A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

My Dearest of dear Vithu mauli,

When in excruciating pain and agony,

When one after one ailment assailed,

Approached you with anger and irritation

Can’t you cure me, “WHY ME?” did I ask insensitively,

Saw a million watt smile on your most divine lotus face,

The message clear, your body is a temple and in it the soul myself,

Can’t you respect, tend and nurture it?

Care did I, and lo! my pain and suffering vanished.

Yes, my Vithu mauli dearest, indeed a  blessing in disguise.

Soft, doc

From Back to Godhead

The swami arrived in Los Angeles the day before the show and spent the afternoon recuperating from the flight in his apartment on Saturn Street. The following night, we headed down to the studios for our first television appearance. March met us at the door and led us through a warren of corridors to a small room.

“We’re going to start with a warm-up interview so you get used to how the show is run.” She opened the door to a larger room and motioned for us to go in.

There w

A Global Climate Accord (The Paris Agreement) was signed by leaders of 195 countries some time ago. On page 1 in a report by “nature.com” 1 we read:

The ambitious 32-page package contains a multitude of provisions to accelerate the world’s transition from fossil fuels to solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower and other clean energy sources.

Use of fossil fuel can be described by the Vedic term “ughra karma” or greatly destructive work; but changing to other forms of energy does not address the real p

A Global Climate Accord (The Paris Agreement) was signed by leaders of 195 countries some time ago. On page 1 in a report by “nature.com” 1 we read:

The ambitious 32-page package contains a multitude of provisions to accelerate the world’s transition from fossil fuels to solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower and other clean energy sources.

Use of fossil fuel can be described by the Vedic term “ughra karma” or greatly destructive work; but changing to other forms of energy does not address the real p

A famous comedian now passed on was famous for his routine that “I Don’t get no respect”. Not getting respect means receiving disrespect. Respect is an important word, and a word with many meanings. Here is something to start on from the dictionary which I think would be useful to consider in beginning our brief discussion:

RESPECT: esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or abi

Question: What is the difference between the dictation of the Paramatma and the mind? How can one tell if the mind or Paramatma is speaking to us?
Romapada Swami: In BG 2.22’s purport, Srila Prabhupada gives the example of two birds sitting on a tree. One bird (Jiva-atma) is eating the fruits of the tree while the other bird (Paramatma) is simply watching His friend. If the Paramatma is just watching, how can the Parmatma dictate the soul? Can you please help me with this confusion? Please help

By Ananda Vrindavaneshwari Devi Dasi

Last week a dry cough gripped my breath and made it short. I had the experience we all have – appreciating something when it’s gone or not working well.
Breathing is the in and out of life that happens unconsciously until it doesn’t. The idea of my last breath became a reality. What do I breathe? How do I breathe? Can I do it better when I’m better? These were all questions that stayed with me as I slowed down due to shallow breathing.
That experience helped

A child is certainly dependent on his father and mother, but in spite of their presence, the child is harassed in many ways. Sometimes, in spite of a supply of good medicine and an experienced physician, a patient does not survive. Therefore, since everything is dependent on the free will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our only duty is to surrender unto Him and seek His protection. - Srimad Bhagavatam 4.2.40

“The real purpose behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. This is not very difficult.”
– Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya Lila 4.169, Purport

In the purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya-lila 4.169, Srila Prabhupada writes that “the Caturmasya period begins in the month of Ashadha (June-July) from the day of Ekadasi called Sayana-ekadasi. The period ends in the month of Kartika (October-November) on the Ekadasi day known as Utthana-ek

From Back to Godhead

The swami arrived in Los Angeles the day before the show and spent the afternoon recuperating from the flight in his apartment on Saturn Street. The following night, we headed down to the studios for our first television appearance. March met us at the door and led us through a warren of corridors to a small room.

“We’re going to start with a warm-up interview so you get used to how the show is run.” She opened the door to a larger room and motioned for us to go in.

There w

When Srila Prabhupada arrived at the Commenwealth Pier in Boston fifty years ago in 1965, he did not know if he should turn left or right. With only forty Rupees and a trunk containing Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagvatam,Srila Prabhupada carried the instructions of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur close to his heart. In a poem that he penned upon his arrival in America he said,”O Lord, I am just like a puppet in Your hands. So if You have brought me here to dance, the

– Akrura: Could you please describe your project? What is Vanipedia?

Visnu Murti: Vanipedia is a humble but bold attempt to offer an unparalleled platform for Srila Prabhupada to continuously inspire and train devotees, strengthening their faith to take up the process of devotional service through his teachings.

It is meant to be a long-term project. We have done this work in the last 35 years since Prabhupada’s demise, but still there is a lot of work to be done. Why? When Srila Prabhupada lef

June 21st, 1976 was a normal day at the Pittsburgh International airport until a group of Krishna devotees from New Vrindaban, dressed in an odd combination of dhotis or saris with large rubber farm boots, appeared. Commuters stared open-mouthed as the fifty-strong crew exploded into a cacophonous burst of chanting, mridanga drums, and gongs in front of the arrival gate.

They were there, of course, to greet their beloved guru Srila Prabhupada, who appeared presently, effulgent and regal with hi

For the pleasure of their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhava, Pancatattva, Nrisimha Dev and His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, Mayapur Local Preaching (MLP) held a ‘Summer camp’ on 13-14th June. More than 200 Bhakti Vriksha devotees participated in this program. On 13th morning, devotees arrived from different places like Krishnanagar, Dhubulia, Bhaluka, Srirampur etc. at ‘Gita Bhavan’. They stayed for 13th & 14th and on 15th morning they returned home after having breakfast Prasadam.

Most of the

“Ratha Yatra on the eve of Ramadan”

How would you describe the moment where devotees from all the different locations in a country come in a spirit so enthusiastic just to celebrate Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannatha, a moment where people from different faiths join the devotees and chant and dance so blissfully, a moment where you begin to admire the wonderful mercy of Srila Prabhupada and feel so indebted to him for giving us Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra, Their Chariots and the Ratha Yatra fest

“Cultural Awareness Through Drama”

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Bhaktivedanta Manor’s main drama group. It has been led chiefly by Jaya Krishna Das and Dwarka Puri das but over the years a great many other devotees of all ages and backgrounds have participated and given much of their time.

Disciples of Srila Prabhupada pioneered the first dramas at Bhaktivedanta Manor during the early 1970’s. By 1985 the baton had gradually passed onto the next generation and The Bhaktivedanta Pl

4 friends had assembled together to discuss what inspires each to practice devotional life.  Out of the 4, one was a celibate monk, 2 others were householders living with their wives and one was although a married person but had lost his wife. So the discussion began.

1^st friend: I decided not to enter into a family life so that I can devote my entire time for the Lord.   I do not have any material responsibility so each and every moment I try to spend in nurturing my spiritual life.

2^nd friend: W

In this episode with Nandapriya Prabhu we hear...

• Why did he not tell other devotees in Georgia that he was translating the books?
• How he hand-bound the books in his home.
• What is was like to be part of the first Russian devotee trip to India.
• How he found time to translate Caitanya Caritamrita when he had a full-time job as an oncologist.
• What inspired him to create his album The Red Dust of Ekachakra?
• How he wants to preach about Krishna consciousness through his music.
• What his definition is of succ

Hare Krsna

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Hare Krsna

Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada

By His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

If you are passing through thorns, you must be very careful. Otherwise the thorns will get stuck up with your garment, and you will be inconvenienced. It is said in the Vedas, ksurasya dhārā niśitā duratyayā¹. Just like we shave with a razor – the razor is very sharp. So if we can carefully handle the razor, we get our cheeks very clean and the business is done. But