"Highly Focused Intelligence."

In the Bhagavad-gita 2:41 Lord Sri Krishna states,

vyavasayatmika buddhir

ekeha kuru-nandana

bahu-sakha hy anantas ca

buddhayo 'vyavasayinam

"Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched."

In this verse two key words are "one" and "many". If we are Krishna conscious, we have one-pointed highly focused intelligence. Otherwise if we are not Krishna consciousness, our intelligence is splayed out all over the place. In such an unfocused state one is not able to successfully carry out the purpose of this human form, i.e. to realize the Absolute Truth.

Some people complain that we do not give any practical guidance on how to realize the Highest Truth. But then when we tell them the actual technique for attaining it, they again complain. What can be done? If we want to realize the Absolute Truth, we have to be willing to make some serious sacrifices of our time and energy. We should not think that the most valuable thing to be found anywhere in the universe comes cheaply. There has to be some serious expenditure of time and energy from our side.

When one of my students told me that he did not have sufficient time for chanting the Hare Krishna mantra daily on the japa beads because he was so busy with his job, I asked him to give a breakdown of his daily schedule. It turned out that he was spending two hours every evening watching mundane television with his relatives. If we are willing to cut the unnecessary time-wasters out of our schedules we can easily find sufficient time and energy for realizing the highest perfection of developing pure love for God. We have to simply realize that there is nothing more important than this and devote every spare minute of every day to this topmost of all activities, realizing the Absolute Truth.

Real poverty is of The Heart

Quote's of the day

Question: Why Are People So Afraid of Death?

Gurudeva, why are people so afraid of death, as it is a fact that one who is born has to die one day, no one can avoid this? Why they are not able to accept this truth?

Answer: It Is Simply Due to Ignorance

We do not want to accept the inevitability of death because as eternal spiritual beings we actually do not ever die. We live eternally. The foolish materialists try to avoid death by material means, and 100% of them fail in this attempt. The devotees of the Lord, however, conquer over by reviving their original eternal identities as servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

"The Soul Cannot Be Killed."

Many years ago I was riding one night with some friends down a remote dark country highway in the hill country west of Austin, Texas. It appeared that another car was tailing us and it became fearful for us that perhaps the persons in the other car had some ill intentions towards us. But then one of my companions stated that he was not afraid because he has a bulletproof soul. His words were a wonderful reassurance to me that there is nothing at all to be feared in this world. I never forget his profound words. It is most comforting to know that the self can never be slain.

This knowledge of the imperishable nature of the self is coming originally from the Vedic wisdom, the ancient spiritual wisdom of India. This knowledge was spoken over 5,000 years ago by Lord Krishna to Arjuna as recorded in the Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 2, Text 19:

ya enam vetti hantaram

yas cainam manyate hatam

ubhau tau na vijanito

nayam hanti na hanyate

"Neither he who thinks the living entity the slayer nor he who thinks it slain is in knowledge, for the self slays not nor is slain."

Since the actual self, the soul, is indestructible, why have we built an entire civilization around the temporary material body? This is called ignorance. And because we have ignorantly constructed an entire world civilization, therefore no one is happy here. Everyone is anxiety. The rich are in anxiety. The poor are in anxiety. The middle class is in anxiety. Everyone is bewildered because they are basing their happiness on the satisfaction of the perishable material body.

There needs to be now a system in place all over the world to simply educate everyone to the understanding that we are all eternal spirit-souls, part and parcel servitors of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna. This will bring about the desired peace and happiness in this world. We pray that this knowledge will now spread throughout the entire world.

"The Way Out of Illusion."

Mortality means anxiety. Nobody wants to die. This is why bodily consciousness, the false identity with the material body, is the root cause of all our suffering and anxiety. If we can simply rise beyond bodily consciousness to the spiritual platform, all of our anxieties will be finished. With proper training from the Bhagavad-gita, the devotees, and

the bona fide spiritual master, it is a simple thing to do. But we are so proud that we hesitate to place ourselves under proper guidance. We think that we can figure out how to get out of illusion on our own. This is our foolishness. Someone who is in illusion cannot know the way out of illusion. This is the nature of being in illusion. We can only be guided out of illusion by someone who is free from illusion.

If a blind man leads another blind man, both of them will fall into a ditch. Such unqualified leaders are described as follows in the Vedic wisdom:

avidyayam antare vartamanah

svayam dhirah panditam-manyamanah

janghanyamanah pariyanti mudha

andhenaiva niyamana yathandhah

"Caught in the grip of ignorance, self-proclaimed experts consider themselves learned authorities. They wander about this world befooled, like the blind leading the blind."

