hare krishna

[size=+1] The concerned devotees consulted astrologers on Srila Prabhupada's request with a view to gaining insight as to when this condition would pass. Everything indicated that this could be the time of Srila Prabhupada's disappearance. Although some said that if he were to survive this difficult time for his body, he would carry it on for a few more years. One astrologer suggested, 'maha-mrtyum jaya-japa' and 'havan', to which Srila Prabhupada responded, "So this 'japa', 'maha-mantra japa' and 'bhagavat-path', that I am doing". 'Srimad Bhagavatam-patha'. So either read 'bhagavat' or chant 'Hare Krishna', and let me lie down like this, that's all, as it is going on. Huh?(A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. October 14th 1977. Room Conversation.)[/size] [size=+1] In his humility Srila Prabhupada requested many of his godbrothers to come, and those who could not come, he sent telegrams asking for their forgiveness of any offences that he may have committed while trying to push on, and fulfil the preaching mission of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Prabhupada. Humbly Srila Prabhupada requested like this, and the loving devotees surrounding his bedside, carried out his every wish. Many godbrothers came, sharing treasured moments together, knowing Srila Prabhupada's nature, and heart's desire, and intent - there was no question of any offence being taken.[/size]

[size=+1]As a complete philosophy, a full and rich culture, a way of life, and a way to death, and beyond, the 'acaryas' like Srila Prabhupad have left a wealth of guidance that we can take advantage of to help us advance.[/size]

[size=+1]Some things as eternal truths, some to be applied according to 'time, place and circumstance'. Nothing was left untouched, no mysteries, or controversies. The chaste 'Prabhupadanuga' followers recognise this, look for what he has left, and resolve, and push on his movement, as he did himself.[/size]

[size=+1]Srila Prabhupad residing in the holy Dham of Sri Vrindavan, on Monday November 14th, 1977, at 7:30 pm., which fell upon the Caturthi of the Gaura (Sukla) Paksa, Mula nakshatra, gave up this mortal frame surrounded by loving disciples engaged in 'Harinam-sankirtan', the congregational chanting of the Holy Name.[/size]
[size=+1] Translating Srimad Bhagavatam up until the very last breath, in a peaceful condition, and with the Holy Name on his tongue, Srila Prabhupada passed from this world in Sri Vrndavana Dhama to rejoin his worshipful Lords Sri Sri Nitai Gaura, Sri Sri Krsna Balarama, and Sri Sri Radhe Syamasundara in Their eternal abode.[/size]

[size=+1] "He reason ill who tells that Vaisnavas die[/size]
[size=+1] When thou art living still in sound![/size]
[size=+1] The Vaisnavas die to live, and living try[/size]
[size=+1] To spread the Holy Name around !"[/size] [size=+1] (Poem by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)[/size]


​

 

thanks deeply ChiefCowPie,
Just see how young he looks
you're very kind to me for posting these nice articles. Nice work! Nice devotional service you did. Let there be Krishna in your heart leading you in whatever troubled situation.
haribol!

 

My friend sent me this site...its pretty cool...

You can make your own custom t-shirts....

http://www.krishnaculture.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=KC

 

vancha-kalpatarubhyash cha
kripa-sindhubhya eva cha
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaishnavebhyo namo namaha


All glories to His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and Vaishnavas everywhere. Hare Krishna! Thank you Chief Cowpie.

 

This has appeared on Chakra.Org


ISKCON Iraq: The preaching has begun
by Jaya Govinda das
Posted July 12, 2004




Lord Caitanya's mercy has spread to Camp Anaconda, where fourteen soldiers gathered last night to chant the maha-mantra and take some prasadam (sent to me by the good devotees of New Vrndavana).

One of the soldiers attending the gathering was none other than my unit chaplain, who I've been slowly cultivating over the last couple months). Chaplain "L" (we'll call him Chaplain "L" for safety reasons) is a very educated and open-minded Roman Orthodox, who happens to be going through some "faith issues" at the present

He has found new comfort and assurance in the Bhagavad-Gita, though he feels a bit guilty from time to time, as he doesn't want to lose his faith in the Holy Bible. After all, he's belonged to that "club" for thirty some-odd years. I encourage him to embrace the teachings of Lord Jesus, but not to let those teachings limit him to a sectarian mindset.

It's funny, though. The chaplain, whose sole purpose in the Army is to provide spiritual guidance and morale to the troops around him, is questioning his own faith and finding solace in Prabhupada's Gita. Amazing!

A small group of ultra-"born-agains" (including one guy who told me I'm going to hell because I have tattoos) have accepted defeat in the argument of vegetarianism in the Bible, but only one has decided to apply it, which brings the number of vegetarian recruits to three (the other two being Chaplain "L" and another guy who couldn't come up with a reason not to try it).

There's a group of Indian contractors who live on the camp, and we've been having weekly meetings for the past few months. They all eat meat, but they like to have me over for some chanting and bartering. We've had to improvise with various tools for kartalas, but the holy name is there.

One Iraqi man on who works on-post turned out to be an amazing artist who paints portraits for some extra cash. I gave him a picture of Srila Prabhupada and a picture of Krsna, and he painted them beautifully. He told me he spent half the day just looking at the picture of Krsna to soak up every detail. Glory to Allah!

So, the preaching is going on, by Prabhupada's mercy, and the mercy of the devotees who have supported our mission here. (My godbrother, Partha Sarathi prabhu, is also doing some much needed preaching at his base).

I'm calling on all devotees to help. If anyone has anything they can spare to assist in spreading Krsna consciousness to the soldiers here, it would be a remarkable service. We've all heard people saying "support the troops." Well, this is the best way we can support these guys. There are people dying over here, and we might be their last chance.

If anyone could help, I could use books, devotional CDs, prasadam (non-perishable, obviously), beads/bags, and anything else you think would be useful.

My mailing address is:

King, Justin B.
C Co. 29th SIG. BN.
Camp Anaconda
APO AE 09391

​

Mail takes about two weeks from the US. You can write me with any questions or comments at: jayagovinda@msn.com. Thank you. I appreciate your help, and so do the troops.

 

Also this one



A soldier's duty

by Partha-sarathi das

Posted May 19, 2004



I am also in the US army in Iraq. I have been here for almost two straight years with a five-month break in tour. As my god-brother Jaya Govinda prabhu was explaining, we are now, more than ever, dependent on Krishna's mercy. Since coming back into the theater of war I have been shot at, motored, RPGed and had roadside explosions go off. In this situation, what can I do but pray to Krishna to protect me?

I didn't ask to come back but I am here with the consciousness that this is my service to Krishna and that I am going to be the best soldier I can for Him. It's no secret here that I'm a devotee. I chant and preach.

If one is going to file for objector status he will really need to have a solid case. The people that review the cases will scrutinize everything and will read books about Krishna consciousness. That is their job: to determine who are the real pacifists and who are the ones trying to get out of war. Believe me, they are good at it.

For us whether the war is right or wrong is irrelevant. I depend on Krishna and pray to Krishna that my soldiers come home safe, and myself also. Srila Prabhupada said that the job of a soldier in war is to fight. So I am. I am begging all of you to please pray for us to come home safely. Sorry if this letter offended anyone.







Hare Krishna.

 

He has found new comfort and assurance in the Bhagavad-Gita, though he feels a bit guilty from time to time, as he doesn't want to lose his faith in the Holy Bible. After all, he's belonged to that "club" for thirty some-odd years. I encourage him to embrace the teachings of Lord Jesus, but not to let those teachings limit him to a sectarian mindset.

I could connect...


Thank you for those I hope indeed that they come home safe as well.

 

Memoirs of a Modern-Day Ksatriya, Part Two

by Jaya Govinda das

Posted June 12, 2004



Caught in concertina

We passed another convoy that had stopped on the side of the road to fix a vehicle. I hoped that we wouldn't end up in a similar situation, as I would have to be the one to get out and fix it.



Something you don't want to do in a convoy is stop. Traveling in the back of the convoy, as mechanics generally do, is already dangerous enough, but getting out of your vehicle in a danger zone is double the trouble.

As we entered the third or fourth village on the banks of the Tigris river, we noticed that some men had laid concertina wire across the road to halt our progress. Unable to avoid contact with the barricade, one of the lead vehicles drove over the wire, which instantly wrapped itself around the truck's axles, bringing it to a stop in the middle of the road.

I observed that on either side of the road were seven foot high sand berms. Surely, this was a trap! We quickly jumped out and took position under our vehicles, alternating sides so that all directions were covered. Once we formed our perimeter, I made my way to the disabled vehicle, staying low as I moved.

The truck was a mess, and it took me over an hour to untangle the wire and fix a couple things that had gotten damaged. I must have chanted eight rounds while lying under that truck, knowing that an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) could hit at any second. Krsna always provides us an opportunity to chant more, and He always protects His devotees. There was no attack.

Holding off the masses</B>

When we entered the Sunni Triangle, our commander warned us to stay alert and be prepared. The Sunni Triangle is known as the Mecca of insurgent attacks. We were on our third day of travel and we were exhausted, but very awake.

Our initial route was to take us around Baghdad rather than through it, where the majority of attacks had occurred. Our alternate route, in case the course was blocked or threatened, was to back-track a little and cut through a neighboring city, adding three hours to the journey. We took neither. The lead vehicle ended up taking a wrong turn, with the entire convoy following suit, right into downtown Baghdad.

Making our way through the congested streets of this over-populated and highly aggressive city, many welcomed our presence and many more scorned us. Some men waved hello, while others waved AK-47s. In Iraq, the only form of gun control is the limit of one machine gun per household. Some people took their shoes off and waved them in the air as a sign of disrespect, and a few of the women flashed us by quickly removing and replacing their facial veils.

Suddenly, the convoy came to a stop. There was some obstruction in the road up ahead and our only option was to wait until it was cleared. I kept my weapon pointed out the window and checked the side mirror. A mob of angry onlookers had formed and was quickly approaching us from the rear. I let out a Hare Krsna! and, without hesitation, jumped out of the truck, locked and loaded. The soldiers in the vehicles in front of and behind me had also dismounted, all with the shared notion that we must contain this crowd at once. It was five against fifty.

Within minutes, we had created another perimeter around the vehicles and were holding the crowd back. We each kept one eye behind our site as the other eye scanned the rooftops, windows and alleyways for potential danger.

I don't know when I started chanting and when I stopped, but as the crowd slowly dispersed back to their preoccupations, I felt as if Krsna was standing behind me -- as if I was protecting Him. I don't know why. It was He who was protecting me, but that's how I felt at the time and that's what got me through the moment.

Close, but no cigar

Just before reaching our final destination, we received some small arms fire and returned the favor. No one was hit on our side or our opposition's. The attack lasted all of one minute, and was more of an insurgency statement than anything else. They were letting us know we weren't welcome.

"Close, but no cigar," our commander proudly boasted over the radio, as we pulled into the camp that would become our home over the next year. Once inside the gates, we were finally able to lower our weapons and relax for the first time in days.

To celebrate our successful journey, the commander handed out cigars to a dozen troops. He offered me one as well, knowing I wouldn't accept it.

"C'mon! We just convoyed through Iraq, for Pete's sake! Can't you bend your rules a little, just once?" I refused his offer. I couldn't understand why these people were killing themselves in celebration that they were still alive.

As the commander flipped open his Zippo to light his fine cigar, he realized that it had gotten completely drenched in sand and wouldn't light. Another soldier offered his lighter to the commander, but it was to no avail. In fact, all the lighters that were conjured up (at least a half a dozen by my count) were useless. The smoke session would have to wait.

People are always sober in the face of danger, but so quick to forget their dependency under the illusion of safety, not realizing that they are always surrounded by danger and that death can come at any moment. As I walked away, I gave the commander a smile and said, "Close, but no cigar."

 

Memoirs of a Modern-Day Ksatriya - Part Three

by Jaya Govinda dasa

Posted June 25, 2004



Camp Anaconda, Iraq - Our new home

Mechanics tend to be an overworked and under-appreciated force in the military, and as such, prefer to stick together on their own. Wanting to separate ourselves from the rest of our unit, we moved from the tents we had been in for the past couple of weeks to the motor pool in which we worked.

The motor pool was a large concrete building with two bays that had previously been used by the mechanics of Saddam Hussein's army. The doors and windows of both bays had been blown out when the camp was bombed by coalition forces during the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With the exception of a few cracks in the ceiling and some holes in the walls, the building seemed structurally sound, and it was safer than a tent.

There was still some old Iraqi equipment left in the bays and everything was covered with droppings and feathers from the pigeons that inhabited the building. Around the back of the shop was a separate room that was said to have been used by the former regime to store their dead. True or not (and most probably not), this miserable place embodied the essence of tama guna.

I set up a cot between two rows of cans stacked six feet high, oil on one side and transmission fluid on the other, and that's where I slept.

One thing you learn in the military is how to surrender. You have no choice. You take shelter in the fact that everything is temporary, a fact that is easily understood by a soldier.

Before long, we had acquired enough wood and supplies to construct little rooms. Four walls and a night table was a welcomed step up from the makeshift cubicles we were all so eager to abandon. I fished out some devotional pictures I had clipped from some old issues of Back to Godhead and pinned them to the walls. At least Krsna was with me. These other guys had nothing.

Within a few weeks, we had adopted a somewhat regulated routine:

5:00 a.m. - Wake up
5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. - Physical training
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. - Personal hygiene
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - Beginning of work day
Noon to 1:00 p.m. - Lunch
7:00 p.m. - Dinner (Work day ends unless there's a big job to do)

That was our schedule every day, with half-days on Sunday.

The temperature outside hadn't begun to heat up yet, so working outdoors all day wasn't too bad, except for having rocks jabbing into our backs every time we had to crawl under a truck. We worked and slept, and the first couple months passed.

The food

It was a struggle finding something to eat every day. The lack of vegetarian options was astounding, and when there was something, it was more than likely overcooked and mushy, and completely sub-standard to anything I had ever put in my mouth. Usually, there were two vegetables offered, but at least one of them was inedible, either because a spoon from the neighboring shrimp creole was laying atop the vegetables or the vegetables themselves were cooked with meat (as is the case with spinach and green beans, which are almost always cooked in bacon grease).

Even by meat-eating standards, the food was formidable. Everything was a putrid gray, as if all the nutrition had just been sucked right out. Had I not already been a vegetarian, this vile display of grub would have definitely converted me.

Of course, there was always a huge variety of fish, fowl, cattle and swine. The buffet was a meat-eaters paradise. On any given day, one could, and usually did, get a hamburger, fried chicken, a hot dog, beef stew and some fish, all at the same time! The only time I had ever heard of that much meat on one plate was when Pope John Paul II indulged in a feast of quail, lamb, veal and turtle soup, and rinsed it down with a glass of red wine.

Aside from the one vegetable I could eat, there was a fairly decent salad bar. There wasn't always lettuce, and when there was, it was exclusively Iceberg, but there was a pretty good selection of vegetables. They weren't fresh, but they made a suitable salad. All of the salad dressings were made with egg, so I ate it dry.

There was also a pasta bar that stocked spaghetti and tomato sauce. Bread was also available, as well as an occasional unripened fruit and potato chips.

Sundays were steak and lobster day, which replaced anything I was usually able to eat during the week. If you could imagine being tightly squeezed between two people as they gorge themselves, ripping the flesh of a lobster's carcass from it's shell while steak juice dribbles down their chins, and having to smell the stench of their meal as you try to stomach your own as quickly as possible, you would have a pretty good understanding of steak and lobster day.

They often served Òvegetarian vegetable soupÓ which, not surprisingly, was made with chicken stock. Apparently, the manager never learned the difference between chickens and vegetables, and was not at all amused when I attempted to explain it to her.



Mornings were the exception. I was able to eat cereal with milk, orange juice, peanut butter and fruit (sometimes). Breakfast was my main meal and I ate as much as I could, and took as much as I could for later.

