Answering Gaura-Nitai’s question on “what is atma-van”
And how devotees should answer questions for themselves and then for others as part of being “self-situated”.
Add comment March 13th, 2010
Kerala’s love affair with alcohol
SRS: This article makes clear the direction India is going in. Down.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8557215.stm
Add comment March 12th, 2010
What is the meaning of the items we offer in arati and in what mood it should be offered?
I don’t understand what was the obstacle to make Priyavrata a disciple? Does Krsna become forgetful during his pastimes? Sridhara d / Balarama d / B. Nilesh
Add comment March 12th, 2010
Niranjana Swami sent me this on the passing of Grahila Prabhu
My blog for today:
[3/11/10 3:31:20 PM] niranjanaswami: This morning at 7:47 AM in Mayapur, a very wonderful devotee and dear godbrother, Grahila Prabhu, departed this world to continue his service to Srila Prabhupada wherever Prabhupada wants Grahila to assist him. Of this I have absolutely no doubt.
Yesterday, in a phone conversation with Grahila Prabhu, I was amazed to hear how joyful, satisfied, and Krsna conscious he was, just hours before his departure from this world. During my conversation with him, I mentioned that there was no need to speak about anything in the past other than the fact that he was so fortunate to have come in contact with Srila Prabhupada in this life. When I told him that now was the time to think only about the future, and the future opportunities for service which Grahila Prabhu would be given as a result of Srila Prabhupada’s blessings, it immediately became clear to me that he was alreadly completely fixed in that mindset. I sensed that there was no fear in his heart at all.
Grahila Prabhu then went on to tell me that he could not possibly describe how fortunate he was in all respects. He said that his constant meditation and prayer to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna was that they would engage him in Their service eternally. He spoke in such a humble, but confident way, that I felt uplifted and confident myself that this special soul was being protected from all fear of death because of his firm faith in Srila Prabhupada.
Continuing in a very humble mood, Grahila Prabhu then went on to confess that he couldn’t understand how such a sinful person as he was being given the opportunity to leave this world to go back to Godhead while somebody like me had to stay here. Naturally, I couldn’t tolerate it that he described himself as being sinful, and had to immediately respond that even if there were sins committed before that because he was offering himself completely in service to Srila Prabhupada and Krsna with body, mind, and words, that there could not possibly be any trace of sin left in him. I told him that he was not sinful, but sinless. He joyfully accepted defeat.
We spoke for some time longer, but mainly Grahila Prabhu did most of the talking, thanking me for my support and expressing his preparedness for his next journey. I told him that I would call him again today, but that if Krsna arranged it otherwise, I would simply hanker for his association again in the future.
This morning I received the following notice from Vraja Kumara dasa:
“Today at 7.47 am Grahila Prabhu left his body. From yesterday evening we stayed with him through the night chanting kirtan and it was extremely glorious departure. He was in a very good spirit and consciousness.”
I wrote back: “I was just speaking with Sivarama Maharaja yesterday. He was telling me how privileged he felt to spend time with Grahila when he was in Mayapur.”
Vraja Kumara dasa’s reply was:
“It was a good lesson for all of us how one should leave the body remembering Krishna and Srila Prabhupada. His body was creating so many inconveniences for him but he made it through and was able to chant and remember about Krishna like a warrior.”
Grahila Prabhu ki jaya!!!
Hare Krsna.
3 comments March 12th, 2010
At 7:22 am Grahila Prabhu today left his body
My remembrances of my last and only visit with him.
Add comment March 11th, 2010
My understanding is that when speaking in spiritual circles, including Srimad Bhagavatam class, we should support what we say with evidence from guru,sadhu and sastra
However I have experienced on a number of occasions that many devotees take strong exception if we quote gurus or sadhus who are in the disciplic succession after Srila Prabhupada. Is it correct that we should only refer to Srila Prabhupada or the great Vaisnavas who precede him in the disciplic succession? And if that is the case that we cannot refer to devotees who come after Srila Prabhupada in the disciplic succession as authorities then what is the difference between this and the rtvics presentation? Ramananda das (Scotland)
Add comment March 10th, 2010
Addressing further comments on the role of sannyasis as managers
And the observation that some sannyasis have a lifestyle beyond the rights of their asrama.
2 comments March 9th, 2010
Commenting on Sunday night’s Oscar Awards
Maybe one day a Mahabharata will be the best film of the year.
Add comment March 8th, 2010
Devotees are so enthused by persons who have had Prabhupada’s association, however I am aspiring of an ISKCON Guru who is a grand disciple of Prabhupada and not had Prabhupada’s direct association
Does it make a difference if the Guru is a direct disciple rather than a grand disciple? / Anonymous
1 comment March 7th, 2010
Nava Vraja Mandala Parikama 2009. – Krishna’s pastimes in Nandagram
by Lokanatha Swami.
Magyar felirattal!
2 comments March 6th, 2010
In short what is the meaning of smarana and how, if possible, can it be practiced in ISKCON today?
1 comment March 5th, 2010
GBC Report #7
February 15-17th
During the last three days of the Annual General Meeting of ISKCON’s
Governing Body Commission, GBC members gave presentations on new
publications and the status of various projects.
Anuttama Prabhu, representing the GBC’s Guru Services Committee, reported on
the Guru Seminars and Guru Retreats program. These programs allow devotees
who are serving as initiating or instructing gurus to associate with one
another and share their experiences serving Srila Prabhupada in the role of
guru. The Guru Seminars and Retreats also aim to enhance skills in
counseling disciples and caring for one’s own physical, emotional, and
spiritual well-being.
Members of the GBC, including Bhaktimarga Swami, Bhakti Chaitanya Swami,
Prahladananda Swami, and Ravindra Svarupa Prabhu, who attended the Guru
Retreat in Ujjain last October related their experiences. They all expressed
enthusiasm and thanks for having such a wonderful retreat last year and
strongly urged others to attend future Guru Seminars or Retreats. A Guru
Seminar and Retreat will be held in Tirupati next October before the GBC
meetings in Juhu, Bombay.
The Guru Services Committee also presented the progress made on developing a
seminar for disciples. The idea of such a course is to educate devotees
before they receive initiation on the theological, institutional, and
practical issues pertaining to discipleship. Some topics include the
special position Srila Prabhupada plays in ISKCON as the Founder-Acarya, a
theological understanding of Guru-tattva, issues of etiquette between guru
and disciple, understanding the initiation ceremony, and the qualifications
of a disciple and a guru. Over the course of this year a committee will
continue to develop curriculum for this course.
Following the Guru Services Committee, ISKCON’s Minister of Education,
Sesa Prabhu, updated the GBC Body on the current educational institutions
within ISKCON. He reported that the Bhaktivedanta College in Budapest
currently has 200 students and offers two Bachelor Degree programs.
Bhaktivedanta College in Radhadesh is also growing with 30 full-time
students and is looking toward offering degrees in management as well as
theology.
Sesa Prabhu also presented to the GBC Body profiles of various religious
educational institutions that maintain lifestyle values similar to those
of ISKCON. He pointed out that Amrita University, founded by the Mata
Amritanandamayi Math in 1994, now has over 13,000 students and 13 university
departments. Likewise, Maharishi University of Management in Iowa started
off slow, but now has 1,200 students. Maharishi University has seen a 125%
student growth rate in the last five years. Moreover, Brigham Young
University, a successful Mormon university in Utah has an enrollment of more
than 30,000 students. Brigham Young University lists “purity” as a
requirement for graduation and funds 70% of student tuition through church
tithing.
After presenting these examples, Sesa Prabhu urged that ISKCON look toward
the future and put additional energy into further developing our own
educational programs. Everyone was in agreement. A directional straw vote
was taken, and unanimously the GBC decided to place strong emphasis on the
development of education within ISKCON.
Kaunteya Prabhu on behalf of ISKCON’s Congregational Development Ministry
presented two new publications to the GBC. The first book, Holy Jail, is a
compilation by Candramauli Swami on the activities and stories of ISKCON’s
Prison Ministry. In the thirty years that the ISKCON Prison Ministry has
been in operation, hundred of lives of inmates have changed due to the
practice of Krishna consciousness and the support received by devotees. For
more information on the ISKCON Prison Ministry, please visit
www.ipm.bbnow.org.
The second title presented by Kaunteya Prabhu is an English translation of
Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Sri Godruma Kalpatavi (The Desire-tree Grove of
Godruma.) Sri Godruma Kalpatavi was originally a newsletter produced in
Bengal 120 years ago by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to guide leaders and members in
his preaching movement. The topics discussed are very practical issues often
faced by those with families and careers who also want to fully engage in
practicing and preaching Krishna consciousness. Jayapataka Swami felt the
Godruma Kalpatavi to be so relevant to lives of devotee today that he
translated the text and inspired the current publication. For more
information on the Godruma Kalpatavi, please visit www.namahatta.org.
The GBC meetings concluded with words of praise and a standing ovation for
this year’s GBC Chairman, Romapada Maharaja. Several GBC members expressed
their gratitude toward Romapada Maharaja for putting so much time, effort,
and care into chairing the GBC. Over the course of the year, he addressed
many difficult issues and diligently offered support to ISKCON programs and
leaders throughout the world. Many GBC members felt that Romapada Maharaja
raised the bar and set a new standard for the position of GBC Chairman.
The GBC Body also welcomed the new GBC Chairman, Madhusevita Prabhu, as well
as Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu and Bhakti Caitanya Swami as members of the
incoming GBC Executive Committee.
After twelve days of meetings, members of the GBC appeared satisfied with
the amount of work accomplished during the 2010 Annual General Meeting. The
GBC will meet again next October at the ISKCON Juhu temple in Bombay.
Add comment March 4th, 2010
We find in ISKCON that there are certain sannyasis who live austerely with minimal comforts, whilst others live more “opulently”
eg. flying business class, driving in luxury vehicles, living in fancy hotels etc. How do we reconcile this with the sannyasa dharma of living simply or explain this to others?
7 comments March 4th, 2010
Is it better to think of one’s material duties or of spiritual things?
Why do devotees dance in an organized way in Hungary? What is the KC way of resolving conflict amongst devotees?: Abhinandana d / Bn. Anna / Caitanya Priya dd
1 comment March 3rd, 2010
More on who is a member of ISKCON Part II
Should ISKCON be a small elite group of devotees? How should leaders of ISKCON engage members and non-members in service? In a country one does not lose citizenship because one breaks a law – why would one lose membership in ISKCON for the same? Bn. Rita / Pusta Krishna d / Puskaraksa d
Add comment February 27th, 2010
A friend of Kancana-valli dd was distraught to hear on the presentation “What is ISKCON and Who is a Member?” that those who divorce cannot be members
She writes, “What would you recommend that I tell her on this subject?”
2 comments February 25th, 2010
What is the difference between material and spiritual intelligence
…and how can one explain the importance of spiritual intelligence to non-devotees? Toth Sanyi / Sweden
1 comment February 24th, 2010
Are the 8400000 species of life present in the spiritual world?
Is Srila Prabhupada’s form eternal? Should we preach to carrots?
Add comment February 23rd, 2010
How do we determine which dreams and thoughts are based or contaminated with sahajya?
Can we really restrain ourselves from taking sides in arguments? What are the points in essence we should know in regards to this matter – rtvik?
Add comment February 22nd, 2010
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