REGARDING BHAGAVAD-GITA AS IT IS, CURRENT VERSION, also called VERSION NUMBER TWO (V2) 

CHAPTER THREE, TEXT SEVENTEEN is incorrect. Absolutely no capital for “self”. This is so glaringly evident from the purport that no one can see it.

Is:

“But for one who takes pleasure in the Self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the Self only, fully satiated—for him there is no duty.

Should be AND WAS:

But for one who takes pleasure in the self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the self only, fully satiated—for him there is no duty.

Even if the Sanskrit word “atma” were meant to refer to the Supreme Self in the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 3.17 context , the nomenclature “Self” would still represent a dishonest and misleading English presentation. And if that were the case against all odds, why not Self-realization with a capital “S” as well. Whether I consult the Webster, Collins or MacBook dictionary, I can not find one single reference to a Supreme Being under the entry “self”. I therefore suggest herewith that once and for all, we abandon the word “Self” as designation for the Supreme Self, the Super-self or Supersoul and adopt a more appropriate and designative term such as the ones I have just mentioned. The word “self” on its own, always refers to the individual self. Whence no need for a capital letter.

The Original Transcript (OT) gives # 1 “self”, # 2 “Self”and “self-realization”.

But the OT formulation #2 with capital “S” for “self” is different from what it is in BGAII (V2) 3.17. The OT reads “in the matter of Self only”. That is a somewhat different thing.

As it is formulated now in BGAII (V 2) 3.17 , small letter would have to apply in both cases.

In recapitulation, my previous charges that current edition of Srila Prabhupada’s glorious edition of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is is tinged with monism will unfortunately stand. The editors are unable to distinguish between the individual soul and the Supersoul. That is monism in action par excellence, the false philosophy diametrically opposed to Vaishnavism, that the individual soul is equal in all respects to the Supreme Soul. That means that we are all God, Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This sophism may sound flattering and we may therefore like to hear it. This philosophy is reflected in the general madness and chaos of the material world of innumerable competing Gods. No true Acarya has ever accepted this philosophy. Neither will it ever be accepted, because it is an illusion. It is not real. It belongs to the realms of fantasy and / or intoxication. Every living entity is truly a minuscule sample of the Supreme Self and therefore by studying oneself, one is able to make pretty accurate inferences about the nature of the Supreme Self.

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 15.07 (But for a coma, V1 & V2 coincide):

mamaivämsho jiva-loke
jiva-bhütah sanätanah
manah-shashthänindriyani
prakriti-sthäni karshati

SYNONYMS
mama—My; eva—certainly; amshah—fragmental particle; jiva-loke—in the world of conditional life; jiva-bhütah—the conditioned living entity; sanätanah—eternal; manah—with the mind; shashthäni—the six; indriyäni—senses; prakriti—in material nature; sthäni—situated; karshati—is struggling hard.

TRANSLATION
The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.

Unfortunately again, we may therefore say, that the current presentation of Srila Prabhupada’s glorious Bhagavad-Gita As It Is It (V2) is NOT 100% pure devotional service, as Srila Prabhupada had intended it to be. We may further say that it is at times misleading, confusing, time and energy-wasting and on a tangent. These charges have got absolutely nothing to do with Srila Prabhupada Himself, the initiator of the translation of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, Whose integrity, competence, purity, compassion and greatness are above board at all times. Neither does the author of this article, a strict and committed follower of His Divine Grace for many decades and member of and worker within His ISKCON society, question in the least any of the enumerated qualities and all others wonderful and divine qualities and achievements of His Divine Grace. From Srila Prabhupada’s 6000 plus letters, we gather that Srila Prabhupada was extremely liberal towards His editors with His Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Srila Prabhupada is always liberal in all respects. He is a perfectly learned brahmana, a perfect Vaishnava and a Vaikuntha man.

To the great credit of version one of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (V1), we may further add that this abominable monistic interpretation of BGAII (V2) 3.17 is conspicuous by its absence in the first edition. Please see pictures below.

Someone may argue: ” Why make such a sweeping generalisation from one single example?” The reply will have to be:” I am confident that many other passages will need attention as well”. But what a misrepresentation and betrayal of Srila Prabhupada this represents! What a disgrace! What a debacle! Hare Krishna.

Let us take BGAII 15.7 for example:

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.”

Even an elementary grammar student will immediately point out the missing coma between “eternal” and “fragmental”, which BTW again was present in BGAII V1. However one of the respected editors has recently assured me “…if you want “eternal” to modify the unified phrase “fragmental parts”, then the comma shouldn’t be there”. My first observation is that “fragmental parts” is not really a phrase, even less a unified phrase. A phrase consists generally of a subject and a predicate. “Fragmental parts” would then rather have to be called a composite word to satisfy the editor’s speculative exigences. But in its current presentation, this special and hidden intention of the editor is not communicated in any way to the educated readers, who will legitimately ask a million more times were is the coma, where is the coma, where is the coma, thus stealing their attention away from their real business. Mr. Editor, why not be up front with your intentions and make it “fragmental-parts”, with a hyphen? Then everyone will understand your purpose and questions will stop. This is the very defect of current presentation of BGAII (V2) 15.7, the heart of the problem! My humble suggestion will be: Mr Editor, please don’t try to be over-intelligent. It will be best for everyone if you just leave BGAII version one 15.7 AS IT IS! Please leave it alone!

The above considerations may be shattering for some of us. But how can we fight impersonalism, voidism and atheism, as per the second pranam mantra to Srila Prabhupada

namaste sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine

 nirvisesa-sunyavadi-pascate-desa-tarine

“Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritual master, servant of Sarasvati Gosvami. You are kindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanya and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism”,

if our foundations are not ironclad. How can we successfully fight this battle, if our understanding of the Krishna conscious philosophy is misconceived, vague or obscured. Instead of aiming at a victory, we are deliberately choosing to become loosers. These are trying times indeed .

It will be much, much better to muster the courage now to settle these matters very nicely and practice every day, rather than being defeated later on the battlefield for lack of proper armour for defence and lack of adequate armament for the offensive. I am speaking figuratively, of course. It will be much, much better to make necessary mental adjustments now, rather than allowing ourselves to be dictated by attachment to some philosophical fallacies in the realm of Krishna consciousness.

Srila Prabhupada clearly states that only the rascal will neglect to prepare for the show. Neither will the director of the show give him a part to play. The director will easily identify the fake or weak actor. So will Maya devi dasi, a powerful and infallible agent of Lord Krishna! Only Krishna bhakta can overcome this divine energy.

BGAII 7.14: “This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.”

In conclusion and notwithstanding the above remarks, Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-Gita As It Is is still the best in the world, among all the other 650 or so presentations of this amazing opus! Let there be no misunderstandings on this point. There is no better Bhagavad-Gita in existence than Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Phalena paricyate. We judge by the results. Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-Gita As It Is has converted tens and hundreds of thousands of men and women to Vaishnavism all over the world, a phenomenon never seen before. Naturally we should keep on distributing this amazing and transcendental book in increasing numbers and trust that Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will set everything right in due course of time. He has got His plan. We do not know yet what His plan is, but we should be firmly convinced that He has got His plan and that it will come to pass. Om Tat Sat.

Sri Varaha Deva Dvadasi 2018

preceding

Sri Nityananda Rama Trayodasi 2018. Nityananda, Nityananda, Nityananda Rama!!!

V1 above

V2 above

This is the town where some years ago, fate cruelly took many international backpackers, as they were burnt to death in a hostel fire. Imagine being young and happy, coming to the lucky country, Australia, on the holiday of your life time and then meeting death in a silly hostel fire. Actually it was not a silly fire. It was a criminal fire. Of all forms of dying, burning to death must be one of the most painful and terrorising forms of dying there can be. “At the 2011 census, Childers had a population of 1,410.”Wikipedia”

Shastra, Sanskrit name for Scripture, clearly warns in Srimad Bhägavatam (10.14.58):
samäshritä ye pada-pallava-plavam
mahat-padam punya-yasho muräreh
bhavämbudhir vatsa-padam param padam
padam padam yad vipadäm na teshäm

“For one who has accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuntha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger in every step.”

 Coming back from shop to shop Sankirtan, I was approaching my own Sankirtan van, when I noticed a nice, new, immaculately white, four  wheels drive, that had just parked next to my van. A lady was leaving the four-wheel drive on my right between the two vehicles. I approached her quickly, made my presentation and she asked her husband, who so far had remain hidden to my view by the four-wheel drive. “ Do you have some money, dear?” The gentleman unhesitatingly put his right hand in his pocket and produced a handful of golden change, which he gave me just as unhesitatingly. “Thank you very much, Sir” was my response and I offered a copy of The Science of Self-Realization by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in return, which he accepted. The gentleman was friendly, smiling and effulgent. I thought: this is successful gentleman. He may be the successful owner of some big car dealership in close by  Bundaberg or something like that. Then I noticed that he was wearing a badge. I approached to read the badge, which to my surprise read “Mayor so and so…” At that point I realised that I had just given unknowingly some of Lord Caitanya’s mercy to Lord Majoress and Lord Mayor of Childers. Ladies first, as in the Hare Krishna mantra! The word “Hare” is in its vocative case. Nominative case is “Hara”. It represents feminine energy in all cases- no pun intended. We don’t say “Krishna Hare” or “Rama Hare”. We say “Hare Krishna” and “Hare Rama”. We shook hands twice and exchanged some civilities. What a pleasant experience!

Please note as well the time of the day. It is 4.50 PM. That does not mean that in ten minutes the working day of the Sankirtan person ends. It means that in ten minutes most shops close their doors and all these shops will be out reach for 16 hours only, until the next day at 9 AM. But at 5 PM, the working day of the Sankirtan person is far from over. After a quick meal of prasadam, he / she may still have to drive several hundred kilometres to the next town. He / she may still distribute books at gas stations, restaurants, special events etc etc … For protection reasons, Srila Prabhupada did not like us to distribute books in night clubs and the like, Srimatee Maya devi dasi being especially virulent in such places. Besides that some of us may have been avid customers of such maya-places before joining the Krishna consciousness movement. I personally was not! Therefore the chance of a relapse while visiting these places for the purpose of book distribution is heightened. The working day of the Sankirtan person generally ends at 10, 10.30 PM for resting / rejuvenation time until 4 AM, which is meditation time.

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA

KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA

RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Caitanya Sankirtanam!

It should be noted that Srila Prabhupada had a very good opinion of Australia and Australians. In 741008SB.May, He indirectly qualifies Australians, especially the priestly class as “sober”. “Therefore the movement, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, is very, very important and essential. Those who are sober, they are understanding it. Just like in Australia, the priestly class, they understood that this movement is trying to people to see towards God, back to Godhead. You have advanced in civilization by so-called material advancement, scientific…, but what you have done? You have created simply chaos.”

and further into the lecture Srila Prabhupada additionally compliments:

“Just like in Australia when I spoke, there was no misunderstanding. There was agreement by the priests and myself. There was complete agreement. [aside:] You were with me? Or… No. You were not. They, after hearing my lecture for one hour, they agreed and clapped for ten minutes. So there cannot be any misun… Those who are actually… They questioned, “What is your opinion of Lord Jesus Christ?” and I said, “He preached God consciousness. He’s our guru. Anyone who preaches the message of God, he is guru.” So they very much appreciated, and actually it is so. Vaiṣṇava who is preaching, it may be in a different way, according to time and place and the party—they have to change something, deśa-kāla-pātra—but we have to see the essence.”

In Krishna consciousness, there is almost no greater compliment than to qualify someone as “sober”. It is another word for “wise”. “Dhira” is the Sanskrit word for “sober” as in Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 2.13:

“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.”

In my humble opinion, the constant and powerful presence of the sun makes Australia the lucky country. The light of the sun- and of the moon for that matter- are both Krishna, as He confirms in Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 7.8:

“prabhäsmi shashi-süryayoh”

or the complete verse in English language

“O son of Kunti, I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.”

And Srila Prabhupada gives the following more intricate and wonderful explanation in the glorious Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.36, purport:

“Hrishikeshendriyätmane. The mind is the director of the senses, and Lord Aniruddha is the director of the mind. In order to execute devotional service, one has to fix his mind on the lotus feet of Krishna; therefore Lord Shiva prays to the controller of the mind, Lord Aniruddha, to be pleased to help him engage his mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. It is stated in Bhagavad-gitä (9.34): man-manä bhava mad-bhakto mad-yäji mäm namaskuru. The mind has to be engaged in meditation on the lotus feet of the Lord in order to execute devotional service. It is also stated in Bhagavad-gitä (15.15), mattah smritir jnänam apohanam ca: from the Lord come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. Thus if Lord Aniruddha is pleased, He can help the mind engage in the service of the Lord. It is also indicated in this verse that Lord Aniruddha is the sun-god by virtue of His expansions. Since the predominating deity of the sun is an expansion of Lord Aniruddha, Lord Shiva also prays to the sun-god in this verse.
Lord Krishna, by His quadruple expansion (Väsudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and Aniruddha), is the Lord of psychic action—namely thinking, feeling, willing and acting. Lord Shiva prays to Lord Aniruddha as the sun-god, who is the controlling deity of the external material elements which constitute the construction of the material body. According to Shrila Vishvanätha Cakravarti Thäkura, the word paramahamsa is also another name for the sun-god. The sun-god is addressed herein as nibhritätmane, which indicates that he always maintains the various planets by manipulating the rainfall. The sun-god evaporates water from the seas and oceans and then forms the water into clouds and distributes it over land. When there is sufficient rainfall grains are produced, and these grains maintain living entities in each and every planet. The sun-god is also addressed herein as pürna, or complete, because the rays emanating from the sun have no end. For millions and millions of years since the creation of this universe, the sun-god has been supplying heat and light without diminution. The word paramahamsa is applied to persons who are completely cleansed. When there is sufficient sunshine, the mind remains clear and transparent—in other words, the sun-god helps the mind of the living entity to become situated on the platform of paramahamsa. Thus Lord Shiva prays to Aniruddha to be kind upon him so that his mind will always be in the perfect state of cleanliness and will be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Just as fire sterilizes all unclean things, the sun-god also keeps everything sterilized, especially dirty things within the mind, thus enabling one to attain elevation to the platform of spiritual understanding.”

Srila Prabhupada also predicts a tremendous success for the Sankirtan Movement in Australia as follows. Currently we are not anywhere close to Srila Prabhupada’s expectations:

Bombay
31 December, 1975
75-12-31

My Dear Madhudvisa Maharaja,
Please accept my blessings. Thank you for your nice invitation card. Thousands of Caitanya Mahaprabhu temples may be established all over Australia so that I may receive one invitation card at least every month. Physical health does not allow me to move very much, but my mind is absorbed in thinking of you with blessings of Krishna.
I hope this letter finds you well.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Against all odds, Srila Prabhupada always displays a most positive view of the entire planet earth. Let us imbibe His ever positive world-view and attitude!

He is the greatest unacknowledged well-wisher and benefactor of humanity at large. Unacknowledged for the time being  anyway.That fact may change in the future.

Jaya om vishnu päda paramahamsa parivräjakäcärya ashtottara-shata shri-shrimad His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedänta Swami Prabhupäda ki jaya

All glories to the wandering mendicant and topmost swanlike devotee, the great preceptor His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda, who has taken shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu!

Gaura and Nityānanda is (are) the father(s) of the saṅkīrtana movement. Therefore Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has offered his prayer, saṅkīrtanaika-pitarau ājānu-lambita-bhujau kanakāvadātau, saṅkīrtanaika-pitarau kamalāyatākṣau [CB Ādi-khaṇḍa 1.1] vande mahā-puruṣa te caraṇāravindam. So Kṛṣṇa is teaching. Kṛṣṇa is so kind. He’s personally teaching, that is “Perform yajña.” He’s personally chanting, dancing, Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The picture is in our front. Personally He’s teaching us, “Perform this yajña, you rascal, and you’ll get everything. You’ll get everything.” Now, where is the proof? The proof is (the) Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We are simply chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and spending crores of rupees. Simply. What we are doing? We are not doing any business. We have not many professional men. But why we are getting…? We are spending eight lakhs of rupees per month. And we have got food, we have got milk. We are, rather, feeding others also, bringing food. So why don’t you see practically how these Kṛṣṇa conscious people… They… They know that we are fabulously rich. This question was raised in Parliament also. So how we became fabulously rich? We do not do anything. I have not taught you anything magic. I simply request you, “Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra sixteen times, please.” But you… We are not even following that. This is the only remedy. Yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ [SB 11.5.32]. So Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Īśvara. He’s teaching us this yajña. He’s giving us the hint. Yajñād bhavati parjanyaḥ [Bg. 3.14]. If you do not accept this Movement, then you’ll go on suffering, suffering, suffering, suffering. If you don’t accept this principle, then your future is simply suffering. 

prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya
kalāv asmin yuge janāḥ
mandāḥ sumanda-matayo
manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ
[SB 1.1.10]

This is the symptoms of Kali-yuga. Manda-bhāgyāḥ, all unfortunate. All unfortunate. Everyone must suffer. This is the position. But if you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, perform the yajña… Because this is the instruction by the Supreme Person. Puruṣaṁ tvā ādyam. Ādyaṁ puruṣam, the original person. The origin of everything, janmādy asya yataḥ [SB 1.1.1], the Supreme Person, from whom everything has come down. That is the order. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught us that harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam [Cc. Ādi 17.21]. We are certainly in difficult position, but the only remedy is that we must chant the holy name of the Lord repeatedly. And that will solve all the problems. You preach this cult all over the world. 740928SB.May

In the Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAII) chapter 7, Sri Krishna states that those who worship the demigods are less intelligent.

Text 20: Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.

Text 23:

“Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.”

In the purport:

“…..Here the point may be raised that if the demigods are different parts of the body of the Supreme Lord, then the same end should be achieved by worshiping them. However, worshipers of the demigods are less intelligent because they don’t know to what part of the body food must be supplied. Some of them are so foolish that they claim that there are many parts and many ways to supply food. This isn’t very sanguine. Can anyone supply food to the body through the ears or eyes? They do not know that these demigods are different parts of the universal body of the Supreme Lord, and in their ignorance they believe that each and every demigod is a separate God and a competitor of the Supreme Lord…..”

Without any separate endeavor, worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, includes worship of and respect for all living entities, including the demigods, just as by watering the root of the tree all different parts of the tree, such as leaves, twigs and branches will be nourished.

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAII) 12.13-14:”One who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor and is free from false ego, who is equal in both happiness and distress, who is tolerant, always satisfied, self-controlled, and engaged in devotional service with determination, his mind and intelligence fixed on Me—such a devotee of Mine is very dear to Me.”

All living entities are infinitesimal part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman as per BGAII 15 .7: ” The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts”.

Of course, due to the nature of the material world, it is sometimes observed that a devotee may respect a particular class separately, according to time, place and circumstances. A good example is the inauguration of the Krishna Balaram Mandir when Srila Prabhupada was “obliged to have Vedic ceremonies enacted by brähmanas because the inhabitants of Vrndävana, especially the smärta-brähmanas, would not accept Europeans and Americans as bona fide brähmanas. Thus we had to engage brähmanas to perform costly yajnas. In spite of these yajnas, the members of our Society performed sankirtana loudly with mrdangas, and I considered the sankirtana more important than the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. Both the ceremonies and the sankirtana were going on simultaneously. The ceremonies were meant for persons interested in Vedic rituals for elevation to heavenly planets (jadi-krita-matir madhu-pushpitäyäm), whereas the sankirtana was meant for pure devotees interested in pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We would simply have performed sankirtana, but then the inhabitants of Vrindävana would not have taken the installation ceremony seriously. As explained here, the Vedic performances are meant for those whose intelligence has been dulled by the flowery language of the Vedas, which describe fruitive activities intended to elevate one to the higher planets.

Especially in this Age of Kali, sankirtana alone is sufficient. If the members of our temples in the different parts of the world simply continue sankirtana before the Deity, especially before Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, they will remain perfect. There is no need of any other performances.” just so that they might not feel offended by neglect, even though Hare Krishna ceremonies would have been sufficient, to make the inauguration perfect.

Srila Prabhupada DID give conditional license to worship Lord Ganesh, the remover of the obstacles, as follows:

”       Concerning Ganesha worship, it is not actually necessary for us. But, if someone has a sentiment for getting the blessings of Ganesha in order to get large amounts of money for Krishna’s service, then it is alright, but anyone who takes up this kind of worship must send me at least 100,000 dollars monthly—not less. If he cannot send this amount, then he cannot do Ganesha worship.

Please continue distributing by books as many as possible.” 750201let.BhaktaDas

In this regard, I would like to share my personal experience as follows:

Due to circumstances, I came across a murti of Sri Ganesh in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia. Considering it Lord Krishna’s kind mercy on me, I decided to adopt him. Back in Brisbane, I placed him on my personal altar.

When I took him to the local ISKCON temple for Janmastami’s mangal aratik, Lord Ganesh became the cause of a misunderstanding with another devotee. Again my humble apologies to that a particular devotee for that unfortunate misunderdanting. But more was to come.

On my personal altar, I keep a big framed picture of the Panca Tattva measuring 1.30m X 1.00 m. Please see picture above. The frame itself is quite heavy. One day, as I was re-organising and cleaning my altar, somehow or other the Panca Tattva picture detached itself and fell on top of Lord Ganesh. This is the Panca Tattva picture from the first volume of Caitanya Caritamrita, which is in fact extremely attractive. Previously I had a picture of the Panca Tattva from Mayapur, West Bengal, India, which I gave in charity. http://www.tovp.org.

Clearly signifying Their disapproval, Panca Tattva literally smashed Lord Ganesh to pieces.  The impact damage to the right hand bottom part of the frame can still be seen. There was no way to repair the murti. It was made of some sort of resin type material and it really was in pieces. As per the pujari’s advice, I disposed of the remnants of Lord Ganesh in a body of water.

Jai Sri Krishna Caitanya, !!!

namo mahä-vadänyäya

krishna-prema-pradäya te

krishnaya krishna-caitanya-

nämne gaura-tvise namah

SYNONYMS

namah—obeisances; mahä-vadänyäya—who is most munificent and charitably disposed; krishna-prema—love of Krishna; pradäya—who can give; te—unto You; krishnaya—the original Personality of Godhead; krishna-caitanya-nämne—under the name Krishna Caitanya; gaura-tvise—whose complexion is the golden complexion of Shrimati Rädhäräni; namah—obeisances.

TRANSLATION

”O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Shri Krishna Caitanya Mahäprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Shrimati Rädhäräni, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.

January 3^rd 2018

Something has changed.  

For the last seven and a half years one of my neighbors’ dog had always been very aggressive, almost dangerous towards me. We should remember that Srila Prabhupada gave the “hut” mantra for such dangerous dog situations. If uttered with all one’s energy, along with the intense fear of being in serious trouble in just a few seconds and the desire to avoid it, it will definitely save one from painful and potentially lethal dog bites. There was a recent report from Canberra of dog killing human. When one of His disciples was unable to chase away an aggressive dog, Srila Prabhupada Himself made a demonstration of the process. If my memory is correct, this occurred on a Californian beach.

This morning on my Japa walk, while walking past this particular property, the dog came out very meekly to collect his customary caresses and friendly words.

I repeated this procedure a couple of times. Then he walked away back inside, satisfied.

This represents quite a change. What happened? How did this change come about? A dog has intelligence. Every animal has intelligence. Every living being has intelligence, including plants. Perhaps he finally recognises me as a neighbour. Or may be he is just ageing and growing tired of barking. A few days later, I met the couple living right next to the dog’s home. The lady confided that she had taken special care of the dog. It would therefore appear that the dog responded to some extra care and attention showered upon him by this well intentioned lady. What a wonderful change indeed. As opposed to Asia, where dog can be used as human food, dog’s life in the west can be quite privileged indeed, but definitely not desirable! “sva-paca means the dog-eaters.”660530BG.NY. According to i-dictionary, kangaroo is only found in Australia and New Guinea. But kangaroo eating is fact. We do not know however what is the Sanskrit designation for “kangaroo-eater”. Of course beef eating is worst of all flesh eating. Because cow dispenses liberally the most valuable type of food i.e. milk, she is considered mother and the ox is considered father. By nature’s arrangement, at the time of birth, we are supplied milk by our own mother. That fact proves the point. So we may ask the question what kind of individual will agree to kill and eat “mother ” and “father”???

In Sanskrit language, the generic term for meat-eater is “mleccha”. “A mleccha is a meat-eater, and a yavana is one who has deviated from Vedic culture.” CCM 1.197 purport.

Today there is much talk of terrorism. And unfortunately there are too many instances of ghastly terrorism. Every instance of terrorism is one too many indeed. With 9 / 11, Kali-yuga made a decisive and irreversible step forward. Regrettably things will never again be as they were before 9 / 11. Last time I travelled in USA (2017), for each flight the authorities searched my luggage in my absence, behind the scene, and the same note of information was left in my suitcase on each occasion. Broken luggage and locks become the passenger’s responsibility!

But this imperialistic attitude of killing by the millions and eating defenseless, protectionless and voiceless animals is merely another variety of terrorism directed by humans at the poor animals. It will be of interest to research whether there is a karmic link between the two forms of terrorism. Obviously the animals are not as evolved as humans. Srila Prabhupada explains that the relationship man / animal is like having a learning-disabled members in the family. Does it mean we are going to kill and eat the family member with learning difficulties? 

Every living entity, human, animal or plant is part and parcel of God, Krishna. Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAII) 15.7 reads:”

mamaivämso jiva-loke

jiva-bhütah sanätanah

manah-shasthänindriyäni

prakriti-sthäni karshati

SYNONYMS

mama—My; eva—certainly; amshah—fragmental particle; jiva-loke—in the world of conditional life; jiva-bhütah—the conditioned living entity; sanätanah—eternal; mana—with the mind; shashthäni—the six; indriyäni—senses; prakriti—in material nature; sthäni—situated; karshati—is struggling hard.

TRANSLATION

The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.

Srila Prabhupada clearly says that if the Krishna consciousness movement were to gain political power, its first legislation would go towards closing down slaughterhouses. In India similar attempts are in progress. Animals are truly nationals of the state just as human beings are. The Sanskrit name for national is “praja”. Some laws are already in existence for the protection of certain species. It is a matter of extending them. That will represent true  liberty, equality and fraternity, the moto of the French Republic. Otherwise the moto, as good as it sounds, will simply remain utopia talk in the mode of ignorance.

January 7^th 2018 at Govinda’s, 357 George st, Brisbane City, Australia.

Sacred sound session with HH Kadamba Kanana Swami at 4pm.

I remembered that the mobile data switch on my iphone had recently become more and more instable. It woud seemingly switch itself from on position to off position and vice versa for no apparent reason. I though I would ask Bh. Anton, who is expert in software. Then I realized that by Krishna’s arrangement, he was in fact just standing behind me. I explained to him the problems I was experiencing and he immediately and expertly pointed out that it was not a matter of pushing the switch from one position to the other, but to simply tap the switch gently and it would do the rest. This advice was 100% accurate. My phone works fine, as it always did, if it weren’t for my own intervention.

This is a perfect example how one unwittingly creates one’s own problems.

I cannot help but mention that HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja is an excellent kirtaneer. He really masters the art of Hare Krishna musical crescendo and how to bring on a Hare Krishna musical finale. We wish him all success. All glories to HH Kadamba Kanana Maharaja!!!

BTW in his last SB class Monday 8^th January morning, he recounted some of his adventures such as travelling as a passenger at 240 km per hour by motor vehicle in South Africa and still accelerating in the bend. He also took a plane in Mildura, Victoria, Australia. The weather was very bad and he got very scared, so much so that he alledgedly chanted his sixteen rounds within an hour. He gave a public demonstration of this type of chanting as well.

I am not quite sure about the wisdom of mentioning this type of driving publicly in the Srimad Bhagavatam class. It may be construed as an indirect encouragement for wreckless behaviour. We have lost too many devotees to car accidents. Some years ago, we have lost HH Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja to a car accident and very recently the very young daughter of His Grace Sakhi Rai Prabhu from Brisbane, Her Grace Vraja Bhallabi DD. Both accidents happened in India. There are others as well. During question time, I could not help making the following statement and request:” Except for parts of the Northern Teritory, in Australia the speed limit is 110 km / hour. That is a very good regulation. Now that you have told us about your adventures, Maharaja, we have grown concerned about your welfare.” Then came my request:”Maharaja please, please, please be careful!”

Srila Prabhupada always insisted that each and every member of the Krishna consciousness movement is required, that He could not spare anyone to accidental death or permanent injury. It is not a matter of death or dying. It is a matter of living for Krishna’s service, whatever it may consist of. Particularly those who have accepted the service of guru ship must live for the sake and benefit of their disciples.

12 January 2018

Yesterday I had my first book table evening in Hastings st., Noosa’s main street. It is parallel to the ocean, which is on the other side of the block. As a consequence, some people will choose to walk around in their swimming costumes.

One Indian family from Sydney gave an unsolicited $1.00 donation, a vestige of Krishna culture.

One Melbourne vegan man bought a copy of Raje’s cookbook.

One more advanced soul from Young, NSW, represented the highlight of the evening. He was preparing to re-visit India and purchased Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, hard bound, and one volume Krishna book as well.

Param vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam!

13 January 2018

Yesterday Friday, I went again to Hastings st., Noosa, and I shall go again tonight, Saturday. First time, Thursday night, I dressed in “karmis”. Yesterday I wore my new vanaprastha saffron Vaishnava attire, with tilaka and will do so in the future. I could not find a parking spot at the place where I wanted to set up. So I had to drive another 100 meters down the road. I thought I’d first set up the book table and then carry it the distance. But for this purpose, I need the help of another person. As I was absorbed in taking goods out of my vehicle, standing on the sliding door and looking inside, I turned around towards the table and there she was standing at the table, Debbie, a friendly young girl, bright faced with many earings in her left ear and a few less in her right ear. She said she was going to move to Melbourne. I recommended she visit ISKCON Melbourne in Albert Park.

I could understand that Krishna had specifically and intentionally sent her with the purpose to help me carry my book table to the right spot. After exchanging some words, enthusiastically and without hesitation, she did just that.  After the table was established at the right spot through our combined effort, I thanked her very much for her kind assistance and offered her a free packet of incense as a reward, which she accepted. That was the end of the exchange.

In an sms conversation His Grace Dandakaranya Prabhu, deputy head of BBT Australia division, mentioned encouragingly that :”Devotees using book tables in USA and Europe are having big success.”

In 740804SB.VRN, Srila Prabhupada explains that any assistance provided to the preachers of the Krishna consciousness movement, by any individual regardless of status, is spiritually speaking extremely profitable. He lectures on SB 1.5.23, wherein Narada Muni recounts his association with the Bhaktivedantas during the rainy season, also called catur masya. “Nirupito balaka eva yoginam.” As a five or so year old boy, he engaged in the menial service of these yogis and accepted the remnants of their foodstuff. Thus he became the great sage Narada Muni, with no travel restrictions whatsoever. What a promotion indeed!

In his previous life, he was the son of a maidservant and there was no certainty about the identity of his father either.

“Still, he became next life the Nārada Muni. And what is the cause? What… The cause is, nirūpito bālaka eva yoginām: “I was appointed a boy servant of the devotees.” The importance is that devotee is so important that if anyone renders a little service, then he becomes elevated to the spiritual life. What bālaka… Bālaka means there was a boy. “You, boy, bring me this,” or “Do this. Just wash my cloth,” or “Just set up my bedding.” Like that. This much servant. Or “Wash this dish.” So the devotional service is so powerful, by doing this… This will be described later on, that simply by doing this little service to the yoginām, he was so blessed that next life he became Nārada. This point is very important point. ……………. So during the four months, wherever they stay, simply being served by somebody as…, like a boy servant, they become delivered. There was no question of preaching. Simply giving the opportunity to serve, the fallen souls become delivered. But you must be competent; not to take service for nothing. Then you’ll go to hell. If you are actually in spiritual position, then by giving others little opportunity to serve you, he’ll be delivered. No question of understanding the philosophy. A devotee must be so perfect. The system is, therefore, as soon as one sees a devotee, he falls down and takes the…, touches the feet. This is the system. Because by touching the feet… Mahat-pāda-rajo-‘bhiṣekam [SB 5.12.12]. If one is actually elevated to the spiritual life and he is, mean, takes…, the people takes the opportunity of touching his lotus feet, then he becomes devotee. This is the process.” 740804SB.VRN

“So this is the golden opportunity to preach the Krishna cult all over the world. You are lamenting because a few yards of land has been taken away from your country as Pakistan, but if you spread this Krishna consciousness movement, the whole world will become Hindustan. There is such potency; I give you my direct perception. People are hankering after it. So long I am in India, practically I am wasting my time. Outside India, this reception is taken so seriously that every part of my moment is properly utilized.”

730129LE.Kol

Footnote: This may not be construed as a political statement, as one may get the impression at face value. It means that Krishna consciousness and Krishna culture are potentially the true unifying factors for the whole world, as was the case 5000 years ago, under one world government established in Dehli, India. The name then was Hastinapura, or the city of the elephants. “Formerly, even on this planet there was one president.” 740627BG.Mel

On the other hand, one may successfully argue that there is a political dimension to this statement as Srila Prabhupada also explains in 750519SB.Mel:

“This is a conversation between Mahäräja Pariksit and Sukadeva Gosvämi. Mahäräja Pariksit, five thousand years ago he was the emperor of the whole world. Formerly, up to five thousand years ago, the whole world was being controlled and ruled over by kings whose capital was Hastinäpura, New Delhi. There was only one flag, only one ruler, one scripture, Vedic scripture, and the Aryans, Arya, they were the civilized persons. You Europeans, Americans, you are also Aryans. Indo-European stock. Mahäräja Yayäti, grandson of Mahäräja Pariksit, he gave to his two sons the portion of eastern Europe, Greek and Roman. That is the history, Mahäbhärata. Mahäbhärata means great India. So there was no different religion. One religion, Vedic religion. Vedic religion means to accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the Supreme Person Absolute Truth. This is Vedic religion. Those who have read Bhagavad-Gita, it is said there in the fifteenth chapter, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. Vedic knowledge means to understand God. This is Vedic religion.”

Over time the planet earth has become fragmented into 195 something independent countries / clans / tribes, each maintaining its own armed forces. We may therefore say that history repeats itself, as a very similar situation prevailed at the time of the advent of Lord Krishna. Please find the opening words of Srila Prabhupada’s Krishna Book, chapter one, entitled “The Advent of Lord Krishna.”:

“Once the world was overburdened by the unnecessary defense force of different kings, who were actually demons but were posing themselves as the royal order. At that time, the whole world became perturbed, and the predominating deity of this earth, known as Bhümi, went to see Lord Brahmä to tell of her calamities due to the demoniac kings…..”

The perspicacious reader may ask: “Does this mean that Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is about to appear on planet earth, just as He has appeared 5000 years ago?” The reply will be that yes, Shri Krishna has already appeared on planet earth in the form of His Holy Name and the Sankirtan movement especially entrusted to spread the Holy name of the Lord. Krishna is absolute. Therefore there is no difference between Him at all and His name, form, qualities, activities etc..The explicit recommendation in the scriptures is

harer näma harer näma
harer nämaiva kevalam
kalau nästy eva nästy eva
nästy eva gatir anyathä
[Cc. Ädi 17.21]
“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”

Unfortunately these above historical facts are not being taught in our schools’ history lessons. I know I haven’t been told these facts at school in history classes. Only when I joined the Hare Krishna movement did I become aware of these historical facts. This is not mythology. It is fact. To say it is mythology is utter nonsense. Instead we and our children are being brainwashed into “this modern nonsense theory that there was in the beginning no life. But that is nonsense. In the beginning there was Brahmā, the most learned person. So this theory, modern scientists, that there was no human being or there was no man, they are all rascal speculation. It has no value. Here we get the knowledge that originally the Vedic knowledge was given to Lord Brahmā, and from Lord Brahmā, Nārada received the knowledge, and from Nārada Vyāsadeva received the knowledge. And from Vyāsadeva, by paramparā disciplic succession, we have received this knowledge. The knowledge is the same. There is no alteration. Because it is coming through the paramparā system there is no breakage. Just like from a very top height, if you give something, but if it is given hand to hand it does not break. But if you drop anything from very high place, it will be spoiled. Therefore it comes through the paramparā. Take for example one fruit, ripened fruit. This Bhāgavatam is accepted as the ripened fruit of the Vedic desire tree. Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalam idam [SB 1.1.3]. It is the ripened fruit of all Vedic knowledge. Because Vedic knowledge means to understand God. That is Vedic knowledge. ”760906SB.Vrn

We are being kept in darkness. The Vedic injunction is:” Tamasi ma, jyotir gama”. In plain English:” Don’t remain in ignorance, please get yourself educated about the real facts!”

Srila Prabhupada, the Founder of the international Hare Krishna movement, wished that this (r)evolution be led by the people of the United States of America.

Please find a few quotes to that effect:

“My point is that this Krishna consciousness movement has come to your country by the will of Krishna. So there is favorable situation because the will of Krishna is there, that “Now the Westerners, especially the Americans, they should become Krishna conscious.” That is His will. So you take the opportunity, cooperate with Krishna, and you will be successful.” 760610SB.LA

“I am especially interested to see the Americans spread this movement. America is already blessed by Krishna, and if they become Krishna conscious, they will become more glorious.”741116LET.Nilambara

“The US has got immense potentiality for accepting Krishna Consciousness. So, do service to your country-men, as well as Krishna simultaneously. Your country has been glorified on account of her children like you. Krishna has his own plan for using your country-men for this movement. So, accept Krishna’s mercy and do the needful. It is not just my desire, it is the desire of Lord Caitanya, then my Guru Maharaja, then it is my desire, and that desire should be executed by you all; then it will be accepted. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted the Bharata-bhumi, but at least one person from Bharata-bhumi has accepted this cult and handed it over to you so, see that this desire takes practical shape.” 750131LET.TamalKrishna

“Your country is very much liked by me, and I am sure that if your country takes this Krishna consciousness movement than nobody will be able to vanquish America at any time. With this aim in view try to convert your great country to become Krishna conscious. There is a good chance for it, so if you try, you can do it. That is my opinion.” 750926LET.Kurushretha

“I went to your country with a mission & you all good souls were sent by Krishna to me. So let us cooperatively work together to vigorously spread Krishna Consciousness, to the suffering humanity at large. Your country is great & you are all good sons of America. Spread this knowledge so that America will be still greater in the eyes of the world. Keep this point of view in front of you & all your God-brothers combine together may execute this mission.” 671022LET.Umapati

In quote number three, we note that Srila Prabhupada states that it is the desire of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in disguise, as well as the desire of the parampara disciplic succession , that it will happen. We may therefore take it for granted that IT WILL HAPPEN indeed. There will be formidable and unstoppable waves of Krishna consciousness originating from the United States of America engulfing the whole world. There is no doubt about it. Only question is: Who will take the credit? We may further add that as of January 2018, the first waves have already reached us and have been doing so for quite some years now. These would have to be the regular festivals organised by His Holiness Indradyumna Swami. Thank you very much for spreading the Krishna conscious happiness Maharaja!!!

We should also mention here the constant inundation of Srila Prabhupada’s book distribution happening all over the world. Because of the books’ Krishna conscious impact on humanity’s consciousness, whether eka-rathas or maha-rathas, book distributors are very, very dear to Srila Prabhupada. He would always take special time to meet and greet them. From January 2017 to December 2017, 8 502 737 pieces of literature have been distribute all over the world. The total literature distribution amounts to nearly 540 millions since 1965!

Jai Sri Krishna!

For some time I had been looking for a replacement Sankirtan book distribution van. For this purpose I had sent many email-offers to purchase to different sellers advertising on various websites.

I did not receive too many answers. Many sellers are pretty firm with their prices. Money is very serious business! Everyone is struggling and scheming for profit. Without money one cannot live. But this Sun-day I was determined to physically view a few vans and had made appropriate arrangements.

As I was sitting in the library looking at my computer screen, this reply popped up. It was the son of the owner. The reply itself was not too encouraging. Later on I came to realize that his father was not only computer illiterate, but seriously ill as well. The son, whom I never met, handled the advertising part of the sale for the father. Intuitively I choose to go and see this party first and a second party on the opposite side of town later. It proved to be the right choice.

Through his personal expertise, this gentleman had already transformed the van into a simple camper van for his own travelling enjoyment. This was so appropriate for my own Krishna conscious purposes! I took it that from Krishna’s super-mind point of view, there was a plan and there was continuity in the plan as well. This van is so good and spiritual that it came with a OM sign on the back door, or at least the vestige of an OM sign, to be more precise!

His dis-ease however had steadily grown stronger. One aspect of the disease is that he had to speak with the help of an acoustic device, which he held to his throat. His speech was intelligible and definitely sounded like a computer voice.

Overall it had come to the stage where he had no choice but to renounce his travelling plans and sell the van. As he stated: “ My current travels are mostly restricted between my residence and the hospital.”

He allowed me to purchase the van at a good price. I thank him very much for his leniency in this respect. I got him to vibrate the Hare Krishna mantra, to which he had no objections.

HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA

KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA

RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

I also gave him a complimentary copy of Higher Taste cookbook along with a copy of Reservoir of Pleasure, which he promised to read.

These three actions increase his and anyone else’s pious credit in devotional service. It will be fair to say that this gentleman truly and perhaps unknowingly performed some significant service for Lord Caitanya’s glorious Sankirtan movement. We cannot overstate the importance of practical service for Lord Caitanya’s Sankirtan movement and the spiritual benefits derived therefrom!

We wish him all auspiciousness.

During the conversation I also quoted Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAII) 2.27, of which the whole world accepts the first proposal, whereas the second proposal is a different matter.

Sri Krishna says to Arjuna:
“One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.”

In some ways the second proposal is a natural consequence of the first, just as night follows day and day follows night. The first part of chapter two of BGAII, from text eleven to text thirty, in other words twenty verses only, represents an analytical study of the attributes of the eternal soul, as opposed to the very temporary body. BGAII 2.30, purport, first sentence:”The Lord now concludes the chapter of instruction on the immutable spirit soul.”

Sri Krishna or fate – whatever nomenclature we choose to use – had in fact tricked me to meet this person, as the vehicle was mistakenly advertised as a diesel vehicle, which I was after. But it clearly requires unleaded petrol instead. Fortunately I realized this fact before the next fill up. To fill up a diesel vehicle with ULP will not damage the engine. But it will not run either. And then one has to face the clean up costs as well. Better follow owner’s manual instructions in all cases. The other reason why I got a better chance to buy this vehicle is that the add did not have any pictures at all. Adds without pictures attract less attention and adds with pictures work faster.

In this way I find I am often led to meet people in some sort of distress. Of course ultimately everyone is in a distressful condition, as everyone is subjected to the distresses of birth, death, old age and death. These four represent the summary of pain and suffering. Other pain is extra. “No one here gets out alive.” It is then my function and privilege to apply a certain dose of Krishna Consciousness for the benefit of all parties involved. Because of the obvious trickery used in this particular case, I am inclined to conclude that Sri Krishna, for reasons known only to Himself, specifically and intentionally targeted this fortunate soul for some special attention and mercy. To attract the Lord attention is a very privileged position. All glories to Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead!

In Bhagavad-Gita As It Is (BGAII) 2.40 He says:

“In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.”

In BGAII 7.16 He also says:

“O best among the Bharatas, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.”

Dear Srila Prabhupada,

Please accept my prostrated obeisances at Your holy lotus feet on this occasion of Your 2017 anniversary.

“So keep this paramparä system. This Vyäsa-püjä is paramparä system. Vyäsa-püjä means to accept this paramparä system. Vyäsa. Guru is the representative of Vyäsadeva because he does not change anything. What Vyäsa-püjä… What Vyäsadeva said, your guru also will say the same thing. Not that “So many hundreds of thousands of years have passed away; therefore I will give you a new formula.” No. There is no new formula. The same Vyäsa-püjä, the same philosophy. Simply we have to accept it, then our life will be successful.” 761210DB.Hyd

Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and You are the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. This is confirmed in shastra:

“Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an äcärya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called äçraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter.” Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi lila 1.46 P.

Sri Krishna is the “the basis of the impersonal Brahman,” (Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 14.27). Sri Krishna is indeed the basis and origin of everything that is and You are not only the foundation stone of ISKCON but also the very basis of our lives and existences. We are willingly and ecstatically lead by Your Divine Grace, just as bulls are directed by the ropes and rings attached to their noses.

Your version of Sad Goswami astaka, glorifying the six Goswamis of Vrndavan and recorded at The Schloss Rettershof, near Frankfurt, Germany, in June 1974 is so mystically attractive and fascinating (CD01-1)! I did not directly participate in the recordings, but along with other Godbrothers, Schloss Rettershof was my Sankirtan book distribution base at the time. It should be noted that in German language, Rettershof, means the place (literally “the court”) of the savior, in other words Your place, the place of Your Divine Saving Grace. I also remember how Hansadutta Prabhu used those grey cardboard egg holders as sound proofing material, as can be seen on the cover of the album. During your visit in June 1974, You kindly gave me Hari Nam initiation and the magazine Stern, which had sent a reporter to infiltrate and spy on the devotee community, published a full page picture of my dancing at the fire sacrifice. It should be noted that the reporter managed the ISKCON devotee lifestyle for one or two days / nights only. Then Krishna forcibly ejected him. Sinful persons are definitely excluded from Krishna’s and His devotees’ association, just as water and fire cannot mix and are mutually exclusive.

With the repetitive triple ding of the kartals, its rhythmical and sweet presentation eternally resounds in my heart. If my memory serves me well, Cakravarty Prabhu plays the kartals, Hansaduta Prabhu the mrdunga and You play harmonium. You have a very special and characteristic Prabhupada way to play the kartals as well. The sound of your playing kartals alone can attract one to Krishna consciousness. Just as the four Kumaras were attracted by the smell of the flowers and tulasi leaves offered to Lord Krishna’s lotus feet, anything you ever do, even the most insignificant thing, can attract one to Krishna consciousness.

Just as You stated about Your own Guru Maharaja, You are such a great, transcendental Vaikunta person, well beyond our furthest conceptions and imaginations. You are the greatest well-wisher, benefactor and lover of mankind.

How can one fail to be attracted to Krishna consciousness when one studies Your Divine Grace? Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.4 answers this question emphatically: vina pasu ghnat and SB 1.3.24 Purport: “Mahäräja Parékñit said that only the animal-killer cannot relish the transcendental message of the Supreme Lord.”

When You speak, You are always “fired up”. It is Your doubtlessness, clarity of vision and persuasion that convinces the hearer. On one occasion, at question time, one man openly confirmed just that- your no-nonsense, to the point, strong presentation. You humbly thanked him for his compliment. I failed to find the lecture. I think it was in the UK. Because you are the world teacher many of your classes are in a declamatory tone, thus defying and challenging anyone to put forward a better philosophy. We know this is not possible! Whereas other classes such as 750902SB.Vrn are in a calm and conciliatory mood.

And you do this out of love for mankind. This is your only motivation. There is no other motivation! Therefore you are as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supreme Father, Who, out of love only, tries to bring to reason the fallen and Maya-witch possessed conditioned souls.

Above all, Your message subscribes to the rigors of scientific analysis. “Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation.” BGAII, 3.3 P.

Your message is intelligent, reasonable, structured, consistent unchanging, strong, stern, sometimes forceful, but always respectful of our freedom to choose, just as Sri Krishna, after speaking the Bhagavad-Gita, gives Arjuna his freedom of choice. Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, 16.63 yatheccasi tatha kuru: “Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.”

Your message is liberal, enjoyable, benevolent, sustained, thoughtful, well thought out and prepared, well observed, humorous, the product of a genial, super top-most and God surrendered brain….

and finally Your message is free of charge as well.

You are both the nicest and wisest, Srila Prabhupada! But we are so fools and rascals that we are not always able to take full advantage of Your message and association, as we would like to do.

Through Your own elaborate plan and actions, the joyful Krishna conscious revolution is already in progress. A perfect example is the yearly Sacred Sound Festival by HH Indradyumna Maharaja and associates both here at ISKCON New Govardhana, New South Wales, Australia and North Carolina, USA.

You are the greatest sankhya-yogi, because if You hadn’t analyzed the phenomenal world so carefully, how could You explain so well the Supreme Brahman along with His diverse energies? “Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [Sankhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both.” BGAII 5.4

Your expertise and maturity of realization in presenting the Krishna conscious philosophy is astounding! So is your thorough grasp of the philosophy and knowledge of the Sanskrit shlokas. If I could only possess an atom of your spiritual master ship, I would become a useful tool in your hands.

Intensive travelling all over Australia-dvipa for the purpose of book distribution is an undertaking of gigantic proportions. It is a limitless enterprise! New shopping centers are erected continually. I usually see my customers once a year. Physically, mentally and emotionally, it is a little taxing. Chapter five of Bhagavad-Gita As It Is is called “Karma Yoga-Action in Krishna consciousness”. I may say that I see plenty of action in Krishna consciousness, to the point that I periodically collapse and need to remain inactive for some time in order to recuperate. I usually distribute 4000 to 5000 piece of literature per year. Due to age, I might have to adjust my schedule or perhaps even better, change style of distribution and distribute even more books. As you explain in Srimad Bhagavatam, the aging body loses its physical strength. This fact is also common sense knowledge. I do not know how I have managed to survive to this point. It is only due to Your kind and benevolent mercy and the mercy of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and my clinging to it under all circumstances. Of course making the planet earth Krishna conscious, as You have personally undertaken, is a much more gigantic enterprise. We also note that some of Your exalted disciples and grand disciples- mostly sannyasis- travel all over the world, steady as clock work: more gigantic enterprises! “

“A living entity who is specifically empowered by the Lord with knowledge or strength is technically called äveça-rüpa.” As stated in the Caitanya-caritämåta (Antya 7.11), kåñëa-çakti vinä nahe tära pravartana: Unless a devotee is specifically empowered by the Lord, he cannot preach the holy name of the Lord all over the world. This is an explanation of the word äveça-rüpa.” CCM 20.165 P.

In the early days, the saying was “Work now, Samadhi later.”

We absolutely love the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead under Your personal direction, still we may at times ask the question: ”Where is Samadhi?”

Dreams of achievement in Krishna consciousness may not be instantly realized. Sometimes we find there is a twenty years gap between the preaching dream and its practical realization. In Your own life, we see that it took several decades to achieve Your ultimate and grand success. The main thing is to keep our hopes always very high, and that should not be very difficult, as our hopes are pinned on Krishna, the highest and most elevated personality. In other words, the greatest and infallible positivity and win-win arrangement is Krishna consciousness.

There are seemingly mundane expressions of beauty that cannot fail to remind us of Krishna as per His words in Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 10.41:

yad yad vibhutimat sattvam

srimad ürjitam eva vä

tat tad evävagaccha tvam

mama tejo-‘àsa-sambhavam

“Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.”

In this respect, my other dream it to see the Canadian singer Celine Dion sing for Krishna, just as George Harrison sang for Krishna. She has a very dynamic personality, is an excellent singer and has sung for Christ in the past. So why not sing for Krishna as well? Because of her wonderful God given talents it will be a great success.

Your message remains as relevant as ever:

In 1975 while travelling by airplane to Chicago You read the Time Magazine article: “Crime why and what to do.”

On Jan 7^th 2017, the BBC reported that more people are crime-killed now in Chicago than in the Afghan and Iraqi conflict combined.

You commented as follows:

“Yes, bring. We shall take this opportunity to preach. “Crime, Why and What to Do?” We shall give all solution. We can arrange big, big meetings on this point, “Crime, Why and What to Do?” A very suitable heading it is. Haräv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guëä [SB 5.18.12]. Unless he’ll take to God consciousness, all this rascaldom, so-called advancement of civilization, all condemned, everything. All rascals. So why we will not…, will there be crime? There must be. This is the result of modern civilization, crime. You cannot check it unless you take to Kåñëa cons… They are all violating the laws of nature. Nature brings you from evolutionary process to the human life, and if we misuse, then we suffer. This life is specially meant for understanding God. Athäto brahma jijïäsä. This is the only business. Jévasya tattva-jijïäsä na yaç ceha karmabhiù. Jévasya tattva-jijïäsä. Find out this verse.”750703Ar.Chi.

I did not receive many personal instructions from You. Nor was I ever part of your direct entourage, as a personal servant, like His Grace Hari Sauri Prabhu, His Grace Sruta Kirti Prabhu and so many others. Nor was I ever a personal assistant manager such as Your GBC deputies.

These days, as a personal service, I often fit Your bead bag into Your hands at the beginning of a Japa session. Thank you very much for this service opportunity as well!

However, the most important and most inspiring instruction, You have ever given to me, came in a letter dated May 2^nd 1977 and addressed to “Sriman Yadavendra Das Brahmacari”. It reads as follows:

“There is no difference between study and management in Krishna consciousness. I am studying books and writing also, and at the same time attending to your letter. And there is so much management to look to. So I am doing both because there is no difference.”

Your secretary of the time, late His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami added:” Srila Prabhupada is the Acarya and showing us the example by doing both management and study. You should follow in His footsteps and do the same. There are nine types of devotional service and of the nine “arcanam” includes management. If one takes part in any one of these nine types of devotional service he can make his life perfect. So do not see any duality in any service, which you have to render to Krishna. Besides this, it is advised:

tad viddhi pranipätena

pariprasnena sevayä

upadeksyanti te jnänam

jïäninas tattva-darsinah

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is 4.34

Rendering of service is essential in Krishna consciousness. Therefore you should perform your daily routine activities with as much enthusiasm as you study Srila Prabhupada’s books…”

Srila Prabhupada, if the shakti to carry out the orders of the Spiritual Master comes with the instructions of the Spiritual Master, then I may petition You herewith: ”Please give me Your special blessings NOW!” After some 45 years of trying, I think I might be ready for it NOW. I think I might be able to handle it NOW. I always wished to practice and live by your instructions 24 / 365. It has already transformed my mind. It has set it right. It has already transformed my life.

“Bhakti means “devotional service.” Every service has some attractive feature, which drives the servitor progressively on and on. Every one of us within this world is perpetually engaged in some sort of service, and the impetus for such service is THE PLEASURE WE DERIVE FROM IT.” Nectar of Devotion, Preface.

Srila Prabhupada, I am yours without reservation and for eternity and I enjoy the Prabhupada-sambandha, also called Prabhupada-rasa relationship very much. So be it. Thank you very much!

Always remaining a beggar at your holy lotus feet as well as

A grateful servant,

Acknowledgement: I would like to take this opportunity and thank herewith HH Ramai Swami, the ISKCON Co-GBC for Australia for his green light to feature in Your international Vyasapuja book under the heading “Homages from other sources.“ The first publication was last year 2016. This acknowledgement is therefore overdue. Maharaja, please accept my humble apologies for this tardiness and thank you very much for your broad-mindedness! All glories to You, Srila Prabhupada!

This is the church where in my youth, I engaged in godly service for many years as altar boy, sacristan and public reader of Epistle as well as Gospel, according to the Judeo-Christian tradition. Now of course I have graduated to the most excellent Hare Krishna tradition as presented by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, my most illustrious Spiritual Master. We note that there is one striking common factor with the ISKCON Krishna Balaram Temple  in Vrndavan India, the birth place of Lord Krishna, which reminds us very much of Srila Prabhupada: The church bells ring regularly. In this particular case they are preprogrammed to ring every quarter hour day and night.

I know from personal experience that Srila Prabhupada was very much insistent on this point: the bells MUST ring regularly. At Krishna Balaram Mandir it is done manually even today thanks to the excellent management in place, headed by His Grace Pancagauda Prabhu from USA. Even if in the middle of the night if the chowkidar would miss the ringing, Srila Prabhupada would notice and take appropriate action. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

TRANSLATION

Whenever a person experiences, by self-realization, that both the gross and subtle bodies have nothing to do with the pure self, at that time he sees himself as well as the Lord.

PURPORT

The difference between self-realization and material illusion is to know that the temporary or illusory impositions of material energy in the shape of gross and subtle bodies are superficial coverings of the self. The coverings take place due to ignorance. Such coverings are never effective in the person of the Personality of Godhead. Knowing this convincingly is called liberation, or seeing the Absolute. This means that perfect self-realization is made possible by adoption of godly or spiritual life. Self-realization means becoming indifferent to the needs of the gross and subtle bodies and becoming serious about the activities of the self. The impetus for activities is generated from the self, but such activities become illusory due to ignorance of the real position of the self. By ignorance, self-interest is calculated in terms of the gross and subtle bodies, and therefore a whole set of activities is spoiled, life after life. When, however, one meets the self by proper culture, the activities of the self begin. Therefore a man who is engaged in the activities of the self is called jévan-mukta, or a liberated person even in the conditional existence.
This perfect stage of self-realization is attained not by artificial means, but under the lotus feet of the Lord, who is always transcendental. In the Bhagavad-gétä the Lord says that He is present in everyone’s heart, and from Him only all knowledge, remembrance or forgetfulness take place. When the living being desires to be an enjoyer of material energy (illusory phenomena), the Lord covers the living being in the mystery of forgetfulness, and thus the living being misinterprets the gross body and subtle mind to be his own self. And by culture of transcendental knowledge, when the living being prays to the Lord for deliverance from the clutches of forgetfulness, the Lord, by His causeless mercy, removes the living being’s illusory curtain, and thus he realizes his own self. He then engages himself in the service of the Lord in his eternal constitutional position, becoming liberated from the conditioned life. All this is executed by the Lord either through His external potency or directly by the internal potency.

from Srimad Bhagavatam, amala puranam, Canto 1, Chapter 3 text 33, translation and commentary by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, Institutor of the BBT and Founder of BTG magazine. Published and distributed by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust / krishna.com.