The Apparent Paradox: Self-confidence and Humility

HG Mahatma (ACBSP) dasa: The Apparent Paradox: Self-confidence and Humility How do we maintain self-confidence, yet feel ourselves a fool before our spiritual master? How can we be confident and simultaneously feel unqualified to serve Krishna? Arent self-confident people somewhat proud or arrogant?

We are ordinary people engaged in an extraordinary process, a process that will make us extraordinary. Thus, our confidence lies not in ourselves, but in the power of the process of bhakti.

With Krishnas divine power and intelligence guiding us, we know we will succeed.... I can feel lowly, even useless, yet still be confident that Krishna can use me to do wonderful service. Its even possible, by the grace of the guru, that a disciple can do more than his spiritual master, even though feeling totally unqualified to serve (actually, he does so much because of feeling unqualified to serve). Externally, Prabhupada achieved more than his guru. Yet, he always gave credit to his spiritual master.

Its interesting to note that Prabhupada writes in the Bhagavatam that he is hopeful one of his disciples will become pure enough to take him back to Godhead......

Dangers of Fermented Knowledge

Roughly one remembers only 10 to 20 % of what he or she reads. As a new devotee when we read Srila Prabhupada's books, 50 % for the contents would have bounced over our heads. With great enthusiasm of having found the holy grail of spirituality, we would have read the entire Bhagavad-gita in a few sittings trying to assimilate the contents of the great book.

We wouldn't have, at that time, been keen on taking notes or even bookmarking those pages that may have required re-reading. We may have ignored expressions such as 'three types of miseries' that didn't have an explanation close to it, and may have also forgotten to later find out more about it.

In great enthusiasm, which is the topmost qualification in spiritual life that is mostly found in new bhaktas, we all would have devoured Srila Prabhupada's nectarean books written for the benefit of souls for the next ten thousand years to come.

Later on we have all attempted to become preachers in our own capacities. We classified ourselves into various categories of preachers depending on the mode of transport we use. Nevertheless, the very attempt made to preach the Holy Name of the Lord is commendable. All glories to those devotees who are active preachers.

Now, that said and done, what about the content we are actually preaching? Coming back to the fact that one roughly remembers only 10 to 20% of what he or she reads, preaching based on initial reading is no doubt inadequate.

Then comes hearing: how many of our senior devotees actually read Srila Prabhupada's books every day or at least study and prepare for a Bhagavatam class before actually delivering a lecture to eager devotees?
So, if all of us are dependent on our weak memory to deliver lectures and to fuel our short preaching endeavours, what gain is there to the listener? With very little of what we remember our tricky minds would most probably fill the gaps with self-made or somebody else's speculation. This is a dangerous trend. And I call it fermentation of knowledge. Yoghurt that ferments goes bad after a period of time. But one spoon of yoghurt mixed with fresh milk would give more tasty fresh yoghurt. Similarly, if our knowledge is cultured daily with fresh first-hand reading and studying of Srila Prabhupada's books, our preaching will be authentic.

Hence Srila Prabhupada wrote:
"If there is lack of knowledge, or if there is forgetfulness, everything will be spoiled in time. So especially you must encourage the students to read our books throughout the day as much as possible"
(Letter to Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1972)

If not we will be vomiting the stale fermented knowledge over and over again to innocent newcomers and this unhealthy trend will go on. Maybe this is why Srila Prabhupada insisted on book distribution rather than our two minute preaching.

He wrote:
"If these books are read, there is no doubt that many sincere souls shall be attracted and will join you in your work for Krishna. So please try for selling these books, it shall be considered as the greatest service"
(Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 1 December, 1968)

The words of the Acharya are so powerful that simply repeating like a parrot can liberate one from the vicious cycle of birth and death. Let us on a mission mode make reading Srila Prabhupada's books a must for all the devotees. Let this be a pre-requisite qualification for initiation like chanting 16 rounds.

Srila Prabhupada insisted:
"If they will simply take to reading this transcendental literature we are presenting, the same reading capacity will elevate them to the highest perfection of spiritual life"
(Letter to Harer Nama -- London 6 November, 1969)

"If we remain strong in our own literature, we can meet anyone else without any fear"
(Letter to Damodara Pandita -- New York 17 July, 1976)

If we do not insist on reading, our mission will end up as another sentimental cult bereft of any value. And that would be the greatest disservice done to His Divine Grace.

Source: http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/07-14/editorials11966.htm

H.H. Danavir Goswami's Visit to Scotland

Couple weeks ago, we had the good fortune of meeting H.H. Danavir Goswami Maharaja at ISKCON Karuna Bhavan temple, Lesmahagow, Scotland. On the first day of his visit maharaj gave a talk on Hare Krishna maha mantra at Salisbury Centre, Edinburgh. He also went on a harinama sankirtana along with devotees on the busy streets of Edinburgh city. After listening to his talk and taking his association at Salisbury centre on Saturday, we were tempted visit Karuna Bhavan benefit more from his satsanga at the Sunday feast.

There was something that Maharaja did and said that held great importance to me. Firstly, he sang the famous Hare Krishna tune that Srila Prabhupada immortalized at No 26, Second Avenue and at Tompkins Square Park. Even today when we look at the red tinted videos of those recordings, our hair stands on ends surcharged with spiritual potency.

Srila Prabhupada had great gravity in his chanting and kirtans. His kirtans assumed musical quality not for the sake of music but for the sake of the holy name. Similarly Danavir Maharaja sang the same tune for almost 45 minutes with identical solemnity. He sang only the aarohan (upscale) version and sustained it for long without slightest variation in his enthusiasm.

My observation and appreciation may not look relevant to many but it taught me to primarily appreciate the holy name in the kirtan and take music as its secondary accompaniment. Our contaminated ears are craving for different melodies and beats all the time. We are, but a victim to a disease called variety. Where there is no variety boredom sets in. This constant hankering for pleasing the sense of hearing has not spared even the harinama. There is, of course, nothing wrong in singing the holy name in wonderful tunes. But being satisfied and content in a simple tune and immersing oneself in the holy name requires advancement.

