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[Vaishnava Family Resources] Summer Newsletter 2012



Summer 2012 Newsletter

Loving Vaisnava Exchanges

Differences can be aying, we have all experienced it. Differences of opinion, differences in taste,
differences in mannerism, differences in needs......
"If only the whole world would be like me things would go so much smoother, right?"
"What, you think the whole world should be like you?"
"Houston, we have a problem!"
In every type of relationship, and especially marriages, differences can be a challenge.
How often have we heard the term, "irreconcilable differences" and seen the sad result which follow. There is a vast amount of marital research which shows many of these irreconcilable differences can be reconciled through mutual understanding and respect. One of these differences is how we accept and receive loving affection.
In the pastimes of Lord Caitanya we can observe how the mellows of affection are manifest in incredibly different ways. Jagadananda Pandit's love was manifest as a desire to give the Lord gifts to aid the Lord's comfort. This was so important to Jadananda that he locked himself up and fasted for days when the Lord Caitanya did not accept his offering of sandal wood oil. Damodara has such a strong desire to serve the Lord by protecting him from criticism that he would even chastise the Lord out of transcendental love. As minute parts of the Supreme Whole we also have very unique and individual ways of reciprocating love with Krsna and His devotees.
In this article we would like to examine how we can understand, respect and honor the affectionate propensities of our spouses and ourselves. By learning to understand our own heart and affectionately touch each other hearts we will one day be able to touch the heart of Krsna.
Do the following short quiz to find out what your language of love is. Have your partner do it also, so you will know what their's is.

Click here for the Languages of Love and Appreciation Quiz

Loving exchanges Between Vaisnavas at the home of Partha and Uttama, GVT members

Loving Exchanges between Vaisnavas

Srila Prabhupada describes how the living entity is only happy when they have someone to love. We understand from scripture what types of services Krsna wants from us. Read through the short descriptions of the 5 broad categores below and find ways to offer vaisnava loving exchanges to your spouse, children and friends according to the type of exchange that would be most pleasing to them.
Love Language #1: Words of Affirmation: Compliments, words of encouragement, and "requests rather than demands" all affirm the self-worth of your spouse.
  • Finish this sentence regarding your spouse, and then say these things to him/her: "I love and appreciate you because ________________________________________________________________________."
Love Language #2 Quality Time: Spending quality time together through sharing, listening, and participating in joint meaningful activities communicates that we truly care for and enjoy being with each other. (Sharing confidences are two of Srila Rupa Goswami's Six Loving Exchanges.) When was the last time you gave your spouse your undivided attention?
  • Think of two ways you could share quality time with your spouse in the next few days…with chores and tasks on standby, the cell phone off, knife and fork down, etc.
1. ___________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________
Love Language #3 Receiving Gifts: Giving and receiving gifts are two of Srila Rupa Goswami's Six Loving Exchanges.Gifts are visual symbols of love, whether they are items you purchased or made, or are merely your own presence make available to your spouse. Gifts demonstrate that you care, and they represent the value of the relationship.
  • Work up a list of appreciated gifts you have given your spouse in the past. Beyond that, seek more input from others who know his/her tastes. Now decide to give one token of love, however small, in line with those preferences each week for the next month.
Love Language #4 Acts of Service: Criticism of your spouse's failure to do things for you may be an indication that "acts of service" is your primary love language. Acts of service should never be coerced but should be freely given and received, and completed as requested.
  • Pick four tasks that you wish your spouse would do for you. Be ready to receive the same, and work out adjustments that are based on mutual love rather than coercion or a legalistic swap. Keep practical schedules in mind.
1. ________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________
3. __________________________________________ 4. ________________________________________
Love Language #5: Physical Touch: Physical touch, as a love language, it is a powerful form of communication even from the smallest touch on the shoulder. Physical touch can make or break a relationship. It can communicate hate or love. A tender hug communicates love to any child, but it shouts love to the child whose primary love language is physical touch. The same is true of adults. Consider how attitudes and paradigms from ISKCON, your family and the outside world have affected your attitudes about touch and affection.
We all like most of these exchanges, but there will be one, that if it is missing from our lives, we will not feel that our spouse or parents really love us. We are all different and just because we may really feel appreciated when someone gives us a small gift, another may not; they may be need words of appreciation. You may treat all your children the same but may find that one child thinks you don't love them as much as the others. It may be that you are not speaking their particular love language often enough, while you may be speaking those of your other children. Finding out which love language to use can go along way to making others feel loved and appreciated.

