Ultimate Self Realization

For a pure devotee of the Lord even punishment is experienced as a great reward. One of the twelve great authorities of devotional service, Yamaraja--the god of death, made a mistake in his dealing with Manduka Muni as was cursed by him to become a sudra. However, the apparent punishment turned out to a wonderful blessing when Yamaraja took birth as Vidura for 100 years and got a very good opportunity for preaching Krishna consciousness. Normally in his service as the god of death he does not get any opportunity for preaching. But being blessed by curse of Manduka Muni he got the most wonderful opportunity to serve Lord Krishna by preaching. Prabhupada Teaches the Sublime, Ultimate Science Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Appreciation: I Feel Your Prayers Regarding 29 August's lesson about hatred and persecution I want to share my feedback. I grew up as a Roman Catholic, and only recently I subscribed for your lessons and newsletter. I want to thank you for your work and ...

One Tuesday 28 August 2012, we tasted even more bliss by celebrating another Ratha Yatra festival this time in Sliven, Bulgaria. At the end of the parade I was asked by the festival organizer, Vraja Krishna Prabhu, to give a short speech to the festival crowd. It was a wonderful opportunity to describe the glories of the Hare Krishna mahamantra, teach it to the people, and then engage everyone in chanting it along with us, which they did with great gusto. It was an experience of great ecstasy to connect so many people with their beloved Lord Sri Krishna, who they have separated from for unlimited millions and billions of lifetimes. Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Srila Prabhupada a Parampara Satguru? What is a sat guru? Is there an order of excellence between the following four types of gurus? 1. Nitya Anadi Satguru - He is the eternal satguru and has been addressed as Sukrit Deo, Atri, Jyoti, Aj and Sanatan in the Vedas. He has also been mentioned in the Upanish...

The devotee of the Lord sometimes meets with very vicious opposition in his attempt the bless the world with the sublime mercy of the Krishna. Even though he selflessly and unceasingly acts for the welfare of all living beings, he is sometimes tortured and sometimes even killed because of his attempt to enlighten the world with Krishna consciousness. But still because of the unlimited compassion which resides in the core of his heart he never stops giving love to others even though they repay his love with hate. The Most Merciful Srila Prabhupada Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Where Were We Before the Creation? Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna says that there was never a time when we did not exit, and He further informs us that in future also we will be present. We also know from the Vedic literature that before the creation there was only Narayana and that after the annihilation of this materia...

On Sunday 26 August 2012, the city of Burgas, Bulgaria was greatly blessed with the Lord's transcendental mercy in the form of a Ratha Yatra festival. What can be sweeter than strolling down the street with Lord Jagannath, singing and dancing in ecstasy? I noticed one gentleman who in a jovial festive mood bowed down to Lord Jagannath four times from the waist. He did not appear to know anything about our movement, but yet he was inspired to bow down four times to Lord Jagannath in a spirit of fun. In this and many thousands and thousands of other ways, Lord Jagannath's Ratha Yatra festival bestowed unlimited mercy upon the people of Burgas, Bulgaria. Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What is the Proper Mood While Chanting? Dear Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have the following question relating to the mood while chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra: If one genuinely realizes in his heart that the material e...

An amazing flood of transcendental mercy is now inundating the earth. Lord Caitanya's tidal wave of mercy is giving all the fallen souls of this material world the opportunity to escape their suffering condition in the repetition of birth and death and return to their original transcendental position in the wondrous spiritual sky, that stupendous abode where there is no more birth, no more death, no more old age, and no more disease. Lord Caitanya's Ocean of Mercy Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Do We Say, "Love and Devotion"? Gurudeva, I am receiving great nectar by daily listening to Your audio lectures. Many of my questions get their answers by listening to Your lectures themselves. However I have one question that I ask you to kindly answer: Why do we say that offer food to Krishna with "love and devotion" or chant with "love and devotion"? Doesn't devotion include love? Or we can just say offer food with love becau...

