Ultimate Self Realization

Someday the entire world civilization will be guided by the most sublime, profound Krishna consciousness teachings presented in the writings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Until that day comes it is the ecstatic duty of his followers to lay the foundation for that day by carefully studying and following those teachings as well as enlightening as many people as possible in the understanding and practical implementation of these teachings. There is truly no more glorious life than this, to be living on the cutting edge of world history. As I have many times stated, "Why study history, when you can make history? And why watch the news, when you can be the news?" There is truly no greater compassion than spreading the Krishna consciousness movement all over the world for the deliverance of all the fallen, conditioned souls from the clutches of birth and death. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Possible to be

Sometimes people want to know why I joined this Krishna consciousness movement. After all shaving your head and putting on a robe is not exactly the normal lifestyle for a young man growing up in America. Of course, I had a very good reason for joining. I did not join out of any blind sentiment or fanaticism. I was searching for a paradigm that could bring about a complete, total spiritual revolution on this planet bestowing peace and prosperity upon all. Previously I considered that this could be accomplished by the love and peace movement spawned in the USA during the sixties. But by complete immersion in that love and peace movement in 1969 and 1970 I witnessed how much it was lacking in true love and peace. And then in 1971 in Austin, Texas through my association with that most amazing of sannyasis, His Holiness Vishnu Jana Maharaja, I experienced how the Krishna Consciousness Movement under the sublime orchestration of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was inde

On Thursday 26 November we made a quick one day foray from Vrindavan to Jaipur and got the darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. By taxi it is about five hours in each direction. We departed Vrindavan at 3:30am and got to Jaipur just in time for the an early morning darshan at 8:30am. We were in ecstasy to behold, bow down to, and pray for the mercy of these extraordinary deities. These are the original deities of Srila Rupa Goswami and one of the three principle traditional deities of Sri Vrindavan Dham. They were installed centuries ago in Vrindavan in a beautiful seven storied temple, but had to be suddenly whisked away to Rajasthan for their protection on that tragic day when the Muslim tyrant Aurangzeb sent his soldiers to Vrindavan to smash them and destroy their temple. We paid one hundred rupees per person so that our party consisting of me, my wife, and my disciples, Krishna Caitanya Das and Vraja Kishore Das, could have a special close up darshan. We were ushered by a pujari to

A devotee does not think of his own enjoyment. He only thinks of what will please Krishna. It is for this reason that he can be happy in all circumstances, even if he has to go to hell for serving Krishna. There is no obstacle so great that it will cause him to give up his devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. He is willing to face any and all obstacles to be engaged in the service. Because of his detached mood of desiring to please the Lord and having no desires other than, he is always peaceful and happy no matter what situation he may find himself in. This is true, eternally lasting freedom. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How I Can Know the Krishna is the Supreme God? Gurudeva, I read in a world's religion book about Hinduism that there are many gods and that Krishna was Vishnu's expansion after Lion-Nrisimgadeva. But the Vaisnavas say that Krishna is the Absolute God, and everything has been born from Him. Also, the book says that

We often become disturbed by things that are going on in this material world. For example we may have an dispute with someone that we are not able to rectify, and we may become very frustrated and bewildered because of it. In such situations it is advisable to philosophically detach ourselves by remembering that the various dramas of day-to-day are not very important because our lives can end at any time. We can think, "What if I was on my deathbed or that other person was on his deathbed? Would I still consider this dispute to be very important?" With this sort of vision we can detach ourselves from the dramas and keep our consciousness focused on the transcendental platform where we can always remain the well-wisher of all even if they strongly disagree with us or are our so-called enemies. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Remember Krishna While Walking? Dear Teacher, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to S

Sometimes no matter what we do everything seems to come out wrong. It becomes therefore sometimes completely bewildering to know what should be done and what should not be done. However, when such emotional devastation hits there is no need to panic. Simply take complete shelter of Lord Sri Krishna's unlimitedly sweet transcendental names and before you know it everything will be okay. This the wonderful powerful of Lord Sri Krishna's wonderful holy names: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada Chants Hare Krishna Japa Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How Can God Be a Blue Man? In general I am continually drawn to this movement and its philosophy. I chant daily and follow the 4 regulative principles. I do however find it really hard to relate to God/Krishna as a blue man. My own conception of Krishna is beyond my comprehension. I just focus on Krishna as m

