Monthly Archives: March 2019

← Previous Entries
by Damaghosa dasa

impersonal vs personal realization of the Lord explained by SP

March 31, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

SB 4.9.16 purport…Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura describes that this impersonal feature, or Brahman manifestation, of the Supreme Lord is meant for persons who are essentially very advanced but still not able to understand the personal features or variegatedness of the spiritual world. Such devotees are known as jñāna-miśra-bhaktas, or devotees whose devotional service is mixed with empiric knowledge. Because the impersonal Brahman realization is a partial understanding of the Absolute Truth, Dhruva Mahārāja offers his respectful obeisances.
It is said that this impersonal Brahman is the distant realization of the Absolute Truth. Although apparently Brahman seems to be devoid of energy, factually it has different energies working under the headings of knowledge and ignorance. On account of these different energies, there is continually a manifestation of vidyā and avidyā. Vidyā and avidyā are very nicely described in Īśopaniṣad. It is said there that sometimes, due to avidyā, or a poor fund of knowledge, one accepts the Absolute Truth as ultimately impersonal. But in fact the impersonal and personal realizations develop in proportion to the development of devotional service. The more we develop our devotional service, the more closely we approach the Absolute Truth, which, in the beginning, when we realize the Absolute Truth from a distant place, is manifest as impersonal.
 
 

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on impersonal vs personal realization of the Lord explained by SP

by Damaghosa dasa

Vedic Tradition-Srila Prabhupada started his own and this is bona fide

March 27, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Lord Krsna’s bona fide representative the Acarya, can establish his own Tradition He is not held to Vedic so called –Tradition
 ( See quotes below.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
May 13 1973 conversations
Paramahaṁsa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?
Prabhupāda: Well, the questions… Answers are there in my books.
Paramahaṁsa: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in…
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Paramahaṁsa: Do you direct us also through the heart? Besides the Paramātmā?
Prabhupāda: If your heart is pure. Everything depends on purity.
——————————————————————
*There is a nice story in the Caitanya Bhagavat where Srivas Thakur tried to sneak in a pure brahmana friend of his to the nocturnal kirtans of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. When found out, he was severely chastised by Mahaprabhu for letting in a non associate of His pure devotee entourage. Long story short, Srivas tried to persuade Mahaprabhu to let his friend stay by arguing that this pure brahmana never broke the regulative principles, was celibate from birth, and subsisted daily by drinking only milk. Sri Caitanya was furious saying-do you think I can be purchased by someone who only drinks milk and is very austere? I can only be purchased by pure devotional service, and nothing else.
So this story should show us along with the above quote that access to the Lord depends not only on purity of self, but also on pure bhakti, which comes from developing pure sambhandha jnana.. Even if someone has followed all the rules of religion his whole life, but is not a pure bhakta, and is ignorant of various things,, he cant directly approach the Lord. Seeing Krsna personally or giving Krsna to others thru diksa, is not a cheap affair. One must be completely pure and authorized..
 
Iskcon Argument -they say by following the ritvik system, one would be violating the Vedic system of tradition.
(SB 4.8.54)Translation- Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. This is the twelve-syllable mantra for worshipping Lord Krsna. One should install the physical forms of the Lord, and with the chanting of the mantra one should offer flowers and fruits and other varieties of foodstuffs exactly according to the rules and regulations prescribed by authorities. But this should be done in consideration of place, time, and attendant conveniences and inconveniences.
Purport-The prescribed rules, as stated here by Narada Muni, are that one should accept the mantra through a bona fide spiritual master and hear the mantra in the right ear. Not only should one chant or murmur the mantra, but in front of him he must have the Deity, or physical form of the Lord. Of course, when the Lord appears it is no longer a physical form…..The method of worship–chanting the mantra and preparing the forms of the Lord–is not stereotyped, nor is it exactly the same everywhere. lt. is specifically mentioned in this verse that one should take consideration of the time, place and available conveniences. Our Krsna consciousness movement is going on throughout the entire world, and we also install Deities in different centers. Sometimes our Indian friends, puffed up with concocted notions, criticise, “This has not been done. That has not been done.” But they forget this instruction of Narada Muni to one of the greatest Vaisnavas, Dhruva Maharaja. One has to consider the particular time, country and conveniences. What is convenient in India may not be convenient in the Western countries. Those who are not actually in the line of acaryas, or who personally have no knowledge of how to act in the role of acarya, necessarily criticise the activities of the ISKCON movement in countries outside of India. The fact is that such critics cannot do anything personally to spread Krsna consciousness. If someone does go and preach, taking all risks and allowing all considerations for time and place, it might be that there are changes in the manner of worship, but that is not at all faulty according to sastra. Srimad Viraraghava Acarya, an acarya in the disciplic succession of the Ramanuja-sampradaya, has remarked in his commentary that candalas, or conditioned souls who are born in lower than sudra families, can also be initiated according to circumstances. The formalities may be slightly changed here and there to make them Vaisnavas. (S.B. 4.8.54.)
What changes to” Tradition” did Srila Prabhupada make?? He allowed both men and women to live in the same temple building. He initiated thousands thru only letters and gave brahmana initiation to both men and women thru a tape recording. He married devotees, something sannyasis are not allowed to do. He also used machines abundantly in preaching work. He allowed ritviks to chant on new initiates beads, etc etc So to say an Acarya cannot make changes to tradition is simply incorrect. None of these things were ever done by any Acarya before,nor mentioned in the Vedas, yet Srila Prabhupada did it and was very successful at it. And the authorization for such activities is given above.
The iskcon argument-Nobody has ever done this so called “ritvik initiations business before. Here are some examples of those doing it now and those doing it in the past.
Declaration of the Spiritual Succession of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math
 
byHis Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj Founder-Acarya of the Sri Caitanya Sarasvat Math
(Gaura-purnima, 26th March, 1986)
According to the desire of my Divine Master, I have been maintaining this disciplic succession but it is no longer possible for me, as I am now too old and invalid. You all know that from long ago I have chosen Sriman Bhakti Sundar Govinda Maharaja and I have given him sannyasa. All my Vaisnava Godbrothers are very affectionate towards him and it is also their desire to give him this position. I have previously given to him the charge of the Math and now I am giving him the full responsibility of giving Harinama, diksa, sannyasa, etc. as an Acarya of this Math on behalf of myself.