The world will be a much better place if you become Krishna conscious. Right now the atmosphere is completely materialistic and people are going crazy with anxiety in such a godless atmosphere. If you will upgrade your consciousness by dovetailing it with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, this will have a revolutionary, uplifting effect on the global consciousness and thus make the world a better place for everyone. So if you care for yourself and you care for others, kindly take seriously to the path of Krishna consciousness today. Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Give Up Bad Habits Before Chanting? Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. If one is newly introduced to Krishna Consciousness and hasn't yet started to follow the four regulative principles, may he/she start chanting or does one have to wait till they strictly follow the 4 regulative principles and have given up all un-spiritual habits i.e. drinking c...

After traveling all the way from the USA to Sofia, Bulgaria we were greeted by many of my disciples at the airport and we were driven by automobile for another three hour journey to Tarnovo, Bulgaria. Immediately upon arrival in this town, which is famous for being the city of the Tsars, even before unpacking my bags, I was taken to a hall when I led Hare Krishna kirtan and gave a lecture to an audience of non-devotees about the amazing process of Krishna consciousness. When many intelligent and sincere questions were asked during the question and answer session at the conclusion of the lecture, I knew that my lecture had been well received. And then after the questions and answers when I invited everyone to look at our books and quite a few purchased them, I knew that by Srila Prabhupada's mercy our program, although small, had been a grand success. Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Do We Need a Spiritual Master? Dear Gurudeva, Namaste. I would like to ask...

Here in England one of the biggest heroes is Charles Darwin, the father of the theory of evolution. He is so popular here that his picture can be found on British money as pictured below. Mr. Darwin is famous for explaining how we came into being without being created by God. Even though his theory has never been scientifically proven, it has come to be accepted as gospel truth by modern day men who want to deny God so that they can enjoy their senses unrestrictedly without having to worry about answering to any higher authority. Such a carefree life with no worry about the consequences may seem very nice. But when death comes and one has to accept an animal or plant body in their next life because of their sinful activities in this life he will not be glorifying Charles Darwin. Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Lord Buddha and the Vedas Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisance. Today I was discussing with a friend about the incarnations of Krishna and Vedic predi...

There is no greater joy in this world than serving one's spiritual master because such service is based on pure devotional service, not material sense gratification. In this material world everyone is very actively engaged in so many varieties of service: service to nation, to family, to friends, to dogs and cats, etc. But because such service is based either on concentrated or extended sense gratification it does not satisfy the self. In other words, because the more we are selfish, the more we are unhappy and because the more we are selfless, the more we are happy--completely abandoning selfishness and selflessly devoting our lives in the service of guru and Krishna is the ultimate perfection of happiness. Most Merciful Gopal Krishna, Friend of the Fallen Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Are All Sins Forgiven? Are all sins forgiven when you engage fully in Bhakti-yoga: sins such as abortion, intoxication, illicit sex, untruthfulness, etc.? Bev Answer: Kri...

Detachment from the material energy is automatically manifested to the degree that one becomes attached to Krishna. Therefore it does not need to be cultivated separately. If one will simply focus his energies exclusively on awakening his loving feelings for the Lord and for serving his world deliverance mission purely without any personal motivation, he will naturally become perfectly detached from this material world and relish unlimited happiness within his heart at every minute. Srila Prabhupada Teaches Perfect Detachment Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Difference Between Matter and Spirit? Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada I want to know what is meant by spiritual and matter? In other words, why is the soul spiritual? Also, what is the difference between the spiritual body and the material body? Regards, Saswata Adhikari Answer: Spirit is Eternal. Matter is Temporary. Matter has a beginning and an end, while spirit has...

Today we are heading out on the road once again, this time for my giving lectures in England, Bulgaria, Romania, India, Bali, Malaysia, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Traveling all over the world for spreading Krishna consciousness is a most auspicious journey, but going back to Godhead is even more auspicious. Indeed, it is the ultimate journey. Srila Prabhupada Reveals Pathway Back to Godhead at Rupa Goswami's Samadhi in Vrindavan Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Measure One's Spiritual Progress? Please accept my humble obeisances All glories to Srila Prabhupada How would a person know that he or she is rapidly progressing in devotional service? Regards, Sunil Answer: Disinterest in Material Sense Gratification One can understand that he is rapidly advancing in Krishna consciousness if he is no longer interested in material sense gratification. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Although a Vaisnava may speak very powerfully and boldly roaring like a lion against the demoniac men who are so much misguiding the modern day civilization, he does not do so out of pride or false egotism. Rather, his vehement protests arise from a the genuine feeling of compassion to save the people of the world from their suffering condition. Even though out of duty and compassion he sometimes speaks very forcefully, the Vaisnava always feels very meek and humble in regards to his own reputation, considering himself to be lower than the garbage in the street. The Powerful and Meek Srila Prabhupada Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to do Something Good? I'm looking for the possibility to do something good. What it can be ? Rytis Answer: Awaken Yourself, Awaken the World The greatest good is to first awaken the dormant Krishna consciousness in your heart and then to awaken it in the hearts of all. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

I just received an invitation via email to enter a contest for winning what is supposed to be a very wonderful thing: a year's supply of beef, specifically $5,550 worth of 100% pure beef. This is a graphic indication of the gross ignorance of the society in which we presently live. The karmic reaction for cow killing is currently wreaking havoc on the entire world population. As long as we continue with our merciless, brutal murder of these innocent animals who eat grass, which we cannot eat, turning it into the most miraculous nourishing food, milk, we cannot expect anything on this planet other than an ever-more hellish, intolerable global nightmare. With each bite the beefeaters are driving nails into the coffin of the world society. Krishna Loves the Cows. He Does Not Eat Them. Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Achieve Immortal Happiness? Dear Gurudeva, Namaste. I would like to ask the following question: I want to be happy but I do not know the sou...

It it being widely predicted that we are heading into a global catastrophe the likes of which the human society has not seen or even dreamed of before. Global warning is cited as the cause of the impeding global breakdown, but this is not a fact. Global warming is simply a symptom of much more powerful negative energy which is driving the human civilization to the brink of destruction. The actual negative influence is the materialistic age of Kali, which began 5,000 years ago. The only antidote for the poison of Kali is the wide scale introduction of the congregational chanting of the holy names of God. If this can now be adopted world-wide, we will see a tremendous positive impact on the climate, the water supply, the food supply, and the consciousness of the people. There will an amazing revolution of peace, prosperity, love, and happiness all over the world. Beautiful Blue Complexioned Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Krishna is Depicted as Blue Skinne...

Lust is when we want to enjoy separately from Krishna, and love is when we want to do nothing except please Krishna with our every thought, word, and deed in all times, places, and circumstances. Lust does nothing but agitate our minds making us more and more miserable. And love fully satisfies us bringing perfect peace and happiness to the soul. Therefore, why are we so foolish that we continue trying to enjoy on the false platform of lust? This is simply due to our lack of realization of Krishna. Therefore we must dive deeper and deeper into the sweet nectarean ocean of Krishna's holy names. This will fully satisfy us. Give All of Your Love to Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Isn't It Futile to Try to Save the People? Dear Gurudeva, Namaste. I would like to ask the following question: Most of the people in the world are suffering from their entanglement in the cycle of birth and death because they are acting against tenets of ISKCON mission. Is...

Krishna is wondrous beyond compare. Indeed, everything wonderful within all of existence is simply a ultra-miniscule infinitesimally fragmental portion of His inconceivably unlimited wonderfulness. He cannot be grasped by any amount of mental speculation. But He can be personally experienced at every second by those who serve Him with love. No One Is More Amazingly Wonderful than Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Self Realization by No Thoughts/No Mind? I was searching for self realization concepts on the internet, and I found the quote cited below. I was impressed by it, feeling that it would help me to achieve self realization. Can we practice this along with chanting the Hare Krishna mantra? "If you inquire and observe where this I-thought arises from, the mind gets absorbed in it. That is tapas. While performing mantra japa if you inquire and observe where the sound of the mantra arises from, the mind gets absorbed in it. That is tapas. In the no th...

We have no idea what the Lord has planned for us. Thus we should be fully prepared for whatever arrangement he makes for our lives. We may have a long life, or we may die early in our years. We may become super rich, or we may be poverty stricken. A devotee is transcendental to all of the dualities of the material nature fully trusting his beloved Lord Sri Krishna to always arrange things for him in the way that is the most conducive for his ultimate happiness of going back home, back to Godhead.. Srila Prabhupada Airport Arrival Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: A Devotee Enjoys More than Krishna? Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. It has been very enlightening to read your Thought for the Day. You had mentioned on 11 August 2012 that the devotees enjoy more than the Lord, that the devotees' position is of greater enjoyment than God himself. I had read and understood that Krishna is the supreme enjoyer. I very humbly request...

For one who wants to achieve the topmost perfection of going back to home, back to Godhead the most important quality to possess is sincerity. One need not be highly qualified or highly skilled in various talents. Simply one must be very sincere about being a fully surrendered devotee of the Lord. It is this attitude of sincerity, not one's talents, that enables one to achieve the highly elevated plateau of consciousness known as Krishna consciousness. Sunday Feast Kirtan-Bhaktivedanta Ashram Austin, Texas-12 August 2012 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Understand Krishna is a Person? I'd like to ask how to test and understand that Krishna or God is a sophisticated personality. My closest understanding of a personality is the same as his intelligence. I accept there is some force regulating the universe, but it has to be infinitively primitive, because I can easily communicate with other people and easily receive responses. A bit harder is with anim...

In this material world there are many types of welfare activities that are regularly going on. This is certainly appreciable. However, any welfare activity which does not deliver the suffering people from their entanglement in the cycle of birth and death is imperfect and incomplete. Therefore if one wants to render the best possible service to the suffering humanity, he should fully dedicated his life for delivering everyone from birth and death. This is the mission of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada, the Topmost Welfare Worker Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Chanting Impotent While Facing South? I have been chanting the mahamantra in front of the deity of Lord Sri Krishna. I do my daily chanting in front of Him. The deity is facing the north and I sit or stand before Him, facing the south, and do the chanting. However, recently, I heard a Swamiji (a Krishna Bhakta himself) speaking on the television channel that c...

This material world is the land of the dead. Even though it may appear that everyone is alive here, the fact is that this is a place where everyone is dead because everyone is captivated by the bodily concept of life, misidentifying themselves with dead matter. Such misidentification forces the illusioned soul to remain perpetually in the cycle of birth, death, old age, and disease until he is fortunate enough to be enlightened with transcendental knowledge and thus become liberated from his imprisonment within the land of the dead and enter into an eternal youthful existence, full of bliss, and full of knowledge. Srila Prabhupada Deeply Connects with Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Oppose Mayavadis? Dear Gurudeva, Namaste. Your Thought for the Day on Saturday 11 August 2012, in which you mentioned your rejection of Mayavadi philosophy, prompted me to ask the following questions: In what way Mayavadis affect your mission? Are they not human beings d...

Being a devotee of Krishna is so ecstatic that even Krishna Himself becomes His own devotee to taste the sweetest nectar of being a devotee of God. The Mayavadis want to become God. But why should one want to become God when being a devotee of God is more ecstatic than being God Himself? In other words, why settle for a position of less enjoyment when you can get a position of greater enjoyment? Srila Prabhupada Teaches How to Be a Devotee Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why is God Both Near and Far? Dearest Gurudeva , It is said that the kingdom of God is within us. If so, where is the abode of the atma as an integral part of God? Since God is the All Merciful and the All Forgiver, why many of us as human beings are so greedy and even making crime or even slaughtering other human beings in spite of God's being very near to us? Why doesn't He remind us not to act contrary to His teaching? Thank you for enlightening me. Nyoman S. Answer: That is His Omnip...

Today in Austin, Texas USA is the most auspicious day, Sri Vyasa Puja, the appearance day of our most beloved spiritual master, ISKCON Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Even if I were to write a million books to describe his glories, because his glories are unlimited, even a million books would only be scratching the surface of the unlimited glories of this greatest of all spiritual masters. Celebrate Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja by fasting until noon. During the morning cook Srila Prabhupada an elaborate feast to be offered to him at noon. After offering the feast, offer him a full arati. Share your appreciation of Srila Prabhupada will everyone present and also read out loud selections from Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja Homage books. The link is below: http://files.krishna.com/en/pdf/vyasapuja/2012/ Check http://www.krishnadays.com to find out when Vyasa Puja is in your area. Srila Prabhupada Arrives with Danda in Hand Close Up o...

Today in Austin, Texas USA is the most auspicious day, Sri Krishna Janmastami, the appearance of our most beloved Lord Sri Krishna in this world. 5,000 years ago Krishna appeared in this world to save us from our suffering in the cycle of birth and death. This is His causeless mercy upon us. Today we are thus celebrating His mercy by chanting, reading, serving, and fasting all day and honoring the Lord with a midnight arati after which we can break our fast. Those who cannot fast all day may take some fruits. Check http://www.krishnadays.com to find out when Janmastami is in your area. Krishna Appears in Kamsa's Prison 5,000 Years Ago Krishna's First Bathing Ceremony Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What Happens to Karma at Initiation? What happens to our karma at the moment of initiation? Is there any difference before and after spiritually or materially? Thank You. Sri Answer: A Chance to Become Free from Karma Regarding karma and initiation, S...

There is a common saying in English: The early bird catches the worm. The same principle applies in Krishna consciousness. Those who rise early for chanting and hearing get to taste the sweetest, most sublime flavor of Krishna consciousness. Here at Bhaktivedanta Ashram in Austin, Texas USA, we are doing that. Our program begins at 4:30am with mangala arati. And then have a series of nectarean transcendental adventures all the way up until 9:00am. Morning Kirtan at Bhaktivedanta Ashram 7 August 2012 Srimad-Bhagavatam Class Bhaktivedanta Ashram-7 August 2012 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Have You Seen Krishna? Have you seen, touched Krishna? Krishna gives us so many miracles and blessings, but it is Him I want to see. Forgive me if there is any mistake. My Pranams Abilasha Answer: In the Form of My Spiritual Master's Orders Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur said, "Don't try to see God. Instead act in such a way that God will see you....

Krishna confirms in the Bhagavad-gita that from the highest planet in this universe, Brahmaloka, down to lowest, all are places of misery. So what is the use of spending so many billions of dollars to explore Mars? It is better to spend billions of dollars on spreading the Krishna consciousness movement all over the world so people can learn how to attain the all-blissful Krishnaloka planet. Does This Look Like a Place of Enjoyment? Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Where is the Spiritual World? Dear Gurudeva, It is mentioned in the scriptures that the spiritual world is far beyond the material creation on the other side of Viraja and travelling even at the speed of light for millions of years will not take us there. Only total surrender to the Lord in unalloyed devotional service can take us there. Is the spiritual world far away in terms of distance or is the spiritual world in a different dimension occupying a larger area within the same space as the material wo...

When all hell is breaking loose all around us what are we supposed to do for relief? That's the time we need to turn on transcendental vision and see things the way they really are beyond the temporary nightmarish conditions of this material existence. We gain this transcendental vision by studying the Vedic scriptures and by hearing from enlightened sages. With their help we can perceive and enter into the beautiful, harmonious reality that underlies all the chaos we are experiencing here on this material plane. We simply have to tap into the wonderful world of Krishna. This is the supreme nirvana. Connect with Krishna Right Now and Taste the Bliss Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Accept Sannyasa in Spirit? How to accept sannyasa in spirit? Shashank. Answer: Surrender to Krishna Guided by Sri Guru Fully surrender to Krishna under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

In these days of political correctness we are not supposed to offend anybody, and we are meant to give honor and respect to everyone. These are certainly laudable, noble goals. However, since some people are offended by talk of God, out of politeness we are not supposed to mention God. God is considered to be politically incorrect. But if everyone is to be honored and respected, why God should not be honored and respected? To not honor and respect Him is politically incorrect. Someone who discriminates against a person because of their race is called a racist. Someone who discriminates against a person because of their gender is called a sexist. What then should we call someone who discriminates against a person because He happens to be God? A Godist? Krishna does not care what is this so-called political correctness. He is known as Bhaktavatsala, the one who simply wants to please His devotees whether it's politically correct or not. Therefore pleasing Him is the real standard o...

By removing Krishna or God from the its center the entire world civilization is now downwardly spiraling out of control. Selfishness, self indulgence, and a lack of shame over increasingly more and more abominable and disgusting activities is becoming the accepted standard all over the world. Therefore there is no greater or more pressing need than the awakening of the dormant Krishna consciousness or God consciousness in the hearts of all. The Krishna consciousness movement has been started to save the world from all of this madness. Kindly join with us and help us in our mission to save the grossly deluded suffering society. Ecstatic Arrival of Srila Prabhupada Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Who is Right, Krishna or Jesus? The other day I was having a conversation with one of my colleagues on the topic of religion. He was arguing that although the spiritual master is leading us towards God, he too is a human being who can make mistakes. He was also arguing that...

Being under the law of karma is like being a criminal incarcerated in a prison. When one defies the authority of the government by not following its laws he is captured and placed into the prison. But then if he agrees to reform himself and abide by the laws of the state, he can be released from the prison and become a free citizen once again. In a similar way, when we defy the authority of God we immediately begin our imprisonment within the stringent grip of karma. And when we surrender to the Lord agreeing to abide by His instructions our karma stops and we return to our liberated position in the spiritual sky. Stop Your Karma and Return to Krishna's Abode Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Difference Between Krishna and Narayana Dear Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I read Lesson C9: Transcending the Dualities of Material Existence, which I received on Sunday 29th July 2012. Well, it is so beautifully explained ...

We've been sleeping in the lap of maya since time immemorial. That sleep has been a nightmare. We have tried in so many ways to be happy while transmigrating again and again through 8,400,000 different varieties of species of life. But in each and every lifetime we were not satisfied. The process of waking up is to hear the transcendental glories of Krishna from Krishna's pure devotee. This injection of transcendental sound through the ear will reawaken us to our real eternal identities as Krishna' servants in His transcendental pastimes Disciples Hearing from Srila Prabhupada Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Krishna the Origin of Lord Shiva? I request you to kindly cite scriptural reference for your statement that Lord Shiva is born from the forehead of Brahma. I have a few friends who are from the Smarta subsect of Brahmanas. They believe that Shiva is causeless and eternally present, on the same level as Vishnu. How do I convince them? Could you pl...

There are many types of adventurous activities available in this world. One can try to climb Mt. Everest or he can try sky diving or scuba diving. But the ultimate adventure is to awaken one's dormant Krishna consciousness because by doing so one comes into direct personal with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, the source of all existence. Reconnect with the Eternal Pastimes of Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Do Young Devotees Take Sannyasa? Why do young devotees like 24-25 years old take sannyasa? Shashank. Answer: We Can Die at Any Moment Sannyasa, the renounced order of life, is for those who are just about to die. So who can say that even a 20 year old man is not just about to die? Therefore sannyasa can be accepted at any age. Narada Muni accepted sannyasa even when he was just a small boy. Sankarshan Das Adhikari