Monthly Archives: January 2013

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Preaching truth-by Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisidd​hanta maharaj

January 21, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Hare Krsna Prabhus
Obeisances
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
We just received this today from Sri Krsna Kathamrta Bindu,  a fortnightly journal–
It is instructions by both Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta  Maharaj
about preaching the truth—however unpalatable it may be….
interesting points they both make-one can see why Prabhupada told us  that
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj was called the simha (lion)  guru  !!
damaghosa das
——————
Pleasing Krishna Practically His Divine Grace A.  C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Regarding your questions, your first question was: Should a  devotee always speak the truth to everyone in all circumstances? The answer  is yes. One should always speak the truth. But a qualified devotee  will be able to speak the truth very palatably to everyone so that it will  sound pleasing even to his enemy. That is the art of speaking the truth.  We must speak the truth to all people, but how you say it is another  thing, satyaà bruyät, priyaà bruyät. When you become a little more  experienced in Krishna consciousness by preaching, and if you are sincere and  serious to make progress in spiritual understanding, you need not have to  worry yourself further, because the truth will always be spoken by you in the  proper manner. Krishna will give you that intelligence; you need not be  concerned for it. Simply try to please him always by your sincere service and  chanting. That’s all. Of course, for doing business with businessmen you  have to lie. Just like Krishna himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,  sometimes he also had to also fabricate something in emergency situations.  Although he promised not to interfere in the battle of Kurukshetra, he was  forced to break his promise just to save his pure devotee. So there is no  prohibition that one shall never tell lie, because for business of carrying  our propaganda work sometimes it may be necessary to lie.  Krishna consciousness means practical living, not something utopian or  idealistic and vague. We simply do the needful, whatever pleases Krishna  most. That’s all. Gradually you will understand what it  means to please Krishna and what it means to displease Krishna. That  you will learn by studying our books and by yourself engaging in practical  devotional service. In material dealings there is always something  undesirable, but even so, you cannot give up your occupation. Just like fire  is very pure, but still there is some smoke. You cannot avoid it. All  these things can be rectified when the result is offered to Krishna.  Otherwise, even though you may do very honest business, it has no utility  whatsoever. — Letter to Yajneshwar, 2 January 1972. ·

Comments Off on Preaching truth-by Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisidd​hanta maharaj

by Nityananda Rama dasa

A Rebuttal of the GBC’s False Doctrine

January 20, 2013 in Articles, Narasimha Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

A few years ago, while in Spain, I was handing out The Hare Krishna Society’s booklet, Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta (SPS), to a few senior devotees who are old friends of mine. This 64‐page booklet points to the fact that in 1977, a few weeks before His disappearance, Srila Prabhupada ordained ritvik priests to initiate new devotees on His behalf. He did this specifically in response to the question: “How will initiations be conducted in the future, particularly at a time when you are no longer with us.” In response to all such questions, He reaffirmed the same ritvik system of initiations that had been functioning in ISKCON for several years prior to 1977.

Recorded conversations cited in SPS show that Srila Prabhupada ordered senior devotees to conduct the formalities of initiation on His behalf, and He made an adjustment to allow this system to continue without His physical presence. Several conversations and letters cited in SPS illustrate how Srila Prabhupada reaffirmed the ritvik system for initiations in ISKCON repeatedly after issuing His official July 9th, 1977 directive, which He wanted sent to all ISKCON leaders and temples. He never mentioned or alluded to another system, such as one wherein the GBC would ordain diksa‐gurus by electing immature preachers. The concocted GBC system for initiations, which ignores Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta on guru‐tattva, has produced scandal, confusion, chaos, divisions, and heartache for thousands of devotees, while degrading the reputation of ISKCON worldwide. Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on A Rebuttal of the GBC’s False Doctrine

by Nityananda Rama dasa

8 proofs that Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee of the Lord

January 18, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below we have 8 proofs that Srila  Prabhupada is a pure devotee of the Lord. So many pretenders and cheaters today falsely  claim the status of a bona fide spiritual master, but if they do not have these  qualifications then they cannot be considered pure devotees of the Lord and  therefore not qualified to initiate anyone into the transcendental science of  bhakti yoga, or devotional service.

“UNLESS ONE IS UNDER THE  SHELTER OF A REALIZED SPIRITUAL MASTER, HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPREME  IS SIMPLY FOOLISHNESS.”   Teachings of Lord Caitanya  (TLC).

“When a devotee is  perfectly qualified in chanting the Transcendental vibration of the Holy  Names, he is quite fit to become  Spiritual Master  and  deliver all the people of the world.” (TLC)

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

———————-

Prabhupada is a pure  devotee

1.) Guest (3): So, Srila Prabhupada,  have you realized God? Srila Prabhupada: What do you think?  What is your opinion? Guest (3): I can’t say. Srila  Prabhupada: Then if I say, “yes,” then what you will understand? If you  are not yourself expert, then even if I say, “Yes, I am God realized,” how you  will take it as truth? If you do not know what is God realization, then how you  can ask this question and how you will be satisfied by the answer? You do not  know. Guest (3): Well, what is God realization? Srila  Prabhupada: Then… Then you were asking, “Are you God realized?” If I say,  “Yes,” then how you’ll believe it? You do not know what is God realization. Then  why do you put this question? You do not know yourself. If I say, “Yes,” how  you’ll understand that I am right? Therefore you should not put all these  questions. It has no value. You do not know yourself what is God  realization. Now, just like a medical man, if he asks another man, medical man,  so if he says, “Yes,” then medical man will understand him by technical terms  whether he is medical man. So unless one is medical man, what is the use of  asking another man, “Are you medical man?” Unless you are prepared to take  the answer whatever I give. Are you prepared?  Guest (3):  Yes.  Srila Prabhupada: Then it is all right. I am. I am  seeing God every moment. So unless we are prepared to take the answer, we  should not put ourself…