Dear Grhastha Coach

At what point in a relationship do you know that you are ready to get married? I really want to know because I am trying to consider marriage now.
Krsna's servant

Dear Krsna's Servant,

When you have the blessings of your elders (guru, parents, etc.) and when you are ready to be responsible, then as Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur has stated, "marriage is a good institution for a vaisnava." The grhastha asrama is a very good place for spiritual growth. It is best if you work on yourself -first-- to be the husband of the kind of spouse you want. Don't be like the man who wants his wife to be like Sitadevi when he is not ready to be like Rama. Understand that marriage -- spiritual, conscious marriage means being a better servant.
This is a very important point. Prepare yourself mentally by taking care to be steady and regular in your chanting and your sadhana, devotional practices. Are you as regulated as you would like? Do you read Srila Prabhupada's books daily? Do you make a sincere effort to keep yourself in good association?
Prepare yourself physically by ensuring that you have some employment or are acquiring some education to be able to have the resources to take care of a family. Read the story of Kardama Muni and Devahuti in the Srimad Bhagwatam and read some other good books about marriage and family and about healthy communication. Finally, consult with elders you trust in your community about their experiences.
And, there should be preparation for the couple beforehand in addition to your personal preparation. If at all possible, have a mature, healthy couple, a mentor couple, work with you and the Vaisnavi to prepare you with good communication skills, help you look realistically at the responsibility of married life, help you establish goals, talk about being parents and what particular desires you have in this regard and other relevant relationship topics including intimacy and finance.
You and the young lady should be compatible and if possible, you can have a Vaisnava astrologer do a compatibility chart. I do not see astrology as the absolute authority, though so be very prayerful and use reasonable sense in interpreting the results. Srila Prabhupada has suggested that around 26 years of age is a good age for men and from 16 onward is a good age for girls.
A man who is serious about his spiritual growth and connection with Krsna should honestly see himself as an instrument to care for one of Krsna's precious parts and parcels. Likewise, a woman should consider herself the same. In a healthy spiritual marriage, we get what we want-- some enjoyment and a companion and a caring friend who will help us develop in spiritual life-- And Krsna gets what he wants -- a blessed arena for raising children and a couple who will support spiritual life wherever they are. (This support comes from them giving in charity and being good examples.)
The Grhastha Vision Team (GVT) is about to publish a book "Heart and Soul Connection: A Devotional Guide to Marriage, Service and Love." When this book comes out, we will let you know because you will want to get a copy. Please see our website at www.vaisnavafamilyresources.org for some very helpful articles on this topic.
I hope this introduction helps as you consider your readiness for marriage.
Your Grhastha Coach
Facebook
Twitter

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

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


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Sri Radha Govinda Brooklyn, New York


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Today's Dinner


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Lust, Greed and Anger are the three enemies that leads us to Hell. Every sane man should avoid these things for the good of self and those around.



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


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Trust in the plans of God

>
> Me: God, can I ask You a question?
> God: Sure
> Me: Promise You won't get mad
> ... ... ... God: I promise
> Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today
> God: What do u mean?
> Me: Well, I woke up late
> God: Yes
> Me: My car took forever to start
> God: Okay
> Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait
> God: Huummm
> Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call
> God: All right
> Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet
> in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right
> today! Why did You do that?
> God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to
> send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through
> that
> Me (humbled): OH
> GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your
> route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
> Me: (ashamed)
> God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want
> you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
> Me (embarrassed):Okay
> God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to
> give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you
> talk to them so you would be covered.
> Me (softly): I see God
> God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to put out
> all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in
> the dark.
> Me: I'm Sorry God
> God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things, the Good &
> the Bad.
> Me: I will TRUST You.
> God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your
> plan.
> Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything
> today.
> God: You're welcome child.
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Anger-in-Love...Love-in-Anger





 While a man was polishing his new car, his 6 yr old son picked up a stone
and
scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child's
hand
and hit it many times; not realizing he was using a wrench. At the hospital,
the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures. When the child saw
his father.....with painful eyes he asked, 'Dad when will my fingers grow
back?' The man was so hurt and speechless; he went back to his car and
kicked
it a lot of times. Devastated by his own actions.......sitting in front of
that
car he looked at the scratches; the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.The
next
day that man committed suicide.  Anger and Love have no limits; choose the
latter to have a beautiful, lovely life..... Things are to be used and
people
are to be loved. But the problem in today's world is that, People are used
and
things are loved.... In this year, let's be careful to keep this thought in
mind: Things are to be used, but
People are to be loved.  Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your
words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch
your
habits they become character; Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
I'm glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder. God bless you. If you
don't pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; if you do, you will
have ministered to someone.
__._,_.___



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Atlanta temple and the city


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Atlast South Indian Idlies after long time, yesterday


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The highest personality in this material universe is no more significant than an ant for a devotee [BG.18.35]



From: "Krishna.com Ebook Club" <ebookclub@krishna.com>
Date: July 20, 2012 5:00:40 AM EDT
To: <dineshkrishna108@gmail.com>
Subject: Bhagavad-gita As It Is | Part [BG.18.35]

 

Bhagavad-gita As It Is | July 20, 2012

Part [BG.18.35]

 

TEXT 54:

brahma-bhutah prasannatma

na socati na kankshati

samah sarveshu bhuteshu

mad-bhaktim labhate param

 

TRANSLATION:

One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.

 

PURPORT:

To the impersonalist, achieving the brahma-bhuta stage, becoming one with the Absolute, is the last word. But for the personalist, or pure devotee, one has to go still further, to become engaged in pure devotional service. This means that one who is engaged in pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord is already in a state of liberation, called brahma-bhuta, oneness with the Absolute. Without being one with the Supreme, the Absolute, one cannot render service unto Him. In the absolute conception, there is no difference between the served and the servitor; yet the distinction is there, in a higher spiritual sense.

 

In the material concept of life, when one works for sense gratification, there is misery, but in the absolute world, when one is engaged in pure devotional service, there is no misery. The devotee in Krishna consciousness has nothing for which to lament or desire. Since God is full, a living entity who is engaged in God's service, in Krishna consciousness, becomes also full in himself. He is just like a river cleansed of all dirty water. Because a pure devotee has no thought other than Krishna, he is naturally always joyful. He does not lament for any material loss or aspire for gain, because he is full in the service of the Lord. He has no desire for material enjoyment, because he knows that every living entity is a fragmental part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and therefore eternally a servant. He does not see, in the material world, someone as higher and someone as lower; higher and lower positions are ephemeral, and a devotee has nothing to do with ephemeral appearances or disappearances. For him stone and gold are of equal value. This is the brahma-bhuta stage, and this stage is attained very easily by the pure devotee. In that stage of existence, the idea of becoming one with the Supreme Brahman and annihilating one's individuality becomes hellish, the idea of attaining the heavenly kingdom becomes phantasmagoria, and the senses are like serpents' teeth that are broken. As there is no fear of a serpent with broken teeth, there is no fear from the senses when they are automatically controlled. The world is miserable for the materially infected person, but for a devotee the entire world is as good as Vaikuntha, or the spiritual sky. The highest personality in this material universe is no more significant than an ant for a devotee. Such a stage can be achieved by the mercy of Lord Caitanya, who preached pure devotional service in this age. 

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Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

 

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One can achieve the highest perfectional stage simply by being engaged in his occupational duty, performing that duty for the Supreme Personality of Godhead [BG.18.33]

Bhagavad-gita As It Is | July 18, 2012
Part [BG.18.33]

TEXT 50:
siddhim prapto yatha brahma
tathapnoti nibodha me
samasenaiva kaunteya
nishtha jnanasya ya para

TRANSLATION:
O son of Kunti, learn from Me how one who has achieved this perfection
can attain to the supreme perfectional stage, Brahman, the stage
of highest knowledge, by acting in the way I shall now summarize.

PURPORT:
The Lord describes for Arjuna how one can achieve the highest
perfectional stage simply by being engaged in his occupational duty,
performing that duty for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
One attains the supreme stage of Brahman simply by renouncing the
result of his work for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.
That is the process of self-realization. The actual perfection
of knowledge is in attaining pure Krishna consciousness;
that is described in the following verses.

Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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Challenges are beautiful opportunities in disguise

From The Secret Daily Teachings

The fastest way to become the Master of your thoughts and emotions is through challenging situations. If your life is going along fairly smoothly, there are not the same opportunities that enable you to strengthen your power and become the Master of your thoughts and emotions.

You see, even challenges are beautiful opportunities in disguise.
 
May the joy be with you,


Rhonda Byrne
The Secret... bringing joy to billions


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Sri Radha GovindaHari, Sri Radha Muralidhara , naam, New York city










Harinaam in union square New York










Srila Prabhupada in Bhakti center



Sri Radha Muralidhara




Yours
Dinesh

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Man or woman body in this world not necessarily require the spiritual form to be of same gender in spiritual world.

For instance we see that great acharyas who had the body of men here are female servants of Srimati Radharani or the Gopis. Also souls in the body of women may not necessarily be of female spiritual form in the spiritual world, they can be even Gopa Kumaras or the cowherd boy friends of Krishna.


Gender makes no difference in the absolute sense but the relationship with the Lord differs when it comes to the spiritual world.

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


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Either girl or boy devotees may deliver lecture if they choose to do. We have no such distinction of bodily designations, male or female

Please continue your devotional service, cooking, etc., and you can also keep giving Bhägavatam class if you like. Women in our movement can also preach very nicely. Actually, male and female bodies, these are just outward designations. Lord Chaitanya said that whether one is brahmin or whatever he may be, if he knows the science of Krishna then he is to be accepted as guru. So those who give class should read and study regularly and study the purport and realize. They should not add anything or concoct anything. Then they can preach very nicely. The qualification for leading class is how much one understands about Krishna and has surrendered to the process, not whether one is male or female. (Letter to Malati Dasi. 25 December 1974.)

I am especially proud of how my householder disciples are preaching Lord Chaitanya's mission. This is a new thing in the history of the saìkértana movement. In India, all the äcäryas and their descendants acted only from the man's side. Their wives were at home because that is the system from old times. But in Bhagavad-gétä we find that women are also equally competent like men in the matter of the Krishna Consciousness movement. Please therefore carry on these missionary activities and prove it by practical example that there is no bar for anyone in the matter of preaching work for Krishna consciousness. (Letter to Himavati. 20 December 1969.)

Lecture is also kértana, so just like a morning kértana is there, similarly morning lectures can also be delivered. In New York, or even San Francisco, when I was present I too was giving lectures in the morning. So as far as girls or boys lecturing in the morning, that doesn't make any difference. Either girl or boy devotees may deliver lecture if they choose to do. We have no such distinction of bodily designations, male or female. Krishna consciousness is on the spiritual platform. As such, anyone who is a devotee of the Lord, following in this line of disciplic succession, can deliver a lecture on the teachings of Bhagavad-géta, Çrémad Bhägavatam, etc. (Letter to Syama Dasi. 21 October 1968.)

Regarding lecturing by women devotees, I have informed you that in the service of the Lord there is no distinction of caste, creed, color, or sex. In the Bhagavad-gétä, the Lord especially mentions that even a woman who has taken seriously is also destined to reach him. We require a person who is well-versed in the knowledge of Krishna, which is the only qualification for speaking. Materially, a woman may be less intelligent than a man, but spiritually everyone is pure soul. On the absolute plane there is no gradation of higher and lower. If a woman can lecture nicely and to the point, we should hear carefully. That is our philosophy. But if a man can speak better than a woman, the man should be given first preference. A sincere soul should be given proper chance to speak, because we want so many preachers, both men and women. (Letter to Jaya Govinda. 8 February 1968.)



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


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It is better to perform work of our nature faultily than to accept another's occupation and doing it perfectly [BG.18.30]


This even applies to services a devotee is capable of performing under the directions of an appropriate senior devotee guiding him/her. HH.Jayadvaita swami quotes that Srila Prabhupada was very expert in understanding the nature of a person and his capabilities.

For instance, Srila Prabhupada would be very strict and hard in his dealings with HH.Tamal Krishna gosvami Maharaja while he was very gentle and not hard with HG.Srura Kirti Prabhu because by his nature, he was a very soft person.


Actually if our words are helping the devotees to make progress then we are actually serving him or her. So it should be very carefully dealt because by simply pushing a person whose nature is not to perform one type of service (that we want him or her to do)we end up in making him frustrated and heart broken and even to the extent of making the person leaving the movement.


Yours
Dinesh

Bhagavad Gita As It Is

TEXT 47:
sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah
para-dharmat sv-anushthitat
svabhava-niyatam karma
kurvan napnoti kilbisham



TRANSLATION
It is better to engage in one's own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions.

PURPORT:

One's occupational duty is prescribed in Bhagavad-gita. As already discussed in previous verses, the duties of a brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya and sudra are prescribed according to their particular modes of nature. One should not imitate another's duty. A man who is by nature attracted to the kind of work done by sudras should not artificially claim to be a brahmana, although he may have been born into a brahmana family. In this way one should work according to his own nature; no work is abominable, if performed in the service of the Supreme Lord. The occupational duty of a brahmana is certainly in the mode of goodness, but if a person is not by nature in the mode of goodness, he should not imitate the occupational duty of a brahmana. For a kshatriya, or administrator, there are so many abominable things; a kshatriya has to be violent to kill his enemies, and sometimes a kshatriya has to tell lies for the sake of diplomacy. Such violence and duplicity accompany political affairs, but a kshatriya is not supposed to give up his occupational duty and try to perform the duties of a brahmana.


One should act to satisfy the Supreme Lord. For example, Arjuna was a kshatriya. He was hesitating to fight the other party. But if such fighting is performed for the sake of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there need be no fear of degradation. In the business field also, sometimes a merchant has to tell so many lies to make a profit. If he does not do so, there can be no profit. Sometimes a merchant says, "Oh, my dear customer, for you I am making no profit," but one should know that without profit the merchant cannot exist. Therefore it should be taken as a simple lie if a merchant says that he is not making a profit. But the merchant should not think that because he is engaged in an occupation in which the telling of lies is compulsory, he should give up his profession and pursue the profession of a brahmana. That is not recommended. Whether one is a kshatriya, a vaisya, or a sudra doesn't matter, if he serves, by his work, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even brahmanas, who perform different types of sacrifice, sometimes must kill animals because sometimes animals are sacrificed in such ceremonies. Similarly, if a kshatriya engaged in his own occupation kills an enemy, there is no sin incurred. In the Third Chapter these matters have been clearly and elaborately explained; every man should work for the purpose of Yajna, or for Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anything done for personal sense gratification is a cause of bondage. The conclusion is that everyone should be engaged according to the particular mode of nature he has acquired, and he should decide to work only to serve the supreme cause of the Supreme Lord.

Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
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The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success.

If we somehow become dear to the dearest devotees of Krishna, it's very easy to get the mercy of the Lord. Thats why even momentary association of a pure devotee is also precious. One time an unqualified person was let go inside vaikuntha because he was accompanied by Narada muni.

CC Madhya 22.54, Translation:

"The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that by even a moment's association with a pure devotee, one can attain all success."


CC Madhya 22.85, Translation:

"'O devotees! O you who are free from all sins! Let me inquire from you about that which is supremely auspicious for all living entities. Association with a pure devotee for even half a moment in this material world is the greatest treasure for human society.'"


Translation : By association with pure devotees the inquisitive, the distressed, the seeker after material amelioration and the man in knowledge all become themselves pure.
BG 7.17, Purport:

By searching after knowledge one realizes that his self is different from his material body, and when further advanced he comes to the knowledge of impersonal Brahman and Paramātmā. When one is fully purified, he realizes that his constitutional position is to be the eternal servant of God. So by association with pure devotees the inquisitive, the distressed, the seeker after material amelioration and the man in knowledge all become themselves pure. But in the preparatory stage, the man who is in full knowledge of the Supreme Lord and is at the same time executing devotional service is very dear to the Lord. He who is situated in pure knowledge of the transcendence of the Supreme Personality of God is so protected in devotional service that material contamination cannot touch him.


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


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Humbly Begging for Their Mercy

Humbly Begging for Their Mercy

From the small crowds we generated during our first spontaneous festivals along the Polish beaches during the early 1990's,  750,000 people now attend our well-organized festivals each summer. This summer our goal is to attract over one million guests. Such a feat is only possible by the causeless mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His dear most servant, Srila Prabhupada. We humbly beg their mercy.

"It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win."

[ John Paul Jones, Commander, United States Navy, 1776 ]


The early days: a festival on the beach, 1993.



Yours
Dinesh

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A Festival in Poland to Satisfy the Lord

A Festival in Poland to Satisfy the Lord

"An intelligent person does not take interest in a place, even in the topmost planetary system, if the pure Ganges of topics concerning the Supreme Lord's activities does not flow there, if there are not devotees engaged in service on the banks of such a river of piety, or if there are no festivals of sankirtan yajna to satisfy the Lord."

[ Srimad Bhagvatam, 5.19.24 ]


Our festival program on the Baltic Sea, Poland


Yours
Dinesh

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No work is abominable, if performed in the service of the Supreme Lord - [BG.18.30]

TEXT 47:

sreyan sva-dharmo vigunah

para-dharmat sv-anushthitat

svabhava-niyatam karma

kurvan napnoti kilbisham

 

TRANSLATION:

It is better to engage in one's own occupation, even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions.

 

PURPORT:

One's occupational duty is prescribed in Bhagavad-gita. As already discussed in previous verses, the duties of a brahmana, kshatriya, vaisya and sudra are prescribed according to their particular modes of nature. One should not imitate another's duty. A man who is by nature attracted to the kind of work done by sudras should not artificially claim to be a brahmana, although he may have been born into a brahmana family. In this way one should work according to his own nature; no work is abominable, if performed in the service of the Supreme Lord. The occupational duty of a brahmana is certainly in the mode of goodness, but if a person is not by nature in the mode of goodness, he should not imitate the occupational duty of a brahmana. For a kshatriya, or administrator, there are so many abominable things; a kshatriya has to be violent to kill his enemies, and sometimes a kshatriya has to tell lies for the sake of diplomacy. Such violence and duplicity accompany political affairs, but a kshatriya is not supposed to give up his occupational duty and try to perform the duties of a brahmana.

 

One should act to satisfy the Supreme Lord. For example, Arjuna was a kshatriya. He was hesitating to fight the other party. But if such fighting is performed for the sake of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there need be no fear of degradation. In the business field also, sometimes a merchant has to tell so many lies to make a profit. If he does not do so, there can be no profit. Sometimes a merchant says, "Oh, my dear customer, for you I am making no profit," but one should know that without profit the merchant cannot exist. Therefore it should be taken as a simple lie if a merchant says that he is not making a profit. But the merchant should not think that because he is engaged in an occupation in which the telling of lies is compulsory, he should give up his profession and pursue the profession of a brahmana. That is not recommended. Whether one is a kshatriya, a vaisya, or a sudra doesn't matter, if he serves, by his work, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Even brahmanas, who perform different types of sacrifice, sometimes must kill animals because sometimes animals are sacrificed in such ceremonies. Similarly, if a kshatriya engaged in his own occupation kills an enemy, there is no sin incurred. In the Third Chapter these matters have been clearly and elaborately explained; every man should work for the purpose of Yajna, or for Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anything done for personal sense gratification is a cause of bondage. The conclusion is that everyone should be engaged according to the particular mode of nature he has acquired, and he should decide to work only to serve the supreme cause of the Supreme Lord.


Translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com


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We should try to be like the bees that go after the honey instead of the flies that go after stool.

Srila Prabhupada said we should try to be like the bees that go after the honey instead of the flies that go after stool. Mutual respect and appreciation is one of the core principles for successful families. Without mutual appreciation, it is not possible to develop more intimate, healthy relationships.

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


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Relationships are Everything

Relationships are Everything

The Importance of EQ
Some complain about getting along with others who cause them many problems—ah, if they
could only be alone they could experiencesome peace and quite—but really we are all relational creatures as is all existence,
conscious or inert if we really study the universe:


Solar Eclipse
Everything has
its component parts
from solar systems and planets
to the elements composing them
earth, water, fire, air, space
living things, celestial bodies
cells, DNA, atoms, molecules
mountains, streams, valleys
plains, deserts, oceans
all having meaning
by comparison
and relationship to.
atom
Whatever we see
or experience is
in relationship
to something else
as nothing stands alone
though all is one in Krishna
he manifests form and variety
and we cannot, not be
in correspondence to
another part,
even a speck.
Our spouse knows how to push our buttons
To master oneself
or our life
we must master
relationships
seeing them as life's
building blocks
the key to happiness
and fulfillment
as mirrors
to help us
look at ourself.
Pure children
We are interdependent,
independence is illusion
from any angle of vision
whether atomic or universal
the ultimate truth being
we are part of Krishna
who is the center
of our center
life of our life
soul of our souls
the glue which
causes things to
relate to things,
parts to parts
people to people.
Our potential to help one another
True lasting happiness
is playing the part
we were designed
to play
in loving service
to our Source
and more intimately,
the Lord of our hearts.
Photobucket
Our principle forms
of God, Radha-Krishna
Gaura-Nitai
who are never alone
always surrounded
by loving servants
friends, parents, lovers—
every type of relationship
finds its rest in them.
Our pure nature
Now we have to practice
relating to other
people and devotees
whether a spouse, child
friend, boss, guru,
teacher, student,
antagonist, all for
relationship practice
to be loving, kind
compassionate
choosing to find
the good, not seeing
the blemishes as who
they—or we— really are.
Can't escape
Can't escape others by false renunciation since we must learn how to get along with all types of
"others" from the lowest mean selfish conditioning to the great souls—all can be our teachers
with the potential to help uncover our sleeping soul or show us what we need to be purified from
learning that without relationships we can't exist whether in this world or the next.


Gopa Kumara Returns to Krishna


source : http://vaisnavafamilyresources.org/blog/relationships-are-everything
--
Yours
Dinesh
Blog:http://dinesh-krsna.blogspot.com


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