Ultimate Self Realization

Krishna Consciousness is the one switch that turns on the entire world. For anyone who takes seriously to the pathway of Krishna Consciousness, the entire world becomes completely transformed. Such an enlightened soul no longer lives in this material world, even though he externally appears to be doing so and even though he can deal with the material world in the most expert manner. Krishna Consciousness is so extraordinarily wonderful that the only reason someone would not want to wholeheartedly adopt this pathway is sheer ignorance. Therefore those who become enlightened in Krishna Consciousness dedicate their lives fully to enlightening the entire world in this sublime and most perfect of all sciences. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Real Hindu Name for ISKCON... May I know the real Hindu name for the ISKCON sect that is known among Bharatias (followers of India's traditional Vedic culture) in India? I am sorry to disturb your kind grace, Ramchandra A

Sometimes we hear it said that our fate is unalterable, that nothing can be done to improve our situation and the world situation, and that we might as well just resign ourselves to our fate. While this is true according to the law of karma, it is also a fact that our personal fate, the fate of others, and the world fate can be transformed if we know the ultimate insider's secret, which enables us to transcend the karma chakra. What is that? The secret of transforming our fate is to understand that there are two distinct dimensions of consciousness. In the material dimension we are completely locked into our fate because in the material dimension the law of karma operates with perfect unyielding precision. We reap exactly what we sow, nothing more, nothing less. However in the spiritual dimension we are no longer bound by our fate. In that dimension we enjoy full freedom and can overcome the influence of the karmic laws to transform our destiny. The really nice thing about e

Sometimes we feel that it is hopeless when we see how the present world population is completely covered over by the darkness of ignorance, completely out of touch with the transcendental nature of the self and its relationship with the Supreme Self. But we should never feel it is hopeless. Why? The reason is that light destroys darkness and darkness cannot destroy light. Take a tiny lit candle into a large completely dark room and you will see that immediately the light of the candle spreads everywhere. Now take a can full of darkness and take it outside on a bright, sunny day and open it to spread its influence. You will see that immediately the darkness is completely destroyed by the light. Therefore the light of transcendental knowledge is destined to drive away the darkness of ignorance. That transcendental torchlight of knowledge is carried by the spiritual master to rescue us and the entire world from the darkness of ignorance. Therefore we offer our respectful obeisance

Now is a very exciting time because we are mapping out our preaching strategy and schedule for the year 2007. If you would like your city to be included in our 2007 preaching schedule, now is the time to let us know so we can see if we can fit it in. The fact is that there is so much that needs to be said about Krishna and so many places where His glories desperately need to be heard that even if we could go to millions and billions of places to spread the name and fame of Lord Krishna, it would not even begin to be sufficient to satisfy the need. So what can be done? We simply have to fully dedicate ourselves from now until our last dying breath that every moment we will try our level best to broadcast Lord Sri Krishna's glories to the widest possible audience in the most effective and attractive way. And we must convince as many people as possible to also dedicate their lives fully for spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. Answers According to the Vedic Versio

The time is 6:55 pm on Friday the 26th of January 2007. I have gotten quite far behind on answering my emails and today I am making an all out effort to catch up. I have spent the entire afternoon on this endeavor and am almost caught up. There is nothing that disturbs me more than getting behind on answering the important questions that are coming to me everyday from my readers around the world. Just as according to the teachings of Krishna it is the duty for the student to inquire from the spiritual master, it is also the duty of the spiritual master answer the sincere inquirers to their full satisfaction. This places a great burden of responsibility on me. I am regularly praying for my spiritual master's blessings that I can successfully execute my duty. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Why Do We Need Initiation?... My question is: "Why do we need a initiation process by a guru for the advancement in spiritual life?" With all my humble resp

The spiritual master is the pure representative of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krishna, out of His unlimited compassion for those souls who are lost in the cycle of birth and death, sends the spiritual master to us to relieve us from our suffering in this material existence. Since the spiritual master purely represents the unlimited compassion of the Lord, he is empowered by the Lord to give us unlimited loving kindness. Therefore there is nothing more auspicious than coming in contact with a bona fide spiritual master. Such a blessing is described as follows in the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita: brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija "According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate ge

I am writing this on 24 January 2007 at 10:45 am at the Los Angeles International Airport. Krishna has kindly blessed us with an ecstatic stopover in Los Angeles on our way back to our home base in Austin. We spent about 20 hours in New Dwaraka, the Los Angeles temple and community, of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The devotees here are staunchly dedicated to blessing the fallen souls of this age by the wide scale propagation of Krishna consciousness all the world. To be in the presence of such great souls is a very inspiring and enlivening experience. May I always be so fortunate.  Sometimes some of my readers complain when I describe what I am doing. They say that I should simply stick to describing the science of self-realization. But they do not realize that I teaching the science of self-realization not only by my words. I am also teaching it by my activities. The secret of rapid advancement along the pathway of self-realization is to asso

It's now 5:22pm on 23rd January 2007. We arrived at 1:50pm this afternoon here in the USA at Los Angeles. Of all the nations on the face this planet, this particular nation is very special. Srila Prabhupada said that India was his motherland and the USA was his fatherland. Why did he so much appreciate this country? Because out of all the nations on the face of this planet it was here that Srila Prabhupada was given the best facility for starting and expanding his movement all over the world. He said that because of America's leading position in the world, if even 1 percent of the American nation takes to Krishna consciousness, the whole world will be changed for the better. Next to India, our Ultimate Self Realization Course is the most popular in the USA. This gives me great hope for the future salvation of the human society. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: If One Has No Information about Krishna Consciousness... In a recent "Thought for the

It is 11:20am on 23 January 23, 2007. I am here in Suva, Fiji making last minute preparations for our departure. Today we fly out from Fiji at 11pm and amazingly enough arrive on the same day in Los Angeles at 1pm. This means we arrive in Los Angeles ten hours before we leave Fiji! Is this due to any mystic yoga feat? No. It is because we are crossing the international date line going in an easterly direction.  I carry with me many sweet memories of connecting with Krishna by associating with His devotees and His holy names here in this beautiful paradisial land by the sea. The good people, pleasant weather, clean water, clean air, and abundance of naturally growing fruits, flowers, and vegetables make this an ideal place for living a simple, happy life of complete absorption in Krishna consciousness. Jairam Prabhu, the temple president of our main temple in Suva, has already invited us to return in January of 2008. So we are already starting to make our plans to do so. This is a ve

There is no life like the Krishna conscious life because it is a thrilling adventure at every moment. There is nothing boring about Krishna consciousness. As one dovetails all of one's thoughts, words, and deeds with the Supreme Consciousness, one enters into the ultimate happiness as one gradually unlocks one's divine consciousness that has been sleeping within one's heart since time immemorial. Thus one attains the zenith of expanded consciousness, higher even than what is attained by the Brahmavadis, who strive to merge with the Supreme, or the yogis, who develop the eight types of mystic powers. Especially exciting is to take up the revolutionary mission of spreading Krishna consciousness all over the world. Even if one is circumstantially not able to do that, if he will assist those who are, he will experience the same inconceivably nectarean result. Why is it so nectarean? Because the more you give Krishna, the more you get Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari e

Every Sunday morning after the morning program at ISKCON's Labasa temple, the devotees go singing the Hare Krishna mantra and dancing in ecstasy in the neighborhoods of Labasa. To distribute the holy names of Lord Sri Krishna is the ultimate welfare activity because the chanting of Krishna's names brings one permanent relief from all the sufferings of material existence. The all-merciful names enable one to become from all forms of stress and anxiety and enter into the eternal pastimes of the Lord in His eternal abode, the Spiritual Sky. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Global Rise of the Mahamantra?... I really enjoyed what you recently wrote about if the world leaders took to Krishna Consciousness that the problems of the world would dissipate. I pray for this and believe it will happen. What a wonderful place of so much meaning this earth will be. I was wondering if you could enlighten me with any Vedic knowledge circulating around this? Many Ch

Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-gita that the devotees of the Lord derive great bliss and satisfaction by gathering together to hear about, discuss, and glorify Him. We have practical experience of this on a regular daily basis. There is truly nothing more ecstatic than to be in the association of the Lord's devotees engaged in devotional activities. In the photo below we have just arrived on the Fijian Island of Viti Levu after flying over from several nectarean days of sharing Krishna consciousness with the wonderful devotees of Taveuni. While driving through the mountains from the airport at Savusavu on the way to Labasa (pronounced Lambasa) we stopped by the side of the road to share a wonderful picnic of Krishna prasadam together. The spiritual master is very pleased when he sees that the devotees are gathering together to take Krishna prasadam. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Is Obedience to Guru Predestined?... Is whether or not I put sincer

The present slate of the world's leaders have very clearly demonstrated their total complete incompetence for relieving the citizens from the suffering conditions of material existence. Human life is meant for realizing the highest truth and thus becoming eternally liberated from all miseries. But these so-called leaders are not even liberated themselves. How, therefore, can we expect them to be able to liberate others? Therefore the time has come now, more than ever before, to introduce Krishna conscious leadership in every town, village, city, and nation throughout the world so that people everywhere can become truly liberated and happy. Let all those who have taken leadership positions now become truly qualified by taking seriously to the self-realization path so that they will become delivered and they can guide those who are under their guidance how to also become liberated. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Why Bhagavad-gita is Translated?... I do no

This morning we fly out from Taveuni to another Fijian Island. This time we will be spending several days sharing the wonderful nectar of Krishna consciousness with the devotees on the Island of Vana Levu in the city of Labasa (pronounced Lambasa). Our visit to Taveuni was the most exhilarating opportunity to appreciate Krishna's amazing craftsmanship in creating this practically celestial island and then to marvel at how inconceivably millions and billions of times more wondrous must be His Goloka Vrindavan planet situated in the topmost region of the Spiritual Sky. This truly staggers the imagination. The sweet, loving hospitality of the Taveuni devotees has been matchless. We have never been made to feel more at home anywhere else in our travels all over the world. Each day I visited a different home, and at each visit I was offered a traditional foot bathing ceremony, guru puja, and sumptuous feast of the most delicious Taveuni grown fruits and vegetables. With such ho

It is certainly a very joyful experience to be here on Taveuni, a remote South Pacific island paradise. The fresh ocean breezes, million dollar views, lush tropical forests full of fruits and flowers, pristine flowing mountain streams, etc. Such an atmosphere that reminds us of the spiritual world is in the mode of goodness, sattva guna. It is a wonderful relief from the tamasic (ignorant) and rajasic (passionate) atmosphere of the polluted modern day world civilization. But this mode of goodness atmosphere does not on its own bring permanent, lasting satisfaction. That's why the people who reside here are hankering to go somewhere else such as New Zealand or Australia. If we want to experience the actual paradise, the actual platform of pure, unlimited happiness, we must come to the spiritual platform. The real paradise is found in the association of great transcendentalists, the Lord's devotees, who are 24 hours daily engaged in hearing, chanting, and remembering the tr

We are spending three days on a remote Fijian island known as Taveuni. And even here on Taveuni we are in a remote place. After a arriving on a small propeller-driven airplane we landed on a very short landing strip which was just at the edge of the ocean. The terminal was small shed. There was no conveyor belt for the luggage. We claimed our luggage from a cart that had been wheeled the thirty yards from the airplane to the tiny shed. We were greeted with respectful obeisances by a contingent of Krishna's devotees who gave each of us (myself, Vishnupriya Mataji, and Jairama Prabhu) a flower garland. Finally after a grueling but beautiful drive along the bumpy often gravel road along the coast we arrived at our remote quarters. It's so remote that there is no running water and no electricity. We are staying with a farmer and his family who are devotees. The house is very simple, practically no more than a tin shack, but the atmosphere is very, very sublime. You wouldn

I cannot even begin to comprehend the extent of my good fortune that I have been engaged as a messenger of my beloved spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, for spreading the message of Krishna all over the world. There is nothing more auspicious than the liberating teachings of the Bhagavad-gita except for one thing. And what is that? To be blessed with the opportunity to spread the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita all over the world. Somehow or other, out of His infinite kindness Krishna has allowed me, in spite of my innumerable disqualifications, to be engaged full time in traveling and distributing the sublime teachings of the Bhagavad-gita all over the world. Not only that, He has blessed me with thousands of dedicated readers in over one hundred countries. This greatly encourages me to continue writing and sharing via the internet the wonderful realizations that I constantly being blessed with regarding Krishna consciousness, the ultimate self-realization science. Answers A

