Ultimate Self Realization

Materialism, the theory that matter is the only reality and that consciousness is therefore nothing but a chemical reaction in the brain, is an assumption that scientists think of as science or the scientific view of reality. They are supposed to accept this without question and are not given a chance to even discuss it. To be considered scientists they are simply supposed to accept it dogmatically. But such an approach to science is not at all scientific. In fact it destroys science at the very root. It turns science into nescience or ignorance, the exact opposite of what science is supposed to be. Instead of a completely open-minded inquiry into the nature of existence, science has sadly become the blind acceptance of the dogma known as materialism. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Teaching the Science of the Soul Tarneit, Australia--29 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: What Does Krishna Say About the Soul? What does Krishna say about the soul? Regard

When yor find yourself in a suffering situation which is more than you can handle remember that all the sufferings of this material world are only temporary for one who has accepted the progressive path of Krishna consciousness. Whatever sufferings or anxieties we experience should be accepted as the special mercy of Krishna to help us advance quickly on the pathway back to home, back to Godhead. This material world is after all a place of suffering by its very nature. Therefore to become actually free from all suffering we must return to the spiritual world, that place where all forms of suffering are conspicuous by their absence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Teaching How to Become Relieved from All Suffering Melbourne, Australia--28 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: When Is One Truly Surrendered to Krishna? In the Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 18, Verse 66 Krishna mentions that one should simply surrender to Him. What is actually the process of surrender? A

Does simply the desire to lead the world to a better future make one qualified to do so? No, it does not. If one wants to improve the world making it an ideal place in which for all of us to live, he must first improve himself. He must first make himself ideal. In other words, one must first be the change that he wants to make in the world. He must first revolutionize himself before he thinks about revolutionizing the world. Otherwise whatever change he makes will simply be the same old wine in a new bottle. It will simply be another edition of the same old status quo: namely birth, death, old age, and disease. In other words the real change that the human society needs is that everyone should be educated how to escape the cycle of birth and death. Therefore if one wants to liberate others, he must first of all become liberated himself by taking complete shelter of guru and Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Promoting Genuine Change in the World Melbourne, Australia--27 December 20

Is death like a switch, that nature simply flips you off, and then you are no more? Or do you continue to live after death? This question has been pondered by thoughtful persons throughout the ages. So what is the answer? There is one thing that we can scientifically confirm. We have a desire for immortality. This is why we do everything possible to avoid death. What does this tell us? Just as we would not have a thirst for water if there was no such thing as water, similarly we would not have a desire for immortality if there were no such thing as immortality. Therefore immortality exists. It is as real as water. When our body dies we do not die. Sankarshan Das Adhikari  Teaching How to Achieve Immortality Canberra, Australia--25 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Difference Between Faith and Belief? Please tell us what is the difference between faith and belief. Regards, Sunil Answer: Synonyms, But Krishna Consciousness is Science According to

In this world of dualities difficulties are something that we regularly experience. Sometimes the difficulties are mild. Sometimes they are very heavy. And sometimes they are in between. Those who are on the progressive path of self-realization know the art of how to utilize these difficulties to strengthen their happiness. In other words, they are not psychologically overwhelmed by these difficulties because they see the merciful, loving hand of Lord Sri Krishna acting in all circumstances, both difficult and not difficult, guiding them back to home, back to Godhead. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Revealing the Highest Truth Canberra, Australia--24 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Advanced Technology: A Curse or a Blessing? Advanced Technology: Is it a curse or a blessing? Are scientists making fools out of the people? Or are they making fools out of themselves? Are they doing something valuable for the human society, or are they simply wasting their t

This human life is a rare opportunity indeed to escape the suffering that we have been undergoing for countless millions of lifetimes. Therefore the Vedic wisdom implores us to not be so foolish as to throw another life away in the vain pursuit of material sense gratification, which is available also to the lower animals. Since we do not know our way out of the darkness of ignorance we must take the help of a bona fide spiritual master to show us the correct path that will safely take us to supreme destination, that supreme abode in which Radha and Krishna are engaged in their eternal loving pastimes. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Radha and Krishna Await Our Return to Their Abode Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How Can the Vedic Wisdom Be Superfluous? Srila Gurudeva, can you kindly explain what is meant by Srila Prabhupada's following statement from the Srimad Bhagavatam introduction? "The Lord said that but for these three items--namely, eternal relation wit

