Meet Dimyana, a happy recipient of Srila Prabhupada’s books. She studies neuroscience and pre-Medical. Wears shirt that says ‘Yogi Namaste’. Her grandmother is from Egypt. She approached the table, she had already Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad Gita, which she started. Not only Gita but also most of the other books I had on the table. We spoke about where she comes from, the bay area, and how her experience is down here in southern California. She’s into philosophy and wants to help society to her full capacity. Before she left I gave her a garland that I brought from the temple. I could see that she is a very grateful person. She even gave me tips on where a more optimal place to set up a meditation book table on campus.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18601

“A hall of fame is a structure housing famous or illustrious individuals in a certain field, usually chosen by a group of electors. The meaning of “fame” has changed over the years, originally meaning “renown” as opposed to today’s more common meaning of “celebrity“.” – Wikipedia

Sri Govind Gau Gram Prachar Yatra (SGGGPY) entered Konne village, a part of Bachannapet mandal on 27 December 2015. I was part of a team of devotees who travelled from Hyderabad to join the other team members to associate with them in their activities over the weekend. The night stay for the devotees numbering about 15 was arranged in Cherial town, hub for the third phase of the Yatra. This hall was part of a temple dedicated to Hanuman and the authorities there allowed us to stay in the premises on hearing about the mission. The devotees had made the premises their home for the next 7 days or so.

Every day after the village program the devotees would return to this hall to partake their prasadam and retire for the day which was mostly around 10:30 pm. When we joined the team for the Yatra we also had the pleasant experience of being put up in the temporary “home”. The experience was really soul-chilling.

The hall sized about 20’ x 20’, had a metallic rolling shutter and in the middle it had a mesh opening for ventilation purpose. This would have made an excellent accommodation in the summer time. Unfortunately when the Yatra team entered the third phase, the winter temperature had dipped to the lowest of the season. This is the time when everyone scouts for a cozy accommodation but the devotees had got a bone-rattling experience. We just had some carpets and to compound it further the devotees who generally slept in the bus, had also moved into the hall due to severe cold. As the night advanced, the chillness started seeping from the floor and all the warm clothing was of no avail. All our efforts to somehow steal a few hours of sleep was futile. The group included a 4-year old boy to an 80-year old devotee, all huddled together in a hall which also had groceries, cooking paraphernalia and personal baggage.

As there was no alternative everyone tried to steal some sleep. The only exit for the hall was through the shutter which had to be lifted every time one had to go out or come in. The devotees due to chillness started to wake up to answer nature calls right from 2 am. Whenever a devotee tried to lift the shutter, the rattling sound of the metal would make everyone wake up. This went on whenever a devotee went out or tried to return and pull down the shutter.

These experiences of the devotees were the most amazing part of the Yatra and relishable. One day the morning chill was so severe that all of us sat up and started chanting. It was a nice experience that by morning 4.30 am all the devotees were sitting in their beds and already chanting. This went on for about two hours till the sunrise. This was the “best of the chanting experiences we have had for long” said a devotee. So there is always reciprocation from the Lord in the most testing times!

Then it was time to go for the morning oblations; there was only one toilet and no walled room for bathing. One just had to take bath in the open chill weather including the 4-year old bhakta. He was almost screaming when the cold water touched his body. There was some relief from cold when the devotees used fresh water source coming directly from the well. The temple authorities gave full control of the starter-switch for the pump so that they could use as much water as required. Another mercy because the water requirement of the devotees is generally high.

After our morning prasadam, we left for our usual visit to the village covering about 10 kms for obtaining permissions and meeting the head of the village. We reached the house of the village sarpanch. He was a soft-spoken person and received us warmly. He offered to serve us some tea which we gently refused. We discussed about our mission and reasons that made IDVM-India to undertake this Yatra. On understanding the “welfare mission”, he immediately started calling some of his subordinates in the village for making necessary arrangements for the evening program. He made best of his efforts and the rest was to be accomplished by the Yatra team. We returned to the “Devotees Hall of Fame” to have our afternoon prasadam and make arrangements for the evening program.

The bus with deities, devotees and paraphernalia left for the venue at 1600 hrs. The place chosen was the panchayat office where the villagers congregate for any social events. However, due to narrow lanes and hanging overhead wires, the driver of the bus found it very difficult to maneuver the bus to the venue. Somehow he managed to take the bus to the venue with all dexterity.

