Hare Krishna Society

Hare Krsna Prabhus

Obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

We just received this today from Sri Krsna Kathamrta Bindu, a fortnightly journal–

It is instructions by both Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj

about preaching the truth—however unpalatable it may be….

interesting points they both make-one can see why Prabhupada told us that

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Maharaj was called the simha (lion) guru !!

damaghosa das

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Pleasing Krishna Practically His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Regarding your questions, your first question was: Should a devotee always speak the truth to everyone in all circumstances? The answer is yes. One should always speak the truth. But a qualified devotee will be able to speak the truth very palatably to everyone so that it will sound pleasing even to his enemy. That is the art of speaking the truth. We must speak the truth to all people, but how you say it is another thing, satyaà bruyät, priyaà bruyät. When you become a little more experienced in Krishna consciousness by preaching, and if you are sincere and serious to make progress in spiritual understanding, you need not have to worry yourself further, because the truth will always be spoken by you in the proper manner. Krishna will give you that intelligence; you need not be concerned for it. Simply try to please him always by your sincere service and chanting. That’s all. Of course, for doing business with businessmen you have to lie. Just like Krishna himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sometimes he also had to also fabricate something in emergency situations. Although he promised not to interfere in the battle of Kurukshetra, he was forced to break his promise just to save his pure devotee. So there is no prohibition that one shall never tell lie, because for business of carrying our propaganda work sometimes it may be necessary to lie. Krishna consciousness means practical living, not something utopian or idealistic and vague. We simply do the needful, whatever pleases Krishna most. That’s all. Gradually you will understand what it means to please Krishna and what it means to displease Krishna. That you will learn by studying our books and by yourself engaging in practical devotional service. In material dealings there is always something undesirable, but even so, you cannot give up your occupation. Just like fire is very pure, but still there is some smoke. You cannot avoid it. All these things can be rectified when the result is offered to Krishna. Otherwise, even though you may do very honest business, it has no utility whatsoever. — Letter to Yajneshwar, 2 January 1972. ·

Continue reading →

A few years ago, while in Spain, I was handing out The Hare Krishna Society’s booklet, Srila Prabhupada Siddhanta (SPS), to a few senior devotees who are old friends of mine. This 64‐page booklet points to the fact that in 1977, a few weeks before His disappearance, Srila Prabhupada ordained ritvik priests to initiate new devotees on His behalf. He did this specifically in response to the question: “How will initiations be conducted in the future, particularly at a time when you are no longer with us.” In response to all such questions, He reaffirmed the same ritvik system of initiations that had been functioning in ISKCON for several years prior to 1977.

Recorded conversations cited in SPS show that Srila Prabhupada ordered senior devotees to conduct the formalities of initiation on His behalf, and He made an adjustment to allow this system to continue without His physical presence. Several conversations and letters cited in SPS illustrate how Srila Prabhupada reaffirmed the ritvik system for initiations in ISKCON repeatedly after issuing His official July 9th, 1977 directive, which He wanted sent to all ISKCON leaders and temples. He never mentioned or alluded to another system, such as one wherein the GBC would ordain diksa‐gurus by electing immature preachers. The concocted GBC system for initiations, which ignores Srila Prabhupada’s instructions and Gaudiya Vaisnava siddhanta on guru‐tattva, has produced scandal, confusion, chaos, divisions, and heartache for thousands of devotees, while degrading the reputation of ISKCON worldwide. Continue reading →

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Below we have 8 proofs that Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee of the Lord. So many pretenders and cheaters today falsely claim the status of a bona fide spiritual master, but if they do not have these qualifications then they cannot be considered pure devotees of the Lord and therefore not qualified to initiate anyone into the transcendental science of bhakti yoga, or devotional service.

“UNLESS ONE IS UNDER THE SHELTER OF A REALIZED SPIRITUAL MASTER, HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPREME IS SIMPLY FOOLISHNESS.” Teachings of Lord Caitanya (TLC).

“When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the Transcendental vibration of the Holy Names, he is quite fit to become Spiritual Master and deliver all the people of the world.” (TLC)

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

———————-

Prabhupada is a pure devotee

1.) Guest (3): So, Srila Prabhupada, have you realized God? Srila Prabhupada: What do you think? What is your opinion? Guest (3): I can’t say. Srila Prabhupada: Then if I say, “yes,” then what you will understand? If you are not yourself expert, then even if I say, “Yes, I am God realized,” how you will take it as truth? If you do not know what is God realization, then how you can ask this question and how you will be satisfied by the answer? You do not know. Guest (3): Well, what is God realization? Srila Prabhupada: Then… Then you were asking, “Are you God realized?” If I say, “Yes,” then how you’ll believe it? You do not know what is God realization. Then why do you put this question? You do not know yourself. If I say, “Yes,” how you’ll understand that I am right? Therefore you should not put all these questions. It has no value. You do not know yourself what is God realization. Now, just like a medical man, if he asks another man, medical man, so if he says, “Yes,” then medical man will understand him by technical terms whether he is medical man. So unless one is medical man, what is the use of asking another man, “Are you medical man?” Unless you are prepared to take the answer whatever I give. Are you prepared? Guest (3): Yes. Srila Prabhupada: Then it is all right. I am. I am seeing God every moment. So unless we are prepared to take the answer, we should not put ourself…

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2.) In the Caitanya Mangala by Locana das Thakur, pg 48,translated by Subhag swami, Lord Gauranga states-“Even if the sinners reject religion or flee to foreign countries, still they will get the mercy. I will send mor senapati bhakta to go there and deliver them. [Mor means My; senapati means a military field commander, and bhakta means a devotee. So Lord Caitanya will empower His own devotee to spread Krsna Consciousness around the world.]

This was a prediction of the appearance of Srila Prabhupada and his worldwide preaching activities where he would travel the world over, open 108 temples, and initiate millions into the chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord. How could this person be anything less than a Maha Bhagavat, empowered pure devotee of Lord Gauranga?

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3.) Wednesday, March 6, 1968 Freeport, Grand Bahama Island Letter to Andrea Temple
“Yes, whoever you tell the chant to, it is effective. You have heard it from me and my disciples, similarly I have heard it from my Guru Maharaja, and so on, and on. Because you have heard it from a pure devotee of the Lord, therefore it is transmitted from you to another. Just as an aerial message, is transmitted from one place to another, similarly, this Guru parampara system is working. My disciples are my agents, my representatives, so by hearing it from them, you are receiving it from me. And because you are a sincere soul, those who are hearing the Mantra from you are receiving it in disciplic succession, from Lord Caitanya and from Lord Krishna.” ——————————————————————————-

4.) Saturday, December 16, 1967

San Francisco, Calif.
When I left your country on the 22nd of July, I had very little hope to come back again. But Krishna informed me that I’m not going to die immediately; therefore, I have come back again to get inspiration of Krishna Consciousness from you all good souls. Although officially I am your Spiritual Master, I consider you all students as my Spiritual Master because your love for Krishna and service for Krishna teach me how to become a sincere Krishna Conscious person.

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5.) Yes the spiritual master is also present in his picture, though more importantly he is present in his teachings. I think this is explained in one letter that has already been distributed.

Thank you very much for assisting me in this way. Hope this finds you in good health.

Your ever well wisher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ABCS/bmdg Sukadeva das Adhikary, Seattle ISKCON

Calcutta 29 January 1973

6.) 70-06-21.Tam Letter: Tamala Krsna

So far I am concerned, I cannot say what I was in my previous life, but one great astrologer calculated that I was previously a physician and my life was sinless. Besides that, to corroborate the statement of Bhagavad-gita “sucinam srimatam gehe yogabhrasta samyayate” which means an unfinished yogi takes birth in rich family or born of a suci or pious father. By the grace of Krsna I got these two opportunities in the present life to be born of a pious father and brought up in one of the richest, aristocratic families of Calcutta (Kasinath Mullick). The Radha Krsna Deity in this family called me to meet Him, and therefore last time when I was in Calcutta, I stayed in that temple along with my American disciples. Although I had immense opportunities to indulge in the four principles of sinful life because I was connected with a very aristocratic family, Krsna always saved me, and throughout my whole life I do not know what is illicit sex,intoxication, meat-eating or gambling. So far my present life is concerned, I do not remember any part of my life when I was forgetful of Krsna.

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Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Its been a while, but here is the last part of SB classes Vol 7 summarized

Some points of interest…

1.the senses belong to Krsna but everyone uses them for his own purposes

2.chant Omkara go to bramajyoti, chant Hare Krsna go to spiritual world

3.our miserable conditions caused by our thinking I am the enjoyer, proprietor

4.when you see a flower, that is Krsna smiling

5.why do people drive so many hours to work-sex desire

6.woman has 3 stages in life, a man has got 10 stages

7.when we chant and dance Hare Krsna, we forget we are these bodies

8.out of thousands of muktas, its difficult to find one Krsna bhakta

9.how to become detached from all this hard working? Sadhu sanga

10. and much more….