It is not the famous scientists, innovators, poets, writers, singers, actors, politicians, etc. who have the greatest impact on the human society. Although they may sometimes inspire big changes in the world, what is the value of such changes if nobody gets liberated from the cycle of birth and death as a result of these changes? With or without the light bulb, with or without the computer, with or without the IPhone, with or without the internet, with or without a change in the political system, we are still caught up in the cycle of birth and death. Therefore all these changes are quite insignificant. The only change of real significance is the change brought about by the devotee of the Lord who mercifully delivers the fallen, conditioned souls from their entanglement in the cycle of repeated birth, death, old age, and disease. His impact and only his impact is truly revolutionary. Everyone else is the just same old wine in a new bottle. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada--T

Wake up, world. You've gone completely off the track. Misguided for so many centuries by completely unqualified fools and rascals masquerading as leaders and teachers you've gone so far astray from living in harmony with God and nature that there is no hope for the long term survival of your rapidly deteriorating civilization. If you want happiness at all, a new attitude you must call of hearing respectfully from those who have realized what is the Absolute Truth. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Presenting the Science of Krishna Consciousness Govinda Valley--Otford, Australia--22 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How to Defeat Doubts of Krishna's Existence? Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada Kindly pardon my audacity as I write this, but I need to find a solution to this peculiar problem as it is acting as an impediment to my spiritual emancipation. Although I have a strong belief in the Bhagavad-gita, on ve

The Krishna consciousness movement is meant to lead the entire world out of chaos. Therefore the devotees of the movement, especially it's leaders, should take it as their grave responsibility to become very pure and realized in the science of Krishna consciousness so that they can do their most urgently needed duty of giving proper enlightened guidance to the entire world population how to become happy in this world and liberated from the cycle of birth and death. The Krishna consciousness movement should now become recognized as the leading educational institution on this planet by the wide scale introduction and propagation of the topmost scientific understanding of the self, the Supreme Self, and the total existence. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Leaders of the Krishna Consciousness Movement Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How Do I Live for Krishna? How do I live for Krishna? I have lost faith in everything even myself. Kindly advise please. Hema Answer: Mol

What the world needs right now more than ever is a revolution in consciousness. We have to stop thinking in the same old stereotyped ways, because such inane and insane practically brainless thinking is doing nothing but bringing about the complete total disintegration and ruination not only of the entire human society but also the environment which all living beings share. The time has urgently come now more than ever that there must be a radical paradigm shift, a breaking away from the old stereotypes with a new way of looking at reality for the entire human society, based on a new enlightened understanding of what is the self and what is the self’s relationship with the total existence from which he has sprung. Otherwise our future is nothing but ruination, doom, and gloom. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Presenting Positive Solution for Human Society 21 Decmeber 2013--Govinda Valley--Otford, Australia Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Are Christ and Krishna One and

Be all that you can be for Krishna. When you engage in devotional service strive for excellence in every respect. In other words don't be mediocre. The more you can excel in Krishna consciousness, the more you will experience Krishna at every minute, everywhere, and in everything. And there is nothing more wonderful more ecstatic, more thrilling, more fulfilling, and more truly amazing than this in all of the three worlds. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Devotees Relish Krishna Bhakti Bliss in Salvador, Brazil Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Why 16 Rounds Instead of Chanting Once a Day? I find it very difficult to understand why it is that important to chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna mantra on japa mala beads. Why it is not sufficient to chant once a day with full meditation on Krshna? Also, does it have to be a special kind of beads? I know Krishna says in the Gita, "patram pushpam toyam" that if you offer flower or leaf or water with faith and love, I

Everyone has a psychological need for love. We are not referring to the so-called love commonly celebrated in this world, which is nothing but selfishness or lust masquerading under the name of love. We are speaking about actual love, the rendering of service from one to another without any condition of receiving something in exchange. Because practically everyone in this world has a self-centered, egotistical nature it is very difficult to find someone with whom you can have a pure, satisfying reciprocal loving relationship. Therefore bereft of genuine loving relationships people all over the world are miserable and confused and sometimes become so bewildered that they vent their frustrations by going on mass killing rampages. Thus there is a vital need for educating the mass population in the science of genuine love. That sconce is based on connecting one's tendency for love with the Supreme Person, who is the source of all love, by directly channeling one's loving tendency

The challenge faced by the Krishna consciousness movement is how to make the entire world Krishna conscious. We see that there have been many great reformers in material history such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. In spite of the great achievements of these noble, dedicated reformers, the world still remains in a chaotic condition. So what is the ultimate value of the reforms they have brought about? Their reforms are of negligible value because they have liberated no one from the prison of material existence. What is vitally needed is a reform that will liberate the conditioned souls from this imprisonment within the cycle of birth and death. This is the only reform necessary, because when this comes all other reforms on every level will happen automatically, just as when watering the root of a tree its leaves and branches are nourished. It is this reform that is now being offered by the Krishna Consciousness movement to the world society. It they will only

If you don't pay your water bill and your electricity bill, your utilities will be cut off. Similarly if we do not perform yajna or sacrifice for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord our supply of necessities will be restricted or unbalanced. Sometimes we will get too much rain and sometimes not enough rain. There will be a shortage of food, an increase of crime, terror, and disease, and a decrease of the duration of life. The congregational chanting of the holy names of God is the only yajna or sacrifice prescribed for our present age of Kali. If the world population will engage regularly in this yajna, all the problems of the world will be solved. All necessities for human happiness will be supplied in full profusion in a perfectly balanced way. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Revealing the Root Cause of All the World's Problems Pretoria, South Africa--16 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Surrender or Acting According to My Nature? Krishna says in the

Modern science tells that there is no actual self inhabiting the human body, that the individual is nothing more than a sophisticated robot with a genetically programmed brain who foolishly thinks that he is a person. While an ignoramus may blindly accept this fanatical dogmatic hogwash, one who is intelligent will challenge: "If there is there is no actual self, who is thinking that he is a person?" A machine does not have cognizance, the power to contemplate its own existence, while a person does. From the Vedic wisdom we gain a much more cogent understanding of the self as a primeval and cognizant particle of indestructible, indivisible, infinitesimal, invisible, inconceivable and immutable anti-material energy. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Is This All You Are? Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Is Caste Determined by One's Birth Does the varnashrama system (the system based on four social orders and four spiritual orders) provide its citizens the elemen

Don't space out. Every moment of your life is unlimitedly precious. Therefore always somehow or other keep your mind fixed on Krishna. Chant Hare Krishna on your japa beads. While you are engaged in various activities you can keep the Hare Krishna mantra going on your lips. In this way always remain absorbed in Krishna. Bow down to Him. Offer foods to Him. (No meat, fish, or eggs.) Read about Him. Write about Him. In this way fill up every second of your 24 hours with Krishna consciousness. You will taste the bliss. Sankarshan Das Adhikari u Keep Your Mind Always Focused on Beautiful Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: My Family Forces Me to Eat Meat My family is Hindu and follows religious discipline. But the problem is that they don't allow me to stop eating meat. They tell me, "We belong to ksatriya race (warrior caste), and you should not abstain from eating meat." Please guide me how can I follow proper Krishna consciousness without any

14 December 2013--After a super relishable week of preaching the message of Krishna here on the paradisal island of Mauritius we are flying out today for Pretoria, South Africa to share the wonderful liberating teachings of Krishna there. Krishna consciousness is so sweet and sublime. It is the perfection of existence. It can solve all the problems of the world, if only the people will take to it. That is our desire. We want to turn on the whole world to Krishna consciousness to bring in a new era of peace and prosperity for all. Let everyone become happy by coming to Krishna consciousness. Sankarshan Das Adhikari u Home Program--Rose Hill, Mauritius--7 December 2013 Radio Program--MBC Radio--7 December 2013 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Why is the Soul Called Primeval and Immovable? Kindly explain why is the soul called primeval and immovable? Most fallen soul, Saswata Answer: Always Existing and Stationary Within the Body Regarding immovable: In the or

Everything is in Krishna. Nothing exists outside of Krishna. This was practically realized by Mother Yasoda when she looked into Krishna's mouth. It is confirmed by Lord Brahma when he states that Krishna's form is endless. Just consider the inconceivable potency of Krishna. He can be in one place engaged in a transcendental pastime while at the same time He is everywhere with everything existing within Him. This is God. Sankarshan Das Adhikari u Mother Yasoda Saw Everything Within Krishna's Mouth Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: The Deathless Soul Attains Deathlessness? You recently wrote, "bestowing deathlessness upon two sincere souls by formally initiating them as my disciples." But the Bhagavad-gita says that the soul has neither death or birth. So how is it that one becomes deathless at the time of initiation even though he is already deathless? Ravishankar (Sydney, Australia) Answer: Until Initiation His Deathlessness is Not Realize

The entire world is presently being grossly misguided by unqualified fools and rascals who are contaminated by lust, anger, and greed. Therefore everyone throughout the entire world is suffering like anything. The only solution for this ever-increasingly chaotic global nightmare is the wide scale introduction of the Krishna consciousness movement in every town, hamlet, village, and city throughout the world. Therefore our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, has ordered us that we must take over the world for Krishna, not with guns and bombs, but through the means of cultural conquest. By introducing the culture of Krishna consciousness everywhere people will gradually realize more and more that Krishna consciousness is the most wonderful life-invigorating and satisfying culture that has ever been experienced anywhere in any part of the world, and they will take to it in ever-increasing numbers. Sankarshan Das Adhikari u Teaching the Path of Pure Krishna Bhakti Quatres Bornes, Mauri

Krishna is insuperable. This means that He is incapable of being vanquished. He cannot be surpassed. He cannot be defeated. His supremacy was once challenged by the foolish king, Maharaja Paundraka, who declared himself to be the supreme and Krishna to be an imposter with the following challenge: "Since I alone am the true Personality of Godhead, You should give up Your false claim to this position, as well as my divine symbols, and take shelter of me. If You do not, then prepare for battle." Krishna met this fool in battle and immediately cut off his head with His sudarshan disc. A similar fate will be met by all those who challenge the authority of God. They will all be defeated by Krishna, who assumes for those who defy Him, the form of all-devouring death. Sankarshan Das Adhikari King Paundraka Faces Krishna in Battle and Is Defeated Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Who is More Dear to Krishna: Householder or Sannyasi? Who is more dear to Sri Krish

How to be Krishna conscious when unbearable pain attacks? The first thing to understand is that there is no such thing as unbearable pain. Pain can only sometimes seem to be unbearable when one falsely identifies himself with his material body. As soon as one detaches himself from bodily identification by remembering his actual spiritual identity as Krishna's eternal servant, what seemed to be unbearable pain now becomes bearable. Another thing to remember is that pain and pleasure are dualities. They come and go just like the changes of the seasons. Neither of them will remain forever. When we are in pain, pleasure is coming soon. And when we are in pleasure, pain is coming soon. Therefore the key to uninterrupted happiness is to situate oneself fully on the transcendental platform beyond the constant flux of the pains and pleasures of this material world by completely surrendering oneself to Krishna under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. This surrender will libera

Now along with the legalization of abortion in the USA we are seeing that mass murders are becoming more and more common. Regularly we hear reports that someone has taken a gun and shot many people dead at a school, in a movie theatre, or in a shopping mall. What's happening is that once a government lowers the standard of morality in its country by authorizing the regular murder of millions of its unborn children, it is simply a matter of time before this mood of disrespect towards life begins to show up in the practical behavior of its citizens. The conclusion is that if a government wants to curb down the murder rate within its nation, it needs to itself not be guilty of sanctioning and encouraging murder through legalized abortion. The difficulty with this conclusion is that someone who is addicted to sex pleasure will want to continue gratifying his sexual appetite at any cost without any restriction even if it means killing his own children. As long as the world population r

On 8 December 2013 in Phoenix, Mauritius Srila Prabhupada blessed me with the opportunity to bestow deathlessness upon two sincere souls by formally initiating them as my disciples: Sridama Das and Acyutananda Das. Srila Prabhupada explains that deathlessness begins from the day when one accepts initiation. By surrendering oneself unto the bona fide spiritual master one revives his original deathless identity as the eternal servant of Krishna. As long as one sticks to his initiation vows of chanting at least 16 rounds a day of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on japa beads along with the strict avoidance of illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling, his deathlessness will remain. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Initiation Ceremony--Phoenix, Mauritius--8 December 2013 Bhakta Sanjay Becomes Initiated as Sridama Das Bhakta Ashwin Becomes Initiated as Acyutananda Das Initiation Fire Yajna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Why Do You Say Brahma and Shiva Are Demigods?

The secret of always remaining equipoised or balanced in a perfect state of enlightened consciousness is to always see everything equally as the merciful, beneficent arrangement of Lord Sri Krishna. In this way in all circumstance the devotee joyfully offers himself to Krishna as His eternal servant in each and everything situation he experiences while traversing through this material existence. In such a state of transcendental consciousness the devotee remains unaffected by the dualities of hot and cold, happiness and distress, honor and dishonor, etc. and thus always remains happy by constantly taking shelter of the holy name, fame, pastimes, teachings, entourage etc. of the extraordinarily and unlimitedly kind all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Always Remembering Krishna is the Perfect Balance Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Whom Should I Accept As My Spiritual Master? Can you please enlighten me on whom t

The standard of enjoyment in this material world is pitiful. What people call enjoyment is simply when their suffering is less than usual. I was never satisfied with this pittance of happiness, which is nothing more than a shadow of the real thing. Real happiness must be pure, devoid of any kind of suffering. Therefore I embarked upon the ultimate journey, the journey of self discovery to discover genuine happiness. By the combined mercy of the two greatest discoveries of my life: Lord Sri Krishna and my most beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada--I was unlimitedly blessed with the unfathomable bliss of Krishna consciousness. Now I must share my good fortune with the entire world. This is the order I have received from my spiritual master. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada's Compassionate Gaze New York City--1966 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How to Perceive Krishna's Presence When I Chant? If I commit gr

The other day as we were preparing to head out on our current around-the-world lecture tour a friend in Austin remarked to me, "You must be excited." I explained to him that the real excitement is Krishna consciousness. Whether one is circling the globe or staying in one place if one is Krishna conscious, he feels excitement at every moment. Because Krishna is a reservoir of unlimited excitement and adventure, anyone who purely connects with Him will experience unlimited excitement and adventure at every moment. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Srila Prabhupada Chanting on Japa Beads Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Is It Necessary to Chant on Beads? I do my chants on my fingers but not always on beads. I use my finger lines to keep the track of 108 chants. Is it okay to do it this way, or I necessarily have to use the beads? Regards Vinit S. Answer: Srila Prabhupada Gave Us Beads for Chanting Chanting can be done in any situation with or without beads and mu

Everyone in this material world is suffering under the grip of the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion, and ignorance) with the exception of those who are Krishna conscious. Those persons who are transcendentally situated in Krishna consciousness are not affected by the influence of these modes of nature. One should therefore always be fixed in Krishna consciousness, busy in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. It is guaranteed that such a devotee will never be affected by the actions and reactions of the three modes of material nature. Therefore everyone should strictly absorb themselves in Krishna consciousness. This will immediately solve all of the world's problems. Sankarshan Das Adhikari There's Tons of Nectar Beyond the Modes Vishnu Jana Swami Explains the Bliss of Krishna Bhakti Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Mantra For Offering Our Work Day to Krishna? Hare Krishna!!! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!! Dear Gurudeva,

Today we are heading out on another super ecstatic around-the-world lecture tour. This one will take us to Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and Canada. We have been traveling so much in recent years that our home has now become "On the road for Krishna". Even when we are back here at our home base in Austin, it is simply another stop on our endless preaching tour. There is so much sweetness in this traveling and preaching that one could go doing it for all of eternity. Sankarshan Das Adhikari On the Road for Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Is It Necessary to Chant Hare Krishna on Beads? Is it necessary to chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra on beads? We can also recite it in our hearts the entire day doing our normal day to day activities. So what is the need to sit for two hours daily and chant the holy name on beads for chanting sixteen rounds? Gaurav Chopra Answer: It Is Absolutely Necessary Our being able to chant the H

Krishna consciousness is so nice that we can be happy in any and all situations. This material world is a world of dualities in which we are constantly tossed on the waves of happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor, etc. But when we come to platform of Krishna consciousness we are situated beyond the waves of these dualities in a state of unbroken, ever-increasing happiness. Because Krishna is the supreme wonderful the Krishna consciousness process of connecting with Him is also supremely wonderful. It is factually realized by those who awakened their dormant Krishna consciousness that any consciousness other than Krishna consciousness is horrible. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Ecstatic Hare Krishna Kirtan Party in Mayapur, India--1975 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Why Krishna in Form of Buddha Taught Nirvana? My Dear Gurudeva, Dandavat Pranams! Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada. All glories to Sr

On Saturday 30 November the devotees of Krishna in Austin were blessed with the most auspicious opportunity to share the mercy of Krishna with the many people who had gathered in downtown Austin to attend a parade. There is nothing more blissful than being Krishna consciousness. And even more blissful than being Krishna conscious is spreading Krishna consciousness. Lord Caitanya gives special mercy to those who spread the rays of His benediction moon. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Bliss in Downtown Austin, Texas--30 November 2013 Ecstatic Hare Krishna Kirtan and Prabhupada's Books Bhakta Anil Shows the Bhagavad-gita Happy Man Receives the Seed of Krishna Bhakti Mahasundari Madhavi Devi Dasi Shares the Mercy of Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: Is There More Than One Eternity? Is there more than one eternity since nirvana is eternal? And if we originated from Vrindavana, is this countless times even before we fell down from eternity in th

The Buddhists are interested in attaining nirvana, the complete cessation of the pangs of material existence. They envision nirvana as a sort of spiritual suicide in which the living being merges back into the nothingness from which he came and becomes completely non-existent. This is compared to going to doctor when you have a headache and getting your head cut off to cure the headache. The reality is that because we did not come out of nothing, it is also not possible to merge back into nothing. Therefore this type of nirvana is mythological, not factual. Since we are the eternal emanations of the Supreme Personality Godhead, real nirvana means to become reconnected with Krishna. By remembering the Lord's super sweet transcendental pastimes one can defy the Buddhistic nirvana and enter into the transcendental abode of the Lord to associate with Him, eternally engaged in His all blissful loving service. Therefore Krishna consciousness is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam as nir