Those who have any regard for me should give this respect and position to Govinda Maharaj as my successor. As much as you have faith in my sincerity, then with all sincerity I believe that he has got the capacity of rendering service in this way. With this I transfer these beads and from now he will initiate on my behalf as Rtvik. The Rtvik system is already involved both here and also in the foreign land. The Rtvik is the representative.So if you want to take from me, and you take by his hands,then it will be as well and as good as taking from me.
 
Note-It is very interesting that Sridhar Maharaj utilized the ritvik system for his matha’s succession (before he died) which already was begun by our Srila Prabhupada in iskcon, yet for many of his earlier years, he (Sridhar) assumed the post of acarya of his matha in Navadvipa. And this was against the order of his guru maharaja Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaja who wanted all his disciples to work together and a real acarya would emerge by his preaching from amongst them all.. So this is only one example.
 
Another example is this….
 
 

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Vedic Tradition-Srila Prabhupada started his own and this is bona fide

by Damaghosa dasa

three different stages of chanting-SP

March 27, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

So the first stage of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is full of offenses.

But if one sticks to the principle… Therefore we have to chant regularly sixteen rounds at least. So even there are offenses, by simply chanting and being repentant that \”I have committed this offense unnecessarily or without knowledge,\” so simply be repentant and go on chanting.

Then the stage will come. It is called nāmābhāsa. That is offenseless, when there is no more offenses. That is called nāmābhāsa. At nāmābhāsa stage one becomes liberated immediately. And when one is liberated, if he goes on chanting—naturally he will go on chanting—then his love of Kṛṣṇa becomes manifest.
These are the three stages of chanting:
chanting with offense,
chanting as a liberated person
and chanting in love of God.
There are three stage of chanting. The same thing, the example is just like a mango, unripe mango, going on, changes.

It is not that chanting brings another thing as a result. No. The same thing becomes manifest in different feature.
Just like unripe mango, you taste in a different way; it is very sour. But when it is ripened and it is fully ripened, the taste is changed. The taste is now sweet.
So in the beginning we may be very much reluctant in the matter of chanting, but when you become liberated the chanting will be so sweet that you cannot give up.
Just like Rūpa Gosvāmī. He has composed a śloka. He says in that śloka that \”If I had millions of tongues and trillions of ears, then the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra would have been relishable. How, what can I do with one tongue and two ears?\” So that is liberated stage.
That is prema.
But that stage is attainable. If you follow regularly the principles, everyone will attain to that stage when he simply likes to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rama, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

(Lecture on SB 6.2.9-10 — Allahabad, January 15, 1971)

Comments Off on three different stages of chanting-SP

by Damaghosa dasa

Is the Ritvik system bona fide? taped discussion with S Indian Madva scholar

March 26, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Interview With Sri Bannanje Govindacharya

It may be recalled that HG Vidvan Gauranga Dasa posted a report of his meeting two eminent vaishnavas in Bangalore, namely Vidyavacaspati Sri Bannaje Govindacharya (a grhasta madhva scholar). When devotees of ISKCON Bangalore showed the report to Sri Bananje Govindacharya, he said that the reporting was partial and did not completely represent his views. The devotees continued their discussion with him and it was recorded. Later the interview was transcribed, taken back to him for review so that he is satisfied that we represent his views properly this time. We provide the same here:

Below is an interview with Sri Bannanje Govindacarya, original tape available:

Sri Bannanje Govindacarya: Meaning of diksha is to give adhikara in a mantra or any system or in a faith. Who can give initiation? In fact if I want to initiate somebody into gayatri, I must be a realised person. Gayatri sakshatkara is the first requirement for a diksha guru. Siddhi or perfection. Mantra siddhi. Otherwise one cannot give mantra diksha to others, according to shastra. So simply giving Diksha and canceling and taking again another diksha – that is all ashastric, not according to shastra… So this is the problem when we institutionalize a faith. We have to face all these problems, because when you institutionalize faith then all the institutional and organizational problems enter and all the organizational problems will come. Actually according to shastra, none of these swamis can initiate… No swami unless he has attained sakshatkar or mantra siddhi he cannot initiate. That is what….told was correct. Unless he has that power to take the sishya into that height, that elevation, initiation becomes a mere mechanical procedure. It has no meaning. If I want to initiate you I must be able to bring you to that plane and you must be able to meditate upon that mantra and that power should be given. Initiation is not mere mechanical procedure. That is a transformation of a power, mantric and spiritual power and a person who has actually no spiritual power how can he give spiritual power to a sisya. It cannot be claimed by a mere post or institutional powers. Initiation is totally different.

ISKCON devotee: The point is the 11 ritviks, only on the assumption that Prabhupada is not on the planet they stopped continuing to be ritviks. Is that correct or wrong? We are saying, ” you don’t have an explicit order. A clear order of the acharya is needed to become a diksha guru. Srila Prabhupada made a system-you stopped the acharya’s order!” We are questioning. They are not able to justify that. So are they correct in their justification or wrong?

Sri Bannanje Govindacarya: No…do they claim that they are no more ritviks?

ISKCON devotee: They say that they are no more ritviks. They are regular gurus. Regular gurus means, as I told you the definition, according to Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, it is very serious thing. It is a very big thing.

Sri Bannanje Govindacarya: Yes. See that is why I have told this is clash between the organization and the spiritual practice. When the spiritual practices become institutionalized, then the institution has certain… it is totally left to the …you are correct. There is no letter or there is no resolution, any orders. In an institution anything can be changed. The governing body is there and by majority they can vote and they can have a resolution. They can change anything. According to rules and regulations. But that is left to the organizational rules and regulations.

That is what I have told, according to shastra, the religious or spiritual part of diksha – giving diksha, a person who has siddhi – siddhapurusa can give diksha to others. Otherwise it has no meaning at all. It is not a mechanical thing.

 

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Is the Ritvik system bona fide? taped discussion with S Indian Madva scholar

by Damaghosa dasa

Gaura Purnima festival Sedro Woolley Wa 2019

March 24, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

DSCN9375.JPG
 
Hare Krsna-We just finished our Gaura Purnima festival and many devotees traveled here from far and wide.
 We offered from here around 35 preps for the Lords pleasure and others brought some as well. Very nice kirtans, bhajans and a class  was given on the  the first verse of  the Lord’s Sikshastakam.
 
We would also like to see other Prabhupadanugas  festival reports and we can post them on our websites. 
Thanks.
damaghosa das
—————————–
 
opening kirtan.arotik
 
Lord Narasimha dev bhajan
 

class/lecture video

 
Abhisek of one salagram, one govardhan sila and Kaliya Krsna murti
 
Krsna Prasadam time

Comments Off on Gaura Purnima festival Sedro Woolley Wa 2019

by Damaghosa dasa

Biogenesis and the Birth of Modern Science

March 21, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Biogenesis and the Birth of Modern Science

By Narasimha das

The ancient Greeks, specifically the renowned philosopher Aristotle (384 B.C – 322 B.C.), believed that living things were spontaneously generated from non-living matter. Aristotle was a naturalist who loved to observe animals and nature while taking long walks through the country.  He noticed that ponds were full of various species, such as fish, frogs and tiny swimming insects. Later, in the summer months, many of these ponds would dry up and appear to become lifeless mud sinks or totally dry beds. But when the rains came, the same dry beds would fill up again with aquatic life. He wondered how all this life became regenerated. After pondering this puzzle for a long while, he finally concluded that earth itself had the power to generate life spontaneously with water and air under certain conditions. Observing the life cycles of insects on land, he came to similar conclusions: that rotting meat, animal fur and other non-living matter had the potency to generate various forms life under certain conditions.

Aristotle was considered one the greatest thinkers of his era, so naturally his published findings circulated to nearby Arab countries, and gradually such misleading ideas spread west to European nations. Such misinformation gradually evolved into a system of superstitions and beliefs that were taught in school texts on biology and medicine.

Due, perhaps, to the liberating influence of the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on Earth, Europe started to slowly emerge from the Dark Ages. During the Dark Ages people had no idea how or why deadly diseases like the black plague were spread. City people would pass stool and urine in buckets and then through it out their townhouse windows, yelling a warning to pedestrians, “Loo!” (This is how the term “loo” came to mean toilet or latrine.) Some streets were, at times, ankle deep in human excrement. Surgeons had no idea of any need for cleanliness. In fact doctors would often wear their most filthy clothes to perform surgeries with unwashed scalpels, just as field workers and street cleaners would wear filthy clothes for their work, saving their clean clothing for social affairs. Thus, many patients would “mysteriously” die shortly after even routine surgeries.

William Harvey (1578-1657) became famous for his discovery that blood circulates through the body in veins and blood vessels. In one of his writings, he mentioned that it was possible that insects may lay eggs that were too small to see with the naked eye. The glimmer of light from this suggestion inspired and motivated another early scientist, Francisco Redi (1626-1697) to investigate further. Soon he became convinced that the prevailing theories of his day were ill-conceived. He demonstrated through experiments that life was not be generated spontaneously from non-living matter and that such conjectures had no basis. His controlled experiments involved sterilization through heating and various means of sealing containers and then comparing these with non-sterilized open containers of the same organic substances. He boldly propounded his views that life was generated not spontaneously from dead matter but from living organisms, some that were too small to be seen with the naked eye or laid eggs too small to be seen.

People of his day were stunned by this fantastic new theory. Aristotle had been highly regarded in the West for centuries as one of the greatest thinkers and naturalists of all time. So people wondered, “How could Aristotle have been so wrong?”

To prove his theory, Redi devised several interesting experiments to demonstrate that life comes from life, and this was the birth of modern sciences, specifically biology and medicine, which relies on controlled observations and experiments to demonstrate the truth or fallacy of theories like Redi’s and Aristotle’s. Redi’s experiments gave rise to modern-day knowledge regarding food preservation through sterilization and sanitation through disinfecting. He had demonstrated in a number of ways that life is generated only from other living things and that non-living matter had no power to generate life on its own. Scientists then began forming groups for the sake of exchanging their findings derived through various means of experimentation and observation. Redi and his followers strongly propounded their new understanding known as biogenesis, which establishes that life arises only from previously existing life and not from non-living matter.

A major breakthrough came when a humble lens grinder, Antonio Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) refined his art with the help of a renowned spectacle maker. He learned how to grind a precision magnifying lens and how to achieve further magnification by stacking lens’s in a tube. In this way he created the first known microscope. With his microscope he was able to observe microbes for the first time, and this led to many new discoveries. At first other scientists were doubtful about the existence of microbes because they were unable to match the precision and power of Leeuwenhoek’s microscopes.

Soon Leeuwenhoek’s discoveries of microbes were verified by other scientists, yet many scientists clung to their belief that microbes themselves were spontaneously generated from non-living substances. Aristotle had taught that non-living substances can create life under certain conditions, and this widely accepted belief had been around for centuries. Long held beliefs don’t die easy.

Many scientists challenged the idea of biogenesis for another 150 years. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, a member of the French Academy of Sciences, Dr. Pouchet published a compelling book that attempted to reaffirm the idea that micro-organisms were spontaneously generated from non-living matter. His book was highly lauded by scientists worldwide. Dr. Pouchet’s findings didn’t go unchallenged for long. Soon Louis Pasteur read Pouchet’s book and wrote to him explaining several discrepancies in his methods, findings and conclusions.  Pasteur was considered one of the top scientists of his times, especially in France, and he is still considered one the most important scientists of the modern age. Pasteur strongly refuted Pouchet’s ideas through a series of experiments and debates. The scientific community and general public were divided in their opinion on this issue. Many challenges and counter-challenges went back and forth and gave rise to varieties of experiments under careful controls.

Both Pouchet and Pasteur were experts in conducting experiments, and their efforts created the modern era of controlled experimentation and observation. They both refined and adjusted their experiments to demonstrate their theories, and this went on for several months or even years under the scrutiny of a special commission appointed by the French Academy of Sciences. At first the Commission was divided in its opinion, but finally they accepted Pasteur’s conclusions and bestowed upon him the Academy Award for science (circa 1865). This was a high honor like the Nobel Prize, and people worldwide recognized Pasteur as the one of greatest scientists in the world. Louis Pasteur became widely popular and famous, and Pouchet faded from the limelight.

