Lecture on Progress in Spiritual Life not Material by HG Shikshashtakam Prabhu

(HG Shikshastakam Prabhu has served Indian Air Force for 7 years. During his tenure he was selected as a fighter pilot and also represented Indian Air Force in National Tennis Championship. He is serving ISKCON since 1998 as a fulltime preacher. Being expert at scientific explanation of the Vedic Culture and by his profound knowledge, he has attracted many people mainly youths to this Krishna Conscious movement. )

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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 Chapter 01 Text 47-48 by HH Devamrita Swami on 29 Nov 2014 at ISKCON Mayapur

(Devamrita Swami was born on October 16, 1950 in New York City. At the age of seventeen, he received a scholarship to Yale University and graduated in 1972. Upon graduation Devamrita Swami began to study the literary works of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

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Lecture on Srila Prabhupada Crossing the Ocean by HH Kadamba Kanana Swami on 04 Oct 2014 at Sydney

(Kadamba Kanana Swami joined ISKCON in 1978 in Amsterdam. Until 1984 he managed projects in Vrindavana. From 1985 through 1990 he coordinated the construction of Srila Prabhupada’s samadhi in Mayapur.)

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Lecture on Ram Katha by HH Bhakti Purshottam Swami on 24 July 2014 at Chitrakut Dham

(HH BhaktiPurshottam Swami is from India. He is sanyasa disciple of H H Jayapataka Swami. He has been with great dedication serving Mayapur since decades. He extensively travels and preaches in South East Asia, Bangladesh, US and Middle East. He preaches in english, hindi and bengali.)

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ISKCON is ramping up for its mega 50th anniversary celebrations, with events to be held all over the world throughout the year 2016. These will commemorate the day Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada officially registered the society in New York on July 11th, 1966.

But ISKCON will warm up for that by celebrating another 50th in 2015. They’ll commemorate both Prabhupada’s leaving Kolkata on the steamship Jaladuta on August 13th, 1965, and his arriving in Boston, USA on September 17th.

ISKCON India’s Eastern temples have banded together with chairman Sankarshan Nitai Das to organize events centered around the first part of his journey.

Starting in January 2015, they’ll theme all their temple festivals around Prabhupada’s spiritual quest. They’ll distribute thousands of his books, put up billboards that celebrate his achievements and hold public Harinamas at Kolkata locations that were key in his earlier life.

They’ll also organize programs at schools and colleges where they’ll distribute literature on Prabhupada’s life and ISKCON’s history, then give the students quizzes on what they’ve read.

The celebrations will reach their peak in August, when hundreds of devotees will embark on a walking pilgrimage retracing Prabhupada’s journey from Sri Mayapur Dhama to Kolkata’s Khidirpur Dock.

The pilgrimage will begin on August 8th in Mayapur, with devotees visiting the shrine of Prabhupada’s guru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, where Prabhupada prayed before leaving for the U.S.

On August 12th it will reach Kolkata, where it will stop at several important places in Prabhupada’s life. These will include the Radha-Madan-Mohan temple his father Gour Mohan De used to visit when Prabhupada was a small boy; Govinda Bhavan, where Prabhupada stayed with his father, mother and sisters; and Scottish Church College, where he received his education as a young man.

Four major programs will follow. On August 13th, various political leaders, government officials and Prabhupada disciples will attend an event at Khidirpur Dock, where Prabhupada boarded the Jaladuta on the same day back in 1965.

On the 14th, ISKCON leaders and key donors will attend a program at Ravindra Sarovara auditorium, near Srila Prabhupada’s birthplace in the Kolkata suburb of Tollygunge, which ISKCON purchased in spring 2013.

On the 15th, a festival for youth from all over India will be held at the prestigious Science City Auditorium.

And finally on August 16th, a grand satsang program will take place at Netaji Indoor Stadium which organizers hope will be attended by 20,000 people, including spiritual and political leaders, namahatta congregational members, and ISKCON leaders from all over Eastern India.

Each of these four programs will feature talks about Srila Prabhupada’s achievements in bringing Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s message of Krishna consciousness to Western shores, along with kirtan, bhajan, Deity worship, Odissi and Bharat Natyam dance, and a short film on Prabhupada in Kolkata.

The Kolkata events will be followed by a program organized by Bhaktivinode Swami in Cochin, South India, the last Indian port the Jaladuta stopped at – to load Srila Prabhupada’s books – before heading off for the U.S.

Celebrations will continue to follow Prabhupada’s path when devotees in Boston – who have always  commemorated the ISKCON Founder’s arrival at Commonwealth Pier – will organize their biggest event yet on September 17th, in honor of the day when he arrived at age 69 with just $7 and a box of books.