Katha Upanisad 1.2.5

If we want actual knowledge we must approach that person who knows things as they are. This is the bona fide spiritual master. In this connection we are advised as follows in the Srimad Bhagavatam, 11th Canto, 3rd

Chapter, text 21:

tasmad gurum prapadyeta

jijnasuh sreya uttamam

sabde pare ca nisnatam

brahmany upasamasrayam

"Any person who seriously desires real happiness must seek a bona fide spiritual master and take shelter of him by initiation."

The spiritual master is situated beyond the illusory energy by dint of his full absorption in Krishna consciousness. By taking shelter of him we gradually master the art of also being fully absorbed in Krishna consciousness. This enlightened state of consciousness is the greatest opulence that one can possess. There is nothing in this world that compares to it even to the slightest degree. 

The spiritual master teaches us how to purely situated on the deathless platform of eternity, knowledge, bliss. There is nothing more valuable than the training we receive from him. By his mercy we can fully realize that we are unborn and deathless, that the soul is never born and never dies. This realization of our immortality delivers us from the anxiety of

material existence.

Śrīla Prabhupāda Says - [Regarding Ekādaśī]

From the very beginning of His childhood life Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu introduced the system of observing a fast on the Ekādaśī day. In the Bhakti-sandarbha, by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, there is a quotation from the Skanda Purāṇa admonishing that a person who eats grains on Ekādaśī becomes a murderer of his mother, father, brother and spiritual master, and even if he is elevated to a Vaikuṇṭha planet, he falls down.

On Ekādaśī, everything is cooked for Viṣṇu, including regular grains and dahi, but it is enjoined that a Vaiṣṇava should not even take viṣṇu-prasāda on Ekādaśī. It is said that a Vaiṣṇava does not accept anything eatable that is not offered to Lord Viṣṇu, but on Ekādaśī a Vaiṣṇava should not touch even mahā-prasāda offered to Viṣṇu, although such prasāda may be kept for being eaten the next day. It is strictly forbidden for one to accept any kind of grain on Ekādaśī, even if it is offered to Lord Viṣṇu.

[CC: Adi Līlā 15.9]

Śrīla Prabhupāda Says - [Regarding how by the association of devotees all success will be there]

If the preachers in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are sincere devotees of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa will always be with them because He is very kind and favorable to all His devotees. Just as Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa were victorious in the Battle of Kurukṣetra, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will surely emerge victorious if we but remain sincere devotees of the Lord and serve the Lord according to the advice of predecessors (the six Gosvāmīs and other devotees of the Lord).

As Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has stated: tāṅdera caraṇa sevi bhakta-sane vāsa, janame janame haya ei abhilāṣa. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness devotees must always desire to remain in the society of devotees. Bhakta-sane vāsa: they cannot go outside the Kṛṣṇa conscious society or the movement. Within the society we must try to serve the predecessors by preaching Caitanya Mahāprabhu's cult and spreading His name and fame all over the world. If we attempt this seriously within the society, it will be successfully done. There is no question of estimating how this will happen in the mundane sense. But without a doubt, it happens by the grace of Kṛṣṇa.

[CC Madhya līlā: 4.79]

Papamocani Ekadasi

Papamocani Ekadasi

Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “O Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the explanation of Amalaki Ekadasi, which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Phalguna [February-March], and now I wish to hear about the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra [March- April]. What is its name, O Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?”

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna, replied, “O best of kings, for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this Ekadasi which is known as Papamocani. The history of this Ekadasi was once narrated to the emperor Mandhata by Lomasa Risi. King Mandhata addressed the risi, ‘O great sage, for the benefit of all people, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra, and please explain the process for observing it. Also, please describe the benefits one gains by observing this Ekadasi.’

“Lomasa Risi replied, ‘The Ekadasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Caitra is named Papamocani Ekadasi for the faithful devotee it removes the influences of ghosts and demons. O lion among men, this Ekadasi also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfills all kinds of desires, purifies one's life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly virtuous.”

“Now please listen to a historical account concerning this Ekadasi and Citraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas [heavenly musicians]. During the spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Citraratha once came upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers. There he and the girls joined other Gandharvas and many Kinnaras, along with Lord Indra himself, the king of heaven, who was enjoying a visit there. Everyone felt that there was no better garden than this forest. Many sages were also present, performing their austerities and penance The demigods particularly enjoyed visiting this celestial garden during the months of Caitra and Vaisakha [April-May].”