The devotees on reaching the venue immediately took up their positions as a well-organized army. The deities darshan started, books put on display, cow products on sale, preaching and engaging the initial visitors mostly children in teaching mahamantra and even teaching them some baby steps to dance in the nagarsankirtan. Satyamadhav prabhu took up the role of a “story teller” and engaged himself in Krsna-katha. All the children flocked around him and their parents were watching from a distance the seriousness with which their wards were engaged. Sripati Prabhu started distributing the mahamantra card and then some devotees started the kirtan on a low key exclusively for the children numbering about 20. The children said that earlier-on some devotees had come to their village and handed over the mahamantra cards and distributed some books. They, however, said that the activity was very short and not so involving.

On enquiring about the uniqueness of the village it appeared that the village was known for weaving and some weavers were still working in the village. This triggered the camera team to look out for houses were weaving was going-on for making the documentary. We just asked for directions and were walking through the lanes when we heard the sound “tak-tak-tak” (the sound of shuttle moving through the warp) and figured out that a weaver was still on his loom. We knocked on his door and explained to him about our mission. He readily welcomed us into the house where we saw the family members engaged in various activities related to weaving. The male member was working on the loom. We took an interview of him. He was too willing to participate in whatever way in saving this dying tradition. The conversation with him showed us the total neglect of a divine occupation due to measly earnings. He said they got just 150 rupees with both husband and wife toiling for the whole day. Everything was controlled by the middlemen and they just worked as paid-labor. How the advancement of Kali-yuga has made the divine occupations a mere measly one so that the machine-era spreads. The glories of a weaver and his life were very aptly presented in a poem by a well-noted poetess Sarojini Naidu:

WEAVERS, weaving at break of day,
Why do you weave a garment so gay? . . .
Blue as the wing of a halcyon wild,
We weave the robes of a new-born child.

Weavers, weaving at fall of night,
Why do you weave a garment so bright? . . .
Like the plumes of a peacock, purple and green,
We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.

Weavers, weaving solemn and still,
What do you weave in the moonlight chill? . . .
White as a feather and white as a cloud,
We weave a dead man’s funeral shroud.

Thus reads a comment on the poem: “The simple act of weaving connects our life from birth to death, without clothing, we humans are reduced to the pre-human state. The poetess has expressed this importance of the weaver in our lives quite simply and eloquently.”

A few more devotees comprising Ramsharan prabhu and Haridas prabhu, Shyam Sundar prabhu, Ajamila prabhu, Shivram prabhu and his son also joined the Yatra. Haridas prabhu led the nagar-sankirtan, which lasted for about 45 minutes before we returned to the venue. Due to severe cold and open sky, initially the crowd was less but as the program progressed the number increased to about 200. Satyamadhav prabhu spoke on the need for chanting the Holy Name followed by Jananivas prabhu on cow protection, soil fertility, traditional crops and other various aspects of traditional living. He sought cooperation from the villagers and their leaders for reviving our traditional life-style, traditional foods, cropping patterns, etc. The villagers were becoming restless due to severe cold and the devotees screened the “Gau Vaibhavam” documentary and wound up the program with mahaprasadam.

The leaders were very happy for the attention the village had received and wanted many more such programs to be held again. The leaders assured to help the organizers in trying to revive the traditional practices as the modern agriculture methods were proving to be degrading.

We pray that all the austerities the devotees voluntary have been undergoing get sufficiently rewarded as the villagers start chanting the Holy Name and revive their traditional lifestyle based on daiva-varnasrama dharma which easily promotes divinity in one’s lives and the society around. The devotees know that the creaking sound of the rolling shutter in the hall is very insignificant when seen in the background of the shattering sound of AK-47, bombs and cries of wailing mothers, children, the parched land due to neglect of Bhudevi and the Go-mata. They know the panacea for all the problems is just in reviving their loving relationship with the Supreme Lord through the chanting of the Holy Name. They just want to serve Guru and Gauranga in this mission of preserving villages and whatever culture is remaining. The traditional villages are close to divinity in various ways–as the family is the smallest unit of Lord’s creation for nurturing so are villages the smallest unit for nourishing the various living species nestled around–both material and spiritually.

All glories to the brave soldiers who have left their warm and cozy homes for weeks on end with only one hope that their service would please Srila Prabhupada, especially on this auspicious occasion of ISKCON-50-year celebrations.

The organizers of the Yatra very profusely thank Dr. Satyanarayana, Eye Specialist, Cherial; Mr. Sudhakar, a social activist; and Mr. Kishan, ex-SI, an organic farming enthusiast, for all their support and encouragement and making available the hall for the accommodation during this phase of the Yatra.

Sri Govinda Go Gram Prachar Yatra ki jai!

Source: http://www.iskconvarnasrama.com/home/devotees-hall-of-fame-report-on-the-38th-village-yatra/

On Friday, January the 4th in 1891, Hindus who were bathing in the sacred river Yamuna witnessed an amazing scene. A ship with a name in an unknown language was approaching.

Lecture on According to State of Consciousness we get Affected  by HH Radhanath Swami on 23 Jan 2016 at ISKCON Chowpatty

(Radhanath Swami was born in Chicago in 1950. Radhanath Swami's childhood name was Richard Slavin; Radhanath Swami was given the name Radhanath Swami after he entered the renounced order. In his teenage years)

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Sun without sunshine, sweet without sweetness and fire without light is unimaginable; similarly a soul without desire is unthinkable. As a soul we are pleasure seekers – ananda mayo bhyasat – and can never ever be desireless. We were originally the residents of the spiritual world but when we developed yearning to become God and enjoy like God then we were sent to this material world to satisfy our non-spiritual desires. Here in this world we fervently search for ways to satisfy our countless cravings. We hopelessly hope that once all our yearnings will get materialized then we would feel deep satisfaction. Unfortunately it never happens.

Insatiable material desires torture us

Our desires are endless, the moment one gets fulfilled, immediately the other pops up. Many a times our yearnings are not for our basic needs, but it is because of social pressure or a longing to prove our worth to others. My car should be bigger than that of my neighbours, my smartphone should be the best, my television set should make people go crazy and so on. Advertisements of today are also tailor made to titillate our egos. Ads like “Neighbors envy owners pride” or “Designed for envy” try to entice people to go after material things. Many think that with age material greed subside. But in reality it doesn’t happen. With age the form of the desires changes but not the yearnings.  Many people are so much obsessed with worldly things that they are ready to go extra mile to achieve it. In fact they become the follower of Carvaka Muni, the atheist philosopher, who famously (infamously) said.

rnam krtva ghrtam pibet yavaj jivet sukham jivet

bhasmi-bhutasya dehasya kutah punar agamano bhavet

His philosophy was, “Beg, borrow and steal but enjoy all the pleasures of this world to your heart’s content because once you die everything will be finished and you will not be held accountable for anything.”

But scriptures clearly explain that as souls we are eternal and whatever actions we perform in our life we are answerable for those. So we have to be always extra cautious whenever we pursue any cravings.  In fact even though some of our wishes may get fulfilled but still it never satisfies us. And the wishes which remain unfulfilled torture us every moment and make us go crazy. In order to lead a peaceful life it is imperative for us to get rid of our insatiable desires right now. Even Krishna asks us do the same in Bhagavad Gita 2.70. And he does not specify any age limit for this.

Bhagavad Gita 2.70: “A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires – that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still – can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires.”

We will be able to overcome the cravings for worldly possessions only by the mercy of the Lord. Just like a touchstone which converts an iron into gold, the Supreme God will spiritualize all our ignoble desires. How this happens have been beautifully explained in Srimad Bhagavatam through the story of Dhruva.

Lord purifies Dhruva’s desires

When Dhruva was humiliated by his step mother and neglected by his father then he was devastated. To his dismay he discovered that none in this world were capable enough to help him to get out of this deplorable situation. His mother too was saddened by Dhruva’s plight but she was also helpless.  She then advised Dhruva to seek shelter of Lord Vishnu, the creator of this world. Lord Vishnu being the Supreme Lord could have only fulfilled his desires. Dhruva’s heart was burning with insult, he wanted to get his honour back, he wanted the kingdom and he wanted to become glorious. Although he was just 5 years old but still he courageously took up the challenge to please the Lord. He left the comforts of the palace and went to the forest where he started performing severe austerities to attract the attention of the Lord. In spite of many difficulties and obstacles he remained completely focussed and continued mediating on the Lord for six months. His single minded determination attracted the mercy of the Lord and He personally appeared before him. Lord Vishnu’s effulgent transcendental form immediately attracted Dhruva’s heart. As the sun rises the darkness dissipates. Similarly as the Lord appeared directly before Dhruva all his ignorance immediately disappeared. The material motives which had initially inspired him to worship the Lord no longer looked attractive to him. In fact he felt ashamed of it standing in front of the Lord. The impurities of his heart had completely got cleansed.

In a prayerful mood Dhruva expressed his feelings to the Lord, “Persons who worship You simply for the sense gratification of this bag of skin are certainly influenced by Your illusory energy. In spite of having You, who are like a desire tree and are the cause of liberation from birth and death, foolish persons, such as me, desire benedictions from You for sense gratification, which is available even for those who live in hellish conditions.” SB 4.9.9

We are also having tons of material desires and we are obsessed about it. We even believe that once these get fulfilled then we will experience unlimited happiness.  But it is never going to happen. A fish is happy only when it is in the water. If we put the fish in a golden jar thinking that the glitz of gold will satisfy it then it wouldn’t happen. In fact the fish will die there for want of water. Our hunger of heart can be satisfied only when Krishna’s love blossoms in it and not by things of this world. By nature we are spiritual beings and our heart will get satisfied only when our desires are spiritualized.

Dhruva’s heart which was burning because of insult got soothed when he saw the Lord standing in front of him. Similarly our starving heart will experience contentment and fulfilment only when it is filled with Krishna’s mercy.

Spiritual pill to cure material desire

Although Dhruva’s initial motives were non- spiritual but he took the spiritual path to achieve it and so he subsequently achieved the Lord. Likewise we may be having many impurities in our heart but still we should take up the process of Krishna consciousness as Krishna can only transform our consciousness. Initially the devotional path may not excite us because we have been away from Krishna’s abode for millions of years and so we have forgotten all about the spiritual bliss. But still we have to resolutely practice devotional life as per the rules and regulations given in the sacred Vedic books for our own salvation. A patient may not like the treatment meted out to him in the hospital but still he continues with the medication because he knows that to get healthy he need to undergo through  the process. Being spiritually sick we also have to continue taking the spiritual pill as this is only going to solve all our problems of life.  In this age of Kaliyuga, the age of downfall, chanting the holy names of the Lord like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra is the authorized medicine which simultaneously helps us to develop love of God and also cleanses our hearts of all impurities of lust, great, pride, anger, envy, illusion and false ego. This process has been recommended by none other than Lord Chaitanya – ceto darpana  marjanam. Along with chanting we also should hear about the wonderful pastimes of Lord Krishna, about His unlimited glorious and His merciful disposition. Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.17 expounds the benefit of hearing, “Sri Krishna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who has developed the urge to hear His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”

The spiritual process isn’t troublesome but is indeed very delightful. As we start developing spiritual taste our heart starts experiencing deep fulfilment.  Things of this world no longer bother us and neither attracts us. We start understanding the futility of material desires and material pleasures and we develop intense longing for Krishna.  

Desire to serve the Lord brings divine joy

When Lord fulfilled Dhruva’s material wish by granting him the benediction to rule the earthly planet for 36000 years then instead of becoming happy Dhruva became morose. He was afraid that worldly possessions would deprive him of love of God. However Lord assured him that he would never forget Him. Dhruva had understood the worth of spiritual life and he expressed his gratitude in these solemn words, "I came into this forest just looking for pieces of broken glass, but instead I have found a great jewel in You, my dear Lord, and now I am completely satisfied and don't want anything."

As souls we are pleasure seeking and pleasure is there where Krishna is. Searching for pleasure in this world is like running after a mirage in the desert to quench thirst. The illusion of happiness which this world creates baffles us and binds us in this world. Our innate longing to lord over the world always gets thwarted. But once we come under the shelter of Lord then we develop a thorough understanding of our inner self and our relationship with the Supreme.  A sincere and serious devotee of the Lord wants nothing from the Lord but just fervently try to always serve the Lord because he experiences unlimited happiness in doing so. “O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth.” Sri Siksastakam, Verse 4.

Lord will send flying chariot from the spiritual world for us

Lord had also promised Dhruva that after ruling for 36,000 years he will become the ruler of the Pole Star, the planet which exists for eternity. And Lord indeed sent the chariot from the spiritual world to take Dhruva to the glowing planet. While embarking on his spiritual journey the death personified appeared in front of him and Dhruva put his feet on death thus conquering the unconquerable death. He then sat on the magnificent chariot to go to the supreme destination. All the renowned sages and the celestial beings had come to witness this spectacular event.  They were showering flowers on him and singing songs extolling the glories of the Supreme Lord and His dear devotee Dhruva.

Dhruva’s life demonstrates that how Lord mercifully transforms the lives of those who seek His shelter. We should also try to follow the footsteps of Dhruva and try our best to please the Lord with our devotional endeavour. In all situations and circumstances we should worship Lord with great faith and determination giving up all our hankering for non-spiritual pleasures. Our efforts and right intentions will attract the mercy of the all – attractive Lord. He has assured us that He personally takes interest in delivering His unalloyed devotees from this miserable world. “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I will deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Bhagavad Gita 18.66. Devotees of the Lord live happily in this world and become eligible to achieve supreme destination after leaving this world. Scriptures explain that the spiritual world is surrounded with millions of desire fulfilling purpose trees which fulfills all the wishes of the soul. Of course in God’s kingdom a soul just wants to serve the Lord and nothing else. There is supreme satisfaction and inexplicable joy in doing so. If we are willing to forgo our non-spiritual longings and are ready to serve the Lord lovingly then we too will become eligible to go back to the spiritual world. Krishna will in fact send a flying chariot to take us back to His kingdom. Are we ready for it?

Lecture on Power of hearing in the association of a Sadhu by HH Romapada Swami in 09 Jan 2016 at Chicago

(Romapada Swami‘s first encounter with Krishna consciousness came in Buffalo, in the shape of a lecture at the State University of New York in 1969. The lecturer was His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The following year, Romapada Swami joined the movement in Boston and was initiated in 1971.)

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If it is better to be a sahajiya than an atheist, mayavadi, or impersonalist, then it is well again to be a sentimentalist than not a devotee at all. However, sentimental behaviour can present problems if left abandoned by a mind unrestrained by capable intelligence.

By Kesava Krsna Dasa

The spiritual master is the central object of vision for every disciple. Quite often, the imposition of external conditions can deflect the natural bias from something, which is essentially internal, or hidden from unqualified worshipers. ‘The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated self-realized person.’ (Mahabharata, Vana Parva 313-117)

If a disciple fails to discern the difference between external and internal worship of the guru, it can mean a divergence from understanding the inner or outer words of the spiritual master. This also applies to understanding Srila Prabhupada’s universal siksa instructions pervading his writings. ‘Please wake up and try to understand the boon that you now have in this human form of life. The path of spiritual realization is very difficult; it is like a razors edge. That is the opinion of learned transcendental scholars.’ (Katha Upanishad 1.3.14)

The disparity can be as stark as that between arcana ‘ which means worship; and bhajana ‘ which also means worship, for want of a better word, and point towards normal or higher worship. The process of worship does not guarantee receiving the Lord’s grace. Lord Krishna says ca cejyaya ‘ ‘nor by worship’ can He be understood. (BG 11.53)

Immediately one will have detected the linkage of the word ‘normal’ with arcana, one of the nine processes of pure devotional service. On the outer level or for those who are not exceptionally obedient, arcana is a necessary way to focus our attention. Srila Prabhupada writes, ‘In the devotional service of the Lord, therefore, these prescribed activities are called arcana, or engaging all the senses in the service of the Lord.’ (BG 16.18 purport)

Later in the same purport it is stated that arcana is meant for people who are not very renounced; ‘Therefore, for people in general especially those who are not in the renounced order of life ‘ transcendental engagement of the senses and mind’. is the perfect process of transcendental achievement, which is called yukta in the Bhagavad-Gita.’

To be clearer, purified arcana eventually becomes bhajana. ‘Any civilized man has to perform some religious ritualistic ceremonies; therefore, Krishna recommends, ‘Do it for Me’, and this is called arcana.’ (BG 9.27 purport)

In the same purport Srila Prabhupada refers to bhajana, but not by name; ‘Nowadays people are very much inclined to the meditational process, which is not practical in this age, but if anyone practices meditating on Krishna twenty four hours a day by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra round his beads, he is surely the greatest meditator and the greatest yogi, as substantiated by the sixth chapter of Bhagavad-Gita.’

In the final verse of the sixth chapter, we will find the words yukta and bhajate. Bhajate means to render transcendental loving service, and yukta-tamah means the greatest yogi.

When the mind has not befriended the intelligence, it can devise seemingly befitting ways to please the guru, which may be actually offensive, and will divert us from proper guru worship. Some acaryas used the heavy word bahirmukha to describe an external disciple. Srila Prabhupada also describes this, ‘Bahirmukha. Bahirmukha means those who are trying to be happy by adjustment of this material energy.’
(Lecture on CC Madhya 154-155, Gorakhpur, Feb 19, 1971)

There are many examples of sentimental guru worship, which are not readily detected, but cause a disturbance to others, even unwittingly.

Wanting to get noticed.

It is a natural desire of every disciple to receive a blessing from the guru, and perhaps to hear such magical words like, ‘Now your life is perfect. Thank you very much’, along with a loving embrace.

To reach that end, one may always try to seize the guru’s attention and remain in his purview, continuously remaining in the limelight as it were. The association of an advanced devotee is naturally attractive, but an over-dependence on this feature for the wrong reasons indicates a lack of philosophical conviction that the instructions of the guru are more important than close physical proximity.

If one is possessed of shallow fervour, when the guru is out of sight or leaves for a considerable time, it may translate into a slackened service attitude allowing complacency to creep in, only to be excitedly rejuvenated again when the guru comes back. Srila Prabhupada writes,”. The regulative principles will be easier for one who has served the spiritual master without reservation.’ (BG 8-12 purport)

This same sort of mentality may compose a wonderful Vyasa-puja offering on the chosen day, belying real intentions, where in fact the real Vyasa-puja offering is conducted on all 365 days of the year, again without reservation. On occasions like these, an official mindset develops. ‘Nor is He (Krishna) to be understood by persons who officially go to the temple to offer worship They make their visit, but they cannot understand Krishna as He is.’ (BG 11.53 purport)

My guru is the best.

As children, we always thought our mothers and fathers to be the best in the world, naturally. To have a father figure in the form of the guru requires more enlightened sentiments directed towards him.

Any posturing or advertising that one’s guru is better than another is fraught with material calculations. If Krishna empowers each spiritual master, it is His prerogative to decide whether the guru accomplishes greater or lesser preaching successes. For a disciple to judge or compare in terms of small or big, empowered or enfeebled, popular or unpopular and so forth, is to be a dualistic eye in Krishna’s absolute vision. ‘Lord Krishna is the supreme controller, and all others are His servants. They dance as He makes them do so.’ (Krsnadasa Kaviraja, CC, Adi 5.142)

Another slice of material gain to derive from advertising the guru could be a polite way of saying, ‘If my guru is the best, so I am also the best for following the best.’ Such extended pride neatly fits in with the adjustments of a well-intentioned, but ultimately selfish bahirmukha mentality.

Imitating the guru.

A vaisnava develops sublime characteristics, which are attractive to behold. Such fine ornaments can tempt a follower to emulate the way the guru speaks, dances, dresses or behaves. The wearing of identical spectacles, or copying certain authoritative behavioural traits may appear quite flattering, but this deludes no one but himself or like-minded adjusters.

Some orders of prakrta-sahajiyas like to dress up as Radha and Krishna to engage in what they think is licensed debauchery. Though the comparison with them seems rather harsh, the simulation of the external image is relegated to the neophyte level resulting in a theatrical distortion of the truth, which is internal.

Over-glorifying the guru.

Is there such a thing as glorifying the guru in excess? In excess of what? If a devotee likes to glorify others, then the guru should certainly not be the exception. However, the way we glorify should tell the difference.

What if one eulogizes the guru, or another devotee, and exclaims an uttama-adhikari status, when it might not be true in some cases? It can be a paradoxical mind jolting experience if a disciple learns that an infallible guru is discovered having spiritual difficulty, or worse, falls away from Krishna consciousness.

A disciple will naturally block out any slight hint or notion that the one he or she worships could possibly be any less than infallible. What if a disciple thinks, ‘I know it is highly, highly unlikely my guru will fall, but the remote possibility is there? If that dreaded moment comes, I can be prepared emotionally.’

Will such a thought as this cushion the blow of any eventuality? Alternatively, will this thought ruin the disciple’s spiritual life? Would it hurt the image of the guru if he were to say to his disciples, ‘My dear disciples, let us be clear about something. I am not quite the uttama-adhikari you say I am, but I am nevertheless fully engaged in Krishna’s service, and will do my utmost to take you back to Godhead. So please tone down your glorification of me.’

Since glorification is poison for a vaisnava, if some followers persist in excess simply to be noticed, and if the guru looks approvingly on this behaviour, the combination is a rather toxic cocktail. ‘Sometimes penances and austerity are executed to attract people and receive honour, respect, and worship from others. Persons in the mode of passion arrange to be worshipped by subordinates and let them wash their feet and other riches.’ (BG 17.18 purport)

Essentially, the guru is to be engaged in serious bhajana. It is a healthy sign for a disciple to see. The pursuit of sraddhavan bhajate yo mam should help the renounced order rise above normal arcana. If not, one famous woman gives a stinging rebuke, ”. and anyone situated in renunciation that does not lead him to devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, must be considered dead, although breathing.’ (SB 3.23.56)

Ys, Kesava Krsna dasa.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18581

By Praghosa Dasa

A common denominator for practically each of the unlimited varieties of material bodies is that the spirit soul dwelling within is to one degree or another attached to the particular body they reside in.

In turn most resided in bodies have others who are also attached to them, generally family members, or what Srila Prabhupada often referred to as ‘skin disease’. He specifically used this term to describe excessive attachment to family members which leads to increased illusion and the bizarre hope that one thinks they are able to save other family members from death – an impossible dream:

“One is often attached to family life, namely to wife, children and other members, on the basis of “skin disease.” The krpana thinks that he is able to protect his family members from death; or the krpanaa thinks that his family or society can save him from the verge of death. Such family attachment can be found even in the lower animals, who take care of children also.” BG 2.7 Purport

As devotees we are well aware that no matter how attached anyone is, to any particular body, it doesn’t matter, death of the body is inevitable. As Maharaja Yudhisthira famously commented when asked what most amazed him in this material world:

ahany ahani bhutani gacchantiha yamalayam
sesah sthavaram icchanti kim ascaryam atah param

“Day after day countless living entities in this world go to the kingdom of death. Still, those who remain aspire for a permanent situation here. What could be more amazing than this?” MB (Vana-parva 313.116)

These above words were spoken 5000 years ago but still they ring as true today as they did then. I guess our refusal to accept the impending reality of death can be put down to a couple of different factors, not least the intense attachment we all have to our body. It is surely fascinating that no-one (or practically no-one), will seriously argue that the body will live forever. In that sense we all do accept that the body dies but unfortunately that acceptance doesn’t translate into the required urgency to make sure this impending death is our last one:

Those who are actually advancing in spiritual life, they should always keep in front that “We may advance in so many things, but these four things—birth, death, old age, and disease —cannot be solved by our so-called material advancement of science.” SBL December 16th 1970

I remember reading about a certain South American dictator who flew his opponents out to the middle of the ocean and then threw them out – falling to their death. While no doubt their experience was traumatic, it would more than have focused the minds of those descending to their death. The reality is that we are all falling to our death but most of us do not identify with the urgency that Pinochet’s victims experienced.

This of course also applies, in different measures, to devotees, and there is little doubt that the more we advance in spiritual life, the more and more reluctant we will be to waste even a moment of our time away from serving Krishna:

The greatest loss in life is passing time without understanding Krishna. Every moment of our lives should be utilized properly, and the proper use of life is to increase devotional service to the Lord. Without devotional service to the Lord, the activities of life become simply a waste of time. SB 4.27.3 Purport

Another reason is simply fear, as conditioned souls we are pretty expert at avoiding those things that we fear and there is little doubt that there is nothing that generates greater fear in us than death and rebirth. The fear of death or thanatophobia as it is quaintly named is surely the mother of all fears. In Greek thanatos means death. Thanatos was also a ‘mythological’ figure who interestingly had the following siblings – Geras (Old Age), Oizys (Suffering), Moros (Doom), Apate (Deception), Momos (Blame), Eris (Strife), and Nemesis (Retribution). We just need to add birth and we have the full set (given that Oizys/suffering qualifies as disease). Whatever the reason, death is a major issue for all of us, even if we want to blank it out. I recall one interviewer, who in his innocence, came to the temple to report a story for his media outlet. Unbeknown to him Srila Prabhupada, as ever, had other ideas and immediately began preaching to him. During that exchange Srila Prabhupada made the following point:

Interviewer: “Ah, my spiritual ness is strongly absent from my own person. I…”

Prabhupada: “How? Why do you say absent? You are talking.”

Interviewer: “Well, in the sense that I, I look beyond who I am now, I don’t look very far. At this point in my life, I haven’t made the decision that I need to look.”

Prabhupada: “You may decision or not decision, there are two things. There are two things. One is your body and the other, the living force which is moving your body. There is no question of decision; it is already decided.” Interview June 10th 1976

So whether we face death or try to put it on the back burner, it really doesn’t matter as death isn’t going away and we will have to deal with it, or it will deal with us accordingly.

Another interesting aspect of death is that it can strike indiscriminately. Old/Young, Sick/Healthy, Man/Woman, Rich/Poor etc. padam padam yad vipadam.

Of course we tend to be more horrified when a young, healthy person dies as opposed to an old sick person. That of course is somewhat natural but it is interesting to note that both young and old have so much in common. One thing that they don’t always share is that only very close family and friends tend to love an elderly infirm person, whereas the vast majority of people are enamoured by babies. Again this is somewhat understandable as babies are naturally so cute and loveable. While this is very true it strangely cannot be denied that both old and young have so much in common, particularly if the old person is suffering from some kind of dementia.

baby walkers / zimmer frames
nappies / incontinence Pads
baby food / liquidized food
baby speak / rambling
baby bath / bathing chair
play with them / entertain – humour them
educate them / re-educate them
watch them / oversee them
coax them to sleep / make sure they’re asleep

One thing the old and young do not have in common is their enthusiasm for birthdays. As we get older we tend to wish our birthdays would take longer and longer to come around. Whereas young children are hilarious in as far as wanting their birthdays to come around as quickly as possible. I saw a mother and child the other day having the following conversation:

4/5 year old child; “Mummy how many weeks is March away”

Mother “Your birthday is 5 weeks away dear”

Another fascinating thing is that it is so hard to tell the difference between a male and female baby (assuming both have a nappy on). It is equally difficult to tell the difference between an elderly male and female if they have no hair. In that sense both at birth and death this body that we are so attached to – becomes increasingly androgynous.

Androgyny is a term derived yet again from Greek, avrip (aner, meaning man) and yuvn (gyne, meaning woman)

So both from a material and spiritual point of view this body has little to offer unless it is exclusively engaged in the service of spirit. As devotees we know this reality (even if we don’t always act in full realization of it), therefore we should strive to do all we can to offer protection, shelter, compassion and love to all, even if they are resistant to our approaches.

