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Bhakti Yoga-Devotional Service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna

Bhakti Yoga-Devotional Service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna
Gopis performing Devotional Service to the Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishna

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Krishna Likes Butter!



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Makhan Chor Murari - Part 2



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Makhan Chor Murari - Part 1



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceuy8PhNRGs
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We are watched every moment, the universe is highly personal-many personalities running/monitoring the show.



We are watched every moment. How do we act in the public when we are
watched by many people around? We think many many times before even
uttering a word. We meticulously act in front of the public. Atleast
some cultured decent men think what to do and what not do in the
public,let alone the uncultured two legged animals.

But we tend to forget that we are watched every moment by the Supreme
Lord within and without&there are many times where we are in illusion
thinking that we are acting independently&we can do whatever we like
whimsically. Those that are acting according to the instructions of
the Spiritual Master are saved while others who are on their own are
through a free ride,where they experience horror sometimes(actually
many times :)),a feeling of pleasure other times which last a few
moments.

This Universe is highly personal. There are many many thousands of
personalities designated to carry out the order of the Supreme Lord to
keep everything in place in the Universe. These
agents are called devatas or the celestial beings who help in carrying
out the instructions of the Supreme Lord to create,maintain&destroy
the material Universe.

We are responsible for our good&bad actions. We are only accountable
for our actions,no one else. The situation,the place we live,the
helpers for us in the particular situation,the birth,the
siblings,Everything is provided to us by calculating our desires,our
past actions but only to the extent we deserve. So our situation is to
be accepted without complaining too much of the destiny,because it's
only something we created and what we deserve. If we desire,we have
the choice to change it to whatever we like to do but within the scope
of destiny. We have little control over the karmic
Reactions resulting from our past actions. If there's good karma from
the past we feel so happy&think that it is because of my own good
work,while in nightmares,we see the bad karma to be something fallen
on us from the sky. Actually we are the ones who did such bad actions
as well.

Atleast when we are acting in Krishna consciousness(akarma-actions for
which there are no reactions that binds us one2material world) now,we
dont create further karma to enjoy(minimal here) or suffer(predominant
here)

The Supreme Lord facilitates the conditioned souls with necessary
things that give them an illusion for them to see themselves as
God&enjoyer of all that pervades.

Lord Sri Krishna says, For My devotees who are always thinking of
Me,who sees Me in everything&everything in Me,I am never lost nor will
they ever be lost to Me-BG

So Krsna gives us the choice to Love Him&get to Him in His own abode
or rebel against Him in an illusory way in this material
world&suffer.Choice is exclusively ours.I've seen many people saying
if I were to be so devoted,then that time will come when God
desires.Why not apply the same thing for eating also?


--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com


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Vaisnava Ettiquette - Part 1


Vaisnava Ettiquette - Part 1


1. Preaching accompanied with Vaishnava etiquette: We have to push forward this movement, and we may get caught up in the activities of pushing, and forget about Vaishnava etiquette. However, there is an exchange between Srila Sanatana Goswami and Haridas Thakura in which Srila Sanatana Goswami praises Haridas: (Cc Antya 4.102-3)
apane acara keha na kare pracara pracara karena keha na karena acara
"Some behave very well but do not preach the cult of Krishna consciousness, whereas others preach but do not behave properly."
acara pracara namera karaha dui karya tumi sarva guru tumi jagatera arya
"You simultaneously perform both activities in relation to the Holy Name by your personal behavior and by your preaching. Therefore you are the most advanced devotee in the world."

2. Basics must always be stressed: The basic activities are listed by Srila Rupa Goswami in Nectar of Instruction (see BCS's transcript). "Practicing Vaishnava etiquette means always acting in the mode of goodness, which is a stepping-stone to the transcendental plane. The mode of goodness is conducive to self-realization, whereas ignorance and passion are not. Therefore, how one applies the principles of Vaishnava etiquette reflects whether a devotee is Krishna conscious or not: i.e., is he humble? Conscientious? Well-mannered? Disciplined? cultured? Sensitive? Someone who is actually a devotee will be known by how much he displays the good qualities."

3. One major component in Vaishnava etiquette, humility: One of the main parts of Vaishnava etiquette is humility. It is considered so important that Lord Krishna lists it as the first part of knowledge in Bhagavad-Gita (amanitvam). Some quotes from Srila Prabhupada: To Patita Uddharan (12/12/74) "So we all have to cooperate amongst ourselves, otherwise what will people think if we ourselves fight with one another? A devotee is always ideal in behavior." SP Letter to Gargamuni 2/5/69 "Your humble repentance is just like a Vaishnava student, so I thank you very much for this humbleness. Lord Chaitanya taught us to be humbler that the grass on the street and more tolerant that the tree. So these symptoms are Vaishnava symptoms." *** SP Letter to Dindayal 2/2/70 "Krishna is so very merciful to those who are very humble in their attitude engaged in service of the Lord. Lord Chaitanya advised, therefore, one should be humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree and thus be seriously engaged in glorifying the Lord. This world is very awful. Anyone is ready to create some disturbance; especially they are very much apt to disturb Krishna Consciousness persons because that is the way of demoniac life. So, in order to protect us from all dangerous elements, we have to chant the Hare Krishna Mantra regularly being humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree. Then Krishna, Who is Dina-Dayal, will bestow His Mercy upon us." *** SP Letter to 8/18/70 Upendra "You are good for everything but your attitude to remain good for nothing is very nice. A Vaishnava is always humble and meek, and he is never puffed-up, even he has got the highest qualities of demigods."

