From Back to Godhead
A life that allows us to reunite with mother earth and offer her products to Krishna favors our spiritual growth.
Srila Prabhupada writes, “Whatever is taken from the earth either from the mines, from the surface of the globe, or from the atmosphere should always be considered the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and should be used for Yajna, Lord Vishnu. As soon as the process of yajna [sacrifice] is stopped, the earth will withhold all productions vegetabl
August 21, 1976, Hyderabad
Prabhupada: You were selling Back to Godhead on the street?
Gargamuni: Yes, in the pushcart.
Prabhupada: That time how many copies you were printing?
Gargamuni: We were printing 500 to 1,000. We started at 500 then to 1,000.
Prabhupada: Then when Brahmananda proposed that “We can get it printed from Japan, but they want order for 20,000 minimum.” So I said yes. Five hundred, 1,000 we were selling, and he proposed 20,000. “Yes. You order.” [laughs] Now, two million?
Ha
From Back to Godhead
One of the basic principles of Krsna consciousness is that one may utilize whatever talent he has in the service of the Supreme Lord. And it is a symptom of a bona fide spiritual master that he is expert in engaging everyone in practical transcendental devotional service. His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has thus engaged a number of very talented artists in the service of the Lord by asking them to use their natural artistic inclination in painting pictu
From Back to Godhead
Srila Prabhupada once wrote of Back to Godhead magazine, “This paper is the beginning of my spiritual life.”
By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
This is Srila Prabhupada’s opening article of his first issue of the magazine, which he launched on the appearance day of his spiritual master in 1944. The world was at war, and Srila Prabhupada discusses that harsh reality in light of the
If a devotee were to ask, “Please bless me so that I’ll never take birth again in this horrible material world,” would this be asking for some kind of liberation? Hundreds of times, Srila Prabhupada encouraged us to “Go Back home, back to Godhead.” Would it be a form of boldness or naiveté to desire to come back to this world and serve by preaching?
That would depend on our level of perception and spiritual progress. There were times when some disciples indicated to Srila Prabhupada that they w
Delhi, Wednesday 20th June, 1956 (Series #8)
Edited and Founded
Under direct order of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhakti-Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada
By Goswami Abhay Charan Bhaktivedanta
____________
In the Secretariat Buildings in New Delhi there is an inscription on the stone that Liberty does not descend upon a people but it has to earned before it can be enjoyed. Actually this is the fact and we have seen it that much sacrifice had to be rendered by the people of India before the
From Back to Godhead
What do the Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada have to say about these universal concepts?
At the beginning of his first book, Easy Journey to Other Planets, Srila Prabhupada writes, “Dedicated to the scientists of the world.” Perhaps it was Lord Krishna’s special plan that Srila Prabhupada’s first book be related to science, and space in particular. By this dedication, Srila Prabhupada is inviting scientists and any inquisitive thoughtful people to explore the science in the
April 6, 2003
Gargamuni: The background was very interesting because Prabhupada for some reason, I don’t know why, he made me treasurer. I guess he saw that I had business abilities. I used to keep my little office, which consisted of cashier’s books and vouchers, and I used to keep my little office in his room where he lived and translated. So while he was working, he would want me to sit there and do my accounting work. And if I had any questions I should ask him because it was very important
In February 1971, in Gorakhpur, India, Srila Prabhupada received the issue of Back to Godhead with my article “The Genuine Spiritual Master” and called for me. “I saw your article in Back to Godhead,” he said. “It was very nice. You should write. This is your first business. Go on writing. We require many, many articles about Krishna consciousness. So you should devote yourself to writing.” I have taken Srila Prabhupada’s instruction to me to heart. And that article, “The Genuine Spiritual Mast
By Rajesh Hirani
Finally, when Srila Prabhupada said to you strongly:
“I will get better only when I die”
You broke down crying.
But he wished to bind you even closer:
“Is this what you have learnt from me?
The soul is always there – immortal!”
Although your heart ached with constant agony
you always lived with the understanding –
that Srila Prabhupada is constantly there…
Like a mother hiding behind a curtain
who wishes to teach her son to walk
by urging him to search for her: “Come, come…I am
Dear disciples of Bhakti Charu Maharaja:
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Bhakti Charu Maharaja participated in the ISKCON Bureau meeting on May 25th, after which he left for Bombay and flew to America. Unfortunately, Maharaja fell ill in America and departed from this planet on July 4th. This was a very auspicious day. It was the first day of Caturmasya, the disappearance day of Sanatana Goswami and also Guru Purnima. This was a most auspicious departure for
Gauranga das says a few words about HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja
Dear Bhakti Charu Swami,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
It is still an unbelievable shock for me to know that I will not be able to associate with you the way I used to. I can visualize you walking so elegantly as if you are floating and this quality of effortless grace permeates every aspect of your personality. You are so dear to Srila Prabhupada that on the first meeting itself Srila Prabhupada g
By HH Kesava Bharati Dasa Goswami
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
While I am still trying to come in terms with the devastating news about the sudden departure of Bhakti Charu Maharaja, there is also a strong urge to glorify this exalted Vaisnava with the hope that it will give some solace to my heart.
Out of his numberless outstanding contributions to our movement like “Abhay Charan” serial, construction of the beautiful temple in Ujjain, establishing and teaching in the GBC College, etc. e
Dear Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my respectful obeisances. All glories to You. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
This is the 3rd day we can’t have your personal association. I’m so sad and morose at the same time I’m sure that Krishna and his associates are overflown with joy to have you among them.
A guru is someone who teaches by example. You were a guru who was teaching the whole world. You were a guru who showed the best example of all Vaisnava qualities beginning with humilit
By Nrsimhananda das
If the purpose of bhakti is to love Krishna and all of his parts and parcels, no one exemplifies it more than Bhakti Charu Swami.
He lived by an unstated maxim that was demonstrated in all of his relationships: it was to love whoever was around to be loved. He didn’t just shower affection on his immediate peers; he was an equal-opportunity care-giver. Being in his presence, you got the idea that you were as important as any of his most intimate friends.
That “talent” was not
Where will I find that loving smile filled with care and affection that made you feel so important though you are worthless…., that caused you to remember Prabhupada in any circumstance…, that was pure sweetness…? I am so angry at you for leaving me here unprotected.
Why did you decide to go back to Srila Prabhupada’s Lotus Feet not caring for how we would be unable to tolerate your departure? With whom shall I laugh reading those signs in Italian that have a strange meaning in Bengali?
Are you
Dear Disciples of His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami Maharaja,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Late Saturday evening, I was informed that your Guru Maharaja had left this world. I cannot imagine the devastating pain of separation you must be going through, but I do know the pain that I am suffering, and it is intense. I am reminded of the conversation between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Ramananda Raya:
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked, “Of all kinds of distr
Maharaja, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.
The last time we met was in the month of May, 2018, in California where we were both attending a Cow Culture Conference. It was the first time I was hearing from you about your project in Florida where you explained that in North America we must provide special facilities for cows due to the harsh temperatures. You had recently acquired 120 acres of land for that purpose close to Orlando. I was happy to hear of your