Secondly, Srila Prabhupada always maintained straight forward and to-the-point preaching. An anecdote of Srila Prabhupada preaching at a school where he practically demonstrated the soul concept to children by inviting one of them for an experiment in which he hypothetically asked a child to disengage his body parts from the self to prove that, even after the body is removed ‘I’ the spirit soul remains as the self that holds the body. He established Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead even to the newest of the visitors. The readiness of the crowd or the visitors was not a point of consideration; to him every soul is ready to accept Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Hence he never altered his words and delayed or set grounds before giving the ultimate knowledge of the soul and of Krishna.

Danavir Maharaja was naturally inclined towards giving the truth and the essence of spiritual knowledge in its pure and palatable form. Living in this part of the world I had come to, kind of, sadly accept that new bhaktas have to be lured by Indian festivals, mehndi tattoos, bharatanatyam and other Indian stuffs. Listening to Danavir Maharaja preach was like fresh air infusing life. His clear message on the Supremacy of Lord Krishna, absoluteness of harinama, and authenticity of the Hare Krishna movement did not only create faith in the hearts of new bhaktas but also invigorated the service spirit in practicing devotees.

While answering a question put forward by a follower of another religion, Maharaja provided reasoning to establish the supremacy of knowledge in Vedic literatures and also carefully avoided the “holier than thou” message. It is a valuable lesson that every preacher should learn.

I thank Danavir Maharaja for giving his mercy to me by teaching these two important lessons during his short Scotland visit. All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada and his sincere followers who are working day and night to continue and grow his glorious legacy.

Disadvantages of getting up late

After six kapha domination is seen. So people who get up in kapha kala tend to be dominated by tamo guna throughout the day. Bowel movements tend to be sluggish under the influence of kapha.  

Mind and body will be inactive owing to the influence of kapha dosha. After sunrise people awake and the materialistic mental radiations are emitted through their physical senses.

The atmosphere is polluted. People will disturb each other dragging themselves to materialistic discussions. So best time for doing meditation is early morning.

Foetid smell in mouth constipation, indigestion, laziness, and many kinds of eye diseases arises just because of getting late in day.

Source

Importance of getting up in Brahma muhurta

Early morning is vata dominating period. Vata dosha is helpful in promoting body movements both internal and external and thus helps in easy evacuation of bowel.

Physical activities such as excercise and yogasanas can be performed well in vata kala. Meditation also needs the help of undisturbed vata which can be found early in the morning.

This time is hailed as the best time to learn, especially learn and realise subtler aspects of philosophy and spiritual growth. If one tries to find out the secret underlying this then one can realise that there are probably several changes in physical chemical and biological atmosphere at around this time, which probably catalyzes spiritual blossoming of an individual.

This is indeed a rejuvenating time as the whole universe begins to wake up at around this time.

The circadian rhythms have been studied in vast details by biologists and physiologists and probably this period is associated with hormonal changes conducive to blossoming of mind. Study of variety of electromagnetic radiations ozone effects of other planets and stars and so on, on the various biological and psychological parameters reveals a lot of new insights in the interrelationship of man and the universe.

Source

What is the necessity of pleasing Krishna?

Prabhupada: prasadad bhagavat-prasadah. By pleasing the spiritual master, you please Krsna. That's nice. But why Krsna should be pleased? Why? What is the necessity of pleasing Krsna?
Devotee (1): To please the representative of Krsna.

Prabhupada: No, no, that is all right. Guru is representative of Krsna, but why one should bother himself for pleasing Krsna? Answer this.

Devotee (1): 'Cause our real position is to serve Krsna, and because we've fallen in this illusion of the material energy, so we forgot our position.

Prabhupada: We shall do it otherwise. Why shall I please Krsna? We are making scientific progress. What is the use of bringing God?

Devotee (2): Because we shall never become perfect or see the answer.

Prabhupada: That is begging the question.

Indian man (3): For spreading the name of the Krsna, in the world.

Prabhupada: No, no. It is not the question of guru. Guru is doing all right. Why you should be so much anxious and feel obligation to please Krsna?

Indian (4): Everybody has to serve somebody, so Krsna is the reservoir of all pleasure and everything exists from Him. So instead of serving anybody, we should serve the Krsna.

Prabhupada: "That's all right. Without serving Krsna, I am getting pleasure by drinking wine. Why shall I...?"

Cyavana: That pleasure will not last. That pleasure is only temporary.

Prabhupada: "No, I will not also last. (laughter) that..."

Cyavana: But to accept such a mentality, we say that is third class. Actually our life is eternal.

Prabhupada: That is your statement, "third class," but my statement is "It is first class." (laughter)

Harikesa: Is it first class if every time you are going to eat something nice I was standing over you with a stick, and as soon as you took, I would beat you? So every time you have some enjoyment, there is some concurrent suffering. Like you enjoy the wine, but then you have a headache, hangover. You enjoy. Then you get sick.

Cyavana: Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita in the Tenth Chapter, He says, "For those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I will give the understanding by which they can come to Me." So this is our desire.

Prabhupada: "I don't want to go."

Cyavana: You don't want to go to Krsna?

Prabhupada: "Yes."

Harikesa: All right, suffer. (laughter)

Prabhupada: "I don't suffer. (laughter) I am enjoying."

Harikesa: You are enjoying death and old age?

Prabhupada: "Yes, you are putting upon me some impression, 'suffering,' but I am enjoying."

Harikesa: Your knee is hurt. Is that enjoying?

Prabhupada: "That I am curing. That is also nice." (laughter)

Harikesa: But soon the whole thing will be finished. You will not... No one enjoys death. No one will take voluntarily a death pill.

Prabhupada: Nobody of you could answer the question. Now I give you again chance to answer this question very properly. Why one should be obliged to please Krsna? Why?

Harikesa: Just like this finger. Its position is to serve the body. Just like the stomach. Everyone may be jealous of the stomach and not want to feed the stomach, but if all the hands and the legs and the mouth went on strike not to feed the stomach...

Prabhupada: This is the right answer.

Harikesa: ...they would ultimately be destroyed.

