Hare Krishna Society

April 15 1977 Bombay

Prabhupāda: Simply fighting. They are not peaceful. That’s all. Where is peace? You’ll be surprised. During gas scarcity the gas was being supplied in Honolulu. This was in our presence. So the gas supply, whatever they had, distributed, and they had one sign board, “No more gas.” So next man was so angry that he shot him dead. Just see. He had no more gas; he cannot supply. He became so much infuriated that he shot him dead. This is the result of this modern motorcar civilization. He thought that “Gas will not be supplied. Then I am gone. I am finished. So kill this man.” This is education. (Hindi) Provided we train at least some ideal men, everything can be done. Everything is there. There is no scarcity of knowledge in India. We have to simply take it and practically apply it, bas. (Hindi) We are not sentimental (laughs) religious group. Everything practical. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not like that, sentiment. Everything scientific, practical, for the good of the whole human society. Therefore I require that this must be pushed on for the whole human society, and naturally India also.

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(above). the body of Ramanuja in Sri Rangam .

(right) Ramanuja agreed to argue single handed.the king arranged a huge dias and open ground for 12000 jains.Ramanuja centrally seated over the dias should answer all queries. Ramanuja manifested as Adi Sesha with 1000 hoods and successfully addressed all jain acharyas and satisfied their questions.

Srila Prabhupada cites and glorifies Ramanujacarya.

compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

The statements of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are accepted by great ācāryas like Śrīdhara Svāmī, Rāmānujācārya

It is indicated herein that the residents of Maharloka, where the purified living entities or demigods possess a duration of life calculated to be 4,300,000,000 solar years, have airships by which they reach Satyaloka, the topmost planet of the universe. In other words, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam gives us many clues about other planets far, far away from us which modern planes and spacecraft cannot reach, even by imaginary speeds. The statements of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are accepted by great ācāryas like Śrīdhara Svāmī, Rāmānujācārya and Vallabhācārya. Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu specifically accepts Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as the spotless Vedic authority, and as such no sane man can ignore the statements of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam when it is spoken by the self-realized soul Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī, who follows in the footsteps of his great father, Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the compiler of all Vedic literatures. In the creation of the Lord there are many wonderful things we can see with our own eyes every day and night, but we are unable to reach them equipped by modern materialistic science. We should not, therefore, depend on the fragmentary authority of materialistic science for knowing things beyond the range of scientific purview. For a common man, both modern science and Vedic wisdom are simply to be accepted because none of the statements either of modern science or of Vedic literature can be verified by him. The alternative for a common man is to believe either of them or both of them. The Vedic way of understanding, however, is more authentic because it has been accepted by the ācāryas, who are not only faithful and learned men, but are also liberated souls without any of the flaws of conditioned souls. The modern scientists, however, are conditioned souls liable to so many errors and mistakes; therefore the safe side is to accept the authentic version of Vedic literatures, like Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is accepted unanimously by the great ācāryas. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/2/2/26

Tridaṇḍī sannyāsīs are followers of Vaiṣṇava ācāryas—Rāmānujācārya, Madhvācārya

In this verse the word tīrtha–pādīya indicates devotees of Lord Viṣṇu, or Vaiṣṇavas. As far as brāhmaṇas are concerned, in the previous verse the mode of reception has been already described. Now, in this verse, special stress is being given to the Vaiṣṇavas. Generally, the sannyāsīs, or those in the renounced order of life, take trouble to enlighten the householders. There are ekadaṇḍī sannyāsīs and tridaṇḍī sannyāsīs. The ekadaṇḍī sannyāsīs are generally followers of Śaṅkarācārya and are known as Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, whereas the tridaṇḍī sannyāsīs are followers of Vaiṣṇava ācāryas—Rāmānujācārya, Madhvācārya and so on—and they take trouble to enlighten the householders. Ekadaṇḍī sannyāsīs can be situated on the platform of pure Brahman because they are aware that the spirit soul is different from the body, but they are mainly impersonalists. The Vaiṣṇavas know that the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Person and that the Brahman effulgence is based on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (14.27): brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham. The conclusion is that tīrtha–pādīya refers to Vaiṣṇavas. In the Bhāgavatam (1.13.10) there is also another reference: tīrthī–kurvanti tīrthāni. Wherever he goes, a Vaiṣṇava immediately makes that place a tīrtha, a place of pilgrimage. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/4/22/11

Ramanuja came from Dravida desa

The specific mention of Draviḍa–deśa refers to the five Draviḍa-deśas in South India. All are very strong in rendering the preliminary devotional processes (śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam). Some great ācāryas, like Rāmānujācārya and Madhvācārya, also came from Draviḍa–deśa and became great preachers. They were all situated on the platform of sakhyam ātma–nivedanam. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/4/28/30

Learned authorities in devotional life consequently advise that one not endeavor to increase the number of temples and maṭhas. Such activities can be undertaken only by devotees experienced in propagating the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. All the ācāryas in South India, especially Śrī Rāmānujācārya, constructed many big temples, and in North India all the Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana constructed large temples. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also constructed large centers, known as Gauḍīya Maṭhas. Therefore, temple construction is not bad, provided proper care is taken for the propagation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Even if such endeavors are considered greedy, the greed is to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, and therefore these are spiritual activities.ink to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/7/15/21

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Faithful followers of the BBT have adopted March 14th as “BBT Only Day” in recognition of a significant instruction Srila Prabhupada issued to all temples and members of the Society on March 14th 1974 in the following letter: Letter is actually above.

Dear Prabhus,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Now let us analyse this letter and BBT ONLY DAY.

We could not agree more that it should be BBT Only Everyday. These people promoting themselves as faithful followers and directors of BBT are not even close to that position.

First paragraph: BBTI has already destroyed or extinguished, (in their own words) the BBT in both Bombay and LA. They do not follow anything that Prabhupada instructed regarding BBT.

Second paragraph, case in point: Prabhupada formed BBT, not BBTI. And where are the exclusive rights that Prabhupada invested in BBT. They are stolen by BBTI.

What are those exclusive rights? “Printing of all literature containing my teachings, writings and lectures. What do we get from BBTI. Revised books by Jaiadvaita and Dravida and New Bhagavatams and many other books by numerous conditioned souls.

50% is not being given by BBTI. Ask for their accounts worldwide and see how far you get.

Third paragraph:KBI was authorised, but BBTI is breaking that agreement of cooperation and court order and only want to wipe them out.

I have also tried to offer my services to BBTI and pay a royalty to print Prabupada’s original books, and also to offer anything I print to support the Bhaktivedanta Archives with 50% of the profits going to the Archives and 50% to reprint more books for the same purpose with nothing for myself. They rejected my offer.How much are these directors of BBTI taking for themselves? Ask for their accounts and see how far you get.

Fourth paragraph: BBTI is printing independently and have already ruined the BBT.

Fifth paragraph: So let us do the needful and bring back Prabhupada’s original BBT and books and make it BBT Only Day, every day.

Your servant,

Jitarati das

Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Sri Govinda Ghosha disappearance day

Srila Prabhupada describes the glories to Sri Govinda Ghosa.

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda : Adi 11.19 : TRANSLATION :

When Vāsudeva Ghoṣa performed kīrtana, describing Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda, even wood and stone would melt upon hearing it

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 10: The Trunk, Branches and Subbranches of the Caitanya Tree : Adi 10.115 : PURPORT :

The three brothers Govinda, Mādhava and Vāsudeva Ghoṣa all belonged to a kāyastha family. Govinda established the Gopīnātha temple in Agradvīpa, where he resided. Mādhava Ghoṣa was expert in performing kīrtana. No one within this world could compete with him. He was known as the singer of Vṛndāvana and was very dear to Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. It is said that when the three brothers performed saṅkīrtana, immediately Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda would dance in ecstasy. According to the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā (188), the three brothers were formerly Kalāvatī, Rasollāsā and Guṇatuṅgā, who recited the songs composed by Śrī Viśākhā-gopī. The three brothers were among one of the seven parties that performed kīrtana when Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu attended the Ratha-yātrā festival at Jagannātha Purī. Vakreśvara Paṇḍita was the chief dancer in their party. This is vividly described in the Madhya-līlā, Chapter Thirteen, verses 42 and 43.

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 10: The Trunk, Branches and Subbranches of the Caitanya Tree : Adi 10.118 : TRANSLATION :

These three were Rāmadāsa, Mādhava Ghoṣa and Vāsudeva Ghoṣa. Govinda Ghoṣa, however, remained with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Jagannātha Purī and thus felt great satisfaction.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda : Adi 11.14-15 : TRANSLATION : When Nityānanda Prabhu was ordered to go to Bengal to preach, these two devotees [Śrī Rāmadāsa and Gadādhara dāsa] were ordered to go with Him. Thus they are sometimes counted among the devotees of Lord Caitanya and sometimes among the devotees of Lord Nityānanda. Similarly, Mādhava and Vāsudeva Ghoṣa belonged to both groups of devotees simultaneously.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 11: The Beda-kirtana Pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu : Madhya 11.88 : TRANSLATION : “Here also are Govinda Ghoṣa, Mādhava Ghoṣa and Vāsudeva Ghoṣa. They are three brothers, and their saṅkīrtana, congregational chanting, pleases the Lord very much.”

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 11: The Beda-kirtana Pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu : Madhya 11.88 : PURPORT : Govinda Ghoṣa belonged to the kāyastha dynasty of the Uttara-rāḍhīya section, and he was known as Ghoṣa Ṭhākura. Even to the present day there is a place named Agradvīpa, near Katwa, where a fair takes place and is named after Ghoṣa Ṭhākura. As far as Vāsudeva Ghoṣa is concerned, he composed many nice songs about Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and these are all authorized Vaiṣṇava songs, like the songs of Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Locana dāsa Ṭhākura, Govinda dāsa Ṭhākura and other great Vaiṣṇavascompiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

SB 10.7.1-2 King Parīkṣit said: My lord, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, all the various activities exhibited by the incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are certainly pleasing to the ear and to the mind. Simply by one’s hearing of these activities, the dirty things in one’s mind immediately vanish. Generally we are reluctant to hear about the activities of the Lord, but Kṛṣṇa’s childhood activities are so attractive that they are automatically pleasing to the mind and ear. Thus one’s attachment for hearing about material things, which is the root cause of material existence, vanishes, and one gradually develops devotional service to the Supreme Lord, attachment for Him, and friendship with devotees who give us the contribution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If you think it fit, kindly speak about those activities of the Lord.

PURPORT-As stated in the Prema-vivarta:kṛṣṇa-bahirmukha haiyā bhoga-vāñchā karenikaṭa-stha māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare Our material existence is māyā, or illusion, in which we desire different varieties of material enjoyment and therefore change to different varieties of bodies (bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā [Bg. 18.61]). Asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ: [SB 5.5.4] as long as we have these temporary bodies, they give us many varieties of tribulation—ādhyātmika, ādhibhautika and ādhidaivika. This is the root cause of all suffering, but this root cause of suffering can be removed by revival of our Kṛṣṇa consciousness. All the Vedic literatures presented by Vyāsadeva and other great sages are therefore intended to revive our Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which begins to revive with śravaṇa-kīrtanam. Śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ (Bhāg. 1.2.17). Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and other Vedic literatures exist simply to give us a chance to hear about Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa has different avatāras, or incarnations, all of which are wonderful and which arouse one’s inquisitiveness, but generally such avatāras as Matsya, Kūrma and Varāha are not as attractive as Kṛṣṇa. First of all, however, we have no attraction for hearing about Kṛṣṇa, and this is the root cause of our suffering.

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Madhya 16. 156-168

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu finally arrived at the border of the state of Orissa, a government officer came there to meet Him.

For two or four days, the government officer served the Lord. He also gave the Lord detailed information of what was ahead.

He informed the Lord that the territory ahead was ruled by a Moslem governor, who was a drunkard. Out of fear for this king, no one could walk the road freely.

The jurisdiction of the Mohammedan government extended up to Pichaladā. Due to fear of the Mohammedans, no one would cross the river.

Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s government officer further informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that He should stay at the Orissa border for some days so that a peaceful agreement could be negotiated with the Mohammedan governor. In that way, the Lord would be able to cross the river peacefully in a boat.

At that time, a follower of the Mohammedan governor arrived at the Orissa encampment dressed in disguise.

The Mohammedan spy saw the wonderful characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and when he returned to the Mohammedan governor, he told him, “A mendicant has come from Jagannātha Puri with many liberated persons.

“All these saintly people incessantly chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā–mantra, and they all laugh, dance, chant and cry.

“Many millions upon millions of people come to see Him, and after they see Him,they cannot return home.

“All these people become like madmen. They simply dance and chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Sometimes they even cry and roll on the ground.

“Actually these things cannot even be described. One can understand them only by seeing. By His influence, I accept Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

After saying this, the messenger began to chant the holy names of Hari and Kṛṣṇa. He also began to laugh and cry, dance and sing exactly like a madman.

What is Krishna Consciousness?

By Narasimha das

“If one is somehow or other able to understand Krishna, his life will be successful. Tyaktva dehan punar janma naiti mam eti so ‘rujuna. A perfect devotee is able to understand Krishna through the disciplic succession, and his entrance into the kingdom of God is thereby certainly opened. When one understands Krishna, there is no difficulty in transferring oneself to the spiritual kingdom.” (Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya, 25. 271, Purport)

We find many statements like this in Srila Prabhupada’s books, assuring that those who understand krsna-tattva, or the science of Krishna, can return back to Godhead after this very lifetime. Anyone who understands Krishna in truth (even those born in families of dog eaters or dog lovers) can become guru and accept disciples all over the world. This is the verdict of all Vaishnava acharyas in the line of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

But what does it mean to be Krishna conscious, or to “understand Krishna”? Any 8-year-old child can learn ideas of Krishna and Krishna-lila, but does this mean he can become an acharya and accept disciples all over the world? Does this mean he is assured of the highest liberation?

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.” (Bhagavad-gita, 4.9)

“Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieve perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.” (Bhagavad-gita 7.3)

“It is very difficult to understand Krishna, but if one tries to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam through Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s bhakti cult, one will undoubtedly understand Krishna very easily.” (Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya 25.270, Purport)

“Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, as the ideal teacher, or acharya, explained Srimad-Bhagavatam very elaborately Himself. He sometimes also empowered His devotees to speak while he listened. This is the way an acharya should train His disciples. Not only should he describe the bhagavata cult personally, but he should also train his disciples to speak on this sublime subject.” (Caitanya-caritamrita. Madhya, 25.267, Purport)

Although parrot-like repetition is also good when it comes to the teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His mission is best served by those who can correctly teach His mission in various situations. A useful, expert preacher knows the science of Krishna and how to explain it to others. Otherwise, as Srila Prabhupada warned, he may become an embarrassment to the mission if unable to answer doubts, arguments and questions that arise in the minds of listeners.

I heard a story about an occasion when one Gaudiya Math preacher returned from England to Calcutta. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and many other devotees came to welcome him back. This preacher later mentioned that in England people had asked him difficult questions that could not be answered. Hearing this, Srila Prabhupada and one of his learned Godbrothers were surprised and asked: “What questions are these that couldn’t be answered?” Hearing the questions, Srila Prabhupada and his Godbrother immediately answered them. Thus, it was revealed that this devotee who had gone to England was not a qualified preacher of Krishna consciousness. This was again exposed, years later, when this same person artificially tried to become an acharya.

Srila Prabhupada wanted devotees to give class and write articles in Krishna consciousness. Preaching is the best way to increase and refine our understanding of Krishna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada constantly encouraged devotees to carefully study the teachings of Krishna consciousness, practice the principles, and teach others.

Real Krishna consciousness is more than just reading, lecturing, managing temples, or even memorizing a lot of verses. Real Krishna consciousness is more than being able to play some instruments, sing nicely, give interesting lectures, write nicely, or even build and manage temples. The most concise explanation I have found for what it truly means to be Krishna consciousness is in given in Srila Prabhupada’s lucent translation of one of Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja’s verses in Sri Caitanya-caritamrita:

Krishna-tattva, bhakti-tattva, prema-tattva sara, bhava-tattva, rasa-tattva, lila-tattva ara.