4. Vaishnava Behavior is Inspiring for Everyone
SP Letter to Janardan (1/21/68) Humbleness is appreciated
SP Letter to Shivananda (9/14/68) "This Krishna consciousness movement through music, philosophy, spiritual culture, and personal behavior culminating in ideal character of the devotees. All these heavenly contributions combined together will certainly bring about a major change in the life of Western people."
SP Letter to Batu Gopal (2/1/75)
"You are right. We must all become ideal in character and then people will become very impressed with such purity. A devotee is faultless — he has no flaws."

- HH Bhakti Charu Swami (Vaisnava Etiquette Seminar)
 

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The Iron Age of Addiction, Knowledge - Sankhya, Bhakti Yoga

In this iron age,people are also iron hearted. One's ability to make the most of sense enjoyment is considered advanced civilization now. Truth is looked down upon,but Word jugglery which covers the truth is appreciated.Religious principles are considered obselete&only meant for old timers. What a pity? No one knows what is good for their own self. All have become mad men addicted to the abominable Habits of nasty lust,greed,pride,envy,anger,madness. These habits have
brought only self-destruction and destruction to those around all the time in the past,present and in future as well. This is an age of addiction. We are getting addicted to unwanted things even without our knowledge.

The same activities dancing,singing,sporting which when performed in clubs would otherwise bind us in the cycle of birth&death would liberate us when performed in front of Krishna in His temple for His pleasure. What's the difficulty? The result is twofold.We revive our lost Love for God. Other thing is We get released from the clutches of material energy simultaneously without even endeavoring for it separately.

The senses are like venomous serpents which need a better engagement like a snake charmer charming the snakes. The charm of the bluish boy standing on the banks of the river Yamuna alone can keep the senses intoxicated&free from the poison of the iron age. 

It's actually the same material elements transformed into poison because of the enviousness of snake. The same material elements transformed to different ones by the consciousness of the living entity. Food is converted to blood in the process of digestion, the body of a man automatically converts his blood to semen by his thinking of a woman, a mother her blood to milk to feed the baby. All this is acintya-inconceivable. The nails, hair that are growing are also inconceivable to us.
In the actual sense,we are simply observers and only choice makers with what is provided to us by nature. Even the evacuation which is our normal day to day activity is controlled by a demigod. 

" Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment"- BG # 3.5
(Purport to BG#13.3 begins)  

"One who studies the subject matter of the field of activity and the knower of the field very minutely, in terms of this Bhagavad-gītā, can attain to knowledge.
The Lord says, "I am the knower of the field of activities in every individual body." The individual may be the knower of his own body, but he is not in knowledge of other bodies. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present as the Supersoul in all bodies, knows everything about all bodies. He knows all the different bodies of all the various species of life. A citizen may know everything about his patch of land, but the king knows not only his palace but all the properties possessed by the individual citizens. Similarly, one may be the proprietor of the body individually, but the Supreme Lord is the proprietor of all bodies. The king is the original proprietor of the kingdom, and the citizen is the secondary proprietor. Similarly, the Supreme Lord is the supreme proprietor of all bodies.
The body consists of the senses. The Supreme Lord is Hṛṣīkeśa, Which means "the controller of the senses." He is the original controller of the senses, just as the king is the original controller of all the activities of the state; the citizens are secondary controllers. The Lord says, "I am also the knower." This means that He is the superknower; the individual soul knows only his particular body. In the Vedic literature, it is stated as follows:

kṣetrāṇi hi śarīrāṇi
bījaḿ cāpi śubhāśubhe
tāni vetti sa yogātmā
tataḥ kṣetra-jña ucyate

This body is called the kṣetra, and within it dwells the owner of the body and the Supreme Lord, who knows both the body and the owner of the body. Therefore He is called the knower of all fields. The distinction between the field of activities, the knower of activities, and the supreme knower of activities is described as follows. Perfect knowledge of the constitution of the body, the constitution of the individual soul, and the constitution of the Supersoul is known in terms of Vedic literature as jñāna. That is the opinion of Kṛṣṇa. To understand both the soul and the Supersoul as one yet distinct is knowledge. One who does not understand the field of activity and the knower of activity is not in perfect knowledge. One has to understand the position of prakṛti (nature), puruṣa (the enjoyer of nature) and īśvara (the knower who dominates or controls nature and the individual soul). One should not confuse the three in their different capacities. One should not confuse the painter, the painting and the easel. This material world, which is the field of activities, is nature, and the enjoyer of nature is the living entity, and above them both is the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead. It is stated in the Vedic language (in the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 1.12), bhoktā bhogyaḿ preritāraḿ ca matvā/ sarvaḿ proktaḿ tri vidham-brahmam etat. There are three Brahman conceptions: prakṛti is Brahman as the field of activities, and the jīva (individual soul) is also Brahman and is trying to control material nature, and the controller of both of them is also Brahman, but He is the factual controller" (Purport to BG#13.3 ends)  
Only a pure devotee of Krishna can completely understand this knowledge which differentiates the material elements-jadam from the Spirit-cetanam,conscious entity,which is to be knowable.

