Ultimate Self Realization

Even more nectarean than remembering Krishna is remembering Srila Prabhupada, the topmost pure devotee of Lord Krishna. It is my unlimited good fortune that I had the opportunity to accept Srila Prabhupada as my spiritual master and to associate and communicate with him on numerous occasions. And now even in the pain of his separation since his departure from this planet in 1977 it is the greatest benediction of Lord Krishna that simply by remembering Srila Prabhupada I can still directly experience his divine presence which purifies my heart, uplifts my consciousness, and helps me to understanding how I can properly serve him and Lord Sri Krishna in all circumstances. Remembering Srila Prabhupada 28 March 2014--Copenhagen, Denmark Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Fear of Being Killed by Terrorists Hare Krishna Gurudeva, My humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, I am getting really worried to see how thousands of people are getting killed by the I

It is becoming more and more widely known now that the scientists are off the track. Even some of the scientists themselves are realizing what we, the followers of Vedic culture, have known all along that the conclusions of modern day science are often wrong and are therefore unreliable. For example in a recent article entitled, "Scientific Pride and Prejudice" published in the 31 January 2014 edition of the New York Times we find this startling information: "Two years ago, C. Glenn Begley and Lee M. Ellis reported in Nature that they were able to replicate only six out of 53 'landmark' cancer studies. Scientists now worry that many published scientific results are simply not true. The natural sciences often offer themselves as a model to other disciplines. But this time science might look for help to the humanities, and to literary criticism in particular. "A major root of the crisis is selective use of data. Scientists, eager to make striking new c

If we continue taking from someone more and more without showing our love by giving them anything in return, this is called exploitation. It is not love. This is what we are guilty of here in this material world. We are taking from God, the supplier of all our necessities, at every moment. But we are such ingrates that we are not reciprocating with Him, appreciating Him for all the kindness He is bestowing on us at every minute. Instead of loving God we are exploiting God. The same principle applies to our diksha guru and siksha gurus who instruct us how to become Krishna conscious. If we take instructions from them without serving them, we are guru exploiters, and Krishna will not accept us as his devotees. The Perfection of Love is Chanting God's Holy Names Congregational Chanting in Rome, Italy Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Krishna Hiding Behind Maya? When maya is there, is Krishna hiding behind that? What is the purpose of maya? Danny B. Answer: It&

26 March 2014--After an intense but extremely exhilarating and uplifting two day stop in Radhadesh, where I taught a six hour min-course on prema bhakti, pure devotional service to Krishna, this morning we are now heading on the Copenhagen for several ecstatic days of sharing the science of Krishna consciousness with the Danish devotees. There is truly nothing sweeter than being absorbed 24 hours a day in hearing about Krishna, glorifying Krishna, and serving Krishna. May my life go on like this for all of eternity. Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha---Radhadesh, Belgium Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Did Krishna Allow the Kali Yuga to Come? Gurudeva, The supreme personality (Lord Krishna) knew that in the age of Kali people will forget their relationship with God and they will not have any God consciousness. He knew that people will be attached to temporary material happiness. So why did Lord Krishna allow such a situation to arise? Why did he program the minds of t

The worst thing you can possibly do in this human form is to not realize who you are. After transmigrating through 8,400,000 species in the cycle of birth and death you finally now have the opportunity to realize who you actually are and thus become liberated once and for all from all the sufferings of material existence. Therefore to not wholeheartedly take up the path of self realization is the greatest mistake you could ever make. Instead of cheating yourself by not becoming self-realized, you should reward yourself by awakening your divine enlightened consciousness under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada Teaches Self-Realization to the Entire World Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Be Indifferent to Success and Failure? Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Krishna says in the Gita to become indifferent to success and failure. My question is: How do we develop and maint

The perfection of my existence is to chant the Hare Krishna mahamantra because chanting Krishna's name immediately brings me into direct contact with Krishna. It's such a simple thing that one may easily disregard its importance. But actually there is nothing more important than chanting Hare Krishna. This is why we should chant Hare Krishna as much as possible 24 hours a day. Srila Prabhupada Connects with Krishna By Chanting Japa Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Non-Devotees Are Peaceful? My dear Gurudeva,  In Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 2, Text 66 it is said that one who is without Krishna consciousness can never attain peace. But I see so many people who are non-devotees very much peaceful. Please explain this contradiction. Your humble servant. Vrutant S. Answer: Actual Peace and Apparent Peace Apparent peace and actual peace are two entirely different things. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Just as a businessman is very greedy to make as much money as possible and is constantly thinking and scheming how to become more and more wealthy, in a similar way the Lord's devotee is always intensely absorbed in thinking and scheming how he can become more and more Krishna conscious. This is confirmed by Srila Rupa Goswami who states that the only way to become Krishna conscious is by being very greedy to attain it. The Gopis Are Mad After Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Escape Karma and Bodily Limitations? Gurudeva, Kindly remove my following ignorance. How karmic reactions can cease as long as we are bound hand and foot through this body in terms of space, time and objectivity? Secondly, how can one raise his soul beyond the limitations of this body without attaching oneself to anything that is in space and time?  Your humble servant. Anil S. Answer: Fully Surrender at Krishna's Lotus Feet To only way to escape from karm

Today we head from Austin via Chicago and Brussels to Radhadesh in Petit Somme, Belgium, the home of ISKCON's Bhaktivedanta College where I will be teaching a mini-course, "Pure Devotional Service: What Is It and How to Attain It?" Bhaktivedanta College offers fully accredited bachelors degrees in Theology and Religious Studies as well as in Education Studies: Theology and Religion. Here's where you can get more information: http://bhaktivedantacollege.com There is an exciting spiritual renaissance taking place on this planet right now spearhead by the Krishna consciousness movement. We are most fortunate to be a part of it. Future historians will note this as one of the most significant times in world history when the Krishna consciousness movement was introduced and become solidly established throughout the world and gradually absorbed the entire human society into its sublime transcendental culture. Bhaktivedanta College--Petit Somme, Belgium Answers by

This material world is tumultuous because in our interpersonal relationships we experience so many conlicts. This happens because we all position ourselves as the center of the universe. If think that I am the center and you think that you are the center, conflicts are inevitable. So how to resolve this? The only solution is to always put Krishna in the center. In other words, all of our thoughts, words, and deeds should be pleasing to Krishna in accordance with the teachings of the spiritual master, the scriptures, and the saintly teachers. This means that we have to be very introspective to see that we are always putting Krishna in the center, instead of ourselves. This will transform our planet from hell into heaven. Srila Prabhupada Puts an End to All Conflicts Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Focus on Devotion When I Lose My Job? Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva, All glories to Srila Prabhupada, I learned that I may lose my job in the coming month. How d

This material world is but a shadow of our actual original home in the spiritual world. Just as we cannot derive nourishment or taste from a shadow of food, we cannot derive real satisfaction from this shadow world. If we want real happiness and satisfaction, we must come out of this shadow world into the original world, that dimension where life is eternal, full of bliss, and full of knowledge. Come Back to Your Original Home--Goloka Vrindavan Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Hearing About Krishna As Good As Chanting? Is chanting Hare Krishna as good as hearing Srimad Bhagavatam, especially Krishna's pastimes from a fully Krishna conscious devotee? D.P. Answer: Yes, But Chanting Is Especially Important Chanting Hare Krishna and hearing Krishna's pastimes from a realized soul are both absolute because they are both situated on the transcendental platform. However, since it is described by the acharyas that the process of awakening our dormant Kris

In this material world everyone is lonely, even those who are in the constant association of others. This is so because everyone is more or less self-centered and thus unable to fully open up their hearts to give themselves to others. The solution for this widespread loneliness is Krishna consciousness. Krishna, the supreme lovable and loving person, gives His constant intimate unlimitedly loving association to anyone who fully gives themselves to Him. Krishna's Association is the Sweetest Nectar Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Get Out of Permanent Anxiety? All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I am addressing you, master, to ask you what I must do to get out of this state of permanent anxiety in which I presently find myself. My maximum respects to you. Jorge B. Answer: Always Remember and Never Forget Krishna If you want to attain your original natural state of permanent bliss, you must train yourself to always remember Krishna and never forget Him,

When maya, the material energy, attacks, what to do? We have to be prepared. When a country is attacked by an enemy, is that the time it should start thinking about putting together a defense force? No. A well managed country will have its defenses in place long before the enemy attacks. Therefore we must be well protected ahead of time behind a strong fortress of purified consciousness. This is achieved by regularly hearing about Krishna. Disciplined regular hearing over a period of time builds up our resistance to maya so much so that when maya attacks her influence will simply bounce off of us without having any impact upon us at all. Hear More and More About Wonderful Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Desire to Attain the Supreme is Selfish? Gurudeva, Once we attain the Supreme we will not come back to this material world. In that case who will give lessons to ignorant people to bring them closer to God? So is the desire to attain the Supreme a selfi

