Lessons from the ISKCON Austin Fire

Calamity is a wonderful teacher because it both reminds us and gives us the opportunity to put into the practice the many wonderful lessons that we have been learning from Lord Sri Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita such as:

mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino 'nityās
tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata

"O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed."
Bhagavad-gītā 2.14

Sometimes we are comfortably situated in a nice place of residence. Sometimes we are not. If we base our happiness on being happily situated in a nice place of residence, we are setting ourselves up for devastating anxiety because everything in this material world is temporary. But if we base our happiness on being securely situated at the lotus feet of Krishna, no matter what happens in this material world, even the inevitable total destruction of this universe, we will always have peace and joy and transcendental vision within our hearts.

Our deepest thanks to the many of you who already stepped forward to help us meet the expenses of the fire at ISKCON Austin. Anyone else who would to contribute can do so at:

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Krishna Relieves Arjuna from Distress

Krishna Relieves Arjuna from Distress

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version:

Question: Should I Chant Rama or Krishna?

I have been chanting Rama, the holy name of Lord Rama for the past 5 years. Can I continue chanting the name of Rama, or should I stop it and start chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra instead? Does chanting the name of Rama give the same effect as that of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra? Also, I've heard many people say that 1 name of lord Krishna is equivalent to 3 names of Lord Rama. Is it true?
Please enlighten me.

RM

Answer: In the Mahamantra We Chant Both

The name of Rama is already included in the Hare Krishna mantra. You were informed correctly that uttering Krishna once is the same as uttering Rama three times. This means that every time you utter the Hare Krishna mantra, you are getting the benefit of chanting the name of Lord Rama 16 times.

In the present age of Kali the Hare Krishna is more potent than any other mantra for bringing one the platform of self-realization. This is confirmed as follows in the Kali Santarana Upanisad:

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare --these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of
Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name."

Therefore I recommend that you should focus your full attention on the Hare Krishna mahamantra as much as possible 24 hours without being diverted by any less effective type of chanting.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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