Monthly Archives: July 2014

by Nityananda Rama dasa

Dog is– “Untouchable”–SP

July 30, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

10. And when you come back, I can't handle the excitement:

Dog is “Untouchable”—SP

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada who is trying to wash off all our kali yuga dirt !!

Below you will find 6 very potent quotes by Srila Prabhupada regarding the keeping of dogs

and cats in ones home or in his/her life.

The dog is UNTOUCHABLE according to Vedic civilization because

it is so nasty of an animal and yet so many of our “devotees” keep them living with them in their homes.

I have also included a letter at the end from Ameyatma and his experiences with devotees and cats or dogs and how unclean these people are-especially when serving out prasadam at a temple.

I received many comments from my last article entitled cats n’ dogs and mleccha man and below are some of them for your perusal and consideration.

For those of us who consider ourselves “devotees”, I humbly submit they should carefully read the statements given by our Srila Prabhupada regarding how to develop at least material purity, what to speak spiritual cleanliness.

Hare Krsna

your humble servant,

Damaghosa das

1) SB 7.14.11 P Ideal Family Life
Although in modern society the dog is accepted as part of one’s
household paraphernalia, in the Vedic system of household life the dog
is untouchable; as mentioned here, a dog may be maintained with proper
food, but it cannot be allowed to enter one’s house, what to speak of
the bedroom. Outcastes or untouchable candalas should also be provided
with the necessities for life. The word used in this connection is
yatha, which means “as much as deserved.” The outcastes should not be
given money with which to indulge in more than they need, for otherwise they will misuse it.

2) 741009SB.MAY Lectures
Canakya Pandita says, candala-vesmani. Candala means untouchable, the
dog-eaters. In the Vedic conception, the dog-eaters are untouchable.
Actually they should be untouchable. Meat-eaters are untouchable.

3) 720413SB.MEL Lectures
Surabhir abhipalayantam. Here you have got a hobby to keep dogs, “gow,
gow, gow!” And Krsna has no hobby? He has got hobby, to keep cows.
Surabhir abhipalayantam. You have imitated that hobby, and instead of
keeping cows, they are keeping, “how!, how!,” dogs. That is your
capability, a nonsense which is untouchable. Dog is untouchable
according to Vedic literature, and they are being kept. And cows?
Killed. And cruelty to animals means not to be cruel to the cats, not
cats. Yes, cats and dogs. And for the cows, “Oh, there is no question
of cruelty. He has no soul. Kill him.” This is your civilization, Dog
civilization. You see? You keep dogs, “gow! gow! gow!”, and if
somebody comes to your home, to your country, you also make “gow! gow!
gow! Why you have come?” Immigration department. “Please go out.
Please go out.” This is civilization.

4) b751015rc.joh Conversations
Prabhupada: Syphilis. In Ayur-Vedic it is called phairanga, means this
disease is imported from Western countries. Every dog has syphilis,
and they contaminate the woman, and that is distributed to man.
According to Vedic civilization, dog is untouchable. Now in India
also, to keep a dog is aristocracy. Yes. Especially the tail cut. Now
half-cut tail, that is aristocratic dog. Now they are making dog show
in New Delhi.

5) 760421mw.mel Conversations
Devotee (1): Prabhupada, last night you were describing how people
serve their dogs. And now, in the Western countries, they have
restaurants where you can take your dog, and he sits at the table with
you and they serve a meal for him. And they have catering services.
You can call up, and they will bring a special meal to your dog, so he
can eat at his home. They have beauty parlors for dogs, everything.
Prabhupada: Yes, they have taken dogs as God. According to Vedic
civilization, dog is untouchable. (break)

