Diary
of a Traveling Sadhaka, Vol. 20, No. 8
By
Krishna Kripa Das
(April 2024, part two)
New
York, Belgium, Amsterdam, London
(Sent
from Birmingham, UK, on May 4, 2024)
Where I Went and What I Did
The second half of April was very busy for me as I found myself in four countries. First I helped take care of my mother near Albany, New York, for a few more days. While upstate, I attended the Rama Navami celebration and Sunday feast program in nearby Schenectady. Then I spent just over 24 hours in New York City, attending the last two and a half hours of harinama one day and two hours the next, before flying to Brussels in the evening on American Airlines with frequent flyer miles. I took a train to Marloie, where Caitanya Candrodaya Prabhu met me at the station and did harinama for half an hour around the town. The next day we observed Kadamba Kanana Swami’s Vyasa-puja at Radhadesh, and in the afternoon we did harinama with Mahavishnu Swami and Harinama Ruci 45 minutes away in Liege, Belgium. The next day we took a bus to Amsterdam for the King’s Day holiday, where we chanted for at least six and a half hours with over a hundred devotees. The next day we chanted Hare Krishna midday at the Liege Sunday Market. The following day I hoped to chant Hare Krishna with Harinama Ruci in Cologne, but they did not have room for me in their vehicle, and I ended up chanting in the Belgian cities of Barvaux, Liege, and Brussels by myself before my overnight bus to London. The next day which was the last day of the month, I chanted with about a dozen enthusiastic devotees on Oxford Street in Central London during the afternoon for two hours
In the evening I chanted Hare Krishna with three devotees on the same street for an hour.
I share quotes from Srila Prabhupada’s Srimad-Bhagavatam and his letters, and quotes from lectures by Jayadvaita, Mahavishnu, and Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swamis at Radhadesh and from a lecture by Sitaram Prabhu in Brooklyn. I share an amazing quote by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I also share some quotes from Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, by Vrindavana Dasa Thakura with commentary by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I share a quote from the end of the Srimad-Bhagavatam by the humble servants of Srila Prabhupada. I share notes from a book on the 108 names of Radharani and from a book by Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies called Vedic Cosmography In a Modern Context Virodha-parihara Revisited. I have a separate section on realizations shared at the Vyasa-puja ceremony for Kadamba Kanana Swami.
Thanks to Godruma Prabhu of Germany and Vamsi Vadana Prabhu of Bulgaria, both disciples of Kadamba Kanana Swami, for their very generous donations. Thanks to Shreyakari Devi Dasi of Schenectady for her kind donation. Thanks to Bhakta Jeff for paying for the air train and the luggage trolley at JFK. Thanks to Caitanya Candrodaya Prabhu for getting me at the train station at Marloie and for doing harinama around the town afterward. Thanks to Vamsi Vadana Prabhu for taking me to the Barvaux train station.
Itinerary
May
4–5: Birmingham 24-Hour Kirtan
May
6: London harinama
May
7–8: Paris harinama
May 9 –May 31: Mayapur
June
2–August 5: Paris harinama
August
6–7: Montreal harinama
August
7–11: Canadian Vaishnava Sanga Festival
August
12–13: Montreal harinama
August
14–16: Paris harinama
August
16–19: Balarama Festival (New Mayapur, France)
August
22–25: Trutnov (Czech Woodstock)
September
8: Great North Run harinama
(Newcastle,
UK)
September
9–11: Dublin harinama
September
12: NYC Harinam
Chanting Hare Krishna in Schenectady
I am so happy that the devotees in Schenectady have weekly Sunday feast programs and programs on festival days.
I would bring flowers from the garden of my mother to their temple.
I would also put cards promoting their programs on the bulletin board in the co-op.
Here Rishi Isvara Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON Schenectady on Rama Navami (https://youtu.be/WlJOlm_pYQ0):
Rishi Isvara Prabhu chants Hare Krishna during arati at ISKCON Schenectady on Rama Navami (https://youtu.be/LIIV9LB1PgU):
Saunaka Rsi Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON Schenectady Sunday Feast (https://youtu.be/VvQY7UsGkeM):
Radha Dyuti Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna at ISKCON Schenectady Sunday Feast (https://youtu.be/nu__hzOHP1k):
My 99-year-old mom appreciated the prasadam and garlands from the Schenectady programs. I hope to return from Europe for her 100th birthday celebration in September.
Chanting Hare Krishna in New York City
Arjunananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Union Square (https://youtu.be/3yCdJc-bjF0):
Braja Sakhi Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna in Union Square (https://youtu.be/Vn0TRQQelZM):
Vraja Mohan Prabhu chants Hare Krishna in Union Square (https://youtu.be/10tQG7ZziCQ):
Rama Raya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at Union Square (https://youtu.be/ktW09DOQSrc):
When Rama Raya sung, devotees danced (https://youtu.be/n5Fz88EMxA0):
I chanted Hare Krishna at Washington Square Park before my flight to Europe the next day, and a young woman just coming to Krishna consciousness played the karatalas (https://youtu.be/ALp1-1I8vBU):
After I chanted I manned the book table for just half an hour.