My typical daily menu was:

Breakfast - cereal, milk, orange juice, and an occasional fruit
Lunch - pasta and salad
Dinner - pasta and salad

It seems alright for one day's eating, but following such a diet for weeks on end takes it's toll. I had become weak and lethargic, and my stomach was always sour. The lack of vitamins had lowered my immune system and I couldn't sustain any strength due to my extremely low protein intake. I had also lost two pant sizes-worth of weight.

My parents and colleagues encouraged me to eat meat. They didn't understand how ridiculous that sounded to me. I had been vegetarian since I was fifteen; half my life.

I acquired some jars of peanut butter and jelly and some bread from an acquaintance who worked at the DFAC (Dining Facility), and it provided me another alternative to pasta and salad, as well as a steady source of protein. But pasta and peanut butter can only keep you going for so long.

I asked my commander if any special arrangements could be made to provide me with adequate food, but he suggested I just eat MREs or start eating meat. I told him that I would never eat meat regardless of the situation.

Finally, my package came.

My wife had sent me a box of food that could be easily cooked, a portable electric burner, textured vegetable protein and vegetarian vitamin supplements. She even sent me some spices. Soon after, I received packages from my mother, my sister and some of my godsiblings. I now had all kinds of meals to make and snacks to munch on, and my health quickly recovered.

I also obtained a mini refrigerator that had been discarded. It was broken, but I re-wired it and got it working. Soon, I had milk and juice in there and was rarely going to the chow hall at all, except to stock up on groceries and drop some fruit prasadam off at the salad bar. I built a wooden counter in my room and set up my kitchen. At last, I could cook my own food and offer it. Krsna was definitely setting me up with a tolerable situation and, more than ever before, I could begin to understand just how dependent on Him I was.

 

Memoirs of a Modern-Day Ksatriya: Part One

by Jaya Govinda das

Posted June 6, 2004



Camp Udairi, Kuwait

I could see the fires in the distance. The oil refineries just across the border light the path that we will travel through enemy territory tomorrow. It is January and we have just arrived.

Each individual deals, in their own way, with the stark reality that this day may be their last. Some call home, others write. Some try to sack in whatever sleep they can muster while others can't sleep at all. A couple Privates put on their best gung ho show, but no one's buying it. I chant my japa.

These soldiers have had months of training in tactical manuevering and convoy procedures. Countless hours have been spent teaching them how to fight, but none have been taught how to die.

The tent had quited down. I chanted my evening gayatri, which didn't go unnoticed, and layed down for bed. In a tent with fifty other guys, when the opportunity to sleep presents itself, you take it. And so I did. Tomorrow would be a long day.

The first two weeks

We arrived at Camp Udairi in the midst of a severe mud storm, which soaked all of our gear within minutes. I couldn't help but think of the duality of material nature. While just a couple days prior I was praying to Sri Sri Nitai Sacinandana (our temple deities) for protection and holding my wife and daughter for the last time, I was now standing in Kuwait, knee-high covered in mud.

Two days after our arrival, the storm ended and we prepared for our convoy through Iraq.

IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and blocked ambushes were the biggest threats and there had been some attacks on the route we were taking just the day before. There was training to be done.

Aside from the neccessary training, our equipment had to be brought up to par. As a mechanic, I had two weeks to make sure that sixty humvees, a quarter of which were in no condition to have been shipped over in the first place, were fully combat ready. After 150 hours of pounding and twisting and tweaking and lubing, they were.

Phantom fire

With a few days to spare, we drove to a nearby camp to undergo Special Forces close quarters combat training. We trained with live ammo. While out on the M-249 machine gun range, one brand new soldier had gotten some rounds jammed in the chamber of his weapon. Too embarassed to tell anyone, he put it down amongst the other weapons that had already been cleared.

Luckily, no one was hurt when the gun "phantom fired", sending rounds out in all directions. I've never danced for the deities the way I danced when bullets kissed the sand around my feet.

We returned to the camp for our last few days in Kuwait, a little more prepared and a lot more conscious of our weapons.

Somewhere between Iraq and Kuwait - Iwait

Today was the day. At 1:30 a.m., I mounted a picture of Lord Nrsimhadeva in my truck and we rolled out, crossing the border into Iraq twenty minutes later.

The fires burned high and bright, but this time, they were not so distant. Beyond the fires, the land was dark and colorless, creating a sense of timelessness that can only be understood by one who has been there. I was reminded of the Bhagavatam's description of various hellish planets. Surely there was one that resembled this place.

We passed through our first village at the break of dawn. Even in the midst of battle, the sunrise is glorious. The local villagers had already begun their days' routine. Herdsmen lead their flock to graze on small patches of grass that peaked through the sand. Women, clad in black cloth from head to toe, harvested whatever it is they harvest. Everyone watched as our convoy proceeded through their village.

This was the poorest place I had ever seen. I hadn't seen a village in India as poverty-stricken as this one. The road was lined with huts constructed out of mud and garbage, and there was no electricity or water. Men bathed and children drank out of muddy puddles. As we neared the center of the village, children approached our vehicles with their hands to their mouths in a silent plea for food and water.

There was pain in my heart at the sight of these starving kids, and fear in my mind, knowing that any of them could have a bomb strapped to their chest. You never know who or where the enemy is, and so you set your weapon's scope on everyone in your sight and pray that it's not them.

 

February 1, 1968, Los Angeles​

Interviewer: I think the first question is kind of basic, is why is everything always taped at all the...

Prabhupada: Because we have got so many branches, they want to hear me, my singing, my speech, therefore they record it and send it to different branches. We have got thirteen, fourteen

branches: one in New York, one in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Buffalo, Boston, Montreal, Vancouver, London, Hamburg. We have got so many branches.

Interviewer: What are the basic beliefs of the Krsna religion?

Prabhupada: Krsna means God. So God, this word, does not explain the nomenclature of God. Now this Krsna is Sanskrit word, and it conveys the full meaning of God. Krsna means all-attractive. All-attractive means He is full of all opulences. In this world we are attracted by one who is very rich, we are attracted by one who is very famous, we are attracted by one who is very highly educated, we are attracted by someone who is very beautiful. Similarly, these are features of attraction. And when all these attractions are reposed in one place without any rivalry, He is God. That is the conception of God. So Krsna means all these six opulences in fullness together. That is the full definition of God.

Interviewer: What effect to the followers does chanting give? I heard from one that it transports them to a utopian type situation. I wondered if you could elaborate on that a little more.

Prabhupada: Which situation?

Interviewer: Utopian-like, where there is no harm, no..., all is good, and...

Prabhupada: Yes. Now, this our process is chanting. It is very innocent. If you sit down and chant with us, you have no loss, no harm, but there is great gain. You see? By chanting, you gradually cleanse your heart and you can realize what is God. That is the greatest gain. Human life is meant for knowing God. The animals, they cannot know, although the bodily demands of the animal and the human being are the same. The animals, they sleep; man also sleeps. Animal, they eat; man also eats. The animal, they are also afraid of some enemy; man is also afraid of some enemy. The animals, they mate with the opposite sex, and men also do that. But what is the special significance of man? He can understand about God, but the animal cannot. Therefore if a man does not take to this understanding, he is no better than animal. A man who has no God consciousness or Krsna consciousness, he is no better than animal because he has no other business than the four principles of bodily demands. So that is also prevalent in animal kingdom. Therefore this is a privilege for human being, to understand about God, and as such, in every human society there is some sort of religious principle. This religious principle means to understand God. Either you take it, Christianity or Judaism or Hinduism, every religion is trying to understand God according to their capacity. So without this understanding, means Krsna consciousness, human life is as good as animal life.

Interviewer: Do you believe that other religions have some truth to them because they all are...

Prabhupada: I have already told that religion means searching after God, every religion. The process may be different. The audience may be different. Just like in Christianity there is conception of God, "God created this world." So this is a fact. We also say. But we say in very lucid explanation from the Vedas. We don't stop, simply saying, "God created," but how created, how things developed, these descriptions are there in the Vedic literature. That is the difference. Otherwise there is no difference of opinion. The Christians accept God created this world; the Jewish religion, they also accept God created this world; the Muslims they also accept God created this world; we also accept God created this world. So "God is the supreme; God is great," that is accepted by everyone. But the only difference is that we give details so that modern mind, who are advanced in education and scientific knowledge, they can understand, whereas others, they cannot give in detail. Therefore they are deviating gradually because the modern, advanced, educated persons they want to know how God created this world, and that description is lacking. But we can give that. That is the difference. Otherwise the primary principle, to understand God--God is great; we are small, tiny; we are subordinate; we are maintained by God--this idea is everywhere.

Interviewer: Yes, well, what is your explanation of the creation of the world?

Prabhupada: That is a huge thing. That we have to see to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, that God expanded Himself first of all in Maha-Visnu, He lied down on the Causal Ocean. And while He was in sleeping mood, from His breathing, innumerable universes came into existence. Then each and every universe, Maha-Visnu entered. Then again He lied down there, and from Him the first creature, Brahma, generated. Then Brahma created other planets. First there was creation of sound. From the sound, the sky came into existence. From the sky, air came into existence. From air, fire came into existence. From fire, water came into existence, and from water, this land developed. In this way, there are very detailed description in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So we have to take it that way.

Interviewer: Were you born in this country or were you born in...

Prabhupada: No. I was born in India, Calcutta. My birthplace is Calcutta.

Interviewer: When did you come to this country?

Prabhupada: I came here in September, 1965.

Interviewer: Did you come with the purpose of spreading Krsna consciousness?

Prabhupada: Yes. I am an ordained minister for preaching these missionary activities. So I came here in September, 1965. Then, for one year, I was traveling in many parts of your country. In the beginning I was in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, and then I went to Philadelphia. Then I came to New York. And in this way I was traveling, not very much. And in 1966, in July 1st, I started my class in New York at 26 Second Avenue. That is my first starting. Then the younger generation began to come to me, and they started the San Francisco branch, Montreal branch. In this way the institution is going. And we have sent our students to Europe also. They have already started one branch in London, one in Hamburg. And we have sent our students in Honolulu. They have started a branch there. So our program is to start several..., as many branches as possible to spread this Krsna consciousness movement. And it is very easy. We simply invite persons to come and chant with us. It doesn't matter what he is, what is his language, what is his religion. We don't take into account all these things. And this Hare Krsna is so easy to utter, that any man can utter. That we have experienced. Any part of the world, we chant Hare Krsna, and they can very easily imitate and chant. Even child, they also. So by chanting, he gradually becomes Krsna conscious. His heart becomes cleansed and he can understand what is science of Krsna, what is science of God. Then he automatically offers himself for initiation. Then we initiate him and guide him in different ways. But our students are strictly forbidden to have illicit sex life or meat-eating or intoxication or gambling. These four things are strictly forbidden for our students. And they take it seriously. We get our... In your country boys and girls, they live as friend. I don't allow that. If there is such friendship, I immediately ask them, if they become my student, I immediately ask them to be married. And this experiment has proved very successful. I got these young boys and girls married, and they are very happily living, and husband and wife, they are preaching. All my students in London-- there are six boys and girls--they were married by me, and they are doing very nicely. So the Krsna consciousness movement is very nice in everywhere, especially in this country. That is my opinion. And people will be benefited, especially the younger section who were feeling frustration in every respect, and they are now happy. It is practical. Just ask any one of my students how they are happy. You have seen in our temple how happily they are living and dancing from their face. Face is the index of mind. You will understand from their face how happy they are feeling. They are not smoking. They are not taking marijuana or are taking... No. This nonsense we don't allow. Simple food and chanting. That makes them happy. Simple thing.

Interviewer: I notice that most of your followers, at least in this temple, are young, like in the college age or in the teenage. Is it because Krsna doesn't attract the older generation, I mean, yourself excluded?

Prabhupada: No. Krsna attracts everyone. Just like magnetic stone attracts iron. But the iron is covered with too much muddy things--the magnetic force does not work. This younger generation, they are not too much dirty; therefore they are very easily attracted. You see? It is like a magnetic force. The same example, that magnetic force attracts iron. That is natural. But if the iron is too much rusty and covered with muddy things, then it does not act. So older generation means they are convinced in some way. They cannot accept any new thing. You see? They are in the last stage of life. Whatever they have understood, they cannot forget. But younger generation, they have got capacity to take new things. Just like nobody goes... No old man goes to school because they are unable to receive education. But younger generation, they go. So there is a age to receive. So this age is recipient. Therefore naturally--it is nice thing--they are receiving.

 

Interviewer: You spoke of initiation. What is that initiation?

Prabhupada: Initiation means formally acceptance of the line of activities in Krsna consciousness. Before that, before initiation, we invite everyone to come and sit down with us, chant, dance, take prasadam, hear philosophy. And if he understands, "Oh, this is very nice," then he offers himself to be initiated. Then we accept. Then we impose this restriction that "If you want to be initiated..." We get hundreds of letters by everyone who has attended our classes. Daily we are getting some married couples or boys and girls, but most of them are younger. My students are within thirties. The oldest student I have got at the present moment, he is twenty-eight years. No, Kirtanananda is about thirty years old. That's all. So, of course, I do not get any older people. That is nice, hopeful, because younger section, if they take it very seriously, then I have hopes that they will preach in future, even in my absence. And old people, if a man becomes too much accustomed to a certain limited habits, in old age it is very difficult to give it up unless one is extraordinarily intelligent.

Interviewer: What is the purpose of the robes and having your head shaved?

Prabhupada: That is not very difficult to understand. Just like you dress in a certain way, I dress in certain way. So we have got this dressing system in our Krsna consciousness movement, and this is taken from Vedic literature. A brahmacari should dress like that. And that is very economical. Our dress is saffron dress. It does not become dirty very quickly, and we... (break) This dress is not very important thing, but when one is initiated, he accepts the regulations which I give them. So it is not that if you do not come in that dress in our temple you will not understand our philosophy. That is not... We don't mean that. But it is convenient. But anyone who does not want to change this dress, that does not matter. We don't insist. These brahmacaris, they voluntarily change. Otherwise there are many students, just like we have got two, three students, they are working. They come just like ordinary American gentlemen. So there is no objection in that way. Dress is not very important thing.

Interviewer: Do you have a name that you call... are they called students? Like, would he be called a student or a...?

Devotee: Brahmacari.

Prabhupada: Brahmacari. We have got four divisions. Those who are not married, they are called brahmacaris. And those who are married, they are called grhasthas. And those who are retired, they are called vanaprasthas. And those who are renounced, they have no connection with anything worldly, they are called sannyasa. Just like I am a sannyasi. Sannyasi mean I have got my family, I have got my wife, children, grandchildren in India, but I have no connection with them. I live alone.

Interviewer: Could I ask for a spelling on those?

Prabhupada: Sannya... Yes, brahmacari: b-r-a-h-m-a-c-h-a-r-y, this is brahmacari. Then grhastha: g-r-i-h-a-s-t-h-a, grhastha. H-a-s-t-h-a, grhastha. G-r-i-h-a-s-t-h-a. Is that clear? Grhastha. Then vanaprastha: v-a-n-a-p-r-a-s-t-h-a, vanaprastha. Then sannyasi: s-n-n-y-a-s-i, sannyasi. Four divisions. These four divisions, and there are other four orders of social system. That is according to work, division according to work and quality. Just like the brahmanas, b-r-a-h-m-a-i-n-s, brahmanas. Brahmanas means the most intelligent class of the society. The ksatriyas, k-s-h-a-t-r-y-a-s, ksatriyas. Ksatriyas means persons who are interested in politics, in the management of the country, political affairs. They are called ksatriyas. Similarly, there is the vaisyas, v-a-i-s-y-a-s. Vaisyas means the mercantile, productive class. Those who are engaged in producing grains or trade, milk, and in industry. Of course, industry, artisans, they are called, artists, sudras. Anyway, any person engaged in producing for the needs of the society, they are called vaisyas. And the worker class is called sudra. So according to Vedic system, these are eight divisions. Unless the human society is divided into these eight divisions in terms of material and spiritual progress of life, that is not accepted as human society.

Interviewer: Have they encountered any problems in, like out on the Hollywood Boulevard? Police action or telling them to move or...?

Prabhupada: Yes. Only that depends on the whims of the police. Sometimes they say, "You are blocking our roads." Sometimes, "Oh, you are doing nice." So that depends on their temperament.

Interviewer: How about from the crowd?

Prabhupada: Crowd, of course, whenever there is crowd, it is natural--police do not like it. So we don't create crowd. But generally, people, out of inquisitiveness they gather together and see how they are chanting. They are sympathetic. They contribute. They purchase our books and literature. The people, public is sympathetic. The police are also sympathetic. They don't object when we go at night, but during busy hours, they object. So one of our students was arrested by the police. So he was taken to the court, and I gave them $315 for what is called? Bail. But he was not convicted. He was immediately liberated, and now our money was returned. So it is not a problem.

Interviewer: Were there any followers before you came to this country?

Prabhupada: No. In this country, of this Krsna consciousness movement, there was none. It is the first time. I have introduced. But in India it is very, very old, since the advent of Krsna, and at least since last five thousand years. So Krsna is very popular in India. In every home, Krsna is worshiped, and there are many millions of temples of Krsna in India and followers also. Followers means almost all Hindus are followers of Krsna. They read this Bhagavad-gita. So I have recently published Bhagavad-gita As It Is. It is published by Macmillan Company, and this book is very nicely being received. It is being reviewed by several papers. I have got many others books. They are being gradually introduced. Perhaps you have seen in our counter. We have got books, magazines, calendar, and other literatures. So it is a very scientific movement. It is not a sentiment, bogus hoax. Anyone who wants to understand this movement philosophically, scientifically, they will be very much satisfied with this. The idea is that any religious movement without philosophical basis, it is simply sentiment or fanaticism. And philosophy without idea of God is simply mental speculation. Therefore religious principles combined with philosophy, that is perfect. So the younger section become attracted to this movement because we are giving some religious principle based on philosophy.

Interviewer: About how many followers would you say there are in the United States?

Prabhupada: Initiated members, there are about one hundred or little more, but sympathizers, admirers, there are many. Those who come, those who contribute, take sympathy, they help, and in that way there are many followers. But actually initiated members, there are about a little more than one hundred.

Interviewer: What is the significance of... Right after the chanting, everyone bows, and that I don't understand, what they're doing.

Prabhupada: Yes. That is offering respect. The whole, our Krsna consciousness movement, is to ask people to surrender to God. They have rebelled against God. Somebody says, "There is no God." Somebody says that "I am God." These nonsense things are to be eradicated from human society. So they should be trained to submit. So the submission is symbolized by bowing down: "Yes, you are great; I am humble." This should be taught. Otherwise, whimsically somebody is thinking that "I am God." They do not know what is God. It is most foolish proposal if somebody claims that he is God. He is dog. We very much hate this proposal, when a man claims that he is God. It is most blasphemous.

Interviewer: Have you... Did you... Well, you've only been over here about four years. But have there been dropouts, out of the movement, of the hundred that were initiated?

Prabhupada: They are doing nicely. They are making progress. They are understanding the philosophy. They are working for it. Now I am the only man who came from India, and still, I am one. I have no... There are many Indians, but I have no Indian follower here. Of course, in India we have got. That's a different thing. But these, all these American boys, they are cooperating with me. That means they are taking this movement very seriously. We have got two great papers, magazines, already, Back to Godhead. One is published from New York, and the other is published from Montreal. (break) In French language. Montreal it is published in French language, and they are well received. Recently I have received one letter from my disciple, Janardana. He is Janus Dambergs, M.A., he is the editor of that paper. He is a very good scholar in French language. His wife is also good scholar, Muna. She is also very good scholar in French language. So they are publishing, and the magazine is well received by the French-speaking people there. And we have contemplation to publish the same magazine in German language also from Germany.

 

Interviewer: Is it necessary to know of the Indian language when you join? Because I noticed that when your...

Prabhupada: This is not Indian name. This is Sanskrit name.

Interviewer: It's what? Prabhupada: Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a language which is mother of all languages. Sanskrit, S-a-n-s-k-r-i-t, Sanskrit language. So this is the original language of this..., not only of this planet. In other planets also, this language is spoken. So the names are in Sanskrit. They do not belong to any community or any section. It is universal. We have no information. Just like this word, Krsna. It is universally known: "all-attractive." The exact English translation is "all-attractive." So there cannot be any proper nomenclature for God than this "all-attractive." Unless God is all-attractive, how He can be God? This is the perfect nomenclature. Similarly, anything Sanskritically named, that is all perfect. Yes

 

Changing the Face of the Earth

The Changing the Face of the Earth campaign is a world-wide program to bring about a solution to the problems currently faced by this planet and her inhabitants.

The campaign aims to educate the governments and the people of the world in the practical application of the timeless teachings of the Vedas, India's storehouse of transcendental knowledge, as presented in the translations and commentaries by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.




The Campaign aims to create public support for action to solve the world's current environmental and economic crisis in line with this timeless knowledge. Specifically:

• Develop projects supporting environmentally sound self-sufficient communities at all levels.
• Encourage vegetarianism and cow protection.
• Establish Plain Living and High Thinking farm communities to demonstrate self-sufficient rural living is a viable alternative lifestyle.
• Recognize the spiritual aspect of humanity and its importance to society, and its interrelationship with global problems.
• Work towards the establishment of the perfect social system, Varnasrama dharma

Campaign Issues

• Economic development and the environment
  The ability of this planet to support us is being reduced as a result of the intensive exploitation of her resources to support ever increasing economic development. To save the environment radical changes must be made in the way we approach trade and development issues. We can't expect to save the environment without changing our lifestyles!
• Karma and consciousness
  Karma is the science of action and reaction. The law of karma states activities we perform now will cause a reaction in the future. Karma effects us as individuals, on a collective level as nations and ultimately the whole planet. The current environmental and economic crisis is a karmic reaction. This bad karma is a result of our sinful activities. There is no question of a solution until we reduce our sinful activities.
• Vegetarianism and cow protection.
  The whole planet is now suffering as a result of the enormous burden of karma created by massive slaughterhouses killing large numbers of innocent animals, particularly the cow. For peace and prosperity in the world this animal killing must be curtailed. If animal killing continues global war will be the inevitable result.
• Plain Living and High Thinking
  Life need not be complicated. If we have some land, cows and food grains, life can be very peaceful and simple. Such a lifestyle affords ample time for the practice of spiritual activities. There should be provisions made to enable people to choose this lifestyle as an alternative to hectic city life.
• Varnasrama Social System
  This social system is a natural system which recognizes that different people have different propensities and should therefore be engaged in work suitable to their qualities.The governments should recognize the different qualities of their citizens and engage them accordingly. People will be happy if they are working at tasks compatible with their nature.
• The Golden Age
  The current age is Kali-yuga, or the iron age of quarrel, however the timeless Vedic Scriptures of India describe this iron age can be transformed into a golden age of prosperity and spiritual reawakening. The world can be transformed if the leaders of the principal governments encourage the Sankirtana movement.
• The Science of mantra Meditation
  In this age the most practical and effective form of meditation is chanting the Hare Krishna maha mantra. It can solve all the problems we are currently facing and enable us to leave this material world and go back home, back to Godhead after we leave this body.

We ask the governments of the world to help establish the golden age by implementing the advice given in this document. The result will be a transformation of the planet and an end to the problems we are currently facing: environmental, social and economic.

NEXT: The Environment and Economic Development


​

 

and finally....

​

George Harrison, John Lennon and Yoko Ono from the Beatles Talk With Srila Prabhupada (RealAudio)


and

George Harrison Interview: Hare Krishna Mantra--There's Nothing Higher (1982).

 

This is very awesome...I read them awhile ago but thanks for the audio clip as well as all your previous posts...

 

Jaganathadasa: oh yes! thank you for these articles. I read them too, but as Srila Prabhupada says, you can never get enough

And thank you al for such a great contribution, I'd never imagined that this thread would go on for such a long time. hare krishna!

 

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!

All glories to Vaishnavas everywhere!

Thought you might like this....


[size=+0]The Gauranga Swan Song [/size]






[size=+0]Hail Thee Nityananda-Gauranga Nama! Kali Yuga's Sole Resort
For the ship of life, foul weather's safest Port.
Without Thee there's no other Support to seek,
With my heart and soul, honestly to Thee I speak....1


O Nityananda-Gauranga Nama! In Thee I take refuge with all my heart
Tho' in singing Thy Glories, Upanishads play their part.
Yet unable are they to do justice to Thy greatness,
Thou art e'er being sung by Yogis in their sedateness....2


O Syllable Form of God! Victory to Thee! Thou art always sought,
For Thou appeasest e'en those who is worldliness are caught.
Thou art e'er being sung by sages with bright prospect,
As Thou purifest e'en a sinner, uttering Thee in disrespect....3


O Nama Bhagavan Sun! Nityananda's and Gauranga's Holy Name
Who can aptly describe Thy enduring Fame?
Thy dim reflection, dispelling Universe's ignorance,
Confers on all the boon of Krishna love's affluence.....4


The deeds of past births, whcih the Vedas call,
Destiny, remain undestroyed unless endured by all.
Yet, unendur'd, Thy dim reflection destroys them as well,
Tho' even meditation on Brahman fails to save us from their spell....5


All Victory to Thee! O Nityananda-Gauranga Nama - the Fount of Divine Bliss!
Meditation's pains and arduous rituals Thou dost thus dismiss.
O Harbinger of Gauranga's Lotus Feet! howsoe'er Thou art spoken,
My faith in Thee - my Nectar, Life and Ornament will always remain unshaken......6


O Nityananda-Gauranga Nama, Thou art both a Means and an End in Itself to me.
Make me Thy 'ternal slave till the soul in this body be.
Without Thy mercy there's in this world no succour for me!
If Thou deniest my wish, what would my fate be?......7


O Nityananda-Gauranga Nama, except for Thee there is none I can call my own,
O where should I go, if Thou dost me disown?
In sins vile, I am sunk o'er head and shoulders,
And ruefully I am aflame in their smolders.......8


O Nityananda-Gauranga Nama, calling Thee aloud unmotivated,
My heart by Their glamour is captivated.
For diffusest Thou resplendent Love around,
My soul by Thy offenseless Kindness is spellbound.......9


The Names of Nityananda-Gauranga are the richest possession of mankind,
Before which Fate's cruellest blows fail to grind.
Death, as it must come, comes to all ere long,
Let Nityananda-Gauranga in birth and death be my swan song......10 [/size]

 

Nityananda! Gauranga! Hare Krishna!

thanks for a Gauranga Swan Song!

 

Jaya Gaura-Nitai!!!!!!