The Most Auspicious Day

It is 6:43 am on Friday, 3 August 2007. I am flying on my way to New York City. This is the most auspicious day because today I am heading to 26 2nd Avenue. Although situated within New York City's Manhattan, one of Kali Yuga's greatest strongholds, 26 2nd Avenue is the most sublime of all places of pilgrimage in the entire universe. Why is that? Because it was in 1966 in that humble store front sitting next to a gas station where my beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founded ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. That is the place where he began the spiritual revolution which will gradually inundate the entire universe. Every particle of dust in that holiest of all holy places is potent for bestowing Krishna prema, pure love of Godhead, upon those pilgrims who come there seeking that supreme benediction. Srila Prabhupada delivered many lectures there in 1966 and those lectures are still being delivered there for those who have the ears to hear. I am praying that I will be able the catch the wave of Srila Prabhupada's mercy tonight and be able to dive deeply into that sweetest of all rasas (tastes), Srila Prabhupada's 26 2nd Avenue pastimes. I have no other desire except to be carried eternally on the wave of his mercy as his completely sold-out servant.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: How to Always Taste Happiness?..

I understood that material happiness is temporary, but still when it comes I think it to be permanent and start trying to enjoy it. Even though I understand the illusory nature of material happiness, I find myself again and again falling into the trap of trying to enjoy it. How can I overcome this tendency and remain always fixed in transcendental bliss?

Your student in India

Answer: Always Make Krishna Happy...

If you want permanent happiness, stop trying to get it for yourself. Simply try to always give happiness to Lord Krishna by your thoughts, words, and deeds in all times, places, and circumstances. Then you will always be happy.

"A person who neither rejoices upon achieving something pleasant nor laments upon obtaining something unpleasant, who is self-intelligent, who is unbewildered, and who knows the science of God, is already situated in transcendence. Such a liberated person is not attracted to material sense pleasure but is always in trance, enjoying the pleasure within. In this way the self-realized person enjoys unlimited happiness, for he concentrates on the Supreme."
---Bhagavad-gita 5.20-21

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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