In that brief time I was amazed to talk to two people from The Netherlands, who were pleased to hear I’d be singing in Amsterdam on King’s Day the following Saturday.
The woman was into crystals and interior design and was happy to hear about ISKCON Amsterdam and vastu shastra, something new to her. She gave $10 for our three book set.
Chanting Hare Krishna in Belgium
Mahavishnu Swami and Harinama Ruci chant Hare Krishna in Liege, and many onlookers participate (https://youtu.be/EZ5dPmNMNCk):
Mahavishnu Swami chants Hare Krishna in Liege, and a street musician plays his instrument (https://youtu.be/tnhKfsGx-5U):
End of Kadamba Kanana Swami Vyasa-puja Kirtan (https://youtu.be/wkFTJEp824g):
Radhadesh tourists chant Hare Krishna and dance with Harinama Ruci before their tour (https://youtu.be/ViY1G_oiP_A):
One of them played my orange shakers.
The last weekend in April Harinama Ruci, followers of Kadamba Kanana Swami, and Radhadesh devotees chanted Hare Krishna at the Liege Sunday Market, which dates to the 16th century, sharing their transcendental joy with shoppers. Acarya Prabhu induced many to chant Hare Krishna (https://youtu.be/JQ38o-U1gZw):
Passersby danced, many with Vamsi Vadana Prabhu and some with Vedasara Prabhu. (https://youtu.be/nthRPOjac1A):
There was no room in the van to travel to Cologne with Harinama Ruci so I ended up chanting Hare Krishna at three places in Belgium: Barvaux train station (25 mins.) and the Flixbus stops in Liege (90 mins.) and Brussels (65 mins.).
In each place, people took the free literature and Radhadesh mantra cards, including a Flixbus driver.
Chanting Hare Krishna at King’s Day in Amsterdam
Parividha Prabhu, Prabhupada disciple and performer, chants Hare Krishna on King’s Day in Amsterdam, the city where he lives (https://youtu.be/xZk__koI1hA):
Amsterdam devotee woman chants Hare Krishna at King’s Day in Amsterdam (https://youtu.be/51sHld5EsQc):
Mahavishnu Swami chants Hare Krishna on King’s Day in Amsterdam (https://youtu.be/HzLGu07MYio):
While Mahavishnu Swami chanted Hare Krishna, he also induced new people to chant the mantra (https://youtu.be/2Uuv-35B19w):
Young women enjoy experimenting with Hare Krishna chant at King’s Day in Amsterdam (https://youtu.be/fDn6GeqGAJY):
Rati Manjari Devi Dasi chants Hare Krishna on King’s Day and many dance (https://youtu.be/Wi6uPs0t5Vw):
Nrsimha Caitanya Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at King's Day in Amsterdam, and many dance (https://youtu.be/TiOx4c_LzEA):
Harini Devi Dasi dances with a young woman at King’s Day, and gives her an invitation to the Amsterdam Hare Krishna temple (https://youtube.com/shorts/3Emt50iqReA):
Nitai Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at King’s Day in Amsterdam, and women dance with devotees (https://youtu.be/f7pOnhCBn8Q):
While Nitai Prabhu chanted, onlookers were attracted, both those on the street and those looking out their apartment windows (https://youtu.be/GTnWKGLkPbY):
South African women enjoy dancing with devotee women chanting Hare Krishna at King’s Day in Amsterdam (https://youtu.be/1QDf_IEjki0):
Vraja Krishna Prabhu chants Hare Krishna at King's Day in Amsterdam after our lunch break (https://youtu.be/-AOZEWlfox8):
Later as Vraja Krishna Prabhu chanted Hare Krishna in Vondalpark, many danced (https://youtu.be/aPCGwk7TaDA):
Harinamananda Prabhu chants Hare Krishna under a bridge in Vondalpark on King’s Day, and many dance (https://youtu.be/f4GhAYY6DHU):
Even people far away from the kirtan party under the bridge were moved to dance by the Hare Krishna chant (https://youtu.be/YA2sE-pL5iI):
I passed out hundreds of mantra cards telling of the weekly Amsterdam temple programs, and I found both Indians and Dutch people happy to hear of them.
Chanting Hare Krishna in Central London
Gaura Sundara Prabhu chants Hare Krishna on Oxford Street in London (https://youtu.be/R2p3nMeJt1I):
Citralila Devi Dasi of New Mayapur chants Hare Krishna in Central London (https://youtu.be/X3N9ZMpwoFE):
I chanted Hare Krishna on Oxford Street in Central London on a Tuesday evening (https://youtu.be/R1tmYwI45Ok):
Brendan of Bhaktivedanta Manor also led the Hare Krishna chant there (https://youtu.be/fHS2HETmkQQ):
Notes on Kadamba Kanana Swami Vyasa Puja
Kadamba Kanana Swami:
From a video:
I am part of this movement because I want to go back to Godhead. Let’s move forward. Let’s not drag our feet.
