Thursday, April 30, 2015

Narasimhadeva Jayanti

May 2, 2015 (Fast Till Dusk)

PADA: Lord Narasimghadev was my favorite painting when I first visited the temple in Los Angeles before being a devotee. I loved Him! Jaya Narasimhadeva! Here is the ad for the Sunnyvale program:     


Similar programs will be held in ISKCON and other temples worldwide:



http://www.iskconbangalore.org/sri-narasimha-jayanti/







Animated version (in English language)

 

Los Angeles Prabhupada Festival

http://prabhupadafestival.com/

Memorial day Weekend

May 23-24 2015. Yep, its an ISKCON event, but go there and represent! ys pd

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Kicking out -- Hare Krishna chanting?



PADA: Right now the biggest problem is that Srila Prabhpada made ISKCON as a vehicle for the chanting of Hare Krishna, but nowadays many of his temples are having all sorts of decay and falling apart problems, if not city code violation problems, if not rats and so on, because the leaders are not spending money to maintain these vehicles. I was recently sent some "fund me" programs to buy a washing machine for one temple, a heater for another temple, meanwhile another temple had its restaurant closed by the city due to health code violations. Clearly the management is not taking good care of these temples.

Another "ISKCON listed" temple has the problem that the GBC manager was voted to be audited by the other (Hindu?) managers, and he is not even allowed on the property while the audit is going on. The GBC representative of that temple cannot even walk onto the temple premises. This temple is not even registered in the name of ISKCON, so ISKCON will not even be able to take control of this building even if they wanted to, and it looks like their "main link" there is in a pack of trouble, probably for good reasons.  

The brahmachari rooms in yet another temple were recently certified as "not humanly habitable" and these brahmacharis were moved to a house -- that has rats and other code problems there. Worse, we have 4-500 devotees in India who are chanting nicely, and yet the GBC has spent so far $20,000,000 taking these devotees to court to have them removed from the buildings. Instead of fixing the existing buildings that need repairs, they are hard at work trying to empty out more buildings, and spending millions to make more empty buildings.

Why has the GBC made their main priority -- kicking out anyone who is chanting Hare Krishna? This is not the way to spread the chanting of Krishna's name? ... to run the whole program into the ground and remove people day in and day out, and let the vehicle for the chanting go down the drain. 

Apart from that, Srila Prabhupada says the chanting has to be offered up the parampara to Krishna. You cannot just chant Hare Krishna, you have to offer everything up the proper chain, via the guru parampara -- which THEN offers our chanting, our bhogha and service to Krishna via the parampara. And Srila Prabhupada said there are hundreds of sahajiya sects in India that chant Hare Krishna and he says they are not going to be liberated because they are ONLY chanting these mantras to NON-LIBERATED souls -- or false acharyas, so their service is not going up the chain to Krishna. 

He said since they are not offering their chanting and service up the proper chain of parampara its not going to give them liberation, its incomplete. ISKCON has adopted the same incomplete program, people are chanting to conditioned souls, that means, the chanting is not going up the proper chain to Krishna. In any case, always removing the chanting devotees, and spending twenty million dollars suing all these Hare Krishna chanting Vaishnavas to have these chanting devotees removed etc. is definitely not what Srila Prabhupada ordered. Where was any of this ordered by Srila Prabhupada, that we need to spend millions of dollars to remove the Hare Krishna chanting program?

Thus, spending $20 millions dollars to have more people removed, while many of their buildings are in dire need, and certain deities are in some cases having rodents on their altars, is not going to help create the impression of any intent to form a platform of cooperation? Rather this behavior simply cements in the idea that they have no intent of cooperation. 

At the same time, the bhogha offerings are still being made to conditioned souls and so on and so forth, none of this is being changed. The basis of cooperation is not to sue folks to remove more and more and more people, this appears as a bully boy program to most folks, and right now its alienating a number of life members in India who are infuriated their donations are going to lawyers, and some of them are recently making a vow not to fund ISKCON anymore. No one wants to give money to a lawyers program? 

Srila Prabhupada himself is the model example for all of us. He tried to cooperate with his "guru" God brothers, but he could not, thus he could not and wouldn't work with his God brothers, whom he said are simply mundane platform conditioned souls posing as acharyas. So that is the lesson we have from history, our own guru could not work with his God brothers who were doing these same things, including offering bhogha to conditioned souls and making lawsuits. 

Srila Prabhupada told us to avoid such programs, because they are a deviation. In any case, they are the ones who have to drop the hatchet, their constant banning and suing program is relentless and we see no sign of them slowing that down to appease anyone. The good news is, our devotees have been able to stay because we countered their lawsuits, we have had a lot of people be able to continue their chanting thanks to our getting these people legal protection. If we have to get legal protection for people to chant Hare Krishna, what that means is, this is Gaudiya Matha pt. II. We all know what Srila Prabhupada thinks of this program, and we have to think the same way he did if we are to be considered as his loyal followers. ys pd

Mohini Ekadasi April 29th, 2015


Mohini Ekadashi Date: April 29, 2015

The glories of Mohini Ekadasi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha are told in the Surya Purana.

Once Maharaja Yudhisthira asked Lord Krsna, "O Janardana! Pray tell me, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the waxing Moon in the month of Vaisakha (April/May.) Please describe unto me the most meritorious benefit one may receive by such observance.

Sri Krsna replied: "O most merciful King, son of Dharma personified! Please hear Me attentively as I describe unto you the story that the great sage Vaisistha once told to Lord Ramacandra.

"One time, long ago Lord Ramacandra appealed to the sage Vasistha 'O respected and knowledgeable sage, I am feeling such separation from Sita devi and am therefore in the most honorific distress. She is the daughter of king Janaka and is appalling my mind with intense hankering. Please kindly explain to Me the great and merciful vow which I can follow and by which will mitigate all one's sinful reactions and distresses.

"The greatly realised sage Vasistha replied: My dear Rama, Your intelligence is sharp and mixed with faith. Moreover, your question is beneficial in a way hitherto unknown, to all humanity. Just by chanting and remembering Your all auspicious qualities, all living entities can become purified and eligible to achieve liberation. Still, for the benefit of the public at large, I will describe to You about a great vow.

"O Lord Rama the Ekadasi that occurs during the waxing Moon in the month of Vaisakha is famously renowned as Mohini Ekadasi and is most beneficial to all. By following this Ekadasi all one's sinful reactions are annihilated and one receives great purity of speech and mind. One's network of illusion is vaporised, and the grey veil of despair drifts away. Please hear attentively as I describe the topics regarding this wonderfully marvellous Ekadasi.

"There was once an exquisitely beautiful city named Bhadravati, situated on the banks of the sacred river Sarasvati, which was ruled by a king named Dyutimana. O Lord Rama, this king was born in the dynasty of Candra (the Moon) and he was tolerant and truthful; and wore a broad smile. There was a pious and prosperous devotee of Lord Visnu named Dhanapala who also lived in that city. He was a Vaisya (mercantile community) by profession. 

For the benefit of the ordinary people this devotee Dhanapala built many dharmashalas or guest houses, schools, temples of Lord Visnu, charitable hospitals, wide roads and market places. He also made arrangements for distributing water and foodstuffs. He dug wells for cool drinking water and ponds for clear water, he also built gardens for flowers and fruits. In this way he properly utilized his wealth for the benefit of all and thus successfully demonstrated the true meaning of his name.

This pious devotee of Lord Visnu who was always peaceful, tolerant, determined and compassionate engaged in devotional service to Visnu, had five sons named: Samana, Dyutimana, Medhavi, Sukriti and Dhrstabuddhi. His son Dhrstabuddhi was most sinful. He was extremely wicked and ill natured, always engaged in bad association and having illicit connection with unchaste women. He was also killing and torturing other living entities. 

In this way he engaged in all kinds of sinful activities. Although the son of a most chaste and fortunate father he squandered the wealth of his family and brought ill repute to his caste. He never showed respect to the demigods, guests, old forefathers or brahmanas. He was constantly engaged in thinking of committing sinful activities and thus lived a contemptible life. The sinful wretch misused all his fathers wealth in many useless activities. He always ate abominable foodstuffs and remained always absorbed in drinking wine. One day on seeing his shameless son walking in a public place with his hand on the shoulder of a prostitute, Dhanapala became extremely hurt. On that very day he was degraded from his position in caste society and the pious community and became an object of hatred for everyone.

"After being thrown out from his father's house, Dhrstabuddhi continued his sinful propensities with the money he received by selling his personal clothes and ornaments. Soon that also came to an end and gradually, due to lack of sufficient food, his body became weak and skinny. He was a most forlorn and presupposed wretch. On realising that he had become poor, his so-called friends left him, condemning him on various pretexts.

"Dhrstabuddhi was now full of anxiety, his words faltered and his mind was most horrifically agitated. He became afflicted with hunger. So he began to contemplate, "What should I do now? Where should I go and by what means will I survive? After meditating in this way he decided there was no other means to earning his living but stealing." So with a desire to steal he wandered throughout the city of Bhadravati. Sometimes the kings guard would arrest him and after careful consideration of his fathers greatness he would release him. After being caught and released in this way many times, he was once again formally arrested for committing a special kind of theft. He was again taken to the King who awarded him severe punishment. The King said, 'O sinful foolish creature you cannot stay within this kingdom any more for you are the greatest sinner. I am releasing you for now, but you must leave this city and go wherever you so desire."

"Dhrstabuddhi, afraid of being punished again, left the kingdom. He went far away and entered into a dense forest. There were creepers and vines, tall trees and moss in the jungle-like forest. Within the forest he became so afflicted with hunger and thirst that he began to kill beasts and birds indiscriminately. For many years he wandered throughout the forest like a hunter, holding a bow and arrows in his hands and killing innocent animals and engaging in sinful activities.

"Dhrstabuddhi was always miserable and anxious, but one day, due to some past pious deeds, he arrived at the sacred asrama of the great sage and ascetic known as Kaundinya. It was the month of Vaisakha (April/May) and the great sage Kaundinya was just returning home after taking bath in the Ganges. At that time by providence, Dhrstabuddhi, who was very aggrieved by distress and lamentation, happened to touch a drop of water falling from the sage's cloth. Dhrstabuddhi was immediately relieved of his sinful reactions. With folded hands and great humility he said to sage Kaundinya, 'O great brahmana, I am the most sinful person. There is no sin that I have not committed. Now please instruct me about a topmost type of atonement which a wretched person like myself can easily perform. As a result of committing unlimited sinful activities till now I have been bereft of my house, wealth, relatives and friends. I am drowning in the ocean of mental agony.'

"After hearing these statements of Dhrstabuddhi the great sage Kaundinya, feeling distress by seeing another's distress, said, 'I am telling you a sublime method by which all your sinful reactions can be easily refuted, in a very short time; please hear me attentively. Mohini Ekadasi which occurs during the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakha (April/May,) totally destroys a mountain of sinful reactions as big as Mt. Sumeru, which have been accumulated from many many lifetimes. Therefore you should faithfully observe this Ekadasi."

"Hearing these words from the great sage, Dhrstabuddhi became joyful and properly observed that Ekadasi according to the rules and regulations instructed by the sage. O best of kings! By observing this Mohini Ekadasi the most sinful Dhrstabuddhi soon became devoid of all sinful reactions, and after assuming a divine body he returned to the all-auspicious abode of Lord Visnu by riding on the back of Garuda. O Ramacandra! This vow certainly removes all kinds of illusion and the darkness of ignorance. Any piety accumulated by taking bath in the holy waters, giving in charity and performance of sacrifice cannot be compared with the piety one attains by observing this Mohini Ekadasi

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Krishna warns: don't be independent



THAT IS YOUR RISK

Devotee (4): Śrīla Prabhupāda, you say in your books so many times that somehow or other we have fallen into this material world due to our enviousness or our independence.

Prabhupāda: Many, there are many reasons.

Devotee (4): I can’t seem to get a grasp on this at all. If we in our original constitutional position as part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, and in that position, that original position of full knowledge and full bliss and being in our eternal nature… Now I have some experience of how strong this material energy is and how māyā works somewhat, but if I had known this and had this full knowledge, then I would have had this knowledge of how māyā works and how I might fall.

Prabhupāda: You read the life of Jaya, Vijaya, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Hiraṇyākṣa? They were Kṛṣṇa’s doorkeepers. How they fell down? Did you read it? Did you read the life of Hiraṇyakaśipu or Hiraṇyākṣa?

Devotee (4): Yes, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: So how they did fall? They are from Vaikuṇṭha. They are Kṛṣṇa’s personal associates, keeping the doorkeepers. How did they fell down? Anyway, there is chance of falling down at any moment.

Devotee (4): Well, in his family they wanted to enjoy the material world.

Prabhupāda: Whatever it may be, the falldown is there. So because we are living entities, we are not as powerful as Kṛṣṇa, therefore we may fall down from Vaikuṇṭha at any moment. Icchā-dveṣa samutthena sarge yānti parantapa....

Prabhupāda: So even in the Vaikuṇṭha, if I desire that “Why shall I serve Kṛṣṇa? Why not become Kṛṣṇa?” I immediately fall down. That is natural. A servant is serving the master, sometimes he may think that “If I could become the master.” They are thinking like that, they are trying to become God. That is delusion. You cannot become God. That is not possible. But he’s wrongly thinking.

Vipina: Why doesn’t Kṛṣṇa protect us from that desire?

Prabhupāda: He’s protecting. He says, “You rascal, don’t desire, surrender unto Me.” But you are rascal, you do not do this.

Vipina: Why doesn’t He save me from thinking like that?

Prabhupāda: That means you lose your independence.

Vipina: And no love.

Prabhupāda: That is force. (indistinct) prema. In Bengali it is said “If you catch one girl or boy, ‘You love me, you love me, you love me.’ ” Is it love? (laughter) “You love me, otherwise I will kill you.” (laughter) Is that love? So Kṛṣṇa does not want to become a lover like that, on the point of revolver, “You love me, otherwise I shall kill you.” That is not love, that is threatening. Love is reciprocal, voluntary, good exchange of feeling, then there is love, not by force. That is rape. The… Why one is called lover, another is called rape?

Vipina: But isn’t it by force anyway? If we don’t love Kṛṣṇa, we suffer.

Prabhupāda: That is your business. You’ll suffer. But that Kṛṣṇa does not force you. He says the real, “You love me, you’ll be happy. If you don’t love, you suffer.” But that is your business.

Vipina: So what is the choice?

Prabhupāda: Choice is yours. If you are rascal, you don’t make the choice, the best choice. You suffer. The rascals, they suffer. And intelligent men, they do not suffer. If you are intelligent, then Kṛṣṇa says that “You surrender to Me,” you surrender, then you are intelligent. If you are rascal, then you reject and you suffer. When a father says to his rascal son, “My dear son, you just hear me, do like this, you’ll be happy.” If he does not do it, he’ll suffer. There is no other alternative.

Guest (2): Śrīla Prabhupāda, why is the material world made on the level of a jailhouse? It’s made on the level of a jailhouse, that, I’ve been told, the attitude of a jail instead of the attitude.

Prabhupāda: Yes, because there will be so many criminals. Therefore government has to construct a jailhouse. It is government’s not desire. It is expensive, unnecessary. But because there are rascals who will become criminal, the government has jailhouse. So one who wants to remain independent of Kṛṣṇa, for them there is material world, “All right, you remain here.”

Vipina: We also say that Kṛṣṇa is fulfilling the desires of every living entity. So if we want to enjoy independent of Kṛṣṇa, why doesn’t He let us really enjoy independent of Him?

Prabhupāda: That is not possible. That is māyā it is called. You are not enjoyer, you are servant. Because you are willing to become enjoyer, you suffer, that’s all. You are not enjoyer.

Vipina: Then He’s not fulfilling the desire.

Prabhupāda: No, you wanted to enjoy—enjoy at your risk. Sometimes you’ll become the king of heaven, and sometimes you become the germs in the stool.

Vipina: Hm, enjoy at your risk. (laughter)

Prabhupāda: Yes. No, that is the fact.

Vipina: Instead of under His protection, you enjoy at your risk.

Prabhupāda: Therefore He advises, “Rascal, you give up all this enjoying spirit. You just surrender to Me, you’ll be happy.” But we don’t accept it. Therefore sometimes we are in the heavenly kingdom, sometimes as a worm in the stool. That is going on. That is your risk. What is that? Bhuñjate te tv aghaṁ pāpāḥ?

July 8,1976

Prime Minister Office requests Akshaya Patra Help

The Prime Minister Office (PMO) of India has requested Akshaya Pratra to help with meals in Nepal. AP will be making 1 lakh of meals to send to Nepal. These meals will be cooked in the JAIPUR location and sent by truck to Delhi, where the meals will be helicopter air lifted to Nepal for immediate relief. Its great that the PMO has reached out to Akshaya Patra for help. All glories to the Jaipur AP devotees who are compassionate on these fallen souls in dire need of help.  