This is why Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita that the Sankhya philosophy is already contained in Bhakti Yoga and only the less intelligent class of men make a distinction between Sankhya-yoga and Bhakti-yoga.

--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com

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One who sees the activities performed by the body to be that of material nature & who sees self does nothing, actually sees BG#13.30

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 13.30

prakṛtyaiva ca karmāṇi

kriyamāṇāni sarvaśaḥ

yaḥ paśyati tathātmānam

akartāraḿ sa paśyati

SYNONYMS

prakṛtyā — by material nature; eva — certainly; ca — also; karmāṇi — activities; kriyamāṇāni — being performed; sarvaśaḥ — in all respects; yaḥ — anyone who; paśyati — sees;tathā — also; ātmānam — himself; akartāram — the nondoer; saḥ — hepaśyati — sees perfectly.

TRANSLATION

One who can see that all activities are performed by the body, which is created of material nature, and sees that the self does nothing, actually sees.

PURPORT

This body is made by material nature under the direction of the Supersoul, and whatever activities are going on in respect to one's body are not his doing. Whatever one is supposed to do, either for happiness or for distress, one is forced to do because of the bodily constitution. The self, however, is outside all these bodily activities. This body is given according to one's past desires. To fulfill desires, one is given the body, with which he acts accordingly. Practically speaking, the body is a machine, designed by the Supreme Lord, to fulfill desires. Because of desires, one is put into difficult circumstances to suffer or to enjoy. This transcendental vision of the living entity, when developed, makes one separate from bodily activities. One who has such a vision is an actual seer.


--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com


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Chant Hare Krishna in any situation! Holy names are our only shelter!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ranjani Gopika <shyamkrishna108@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:42:52 +0530
Subject:
To: dinesh mahesh <dineshkrishna108@gmail.com>

The medicine to stop death is chant Hare Krishna
Golden moon Gaura chander has come,tells all the jivas to wake up wake up
chant Hare Krishna.
How long you will sleep on the lap of the witch called maya.Caitanya
Mahaprabhu said i came just to pick you up.
Except myself who is your friend.I brought you the medicine for treating
maya.Which destroys maya.Completely wipes out maya.
Its called Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.Take it Take it very
submissively.Bhakti vinod thakur says that he falls at the feet of Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.He himself begging for the mercy,give me the holy name.Anyway
the conclusion is chant Hare Krishna.Dont be afraid of anything.Even if you
are afraid chant Hare Krishna.Actually there is onething devotee should
have fear,maya.Dont think i have conquered over maya.Now i am free from
maya.As soon as someone thinks like that means that they are already
captured by maya.Always chant Hare Krishna.Whether we are in a materially
happy situation or materially distress situation chant Hare Krishna.If you
get lots of money chant Hare Krishna.If you dont have any money chant Hare
Krishna.If you have more money and you lose it then what should you do
chant Hare Krishna.If you are very healthy jump up and down in kirtan
chanting Hare Krishna.If you are not healthy well you can atleast raise
your hands and chant Hare Krishna shaking your fingers.There is no loss you
wont lose anything.Full gain.All these advertisers advertise if you invest
in these policy you gain more.All cheaters,rascals.They all advertising
that you get benefit,but they are simply taking your money.This is the only
guaranteed program where no one will cheat you and you will get full
benefit.Sometimes people complaint even i came to ISKCON someone mistreated
me.May be.Anyway chant Hare Krishna.Someone may be mistreated you,after all
its kali yuga and we are all products of kali yuga.We cant expect everyone
chanting Hare Krishna to change over night from being a raakshasah to being
a pure devotee.But you have the opportunity to chant Hare Krishna.Wherever
you go whatever you do in this world someone is going to mistreat you.But
not everyone is going to ask you to chant Hare Krishna.So what is the
conclusion of this lecture chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and distribute Srila
Prabhupadas books and read Srila Prabhupadas books and follow what is in
Srila Prabhupadas books.Hare Krishna. ---- From the Lecture
given byHis Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami

--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com
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The miracles of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

 
 

Sent to you by dinesh via Google Reader:

 
 

via kksblog.com by hina on 12/26/11

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Mayapur, November 2011) Lecture – Caitanya-caritamrta Part 4

We see that the divinity of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is established. It comes up many times that He clearly is the Supreme Lord, and that there are many miracles that are related to this, because it is expected that whenever you deal with the Supreme Lord, then there are miracles. Some miracles that appeared are…..before His birth mother Śacīdevī saw celestial beings. In his childhood, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very small, in the house they could hear a child who was running around with ankle bells on, but no one was running around. There were footprints in the house, so they thought it was from the śālagrāma-śilā, but then they saw the marks of the footprints of Visnu and the same marks were on Nimai's feet, but he was too small to run. So how was it possible?

