Srimad-bhagavatam, (verses 1.2.17-18), describes the progressive stages leading to steadiness in devotional practice:
1. Unsteady practice of devotional service (anistha bhajana kriya).
2. The gradual cleansing of inauspicious elements in a devotee’s heart (anartha-nivrtti).
3. The attainment of steadiness in devotional service (nistha-bhajana-kriya).
One advances through these stages of devotional service by regularly hearing and chanting in the association of devotees.
One might ask, if I’m n
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I want to acknowledge the boldness, heroism and humility exhibited by the US veterans, both men and women, and including Tulsi Gabbard -- a warrior and congresswoman. In solidarity, they joined the Native Americans and many others at Standing Rock. They are truly warriors and leaders. I practice the Vaisnava/Krishna tradition. And these vets, and indeed all who have gathered at Standing Rock, are for me paragons of my tradition. Three reasons:
1- There’s a Krishna prayer that "one should think
People are striving for wealth; they try to make material progress. This is not easy because we are not in control of destiny. One may get wealth but then, other circumstances may interfere and all the wealth may get plundered by some calamity. Therefore trying to secure wealth in the material world is an ongoing effort of hard work and one cannot be sure as to how destiny will unfold.
Today we are discussing a topic from the Bhagavad-gita of the eternal benefit of devotional service. Whatever
By Rasika Sindhu Dasa
Reaching the venue I was myself very pessimist to what I was told for that area of the country is known for its tensions and occasional law and order issues with the lawbreakers. Few officers here and there roaming around, a quick zap to my mobile and it was still early. While slowly the hall began to fill up HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami also came accompanied by HG Ganga Prasad Prabhu the Nigerian Temple President. Today was not a casual program but was a unique one. Lig
Srila Prabhupada: In the beginning, a conditioned soul is bereft of Krsna consciousness and is always morose in his material activities. Later, by associating with a pure devotee, one becomes inquisitive to know the Absolute Truth. In this way one begins to engage in the transcendental service of the Lord. Next, by the Lord’s grace all misconceptions are vanquished and the heart is cleansed of all material dirt. It is only then that the pleasure of transcendental bliss is awakened. By the Lord’
Published by the University of Kolkatta 1917.
Pages: 358
Download it from here: https://goo.gl/TMdHe9
krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah
“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.” (SB 11.5.32)
This verse refers to Lord Caitanya. Those who are intelligent (su-medhasah) will worshi
This morning I was reading from the Forth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam about the process of mantra meditation. I have always loved this story of Druva Maharaja, and his determination in meditation, on the form of the Lord. We have included the entire text and purport.
O son of the King, now I shall speak unto you the mantra which is to be chanted with this process of meditation. One who carefully chants this mantra for seven nights can see the perfect human beings flying in the sky. (SB4.8.53
By misfortune, I wandered into the forest of material enjoyment where I was captured, imprisoned, bound down by the unbreakable cords of material nature, and sentenced to hard labor.
In illusion, I accepted my captors as my allies and friends; my sentence to the drudgery of hard work as a benediction; and my selection of foot shackles – gold, copper, or iron - as a sign of my free choice.
In the Gita, Krsna deems this prison life, duratyaya, “impossible to overcome.” And the avanti brahmana of
The English Dictionary defines the word “spiritual” as “Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things”.
Now before we attempt to delve deeper into this topic, it is essential for us to understand as to who we actually are? The answer to this question will help us make sense of life, in the first place, and lead us to the gradual understanding of what truly is the goal of it. In other words,the more we discuss and brainstorm on our own identity, the
“Don’t feel yourself to be alone because Krishna is always with you. Krishna is always with every living entity as Supersoul, and to His devotee especially He talks and gives instructions how to attain the perfectional stage of meeting Him. So don’t feel alone. Always chant whenever possible, read our books, and there will be no great difficulty.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, April 3, 1969)
“Please don’t feel lonely. Krishna is always with you and I shall pray for you and to Krishna also that you
Giving charity to devotees is important because by doing so we can somehow overcome our deeply rooted material attachment. We must learn to give rather than to take, just like Jayananda did.
Jayananda was Prabhupada’s dear disciple who had done so many wonderful things. He joined in San Francisco and Jayananda was ten years older than everybody else and he had a profession; he was driving a taxi and making good money. So Jayananda would buy the devotees clothes and whatever else they needed.
Fo
In this age of rapid industrialization and unprecedented communication explosion, human values have been distinctly neglected. Though there are advertisements exclaiming advancement in comfortable and happy living conditions, but the facts give a strikingly different picture as we keep hearing the horrendous stories of increasing new facets of violence, dwindling health status of the people mainly due to psycho-somatic diseases, diminishing social, moral and culture values and alarming environm
We cannot just declare, “I have surrendered!” No, one has to surrender again and again; it is an ongoing process. One has to gain the favour of Krsna eternally. This is quite something!
We need to take spiritual life to stage of no compromise, meaning that for Krsna nothing but the best will do – no half work, no half standards. No, everything complete, all the way and then of course Krsna will also come all the way.
If we only go halfway, he will also come that far and then God is far away. Bu
A word of truth to my faithless self: How long will you wander? Back, forth and around in circles, blind but convinced that you can see. You want to walk alone, fancy yourself valiant and unbound, taking the scenic route, as you call it. You go without guidance. Faithless self, you say that no one else can lead you on your path, as no one but you knows where you’ve come from nor can anyone be truly invested in your destiny. This is, after all, your journey; the discovery of your spirit, a recov
ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village (GEV, www.ecovillage.org.in) a 100 acre sustainable farming community and retreat center, based near Mumbai, India received the 5 star ratings for its Symbiotic Recycling Model for Sustainable Habitats, from the Investors in Zero Waste, The UK’s premier zero waste recognition scheme, at a special ceremony on 8th December 2016 at Glaziers Hall, London. Radha Mohan Prabhu from the Bhaktivedanta Manor, on behalf of ISKCON GEV, received this award from the hands of Ben
Ekadasi is a fast from all grains, beans and legumes. It is a great one-day detox fast. On Ekadasi people often complain that they don’t feel full or, “I just wish I could have a slice of bread…” This grain- and gluten-free recipe will allow you to make pizzas, kachoris, wraps, and rotis on Ekadasi. Your Ekadasi will never be the same!
Ingredients:
1 cup grain- and gluten-free flour
1tsp salt
½ cup boiling water
1 Tbsp ghee (oil for Vegan)
Mix all ingredients together and knead for 1 - 2
minute
ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village Won the Aqua Excellence Award 2016 in the X World Aqua Congress Author.
ISKCON Govardhan Eco Village (GEV, www.ecovillage.org.in) is a 100 acre sustainable farming community and retreat center, based near Mumbai, India. ISKCON GEV’s intention is conserve natural resources and propagate community living forms based on the cardinal principles of Vedas. ISKCON GEV is home to self-sufficient community of over 160 members, including 25 families, 60 resident monks and 50
Question: Why does it seem that Srila Prabhupada’s translations, word for word renditions and purports all seem to point only to Bhakti?
Answer: Srila Prabhupada’s purpose in presenting the Bhagavad gita As It Is, was to bring out Krsna’s ultimate conclusion of the Gita. This is the meaning of “As It Is.”
Some have speculated that in the Gita Krsna presents many paths and that any one of them is as good as another. However, Krsna clearly presents Bhakti as yoga’s summit even when He explains ot
By Gopi Gita
The celebration was indeed at another level.. Ritzy, glamorous decor; senators, congressman, Deans of universities, educators, ministers from different churches; Mother Guru Bhakti’s incredible outreach work and her team’s total dedication to Srila Prabhupada’s preaching service.
Highlights:.
Sesa Prabhu’s excellent speech highlighting Srila Prabhupada’s success in the past 50 years as the epitome of the American dream.
Sharing struggles and triumphs with Radhika Ramana prabhu aka