6) 770111tt.ida
Prabhupada: Yes. We are brainwashing from bad to good. That is our
business. We are washing the brain from all rascaldom. That is our
business. You are… Your brain is filled up with all rubbish things:
meat-eating and illicit sex, gambling. So we are washing them.
Ceto-darpana-marjanam. Srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah
punya-sravana-kirtanah, hrdy antah-stho abhadrani. Abhadrani washing.
Abhadrani means bad things. The bad things should be washed off. Don’t
you cleanse your home? Don’t you cleanse your room? Is not that
brainwashing? So if you wash your room very cleansed, who blames you?
But you are so rascal that “Why you are washing this garbage?” you are
protesting. You are such an intelligent man. We are washing the
garbage; you are protesting, “Why you are washing the garbage?” This
is your intelligence. But intelligent men wash the garbage. That is
the law of nature, cleanse. That we are doing. According to Vedic
civilization, you are actually untouchable. Now we have come to touch
you; therefore wash you must first. You are untouchable. In Indian
civilization, dog is untouchable, and that is your best friend. So you
are not touchable. Therefore we have to wash you. And unless your
brain is washed, you cannot understand Krsna. So it is necessary. Is
that all right? Dog is your best friend. In India dog is untouchable.

So “Man is known by his company.” If your best friend is dog, then
what you are? We can understand your position because you sleep with
dog, you eat with dog, your best friend is dog, so what you are? You
must be washed. It is a fact. Every woman, every man, has some dog.
Jagadisa: Dog or cat.
Prabhupada: Mostly dog. So “Man is known by his company.” Your
constant company is dog, so what you are? These are the way. Actually,
according to Vedic… Why they do not allow Europeans in the
Jagannatha temple? Because they are untouchable. According to Vedic
civilization, Europeans are untouchable. Muslims and…, untouchable.
Not only foreigners, even in their own country, those who are not very
cleansed, they are untouchable. Another’s eatable things, they’re
untouchable. Just like hog. If you give him halava, he will not take
it. He will eat stool. Therefore hog is so abominable….

(Feedback below from those receiving my previous letter—)

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

5 tips from Srila Prabhupada on chanting Hare Krsna mantra

July 30, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

57-05-07.Sri Letter: Sri Padampat Singhania
… The etymological alphabets [sanskrit ] are so surcharged with spiritual
potency and as such all Mantra indicating the transcendental holy name
of God or Godhead is to be understood in that way. When we chant the
Mantra as were presented by the authorities–the process helps
communication with the personality of Godhead by the sound waves as we
have now experienced in the material world of physical waves
vibrations. The powerful Mantras have such potency if they are sounded
in the right direction. And by chanting the Mantras only one can
spiritualise the whole existence as heat can expand on the spherical
objects. Mantra Siddhi means complete liberation. Therefore, there is
no difference between the holy name and Mantra. Man means mind and tra
deliverance. That which delivers one from mental speculation is called
“Mantra”.

68-11-11.Siv Letter: Sivananda
Persons who want to take advantage of cheap reputation they imitate
great personalities like Haridasa Thakura, who was alone chanting
300,000 of Holy Names daily. By such chanting, lonely chanting he got
so much spiritual power that he could convert even a harlot to become
a great devotee whereas an ordinary person falls easily a victim to
such allurement. So one should not imitate such great personalities
but one should try to see how much taste he has developed for
chanting, so that one can remain alone simply being engaged in
chanting. If one can remain alone simply being engaged in chanting,
that is very good, but it is difficult also. A conditioned soul in
conditioned life it is very difficult to concentrate our mind in
chanting absolutely. Better to be engaged in preaching work, that will
make one gradually successful. Besides that, when we are actually
engaged in with the preaching work, we gradually acquire our spiritual
strength without failure.

69-03-08.Sat Letter: Satsvarupa
There is no such requirement that Japa should be silently and
chanting should be be done differently. Loudly or silently, everything
is all right. There is no such restriction. Only thing is that we
should chant very attentively, hearing the vibration very distinctly.

71-06-17.Pra Letter: Prahladananda
So far as your questions: parching the body unnecessarily is not
the desire of the Supreme Lord. So one who goes against the rules and
regulations of scriptures is causing pain to the supersoul. Therefore,
parching the body means parching the supersoul.; generally it is the
process to simply chant and hear, but if Krishna’s lila comes into
remembrance, that is very good. It should come automatically. Not that
you are remembering artificially.

