by Damaghosa dasa

Janmastami/vyasa puja 2012 report: Sedro Woolley, WA

August 12, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
We had a very nice Janmastami/vyasa puja festival here at Sri Sri Gaura  Nitai Mandir on Aug 11, in Sedro Woolley, Wash.
Because the actual event took place on thru/fri, and most of our  congregational members have to work and come from long distances we held a  combined event on saturday.
Many came, all had a great time, and were fed sumptuous Krsna prasadam  before they happily left.
We began the program with an Arotik for Srila Prabhupada followed by  pushpa puja, then heartfelt offerings by the devotees and lots of realizations  how Srila Prabhupada has totally transformed their lives.
Then we did Lord Krsna Arotik , followed by a short class, then a play,  then Abhisek, then opening of some presents, then everyone letting loose  with the chinese party poppers, and ending up with the huge feast comprised of  what seemed endless amounts of wonderful mercy from the Supreme Lord. Now we  have the ” problem” of how to “honor”  many sweets which were left  over.
For those who came and participated, thank you for coming, helping out,  thankyou for your donations, and for those who didn’t come-we hope to see  some of you next year.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
your humble servants
Damaghosa das and Daria devi dasi.
 

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by Damaghosa dasa

ACARYA CREATES THE TRADITION NOT THAT TRADITION CREATES ACARYAS WAY TO PREACH !!!

August 11, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa, Dravinaksha Dasa, other Prabhupada anugas, Yasoda nandana Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