Yesterday Krishna's mercy flooded the the Suva Market when dozens of devotees armed with the sweet sound of Krishna's holy names and pots full of Krishna prasadam for free distribution showed up there. As soon as the devotees began chanting a crowd of onlookers immediately gathered around us some of whom joined us in chanting the holy names. The devotees blessed me with the opportunity to lead the kirtan. It was so uplifting and enlivening to sing the unlimitedly sweet Hare Krishna Mahamantra for the deliverance of the souls who happened to be at the right place at the right to be blessed with the sweet sound of Krishna's holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare May the entire universe become flooded these nectarean transcendental sound vibrations. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Is Jesus the Only Way?... My name is Alok and I am doing my M.C.A in Christ College in Bangalore. I

It's 6:50am here in Suva, Fiji. I am awed by the natural beauty of the dawn that is happening around me at this minute in this tropical, picturesque land. And I am praying for the full blown manifestation of the spiritual dawn, the Caitanya Era, for the enlightenment, the spiritual upliftment of the billions of lost, bewildered souls who are wandering around in this Kali Yuga in a state of gross ignorance and misery. Even the big, big leaders are completely bewildered in the matter of distinguishing reality from illusion. Thus the entire planet earth has been cast into an ocean of confusion. In this deluded state no one knows who they are, where they have come from, what is their ultimate destination, or how to achieve their ultimate destination. Somehow or other I have come into contact with a bona fide spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Because of his causeless mercy upon me I have now come into the direct service of the Absolute Truth

In the Srimad Bhagavatam 2nd Canto, 8th Chapter, Text 6 it is stated: dhautatma purusah krsna- pada-mulam na muncati mukta-sarva-pariklesah panthah sva-saranam yatha "A pure devotee of the Lord whose heart has once been cleansed by the process of devotional service never relinquishes the lotus feet of Lord Krishna, for they fully satisfy him, as a traveler is satisfied at home after a troubled journey." This choice verse reconfirms the all-blissful nature of Krishna consciousness. Even if the Lord's devotee has to undergo all sorts of distressful circumstances, he finds great pleasure by doing so, if by undergoing them he can please the Lord. He can tolerate all disturbances, just as a traveler tolerates an arduous journey to reach the safety and comfort of his home. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Is the Absolute Truth Impersonal?... Of late I've come across many swamis and gurus in India who establish that the Absolute Truth is imp

Even though Fiji is no doubt one of the most beautiful places on the planet earth, there is something here which is far more wonderful than its beauty. What is that? Is the warm hospitality we received from the Fiji devotees. In this regard the Fiji devotees are especially noted for the wonderful prasadam they serve to their guests. ("Prasadam" means vegetarian foodstuffs which have first been offered to Lord Krishna with love and devotion.) Srila Prabhupada one time stated, "They are cooking very nice in Fiji." The Fiji islands are blessed by a amazing variety of fruits and vegetables, many of which grow here in the wild without any cultivation. While visiting Fiji it is astounding to see how many varieties of tantalizing dishes the devotees are offering to Lord Krishna. When I am offered a huge platter with more than twenty unforgettably delicious preparations it is the best I can do to sample a little of each one. The materialists will spend big money t

The soul in his original pure nature is beautiful beyond description. He is eternally youthful, full of bliss, full of knowledge. When he falls down into material existence that gorgeous luster becomes covered by thousands of layers of lust, anger, greed, laziness, fault-finding, pride, etc. But when he resumes his original duty of service to the Supreme Lord, he regains his original attractive qualities. This is confirmed in the Kasi-khand portion of the Skanda Purana as follows: "In the country known as Mayuradhvaja, the lower-caste people, who are considered less than sudras, are also initiated in the Vaishnava cult of devotional service. And when they are properly dressed, with tilaka on their bodies and beads in their hands and on their necks, they appear to be coming from Vaikuntha. In fact, they look so very beautiful that immediately they surpass the ordinary brahmanas." Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Keeping on the Path... I subscribe to yo

In 1976 when Srila Prabhupada was visiting Fiji he said that it could become the first Krishna conscious country in the world. To have a Krishna conscious government would be the most wonderful blessing that any nation could ever have. If even one country on the face of this planet earth could have a Krishna conscious government, the atmosphere of the entire planet earth would be transformed. If Fiji could be so fortunate, it would naturally become the leading country for the entire planet Earth. Just since my arrival here a few days ago, a new prime minister has been sworn in. My request to the new prime minister is that he should carefully study Bhagavad-gita as it is and guide the people of Fiji according to its principles. If he does so, it will mark the beginning of a new era for the entire planet earth. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Does this Saying Make Sense?... I came across the following saying: "Helping hands are better than praying lips.

In this material world we are under a great pressure from friends, family, and the society in general to conform to that which is considered normal, a futile life of material sense gratification. In this connection it is said, "Tis folly to be wise in that place where ignorance is bliss." If we break out of the normal social pattern and take seriously to pathway of self-realization we are considered to be crazy. But we have to consider who is actually crazy: the person who focuses his life's energy on his eternal spiritual identity or the person who devotes everything to a temporary lump of stool, urine, blood, pus, mucus, etc. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Chanting in One Sitting?... Is it okay if i chant the 16 rounds of the maha mantra on the beads throughout the day, or should it be done all at once on one sitting? I find it hard to do it all at once, but am trying my best. Thank you, Kamal Answer: Easier and More Potent in the Early Morn

By one stroke Krishna consciousness solves every problem of life. It is such a wonderful thing. Let the entire world now fully adopt the sublime pathway of Krishna consciousness and become fully peaceful and happy. Everyone and anyone in all situations of life can experience deep meaning and purpose and complete freedom from anxiety if they will simply seriously take up this sublime practice under the expert guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We don't charge any money for teaching them. This is our gift of love to world. Answers According to the Vedic Version Question: Selfish or Selfless Service?... I enjoyed meeting you recently in Mumbai at the BACE evening programs. I have a question that has been sort of troubling me for a while regarding love for Krishna. I think what I'm basically asking is: Am I selfishly serving Krishna because I want something in return (happiness) or am I experiencing happiness fr

Every single living entity throughout the total existence has a wonderful, beautiful personal relationship with God, the ultimate source of all energies. Even if we deviate from our original pure happy position of service to Him and fall into a position of forgetfulness here within the material world, He mercifully provides us with the medicine that is fully potent for reviving our our original enlightened consciousness. That medicine is the Hare Krishna Mahamantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Each one of us has our unique situation within this material existence. No matter what our position may be, each one of us has a custom program designed by God for our rectification and deliverance from the clutches of material existence. So there is no reason to lament our current position or hanker for something else. All we have to do is revive our dormant Krishna consciousness by regularly chanting the Mahamantra ev

The most important thing we need to do is purify our consciousness of the tendency to be the enjoyer. We cannot be the enjoyer because our actual position is that we are the servant. It is when we agree to take the position of servant that we can actually enjoy. The perfection of being a servant is to become the servant of God because just as when we water the root of a tree all the leaves and branches are nourished, when we give loving service to the Supreme Person, the root of everything, we then give the best loving service to everyone and everything. We even end up also giving the best service to ourselves because we are also part of everything. This is the secret of how to derive unlimited happiness at every minute and becoming completely immune to all forms of distress. Instead of trying to enjoy independently, we simply must dedicate ourselves to giving enjoyment to God. The result will be that we will enjoy on an equal level with the Supreme Enjoyment. In other words w

ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, provides the most essential facility of spiritual revival in its hundreds of centers that are located throughout the world. There is no greater need at the present moment throughout the world than the revival of the love of God that is currently sleeping in hearts of everyone. If this propensity can be awakened, the entire atmosphere of the world can be transformed into a paradise. I am now visiting as a guest lecturer at ISKCON's center in Suva, Fiji (pictured below) and am tasting the sweetest nectar here in the association of the great devotees who are running this temple. After my arrival here yesterday I met with temple leaders Jairam Prabhu and Visvanath Prabhu, who gave me the schedule (listed below) of my lecture tour up until 23 January. There are many nectarean adventures awaiting me in the spreading of Krishna consciousness throughout the Fiji Islands. The Fiji Islands are promoted by numerous airline