Travel Journal#14.22: New York City and North Florida

Diary of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 14, No. 22 

By Krishna-kripa das 

(November 2018, part two) 

New York City, Alachua Festival of the Holy Name, Tallahassee 

(Sent from Hartford, Connecticut, on December 8, 2018)

Where I Went and What I Did

I continued living with the Yuga Dharma Ashram devotees and doing harinama six hours a day at different New York City subway stations. I took a three-day break from singing in the subways to go to Florida to attend the Festival of the Holy Name, the Alachua 24-hour kirtan, the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. During that Saturday, I took a break from the Festival of the Holy Name to chant in Tallahassee at the stadium, before the Florida Gators / Florida State Seminoles game, along with nine other devotees from the Festival.

I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada books and lectures. I share excerpts from the Free Write Journal of Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami. I share excerpts from articles in Back to Godhead magazine by Srila Prabhupada, Krishnanandani Devi Dasi, Nagaraja Prabhu, Satyaraja Prabhu, Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi, Devaki Devi Dasi, and Mathura Vasi Devi Dasi. I share notes on classes at the Yuga Dharma Ashram by Prahladananda and Candrasekhara Swamis, and Rama Raya, Kalki, Mahotsaha, and Krishna Prasada Prabhus. I share notes on a class at the Krishna House in Gainesville by Hari Kirtana Prabhu.

Unlimited thanks to Namamrita Prabhu, pilot for Southwest Airlines, who gave me a standby ticket so I could go to Florida for the Festival of the Holy Name in Alachua. Many, many thanks to Jagannatha (Jagi) Kirtan Prabhu for giving me a new computer bag to replace the one he gave me years ago which had its zipper break recently and a new hoodie, far superior my previous one because it is warmer, it has more pockets, it zips up, and it does not say “GAP” on it. Thanks to Rakesh Prabhu for driving me to Tampa after the Festival of the Holy Name and Sudhir Prabhu for accommodating me for the night and driving me to the Tampa airport early Sunday morning. Thanks to Divyangi Devi Dasi for her photos of the NYC Yuga Dharma Ashram harinamas. Thanks to Mangal Arati Das Ramnarine for his Facebook live video of Bhagavata Purana Prabhu chanting in Jackson Heights.

Itinerary

October 1–January 4, 2019: New York City Yuga Dharma Harinama Party

December 24: Albany, New York, for Christmas Eve

December 29: Bhagavad-gita class at 26 Second Avenue

January 5, 2019: Bhakti House program in Jacksonville

January 6–16: Tallahassee, Florida State University

January 17: Tampa, Florida, University of South Florida program

January 18–20: BI Gainesville Consciousness Conference

January 21: Gainesville Martin Luther King Day parade

January 22, 23, and 25: Krishna House in Gainesville

January 24: Tampa, Florida, University of South Florida program

January 26: Tampa Gasparilla Pirate Parade Ratha-yatra and harinama

January 27–: Tallahassee, Florida State University

April 10–12: Washington, D.C., harinama with Sankarsana Prabhu by the museums

April 14–18: Dublin

April 19–24: Newcastle-upon-Tyne

April 27: Amsterdam Kings Day harinama

Chanting Hare Krishna with the New York City Yuga Dharma Ashram Party

I continued chanting Hare Krishna with the Yuga Dharma Ashram harinama party, sometimes leading, sometimes taking videos, sometimes manning the book table, and sometimes dancing, in different subway stations in New York City, including: 

42nd St. / Times Square:

Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue:

34th St. / Penn Station:

14th St. / Union Square:

and Grand Central:

Hare Krishna for the throne! 

By our chanting of Hare Krishna we hope to please Radha Govinda and share that joy with others. “In a temple of jewels in Vrindavan, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 1.1.16)

Our book distributors would approach all kinds of people,

including those of different religions,

those of different species,

and performers.

They had sets of five hardbound books they called Pañca-tattva, comprised of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam (First Canto), Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion, and the Krishna book which they hoped to get $50 for.

This fortunate lady got one such set plus two additional Spanish books from Mahotsaha Prabhu for $65.

One special experience happened to me while Kaliya Krishna Prabhu was chanting at the Union Square subway station and I was standing behind our party dancing to the music. One lady watched us for a while, and I approached her to give her a pamphlet. She explained she had been stressed out the whole week and was looking for some remedy. Hearing Kaliya Krishna’s melodious chanting and watching my dancing pacified her mind. She asked if we had any cure for stress, and I explained that the Hare Krishna mantra could cure her stress, and she accepted the “On Chanting Hare Krishna” pamphlet and purchased a Vrindavan Mellows kirtan CD for five dollars.

I previously offered the free literature to anyone who looked at our party as they passed, but as that literature is in short supply in our ashram I have been dancing more instead. Lord Caitanya would always have at least one dancer in His parties, and we do not have any steady dancers among us, so it is a useful role I can play. In the middle 1980s after guru puja in Philadelphia as some of my guru’s disciples were accompanying him to his room, he told me I should dance more in the kirtan, so I always try to remember that and act accordingly. Sacinandana Swami likes it when the devotees dance on harinama because it attracts people to stay and hear more of the Hare Krishna chant.

Jeremy knew of Hare Krishnas from the straight edge bands, Shelter and 108, when he was growing up, but he had never met them until one day in Grand Central when he got a book from a devotee. Now he chants japa regularly, and although he lives in New Jersey, he comes to our morning class at the Yuga Dharma Ashram in uptown Manhattan before he goes to work. After work he comes by our harinama in the subway stations. That is amazing in itself, but what really impressed me was that the day after he broke his collar bone in a bicycle accident, he kept up his program of attending the morning class and the harinama.

Clarissa’s mom came by to say hello when I was manning the book table. When Clarissa was in high school she would often attend our harinama and occasionally she would even lead the singing. She would also go to the Bhakti Center and the Brooklyn temple. She had many devotee friends, and on Facebook she still does, although she does not come around anymore. Her mom said the time Clarissa spent with us had a very stabilizing effect on her life, and she felt grateful about that. I always wonder why Clarissa gave up the association of the devotees. I hope no one mistreated her in any way. Perhaps she will meet up with the Hare Krishnas during another phase of her life and recall how much she enjoyed the devotional activities and take them up again. The great thing that is the benefit of all our devotional acts is eternal. Nothing can beat that, and nothing can take that away.

The Yuga Dharma Ashram harinama party devotees continued to invite passersby to offer lamps to Krishna in his childhood feature of Damodara during the last few days of Karttika, and many people of different genders, races, and native languages happily participated. The Skanda Purana relates a conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni, in which it is said, “A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krishna during the month of Damodara (Karttika) becomes very glorious and fortunate.” (https://youtu.be/jBBSlutEtIM):

During the end of November we were fortunate to have Bhagavata Purana Prabhu of the Krishna Balaram 24-Hour Kirtan in Vrindavan join us for several days. Here he chants Hare Krishna in Penn Station subway station, and Rama Raya Prabhu dances and plays shakers (https://youtu.be/13X9i8gaVko):

Bhagavata Purana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Grand Central subway station, and a passerby dances (https://youtu.be/mcyyMgn7KI0):

Bhagavata Purana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station, and a kid happily plays shakers and dances for three minutes as the mother watches (https://youtu.be/giJV5YlWwMs):

Bhagavata Purana Prabhu chants in Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station (https://youtu.be/imoQyGZAe8w):

Ananda Bihari Prabhu has helped out a lot in the history of our Yuga Dharma Ashram harinama party in New York City. Recently he has been very busy assisting Adi Purusha Prabhu in running his bed and breakfast facility. We were very happy to have him back chanting Hare Krishna with us in Times Square subway station once again (https://youtu.be/b5R4Bb-uTQ4):

Kishor Gopal Prabhu, formerly a fulltime member of our party, now lives at the Bhakti Center, but he is becoming steady in his resolve to join us for a couple of hours every Wednesday. Here he chants Hare Krishna in the Times Square subway station (https://youtu.be/iSopNjCt_IM):

As usual Rama Raya Prabhu led many kirtans inspiring people to participate.

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Grand Central subway station, and an old man dances dexterously (https://youtu.be/_q73PIWJH4c):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and a lady dances wildly (https://youtu.be/L7tc4WvM6TI):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Penn Station subway station, and a Jewish man and others dance (https://youtu.be/1YWv05Ai3ps):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and passersby play shakers and dance, as do the devotees (https://youtu.be/Ag2Nfo9gkbw):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants in Times Square, and devotees and passersby, including a performer with his face painted blue, dance (https://youtu.be/605c2BBaeYE):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Penn Station subway station, a young lady offers a lamp to Damodar and sits down and learns the mantra, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/Ur2HncrcH2Y):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station, a new girl listens, and Marcel dances (https://youtu.be/hFC_RtSGeig):

All together the new girl listened for an hour and a half at least. Yugala Piriti Devi Dasi bought a set of five hardbound books for $50 and gave them to the new girl, so she got lots of mercy that day!

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Penn Station subway station, and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/v8PI6hfFyqE):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Union Square, and Bhakta Marcel dances (https://youtu.be/ETWEScIFaVQ):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Penn Station, and Bhakta Marcel dances (https://youtu.be/KthfNW8lU6A):

Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Penn Station subway station, and Kalki Prabhu dances (https://youtu.be/mF_TIDRxOfs):

Now that the Christmas season is approaching, Rama Raya Prabhu occasionally chants Hare Krishna to the “Jingle Bells” tune, as here in Penn Station subway station (https://youtu.be/uX5mQKOyz2U):

In addition to leading the chant, sometimes Rama Raya Prabhu would dance to the singing of the others.

Here Bhagavata Purana Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square, and Rama Raya Prabhu dances (https://youtu.be/UgIMCElTDUs):

Divyangi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station, and a MTA worker dances with Mahotsaha Prabhu (https://youtu.be/DmfonrGZLCc):

Kaliya Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Jackson Heights / Roosevelt Avenue subway station, Marcel plays drum, Richard dances, and a girl plays shakers while her mom learns the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. This is the second time that mother and daughter have joined us there at Jackson Heights (https://youtu.be/4UFsqmGoG5Y):

Kaliya Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and two guys dance (https://youtu.be/E8wbgjGd9CA):

Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and a lady dances (https://youtu.be/xhNtPQQWMq8):

Natabara Gauranga Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and a mother and her children play shakers and dance, along with Bhagavata Purana Prabhu, who encouraged them (https://youtu.be/kZi2FDw1ERU):

Kishor Gopal Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square and passersby and devotees dance (https://youtu.be/g1cBA4njwxo):

Kaliya Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station, and Bhakta Marcel dances (https://youtu.be/T-0ZxjKPIrc):

Kaliya Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Times Square subway station (https://youtu.be/Sh1RaWZ34LA):

Chanting Hare Krishna on Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

I decided to chant 64 rounds on Thanksgiving Day, the last day of Karttika, knowing I would have a lot of free time flying standby from New York to Florida for the Festival of the Holy Name in Alachua. After chanting 40 rounds and finally getting a seat on the third flight out of NYC I was booked on, my mind was peaceful enough to consider what I was thankful for, besides getting that seat. Unlimited thanks to Srila Prabhupada for revealing to me, and people in general, that anyone can attain an eternal relationship of love with the most qualified person in the universe, the Supreme Personality, simply by daily chanting Hare Krishna for two hours and giving up four degrading and self-destructive habits. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, from whom ecstatic prema (love of God) emanates and by whom ignorance is destroyed. Srila Prabhupada, please accept our gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day.

This year Thanksgiving Day marked the end of the month of Karttika, the last five days of which are known as Bhisma-pancaka. It is said if you perform extra austerities on these five days, it is as if you did them for the whole month of Karttika. I did my most ambitious observance of Bhisma-pancaka this year, chanting 64 rounds the first and last days and 32 rounds the three days in the middle. The first four days I also chanted Hare Krishna for six hours in public. Hopefully I will come to a higher level of consciousness by all the chanting and increase the quality of my service to Krishna and His servants.

Chanting Hare Krishna at the Alachua Festival of the Holy Name 2018 (Day 1)

I just share a few minutes of video of almost all the singers I heard at ISKCON Alachua’s 24-hour kirtan, the Festival of the Holy Name, in the order that they sang in. If any especially inspire you, you can play their entire kirtans at this web site, https://alachuakirtan.com/audio.html, where they are listed in the same order.

Here Jahnavi Jivana Harrison, who was the first singer at this year’s event, chants Hare Krishna at Alachua Festival of the Holy Name 2018 (https://youtu.be/oQEGsFJPexk):

Mahatma Prabhu chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/GRNOlTnAVas):

Syamesvari-priya Dasi of the Bhakti Center chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/HUBFtVwqu8o):

Uddhava-prana Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna in a Latino tune that inspired Purusartha Prabhu to continue playing bass and several devotees to dance (https://youtu.be/8zHed8rvnFs):

Sevaradhika Devi Dasi, who has an album called "Chant for Peace," chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/nUjyAd6_HGo):

Devotee kids chant Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/YuK3pCltgfA):

Radha Govinda Dasi chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/WHHlxjSrS8Q):

Radharani-lila Dasi chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/fIqks7iFXbI):

Mitrasena Prabhu and his family and friends chant Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/UPR3D0d28_k):

Chaitanya-Nitai Dasi chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/-UDGOPT-C4U):

Krishna Kishor Prabhu of The Mayapuris and friends chant Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/2SzLmOQdJtg):

Nadiya-mani Dasi chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/KS6rhkmdcwA):

Visvambhara Prabhu chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/xct3o981gxo):

Why so short a recording of Visvambhara? The tent was so dimly lit, and I did not think the video would come out very well!

Chanting Hare Krishna Before the Seminoles / Gators Game in Tallahassee

Long before the devotees began having the annual Festival of the Holy Name in Alachua on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving Day, devotees in the Alachua area would chant at the Florida Gators / Florida State Seminoles football game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Now we have to take a break from the twelve hours of kirtan to drive to the stadium and chant for two and a half hours and then return, and thus we get fewer devotees to come on that harinama. It is especially bad every second year when the game is played in Tallahassee, slightly over two hours from Alachua, as it was this year!

Still ten devotees came up to Tallahassee to chant Hare Krishna, and several fans enjoyed playing the instruments and dancing with the devotees. There were a few sprinkles of rain from time to time, but the temperature was in the high sixties (about 20° C), and one did not even need a sweater, a very refreshing change from New York City.

Here Nagaraja Prabhu chants Hare Krishna as the FSU band enters the stadium before the UF Gators / FSU Seminoles game (https://youtu.be/m-nBtVfEcGY):

Here is some video showing how many fans from both teams enjoyed playing musical instruments and dancing with the devotees (https://youtu.be/8jTNiIxeoVo):

One girl enjoyed spinning around while dancing with a devotee lady. Unfortuately my camera did not get the focus right on this one (https://youtu.be/DZyjZX8Owwc):

Here is additional video of our chanting party, without so much interaction with fans (https://youtu.be/N5AdsBiLxNM):

Chanting Hare Krishna at the Alachua Festival of the Holy Name 2018 (Day 2)

When I arrived back to New Raman Reti after chanting at the game in Tallahassee, a group of devotee ladies from Alachua was singing my favorite Hare Krishna tune at the Festival of the Holy Name.

Alachua Mamas chant Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/1Xf7Kce7OKk):

Later that evening I talked to Mitrasena Prabhu about that tune. He confirmed it came from an Indian movie, something I had heard before. He supplied additional details. In the movie a lady’s husband becomes addicted to sinful acts and she becomes disgusted and frustrated, and she cries out to Krishna in desparation, seeking His shelter. It is interesting that in our chanting we are also crying out to Krishna, seeking His shelter, and so it is a very appropriate tune.

Havi Prabhu, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada who is a very popular singer in South America, along with his family and friends, chants Hare Krishna and many devotees dance with delight (https://youtu.be/Czfyxru0TCo):

Manorama Prabhu, ISKCON Youth Minister, and his wife, Jaya Radhe Dasi, along with their friends, chant Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/nfiwy3f5t9g):

Dhanya Gaurangi Dasi chants Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/omxD2DiF_V0):

The light was too dim for me to record Amala-harinama Prabhu, and I had to leave early as I was catching a ride to Tampa with Rakesh for an early morning flight the next day so unfortunately I could not stay for the final kirtan with Bada Haridas Prabhu.

The beauty of the sunrise seen from the plane could not be captured in this photo.

Chanting Hare Krishna at Other Venues in New York City

Radhanath Swami, after a brief introduction, chants Hare Krishna at The Bhakti Center Thursday Kirtan in New York City (https://youtu.be/OVUEEu8dVkQ):

I always dance in the back, where there is more room, thus you see how the kirtan looks from there. 

To see photos I took but did not include in this journal, click below:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2sfmVDCQcdZy5Btv5

Insights

Srila Prabhupada:

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.3, purport:

“There is no point in arguing that a materialistic man can be happy. No materialistic creature — be he the great Brahma or an insignificant ant — can be happy. Everyone tries to make a permanent plan for happiness, but everyone is baffled by the laws of material nature. Therefore the materialistic world is called the darkest region of God’s creation. Yet the unhappy materialists can get out of it simply by desiring to get out. Unfortunately they are so foolish that they do not want to escape.”

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.31, purport:

“It is the duty of the son to depend upon his father without asking anything from him. The good son has faith that the father knows best how to benefit him. Similarly, a pure devotee does not ask anything from the Lord for material benefit. Nor does he ask anything for spiritual benefit. The pure devotee is fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord takes charge of him, as stated in Bhagavad-gita (18.66): aham tvam sarva-papebhyo mokshayishyami. The father knows the necessities of the son and supplies them, and the Supreme Lord knows the necessities of the living entities and supplies them sumptuously.”

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.20.33:

[Lord Vishnu said to King Prithu:] “My dear King, O protector of the citizens, henceforward be very careful to execute My orders and not be misled by anything. Anyone who lives in that way, simply carrying out My orders faithfully, will always find good fortune all over the world.”

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.13.51, purport:

“All living entities are serving Krishna in different ways, but when they are Krishna conscious, their service is fully manifest. As a flower in the bud gradually fructifies and yields its desired aroma and beauty, so when a living entity comes to the platform of Krishna consciousness, the beauty of his real form comes into full blossom. That is the ultimate beauty and the ultimate fulfillment of desire.”

From Teachings of Lord Caitanya:

“The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact most voluminous, exacting and consistent due to the system of disciplic succession [passing knowledge down through a chain of spiritual masters.]”

From “Genuine Religion” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

[a conversation between His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and reporters in Melbourne, Australia, on June 29, 1974]

Srila Prabhupada: The law is the same for everyone. You cannot say, “This is the black law,” “This is the white law.” No. That is not very scientific. The scientific understanding is that God is there, and we are all under His law. God is great, we are His subordinates, and we have to obey His orders. That is the genuine spiritual platform. That is genuine religion. Am I right or wrong?

Reporter: You’re right.

Srila Prabhupada: Therefore you cannot say “Christian religion,” “Hindu religion,” “Muslim religion.” Religion is religion. God is neither Christian nor Hindu nor Muslim. God is God. God is one.

Reporter: So it seems you are saying, then, that by holding to their conception of a “Muslim” or “Jewish” or “Hindu” or “Christian” God, people are not actually realizing God. And yet one of the most important purposes of human life is to realize God, correct?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. That is the only purpose. Except for fulfilling that purpose, anything we are doing is animalism. We are simply jumping about, just as the dog is jumping about, that’s all. If we do not realize God, what is the difference between our life and a dog’s? A dog is thinking, “I am a very stout bulldog.” And a man is thinking, “I am a very well-to-do Dutchman.” So what is the difference between the dog and the man? Their mentality is the same. The dog is thinking, “I am this body,” and the man is equally thinking, “I am this body.” But when one understands, “I am not this body – I am a spirit, and I emanate from the supreme spirit,” that is humanity.

Reporter: Your Divine Grace, do you see meditation as a means to God realization? 
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, meditation is also a means, but you cannot meditate now, because you do not know what God is. Meditation means meditation upon something or someone. But if you do not know what God is, upon what or whom will you meditate? First of all, you must know about God. For instance, we know about God, Krishna, and in the Bhagavad-gita Krishna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah: “Always think of Me.” So we meditate upon Krishna. This is perfect meditation – because meditation means to think of God. But if you do not know what God is, how will you think of Him?

Reporter: Is meditation a way to see God inside yourself?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. That is the proper definition of meditation. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah: by concentrating their mind upon God, the yogis try to see Him within their heart. But to concentrate your mind on God and ultimately see Him, you must first know what God is. In our institution, for instance, our students first learn what God is – God’s attributes. In that way they can think of God. But if you have no idea of God, how will you think of Him? Just as God is one, religion is one: you must know what God is, and you must know what His order is – and you must abide by it.

From a lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.21 on January 17, 1974, in Honolulu:

“We have to accept somebody as our leader. It is not possible that we can live without leadership. That is not possible. Is there any party, is there any school, or is there any institution that they’re conducting without any chief leader or director? Can you show me any instance throughout the whole world? . . . We have to accept the servitorship or underhand, to become underhand of some person. So the intelligence is that ‘Whom we have to accept?’ . . . There lies intelligence – ‘What kind of leader we shall accept? . . . So our principle is that Krishna should be accepted as the leader, because Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita, mattah parataram nanyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya [there is no truth superior to Me, O Dhanañjaya – Bg. 7.7]. Krishna is the supreme leader.”

The Humble Servants of Srila Prabhupada:

From Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.34.17:

[The Vidyadhara named Sudarsana said to Lord Krishna:] “O infallible one, I was immediately freed from the brahmanas’ punishment simply by seeing You. Anyone who chants Your name purifies all who hear his chanting, as well as himself. How much more beneficial, then, is the touch of Your lotus feet?”

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami:

From Free Write Journal #15:

“I spent five years laboring over Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta, a seven-volume opus. And I had researchers doing interviews, excerpts of which I used in the narrative. It was bliss writing an authorized biography of Srila Prabhupada, the pure devotee.”

“We are going to have a feast on Thanksgiving Day, held at Ravindra Svarupa’s. It’s not a particularly spiritual or Vaishnava observance. Perhaps Ravindra Svarupa could give an impromptu talk on gratitude to Krishna for providing us with sufficient vegetarian prasadam. Beyond this, we are making Thanksgiving for the benediction to engage in devotional service to Radha-Krishna and Gaura-Nitai, to all the Vaishnavas and to all living beings. We all thank Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, for transforming us into civilized human beings, free from sinful sense gratification and acting as aspiring servants of Krishna and humanity.”

“I will set the stage for the disciples to speak homages without my becoming prideful. On Vyasa-puja day, he remains “as humble as a blade of grass.” He is like the viceroy in the days of the British rule of India. The viceroy could accept contributions from the people, but he couldn’t keep a single thing for himself. It all went into the royal treasury, as property of the king. Similarly, the spiritual master hears homages to himself, but he passes them on to the guru parampara.”

“A Sunday Evening with Swamiji” reprinted in its entirety from Free Write Journal #15:

I have been to the Sunday Love Feast and then to my apartment to finish up some typing. Now I’m going back to the storefront to give Swamiji the typing. As I enter the storefront, I see that many guests have already left. Kirtanananda is sitting on the front shelf of the storefront window, talking with a guy and girl about Krishna consciousness. He’s speaking examples he’s heard from the Swami, and some of his own. His friend, Umapati, stands by. Someone mentions Buddhism, and Umapati says, “Buddhism is actually a kind of mysticism for atheists.”

On the left side of the front entrance is a shelf with ISKCON literature where Gargamuni has set up pamphlets (“Krishna, the Reservoir of Pleasure” and “Who Is Crazy?”). The first issue of BTG is there, and some incense in homemade packs. Gargamuni wears red japa beads around his neck, and he smooths his “Shakespearean locks” with his hands. He says, “You can burn this incense when you chant Hare Krishna.” He laughs, but he’s trying to make a sale. A man picks up a leaflet, “Is this free?” Gargamuni says, “We have to pay for the printing. You can give a little donation for it.” Gargamuni holds his fourth plate of feast prasadam, and he’s picking a little from it as he talks.

At the back of the room, where the dais is, there are big pots on the floor, and the devotees are giving out whatever prasadam is left. Acyutananda is serving out with a large spoon. Stryadhisa is sitting quietly, eating. Rupanuga and his wife and little child are sitting, having finished prasadam, and talking with Raya Rama. Rupanuga says to Raya Rama, “Something should be done to make the temple a cleaner place.” He says that he and his wife sometimes feel ashamed to come there because of the cockroaches and the dirt. There are even sweet-juice stains on the rug. Raya Rama smiles and says, “Well, what can be done?” But Rupanuga is serious about it. He says it’s really bad, and he will tell the Swami about it. Jagannatha dasa (James Green) is also there, and he’s talking to a newly-initiated devotee named Dvarakadhisa. Dvarakadhisa is comparing Krishna consciousness to Western philosophy and saying that the arguments for the existence of God by Thomas Aquinas are very good.

A moody young man is playing the tamboura, but pressing the strings down as if it were a guitar. Bob Lefkowitz says to him, “Hey, that’s not the way you play a tamboura. You’ll break it. It’s just a drone instrument.” The man continues playing the tamboura by pressing the strings and finally Lefkowitz takes it from him.

I walk through this scene and out the side door into the courtyard. Paper plates are scattered around, and the janitor, Mr. Chuddy, is upset. “I told you this before,” he says, “This is not your place.” Brahmananda says, “We’re just like your sons. So tell us what to do, and I’ll do it. I’ll clean up right away. It won’t happen again.” Brahmananda has heard the Swamiji say we should approach Mr. Chuddy this way. Mr. Chuddy is pacified, but another tenant comes; they both complain again about the plates. “Did you get some prasadam?” asks Brahmananda of the tenant. “Yes, I got a plate. It was nice, but that’s not the point.” Stryadhisa sits at the picnic table blinking, looking detached from everything.

Candrasekhara Swami:

If the speaker is qualified, but the hearers are not eager to hear, or the hearers are eager to hear, but the speaker is not qualified, then nothing will happen.

There are six questions asked by the sages in the first chaper of the First Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB):

What have you ascertained to be the absolute and ultimate good for the people in general? (SB 1.1.9) Answered in SB 1.2.6.

There are many varieties of scriptures, and in all of them there are many prescribed duties, which can be learned only after many years of study in their various divisions. Therefore, O sage, please select the essence of all these scriptures and explain it for the good of all living beings, that by such instruction their hearts may be fully satisfied? (SB 1.1.11) Answered in SB 1.2.7.

What is the purpose the Personality of Godhead appeared in the womb of Devaki as the son of Vasudeva? (SB 1.1.12) Answered in SB 1.2.34.

His transcendental acts are magnificent and gracious, and great learned sages like Narada sing of them. Please, therefore, speak to us, who are eager to hear, about the adventures He performs in His various incarnations. (SB 1.1.17) Answered in SB 1.2.30.

O wise Suta, please narrate to us the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Godhead’s multi-incarnations. (SB 1.1.18). Answered in SB 1.3.

Since Sri Krishna, the Absolute Truth, the master of all mystic powers, has departed for His own abode, please tell us to whom the religious principles have now gone for shelter. (SB 1.1.23) Answered in SB 1.3.43.

The above info comes from Bhurijana Prabhu’s book about the first two cantos of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Unveiling His Lotus Feet.

The whole idea of the pastimes of Krishna is to attract us to the spiritual world. To attract people to return to the spiritual world, which is mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.34, is a more important reason for the Lord’s appearance than the reasons we usually give from Bhagavad-gita 4.8, “To deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.”

The most complicated topic is God, and everything else is just a subset of God.

There are two primary conceptions of God which people have. One is God as a guy fulfilling the orders of many people who are asking him for supplies, and another is God as a white light. If you saw a movie, either of a guy fulfilling orders or a white light filling the screen, for an hour and a half, would you find it interesting?

Prahladananda Swami:

Religion and knowledge are required for liberation.

Sitting is the easy part, but hearing is more difficult.

If we have a loving attitude toward the sound vibration, we will experience the love in the sound vibration.

The general attitude the hearer should have is one of acceptance, to be willing to carry out what the sound vibration says.

It may take thousands of books and hearing for thousands of years to come to love of Krishna.

The result of hearing is we think of Krishna, and we ultimately become a devotee of Krishna, and naturally want to worship Krishna and surrender to Krishna.

Knowing you are not your body is the gateway to tolerance. If you are tolerant, you can think of something beyond getting free from your own distress.

In New York City they spend a lot of time getting out of the distress they create. Because they are creating so much distress this is difficult.

Household life is centered around establishing stability. People are working for food, but the easiest way to do that is to live and work on a farm.

People are so enamored of technology that one guy in China sold his kidney to buy an iPhone.

The chanting of Hare Krishna is a direct manifestation of the Bhagavatam because Radha, Krishna, Their servants, and Their loving service are there, which is what the Bhagavatam is all about.

All people can experience they exist, and they can experience their bodies are changing.

Submission does not mean accepting without understanding. One should inquire until one understands.

The goal is to develop the character of the pure devotee.

Lord Caitanya says the character of the devotee is to avoid those who are averse to devotional service. Krishna describes those averse to devotional service in Bhagavad-gita: “Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.” (Bg. 7.15) and “This confidential knowledge may never be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me.” (Bg. 18.67)

Lord Caitanya’s instructions are easier to apply than Bhagavad-gita. Lord Caitanya rejected Krishna’s own instructions in Bhagavad-gita [9.27 and 18.66], but He finally accepted the advice of Lord Brahma [SB 10.14.3] that people hear of Krishna while staying in their own social positions.

The women are upset because they are mistreated, and the men are upset because they are mistreated. The children are upset because they are mistreated. Actually no one is mistreated. They are getting the results of their own karma, which in this age of Kali is not too good.

iPhones and iPads produce a little pleasure, but serving Krishna gives a lot of pleasure.

Vyasadeva did not write the Bhagavatam, he compiled the Bhagavatam. The Bhagavatam is eternally existing.

The real question is not how the whole world can become Krishna conscious, but how can we can become Krishna conscious.

Q (by me): What do you say on book distribution to interest the people in the books?

A: What you say is not so important as your desire. We have to want the people to stop, to take a book, and to give a donation. People should appreciate our sincerity. Otherwise they will think, “This guy is just flattering me.”

By sitting in the place where the sannyasis washed their feet yet showing an unlimited effulgence, Lord Caitanya displayed unlimited prowess and absolute humility, and that was impressive to the Mayavadis, who therefore were attracted and willing to hear from Him.

We have a psychological problem with our father, our Supreme Father, which we have to overcome, and therefore, we have a problem with all authority figures.

In the beginning we may or may not believe that Krishna is God, but if we listen to Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, we will gradually come to appreciate that at least Krishna has something valuable to say. When we apply Krishna’s teachings in our lives and see how practical they are, our appreciation increases.

We envy God and we envy others, but by cultivating appreciation we can overcome this envy.

As we acquire knowledge that we are all part of one spiritual energy, we can increase our appreciation of others.

Brahma stole Krishna’s cowherd boy friends and calves as a joke, and thus he learned that you don’t joke with God.

One Christian said that the teachings of the Hare Krishna movement are so perfect they could only have been created by the devil.

When we hear about the delusions of others, we may laugh at them, but when others hear about our delusions, they also probably laugh at us.

By learning we are not our bodies and thus are not material, we will solve our all material problems.

By serving Krishna we can become free from our envy.

By serving people, we improve our attitude toward them, because we think, “Why would I be serving them if they were not good?”

Q: What about becoming envious of other book distributors?

A: When you distribute books you become blissful and the envy goes away.

Krishna is just sending people. It is not by our own prowess people stop. Krishna has a whole set of people out there who are supposed to take books.

When we see Krishna’s perfect arrangements we can be peaceful.

When we reject Krishna, our whole conception of life becomes completely turned around and instead of becoming fearless we become fearful, but when we accept Krishna again our fear goes away, and we become fearless.

Hari Kirtana Prabhu:

From a morning class in Krishna House in Gainesville, Florida:

Although we may not think we are worthy, Krishna thinks we are so cool that He wants to hang out with us.

The Vedanta-sutra begins with “atha brahma jijñasa,” now that you have the opportunity, inquire about Brahman, spirit. Similarly in the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali begins with “atha” also. Now that you have the opportunity, practice yoga.

Falling Upward by a Christian writer, Richard Rohr, describes two halves of life, first learning and applying, and then stepping back and sharing wisdom with others.

If when reading Bhagavad-gita, if you first read all the translations in the whole book, and then you go back through and you read all the translations for each chapter before going through each text and purport, you will find it is easier to follow what Krishna is saying.

Read until you find you start thinking, and then write down your realizations, and then continue reading. It will take a long time to read a book in this way, but you will develop a relationship with the text, and that will greatly benefit you.

Q: When Srila Prabhupada speaks of hearing scientifically from the sages, what does he mean?

A: Their presentation is systematic, and the hearer has the spiritual qualities necessary to hear properly, namely he is advanced in truthfulness, mercy, austerity, and cleanliness. Also the knowledge can be applied in one’s life and in society. Srila Prabhupada does not speak of the Bhagavatam as philosophy so much as a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of society.

Comment by a listener: The questions of the sages seem to direct the conversation toward the highest possible level.

To develop a relationship with people, we can ask them questions, and when we learn where they are at in this way, we can then ask them questions which move them from where they are toward transcendence.

Q: How can we get past emotional stuff that is an obstacle to hearing?

A: By dealing directly with the emotion, acknowledging the emotion, and looking at the context of the emotion. Some people fear that practicing yoga for liberation means giving up feelings that are a part of life. If people understand spiritual life means moving through emotions rather than moving around them, they will feel more positively about it.

Krishnanandani Devi Dasi:

From “From the Duty of One About to Die” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

“‘Nothing is sure but death and taxes,’ we’ve often heard. Cheaters may avoid taxes, however, but no one avoids death.”

“Actually, from the time we are born our bodies are changing, getting ever closer to death. In that sense we start dying when we’re born. I recently heard someone say, ‘Every day we get closer to the casket.’”

“It has been said that if you live each day as if it were your last, some day you’ll most certainly be right.”

Nagaraja Prabhu:

From “Forever Young” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

“A simple explanation for the eternal youthfulness of the inhabitants of the spiritual world is that they all have spiritual bodies, which, unlike material bodies, are not subject to dwindling, death, and decay. Their eternal, fully conscious forms are made of spiritual bliss, exempt from the laws of material nature. Even if certain devotees there wish to display the forms of old people to serve Krishna or any of His expansions or avatars, their old age is only a show and has none of the drawbacks of an old material body.

“Krishna is the supreme resident of the spiritual world, and nurturing our devotion to His eternal youthful form will carry us beyond the world of inherently miserable bodies, young or old, to His lotus feet, the true fountain of youth.”

Satyaraja Prabhu:

From “The Hare Krishna Maha-mantra: Our Ultimate Benefactor” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

“‘Hare’ can refer to both Hari, or Krishna, the Supreme Lord, and Radha, known as Mother Hara. When perceived in the latter sense, common in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, it is an address to God’s energy, specifically His spiritual pleasure potency (hladini-shakti), who is also known as His female manifestation: Radhika. The word hari also means “thief.” In relation to Radha and Krishna, it refers to Their stealing of each other’s hearts, and the hearts of all living beings.”

[Note: The quoted selections below are from Jiva Goswami’s Maha-mantrartha Dipika]

“‘Krishna steals everyone’s mind. Yet, due to Sri Radha’s expert nature, She steals even His. She is thus known as Hara.’”

“‘He inexorably attracts Sri Radha with the sweet sound of His flute music. For this reason the enchanting Lord is known as Krishna.’”

“‘With a fully loving heart, Sri Radha sometimes quietly sings the glories of Hari, and sometimes She sings them aloud. Those who are expert in the secrets of divine sentiments call Her Hara.’ By such divine repetition, i.e., japa and kirtana, Sri Radha sets an example of how to steal Krishna’s heart.”

“‘Radha, who is most merciful, obliterates the miseries of Her devotees, affording them daily happiness. Therefore She is known as Hara.’ Radhika steals away the miseries of the devotees.”

“‘When the son of Nanda (Krishna) returned to Vraja, He thereby took away all the suffering of all the devotees who live there. By exhibiting such compassion, He stole the heart of Sri Radha. Thus He is known as Hari.’ In this last word of the maha-mantra, then, Sri Jiva sees Krishna rather than Radha, for He steals Her heart with His all-encompassing love. In other words, most commentators think that the ‘Hare’ at the end of the mantra is yet another reference to Radha, but no, Jiva indicates that it is instead a veiled reference to Krishna.”

“Chanting Krishna’s name gives direct experience of God’s attributes (Bhakti-sandarbha 264) and awakens intense passion (anuraga) for Him, causing one to dance, cry, scream, and laugh like a madman (Bhakti-sandarbha 263). Jiva further tells us that singing the names out loud (anugiyate), especially, is much more effective than quiet recitation – japa, which, as mentioned above, is also an essential practice. Jiva tells us that people who engage in loud chanting (kirtana) are humanity’s greatest benefactors (Bhakti-sandarbha 269). This latter point speaks to the profound phenomenon of kirtana, especially when enacted congregationally (sankirtana), for if even nonbelievers merely hear the transcendental sound, they become purified and their spiritual life moves forward. This is why devotees go out into the streets (nagara-sankirtana) – it is for the benefit of all souls. ‘Indeed, among all spiritual practices,’ writes Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (“Sri Namasankirtana” in The Gaudiya, Vol. 23, No. 10), ‘sankirtana is the best and foremost means of attaining the grace of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. Other types of sadhana, or devotional practices, are worthy of being called such only if they favorably assist the performance of sankirtana; otherwise they should be known as obstructions to actual sadhana. Whether one is a child or an old or young man, male or female, learned or illiterate, rich or poor, beautiful or ugly, pious or sinful – regardless of the condition of life someone may be in – there is no spiritual practice for him other than Sri Krishna nama-sankirtana.’”

Rama Raya Prabhu:

Gaurikisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja was the grand spiritual master of Srila Prabhupada as Srila Prabhupada is our grand spiritual master.

Babaji Maharaja was harrassed by people who wanted to get initiation from him. He turned them all away, sometimes beating them with an umbrella.

Real Krishna consciousness is far above the mundane morality of the material world.

Although Babaji Maharaja did not let anyone touch his feet, he voluntarily placed his feet on the head of Srila Sarasvati Thakura and ordered him, “Preach the Absolute Truth giving up all other works.”

Srila Sarasvati Thakura considered the life and teachings of Babaji Maharaja to be most practical, and he greatly appreciated them, previously thinking that it would be difficult to apply the teachings of Lord Caitanya in this world.

After Bhaktivinoda Thakura discovered the birthplace of Lord Caitanya at Mayapur, Gaurikisora Dasa Babaji Maharaja moved from Vrindavan to Navadvipa being ordered by Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja.

We may even have to advance just to understand who actually is a pure devotee.

Babaji Maharaja told one resident of Mayapur, “You should take shelter of Krishna by always chanting His holy name. There will then be no more obstructions in your life.”

“Babaji Maharaja commented, ‘One who has actually attained love of Godhead will never display the symptoms thereof but will keep them hidden from the general populace. A chaste wife becomes very embarrassed when she has to show any part of her body in public, and she thus keeps her body thoroughly covered. In the same way, when one has real devotion for the Supreme Lord and becomes elevated to love of Godhead, he always feels embarrassed to exhibit symptoms of ecstasy and always keeps such symptoms hidden.’” (from Two Beyond Duality)

“Shrila Babaji Maharaja replied, ‘Please take note that those sadhus who speak sharp words to drive away the witch of the illusory energy are actually the only real devotees of Krishna and friends of the living entities. The conditioned living being experiences the distressful quarreling of his wife and close relatives and is rudely treated by them until death, yet he never desires to leave their association. On the other hand, he absorbs himself in trying to appease and serve them. But when a devotee of the Lord, who is always desirous of the living entity’s ultimate welfare, chides him just once with instructions meant to drive away Maya, then that conditioned entity immediately makes plans to leave the saintly person for his entire life. If you actually want to perform devotional service properly, then you must accept the harsh language of the sadhu as the medicine by which Maya can be given up. By this one can obtain the necessary spiritual advancement to successfully chant the Holy Name.’” (from Two Beyond Duality)

The devotees arrange their lives so they can do good to others.

The Vedic knowledge is so important the Lord incarnates as Matsya and Hayagriva to save the Vedic knowledge.

As Krishna does not have to perform activities to become God, Radharani does not have to perform any spiritual practice to become the most beloved of Krishna.

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says those who worship Krishna but do not worship Radharani are conceited and proud, and one of his self-imposed regulative principles is to avoid even brief association with such people.

What to speak of sins being driven away, when Srila Prabhupada came to visit, everything became super ecstatic.

The best association is that of people whose lives are dedicated to preaching Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement.

When we go out there in public to distribute Krishna consciousness, we do not think we are giving people our association, but we are giving people the association of our spiritual master.

Krishna is not known as karmi-vatsala, jnani-vatsala, or yogi-vatsala, but bhakta-vatsala [he who takes special care of devotees].

If the guru reveals his own eternal relationship with Krishna to a neophyte devotee, it often can result in aberration in his disciple’s behavior.

At the end of the creation, the Lord becomes angry that the conditioned souls have misused their opportunities for spiritual realization for millions of years, and He dissolves the creation for the time being.

Srila Prabhupada told Yamuna Devi when she was head pujari of Radha-Londonisvara, “If you follow the instructions I have given and you read the books I have given, that is sufficient to take you back to Godhead.” That was back when there were very few books.

Because Srila Prabhupada was successful in distributing Krishna consciousness all over the world, he and his method of doing so should held in high esteem by all Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

There are many anarthas we have that we are unaware of so we should not be cocky thinking we have mastered everything although we are just beginning.

Although Lord Caitanya’s teachings are being distributed to anyone, we choose how much we want to accept.

Lord Caitanya never talked about the intimate dealings of Lord Krishna in public. Rather he encouraged mass sankirtana for as many hours as possible.

The harinama sankirtana gives people the qualifications to understand the books, or even to hold the books.

In the questions period after class the most senior person should be given the opportunity to ask the first question and not whoever raises his hand first.

Srila Prabhupada gave first initiation very liberally, but he was more cautious in giving second initiation.

Srila Prabhupada gave Gaura Govinda Maharaja first, second, and sannyasa initiations all at once.

When some people invited Srila Prabhupada to celebrate Janmastami with them, Srila Prabhupada said, “You celebrate! I am celebrating every day!”

Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi:

From “Yoga Practice – Sincere and Show Bottle” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

“Karma and the laws of nature are unforgiving for all who defy them, but for surrendered devotees, even the laws of nature can be adjusted.”

Mathura Vasi Devi Dasi:

From “The Art of Staying Positive” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

“The mind proposes its ideas, desires, and views so subtly and irresistibly, however, that we rashly consider them to be our own and impulsively act on them. Only when hit with the consequences do we regret our imprudent decisions and behavior.”

“Being omnipotent, God is fully present in His names, and by chanting them we gain the strength to reject negative thoughts.”

Devaki Devi Dasi:

From “Fifty Years of Hare Krishna in the UK: The London Story” in Back to Godhead, Vol. 53, No. 2:

“George [Harrison] bought a manor house on seventeen acres in Hertfordshire. Later that year it was named Bhaktivedanta Manor. George gifted it to ISKCON, and it eventually became the national headquarters of ISKCON. Srila Prabhupada went there regularly to spend time with devotees. He said of George, ‘Because he has given shelter to Krishna by providing this temple, Krishna will surely provide shelter for him.’ Just before Srila Prabhupada left this world in 1977, he removed a ring from his right hand and told the disciples around him, ‘This is for George. Give it to him.’”

“On the street level [of the Soho Street temple] is Govinda’s Restaurant, which opened in 1979 and is known as the oldest vegetarian restaurant in London.”

“Our deities, Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara, have a magnetic force that inspires devotees to serve Them. Srila Prabhupada said London is hell, and that’s a fact. Yet Their enchanting smiles make living in hell seem like a blessing. – Murali Manohara Dasa”

“A few years ago a survey asked visitors what characterized London. The top three responses were Big Ben, the red buses, and the Hare Krishnas.”

“I am grateful to the London devotees for maintaining the daily harinama for so many years. By our doing harinama in London, Krishna sent devotees. Then we were able to get a temple. – Malati Devi Dasi”

“What makes ISKCON London a thriving community is the devotees and the serious levels of sacrifice to serve Their Lordships and Their devotees. The focus is on outreach and keeping things simple by focusing on prasadam distribution, book distribution, and harinama. – Jai Nitai Dasa”

Kalki Prabhu:

The knowledge of the Bhagavatam is eternal, but its application may be different in a certain place and time.

The Bhagavatam has been compared to the deity and thus it is all beautiful. If we like some parts of the Bhagavatam and do not like other parts of the Bhagavatam then we have work to do.

If I tell you a certain activity will keep you in jail longer, would you be inclined to do it? No, everyone is inclined to get out of jail as soon as possible. But people are always inclined to engage in sense gratification although it increases the duration of their bondage in the material world.

People take birth in the West because they do not want to be reminded of Krishna. Thus they take birth as far away from India as possible.

Srila Prabhupada left Vrindavan, the place all the great souls aspire to attain, to come to the West and share this knowledge of Krishna.

We should pray every day, “How can I bring the greatest happiness to Srila Prabhupada?”

We can become instruments by using all our time to engage in the practices of Krishna consciousness.

When people get these books of Srila Prabhupada, it changes their lives. Some take more than others, but everyone gets great benefit, even if they take a little bit.

Krishna is waiting to give us mercy. We just have to take it.

When we have humility, Krishna can use us and wonderful things can happen.

In the material world, someone gets a gold medal, someone gets a silver medal, and someone gets a bronze medal, but in Lord Caitanya’s sankirtana movement everyone who participates gets a cintamani medal [a medal of spiritual gems].

The way to challenge the modern materialistic mentality is to distribute these books [of Srila Prabhupada].

In the beginning I did not even distribute one flyer on harinama, but as a devotee told me the best way to please Srila Prabhupada was to distribute books, I tried more and more and had more and more success.

One of the things that has kept me in Krishna consciousness is that it is always increasing, and thus I can count on it increasing in the future.

Mahotsaha Prabhu:

From a comment on my class:

[In the class I mentioned how it is easy to see how we are completely controlled by Krishna because from Him come remembrance, knowledge, and forgetfulness. It is Krishna’s mercy that we are inspired to study that which appears on the test because we would not have time to study all the material the professor could potentially ask about.]

I have some experience of what you are saying because I was so tired distributing books on the Prabhupada marathon one year, I was always falling asleep in class at the university. I would sit near the door, and when someone came in or out of the room the slamming door would wake me up, and I would hear a few minutes of the class before I fell asleep again. It turned out that when the test came, the professor asked about the things he had spoken about during the very few minutes of the class that I was awake for!

Krishna Prasad Prabhu:

This harinama party going out every day is the most auspicious activity for all the conditioned souls in this material world.

Prahlada Maharaja had no fear of Nrsimhadeva because he was a devotee of the highest caliber.

It is not that Krishna is pretending to be fearful of His mother’s chastisement. Rather due to his internal energy, Yogamaya, He really is fearful.

The acaryas say that Krishna manifested such extreme fear so His mother Yashoda would put the stick down.

The Lord as the holy name is so kind that He relieves the sufferings of even one who chants Him disrespectfully.

All of Krishna’s associates and weapons are within His holy name, so we can pray to the holy name for protection.

People say no all the time, but once they touch the book, they really start to open up. After they take a book, I invite them to chant the mantra with me, saying it will help develop their love for Krishna. Almost all of them do it. Rarely do they say, “Who is Krishna?”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura recommended regularly chanting the bhajana

“Amar Jivan” by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to understand the proper mood in which to chant the holy name.

Although we encourage people to chant the Hare Krishna mantra, we should not push atheistic people to chant the mantra because that is the ninth offense, “Preaching the glories of the holy name to the faithless.”

-----

“How important is the remembrance of the Supreme Lord?” one might ask. That is answered powerfully in this verse from the Vishnu Purana which Srila Prabhupada quotes in his purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.36:

sa hanis tan mahac chidram

sa mohah sa ca vibhramah

yan-muhurtam ksanam vapi

vasudevam na cintayet

“If even for a moment remembrance of Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is missed, that is the greatest loss, that is the greatest illusion, and that is the greatest anomaly.”