Stress is so all-pervading in this material world that everyone is tortured by it. Stress takes many forms. We are stressed by health problems, financial problems, interpersonal problems and many more. The solution for all varieties of stress is to understand that its underlying cause is bodily consciousness, the false identification of the self with the body. As soon as one realizes that he is not his body and that his real happiness is based on harmonizing his consciousness with the supreme consciousness, and he then learns the art of doing this, his stress goes flying out the window to be replaced with profoundly sweet transcendental bliss. Chanting Hare Krishna Drives Away All Distress Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why and How Does Krishna Love Me? Can you help me understand why and how Krishna loves me? Danny B. Answer: He Brings You, His Son, Back to Home Krishna loves you because you are His son. In spite of the fact that you foolishly ran away from

In this material world it is natural that sometimes we will feel that everything is hopeless. By our very natures we hanker for eternal bliss and knowledge, and when we find ourselves stuck in a temporary body full of ignorance and misery it is natural that sometimes we will feel that life is hopeless. This is indeed unavoidable because the all-devouring time factor eventually destroys all those things which give us a false sense of hope. No matter how successful we may be, due the influence of inexorable time we will naturally ultimately experience hopelessness, despair, and defeat unless we are situated on the transcendental platform beyond this material existence. Simply negating the material existence seeing it as the false shelter that it really is, is not sufficient to liberate us. We must solidly situate ourselves on the platform of transcendental variegatedness in the divine association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead if we want to taste the true sweetness of immortality

Lord Caitanya is the hidden incarnation of Godhead described by the term channah, which means covered, in the Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.38 as follows: itthaṁ nṛ-tiryag-ṛṣi-deva-jhaṣāvatārair lokān vibhāvayasi haṁsi jagat pratīpān dharmaṁ mahā-puruṣa pāsi yugānuvṛttaṁ channaḥ kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo 'tha sa tvam "In this way, my Lord, You appear in various incarnations as a human being, an animal, a great saint, a demigod, a fish or a tortoise, thus maintaining the entire creation in different planetary systems and killing the demoniac principles. According to the age, O my Lord, You protect the principles of religion. In the age of Kali, however, You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore You are known as Triyuga, or the Lord who appears in three yugas." Srila Prabhupada wonderfully explains the appearance of Lord Caitanya in his purport to this verse as follows: "As the Lord appeared just to maintain Lord Brahm

If I consider myself to be a big somebody, greater than everyone else, I will be very disappointed when others do not recognize my so-called supremacy; and this will be almost all of the time. On the other hand, if I always feel very meek and humble considering myself to be very insignificant, I will never be disappointed, and I can always happily take shelter of Krishna 24 hours a day. So which is better: to think I am a big somebody or a humble nobody? The more I think I am somebody, the more I become a nobody. And the more I think I am a nobody, the more I truly become a somebody. Happy Hare Krishnas Distribute the Bliss Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Eternal Being Is Emanated from Krishna? Firstly, I want to thank you for enlightening me every day. A question arose whether the jivas emanate from the transcendental body of Krishna (as you stated "the living beings are also emanating from His transcendental body" on 14th of March) or not. The reason

You can search through all the persons who have existed within the vast span of history to find the most wonderful and amazing person. But you will never find anyone who is equal to or greater than Krishna. He excels everyone in every conceivable and inconceivable way. This is why Lord Brahma says that He is without a second. In other words there is only one person in all of existence of the caliber of Krishna and that is Krishna, no one else. Krishna Attracts Everyone With His Amazing Pastimes Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How Can We Be Brahman When Brahman is Impersonal? First let me thank you for this guidance of yours. It is of great value. Brahman is explained by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to be the universal impersonal spirit and the impersonal effulgence of the personal Lord. It is also explained that the jiva, the individual soul is Brahman: "aham brahmasmi." So how is it that we are persons when we are the impersonal Brahman? I wo

It's natural that sometimes due to the up and down nature of this material world under the influence of the three modes of material nature that sometimes we will feel great and sometimes we will feel exasperated and frustrated. How do we conquer over these dualities and come to platform of steady transcendental bliss? The key is that when frustration comes we must not give in to the demands of the senses. We must continue to act dutifully under the instructions of the spiritual master. This dutiful steadiness will enable us to gradually attain the platform of uninterrupted, ever-increasing pure transcendental bliss. Srila Prabhupada Teaches Krishna Bhakti in Stockholm, Sweden Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Constant Remembrance of My Real Identity? How to be in constant consciousness that I am the servant of Krishna? Geeta Sarma Answer: Surrender to the Spiritual Master In order to constantly be conscious of your identity as Krishna's servant you nee

