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False Ambition: The original sin
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Srila Prabhupada’s unparalleled achievements
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Sri Sanatana Goswami Madan Mohan temple
Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa
Sri Advaita Vata – Place where Sri Advaita Prabhu discovered Madan Mohana
HISTORY OF THE MADANA-MOHANA TEMPLE
Sanatana Gosvami established this temple. It is one of the first temples built in Vrindavan. The Deity of Madana-Mohan was originally known as Madana Gopala. Madan Mohan Temple on the riverside is the oldest structure in Vrindavan.
Advaita Acarya discovered the original Deity of Madana-Mohan at the base of an old vata tree, when he visited Vrindavana. He found this Deity at Advaita Vata, which is the place where he did his bhajana. This place is just below the hill on which the Madana-Mohan temple is located. He entrusted the worship of Madana-Mohan to his disciple, Purusottama Chaube, who then gave the Deity to Sanatana Gosvami. Worshiped along with Madana-Mohan are Radharani and Lalita, who were sent to Vrindavana by Purusottama Jena, the son of Maharaja Prataparudra.
This 20m (60 ft) high temple was opened in 1580 on Aditya Tila, a 16m (50 ft) hill next to the Yamuna. Ram Das Kapoor of Multan (Punjab) paid to build the temple. One day a ship he owned, loaded with salt, went aground in the Yamuna. He was advised by Sanatana Gosvami to pray to Madana-Mohan for help. The ship came free and the owner of the ship made a big profit, which he used to build this temple. Ram Das Kapoor built another temple dedicated to Madana-Mohan in his hometown and installed a replica of Madana-Mohan. This Deity is still being worshiped. His entire family was initiated as Vaishnavas and they were followers of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Krishna Dasa took care of worshiping Madana-Mohan after Sanatana Gosvami left his body. This temple is considered a historical site and is under the care of the Indian government.
This is the oldest temple in Vrindavan. The temple is closely associated with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered the incarnation of the Supreme Lord Krishna in the iron age of Kaliyuga and spreading the congregational chanting ofthe holy names.
Things equal to the same thing are equal to one another-An Axiomatic truth.
Submitted by: Damagosha Dasa
Hare Krsna-Below we are attempting to show that spiritual life follows a certain pattern.
Srila Prabhupada has several times used the expression-“things equal to one another are equal to each other” which comes from Euclid, a great mathematician and philosopher who lived thousands of years ago in Greece. His theorems have survived the test of time up to today, because they are true. And our Srila Prabhupada used this particular one to show how anything spiritual is equal to any other thing which is also spiritual.This is called the Absolute nature of Transcendence. It is common for people to think that there is some difference between Vaisnavas-that those who are “brahmana Vaisnavas”, or “sudra Vaisnavas” are “different” but in actuality there is no difference in quality.
We will attempt to show some of these facts by this principle.
69-10-31
My Dear Dinesh,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated October 21, 1969 along with a contribution of $25. I have already acknowledged receipt of your new record. Regarding the disciplic succession coming from Arjuna, disciplic succession does not always mean that one has to be initiated officially. Disciplic succession means to accept the disciplic conclusion. Arjuna was a disciple of Krishna and Brahma was also a disciple of Krishna. Thus there is no disagreement between the conclusions of Brahma and Arjuna. Vyasadeva is in the disciplic succession of Brahma. The teachings to Arjuna was recorded by Vyasadeva verbatim. So according to the axiomatic truth, things equal toone another are equal to each other. We are not exactly directly from Vyasadeva, but our Gurudeva is a representative of Vyasadeva. Because Vyasadeva and Arjuna are of equal status, being students of Krishna, therefore we are in the disciplic succession of Arjuna. Things equal to the same thing are equal to one another.
——————————-
LA May 7 1970
So this is explained here. This is Vedic mantra. This is the proof, Veda mantra. Why we are attached to Veda mantra? Veda mantra is the proof of everything. Whatever is said in the Vedas, that is fact. Unless you take some axiomatic truth in that way, you cannot make progress. Just like in geometry there are so many axiomatic truths, we have to accept it. “A point has no length, no breadth.” “Things equal to the same thing are equal to one another.” These are axiomatic truths. Similarly the Vedas, they are truth. We have to accept. Just like I’ve given example in my book: The conchshell is the bone of an animal. So Vedic injunction is if you touch the bone of an animal, immediately you become impure and you have to take your bath. But here is a bone which is used in the Deity room. But you cannot argue, “Oh, you said that bone is impure. As soon as you touch it, you become impure. And you are putting into the Deity room?” No argument. You have to accept it. This is Veda. You cannot argue. Similarly, spiritual master’s order, you have to accept. There is no argument. In this way you can make progress.
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Sixteen Points to Consider Regarding the Ṛtvik Issue
Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa
Editorial: Sixteen Points to Consider
Regarding the Ṛtvik Issue
Regarding the Ṛtvik Issue
By Pratyatoṣa Dāsa (ACBSP), August 30, 1998 (Appearance Day of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī) (Updated: March 2, 2014)
(Pratyatosa.com, pratyatosa@gmail.com)
Dear Prabhus, please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!