Prabhupada: This is right answer, that you cannot non-cooperate with the stomach. You must serve the stomach. Otherwise your position is very precarious. That is the answer. If the finger thinks that "I shall remain independent and be happy," that is not possible. The stomach must be supplied food, and then all the parts of the body, they'll be happy. That is the point. So you cannot non-cooperate with the stomach. Similarly, Krsna is the central enjoyer. Bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]. He is the center. Just like ordinarily this African state, if you do not satisfy the state or the president, then you cannot remain happy. Independently you cannot be happy. We require in every step sta... We have come to this park because state is cooperating. In the morning we shall come, and they have prepared it nicely. We are not going to the jungle. So if we actually want happiness we must cooperate with the state. This is crude example. Similarly, if our ultimate aim is to become happy, then we must cooperate with Krsna. This is obligatory. You cannot escape it. Then you'll be unhappy. This is the... Stomach. Pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam. Therefore the natural process is you pick up... A child even. He picks up some something, but he does not put anywhere -- immediately in the mouth. Why he does not bring it in the ear? Why? The child immediately takes it. He does not know what is what. But the nature is that as soon as he captures something, even he does not know... Because his position is eating, he knows this much, sense gratification. Other senses are not yet developed. So the child, he knows taste with tongue and eats. That he knows. So immediately anything he captures, he brings to the mouth, naturally. He hasn't got to be educated. So our position is like that. We being part and parcel of Krsna, our natural tendency is to serve Krsna. Natural tendency. It is not artificial. When you forget Krsna, that is artificial. So our normal life means to love Krsna, to serve Krsna. That is our normal life. Without serving Krsna our life is abnormal, madman's life. Therefore Krsna says... When you forget Krsna, He comes to preach the normal life. Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam [Bg. 18.66]. This is normal life. So Krsna does not require your help. He can create many helpers. But for your good Krsna comes, that "If you want normal, happy life, then surrender unto Me." This is the proposal. Therefore the whole Bhagavad-gita, all Vedic knowledge, is there. We have forgotten our position. Our posit..., normal position, is to love and serve Krsna. Therefore anadi bahir mukha jiva krsna bhuli gela ataeva krsna veda purana karila. Because we do not know... From time immemorial we cannot ascertain when this incidents have happened, to forget Krsna, but it is practically... Life after life, life after life, we are changing body, but forgetting Krsna. So here, in the human form of life, there is the opportunity to revive our original position, and we require the help of knowledge, perfect knowledge. And that is there in the Vedas. Atha eva krsna veda purana karila. If we don't take advantage, although we have got... We can read Bhagavad-gita, and if we don't take advantage of Bhagavad-gita and go on whimsically, then we'll suffer. You cannot non-cooperate with Krsna as you cannot non-cooperate with the stomach. This is the... You must. There is no question of alternative. You may, may not know. It is not. You must. This is the position. Otherwise you'll never be happy. And happiness is your aim of life. Atyantika-duhkha-nivrttih. We are... I'm suffering from this knee's trouble because I am in this material world. I have got this material body. So atyantika-duhkha-nivrttih means no more material world, no more material body. And for that purpose we have to cooperate with Krsna. Otherwise it is not possible. Any question about this? Just like these African women. They are going to work. There is no question of no work. They must. Otherwise they cannot eat. Anyone, if by working his livelihood is going on, how he can non-cooperate? This is not possible.

Gays are against nature

Lets face it. What is this whole love thing surrounding being a gay? I really don't understand. Love is, in reality, beyond physical relationship, and attraction is not always a prerequisite for loving someone. Any one out there reading this post may not agree with my stand on gays, nevertheless, one cannot but agree that love is beyond physical attraction.

We love our mother, not because she is beautiful; we love our father, not because he is rich; we love our siblings, not because they are the best people in the world. Similarly one may love any human being, animal, or even a non-living thing for many reasons know only to him.

When gays talk about love and ask what is wrong with falling in love with the same sex, it confuses me. Well go ahead and love as many people as you can; isn't that what  we are supposed to do? But when gays refer to love, passionately and deliberately, their basis for such relationship is, sadly not love, but SEX.

In the age of rational thinking and advanced intelligence, blinded men have fooled themselves and have cheated others by equating love to sex to the extent that even when a sane man points it out to them, they deride him as someone opposed to modern values. What is modern about going back to an uncivilized animal state in which there is no other motivation for action except enjoyment? If sex is taken out of gay relationship, would their so called love sustain the test of time?

Having said that love is free of sex, there would be no objection to any one who loves the same sex; it would rather be encouraged by every generation of people, including the spiritualists, modernists and the entire society. One must take in to account that irrespective of misplaced temptations, human physiology does not support this kind of sex.

More so, for those in the path of spiritual perfection, gays or straight, is not the question. A man and a woman come together for the purpose of procreation. Beyond this noble purpose, sex is nothing but a bondage. Bhagavad Gita teaches us to control our senses in almost every chapter and not get carried away by it. Even one uncontrolled sense can spell doom to us. Nature has its way of operation, anything against its natural course would be meted with appropriate results, no matter how inventive the media can be about legitimizing the illegitimate.

Animal Kingdom in your platter

Gosh!!!

Do we really love our dogs? Why is a rabbit not lovable? I wonder!

Four Divisions of Human Society- The Varnashrama System

In Bagavad Gita 4.13 Krishna says

catur-varnyam maya srstam 
guna-karma-vibhagasah 
tasya kartaram api mam 
viddhy akartaram avyayam

TRANSLATION

According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.

There is a general opinion that if everyone gets good modern day education, economic and social disparity will no longer exist.

Even in a developed country we come across people who lay roads, clean others homes, take up menial jobs to make their living. In any part of the world there are a set of people whose work is to assist others.

In the developed countries, school education is free and there are plenty of scholarships for those who want to pursue university education. Some take up these opportunities and become professionals, some pursue business, some join the defense or police forces and some take up jobs that would assist the other professions. The Lords says according to ones nature the individual chooses his work. Hence based on guna and karma the Lord made four divisions of society namely brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra.  

India's caste system is the ugly watered down version of the varnashrama darma. However, the varna division is there all over the world. It is a natural phenomenon. 

It’s Not Exaggeration

Sri Hari-bhakti-viläsa 11.515

yan-näma-kirtana-phalam vividham nisamya

na shraddadhäti manute yad utärtha-vädam

yo mänushas tam iha duhkha-caye kshipämi

samsära-ghora-vividhärti-nipidhitaangam

[The Supreme Lord to Baudhayana] Unto those who do not believe in the results of chanting the holy names of the Lord that are described in the revealed scriptures, but rather consider them to be an exaggeration, I personally inflict upon them various sufferings and throw them into the ocean of miseries in this material world.

— Sri Hari-bhakti-viläsa. By Sanatan Goswami.

Our Highest Priority

Dear Vaishnavas, Hare Krishna. Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva. Sometime back I came across an interesting statement that read thus: "Don't give priority to someone in your life, when you are just an option in theirs." 1. This statement speaks volumes on the common aspect which almost all of us suffer from - we give a lot of importance to someone and expect them to reciprocate in the same way. Unfortunately, this material world is designed in such a way that each one of us are caught up in our own whirlpool of sufferings, anxieties, worries and so on and it is not easy for us to manage our own situations. How can we expect another person who is also suffering in his own whirlpool, to spare some time or energy for us? Solution: As much as possible we should try to live independent of other's mercy. 2. Apart from the physical sufferings or anxieties that each one of us face, the wavelength also may not match between two personalities. We cannot expect/force every other person to start liking what we like nor can we artificially try to like what they like. Each soul is independent and requires their own time and space. Solution: We should try to be generous in giving the personal time and space for others and let the relationship grow naturally on its own. 3. We nurture false hopes that if I help him today, he will help me tomorrow when I am in trouble. Helping others when they are in trouble is ok, but expecting them to return the favor will spoil the relationship. It may not be that the soul does not want to help, but it may be as simple as he may not be in a position to help. Solution: We should depend only on Guru and Krishna for everything and should not nurture any undue expectations on other living entities. 4. Last but not the least, we should not make any mental concoction about a person if they don't match our expectations and start being judgmental about them. Our Guru Maharaj once made a very interesting statement, "If someone is not coming to the programs/temple, then we should just think that they are doing devotional service wherever they are." Our mind will tell lot of reasons to concoct about this person, that he might have gone to cinema, he is lazy about coming to the programs etc, but all these negative thoughts create a bad image of that person in our minds and when we meet him next time, we don't smile at him, rather we show an angry face. This attitude totally spoils the relationship and ultimately our own mental and physical health. Solution: Having a pleasing attitude towards everyone is a must for the upliftment of our material as well as spiritual well-being. We should stop thinking ourselves as the center of everything and keep Krishna as the center of all existence. If we reverse the original statement we get the other side of it - "Don't keep someone as an option in your life, when you are a priority in theirs." We forget that there are at least two persons, for whom we are the highest priority in their lives and we are keeping them as option in ours. They areGuru and Krishna. The only reason our spiritual master accepted us as his disciple is because he wants us to become sincere devotees and he wants to take us back home, back to Godhead in this lifetime itself. We are his highest priority. Whereas we hardly think about him even once in a day. Every day we sing 'dhyaayan stuvams tasya yashas tri-sandhyam', but we hardly meditate on his glories even while singing this line what to speak of remembering him three times a day? The shastras say that the Guru suffers for all the wrong doings of the disciple. But we take comfort of this fact. We don't realize that he has taken such a huge risk in promising Krishna that this soul will behave alright and I take responsibility for his behavior. Srila Prabhupada thought of all of us and all our future generations too as his highest priority. That is why he had toiled so hard to write all those transcendental books. But, for us he is only an option. His books stay in the cupboard as it is, for decoration. Our mind does not give any chance to take it out and read it seriously. Again for Krishna too, we are the highest priority. Every moment He is breaking His head constantly thinking how to engage these souls in devotional service. Srila Prabhupada says in his purport to SB 1.2.17, "The Lord is more anxious to take us back into His kingdom than we can desire." For this, He descends to this world in His various incarnations, sends so many of His messengers like Srila Prabhupada, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya etc, gives instructions through scriptures, especially Srimad Bhagavat-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, descends in the form of Deities, Holy-name and Prasadam, reminds us time and again through the Seven-fold miseries that this world is duhkhalayam. Inspite of all these, Krishna is only an option in our life. Studying Bhagavatam/Bhagavat-gita has to be forced upon us, and even then it is only 'tolerance time'. Performing Mangala arati early in the morning is even more difficult. We think, it would be better if only this were not part of the regulations for devotion. Going to temples is only for a change of air, not for remembering the Lord/offering some prayers to Him and taking darshan of His transcendental murti. With all these, we still want highest reciprocation from Him. We can see what Krishna says to Durvasa Muni (SB 9.4.63-64) about the level of importance He shows to His unflinching devotees. sri bhagavan uvaca aham bhakta-paraadhino / hy asvatantra iva dvija saadhubhir grasta-hrdayo / bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyah The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the brahmana: "I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me." naaham aatmaanam aashaase / mad-bhaktaih saadhubhir vinaa shriyam caatyantikim brahman / yeshaam gatim aham paraa "O best of the brahmanas, without saintly persons for whom I am the only destination, I do not desire to enjoy My transcendental bliss and My supreme opulences." On hearing these above transcendental words spoken by the Lord filled with love for His unflinching devotees, we can come to a conclusion as to whom should we give priority in our life and whom should we keep as option. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Kalacakra Krsna das

Q&As Birthdays

Here’s a question about observing birthdays from someone who prefers to be anonymous:

“During Prabhupada’s time, was there anything special done on devotee’s birthdays — particularly temple/ashram brahmacharis/devotees. Anything like a festival/program/feast or glorification for that devotee on that particular day. What was Prabhupada’s mood regarding this. Did he offer any special mercy to you on your birthday? What is our standard today?”

Answer:

There was no special observation of regular devotees’ birthdays. We were always taught that the only birthdays that should be observed were that of the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord.

Sometimes Srila Prabhupada followed traditional culture and offered some bangles or ornaments to small children on their birthdays. When his son Brindaban Candra had a baby girl, Srila Prabhupada gave him one of his gold rings as a gift for the child.

