 Years of Contribution to the Global Community”. Attendees start a journey of self-discovery and gain insight into topics including the science of the soul, attaining inner and world peace, mantra meditation, yoga and vegetarianism – many of these being new concepts for the attendees.

Whilst we welcome new guests to the Temple on a daily basis, the Open Days provide a structured series of interactive sessions for the public to learn about our philosophy and culture. It provides an opportunity to answer questions such as what goes on inside a Hare Krishna Temple, what are the Hare Krishnas’ beliefs and other questions that often cross the minds of passers-by or the spiritual seeker.

Our first Open Day of the year had over 80 guests attending, the majority who had never visited a Hare Krishna Temple before. They attended sessions based on the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, mantra meditation and a Questions & Answers Hub where they could stay for as long as they liked and ask questions to a resident senior monk. Attendees also had the opportunity to join the 6 Hour Kirtan in the Temple Room to put into application the power of chanting the holy names.

Feedback from attendees have been positive:
“I can’t wait to come for next one.”
“It was wonderful and peaceful.”
“I like the music and looking forward to come for Sunday programme.”

Attendees left with a complimentary copy of Higher Taste and a prasadam sweet and several attendees were interested in buying further books.

Looking to introduce a friend, family or colleague based in London to our beautiful philosophy? You can invite them to one of our Open Days.
Dates: 25th June, 30th July, 20th August, 17th September.

For more information or if you wish to volunteer, please email events@iskcon-london.org.

Your servant,
Bhaktin Natasha
ISKCON-London Communications Secretary

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=21833

By Kavicandra Swami

My dear god brother H H Purna Candra Goswami went to his samadhi some time back and we heard many praises. HH Bhakti Vijnana Goswami was lamenting that Purna Candra Prabhu was not so well known world wide since he had much to offer.

He did leave us a very beautiful book that I think should be studied by anyone who is serious about spiritual advancement while serving, in any position, within ISKCON.

The book is titled, UNSPOKEN OBSTACLES ON THE PATH TO BHAKTI. The title says a lot.

Most of the devotees who spoke at his samadhi function mentioned his deep philosophical thinking extensive scriptural knowledge. HH Sivaram Swami mentioned that his meetings with Purna Candra Goswami were always refreshing since the talks were always philosophical. In this books he has spoken out very frankly, sometimes it seems to be very much criticizing, but looking carefully we find compassion and a helping hand.

I will just show a bit to give an idea. I do not know just where one can find copies. His disciples were selling them in Vrndavana. The following are a few of the chapter titles:

Freedom and Trust
Blind Following
Varnasram and Being Oneself
Emotions and Impersonalism
Substance and Form
Character and Culture.

He always gives scriptural evidence to back up whatever he proposes. It was he who conceived of the SAC, Scriptural Advisory Committee, to assist the GBC on philosopical issues. The GBC welcomed it and he formed and headed the committee.

I will leave you with a few quotes and hope the book becomes easily available internationally.

“It is clear that laws and duties must exist even within a family, what to speak of within an organization. But if there is an inordinate emphasis on them, it indicates insecurity and a lack of love and trust. This undue emphasis hinders creativity and growth. Unfortunately some leaders care more about rules than they do about people.”

Maharaja also give relevant quotes from non devotees. “Mark Twain once said, ‘It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them’”.

In discussing the role of emotions, “Another difference between repression and control is that repression can be artificial and, in that case, there may be some resentment or aversion. Whereas, when the senses are under control, on is detached and considers them as differnet from the self.”

“Srila Prabhupada once said that spiritual life is difficult, but material life is impossible.. Therefore a devotee must always be tolerant and look on the bright side.If one expects too much from any spiritual oganization,seeking perfection in all dealings, one will be disappointed…..Healing comes, however, by practicing being personal. Thus, being personal is both the means and the end.

“For those whose substance is lacking, dependence on form is proportionately necessary. “

“This adjustment focusing on substance will keep our Society pure. Srila Prabhupada came to give Absoute Truth, beauty , love and freedom, ans we should continue to give them to others. We cannot use Krsna’s name without them, because His name and form contain them. One who sincerely chants His name and serves Him with devotion will develop absolute truthfulness, beauty, love and freedom.”

“Again, we must turn our sights inward and observe our own anartha, not being too much concerned about other’s anarthas. I have seen reformers in the past, who wielded strong criticism toward others, but had not pointed their critical facilities toward their own hearts. The reformers should reform themselves at least as much as they try to reform others.”

I do hope that this will inspire devotees to read that book. Even if one cannot access the book right off, to think serviously along these lines.

Your servant
Kavicandra Swami

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=21837