Sunday, April 26, 2015

ISKCON Feeding People in Katmandu

http://iskconnews.org/iskcon-katmandu-distributes-food-to-the-earthquake-victims,4908/


Official ISKCON is feeding folks in Katmandu. Yep even ISKCON leaders are trying to clean up their act and do good things, and keep their leaders on some better standards. Thats good! 

Ramesvara Opposes Book Changes



Sunday April 26th -- 

Ramesvara das (Robert Grant) 

-- Dear Prabhus, I would humbly like to share this with you. There is a huge difference between Srila Prabhupada allowing us correct typos and edit mistakes out while he is present , and what happens when he is gone The letter I wrote to Srila Prabhupada in response to "the rascal editors" transcript and the reply I received is in the archives and has been circulated to every BBT Trustee. 

That's a the plain truth and simple fact. There were exchanges with Srila Prabhupada after the rascal editors conversation and His Divine Grace did approve certain limited editing after that conversation.
Finally, anyone who truly knows me knows I want all editing to be stopped, forever. When the editing is stopped for all time, I will be able to comment more freely. Until then, I have a one track mind - stop all editing immediately and irrevocably.

[PADA: Goody! We agree.]

========================================

The Sinister Movement (Jaya Madhava das Russia)

PADA: Thanks prabhu, yes hardly no one was openly and publicly discussing -- the bogus appointment tape issue, the Gaudiya Matha connection issue, the abuse issue, the book changes issue, the poison issue, and so on until we brought these issues forward. Now everyone is discussing these issues every day. And for sure everyone has been discussing the court cases surrounding some of these issues. That means we woke people up to these issues, otherwise they never would have become prominent. Even our worst opponents are now always discussing these issues, we forced them out of their slumber. Yes, people were NOT discussing these issues on a wide scale until we forwarded them, in main part because the SINISTER MOVEMENT was suppressing these issues. Of course, when we wake up people who wanted to stay asleep in the lap of the sinister movement, we have to expect them to be unhappy. ys pd

Not happy with sinister acharyas!


Sinister Influences in ISKCON

BY: JAYA MADHAVA DAS (ACBSP)

"It is a fact however that the great sinister movement is within our Society."
(HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada)

[PADA: Good. Yes, there was also a sinister movement that took over the Gaudiya Matha in 1936, and made false gurus. One thing we keep noticing is that quite often people tell us not to object to the post-1977 GBC's false gurus because "we will lose all the buildings." 

Even some of our apparent friends like Krishna Kant, Adridharana, Kamsahanta and others said that the poison issue is a bad idea since "we will lose all the buildings." Right, Gopal Krishna swami needs to have a large mansion where he can eat 50 course feasts, that is our top priority issue. The goal of life is to make sure Jayapataka has a nice building to house his pet pals like Bhavananda. 

I still do not get it? 

We need to deny Srila Prabhupada's poison complaint (etc.) in order to keep Gopal Krishna swami and Bhavananda in large buildings? The top priority for the Prabhupada faithful group is: we need to insure the safety, security and housing of -- the members of the sinister movement?   

This is also basically what happened in the Gaudiya Matha, people were mostly interested in "saving the buildings" and keeping their false post-1936 gurus in those buildings, and not much else. Srila Prabhupada calls this "bricks and stones consciousness."
   
Unfortunately, the GBC -- and some of their leaders -- have had to be taken to an actual court to sort out a few things like: -- the book changes issue; the molesting issue; and in India -- their entire claim to be acharyas. Never mind also that even the karmis took some of these same folks to court over all kinds of things, including raiding their properties and etc.  

The pattern of what happened in ISKCON -- has been -- as soon as anyone actually challenges the "sinister movement" for any actual wrong doing in any actual court, then the GBC folks and their cry baby cheer leaders like various Gaudiya Matha folks / Hari Sauri / Prahlad das / HKC Jaipur / Bhakta das / various goody two shoes God brothers and many others start crying, oh boo hoo, someone is attacking our divine saints in the sinister movement -- in court!   

Yep, all the above people have the idea that the court challenge program is nonsense -- because they want the sinister movement to be sitting in the legal seats of power. And didn't we notice that none of these people will ever sue a peanut in court, because they just want the sinister element to have the upper hand there? Yep, the sinister movement's lawyers are the good guys. Same thing happened in the Gaudiya Matha, the big fat gurus had all the big lawyers, whereas the opponents -- well -- nope.

I also remember the Mula Prakriti dasi / Narayana Maharaja / Badger group complaining to me that PADA is "making a war criminal's tribunal for the GBC." Yep! Let the sinister movement take over without even a whimper of protest.    

And thus PADA is evil for attacking the sinister pals! And now Bangalore (and many others of this same ilk) are also wrong because they too are saying that the false acharyas movement is not authorized to declare themselves as acharyas. 

Fortunately for us, especially at this point in time, most people -- including most devotees and karmis -- agree with PADA that there has been a criminal / deviated infiltration going on and it needs to be countered. And for us that means -- the GBC groupies and their small band of cry baby cheer leaders are having less and less influence over time, never mind they have all looked foolish to the public ever since the early 1980s. 

People have asked us over the years, why didn't more devotees help you contain the criminal element, the sinister movement? And why do we still have some on the GBC and their cheer leaders who are against containing the sinister movement? Isn't it now pretty obvious that there is a problem? Agreed: there is no good explanation for the lack of "countering the crookedness" over so much time, but one thing is for sure, more people are agreeing with us -- there is a problem and it needs to be countered. Good progress! ys pd] 

Following are two timely letters by Srila Prabhupada to Hamsaduta das, in 1970 and 1972, relevant to the present precarious position of ISKCON and the GBC body. These letters to a senior GBC man show Srila Prabhupada's full awareness of the shortcomings of his GBC. Not only that, it also shows positively his willingness to disband it, if necessary. Most devotees today don't know this, and should.

Sinister: an evil appearance : looking likely to cause something bad, harmful, or dangerous to happen.

Full Definition of---- SINISTER---

1 archaic : unfavorable, unlucky

2 archaic : fraudulent

3 singularly evil or productive of evil

4 a : of, relating to, or situated to the left or on the left side of something; especially : being or relating to the side of a heraldic shield at the left of the person bearing it, b : of ill omen by reason of being on the left

5 presaging ill fortune or trouble

6 accompanied by or leading to disaster

Synonym Discussion of ---SINISTER---

Sinister, baleful, malign, mean, seriously threatening evil or disaster. sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer (a sinister aura haunts the place). Baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly (exerting a corrupt and baleful influence). malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful (the malign effects of racism).

Sinister influences within our Society - A warning from HDG A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada:

Calcutta India

2 September, 1970

70-09-02

Hamburg Germany

My Dear Hamsaduta,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 23rd August as well as the German "Zuruck zur Gottheit." This masthead was submitted to me by Jaya Govinda and I approved of it, but I advised him to put the words "Back to Godhead", as it is. The idea is that the original name, "Back to Godhead", even it goes to foreign country it should continue to be the same.

As you can see from other important magazines like "Life" and "Time" they are distributed in foreign countries is the same name without being translated into the local language. If you think that such change will be more convenient, I have no objection—such change means, instead of "Back to Godhead", "Zuruck zur Gottheit."

Regarding the poisonous effect in our Society, it is a fact and I know where from this poison tree has sprung up and how it affected practically the whole Society in a very dangerous form. But it does not matter. Prahlada Maharaja was administered poison, but it did not act. Similarly Lord Krsna and the Pandavas were administered poison and it did not act. I think in the same parampara system that the poison administered to our Society will not act if some of our students are as good as Prahlada Maharaja. I have therefore given the administrative power to the Governing Body Commission.

I have tried to give you all Krsna Consciousness, now it is your duty to develop it. If you remain strong on the spiritual platform then your progress will not be checked or blocked. I do not know what was resolved in New Vrindavan although Sriman Rupanuga Prabhu has informed others that he has sent a tape in this connection. I am still in darkness about the proceedings in New Vrndavana, but I have heard that Brahmananda is preaching about me that I am Krsna, that I am Supersoul, that I have withdrawn my mercy from the disciples, that I have left the Society and so on. 

I do not know how far they are correct, but I have written him a letter that he may not do something which may harm the interest of the Society. You are also one of the members of the GBC, so you can think over very deeply how to save the situation. "It is a fact however that the great sinister movement is within our Society." I have not heard anything from Krsna das or Syamasundara, so all of you may try to save the Society from this dangerous position.

