Ultimate Self Realization

There is nothing sweeter than becoming reconnected with Krishna. And hearing the topics of Krishna is the means of becoming reconnected with Him. But someone who is deeply entangled in the modes of material nature and is thus very much attached to material sense gratification will find the topics of Krishna to be a threat to his material enjoyment and will not want to hear them. Just as medicine, although sometimes very bitter, must be taken on the physician's order to recover from disease, even if the topics of Krishna appear bitter to us we should absorb ourselves in hearing them anyway. By this transcendental hearing process we will gradually become cured of our all distress, all bitterness will go away, and we will enter into the transcendental eternal dimension of unlimited bliss and knowledge in the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Revealing the Supreme Sweetness at ISKCON temple Suva, Fiji--28 June 2009 Answers

Wherever we go we should always take Krishna with us. This is possible because whenever and wherever we remember Krishna He is personally present. In other words He and His remembrance are one and the same. The result of this connection is that we become absolutely ecstatic by re-entering our original all-blissful, all knowing eternal nature. So the smartest thing is to do is to always be engaged in hearing about, glorifying, and remembering that supreme all attractive personality, Lord Sri Krishna, in all times, places, and circumstances. In this way we will always be tasting the sweetest nectar and never become discouraged by the influence of the material energy. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Sharing Krishna at a Home in Suva, Fiji 27 June 2009 Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Give Up the Enjoying Mood? I theoretically know that I am not the enjoyer, but still I feel desperate to enjoy independently away from Lord Krishna. How to get over this propensity of s

Citizens of planet earth, it's time that you all wake up from the slumber of material existence. There is no reason to continue suffering in the cycle of birth and death. Srila Prabhupada has come to deliver the key to eternity, knowledge, and bliss. Simply chant the holy names of God with love and devotion: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare You will awaken your true, all-blissful, all-knowing identity as the eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Hare Krishna Kirtan Wake Up in Bulgaria Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Advance to the First Class Stage? What is required for a madhyama-adhikari to rise to uttama-adhikari stage? Madhyama-adhikari is already a high position. It is possible that they remain on this level and make no progress. Srila Prabhupada said that they can rise to uttama-adhikari level by associating with first-class

I am eternally indebted to my dear friend, Patrick Dolan, who in the fall of 1968 in Denver, Colorado introduced me to the Hare Krishna mahamantra. I had for a long time been searching desperately and futilely for a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment. That night when he introduced me to the mahamantra was a most significant turning point in my eternal existence. I have for many years been hankering to locate him so I could thank him for the tremendous difference he has made in my life. But for the last 41 years his whereabouts have remained completely unknown to me. So if any of my readers happen to know of a Patrick Dolan who lived in Denver, Colorado in 1968, I request them to kindly inform me how to get into contact with him. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Prove that the Source of Existence Has Personality? Hare Krishna All Glories to Srila Prabhupada and your valiant preaching efforts. I humbly request more clarificati

Srila Prabhupada very much appreciated the nicely prepared prasadam made by the devotees here in Fiji. And he wanted that all the ISKCON cooks should be able to cook prasadam to this standard. So it is always a special treat to experience this caliber of prasadam so much relished by Srila Prabhupada. Currently there are three Krishna prasadam restaurants in Suva: the Hare Krishna restaurant, Govinda's, and the newly-opened Gaura's Higher Taste. Jairama Prabhu, the president of ISKCON Suva, is also managing Gaura's Higher Taste, and he took us there to experience lunch prasadam. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Gaura's Higher Taste Restaurant in Suva, Fiji Managed by Jairama Prabhu (in the front) Simply Wonderful Gaura's Cuisine Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Satisfaction from Bhakti? While doing Krishna bhakti is it wrong to expect satisfaction from bhakti? Sunil Answer: By Satisfying Krishna No, but you have to know how to get it. If you try to

There's no bliss like bhakti bliss. Other kinds of bliss fade in and out. They are not steady. But the bliss of bhakti goes on increasing unlimitedly for all of eternity. So if you really want to enjoy life to the fullest extent, you've got no choice except to take to the path of bhakti. Any other path that you take will leave you ultimately disappointed. If you want to keep searching on your own for the best path, the ideal path, you are welcome to do that. But if you do not feel like wasting your time and you want to taste the full nectar of immortality immediately, here's a word to the wise. Forget everything else and fully absorb yourself in bhakti right now. You will unlimitedly glad that you did! Sankarshan Das Adhikari Blissful Devotees in Hamilton, New Zealand Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Conflict Between Christ and Krishna Respected Teacher, I have one really very painful question for me. Some years ago I belonged to the Christian church

Our consciousness is developed by the company that we keep. Therefore if we are serious about becoming purified from all material contamination and reviving our original enlightened consciousness, we should associate with pure devotees of Krishna as much as possible. By hearing, inquiring from, and serving great devotees the nature of the transcendentalist will become very attractive to us, and we will naturally pursue the path of self-realization with great enthusiasm for attaining the ultimate perfection of pure devotion. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Nothing Sweeter than Devotee Association Answers According to the Vedic Version: Request: Tone Down Initiation Requirements Dear Gurudeva, All obeisances unto you. You have stated the importance of initiation. But initiation comes with conditions attached. There should be no pre-conditions for initiation. Then only will neophytes like me me dare to get initiated. I would like for you to tone down the minimum requirements for initiation

When a great acharya such as His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada appears in this world, he creates order out of the chaos of material existence. And when such a powerful acharya as Srila Prabhupada departs, chaos naturally returns. Therefore it is up to the sincere followers of such a great acharya to manifest his full shakti or potency in their preaching work by strictly obeying and repeating his instructions not like a parrot, but with full realization. In this way the full potency of that great acharya will continue acting on this planet bringing order out of chaos. Sankarshan Das Adhikari The Great, Powerful Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Why Do I Have to Stay Here? I hate this material world and want to leave it and go live in Goloka Vrindavan and always serve Radha and Krishna and the gopis. I really don't want to be here any longer. I see that there is nothing here in thi

When we say that we are giving all of our love and devotion to Lord Krishna many people become disturbed. They feel that we should instead spread our love and devotion here, there, and everywhere. Of course, we agree with them on the principle of universal love, but our point of contention is regarding the proper way that true universal loved can be manifested. Just as when we water the root of a tree all the leaves and branches are nourished, when we give our love fully to Krishna, who is the very root of everything in existence, our love is fully disturbed to all living beings everywhere. If however, we opt for loving all living beings in a piecemeal fashion, we can go on trying to fully love this person, that person, this person, and to that person, etc. etc. but nobody will be fully satisfied. So instead of wasting our energy and becoming frustrated in our attempts to love everyone, we simply exclusively give our love to the person who is the root cause of the entire existence. In

In this world it is very rare to find someone who is seeking the Absolute Truth because mostly people nowadays are absorbed in the maddened pursuit of material sense gratification, both subtle and gross. And out of those who are seeking the Absolute Truth is rarer still to find someone who has factually discovered it. However there is no need for the seeker to become discouraged by this rarity of success on the self-realization path. All the seeker has to do is to become very, very determined in his search for the Absolute Truth. When he does so the Supreme Lord who is situated within his heart will see his staunch determination and will then manifest Himself externally in the form of the bona fide spiritual master, who will then carefully guide the seeker how to fully and completely realize the Absolute Truth. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Seekers Who Became Finders: Blissful Devotees in Lithuania Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Is It a Sin to Change Religions? My m

After unlimited lifetimes of suffering in the rotation of birth, death, old age, and disease there is nothing more wonderful and inconceivably blissful than being released from the prison of material existence and receiving entry into the eternal spiritual sky where the Supreme Person is eternally engaged in loving pastimes with His dear devotees. The most important step for making this ultimate journey is to take initiation from the bona fide spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada explains that it is at the moment of initiation that the disciple becomes deathless. At this moment he enters into immortality provided that he remains always faithful to the vows that he accepts at the time of initiation. Those vows are to chant at least 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on japa beads every day and to strictly avoid illicit sex, intoxication, meat eating, and gambling. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Initiation of Krishnaprema Das 19 June 2009--Melbourne, Australia Answers According to the V

The pure devotee of Krishna is an ocean of mercy because he bestows the unlimited benediction of Krishna's mercy upon the suffering humanity. Without any discrimination of who is fit and who is not fit, the pure devotee distributes the pure loving mercy of Lord Sri Krishna to everyone he meets. He does not remain a recluse only concerned with his salvation. Rather he travels and preaches widely throughout the world to bless as many suffering souls with the soothing balm of Lord Sri Krishna's liberating mercy. He asks no compensation for this most valuable of all services to the suffering humanity. His only compensation is to see that Krishna is being pleased by the deliverance of His lost children back to His eternal abode in the spiritual sky. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada- The Preeminent Pure Devotee of the Modern Age Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Contradiction in the Vedas? Is there a contradiction anywhere in the Vedas regarding the Sup

Enough is enough. It is time now to take a strong stand against the material civilization which will, if it continues unabated in its program of deluding the entire humanity by promoting the false bodily conception of existence, continue transforming this planet into an ever-increasingly disordered and nightmarish disaster area. We must speak out strongly now to challenge the false values such as greed and lust upon which they are basing their modern day culture. The old bodily conscious models are not working anymore. They are pitiably flawed and outdated. They cannot sustain the human race. It is time to now reharmonize ourselves and the entire planet with the very source of our existence. In short, it is now time to make a revolution. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Final Question and Answer Session Canberra, Australia Airport--16 June 2009 Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Is Only Worshipping Guru Bona Fide? Dear Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. Recently

This material existence is a bewildering quagmire for those who have not realized the source and purpose of their existence. If we do not know why we exist, how can we have a meaningful existence? We cannot. All we will be able to do is invent a so-called meaning and try to live happily in the bubble of our dream world. But all bubbles eventually burst. We cannot remain forever satisfied by embracing an imaginary purpose for our existence. Therefore instead of taking a pathway which leads to confusion, disappointment, and frustration, we should take the path that leads us to eternity, knowledge, and bliss by seeking out a bona fide spiritual master, a teacher who can genuinely enlighten us in the science of the origin and purpose of our existence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada--the Spiritual Master at Whose Feet the Spiritual Masters Sit Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Is the Bhagavad-gita for Women? Thank you for the inspiring e-mails. My favorite s

Here in Canberra, Australia we have been repeatedly diving deeply into the nectarean ocean of Hare Krishna kirtan. What an experience, to intensely absorb our minds in the sweet transcendental vibration of Krishna's names! Those who are struggling to enjoy here in this material world have been badly misinformed by their mentors that happiness comes through sense gratification. But those who are most fortunate have been informed of the unlimited ocean of nectar available in Krishna's holy names, and they dive deeply into that ocean as much as possible twenty-four hours a day. Now we must somehow inform everyone about how they too can taste the ultimate nectar. The entire world will be transformed into a paradise. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Devotees Relishing Krishna Kirtan in Russia Answers According to the Vedic Version: Request: Who is the Real Guru? Who is the real guru? Why is the guru important to us? Who in this world is guru? Gajanan Answer: Krishna and His Pure Repr

Have you ever aspired to be a great saintly hero who can save the world from impending doom? Well, if so, now you can live your dream. All you have to do is fully awaken your dormant Krishna consciousness through honestly taking up the bhakti yoga system under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. Gradually as you progress along the bhakti yoga pathway, you will more and more become a repository of all saintly qualities, and a new you will naturally emerge, who is a powerful force for positive change in world, which is now more than ever before in desperate need of saintly heroes. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Young Hare Krishna Monk on the Road to Sainthood Answers According to the Vedic Version: Request: Save Me Save me. I need a spiritual master. Help me. Yours student from Russia Answer: Follow the Bhagavad-gita If you will fully surrender yourself to Krishna's instructions as spoken in the Bhagavad-gita, you will be saved. Do you have a copy of Bhagavad-gita As It I

Those teachings coming from the Srimad Bhagavatam, which are full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord, are overflowing with transcendental words meant for bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world's misdirected civilization. Such transcendental teachings, even though of imperfect composition are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest. Since unless one is thoroughly honest he will not able to understand and realize these sublime teachings, we must always strive for the utmost in honesty so that we will be blessed with transcendental realization. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Pariksit Maharaja Hears the Srimad Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami 5,000 Years Ago Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Finish My Rounds? I am chanting 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna daily on japa beads for the sixe months as well as following the four regulative

In this material world stars and especially super stars are very adored by the people in general. They like to hear about and discuss the activities of their famous heroes. But they do not realize that the most famous, most heroic person in all existence is Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is worshipped and adored by countless millions and billions devotees in the spiritual world. In terms of numbers of devoted followers He is thousands and millions times more famous than even the biggest super stars of this world. Even though in this material world the super stars seem to be more prominent than Krishna, their reputations will eventually fade into oblivion while Krishna's name and fame will continue to glorified ever-expandingly throughout all of existence for all of eternity. So there is no truly no greater super star than Lord Sri Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Krishna--the Supreme Super Star Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Your F

Modern day psychology is defined as the science of the mind, and modern day psychologists focus on the mind considering it to be the self. But according to the Greek language, from which the term psychology has been derived, psychology can also mean the science of the soul. It is this approach to psychology that we find in Vedic psychology. The mind by its very nature is fickle and unsteady. So as long as we identify the self with the mind we are going to be in an unstable psychological state. As long as we allow our mind to predominate we will find ourselves shifting from one thing to another without ever finding peace of mind. It is only when the mind is brought under control by the superior conscious self, the spirit-soul, by being engaged steadily in progressive activities for its elevation that we will find permanently lasting peace. Progressive activities are those practices which reconnect the individual conscious self with the supreme conscious self, and loving devotion to tha

Because we are presently captives of Maya, the illusory energy, to become Krishna conscious means to declare a war of independence against maya. To win a war one has to be very determined because Maya, who has held us in her tight grip for thousands and millions of lifetimes, is not going to let go of us very easily. Therefore to be successful in this struggle we must take all help from every available resource. And there are many: the spiritual master, the Lord's devotees, the scriptures, the holy names, the holy places of pilgrimage, Krishna prasadam, deity worship, etc. If we take full advantage of these many resources with patience, determination, and enthusiasm, we are sure and certain to win the war and regain full independence in the transcendental spiritual sky. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Waging the War Against Maya Bhakti Caru Swami Leads Hari Nam Sankirtan Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Please a Guru? Being a reader of these mails I feel that

We are often asked why it is necessary to accept a spiritual master. Many wonder why can't they simply accept Krishna as their guru and achieve spiritual perfection in that way. The answer is very simple. Krishna instructs that unless we become the devotee of His devotee He will not accept us as His devotees. It is only by becoming the devotee of the devotee of Krishna that we can actually become the devotee of Krishna. So in order to please Krishna by our sincere surrender unto Him we must seek out a devotee who is purely engaged in devotional service to Lord and surrender ourselves completely unto him. In this way we become the perfect followers of Krishna as confirmed by the scriptures and by all the great saintly teachers. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Lecture in Home of Vanmali Krishna Das & Kadambini Radha devi dasi Sydney, Australia--8 June 2009 Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Recognize Krishna's Voice? When we in are in difficulty or when w

Our first business is to save ourselves from the repetition of birth and death. We have been rotting in this hellish cycle since time immemorial. Now having achieved the human form of life we have a golden opportunity to become free from this material existence and enter into the wondrous spiritual existence far, far beyond the pinching confines of time and space. And our second business is to be compassionate upon those who are still entangled in this hellish material existence. We must fully dedicate ourselves to saving as many people as possible during the course of our lifetimes by enlightening them with this perfect science of Krishna consciousness. This sharing of the ultimate blessing with others who are lacking it is real love. It is powerful, illuminating, genuine compassion. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Sri Sri Radha Gopinath the Deities of ISKCON Sydney Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Jesus is the Only Way Dear Teacher! One of my psychotherapy clients, a

During our retreat in Govinda Valley, one of the attendees asked me, "How do we know that God is pleased?" The answer is very simple. We have to see if the spiritual master is pleased with us. Because the spiritual master has been trained by his spiritual master to know what pleases God and what displeases God he can pass that same training onto us. In this way by placing ourselves under the loving guidance of the bona fide spiritual master we can know precisely what to do and what not to do in order to please God. In this way our spiritual lives can be full glorious and successful. We are assured to go back to home, back to Godhead at the time of death. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Sharing the Bliss in Govinda Valley Relishing the Nectar in Govinda Valley Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Why Help the Poor? I am extremely concerned about the poor all around. Although a few of us are privileged still we keep complaining about the shortcomings on our lives.