The greatest challenge in today's world is how to be truly happy in a world of misery. How can we say that it is a world of misery when so many people are happy? We can state this because their so-called happiness of those who feel they are happy will come to an end when they are faced with inevitable, unavoidable old age, disease and death. In other words, if we want true happiness, we must transcend the bodily conception of self. We must come to realize the spiritual identity of the self, the self which is immune to old age, disease, and death because it is only on this platform that one can experience true happiness. This platform is described by Lord Sri Krishna as follows in the Bhagavad-gita 18.54: brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām "One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally dis

On 22nd June, 2013 my wife and I flew on Malaysia Airlines Flight #370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. On 8 March 2014 that same flight 370 that we were on disappeared without a trace with all 227 passengers and 12 crew members presumed dead. This reminds us of the dangerous nature of this material world where death can come at any minute even when you least expect it. Therefore if we want true peace of mind in such a dangerous atmosphere, we must solidly situate ourselves on the platform of deathlessness and by taking complete shelter of Lord Sri Krishna and thus regaining our eternal spiritual identities as His servants. Boeing 777-236ER Used for MH370 During Take Off In Paris Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Defeat this Atheistic Argument? A question was raised after I repeated a quote Your Grace recently sent to all of our class via e-mail. I loved your Thought for the Day so much, I posted it on my Facebook. Unfortunately, an atheist decided to challenge

The most merciful Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krishna Himself manifesting the mood of Srimati Radharani, has appeared in this age of Kali to freely bestow what no other incarnation of God has ever given, pure love of God. If we take advantage of His mercy by chanting the Hare Krishna mahamantra, we will attain the supreme happiness, beyond even the pleasure experienced by the demigods who preside over the heavenly planets in the topmost region of our universe. The Unlimitedly Magnanimous Lord Caitanya Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What is Surrender? What is surrender and how one can surrender to Krishna and His devotee? Your servant, Mayapurchandra das Answer: Obedience to Krishna and Guru Surrender to Krishna means to always follow His instructions with your mind, body, and words in all circumstances. In other words instead of serving your material senses and your material mind, you should instead always think, speak, and act in accordance w

If we can get everyone to chant Hare Krishna, there will be immediate peace and prosperity throughout the entire world because as soon as we chant Hare Krishna calling out for the mercy of the Lord we are immediately elevated to the spiritual platform, which is eternal, full of bliss and full of knowledge. Unfortunately the government leaders do not have the proper intelligence to understand this, and therefore the world population continues to suffer more and more. Someday they will wake up and realize the importance of chanting. May that day come soon. Devotees Relish Great Happiness in Chanting Hare Krishna. Beatle George Harrison Joins the Kirtan Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Choose a Guru? I am new to ISKCON, and I would like to know how I can go about choosing a spiritual master. Where can I find information directly? My respects, and thank you for your time. J. Bueala Answer: Where You Get the Best Facility for Inquiry The scriptures say tha

Everyone has the experience of feeling good by doing something to help somebody else. This is a fact. By expanding this principle it is understood that the more you can help others, the more you will feel satisfied. The perfection of happiness then is to act for the ultimate benefit of all living beings, which is to help everyone achieve the supreme perfection of going back to home, back to Godhead. Srila Prabhupada Gives Happiness to Everyone, New Delhi Pandal Program 1971 Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Can Gambling Be Spiritual? The recent question and answer about gambling was wonderful. I began to think how Srila Prabhupada said that a materialistic thing like a microphone can be transformed into spiritual by engaging it in Krishna's service. So my question is if someone gambles on the lotto and wins, if they give the earnings to the devotees who will engage it in service of Krishna, won't this make the gambling spiritual? Your servant, Bhakt

Atheism means asininity (excessive stupidity), and there is not much more to be said in this connection. Anyone who accepts the atheistic contention that something can come out nothing has not used their brain to carefully analyze reality. Those who are sober and wise use their intelligence to understand actuality instead of being blinded by the sophisticated word jugglery of dogmatists. Lord Brahma Submits to Lord Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Who is the Authority? Srila Prabhupada writes in his books, "capricious work means action without the sanction of authority." My question is: Who is the authority in the above statement? Kindly guide me. your insignificant servant, Sushant Kulkarni Pune, India Answer: Krishna is the Supreme Authority Krishna is the ultimate authority. Any time we act in disobedience of Krishna's instructions we are acting whimsically and irresponsibly, and we will suffer the karmic reactions. Sankarsh