After all it is only those who know the realities of death [the illusion that is death] who can reveal the secret of eternal life.

“The living entity is eternal. Thus he has neither birth nor death (na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]). According to the reactions of one’s fruitive activities, one takes birth in various species of life among the birds, beasts, trees, human beings, demigods and so on, thus rotating through various bodies. For a certain period of time, one receives a particular type of body as a son or father in a false relationship. All our relationships in this material world with friends, relatives or enemies consist of duality, in which one feels happy and distressed on the basis of illusion. The living entity is actually a spiritual soul who is part and parcel of God and has nothing to do with relationships in the world of duality. Therefore Narada Muni advised Citraketu not to lament for his so-called dead son” SB 6.16 Summary

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18583

Compassion only really begins if we appreciate that we have something better. If we have something better then we can be compassionate. Otherwise, if you are out on book distribution and you can see all your old friends sitting on a terrace somewhere, enjoying the sunshine, then you may feel compassion for yourself – that you have to stand out there in the street with those books and everyone else is having a good time!

But if we are convinced that we have something better, then we can develop compassion for others. Then we can experience real compassion. The more we relish Krsna consciousness, the more compassionate we can be, the more easily we can preach! When we are fully relishing this Krsna consciousness, then naturally we will want to give it to everyone and then people start appreciating it also.

It is like when I bought a yellow jacket and someone said, “Why do you have a yellow jacket?” I said,“Because it reminds me of the sun. It is something bright. A positive effulgence in a world where everyone dresses in black and darkness!”

Krsna is like the sun. He brings light into the darkness of this world. That is a fact. That is Krsna consciousness! It brings light into the darkness of this world, Krsna surya-sama maya haya andhakara(Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 22.31). Maya brings us so much darkness in all directions – suffering, burden, difficulties, stress and anxiety; but Krsna consciousness just lights it all up! So if we get absorbed in Krsna consciousness then compassion will follow.

Source: https://www.kksblog.com/2016/01/what-is-compassion/

Question: Is sincerity based on our past karma, our circumstances as the living entities traveling through different bodies and certain situations?
Answer by Radhanath Swami: Certainly our present condition is deeply influenced by our past karma and whatever sincerity we have is due to how we have cultivated in the past but most important is that we have free choice now. And what we do with that free choice determines how this seed of the devotion and the sincerity required to nourish that seed of devotion develops. Someone may come to Krishna Consciousness and even the slightest rules and regulations are extremely difficult to follow. Someone may come and has no taste for chanting the Holy Name and someone else may come in the first day following the rules, following the regulations, chanting sixteen rounds is just easy and natural. This is obviously due to our previous spiritual development in previous life but if a person wants it you have the free choice to want however difficult it is. And if you choose to put your self in association with those who are sincere and to follow the instructions and serve those who are sincere then you can become the most sincere.
So we are not so concerned with the condition that has been created by our past. We are concerned with receiving the mercy of the Lord now. Jagai and Madhai they were totally insincere souls. They were thieves, murders, drunker but just by coming into the association of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Caitanya and understanding the necessity of surrendering to them they receive the mercy of the Lord and with that mercy they became the supreme most sincere devotees of the Lord. So we should not compare our selves to others because every two devotees are different. Every devotee has previous sinful activities that are influencing your mind and previous devotional activities that are influencing your mind. We should not be envious that this person Krishna Consciousness is so easy and natural and for me it such a hard struggle. I have been a devotee for fifteen years and I am struggling this devotee has been for six months and he is just so Krishna Consciousness, so naturally advanced why should we compare our selves. You are thinking you have been for fifteen years and she is been for six months but actually she may have been a devotee for six life times and you may have been for fifteen years. So we shouldn’t even try to calculate or compare our selves with other because we don’t know what’s in the background but what we should know with complete faith that whatever our level of sincerity is if we associate with people who are sincere. We submissively hear from them and we try to serve them then Krsna will give us all the sincerity i.e. required to perfect our lives.
So yes, the particular condition that you are in now is due your past. But the particular condition that would be before you in the future is according to what you do now. If you associate with sincere devotees you become sincere. If you associate with insincere devotees whatever sincerity you have will be lost. And Krsna sees how you make that choice who to associate with. And how you associate with them by hearing submissively, by serving, by following their example Krsna can give us everything i.e. required to perfect our lives in Krishna Consciousness. And at the present movement our sincerity is simply based on how we are willing to associate with devotees. If we want to become Krishna Conscious, however difficult it may be, if we just follow this principle Krsna will help us. But if we are critical or if we are envious then we are lost Krsna will not recognize our endeavor.

Source: http://m.dandavats.com/?p=18569