from Damaghosa dasa, Yasoda nandana dasa,  Dravinaksha dasa and other Prabhupada anugas
Srila Prabhupada re Acarya may make little changes.
They are mahājanas. So we have to follow Prahlāda Mahārāja. He is our guru, pūrva-ācārya. Nārada is pūrva-ācārya.He is disciple of Nārada. Therefore he is ācārya, and his disciplic succession… There are sampradāyas: Brahma-sampradāya, Kaumāra-sampradāya… Anyone who is bona fide ācārya, he can create his own disciplic succession, but one disciplic succession and the other disciplic—they are not different. They are of the same conclusion. The Vaiṣṇava ācāryas, just like our Rāmānujācārya, Madhvācārya, and Nimbārka, and who that? Rudra-sampradāya?Viṣṇu Svāmī. They are all of the same movement. Ārādhyo-bhagavān vrajeśa-tanayaḥ, kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam [SB 1.3.28].That is their conclusion. There is no different conclusion. Although they have got varieties of methods—śuddhādvaita, dvaitādvaita, vaśiṣṭādvaita, like that—they present the same philosophy in clear way. And Caitanya Mahāprabhu presented the same philosophy, that acintya-bhedābheda. That is ācārya. Ācārya gives some way for simple understanding. The same conclusion, but according to the time, circumstances, they give a very easy method to understand. That is ācārya.Ācārya is following strictly the previous ācārya, but according to the circumstances, he may make little changes. That is… That change is not change from the original idea. No.
Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures : Canto 7: Lectures : SB 7.9: Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.12 — Mayapur, February 19, 1976
Sp re the ācārya knows how to adjust things, at the same time keep pace with the spiritual interest(?)
Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures : Canto 1: Lectures : SB 1.1: Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.9 — Auckland, February 20, 1973 : 730220sb.auc :
Prabhupāda: But the directions should be taken from scriptures. But there are many scriptures. So ācārya means, just like Gosvāmīs, they would read all the scriptures and take the essence of it and give it to his disciples that, “You act like this.” Because he knows what to give, how to manipulate, so that his ekāntataḥśreyas will be achieved. Ultimate goal. That is ācārya. Therefore the ācārya knows how to adjust things, at the same time keep pace with the spiritual interest(?). It is not that the same thing to be applied everywhere. He is eager to engage actually the people in the real benefit of life, but the means may be different. Just like my Guru Mahārāja. He is the first time that he allowed the sannyāsīs to drive in a motorcar. A sannyāsī never drives in a motorcar, you see? But not for sense gratification. Suppose we are going by aeroplane. A sannyāsīshould walk. The Jain sannyāsīs they never ride on a car, you know that. You know that. They will never ride on a car. But now they are also riding. But suppose we are preaching now. I came from India. If I were to say, “I am a sannyāsī, I will not ride in a car or aeroplane, I must walk.” Then what kind of preaching there would have been? You see? So therefore it depends on the ācārya how to adjust things. So, my Guru Mahārāja, “Alright go on preaching on a motorcar, it doesn’t matter.” These Gosvāmīs, they went to Vṛndāvana, severest type of austerities. They used to life underneath a tree. Now if in this age I advise you that you also live underneath a tree, then it will be difficult to preach. You see? Nobody is accustomed in that way, such severe type of austerity. They must be given, as far as possible, comfortable accommodation otherwise they will not come. They will not take. Now this…. This is adjustment. The ācārya knows how to adjust things. The real purpose is how one will take to spiritual consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Keeping one’s aim to that point some concession may be given. As far as possible, keeping pace with the time, circumstances. Then? “The sages, therefore, inquired…” Huh.
Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures : Canto 1: Lectures : SB 1.1: Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.1.9 — Auckland, February 20, 1973 : 730220sb.auc
Srila Prabhupada re   Vaiṣṇava who is preaching, it may be in a different way, according to time and place and the party—they have to change something, deśa-kāla-pātra—but we have to see the essence.
So misunderstanding of God… There is no misunderstanding of the authorities. The misunderstanding, the common man… Just like in Australia, when I spoke, there was no misunderstanding. There was agreement by the priests and myself. There was complete agreement. (aside:) You were with me? Or… No. You were not. They, after hearing my lecture for one hour, they agreed and clapped for ten minutes. So there cannot be any misun… Those who are actually… They questioned, “What is your opinion of Lord Jesus Christ?” and I said, “He preached God consciousness. He’s our guru. Anyone who preaches the message of God, he is guru.” So they very much appreciated, and actually it is so. Vaiṣṇava who is preaching, it may be in a different way, according to time and place and the party—they have to change something, deśa-kāla-pātra—but we have to see the essence. Wherever there is God consciousness, wherever is there understanding.
Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures : Canto 1: Lectures : SB 1.8: Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.28 — Mayapura, October 8, 1974
Position of the pure devotee acarya, acarya is a good as Krsna
– One should never be envious of the acarya
– For preaching work, acarya may do something which is not consistent.
– Acarya may sometimes transgress the law
– Vaishnava acarya’s activities are not understood even by the wisest man
– Acarya has finished all business of material satisfaction
“…But in devotion, there is no karma-bandha. As Kṛṣṇa is free from all reaction, similarly Kṛṣṇa’s devotee who wants to satisfy Kṛṣṇa only, he is also free from all reaction. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāva-manyeta karhicit [SB 11.17.27]. “The ācārya is as good as I am,” Kṛṣṇa says. Nāva-manyeta karhicit, “Never neglect him.” Na martya-buddhyāsūyeta,“Never be envious of the ācārya, thinking him as anything of this material world.” Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān[SB 11.17.27]. Therefore, ācārya’s position is as good as Kṛṣṇa. Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair **. Ācārya is always cautious that he may not be subject to criticism. But who criticizes ācārya,he becomes immediately offender. Because he is playing the part of ācārya,he plays as far as possible. But sometimes for preaching work, he might have to do something which is not consistent. But if he is criticized, then that man who criticizes, he becomes... Of course, he must be ācārya, not a bogus. Ordinary man cannot transgress the laws, but Kṛṣṇa and His representative, ācārya, might be sometimes seen that he has transgressed. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān[SB 11.17.27]. Vaiṣṇavera kriyā, mudrā vijñeha nā bujhaya. In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Vaiṣṇava ācārya, his activities is not understood even by the wisest man. Vaiṣṇavera kriyā, mudrā vijñeha nā bujhaya. Brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam. Ācārya, guru, he is completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa. He has taken the shelter of Kṛṣṇa, being completely freed from all material affection. Brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam. Everything… Everyone has got some material desire to fulfill, but a guru or ācārya has no such business. That is the symptom of ācārya. He has no more any material business.Brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam. He has finished all business of material satisfaction. That is the symptom of ācārya. And śābde pare ca niṣṇātam. And he has taken full bath in the ocean of transcendental (indistinct). Śābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta [SB 11.3.21], one should surrender to such spiritual master. Jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam,when he is actually serious about inquiring the transcendental subject matter. Otherwise there is no need of accepting guru or ācārya. He has no business. If one is not interested in the transcendental subject matter…”    Conversations : 1972 Conversations : March, 1972 : Room Conversation with John Griesser (later initiated as Yadubara Dasa) — March 10, 1972, Vrndavana
From: DasDasDas@aol.com Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:40:14 EDT Subject: Direct instruction more important than book instruction To: DasDasDas@aol.com
750327rc.may               Conversations                376438/530501 Atreya Rsi: …I am degraded. “Very seriously, or may be given to me from time to time directly, these directions, by my aforesaid Guru Maharaja, or through his books, or…” In other words, direction given, instruction given, directly by him or through his… Prabhupada: Better directly. Atreya Rsi: No “His books”? Prabhupada: No. Atreya Rsi: Not necessary. Prabhupada: Because I may give direction according to the time. Atreya Rsi: “Or” means both. Prabhupada: Hm? Atreya Rsi: “Or” can mean… All right. “Or through his commissioners…”(?) Prabhupada: Direct, direct instruction is important. Just like Krsna. In the books He has given many instructions, but then He says, sarva-dharman parityaja. If one says that “You gave me instruction before like this. How can I give up this?” so that is not important. The direct instruction is important.
This conversation with Srila Prabhupada and the GBCshows us how important he considered his Direct Instruction over his book instructions. Therefore his last instructions to us are more important than ALL previous ones. He said to appoint ritvik priests and never rescinded this order. Therefore it stands for as long as iskcon does.
Guru must be authorized by the bona fide Guru. “Self-made guru cannot be guru. He must be authorized by the bona fide guru. Then he’s guru. This is the fact…Similarly, bona fide guru meanshe must be authorized by the superior guru.” (SP NOD Lecture, October 31. 1972)
Guru must be authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. “One should take initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who isauthorised by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called diksa-vidhana.” (S.B. 4.8.54, purport)
Srila Prabhupada explains how he became the leader of the KC movement. Guru must be ordered by His guru. “Indian man: When did you become spiritual the leader of Krsna Consciousness? Srila Prabhupada: What is that? Brahmananda: He is asking when did you become the spiritual leader of Krsna Consciousness? Srila Prabhupada:When my Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the guru parampara. Indian man: Did it… Srila Prabhupada: Try to understand. Don’t go very speedily. A guru can become guru when he is ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can become guru. ”     (SP Bg. Lecture, 28/10/75
TEXT
Translation
The Supreme Personality of=20 Godhead said to the brahmana: I am completely under the control of My devote=s. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devo=d of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to sp=ak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me.
PURPORT All the great stalwart personalities in the universe, including Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, are fully under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead is fully under the control of His devotee. Why is this? Because the devotee is anyabhilasita-sunya; in other words, he has no material desires in his heart. His only desire is to think always of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and how to serve Him best. Because of this transcendental qualification, the Supreme Lord is extremely favorable to the devotees—indeed, not only the devotees, but also the devotees of the devotees. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba: without being a devotee of a devotee, one cannot be released from material entanglement. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu identified Himself as gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah. Thus he instructed us to become not directly servants of Krsna but servants of the servant of Krsna. Devotees like Brahma, Narada, Vyasadeva and Sukadeva Gosvami are directly servants of Krsna, and one who becomes a servant of Narada, Vyasadeva and Sukadeva, like the six Gosvamis, is still more devoted. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura therefore says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah: ** if one very sincerely serves the spiritual master, Krsna certainly become favorable to such a devotee.FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF A DEVOTEE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD DIRECTLY.
SB 9/4/63 TEXT 63
Nalinī-kānta:Whatever the spiritual master says, that is also perfect?
Prabhupāda:Yes. Because he says nothing concocted. Whatever he says, he says from śāstra, and guru Conversations : 1975 Conversations : April, 1975 : Morning Walk — April 8, 1975, Mayapur.

Bringing prior instructions given by Prabhupada to contradict a later direct order – such as the letter of July 9, 1977, the formal directive designating ritvik representatives – is crazy,insanity,madness.

SRILA PRABHUPADA: “I may say many things to you, but when I say something directly, “Do it”, your first duty is to do that. You cannot argue, “Sir, you said me like this before.” No, that is not your duty. What I say now, you do it. That is obedience. If the captain of the ship says “Five degrees starboard” and the first mate replies, “But captain, before you told me‘Ten degrees port’,” then it can be understood that the first mate has gone insane.” — lecture by Srila Prabhupada on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Hyderabad, India, April 15, 1975

From: “DasDasDas@aol.com” <DasDasDas@aol.com> To: yasoda1008@yahoo.com; vikramasingha@gmail.com Sent: Thursday, August 9, 2012 7:35 AM Subject: Fwd: pass it on!

Date: Wed, 8 Aug 2012 17:52:30 -0400 Subject: A nice post from “Mathius Sabji” on Facebook From: georgiadis108@gmail.com To:
ACARYA CREATES THE TRADITION NOT THAT TRADITION CREATES ACARYAS WAY TO PREACH !!!
“Every acarya has a specific means of propagating his spiritual movement with the aim of bringing men to Krishna consciousness. Therefore, the method of one acarya may be different from that of another, but the ultimate goal is never neglected.”
( Caitanya-caritamrta purports Adi 7.37)

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

The significance of Srila Prabhupada’s appearance

August 10, 2012 in Articles, Vidura Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

                                        

                                                prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama

                                                sarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama

                                                (Caitanya-bhagavata, Antya 4.126)

 

Lord Caitanya desired that “In all the towns, in as many towns and villages as there are on the surface of the globe, My name will be broadcast.” He is Krsna Himself, svayam krsna, krsna caitanya-namine, simply changing His name as Krsna Caitanya. So His prediction will never go in vain. That’s a fact. So my plan was that “I shall go to America. America is the leading country of the world. If I can convince  younger generation of America, they will take up.” I am old man. I came here at the age of seventy years; now I am seventy-six. So my warning is already there. In nineteen hundred and seventy-one, I had a severe heart attack. You know, all. So the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu is now in your hands. You are American boys and girls, very intelligent and graced by Krsna. You are not poverty-stricken. You have enough resources, prestige. Everything materially, you are all well-equipped. If you kindly take this Krsna consciousness movement seriously, your country will be saved, and the whole world will be saved.”

 

Arrival Lecture — Los Angeles, May 18, 1972

 

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur predicted:
“Soon there will appear a personality who will preach the holy name all over the world.”
Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas, introduction, Prabhupada-approved 1974 edition
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that His message should be broadcast all over the world, in every village and every town, and my Guru Maharaja attempted. Bhaktivinoda Thakura distributed his literature. I think, in 1896, he sent his first book, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and I saw in McGill University that book. And I do not know. That was the year of my birth also, 1896. So somehow or other, later on, I came in contact with Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja in 1922, and he immediately asked me that ‘Why don’t you go to the foreign countries and preach Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s blessings.'[…] In this way I started, first in New York, then in San Francisco, then Montreal, then Boston. In this way, now we have got about one hundred branches all over the world, forty branches in America. Big, big cities…”
Lectures : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 7.149-171 — San Francisco, March 18, 1967
Devotee: …you Srila Prabhupada. Only by your mercy you have brought us to this Krsna consciousness movement.
Srila Prabhupada: I am simply messenger. Mercy is of Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Prabhupada. Before your coming they predicted, that “Somebody will bring.” Maybe that somebody I am. (chuckles) Bhaktivinoda Thakura predicted. So anyway, Krsna has given us nice place.
Arrival Talk in Room — Mayapur, March 23, 1975
“He [Bhaktivinoda Thakura] sent his first book in 1896. Bhaktivinoda Thakura was the first origin of this movement. But he simply thought of it. And he was expecting some others that willing to take up the work. Well, somebody says that I am the same man. And I was born in 1896.”
Room Conversation with Canadian Ambassador to Iran — March 13, 1975, Iran
“Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura then comments: ‘Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Krsna to fulfill His desire and without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for devotees or religious people. Only an empowered personality can distribute the holy name of the Lord and enjoin all fallen souls to worship Krsna. By distributing the holy name of the Lord, he cleanses the hearts of the most fallen people; therefore he extinguishes the blazing fire of the material world. Not only that, he broadcasts the shining brightness of Krsna’s effulgence throughout the world. Such an acarya, or spiritual master, should be considered nondifferent from Krsna-that is, he should be considered the incarnation of Lord Krsna’s potency. Such a personality is krsnalingita-vigraha-that is, he is always embraced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. Such a person is above the considerations of the varnasrama institution. He is the guru or spiritual master for the entire world, a devotee on the topmost platform, the maha-bhagavata stage, and a paramahamsa-thakura, a spiritual form only fit to be addressed as paramahamsa or thakura.”
C.C. Madhya Lila 25.9 How All the Residents of Varanasi Became Vaisnavas

 

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by Nityananda Rama dasa

Happy 116th Vyasa Puja Srila Prabhupada​!!!

August 10, 2012 in Articles, Nityananda Rama Dasa by Nityananda Rama dasa

 nāma oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya

  bhū-tale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine

  nāmas te sārasvate deve gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe

  nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi-pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe

  Happy 116th Vyasa Puja Srila Prabhupada thank you for all that you did and continue to do for all the fallen jivas of this universe. I am forever in debt which I am unable to repay even after many births. You are the personification of Mahaprabhu’s mercy and is very dear to Him. You are the Person Bhagavat, the shelter for the fallen, the torch bearer who smashes darkness born of ignorance. The giver of the highest perfection in human life prema bhakti (love of God), you even purify the places of pilgrimage and have turned hellish places in the west into heavenly abodes where due to your powerful love and bhakti Sri Krsna has decided to reside. You have given us so many things and what can we possible give you? Even after your physical disappearance from our material vision you have stayed within in your murti, within the hearts of your faithful followers and within the pages of your books and continue to guide, protect and uplift us this is all due to your unconditional causeless mercy and love upon us. You are our captain, the only one leading us back home back to Godhead.  I pray that I may have thousands of mouths to always sing your praises, thousands of eyes to see your lotus like face and smile and thousands of ears to hear your transcendental voice but alas I do not and due to me having no bhakti and my heart being like a stone how can I do such things? How can I sing the holy names of Sri Krsna and praise Your Divine Grace without love in my heart? All I can pray is to stay your humble servant birth after birth and to serve the vaishnavas. Please allow this lowly servant the shade of Your Lotus like Feet.

  All Glories to my eternal spiritual master His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Your most fallen and humble servant

Nityananda Rama dasa

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by Damaghosa dasa

Earn money for good activities-“your activities” is sinful activity–SP

August 4, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below is two different things-but the same idea in both-namely if we
use our senses, given to us by God, for any purpose other than
to satisfy Him, we become implicated in papa, or sinful activity,  also
known  on the street as– “bad ju ju”.
dd
750105SB.BOM                    Lectures                    So the Aniruddha, He is the master of the senses, as it is  stated here, hrsikanam adhisvaram, adhisvaram, master, proprietor. So the common sense is that if my hand is the property of Krsna, why  it should be used for me? It should be used for Krsna. This is  good sense. Suppose something belongs to somebody else. If you use it  for your purpose, that is illegal, not lawful. This is my watch. If  you take away this watch and use for your purpose, then it is  criminal. You cannot say the watch is being used either by him or by…  It is being used, that’s all. No. You cannot use it. You can use it only  by the permission of the proprietor. Without permission of the proprietor,  if you use it, then you are criminal or you are  sinful. Similarly, we have got all the senses. The senses are  meant for working. The eyes are meant for seeing, the ears are meant  for hearing, the nose is meant for smelling, the hand is meant  for touching, the leg is meant for going, the stomach is meant  for eating–so many, we have got, different senses. They are meant  for different purpose. But if the purpose is for your sense  gratification, then you are criminal because you are not proprietor.  This is to understand bhakti. If you do not use all the senses for  Krsna’s purpose, then it is criminal. That is called papa.
   So you are doing that. Every one of us, who is doing for  Krsna? Nobody is doing for Krsna. Everyone is doing for his own  purpose. He is taking one flower. The devotee is bringing the  flower: “Oh, very nice flower. Let me take it to the temple and offer  it to Krsna.” That is devotion. The same flower, “Oh, it is very nice flower.  Oh, let me pin it on my bunch of hair.” That is papa. The same thing.  You must know how to utilize it. That is called bhakti. Everything  can be utilized. Nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate. That art we have to learn. Anasaktasya visayan.  Visayan means objectives for sense gratification, visayan.  Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. These are called visaya–eating, sleeping,  mating, and defending. Visaya.    So we are visaya. Everyone  are. We are eating. Everyone is eating. Who can say, “I am not eating”?  So visaya. So our business should be not to be attached for eating. Then  shall I starve and die? No, you eat Krsna prasadam. Eating is not stopped.  Eating is not stopped. Eating means as you are cooking for yourself at home,  the same cooking, do it for Krsna and offer it to Krsna and eat it. That’s  all. The mode of life should be changed. That is Krsna consciousness. It  is not that you shall give up eating. No, how can I give you that? No,  it is not possible. Neither Krsna says, “Just give up eating.”
Never  you will find in the Bhagavad… Yuktahara-viharasya. You must eat what you  need. Yuktahara-viharasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha. Krsna never says that  “Unnecessarily you starve.” You never find in the Bhagavad-gita; neither  any acarya will say. Rather, you offer to Krsna first-class foodstuff  because He is the enjoyer, and Krsna is so kind, He will leave everything for  you for taking prasadam. So automatically you can satisfy your tongue.  You offer to Krsna first-class food, and Krsna is so kind that He will eat;  at the same time, He will keep it for you. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva  avasisyate. Krsna’s eating is not like that: because you have given Him very  nice foodstuff, He will eat everything and nothing for you. (laughter) That  is not Krsna. Krsna eats everything, He accepts your service, and keeps  everything for you.    So this is bhakti-marga. It is very  nice. Simply you have to learn how to engage your senses. Hrsikena  hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate. Your senses are property of  Hrsikesa….

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by Damaghosa dasa

Let us all chant, and do nothing-SP

July 23, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

740531r2.gen                 Conversations
You cannot expect that your audience should be all highly brain. No.  Preaching is required because they have no brain.Therefore your duty is to tolerate all difficulties and bring  them to the sense of brain. Not that “These people are  animals; we shall not mix with them.” Then you have no missionary  activities. Then you sit down in a place and chant Hare Krsna. Then don’t  open centers. That is also dangerous. If we imitate Haridasa  Thakura, “Let us all chant and do nothing,” then the maya, the women, they  are very expert. They could not conquer over Haridasa  Thakura, but she’ll conquer upon you. And become  victim. Therefore we have to be active. We cannot imitate  Haridasa. Anyone who has imitated the Haridasa Thakura, he has fallen  down. He has fallen. He must fall down because imitating the highest  personality, for which he is not fit. Therefore he’s going to fall down. When  by preaching, by chanting, we will be expert, then it is possible.  …..
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Below is our spud field-about 175 plants which should be plenty for our  needs
the next year, which includes home use and all the programs  here
One way to get good potatoes is to soak the roots twice a season with 5  gallon
gallon buckets of water mixed with one cup of molasses. I did 40 gallons  here, twice.
this prevents the spuds from developing any black holes inside and makes  their
skins good for storage yet still very edible.
It’s also good to do it after you have wetted the soil so the liquid really soaks down
deep to the roots.
The Divine Pair to be worshipped in Kali yuga

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by Damaghosa dasa

The No Brain Society-SP

July 18, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Last night before taking rest I was reading this below in the  conversation books.
Srila Prabhupada was talking to a Mr Hennis from the United Nations Labor  Organization and he was trying to help this man understand that if human society  had no brain to lead it, then it was simply a dead body with no higher purposes  than animal life.
He also mentioned that devotees should tolerate all difficulties and try to  give these people some knowledge
that will help them both individually and collectively. To sit down  somewhere and just chant is not his idea of a disciple who would then be  imitating Haridas Thakur. If we do this then we will without doubt, become a  victim of Maya.
Damaghosa das
740531r2.gen                 Conversations
 Prabhupada: No, no. We have to go everywhere. Wherever there  is opportunity to instruct about this spiritual subject matter, we must go  there. We should not have such discrimination, that city should be neglected.  No. Why? They are also human being. They are misled. So we have to give them  a little instruction. Everywhere. In cities there is possibility. Whatever  we have collected, our men, that is from city, not from the village. So why  should we neglect city? Where is the question? (break) All hobgoblin, the  last word which I said, “dressing the dead body, decorating the dead  body.” The society has no brain; that means dead  body. When a man’s brain is gone, he is dead body, maybe he is  living. He has no use. Just like a madman. He has got life, but what is the  use of that life? It is already dead. Because his brain is deranged. Is it  not? So if the brain is lost, brain is deranged, therefore it is dead  body. That is the distinction between living body and dead body. A living  man has got brain. He can work with his brain. And the dead bod… The body is there. Why call it dead? Because brain is not working.  Brain is dead. That is the difference. Although the  hand is there. The dead man has also hand. The leg is there. The dead man has  also leg. But why the hand is leg? Because the brain is dead.
….Prabhupada: Everyone is concocting some ideas, and they are going  on as different organization. That’s all. No standard idea. The  standard idea is there in the Bhagavad-gita, that cows should be  given protection, go-raksya. Who is following this? Everyone is making  plan how to kill cows in a more scientific way. This is going on. Who  is taking the instruction of Bhagavad-gita? Nobody is taking. Even  in India where Bhagavad-gita is originally, these rascals also not taking.  And they have become so brainless. Therefore the whole  human society is a dead society. And the dead society’s  dressing, decorating, is useless waste of time. That’s all. Their  education, their advancement… He has no brain. What is the use of  education? That is said by Canakya Pandita, that snake is a  snake. Do you think a snake decorated with a jewel on the hood is gentleman? Similarly, a man without brain, so-called education, is just like a jewel  on the head of a serpent. Kim asau na bhayankara. Canakya Pandita  asks “Whether a snake with jewel on the head is not fearful? He is as  much fearful as the other snake without the jewel.” Similarly, if a  human being has no brain, with his so-called education or no education,  it is as good. The education has no value. He does not know what is  good work, what is bad work, what is my aim of life, what is this  body,
what is the soul? If these things he does not know, then what is  the value of his education? So the man is not satisfied?(Mr Hennis of  U.N. Labor Org)
Guru Gauranga: He was in a hurry to get  out.
Yogesvara: Oh, yes. He asked me to excuse him to you. He had a  meeting to go to.
Prabhupada: I would say “If he has no brain, what is  the use of going to a meeting?” (laughter) Our only…  Sva-vid-varahostra-kharaih samstutah purusah pasuh. The men are like dogs,  hogs, camels and asses. What they will do? Meeting of the dogs, hogs,  camels and asses will be any beneficial to the society? We are very  pessimistic, and our conclusion, that anyone who is not Krsna conscious, he  is dogs, hogs, camels, asses, that’s all. No brain, animal. Animal  has got brain: how to eat, how to sleep, how to have sex life. So  these people, they have got brain for that purposes only. That is  animal life. Actually, they do not know what is the aim of life,  why people should be educated, why human society should be organized. They do  not know. Bahir-artha-maninah. Enamored by these big, big  buildings. That’s all. “Oh, they are so advanced.” And naturally, the  common man comes to the European or American city, he says, “Oh, Americans  are very rich.” “Rich” means they have piled up stones and bricks,  that’s
all. This is their richness. What is there in the richness here?  But people are common men. They think that this piling of bricks and  stone is like real civilization. What do you think? Is that  real civilization?
Yogesvara: No.
Prabhupada: Piling of bricks and stones? Heaps of  stones and bricks? That is emblem of civilization? They have seen. In  Rome they have seen. They also piled like that. Now they have gone. Where  they have gone? Why they left? Why they were obliged to leave? That nobody  is questioning. And if he has got a different body, if he is living  in that house as cats and dogs and rats and ants, then what benefit he has  derived? There is possibility. If you have got an attraction for the body,  for your house, but you are not going to get a human body, then you’ll have  to take your birth in that place, as tree, as plant, as live as rat or cat or  ant. You have to live. Nature will give you advantage. But you must get the  body according to your karma. That you cannot violate. Where is this science  discussed? As soon as we shall speak gentleman like them, they will  say, “I have got meeting.” Yogesvara: Yes, “I must  leave.”

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by Damaghosa dasa

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ki Jaya!

July 15, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

741221SB.BOM                    Lectures
So we have come to this material world. Krsna is always anxious to get us  back to home, back to Godhead. Therefore He comes. Yada yada hi dharmasya  glanir bhavati. What is that dharma? That dharma is not this dharma, Hindu  dharma, Mussulman dharma. No. That dharma is sarva-dharman parityajya mam  ekam saranam vraja.[surrender] That’s… So in this way, our  position, although we are both in this material world, one is the controller;  one is the controlled. And the one who is controlled by the prakrti, by  the material nature, if he accepts to be controlled by the Supreme  Personality of Godhead, then his controlling by the material nature upon him,  that is finished, no more control. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam  taranti te. This is perfection of life.At the present moment we are being controlled every second, every  step. Padam padam yad vipadam. Every step there is danger. This  control means punishment. You cannot expect very good treatment in the  prison life. So this is prison life, conditioned life. So you cannot  expect any good treatment by the material nature because her business is  to punish us.
That is the business so that we can enquire that “Why I am being  punished?” That is required. That “why” philosophy is very important. That is  the beginning of human life. But we are so dull, in spite of being kicked  every moment by material nature, that “why”
question is not coming, so dull-headed. And we are advanced  in designation.    Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)
Some pictures below of yesterdays Saturday feast program-nobody is  getting
punished or kicked here—its all chanting, dancing, and feasting-such a  sublime
way to live out ones life. And the fortunate ones will take it.
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
Here Bhakta Andy is offering Srila Prabhupada a garland he made of  flowers from
his own garden and brought to our temple-such a nice service  he  offers by this.
Here below Daria devi dasi is offering her homemade popsicles  to the  devotees
made from our plums and strawberries out back-simply delicious!

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by Damaghosa dasa

The weather gets better by chanting Hare Krsna

June 25, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below is a short conversation with Srila Prabhupada about rain, food, and  chanting.
He says the karmis (and we see that today even the devotees) dont like  the idea of producing their own food.
He calls it “their disease”. He then talks about the former great Roman  empire which was started
with so much hard labor and today all that is left is some piled up bricks.  Where are the people today
that built this “empire”? Nobody knows, and what benefit do they get today  from all that hard labor?
Its all karma bandana-work which binds one to samsara, the wheel of birth  and death.
Probably the most interesting point is how the weather in New  Vrndavana had gotten better there because
of so many devotees all chanting Hare Krsna mantra. Then Srila  Prabhupada says yes, and he wants to buy land in Mayapur and Vrndavan for  becoming self sufficient.
So there it is folks–
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
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740525mw.rom                 Conversations
 Prabhupada:  Yajna means to satisfy the Supreme Lord. That is yajna. So in the Kali-yuga  the yajna is made very easy. Chant Hare Krsna. So anywhere you go, chant  Hare Krsna, and see that there will be clouds, there will be rainfall, and  just work little, you get your foodgrains, and chant Hare  Krsna.
Yogesvara: They won’t like that  idea.
 Prabhupada: That means their… That is their  disease. The same thing, that “Why you are sitting here? Come with  me, work.” “What shall I do by working?” “You get money.” “Then you’ll  enjoy.” “And I am already enjoying.” That the… This is called maya.  Maya-sukhaya bharam udvahato vimudhan. These rascals, simply for little  temporary so-called benefit, they have created this working civilization,  “Work very hard, very hard.” That’s all. Whole history… In this Rome  city you can see. There are evidences. These buildings are constructed  with hard labor. Now those rascals have gone, and they are  maintaining, that “They worked so hard.” Those who worked very hard  they have gone away. Now nobody knows where they are and what they have  become. But they are maintaining their bricks. That’s all. Brick  civilization. (break)
Devotee: Why is it that the rains come in certain parts of the  world and in other parts people do not have enough?
Prabhupada: No, no  part of the world is nowadays sufficient rain. Because they are not  performing yajna. Sometimes it is seen that over-rain, overflood, not  systematic. But if you perform yajna, there will be systematic rainfall,  which you can utilize properly. Yajnad bhavati  parjanyah.
Devotee: Kirtanananda Swami says that in New Vrindaban the weather  is changing every year. It is getting nicer there. Much more sun and  the winter is not so hard.
Atreya Rsi: In New Vrindaban it’s getting better.
Prabhupada: Yes. Because there are so many devotees. The people  are still being maintained on account of our chanting Hare Krsna  mantra.
Devotee: By the grace of pure devotee.
Prabhupada: Yes.  (break) …encouraging in our society to take to agriculture to support this  center. I am purchasing land in Vrndavana and Mayapura to become  self-sufficient. Whatever production you make, you be satisfied.  Little vegetable, little grain and little milk. That is sufficient.

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by Damaghosa dasa

“You cannot eat anything , even grass without the sanction of God”—SP

June 23, 2012 in Articles, Damaghosa Dasa by Damaghosa dasa

Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below is a very interesting conversation wherein Srila Prabhupada explains  the difficult
situation all kali yuga inhabitants find themselves.
Machines and so called “easy living” vs. working hard in a rural  setting and producing your own food. The first is easier for that kind  of work only requires one sit at a desk for many, and push some buttons/shuffle  some papers-not very physically taxing. But as we see from that kind of inactive  sedentary lifestyle all kinds of very serious health and mental problems  ensue.  On the other hand, when one operates his or her body in a moving  physically active way, that is the way God intended us to live-by working hard  to produce our necessities. And tremendous health and mental benefits  come  from this type of satisfying work which one does not get by pushing  buttons.
And finally just to be fair, Srila Prabhupada points out that to stop ones  kind of city occupation in this age and go live in the country is almost  impossible to do  So he recommends that one keep his job, but add the  chanting of Hare Krsna maha mantra to that work. And if one does this, he will  get purified of so many anarthas, or unwanted things in his heart. So much so  that he may even want to give up city living and the fat pay check and simply go  and live more simply so that his pursuit of God consciousness is made easier by  living in the mode of goodness instead of the mode of passion and  ignorance.
Hari bol,
Damaghosa das
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740524r2.rome                 Conversations                Richard Webster: What civilization there is comes chiefly from  the television, I’m afraid. I mean the public opinion is made by  the television. Atreya Rsi: The television today is setting up the  standard for the civilization, for today’s civilization. Richard Webster:  But they talk about nothing but name war (?) and… Prabhupada: (indistinct)  pictures. Richard Webster: It’s much easier. They’re producing more  television sets (indistinct) Yogesvara: It’s a great science. My mother  is an executive in a public relations firm. Her business is to show products,  goods, to people that otherwise they have no need for and to convince them  that there is some value. It’s a very big industry, especially in the  United States, public relations, advertising. It’s very psychological  too. They use all kinds of psychological techniques for inducing people  to take things they have no need for. Prabhupada: All right  but thing is that after all our prime necessity is food. So why people  are not engaged to produce food? Richard Webster: Well, in Italy  they don’t like to work on the land any more. They all want to live in  town.

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