“Krishna consciousness means understanding the truth of Krishna, the truth of devotional service, the truth of love of Godhead, the truth of emotional ecstasy, the truth of transcendental mellow and the truth of the pastimes of the Lord. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya-lila 25.265)

We may wonder, “How can Krishna consciousness be preached in this modern world? What is the formula? Do we absolutely require big institutions, temples, websites, money, farms, followers or cults?” According to the Srila Rupa Gosvami material things can be used in Krishna’s service (yukta-vairagya) by an expert devotee, particularly if such things are easily available, but no acharya has prescribed material formulas as a necessity for preaching Krishna consciousness.

Then what is the real method? That is revealed by Srila Krishna Das Kaviraja in Caitanaya-caritamrita, Madhya-lila 25.276:

“The devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu take responsibility for distributing nectarean devotional service all over the world. They are like clouds pouring water on the ground that nourishes the fruit of love of Godhead in the world. The devotees eat that fruit to their hearts’ content, and whatever remnants they leave are eaten by the general populace. Thus, they live happily.”

This statement suggests that sharing the joy of relishing the mercy of Lord Chaitanya and His great devotees is the genuine way to spread Krishna consciousness all over the world. This is the real way by which the mission of Krishna consciousness is broadly expanded. All Gaudiya acharyas, beginning with Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami, have recommended hearing and chanting without personal ambition as the best and primary means of devotional service. All other devotional service and preaching is dependent on our careful hearing and chanting of the name, fame and glories of Sri Krishna and His great devotees.

In His Brihad-Bhagavatamrita, Srila Sanatana Gosvami elaborately reveals how great devotees associate directly with the Supreme Lord by carefully hearing and chanting the holy names of Krishna in a humble state of mind, in appreciation of Lord Krishna, His many forms, and His many great devotees. By careful hearing and chanting everything is revealed, and everything desirable is easily achieved. This was clearly illustrated by a long story first told by Sri Narada Muni, regarding the wonderful life of a boy named Sri Gopa Kumara. As the name suggests, this astonishing and luminous book teaches us to relish the essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Sri Srivasa Pandita avirbhava tithi [appearance day]

Srila Prabhupada explains the glories or Srivasa Thakura

compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

After this incident the Lord began to preach and propagate His Bhāgavata–dharma, or saṅkīrtana movement, more vigorously, and whoever stood against this propagation of the yuga–dharma, or duty of the age, was properly punished by various types of chastisement. Two brāhmaṇa gentlemen named Cāpala and Gopāla, who also happened to be maternal uncles of the Lord, were inflicted with leprosy by way of chastisement, and later, when they were repentant, they were accepted by the Lord. In the course of His preaching work, He used to send daily all His followers, including Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu and Ṭhākura Haridāsa, two chief whips of His party, from door to door to preach the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam All of Navadvīpa was surcharged with His saṅkīrtana movement, and His headquarters were situated at the house of Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and Śrī Advaita Prabhu, two of His chief householder disciples. These two learned heads of the brāhmaṇa community were the most ardent supporters of Lord Caitanya’s movement. Śrī Advaita Prabhu was the chief cause for the advent of the Lord. When Advaita Prabhu saw that the total human society was full of materialistic activities and devoid of devotional service, which alone could save mankind from the threefold miseries of material existence, He, out of His causeless compassion for the age-worn human society, prayed fervently for the incarnation of the Lord and continually worshiped the Lord with water of the Ganges and leaves of the holy tulasī tree. As far as preaching work in the saṅkīrtana movement was concerned, everyone was expected to do his daily share according to the order of the Lord. Srimad Bhgavatam Introduction

śrīvāsa paṇḍita, āra śrī-rāma paṇḍita

dui bhāi–dui śākhā, jagate vidita

SYNONYMS

śrīvāsa paṇḍita—of the name Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita; āra—and; śrī–rāma paṇḍita—of the name Śrī Rāma Paṇḍita; dui bhāi—two brothers; dui śākhā—two branches; jagate—in the world; vidita—well known.

TRANSLATION

The two brothers Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita and Śrī Rāma Paṇḍita started two branches that are well known in the world.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, verse 90, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita (Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura) is described as an incarnation of Nārada Muni, and Śrī Rāma Paṇḍita, his younger brother, is said to be an incarnation of Parvata Muni, a great friend of Nārada’s. Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s wife, Mālinī, is celebrated as an incarnation of the nurse Ambikā, who fed Lord Kṛṣṇa with her breast milk, and as already noted, his niece Nārāyaṇī, the mother of Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa, the author of Śrī Caitanya–bhāgavata, was the sister of Ambikā in kṛṣṇa–līlā. We also understand from the description of Śrī Caitanya–bhāgavata that after Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s acceptance of the sannyāsa order, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita left Navadvīpa, possibly because of feelings of separation, and domiciled at Kumārahaṭṭa/ Sri Caitanya caritamrta Adi Lila 10.8.

Dhruva Mahārāja was given a specific arrow made by Lord Nārāyaṇa Himself, and he now fixed it upon his bow to finish the illusory atmosphere created by the Yakṣas. As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.14), mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te. Without Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, no one is able to overcome the action of the illusory energy. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has also given us a nice weapon for this age, as stated in the Bhāgavatam: sāṅgopāṅgāstra—in this age, the nārāyaṇāstra, or weapon to drive away māyā, is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra in pursuance of the associates of Lord Caitanya, such as Advaita Prabhu, Nityānanda, Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa. Srimad Bhgavatam 4.11.1

bhagavānera bhakta yata śrīvāsa pradhāna

tāṅ’-sabhāra pāda-padme sahasra praṇāma

SYNONYMS

bhagavānera—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhakta—the devotees; yata—as many (as there are); śrīvāsa pradhāna—headed by Śrī Śrīvāsa; tāṅ’-sabhāra—of all of them; pāda–padme—unto the lotus feet; sahasra—thousands; praṇāma—respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

There are innumerable devotees of the Lord, of whom Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura is the foremost. I offer my respectful obeisances thousands of times unto their lotus feet.Sri Caitanya Caritarmta Adi-Lila 1.38

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ

sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam

yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair

yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

SYNONYMS

kṛṣṇa–varṇam—repeating the syllables kṛṣ-ṇa; tviṣā—with a luster; akṛṣṇam—not black (golden); sa–aṅga—along with associates; upāṅga—servitors; astra—weapons; pārṣadam—confidential companions; yajñaiḥ—by sacrifice; saṅkīrtana–prāyaiḥ—consisting chiefly of congregational chanting; yajanti—they worship; hi—certainly; su–medhasaḥ—intelligent persons.

TRANSLATION

“In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.”

PURPORT

This text is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.32). Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has explained this verse in his commentary on the Bhāgavatam, known as the Krama–sandarbha, wherein he says that Lord Kṛṣṇa also appears with a golden complexion. That golden Lord Kṛṣṇa is Lord Caitanya, who is worshiped by intelligent men in this age. That is confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by Garga Muni, who said that although the child Kṛṣṇa was blackish, He also appears in three other colors-red, white and yellow. He exhibited His white and red complexions in the Satya and Tretā ages respectively. He did not exhibit the remaining color, yellow-gold, until He appeared as Lord Caitanya, who is known as Gaura Hari.

Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that kṛṣṇa–varṇam means Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. Kṛṣṇa–varṇa and Kṛṣṇa Caitanya are equivalent. The name Kṛṣṇa appears with both Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Caitanya Kṛṣṇa. Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He always engages in describing Kṛṣṇa and thus enjoys transcendental bliss by chanting and remembering His name and form. Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself appears as Lord Caitanya to preach the highest gospel.

Lord Caitanya always chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and describes it also, and because He is Kṛṣṇa Himself, whoever meets Him will automatically chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and later describe it to others. He injects one with transcendental Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which merges the chanter in transcendental bliss. In all respects, therefore, He appears before everyone as Kṛṣṇa, either by personality or by sound. Simply by seeing Lord Caitanya one at once remembers Lord Kṛṣṇa.

One may therefore accept Him as viṣṇu–tattva. In other words, Lord Caitanya is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself.

Sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam further indicates that Lord Caitanya is Lord Kṛṣṇa. His body is always decorated with ornaments of sandalwood and with sandalwood paste. By His superexcellent beauty He subdues all the people of the age. In other descents the Lord sometimes used weapons to defeat the demoniac, but in this age the Lord subdues them with His all-attractive figure as Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that His beauty is His astra, or weapon, to subdue the demons. Because He is all-attractive, it is to be understood that all the demigods lived with Him as His companions. His acts were uncommon and His associates wonderful. When He propagated the saṅkīrtana movement, He attracted many great scholars and ācāryas, especially in Bengal and Orissa. Lord Caitanya is always accompanied by His best associates like Lord Nityānanda, Advaita, Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa.

Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī cites a verse from the Vedic literature which says that there is no necessity of performing sacrificial demonstrations or ceremonial functions. He comments that instead of engaging in such external, pompous exhibitions, all people, regardless of caste, color or creed, can assemble together and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa to worship Lord Caitanya. Kṛṣṇa–varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam indicates that prominence should be given to the name of Kṛṣṇa. Lord Caitanya taught Kṛṣṇa consciousness and chanted the name of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, to worship Lord Caitanya, everyone should together chant the mahā–mantra–Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. To propagate worship in churches, temples or mosques is not possible, because people have lost interest in that. But anywhere and everywhere, people can chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Thus worshiping Lord Caitanya, they can perform the highest activity and fulfill the highest religious purpose of satisfying the Supreme Lord.

Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, a famous disciple of Lord Caitanya, said, “The principle of transcendental devotional service having been lost, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya has appeared to deliver again the process of devotion. He is so kind that He is distributing love of Kṛṣṇa. Everyone should be attracted more and more to His lotus feet, as humming bees are attracted to a lotus flower.” Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi Lila 3.62

śrīvāsādi pāriṣada sainya saṅge lañā

dui senā-pati bule kīrtana kariyā

SYNONYMS

śrīvāsa–ādi—Śrīvāsa and others; pāriṣada—associates; sainya—soldiers; saṅge—along with; lañā—taking; dui—two; senā–pati—captains; bule—travel; kīrtana kariyā—chanting the holy name.

TRANSLATION

These two captains, with Their soldiers such as Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, travel everywhere, chanting the holy name of the Lord. Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Adi-Lila 4. 75

guru-varga,–nityānanda, advaita ācārya

śrīvāsādi, āra yata–laghu, sama, ārya

sabe pāriṣada, sabe līlāra sahāya

sabā lañā nija-kārya sādhe gaura-rāya

SYNONYMS

guru–varga—elders; nityānanda—Lord Nityānanda; advaita ācārya—and Advaita Ācārya; śrīvāsa–ādi—Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and others; āra—others; yata—all; laghu, sama, ārya—junior, equal or superior; sabe—everyone; pāriṣada—associates; sabe—everyone; līlāra sahāya—helpers in the pastimes; sabā lañā—taking all of them; nija–kārya—His own aims; sādhe—executes; gaura–rāya—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

TRANSLATION

His elders such as Lord Nityānanda, Advaita Ācārya and Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, as well as His other devotees-whether His juniors, equals or superiors-are all His associates who help Him in His pastimes. Lord Gaurāṅga fulfills His aims with their help. Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-Lila 5. 144-145

pañca-tattva avatīrṇa caitanyera saṅge

pañca-tattva lañā karena saṅkīrtana raṅge

SYNONYMS

pañca–tattva—these five tattvas; avatīrṇa—advented; caitanyera—with Caitanya Mahāprabhu; saṅge—in company with; pañca–tattva—the same five subjects; lañā—taking with Himself; karena—He does; saṅkīrtana—the saṅkīrtana movement; raṅge—in great pleasure.

TRANSLATION

These five tattvas incarnate with Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and thus the Lord executes His saṅkīrtana movement with great pleasure.

PURPORT

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is the following statement regarding Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ

“In the Age of Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship the Lord, who is accompanied by His associates, by performance of saṅkīrtana–yajña.” (Bhāg. 11.5.32) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is always accompanied by His plenary expansion Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, His incarnation Śrī Advaita Prabhu, His internal potency Śrī Gadādhara Prabhu and His marginal potency Śrīvāsa Prabhu. He is in the midst of them as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One should know that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is always accompanied by these other tattvas. Therefore our obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are complete when we say śrī–kṛṣṇa–caitanya prabhu -ityānanda śrī–advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura–bhakta–vṛnda. As preachers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we first offer our obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by chanting this Pañca–tattva mantra; then we say Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. There are ten offenses in the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā–mantra, but these are not considered in the chanting of the Pañca–tattva mantra, namely, śrī–kṛṣṇa–caitanya prabhu–nityānanda śrī–advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura–bhakta–vṛnda. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is known as mahā-vadānyāvatāra, the most magnanimous incarnation, for He does not consider the offenses of the fallen souls. Thus to derive the full benefit of the chanting of the mahā–mantra (Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare), we must first take shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, learn the Pañca–tattva mahā–mantra, and then chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā–mantra. That will be very effective.

Taking advantage of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, many unscrupulous devotees manufacture a mahā–mantra of their own. Sometimes they sing, bhaja nitāi gaura rādhe śyāma hare kṛṣṇa hare rāma or śrī–kṛṣṇa–caitanya prabhu–nityānanda hare kṛṣṇa hare rāma śrī–rādhe govinda. Actually, however, one should chant the names of the full Pañca–tattva (śrī–kṛṣṇa–caitanya prabhu–nityānanda śrī–advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura–bhakta–vṛnda) and then the sixteen words Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, but these unscrupulous, less intelligent men confuse the entire process. Of course, since they are also devotees they can express their feelings in that way, but the method prescribed by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pure devotees is to chant first the full Pañca–tattva mantra and then chant the mahā–mantra–Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Sri Caitanya Caritarmta Adi Lila 7.4

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The Iskcon as it is, by Haripada dasa

In The Iskcon as it is we understand and accept that Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Jagad-Guru, the Guru of the Universe and he is the only person authorized by God or Krishna to take us back home to God or Krishna. The Iskcon as it is is made up of people who with great enthusiasm and determination have decided to use their words, actions and thoughts to please Srila Prabhupada. They have full faith and are very convinced that if they please Srila Prabhupada, then Krishna will be pleased with them, and his return home, his return to God will be more than guaranteed.

In The Iskcon as we want nectar, we are convinced that the truth will set you free, it will always be better to pray for others than to criticize, the only way to eliminate evil on a personal and collective level, is through kindness, that which He does not live to serve, he does not serve to live and peace and well.

Al Iskcon as he is does not like to criticize anyone, in relation to this, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaja Prabhupada, said: “Let the others do what they want, it does not concern me, I already have a lot of work chanting Hare Krishna purifying my damned mind. ” The plant of Bhakti feeds on nectar, not on rare stories, gossip, etc. We have very definite spiritual ideals, try to follow all the instructions given in the books of Srila Prabhupada, and help each other do the same, by doing this we live with Srila Prabhupada and acquire his qualities. Our love and service is for Srila Prabhupada, and we have full faith that Srila Prabhupada is the authorized person who will take us back home, back to Krishna.

In The Iskcon as devotees relate to love and trust through these 6 transcendental activities: 1.- Offer gifts as charity, 2.- Accept charitable gifts, 3.- Reveal the mind confidentially, 4.- Ask confidentially, 5.- Accept prasada and 6.- Offer prasada. (Upadesamrita, verse 4)

The 10 philosophical points that the Iskcon accepts as it is are:

1 .- We are not interested in the opinions of an ordinary person, ordinary people have four types of defects, the first defect is that it tends to make mistakes, another defect is to be in illusion, the third defect is the propensity to cheat and finally our senses are imperfect. Any opinion that is not the revealed truth, lacks all value, the revealed truth means, the truth, or writing that comes from a reliable source, the chain of disciplic succession formed by genuine spiritual teachers is the reliable source; since these people are self-realized and pure souls, and are free from the four aforementioned defects.

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This week we had two Gaura Purnima Festivals-our ashram and another one down the road in another city. This report is of this second one on Sunday, a few days later.

Hare Krsna

damaghosa das

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Sri Krsna Caitanya kirtan

https://youtu.be/AnQ66UPQbYQ

class on Gaure Purnima

https://youtu.be/_p50_VFOpNo

Parama Karuna bhajan

https://youtu.be/uPPJySDRMk0