70-04-22.Min Letter: Minoru, Kenji
Please therefore continue to chant this mantra as
many times as possible throughout the day and night. I do not think
there is any inconvenience or loss on your part if you do so all the
time. Even when you are walking, you can softly chant Hare Krishna,
Hare Krishna, or even when you are on the bus going to somewhere you
can also chant. When you are working with your hands you can also
chant and when you are resting or going to take rest you can also
chant. Even in your toilet room while taking bath you can also chant.
In this way there is no limitation or restriction for chanting this
Holy Name of God, Krishna, and His Energy, Hara. In doing this
business there is no loss, but there is very great gain which is
transcendental realization.





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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Two early morning videos to watch

July 30, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below is a couple videos I shot a few days ago, after mongol arotik and taking care of the Salagram and Govardhana Silas. By watching these videos, our intention is to show how living in the country
is Sattivc, mode of goodness, and highly conducive to spiritual life as well as a very comfortable lifestyle.
Srila Prabhupada explains to us that one result of chanting the Divine Hare Krsna maha mantra is that one will eventually want to give up living in the hellish cities of kali yuga and instead adopt and adapt to the rural life which millions in this world, are already doing. This rural living makes practicing spiritual life much easier.
Why? Because generally speaking, there is the absence of the modes of passion and ignorance, just by living in that atmosphere. So what is left is the mode of goodness in which to live out ones life. I encourage everybody to try to make this change in their location of residence, if one values peace of’ mind, good health,
and spiritual and material prosperity. As it has been said, real wealth is health, cows, grains, land, fruits, flowers, herbs, etc.. These things human being need, and not the contrived "conveniences" of kali yuga, the age of machines. With these God given assets in one’s daily life, his or her well being only can increase and make one happy.

Hare Krsna,
Damaghosa das

►740524r2.rom Conversations
… Yes, naturally. If this man is fed up with this industry, he can
go back to village and produce his own food. But he is attached to
this industrial activity because he is thinking that "We are getting
more money for wine and woman and meat. Let me enjoy." … But if he chants Hare Krsna maha-mantra, his consciousness will be purified and he will be made not interested this
kind of work. He will go back to village and
produce food.

►740527mw.rom Conversations
Prabhupada: Yes, it will go on, but when they will see that your ideal
community is better than city life, people will take to it. Param
drstva nivartate. When one gets a better standard of life, naturally
he will give up the lower standard of life.

►740621mw.ger Conversations
Prabhupada: Most unnatural life. City life, most unnatural.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3OCuFKV4Qg&list=UUIT8sc3Iy_XMi_UzOEhvgkQ

http://youtu.be/kAmFqidmX8M

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Some random bits of nectar–SP

July 23, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Devotional Service, Bhakti Devi

I hope you all will find some treaures in the gem like words coming from Srila

Prabhupada which will guide us thru this kali yuga thru the association of like

minded souls, and at the end, go back to home, back to Godhead.

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das\

below are some pix from today’s Deity Darshan
0

670313SB.SF Lectures
Servant we are, because constitutionally I am servant. And
because I am not servant of God or servant of Krsna, that I have
become servant of my dog. In the morning I go with my dog. The dog
says, “Yes, stand up here.” “Yes, I am standing.” “Let me pass my
stool.” “Yes, my dear sir. It is very nice.” So I am servant. But I
have no shame that I have become servant of dog and I’m refuse to (be)
servant of God. Such foolish we are. You see? So Prahlada Maharaja
says, “Just change this kindly. Don’t become any more servant of dog,
Servant of dog means servant of your senses. That’s all. We are here
all servant of senses. That’s all.

1

Madhya 4.137 One cannot understand Krsna simply by reading Vedic literature. Although
all Vedic literature is meant for understanding Krsna, one cannot
understand Krsna without being a lover of Krsna. Therefore along with
the reading of Vedic literature (svadhyaya), one must engage in
devotional worship of the Deity (arcana-vidhi). Together these will
enhance the devotee’s transcendental understanding of devotional
service. Sravanadi suddha-citte karaye udaya

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Prabhupada explains why we all should become Madhyama, 2nd class bhakta

July 21, 2014 in Artilces, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Bits of this lecture below explained by Srila Prabhupada tells us:

1) If one is at least doing daily Deity worship, following the principles, and nothing
else, then he or she is prakrta bhakta or materialistic devotee. If one is not doing
Deity worship, and no preaching, that he does not say, but one can surmise, it is lower than 3rd class devotee.

2).To come to the Madhyama position one must become "known" Prabhupada states- to others.
If one is satisfied to remain at home and just chant Hare Krsna and maybe do some puja, then
he or she remains on the material platform.

3) Srila Prabhupada wanted all his disciples to come at least to the Madhyama platform. This
is an advanced devotee, one who is not on the material platform.

4.) Any devotee even on the material platform is still considered-devotee.

Hare Krsna
damaghosa das

701204BG.AHM Lectures
This is called bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga system.
A neophyte devotee should be engaged in temple worship. But if he does
not make further improvement, if he sticks to the simply temple
worship, then he remains a kanistha-adhikari, lower standard devotee,
lower standard devotee. But one has to become first standard devotee.
At least one must… A first standard devotee is very high position,
spiritual position. But at least we must come to the second standard.
The lower standard is

arcayam eva haraye
pujam yah sraddhayehate
na tad-bhaktesu canyesu
sa bhaktah prakrtah smrtah

Arca. This arca-vigraha, Deity, Krsna, arcayam eva haraye, the Deity
of Krsna, yah pujam sraddhaya ihate, with great devotion and according
to the rules and regulations, if one performs, that is very nice. But
if he does not improve, na tad-bhaktesu canyesu, he does not become
knowable to the devotees and other persons, then he remains a
kanistha-adhikari, sa bhaktah prakrtah. Prakrta means in the material
platform. He does not actually promote to the spiritual platform if he
simply remains.
 Therefore along with the worship of Krsna, in the temple, these
hearing should be… Sravanam kirtanam. Just like we are doing. We do
not engage only the devotees to the temple worship, but there must be
program for hearing Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, the science of
God. Otherwise, after some time, simply if you ring the bell, after
sing you’ll be disgusted, and the whole thing will be lost–as it is
has become now in India. There was no instruction about Krsna
consciousness. They simply attached to the temple and belling, and now
it is lost, zero. Devotion is zero. So two things must go on,
parallel. Then if the two things must go, then you are promoted to the
second platform, madhyama-adhikari.
 Madhyama-adhikari means at that time he sees four things.

isvare tad-adhinesu
balisesu dvisatsu ca
prema-maitri-krpopeksa
yah karoti sa madhyamah

Madhyama. Isvare. By arcana-vidhi, he understands Krsna, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, by this process, by the regulative process, by
the instruction of the spiritual master, by the regulative principle
set up in the bhakti-sastras. Just like Narada-pancaratra,
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. There are many… So, at that time, if one
comes from the lower platform to the… Of course, we must know that
any devotee, either in the lower platform or in the second platform or
in the first platform, they are to be considered as devotees. Not that
because one is in the material platform, he’s not devotee. He’s also
devotee. But he has to improve. The improvement means he must know
what is Krsna. Simply if he remains attached to the temple worship and
does not try to understand who is a Krsna devotee and how he has to
deal with others… Na tad-bhaktesu canyesu. We have got some duty to
others. This is preaching work. One should not be satisfied simply by
worshiping in the temple. Then he’ll remain a neophyte. He must become
a preacher, Krsna consciousness. Then he comes to the second platform.
 So when he becomes a preacher he sees four things. He sees God,
Krsna, Isvara. Tad-adhina, and the devotees. Tad-adhina means those
who have accepted Krsna as the parama-purusa. There is another verse
in the Srimad-Bhagavatam: ittham satam brahma-sukhanubhutya dasyam
gatanam para-daivatena. Dasyam gatanam. For the bhaktas, Krsna is the
Supreme Lord, para-deva.

ittham satam brahma-sukhanubhutya
dasyam gatanam para-daivatena
mayasritanam nara-darakena
sakam vijahruh krta-punya-punjah