[When
Mahavishnu Swami came to visit Kadamba Kanana Swami in his last days,
he said, “You conquered malaria. You conquered being shot. You are
indefeatable. Are you sure you want to give up?”
Kadamba Kanana Swami replied: “My body is finished. If I can’t sing and if I can’t travel, better I get a new body.”]
Jayadvaita Swami:
[Commenting on the disturbance caused by the kids making noise.] Now I understand why grhasthas cannot think.
People will think we are worshiping a man but actually we are worshiping God.
Vyasa-puja reminds us that the guru is representing the Lord and should be honored as much as the Lord.
The guru comes on the absolute platform, and we connect with him on the absolute platform.
Srila Prabhupada would say, “We are always in the spiritual world. Only our vision is covered.”
In other incarnations the Lord slays demons. As Vyasadeva, He gives us knowledge.
The guru, in addition to instructing, demonstrates how to surrender to Krishna.
The greatest illusion of maya is, “Get married, you’ll be happy.”
When service is in the forefront, we will automatically be happy. We will not have to endeavor for happiness.
Distribution of Krishna consciousness is first class service. If I do not distribute it, no one will be happy.
Kadamba Kanana Swami showed how to serve Krishna in so many ways, in Vrindavan, in Mayapur, etc. He showed how to end life perfectly. He showed how to distribute Krishna consciousness.
Q:
Do you want to speak more?
A:
No. If I speak more, other people will have to speak less.
Krishna Kripa Das:
Kadamba Kanana Swami told me in Mayapur early in the spring of 2008 to come to his Queen’s Day harinama. When I did, he told me to come every year, and that is why I am here.
He once told me to preach in the UK outside of London because all the swamis go to London. I did that for a week or so after King’s Day last year, and I am planning to do it again.
Two years ago, when I looked at all the notes I took on his lectures, I noticed at least twice he advised, “Read Krishna book every Karttika.” I did it two years ago and found it inspiring. Last year I was busy so I heard the audio book of Krishna, and that was also wonderful.
I advise you to also keep your relationship with Kadamba Kanana Swami alive by following the instructions he gave you.
Rupa Sanatana Prabhu:
When I saw Kadamba Kanana Swami on a King’s Day harinama, he was chanting in a very dramatic way, getting people to pay attention to him. I thought, “What arrogance!” Later I understood he was chanting Hare Krishna, and he wanted to call attention to the chanting.
You told me to become a Gita scholar as I had translated the Gita into Dutch. I could see that was more than just knowing the verses but required developing the spirit of devotion described.
Sadbhuja Prabhu:
We are here originally because of Kadamba Kanana Swami, and we are still coming here because of him.
Kadamba Kanana Swami always said that the Vyasa-puja offering is purification for us. We think about what we have done for our guru, and what more we can do.
I can experience Krishna’s mercy a lot in adventures.
How can we fully love Krishna if we are frustrated with His arrangements?
Devotee whose name I didn’t know, who mentioned having an appendix operation:
Kadamba Kanana Swami led an incredibly fired up kirtan for 3.5 hours on Janmastami. Two weeks later I asked him how he was doing. He said he had eighty tumors in his lungs. I was amazed. I asked him how he could lead that kirtan. He said he just said to hell with the body.
Jananivasa Prabhu:
I traveled with him for three years. He said, I” know everything about Jananivasa, and he knows everything about me – materially.”
It was my favorite thing to just walk into his room and see what happened. I felt anything that I would say would bring down the mood.
Sometimes I would have a question, and when I asked, he would say, “I have been answering questions all day, and now Jananivasa has a question!”
Once I was doing the puja for his Giriraja, and he noticed I had forgotten the chandan, so he started grinding some.
Gauravani Devi Dasi, his cook on many occasions:
He had a few servants who could not do any practical thing. He said he kept them on for a few joking words.
My temple president would not recommend me for initiation. Kadamba Kanana Swami had to fight for me. He confronted the temple president in front of everyone, asking why I could not be initiated. He said she is not enough of a pure devotee. Everyone laughed.
Since he found out about his terminal illness, he was very conscious to give instructions. He would say things that did not have an immediate practical application in my life, and I was wondering, “Why is he telling me this?” Later on these memories would come just when I needed to apply them in my life.
We could see whenever you would come, Jayadvaita Swami, that Kadamba Kanana Swami would immediately turn into a disciple. He showed us how to be as disciples. He once said, “If you appreciate me as your guru, you should appreciate my guru who gave me this service.”
Nitai Prabhu:
I met him when I had no direction in my life.
After one class, he said, “If you ever want to do something crazy, come visit me in my room.”
When he learned I had no plans, he invited me to be his servant in New York.
Kadamba Kanana Swami told me and Jananivasa to go on a walk and have him tell me everything about how to serve him.
I was his last servant. I wondered what I should do next. I asked him. He said to do harinama for five years, and then I would be mature enough to decide what to do. He said I should travel with either Vishnujana or Harinamananda, and that I could choose. I chose Harinamananda because he was alone.
Brahmacari:
I
did something Kadamba Kanana Swami did not like.
I
said Paramatma had told me it might not be good.
Kadamba
Kanana Swami said, “And what did you do? Nothing!”
Nitai
said, “He always says that.”
Kadamba
Kanana Swami replied, “I am with Nitai on this one.”
Mataji:
Kadamba Kanana Swami said, “Make a beautiful gem of your life and offer it to Krishna.”
Kadamba Kanana Swami said in his SP offering in 2013, you glorify Srila Prabhupada for achieving success by never giving up.
You gave more than you had. How can we repay you?
Jayadvaita Swami, I know by getting to know him better, is where Kadamba Kanana Swami got his love and compassion from.
Krishna Kirtan Prabhu:
The lecture that convinced me to accept Kadamba Kanana Swami as my guru was the initiation lecture for Paratha-sarathi Prabhu.
I got in a car accident. The car was totaled but I was unhurt. I was chanting Hare Krishna, and I told Kadamba Kanana Swami that by his mercy I was chanting Hare Krishna. He replied, “I was also chanting Hare Krishna when I was shot, but that was out of fear. When death comes, I want to be chanting out of love.”
Vyasasara Prabhu:
Kadamba Kanana Swami came to Simhachalam during COVID for a month just at the time I was most yearning for a spiritual master.
I was thinking I needed to be more responsible, and if I became a father that would help. He said you could be the father of a child or you can be the father of the world.
I heard the pastime of Indra offending Brhaspati. It made me think I should take my guru more seriously. I started offering the pranama mantras more consciously, and I felt immediate reciprocation.
Citralekha Mataji:
I was in Vrindavan. I thought I should listen to the maha-mantra. I searched Spotify and I found one of his kirtans, and I played it on repeat continuously for two weeks.
Later I came to Radhadesh Mellows, and this orange clad man came and led that same tune. It was him, the person I had heard for two weeks. Thus Paramatma introduced me to him.
Couple:
Lady:
At Berlin Ratha-yatra, when I asked him for initiation. He just opened his arms and said, “Welcome to the family!”
Man:
I knew Kadamba Kanana Swami for 20 years before I accepted him for initiation. I was initiated by another guru who gave up his service. At first Kadamba Kanana Swami scared me away by saying, “You know I want to have heros. We need heros in our society.” He was the one who first got me to be completely committed to following the four regulations and chanting Hare Krishna 16 rounds.
Vamsi Vadana Prabhu:
Twenty-one or twenty-two of us came from Bulgaria, inspired to attend King’s Day. I listened to lectures by many gurus, and I was not convinced to surrender to anyone. I asked Tulasi what to do. He suggested that I hear a lecture of Kadamba Kanana Swami. He was telling how he survived being shot in Vrindavan and about different management issues. I was attracted.
He told me to go to Mayapur, then Puri, and then Vrindavan.
Harinamananda Prabhu:
You are the only one who has shown me unconditional love.
I need the mercy of your disciples to keep my commitment to you.
------
Krishna
Kirtan Prabhu asked us to consider when we offer flowers to Kadamba
Kanana Swami what gift we want from him.
The gift I wanted was to be empowered to inspire people in Krishna consciousness in a big way.
Insights
Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.30.13, purport:
“When an attached person in family life becomes old and is unable to earn, he is no longer liked by his wife, sons, daughters and other kinsmen, and he is consequently neglected, what to speak of not being given respect. It is judicious, therefore, to give up family attachment before one attains old age and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should employ himself in the Lord’s service so that the Supreme Lord can take charge of him, and he will not be neglected by his so-called kinsmen.”
From a letter to Gurudāsa from Los Angeles on May 6, 1970:
“I have also received the list of all the cities and towns in England, and thank you very much. It is my desire that you open a center in each and every one of these places, and that will help to fulfill the prophecy of Lord Caitanya that His Holy Name will be sung in every city and town all over the globe.”
From a letter to Tribhuvanatha from Brooklyn on July 17, 1971:
“Unless we work cooperatively, how this movement will go on? So my request to you all is that you maintain that spirit of cooperation always and help me to deliver Lord Caitanya’s message all over the globe.”
From a letter to Tamala Krishna from Honolulu on May 16, 1972:
“If the Americans can take up this movement seriously, why not the Bangladesh people? Try to meet with this educated public, and if you can convince them, it will be a great service. We are trying to unify the whole population of this globe by this cultural movement. There are blessings of Lord Caitanya in this connection, and if we try sincerely it will be successful.”
Vrindavan Dasa Thakura:
From Sri Caitanya-bhagavata 2.33–34:
“That same Lord is Gaurasundara Visvambhara, who was residing in Navadvipa in a covered form. No one could recognize their own Lord, even those for whom the Lord appeared.”
From Sri Caitanya-bhagavata 2.56:
“Lord Gauracandra taught everyone to serve Vaishnavas by His personal example.”
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura:
From Sri Caitanya-bhagavata 2.52, purport:
“An explanation of the second line of this verse is found in the Hari-vamsa (Vishu-parva, Chapter Seventy-six) as follows: ‘Thereafter Satyabhama-devi, who is desirous of Krishna, placed a garland on Krishna’s neck and tied Him to a parijata tree. After taking Krishna’s permission, she then sold Him to Narada.’”
[Devaki Devi Dasi shared the following quote in a class she gave at ISKCON London.]
From Amrta Vani (p. 315):
“One who gives personal instruction to each and everyone does more for others than the platform speakers do. Generally, whatever platform speakers say cannot solve the problem of everyone in the audience, nor can it always benefit every individual. A person’s defects are better rectified in a private tutorial class or private coaching than in hearing lectures in a school or college. Therefore those who instruct particular persons separately can award them something more permanent.”
The humble servants of Srila Prabhupada:
From Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.2.12:
“Pure devotional service rendered to the Supreme Lord is spiritually so potent that simply by hearing about such transcendental service, by chanting its glories in response, by meditating on it, by respectfully and faithfully accepting it, or by praising the devotional service of others, even persons who hate the demigods and all other living beings can be immediately purified.”
Srimati Radharani 108 Names and Pastimes:
“Rādhārāṇī’s devotion is such that She engages in these austerities [the Kātyāyanī vrata] with the sole aim of binding Krishna with Her love, just as Mother Yaśodā did.”
“Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī exclaimed, ‘Now I comprehend that both of Us are destined to unite. The two of Us will incarnate in the age of Kali to disseminate Our love throughout the world through the congregational chanting of Our holy names.’”
“Once in Vraja’s forest, Krishna, for the purpose of inspiring love, played His flute, attracting everyone. Though already a master of all arts, He had Balarāma teach Him how to play the flute. The moment He learned, Krishna produced enchanting melodies.”
“By listening to Krishna’s flute, we gopīs experience a state akin to when cows hear it. Yet, there is a distinction; the cows gaze at Krishna’s moonlike face incessantly, a luxury we gopīs do not have. In which yuga will we be able to gaze eternally at His face?”
“While Krishna and Balarāma played melodious tunes on Their flutes, Krishna thought, ‘Aha! I have enchanted and attracted the gopīs, especially Rādhā. Living entities take birth in diverse species, and I gradually impart spiritual truths to them. Eventually, when they yearn for it, I will play flute melodies for their hearts to hear.’”
“Śrī Rādhā said, ‘Just as there is one moon but many cakora birds, one sun but many eyes, similarly, there is one Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Krishnacandra, but we devotees are many. O queens, just as a bumblebee appreciates the glory of lotus flowers, a jeweller understands the value of precious gems, a scholar grasps the significance of knowledge, a poet revels in the beauty of poetry, and a connoisseur of nectar recognizes the excellence of the nectar held by thousands of saintly devotees, only a devotee of Krishna can comprehend His true glory.’”
“Rukmiṇī said, ‘O Rādhā, daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, You are blessed. Krishna is captivated by Your love. He is under Your sway. While the three worlds sing Krishna’s praises, Krishna sings Your praises. We have heard of Your immense love for Lord Krishna, and now, witnessing it directly, we are not surprised.’”
Jayadvaita Swami:
Physical association of the guru is limited in both time and space while association by following his instructions is unlimited.
Humility does not mean being unable to do anything because of extreme self-deprecation.
Humility that keeps one from serving is sense gratification.
One disciple of Srila Prabhupada said, “I am Srila Prabhupada’s dog, and when there is some threat to Srila Prabhupada’s movement I have to bark.”
Q:
How to preach in such a way as to touch someone’s heart?
A:
Repeat what you have heard, and see where the person’s heart is. A
degree in psychology will not do it. Krishna consciousnss has its own
force.
If we are just sympathetic but not giving Krishna consciousness that will not be helpful. There are many other shoulders to cry on besides ours.
The devotee takes on Krishna’s sympathy and friendship.
We all have experience of life without Krishna consciousness. We want people to have the opportunity to experience Krishna.
Whenever something impedes our service it is an obstacle.
It is good to be introspective to increase the quality of our service.
Q:
If you are going in the wrong direction is there anything you can do
other than leave your body?
A:
Yes. There are many examples like Ajamila and Bilvamangala Thakura.
They completely changed direction.
It is not just that we take care of devotees so we can continue to expand our outreach. We actually care about the devotees.
