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Friday, June 30, 2006 from New Goloka, North Carolina, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Relishing the Sweet Nectar of Krishna Bhakti at New Goloka It's really ecstatic to be back here in New Goloka. This sublime rural temple, ashram, and devotee community is situated in a beautiful forest area near Hillsborough, North Carolina. This community was started by my dear Godbrother, His Holiness Bir Krishna Goswami, back in the 1982. To be here surrounded by loving devotees is the perfection of our existence. Why? Because in the association of devotees it becomes very easy to remember Krishna at every minute. Just seeing a devotee immediately reminds us of Krishna. This morning a group of thirty devotees gathered together at 4:30am in the geodesic dome temple to celebrate the most sublime and wonderful ceremony known as Mangal Arati. We sang and deeply meditated upon a beautiful Sanskrit prayer composed many centuries ago by a great pure devotee of Lord Krishna known as Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur. It is prayer of devotion to the spiritual master. Here's how it goes: samsara-davanala-lidha-loka- tranaya karunya-ghanaghanatvam praptasya kalyana-gunarnavasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "The spiritual master is receiving benediction from the ocean of mercy. Just as a cloud pours water on a forest fire to extinguish it, so the spiritual master delivers the materially afflicted world by extinguishing the blazing fire of material existence. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities." mahaprabhoh kirtana-nrtya-gita- vaditra-madyan-manaso rasena romanca -kampasru-taranga-bhajo vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "Chanting the holy name, dancing in ecstasy, singing, and playing musical instruments, the spiritual master is always gladdened by the Sankirtan movement of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Because he is relishing the mellows of pure devotion within his mind, sometimes his hair stands on end, he feels quivering in his body, and tears flow from his eyes like waves. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master." sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana- srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato 'pi vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "The spiritual master is always engaged in the temple worship of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. He also engages his disciples in such worship. They dress the Deities in beautiful clothes and ornaments, clean Their temple, and perform other similar worship of the Lord. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master." catur-vidha-sri-bhagavat-prasada- svadv-anna-trptan hari-bhakta-sanghan krtvaiva trptim bhajatah sadaiva vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master." sri-radhika-madhavayor apara- madhurya-lila guna-rupa-namnam prati-ksanasvadana-lolupasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "The spiritual master is always eager to hear and chant about the unlimited conjugal pastimes of Radhika and Madhava, and Their qualities, names, and forms. The spiritual master aspires to relish these at every moment. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master." nikunja-yuno rati-keli-siddhyai ya yalibhir yuktir apeksaniya tatrati-daksyad ati-vallabhasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "The spiritual master is very dear, because he is expert in assisting the gopis, who at different times make different tasteful arrangements for the perfection of Radha and Krishna's conjugal loving affairs within the groves of Vrindavan. I offer my most humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master." saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "The spiritual master is to be honored as much as the Supreme Lord, because he is the most confidential servitor of the Lord. This is acknowledged in all revealed scriptures and followed by all authorities. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritual master, who is a bona fide representative of Sri Hari [Krishna]. yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatih kuto 'pi dhyayan stuvams tasya yasas tri-sandhyam vande guroh sri-caranaravindam "By the mercy of the spiritual master one receives the benediction of Krishna. Without the grace of the spiritual master, one cannot make any advancement. Therefore, I should always remember and praise the spiritual master. At least three times a day I should offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master." Whenever you get a chance come and taste the sweet nectar of Krishna bhakti in New Goloka, North Carolina, USA. www.newgoloka.com Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scenes from New Goloka:
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Thursday, June 29, 2006 from New Goloka Dham, North Carolina, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Putting an End to the Evil In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Sri Krishna declares: yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham "Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion -- at that time I descend Myself." Bhagavad-gita 4.7 For what purpose does Krishna descend? That He describes in the next verse: paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge "To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium." Bhagavad-gita 4.8 In this age of Kali the Lord descends in His most merciful form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this form He does not annihilate the miscreants. He merely annihilates their demoniac mentality. By the expansion of Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan Movement, consisting of the congregational chanting of the holy names of God, gradually the demoniac influence of this materialistic age of Kali will be diminished more and more. The evil will more and more come to an end. Therefore everyone should join the Sankirtan Movement today by chanting regularly the holy names of God: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: What Happens to Gurus Who Allow Meat Eating? Thank you very much for your kind reply about the prohibition of eating fish and meat. By the grace of Lord Sri Krishna you have broken my wrong conception with the torch of Gita and Bhagavad-jnana. I read the Srimad Bhagavad-Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam daily and try to understand every verse so that I can lead my life accordingly. But sometimes I am confused about discharging my duties prescribed by Lord Sri Krishna. It is due to my inability of understanding every verse properly. I think, you are one of the perfect representatives of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So, through e-mail I do come to you with great respect and ask you questions to remove my confusion. I beg apology for disturbing you again and again. Today's "Thought for the day" you advised us to carry out the orders of the spiritual master with enthusiasm and attention to detail. So far I know presently almost all the gurus (the spiritual masters) except the followers of ISKCON do not advise their respective disciples to desist from eating fish and meat. In this concern they say that it is good to eat vegetarian food. They advise their disciples to eat vegetarian food for a specific day in a week. That means they allow fish and meat as a food. My question is: What will be the fate of those disciples after death? Your kind answer in this respect would be highly appreciated. Hare Krishna Your student -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sri Isopanisad Reveals their Destination... The fate of the so-called gurus who misguide their disciples into sinful activities such as flesh eating is described as follows in the Sri Isopanisad: andham tamah pravisanti ye 'vidyam upasate "Those who engage in the culture of nescient activities shall enter into the darkest region of ignorance."--Sri Isopanisad Mantra 9 Because the disciples are also engaged in nescient activities under the misguidance of their so-called gurus they must also go the darkest region of ignorance along with their so-called gurus. Of course, this is intolerable for us to see this happen. Therefore we are making a vigorous effort to educate all these so-called gurus and their followers with the actual principles of transcendental existence so that they can be saved from such an inauspicious fate. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Wednesday, June 28, 2006 from Wheaton, Maryland, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Restore Balance to the World This is Tuesday 27 June, I am writing you from Wheaton, Maryland. There has been excessive rain and flooding here. In other parts of the world there is drought and starvation. It's not that there is not enough water for everyone. There is ample water supply for everyone in every portion of the earth. The problem is that there are irregularities in the delivery system. Why do these irregularities exist? Nature is supposed to be balanced and organized. Something is throwing everything out of balance so that we end up with too much rain in one place and not enough rain in another place. The defect is actually with us. We cannot blame Mother Nature. We are meant by the arrangement of the Supreme to perform sacrifice. This is described as follows in the Bhagavad-gita: annad bhavanti bhutani parjanyad anna-sambhavah yajnad bhavati parjanyo yajnah karma-samudbhavah "All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. Rains are produced by performance of yajna [sacrifice], and yajna is born of prescribed duties." Bhagavad-gita 3.14 The defect in the natural balance is that we not performing our duty. Since we are neglecting to be properly synchronized with nature, nature is not operating in her normal harmonious manner. We can easily restore the natural balance if we will perform sacrifice. What is that sacrifice? It is revealed in the Vedic literatures that the prescribed sacrifice for this age is the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Kindly regularly join with others to chant these names as much as possible. Join in the movement to restore balance to the world. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Defeated in Debate... During conversation with my office friends at lunch time yesterday I presented the argument which I had read a couple of times in your discourses that since everything comes from something there must be an origin for all that exists and that that source is God. I had presented the argument because I had thought it was good. One of my friends said right away something to this effect: We can say that everything live and lifeless ultimately comes from molecules which come from atoms of elements, but nobody has disproved the possibility that atoms of hydrogen and carbon and other elements might have most amazingly existed for ever, that is, they never got created. He said that that possibility is equally awesome as the alternative possibility that atoms of some or all elements got created at either some single moment or over a time period in the distant past. Then again, in the latter possibility, there might have been one creator of the atoms of elements or there might have been a committee of creators. All are conjectures. He said that he did not mind my presenting my whatever theology by identifying it as theology that either a single God or a committee of Gods created atoms of elements and then molecules that form everything, but finds my presenting some flimsy argument as irrefutable argument rather simple-minded. I humbly admitted to him that what he said was right. I wanted to tell you what happened yesterday. So I am humbly writing you this note. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Sam -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is Not One Shred of Evidence to Support His Theory... Don't ever admit that they are right just because you could not defeat them. When we have practical experience that everything comes from something, it is more scientific to assume that this is a universal principle than it is to assume the opposite which has no basis in our practical experience. His idea of matter having no origin is mere theory with not one shred of evidence. We have an entire universe full of evidence to establish the principle of cause and effect. You cannot have a plurality of supreme beings because then they are no longer supreme, just like you cannot have many supreme courts. You can only have one supreme court. If there is more than one, none of them can be the supreme court. Debating with materialists is a difficult but exciting art. Don't give up. Keep reading and chanting and pretty soon you will be able to defeat even the most erudite and stubborn of atheists! Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Tuesday, June 27, 2006 from Wheaton, Maryland, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Krishna is the Proprietor In this world we come with nothing and we go with nothing. But yet in between our entrance and exit from this spot life we declare ourselves to be the owners and we fight with other so-called owners over who is the proprietor. If we want peace at all on this planet, a new attitude we must call. We must acknowledge the supreme proprietorship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. That Krishna is the supreme proprietor is confirmed as follows in the Bhagavad-gita: bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram suhrdam sarva-bhutanam jnatva mam santim rcchati "A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries." --Bhagavad-gita 5.29 It's so hard trying to play God and so easy to be His servant. Why don't we stop torturing ourselves and just be happy and peaceful being who we are, the eternal servants of the Lord? This is real intelligence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Civilized War? I would like to ask you a question. I found from Hindu scriptures that the warriors (ksatriyas) fought only amongst themselves, and never attacked civilians. They fought only until sunset and even visited rival tents, had meals together etc. Megasthenes, the Greek traveler, mentions in his records that whilst the armies of two Indian kings were at war with each other, the farmers, women and children in a very nearby field were doing their duties unaffected by the war. To me this is incredible because when we see European or Islamic history, the wars are full of treachery, nightly raids, plunder, and brutal attack on women and children. How did Indian kings fight battles with rules and regulations, whilst European rulers were devoid of any principles during war? Does this have any connection with Hindu scriptures? Ken Rutherford -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Vedic Civilization Even War is Cultured... You have inquired, "How did Indian kings fight battles with rules and regulations, whilst European rulers were devoid of any principles during war? Does this have any connection with Hindu scriptures?" The answer is that the kings of Vedic India were guided by gurus. In the Vedic social system there were pure qualified brahmanas, spiritual masters, who studied the Vedas, purely followed the Vedas, and taught the Vedas to their disciples, which included the kings. The royal order (warrior class) was fully surrendered unto the brahmanas. So it was actually the brahmanas who ruled over the society. They did so, not by political power, but by sound spiritual advice. What you are saying is absolutely correct. In the former times the wars were fought with so much civility that they were more like tournaments than the wars we know of today. Even in recent history during World War I, the British and German fighter pilots who were fighting to the death in the skies over Europe would wave at each other as friends and then see who could shoot the other one down first. When the famous German fighter pilot known as the Red Baron was shot down over England, the British honored him with a hero's burial. The Vedic ksatriyas (warrior class) would fight during designated hours and then get together as friends to socialize in the evenings. Even the modern day athletes are not as friendly with each other as were the warriors of the Vedic times. In former times it's a fact that the civilians were not at all affected by the wars. Just like in the USA the routine work goes on no matter who is in power, the Republicans or the Democrats. In former times the citizens were unconcerned with the outcome of the war. Simply they would pay their taxes to whoever won the war, that's all. The wars were fought in the spirit of duels in a designated place completely away from the civilian population. And the warriors would appreciate the chivalrous fighting skill of any warrior regardless of which side he was on. In the Kali Yuga, especially at the present time, chivalry is practically dead. Everything is based on deception, cheating, and deceit. The human beings have descended to a platform that is lower than animals. Therefore there is now a burning need to re-establish the brahminical order so that the political leaders can be guided properly how to rule in accordance with the Vedic principles. The first mission of the Krishna consciousness movement is to create a worldwide class of pure brahmanas. After that we will create a class of pure ksatriyas (political leaders) who will govern in strict accordance with the Vedic principles. Once these two classes are solidly established the entire world population will be able to live peacefully and happily in every corner of the world. I am requesting that you kindly now dedicate your life fully to assisting us to bringing the happy days of Vedic dharma back to planet Earth. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Monday, June 26, 2006 from Brampton, Ontario, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: What is my Duty? Human life means to act on the basis of duty, not on the basis of sensual impulses as the animals do. This is why Arjuna taught us by his perfect example to approach Krishna and inquire from Him, "What is my duty?" karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah prcchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam "Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am Your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me what is my duty." --Bhagavad-gita 2.7 If Krishna is not personally present to inquire from, we can follow His instruction (Bhagavad-gita 4.34) to approach His representative, the bona fide spiritual master, to find out specifically what is our duty. We simply have to find out from the authoritative source what is our duty and then faithfully carry it out. In this way our lives will be glorious. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: How to Improve the Chanting? Give some tips to improve the chanting. Dilip -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ten Transcendental Tips... Here are tens tips for improved chanting: 1. Serve those who serve the Lord, don't criticize them out of envy or false ego. 2. Worship Krishna as the "source of all spiritual and material worlds", "the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities." Show respect to demigods like Lord Siva or Ganesh and personalities like Hanuman as exalted devotees of Lord Krishna. 3. Show full respect to the spiritual master in thoughts, words and actions, considering him to be a representative of the Lord. Carry out the orders of the spiritual master with enthusiasm and attention to detail. 4. Honor (and study) the scriptures as the instructions of the Supreme Lord (dharmam tu saksad bhagavat pranitam) with the desire to understand how they are correct (not if they are correct). 5. Have faith that the Holy Name is not a mundane sound vibration, but is in fact transcendental sound, descending from the (pure) spiritual platform. 6. Have faith in the explanations and glorification of the Holy Name given by guru, sadhu and sastra. This knowledge is given by those who have experienced the glories of the Holy Name, and who have "seen the truth." 7. Root out the desire to commit sins. A sin is an action that is not connected to the Supreme Lord; something done for the gratification of the senses. Acting only for the pleasure of the material body brings you further from practical realization of your factual identity as an eternal spirit soul (separate from the temporary material body). 8. Give up ritualistic pious activities. Transcend feelings of duty and obligation and perform all activities for the pleasure of Krishna. 9. Discuss the glories of the Holy Name with servants of the Lord who will relish hearing about it. 10. Chant attentively, absorbing your full consciousness in the transcendental vibration of the Holy Name. If you can seriously follow the above ten guidelines your chanting will improve by leaps and bounds. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Sunday, June 25, 2006 from Brampton, Ontario, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Serving the Vaisnavas Sometimes neophyte devotees are very enthusiastic to serve the spiritual master and something less than completely enthusiastic to serve the other Vaisnavas. This is not the proper attitude. In this connection it is described by Narottam Das Thakur: anande bolo hari bhaja brndaban sri-guru-vaisnaba-pade majaiya man "Chant the names of Lord Hari in great ecstasy and worship the transcendental realm of Vrindavan while absorbing your mind in meditation upon the divine feet of the spiritual master and the Vaisnavas." There are three sources of divine inspiration: the spiritual master, the Vaisnavas, and the scriptures. We should always take advantage of all three for our rapid advancement on the pathway of devotional service. Associating with Vaisnavas means to serve them with love. Without loving service we are not able to derive the full transcendental benefit of their divine association. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Searching for the Ultimate Lover... Hare Krishna. For 15 years I have been searching for some one who loves me. After my marriage I thought that this would be my husband for whom I was searching for all these years. But I find myself still in search for somebody. I do not know who exactly he is. Many times I tried to convince myself that it is the Lord for whom I am hankering. But still I am not convinced. It has become a big problem for me. I cannot share this with anyone, because nobody can understand me. Please help me to convince myself that the person I am searching for is none other than Lord Krishna Himself. Your student -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Krishna is the Ultimate Lover... It is a fact that the person you have been searching after for millions of lifetimes is none other than Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no one else who can fully reciprocate your love and thus fully satisfy you. Now armed with the understanding that all of your love should be exclusively reposed in Lord Sri Krishna, fully surrender yourself at His lotus feet. You will taste the inconceivable nectar of Krishna bhakti. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Saturday, June 24, 2006 from Brampton, Ontario, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Overcoming Our Faults The most important art we can ever learn is how to overcome our faults. This present age, the Kali Yuga, is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam as being an ocean of faults: kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet "My dear King, although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: Simply by chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom." --Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51 So our present position is that we are drowning in an ocean of faults. Our hearts are honey-combed with multitudinous faults. How will we become faultless? If we can take shelter of Lord Sri Krishna's holy names, by the sweet merciful power of the holy names our hearts will be cleansed of all faults, and we will become qualified to enter into the all-perfect supreme kingdom of God. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Offering Food at Work... I have few questions about offering of food. As I am a working person, I have to eat food in the office canteen. Such foods prepared give karmic reaction. Also they must be having some stuffs like onion, garlic etc. Though we take vegetarian food, still sometimes we are not sure of some non-vegetarian contaminations like egg by-products etc. In this way we accept so many karmic reaction. Before I take the food, I chant Hare Krishna mantra 3 times as an offering to Krishna and then I take it. Are we really taking away the karmic reaction by offering this way even though it contains some stuffs which can't be offered? So what we can do in this situation where we can't offer our food in the purest way before we take as Krishna Prasadam? So can you please suggest if there is any way for getting rid of the reactions? Your Servant -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bring Prasadam from Home... You need to prepare your own foodstuffs at home and take them to work with you. You should cook them in a mood of devotion to Lord Krishna and offer them to Him. If we eat food cooked by non-devotees, even if all the ingredients are pure, we are still adversely affected by the materialistic mentality of the persons who cooked the food. On the other hand, if we take food which was cooked with love and devotion for the pleasure of Krishna, that eating will elevate our consciousness. If we take food cooked by non-devotees, that eating will cloud our consciousness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Friday, June 23, 2006 from Brampton, Ontario, Canada -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Miser Means Miserable In the Brihad-aranyaka Upanishad (3.8.10) the perplexed man is described as follows: yo va etad aksaram gargy aviditvasmal lokat praiti sa krpanah. "He is a miserly man who does not solve the problems of life as a human and who thus quits this world like the cats and dogs, without understanding the science of self-realization." The thoughtful, intelligent person realizes the temporary nature of all forms of material pleasure. Thus he as much as possible invests his time and energy in those activities which will awaken the divine consciousness within. What are those activities? Hearing and chanting the transcendental name, fame, form, pastimes, entourage, paraphernalia, and teachings of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We are requesting all of our readers to conquer over the enemy of pride by humbly submitting themselves to Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the doorway to factual happiness. To not do so is to remain a miser, and thus remain miserable. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Stress and Strain... Please advise how to prevent daily stress and strain that comes with doing our routine work. Nagender Verma -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Love Defeats Stress and Strain... If we truly love someone and we are serving them, even there is stress and strain we will not find it to be disturbing. We will see it as a wonderful opportunity to show our beloved our genuine love. In this way if you truly love Krishna and you are doing everything for Him, you will always be happy in all circumstances, whether stressful or peaceful. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Thursday, June 22, 2006 from Brighton, Michigan, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: The Beauty of Being Humble Our tendency in this material world is to put ourselves in the center, to make ourselves number one. This brings us into immediate conflict with everybody else, who is trying to do the same thing. This is why there is so much conflict and hardship in today's world. We have deviated far, far away from ishavasya spirit, the God-centered conception of existence. The beauty of Krishna consciousness is that a Krishna conscious person understands the need to become humble, to not put himself in the center. He therefore always likes to keep Krishna or God in the center. By doing this he immediately enters into a wonderful peaceful serene mood. In this connection Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has instructed us very nicely: trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih "One can chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking himself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than the tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly." --Siksastaka 3 If we adopt this principle very seriously, we will quickly and easily advance ourselves on the pathway of spiritual perfection and taste ever-increasing happiness at every minute. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: I Think Eating Fish and Meat is Allowed by Lord Krishna... In the Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 9-27) it is said: yat karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi dadasi yat yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusva mas-arpanam Translation : "O son of Kunti, all that you do, all that you eat, all that you offer and give away, as well as all austerities that you may perform, should be done as an offering unto me." |
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Wednesday, June 21, 2006 from Niles, Michigan, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Danger at Every Step Monday as we were traveling from Kansas City, Missouri to Niles, Michigan we got a stark reminder of the dangerous nature of this material existence. We were cruising along Interstate Highway 80 at normal highway speed going with the flow of the traffic. One of my disciples was driving the van and I was sitting in the back seat with my laptop computer trying to catch up on my backlogged correspondence. All of a sudden my concentration on my writing was interrupted by a loud "kawham". Our van was hit on the left rear side. Spontaneously I immediately called out, "Krishna", taking shelter of the Lord's holy name at what could have been my last moment in this present body. By Krishna's grace the van was only slightly damaged and our driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle. We pulled over to the shoulder to assess the damage and to report the details of the incident to the police who came out to investigate the crash. The persons in the vehicle that crashed into us did not get off so easy. Their vehicle was badly damaged and rolled over on its side where it remained standing on the inside shoulder. Luckily, even though their vehicle was totaled, they were for the most part uninjured. Only one passenger had a cut on his arm. This was a very poignant lesson. It was a pleasant afternoon. I was engaged in my usual daily routine. And then all of sudden we were staring death in the face for what turned out to be a practice run only and not the real thing. One day it will be the real thing. I am very encouraged that I spontaneously and instantly took shelter of the Lord's holy name when the danger hit. I passed the test. I pray to be able to do so again when the real thing, my actual moment of death, finally arrives. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Why Not Eat Meat?... Why it is advisable for humans to not to intake non-vegetarian food ? Ravindra -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is a Simple Matter of Human Decency... It is advised for human not to take non-vegetarian food because partaking of the flesh of animals is an act of great cruelty against the poor animals. When we can be healthy and happy maintaining our bodies on thousands of varieties of vegetarian food preparations, why should we murder our four-legged, winged, and finned brothers and sisters? How would you like to slaughtered and butchered and make your way to someone's dinner table? To treat our family members in such a way is the greatest act of terrorism and barbarianism. And yet this unthinkable atrocity goes on every day throughout the world disguised as an ordinary daily activity. It's time we wake up from this madness and close down all the slaughterhouses. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Tuesday, June 20, 2006 |
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Monday, June 19, 2006 from Rupanuga Vedic College, Kansas City, Missouri, USA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Sunday, June 18, 2006 from Rupanuga Vedic College, Kansas City, Missouri, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Remain Equipoised in Happiness and Distress Traveling and preaching Krishna consciousness all over the world is a great opportunity to practice the art of always remaining equipoised. Sometimes circumstances are very pleasing and sometimes they are very difficult. This is described in the Bhagavad-gita as follows: matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah agamapayino 'nityas tams titiksasva bharata "O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed." --Bhagavad-gita 2.14 A devotee learns to see everything as the mercy of Krishna without being disturbed. By taking this detached position he gradually learns to relish the sweetest nectar at every minute no matter where he is or what is happening to him. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Does One Need to Be Detached from His Loved Ones? Hare Krishna. Thank you for regularly sending me "Thought for the Day." It is very enlightening. I am glad to have your association. I have two questions: According to the introduction in the Bhagavad-gita, one does not need to give up his occupation but needs to think of Krishna while engaged in work. How is that possible? For example, an engineer needs to have full concentration on his professional job. So how would he concentrate on two things at a time? The second question is: Does one really need to get detached from his loved ones to advance in spiritual life? I have only one child (a boy), and I find that I am over protecting him. Even when I am chanting I pray that the Lord gives him full protection. Is this okay? Please advise. Thank you. Your servant, Chandran -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Engage Everything in Krishna's Service... Just as a tabla player learns how to expertly play two different drums at the same time, you can also gradually master the art of how to perform your material duties and spiritual duties simultaneously. The key is to engage your material duties fully in Krishna's service. In this way they become fully spiritualized and no longer a source of entanglement. Real detachment means to engage your family members fully in the service of Krishna. And real attachment means that you love your family members so much that you want them to become delivered from the cycle of birth and death. To deliver them you must engage them fully in the service of Krishna. So for a devotee his attachment and detachment are one and the same. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Saturday, June 17, 2006 from Rupanuga Vedic College, Kansas City, Missouri, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: When the Whole World is at Your Disposal In the Eleventh Canto, Twentieth Chapter, verses 32 and 33, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam Lord Krishna instructs Uddhava, "My dear friend, the profits derived from fruitive activities, austerities, the culture of philosophical knowledge, renunciation, the practice of mystic yoga, charity and all similar auspicious activities are automatically achieved by My devotees -- those who are simply attached to Me by loving service. These devotees have everything at their disposal, but they desire nothing outside of My devotional service. If ever a devotee should desire some material profit, like promotion to the heavenly planets, or some spiritual profit -- to go to the Vaikunthas -- by My causeless mercy his desires are very easily fulfilled." This means that when we truly and fully place ourselves at the Lord's complete disposal, the totality of existence then becomes fully at our disposal to be engaged in the Lords' service. In the material world everyone is engaged in a fierce competition to see who can be most successful in lording it over this material energy. But they don't realize that by the simple act of complete surrender unto the will of the Lord that the entire world will then be at their disposal for engaging in the Lord's service. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: What to Do with a Spouse Who is Not Krishna Conscious? I am practicing Krishna Consciousness for some time. My spouse is not very keen on following this path. This acts as an hindrance in my progress and puts brakes on my active participation in the movement. What can I do? Is it a must to have deities (Gaur Nitai/ Laddu Gopal) at home if one takes initiation? We are told that the initiation commitment is for only for chanting 16 rounds daily and following the four regulative principles. Your advise will be appreciated., Your servant -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspire Her to Follow You by Serving Her with Love... Now that you are giving your love to Krishna, your spouse may naturally feel neglected and discouraged. So you must now serve her with so much love that she will not feel in any way neglected and will become so much inspired and enlivened by your association that she resolves to follow you on the path of devotion to Lord Krishna. It is not required to have deities at home, even if you are initiated. You may simply keep photographs of Sri Krishna, Sri Panca Tattva, Srila Prabhupada, and your Guru Maharaja on your home altar. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Friday, June 16, 2006 from Emporia, Kansas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Beyond the Miseries of this Material Existence According to the various fluctuations of the three modes of material nature we experience many varieties of circumstances within this material existence. Sometimes we are happy, sometimes we are sad. Sometimes we are peaceful, sometimes we are agitated. But no matter what our position may be here, we cannot find lasting peace and happiness here. Why is that? It is confirmed by Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita that every place throughout the entire universe is a place of misery: a-brahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino 'rjuna mam upetya tu kaunteya punar janma na vidyate "From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again." Bhagavad-gita 8.16 Traveling throughout the world for spreading Krishna consciousness we see so many varieties of situations. Some appear to be very nice, some not so nice, and some absolutely hellish. But we have to understand that even the apparently nice situations are actually problematic because in every situation time is dragging us through birth, death, old age, and disease. Therefore the intelligent person as much possible absorbs his consciousness on the spiritual platform. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Are You Sinless?... Please excuse my ignorance, I have two questions: Is there a difference between chanting the Hare Krishna mantra verbatim or chanting "O energy of the Lord, O all-attractive Lord, O Supreme Enjoyer, please engage me in Your service." Since you have stated before that all religions are one, it shouldn't matter in what language the names of God are chanted. Is this correct? Are you (being a bona fide spiritual master) without sin? Do you ever become angry or afraid? Do you ever react to the material world with a "human" response rather than from the awakened Krishna consciousness? If yes, then how can you be sure that the teachings that have been passed in disciplic succession were not clouded by the same sins? Best Regards, Kenny -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By the Grace of My Spiritual Master... As the Lord is multi-lingual, you may pray to Him in any language. He understands every single language on the face of the earth. At the same time in the Vedic literature special significance has been given to the Hare Krishna mantra. God Himself appeared on this planet 500 years in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He taught us that any of the unlimited names of God are potent for delivering us from this material existence. But He showed the example of being fully absorbed in chanting this particular mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare You are asking if I am free from sin. The answer is that by the grace of my spiritual master I am completely free from sin. A devotee may sometimes experience anger or fear, but not in the same way that a materialist experiences them. These emotions can be experienced on the spiritual platform completely beyond the platform of selfishness and greed. To achieve the enlightened platform of Krishna consciousness means to awaken the actual human qualities. It means to rise beyond the animalistic platform of lust, anger, and greed. For example no human being would want to kill a poor animal to eat his flesh when there is an ample supply of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and grains. Our teachings have been carefully passed down to us through a tradition of saintly teachers who were fully liberated from the materialistic tendencies. And by carefully following the Krishna consciousness process we can practically experience how we are being liberated from all materialistic tendencies. The proof of the ice cream is in the eating. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Thursday, June 15, 2006 from Radha-Kalachandji Dham in Dallas, Texas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: On the Road to Rupanuga Vedic College
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Wednesday, June 14, 2006 from Radha-Kalachandji Dham in Dallas, Texas, USA  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Celebrating the Appearance Day of Tamal Krishna Goswami Today is the appearance day (birthday) of my beloved older Godbrother, His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. He is no longer physically manifest with us here in the material world, having departed several years ago. We are here on the first stop of our North American preaching tour at the ISKCON center in Dallas, Texas, Radha-Kalachandji Dhama. Since many of his disciples reside here they have organized a special celebration in his honor. It is very uplifting to be here with them remembering the wonderful qualities and activities of this great saintly teacher. I remember many, many times when I was in his association. He was a loving friend and also a very strict mentor. He was very enlivening to be with and taught me many, many enlightening lessons. I am forever indebted to him for his loving kindness and for being such a good example of someone who was 100% dedicated for spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Which Way of Krishna Bhakti is Correct? How can one know which of these two different ways of Krishna-Bhakti is the correct one? 1.ISKCON Vaishnavism 2.Classical Gaudiya Vaishnavism Thank You, Jukka -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ISKCON Vaishnavism is Classical Gaudiya Vaishnavism... Your question is based on the mistaken premise that there is a difference between ISKCON Vaishnavism and classical Gaudiya Vaishnavism. This premise is completely false. Persons who are envious of ISKCON's unparalleled success in spreading Krishna Consciousness all over the world are making the false propaganda that ISKCON is not presenting classical Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Why they should do like that? Advanced devotees are not envious of those who are successful in spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. Rather they are joyful and appreciative to see that someone is successfully spreading the Krishna consciousness movement. Envy is the quality of neophyte devotees who are still on the material platform. ISKCON is presenting the finest essence of pure Gaudiya Vaishnavism. It is the pure, classical Gaudiya Vaishnavism in its more powerful and potent form. What is the proof? Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami explains in his great seminal Gaudiya Vaishnava Classic, the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, as follows: krishna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana "Unless one receives the special power of attorney from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he cannot spread the glories of the Hare Krishna Mantra all over the world." --Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, Antya Lila, 7.11 There is only one Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharya in the history of the world who has been able to do this. Who is that acharya? It is none other than ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Now that Srila Prabhupada has blazed the trail, other Gaudiya preachers are also out there preaching in many parts of the world. But they are simply following in the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada. They were not powerful enough the blaze the trail on their own. If Srila Prabhupada had not blazed the trail, they probably would still have been in their Indian villages thinking that the scriptural predictions of Krishna consciousness spreading all over the world are simply some kind of poetic simile, not a literal fact. The other Gaudiya preachers are all wonderful devotees, no doubt, but in comparison to Srila Prabhupada, they are like the many stars in the sky, and Srila Prabhupada is like the moon. The many, many stars cannot do very much to brighten the nighttime sky. They can simply twinkle a little bit. But when the full moon is present, that is another matter. That full moon can greatly brighten the nighttime sky with his cooling, soothing rays. That full moon is His Divine Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada has the power to single-handedly deliver the entire universe. We respect and love all of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, but it would be incorrect to think that they have the same spiritual potency as Srila Prabhupada and his movement, ISKCON. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006 from Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Austin, Texas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Discovering the Anti-Material Particle Hidden beneath the broad field of material energy lies another field, the field of anti-matter. The material energy is temporary, full of ignorance, and full of misery. The anti-material energy is eternal, full of unlimited knowledge and unfathomable bliss. The field of anti-matter is composed of an unlimited number of anti-material particles. While matter is destructible, anti-matter is indestructible. Matter is dead. It does not possess consciousness. Anti-matter, on the other hand, is alive and possesses full consciousness. The anti-material particle is finer than the finest of material particles. It is pure living force, and it is so powerful that it spreads its influence all over the material body. The anti-material particle has immense potency in comparison to the material particle, and consequently it cannot be destroyed. The finest form of the anti-material particle is encaged within the gross and subtle material bodies. Although the material bodies (both gross and subtle) are subject to destruction, the finer, anti-material particle is eternal. One's interest, therefore, should be in this eternal principle, the anti-material particle. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- North American Preaching Tour Starts This Afternoon! 13-14 June Dallas, Texas 15 June Kansas (program in small town) 16-18 June Rupanuga Vedic College, Kansas City, Missouri 19-20 June Niles, Michigan 21 June Brighton, Michigan 22 June Lockport, New York (mid-day) 22 June Guelph, Ontario (evening) 23 June-25 June Toronto, Ontario 26 June-24 July To be announced. Stay tuned! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Why Did You Choose Krishna Consciousness? I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for sending me your "Thought for the Day" over many months. It really does help me and inspire me. I would like to ask a question. What is it about Krishna consciousness that made you choose to follow it above other paths? There are many great traditions, i.e. Islam, Christianity, Judaism etc. I would like to know what stands out about Hare Krishna that made you follow it as opposed to others. Looking forward to your reply, kind regards Glen -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Greatest Good Fortune... I am very happy to hear that my humble attempt to pass on the enlightened wisdom I have received from my beloved spiritual master is helping and inspiring you. Of course, this does not surprise me because I know how much it benefits me at every minute. Your appreciation simply tells me that you are a very sincere recipient of this most sublime wisdom. An enlightened spiritual being does not perceive that there are different paths. He perceives one path with different levels of advancement along that one path. He also sees that some are going in the wrong direction on that path. When we create sects such as Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc, we are definitely heading in the wrong direction on the path. We are not seeing things on the enlightened spiritual platform. Rather we are seeing things on the miserable and illusory material platform. In this connection it is stated in the Sri Isopanisad: yasmin sarvani bhutany atmaivabhud vijanatah tatra ko mohah kah soka ekatvam anupasyatah "One who always sees all living entities as spiritual sparks, in quality one with the Lord, becomes a true knower of things. What, then, can be illusion or anxiety for him?" Sri Isopanisad Mantra 7 The great Vedic sages clearly perceived and followed that one path and if we are fortunate we will carefully follow in their footsteps. If we are fortunate, we will not remain in the realm of relativity where life is temporary full of ignorance and misery. We will take the mercy of those sages and become elevated into that sweet realm of eternity, knowledge, and bliss. Whether we choose to label this as Allah consciousness, Christ consciousness, Jehovah consciousness, Universal consciousness, or Krishna consciousness is not the point. The point is that we must revive our original loving relationship with the Supreme Person, the source of all that exists. Because His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has shown himself to be the most highly realized master in this universal science of the soul I enrolled in his training program while I had the chance. I grabbed it in 1971 while the getting was good. This is a decision which I have been celebrating for the last 35 years. By his grace I have achieved the greatest good fortune. Now if you like I can bestow that greatest good fortune upon you. Would you like it? Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Monday, June 12, 2006 from Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Austin, Texas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Wake Up to Reality We've had our heads buried in the sand long enough. It's time we wake up to the reality that is there within us and outside of us at every minute. We've been duped by the deluding influence of the material energy long enough. It's time now for us see things as they really are. How will we realize the Absolute Truth? Can we perceive it and comprehend it with our imperfect senses? No. Can we understand what it is by speculating with our imperfect minds? No. Can we personally experience with purified senses and a purified mind? Yes. Therefore we must purify our senses and minds of the pollution that has clouded them for countless eons by the purificatory process given to us by God Himself. That process is known as bhakti yoga or devotional service. And that is what we are teaching you in this course. Kindly take our instructions very seriously and your life will become perfect. We guarantee it. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: How Could Your Cosmology Be Correct? I was listening to one of your lectures when you said the light from stars is just a reflection of our sunlight. How can this be? There could be no life out there then. The planets that you call stars would be too cold to sustain life. Our sun can only sustain life on earth which is only 93 million miles away. The stars are many light years away. Also stars emanate radiation, something you would not get from a mere reflection. Please clarify this. Your careful listener, Volkmar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vedic Cosmology is the Most Consistent... I appreciate very, very much that you are my careful listener. With the utmost of respect for your sincerity I would like to help you understand fully my position on the Vedic Cosmology. I've tried to make it clear in what follows: You haven't been to the other planets, therefore to know about outer space you have to accept the statements of the material scientists. I haven't been to the other planets either. For me to know about outer space I must also accept the statements of the scientists. The difference is that I have chosen the Vedic scientists and you have chosen the material scientists. Why have I chosen the Vedic scientists over the material scientists? Because they are consistent. For thousands of years their cosmology has accurately predicted all solar and lunar eclipses. They know what they are doing. They have never modified their cosmology, not for many thousands of years. I like this consistency. Your scientists are constantly modifying their views because they are groping in the dark. They don't know for sure what is what. One prominent astronomer admitted to me that when his astronomical theory would be defeated that it would be the progress of science. Such theories that will be defeated in the future are not science. They are nescience. I choose to accept the version of solid scientists whose science is not clouded with nescience as opposed to the shaky scientists whose textbooks have to be revised every few years. Our science books are thousands of years old and will never have to be rewritten. I hope I have made my position clear. Thank you once again for being my careful listener. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Sunday, June 11, 2006 from Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Austin, Texas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: There is No Such Thing as Nothingness Don't let them fool you. They are trying really hard to. The cosmologists have convinced themselves and are trying to convince us that in the beginning there was nothing--no time, space, matter, or energy. They say that there was then a quantum fluctuation from which everything sprung. They base this philosophy on the premise that in the beginning was nothingness. But their philosophy is flawed from the very beginning because there is no such thing as nothingness. If there was nothingness, there could be no quantum fluctuation to pull something out of the hat of nothingness. We can easily observe that a thing comes from another thing, which in turn comes from something else. If we follow the chain of causality back, back, back, until we come to that cause that has no other cause, we have arrived at the cause of all the causes, the original source of all that exists. In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna reveals that He is that original source. Sankarshan Das Adhikari -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions and Answers: Should a Child Curb His Material Tendencies?... Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare When a man is a child he has a tendency to enjoy life by playing sports, watching movies, eating sweets, traveling just for fun, etc. Do you think it is necessary to curb such a tendency? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Boy Prahlad Maharaja Has Prescribed Bhakti from the Start... The boy Prahlad Maharaja, who is one the greatest spiritual authorities in the history of this universe, said that from the very beginning of life one should cultivate pure devotional service: sri-prahrada uvaca kaumara acaret prajno dharman bhagavatan iha durlabham manusam janma tad apy adhruvam arthadam "Prahlada Maharaja said: One who is sufficiently intelligent should use the human form of body from the very beginning of life -- in other words, from the tender age of childhood -- to practice the activities of devotional service, giving up all other engagements. The human body is most rarely achieved, and although temporary like other bodies, it is meaningful because in human life one can perform devotional service. Even a slight amount of sincere devotional service can give one complete perfection." Srimad Bhagavatam 7.6.1 If we are at all serious about spiritual perfection we should follow his instructions no matter what our age. Sankarshan Das Adhikari |
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Saturday, June 10, 2006 from Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Austin, Texas, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Thought: Krishna Welcomes All |
