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Wonderful new book on Srila Prabhupada

2009-06-02T04:55:39Z

Beautiful photos and heart-warming text. Please read online:
http://www.gauravani.info/read/
*TO TURN THE PAGE CLICK "next"

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 13 replies

Book distribution

2009-06-01T02:51:06Z

Talk about inspired to distribute books- this site makes it..........creative ways to go about your book distributing, distributors blogs, a fully equiped learning center, inspirational videos with so many tips and much encouragement to fulfill Srila Prabhupada and Srila Narayana's mission, the heart of the instructions of Gurudeva Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada and all the guru-varga, to bring the books to every corner of the world. Hare Krsna!

http://www.gvpbookdistribution.com/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Bhakti Yoga Festival Houston

2009-05-04T05:26:11Z

Important Update (Apr 30, 2009)

Dear Maharajas, Prabhus and Didis:

Please note the following important updates regarding the BHAKTI Yoga Festival in Houston (May 23 – May 29, 2009).

1. Festival Registration: Its only 3 weeks before the festival starts. If you are planning to attend, please register now. Why wait in long lines at the Registration table at the Festival when you can be hearing Hari Katha and melodious kirtanas at that time. So, save time and last minute anxiety and register now.

It will also help us to plan better and provide better facilities and prasadam to all the participants.

Please fax your registration form to (71.... You can also email the scanned form to sushil1955@gmail.com. The mailing address is:

IGVS Houston

4107 Laguna Cir

Missouri City, TX 77459

2. Room Sharing and Car Pooling: You can save money by sharing the hotel room with another devotee or car pooling with others. If you are interested in either sharing a room or car pooling, please send an email to igvs_houston@yahoo.com. You may also call Vishnu das at (281) 491-4114

3.

Vendor Booths: If you plan to set up a booth to sell any devotional paraphernalia or books, you must register for it by May 15th. No booths will be allowed after this date. To reserve a booth, please contact Tarun Krsna prabhus at (281) 827-5620.

4. Camping: Due to safety regulations we will not be able to allow any type of camping on the festival grounds. Those who have already registered for camping will be accommodated in alternate accommodations. For additional information or any questions, please contact Vishnu das at (281) 4... or email igvs_houston@yahoo.com

5. Hotel: If you have not been able to find any hotel accommodation, you can call the following hotel and reserve a room. This hotel is about 20 minutes from the festival site. Ask for Harry Patel.

Super 8 Motel

12845 Murphy Road, Stafford, TX 77477
Phone: 281-568-1214 Fax: 281-776-9795

Room rates are as follows:

Room with one King size bed: $55 + tax

Room with two beds: $65 + tax

They will allow up to 4 people in room with one King size bed and up to 6 people in room with two beds. They will provide extra quilts so that some can sleep on the floor.

From: Govinda Gaudiya Matha, Houston

Sri Govindaji Gaudiya Matha of Houston is happy to announce that by the blessings of Sri Sri Guru and Gaurang we have acquired two acres of land in Houston for constructing the first temple of International Pure Bhakti Yoga Society in North America. The location is near a busy highway in northwest part of Houston. This area has very good neighborhoods all around with affordable housing options. This area of Houston also has many people of Indian descent.

On the 24th of May, 2009 at 7:30am our dear Gurudeva, His Divine Grace BV Narayan Maharaja will oversee the sacred Bhoomi Pooja on the land purchased by the Matha. The Vedic rituals will be performed by Sripad BV Tirtha Maharaja. The Bhoomi Puja will be on the second day of the Houston Bhakti Yoga Festival. The Houston sanga will like to cordially invite all the devotees around the world to come and join us in this very auspicious and significant event.

Plans for construction are in the works and those who are able to assist in any capacity are encouraged to contact Vishnu das at 281-491- 4114 or email vishnudas16@yahoo.com.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

petition

2009-04-07T00:35:50Z

please sign the petition at www.safevrindavan.com
its really sad whats been going on there
Aug 11, VRINDAVAN, INDIA (SUN) —

Over the last year, there has been an increase in the expression of contentious sentiments around mining and development activities which are having a negative impact on the ecology and environments of Vrindavan and Mathura.

Last week, local saints and sadhus there organized a "Saint convention" to get concerned parties together for discussion, organization, and mobilization in reaction to the government's lack of attention to the issue.

Indiscriminate mining in the Brij Chaurasi area, adjacent to Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, is causing untold damage and threat to the local ecology. Spiritual leaders from various hermitages in the Vrindavan area are now banding together to take a stand against future ecological damage to these most holy environs.

In the green rolling hills of the northern belt of Vrindaban, home to our dearmost Lord Sri Krsna, a serious campaign is unfolding to save the land from future disastrous mining. Both the Brij and Mathura regions of Uttar Pradesh and the dense forests of Bharatpur in Rajasthan are quickly deteriorating due to local sandstone mining. Bharatpur, in the eastern quarter of Rajasthan, is bounded in the north and northeast with the Gurgaon district of Haryana, and on the east is bounded with Mathura and Agra.

Local spiritual leaders are now threatening to begin an activist campaign. According to Lalo Bihari, "We had organised a Saint convention to discuss the ongoing problem of Brij, in which the trees and mountains are being destroyed. We want Rajasthan government to take action".

After visiting Bharatpur district last month, environmental activitist Maneka Gandhi, a former Environment Minister, said she would appeal to the Central Government to ban further mining in this area.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

YOGA

2008-12-14T22:20:06Z

a small list of well-known (to many ) facts about Yoga:

1.) Yoga means Union, it is the spiritual science of the soul, it has nothing to do with massages, theories, reiki, witchcraft, or philosophy.
2.) Yoga originated in Ancient INDIA.
3.) Gautam Buddha, formerly known as Prince Gautam Siddharth, like Yoga, is also INDIAN in origin. He fully-realized Total Enlightenment through the Immortal science of Yoga.
4.) The Shaolin Temple of Ancient southern China, where Kung-fu, and therefore ALL East-Asian martial arts, originated, was founded by an Indian Brahmin from south India named Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma taught the Chinese monks meditation, martial arts, and many other Spiritual Sciences. All these martial arts have Raja Yoga as their foundation. Bodhidharma is also a direct disciple of Gautam Buddha.
5.) Bodhidharma spread the spirituality, lifestyle, and Enlightenment of Ancient India throughout most of Asia.
6.) Martial Arts also originated in India, one such commonly known one is called "Kalaripayattu."
It is all based on the eternal science of Yoga.
7.) From India, the science of Yoga took over the world, yet very few actually know what true Yoga is.
8.)Yoga's aim is to unite ("Yoga" = "Union") the person's individual, localized (in space and time) consciousness with the Supreme Non-dual Consciousness that animates and permeates all Existence yet is simultaneously Beyond ALL.

bliss,

p

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Hare Krishna Maha Mantra

2008-09-16T19:15:31Z

"When the mantra is chanted by a pure devotee of the Lord, it has the greatest effect on hearers, and therefore this chanting should be heard from the lips of a pure devotee of the Lord, so that immediate effects can be achieved. As far as possible, (chanting from the lips of non-devotees should be avoided, just as one would avoid milk touched by the lips of a serpent because it has poisonous effects").

Is it true (non devotees) of Lord Krishna must not chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra? I had always thought anyone ..devotee or not.. was aloud to Chant? I am new and still learning about KC, PLease Advise.

Many Thanks - Danielle

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

WHOM CAN YOU TRUST??

2008-08-08T21:40:51Z

Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja
WHOM CAN YOU TRUST?
Perth, Australia: December 27, 1998

Srila Narayana Maharaja

In this world we trust various persons. In the transcendental world – in other words, regarding transcendental subject matters – whom should we trust? We cannot see the transcendental world by our eyes, and we cannot touch it with any of our senses. So how can we have an idea of the transcendental world, and how can we decide who the Supreme Personality of Godhead is? We have seen the body, but we have not seen the soul.

How can we trust that there is a God from whom this creation has come, and that is He controlling the entire world? We cannot control the world, and we cannot see our soul. Even though God is here in this world, we do not see Him.

Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained that all of our senses are imperfect. Therefore, we cannot believe the information given by our senses regarding anything we see before us. Our eyes cannot see our own eyes nor can they see what is inside our body. Our eyes cannot see the soul inside the body. Our material senses have some power, but they are limited. Therefore, especially regarding to transcendental subject matters, we cannot trust our senses.

We see that so many people take birth daily, and thousands upon thousands are dying daily. Who is controlling this? Sea waves are coming on time, the sun is rising at the exact time, and new days come regularly, on time. So, everything is controlled. We are not controlling this, so who is controlling?

God is called the Creator: G-generator, O – Operator, and D – destroyer of this world. We do not see Him, so what is the proof that there is a God? What is the proof that there are unlimited souls? These senses cannot help us regarding transcendental matters. Our seeing, our touching, and all of our sensory information are defective.

Srila Jiva Gosvami states that only transcendental words are to be trusted. They can show the real path and what they tell is the truth. These transcendental words have been discussed in the Vedas (the most ancient of all revealed scriptures), Upanisads, and especially the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Transcendental knowledge is present there, so we must trust the words of the Vedas.

Suppose a man says that we can trust what we can see. He may say, “We cannot believe anything that we cannot see.” But there are so many things we trust that are beyond our seeing power.

Once, when my Gurudeva was riding with me on a train, an officer approached and asked him, “Do you believe in God?”

Guru Maharaja replied, “Yes.”

The officer said, “Why? I don't believe in God because I don't see Him. I can only trust something if my eyes can see it.”

Gurudeva at once replied, “This is not true. You believe so many things that you have not seen. Can you say who your father is?”

The officer said, “Yes,” and the man told the name of his father.

Gurudeva asked, “How do you know that this person is your father? Do you have any proof?'

The officer began to look this way and that, realizing that he had no proof. At the time his father and mother were meeting, he had not taken birth, so he had not seen his father then. His mother had told him, “He is your father.” On this proof he could say, “He is my father.” If our mother tells a lie, we have no other recourse. We trust that our mother will not lie.

The words of the Vedas are more trustworthy than those of our mother, father or anyone else. A mother can tell a lie, but transcendental words cannot tell lies. Everything has been told in the Vedas, especially in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, so it is the supreme evidence.

Sometimes we can only speculate about what the eyes are seeing, but if the eyes see according to the Vedas – if they follow the words of the Vedas – then there may be some trust. Otherwise you cannot trust them.

For example, from a distant place we might see someone coming, and we think that person is our father. But then, as he comes closer, we may see that it is not actually our father, but a person who resembles him. So the eyes are not evidence. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the evidence, as well as the Vedas and Upanisads.

Then the officer asked, “Who is God?”

Gurudeva replied, “Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

The officer asked, “Why?”

Guru Maharaja replied, “Somewhere it is said that God has no form, no attributes, and no qualities; but the Vedas tell us that He has form and so many qualities.

If God has no form, then from where did this world come? The world is full with so many forms. ‘Something’ cannot come from ‘nothing’. Therefore God must have a form, and His form is the most beautiful. There is no one as beautiful as Him. Krsna has all varieties of good qualities. For example, He is so merciful. If God is not merciful, how can He know our difficulties, sorrows and sufferings and how can He help us? God is the embodiment of love and affection. If He were not so, then what is the use of such a God? If He cannot help us in our miseries and love us, then what is the use of that God? There would be no use. God can generate and regulate everything and destroy the whole world in a moment, and He can create millions of worlds, suns, and moons in a second. Therefore, He must be so powerful. We cannot do as He does.

Srila Jiva Gosvami tells us that: we are not this body, we are the soul inside the body. We are captured in a jail; in a cage. Although we do not want to become old and die, we are bound to become old – if we don’t die in youth. Our hair will be white, our eyesight will become weak, and the day will come when we are not able to walk without a stick. Then, one day we will have to give up this body.

Within this body there is a transcendental person who is never born and never becomes old or dies. He never becomes a child, a youth or an old person. He is the controller of the entire world and all other souls. He is God. He never dies. He never changes His position. He is almighty, He knows past, present and future. He is omniscient. He can do anything He likes, and He is also very merciful – causelessly merciful.

Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained that God is omnipotent. All powers or potencies are eternally invested in Him.

When He is with His supreme intrinsic internal potency (svarupa-sakti) – His power who lives within Him, He can create millions of worlds, He can play anywhere and He can do anything. That svarupa-sakti is also called antaranga-sakti (internal potency). By the arrangement of that svarupa-sakti and all His qualities, He manifests as plenary portions and parts of plenary portions of Himself, and those expansions are called svamsa. Svamsa means ‘plenary expansion’ and some examples of such plenary expansions or incarnations are Rama, Balarama, and Nrsingha.

When He is with His marginal energy (tatastha-sakti), that part of Him is called vibhinamsa-jiva, or the soul within us.

We are part and parcel of God, but now we have forgotten Him, and that is why another of His potencies, maya, has taken us to this world and has covered our souls. We have forgotten who we are and who is God, and we are now in an endless chain of birth, death, sorrow and suffering. Because of this forgetfulness, no one in this world is happy. We are not serving God or desiring His mercy, and we are not coming out of His deluding potency maya. That is why we are always suffering.

In this world you can scrutinize and see that even emperors, chief ministers and presidents are all suffering. Even if you have some happiness in youth, still there are so many problems. One day we will surely have to give up this body. Even if we are not able to say whether God is real or not, we can very easily say that death is true. No one can deny this – even people who do not believe in God. Everyone is bound to say, “Death is sure”. All sufferings are real, but we don't know why we are suffering. We are like animals – always quarreling, always eating, sleeping, mating and defending. We think that we will be happy by this, but we cannot.

Srila Jiva Gosvami tells us that all those in all species, such as humans, demigods, animals, birds, fish, trees, creepers – those who have sense of feeling sorrow and happiness – all are souls like us, although other species are somewhat more covered by the material modes of nature.

Among all these species, a human body has special qualities. If someone calls you, you hear and come. You can see your future. Animals don’t see their future. Or, they can see very little.

Some animals, like monkeys, donkeys, and cows, can see their very near future; not more. Suppose there are many cows or goats being taken to a slaughter house. As they are approaching the moment of death, if you give them grass, they will quarrel over it: “I will take it!” “No, I will take it!” They cannot understand that they are about to reach the slaughterhouse. In this human body, we can think about these things. We can think further into the future.

Thinking about the future, some humans make bombs. They think, “We will destroy others and control others, and then we will be happy.” Others are thinking, “No, this will not make us happy.” How can we become happy? Only by realizing who we are as spirit souls, where we have come from, and where we must go after death.

We may wonder why a person takes birth as a daughter or son of the prime minister of Australia and, at the next moment, another person is taking birth in a very poor family. Why is one born very beautiful and another is born lame? Why will a particular poor man later become a prime minister or president? A wise, intelligent man realizes the reasons, and thus the human form is supreme among all species. In this human body, if we are not thinking about topics such as: “Why am I suffering?” “Why am I moving toward death?” “Who am I,” and “Who is God?” then we are no better than a two-legged animal. In this case, there is no difference between an animal and a human birth.

Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained that all humans, trees, creepers, and animals have some sense of gratification, and they all have some love and affection. Suppose you sweetly call a dog. “Come on, come on,” and show him love, he will come, wagging his tail. If there is love in you and you show and feel that love, then even if a tiger or a lion comes, he will not be ferocious. Everywhere there is love and affection – even in trees. They also have feelings.

Our religion is love and affection, and God is the embodiment of love and affection. He is very merciful, and He has all kinds of powers. We are His parts and parcels. If you realize this fact, surely you will escape the chain of sorrow and suffering.

This is bhakti-yoga.

If you practice bhakti-yoga, the maintenance of your life and family will somehow automatically come, from previous births’ karma. Test it. If you sit in your room for seven or eight days, or one month, chanting, “Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare,” you will see that you are being maintained, even though you are not doing anything for it. Even after a hundred years, until death, all your necessities will come. We should trust in this principle. While we are in this human form of life, we should try to know who we really are.

There are persons in this world who know these things, who have realization of the soul and God, and who have some link with God. By their own practice they can show you this path, and by way of practice, you can also have some realization. Such a teacher is called acarya, guru, or holy spiritual master. Such a guru will never fall. We should try to associate with him.

Srila Jiva Gosvami’s spiritual master, Srila Rupa Gosvami, has written that we can thus reach perfection in this human body.

adau sraddha tatah sadhu-
sango 'tha bhajana-kriya
tato 'nartha-nivrttih syat
tato nistha rucis tatah

athasaktis tato bhavas
tatah premabhyudancati
sadhakanam ayam premnah
pradurbhave bhavet kramah

["In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually elevated. In the next stage one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master, and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional service. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes free from all material attachment, attains steadiness in self-realization, and acquires a taste for hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna. This taste leads one further forward to attachment for Krsna consciousness, which is matured in bhava, or the preliminary stage of transcendental love of God. Real love for God is called prema, the highest perfectional stage of life." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.4.15-16)]

There is a God, we are parts and parcels of God, and we must serve Him. The desire or tendency to serve Him is called sraddha, and it comes by the association of a pure devotee. If we desire to serve Godhead, but after sometime we have no association with advanced devotees, that desire will dry up. This is going on nowadays. We see so many devotees who had sraddha, and after that came to take initiation and engage in devotional service (bhajana-kriya) and bhajana-sadhana (hearing, chanting about, and remembering the Supreme Lord). However, because there was no good association, their sraddha began to dry up. Although they were approaching the stage of the second-class or intermediate devotee (madhyama-adhikari), and they even entered brahmacarya and the renounced order – from there they began to fall. They can be likened to a tree or creeper; after the sprouts develop some leaves, due to not getting water they will die. Therefore, we should try to always be in good association.

No mundane society can give Truth. However, if in society there are some good preachers like Srila Bhaktivedanta Svami Maharaja or Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada, we can associate with them. After they left the vision of this world, the disciplic line of spiritual preceptors was still there; but the so-called followers are not true followers. They are hankering after the three W’s – wealth, women, and wine – and they will surely fall down.

We should try to know all these principles of devotion and gradually practice bhakti-yoga. If we are not practicing bhakti-yoga, we are animals like hogs or asses. Now you see that throughout the world, leaders and others are quarreling with each other like animals. Animals fight with nails and teeth, but these two legged animals create atom bombs and destroy millions of lives. They are more cruel-hearted than animals. They cannot control their senses, but they want to control the entire world.

Somehow maintaining our lives, we should therefore try to follow the doctrines of Krsna Consciousness and be happy forever. We should try for this.

Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained that there are three realms. One is the transcendental world, one is the innumerable souls, and one is the millions of material worlds. Everything is beyond matter in the transcendental world. There is no birth, death or suffering there.

There are two kinds of souls. One kind pertains to those who are liberated and serve God in the transcendental world of Vaikuntha (the spiritual planets where there is no anxiety); and they are all happy there. The other kind pertains to those who have forgotten God, and they are called conditioned souls. We are all conditioned souls. Our souls are covered with worldly elements like earth, water, fire, air and ether. Our bodies consist of these five elements. When one dies, then by burning or putting one’s body in a grave, the five elements of one’s body return to their original forms. But the soul never dies or takes birth.

Souls are in some ways the same as, and in some ways different from, God. As God has a beautiful body and so many powers and He tastes and has so many good qualities, souls also have beautiful bodies and so many good qualities. The difference between God and the souls is that God is infinite whereas souls are infinitesimal. The tiny souls cannot create worlds and they cannot control, but God can control everything. He is the master of maya (the deluding energy of this world). We souls undergo so many changes, but the Supreme Lord and His various incarnations are beyond maya. They do not come under control of the deluding energy of maya and are never unhappy.

Conditioned souls, those who forget the Supreme Personality of Godhead and misuse their independence, come to this world thinking, “I am this body, I am the doer of all things, I am the controller, I am the taster.” This is the symptom of conditioned souls. This world is made of five elements; earth, air, fire, water and ether. All souls have come from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, and this world has also emanated from His power.

There are two kinds of powers: svarupa sakti or Yogamaya; and Mahamaya. Durga and Kali are the personalities of Mahamaya. They can create this world, but they cannot create souls. Souls are eternal; they are like God in that way. Souls are eternal, but when they forget the Supreme Personality of Godhead and desire their own happiness, they think, “I can do this and that.” They do not admit that they need God, and at that time maya takes them. In this way, there is some difference and some non-difference between God and the souls.

This world has also emanated from His illusory maya, so it also has some difference and non-difference from Him. The ancient Vedic scriptures state: Sakti-saktimator abhedah – there is no difference between the potent and potency. This philospohy is called acintya-bhedabheda tattva, or ‘inconceivable, simultaneous difference and non-difference’.

Srila Jiva Gosvami has explained these principles very well. No other acarya, not even Ramanujacarya or Madhavacarya, were able to give such explanations. How did Jiva Gosvami realize these topics? He did so by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, in the form of a Guru in this world. Mahaprabhu explained these teachings to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, and Srila Jiva Gosvami learned it from Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya’s disciple, Madhusudana Vacaspati He also studied various Vedic scriptures, after which he compiled Sat-Sandarbha. Therein he explained all philosophical truths. We cannot know these truths by reading books alone. We have to hear all these topics from pure devotees.

Srila Jiva Gosvami has also explained that we cannot know or realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead or our own soul by worldly knowledge, or by any knowledge, or by yoga such as astanga-yoga, or by austerities or by giving donations. Only by the practice of pure bhakti-yoga can we know.

You should understand that if God has no form, this world and all souls could not exist. It is told in the Bible – not only in Indian scriptures – that God created man after His own image. If God has no shape or form, then how can He create human bodies? It is not only stated in Indian scriptures and the Bible, but also in the Koran: “Inallah kalaka mein suratihi – Hoda (or Allah) has created human bodies similar to His own form.” If this were not so, then why has it been written in the Koran? God has a form and He is very merciful. We should try to trust Him.

We can become attached to God through bhakti-yoga, whereas we cannot do so by knowledge. We can understand this by an example: I may say, “By drinking water, we can quench our thirst.” If we do not drink water, our thirst will not leave simply by this knowledge. We must drink a glass of water, and then our thirst will go. Suppose you are hungry; you need food. I will tell you that by eating chapatis, rice, bread, butter, and some sweets, your hunger will go away. I am telling you this, but this knowledge alone will not give you foodstuffs. So, knowledge cannot do anything by itself. Bhakti is a practical activity, and by practicing it you will realize all knowledge.

What is bhakti? In its beginning it is called sadhana-bhakti, and then it becomes bhava-bhakti. Then, when it reaches its purest state, in its own constitutional form, it is called prema-bhakti.

We all have some affection and love in us. If a beautiful young girl and boy see each other, they will want to love each other. After that they are bound by marriage. Then, if after some time in marriage they quarrel, they will become divorced, and they will try to fulfill their desires again by taking another wife or husband.

If we are not happy in our householder life, we can have a dog. We say, “We can trust dogs.” Wives and husbands may divorce us, but dogs do not divorce. So we think we can trust in dogs.

Still, after some time, we see that the dog is dead. So there is nothing in this world that we can factually love. The only object of love is God. We are asraya, the abode of that love, but at present our love is impure and selfish. We love our very beautiful wife – if she serves and obeys us. If she has a bank account in her own name, if she is always quarreling, and if she is in love with another person, we will be upset.

In this body, our love and affection is not pure. It is amalgamated with selfishness. However, by chanting the name of Godhead, regularly hearing about Him and associating with realized Vaisnavas (devotees of Krsna), these devotees will tell you something about the process of bhakti-yoga and how you can develop this love and affection to Godhead. Vaisnavas are the only persons who are really happy. They know what this world is. They have no attachment to this body. Somehow maintaining their life, they always chant and remember and meditate on God.

The practice of bhakti-yoga is called sadhana. When some transcendental love and affection comes by such practices, but in a crude form, with the mind and intelligence in the mode of pure goodness (sattva), this is called bhava-bhakti. In bhava-bhakti, a soul can somewhat realize Krsna-prema, as well as the way in which he can serve Krsna. Then, after some time, prema will manifest.

Prema (pure love of God) in general is one, but it is divided in five sections: santa, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya. Santa means love and affection toward God without any speciality of service. In santa -rasa one thinks, “God is great and we are His tiny parts and parcels. We should offer obeisances to Him. He is so merciful.” Santa-rasa is present when there is no worldly attachment. If worldly desires are present then one cannot have santa-rasa. Santa-rasa may come after liberation as was the case with the four Kumaras, Sanak, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanata Kumara. They had no worldly attachment, but, they also had no special kind of love and affection for God.

Next is the mood of dasya -rasa, serving God as one’s master. A devotee in dasya-rasa thinks about Krsna thus: “You are my master. You are the root of the entire universe, its creation and destruction.” Moreover, in dasya-rasa there is service, as in the case of Hanuman, who is in the ‘servitor’ mood. We can serve God like this.

Next is the mood of sakhya-rasa, serving Krsna as a friend. A devotee in sakhya-rasa thinks thus: “God is my friend.” If you think like this, you can have God as a friend and serve Him as a friend. There are two kinds of friends; friends in Ayodhya (the abode of Sri Krsna’s expansion, Lord Rama) and friends in Vraja (the abode of Sri Krsna Himself). Friends in Ayodhya have friendship, but they have some awe and reverence thinking, “God is superior to me.” Lord Rama’s associates, like Sugriva, Laksmana, and Sita, are in this group. Sri Krsna has friends in Vraja, but these friends are bosom friends. Krsna and His friends always show affection for each other on an equal level. They can sleep on the same bed. They can eat and then share their food with Krsna, and Krsna also eats and then shares His remnants with them. They do not think that Krsna is God. This is a very sweet thing.

One can also think, “Krsna is my son.” “God is my son.” [In Vraja, Krsna’s parents do not know that God is God. They only know Him as their son.] This relationship (vatsalya-rasa) is superior to even the previous relationships I have described. If we see God as a father, that would not be the same, because it is the father who serves the son. The son does not serve the father. If we want to serve God in a parental mood, we can serve Him as His own parents. The father will take that son in his lap, embrace Him and give Him sweet things. Even if the father has become old, still he will serve his son.

We should not think that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is our father. This idea opposes our desire for loving service, because if God is father He would have to serve us. We tell our father, “Oh father, give me water, give me bread and butter.” On the other hand, if we think that God is our son, then we can serve Him. This mood is called vatsalya-bhava – fatherhood or motherhood. This is even sweeter than friendship.

Superior to vatsalya-rasa is madhurya-rasa (conjugal love). Madhurya-rasa is divided into two separate moods. Those ladies who are married to Krsna as a husband, by Vedic mantra and by law, are in svakiya-bhava. Examples of this relationship are Rukmini and Satyabhama. The ladies in the other mood, unwedded or paramour love (parakiya-bhava), have no cause for their loving relation other than love and affection itself. Their supreme stage of love does not depend on whether or not there is marriage. The gopis of Vraja are the example of this.

In this connection, there was much difference of opinion among the sampradaya acaryas such as Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnusvami, Nimbaditya and Vallabhacarya. They did not accept the love of the gopis of Vraja. They only accept the love of those who have married Krsna – the love of Rukmini and Satyabhama..

In Vraja, the gopis are not married to Krsna, but they always think of their love for Him in their parakiya mood. Externally married to someone else, from birth and forever the gopis are always thinking of Krsna as their beloved. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the pure devotees in His line, like Sri Madhavendra Puri, Sri Isvarapuri-pada and others like them, brought the knowledge of parakiya-rasa from Goloka Vrndavana. The other sampradaya acaryas do not accept this.

During Srila Jiva Gosvami’s time, he had two kinds of followers: those who wanted to follow the mood that God can be one’s beloved, and those in the other section who considered that only wedded love is okay. Those in the second section thought, “Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. How can He transgress the rules of sastra (the scriptures). I cannot accept that. He would not do such a thing.”

These were Srila Jiva Gosvami’s two kinds of disciples.

Sri Krsna has come in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, having taken the beauty and intrinsic mood of Srimati Radhika. In that form He has preached in this world through kirtana, the chanting of God’s holy names: “Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ultimately came to teach the path of spontaneous devotion (raganuga-bhakti). For those disciples who were high-class Vaisnavas following raganuga-bhakti, Srila Jiva Gosvami wrote one type of literature, and for the other group he wrote another. He wanted to gradually bring those in the second group to the stage of understanding the paramour mood, the love between Krsna and the gopis.

After the disappearance of Jiva Gosvami, there was a dispute among his disciples as to whether svakiya-bhava or parakiya-bhava was superior. They saw a difference between the two, although really there was no difference. Jiva Gosvami has taught svakiya mood from the angle of tattva (philosophical truth). By philosophical consideration, everything and everyone has come from Krsna, so there is no one who is parakiya (belonging to another). The gopis are manifestations of His svarupa-sakti, Srimati Radhika. They are not different from Srimati Radhika. So in that sense there is no parakiya – all are svakiya. *[See endnote 1]

The gopis running from their homes to meet with Krsna
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami accepted and explained parakiya by lila (pastimes) or by rasa-tattva, the consideration of transcendental mellows. So, both are right. Jiva Gosvami has accepted the statement from Srimad-Bhagavatam below, and this has also been explained by Rupa Gosvami:

pati-sutanvaya-bhratr-bandhavan
ativilanghya te ’nty acyutagatah
gati-vidas tavodgita-mohitah
kitava yositah kas tyajen nisi

[Dear Acyuta, You know very well why we have come here. Who but a cheater like You would abandon young women who come to see Him in the middle of the night, enchanted by the loud song of His flute? Just to see You, we have completely rejected our husbands, children, ancestors, brothers and other relatives. (Gopi-gita verse 16)]

na paraye 'ham niravadya-samyujam
sva-sadhu-krtyam vibudhayusapi vah
ya mabhajan durjara-geha-srnkhalah
samvrscya tad vah pratiyatu sadhuna

“I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahma. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are extremely difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.32.22)]

The mood of parakiya is very distinct and prominent in so many verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam. There must be parakiya in Goloka Vrndavana, otherwise how would it come to manifest in Krsna’s prakata-lila (those pastimes that are manifest in this world) in Vraja? There is only a difference of opinion in the thinking of some of Jiva Gosvami’s disciples, but actually there is no difference. There are so many things to explain, but now it is late.

We should adopt bhaki-yoga; it is very easy to do. You can chant the name of God in the day or in the night, whether you are Hindu, Muslim or Christian, or from any religion. Even animals can hear when you chant loudly, and they can also be liberated. You can chant the name of Hare Krsna if you are poor, and you can chant if you are rich. You can chant after bathing or without having had a bath at all, with or without meals, sitting or standing, or in any condition. There is no dependence on wealth or situation. The Hare Krsna Mantra is the essence of all Vedic scriptures. We should therefore try to chant, “Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.”

We have invented divisions thinking, “This is India, this is America, this is Australia,” and we make passports and visas. But God is one without a second. God is One, and we can chant to Him and pray to Him to be merciful to us. This chanting of the holy name is the supreme process for perfection of life, so we should try to practice chanting.

The End

[Endnote 1: “Srila Jiva Gosvami and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, in their commentaries on Sri Ujjvala-Nilamani, have presented detailed deliberations on svakiya and parakiya. Both conclusions are appropriate in their respective places. The only difference is their angle of vision. Srila Jiva Gosvami has favored svakiya from the perspective of tattva, whereas Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has supported parakiya-bhava from the viewpoint of lila.” (Raga-vartma-candrika, p 93-94)

“It is an established truth that the gopis are Krsna’s svarupa-sakti, extensions of His personal power; hence, they are Krsna’s svakiya, unquestionably His own. [sva means ‘own’, and para means ‘other’.] There is no possibility of their being anyone else’s wives. Still, we see that in prakata-lila, the gopis do appear to be the wives of others, but this is only an implicit conviction created by Yogamaya.

There is a secret meaning in the statement of Sri Jiva Gosvami, which, if brought to light, will automatically dispel all types of doubts. The revered Sri Jiva Gosvami, the foremost follower of Srila Rupa and Sanatana Gosvamis, is the tattvacarya of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Furthermore, in Krsna-lila he is a manjari. Therefore, there is no secret truth that is unknown to him. Those who do not understand his esoteric intentions raise arguments accepting and rejecting his ideas by presenting their own concocted interpretations. According to Sri Rupa-Sanatana’s vision, there is no difference between parakiya- and svakiya pastimes – they are identical.” (Raga-vartma-candrika, p 95-96)]

Editorial Advisors: Sripad Madhava Maharajá and Sripad Brajanath dasa
Transcriber: Tulasi dasi
Typist: Anita dasi
Proofreader: Krsna-kamini dasi
Editor: Syamarani dasi
.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Check out Devotional dance fusion..awsome

2008-07-23T13:20:28Z

Just discovered some cool new chanting group, who fuse dance music, english lyrics and sanskrit chants.

Anyone heard them play live ?

www.maha-ra.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

New Tribe, IRM

2008-07-19T19:22:36Z

Please come to the IRM tribe just started to give either your support or other feelings for or against the IRM. All are welcome to join. Thank you.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Caring for Tulasi Devi

2008-06-23T20:07:41Z

Hey Everyone,

I recently purchased a tulasi plant and had some questions. Actually I was wondering if anyone could share with me their personal growing experiences, ideas, thoughts, etc..... I found some stuff online and from what it sounds like Tulasi can be very picky. I am more interested in some personal experiences.

thanks for your help. And as always Love & Light,
B.E.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Somehow im in really deep...

2008-05-21T07:39:45Z

trouble, i fear. everywhere i turn im starting to see Yamadutas... i know this is because of my degraded
consciousness... the question i guess i have is if not a blade of grass moves without the will of Krsna and if
a vaishnava doesnt fear going to hell, if somehow or other i AM in hell now, because of past transgressions, i.e.
sins, some abominable in all but the most fallens eyes, then shouldnt i just surrender, cut my losses, accept my
karmic reward and accept that i deserve punishment, i.e. degraded, demoniac living conditions...??? im very
confused just now and getting scared... please help...
Hare Krsna,
a very fallen jiva

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

searching for devottees from years past

2008-05-21T06:59:07Z

does anyone out there know mother Padayavali from the Vancouver, CANADA temple? Or Jagadisa Das, who is about 40 now, and might be living in Hawaii? He plays excellent mrdunga, and cooks the most transcendental food stuff. I am looking for thosedevottees. They both played a role in bringing me to Krishna.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 7 replies

wondering...

2008-03-22T16:44:01Z

if anybody had any news about what's happening in New Vrindavan... I'm planning on a relocation and as
i have never visited there before i was wondering if anyone could give me some logistics... Im hankering for
some serious devotee association, it's been faaar too long... i figured with all the acreage there i could maybe
pitch a tent, perform some seva while attending temple programs and get my sadhan back in order... anyway...
any information would be greatly appreciated...
many blessings,
matthew

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Festival for the Eyes 2008

2008-03-11T06:21:13Z

Would you like to participate in creating a beautiful experience? This Gaura Purnima ISKCON News is putting together a 'Festival for the Eyes' that you're invited to help us put together.

On Gaura Purnima Day 2008 we're going to unveil a multimedia presentation featuring Gaura-Nitai deities worshiped in devotees' homes around the world.

We've set a goal to compile 108 photos so if you'd like to give our current readership of more than 3,500 weekly visitors a glimpse of the Gaura-Nitai deities who live in your home then dress them gorgeously, get the lighting just right and snap us a digital photo. (Try to avoid using a flash please.)

When you submit your entry you'll need to include the following details:

- What's your name? (Please make sure you spell this exactly how you'd like it to be presented.)

- Where do you live? (Include the name of the city and country.)

Send just one photo as an attachment to: editor AT iskconnews.com

Please try to keep the size of the file under 1 Megabyte. The best image resolution for our purposes is 800px by 600px.

Alternatively you could upload to a photo hosting site such as www.flickr.com and send us a link.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday the 18th of March 2008.

Only the first 108 photos will be presented so send them in today!

For more details please visit here: http://news.iskcon.com/node/931

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Shivaram swami ki jaya!

2008-01-27T20:35:16Z

He wants to be a gopi and that is good enough for me! Shviarama swami ki kjaoya!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

What is a Mayavadi?

2008-01-23T16:41:55Z

Many times we see this word. Sometimes I've seen it used correctly sometimes incorrectly, in the association of devotees. So I thought I would put in my 2 cents about this and then add some quotes by Srila Prabhupada about it. Mayavadi essentially means one who thinks that Krsna's transcendental form, name, pastimes, birth etc are material. This is an offense. It doesn't mean only that one is an impersonalist. For example the 4 Kumaras were impersonalists originally until they came in to contact with Krnsa and then they became devotees. They were never mayavadis. But when one hears about the transcendental nature of Krsna's pastimes and then continues to think they are material that is mayavadi. And the worst are those who take a very active stance in opposition to the transcendental nature of Krsna's pastimes, body etc. They cannot tolerate the concept that Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead can appear in His transcendental form in the material world. They actively offend Krsna with every word they say about Him, and they also offend His pure devotee. Such people's association is to be avoided like one would avoid drinking poison.

Here are some quotes:

TRANSLATION

I have studied the path of understanding self-knowledge from my spiritual master, the Personality of Godhead, and thus after circumambulating Him I have come to this place, very much aggrieved due to separation.

PURPORT

Sri Uddhava's actual life is the direct symbol of the catuh-sloki Bhagavatam enunciated first to Brahmaji by the Personality of Godhead. These four very great and important verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam are particularly taken out by the Mayavadi speculators, who construe a different purport to suit their impersonal view of monism. Here is the proper answer to such unauthorized speculators. The verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam are purely theistic science understandable by the postgraduate students of Bhagavad-gita, The unauthorized dry speculators are offenders at the lotus feet of the Lord Sri Krsna because they distort the purports of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam to mislead the public and prepare a direct path to the hell known as Andha-tamisra. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (16.20) such envious speculators are without knowledge and are surely condemned life after life. They unnecessarily take shelter of Sripada Sankaracarya, but he was not so drastic as to commit an offense at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. According to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sripada Sankaracarya preached the Mayavada philosophy for a particular purpose. Such a philosophy was necessary to defeat the Buddhist philosophy of the nonexistence of the spirit soul, but it was never meant for perpetual acceptance. It was an emergency. Thus Lord Krsna was accepted by Sankaracarya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead in his commentation on Bhagavad-gita. Since he was a great devotee of Lord Krsna, he did not dare write any commentary on Srimad-Bhagavatam because that would have been a direct offense at the lotus feet of the Lord. But later speculators, in the name of Mayavada philosophy, unnecessarily make their commentary on the catuh-sloki Bhagavatam without any bona fide intent.
The monistic dry speculators have no business in the Srimad-Bhagavatam because this particular Vedic literature is forbidden for them by the great author himself. Srila Vyasadeva has definitely forbidden persons engaged in religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and, finally, salvation, from trying to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is not meant for them (Bhag. 1.1.2). Sripada Sridhara Svami, the great commentator on Srimad-Bhagavatam, has definitely forbidden the salvationists or monists to deal in Srimad-Bhagavatam. It is not for them. Yet such unauthorized persons perversely try to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam, and thus they commit offenses at the feet of the Lord, which even Sripada Sankaracarya dared not do. Thus they prepare for their continuation of miserable life. It should be particularly noted herein that Uddhava studied the catuh-sloki Bhagavatam directly from the Lord, who spoke them first to Brahmaji, and this time the Lord explained more confidentially the self-knowledge mentioned as the paramam sthitim. Upon learning such self-knowledge of love, Uddhava felt very much aggrieved by feelings of separation from the Lord. Unless one is awakened to the stage of Uddhava--everlastingly feeling the separation of the Lord in transcendental love, as exhibited by Lord Caitanya also--one cannot understand the real import of the four essential verses of Srimad-Bhagavatam. One should not indulge in the unauthorized act of twisting the meaning and thereby putting himself on the dangerous path of offense.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 3.4.20)

The dangerous Mayavada theory set forth by Sankaracarya--that God is impersonal--does not tally with the injunctions of the Vedas. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore described the Mayavadi philosophers as the greatest offenders against the Personality of Godhead. According to the Vedic system, one who does not abide by the orders of the Vedas is called a nastika, or atheist. When Lord Buddha preached his theory of nonviolence, he was obliged to deny the authority of the Vedas, and for this reason he was considered by the followers of the Vedas to be a nastika. But although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu very clearly enunciated that the followers of Lord Buddha's philosophy are nastikas, or atheists, because of their denial of the authority of the Vedas, He considered the Sankarites, who wanted to establish Vedic authority by trickery and who actually followed the Mayavada philosophy of Buddha's school, to be more dangerous than the Buddhists themselves. The Sankarite philosophers' theory that we have to imagine a shape of God is more dangerous than denial of the existence of God. Notwithstanding all the philosophical theorizing by atheists or Mayavadis, the followers of Krsna consciousness rigidly live according to the injunctions given in Bhagavad-gita, which is accepted as the essence of all Vedic scripture. In Bhagavad-gita (18.46) it is said:

yatah pravrttir bhutanam
yena sarvam idam tatam
sva-karmana tam abhyarcya
siddhim vindati manavah

"By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his own duty, attain perfection." This indicates that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of everything, as described in the Vedanta-sutra (janmady asya yatah). The Lord Himself also confirms in Bhagavad-gita, aham sarvasya prabhavah: "I am the origin of everything." The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the original source of all emanations, and at the same time, as Paramatma, He is spread all over existence. The Absolute Truth is therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and every living being is meant to satisfy the Supreme Godhead by performing his respective duty (sva-karmana tam abhyarcya). Maharaja Prthu wanted to introduce this formula amongst his citizens.
The most important point in human civilization is that while one engages in different occupational duties, he must try to satisfy the Supreme Lord by the execution of such duties. That is the highest perfection of life. Svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam: by discharging one's prescribed duty, one can become very successful in life if he simply satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The vivid example is Arjuna. He was a ksatriya, his duty was to fight, and by executing his prescribed duty he satisfied the Supreme Lord and therefore became perfect. Everyone should follow this principle. The atheists, who do not, are condemned in Bhagavad-gita (16.19) by the following statement: tan aham dvisatah kruran samsaresu naradhaman. In this verse it is clearly said that persons who are envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are the lowest of mankind and are very mischievous. Under the regulative principles of the Supreme, such mischievous persons are thrown into the darkest region of material existence and are born of asuras, or atheists. Birth after birth, such asuras go still further down, finally to animal forms like those of tigers or similar ferocious beasts. Thus for millions of years they have to remain in darkness without knowledge of Krsna.
The Supreme personality of Godhead is known as Purusottama, or the best of all living entities. He is a person like all other living entities, but He is the leader or the best of all living beings. That is stated in the Vedas also. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam. He is the chief of all eternals, the chief of all living entities, and He is complete and full. He has no need to derive benefit by interfering with the affairs of other living entities, but because He is the maintainer of all, He has the right to bring them to the proper standard so that all living entities may become happy. A father wants all of his children to become happy under his direction. Similarly, God, or Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has the right to see that all living entities are happy. There is no possibility of becoming happy within this material world. The father and the sons are eternal, but if a living entity does not come to the platform of his eternal life of bliss and knowledge, there is no question of happiness. Although Purusottama, the best of all living entities, has no benefit to derive from the common living entities, He does have the right to discriminate between their right and wrong ways. The right way is the path of activities meant to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as we have already discussed (svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam). A living entity may engage in any occupational duty, but if he wants to have perfection in his duties, he must satisfy the Supreme Lord. As such, one who pleases Him gets better facilities for living, but one who displeases Him gets involved in undesirable situations.
(Srimad Bhagavatam 4.21.27)

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Experience An India Yoga Odyssey

2008-01-11T02:11:48Z

Experience a Transforming India YOGA Odyssey
(February 21 to March 6, 2008)

Just imagine your airplane touching down at the India airport of your choice – Mumbai or Ahmadabad – on Thursday, February 21, 2008. Awaiting you at the airport is your guide, who will escort you by rail or taxi to your hotel accommodations in Surat City, Gujarat State. You will have arrived just in time to take in the World Yoga Championships, either as a participant or as a spectator. If anyone wishes to participate in the Championships the necessary registration forms can be downloaded at www.lifemission.org. The Championships run from February 22 though February 24. (The Championships were primarily founded as a means for encouraging youth worldwide to engage themselves in the ageless science of yoga for the betterment of body, mind and spiritual development in similar fashion that society worldwide encourages youth to participate in common sporting events.)