In Folio also you can find a letter addressed to Sally Agarwal where Srila Prabhupada gives his blessings to her baby girl on her third birthday and says:

New York

19 November, 1965

65-11-19

My dear daughter Sally,

I beg to thank you for your kind letter of the 16th instant and I have noted the contents carefully. I am glad to learn that you had been to your parents house for a few days and now you have returned home. I am still more glad to learn that you are going to observe the third birthday of Miss Kamala Agarwal on Saturday next. On this occasion I should have presented her some ornaments but as I am a Sannyasi I can simply offer my blessing for her long life and good prosperity. She cannot now read otherwise at least I should have presented a set of my books. But you set aside one set of my books for her future reading when she will grow up a beautiful and educated girls with full god consciousness. …”

I know a lot of devotees like to observe the birthday of other devotees with a cake or some other observation. Personally I don’t have any enthusiasm for observing birthdays and I have been known to completely forget my own.

I do give my daughter a gift and usually we have a small cake but that’s it.

I have seen sometimes where parents have their kids distribute prasadam –cookies or cakes–on the child’s birthday. That way they get to observe their birthday in the spirit of giving rather than receiving, and I think that is a nice approach.

As for whether Srila Prabhupada gave any special attention to my birthday, or anyone’s for that matter, I never saw it. I don’t think he even knew when my birthday was since I never mentioned it.

One birthday he did observer with enthusiasm was ISKCON’s:

[TD3]

July 6 1976 - Washington DC

At seven o’clock it was time for a special anniversary celebration of our own. It is ten years to the day since His Divine Grace drew up the aims of the Society and registered the name, International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Then on July 13th, 1966 everything was officially signed.

Devotees and guests crowded the temple room, filling the night air with ecstatic vibrations of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Srila Prabhupada mounted his vyasasana and led a short kirtana. Then he sat back to listen as Rupanuga prabhu gave an introductory speech in which he read out the seven original aims of the Society one by one and explained how Prabhupada has fulfilled each one. Then Pusta Krsna Maharaja gave a short talk, glorifying the efforts of Srila Prabhupada to save us fallen conditioned souls.

When they finished, Brsakapi, with several others, walked in carrying a huge circular cake, about three feet in diameter and eight inches thick. Several devotees had stayed up all night to make it after reading about the cake made for the bicentennial. To the cheers and chanting of the assembly, they set it before Srila Prabhupada and presented him with a large silver knife with which to make the first cut.

It was a beautiful product of devotion, colorfully decorated with icing to look like the face of a coin. In the center the design resembled a lotus flower, and around the outer edge it read “1966 ISKCON 1976.”

Srila Prabhupada smiled and looked it over. He took the knife in his hand and hesitated a moment, apparently not quite sure what he was expected to do. He glanced at Rupanuga who indicated that he should cut the cake. With that, he deftly sliced into the mango and fruit-filled transcendental gateaux, carving out a square from the outer edge. He placed it on his silver thali and let it sit, untasted, by his side.

Ceremony completed, Prabhupada himself then spoke, first reminding us that the Movement is much older than ten years, for it was Krsna Himself Who started the Krsna consciousness movement by speaking the Bhagavad-gita to Arjuna five thousand years ago. He explained that Krsna had spoken about this bhakti-yoga movement millions of years ago to the sun-god.

He said that yoga means to connect and now we are almost disconnected from the Supreme. “It is very difficult to execute yoga system or yajna system, sacrifice, it is very costly affair. Or even arcana, temple worship, it is also very difficult because people are not very much interested even, worshiping the Deity in the temple. In India there are thousands and thousands of temples. Temple or mosque or church, at the same time, for offering prayers, obeisances to the Lord. People are losing interest in that, arcana-marga.There are many temples I have seen, there is no caretaker. They are open, a dog is living within the temple and passing stool. I have seen it. So people are gradually losing interest in temple worship even, what to speak of yoga or offering sacrifices. Everything is now finished. Therefore kalau tad dhari-kirtanat. This is prescribed in the sastra. That system was introduced by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because other system will not be successful in this age. May be successful in one or two cases, but not for the general mass of people.”

He declared the universality of the Movement through the understanding that Krsna is the supreme father. And that by accepting Krsna as the father of all living beings, all problems of divisiveness would be solved. “You have to see through the sastra, and if you learn sastra, then you’ll find krsnas tu bhagavan svayam. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to present to the human society the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We started this Movement in 1966, registering it. Our Rupanuga prabhu has already explained. So take this Movement very seriously. The same, Krsna started within the historical, five thousand years ago. And He started this movement with Arjuna as His disciple. Then Caitanya Mahaprabhu, five hundred years ago, He revived again the same movement. He is Krsna Himself. And that is going on. Don’t think that this is a manufactured movement, no. It is the authorized movement and confirmed by the authorities. So be fixed up in the Krsna consciousness movement and try to understand Krsna. We have got so many authorized literatures. And make your life success. Thank you very much.”

Pusta Krsna Maharaja led the devotees in an especially buoyant kirtana and Srila Prabhupada returned back to his rooms. He invited many of the senior men to join him, and as they sat eager and respectful around his low marble desk, Palika brought in some large pieces of the cake. Making sure that everyone had some, Srila Prabhupada happily consumed a good-sized portion himself and declared with a smile, “Hmm. Very nice, ananda-mayo ‘bhyasat. This is the movement of ananda, pleasure only. Krsna is ananda-maya, and if you remain with Krsna you’ll become ananda-maya. A rich man, he’s enjoying, and if you remain in association with the rich man, you also enjoy. Where is the difficulty? A very rich man, and his associates, they are also rich men. Is it not? And if you remain with poor man, you are also poor.”

Rupanuga said, “You’ve explained that the servant in the house of the king, he is almost as good as the king.”

Prabhupada grinned. “No, he is better than king. King, he eats whatever is offered to him, but they can eat whatever they like. Is it not? Who is restricting them?”

I had a question about the ceremony in the temple. Srila Prabhupada’s slight hesitancy before slicing into the cake brought it to mind. “Is that cutting the cake, did they used to do that in Vedic times, or is that a Western invention? We were just wondering about it.”