“A great sage named Medhavi resided in that forest, and the very attractive dancing girls would always attempt to seduce him. One famous girl in particular, Manjughosa, contrived many ways to allure the exalted muni, but out of great respect for the sage and fear of his power, which he had attained after years and years of asceticism, she would not come very close to him. At a spot two miles from the sage, she pitched a tent and began singing very sweetly as she played a tamboura. Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent. He remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Siva and decided to take revenge by seducing Medhavi.”

“Using the eyebrows of Manjughosa as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid approached Medhavi in order to tempt him to break his trance and his vows. In other words, Cupid engaged Manjughosa as his assistant, and when she looked at that powerful and attractive young sage, she also became agitated by lust. Seeing that he was highly intelligent and learned, wearing a clean white brahmana's thread draped across his shoulder, holding a sannyasi's staff, and sitting handsomely in the asrama of Cyavana Risi Manjughosa came before him.”

“She began to sing seductively, and the small bells on her belt and around her ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical symphony. The sage Medhavi was enchanted. He understood that this beautiful young woman desired union with him, and at that instant Cupid increased his attraction for Mahjughosa by releasing his powerful weapons of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.”

“Slowly Manjughosa approached Medhavi, her bodily movements and sweet glances attracting him. She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree. Captivated, Medhavi gave up his meditation and decided to sport with her-and instantly his purity of heart and mind abandoned him. Forgetting even the difference between night and day, he went away with her to sport for a long, long time.”

“Seeing that the young yogi's sanctity had become seriously eroded, Manjughosa decided to abandon him and return home. She said, “O great one, please permit me to return home.”

“Medhavi replied, ‘But you have only just arrived, O beautiful one. Please stay with me at least until tomorrow.’”

“Fearful of the sage's yogic power, Manjughosa stayed with Medhavi for precisely fifty-seven years, nine months, and three days, but to Medhavi all this time seemed like a moment. Again she asked him, ‘Please permit me to leave.’”

“Medhavi replied, ‘O dear one, listen to me. Stay with me for one more night, and then you may leave tomorrow morning. Just stay with me until after I have performed my morning duties and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra. Please wait until then.’”

“Manjughosa was still fearful of the sage's great yogic power, but she forced a smile and said, ‘How long will it take you to finish your morning hymns and rituals? Please be merciful and think of all the time you have already spent with me.’”

“The sage reflected on the years he had been with Manjughosa and then said with great astonishment, ‘Why, I have spent more than fiftyseven years with you!’ His eyes turned red and began to emanate sparks. He now regarded Manjughosa as death personified and the destroyer of his spiritual life. ‘You rascal woman! You have turned all the hard-earned results of my austerities to ashes!’ Trembling with anger, he cursed Manjughosa ‘O sinful one, O hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune be yours! O rascal woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin pisaca!’

“Cursed by the sage Medhavi, the beautiful Manjughosa humbly beseeched him, ‘O best of the brdhmanas, please be merciful to me and revoke your curse! O great one, it is said that association with pure devotees gives immediate results but their curses take effect only after seven days. I have been with you for fifty-seven years, O master, so please be kind to me!’”

“Medhavi Muni replied, ‘O gentle lady, what can I possibly do? You have destroyed all my austerities. But even though you have done this sinful deed, I shall tell you a way you can be released from my wrath. In the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra there is an allauspicious Ekadasi that removes all one's sins. Its name is Papamocani, O beautiful one, and whoever fasts on this sacred day becomes completely freed from having to take birth in any kind of devilish form.’”

“With these words, the sage left at once for his father's asrama. Seeing him enter the hermitage, Cyavana Muni said, ‘O son, by acting unlawfully you have squandered the wealth of your penances and austerities.’”

“Medhavi replied, ‘O Father, kindly reveal what atonement I must perform to remove the obnoxious sin I have incurred by privately associating with the dancing girl Manjughosa?’”

“Cyavana Muni answered, ‘Dear son, you must fast on Papamocani Ekadasi. which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Caitra. It eradicates all sins, no matter how grievous they may be.’