On Ekadasi, there was a great offering being made in the house of Hiraṇya and Jagadīśa, and it was a huge feast that was being cooked. Nimai was feeling very sick that day, and He said that the only thing that could cure Him was some of that prasad, but how did He know that they were having such an offering in that house? Nobody knew, but somehow or other He knew, and far away in the house of Hiraṇya and Jagadīśa there was this special prasad…and that was mystical!

I've often told the story of Nimai Pundit eating the brahmana's offering. He was a extremely learned – super human learning! Later as a preacher He went into the Jharikhanda forest and made the tigers and deers chant Hare Krishna…. and embrace each other. The tigers and deers were kissing each other, which was quite a miracle. He cured Vasudeva the leper from the disease. He also cured Sanatana's sores.

About one million years ago Lord Ramacandra was showing Sugrivah how very powerful he was, and that He was able to defeat Bali. Therefore, Lord Ramacandra took an arrow and shot it right through seven tall trees. Those trees were there, and when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to South India, He embraced those trees. As He embraced them, they disappeared one after another. So it has been said that they went to the spiritual world!

He pushed Lord Jagannatha's chariot with His head, when the chariot did not want to move. The king picked big wrestlers, but they could not move the chariot. Then he got the elephants to pull the chariot, but still the chariot would not move, but when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the back of the chariot and pushed lightly with His head, then it started to roll down the road, and the ropes were lying in peoples' hands and they were not pulling at all! And the chariot was just moving on its own. So these are just some of the miracles. My point is that the main miracle that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is showing is His outstanding symptoms of love of God and that is the real topic of the Caitanya-caritamrta!


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

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Krsna is the master. He may like you, He may not like you

 
 

Sent to you by dinesh via Google Reader:

 
 

via Indradyumna Swami's Facebook Notes by Indradyumna Swami on 12/26/11

"You cannot ask Krsna, 'Please come here. I'll see You,' just like you ask your dog or your servant. Krsna is nobody's servant. Krsna is the master. He may like you, He may not like you."

 

[ Srila Prabhupada lecture, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.26, Vrndavan, November13, 1976 ] 

 

Please like me Lord!


 
 

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Qualities found in Great Devotees - GLORIOUS KRISHNA

GLORIOUS KRISHNA


Qualities found in Great Devotees

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 12:38 PM PST

 
1.Anyone who has made the Srimad Bhagavatam better or more valuable than his own life, those ideal personalities are considered to be mahabhagavata devotees.
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/33 from Skanda Purana)

2. Any devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, after hearing the harsh and dry words from another devotee, tolerates them and pays obeisances to sucha devotee, they are certainly said to be real Vaisnavas.
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/35 from Linga Purana)

3. Anybody, after hearing My transcendental glories becomes jubilant and situates himself in goodness and becomes devoted to that speaker of Krsna'sglories and serves him, such a person is known as abhagavatottama, or highclass devotee.
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/40 from Brhan Naradiya Purana)

4. Anyone whose heart becomes jolly just by hearing the transcendental holy names of Lord Hari with a pleased mind and just by hearing these holy names,his hairs stand on end, he is considered a bhagavata (best devotee).
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/44 from Brhan Naradiya Purana)

5. Engaged constantly in chanting about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sadhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filledwith thoughts of My pastimes and activities.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.33)

6. Any person who does not get disturbed by lusty desires and who is always
rigidly attached to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, heis said to be a Visnu devotee.
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/46 from Visnu Purana - Yamaraja instructs his messengers)

7. Any person who remains attached to Lord Hari within his mind, even if many obstacles come on his path and he does not deviate from his service, it can becertainly understood that he is a devotee of the Supreme Lord.
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/67 from Skanda Purana)
-Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdarsani-tika commentary on this verse,
Anybody who is really attached to the transcendental subjects of Krsna,he becomes very purified and becomes free from all kinds of personal sense gratification, etc. Any person who wants to hear the transcendental message ofthe Supreme Lord and who wants to chant them with a loud voice and who feels this message is very rarely achieved, one who is attached to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and one who wants his mind to be tied at His lotus feet, all of these personalities are to be known as Visnu bhaktas or devotees of the Supreme Lord. The sign of a clean devotee is that the devotee's mind is not disturbed. One who is engaged in pure devotional service does not become disturbed in any condition. He sees friends and enemies equally. He naturally develops a desire to not usurp somebody else's property. Everything that he needs is provided by the Supreme Lord, therefore it is said that one whose mind is not disturbed, he is said to be a properly minded person. Thus, he is said to be a Visnu devotee. He does everything. He does his own occupational duty without depending on others. Whatever is possible, he depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

8. Any person whose etiquette is best and proper, who lives according to the scriptures, who is very merciful to all living entities, who is pure and whose actions are offered to the Supreme Lord, are said to be Bhagavata devotees(very advanced devotees).
(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 10/12 from Skanda Purana)

O My mother, O virtuous lady, these are the qualities of great devotees who are free from all attachment. You must seek attachment to such holy men, for this counteracts the pernicious effects of material attachment.
(Bhagavatam 3.25.24 - Lord Kapila to Mother Devahuti)

Soothing Rays of Krishna's Lotus Feet

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 12:20 PM PST



BHAGAVATA URU VIKRAMANGHRI SAKHA
NAKHA MANI CANDRIKAYA NIRASTA TAPE
HRDI KATHAM UPASIDATAM PUNAH SA
BHAVATI CANDRA IVA UDITE 'RKA TAPAH


When the moon shines in the sky, at that time, there is no heat available from the sun. Similarly, if somebody's heart is shined by the soothing rays of the diamond of the toenail of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Trivikrama, how can the burning sensation of material desires arise against in him?


