Hare Krishna Society

On 26th March, we had a Prabhupada katha lecture in Mayapur Temple by His Excellency P.B Acharya (the governor of Assam, Tripura and Nagaland). He’s a Vaisnava born in Udupi, Karnataka and had the fortune of serving Srila Prabhupada at his house in Bombay for 40 days.

During that time he had many memorable experiences with Srila Prabhupada and he narrated some of them. We can’t replicate the nectarine experience of hearing this katha in Temple but we attempt to share some of the pastimes told by him.

Even before he met Srila Prabhupada, he was surprised to see His western disciples clean a bushy land even without caring for their meals. One day he asked Brahmananda prabhu for tea/coffee but he refused to have that. Then he invited him for a meal at his home. Brahmananda prabhu accepted food after knowing that it was prasad. Few other devotees also honored prasad at his home during next few days. When he first met Srila Prabhupada, He asked if he was a Vaisnava. He said yes and to his surprise Srila Prabhupada asked if He could stay at his home. He agreed and devotees cleaned His room very nicely. One day devotees objected to use of grinder as that may disturb His rest. He appreciated the attention His disciples had in serving Him.

During the Hare Krsna festival, he was amazed to see devotees from Western countries in Bombay dressed in Indian attire, chanting Hare Krsna while he was in shirt pant. He felt that Srila Prabhupada’s remarkable contribution is to spread the Holy Names and teachings of Lord Krsna throughout the world in a short time.

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MOOLA RAMA

https://www.sriraghavendramutt.org/srsm/content/sri-moola-rama-devaru

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 9: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Travels to the Holy Places : Madhya 9.11 : PURPORT : yas tu narayanam devam brahma-rudradi-daivataih samatvenaiva vikseta sa pasandi bhaved dhruvam :

In the book known as Adhyātma-rāmāyaṇa, there are statements in Chapters Twelve to Fifteen about the worship of the Deities Śrī Rāmacandra and Sītā. There it is stated that during Lord Rāmacandra’s time there was a brāhmaṇa who took a vow to fast until he saw Lord Rāmacandra. Sometimes, due to business, Lord Rāmacandra was absent from His capital for a full week and could not be seen by citizens during that time. Because of his vow, the brāhmaṇa could not take even a drop of water during that week. Later, after eight or nine days, when the brāhmaṇa could see Lord Rāmacandra personally, he would break his fast. Upon observing the brāhmaṇa’s rigid vow, Lord Śrī Rāmacandra ordered His younger brother Lakṣmaṇa to deliver a pair of Sītā-Rāma Deities to the brāhmaṇa. The brāhmaṇa received the Deities from Śrī Lakṣmaṇajī and worshiped Them faithfully as long as he lived. At the time of his death, he delivered the Deities to Śrī Hanumānjī, who, for many years, hung Them around his neck and served Them with all devotion. After many years, when Hanumānjī departed on the hill known as Gandha-mādana, he delivered the Deities to Bhīmasena, one of the Pāṇḍavas, and Bhīmasena brought Them to his palace, where he kept Them very carefully. The last king of the Pāṇḍavas, Kṣemakānta, worshiped the Deities in that palace. Later, the same Deities were kept in the custody of the kings of Orissa known as Gajapatis. One of the ācāryas, known as Narahari Tīrtha, who was in the disciplic succession of Madhvācārya, received these Deities from the King of Orissa

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CC Adi 3.21

apane na kaile dharma sikhana na yaya

ei ta siddhanta gita bhagavate gaya

“Unless one practices devotional service himself, he cannot teach it to others. This conclusion is indeed confirmed throughout the Gita and Bhagavatam.”

Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu 1.1.11

anyabhilasita sunyam jnana karmadi anavrtam

anukulyena krsnanusilanam bhakti uttama

One should render [uninterrupted] transcendental loving devotional service exclusively for the pleasure of Lord Sri Krsna without any desire for material profit or gain through philosophical speculation or fruitive activities.

Any other desires or activities executed – such as looking to obtain money for our own materialistic purposes,looking for position, name/fame – which are outside of the realm of pure devotional service rendered exclusively for the pleasure of Krsna constitutes (compromised) devotional service mixed with other motive.

BG 11.54; 18.55

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ULTIMATELY, EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL

Hare Krsna

Below we have a lot of statements by Srila Prabhupada regarding how everthing is spiritual-as long it is connected with Krsna that is. When the marginal energy (us) decides we want to utilize anything for our selves or our sense gratification, then that thing or person becomes part of the material energy. But as soon as that same thing is utilized for the purposes of Krsna, it regains its original spiritual energy. This is called acintya abedabeda tattva-how everthing is inconceivably one and different from the Lord.

Hari bol

damaghosa das

Points covered below

1.Lord Brahmas body and soul come from the sanskrit alphabet

2.For self realized souls, nothing exists but spirit.

3.Husband and wife can turn home into Vaikuntha by giving up sense gratification and “forget” they are living in the material world.

4.One filled with material desires creates distinction-this is matter, this is spirit.

5.Maha Bhagavat doesnt renounce anything but sees how to utilize everything for Krsna seva.

6.When we forget Krsna, that is materialism, when we constantly remember Krsna, that is spiritualism.

7.Because we forget Krsna, therefore it appears as “material”.

8. And more…

SB 3.12.47 Brahmā’s soul was manifested as the touch alphabets, his body as the vowels, his senses as the sibilant alphabets, his strength as the intermediate alphabets and his sensual activities as the seven notes of music.

PURPORT

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July 10 1976 NY CC Madhya 20.104

The beginning of spiritual life is to understand that “I am not this body.” That is the beginning. So if I am properly trained up to understand that “I am not this body,” then where is my tāpa–traya, miserable condition? Because miserable condition is due to this body.…

So when one understands that “I am not this body,” he is not very much affected.Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, deha–smṛti nāhi yāra,saṁsāra–bandhana kāhāṅ tāra. Deha–smṛti: it is simply to understand. Just like I have given several times this example: you are in a very nice car, Cadillac, and you are very proud of it, and if by chance the car is by accident broken then your heart breaks. Why? You are not the car. But because your thoughts are absorbed in the car, that “This is my car,” therefore your heart becomes broken. Actually you have nothing to do with the car. Even the car is broken into pieces, you are not affected. But because I have got affection for the car, therefore I am… So this affection can be withdrawn by cultivation of knowledge. That I am not this car, it is a fact, but on account of my ignorance and attachment I am thinking, “Now I am finished because my car is broken.” It is simple truth. Similarly those who are too much absorbed in the thought that “I am this body,” their sufferings are more on account of this misconception that “I am this body.“

… Here in this material world we are advanced in so-called civilization, but we are very much attached to this body. This is misconception. This is called illusion. This is, the dog is also thinking like that: “I am this body.” So where is the difference? If the dog thinks, “I am this body,” “I am Indian…” I think, “I am Indian”; Americans thinks he is… So where is the difference between the dog and me? There is no difference. Simply by dressing nicely… If you dress a dog very nicely, does it mean that he becomes a human being? A dressed dog, that’s all. Dog dancing. So śāstra says that if one is still in the bodily concepts of life, then he’s no better than animal.Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke [SB 10.84.13]. Tri-dhātuke.

Conclusion-Chant the Holy Names of Krsna and Rama without

offenses and transcend this bodily consciousness-then no more suffering

Srila Prabhupada quotes on rising during brahma muhurta

Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing. A devotee should always be grave and silent which means that he only discusses topics relating to Krishna Consciousness. Yes, spend your time chanting and reading and taking Krishna Prasadam and automatically your tongue will come under control. If you sincerely engage 24 hours daily in devotional service according to the instructions of the Spiritual Master, chant daily 16 rounds, attend the arati ceremony of Lord Krishna, associate with the devotees and adhere strictly to the regulative principles then Krishna will reveal Himself personally to you.