—————————————————————————————————-

2.) In the Caitanya Mangala by Locana  das Thakur, pg 48,translated by Subhag swami, Lord Gauranga states-“Even if  the sinners reject religion or flee to foreign countries, still they will get  the mercy. I will send mor senapati bhakta to go there and deliver  them.  [Mor means My; senapati means a military field commander, and bhakta  means a devotee. So Lord Caitanya will empower His own devotee to spread Krsna  Consciousness around the world.]

This was a prediction  of the appearance of Srila Prabhupada and his worldwide preaching activities  where he would travel the world over, open 108 temples, and initiate millions  into the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord. How could this person be  anything less than a Maha Bhagavat, empowered pure devotee of Lord  Gauranga?

——————————————————————————————————–

3.) Wednesday,  March 6, 1968       Freeport,  Grand Bahama Island Letter to Andrea Temple
“Yes, whoever  you tell the chant to, it is effective. You have heard it from me and my  disciples, similarly I have heard it from my Guru Maharaja, and so on, and  on. Because you have heard it from a pure devotee of the Lord,  therefore it is transmitted from you to another. Just as an aerial  message, is transmitted from one place to another, similarly, this Guru  parampara system is working. My disciples are my agents, my  representatives, so by hearing it from them, you are receiving it from  me. And because you are a sincere soul, those who are hearing  the Mantra from you are receiving it in disciplic succession, from Lord Caitanya  and from Lord  Krishna.” ——————————————————————————-

4.)  Saturday, December 16, 1967  

San Francisco, Calif.
When I left your country on the 22nd of  July, I had very little hope to come back again. But Krishna informed me that  I’m not going to die immediately; therefore, I have come back again to get  inspiration of Krishna Consciousness from you all good souls. Although  officially I am your Spiritual Master, I consider you all students as my  Spiritual Master because your love for Krishna and service for Krishna teach me  how to become a sincere Krishna Conscious person.

———————————————————————

5.) Yes the spiritual master is also  present in his picture, though more importantly he is present  in his teachings. I think this is explained in one letter that has already  been distributed.

Thank you very much for assisting me in this  way. Hope this finds you in good health.

Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta  Swami

ABCS/bmdg Sukadeva das Adhikary, Seattle  ISKCON

Calcutta 29 January  1973

6.) 70-06-21.Tam              Letter: Tamala Krsna            

   So far I am concerned, I cannot  say what I was in my previous life,  but one great astrologer calculated that I was previously  a physician and my life was  sinless. Besides that, to corroborate the statement of Bhagavad-gita “sucinam srimatam gehe yogabhrasta  samyayate” which means an unfinished  yogi takes birth in rich family or born of a suci or pious father. By the grace of Krsna I got these two  opportunities in the present life to  be born of a pious father and brought up in one of the richest, aristocratic families of Calcutta  (Kasinath Mullick). The Radha  Krsna Deity in this family called me to meet Him, and therefore last time when I was in Calcutta, I stayed in  that temple along with my American  disciples. Although I had immense opportunities to indulge in the four principles of sinful life because  I was connected with a very  aristocratic family, Krsna always saved me, and throughout my whole life I do not know what is illicit  sex,intoxication, meat-eating  or gambling. So far my present life is concerned, I do not remember any part of my life  when I was forgetful of Krsna.

—————————————————————————–  Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on 8 proofs that Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee of the Lord

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: II

January 16, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

Its been a while, but here is the last part of SB classes   Vol 7 summarized

 

Some points of interest…

1.the senses belong to Krsna but everyone uses them for  his own purposes

2.chant Omkara go to bramajyoti, chant Hare Krsna go to  spiritual world

3.our miserable conditions caused by our thinking I am  the enjoyer, proprietor

4.when you see a flower, that is Krsna smiling

5.why do people drive so many hours to work-sex  desire

6.woman has 3 stages in life, a man has got 10  stages

7.when we chant and dance Hare Krsna, we forget we are  these bodies

8.out of thousands of muktas, its difficult to find one  Krsna bhakta

9.how to become detached from all this hard working?  Sadhu sanga

10. and much more….

 

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

—————–

 

750105SB.BOM                    Lectures                  

   So  the Aniruddha, He is the master of the senses, as it is  stated

here, hrsikanam adhisvaram, adhisvaram, master,  proprietor. So the

common sense is that if my hand is the property of Krsna,  why it

should be used for me? It should be used for Krsna. This  is good

sense. Suppose something belongs to somebody else. If you  use it for

your purpose, that is illegal, not lawful. This is my  watch. If you

take away this watch and use for your purpose, then it  is criminal.

You cannot say the watch is being used either by him or  by… It is

being used, that’s all. No. You cannot use it. You can  use it only by

the permission of the proprietor. Without permission of  the

proprietor, if you use it, then you are criminal or you  are sinful.

