Hare Krishna Society

Compiled by Padmapani dasa – Prabhupada Connection

(Srila Prabhupada at Commonwealth Pier, Boston, 1968)

THE PRABHUPADA CONNECTION

compiled by Padamapni dasa.

Markine-Bhagavata Dharma

By His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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Srila Prabhupada arrived in Boston on September 17, 1965. He carried within his heart the order of his spiritual master to spread the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu to the Western world. The following poem, written on board the Jaladuta, perfectly illustrates Srila Prabhupada’s complete humility and dependence on the Supreme Lord Krishna for the success of his great mission.

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boro-kṛpā kaile kṛṣṇa adhamer prati

ki lāgiyānile hethā koro ebe gati

My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, You are so kind upon this useless soul, but I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do whatever You like with me.

āche kichu kārja taba ei anumāne

nahe keno āniben ei ugra-sthāne

But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?

Continue reading →

Today we have a transcendental treat for our readers — Gopinatha! — one of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s most beloved Vaisnava songs.

The accompanying photo is of Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha in Toronto during the 1970s. The translation is from the original Songs of the Vaisnava Acaryas prayer book by Acyutananda dasa, 1972 edition. And the mp3 sound files — both singing and translation — are of Vishnujana Swami recorded in the 1970s. So it’s a trip down memory lane for the older devotees and a sweet introduction to the blissful mood of the Krishna Consciousness movement during the early days for our younger readers.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, a great Vaisnava acarya and pure devotee of Krishna, is assuming the role of a conditioned soul to teach us how to advance in Krishna Consciousness. His devotional sentiments are the perfection of the soul’s yearning to be reunited with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Gopinatha, the Lord of the gopis.

On a personal note, this song is a favorite. When Vishnujana Swami visited Vancouver in 1974, he asked me to play karatals on some of the bhajans which he recorded in the temple, of which Gopinatha! was one of them. When Vishnujana chanted the songs of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura and Srila Narottama das Thakura, we were instantly transported to the spiritual realm. Here’s a taste of the nectar. Please enjoy!

https://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/Gopinatha.html

Note: Daily offerings are posted on our “What’s New” page for your convenience in case you don’t have time to read them immediately:

https://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/WhatsNew.html

Hari Hari bol!

Credit to Padmapani dasa. The Prabhupada Connection

Subject: Do what you can for Srila Prabhupada

compiled by Padmapani dasa

Over the years I’ve received numerous messages from readers expressing their dismay that they didn’t have a chance to see and serve Srila Prabhupada while he was physically present on the planet. My reply has always been that Srila Prabhupada is not limited by time and space like an ordinary conditioned soul and he can reciprocate with anyone who sincerely prays to him and follows his instructions to the best of one’s individual capacity. Srila Prabhupada has made this abundantly clear in his books and letters which have been quoted on this website many times.

“As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krishna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krishna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Chaitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on.”

(Srila Prabhupada Letter, June 30, 1974) Continue reading →

Dear Prabhus.

Pamho,Agtsp.

I very much appreciate Gauridas Pandita,s concerns about the Back to Godhead magazine.

As he stated, Srila Prabhpada saw the BTG and Hari Nama Sankirtana as the back bone of the movement.

I came across a BT G in late 72 and I was immediately mesmerised by its transcendental potency.My life changed forever after reading it.

After joining at the Melbourne Rathyartra in June 1973,Caru(Utah)preached to me so nicely about the importance of book distribution,and asked me If I would like to go out distributing books.

Having been fully convinced about the potency of Srila Prabhupadas books I had no hesitation in going out.

I had fully realised what effect Srila Prabhupadas books had on me,and how they bought me to Krishna Consciousness.In such a short time the experience of Rathyartra,the incredible Madhudvisa kirtans,prasadam and the amazing energy of all the devotees who were on fire due to Rathyartra altered my consciousness.In just 1 week I experienced this higher taste,and all I wanted to do was to share it with the world by distributing Srila Prabhupadas books.

So just 3 days after shaving up,I was out selling BTG!s.

Srila Prabhupada wanted the BTG to be as big as Time magazine.And in the mid 70,s there was a time when 1 million BTG,s were being sold monthly.

When distributing books on the street,first I would offer a book,and If they declined the book I would then offer the much smaller BTG,which most people would accept.I set myself the quota of 1 box of BTG,S per day.

Mid 1975 my self and Bhakta Peter( Adi Purush)distributed 70 boxes of BTG,s and with that luxmi we purchased our TS Bus.For 18 months we travelled all over Australia preaching and holding programs fully funded from BTG sales.

A BTG Tale.

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The Material Concoction That Infiltrated ISKCON

BY: VIDURA MAHATMA DAS

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

The idea that one must approach or take shelter of a “living” guru is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most damaging of lies within the Krishna consciousness movement. This lie was started by a few deviated disciples after Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance in order to support their claim that Srila Prabhupada had appointed them to begin accepting disciples of their own and thereby become full-fledged diksa gurus.

If you take away the need for a living guru lie, what is left unclouded in the minds of so many bewildered people is the July 9^th 1977 Directive issued by Srila Prabhupada (via his secretary) wherein Srila Prabhupada’s ongoing acceptance of disciples even after his disappearance is expressed in legal form. Moreover, the hundreds of quotes by Srila Prabhupada which the ritviks have continually presented over the years may also become unclouded to the minds of thousands of bewildered people. As of right now, Srila Prabhupada’s ritvik order – a clear and simple issue – seems like a big gray area to most people at best, if not outright rejected as a deviant philosophy itself. Could things be any more topsy-turvy? “The intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.” (Bg 2.41) Continue reading →

Subject: Srila Prabhupada: Follow the instruction. Then you are secure anywhere

compiled by Yasoda nandana dasa

Srila Prabhupāda: Yes. If you don’t follow the instruction of guru, then you are fallen down immediately. That is the way. Otherwise why you sing, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo **. It is my duty to satisfy guru. Otherwise I am nowhere. So, if you prefer to be nowhere, then you disobey as you like. But if you want to be steady in your position, then you have to follow strictly the instruction of guru.

Devotee (1): We can understand all of your instructions simply by reading your books.

Srila Prabhupāda: Yes. Anyway, follow the instruction. That is required. Follow the instruction. Wherever you remain, it doesn’t matter. You are secure. Follow the instruction. Then you are secure anywhere. It doesn’t matter. Just like I told you that I saw my Guru Mahārāja not more than ten days in my life, but I followed his instruction. I was a gṛhastha, I never lived with the Maṭha, in the temple. It is practical. So many Godbrothers recommended that “He should be in charge in this Bombay temple, this, that, that…” Guru Mahārāja said, “Yes, better he lives outside. That is good, and he will do what is needed in due course of time.”

Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!

Srila Prabhupāda: He said like that. I could not understand at that time what does he expect. Of course, I knew that he wanted me to preach.

Yaśodānandana: I think you have done this in grand style.

Devotees: Jaya, Prabhupāda! Haribol!

Srila Prabhupāda: Yes, done grand style because I strictly follow the instruction of my Guru Mahārāja, that’s all. Otherwise I have no strength. I have not played any magic. Did I? Any gold manufacturing? (laughter) Still, I have got better disciples than the gold-manufacturing guru.

Yaśodānandana: Before you came, many gurus came, but they did not make any pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.

Srila Prabhupāda: How they can? He is not pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. How he can do? Kṛṣṇa–śakti vinā nāhe nāma pracāra: “Without being empowered by Kṛṣṇa nobody can turn a person to become devotee of Kṛṣṇa.” It is not… Artificially, you cannot make. He may make show of gold manufacturing, but he cannot make a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. That is not possible.

Srila Prabhupada morning walk, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, February 3, 1975

Srila Prabhupada Memories

“Do Not Change My Words”

Srila Prabhupada used to like to sit in his garden in Vrindavan especially in the mornings. He liked to hear his books read to him daily. One time Yasodanandan Prabhu was reading Sri Isopanisad when Srila Prabhupada stopped him and asked him to reread the last paragraph. After hearing it again Srila Prabhupada said, “Those are not my words! They are changing my words! Is my English not good enough?” Srila Prabhupada became very angry and continued, “This is the worst thing a disciple can do! Do not become like a leap frog and try to jump over the spiritual master thinking you know better than him. Tell them immediately [the editors] do not change my words!”

Srila Prabhupada was very upset about the changes in his books. I never saw him get so angry any other time. Continue reading →

VERY RELEVANT TESTIMONY FROM CYAVANA SWAMI

On September 6, 2017, Nityananda das received an email reply to questions he had put to Cyavana Swami, an very early Srila Prabhupada disciple who manages a preaching and gardening facility in Williston, Florida called Camp Garuda. The reply was:

“Yes, I have stated this many times….. some understand it, but most don’t and it usually causes some to become agitated. Most devotees never really understood who Srila Prabhupada is. The initiation means to begin on the path of Bhakti, each one must figure out how to take that first step. Srila Prabhupada made it perfectly clear to me that we are not his only disciples. His instruction was,”I have given you everything, don’t change anything… I will have millions of disciples.” These are the most important instructions Srila Prabhupada ever gave us for the future of his Movement.

“In my discussions with Prabhupada the subject of adding to and changing the books and philosophy came up frequently, but the question of what to do regarding initiations after he was no longer with us was very difficult to ask, it was almost unthinkable at the time that he would not always be with us. Myself and Brahmananda Swami were in Srila Prabhupada’s room one morning in Nairobi, Kenya in 1975, at first he seemed surprised at the question, as if he had already made it very clear.

We were performing initiations his behalf all over the world for some years, so he said to simply continue as he had been training us, “on my behalf ” was not just for then, it is for always. His answer was clear and simple.

“I am encouraged, especially over the past few years, by the many devotees who are clearly understanding this and Srila Prabhupada’s unique and exalted position in our Sampradaya. If someone wants to add to or change a book they can do so in their own name, and of course we must have “instructor gurus” and teachers to guide disciples on the path, but only Srila Prabhupada will fulfill the promise to take us all home, that is certain. I share this with you as a friend. As far as the general population devotees, let them think whatever they want, at least they have a start, many here including me are inspired by your work.”

RECAP:
(1). “I have given you everything, don’t change anything… I will have millions of disciples.”
(2). “We were performing initiations on his behalf all over the world for some years, so he said to simply continue as he had been training us, “on my behalf ” was not just for then, it is for always.”
Satyahit das confirmed that Cyavana Swami has been consistently stating these memories for many years.

Below we have two separate quotes from Jaiva Dharma(Bhaktivinode Thakur) which should prove to everybody the folly of “bad association”. There is a common saying-“the road to hell is paved with good intentions” and it also applies to us devotees who are in ignorance of all the very subtle aspects of this great Vaisnava philosophy.

Srila Prabhupada has often spoken of spiritual life as like a “razors edge” or as the line of demarcation on a floor where light and shadow(darkness) meet. How fine is that point? Very fine. Verily this application of our energy towards pleasing the Supreme Lord is not meant for “the less intelligent” as we have to become thoroughly familiar with all her subtle aspects.

A personal experience--I had on one occasion (about 20 years ago) to take part in some Hari nama sankirtan led by one iskcon “guru-sannyasi”, and afterwards I felt completely unfocused/bewildered in my mind, or spaced out I think is the term we used to us for that. I had never felt like that after any kirtans I led or attended. I only could conclude that it was due to “the momentary association” I had then with these iskcon devotees who all were following this bogus guru/kali-cela.

So this experience was confirmed to me by the Acaryas words and warnings of advice that if we want to develop actual God or Krsna Consciousness, we better well be very careful of whom we associate with. It is not that all who dress in dhoti and sari are devotees, otherwise why does Bhaktivinode call them Kali chelas?

Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, Kali-cela. He indicates that there are other Vaishnavas, pseudo-Vaishnavas, with tilaka on their nose and kunti beads around their neck. Such a pseudo-Vaishnava associates with money and women and is jealous of successful Vaishnavas. Although passing for a Vaishnava, his only business is earning money in the dress of a Vaishnava”. (CC.Madhy.,Ch.1, Text 218 / 220, purport)

Hare Krsna

damaghosa das

One must taste the nectar of devotion by reason, argument and knowledge, and then he must pass it on to others. One should not think that Krishna consciousness is mere sentimentality. The dancing and singing are all scientific. There is science, and there is also loving reciprocation. – On the Way to Krishna 4: The Roads of the Foolish and the Wise

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1.) An envious person is generally very self opinionated-hence if he hears praises or explanations about the science of pure bhakti he will immediately start an unnecessary argument, which will be of use to neither you nor to him.Instead of such barren debates, one should simple restrain ones dealings to a social level with such persons.

If someone whimsically proposes to include the envious persons into the ranks of the balisa,(innocent or ignorant) so that compassionate association may be practiced upon them, then such a person should first understand that this course of action would be very detrimental to his own spiritual progress. It is essential for the madhyama to act according to these 4 guidelines as any slackness in this regard will culminate in malpractice, increased lethargy and apathy towards executing spiritual discipline. In the end the deviation will become too overwhelming.

Thus in accordance with scriptural injunctions the prime duties of a madhyama vaisnava are to cultivate love for the Lord, friendship with pure devotees, compassion for the innocent and aloofness from the envious.

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“I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 14th, 1969, and I have received a similar letter from Brahmananda also that you are finding some difficulty in keeping pace regularly with the routine work. My advice to you under the circumstances is that at least for one hour you must all go to have sankirtana outside on the streets or in the park. That is your life and soul, first business. The next business is completing the chanting of sixteen rounds every day.

The next business is your editing and if you find extra time then you can attend the temple ceremonies. Otherwise you can stop these activities, but outdoor kirtana, your editing work and chanting of sixteen rounds must be done. Outdoor kirtana must be done, even at the cost of suspending all editorial work. That is your first and foremost business. Temple worship is not so important. If need be, the whole temple can be locked, but the outdoor kirtana cannot be stopped.”

(SPL to Rayarama, 17th May, 1969)

Some Conclusions–

This is a very interesting letter by Srila Prabhupada where he is listing in order of importance our duties as devotees/disciples.

Continue reading →

Hare Krishna Society

Srila Prabhupada Arrives at Boston Harbor

Gopinatha!

Do what you can for Srila Prabhupada

Potency of BTG disquisition by Sabhapati dasa

The Material Concoction That Infiltrated ISKCON

Srila Prabhupada: Follow the instruction. Then you are secure anywhere

Do not change my words (Gauridasa Pandita dasa)

About Future Initiations (Cyavana Swami)

Harmful kirtans and bad association-warnings from our Acaryas

Daily Hari nama Sankirtana more important than 16 rounds a day–SP