Ultimate Self Realization

In this material world the understanding of love is imperfect. Especially they take love to be the sexual attraction between a man and a woman. Even though this attraction is the binding knot that keeps up perpetually entangled in the cycle of repeated birth and death, due to ignorance this type of love is celebrated as the most wonderful and beautiful of all things. Little do they know that love of God is love's perfection and that the pleasure and satisfaction of loving Krishna or God is millions and billions of times greater than the pleasure of loving a man or woman. Loving a man or a woman is not eliminated by loving God. Rather this love and all types of love become perfect when we give ourselves fully to Lord Sri Krishna in pure loving surrender. Loving God is like watering the root of a tree. When one waters the root of a tree all the leaves and branches are nourished. And if one waters the leaves and branches without watering the root, the tree will not get the water it

The devotee knows the art of always counting his blessings, i.e. always seeing the bright side of every situation in which he finds himself. Even in the bleakest of circumstances he always sees how every situation he finds himself in is the extra special mercy of Lord Sri Krishna to help him come fully to his senses in realization of the fact that this temporary material world is not his real home, that his only real home is n the unlimitedly sublime spiritual sky. In this way the devotee is never depressed. He is always jubilant within his heart celebrating the sweet loving mercy of his most beloved Lord Sri Krishna. Our Real Home Is With Lord Krishna in His Most Sublime Abode Video For the Day Sharing the Bliss Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Honor Our Parents? What is the exact meaning of the biblical commandment: Honor thy father and mother? De Pa Answer: Bring Them to Krishna Consciousness The Bible teaches us to honor our father and mother, an

The whole world is waiting to become awakened in Krishna consciousness because Krishna consciousness is the center of our being. Without it things will naturally deteriorate more and more, and the world population will become more and more miserable. When the happy days of bhagavat-dharma become re-established on this planet the entire world society will become exceedingly joyful. Therefore within the innermost cores of their hearts everyone is waiting for the entire world to become awakened in Krishna consciousness. Our Most Glorious Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada Video For the Day Ten Preliminary Necessities of Bhakti Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How Do I Explain I Am Praying to a God Who Died? Dear Guruji How do I explain to people that I am praying to a God who took birth and then died by a hunter's arrow like normal human being? Regards, Khushal Sing Beekoo Answer: Krishna Did Not Die Krishna did not take birth in this world or die. He simp

We are on a mission to save the rapidly deteriorating world civilization from an eventual collapse into total anarchy, by educating the entire human civilization in the science of Krishna consciousness. This is the duty given to us by our spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, that we must deliver the world. Although it seems impossible to accomplish, this most Herculean task, still we joyfully embrace this goal and endeavor with patience, enthusiasm and determination to try to make it happen. By endeavoring in this way at least our spiritual perfection is guaranteed, and any one who follows us will also achieve spiritual perfection. And who knows? The impossible does sometimes become possible. Global respiritualization could by the inconceivable potency of Krishna indeed happen. The whole world could take to pure, genuine spiritualy. So let's try for it. What a glorious life! Some Day the Whole World Will Dance in Ecstasy Video For the Day Krishna's Special Mercy Answe

One of our readers from India just cancelled his subscription. The reason he gave for this was that the Bible says to meditate on the word of God. He was thinking that what we are teaching is not the word of God. Thus he revealed his gross ignorance as to what is actually the word of God. The original word of God in this world is the Vedic wisdom, which is what we are teaching. This was originally revealed trillions of years ago. The Bible that he follows came much, much later only a mere 2,000 years go after Jesus Christ spoke his teachings. This Jesus did after coming back to Israel from India, where he had learned the Vedic wisdom from the sages there. The same principle of full surrender to the will of God as stated in the Bhagavad-gita is also found in the Bible. Since the wisdom of the Bible is derived from the Vedic wisdom, it is also Vedic wisdom and is also true. The trouble comes when the meaning of the Bible is twisted to justify sinful activities like killing animals to e

The living being by his very nature of being qualitatively one with God is meant to enjoy unlimited happiness at every minute. But when he falls down into material existence due to being envious of the supremacy of God he loses his pure happiness and suffers in so many ways. This suffering of material existence is actually a most sublime blessing because it gives the conditioned soul the impetus to get back to his original, all-blissful, spiritual nature by reviving his dormant love for God.. One who sees suffering in this suffers no more because experiences suffering as pure bliss. Srila Prabhupada Reveals the Secret of True Happiness Video For the Day How to Relish Unlimited Bliss Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Is Work Bhakti? Hare Krishna Bhakti has its place, but Karma and Dharma are most important. Everything we do is bhakti or devotion to God. so in that sense bhakti is primary. But karma is the most important. For example, if I have to choose between

Back in 1971 when I was brand new devotee in Austin's ISKCON temple trying to learn how to properly practice the science of Krishna consciousness I was told that it was duty to please the spiritual master. As the spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, was not present in Austin I was wondering how I could please him or know that I was pleasing him and thus fulfill my duty. This was unclear to me. But I got the most wonderful answer when I read verse four of the Guruvastakam (Eight Prayers Glorifying the Spiritual Master) as follows: catur-vidha-śrī-bhagavat-prasāda- svādv-anna-tṛptān hari-bhakta-saṅghān kṛtvaiva tṛptiṁ bhajataḥ sadaiva vande guroḥ śrī-caraṇāravindam "The spiritual master is always offering Krishna four kinds of delicious food [analyzed as that which is licked, chewed, drunk, and sucked]. When the spiritual master sees that the devotees are satisfied by eating bhagavat-prasada, he is satisfied. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of such a spiritu

It is sometimes said that charity begins at home. So why torture yourself by misidentifying yourself with a temporary bag of blood and bones? Why not be kind to yourself by understanding and being who you really are, the eternal spiritual being, who is full of knowledge and full of bliss, and is qualitatively one with God? This is real intelligence. This is what one learns when he associates with self-realized souls. And this is what one joyfully and compassionately shares with the suffering people of this world when he becomes spiritually awakened. Krishna Awaits Your Return to His Transcendental Abode Video For the Day The Blessing of Devotee Association Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Problem: I Feel Exploited by God At times I feel that I am being exploited by God. Please help me. Rajesh Answer: We are the Exploiters, Not God. If one violates the laws of the state, he must suffer as an inmate in the prison. Similarly, if we violate the laws of God, it is natural

If we remember Krishna at the time of death, we will enter into His most sublime transcendental abode. And since especially during this most inauspicious of Kali we can die at any moment, to be on the safe side we should practice remembering Krishna constantly. This will guarantee our spiritual perfection. This is easily accomplished if we will as much possible always associate with the devotees of Lord Sri Krishna. There's Nothing More Ecstatic than Remembering Krishna Video For the Day The Blessing of Devotee Association Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why is Krishna Consciousness So Difficult? Why is this Krishna consciousness process so difficult? Your student Answer: Simple for the Simple and Very Hard for the Crooked Actually it is not at all difficult, but we foolishly make it difficult. If in a simple, humble mood we will bow down before Krishna begging that we can be His completely sold-out servants, it is very easy to be Krishna conscious. H

Why did Krishna wait so long to kill the miscreants that were creating such a disturbance on the planet earth during the time of His presence here 5,000 years ago? In this connection Srila Prabhupada explains as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 3.1.43: "The Lord always wants to see His devotee as the hero of some episode which He Himself performs. He wanted to see His devotee and friend Arjuna as the hero of the Battle of Kurukshetra, and thus He waited for all the miscreants of the world to assemble. That, and nothing else, is the explanation of His waiting." In this material world many people become famous as heroes, but in due course they vanish into oblivion. They are completely forgotten. But those who become famous for their Krishna consciousness enjoy eternal fame. In this connection Srila Prabhupada explains as follows in Chapter Thirty-Two of his book The Teachings of Lord Caitanya: "One who is famous as a Krishna conscious man enjoys eternal fame.

Back in 1969 when I abandoned all material duties and accepted one duty only, to make a spiritual revolution on this planet, my friend, Patrick Dolan, advised me to give this up because society would not let me survive. This left me with no alternative but to ignore the advise of my trusted friend, Patrick, and carry on with my endeavor to transform the world. My intuition turned out to be absolutely correct. Krishna has blessed me the most wonderful life imaginable because it's a fact that He very lovingly protects and facilitates those who dedicate themselves to His world deliverance mission. Devotee Mercifully Distributes a Bhagavad-gita Video For the Day Humility is Absolutely Require Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: When I Become Excessively Fearful? Dear Srila Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. What should I do when I feel excessively fearful? Your servant Answer: Remember You Have No Other Shelter Than Krishna This

If we can flood the entire world with transcendental knowledge, all of its problems will be solved. Therefore there is no more important welfare work than educating the people in general in the Vedic science. All of the governments of the world should facilitate the Krishna consciousness movement as it is the topmost of all welfare activities. If they do so, a new unparalled era of peace and prosperity will be manifested in every corner of the world. Devotee Mercifully Distributes a Bhagavad-gita Video For the Day Relishing the Pleasure Within Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Karmic Reactions or Krishna's Will? Since what happens, happens for good, and Krishna knows what we should get what we should not get, how do we know whether what happens to us a reaction from our past deeds or Krishna's will? Your humble servant, Parul Answer: Karmic Reactions Are Also Krishna's Will If we are not surrendered to Krishna, we get karmic reactions from our pa

There's something amiss if you are not tasting the bliss because the constitutional position of every living being is to swim constantly in an ocean of unlimited happiness. Sadly at the present moment 99.999% of the human population is miserable due to ignorance of the actual nature of the self. They are foolishly misidentifying themselves with their material bodies instead of realizing their eternal, all-blissful spiritual natures as spirit-soul servants of God. It's really quite a pity. Something must be done about this. Out of compassion on these poor suffering fellows we must teach them how to awaken their dormant Krishna consciousness. We want them to taste the bliss too. Hare Krishnas Blissing Out on Krishna's Name Video For the Day Relish this Knowledge Within Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Krishna Present Simultaneously in Both Worlds? My son asked me this question and I don't think I have a satisfactory answer so if you can please e

It is now for the last 5,000 years the Kali Yuga, the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. In this most degraded age the status of the human civilization has become absolutely pathetic. They have become so much lost and bewildered by material sense gratification that for them to come out of illusion and come to the liberated position of spiritual realization is practically impossible. But still we must try to save them. This is our duty. Our great hope is that by the inconceivable mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga the impossible becomes possible. Thus we have strong faith that they can be saved. They Shall Get Light from Srimad Bhagavatam Video For the Day So-Called Human Civilization Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How Much Conviction is Required? Dear Srila Gurudeva, What extent of conviction do we require to convince other to come to Krishna consciousness? How do we know how much conviction we have, and how do we to increase it? Is conviction also always increasing

Narottam Das Thakur has so beautifully and feelingly sung: 'gaurāṅga' bolite habe pulaka-śarīra 'hari hari' bolite nayane ba' be nīra "When will that opportune moment come to me when there will be shivering of the body as soon as I chant Lord Gauranga's name? And after the shivering, while chanting Hare Krishna, when will there be tears pouring down from my eyes?" This is the desire of the devotees. They hanker that their hearts will melt in love of God while chanting the Lord's holy names. Sriman Agnideva Prabhu Leads Chanting in Mayapur Video For the Day The Secret of the Great Reformers Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Can I Desire to Preach All Over the World? After traveling with you, my long standing desire to preach Krishna Consciousness all over the world has become even more stronger. Is this proper mood? If yes, than may I have Your divine blessings that either this life or one of the future lives, I be able to

To be successful on the ultimate self realization path of Krishna bhakti one must have unflinching, unwavering faith in guru and Krishna. This is confirmed as follows in the Svetasvatara Upanishad 6.23: yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ prakāśante mahātmanaḥ "Only unto one who has unflinching faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed." As soon as we come to this position of full faith in Sri Guru and Krishna we become unlimitedly peaceful and happy. Bring yourself to this platform as soon as possible. You'll love it! Krishna Sent Srila Prabhupada to this World to Save Us Video For the Day The Vaisnava Plans to Deliver the World Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Should I Only Hear According to My Level of Practice? Srila Gurudeva, should we only listen lectures up to the points that we can follow the instructions given in them? For example,

Here is a sample of what is being written in my autobiography, an unpublished work in progress: I am visiting my parents in Houston, Texas. It is a warm afternoon in December of 1968. I walk several blocks north from our house at 4070 McDermed Drive on the old route I used to take on my bike ten years ago, back in 1958 when I was a ten years old 6th grader at Shearn Elementary School located on the corner of Stella Link Road and Lemac Drive. Nearby is a large open field, which will soon become a part of the vast 38 mile freeway, Loop 610, that will encircle central Houston. As I gaze out at the open area of land I get the realization that this world is so messed up that there cannot be any other purpose of my life other than bringing about a spiritual revolution on this planet. No other type of life makes any sense to me. Somehow I must do this. How I will do this? I don't have even the foggiest of ideas. But somehow or other I must do this. This is my determination. Cartoon F

I have a dream of a peaceful, happy planet earth, a world civilization that is based on the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, a world free from war and hate, free from baby killing and cow killing, free from air and water pollution, free from poverty and untimely death, free from intoxication and illicit sex, a world where the laws of man perfectly reflect the laws of God, where everyone bases their lives fully on giving loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead with all of their thoughts, words, and deeds in all times, places, and circumstances. My entire life is dedicated to making this dream come true, even if I have to take birth after birth to do so. Please dedicate your life to help me make this dream come true. Hare Krishna Chanting Will Unite the World Video For the Day The Most Amazing Krishna Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Why is Krishna God? Dear Srila Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Why is

It was my great pleasure to initiate two new disciples, Paramatma Das and his wife Mohana Mohini Devi dasi, on 8 February 2017 here at ISKCON Austin, Texas USA. This most important step of initiation is something that all of my readers should take. Krishna tells Arjuna in the Adi Purana that He only accepts as His devotees those who are the devotees of His devotees. This is why it is essential that all of us find a devotee that we can become fully devoted to and accept him as our spiritual master. It was my unlimited good fortune that in 1971 I took advantage of the opportunity to become a disciple of ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. When I accepted him as my spiritual master my life was completely transformed into a celebration of pure bliss with the glorious mission of awakening the dormant Krishna consciousness, which is sleeping in the hearts of all. By always meditating upon and serving this order of my spiritual master I am able to

Padma Locana Prabhu describes an amazing experience he had at the annual arts festival in Bali last year. Here's his account: I was distributing books and a nicely dressed Muslim lady wearing a burqa approached me and asked whether I had the Bhagavad-gita. I said, "Yes, I do. Would you like one?" "I've heard that it is a sacred text and very famous." While I showed it to her, a Balinese woman approached us and said, "Why are you offering our book to someone of another faith? You should not do this." The Muslim lady responded, "This is not only for Hindus. It is knowledge, knowledge meant for everyone, and if you read this book you will understand this truth." As she was saying this, other Balinese people stopped and listened to her. She continued, "All of us should read this book, because it will help free us of the concepts of "us and them." We are all of the same father. God is not Muslim or Hindu or Christian. God is Go

Srila Prabhupada explains the importance of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 7.15.46 as follows: vande śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya- nityānandau sahoditau gauḍodaye puṣpavantau citrau śandau tamo-nudau "I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Krishna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauda to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all." This material world is a dark well of ignorance. The fallen soul in this dark well must take shelter of the lotus feet of Gaura-Nitai, for thus he can easily emerge from material existence. Without Their strength, simply attempting to get out of the clutches of matter by speculative knowledge will be insufficient." Today is the appearance day of Lord Nityananda. If we pray sincerely to Him for His blessings, we will become solidly situated in Krishna consciousness and will be able to perform

Why complicate your life trying to be what you are not, namely your material body? Scientifically speaking, your body is changing at every minute, but you, the person within the body, remain the same. That's why you can remember experiences from your childhood even though, due to the constant change of chemicals within your body, the body you have now is completely different from the body you had then. Therefore it is very clear that the self residing within the body and the body are two distinct things. They are not the same. Through the process of Krishna consciousness, also referred to as bhakti yoga, you can fully realize and tangibly experience your eternal identity beyond the temporary shell known as the material body. In this state of pure spiritual knowledge you will relish the most sublime happiness at every moment. Krishna Is Inviting Us to Come Back to Our Home Video For the Day How to Become Perfect Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How are the

Srila Prabhupada writes as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.16.27: 'If one is able to eradicate completely the threefold miseries of the citizens, he should aspire to rule the world. One should not aspire to rule for any political or diplomatic consideration." This is our mission. We want to guide the entire human society how to be peaceful and happy. Srila Prabhupada has blessed us with the knowledge how to do just that. Now it is up to us to become 100% pure in our following of Srila Prabhupada so that we become fully empowered to do the highest welfare work of giving Krishna consciousness as much as possible to everyone. Everyone Should Be Taught to Appreciate and Love Krishna Video For the Day Real Intelligence Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: My Parents Forbade Me to Go to the Temple Hare Krishna, Srila Gurudeva, All glories to you and Srimati Gurumataji All Glories to Srila Prabhupada Please accept my humble obeisances. I have to

Srila Prabhupada writes as follows in his introduction to the Bhagavad-gita: "Just what is the Bhagavad-gita? The purpose of Bhagavad-gita is to deliver mankind from the nescience of material existence. Every man is in difficulty in so many ways, as Arjuna also was in difficulty in having to fight the Battle of Kurukshetra. Arjuna surrendered unto Sri Krishna, and consequently this Bhagavad-gita was spoken. Not only Arjuna, every one of us is full of anxieties because of this material existence. Our very existence is in the atmosphere of nonexistence. Actually we are not meant to be threatened by nonexistence. Our existence is eternal. But somehow or other we are put into asat. Asat refers to that which does not exist." From this we can learn that it is futile to try to be happy in material existence because it is a state of nonexistence. Our nature is existence. Therefore it is impossible for us to be happy in atmosphere of nonexistence. Just as a fish cannot be happy on th

The first principle for escaping the quagmire of this material existence is to recognize that it is indeed a quagmire. As long as we are still fascinated by this place considering it as a realm of enjoyment we will never be able to escape its all-devouring clutches. Therefore we must also see it as Martyaloka, the world of death, and focus all of our energies on getting back to that most wondrous spiritual sky where death is conspicuous by its absence. Srila Prabhupada Guides Us Back to Krishna Video For the Day The Perfection of Love Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Chant Hare Krishna at the Time of Death? Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada My office colleague and friend Bhakta Pankaj wants to know how can a person chant Hare Krishna for deliverance when he is dying, because at that time he cannot see, speak, or hear as the Yamadutas (agents of Yamaraja, the god of death) will be standing b

You have gotten this most rare human birth after millions of lifetimes of unbearable suffering in the lower species of life, namely the aquatics, the plants, the worms and reptiles, the birds, and the beasts. This is your one chance out of these millions of births to escape all of this misery and return to your original constitutional position of unlimited bliss, love, and knowledge in the sweetest, most sublime spiritual world. So kindly don't be so foolish to continue in the maddened pursuit of material sense gratification, which will force you back into the lower species in your next birth. Take complete shelter of Krishna through His transparent via medium, the bona fide spiritual master, and make your life now perfect. Otherwise your life will be the greatest tragedy and your whereabouts will be completely unknown. You will hopelessly lost again in the most horrendous endless cycle, the wheel of birth and death. Don't Cheat Yourself Out of an Ecstatic Life in Goloka Vri

There is no reason for you to continue suffering here being constantly bounced back and forth between happiness and distress. You are meant instead to live in a state of ever-increasingly transcendental bliss. Right now you are ensnared in the cruel clutches of the cycle of repeated birth and death. I want to free you from this mess. I have been blessed by my spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, with the sublime formula how you and entire the world can attain perfect happiness, a happiness which cannot be even slightly impinged upon by any situation here in this material world. I want to share what my spiritual master has given me with you so you can completely free from all anxiety for all of eternity. Are you ready? My Most Beloved Spiritual Master, Srila Prabhupada Video For the Day How to Be Purely Good Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Are Cows Superior to Human Beings? As we transmigrate from one body to another, does a