Similarly, we have got all the senses. The senses are  meant for

working. The eyes are meant for seeing, the ears are  meant for

hearing, the nose is meant for smelling, the hand is  meant for

touching, the leg is meant for going, the stomach is  meant for

eating–so many, we have got, different senses. They are  meant for

different purpose. But if the purpose is for your sense  gratification,

then you are criminal because you are not proprietor.  This is to

understand bhakti. If you do not use all the senses for  Krsna’s

purpose, then it is criminal. That is called  papa. Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: II

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: I

January 16, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

Glories to Srila Prabhupada

 

What follows is our continuing reading and summarizing   some of the nectar contained with Prabhupadas SB classes.. It is an  11   Volume set and we are not starting Vol 8

 

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

——————-

 

SB classes Vol 7–part one of   two–

below are a few tidbits of nectar…..

 

1. Highest standard of material achievement is   brahminical life-but that is still

an infected state

2.Nigama kalpa taru-the Vedas are desire trees of   wisdom

3.If you go to Krsnaloka and bring some touchstone-then   touch it to the Tata

factory ,turn all his iron to gold

4.Without Adhoksaja Krsna, material life is   purposeless-life after life

5.Mayavadis say its all one-the lila of  Brahman-   so a pig eating stool, is Gods lila !

6.Iccha dvesha-desire and hate-these two things   perpetually keep us in samsara

7.Gauda desa and Dravida desa-origin of Gaudiya   sampradaya explained

8. So whole world is nirvisesa-sunyavadi. Some of them are   advocates of zero. There are

many big, big philosophers writing on zero. They   believe in zero, but

they write volumes of books. Why you are wasting time   writing volumes

of books on zero? After all, if you are going to be   zero, remain zero.

So zero means disgust.  Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: I

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Devotees think-“we are all liberated”​-SP says- “liberated for going to hell”

January 14, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Every Hare Krsna devotee is aware of the guru tattva debate now going on,  in and outside of iskcon.
Here are some direct statements by Srila Prabhupada where HE explains, and  not us, what and who
is actually a liberated soul and therefore FIT for becoming a spiritual  master. I would like to think that
most reasonable devotees would accept that Srila Prabhupada is a liberated  soul and therefore himself
qualified to tell us all, who amongst us, if any, if also a liberated soul.  And if one is not a liberated soul, then
he is not qualified to liberate any others, what to speak of becoming a  spiritual master.
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
—————————
770422r3.bom  Tamala Krsna: Well, I have studied myself and all  of your disciples, and it’s clear fact that we are all conditioned  souls, so we cannot be guru. Maybe one day it may be  possible… Prabhupada: Hm. Tamala Krsna: …but not  now. Prabhupada: Yes. I shall choose some guru. I shall say, “Now  you become acarya. You become authorized.” I am waiting  for that. You become all acarya. I retire  completely. But the training must  be complete.
SB 4.20.16  Lord Visnu was very pleased with Maharaja Prthu’s good  character and behavior and offered him a benediction. The Lord openly says  that performing great sacrifices or undergoing the austerities of  mystic yoga practice cannot satisfy Him. He is pleased only by  elevated character and behavior. But these cannot develop unless one becomes  a pure devotee of the Lord. Anyone who has developed  unalloyed, unflinching devotional service unto the Lord develops his  original good qualities as spirit soul. The spirit soul, as part and parcel  of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has all the good qualities of  the Lord. When the spirit soul is contaminated by the material modes  of nature, one is considered good or bad with reference to the  material qualities. But when one is transcendental to all material  qualities, all the good qualities come out. These qualities of a  devotee, twenty-six in number, are listed as follows: (1) kind to everyone,  (2) does not quarrel with anyone, (this  one alone eliminates about 99.9% of all of us)
(3) fixed in the Absolute Truth, (4)equal to everyone, (5) faultless, (6)  charitable, (7) mild, (8) clean, (9) simple, (10) benevolent, (11) peaceful,  (12) completely attached to Krsna, (13) has no material hankering, (14) meek,  (15) steady, (16) self-controlled, (17) does not eat more than required, (18)  sane, (19) respectful, (20) humble, (21) grave, (22) compassionate,
(23)friendly, (24) poetic, (25) expert, (26) silent. The Lord is  satisfied by development of the transcendental qualities of the living  entity and not by artificial performance of sacrifices and mystic yoga.  In other words, unless one is fully qualified to become a pure devotee  of the Lord, one cannot expect to be liberated from  material entanglement.
740412BG.BOM    Knowledge should be taken from the perfect  person. Because if you take knowledge from a person who is defective, your  knowledge has no value. You must take knowledge from the perfect.
69-06-10.Mukunda– The answer to your Istagosthi questions are as follows: Unless one is a resident of Krishna Loka, one cannot be a Spiritual  Master. That is the first proposition. A layman cannot be a  Spiritual Master, and if he becomes so then he will simply create  disturbance. And who is a liberated person? One who  knows Krishna. It is stated in BG, fourth chapter, anyone who  knows Krishna in truth is immediately liberated, and after quitting the  present body, he immediately goes to Krishna. That means he becomes a  resident of Krishna Loka. As soon as one is liberated he is immediately a  resident of Krishna Loka, and anyone who knows the truth of Krishna can  become Spiritual Master. That is the version of Lord Caitanya. So to  summarize the whole thing, it is to be understood that a bonafide  Spiritual Master is a resident of Krishna Loka.    Your next  question, whether the Spiritual Master was formerly a conditioned soul,  actually a bonafide Spiritual Master is never a conditioned soul. There  are three kinds of liberated persons. They are called 1) sadhan siddha, 2)  kripa siddha, and 3) nitya siddha. Sadhan siddha means one who has attained  perfection by executing the regulative principles of devotional service.  Kripa siddha means one who has attained perfection by the special mercy of  Krishna and the
Spiritual Master, and nitya siddha means one who was never contaminated.  The symptoms of nitya siddha is that from the beginning of his life he is  attached to Krishna, and he is never tired of rendering service to Krishna.  So we have to know what is what by these symptoms. But when one is actually  on the siddha platform there is no such distinction as to who is sadhan,  kripa, or nitya siddha. When one is siddha, there is no distinction what is  what. Just like when the river water glides down to the Atlantic Ocean nobody  can distinguish which portion was the Hudson River or some other river.  Neither is there any necessity to make any such distinction. Actually,  every living entity is eternally uncontaminated, although he may be in  the material touch. This is the version of the Vedas. Asanga  ayam purusha–the living entity is uncontaminated. Just like when there  is a drop of oil in water you can immediately distinguish the oil from the  water, and the water never mixes with the oil. Similarly, a living entity,  although in material contact, is always distinct from  the matter.    You are correct when you say that when the  Spiritual Master speaks it should be taken that Krishna is speaking. That is  a fact. A Spiritual Master must be liberated. It does not matter if he has  come
from Krishna Loka or he is liberated from here. But he must  be liberated. The science of how one is liberated is explained above,  but when one is liberated, there is no need of distinction whether he  has come directly from Krishna Loka or from the material world. But in  the broader sense everyone comes from Krishna Loka. When one  forgets Krishna he is conditioned, when one remembers Krishna he is  liberated. I hope this will clear up these points. I hope this will meet you  in good health.
Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

“UNLESS ONE IS UNDER  THE SHELTER OF A REALIZED SPIRITUAL MASTER, HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPREME IS  SIMPLY FOOLISHNESS.”   TLC.

When a devotee is  perfectly qualified in chanting the Transcendental vibration of the Holy Names,  he is quite fit to become  SM and deliver all the people of  the world. (TLC)

751009BG.DUR–Lectures– “The Supreme Personality…” Bhagavan means He does  not cheat you. Others, they  will give you instruction and cheat you, because anyone who is not liberated, he has got four defects of his life: he commits mistake, he is illusioned, he cheats  and his senses are imperfect. This is called conditioned soul, everyone..

Prabhupada: No, why? Krsna book  must be there, in the book must be there. Acyutananda: But  in public… Prabhupada: But you should go gradually. You  should go gradually. You first of all understand Krsna, then krsna-lila. If you  have not understood Krsna, then you’ll think Krsna’s rasa-lila is just like we  mix with young women. And that becomes as polluted. Because they do not  understand Krsna. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye yatatam api  siddhanam. Krsna understanding so easy? If you do not understand Krsna how  can you go to the Krsna’s confidential  activities? Acyutananda: Some of the devotees, they said  that it is for liberated souls. So they said, “Well, we are all liberated.” Prabhupada: Yes. Liberated for  going to hell . Devotee: In your Krsna book, Srila Prabhupada,  you’ve given such clear explanations along with the stories of Krsna that it’s  very difficult to misinterpret, because you use such clear  explanation. Prabhupada: No, you read all the books first of  all. Then you’ll be able to understand. [Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation,  August 16, 1976, Bombay]

**newrule

Comments Off on Devotees think-“we are all liberated”​-SP says- “liberated for going to hell”

by Nityananda Rama dasa

“Be patient and return home. Dont be a crazy fellow”–C​.C.

January 11, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

“Better to be a sincere street sweeper, than a charlatan  meditator”-SP
Madhya 16.237
“Be patient and return home. Don’t  be a crazy fellow. By and by you will be able to cross the ocean of material  existence.
                                PURPORT
   As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.58):
                    samasrita ye  pada-pallava-plavam
mahat-padam  punya-yaso-murareh
bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param  padam
padam padam yad vipadam na tesam
   This material world is just like a big ocean. It begins  with Brahmaloka and extends to Patalaloka, and there are many planets,  or islands, in this ocean. Not knowing about devotional service,  the living entity wanders about this ocean, just as a man tries to swim  to reach the shore. Our struggle for existence is similar to  this. Everyone is trying to get out of the ocean of material existence. One cannot immediately reach the coast, but if one endeavors, he can  cross the ocean by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. One may be very eager  to
cross this ocean, but he cannot attain success by acting like  a madman. He must swim over the ocean very patiently and  intelligently under the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or  His representative. Then, one day, he will reach the shore and  return home, back to Godhead.
Madhya 16.238
“You should not make yourself a  showbottle devotee and become a false renunciant. For the time being, enjoy  the material world in a befitting way and do not become attached to  it.”
                                PURPORT
  The word markata-vairagya, indicating false renunciation,  is very important in this verse. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura,  in commenting on this word, points out that monkeys make an external  show of renunciation by not accepting clothing and by living naked in  the forest. In this way they consider themselves renunciants, but  actually they are very busy enjoying sense gratification with dozens of  female monkeys. Such renunciation is called markata-vairagye-the  renunciation of a monkey. One cannot be really renounced until one  actually becomes disgusted with material activity and sees it as a stumbling  block to spiritual advancement. Renunciation should not be phalgu,  temporary, but should exist throughout one’s life. Temporary  renunciation, or monkey renunciation, is like the renunciation one feels at a  cremation ground. When a man takes a dead body to the crematorium,  he sometimes thinks, “This is the final end of the body. Why am I working so  hard
day and night?” Such sentiments naturally arise in the mind of any  man who goes to a crematorial ghata. However, as soon as he returns  from the cremation grounds, he again engages in material activity for  sense enjoyment. This is called smasana-vairagya, or  markata-vairagya.    In order to render service to the Lord,  one may accept necessary things. If one lives in this way, he may  actually become renounced. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.108),  it is said:
                        yavata syat  sva-nirvahah
svikuryat tavad  arthavit
adhikye nyunatayam  ca
cyavate paramarthatah
   “The bare necessities of life must be accepted,  but one should not superfluously increase his necessities. Nor  should they be unnecessarily decreased. One should simply accept what is  necessary to help one advance spiritually.”    In his  Durgama-sangamani, Sri Jiva Gosvami comments that the word sva-nirvahah  actually means sva-sva-bhakti-nirvahah. The experienced devotee will  accept only those material things that will help him
render service to the Lord. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu  (1.2.256), markata-vairagya, or phalgu-vairagya, is explained as  follows:
                         prapancikataya  buddhya
hari-sambandhi-vastunah
mumuksubhih  parityago
vairagyam phalgu kathyate
   “Whatever is favorable for the rendering of service to the  Lord should be accepted and should not be rejected as a material  thing.” Yukta-vairagya, or befitting renunciation, is thus explained:
                          anasaktasya  visayan
yatharham  upayunjatah
nirbandhah  krsna-sambandhe
yuktam vairagyam ucyate
   “Things should be accepted for the Lord’s service and not for  one’s personal sense gratification. If one accepts something  without attachment and accepts it because it is related to Krsna,  one’s
renunciation is called yukta-vairagya.” Since Krsna is the  Absolute Truth, whatever is accepted for His service is also the  Absolute Truth.    The word markata-vairagya is used by Sri  Caitanya Mahaprabhu to indicate so-called Vaisnavas who dress themselves in  loincloths trying to imitate Srila Rupa Gosvami. Such people carry a  beadbag and chant, but at heart they are always thinking about getting women  and money. Unknown to others, these markata-vairagis maintain women  but externally present themselves as renunciants. Sri Caitanya  Mahaprabhu was very much opposed to these markata-vairagis, or  pseudo-Vaisnavas.
**newrule

Comments Off on “Be patient and return home. Dont be a crazy fellow”–C​.C.

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Become qualified brahmanas-SP

January 9, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
Glories to Prabhupada
Below we have some sections of a lecture given by Srila Prabhupada where he  explains the position of
a qualified brahmana in this world and how dear such a person is to  the Lord.
Such a person is not interested in increasing his bank balance, or niche in  society, but has learned
the art of living with the bare necessities of life and then spends the  balance of his time in bhajan to the Lord. He makes his material  life practically zero by accepting only the actual things necessary  for his life
to continue without pandering to his minds or senses demands.
He also warns his disciples with brahmana threads to acquire the symptoms  of
a brahmana and not just make a show of it.  Dont become  puffed up thinking now I have
this thread and all my business is now finished. No. We have to become  qualified brahmanas.
And the result of this? He becomes peaceful
Hari bol
Damaghosa das
————————–
761110SB.VRN                    Lectures                 Pradyumna: “O respectful brahmanas, as far as I am concerned, no one is equal or  superior to the brahmanas in this world. I do not find anyone comparable to  them. When people know My motive, after performing rituals according to the  Vedic principles they offer food to Me with faith and love through the mouth  of a brahmana. When food is thus offered unto Me, I eat it with full  satisfaction. Indeed, I derive more pleasure from food offered in that way  than from the food offered in the sacrificial fire.”
Krsna is first of all interested to see whether in the society  the brahmana and the cow is properly respected. Namo  brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. His first business is to see that  the brahmana and cow is being properly honored. Then  jagad-dhitaya. Then automatically the whole world will be  peaceful. This secret of success they do not  know. Nobody is prepared to become brahmana, and so far cow protection is  concerned, it is in the oblivion. This is the whole world position.  Therefore it is in chaotic condition. It must be, because  this is animal society. When these two things are neglected, it is animal  society, and then other animal qualities and paraphernalia  follow….
Unless we control the base qualities, namely the modes of  ignorance and passion, you cannot be happy. It is not possible.  Tato rajas-tamo-bhavah. Rajas tamo-bhavah means kama and lobha. So long  I have lusty desire and so long I have greediness to acquire more  and more and more, to enjoy senses more and more That is greediness. One should be satisfied, the minimum  possible.    Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca samanyam  etat pasubhir naranam. Ahara means eating. Ahara, nidra, sleeping, and  fearing, and sense enjoyment. These are required, but not for increasing  but decreasing. Just like when a person is diseased he should not eat as  he likes. Because he is diseased, doctor prescribes that “You take little  barley water or glucose, no solid food, if you want to be cured.”  Similarly, these things are necessity so long this body is  there. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna. But this should be decreased,  not increased. That is human civilization, not to increase. Just like  the Gosvamis in Vrndavana. They did not come here to  increase ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna. No. They came here to  decrease. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. That is wanted. This is  Vrndavana-vasi, not that to live in Vrndavana and increase this
   Unfortunately the present civilization, they are not meant  for decreasing. They are simply increasing. The Western civlization  means increasing the means of sense gratification, “machine,  machine, machine, machine.” So, and the brahminical culture means samo  damo titiksa. Titiksa means without something I may suffer. Suffer. So  one should be practiced to suffer. Suffer, that is tapasya.  Tapasa brahmacaryena. Tapasya begins from celibacy. We are practiced to  sex life or sense gratification. Tapasya means first of all stop  this. Tapasa brahmacaryena. This is practice.    So  to become fit for going back to home, back to Godhead, it is not so easy. It  is not so easily… We have to make our material life almost zero. Not almost  zero–practically zero. Anyabhilasita-sunyam. That is wanted,  practice.
That is called greediness. The Vedic civilization teaches that  “Be satisfied with the minimum necessities of life. Don’t  increase unnecessary necessities of life, and then you have to work for it  very hard like hogs and dogs.” That’s all. Then you have to work  very… Modern world, they have increased their unnecessary necessities  of life, and therefore you’ll find how hard working. In European  and American cities we have seen how people are working very  hard, beginning from morning at five o’clock till four o’clock next  night, for sense gratification. So this is not civilization. This  is condemned civilization. Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan  kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye. This is not civilization. This is  animal civilization, working so hard day and night for eating. That is  the business of the hogs and dogs. You will find the hogs and dog,  they are loitering on the street whole day and night: “Where is food?  Where is sex?” That is not civilization. They must be peaceful  brahmana. Of course, not that everyone can be elevated to the position of  a brahmana, but at least they must have the chance to see that “Here is a  class of men, brahmana.” That is wanted. Otherwise the civilization is  failure.
Prabhupada: Rukmini. He (she) took immediately the camara. He  (she) said, “My husband is respecting.” But he was dressed very poorly,  lean and thin. Brahmana, because they refuse unnecessary necessities  of life, sometimes they look very poor, poverty-stricken. They are  not poverty-stricken. They are the richest. Mahatmanas tu mam  partha daivim prakrtim sritah, bhajanty ananya-manaso. Those who are  engaged in bhajana never think of their poverty. No. They are not  poor. Otherwise, if Sudama Vipra, externally he looked very poor, lean  and thin, not very nice cloth… Krsna is: “My dear friend, sit  down here.” He brought water, washed the feet, just respectable  person, guru, brahmana. This is etiquette. Krsna is showing personally. He  is the king. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He also respects  a brahmana. When Narada used to come to Krsna, immediately He would  get down from the seat and offer obeisances, and Narada was smiling,  “Just see Krsna’s lila.”
So laksanam must be, laksanam, the symptom, what is  brahmanas’ symptoms. So my request to you, the Europeans and American  boys, you have been initiated as brahmana but you must practice the  laksana. Otherwise, if you think, puffed up, that “Now I have got the  sacred thread. My business is finished. I can do whatever I like,” no.  That is not. Laksanam. Laksanam means symptoms. That you must  observe, laksanam. Yasya hi yad laksanam proktam. Then nobody can  check you. You will be very much dear of  Krsna. Namo brahmanya-devaya go brahmana-hitaya ca. If you  keep yourself in the platform of a true brahmana as you are expected… It is  not difficult. We have selected the four principles: no illicit sex, no  meat-eating, no intoxication, and no gambling. That’s all. If you keep to  these practices, then you remain. And if you chant, then above brahmana, you  become Vaisnava. Manmana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Qualify yourself as a brahmana. Qualify yourself as a Vaisnava.  Then your position is guaranteed. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah  pranasyati. Sure. Guranteed.
    So when Krsna takes care of you, He…, attention is  on you. Then who can…? Maya’s… There is no strength of maya to touch  you. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Maya may be there.  Police may be there. Police is there, so what business I have got  with the police if I am honest? If I am properly observing the rules and  regulation of the government, what business police has got to touch me? Maya is there. Maya must be there. Maya… (aside:) Don’t  stop… Maya is there, but it does not mean maya can touch you if you are  actually surrendered to Krsna. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te.  So here it is (aside:) Sitting there. So Krsna personally will take care.  And to come to the brahmana stage, this is also Everything is described.  Everything is prescribed. If you have to follow again and again We can come  to the brahmana stage by a simple method, as we are practicing, that  nityam bhagavata. Nasta-prayesu abhadresu nityam  bhagavata-sevaya. Bhagavata-sevaya. The book Bhagavata and the person  bhagavata. Person bhagavata, the guru, is the symbolic representation of  person bhagavata, whose life is bhagavata and book Bhagavata. So you have  to serve two bhagavata, nityam bhagavata…..
RSCN3094_1
RSCN3095_2
**newrule

Comments Off on Become qualified brahmanas-SP

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Reply to Rocana Dasa on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH the Guru and Ritvik Issue

January 9, 2013 in Articles, Mahesh Raja by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