When Sukadeva Gosvami described the cowherd boys playing with Krsna,
so he’s remarking that these boys who are playing with Krsna… Who is
this Krsna? Ittham brahma-sukhanubhutya. Those who are impersonalists,
those who are attached to the impersonal brahmajyoti, for them, He is
the target, He is the target. From Him, the brahmajyoti comes. Ittham
brahma-sukhanubhutya and dasyam gatanam para-daivatena. And those who
are devotees, for them, here is the Supreme Lord. Dasyam gatanam
para-daivatena. And mayasritanam nara-darakena. And those who are
under the influence of maya, for them, He’s ordinary human child. The
same person. Different vision. One is seeing that the ultimate target
of brahmajyoti, and somebody’s seeing that he’s the Supreme Lord, and
somebody’s seeing that He’s ordinary boy.

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Importance of daily reading the books 1-2 hours–SP

July 21, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below we have a short compilation of a number of the more important instructions our spiritual

master Srila Prabhupada has given to us for purification.

If we think we dont need or want any more purification, then you can just delete this email and read no further.

However, if we are not seeing Krsna at every moment, nor do we have direct communication

within our hearts with Him, have little to no attachment for chanting the Holy Names., nor have we uncovered our eternal relationship with Him, then maybe it would be a good idea to read further and see what a Maha Bhagavat pure devotee tells us to do.

Summary of points covered below–

If we want to be Krsna Conscious, then certain things must take place.

1. We must daily, rise early in the morning, and perform mongal arotik and the rest of the daily program .
2. We must worship the deity of Krsna daily, to advance from neophyte to madhyama.
3. We must read Srila Prabhupadas books at least 1-2 hours daily.

►72-06-13.Bha Letter: Bhargava
… Our advancement in Krishna Consciousness is made possible in two ways, by Knowledge and
renunciation, jnana and tyaga or tapasya. So I am requesting
all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without
fail. In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two
hours daily in the transcendental subject matter of Srimad-Bhagavatam,
Bhagavad-gita, and other books then very easily you will make your
advancement in Krishna Consciousness…. we may go on trying out one
engagement after another and always say the same excuse. This
restlessness or agitation of the … occupation will suit me and we
shall always be satisfied. Therefore, I recommend you to read books
more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different
angles of vision … while you are working at the press, and when you
are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my
lectures and hear in that way. And never neglect to chant your 16
rounds of beads daily, rise early without fail, attend mangal arati,
take bath, and follow the other regulative principles…

72-06-16.Mad Letter: Madhudvisa
I am very much stressing at this point that all of my students
shall be very much conversant with the philosophy of Krishna
Consciousness, and that they should read our books very diligently at
least one or two hours daily and try to understand the subject matter
from varieties of angles. We are holding our morning class here in Los
Angeles in the temple and I am speaking from 7 to 8 am, and the
process is that we are going through some chapters of
Srimad-Bhagavatam by taking one sloka each day, and reading the
Sanskrit aloud, each word is pronounced by me and repeated by the
students and then altogether we chant the sloka several times until we
have learned it. And then we discuss the subject matter very minutely
and inspect it from all angles of approach and savor the new
understandings. So you introduce this system in all of the centers in
your zone, and you will discover that everyone becomes very much
enlivened by these daily classes. Read one sloka and discuss and then
go on to the next sloka on the next day, and so on, and even you
discuss one verse each day it will take you 50 years to finish
Srimad-Bhagavatam in this way. So we have got ample stock for
acquiring knowledge. And if the students get knowledge more and more,
they will automatically become convinced and very easily perform their
duties for tapasya or renunciation of the material bondage, and that
will be their successful advancement in Krishna Consciousness. So I
want that advancement amongst all of my students, so your are
responsible that the standard will be maintained.

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Krsna Balarama Mandir- Brahmana initiation-Vancouver Canada

July 14, 2014 in Articles, Brahmana, Damaghosa Dasa, Diksa, Initiation, Srila Prabhupada by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Yesterday, Sunday July 13th, 2014 at the Krsna Balarama Mandir, maintained by Navadvipa and his family of 5, saw Yasoda Nandana Prabhu, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada officiate on behalf of Srila Prabhupada and perform a fire yajna for the second or brahmana initiation of Ramchandra das, Laxman das and Radha devi dasi, the three children of Navadvipa and Vrajabhumi prabhus.

It was hot, both outside and inside, ecstatic and wonderful all at the same time. Yasoda nandan prabhu traveling all the way from LA Calif, and others from Alachua Florida, and others from parts of Washington, as well as local devotees in Canada, all participated by throwing grains into the sacrificial fire, each grain equal in benefit to thousands of ashvamedha sacrifices, all for the pleasure of Lord Vishnu who presided in many forms, especially in the–Fire !

The kirtan at the end went wild, while the matajis prepared for distribution of a feast that was seemingly without end in numbers of preparations. Everything went nicely, the Krsna prasad was super delicious,
the association divine, and as everybody departed, I think we all felt a little bit closer to Lord Krsna and Lord Balaram , what to speak of Srila Prabhupada, without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Remembrances of Krsna Balarama Swami

July 10, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all the devotees there in Freeport Yatra
Obeisances to you all
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

It is with sadness I write these words to remember an old and dear friend of mine-Krsna Balarama Swami.
He and I met in Seattle years ago, probably around 1992 and have continued to be fast friends. Sometimes he would stay at our ashram, etiher in Seattle or here in Sedro Woolley Wash, our present farm. He greatly loved people and nature as well. We shared many good times in Krsna Consciousness together. One time in Seattle on Hari nama, it was just he and I , chanting in the University district, when suddenly one woman stopped and listened to us for a while, then she came up and told us she was the departed Visnujanas Swamis sister ! How often does that happen??
We did many Hari namas together, and he stayed with us for sometimes a month or more before moving on for some other preaching engagements. The last time I saw him was when he stayed here on our farm back in 2001. We visited the gorgeous mountains in this area, (pictures included in this email) and he helped us re plant some overgrown plants on our property. We would share the opportunity of giving class on BG and leading kirtans during our regular weekly Sunday Feast Programs both in Seattle and here in Sedro Woolley Wash. And every Saturday, he would join with us for local Hari nama, when he was here.
Krsna Balarama Swami had the ability to be-friend practically anybody he met and then introduce them to Krsna thru his preaching. He was a gentleman, and a very kind soul. It was a great pleasure and honor of mine to have served Srila Prabhupada with this wonderful Godbrother. He will be sorely missed.

Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Mandir
Sedro Woolley Wash.

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

4th July Parade and Festivals-Sedro Woolley Wash 2014

July 8, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Its now history.
If you were invited and didn’t or couldn’t come, you missed out on something special.The Hare Krsna devotees have now, for the second year in a row, merrily danced down the main streets of this small town called Sedro Woolley in Wash, and were happily watched by thousands of bystanders. We distributed over 2000 bags of Organic raisin prasadam (with mantra and temple info attached) and many of Prabhupada’s books as well.
Afterwards we re-grouped here at our farm ashram, this time,for eating the prasadam ourselves, and just relaxing in the soothing and beautiful atmosphere of Govindas Gardens, and devotee association.
After a couple hours of this we all decided to go inside to the temple room for one last kirtan-and this went wild as everybody was dancing in ecstasy.
Today, July 5th, we had another program here, more ecstasy,wonderful kirtans and great class, tasty organic garden prasadam and tomorrow we will have another one again at Kanhaiyas Sila Puri Ashram.
This is spiritual life-every day, every minute, no Maya–let us all try to get into that eternal consciousness. One way this begins or a good way to continue this, is to have these festivals from time to time.

For your viewing pleasure we have included some photos and video of the parade and events afterwards.