It is an accepted way to end your life, by not eating and drinking, when you realize that your body is practically useless. Actually my mother did that. At 97 she broke her spine. The doctors were talking about rehabilitation, but my mother said she was ready to check out. She did not die. She wondered why. I said she did not have a terminal disease. She remembered that her mother stopped eating and drinking, and she died in three days, and so she stopped eating and drinking and died in three days too.
From a class on Cc. Adi 2.37 at Radhadesh on April 28, 2024:
The pots have come from the earth, and they rest on the earth. The earth planet and the earthen pots are both earth, but you cannot say the earth and the pots are identical. Many pots are resting on the earth, but the earth is not resting on the pots.
In science the scientists look for the cause. An intelligent person keeps searching until he finds the ultimate cause.
The source of everything is the supreme. If it had a cause, then it would not be the supreme. Something else would be the supreme.
The Supreme Truth does not come from anything. The Supreme Truth is independent because He does not depend on anyone or anything else.
Krishna is sarveśvareśvara, the controller of all controllers.
We are controlled by many other controllers, but Krishna is the controller of all these controllers.
Narayana accepts the worship of His devotees and awards them benedictions, but He does not play with Them, like Krishna does with His devotees in Vrindavan.
Q:
The scholars and the Hindus accept Vishnu is the supreme rather than
Krishna. What about that?
A:
We follow the sastras,
Srimad-Bhagavatam and
Bhagavad-gita.
Verses
like SB 1.3.28 and Bg. 7.7 and Bg. 10.8.
We are different from each other, even in the spiritual world, but Krishna and His incarnations are all one and the same person.
Q:
It is hard to understand the Krishna is the cause of all causes.
A:
It is easier to understand that than to understand that nothing is
the cause of everything. For example, it is easy to understand that this
castle was built by a rich man who arranged all kinds of resources
needed for construction, even though we may only have 50 euros in our
pocket. That is easier to understand than the castle suddenly
appearing from nothing.
Mahavishnu Swami:
Many of us before we came across Hare Krishna thought, “Something is missing. What is going on here?”
In the spiritual world there is no time that takes everything away.
When it was obvious that Srila Prabhupada would not live long enough to finish the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the GBC men asked him what to do about it. He replied saying: Someone among you. It has to be done with realization. Arrange it among yourselves.
To understand the Dvivida gorilla pastime, you have to think about the people involved.
Krishna first talks about the soul which is part of God and later talks about God Himself.
Srila Prabhupada made a point on a morning walk that we see hats, coats, and pants moving on the street, but we know there is a person inside. Similarly by seeing the body moving, we understand the soul is present moving the body.
We are stuck in a rut, and when we start chanting Hare Krishna, we begin to get out.
The cowherd boys were not in anxiety about going into Aghasura’s mouth, but Krishna was in anxiety wondering how to protect them.
We had no choice about where we were born, but Krishna chooses the place of His appearance.
As the president can visit the prison and leave whenever he wants, the Supreme Lord can appear in this world and leave whenever He wants.
Unless we chant Hare Krishna, take Krishna prasadam, and study the books of Srila Prabhupada, we will remain in the bodily concept of life.
We cannot even know our own father without accepting the authority of our mother. How can we expect to know God, the supreme father, without accepting an authority?
My father was a top scientist in the UK, producing metals to help win the war. I asked him what the point of life was. He said, “Study, get a degree, get a good job, and get married, and then you’ll be happy.” I wasn’t convinced.
We need gurus to deliver the people of this age. Otherwise we will destroy the planet.
On Harinama Ruci we encounter demoniac people eating their meat, smoking their cigarettes, and hanging out with their girls, but when we invite them to chant Hare Krishna they get absorbed and forget their meat, their cigarettes, and their girls. Actually the girls dance with our girls.
Bhaktivedanta Institute for Higher Studies:
From Vedic Cosmography In a Modern Context: Virodha-parihāra Revisited:
“Modern physics tends to paint for us a dark, empty, randomly generated universe, and the theories that result from this vision tend to stray from testable science into a world of ever-changing, theoretical models that are no less metaphysical than what Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam presents.”
“A number of cosmologists agree. As George Ellis writes in his article, ‘Does the Multiverse Really Exist,’ published in the August 2011 issue of Scientific American, ‘Nothing is wrong with scientifically based philosophical speculation, which is what multiverse proposals are. But we should name it for what it is.’
“A similar sentiment was expressed by Paul Davies in his April 12, 2003 op-ed piece, ‘A Brief History of the Multiverse,’ published in The New York Times: For a start, how is the existence of the other universes to be tested? To be sure, all cosmologists accept that there are some regions of the universe that lie beyond the reach of our telescopes, but somewhere on the slippery slope between that and the idea that there is an infinite number of universes, credibility reaches a limit. As one slips down that slope, more and more must be accepted on faith, and less and less is open to scientific verification. Extreme multiverse explanations are therefore reminiscent of theological discussions. Indeed, invoking an infinity of unseen universes to explain the unusual features of the one we do see is just as ad hoc as invoking an unseen Creator. The multiverse theory may be dressed up in scientific language, but in essence it requires the same leap of faith.”