So far my coming here, it appears that it was Krsna's desire. There was very good reception in the Airport and the public opinion is that it was the unique reception so far given to any VIP man. Here in India, especially in Bengal, the political conditions are not very good. Everyone is feeling some sort of anxiety due to the political condition, so I have given them a sort of hope that if they take to Krsna Consciousness their problems will be solved. 

It is not my mental concoction, but I believe in the words of Narottama Dasa Thakura that the shelter of the Lotus Feet of Lord Nityananda is as cooling effectively as the combined moonshine of millions of moons. So I am sure anyone taking shelter of Krsna Consciousness Movement will be happy. Please try to push this Movement on this process. Offer my blessings to Himavati. Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS:ds

======================================

Srila Prabhupada established a GBC body to protect and insure ONLY that his standards and mission were not changed or compromised. Even in the early GBC years, signs of his disciples disobeying him were coming to light… what to speak of now in 2015, when ISKCON barely resembles its 'Original Form' mission in the West and other places. Temples are empty buildings, no official Bhakta Program is thriving. Book distribution suffers as a result. Who can deny this?

The drift from Srila Prabhupada's instructions is not only rampant in ISKCON, but is denied. This is called a cheating mentality. This is the GBC's mentality.

In the following letter, Srila Prabhupada uses the IF, to say Krsna will protect ISKCON from poison as long as the GBC are strong and follow properly. This means, as well, insuring that Srila Prabhupada's programs are not changed.

So far as we see today, ISKCON temples are hollow shells in the West, attended by Indians on Sunday. This is solid proof that something went off, and the GBC has intentionally failed to admit it publicly and fix it.

Amazingly, some GBC/Gurus preach to their disciples the ISKCON GBC Propaganda, "We are the Popes of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada trusted the GBC…" Yes he did, but only to a certain point. He also did not trust them.

The GBC are empowered ONLY if they protect and follow Srila Prabhupada properly. Oops, they forgot to mention that to their disciples. And booting out their godbrothers/sisters who did not agree with their new agenda and their new versions of ISKCON is SINISTER.

Srila Prabhupada hoped that as a complete body, the GBC would correct deviations in ISKCON, not deny them. That's a fact. But that is not what is happening. Does the GBC body have a backbone or any guts anymore?

The GBCs/Gurus preach to their disciples a false notion that loyalty to Srila Prabhupada is loyalty to them! Loyalty to the GBC is loyalty to ISKCON. Question: Show me where Srila Prabhupada said this! By doing this, basically half-truths or outright lies are told to bolster their security and positions in ISKCON. The GBC are now the unquestionable heads of ISKCON, so they can allow Mission Drift, as they please.

The latest GBC Annual Meeting in 2015 was a shameful farce. They were not addressing the real issues (as usual). Their approval of Krishna West is a shameful step in the downfall of the GBC and Prabhupada's intended ISKCON. Next it will be women gurus, then gay marriages… the sky is the limit for ISKCON's GB/New Age Hindu Priests!

Unfortunately, some new devotees are lacking the needed insight and loyalty to Srila Prabhupada, and ISKCON has been reduced to a mundane church for Hindus. It has become a cult -- the very thing we preached we were not when we were preaching in America in the mid- and late 1970s. ISKCON has now become its worst enemy, not the deprogrammers! It went Mission Drift after 1978 and it has never been corrected.

Imagine ISKCON Reform, Guru Reform in ISKCON -- a total revival of Srila Prabhupada's intentions. If the disciples were to completely hold the GBC accountable for compromising Prabhupada's ISKCON, basing it on Guru, Sadhu and Shastra, then the jig would be up for many GBC/Gurus. Game Over, exposed!

In fact, there could be a revolution in ISKCON, the leaders being exposed by their disciples if they held them accountable for allowing Mission Drift in ISKCON. This has not happened. The opposite has happened. Instead we have what deprogrammers used to call ISKCON… a personality cult. Actually, it is not Prabhupada centered any longer.

Letter Two

"What will happen when I am not here, shall everything be spoiled by GBC? So for the time being, let the GBC activities be suspended until I thoroughly revise the whole procedure."

Sydney Australia

11 April, 1972

72-04-11

Hamburg

My dear Hamsaduta,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated April 7th, 1972, and I have noted the contents. The meeting of the GBC appeared to be very unconstitutional, because all the men were not informed or invited. Syamasundara. was not invited, Sudama was not invited, Krishna das was not invited, Tamala Krishna was not invited, neither I was informed. Why? You cannot hold meeting of 8 persons without inviting the others. Seven may be a quorum, that's all right, but you cannot convene without a general announcement to all the members and myself, giving a proposed agenda, like that, the topics to be discussed, why the meeting is being called, etc.

Then there is correspondence for deciding these things, and if there is great necessity, then meeting may be called, but not whimsically, only after much thought is given and there is clear intimation of all the members plus myself. Anything whatever is done is done, but the whole thing appeared to be giving all power to Atreya Rsi. I cannot understand why, instead of one GBC man, a person outside the Commission was given so much power, and there was to be immediate action without divulging the matter to the devotees. And I am surprised that none of the GBC members detected the defects in the procedure.

It was detected only when it came to me. What will happen when I am not here, shall everything be spoiled by GBC? So for the time being, let the GBC activities be suspended until I thoroughly revise the whole procedure. In the meantime, you do your duty as president of Hamburg Temple, and try to improve spiritually. Our spiritual way should strictly observe the following points especially: (1). Neatness and cleanliness of all personal bodies. (I still see those who are initiated as Brahmins, they do not wash their hand after eating even; of course, there may be so many defects due to your births in non-Brahmin families, but how long it shall go on? It is very easy thing.); (2). Chanting 16 rounds daily. (I don't think everyone is following these principles.); (3) Temple worship, which should be performed rigidly between four and ten a.m.)

I find that the devotees are still sleeping up to six, seven o'clock. So in the GBC Agenda I do not find any such programs for reforming our past bad habits. So kindly as President of Hamburg center you try to observe yourself all the regulative principles and see all the members are following.

Recently I have received from one Sannyasi complaint about another Sannyasi who is not chanting regularly. So our view is that we shall be strictly following the rules and regulations. Monetary matters are secondary. On principle, we should better starve than neglect our rules and regulations. We are trying to present an ideal Society to the world, so although we are very rigidly following these principles, still, we are very liberal to everyone. For this reason we are being appreciated everywhere. So anyway, I am not at all dissatisfied with you, but it is my duty to point out the mistakes. You are in charge of the Germany organization. Please do it nicely there, not very much on the material side, more on the spiritual side. Example is better than precept. Every one of you must be the perfect examples, then everyone will follow. Hoping this will meet you in good health, along with your good wife, Himavati devi dasi.

Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS/sda

This second letter says a lot. Please read it carefully. History is repeating itself in different ways in ISKCON now.

The original sin of the GBC body was to disobey HDG Srila Prabhupada's instructions, even before he left the planet. Srila Prabhupada's strict order to close all his Temples and bring ALL his disciples to his bedside at once in Vrindaban dham was covered-up… hidden from his disciples by the GBC. This is an enormous offence to Srila Prabhupada and his sincere disciples. This piece of history won't just disappear.

My godbrother Pradyumna das's warning to the GBC that they were overstepping themselves in worship and titles was ignored by the GBC, who kicked him out of ISKCON. Great offences were made for decades to so many of Prabhupada's disciples who questioned the GBC's off directions. Money-making is more important to the GBC/Gurus, thus ISKCON's Mission Drift. Devotees are not taken care of (seniors included). This is outrageous. It is impersonalism in ISKCON.

Pradyumna das had his service taken away from him. He was supposed to translate theSrimad Bhagavatam, but he was heartlessly pushed out of the picture. And thousands of Prabhupada disciples met the same fate. ISKCON has lost a lot of great souls and good men due to the desire for profit, adoration and distinction… the greed and selfishness of the GBC. No proper atonement has ever been made by the GBC body to this day!

"On principle, we should better starve than neglect our rules and regulations. We are trying to present an ideal Society to the world."

Look at what his Divine Grace says in this letter: not one GBC/Guru EVER talks like this now. Where is the integrity of the current GBC Body in allowing Mission Drift, which has been well documented in many articles on the Sampradaya Sun, continuing to this day. That's the question all devotees should be asking their GBC and Temple Presidents in ISKCON now.

Appearance of Sita Devi and other festivals



Srimati Sita devi avirbhava tithi [appearance day]
Sri Madhu Pandita tirobhava tithi [disappearance day]
Srimati Jahnava devi avirbhva tithi [appearance day]

compiled by Damaghosa dasa, Narasimha dasa and Yasoda nandana dasa

Srila Prabhupada glorifies these exalted personalities.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 2: "The Cosmic Manifestation" : SB 2.7: Scheduled Incarnations with Specific Functions : SB 2.7.23 :

Due to His causeless mercy upon all living entities within the universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with His plenary extensions, appeared in the family of Mahārāja Ikṣvāku as the Lord of His internal potency, Sītā. Under the order of His father, Mahārāja Daśaratha, He entered the forest and lived there for considerable years with His wife and younger brother. Rāvaṇa, who was very materially powerful, with ten heads on his shoulders, committed a great offense against Him and was thus ultimately vanquished

PURPORT :
Lord Rāma is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His brothers, namely Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna, are His plenary expansions. All four brothers are viṣṇu-tattva and were never ordinary human beings. There are many unscrupulous and ignorant commentators on Rāmāyaṇa who present the younger brothers of Lord Rāmacandra as ordinary living entities. But here in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the most authentic scripture on the science of Godhead, it is clearly stated that His brothers were His plenary expansions. Originally Lord Rāmacandra is the incarnation of Vāsudeva, Lakṣmaṇa is the incarnation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Bharata is the incarnation of Pradyumna, and Śatrughna is the incarnation of Aniruddha, expansions of the Personality of Godhead. Lakṣmījī Sītā is the internal potency of the Lord and is neither an ordinary woman nor the external potency incarnation of Durgā. Durgā is the external potency of the Lord, and she is associated with Lord Śiva.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura : SB 3.20.25 : PURPORT

All the forms of the Lord are eternal. It is the devotee’s inclination to worship a particular form, and he engages in devotional service to that form. In a verse in the Rāmāyaṇa, Hanumān, the great devotee of Rāma, said, “I know that there is no difference between the Sītā-Rāma and Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but nevertheless, the form of Rāma and Sītā has absorbed my affection and love. Therefore I want to see the Lord in the forms of Rāma and Sītā.” Similarly, the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava loves the forms of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī at Dvārakā. The words bhaktānām anurūpātma-darśanam mean that the Lord is always pleased to favor the devotee in the particular form in which the devotee wants to worship and render service unto Him. In this verse it is stated that Brahmā approached Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This form of the Lord is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.25: The Glories of Devotional Service : SB 3.25.36 : PURPORT :

When one is trained to become conscious of his position, he understands that he is the servitor of the Lord. “Brahman” refers to a state of self-realization. Even the third-class devotee—who is not advanced in knowledge of the Absolute Truth but simply offers obeisances with great devotion, thinks of the Lord, sees the Lord in the temple and brings forth flowers and fruits to offer to the Deity—becomes imperceptibly liberated. Śraddhayānvitāḥ: with great devotion the devotees offer worshipful respects and paraphernalia to the Deity.

The Deities of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, and Rāma and Sītā are very attractive to devotees, so much so that when they see the statue decorated in the temple of the Lord they become fully absorbed in thought of the Lord. That is the state of liberation. In other words, it is confirmed herewith that even a third-class devotee is in the transcendental position, above those who are trying for liberation by speculation or by other methods. Even great impersonalists like Śukadeva Gosvāmī and the four Kumāras were attracted by the beauty of the Deities in the temple, by the decorations and by the aroma of tulasī offered to the Lord, and they became devotees. Even though they were in the liberated state, instead of remaining impersonalists they were attracted by the beauty of the Lord and became devotees.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.28: Kapila's Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service : SB 3.28.29 : PURPORT :

The Lord appears in the particular form loved by a particular type of devotee. There are millions of forms of the Lord, but they are one Absolute. As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā, advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam: [Bs 5.33] all the different forms of the Lord are one, but some devotees want to see Him in the form of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, others prefer Him as Sītā and Rāmacandra, others would see Him as Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, and others want to see Him as four-handed Nārāyaṇa, Vāsudeva. The Lord has innumerable forms, and He appears in a particular form as preferred by a particular type of devotee.

A yogī is advised to meditate upon the forms that are approved by devotees. A yogī cannot imagine a form for meditation. Those so-called yogīs who manufacture a circle or target are engaged in nonsense. Actually, a yogī must meditate upon the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that has been experienced by the Lord’s pure devotees. Yogī means devotee. Yogīs who are not actually pure devotees should follow in the footsteps of devotees. It is especially mentioned here that the yogī should meditate upon the form which is thus approved; he cannot manufacture a form of the Lord.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.31: Lord Kapila's Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities : SB 3.31.47 : PURPORT :

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is beyond the material creation. It is admitted even by impersonalists like Śaṅkarācārya that Nārāyaṇa is transcendental to this material creation. As such, when one actually engages in the service of the Lord in various forms, either Nārāyaṇa or Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa or Sītā-Rāma, he is understood to be on the platform of liberation. The Bhāgavatam also confirms that liberation means to be situated in one’s constitutional position. Since a living entity is eternally the servitor of the Supreme Lord, when one seriously and sincerely engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, he is situated in the position of liberation. One should try to associate with a liberated person, and then the problems of life, namely birth and death, can be solved.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 4: "The Creation of the Fourth Order" : SB 4.15: King Prthu's Appearance and Coronation : SB 4.15.3 : PURPORT :

The significance of the goddess of fortune’s never being separated from the Lord is clearly mentioned herein. People in the material world are very fond of the goddess of fortune, and they want her favor in the form of riches. They should know, however, that the goddess of fortune is inseparable from Lord Viṣṇu. Materialists should understand that the goddess of fortune should be worshiped along with Lord Viṣṇu and should not be regarded separately. Materialists seeking the favor of the goddess of fortune must worship Lord Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī together to maintain material opulence.

If a materialist follows the policy of Rāvaṇa, who wanted to separate Sītā from Lord Rāmacandra, the process of separation will vanquish him. Those who are very rich and have taken favor of the goddess of fortune in this world must engage their money in the service of the Lord. In this way they can continue in their opulent position without disturbance

Sri Madhu Pandita tirobhava tithi [disappearance]
'govinda' bhakta, āra vāṇī-kṛṣṇadāsa
puṇḍarīkākṣa, īśāna, āra laghu-haridāsa

SYNONYMS

govinda—Govinda; bhakta—a great devotee; āra—and; vāṇī-kṛṣṇadāsa—Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa; puṇḍarīkākṣa—Puṇḍarīkākṣa; īśāna—Īśāna; āra—and; laghu-haridāsa—Laghu Haridāsa.
TRANSLATION

The great devotee Govinda, Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa, Puṇḍarīkākṣa, Īśāna and Laghu Haridāsa also accompanied him.

PURPORT

Laghu Haridāsa should not be confused with Junior Haridāsa, who committed suicide at Prayāga. Generally a devotee is called Haridāsa, and consequently there are many Haridāsas. The chief was Ṭhākura Haridāsa. There was also a Madhyama Haridāsa. In Bhakti-ratnākara (Sixth Wave), there is a list of many of the chief devotees who accompanied Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.

"The following Vaiṣṇavas were present with Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī: the merciful Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī; Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī; Śrī Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī, a reservoir of good qualities; Śrī Mādhava; Śrī Paramānanda Bhaṭṭācārya; Śrī Madhu Paṇḍita, whose characteristics are all wonderful; Premī Kṛṣṇadāsa; Kṛṣṇadāsa Brahmacārī; Yādava Ācārya; the merciful Nārāyaṇa; Śrī Puṇḍarīkākṣa Gosvāmī; Govinda; Īśāna; Śrī Govinda; the magnanimous Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa; Śrī Uddhava, who occasionally visited Bengal; Dvija Haridāsa; Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja; Śrī Gopāla dāsa, whose body is completely spiritual; Śrī Gopāla; Mādhava; and many others.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 18: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Visit to Sri Vrndavana : Madhya 18.52 :

Srimati Jahnava devi avirbhva tithi [appearance day]

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda : Adi 11.40 : PURPORT : In the family of Kānu Ṭhākura there is a Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity known as Prāṇavallabha. It is said that his family worshiped this Deity long before the appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When there was a Maharashtrian invasion of Bengal, the family of Kānu Ṭhākura was scattered, and after the invasion one Harikṛṣṇa Gosvāmī of that family came back to their original home, Bodhakhānā, and re-established the Prāṇavallabha Deity. The descendants of the family still engage in the service of Prāṇavallabha. Kānu Ṭhākura was present during the Kheṭari utsava, when Jāhnavā-devī and Vīrabhadra Gosvāmī were also present.

One of Kānu Ṭhākura's family members, Mādhavācārya, married the daughter of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, who was named Gaṅgādevī. Both Puruṣottama Ṭhākura and Kānu Ṭhākura had many disciples from brāhmaṇa families. Most of the disciplic descendants of Kānu Ṭhākura now reside in the village named Gaḍabetā, by the river Śilāvatī, in the Midnapore district

_________________________________________________________________________________

shri-varuni-revata-vamsha-sambhave
tasya priye dve vasudha ca jahnavi
shri-surya-dasasya mahatmanah sute
kakudma-rupasya ca surya-tejasah

ananga-maпjarim kecij jahnavam ca pracakshate ubhayam tu samicinam purva-nyayat satam matam

Balaram's wives Varuni and Revati became Vasudha and Jahnavi, the two wives of Nityananda Prabhu, in Chaitanya-lila. Both of them were the daughters of Surya Das, who was as effulgent as the sun. He was Kakudman, the father of Revati, in his previous birth. According to another opinion, Jahnava was the incarnation of Ananga Mjari. Both these opinions are possible, as we have shown that more than one identity can be joined in associates of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
(Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika 65-6)
_________________________________________________________________________________

Lord Rāma is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His brothers, namely Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna, are His plenary expansions. All four brothers are viṣṇu-tattva and were never ordinary human beings. There are many unscrupulous and ignorant commentators on Rāmāyaṇa who present the younger brothers of Lord Rāmacandra as ordinary living entities. But here in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the most authentic scripture on the science of Godhead, it is clearly stated that His brothers were His plenary expansions. Originally Lord Rāmacandra is the incarnation of Vāsudeva, Lakṣmaṇa is the incarnation of Saṅkarṣaṇa, Bharata is the incarnation of Pradyumna, and Śatrughna is the incarnation of Aniruddha, expansions of the Personality of Godhead. Lakṣmījī Sītā is the internal potency of the Lord and is neither an ordinary woman nor the external potency incarnation of Durgā. Durgā is the external potency of the Lord, and she is associated with Lord Śiva.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura : SB 3.20.25 : PURPORT

All the forms of the Lord are eternal. It is the devotee’s inclination to worship a particular form, and he engages in devotional service to that form. In a verse in the Rāmāyaṇa, Hanumān, the great devotee of Rāma, said, “I know that there is no difference between the Sītā-Rāma and Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but nevertheless, the form of Rāma and Sītā has absorbed my affection and love. Therefore I want to see the Lord in the forms of Rāma and Sītā.” Similarly, the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava loves the forms of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī at Dvārakā. The words bhaktānām anurūpātma-darśanam mean that the Lord is always pleased to favor the devotee in the particular form in which the devotee wants to worship and render service unto Him. In this verse it is stated that Brahmā approached Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This form of the Lord is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.25: The Glories of Devotional Service : SB 3.25.36 : PURPORT :

When one is trained to become conscious of his position, he understands that he is the servitor of the Lord. “Brahman” refers to a state of self-realization. Even the third-class devotee—who is not advanced in knowledge of the Absolute Truth but simply offers obeisances with great devotion, thinks of the Lord, sees the Lord in the temple and brings forth flowers and fruits to offer to the Deity—becomes imperceptibly liberated. Śraddhayānvitāḥ: with great devotion the devotees offer worshipful respects and paraphernalia to the Deity.

The Deities of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, and Rāma and Sītā are very attractive to devotees, so much so that when they see the statue decorated in the temple of the Lord they become fully absorbed in thought of the Lord. That is the state of liberation. In other words, it is confirmed herewith that even a third-class devotee is in the transcendental position, above those who are trying for liberation by speculation or by other methods. Even great impersonalists like Śukadeva Gosvāmī and the four Kumāras were attracted by the beauty of the Deities in the temple, by the decorations and by the aroma of tulasī offered to the Lord, and they became devotees. Even though they were in the liberated state, instead of remaining impersonalists they were attracted by the beauty of the Lord and became devotees.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.28: Kapila's Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service : SB 3.28.29 : PURPORT :

The Lord appears in the particular form loved by a particular type of devotee. There are millions of forms of the Lord, but they are one Absolute. As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā, advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam: [Bs 5.33] all the different forms of the Lord are one, but some devotees want to see Him in the form of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, others prefer Him as Sītā and Rāmacandra, others would see Him as Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, and others want to see Him as four-handed Nārāyaṇa, Vāsudeva. The Lord has innumerable forms, and He appears in a particular form as preferred by a particular type of devotee.

A yogī is advised to meditate upon the forms that are approved by devotees. A yogī cannot imagine a form for meditation. Those so-called yogīs who manufacture a circle or target are engaged in nonsense. Actually, a yogī must meditate upon the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead that has been experienced by the Lord’s pure devotees. Yogī means devotee. Yogīs who are not actually pure devotees should follow in the footsteps of devotees. It is especially mentioned here that the yogī should meditate upon the form which is thus approved; he cannot manufacture a form of the Lord.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 3: "The Status Quo" : SB 3.31: Lord Kapila's Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities : SB 3.31.47 : PURPORT :

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is beyond the material creation. It is admitted even by impersonalists like Śaṅkarācārya that Nārāyaṇa is transcendental to this material creation. As such, when one actually engages in the service of the Lord in various forms, either Nārāyaṇa or Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa or Sītā-Rāma, he is understood to be on the platform of liberation. The Bhāgavatam also confirms that liberation means to be situated in one’s constitutional position. Since a living entity is eternally the servitor of the Supreme Lord, when one seriously and sincerely engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, he is situated in the position of liberation.

One should try to associate with a liberated person, and then the problems of life, namely birth and death, can be solved.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 4: "The Creation of the Fourth Order" : SB 4.15: King Prthu's Appearance and Coronation : SB 4.15.3 : PURPORT :
The significance of the goddess of fortune’s never being separated from the Lord is clearly mentioned herein. People in the material world are very fond of the goddess of fortune, and they want her favor in the form of riches. They should know, however, that the goddess of fortune is inseparable from Lord Viṣṇu. Materialists should understand that the goddess of fortune should be worshiped along with Lord Viṣṇu and should not be regarded separately. Materialists seeking the favor of the goddess of fortune must worship Lord Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī together to maintain material opulence. If a materialist follows the policy of Rāvaṇa, who wanted to separate Sītā from Lord Rāmacandra, the process of separation will vanquish him. Those who are very rich and have taken favor of the goddess of fortune in this world must engage their money in the service of the Lord. In this way they can continue in their opulent position without disturbance

Sri Madhu Pandita tirobhava tithi [disappearance]
'govinda' bhakta, āra vāṇī-kṛṣṇadāsa
puṇḍarīkākṣa, īśāna, āra laghu-haridāsa
SYNONYMS

govinda—Govinda; bhakta—a great devotee; āra—and; vāṇī-kṛṣṇadāsa—Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa; puṇḍarīkākṣa—Puṇḍarīkākṣa; īśāna—Īśāna; āra—and; laghu-haridāsa—Laghu Haridāsa.
TRANSLATION

The great devotee Govinda, Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa, Puṇḍarīkākṣa, Īśāna and Laghu Haridāsa also accompanied him.

PURPORT

Laghu Haridāsa should not be confused with Junior Haridāsa, who committed suicide at Prayāga. Generally a devotee is called Haridāsa, and consequently there are many Haridāsas. The chief was Ṭhākura Haridāsa. There was also a Madhyama Haridāsa.
In Bhakti-ratnākara (Sixth Wave), there is a list of many of the chief devotees who accompanied Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.

