Ultimate Self Realization

Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada have given us a mission to save the world. Therefore we should very tightly embrace this mission within our hearts and do everything possible to bring about a total, complete spiritual revolution on this beleaguered planet as soon as possible. What could be more compassionate or blissful than this? Compassionate Srila Prabhupada-Tompkins Square Park-1966 Video For the Day Purpose of Human Life Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Quit Coffee? Please accept my humble obeisance. After getting connected to ISKCON a few years ago, me and my family are able to accept and understand Krishna's philosophy. Attending classes and reading Srila Prabhupada's books regularly helps in strengthening our Krishna consciousness. At this stage, we able to chant regularly (but not up to 16 round yet). For past one year also, we seriously observing Ekadasi fast and joining other prayers and celebration in ISKCON. Also for past one yea

It's always a beautiful day when we fully and tightly embrace the world deliverance mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu because when we are in this mood Lord Caitanya personally reciprocates with us in all times, places, and circumstances. What could sweeter than this than to be held in loving arms of Lord Caitanya at every minute? The Most Merciful Lord Caitanya Video For the Day Devotee is the Best Friend of All Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Chanting With No Service? In one of your lectures you mentioned that if you simply do service nicely and do not chant, there is a good chance that the person may fall away from the movement. What if someone chants his 16 rounds nicely but does not take service seriously, what happens to him? De Pa Answer: That Is Not Real Chanting That is not real chanting. Chanting with no service means that he is not chanting nicely or properly because chanting Hare Krishna means begging Krishna to be engaged in His service. I

For those of us who are not so fortunate to be with Krishna in the spiritual world where we can personally serve Him directly, He most mercifully appears in the form of the deity to accept our service here in this material world. This is His great kindness upon us, who are presently separated from Him being caught up in the vicious cycle of birth, death, old age, and disease. Although it is the greatest privilege and blessing to have this opportunity, we are so unfortunate due to our conditioned consciousness, being so much entangled in the material energy, that we foolishly consider deity worship to be a burden. Srila Prabhupada Offers the First Arati to Krishna and Balarama Video For the Day "Make Our Austin Center a Grand Success" Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What is the Purpose of Life? Please, sir, explain what is the reason of life. Radhey Gusain Answer: Having a Loving Relationship with God We exist for the purpose of having a beautifu

It is very common for us to be asked when we engage in the public in our regular daily activities, "How are you doing?" The Lord's devotee can answer this question in the most powerful and blissful way. He can say, "I am felling absolutely blissful because I am engaged in the ultimate welfare activity of the respiritualization of the entire universe. Would you be interested to find out how you can do this too?" This can lead to some very interesting opportunities to present the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. Totally Blissed Out Spiritual Revolutionary Video For the Day Beyond the Forest of Delusion Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Prioritize Japa? Respected Srila Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to you. What priority should the activity of chanting at least 16 rounds across my beads have in my daily life? In other words, am I to keep it as first priority - get up take bath and get my rounds done fi

Lord Sri Krishna wonderfully enlightens us in Bhagavad-gita 4.22 as follows: "He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady in both success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions." So instead of being mad after and over-endeavoring for material arrangements the devotee peacefully accepts his material circumstances as the special mercy of Lord Sri Krishna and centers his life around the principle of spiritual advancement. Devotees Derive Their Happiness From Krishna Consciousness Video For the Day Help Us Save the World Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Ego and Death of Ego? Can you tell me about ego and death of ego? Saulius Answer: Ego Never Dies Ego means identity, and you have an eternal identity as Krishna’s servant. Therefore your ego never dies. Your false ego is considering yourself to be the center of all existence. This false ego dies when you re

When one is training people in Krishna conscious he naturally and very joyfully brings them to his spiritual master for further training. In this regard Srila Prabhupada instructed us in a lecture given on 6 April 1975 in Mayapur that it is the duty of the disciple to bring the people that he is training in Krishna consciousness to his spiritual master. He cautioned that to not do so is a violation of etiquette, an insult to the spiritual master, which will destroy one's spiritual life. So the disciple must be always very careful to observe this etiquette. Devotees Bring Guests to Srila Prabhupada Video For the Day Become Devotee of the Devotee Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What Happens When a Person Dies? When a person dies what happens to the soul? Where does it go? The soul can't be created and destroyed? If it's transferred to another body, do karmic reactions get transferred? Since a person has a soul, do his karmic reactions of having don

The greatest mistake that one can make on the pathway of spiritual advancement is to offend a Vaisnava. In this connection Srila Prabhupada states: "While instructing Srila Rupa Gosvami about the many restrictive rules and regulations for Vaisnavas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has very vividly described the effects of offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaisnava. Yadi vaisnava-aparadha uthe hati mata (Madhya-lila 19.156). Offending or blaspheming a Vaisnava has been described as the greatest offense, and it has been compared to a mad elephant. When a mad elephant enters a garden, it ruins all the creepers, flowers and trees. Similarly, if a devotee properly executing his devotional service becomes an offender at the lotus feet of his spiritual master or a Vaisnava, his devotional service is spoiled." So we must always be very careful not to be offensive toward any Vaisnava. Devotee is Always in the Mood of Offering Obeisances Video For the Day Never Offend a Devotee Answer

Both in preaching and in our ordinary daily dealings we naturally often have to face reverse situations. When this happens we must be tolerant and not carried away by anger. We must keep a cool head by always thinking, speaking, and acting in a way that is in accordance with the instructions of the scriptures and the spiritual master. In this way, every day we will make steady advancement on the pathway back to home, back to Godhead, and we will have a positive, uplifting impact on the the crazy world that surrounds us. Cool Headed Srila Prabhupada Video For the Day Whole World is Waiting Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Convince a Christian Not to Eat Meat? Hare Krishna Srila Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Your Divine Grace and Srimati Gurumata ji. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I was preaching to one of my Christian friends. When I asked him if he follows the commandment "Thou shall not kill," he said, "

After decades of operating the ISKCON Austin temple out of apartments and houses in residential neighborhoods, Krishna has blessed us that we now have a proper temple building. He made this arrangement by inspiring many donors to come forward to donate sufficient funds for purchasing this nice building. It is strategically located on the main highway I35, which goes through central Austin. Thus for advertising the temple we can put up a sign, which will eventually be seen by the millions of people who are driving up and down I35. The next step is remodeling what is now an office building to turn it into a temple. Plus we are now considering how we should name the temple to make it as attractive as possible for the Westerners to come and learn about Krishna consciousness. We are open to your suggestions in this regard. You can send your suggestions to me at: sda@backtohome.com New ISKCON Temple in Austin, Texas USA Video For the Day Technique of the Great Reformers Answers

We want to take over the world as soon as possible, not politically or militarily. Our goal is an educational takeover, a brahminical takeover, in which the entire world accepts the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita as gospel. Whether this is possible or impossible to attain is not issue for us, because by the mercy of Lord Sri Krishna even the impossible becomes possible. This, our desire, is not egotistical that simply we want everyone to be like us. No. It is a compassionate desire, because without Krishna consciousness these poor souls are going down to the animal kingdom in their next lives. This is simply our desire that everyone can attain genuine happiness by escaping the vicious cycle of birth and death through getting back to their original identities as associate-servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His eternal pastimes in that most wondrous paravyoma, the spiritual sky. May Whole World Now Become Attracted to Krishna's Name Video For the Day I Am Not Th

In this material world we are being constantly bombarded by the dualities of pain and pleasure, honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, etc. The simple trick how to remain steady in one's mind while being hit with all these dualities is to see them all as Krishna's special mercy upon us to help us get back to His transcendental abode as soon as possible. Krishna Invites Us to Come Home As Soon As Possible Video For the Day Wake Up World Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Liberation Just By Seeing Lord Jagannatha? My dear respected Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada . All glories to you and Guru Mataji . Recently in one of our localities here happened Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannatha and I attended that. There in that banner I found one statement which states as follows. "One who sees Jagannatha once is relieved from all sins and enters Vaikuntha." The above statement is from the Brahm

Srila Prabhupada explains as follows in his purport to Srimad Bhagavatam 4.12.36: "A Krishna conscious being is always engaged in planning how to take all of suffering humanity back home, back to Godhead. Even if one is not successful in reclaiming all the fallen souls back to Godhead, still, because he is Krishna conscious, his path to Vaikunthaloka is open. He personally becomes qualified to enter the Vaikunthalokas, and if anyone follows such a devotee, he also enters into Vaikunthaloka." This is why the sincere, dedicated devotee of Krishna is always praying to Lord Sri Krishna that he can overcome all of his faults to become a pure devotee and that as soon as possible he may be able to make the whole world Krishna conscious. Krishna's Devotee Wants Everyone to Be Krishna Conscious Video For the Day Attain Unlimited Happiness Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What Are the Three Worlds? I wish to know which are the three worlds. As far as I kn

Because familiarity breeds contempt we tend to take the association of devotees for granted and do not respect and honor the devotees as much as we should. The fact is that there is no greater fortune to be had anywhere within all of existence than the association of the Lord's devotee. Indeed it is so incalculably valuable that its worth far exceeds by millions, billions, and even trillions of times the value of all the wealth of this entire material existence. In this connection Lord Sri Krishna states as follows in the Adi-Purana: ye me bhakta-janāḥ pārtha na me bhaktāś ca te janāḥ mad-bhaktānāṁ ca ye bhaktās te me bhakta-tamā matāḥ “Those are my devotee are actually not My devotees. It is only those who are the devotees of my devotees who are factually My devotees." Even half a moment's association with pure devotees within this world of birth and death is a priceless treasure for any man. The value of a moment's association with the devotee of the Lord c

Dear Lord Krishna, our most beloved spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, has given us the order, "Become guru and deliver the whole world." In this regard we can objectively analyze that we are most unqualified and incompetent to be able to successfully carry out such an inconceivably sublime order. So what we can do? Even though we are absolutely obliged to do this, it is completely impossible for us to do this. So just as the little sparrow was able to force the ocean to return her stolen eggs with the help of Garuda, we are begging you, our most beloved Lord Sri Krishna, to empower us to accomplish the impossible. We are begging you to bless us that we can truly become gurus and that as soon as possible we can make the entire world Krishna conscious because it is only in this way that the people here can become happy. Answering Emails While Crossing the Atlantic-16 May 2017 Video For the Day World Awaits Awakening Answers by C

This material world is a world of pain,and there is not much more to be said in this connection. Here we are afflicted by these three types of pain: 1. Pain of the mind and body 2. Pain caused by other living beings 3. Pain caused by natural disasters At every moment we are being tortured by at least one of these pains. However, if we transfer our consciousness to the spiritual plane refusing to identity with our material bodies, these pains will no long torture us, even when they present. This is the great contribution of the Krishna consciousness movement to the human society. We are teaching everyone how to become free from pain in a world, which is full of pain. Our only pain is that they don't listen, and thus they continue unnecessarily suffering birth and after birth. Promoting Spiritual Revolution Within and Without 14 May 2017-Vilnius, Lithuania Video For the Day Super Ecstatic Farewell Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Can I Forgive Myself for M

Now that the members of the members of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, have been blessed with unlimited bliss by ISKCON's Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, it is now their duty to share this amazingly wondrous bliss with the entire human society. If they can do so effectively, this will usher in a new age of unparalled peace, prosperity, and happiness for every man, woman, and child in every nook and corner of this entire planet. Indeed the entire universe will become wonderfully blessed with bliss. Devotees Share The Bliss of Krishna Consciousness Video For the Day Ecstatic Kirtan Led by Sankarshan Das- Bless the Whole Universe with Transcendental Bliss Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Okay to Be Spiritually Upset? Hare Krishna, Dear Srila Gurudeva , Please accept my humble obeisances. All Glories to your Divine Grace. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada. Is it ok to be spiritually upset while

I've taken seriously to the essence of all spiritual paths (both Eastern and Western). Religion is actually one because there is only one source for all of existence. Therefore, the perfection of religion is to live in a state of perfect harmony with that one source of all existence. By careful analysis it can be concluded that the one source of existence must indeed be a person and must necessarily be the Supreme Person. So to come into a state of pure loving relationship with that Supreme Person is the perfection of religion. This is the science of religion and it applies equally to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc. Revealing the Secret of Unlimited Happiness Kaunas, Lithuania-12 May 2017 Video For the Day How to Have World Peace Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Qualification for Initiation? Thank you very very much, Gurudeva, for your kind words. May I know what is the qualification to get initiated? Thanks again for blessing me. I'm thrilled

We've been caught up in material sense gratification for thousands and millions of lifetimes suffering like anything in the cycle of repeated birth and death. Now in this human form of life we have the golden opportunity to get out of this hellish nightmare and get back to our original position which is eternal, full of knowledge, and full of bliss. If we will take proper advantage of the bona fide spiritual master by fully surrendering ourselves unto following his instructions, this will be our last lifetime in this nightmarish material existence. Upon leaving our present material bodies we will wake up with Krishna in the spiritual world as one His eternal associates. What could be sweeter or more wonderful than this? Teaching the Ultimate Science-Kaunas, Lithuania-11 May 2017 Video For the Day You Owe It to Yourself Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: What is Humility? Dear Gurudeva, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada, I l

Our mission given to us by Srila Prabhupada and Lord Caitanya is to spark off a global spiritual revolution. Therefore our lives are fully dedicated to bringing about this complete transformation of the human society as soon as possible. This is why we are trying to keep our every thought, word, and deed in all times, places, and circumstances 100% aligned with this ultimate spiritual mission. Therefore we are praying that we can fully overcome whatever imperfections we may have so that we can be fully empowered to liberate all of the fallen souls of this universe back to home, back to Godhead as soon possible. Teaching the Ultimate Science-Kaunas, Lithuania-11 May 2017 Video For the Day Ecstatic Arrival Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Can I Buy a Leather Bag? I need to buy a leather bag, but most of them are made of cow skin. Is it good for me to buy this? Please guide me. Thanks a million. Hare Krishna Rishi Answer: Get a Non-Leather Bag Instead Get a

This material world is a very difficult place to live. Residing here we are mercilessly tossed by the waves of the material nature like being tossed by the ocean's waves during a horrendous storm. In one moment we are feeling peaceful and happy in the mode of goodness, and in the next moment we become agitated by the mode of passion, or depressed by the mode of ignorance. In this way we are constantly being bounced from one mode to another mode to another mode. The only way out of this madness, this "modeness," is to take completer shelter of Lord Sri Krishna under the guidance of the bona fide spiritual master. This will situate us permanently in the mode of pure goodness beyond the three modes of material nature, in which we constantly relish pure transcendental ever-increasing sbliss for all of eternity. Transcendental Hare Krishna Kirtan Bliss Video For the Day Super Ecstatic Kirtan Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Always Feel Your Pr

What should you do if you become totally, completely depressed, emotionally bankrupt, feeling that your spiritual life is nowhere, that you have no hope for happiness either in spiritual life or in material life? This is called an Arjuna experience because this is the state of mind that Arjuna was going through at the beginning of the Bhagavad-gita. This is the most opportune time for you to humbly bow down before the Lord begging Him for His special mercy to save you from your delusion. So if you ever find yourself in this position of having an Arjuna experience, instead of punishing yourself you should reward yourself by taking advantage of your psychological devastation to intensify your feelings of total dependency on the special mercy of the Lord. You'll have a most beautiful, wondrous day. Revealing the Ultimate Spiritual Perfection Path Kaunas, Lithuania-9 May 2017 Video For the Day Don't Eat Banana Peel Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Request: I Desp

Don't cheat yourself out of eternal, ever-increasing happiness. You owe to yourself to revive your dormant loving relationship with that Supreme Person, who is the source of all existence. By doing so, you will enter into a liberated state of consciousness, completely free from all the miseries of material existence such as birth, death, old age, and disease. Krishna Consciousness is Pure Bliss-Kaunas, Lithuania-8 May 2017 Video For the Day Be All That You Can Be Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Marijuana is a Healing Herb? Thank you for very kindly answering my doubts and helping me in my devotional service. I would like to ask another query that I had. I told you previously that one of my friends is pseudo-devotee who likes kirtan but indulges in all other kinds of activities. I recently found out that he smokes marijuana, and when I caught him doing so secretly in my house, I confronted him to not desecrate the sanctity of the house because I have a s

In this material world God is very much neglected. Even religious people who believe in God and who regularly worship Him take Him as their order-supplier, not as that Supreme Person to whom they should surrender themselves utterly. How much pathetic it is when even the religious people do not approach God properly. This actually encourages atheism. If the religionists were to approach God properly, their example would inspire the atheistic class to also pursue the science of God. So let's make a revolution in the world of religion to always put God first, instead of ourselves. Teaching Krishna Bhakti-Klaipeda, Lithuania-6 May 2017 Wedding Ceremony-Kaunas, Lithuania-7 May 2017 Video For the Day  Ecstatic Arrival in Klaipeda, Lithuania Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Deal With Exploitative People? Gurudeva, Practically speaking, how is a devotee expected to behave, when in the material world people keep abusing each other? Thanks, Your servant, S

Srila Prabhupada states as follows in his book, The Nectar of Devotion: "This relationship with Krishna is established by connecting oneself with the bona fide spiritual master who is the direct representative of Krishna in disciplic succession. The connection with the spiritual master is called initiation. From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Krishna and a person cultivating Krishna consciousness is established. Without initiation by a bona fide spiritual master, the actual connection with Krishna consciousness is never performed." Therefore it gives us great happiness when we see sincere souls coming forward to accept initiation as took place here in Kaunas on Saturday 6 May 2017. Initiation Ceremony-Kaunas, Lithuania-6 May 2017 Bhaktin Aurelija Becomes Anapayini Devi Dasi Bhaktin Vilma Becomes Venu-Vilasa Devi Dasi Video For the Day Help Our Spiritual Revolution Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Feeling Ve

At the present moment the Krishna consciousness movement is but a tiny spark in the midst of a humongous, monstrous material society. But that little spark will in due course of time become a flame. Then it will gradually expand into a blazing fire that will bring about a complete respiritualization of the human society. In a similar vein, Srila Prabhupada wrote me as follows on 4 February 1972: "Actually, that is our policy, once we enter a place, to sit down, then gradually to lay down and occupy everything! So because there is such good possibility there for preaching, especially in the university, then I am recommending that some men must remain there are work very hard to get a permanent center. If the preaching work is sincere, then there will be no lack either of temple or of devotees to fill it. Now you have sat down, and although you are squeezed a little tightly, if you push a bit harder there will be enough space, and very soon you will find yourselves laying down and

You have no one to blame but yourself for whatever miseries or difficulties you are going through at the present moment. Although this may sound like bad news, actually it is the greatest good news. Because now by learning the art of proper action, you can perfect your existence and attain that state of consciousness completely beyond all the miseries of material existence. Teaching the Science of Perfection of Consciousness Kaunas, Lithuania-4 May 2017 Video For the Day Attaining the Supreme Happiness Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Criticism Against ISKCON Thank you so much for taking up your time to answer the queries that were bugging me since a long time. This is so amazing. And I am still working out to understand this beautiful philosophy. As I am trying to understand more from your movement, I come across many articles and videos criticizing the devotees and guru's. And, this is distracting me a lot and dragging me into the ocean of doubts. This

Since we have perfect knowledge of how to bring peace and harmony to this planet, we naturally want to enlighten all the world's leaders with this knowledge. This is our fixed determination that somehow or other we must awaken all of the world's leaders to Krishna consciousness. In this regard we are greatly inspired by these words of our Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada: "This Krishna consciousness movement is determined to open wide the eyes of the so-called leaders, who are full of ignorance, and thus save them from the many pitfalls and dangerous conditions of life." Kindly fully dedicate your life to assist us in our world deliverance mission. Srila Prabhupada Says: "Our Movement is the Greatest Gift to the Human Race." Video For the Day Super Ecstatic Arrival Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: Hearing is Also Reading? If we don't read Srila Prabhupada's purports, but hear recordings

Even though one may fully absorb himself in material sense gratification his senses will still never become fully satisfied. Krishna declares in the Bhagavad-gita that the senses are never satisfied and they burin like fire. However, if one will engage his senses in the service of the master of the senses Hrisikesha, Krishna, his senses will become fully satisfied. So why waste time engaging oneself in material sense gratification? It is better to engage the senses fully in Krishna's service and thus become fully peaceful and satisfied. This is real intelligence. Serve Krishna and Taste Unlimited Bliss Video For the Day I Teach Self Realization Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: How to Get Taste from Chanting Hare Krishna? I wrote to you some time back regarding how to read Srila Prabhupada books, and you recommended me to read in a systematic manner and make a summary of chapter, and it was really helpful, at least I could get the main message. Can you als

Completely enwrapped in ignorance, the world world is sound asleep in the lap of the witch known as Maya or illusion. We try to wake them up. But they are so illusioned, they prefer to remain asleep. What to do? At least we can wake up and get out of the madhouse of material existence. And on our way out of here we will try wake up as many as souls as possible to save them from their suffering. This is real love. Teaching Krishna Consciousness in Riga, Latvia-1 May 2017 Video For the Day Don't Cheat Yourself Answers by Citing the Vedic Version Question: One True Religion If there is one God and one religion, what happens to the rest of the people who do not belong to that religion? Do they go to hell? Why should they suffer if they were raised in an area which did not expose them to the “one true religion”? Sankarshan Prasad Answer: Love God There are not many religions. There is only religion, to become a lover of God. Those who don’t love Him are not suited to l