Srila Prabhupada thought for a second and replied. “Prasadam distribution. Either you cut or take with hand, the same thing. It doesn’t make any difference.”

As we feasted on the delicious cake, Prabhupada educated us on another practical aspect of Vedic culture. He inquired who had made the cake and was told it was Lalita-sakhi dasi. He was pleased and said that was the Vedic system, that the women become very expert in cooking and household affairs. He said their duty was to learn how to please the husband and look after the children. Even if husband and wife did not always agree, there was no question of divorce. “You must accept whatever God has given you as husband or wife, you must. They had no thinking even, idea of divorce. One may not agree with the husband. That is natural. Sometimes we do not agree. But there is no question of divorce.”

Source:www.lotusimprints.com

Bishma Deva's Glories

Some good points on the glories of Bishma Deva from Srimad Bhagavatam 1.9.9 I heard this weekend.

Bishma Deva is lying on the bed of arrows after the Kurukshetra war.

• Dharma cannot be learnt from the logicians as one logician can defeat the other with his arguments.
• Nor can dharma be learnt from philosophers as there are 6 types of philosophies and each philosophy can beat the other with proof from Vedas
• Neither can it be learnt from the Vedas because it is too cast and the discription are detailed. We may get lost in it.

The secret of dharma is best learnt from the lives of Mahajanas by following their foot steps.

There are 12 Mahajanas mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam by Yamaraj. They are Brahma, Naradan Lord Siva, 4 Kumaras, Lord Kapila, Svayambu Manu, Bhakta Prahalada, King Janaka and Bishma Deva.

Bishma Deva says the supreme dharma is to chant the holy names of Vishnu. He sang the Vishnu Sahasranama that we so fondly hear version sung by M.S. Subhulakshmi.

Prajalpa from Bhaktyaloka

Some points that hit me while reading this essay written by Sri Bhakti Vinoda Thakur.

Talking with one another is called jalpana or prajalpa. Nowadays in this world godlessness is so prominent that conversing with others means godless talk. Therefore it is not profitable for a practicing devotee to engage in jalpana.

In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, as quoted from the Skanda Purana, it is said:

sa mrgyah sreyasam hetuh
panthah santapa-varjitah
anavapta-sramam purve
yena santah pratisthire
TRANSLATION One should strictly follow the easy path that the previous mahajanas have accepted. That path bestows great auspiciousness and is devoid of all misery.
Our mahajanas path is that which was shown by Srila Vyasadeva, Sukadeva Gosvami, Prahlada Maharaja, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and His associates. We are not to leave aside that path to follow the instructions of new puffed-up devotees. All the mahajanas have respected that prajalpa which nourishes devotion to Hari. We will discuss this in the appropriate place.

Godless prajalpas are impediments to devotional service. They are of many types. Useless talks, arguments, gossip, debates, fault-finding in others, speaking falsehoods, blaspheming devotees, and worldly talk are all called prajalpa.

Useless talk is extremely detrimental. Practicing devotees should discuss topics of Lord Hari in the association of other devotees and remember Haris name, form, qualities, and pastimes in a secluded place without uselessly wasting time.

Speech in the form of blaspheming sadhus is the source of great inauspiciousness. If one wants to attain devotion to Lord Hari, then he should make a vow like this: In this life I will never blaspheme sadhus. Devotees are sadhus. By blaspheming them, all ones virtues are destroyed.

By blaspheming the supremely pure Lord Mahadeva, Prajapati Daksa, the best of ascetics, met with severe inauspiciousness. As stated in Srimad Bhagavatam (10.4.46):

ayuh sriyam yaso dharmam
lokan asisa eva
hanti sreyamsi sarvani
pumso mahad-atikramah
TRANSLATION My dear King, when a man persecutes great souls, all his benedictions of longevity, beauty, fame, religion, blessings, and promotion to higher planets will be destroyed.
The conclusion of this essay is this: Whatever prajalpa is not favorable for devotional service should be carefully given up by Vaisnavas who are cultivating bhakti. Amongst these instructions, the instruction to tolerate the urge to speak mentioned in the first

vaco vegam is only a conditional urge. By giving up prajalpa, the urge to speak is permanently regulated. In order to pass ones life without sin, one should not speak anything more than whatever little is necessary. One need discuss only whatever is auspicious for oneself and others.

If one wants to discuss topics of others, it will simply be useless speech. Therefore in the Srimad Bhagavatam (11.28.2) Lord Krsna instructed Uddhava as follows:

para-svabhava-karmani
yah prasamsati nindati
sa asu bhrasyate svarthad
asaty abhinivesatah
TRANSLATION Whoever indulges in praising or criticizing the qualities and behavior of others will quickly become deviated from his own best interest by his entanglement in illusory dualities.

Talking without reason about other people is extremely adverse to devotional service. Many people talk about others to establish their own reputation. Being envious, some people are accustomed to discuss others character.

The minds of those who are busy in such topics can never be fixed on the lotus feet of Krsna. Talking about others should be rejected in all respects.

Sri Bhaktyaloka : Illuninations on Bhakti

Atyahara

Srila Bhakivinoda Thakura has written twelve essays on the six items favorable and six items unfavorable for devotional service from the second and third verses of the Upadesamrita. I was reading it recently and wanted to share it here in short episodes.

Today’s post will be on Atyahara or Overeating or too much collecting

Many people may think that the word atyahara refers only to overeating but this is not so. It is explained in the first verse of Upradesamrita

vāco vegam manasah krodha-vegam
jihvā-vegam udaropastha-vegam
etān vegān yo visaheta dhīrah
sarvām apīmām prthivīm sa śisyāt
‘A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind's demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world.’

In this regard, the urge to the tongue is the desire to taste food stuffs. The urge of the stomach is the desire to overeat. So Bhaktivinoda Thakur says that if we see both the meaning as overeating then there is repetition. We need to understand the word atyahara is used in a grave sense by Rupa Goswami..

Although bhojana means eating, it also means enjoying the objects of five senses. All long as the senses are there this enjoyment will be there. As soon as the living entity gives up sense enjoyment, he leaves this body.

Therefore, Bhaktivinoda Thakur says, giving up sense enjoyment is only a figment of imagination.

But if such activities giving pleasure are performed for Krishna as devotional service, then that is Bhakti Yoga. The conclusion Bhaktivinoda Thakur gives is to tolerate the urges of the tongue and the belly by cultivation of devotional service.

Proof of Reincarnation

Proof of reincarnation can be logically derived at. The Indian subcontinent is the origin of the Reincarnation theory. 'Is it true or not' is not my argument here for you may agree or disagree with the following proofs of reincarnation. But I would like one to see the depth of this theory. The following are the propositions.

• if the mankind is coming from the same maker why is there disparity in birth?
• why is someone born to rich parents and someone else to poor parents?
• why is someone dead few minutes after he is born and the other gets to live for more than 100 years?
• On what basis has the maker formulated the differences and why am I suffering (why not my neighbor)
  
  The reincarnation theory comes handy to answer these questions.
  
  It says men are different as a result of their good and bad activities preformed in their previous lives. It sounds logical. This in itself is a proof that reincarnation is the answer to our questions.

Surrendering Process

A pure devotee is a soul who is forever surrendered to the Lord, just as a child is surrendered to his parents or an animal to its master. In the surrendering process, one should:

(1) accept things favorable for discharging devotional service
(2) reject things unfavorable
(3) believe firmly in the Lord's protection
(4) feel exclusively dependent on the mercy of the Lord
(5) have no interest separate from the interest of the Lord, and
(6) always feel oneself meek and humble.

The Lord demands that one surrender unto Him by following these six guidelines, but the unintelligent so-called scholars of the world misunderstand these demands and urge the general mass of people to reject them.

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Preface

Narasimha Kavaca

1. Sri Narad uvaca,

indradi deva vrindesha
tateshvara jagat pate mahavisnor nrsimhasya
kavacam bruhi me prabho yasya prapathanad vidvan
trilokya vijayi bhavet
"Sri Narad Muni said: O master of Indra and the demigods, O master of the universe, O dear father, please tell me the kavaca of Lord Visnu-Nrsimha. By reciting that kavaca a wise man conquers the three worlds."

2. sri brahmovaca,

shrnu narada vakshyami
putra-shreshtha tapo-dhana kavacam narasimhasya
trailok-ya vijayabhidam
"Sri Brahma said: O Narada wealthy in austerity, O best of my sons, please listen and I will tell you the Nrsimha-kavaca called Trailokya-vijaya (the conquest of the three worlds)."

3. yasya prapathanad vagmi
trailokya-vi jayi bhavet srashtham jagatam vatsa
pathanad dharanad yatah
"By reciting this prayer, one becomes eloquent. One becomes a coqueror of the three worlds. My son, I became the creator of this universe because I recited this kavaca and wore it in an amulet."

4. laksmir jagat-trayam pati
samharta ca maheshvarah pathanad dhanarad deva
babhuvush ca dig ishvarah
"By reciting this prayer and wearing it in an amulet Goddess Laksmi became the protector of the three worlds, Lord Siva became the destroyer, and the demigods became the masters of the directions."

5. brahma-mantra-myam vakshye
bhutadi-vinivarakam yasya prasadad durvasas
trailokya-vi jayi munih pathanad dharanad yasya
shasta ca krodha-bhairavah
"Now I will speak this kavaca, which contains within it all the mantras of the Vedas. By the mercy of this kavaca Durvasa Muni conquered the three worlds. By reciting this prayer and wearing it in an amulet He became able to punish others, he became feared for his anger."

6. trailokya-vi jayasyasa
kavacasya prajapatih rishis chandash ca gayatri
nrsimho devata vibhuh
"The sage of this kavaca is Prajapati Brahma. The meter is Gayatri. The Deity is Lord Nrsimha, the all-powerful Personality of Godhead."

7+ 8 kshraum bijam me shirah patu
candra-varno maha-manuh ugram viram maha-visnum
jvalantam sarvato-mukham
nrsimham bhishanam bhadram
mrtyu-mrtyum namamy aham dva trimsad aksharo mantro
mantra rajah sura drumah
"Kshraum. May this great mantra, its syllables glittering like a string of moons, protect my head."

I bow down before all-powerful, frightening, auspicious, sublimely ferocious Lord Nrsimha, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, who burns like fire, whose faces are everywhere, and who is the death of death.

This 32 syllable prayer is the king of mantras, the sura-druma tree of mantras."

9. kantham patu dhruvam kshraum hrd
bhagavate cakshushi mama narasimhaya ca jvala maline
patu mastakam
"May the word "kshraum" protect my neck. May the word "bhagavate" (to the Supreme Personality of Godhead) protect my heart. May the word "narasimhaya" (to Lord Nrsimha) protect my eyes. May the word "jvala-maline" (who wears a garland of flames) protect my head."

10. dipta-damshtraya ca tatha-
agni netraya ca nasikam sarva-raksho-ghnaya sarva-
bhuta-vinashanaya ca
"May the words "dipta-damshtraya" (whose teeth glisten), "agni-netraya" (whose eyes are fierce), and "sarva-bhuta
-vinashanaya" (the killer of all ghosts) protect my nose."

11. sarva-jvara-vinasaya
daha daha pacha-dvayam raksha raksha sarva-mantra
svaha patu mukham mama
"May the words "sarva-jvara-vinasya" (the protector from all fevers), "daha daha" (burn! burn!) "paca paca" (brun! burn!) "raksa raksa" (protect! protect!) "svaha" and the entire mantra protect my face."

Note: The mantra here is:

kshraum bhagavate narasimhaya jvala-maline dipta-damshtraya
agni-netrya sarva-raksho-ghanaya sarva-bhuta-vinashanaya
sarva-jvara-vinashaya daha daha pacha pacha raksha raksha svaha

"I bow down before Lord Nrsimha, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Who wears a garland of flames, Whose teeth glisten, Whose eyes are fires, Who is the killer of all rakshasas and ghosts, and Who is the protector from all fevers. O Lord Nrsimha, please burn my enemies! Burn them! Burn them! Burn them! Protect me! Protect me! Svaha."


12. taradi ramacandraya
namah payad gudam mama klim payat pani-yugmam ca
taram namah padam tatah narayanaya parshvam ca
am hrim kraum kshraum ca hum phat
"Om Namo Ramacandraya (Obeisances to Lord Ramacandra). May Lord Ramacandra protect my private parts. May Lord Ramacandra protect my hands. Om Namo Narayana. (Obeisances to Lord Narayana). May Lord Narayana protect my feet. May Lord Narayana protect my sides. Am hrim kraum kstrum ca hum phat!"


13. varaksharah katim patu
om namah bhagavate padam vasudevaya ca prishtham
klim krsnaya uru-dvaram
"Om Namo Bhagavate (Obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead). May Lord Bhagavan protect my feet. May Lord Bhagavan protect my waist and hips. Om Namo Vasudevaya (Obeisances to Lord Vasudeva). May Lord Vasudeva protect my back. Klim Krsnaya (Obeisances to Lord Krishna). May Lord Krishna protect my thighs."

14. klim krsnaya sada patu
januni ca manuttamah klim glaum klim shyamalangaya
namah payat pada-dvaram
"Klim Krsnaya (Obeisances to Lord Krishna). May Lord Krishna always protect my knees. This is the best of mantras. Klim Glaum Klim Symalangaya Namaha (Obeisances to dark-limbed Lord Krishna). May Lord Krishna protect my feet."

15. kshraum narasimhaya ksraum ca
sarvangam me sadavatu
"Kshraum Narasimhaya Kshraum. (Obeisances to Lord Nrsimha). May Lord Nrsimha always protect all the limbs and parts of my body."

16. iti te kathitam vatsa
sarva-mantraugha-vigraham tava snehan mayakhyatam
pravaktavyam na kasyacit
"My child, I have thus spoken to you the personification of all mantras. Out of affection I told to you, but it should not be repeated to anyone."


17. guru-pujam vidhayatha
grhniyat kavacam tatah sarva-punya-yuto bhutva
sarva-siddhi-yuto bhavet
"After worshiping his spiritual master, one should accept this kavaca. Then one attains all piety. Then one attains all perfection."

18. shatam ashtottaram caiva
purashcharya vidhih smritah havanadin dashamsena
krtva sadhaka-sattamah
"Performing purashcarya and yajnas one hundred and eight times is equal to one tenth the merit attained by chanting this kavaca."

19. tatas tu siddha-kavacah
punyatma madanopaman sparddham uddhuya bhavane
lakshmir vani vaset tatah
"One who properly chants this kavaca becomes saintly. Forgetting their natural rivalry, Laksmi and Sarasvati both reside in his home."

20. pushpanjaly-ashtakam dattva
mulenaiva pathet sakrit
api varsha sahasranam
pujayah phalam apnuyat
"Offering eight palmsful of flowers and only once chanting this mula-mantra, one attains the result of a thousand years of worship."

21. bhur je vilkhya gutikam
svarna-stham dharayed yadi kanthe va dakshine bahau
narasimho bhavet svayam
"If one write this mantra on birch and wears it in an amulet around one's neck or on one's right arm, then Lord Nrsimha will personally accompany Him."

22. yoshid vama-bhuje caiva
puruso dakshine kare vibhriyat kavacam punyam
sarva-siddhi-yuto bhavet
"A woman should wear this amulet on her left arm. A man should wear it on his right hand. Whoever wears this sacred amulet attains all perfection."

23. kaka vandhya ca ya nari
mrita-vatsa ca ya bhavet janma-vandhya nashta-putra
bahu-putravati bhavet
"By wearing this amulet a woman who is barren, who has only one child, whose children have died, or whose children are lost will become the mother of many good children."

24. kavacasya prasadena
jivan-mukto bhaven narah trilokyam kshobhayaty eva
trailokya-vijayi bhavet
"By the mercy of this kavaca one becomes liberated even while living in this world. One shakes the three worlds. One conquers the three worlds."

25. bhuta-preta-pishacash ca
rakshasa danavash ca ye tam drshtva prapalayante
deshad deshantaram dhruvam
"The moment they see Him, bhutas, pretas, pishacas, raksasas, and danavas flee far away. They run to another country."

26. yasmin gehe ca kavacam
grame va yadi tishthati tam desham tu parityajya
prayanti cati-durantah
"These evil spirits flee far away from any home or village where this kavaca is placed."

Thus ends the Sri Nrsimha kavaca, of the Trailokya vijay in the samhita of Brahma.

Most People Believe in Life after Death

Apr 19, LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (TELEGRAPH) — The majority of people in the UK believe in heaven and life after death, according to the findings of new research.

A survey of 2,060 people showed 53 per cent believe in life after death, 55 per cent believe in heaven and 70 per cent believe in the human soul. The study carried out between October and November last year for the public theology think tank Theos also showed nearly four in 10, or 39 per cent, believe in ghosts and more than a quarter (27 per cent) believe in reincarnation.

A further 22 per cent believe in astrology or horoscopes and 15 per cent believe in fortune telling or Tarot, the research revealed. Half of people in London, the highest proportion in the UK, believe in ghosts, the survey showed. Scotland had the highest number of people who believe in fortune telling or Tarot at 18 per cent and Wales had the highest proportion of people who believe in reincarnation at 32 per cent.

Theos said the comparison with the 1950s was "especially striking". In 1950, it said, only 10 per cent of the public told Gallup that they believed in ghosts, and just 2 per cent thought they had seen one. In 1951, only 7 per cent of the public said they believed in predicting the future by cards and 6 per cent by stars. But the organisation said the latest research showed an increase in scepticism about certain aspects of the supernatural.

In a 1998 Mori poll, 18 per cent of the public said they believed in fortune telling and 38 per cent in astrology. A further 40 per cent said they believed in ghosts, and 15 per cent said that they had personal experience of ghosts.

Theos director Paul Woolley said: "The enlightenment optimism in the ability of science and reason to explain everything ended decades ago.

"The extent of belief will probably surprise people, but the finding is consistent with other research we have undertaken. The results indicate that people have a very diverse and unorthodox set of beliefs. Our research may point to a slight increase in scepticism about aspects of the supernatural over the last 10 years."