"The following Vaiṣṇavas were present with Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī: the merciful Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī; Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī; Śrī Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī, a reservoir of good qualities; Śrī Mādhava; Śrī Paramānanda Bhaṭṭācārya; Śrī Madhu Paṇḍita, whose characteristics are all wonderful; Premī Kṛṣṇadāsa; Kṛṣṇadāsa Brahmacārī; Yādava Ācārya; the merciful Nārāyaṇa; Śrī Puṇḍarīkākṣa Gosvāmī; Govinda; Īśāna; Śrī Govinda; the magnanimous Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa; Śrī Uddhava, who occasionally visited Bengal; Dvija Haridāsa; Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja; Śrī Gopāla dāsa, whose body is completely spiritual; Śrī Gopāla; Mādhava; and many others.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 18: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Visit to Sri Vrndavana : Madhya 18.52 :

Srimati Jahnava devi avirbhva tithi [appearance day]

Books : Sri Caitanya-caritamrta - 1975 Edition : Cc. Adi-lila : Adi 11: The Expansions of Lord Nityananda : Adi 11.40 : PURPORT : In the family of Kānu Ṭhākura there is a Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity known as Prāṇavallabha. It is said that his family worshiped this Deity long before the appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When there was a Maharashtrian invasion of Bengal, the family of Kānu Ṭhākura was scattered, and after the invasion one Harikṛṣṇa Gosvāmī of that family came back to their original home, Bodhakhānā, and re-established the Prāṇavallabha Deity. The descendants of the family still engage in the service of Prāṇavallabha. Kānu Ṭhākura was present during the Kheṭari utsava, when Jāhnavā-devī and Vīrabhadra Gosvāmī were also present. One of Kānu Ṭhākura's family members, Mādhavācārya, married the daughter of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, who was named Gaṅgādevī. Both Puruṣottama Ṭhākura and Kānu Ṭhākura had many disciples from brāhmaṇa families. Most of the disciplic descendants of Kānu Ṭhākura now reside in the village named Gaḍabetā, by the river Śilāvatī, in the Midnapore district

___________________________________________________________________________

Severe Weather Depressing India Farmers

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/8-more-farmers-die-in-Braj-region/articleshow/47026678.cms

[PADA: The hail storm alone killed of all the crops on some farms. This is why Srila Prabhupada said that if we want good weather, or good anything really, we'd need to please Krishna by Harinama Samkirtana. Instead, the trend and tendency is that India is getting more Westernized, industrialized and Bollywood-ized. Thank goodness Askhaya Patra is at least feeding some of the children in the affected areas. ys pd]   

Saturday, April 25, 2015

No Reported Injuries ISKCON Nepal

http://yahoonews.tumblr.com/post/117339263087/photos-from-the-ground-devastating-earthquake

[PADA: But the temple building has big cracks and surrounding buildings were flattened. Danger at every step! ys pd]

==============================

A massive earthquake of 7.9 magnitude struck central Nepal on Saturday, April 25, affecting Kathmandu and he city of Pokhara. The tremors could also be felt in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

According to international new agencies hundreds of people had been killed across Nepal. Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kathmandu trying to reach survivors. A number of historic buildings have been destroyed.

Patri das, ISKCON's regional secretary in Nepal reported that the temple in Kathmandu is basically OK, but there are severe cracks in a number of buildings on ISKCON property.

The Deities have been moved outside from the main temple.

No devotees were injured at the temple complex, but there is a concern that since many houses in the area collapsed, it is impossible to determine at this point if all ISKCON devotees are safe.

ISKCON Kathmandu is asking devotees and well-wishers worldwide to please pray for the safely and lives of ISKCON members and all the people living in and around the affected area.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

New Prabhupada Temple in Gujarat





AGD: Last friday, with lot of excitement, headed towards Hare Krishna Mandir, Ahmedabad for the Prana Pratishtapana Mahotsava of Sri Sri Radha Madhav. Any material description of the event would fall short. I do not know what fortune I had done in which lifetime, I could witness every every event there. It definitely would be my "Once in a life time experience". Nothing more to ask for, over there... Devotees = Precious gems. Thank you very much JP, AK, AD, Pp, A and many other devotees who helped me render some insignificant service. I am very fortunate to have associated with you, who carry the same zeal which Our Dear Srila Prabhupada expects to be in a devotee. Temple = Palace. Hare Krishna Mandir, Ahmedabad is in par with many full fledged centers with a handful number of devotees. Feel like falling straight at their feet. Prasadam = Necter. Very much out of this world and no comparisons to it. Overall, I still relish every moment being there while forgetting all the hardships and tiredness caused there. The last and best part, Sri Radha Madhava. They are so so beautiful. I am very fortunate to witness their descending at HKM, Ahmedabad.

Solar Sea Water Distiller

[PADA: Someone should get these things going in India, sounds like a wonderful idea. Heck we could use these in California at this point. ys pd]

http://www.offgridquest.com/survival/solar-seawater-distiller-turns-salt-wate


Emona Durmati / Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura


Time to relax with Bansuri Flute


Plight of Farmers in India

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nidhi-nath-srinivas/the-suicide-in-the-capita_b_7116696.html?utm_hp_ref=india

[PADA: Farmer's sector is not so much supported, industrialized sector is much more supported. Same problem we have all over the world. ys pd]

Hinduism Spreading in Africa

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Hansadutta's Bizarre New Conspiracy Theory

THE GBC MADE THE POISON TAPES BY TAPE SPLICING?

Lenny: Right, also these so called poison whisper tapes might be manipulated? 

[PADA: Audio tapes that have been dubbed and spliced will be noticed on professional digital audio forensic lab equipment (which we used), because there are clicks and "start and stop" noises, changes in speed, changes in background noises, changes in microphone direction and so on. The labs said these tapes are authentic and not dubbed.  

Has Hansadutta had the November tapes checked for dubbing and splicing at a professional audio lab? Nope. 

And if the GBC dubbed and spliced these tapes as Lenny suggests, why would they splice in THEIR OWN whispers that incriminate themselves in a poison conspiracy? Or was Ramesvara alone trying to make it look like the other leaders were involved in a poison plot and HE dubbed them in? A devotee who worked as a tech for the Los Angeles tape department says, they had no equipment to make splices of this type (see his comment below).   

All this sounds incredibly far fetched, apart from that -- Ramesvara has never mentioned the poison issue as far as we know? What would be his motive to make Srila Prabhupada's words juggled around to make it sound like he was complaining of poison, and he would implicate the other leaders by splicing in their whispers? 

And why is it that Adridharana, Bhakti Caru, the Kaviraja and others all confirm that a poison complaint was being made at the time, separate from the tapes? Why did Hansadutta in his recent conversation with me confirm that the parts of the tape we discussed are accurate? Is he saying -- they only spliced the sections where he was not present?    

Lenny: They worked for ten years with these audio tapes and had all kind of fancy equipment in LA for possibly doing that - to alter any voice recording. 

[PADA: So it was Ramesvara who was in charge of these tapes and he had these tapes spliced together, because he decided to make a tape apparently sounding like Srila Prabhupada was complaining of poison, and he added whispers from the other leaders -- to incriminate the other leaders in the plot. Does this make any sense? The GBC made their own tape to incriminate themselves, or Ramesvara made a tape to incriminate the others? Where is the evidence any of this happened?] 

Lenny: At that time of zonal acarya system their main focus of attention was how to remove all these thousands of rank & file Prabhupada disciples and make sure that nobody of these veterans will show up in any temple. Plan was to refill all temples with new disciples. Of course this hasn't changed very much till present day? 

[PADA: Well right, they got rid of Srila Prabhupada and then wanted to get rid of his servants.]

Hansadutta pr just mailed this:

Obeisances, Prabhu, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, I don't know what Puranjan wrote. I did speak with him casually outside the Berkeley temple some days ago mostly I was just being polite.

I listened attentively while he went on about different evidences but after all it's simply what he says and who can say what he says is true or has any authority? Everyone is simply talking, no one has brought the matter to court for legal adjudication, thus it is just seen as "in house squabbling" by disgruntled factional "Prabhupadanugas".....don't waste ur time...follow Prabhupada, chant Hare Krishna, take prasadam, get ready to go......disaster is coming...the world is on the brink of unimaginable upheaval...it is the end of an era.

When i asked Prabhupada if there was anything we should do to prepare for this war, he said prepare to chant HARE KRSNA, THATS ALL HE SAID....PREPARE TO CHANT HARE KRSNA..........

YOUR SERVANT

Hansadutta das

[PADA: Well right, the Hansadutta crowd also said that there was no child abuse "because no one took it to court." Eventually it was taken to court and they pleaded no contest, because they had no counter argument. Who is going to take the poison issue to court? Hansadutta would not even take the other leaders to court over the child abuse issue, much less any other criminal issue? Instead Hansadutta moved everyone from Berkeley to the source of the abuse culture, New Vrndavana. Srila Prabhupada said there needs to be 50 poojaris in Berkeley, and Hansadutta moved everyone away from there to worship his criminal pal Kirtanananda, he has no regard for Srila Prabhupada.

Sure! No one (so far) has brought Hansadutta and his regime to court for ruining the lives of thousands and devotees; Kicking out nearly all the Prabhupada devotees from Berkeley; Having some of these devotees die from depression, cancer and suicide; Having some other devotees beaten and killed; Supporting a regime that was abusing children; Going to New Vrndavana to help get Sulochana killed by propping up Kirtanananda as the next messiah; Ruining the name of Krishna for millions of people all over the world. Right! Who will prosecute Hansadutta for all these crimes against Krishna and the Vaishnavas? Just because he was not prosecuted by a court here in this world, he is free of guilt and prosecution? 

Nope, he is guilty as sin. Therefore shastra says, the courts of Yamaraja will take care of these people. Hansadutta has said the November 1977 audio tapes were manipulated, but we had three expert audio forensic labs go over the tapes and say they are authentic. Now Hansadutta says the culprits dubbed in their own whispers to implicate themselves, that is making no sense at all? The culprits dubbed in their own whispers into a tape, to make themselves look guilty? This makes no sense whatever? Criminals hide their crimes, they do not make a tape to implicate themselves in the crime?

And! What have Lenny and Hansadutta done, other than gossip about the issue? Hansadutta told me he was there and many of the parts of the tape we discussed are ALSO what he heard, he agreed that much of these tapes are valid. Only the parts where he was not present were altered, but not the parts where he was present? Again, sounds spectacularly far fetched. Where is his evidence this happened? Why did he not mention this idea when we talked in person, that he now thinks the GBC dubbed in their own whispers -- and he did not tell me this at our meeting because even he knew this would sound insane? The crooks added their own voices to incriminate -- themselves? 

The FBI in Gainseville said that if this crime had occurred on US soil they would have prosecuted for murder. That means Hansadutta has no counter evidence? In India bogus gurus have ex-followers who write all kinds of things about being molested, even about murders etc. and often these gurus are never prosecuted, that is the standard for Hansadutta? Molesting and murder are ok as long as one is not prosecuted? 

Anyway! Srila Prabhupada says these false acharyas go to the lowest regions of the universe, but sure, they may TEMPORARILY escape the laws of the materialists. That means, just because they escape from the law of the materialists, this does not mean they will escape the laws of God? God's laws are always and forever, they are not going to be escaped for very long. As Srila Prabhupada says the time factor is like a cat playing with the sinners like a cat plays with a mouse, eventually the mouse is consumed by the time factor. 

Hansadutta says the laws of the materialists are the "be all -- and -- end all," nope, shastra says the mundane laws might not prosecute these false acharyas, but the higher laws will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. 

Oddly Krishna Kanta of the IRM said the same thing, he told me if I can convince a chicken tikka eating judge that Srila Prabhupada complained of poison, then he would accept. That means he accepts chicken eating judges over the authority of Srila Prabhupada, just like Hansadutta argues, we need to get the court to agree. 

Anyway! When is Hansadutta going to read and study anything? He should know all this already: i.e. he is not going to be charged here by the karmi courts, he is going to be charged in Yamaraja's court for being a false messiah. That is what the shastra says. Where is Hansadutta's counter analysis to all this, either the poison case or the fact that false acharyas go to the lowest regions? 

He says the world is on the brink of disaster, right, and that is because Hansadutta's ilk virtually destroyed ISKCON and ruined the name of Krishna and destroyed the process to save the world. Yes! Chanting God's name would have saved the people of the world, but Hansadutta turned Krishna's chanting of God's name program into his personal criminal enterprise that was banning, beating, molesting and killing the vaishnavas. And Hansadutta was apparently also propping up the people who made Srila Prabhupada complain of poison.  

And Hansadutta wanted to establish his fellow sexual predator pals as the messiahs of Berkeley, many say, because he never had any real love for Srila Prabbhupada, rather he loved his fellow crime pals more, and so he wanted to establish their worship and not Srila Prabhupada's. Hansadutta's people announced, "Kirtanananda is the only pure devotee on the planet, lets all move to New Vrndavana," and Hansadutta was the leader of this parade to Kirtanananda's empire. 

So he stole all the Berkeley manpower, vehicles, money, books and sent it all into Kirtanananda's hands so they could bankrupt and destroy the Berkeley temple and burn it to ashes. And it has never recovered from the Hansadutta carpet bombing program.   

Hansadutta is thus the person who will be charged in Yama's court for ruining the chanting of God's name program, and thereby ruining the world, and the price he will pay is not going to be pretty, that is what shastra says. Srila Prabhupada said that a bogus guru dragged all of Bengal to hell, so these bogus gurus have to pay for all the bad karma they created for millions of people. Those who impede and derail people from going to God will be punished worse than the ordinary man. And shastra says, its better that these false acharyas never even heard of the Vedas because their punishment will be very severe and serious. 

The people who derail others from going to and serving God are called atma hana, killers of the soul. People who kill other's souls will find a bleak future for themselves, and that is why shastra says they are the most dangerous elements in human society who will go to the lowest regions of the universe, where they then toss away the key. There are hundreds of thousands of hellish planets for such deviants, and the Bhagavad Gita says the same thing, the false religionists are going to the worst destination. 

Hansadutta was never prosecuted for all this (so far), ok fine, and he and his ilk foolishly think that means they are getting away with all their banning, beating, molesting, assassinating and helping the poison sabha sit in big seats. Nope, he cannot escape the laws of God. This is arrogance on steroids, he gets thousands of devotees banned, beaten, dead, and he thinks there is no problem since he was not prosecuted, that means he is more or less an atheist. 

Sorry, Krishna's court will prosecute him for harming so many devotees and ruining the name of God wholesale all over the planet and thus discouraging people EN MASSE from taking shelter of God, and killing millions of souls (atma hana) in the process, by making a horrible public spectacle of Krishna's name. 

In sum! He has dragged ISKCON to hell, and that means he dragged all the people of the world to hell wholesale, because he stopped their path of chanting the names of God and being liberated. People wanted to surrender to God, for example a nice poojari woman that Hansadutta kicked out in Berkeley. After that, she told me she lost her will to live, and then she got cancer, and she died slowly and painfully. 

Hansadutta killed her soul, and then he de facto killed her body, because his atma hana soul killer program is fully the reason why she is dead. After that, another one of his disciples killed himself, and many others have died prematurely, and so on and so forth and so on, thus all these people had to suffer and die so he could sit in a big seat, take drugs, and have illicit sex with disciples for a few years. 

The Isopanisad is clear, hell is where these false acharyas are going. Killing a cow means one has to suffer thousands of years for every hair on the body of the cow, and someone is going to suffer for much longer times than that for ever hair on this poor dead poojari who died of cancer. Her death was not necessary, it was induced by Hansadutta, and that is all there is to it. He was not prosecuted here for her untimely death, fine, he will be prosecuted elsewhere, that's for sure.

He has no faith in the court of God. Anyway! He is another person who has not gone though all the conversations and made counter points analysis, because he cannot, there is none. And Lenny is another who thinks these guys are not going to be punished in the court of Yamaraja, he thinks that the courts here are all in all. 

Srila Prabhupada says no, these false acharyas can escape the courts here. that means all these people who think these false gurus are free -- are atheists. No wonder they love the poison sabha and deny the words of Srila Prabhupada. Why would the culprits add their own voices to the tape saying they are giving poison? You guys simply make crazy arguments. This makes no sense to anyone. Now Lenny is saying they added their own whispers, that means, he is never going to explain this properly, and this explanation is worse than anything we have heard so far. Their counter arguments are going more insane by the moment. 

I am glad that when I announced the poison case in public some women in bikinis being dragged by their dogs came up and said, what is this? I said this man complained of being poisoned, and they had pained and concerned looks on their faces. They have more love and compassion for the poison complaint of a pure devotee than many of his "disciples" ever will have, ever. They were not stone hearted rocks. 

I was glad to see that this is how a normal, feeling and caring person will react, whereas the stone hearts never will. Same problem we have with Prahlad and HKC Jaipur, they say all our items like introducing the poison case are all PADA lies, that means they have no feelings. And their pal Kamsahanta said we cannot introduce this issue because we will lose the buildings, these people worship bricks and stones and dead rocks, and they are on the same page as Hansadutta, they want to squash our attempt to forward this issue. ys pd

==========================


JD: Because that probably did not happen? What I have to add is likely not necessary, still. Ramesvaras archives or tape ministry was, in the beginning, run by Caru. I took it over in 83. There were two high speed dubbing machines that needed repair, an old type writer and a chair. That was all. No fancy editing machines. If anyone did and if anyone may have had equipment capable of doing that, it would have to of been at Srila Prabhupads archives. Still, there would not be any reason for them to of had equipment capable of that and I don't see them doing it anyway.

PADA: Thanks for the info. Right, also modern digital technology is much more advanced than anything they had at the time. It can detect things like -- tape speed changes (which happens on twin tape dubbing), changes in background noise, even if the microphone is in a different location, and of course old style dubbing on twin tapes made all sorts of clicks and bumps that are easy to detect on modern digital programs. Apart from that, why would the culprits dub in their own voices to incriminate, themselves? The tapes were declared as "consistent content" by three separate audio labs, which means, it was not dubbed. This is really getting bizarre, the culprits dubbed their own voices in, to incriminate, themselves? I think someone is not taking their medications? This is baffling. ys pd