The bliss of material sense enjoyment is never total nor is it complete because it is always restricted. No matter how much material happiness one may enjoy it is temporary and it can be taken away at any time by the cruel laws of material nature. The bliss of Krishna consciousness, however, is of an entirely different nature because it does not depend upon any material circumstances. It is experienced purely on the basis of the loving relationship that the devotee establishes with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all existence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Coping with Personal and Global Financial Crisis The entire world economy is going down. What should a devotee do if he faces a financial crisis and even loses his job, and the world society comes to the worst condition? Sather Answer: Depend on Krishna Krishna will never let his devotees starve. One should peacefully engage in Krishna consciousness and strive f

Sometimes people object to participation in this Krishna consciousness movement because they perceive it as another one of those blind faith fanatical religious sects. But this is their gross misunderstanding. We are not presenting here another sect of religion. We are instead presenting what is the original pure essence of all religious teachings before they became sectarianized. In other words, there is an underlying harmony within this universal reality in which we are all participating. The Krishna consciousness movement is spreading the knowledge to the suffering humanity of how everyone can reconnect with this underlying harmony and thus become peaceful and happy. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Bliss Proportionate to Degree of Surrender? Respected Gurudeva, Namaskar, my respectful obeisances unto you. You mention in each message that one who totally surrenders to Lord Krishna enjoys endless bliss. But one who is not initiated is no

The simple solution for all of the world's economic problems is "Collect for Krishna--Spend for Krishna." This easy solution works because according to the Bhagavad-gita all of the wealth of this world and of all the worlds belongs to Krishna. This means that if we utilize wealth for any other purpose, we are following in the footsteps of Ravana, the powerful demon who defied the authority of the Lord and in the end was completely defeated and lost everything. And it also means that when we utilize wealth in the service of Krishna that He will give us more and more wealth to employ in His service. Krishna possesses unlimited wealth and can easily give us unlimited wealth to engage in His service if we show Him that we are sincere in using the wealth for His pleasure. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Ravana Defeated by Lord Rama Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Deal with the Murderers? While many of us are devoted to the worship of the Divine, we stil

The first symptom of someone who is fixed in Krishna consciousness is that he is all-merciful. His mercy is universal because he extends it to all living beings. It is not that he is kind to those within his circle and unkind to those who are outside of his circle. It is not that he shows his love for the animals by eating their flesh. He truly cares for all living beings seeing them all as the dear children of the Supreme Father, Lord Sri Krishna. And he therefore fully dedicates his life to serving them all by doing everything possible to facilitate their escaping their imprisonment within the cycle of birth and death and regaining their original full-of-knowledge, full-of-bliss, eternal consciousness in the transcendental kingdom of God. Sankarshan Das Adhikari All Merciful Srila Prabhupada on Television Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Upgrade to Pure Bhakti How do I upgrade myself to pure bhakti? Bijal Answer: Faith, Devotee Association, and Surrender to G

Being here in Sri Vrindavana Dhama grows on you. To be every day associating with the sacred dust, the sacred sights, and the sacred sounds of Krishna's transcendental abode has a profound impact on one's consciousness. Although in the beginning there may some culture shock due to external conditioning, once one settles into the mood of being in Sri Vrindavana Dhama one begins to taste the sweetest nectar of love of Godhead. Therefore Krishna devotees from all over the world regularly come here to surcharge their spiritual batteries by taking shelter of the sweet, loving mellows of Sri Vrindavana Dhama. Regarding the transcendental potency of being here in Vrindavana Srila Prabhupada has written in his purport to the Srimad Bhagavatam 3rd Canto, Chapter 1, Text 24 as follows: The tract of land comprising about one hundred square miles from modern Delhi to the Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh, including a portion of the Gurgaon district in Punjab (East India), is considered to

This morning at 4am I was at ISKCON's Krishna Balarama Mandir waiting for the arati in Srila Prabhupada's samadhi to begin. I was standing in front of a diorama of Srila Prabhupada boarding the ship Jaladuta embarking on his preaching mission to the western world. His hand was firmly gripped on the rope handle, and his face showed staunch determination to carry out the order of his spiritual master to carry the message of Krishna consciousness to the English speaking world in spite of his aging body. As I gazed upon his face I was stunned by the depth of his compassion how selfless he was to risk everything for carrying out of the order of his spiritual master. Such great souls as His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada are extremely rare in this world. I then transferred my eyes down to his lotus shoes knowing that this is my position, to be the humble servant at his lotus feet. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada Boarding the Jaladuta Calcutta, 1965 Answers According to th

Krishna consciousness is an ocean of unlimited nectar. There is no reason for anyone to suffer in material existence any more. All one has to do is to dive deeply into this ocean and eternally relish the sweetest happiness in the association of Lord Sri Krishna and His most beloved devotees. Suffering is outdated and old-fashioned. Those who are awakened relish the sweetest happiness of Krishna consciousness at every minute and fully dedicate themselves for saving those who are so totally lost in confusion, illusion, and delusion. This dedication they have to saving others makes them very, very dear to Lord who therefore bestows unlimited blessings upon them. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: What is the Secret of Your Energy? Hare Krishna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I offer you my humble obeisances. Gurudeva, please forgive me to ask you this personal question. Gurudeva, you are thrice my age and you are working three times as h

Of all the senses the tongue is the most voracious and uncontrollable, therefore if we can conquer over our tongues, we can easily conquer all of our other senses. The first step in conquering the tongue is to never put anything in our mouths except for Krishna prasadam. And the second step is take only what is necessary for good health. Gluttony has never made anyone happy. Indeed we have always seen that gluttonous people are miserable. So in this way we should intelligently analyze things as they are and do the needful for attaining the supreme happiness by engaging the tongue in chanting Hare Krishna and honoring Krishna prasadam to our full satisfaction. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How Did Krishna Disappear? Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! How are you Maharaja? I just want to know how did Lord Krishna disappear from this planet earth? Did he die like a ordinary human being? Kindly make it cl

Srila Prabhupada used to always say that we should not take the guru like we keep a pet dog trying to manipulate him to satisfy our desires. Rather it is the position of the disciple to satisfy the bona fide spiritual master in every respect. The spiritual master is the external manifestation of the Supreme Lord who is situated within our hearts. If we fully surrender unto him as menial servants, we are immediately connected with the Supreme Lord within our hearts. But if instead we try to manipulate the spiritual master to fulfill our desires we are prolonging our entanglement in this material existence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Always Be Tolerant? Please accept my humble obeisances, May your mercy always be on me, Srila Gurudeva, is it true that one should be tolerant to both happiness and distress? If yes, how can one increase the threshold of tolerance so that it becomes easy to tolerate and also at the same time incre

Things in this material world do not always go along nicely on an even keel. It's certainly not that everything goes along the way that we would like it too. There is often turmoil, sometimes mild and sometimes devastatingly fierce. So how do we keep our cool through all of these varieties of waves? The key is that we have to always maintain a clear vision within our hearts that there is a loving person behind this whole thing and that it is not happening by chance. There is indeed rhyme and reason behind everything. All events are going on under the loving orchestration of the Supreme All-Attractive Personality of Godhead for the ultimate purpose of rescuing each and every one of us from the clutches of death and re-engaging us in our original loving relationship with Him. Of course, God's orchestration does not mean that we are without free will. Each of us can properly use our free will or we can abuse it. This part of the orchestration is up to us. But whether we choose

One time when I was talking to a friend I mentioned how I write and broadcast a new "Thought for the Day" every day. He was amazed how it could be possible. But it is not at all difficult. Of course, it is not due to my writing ability, of which I have none. It is due instead to the amazing dynamic, ever-expanding nature of Krishna consciousness. Because Krishna's glories are expanding exponentially at every nanosecond, all we have to do is to be an honest reporter. Nothing more is required. In this way even an incompetent literary misfit can write volumes and volumes of highly attractive books. So if we had sufficient time during the day, we could have "Thought for the Minute" or even "Thought for the Second" instead of "Thought for the Day." But because time is limited we are producing a new broadcast only on a once-a-day basis.` Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: What to Do About My Lack of Sinc

In this world we are besieged by many imposters, enemies who claim to be our friends. As soon as we put our trust in them we become cheated and exploited. Therefore for the sake of our own well-being we should only trust the Supreme Lord and those who purely represent Him. As soon as we put our faith in those others who are not qualified to lead us we fall into the syndrome known as "blind leading the blind." Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Win the Lotto? I read your daily e-course and can understand your power. I play daily lotto over here but I don't win. I need your directives now, how do I win the lotto, because I want to win the lotto. Thanks, Chimereze Answer: It is Better That You Go After the Ultimate Win. You can only win the lottery or lotto if it is your karma to win. To achieve material opulence you require to perform many, many pious activities such as opening hospitals, taking care of the poor, and

Today we are heading out to India via a transit stop in Finland. I'll be giving a couple of lectures at our center in Helsinki and then we will continue our eastward journey to the holy land of Vrindavan. It is always special mercy to be able to visit Krishna's holy dhama (abode). Sri Vrindavan Dhama, although apparently situated within this material world, is non-different from the Goloka Vrindavan which exists in the topmost portion of the spiritual sky far, far beyond the coverings of this dark material world. No matter which way one contacts with that divine abode, one becomes purified. Whether touches its dust, breathes its air, or simply remembers it--the all auspicious Sri Vrindavan Dhama bestows all spiritual blessings upon those who take its shelter. The spiritual master is the revealer of the dhama. So before heading out to that most sacred abode I am begging my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, that by his mercy I actually enter

A devotee is never lonely because he always associates with Krishna, Guru, and Vaisnavas. Even if he is not in physical contact them, he does not feel lonely because he can directly experience them within his heart 24 hours daily. How is he able to connect with them so solidly that he does not alone? This is accomplished through loving service. In other words, pure loving service totally obliterates loneliness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Challenge: Is the World Ending in 2012? Dear Srila Gurudeva, Pranams. Spiritual and scientific studies today say that the world is going to perish in 2012. Is it true? With all my trust in you, I would like to know the actual answer from you, the spiritual master. with kind regards.... Nirmala K. Answer: The Planet Earth Is In Peril, But It Will Survive. Do not worry. This material universe in which we are currently residing will not be destroyed for another 155 trillion years, so there is no need to

If I don't see things as they are and simply blindly accept the vision of reality take that which has been dished out to me by the blind fools who are leading the world into ever increasing chaos, what does that make me? Simply, another fool. As it is said, when the blind lead the blind they both end up in the ditch. Therefore great enlightened teachers have advised us to step outside of our conditioning and view reality thoughtfully with a cool brain. If we are willing to take the time and trouble to do this, we will be cool instead of fool. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Challenge: I Am Not Convinced of Immortality Immortality? That's what they promise. Anyway I am not convinced. It is so-called true by faith only. Heather Answer: Would You Like to Taste It? Are you kidding? Nothing is known by faith only, except for foolishness. Blind following of this self-realization process is condemned. Immortality can only be known by t

Why waste time sitting at the feet of the "one-eyed guru" TV set, when you can instead upgrade to the mystic television within your heart and see a 24 hours daily live broadcast of the pastimes of the Supreme Lord that are happening right now in the spiritual world? This is a simple matter of common sense. Who would want to waste their time with programming which shackles its viewers to the cycle of birth and death, when instead one can watch programming which bestows eternal unlimited knowledge and bliss? Besides that on the mystic TV there are no commercials. What channel is it on? It's on the channel of pure bhakti. Srila Prabhupada describes this mystic television as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam, 1st Canto, Chapter 6, Text 33 as follows: "The Absolute Personality of Godhead is not different from His transcendental name, form, pastimes and the sound vibrations thereof. As soon as a pure devotee engages himself in the pure devotional service of he

Don't be a dummy. Utilize the advanced intelligence which is yours in this human form to get free from clutches of birth, death, old age, and disease. Of course modern science is trying to accomplish this by scientific research. But the difficulty is that they trying to solve these problems by going against the laws of nature instead of acting in harmony with them. In other words behind the stringent laws of material nature there is a higher nature under which the material nature acts. By synchronizing ourselves with that higher nature we can easily conquer over material nature and attain immortality. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Krishna's Unjust Nature? Namaste. I have been writing to you for the past few years occasionally and was blessed enough to receive a soothing reply. I think I have a bias against the Lord Krishna as my mind has many times analyzed that the sequence of events in the Mahabharata show Him in a poor light

The modern day society is becoming more and more plagued by hate crimes. People are cultivating hatred within their hearts, which then sometimes explodes into ghastly horrific mass killings. What is the basis of this hatred? It is all based on the false sense that we all have of being the center of existence, the lords of all that we survey. In other words, if I think that I am the center, and you think that you are the center, there is bound to sooner or later be a clash between us. But if everyone can acknowledge that there is instead a Supreme Person who is the true center of existence, we can then have a planetary society which is fully peaceful and happy. This is the mission of Hare Krishna movement, to create such a wonderful, truly sublime atmosphere on this planet. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Where is Hare Krishna in the Vedic Literatures? This Hare Krishna mahamantra is not directly given either the Bhagavad-gita or in th

The voidists say that nothing is real, that nothing really exists at all. Their philosophy has in many ways infiltrated our modern day culture. In fact, there is even a popular song which openly states, "Nothing is real." If we accept it as a fact that nothing is real, this means that there is no existence, that there is no source for our existence, and that we indeed do not actually exist. The questions could be raised then, "If nothing exists and nobody exists, then who is it that is pondering existence? Is my existence then just a figment of imagination? And if it is, who is doing the imagining?" So now let's say that for the sake of argument we agree to accept this philosophy that nothing is real and hence everything is a illusion. Where does that leave us? This would mean that the voidism philosophy that nothing is real is also an illusion. But since truth is reality distinguished from illusion, we will then be forced to reject the philosophy which declare

There's so much nectar in Krishna's holy names. So how can keep them to ourselves? To do so would be sheer greediness. Therefore we should be kind upon our poor brothers and sisters who are caught up in the cycle of birth and regularly take the holy names of the Lord out onto the streets and into the parks for everyone to hear. This is true loving kindness, to liberally share the all-merciful, all-attractive names of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna with all of the suffering souls of this Kali yuga. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Can the Mahamantra Be Changed for Good? I offer you my humblest obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Gurudeva, a few days back you wrote in "Thought for the Day" that chanting Krishna's name once equals three names of Rama. So my question is shall I rather chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Ha

There is truly nothing more amazing than the grace of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everything is going on under the superintendence of His multi-energies. For those who take complete shelter of Him, just when He is needed the most He manifests His amazing mercy. Those who fully dedicates themselves for spreading Krishna's glories all over the world will experience His wonderful loving protection again and again throughout their lives and will especially experience it at the moment of death when they pass out of their bodies and enter into the spiritual world. This can be experienced by anyone in any walk of life: a student, a businessman, a corporate worker, a housewife, or anyone who takes every available opportunity to tell people about Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Eternally Conditioned and Eternally Liberated? Maharaj, regarding your article of 11 October on nitya-siddha jivas [eternally liber

The foolishness of the modern day civilization is that they want the kingdom of God without God. This is the mentality of Ravana who wanted to steal Sita from Rama. One may delude himself for some time thinking that he can enjoy in this way, but in due course of time it will become painfully obvious to him that he has simply spoiled his human form of life throwing it away in the useless pursuit of material sense gratification. The fact is that we cannot have the kingdom of God without God. The only way we can enjoy residence in that unlimitedly sublime abode is to humbly submit ourselves at the lotus feet of the Supreme Person as His eternal servants. Then we will enjoy on equal level with God. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: Krishna Consciousness Outside of ISKCON? Is it possible for someone to be Krishna Conscious outside of ISKCON? Hari Bol! Deane Answer: Devotee Association is Essential Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport

While striving to become pure devotees we may sometimes face tests of our sincerity. The key to being successful is to never give up our faith in the process of Krishna consciousness no matter what may happen, come hell or high water. In other words we must always keep our faith that Krishna will never allow us to be in a situation which is beyond what we can handle. Such determination will enable us to successfully cross beyond all obstacles which may be encountered along the pathway back to home, back to Godhead. In this connection it is stated in Chinese wisdom, "Perseverance furthers." In conclusion we can thus understand that perseverance orstick-to-itiveness is most essential for success on the pathway of spiritual emancipation. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Complaint: You are an Exploiter Dear Sir There is one question that has always left me wondering. You always say that we must do our duty so we can look after our homes and o

Often people think that Krishna consciousness is impractical, that the only really practical thing in life is to focus on making money. Even though money is certainly required, it is not ultimately required. In other words, money will not save you at the time of death. Therefore while we engage in our normal daily affairs of making and spending money we should never forget our ultimate duty, which is to be completely sold out to or surrendered to Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This mood of total, complete surrender to Lord Sri Krishna will give us unlimited peace and happiness at every minute. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Answers According to the Vedic Version: Question: How to Make My Parents Proud of Me? I want to make my parents feel proud for me. How may I? Is devotion a helpful practice for being a winner? Thanks Dhananjay Singh Answer: Surrender to Krishna Unlimitedly Pleases Everyone. If you want to give the ultimate pleasure to your parents so th