Beginning of Deathlessness

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

Sankarshan Das Initiating Sanat Kumar Das (left) and Sacisuta Das

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Balancing Spirit and Matter

Please accept my humble obeisances.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I'm studying engineering, and it's okay. But at the same time it's difficult, because I am associating with materialistically minded people, even though I try to associate with them only insomuch as is necessary. The difficulty is that I'm exposed to so many materialistic ideas. How can I balance my spiritual practices in Krishna consciousness with my material duties?

Thank you and I hope your traveling and preaching is going nicely.

Ignacio

Chile

Answer: Sixteen Rounds of Japa Before Sunrise

The balance formula is to chant 16 quality rounds every day before sunrise and to strictly follow the regulative principles. If you do these things, you will be fixed in Krishna consciousness in spite of your mundane association.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Little Sparrow Who Conquered the Ocean

Image
In his purport to Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 6, Text 24 Srila Prabhupada wonderfully teaches us the power of determinations by telling us the story of the little sparrow who conquered the ocean: "As for determination, one should follow the example of the sparrow who lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow laid her eggs on the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried away the eggs on its waves. The sparrow became very upset and asked the ocean to return her eggs. The ocean did not even consider her appeal. So the sparrow decided to dry up the ocean. She began to pick out the water in her small beak, and everyone laughed at her for her impossible determination. The news of her activity spread, and at last Garuda, the gigantic bird carrier of Lord Visnu, heard it. He became compassionate toward his small sister bird, and so he came to see the sparrow. Garuda was very pleased by the determination of the small sparrow, and he promised to help. Thus Garuda at once asked t
Read more

Heart Melting Reunion with Amarendra and Gayatri

Image
On Friday 26 June 2015 I was blessed with the greatest good fortune of meeting with two of the dearest devotees of my entire life, His Grace Amarendra Prabhu and his good wife, Srimati Gayatri devi dasi. I am eternally indebted to these great souls for how much they helped me in my spiritual life when I was a young devotee. When I was young brahmacari monk in 1973 I joined with the two of them in Gainesville, Florida. We were a three person preaching center, and they were just like a mother and father to me. I had so many wonderful Krishna conscious experiences in their association that I can hardly begin to describe them here. But at least may it suffice for me to say for now that Gayatri taught me what it means to be a soft-hearted devotee of the Lord and she gave me my first cooking lesson, teaching me how to make cauliflower pakoras, and Amarendra taught me the art of how to preach strongly, intelligently, and coolly to defeat opposing arguments. Recently Gayatri almost died. But
Read more

Misguided Fools Say that Masturbation is Healthy

Image
Foolish modern day materialists recommend masturbation as follows: "Masturbation is a common activity. It’s a natural and safe way to explore your body, feel pleasure, and release built-up sexual tension. It occurs among people of all backgrounds, genders, and races. Despite the myths, there are actually no physically harmful side effects of masturbation." They are wrong. To get a proper understanding on this this topic read the question and answer section below. Answers According to the Vedic Wisdom Question: What are the Ill Effects of Masturbation? Since you answered questions related to understanding the real need of sex in a human being's life, so I also request you to please enlighten us with the knowledge about semen conservation, it's importance, and the consequences of frequently releasing it thorough sex or masturbation. Since today most of the youth are indulged in mansturbation and they think it to be good in comparison to doing sex with some female for
Read more