(HARI BHAKTI VILASA 10/54 from SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11.2.54)

Krishna is never approached directly!

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 12:15 PM PST




mad-bhakta-pujabhyadhika (Shrimad Bhagavatam 11.19.21):
The worship of my devotees is higher than even My own worship.

Sri Ramanujacarya has stated:
The worship of Vaisnavas is greater than the worship of the Supreme Lord. Insulting a Vaisnava is more offensive than insulting Lord Visnu. The water that has washed the feet of a devotee is more pure than the water that has washed the feet of Gauranga-Krsna. There is no higher achievement than to worship a Vaisnava. There is nothing more offensive than being envious of a Vaisnava, which results in one's utter ruination. One should always converse with maha-bhagavata Vaisnavas, and one should never see the lowest of mankind who criticizesVaisnavas. One should never reside with a duplicitous person who is attached to sense gratification and decorated with the signs of a Vaisnava

Adi Purana:ye me bhakta-janah partha
na me bhaktas ca te janah
mad-bhaktanam ca ye bhaktas
te me bhakta-tama matah
`Those who are My direct devotees are actually not My devotees, but those who are the devotees and worshipers of My devotees are factually My devotees.'


Shri Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya Lila 11.31:
adhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmat parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam
`Lord Siva to Parvati: My dear Devi, although the Vedas recommend worship of demigods, the worship of Lord Visnu is topmost. However, above the worship of Lord Visnu is the rendering of worshipful service to the Vaisnavas, who are devoted to Lord Visnu.'


Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sudama
Yes, Krishna is never approached directly. Krishna is approached through His bona fide servitors. He says that, "Carrying out the order of My pure devotee is greater than carrying out that directly given by Me." In this connection, I may inform you that you try your best to serve Krishna under the direction of your Spiritual Master and Krishna will surely help you in all respects.

Forgetting God

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 09:54 AM PST




Vamanadev: What of the Gurus who claim to be God?
Prabhupada: What if I say I am president Nixon? Would you accept me? Just tell me why not?
Vamanadev: You don't have the characteristics.
Prabhupada: That means you are not insane. (Prabhupada says approvingly). But If I say I am God and you accept me, can you begin to imagine such insantity? One man claims He is God and another man accepts him to be God.

Carlos(A guest): Are we all not one?
Prabhupada: That is a different thing. Are you one with President Nixon?
Carlos: Yes. He's a human being.
Prabhupada: That he may be. As human beings you have so much in common, but still you cannot say that you are president Nixon. In so many qualities, we are one with God but we aren't God. Those who do not how great God is, try to claim His greatness. This is insanity.
Carlos: Yes
Prabhupada: Insanity means forgetting God. Forgetting God means material consciousness, maya. When a man is insane, his condition is considered abnormal. Maya is abnormal departure from our original Krishna Consciousness. In maya, we falsely think we are independant. But really, who's independant?
Kirtananda: No more than proprietorship.
Prabhupada: So these are all false claims. The only real problem is, 'How can I best serve Krishna?' and Krishna is so kind that He says, Just chant Hare Krishna. That's all.

Srila Prabhupada Conversations from Hare Krishna Explosion :: 1968

Who is Krishna?

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 09:53 AM PST

Columbus Reporter: Are you buddhist?

Prabhupada: Buddhist and Mayavadi philosophies externally deny the existence of God. One says there is no God and other says God is formless or impersonal, but we Vaisnava devotees are personal. We serve the person Krishna and by this we are eternal gainers. Service, as you know, it is not a very pleasant thing in this world, but service to Krishna is different. If you render Him service, you'll be satisfied, Krishna will be satisfied, everyone will be satisfied.


Reporter: Who is this Krishna?

Prabhupada: By Krishna, we refer to God, Bhagavan, The Supreme Person. This Bhagavad Gita is most important. You should read it carefully. We dont have to speculate or read hundreds of books. If we understand just this one book, we understand everything. Give up your mental specualtion. The laws of material nature are kicking us at every moment and we are not the ultimate Supreme Person. So just try to hear about the Supreme from the right source.

Hare Krishna Explosion Ch16: Krishna the flower bearing spring

First Requirement is Sincerity

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 09:55 AM PST

Srila Prabhupada: Because you are sincere, Krishna is giving you all facilities. The first requirement is sincerity to become the Lord's servant. We don't have to go far. Once qualified, we can talk to the Lord from within. The Lord is beyond our sensual perception, but He can reveal Himself to us. If you are a true lover of Godhead, you can see God everywhere, in your heart and also on the outside. But the Lord reveals Himself only through the bhakti-yoga process.

Hare Krishna Explosion Ch16: Krishna - the flower bearing spring

Yamuna Devi Dasi & Srila Prabhupada - Vani and Vapuh Seva

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 09:58 AM PST

By HH Giriraj Swami

In 1971 Srila Prabhupada went to Allahabad for the Ardha-kumbha-mela, and Yamuna-devi and I were in the party that accompanied him. Srila Prabhupada spoke on the story of Ajamila and the holy name, from the Sixth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Only the first two cantos had been translated and published, so Prabhupada read from his Sanskrit Bhagavatam with commentaries, sometimes translating from Sridhara Svami's and occasionally from Jiva Gosvami's. While there, I heard that Srila Prabhupada had said that he was speaking for Yamuna. And in April 2007, when Yamuna visited me in Santa Barbara, I asked her about it, and she told me something that etched an indelible impression on my heart.

As she explained, she had always thought that she had as much right as anyone to walk or sit close to Srila Prabhupada. And generally when he spoke, she would sit right in front of the vyasasana. But in Allahabad one of the sannyasis explained to her that in India the women sat apart and that she should too. So the next morning she did not sit in her usual place at Srila Prabhupada's feet.

Later that morning, Srila Prabhupada noticed her passing by his tent, and he called, "Yamuna, come in here." She entered and offered her obeisances, and before she got up he said, "So, you don't want to hear anymore?" Yamuna burst into tears; Prabhupada—hearing from him—was her life. "Where were you this morning?" he asked. Yamuna told him exactly what had happened. Prabhupada was silent.
That, as she told me, was a turning point in her life. She realized that she would not always have Prabhupada's company. Until then, she had not been able to conceive of ever being separated from him. In 1967 Prabhupada had had a stroke, and the devotees had chanted all night, and Prabhupada had recuperated. The devotees were so dependent on him for everything, it was inconceivable to them that he would not be with them. But, she told me, every disciple must come to a personal realization that there will be a time when the spiritual master will not be present. And for her that moment came in Allahabad, after her talks with the sannyasi and then with Srila Prabhupada.

Sitting in Prabhupada's tent, she asked him, "How much time did you actually spend with your guru maharaja?" "Very few occasions—maybe five or six," he said. "But they were very intimate. We used to walk and talk so many things." Then he said, "Those who think that association with the spiritual master is physical, they are no better than a mosquito sitting on the lap of a king. And what is the business of a mosquito? Simply to suck blood. So many of my godbrothers, they were big, big sannyasis, and they thought like that, and they simply sucked blood."

Yamuna took Prabhupada's words as confirmation. From that point on, she understood that she needed to explore her relationship with him and service to him in separation. She began to consider the question of vani (words, instructions) and vapuh (physical presence), and she got more and more insight into it. As she told me, it is something "unlimitedly deep and profound. You can hear the terms on the surface, but it's something else again to actually be in Prabhupada's presence"—to be in his presence as much in separation as when you were in his physical association. "So that was a turning point for me, to realize that Prabhupada was going to leave this planet: 'He is an old man, and he is going to leave, and I have to prepare.' " She understood that from that moment she had to start mentally preparing.

"So that is that story of hearing," she continued. "Prabhupada said, 'I am speaking because you want to hear so much. I am speaking as much because you want to hear so much.' So he knew that hunger. I never expressed that to him, but he knew."As Yamuna often said, Srila Prabhupada was completely aware of every disciple in every way, both their internal consciousness and the external manifestations of their service.
Vani and vapuh became a major theme in Yamuna-devi's life—how to maintain one's connection with Srila Prabhupada through vani to the same degree and with the same intensity as in his presence—his close physical presence. She was convinced that it was possible, and she arranged her life in such a way as to always receive his guidance and mercy—to always be in his association.

At about 6:30 in the morning on December 20, Yamuna's constant companion and spiritual confidante, Dinatarini dasi, found that she had left. Her hand was in her bead bag, and a slight smile was on her face. She looked completely at peace—even blissful. She had not been afraid of death. She had been confident that she would again be with Prabhupada, or somehow engaged in serving his mission. Such is the destination that awaits anyone who gives his or her life fully to serving Srila Prabhupada.

Yamuna-devi was a beautiful person—a divine servant of Srila Prabhupada, his mission, and his Lords. She exemplified nama-ruci (taste for the holy name), jiva-daya (mercy for the living entities), and vaisnava-seva (service to the devotees). She was a mentor, guide, and friend to many, including me. We will miss her personal presence. Still, we shall try to serve her in separation by upholding the ideals.




Faith in Krishna Consciousness

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 03:54 AM PST


Bhagavad Gita 9.3

asraddadhanah purusah
dharmasyasya parantapa
aprapya mam nivartante
mrtyu-samsara vartmani


TRANSLATION
Those who are not faithful in this devotional service cannot attain Me, O conqueror of enemies. Therefore they return to the path of birth and death in this material world.

PURPORT
The faithless cannot accomplish this process of devotional service; that is the purport of this verse. Faith is created by association with devotees. Unfortunate people, even after hearing all the evidence of Vedic literature from great personalities, still have no faith in God. They are hesitant and cannot stay fixed in the devotional service of the Lord. Thus faith is a most important factor for progress in Krishna consciousness. In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is said that faith is the complete conviction that simply by serving the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, one can achieve all perfection. That is called real faith. As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.31.14

yatha taror mula nisecanena
trpyanti tat-skhanda bhujopasakah
pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam
tathaiva sarvarhanam acyute ja

"By giving water to the root of a tree one satisfies its branches, twigs and leaves, and by supplying food to the stomach one satisfies all the senses of the body. Similarly, by engaging in the transcendental service of the Supreme Lord one automatically satisfies all the demigods and all other living entities." Therefore, after reading Bhagavad-gītā one should promptly come to the conclusion of Bhagavad-gītā: one should give up all other engagements and adopt the service of the Supreme Lord, Krsna.

Now, the development of that faith is the process of Krsna consciousness. There are three divisions of Krsna conscious men. In the third class are those who have no faith. Even if they are officially engaged in devotional service, they cannot achieve the highest perfectional stage. Most probably they will slip, after some time. They may become engaged, but because they haven't complete conviction and faith, it is very difficult for them to continue in Krsna consciousness. We have practical experience in discharging our missionary activity that some people come and apply themselves to Krsna consciousness with some hidden motive, and as soon as they are economically a little well situated they give up this process and take to their old ways again. It is only by faith that one can advance in Krsna consciousness. As far as the development of faith is concerned, one who is well versed in the literatures of devotional service and has attained the stage of firm faith is called a first-class person in Krsna consciousness. And in the second class are those who are not very advanced in understanding the devotional scriptures but who automatically have firm faith that Krsna-bhakti, or service to Krsna, is the best course and so in good faith have taken it up. Thus they are superior to the third class, who have neither perfect knowledge of the scriptures nor good faith but by association and simplicity are trying to follow. The third-class person in Krsna consciousness may fall down, but when one is in the second class he does not fall down, and for the first-class person in Krsna consciousness there is no chance of falling down. One in the first class will surely make progress and achieve the result at the end. As far as the third-class person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is concerned, although he has faith in the conviction that devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is very good, he has not yet gained adequate knowledge of Kṛṣnạ through the scriptures like Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā.

Those who have no faith even after hearing about Kṛṣṇa and the excellence of devotional service, who think that it is simply eulogy, find the path very difficult, even if they are supposedly engaged in devotional service. For them there is very little hope of gaining perfection. Thus faith is very important in the discharge of devotional service.

Two Classes of Beings

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 03:39 AM PST

dvav imau purusau loke
ksaras caksara eva ca
ksarah sarvani bhutani
kuto-stah 'ksara ucyate

Bhagavad Gita 15.16:

There are two classes of beings, the fallible and the infallible. In the material world every living entity is fallible, and in the spiritual world every living entity is called infallible.

PURPORT by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

As already explained, the Lord in His incarnation as Vyāsadeva compiled the Vedānta-sūtra. Here the Lord is giving, in summary, the contents of the Vedānta-sūtra. He says that the living entities, who are innumerable, can be divided into two classes — the fallible and the infallible. The living entities are eternally separated parts and parcels of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When they are in contact with the material world they are called jīva-bhūta, and the Sanskrit words given here, kṣaraḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni, mean that they are fallible. Those who are in oneness with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, however, are called infallible. Oneness does not mean that they have no individuality, but that there is no disunity. They are all agreeable to the purpose of the creation. Of course, in the spiritual world there is no such thing as creation, but since the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as stated in the Vedānta-sūtra, is the source of all emanations, that conception is explained.

According to the statement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, there are two classes of living entities. The Vedas give evidence of this, so there is no doubt about it. The living entities who are struggling in this world with the mind and five senses have their material bodies, which are changing. As long as a living entity is conditioned, his body changes due to contact with matter; matter is changing, so the living entity appears to be changing. But in the spiritual world the body is not made of matter; therefore there is no change. In the material world the living entity undergoes six changes — birth, growth, duration, reproduction, then dwindling and vanishing. These are the changes of the material body. But in the spiritual world the body does not change; there is no old age, there is no birth, there is no death. There all exists in oneness. Kṣaraḥ sarvāṇi bhūtāni: any living entity who has come in contact with matter, beginning from the first created being, Brahmā, down to a small ant, is changing its body; therefore they are all fallible. In the spiritual world, however, they are always liberated in oneness.

--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com


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in the form of time He devours also [BG.13.19]

Bhagavad-gita As It Is | Part [BG.13.19]
 
 
TEXT 17:
 
avibhaktam ca bhuteshu
vibhaktam iva ca sthitam
bhuta-bhartri ca taj jneyam
grasishnu prabhavishnu ca
 
 
 
TRANSLATION:
 
Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, He is never divided. He is situated as one. Although He is the maintainer of every living entity, it is to be understood that He devours and develops all.
 
 
 
PURPORT:
 
The Lord is situated in everyone's heart as the Supersoul. Does this mean that He has become divided? No. Actually, He is one. The example is given of the sun: The sun, at the meridian, is situated in its place. But if one goes for five thousand miles in all directions and asks, "Where is the sun?" everyone will say that it is shining on his head. In the Vedic literature this example is given to show that although He is undivided, He is situated as if divided. Also it is said in Vedic literature that one Vishnu is present everywhere by His omnipotence, just as the sun appears in many places to many persons. And the Supreme Lord, although the maintainer of every living entity, devours everything at the time of annihilation. This was confirmed in the Eleventh Chapter when the Lord said that He had come to devour all the warriors assembled at Kurukshetra. He also mentioned that in the form of time He devours also. He is the annihilator, the killer of all. When there is creation, He develops all from their original state, and at the time of annihilation He devours them. The Vedic hymns confirm the fact that He is the origin of all living entities and the rest of all. After creation, everything rests in His omnipotence, and after annihilation everything again returns to rest in Him. These are the confirmations of Vedic hymns. Yato va imani bhutani jayante yena jatani jivanti yat prayanty abhisam-visanti tad brahma tad vijijnasasva (Taittiriya Upanishad 3.1).
 
 
Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
 
--
Yours
Dinesh
 

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Stages of Development of Bhakti - GLORIOUS KRISHNA

Stages of Development of Bhakti

Posted: 26 Dec 2011 12:14 PM PST



Rupa Goswami, a direct disciple of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, traces the development of Bhakti, pure love for Krishna, in this way:
Practice
  • One begins with a preliminary interest in spiritual advancement and a conviction that material pursuits will never yield true happiness or perfection.
  • One then associates with persons advanced in Bhakti.
  • In the next stage one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master, under whose instruction one begins to practice devotional service.
  • By executing devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free of all material attachments and all habits that impede one's spiritual progress.
  • Thus, with realized knowledge, one attains unshakeable faith and steadiness.
  • And one acquires an insatiable thirst for hearing about and serving the Supreme Person, Sri Krishna.
Maturation
  • Gradually emotions for God intensify to the point of spiritual ecstasy.
Perfection
  • Finally one awakens pure love for Krishna, which enables one to see Him face to face, to speak with Him, and to live and enjoy with Him eternally.

Why does Krishna allow suffering?

Posted: 26 Dec 2011 12:22 PM PST


If Krishna really loves us, why does He let us suffer in the material world? Why does He allow us to come here at all?


Love entails freedom of choice. Krishna wants us souls to love Him—we exist for that purpose—but He doesn't force us to love Him. When, out of our own free will, we choose to love Him, He allows Himself to be controlled by our love.
Our freedom to choose has consequences. If we choose to rebel against our nature, by refusing to love Krishna, our innate love gets directed toward temporary relationships and pursuits in this world. We embark on a quest to fill the void created by the loss of our loving relationship with Krishna. But the temporary things of this world can never satisfy our eternal spiritual longings.
In human life we must understand the inevitable suffering we bring upon ourselves by our misdirected love, lifetime after lifetime. Now we can freely choose to remedy the situation. We can take to the powerful spiritual practices of Bhakti yoga, which can awaken our original love for Krishna, give us full satisfaction, and deliver us back into His ever-inviting company.

Krishna can be Realized by a Repentant Heart

Posted: 26 Dec 2011 12:35 AM PST


Srimad Bhagavatam 3.31.13

yas tv atra baddha iva karmabhir āvṛtātmā
bhūtendriyāśayamayīm avalambya māyām

I, the pure soul, appearing now bound by my activities, am lying in the womb of my mother by the arrangement of maya.

PURPORT
As stated in the previous verse, the jiva soul says, "I take shelter of the Supreme Lord." Therefore, constitutionally, the jiva soul is the subordinate servitor of the Supreme Soul, the Personality of Godhead. Both the Supreme Soul and the jiva soul are sitting in the same body, as confirmed in the Upaniṣads. They are sitting as friends, but one is suffering, and the other is aloof from suffering.

In this verse it is said,
viśuddham avikāram akhaṇḍa-bodham: the Supersoul is always sitting apart from all contamination. The living entity is contaminated and suffering because he has a material body, but that does not mean that because the Lord is also with him, He also has a I material body. He is avikaram, changeless. He is always the same Supreme, but unfortunately the Mayavadi philosophers, because of their impure hearts, cannot understand that the Supreme Soul, the Supersoul, is different from the individual soul. It is said here: He is in the heart of every living entity, but He can be realized only by a soul who is repentant. The individual soul becomes repentant that he forgot his constitutional position, wanted to become one with the Supreme Soul and tried his best to lord it over material nature. He has been baffled, and therefore he is repentant. At that time, Supersoul, or the relationship between the Supersoul and the individual soul, is realized.

As it is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, after many, many births the knowledge comes to the conditioned soul that Vasudeva is great, He is master, and He is Lord. The individual soul is the servant, and therefore he surrenders unto Him. At that time he becomes a mahatma, a great soul. Therefore, a fortunate living being who comes to this understanding, even within the womb of his mother, has his liberation assured.
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him who is also here with me but who is unaffected and changeless. He is unlimited, but He is perceived in the repentant heart. To Him I offer my respectful obeisances.

Darshan from Sri Vrindavan Dhaam - 26.12.2011

Posted: 26 Dec 2011 12:13 AM PST



--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:
http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com


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