Last Sunday evening (2 March 2014) local Austin musicians gathered here at a music venue to do a tribute program for Beatle George Harrison. The festival organizer contacted me and invited us to participate in the program. When I suggested that we could do a Hare Krishna kirtan he loved the idea. We were the opening number of the program, and when he introduced us to the audience he mentioned that George was very fond of kirtan and often participated in it. When at the end of the kirtan I gave thanks to George for making the Hare Krishna mantra a number one hit the entire audience delightfully roared with approval. We distributed many copies of the book Chant and Be Happy, which features a conversation with George Harrison about Krishna consciousness, as well as delicious prasadam cookies. It was so wonderful to see a completely materialistic atmosphere so wonderfully transformed by the power of the Hare Krishna mahamantra. When the chanting of this topmost of all mantras become a sta

This material world is a dead end street that simply takes you to the graveyard. Is this what you want? Or would you like something better? If you would rather not end up in a graveyard, there is something you can do to conquer over death. All you have to do is revive your original spiritual identity as a servant of the Supreme Person, who is known by the name of Krishna and millions of other names. Simply by reviving your long forgotten loving relationship with Lord Krishna you will become deathless, impervious to the inevitable deterioration of your temporary material body, which is nothing but a fragile garment being temporarily worn by the eternal self, the atma, who resides within the body. Material Life Takes You to the Graveyard Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Preach Without Associating With Non-Devotees? In the 4 March 2014 "Thought For the Day" you have mentioned that we should not associate much with non devotees. My question is if we will not

The greatest challenge of human life is to understand and fulfill the purpose of our existence. Great philosophers in the West have grappled with this existential challenge throughout the ages with no definitive conclusion. However, for the great sages of India, the followers of the Vedic wisdom, this is not an issue at all. It is clearly stated in the Vedanta Sutra, "athato brahma jijnasa--Now that you have achieved the human form of life you must inquire to understand the nature of the Absolute Truth." And then the Bhagavad-gita proceeds to described the Absolute Truth in full and how one can fully realize it. By studying the Bhagavad-gita and following its simple instructions one will easily surmount the existential challenge and achieve the highest enlightenment. Devotee Shares Knowledge of the Bhagavad-gita Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: When to Advance in Material Activities? I am wondering, great guru, how does one know when to advance in materia

Everything that exists is within Krishna. Nothing exists outside of Krishna. Therefore Krishna's form is endless. He contains everything. Awareness of this most amazing person is called Krishna consciousness. To awaken love for Him is the highest state of spiritual awakening that can be attained. To attain it is not difficult. Simply one has to chant the Hare Krishna mantra every day under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. In this way one will gradually awaken to his original pure state of unmotivated, uninterrupted love for Lord Sri Krishna. Krishna Kills the Kesi Demon Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Realization of Our Spiritual Progress How can we realize our spiritual progress? Jagannathan Answer: By Pleasing Your Guru When you please your spiritual master. Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Success in spiritual life is based on pleasing Lord Krishna. And in order to please Krishna we must first please his representative, the bona fide spiritual master. Otherwise there is no question of spiritual advancement. This is confirmed as follows in mantra 8 of the Gurvastakam prayers: yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi dhyāyan stuvaṁs tasya yaśas tri-sandhyaṁ vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam  "By satisfaction of the spiritual master, the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes satisfied. And by not satisfying the spiritual master, there is no chance of being promoted to the plane of Krishna consciousness. I should, therefore, meditate and pray for his mercy three times a day, and offer my respectful obeisances unto him, my spiritual master." Therefore it is imperative that all those who are serious about becoming spiritually awakened should seek out and take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and then please him by sincer

The path of ultimate self realization, Krishna consciousness, is not always easy. Due to our conditioned natures there are times when it can become exceedingly difficult. The key to successfully passing through the difficult times is to embrace the struggle, accepting it as the greatest, most exciting adventure that one could ever undergo. Just as many people with great excitement and enthusiasm embrace the struggle of climbing Mt. Everest, the devotee of the Lord embraces the ultimate challenge of becoming qualified to go back to home, back to Godhead. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzig Norgay Approach the South East Ridge on Mount Everest Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why Are You Initiating Disciples? First of all I want to thank you for giving me your great time and reply. I want to ask you: Why are you initiating disciples? Are you thinking that you are able to absorb the sins of your disciples in the present age of Kali when people are so much reduced in life sp