Pasteur’s controlled experiments and observations proving biogenesis and disproving spontaneous generation led to many new breakthroughs in medicine, food preservation, disease control, sanitation and other fields. He had proven that life comes from life and not from non-living matter. Without his discoveries through controlled experiments, science might have remained much longer in the dark ages of superstition, myth and foolish conjectures.

But the new age of enlightened science in the realm of biology didn’t last long. Biological sciences suddenly embraced the darkness of superstition yet again with the publication of The Origin of Species by the infamous Charles Darwin, a clever fellow commissioned by biased atheists who wanted to squash the idea of God and religion through the use of wild speculation under the guise of scientific observation.  Darwin himself doubted his own hypothesis, which was more outlandish than many prior superstitions. Darwin’s ideas have led to the now popular belief among scientists and academia that microbes were originally generated from non-living matter and gradually evolved to higher life forms spontaneously due to accidental genetic mutations and the process of natural selection. Thus modern biology has embraced a dark fog that’s more foolish and dangerous than any myth that came before.

Although biological sciences have continued to improve in methods, research, and technology, with applied knowledge leading to advancements in medicine, ecology, and genetic research, including the creation GMOs, thus far no one has been able to create even one living microbe from non-living matter. In fact, no great scientist can even repair and make grow one broken grain of rice. Discoveries regarding the mind-boggling complexities of living organisms and their interrelationships with other highly complex living organisms should have caused unbiased scientists and thinkers to reject Darwin’s ideas as preposterous, but instead these foolish ideas are still being vigorously defended and promoted by academia in the field of biology and by atheistic social and political activists.

Darwin’s weak hypothesis regarding the origin of species has no basis in scientific theory and can’t be demonstrated by any sort of experimentation or observation. It is unfounded and flies in the face of common sense. Yet due to a deviously calculated system of indoctrination in academia and media, school kids, like those from the dark ages, are taught this foolish conjecture in the name of science.

In the Kali Yuga, there is no real science for the liberation of consciousness, save and accept the science of Krishna consciousness and the chanting of the Holy Names of God. Modern science, by its very nature, is full of ignorance, illusion and doubt.  Lord Krishna’s material energy is very difficult to understand and overcome. God’s power of illusion forever overwhelms everyone who fails hear from authority and chant the Holy Names of God.

“This material nature is working under My direction, O son of Kunti, and it is producing all moving and non-moving beings. By its rule this manifestation is created and annihilated again and again.” (Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 9.10)

“Those who are thus bewildered are attracted by demoniac and atheistic views. In that deluded condition, their hopes for liberation, their fruitive activities, and their culture of knowledge are all defeated.” (BG. 9.12)

“Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, lowest of mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Me.” (BG.7.15)

“This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.” (BG.7.14)

Comments Off on Biogenesis and the Birth of Modern Science

by Damaghosa dasa

Sri Narashima stuti-burn Narasimha burn, all my adversaries with your unbearable power

March 13, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

                    Narasimhadev deity here.jpgNarasimha dev deity SW-2.jpg
                                        Sri Narashimha Stuti
 
This is a powerful prayer to Lord Narasimha for one’s protection from the dark elements and demons within this material world. It was written by Pandit Trivikramacharya, a leading disciple of Sri Madhvacharya.
1. udaya ravi sahasra-dhyotitam ruksa-viksam
 pralaya jaladhi-nadam kalpa-krid vahni-vaktram
sura-pati-ripu-vakshah-kshoda-rakta-kshitangam
 pranata-bhaya-haram tam narasimham namami
The radiance of a thousand rising suns is the glow on the Lord’s face. His eyes are fiery and His voice roars like the turbulent ocean of devastation. His body is wet with the blood of Indra’s foe, Hiranyakashipu. Lord Narasimha, the redeemer of the fear ridden, I bow down to Your feet.
2. pralaya-ravi-karalakara-ruk chakra-valam
virala-yaduru-rocirocitashanta-ralam
prati-bhaya-tama-kopatyutkatoccatta-hasin
daha daha narasimasahya-viryahitam me
Your effulgence is dazzling like that of the destructive sun, pralayaravi. It glows and glitters, makes the wicked tremble with fear. You laugh in a piercing high tone at the fear, ignorance and anger of the demons. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
3. sara-sa rabha-sapadapata-bharabhirava
pracakita-chala-sapta-dvandva-loka-stutas tvam
ripu-rudhira-nishekenaiva shonamghri-shalin
daha daha narasimasahya-viryahitam me
Your lotus feet are reddened by the blood of the enemy. Fourteen lokas are scared by the stamping of Your feet. Demigods assemble, fear and tremble and pray for Your mercy. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
 
4. tava ghanaghana-ghosho ghoram aghraya jamgha
parigham alaghum uru-vyaja-tejo-girim cha
ghana vighatitam aga-daitya-jamghala-samgho
daha daha narasimasahya-viryahitam me
You take great pleasure in slaughtering the armies of the demons. You wield Your heavy mace in a most cunning manner with the force of a great mountain. As You chop demons into pieces others immediately flee for their lives. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
5. kataki-kata-karala-dhatakagrya-stha-labha
prakata-pata-tadit te sat-katishthati-patvi
katuka katuka dushtatopadrishti-pramushtau
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
The mountains of Your hips are nicely decorated with yellow garments, which appear just like lightning in its intense brilliance. Attacking fiercely he who had the foremost position (the seat of King Indra), You removed the threat of that exceedingly wicked one. O ferocious one! Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
6. prakhara-nakhara-vajrotkhata-rukshari-vakshaha
shikhari-shikhara raktai rakta nandoha-deha
suvalibha-shubha-kukshe bhadra gambhira-nabhe
daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me
As Your nails, sharp like thunderbolts, tore the abdomen of the enemy, blood surged from the body of the demon and bathed You. Your lotus-like navel is deep and Your abdomen is decorated with the auspicious three lines. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
7. sphurayati tava sakshat saiva nakshatra-mala
kshapita-ditija-vaksho-vyapta-nakshatra-marga
ari-dara-dhara-janvasakta-hasta-dvayaho
daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me
Your two hands, as they directly burst open the chest of the son of Diti, appear just like a necklace of stars. Supporting him on Your knees, You tore his chest apart which blocked the path of the stars. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
8. katu-vikata-sataudho-dhattanad bhrashta-bhuyo
ghana-patala-vishalakasha-labdhavakasham
kara-parigha-vimarda-prodyamam dhyayatas te
daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me
Your mane is burning and monstrous, and You cause the enemy to fall from his position by tearing apart his chest. Once attaining the opportunity, under the broad roof of the clouds and sky, You raise Your hand, powerful as a mace, to strike. I meditate upon You in this form. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
9. hata-lutada-laghisthotkantha-dashto ‘sta-vidyut
sata-shata-katianorah-pitha-bhit sushtu nistham
patati nu tava kanthadhishtha-ghorantramala
daha daha narasimasahya viryahitam me
Appearing brilliantly illuminated, Your neck, with hundreds of mane-hairs, is raised lightly and appears to be bitten by eight bolts of lightning. You divide the chest and very strong position of Hiranyakashipu. You are garlanded with his ghastly entrails. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
10. hata-bahu-mihirabhasa hy asamhara-ramho
huta-vaha-bahu-hetir hrepikananta-hetihi
ahata-yihita-mohan samvihansai ham asyam
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
The effulgence of many suns is destroyed by Your uncheckable potency. The many weapons sent against You are like sacrificial offerings, and You reply with unlimited weaponry. Put down, strike and slay my illusion. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
11. guru-guru-giri-rajat-kandarantargad eva
dina-mani-mani-shringevanta-vahni-pradipte
daddhad ati-kau-damstre bhishanojjihva-vaktram
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
My Lord, Your fearful countenance, with tongue extended and sharp teeth blazing as if illuminated from within, appears as the peak of a huge mountain of gems lit by the sunrise and by fire coming from within its caves. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
12. adharita-vibudhadhi-dhyana-dhairya vididhyad
vividha-vibudhadhi shraddha-pitendrari-nasham
vidadhad ati-katahoddhatanoddhatta-hasam
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
The enemy of Indra (Hiranyakashipu) made waves in the ocean of demigods and took the shraddha offerings meant for the forefathers. Confounding the intelligence of the demigods, he minimized their austerity and position in various ways. But You, O Narasimha, melted him in the pot of Your shrill laughter. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
13. tri-bhuvana-trina-matra-trana-trishardra
netra-trayam ati-laghitarchir vishtapavishtapadam
navatara-ravi-tamram dharayan ruksha-viksham
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
Every living being in the three worlds, down to the blade of grass, was scorched by the flame of Hiranyakashipu. But You, with Your three eyes, have annihilated this flame. Your appearance is threatening to the miscreants, and Your color is coppery like the newly risen sun. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
14. bhramad abhi-bhava-bhubhrid bhuri-bhubhara-sad
 bhidbhida-nava-vibhava-bhru-vibhramadabhra-shubhra
ripu-bhava-bhayam etar bhasi bho bho vibho ‘bhir
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
You wander about without resistance, for You are the supreme power and the maintainer of the earth. Hail to You, O Lord; You are effulgent and fearful to Your enemies, although You fear no one. You divided into nine parts the burden of the earth (Hiranyakashipu) simply by the effulgence produced by the movement of Your eyebrows. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
15. shravana-khachita-canchat-kundaloccanda-ganda
bhrukuti katu lalata-shreshtha-nasarunoshta
varada surada rajat-kesarotsaritare
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
Your ears are prominent, Your earrings swing to and fro and Your face appears ferocious. Your eyebrows give Your forehead a threatening aspect, and You are most beautiful with Your high nose and reddish lips. O giver of benedictions, well-wisher of the demigods and devotees, the enemy is scattered by the effulgence the hair of Your mane. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
16. pravikavacha-kacha-rajad-ratna kotira-shalin
gala-gata galad-usradara-ratnangadadhya
kanaka-kataka-kanchi sinjini sudrikavan
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
 You wear no armor, yet You are decorated by beautiful locks of shining hair and many ornaments made of jewels. Your bodily effulgence appears as if You had swallowed the newly-risen sun. Your hands exhibit various mudras, and Your waist is decorated with a gold chain, making a tinkling noise. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
17. ari-daram asi hetau chapa-banau gadam
 san-mushalam api kapolam cankusham pasha-shulam
dadhad api vidhutantra-sragvi-bhinnari-vaksho
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
You are equipped with bow and arrow, as well as various astras or missiles, club, mace, rod for controlling elephants, noose, and trident. Placing the enemy upon Your lap and tearing open his abdomen, he is thus purified of all contamination, and therefore You take his intestines and wear them as a victory garland. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
18. cata cata cata duram mohayan bhramayarin
kada kada kada kayam jvalaya sphotayasva
jahi jahi jahi vegam shatravah sanubandham
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
 Fall upon my foes, fall upon them, fall upon them. Bewilder them and drive them far away. Consume, consume, consume the bodies of the enemies; incinerate and burst them asunder. Conquer, conquer, conquer forcefully my foes and their followers. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
19. vidhi-bhava-vibudhesha-bhramakagni-sphulinga
prasavi-vikata-damshtrojjihva-vaktra trinetra
kala kala kala kalam pahi mam te subhaktam
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
Even Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and King Indra are bewildered to see Your tongue, like a firebrand, pressed between Your gigantic teeth. O three-eyed one, Your face appears most fearful, like time personified. Sound out the fate of the demons and kindly protect me, Your surrendered servant. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
20. kuru kuru karunam tvam sankuram daitya-pote
disha disha vishadam me shashvatim deva-drishtim
jaya jaya jaya murte ‘narta jetavya-paksha
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
 O supreme form, Have mercy, have mercy upon me. Dispel, dispel my ignorance just as You uprooted the child of Diti. You are never subjected to the sufferings of material existence. Neither are You defeated; indeed, whoever You favor will always triumph. Be victorious. Bestow upon me the divine vision to see You always. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
21. stutir iyam ahita-ghnisevita narasimhi
tanur iva parishanta-malini sabhitolam
tad akhila-gurum agrya-shrida-rupa-mahadbhihi
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
This prayer, offered in devotional service to Lord Narasimhadeva, destroys all inauspicious things. That Lord of the universe, the universal teacher, appearing as if garlanded by the destroyed body of Hiranyakashipu, bestows all good fortune and opulence upon His worshipers. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
22. likucha-tilaka-sunuh sad-dhitartanusari
narahari-nitim etam shatru-samhara-hetum
akrita-sakala-papa-dhvamsanim yah pathet tam
daha daha narasimhasahya viryahitam me
The Lord appears in a seemingly bitter form to act for the protection of His devotee Prahlada. Anyone who reads this description of the character of Lord Narahari causes his enemies to retreat, and his sins are undone and vanquished. Burn Narasimha, burn my adversaries with Your unbearable power.
——————————————–
 
Note-One of the lines in this prayer states…”This prayer, offered in devotional service to Lord Narasimhadeva, destroys all inauspicious things.” So my prayer is that everything that is in-auspicious in the Hare Krsna Movement be burned to ashes by the merciful glance of Sri Narasimha dev. When this feeling of all the devotees reaches critical mass, maybe then Lord Narasimhadev will take action against all the demoniac elements in the Hare Krsna Movement. And then a new era of purity and peacefulness can be seen in this material world due to His mercy.

Comments Off on Sri Narashima stuti-burn Narasimha burn, all my adversaries with your unbearable power

by Damaghosa dasa

The intimate and very personal affair of –deity worship

March 12, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

salagram sila closeup.jpg
Hare Krsna–Here are two photos of bathing a couple of our Salagrama and Govardhana Silas.  As we can see, Both are looking straight at me while I bathe Them-a very personal and intimate affair that happens every morning. The large Govardhana sila at the top of the photo is called Radha Girihari Manohar, as He comes with His companion ,confidant , and consort-Srimati Radharani (not shown) The other one is Saksi Gopal with the huge smile and penetrating eyes always looking at me while I try to bathe, dry, oil up and paste with sandlewood and tulsi leaf.. Sometimes I remember one verse from Sastra where it states that simply  by drinking the bath water of these Silas, that person will no more take birth in the womb of a woman. I mean, is that not like winning the largest lottery-ever?

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on The intimate and very personal affair of –deity worship

by Damaghosa dasa

Our Deity worship-bona fide or bogus?

March 12, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

SB4.7.46 purport-A significant word used in this verse is trayī-gātra, which means that the transcendental form of the Lord is the Vedas. Anyone who engages in the worship of the Deity, or the form of the Lord in the temple, is understood to be studying all the Vedas twenty-four hours a day. Simply by decorating the Deities of the Lord, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, in the temple, one very minutely studies the injunctions of the Vedas.Even a neophyte devotee who simply engages in the worship of the Deity is understood to be in direct touch with the purport of Vedic knowledge. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: the purport of the Vedas is to understand Him, Kṛṣṇa. One who worships and serves Kṛṣṇa directly has understood the truths of the Vedas.   Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/4/7/46

Dec 23 1970 Surat conversations

Devotee (3): In regard to worshiping arcā-vigraha form, you have explained that if one receives a mantra from a spiritual master who is not bona fide, that mantra has no effect. So I would like to ask if one is worshiping a Deity and his spiritual master is not bona fide, so that Deity cannot be considered the Supreme Lord?

Prabhupāda: Well, first of all, thing is if the spiritual master is not bona fide, how his mantra can be bona fide? Your statement is contradictory. If you say the spiritual master is not bona fide, then how his mantra becomes bona fide? If he is bona fide, then his mantra is bona fide.

Devotee (3): Then why is he giving instruction to worship the Deity? If the spiritual master is not bona fide, then is the Deity also not bona fide?

Prabhupāda: I do not follow. What does he say?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: His idea is that if one receives a mantra from a spiritual master, if the spiritual master is not bona fide…

Prabhupāda: Then there is no question of mantra. There is no question of worshiping Deity. These are all bogus things. If you are not… Just like here is a young medical man. If he has not received instruction from a bona fide medical college, so what is the value of his medical, being… That is… What is called? What is the technical name?

Devotee (4): Quack.

Prabhupāda: Quack! (laughter) (pronounces like “quark”)

Devotees: Quack.

Prabhupāda: A quack is not a medical man, however he may show all red bottles, white bottles.

 https://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/sb/6/1/41-42/surat/december/23/1970

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Our Deity worship-bona fide or bogus?

by Damaghosa dasa

Vedic conception of sound in four features

March 10, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Vedic Conception of Sound in Four Features