After that, GBC Bhaktimarga Swami, famous for his cross-country walks in Canada, will walk from Boston to Butler, Pennsylvania, where Prabhupada stayed with Gopal and Sally Agarwal, and then on to New York where, of course, Prabhupada registered ISKCON.  

All this is expected to drum up suitable excitement for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary in 2016, when devotees and communities all over the world will be planning 50th anniversary events in their own locations.

Ananga Mohan Das, communications director for Eastern India’s events, can’t wait. “There is a great sense of unity amongst devotees in this celebration, and in letting the world know what Srila Prabhupada achieved,” he says. 

Throughout the sastra we will find statements that being in a woman's body is a lower birth. Let us try to understand these statements more deeply.

To begin with, let us remember that this refers to the birth, meaning the material body, which we can compare to a vehicle the eternal soul is driving for this life time. The male and female vehicle have very different qualities and natures in order to fulfill certain roles and functions in this world. Not only do they differ in the gross body, but also on the subtle level of mind, intelligence and false ego. Infact Krsna has built into both vehicles the required qualities and natures, so they can fulfill their roles perfectly. In a nutshell the male vehicle is equipped in order to take charge, protect and provide, and the female vehicle is perfectly designed to bear and raise children and be the auspicious source of energy and inspiration to men (SB.4.21.4.,5.1.29.,4.27.2.,4.26.15.). Thus they complement each other perfectly. However, to consider them to be equal is absurd. The equality is there, but only on the platform of the soul. On the platform of the temporary body they are very different, and to make these distinctions does certainly not mean one is on the bodily platform. It is only intelligent to understand the qualities of the vehicle one is driving. To identify with the vehicle would indicate the bodily platform, but not to clearly distinguish the two vehicles - their qualities and functions.

Since the male vehicle is meant to protect, provide and lead, it is considered to be a superior vehicle. Otherwise he could not fulfill this function. And since a woman is meant to be protected and dependant, her vehicle is an inferior one. So it is simply meant in bodily terms, which does not affect the equality on the level of the soul, nor their qualification for spiritual life.

Srila Prabhupada explains this in a SB lecture on the 3rd of August 1968: "I was student of psychology in my college life. Dr. Urquhart said, I remember still, that the brain substance has been found up to 64 ounce, while brain substance of woman has been found, highest, 34 ounce. Therefore woman class (laughs) is not so intelligent as man. There is no question of competition. It is actual, scientific fact. But one thing I must explain here. So far spiritual life is concerned, it does not depend on the material brain substance. It is different thing. It is spiritual platform. It has nothing to do with this bodily construction. You must remember. We don't make any distinction that a man can be better Krsna conscious than woman. No. A woman can be better Krsna conscious because they are very simple. They can accept any religious system. Generally the women, they accept it because they are very simple. They have no crooked mind. Sometimes they are exploited therefore. So in the spiritual platform there is no such distinction, although in the material... Just like the bodily construction of man is different from woman, similarly, the brain substance may be also different, but that does not disqualify any woman for spiritual advancement in Krsna consciousness....."

The fact that women are less intelligent refers to material intelligence, which is one of the material elements of the subtle body. As a rule men also have bigger feet. We usually don't get agitated hearing this, since we don't identify so much with our feet. It's only the feet. But with our intelligence we identify much more, and we are so proud of being very intelligent. So therefore our ego is protesting when it comes to us women being less intelligent. In order to return back to Godhead we have to dissolve the subtle body of mind, intelligence and false ego. It can almost be considered an advantage to have a smaller subtle body - less work to dissolve it....!

If both men and women play their roles and execute their purifying duties within Krsna consciousness according to the vehicle they are driving, it is the perfect arrangement to make spiritual progress and ultimately qualify oneself to go back to Godhead. It is Krsna's Divine system to give us stability and harmony in this world in order to create a solid foundation for spiritual life.

The word hierarchy comes from Greek and means 'Divine order', with Krsna being on the very top of this order. So Krsna has set up a Divine order, so that everything functions in harmony and peace, and all human beings are perfectly taken care off. Once we understand that Krsna is on the top of the hierarchy, then the terms of 'higher' or 'lower' will not create a competitive mood. The brahmanas are considered to be 'higher' than the sudras, the Sannyasis are considered to be 'higher' than the other ashrams, men are considered to be higher thanwoman. Are they competing with each other? Of course not, because being 'higher' means giving protection, care and shelter  to those who are 'lower'. However, when Krsna is removed from the top of the hierarchy, then somebody else is trying to take His place, and the Divine order easily turns into exploitation and suppression, and of course the aspects of envy and competition enter. So then the terms of 'higher' and 'lower' create the mood of disrespect, competition and abuse.

However, when Krsna is on the top of the hierarchy, and still we women feel inferior to men and compete, then this would indicate that we are on the bodily platform, identifying with the body and forgetting that the equality is there on the level of the soul.

As we all know, in these modern days there has been an increase of violence and aggression towards women. We can understand this to be the direct result of the fact that women don't receive protection any longer. And of course, ladies can only be protected if they desire to receive protection. It also includes that we have to give up our independance - the price to be payed in order to receive protection. The whole idea of equality of men and women makes this difficult, if not to say impossible....

For further information on these topics please see www.therootsofspiritualculture.net

Lecture on Knowledge about Atma by HG Akinchana Krishna Prabhu at ISKCON Vellore

(His Grace Akinchana Krishna Prabhu was born in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, in 26th July 1970. He joined the movement at 1992 and was initiated by H.H Bhakti Vikasa Swami and since that he is serving the movement. He is the Temple president of ISKCON Vellore, Tamil Nadu.)

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Lecture on Kartik Dwadasi Lila by HH Radha Govinda Swami on 04 Nov 2014 at ISKCON Vrindavan

(HH Radha Govinda Swami, a direct disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), lives in Vrindavan, India. He lives in Vrindavan, and travels to present Srimad Bhagavat Saptha in many countries including India.)

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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 09 Chapter 10 Text 02 Ramayanam by HH Rama Govinda Swami on 05 April 2014 at ISKCON Tirupati

(His Holiness Rama Govinda Swami is a disciple of His Holiness Lokanath Swami. His Holiness is from Tirupati, South India and is very astute in Vedic literature and speaks many languages. He is talented at reciting Ramayana in expert detail.)

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Lecture on Bhagavad Gita ke Anusar kaise Jivan Bitaye by HG Shikshashtakam Prabhu

(HG Shikshastakam Prabhu has served Indian Air Force for 7 years. During his tenure he was selected as a fighter pilot and also represented Indian Air Force in National Tennis Championship. He is serving ISKCON since 1998 as a fulltime preacher.)

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Montreal
3 August, 1968
68-08-03

His Holiness The Pope, Paul VI
Vicar of Jesus Christ
State of Vatican City
Rome, Italy

Your Holiness:
Please accept my respectful humble obeisances at Your lotus feet. I beg to introduce myself as an Indian monk, following the Vedic principles of religious life, and at the present, I am in the renounced order of Sannyas (aged 72 years) and preaching God consciousness all over the world. I came to America in 1965, and since then I have many followers belonging to both Christian and Jewish faiths. And I have established 8 centers of Krishna consciousness temples in the USA and Canada. In the month of September, 1968, I am scheduled to go to London on this mission, and maybe I can visit other cities of European countries.

My mission is in the line of Lord Caitanya, Who is Personified Love of Godhead, and Who advented Himself 482 years ago in India, and preached God consciousness all over the country. His mission is to revive God consciousness all over the world, on the basis of Srimad-Bhagavatam (Science of God). The principle of Srimad-Bhagavatam is that any religious faith which helps a man to develop Love of God, without any motive, and without being hampered by any material condition, is transcendental religion. And the best process or the easiest process, in this age especially, is to chant the Holy name of God. From this definition of religion as we find in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the criterion test of religion is how it helps people to develop his dormant Love of God, which is not artificially invoked, but it is aroused from within by bona fide association of devotees and hearing about God.

The human form of life is specially meant for this purpose, namely, to invoke the dormant Love of God, because better development of consciousness is found in the human body. Animal propensities for sense gratification equally found both in man and animals. But the special significance of human life is to achieve Love of God as the prime perfection of life. Unfortunately, at the present moment people are more concerned about the principle of sense gratification, or the animal part of human life, and they are gradually declining in God consciousness. This tendency is very much deteriorating, and because Your Holiness is the Head of a great religious sect, I think we should meet together and chalk out a program for cooperation.

The human society cannot anymore be allowed to continue a Godless civilization at the risk of decreasing truthfulness, hygienic principles, forgiveness, and mercifulness. Because on account of predominance of these principles at the present moment, duration of life, strength, and memory of the human being is decreasing. The human society is gradually degrading in the matter of religiosity, and justice; and "might is right'' is gradually taking the place of morality and justice. There is practically no more family life, and the union of man and woman is gradually degrading to the standard of sexuality. I understand it from reliable sources that people are trying to get Your Holiness' sanction for contraceptive method, which is certainly against any religion of the world. In the Hindu religion, such contraceptive method or abortion is considered equivalent to murder.