Concerning the “ṛtvik issue” (initiation on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s behalf by a ṛtvik representative of the Ācārya), please consider the following sixteen points:
From a lecture by Śrīla Prabhupāda on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Hyderabad, India, April 15, 1975:
I may say many things to you, but when I say something directly, “Do it”, your first duty is to do that. You cannot argue, “Sir, you said me like this before.” No, that is not your duty. What I say now, you do it. That is obedience.
If the captain of the ship says “5° starboard” and the first mate replies, “But captain, before you told me ‘10° port,’” then it can be understood that the first mate has gone insane.
Letter by Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī to all GBC’s and temple presidents, Vṛndāvana, India, July 9, 1977:
To All G.B.C. and Temple Presidents
Dear Mahārājas and Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances at your feet. Recently when all of the GBC members were with His Divine Grace in Vṛndāvana, Śrīla Prabhupāda indicated that soon He would appoint some of His senior disciples to act as ritvik – representative of the ācārya, for the purpose of performing initiations, both first initiation and second initiation. His Divine Grace has so far given a list of eleven disciples who will act in that capacity:
His Holiness Kīrtanānanda Swami
His Holiness Satsvarūpa dāsa Gosvāmī
His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami
His Holiness Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī
His Holiness Hṛdayānanda Gosvāmī
His Holiness Bhavānanda Gosvāmī
His Holiness Haṁsadūta Swami
His Holiness Rāmeśvara Swami
His Holiness Harikeśa Swami
His Grace Bhagavān dāsa Adhikārī
His Grace Jayatīrtha dāsa Adhikārī
In the past Temple Presidents have written to Śrīla Prabhupāda recommending a particular devotee’s initiation. Now that Śrīla Prabhupāda has named these representatives, temple presidents may henceforward send recommendation for first and second initiation to whichever of these eleven representatives are nearest their temple. After considering the recommendation, these representatives may accept the devotee as an initiated disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda by giving a spiritual name, or in the case of second initiation, by chanting on the Gāyatrī thread, just as Śrīla Prabhupāda has done. The newly initiated devotees are disciples of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the above eleven senior devotees acting as his representative. After the temple president receives a letter from these representatives giving the spiritual name or the thread, he can perform the fire yajña in the temple as was being done before. The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Śrīla Prabhupāda, to be included in His Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book.
Approved: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami [signed]
Please note that the above is the last formal instruction that Śrīla Prabhupāda gave on initiations within his beloved ISKCON before his physical departure on November 14, 1977. If someone quotes Śrīla Prabhupāda as having said, “My disciples should become gurus.,” then this obviously does not mean diksha (initiating) gurus within ISKCON, because his last instruction (See point #1 above) for ISKCON was to have ṛtviks (priests) initiate on his behalf “henceforward.” If you search the Vedabase for “henceforward,” you will see that Śrīla Prabhupāda always meant “from this time forth; from now on,” which, according to the dictionary, is the only literal meaning that the word “henceforward” can have.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Gosvāmī, one of the 11 original, ṛtvik – representatives of the ācārya (See point #2 above) said on December 3, 1980 (Transcribed from a tape recording of the actual conversation):
Actually Prabhupāda never appointed any gurus. He appointed eleven ritviks. He never appointed them gurus. Myself and the other GBC have done the greatest disservice to this movement the last three years because we [falsely] interpreted the appointment of ritviks as the appointment of gurus.
The yogi should meditate upon the laughter of Lord Visnu
Submitted by: Damagosha Dasa
Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.28.33
With devotion steeped in love and affection, the yogi should meditate within the core of his heart upon the laughter of Lord Vishnu. The laughter of Vishnu is so captivating that it can be easily meditated upon. When the Supreme Lord is laughing, one can see His small teeth, which resemble jasmine buds rendered rosy by the splendor of His lips. Once devoting his mind to this, the yogi should no longer desire to see anything else.
PURPORT
It is recommended that the yogi visualize the laughter of the Lord after studying His smile very carefully. These particular descriptions of meditation on the smile, laughter, face, lips and teeth all indicate conclusively that God is not impersonal. It is described herein that one should meditate on the laughter or smiling of Vishnu. There is no other activity that can completely cleanse the heart of the devotee. The exceptional beauty of the laughter of Lord Vishnu is that when He smiles His small teeth, which resemble the buds of jasmine flowers, at once become reddish, reflecting His rosy lips. If the yogi is able to place the beautiful face of the Lord in the core of his heart, he will be completely satisfied. In other words, when one is absorbed in seeing the beauty of the Lord within himself, the material attraction can no longer disturb him.
Lecture – Vrindavana, September 20, 1976
Srila Prabhupada glorifies Srila Sanatana Goswami
Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa
Srila Sanatana Goswami Tirobhava Tithi [disappearance day]
First Month of Caturmasa
Vyasa-Purnima
Tuesday, July 19, 2016 Mayapura, West Bengal time]
anupama-vallabha, śrī-rūpa, sanātana
ei tina śākhā vṛkṣera paścime sarvottama
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
PURPORT
Śrī Anupama was the father of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī and youngest brother of Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī and Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī. His former name was Vallabha, but after Lord Caitanya met him He gave him the name Anupama. Because of working in the Muslim government, these three brothers were given the title Mullik. Our personal family is connected with the Mulliks of Mahatma Gandhi Road in Calcutta, and we often used to visit their Rādhā–Govinda temple. They belong to the same family as we do. (Our family gotra, or original genealogical line, is the Gautama–gotra, or line of disciples of Gautama Muni, and our surname is De.) But due to their accepting the posts of Zamindars in the Muslim government, they received the title Mullik. Similarly, Rūpa, Sanātana and Vallabha were also given the title Mullik. Mullik means “lord.” Just as the English government gives rich and respectable persons the title “lord,” so the Muslims give the title Mullik to rich, respectable families that have intimate connections with the government. The title Mullik is found not only among the Hindu aristocracy but also among Muslims. This title is not restricted to a particular family but is given to different families and castes. The qualifications for receiving it are wealth and respectabilityi
Srila Prabhupada explains his first Ratha-Yatra in Calcuta as a child
Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa
Srila Prabhupadad: And that is the inspiration of my devotional life. Then I asked my father that “Give me Radha-Govinda Deity; I shall worship.” So my father was also Vaisnava. He gave me small Radha-Govinda Deity. I was worshiping in my house. Whatever I was eating, I was offering, and I was following the ceremonies of this Radha-Govinda with my small Deity. That Deity is still existing. I have given to my sister. So then I introduced Ratha-yatra. So I… My Ratha-yatra was being performed very gloriously. My father used to spend money. In those days ten rupees, twenty rupees was sufficient. I hired one kirtana party, and a small friends, they…, I think the brother of the present generation, and there was another De family here, so we performed this Ratha-yatra ceremony. According to our children’s imagination, it was very gorgeous. So I think our present Manmohan… His name is? Gabhur Bhavana? [Bengali] Gopishvara Mullik. That Gopishvara Mullik was my father’s friend. So he was criticizing my father that “You are performing Ratha-yatra ceremony and you are not inviting us.” [laughter] So my father said, “That is children’s play. What shall I invite you? You are very big man.” So, “Oh, so you are avoiding. In the name of children you are avoiding us.” On the whole, this Ratha-yatra festival was very gorgeously… Then imitating me, the other, my brother like, Kangalu[?], he also introduced Ratha-yatra. And… Kangalu. [Bengali] So all of them introduced Ratha-yatra, and the destination was this Thakurbari, from there. So practically what I am doing now, the same thing, Radha-Krsna worship and introduction of Ratha-yatra. I am not doing anything else. You know very well. We are now performing Ratha-yatra ceremony practically in all big cities of the world: in San Francisco, in…
Srila Prabhupāda: Philadelphia, London…
10 Conclusions to BG by Srila Prabhupada in a 1947 letter
Submitted by: Damagosha Dasa
Ten Conclusions of Bhagavad-gita- His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
To summarise the conclusions of Bhagavad-gītā, it may be said that:
1) God is one and everything is in him and he is in everything.
- To render transcendental service unto God is to serve everything that be, just like to water the root of the tree is to water the different branches and numerous leaves of the tree, or [just like] to supply food to the stomach is to vitalize all the senses and the sense organs of the body.
- The parts are automatically served when the whole is served, but when [only] the parts are served the whole may not be served.
- The parts and the whole [are] eternally related, [thus] it is the eternal duty of the parts to render service to the whole.
- God is sat-cit-ananda-vigraha, the all-attractive cognizant and all-blissful eternal personality. He is a recipient of the services of his parts [the living entities]. He can reveal himself by his own potency, without any help of the external potency called māyā, in order to be cognizable by the limited potency of the parts, and as such he is not only the greatest of all but he is also the smallest of all. That is his prerogative.
- ) He is better realized when by his causeless mercy he agrees to descend in this mortal world, but he is never realized by the speculations of the empiric philosophers, however systematic and long-termed their speculations may be.
- Sri Krishna is the Personality of Godhead and is the summum bonum cause of all causes, proved by facts and figures in the statements of Bhagavad-gītā, but he reserves the right of not being exposed to the sensual speculations of the empiric philosophers.
- 8) One should therefore surrender unto him if one wants to know him as he is. That is the real process for the infinitesimals to approach the infinite.
Issue - Sri Krishna is easily available by the religion of love, i.e. by love and service as conceived by the damsels of Vraja, who had practically no education whatsoever, much less any claim for high class birth-right.
- The highest service that can be rendered to mankind is, therefore, to preach the philosophy and religion of Bhagavad-gītā at all times, in all places, and by all people. — Letter to Raja Mohendra Pratap, 13 July 1947.
Srila Prabhupada regarding the only qualification for Krishna Consciousness
Submitted by: Yasoda nandana Dasa
Srila Prabhupada letter, February 13, 1969