Ultimate Self Realization

This material existence is a vast ocean of maya or illusion. At the present moment we are all drowning in this bewildering ocean. Out of compassion for us in our extreme suffering condition the spiritual master comes in the boat of transcendental knowledge to rescue us. Hopefully we will all be intelligent enough to take advantage of the guru's mercy and make our lives perfect by taking shelter of that boat and returning to our original home in the spiritual world. Video For the Day: Conquer Your Mind, Conquer the World Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Success Without Guru's Association? Why did Srila Prabhupada become the most successful disciple of his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, even though he did not have a lot personal association with him? Your eternal servant, Nitai Candra das Answer: Dedication to Guru's Order is Topmost Association Srila Prabhupada become the most successful preacher of all of his Godbrothers in spite

All too often in this material world we face situations in which the stress becomes intolerable. What to do in such situations to keep ourselves fixed in Krishna consciousness? Instead of being overwhelmed we should sincerely thank Krishna for reminding us that this material world is a miserable place and for giving us only a token of what we actually deserve for our previous sinful activities. In other words with the strength of transcendental intelligence derived from a careful study of Vedic wisdom we should cultivate an attitude of gratitude for the wonderful blessings that the Supreme Person is bestowing upon us at every moment. Don't Be Morose. Always Chant and Be Happy Video For the Day: Wonderful Blessing of Devotee Association Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How Does an Advanced Devotee Accept Praise? How does an advanced devotee think himself lower than a worm, while at the same time is glorified and served for his position? Tom Answer: On Beh

You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain from surrendering to Krishna. Everything you have in this world is not yours at all. It is simply slipping through your fingers. Whatever it may be: your body, your bank balance, your wife, your house, your car--by the influence of maya or illusion for a few years they just appear to be yours until they are completely taken away by cruel time. And on the other hand if you surrender to Krishna, that Supreme Person who is the source of all existence will in fact become your personal property. In this way you will become the virtual owner of everything in all of existence. Surrender to Krishna, and He Will Be Yours Video For the Day: Always Have a Sense of Gratitude Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Inquire from the Spiritual Master? I learned in the online course at Radhadesh that questions asked to the spiritual master should not be whimsical. Srila Gurudeva, is it true that when questions are posed

It is stated in the Puranas that it is very easy to find a guru who can take away your money, but very difficult to find a guru who can take away your anxiety. This is the real test of the bona fide spiritual master. By completely surrendering unto him with total humility accepting his instructions as your life and soul all anxieties are completely removed from your heart. If anxieties remain, it is because we are not fully surrendering unto our spiritual master. Srila Prabhupada Bestows Great Transcendental Happiness Video For the Day: Don't Ever Give Up Krishna Consciousness Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Back to Godhead or Return Here for Preaching? Dear Srila Gurudeva, if a devotee serves with a pure heart, does this devotee go home, back to Godhead or does he take birth again and deliver the fallen souls? Your worthless servant Vandana Answer: The Pure Devotee Can Do Both Simultaneously Pure devotees go back to Godhead. And if Krishna wants they

Kali yuga, the present age which began 5,000 years ago, is the age of the cheaters and the cheated. Therefore in this age there is a super abundance of persons professing to be gurus who have absolutely no qualification whatsoever to be bona fide spiritual masters. This is why we must be careful to select from whom we are going to take spiritual guidance. We have to find and take shelter of that person who is presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is, not some rascal who says, "I'm God; you're God; and we are all God." The bona fide spiritual master is very kind. He has no ulterior motives or a political ax to grind. He simply wants to see that the whole world will become happy as soon as possible. The Bona Fide Spiritual Master Can Deliver the Entire World Video For the Day: This Material World is Hell Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What Makes Spiritual Master Most Happy? What makes am ISKCON spiritual master most happy with his disciple? Tom An