Here in Govinda Valley, Australia during the Benediction Moon Retreat we are blessed with the most wonderful opportunity to fully absorb ourselves for an entire weekend in doing nothing but hearing and chanting the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is truly no sweeter nectar than this. Even Krishna, to increase His own happiness, becomes His own devotee in order to experience the supreme nectar of being fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness. In any condition of life one can cultivate Krishna consciousness. One can be rich or poor, famous or unknown, healthy or sick, young or old. It does not matter. Simply one has to absorb his consciousness fully in the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this way he will become fully happy regardless of his material circumstances. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Sharing the Bliss in Govinda Valley Relishing the Nectar in Govinda Valley Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Marriage to a Non-Devotee I ha

Friday 5 June 2009--Tonight we are heading out to beautiful Govinda Valley south of Sydney for a two day retreat to focus on the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The retreat organizers have titled the retreat "Benediction Moon" and have asked me to come to be the speaker. I am accepting this as the greatest blessing to laser focus my consciousness on Lord Sri Krishna in His most merciful manifestation as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Rupa Goswami has so wonderfully gloried Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the following prayer: namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya- nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ "O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Srimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You." Sankarshan Das Adhikari Lord Caitanya, the Benediction Moon, Causelessly Bestows His Mercy Upon

In the Nectar of Devotion Srila Prabhupada describes Ekadasi as follows, "In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekadasi day is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in pious life. The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one's faith and love for Govinda, or Krishna. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name constantly." Ekadasi is observed by not taking any grains or beans and increasing our Krishna consciousness. It occurs twice in a month on the 11th day of the waning and waxing moon. Once a year there is a special Ekadasi known as Nirjala Ekadasi during which many devotees completely abstain from all eating and from even drinking water for 24 hours. T

We knew that our visit to Malaysia for spreading the rays of Lord Caitanya's benediction moon was going to be ecstatic. But we had no idea how ecstatic it would be. What we experienced exceeded our expectations by a long shot. What made the difference? It was the wonderful loving exchanges that we had with so many devotees. It is sometimes said that love makes the world go around, and we see in spiritual life that this is especially true. The more we have loving exchanges with the Lord's devotees, the more our hearts swim in an ocean of transcendental bliss, and the more we automatically make progress towards the ultimate destination of returning to our original home in the spiritual sky. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Sharing the Mercy of Krishna Consciousness in Malaysia--1 June 2009 Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Do We Have Material Duties? I am confused by the apparent contradiction between these two quotes from the Bhagavad-gita As It Is: "We have t

The key to always being happy is to always be in a service mood. Our tendency in this material world is to try to be happy by being in an enjoying mood. But this approach does not work. This is why so many people are unhappy throughout the world. As long as we try to enjoy in this way sometimes we will be happy and sometimes we will be miserable. But if we can master the art of being happy by always being in a service mood, we will always remain happy in all circumstances. To fully embrace the service mood we must find someone to serve who will never exploit us or take advantage of us. That person is Krishna or God. So the perfection of our existence is to fully absorb ourselves in service to Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of everything. Just as when we water the root of a tree and all the leaves and branches are nourished, when we give loving service to the Supreme Lord, our loving service is automatically distributed to all living beings and we tast

On the evening of 31 May 2009, in the ISKCON Klang, Malaysia temple room, which was packed full with guests, I initiated two new disciples: Sanat Kumar das and Sacisuta das. Initiation is the most auspicious event because it is at the time of initiation that the devotee enters into deathlessness or immortality. Of course, this requires that he strictly follows his initiation vows for his entire life. He must chant at least 16 rounds daily of the Hare Krishna mahamantra and he must strictly avoid illicit sex life, intoxication, meat eating, and gambling. It is truly wonderful to see sincere souls making a solemn vow before the deities and the spiritual master to stick solidly to the pathway of Krishna consciousness for their entire lives. May they be blessed with all success on their pathway back to home, back to Godhead. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Initiation of Sanat Kumar Das (left) and Sacisuta Das (right) on 31 May in Klang, Malaysia Answers According to the Vedic Version: Questi

31 May 2009--Today I gave a presentation at Malaya University in Kuala Lumpur entitled "The Anti-material Particle--Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe." In it I explained that what the material scientists have yet to discover has been fully known and realized by the Vedic scientists beginning with Lord Brahma from the very beginning days of the universe 155 trillion years ago. From this we can conclude that there is no need to start from scratch in trying to discover what has already been discovered. If we will simply take of advantage of the scientific discoveries of Lord Brahma and carefully perform the same scientific experiment which he performed, we too can personally unlock the secrets of the universe and come face to face, eye to eye with the supreme person, the source of all existence, Lord Sri Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Universal Secrets Revealed at Malaya University Eager Hearers Drink Up the Nectar Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: