We are often quick to strictly judge others and under (or over) estimate them
We might have a tendency to judge ourselves quite liverally and wonder why others cannot understand our exalted position.

In the following verses from SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM we find the GOddess of Fortune searching for the SUPREME. We might take a lesson from her deliberations.
We should be very cautious in making judgements since there are always many factors to be considered.

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 8.8.20-22
“While walking among the Gandharvas, Yaksas, asuras, Siddhas, Caranas and denizens of heaven, Laksmidevi, the goddess of fortune, was scrutinizingly examining them, but she could not find anyone naturally endowed with all good qualities. None of them was devoid of faults, and therefore she could not take shelter of any of them.
PURPORT
The goddess of fortune, Laksmidevi, having been generated from the ocean of milk, was the daughter of the ocean. Thus she was allowed to select her own husband in a svayamvara ceremony. She examined every one of the candidates, but she could not find anyone suitably qualified to be her shelter. In other words, Narayana, the natural husband of Laksmi, cannot be superseded by anyone in this material world.

TRANSLATION
The goddess of fortune, examining the assembly, thought in this way: Someone who has undergone great austerity has not yet conquered anger. Someone possesses knowledge, but he has not conquered material desires. Someone is a very great personality, but he cannot conquer lusty desires. Even a great personality depends on something else. How, then, can he be the supreme controller?
PURPORT
Here is an attempt to find the supreme controller, or isvara. Everyone may be accepted as an isvara, or controller, but still such controllers are controlled by others. For example, one may have undergone severe austerities but still be under the control of anger. By a scrutinizing analysis, we find that everyone is controlled by something else. No one, therefore, can be the true controller but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. This is supported by the sastras. Isvarah paramah krsnah: [Bs. 5.1] the supreme controller is Krsna. Krsna is never controlled by anyone, for He is the controller of everyone (sarva-karana-karanam).

TRANSLATION
Someone may possess full knowledge of religion but still not be kind to all living entities. In someone, whether human or demigod, there may be renunciation, but that is not the cause of liberation. Someone may possess great power and yet be unable to check the power of eternal time. Someone else may have renounced attachment to the material world, yet he cannot compare to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, no one is completely freed from the influence of the material modes of nature.
PURPORT
The statement dharmah kvacit tatra na bhuta-sauhrdam is very important in this verse. We actually see that there are many Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and religionists of other cults who adhere to their religious principles very nicely but are not equal to all living entities. Indeed, although they profess to be very religious, they kill poor animals. Such religion has no meaning. Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.8) says:
dharmah svanusthitah pumsam
visvaksena-kathasu yah
notpadayed yadi ratim
srama eva hi kevalam
One may be very expert in following the religious principles of his own sect, but if he has no tendency to love the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his observance of religious principles is simply a waste of time. One must develop a sense of loving Vasudeva (vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma sudurlabhah [Bg. 7.19]). The sign of a devotee is that he is a friend to everyone (suhrdam sarva-bhutanam [Bg. 5.29]). A devotee will never allow a poor animal to be killed in the name of religion. This is the difference between a superficially religious person and a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
We find that there have been many great heroes in history, but they could not escape from the cruel hands of death. Even the greatest hero cannot escape from the ruling power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead when Krsna comes as death. That is described by Krsna Himself: mrtyuh sarva-haras caham [Bg. 10.34]. The Lord, appearing as death, takes away a hero’s so-called power. Even Hiranyakasipu could not be saved when Nrsimhadeva appeared before him as death. One’s material strength is nothing before the strength of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
Someone may have longevity but not have auspiciousness or good behavior. Someone may have both auspiciousness and good behavior, but the duration of his life is not fixed. Although such demigods as Lord Siva have eternal life, they have inauspicious habits like living in crematoriums. And even if others are well qualified in all respects, they are not devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Christians have heard similar things, but who follows?

Webster’s Bible Translation
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mk. 4.24
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 ¶ Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Ask, Seek, Knock
Lk. 11.9-13
7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
1

"Everyone of you should be thoroughly convinced of the power of the Hare Krsna mantra to protect you in all circumstances and chant accordingly at all times without offense. Then advancement will be swift and you will gradually come to see everything clearly so that you may act for the pleasure of the Lord without uncertainty. When one is spontaneously engaged in this way, always in the service of the Lord and anxious to avoid all mundane activities, he is actually experiencing the taste of bliss in Krsna consciousness."

From a letter to Damodara - 10 January 1971

I drove to my violin class on Friday morning, navigating the small lakes that had appeared on the roads overnight during the heavy rains. It was a wonderful class. Every one is, but I felt particular joy in this last one, that grey day, as I rehearsed some older pieces with my guru, and he [...]

The Acaryas are teaching that the goal of a real civilization is to reduce the material "fever" of lust and greed to zero. This film shows how in the modern society expert agents of maya are enthusing an ever increasing consumption of resources by psychologically manipulating the individual and installing him desires for possessing even things he does not need. A masterpiece from BBC4 that shows the reality of the materialistic identity !!

1968 January 13: "Please send me full photostat copy of the original Brahma Samhita. I shall begin writing my own commentation after my Guru Maharaja."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 January 13: "Yes, the ecstasy of separation of Spiritual Master is even greater ecstasy than meeting him. I will always be so pleased with your sincere service, as I am so much happy with you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 January 13: "I want you to concentrate your mind on utilizing your talents for Krishna's service. Any place you want to live, that is all right, but why don't you use your talents? That you cannot do, and that is your misfortune."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 January 13: "I am so glad George Harrison is composing songs like "Lord which we so long ignored". When we meet, I shall give him thoughts about separation from Krishna and it will surely be a great success."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 January 13: "Sankirtana parties are going around the town. Sometimes the authorities are checking us but we have not yet stopped - neither have we in our mind any thought to stop this Sankirtana Movement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1974 January 13 : "It is very pleasing to me that you are so happy in your service to the deities. Now please make the temple such a blissful, peaceful atmosphere that many persons will be attracted to come and live with us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 January 13 : "You must follow the principles that I have given at all times, under all circumstances. Without these four principles, there is no spiritual life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 13 : "I wish to know whether your Holiness will kindly participate in the opening of the temple in Vrndavana. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh has also kindly consented to join us during the ceremony."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Episode Two of our weekly round up of Planet ISKCON content along with my commentary and report on what I've been up to. Enjoy!

• Gramya-katha Episode 2 (19:03, mp3, 9MB)

Well, I finally uploaded all the pictures

India 2007

See what all the fuss is about - H.H. Indradyumna Swami's dancing white elephants. Does sex attraction bring people to Krishna? Clearly yes. (I don't know how many of the young men who come, come because of an attractive young lady they met on sankirtan. Honestly, I've lost count.)

O good soul, does not a thing, applied therapeutically, cure a disease which was caused by that very same thing?

- Srimad Bhagavatam 1.5.33

Aprakrita dasa: I received a substantial donation and I would like to share a part of this donation to help devotees around the world to get the VedaBase at a very reasonable price.

I'd like to offer sincere thanks to all those devotees who helped distribute books in November and December. We increased significantly on 2006 when 38 devotees in total went out. Five were full time temple distributors. This year (2007) we had ten full time temple distributors out of a total of 95. That means over 85 distributors came from the greater community living outside the temple.

Here are the final figures just in from Vraja-nari.

• 95 devotees
• distributed 9,482 books
• for 7,222.25 book points
• collected $43,921.10
• from which $22,704.91 covers book costs
• $21,216.19 (93.44% of the cost) was profit
• which more than doubles last year's effort
  

• A kirtana célja, hogy boldoggá tegyük Krisnát.

The annual plant is one to two metres high with large seed clusters at the end of the stalk, similar to millet. In fact, the most popular strain of Quinoa is pale yellow in appearance, and does resemble millet in colour and size, although quinoa is more flattened than spherical. So far as its food value is concerned, one researcher has said, “ while no single food can supply all of the essential life-sustaining nutrients, it (quinoa) comes as close as any other in the vegetable or animal kingdoms.” It contains more protein than any other grain: an average of 16.2 %, compared with 7.5 % for rice, 9.9 % for millet, 8.2 % for barley, and 14 % for wheat. It has a good balance of the amino acids that make up the protein and is high in lycine, an amino acid not overly abundant in the vegetarian diet. Quinoa is easy to cook, and like rice, blends well with other grains or whole-grain pilafs. The cooked consistency is light, with a texture resembling caviar.

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There is no doubt that the life of devotion to Krishna is a never ending exciting adventure. But that does not mean that it does not come without its challenges, just like, for example, my situation. Forty-four years ago when I was a young 16-year-old my ears were badly damaged by repeated exposure to the sound of loud rifle fire from a military training...

Since sending out my 'farewell, Western Australia" letter to the almost 1000 people on my mailing list, I've received a great response. Dozens of old friends have written encouraging, thankful letters, appreciating their cooking experiences over the last 8 years here in the West. Very heart-warming to say the least.

I found this one especially touching:

"Dear Kurma, greetings! While I was never able to participate in your tempting cooking classes in Perth, I do hold great memories of the 'Cooking with Kurma' classes held at the Summer School in Albany.

The friendly pressure to get the meal up on time, the many new food aromas arising and combining to test the nostrils and promise the taste buds of a new delight; the banter of the group, the almost pleading looks of people at the windows who were not part of our 'privileged' group, for a taste; the never to be forgotten communal meal and then of course - the washing up!

From personal experience, my wish for you is to gain from - make the absolute most of - and enjoy the remaining time with your ailing father.

Western Australia's loss will of course be Sydney's gain. However, for my part, I have my 'Kurma' recipe books which I must admit are catching a little dust while I struggle to retire from our seven-day-per-week nursery business. But one day, I promise, I will make good use of them and devote real time to doing things properly.

I gained a life experience. Our paths might never meet again, Kurma, but all the best for your future.

Sincerely, John and Norma."

This class is from Saturday 12th January 2008

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.75.4

Srimad Bhagavatam 10.76.1 - The potency of dasya rasa.

If one actually wants to derive the effects of chanting, one must strictly follow the great acaryas. This is confirmed in the Mahabharata: maha-jano yena gatah sa panthah, “The real path of progress is that which is traversed by great acaryas and authorities.”

- Srila Prabhupada (Adi 7.168)

Unfortunately the retreat with Prahladananda Swami has been cancelled. We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused those of you planning to attend.

Maharaja is in London until the 14th. His UK schedule is as follows:

Kirtan and chanting Hare Krishna….

Why Palmerston North?  Well my spiritual master always wanted to start something up there since there are a lot of intellectuals in the city.  One of the devotees will be coming up to Palmy from Wellington once a week to hold a program at the university - so my wife and I will help out with that.  We are looking at purchasing a house there to get things ready for starting a family.  They have huge 700m2 sections available at really cheap prices, so it is a good place to set-up and have big Hari parties!

The interesting thing is that my wife and I will be the only Hare Krishna's in the city.  That's right, THE HARI'S ARE COMING TO TOWN!  So I am really into the whole pioneering spirit at the moment.  My next adventure is to find a house and get a job.....

  BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh government will introduce yoga in school

Mississippi, USA – ISKCON’s New Talavan farm recently mourned the loss of one of their oldest friends, the bull Bala. Srila Prabhupada visited the 1300 acre farm once in 1975, inspiring the devotees there to take up cow protection. Since then, the community has acquired over 100 cattle, and its always hard to see one of them go.

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Spirituality is the new black. Not my words. Those of Richard Egan, PhD student at Dunedin School of Medicine. Richard is studying the effects of spirituality on end-of-life cancer care and had the misfortune to be midway through a radio interview with me yesterday when the news broke of Sir Edmund Hillary's passing. Not an interview either of us will be forgetting in a hurry I'm sure.

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A brahmacari is good for living a life of celibacy, but a person who can live a life of celibacy in the presence of a beautiful and obliging wife is more than a brahmacari.

Of course anyone who is stuck up with only one wife is also called brahmacari. You will set a very good example if both of you agree not to have sense gratification anymore and still you remain as husband and wife together. This is possible, however, only if both of you are fixed up in Krishna Consciousness activities.

- Srila Prabhupada letter to Hansaduta and Himavati - January 12, 1968

When it comes to controlling the mind while chanting, I have found it helpful to stay aware that I'm addressing Krishna. He's our Lord, our most important associate. He's the Person that we're calling out to when we're chanting. We have so many relationships, and we talk with so many people in our lives, but this relationship with Krishna is the one that we are trying so hard to remember, that's why we're chanting in the first place.
Yes, chanting is a prayer for service, but that Is our relationship with Krishna, as servant asking to serve.
So, if I'm chanting attentively, hearing and pronouncing properly, and at the same time I am aware, conscious, that I am addressing Krishna, then the mind becomes easier to control.
It's like "being in the moment" as they say..... nothing else, just hearing and chanting and Krishna.

Hare Krishna

Navasi devi dasi

Day 23-24 Mayapur-Calcutta-Puri 12/29-30

We left Mayapur with the fortunate association of HG Ananda Tirtha Prabhu and his wife, HG Radha-Sundari Mataji, joining us for the ride to Calcutta. We all guzzled coconut water, debated what to do when a street dog is dying on the beach next to the Ganges, and celebrated Mauricio's first passing of water in natural, outdoor conditions. Ki Jai!

We had a quick stop-over at the ISKCON Guest House in Calcutta, stuffing ourselves with thalis, and then I watched, utterly fascinated, as some of the local boys played a pick-up game of cricket. On the ride to the train station it was decided that one of my new services at New Vrindaban would be to impersonate Indian cinema legend Amitab Bachchan for guests on the weekend. The checkbooks will open and the donations will roll in like tidal waves.

The train ride was pretty damn hellish. The possibly communist train conductor wouldn't let me one measly extra blanket, deciding I had an advantage over the working class. He also not-so-gently woke me up at 530 am as we arrived in Puri. At this point, I'm pretty damn grumpy and burnt-out with moving like a tourist sardine in a tin-rickshaw. I'd rather be back at New Vrindaban hauling something heavy through the snow and chilling with Ghosh and Soma over lunch prasad. However, there is one cure to this grumpiness, and that is to hit the ocean. Nothing like getting tossed around by 15-foot waves to get humble again.

We take a short tour of beautiful, mystical Puri in the evening, stopping first at Toto Gopinath Temple, meditating heavy on the sankirtan mission of Mahaprabhu and how fortunate we are to be directly following in His footsteps. We then travel to the Bhajan Kutir and birthplace of Srils Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, the home of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, and the Bhajan Kutir of Haridas Thakur, praying deeply for the spiritual strength that is essential for the true preacher of harinama-sankirtana. Each and everyone of us must work internally and externally to be able to give the Holy Name freely and powerfully. As I meditated on the fact that Mahaprabhu was just here, I could sense that what had unfolded already, wand what is to unfold by our own hands and the mercy of the Lord is the only solution for this chaotic, in-need-of-love world. We have chosen the highest profession and we must, indeed we can't go back on that choice.

Day 25 Puri 12/31

Last night was pretty hellish, with swarms of mosquitoes attacking my cactus-hide. I turn on the fan and curl up under a makeshift mosquito net, and then proceed to re-catch the cold I had in Vrndavana. I know, I know....this is rather exciting. Sick and grumpy. Sick and grumpy.

I stumble over to join Mauricio for a few rounds in the Samadhi of Haridas Thakur, meditating on the very beads he chanted on, saturated with pure love of the Holy Name. Pretty far-out. If we even unplug the salt-water from our ears, we can hear his vibrations cooling the fires of lust and passion in our own hearts.

We hit the beach again for a little therapy. Justin and I want to get some tubes to enhacne our wave-riding experience, but no luck, so getting dumped on my head by 15-foot waves doesn't really make me feel better. I try to sleep in the sand and sub, and Justin makes some locals' day by sharing pictures and addresses. He gets thoroughly weirded out by their intense need for friendship with an American person. There is no more peculiar excitement for some Indian people than hanging out with a white man. They must think we are all movie stars.

Up on the roof to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. The sun just kinds dissolves into the haze, with no fireworks. Kirtan in the evening in the temple room, inspired by Mauricio's always-grooving dancing, gets me off the bodily platform for at least a moment. Now my only goal is to finish my big 7-Up. For some reason my body has gone completely haywire and the only thing I crave is 7-Up.

Puri is wonderful, so I am praying to return in a mood of service, not so affected by my externals, sometime in the future.

Hare Krishna. These are two wonderful photos of His Grace Vaishesika Prabhu. He is inspiring the whole world with his unbounded enthusiasm. I am sure there are a few of you out there who will be glad to have them. I know I am always filled with joy upon seeing his loving face. I am also inspired to leave this computer and finish my rounds.

By Bhaktin Lacie

Hare Krsna,

I woke up at 4am today, 30 minutes before planned and head downstairs for yet another beautiful mangal arti. I have been to mangal artis all over the place, but New Vrindaban’s are always the sweetest. It’s like waking up on Christmas morning with your family… whether it’s Christmas time or not.

When people complain about New Vrindaban they are overlooking many facts… I have not seen so many senior devotees attend mangal arti at any other place, I have not seen so many hugs amongst men, nor the dancing that happens here before the sun rises. I have never seen so many people stay for all of japa period nor have I seen the dancing that happens here for Guru Puja.

New Vrindaban is truly an inspiring temple and the love for the deities here, it is truly hard to fathom much like their mercy…

(Click here to see rest of this article with lots of photos )

1968 January 12: "A brahmacari is good for living a life of celibacy, but a person who can live a life of celibacy in the presence of a beautiful and obliging wife, he is more than a brahmacari."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 January 12: "Our New Year is every day because Krishna belongs to the nitya lila. Thank you for your good wishes for the New Year. Please accept the same from my side."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 January 12: "The sentiments you have expressed are all due to my Guru Maharaja who has deputed me to pick up all good souls like you in this part of the world. Fortunately, we are now together."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1971 January 12: "Simply by vibrating the Hare Krsna Mahamantra sixteen rounds daily one advances to the stage of sadacara or good habits. And when one is pure one advances to the stage of ecstatic love of Krsna."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

1974 January 12: "You are thinking of many plans but don't spoil much time in that kind of thinking. Without consulting me do not enact anything. You are the president, try to read our books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 January 12: "All temple members must agree to the standard of tapasya. Everyone, without exception must rise by 4:AM and attend mangala arati. You should set the example and see that others are following."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 January 12: "This is the duty of GBC, to see that all of our members are becoming fixed in Krishna's service. There are so many devotees in your zone. Keep everything nicely in this way."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 12: "One who is engaged in self-realization - his material necessities become almost nil. Our philosophy is 'simple living and high thinking' - not sense gratification. The leaders must show this by example."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 January 12: "I am in due receipt of your letter. If you like, you can come to India during Sri Caitanya's appearance day festival and live with me. Then everything will be alright."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Welcome to another edition of Classic ISKCON Tapes. This instance brings us to KT-12 - Hare Krishna Kirtans by Dhira Krsna dasa.

Maybe my memory is shot, but I don’t remember who Dhira Krsna dasa is. Is he still around? Anyone know? Is he the astrologer?

Anyway, this is a quaint little tape. Mostly, it’s just him, kartals, a mrdanga and sometimes a sitar. The songs are short and sweet, but not rushed. He does some different arrangements on a few well known songs, as well as some rarities.

Definitely worth checking out.

KT-12 Hare Krishna Kirtans by Dhira Krsna dasa

1) Hare Krsna
2) Radha Syama
3) Sri Krsna Caitanya
4) Bhaja Hure Mana
5) Krsna Jinki
6) Sri Radhika-stava
7) Hare Krsna Bhajan
8) Srita Kamala
9) Radha Krsna bol bol
10) Ohe Vaishnava Thakura
11) Manasa dea geha
12) Hare Krsna

Click here to download (74 MB)

Note - I’ve pretty well given up on free file sharing/storage sites. I haven’t been able to find one that actually works well enough to use it in any real capacity. So I’m going to start using my own site. If I have to throw more money at it, so be it. If you have any issues with it, let me know, ok? Ok!

Your coach doesn't expect excuses from you but expects to see your determination, action and results.

As a Hare Krishna devotee, Cruise will follow the Hindu practice of Bhakti Yoga, and follow a line of gurus descending from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who appeared in Bengal.

Hare Krishna practitioners live according to a strict regimen resembling Scientology. Initiates take vows to abstain from all forms of recreational drugs and intoxicants, and they refuse to eat meat, fish and eggs. They also refuse to gamble, and only conduct sexual relations for purposes of procreation within marriage.

Tom Cruise Quits Scientology and Joins Hare Krishna

The article ends with the disclaimer: The story above is a satire or parody. It is entirely fictitious. - the part above about the devotees, however, is pretty bang on.

JAIPUR: On the last leg of her holiday in Rajasthan, pop queen Madonna chose to refresh herself on a long boat ride on the picturesque Pichhola lake of Udaipur. She visited the City Palace and crystal gallery which has one of world's biggest collection of crystal objects.

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Egy lélek visszatalál Krisnához: most épp egy 79 éves néni testében…

Tamal Krsna dasa: The next issue of Reflections will released within the next week. We will attempt to provide excerpts from Maharaja's books, previously unpublished transcriptions of lectures, as well as articles written by Srila Prabhupada and various Vaisnavas.

New scientific evidence supports the claim that water flowing in India’s Ganges

Our material existence is actually a nightmare of birth, death, old age, and disease but because we have been dreaming it for so long and because our awakened state is unlimitedly blissful, we are now imagining this nightmare to be a something wonderful. If we want real happiness, all we have to do is wake up. ===================================================================== Thought...