Therefore, in the matter of sex, the human society is gradually degrading even less decent than the animals. As a result of unrestricted sense gratification, even in ordinary dealing, a man cannot trust another man, because the cheating propensity of a man has increased beyond imagination. Attraction of young boys for young girls is no more as a matter of love, but such attraction is only on the basis of sexual potency. As soon as there is slackening of sex life, there is immediately the divorce petition.

In India, which was one day the land of religion and Brahminical culture, things have deteriorated to such an extent that a man in a higher caste is recognized simply by putting a piece of thread on the body as a sign of sanctity. The so-called Swamis are cheating the public because the public also want to be cheated by cheap method of self-realization. They are practicing so-called yoga performances for the matter of reducing fat, and keeping the body fit for sense gratification. If somebody has no sufficient money, it is very hard for him to get justice from the court. And if anyone can simply bluff by so-called advancement of knowledge, he is offered the doctorate degree. If a man is poor, he is at once accepted as non-civilized. If a man is falsely proud, he is accepted as civilized. By frustration, people are gradually becoming communists and hippies, and the guardians of the society must now take up the situation very seriously, without further delay.

The Krishna Consciousness movement is meant for overhauling the whole situation. We are creating men of character, and we are training our disciples to become Lovers of God, or Krishna. From the very beginning, they are trained to refrain from the following four principles of degradation: 
1) Sex life outside of marriage, 
2) Meat eating, or eating of any animal food,
3) All forms of intoxication, 
4) Gambling and idle sports. 
The teachings are based on authorized movement of Lord Caitanya, on the principles of Bhagavad-gita, as the beginning, and Srimad-Bhagavatam as the graduation.

I do not wish to prolong the body of this letter further, but if you think that a meeting with You will be beneficial for the human society at large, I shall be very much pleased if Your Holiness will grant me an interview.
Thanking you in anticipation for an early reply.

Yours in the service of the Lord,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabupada

Lecture on Girls Arranging their own Marriage by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami on 20 July 2014 at Tatarstan

(His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeared in this world in 1957 in England. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in London in 1975 and was initiated in that year with the name Ilapati dasa by ISKCON’s founder-acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. )

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Lecture on To know the meaning of Challenge know the Challenge of meaning by HH Chaitanya Charan Prabhu

(HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu is a celibate spiritual teacher (brahmachari) at ISKCON, Pune. He has done his Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering from the Govt College of Engg, Pune. He is a member of ISKCON's topmost intellectual body)

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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 04 Chapter 14 Text 14 by HH Vedavyasa Priya Swami on 24 Nov 2014 at ISKCON Vrindavan

(HH Vedavyasapriya Swami Maharaja was born in an Audichya Sahasra Brahmin family on 1st August 1944.Within a week of arrival in the USA, he had association of the disciples of His Divine Grace, Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada.)

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Lecture on Vrtrasura by HH Romapada Swami on 31 Oct 2014 at Vrindavan

(HH Romapada Swami Maharaja is a disciple of ISKCON Founder Acarya His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. He was first introduced to this movement of Krsna consciousness when he was a college student more than 37 years ago.)

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Sunday Feast Lecture on Bhagavad Gita Chapter-18 Text-65 by HH Prahladananda Swami on 23 Nov 2014 at Los Angeles

(Prahladananda Swami was born in 1949, in Buffallo, New York. He studied at the University of Buffalo, where he received a full scholarship. In January 1969 he joined ISKCON and rceived both initiations that year from Srila Prabhupada.)

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Lecture on Beyond Illusion Stress and Confusion by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami on 02 Nov 2014 at Chennai

(His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami appeared in this world in 1957 in England. He joined the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in London in 1975 and was initiated in that year with the name Ilapati dasa by ISKCON’s founder-acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. )

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Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto-06 Chapter 16 Text 04 Just Say No by HH Indradyumna Swami on 23 Nov 2014 at Mumbai

(Indradyumna Swami is a disciple of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a Sannyasi traveling preacher, and a guru or spiritual teacher in the Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition.)

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Lecture on On Spiritual Platform Name and Thing are Identical by HH Jayadvaita Swami

(Jayadvaita Swami-editor, publisher, and teacher—is a disciple of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He received initiation from Srila Prabhupada in 1968, at the age of nineteen.)

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