“Medhavi followed his father's advice and fasted on Papamocani Ekadasi. Thus all his sins were destroyed and he again became filled with excellent merit. Similarly, Manjughosa observed the same fast and became free of the hobgoblin curse. Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned to her former position.”

“Lomasa Risi continued, ‘Thus, O king, the great benefit of fasting on Papamocani Ekadasi is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have all his sins completely destroyed.’”

Sri Krsna concluded, “O King Yudhisthira, whoever reads or hears about Papamocani ekadasi obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have incurred by killing a brahmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking liquor, or having sex with his guru's wife. Such is the incalculable benefit of properly observing this holy day of Papamocani Ekadasi, which is so dear to Me and so meritorious.”

What's the difference between "like" n "love"?

 Beautifully answered by
HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
once asked.:

"Maharaj, What's the
difference between
"like" n "love"?

Maharaj's answer was so simple:
"When u like a flower, u just pluck it. But when u love a flower, u water it daily..!

One who understand this , understands life ..

Śrīla Prabhupāda Says - [Regarding that in spiritual science we understand that Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda and the paramparā are not dead and gone but are with us via their vāṇī]

So now, by the grace of Kṛṣṇa and Caitanya Mahāprabhu and in the presence of my Guru Mahārāja, you are so nice boys and girls. So in front of Caitanya Mahāprabhu you are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and you are taking part in it very seriously. So my Guru Mahārāja will be very, very much pleased upon you and bless you with all benefits.

So he wanted this, and he is not... It is not that he is dead and gone. That is not spiritual understanding. Even ordinary living being, he does not die. Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre [Bg. 2.20]. And what to speak of such exalted, authorized personality like Bhaktisiddhānta. 

He is seeing. I never feel that I am alone.

Of course, when I came to your country without any friend, without any means... Practically, just like a vagabond I came. But I had full faith that "My Guru Mahārāja is with me." I never lost this faith, and that is fact. There are two words, vāṇī and vapuḥ. Vāṇī means words, and vapuḥ means this physical body. So vāṇī is more important than the vapuḥ. Vapuḥ will be finished. This is material body. It will be finished. That is the nature. 

But if we keep to the vāṇī, to the words of spiritual master, then we remain very fixed up. It doesn't matter.

Just like Bhagavad-gītā. It was spoken five thousand years ago. But if you keep to the words of Kṛṣṇa, then it is always fresh and guiding. Not that because Arjuna personally listened to Kṛṣṇa about the instruction of Bhagavad-gītā, therefore he knew it. That is not the fact. If you accept Bhagavad-gītā as it is, then you should know that Kṛṣṇa is present before you in His words in the Bhagavad-gītā. This is called spiritual realization. It is not mundane historical incidences.

[His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Goswami Prabhupāda Appearnce Day Lecture: Atlanta 2 March 1975]

His Holiness Radhnath Swami meeting President of India.....

On February 28th, 2015 we met the Hon'ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. We were scheduled to meet him at 6.30 pm. We reached Rashtrapati Bhavan at 6.15 p.m. His Holiness Radhanath Swami, Gauranga Prabhu and Radharaman Prabhu accompanied me for the meeting. As we arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan the Hon'ble Presidents officers gave us warm reception. Then sharp at 6.30 pm we entered the President's room. He greeted all of us and offered us seats. His Holiness Radhanath Swami presented him Lord Narshimhadev's Maha flowers bouquet & Sri Sri Radha Parthasarthi Mahaprasad. Then His Holiness Radhanath Swami presented his autobiography "The Journey Home" to the Hon'ble President.

His Holines Radhanath Swami thanked the Hon'ble President for inaugurating the ISKCON temple at Pune and Maharaj informed him that thousands of visitors are coming to the temple daily and getting the blessings of the
Lord. The Hon'ble President was very happy to hear that and he started glorifying Srila Prabhupada. He said that Srila Prabhupada's contribution to the world is unique and ISKCON is doing great service to humanity and the world by spreading the message of Bhagavad Gita and teachings of Lord Chaitanya.

Mr. President then recollected his visit to Mayapur and staying in the guest house in 1999 during elections. He also recollected inaugurating the Kolkata Rathayatra. His Holiness Radhanath Swami then presented him the booklet
about Govardhan Eco Village at Mumbai. His Grace Gauranga Prabhu explained to the Hon'ble President how GEV project is helping the villagers. President was very happy to go through the booklet and with great interest he noted
the work done by ISKCON in reviving the economic prosperity of farmers, preserving the eco system, organic farming etc.

Radharaman prabhu presented special sweet brought from a particular sweet shop which President loves in Kolkata. President was very happy to receive them.

Srila prabhupada writes.....

Srila prabhupada writes.....

Krsna does not take any pleasure in this material world, but He has a pleasure potency.

Because we are part and parcel of Krsna, the pleasure potency is within us also, but we are trying to exhibit that pleasure potency in matter.

Krsna, however, does not make such a vain attempt.

The object of Krsna's pleasure potency is Radharani, and He exhibits His potency or His energy as Radharani and then engages in loving affairs with Her.

In other words, Krsna does not take pieasure in this external energy but exhibits His internal energy, His pleasure potency, as Radharani.

Thus Krsna manifests Himself as Radharani in order to exhibit His internal pleasure potency.

Of the many extensions, expansions and incarnations of the Lord, this pleasure potency is the foremost and chief.

On Austerity

By: HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj

My revered spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, used to say that human life is meant for austerity. So what is austerity? Austerity is to accept what is favorable for Bhakti and to reject what is unfavorable for Bhakti. It’s not our austerity that attracts Krishna; it’s the love that we give through the austerity. If we are performing our austerities for awakening that love then it will be a positive aid to achieve that love – a means of deepening that love. Our austerities are to express to Krishna our sincere desire to love him.

We need some austerity in our lives to reduce the distractions of the material inclinations of the body and mind, so that we can fix our body and mind in the loving remembrance of Krishna, in our service for Him and meditation upon Him. That is austerity. We have to do that because we are so much distracted and diverted.

It’s the Bhakti, not the austerity that connects us to Krishna. Austerity is like a tool which is meant to be used by a person who is going to do something right with it. People can do austerities and become proud, and this is usually what happens if we do too many austerities. We become hard-hearted and proud: “Look what I can do, how I can fast, look at my celibacy, my not sleeping just like the Six Goswamis.” Yet the Goswamis were humble because they did their austerities out of love.

When austerity creates pride, then that austerity is a distraction itself. Hare krishna

Śrīla Prabhupāda Says – [Regarding how our dealings must be honest which will ensure that we do not gain a bad name by the public]

Regarding the controversy about book distribution techniques, you are right. Our occupation must be honest. Everyone should adore our members as honest. If we do something which is deteriorating to the popular sentiments of the public in favor of our movement, that is not good. Somehow or other we should not become unpopular in the public eye.

These dishonest methods must be stopped. It is hampering our reputation all over the world. Money collected for feeding people in India should be collected under the name ISKCON Food Relief. Not any other name. And every farthing of that money must be sent to India, or better yet, buy food grains there and ship them here and we will distribute. But every farthing collected for that purpose must be used for that purpose.

[Letter to Rūpānuga: Bombay 9 Jan 1975]

Why so many rules if Bhakti is the path of love?

Question to Radhanath Swami:
In the path of Bhakti we are told to refrain from certain activities like meat eating for developing our love for God. But can’t I love God and simultaneously do these things? Love is not to be bound by rules and regulations. Why then do we have rules and regulations on the path of Bhakti?

Radhanath Swami:
Unconditional love is a very high and pure platform. To get there we have to honestly begin from where we are. The beginning of love is to do what the beloved wants. Similarly, the beginning of developing love of God is to understand what God wants us to do and to obey that. Can we love our mother and simultaneously torture and kill our younger brother? Would she accept that as love? Similarly can we kill innocent animals to satisfy our taste buds and say that we love God? Will God accept that love?

Obedience is the beginning of love. Therefore there must be rules and regulations so that we can monitor and orchestrate our lives in a way that we are doing what God wants. In a college there are rules and regulations. One cannot go to college tomorrow without wearing any clothes and say that the goal of coming to college is to study unconditionally. It is definitely the perfection to study unconditionally but to come to that stage one has to follow the discipline set by the college.

Impelled by our inclinations and conditionings we act in ways that are harmful for us, harmful to others and displeasing to the object of our love. Unconditional love comes when our inclinations are perfectly in harmony with God’s will. But to come to that point, first we have to discipline ourselves to live according to God’s will. And to inculcate a spirit of discipline, rules and regulations are absolutely necessary.