Nowadays there are so many so-called time management gurus who teach us how not to waste our time by always being fully absorbed in material advancement. What they are actually doing is teaching us how to be fully absorbed in wasting our time. It should be noted in this connection that the original and real time management guru is Srila Rupa Goswami. He teaches us "avyartha-kälatvam" that we should not waste a single moment, that we should always be fully absorbed in the transcendental loving service of Lord Sri Krishna. This should be our life's policy. Rupa Gosvami advises that an advanced devotee should always see whether his time is being wasted or properly utilized. To always keep this vision is the perfection of our existence. An example of this was told to us by His Holiness Vishnujana Swami. One day he was with Srila Prabhupada in his quarters in Los Angeles. Referring to the harmonium sitting there in his room Srila Prabhupada said, "No gaps for maya,"

Our actual greatest good fortune is to be reconnected with our original identity as eternal servants of the Lord in his most sublime kingdom, the spiritual world. Anything else that we may achieve in this life only has value insofar as it helps us to regain our original lost identity and to help others to achieve the same. Therefore we be very careful not to be deluded by the so-called good fortune found here in this material world and to always remain focused on what is our actual good fortune. Srila Prabhupada Bestows the Greatest Good Fortune Video For the Day: This Material World is Hell Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Who Am I? What is Life's Purpose? How to Fulfill It? I am 48 years old! I have two kids. Both are grown both are well educated and almost established! I have done my duty sincerely in these years! But I have three questions since the beginning: Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? And how to fulfill it? U.S. Answer: Return to You

Our Krishna consciousness movement is teaching the whole world how to be happy by the simple sublime method of putting Krishna in the center. This process works because factually Krishna is indeed the center of all existence. This is so because everything that exists is an emanation from His transcendental body. That day when the world wakes up and heeds our teachings seriously will be the day when the entire world becomes peaceful and happy. May that day come soon. May that sweet transcendental day come very soon. The Hare Krishna's Are Saving the World Video For the Day: Don't Cheat Yourself Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Troubles With Breathing While Chanting Hare Krishna! All Glories to Srila Prabhupada! Please accept my humble obeisances! I have been having troubles with my breathing while I chant my japa. I run out of breath very easily and I also become very hot. I've tried all different ways of breathing, breathing in chanting on

In a morning walk conversation between Dr. Patel and Srila Prabhupada in Mumbai, India on 20 December 1975 Srila Prabhupada gave us further insight into just how merciful is Krishna: Dr. Patel: They say, sir, that if you are very sincere, then the sad-guru comes automatically to you. Prabhupada: Yes. Dr. Patel: As you have come to us. Prabhupada: Yes. Because Krishna is there, if He sees somebody is actually serious to understand Him -- just like Dhruva Maharaja. Dhruva Maharaja, did not..., he did not make any guru, but with fervent desire he went, "Yes, I shall find out Krishna." Mother said "Krishna can be found in the forest," so he went to the forest, and he began according to his own way. Then Krishna sent Narada Muni, that "This boy is very serious. Go and give him real mantra." Therefore the only thing we require to receive proper guidance on how to realize God is to be sincere. Krishna will then send us the bona fide spiritual master to guide us

According to the Vaisnava calendar for Austin today is the most auspicious appearance day of Lord Nityananda. The great Vaisnava acharya, Narottama Das Thakur, has written a very nice in glorification of Lord Nityananda as follows: nitāi-pada-kamala, koṭi-candra-suśītala je chāyāy jagata jurāy heno nitāi bine bhāi, rādhā-kṛṣṇa pāite nāi dṛḍha kori' dharo nitāir pāy "The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda. Unless one takes shelter under the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha-Krishna. If one actually wants to enter into the dancing party of Radha-Krishna, he must firmly catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda." se sambandha nāhi jā'r, bṛthā janma gelo tā'r sei paśu boro durācār nitāi nā bolilo mukhe, majilo saṁsāra

Since time immemorial we have been serving our material senses in one body after another body in the cycle of birth and death again and again looping the 8,400,000 species loop. Such foolishness has gotten us nowhere. We get a little bit of instant gratification, but because of this we remain in a hellish, nightmarish deathlike state. Those who are actually intelligent know better than this. They know that by engaging their senses in the service of the master of the senses, Hrisikesha, they can achieve an exalted state of eternal consciousness far, far beyond the multitudinous sufferings of this most rotten material existence. Serve Krishna and Become One of His Eternal Associates Video For the Day: Give Up Your Rascal Mentality Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Will I Go to Hell When I Die? Hare Krishna! Please accept my humble obeisances, All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to You! I have two questions about chanting japa/following 4 regulative pr

To participate in Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement for the deliverance of all the fallen souls of this world back to home, back to Godhead is the ultimate adventure, the most relishable of all nectars. Therefore devotees who share Lord Caitanya's mood of compassion for the lost souls suffering in the cycle of birth and death beg Him for the mercy of being fully absorbed in assisting Him in His most sublime world deliverance mission. They are even prepared to take birth after birth in this material world for the deliverance of the bewildered souls, if this is what the Lord desires. Devotees Chant for the Deliverance of the Fallen Souls Video For the Day (press anywhere on the photo below) Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Engage My Occupation in Krishna's Service? Dear Guru Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have a question. In Bhagavad-gita 18.46 Lord Krishna says: yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṁ yen

The pure devotee of Lord Sri Krishna wants to deliver all of the souls who are entangled in the cycle of birth and death here in this material world back to home, back to Godhead. It pains him greatly to see their helpless plight. Therefore being full of compassion for them he is willing to do whatever it takes to restore them to their original home in the spiritual world, even if he has to take birth after birth in this material world to do so. Thus there is no one more dear to Lord Sri Krishna than such a pure devotee. Nor will there ever be anyone more dear. Those of us who are still struggling to conquer over our material desire would do well to learn from the selfless example of such pure devotees and thus make our spiritual lives perfect. Krishna's Pure Devotee, Srila Prabhupada, Arrives Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Challenge: So-Called Christian Says We Are Going to Hell Because you people do not accept Jesus you are all going to hell.

There is no greater good fortune than being blessed with the seed of pure devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. Even if you were able to possess all the wealth of this entire material world, it would not compare with an insignificant portion of the supreme perfection, pure Krishna bhakti. And since Krishna is the owner of everything, when you possess Krishna by dint of your full surrender at His transcendental lotus feet, you then factually possess everything. This means that you will then have the right to engage the entire world in the service of Krishna. Srila Prabhupada Bestows the Greatest Benediction Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Shiva or Krishna the Supreme? Who is the supreme: Shiva, who is the supreme power, or Krishna, who has taken birth from earthly humans who were created by God? S.K. Answer: Krishna According the essence of all Vedic wisdom, the Bhagavad-gita, it is very clear that Krishna is the Supreme because everything and

The aim of our movement is turn you and the whole world upside down, or more correctly stated, “right side up.” Our aim is to bring about the most all-encompassing paradigm shift that has ever happened in the history of the world. If you can understand and fully implement what Srila Prabhupada is saying in his books, you will naturally become one of key players in what will prove to be the greatest transformative, revolutionary era to have ever occurred in world history. So what you are waiting for? Fully dedicate yourself to Krishna right now. Devotees Out to Save the World in Germany Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Finding Krishna in a Remote African Village? Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! I have two questions I hope you wouldn't mind answering: 1. We hear there are no material impediments to Krishna consciousness. That in mind, how would someone 1000 years ago, living in a remote village in Afric

In this material world of birth and death everyone has an allotted life span of a certain number of years and then after the death of their body they depart for some other place in accordance with their state of mind at the time of death. The devotees also will disappear from this world at a certain point in time. Therefore while the devotees are present we should not take their association for granted. We should understand that having the association of the Lord's devotees is the greatest of all benedictions, indeed it can be rightfully described as the ultimate benediction. We should therefore take every moment of their association as the greatest treasure and always hear from them and serve them nicely in a loving mood. This is of the utmost importance because it is through our development of loving relationships with the devotees that our actual love for Krishna proportionately manifests. Blissful Devotees in Seattle, USA Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic

There is no reason to ever become discouraged on the pathway of awakening our dormant Krishna consciousness because Krishna is fully in charge of everything and He is always bestowing unlimited kindness upon all living beings. The only time we have any difficulty is when we forget Krishna. Therefore the simple solution for all of our problems is to always remember Krishna and to always think, speak, and act in a way that is pleasing to Him in all times, places, and circumstances. This sort of Krishna conscious lifestyle will always keep us in a pure state of transcendental bliss free from any tinges of anxiety. Blissing Out on the Holy Names on the River Yamuna Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Give the Most Pleasure to Your Guru? What makes an ISKCON spiritual master most happy with his disciple? Tom Answer: Accept His Order As Your Very Life and Soul The duty of the disciple is to accept the order of his spiritual master as his very

There is nothing more valuable than Krishna consciousness. Indeed, it is the ultimate treasure. The treasure hunters of this world who go searching for lost wealth are looking in the wrong places. They think that gold or valuable jewels are the greatest treasure. They do not realize that no amount of material wealth can bring genuine happiness to the self. Thus they waste their lives searching for that which has no real value. Meanwhile the devotees of the Lord are relishing the sweetest happiness at every minute having discovered that wealth which is so valuable that no dollar amount can even begin to properly describe its value. Beautiful Krishna is the Ultimate Treasure Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Where Does Krishna Directly Promote Bhakti? Dear Guru-Maharaja, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have some questions related to the yoga ladder described in the Bhagavad-gita. I put them before you a

Are you tired of being miserable and bewildered? If so, the good new is that you never have to be miserable or bewildered ever again. You simply have to awaken your original divine consciousness, your spiritual identity, under the expert guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. By doing so you will enter into an eternal state of unlimited knowledge and bliss. If you have not as yet taken up this path, what are you waiting for? Why punish yourself for even one more second? Commit yourself fully to this process of spiritual awakening right now with a sacred vow within your heart. Srila Prabhupada in Moscow--June 1971 Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What is the Essence of Gita? What is the essence of the Bhagavad-gita spoken by Lord Sri Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra 5000 years ago? Amit Gupta, New Delhi, India. Answer: Bhagavad-gita 11.55 Srila Prabhupada says that Bhagavad-gita 11.55 is the essence of the Gita. Here it is: m

As long as we remain on the platform of "my opinion" and "your opinion" there will be at least sometimes, if not at all times, conflicts between us. But all conflicts are immediately resolved as soon as we lay aside our opinions and agree to accept as authoritative the opinion of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the only doable formula for conflict resolution. We must educate the human population to understand and implement this because this and nothing but this will bring peace and happiness to all. Devotees Enjoy Wonderful Loving Relationships Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is a Living Guru Required for Initiation? Did Srila Prabhupada ever say that we have to take diksha (initiation) from a living guru? And did Srila Prabhupada on 9 July 1977 set up a system of 11 representatives who would initiate new devotees as disciples of Srila Prabhupada? Roman Answer: Don't Take a Guru in the A

A devotee of the Lord is very much tortured to see the horrific plight of the jivas, the conditioned souls, who are hopelessly entangled in the cycle of repeated birth and death. Therefore he fully dedicates his life for making a spiritual revolution on this planet for saving these poor fellows from their unspeakable misery. However, in order for him to be successful in revolutionizing the world he must first revolutionize his own consciousness by unflinchingly fixing his mind on Krishna 24 hours a day. In other words, he has to be the revolution that he wants to make. In this way he will be fully empowered for bringing a new era of Krishna consciousness to this deeply troubled world. The Hare Krishnas Are Out to Save the World Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Pained By Relationships with Friends and Family Every time it is me who longs for association of friends and family. There is not even a single person who misses me or wants to be with m

Since time immemorial when each of us fell into this material world we've all maintained a stubborn, non-cooperative, independent mood. This is why we remain stuck here in the cycle of birth and death. We do not want to cooperate with Krishna and His devotees. This is just the opposite of the wonderful cooperative mood that is going on eternally in the spiritual world. The beauty of the Krishna consciousness movement is that it affords us the opportunity to lay aside our tendency towards independence and work together cooperatively with the ISKCON devotees to make Lord Caitanya's movement a grand success. This will empower us to awaken our dormant Krishna consciousness and also to awaken the dormant Krishna consciousness that is presently sleeping within the hearts of all the fallen, conditioned souls of this world. Blissful Family of Devotees--Portland, Oregon Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Can Krishna Be Both in One Place and Ever

There is no reason to ever be bewildered by any situation within life, because behind the scenes there is a beautiful all-auspicious reality which is unfolding at every minute. If you ever do become bewildered, it is simply due to the fact that you are tuned into the wrong channel. So don't cause yourself unnecessary anxiety. Simply flip your consciousness back to the Krishna channel by remembering Krishna and chanting His holy name. Anxiety, fear, and illusion will not be able to touch you. This Beautiful Reality Awaits You Video For the Day Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why God Has a Form Like Ours? We understand that God must have a form because we have a form. But why He should be in human like form? Even though He doesn’t fall in any species, why we say that the Supreme Lord must have a form as that of human? Why He is not like some other species? Why the sac-cit-ananda form of the Lord is in the shape of human? Your Servant Vishnu Answer: We

Sometimes a foolish child runs away from home in a mood of rebellion against his parents. The result is that he suffers like anything trying to somehow or other survive while living out on the street. In this situation he unnecessarily struggles through so many difficulties. However, if he becomes a little intelligent, he realizes what a foolish mistake he has made and he accepts the loving invitation of his parents to return home. This example describes our situation in this material world. Out of a foolish mood of rebellion we have run away from our home in the kingdom of God to try to enjoy separately from Krishna here is this miserable material world. Therefore Krishna is lovingly urging us to come back home, back to Godhead so that we can become truly happy and peaceful once again and remain that way for all of eternity. Now it is up to us to be intelligent enough to accept His invitation. But if instead we declare that God is dead, it is rather we who are dead, at least virtuall

Sometimes it is said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and this is certainly a fact. Another way of saying this is, "Wisdom is the ultimate weapon." History has certainly proven this. Empires come and go as wars are won and lost, but true wisdom lives on forever beyond the realm of political upheavals creating cultures that continue for thousands and even millions of years. At the present moment we are making a humble attempt to conquer the world through wisdom. The modern materialistic culture is so much out of balance with nature that it is turning this planet into more and more of a hell every day. People don't realize who they are. They have no idea where they have come from and where they are going, and thus they are in a great state of chaos and confusion. Therefore we are engaged in a war of information: truth versus ignorance. We want to bring to human society back to actual sanity, peace, and happiness by the wide scale dissemination of the teachings of

Srila Prabhupada very nicely describes in his purport to Bhagavad-gita 3.35 the importance of sticking to one's own prescribed duty: "One should therefore discharge his prescribed duties in full Krishna consciousness rather than those prescribed for others. Materially, prescribed duties are duties enjoined according to one's psychophysical condition, under the spell of the modes of material nature. Spiritual duties are as ordered by the spiritual master for the transcendental service of Krishna. But whether material or spiritual, one should stick to his prescribed duties even up to death, rather than imitate another's prescribed duties. Duties on the spiritual platform and duties on the material platform may be different, but the principle of following the authorized direction is always good for the performer. When one is under the spell of the modes of material nature, one should follow the prescribed rules for his particular situation and should not imitate others.

On a morning walk in Mayapur, West Bengal, India in January of 1976 Srila Prabhupada very wisely stated: "What you have heard from the authorities, if you speak, you repeat that, that is real speaking. Then prthivim sa sisyat: then you'll be guru for the whole world, if you don't manufacture." Therefore for our Krishna consciousness movement to be successful we must always be very careful not to manufacture some new idea which is not given in the scriptures or not given to us by Srila Prabhuapda. In this way if we strictly stick to what we have heard from authorities, we will be successful in making the entire world Krishna conscious. On the other hand, if we deviate from the order of the spiritual master, we will be useless and the pure form of the Krishna consciousness movement will be finished. This is confirmed as follows in the Caitanya Caritamrita, Adi Lila, Chapter 12, Verse 10 as follows: ācāryera mata yei, sei mata sāra tāṅra ājñā laṅghi’ cale, sei ta’ asāra