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

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750105SB.BOM Lectures

So the Aniruddha, He is the master of the senses, as it is stated

here, hrsikanam adhisvaram, adhisvaram, master, proprietor. So the

common sense is that if my hand is the property of Krsna, why it

should be used for me? It should be used for Krsna. This is good

sense. Suppose something belongs to somebody else. If you use it for

your purpose, that is illegal, not lawful. This is my watch. If you

take away this watch and use for your purpose, then it is criminal.

You cannot say the watch is being used either by him or by… It is

being used, that’s all. No. You cannot use it. You can use it only by

the permission of the proprietor. Without permission of the

proprietor, if you use it, then you are criminal or you are sinful.

Similarly, we have got all the senses. The senses are meant for

working. The eyes are meant for seeing, the ears are meant for

hearing, the nose is meant for smelling, the hand is meant for

touching, the leg is meant for going, the stomach is meant for

eating–so many, we have got, different senses. They are meant for

different purpose. But if the purpose is for your sense gratification,

then you are criminal because you are not proprietor. This is to

understand bhakti. If you do not use all the senses for Krsna’s

purpose, then it is criminal. That is called papa. Continue reading →

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

Glories to Srila Prabhupada

What follows is our continuing reading and summarizing some of the nectar contained with Prabhupadas SB classes.. It is an 11 Volume set and we are not starting Vol 8

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

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SB classes Vol 7–part one of two–

below are a few tidbits of nectar…..

1. Highest standard of material achievement is brahminical life-but that is still

an infected state

2.Nigama kalpa taru-the Vedas are desire trees of wisdom

3.If you go to Krsnaloka and bring some touchstone-then touch it to the Tata

factory ,turn all his iron to gold

4.Without Adhoksaja Krsna, material life is purposeless-life after life

5.Mayavadis say its all one-the lila of Brahman- so a pig eating stool, is Gods lila !

6.Iccha dvesha-desire and hate-these two things perpetually keep us in samsara

7.Gauda desa and Dravida desa-origin of Gaudiya sampradaya explained

8. So whole world is nirvisesa-sunyavadi. Some of them are advocates of zero. There are

many big, big philosophers writing on zero. They believe in zero, but

they write volumes of books. Why you are wasting time writing volumes

of books on zero? After all, if you are going to be zero, remain zero.

So zero means disgust. Continue reading →

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

All glories to Srila Prabhupada

Every Hare Krsna devotee is aware of the guru tattva debate now going on, in and outside of iskcon.

Here are some direct statements by Srila Prabhupada where HE explains, and not us, what and who

is actually a liberated soul and therefore FIT for becoming a spiritual master. I would like to think that

most reasonable devotees would accept that Srila Prabhupada is a liberated soul and therefore himself

qualified to tell us all, who amongst us, if any, if also a liberated soul. And if one is not a liberated soul, then

he is not qualified to liberate any others, what to speak of becoming a spiritual master.

Hare Krsna

Damaghosa das

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770422r3.bom Tamala Krsna: Well, I have studied myself and all of your disciples, and it’s clear fact that we are all conditioned souls, so we cannot be guru. Maybe one day it may be possible… Prabhupada: Hm. Tamala Krsna: …but not now. Prabhupada: Yes. I shall choose some guru. I shall say, “Now you become acarya. You become authorized.” I am waiting for that. You become all acarya. I retire completely. But the training must be complete.

SB 4.20.16 Lord Visnu was very pleased with Maharaja Prthu’s good character and behavior and offered him a benediction. The Lord openly says that performing great sacrifices or undergoing the austerities of mystic yoga practice cannot satisfy Him. He is pleased only by elevated character and behavior. But these cannot develop unless one becomes a pure devotee of the Lord. Anyone who has developed unalloyed, unflinching devotional service unto the Lord develops his original good qualities as spirit soul. The spirit soul, as part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has all the good qualities of the Lord. When the spirit soul is contaminated by the material modes of nature, one is considered good or bad with reference to the material qualities. But when one is transcendental to all material qualities, all the good qualities come out. These qualities of a devotee, twenty-six in number, are listed as follows: (1) kind to everyone, (2) does not quarrel with anyone, (this one alone eliminates about 99.9% of all of us)

(3) fixed in the Absolute Truth, (4)equal to everyone, (5) faultless, (6) charitable, (7) mild, (8) clean, (9) simple, (10) benevolent, (11) peaceful, (12) completely attached to Krsna, (13) has no material hankering, (14) meek, (15) steady, (16) self-controlled, (17) does not eat more than required, (18) sane, (19) respectful, (20) humble, (21) grave, (22) compassionate,

(23)friendly, (24) poetic, (25) expert, (26) silent. The Lord is satisfied by development of the transcendental qualities of the living entity and not by artificial performance of sacrifices and mystic yoga. In other words, unless one is fully qualified to become a pure devotee of the Lord, one cannot expect to be liberated from material entanglement.

740412BG.BOM Knowledge should be taken from the perfect person. Because if you take knowledge from a person who is defective, your knowledge has no value. You must take knowledge from the perfect.

69-06-10.Mukunda– The answer to your Istagosthi questions are as follows: Unless one is a resident of Krishna Loka, one cannot be a Spiritual Master. That is the first proposition. A layman cannot be a Spiritual Master, and if he becomes so then he will simply create disturbance. And who is a liberated person? One who knows Krishna. It is stated in BG, fourth chapter, anyone who knows Krishna in truth is immediately liberated, and after quitting the present body, he immediately goes to Krishna. That means he becomes a resident of Krishna Loka. As soon as one is liberated he is immediately a resident of Krishna Loka, and anyone who knows the truth of Krishna can become Spiritual Master. That is the version of Lord Caitanya. So to summarize the whole thing, it is to be understood that a bonafide Spiritual Master is a resident of Krishna Loka. Your next question, whether the Spiritual Master was formerly a conditioned soul, actually a bonafide Spiritual Master is never a conditioned soul. There are three kinds of liberated persons. They are called 1) sadhan siddha, 2) kripa siddha, and 3) nitya siddha. Sadhan siddha means one who has attained perfection by executing the regulative principles of devotional service. Kripa siddha means one who has attained perfection by the special mercy of Krishna and the

Spiritual Master, and nitya siddha means one who was never contaminated. The symptoms of nitya siddha is that from the beginning of his life he is attached to Krishna, and he is never tired of rendering service to Krishna. So we have to know what is what by these symptoms. But when one is actually on the siddha platform there is no such distinction as to who is sadhan, kripa, or nitya siddha. When one is siddha, there is no distinction what is what. Just like when the river water glides down to the Atlantic Ocean nobody can distinguish which portion was the Hudson River or some other river. Neither is there any necessity to make any such distinction. Actually, every living entity is eternally uncontaminated, although he may be in the material touch. This is the version of the Vedas. Asanga ayam purusha–the living entity is uncontaminated. Just like when there is a drop of oil in water you can immediately distinguish the oil from the water, and the water never mixes with the oil. Similarly, a living entity, although in material contact, is always distinct from the matter. You are correct when you say that when the Spiritual Master speaks it should be taken that Krishna is speaking. That is a fact. A Spiritual Master must be liberated. It does not matter if he has come

from Krishna Loka or he is liberated from here. But he must be liberated. The science of how one is liberated is explained above, but when one is liberated, there is no need of distinction whether he has come directly from Krishna Loka or from the material world. But in the broader sense everyone comes from Krishna Loka. When one forgets Krishna he is conditioned, when one remembers Krishna he is liberated. I hope this will clear up these points. I hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

“UNLESS ONE IS UNDER THE SHELTER OF A REALIZED SPIRITUAL MASTER, HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUPREME IS SIMPLY FOOLISHNESS.” TLC.

When a devotee is perfectly qualified in chanting the Transcendental vibration of the Holy Names, he is quite fit to become SM and deliver all the people of the world. (TLC)

751009BG.DUR–Lectures– “The Supreme Personality…” Bhagavan means He does not cheat you. Others, they will give you instruction and cheat you, because anyone who is not liberated, he has got four defects of his life: he commits mistake, he is illusioned, he cheats and his senses are imperfect. This is called conditioned soul, everyone..

Prabhupada: No, why? Krsna book must be there, in the book must be there. Acyutananda: But in public… Prabhupada: But you should go gradually. You should go gradually. You first of all understand Krsna, then krsna-lila. If you have not understood Krsna, then you’ll think Krsna’s rasa-lila is just like we mix with young women. And that becomes as polluted. Because they do not understand Krsna. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye yatatam api siddhanam. Krsna understanding so easy? If you do not understand Krsna how can you go to the Krsna’s confidential activities? Acyutananda: Some of the devotees, they said that it is for liberated souls. So they said, “Well, we are all liberated.” Prabhupada: Yes. Liberated for going to hell . Devotee: In your Krsna book, Srila Prabhupada, you’ve given such clear explanations along with the stories of Krsna that it’s very difficult to misinterpret, because you use such clear explanation. Prabhupada: No, you read all the books first of all. Then you’ll be able to understand. [Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, August 16, 1976, Bombay]

“Better to be a sincere street sweeper, than a charlatan meditator”-SP

Madhya 16.237

“Be patient and return home. Don’t be a crazy fellow. By and by you will be able to cross the ocean of material existence.

PURPORT

As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.58):

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam

mahat-padam punya-yaso-murareh

bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam

padam padam yad vipadam na tesam

This material world is just like a big ocean. It begins with Brahmaloka and extends to Patalaloka, and there are many planets, or islands, in this ocean. Not knowing about devotional service, the living entity wanders about this ocean, just as a man tries to swim to reach the shore. Our struggle for existence is similar to this. Everyone is trying to get out of the ocean of material existence. One cannot immediately reach the coast, but if one endeavors, he can cross the ocean by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. One may be very eager to

cross this ocean, but he cannot attain success by acting like a madman. He must swim over the ocean very patiently and intelligently under the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or His representative. Then, one day, he will reach the shore and return home, back to Godhead.

Madhya 16.238

“You should not make yourself a showbottle devotee and become a false renunciant. For the time being, enjoy the material world in a befitting way and do not become attached to it.”

PURPORT

The word markata-vairagya, indicating false renunciation, is very important in this verse. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, in commenting on this word, points out that monkeys make an external show of renunciation by not accepting clothing and by living naked in the forest. In this way they consider themselves renunciants, but actually they are very busy enjoying sense gratification with dozens of female monkeys. Such renunciation is called markata-vairagye-the renunciation of a monkey. One cannot be really renounced until one actually becomes disgusted with material activity and sees it as a stumbling block to spiritual advancement. Renunciation should not be phalgu, temporary, but should exist throughout one’s life. Temporary renunciation, or monkey renunciation, is like the renunciation one feels at a cremation ground. When a man takes a dead body to the crematorium, he sometimes thinks, “This is the final end of the body. Why am I working so hard

day and night?” Such sentiments naturally arise in the mind of any man who goes to a crematorial ghata. However, as soon as he returns from the cremation grounds, he again engages in material activity for sense enjoyment. This is called smasana-vairagya, or markata-vairagya. In order to render service to the Lord, one may accept necessary things. If one lives in this way, he may actually become renounced. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.108), it is said:

yavata syat sva-nirvahah

svikuryat tavad arthavit

adhikye nyunatayam ca

cyavate paramarthatah

“The bare necessities of life must be accepted, but one should not superfluously increase his necessities. Nor should they be unnecessarily decreased. One should simply accept what is necessary to help one advance spiritually.” In his Durgama-sangamani, Sri Jiva Gosvami comments that the word sva-nirvahah actually means sva-sva-bhakti-nirvahah. The experienced devotee will accept only those material things that will help him

render service to the Lord. In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (1.2.256), markata-vairagya, or phalgu-vairagya, is explained as follows:

prapancikataya buddhya

hari-sambandhi-vastunah

mumuksubhih parityago

vairagyam phalgu kathyate

“Whatever is favorable for the rendering of service to the Lord should be accepted and should not be rejected as a material thing.” Yukta-vairagya, or befitting renunciation, is thus explained:

anasaktasya visayan

yatharham upayunjatah

nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe

yuktam vairagyam ucyate

“Things should be accepted for the Lord’s service and not for one’s personal sense gratification. If one accepts something without attachment and accepts it because it is related to Krsna, one’s

renunciation is called yukta-vairagya.” Since Krsna is the Absolute Truth, whatever is accepted for His service is also the Absolute Truth. The word markata-vairagya is used by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to indicate so-called Vaisnavas who dress themselves in loincloths trying to imitate Srila Rupa Gosvami. Such people carry a beadbag and chant, but at heart they are always thinking about getting women and money. Unknown to others, these markata-vairagis maintain women but externally present themselves as renunciants. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very much opposed to these markata-vairagis, or pseudo-Vaisnavas.

Hare Krsna to all

Pranams

Glories to Prabhupada

Below we have some sections of a lecture given by Srila Prabhupada where he explains the position of

a qualified brahmana in this world and how dear such a person is to the Lord.

Such a person is not interested in increasing his bank balance, or niche in society, but has learned

the art of living with the bare necessities of life and then spends the balance of his time in bhajan to the Lord. He makes his material life practically zero by accepting only the actual things necessary for his life

to continue without pandering to his minds or senses demands.

He also warns his disciples with brahmana threads to acquire the symptoms of

a brahmana and not just make a show of it. Dont become puffed up thinking now I have

this thread and all my business is now finished. No. We have to become qualified brahmanas.

And the result of this? He becomes peaceful

Hari bol

Damaghosa das

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761110SB.VRN Lectures Pradyumna: “O respectful brahmanas, as far as I am concerned, no one is equal or superior to the brahmanas in this world. I do not find anyone comparable to them. When people know My motive, after performing rituals according to the Vedic principles they offer food to Me with faith and love through the mouth of a brahmana. When food is thus offered unto Me, I eat it with full satisfaction. Indeed, I derive more pleasure from food offered in that way than from the food offered in the sacrificial fire.”

Krsna is first of all interested to see whether in the society the brahmana and the cow is properly respected. Namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca. His first business is to see that the brahmana and cow is being properly honored. Then jagad-dhitaya. Then automatically the whole world will be peaceful. This secret of success they do not know. Nobody is prepared to become brahmana, and so far cow protection is concerned, it is in the oblivion. This is the whole world position. Therefore it is in chaotic condition. It must be, because this is animal society. When these two things are neglected, it is animal society, and then other animal qualities and paraphernalia follow….

Unless we control the base qualities, namely the modes of ignorance and passion, you cannot be happy. It is not possible. Tato rajas-tamo-bhavah. Rajas tamo-bhavah means kama and lobha. So long I have lusty desire and so long I have greediness to acquire more and more and more, to enjoy senses more and more That is greediness. One should be satisfied, the minimum possible. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca samanyam etat pasubhir naranam. Ahara means eating. Ahara, nidra, sleeping, and fearing, and sense enjoyment. These are required, but not for increasing but decreasing. Just like when a person is diseased he should not eat as he likes. Because he is diseased, doctor prescribes that “You take little barley water or glucose, no solid food, if you want to be cured.” Similarly, these things are necessity so long this body is there. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna. But this should be decreased, not increased. That is human civilization, not to increase. Just like the Gosvamis in Vrndavana. They did not come here to increase ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna. No. They came here to decrease. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. That is wanted. This is Vrndavana-vasi, not that to live in Vrndavana and increase this

Unfortunately the present civilization, they are not meant for decreasing. They are simply increasing. The Western civlization means increasing the means of sense gratification, “machine, machine, machine, machine.” So, and the brahminical culture means samo damo titiksa. Titiksa means without something I may suffer. Suffer. So one should be practiced to suffer. Suffer, that is tapasya. Tapasa brahmacaryena. Tapasya begins from celibacy. We are practiced to sex life or sense gratification. Tapasya means first of all stop this. Tapasa brahmacaryena. This is practice. So to become fit for going back to home, back to Godhead, it is not so easy. It is not so easily… We have to make our material life almost zero. Not almost zero–practically zero. Anyabhilasita-sunyam. That is wanted, practice.

That is called greediness. The Vedic civilization teaches that “Be satisfied with the minimum necessities of life. Don’t increase unnecessary necessities of life, and then you have to work for it very hard like hogs and dogs.” That’s all. Then you have to work very… Modern world, they have increased their unnecessary necessities of life, and therefore you’ll find how hard working. In European and American cities we have seen how people are working very hard, beginning from morning at five o’clock till four o’clock next night, for sense gratification. So this is not civilization. This is condemned civilization. Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye. This is not civilization. This is animal civilization, working so hard day and night for eating. That is the business of the hogs and dogs. You will find the hogs and dog, they are loitering on the street whole day and night: “Where is food? Where is sex?” That is not civilization. They must be peaceful brahmana. Of course, not that everyone can be elevated to the position of a brahmana, but at least they must have the chance to see that “Here is a class of men, brahmana.” That is wanted. Otherwise the civilization is failure.

Prabhupada: Rukmini. He (she) took immediately the camara. He (she) said, “My husband is respecting.” But he was dressed very poorly, lean and thin. Brahmana, because they refuse unnecessary necessities of life, sometimes they look very poor, poverty-stricken. They are not poverty-stricken. They are the richest. Mahatmanas tu mam partha daivim prakrtim sritah, bhajanty ananya-manaso. Those who are engaged in bhajana never think of their poverty. No. They are not poor. Otherwise, if Sudama Vipra, externally he looked very poor, lean and thin, not very nice cloth… Krsna is: “My dear friend, sit down here.” He brought water, washed the feet, just respectable person, guru, brahmana. This is etiquette. Krsna is showing personally. He is the king. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He also respects a brahmana. When Narada used to come to Krsna, immediately He would get down from the seat and offer obeisances, and Narada was smiling, “Just see Krsna’s lila.”

So laksanam must be, laksanam, the symptom, what is brahmanas’ symptoms. So my request to you, the Europeans and American boys, you have been initiated as brahmana but you must practice the laksana. Otherwise, if you think, puffed up, that “Now I have got the sacred thread. My business is finished. I can do whatever I like,” no. That is not. Laksanam. Laksanam means symptoms. That you must observe, laksanam. Yasya hi yad laksanam proktam. Then nobody can check you. You will be very much dear of Krsna. Namo brahmanya-devaya go brahmana-hitaya ca. If you keep yourself in the platform of a true brahmana as you are expected… It is not difficult. We have selected the four principles: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication, and no gambling. That’s all. If you keep to these practices, then you remain. And if you chant, then above brahmana, you become Vaisnava. Manmana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru. Qualify yourself as a brahmana. Qualify yourself as a Vaisnava. Then your position is guaranteed. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati. Sure. Guranteed.

So when Krsna takes care of you, He…, attention is on you. Then who can…? Maya’s… There is no strength of maya to touch you. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Maya may be there. Police may be there. Police is there, so what business I have got with the police if I am honest? If I am properly observing the rules and regulation of the government, what business police has got to touch me? Maya is there. Maya must be there. Maya… (aside:) Don’t stop… Maya is there, but it does not mean maya can touch you if you are actually surrendered to Krsna. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. So here it is (aside:) Sitting there. So Krsna personally will take care. And to come to the brahmana stage, this is also Everything is described. Everything is prescribed. If you have to follow again and again We can come to the brahmana stage by a simple method, as we are practicing, that nityam bhagavata. Nasta-prayesu abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Bhagavata-sevaya. The book Bhagavata and the person bhagavata. Person bhagavata, the guru, is the symbolic representation of person bhagavata, whose life is bhagavata and book Bhagavata. So you have to serve two bhagavata, nityam bhagavata…..

This is a REPLY to Rocana Prabhu on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH Guru AND Ritvik Issue:

77-07-09.All Letter: All G.B.C., All Temple Presidents The name of a newly initiated disciple should be sent by the representative who has accepted him or her to Srila Prabhupada, to be included in His Divine Grace’s “Initiated Disciples” book.”

Amar Puri Prabhu wrote to Rocana Prabhu and Rocana Prabhu Replies: “So who gave you permission, Amar Puri, to decide that the system will be changed upon his departure so that names get sent to someone else? Or not sent? Or whatever?” — Rocana

Mahesh: Srila Prabhupada had ALREADY given instruction of HOW he wanted the prospective disciples ACCEPTED. The system was ALREADY in place. Besides this, use of LITTLE COMMON-SENSE is neccesary WHAT sort of person can REPRESENT Srila Prabhupada. If REPRESENTATIVE OF ACARYA falls down he CAN be REPLACED:

Note: OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE is the Ritvik Representative as per July 9th 1977 Order Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse Similarly, a disciple’s qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple. IN OUR KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT, THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT ONE MUST BE PREPARED TO GIVE UP THE FOUR PILLARS OF SINFUL LIFE-ILLICIT SEX, MEAT-EATING, INTOXICATION AND GAMBLING. IN WESTERN COUNTRIES ESPECIALLY, WE FIRST OBSERVE WHETHER A POTENTIAL DISCIPLE IS PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES. THEN HE IS GIVEN THE NAME OF A VAISNAVA SERVANT AND INITIATED TO CHANT THE HARE KRSNA MAHA-MANTRA, AT LEAST SIXTEEN ROUNDS DAILY. In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. HE IS THEN RECOMMENDED FOR A SECOND INITIATION, DURING WHICH A SACRED THREAD IS OFFERED AND THE DISCIPLE IS ACCEPTED AS A BONA FIDE BRAHMANA.

770528me.vrn Conversations Tamala Krsna: Of course, IF SOMEONE HAS A FALLDOWN, just like in the past some GBC men have fallen down… Prabhupada: HE SHOULD BE REPLACED. Tamala Krsna: Then he should be replaced. But that’s a serious falldown, not some minor discrepancy. Prabhupada: THEY MUST BE ALL IDEAL ACARYA-LIKE. IN THE BEGINNING WE HAVE DONE FOR WORKING. Now we should be very cautious. ANYONE WHO IS DEVIATING, HE CAN BE REPLACED.

One can replace a Representative of Acarya if he deviates BUT one can NOT replace DIKSA Guru because he MUST be a Mahabhagavata OTHERWISE he is NOT DIKSA GURU. It is 3rd offense in chanting to accept any other than a Mahabhagavata:

NoD 8 Offenses to Be Avoided The offenses against the chanting of the holy name are as follows: (3) TO DISOBEY THE ORDERS OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER.

Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse MAHA-BHAGAVATA-srestho brahmano vai gurur nrnam sarvesam eva lokanam asau pujyo yatha harih maha-kula-prasuto ‘pi sarva-yajnesu diksitah sahasra-sakhadhyayi ca na guruh syad avaisnavah

((The guru MUST be situated on the topmost platform of devotional service. There are three classes of devotees, and the guru MUST be accepted from the topmost class. The first-class devotee is the spiritual master for all kinds of people. ….When one has attained the topmost position of maha-bhagavata, he is to be accepted as a guru and worshiped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. ONLY SUCH A PERSON IS ELIGIBLE TO OCCUPY THE POST OF A GURU.))

Rocana Dasa in his “Church of Rtvik”: NOI 5

“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari. A neophyte Vaisnava or a Vaisnava situated on the intermediate platform can also accept disciples, but such disciples must be on the same platform, and it should be understood that they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.” (NOI5)

“Nectar of Instruction, Text 5

If one reads the above Purport, which contains the statement used by the HKS to support their position, it is clear that Srila Prabhupada is suggesting that a guru should ideally be an uttama-adhikari. We have to keep in mind, however, the fact that Srila Prabhupada is Himself an uttama-adhikari and a Sampradaya Acarya. At the time Nectar of Instruction was published, the reader had a choice to take initiation directly from Srila Prabhupada. But Srila Prabhupada also clearly says in this quote that there are gurus in all three categories: kanistha, madhyama, and uttama-adhikari. He does not state that he is referring here to diksa gurus rather than siksa gurus. He does state that the problem with having a guru that is not uttama-adhikari is that the initiated can’t advance beyond the level of their guru’s realization. Consequently, he cautions that the disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as their guru. He does not say, however, that gurus in the other two categories are bogus, or are not part of the sampradaya, or are just pretending to be gurus but are actually not gurus. Clearly, the Hare Krishna Society would like you believe that he is saying these things. While it is absolutely true that there is no Sampradaya Acarya who has ever fallen down, and that certain things disqualify a diksa guru, they cannot make the case that Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must never accept a kanistha or madhyama as diksa guru. ”

Mahesh: we will just take a segment of his ERRONEOUS understanding of the DIKSA Guru AND PROVE HIM COMPELETELY WRONG THAT KANISTHA AND MADHYAMA ARE **NOT** DIKSA GURU as he SPECULATES:

Rocana Dasa: “While it is absolutely true that there is no Sampradaya Acarya who has ever fallen down, and that certain things disqualify a diksa guru, they cannot make the case that Srila Prabhupada has instructed that one must never accept a kanistha or madhyama as diksa guru. ”

Mahesh:

NOI 5

Some devotees are taking this above quote to mean that Kanistha can give Diksa. This is NOT what Srila Prabhupada says. There is NO mention of Diksa by kanistha. What it exactly says is about accepting DISCIPLES. Then suggests very strongly 2 points:

1)”..they cannot advance very well toward the ultimate goal of life under his insufficient guidance. Therefore a disciple should be careful to accept an uttama-adhikari as a spiritual master.”

2)“One should not become a spiritual master unless he has attained the platform of uttama-adhikari.

The question is can a Kanistha give DIKSA from this quote? The answer is NO!

So how can we establish that Kanistha does NOT give diksa? Kanistha is a QUALIFIED Brahmana. But even such a QUALIFIED Brahmana is in MATERIAL CONTAMINATION. And because he has MATERIAL CONTAMINATION he does NOT have Transcendental Knowledge. What you do NOT have you can NOT give. And it is Transcendental Knowledge that frees one from ALL MATERIAL CONTAMINATION.

Continue reading →

740619rc.germany Conversations Prabhupada: My idea is that all our centers should be self-supported. We do not like that idea that for your support you have to go 100 miles to get your bread. That is a very dangerous drawback. You produce your food locally and then support yourself. The main problem is what to eat, where to sleep. So we get some place and support ourself by producing our own food. We have already begun in New Vrindaban, New…, West Virginia, Virginia, and similarly in other centers, we are producing our food, grains, vegetables, fruits and milk. That is sufficient. …..

As the times all over this world , get even more tough to make a “living” and one has to

undergo so much austerity-just to– get to “work”, and then actually work

at a place one really doesn’t like, these instructions by Srila Prabhupada are starting

to sound more and more attractive to one so much harassed by modern day

so called “living”.

Hare Krsna,

Damaghosa das-go ahead shoot the messenger, see if I care…

Hare Krishna Society

Preaching truth-by Srila Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta maharaj

A Rebuttal of the GBC’s False Doctrine

8 proofs that Srila Prabhupada is a pure devotee of the Lord

Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: II

Srila Prabhupada’s SB classes-summary file–VOLUME 7 P: I

Devotees think-“we are all liberated”-SP says- “liberated for going to hell”

“Be patient and return home. Dont be a crazy fellow”–C.C.

Become qualified brahmanas-SP

Reply to Rocana Dasa on his COMPLETE MISUNDERSTANDING of BOTH the Guru and Ritvik Issue

More proof for self sufficiency-SP