Following the Championships, you will be escorted to Malav Ashram for a five night stay, which includes three days of “hands on” yogic training under the expert guidance of Acharya Yogendradev, who has taught in North America, Taiwan, and India

And now – the Tours – you will tour the historic spiritual pilgrimage site of Kayavarohan and visit the Brahmeshwar Temple of Lord Lakulish (the 28th incarnation of Lord Shiva). You will spend 5 nights at a beautiful oceanside resort near the city of Div, overlooking the Indian Ocean with its miles of sandy beaches, and visit surrounding points of interest including the renowned Somnath Temple; a lion wildlife reserve, an ayurvedic clinic of a renowned ayurvedic physician where you will be able to observe the natural preparation of ayurvedic medicines and receive a free medical check-up. You will also have the opportunity to visit the temple complex at Rajrajeshwardham, where Lord Lakulish materialized in his divine body on January 29, 2007. Then – another great grace awaits you – you will have the rare opportunity of having darshan with the highly advanced yogi, Swami Rajarshi Muni.*

Now your yoga trip is reaching its end – on March 6, you will be escorted by your guide to your departure airport for your trip home – to reflect on and absorb your many yoga experiences of the past 2 weeks; the multitudes of wondrous Indian sites you've seen; the unmatched hospitality of its people and the many lasting new friendships you've made.

The cost per participant is $ 695.00 USD. This price does not include your transportation costs to and from India, which is entirely your responsibility, as are any required passports, visas etc. This price does include designated tour accommodations and meals in India, and all ground transportation to the Championships and touring sites in India, as well as ground transportation to and from airports at Mumbai or Ahmedabad. Any profits after all costs have been met will be directed to projects for the poor, including schools and hospitals. For further information, go to www.lifemission.org, or email: Acharya Yogendradev, ggvaghela@yahoo.com; or Dennis Konchak, lifema@telus.net; or Hans Splinter, Hsplinter@cogeco.ca.

* Swami Rajarshi Muni is the author of a vast library of nearly 100 titles in four different languages, including ten books in English. Some of the English titles are: Classical Hatha Yoga, Divine Body Through Yoga; Tenets for the Spiritual Life; Infinite Grace (The Story of My Spiritual Lineage), Awakening the Life Force, and Light from Guru to Disciple. For more information, check the Life Mission website www.lifemission.org and www.amazon.com under Rajarshi Muni

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Lakulish Yogasan Championships 2008: Feb. 22; 23; & 24th, - City of Surat, Gujarat State, India

2007-12-10T11:50:41Z

For details and application forms, please refer to: http://www.lifemission.org/ and under "New" go to item #4 and click on "World Open Yogasan Championships".

Please note, to optimize your India trip and your experience of Lakulish Yoga you could attend or participate in the Yogasan Championships and also take in the 3 week Certificate Yoga Training Course being offered at Swami Rajarshi Muni's Malav Ashram from January 30 -February 20th. For details on the training go to http://www.lifemission.org/ and under "New" click on item # 5 " "Overseas Students Annual Yoga Certificate Training Program"

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

If You Could Only Have One Yoga Book

2007-11-22T05:38:39Z

If one could only have one book on yoga, the new book, Classical Hatha Yoga by Swami Rajarshi Muni would likely be it. This is the only book on yoga the practitioner or teacher would ever need. It is probably the most comprehensive book ever written on the subject of yoga and, most important, it is written by a highly advanced Yogi, based on his personal Kundalini sadhana. Check it out on Amazon's Inside the Book Program, where you can actually see its contents as well as its summary. It can also be purchased at the Kripalu Book Store.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

on shallower note...

2007-09-29T18:39:22Z

i would really like to find a lovely Krishna tapestry or silk screen, etc....

anyone like to share a source?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

The New Krishna.com

2007-09-07T20:58:53Z

The New Krishna.com

After almost two years in the making, we bring to you the new Krishna.com upgrade.

We listened to many of your suggestions about how to make Krishna.com better, and we want to show you the result.

The website all about Krishna will be reborn on Janmastami, the auspicious day of Sri Krishna’s appearance, on September 4th, bringing you your favorite devotional service in action.

And you can get a sneak preview right here. http://208.122.24.198

You’ll be seeing the BETA version, which means that it’s still under construction and subject to change, but it’ll be a glimpse of what’s to come. Here’s what to expect:

* Do you prefer reading, listening, or watching? Our new action-oriented menus let you decide what Krishna conscious activity you’d like to absorb yourself in next.
* Take the Krishna.com experience to the next level with Connect and Experience. Create profiles. Associate with like-minded people from a worldwide spiritual community. Find out where to further your Krishna conscious education and what holy places to visit. Your Krishna conscious life is waiting.
* Where’s my beloved old Krishna.com? Don’t worry! We’ve maintained all our original content, and everything will still look familiar. You’ll feel right at home. We have even begun a series of “How-to" videos” to help you make the most of the new Krishna.com
* The new Krishna.com is easier to navigate and find what you’re interested in. Want more videos, more music, more Krishna conscious association, and more fresh spiritual content? Drop by and visit us!

Please let us know what you think about the new Krishna.com, and if you find anything that’s not working as it should be, so that we can give you the very best Krishna experience possible. Email us at krishna.combeta@gmail.com

ps check out the new connect section

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Abhinavagupta

2007-08-06T16:44:33Z

Folks--

--A friend highly recommended to me a translation of the Bhgavad Gita that included Abhinavagupta's commentary. I've never read the 'Gita', and am curious how the commentaries and translations differ. Can anyone offer insight? As I know it is an important text, and that there are different interpretations. I'd like to put it into context.

Thanks
chaz

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Why Vaishnavs Worship Cows?

2007-07-02T10:37:59Z

Why worship the cows?

To answer this question we have to state a principle. We worship someone due their nature and actions. Even God is worshiped because of nature and actions. Across all religions, God is described as very merciful, benevolent, kind etc. This is his nature. He is always acting for the benefit of all, he guides us through difficult times and misery, He provides protection and provides for everyone’s welfare. These are his actions.

Cows are pure by nature. They are completely satvik. How is this? We know that cow’s urine and dung are disinfectants. This is scientifically proven. If the excreta are so purifying, what to speak of the other products – milk, butter, ghee? Secondly, cows are very simple and never harm any body. They provide milk for entire mankind. These are some simple examples.

Then there is a deeper meaning. In Sanskrit, cows are called “GO”. In Vedic culture all knowledge begins with the word “Ga”. Guru and Gayatri are the beginnings of all knowledge. All auspiciousness activities also start with the cows. No sacrifice can be done without Ghee; sacrifices are considered auspicious and ghee is required. The “Ga” signifies cows, this is a secret meaning.

For Vaishnavs (people worshiping Lord Krishna in his personal form) there is a still deeper meaning. The meaning is within the words – Govinda, Gopi, Govardhana, Goloka Vrindavan. It is clear these are the greatest. Govinda is Lord Krishna, the protector of cows, Gopis are the highest devotees, Govardhana is the best servant, and Goloka Vrindavan (“go loka - the abode of the cows ”) is the highest destination . The meaning is obvious. There is nothing without the cows. They all serve cows. Cows are the dearest to Lord Krishna, they are His deities. This is the highest form of worship of Lord Krishna and available to only a very select few devotees. Even this knowledge is very rare – most people don’t understand the exalted position of cows, they see cows as animals. People who serve Krishna ’s cows are the most fortunate and achieve all results. This is the ultimate and simplest. Its how 'goloka vrindavan' is achieved while in the material world, in the material body.

Hare Krsna.
bbdasa@yahoo.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

South Carolina

2007-06-28T21:23:00Z

Hare Krishna,

I wanted to know if there were any devotees in South Carolina. Mainly around the Augusta and Aiken area.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Yasoda Nandana

2007-06-06T17:12:59Z

Devaki, the mother of Krsna and sister of King Kamsa, was put into
prison along with her husband, Vasudeva, because the envious King was
afraid of being killed by Devaki's eighth son (Krsna). He killed all the
sons of Devaki who were born before Krsna, but Krsna escaped the danger
of child-slaughter because He was transferred to the house of Nanda
Maharaja, Lord Krsna's foster father.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

...Swami Prabhupada dragged me......

2007-03-07T19:49:45Z

I offer millions and millions of heartfelt dandavat pranati, obeisances, unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master, nitya-lila-pravista om visnupada Sri Srimad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja, and unto my siksa-guru, nitya-lila-pravista om visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja.

My siksa-guru, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja, forcibly dragged me to the Western countries. It is only by his mercy that I am going everywhere in the world. So many are hearing from me, only due to him. He especially ordered me, in his last days, to help his disciples and devotees, because he knew they would become very weak. He knew they would give up the mission and object of life that was preached by him.
-Srila Narayana

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Qualifications of Indra - King of demigods?

2007-02-14T03:43:23Z

First of all I would like to say that I know that I have very little knowledge and I am not trying to judge any one. I do not want to commit any kind of apradh. I am very new to Krishna con, only for about one and half year.

Recently I have listened to a lot of Bhagavad Kathas. During all these kathas and from childhood stories I have always heard lot of instances where Indra commits mistakes. He displays qualities of anger, jealousy, ego, greed, stealing, competing with Krishna, Bhog, guru-apradh, etc. etc. To keep the post small I am not listing stories here because they are all well known.

So my point is, not that he is not suitable for being king of demigods, but what was/is his qualifications in first place that he has been given such an important position.

Once again, my only intention is to clear my doubts here and not of judging anyone.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

hari-katha of Bhaktivinode Thakura:

2007-02-07T20:12:53Z

Like Krsna, the nitya-priyä gopis in Vraja are the abodes
of all qualities, such as beauty and cleverness. Rädhä and
Candrävali are most prominent among them. They have been referred
to in the Brahma-samhitä (5.37):

änanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhävitäbhis
täbhir ya eva nija-rüpatayä kaläbhih
goloka eva nivasaty akhilätma-bhüto
govindam ädi-purusam tam aham bhajämi

When the änanda-amsa of the sac-cid-änanda-para-tattva
agitates the cid-amsa, and is then enthused by the separately
manifest hlädini pratibhä (splendor), then Srimati
Rädhikä, along with Her sakhis who are all extensions of
Her spiritual form, become manifest. I perform bhajana of
that Govinda, who is the supreme, original Soul of all souls.
He eternally resides in Goloka-dhäma with those damsels,
who are all endowed with the sixty-four arts.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Sita, Rama and Hanuman!

2007-02-01T03:44:42Z

New tribe called Sita, Rama and Hanuman!
http://tribes.tribe.net/sitarama

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Beware of the repercussions for leaving Krishna Consciousness.

2007-01-28T02:16:38Z

There is a group online for former devotees and friends. That is what they claim. In the rules it states that so long as you aren't offensive or something you can express your own viewpoint. But in reality what is their view? Not to support the viewpoint of Srila Prabhupada! If ever you try to say anything supported by the disciplic succession, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta, Bhaktivinode Thakur and so on, you may be given a warning. The next stage is you have to go through the moderators before your post can go through.
However if someone blasphemes Srila Prabhupada to their hearts content that is allowed, it is not against the rules. So there are two sets of rules, one that allows blasphemy of the Lord and His pure devotees and the other that does not allow members of the forum who blaspheme the Lord to be criticised.
And what is the result? Devotees who have weak faith and have left the movement, already having problems spiritually, now have even more problems when they are confronted with devotees who have left the movement some thirty years ago sometimes who sometimes claim they are gurus, self-realised and so on. There are prakrta-sahajiyas. There are those who prefer to follow "babas", and not the sheep kind, the ones who pretend to be on a higher level.
Why such criticism, you ask? To spread the word to avoid such offenders. One personality involved claims to be a witch. Witches generally are considered to be in the mode of ignorance and she worships the Goddess Laxmi Devi as well. In general there is quite a hodge podge assortment of devotees. Some are attached to Christianity. But it is wrong to hear blasphemy of the bona-fide guru and be removed while at the same time they allow all kinds of nonsense to go on in the name of being friends with the devotees.
To be a kind friend of someone means to tell them about Krishna. I have been restricted from doing that time and time again. I don't see how they can claim to be friends of the devotees. It seems more like a place to go on our way back into the material world.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 79 replies

Birthday of a living saint

2007-01-24T17:19:07Z

Srila Narayana Maharaja then spoke about the meaning and significance of Vyasa-puja. He began his lecture by saying, “Today is my Vyasa-puja. MY Vyasa puja. This means it is MY duty to worship Srila Vyasadeva. It is MY duty to worship my Gurudeva, the entire guru-parampara, Krsna-tattva, Srimati Radha-tattva, Mahaprabhu-tattva, Gaura-Gadhadhara-tattva, Nityananda prabhu, Baladeva prabhu and other transcendental personalities.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

New tribe for Lord Caitanya!

2007-01-09T16:40:20Z

A place to discuss Caitanya lila and the current uprising of the sankirtana movement:
http://tribes.tribe.net/gauranga

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Self and Satisfaction

2006-12-24T21:02:18Z

There is much concern in contemporary alternative and spiritual societies with the cleansing, clearing and healing of the physical body as well as the mental and energetic systems.

Many rightly propose fasting, vegetarian and vegan diets of clean, fresh, locally grown organic produce and grains. When such foodstuffs are prepared with the beneficial enhancement of a devotional mood in dedication to the conscious sacred source of their spiritual origin, they acquire a subtle yet profound spiritual energetic to heal the physical body at a deeper level by cleansing the subtle psychic body of negative karmic impressions or samskaras.

This process of clean eating can be undertaken by anyone, anywhere, at anytime, with relative ease providing one is sincere in intention and action.
In chapter nine of the Bhagavad-gita, we find this passage:

patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayachati
tad aham bhakty upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”

No great sacrifice of time, materials or energy is required if the substantial inner mood of sincere aspiration to satisfy and unite with Divinity through loving devotion is present.

True healing and deep cleansing must always begin at the spiritual conscious level, for the gross physical body of five elements (earth, water, fire, air and ether) is the shadow or product of the subtle psychic self, who’s focus, quality and nature are reflected and manifested in the physical characteristics.

This psychic self is also a thinner shadow and a more subtle reflection of the true spiritual conscious identity that gives rise to the subtle psychic nature of thinking, feeling and willing as well as the gross physical body of biological constitution.

Just as when a cloud, though eclipsing the full moon at night, is actually seen by the presence of the moon behind it, in a similar way the physical body and subtle mind appear energized, active and alive due to the presence of the energizing, subjective non-material self or jivatma that illuminates them with life symptoms from within.

The Gita also gives evidence of the non-materially quantifiable conscious self in this way:

avinasi tu tad viddhi
yena sarvam idam tatam
vinasam avyayas yasya
na kascit kartum arhati

“That which pervades the entire body is indestructible, no one is able to destroy that imperishable self.”

Cleansing diet, yoga, spiritually conscious lifestyles, all contribute towards a healthier individual on all levels, however, the single most determining factor of our level of satisfaction in life stems from the profound yet simple understanding that what we actually focus upon from moment to moment determines the quality and nature of our experiences in life. A material focus covers our true conscious nature. A spiritually conscious focus uncovers our clear and natural qualities of existence, consciousness and joy.

If we accept the spiritual paradigm that the true self is spiritual, non-material and indestructible due to its extremely subtle nature… our lives begin to flow toward an incredibly auspicious state of Divine Grace. This imperishable nature has three constituents, namely unassailable existence or sat, conscious awareness, sentience or chit, and a natural joy or spiritual happiness independent of material circumstance called ananada.

Our moment to moment focus determines the quality of our experiences in life, and this is demonstrated by the way most people unconsciously drift between the illusory mental representations of the regretful past or the fearful future. When one consciously attempts to hold the consciousness in the present moment by mantra meditation, one will become aware of this drifting mental propensity. The nature of the mind is sankalpa and vikalpa. Accepting and rejecting. One thought replaces another, however, sometimes the mind becomes fixed or obsessed upon a particular emotionally charged thought or mental representation of a past event or future hopeful or fearful event. Rare indeed is the length of time actually spent in the present moment of the here and now. Mantra meditation can be very effective in this regard by holding the awareness and focusing it constructively.

The Vedas declare vishvam purnam sukayate, The universe is a perfect abode of happiness! Yet very few people experience the world in this way. Is it actually possible?
Not only is it possible, it is the actual goal of the human platform of life to experience the self-realization that we are producing our experience of life by the focus of our minds.

The subjective pure awareness of self, clear of mental clutter, is the deepest spiritual identity of the individual. And as previously stated is of the simple clear nature of eternal, unassailable existence, pure unclouded perception and a natural independent spiritual joy.

When consciousness is drawn back and detached from the gross physical body and the subtle mind it is possible to gain a new and higher perspective of ourselves free from the encumbrances of the entangling and ignorant identification with matter (the body) and mind (psychic envelope). We are not bound or imprisoned by any external force but rather bound up in the mistaken identification with the saguna or material modes (goodness, passion & ignorance) and elements of nature, by our attraction, identification and desire to sensually enjoy them. This has a binding effect upon our natural clear awareness.

Finding joy in the self we become freed from the imprisoning compulsions of the material mind and senses. Param dristva nivattate-a higher taste is awakened within us. Positive engagement of a higher order is indispensable in this regard and for this we need higher association with, and service engagement to, saintly and realized agents of the nirguna, or materially unconditioned Absolute Reality. False teachers, bogus gurus and cheaters abound in the environment of commercial spirituality, however, if we are sincere in our intention to give of ourselves selflessly, then a correspondingly sincere agent will manifest and we shall avoid falling into the gutter of the cheaters and the cheated.

When an individual soul reaches a sufficient level of faith that is characterized by a deep longing for union with the Truth or Divinity, revelation takes place. Our negative charge of seeking (laulyam) draws the positive charge or attention of Divinity (parusha), for union (yoga) in devotional love (bhakti).

The Absolute Reality is inconceivably all pervading yet personal. Recognizing our sincere necessity, our need is proportionally reciprocated by the appearance of an agent suitable for our current level of understanding. Ye yatha mam prapadynte… It may come in the form of book, sadhu or similar spiritual seeker, or if our faith is sufficiently developed, a Guru of high type. From this position an active engagement in higher activities as directed by the guide will successively lead us through higher and finer states of theistic awareness until a profound unfolding of the heart reveals our natural spiritually dynamic and wholesome reciprocal loving relation to the dynamic Absolute Conscious Whole, or Divine Personality of Godhead.

Love is the fulfillment of all things. If we have learned how to spiritually love (prema-dharma), we have learned all of wisdoms secrets and entered the dynamic stream of conscious dedication. Achintya-beda-beda-tattva, Our fulfillment will not be a static position of unified monism but a “Unity of Divine Variagated Diversity, wherein our unity (yoga) with Divinity is ever fresh in new experience, revelation, playfulness and beauty (lila).

These are the realizations of the yogic Rishis, the ancient spiritual research scientists of the Vedic civilization which flourished thousands of years ago in India. This wisdom was widely distributed in modern times by the great apostle of Divine Love, Shri Chaitanya Dev who taught the chanting of the Holy Names of God as the most effective path of self-realization in the current modern age which is predominated by overwhelming materialism.
Shi Chaitanya Deva’s teachings can be extensively explored at http://www.scsmath.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Float Matrix - For All Seeking Awareness - Now Open in the Heart of San Francisco

2006-12-13T23:57:14Z

Healing
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and so much more

Come and Experience the True Form Who You Are.
www.floatmatrix.com or
(415) 292-4490

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

New ashram in Eugene

2006-12-02T20:29:27Z

There's a beautiful new ashram in Eugene located downtown next to the WOW Hall at 268 1/2 W.7th. Ave between 7th and 8th St.s

It's named the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Ashram and is dedicated to the aspiration of loving community and selfless devotion.
Our Gurudeva Srila Govinda Maharaj of the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage has engaged us in this project to share the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who spread the chanting of the Holy Names of God all over the world as the yuga-dharma- or most effecient way to realize Divinity in this age. His teachings have been summerized as "humility, tolerance and respect for others, in this mood one can continuously sing the Holy Names of God."

Every Sunday there is are kirtans (devotional chanting) followed by a beautiful aroti ceremony and prashadam distribution ( a delicsious vegetarian feast). All are welcome and it's always free.

http://www.scsashram.org
http://www.scsmath.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

A new tribe called simply "Prabhupada" . All devotees are welcome. And I am the moderator!@ Ki jai!

2006-12-02T03:01:21Z

come and glorify his divine grace and say what you want at the new tribe!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Why Does everybody HATE Jesus?

2006-12-02T02:54:52Z

All He did was lose Himself In Love. For You and Me...
When was the last time anyone died for you?
People just either LOVE or Hate Him...
Not so with Buddha Krishan Mohammad et al.
Why?
What did Jesus do to deserve this?
Oh yea I forgot He loved The lost and repentant Humble childlike that had ears to hear, and cursed all the "pious" self rightious vipers that stunk up the temples.

Which group are you in?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 22 replies

Prabhupada's International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

2006-12-02T02:32:58Z

It was Prabhupada who came singlehandedly to spread Krishna Consciousness to the Western world. He couldn't get so much as a sheet of paper from his godbrothers. Even though his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta said to print whatever Srila Prabhupada wrote, they thought it better not to print the words of His Divine Grace.
When Prabhupada was successful in starting a few temples in America, a couple of his disciples left and one started acting like he was a guru, but Prabhupada rejected him and said noone should listen to him and if the devotee wanted to come back he would have to follow him, Srila Prabhupada.
When Prabhupada's visa ran out and he went back to India he told his disciples not to go to his godbrothers without his permission so that the godbrothers would not try to reinitiate them, or take the credit for making Westerners into devotees, or contaminate them by saying something differently.
So why should we act any differently today? Should I listen to a follower of a fallen ISKCON guru, just because they are enthusiastic for me to accept their guru? Should I go seek out a Gaudiya Math guru and read their books and associate with them not that Srila Prabhupada isn't here to tell us not to? Or to give us permission if we want to?
When did things become politically incorrect for us to stand for what Srila Prabhupada taught us to do, which is to take shelter of him and his movement? And why can't he be called the jagat guru, when he really is the person who spread Krishna Consciousness around the world? Instead we leave that title for the cheaters to usurp.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Can't figure out how to get back to my last entry...

2006-11-23T23:37:31Z

I criticised Narayana Maharaja for taking devotees away from ISKCON. I know it is not my place to do that. I should only have repeated the words of Srila Prabhupada not to listen to his godbrothers. Take it as you may. I should not have named names, although Srila Prabhupada himself named at least one of his godbrothers who was going to re-initiate his disciples and told them to stay away from him.but I don't know how to go back and erase that last entry so here is a new one.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Esoteric Teaching Podcast live on iTunes

2006-11-19T20:23:18Z

Dear Friends,

Hare Krsna! The Esoteric teaching podcast, Your Perfect Body, is back online at Apple iTunes. You can also subscribe to the feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/yourperfectbody

These days we are doing a series on Sri Isopanisad. See some recent posts mirrored on my blog, at http://theperfectionofyoga.org

love,
Baba

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Quan Yin

2006-11-13T11:32:40Z

Quan Yin, the head of the gods, is a conceited coward who is extremely terrified to see mankind evolve into a warrior so powerful that the earth would tremble with fear by his mere presence.
Mankind is being deceived because his essence is turned into hookers and pussies by this conceited goddess.

Maharishi Chin Chau An.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

have yer Guru

2006-11-10T17:35:19Z

It is very important that we don’t focus on anyone’s faults. Look at their good qualities. We have to absorb these qualities in ourselves. We must take the association of Vaisnavas who are superior to us and who have the mood we want. Then we can attain bhakti.

Someone who has no nistha (strong faith) in his Guru and in the Vaisnavas, no attachment for them, no attachment for their service, and who doesn’t take any responsibility to do seva – such a person is like an animal with two legs. Taking responsibility can even make an animal into a human. Stay in the Mathas (temples) under the guidance of Guru and Vaisnava. Respect them and serve them with strong faith and attachment.

Devotees must take responsibility for service. Wherever Gurudeva sends a disciple, he should do that service with a sense of responsibility.

Gurudeva sent me to Mathura, and I accepted all the responsibilities of the Matha – including fighting in the court, preaching, doing kirtana, cooking, going house to house and preaching, writing books, publishing Bhagavat Patrika (monthly magazine). I took all this upon my head. This was my area of responsibility for Gurudeva.

You have all come here from different countries, for Guru-seva. What responsibility have you taken? You should consider whether or not you have accepted any responsibility, and whether or not you have got attachment for your service. All of you must think about this.

Taking your own life in your hand, perform Guru-seva. Bhakti is not easily attained. Valmiki performed severe austerities for 60,000 years and received the fruit of devotion to Lord Rama. How he served his Guru, Sri Narada, and followed his instructions! Narada told him to sit in one place and engage in harinama (chanting the name of Lord Rama). He sat down for 60,000 years and did not get up. He did not eat or drink, or even go to latrine. He did nothing but chant. Ants gradually built an anthill around him and covered his entire body, and his life airs stayed in his bones. This is Guru-seva.

Ekalabhya was only an ordinary person, but he gave his thumb to his Guru. His fault was that he didn’t follow his Gurudeva properly, but he did give his thumb when it was requested.

Even Lord Krsna carried a bundle of wood on His head for His Guru. He stood in the rain the entire night and got completely wet in the service of His Guru, and He is God Himself. This is how to do Guru-seva.

In the Upanisads we find the history of Upamanyu. His Guru told him to take the cows out grazing. After some time his Guru asked him, “Why are you so fat and healthy?” He replied, “After the calves take their milk, I drink the remaining milk.” His Guru said, “Don’t drink the milk,” but he did not tell Upamanyu what he could take. Some days passed, and when he saw Upamanyu, again he said, “How is it that you are still so fat and healthy? What are you eating?” Upamanyu answered, “I take the foam of the milk left in the calves’ mouths.” Again his Guru said, “Don’t do that.” Now all roads were closed. So what did he do? He saw some leaves with a white liquid coming out of them, and started taking that 'milk.' He became blind from that poisonous white liquid, and he fell in a well.

Gurudeva came looking for him, calling out, “Where are you?” He called back, “I am in this well.” “What happened?” Gurudeva asked. Upamanyu replied, “I was taking this milk from the leaves, not realizing it to be poison. I became blind and fell down in this well.” Gurudeva said, “You will get your eyesight back, and all Vedic knowledge will be at once be revealed in your heart.”

In the Upanisads and other Vedas, such examples of Guru-seva are given.

yasya deva para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah

[Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed. (Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23)]

We should be like such disciples. Bhakti is not easy. Bhakti will not come simply by saying the word 'bhakti.' Moreover, in the line of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, vraja-bhakti, gopi-bhakti, is very, very difficult to attain.

You are very fortunate to have come here. Keep your good fortune by developing strong faith in Guru, by performing devotional services under his guidance with commitment, and by following his instructions nicely – even if you have to go to hell. Go to hell with a contract. In other words, wherever you are sent – it may even be to hell – you will have your commitment to Gurudeva always with you, and you will execute it. Take Guru’s instructions to heart, and then you will get bhakti; otherwise it is not possible.

For more, visit purebhakti.com/
or see tribes.tribe.net/gurudeva/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Samadhi photos of: Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami Maharaj

2006-10-28T09:22:02Z

Samadhi photos of Bhakti Swarupa Damodar Swami Maharaj at:

http://bharathch. tripod.com/ BSDS/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Seva-kunj Ashram

2006-10-10T16:12:51Z

Dear Friend of the Esoteric Teaching,

I am extremely pleased to announce the dedication of Seva-kunj Ashram, a spiritual retreat center of the Sadgosai Society in the southeastern Arizona desert. Located in the rural Gila River Valley near beautiful Mount Graham, it offers serious spiritual seekers a place to retire from the complexities of daily life and go deep into chanting and sadhana. Please see http://sadgosai.org.

Seva-kunj is the place in Vrndavana in the spiritual world, where Krsna meets Srimati Radharana and the gopis for Their nightly ecstatic love-play, such as the Rasa Dance. Similarly, Seva-kunj Ashram is a place for meeting Krsna and service to Him and His devotees.

Life here is austere, simple and pure. We rise early in the morning and go for a long japa meditation walk as the sun rises. Two miles from the ashram is a peaceful wildlife reserve with trails and a lovely swimming lake. You can see the Mt. Graham wildlife area in the background of the picture below.

All arrangements are negotiable for sincere devotees from any sanga who want to go deep into chanting and perfect their spiritual life in an austere environment. Guests are invited for retreats on a space-available basis. Accommodations are very simple, Rainbow-style camping and desert trailers. To arrange a visit or retreat email me or call 928 485-9300 and leave a message.

I am getting a lot of writing done in the peace of the desert. You can follow my daily blog posts at http://theperfectionofyoga.org, or check out the lively community discussion on the Esoteric Teaching forum at http://esotericteaching.org/forum.

Also, please don't forget our interesting CDs and DVDs that offer perspectives on spiritual life from the ancient Esoteric Teaching: http://esotericteaching.org/store. Thank you very much for your valuable time and attention.

Love,
Baba

Sri Gaurahari Dasanudas Babaji Bhaktisiddhartha (David Bruce Hughes)

"Developing a transcendental ontology is the most powerful enabler of spiritual growth." http://transontology.org

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

gokul ayurvedic chai recipe?

2006-10-06T15:21:25Z

Does anyone have a recipe for the ayurvedic chai they serve in Vrindavan sometimes called gokul tea- the one with milk....?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Disappearance of bhakti-svarupa damodara swami

2006-10-04T16:36:00Z

I don't have the email on me with the announcement, but yesterday (or the day before), hh bhakti-svarupa damodara maharaja left his body in kolkata, india, from a heart attack. My condolences to his disciples and well-wishers. We have lost a great soul on this earth, but he has gone somewhere else, and who is to know where?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

sacred India

2006-09-29T08:36:13Z

I had the honour of spending time with some beautiful Hare Krishna devotees when I was in Australia ,they shared their time & wisdom with me & it is an experience very precious to me.One thing they told me was the fact that there are 4 particular sacred places in India that are the most auspicious locations in the Universe ! Wow !
Does anyone have more info on this ,I havn't made it to India yet (in this lifetime) but I know my journey will be to go in the not too distant future .
Hare Krishna
Love & light
********

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Tulasi Neckbeads

2006-08-31T21:01:23Z

Hari Bol!

I wanted to know if anyone could send me some large round neckbeads for my husband. He just came back from Iraq where his broke and I am having a hard time finding them. I will pay postage and for beads. Email me at ashokadd@yahoo.com

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Morning Artik?

2006-08-26T17:38:41Z

Good morning. PAMHO. A long time ago I lived in the ISKCON Atlanta temple and my favorite part of the day was the morning artik (4:30 AM). I loved the song sung to greet the Deities, and would love to get the name, and perhaps even an electronic copy of it.

Any help on this? Thanks!

Haribol.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

Brahma Kumaris...

2006-08-23T21:55:22Z

Does anyone have any experience with them? A very good friend of mine and mentor when I was a teenager (and reiki teacher) is now a Brahma Kumaris. They teach their own version of Raja Yoga (meditation) and run a worldwide spiritual education school. On the outside they seem to be a great group doing wonderful things (and they do) however, my instincts have picked up on some things about them, that have irked me, such as their sense of celibate superiority (they beleive sex is bad, and impure/not innocent) and altho primarily matriarchal in power structure, are patriarchal in their main beleif in deity (altho they claim otherwise...but God is always referred to in the masculine, as God, or Father etc...never Goddess...rarely mother ...tho they may say *mother aspect* or something like that)
When I asked them questions on their sex-beliefs they ignored me....same thing when I asked them about their separated mens and womens circles in reference to their belief that the soul is genderless.....I had asked if they would allow a transgender/gender variant person to attend either of the bi-gendered groups...the local SF group said then ones born male should attend the male group...the MAIN organization said they could go to whatever group they felt most inclined towards...)
Interesting....
Anyone have an experience with them?
Shekinah Love

p.s.-Here are some links of Critique I found....

www.brahmakumaris.info/page6/page6.html
posted by:

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

Ratha Yatra San Francisco

2006-08-10T15:13:59Z

Does anyone have more information on this. I stumbled upon it on the ISKCON site and am very interested. Any information would be helpful.

When ?
where ?
Price ?
Etc....

Love & Light,
B.E.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

Petition

2006-06-17T15:07:59Z

http://www.petitiononline.com/bhakti/petition.html

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

What is a simple, direct and immediate technique for overcoming fear?

2006-06-05T17:21:38Z

What is a simple, direct and immediate technique for overcoming fear?
Not a theory, or a philosophy, not something that has to be built up or worked on over time, but something highly effective that one can do right in the moment to confront and penetrate fear.
What is the best way to work with fear right in the moment that fear is present, and especially at that time that it is gripping one to the point of being disabled?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Rainbow Gathering Seva

2006-05-24T18:23:13Z

Greetings All,
This years Rainbow Gathering will be held in Colorado and offers a unique opportunity to widely distribute prasadam to the thousands that gather. My friend Nitya Hari prabhu has for the last 5 years organized a huge pandal with many giant woks to cook up massive quantines of kitri & other preps for distribution at main circle. Its a great time and hundreds of friends (new and old) come forward to contribute thier time and energies serving our "Simply Wonderful Kitchen". There's heaps of seva to be done and its really a blast as well! Everyone comes together in a family spirit of love and sharing. No drama. Just good vibes, good people and an attempt to serve Lord Krsna's devotees by sharing prasadam and the Holy Names.
Please come and join us in this wonderful devotional service of sharing prasadam (vegetarian foodstuffs offered to Krsna). The main portion of the gathering comes together over the period from the last week of June though July 7th. The 4th of July is the main day when thousands gather for prayer circle.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Saints and psychopaths

2006-05-23T19:30:20Z

Saints and Psychopaths
by Chotahari Dasa

Psychopaths pretending to be saints present a very
serious problem for all spiritual traditions. There
are many more psychopaths pretending to be saints than
there are real saints. If you have a true saint for a
teacher, then you have a real possibility for
spiritual attainments, including enlightenment. If
your teacher is a psychopath, then you may become a
programmed puppet, and you risk being sexually or
financially abused. You
also may lose your job, family and possibly even your
sanity. Eventually you risk disillusionment from
pursuing any spiritual quests.

In his book, Saints and Psychopaths, William Hazlitt
gives a checklist of saintly and psychopathic
qualities. With some word changes so they fit better
within the frame of more common Krishna conscious
usage I include both lists below. In as much as
Prabhupada has cautioned in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita
that there are mundane men in the dress of Vaishnavas
in the Krishna consciousness movement and that we
should practice upeksha and
“neglect” these persons, I thought it would be helpful
to post this checklist with the possibility that it
may help saragrahis to gain perspective on this aspect
of things.

Saints:
Are consistent in what they say, mean, and do.
Follow the moral standards they teach.
Keep promises.
Pay debts.
Hold truth as the highest standard.
Insists that their close associates tell the truth.
Present rational, unaggressive philosophy.
Are attractive but don't exploit others and ingrain
dependency.
Wait for you to seek their help.
Good reputation endures and improves.
Things turn out well in the long run.
People get long-term benefit from their association.
Are concerned about their actions on themselves and on
others.
Immediately apologize for errors.
Look for their own mistakes and will voluntarily make
amends.
If trapped do not renounce their principles.
Can sit very still.
Encourage associates to be self-reliant.
Refrain from using mind-dulling substances.
Are comfortable being in the background.

Psychopaths:
Are inconsistent in what they say, mean, and do.
Have different rules for themselves and for their
followers.
Break their promises.
Have bad debts, scheme to avoid paying, even write bad
checks.
Have no regard for the truth.
Will order close associates to lie.
Are aggressive with philosophy and may not try to
appeal to reason.
Are attractive and use it to exploit others and
ingrain dependency.
Come on with unsolicited advice.
Good reputation fades in time.
Things turn out badly in the long run.
People are damaged by long term association.
Are unconcerned about their actions on themselves and
on others.
Apologize as a last resort.
Ignore their own mistakes and rectify them only if
cornered.
If trapped will do or say whatever it takes to escape.
Typically have variable and exotic health problems.
Can sit still only when the center of attention.
Enslave those around them.
Often indulge in using mind-dulling substances.
Are obsessed with being in the limelight.

Hazlitt stresses that the person with only one or two
of these symptoms is not necessarily a psychopath, nor
is the occasional occurrence of these symptoms a
definite indicator of psychopathology. On the other
hand, if someone has several of them to a marked
degree we should not twist our
perceptions but should be decisive in avoiding them.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

simply wonderful

2006-05-22T03:31:30Z

i'm looking for the recipe of the simply wonderful sweets 'cause i've lost it,
i know there is milk powder, vanilla, butter and sugar but how much???
it taste like white chocolate...
thanx

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 7 replies

Homosexuality

2006-05-21T02:24:56Z

Okay, so I went to my first temple festival yesterday and had a blast. I will defintly be going again next weekend. I spent most of today reading up on the Hare Krishna principles and practice. I was just wondering what devotees of Krishna thought about homosexuality ? Being a Homosexual I don't want to take part in any sort of faith that excludes my people and my personal beliefs to that extent. Any information on this would be helpful.

Hare Krishna
S

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 14 replies

Please help me learn how to serve Krsna!

2006-05-18T16:12:04Z

Hi. I joined this group because I would like to learn about Krishna Consciousness and how to serve Krishna. I live in Oshkosh Wisconsin. There are not any devotees or temples in my area. I need to use the internet to talk with other devotees. I am totaly new to Krishna Consciousness so please be forgiving with my lack knowledge. Please teach me how to surrender my soul to Krishna. How is the Hare mantra chanted daily? I am sad because I don't even know how to offer prayers to Krishna. Please help me. My only desire is too give me soul to serving Krishna. Help me to earn the honor of being accepted by Krishna as his devotee. Thank you.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 10 replies

Hare Krsna mantra

2006-05-14T12:25:49Z

Here is a link to the Hare Krsna mantra for mobile phone that i've made by myself, enjoy it, it's free http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/33266920/
this link is to upload the file from your pc to the web and then to your mobile phone it is free too....http://www.mobstorage.com/?p=upload-file

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

govindam prayers at the olympics

2006-03-03T16:46:58Z

i don't have a tv, so i wouldn't have known this, but my friend sent me this link of the armenian couple skaters, and they're skating to yamuna's govindam prayers. funky!

http://www.grebenkina-azroyan.com/video/Torino_2006_hi.mov

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 8 replies

Transcendental music & podcasts

2006-02-27T01:38:05Z

Hare Krsna y'all,

I'm new on Tribe and want to introduce myself and my music. I am a transcendental musician trained in both Western & Vedic music. For some samples of my work please see http://cdbaby.com/group/dasanudas

I also run a couple of spiritual podcasts:

Prabhupada-vani http://newtalavana.org/blog

Kirtans, bhajanas, prayers and classes by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

Your Perfect Body http://esotericteaching.org/blog

Intelligent, insightful and inspiring analysis of consciousness issues in yoga, philosophy, meditation and self-realization by a teacher of bhakti-yoga trained in an esoteric school in India.

My music downloads and the RSS feeds for these podcasts are also available through iTunes.

Dasanudas

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

LORD NITYANANDA"S APPEARANCE DATE!!

2006-02-13T18:28:14Z

Today February 10th marks the Appearance date of the Most Merciful Lord Nityananda Prahbu!What are you doing tonight to Celebrate?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 6 replies

"What does love mean?"

2006-01-26T09:13:02Z

Slow down for three minutes to read this. ....... A group of
professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8
year-olds, "What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have
imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint
her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time,
even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8

---

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Billy - age 4

---

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French
fries without making them give you any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6

---

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

Terri - age 4

---

"Love is when my mommy makes tea for my daddy and she takes a sip
before giving it to him, to 'make sure' the taste is OK."

Danny - age 7

---

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of
kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.
My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"

Emily - age 8

---

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening
presents and listen."

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

---

"Love is when you tell a somone you like their shirt, then they wear
it everyday."

Noelle - age 7

---

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well."

Tommy - age 6

---

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked
at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.
He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

Cindy - age 8

---

"My mommy loves me more than anybody .
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

Clare - age 6

---

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of cake."

Elaine-age 5

---

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is
handsomer than Brad Pitt."

Chris - age 7

---

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old
clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."

Lauren - age 4

:-)

---

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little
stars come out of you." (what an image)

Karen - age 7

---

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you
mean it, you should say it a lot because people forget."

Jessica - age 8

---

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked
about a contest he was asked to judge.

The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an
elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's
yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy
said,

"Nothing, I just helped him cry"

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God
is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is
simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they
may be needing this day! And may their life be full of your peace,
which transcends all understanding. Amen.

Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other
people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 3 replies

intro

2006-01-20T17:39:56Z

greetings

am kinda new here I am 37yrs old from Tracy California married have been intrested in Krishna Consciousness Movement for a while well what got me interested years ago
was when i was about 20 i was basicly a bad soul a skinhead drinking fighting all
the time i picked on Peaceful people/hippies vegans well motiv was i just did not like them
that was my excusse but really now i look back it was i was very jealus how they could
be happy and peaceful while i could not at the time because the rage and anger was
so controling me . how i discoverd Krishna and the teaching was i had a friend the
only peaceful person i did not pick on nor did i let the people i was assciated with at
the time pick on him. well one day we where hanging out just him and i he asked me
well basicly told me that this image i portrayed was not me he said deep down there
is a careing person in there under all that rage and that chanting this mantra he begain to sing it Kirtan at first i was like ok Horse PUCKY!! hippy love peace Crap.But something
struck me i begain to cry and weep all the anger was going in its place was love it was
so over wellming i feel to my knee's and cryed and chanted with him the next night i tore
my patches of my flight jacket buried my Doc Martins told my asscociates i was out!!
and i never turned back. thanks to that night from my friend who showed me the light
and to Krishna i forever Greatful that i now live a loving peaceful life with them i would
not know where i would be today

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Hare Krishna!!! Hare Krishna!!!! Defeat Cow Butcher Invested Alito!

2006-01-13T18:10:43Z

Hare Krishna!!!! Defeat Cow Butcher Invested Alito!
Jai Radharani!!!

Sam Alito Supreme Court Nominee Heavily Invested in Slaughterhouses -
harekrsna.com

Sam Alito twice broke while on a regional bench his promise to recuse himself from
Vanguard lawsuits in which he is heavily invested. Vanguard is perhaps of publicly investigated mutual funds the one most heavily invested in several kinds of slaughterhouse operations.

Slaughterhouse, safari hunt and other money has in some cases gone underground with private equity funds. The British are less forthcoming
about stockholders than Americans.

www.senate.gov
202 224 3121
God defeat this nomination.

VANGUARD: INVESTED IN ANIMAL SLAUGHTERHOUSES

Vanguard manages more than US $700 billion and has
more than 5000 institutional investors. It is invested
in many slaughterhouse and war operations.
1 It is the major investor in the world's most corrupt bank,
Citibank whose chairman helped jailed Bernie Ebbers buy Canada's
biggest cattle ranch with stolen MCI customer money.
2 It is a major investor in McDonald's (and since NPR has 200 million
in McDonald's stock,
... the 'public radio' network promoted Vanguard)
28,385,755 2.24 $883,932,410 31-Mar-05
3. It is a major investor in Yums, owner of the boycotted KFC
www.kfccruelty.com and of Taco Bell which finally settled with
unions.
4. It is a major investor in Lonestar Steak House which causes
cancer, heart disease, slaughterhouse agony, and deforestation.
(THE) 409,292 1.99 $11,832,631 31-Mar-05
5. It is a major investor in Triarc (Arby's beef)
6. Wendy's Vanguard is a major investor in the world's
3rd largest cowslaughter fast food chain
7. Vanguard is invested in SBC, a pricegouging conglomerate illegal
in Teddy Roosevelt's days
8. It is invested in Dominion, a gas company which has
been pricegouging the poor with doubling of charges.
9. It is a major investor in ConAgra.. 'butterball' turkeys
and other slaughterhouse items.
10. It is invested in Goldman Sachs, neocon warmonger.

John Bogle its CEO has been touted on NPR
because both are heavily invested in McDonald's. NPR was
allegedly left 200 million in McDonald's stock by Joan Kroc.
It is indeed humorous that Bogle would write a book on
business ethics.

Some of the other funds heavily invested in animal agony: Barclay's, J P Morgan Chase,
Goldman Sachs, Fidelity, Charles Schwab

------
Those who are not vegetarian or vegan might consider that
the incubation period of Mad Cow, Mad Deer, Mad Pig, Mad Chicken,
Mad Fish etc is 50 years according to Dr David Heymann of the CDC
speaking on the CBC... Heymann is one of the few truthtellers
at the pharmaceutically dominated CDC. Any investment in animal
flesh is unwise.

The British are less forthcoming
about stockholders than Americans.
Quote:

Republicans always find it hard
to get out the numbers... in some
cities they hand out tickets to Democrats
when their high paid speakers paid for
with public money come
to town.. in order to swell the audience

Yesterday, as unelected Bush nominee
Sam Alito was questioned by senators,
there were Rent A Republican mobs
outside. It was a hastily done affair..
virtually
everyone with the same sign.

Neocon CNN owned illegally by Neocon
Time Warner... gave frequent flash coverage
to this small group of people.

Poster saw this standing in line
at a grocery store.

www.senate.gov

God end now all violence to any being and listen to
St Francis and Leonardo, two animal rights activists, want
this nomination defeated.

_________________
www.worldanimalnet.org
indymedia.org
ivu.org
pcrm.org
www.alitosamerica.org
www.internationalanswer.org
www.network54.com/forum/460325
news108.forumup.org
www.greenpeace.org/usa

With the string of state murders in the US ratified by the 'Supreme' Court,
one can only describe the 5 judges who have executed with their
pens... 'serial killers'. They have ratified torture, installed an unelected
pawn of war profiteers, ravaged our earth.
The Supreme Court is the only 18th Century institution unchanged.
Since 1776, the Senate has become popularly elected (in theory..
although Diebold ESS Sequoia Pacific Triad etc. have changed that
www.whatreallyhappened.com/vote...html)
The US is one of the few socalled democracies not electing its high court.
Reformers have suggested an 18 year term, with 1 justice elected
every 1 or 2 years.

One way to find in what investments a corporation, mutual fund
etc. holds... go to finance.yahoo.com type in the symbol
for that entity, and then scroll down on left to 'major holders'.

MSN has such a service too with more listings.

-------
Sen Feinstein is a war profiteer, married to URS' Richard Blum,
who has received a several hundred million dollar contract
for a company which manages the checks for US mercenary contractors
such as CACI, Titan, Blackwater Security and other
torturers, in some cases paying mercenaries $2000 a day, stolen
from America's poor.
www.publicintegrity.org/pns

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Poem for Krishna

2006-01-04T18:36:39Z

It's not much, but this is a poem I wrote last summer.... please accept it, Krishna, & bless it with your infinite sweetness!

The sky, O Krishna
is the color
of Your luminous skin
The clouds
are like delicate pearls
draped across your graceful neck
A million tiny, wet kisses
are the raindrops
which bless my face & hands
Like rosewater
sprinkled in the air
I Love to dance
among the spirits of the forest
chanting your Holy Name
throughout
As I drift off
into Time imperceptible
surely it is Thy glorious Face
which comforts me.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

HH Bhaktisiddhanta Swami

2005-12-31T21:45:55Z

Hari Bol!

I wanted to know if anyone had HH Bhaktisiddhanta Swami address either here or in India. Please email me as soon as possible at ashokadd@yahoo.com

you servant,
Kamalasundri d d

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

The Streets of a Holy Hindu City

2005-12-17T19:00:57Z

Check out this web site:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4980453

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Hridayananda Goswami!

2005-11-24T23:04:39Z

Hridayananda Goswami is here in San Luis Obispo this weekend,~we are going to Nagapatni's nice Home for Kirtan&Bhagavad Gita Class!Yay!or should I say Jaya! I wonder whar Mystery guest He will have with Him?:)~You never know! HDG is Amazing!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

Krishna Followers Go on Hunger Strike against Expulsion

2005-11-15T00:15:34Z

The conflict related to construction of Krishna Followers Temple gained momentum Saturday. Moscow authorities voiced intention to take out the allotment allocated for building the Vedic Culture Temple, Krishna followers responded by a hunger strike.
More than 500 people went on a long-term hunger strike Saturday, November 12, 2005, said Sergey Andreev, leader of the Moscow community of Krishna followers, in a move to preserve the allotment allocated in Moscow for the temple construction.

As a religious organization, Hare Krishna was officially acknowledged in Russia in 1988. Now the country has 106 registered communities of Krishna followers and over 300 parishes.

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov sealed the ruling on constructing cultural premises for Krishna followers in Moscow in January 2004. The document sanctioned construction of the Vedic Center on the area of 1.05 hectares at 39 Leningrad Ave. to replace the two-store building demolished in Khoroshevkoe Avenue. To oppose construction, the orthodox followers staged a protest rally and vowed “to lie under bulldozers at the constriction site, “as this premise will desecrate Moscow,” they said.

As a result, Luzhkov called off his ruling on October 7. “We think the authorities may proceed with decisive actions to expel Indian and Moscow Vaishnavs from habitable land, in which they have invested a lot,” Andreev said. “We are truly concerned. We may be on the street deprived of even a temporarily temple.”

by www.kommersant.com

Russian Article as of Nov. 14, 2005

www.kommersant.com/page.asp

www.moscowtemple.org/

www.veda.ru/

proposed temple

www.veda.ru/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Word Translations

2005-11-12T15:54:07Z

Hey all,

so i have some questions regarding some titles I've heard in Hindu culture. I was hoping some of you might help to clarify them for me.

Sri or Shri = ?

Acaraya = (I think this means one who leads by example, Like ghandi or S. Prabhupada ?)

Swami = ?

Guru = (I think the best translation for this is 'teacher', although I've heard others. And a Satguru is the 'highest' teacher, please confirm)

Namoh = (I think this means 'to bow down' or 'worship'

Jai = (I think this means 'Victory' ?), I think this is also what people say at various times during some temple practices, am I right ?

Devi = ?(As in Tulasi Devi)

Thanks everyone for your help, I am a student of languages and it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to someday learn sanskrit but that won't be anytime soon. Sounds like a pretty complex language.

Haribol
BE

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

Aesthetic Vedanta (Rasa Lila)

2005-11-12T03:20:14Z

I am finally reading a book that a devotee sent me years ago entitled "Aesthetic Vedanta" written by Swami B. V. Tripurari. I am very much enjoying the book so far although I think some of the ideas expressed might be a little over my head. The main topic of discussion is the Rasa Lila, which from my understanding is a portion of the Srimad Bhagavatam where Krishna meets Radha and other Gopis.

Could someone please confirm and or expand on this ?

Also, if you've read the book please let me know what you thought of it or what you think of the author ?

Love & Light
BE

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

I just posted some amazingly sweet KARNAMRITA downloads

2005-11-08T02:16:56Z

on the mp3 section of our site. There are from the Janmastami Stage show in 2004 here in Kalachandji Dhama.
Your humble servant,
Nityananda Ram Das

http://www.radhakalachandji.com/listaudio.asp?text_id=115

There are super sweet so don't miss out.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Srimad Bhagavatam

2005-11-07T04:55:59Z

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knew the best place to get a copy of this most divine piece of writing. I have read the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita and am very interested in reading the bhagavatam. I did have barnes and noble look it up, they told me they could order it, but the one in it's entirety from Swami Prabhupada has a listing price of almost $600.00, or you can buy each Canto seperatly. It is not necessary for me to have one interpereted by Prabhupada so if anyone knows of where I might be able to find this I would greatly appreciate it.

Love & Light

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 18 replies

Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day!

2005-11-07T04:52:39Z

All Glories to Srila Prabhupada Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj! I am taking this day to reflect on Swami Prabhupada's glorious achievements, what compassion he had for us! What dedication to Krishna! What love he shared, helping us all tend to that seed of love for Krishna, helping us all to nourish it and water it with the words of the great devotees and Krishna himself! We can only pray to feel some of that compassion for others, to act with a tiny portion of his humility and selfless love. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Namaste

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

purraport and interpritation

2005-11-04T20:00:54Z

if prabubpads bagavad gita is supposed to be "as it is" then could someone tell me why when krishna tells anjuna about giving to charity prabupads purrapot is to give to ISKCON???? i cant believe it!!!!

why would i give to ISKCON when i could give to mother tarisa who takes care of the dying and destitute for free gving medicins - or the salvation army and red cross that dedicate there lives to giving shealter to homless and trys to get peoples lives together.

ive just been to mayapur where there building a multi million dollar temple over poor peoples rice fields!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what is going on - the money that could be used to house the poor and give them medicin is going in to this??? and there is already a temple there !!!!!

the hare krishnas do feed alot of people and that is great - but there are other organisations doing the samething and alot more!! can someone explain this to me - in the west the general consencus among people is that ISCKON munipulates people and takes there money - i wonder if there right???

baffled

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 28 replies

Newbie question....

2005-09-30T20:30:14Z

Haribol! Can someone please tell me (or better yet, explain to me) why male devotees are called 'das' or 'dasa' and female devotees are called 'devi dasi'? Shouldn't both names contain the word "devi" (e.g.L devi dasa & devi dasi)?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants

2005-09-26T10:55:12Z

Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. 9
13
Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' 10 I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."
14

I will Put the Question the the group again:
Why did Krishna come to: deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants.
And Jesus came to call the sinners NOT the rightious. If you do not see the absolute CLEAR difference then you are truly blind.
If your God came to deliver the PIOUS and annihilate the miscreants then I do not see where Krishnas love falls. It would seem clear that Krishna loves the self rightious Temple worshipers and HATES the sinners. And My question to you is this What good is a god that only caters to the PIOUS or the so called pious and wants to annihilate the miscreants! Is this love? What kind of Doctor comes to examine and heal the well? And in the same sense what kind of Loving creator comes to deliver the Pious of his children and annihilate the miscreants that he created?
What sense is there in that?
It is the LOST that need finding and the sick that need a doctor and the Sinners that need a savior.
Now I know most of you will exault your selfs and make mention of my bad grammar and spelling and paste in huge chunks of vedic spripture. But is there any amoung you that can reason with me?
I have encountered the egomaniacs amoung you that wish to make foolish arguments and reffer me to offensive web pages BUT offer No real understanding or reasoning.
If it is too much to ask to get a open minded response ten excuse me and go back to your temple worship and Make sacrifice to your idols and Miss the revelations of the Latest incarnation of God. I think If you any of you were truly spiritual you would look into this total contradiction of religious basics revelation about the NATURE of God.

Please give me some understanding Why If as you claim that God : Comes again and again in different eras to restore religion... THEN WHY DOES he change his basic Nature and tenets and why does He deliver contradicting messages? Does Buddha teach the Same as Mohamad? Did Krishna teach the same as Jehova? And Then Along Come Jesus the fullfilment of the Hebrew Tradition and makes Claims that TOTALLY differ from them ALL and make exclusive claims AND THEN get thisa children:" HE LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE VOLENTARILY HE WAS NOT MURDERS HIS WHOLE MISSION WAS TO MAKE IT TO THE CROSS AND DIE THERE. THEN HE PROVED HE WAS WHOM HE CLAIMED TO BE BY RAISING HIMSELF FROM THE DEAD! DID BUDDHA? DID KRISHNA? MOHAMMAD?
NOw before you give me the tired old cop out and say well Jesus was a prophet and a teacher and a good religious man thing. I will remind you this : IF HE was NOt God In the fleash as he claimed and Died for the sinns of man for all time and all that he claimed then he IS not a Good teacher HE was a lier and a meglomanic An imposter of the worst kind. He left no middle ground he Hes Either God in the fullness of the triune Godhead in Human Incarnation Or... He was a criminal and deseved to die.
BUT where is his body? No one can deny that the body of Jesus was put in a tomb and three days later it was Missing. It is the MOST documented fact In History. The Jews made sure that he could not escape because he treatened ther entire religious system and the ROmans MADE SURE NO ONE couls Steal the body and Claim He rose from the dead and cause an uprising. NO IT is A fact that His Body resurected and was transformed into HIs glorious State that exists TODAY!
So I await any response But I know I will just get silence or more Hatred and self exalting rants from your pious group. You have no responce.
So I rest my case.
Jesus IS GOD Krishna was and Is a Myth an alagory made up to teach some moral lessons to control the peasants and keep the kings in their lofty places.
You might want to head these words of Christ: Go and learn the meaning of the words, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
But we both know you will ignore mercy and continue in your temple sacrifice.
Ever hear of Love?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 11 replies

Lets go to Vrindavan

2005-09-26T10:26:36Z

Hare Krishna!
So I want to go on my first pilgrimage and I want to go with other devotees. Anybody interested in organizing?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 5 replies

All glories to Sri Radhastami !

2005-09-09T14:02:09Z

I wish all devotess a wonderful Radhastami !
For some Radha-Katha: http://www.salagram.net/calendar-radha8.htm
Jay Jay SRI RADHEY !

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Angelinos.....don't miss this event!

2005-09-07T22:52:30Z

Date & Time: Friday, September 9, 2005 more on this date
7:00 PM
Location: Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir
305 Rose Ave.
Venice, CA 90291 view map
More Info: (310) 314-2795
www.venicetemple.com

Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir invites you to an evening of Sacred Chanting Celebrating the Divine within us all. Featuring Jaya Lakshmi and Special Guest Musicians. Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir is located at 305 Rose Ave. in Venice, CA (90291). Suggested Donation for this event is $18.00. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Jivas (254 Hampton Dr., Venice, CA 90291). For more information contact Govinda at 310.314.2795 or visit our website at www.venicetemple.com ; www.jayalakshmi.net ; www.sequoiarecords.com/news.php (scroll down towards the middle of the page!)

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Good News from New Orleans!!

2005-09-04T00:04:31Z

Just had to share the good news. New Orleans yatra, ki jai!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

Launch of the Sampradaya Sun

2005-08-31T05:16:27Z

On July 12th, 2005 the Sampradaya Sun began publication as a daily news website and independent reporting organization for the Vaisnava community.

http://www.harekrsna.com/sun

The Sampradaya Sun will serve as a full-service news venue, offering in-depth feature stories, fast publication of news and events submitted by the worldwide Vaisnava community, and philosophical editorial commentary from Sun editors and contributing writers.

The Sun provides real-time Blog and PodCast network feeds, which are streamed to the front page and presented in a digest for easy feed subscription. Readers will also enjoy the Sun Blogs, where contributing writers are given their own Blogspace for direct dialogue with readers about the story they’ve submitted. See our "About" and "Submit" pages for details.

We welcome your news contributions and look forward to serving you, for the pleasure of the Sampradaya Acaryas.

Hare Krsna!

Sun Editors

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 3 replies

Srila Prabhupada`s Journey

2005-08-24T21:44:36Z

One candle may light many other candles, yet each candle has the same intensity as the first. Yet the first still remains the original candle.
In the same way the Supreme Personality of Godhead expands himself in unlimited forms. He yet remains the cause of all causes.
In the Vedic scriptures the supreme original cause is known as Krsna because he posses unlimited transcendental qualities which attracts all living beings.
Five hundred years ago that same supreme cause Lord Sri Krsna appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and declared that the chanting of the Lords holy names of;

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama, Hare Hare

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Satya Varagya....True Renunciation

2005-08-12T23:09:18Z

Letter to All Established SANPradhayas’
(Sects of the One Universal Dharma)

This is Humbly my Formal Resignation.. from All Formality in the Eyes’ of Worldly Traditions & Superficial Dharma.
I now surrender to the Blissful mission of Sri Gaura & Chaitanya!
I will Chant & Dance with all Souls’ without scorn from my misconceptions of Hierarchy.
Sincerity is Both my Shield & my Sword in these Whars’
of Egoic’- Exploitation.
All I can attempt to do is to chant & remind others to do the same –as we aspire for the inspiration-driven-divine-service w/ every thought Sound & Feeling…
The Bhakti Shakti That allows one to chant the
holy names will come into us only when we can chant in a REAL atma-sphere of love & affection.
The Body must be respected as an asana for our spirit & we can not allow the mind & intelligence to become polluted w/Emotional tension from the dualities of Repression & Obsession.
The Lie- that Guru, or the Potency of the Supreme Lord is limited to only one established “Clique of Consciousness” has to be undone- just as the Christian-Islamic & all Worldly Religions/Cults… limit the “infinite God” to share only one Incarnation & Expression of Eternal Truth!
The Days of Blind Dogma must be left in the past if we ever want to share the essence of Gaurangadevs’ Heart-melting Prema!
Traditions’ place in the foundation of the wise Elders’ Guidance, Scriptures& The Paths’ trod by the Great Saints’ All have my full respect…. What I am insistent in conveying, is that the time-place & circumstances of our present day bring about an imperative need to
Hold compassion & tolerance over ALL the minor details of Social & Cultural formalities.
Regardless of anyones’ apparent objections, Speculations & Scriptural critique of this perspective I bring forth,
The fruits of what half-empty dharma yield are bearing their over-ripe fruit for all to Smell!
BhaktiSiddanta Saraswati Thakurs’ essay on Religious Institutions is a good place to get some perspective on The Danger of KALI-Yuga Religious Fronts….They are Compared to the Fortress of Blood-Drinking Demons which exploit the simple natured people for the Puja of their Name & Fame.

Now the choice is really this! Do we want to be apart of a unified Revolution of Consciousness, or drown in the ocean of Impersonal Elitism & Hypocrisy? We have the tools to repair the Sangas’ from the influence all the Rakshashas’ Corporate Exploitations & Heal Idols of Techno-Lusts & Misconception.
Lets’ Simply come together to Chant Humbly without offence. No need to argue over the past & speculate the future….
We are only qualified to pray for forgiveness & taste the Names’ Eternal Sweetness…..

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

moderator!!!!

2005-07-26T15:45:45Z

hare krsna prabhu!

i would beseech u to erradicate these postings by the troll greg. he is obviously not a well man. we tried to answer his questions (however foolish) and he has been incredibly offensive. u can lead a horse to water but u cant make him drink (or in this case think hehe).

let us have enriching discussions, where ppl with questions can have an open forum to exchange ideas about their queries. but this is a tribe dedicated to KC, this individual unfortunately brings nothing to the table.

ur dasa
manu

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Krsna Came to save the rightious and condem the sinners?

2005-07-26T00:02:10Z

I KNOW I am a sinner so how can Krsna save me? Are you devotees the rightious? And If you are rightious why do you need a savior? It is the lost that needs salvation right?
I am confused...
Seems to me that Krsna is useless.
I used t believe but after I read that in the gita it all fell apart for me. I think Jesus is the way he was all about the lost and needy and really hated the religious self rightious people. How does the vedic lit reconcile the difference bettween reincarnation and resurection. If jusus was just an incarnation of krsna as were all other avators WHY do the leaders of the world religions teach such different ideas?????
So if Krsna came to condem the sinners what hope does an imperfect sinner like my self have?
Jesus?

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 21 replies

Bhagavad Gita Questions

2005-07-14T15:41:45Z

Hello all....

Last week I finished reading the Bhagavad Gita as it Is which includes commentary from Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the reading and it helped me to re-establish my contact with my spiritual self. However, while reading it I did come across some things that I didn't necessarily agree with or in some cases understand. That is the reason for me posting. Here are some of the questions I had, all comments are welcome.

1. The idea of differnt castes seemed to me to be really apparent. That being that you are born into your position and that you should do your work as you are supposed to. Although it did mention that it was possible to attain krsna conciousness no matter what caste you were in, I found the idea that one should do the work he is born into to be a sort of control system, and question the intent behind this idea. If anyone could elaborate I'd appreciate it.

2. Arjuna was given specific instructions to fight against his brothers/friends by the avatar Krishna himself and so it is stated that he is to do just that as it is the will of God. To me this sounds like a good excuse to go to war over spiritual ideas. Does this scriptural evidence make it OK to kill in Gods name ?

3. There was talk alot about the different planets that one could ascend to depending on which deity he worshiped, krishna's being the most paramount. Are these physical planets (i.e. jupiter, mars) or do they exist on a different plane of reality (say the spiritual plane) ? This to me sounds very similar to the idea of heaven and hell ?

Ok, well I know I have more questions but that's all for now. As I said before any commentary is welcome.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

Any travel services for devotees?

2005-06-27T06:54:27Z

Hare Krishna!
Any cheap flights to Delhi from San Francisco

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

greetings hare krishna:-)

2005-06-19T14:37:37Z

just joined this thing - want some friends:-)

hope to talk to u soon:-)

hare bol!!

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

The Great Cows Rebellion

2005-06-08T13:34:01Z

http://www.3dweb.no/galleri/stuestolbm/bilder/anim1.swf

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 1 reply

New Tribe: Kirtan and Bhajan

2005-06-03T18:32:45Z

http://kirtan.tribe.net

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Krsna prasadam ki jai!

2005-05-16T18:58:24Z

Dandavats. Last night, we posted a new section to the HareKrsna.com website, containing more than 2,000 prasadam recipes.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

www.harekrsna.com/practice/...adam/recipes/recipes.htm

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 10 replies

i just picked up...

2005-05-08T00:43:40Z

"the perenial psychology of the bhagavad gita", and i am so amazed at how perfect it is for what's happening in my life right now.
even tho i am not about kill my relatives or anything, i can still related to the tumult that arjuna feelsat the begining.
i've always been fascinated by the hindu pantheon, and i would love to discuss this jewel in further detail with someone.
i live in portland, and i am gay (i don't know if that really makes a difference, but i thought i'd trhow it out there).

namaste

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 2 replies

new tribe for GOVINDA'S in Los Angeles

2005-04-28T06:00:41Z

a tribe for people who visit govinda's atleast once a week (or atleast WANT to visit Govinda's once a week). After all, it is the thought that counts!!!!

http://govindas.tribe.net/

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Organic Yoga

2005-04-27T19:15:48Z

a tribe for us to search out the Heart of Yoga. please check it out

http://OrganicYoga.tribe.net

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Fault-finding, Perfected

2005-04-19T20:34:59Z

"I don't read the book. I read the author. I first see the author to see if he is authentic or not. I am a proof reader. I always see what is right and what is wrong. My father trained me in proof reading, but I am not only a proof reader of the press. I am a proof reader of the world. I proof read men; I see their faults and try to correct them. I am a proof reader of religion also. I have appeared in the karkata lagna (astrologically). So whenever I see anything undevotional I will act like a karkata (a crab). If I see any so called devotion which is not actually in the true unalloyed spirit, I shall pierce it!"

--Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 4 replies

Have you guys seen Ninjai the Krishna conscious ninja

2005-04-13T23:36:42Z

watch online here

http://ninjai.com/index.php

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies

Krsna Re-establishing the Parampara

2005-04-07T03:50:30Z

I would be grateful to hear your thoughts on this question:

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra there was a gathering of great sages who came to witness Bhismadeva’s passing, as he lie prostrate on a bed of arrows. There were many inconceivably elevated sages who were present on the planet at that time, and the list of those who attended Bhismadeva’s departure is astounding.

At Kurukshetra, Sri Krsna told Arjuna that he had come at that particular time and place in order to re-establish the parampara, because it had been broken. “…the Lord clearly tells Arjuna that He is making him the first receiver of a new parampara (disciplic succession) because the old succession was broken. It was the Lord’s wish, therefore, to establish another parampara in the same line of thought that was coming down from the sun-god to others, and it was His wish that His teaching would be distributed anew by Arjuna.” (BG Intro)

How do these two things relate? The parampara had been broken…. yet there were obviously many highly elevated Vaisnavas on the planet at that time, including Bhismadeva, who is one of the twelve great maha-jnanas (along with Brahma, Siva, Narada, Kapila, Kumara, etc.). “Bhismadeva was one of the twelve great authorities in preaching this cult of devotional service…”. (SB 1-9-9 P)

yours,
Jahnava

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 10 replies

What is Bhakti Yoga ?

2005-04-04T02:23:57Z

Bhakti Yoga: the Yoga of Devotion

Bhakti Yoga is one of the four main yogic paths to enlightenment. Bhakti means “devotion” or “love” and this path contains various practices to unite the bhakta (Bhakti Yoga practitioner) with the Divine.

Bhakti Yoga is considered the easiest yogic path to master and the most direct method to experience the unity of mind, body and spirit. While Hatha Yoga requires a strong and flexible body, Raja Yoga requires a disciplined and concentrated mind, and Jnana Yoga requires a keen intellect, the only requirement for Bhakti Yoga is an open, loving heart. But Bhakti Yoga complements other paths of yoga well, and it is said that jnana (knowledge or wisdom) will dawn by itself when you engage in the devotional practices of Bhakti Yoga.

This deeply spiritual practice draws heavily on the Hindu pantheon of deities. Each of these deities is seen as representing a humanized aspect of the single Godhead or Brahman – much the same way the Christian saints represent specific attributes and qualities of God. The use of Hindu deities in Bhakti Yoga can be a large obstacle for Western practitioners, especially for those with a deeply religious background. But the use of the Hindu deities is not required for this practice – in fact, finding your own object(s) of devotion will be all the more effective in achieving yoga (union) with the Divine.

There are nine main practices of Bhakti Yoga that can be practiced independently or together. Each of these limbs creates a specific bhava (feeling) that appeals to different inner constitutions of practitioners.

The Nine Limbs of Devotion
1. Shravana – “listening” to the ancient scriptures, especially potent if told by a saint or genuine bhakta.
2. Kirtana – “singing” devotional songs, usually practiced in a call-and-response group format.
3. Smarana – “remembering” the Divine by constantly meditating upon its name and form.
4. Padasevana – “service at the feet” of the Divine, which incorporates the practice of karma yoga (selfless service) with bhakti (devotion).
5. Archana – the “ritual worship” of the Divine through practices such as puja (deity worship), and havan or homa (fire offering).
6. Vandana – the “prostration” before the image of one’s chosen image or representation of the Divine.
7. Dasya – the “unquestioning” devotion of the Divine involving the cultivation of serving the will of God instead of one’s own ego.
8. Sakhya – the “friendship” and relationship established between the Divine and the devotee.
9. Atmanivedana – the “self-offering” and complete surrender of the self to the Divine.

The most popular limb of Bhakti Yoga in the West is Kirtana (usually called Kirtan), with national and local Kirtan walas performing weekly in small to large cities. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced by itself or be integrated into other types of yoga or spiritual practices.

The benefits of Bhakti Yoga are immense, as Swami Sivananda writes, “Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy, hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride and arrogance. It infuses joy, divine ecstasy, bliss, peace and knowledge. All cares, worries and anxieties, fears, mental torments and tribulations entirely vanish. The devotee is freed from the Samsaric wheel of births and deaths. He attains the immortal abode of everlasting peace, bliss and knowledge”.

The ultimate goal in the practice of Bhakti yoga is to reach the state of rasa (essence), a feeling of pure bliss achieved in the devotional surrender to the Divine.

posted in Krishna Consciousness - 0 replies