This is a REPLY to Rocana Prabhu on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH Guru AND Ritvik Issue:
77-07-09.All Letter: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book.”
Amar Puri Prabhu wrote to Rocana Prabhu and Rocana Prabhu Replies: “So who gave you permission, Amar Puri, to decide that the system will be changed upon his departure so that names get sent to someone else? Or not sent? Or whatever?” — Rocana
Mahesh: Srila Prabhupada had ALREADY given instruction of HOW he wanted the prospective disciples ACCEPTED. The system was ALREADY in place. Besides this, use of LITTLE COMMON-SENSE is neccesary WHAT sort of person can REPRESENT Srila Prabhupada. If REPRESENTATIVE OF ACARYA falls down he CAN be REPLACED:
Note: OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE is the Ritvik Representative as per July 9th 1977 Order Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse Similarly, a disciple’s qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple. IN OUR KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT, THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT ONE MUST BE PREPARED TO GIVE UP THE FOUR PILLARS OF SINFUL LIFE-ILLICIT SEX, MEAT-EATING, INTOXICATION AND GAMBLING. IN WESTERN COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY, WE FIRST OBSERVE WHETHER A POTENTIAL DISCIPLE IS PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES. THEN HE IS GIVEN THE NAME OF A VAISNAVA SERVANT AND INITIATED TO CHANT THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA, AT LEAST SIXTEEN ROUNDS DAILY. In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. HE IS THEN RECOMMENDED FOR A SECOND INITIATION, DURING WHICH A SACRED THREAD IS OFFERED AND THE DISCIPLE IS ACCEPTED AS A BONA FIDE BRAHMANA.
770528me.vrn Conversations Tamala Krsna: Of course, IF SOMEONE HAS A FALLDOWN, just like in the past some GBC men have fallen down… Prabhupada: HE SHOULD BE REPLACED. Tamala Krsna: Then he should be replaced. But that’s a serious falldown, not some minor discrepancy. Prabhupada: THEY MUST BE ALL IDEAL ACARYA-LIKE. IN THE BEGINNING WE HAVE DONE FOR WORKING. Now we should be very cautious. ANYONE WHO IS DEVIATING, HE CAN BE REPLACED.
One can replace a Representative of Acarya if he deviates BUT one can NOT replace DIKSA Guru because he MUST be a Mahabhagavata OTHERWISE he is NOT DIKSA GURU. It is 3rd offense in chanting to accept any other than a Mahabhagavata:
NoD 8 Offenses to Be Avoided The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows: (3) TO DISOBEY THE ORDERS OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER.
Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse MAHA-BHAGAVATA-srestho brahmano vai gurur nrnam sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih maha-kula-prasuto ‘pi sarva-yajnesu diksitah sahasra-sakhadhyayi ca na guruh syad avaisnavah
((The guru MUST be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru MUST be accepted from the topmost class. The first-class devotee is the spiritual master for all kinds of people. ….When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. ONLY SUCH A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO OCCUPY THE POST OF A GURU.))
Rocana Dasa in his “Church of Rtvik”: NOI 5
“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari. A neophyte Vaisnava or a Vaisnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.” (NOI5)
“Nectar of Instruction, Text 5
If one reads the above Purport, which contains the statement used by the HKS to support their position, it is clear that Srila Prabhupada is suggesting that a guru should ideally be an uttama-adhikari. We have to keep in mind, however, the fact that Srila Prabhupada is Himself an uttama-adhikari and a Sampradaya Acarya. At the time Nectar of Instruction was published, the reader had a choice to take initiation directly from Srila Prabhupada. But Srila Prabhupada also clearly says in this quote that there are gurus in all three categories: kanistha, madhyama, and uttama-adhikari. He does not state that he is referring here to diksa gurus rather than siksa gurus. He does state that the problem with having a guru that is not uttama-adhikari is that the initiated can’t advance beyond the level of their guru’s realization. Consequently, he cautions that the disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as their guru. He does not say, however, that gurus in the other two categories are bogus, or are not part of the sampradaya, or are just pretending to be gurus but are actually not gurus. Clearly, the Hare Krishna Society would like you believe that he is saying these things. While it is absolutely true that there is no Sampradaya Acarya who has ever fallen down, and that certain things disqualify a diksa guru, they cannot make the case that Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must never accept a kanistha or madhyama as diksa guru. ”
Mahesh: we will just take a segment of his ERRONEOUS understanding of the DIKSA Guru AND PROVE HIM COMPELETELY WRONG THAT KANISTHA AND MADHYAMA ARE **NOT** DIKSA GURU as he SPECULATES:
Rocana Dasa: “While it is absolutely true that there is no Sampradaya Acarya who has ever fallen down, and that certain things disqualify a diksa guru, they cannot make the case that Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must never accept a kanistha or madhyama as diksa guru. ”
Mahesh:
NOI 5
“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari. A neophyte Vaisnava or a Vaisnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.” (NOI5)
Some devotees are taking this above quote to mean that Kanistha can give Diksa. This is NOT what Srila Prabhupada says. There is NO mention of Diksa by kanistha. What it exactly says is about accepting DISCIPLES. Then suggests very strongly 2 points:
1)”..they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.”
2)“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari.
The question is can a Kanistha give DIKSA from this quote? The answer is NO!
So how can we establish that Kanistha does NOT give diksa? Kanistha is a QUALIFIED Brahmana. But even such a QUALIFIED Brahmana is in MATERIAL CONTAMINATION. And because he has MATERIAL CONTAMINATION he does NOT have Transcendental Knowledge. What you do NOT have you can NOT give. And it is Transcendental Knowledge that frees one from ALL MATERIAL CONTAMINATION.

Comments Off on Reply to Rocana Dasa on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH the Guru and Ritvik Issue

by Nityananda Rama dasa

More proof for self sufficienc​y-SP

January 8, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

740619rc.germany                 Conversations                Prabhupada: My idea is that all our centers should be  self-supported. We do not like that idea that for your support  you have to go 100 miles to get your bread. That is a very  dangerous drawback. You produce your food locally and then support  yourself. The main problem is what to eat, where to sleep. So we get some  place and support ourself by producing our own food. We have already begun in  New Vrindaban, New…, West Virginia, Virginia, and similarly in  other centers, we are producing our food, grains, vegetables, fruits and milk. That is sufficient. …..
As the times  all over this world , get even more tough to make a  “living” and one has to
undergo so much austerity-just to– get to “work”, and then actually  work
at a place one really doesn’t like, these instructions by Srila Prabhupada  are starting
to sound more and more attractive to one so much harassed by modern  day
so called “living”.
Hare Krsna,
Damaghosa das-go ahead shoot the messenger, see if I care…
RSCN3116
RSCN3757
**newrule

Comments Off on More proof for self sufficienc​y-SP

by Nityananda Rama dasa

How Krsna eats food –thru the mouths– of His brahmanas

January 8, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

SB 5.5.21-22   Lord Rsabhadeva’ s Teachings to His Sons
   1)   Of the two energies manifest [spirit  and dull matter], beings possessing living force [vegetables, grass, trees  and plants] are superior to dull matter [stone, earth, etc.]. Superior to nonmoving plants and vegetables are worms and snakes, which can move. Superior to worms and snakes are animals that have developed  intelligence. Superior to animals are human beings, and superior to human  beings are ghosts because they have no material bodies. Superior to  ghosts are the Gandharvas, and superior to them are the Siddhas. Superior to the Siddhas are the Kinnaras, and superior to them are the  asuras. Superior to the asuras are the demigods, and of the demigods,  Indra, the King of heaven, is supreme. Superior to Indra are the direct  sons of Lord Brahma, sons like King Daksa, and supreme among Brahma’s  sons is Lord Siva. Since Lord Siva is the son of Lord Brahma, Brahma  is considered superior, but Brahma is also subordinate to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because I am inclined to the brahmanas,  the brahmanas are best of all.
2) SB 5.5.23      O respectful brahmanas, as  far as I am concerned, no one is equal or superior to the brahmanas in this  world. I do not find anyone comparable to them. When people know My  motive after performing rituals according to the Vedic principles, they  offer food to Me with faith and love through the mouth of a  brahmana. When food is thus offered unto Me, I eat it with full  satisfaction. Indeed, I derive more pleasure from food offered in that way  than from the food offered in the sacrificial fire.
3) SB 3.16.8  … The conclusion is that if one can feed a  brahmana or Vaisnava, it is better than performing hundreds of  thousands of sacrifices. In this age, therefore, it is recommended  that harer nama–chanting the holy name of God–and pleasing the  Vaisnava are the only means to elevate oneself to spiritual  life.
Conclusion- So if Krsna is so much pleased by eating thru the mouths of His  brahmanas,
then why would we offer to the brahmanas anything less  than the very best of  foodstuffs?
How can you satisfy a brahmana– with bad food?
Food which has been sprayed with chemicals, herbicides and pesticides is  toxic, everyone knows.
These foods cause damage to ones bodily organs, everyone knows.
So now with the introduction of genetically modified food organisms, this  new
so called frankensteinfood is also well known to be causing immense  damage to body organs.
We are trying to get the word out so that everyone knows this as well.
Its the New Year, time for some good change !! Let us only offer to  Krsna
and His devotees and brahmanas– ONLY the best of  foodstuffs  !!!
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
 **newrule

Comments Off on How Krsna eats food –thru the mouths– of His brahmanas

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Here’s some good- new years resolution​s–SP

January 1, 2013 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

**newrule

Sadhana  Bhakti warnings from our Acarya-

 

NBS 13  P                  Narada-bhakti-sutra                 If a diseased person is being cured of the symptoms of his  disease but does not care for the principles of healthy  living, there is every possibility of a  relapse. Similarly, the neophyte devotee serious about advancing  in devotional service must carefully follow the principles of regulative  devotional service; otherwise there is every possibility of his falling down.  Strictly speaking, if a devotee ignores the regulative principles and acts  according to his whims–if, for example, he does not eat krsna-prasadam  but eats anywhere and everywhere, such as in restaurants–there is every  possibility of his falling down. If he accumulates money without spending  it for devotional service, there is every possibility of his falling  down. If he applies his energy not in the service of the Lord but in  some material activity, there is every possibility of his falling down.  If the devotee does not engage himself always in hearing and chanting  the topics of Krsna and His activities but instead indulges in idle  talk, there is every chance of his falling down. If a neophyte devotee  does not follow the orders of the spiritual master and simply  officially sticks to the principles, or if he does not strictly follow  the principles, there is every possibility of his falling down. To  become greedy is another cause of falldown. And to associate with  persons who

are not in  devotional service is the last word in maya’s allurements for causing a  devotee to fall down.

 

01212rc.ind                 Conversations                        sadacara means to become freed from sinful reaction. Unless  one follows the regulative principles he cannot be freed.  And unless one is fully freed from sinful reaction he  cannot understand what is God.

 

SB 2.9.31  P –Therefore, one cannot understand the Personality of Godhead unless  one becomes a devotee and discharges devotional service. This mystery  is love of Godhead. Therein lies the main qualification for knowing  the mystery of the Personality of Godhead. And to attain the stage  of transcendental love of Godhead, regulative principles of  devotional service must be followed. The regulative principles are  called vidhi-bhakti, or the devotional service of the Lord, and they can  be practiced by a neophyte with his present senses. Such  regulative principles are mainly based on hearing and  chanting of the glories of the Lord. And such hearing and  chanting of the glories of the Lord can be made possible in  the association of devotees only. Lord  Caitanya therefore recommended five main principles for attaining perfection  in the devotional service of the Lord. The  first is association with devotees (hearing); second is chanting the  glories of the Lord; third, hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam from the pure  devotee; fourth, residing in a holy place connected with the Lord;  and fifth, worshiping the Deity of the Lord with devotion. Such  rules and regulations are parts of devotional service.

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Here’s some good- new years resolution​s–SP