Srī Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter 2

Srī Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā, Chapter 2: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Is the Supreme Personality of GodheadCC Adi 2.116 CC Adi 2.118

His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

An person may not fully able to comprehend or understand the transcendental topics related to Sri Kṛṣṇa. However,he should refrain from being lazy in regard to constantly making effort to understand these topics as per his or her abilities and offer himself for seva . For such discussions strengthen the mind, thus one’s mind becomes attached to Sri Kṛṣṇa.

TEXT 117

siddhānta baliyā citte nā kara alasa
ihā ha-ite kṛṣṇe lāge sudṛḍha mānasa

SYNONYMS
siddhānta—conclusion; baliyā—considering; citte—in the mind; nā kara—do not be; alasa—lazy; ihā—this; ha-ite—from; kṛṣṇe—in Lord Kṛṣṇa; lāge—becomes fixed; su-dṛḍha—very firm; mānasa—the mind.

TRANSLATION
A sincere student should not neglect the discussion of such conclusions, considering them controversial, for such discussions strengthen the mind. Thus one’s mind becomes attached to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

PURPORT
There are many students who, in spite of reading the Bhagavad-gītā, misunderstand Kṛṣṇa because of imperfect knowledge and conclude Him to be an ordinary historical personality. This one must not do. One should be particularly careful to understand the truth about Kṛṣṇa. If because of laziness one does not come to know Kṛṣṇa conclusively, one will be misguided about the cult of devotion, like those who declare themselves advanced devotees and imitate the transcendental symptoms sometimes observed in liberated souls. Although the use of thoughts and arguments is a most suitable process for inducing an uninitiated person to become a devotee, neophytes in devotional service must always alertly understand Kṛṣṇa through the vision of the revealed scriptures, the bona fide devotees and the spiritual master. Unless one hears about Śrī Kṛṣṇa from such authorities, one cannot make advancement in devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. The revealed scriptures mention nine means of attaining devotional service, of which the first and foremost is hearing from authority. The seed of devotion cannot sprout unless watered by the process of hearing and chanting. One should submissively receive the transcendental messages from spiritually advanced sources and chant the very same messages for one’s own benefit as well as the benefit of one’s audience.
When Brahmā described the situation of pure devotees freed from the culture of empiric philosophy and fruitive actions, he recommended the process of hearing from persons who are on the path of devotion. Following in the footsteps of such liberated souls, who are able to vibrate real transcendental sound, can lead one to the highest stage of devotion, and thus one can become a mahā-bhāgavata. From the teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to Sanātana Gosvāmī (CC Madhya 22.65) we learn:
śāstra-yuktye sunipuṇa, dṛḍha-śraddhā yāṅra
‘uttama-adhikārī’ sei tāraye saṁsāra
“A person who is expert in understanding the conclusion of the revealed scriptures and who fully surrenders to the cause of the Lord is actually able to deliver others from the clutches of material existence.” Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, in his Upadeśāmṛta (3), advises that to make rapid advancement in the cult of devotional service one should be very active and should persevere in executing the duties specified in the revealed scriptures and confirmed by the spiritual master. Accepting the path of liberated souls and the association of pure devotees enriches such activities.
Imitation devotees, who wish to advertise themselves as elevated Vaiṣṇavas and who therefore imitate the previous ācāryas but do not follow them in principle, are condemned in the words of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (SB 2.3.24) as stone-hearted. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has commented on their stone-hearted condition as follows: bahir aśru-pulakayoḥ sator api yad dhṛdayaṁ na vikriyeta tad aśma-sāram iti kaniṣṭhādhikāriṇām eva aśru-pulakādi-mattve ’pi aśma-sāra-hṛdayatayā nindaiṣā. “Those who shed tears by practice but whose hearts have not changed are to be known as stone-hearted devotees of the lowest grade. Their imitation crying, induced by artificial practice, is always condemned.” The desired change of heart referred to above is visible in the reluctance to do anything not congenial to the devotional way. To create such a change of heart, conclusive discussion about Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His potencies is absolutely necessary. False devotees may think that simply shedding tears will lead one to the transcendental plane, even if one has not had a factual change in heart, but such a practice is useless if there is no transcendental realization. False devotees, lacking the conclusion of transcendental knowledge, think that artificially shedding tears will deliver them. Similarly, other false devotees think that studying books of the previous ācāryas is unadvisable, like studying dry empiric philosophies. But Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, following the previous ācāryas, has inculcated the conclusions of the scriptures in the six theses called the Ṣaṭ-sandarbhas. False devotees who have very little knowledge of such conclusions fail to achieve pure devotion for want of zeal in accepting the favorable directions for devotional service given by self-realized devotees. Such false devotees are like impersonalists, who also consider devotional service no better than ordinary fruitive actions.