Hare Krsna-hope to see even more devotees next year !!
Damaghosa das

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4jPGbU2lR8&list=UUIT8sc3Iy_XMi_UzOEhvgkQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReBCw9BkNI4&feature=youtu.be






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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Etiquette-the Ornament of the Vaisnava

July 3, 2014 in Articles by Nityananda Rama dasa

70-02-20.Jag Letter: Jagannatham Prabhu My Dear Jagannatham Prabhu,
Please accept my humble obeisances. I am so glad to receive your
letter dated 10 February, 1970, redirected from my New York center.
Perhaps you are the eldest amongst us now living as disciples of Srila
Prabhupada. You are now eighty-one years old, and I am only
seventy-four. Therefore I am your younger brother and I shall always
expect blessings from you.

70-01-14.Jad Letter: Jadurani
So far Devahuti is concerned, she is elder woman but very nice and
sober as well as qualified. Because she is of the age of all of your
mothers, she should be treated very respectfully. Nothing should be
ordered to her but simply suggested so that she may work in her own
way. You should personally see to the comforts and conveniences so
that she may feel very happy to stay with you all young boys and
girls. So far I have studied and it is quite natural that she requires
a little respectful dealing from the young boys and girls.

70-04-17.Jay Letter: Jayapataka
Whatever the Spiritual Master gives in His own hand, it should be
accepted immediately as His grace. In the beginning in New York I was
cooking myself and was distributing at least one or two capatis to all
my disciples, at that time not less than a dozen. Gradually,
Kirtanananda Maharaja took charge of the cooking and learned the art
very nicely from me, and he educated all others how to make our
present Prasadam. So in the beginning I was cooking, so there is no
objection to take from the Spiritual Master. It is a question of love
that sometimes I cook, you eat and sometimes you cook, I eat. Our
Krishna Consciousness movement is based on complete fellow feeling and
love, but there is a word maryada which means respect which should
always be offered to the Spiritual Master and elderly members.

69-06-16.Aru Letter: Arundhati
Regarding your second question about greeting karmis, if a karmi is
a friend, you just greet him Hare Krishna, and with folded hands touch
your forehead. If the karmi is a superior relative, then chant Hare
Krishna and bow down to him on the ground. That should be the
etiquette in our society transactions. Whenever you have questions,
you ask your husband or ask me. You should always be very sound in
knowledge about Krishna Consciousness. But as you are very much
attached to chanting, there will be no difficulty for you.
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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Srila Prabhupada defines “Karmis”

July 3, 2014 in Artilces, Srila Prabhupada by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna Prabhus,

Pranams.. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Just sharing some nectar from His Divine Grace..
Yhs, Bal.

Srila Prabhupada defines “Karmis”

Extract from morning walk April 24th 1976, Srila Prabhupada’s last visit to Melbourne Australia.
Please see full conversation… http://causelessmercy.com/t/?P=760424mw.mel&PLFN=Melbourne

Guru-kṛpā: The jñānīs, they are trying to study Vedānta to find out what is the end. So that is better than being karmī.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Guru-kṛpā: Even if they don’t know the answer, they are trying to seek out.
Prabhupāda: No, their answer is there, merging with the Supreme.
Guru-kṛpā: But again they must come back. That’s not complete liberation.
Prabhupāda: That means not complete knowledge.
Guru-kṛpā: So they have also stopped, ended in Brahman.
Prabhupāda: Āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adho ’nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ [SB 10.2.32].
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Practically, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we see that we’re dealing mostly with karmīs, not with jñānīs, in our preaching work.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: And they are simply interested in some immediate satisfaction.
Prabhupāda: Karmīs not. Vikarmī. Karmī, vikarmī, akarmī. We are dealing with vikarmī.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Vikarma, oh. Prohibited actions.
Prabhupāda: Yes. Karmīs will not do anything sinful.
Guru-kṛpā: Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma [Bhāg. 5.5.4].
Prabhupāda: Vikarma, yes.
Devotee (2): So why do we call them karmīs?
Prabhupāda: Vikarmīs, opposite karmī.
Devotee (2): So there’s practically no karmīs.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Sinful.
Prabhupāda: Sinful activities, duṣkṛtinaḥ. Vikarma. Therefore they will be punished in different forms of life. Therefore we find so many species of life, forms of life. This is punishment. But māyā’s curtain, they are thinking, “We are happy.” Just like this tree is a punishment, but it has no sense that this is punishment.
Guru-kṛpā: Thinks he’s happy.
Prabhupāda: Standing happily for five thousand years.
Guru-kṛpā: Drinking only water.
Prabhupāda: If you are asked to stand here for five hours, you’ll feel most uncomfortable. But they are standing for five thousand years, no uncomfortable. This is punishment. Punishment is there, but unaware. So everyone is like that. Anyone in the material world, they are being punished in different degree, but unaware. That is māyā’s grace, that although he is punished, he cannot understand.
Guru-kṛpā: So they answer that “If you’re happy, then what’s wrong with that?”
Prabhupāda: Yes, that class you are here. You go on with that happiness. But we are not satisfied with this. You are rascal, you are happy in that way, but we are not. That is the difference between you and me.
Guru-kṛpā: Happiness of the fool.
Prabhupāda: Yes.

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Explained-How the illusory energy of God, works on us-by SP

July 3, 2014 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

Hare Krsna to all Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada

For those eager to continually hear from a bona fide spiritual master, the words I have given below from various lectures and purports should instill in us, a deeper sense of understanding spirituality.
Topic of discussion below:

When we stop hearing from the bona fide Spiritual Master (due to false ego), or his bona fide representatives , then our continued spiritual advancement is severely hampered.
Why is that, one may ask?

SB 4.22.31 When one deviates from his original consciousness, he loses the
capacity to remember his previous position or recognize his present
one. When remembrance is lost, all knowledge acquired is based on a
false foundation. When this occurs, learned scholars consider that the
soul is lost.

Therefore we come under the clutches of Maya, the illusory energy of God and she makes us think we can do what we want, go where we want, and think what we want and in this way, unknowingly, are dragged all over the universe from one body or another. And at the same time we will “think” we are– “OK”, exactly like souls trapped in hog bodies, “thinking” stool is so tasty. And for them it is, but those with slightly developed consciousness, they will not agree to such a proposal. So our senses in conditioned life are always deceiving us, therefore we need to hear constantly from the spiritual master or his representatives.

(SSR 2 Choosing a Spiritual Master
Gentlemen, our knowledge is so poor, our senses are so imperfect,
and our sources are so limited that it is not possible for us to have
even the slightest knowledge of the absolute region without
surrendering ourselves at the lotus feet of Sri Vyasadeva or his bona
fide representative. Every moment we are being deceived by the
knowledge of our direct perception. It is all the creation or
concoction of the mind, which is always deceiving, changing, and
flickering. We cannot know anything of the transcendental region by
our limited, perverted method of observation and experiment. But all
of us can lend our eager ears for the aural reception…..

Now let us hear , from the spiritual master, what is our actual position in this body.
This next verse may shock some….

SB 3.7.17 Further Inquires by Vidura
Both the lowest of fools and he who is transcendental to all
intelligence enjoy happiness, whereas persons between them suffer the
material pangs.

PURPORT

The lowest of fools do not understand material miseries; they pass
their lives merrily and do not inquire into the miseries of life. Such
persons are almost on the level of the animals, who, although in the
eyes of superiors are always miserable in life, are unaware of
material distresses. A hog’s life is degraded in its standard of
happiness, which entails living in a filthy place, engaging in sex
enjoyment at every opportune moment, and laboring hard in a struggle
for existence, but this is unknown to the hog. Similarly, human beings
who are unaware of the miseries of material existence and are happy in
sex life and hard labor are the lowest of fools. Yet because they have
no sense of miseries, they supposedly enjoy so-called happiness. The
other class of men, those who are liberated and are situated in the
transcendental position above intelligence, are really happy and are
called paramahamsas. But persons who are neither like hogs and dogs
nor on the level of the paramahamsas feel the material pangs, and for
them inquiry about the Supreme Truth is necessary. The Vedanta-sutra
states, athato brahma jijnasa: “Now one should inquire about Brahman.”
This inquiry is necessary for those who are between the paramahamsas
and the fools who have forgotten the question of self-realization in
the midst of life in sense gratification.
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