Letter to: Radhavallabha — Bombay 6 January, 1972

The time early in the morning, one and a half hours before sunrise, is called brāhma-muhūrta. During this brāhma-muhūrta, spiritual activities are recommended. Spiritual activities performed early in the morning have a greater effect than in any other part of the day. SB 3.20.46

In the early morning hours (known as brāhma-muhūrta) one should get up and immediately chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, or, at least, “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa.” In this way, one should remember Kṛṣṇa. Some ślokas or prayers should also be chanted. By chanting, one immediately becomes auspicious and transcendental to the infection of material qualities. Actually one has to chant and remember Lord Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours daily, or as much as possible Madhya 24.331

The brāhma-muhūrta takes place about one and a half hours before sunrise. It is recommended that one should rise from bed at that time and, after finishing daily ablutions, take to spiritual activities by performing Maṅgala-ārātrika and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇamantra. This period is very convenient for the execution of spiritual activities. KB 1-32 / Description of the Rasa Dance

Lord Kṛṣṇa used to lie down with His sixteen thousand wives, but also He would rise up from bed very early in the morning, three hours before sunrise. By nature’s arrangement the crowing of the cocks warns of the brāhma-muhūrta hour. There is no need of alarm clocks; as soon as the cocks crow early in the morning, it is to be understood that it is time to rise from bed. Hearing that sound, Kṛṣṇa would get up from bed, but His rising early was not very much to the liking of His wives. The wives of Kṛṣṇa were so much attached to Him that they would lie in bed embracing Him, but as soon as the cocks crowed, Kṛṣṇa’s wives would be very sorry and would immediately condemn the crowing.

KB 2-15 / Lord Krsna’s Daily Activities :

Although Śrīmatī Rukmiṇīdevī, the first queen of Lord Kṛṣṇa, knew that brāhma-muhūrta is the most auspicious time in the entire day, she would feel disgusted at the appearance of brāhma-muhūrta because she was not very happy to have Kṛṣṇa leave her side in bed. Despite Śrīmatī Rukmiṇīdevī’s disgust, Lord Kṛṣṇa would immediately get up from bed exactly on the appearance of brāhma-muhūrta. An ideal householder should learn from the behavior of Lord Kṛṣṇa how to rise early in the morning, however comfortably he may be lying in bed embraced by his wife,

KB 2-15 / Lord Krsna’s Daily Activities

After rising from bed, Lord Kṛṣṇa would wash His mouth, hands and feet and would immediately sit down and meditate on Himself. This does not mean, however, that we should also sit down and meditate on ourselves. We have to meditate upon Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. That is real meditation, Kṛṣṇa is Krṣṇa Himself; therefore He was teaching us that brāhma-muhūrta should be utilized for meditation on Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. By doing so, Kṛṣṇa would feel very much satisfied, and similarly we will also feel transcendentally pleased and satisfied if we utilize the brāhma-muhūrta period to meditate on Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa and if we think of how Śrī Rukmiṇīdevī and Kṛṣṇa acted as ideal householders to teach the whole human society to rise early in the morning and immediately engage in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There is no difference between meditating on the eternal forms of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and chanting the mahāmantra, Hare Kṛṣṇa. As for Kṛṣna’s meditation, He had no alternative but to meditate on Himself. The object of meditation is Brahman, Paramātmā or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but Kṛṣṇa Himself is all three: He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān; the localized Paramātmā is His plenary partial expansion; and the all-pervading Brahman effulgence is the personal rays of His transcendental body. KB 2-15 / Lord Krsna’s Daily Activities

So the other devotees, (laughs) they cannot rise…, come at five o’clock. That is the test. Yes. One who cannot rise early in the morning, he is not spiritually serious. That is test.Brāhma-muhūrta, this hour, one hour before sunrise, is very auspicious moment. Conversation – December 13, 1970, Indore

Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the Brahma Muhurta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Letter to: Radhavallabha — Bombay

these bhaktas below attended mongol arotik therefore they are sprouting with love of Krsna-all the others who didnt attend mongol arotik remained asleep-and in seed form only……

Hare Krsna

Some “ritvik” common sense-

The people in iskcon say Prabhupada is not physically present therefore he cannot initiate anybody today. They say you need a physically present person to connect one to the param para.

The followers of the”ritvik order” say no, Srila Prabhupada can and does initiate anybody today who will follow his rules and regulations.

Consider this common sense–

Ask them (these blind followers) if they realiize that Krsna is “physically” present in the name they daily chant ?

Everybody who reads Prabhupadas books has read over a thousand times that Krsna IS

present in His Holy Names. Now ask these people if they have realized this yet?

If they say No, then ask them how is it, if you cannot understand the spiritual aspect of these Holy Names, but that you can conclude that Srila Prabhupada cannot accept karma and disciples ? Both are spiritual things, if you cannot understand Krsna is present in His holy names, then how can you say such nonsense about what Prabhupada, as a spiritual master can or cannot do?

If they say yes, then we should see them constantly chanting these Holy Names due to extreme attraction for them, since They are Krsna Himself. If they have a hard time, as do most, even finishing 16 rounds a day, that means they have not yet realized Krsna is present in those names.

But if they say they have realized that Krsna is present in His Holy Names, then do a simple test.

Put in front of them two similiar bowls of food-one is offered food-Krsna Prasadam, the other bowl is the same thing but not offered.

If they can tell which one is offered, that means they can see spirit and tell which is material (unoffered) .

If they cannot tell which is offered or un offered-then do as Prabhupada would do-kick them in their face with “boot”. There will be no offense incurred , but on the contrary, you will receive the blessings of Srila Prabhupada and the entire param para !!!

Hare Krsna

damaghosa das

Wash DC July 6 1976 lecture

This is Indian mission. Para–upakāra. Not exploit others—to give something. That is Indian mission, that he has to give something. He has nothing to take. He has to give something. And what is that? ThatCaitanya Mahāprabhu teaches, that āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Even if you cannot deliver the whole world or very expansive area, at least, wherever you are, you just deliver them.Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa. “You become a guru by My order.” So one may say that “I have no qualification. How can I become a guru or how can I deliver these fallen persons?” So Kṛṣṇa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, “Don’t be disappointed.”

āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa
yāre dekha tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]

Bas. Simply as messenger, as peon, you simply carry the messages ofBhagavad-gītā, kṛṣṇa–upadeśa. Then you become guru. Then you become guru. It is not difficult.

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Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Yesterday (and Thursday) we observed as a group the annual Gaura Purnima Mahotsava.

Beginning with an arotik, and kirtan,then some bhajans, next followed by listening to an ecstatic lecture given by Srila Prabhupada in Mayapura 1976 ,some discussion of this lecture, then bhajans and abhisek of some Salagram Silas, a poem recited by Anubhavananda, in which he made us all follow and say each line along with him, then the last item on the agenda was the puppet show given by our Kanhaiya dasa, who also loves to entertain the devotees with his antics and shows.

All this was followed by a very sumptuous vegetarian feast (much of which came from our gardens out back) and of course topped off with sweet rice (the old fashioned kind we grew to

expect and relish) gulab jamuns (same thing here), and some spice cake . Makhancora prabhu brought a subji, and Noble mataji also brought a chickpea subji and spicey samosas also very delicious. And our new bhaktas Andy and Anna supplied the ingredients for organic corn tortilla casadiyas.(sp?)

Everybody had fun, and left blissfully thinking of the special mercy of the Yuga Avatara-Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu thru the grace of A C Bhaktiviedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada !!!

Hare Krsna-Sri Gaura Purnima Ki Jaya !!

damaghosa das

the puppet show below on youtube

https://youtu.be/xZOXobUOBck