Svayam Bhagavan Keshava Swami:
We see that demons acted in very harsh ways when they think something has been done to harm them or their friends.
Harshness is a demoniac quality that Krishna mentions in Bg. 16.4 that we do not talk much about but is very important.
The devotees are described as not taking revenge even when mistreated in different ways.
Gopala Capala tried to defame Srivasa Thakura but as a result his saintly qualities became even more obvious and thus he became more famous.
Not to take revenge is true saintliness.
Can we intelligently respond instead of responding out of harshness and revenge? That is a measure of our saintliness.
When one acts impulsively that is an invitation to act with harshness.
Do we think the worst or give the benefit of the doubt?
Q:
How are harsh words worse than death?
A:
Harsh words are like death to the false ego.
A devotee was reading a letter in which a devotee was saying he would like to give Prabhupada his youth and accept Srila Prabhupada’s old age so he could continue preaching. Srila Prabhupada replied that it was a nice sentiment but that your love will be shown by how you cooperate after I leave.
It is said that Nrsimha had one eye full of rage at Hiranyakasipu and one eye full of affection for Prahlada Maharaja.
One man threw beer on a devotee during King’s Day, and Kadamba Kanana Swami came up to the man and spoke sharply to him in Dutch.
Comment by another devotee: In the old city of Vienna on harinama one man was dancing with the ladies even to the extent of touching them and Kadamba Kanana Swami ran up to him and physically pushed him away from the ladies.
Devaki Devi Dasi:
To bring in a new person is easier than to keep an existing person inspired because you have to go deeper to do that.
If we just do outreach and do not do “boiling the milk” we will just have a bunch of kanisthas, neophyte devotees.
By not going deeper, different Kali-yuga anomalies will become incorporated into our movement.
In many places there is an unhealthy division between temple and congregational devotees.
Anything good thing can be poisoned by the false ego.
Radhanath Swami says that if our enthusiasm is not guided by a higher intelligence than our own we become fanatics.
Every community needs at least one devotee who is interested in boiling the milk.
In Australia we were not allowed to distribute books on the streets so we would collect Monday through Friday and then on Saturday and Sunday we would give out books for free.
It is important for devotees to attend the Sunday feast to develop relationships with the people who come.
The Chowpatty model would be good to try in London. London is like a Western Mumbai. Their mentorship program nourishes their whole community.
Patience is connected with the false ego. A proud person will always be impatient. A humble person is always patient.
Sitarama Prabhu:
If knowledge is there, action is there. Without knowledge there is no action. People have no interest in or engagement in spiritual activities these days because they are lacking spiritual knowledge.
The more we put Krishna in our life, the more we see how Krishna is acting for our benefit.
It is a beautiful practice to always offer ourselves to the Lord.
We can look back on the reverses and see how Krishna was helping us in different ways
ISKCON Schenectady devotees’ favorite parts of Rama-lila:
Rasakrida Devi Dasi:
1. The summary of Bala-khanda teaches us a very profound lesson is obedience, respect and submissiveness towards one’s elders, parents and teachers. Rama was very submissive to Dasharath Maharaj. Under the instruction of Dasharath Maharaj, Rama went to protect Vishwamitra’s sacrifice and under the instructions of Vishwamitra Rama killed Taraka, broke Shiva’s bow and married mother Sita Devi. Rama exhibited that submissiveness towards elders in Bala Khanda. Let’s learn this lesson from Bala Khanda.
2. In Ayodhya Khanda, Dasharath Maharaj decides to coronate Lord Ramachandra as a king of Ayodhya. But one envious maid servant named Manthara went and spoiled the mind of mother Kaikeyi and Kaikeyi went and requested Dasharath Maharaj to send Lord Rama to Vanavas (Exile) for fourteen years and coronate Bharat as the king of Ayodhya and Dasharath was obliged to fulfill her requests, and Rama along with Lakshman and Sita Devi went to the forest. Meanwhile, Bharat came to Ayodhya and realized what Kaikeyi did, and he personally went to the forest and requested Lord Rama to please come back to Ayodhya. But Rama did not agree though Bharat accepted the sandals of Lord Ramachandra, brought them to Ayodhya and placed them on the throne and on behalf of Rama he started ruling Ayodhya.
The most important lesson is we should never listen to people like Manthara who are very envious and jealous who may induce negative thoughts in us. Let’s protect ourselves from people like Manthara.
3. The Aranya Khanda describes the last one year of Lord Rama’s vanavas at this time Surpanaka came with an intention to marry Rama, but Rama rejected Surpanaka, who tried to kill Sita but Lakshman intervened and cut her nose and ears. Then Surpanaka went and spoke to Ravana about Sita Devi and Ravana came in the form of a brahmana sage and kidnapped Mother Sita. At that time there is a great vulture named Jatayu who came to fight with Ravana, although it was beyond his capacity to fight. In this fight Jatayu lost his life. Rama and Lakshman were searching to Mother Sita and found Jatayu and eventually they met Sugriva and made friendship with him. The lesson from this part of Ramayana is selfless sacrifice made by Jatayu, although it was beyond his capacity to fight with Ravana, Jatayu’s emotions did not allow him to stop from fighting with Ravana to save Mother Sita from Ravana.
4. In Kishkindha Khanda, Rama and Lakshman go in search for Mother Sita and reach a mountain called Rishamukha. There, Rama and Lakshman make friendship with Sugriva and Hanuman. At that time, Sugriva was living in the Rishamukha mountain, deprived of his kingdom. His kingdom was taken away by Vali. Rama promised Sugriva to get his kingdom back, and Rama killed Vali and installed Sugriva as the king of Kishkindha Then Sugriva in turn helped Lord Ramachandra to search for Mother Sita. Sugriva had hundreds of and thousands of millions of Vanara soldiers whom he had sent in multiple directions to search for Mother Sita. And this part of Ramayana, Kishkindha Khanda, gives us a very beautiful lesson on friendship. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Rama helped Sugriva to regain the kingdom, and Sugriva helped Lord Ramachadra to search for Mother Sita. This is what friendship is. We need to help each other.
5. The Sundara Khanda not only narrates Lord Hanuman's journey in search of Sita Devi but also offers lessons that if practiced sincerely can help us achieve all that we aspire. We should always believe in ourselves and persevere towards our objective.
Sundara Khanda is the fifth part of the Ramayana, As the name suggests, this is the most beautiful and sweetest part of Ramayana. Hanuman jumps across the Lanka ocean despite all kinds of obstacles that he faces on his way, he enters Lanka city, meets Mother Sita, speaks about Lord Ramachandra to Mother Sita, and gives her so much hope and reassurance that Rama is going to come and rescue her very soon.
Hanuman also destroys the favorite garden of Ravana, and Ravana sets fire to Hanumanji’s tale. With that same fire, Hanuman burns entire Lanka, comes back to Lord Ramachandra, and gives him the most auspicious awaited news about Sita’s whereabouts. Sundara Khanda teaches us a very, very beautiful lesson in our path of Bhakti. This is determination in devotional service despite all kinds of obstacles in the service of the Lord, as Hanumanji has exemplified this selfless service.
6. The Yuddha Khanda narrates the Ramayana war between the army of Rama and the army of Ravana. In Yudha Khanda we see that Vibhishana rejects Ravana and comes to take shelter of Lord Ramachandra and also in Yudha Khanda we see that Rama constructs a bridge across the Lanka ocean with floating stones brought by so many Vanara soldiers. Rama crosses the bridge and fights with Ravana and his soldiers and destroys Ravana. Then finally Rama and Sita are united and in Pushpakaviman Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and all the wonderful devotees and associates of Rama come back to Ayodhya, and Yudha Khanda ends with Lord Ramachandra’s patabhishek as the king of Ayodhya the most awaited event by all the Ayodhya vasis.
In this Yudha Khanda the lesson that we can learn is Vibishana’s saranagati, and Vibhishana came to surrender to Lord Ramachandra, Rama did not hesitate to accept him. So let us try to cultivate the quality of forgiveness as an example.
7. The Uttara Khanda is the last part of Ramayana. In this part we see that Lord Ramachandra sends Mother Sita Devi to Valmiki Muni’s ashram, and Mother Sita gives birth to two beautiful boys Lava and Kusha. Valmiki, who is the author of Ramayana, personally teaches entire Ramayana to these two young boys. They learn Ramayana with great devotion and dedication, and they start singing Ramayana. Eventually Rama made Lava and Kusha as the kings of Ayodhya, and along with Mother Sita, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna, went back to Vaikuntha.
The important lesson that we can learn from this part of Ramayana is the sweetness of Ramakatha. Lava and Kusha were very sweetly glorifying Lord Ramachandra’s activities, and qualities, and they charmed the hearts of all the people in Ayodhya and everybody for all time to come. And even today, we are relishing Ramakatha. So that is the power and sweetness of Lord Ramachandra’s pastimes.
Jai Sri Rama.
Shreyakari Devi Dasi:
Rama used dharma, jnana, and sadhana to kill Ravana.
Rishi Isvara Prabhu:
Rama told Shibari He was satisfied with her devotion.
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In this favorite verse, Krishna glorifies the transcendental knowledge which is a fruit of devotional service thus inviting us to attain it:
na hi jñanena sadrsam
pavitram iha vidyate
tat svayam yoga-samsiddhah
kalenatmani vindati
In this world, there is nothing so sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the mature fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time (Bhagavad-gita 4.38).