Jahnava Nitai Das
Originally published in “Tattva Prakasha” Volume 1, Issue 7; available online at www.indiadivine.org/index.htm
In the Vedantic traditions sound is considered one of the most important principles of existence, as it is both the source of matter and the key to become free from it. One who can thoroughly understand the four stages of sound as explained in the Vedic texts can utilize this science to become free from the bondage of matter.
When trying to understand the four levels of sound, we must first understand what is “sound” as defined in the scriptures. In the Srimad Bhagavatam (3.26.33) we find an interesting definition for sound (shabda) as follows:
arthashrayatvam shabdasya
drashtur lingatvam eva ca
tan-matratvam ca nabhaso
lakshanam kavayo viduh
“Persons who are learned and who have true knowledge define sound as that which conveys the idea of an object, indicates the presence of a speaker and constitutes the subtle form of ether.”
This may not be an absolute definition of sound, as there are various levels of sound to define, but it provides us with a solid foundation to begin our study of this topic. This definition, as given in Srimad Bhagavatam, is very interesting in that it differs completely from western and modern views of defining sound.
First, those who are learned and who have true knowledge define sound as that which conveys the idea of an object. Sound is not just the vibration created by the meeting of two objects. Sound is that which conveys the idea of an object. The exact word used in this connection is “artha-ashraya” or “the shelter of the meaning”. In the Vedic conception the aksharas (letters) are bijas, or seeds of existence. The audible sound is categorized into 50 alphabets of Sanskrit starting from “a” and ending with “ksha”. Hence the alphabet is called “akshara”, which literally means “infallible” or “supreme”. Akshara is also a synonym for pranava (Om), the sum of all syllables and source of all vedic hymns. The Bhagavad Gita confirms this as follows:
karma brahmodbhavam viddhi
brahmakshara-samudbhavam
tasmat sarva-gatam brahma
nityam yajne pratisthitam
“Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas, and the Vedas are directly manifested from akshara, the sacred syllable Om. Consequently the all-pervading Transcendence (pranava or the syllable ‘Om’) is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice.”
Karma, or duty, is manifested from the Vedas. This manifestation is not exactly direct, for one is spiritual and the other is material. This is indicated by the word udbhavam. On the other hand, the manifestation of the Vedas from the pranava (Om) is direct, and thus the word used to describe it is sam-udbhavam, and not just udbhavam.
In the Tantras the aksharas are traced back to their material source level which is a particular deity of Shakti. Each of her stages of manifestation are phases in the evolution of the universe. Thus the aksharas are potent sound, constitutionally connected to objects as sound (shabda) and its meaning (artha).
This is interesting in that it draws a distinction between sound and noise. Noise, as distinct from sound, is not the artha-ashraya, or the shelter of meaning.
Sri Baladeva Vidyabhushana in his commentary to Vedanta Sutra 1.3.28 says that the creation of all living entities proceeds from the remembrance of their form and characteristics by Lord Brahma reciting the corresponding words. From this we can begin to understand to potency of sound and its meaning.
The second aspect of Srimad Bhagavatam’s definition of sound that is unique from modern thought is that sound is defined as “that which indicates the presence of a speaker”. Thus sound must be a product of consciousness. In this senses, sound is sometimes referred to as vak, or speech, throughout the Vedic texts.
In the tantra system the purva mimamsaka’s theory of the eternality of shabda (sound) and artha (meaning) is accepted. They go a little further to assert that shabda and artha are the embodiment of Shiva and Shakti as the universe itself. They name their original source as shabdartha-brahman instead of a mere shabda-brahman. For, that is the source of both the objects and their descriptions. Words and their meanings – what they denote in the objective world – are the variety of manifestations of shakti.

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Vedic conception of sound in four features

by Damaghosa dasa

The Healing Power of Sound

March 10, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

The Healing Power of Sound
by Simon Heather BSoc.Sc, MBAcC, MCOH
The astonishing results of sound upon blood, water, cancer cells, neurones and a range of conditions.
The History of Sound Healing
     Sound has been used as a healing force for thousands of years. All ancient civilizations used sound for healing. Traditional cultures still surviving today understand the remarkable healing power that lies in sound.
     In the Bible we are told that David played his harp to lift King Saul’s depression. Egyptian papyri over 2,600 years old refer to incantations as cures for infertility and rheumatic pain.
     The ancient Greeks believed music had the power to heal body and soul. They used the flute and the lyre for treating illnesses such as gout and sciatica. It is reported that Alexander the Great’s sanity was restored by music played on the lyre. There is an ancient Greek saying, ‘Men have song as a physician for pain.’
     Pythagoras used special songs and incantations with particular melodies and rhythms, to cure diseases of the body and mind.1
What is Sound Healing?
     Sound healing is the therapeutic application of sound frequencies to the body/mind of a person with the intention of bringing them into a state of harmony and health. The dictionary defines ‘harmony’ as ‘congruity of parts to their whole or to one another’. ‘Health’ is defined as ‘the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free of disease’.
     The French ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Alfred Tomatis has devoted the last 50 years to understanding the ear and its function. He believes that the ear is the most important of all our sense organs. The ear controls the body’s sense of balance, rhythm and movement and is the conductor of the entire nervous system.
     Through the medulla, the auditory nerve connects with all the muscles of the body. Hence, muscle tone, equilibrium, flexibility and vision are affected by sound. Through the vagus nerve, the inner ear connects with the larynx, heart, lungs, stomach, liver, bladder, kidneys, small intestine and large intestine.
     Tomatis believes that high frequency sounds (3,000Hz and above) activate the brain and affect cognitive functions such as thinking, spatial perception and memory. Listening to these sounds increases our attentiveness and concentration.2
Resonance
     When an opera singer vibrates a glass with their voice, they have matched the resonant frequency of the glass. As the singer increases the volume of their sound, the resonance becomes too great for the forces that hold the glass together and it shatters. Modern medicine now uses sound waves to break up kidney stones and gallstones.
     Every organ, every bone, every cell in the body has its own resonant frequency. Together they make up a composite frequency like the instruments of an orchestra. When one organ in the body is out of tune it will affect the whole body. Through sound healing it may be possible to bring the diseased organ into harmony with the rest of the body, hence avoiding the need for drugs or surgery.
     The principle of entrainment states that powerful rhythmic vibrations from one source will cause the less powerful vibrations of another source to lock into the vibration of the first source. Nature always seeks the most efficient state; it takes less energy to pulse in co-operation that in opposition.
Scientific Research into Sound
     In the 18th century Ernest Chladni, a German physicist, found that when a violin bow was drawn vertically across the rim of a metal plate the sound waves produced created patterns in sand sprinkled on the plate. Different musical tones would cause the sand particles to move into geometric patterns.
     In the 1960s Hans Jenny, a Swiss scientist, spent over ten years conducting experiments to discover the effects of sound waves on materials placed on metal plates vibrated with sound. Materials such as glycerine, mercury, gel, powder and iron fillings were used. He photographed the patterns created.
     He found that low frequency sounds produced simple geometric shapes in the materials. As the sound frequency was increased, these simple forms would break up and more complex patterns would appear. The sound ‘OH’ would produce a perfect circle. The sound ‘OM’ produced a pattern that resembles the Shri Yantra; the ancient mandala for ‘OM’ used in India for thousands of years.
     Jenny came to the conclusion that sound creates form and that the entire human body had its own sound made up of all the sounds of its cells, tissues and organs.3

Comments Off on The Healing Power of Sound

by Damaghosa dasa

Growing Corn-its use and usefulness—SP

March 8, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Hare Krsna-Below we have some photos of corn in its various stages before my wife grinds it into finer and finer flour for making into various corn breads, sweets, cake crusts and other preps.It is a very useful and delicious grain which I love to eat fresh for about a month and a half every evening meal in the summertime.
Here is what Srila Prabhupada says about corn…..
Oct 9 1977
Prabhupāda: From corn you can make two things: ruṭi and bhāta.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hm. From corn you can make two things: ruṭi, cāpāṭis, and bhāta, or like rice.
Prabhupāda: The villagers will like it very much. You smash it by that ḍheṅki. You know that machine?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The ladies jump on it.
Prabhupāda: Yes. So as much as it is powdered, make it ruṭi, and the hard portion make rice. The kṛṣāṇas will like, and it is very nutritious.
May 23 1966 NY
You will be surprised. When I was family man, I had a servant who was only twenty-two years old. Oh, he was too stout and strong. You see? So one day I asked him that… His name was Buddhu. So I asked him, “Buddhu, what do you take that you are very stout and strong?” He said, “My dear sir, I take only these corns.” Corns. You know corns? A corns and it is powdered. The powdered portions used to make bread, and the grain portion he used to cook as rice, and he was taking that. That’s all.
Green: Cornmeal?
Prabhupāda: Corn.
Devotees: Meal. Cornmeal.

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Growing Corn-its use and usefulness—SP

by Damaghosa dasa

The Iskcon-“Its offensive argument” countered by Srila Prabhupada

March 7, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Iskcon-its offensive
THE “IT’S OFFENSIVE” BANDWAGON

(Unknown author)
It has become the norm in Iskcon to use this catch phrase “Its offensive”.
But devotees are realising this as someone who has something to hide. In association with this there are other similar words like “he’s senior”. “Who’s your authority?”
THESE are means of GAGGING. These techniques have been used artfully to
prevent the hidden agenda that a person has from making it known to the
public.

For Instance (770428rc.bom) Prabhupada has said :
Prabhupada: You take prasadam. But why salary? Where is the question of
salary? Where is vairagya, renouncement? So in all circumstances the salary process should be STOPPED. One who wants salary, he can work outside.

Its an open secret that paying huge salaries to temple presidents and other key members is now current and in return they arrange for the smooth function of the “guru”-franchise.

If anybody should oppose this arrangement then you are confronted with “Its offensive” and if all fails then you are banned from the temple—yes! You cannot go take darshan of Sri Sri Radha Krishna.

You cannot also get Srila Prabhupada’s books for distribution.

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on The Iskcon-“Its offensive argument” countered by Srila Prabhupada

by Damaghosa dasa

Srila Prabhupada promises to take us back to Godhead

March 7, 2019 in Articles by Damaghosa dasa

Srila Prabhupada promises to take us  back to Godhead
 
72-12-26.Amo                Letter: Amogha               292164/530501
Please accept my blessings. I wish to acknowledge receipt of your
letter dated December 1, 1972, and I have noted the contents. It is
very much pleasing to me to hear that you are making such steady
advancement in Krishna Consciousness. If you continue in this way, and
strictly follow the four regulative principles, making sure to chant
at least sixteen rounds on the beads, daily, it is without a doubt
that at the end of this lifetime, you can go back home, back to
Godhead.
 
I shall be going there near February 1, so you may do the needful.
Hoping this meets you in good health.
 
Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
 
73-01-28.Hil            Letter: Hillel Ben-Ami           292681/530501
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter, undated, and I have
noted the contents very carefully. Thank you very much for your kind
sentiments. Now try and understand our philosophy very carefully by
reading all of our books, such as Bhagavad-gita As It Is,
Srimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and
there are so many others. In addition, please follow the regulative
principles very rigidly, such as chanting daily 16 rounds on the
beads, attending classes, getting up for mangala aratrika. These
regulative principles will make us very strong in Krsna Consciousness
and very rapidly we can advance in this way. So under the direction of
the senior devotees there try and become fixed in your devotional
service to the Lord, Sri Krsna, and this will certainly bring complete
satisfaction to you and make you eligible for going back to home, back
to Godhead, in this very lifetime.
   Hoping this finds you well,
 
Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
 

Read the rest of this entry →

Comments Off on Srila Prabhupada promises to take us back to Godhead

by Laksman dasa

Immortal Charity: Srila Prabhupada’s Gift to the World

March 5, 2019 in Articles by Laksman dasa

By Narasimha das

O spotless one, your answers to all these questions will grant immunity for all material miseries. Such charity is greater than all Vedic charities, sacrifices, penances and so on. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.7.41)

“The highest perfectional work of charity it to give people in general immunity from the anxieties of material existence. This can be done only by performing activities in devotional service to the Lord. Such knowledge is incomparable. Cultivation of knowledge in the Vedas, performance of sacrifice, and distribution of munificent charities all together cannot form even a part of the immunity from the pangs of material existence that is gained from devotional service. The charity of Maitreya not only will help Vidura, but, due to its universal nature, will deliver all others in all times. Thus Maitreya is immortal.” (SB.3.7.41, Purport)

In this section of Third Canto Bhagavatam, the great saint Vidura puts forward many questions to Maitreya Rishi. His aim was to point out the principles of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He knew that by this understanding anyone, past, present or future, will be liberated from the miseries of material existence and return to the spiritual world via the methods of pure devotion.

In this age, Srila Prabhupada has kindly adjusted the prescribed methods of devotional service found in the Vedas, the Puranas, the Upanisads and Vaishnava commentaries in a way suitable not only for highly intellectual sadhus of Vedic times but for people in general—even those of this present degraded age.

The charity of Srila Prabhupada is meant not only for a small group of disciples or those he personally met and guided, but, due to its “universal nature, will deliver all others in all times”. Thus Srila Prabhupada, like Maitreya Rishi, is immortal. This mystery can never be appreciated by posers whose ulterior aim is to exploit the eternal mission of the Supreme Lord for personal ambition. Nor can it be understood by mayavadis, impersonalists, and sahajiyas. In fact, even prakrita-bhaktas (materialistic devotees) who deliberately remain attached to this material world and fail to appreciate good instructions for detachment may fall again into degradation.

“The demigods in the heavenly planets, and many devotees on this planet also, want to remain in the material world as devotees of the Lord and take advantage of material happiness. They do so at the risk of falling down to the lower status of existence, and this makes the Lord dissatisfied with them.” (SB.3.9.12, Purport)

Comments Off on Immortal Charity: Srila Prabhupada’s Gift to the World

← Previous Entries