Śrīla Prabhupāda Says - [Regarding how we are free to chose our own destiny]

John Nordheimer: They are good men who were raised in a bad society.

Prabhupāda: No, they were raised in a bad society, but they have chosen to become good.

John Nordheimer: Is that preordained, or is it by free choice?

Prabhupāda: Free choice. What is preordained? You are here of your free choice. If you like, you can sit down and talk with me, and if you don't like, then you can go. That is your free choice. Free choice makes destiny; if I act in goodness, then my future is good. And if I act badly, my future is bad. That is destiny.

Man is the architect of his own destiny. If you are educated, your future is nice, and if you remain foolish, then your future is bad. Future destiny depends on present action. This life is an opportunity to make the next life, and if we behave like human beings, then in our next life we will go back home, back to Godhead. But if we behave like animals, then in the next life we will take animal bodies. That's all.

All this is very nicely described in Bhagavad-gītā. The conclusion is that human beings are meant for understanding God, but if we waste our time understanding dog, and if we become attached to dog, then we will become dogs in our next life. And if we are attached to God, we become like God, in our next life. The choice is ours.

[Interview with the New York Times: New Vṛndāvan 2 Sept 1972]

Story: Ajamil's previous life

Pariksit asked, "Ajamil was a learned Brahmana; how did it occur that he established a relationship with a prostitute?"

In answer Sri Sukadeva Goswami narrated Ajamil's previous life. Ajamil was a pious mendicant living in the foothills of the Himalayas.

One day, while performing his duties, he drank ice-cold water from a mountain stream from which he became extremely cold and fell unconscious.

At that moment a Brahmana walking with his sixteen-year-old daughter arrived there for some water, as well as a doctor.

The doctor checked the pulse of the unconscious mendicant and said, "If this mendicant is warmed by the bodily heat from a young woman he will regain consciousness."

The concerned Brahmana was very gentle and innocent and trusted the doctor.
Hence, he brought the unconscious mendicant to his house and instructed his daughter to cuddle with the man.

Thus, by the bodily heat from the girl, the mendicant regained consciousness, where he found the girl lying with him, which greatly anger him.

He then cursed the girl to take birth as a prostitute.

The girl was also very religious and possessed spiritual potency and thus cursed the mendicant saying, Because of pride you cursed an innocent person; therefore you will be born in a Vedic Brahmana family and you will keep my association."

Moral of the story:

Pride is greatest enemy of the soul. Even greatly spiritual advance people easily fall down from there path when pride enter there consciousnesses.

As Krishna says in Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 16.4:

dambho darpo ’bhimānaś ca
krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca
ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya
pārtha sampadam āsurīm

Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Pṛthā.

PURPORT

In this verse, the royal road to hell is described. The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles.

They are always arrogant or proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth.

They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently.

They do not know what should be done and what should not be done.

They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority.

"Truly Amazing Information."

"Truly Amazing Information."

This is amazing information because it uproots the threefold miseries of material existence. We suffer pains of the mind and the body. Then we face anxieties caused by other living beings. And there are also the miseries caused by natural influences such as the change of the seasons and natural disasters. All this suffering can immediately be mitigated by the simple understanding that I am not this body, that I am pure spirit soul in quality one with God.

This is the purpose of this course. We want to teach you how to understand and fully realize that you are not your body by engaging you in your actual spiritual identity as the eternal servant of Krishna. 

The Bhagavad-gita is the highest knowledge, it is the highest and most direct and clear knowledge ever revealed in the vast history of eternity. If you will read it carefully and seriously apply its principles, you will truly become one of the happiest, most spiritually perfect beings that has ever existed. 

It doesn't matter who you are, where you live, what your gender or age is, or what your age or occupation is. This ultimate science known as Krishna consciousness is the universal science of the soul. It is fully applicable to all persons in all times, places, and circumstances. If you will take it seriously, we will absolutely guarantee your success no matter how disqualified you consider yourself to be. All you have to do if you want to be successful is take up the regular chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

And at the same time you need to live a holy life by strictly avoiding illicit sex life, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. If you are willing to make this small sacrifice we will absolutely guarantee your spiritual perfection. No expenditure is required on your part. You simply must become very, very eager to revive your original, but now dormant, Krishna consciousness.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari