Great Encouragement from Shyamasundar Prabhu

My dear Godbrother, His Grace Sriman Shyamasundar Prabhu, one of ISKCON's greatest preachers, who pioneered our movement in its beginning days in San Francisco and Great Britain and who introduced Beatle George Harrison to Krishna consciousness, has most kindly written me:

"I so much appreciate how you are guiding Srila Prabhupada's early dream so perfectly into the 21st century."

Srila Prabhupada's vision or dream is based on the prediction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that the entire world can become Krishna conscious. I share this vision. Although I am certainly only a lowly, insignificant servant of my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, I very much desire to successfully carry out the order he has given to his disciples that we should deliver the world. My life is fully dedicated to this purpose. So that such an exalted Godbrother as Shyamasundar Prabhu is appreciating my humble attempt to do this is greatly encouraging me.

Thank you, Shyamasundar Prabhu!

Shyamasundar Prabhu is now publishing his memoirs of his early days with Srila Prabhupada. I highly recommend his book "Chasing Rhinos with the Swami" to all of my readers. Here is where you can order your copy: http://chasingrhinos.com

Shyamasundar Prabhu With Srila Prabhupada

Video For the Day

The Great Boon of Devotee Association

Answers by Citing the Vedic Version

Question: Are Animals in the Spiritual World Liberated Souls?

Pranam, Srila Gurudeva,

In the photograph of Spiritual Abode of Krishna, we see Krishna and His human associates. By the way, at the same place we witness some animals, birds and trees as well! We can understand that the human associates are liberated souls, however, the cows, peacocks, parrots, swans, trees and plants there should not be assumed as liberated because they are not in human form. How is it possible that they are in the spiritual world but not liberated?

Abhiram

Answer: All Souls in Spiritual World Are Liberated

All the spirit souls in the spiritual world are humans, and they are all liberated. One cannot be in the spiritual world unless he is liberated. Thus even those devotees who are manifesting non-human forms such as animals, birds, trees, etc. are humans with full human consciousness. They have simply assumed these various forms in order to please Lord Krishna by facilitating His unlimited divine pastimes. For example, how can Krishna be a cowherd boy if there are no cows to herd? Even though many devotees in the spiritual world manifest non-human forms, they still have human consciousness. A notable example is Kalindi, a beautiful young girl who is one of Krishna’s queens. She is also the Yamuna river in order to facilitate Krishna’s pastimes of sporting in the river Yamuna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari